Sealing method

Abstract

The invention provides a sealing method for improving the adhesion between a structure and a sealing material. The first structural body has a first sealing surface, a first structural surface along a direction intersecting the first sealing surface, and a first corner located between the first sealing surface and the first structural surface. The second structural body has a second sealing surface, a second structural surface along a direction intersecting the second sealing surface, and a second corner located between the second sealing surface and the second structural surface, the second corner has a first connecting surface connecting the second sealing surface and the second structural surface, and the first connecting surface is configured as an inclined surface or a convex curved surface. The sealing method is provided with: a coating step for coating the sealing material on the first corner section so as to be exposed from the first sealing surface in the normal direction of the first sealing surface; and a movement step for moving the second structure relative to the first structure in parallel such that the second sealing surface faces the first sealing surface after bringing the first connection surface into contact with the sealing material applied to the first corner portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method for sealing structures contained in a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] When sealing the structures contained in a vehicle, the structures are typically overlapped perpendicularly to each other through a sealing material, and each structure is pressed tightly against the sealing material by flattening it (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-291952 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, when a sealant is applied to one structure and the other structure is moved in parallel to make the structures fit together, the sealant applied to one structure may be scraped off during the movement of the other structure, and the adhesion between the structure and the sealant may be reduced.

[0008] Methods for solving problems

[0009] This disclosure can be implemented in the following ways.

[0010] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a sealing method is provided for sealing a first structure and a second structure included in a vehicle. In this sealing method, the first structure has a first sealing surface, a first structural surface along a direction intersecting the first sealing surface, and a first corner located between the first sealing surface and the first structural surface; the second structure has a second sealing surface, a second structural surface along a direction intersecting the second sealing surface, and a second corner located between the second sealing surface and the second structural surface; the second corner has a first connecting surface connecting the second sealing surface and the second structural surface; the first connecting surface is configured as an inclined surface or a convex surface; the sealing method includes: a coating step of coating a sealing material on the first corner in a manner that exposes from the first sealing surface toward the normal direction of the first sealing surface; and a moving step of, after the first connecting surface comes into contact with the sealing material coated on the first corner, moving the second structure relatively parallel to the first structure in a manner that the second sealing surface faces the first sealing surface.

[0011] In this sealing method, the second corner of the second structure is configured as an inclined surface or a convex surface. Therefore, when the second structure is moved parallel to the first structure, the sealing material applied to the first corner of the first structure can flow well between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface. This improves the adhesion of the sealing material to both the first and second structures.

[0012] (2) In the sealing method described above, the first structure may have a third structural surface along a direction intersecting the first sealing surface. This third structural surface is connected to the first sealing surface at an end opposite to the first corner. During the moving process, the second structure is moved parallel to the first structure with the second sealing surface facing the first sealing surface and the second structural surface facing the third structural surface. In this manner, the sealing material also flows between the second and third structural surfaces, thus improving the sealing performance between the first and second structures.

[0013] (3) In the sealing method described above, the first corner may be defined by the first sealing surface and the first structural surface, and the sealing material may be applied to both the first sealing surface and the first structural surface during the coating process. In this manner, the anchoring effect of the first corner relative to the sealing material can be improved, thus allowing the sealing material to be well stretched between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface.

[0014] (4) In the sealing method described above, the first corner may have a second connecting surface that connects the first sealing surface to the first structural surface, and the second connecting surface may be configured as an inclined surface or a convex surface. This configuration improves the flowability of the sealing material between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface.

[0015] In addition to being a sealing method as described above, this disclosure can also be implemented as a method for manufacturing a vehicle including a first structure and a second structure, or as a vehicle including a first structure and a second structure. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing the first and second structures that constitute part of the vehicle.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a process diagram of a sealing method for sealing the first structure and the second structure.

[0018] Figure 3 This is an illustration of the sealing method.

[0019] Figure 4This is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the first connecting surface of the second structure.

[0020] Figure 5 This is an illustration of other ways to represent the first structure.

[0021] Figure 6 This is an illustrative diagram showing another example of the application location of the sealant. Detailed Implementation

[0022] A. First implementation method:

[0023] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing a first structure 10 and a second structure 20 that constitute part of the vehicle 100. The first structure 10 is, for example, a large molded component manufactured using a molding method known as mega-casting or giga-casting, and the second structure 20 is, for example, a vehicle body frame for assembling the molded component. Alternatively, the first structure 10 can be a vehicle body frame, and the second structure 20 can be the casing of a battery pack fixed to the vehicle body frame. Alternatively, the first structure 10 can also be a hollow extruded aluminum material constituting part of the vehicle 100, and the second structure 20 can be a reinforcing member inserted into the extruded aluminum material. The first structure 10 and the second structure 20 are not limited to these, and can be any vehicle component manufactured from metal components such as aluminum or iron, or resin components.

[0024] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows arrows along the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions. The X, Y, and Z directions are directions along three mutually orthogonal spatial axes: the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, each encompassing a direction along one side of the X, Y, and Z axes and both directions in their opposite directions. The X and Y axes are along the horizontal plane, and the Z-axis is along the vertical line. The -Z direction is the vertical direction, and the +Z direction is the direction opposite to the vertical direction. The -Z direction is also referred to as "down," and the +Z direction as "up." Arrows along the X, Y, and Z directions may also be appropriately represented in other diagrams. Figure 1 The X, Y, and Z directions in this diagram represent the same directions as those in other diagrams.

[0025] The first structure 10 has a generally L-shaped form when viewed from the side. The first structure 10 includes a first sealing surface 11, a first structural surface 12, a third structural surface 13, and a first corner portion 14. The first sealing surface 11 is the surface on which the sealing material 30 is disposed. The first sealing surface 11 is a horizontal surface facing downwards. The first structural surface 12 and the third structural surface 13 are surfaces that form part of the first structure 10. The first structural surface 12 is connected to the upper side of the -X direction end of the first sealing surface 11. The first structural surface 12 is a surface facing the -X direction along a vertical direction intersecting the first sealing surface 11. The third structural surface 13 is connected to the lower side of the first sealing surface 11 at the +X direction end of the first sealing surface 11, i.e., the end opposite to the first corner portion 14. The third structural surface 13 is a surface facing the -X direction along a vertical direction intersecting the first sealing surface 11. The first corner portion 14 is a corner located between the first sealing surface 11 and the first structural surface 12. In this embodiment, the first corner 14 is defined by the first sealing surface 11 and the first structural surface 12. The angle between the first sealing surface 11 and the first structural surface 12 at the first corner 14 is 90 degrees.

[0026] The second structure 20 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The second structure 20 includes a second sealing surface 21, a second structural surface 22, and a second corner portion 24. The second sealing surface 21 is the surface on which the sealing material 30 is disposed. The second sealing surface 21 is a horizontal surface facing upwards. The height of the second sealing surface 21 is lower than the height of the first sealing surface 11. The second structural surface 22 is a surface that forms part of the second structure 20. The second structural surface 22 is located below the end of the second sealing surface 21 in the +X direction. The second structural surface 22 is a surface facing the +X direction along a vertical direction intersecting the second sealing surface 21. In this embodiment, the angle between the second sealing surface 21 and the second structural surface 22 is 90 degrees. The second corner portion 24 is a corner portion located between the second sealing surface 21 and the second structural surface 22. The second corner portion 24 has a first connecting surface 23. The first connecting surface 23 is the surface that connects the second sealing surface 21 and the second structural surface 22. In this embodiment, the first connecting surface 23 is configured as an inclined surface. In this embodiment, the inclination angle A1 of the first connecting surface 23 relative to the second sealing surface 21 is 45 degrees.

[0027] The first structure 10 and the second structure 20 are tightly bonded together by a sealing material 30. The sealing material 30 is disposed between the first sealing surface 11 and the second sealing surface 21. In this embodiment, the sealing material 30 is also disposed between the second structural surface 22 and the third structural surface 13. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second structural surface 22 and the third structural surface 13 also function as sealing surfaces. The sealing material 30 is, for example, an epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, or silicone resin sealant or adhesive. The sealing material 30 may contain fillers.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a process diagram of a sealing method for sealing the first structure 10 and the second structure 20 included in the vehicle 100. Figure 3 This is an illustration of the sealing method.

[0029] exist Figure 2 In process P10, the first structure 10 is fixed. For example... Figure 3 As shown in the previous paragraph, in this embodiment, the first structure 10 is fixed to the mounting table 50 using a clamping member 40. The clamping member 40 fixes the first structure 10 to the mounting table 50 with the first sealing surface 11 facing downwards and the first structural surface 12 facing the -X direction. By fixing the first structure 10 in this way, a gap 45 is formed between the first sealing surface 11 and the mounting table 50, allowing the second structure 20 to be disposed.

[0030] exist Figure 2 In process P20, a sealing material 30 is applied to the first structure 10. The sealing material 30 is applied to the first corner 14 such that it protrudes from the first sealing surface 11 toward the normal direction of the first sealing surface 11. In this embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown in the middle section, the sealing material 30 is applied to both the first sealing surface 11 and the first structural surface 12 that define the first corner 14. Thus, by applying the sealing material 30, it is positioned below the first sealing surface 11 and further in the -X direction than the first structural surface 12. The viscosity of the sealing material 30 is, for example, 30 Pa·s to 700 Pa·s at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius and a shear rate of 20 / s. The application of the sealing material 30 is performed, for example, by a robot 60 equipped with a coating gun 65. Figure 3 In the example shown, robot 60 applies sealant 30 to the entire first corner 14 extending along the Y direction by scanning with coating gun 65 along the Y direction. Process P20 is also referred to as the coating process.

[0031] exist Figure 2 In process P30, the second structure 20 moves in parallel. When performing process P30, firstly, the second structure 20 is placed on the mounting platform 50. And, as... Figure 3As shown in the next section, the second structure 20 moves parallel to the gap 45 of the first structure 10 via a linear actuator 70 driven by a motor, hydraulic pressure, or compressed air. More specifically, after the first connecting surface 23 of the second structure 20 comes into contact with the sealing material 30 applied to the first corner 14, the second structure 20 moves parallel to the first structure 10 with its second sealing surface 21 facing the first sealing surface 11 of the first structure 10. In this embodiment, the second structure 20 moves parallel to the first structure 10 with its second sealing surface 21 facing the first sealing surface 11 of the first structure 10 and its second structural surface 22 facing the third structural surface 13 of the first structure 10. Step P30 is also referred to as the moving step.

[0032] As described above, by moving the second structure 20 parallel to the first structure 10, the sealing material 30 applied to the first corner 14 of the first structure 10 is stretched by the first connecting surface 23 of the second structure 20, which is configured as an inclined surface, and flows between the first sealing surface 11 and the second sealing surface 21. Then, after the sealing material 30 extends to the +X direction end of the first sealing surface 11 of the first structure 10, the sealing material 30 enters between the third structural surface 13 of the first structure 10 and the second structural surface 22 of the second structure 20. Through the sealing method described above, as... Figure 1 As shown, the sealing material 30 is tightly attached to the first structure 10 and the second structure 20.

[0033] According to the sealing method in the first embodiment described above, after the first connecting surface 23 of the second structure 20 comes into contact with the sealing material 30 applied to the first corner 14 of the first structure 10, the second structure 20 is moved parallel to the first structure 10 with the second sealing surface 21 of the second structure 20 facing the first sealing surface 11 of the first structure 10. Therefore, the first corner 14 functions as an anchor, and the sealing material 30 applied to the first corner 14 flows between the first sealing surface 11 and the second sealing surface 21 in a manner that is stretched and lifted upward by the first connecting surface 23 of the second structure 20, which is configured as an inclined surface. As a result, it is possible to suppress the formation of minute gaps between the sealing material 30 and each sealing surface 11, 21, especially between the sealing material 30 and the first sealing surface 11. Therefore, even when the sealing material 30 is not squeezed vertically by the two structures, but rather the second structure 20 is moved horizontally relative to the first structure 10, the adhesion of the sealing material 30 to the first structure 10 and the second structure 20 can be improved.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second structure 20 is moved parallel to the first structure 10 with its second sealing surface 21 facing the first sealing surface 11 of the first structure 10 and its second structural surface 22 facing the third structural surface 13 of the first structure 10. Therefore, the sealing material 30 can flow not only between the first sealing surface 11 of the first structure 10 and the second sealing surface 21 of the second structure 20, but also between the third structural surface 13 of the first structure 10 and the first structural surface 12 of the second structure 20. As a result, the sealing performance between the first structure 10 and the second structure 20 can be improved.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sealing material 30 is applied to both the first sealing surface 11 and the first structural surface 12 that define the first corner 14. Therefore, the anchoring effect of the first corner 14 relative to the sealing material 30 can be improved, thus allowing the sealing material 30 to be well stretched between the first sealing surface 11 and the second sealing surface 21. Additionally, since the anchoring effect of the sealing material 30 can be improved, it is easier to use a high-viscosity sealing material 30.

[0036] In this embodiment, the tilt angle A1 of the first connecting surface 23 is set to 45 degrees. However, the tilt angle A1 is not limited to 45 degrees. For example, if the tilt angle A1 is less than 45 degrees, the resistance to the sealing material 30 can be reduced, thus allowing the sealing material 30 to flow better.

[0037] B. Other implementation methods:

[0038] (B1) Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the first connecting surface 23 of the second structure 20. In the first embodiment, the first connecting surface 23, which connects to the second sealing surface 21 and the second structural surface 22, is an inclined surface that is inclined relative to the second sealing surface 21. In contrast, as... Figure 4 As shown, the first connecting surface 23 can also be a convex surface. A convex surface is a curved surface that protrudes outward. It is also called an R-surface.

[0039] (B2) Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the first structure 10. In the first embodiment, the first corner 14 of the first structure 10 is defined by the first sealing surface 11 and the first structural surface 12. In contrast, as... Figure 5 As shown, the first corner portion 14 may also have a second connecting surface 15. The second connecting surface 15 may be an inclined surface or a convex curved surface. Figure 5As shown, sealing material 30 is applied to the second connecting surface 15. Sealing material 30 may also be applied to both the second connecting surface 15 and the first sealing surface 11. The inclination angle A2 of the second connecting surface 15 relative to the first sealing surface 11 is preferably greater than or equal to the inclination angle A1 of the first connecting surface 23. By setting the inclination angle A2 of the second connecting surface 15 to be greater than or equal to the inclination angle A1 of the first connecting surface 23, the sealing material 30 can flow well. Alternatively, the first connecting surface 23 and the second connecting surface 15 can each be made into a convex curved surface. In this case, by setting the radius of curvature of the second connecting surface 15 to be greater than or equal to the radius of curvature of the first connecting surface 23, the sealing material 30 can flow well.

[0040] (B3) Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the application location of the sealing material 30. In the first embodiment, the sealing material 30 is applied to the first corner 14 of the first structure 10 in such a manner that it covers both the first sealing surface 11 and the second structural surface 22. Conversely, the sealing material 30 may also be applied only to the first sealing surface 11, omitting the first structural surface 12. Figure 6 The illustration shows an example where sealing material 30 is applied from the end of the first sealing surface 11 on the side of the first corner 14 to the end on the side opposite to the first corner 14. If the sealing material 30 is of low viscosity, even if it is not applied to the second structural surface 22, the sealing material 30 can flow well between the first sealing surface 11 and the second sealing surface 21 by configuring the first connecting surface 23 of the second structure 20 as an inclined surface or a convex surface.

[0041] (B4) In the first embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown, with the first structure 10 fixed, the second structure 20 is moved parallel to the first structure 10. Conversely, with the second structure 20 fixed, the first structure 10 can also be moved parallel to the second structure 20.

[0042] (B5) In the first embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown, the first structure 10 is fixed by clamping member 40, sealing material 30 is applied by robot 60, and the second structure 20 is moved in parallel by linear actuator 70. Alternatively, for example, the first structure 10 can be fixed by having a robot hold it, sealing material 30 can be applied by a fixed coating device, and the second structure 20 can be moved in parallel by another robot.

[0043] (B6) In the first embodiment, the first structure 10 and the second structure 20 are arranged such that the first sealing surface 11 is positioned above the second sealing surface 21 in the vertical direction. Conversely, the first structure 10 and the second structure 20 may be arranged in opposite directions, such that the second sealing surface 21 is positioned above the first sealing surface 11. Furthermore, the first sealing surface 11 and the second sealing surface 21 may not be arranged along the horizontal direction, but rather along a direction intersecting the horizontal direction, such as the vertical direction.

[0044] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various structures without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various methods described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. In addition, if a technical feature is not described as a necessary feature in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0045] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0046] 10…First structure, 11…First sealing surface, 12…First structural surface, 13…Third structural surface, 14…First corner, 15…Second connecting surface, 20…Second structure, 21…Second sealing surface, 22…Second structural surface, 23…First connecting surface, 24…Second corner, 30…Sealing material, 40…Clamping element, 45…Gap, 50…Platform, 60…Robot, 65…Coating gun, 70…Linear actuator, 100…Vehicle

Claims

1. A sealing method for sealing a first structure and a second structure included in a vehicle, wherein, The first structure has: a first sealing surface; a first structural surface along a direction intersecting the first sealing surface; and a first corner portion located between the first sealing surface and the first structural surface. The second structure has: a second sealing surface; a second structural surface along a direction intersecting the second sealing surface; and a second corner portion located between the second sealing surface and the second structural surface. The second corner portion has a first connecting surface that connects the second sealing surface to the second structural surface. The first connecting surface is configured as an inclined surface or a convex curved surface. The sealing method includes: The coating process involves applying a sealing material to the first corner in a manner that exposes the material from the first sealing surface towards the normal direction of the first sealing surface; and In the moving process, after the first connecting surface comes into contact with the sealing material applied to the first corner, the second structure is moved parallel to the first structure with the second sealing surface facing the first sealing surface.

2. The sealing method according to claim 1, wherein, The first structure has a third structural surface along a direction intersecting the first sealing surface. The third structural surface is connected to the first sealing surface at the end opposite to the first corner. In the moving process, the second structure is moved parallel to the first structure with the second sealing surface facing the first sealing surface and the second structural surface facing the third structural surface.

3. The sealing method according to claim 1, wherein, The first corner is defined by the first sealing surface and the first structural surface. In the coating process, the sealing material is applied to both the first sealing surface and the first structural surface.

4. The sealing method according to claim 1, wherein, The first corner portion has a second connecting surface that connects the first sealing surface to the first structural surface. The second connecting surface is configured as an inclined surface or a convex curved surface.

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