Patent Description:
A sealing device for preventing sealed fluid leakage includes two components that are configured to rotate relative to each other and have end faces on flat surfaces sliding with respect to each other. Such a sealing device is, for example, a mechanical seal. In the mechanical seal, the conflicting conditions of "sealing" and "lubrication" have to be compatible for long-term sealability maintenance. In recent years in particular, there has been an increasing demand for further friction reduction in the interest of sealed fluid leakage prevention and mechanical loss reduction for environmental measures and so on. A friction reduction method can be achieved by dynamic pressure being generated between sliding surfaces by rotation and sliding being performed with a liquid film interposed.

Conventionally, a mechanical seal using the sliding components that are described in, for example, Patent Citation <NUM> is known as a mechanical seal generating dynamic pressure between sliding surfaces by rotation. In the sliding surface of one of the sliding components, a large number of two types of dimples having different depths are formed in the flat sliding surface and each dimple constitutes a Rayleigh step. When the sliding components rotate relative to each other, the counter-rotation direction side of the dimple has a negative pressure whereas a positive pressure is generated on the rotation direction side. Then, the positive pressure is increased by the wedge action of the end face wall of the dimple that is on the downstream side in the rotation direction, the positive pressure acts as a whole, and large buoyancy is obtained. In addition, stable slidability can be exhibited regardless of sealing conditions since the two types of dimples having different depths are formed.

In the mechanical seal, a positive pressure is generated between the sliding surfaces, and thus a fluid flows out of the sliding surface from the positive pressure part. This fluid outflow corresponds to sealed fluid leakage in the case of a seal.

Patent Citation <NUM> discloses a sliding component with which the performance of a plurality of dimples formed on a sliding face can be sufficiently exploited, thus whose lubrication performance and sealing performance are improved. In a pair of sliding components having respective sliding faces S which slide relative to each other, at least one of the sliding faces S is provided with a plurality of dimples, and the dimples include a concave part, and a peripheral edge part which is located at the outer peripheral part of the concave part and is shallower than the concave part.

Meanwhile, there is a demand for further "sealing" and "lubrication" improvement also in sliding components for a high-pressure sealed fluid, which can be sealed by a change in dimple shape or depth. Excessive depth has led to insufficient buoyancy and lubricity deterioration, on the other hand, excessive shallowness has led to confirmation of poor lubrication and lubricity deterioration, and there are problems in the form of a high-leakage or high-torque sliding component. These problems are obvious as the pressure of the sealed fluid becomes higher. Also conceivable is that the dimple depth tends to be reduced for sufficient buoyancy to be obtained as the high-pressure sealed fluid is targeted, the tendency results in a decrease in dimple volume, and the decrease in volume results in a decline in function to internally hold the sealed fluid.

The present invention is achieved to solve the problems of the conventional art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a low-torque sliding component with little high-pressure sealed fluid leakage.

In order to solve the above problems, sliding components according to the present invention are as defined in claim <NUM>. These sliding components have sliding surfaces that are rotatable relative to each other with an annular mating ring and an annular seal ring facing each other and, as a result, adapted for sealing a sealed fluid present on one radial side of each of the sliding surfaces that are rotatable and slidable relative to each other. The sliding surface of at least one of the mating ring and the seal ring has therein a plurality of multi-stepped recess portions arranged in a circumferential direction, relative rotation and sliding of the mating ring and the seal ring causes the multi-stepped recess portions to generate a dynamic pressure. Each of the multi-stepped recess portions is formed in a stepwise shape in a cross-sectional view by a dynamic pressure recess portion and a static pressure recess portion such that the dynamic pressure recess portion surrounds the static pressure recess portion deeper than the dynamic pressure recess portion and communicates with the static pressure recess portion. The static pressure recess portions and the dynamic pressure recess portions are formed in a circular shape in a front view seen from the axial direction.

The static pressure recess portion is formed as a bottomed recess portion and has a depth dimension larger than an opening maximum diameter dimension thereof in the plan view. According to the aforesaid characteristic, during the relative rotation of the seal ring and the mating ring, each of the multi-stepped recess portions having the stepwise shape in a cross-sectional view allows the sealed fluid to be supplied from the static pressure recess portion deeper than the dynamic pressure recess portion to the dynamic pressure recess portion surrounding the static pressure recess portion. Therefore, the dynamic pressure can be reliably generated without poor lubrication. At this time, the dynamic pressure recess portion mainly fulfills a function to generate dynamic pressure between the sliding surfaces and adjust the contact surface pressure between the sliding surfaces and the static pressure recess portion mainly fulfills a function to supply the dynamic pressure recess portion on an outer diameter side with the sealed fluid held in the static pressure recess portion. In this manner, dynamic pressure is generated to the extent that the seal ring and the mating ring do not completely float relative to each other. As a result, the contact surface pressure is suppressed with the two sliding surfaces in contact with each other, and thus it is possible to obtain a low-torque sliding component with little high-pressure sealed fluid leakage.

It is preferable that the dynamic pressure recess portion and the static pressure recess portion are circular in a plan view. According to this preferable configuration, the pressure that is generated in the dynamic pressure recess portion can be raised smoothly.

It is preferable that the dynamic pressure recess portion is provided concentrically with the static pressure recess portion. According to this preferable configuration, the machining of the dynamic pressure recess portion and the static pressure recess portion in the sliding surface can be facilitated and use for the bidirectional relative rotation of the seal ring and the mating ring is possible.

It is preferable that the dynamic pressure recess portion is provided eccentrically in a rotation direction with respect to the static pressure recess portion. According to this preferable configuration, it is possible to generate a wide positive pressure region on the rotation direction side of the dynamic pressure recess portion with respect to the unidirectional relative rotation of the seal ring and the mating ring and a narrow negative pressure region on the counter-rotation direction side. As a result, the efficiency of dynamic pressure generation can be enhanced.

It is preferable that a circumferential length of the static pressure recess portion is longer than a circumferential length of the dynamic pressure recess portion. According to this preferable configuration, the region of static pressure generation exceeds the region of dynamic pressure generation, and thus the function of fluid holding by the static pressure recess portion can be enhanced.

It is preferable that the dynamic pressure recess portion includes a plurality of steps having different depths in a cross-sectional view. According to this preferable configuration, it is possible to give a steep peak to the positive pressure that is generated in the dynamic pressure recess portion, and thus the dynamic pressure generation efficiency can be enhanced.

It is preferable that the plurality of multi-stepped recess portions is disposed only on the sealed fluid side of the sliding surface of the mating ring or the seal ring. According to this preferable configuration, poor lubrication on the sealed fluid side can be prevented during the relative rotation of the seal ring and the mating ring.

It is preferable that a non-multi-stepped recess portion different in a cross-sectional view from each of the multi-stepped recess portions is disposed in the sliding surface of at least one of the mating ring and the seal ring. According to this preferable configuration, the plurality of multi-stepped recess portions formed on the sealed fluid side reliably generates dynamic pressure without poor lubrication and the non-multi-stepped recess portion internally holds the sealed fluid at a location where the multi-stepped recess portion is not formed. As a result, poor lubrication is unlikely to occur.

It is preferable that the dynamic pressure recess portion has a depth dimension smaller than an opening maximum diameter dimension thereof in a plan view and the static pressure recess portion has a depth dimension of <NUM> or more. According to this preferable configuration, the function of the static pressure recess portion of supplying the sealed fluid to the dynamic pressure recess portion on the outer diameter side is enhanced and the function of the static pressure recess portion of internally holding the sealed fluid is enhanced.

It is preferable that the sealed fluid is a high-pressure liquid of <NUM> MPa or more. According to this preferable configuration, the sliding surface has a low level of surface roughness and leakage hardly occurs even when the sealed fluid has a high pressure.

Modes for implementing sliding components according to the present invention will be described below based on embodiments.

Sliding components according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. It should be noted that a mechanical seal as an example of sliding components will be described as the present embodiment. In addition, the outer peripheral side of the sliding component constituting the mechanical seal is the sealed fluid side and the inner peripheral side of the sliding component is the atmosphere side.

The mechanical seal for general industrial machinery illustrated in <FIG> is an inside mechanical seal that seals a sealed fluid to leak from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of a sliding surface. The mechanical seal for general industrial machinery illustrated in <FIG> mainly includes an annular mating ring <NUM> and an annular seal ring <NUM>. The mating ring <NUM> is provided on a rotary shaft <NUM> side in a state of being rotatable integrally with the rotary shaft <NUM> via a sleeve <NUM>. The seal ring <NUM> is provided on a seal cover <NUM> fixed to a housing <NUM> of an attached device in a non-rotation state and in a state of being axially movable. By a bellows <NUM> biasing the seal ring <NUM> in the axial direction, a sliding surface <NUM> of the seal ring <NUM> and a sliding surface <NUM> of the mating ring <NUM> mirror-finished by wrapping or the like slide closely together. It should be noted that the sealed fluid in this implementation is a high-pressure liquid of <NUM> MPa or more.

Although the seal ring <NUM> and the mating ring <NUM> are typically formed of SiC (grouped into hard material) or a combination of SiC (grouped into hard material) and carbon (grouped into soft material), the present invention is not limited thereto and a sliding material is applicable insofar as the sliding material is used as a sliding material for a mechanical seal. It should be noted that a material including two or more phases different in component and composition and including a sintered body using boron, aluminum, carbon, or the like as a sintering aid can be used as the SiC. It should be noted that examples of the material include SiC in which graphite particles are dispersed, reaction sintered SiC containing SiC and Si, SiC-TiC, and SiC-TiN. It should be noted that resin-molded carbon, sintered carbon, and the like can be used as the carbon, examples of which include carbonaceous and graphitic mixed carbon. In addition, other than the sliding material described above, a metal material, a resin material, a surface modifying material (or coating material), a composite material, and the like are also applicable.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the seal ring <NUM> has the sliding surface <NUM>, which is annular in a front view seen from the axial direction, at one end in the axial direction. The sliding surface <NUM> is formed as a flat surface.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the mating ring <NUM> has the annular sliding surface <NUM> facing the sliding surface <NUM> of the seal ring <NUM> in the axial direction. The sliding surface <NUM>, which is a flat surface, has, in the circumferential direction, a plurality of multi-stepped recess portions <NUM> in which at least two steps are formed and dimples <NUM> (also referred to as non-multi-stepped recess portions or dimples) in which only one step or no step is formed. The multi-stepped recess portion <NUM>, which is disposed on the outer diameter side (i.e., sealed fluid side in the embodiment) of the sliding surface <NUM>, includes a dimple <NUM> (also referred to as a static pressure recess portion) and a counterbore <NUM> (also referred to as a dynamic pressure recess portion) formed around the dimple <NUM>. It should be noted that the sliding surface <NUM> can be said to be a land portion with respect to the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> and the dimple <NUM> and the counterbore <NUM> is surrounded by the sliding surface <NUM> without interruption over the entire circumference.

In addition, a radial length w21 of the sliding surface <NUM> of the mating ring <NUM> is formed longer than a radial length w11 of the sliding surface <NUM> of the seal ring <NUM> (i.e., w11 < w21, see <FIG>).

The dimple <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> is formed in a circular shape in the front view seen from the axial direction (see <FIG> and <FIG>) and is formed in a columnar shape having a substantially rectangular cross section in the radial direction (see <FIG> and <FIG>). The dimples <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portions <NUM> are disposed in a staggered manner, six by six along with the dimples <NUM>, in the radial direction in the entire sliding surface <NUM>. It should be noted that the entire sliding surface <NUM> indicates a region that substantially slides on the sliding surface <NUM>. Further, it should be noted that the dimple <NUM> and the dimple <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> of the present embodiment are formed by laser machining, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the dimple <NUM> and the dimple <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> of the present embodiment may be formed by another method.

In addition, a depth dimension h22 of the dimple <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> is formed larger than an opening maximum diameter dimension r22 of the dimple <NUM> in the front view (i.e. r22 < h22, see <FIG>). As a result, the function of the dimple <NUM> of supplying the sealed fluid to the counterbore <NUM> formed around the dimple <NUM> is enhanced and the function of the dimple <NUM> of internally holding the sealed fluid is enhanced. It should be noted that the depth dimension h22 of the dimple <NUM> may be formed smaller than or substantially equal to the opening maximum diameter dimension r22 of the dimple <NUM> in the front view. In addition, it is preferable that the axial depth dimension h22 of the dimple <NUM> is <NUM> or more, at which no wedge action acts sufficiently.

The counterbore <NUM> is defined by a bottom surface 23A formed as a flat surface parallel to the sliding surface <NUM> on the outer diameter side of the dimple <NUM> and an inner peripheral wall 23B formed as a wall surface orthogonal to the bottom surface 23A. The counterbore <NUM> is formed in a circular shape in the front view seen from the axial direction (see <FIG> and <FIG>) and as a concentric shallow groove surrounding the periphery of the dimple <NUM>. As a result, the machining of the counterbore <NUM> and the dimple <NUM> in the sliding surface <NUM> can be facilitated and use for the bidirectional relative rotation of the seal ring <NUM> and the mating ring <NUM> is possible. In addition, in the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM>, the counterbore <NUM> and the dimple <NUM> are formed in a circular shape in the front view, and thus the pressure that is generated in the counterbore <NUM> can be raised smoothly. Further, the inner peripheral wall 23B of the counterbore <NUM> is formed so as to be orthogonal in an edge shape to the sliding surface <NUM>, and thus a large positive pressure can be generated. It should be noted that the counterbore <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> of the present embodiment is formed by laser machining, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the counterbore <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> of the present embodiment may be formed by another method.

In addition, a depth dimension h23 of the counterbore <NUM> is formed smaller than an opening maximum diameter dimension r23 of the counterbore <NUM> in the front view (i.e., h23 < r23, see <FIG>). As a result, the counterbore <NUM> is capable of generating sufficient dynamic pressure between the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. Further, the axial depth of the counterbore <NUM> is formed to be less than <NUM>, the axial depth of the counterbore <NUM> is preferably formed to be <NUM> or more, and the counterbore <NUM> is formed only in the dimple <NUM> (of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM>) disposed in the region of <NUM>/<NUM> or less, preferably <NUM>/<NUM> or less, in the radial direction on the outer diameter side of the sliding surface <NUM> (see <FIG>). As a result, the total force (i.e., buoyancy) of the dynamic pressures respectively generated in the counterbores <NUM> does not excessively increase. It should be noted that it is preferable that the counterbore <NUM> is not disposed on the inner diameter side of the sliding surface <NUM>. In this manner, the outer diameter side of the sliding surface <NUM> is unlikely to come into direct contact with the facing sliding surface <NUM> during the relative rotation of the seal ring <NUM> and the mating ring <NUM> and poor lubrication on the outer diameter side with a high rotation speed can be prevented.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM>, the opening maximum diameter dimension r23 of the counterbore <NUM> is formed larger than the opening maximum diameter dimension r22 of the dimple <NUM> (i.e., r22 < r23). In addition, as illustrated in <FIG>, the depth dimension h22 of the dimple <NUM> is formed larger than the depth dimension h23 of the counterbore <NUM> (i.e., h23 < h22). In this manner, the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> is formed in a stepwise shape in a cross-sectional view by the dimple <NUM> and the counterbore <NUM>. Further, the circumferential length (L1) of the dimple <NUM> is formed longer than the circumferential length (<NUM> × L2) of the counterbore <NUM> (or the bottom surface 23A) (i.e., <NUM> × L2 < L1). As a result, the region of static pressure generation exceeds the region of dynamic pressure generation in the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM>, and thus the function of fluid holding by the dimple <NUM> can be enhanced.

Next, dynamic pressure generation between the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> will be described. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the seal ring <NUM> and the mating ring <NUM> rotate relative to each other (in the rotation direction that is indicated by the white arrow in <FIG>, which is from the upper side of the page to the lower side of the page), the counter-rotation direction side of the counterbore <NUM> in the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> (i.e., lower side of the page of <FIG>: the opposite rotation direction side on the basis of the rotation direction of the counterpart-side seal ring <NUM>) has a negative pressure whereas a positive pressure is generated on the rotation direction side (i.e., upper side of the page of <FIG>). Then, the positive pressure is increased by the wedge action of the inner peripheral wall 23B on the rotation direction side of the counterbore <NUM>, the positive pressure acts as a whole, and large buoyancy is obtained. In addition, the counterbore <NUM> is supplied with the sealed fluid from the dimple <NUM>, which is deeper than the counterbore <NUM>, and thus dynamic pressure can be reliably generated without poor lubrication. At this time, the counterbore <NUM> mainly fulfills a function to generate dynamic pressure between the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> and adjust the contact surface pressure between the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> and the dimple <NUM> mainly fulfills a function to supply the counterbore <NUM> with the sealed fluid held in the dimple <NUM>. In addition, the non-multi-stepped dimple <NUM>, where the counterbore <NUM> is not formed, also fulfills a function to internally hold the sealed fluid on the inner diameter side of the sliding surface <NUM>, and thus poor lubrication is unlikely to occur on the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. Further, since the sliding surface <NUM> overlaps the counterbore <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM>, which is formed on the outer diameter side of the sliding surface <NUM>, in the radial direction as illustrated in <FIG>, the counterbore <NUM> is not open to the outer diameter side (i.e., sealed fluid side in the embodiment) between the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> and the efficiency of dynamic pressure generation by the counterbore <NUM> is enhanced. It should be noted that the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> are microscopically wavy, as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, due to surface roughness, undulation, and deformation attributable to dynamic pressure.

In this manner, the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> generates dynamic pressure, by the counterbore <NUM> and the dimple <NUM> cooperating, to the extent that the seal ring <NUM> and the mating ring <NUM> do not completely float relative to each other. As a result, mixed lubrication is performed on the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> with fluid lubrication and boundary lubrication mixed and the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> come into contact with each other in part. As a result, the contact surface pressure is suppressed with the two sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> in contact with each other, and thus it is possible to obtain a low-torque sliding component with little high-pressure sealed fluid leakage. Further, it is possible to suppress the surface roughness of the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> with the low torque. It should be noted that the dimple of the conventional art generates, unlike in the first embodiment, a fluid film that serves as fluid lubrication.

It should be noted that the inner peripheral wall 23B of the counterbore <NUM> may not be orthogonal to the bottom surface 23A and may, for example, intersect in an inclined state in a variation of the counterbore <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> in the first embodiment. In addition, the bottom surface 23A may not be parallel to the sliding surface <NUM> and may be, for example, an inclined surface. Further, the bottom surface 23A may not be a flat surface and may be, for example, a curved surface.

In addition, in a variation A of the dimple <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> in the first embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the dimple <NUM> may be formed in the conical shape that is illustrated in <FIG> or the semi-spheroidal shape that is illustrated in <FIG>.

In addition, in a variation B of the counterbore <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> in the first embodiment, the counterbore <NUM> may be formed as a two-stage counterbore having different depth dimensions as illustrated in <FIG>. In this manner, it is possible to give a steep peak to the positive pressure that is generated in the counterbore, and thus the dynamic pressure generation efficiency can be enhanced. It should be noted that the counterbore is not limited to having a two-stage cross section and the counterbore may be formed in a plurality of stages having different depths in cross section.

Further, in a variation C of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> of the first embodiment, the shape in a plan view is different as illustrated in <FIG>. It should be noted that the right and left direction in <FIG> is a direction along the circumferential direction of the sliding surface <NUM> and the up and down direction in <FIG> is the radial direction of the sliding surface <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a multi-stepped recess portion 24a is formed in a stadium shape as a whole in the front view with a dimple 22a, which is rectangular in the front view, sandwiched between two counterbores 23a, which are semicircular in the front view.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a multi-stepped recess portion 24b is formed in a square shape as a whole in the front view with a small dimple 22b, which is square in the front view, disposed in the middle of a counterbore 23b, which is square in the front view.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a multi-stepped recess portion 24c as a whole is formed in a belt shape in the front view with two counterbores 23c substantially rectangular in the front view sandwiching a dimple 22c substantially rectangular in the front view and circumferential surfaces 24x and 24y parallel to an outer peripheral surface 20x of the mating ring <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a multi-stepped recess portion 24d is formed in a circular shape as a whole in the front view with two small dimples 22d and 22d circular in the front view radially disposed in the middle of a counterbore 23d, which is circular in the front view.

It should be noted that the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> can be configured by mutual combinations of variations A to C as a matter of course.

Next, sliding components according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. It should be noted that the same components as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals without redundant description.

The sliding components in the second embodiment will be described. A dimple <NUM> (also referred to as a static pressure recess portion) of a multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> is formed in a circular shape in a front view seen from the axial direction as illustrated in <FIG> and in a columnar shape having a substantially rectangular cross section in the radial direction as illustrated in <FIG>.

A counterbore <NUM> (also referred to as a dynamic pressure recess portion) is defined by a bottom surface 123A formed as a flat surface parallel to the sliding surface <NUM> on the outer diameter side of the dimple <NUM> and an inner peripheral wall 123B formed as a wall surface orthogonal to the bottom surface 123A. The counterbore <NUM> is formed in a circular shape in the front view seen from the axial direction (see <FIG>) and as a shallow groove eccentric to the rotation direction side of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> (left side of the page of <FIG>).

According to such a configuration, it is possible to generate a wide positive pressure region on the rotation direction side of the counterbore <NUM> (i.e., right side of the page of <FIG>) with respect to the unidirectional relative rotation of the seal ring <NUM> and the mating ring <NUM> (in the rotation direction that is indicated by the white arrow in <FIG>, which is from the right side of the page to the left side of the page) and a narrow negative pressure region on the counter-rotation direction side (i.e., left side of the page of <FIG>). Accordingly, the efficiency of dynamic pressure generation can be enhanced.

Next, sliding components according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. It should be noted that the same components as those described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals without redundant description.

The sliding components in the third embodiment will be described. As illustrated in <FIG>, the outer diameter side (i.e., sealed fluid side in the embodiment) of the counterbore <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> formed on the outer diameter side of the sliding surface <NUM> is slightly open between the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> due to the radial length difference between the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> (i.e., w11 < w21).

According to such a configuration, the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> is capable of contributing to the dynamic pressure generation between the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> by introducing sealed fluid-based static pressure from the open part on the outer diameter side of the counterbore <NUM>.

Next, sliding components according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. It should be noted that the same components as those described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals without redundant description.

The sliding components in the fourth embodiment will be described. As illustrated in <FIG>, an axially recessed step portion <NUM> is formed on the outer diameter side of the mating ring <NUM> and the counterbore <NUM> of the multi-stepped recess portion <NUM> formed on the outer diameter side of the sliding surface <NUM> is slightly open on the outer diameter side (i.e., sealed fluid side in the embodiment) between the sliding surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, specific configurations are not limited to the embodiments. Changes and additions without departing from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

In addition, although a case where a sliding component constitutes a mechanical seal has been described as an example in the embodiment described above, the present invention is not construed as being limited thereto. Various changes, modifications, and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, although a mechanical seal for general industrial machinery has been described as an example of the sliding component, another mechanical seal such as a mechanical seal for water pumps may also be used. In addition, the mechanical seal may also be an outside mechanical seal.

In addition, although an example in which a multi-stepped recess portion and a non-multi-stepped dimple are provided only in a mating ring has been described in the embodiment described above, the multi-stepped recess portion and the non-multi-stepped dimple may be provided only in a seal ring or may be provided in both the seal ring and the mating ring.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiment in which the multi-stepped recess portion is disposed over the circumferential direction on the outer diameter side of the sliding surface and the non-multi-stepped dimple is disposed on the inner diameter side. For example, only the multi-stepped recess portion may be disposed on the outer diameter side of the sliding surface with no non-multi-stepped dimple disposed. Alternatively, the multi-stepped recess portion may be disposed on the entire surface of the sliding surface with no non-multi-stepped dimple disposed. Alternatively, the multi-stepped recess portion and the non-multi-stepped dimple may be alternately disposed in the circumferential direction on the outer diameter side of the sliding surface. It should be noted that too many multi-stepped recess portions result in an increase in generated dynamic pressure, too few multi-stepped recess portions result in more change in dynamic pressure acting over the circumferential direction of the sliding surface, and thus it is preferable to appropriately set the number of the multi-stepped recess portions in accordance with the environment of use and the like.

Claim 1:
A pair of sliding components (<NUM>, <NUM>) having sliding surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>) that are rotatable relative to each other with an annular mating ring (<NUM>) and an annular seal ring (<NUM>) facing each other and, as a result, adapted for sealing a sealed fluid present on one radial side of each of the sliding surfaces that are rotatable and slidable relative to each other, wherein
the sliding surface of at least one of the mating ring (<NUM>) and the seal ring (<NUM>) has therein a plurality of recess portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged in a circumferential direction of the sliding surface and relative rotation and sliding of the mating ring (<NUM>) and the seal ring (<NUM>) causes the recess portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) to generate a dynamic pressure, and characterised in that
the plurality of recess portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) are multi-stepped recess portions (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein
each of the multi-stepped recess portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) is formed in a stepwise shape in a cross-sectional view by a dynamic pressure recess portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a static pressure recess portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) such that the dynamic pressure recess portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) surrounds the whole circumference of the static pressure recess portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) deeper than the dynamic pressure recess portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) and communicates with the static pressure recess portion (<NUM>, <NUM>), and wherein the static pressure recess portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the dynamic pressure recess portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) are formed in a circular shape in a front view seen from the axial direction, and wherein
the static pressure recess portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) is formed as a bottomed recess portion and has a depth dimension (h22) larger than an opening maximum diameter dimension (r22) thereof in the plan view.