JP2012246974A - Seal member - Google Patents

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JP2012246974A
JP2012246974A JP2011117989A JP2011117989A JP2012246974A JP 2012246974 A JP2012246974 A JP 2012246974A JP 2011117989 A JP2011117989 A JP 2011117989A JP 2011117989 A JP2011117989 A JP 2011117989A JP 2012246974 A JP2012246974 A JP 2012246974A
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Prior art keywords
sliding contact
laser
rubber
base material
seal
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JP2011117989A
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Tomohisa Yamamoto
智久 山本
Tatsuo Katayama
竜雄 片山
Ritsuko Yokota
理津子 横田
Chihiro Asanuma
千尋 浅沼
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Uchiyama Manufacturing Corp
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Uchiyama Manufacturing Corp
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Priority to JP2011117989A priority Critical patent/JP2012246974A/en
Priority to PCT/JP2012/063343 priority patent/WO2012161259A1/en
Publication of JP2012246974A publication Critical patent/JP2012246974A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
    • F16J15/00—Sealings
    • F16J15/16—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces
    • F16J15/32—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings
    • F16J15/3248—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings provided with casings or supports
    • F16J15/3252—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings provided with casings or supports with rigid casings or supports
    • F16J15/3256—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings provided with casings or supports with rigid casings or supports comprising two casing or support elements, one attached to each surface, e.g. cartridge or cassette seals
    • F16J15/3264—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings provided with casings or supports with rigid casings or supports comprising two casing or support elements, one attached to each surface, e.g. cartridge or cassette seals the elements being separable from each other

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sealing With Elastic Sealing Lips (AREA)

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rubber seal member which is excellent in retention capacity of a lubricating agent, in a low wearing, and in a low friction, and which reduces wear of seal surface by capturing rubber wear powder and foreign matters from the outside.SOLUTION: The seal member 7 comprises a rubber base material 70 including a sliding contact surface 4a in elastically relative sliding contact with a partner member 2. A large number of small holes 8 with a depth of 3 to 20 μm and an opening diameter of 5 to 70 μm, are formed on a surface including at least the sliding contact surface 4a of the rubber base material, by laser processing, and the percentage of the area occupied by the openings of the small holes in the area where the small holes are formed, is set at 5 to 50%.

Description

本発明は、ゴム製のシール部材に関し、例えば、軸受のシールリングに組み込まれるゴム製シール部材に関する。   The present invention relates to a rubber seal member, for example, a rubber seal member incorporated in a seal ring of a bearing.

前記のような軸受のシールリングは、芯金に固着一体とされたゴム製シール部材を含み、相対回転する２部材（例えば、外輪と内輪）の間に介在される。当該シール部材は、前記２部材の一方の部材に前記芯金を介して嵌着され、そのシールリップ部が、前記２部材の他方の部材に直接若しくはスリンガを介して弾接するよう組み込まれる。前記２部材が相対回転する際に、シールリップ部が前記相手部材（前記他方の部材或いはスリンガ等）に弾性摺接して、軸受の軸受空間をシールするべく機能する。   The seal ring of the bearing as described above includes a rubber seal member fixed and integrated with the core metal, and is interposed between two members (for example, an outer ring and an inner ring) that rotate relative to each other. The seal member is fitted to one member of the two members via the core bar, and the seal lip portion is incorporated so as to be in elastic contact with the other member of the two members directly or via a slinger. When the two members rotate relative to each other, the seal lip portion elastically contacts the mating member (the other member or slinger or the like) and functions to seal the bearing space of the bearing.

前記のようなシール部材を組み込んだシールリングにおいては、シール性を維持しながら相手部材との摺接抵抗を小さくする為に、前記シールリップ部の前記相手部材に対する摺接部分にグリース等の潤滑剤が施与される。そして、この潤滑剤の保持性を高め、低摩耗化及び低摩擦化を図る為に、シールリップ部の摺接部分に細かな凹凸加工（粗面化処理）を施すこともなされている。特許文献１乃至３には、このような粗面化処理が施されたシール部材が記載されている。また、特許文献４には、加硫ゴムの表面に紫外レーザを照射して、ゴムの表面に微細な凹凸構造を形成する加硫ゴムの表面処理方法が記載されている。   In a seal ring incorporating such a seal member, lubrication such as grease is applied to the sliding contact portion of the seal lip portion with respect to the mating member in order to reduce sliding resistance with the mating member while maintaining sealing performance. Agent is applied. In order to improve the retention of the lubricant and to reduce wear and friction, fine concavo-convex processing (roughening treatment) is also performed on the sliding contact portion of the seal lip portion. Patent Documents 1 to 3 describe seal members that have been subjected to such roughening treatment. Patent Document 4 describes a surface treatment method for a vulcanized rubber in which a surface of the vulcanized rubber is irradiated with an ultraviolet laser to form a fine uneven structure on the surface of the rubber.

特開２００１−３５５７４０号公報JP 2001-355740 A 特開２００４−２６３７３８号公報Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-267338 特開２００８−８４５５号公報JP 2008-8455 A 特許第３３８０１２４号公報Japanese Patent No. 3380124

従来、ゴムの表面を粗面化する方法としては、ゴム基材を成型する為の金型の成型面にシボ加工等を行い、成型時にシボ加工面をゴム基材に転写する方法や、成型されたゴム基材の表面にブラストのショット処理或いは研磨処理を施す方法が実施されている。特許文献１には、オイルシールのゴム弾性体からなるシールリップにおける摺動面の粗面化が、梨地加工、ねじ突起或いは平行突起の形成、またはローレット加工によってなされることが記載されているが、その具体的な粗面化処理の方法については記載がない。また、特許文献２には、シールリングのゴム弾性体からなるシールリップにおける相手部材との接触面に、粗し加工面を形成することが記載されているが、その具体的な粗し加工処理の方法については記載がない。特許文献３には、成型金型の成型面に短パルスレーザの照射により微細な凹凸を形成し、この金型に樹脂を装填してシール部材を成型する際に、金型に形成された前記凹凸をシール部材に転写することにより、シール部材の内輪（相手部材）との接触面に微細な凹凸を形成することが記載されている。   Conventionally, as a method of roughening the surface of rubber, a method is used in which a molding surface of a mold for molding a rubber base material is subjected to embossing, and the embossed surface is transferred to the rubber base material during molding. A method of subjecting the surface of the rubber base material to blast shot processing or polishing processing has been implemented. In Patent Document 1, it is described that the roughening of the sliding surface of the seal lip made of a rubber elastic body of an oil seal is performed by a satin finish, a screw protrusion or a parallel protrusion, or a knurling process. No specific surface roughening treatment method is described. Further, Patent Document 2 describes that a roughened surface is formed on a contact surface of a seal lip made of a rubber elastic body of a seal ring with a mating member. There is no description about the method. In Patent Document 3, fine irregularities are formed on a molding surface of a molding die by irradiation of a short pulse laser, and when the sealing member is molded by loading resin into the die, the above-described mold formed on the die is formed. It is described that fine irregularities are formed on the contact surface of the sealing member with the inner ring (counter member) by transferring the irregularities to the sealing member.

特許文献３に記載された方法を、ゴム基材の表面加工に適用せんとした場合、成型時の離型性が悪く、これによって、成型品としてのゴム基材の歩留まりが低くなり、安定的な量産化が困難であった。この場合、レーザ照射に代えて、切削加工、エッチング加工或いはショット処理によって金型の内面に微細な凹凸を形成することも実施されているが、凹凸の形成態様を任意に制御することができず、従って、シールポイントとなる平坦部を確保することが難しく、その為、シール部材に適用する場合にはシール性において信頼性が欠ける要因となることがあった。ましてや、穴径が小さく深さのある多数の***を間隔を開けて規則的に形成することは不可能であった。   When the method described in Patent Document 3 is applied to the surface treatment of a rubber base material, the releasability at the time of molding is poor, which reduces the yield of the rubber base material as a molded product and is stable. Mass production was difficult. In this case, it is also possible to form fine irregularities on the inner surface of the mold by cutting, etching or shot processing instead of laser irradiation, but the irregularity formation mode cannot be arbitrarily controlled. Therefore, it is difficult to secure a flat portion serving as a seal point. For this reason, when it is applied to a seal member, there is a case where reliability is lacking in sealing performance. Furthermore, it was impossible to regularly form a large number of small holes having a small hole diameter and a depth.

特許文献４には、前記の通り、加硫ゴムの表面に紫外レーザを照射して、ゴムの表面に微細な凹凸構造を形成する加硫ゴムの表面処理方法が記載されており、レーザ照射におけるフルエンスと単位時間当りの照射回数とを変化させることにより、前記凹凸構造の形態を制御し得る旨の記載がある。しかし、ここでの微細な凹凸構造の形成目的は、加硫ゴム製品同士の粘着防止、或いは摩擦係数のコントロール等のゴム製品のトライボロジ特性の改良であって、潤滑剤を介して相手部材と摺接する部分において、潤滑剤の保持性、或いは潤滑剤の濡れ性等を改善することを意図するものではない。また、凸部が存在する為、相互に摺接する部分をシールするシール部材に適用しようとすると、摺接時に摩耗粉が発生し、或いは凸部の存在がシール性を阻害する要因になることも予想される。   As described above, Patent Document 4 describes a surface treatment method for vulcanized rubber by irradiating the surface of the vulcanized rubber with an ultraviolet laser to form a fine uneven structure on the surface of the rubber. There is a description that the shape of the concavo-convex structure can be controlled by changing the fluence and the number of irradiations per unit time. However, the purpose of forming the fine concavo-convex structure here is to improve the tribological characteristics of the rubber product such as prevention of adhesion between vulcanized rubber products or control of the friction coefficient. It is not intended to improve the retention of the lubricant, the wettability of the lubricant, or the like at the contact portion. In addition, since there are convex portions, when applying to a seal member that seals the portions that are in sliding contact with each other, wear powder is generated at the time of sliding contact, or the presence of the convex portions may be a factor that hinders sealing performance. is expected.

本発明者等は、シール用のゴム基材表面に、レーザ加工によって多数のディンプル状***を形成し、相手部材との摺接部に介在される潤滑剤の保持性を高めることにより低摩耗化及び低摩擦化を図り得る***の最適な形成態様を見出すべく鋭意試行錯誤を繰り返した。その結果、レーザ加工によれば、その条件設定によって、***の深さ、開口径、***形成領域における***開口部の占有面積の割合について、前記最適な形成態様を再現性よく実現することができた。本発明は、このような知見に基づき、潤滑剤の保持性、低摩耗化及び低摩擦化に優れ、ゴム摩耗粉や外部からの異物を捕捉してシール面の摩耗を低減させ得るゴム製のシール部材を提供することを目的としている。   The inventors of the present invention have reduced wear by forming a large number of dimple-shaped small holes on the surface of the rubber base material for sealing by laser processing and improving the retention of the lubricant interposed in the sliding contact portion with the mating member. In addition, intensive trial and error were repeated in order to find the optimum formation mode of the small holes capable of reducing the friction. As a result, according to the laser processing, the optimum formation mode can be realized with good reproducibility with respect to the depth of the small hole, the opening diameter, and the ratio of the occupied area of the small hole opening in the small hole forming region. It was. Based on such knowledge, the present invention is excellent in retention of lubricant, low wear and low friction, and is made of rubber that can capture rubber wear powder and foreign matter from the outside to reduce wear on the seal surface. The object is to provide a sealing member.

本発明に係るシール部材は、相手部材に対して弾性的に相対摺接する摺接面を含むゴム基材からなるシール部材であって、前記ゴム基材の少なくとも前記摺接面を含む表面に、深さが３〜２０μｍ、開口径が７０μｍ以下の多数のディンプル状***がレーザ加工によって形成され、該***が形成された領域における***の開口部が占める面積の割合が５〜５０％とされていることを特徴とする。   The sealing member according to the present invention is a sealing member made of a rubber base material including a sliding contact surface that is elastically slidably contacted with a counterpart member, and at least a surface of the rubber base material including the sliding contact surface, A large number of dimple-shaped small holes having a depth of 3 to 20 μm and an opening diameter of 70 μm or less are formed by laser processing, and the ratio of the area occupied by the openings of the small holes in the region where the small holes are formed is 5 to 50%. It is characterized by being.

本発明において、前記ゴム基材が芯金に固着されるベース部と、該ベース部より延出されたシールリップ部とを含み、該シールリップ部の先側に前記摺接面を有しているものとしても良い。また、前記***は、レーザの連続照射によってゴム基材の表層部を剥離した後に形成されたものであっても良い。   In the present invention, the rubber base material includes a base portion to which the rubber base is fixed and a seal lip portion extending from the base portion, and the sliding contact surface is provided on the front side of the seal lip portion. It is good as well. The small hole may be formed after peeling the surface layer portion of the rubber base material by continuous laser irradiation.

本発明によれば、相手部材に対して弾性的に相対摺接する前記ゴム基材の摺接面を含む表面に多数のディンプル状***を備えているから、相手部材との接触面積を軽減し、低摩擦のシール部材が得られる。従って、本シール部材を自動車の車輪軸受装置におけるシールリング等に適用すれば、回転トルクを低減し、低燃費化に寄与する。特に、前記***が形成された領域と前記相手部材との間に潤滑剤を介在させた状態で使用することにより、潤滑剤が***に保持され、***より潤滑剤が徐々に供給されて、摺接面における潤滑剤の枯渇を防止することができる。これによって、円滑な摺接性が維持され、本シール部材の低摩擦、低摩耗化が実現され、長寿命化が図られる。また、摺接時に発生するゴムの摩耗粉や外部から侵入する異物を***に捕捉することができ、摺接面に摩耗粉や異物の噛みこみによる摺接面の傷付き等の摩耗を低減させることができる。このような本発明のシール部材の特性は、***の深さを３〜２０μｍ、***の開口径を７０μｍ以下とし、該***が形成された領域における***の開口部が占める面積の割合（以下、占有面積率と言う）を５〜５０％とすることにより、極めて好適に発現される。しかも、このように形状等が特定された***は、レーザ加工によって再現性良く形成され、品質の安定したシール部材を需要者に提供することができる。   According to the present invention, since a large number of dimple-shaped small holes are provided on the surface including the sliding contact surface of the rubber base material that elastically slides relative to the mating member, the contact area with the mating member is reduced, A low friction seal member is obtained. Therefore, if this seal member is applied to a seal ring or the like in a wheel bearing device of an automobile, the rotational torque is reduced and the fuel consumption is reduced. In particular, when used in a state where a lubricant is interposed between the region where the small hole is formed and the mating member, the lubricant is held in the small hole, and the lubricant is gradually supplied from the small hole so that the sliding is performed. Lubricant depletion on the contact surface can be prevented. As a result, smooth slidability is maintained, low friction and low wear of the seal member are realized, and a long life is achieved. In addition, rubber wear powder generated during sliding contact and foreign matter entering from the outside can be captured in small holes, reducing wear such as scratches on the sliding contact surface due to biting of wear powder or foreign matter on the sliding contact surface. be able to. The characteristics of the sealing member of the present invention are as follows. The depth of the small hole is 3 to 20 μm, the opening diameter of the small hole is 70 μm or less, and the ratio of the area occupied by the opening of the small hole in the region where the small hole is formed (hereinafter, It is expressed very suitably by setting the occupied area ratio) to 5 to 50%. In addition, the small holes whose shape and the like are specified in this way are formed with good reproducibility by laser processing, and can provide a consumer with a stable quality sealing member.

因みに、***の深さが３μｍ未満の場合、潤滑剤を介した相手部材との摺接摩擦抵抗の低減化効果が少なく且つ当該摺接摩擦抵抗のばらつきが大きくなる傾向となり、２０μｍを超えると、摺接摩擦抵抗のばらつきは小さくなるが、潤滑剤が***から摺接面に供給される量が少なくなり、これが原因で摺接摩擦抵抗が大きくなる傾向となる。また、***の開口径が７０μｍを超えると実質的なシールポイントが少なくなりシール性が低下する傾向となる。更に、前記占有面積率が５％未満の場合、前記摺接摩擦抵抗の低減化効果が少なく且つ当該摺接摩擦抵抗のばらつきが大きくなる傾向となり、５０％を超えると実質的なシールポイントが少なくなりシール性が低下する傾向となる。   Incidentally, when the depth of the small hole is less than 3 μm, the effect of reducing the sliding frictional resistance with the mating member via the lubricant tends to be small and the variation of the sliding frictional resistance tends to increase. Although the variation in the sliding contact frictional resistance is reduced, the amount of lubricant supplied from the small hole to the sliding contact surface is reduced, and this tends to increase the sliding contact frictional resistance. On the other hand, when the opening diameter of the small holes exceeds 70 μm, the substantial sealing points are reduced and the sealing performance tends to be lowered. Furthermore, when the occupation area ratio is less than 5%, the effect of reducing the sliding frictional resistance tends to be small and the variation of the sliding frictional resistance tends to increase, and when it exceeds 50%, the substantial sealing point is small. Therefore, the sealing property tends to be lowered.

本発明において、前記ゴム基材が芯金に固着されるベース部と、該ベース部より延出されたシールリップ部とを含み、該シールリップ部の先側に前記摺接面を有しているものとした場合、前記車輪軸受装置におけるシールリング等に好適に適用される。また、前記***が、レーザの連続照射によってゴム基材の表層部を剥離した後に形成されたものとした場合、ゴム基材の表層部がレーザ加工によって剥離されることで、潤滑剤に対する馴染性、親油性が得られる。従って、前記***形成による特性と相俟って、潤滑剤を介在させて使用されるシール部材としての適性が一層向上する。   In the present invention, the rubber base material includes a base portion to which the rubber base is fixed and a seal lip portion extending from the base portion, and the sliding contact surface is provided on the front side of the seal lip portion. If it is, it is preferably applied to a seal ring or the like in the wheel bearing device. In addition, when the small hole is formed after peeling the surface layer portion of the rubber base material by continuous laser irradiation, the surface layer portion of the rubber base material is peeled off by laser processing, so that the compatibility with the lubricant is achieved. , Lipophilicity is obtained. Therefore, combined with the characteristics due to the formation of the small holes, the suitability as a seal member used with the lubricant interposed therebetween is further improved.

本発明の一実施形態に係るシール部材を軸受装置に組み込まれるパックシールタイプのシールリングに適用した例を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the example which applied the seal member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention to the pack seal type seal ring integrated in a bearing apparatus. レーザ加工機によってゴム基材用試料に***を形成する要領を示す概念図である。It is a conceptual diagram which shows the point which forms a small hole in the sample for rubber base materials with a laser processing machine. 同ゴム基材用試料の作製条件をまとめた図である。It is the figure which summarized the preparation conditions of the sample for rubber base materials. 使用するレーザ加工機の詳細をまとめた図である。It is the figure which put together the detail of the laser processing machine to be used. ｆ１００レンズを用い、レーザの周波数、シャッター開時間及びレーザ出力を変化させてレーザ加工を行い、これら加工ファクターと得られた***の形状との関係をまとめた図である。It is the figure which put together the relationship between the shape of the small hole obtained by performing laser processing using f100 lens, changing a laser frequency, shutter opening time, and a laser output. ｆ１６０レンズを用い、レーザの周波数、シャッター開時間及びレーザ出力を変化させてレーザ加工を行い、これら加工ファクターと得られた***の形状との関係をまとめた図である。It is the figure which put together the relationship between the shape of the small hole obtained by performing laser processing using the f160 lens and changing the laser frequency, shutter opening time, and laser output. ｆ３００レンズを用い、レーザの周波数、シャッター開時間及びレーザ出力を変化させてレーザ加工を行い、これら加工ファクターと得られた***の形状との関係をまとめた図である。It is the figure which put together the relationship between these processing factors and the shape of the obtained small hole, performing laser processing using f300 lens, changing a laser frequency, shutter opening time, and a laser output. 図５〜図７に示す結果を、ビーム・レンズ種による***形状制御可能範囲としてまとめた図である。It is the figure which put together the result shown in FIGS. 5-7 as the small hole shape controllable range by a beam lens type. 摩擦摩耗試験機を用いてゴム基材用試料の摩擦係数の測定試験を行う状態を概念的に示す図である。It is a figure which shows notionally the state which performs the measurement test of the friction coefficient of the sample for rubber base materials using a friction abrasion tester. 摩擦係数の測定試験の条件をまとめた図である。It is the figure which put together the conditions of the measurement test of a friction coefficient. ***の占有面積率を変化させた場合の摩擦係数の測定結果をまとめた図である。It is the figure which put together the measurement result of the friction coefficient at the time of changing the occupation area rate of a small hole. 同測定結果を***の占有面積率と摩擦係数との関係として概略的に示すグラフである。It is a graph which shows roughly the same measurement result as a relationship between the occupation area rate of a small hole, and a friction coefficient. 同一試料について、溶剤（エタノール）拭き取り有無による摩擦係数の時間変化による違いを示すグラフである。It is a graph which shows the difference by the time change of the friction coefficient by the solvent (ethanol) wiping presence or absence about the same sample. ***の開口径を変化させた場合の摩擦係数の測定結果をまとめた図である。It is the figure which put together the measurement result of the friction coefficient at the time of changing the opening diameter of a small hole. 同測定結果を***の開口径と摩擦係数との関係として概略的に示すグラフである。It is a graph which shows roughly the same measurement result as a relationship between the opening diameter of a small hole, and a friction coefficient. ***の深さを変化させた場合の摩擦係数の測定結果をまとめた図である。It is the figure which put together the measurement result of the friction coefficient at the time of changing the depth of a small hole. 同測定結果を***の深さと摩擦係数との関係として概略的に示すグラフである。It is a graph which shows roughly the same measurement result as a relationship between the depth of a small hole, and a friction coefficient. 最適レーザ加工試料と未加工試料との摩擦係数の時間変化による違いを示すグラフである。It is a graph which shows the difference by the time change of the friction coefficient of an optimal laser processing sample and an unprocessed sample. 測定試験後の試料の観察結果をまとめた図である。It is the figure which put together the observation result of the sample after a measurement test. 事前にレーザの連続照射によってゴム基材用試料の表層部を剥離した後にレーザ加工機によってゴム基材に***を形成する要領を示す概念図である。It is a conceptual diagram which shows the point which forms a small hole in a rubber base material with a laser processing machine, after peeling off the surface layer part of the sample for rubber base materials by laser continuous irradiation in advance. レーザの連続照射によって表層部を剥離処理したゴム基材用試料表面の親水性及び新油性と照射レーザの周波数との関係を示すグラフであり、（ａ）は水を滴下した時のゴム基材用試料表面に対する水滴の接触角と照射レーザの周波数との関係を示し、（ｂ）はヘキサデカンを滴下した時のゴム基材用試料表面に対するヘキサデカン滴の接触角と照射レーザの周波数との関係を示す。It is a graph which shows the relationship between the hydrophilicity of the sample surface for rubber base materials which peel-processed the surface layer part by continuous irradiation of a laser, and a new oil property, and the frequency of an irradiation laser, (a) is a rubber base material when water is dripped. (B) shows the relationship between the contact angle of the hexadecane droplet on the rubber substrate sample surface and the frequency of the irradiation laser when hexadecane is dropped. Show.

以下に本発明の実施の形態について、図面に基づいて説明する。図１は、本発明に係るシール部材を、パックシールタイプのシールリングのシールリップ部に適用した場合の例を示している。図例のシールリング１は、例えば、自動車の車輪を回転自在に支持する軸受装置（不図示）に装着されるシールリングである。該シールリング１は、回転側となる内輪又はシャフト（いずれも不図示）に外嵌一体とされる金属製スリンガ（相手部材）２と、固定側となる外輪（不図示）に内嵌一体とされる芯金３と、該芯金３に固着一体とされ前記スリンガ２に弾性摺接するよう形成された３枚のシールリップ部４〜６を備えたゴム製のシール部材７とより構成される。図例のシール部材７は、シールリップ部として、スリンガ２のアキシャル面に弾接する２枚のサイド（アキシャル）リップ部４，５と、スリンガ２のラジアル面に弾接する１枚のグリース（ラジアル）リップ部６とを備えている。これらシールリップ部４〜６とスリンガ２との弾性摺接部にはグリースＧが施与されている。図において、２点鎖線は、これらシールリップ部４〜６が弾性変形していない原形状の状態を示している。シール部材７はゴム基材７０の成形体からなり、該ゴム基材７０は、前記芯金３に固着されるベース部７００と、該ベース部７００より延出された前記３枚の環状シールリップ部４〜６とを含む。該シールリップ部４〜６の先側に前記スリンガ２に弾性摺接する摺接面４ａ〜６ａを有している。   Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the seal member according to the present invention is applied to a seal lip portion of a pack seal type seal ring. The illustrated seal ring 1 is, for example, a seal ring that is mounted on a bearing device (not shown) that rotatably supports a vehicle wheel. The seal ring 1 includes a metal slinger (a mating member) 2 that is integrally fitted to an inner ring or shaft (not shown) on the rotating side, and an inner fitting that is integrally fitted to an outer ring (not shown) on the fixed side. And a rubber seal member 7 including three seal lip portions 4 to 6 which are integrally fixed to the core metal 3 and elastically slidably contact the slinger 2. . The seal member 7 in the illustrated example has two side (axial) lip portions 4 and 5 that elastically contact the axial surface of the slinger 2 and one grease (radial) that elastically contacts the radial surface of the slinger 2 as a seal lip portion. And a lip portion 6. Grease G is applied to the elastic sliding contact portion between the seal lip portions 4 to 6 and the slinger 2. In the drawing, a two-dot chain line indicates an original shape in which the seal lip portions 4 to 6 are not elastically deformed. The seal member 7 is formed of a molded body of a rubber base material 70. The rubber base material 70 includes a base portion 700 fixed to the core metal 3, and the three annular seal lips extending from the base portion 700. Part 4-6. Sliding contact surfaces 4 a to 6 a that are in elastic sliding contact with the slinger 2 are provided on the front sides of the seal lip portions 4 to 6.

サイドリップ部４，５及びグリースリップ部６のスリンガ（相手部材）２との摺接面４ａ〜６ａを含む弾性摺接部の少なくとも１つの弾性摺接部には、後記するレーザ加工によって多数のディンプル状***８…が形成されている。図１における拡大部は、サイドリップ部４の摺接面４ａを含む弾性摺接部を示している。シールリップ部４の摺接面４ａを含む弾性摺接部には、多数の***８…が規則的或いはランダムな斑点状に形成されており、この摺接面４ａを含む弾性摺接部及び***８…に前記施与されたグリースＧが介在する。内輪或いはシャフトの回転により、スリンガ２と前記シールリップ部４〜６の各摺接面４ａ〜６ａとは相対摺接する。この時、少なくとも摺接面４ａには多数の***８…が形成されているから、スリンガ２との接触面積が少なく、その為、スリンガ２の回転トルクが小さくなる。しかも、相互の摺接部にはグリースＧが介在するからこの潤滑作用によって、回転トルクの増大が抑制される。更に、多数の***８…によるグリース保持性と低摩耗性及び低摩擦性により、この低回転トルクが長く維持される。特に、***８…にグリースＧを保持することによって、***８…より徐々にグリースＧが供給され、これによって摺接部でのグリースＧの枯渇を防止し、前記低摩耗性及び低摩擦性が長く持続される。また、摺接時に発生するゴムの摩耗粉や、外部から侵入する異物をこの***８…に捕捉することができ、これら異物等の噛み込みによる摺接部の傷付き等の摩耗を低減させることができ、シール部材７の長寿命化も図られる。このような特性は、後記する***８…の最適な形成態様によって実現される。   The at least one elastic sliding contact portion including the sliding contact surfaces 4a to 6a of the side lip portions 4 and 5 and the grease lip portion 6 with the slinger (mating member) 2 has a large number by laser processing described later. Dimple-shaped small holes 8 are formed. The enlarged portion in FIG. 1 shows an elastic sliding contact portion including the sliding contact surface 4 a of the side lip portion 4. In the elastic sliding contact portion including the sliding contact surface 4a of the seal lip portion 4, a large number of small holes 8 are formed in a regular or random spot shape, and the elastic sliding contact portion and small holes including the sliding contact surface 4a are formed. 8... Is provided with the applied grease G. Due to the rotation of the inner ring or the shaft, the slinger 2 and the sliding contact surfaces 4a to 6a of the seal lip portions 4 to 6 are in relative sliding contact. At this time, since a large number of small holes 8 are formed in at least the sliding contact surface 4a, the contact area with the slinger 2 is small, and therefore the rotational torque of the slinger 2 is small. Moreover, since the grease G is interposed between the sliding contact portions, an increase in rotational torque is suppressed by this lubricating action. Further, the low rotational torque is maintained for a long time due to the grease retention, low wear and low friction properties due to the large number of small holes 8. In particular, by holding the grease G in the small holes 8..., The grease G is gradually supplied from the small holes 8, thereby preventing the grease G from being depleted at the sliding contact portion, and the low wear and low friction properties. Long lasting. Also, rubber wear powder generated during sliding contact and foreign matter entering from the outside can be captured in the small holes 8 to reduce wear such as scratching of the sliding contact portion due to biting of these foreign matters. The life of the seal member 7 can be extended. Such a characteristic is realized by an optimum form of the small holes 8 to be described later.

次に、前記のような***８…をレーザ加工によって形成する方法と、最適形成態様の詳細について説明する。図２はレーザ加工機によってゴム基材７０用としての試料（以下、ゴム基材用試料７０と言う）に***を形成する要領を示す概念図である。図２に示すレーザ加工機９は、ミヤチテクノス株式会社製微細レーザ加工機（ＭＬ−７１１２ＡＨ，ＭＬ−７１１１Ａ）であって、発振機９ａ、Ｑスイッチ９ｂ、シャッター９ｃ及びガルバノミラー９ｄを備え、連続波及びＱスイッチパルス波でのレーザ発振が可能とされている。図２は、ゴム基材用試料７０又はレーザ加工機９を走査（矢印ａ参照）させながら、ゴム基材用試料７０の表面にレーザＲを照射させて***８…を形成する（８´は形成過程の***を示す）状態を示している。このレーザ加工機９における、レーザ種はＬＤ励起ＹＶＯ４、発振波長は１０６４ｎｍ、Ｑスイッチパルス周波数は０．０１〜１９９．９ｋＨｚである。 Next, the method for forming the small holes 8 as described above by laser processing and the details of the optimum formation mode will be described. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a procedure for forming small holes in a sample for a rubber base material 70 (hereinafter referred to as a rubber base material sample 70) by a laser processing machine. The laser beam machine 9 shown in FIG. 2 is a fine laser beam machine (ML-7112AH, ML-7111A) manufactured by Miyachi Technos Co., Ltd., and includes an oscillator 9a, a Q switch 9b, a shutter 9c, and a galvanomirror 9d. Laser oscillation with a wave and a Q-switch pulse wave is possible. FIG. 2 shows a small hole 8 formed by irradiating the surface of the rubber substrate sample 70 with the laser R while scanning the rubber substrate sample 70 or the laser processing machine 9 (see arrow a). It shows the state of small holes in the formation process). In this laser beam machine 9, the laser type is LD-excited YVO 4 , the oscillation wavelength is 1064 nm, and the Q switch pulse frequency is 0.01 to 199.9 kHz.

図３は、前記レーザ加工機９によって***８…を加工形成する対象試料としてのシート状ゴム基材用試料７０の作製条件を示している。ゴム材として未加硫ＮＢＲを用いているが、これに限らず、図１に示すようなシール部材７に多用されている他のゴム材、例えば、ＨＮＢＲ，ＡＣＭ，ＦＫＭ，ＥＰＤＭ，ＡＥＭ，ＶＭＱ，ＦＶＭＱ，ＢＲ，ＣＲ等も採用可能である。図４には、レーザ加工機９の詳細仕様を示している。   FIG. 3 shows the production conditions of a sheet-like rubber base material sample 70 as a target sample for processing and forming the small holes 8 by the laser processing machine 9. Although unvulcanized NBR is used as the rubber material, the present invention is not limited to this, and other rubber materials frequently used for the seal member 7 as shown in FIG. 1, for example, HNBR, ACM, FKM, EPDM, AEM, VMQ , FVMQ, BR, CR, etc. can also be adopted. FIG. 4 shows detailed specifications of the laser processing machine 9.

レーザ仕様の最適化を行うため、レーザビーム種・レンズ種を変えて照射し、***の形状観察を行った。レーザ加工後のゴム基材用試料７０の表面の観察にはノルマルスキー微分干渉計（ライカマイクロシステムズ株式会社製ＤＭ４００Ｍ−４）を、断面の観察には超深度形状測定顕微鏡（株式会社キーエンス製ＶＫ−８５００）を、それぞれ用いた。レンズはｆθレンズを用いた。ｆθレンズとは、像高ｈと入射角との関係がｈ＝ｆθになるよう設計されたレンズである。図５〜図７に、シングルモードにおける各レンズを用いて加工した時の***８…の開口径、深さの測定結果を示している。また、図８は、これらの結果を、ビーム・レンズ種による***形状制御可能範囲としてまとめたものである。図８において、ＷＤはレンズと試料間の距離である。   In order to optimize the laser specifications, irradiation was performed by changing the laser beam type and lens type, and the shape of the small hole was observed. A normalski differential interferometer (DM400M-4 manufactured by Leica Microsystems) is used for observing the surface of the rubber substrate sample 70 after laser processing, and an ultra-deep shape measuring microscope (VK manufactured by Keyence Corporation) for observing the cross section. -8500) were used respectively. An fθ lens was used as the lens. The fθ lens is a lens designed so that the relationship between the image height h and the incident angle is h = fθ. FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 show the measurement results of the opening diameter and depth of the small holes 8 when processed using each lens in the single mode. FIG. 8 summarizes these results as a small hole shape controllable range depending on the beam and lens type. In FIG. 8, WD is the distance between the lens and the sample.

図５〜図８から、ｆ１６０レンズで比較すると、マルチモードよりシングルモードの方が開口径が小さく、深い***の加工が可能であることが理解される。これは、パワーのピークがビームの中心一点に集中するシングルモードの特長によるものと考えられる。また、シングルモードにおいてレンズの違いで***の形状を比較すると、θが小さいレンズの加工の方が、開口径がより小さく、より深い***の加工が可能であることが理解される。シール製品の機能としてシール性の確保が必要となるので、シール表面（ゴム基材用試料７０の表面）をより細かく制御する必要がある。そのため、より開口径の小さい***の加工が可能であることが望ましい。このような観点から、***加工のビーム品質としてシングルモードを選択し、レンズ種としてｆ１００レンズを採用した。但し、深さが１５μｍより小さな***が求められる場合は、シングルモードでｆ１６０レンズを用いて加工するようにしても良い。
なお、図５〜図７において、１５Ａ、２３Ａ、３１Ａは、前記レーザ発振機９ａにおける照射出力を、電流値（アンペア）で示したものである。 From FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, it is understood that the aperture diameter is smaller in the single mode than in the multimode, and a deep small hole can be processed as compared with the f160 lens. This is considered to be due to the feature of the single mode in which the power peak is concentrated at one central point of the beam. Further, when the shape of the small hole is compared in the single mode depending on the lens, it is understood that the processing of the lens having a small θ allows the processing of a deeper small hole with a smaller opening diameter. Since it is necessary to ensure sealing performance as a function of the seal product, it is necessary to control the seal surface (the surface of the rubber substrate sample 70) more finely. Therefore, it is desirable that a small hole having a smaller opening diameter can be processed. From this point of view, the single mode was selected as the beam quality for small hole processing, and the f100 lens was adopted as the lens type. However, when a small hole having a depth smaller than 15 μm is required, processing may be performed using an f160 lens in a single mode.
5A to 7A, reference numerals 15A, 23A, and 31A denote irradiation outputs in the laser oscillator 9a in terms of current values (amperes).

図９は、***８の最適形状を特定するため、摩擦摩耗試験機を用いてゴム基材用試料７０の摩擦係数の測定試験を行う状態を概念的に示す図である。図９に示す摩擦摩耗試験機１０として、株式会社レスカ製ＦＰＲ−２１００を使用した。本摩擦摩耗試験機１０は、ゴム基材用試料７０の表面に、グリースを塗布し、この塗布面上を所定の荷重がかけられたボール１０ａを円形に転動させることによって、ボール１０ａとグリースを介したゴム基材用試料７０の表面との摩擦係数を測定するものである。図１０に摩擦試験条件を示す。図１０におけるグリース塗布量は、前記ボール１０ａが転動する円形軌道１０ｂ（図９参照）に沿って塗布される量である。使用したグリースの粘度は、６００[ｄＰａ・ｓ]（２５℃）（ビスコテスター高粘度用にて測定）である。   FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing a state in which a friction coefficient measurement test of the rubber base material sample 70 is performed using a friction and wear tester in order to specify the optimum shape of the small hole 8. As a frictional wear tester 10 shown in FIG. 9, FPR-2100 manufactured by Resuka Co., Ltd. was used. The friction and wear tester 10 applies grease to the surface of the sample 70 for rubber base material, and rolls the ball 10a applied with a predetermined load on the application surface into a circular shape, whereby the ball 10a and grease are applied. The coefficient of friction with the surface of the sample 70 for rubber substrate is measured. FIG. 10 shows the friction test conditions. The amount of grease applied in FIG. 10 is the amount applied along the circular track 10b (see FIG. 9) on which the balls 10a roll. The viscosity of the grease used is 600 [dPa · s] (25 ° C.) (measured with a high viscosity for the Viscotester).

***８の最適な占有面積率の検討を行うため、レーザ照射ピッチにより占有面積率を変化させた試料について、摩擦試験を行った。ここで、***８の占有面積率とは、前記のように***８…が形成された領域（***形成帯の最外周部で囲まれる領域）における***８…の開口部の総面積が占める割合である。この場合のレーザ加工では、ｆ１００レンズを用い、シャッター開時間を０．０１ｍｓ、照射出力を３１Ａ、レーザの周波数を１ｋＨｚ、***の開口径を５２μｍ、深さを１４μｍとした。また、エタノールで表面を拭き取り処理した試料（照射ピッチ１００μｍの試料）についても同様に摩擦試験を行った。図１１及び図１２は、この結果を未加工試料（***なし）での結果と共に示している。この結果によれば、占有面積率が５％を超えると（図１２の白抜矢印参照）、ゴム基材用試料７０の摩擦係数が未加工試料に比べて１／４〜１／５となり、またばらつきも少なくなっていることが理解される。図１３は、エタノールによって拭き取り処理を行った試料（ロ）と行っていない試料（イ）についての摩擦係数の試験結果を示している。図１１〜図１３から、エタノールでの拭き取り処理を行った試料の場合、拭き取り処理を行っていない試料に比べて若干ではあるが、摩擦係数の低減が確認され、また摩擦のピンはね現象がなくなっていることが理解される。これにより、レーザ加工後は、アブレーションされた分解物が表面にわずかではあるが残っており、それを除くことで、摩擦のピンはね現象の抑制が可能であることが理解される。   In order to examine the optimum occupied area ratio of the small holes 8, a friction test was performed on a sample in which the occupied area ratio was changed by the laser irradiation pitch. Here, the occupied area ratio of the small holes 8 is the ratio of the total area of the openings of the small holes 8 in the region where the small holes 8 are formed as described above (the region surrounded by the outermost peripheral portion of the small hole forming zone). It is. In this laser processing, an f100 lens was used, the shutter opening time was 0.01 ms, the irradiation output was 31 A, the laser frequency was 1 kHz, the small hole opening diameter was 52 μm, and the depth was 14 μm. Further, a friction test was similarly performed on a sample (sample with an irradiation pitch of 100 μm) whose surface was wiped off with ethanol. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show this result together with the result for a raw sample (without small holes). According to this result, when the occupation area ratio exceeds 5% (see the white arrow in FIG. 12), the friction coefficient of the rubber base material sample 70 is ¼ to ５ compared to the unprocessed sample, It can also be seen that there is less variation. FIG. 13 shows the friction coefficient test results for the sample (b) that was wiped with ethanol and the sample (a) that was not. From FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, in the case of the sample subjected to the wiping treatment with ethanol, although it is slightly compared with the sample not subjected to the wiping treatment, the reduction of the friction coefficient was confirmed, and the frictional pin splash phenomenon disappeared. It is understood that Thus, it is understood that, after the laser processing, the ablated decomposition product remains slightly on the surface, and it is possible to suppress the frictional pin splash phenomenon by removing it.

***８の最適な開口径の検討を行うため、レンズ種、シャッター開時間、レーザ出力、周波数を変えることにより、開口径の制御を行い、開口径に対する摩擦係数の影響を確認した。占有面積率を約１０％に固定した。図１４及び図１５にこの検討結果を示す。この結果から、***の開口径が５０〜９０μｍの場合、未加工のものに比べて大幅に摩擦係数が小さく、また、５０〜９０μｍでは開口径の違いによる差は見られないことが理解される。
なお、開口径が４０μｍ以下の***は、例示のレーザ加工機（特に、レンズ種）では加工できないため、フェムト秒レーザを用いてレーザ加工を行い、これについて別途評価を行った。この評価結果については後記する。 In order to investigate the optimum aperture diameter of the small hole 8, the aperture diameter was controlled by changing the lens type, shutter opening time, laser output, and frequency, and the influence of the friction coefficient on the aperture diameter was confirmed. The occupation area ratio was fixed to about 10%. 14 and 15 show the results of this study. From this result, it is understood that when the opening diameter of the small hole is 50 to 90 μm, the friction coefficient is significantly smaller than that of the unprocessed one, and when the opening diameter is 50 to 90 μm, there is no difference due to the difference in opening diameter. .
In addition, since the small hole whose opening diameter is 40 micrometers or less cannot be processed with an example laser processing machine (especially lens kind), the laser processing was performed using the femtosecond laser, and this was evaluated separately. This evaluation result will be described later.

***８の最適な深さの検討を行うため、レンズ種、シャッター開時間、レーザ出力、周波数を変えることにより、深さの制御を行い、深さに対する摩擦係数の影響を確認した。占有面積率を約１０％に固定した。図１６及び図１７にこの検討結果を示す。図１７より、***８の深さが１６μｍ付近で摩擦係数が未加工試料より小さく、しかもばらつきが最も少ないことが理解される。また、深さが５μｍより小さい場合は、未加工試料に比べて摩擦係数は低減するものの、ばらつきが大きいことも知見される。一方、深さが３０μｍより大きくなるにつれ、摩擦係数の上昇が見られ、これらにより***８の深さは３〜２０μｍが望ましく、最も望ましくは１５μｍ程度とすることができる。   In order to investigate the optimum depth of the small hole 8, the depth was controlled by changing the lens type, shutter opening time, laser output, and frequency, and the influence of the friction coefficient on the depth was confirmed. The occupation area ratio was fixed to about 10%. FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 show the examination results. From FIG. 17, it is understood that the coefficient of friction is smaller than that of the unprocessed sample when the depth of the small hole 8 is around 16 μm, and the variation is the smallest. It is also found that when the depth is smaller than 5 μm, the friction coefficient is reduced as compared with the unprocessed sample, but the variation is large. On the other hand, as the depth becomes greater than 30 μm, the friction coefficient increases, and the depth of the small hole 8 is desirably 3 to 20 μm, and most desirably about 15 μm.

以上によって、***８の最適な形成態様は、深さ３〜２０μｍ、開口径７０μｍ以下、開口部の面積占有率５〜５０％とすることができる。図１８は、最適レーザ加工試料（ゴム基材用試料７０）と未加工試料との摩擦係数の時間変化による違いを示すグラフである。ここに、最適レーザ加工試料とは、***の開口径が５０μｍ、深さが１５μｍ、占有面積率１０％（レーザ照射ピッチ１４０μｍ）となるようレーザ加工した試料である。これらの結果に基づき摩擦係数の低減効果が最も顕著であった試料は、図１８に示すように、未加工試料に比べて摩擦係数が７０％程度低減されたことが理解できる。図１８において、矢印の上側が未加工試料（ハ）、下側が最適レーザ加工試料（ニ）を示している（いずれもｎ＝２）。   As described above, the optimum formation mode of the small holes 8 can be set to a depth of 3 to 20 μm, an opening diameter of 70 μm or less, and an area occupation ratio of the opening to 5 to 50%. FIG. 18 is a graph showing the difference of the friction coefficient between the optimum laser processed sample (rubber base material sample 70) and the unprocessed sample due to the change over time. Here, the optimum laser processed sample is a sample that has been laser processed so that the opening diameter of the small hole is 50 μm, the depth is 15 μm, and the occupation area ratio is 10% (laser irradiation pitch 140 μm). Based on these results, it can be understood that the sample having the most remarkable effect of reducing the friction coefficient has a friction coefficient reduced by about 70% compared to the unprocessed sample, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 18, the upper side of the arrow indicates the unprocessed sample (c), and the lower side indicates the optimum laser processed sample (d) (both are n = 2).

次に、摩擦係数が低減した要因の考察を行う。図１９は、摩擦試験後の試料について***８及びその近傍部を前記の観察手法によって観察した結果を、摩擦試験前の状態と比較して示している。***の深さが１６μｍの試料の場合、摩擦試験後ではグリースが***８から***８に移動している跡が見られた（図１９の矢印Ａで示す部分参照）。これにより、***８の深さが最適であると、***８に溜まったグリースが***８から***８に移動するから、***８から相手部材との摺接面（図１参照）にグリースが供給され、摩擦係数の低減に繋がったと推測することができる。一方、***の深さが小さい場合（図１９の深さ２μｍの場合参照）、グリース溜りが生じず、***間のグリースの移動がないので、摺接面に介在するグリース量が不安定となり、摩擦係数のばらつきが大きくなったと推測される。また、深さが大きい場合（図１９の深さ５３μｍの場合参照）、元の深さより摩擦試験後の深さが小さくなっている（図１９の「断面形状」欄参照）ことにより、グリースが溜まっていることは確認できるが、グリースの移動跡は余り見られないことから、摺接面に介在するグリースの量が少なく、これによって、摩擦係数が上昇したものと推測される。   Next, the factors that reduced the friction coefficient will be considered. FIG. 19 shows the result of observing the small hole 8 and its vicinity by the above-described observation method for the sample after the friction test, in comparison with the state before the friction test. In the case of the sample having a small hole depth of 16 μm, after the friction test, a trace of the grease moving from the small hole 8 to the small hole 8 was observed (see the portion indicated by arrow A in FIG. 19). Thus, when the depth of the small hole 8 is optimum, the grease accumulated in the small hole 8 moves from the small hole 8 to the small hole 8, so that the grease is supplied from the small hole 8 to the sliding contact surface (see FIG. 1) with the mating member. Therefore, it can be estimated that the friction coefficient was reduced. On the other hand, when the depth of the small hole is small (refer to the case of 2 μm depth in FIG. 19), grease accumulation does not occur, and there is no movement of grease between the small holes, so the amount of grease intervening on the sliding contact surface becomes unstable, It is presumed that the variation in the coefficient of friction has increased. Further, when the depth is large (see the case of 53 μm depth in FIG. 19), the depth after the friction test is smaller than the original depth (see “Cross-sectional shape” column in FIG. 19). Although it can be confirmed that the grease has accumulated, the trace of movement of the grease is not seen so much, so that the amount of grease intervening on the sliding contact surface is small, and it is presumed that the coefficient of friction has increased.

前記のように、例示のレーザ加工機では、開口径が４０μｍ以下の***加工ができないため、熱拡散がなくアブレーション加工により熱変質の影響を抑制することが可能であり、ＹＶＯ４レーザより極端にパルス幅の小さいフェムト秒レーザによりレーザ加工を行った。使用したフェムト秒レーザによって加工することができた最も小さい***開口径は１５μｍ、深さは３μｍであった。また、摩擦特性上最適な深さとされる１５μｍ程度の***を形成しようとすると開口径は２６μｍとなった。このフェムト秒レーザで***加工した試料（開口径２６μｍ、深さ１５μｍ、占有面積率８％）と、ＹＶＯ４レーザで***加工した試料（開口径５２μｍ、深さ１４μｍ、占有面積率１０％）について、前記と同様に摩擦特性の試験をしたところ、フェムト秒レーザによる試料は、ＹＶＯ４レーザによる試料程の摩擦低減効果は得られなかった。しかし、フェムト秒レーザの条件を変えることにより、開口径を２６μｍより小さくすることは可能であり、また、グリースの粘度を下げることにより、***間のグリースの移動性を良くして摩擦低減効果を高めることも可能である。従って、ＹＶＯ４レーザとフェムト秒レーザとを適宜使い分けることによって、開口径を５〜７０μｍに制御可能とし、この意味から、開口径の望ましい範囲を５〜７０μｍとすることができる。しかし、ＹＶＯ４レーザのみを使用する場合は、開口径の望ましい範囲は４０〜７０μｍが望ましい範囲とされる。ここでは、４０μｍ以下の***加工に、フェムト秒レーザを用いたが、これに限らず、ピコ秒レーザを用いて加工を行っても良い。 As described above, the exemplary laser processing machine cannot process a small hole with an opening diameter of 40 μm or less, so there is no thermal diffusion and it is possible to suppress the influence of thermal alteration by ablation processing, which is much more extreme than the YVO 4 laser. Laser processing was performed with a femtosecond laser with a small pulse width. The smallest hole opening diameter that could be processed by the femtosecond laser used was 15 μm, and the depth was 3 μm. Further, when trying to form a small hole of about 15 μm, which is the optimum depth in terms of frictional characteristics, the opening diameter was 26 μm. About a sample (opening diameter 26 μm, depth 15 μm, occupied area ratio 8%) processed with this femtosecond laser and a sample processed with a small hole with YVO 4 laser (opening diameter 52 μm, depth 14 μm, occupied area ratio 10%) When the friction characteristics were tested in the same manner as described above, the sample with the femtosecond laser did not achieve the friction reduction effect as much as the sample with the YVO 4 laser. However, it is possible to make the aperture diameter smaller than 26 μm by changing the conditions of the femtosecond laser, and by reducing the viscosity of the grease, the mobility of the grease between the small holes is improved and the friction reducing effect is obtained. It can also be increased. Therefore, by appropriately using the YVO 4 laser and the femtosecond laser, the aperture diameter can be controlled to 5 to 70 μm, and in this sense, the desired range of the aperture diameter can be 5 to 70 μm. However, when only the YVO 4 laser is used, the preferable range of the aperture diameter is 40 to 70 μm. Here, the femtosecond laser is used for processing a small hole of 40 μm or less, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the processing may be performed using a picosecond laser.

図２０は、事前にレーザの連続照射によってゴム基材用試料７０の表層部を剥離した後にレーザ加工機によってゴム基材用試料７０に***を形成する要領を示す概念図である。図２０における２点鎖線は、ゴム基材用試料７０の表層部が事前に除去されていることを示している。このような表層部の除去は、連続（ＣＷ）モードで所定の速度で走査させながら照射することによってなされる。図２１（ａ）（ｂ）は、前記のようにレーザの連続照射によって表層部を除去したゴム基材用試料７０の表面の親水性及び親油性について、加工処理時のレーザ照射の周波数との関係を調べた結果を示している。図２１（ａ）は、各周波数のレーザ連続照射によって表層部を除去したゴム基材用試料７０の表面に水の小滴を滴下し、水滴のゴム基材用試料７０の表面上での接触角を測定した結果を示している。この結果から、レーザ照射の周波数を高める程、加工表面の親水性が悪くなり、撥水性が増すことが理解される。また、図２１（ｂ）は、各周波数のレーザ連続照射によって表層部を除去したゴム基材用試料７０の表面にヘキサデカンの小滴を滴下し、ヘキサデカン滴のゴム基材用試料７０の表面上での接触角を測定した結果を示している。この結果から、レーザ照射の周波数を高める程、加工表面の親油性が良くなり、２０ｋＨｚを超えるとヘキサデカンがゴム基材用試料７０の表面に馴染み、液滴形状が崩れ、ゴム基材用試料７０の表面に広がるようになる。   FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing a procedure for forming a small hole in the rubber base material sample 70 by a laser processing machine after the surface layer portion of the rubber base material sample 70 is peeled in advance by continuous laser irradiation. The two-dot chain line in FIG. 20 indicates that the surface layer portion of the rubber base material sample 70 has been removed in advance. Such removal of the surface layer portion is performed by irradiating while scanning at a predetermined speed in the continuous (CW) mode. 21 (a) and 21 (b) show the hydrophilicity and lipophilicity of the surface of the rubber substrate sample 70 from which the surface layer portion has been removed by continuous laser irradiation as described above and the frequency of laser irradiation during processing. The result of investigating the relationship is shown. FIG. 21 (a) shows a case where water droplets are dropped on the surface of the rubber substrate sample 70 from which the surface layer portion has been removed by continuous laser irradiation at each frequency, and the water droplets contact the surface of the rubber substrate sample 70. The result of measuring the corner is shown. From this result, it is understood that as the frequency of laser irradiation is increased, the hydrophilicity of the processed surface is deteriorated and the water repellency is increased. FIG. 21B shows a case where a small drop of hexadecane is dropped on the surface of the rubber substrate sample 70 from which the surface layer portion has been removed by continuous laser irradiation at each frequency, and the hexadecane droplet on the surface of the rubber substrate sample 70. The result of measuring the contact angle at is shown. From this result, as the laser irradiation frequency is increased, the lipophilicity of the processed surface is improved, and when the frequency exceeds 20 kHz, hexadecane becomes familiar with the surface of the rubber substrate sample 70, the droplet shape collapses, and the rubber substrate sample 70 To spread on the surface.

このように、レーザ照射の周波数を適宜設定することにより、ゴム基材の撥水性及び親油性を使用目的に応じて適正に制御することができる。特に、軸受のシールリング等のシールリップ部に使用する場合は、撥水性を高めることにより外部から軸受内部への泥水等の浸入阻止に有効であり、また、親油性を高めることにより、潤滑剤として用いられるグリース等との馴染み性が向上し、その潤滑効果がより顕著となる。これと***形成による前記特性とが相乗して、軸受用シール部材としての適性がより高められる。   Thus, by appropriately setting the frequency of laser irradiation, the water repellency and oleophilicity of the rubber base material can be appropriately controlled according to the purpose of use. In particular, when used for a seal lip portion such as a seal ring of a bearing, it is effective for preventing intrusion of muddy water from the outside into the bearing by increasing water repellency, and by increasing the lipophilicity, a lubricant As a result, the compatibility with the grease used as an additive improves, and the lubricating effect becomes more prominent. This and the above-mentioned characteristics due to the formation of the small holes are synergistic, and the suitability as a bearing seal member is further enhanced.

尚、図１では、本発明の加工処理が施されたゴム基材が、パックシールタイプのシールリング１を構成するシールリップ部４〜６を含むシール部材７である例を示しているが、これに限定されず、他の構成のシール部材に適用することも可能であり、これにより同様の効果を得ることができる。また、図１では、内輪側回転、外輪側固定の軸受に適用されるパックシールタイプのシールリングを例に採ったが、これらの回転・固定関係が逆の軸受に適用されるパックシールタイプのシールリングにも本発明が適用され得ることは言うまでもない。更に、潤滑剤としてグリースＧを例示したが、その他の潤滑油を用いる場合にも、本発明のシール部材を適用することができる。   1 shows an example in which the rubber base material subjected to the processing of the present invention is a seal member 7 including seal lip portions 4 to 6 constituting the pack seal type seal ring 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to seal members having other configurations, thereby obtaining the same effect. Further, in FIG. 1, the pack seal type seal ring applied to the inner ring side rotation and outer ring side fixed bearing is taken as an example. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a seal ring. Furthermore, although grease G was illustrated as a lubricant, the seal member of the present invention can also be applied when other lubricating oil is used.

２ スリンガ（相手部材）
３ 芯金
７ シール部材
７０ ゴム基材
７００ ベース部
４〜６ シールリップ部
４ａ〜６ａ 摺接面
８ ***
Ｇ グリース（潤滑剤） 2 Slinger (mating member)
3 Core 7 Seal member 70 Rubber base 700 Base part 4-6 Seal lip part 4a-6a Sliding surface 8 Small hole G Grease (lubricant)

Claims (3)

相手部材に対して弾性的に相対摺接する摺接面を含むゴム基材からなるシール部材であって、
前記ゴム基材の少なくとも前記摺接面を含む表面に、深さが３〜２０μｍ、開口径が７０μｍ以下の多数のディンプル状***がレーザ加工によって形成され、該***が形成された領域における***の開口部が占める面積の割合が５〜５０％とされていることを特徴とするシール部材。 A seal member made of a rubber base material including a sliding contact surface that is elastically slidably contacted with a counterpart member,
A large number of dimple-shaped small holes having a depth of 3 to 20 μm and an opening diameter of 70 μm or less are formed by laser processing on the surface including at least the sliding contact surface of the rubber base material, and small holes in the region where the small holes are formed are formed. A sealing member characterized in that the ratio of the area occupied by the opening is 5 to 50%. 請求項１に記載のシール部材において、
前記ゴム基材が芯金に固着されるベース部と、該ベース部より延出されたシールリップ部とを含み、該シールリップ部の先側に前記摺接面を有していることを特徴とするシール部材。 The seal member according to claim 1,
The rubber base material includes a base portion fixed to a metal core and a seal lip portion extending from the base portion, and the sliding contact surface is provided on the front side of the seal lip portion. A sealing member. 請求項１又は２に記載のシール部材において、
前記***は、レーザの連続照射によってゴム基材の表層部を剥離した後に形成されたものであることを特徴とするシール部材。 The seal member according to claim 1 or 2,
The small hole is formed after the surface layer portion of the rubber base material is peeled off by continuous laser irradiation.
JP2011117989A 2011-05-26 2011-05-26 Seal member Pending JP2012246974A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

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JP2011117989A JP2012246974A (en) 2011-05-26 2011-05-26 Seal member
PCT/JP2012/063343 WO2012161259A1 (en) 2011-05-26 2012-05-24 Seal member

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JP2016098898A (en) * 2014-11-20 2016-05-30 株式会社ジェイテクト Sealing device
JP2016121805A (en) * 2014-12-15 2016-07-07 アクティエボラゲット・エスコーエッフ Rolling bearing with sealing flange
JP6340459B1 (en) * 2017-08-09 2018-06-06 株式会社ソディック Manufacturing method of wire dies
JP2020002964A (en) * 2018-06-25 2020-01-09 Nok株式会社 Sealing device

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JP2016098898A (en) * 2014-11-20 2016-05-30 株式会社ジェイテクト Sealing device
JP2016121805A (en) * 2014-12-15 2016-07-07 アクティエボラゲット・エスコーエッフ Rolling bearing with sealing flange
JP6340459B1 (en) * 2017-08-09 2018-06-06 株式会社ソディック Manufacturing method of wire dies
JP2019030894A (en) * 2017-08-09 2019-02-28 株式会社ソディック Manufacturing method of wire die
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