Seal component and seal member
The sealing member design with connecting portions and erroneous connection prevention features addresses the issue of gaps in compressive deformation, enhancing sealing performance and reducing equipment size.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024112176
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing sealing members are prone to gaps forming due to compressive deformation at connecting portions, compromising sealing performance.
A sealing member configuration comprising first and second connecting portions on adjacent sealing parts, with mating protrusions and recesses, and erroneous connection prevention features, to enhance stability and sealing performance.
Improves sealing performance by preventing gaps and ensuring stable connection between sealing parts, reducing equipment size and storage requirements.
Smart Images
Figure 2026011499000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing component and a sealing member. [Background technology]
[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a sealing member has been known in which a plurality of divided sealing components are connected to form a seal between two members. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a seal member having connecting portions at both ends in the direction in which the seal member extends, which connect to adjacent seal members. The connecting portions of this seal member have a convex portion that protrudes in the width direction at a portion where one side in the width direction perpendicular to the direction in which the seal member extends is cut out, and a concave portion formed adjacent to this convex portion, and are configured to be combined with the connecting portions of adjacent seal members. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-278916 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, in the sealing member described in Patent Document 1, when the two members are combined and compressed and deformed, the connecting portion is located on the seal line, which is the direction in which the sealing member extends, and this raises the concern that the connecting portion may open in the width direction, making it more likely for gaps to form.
[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and aims to provide a sealing part and a sealing member that can improve sealing performance while being able to form a sealing member using adjacent sealing parts. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, configuration 1 of the sealing part of the present invention is a sealing part that is connected to a sealing part arranged adjacent to it in a first direction and that constitutes a sealing member interposed between a first member and a second member that are combined in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and is characterized by comprising: a seal main body that is abutted against the seal main body of the sealing part arranged adjacent to it in the first direction in the first direction to seal between the first member and the second member; a first connecting part that is arranged to be located on at least one side of a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions at a first end that is on one side of the seal main body in the first direction; and a second connecting part that is arranged to be located on at least one side of the third direction at a second end that is on the other side of the seal main body in the first direction and is connected to the first connecting part that is arranged on the sealing part arranged adjacent to it in the first direction.
[0007] The following description of the embodiments will disclose that the sealing component according to the present invention may also include the following subsidiary configurations. <Configuration 2> In configuration 1, the first connecting portion may be provided with one of an engaging protrusion that protrudes toward one side in the second direction and an engaging recess that opens toward the other side in the second direction and engages with an engaging protrusion provided on a sealing part that is arranged adjacent in the first direction, and the second connecting portion may be provided with one of an engaging protrusion that protrudes toward one side in the second direction and an engaging recess that opens toward the other side in the second direction and engages with an engaging protrusion provided on a sealing part that is arranged adjacent in the first direction. <Configuration 3> In configuration 2, the mating protrusions may be provided on the first connecting portions located on both sides of the first end portion in the third direction, and the mating recesses may be provided on the second connecting portions located on both sides of the second end portion in the third direction. <Configuration 4> In configuration 3, the mating protrusion and the mating recess may be formed so as to elastically contact a first end of the seal main body and a second end of the seal main body of a seal component arranged adjacent to the first direction. <Configuration 5> In the configuration 3 or 4, the respective centers of the fitting protrusion and the fitting recess when viewed in the second direction may be located closer to the center in the first direction than the end face of the seal body in the first direction. <Configuration 6> In any one of configurations 3 to 5, the center-to-center dimension of the mating protrusions on both sides of the first end in the third direction as viewed in the second direction may be different from the center-to-center dimension of the mating recesses on both sides of the second end in the third direction as viewed in the second direction. <Configuration 7> In any one of configurations 3 to 6, the mating recess may be a through hole penetrating the second connecting portion in the second direction, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion may be provided with an erroneous connection prevention portion formed to interfere with each other when the mating protrusion is mated with the mating recess from one side in the second direction. <Configuration 8> In any one of configurations 1 to 7, at least one of the first end and the second end may be provided with a protrusion that protrudes in a second direction and is configured to deform toward a sealing component arranged adjacent to it in the first direction when compressed in the second direction.
[0008] The sealing member of the present invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned sealing parts are arranged adjacent to each other in a first direction, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion that are adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected. [Effects of the Invention]
[0009] The sealing part and sealing member of the present invention have the above-described configuration, and therefore can improve sealing performance while still being able to configure a sealing member using adjacently arranged sealing parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a sealing part and a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 1(a) is a schematic perspective view of the seal component, and FIGS. 1(b) to 1(d) are schematic plan views of the main parts of the seal component. [Figure 3] 1. (a) to (d) are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of the sealing component, (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views taken along line XX in FIG. 1, and (c) and (d) are cross-sectional views taken along line YY in FIG. [Figure 4] 1(a) is a schematic front view of a modified example of the sealing component, and FIG. 1(b) is a schematic perspective view corresponding to the portion Z in FIG. [Figure 5] 10(a) and 10(b) are schematic plan views of a main part of a modified example of the sealing component. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a main part of a modified example of the sealing component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Hereinafter, an example of a sealing part and a sealing member according to an embodiment and modifications thereof will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in some drawings, some of the detailed reference numerals used in other drawings are omitted.
[0012] 1 to 3, the sealing component 10 is connected to a sealing component 11 disposed adjacently in a first direction, and constitutes a sealing member 9 interposed between a first member 1 and a second member 2 that are combined in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. With this configuration, the sealing component 9 that seals between the first member 1 and the second member 2 can be constituted by the sealing components 11 disposed adjacently in the first direction. This allows for a reduction in the size of the equipment required for molding, as well as space savings during transportation and storage, compared to a sealing component that is integrally formed into an annular shape, for example.
[0013] The seal component 10 includes a seal body 12 that is abutted against the seal body 12 of the seal component 11 that is arranged adjacent to it in the first direction in order to seal between the first member 1 and the second member 2. With this configuration, it is difficult for a gap to form between the seal body 12 of the seal component 11 that is arranged adjacent to it.
[0014] The seal component 10 includes a first connecting portion 20 located at a first end 12a, which is on one side of the seal body 12 in the first direction, so as to be positioned on at least one side in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, and a second connecting portion 30 located at a second end 12b, which is on the other side of the seal body 12 in the first direction, so as to be positioned on at least one side in the third direction, and connected to the first connecting portion 20 located on the seal component 11 adjacent to the seal body 12 in the first direction. With this configuration, the first connecting portion 20 and the second connecting portion 30 are located at positions less susceptible to the effects of compressive deformation of the seal body 12, compared to a configuration in which connecting portions having an uneven shape or the like are formed on both ends of the seal body 12 in the first direction. This makes it easier to stably butt the seal bodies 12 of the seal components 10 and 11 adjacent to each other in the first direction against each other in the first direction, thereby improving sealing performance. The seal member 9 is formed by arranging a plurality of the above-described seal parts 10 adjacent to each other in the first direction, and connecting the first connecting portions 20 and the second connecting portions 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction. With this configuration, substantially the same effects as the above-described seal part 10 can be achieved.
[0015] The first connecting portion 20 is provided with either a mating protrusion 22 protruding toward one side in the second direction or a mating recess 32 that opens toward the other side in the second direction and fits with the mating protrusion 22 provided in the seal component 11 arranged adjacently in the first direction. The second connecting portion 30 is provided with either a mating protrusion 22 protruding toward one side in the second direction or a mating recess 32 that opens toward the other side in the second direction and fits with the mating protrusion 22 provided in the seal component 11 arranged adjacently in the first direction. With this configuration, the mating of the mating protrusion 22 with the mating recess 32 provides a stronger connection between the seal component 10 and the seal component 11 arranged adjacently in the first direction than a configuration in which a protrusion protruding in the first direction fits with a recess that opens in the first direction. An example of a specific configuration will be described below.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the first member 1 has a flat first surface 1a that is rectangular in plan view. In the illustrated example, the first surface 1a is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. The second member 2 has an annular flange portion 2a that follows the periphery of the first member 1 in plan view. As shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 3(d), the first member 1 and the second member 2 are assembled so that the first surface 1a and the flange portion 2a abut against each other. At least one of the first member 1 and the second member 2 has a groove that opens toward the other member and accommodates a seal member 9. The first member 1 and the second member 2 are not particularly limited, but for example, one may be a heat exchanger cover and the other a heat exchanger of an internal combustion engine, or one may be a cylinder block and the other an oil pan.
[0017] The second member 2 is a lid-like member and has an opening 2f that opens toward the first member 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the flange 2a is formed to surround the periphery of the opening 2f. The flange 2a is provided with a groove 2b that opens toward the first member 1 and accommodates the seal member 9. The groove 2b extends along the circumferential direction of the flange 2a and has a generally rectangular ring shape with four rounded corners in a plan view (viewed in the groove depth direction). The groove 2b is defined by a groove bottom 2c that is generally parallel to the surface of the flange 2a that abuts against the first surface 1a and two groove walls 2d, 2d on both sides in the groove width direction, and has a generally rectangular groove shape in the groove length direction. A widened portion 2e that widens in the groove width direction is provided at a midpoint in the groove length direction of the groove 2b. As shown in FIG. 1, the widened portion 2e is generally rectangular in a plan view. The widened portion 2e is formed so as to be able to accommodate a connecting portion 40 that connects the first connecting portion 20 of the sealing part 10 and the second connecting portion 30 of the adjacent sealing part 11. In the illustrated example, two widened portions 2e are provided in the groove 2b. The widened portions 2e are provided at approximately the center in the groove length direction of each of the two long side portions of the groove 2b.
[0018] A plurality of insertion holes 3, 4, through which fasteners such as bolts are inserted, are provided at intervals along the length direction of the groove portion 2b on the periphery of each of the first member 1 and the second member 2. The insertion holes 3, 4 of the first member 1 and the second member 2 are provided at approximately the same positions on the first member 1 and the second member 2 so as to communicate with each other when the first member 1 and the second member 2 are combined. In the following description, the direction along the groove length direction (circumferential direction) of the groove portion 2b is referred to as the first direction, the direction along the groove depth direction of the groove portion 2b (the direction in which the first member 1 and the second member 2 face each other) is referred to as the second direction, and the direction along the groove width direction of the groove portion 2b is referred to as the third direction. Also, one side in the second direction will be referred to as the second member 2 side, and the other side in the second direction will be referred to as the first member 1 side. In the following description, adjacent sealing parts 11 refer to sealing parts 11 that are arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction. Furthermore, since the sealing part 10 and the adjacent sealing part 11 have the same configuration, the following description will use the sealing part 10 as an example unless a distinction is required.
[0019] The seal member 9 is interposed in a compressed state between the first member 1 and the second member 2 facing each other in the second direction, thereby sealing the external space and the internal space (sealed space) from passing through the seal member 9, preventing fluids, foreign matter, etc. from passing through the seal member 9. Such a seal member 9 is formed in a shape corresponding to the first member 1 and the second member 2. In this embodiment, the seal member 9 is shaped to correspond to the groove portion 2b of the second member 2, and is formed in a substantially rectangular ring shape with four rounded corners in a plan view (viewed in the second direction). In the illustrated example, the seal member 9 is formed in a ring shape by connecting two seal components 10 of substantially the same shape. The seal components 10 may be formed of any elastically deformable material, such as rubber, e.g., NBR, H-NBR, ACM, AEM, FKM, etc.
[0020] The seal component 10 has a seal body 12 formed along the groove length direction of the groove 2b. The seal body 12 is formed in an elongated shape that is longer in the first direction than in the second and third directions. As shown in FIG. 1, the dimension of the seal body 12 in the first direction (longitudinal direction) is approximately half the groove length dimension of the groove 2b. In other words, the overall length of the seal component 10 is approximately half the groove length dimension of the groove 2b. In the illustrated example, the seal body 12 is formed in an approximately U-shape when viewed in the second direction. The seal body 12 is formed in a shape such that the center side in the first direction (the center side between the first end 12a and the second end 12b of the seal body 12) can be accommodated in a short side portion of the groove 2b, and both sides in the first direction can be accommodated in the two long side portions of the groove 2b. The seal body 12 is formed so that, when housed in the groove 2b, both ends in the first direction are housed in the two widened portions 2e of the groove 2b, respectively.
[0021] As shown in Fig. 2(b), both end surfaces of the seal body 12 in the first direction are formed as flat surfaces perpendicular to the first direction. With this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the end surfaces are formed as inclined surfaces, the end surfaces in the first direction (first end 12a, second end 12b) of the seal bodies 12, 12 arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction that abut against each other are less likely to become misaligned, and a step is less likely to occur between these end surfaces. Note that the end surfaces in the first direction of the seal body 12 may be provided with protrusions that protrude in the first direction or recesses that open in the first direction, which fit into corresponding recesses or protrusions provided on the end surfaces in the first direction of the seal body 12 of the adjacent seal component 11.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 3(c), the seal body 12 may have a cross-sectional shape along the second direction in which the dimension h in the second direction is greater than the dimension w in the third direction. In the cross-sectional shape along the second direction, the seal body 12 is formed to be symmetrical with respect to the third-direction center line L as the axis of symmetry. The seal body 12 includes a first seal portion 13 that abuts against the first surface 1a of the first member 1 and a second seal portion 15 that abuts against the groove bottom 2c of the groove portion 2b of the second member 2. Both ends of the first seal portion 13 and the second seal portion 15 in the third direction are chamfered to form an inclined shape. In the illustrated example, the dimension w1 in the third direction of the first seal portion 13 is greater than the dimension w2 in the third direction of the second seal portion 15. The first seal portion 13 and the second seal portion 15 are formed with grooves 14, 16 that open in the second direction at the center in the third direction and extend along the entire length of the seal body 12 in the first direction. These grooves 14, 16 divide the second-direction side surfaces of the first seal portion 13 and the second seal portion 15 into two. The grooves 14, 16 are defined by a groove bottom that is a flat surface substantially parallel to the first and third directions and a groove wall that slopes toward the center in the third direction from the opening toward the groove bottom. In the illustrated example, the groove width dimension (dimension in the third direction) and groove depth dimension (dimension in the second direction) of the groove 14 of the first seal portion 13 are larger than those of the groove 16 of the second seal portion 15. Side wall portions 17, 17 are provided on both sides of the seal body 12 in the third direction. Further, steps 18, 18 are formed at intermediate positions in the second direction of the side walls 17, 17 due to the difference in dimension between the dimension in the third direction on the first seal portion 13 side and the dimension in the third direction on the second seal portion 15 side.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , first connecting portions 20 are provided on both sides in the third direction of the first end 12a of the seal body 12. Second connecting portions 30 are provided on both sides in the third direction of the second end 12b of the seal body 12. A fitting protrusion 22 is provided on each of the first connecting portions 20 located on both sides in the third direction of the first end 12a. A fitting recess 32 is provided on each of the second connecting portions 30 located on both sides in the third direction of the second end 12b. With this configuration, by fitting the fitting protrusions 22 and fitting recesses 32 provided on both sides in the third direction of the ends of the seal bodies 12, 12 of the seal components 10, 10 arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction, it becomes easier to butt the seal bodies 12, 12 arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction more stably in the first direction and also to prevent misalignment between them. 2(b), the pair of first connecting portions 20, 20 are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to each other with the third direction center line of the seal main body 12 as the axis of symmetry, except for a configuration in which one of them is provided with an erroneous connection prevention portion 25, which will be described later. Furthermore, the pair of second connecting portions 30, 30 are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to each other with the third direction center line of the seal main body 12 as the axis of symmetry, except for a configuration in which one of them is provided with an erroneous connection prevention portion 34, which will be described later.
[0024] The first connecting portions 20, 20 are provided to protrude in the third direction from intermediate portions in the second direction of both side wall portions 17, 17 in the third direction at the first end 12a of the seal main body 12. The first connecting portion 20 has a base portion 21 that is rectangular and plate-shaped when viewed in the second direction. One side in the first direction (the tip end side in the first direction) of the base portion 21 protrudes toward the first direction beyond the one-side end face 12aa of the first end 12a. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the base portion 21 is located closer to the first member 1 (the other side in the second direction) than the second-direction center 12c of the seal main body 12, and is provided closer to the second member 2 (the one side in the second direction) than the side surface of the first member 1 of the seal main body 12. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the first connecting portion 20 has a first wall portion 23 that is formed to rise from the center side in the third direction (the seal main body 12 side) of the base portion 21. In addition, the first connecting portion 20 is provided with a second wall portion 24 that is formed to rise from the other side in the first direction (toward the center in the first direction) of the base portion 21 and is continuous with the other end of the first wall portion 23 in the first direction.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the pair of mating protrusions 22, 22 provided on both sides in the third direction are respectively provided at positions spaced apart at approximately equal intervals from the center of the first end portion 12a in the third direction. The mating protrusions 22 are formed so that their center as viewed in the second direction and one end surface 12aa of the first end portion 12a on the first side in the first direction coincide with each other in the first direction. The mating protrusions 22 are formed in a cylindrical shape protruding toward the second member 2 from the second member 2 side surface 21a of the base portion 21 of the first connecting portion 20. The mating protrusions 22 are formed in a shape corresponding to the inner circumferential surface of the corresponding mating recess 32, and their diameter is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the mating recess 32. As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 3(a), the mating protrusions 22 are formed so that their protruding tips do not protrude beyond the second member 2 side surface of the seal main body 12 toward the second member 2. The fitting convex portion 22 may be formed so that its protruding tip is located closer to the second member 2 than the first wall portion 23 and the second wall portion 24. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3( a), the fitting convex portion 22 is formed so that its protruding dimension is larger than the dimension in the second direction of the base portion 31 of the second connecting portion 30. With this configuration, when the fitting convex portion 22 is fitted into the fitting recess 32, the protruding tip of the fitting convex portion 22 is located closer to the second member 2 than the second connecting portion 30, making it difficult for the fitting convex portion 22 to come out of the fitting recess 32.
[0026] The second connecting portion 30 is provided to protrude in the third direction from a middle portion in the second direction of both side wall portions 17, 17 in the third direction at the second end portion 12b of the seal body 12. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the second connecting portion 30 has a base portion 31 that is a substantially rectangular plate when viewed in the second direction. The other side in the first direction (the tip end side in the first direction) of this base portion 31 protrudes further in the first direction than the other end face 12ba of the second end portion 12b. The base portion 31 of the second connecting portion 30 is formed so that its dimension in the third direction is substantially the same as that of the base portion 21 of the first connecting portion 20. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the base portion 31 of the second connecting portion 30 is formed so as to be located closer to the second member 2 than the base portion 21 of the first connecting portion 20. The base 31 of the second connecting portion 30 is formed so as to overlap and abut the base 21 of the first connecting portion 20 when the second connecting portion 30 is connected to the first connecting portion 20 of the adjacent sealing part 11.
[0027] The pair of fitting recesses 32, 32 provided on both sides in the third direction are respectively provided at positions spaced apart at approximately equal intervals from the center of the second end portion 12b in the third direction. The fitting recess 32 is formed so that its center as viewed in the second direction and the other end surface 12ba of the second end portion 12b in the first direction coincide with each other in the first direction. The fitting recess 32 has a shape corresponding to the fitting protrusion 22, and is provided as a round through-hole that penetrates the base 31 of the second connecting portion 30 in the second direction, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0028] A recessed step 33 that communicates with the fitting recess 32 is provided on the second member 2 side of the second connecting portion 30. The recessed step 33 is formed in an annular shape that is approximately concentric with the fitting recess 32 when viewed in the second direction, and is composed of a bottom portion 33a that is annular when viewed in the second direction, and an inner peripheral wall 33b that extends from the outer peripheral end of the bottom portion toward the second member 2 side.
[0029] The first connecting portion 20 and the second connecting portion 30 are provided with erroneous connection prevention portions 25, 34 that are formed to interfere with each other when the fitting convex portion 22 is fitted into the fitting concave portion 32 from one side in the second direction (the second member 2 side). With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the fitting convex portion 22 and the fitting concave portion 32 from being fitted in the wrong orientation. In the illustrated example, an incorrect connection prevention portion 25 is provided on one of the first connecting portions 20, 20, which is located on one side in the third direction (toward the interior space) (see FIG. 2). Also, in the illustrated example, an incorrect connection prevention portion 34 is provided on one of the second connecting portions 30, 30, which is located on one side in the third direction (toward the exterior space) (see FIG. 2). The incorrect connection prevention portion 25 provided on one of the first connecting portions 20A is continuous with the end portion on one side in the third direction of the second wall portion 24, and is formed to extend from the one side in the third direction of the second wall portion 24 to one side in the first direction. The incorrect connection prevention portion 34 provided on one of the second connecting portions 30A is formed to protrude to one side in the third direction from the tip portion in the first direction of the base portion 31 of the second connecting portion 30A on one side in the third direction.
[0030] A plurality of sealing components 10 (two in the illustrated example) configured as described above are combined to form an annular seal member 9. As shown in FIG. 1 , the first connecting portion 20 of one sealing component 10 is connected to the second connecting portion 30 of an adjacent sealing component 11, and the second connecting portion 30 of one sealing component 10 is connected to the first connecting portion 20 of the adjacent sealing component 11. That is, the mating protrusion 22 of one sealing component 10 is fitted into the mating recess 32 of the adjacent sealing component 11, and the mating recess 32 of one sealing component 10 is fitted into the mating protrusion 22 of the adjacent sealing component 11. The mating protrusion 22 is fitted into the mating recess 32 by being inserted through the opening of the mating recess 32 of the adjacent sealing component 11 on the first member 1 side. The misconnection prevention parts 25, 34 are configured so as not to interfere with the adjacent seal part 11 when the mating convex part 22 is mated with the opening of the mating concave part 32 of the adjacent seal part 11 on the first member 1 side (when mated in the correct orientation) (see FIG. 2(c)). In such a case, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the base part 21 of the first connecting part 20 and the base part 31 of the second connecting part 30 of the adjacent seal part 11 abut and overlap. On the other hand, when the mating protrusion 22 is mated with the opening of the mating recess 32 of the adjacent seal part 11 on the second member 2 side (when mated in the wrong orientation), the misconnection prevention portion 25 of the first connecting part 20A overlaps and abuts with the misconnection prevention portion 34 of the second connecting part 30A of the adjacent seal part 11 in the second direction (see FIG. 2(d)). In such a case, it becomes difficult for the base 21 of the first connecting part 20 and the base 31 of the second connecting part 30 of the adjacent seal part 11 to abut in an overlapping manner, and a step occurs between the first end 12a and the second end 12b, which are butted against each other. When the seal part 10 and the adjacent seal part 11 are mated in the wrong orientation, the misconnection prevention portions 25, 34 prevent the connection.
[0031] 3(a), when the seal component 10 and the adjacent seal component 11 are connected, the dimension in the second direction of the connecting region 40, where the first connecting portion 20 and the second connecting portion 30 are connected, is smaller than that of the seal main body 12. Furthermore, the second member 2 side surface of the connecting region 40 is located closer to the first member 1 than the second member 2 side surface of the seal main body 12 in its natural state before compressive deformation, and the first member 1 side surface of the connecting region 40 is located closer to the second member 2 than the first member 1 side surface of the seal main body 12 in its natural state before compressive deformation. In other words, when the seal main body 12 is in its natural state before compressive deformation, the connecting region 40 is out of contact with the first surface 1a of the first member 1 and the groove bottom 2c of the second member 2. When the first member 1 and the second member 2 are fastened together with bolts or the like and the seal main body portion 12 is compressed in the second direction, the first seal portion 13 and the second seal portion 15 elastically deform and come into close contact with the first member 1 and the second member 2, as shown in Figures 3(b) and (d), thereby suppressing the flow of foreign matter such as fluids between the first member 1 and the second member 2.
[0032] Next, modified examples of the sealing component according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. In each of the following modified examples, differences from the previously described example will be mainly described, and similar configurations will be omitted or briefly described. In addition, explanations of the same functions and effects as those of the previously described example will be omitted or briefly described. Furthermore, since the sealing component and the sealing component adjacent to it in the first direction in each of the following modified examples have similar configurations, in the following explanation, when no distinction is required, the sealing component will be described as an example (sealing component 10B in the modified example of Figure 5, and sealing component 10C in the modified example of Figure 6).
[0033] 4(a) and 4(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating a seal component 10A according to a first modification. This modification, as shown in FIG. 4(a), differs from the previous example in that at least one of the first end portion 12a and the second end portion 12b is provided with a protrusion 19 that protrudes in the second direction and is configured to deform toward the seal component (not shown) adjacent thereto in the first direction when compressed in the second direction. This configuration reduces the likelihood of gaps forming between the seal main bodies 12 of adjacent seal components in the first direction, further improving sealing performance. The protrusion 19 may be provided on at least one of the first end portion 12a and the second end portion 12b, on either side in the second direction. In the illustrated example, the protrusions 19 are provided on both sides of the first end 12a in the second direction. Taking the protrusion 19 on the second member 2 side (second seal portion 15 side) of the first end 12a as an example, the protrusion 19 is provided so as to protrude from the second member 2 side surface of the seal body 12, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). A plurality of protrusions 19 (two in the illustrated example) are provided aligned in the third direction. The plurality of protrusions 19 are provided on the second member 2 side surface of each of the two divided second seal portions 15. The protrusions 19 are formed so that the protrusion dimension toward the second member 2 side increases toward the tip end side (one side in the first direction) of the first end 12a. In other words, the side surface of the protrusion 19 on the second member 2 is formed as an inclined surface. The one side surface in the first direction of the protrusion 19 is configured to be substantially flush with the one end surface 12aa on the first side in the first direction of the first end 12a. When the protrusion 19 is compressed in the second direction, the tip side of the protrusion 19 in the second direction is deformed toward one side in the first direction, and the protrusion 19 is formed so as to protrude toward one side in the first direction beyond the one-side end face 12aa of the first end 12a in the first direction. The protrusion 19 provided on the first seal portion 13 is also formed in a similar manner so as to protrude toward the first member 1 from the side surface of the first seal portion 13 toward the first member 1. The protrusion 19 may also be provided in a substantially similar manner on the second end 12b of the seal body 12. The seal member 9 may be configured by combining seal parts 10A each having a protrusion 19, or by combining a seal part 10A having a protrusion 19 with a seal part 10 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 that does not have a protrusion 19.
[0034] 5(a) and 5(b) schematically show a sealing part 10B according to a second modified example and a sealing part 11A arranged adjacent to the sealing part 10B in the first direction. In this modified example, the configuration of the fitting protrusion 22A is different from the previous example. The mating protrusion 22A and the mating recess 32 are formed so that the first end 12a of the seal body 12 and the second end 12b of the seal body 12 of the seal part 11A arranged adjacent to the first end 12a in the first direction butt against each other in the first direction come into elastic contact. With this configuration, the ends in the first direction of the seal bodies 12, 12 arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction butt against each other can be brought into elastic contact and tightly adhered, further improving sealing performance. The center of at least one of the fitting protrusion 22A and the fitting recess 32, as viewed in the second direction, is located closer to the center in the first direction than the first-direction side end face of the seal main body 12. That is, in the case of the fitting protrusion 22A, the center of the fitting protrusion 22A, as viewed in the second direction, is located closer to the other side in the first direction (toward the second end 12b) than the one-side end face in the first direction of the seal main body 12 (one-side end face 12aa in the first direction of the first end 12a), and in the case of the fitting recess 32, the center of the fitting recess 32, as viewed in the second direction, is located closer to the one side in the first direction (toward the first end 12a) than the other-side end face in the first direction of the seal main body 12 (the other-side end face 12ba in the first direction of the second end 12b). The difference A1 in the first direction dimension between the center of one of the seal bodies 12 (the fitting protrusion 22A in the illustrated example) as viewed in the second direction and the first-direction side end face of the seal body 12 is larger than the difference in the first direction dimension between the center of the other seal body 12 (the fitting recess 32 in the illustrated example) as viewed in the second direction and the first-direction side end face of the seal body 12. With this configuration, when the fitting protrusion 22A and the fitting recess 32 are fitted together, the abutting first-direction end faces of the seal bodies 12, 12 that are adjacent to each other in the first direction can be brought into effective elastic contact and tightly adhered to each other. Furthermore, with this configuration, even if the center of the other seal body 12 as viewed in the second direction is located on the opposite side from the first-direction center side (the first-direction tip side) of the first-direction side end face of the seal body 12, the abutting first-direction end faces of the seal bodies 12, 12 that are adjacent to each other in the first direction can be brought into elastic contact and tightly adhered to each other.
[0035] In this modified example, the center of the fitting protrusion 22A as viewed in the second direction is located on the other side in the first direction (toward the center in the first direction) of the one end face of the seal main body 12 on the one side in the first direction. In other words, the center of the fitting protrusion 22A as viewed in the second direction and the one end face of the seal main body 12 on the one side in the first direction are located at different positions in the first direction, as shown in FIG. 5( a). A difference A1 in size in the first direction occurs between the center of the fitting protrusion 22A as viewed in the second direction and the one end face of the seal main body 12 on the one side in the first direction. On the other hand, as in the above example, the fitting recess 32 has a center as viewed in the second direction and the other end face of the second end 12b on the other side in the first direction aligned in the first direction. In other words, there is no difference in size in the first direction between the center of the fitting recess 32 as viewed in the second direction and the other end face of the seal main body 12 on the other side in the first direction.
[0036] The difference A1 in the first direction dimension between the center of the fitting protrusion 22A as viewed in the second direction and one end face in the first direction of the seal body 12 may be a dimension that allows the fitting protrusion 22A to elastically deform in the first direction. In other words, this difference A1 in the first direction may be a dimension that allows the fitting protrusion 22A and the fitting recess 32 to fit together when the first direction ends of the seal bodies 12, 12 of the seal parts 10B, 11A adjacent to each other in the first direction are abutted against each other. This difference A1 in the first direction dimension may be, for example, approximately 1 / 10 to 1 / 8 of the inner diameter of the fitting recess 32.
[0037] The fitting protrusion 22A is formed in a cross shape that intersects with the first and third directions when viewed in the second direction. That is, the fitting protrusion 22A is formed in a shape other than a cylindrical shape that corresponds to the inner circumferential surface of the fitting recess 32. The dimensions of the fitting protrusion 22A in the first direction and the third direction are approximately the same as the inner diameter dimension of the fitting recess 32. The fitting protrusion 22A is configured to be able to fit into the fitting recess 32 by elastically deforming in the first direction and the third direction.
[0038] When fitting protrusion 22A and fitting recess 32 are fitted together, the opposing ends in the first direction of seal main bodies 12, 12 are abutted against each other and are pressed together. As a result, with fitting protrusion 22A and fitting recess 32 fitted together, the abutting ends in the first direction of adjacent seal main bodies 12, 12 are brought into elastic contact with each other.
[0039] A dimension B1 between the centers of fitting convex portions 22A, 22A on both sides in the third direction of first end 12a, as viewed in the second direction, is different from a dimension B2 between the centers of fitting concave portions 32, 32 on both sides in the third direction of second end 12b, as viewed in the second direction. With this configuration, by fitting fitting convex portions 22A and fitting concave portions 32 of seal parts 10B, 11A arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction together, seal main bodies 12, 12 arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction are less likely to become misaligned in the third direction. In this modification, the dimension B1 between the centers of the fitting protrusions 22A, 22A on both sides of the first end 12a in the third direction, as viewed in the second direction, is smaller than the dimension B2 between the centers of the fitting recesses 32, 32 on both sides of the second end 12b in the third direction, as viewed in the second direction. The dimension B1 between the fitting protrusions 22A, 22A may be such that the fitting protrusion 22A can elastically deform and fit into the fitting recesses 32, 32 of the sealing part 11A adjacent in the first direction. The difference between the dimension B1 between the centers of the fitting protrusions 22A, 22A on both sides of the first end 12a in the third direction, as viewed in the second direction, and the dimension B2 between the centers of the fitting recesses 32, 32 on both sides of the second end 12b in the third direction, as viewed in the second direction, may be, for example, approximately 1 / 6 to 1 / 4 of the inner diameter of the fitting recess 32. In addition, the dimension B1 between the centers of the mating protrusions 22A, 22A on both sides in the third direction of the first end 12a as viewed in the second direction may be larger than the dimension B2 between the centers of the mating recesses 32, 32 on both sides in the third direction of the second end 12b as viewed in the second direction.
[0040] 6 schematically illustrates a seal component 10C according to a third modified example and a seal component 11B adjacent to each other in the first direction. This modified example differs from the second modified example in that the center of the fitting recess 32A, as viewed in the second direction, is located closer to one side in the first direction (closer to the center in the first direction) than the other end face of the seal body 12 in the first direction. That is, the centers of the fitting protrusion 22A and the fitting recess 32A, as viewed in the second direction, are located closer to the center in the first direction than the first end face of the seal body 12. This configuration allows the abutting ends of the seal bodies 12, 12 adjacent to each other in the first direction to elastically contact each other in the first direction more effectively than in a configuration in which the center of one of the fitting protrusions 22A and the fitting recess 32A, as viewed in the second direction, is located closer to the center in the first direction than the end face of the seal body 12 in the first direction. A difference A2 in the first direction dimension exists between the center of the fitting recess 32A as viewed in the second direction and the other end face in the first direction of the seal main body 12. As in the second modified example, the center of the fitting protrusion 22A as viewed in the second direction is located on the other side in the first direction of the one end face in the first direction of the seal main body 12, and a difference A1 in the first direction dimension exists between the center and the one end face in the first direction of the seal main body 12. In other words, when the seal main bodies 12, 12 of the seal parts 10C, 11B adjacent to each other in the first direction are abutted against each other, the dimension between the centers of the fitting protrusion 22A and the fitting recess 32A as viewed in the second direction is the sum of the difference A1 in the first direction dimension between the fitting protrusion 22A and the first end face in the first direction of the seal main body 12 and the difference A2 in the first direction dimension between the fitting recess 32A and the first end face in the first direction of the seal main body 12. This allows for more effective elastic contact than in a configuration in which there is a difference A1 in the first direction between the center of only the fitting protrusion 22A as viewed in the second direction and the first-direction side end face. The combined dimension of these first-direction differences A1, A2 may be any dimension that allows the fitting protrusion 22A to elastically deform in the first direction. The difference A2 in the first direction between the fitting recess 32A and the first-direction side end face of the seal main body 12 may be approximately the same as the difference A1 in the first direction between the fitting protrusion 22A and the first-direction side end face of the seal main body 12, or may be different from this difference A1 in the first direction.
[0041] The different configurations described in the above embodiment and each modification may be appropriately modified, rearranged, or combined as needed. Furthermore, the components are not limited to the above-described configurations. For example, a housing portion may be provided in the first member, and a flange portion that abuts against the second member may be provided around the periphery of the housing portion. Alternatively, a groove may be provided in the first member instead of or in addition to the groove in the second member. Alternatively, the first and second members may not be provided with grooves, and a sealing member may be disposed and compressed between the opposing surfaces of the first and second members. Furthermore, although the above-mentioned seal member is formed by combining seal parts of the same configuration, it may also be formed by combining seal parts of different shapes. Furthermore, although the above-mentioned seal member is formed in an annular shape by connecting two seal parts, it may also be formed by connecting a larger number of seal parts. The seal component may have one first connecting portion at the first end of the seal body and one second connecting portion at the second end. The fitting recess is not limited to a through hole, but may be a bottomed recess that opens on the other side in the second direction and has a bottom on one side in the second direction. The cross-sectional shape of the seal body is not limited to the above-described configuration. The protrusion is not limited to the above-described configuration as long as it is formed so as to deform toward the seal component arranged adjacently in the first direction when compressed in the second direction. The connecting portion where the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected may be configured to contact the first surface of the first member or the groove bottom of the second member when the seal body is in its natural state before compression. In addition, the seal member may be constructed by combining a seal part having mating convex portions at both ends of the seal main body in the first direction with a seal part having mating recesses at both ends of the seal main body in the first direction. Furthermore, the seal part of the present invention is not limited to a form for forming an annular seal member, and may be connected to seal parts arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction to form a linear seal member. [Explanation of symbols]
[0042] 1 First member 2 Second member 9 Sealing material 10, 10A~10C Sealing parts 11, 11A, 11B Sealing parts arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction 12 Seal body 12a First end 12b Second end 19 Protrusion 20,20A 1st connection part 22, 22A Mating protrusion 25 Misconnection prevention section 30,30A 2nd connection part 32, 32A Mating recess 34 Misconnection prevention section
Claims
1. A seal component that is connected to seal components that are arranged adjacent to each other in a first direction and that constitutes a seal member interposed between a first member and a second member that are combined in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a seal body portion that is abutted against a seal body portion of a seal component arranged adjacent to the seal body portion in the first direction to seal between the first member and the second member; a first connecting portion that is provided at a first end portion on one side of the seal body portion in the first direction so as to be positioned on at least one side of a third direction that is perpendicular to the first and second directions; and a second connecting portion that is provided at a second end portion on the other side of the seal body portion in the first direction so as to be positioned on at least one side of the third direction so as to be connected to the first connecting portion provided on the seal component arranged adjacent to the seal body portion in the first direction.
2. In claim 1, the first connecting portion is provided with one of a fitting protrusion protruding toward one side in the second direction and a fitting recess opening toward the other side in the second direction and adapted to fit with a fitting protrusion provided in a sealing component disposed adjacent thereto in the first direction; The second connecting portion is provided with one of an engaging protrusion that protrudes toward one side in the second direction and an engaging recess that opens toward the other side in the second direction and engages with an engaging protrusion provided in a sealing part arranged adjacent to it in the first direction.
3. In claim 2, A sealing component characterized in that the mating convex portions are provided on the first connecting portions located on both sides of the first end in the third direction, and the mating concave portions are provided on the second connecting portions located on both sides of the second end in the third direction.
4. In claim 3, A seal component characterized in that the mating convex portion and the mating recessed portion are formed so as to elastically contact a first end portion of the seal main body portion and a second end portion of the seal main body portion of a seal component arranged adjacent to the first direction.
5. In claim 3 or claim 4, A seal component characterized in that the centers of the mating convex portion and the mating concave portion when viewed in the second direction are located closer to the center in the first direction than the end face in the first direction of the seal main body portion.
6. In claim 3 or claim 4, A sealing component characterized in that the dimension between the centers of the mating convex portions on both sides of the first end in the third direction, as viewed in the second direction, is different from the dimension between the centers of the mating concave portions on both sides of the second end in the third direction, as viewed in the second direction.
7. In claim 3 or claim 4, the fitting recess is a through hole that penetrates the second connecting portion in a second direction, A sealing part characterized in that the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are provided with an incorrect connection prevention portion formed to interfere with each other when the mating convex portion is mated with the mating recess from one side in the second direction.
8. In any one of claims 1 to 4, A sealing component characterized in that at least one of the first end and the second end is provided with a protrusion that protrudes in a second direction and is formed so as to deform toward the sealing component arranged adjacent to it in the first direction when compressed in the second direction.
9. A sealing member characterized in that a plurality of sealing parts according to any one of claims 1 to 4 are arranged adjacent to each other in a first direction, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected to each other.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Seal mechanism, optical scanner, and image forming device
JP2003278916A