Thomson type, product manufacturing method, and gasket manufacturing method

Abstract

The cut surface of products punched out with a die-cutting tool sometimes resulted in a concave surface, which caused problems. [Solution] One aspect of the invention is a Thomson type comprising a Thomson blade for punching out a product from an elastic base material, and a support base for supporting the Thomson blade, wherein the Thomson blade includes a product punching blade that surrounds the product region of the base material that will become the product, and an auxiliary blade that, together with a part of the product punching blade that is an auxiliary part, surrounds a part of the outer region outside the product region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a Thomson type, a method for manufacturing a product, and a method for manufacturing a gasket.

Background Art

[0002] The Thomson type is widely used for punching a product from a base material that is an elastomer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There has been a problem that the cut surface of the product punched with the Thomson blade becomes a concave surface.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the invention is a Thomson type including a Thomson blade for punching a product from a base material that is an elastomer, and a support base for supporting the Thomson blade, wherein the Thomson blade includes a product punching blade that surrounds a product area that becomes the product in the base material, and an auxiliary blade that surrounds a part of an outer area outside the product area together with an auxiliary part that is a part of the product punching blade.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the Thomson type of the first embodiment [Figure 2] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the Thomson type punching a product from a base material [Figure 3]Figure 3A is a plan view of a gasket formed by joining punched gasket pieces, and Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of a gasket sealing between a pair of members. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view of the Thomson type. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the base material that expands horizontally due to the press of a punching press. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the base material into which an auxiliary blade has been inserted by the press of a punching press. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the base material into which the auxiliary blade has been inserted. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the punching press machine shown in Figure 6, along line AA. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional photograph of the side of the punched-out product. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a plan view of a Thomson type according to another embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a plan view of a Thomson type according to another embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a plan view of a Thomson type according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13A is a cross-sectional view of a product punched out with a conventional die-cutting machine, and Figure 13B is a cross-sectional view of a product punched out with a conventional die-cutting machine. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional Thomson blade. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional photograph of the side of a product punched out with a conventional die-cutting tool. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 shows the die 70 of this embodiment and the die-cutting machine 80 equipped with it. The die 70 is equipped with a die 71 for punching out products from the base material 28. The die-cutting machine 80 presses the base material 28 with an upper die 81 and a lower die 82 and punches out products from the base material 28 with the die 71 (see Figure 2). In the die-cutting machine 80, the die 70 is equipped in either the upper die 81 or the lower die 82, and in this embodiment, it is equipped in the lower die 82.

[0008] The die-cutting machine 70 of this embodiment is equipped with a support base 72 that faces the base material 28 and supports the die-cutting blade 71 so that it protrudes toward the base material 28. The die-cutting machine 80 is equipped with, for example, a resin plate 83 that faces the die-cutting machine 70 (support base 72) with the base material 28 in between. The resin plate 83 receives the tip of the die-cutting blade 71 that has punched through the base material 28.

[0009] In this embodiment, the base material 28 is an elastic body, and examples of elastic bodies include those made of foamed resin such as silicone foam (foamed silicone) or elastomers (for example, those made of rubber or thermoplastic elastomers).

[0010] In this embodiment, the product punched out from the base material 28 by the Thomson blade 71 is a gasket piece 20 that constitutes the gasket 10 (see Figure 3A). The gasket 10 is formed by arranging multiple gasket pieces 20 in a frame shape and joining the gasket pieces 20 together by butting them (for example, by bonding them with adhesive). Specifically, in this embodiment, the gasket 10 is composed of four gasket pieces 20 that form an elongated rectangular shape in plan view. There are two first gasket pieces 20A, where both ends in the longitudinal direction are joining surfaces 20M (butt surfaces) with other gasket pieces 20, and two second gasket pieces 20B, where both ends in the longitudinal direction on one side in the width direction are joining surfaces 20M.

[0011] Note that, as shown in FIG. 3B for example, the gasket 10 seals between a pair of members 91 that are connected to each other of the article 90. The article 90 for which the gasket 10 is used is not limited to a specific one, and may be, for example, a case (for example, a battery case that houses a battery) or a pipe. Examples of the battery case for which the gasket 10 is used include those for vehicles (for example, for vehicles such as electric vehicles). The shape of the gasket 10 is not limited to a specific shape, and may be a shape adapted to the shape of the article 90 (for example, an annular shape). Note that the product punched out from the base material 28 is not limited to the gasket piece 20.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 4, the Thomson blade 71 of the Thomson type 70 includes a product punching blade 73 and an auxiliary blade 74. The product punching blade 73 surrounds a product region R1 that becomes a product (gasket piece 20) of the base material 28 (see FIG. 8). The auxiliary blade 74 surrounds a part of the outer region outside the product region R1 of the base material 28 (hereinafter referred to as the outer region R2) together with an assisted portion 75 that is a part of the product punching blade 73. In the example of the present embodiment, the entire product punching blade 73 is partitioned into a plurality of assisted portions 75, and an auxiliary blade 74 is provided corresponding to each assisted portion 75. That is, the entire product punching blade 73 is covered from the outside by a plurality of auxiliary blades 74.

[0013] In the example of the present embodiment, the product punching blade 73 is arranged in a rectangular frame shape in accordance with the rectangular shape of the gasket piece 20 that is the product punched out from the base material 28. Then, the two long side portions 73L and the two short side portions 73S of the product punching blade 73 are the assisted portions 75 that extend linearly. The auxiliary blade 74 has an L-shaped cross section, and both ends thereof are abutted and connected to both ends of the assisted portion 75 from the outside. Thereby, a rectangular frame-shaped blade is formed by the assisted portion 75 and the auxiliary blade 74, and a rectangular outer region R2 arranged adjacent to the outside of each assisted portion 75 of the base material 28 is surrounded by this frame-shaped blade (see FIG. 8).

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, for example, the auxiliary blade 74 includes an outer opposing wall portion 74T facing the assisted portion 75 of the product punching blade 73, and a pair of partition wall portions 74K that divide the outer region R2 in the circumferential direction of the product punching blade 73. The pair of partition wall portions 74K extend from both ends of the outer opposing wall portion 74T and are respectively connected to both ends of the assisted portion 75. The outer opposing wall portion 74T preferably extends so that the distance from the assisted portion 75 is constant (for example, the outer opposing wall portion 74T and the assisted portion 75 are parallel). The pair of partition wall portions 74K preferably extend so that the distance between them is a constant distance (for example, the pair of partition wall portions 74K are arranged parallel to each other). In the example of the present embodiment, the outer opposing wall portion 74T and the assisted portion 75 are parallel, and the pair of partition wall portions 74K are also parallel to each other, and the outer region R2 of the base material 28 has a rectangular shape.

[0015] Here, when the product to be punched (gasket piece 20) has a joint surface 20M to be joined to another product, it is preferable that at least the assisted portion 75 is provided at the portion of the product punching blade 73 that forms the joint surface 20M. Also, it is preferable that the auxiliary blade 74 projects more from the support base 72 than the assisted portion 75 (that is, it is preferable that the auxiliary blade 74 pierces the base material 28 earlier than the assisted portion 75). In the present embodiment, it is like this, but for example, the projecting amounts of the auxiliary blade 74 and the assisted portion 75 from the support base 72 may be the same.

[0016] In the punching machine 80 including the Thomson type 70 of the present embodiment, for example, the product (gasket piece 20) is punched from the base material 28 as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a plate-shaped base material 28 is set between the upper die 81 and the lower die 82 (Thomson type 70). For example, the resin plate 83 is stacked on the base material 28.

[0017] Next, as shown in Figure 5, the upper die 81 approaches the lower die 82, and the base material 28 is pressed against the Thomson die 70. At this time, the elastic base material 28 is compressed and bulges (deforms) in a direction perpendicular to the compression direction (horizontal direction). For example, as shown in Figure 6, the base material 28 also undergoes bulging deformation from the time it hits the Thomson blade 71 until the Thomson blade 71 is inserted into the interior of the base material 28. Then, as shown in Figure 2, the product (product area R1) is punched out by the Thomson blade 71 (product punching blade 73) while the base material 28 is undergoing bulging deformation. At this time, the outer area R2 is also punched out by the auxiliary part 75 and the auxiliary blade 74 of the product punching blade 73.

[0018] Here, when a product is punched out in this state where the base material 28 is bulging, in a conventional Thomson type 70V (see Figure 13A) that does not have an auxiliary blade 74, the side surface 20S of the punched product 20V becomes a concave surface, with the middle part being recessed compared to both ends in the punching direction (see Figure 13B). If the recess of such a concave surface is large, problems may occur. For example, problems such as insufficient dimensions may occur, or if the concave surface is used as the joining surface 20M between products, problems may occur in fitting the joint. Also, if the product is a gasket piece 20, it is necessary to fill the inside of the concave surface with adhesive or the like to ensure airtightness, but if the elasticity of the adhesive filling the inside of the concave surface is not the same as the elasticity of the gasket piece 20, problems may occur in ensuring airtightness.

[0019] In contrast, the Thomson die 70 of this embodiment is equipped with an auxiliary blade 74 in addition to the product punching blade 73. This makes it possible to suppress the formation of a concave surface on the side surface 20S of the punched product (more specifically, on the surface cut by the auxiliary portion 75 of the product punching blade 73) (see Figure 9). In this configuration, when the base material 28 is pressed against the Thomson die 70 and the auxiliary blade 74 pierces the base material 28 (see Figures 6 and 7), it is thought that the auxiliary blade 74 can suppress outward bulging deformation of the base material 28 (see white arrows in Figures 7 and 8). Then, with this bulging deformation suppressed, the product punching blade 73 pierces the base material 28 and punches out the product (gasket piece 20) (see Figure 2), and it is thought that it is possible to suppress the formation of a concave surface on the surface of the side surface 20S of the punched product that is cut by the auxiliary portion 75. Figure 9 is a magnified photograph of the cross-section of the side surface 20S of the punched product (gasket piece 20) at position P1 shown in Figure 8.

[0020] In this embodiment, the auxiliary blade 74 protrudes more from the support base 72 than the product punching blade 73, allowing it to penetrate the base material 28 first. This further suppresses bulging deformation of the base material 28 before the product punching blade 73 penetrates it. Even if the amount of protrusion from the support base 72 is the same for both the auxiliary blade 74 and the product punching blade 73, the inclusion of the auxiliary blade 74 can suppress the concave shape of the side surface 20S of the punched product.

[0021] Here, as shown in Figure 14, a Thomson-type 70W configuration can be considered in which the auxiliary blade 74W is provided in a frame shape to surround the entire product punching blade 73. In this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the Thomson blade 71V consists only of the product punching blade 73 without the auxiliary blade 74W (Thomson-type 70V shown in Figure 13A), the indentation on the side surface 20S of the punched product 20W can be reduced, but a concave surface is still easily formed (see Figure 15). This is thought to be because, as shown in Figure 14, as bulging deformation of the base material 28, not only deformation of the product punching blade 73 outward in the inward-outward direction (see white arrow Y1), but also deformation of the product punching blade 73 outward in the long side direction (see white arrow Y2) and deformation outward in the short side direction (see white arrow Y3) occurs. As a result of this deformation of the base material 28 outward in the long side direction and outward in the short side direction, it is thought that the side surface 20S of the punched product 20W is prone to becoming a concave surface. Figure 15 is a magnified photograph of the cross-section of the side surface 20S of the punched product 20W at position P2 shown in Figure 14.

[0022] In contrast, in the Thomson type 70 of this embodiment, the auxiliary blade 74 (dividing wall portion 74K) separates the outer region R2 of the base material 28 outside the product punching blade 73 in the circumferential direction of the product punching blade 73 (see Figure 8). This makes it possible to suppress bulging deformation in the base material 28 in the direction along the product punching blade 73 (see white arrows Y2 and Y3 in Figure 14), and makes it possible to suppress the side surface 20S of the punched product from becoming a concave surface (see Figure 9).

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, after gasket pieces 20, which are the product, are punched out from the base material 28, a gasket 10 is manufactured when multiple gasket pieces 20 are joined together. In this embodiment, the joining surfaces 20M of the gasket pieces 20 are formed by an auxiliary portion 75 positioned inside the auxiliary blade 74 of the product punching blade 73. This makes it possible to suppress the joining surface 20M from becoming a concave surface, and to form a flatter joining surface 20M. This makes it possible to improve dimensional accuracy, improve the joining of the joining surfaces 20M, and ensure the airtightness of the gasket 10.

[0024] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, an auxiliary blade 74 (dividing wall portion 74K) may be provided to divide the outer region of the base material 28 adjacent to the long side portion 73L of the product punching blade 73 into a plurality of outer regions R2.

[0025] In the above embodiment, the auxiliary portion 75 of the product punching blade 73 of the Thomson blade 71 was the entire product punching blade 73, but the auxiliary portion 75 may be only a part of the product punching blade 73 (see Figures 11 and 12). That is, the product punching blade 73 may have a portion (general portion 76) that is not covered from the outside by the auxiliary blade 74 and is not the auxiliary portion 75. In this case, the general portion 76 may have a larger protrusion from the support base 72 than the auxiliary portion 75 (for example, it may have the same protrusion as the auxiliary blade 74). Alternatively, the general portion 76 may have the same protrusion as the auxiliary portion 75, or it may have a smaller protrusion.

[0026] Figure 11 shows an example of a die-cutting die 70 with a die 71 for punching out the product area R1 which will become the first gasket piece 20A. As described above, the first gasket piece 20A has both longitudinal ends of the side surface 20S of the gasket piece 20 that become the joining surfaces 20M (see Figure 3A). In the die-cutting die 70 shown in Figure 11, only the portion of the product punching die 73 that forms the joining surfaces 20M is the auxiliary portion 75, and an auxiliary blade 74 is provided only in the portion corresponding to this auxiliary portion 75. In this case, it is preferable that the protrusion amounts of the general portion 76 and the auxiliary blade 74 are the same, and the protrusion amount of the auxiliary portion 75 is smaller than the protrusion amounts of the general portion 76 and the auxiliary blade 74.

[0027] Figure 12 shows an example of a die-cutting die 70 with a die 71 for punching out product area R1 which will become the second gasket piece 20B. As described above, the second gasket piece 20B is formed when both longitudinal ends of one side surface 20S of the gasket piece 20 in the width direction become the joining surface 20M (see Figure 3A). In the die-cutting die 70 shown in Figure 12, only the portion of the product punching blade 73 that forms the joining surface 20M is the auxiliary portion 75, and an auxiliary blade 74 is provided only in the portion corresponding to this auxiliary portion 75. In this case, it is preferable that the protrusion amounts of the auxiliary portion 75 and the general portion 76 are the same, and the protrusion amount of the auxiliary blade 74 is greater than the protrusion amounts of the auxiliary portion 75 and the general portion 76. As in these examples, by providing an auxiliary blade 74 in only a part of the circumferential direction of the product punching blade 73, and configuring the product punching blade 75 to be provided only in a part of the product punching blade 73, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the die-cutting die 70.

[0028] The shape of the Thomson blade 71 is not limited to the shape of the embodiment described above. The shape of the product punching blade 73 is not limited to a rectangular shape such as a square or a long rectangle, but may be, for example, annular. The auxiliary blade 74 can be provided on the entire circumferential direction of the product punching blade 73 or only on a part thereof, as appropriate, depending on the shape of the product punching blade 73 and the required quality of the product to be punched. For example, the product punching blade 73 may have a polygonal shape, and each side of the polygon of the product punching blade 73 may be an auxiliary portion 75. In this case, each outer region R2 surrounded by each auxiliary portion 75 and each auxiliary blade 74 may be rectangular in shape.

[0029] In the above embodiment, the auxiliary blade 74 and the part 75 of the product punching blade 73 were configured to surround the outer region R2 of the base material 28 without interruption over the entire circumferential direction. However, a configuration in which a part of the circumferential direction is interrupted is also possible. For example, there may be a gap (a small space) between the auxiliary blade 74 and the part 75. For example, in the above embodiment, there may be a gap between the dividing wall portion 74K and the part 75. Also, for example, the auxiliary blade 74 may be divided into multiple blades that are spaced apart from each other. For example, in the above embodiment, there may be a gap between the outer opposing wall portion 74T and the dividing wall portion 74K.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the product punched out by the Thomson die 70 was a gasket piece 20, but it is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a cushioning material. The product punched out may be something other than a gasket piece 20 that is joined together, in which case it is preferable that the joining surface is formed by the auxiliary part 75.

[0031] <Note> The following describes the features extracted from the above embodiment, explaining their effects and other aspects as needed. For ease of understanding, corresponding configurations in the above embodiment will be indicated in parentheses as appropriate, but these features are not limited to the specific configurations indicated in parentheses.

[0032] For example, the following features of this disclosure relating to Thomson dies, product manufacturing methods, and gasket manufacturing methods can be considered to have been conceived in response to the problem that "the cut surface of products punched out with a Thomson blade sometimes becomes a concave surface, which can be problematic," given the background technology that "Thomson dies are widely used to punch out products from an elastic base material (see, for example, Published Utility Model Publication No. Hei 2-66999 (Figures 1, 2, etc.))." Furthermore, there has been a long-standing demand for novel Thomson dies, novel punched products, novel manufacturing methods for punched products, novel manufacturing methods for gaskets, and so on.

[0033] [Feature 1] A Thomson die comprising a Thomson blade for punching out a product (gasket piece 20) from an elastic base material, and a support base for supporting the Thomson blade, The aforementioned Thomson blade includes, A product punching blade that surrounds the product area of ​​the base material that will become the product, A Thomson type includes an auxiliary blade that surrounds a part of the outer region (outer region R2) outside the product area together with the auxiliary part which is part of the product punching blade.

[0034] [Feature 2] The auxiliary blade is a Thomson type as described in feature 1, wherein the amount of protrusion from the support base is greater than that of the part being assisted.

[0035] [Feature 3] The aforementioned product is a gasket piece in which a joining surface, which is part of its side surface, is joined to the joining surface of another product to become part of a gasket. The Thomson die according to feature 1 or 2, wherein the auxiliary portion is provided at least in the portion of the product punching blade that forms the joining surface of the product.

[0036] [Feature 4] The product punching blade includes a general portion that is not covered from the outside by the auxiliary blade and is not the auxiliary portion. The Thomson type described in any one of the features 1 to 3, wherein the general part protrudes more from the support base than the auxiliary part.

[0037] [Feature 5] The die-cutting die for the product is divided into a plurality of auxiliary parts and is covered from the outside by a plurality of auxiliary blades, according to any one of the features 1 to 3.

[0038] [Feature 6] The aforementioned product punching blade has a polygonal shape, Each side of the polygon of the product punching blade is the part to be assisted, The Thomson type according to feature 5, wherein each region surrounded by the auxiliary part and the auxiliary blade is rectangular in shape.

[0039] [Feature 7] A method for manufacturing products by punching out products from an elastic base material using a Thomson type die described in any one of the features 1 to 6.

[0040] [Feature 8] A Thomson type according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a gasket piece is punched out from an elastic base material, A method for manufacturing a gasket, comprising joining multiple gasket pieces together to produce a gasket.

[0041] According to the above features, it becomes possible to suppress the formation of a concave surface on the cut surface of the punched product that is cut by the auxiliary part.

[0042] [Feature 9] A punched piece (gasket piece 20) in which a portion of the outer surface of the punched piece is a joining surface that is joined to another member, In the outer peripheral surface, the portion other than the joining surface has a concave surface formed in which the middle portion is recessed compared to both ends in the thickness direction of the punched piece. The punched piece has a joint surface that is flatter than the concave surface.

[0043] While this specification and drawings disclose specific examples of the technology included in the claims, the technology described in the claims is not limited to these specific examples, but also includes various modifications and changes to these examples, as well as parts of the examples taken individually. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 10 Gaskets 20 gasket pieces 20A First gasket piece 20B Second gasket piece 20M joint surface 20S side 23 Product punching blades 28 Base material 70 Thomson type 71 Thomson blade 72 support ベース 73 Product-grade shovel blade 73L Nagabe 73S short hem 74 Auxiliary Blade 74K area cut wall 74T Outer Reverse Wall 75 Subsidized Department 76 General Department 80 punching machine 81 Upper type 82 Lower type 83 Resin Board R1 product field R2 outer domain

Claims

1. A die-cutting machine comprising a die-cutting blade for punching out products from an elastic base material, and a support base for supporting the die-cutting blade, The aforementioned Thomson blade includes, A product punching blade that surrounds the product area of ​​the base material that will become the product, A Thomson type includes an auxiliary blade that surrounds a portion of the outer region outside the product area together with an auxiliary portion which is part of the product punching blade.

2. The Thomson type according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary blade protrudes more from the support base than the part being assisted.

3. The aforementioned product is a gasket piece in which a joining surface, which is part of its side surface, is joined to the joining surface of another product to become part of a gasket. The Thomson die according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary portion is provided at least in the portion of the product punching blade that forms the joining surface of the product.

4. The product punching blade includes a general portion that is not covered from the outside by the auxiliary blade and is not the auxiliary portion. The Thomson type according to claim 1, wherein the general portion protrudes more from the support base than the auxiliary portion.

5. A method for manufacturing a product by punching out a product from an elastic base material using a Thomson die according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A Thomson die according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a gasket piece is punched out from an elastic base material, A method for manufacturing a gasket, comprising joining multiple gasket pieces together to produce a gasket.

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