JP2008303896A - Water pump bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water pump bearing having excellent sealing performance and manufacturable at low cost while utilizing an existing sealing mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: This water pump bearing comprises a rotating member (outer ring) 4 connected to and rotatable together with an impeller 2, a stationary member (inner ring) 6 disposed oppositely to the rotating member and maintained in a non-rotating state, and the sealing mechanism 12 installed between the rotating member and the stationary member. The sealing mechanism comprises an annular slinger 14 secured to the stationary member and an annular seal body 16 secured to the rotating member. The slinger is positioned with its rear end (fixed part 14a) secured to the stationary member, and its front end (extended end 14t) brought into contact with a seal body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water pump bearing used in an atmosphere filled with, for example, water or steam.

  Conventionally, in this type of water pump bearing, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example, a sealing mechanism is provided between a shaft body for rotating the impeller and an outer ring disposed so as to face the shaft body. ing. The sealing mechanism includes a seal body fixed to the outer ring, and a lip capable of sliding contact with the shaft body projects from the tip of the seal body. In this case, the lip is always in sliding contact with the shaft during rotation of the bearing, thereby preventing entry of foreign matters such as water and water vapor.

  By the way, such a water pump bearing may be used in an atmosphere where a relatively high water pressure or water vapor pressure acts. For this reason, for example, Patent Document 2 proposes a sealing mechanism having a double seal structure in which a main lip and an auxiliary lip are protruded from the tip of a seal body, thereby improving the sealing performance of the sealing mechanism. It is illustrated.

  However, in the conventional double seal structure, the existing sealing mechanism cannot be used as it is, and an auxiliary lip must be added in addition to the main lip. In this case, the process for manufacturing each lip is complicated and time-consuming. For this reason, the manufacturing cost of the sealing mechanism increases, and as a result, the manufacturing cost of the entire water pump bearing increases.

  Moreover, in the conventional double seal structure, the main lip protrudes toward the outside, so that it is possible to prevent the intrusion of, for example, water or water vapor from the outside, but the lubricant inside the bearing leaks to the outside. There is a risk of it. Further, when used in outer ring rotation, the auxiliary lip may be deformed depending on the magnitude of the centrifugal force during rotation of the bearing, and as a result, it may be difficult to keep the sealing performance constant.

Therefore, development of a low-cost water pump bearing excellent in sealing performance while using an existing sealing mechanism as it is is desired, but such a bearing is not known at present.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-66026 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-16929

  The present invention has been made to meet such a demand, and an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost water pump bearing excellent in sealing performance while using an existing sealing mechanism as it is.

  In order to achieve such an object, the present invention includes a rotating member connected to an impeller and rotatable together with the impeller, a stationary member disposed facing the rotating member and maintained in a non-rotating state, A water pump bearing comprising a sealing mechanism provided between a member and a stationary member, the sealing mechanism comprising an annular slinger fixed to one of the rotating member and the stationary member, the rotating member and the stationary member And an annular seal body fixed to one of the other members, and the slinger is positioned with its base end fixed to either the rotating member or the stationary member and its tip in contact with the seal body. Has been. In this case, between the proximal end and the distal end of the slinger, a part thereof may be positioned in contact with the seal body. Further, a part of the slinger between the proximal end and the distal end or either one of the distal ends may be positioned slightly separated from the seal body.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the low cost water pump bearing excellent in sealing performance can be implement | achieved, utilizing the existing sealing mechanism as it is.

Hereinafter, a water pump bearing according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1A shows an outer ring rotating type water pump bearing. The water pump bearing is connected to the impeller 2 and is rotatable with the impeller 2 (outer ring) 4, and the rotating member 4. And a stationary member (inner ring) 6 that is disposed in a non-rotating state and a plurality of rolling elements 8 that are incorporated in a double row between the rotating member 4 and the stationary member 6. The rotating member 4 is connected to a pulley R whose rotation is controlled by a drive source (not shown), and is connected to the rotating shaft Ax via the pulley R. By rotating the pulley R, the rotating shaft The impeller 2 connected to Ax can be rotated. On the other hand, the stationary member 6 is fixed to a fixed portion (not shown) via the housing frame Hf and is maintained in a non-rotating state.

  Such a water pump bearing includes, for example, an outer seal 10 disposed near the impeller 2, a rotating member 4, and a stationary member 6, in order to prevent entry of foreign matters such as water and steam, and to prevent leakage of the lubricant. And a sealing mechanism 12 provided between the two. In this case, as the outer seal 10, a sealing plate (for example, a seal or a shield) or an existing sealing device (for example, a packing) may be applied. Therefore, the outer seal 10 is not necessarily described here. Not necessary.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the sealing mechanism 12 is interposed between the annular slinger 14 fixed to the stationary member 6, the slinger 14 and the rolling element 8, and is fixed to the rotating member 4. And an annular seal body 16. In the drawing, “balls” are illustrated as the rolling elements 8, but “rollers” may be applied instead. In the drawing, a cage 18 that rotatably holds each rolling element 8 is illustrated. The type of the cage 18 is, for example, a crown shape depending on the purpose of use or the environment of use of the water pump bearing. Since arbitrary things, such as a holder | retainer and a waveform holder, can be selected, it does not specifically limit here.

  An existing seal body 16 can be used as it is. As an example, a mandrel 16a extending from the rotating member (outer ring) 4 side toward the stationary member (inner ring) 6 side is covered with a rubber material 16b. Configured. Further, the seal body 16 is positioned with its base end fitted and fixed in an annular seal groove 4g formed in the rotating member 4, and its tip in sliding contact with the slinger 14 and the stationary member 6. ing. In this case, an annular main lip L1 extending toward the slinger 14 and slidably contacting the slinger 14 and an annular lip extending toward the stationary member 6 and slidably contacting the stationary member 6 are provided at the tip of the seal body 16. A sub lip L2 is provided. The main lip L1 is in sliding contact with the slinger 14 to prevent foreign matters such as water and water vapor from entering the inside of the bearing, and the sub lip L2 is in sliding contact with the stationary member 6 to leak lubricant to the outside of the bearing. Is preventing.

  On the other hand, the slinger 14 is positioned with its proximal end fixed to the stationary member 6 and its distal end in contact with the seal body 16. In this case, the slinger 14 includes a cylindrical fixed portion (base end) 14a fitted and fixed to the stationary member 6, and a hollow disk-shaped upright portion 14b raised vertically from the fixed portion 14a. And a cylindrical contact portion 14c that extends in the direction of the seal body 16 from the upright portion 14b and is positioned in a state in which its extended end (tip) 14t is in contact with the seal body 16.

  In such a sealing mechanism 12, the extended end 14 t of the slinger 14 (contact portion 14 c) is positioned in a state of sliding contact with the seal body 16. Specifically, since the rubber material 16b constituting the seal body 16 is covered on the outer side of the mandrel 16a (that is, the side facing the slinger 14), the extended end 14t of the slinger 14 (contact portion 14c). Is positioned in sliding contact with the rubber material 16b of the seal body 16.

  The sliding contact pressure of the extended end 14t of the slinger 14 with respect to the seal body 16 is set so as to maintain a high sealing performance and at the same time do not deteriorate the rotational performance of the bearing. The pressure value at this time is For example, since it is arbitrarily set according to the size and shape of the slinger 14 (contact portion 14c), the type and surface shape of the rubber material 16b of the seal body 16, or the purpose and environment of use of the water pump bearing, No numerical limitation.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when foreign matter such as water or water vapor enters the inside of the bearing beyond the outer seal 10 during rotation of the bearing, the extended end 14t of the contact portion 14c seals the foreign matter. The slinger 14 that is in sliding contact with the body 16 can be reliably blocked. In this case, it is possible to prevent the seal body 16 (main lip L1, sub lip L2) from being directly exposed to foreign matter. Thereby, the sealing performance of the seal body 16 (main lip L1, sub lip L2) can be maintained constant over a long period of time.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, the sealing body 16 (the main lip L1 and the secondary lip L2) is sealed by simply using the existing sealing mechanism as it is and sliding the extended end 14t of the slinger 14 against the sealing body 16. The performance can be kept constant. Thereby, it is possible to realize a water pump bearing which is low in cost and excellent in sealing performance as compared with the conventional one.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above, and the same effects can be realized as the following modifications.
As a first modification, in the water pump bearing shown in FIG. 2 (a), the slinger 14 has a cylindrical fixing portion 14a fitted and fixed to a stationary member (inner ring) 6, and a fixing portion 14a. And a cylindrical contact portion 14c which is positioned in a state where the extended end 14t thereof is in sliding contact with the seal body 16.

  According to this modification, the rising portion 14b of the above-described embodiment is not necessary, and the configuration of the slinger 14 can be simplified. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the sealing mechanism 12, and as a result, cost reduction of the water pump bearing can be realized. Since other configurations and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As a second modified example, the water pump bearing shown in FIG. 2B is an improvement of the first modified example, and the slinger 14 has a part between the base end and the distal end. It is positioned in contact with the seal body 16. Specifically, the extended portion 14d is further extended from the extended end 14t of the slinger 14, and the extended end (tip) 14e of the extended portion 14d is positioned in a state of sliding contact with the seal body 16. . In the drawing, as an example, the extended portion 14d is separated from the seal body 16 with the extended end 14t as a base end, and then extended again toward the seal body 16, but in short, the extension portion 14d If the extended end 14e can be slidably contacted with the seal body 16, it is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure.

  According to this modification, it is possible to realize the sealing mechanism 12 having a double seal structure in which the slinger 14 is slidably contacted with the seal body 16 at two locations (extended end 14t and extended end 14e). Thereby, sealing performance can be improved dramatically. Further, since it is only necessary to extend the extended portion 14d from the extended end 14t, there is no manufacturing cost. Since other configurations and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As a third modification, the water pump bearing shown in FIG. 2 (c) is an improvement of the second modification, and the slinger 14 has a part between its proximal end and the distal end, or Either one of the tips is positioned slightly spaced from the seal body. Specifically, one of the extended end 14 t and the extended end 14 e is positioned in a non-contact state with respect to the seal body 16. In the drawing, as an example, the extended end (tip) 14t of the contact portion 14c is positioned in a state slightly separated from the seal body 16.

  According to the present modification, the contact area between the slinger 14 and the seal body 16 can be reduced by making the extended end 14t non-contact with the seal body 16, and as a result, the bearing The torque can be reduced. At the same time, since the labyrinth region P having excellent sealing performance is formed between the extended end 14t and the seal body 16, the same sealing performance as that of the double seal structure can be maintained. Since other configurations and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As a fourth modification, the water pump bearing shown in FIG. 2 (d) is an improvement of the third modification, and extends the labyrinth region P between the extension end 14t and the seal body 16. ing. As an example of the method for extending the labyrinth region P, the extension end 14 t positioned in a non-contact state with respect to the seal body 16 is used as a base end, and the extension portion 14 d is slightly separated from the seal body 16. After extending along the seal body 16, the extended end 14 e is brought into sliding contact with the seal body 16. This method is merely an example, and the labyrinth region P is not limited to the configuration shown in the drawing as long as the labyrinth region P can be extended.

  According to this modification, by extending the labyrinth region P, it is possible to realize a double seal structure that dramatically improves the sealing performance while reducing the torque of the bearing. Since other configurations and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the first embodiment (FIGS. 1A and 1B) and the modifications (FIGS. 2A to 2D) described above, the sub lip L2 of the seal body 16 is provided with the stationary member 6. However, instead of this, the sub lip L2 may be positioned slightly separated from the stationary member 6. Even if it does in this way, since the labyrinth can be comprised between the sub lip L2 and the stationary member 6, the leakage of a lubricant can be prevented.

  In the sealing mechanism 12 of the first embodiment and each modification described above, the slinger 14 is fixed to the stationary member (inner ring) 6 and the seal body 16 is fixed to the rotating member (outer ring) 4. Instead of this, the slinger 14 may be fixed to the rotating member (outer ring) 4 and the seal body 16 may be fixed to the stationary member (inner ring) 6. In the case of such a configuration, the slinger 14 is not affected by the centrifugal force during the rotation of the rotating member (outer ring) 4. For this reason, there is no possibility that the sub lip L2 is deformed. Thereby, the sealing performance of the sealing mechanism can be maintained constant over a long period of time.

Next, a water pump bearing according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 3A shows a shaft rotation type water pump bearing. The water pump bearing is connected to the impeller 2 and can rotate together with the impeller 2. A stationary member (outer ring) 6 that is disposed opposite to and maintained in a non-rotating state, and a plurality of rolling elements 8 incorporated in a double row between the rotating member 4 and the stationary member 6 (FIG. 3B). ). The rotating member 4 is connected to a pulley R whose rotation is controlled by a drive source (not shown). By rotating the pulley R, the impeller 2 connected to the rotating member 4 can be rotated. it can. On the other hand, the stationary member 6 is fixed to a fixed portion (not shown) via the housing frame Hf, and is maintained in a non-rotating state.

  Such a water pump bearing includes, for example, an outer seal 10 disposed near the impeller 2, a rotating member 4, and a stationary member 6, in order to prevent entry of foreign matters such as water and steam, and to prevent leakage of the lubricant. And a sealing mechanism 12 provided between the two. In this case, as the outer seal 10, a sealing plate (for example, a seal or a shield) or an existing sealing device (for example, a packing) may be applied. Therefore, the outer seal 10 is not necessarily described here. Not necessary.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the sealing mechanism 12 is interposed between the annular slinger 14 fixed to the rotating member 4, the slinger 14 and the rolling element 8, and fixed to the stationary member 6. And an annular seal body 16. In the drawing, “balls” are illustrated as the rolling elements 8, but “rollers” may be applied instead. In the drawing, a cage 18 that rotatably holds each rolling element 8 is illustrated. The type of the cage 18 is, for example, a crown shape depending on the purpose of use or the environment of use of the water pump bearing. Since arbitrary things, such as a holder | retainer and a waveform holder, can be selected, it does not specifically limit here.

  An existing seal body 16 can be used as it is. For example, a rubber member 16b is coated on a mandrel 16a extending from a stationary member (outer ring) 6 side to a rotating member (shaft) 4 side. Configured. The seal body 16 is positioned with its base end fitted and fixed in an annular seal groove 4g formed in the stationary member 6 and its distal end in sliding contact with the slinger 14 and the rotating member 4. Yes. In this case, an annular main lip L1 extending toward the slinger 14 and in sliding contact with the slinger 14 and an annular main lip L1 extending toward the rotating member 4 and in sliding contact with the rotating member 4 are provided at the tip of the seal body 16. A sub lip L2 is provided. The main lip L1 is in sliding contact with the slinger 14 to prevent foreign matters such as water and water vapor from entering the inside of the bearing, and the sub lip L2 is in sliding contact with the rotating member 4 to leak the lubricant to the outside of the bearing. Is preventing.

  On the other hand, the slinger 14 is positioned with its base end fixed to the rotating member 4 and its tip in contact with the seal body 16. In this case, the slinger 14 includes a cylindrical fixed portion (base end) 14a fitted and fixed to the rotating member 4, and a hollow disk-shaped upright portion 14b raised vertically from the fixed portion 14a. And a cylindrical contact portion 14c that extends in the direction of the seal body 16 from the upright portion 14b and is positioned in a state in which its extended end (tip) 14t is in contact with the seal body 16.

  In such a sealing mechanism 12, the extended end 14 t of the slinger 14 (contact portion 14 c) is positioned in a state of sliding contact with the seal body 16. Specifically, since the rubber material 16b constituting the seal body 16 is covered on the outer side of the mandrel 16a (that is, the side facing the slinger 14), the extended end 14t of the slinger 14 (contact portion 14c). Is positioned in sliding contact with the rubber material 16b of the seal body 16.

  The sliding contact pressure of the extended end 14t of the slinger 14 with respect to the seal body 16 is set so as to maintain a high sealing performance and at the same time do not deteriorate the rotational performance of the bearing. The pressure value at this time is For example, since it is arbitrarily set according to the size and shape of the slinger 14 (contact portion 14c), the type and surface shape of the rubber material 16b of the seal body 16, or the purpose and environment of use of the water pump bearing, No numerical limitation.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when foreign matter such as water or water vapor enters the inside of the bearing beyond the outer seal 10 during rotation of the bearing, the extended end 14t of the contact portion 14c seals the foreign matter. The slinger 14 that is in sliding contact with the body 16 can be reliably blocked. In this case, it is possible to prevent the seal body 16 (main lip L1, sub lip L2) from being directly exposed to foreign matter. Thereby, the sealing performance of the seal body 16 (main lip L1, sub lip L2) can be maintained constant over a long period of time.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, the sealing body 16 (the main lip L1 and the secondary lip L2) is sealed by simply using the existing sealing mechanism as it is and sliding the extended end 14t of the slinger 14 against the sealing body 16. The performance can be kept constant. Thereby, it is possible to realize a water pump bearing which is low in cost and excellent in sealing performance as compared with the conventional one. Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the slinger 14 is not affected by the centrifugal force during the rotation of the rotating member (shaft) 4. For this reason, there is no possibility that the sub lip L2 is deformed. Thereby, the sealing performance of the sealing mechanism can be maintained constant over a long period of time.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described second embodiment, and the same effects can be obtained as the following first to fourth modified examples (FIGS. 4A to 4D). Can be realized. 2A to 2D except for the configuration in which the slinger 14 of the sealing mechanism 12 is fixed to the rotating member 4 and the seal body 16 is fixed to the stationary member 6. Since it is the same structure as a water pump bearing, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment (FIGS. 3A and 3B) and the modifications (FIGS. 4A to 4D) described above, the sub lip L2 of the seal body 16 is the rotating member 4. However, instead of this, the sub lip L2 may be positioned slightly separated from the rotating member 4. Even if it does in this way, since the labyrinth can be comprised between the sub lip L2 and the rotation member 4, the leakage of a lubricant can be prevented.

  Further, in the sealing mechanism 12 of the second embodiment (FIGS. 3A and 3B) and the modifications (FIGS. 4A to 4D) described above, the slinger 14 is a rotating member (shaft). 4, and the sealing body 16 is fixed to the stationary member (outer ring) 6. Instead, the slinger 14 is fixed to the stationary member (outer ring) 6, and the sealing body 16 is rotated to the rotating member (shaft). It is good also as a structure fixed to 4.

(a) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the water pump bearing of the outer ring | wheel rotation type which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (b) is the sealing mechanism provided in the water pump bearing of the figure (a) Sectional drawing which expands and shows a part of structure. (a) is sectional drawing which expands and partially shows the structure of the water pump bearing which concerns on a 1st modification, (b) expands partially the structure of the water pump bearing which concerns on a 2nd modification. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a partially enlarged configuration of a water pump bearing according to the third modification, and FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the water pump bearing according to the fourth modification. Sectional drawing which expands and shows a part. (a) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the water pump bearing of the inner ring | wheel rotation type which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (b) is the sealing mechanism provided in the water pump bearing of the figure (a) Sectional drawing which expands and shows a part of structure. (a) is sectional drawing which expands and partially shows the structure of the water pump bearing which concerns on a 1st modification, (b) expands partially the structure of the water pump bearing which concerns on a 2nd modification. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a partially enlarged configuration of a water pump bearing according to the third modification, and FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the water pump bearing according to the fourth modification. Sectional drawing which expands and shows a part.

Explanation of symbols

2 Impeller 4 Rotating member 6 Static member 12 Sealing mechanism 14 Slinger 14a Fixing part (base end)
14t Extension end (tip)
16 Seal body

Claims (3)

A rotating member connected to the impeller and rotatable with the impeller, a stationary member disposed opposite the rotating member and maintained in a non-rotating state, and a sealing mechanism provided between the rotating member and the stationary member; A water pump bearing comprising:
The sealing mechanism includes an annular slinger fixed to one of the rotating member and the stationary member, and an annular sealing body fixed to either one of the rotating member and the stationary member,
The water pump bearing, wherein the slinger is positioned in a state where a base end thereof is fixed to one of a rotating member and a stationary member and a tip end thereof is in contact with the seal body.   The water pump bearing according to claim 1, wherein the slinger is positioned between a base end and a distal end of the slinger in a state where a part thereof is in contact with the seal body.   3. The water pump according to claim 1, wherein the slinger is positioned such that a part between the base end and the tip or one of the tips is slightly spaced from the seal body. bearing.

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