Sealing gasket

Abstract

The sealing gasket (1) is used for sealing two parts opposite to each other, and comprises a plurality of convex ribs (10) and at least one base part (20), and the base part (20) is a part where the plurality of convex ribs (10) are connected. The width of each of the plurality of beads (10) connected to the base (20) decreases toward the base (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sealing gasket. Background Art

[0002] Gaskets are used in a variety of fields. For example, in the automotive industry, they are used for various gaskets around electric motors and engines, as well as for gaskets in air compressors. In addition to automobiles, gaskets are also widely used in construction machinery, agricultural machinery, industrial robots, and other fields.

[0003] One of the problems with gaskets is the unevenness of surface pressure at the base of a branch portion where a rib branches or a merging portion where a plurality of ribs merge.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a concern that the rigidity of the rib increases at the branch point where the ridge line formed at the top of the rib branches in the branch portion, and the followability of the surrounding area decreases, resulting in a decrease in surface pressure (see paragraphs 0006 and 0007 of Patent Document 1). Figure 7-8 ).

[0005] To address this problem, Patent Document 1 introduces the following improvement measures: by connecting the ridges of the top of the rib that is divided into two branches with arc-shaped ridges, and forming the part surrounded by these three ridges to the same height as the top of the rib, a roughly triangular flat surface is formed, thereby achieving equalization of the surface pressure near the branch point (see paragraph 0007 of Patent Document 1).

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-157377

[0009] Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2012-120924 Summary of the Invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0011] On the other hand, Patent Document 1 points out that depending on the shape of the branch portion (flat surface) of the rib, the rigidity remains high or, conversely, becomes too low, and it is evaluated that "surface pressure suitable for sealing is sometimes not obtained simply by forming a triangular flat surface at the branch portion" (see paragraph 0008 of Patent Document 1).

[0012] As an improvement, Patent Document 1 proposes setting the angle between the two ridges branching from the branching point at the top of the rib to be greater than 25° and less than 45°. This angle maintains the compression of the rib, maintaining the surface pressure of the rib and, in turn, maintaining sealing properties. This is the claim in Patent Document 1 (see paragraphs 0012-0016 of Patent Document 1).

[0013] Patent Document 2 points out that the surface pressure equalization method described in Patent Document 1 is not universally applicable (see paragraphs 0006-0007 of Patent Document 2). Therefore, Patent Document 2 proposes forming the half rib into two sections, thereby achieving uniform compression characteristics across the entire rib (see paragraphs 0011-0015 of Patent Document 2).

[0014] The above studies address the problem of uneven surface pressure at the branching portion of a rib by considering the solutions proposed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. However, the solution described in Patent Document 1 limits the angle between the two branching ribs. The solution described in Patent Document 2 also limits the type and shape of the ribs. Regardless of the solution, the limitations on rib shape are significant, representing areas that require improvement.

[0015] An object of the present disclosure is to achieve uniformity of surface pressure at bases where a plurality of ribs are connected, without imposing significant shape restrictions on the ribs.

[0016] Means used to solve problems

[0017] One embodiment of the sealing gasket involved in the present invention is a sealing gasket used to seal two parts facing each other, including: multiple ribs; and at least one base, wherein the base is a part where the multiple ribs are connected, and the width of each of the multiple ribs connected to the base decreases toward the base.

[0018] One embodiment of the sealing gasket involved in the present invention includes: a metal base having at least two openings adjacent to each other; a rib formed integrally with the base, branching in three directions and surrounding the two adjacent openings; and a branch portion arranged in the shape of a triangular area at the branch position of the rib, so that the rib branches in three directions from the positions of three vertices, and the width of the rib located at the branch portion is less than 110% of the width of the rib located outside the branch portion.

[0019] One embodiment of the sealing gasket involved in the present invention includes: a metal base having at least two openings adjacent to each other; a rib formed integrally with the base, branching in three directions and surrounding the two adjacent openings; and a branch portion arranged in the shape of a triangular zone at the branch position of the rib, so that the rib branches in three directions from the positions of three vertices, and the branch portion has a concave shape that narrows the width of the rib, so that the width of the rib located at the branch portion is consistent with the width of the rib located outside the branch portion.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] Without imposing a large restriction on the shape of the ribs, it is possible to achieve uniformity of the surface pressure at the base where a plurality of ribs are connected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is a plan view showing an enlarged portion of a gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 XX line cross-sectional view.

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 YY line sectional view.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a plan view showing a gasket according to one embodiment.

[0026] Figure 5 It is an enlarged top view showing a rib branching in three directions.

[0027] Figure 6 It is further enlarged to show Figure 5 A top view of the portion surrounded by a dotted line.

[0028] Figure 7 (A) is Figure 6 AA line section view in Figure 7 (B) is Figure 6 BB line section view in.

[0029] Figure 8 It will Figure 5 The part surrounded by dotted lines is further enlarged and Figure 6 The different cutouts show the width of the rib at the branching portion from above.

[0030] Figure 9 This is an enlarged view showing the ribs branching in three directions. Figure 9 (A) is a top view of this embodiment, Figure 9(B) is a top view of the reference example.

[0031] Figure 10 (A) is Figure 9 The AA line cross-sectional view in (A) is Figure 10 (B) is Figure 9 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA.

[0032] Figure 11 (A) is Figure 9 The BB line cross-sectional view in (A) is as follows: Figure 11 (B) is Figure 9 Cross-sectional view along line BB in (B).

[0033] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram showing the test results using pressure-sensitive paper.

[0034] Figure 13 This graph shows the difference in gasket reaction force due to the width of the gasket in relation to the thickness of the metal gasket.

[0035] Figure 14 It is a diagram for explaining an application target of the gasket according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] The gaskets of the present invention are used to seal gaps between two opposing components. For example, the gaskets of the present invention are used to seal cooling water in cylinder blocks of electric motors and engines used in electric vehicles. However, the gaskets of the present invention are not limited to these applications.

[0038] Figure 1 1 is a plan view showing a portion of the gasket 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention in an enlarged manner. Figure 4 ) such as a ring shape. Figure 1 As shown, the sealing gasket 1 includes a plurality of ribs 10 and at least one base 20, which is the intersection of the ribs 10. The width of each of the ribs 10 connected to the base 20 decreases toward the base 20. The structure of the sealing gasket 1 will be described in detail below.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the gasket 1 has, for example, ribs 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 as the ribs 10, and bases 21 and 22 as the base 20. Figure 1 As shown, there are openings 31 and 32 adjacent to each other at intervals. Figure 1 As shown, ribs 11 and 12 extend along opening 31, and ribs 13 and 14 extend along opening 32. Furthermore, rib 15 extends between opening 31 and opening 32. Ribs 11, 13, and 15 are connected, forming bases 21 therebetween. Ribs 12, 14, and 15 are connected, forming bases 22 therebetween.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the ribs 11 and 13 merge at the base 21 and are connected to the rib 15. The base 21 is the merging portion. In addition, the ribs 11 and 13 branch from the rib 15 at the base 21. The base 21 is also a branching portion. Figure 1 As shown, the ribs 12 and 14 merge at a base 22 and are connected to the rib 15 . The base 22 is a merging portion. In addition, the ribs 12 and 14 branch from the rib 15 at the base 22 . The base 22 is also a branching portion.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the opening 31 is surrounded by the rib 11, the base 21, the rib 15, the base 22 and the rib 12. Figure 1 As shown, the opening 32 is surrounded by the rib 13 , the base 21 , the rib 15 , the base 22 , and the rib 14 .

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the rib 11 has a main portion 11a and a connecting portion 11b. The connecting portion 11b extends from the main portion 11a and connects to the base 21. Specifically, the connecting portion 11b connects the rib 11 to the base 21 and is adjacent to the base 21. The connecting portion 11b has a predetermined length in the direction in which the rib 11 extends. The width of the rib 11 decreases from a predetermined position in front of the base 21 toward the base 21.

[0043] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, the rib 12 has a main portion 12a and a connecting portion 12b. The connecting portion 12b extends from the main portion 12a and connects to the base 22. Specifically, the connecting portion 12b connects the rib 12 to the base 22 and is adjacent to the base 22. The connecting portion 12b has a predetermined length in the direction in which the rib 12 extends. The width of the rib 12 decreases from a predetermined position in front of the base 22 toward the base 22.

[0044] In addition, if Figure 1As shown, the rib 13 has a main portion 13a and a connecting portion 13b. The connecting portion 13b extends from the main portion 13a and connects to the base 21. Specifically, the connecting portion 13b connects the rib 13 to the base 21 and is adjacent to the base 21. The connecting portion 13b has a predetermined length in the direction in which the rib 13 extends. The width of the rib 13 decreases from a predetermined position in front of the base 21 toward the base 21.

[0045] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, the rib 14 has a main portion 14a and a connecting portion 14b. The connecting portion 14b extends from the main portion 14a and connects to the base 22. Specifically, the connecting portion 14b connects the rib 14 to the base 22 and is adjacent to the base 22. The connecting portion 14b has a predetermined length in the direction in which the rib 14 extends. The width of the rib 14 decreases from a predetermined position in front of the base 22 toward the base 22.

[0046] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The XX line cross-sectional view is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the main body portion 11a of the rib 11. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The YY line sectional view is a sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the connecting portion 11b of the rib 11 and a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the connecting portion 13b of the rib 13. Figure 2 、 3 As shown, the sealing gasket 1 has, for example, a metal base 2 and an elastomer 3 covering the base 2. The base 2 has a pair of surfaces 2a and 2b facing each other and is in the shape of a plate. The elastomer 3 is, for example, a coating of the base 2, covering the entire base 2. The metal material of the base 2 is, for example, stainless steel, cold-rolled steel sheet, galvanized steel sheet, aluminum alloy sheet, etc. In addition, the elastic material of the elastomer 3 is, for example, a synthetic rubber or foam rubber containing at least one rubber compound selected from nitrile rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, fluororubber, acrylic rubber, and silicone rubber. The rib 10 is formed, for example, so that the base 2 protrudes from the side of surface 2b to the side of surface 2a.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, the width W11b of the connecting portion 11b of the rib 11 decreases toward the base 21. Thus, the width W11b of the connecting portion 11b of the rib 11 decreases from the width W11a of the main portion 11a of the rib 11. The width of the rib 11 is the width perpendicular to the direction of extension of the rib 11, the width W11b of the connecting portion 11b is the width perpendicular to the direction of extension of the rib 11, and the width W11a of the main portion 11a is the width perpendicular to the direction of extension of the main portion 11a. The width W11b of the connecting portion 11b is, for example, smallest at the end on the base 21 side. Specifically, for example, the width W11b of the connecting portion 11b gradually decreases from the end on the main portion 11a side toward the end on the base 21 side. The width W11b of the connecting portion 11b is not limited to gradually decreasing from the end on the main portion 11a side toward the end on the base 21 side. For example, the width W11b of the connecting portion 11b may be gradually reduced from the end portion on the main body portion 11a side toward the end portion on the base portion 21 side.

[0048] On the other hand, Figure 1 、 2 As shown, the width W11a of the main portion 11a of the rib 11 is uniform or substantially uniform along the extending direction of the main portion 11a. For example, the width of the rib 11 is reduced by 25% in the connecting portion 11b relative to the main portion 11a. Specifically, for example, the width W11b of the end of the connecting portion 11b on the base 21 side is 25% smaller than the width W11a of the main portion 11a.

[0049] Ribs 12-14 also have the same configuration as rib 11, with the widths W12b, W13b, and W14b of their respective connecting portions 12b, 13b, and 14b decreasing similarly to the width W11b of the connecting portion 11b of rib 11. Specifically, the width W12b of the connecting portion 12b of rib 12, like the width W11b of the connecting portion 11b of rib 11, decreases toward the base 22, starting from the width W12a of the main portion 12a of rib 12. Furthermore, the width W13b of the connecting portion 13b of rib 13, like the width W11b of the connecting portion 11b of rib 11, decreases toward the base 21, starting from the width W13a of the main portion 13a of rib 13. Furthermore, similar to the width W11b of the connecting portion 11b of the rib 11 , the width W14b of the connecting portion 14b of the rib 14 decreases toward the base portion 22 , starting from the width W14a of the main body portion 14a of the rib 14 .

[0050] As described above, in the ribs 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the gasket 1, the widths of the connecting portions 11b, 12b, 13b, and 14b decrease from the main portions 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a toward the bases 21 and 22, respectively. This reduces the width of the base 21 where the ribs 11 and 13 meet, and also reduces the width of the base 22 where the ribs 12 and 14 meet. This prevents the reaction force of the rib 10 from decreasing at the base 21 of the rib 10, thereby preventing the reaction force of the rib 10 from becoming uneven.

[0051] As described above, according to the gasket 1 , uniformity of surface pressure at the bases 21 and 22 where the plurality of ribs 10 are connected can be achieved without imposing significant shape restrictions on the ribs 10 .

[0052] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0053] 1. Composition

[0054] (1) Summary

[0055] (2) Branch

[0056] (3) Width of rib

[0057] 2. Effects

[0058] (1) Surface pressure of reference example

[0059] (2) Surface pressure of this embodiment

[0060] 3. Modifications

[0061] 1. Composition

[0062] (1) Summary

[0063] This embodiment is an application example of a metal gasket 101 disposed on a housing of an electric motor (the motor side is not shown). The metal gasket 101 is used to seal a coolant passage provided on the housing of the electric motor, for example.

[0064] The metal gasket 101 of this embodiment is formed by coating the surface of a metal base 102 with an elastic body E, and covering the entire base 102 with the elastic body E (see Figure 7 (A) and (B)). The substrate 102 is plate-shaped and has oppositely facing surfaces 102a and 102b. Examples of materials for the substrate 102 include stainless steel, cold-rolled steel, galvanized steel, and aluminum alloy. Examples of materials for the elastomer E include synthetic rubber or foamed rubber containing at least one of nitrile rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, fluororubber, acrylic rubber, and silicone rubber.

[0065] The metal gasket 101 is annular and has a shape corresponding to the part to which the metal gasket 101 is mounted. Figure 4 As shown, the metal gasket 101 is formed into a ring shape that matches the size of the opening (not shown) of the motor housing. The metal gasket 101 has an inner peripheral end 101a on the inner circumference side. The inner peripheral end 101a defines a connecting hole 111, which is a space connected to the internal space of the motor housing. In addition, the metal gasket 101 has an outer peripheral end 101b, which is an end on the outer circumference side opposite the inner peripheral end 101a. In addition, the metal gasket 101 has one or more openings 112 corresponding to the space to be sealed. The openings 112 are holes that pass through the metal gasket 101. Specifically, the connecting hole 111 is formed in the base 102, for example, in the center portion of the base 102. In addition, the base 102 has a plurality of cooling passage holes 112 as openings 112 around the connecting hole 111. The cooling passage holes 112 pass through the base 102 between the surface 102a and the surface 102b. Multiple cooling passage holes 112 are arranged concentrically with the communication hole 111. Based on this arrangement, support surfaces (land) 113 are provided between adjacent cooling passage holes 112. Furthermore, the metal gasket 101 has a rib 131, described below, formed so that the base 102 protrudes from the surface 102b toward the surface 102a.

[0066] Conceptually, the communication hole 111 and the plurality of cooling passage holes 112 constitute “at least two or more openings.” The communication hole 111 and each cooling passage hole 112 constitute “two openings adjacent to each other.”

[0067] The communication hole 111 is aligned with the internal space of the motor housing, and the cooling passage hole 112 is aligned with the cooling passage provided around the internal space (the motor side is not shown).

[0068] The base 102 of the metal gasket 101 has a rib 131 that surrounds the communicating hole 111 and the cooling passage hole 112. The communicating hole 111 and the cooling passage hole 112 are two openings that branch in three directions and are adjacent to each other. The area of ​​the rib 131 that surrounds the communicating hole 111 is denoted as rib 131A, and the area that surrounds the plurality of cooling passage holes 112 is denoted as rib 131B (see FIG. Figure 6 The rib 131A is a rib 131 for the inner space of the housing, which seals the communication hole 111. The rib 131B is a rib 131 for the cooling passage, which seals the cooling passage hole 112.

[0069] However, in the area where the connecting hole 111 and the cooling passage hole 112 are adjacent, the ribs 131A and 131B are not provided independently, but one rib 131 serves as both the rib 131A for the inner space of the housing and the rib 131B for the cooling passage. Figure 5 As shown, one rib 131 can serve as two types of ribs 131A and 131B having such different functions because the rib 131 branches in three directions.

[0070] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment, the plurality of holes provided on the outer periphery of the base 102 are bolt holes 151 for fixing the metal gasket 101 to the housing of the motor. In addition, the metal gasket 101 is fixed between opposing components in the housing of the motor.

[0071] (2) Branch

[0072] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the rib 131A for the inner space of the housing is not formed into a perfect circle, and has a concave shape 132 at the portion branching in three directions (branching portion 133 described later). The shape of the rib 131A is compared with the reference example described later. Figure 9 The rib 201A for the internal space of the housing shown in FIG. 201A of the reference example does not have the concave shape 132 like the rib 131A of the present embodiment, so the inner peripheral surface is composed of arcs of the same curvature.

[0073] like Figure 6 As shown, the portion of the rib 131 on the support surface 113, the portion of the rib 131 along the communicating hole 111 and the cooling passage hole 112, and the portion of the rib 131 along the support surface 113 along the cooling passage hole 112 respectively have main bodies 131a1, 131a2, 131a3 and connecting parts 131b1, 131b2, 131b3, similar to the rib 10 of the gasket 1 described above. The main bodies 131a1, 131a2, 131a3 and connecting parts 131b1, 131b2, 131b3 of the rib 131 correspond to the main bodies 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a and connecting parts 11b, 12b, 13b, 14b of the rib 10 described above, respectively. The widths of the connecting portions 131b1, 131b2, and 131b3 of the rib 131, similar to the widths of the connecting portions 11b, 12b, 13b, and 14b of the rib 11, decrease toward the branch portion 133, described later. The widths of the main portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3 of the rib 131 decrease, starting from the widths of the main portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3 of the respective portions of the rib 131. This forms a concave shape 132 in the branch portion 133, described later, and the width of the branch portion 133 becomes narrower.

[0074] Figure 6 and Figure 8 Enlarged view Figure 5 The part surrounded by dotted lines in . Figure 6 and Figure 8 , it can be seen that the rib 131 branches in three directions between the ends of the connecting hole 111 and the cooling passage hole 112, which are "two adjacent openings." The first direction D1 of the three directions runs along the connecting hole 111 on the support surface 113. The second direction D2 runs along the adjacent connecting hole 111 and cooling passage hole 112. Furthermore, the third direction D3 runs along the cooling passage hole 112, which is perpendicular to the connecting hole 111.

[0075] The concave shape 132 is provided between the ribs 131 along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0076] In this embodiment, the portion where the ribs 131 branching in the three directions D1 to D3 are connected is called a branch portion 133. The branch portion 133 is a portion where multiple portions of the ribs 131 are connected, and corresponds to the base 20 of the gasket 1 described above. The branch portion 133 has a shape that depicts the center of the ribs 131 branching in the three directions D1 to D3, that is, a triangular area surrounded by the depicted lines. More specifically, it is in the shape of an imaginary triangle TR with three sides bent inward into a concave shape (in Figure 8 (Indicated by two-dot chain lines in the figure). Branching portion 133 branches rib 131 in three directions D1 to D3 from the positions of the three vertices V (V1 to V3) of the triangle TR that forms the triangular zone shape. Since the curved sides of triangle TR are drawn on the line that depicts the center of rib 131, the three vertices V1 to V3 are also located at the center of rib 131. The branching direction from vertex V1 is the first direction D1, the branching direction from vertex V2 is the second direction D2, and the branching direction from vertex V3 is the third direction D3.

[0077] In this embodiment, the branch portion 133 is described as being in the shape of a triangular zone. The concept of a "triangular zone" is proposed because, since the sides of a geometrically defined triangle are straight lines, this concept eliminates any ambiguity in interpretation. Specifically, the branch portion 133 has the shape of a triangle TR, with three sides curved inwards into a concave shape. Therefore, the triangle TR referred to here is not a geometrically defined triangle. Therefore, describing the triangle TR using the term "triangular zone shape," which does not require straight lines, eliminates any ambiguity in interpretation.

[0078] The branch portion 133 forms an acute angle between the rib 131 oriented in the first direction D1 and the rib 131 oriented in the third direction D3 .

[0079] (3) Width of rib

[0080] Figure 7 (A) is Figure 6 The AA line cross-sectional view in FIG. The AA line cross-sections the rib 131 at a position away from the branch portion 133, i.e., outside the branch portion 133 and the connecting portions 131b1, 131b2, and 131b3. Figure 7 As shown in (A), the width of the rib 131 in this portion is width W1. Width W1 is not limited to Figure 6 The position of the line AA in FIG. 1 is the width of the rib 131 at a portion other than the branch portion 133 and the connecting portions 131 b 1 , 131 b 2 , and 131 b 3 .

[0081] Figure 7 (B) is Figure 6 The BB line cross-sectional view in FIG. The BB line is a cross-sectional view of the rib 131 located at the branch portion 133. Figure 7 As shown in (B), the width of the rib 131 in this portion is width W2.

[0082] (3-1) First Explanation

[0083] Figure 6 In the figure, the cross section of line BB is located in the rib 131 of the branch portion 133. If the concave shape 132 is not provided (refer to Figure 9 (B)) becomes the part with the largest width. Figure 7 As shown in (A) and (B), in this embodiment, since the concave shape 132 is provided, the width W1 of the rib 131 located outside the branch portion 133 is substantially the same as the width W2 of the rib 131 located at the branch portion 133.

[0084] (3-2) Second Explanation

[0085] like Figure 8 As shown, the width W2 of the rib 131 at the branch portion 133 can also be determined from another perspective. Figure 5 The width W2 of the rib 131 in the illustrated branching portion 133 is the width between the two vertices V1 and V3 of the triangle TR, where the two ribs 131 branch off at an acute angle. In other words, the length between vertices V1 and V3 represents the width W2 of the rib 131. As mentioned above, since vertices V (V1-V3) are located at the center of the rib 131, the length between vertices V1 and V3 is the length connecting the center of the rib 131 branching in the first direction D1 with the center of the rib 131 branching in the third direction D3 at the location of vertex V.

[0086] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, the width W1 is 2.0 mm and the width W2 is 1.95 mm.

[0087] Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the first interpretation is adopted, the width W2 of the rib 131 at the branch portion 133 is substantially the same as the width W1 of the rib 131 at locations other than the branch portion 133. In contrast, when the second interpretation is adopted, the width W2 of the rib 131 at the branch portion 133 is slightly narrower than the width W1 of the rib 131 at locations other than the branch portion 133.

[0088] Regarding the width W2 of the rib 131 at the branch portion 133, two interpretations are given as to which portion corresponds to the width W2. In practice, either interpretation may be adopted.

[0089] However, the width W2 of the rib 131 located at the branch portion 133 must be within the range from being consistent or consistent with the width W1 of the rib 131 located at the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3 to half the width W1 of the rib 131 located at the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3.

[0090] As an example of the matching condition, the width W2 of the rib 131 located in the branch portion 133 is within ±10% of the width W1 of the rib 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3, i.e., an increase of 10% as the upper limit and a decrease of 10% as the lower limit. In other words, the range in which the width W2 of the rib 131 located in the branch portion 133 matches the width W1 of the rib 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3 is within the range in which the width W2 of the rib 131 located in the branch portion 133 is greater than or equal to 90% and less than or equal to 110% of the width W1 of the rib 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3. Alternatively, the width W2 of the rib 131 located at the branch portion 133 may be uniform to half the width W1 of the rib 131 located at the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3. In this case, the width W2 of the rib 131 located at the branch portion 133 is within a range of not less than 50% and not more than 110% of the width W1 of the rib 131 located at the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3.

[0091] For example, if the width W1 of the ribs 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3 is 2.0 mm, and the width W2 of the ribs 131 located in the branch portions 133 is within the range of 1.8 to 2.2 mm, then the width W2 of the ribs 131 located in the branch portions 133 can be considered to be consistent with the width W1 of the ribs 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3. Alternatively, the width W2 of the ribs 131 located in the branch portions 133 can be considered to be consistent with the width W1 of the ribs 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3. Similarly, if the width W1 of the ribs 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3 is 4.0 mm, then the width W2 of the ribs 131 located in the branch portions 133 can be considered to be consistent with the width W1 of the ribs 131 located in the branch portions 133. Alternatively, in this case, the width W2 of the rib 131 at the branch portion 133 may also be within the range of 2.0 to 4.4 mm.

[0092] As can be seen from the above description, in this embodiment, the concept of "coincidence" does not necessarily require the width W2 of the rib 131 located at the branch portion 133 to be identical to the width W1 of the ribs 131 located at the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3. The rib 131 located at the branch portion 133 can be considered "coincidental" if its width W2 is within a range of ±10% of the width W1 of the ribs 131 located at the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3.

[0093] 2. Effects

[0094] The effects are described.

[0095] (1) Surface pressure of reference example

[0096] Please refer to Figure 9 (A)(B). Figure 9 (A) shows the rib 131 of this embodiment in the branch portion 133. Figure 9 (B) shows the rib 201 of the reference example in the branch portion 133. This embodiment is different from the reference example in at least the following two points.

[0097] The size of the imaginary triangle TR in the branch portion 133 (the presence or absence of the concave shape 132 ).

[0098] The overall shape of the ribs 131 , 201 .

[0099] In the reference example, the size of the imaginary triangle TR in the branch portion 133 is larger than that of the present embodiment by the amount that the concave shape 132 is not present. Therefore, the width W2C of the rib 201 located in the branch portion 133 (see Figure 11 (B)) is larger than the width W2 of the rib 131 of this embodiment (refer to Figure 11 (A)) width.

[0100] In this embodiment, the width of the rib 131 is narrowed not only in the concave shape 132 but also in the connecting portions 131b1, 131b2, and 131b3 of the rib 131. In contrast, the width of the rib 201 of the reference example is uniform in the region other than the imaginary triangle TR in the branch portion 133. As a result, the width W2C of the rib 201 located in the branch portion 133 (see FIG. Figure 11 (B)) is larger than the width W2 of the branch portion 133 of this embodiment (refer to Figure 11 (A)) width.

[0101] Figure 10 (A) shows the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 The AA line cross-sectional view in (A) shows the width W1 of the rib 131 located at the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3.

[0102] Figure 10 (B) shows a reference example Figure 9 The AA line cross-sectional view in (B) shows the width W1C of the rib 201 at a portion other than the branch portion 133 .

[0103] Compare Figure 10 As can be seen from Figures (A) and (B), the present embodiment and the reference example do not differ in the width W1 of the ribs 131 located in the main bodies 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3, or the width W1C of the ribs 201 located outside the branch portions 133. This is because the concave shape 132 in the main bodies 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3 has no effect on the widths W1 and W1C of the ribs 131 and 201.

[0104] Figure 11 (A) shows the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 The BB line cross-sectional view in (A) shows the width W2 of the rib 131 located at the branch portion 133 .

[0105] Figure 11 (B) shows a reference example Figure 9 The cross-sectional view along line BB in FIG. 1 shows the width W2C of the rib 201 located at the branch portion 133 .

[0106] Compare Figure 11 As can be seen from (A) and (B), the reference example has wider widths W2 and W2C of the ribs 131 and 201 at the branch portion 133 than the present embodiment. This is because the concave shape 132 cannot reduce the width W2 in the reference example.

[0107] like Figure 12 As shown, the inventors of this application conducted experiments using pressure-sensitive paper TP to verify the contact pressure exerted by rib 201 of a reference example on a mating component. The lines or surfaces appearing on pressure-sensitive paper TP represent areas where a certain contact pressure is applied. As a result, the inventors discovered that thread detachment occurred along the seal line SL of rib 201.

[0108] It is known that Figure 12 Threads fell off at two locations indicated by the middle arrows.

[0109] It is speculated that the reason for the line falling off may be the difference in local width generated on the rib 201. Figure 10 (B) and Figure 11 As can be seen from (B), in the reference example, the width W2C of the rib 201 at the branch portion 133 is wider than the width W1C of the rib 201 at locations other than the branch portion 133. When comparing contact pressure at the same compression amount, the wider portion has a lower contact pressure than the narrower portion, presumably resulting in insufficient contact pressure and thread separation on the seal line SL.

[0110] (2) Surface pressure of this embodiment

[0111] like Figure 10 (A) Figure 11 As shown in (A), in this embodiment, the width W1 of the ribs 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3 is substantially equal to the width W2 of the ribs 131 located in the branch portion 133. Alternatively, the width W2 of the ribs 131 located in the branch portion 133 is set to an upper limit of 10% increase in the width W1 of the ribs 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3 and a lower limit of 50% decrease.

[0112] Therefore, there is almost no or very little difference in contact pressure between the ribs 131 located at the branch portion 133 and the ribs 131 located at locations other than the branch portion 133. As a result, it is possible to prevent partial thread dropout.

[0113] Figure 13 The graph shows the difference in rib reaction force as the rib width varies with the thickness of the metal gasket. The solid line shows the test results for a relatively narrow rib width, and the dotted line shows the test results for a relatively wide rib width.

[0114] from Figure 13It is also clear from the graph that there is a correlation between the rib width and the rib reaction force. It can be seen from this that if there is a difference in the rib width, as shown in the reference example, the rib reaction force will also be different. As in this embodiment, when there is almost no difference in the rib width or even if there is a small difference, there will be no difference in the rib reaction force. Figure 13 As can be seen from the graph of , the metal gasket 101 of this embodiment can prevent local wire falling off.

[0115] 3. Modifications

[0116] Various modifications and variations are permitted during implementation.

[0117] In this embodiment, the metal gasket 101 is described with respect to specific applications, shapes, sizes, materials, structures, etc. However, in practice, the metal gasket 101 is not necessarily limited to these applications, shapes, sizes, materials, structures, etc., and various modifications and changes are possible.

[0118] For example, in the above embodiment, the metal gasket 101 used in the housing of the electric motor is described, but it is not limited to such use and can also be implemented as a metal gasket used in other fields such as between the cylinder block and cylinder head of the engine or for air compressors, as well as in construction machinery other than automobiles, agricultural machinery, industrial robots, etc. Figure 14 As shown in FIG. 1 , a metal gasket 101 can be used to seal a cooling water path 301 of a motor 300 for an electric vehicle. Specifically, as shown in FIG. Figure 14 As shown, a metal gasket 101 is used to be sandwiched between an end face 303 of a housing 302 of an electric motor 300 having a plurality of cooling water channels 301 formed therein and a component (not shown) of the electric motor 300 having a surface opposing the end face 303. In this case, the rib 131 of the metal gasket 101 is formed to surround the plurality of cooling water channels 301 and form an inner circumferential surface 304 that defines the interior space of the housing 302. Furthermore, as an example, the interior space of the housing 302 houses the components of the electric motor, such as a stator and a rotor. Furthermore, the interior space of the housing 302 houses, for example, an electric motor, and the housing of the electric motor and the housing 302 are integrally formed.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the relationship between the width W1 of the ribs 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3 and the width W2 of the ribs 131 located in the branch portions 133 is exemplified as being substantially equal, or as being such that the width W2 of the ribs 131 located in the branch portions 133 is set to be 10% greater than the width W1 of the ribs 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3 and 50% less than the width W1 of the ribs 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3, in other words, to be 110% or less and 50% or more. However, in practice, the width W2 of the ribs 131 located in the branch portions 133 may be 110% or less and 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, or 90% or more of the width W1 of the ribs 131 located in the main body portions 131a1, 131a2, and 131a3.

[0120] Apart from these, any other changes or modifications are permitted.

[0121] While the present invention has been described above through the above embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. As can be seen from the claims, embodiments resulting from such modifications or improvements are also within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0122] The embodiments described above are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. In addition, the above embodiments do not limit the objects of use of the present invention, and the present invention may include all objects of use as its objects of use. The various components and their configurations, materials, conditions, shapes and sizes possessed by the above embodiments are not limited to the illustrative contents and may be appropriately changed. For example, the present invention includes differences arising from the implementation of manufacturing tolerances, etc. In addition, within the scope of technical non-contradiction, the components shown in different embodiments may be partially replaced or combined. In addition, in order to achieve at least a portion of the above-mentioned problems and effects, the various structures may be appropriately and selectively combined.

[0123] Reference numerals:

[0124] 1: Sealing gasket

[0125] 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15: convex ribs

[0126] 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a: Main body

[0127] 11b, 12b, 13b, 14b: Connecting parts

[0128] 20, 21, 22: base

[0129] 31, 32: opening

[0130] 101: Metal gasket

[0131] 101a: Inner end

[0132] 101b: peripheral end

[0133] 102: Matrix

[0134] 102a, 102b: Noodles

[0135] 111: Connecting hole

[0136] 112: Cooling passage hole (opening)

[0137] 113: Support surface

[0138] 131, 131A, 131B: convex ribs

[0139] 132: Concave shape

[0140] 133: Branch

[0141] 151: Bolt hole

[0142] 201, 201A: convex rib (reference example)

[0143] D1: First direction

[0144] D2: Second direction

[0145] D3: The third direction

[0146] E: Elastomer

[0147] SL: Sealing Line

[0148] TP: Pressure-sensitive paper

[0149] TR: Triangle

[0150] V, V1, V2, V3: Vertex

[0151] W1: Width of the rib located on the main body

[0152] W2: Width of the rib at the branch

[0153] W1C: Width of the rib outside the branch area (reference example)

[0154] W2C: Width of the rib at the branch (reference example)

Claims

1. A sealing gasket for sealing between two opposing parts, comprising: multiple ribs; as well as at least one base, wherein the base is a portion where a plurality of the ribs are connected. The plurality of ribs connected to the base have respective widths that decrease toward the base.

2. The sealing gasket according to claim 1, wherein The width of the rib decreases from a predetermined position before the base toward the base.

3. The sealing gasket according to claim 1, wherein: The width of the rib is reduced within 25%.

4. The sealing gasket according to claim 1, wherein The width of the rib gradually decreases toward the base.

5. The sealing gasket according to claim 1, comprising: A metal base; as well as an elastomer covering the substrate, The plurality of ribs and the at least one base are formed on the elastic body.

6. The sealing gasket according to claim 1, wherein The base has at least one opening. One or more ribs surrounding the opening are connected to the base.

7. A sealing gasket comprising: A metal base having at least two openings adjacent to each other; a convex rib formed integrally with the base, branching in three directions and surrounding two adjacent openings; as well as The branch portion is arranged in the shape of a triangular zone at the branch position of the rib, so that the rib branches in three directions from the positions of the three vertices. The width of the rib located at the branch portion is less than or equal to 110% of the width of the rib located at a portion other than the branch portion.

8. The sealing gasket according to claim 7, wherein: The width of the rib located at the branch portion is at least 50% of the width of the rib located at a portion other than the branch portion.

9. A sealing gasket comprising: A metal base having at least two openings adjacent to each other; a convex rib formed integrally with the base, branching in three directions and surrounding two adjacent openings; as well as The branch portion is arranged in the shape of a triangular zone at the branch position of the rib, so that the rib branches in three directions from the positions of the three vertices. The branch portion has a concave shape that narrows the width of the rib so that the width of the rib located at the branch portion is equal to the width of the rib located at a portion other than the branch portion.

10. The sealing gasket according to claim 9, wherein: The range in which the width of the rib at the branch portion is made equal to the width of the rib at a location other than the branch portion is a range in which the width of the rib at the branch portion is greater than or equal to 50% and less than or equal to 110% of the width of the rib at a location other than the branch portion.

11. The sealing gasket according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein: The triangular area has a triangular shape with three sides curved inwardly into a concave shape.

12. The sealing gasket according to claim 11, wherein In the convex ribs branching off the branch portion, an angle formed by two of the convex ribs is an acute angle.

13. The sealing gasket according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein: The width of the rib located at the branch portion is the maximum width among the ribs located at the branch portion.

14. The sealing gasket according to claim 12, wherein: The width of the rib at the branch portion is a width between two vertices of the triangular shape of two rib branches forming an acute angle.

15. The sealing gasket according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein: The base body is covered by an elastic body, and the material of the elastic body is rubber.

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