JP4224992B2

JP4224992B2 - Plain bearing

Info

Publication number: JP4224992B2
Application number: JP2002188770A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 敏彦関根; 秀樹沼澤
Original assignee: Oiles Corp
Current assignee: Oiles Corp
Priority date: 2002-06-27
Filing date: 2002-06-27
Publication date: 2009-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-27
Also published as: JP2004028282A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、低摩擦性を発揮する滑り軸受、特に好適には、複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ等の装置の現像部におけるトナー粉（現像粉）の攪拌又は搬送等のために回転すると共にトナー粉に晒される回転軸を回転自在に支持する滑り軸受に関する。
【０００２】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
回転軸等を回転自在に支持するために滑り軸受又は転がり軸受が用いられるが、転がり軸受は、その摩擦抵抗が低いので回転軸等を極めて滑らかに回転自在に支持することができる一方、高価となる上に転がり音の問題を有し、これに対して、滑り軸受、特に、合成樹脂製の滑り軸受は、低価格をもって一応の低摩擦を実現できる上に、転がり音の問題もなく多くの部位に使用されている。
【０００３】
ところで、複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ等の装置の現像部等においてトナー粉に晒される回転軸を回転自在に支持するために斯かる合成樹脂製の滑り軸受を用いる場合、トナー粉の摺動面間隙間（軸受面間の隙間）への侵入で、滑らかな回転が阻害され、また、トナー粉で滑り軸受の軸受面が容易に削られて摺動面間（軸受面間）に大きなガタが簡単に生じる虞がある。
【０００４】
このために、滑り軸受の軸受面を硬質にしたり、滑り軸受の端面にゴム製のシール部材を付加する等の技術が提案されているが、前者の技術では、高価となって合成樹脂製の低価格性の利点を生かすことができず、後者の技術では、シール部材の回転軸への摩擦接触により回転軸に制動を与える虞がある上に、シール部材の滑り軸受の端面への装着作業に起因する価格の上昇、シール部材の脱落の虞があって、必ずしも満足できるものではない。
【０００５】
加えて、提案されているいずれの技術も、回転軸を直接に回転自在に支持するようにしたものであって、例えば、回転軸が金属製であると、軸受面は、金属面と合成樹脂面となって、合成樹脂による利点を十分に生かしていない上に、軸受面となる回転軸の金属製の表面を高精度に形成しなければ滑らかな回転を確保できないために、金属製の表面の高精度形成に起因して回転軸自体が高価となる虞がある。
【０００６】
本発明は、前記諸点に鑑みてなされたものであって、その目的とするところは、複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ等の装置の現像部等においてトナー粉に晒される回転軸に用いても、回転軸に大きな制動を与えることなしに、トナー粉の摺動面間隙間への侵入を効果的に防止でき、しかも、回転軸等の相手材の材質の種類に拘わらず合成樹脂同士の摺動面とし得て、合成樹脂による低摩擦性を十分に利用できる上に、低価格をもって転がり軸受と同程度の低摩擦を実現できる滑り軸受を提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の第一の態様の滑り軸受は、少なくとも外周円筒面が合成樹脂からなると共に外周円筒面の軸方向の一端部に環状鍔部を一体的に有する合成樹脂製の円筒状スリーブと、少なくとも内周円筒面が合成樹脂からなる円筒状軸受ブッシュとを具備しており、ここで、円筒状軸受ブッシュは、その内周円筒面が円筒状スリーブの外周円筒面に摺動自在に接触して円筒状スリーブに装着されており、環状鍔部側における内周円筒面と外周円筒面との間の摺動面間隙間と外部との間には、環状鍔部側における円筒状スリーブと円筒状軸受ブッシュとの間に形成されたラビリンスが介在している。
【０００８】
斯かる第一の態様の滑り軸受によれば、環状鍔部側における内周円筒面と外周円筒面との間の摺動面間隙間がラビリンス（迷路）でもって外部と遮断されているために、環状鍔部側をトナー粉の収容部側に配することにより、トナー粉の摺動面間隙間への侵入を効果的に防止でき、支持する回転軸の滑らかな回転を長期に維持できて、トナー粉で軸受面が削られて軸受面間に大きなガタが生じる等の不都合を回避でき、しかも、軸受面となる円筒状スリーブの外周円筒面と円筒状軸受ブッシュの内周円筒面とが合成樹脂からなるために、回転軸の材質の種類に拘わらず合成樹脂同士の摺動面を確保でき、合成樹脂による低摩擦性を十分に利用でき、しかも、低価格をもって転がり軸受と同程度の低摩擦を実現できる。
【０００９】
ラビリンスは、本発明の第二の態様の滑り軸受のように、環状鍔部の軸方向の一方の環状面に一体的に軸方向に突出して形成された環状突起と、この環状突起に取り囲まれた円筒状軸受ブッシュの軸方向の一端部との間に形成されているラビリンス部を具備していてもよく、この場合、本発明の第三の態様の滑り軸受のように、円筒状軸受ブッシュの外周面の軸方向の一端部には、第一の環状の係合膨大部が一体的に形成されており、環状突起の内周面の軸方向の先端部には、第一の係合膨大部にスナップフィット式に係合する第二の環状の係合膨大部が一体的に形成されていてもよく、これに代えて、本発明の第四の態様の滑り軸受のように、円筒状軸受ブッシュの外周面の軸方向の一端部には、環状径大部が一体的に形成されており、ラビリンスは、環状鍔部の軸方向の一方の環状面に一体的に軸方向に突出して形成されていると共に環状突起を取り囲んでいる他の環状突起と、環状径大部に一体的に軸方向に突出して形成されていると共に環状突起を取り囲む一方、他の環状突起に取り囲まれた円筒部との間に形成されている他のラビリンス部を具備していてもよい。
【００１０】
第二の態様の滑り軸受におけるラビリンス部に加えて、第四の態様の滑り軸受のように他のラビリンス部を具備していると、トナー粉の摺動面間隙間への侵入を更に効果的に防止できる。
【００１１】
第四の態様の滑り軸受では、本発明の第五の態様の滑り軸受のように、円筒部は、その軸方向の先端部において他の環状突起に部分的に取り囲まれていてもよく、更には、本発明の第六の態様の滑り軸受のように、円筒部の外周面の一端部には、第一の環状の係合膨大部が一体的に形成されており、他の環状突起の内周面の軸方向の先端部には、第一の係合膨大部にスナップフィット式に係合する第二の環状の係合膨大部が一体的に形成されていてもよい。
【００１２】
第三又は第六の態様の滑り軸受のように、スナップフィット式の係合機構を具備していると、円筒状スリーブへの円筒状軸受ブッシュの装着を容易に行い得る上に、円筒状スリーブからの円筒状軸受ブッシュの軸方向の抜け出しを防止でき、しかも、円筒状軸受ブッシュに対する円筒状スリーブの回転にそれ程摩擦抵抗を与えることがなく、回転軸の回転と共に円筒状スリーブを滑らかに回転させることができる。
【００１３】
第三又は第六の態様の滑り軸受において、円筒状スリーブの外周円筒面は、本発明の第七の態様の滑り軸受のように、軸方向のその一端から他端に亘って実質的に同一である径を有していてもよく、斯かる滑り軸受であると、円筒状軸受ブッシュに拡径を生じさせないで、円筒状軸受ブッシュを円筒状スリーブに装着（外装）できる結果、円筒状軸受ブッシュと円筒状スリーブとの組立作業を容易に行い得る。
【００１４】
また、ラビリンスは、本発明の第八の態様の滑り軸受のように、外周円筒面の軸方向の他端部側に向かって開口していてもよく、斯かるラビリンスであると、更なるトナー粉の摺動面間隙間への侵入防止を効果的に行い得る。
【００１５】
ラビリンスは、上記のラビリンス部に代えて又はこれと共に、本発明の第九の態様の滑り軸受のように、円筒状スリーブの外周円筒面に一体的に径方向に突出して形成された環状突起と、円筒状軸受ブッシュの内周円筒面に形成されていると共に、環状突起が嵌合されている環状凹所を規定する円筒状軸受ブッシュの内周円筒面との間に形成されているラビリンス部を具備していてもよい。
【００１６】
更に、ラビリンスは、外周円筒面の軸方向の他端部側に向かって開口する代わりに、本発明の第十の態様の滑り軸受のように、径方向外側に向かって開口していてもよく、この場合、軸方向の他端部側に傾斜していると好ましい。
【００１７】
本発明において、円筒状スリーブは、その第十一の態様の滑り軸受のように、その外周円筒面の軸方向の他端部に他の環状鍔部を一体的に有していてもよく、ここで、円筒状軸受ブッシュは、円筒状スリーブの両環状鍔部間に配されているとよく、第十一の態様の滑り軸受では、本発明の第十二の態様の滑り軸受のように、円筒状スリーブの両環状鍔部は、円筒状軸受ブッシュの内周円筒面の径よりも大きな外径を有しているとよく、斯かる滑り軸受によれば、円筒状軸受ブッシュの円筒状スリーブからの軸方向の抜け出しが他の環状鍔部で確実に防止され、しかも、スナップフィット式の係合機構を具備している場合には、係合機構との協働で抜け出しが更に確実に防止されることになる。
【００１８】
また本発明において、円筒状スリーブは、第十三の態様の滑り軸受のように、その外周円筒面の軸方向の他端部に環状溝を有していてもよく、この場合、円筒状軸受ブッシュは、環状溝に嵌合する突起を有しているとよい。
【００１９】
第十一から第十三のいずれかの態様の滑り軸受におけるラビリンスは、本発明の第十四の態様の滑り軸受のように、外周円筒面の軸方向の他端部側に向かって開口しているとよいが、これに代えて、径方向外側に向かって開口していてもよい。
【００２０】
本発明において円筒状スリーブの環状鍔部は、その第十五の態様の滑り軸受のように、円筒状軸受ブッシュの内周円筒面の径よりも大きな外径を有している。
【００２１】
円筒状スリーブの外周円筒面及び円筒状軸受ブッシュの内周円筒面のうちの少なくとも一方は、好ましくは本発明の第十六の態様の滑り軸受のように、ポリアセタール樹脂、ポリエチレン樹脂、ポリアミド樹脂、ポリフェニレンサルファイド樹脂、ポリエーテルケトン樹脂及びポリエーテルスルフォン樹脂のうちから選択された少なくとも一つの合成樹脂からなる。なお、円筒状スリーブ及び円筒状軸受ブッシュのうちの少なくとも一方の全体を、斯かる合成樹脂から一体成形するとよい。
【００２２】
上記のいずれかの態様の滑り軸受は、複写機、プリンタ又はファクシミリ等のトナー粉を用いる装置に用いられており、ここで、円筒状スリーブは、その内周面で、トナー粉に晒される回転軸に固着されており、円筒状軸受ブッシュは、その外周面で装置のハウジングに固着されている。
【００２３】
次に本発明を、図に示す好ましい具体例に基づいて更に詳細に説明するが、本発明は、これら具体例に何ら限定されないのである。
【００２４】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１及び図２において、本例の滑り軸受１は、平坦面２が形成された半円筒状の内周面３及び合成樹脂からなる外周円筒面４を有すると共に外周円筒面４の軸方向Ｘの一端部に環状鍔部５を一体的に有する合成樹脂製の円筒状スリーブ６と、合成樹脂からなる内周円筒面７を有した円筒状軸受ブッシュ８と、環状鍔部５側における円筒状スリーブ６と円筒状軸受ブッシュ８との間に形成されたラビリンス９とを具備している。
【００２５】
円筒状スリーブ６は、環状鍔部５に加えて、環状鍔部５と共に一体的に形成されていると共に、内周面３及び外周円筒面４を有した筒体１１と、環状鍔部５の軸方向Ｘの一方の環状面１２に一体的に軸方向Ｘに突出して形成された環状突起１３と、環状鍔部５の軸方向Ｘの一方の環状面１２に一体的に軸方向Ｘに突出して形成されていると共に環状突起１３を取り囲んでいる環状突起１４と、環状突起１４の内周面１５の軸方向Ｘの先端部に一体的に形成されていると共に、環状の係合膨大部１６にスナップフィット式に係合する環状の係合膨大部１７とを一体的に具備している。
【００２６】
外周円筒面４は、軸方向Ｘのその一端から他端に亘って実質的に同一である径を有しており、環状鍔部５は、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の内周円筒面７の径（直径）ｒ１よりも大きな外径ｒ２を有している。
【００２７】
円筒状スリーブ６は、ポリアセタール樹脂、ポリエチレン樹脂、ポリアミド樹脂、ポリフェニレンサルファイド樹脂、ポリエーテルケトン樹脂及びポリエーテルスルフォン樹脂のうちから選択された少なくとも一つの合成樹脂から一体成形されており、而して、円筒状スリーブ６の筒体１１の外周円筒面４もまた、ポリアセタール樹脂、ポリエチレン樹脂、ポリアミド樹脂、ポリフェニレンサルファイド樹脂、ポリエーテルケトン樹脂及びポリエーテルスルフォン樹脂のうちから選択された少なくとも一つの合成樹脂からなっている。
【００２８】
円筒状軸受ブッシュ８は、内周円筒面７及び外周面２１を有した円筒部２２と、円筒部２２の外周面２１の軸方向Ｘの一端部に一体的に形成された環状径大部２３と、環状径大部２３に一体的に軸方向Ｘに突出して形成されていると共に環状突起１３を取り囲む一方、環状突起１４に取り囲まれた円筒部２４と、円筒部２４の外周面２５の一端部に一体的に形成された係合膨大部１６とを一体的に具備している。
【００２９】
円筒状軸受ブッシュ８は、その円筒部２２の内周円筒面７が円筒状スリーブ６の筒体１１の外周円筒面４に摺動自在に接触して円筒状スリーブ６に装着されており、円筒状スリーブ６と同様に、ポリアセタール樹脂、ポリエチレン樹脂、ポリアミド樹脂、ポリフェニレンサルファイド樹脂、ポリエーテルケトン樹脂及びポリエーテルスルフォン樹脂のうちから選択された少なくとも一つの合成樹脂から一体成形されており、而して、円筒部２２の内周円筒面７もまた、ポリアセタール樹脂、ポリエチレン樹脂、ポリアミド樹脂、ポリフェニレンサルファイド樹脂、ポリエーテルケトン樹脂及びポリエーテルスルフォン樹脂のうちから選択された少なくとも一つの合成樹脂からなっている。
【００３０】
環状鍔部５側における内周円筒面７と外周円筒面４との間の摺動面間隙間３１と滑り軸受１の外部３２との間に介在したラビリンス９は、環状突起１３と環状突起１３に取り囲まれた円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の円筒部２２の軸方向Ｘの一端部３３との間に形成されているラビリンス部３４を具備する上に、環状突起１４と円筒部２４との間に形成されているラビリンス部３５を具備している。ラビリンス９は、係合膨大部１７と外周面２５との摺動自在な接触部位を介して外周円筒面４の軸方向Ｘの他端部３６側、換言すれば、滑り軸受１の一端面３７側に向かって外部３２に開口している。
【００３１】
以上の滑り軸受１は、図３に示すように、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８が、その外周面２１で例えば複写機、プリンタ又はファクシミリ等のトナー粉４１を用いる装置のハウジング４２に嵌合、固着される一方、円筒状スリーブ６がその内周面３で、トナー粉４１に晒される回転軸４３に嵌合、固着されて、回転軸４３のＲ方向の回転を内周円筒面７と外周円筒面４との間の摺動、即ち内周円筒面７に対する外周円筒面４の同方向の回転摺動で許容し、而して、回転軸４３をＲ方向に回転自在に支持するように、用いられる。
【００３２】
斯かる滑り軸受１によれば、環状鍔部５側における内周円筒面７と外周円筒面４との間の摺動面間隙間４５がラビリンス部３４及び３５を含むラビリンス９でもって外部３２と遮断されているために、環状鍔部５側をトナー粉４１に晒される側に配することにより、換言すれば、滑り軸受１の他端面４６側をトナー粉４１に晒される側に配することにより、トナー粉４１の摺動面間隙間４５への侵入を極めて効果的に防止でき、支持する回転軸４３の滑らかなＲ方向の回転を長期に維持できて、トナー粉４１で軸受面である内周円筒面７と外周円筒面４とが削られて内周円筒面７と外周円筒面４との間に大きなガタが生じる等の不都合を回避でき、しかも、円筒状スリーブ６の外周円筒面４と円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の内周円筒面７とが合成樹脂からなるために、回転軸４３の材質の種類に拘わらず合成樹脂同士の摺動面を確保でき、合成樹脂による低摩擦性を十分に利用でき、しかも、低価格をもって転がり軸受と同程度の低摩擦を実現できる。
【００３３】
また滑り軸受１によれば、係合膨大部１６及び１７からなるスナップフィット式の係合機構を具備しているために、円筒状スリーブ６への円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の装着を容易に行い得る上に、円筒状スリーブ６からの円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の軸方向Ｘの抜け出しを防止でき、しかも、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８に対する円筒状スリーブ６のＲ方向の回転にそれ程摩擦抵抗を与えることがなく、回転軸４３のＲ方向の回転と共に円筒状スリーブ６を滑らかに回転させることができ、しかも、円筒状スリーブ６の外周円筒面４が軸方向Ｘのその一端から他端に亘って実質的に同一である径を有しているために、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８に拡径を生じさせないで、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８を円筒状スリーブ６に装着（外装）できる結果、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８と円筒状スリーブ６との組立作業を容易に行い得る上に、ラビリンス９が外周円筒面４の軸方向Ｘの他端部３６側に向かって開口しているために、更なるトナー粉４１の摺動面間隙間４５への侵入防止を効果的に行い得る。
【００３４】
図１及び図２に示す滑り軸受１は、係合膨大部１６及び１７からなるスナップフィット式の係合機構を具備しているが、これに代えて、図４に示すように、係合膨大部１６及び１７からなるスナップフィット式の係合機構を省いて滑り軸受１を構成してもよい。図４に示す滑り軸受１では、円筒部２４は、その軸方向Ｘの先端部５１において環状突起１４に部分的に取り囲まれており、円筒状スリーブ６の筒体１１は、その外周円筒面４の軸方向Ｘの他端部に環状溝５２を有しており、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８は、その円筒部２２の他端部の内周円筒面７に環状溝５２に嵌合する環状の突起５３を一体的に有しており、突起５３は、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の内周円筒面７の径ｒ１よりも小さな内径ｒ３を有しており、ラビリンス９は、径方向外側に向かって外部３２に開口している。
【００３５】
図４に示す滑り軸受１も、図１及び図２に示す滑り軸受１と同様に用いられ、斯かる図４に示す滑り軸受１でも、環状鍔部５側における内周円筒面７と外周円筒面４との間の摺動面間隙間４５がラビリンス部３４及び３５を含むラビリンス９でもって外部３２と遮断されているために、滑り軸受１の他端面４６側をトナー粉４１に晒される側に配することにより、トナー粉４１の摺動面間隙間４５への侵入を極めて効果的に防止でき、支持する回転軸４３の滑らかなＲ方向の回転を長期に亘って維持できて、トナー粉４１で内周円筒面７と外周円筒面４とが削られて内周円筒面７と外周円筒面４との間に大きなガタが生じる等の不都合を回避でき、しかも、円筒状スリーブ６の外周円筒面４と円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の内周円筒面７とが合成樹脂からなるために、回転軸４３の材質の種類に拘わらず合成樹脂同士の摺動面を確保でき、合成樹脂による低摩擦性を十分に利用でき、しかも、低価格をもって転がり軸受と同程度の低摩擦を実現でき、また、係合膨大部１６及び１７からなるスナップフィット式の係合機構を省いても、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の円筒状スリーブ６からの軸方向Ｘの抜け出しを突起５３の環状溝５２への嵌合で確実に防止できる。
【００３６】
更に、図１及び図２に示す滑り軸受１では、環状鍔部５に環状突起１３に加えて環状突起１４を設け、円筒部２２に環状径大部２３を設けると共に、環状径大部２３に円筒部２４を設けたが、図５に示すように、これら環状突起１４、環状径大部２３及び円筒部２４を省いて滑り軸受１を構成してもよい。図５に示す滑り軸受１では、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の円筒部２２の外周面２１の軸方向Ｘの一端部に係合膨大部１６が一体的に形成されており、環状突起１３の内周面５５の軸方向Ｘの先端部に、係合膨大部１６にスナップフィット式に係合する係合膨大部１７が一体的に形成されており、環状鍔部５側における内周円筒面７と外周円筒面４との間の摺動面間隙間３１と滑り軸受１の外部３２との間に介在したラビリンス９は、環状突起１３と環状突起１３に取り囲まれた円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の円筒部２２の軸方向Ｘの一端部３３との間に形成されているラビリンス部３４を具備しており、図５に示す滑り軸受１でも、外周円筒面４は、軸方向Ｘのその一端から他端に亘って実質的に同一である径を有しており、環状鍔部５は、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の内周円筒面７の径ｒ１よりも大きな外径ｒ２を有しており、ラビリンス９は、係合膨大部１７と外周面２１との摺動自在な接触部位を介して滑り軸受１の一端面３７側に向かって外部３２に開口している。
【００３７】
図５に示す滑り軸受１でも、図１及び図２に示す滑り軸受１と同様に用いられ、而して、図１及び図２に示す滑り軸受１と同様の効果を得ることができる。
【００３８】
また、図５に示す滑り軸受１においては、環状鍔部５に環状突起１３を設け、円筒部２２に係合膨大部１６を、環状突起１３に係合膨大部１７を夫々設けたが、図６に示すように、これら環状突起１３、係合膨大部１６及び１７を省いて、滑り軸受１を構成してもよい。図６に示す滑り軸受１では、ラビリンス９は、円筒状スリーブ６の筒体１１の外周円筒面４に一体的に径方向に突出して形成された環状突起６１と、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の円筒部２２の内周円筒面７に形成されていると共に、環状突起６１が嵌合されている環状凹所６２を規定する円筒部２２の内周円筒面７との間に形成されているラビリンス部６３を具備しており、円筒状スリーブ６の筒体１１は、環状鍔部５に加えて、その外周円筒面４の軸方向Ｘの他端部に環状鍔部５４を一体的に有しており、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の円筒部２２は、円筒状スリーブ６の両環状鍔部５及び５４間に配されており、円筒状スリーブ６の両環状鍔部５及び５４は、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の内周円筒面７の径ｒ１よりも大きく互いに略等しい外径ｒ２及びｒ４（ｒ２≒ｒ４）を有しており、ラビリンス９は、径方向外側に向かって外部３２に開口している。なお、環状鍔部５の径ｒ２を内周円筒面７の径ｒ１及び環状鍔部５４の径ｒ４よりも大きくし、環状鍔部５４の径ｒ４を内周円筒面７の径ｒ１よりも大きくしてもよい。
【００３９】
図６に示す滑り軸受１も、図１及び図２に示す滑り軸受１と同様に用いられ、斯かる図６に示す滑り軸受１でも、環状鍔部５側における内周円筒面７と外周円筒面４との間の摺動面間隙間４５がラビリンス部６３を含むラビリンス９でもって外部３２と遮断されているために、滑り軸受１の他端面４６側をトナー粉４１に晒される側に配することにより、トナー粉４１の摺動面間隙間４５への侵入を極めて効果的に防止でき、支持する回転軸４３の滑らかなＲ方向の回転を長期に維持できて、トナー粉４１で内周円筒面７と外周円筒面４とが削られて内周円筒面７と外周円筒面４との間に大きなガタが生じる等の不都合を回避でき、しかも、円筒状スリーブ６の外周円筒面４と円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の内周円筒面７とが合成樹脂からなるために、回転軸４３の材質の種類に拘わらず合成樹脂同士の摺動面を確保でき、合成樹脂による低摩擦性を十分に利用でき、しかも、低価格をもって転がり軸受と同程度の低摩擦を実現でき、また、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８の円筒状スリーブ６からの軸方向Ｘの抜け出しを両環状鍔部５及び５４で確実に防止できる。
【００４０】
また、図５に示す滑り軸受１において、係合膨大部１６及び１７からなるスナップフィット式の係合機構を省いて、図７に示すように滑り軸受１を構成してもよい。図７に示す滑り軸受１では、径方向外側に向かって外部３２に開口しているラビリンス９は、環状突起１３と円筒部２２の一端部３３との間に形成されているラビリンス部３４を具備しており、円筒状スリーブ６の筒体１１は、その外周円筒面４の軸方向Ｘの他端部に環状溝５２を有していると共に、その端面５７に回転軸４３への嵌合用の凹所５８を有しており、円筒状軸受ブッシュ８は、その円筒部２２の他端部の内周円筒面７に環状溝５２に嵌合する環状の突起５３を一体的に有しており、円筒部２２の外周面２１は、環状鍔部５及び環状突起１３の外径ｒ２よりも大きな径ｒ５を有している。
【００４１】
図７に示す滑り軸受１でも、上記の滑り軸受１と同様に用いられ、而して、図１及び図２等に示す滑り軸受１と同様の効果を得ることができる。
【００４２】
なお、図６及び図７に示す滑り軸受１のように、ラビリンス９の全体を殆ど隙間のないものでもって構成してもよい。
【００４３】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、複写機、プリンタ、ファクシミリ等の装置の現像部のトナー粉（現像粉）を攪拌又は搬送するための回転軸に用いても、回転軸に大きな制動を与えることなしに、トナー粉の軸受面間への侵入を効果的に防止でき、しかも、回転軸等の相手材の材質の種類に拘わらず合成樹脂同士の摺動面とし得て、合成樹脂による低摩擦性を十分に利用できる上に、低価格をもって転がり軸受と同程度の低摩擦を実現できる滑り軸受を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態の好ましい一例の断面図である。
【図２】図１に示す例のＩＩ−ＩＩ線矢視断面図である。
【図３】図１に示す例の使用方法の説明図である。
【図４】本発明の実施の形態の好ましい他の例の断面図である。
【図５】本発明の実施の形態の好ましい更に他の例の断面図である。
【図６】本発明の実施の形態の好ましい更に他の例の断面図である。
【図７】本発明の実施の形態の好ましい更に他の例の断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１滑り軸受
２平坦面
３内周面
４外周円筒面
５環状鍔部
６円筒状スリーブ
７内周円筒面
８円筒状軸受ブッシュ
９ラビリンス[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sliding bearing that exhibits low friction properties, and particularly preferably, the toner powder rotates while stirring or conveying the toner powder (development powder) in a developing unit of an apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine. The present invention relates to a sliding bearing that rotatably supports a rotating shaft that is exposed to water.
[0002]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Sliding bearings or rolling bearings are used to support the rotating shaft and the like in a freely rotating manner, but the rolling bearings can support the rotating shaft and the like very smoothly and freely because of their low frictional resistance. On the other hand, sliding bearings, especially synthetic resin sliding bearings, can achieve low friction at a low price and have many problems without rolling noise. Used on the site.
[0003]
By the way, when such a synthetic resin sliding bearing is used to rotatably support a rotating shaft that is exposed to toner powder in a developing unit of a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or the like, between the sliding surfaces of the toner powder. Smooth rotation is hindered by entering the gap (gap between the bearing surfaces), and the bearing surface of the sliding bearing is easily scraped with toner powder, so that large backlash between the sliding surfaces (between the bearing surfaces) is easy. May occur.
[0004]
For this reason, techniques such as making the bearing surface of the slide bearing hard or adding a rubber seal member to the end face of the slide bearing have been proposed. However, the former technique is expensive and made of synthetic resin. The latter technique cannot take advantage of low cost, and the latter technique may cause braking to the rotating shaft by frictional contact with the rotating shaft of the seal member, and the mounting work of the seal member to the end face of the slide bearing There is a risk of an increase in price and a dropout of the seal member, which are not always satisfactory.
[0005]
In addition, any of the proposed technologies supports the rotating shaft directly and freely. For example, when the rotating shaft is made of metal, the bearing surface is made of a metal surface and a synthetic resin. The surface of the metal shaft does not take full advantage of the synthetic resin, and the metal surface of the rotating shaft that becomes the bearing surface must be formed with high precision to ensure smooth rotation. There is a possibility that the rotary shaft itself becomes expensive due to the high precision formation.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points. The object of the present invention is to rotate even if it is used for a rotating shaft that is exposed to toner powder in a developing unit or the like of an apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine. It is possible to effectively prevent toner powder from entering the gap between the sliding surfaces without giving a large brake to the shaft, and the sliding surface between the synthetic resins regardless of the type of material of the mating material such as the rotating shaft. It is possible to provide a sliding bearing that can fully utilize the low friction property of the synthetic resin and that can realize low friction equivalent to that of a rolling bearing at low cost.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The sliding bearing according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a cylindrical sleeve made of a synthetic resin having at least an outer peripheral cylindrical surface made of a synthetic resin and having an annular flange integrally formed at one axial end portion of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface; A cylindrical bearing bush having an inner peripheral cylindrical surface made of a synthetic resin. The cylindrical bearing bush has an inner peripheral cylindrical surface slidably contacting the outer peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve is mounted on the cylindrical sleeve, and between the outer surface and the clearance between the inner cylindrical surface and the outer cylindrical surface on the annular flange side, the cylindrical sleeve and the cylindrical shape on the annular flange side are provided. A labyrinth formed between the bearing bush is interposed.
[0008]
According to the sliding bearing of the first aspect, the gap between the sliding surfaces between the inner circumferential cylindrical surface and the outer circumferential cylindrical surface on the annular flange side is blocked from the outside by a labyrinth (maze). By arranging the annular collar side on the toner powder container side, the toner powder can be effectively prevented from entering the gap between the sliding surfaces, and the smooth rotation of the supporting rotating shaft can be maintained for a long time. In addition, it is possible to avoid inconveniences such as generation of large backlash between the bearing surfaces due to toner powder being scraped off, and the outer peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical sleeve that becomes the bearing surface and the inner peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical bearing bush. Because it is made of synthetic resin, the sliding surface between synthetic resins can be secured regardless of the type of material of the rotating shaft, the low friction property of synthetic resin can be fully utilized, and at the same price as a rolling bearing at a low price Low friction can be realized.
[0009]
The labyrinth is surrounded by an annular protrusion formed integrally with one annular surface in the axial direction of the annular flange portion and protruding in the axial direction like the slide bearing of the second aspect of the present invention. A labyrinth portion formed between the cylindrical bearing bush and one axial end portion of the cylindrical bearing bush. In this case, as in the sliding bearing of the third aspect of the present invention, the cylindrical bearing bush A first annular engagement bulge is integrally formed at one end of the outer peripheral surface in the axial direction, and a first engagement is formed at the axial end of the inner peripheral surface of the annular protrusion. A second annular engagement bulge portion that engages with the bulge portion in a snap-fit manner may be integrally formed. Instead of this, a cylinder like the slide bearing of the fourth aspect of the present invention is used. An annular large-diameter portion is integrally formed at one axial end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical bearing bush. The rinse is integrally formed on one annular surface in the axial direction of the annular flange portion so as to project integrally in the axial direction, and surrounds the annular projection, and is integrally integral with the large annular diameter portion. It may be formed so as to protrude and surround the annular protrusion, and another labyrinth part formed between the cylindrical part surrounded by the other annular protrusion may be provided.
[0010]
In addition to the labyrinth portion in the sliding bearing of the second aspect, when another labyrinth portion is provided as in the sliding bearing of the fourth aspect, it is more effective for the toner powder to enter the gap between the sliding surfaces. Can be prevented.
[0011]
In the sliding bearing of the fourth aspect, as in the sliding bearing of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the cylindrical portion may be partially surrounded by another annular protrusion at the axial tip portion, As in the slide bearing according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the first annular engagement bulge is integrally formed at one end of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, and the other annular protrusions A second annular engagement bulge portion that engages with the first engagement bulge portion in a snap-fit manner may be integrally formed at the axial end portion of the inner peripheral surface.
[0012]
When the snap-fit type engagement mechanism is provided as in the sliding bearing of the third or sixth aspect, the cylindrical sleeve can be easily attached to the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical bearing bush can be prevented from slipping out from the axial direction, and the cylindrical sleeve can be smoothly rotated with the rotation of the rotating shaft without giving much frictional resistance to the rotation of the cylindrical sleeve with respect to the cylindrical bearing bush. be able to.
[0013]
In the sliding bearing of the third or sixth aspect, the outer peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical sleeve is substantially the same from its one end to the other end in the axial direction as in the sliding bearing of the seventh aspect of the present invention. In the case of such a sliding bearing, the cylindrical bearing bush can be mounted (exterior) on the cylindrical sleeve without causing the cylindrical bearing bush to expand in diameter. Assembling work between the bush and the cylindrical sleeve can be easily performed.
[0014]
Further, the labyrinth may be open toward the other end side in the axial direction of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface as in the sliding bearing of the eighth aspect of the present invention. It is possible to effectively prevent the powder from entering the gap between the sliding surfaces.
[0015]
The labyrinth is an annular protrusion formed integrally with the outer peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical sleeve so as to project radially in place of or in addition to the labyrinth portion as in the sliding bearing of the ninth aspect of the present invention. The labyrinth portion formed between the inner peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical bearing bush, which is formed on the inner peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical bearing bush and defines an annular recess into which the annular protrusion is fitted May be provided.
[0016]
Furthermore, the labyrinth may be opened toward the radially outer side as in the sliding bearing according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, instead of opening toward the other end in the axial direction of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface. In this case, it is preferable to be inclined toward the other end side in the axial direction.
[0017]
In the present invention, the cylindrical sleeve, like the sliding bearing of the eleventh aspect, may integrally have another annular flange on the other end in the axial direction of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface, Here, the cylindrical bearing bush may be disposed between both annular flanges of the cylindrical sleeve. In the sliding bearing of the eleventh aspect, as in the sliding bearing of the twelfth aspect of the present invention. The both annular flanges of the cylindrical sleeve preferably have an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the inner peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical bearing bush. According to such a sliding bearing, the cylindrical shape of the cylindrical bearing bush In the case where a snap-fit type engaging mechanism is provided, the slipping out of the sleeve in the axial direction can be reliably prevented by other annular flanges, and the pulling out is further ensured in cooperation with the engaging mechanism. Will be prevented.
[0018]
In the present invention, the cylindrical sleeve may have an annular groove at the other end in the axial direction of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface, like the sliding bearing of the thirteenth aspect. In this case, the cylindrical bearing The bush may have a protrusion that fits into the annular groove.
[0019]
The labyrinth in the sliding bearing according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects is open toward the other end in the axial direction of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface, like the sliding bearing according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention. However, instead of this, it may open toward the outside in the radial direction.
[0020]
In the present invention, the annular flange portion of the cylindrical sleeve has an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the inner peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical bearing bush, like the sliding bearing of the fifteenth aspect.
[0021]
At least one of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical sleeve and the inner peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical bearing bush is preferably a polyacetal resin, polyethylene resin, polyamide resin, as in the sliding bearing of the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, It consists of at least one synthetic resin selected from polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyether ketone resin and polyether sulfone resin. Note that at least one of the cylindrical sleeve and the cylindrical bearing bush may be integrally formed from such a synthetic resin.
[0022]
The sliding bearing according to any one of the above aspects is used in an apparatus using toner powder, such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine. Here, the cylindrical sleeve rotates on its inner peripheral surface exposed to the toner powder. The cylindrical bearing bush is fixed to the housing of the device on the outer peripheral surface thereof.
[0023]
Next, the present invention will be described in more detail based on preferred specific examples shown in the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these specific examples.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 and 2, the sliding bearing 1 of the present example has a semi-cylindrical inner peripheral surface 3 formed with a flat surface 2 and an outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4 made of synthetic resin, and an axial direction X of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4. A cylindrical sleeve 6 made of synthetic resin integrally having an annular flange 5 at one end thereof, a cylindrical bearing bush 8 having an inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 made of synthetic resin, and a cylindrical shape on the annular flange 5 side A labyrinth 9 formed between the sleeve 6 and the cylindrical bearing bush 8 is provided.
[0025]
The cylindrical sleeve 6 is formed integrally with the annular flange 5 in addition to the annular flange 5, and has a cylindrical body 11 having an inner peripheral surface 3 and an outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4, and the annular flange 5. An annular projection 13 formed integrally with one annular surface 12 in the axial direction X and protruding in the axial direction X, and one annular surface 12 in the axial direction X of the annular flange 5 integrally project in the axial direction X. The annular protrusion 14 that surrounds the annular protrusion 13 and the tip end portion in the axial direction X of the inner peripheral surface 15 of the annular protrusion 14 are formed integrally with each other, and the annular engagement enormous portion 16 is formed. Are integrally provided with an annular engagement enlarging portion 17 engaged in a snap-fit manner.
[0026]
The outer cylindrical surface 4 has a diameter that is substantially the same from one end to the other end in the axial direction X, and the annular flange 5 is a diameter of the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 of the cylindrical bearing bush 8. (Diameter) The outer diameter r2 is larger than r1.
[0027]
The cylindrical sleeve 6 is integrally formed of at least one synthetic resin selected from polyacetal resin, polyethylene resin, polyamide resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyether ketone resin, and polyether sulfone resin. The outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4 of the cylindrical body 11 of the cylindrical sleeve 6 is also made of at least one synthetic resin selected from polyacetal resin, polyethylene resin, polyamide resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyether ketone resin, and polyether sulfone resin. It has become.
[0028]
The cylindrical bearing bush 8 includes a cylindrical portion 22 having an inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 and an outer peripheral surface 21, and an annular large diameter portion 23 formed integrally with one end portion in the axial direction X of the outer peripheral surface 21 of the cylindrical portion 22. The cylindrical portion 24 surrounded by the annular projection 14 and one end of the outer peripheral surface 25 of the cylindrical portion 24. The cylindrical portion 24 is surrounded by the annular projection 14. And a large engagement portion 16 formed integrally therewith.
[0029]
The cylindrical bearing bush 8 is mounted on the cylindrical sleeve 6 such that the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 of the cylindrical portion 22 is slidably in contact with the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4 of the cylindrical body 11 of the cylindrical sleeve 6. Like the cylindrical sleeve 6, it is integrally molded from at least one synthetic resin selected from polyacetal resin, polyethylene resin, polyamide resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyether ketone resin, and polyether sulfone resin. The inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 of the cylindrical portion 22 is also made of at least one synthetic resin selected from polyacetal resin, polyethylene resin, polyamide resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyether ketone resin, and polyether sulfone resin. .
[0030]
The labyrinth 9 interposed between the sliding surface gap 31 between the inner circumferential cylindrical surface 7 and the outer circumferential cylindrical surface 4 on the annular flange 5 side and the outer 32 of the sliding bearing 1 is an annular projection 13 and an annular projection 13. A labyrinth portion 34 formed between the cylindrical portion 22 of the cylindrical bearing bush 8 and the one end portion 33 in the axial direction X of the cylindrical bearing bush 8, and formed between the annular protrusion 14 and the cylindrical portion 24. The labyrinth portion 35 is provided. The labyrinth 9 is connected to the other end portion 36 in the axial direction X of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4 via the slidable contact portion between the engagement enlarging portion 17 and the outer peripheral surface 25, in other words, one end surface 37 of the sliding bearing 1. It opens to the outside 32 toward the side.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 3, the above-described plain bearing 1 has a cylindrical bearing bush 8 fitted and fixed to a housing 42 of an apparatus using toner powder 41 such as a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile on its outer peripheral surface 21. On the other hand, the cylindrical sleeve 6 is fitted and fixed to the rotary shaft 43 exposed to the toner powder 41 on the inner peripheral surface 3 thereof, and the rotation of the rotary shaft 43 in the R direction is changed to the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 and the outer peripheral cylindrical surface. 4, that is, to allow the rotation of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4 in the same direction relative to the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7, and to support the rotary shaft 43 rotatably in the R direction. It is done.
[0032]
According to such a sliding bearing 1, the gap 45 between the sliding surfaces between the inner circumferential cylindrical surface 7 and the outer circumferential cylindrical surface 4 on the annular flange 5 side has the labyrinth 9 including the labyrinth portions 34 and 35 and the outside 32. Since it is blocked, the annular flange 5 side is arranged on the side exposed to the toner powder 41, in other words, the other end face 46 side of the slide bearing 1 is arranged on the side exposed to the toner powder 41. Therefore, the toner powder 41 can be extremely effectively prevented from entering the gap 45 between the sliding surfaces, and the smooth rotation of the rotating shaft 43 to be supported can be maintained for a long period of time. The inner cylindrical surface 7 and the outer cylindrical surface 4 are scraped to avoid a large backlash between the inner cylindrical surface 7 and the outer cylindrical surface 4, and the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical sleeve 6 can be avoided. 4 and the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 of the cylindrical bearing bush 8 are synthetic trees. Therefore, the sliding surface between the synthetic resins can be secured regardless of the type of the material of the rotating shaft 43, the low friction property by the synthetic resin can be fully utilized, and at the same price as a rolling bearing at a low price. Friction can be realized.
[0033]
Moreover, according to the slide bearing 1, since the snap-fit type engagement mechanism which consists of the enormous engagement parts 16 and 17 is provided, the cylindrical bearing bush 8 can be easily attached to the cylindrical sleeve 6. Further, it is possible to prevent the cylindrical bearing bush 8 from coming off from the cylindrical sleeve 6 in the axial direction X, and without giving much frictional resistance to the rotation of the cylindrical sleeve 6 with respect to the cylindrical bearing bush 8 in the R direction. The cylindrical sleeve 6 can be smoothly rotated together with the rotation of the rotary shaft 43 in the R direction, and the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4 of the cylindrical sleeve 6 is substantially extended from one end to the other end in the axial direction X. Since they have the same diameter, the cylindrical bearing bush 8 can be mounted (exterior) on the cylindrical sleeve 6 without causing the cylindrical bearing bush 8 to expand in diameter. As a result, the cylindrical bearing bush And the cylindrical sleeve 6 can be easily assembled, and the labyrinth 9 is open toward the other end 36 in the axial direction X of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4. It is possible to effectively prevent entry into the clearance 45 between the sliding surfaces.
[0034]
The slide bearing 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a snap-fit type engagement mechanism composed of engagement enormous portions 16 and 17, but instead, as shown in FIG. The sliding bearing 1 may be configured by omitting the snap-fit engagement mechanism including the portions 16 and 17. In the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical portion 24 is partially surrounded by the annular protrusion 14 at the tip portion 51 in the axial direction X, and the cylindrical body 11 of the cylindrical sleeve 6 has the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4. The cylindrical bearing bush 8 has an annular protrusion 52 that fits into the annular groove 52 on the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 at the other end of the cylindrical portion 22. 53. The protrusion 53 has an inner diameter r3 smaller than the diameter r1 of the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 of the cylindrical bearing bush 8, and the labyrinth 9 is externally outward in the radial direction. 32 is open.
[0035]
The sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 4 is also used in the same manner as the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Even in the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 4, the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 and the outer peripheral cylinder on the annular flange 5 side are also used. Since the gap 45 between the sliding surfaces with the surface 4 is blocked from the outside 32 by the labyrinth 9 including the labyrinth portions 34 and 35, the other end surface 46 side of the sliding bearing 1 is exposed to the toner powder 41. Therefore, the toner powder 41 can be extremely effectively prevented from entering the clearance 45 between the sliding surfaces, and the rotating shaft 43 to be supported can be smoothly rotated in the R direction over a long period of time. 41, the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 and the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4 are scraped to cause a large backlash between the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 and the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4, and the outer periphery of the cylindrical sleeve 6 can be avoided. The cylindrical surface 4 and the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 of the cylindrical bearing bush 8 are synthetic trees. Therefore, the sliding surface between the synthetic resins can be secured regardless of the type of the material of the rotating shaft 43, the low friction property by the synthetic resin can be fully utilized, and at the same price as a rolling bearing at a low price. Friction can be realized, and even if the snap-fit engagement mechanism composed of the engagement enormous portions 16 and 17 is omitted, the protrusion of the projection 53 in the axial direction X from the cylindrical sleeve 6 of the cylindrical bearing bush 8 is prevented. This can be reliably prevented by fitting into the groove 52.
[0036]
Further, in the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the annular flange 5 is provided with an annular protrusion 14 in addition to the annular protrusion 13, the cylindrical part 22 is provided with an annular large diameter part 23, and the annular diameter large part 23 is provided with Although the cylindrical portion 24 is provided, as shown in FIG. 5, the slide bearing 1 may be configured by omitting the annular protrusion 14, the annular large diameter portion 23, and the cylindrical portion 24. In the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 5, an enormous engagement portion 16 is integrally formed at one end portion in the axial direction X of the outer peripheral surface 21 of the cylindrical portion 22 of the cylindrical bearing bush 8. Engagement bulges 17 that engage with the engagement bulges 16 in a snap-fit manner are integrally formed at the front end of the surface 55 in the axial direction X, and the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 on the annular flange 5 side The labyrinth 9 interposed between the sliding surface gap 31 between the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4 and the outside 32 of the sliding bearing 1 is a cylindrical portion of the cylindrical bearing bush 8 surrounded by the annular protrusion 13 and the annular protrusion 13. The labyrinth portion 34 formed between the one end portion 33 in the axial direction X of 22 and the sliding cylindrical bearing 1 shown in FIG. The annular flange 5 is a cylindrical bearing. The outer diameter r2 is larger than the diameter r1 of the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 of the bush 8, and the labyrinth 9 is connected to the sliding bearing 1 via a slidable contact portion between the enormous engagement portion 17 and the outer peripheral surface 21. It opens to the outside 32 toward the one end face 37 side.
[0037]
The sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 5 is also used in the same manner as the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and thus the same effect as the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be obtained.
[0038]
In the slide bearing 1 shown in FIG. 5, the annular protrusion 13 is provided with the annular protrusion 13, the cylindrical portion 22 is provided with the enormous engagement portion 16, and the annular protrusion 13 is provided with the engagement enlarging portion 17 respectively. As shown in FIG. 6, the slide bearing 1 may be configured by omitting the annular protrusion 13 and the enormous engagement portions 16 and 17. In the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 6, the labyrinth 9 includes an annular protrusion 61 formed integrally with the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4 of the cylindrical body 11 of the cylindrical sleeve 6 and a cylindrical shape of the cylindrical bearing bush 8. The labyrinth portion formed between the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 of the cylindrical portion 22 that is formed on the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 of the portion 22 and that defines the annular recess 62 into which the annular protrusion 61 is fitted. 63, and the cylindrical body 11 of the cylindrical sleeve 6 has an annular flange 54 integrally with the other end portion in the axial direction X of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4 in addition to the annular flange 5. The cylindrical portion 22 of the cylindrical bearing bush 8 is disposed between the annular flanges 5 and 54 of the cylindrical sleeve 6, and the annular flanges 5 and 54 of the cylindrical sleeve 6 are arranged in the cylindrical bearing bush. An outer diameter r2 which is larger than the diameter r1 of the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 and substantially equal to each other, and 4 has a (r2 ≒ r4), the labyrinth 9 is open to the outside 32 radially outwardly. The diameter r2 of the annular flange 5 is larger than the diameter r1 of the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 and the diameter r4 of the annular flange 54, and the diameter r4 of the annular flange 54 is larger than the diameter r1 of the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7. May be.
[0039]
The sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 6 is also used in the same manner as the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Also in the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 6, the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 and the outer peripheral cylinder on the annular flange 5 side. Since the gap 45 between the sliding surfaces with the surface 4 is blocked from the outside 32 by the labyrinth 9 including the labyrinth portion 63, the other end surface 46 side of the sliding bearing 1 is arranged on the side exposed to the toner powder 41. By doing so, the toner powder 41 can be extremely effectively prevented from entering the gap 45 between the sliding surfaces, the smooth rotation of the rotating shaft 43 to be supported can be maintained for a long time, and the toner powder 41 can The cylindrical surface 7 and the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4 are scraped to avoid a large backlash between the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 and the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4, and the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4 of the cylindrical sleeve 6 can be avoided. Because the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 of the cylindrical bearing bush 8 is made of synthetic resin. Regardless of the type of material of the rotating shaft 43, a sliding surface between the synthetic resins can be secured, the low friction property by the synthetic resin can be fully utilized, and low friction equivalent to that of a rolling bearing can be realized at a low price. In addition, the cylindrical bearing bush 8 can be reliably prevented from coming off from the cylindrical sleeve 6 in the axial direction X by the annular flange portions 5 and 54.
[0040]
Further, in the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 5, the sliding bearing 1 may be configured as shown in FIG. In the plain bearing 1 shown in FIG. 7, the labyrinth 9 that opens to the outside 32 toward the radially outer side includes a labyrinth portion 34 that is formed between the annular protrusion 13 and one end portion 33 of the cylindrical portion 22. The cylindrical body 11 of the cylindrical sleeve 6 has an annular groove 52 at the other end in the axial direction X of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface 4, and an end surface 57 for fitting to the rotary shaft 43. The cylindrical bearing bush 8 has an annular protrusion 53 that fits into the annular groove 52 on the inner peripheral cylindrical surface 7 at the other end of the cylindrical portion 22. The outer peripheral surface 21 of the cylindrical portion 22 has a diameter r5 that is larger than the outer diameter r2 of the annular flange 5 and the annular protrusion 13.
[0041]
The sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG. 7 is also used in the same manner as the sliding bearing 1 described above, and thus the same effect as the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be obtained.
[0042]
In addition, you may comprise the whole labyrinth 9 with what has almost no clearance gap like the sliding bearing 1 shown in FIG.6 and FIG.7.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, toner powder (development powder) of a developing unit of a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine or the like is used as a rotating shaft for stirring or transporting, without giving a large brake to the rotating shaft. It can effectively prevent the penetration of toner powder between the bearing surfaces, and can be used as a sliding surface between synthetic resins regardless of the type of material of the mating material such as the rotating shaft. In addition, it is possible to provide a sliding bearing that can realize low friction equivalent to that of a rolling bearing at low cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of the example shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a method of using the example shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of still another preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of still another preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of still another preferred example of an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Sliding bearing
2 flat surface
3 Inner peripheral surface
4 outer peripheral cylindrical surface
5 Ring collar
6 Cylindrical sleeve
7 Inner cylindrical surface
8 Cylindrical bearing bush
9 Labyrinth

Claims

A cylindrical sleeve made of a synthetic resin having at least an outer peripheral cylindrical surface made of synthetic resin and having an annular flange integrally formed at one axial end of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface, and a cylindrical bearing having at least an inner peripheral cylindrical surface made of synthetic resin The cylindrical bearing bush is mounted on the cylindrical sleeve with its inner peripheral cylindrical surface slidably contacting the outer peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical sleeve, between the sliding surfaces between the clearance and the outside between the peripheral cylindrical surface and the outer peripheral cylindrical surface, it labyrinth formed between the cylindrical sleeve and a cylindrical bearing bush in the annular flange portion is interposed The labyrinth is formed on the outer peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical sleeve so as to integrally project in the radial direction, and is formed on the inner peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical bearing bush. Has an annular recess Sliding bearing which comprises a labyrinth portion formed between the inner peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical bearing bush constant.

The sliding bearing according to claim 1, wherein the labyrinth is opened radially outward.

The cylindrical sleeve integrally has another annular flange at the other axial end of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface, and the cylindrical bearing bush is disposed between both annular flanges of the cylindrical sleeve. The plain bearing according to claim 1 or 2 .

The sliding bearing according to claim 3 , wherein both annular flanges of the cylindrical sleeve have an outer diameter larger than a diameter of an inner peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical bearing bush.

Cylindrical sleeve has an annular groove on the other end portion in the axial direction of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface, the cylindrical bearing bush, according to claim 1 or 2 has a projection which fits into the annular groove Of plain bearings.

The labyrinth is a sliding bearing according to any one of claims 3 to 5 , wherein the labyrinth opens toward the other end side in the axial direction of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface.

The sliding bearing according to any one of claims 1 , 2, 5, and 6, wherein the annular flange portion of the cylindrical sleeve has an outer diameter larger than a diameter of an inner peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical bearing bush.

At least one of the outer peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical sleeve and the inner peripheral cylindrical surface of the cylindrical bearing bush is selected from polyacetal resin, polyethylene resin, polyamide resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyether ketone resin, and polyether sulfone resin. The sliding bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , comprising at least one synthetic resin.

An apparatus using toner powder, such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine, comprising the sliding bearing according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the cylindrical sleeve has an inner peripheral surface thereof, A device that is fixed to a rotating shaft that is exposed to toner powder, and that a cylindrical bearing bush is fixed to the housing of the device on its outer peripheral surface.