Seal comprising a continuous sealing profile

Abstract

The invention relates to a seal for sealing an inner chamber of a housing from the outside of the housing, comprising at least one sealing layer, which has at least two rigid sealing layer parts with respective support elements, wherein the rigid sealing layer parts are interconnected by a flexible sealing layer part, which is at least partially composed of an elastomer, and at least one sealing contour, which extends continuously over the different sealing layer parts, wherein the support elements each comprise at least one through opening in an end region adjoining the flexible sealing layer part, through which the elastomer of the flexible sealing layer part extends, and the end region of each support element is coined in at least one first end-side coining region and is enclosed by the elastomer in the first end-side coining region at least in certain regions, thereby providing an improved seal for sealing a housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a seal, particularly a gasket, for sealing a gap in a housing that extends around an inner cavity of the housing and thus seals the inner cavity to the outside of the housing, comprising at least one sealing layer. In particular, the invention relates to a frame seal that provides a seal between at least two components of a housing, for example, between the bottom and top of the housing, such as a motor vehicle battery housing or a motor vehicle battery box housing. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, the gaps around the top and bottom of a housing, such as between the battery compartment slot and the battery cover, are sealed by gluing the top to the bottom within these gaps. However, a drawback of this is that the housing is difficult to disassemble and reassemble in a sealed manner. Therefore, alternatively, a seal is placed around the gaps around the bottom edge before the cover is releasably tightened, for example, before it is screwed on. For this purpose, elastomeric seals are typically used around the perimeter. The disadvantage of these elastomeric seals is that assembly is not very secure or requires more assembly work due to the flexibility and deformability of the seal as a whole, for example, because corresponding grooves need to be milled or cast into the housing for the elastomeric seal.

[0003] Furthermore, housings like battery boxes are typically large, with the length and / or width of the bottom, for example, exceeding one meter. For instance, battery boxes used for traction batteries in vehicles are often given dimensions exceeding 1.3 meters in length and 0.8 meters in width.

[0004] Therefore, purely elastomeric seals are disadvantageous in this situation because they may be mispositioned or slip, meaning the assembly is not very secure. On the other hand, traditional one-piece frame seals with continuous metal or plastic supports are difficult to manufacture within the required dimensions, where the rubber sealing lip is molded into the sealing profile on the support. Very large molds are required in this case to manufacture the support. There will also be a significant amount of material waste. Transportation and assembly are also more complex. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, based on the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved seal for sealing housings that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0006] This objective is achieved through the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous constructions are set forth in the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0007] This invention relates to a seal, particularly a gasket, for sealing a gap in a housing, and thus for sealing the inner cavity of the housing to the outside of the housing. This type of gap can be, for example, a circumferential gap between a housing, such as a slot and a cover of a battery compartment. When intended for use, the seal, as described below, is arranged in this gap, for example, between the slot and the cover of the housing, i.e., around the circumference of the gap between the two parts.

[0008] Therefore, preferably, and as will be described in detail below, the seal includes an opening that substantially corresponds to the size of the inner cavity of the housing in the plane of the seal, and is substantially or completely enclosed by the seal. Thus, the term "substantially" can be understood to mean at least partially, that is, partially or preferably substantially or particularly preferably entirely. The opening may also be referred to as a hole and / or cutout. Therefore, the seal or gasket is used to seal the gap extending around the inner cavity of the housing by means of at least one sealing layer.

[0009] The sealing layer, preferably a planar sealing layer, comprises at least two rigid sealing layer portions interconnected by flexible sealing layer portions distinct from the rigid sealing layer portions. In this case, each rigid sealing layer portion comprises a corresponding rigid support element, such as a metal support element. Specifically, the support element can be manufactured to include or be made of aluminum, or consequently to include or be made of steel. This is advantageous in terms of manufacturing, given the structure of the support element to be described. The flexible sealing layer portions are at least partially, i.e., partially or entirely, composed of an elastomer.

[0010] The sealing layer also includes at least one sealing profile, for example, having one or more corresponding sealing lips, which extend continuously over different sealing layer portions. In this case, the continuous sealing profile can be composed of different sealing profile portions, i.e., partial sealing profiles, which are produced in different manufacturing steps and / or using different materials. For example, in the region of the rigid sealing layer portion, such a sealing profile can be produced having a flexible component that provides a seal at the relevant support element, and in the region of the flexible sealing layer portion, the aforementioned elastomer can be present. In this process, the sealing flexible component can also be at least partially, i.e., partially or entirely, composed of an elastomer or different elastomers.

[0011] The uninterrupted sealing profile is preferably formed by the merging of related partial sealing profiles into each other in different sealing layer sections. Particularly advantageous is that the partial sealing profiles merge substantially seamlessly into each other. As a result, at least one uninterrupted sealing profile can be provided along the sealing layer, extending over both the rigid sealing layer sections and at least one flexible sealing layer section connecting these rigid sealing layer sections, such that the rigid sealing layer sections, the associated sealing soft components, and the flexible sealing layer sections with elastomers all provide an uninterrupted sealing effect due to each partial sealing profile.

[0012] Alternatively, it is possible to form at least one uninterrupted sealing profile and at least one flexible sealing layer portion and one rigid sealing layer portion, such that the at least one uninterrupted sealing profile and at least one flexible sealing layer portion have no transition.

[0013] Preferably, the number of rigid sealing layer portions corresponds to the number of flexible sealing layer portions connecting the rigid sealing layer portions, and generally the rigid and flexible sealing layer portions form a self-contained seal with a self-contained sealing profile, which may have annular, rectangular, or similar shapes and extend continuously around the opening. By combining the rigid and flexible sealing layer portions, the corresponding advantages are combined in this case: on the one hand, a robust and reliable sealing effect and simple assembly; on the other hand, simple manufacturing.

[0014] In addition to simple self-contained seals, branched seals, such as those with two window-like internal regions, can also be envisioned. These seals can be used, for example, when the battery compartment includes a separator, to seal the various battery modules apart from each other, or to seal the interior chamber containing control devices from an interior chamber containing one or more battery modules.

[0015] Each support element of the rigid sealing layer portion includes at least one through-opening in the end region adjacent to the flexible sealing layer portion, through which the elastomer of the flexible sealing layer portion extends. Thus, the support element is at least partially extruded and coated with elastomer in the through-opening region. Furthermore, the end region of each support element has at least one first end-side pressed region, i.e., one or more end-side pressed regions, which are therefore sub-regions of the end region. Each end region is also at least partially, i.e., partially or completely, enclosed by the elastomer in the first end-side pressed region. Therefore, the first end-side pressed region is at least partially extruded and coated with elastomer. As a result of the pressing, the thickness of the support element is reduced in the associated pressed region, particularly in the end region, compared to the unpressed region of the support element. In this case, the thickness is preferably measured perpendicular to the main extension plane of the associated support element, the associated rigid sealing layer portion, and / or the sealing layer and / or the seal.

[0016] Combining the through-hole of the extruded coating with the precision-pressed area of ​​the extruded coating offers the advantage of achieving an interlocking connection between the elastomer and the support element. The material transition between the support element and the elastomer has a three-dimensionally distributed shape with partially oriented surfaces; this shape disperses the forces generated when the rigid sealing layer portions move in three dimensions, such as relative to the flexible sealing layer portions, i.e., at the elastomer-support element material transition, where they tilt, bend, and / or fold, thereby reducing localized peak stresses. Therefore, this improves the adhesion between the elastomer and each support element, resulting in a stronger and more durable bond between the elastomer and each support element. Thus, the shape of the support element with the through-hole and precision-pressed area facilitates chemical bonding between the elastomer and the support element. When the two rigid sealing layer portions move relative to each other, such as tilting, bending, and / or folding, the generated forces are dispersed across the part surfaces, each dispersed by part surfaces in different orientations, meaning that any tearing that occurs is prevented at a local level.

[0017] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, each support element includes two or more through openings. These through openings can be specifically configured as slots and / or arranged in a row transverse to the longitudinal direction of the support element. When the through openings are configured as slots, the longitudinal direction of the slots is preferably arranged transverse to the longitudinal direction of the associated support element. Subsequently, the longitudinal direction of the associated support element corresponds to the circumferential direction of the sealing layer in the section under discussion. As a result, it is simple to manufacture, the surface area on which the aforementioned forces act can be further increased, and these forces can be distributed over a larger volume and on the surface of the part in more different directions in three-dimensional space.

[0018] In another advantageous embodiment, at least one first end-side pressing region abuts the edge of the through-opening and the end-side edge of the associated support element's adjacent flexible sealing layer portion. In this process, at least one first end-side pressing region preferably abuts the edge of the through-opening for less than half the length of the through-opening edge. As a result, the elastomer enclosing the first end-side pressing region in the through-opening region and in the region of the flexible sealing layer portion is particularly reliably connected to the support element. By means of the elastomer in the first end-side pressing region, the aforementioned forces can therefore be more widely distributed from the through-opening region to the end-side edge region, and vice versa.

[0019] In another advantageous embodiment, the end region of each support element is also precision-pressed in at least one second precision-pressed region (i.e., one or more second precision-pressed regions), and is enclosed by an elastomer in at least some, preferably throughout, areas of the second end-side precision-pressed regions. During this process, the precision-pressing depth of the second end-side precision-pressed regions is greater than that of the first end-side precision-pressed regions. Therefore, the thickness of each support element in the second end-side precision-pressed regions is thinner than that in the first end-side precision-pressed regions. The advantage is that the three-dimensional properties of the material transition surface are more pronounced, thus the aforementioned forces can be more effectively dispersed.

[0020] During this process, at least one second end-side pressing region can be adjacent to the edge of the through-opening and the end-side edge of the associated support element. As a result, the more pronounced three-dimensional properties of the material transition surface, combined with the deeper connection between the elastomer in the through-opening and the elastomer in the flexible sealing layer portion, allow the aforementioned forces to be dispersed more effectively. Due to the more pronounced three-dimensional shape of the material transition, any tearing process in one direction will stop at a local level, further increasing stability.

[0021] Furthermore, it can be specified that, apart from the aforementioned edges, at least one second end-side pressing region (which is part of the end region) abuts only the remaining portion of the end region unrelated to the second pressing region at at least one first end-side pressing region (which is also part of the end region). This is advantageous because each support element can be significantly pressed locally in at least one second end-side pressing region, meaning a correspondingly good connection can be achieved between the elastomer in the through-opening region and the elastomer in the flexible sealing layer portion. Simultaneously, due to the very limited local thickness variation of the support element, high dimensional accuracy can be achieved, i.e., curling can be reduced and the production accuracy of the seal can be improved, thus enhancing sealing performance and simplifying assembly. Since the second end-side pressing region has a greater pressing depth than the first end-side pressing region, and it abuts only the end-side edge of the associated support element and the through-opening at the first pressing region, the sharper curling that occurs there only locally affects the shape of the through-opening and the end-side edge, without affecting the rest of the support element. As a result, problems such as preventing deformation and associated seal jamming during the positioning of openings in production molds are addressed, and conversely, the advantageous effects of the more pronounced three-dimensional properties of the material-transition boundary, which has the aforementioned beneficial effects, are enhanced.

[0022] In another advantageous embodiment, the first end-side precision-pressed region and the second end-side precision-pressed region are alternately arranged at the edge of the end face of each support element, particularly arranged directly one after another. When the precision-pressed regions are arranged directly one after another, the thickness of the support element, except for production-related transitions, is preferably provided solely by the thickness of the first and second precision-pressed regions. This results in a particularly advantageous dispersion of the aforementioned forces.

[0023] In another advantageous embodiment, the elastomer is flush with the associated support element at the edge of the through-opening, i.e., particularly around the outer periphery (in an interlocking manner within the through-opening) and / or at the top edge of the support element, particularly in the corresponding precision pressing area. Thus, the elastomer abuts the surface of the support element above multiple surface portions. This also facilitates a particularly robust connection between the rigid and flexible sealing layer portions.

[0024] Furthermore, the support element may each include at least one locating hole and / or at least one bolt hole in the area surrounding the through opening. In this case, the aforementioned solution with reduced curling is particularly advantageous, as it prevents the shape of the locating holes and / or bolt holes from being damaged by curling during the manufacturing process for the support element. This allows the seal to be positioned and tightened with exceptional precision. Therefore, in this case, the locating holes and / or bolt holes can be arranged particularly close to the flexible sealing layer portion or the end region of the support element.

[0025] In another advantageous embodiment, the two rigid sealing layer portions are interconnected in each case by one or more flexible sealing layer portions in a foldable or bendable manner. In the case of folding or bending, the flexible sealing layer portions are typically twisted along a radius (which also varies); in this process, they almost trace a complete circle, such that the associated rigid sealing layer portions rest planarly on top of each other over the main portion of their adjacent surfaces via their respective support elements. Alternatively, they may also rest on top of each other in areas spaced apart from the fold or bend points, while in the remaining areas facing the fold or bend points, they may be separated from each other at a very sharp angle along the direction of the fold or bend point. Thus, the seal can be referred to as a bendable or foldable seal. In this case, due to the deformation around the flexible sealing layer portions, i.e., twisting or folding, which, as the name suggests, is accompanied by a corresponding bending force, the bending force has a smaller effect on the seal; therefore, the improved dispersion of the bending force and the resulting higher durability and more durable sealing performance are particularly advantageous.

[0026] One aspect also relates to a method of manufacturing a seal for sealing an inner cavity of a housing to the outside of the housing, wherein the housing may be a vehicle battery housing or a vehicle battery box housing. The seal has at least one sealing layer comprising at least two rigid sealing layer portions and at least one flexible sealing layer portion, and at least one sealing profile. The at least two rigid sealing layer portions have corresponding support elements, the at least one flexible sealing layer portion is at least partially composed of an elastomer, and the at least one sealing profile extends continuously over the different sealing layer portions.

[0027] The method is characterized by the following additional steps: creating at least one through-opening in the end region of each support element, particularly by means of punching or laser cutting; precision pressing each support element in at least one first end-side precision pressing region of the associated end region; and partially or completely extruding and coating the support element with an elastomer in the corresponding precision pressing region and in the at least one through-opening, thereby forming a flexible sealing layer portion and at least a portion of a sealing profile, such as a sealing profile arranged in the flexible sealing layer portion. Alternatively, the formation of the flexible sealing layer portion may also be divided into several steps, such as a first molding as described above, and the formation of a portion of the flexible sealing layer portion, and the formation of a portion of the sealing profile associated with that portion and a portion of the sealing profile associated with the rigid sealing layer portion. In a second step, the remaining portion of the flexible sealing layer portion may be injection molded. Preferably, in this step, the two elements each comprising the rigid sealing layer portion are combined. Between at least two molding or injection molding steps, the profile of the flexible sealing layer portion, even together with the portion associated with the sealing profile, may be machined (e.g., finished). In another alternative embodiment, particularly for smaller seals, a larger elastomeric area can be injection molded in a single step, and in extreme cases, even the entire flexible sealing layer portion and the entire seal profile can be molded in one step. In all the described embodiments, the flexible sealing layer portion may also include components other than the elastomeric material. When the support element is extruded and coated with the elastomeric material, the support element and therefore the rigid sealing layer portion associated with it are interconnected. Preferably, the above method steps are performed in the stated order.

[0028] The advantages and advantageous embodiments of this method correspond to the advantages and advantageous embodiments of this seal.

[0029] The features and combinations of features described above in the specification, including those in the introductory section, and those shown respectively in and / or in the accompanying drawings, may be used in combinations other than those described in each case without departing from the scope of the invention. In this respect, the invention should be considered to include and disclose embodiments not explicitly shown or explained in the drawings, but which arise from and can be the result of feature combinations derived from the described embodiments. Embodiments and feature combinations that do not contain all the features of the original independent claims should also be considered disclosed. Furthermore, the invention should be considered to disclose embodiments and feature combinations that go beyond or deviate from the feature combinations described on the reverse side of the claims, particularly those resulting from the above-described embodiments.

[0030] The subject matter of the invention will now be explained in more detail based on the following drawings, but is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments shown therein. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0032] Figure 1A An example housing with battery cells arranged therein and an example seal are shown;

[0033] Figure 1B This is a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of the seal, with its cutting plane parallel to the main extension plane of the seal;

[0034] Figure 2A It shows Figure 1B Enlarged details of the seal;

[0035] Figure 2B These are comparable details of the seal variations;

[0036] Figure 2C These are comparable details of the seal variations;

[0037] Figure 3A It shows Figure 2A An enlarged rigid sealing layer portion, in which there is no associated flexible sealing layer portion;

[0038] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A plan view of the end region of the support element shown;

[0039] Figure 3C This is a plan view of an alternative form of the support element;

[0040] Figure 4A perspective view showing details of an example embodiment of a seal in a folded state;

[0041] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the seal, with its cutting plane extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane;

[0042] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Another perspective view of the central seal, in which the cutting plane has been displaced along the direction of the seal;

[0043] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 Another 3D diagram of the example in which, with Figure 6 Compared to the view in the image, the cutting plane has been displaced again along the direction of the seal; and

[0044] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a seal in its installed state, the section along... Figure 3A The AA line passes through the support element.

[0045] Components that are similar in appearance or have the same function are indicated by the same reference numerals in the figure. Detailed Implementation

[0046] Figure 1A A vehicle battery housing is shown as an example housing 1. In this example, housing 1 has battery modules 4a to 4e of a vehicle traction battery disposed therein. Housing 1 has a groove as a bottom 2 and a cover as a top 3. Battery modules 4a to 4e are housed in an inner cavity 7 of housing 1. In this example, housing 1 includes a gap 6 above the battery modules 4a to 4e between the bottom 2 and the top 3 (this gap 6 is to be sealed). Therefore, in this example, a seal 10 is placed in the gap 6 to seal it, thus sealing the inner cavity 7 to the outside 7' of housing 1. For this purpose, in this example, the seal 10 extends accordingly around the inner cavity 7 of housing 1, and in the example shown, it accordingly includes an opening 13 ( Figure 1B The inner chamber 7 of the shell 1 is located therein.

[0047] This type of housing 1 typically has a dimension exceeding 1 m in at least the length or width direction, or both, such that the seal 10, preferably in the form of a gasket, typically has a length of several meters in the outer circumferential direction D. Figure 4 ).

[0048] Figure 1BThis is a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of the seal 10, with the cutting plane extending parallel to the main extending plane of the seal 10 (in this case, the xz plane). This embodiment accordingly includes N rigid sealing layer portions 11a to 11f and N flexible sealing layer portions 12a to 12f, which connect the rigid sealing layer portions 11a to 11f, and connect the respective rigid sealing layer portions 11a to 11f such that in each case, two rigid sealing layer portions 11a, 11b are connected by one flexible sealing layer portion 12a. In the example shown, N = 6. In this example, the seal 10 with the opening 13 is correspondingly formed by the same number of rigid sealing layer portions 11a to 11f and flexible sealing portions 12a to 12f. This type of seal 10 can also be referred to as an annular seal 10. In this example, the seal 10 includes inner edges 15a, 15b of the rigid sealing layer portions 11a to 11f facing the opening 13. Figure 2A The uninterrupted sealing profile 14a at the opening 13, and in the example shown, also includes the outer edges 15a', 15b' of the seal 10 facing away from the opening 13. Figure 2A The other uninterrupted sealing profile 14b at () will be explained more precisely with the aid of the example in the accompanying drawings, based on the internal uninterrupted sealing profile 14a.

[0049] In this embodiment, the rigid sealing layer portions 11a to 11f each include holes 16, which can be positioning holes and threaded holes for corresponding fastening devices. These holes can be in the form of conventional round holes as shown, but they can also have special shapes to improve electromagnetic compatibility, for example, so that when they are in the installed state, due to the special rough areas on their surfaces, they can establish direct metal-metal contact with fasteners such as screws.

[0050] The width b of the seal 10 in the main extension plane is constant in multiple regions. In particular, the width b of the seal 10 preferably does not change significantly at the transition from the rigid sealing layer portions 11a to 11f to the flexible sealing layer portions 12a to 12f adjacent to the rigid sealing layer portions 11a to 11f.

[0051] Figure 2A Now shown Figure 1B Detail 20. In this case, the two rigid sealing layer portions 11a, 11b include inner edges 15a, 15b and outer edges 15a', 15b', and the end edges 15a'" of the support elements 11a', 11b' are associated with the rigid sealing layer portions 11a, 11b, and these end edges 15a'" are oriented in a direction opposite to each other. Figure 3AThe elastic body of the flexible sealing layer portion 12a is arranged between the end edges 15a". In this example, the two rigid sealing layer portions 11a and 11b each include two sealing flexible components 17a, 17a' and 17b, 17b'. In this process, the inner sealing flexible components 17a and 17b in this example form the inner partial sealing profiles 18a and 18b of the continuous inner sealing profile 14a, while the outer sealing flexible components 17a' and 17b' form the corresponding outer partial sealing profiles 18a' and 18b' of the continuous outer sealing profile 14b. In this example, the connecting flexible sealing layer portion 12a correspondingly forms the inner partial sealing profile 19a and the outer partial sealing profile 19a', which, together with the inner partial sealing profiles and the outer partial sealing profiles 18a, 18b, 18a', and 18b', respectively form the inner continuous sealing profile 14a and the outer continuous sealing profile 14b. In this example, the length L of the connecting flexible sealing layer portion 12a is ( Figure 1B The length L indicates a length along which the flexible sealing layer portion 12a is connected to the elastomer of adjacent support elements 11a', 11b' between their end edges 15a', i.e., the support elements 11a', 11b' of the rigid sealing layer portions 11a', 11b' connected by the associated flexible sealing layer portion 12a. In this example, the length L therefore does not extend to the region where portions of the sealing profiles 19a, 19a' are arranged adjacent to the edges of the support elements 11a', 11b', or to the region where the support elements 11a', 11b' are extruded-coated with the elastomer of the flexible sealing layer portion 12a.

[0052] In this process, the internal partial sealing profiles 18a, 18b, and 19a, together with the corresponding partial sealing profiles of the other sealing layer portions 11c to 11f and 12b to 12f, respectively, form an internal uninterrupted sealing profile 14a. Correspondingly, the external portions of the sealing profiles 18a', 19a', and 18b', together with the partial sealing profiles of the other sealing layer portions 11c to 11f and 12b to 12f, form an external sealing profile 14b. In the example shown, detail 20 also depicts the other rigid sealing layer portions 11c to 11f and the associated connecting flexible sealing layer portions 12b to 12f.

[0053] In this example, the flexible sealing components 17a, 17a', 17b, 17b' are molded onto the respective support elements 11a', 11b' at their corresponding inner edges 15a, 15b and outer edges 15a', 15b' of the respective rigid sealing layer portions 11a, 11b. During this process, the flexible sealing components 17a, 17a', 17b, 17b' are molded along the edges 15a, 15a', 15b, 15b'. In the example shown, only for each of the respective rigid sealing layer portions 11a, 11b, i.e., the flexible sealing components 17a, 17a', 17b, 17b' do not extend completely along their respective edges 15a, 15a', 15b, 15b'. Conversely, in this example, the elastomer of the flexible sealing layer portion 12a is directly molded onto the remaining support elements 11a', 11b' portions not covered by the sealing flexible parts 17a, 17a', 17b, 17b'. In the example shown, the elastomer of the flexible sealing layer portion 12a thus also forms two partial sealing profiles 19a, 19a' in addition to the flexible sealing layer portion 12a. In this example, the elastomer of the flexible sealing layer portion 12a is located in the end regions 50(…) of the associated support elements 11a', 11b'. Figure 3B The respective support elements 11a' and 11b' of the rigid sealing layer portions 11a and 11b directly surround the rigid sealing layer portions 11a and 11b at the location.

[0054] Figure 2B and 2C In Figure 2A Details of alternative embodiments of the seal 10 are shown in respective sections. Figure 2A The difference lies in Figure 2B In this design, the flexible sealing layer portion 12a is not composed of a single element, but rather comprises three consecutive portions 121a, 120a, and 121b along the circumferential direction of the seal, i.e., the direction from the rigid sealing layer portion 11a to the rigid sealing layer portion 11b. For example, the connecting portion 121a can be molded onto the rigid sealing layer portion 11a together with the sealing contour portions 17a and 17a'. Similarly, the connecting portion 121b can be molded onto the rigid sealing layer portion 11b together with the sealing contour portions 17b and 17b'. The respective sealing contour portions 17a, 17a' and 17b, 17b' are larger than... Figure 2AThe example extends further. Subsequently, the two elements produced in this way are joined together by injection molding the flexible connecting sealing layer portion 120a onto the facing edges of the connecting portions 121a, 121b. The associated partial sealing profiles 19a, 19a' can also be molded onto them. Particularly advantageously, in an intermediate step, the facing edges of the connecting portions 121a, 121b and the associated ends of the sealing profile portions 17a, 17a', 17b, 17b' are machined, for example, by cutting. As shown, straight or wavy cutting lines can be used.

[0055] Other edge orientations are also possible, such as non-linear, zigzag, and in particular (different from the example shown) non-right-angled with the orientation of the sealing profile portion. Therefore, the flexible sealing layer portion 12a and the end edge 15a are implemented here via the connecting portions 121a, 121b (see...). Figure 3A , or 15b”) molded.

[0056] exist Figure 2C In the process, at least the elastomeric portions in the shown sections are all continuously molded in one gate or molding step, so there are no separate flexible sealing layer portions 12a, and the partial sealing profiles 19a, 19a' are formed as direct, seamless continuations of the sealing profile portions 17a, 17a', 17b, 17b'.

[0057] For example, Figure 3A The rigid sealing layer portion 11a is now shown, having an associated support element 11a', but without the flexible sealing layer portion 12a. Further support elements 11b' or rigid sealing layer portions 11b to 11f can be similarly constructed. Thus, the support element 11a' includes at least one through opening 51, 51' (two through openings in this example) in the end region 50 adjacent to the flexible sealing layer portion 12a. In this example, these through openings are formed as slots whose longitudinal axis is oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction, i.e., in this example, along the x direction transversely to the z direction, which is either the longitudinal direction or the peripheral direction D. In at least one first end-side pressed region 52, 52', 52" (three first end-side pressed regions in this example) of the pressed support element 11a', the thickness d of the support element 11a' in the y-direction is smaller than that of the outer end region 50 and / or the unpressed end region. In at least one second end-side pressed region 53, 53' (two second end-side pressed regions in this example) of the support element 11a', its thickness is further reduced compared to the first end-side pressed regions 52, 52', 52".

[0058] In the example shown, the first end-side pressing region and the second end-side pressing regions 52, 53, 52', 53', 52" are arranged along the end-side edge 15a", and thus are arranged one after another directly in the X direction. The second end-side pressing regions 53, 53' only adjoin the remaining portion of the end region 50 that is not related to the second pressing regions 53, 53' at the first pressing regions 52, 52', 52" in this process. In this process, the second end-side pressing regions 53, 53' also adjoin the end-side edge 15a" of the support element 11a' and the edges 54, 54' of the through openings 51 and 51', respectively.

[0059] exist Figure 2A In this structure, different precision pressing regions 52, 52', 53, 53', and 52" are completely enclosed by the elasticity of the flexible sealing layer portion 12a. The first end-side precision pressing regions 52, 52', and 52" are also adjacent to the end-side edge 15a" of the associated support element 11a and a portion of the edges 54, 54' of the through openings 53, 53', which occupy less than half the length of the edges 54, 54' of the through openings 53, 53'. Therefore, at the edges 54, 54' of the through openings 51, 51', and 51"... Figure 2A The elastic body of the flexible sealing layer portion 12a is flush with the support element 11a.

[0060] Figure 3B yes Figure 2A A plan view of the support element 11a'. Similarly, Figure 3C A variation of the support element 11a' is shown, which has three through openings 51, 51', 51” and four corresponding similarly arranged first pressing regions 52-52”', in which different pressing regions 53 to 53” are also arranged alternately.

[0061] Figure 4This is a perspective view of the seal 10 described above in an exemplary folded or bent state, as illustrated by example. In this figure, it is particularly clear that the material transition M between the flexible sealing components 17a, 17a', 17b' and the elastomer of the flexible sealing layer portion 12a extends laterally into the direction D of the seal 10, and in the example shown, is offset in the direction D from another material transition M' between the elastomer of the flexible sealing layer portion 12a and the respective support elements 11a', 11b' of the rigid sealing layer portions 11a, 11b. In this process, the other material transition M' also extends, at least over the main portion of the width b of the seal 10, similarly laterally into the direction D of the seal 10. What is not shown is the three-dimensional route of the material transition sections M' and M; due to its special property 1, the material transition section M' specifically disperses the bending force that occurs in a large area in the direction D of the seal 10, thereby preventing or reducing damage caused by bending or folding, such as the elastomeric part of the flexible sealing layer 12a detaching from the support elements 11a' and 11b'.

[0062] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the seal 10. The cutting plane extends perpendicular to the main extension plane of the seal, that is, perpendicular to the xz plane and perpendicular to the orientation direction D of the seal 10. In this example, to improve the connection along the edge 15a of the flexible sealing member 17a with the rigid sealing layer portion 11a, the elastomer of the flexible sealing layer portion 12a is molded onto the flexible sealing member 17a in a surrounding manner in certain areas, where it forms a partial sealing profile 19a. Therefore, the flexible sealing member 17a is no longer visible from the outside downstream of the visible material transition portion M along the orientation direction D, but rather along the end edge 15a of the support element 11a'. Figure 3A The direction of the transition continues below the elastomer of the flexible sealing layer portion 12a to achieve improved service life and better sealing performance. This type of transition is possible not only when the sealing profile 14a has a double profile as shown here, but also when the sealing profile 14a has a single profile or when the sealing profile 14a has a profile of other forms.

[0063] Figure 6 Is with Figure 5 The corresponding three-dimensional sectional view, but the cutting plane is displaced in the opposite direction to the direction D of the seal. Therefore, the flexible sealing layer portion 12a ( Figure 5 The elastomer is no longer visible; only the support element 11a' with the sealing soft part 17a attached thereto and the (partial) sealing profiles 14a, 18a are visible. For example, in Figure 2C In the example, the corresponding view can also be obtained from the cross section passing through the support element 11a' and the sealing flexible parts 17a, 17a'.

[0064] at last, Figure 7 These are related stereoscopic sectional views, in which... Figure 5 In contrast, the cutting plane is displaced in the positive direction of the direction D along the seal 10. In this case, only the flexible sealing layer portion 12a is visible at the cutting surface; correspondingly, the seal 10 is entirely formed of the elastomeric flexible sealing layer portion 12a, even in the region of the partial sealing profile 18a, rather than as... Figure 5 As shown, it is formed partly by an elastomer of the flexible sealing layer portion 12a and partly by a sealing soft component 17a of the rigid sealing layer portion 11a.

[0065] Figure 8 This is an angled cross-sectional view of the seal 10 in its installed state, the section following... Figure 3A Line AA in the diagram. In this case... Figure 8 A seal 10 with two sealing profiles 14a, 14b is shown, which is installed in the gap 6 between the cover 3 and the groove 2. The sealing profile 14b is molded onto the side edge of the end region 50 of the support element 11a'. The elastomer of the sealing profile 14b completely fills the through opening 51, and in doing so, the elastomer abuts the side edge 54 of the through opening 51 flush with it. Outside the bend in the cross-sectional view, there are elastomer skins 55a, 55b on the top and bottom sides of the support element 11a'; since the cross-section here passes through the first pressing region 52', the sheet thickness is thinner than to its right. In the adjacent second pressing region 53', the support element 11a' is thinner than the region of the first pressing region 52', and the elastomer skins 56a, 56b are correspondingly thicker. Beyond the second pressing region 53” is another part of the first pressing region 53”, which has a second elastomer skin 55a', 55b', and then the seal 10 is incorporated into the unsupported portion, where it forms a sealing profile 14b. The deliberately designed stepped shape of each region of the end region 50 ensures significantly better adhesion of the elastomer, which also forms a flexible sealing layer portion 12a outside the cutting plane.

Claims

1. A seal (10) for sealing an inner chamber (7) of a housing (1) to the outer surface (7') of the housing (1), comprising at least one sealing layer having: a. At least two rigid sealing layer portions (11a-11f), each having corresponding support elements (11a', 11b'), the rigid sealing layer portions (11a-11f) being interconnected by flexible sealing layer portions (12a-12f), the flexible sealing layer portions (12a-12f) being at least partially composed of an elastomer; b. At least one sealing profile (14a, 14b) extending continuously over different sealing layer portions (11a-11f, 12a-12f); Its features are, Each of the support elements (11a', 11b') includes at least one through opening (51, 51', 51'') in the end region (50) adjacent to the flexible sealing layer portion (12a-12f), through which the elastomer of the flexible sealing layer portion (12a-12f) extends, and the end region (50) of each of the support elements (11a', 11b') is pressed in at least one first end-side pressing region (52, 52', 52'', 52'''), and is enclosed in at least some regions by the elastomer in the first end-side pressing region (52, 52', 52'', 52''').

2. The seal (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, Each of the support elements (11a', 11b') has two or more through openings (51, 51', 51''), which are configured as slots and / or arranged in a row transverse to the longitudinal direction of the support elements (11a', 11b').

3. The seal (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, At least one first end-side pressing region (52, 52', 52'', 52'') is adjacent to the edge of the through opening (51, 51', 51'') and the end-side edge (15a'') of the associated support element (11a', 11b').

4. The seal (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, The end region (50) of each of the support elements (11a', 11b') is also pressed into at least one second end-side pressing region (53, 53', 53''), and is enclosed in at least some regions by an elastomer in the second end-side pressing region (53, 53', 53''), the pressing depth of the second end-side pressing region (53, 53', 53'') being greater than the pressing depth of the first end-side pressing region (52, 52', 52'', 52''').

5. The seal (10) according to claim 4. Its features are, At least one of the second end-side precision pressing regions (53, 53', 53'') is adjacent to the edge (54, 54') of the through opening (51, 51', 51'') and the end-side edge (15a'') of the associated support element (11a', 11b').

6. The seal (10) according to claim 4. Its features are, At least one of the second end-side pressing regions (53, 53', 53'') is adjacent only to the remainder of the end region (50) that is not associated with the second end-side pressing region (53, 53', 53'') at at least one first end-side pressing region (52, 52', 52'', 52''').

7. The seal (10) according to claim 4. Its features are, The first end-side fine pressing region (52, 52', 52'', 52''') and the second end-side fine pressing region (53, 53', 53'') are alternately arranged on the end-side edge of each support element (11a', 11b').

8. The seal (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, At the edges (54, 54') of the through openings (51, 51', 51''), the elastomer is flush with the associated support element.

9. The seal (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, The support elements (11a', 11b') are metal support elements (11a', 11b').

10. The seal (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, The two rigid sealing layer portions (11a-11f) are foldably interconnected by a flexible sealing layer portion (12a-12f) in each case.

11. A method for manufacturing a seal (10) for sealing an inner chamber (7) of a housing (1) to the outer surface (7') of the housing (1), comprising at least one sealing layer having: a. At least two rigid sealing layer portions (11a-11f), each having a corresponding support element (11a', 11b'), and at least one flexible sealing layer portion (12a-12f), each of which is at least partially composed of an elastomer; b. At least one sealing profile (14a, 14b) extending continuously over different sealing layer portions (11a-11f, 12a-12f); Its characteristics include the following steps: A) At least one through opening (51, 51', 51'') is made in the end region (50) of each of the support elements (11a', 11b') adjacent to the flexible sealing layer portion (12a-12f). B) Each of the support elements (11a', 11b') is finely pressed in at least one first end-side fine-pressing region (52, 52', 52'', 52'') of the relevant end region (50). C) The support element (11a', 11b') is coated with the elastomer by extrusion in the corresponding precision pressing area and in the through opening (51, 51', 51''), thereby forming the flexible sealing layer portion (12a-12f) or at least a portion of the flexible sealing layer portion (12a-12f), and the sealing profile (14a, 14b) in the flexible sealing layer portion (12a-12f).

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