WO2014050314A1

WO2014050314A1 - Seal structure for torque converter using magneto-rheological fluid

Info

Publication number: WO2014050314A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/071152
Authority: WO
Inventors: 一訓川島; 渡邊　聡
Original assignee: ジヤトコ株式会社; 日産自動車株式会社
Priority date: 2012-09-26
Filing date: 2013-08-05
Publication date: 2014-04-03
Also published as: JPWO2014050314A1; JP5839752B2

Abstract

A torque converter is configured in such a manner that the rotating shafts (input shaft (3) and main shaft (4)) of a pump impeller (11) and a turbine runner (15) are rotatably supported by a unit housing (6), and in such a manner that the transmission of power from the pump impeller (11) to the turbine runner (15) is performed through a magneto-rheological fluid which is filled into the unit housing (6). A seal structure for the torque converter using the magneto-rheological fluid is configured in such a manner that lip seals (50, 50) are provided at the support section (61) of the unit housing (6), the support section (61) supporting the input shaft (3), and at a one-way clutch support section (7) which serves as a support section for the main shaft (4), the lip seals (50, 50) being made to be in pressure contact with the outer periphery of the rotating shafts. The seal structure is also configured in such a manner that a first magnet and a second magnet, which has a magnetic pole opposite to that of the first magnet and which is provided separated from the first magnet in the radial direction of a rotating shaft, are provided further toward the inside of the unit housing (6) than the point (P) of contact between each lip seal (50) and the corresponding rotating shaft.

Description

Seal structure in torque converter using magnetorheological fluid

The present invention relates to a seal structure in a torque converter using a magnetorheological fluid.

As a torque converter used for torque transmission, one that uses oil as a working fluid is generally known.
In recent years, torque converters using a magnetorheological fluid having a specific gravity greater than that of oil have been studied in order to reduce the size and improve transmission efficiency. When using such a torque converter in a vehicle transmission or the like, It is expected that lockup control with high accuracy by magnetic force control will be possible.

A torque converter using a magnetorheological fluid has a basic configuration in which a stator is provided between a pump impeller and a turbine runner that are coaxially rotatable relative to each other in a main body case, and the rotation of the engine. When the driving force is input and the pump impeller rotates, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the turbine runner side via the magnetorheological fluid filled in the main body case.

Here, the rotation shafts of the pump impeller and the turbine runner are rotatably supported by the main body case, and the magnetic viscous fluid in the main body case is prevented from leaking to the outside at the support portion of the rotation shaft in the main body case. For this purpose, a seal member (oil seal) is provided.
This seal member is provided with the lip portion on the inner diameter side pressed against the outer periphery of the rotating shaft so that when the rotating shaft rotates relative to the main body case, the lip portion slides on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft. It has become.

The magnetorheological fluid is obtained by suspending (dispersing) iron (Fe), which is a magnetic substance, in oil, and includes fine Fe particles.
Therefore, if fine Fe particles contained in the magnetorheological fluid enter between the lip portion of the seal member and the rotation shaft, the seal member wears due to the entered Fe particles when the rotation shaft rotates, and the seal There is a possibility that problems such as deterioration of the sealing performance of the member and shortening of the life of the sealing member may occur.

In Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the iron powder contained in the lubricating oil from being sandwiched between the rotating shaft and the lip portion of the seal member, a metal ring with magnetism is attached to the seal member, It is disclosed that iron powder contained in lubricating oil is attached to a metal ring.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-100374

In the case of Patent Document 1, the inventor of the present application is configured to adsorb the iron powder contained in the lubricating oil to the metal ring having magnetism. Therefore, the iron powder contained in the lubricating oil like a magnetorheological fluid ( If the amount of magnetic material) is increased, there is a limit to the amount of iron powder that can be attached to the metal ring, which may prevent the iron powder from being sandwiched between the lip portion of the seal member and the rotating shaft. I discovered that there is.

In the torque converter using the magnetorheological fluid, the magnetic substance contained in the magnetorheological fluid is sandwiched between the lip portion of the seal member and the rotating shaft, that is, the contact point with the rotating shaft of the seal member. The purpose of the present invention is to prevent the deterioration of the sealing performance and the life of the member.

The inventor of the present application supports the rotation shafts of the pump impeller and the turbine runner so as to be rotatable in a main body case, and transmits power from the pump impeller to the turbine runner by using a magnetorheological fluid filled in the main body case. In a torque converter using a magnetorheological fluid performed via
While providing a seal member in pressure contact with the outer periphery of the rotating shaft inside the main body case from the support portion of the rotating shaft,
A first magnet and a second magnet having a magnetic pole opposite to the first magnet are arranged in a radial direction of the rotation shaft inside the main body case from a contact point between the seal member and the rotation shaft. Set apart,
A seal structure in a torque converter using a magnetorheological fluid having a configuration in which the first magnet is provided on the rotating shaft is used.
If comprised in this way, since the line of magnetic force which ties the 1st magnet and the 2nd magnet inside the main part case rather than the contact point with the rotating shaft of a seal member is formed along the radial direction of the rotating shaft, The magnetorheological fluid in the main body case cannot reach the contact point unless it crosses a plurality of magnetic lines of force.
Here, since the magnetic body contained in the magnetorheological fluid forms a cluster along the magnetic field lines, it cannot enter the contact point side across the magnetic field lines.

Therefore, the magnetic material contained in the magnetorheological fluid is preferably prevented from being sandwiched between the contact points of the seal member and the rotating shaft, thereby reducing the sealing performance of the seal member and shortening the service life.

It is sectional drawing of the torque converter concerning embodiment. It is an enlarged view around the lip seal of the torque converter according to the embodiment. It is a figure explaining the magnetic force line around the lip seal of the torque converter concerning an embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a torque converter 1 according to an embodiment.
The torque converter 1 is configured by disposing a torus 10 that forms a circulation path A and a clutch mechanism 30 in a unit housing 6 on a fixed side coupled to the transmission case 2 and the like.
The torus 10 includes a pump impeller 11, a turbine runner 15, and a stator 20, and a circulating flow of a working fluid (magnetic viscous fluid) is formed in the torus 10 by these.
The pump impeller 11 includes an impeller blade holding portion 13 on an outer peripheral portion of an input shell 12 connected to an input shaft 3 to which a rotational driving force of an engine (not shown) is input. The impeller blade holding portion 13 includes an impeller blade holding portion 13. A blade 14 is provided.
The turbine runner 15 includes a turbine blade holding portion 17 on the outer peripheral portion of the output shell 16 connected to the main shaft 4 extending in series on the rotation axis Z common to the input shaft 3, and the turbine blade holding portion 17 includes a turbine blade. 18 is provided.

The impeller blade holding portion 13 and the turbine blade holding portion 17 are provided to face each other in the radial direction of the main shaft 4, and the impeller blade 14 is located on the radially outer side and the turbine blade 18 is located on the radially inner side. .
The stator 20 is disposed between the impeller blades 14 and the turbine blades 18 in the radial direction of the main shaft 4. The stator 20 is supported by a stator base 21 that can be rotated in only one direction by a one-way clutch 22, and is provided facing the working fluid circulation path A from a direction parallel to the main shaft 4. .

The one-way clutch 22 is attached to a one-way clutch support portion 7 fixed to the unit housing 6.

The input shell 12 of the pump impeller 11 and the output shell 16 of the turbine runner 15 are provided with an interval in the axial direction of the main shaft 4 (rotation axis Z), and a predetermined interval is provided between the turbine blade holder 17 and the main shaft 4. The space S is formed. In this space S, a clutch plate, which will be described later, is arranged to form the clutch mechanism 30.

The input shaft 3 and the main shaft 4 are supported by the unit housing 6 via

radial bearings

8a and 8b, respectively. The unit housing 6 (internal space S1) is filled with a magnetorheological fluid as a working fluid. Yes.

Lip seals

50, 50 are provided between the unit housing 6 and the input shaft 3 and between the unit housing 6 and the main shaft 4 adjacent to the

radial bearings

8a, 8b. Thus, leakage of the magnetorheological fluid filled in the unit housing 6 to the outside is prevented.
The outer peripheral wall 6 a of the unit housing 6 faces the outside air as an extension of the transmission case 2.

Next, the clutch mechanism 30 will be described.
In the space S between the turbine blade holding portion 17 and the main shaft 4 described above, the drum portion 31 extending from the input shell 12 on the left side in the drawing to the output shell 16 side on the right side in the drawing is located.
The drum portion 31 extends in parallel to the rotation axis Z, and the tip portion 31 a is located in the vicinity of the output shell 16.

A plurality of disk-shaped first clutch plates 32 extending radially inward are provided in the drum portion 31 at equal intervals in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z, and the tip on the inner diameter side of the first clutch plate 32 is the main shaft. 4 is located in the vicinity.
The drum portion 31 is made of a nonmagnetic material such as aluminum, and the first clutch plate 32 is made of a magnetic material having a high magnetic permeability such as iron.

The main shaft 4 is provided with a plurality of disk-like second clutch plates 35 extending outward in the radial direction at equal intervals in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z, and the tip of the second clutch plate 35 on the outer diameter side is a drum. It is located in the vicinity of the part 31.
The second clutch plate 35 is made of a magnetic material having a high magnetic permeability like the first clutch plate 32, and a small-diameter non-magnetic body portion 34 is provided between the second clutch plate 35 and the main shaft 4. Is sandwiched.

In the clutch mechanism 30, the second clutch plates 35 and the first clutch plates 32 are alternately arranged between the input shell 12 and the output shell 16 in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z, and these first clutch plates 32. The surfaces of the second clutch plate 35 facing each other are smooth planes.

A region of the input shell 12 facing the second clutch plate 35 in the axial direction is a smooth flat plate portion 37, and a gap between the second clutch plate 35 adjacent to the flat plate portion 37 is the first adjacent to each other. It is set to be approximately equal to the gap between the clutch plate 32 and the second clutch plate 35.
The flat plate portion 37 is made of a magnetic material having a high magnetic permeability, and when the input shell 12 is made of a magnetic material, a non-magnetic material having a predetermined width on the radially inner side and the outer side of the flat plate portion 37. A part is provided.
FIG. 1 shows a state in which the input shell 12 is made of a non-magnetic aluminum alloy, and the both sides in the radial direction of the flat plate portion 37 remain as materials.

The region of the output shell 16 that faces the first clutch plate 32 in the axial direction is also a smooth flat plate portion 39, and the gap between the first clutch plate 32 adjacent to the flat plate portion 39 is adjacent to each other. It is set to be approximately equal to the gap between the first clutch plate 32 and the second clutch plate 35.
The flat plate portion 39 is made of a magnetic material having a high magnetic permeability, and when the output shell 16 is made of a magnetic material, a non-magnetic material having a predetermined diameter width on the radially inner side and the outer side of the flat plate portion 39. A part is provided.
FIG. 1 shows a state in which the output shell 16 is made of a non-magnetic aluminum alloy and the both sides in the radial direction of the flat plate portion 39 remain as materials.

In the unit housing 6, a yoke portion 40 made of a magnetic material having a high permeability such as iron is provided on the inner diameter side of the one-way clutch support portion 7.
The yoke portion 40 has a ring shape having a radial width substantially corresponding to the overlapping width of the first clutch plate 32 and the second clutch plate 35 when viewed from the axial direction, and faces the flat plate portion 39 of the output shell 16. Is provided.
The surface of the yoke portion 40 facing the flat plate portion 39 is smooth, and the gap with the output shell 16 is set substantially equal to the gap between the first clutch plate 32 and the second clutch plate 35 adjacent to each other.

A ring-shaped coil storage groove 41 centering on the main shaft 4 is formed at the radial center of the surface of the yoke portion 40 facing the output shell 16, and is wound around the coil storage groove 41 in a ring shape. A coil 42 is attached.
Here, although not particularly shown in FIG. 1, the lead wire of the coil 42 passes through the yoke portion 40 from the coil housing groove 41 in the axial direction, and is finally led to the outside from the side wall 6 c of the unit housing 6. ing.
In the embodiment, since the yoke portion 40 that holds the coil 42 is fixed to the unit housing 6 side, it is not necessary to provide a slip ring or a brush in the middle of the lead wire of the coil 42. . Therefore, there is no generation of sliding resistance, and high stability and durability of energization can be obtained.

In the embodiment, the first clutch plate 32, the second clutch plate 35, the

flat plate portions

37 and 39 of the input shell 12 and the output shell 16, and the yoke portion 40 constitute a so-called multi-plate clutch. That is, by energizing the coil 42, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 1, the yoke portion 40 made of a high magnetic material, the flat plate portion 39 of the output shell 16, the first clutch plates 32 arranged alternately, and Since an effective magnetic circuit is formed via the second clutch plate 35 and the flat plate portion 37 of the input shell 12, the appearance of the magnetorheological fluid that fills between the multi-plate clutch constituent members by controlling energization. The upper viscosity (yield stress) can be controlled, whereby the slip between the pump impeller 11 and the turbine runner 15 can be controlled.

The clutch mechanism 30 is configured in a space S between the turbine blade holding portion 17 and the main shaft 4 in the unit housing 6, and is isolated by the drum portion 31 from the circulation path A of the working fluid (magnetic viscous fluid) formed by the torus 10. Has been.
The magnetic flux generated by the clutch mechanism 30 is generated between the yoke portion 40 and the first clutch plate 32 and the second clutch plate 35 (and the

flat plate portions

37 and 39 of the input shell 12 and the output shell 16) facing the yoke portion 40. A magnetic circuit closed between them is formed so as not to leak to the outside, so that the magnetic viscous fluid in the circulation path A is not affected.

The

support portions

61 and 62 of the

radial bearings

8a and 8b described above are provided on the inner diameter side of the side wall 6b and the side wall 6c in the unit housing 6, and these

support portions

61 and 62 are in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z. Projecting away from each other.

2A and 2B are enlarged views of the main part of the unit housing 6. FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the lip seal 50 on the support portion 61 side and the vicinity thereof, and FIG. 2B is a lip seal 50 on the support portion 62 side. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2A, an opening 610 through which the input shaft 3 is inserted is provided in the support portion 61 so as to penetrate in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z. The opening 610 is formed in the radial bearing 8a. The bearing support portion 611 for supporting the lip seal 50, the seal support portion 612 for supporting the lip seal 50, and the communication portion 613 for communicating the seal support portion 612 and the internal space S1 of the unit housing 6 are provided.
In the support portion 61, a bearing support portion 611, a seal support portion 612, and a communication portion 613 are positioned in order from the left side in the drawing, and the input shaft 3 is moved toward the internal space S 1 side (right side in the drawing). The gap between the outer periphery of the two is narrow.

The seal support part 612 has a smaller diameter than the bearing support part 611 and a larger diameter than the communication part 613. A lip seal 50 is fitted and attached to the seal support portion 612 from the bearing support portion 611 side. The lip seal 50 is sandwiched between the communication portion 613 and the radial bearing 8a. Is retained.

As shown in FIG. 2B, in the support portion 62 located on the opposite side across the unit housing 6, an opening 620 through which the main shaft 4 is inserted is provided so as to penetrate in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z. . In the support portion 62, only the radial bearing 8b is supported, and the opening 620 of the support portion 62 is formed with an inner diameter that matches the outer shape of the radial bearing 8b.
In the internal space S1 of the unit housing 6, a one-way clutch support portion 7 and a yoke portion 40 are located adjacent to the support portion 62. The main shaft is located on the inner diameter side of the one-way clutch support portion 7 and the yoke portion 40.

Openings

700 and 400 through which 4 is inserted are provided penetrating in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z.

The opening 700 of the one-way clutch support portion 7 includes a bearing support portion 701 that supports one end side of the radial bearing 8 b and a seal support portion 702 that supports the lip seal 50. On the support portion 62 side in the unit housing 6, an opening 620 of the support portion 62, a bearing support portion 701 and a seal support portion 702 of the one-way clutch support portion 7, and an opening 400 of the yoke portion 40 are sequentially formed from the right side in the drawing. The gap between the outer periphery of the main shaft 4 is narrowed toward the inner space S1 side (left side in the figure).

The seal support portion 702 has a smaller diameter than the bearing support portion 701 and a larger diameter than the opening 400. A lip seal 50 is fitted and attached to the seal support portion 702, and the lip seal 50 is held in a state of being sandwiched between the radial bearing 8b and the yoke portion 40.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the lip seal 50 will be described.
The lip seal 50 on the support portion 61 side (see FIG. 2A) and the lip seal 50 on the support portion 62 side (see FIG. 2B) have the same configuration. In the description, the configuration of the lip seal 50 on the support portion 61 side will be described, and the lip seal 50 on the support portion 62 side will be described as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the lip seal 50 includes a cylindrical base portion 51 fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the seal support portion 612 in the support portion 61, and one end 51b of the base portion 51 in the rotation axis Z direction. A lip holding portion 52 having a flange shape (disk shape) extending radially inward from the side, and a main lip 53 and a sub lip 54 are provided at an inner diameter side end portion 52a of the lip holding portion 52. It has been.

The main lip 53 extends from the end 52a on the inner diameter side of the lip holding portion 52 in the same direction as the base 51 (on the inner space S1 side), and has a pointed contact on the surface facing the input shaft 3 on the inner diameter side. A contact portion 53a is provided. On the outer diameter side of the main lip 53, a spring 60 made of a nonmagnetic material is fitted and attached at a position opposite to the abutting portion 53a. The main lip 53 is attached by the urging force of the spring 60. The contact portion 53a is pressed against the outer periphery of the input shaft 3.

In the embodiment, when the input shaft 3 rotates around the rotation axis Z, the main lip 53 slides on the outer peripheral surface in a state in which the main lip 53 is pressed against the outer periphery of the input shaft 3. The magnetorheological fluid filled on the inner space S1 side (right side in the figure) from the lip 53 is prevented from leaking to the outside (left side in the figure) of the inner space S1.

The secondary lip 54 extends to the inner diameter side opposite to the main lip 53, and a contact portion 54 a on the tip side is in contact with the outer periphery of the input shaft 3. In the embodiment, the sub lip 54 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and the sub lip 54 brings the contact portion 54a into contact with the outer periphery of the input shaft 3 by its elastic force, thereby causing foreign matter such as dust. Is prevented from entering the internal space S1.

A reinforcing member 55 is embedded in a range from the base portion 51 to the lip holding portion 52 in the lip seal 50.
The reinforcing member 55 includes a cylindrical portion 551 provided in the base portion 51 and a flange portion 552 extending from the base end 551b of the cylindrical portion 551 to the inner diameter side, and has a substantially L shape in a cross-sectional view. is doing.

The cylindrical portion 551 extends in the base portion 51 substantially in parallel with the rotation axis Z, and the tip 551a thereof is closer to the inner space S1 than the contact point P of the main lip 53 with the input shaft 3 (right side in the figure). ).
The flange portion 552 extends from the base end 551b of the tubular portion 551 inward in the radial direction, substantially perpendicular to the tubular portion 551. The flange portion 552 is in the main lip 53 in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z. And the auxiliary lip 54.

The reinforcing member 55 is obtained by replacing a reinforcing metal ring provided in a conventionally known lip seal with a metal ring made of a magnetic material. The cylindrical portion 551 has an S pole and the flange portion 552 has an N pole. It is magnetized to become.

Here, the lip seal 50 is obtained by covering a reinforcing member 55 with a rubber-like elastic body. The rubber-like elastic body allows the reinforcing member 55, the base 51, the lip holding portion 52, and the main lip. 53 and the sub lip 54 are integrally formed.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the lip seal 50 on the support portion 62 side is provided by fitting a cylindrical base portion 51 to the inner peripheral surface of the seal support portion 702 in the one-way clutch support portion 7. In this lip seal 50, the contact portion 53 a of the main lip 53 on the inner diameter side is pressed against the outer periphery of the main shaft 4 by the biasing force of the spring 60.

The lip seal 50 on the support portion 62 side is also provided with a reinforcing member 55 made of a magnetic material, and is magnetized so that the cylindrical portion 551 is an S pole and the flange portion 552 is an N pole.

A magnet 70 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the input shaft 3 on the inner space S1 side (right side in FIG. 2A) from the contact point P with the main lip 53 of the lip seal 50.
A magnet 70 is also provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main shaft 4 on the inner space S1 side (left side in FIG. 2B) from the contact point P of the lip seal 50 with the main lip 53.

The magnet 70 is provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft (the input shaft 3 and the main shaft 4), and has a ring shape when viewed from the axial direction.
The magnet 70 is magnetized so that one side (lip seal 50 side) in the rotation axis Z is an N pole and the other side is an S pole, and attracts the magnetic pole (S pole) of the base 51 of the lip seal 50 (S pole). N pole) is located on the lip seal 50 side.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing magnetic lines of force L around the lip seal 50, (a) is a diagram showing magnetic lines of force L around the lip seal 50 on the support portion 61 side, and (b) is a diagram showing support. It is a figure which shows the magnetic force line L around the lip seal 50 by the side of the part 62. FIG.
In this figure, the main magnetic field lines L formed on the inner space S1 side of the lip seal 50 (the right side in the figure in the case of (a) in FIG. 3 and the left side in the figure in the case of (b)) are shown. Illustration of magnetic field lines formed in other portions is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the embodiment, the S pole (base 51 of the lip seal 50) and the N pole (magnet 70) are provided at an interval in the radial direction of the input shaft 3 and the main shaft 4. The position of the S pole and the N pole is such that the line segment connecting the N pole and the S pole (see the imaginary line IM1 in the figure) crosses the space S2 on the inner diameter side of the

seal support portions

612 and 702 in the radial direction. Is set.

Therefore, in the vicinity of the lip seal 50, a plurality of lines of magnetic force L from the N pole of the magnet 70 to the S pole of the cylindrical portion 511 are formed so as to cross the space S2 on the inner diameter side of the

seal support portions

612 and 702 in the radial direction. When the magnetic viscous fluid flow F from the internal space S1 toward the lip seal 50 is generated, the lip seal 50 (the rotation axis of the main lip 53) is required if the magnetic viscous fluid flow F does not cross a plurality of magnetic field lines L. The contact point P) with the (input shaft 3, main shaft 4) cannot be reached.

Here, since the magnetic substance (for example, Fe particles) contained in the magnetorheological fluid forms a cluster in which the magnets are connected along the magnetic field lines L, when the flow F of the magnetorheological fluid crosses the magnetic field lines L, Magnetic bodies (Fe particles) contained in the magnetorheological fluid are supplemented by the lines of magnetic force L.
Therefore, every time the magnetorheological fluid crosses the magnetic force line L, the magnetic material is supplemented by the magnetic force line L, so that the contact point P of the lip seal 50 with the rotation axis (input shaft 3, main shaft 4) of the main lip 53 is reached. It is suitably prevented that the magnetic body reaches and the magnetic body is sandwiched between the main lip 53 and the rotation shaft (input shaft 3, main shaft 4).

In the embodiment, the flange portion 552 embedded in the lip holding portion 52 of the lip seal 50 is magnetized to a magnetic pole (N pole) opposite to the cylindrical portion 551. Therefore, the contact point P of the main lip 53 with the rotation axis (input shaft 3, main shaft 4) is arranged with an N pole (flange portion 552) and an N pole (magnet 70) arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z. ).

Here, since the magnetic lines of force from the N pole to the S pole repel each other, the magnetic lines of force from the flange 552 (N pole) to the S pole and the magnetic lines of force from the N pole to the S pole of the magnet 70 Between 552 and the magnet 70, a magnetic line of force is formed in the radial direction of the rotating shaft (input shaft 3, main shaft 4).
In the embodiment, since the cylindrical portion 551 (S pole) is located on the radially outer side between the flange portion 552 (N pole) and the magnet 70 (N pole), the

seal support portions

612 and 702 are provided. The magnetic field lines L that cross the radial space S2 in the radial direction are surely formed.

As described above, in the embodiment, the input shaft 3 of the pump impeller 11 and the main shaft 4 of the turbine runner 15 are supported by the unit housing 6 having the sealed internal space S1 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis Z. In the torque converter using magnetorheological fluid in which power transmission from the pump impeller 11 to the turbine runner 15 is performed via the magnetorheological fluid filled in the unit housing 6,
In the support portion 61 of the input shaft 3 in the unit housing 6 and the one-way clutch support portion 7 serving as the support portion of the main shaft 4, the outer periphery of the input shaft 3 and the main shaft 4 is press-contacted on the inner space S 1 side from the

radial bearings

8 a and 8 b. And providing lip seals 50, 50,
A magnet 70 (first magnet), the first magnet, and the inner side (inside the internal space S1) of the unit housing 6 with respect to the contact point P between the lip seal 50 and the rotation shaft (input shaft 3, main shaft 4). The cylindrical portion 551 (second magnet) magnetized by the opposite magnetic pole is provided in the radial direction of the rotating shaft (input shaft 3 and main shaft 4), and the magnet 70 is arranged on the outer periphery of the input shaft 3 and main shaft 4. The seal structure in the torque converter having the configuration provided in FIG.

If comprised in this way, the magnet 70 (1st magnet) and the cylindrical part 551 (2nd) will be located inside the unit housing 6 rather than the contact point P of the lip seal 50 and the rotating shaft (input shaft 3, main shaft 4). The magnetic lines of force L connecting the magnets) are formed along the radial direction of the rotation axis Z. Therefore, the magnetorheological fluid in the unit housing 6 cannot reach the contact point P unless it crosses the plurality of magnetic lines of force L.
Here, since the magnetic body (Fe particles) contained in the magnetorheological fluid forms a cluster in which the magnetic bodies are connected along the magnetic field line L, the magnetic body crosses the magnetic field line L and contacts the contact point P (unit). It becomes impossible to enter the outside of the housing 6.
Therefore, the magnetic material (Fe particles) contained in the magnetorheological fluid is sandwiched between the contact points of the lip seal 50 and the rotation shaft (the input shaft 3 and the main shaft 4), and the sealing performance of the lip seal 50 is improved. It is suitably prevented that the lip seal 50 is lowered or the life of the lip seal 50 is shortened.

The lip seal 50 is
A main lip 53 in pressure contact with the outer periphery of the rotating shaft (input shaft 3, main shaft 4);
A disc-shaped lip holding portion 52 extending from the main lip 53 to the outside in the radial direction of the rotation shaft (input shaft 3, main shaft 4);
A cylindrical base 51 provided so as to extend from the outer edge of the lip holding portion 52 toward the inner space S1, and for fitting the lip seal to the support portion 61 or the one-way clutch support portion 7; Prepared,
A cylindrical portion 551 of a reinforcing member 55 is embedded in the base portion 51 along the rotation axis Z direction. The cylindrical portion 551 is made of a magnetic material and is magnetized to a magnetic pole opposite to the first magnet. Thus, the second magnet was obtained.

If comprised in this way, the 2nd magnet can be easily prepared only by comprising the reinforcement member 55 with a magnetic body and magnetizing the cylindrical part 551 of this reinforcement member 55 to a desired magnetic pole.
Further, since it is not necessary to separately provide the second magnet in the unit housing 6, there is no need to process the unit housing 6 in order to provide the second magnet, and the number of parts can be increased only by the first magnet. Therefore, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

In particular, the magnet 70 (first magnet) and the cylindrical portion 551 (second magnet) have a predetermined length in the axial direction of the rotating shaft (input shaft 3 and main shaft 4). A plurality of magnetic lines of force L connecting 70 and the cylindrical portion 551 (second magnet) are reliably formed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft (input shaft 3 and main shaft 4).
If it does so, the magnetorheological fluid containing a magnetic body (Fe particle | grains) will not reach | attain the contact point P with the rotating shaft (the input shaft 3, the main axis | shaft 4) of the lip seal 50, unless the several magnetic force line L is crossed. Accordingly, when the magnetorheological fluid crosses the plurality of magnetic lines of force L, the magnetic substance (Fe particles) contained in the magnetorheological fluid can be reliably captured, so that the magnetism contained in the magnetorheological fluid is brought into contact with the contact point. Entering the P side (the outside of the unit housing 6) can be prevented more suitably.

The main lip 53 is in pressure contact with the outer periphery of the rotary shaft (input shaft 3, main shaft 4) inside the unit housing 6 than the lip holding portion 52.
The reinforcing member 55 includes a flange portion 552 that extends toward the inner diameter side in the lip holding portion 52, and this flange portion 552 is a magnetic pole (N pole) opposite to the magnetic pole (S pole) of the tubular portion 551 of the reinforcing member 55. The configuration is as follows.

With this configuration, the same magnetic pole (the magnetic pole (N pole) of the flange portion, the second magnetic pole, A cylindrical portion 551 (second magnet) magnetized by a magnetic pole (S pole) opposite to the magnetic pole (S pole) on the outside in the radial direction. Will be located.
Then, the lines of magnetic force L extending from the flange portion (N pole) and the magnet 70 (first magnet: N pole) repel each other to the cylindrical portion 551 (second magnet: S pole) positioned on the radially outer side. Therefore, a plurality of magnetic force lines L extending in the radial direction of the rotation axis Z across the space S2 on the inner diameter side of the

seal support portions

612 and 702 can be surely formed in the axial direction of the rotation axis Z. it can.

Therefore, if the magnetorheological fluid containing the magnetic material (Fe particles) filled in the unit housing 6 does not cross the plurality of magnetic field lines L, the contact point with the rotating shaft (the input shaft 3 and the main shaft 4) of the lip seal 50 will be described. The magnetic particles contained in the magnetorheological fluid can be prevented from reaching the contact point P of the lip seal 50 (main lip 53) with the rotating shaft (input shaft 3, main shaft 4). Is done.
Thus, even if the main lip 53 of the lip seal 50 slides on the outer periphery of the rotation shaft (input shaft 3, main shaft 4) due to the relative rotation of the rotation shaft (input shaft 3, main shaft 4) with respect to the unit housing 6. It is possible to suitably prevent the lip 53 from being worn and the sealing performance of the lip seal 50 from being lowered and the life of the lip seal 50 from being shortened.

In the embodiment described above, the reinforcing member 55 embedded in the lip seal 50 is made of a magnetic material, the cylindrical portion 551 of the reinforcing member 55 is magnetized to the S pole, and the flange portion 552 is magnetized to the N pole. The case where the magnetic pole on the lip seal 50 side of the magnet 70 provided on the rotating shaft (input shaft 3 and main shaft 4) is an N pole has been described as an example.
The magnetic poles of the cylindrical portion 551 and the flange portion 552 in the reinforcing member 55 are not limited to this mode. For example, the cylindrical portion 551 is magnetized to the N pole and the flange portion 552 is magnetized to the S pole. Also good. In such a case, by setting the magnetic pole on the lip seal 50 side of the magnet 70 provided on the rotating shaft (the input shaft 3 and the main shaft 4) to be the S pole, the same effect as in the case of the above-described embodiment is achieved. Become.

Furthermore, the distal end 551a side of the cylindrical portion 551 of the reinforcing member 55 may be magnetized to the north pole and the proximal end 551b side to the south pole, and the flange portion 552 may not be magnetized. In such a case, by setting the magnetic pole on the lip seal 50 side of the magnet 70 provided on the rotating shaft (the input shaft 3 and the main shaft 4) to be the S pole, the same effect as in the case of the above-described embodiment is achieved. Become.

Claims

A rotating shaft of the pump impeller and the turbine runner is rotatably supported by the main body case, and power transmission from the pump impeller to the turbine runner is performed via a magnetorheological fluid filled in the main body case. In torque converters using viscous fluids,
While providing a seal member in pressure contact with the outer periphery of the rotating shaft inside the main body case from the support portion of the rotating shaft,
A first magnet and a second magnet having a magnetic pole opposite to the first magnet are arranged in a radial direction of the rotation shaft inside the main body case from a contact point between the seal member and the rotation shaft. Set apart,
A seal structure in a torque converter using a magnetorheological fluid in which the first magnet is provided on the rotating shaft.
The sealing member is
A lip portion that presses against the outer periphery of the rotating shaft;
A disc-shaped lip holding portion extending from the lip portion to the outside in the radial direction of the rotary shaft;
A cylindrical base portion extending from the outer edge of the lip holding portion to the inside of the main body case, and for mounting a seal member in the main body case,
A cylindrical reinforcing ring is embedded in the base portion along the axial direction of the rotating shaft,
The seal structure for a torque converter using a magnetorheological fluid according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing ring is the second magnet.
The lip portion is in pressure contact with the outer periphery of the rotating shaft inside the main body case from the lip holding portion,
3. The magnetic viscosity according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing ring has a flange portion that extends to an inner diameter side in the lip holding portion, and the flange portion is magnetized to a magnetic pole opposite to the magnetic pole of the reinforcing ring. Seal structure in torque converter using fluid.