Preparation mold of sealing element and sealing element

Abstract

The preparation mold of the sealing element comprises an upper mold and a lower mold, at least two containing cavities are formed after the upper mold and the lower mold are closed, the upper mold comprises a first forming face, the lower mold comprises a second forming face, at least part of the first forming face forms at least part of the upper wall face of the containing cavity, and at least part of the second forming face forms at least part of the lower wall face of the containing cavity. At least part of the second forming surface forms at least part of the lower wall surface of the accommodating cavity; the containing cavity comprises a first containing cavity body and a second containing cavity body, the first containing cavity body extends in an arch shape, the second containing cavity body is located on the periphery of at least part of the first containing cavity body, and the first containing cavity body is communicated with the second containing cavity body. A certain extension space is reserved between the two different materials, material wrinkles caused by different expansion rates of the materials after temperature rise in the machining process are reduced, and the forming yield of the sealing element can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of sealing component manufacturing technology, and in particular to a sealing component preparation mold and a sealing component. Background Technology

[0002] Seals are typically made of rubber, and their sealing function usually relies on the elasticity of the rubber. However, in some applications, such as valves, moving parts slide relative to the seal. Due to the high resistance of the rubber, this hinders the smooth movement of the moving parts. Related technologies use a patch with a relatively low coefficient of friction on one side of the seal to reduce the resistance between the rubber and the seal. However, the patch's material differs from the rubber, and ensuring a good bond between the patch and the rubber during the vulcanization process is a key technical challenge. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a preparation mold that helps improve the yield of seal molding.

[0004] This application provides a mold for preparing a seal, including an upper mold and a lower mold. After the upper mold and the lower mold are closed, at least two receiving cavities are formed. The upper mold includes a first forming surface, and the lower mold includes a second forming surface. The first forming surface at least partially constitutes at least a portion of the upper wall surface of the receiving cavity, and the second forming surface at least partially constitutes at least a portion of the lower wall surface of the receiving cavity.

[0005] The receiving cavity includes a first receiving cavity and a second receiving cavity. The first receiving cavity extends in an arch shape, and the second receiving cavity is located at least part of the periphery of the first receiving cavity. The first receiving cavity communicates with the second receiving cavity.

[0006] The inventors of this application discovered that during the molding process of sealing components, the preform and the elastic component have different coefficients of thermal expansion and contraction. This results in different elongation rates of the two materials during the heating process, which can easily cause wrinkling and deformation of the composite material, leading to a decrease in the yield. This application addresses this by providing a second receiving cavity between the upper and lower molds that connects to the first receiving cavity. This allows for a certain amount of elongation space between the two different materials, reducing material wrinkling caused by the different expansion rates of the materials after heating during processing, and thus helping to improve the molding yield of the sealing components. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the preparation mold of this application;

[0008] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0009] Figure 3 for Figure 1A schematic diagram of the exploded structure;

[0010] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the lower mold according to the second embodiment of the mold preparation method of this application;

[0011] Figure 5 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the upper mold of the second embodiment of the mold preparation method of this application;

[0012] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0013] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the lower mold.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a sealing element prepared using the mold described in this application.

[0015] Figure label:

[0016] 1. Upper mold; 11. First molding surface; 12. Receiving part; 111. First protrusion; 112. Injection port; 113. Injection channel; 2. Lower mold; 21. Second molding surface; 211. Arched surface; 212. Outer surface; 22. Limiting element; 221. Limiting end; 222. Elastic element; 23. Main body; 231. Recessed part; 213. Second protrusion; 2131. Peripheral sidewall; 2111. Arc-shaped segment; 2112. Straight segment; 3. Receiving cavity; 31. First receiving cavity; 32. Second receiving cavity; 311. Gap; 4. Parting surface; 01. Inner surface; 02. Outer surface; 03. Elastic part; 04. Smooth part; 041. Contact part; 042. Transition part; 05. Through hole. Specific Implementation

[0017] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0018] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this application specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, "an" or "a" and similar terms do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one; "several" indicates a quantity of two or more, unless otherwise specified. The directional terms such as upper, lower, left, right, front, back, inner, outer, top, bottom, etc., mentioned or possibly used herein are defined relative to the construction shown in the corresponding drawings. They are relative concepts and may therefore vary depending on their location and usage. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be interpreted as restrictive terms. The terms "comprising" or "including," etc., indicate that the elements or objects preceding "comprising" or "including" encompass the elements or objects listed following "comprising" or "including" and their equivalents, but do not exclude other elements or objects.

[0019] The preparation mold for the sealing element according to the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the features of the following embodiments and implementation methods can complement or combine with each other.

[0020] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 and Figure 2 In a first embodiment of a mold for preparing a seal, the mold is used to prepare a seal that is arched and includes an elastic portion and a smooth portion. The mold includes an upper mold 1 and a lower mold 2. After the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 2 are closed, at least two receiving cavities 3 are formed. The upper mold 1 includes a first forming surface 11, and the lower mold 2 includes a second forming surface 21. The first forming surface 11 at least partially constitutes at least a portion of the upper wall surface of the receiving cavity, and the second forming surface 21 at least partially constitutes at least a portion of the lower wall surface of the receiving cavity. Further, the receiving cavity 3 includes a first receiving cavity 31, which extends in an arched shape. Specifically, a portion of the first forming surface 11 is recessed inward, and correspondingly, a portion of the first forming surface 11 is recessed inward. The second molding surface 21 protrudes outward. After the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 2 are closed, at least part of the second molding surface 21 can be accommodated in the cavity formed by the recess of the first molding surface 11. At this time, there is a gap between the protruding second molding surface 21 and the first molding surface 11. The space formed by this gap constitutes the first receiving cavity 31. During the filling process of the rubber material, the rubber material softened by heat flows into the first receiving cavity 31 and is shaped to form the main body 23 of the sealing element. Since the first receiving cavity 31 extends in an arch shape, the main body 23 of the formed sealing element has an arc-shaped structure. The arc-shaped sealing element can better cooperate or fit with cylindrical or similar cylindrical moving parts, which helps to improve the sealing effect of the sealing element.

[0021] Furthermore, the receiving cavity 3 includes a second receiving cavity 32, which is located at least partially around the first receiving cavity 31. The first receiving cavity 31 is connected to the second receiving cavity 32. The inventors of this application have discovered that during the rubber vulcanization process, the coefficients of thermal expansion and contraction of the preform forming the smooth part and the rubber are different. This results in different elongation rates of the two materials during the heating process, which can easily cause wrinkling and deformation of the composite material, leading to a decrease in the yield. This application provides a second receiving cavity 32 connected to the first receiving cavity 31 between the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 2, leaving a certain elongation space for the two different materials, reducing wrinkles caused by the different expansion rates of the materials after heating during the vulcanization process, and helping to improve the molding yield of the seal.

[0022] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, the second molding surface 21 is generally Ω-shaped. Specifically, the second molding surface 21 includes an arched surface 211 and an extended surface 212. The extended surface 212 connects to the end of the arched surface 211 and extends in a direction away from the arched surface 211. The arched surface 211 forms at least a portion of the lower wall of the first receiving cavity 31, and the extended surface 212 forms at least a portion of the lower wall of the second receiving cavity 32. The mating surface after the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 2 are closed is defined as the parting surface 4. The extended surface 212 is positioned relative to the parting surface 4. The outer surface 212 is recessed downwards, meaning it is recessed relative to the parting surface 4 on the side away from the upper mold 1. The width of the outer surface 212 is not less than the width of the arched surface 211. The space formed between the outer surface 212 and the first molding surface 11 is the second receiving cavity 32. Furthermore, the height of the second receiving cavity 32 is between 0.3mm and 1mm, including the endpoint value. More specifically, this height is set to 0.5mm. If the height is too large, the waste of raw materials will increase. If it is too small, the preform cannot enter the second receiving cavity 32. In the process of preparing the seal, the preform is generally placed against the arched surface 211 before molding. Then, the mold is closed and the rubber material is injected. After a certain period of vulcanization, a rubber part of a certain shape is formed above the preform. During the vulcanization process, when the preform undergoes dimensional deformation due to thermal expansion, it can extend into the second receiving cavity 32, avoiding wrinkles in the preform due to space limitations. This prevents the final product from having an unqualified appearance, affecting the sealing effect and appearance yield of the seal.

[0023] See Figure 4 The lower mold 2 includes a limiting member 22, which is located near the edge of the arched surface 211 or the outer extension surface 212. The limiting member 22 protrudes from the parting surface 4 and extends towards the upper mold 1. By setting the limiting member 22 in the lower mold 2, when the preform is placed at the arched surface 211 of the lower mold 2 before the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 2 are closed, the limiting member 22 can limit the preform and prevent the preform from moving or misaligning during the mold closing process, which would result in the final product being unqualified.

[0024] See Figure 5 Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper mold 1 includes a receiving portion 12. When the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 2 are closed, the limiting member 22 is located in the receiving portion 12. Of course, in another embodiment, the limiting member 22 may include a limiting end 221 (not shown in the figure) and an elastic member 222 (not shown in the figure). The lower mold 2 includes a main body 23, and the main body 23 includes a recessed portion 231 (not shown in the figure). At least part of the elastic member 222 is located between the limiting end 221 and the recessed portion 231. When the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 2 are closed, the limiting member 22 can be accommodated in the recessed portion 231. By providing a receiving portion 12 in the upper mold 1 or a recessed portion 231 in the lower mold 2, the purpose of ensuring that the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 2 can be closed smoothly without being affected by the limiting member 22 can be achieved.

[0025] See Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The first molding surface 11 includes a plurality of protruding first protrusions 111, which are spaced apart. The second molding surface 21 includes a plurality of protruding second protrusions 213, which are spaced apart. The first protrusions 111 and the second protrusions 213 are arranged opposite to each other. "Against each other" means that the end faces of the first protrusions 111 and the second protrusions 213 are facing each other. When the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 2 are closed, there is a gap 311 between the first protrusions 111 and the second protrusions 213. When the adhesive enters the first receiving cavity 31 through the injection port 112, a portion of the adhesive will fill the gap 311 between the first protrusions 111 and the second protrusions 213. After curing and shaping, this gap 311 area forms a cutting area with a thickness smaller than the adjacent area. The cutting area is cut off after being processed by the cutting equipment to form a connecting hole.

[0026] Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second protrusion 213 gradually decreases from the root to the end. The term "gradually" here is not limited to a fixed ratio of reduction. As long as it conforms to the trend from large to small, it is within the scope of protection of this patent. In this embodiment, the peripheral sidewall 2131 of the second protrusion 213 is a slope. The special setting of the second protrusion 213 helps the preform to form a transition part on the peripheral sidewall 2131 of the second protrusion 213. The existence of the transition part makes it less likely for the moving part to rub against the seal, causing the seal to twist or the moving part to jam.

[0027] Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first protrusion 111 is the same from the root to the end, that is, the peripheral sidewall 2131 of the first protrusion 111 is a straight surface. In the subsequent cutting process, the peripheral sidewall 2131 of the recess 231 formed by the first protrusion 111 can be used to position the cutting tool and ensure the accuracy of the position of the sealing hole.

[0028] See Figure 1 and Figure 6 The upper mold 1 includes a glue injection channel 113, and the first molding surface 11 includes at least two glue injection ports 112. The glue injection ports 112 are connected to the glue injection channel 113. Further, the midpoint of the highest point of the arched surface 211 is defined as the structural center of the arched surface 211. Multiple glue injection ports 12 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the structural center of the arched surface 211. At least some of the glue injection ports 112 are located on the first protrusions 111. For example, there are 3 glue injection ports 112. One glue injection port 112 is located on the first molding surface 11 directly opposite the highest point of the arched surface 211. Two other glue injection ports 112 are located on the extension line of the arched surface 211 passing through this glue injection port 112. The other two glue injection ports 112 are symmetrically arranged with respect to this glue injection port 112. Further, the 3 glue injection ports 112 are respectively located on the 3 first protrusions 111. In the subsequent cutting process, the glue residue corresponding to the glue injection port 112, along with some glue material, is removed. A typical mold for preparing a sealant with three injection ports 112 is suitable for preparing sealants with interconnecting holes spaced apart along the length of the sealant. A mold for preparing a sealant with all three injection ports 112 located on the first protrusion 111 is suitable for preparing sealants with an odd number of interconnecting holes, such as 7-hole sealants or 9-hole sealants. Of course, it can also be used for sealants with an even number of interconnecting holes without any particular limitation.

[0029] For example, there are 8 injection ports 112. Four injection ports 112 are located near the center of the arched surface 211 structure. These four injection ports 112 are symmetrically arranged around the center of the structure. The other four injection ports 112 are respectively located at the four first protrusions 111 closest to the center of the structure. It can also be understood that the four first protrusions 111 are symmetrically arranged around the center of the structure. The mold for preparing the seal with 8 injection ports 112 is suitable for preparing seals with connecting holes arranged in double rows along the length of the seal. The number of connecting holes is generally even, such as 6-hole seals or 8-hole seals. Of course, it can also be used for seals with an odd number of connecting holes. There is no special limitation on this. By setting the injection ports 112 symmetrically arranged relative to the center of the structure, and with the injection ports 112 set close to the center of the structure, since the injection channel 113 of the injection port 112 closest to the highest point is the shortest, the heated and molten adhesive first flows out from one or several injection ports 112 corresponding to the highest point, and then flows out from the remaining injection ports 112. On the one hand, this helps the adhesive to fill the first receiving cavity 31 more evenly, and on the other hand, it helps to avoid wrinkles in the prefabricated parts caused by the impact at the highest point to reduce friction. Therefore, the special setting of the injection ports 112 helps to improve the yield of the seal.

[0030] See Figure 7Furthermore, the arched surface 211 includes an arc segment 2111 and two straight segments 2112. The arc segment 2111 is located between the two straight segments 2112, and at least part of the second protrusion 213 is located in the straight segment 2112. The included angle between the arched surface 211 and the parting surface 4 is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 120 degrees. Since the second protrusion 213 is located in the straight segment 2112, a certain avoidance angle is set for convenient demolding. The included angle between the arched surface 211 and the parting surface 4 is greater than 90 degrees. On the other hand, in order to make the seal better fit the cylindrical or similar cylindrical moving parts and reduce the wrinkling or scraping of the seal caused by the rotation of the moving parts, the seal is as arc-shaped as possible. Therefore, the included angle between the arched surface 211 and the parting surface 4 of the mold should not be too large. Preferably, the included angle between the arched surface 211 and the parting surface 4 is between 93 degrees and 100 degrees, including the endpoint value.

[0031] See Figure 4 , Figure 4 The second embodiment of the mold for preparing the seal of this application is basically the same as the first embodiment, and will not be repeated here. The main differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment are described below.

[0032] See Figure 4 The outer extension surface 212 connects to the arched surface 211 and surrounds the outer periphery of the arched surface 211. Specifically, the axial direction of the two arc-shaped sides of the arched surface 211 is defined. The outer extension surface 212 connects to the end of the arched surface 211 and extends in a direction away from the arched surface 211. Furthermore, the outer extension surface 212 extends away from the arched surface 211 along its axial direction. The arched surface 211 constitutes the first receiving cavity 31. A small portion of the lower wall surface, the extended surface 212, constitutes at least part of the lower wall surface of the second receiving cavity 32. The mating surface after the upper mold 1 and the lower mold 2 are closed is defined as the parting surface 4. The extended surface 212 is recessed downward relative to the parting surface 4, that is, the extended surface 212 is recessed towards the side away from the upper mold 1 relative to the parting surface 4. The width of the extended surface 212 is not less than the width of the arched surface 211. The space formed between the extended surface 212 and the first forming surface 11 is the second receiving cavity 32. By setting the second receiving cavity 32 to surround the outer periphery of the first receiving cavity 31, when the preform undergoes dimensional deformation in multiple directions due to thermal expansion during the sealing component preparation process, it can extend into the second receiving cavity 32, avoiding wrinkles in the preform due to space limitations, which would result in unqualified appearance of the final molded product, affecting the sealing effect and appearance yield of the sealing component.

[0033] See Figure 8In another aspect, this application also provides a sealing element that can be manufactured using the preparation mold described above. The sealing element is arched and includes an inner side surface 01 and an outer side surface 02. The sealing element includes an elastic portion 03 and a smooth portion 04, with the smooth portion 04 at least partially covering the inner side surface 01. Specifically, the sealing process includes a vulcanization process, which requires the preparation mold described above. First, a preform forming the smooth portion of the sealing element is placed in the lower mold 2, and a limiting member 22 ensures that the preform does not deviate from the second forming surface 21 during the mold closing process.

[0034] Furthermore, the seal includes at least two through holes 05, and the smooth portion 04 includes a contact portion 041 and a transition portion 042. The extension surface of the contact portion 041 includes an inner side surface 01, and the transition portion 042 is disposed around the through holes 05, extending from the contact portion 041 to the outer side surface. Specifically, the upper mold 1 of the preparation mold includes a first protrusion 111, and the lower mold 2 includes a second protrusion 213. The first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 213 are disposed opposite to each other. The cross-sectional area of ​​the second protrusion 213 gradually decreases from the root to the end, so that the composite material after vulcanization forms a transition portion 042 at the attachment where the through holes are to be formed. The transition portion 042 makes it less likely for the moving part to rub against the seal, causing the seal to twist or the moving part to jam, when it moves relative to the seal.

[0035] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical solutions described in the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still make modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention. All technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mold for preparing a seal, comprising an upper mold (1) and a lower mold (2), wherein the upper mold and the lower mold (2) are closed to form at least two receiving cavities (3), the upper mold (1) comprising a first forming surface (11), the lower mold (2) comprising a second forming surface (21), the first forming surface (11) comprising at least a portion of the upper wall surface of the receiving cavity (3), and the second forming surface (21) comprising at least a portion of the lower wall surface of the receiving cavity (3); The receiving cavity (3) includes a first receiving cavity (31) and a second receiving cavity (32). The first receiving cavity (31) extends in an arch shape, and the second receiving cavity (32) is located at least part of the periphery of the first receiving cavity (31). The first receiving cavity (31) communicates with the second receiving cavity (32).

2. The preparation mold according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second forming surface (21) includes an arched surface (211) and an extension surface (212), the extension surface (212) being connected to the arched surface (211), the arched surface (211) forming at least a portion of the lower wall of the first receiving cavity (31), the extension surface (212) forming at least a portion of the lower wall of the second receiving cavity (32), the extension surface (212) being connected to the end of the arched surface (211), and the extension surface (212) extending in a direction away from the arched surface (211).

3. The preparation mold according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second forming surface (21) includes an arched surface (211) and an extension surface (212), the extension surface (212) being connected to the arched surface (211). The lower wall of the first receiving cavity (31) includes the arched surface (211), and the lower wall of the second receiving cavity (32) includes the extension surface (212). The arrangement direction of the two arc-shaped sides of the arched surface (211) is defined as the axial direction, and the extension surface (212) extends away from the arched surface (211) along the axial direction of the arched surface (211).

4. The preparation mold according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first molding surface (11) includes a plurality of protruding first protrusions (111), which are spaced apart. The second molding surface (21) includes a plurality of protruding second protrusions (213), which are spaced apart. The first protrusions (111) and the second protrusions (213) are arranged opposite to each other. When the upper mold (1) and the lower mold (2) are closed, there is a gap (311) between the first protrusions (111) and the second protrusions (213).

5. The preparation mold according to claim 4, characterized in that, The upper mold (1) includes a glue injection channel (113), and the first molding surface (11) includes at least two glue injection ports (112). The glue injection ports (112) are connected to the glue injection channel (113). The midpoint of the highest point of the arched surface (211) is defined as the structural center of the arched surface (211). Multiple glue injection ports (112) are symmetrically arranged with respect to the structural center. At least some of the glue injection ports (112) are located on the surface of the first protrusion (111).

6. The preparation mold according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The cross-sectional area of ​​the second protrusion (213) gradually decreases from the root to the end, while the cross-sectional area of ​​the first protrusion (111) remains the same from the root to the end.

7. The preparation mold according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The arched surface (211) includes an arc segment (2111) and two straight segments (2112). The arc segment (2111) is located between the two straight segments (2112). At least part of the second protrusion (213) is located in the straight segment (2112). The joint surface of the upper mold and the lower mold (2) after mold closing is defined as the parting surface (4). The included angle between the arched surface (211) and the parting surface (4) is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 120 degrees.

8. The preparation mold according to claim 3, characterized in that, The lower mold (2) includes a limiting member (22), which is located near the edge of the outer surface (212) or the arched surface (211). The joint surface of the upper mold (1) and the lower mold (2) after mold closing is defined as the parting surface (4). The limiting member (22) protrudes from the parting surface (4) and extends toward the side of the upper mold (1).

9. A sealing element, characterized in that, The seal can be prepared using the preparation mold as described in claims 1-9. The seal is arched and includes an inner side (01) and an outer side (02). The seal includes an elastic part (03) and a smooth part (04), and the smooth part (04) at least partially covers the inner side (01).

10. The seal according to claim 9, characterized in that, The seal includes at least two through holes (05), the smooth portion (04) includes a contact portion (041) and a transition portion (042), the extension surface of the contact portion (041) includes the inner side surface (01), the transition portion (042) is disposed around the through holes (05), and the transition portion (042) extends from the contact portion (041) toward the outer side surface (02).

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