JP2003284893A - Seal for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seal for a washing machine which ensures and exerts a necessary sealing performance even when a spring is omitted from an outer peripheral lip 5, in regard to the seal for the washing machine which seals a washing tub 2 from outside so that drainage from the washing tub 2 may not leak outside B. <P>SOLUTION: The seal has the outer peripheral lip 5 of a springless structure and the outer peripheral lip 5 is provided with a seal part 7 coming into close contact with the outer peripheral surface 6a of a downward tube part 6 provided at the bottom of the washing tub 2, a seal part 8 coming into close contact with the lower surface 2a of the bottom of the washing tub 2 and a bent part 9 wherein the interferences of the two seal parts 7 and 8 have an effect on each other and which maintains the respective interferences of the seal parts 7 and 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lip seal, which is a kind of sealing device, and a washing machine which seals a drain from a washing tub in a washing machine so as not to leak to the outside. It relates to machine seals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 7, in a conventional general washing machine seal 51, drainage from a washing tub 52 is received by a bearing.
Seals between the inner peripheral lip 54 that seals between the shaft 53 and the washing tub 52 so that the drainage from the washing tub 52 does not leak to the outside B. The outer peripheral lip 55 is integrally provided.

However, in the conventional washing machine seal 51, as shown in the drawing, the outer peripheral lip 55 has a structure in which the garter spring 56 is assembled to provide a tightening margin, so that the sealing performance is improved. If the tightening allowance is increased as much as possible, there is a disadvantage that the spring 56 is likely to fall off during the assembling process of the seal 51.

Further, as a method for increasing the tightening margin of the outer peripheral lip 55 and further preventing the spring 56 from falling off,
It is conceivable that the outer peripheral lip 55 is of a springless type having no spring, but in this case, the outer peripheral lip 55 is liable to suffer from settling, so that the tightening margin thereof is reduced early.

[0005]

In view of the above points, the present invention has a structure in which the spring is omitted from the outer peripheral lip to prevent the spring from falling off, and even if the spring is omitted from the outer peripheral lip in this manner. An object of the present invention is to provide a seal for a washing machine that can ensure and exhibit the required sealing performance.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a seal for a washing machine according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a space between a washing tub and the washing tub so that drainage from the washing tub does not leak to the outside. A seal for a washing machine, comprising a springless outer peripheral lip, the outer peripheral lip being in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of a downwardly facing tubular portion provided at the bottom of the washing tub, and a bottom surface of the bottom of the washing tub. And a bent portion so that the tightening margins of the both seal parts influence each other to maintain the tightening margins of the respective seal parts.
It is characterized by having one or two points.

The washing machine seal according to claim 2 of the present invention is a seal for a washing machine which seals between the washing tub and the drain so that drainage from the washing tub does not leak to the outside. Of the outer peripheral lip and the opposite lip of the springless structure, the outer peripheral lip is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the downward cylindrical portion provided at the bottom of the washing tub, the opposed lip of the downward cylindrical portion. It is characterized by being closely attached to the inner peripheral surface.

In the washing machine seal according to claim 1 of the present invention having the above structure, since the outer peripheral lip has a springless structure and the spring is omitted from the outer peripheral lip, there is no risk of the spring falling off. You can In addition, the outer peripheral lip has a sealing portion that closely contacts the outer peripheral surface of the downward-facing tubular portion of the bottom of the washing tub, a sealing portion that closely contacts the lower surface of the bottom of the washing tub, and the interference of both seals affects each other. Since the bent portion for maintaining the above is provided, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of sag in the lip by this tightening margin maintaining action.

A second aspect of the present invention having the above structure.
In the washing machine seal described above, since the outer peripheral lip has the springless structure and the spring is omitted from the outer peripheral lip, it is possible to eliminate the risk of the spring coming off. In addition, since the opposing lip has a springless structure, there is no risk of the spring coming off. Further, since the outer peripheral lip and the opposed lip constitute a multi-stage seal, the multi-stage seal structure can effectively seal the drainage. Further, when the outer peripheral side lip and the opposing lip are provided on the inner and outer peripheries of the downward cylindrical portion as described above, the downward cylindrical portion is eccentric (center misaligned) and the contact state of the outer peripheral lip becomes uneven on the circumference. Even
The sealing effect can be complemented by the opposing lips.

The present application includes the following technical matters.

That is, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one seal proposed by the present application is to make spring contact with each other at two positions in the width direction and the radial direction, and the respective tightening margins influence each other to make the tightening margin. 1 bend to maintain
An outer peripheral lip having one or two points is provided.

Further, the outer peripheral lip is removed, and one or a plurality of lips are provided which are in contact with the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the plate (downward cylindrical portion), respectively. The direction of the lip can be either up or down.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment ... FIG. 1 shows a half-cut cross section of a washing machine seal 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a mounted state, and a main part thereof is enlarged and shown in FIG. Has been done.

In the washing machine seal 1 according to the embodiment, the drainage from the washing tub 2 is used as a bearing in a domestic washing machine.
It seals between the inner peripheral lip 4 that seals the shaft 3 so that it does not enter the motor side A, and the washing tub 2 that prevents drainage from the washing tub 2 from leaking to the outside B. The outer peripheral lip 5 and the outer peripheral lip 5 are integrally formed, and the latter outer peripheral lip 5 is configured as follows.

That is, the outer peripheral lip 5 is formed in a ring shape by a predetermined rubber-like elastic body such as nitrile rubber, and is formed as a lip having a springless structure having no spring. Further, the outer peripheral lip 5 is formed to have a reduced thickness of about 50% when the spring is attached in order to give the lip 5 a degree of freedom.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer peripheral lip 5 has an annular middle belly seal which is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 6a of the downwardly facing tubular portion 6 provided at the bottom of the washing tub 2 at the middle portion 5b in the height direction thereof. The portion 7 is provided, and the tip 5c thereof is provided with an annular tip seal portion 8 that is in close contact with the bottom surface 2a of the bottom of the washing tub 2. Further, the middle abdominal portion 5b is provided with one annular bent portion 9 so that the tightening margins of the seal portions 7 and 8 influence each other and maintain the tightening margins of the seal portions 7 and 8. Since the outer peripheral seal portion 5 is provided with the bent portion 9, the diameter dimension gradually decreases from the base end portion 5a to the middle abdominal portion 5b, both the inner and outer diameters, and from the middle abdominal portion 5b to the front end portion 5c. Is formed such that the diameter dimension gradually increases with the inner and outer diameters.

When the washing machine seal 1 having the above-described structure is mounted at a predetermined mounting position, the middle lip seal portion 7 of the outer peripheral lip 5 comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface 6a of the downward cylindrical portion 6 due to its interference and the tip seal portion 8 is provided. Is closely contacted with the bottom surface 2a of the bottom of the washing tub 2 due to its interference, the tip seal portion 8
A reaction force (arrow A) directed downward, and a reaction force (arrow B) directed outward in the abdominal seal portion 7 is generated. Then, the force generated in the tip seal portion 8 acts as a force (arrow C) to deform it in the inner belly seal portion 7 in the inner diameter direction, and the force generated in the middle belly seal portion 7 raises it in the tip seal portion 8. Since the force acts as a force (arrow D) to deform in the direction, the tightening margins of both seal portions 7 and 8 interfere with each other, so that the tightening margins of each seal portion 7 and 8 can be maintained. .

Therefore, according to the outer peripheral lip 5 having the above-mentioned structure, it is possible to secure a stable sealing performance equivalent to that when the spring is attached, although the spring is omitted. Further, cost reduction can be realized by making the springless, and it is possible to eliminate the risk of the spring coming off.

Second Embodiment ... FIG. 3 shows a half-section of a washing machine seal 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a mounted state. Has been done.

In the washing machine seal 1 according to the embodiment, the drainage from the washing tub 2 is used as a bearing in a domestic washing machine.
It seals between the inner peripheral lip 4 that seals the shaft 3 so that it does not enter the motor side A, and the washing tub 2 that prevents drainage from the washing tub 2 from leaking to the outside B. The outer peripheral lip 5 and the outer peripheral lip 5 are integrally formed, and the latter outer peripheral lip 5 is configured as follows.

That is, the outer peripheral lip 5 is formed in a ring shape by a predetermined rubber-like elastic body such as nitrile rubber, and is formed as a lip having a springless structure having no spring. Further, the outer peripheral lip 5 is formed to have a reduced thickness of about 50% when the spring is attached in order to give the lip 5 a degree of freedom.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer peripheral lip 5 has an annular shape which is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 6a of the downwardly directed cylindrical portion 6 provided at the bottom of the washing tub 2 at the middle portion 5b in the height direction thereof. An intermediate belly seal portion 7 is provided, and an annular tip seal portion 8 that is in close contact with the bottom surface 2a of the bottom of the washing tub 2 is provided at the tip portion 5c.
Is provided. In addition, annular bent portions 9 and 10 are provided in the middle abdominal portion 5b and the upper portion thereof so that the tightening margins of the seal portions 7 and 8 influence each other and maintain the tightening margins of the seal portions 7 and 8. Since the bent portions 9 and 10 are provided at the two locations, the outer peripheral seal portion 5 is provided.
Is gradually reduced from the base end portion 5a to the first bent portion 9 of the middle abdominal portion 5b in both the inner and outer diameters, and from the first bent portion 9 to the second bent portion 10 above it. Is gradually expanded with both the inner and outer diameters, and the diameter dimension from the second bent portion 10 to the tip portion 5c is gradually reduced again with the inner and outer diameters.

When the seal 1 for a washing machine having the above-mentioned structure is mounted at a predetermined mounting position, the middle belly seal portion 7 of the outer peripheral lip 5 comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface 6a of the downward cylinder portion 6 due to its interference and the tip seal portion 8 is formed. Is closely contacted with the bottom surface 2a of the bottom of the washing tub 2 due to its interference, the tip seal portion 8
A reaction force (arrow A) directed downward, and a reaction force (arrow B) directed outward in the abdominal seal portion 7 is generated. Then, the force generated in the tip seal portion 8 acts as a force (arrow C) to deform it in the inner belly seal portion 7 in the inner diameter direction, and the force generated in the middle belly seal portion 7 raises it in the tip seal portion 8. Since the force acts as a force (arrow D) to deform in the direction, the tightening margins of both seal portions 7 and 8 interfere with each other, so that the tightening margins of each seal portion 7 and 8 can be maintained. .

Therefore, according to the outer peripheral lip 5 having the above-mentioned structure, it is possible to secure a stable sealing performance equivalent to that when the spring is mounted, although the spring is omitted. Further, cost reduction can be realized by making the springless, and it is possible to eliminate the risk of the spring coming off.

In addition, in the second embodiment,
As described above, the second bent portion 10 for bending the lip 5 toward the inner diameter side is provided above the first bent portion 9 of the outer peripheral lip 5 and between the middle belly seal portion 7 and the tip seal portion 8. Therefore, when a tightening margin is applied to the tip seal part 8, the second bent part 10 is elastically deformed in the compression direction, and the repulsive force of the second bent part 10 causes the contact surface pressure of the tip seal part 8 against the lower surface of the washing tub 2. Will be increased. Therefore, this increase in surface pressure can further improve the sealing performance.

Third Embodiment ... FIG. 5 shows a half-cut cross section of a washing machine seal 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention in a mounted state, and a main part thereof is enlarged and shown in FIG. Has been done.

In the washing machine seal 1 according to the embodiment, the drainage from the washing tub 2 is used as a bearing in a domestic washing machine.
It seals between the inner peripheral lip 4 that seals the shaft 3 so that it does not enter the motor side A, and the washing tub 2 that prevents drainage from the washing tub 2 from leaking to the outside B. The outer peripheral lip 5 is integrally formed with the latter outer peripheral lip 5, and the opposing lip 11 facing the latter is combined. The outer peripheral lip 5 and the opposed lip 11 are configured as follows.

That is, first, the outer peripheral lip 5 is formed in a ring shape with a predetermined rubber-like elastic body such as nitrile rubber, and is formed as a seal lip having a springless structure having no spring. This outer lip 5
The diametrical dimension is gradually increased from the base end portion 5a to the tip end portion 5c so that both the inner and outer diameters are gradually reduced, and when mounted, the outer peripheral surface 6a of the downward-facing tubular portion 6 provided at the bottom of the washing tub 2 is attached.
Close to.

The opposed lip 11 is also formed in a ring shape by a predetermined rubber-like elastic body such as nitrile rubber, and is formed as a seal lip having a springless structure having no spring. This facing lip 11
Is upwardly formed so that the diameter dimension gradually increases from the base end portion 11a to the tip end portion 11b, and the inner and outer diameters thereof are gradually increased, and when attached, the inner surface 6b of the downwardly facing tubular portion 6 comes into close contact.

The both lips 5, 11 are integrally formed by a rubber-like elastic body 14 vulcanized and bonded to an inner ring (mounting ring) 13 in the mounting portion 12 of the seal 1.

When the seal 1 for a washing machine having the above-mentioned structure is mounted at a predetermined mounting position, the outer peripheral lip 5 comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface 6a of the downward cylindrical portion 6 and the opposing lip 1 as described above.
Since a plurality of stages of sealing structure is formed by bringing 1 into close contact with the inner peripheral surface 6b of the downward facing tubular portion 6, drainage from the washing tub 2 can be effectively sealed by the plurality of stages of sealing structure.

Therefore, according to the outer peripheral lip 5 and the opposing lip 11 having the above-mentioned structure, it is possible to secure the stable sealing performance equivalent to that when the spring is attached, although the spring is omitted. Further, it is possible to realize cost reduction by a springless structure and to simplify the inner ring shape, and it is possible to eliminate the risk of the spring coming off.

In addition, in the third embodiment,
Since the outer peripheral side lip 5 and the opposing lip 11 are provided to face each other on the inner and outer peripheries of the downwardly facing tubular portion 6 with the downwardly facing tubular portion 6 sandwiched therebetween, the downwardly facing tubular portion 6 is eccentric (center misaligned) and the outer peripheral lip 5 is in a contact state. The sealing action can be complemented by the opposed lip 11 even when the pressure is uneven on the circumference. Therefore, with this seal complementing action, drainage from the washing tub 2 can be effectively sealed even when the downward cylinder portion 6 is eccentric.

[0035]

The present invention has the following effects.

That is, in the washing machine seal according to claim 1 of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the outer peripheral lip has the springless structure and the spring is omitted from the outer peripheral lip. It can be lost. In addition, the outer peripheral lip has a sealing portion that closely contacts the outer peripheral surface of the downward-facing tubular portion of the bottom of the washing tub, a sealing portion that closely contacts the lower surface of the bottom of the washing tub, and the interference of both seals affects each other. Since the bent portion for maintaining the clearance is provided, it is possible to prevent the lip from being settled due to the tightening margin maintaining action. Therefore, even if the spring is omitted, it is possible to ensure stable sealing performance equivalent to that when the spring is attached. Further, cost reduction can be realized by making the springless.

A second aspect of the present invention having the above structure.
In the washing machine seal described above, since the outer peripheral lip has the springless structure and the spring is omitted from the outer peripheral lip, it is possible to eliminate the risk of the spring coming off. In addition, since the opposing lip has a springless structure, there is no risk of the spring coming off. Further, since the outer peripheral lip and the opposed lip form a plurality of stages of seals, the plurality of stages of seals can effectively seal the drainage. Therefore, even if the spring is omitted, it is possible to ensure stable sealing performance equivalent to that when the spring is attached. Further, cost reduction can be realized by making the springless.

Further, in the seal according to the present invention, since the outer peripheral side lip and the opposing lip are arranged on the inner and outer peripheries of the downward facing tubular portion, the downward facing tubular portion is eccentric and the contact state of the outer peripheral lip is circular. Even in the case of non-uniformity on the circumference, the sealing action can be complemented by the opposing lip. Therefore, this seal complementing action can effectively seal the drainage from the washing tub even when the downward cylinder is eccentric.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a half sectional view showing a mounted state of a washing machine seal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a half cross-sectional view showing a mounted state of a washing machine seal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a half-cut sectional view showing a mounted state of a washing machine seal according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a half-cut sectional view showing a mounted state of a washing machine seal according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Washing machine seal 2 washing tubs 2a Bottom surface 3 axes 4 Inner lip 5 outer lip 5a, 11a Base end 5b Middle abdomen 5c, 11b Tip 6 Downward cylinder 6a outer peripheral surface 6b Inner surface 7 Middle belly seal part (seal part) 8 Tip seal part (seal part) 9,10 Bending part 11 Opposing lip 12 Mounting part 13 Inner ring 14 Rubber-like elastic body

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Satoshi Yamanaka             Fukushima prefecture Fukushima city Nagaigawa character continuation moat 8 NU             KK Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3B155 BA27 BB05 BB19 HB18 MA02                 3J040 AA17 BA01 EA02 EA15 EA17                       EA42 HA03 HA08 HA21

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A seal (1) for a washing machine, which seals between the washing tub (2) and the washing tub (2) so that drainage from the washing tub (2) does not leak to the outside (B). A sealing part (7) having an outer peripheral lip (5), the outer peripheral lip (5) being in close contact with the outer peripheral surface (6a) of the downwardly facing tubular part (6) provided at the bottom of the washing tub (2); And a seal portion (8) which is in close contact with the bottom surface (2a) of the bottom of the washing tub (2), and the interference of the seal portions (7) and (8) mutually influences the seal portions (8). 7) Bending part (9) so as to maintain the interference of (8)
A washing machine seal having (10) one or two places. 2. A seal (1) for a washing machine which seals between the washing tub (2) and the washing tub (2) so that the drainage from the washing tub (2) does not leak to the outside (B). It has an outer peripheral lip (5) and an opposite lip (11) also having a springless structure, and the outer peripheral lip (5) is an outer peripheral surface (6a) of a downward facing tubular portion (6) provided at the bottom of the washing tub (2). ), And the opposing lip (11) is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface (6b) of the downward tube portion (6).