Method for manufacturing a seal, filling device and manufacturing device for a seal

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a seal, the method for manufacturing a seal including: a filling step of filling an ultraviolet-curable seal composition in a mold using a filling machine, the mold being composed of an upper mold and a lower mold, in the filling step, a pressing plate is arranged on the upper side of the upper mold, and the ultraviolet-curable seal composition is filled in the mold while the upper mold is pressed to the lower mold by the pressing plate. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a seal, a filling device, and a manufacturing device for a seal, which can suppress leakage of the ultraviolet-curable seal composition between the upper mold and the lower mold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a seal, a filling device, and an apparatus for manufacturing a seal. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-177720 (Patent Document 1) discloses a method for manufacturing a seal by filling a thermosetting rubber composition into a mold and hot-pressing it.

[0003] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-177720 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem that the invention aims to solve As a method for manufacturing seals, an ultraviolet (UV) curing method was investigated, in which a UV-curable sealant composition is filled into a mold and cured by UV irradiation. The UV curing method cures the UV-curable sealant composition by UV irradiation, thus offering advantages over conventional thermosetting rubber compositions, such as shorter manufacturing time and the tendency to avoid heat generation. To facilitate the removal of the cured seal from the mold, the molds used for manufacturing seals typically consist of multiple mold components.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a seal, a filling device, and an apparatus for manufacturing a seal, wherein the method for manufacturing a seal, in a method for manufacturing a seal based on an ultraviolet curing method, can suppress leakage of the ultraviolet-curable seal composition between an upper mold and a lower mold.

[0006] Solution for solving the problem The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a seal, a filling device, and an apparatus for manufacturing a seal.

[0007] [1] A method for manufacturing a seal, wherein the method includes a filling step in which an ultraviolet-curable seal composition is filled into a mold using a filling machine, the mold being composed of an upper mold and a lower mold, wherein in the filling step, a pressure plate is disposed on the upper side of the upper mold, and the upper mold is pressed against the lower mold by the pressure plate.

[0008] [2] The method for manufacturing a seal according to [1], wherein the pressure plate is subjected to a load by the filling machine.

[0009] [3] The method for manufacturing a seal according to [2], wherein a spring is disposed between the filling machine and the pressure plate.

[0010] [4] A method for manufacturing a seal according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein, before the filling step, the method further includes: a mold preparation step for preparing the mold; after the filling step, the method further includes: an irradiation step for irradiating the ultraviolet curable seal composition with ultraviolet light; and a demolding step for removing the seal from the mold, conveying the mold in which the ultraviolet curable seal composition was filled in the filling step to the irradiation step, and returning the mold after removing the seal in the demolding step to the mold preparation step.

[0011] [5] A method for manufacturing a seal according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the mold is formed from at least one selected from the group consisting of glass, quartz, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene and cycloolefin polymers.

[0012] [6] A filling device for filling a mold with an ultraviolet-curable sealing composition, the mold being composed of an upper mold and a lower mold, the filling device having a unit for pressing the upper mold against the lower mold by a pressure plate.

[0013] [7] According to the filling device of [6], the filling device further includes a filling machine, and a spring is arranged between the filling machine and the pressure plate to lower the filling machine and apply a load to the pressure plate by means of the spring.

[0014] [8] An apparatus for manufacturing a seal, comprising a filling device as described in [6] or [7].

[0015] [9] A mold used in a method of manufacturing a seal as described in any one of [1] to [5], said mold being formed from at least one selected from the group consisting of glass, quartz, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene and cycloolefin polymers.

[0016] Invention Effects According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing a seal, a filling device, and an apparatus for manufacturing a seal are provided. The method for manufacturing a seal, in a method for manufacturing a seal based on an ultraviolet curing method, can suppress leakage of the ultraviolet-curable seal composition between an upper mold and a lower mold. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 It is a sectional view used to illustrate the filling process.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate an example of the filling process.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate another example of the filling process.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of the seal.

[0021] Figure 5 This diagram provides a general overview of the process of continuously manufacturing seals.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional drawing that roughly represents the manufacturing apparatus for the seal. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In all the following drawings, the scale has been appropriately adjusted for ease of understanding of the constituent elements, and the scale of each constituent element shown in the drawings does not necessarily have to be the same as the scale of the actual constituent elements.

[0024] <Manufacturing Method of Seals> The method for manufacturing the seal of the present invention includes a filling step in which a UV-curable seal composition is filled into a mold using a filling machine. The mold consists of an upper mold and a lower mold. In the filling step, a pressure plate is disposed on the upper side of the upper mold, and the upper mold is pressed against the lower mold by the pressure plate.

[0025] In a method for manufacturing a seal, a seal can be manufactured by curing a UV-curable sealant composition within a mold. In addition to a filling step, the method may also include: a mold preparation step; an irradiation step; irradiating the UV-curable sealant composition filled in the mold with UV light; and a demolding step; removing the seal from the mold. When molds can be transported, using multiple molds allows for the independent and continuous execution of multiple processes by transporting the molds between processes, thereby improving the productivity of the seal.

[0026] The filling process can be performed using a filling device. The filling process is explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate the filling process. The filling device 100 includes a filling machine 10 and a pressure plate 12.

[0027] In the filling process, such as Figure 1 As shown, a pressure plate 12 and a mold 13 are first arranged below the filling machine 10. The mold 13 consists of an upper mold 13a and a lower mold 13b. Figure 1In the process, mold 13 is configured with upper mold 13a and lower mold 13b separated from each other, but it can also be configured with upper mold 13a and lower mold 13b combined together. Mold 13 can be removed from filling device 100. For example, mold 13 can be transported from a process before the filling process (e.g., mold preparation process), placed in filling device 100, and after being filled with UV-curable sealing composition, transported to a process after the filling process.

[0028] In the filling process, a filling machine 10 can be used to fill the mold 13 with the UV-curable sealant composition. The filling machine 10 is equipped with a filling nozzle 11. The filling machine 10 may have one or more filling nozzles. The filling machine 10 may be equipped with a material filling port 14. The UV-curable sealant composition can be fed from the material filling port 14 to the filling nozzle 11. The front end shape of the filling nozzle 11 may be cylindrical (without the tapered portion described later) or truncated cone (in... Figure 1 (The cross-sectional shape is represented as a trapezoidal shape). When the front end is cylindrical, there is a tendency to easily improve the sealing performance between the filling nozzle 11 and the mold 13.

[0029] When the front end of the filling nozzle 11 is truncated cone-shaped, the filling nozzle 11 may have a tapered portion 11a. With the tapered portion 11a, the filling nozzle insertion portion 18 into which the filling nozzle 11 is inserted is easily brought close to the cavity portion 17, thus shortening the flow channel. By pressing the upper mold 13a with the filling machine 10, and sealing it with the tapered portion 11a and the tapered portion 18a of the filling nozzle insertion portion 18, the UV-curable sealing composition can be filled without leakage between the filling nozzle 11 and the upper mold 13a.

[0030] The filling nozzle 11 can be aligned with the position of the filling nozzle insertion part 18 so that it can be inserted into the filling nozzle insertion part 18 described later.

[0031] A sealing mechanism may be provided at the front end 11b of the filling nozzle 11. As a sealing mechanism, a seal (e.g., an O-ring) may be configured.

[0032] Set the diameter of the filling nozzle 11 to Figure 1 When the distance D is as shown, the diameter D of the filling nozzle 11 can be, for example, 0.5 to 50 mm, preferably 1 to 20 mm, and more preferably 1 to 10 mm.

[0033] The pressure plate 12 can be made of metal, for example. Examples of metals include iron and stainless steel (SUS). The pressure plate 12 can be flat. The thickness of the pressure plate 12 can be, for example, 5 to 10 mm. If the thickness of the pressure plate 12 is within the above range, leakage of the UV-curable sealing composition to the cavity of the mold 13 can be easily suppressed.

[0034] The pressure plate 12 may have a nozzle through hole 15 for inserting the filling nozzle 11 into the mold 13. The filling nozzle 11 can pass through the nozzle through hole 15 and be inserted into the filling nozzle insertion part 18, which will be described later.

[0035] The upper mold 13a is pressed against the lower mold 13b by the pressure plate 12. The UV-curable sealing composition can be filled into the mold 13 while the upper mold 13a is pressed against the lower mold 13b by the pressure plate 12. Furthermore, while the upper mold 13a is pressed against the lower mold 13b by the pressure plate 12, the upper mold 13a and the lower mold 13b can be fixed by the fastening clamp described later, and the UV-curable sealing composition can be filled into the mold 13. By filling the mold 13 with the UV-curable sealing composition while the upper mold 13a is pressed against the lower mold 13b, leakage of the UV-curable sealing composition to the cavity of the mold 13 can be easily suppressed.

[0036] The pressure (filling pressure) when filling the mold with the UV-curable sealing composition can be, for example, 0.05 to 15 MPa, preferably 0.1 to 1 MPa.

[0037] As a method of pressing the upper mold 13a to the lower mold 13b using the pressure plate 12, the following methods can be listed as follows: a linkage mechanism 24 is configured to lower the filling machine 10 and the pressure plate 12 simultaneously, and a load is applied to the pressure plate 12 by lowering the filling machine 10; the pressure plate 12 is lowered using a mechanism (hereinafter also referred to as a second mechanism) that is different from the mechanism for lowering the filling machine 10 (hereinafter also referred to as a first mechanism).

[0038] When a load is applied to the pressure plate 12, the pressure plate 12 and the mold 13 can be detached from the conveying system and the process can be carried out on a workbench with greater load-bearing capacity. This allows for an increase in the load applied to the pressure plate 12, enabling the filling of the UV-curable sealing composition with forces such as hydraulic pressure.

[0039] Figure 2 Indicates from Figure 1 The filling machine 10 is lowered, and while applying a load to the pressure plate 12, the upper mold 13a is pressed against the lower mold 13b. A spring can be provided between the filling machine 10 and the pressure plate 12. By providing a spring, the load applied to the pressure plate 12 by lowering the filling machine 10 can be moderate.

[0040] Figure 3 This indicates that the pressure plate 12 is lowered in the direction of the arrow by the second mechanism 27, pressing the upper mold 13a down to the lower mold 13b.

[0041] After the upper mold 13a is pressed against the lower mold 13b while a load is applied to the pressure plate 12 by the filling machine 10 or the second mechanism 27, the UV-curable sealing composition can be filled into the mold 13. To facilitate the flow of the UV-curable sealing composition, a vacuum can be evacuated from the vent 25 while filling the mold 13 with the UV-curable sealing composition from the filling nozzle 11, or a vacuum can be evacuated from the vent 25 before filling the mold 13 with the UV-curable sealing composition. To facilitate vacuuming, a mold seal 26 can be provided, or a seal (e.g., an O-ring) can be provided at the tip of the filling nozzle. The mold seal 26 can be, for example, an O-ring.

[0042] The load applied to the pressure plate 12 can be a force greater than the filling pressure of the UV-curable sealing composition. When the lower mold 13b is equipped with a mold seal 26, the load applied to the pressure plate 12 can be a force greater than the sum of the filling pressure of the UV-curable sealing composition and the rebound force of the mold seal 26. The load (MPa) applied to the pressure plate 12 can be a load higher than, for example, 0.05 MPa higher than the filling pressure of the UV-curable sealing composition. If the load applied to the pressure plate 12 is within the above range, there is a tendency to easily suppress leakage of the UV-curable sealing composition from the joint between the upper mold 13a and the lower mold 13b to the outside of the cavity 17.

[0043] After the upper mold 13a is pressed against the lower mold 13b while the pressure plate 12 is subjected to a load by the filling machine 10 or the second mechanism 27, it can be fixed in this state by clamping the upper mold 13a and the lower mold 13b with a fastening clamp (not shown). Even after the load generated by the pressure plate 12 is removed after filling with the UV-curable sealant composition, the mold, fixed by clamping the upper mold 13a and the lower mold 13b with the fastening clamp, maintains the state of pressing the upper mold 13a against the lower mold 13b. Therefore, it can be transported before the subsequent irradiation process while maintaining a state that inhibits leakage of the UV-curable sealant composition out of the cavity 17. The fastening clamp can be, for example, a clamping element, a screw, etc. The fastening force of the fastening clamp can be the same as or greater than the load applied to the pressure plate 12.

[0044] To cure the UV-curable sealant composition filled within the mold 13 by irradiating it with ultraviolet light, the upper mold 13a typically possesses UV transmittance. Regarding the UV transmittance of the upper mold 13a, the transmittance at a wavelength of 365 nm can be, for example, 80% or more, and from the viewpoint of the curability of the UV-curable sealant composition, preferably 90% or more, more preferably 95% or more, and typically 100% or less. The mold 13 may be entirely UV-transmittant, or only the portion required for curing the UV-curable sealant composition may possess UV transmittance.

[0045] The upper mold 13a is formed of a material that is translucent to ultraviolet light. Regarding the upper mold 13a, the portions requiring ultraviolet translucency may be formed of a material that is translucent to ultraviolet light, while other portions may be made of a material that is not translucent to ultraviolet light. Examples of materials that are translucent to ultraviolet light include: glass, quartz, polyester resins, polycarbonate resins, acrylic resins, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), and cyclic olefin polymers (COP). From the viewpoint of operability and transparency, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA) and acrylic resins are preferred, and acrylic resins are more preferred. The materials that are translucent to ultraviolet light can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The material constituting the upper mold 13a is preferably an acrylic resin or tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), and more preferably an acrylic resin.

[0046] The thickness of the upper mold 13a can be, for example, 20 mm or less. When the thickness of the upper mold 13a is within the aforementioned range, ultraviolet transmittance can be easily improved, and the distance between the ultraviolet-curable sealant composition filled in the mold and the light source of the irradiated ultraviolet light can be easily brought closer, thus enabling efficient curing of the ultraviolet-curable sealant composition. When the thickness of the upper mold 13a is 20 mm or less, warping usually occurs due to the filling pressure of the ultraviolet-curable sealant composition, tending to create gaps between the upper mold 13a and the lower mold 13b. However, according to the present invention, even when the thickness of the upper mold 13a is 20 mm or less, filling is performed while the upper mold 13a is pressed against the lower mold 13b, thus suppressing warping of the upper mold 13a and easily suppressing leakage of the ultraviolet-curable sealant composition out of the cavity of the mold 13. The thickness of the upper mold 13a is preferably 15 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or less, and even more preferably 5 mm or less, for example, 1 mm or more. When the upper surface of the upper mold 13a is flat, it tends to be easily pressed by the pressure plate 12. In this specification, the thicknesses of the upper mold and the lower mold are the thicknesses of the thickest parts of the upper mold 13a and the lower mold 13b, respectively, in the direction of pressing by the pressure plate 12.

[0047] As an example of the material used to form the lower mold 13b, the material shown as an example of the material used for the upper mold 13a is applied. The materials used to form the upper mold 13a and the lower mold 13b can be the same type or different types. The thickness of the lower mold 13b is sufficient to withstand the load based on the pressure plate 12 and the filling pressure of the UV-curable sealing composition.

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, when the pressure plate 12 and the mold 13 are arranged under the filling machine 10, a substrate 16 forming a seal can also be arranged between the upper mold 13a and the lower mold 13b. The substrate 16 can be, for example, one selected from the group consisting of a film, a sheet, and a molded product. The substrate 16 can be, for example, a metal plate, and preferably made of SUS or the like. The substrate 16 can be included in the product along with the seal.

[0049] Mold 13 may have a cavity 17. The cavity 17 may be formed by an upper mold 13a and a lower mold 13b. In such cases... Figure 1 When the substrate 16 is arranged as shown, the cavity portion 17 is formed by the upper mold 13a and the substrate 16.

[0050] The cavity 17 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the seal to be manufactured. The seal can be formed by curing the UV-curable sealant composition filled in the cavity 17.

[0051] The mold 13 may include a filling nozzle insertion portion 18 into which a filling nozzle 11 for filling a UV-curable sealant composition is inserted. The shape of the filling nozzle insertion portion 18 is preferably one that can fit into the filling nozzle 11. As described above, when the filling nozzle 11 has a tapered portion 11a, the filling nozzle insertion portion 18 may also have a tapered portion 18a. When the filling nozzle 11 is cylindrical without the tapered portion 11a, the shape of the filling nozzle insertion portion 18 may be cylindrical without the tapered portion.

[0052] From the viewpoint of sealing the filling nozzle 11 and the mold 13, the tapered portion 18a can have the same taper angle as the tapered portion 11a. Therefore, when the filling nozzle 11 is pressed against the mold 13 and a load is applied, the sealing surface between the filling nozzle 11 and the mold 13 becomes larger. As a result, the sealing between the filling nozzle 11 and the mold 13 is improved, and there is a tendency to easily suppress leakage of the UV-curable sealing composition between the filling nozzle 11 and the mold 13. The taper angle of the tapered portion 18a (in...) Figure 1 The angle (the smaller of the angles formed by the horizontal direction and the conical portion 18a) can be, for example, 0° or more and less than 90°, preferably 30° or more and less than 60°. The conical angle of the conical portion 18a can be adjusted, for example, according to the location of the cavity portion 17.

[0053] The mold 13 may also have a flow channel 19. Alternatively, the filling nozzle insertion portion 18 may be connected to the flow channel 19, and the flow channel 19 may be connected to the cavity portion 17.

[0054] The mold 13 may have one or more filling nozzle insertion portions 18, cavity portions 17, and flow channels 19. With multiple filling nozzle insertion portions 18, the UV-curable sealant composition can be filled from multiple locations, shortening the filling process time. The filling nozzle insertion portions 18 may be configured to be directly connected to the cavity portions 17, or they may be configured to be connected to the cavity portions 17 via the flow channels 19. The flow channels 19 may be the path through which the UV-curable sealant composition flows to the cavity portions 17.

[0055] When UV-curable sealing composition remains in the flow channel, the remaining UV-curable sealing composition hardens due to UV irradiation, making it impossible to remove the cured material from the flow channel. As a result, it is sometimes difficult to continuously mold the seal. Therefore, the filling nozzle insertion portion 18 and the cavity portion 17 are preferably configured such that the flow channel portion 19 is as short as possible.

[0056] To secure the pressure plate 12 and the upper mold 13a, the lower mold 13b may also have a protrusion 21. The protrusion 21 can be inserted into the through hole 22 of the pressure plate 12 and the through hole 23 of the upper mold 13a to secure the lower mold 13b, the pressure plate 12, and the upper mold 13a.

[0057] The UV-curable sealing composition filled in mold 13 is a composition that cures upon exposure to ultraviolet light. The UV-curable sealing composition may contain a UV-curable resin component and a photopolymerization initiator.

[0058] Examples of UV-curable resin components include: rubber-based resins, polyolefin-based resins, acrylic resins, epoxy resins, silicone resins, urethane resins, vinyl alkyl ether resins, polyvinylpyrrolidone resins, polyacrylamide resins, and cellulose resins. UV-curable resin components may include polyolefin resins, acrylic resins, or epoxy resins. Their cured products have cross-linking points and exhibit rubber-like elasticity.

[0059] Examples of rubber-based resins include: isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, acrylic rubber, fluororubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, urethane rubber, and silicone rubber. Examples of polyolefin-based resins include polyisobutylene. Commercially available UV-curable sealing compositions containing polyolefin resins include, for example, ThreeBond 3178 (manufactured by ThreeBond Corporation).

[0060] In the solid component of the UV-curable sealing composition, the content of the UV-curable resin component can be, for example, 50% by mass or more, preferably 50% by mass or more, more preferably 60% by mass or more, further preferably 70% by mass or more, particularly preferably 80% by mass or more, and extremely preferably 90% by mass or more. In the solid component of the UV-curable sealing composition, the content of the UV-curable resin component can be, for example, 99% by mass or less, or 98% by mass or less.

[0061] Examples of photopolymerization initiators include photocationic polymerization initiators and photoradical polymerization initiators.

[0062] Relative to 100 parts by weight of the UV-curable resin component, the content of the photopolymerization initiator can be, for example, 0.001 parts by weight or more and 10 parts by weight or less, preferably 0.005 parts by weight or more and 10 parts by weight or less, and more preferably 0.01 parts by weight or more and 10 parts by weight or less.

[0063] The UV-curable sealing composition may further include crosslinking agents, other resin components, additives, fillers, etc.

[0064] The viscosity of the UV-curable sealing composition can be, for example, 500 Pa·s or less, and preferably 300 Pa·s or less, more preferably 200 Pa·s or less, from a filling point of view. The viscosity of the UV-curable sealing composition is measured, for example, using a type B viscometer. To facilitate filling, the viscosity of the UV-curable sealing composition can be reduced by heat.

[0065] The manufacturing method of a seal can be a continuous manufacturing method. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the method for manufacturing a seal may include a mold preparation step (S10), a filling step (S20), an irradiation step (S30), and a demolding step (S40). A mold in which the UV-curable seal composition is filled in the filling step (S20) may be conveyed to the irradiation step (S30), and the mold after the seal is removed in the demolding step may be returned to the mold preparation step. Figure 4 The manufacturing method of the seal shown further includes: an inspection step (S50) to inspect the removed seal; a sealing step (S60) to package the seal; a cleaning step (S70) to clean the mold returned to the mold preparation step (S10); a mold release agent coating step (S80) to apply a mold release agent to the cleaned mold; and so on. The manufacturing method of the seal can continuously proceed from the mold preparation step (S10) to the mold release agent coating step (S80). The above steps can be repeated continuously by returning the mold to the mold preparation step (S10) after the demolding step (S40).

[0066] There are no particular limitations on the method of continuous manufacturing of seals. Examples include: performing the above-mentioned processes in series while conveying the mold in a straight line (hereinafter also referred to as the straight method); performing multiple of the above-mentioned straight methods side by side (hereinafter also referred to as the multi-line method); and performing the above-mentioned processes while conveying the mold in concentric circles (hereinafter also referred to as the rotary method). In addition, multiple processes can be integrated into one process, or multiple processes can be performed in parallel.

[0067] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the continuous manufacturing process of seals, using arrows to indicate the direction of mold conveying. Figure 5 The method shown in (a) is a linear process as follows: the process is carried out in the order of process a1, a2, a3 and a4, and the mold is recovered in process a4 (e.g. demolding process) so that the mold is returned to process a1 (e.g. mold preparation process). Figure 5The method shown in (b) is a linear process as follows: the processes are carried out in sequence in the order of a1, a2, a3 and a4, while multiple processes a2 are carried out in parallel. The mold is recovered in process a4 (e.g. demolding process) and returned to process a1 (e.g. mold preparation process). Figure 5 The method shown in (c) is as follows: The rotation is performed continuously in the order of processes a1, a2, a3, and a4. In process a2, the mold is conveyed in a concentric circle along the sequence of 1 to 8 while being processed. For example... Figure 5 As shown in (c), for example in process a3 (e.g. demolding process), the product can also be removed from the mold, the mold can be returned to process a1 (e.g. mold preparation process), and the product can be conveyed to the next process a4 (e.g. inspection process, etc.).

[0068] Regarding the manufacturing method of the seal, for example, the time (production cycle time) from the mold preparation process, through the filling process and the irradiation process, until the seal is removed in the demolding process can be, for example, 60 seconds or less, preferably 50 seconds or less, more preferably 40 seconds or less, further preferably 30 seconds or less, particularly preferably 20 seconds or less, and extremely preferably 10 seconds or less.

[0069] There is no particular limitation on the types of seals manufactured by the seal manufacturing method. There are also no particular limitations on the applications of the seals manufactured by the seal manufacturing method; for example, they can be used in vehicles, aircraft, ships, internal combustion engines, manufacturing equipment, plants, medical products, construction, semiconductors, food, batteries, etc. Furthermore, the seals of the present invention can also be combined with molds, resin components, and various sheets to form integrally molded articles, composite articles, etc.

[0070] <Filling device> Another aspect of the present invention is a filling device for filling a mold with a UV-curable sealing composition, the mold comprising an upper mold and a lower mold, the filling device including a unit for pressing the upper mold against the lower mold by a pressure plate. The above description applies to the filling device, the UV-curable sealing composition, the mold, the upper mold, the lower mold, and the pressure plate. The filling device may include the filling machine described above.

[0071] As a unit that presses the upper mold onto the lower mold via a pressure plate, it can be, for example, a unit that lowers the filling machine, or a unit that can apply a direct load to the pressure plate in addition to lowering the filling machine.

[0072] In the case where the unit that presses the upper mold to the lower mold via the pressure plate is also the unit that lowers the filling machine, a spring can be installed between the filling machine and the pressure plate to lower the filling machine and apply a load to the pressure plate by means of the spring.

[0073] <Sealing component manufacturing apparatus> A seal manufacturing apparatus can be used to manufacture the seal. The seal manufacturing apparatus may include the filling device described above. Regarding the seal manufacturing apparatus, multiple devices for performing the above-described steps may be arranged linearly, any or all of the multiple devices may be arranged side-by-side, the multiple devices may be arranged concentrically, or these arrangements may be combined.

[0074] Figure 6 A manufacturing apparatus for a linear seal. (See reference) Figure 6 The sealing component manufacturing apparatus 200 shown is described below, and the sealing component manufacturing apparatus of the present invention will be explained. Regarding the sealing component manufacturing apparatus 200, the conveying device 201, the mold supply device 202, the mold 13, the filling device 100, the ultraviolet irradiation device 203, and the demolding device 204 are arranged in a straight line. The mold 13 is supplied by the mold supply device 202, the mold 13 is conveyed to the filling device 100 by the conveying device 201, the ultraviolet-curable sealing component composition is filled into the mold 13 by the filling device 100, then ultraviolet light is irradiated in the ultraviolet irradiation device 203, and after curing, the sealing component 205 is removed from the mold 13 in the demolding device 204. In the mold supply device 202, a substrate 16 is disposed between the upper mold 13a and the lower mold 13b. The mold 13 returns to the mold supply device 202 according to the arrow starting from the demolding device 204.

[0075] As a conveying device 201, for example, a belt conveyor, a free-flowing conveyor, a linear conveyor module, a conveyor roller, a conveyor arm, etc. can be used.

[0076] The ultraviolet irradiation device 203 may include, for example, a metal halide lamp, an LED, or other light source. According to the present invention, the thickness of the upper mold can be reduced, thus making it easier to bring the distance between the light source and the ultraviolet-curable sealing composition filled within the mold closer. When the distance to the ultraviolet-curable sealing composition filled within the mold is short, there is a tendency for the ultraviolet-curable sealing composition to cure quickly even without irradiation with high-intensity ultraviolet light. The distance between the light source and the ultraviolet-curable sealing composition filled within the mold can be, for example, 30 mm or less, and from the viewpoint of efficient curing of the ultraviolet-curable sealing composition, preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less, further preferably 10 mm or less, and particularly preferably 6 mm or less.

[0077] Example The present invention will be further described in detail below through examples. Unless otherwise specified, "%" and "parts" in the examples refer to mass % and mass parts.

[0078] [Preparation of UV-curable sealing composition] Polyisobutylene is mixed with a photopolymerization initiator and stirred to produce a UV-curable sealing composition.

[0079] <Example 1> In the mold preparation process, an SUS plate is placed between an upper mold and a lower mold made of acrylic resin to prepare the mold. The upper mold has a filling nozzle insertion part, a runner part, and a gate part. The thickness of the upper mold is 5mm. An SUS pressure plate is placed on the upper mold of the mold that is conveyed to the filling process via a belt conveyor. By lowering the filling machine of the filling device, a load is applied to the pressure plate by a spring disposed between the filling machine and the pressure plate, pressing the upper mold against the lower mold and inserting the filling nozzle of the filling device into the filling nozzle insertion part. With the upper mold pressed against the lower mold, the upper mold and the lower mold are fixed by clamping members, and a UV-curable sealant composition is filled into the cavity of the mold from the filling nozzle. Then, the filling nozzle is removed from the mold. Then, the mold filled with the UV-curable sealant composition is conveyed to the irradiation process, where it is irradiated with ultraviolet light by a UV irradiation device with an LED as the UV light source, causing the UV-curable sealant composition to cure. Then, it is conveyed to the demolding process, the clamping members are removed, and the SUS plate and sealant are removed from the mold together. No leakage of the UV-curable sealing composition was detected between the upper and lower molds.

[0080] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 10: Filling machine; 11: Filling nozzle; 11a: Conical part; 11b: Front end; 12: Pressure plate; 13: Mold; 13a: Upper mold; 13b: Lower mold; 14: Material filling port; 15: Nozzle through hole; 16: Base plate; 17: Cavity part; 18: Filling nozzle insertion part; 18a: Conical part; 19: Flow channel part; 21: Protrusion; 22, 23: Through hole; 24: Linkage mechanism; 25: Exhaust port; 26: Mold seal; 27: Second mechanism; 100: Filling device; 200: Seal manufacturing device; 201: Conveying device; 202: Mold supply device; 203: Ultraviolet irradiation device; 204: Demolding device; 205: Seal.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a seal, wherein, The method for manufacturing the seal includes: a filling process, in which a UV-curable sealant composition is filled into a mold using a filling machine. The mold consists of an upper mold and a lower mold. In the filling process, a pressure plate is arranged on the upper side of the upper mold, and the upper mold is pressed to the lower mold by the pressure plate.

2. The method for manufacturing a seal according to claim 1, wherein, The filling machine is used to apply a load to the pressure plate.

3. The method for manufacturing a seal according to claim 2, wherein, A spring is disposed between the filling machine and the pressure plate.

4. The method for manufacturing a seal according to claim 1, wherein, Prior to the filling process, a mold preparation process is also included to prepare the mold; Following the filling process, the process further includes: an irradiation process to irradiate the UV-curable sealant composition with ultraviolet light; and a demolding process to remove the sealant from the mold. The mold, which has been filled with the UV-curable sealing composition in the filling process, is then conveyed to the irradiation process. The mold after the seal is removed in the demolding process is returned to the mold preparation process.

5. The method for manufacturing a seal according to claim 1, wherein, The mold is formed from at least one selected from the group consisting of glass, quartz, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and cyclic olefin polymers.

6. A filling device for filling a mold with a UV-curable sealing composition. The mold consists of an upper mold and a lower mold. The filling device includes a unit that presses the upper mold onto the lower mold using a pressure plate.

7. The filling device according to claim 6, wherein, The filling device also includes a filling machine. A spring is arranged between the filling machine and the pressure plate to lower the filling machine and apply a load to the pressure plate by means of the spring.

8. An apparatus for manufacturing a seal, comprising the filling device as described in claim 6 or 7.

9. A mold used in the method of manufacturing a seal as claimed in claim 1, said mold being formed from at least one selected from the group consisting of glass, quartz, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, and cycloolefin polymers.

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