JPH09250637A - Sealing cover - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To hold sealing force even when a cover lip loses elastic force by furnishing the cover lip to seal on the side of a retainer on a sealing cover of a ball joint and sealing between an engagement part, and a knuckle arm or the side of the retainer by a sealing part made of a low temperature soft rubber material. SOLUTION: A sealing cover 1 has a cylindrical flexible part 2, and an installation part 8 to be engaged with a socket 64 by a locking ring 14 is formed on one end of it. Additionally, the other end is made a thick engagement part 4, an inner circumferential joint part 3 is formed on it, and a plural number of ring lips 3a are formed. Furthermore, a cover lip 5 is provided on an upper surface of the engagement part 4, a metallic retainer 9 provided with an inner circumferential surface 9a to be engaged with a ball stud 61 is provided on the inner circumferential side, and the ring lips 3a are jointed to slide on its outer peripheral surface 9b. Thereafter, a rubber material made sealing part excellent in low temperature flexibility is integrated on a joint surface 9d of a flange part 9c through an adhesion surface 7b, and its head end is sealed and jointed on a joint surface 6a of a reinforcing ring 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sealing cover for sealing a sliding portion between a ball portion and a socket portion of a ball joint.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique according to the present invention, there is a dust cover shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the fitting portion at one end of the resin dust cover 51 is attached to the ball stud 61.

In FIG. 8, the dust cover 51 is hermetically attached to a socket, which is a part of a ball joint, with a lower attachment portion (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 8, the free end of the mounting portion is formed as a funnel-shaped reduced diameter portion having a small diameter. Further, the tip end side of the reduced diameter portion is formed into a thick-walled cylindrical neck portion 52, and the inner peripheral surface 52a of the neck portion 52 is formed with a first seal portion 52c formed of two protrusions. Further, a second sealing portion 54 having a frusto-conical shape is formed on an end face of the neck portion 52. Also, the second seal portion 54
An annular groove 52b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the root of the so as to facilitate elastic deformation.

Next, a retainer 55 made of a metal material is provided on the inner peripheral side of the neck portion 52 so as to be fitted to the ball stud 61. The retainer 55 is formed in a tubular portion having a flange 55c at one end. An inner peripheral surface 55a and an outer peripheral surface 55b are formed in the cylindrical portion of the retainer 55.

The outer peripheral surface 55b of the retainer 55
An inner peripheral surface 53b of a seal portion 53 made of a rubber material is integrally adhered to the entire surface of. Outer peripheral surface 53a of this seal portion 53
Are further elastically joined to the inner peripheral surface 52a of the neck 52. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface 53a of the seal portion 53 is joined while being elastically deformed so as to be joined to the first seal portion 52c of the inner peripheral surface 52a of the neck portion 52.

[0007]

However, in the conventional dust cover 51 constructed as described above, since the ball portion of the ball stud 61 repeatedly swings with respect to the socket, the neck portion 52 of the dust cover 51 is formed. The inner peripheral surface 52a and the outer peripheral surface 53a of the seal portion 53 slide. Particularly, in order to exert a sealing effect, the protruding first seal portion 52 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 52a of the neck portion 52.
Since c is provided, the wear is accelerated.

As a result, the outer peripheral surface 53a of the seal portion 53 is worn early and the sealing ability is reduced. Further, in this structure, since the neck portion 52 has to be held by the flange 55c of the retainer 55, the dust cover 51 may be damaged when it is swung by the flange 55c. Further, at a low temperature, the second seal portion 54 loses elasticity due to the thermoplastic elastomer and deteriorates the sealing ability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to reduce the sliding resistance between the dust cover and the ball stud even if the ball stud swings. It is to exert the sealing effect for a long period of time.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the technical means thereof are configured as follows. That is, claim 1
A sealing cover made of an elastic plastic material or a hard rubber material, having a mounting portion on one end side to be fitted into a socket and a fitting portion on the other end side to be mounted on a ball stud, wherein the fitting portion has a ball. The stud or the ball stud has an inner peripheral joint portion to be joined to the mounting member, and a cover lip formed on the outer end surface of the inner peripheral joint portion and in close contact with the ball stud mounting member or the knuckle arm, and a fitting portion. A seal portion made of a soft rubber material having a lower temperature than the material of the fitting portion for sealing between the mounting member and the knuckle arm is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hermetically sealed cover made of an elastic plastic material or a hard rubber material, which has a mounting portion on one end side to be fitted into the socket and a fitting portion on the other end side to be mounted on the ball stud. In the fitting portion, a cover lip is formed on an inner peripheral joint portion which is joined to the ball stud or the mounting member of the ball stud and an outer end surface of the inner peripheral joint portion and is in close contact with the mounting member of the ball stud or the knuckle arm. And a lower temperature flexible rubber material than the material of the fitting portion that is attached to the mounting member, the knuckle arm, or the fitting member and is in close contact with the other member between the cover lip and the inner peripheral joint portion. It has a seal part.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a sealing cover for a ball joint showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a hermetic cover. The hermetic cover 1 is formed in a tubular flexible portion 2 whose middle portion is expanded in an arcuate cross section. And this sealing cover 1 is
It is formed from an elastic plastic material which is a thermoplastic elastomer by injection molding or blow molding.

The hermetic cover 1 has a mounting portion 8 formed at one end for fitting with the socket 64. A locking ring 14 is buried in the mounting portion 8, and the locking ring 14 functions as a stopper when the mounting portion 8 is fitted to the socket 64.

The other end of the hermetic cover 1 is formed in a thick fitting portion 4.

The fitting portion 4 is formed with an inner peripheral joint portion 3 and a plurality of annular lips 3a.
Further, a cover lip 5 formed in a truncated cone shape is provided on the upper surface of the fitting portion 4. Further, between the cover lip 5 and the inner peripheral joint portion 3, a reinforcing ring 6 harder than the fitting portion 4 is embedded, and the joint surface 6a exposed on the upper surface.
Is provided. The joining surface 6a is finished to be a flat surface so as to make a sealing contact with the lip 7a.

A ball stud 6 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the fitting portion 4.
The metal retainer 9 is provided with an inner peripheral surface 9a which is fitted with the retainer 1. The retainer 9 has a flange portion 9c on the upper side.
Is formed, and a bent portion 9e is formed below. Further, the outer peripheral surface 9b is configured to be slidably joined to the annular lip 3a of the inner peripheral joint portion 3.

A seal portion 7 made of a rubber material is integrated with the joint surface 9d of the flange portion 9c via an adhesive surface 7b. The tip of the seal portion 7 is formed in a lip shape and is hermetically joined to the joint surface 6a. This seal portion 7
Instead of the reinforcing ring 6, the joining surface 6a of the reinforcing ring 6 may be joined to the joining surface 6a formed by the fitting portion 4 on the same surface. However, when the reinforcing ring 6 is joined to the joint surface 6a of the reinforcing ring 6, the reinforcing ring 6 is harder than the fitting portion 4,
This is because the finishing accuracy of the joint surface 6a is improved and the sealing effect can be exhibited.

The seal portion 7 is made of a rubber material having excellent low temperature flexibility. For example, silicone rubber, chloroprene rubber, fluororubber, nitrile rubber, acrylic rubber, butyl rubber and the like. And the lip 7a is the fitting portion 4
It is advisable to compress the contact pressure with 0 to 30%. Especially,
In low temperature use, even if the sealing cover 1 is made of cold-resistant polyurethane or elastic plastic, the flexibility decreases at a low temperature of -10 ° C and the sealing ability of the annular lip 3a of the fitting portion 4 and the cover lip 5 is reduced. However, the sealing performance can be exhibited by the seal portion 7 made of the low temperature soft material.

Further, when the lubricating oil is interposed in the groove portion 15 between the cover lip 5 and the inner peripheral joint portion 3, the seal portion 7 is formed.
It is possible to prevent hardening due to lowering of the temperature and improve the sealing ability.

The hermetically sealed cover 1 constructed as described above is
For example, it is used for an upper ball joint used for a suspension of an automobile or the like.

The mounting portion 8 of the sealing cover 1 is mounted on the socket 64, and the fitting portion 4 is mounted on the lower surface side of the knuckle arm 62 mounted on the ball stud 61 via the nut 65.

Further, the inner peripheral surface 9a of the retainer 9 is fitted on the shaft of the ball stud 61, and the flange portion 9c is
The knuckle arm 62 is held by the support surface 62a.

Further, the annular lip 3a of the fitting portion 4 fits in a sliding state with the outer peripheral surface 9b of the retainer 9 and is locked by the bent portion 9e so that the fitting portion 4 does not come off from the retainer 9. Has been done.

The cover lip 5 is joined to the joint surface 9d of the flange portion 9c to prevent dust from entering from the outside. At the same time, it prevents the outflow of lubricating oil from the inside.
The seal portion 7 made of a rubber material is in sealing contact with the upper surface of the fitting portion 4 to prevent the lubricating oil in the seal cover 1 from flowing out.

In the fitting portion 4, the inner peripheral joint portion 3 may be directly joined to the shaft portion of the ball stud 61 without the retainer 9. In this case, a stop ring may be provided on the shaft portion so that the fitting portion 4 does not descend toward the ball 63 side. Also, the cover lip 5 has a knuckle arm 6
It may be in direct contact with the lower surface of 2. Further, the seal portion 7 is adhered to the fitting portion 4, and the retainer 9 or the knuckle arm 62 is attached.
You may bring it into direct contact with. These can be appropriately applied depending on the situation. As the material of the hermetically-sealed cover-1, as a thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane-based, polyester-based, polyolefin-based, polyvinyl chloride-based,
It is recommended to select a polymer alloy or the like that has excellent moldability, impact resistance, and bending resistance. Also, a rubber material that is slightly harder than the conventional boot material can be used. Its hardness is JIS
It is better to have H _{s of} 80 or more. Furthermore, as the material of the seal portion 7, there are chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, silicon rubber, nitrile rubber, acrylic rubber, fluororubber, etc., and when used in cold regions, one of these materials that has excellent low temperature flexibility is used. Selected. The ball seat 64
a slides on the ball 63 through the lubricating oil. Further, the retainer 9 may be made of resin material instead of metal material.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a hermetic cover showing another embodiment of the present invention.

This sealing cover 1 has a retaining ring 1 attached to a mounting portion 8.
2 is fitted. A metal reinforcing ring 6 is embedded in the fitting portion 4.

The lip 7a of the seal portion 7 is in close contact with the bottom surface of the groove portion 15 provided on the upper surface of the fitting portion 4. This close contact is maintained in a compressed state in the range of 0 to 30%. This pressure contact ratio is set by the joint portion 11 provided on the upper surface of the fitting portion 4. Junction 11
Forms a groove portion 15 with the cover lip 5, stores the lubricating oil in the groove portion 15, and plays a role of maintaining the durability of the seal portion 7.

The seal portion 7 is formed of a rubber material having a good low temperature followability. A plurality of lips 7a may be formed integrally with the retainer 9 so as to be in close contact with the bottom surface of the groove portion 15.

The other structures are formed in substantially the same manner as indicated by the same reference numerals as in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the fitting portion 4 of the sealing cover 1 showing still another embodiment.

In this fitting portion 4, a second seal portion 13 made of a rubber material is provided on the upper surface 9f of the flange portion 9C of the retainer 9, and the second seal portion 13 includes
Three projecting seal lips 13a are formed so as to come into close contact with the lower surface of the knuckle arm 62. The seal lip 13a serves to seal the gap between the retainer 9 and the ball stud 61.

An intermediate seal 10 is provided on the inner side of the cover lip 5, and when the outer cover lip 5 loses flexibility due to a low temperature, the intermediate seal 10 prevents dust and dust from the outside. It prevents water from entering.

The other structure is substantially the same as the structure shown in FIG. The second seal portion 13 is also made of a rubber material which does not deteriorate in flexibility even when the temperature is low, like the seal portion 7. These adhesives are integrated by baking during molding.

FIG. 4 is a half sectional view of the hermetic cover 1 showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

2 is different from FIG. 2 in that FIG.
The seal portion 7 of the
It is the point that is arranged as. The seal portion 17 is provided with a lip 17a at its tip. Further, the cover lip 5 of FIG. 2 is formed in substantially the same shape as the joint portion 11 of FIG. 2 and is in close contact with the retainer 9 as a cover lip 21.

The seal portion 17 is composed of the cover lip 2
Close to the root of 1. The cover lip 21 is in close contact with the contact surface 17b of the seal portion 17. The cover lip 21 may be brought into close contact with the joint surface 9d of the retainer 9.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the fitting portion 4 side of FIG. Incidentally, A is a hole of a pin for holding the reinforcing ring 6 in molding. As for the material, the seal portion 17 is made of silicone rubber. The cover 1 is a rubber material having a hardness H _s 82 or a polyurethane resin. As other materials, the seal portion 17 can be made of chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, acrylic rubber, fluororubber, or the like as described above. Further, the close cover 1 is made of polyester, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, hardness H _s
Elastomers such as synthetic rubbers of 80 or more (for example, chloroprene rubber) and polymer alloys can be used.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the free shape on the side of the fitting portion 4. In FIG. 6, the annular lip 3a is formed with three lips. Further, FIG. 7 is a half cross-sectional view showing a free shape of the retainer 9. The retainer 9 has a seal portion 17, and the seal portion 17 is formed with a lip 17a and a close contact surface 17b. The close contact surface 17b is formed as a thin ring having a flat plate shape inward from the seal portion 17. The other reference numerals are the same as those in FIG.

[0042]

In the hermetically sealed cover of the present invention, the cover lip is in close contact with the retainer side, and the seal portion made of a rubber material, particularly a low temperature soft rubber material, is provided between the fitting portion and the knuckle arm or the retainer side. Since the cover lip is sealed, even if the cover lip is hard and loses its elastic force to lower the sealing force, the sealing force can be maintained by the sealing portion.

Further, since the socket and the ball stud oscillate, it is expected that the inner peripheral joint portion is made of an elastic plastic material to reduce the sliding resistance. Then, by reducing the sliding resistance, it becomes possible to interpose the lubricating oil in the sealing cover in the inner peripheral joint portion, and it is possible to reduce wear of the inner peripheral joint portion and achieve durability.

At the same time, the lubricating oil flowing out from the inner peripheral joint portion can be expected to be effectively sealed by the seal portion and held in the inner peripheral joint portion.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing cover attached to a ball joint showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a half sectional view of a sealing cover showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a sealing cover showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a half cross-sectional view of a sealing cover showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fitting portion side of FIG.

6 is a free-form cross-sectional view of the fitting portion of FIG.

7 is a free-form cross-sectional view of the retainer of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional dust cover.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Sealing cover 2 ... Flexible part 3 ... Inner peripheral joint part 3a ... Annular lip 4 ... Fitting part 5 ... Cover lip 6 ... Reinforcement ring 6a ... Joining surface 7 ... Sealing part 7a ...... Lip 7b …… Adhesive surface 8 …… Mounting part 9 …… Retainer 9a …… Inner peripheral surface 9b …… Outer peripheral surface 9c …… Flange part 9d …… Joining surface 9e …… Bent part 9f …… Top surface 10… … Intermediate seal 11 …… Joining part 12 …… Retaining ring 13 …… Second seal part 13a …… Seal lip 14 …… Locking ring 15 …… Groove part 17 …… Seal part 17a …… Lip 17b …… Close contact surface 21 ...... Cover lip 51 ...... Dust cover 52 ...... Neck portion 52a ...... Inner peripheral surface 52b ...... Groove 52c ...... First seal portion 53 ...... Seal portion 53a ...... Outer peripheral surface 53b ...... Inner peripheral surface 54 ...... 2 Seal part 55 …… Retainer 55a …… Inner circumference Surface 55b ... Outer peripheral surface 55c ... Flange 61 ... Ball stud 62 ... Knuckle arm 62a ... Supporting surface 63 ... Ball 64 ... Socket 64a ... Bearing 65 ... Nut

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A ball stud (6) having a mounting portion (8) on one end side fitted to a socket (64) and a ball stud (6) on the other end side.
A sealing cover made of an elastic plastic material or a hard rubber material having a fitting portion (4) attached to 1), wherein the fitting portion (4) has the ball stud (61) or the ball stud (61). ) The inner peripheral joint part (3) to be joined to the mounting member (9) and the mounting member (9) or the knuckle arm (9) formed on the outer end surface of the inner peripheral joint part (3). 62) which has a cover lip (5) in close contact, and which seals between the fitting portion (4) and the attachment member (9) or the knuckle arm (62). A sealing cover having a seal portion (7, 17) made of a soft rubber material having a lower temperature than that of the above-mentioned material. 2. A ball stud (6) having a mounting portion (8) on one end side fitted to a socket (64) and a ball stud (6) on the other end side.
A sealing cover made of an elastic plastic material having a fitting portion (4) attached to 1), wherein the fitting portion (4) has the ball stud (61) or a mounting member of the ball stud (61). The inner peripheral joint portion (3) to be joined to (9) and the outer end surface of the inner peripheral joint portion (3) are closely contacted with the mounting member (9) of the ball stud (61) or the knuckle arm (62). A cover lip (5) for performing the attachment, and the attachment member (9), the knuckle arm (62), or the fitting portion (9) between the cover lip (5) and the inner peripheral joint portion (3). 4) A hermetically sealing cover, characterized in that it has a sealing portion (7, 17) made of a soft rubber material having a lower temperature than the material of the fitting portion (4) adhered to the other member which is adhered to and is opposed to the other member.