gasket

Abstract

Sealing performance is increased. A gasket (1) comprises projections (10, 11) that protrude so as to come into contact with respective opposing side surfaces of a groove in which the gasket is attached, an upper sealing lip (20) formed so as to come into contact with one of the opposing surfaces between members, a lower sealing lip (30) formed so as to come into contact with the other of the opposing surfaces between members, and a connecting part (40) that connects the upper sealing lip (20) and the lower sealing lip (30). The connecting part (40) extends along an imaginary straight line (x) in a cross section of the gasket (1), the upper sealing lip (20) has upper sealing lips (21, 22) extending side by side between the projections (10, 11) at the connecting part (40), the lower sealing lip (30) has lower sealing lips (31, 32) extending side by side between the projections (10, 11) at the connecting part (40), each of the upper sealing lips (21, 22) is tapered, and each of the lower sealing lips (31, 32) is tapered.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gasket. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, gaskets have been used as sealing devices to seal gaps between multiple components that are fixed to each other so that they cannot move relative to each other, such as a housing and a cover, or a tube and a tube, in order to form a sealed space. For example, gaskets are used to seal the space inside the battery case of a fuel cell vehicle, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, etc. Some of these conventional gaskets are attached to annular grooves formed in one or both of the fixed components, and are intended to close the gap between these components.

[0003] Some such gaskets have a pair of projections formed on both sides to prevent the gasket from falling out of the groove when assembling the components that secure the pair of components together. When the gasket is attached to the groove, the pair of projections are pressed against the sides of the groove, holding the gasket in the groove and thus preventing the gasket from falling out of the groove (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-180824 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, some conventional gaskets have a structure for preventing the gasket from falling off from the groove in which it is attached. For gaskets having such a structure for preventing the gasket from falling off, a structure that can improve sealing performance is required, as with other conventional gaskets.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a gasket according to the present invention is a gasket that is attached to a groove that opens into a gap between members to close the gap, and includes a protrusion that protrudes so as to contact each of opposing side surfaces of the groove, a one-side seal lip portion that is formed so as to contact one of the opposing surfaces across the gap, a other-side seal lip portion that is formed so as to contact the other of the opposing surfaces across the gap, and a connecting portion that connects the one-side seal lip portion and the other-side seal lip portion, and the connecting portion extends along an imaginary straight line in a cross section perpendicular to an extension direction of the gasket, the one-side seal lip portion has a pair of one-side seal lips that extend side by side between the protrusions at the connecting portion, and the other-side seal lip portion has a pair of other-side seal lips that extend side by side between the protrusions at the connecting portion, and each of the one-side seal lips is tapered, and each of the other-side seal lips is tapered.

[0008] In a gasket according to one embodiment of the present invention, the opposing side surfaces of the one-side seal lip are inclined with respect to the imaginary straight line in the cross section, and the opposing side surfaces of the other-side seal lip are inclined with respect to the imaginary straight line in the cross section.

[0009] In the gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the protrusion is formed on the connecting portion.

[0010] In the gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the protrusion protrudes in the direction of the imaginary straight line in the cross section.

[0011] In the gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion is shaped such that the imaginary straight line is a center line in the cross section.

[0012] In the gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the one-side seal lip portion and the other-side seal lip portion are symmetrical with respect to the imaginary straight line in the cross section.

[0013] In the gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, each of the projections is shaped such that the imaginary straight line is a center line in the cross section. Effect of the Invention

[0014] The gasket according to the present invention can improve sealing performance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the gasket shown in FIG. 1 taken along line AA. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows the gasket installed in a groove in the case. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram showing a gasket in use, with the cover attached to the case, closing the gap between the case and the cover. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line AA of a modified example of the gasket according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a gasket 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the gasket 1 shown in FIG. 1 along line AA. That is, FIG. 2 shows a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction of the gasket 1. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the side (one side) in the direction of the arrow a (see FIG. 2) is the upper side, and the side (the other side) in the direction of the arrow b (see FIG. 2) is the lower side. The arrows a and b each extend parallel to a straight line, and extend in a direction in which the space S surrounded by the gasket 1 opens in a plan view. FIG. 1 shows the gasket 1 as seen from above. In addition, the space S side (arrow c direction side in FIGS. 1 and 2) perpendicular to the upper and lower sides and surrounded by the gasket 1 is the inner circumferential side, and the opposite side to the inner circumferential side (arrow d direction side in FIGS. 1 and 2) is the outer circumferential side. Note that the above-mentioned upper side, lower side, etc. do not limit the posture of the gasket 1 in space, and the gasket 1 can take any posture in space.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a gasket 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a gasket that is attached to a groove that opens into a gap between members to close the gap. The gasket 1 includes protrusions 10 and 11 that protrude so as to contact the opposing side surfaces of the groove to which the gasket 1 is attached, a one-side seal lip portion 20 that is a portion formed so as to contact one of the opposing surfaces through the gap between the members, a second-side seal lip portion 30 that is a portion formed so as to contact the other of the opposing surfaces through the gap between the members, and a connecting portion 40 that is a portion connecting the one-side seal lip portion 20 and the second-side seal lip portion 30. The connecting portion 40 extends along a virtual straight line x that is a virtual straight line in a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction of the gasket 1. The one-side seal lip portion 20 has a pair of one-side seal lips 21 and 22 that extend side by side between the protrusions 10 and 11 at the connecting portion 40. Also, the other-side seal lip portion 30 has a pair of other-side seal lips 31, 32 extending side by side between the protrusions 10, 11 at the connecting portion 40. Each of the one-side seal lips 21, 22 is tapered, and each of the other-side seal lips 31, 32 is tapered. The gasket 1 will be described in detail below.

[0019] In the following description, the one side seal lip portion 20 will be referred to as the upper seal lip portion 20, the one side seal lips 21, 22 as the upper seal lips 21, 22, the other side seal lip portion 30 as the lower seal lip portion 30, and the other side seal lips 31, 32 as the lower seal lips 31, 32.

[0020] 1, the gasket 1 extends in an annular shape, and the protrusions 10, 11, the upper seal lip portion 20, and the lower seal lip portion 30 also extend in an annular shape. The gasket 1 is made integrally from a rubber-like elastic body, and the protrusions 10, 11, the upper seal lip portion 20, and the lower seal lip portion 30 are parts of the integral gasket 1 formed from the same material. The shape (hereinafter also simply referred to as the cross-section) of the gasket 1 perpendicular to the extension direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as the cross-sectional shape) is uniform or approximately uniform throughout the extension direction (over the entire circumference).

[0021] Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the gasket 1 is as shown in Fig. 2. As described above, the connecting portion 40 extends along the imaginary straight line x in the cross section, for example, extends parallel or approximately parallel to the imaginary straight line x, and has a rectangular or approximately rectangular shape. Moreover, the connecting portion 40 is shaped such that the imaginary straight line x is the center line or approximately the center line in the cross section.

[0022] When the gasket 1 is in use as described below, the protrusions 10, 11 that come into contact with opposing side surfaces of a groove to which the gasket 1 is attached extend annularly in the extension direction of the gasket 1 as shown in Fig. 1, extend around the entire circumference of the gasket 1, and are formed, for example, on the connecting portion 40. Specifically, the protrusions 10, 11 are formed on an inner circumferential surface 41 that faces the inner circumferential side of the connecting portion 40 and an outer circumferential surface 42 that faces the outer circumferential side of the connecting portion 40, respectively. In other words, the protrusion 10 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface 41 to the inner circumferential side, and the protrusion 11 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 42 to the outer circumferential side.

[0023] The protrusions 10, 11 are shaped to present a curved outline in cross section, as shown in Fig. 2, for example. The cross-sectional shape of the protrusions 10, 11 is not limited to a shape presenting a curved outline, and may be other shapes, such as a shape presenting an outline drawn by a combination of straight lines or a shape presenting an outline drawn by a combination of curves and straight lines. The shape of the protrusions 10, 11 may be any shape that protrudes inward and outward from the inner peripheral surface 41 and the outer peripheral surface 42 of the connecting portion 40, respectively, and that contacts the opposing side surfaces of the groove to which the gasket 1 is attached in use.

[0024] 2, the protrusions 10 and 11 protrude in the direction of the imaginary straight line x, for example. More specifically, the protrusions 10 and 11 are shaped such that the imaginary straight line x is the center line or an approximate center line in the cross section. That is, the protrusion 10 is provided in the center or an approximate center in the vertical direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the imaginary straight line x, on the inner peripheral surface 41 of the connecting portion 40, and the protrusion 11 is provided in the center or an approximate center in the vertical direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the imaginary straight line x, on the outer peripheral surface 42 of the connecting portion 40. The positions of the protrusions 10 and 11 on the connecting portion 40 are not limited to the above positions. The protrusions 10 and 11 do not have to be provided on the inner peripheral surface 41 and the outer peripheral surface 42 of the connecting portion 40, respectively, and may be provided on the upper seal lip portion 20 or the lower seal lip portion 30.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, an upper seal lip portion 20 is formed above the connecting portion 40, and a lower seal lip portion 30 is formed below the connecting portion 40. In Fig. 2, the boundary between the upper seal lip portion 20 and the connecting portion 40 and the boundary between the lower seal lip portion 30 and the connecting portion 40 are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

[0026] As described above, the upper seal lip portion 20 has a pair of upper seal lips 21, 22 extending side by side between the protrusions 10, 11 at the connecting portion 40. Specifically, the pair of upper seal lips 21, 22 are arranged side by side with a gap therebetween in the direction of the imaginary line x. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper seal lips 21, 22 extend annularly in the extension direction of the gasket 1 and extend around the entire circumference of the gasket 1. The upper seal lip 21 is provided on the inner circumferential side of the upper seal lip 22. In addition, each of the upper seal lips 21, 22 is formed so that a tip portion (tip portions 21a, 22a) contacts one of the opposing surfaces (upper surface) through a gap between the members to which the gasket 1 is attached when the gasket 1 is in use, which will be described later.

[0027] As described above, each of the upper seal lips 21, 22 is tapered, and as shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of each of the upper seal lips 21, 22 narrows toward the tip end faces 25, 26. The width of the upper seal lip 21 is the distance between the inner side surface 23a and the outer side surface 23b in the direction of the imaginary line x, and the width of the upper seal lip 22 is the distance between the inner side surface 24a and the outer side surface 24b in the direction of the imaginary line x. The inner side surface 23a of the upper seal lip 21 is the surface facing the outer periphery of the upper seal lip 21, and the outer side surface 23b of the upper seal lip 21 is the surface facing the inner periphery of the upper seal lip 21. The inner side surface 24a of the upper seal lip 22 is the surface facing the inner periphery of the upper seal lip 22, and the outer side surface 24b of the upper seal lip 22 is the surface facing the outer periphery of the upper seal lip 22.

[0028] A tip surface 25 is formed at the tip portion 21a of the upper seal lip 21, which is a surface facing in the protruding direction of the upper seal lip 21. The tip surface 25 is a surface that connects the inner surface 23a and the outer surface 23b at the end on the tip side, and is an annular surface that describes a straight line or a substantially straight line in cross section, as shown in Fig. 2, for example. The tip surface 25 may have another shape that describes a curved line or a combination of a curved line and a straight line in cross section.

[0029] The upper seal lip 21 is a seal lip that protrudes in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the imaginary line x. As described above, the upper seal lip 21 has a tapered shape, and for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner side surface 23a is inclined toward the inner periphery, and the outer side surface 23b is inclined toward the outer periphery, and the inner side surface 23a and the outer side surface 23b are inclined surfaces. In addition, the inner side surface 23a and the outer side surface 23b are inclined at the same angle or substantially the same angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x. The inner side surface 23a and the outer side surface 23b may be inclined at different angles with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x. In addition, the inner side surface 23a may have a shape different from the shape shown in FIG. 2, and may not have a shape whose cross section is a straight line or a substantially straight line, and may have another shape whose cross section is a curved line or a combination of a curved line and a straight line, as long as the upper seal lip 21 has a tapered shape. Similarly, the outer surface 23b may have a shape different from that shown in FIG. 2, and the cross section does not have to be a straight or approximately straight line, but may have another shape in which the cross section is curved or a combination of curved and straight lines, as long as the upper seal lip 21 is tapered.

[0030] A tip surface 26 is formed at the tip portion 22a of the upper seal lip 22, which is a surface facing in the protruding direction of the upper seal lip 22. The tip surface 26 is a surface that connects the inner surface 24a and the outer surface 24b at the end on the tip side, and is an annular surface that describes a straight line or a substantially straight line in cross section, as shown in Fig. 2, for example. The tip surface 26 may have another shape that describes a curved line or a combination of a curved line and a straight line in cross section.

[0031] The upper seal lip 22 is a seal lip that protrudes in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the imaginary line x. As described above, the upper seal lip 22 has a tapered shape, and for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner side surface 24a is inclined toward the outer periphery, and the outer side surface 24b is inclined toward the inner periphery, and the inner side surface 24a and the outer side surface 24b are inclined surfaces. In addition, the inner side surface 24a and the outer side surface 24b are inclined at the same angle or substantially the same angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x. The inner side surface 24a and the outer side surface 24b may be inclined at different angles with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x. In addition, the inner side surface 24a may have a shape different from the shape shown in FIG. 2, and may not have a shape whose cross section is a straight line or a substantially straight line, and may have another shape whose cross section is a curved line or a combination of a curved line and a straight line, as long as the upper seal lip 22 has a tapered shape. Similarly, the outer surface 24b may have a shape different from that shown in FIG. 2, and the cross section does not have to be a straight or approximately straight line, but may have another shape in which the cross section is curved or a combination of curved and straight lines, so long as the upper seal lip 22 is tapered.

[0032] 2, the outer surface 23b of the upper seal lip 21 is connected to a surface (inner peripheral surface 41) facing the inner peripheral side of the connecting portion 40, and the outer surface 24b of the upper seal lip 22 is connected to a surface (outer peripheral surface 42) facing the outer peripheral side of the connecting portion 40. The inner surface 23a of the upper seal lip 21 and the inner surface 24a of the upper seal lip 22 face each other with a space therebetween in the direction of the imaginary straight line x. As a result, the gasket 1 has a recess 2 which is an annular space defined by the inner surface 23a of the upper seal lip 21, the inner surface 24a of the upper seal lip 22, and an annular surface (upper surface 43) facing the upper side of the connecting portion 40.

[0033] As described above, the lower seal lip portion 30 has a pair of lower seal lips 31, 32 that extend side by side between the protrusions 10, 11 at the connecting portion 40. Specifically, the pair of lower seal lips 31, 32 are arranged side by side with a gap therebetween in the direction of the imaginary line x. As shown in FIG. 1, the lower seal lips 31, 32 extend annularly in the extension direction of the gasket 1 and extend around the entire circumference of the gasket 1. The lower seal lip 31 is provided on the inner circumferential side of the lower seal lip 32. In addition, each of the lower seal lips 31, 32 is formed so that a tip portion (tip portions 31a, 32a) contacts the other of the opposing surfaces (lower surface) through a gap between the members to which the gasket 1 is attached when the gasket 1 is in use, which will be described later.

[0034] As described above, each of the lower seal lips 31, 32 is tapered, and as shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of each of the lower seal lips 31, 32 narrows toward the tip end faces 35, 36. The width of the lower seal lip 31 is the distance between the inner side surface 33a and the outer side surface 33b in the direction of the imaginary line x, and the width of the lower seal lip 32 is the distance between the inner side surface 34a and the outer side surface 34b in the direction of the imaginary line x. The inner side surface 33a of the lower seal lip 31 is the surface facing the outer periphery of the lower seal lip 31, and the outer side surface 33b of the lower seal lip 31 is the surface facing the inner periphery of the lower seal lip 31. The inner side surface 34a of the lower seal lip 32 is the surface facing the inner periphery of the lower seal lip 32, and the outer side surface 34b of the lower seal lip 32 is the surface facing the outer periphery of the lower seal lip 32.

[0035] A tip surface 35 is formed at the tip portion 31a of the lower seal lip 31, which is a surface facing in the protruding direction of the lower seal lip 31. The tip surface 35 is a surface that connects the inner surface 33a and the outer surface 33b at the end on the tip side, and is an annular surface that describes a straight line or a substantially straight line in cross section, as shown in Fig. 2, for example. The tip surface 35 may have another shape that describes a curved line or a combination of a curved line and a straight line in cross section.

[0036] The lower seal lip 31 is a seal lip that protrudes in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the imaginary line x. As described above, the lower seal lip 31 has a tapered shape, and for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner side surface 33a is inclined toward the inner periphery, and the outer side surface 33b is inclined toward the outer periphery, and the inner side surface 33a and the outer side surface 33b are inclined surfaces. In addition, the inner side surface 33a and the outer side surface 33b are inclined at the same angle or substantially the same angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x. The inner side surface 33a and the outer side surface 33b may be inclined at different angles with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x. In addition, the inner side surface 33a may have a shape different from the shape shown in FIG. 2, and may not have a shape whose cross section is a straight line or a substantially straight line, and may have another shape whose cross section is a curved line or a combination of a curved line and a straight line, as long as the lower seal lip 31 has a tapered shape. Similarly, the outer surface 33b may have a shape different from that shown in FIG. 2, and the cross section does not have to be a straight or approximately straight line, but may have another shape in which the cross section is curved or a combination of curved and straight lines, so long as the lower seal lip 31 is tapered.

[0037] A tip surface 36 is formed at the tip portion 32a of the lower seal lip 32, which is a surface facing in the protruding direction of the lower seal lip 32. The tip surface 36 is a surface that connects the inner surface 34a and the outer surface 34b at the end on the tip side, and is an annular surface that describes a straight line or a substantially straight line in cross section, as shown in Fig. 2, for example. The tip surface 36 may have another shape that describes a curved line or a combination of a curved line and a straight line in cross section.

[0038] The lower seal lip 32 is a seal lip that protrudes in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the imaginary line x. As described above, the lower seal lip 32 has a tapered shape, and for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the inner side surface 34a is inclined toward the outer periphery, and the outer side surface 34b is inclined toward the inner periphery, and the inner side surface 34a and the outer side surface 34b are inclined surfaces. In addition, the inner side surface 34a and the outer side surface 34b are inclined at the same angle or substantially the same angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x. The inner side surface 34a and the outer side surface 34b may be inclined at different angles with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x. In addition, the inner side surface 34a may have a shape different from the shape shown in FIG. 2, and may not have a shape whose cross section is a straight line or a substantially straight line, and may have another shape whose cross section is a curved line or a combination of a curved line and a straight line, as long as the lower seal lip 32 has a tapered shape. Similarly, the outer surface 34b may have a shape different from that shown in FIG. 2 and may not have a straight or nearly straight cross section, but may have another shape having a curved cross section or a combination of curved and straight lines, so long as the lower seal lip 32 is tapered.

[0039] 2, the outer surface 33b of the lower seal lip 31 is connected to the inner peripheral surface 41 of the connecting portion 40, and the outer surface 34b of the lower seal lip 32 is connected to the outer peripheral surface 42 of the connecting portion 40. The inner surface 33a of the lower seal lip 31 and the inner surface 34a of the lower seal lip 32 face each other with a space therebetween in the direction of the imaginary straight line x. As a result, the gasket 1 has a recess 3 which is an annular space defined by the inner surface 33a of the lower seal lip 31, the inner surface 34a of the lower seal lip 32, and an annular surface (lower surface 44) facing the lower side of the connecting portion 40.

[0040] The gasket 1 has the above-mentioned configuration, and in the direction perpendicular to the imaginary line x, the distance from the tip faces 25, 26 of the upper seal lips 21, 22 to the bottom face of the recess 2 (the upper side face 43 of the connecting portion 40) is smaller than the distance from the tip faces 25, 26 of the upper seal lips 21, 22 to the protrusions 10, 11, respectively. That is, the depth of the recess 2 is smaller than the depth from the tip face 25 of the upper seal lip 21 to the protrusion 10, and is smaller than the depth from the tip face 26 of the upper seal lip 22 to the protrusion 11. In addition, in the direction perpendicular to the imaginary line x, the distance from the tip faces 35, 36 of the lower seal lips 31, 32 to the bottom face of the recess 3 (the lower side face 44 of the connecting portion 40) is smaller than the distance from the tip faces 35, 36 of the lower seal lips 31, 32 to the protrusions 10, 11, respectively. That is, the depth of the recess 3 is smaller than the depth from the tip surface 35 of the lower seal lip 31 to the protrusion 10, and is also smaller than the depth from the tip surface 36 of the lower seal lip 32 to the protrusion 11.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, in the cross section of the gasket 1, the upper seal lip 21 and the upper seal lip 22 are symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with respect to the recess 2, and the lower seal lip 31 and the lower seal lip 32 are symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with respect to the recess 3. In addition, in the cross section of the gasket 1, the upper seal lip 21 and the lower seal lip 31 are symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with respect to the connecting portion 40, and the upper seal lip 22 and the lower seal lip 32 are symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with respect to the connecting portion 40. In addition, in the cross section of the gasket 1, each part does not have to be symmetrical as described above. In addition, the cross section of the gasket 1 is symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with respect to the imaginary line x, and is symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x. In addition, the cross section of the gasket 1 does not have to be symmetrical with respect to the imaginary line x as described above.

[0042] Next, the operation of the gasket 1 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described.

[0043] As described above, the gasket 1 is attached to a groove that opens into a gap between members and is used to close the gap between the members. For example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the gasket 1 is used between a pair of members, a case 50 and a cover 60, to seal the internal space between the members. Note that Figure 3 is a diagram showing the gasket 1 attached to the groove 51 of the case 50, and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the gasket 1 in use, where the cover 60 is attached to the case 50 and closes the gap between the case 50 and the cover 60.

[0044] The case 50 and the cover 60 are members forming a housing for a battery, such as a fuel cell or a lithium ion battery, and the fuel cell or the like is housed inside the case 50. Note that the object to which the gasket 1 is used is not limited to a battery housing. In addition, the object to which the gasket 1 is used is not limited to a pair of members, and the gasket 1 can also be used to close gaps between three or more members.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, for example, an annular groove 51 is formed in the outer edge 52 of the case 50, and the gasket 1 is attached to this groove 51. The groove 51 is recessed from the upper surface 52a of the outer edge 52 of the case 50, and opens to the gap between the case 50 and the cover 60 as shown in FIG. 4. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the groove 51 has a pair of side surfaces 51a and 51b facing each other, and also has a bottom surface 51c extending between the side surfaces 51a and 51b. The side surface 51a is a side surface located on the inner side of the case 50, and the side surface 51b is a side surface located on the outer side of the case 50. The groove 51 may be formed in the cover 60 instead of the case 50. Also, the groove may be formed in the case 50 and the cover 60.

[0046] 3, when the gasket 1 is attached to the groove 51 of the case 50, the protrusions 10 and 11 are in contact with the side surfaces 51a and 51b of the groove 51, respectively. Due to this contact between the protrusions 10 and 11, the gasket 1 is held in the groove 51 of the case 50 with a predetermined force. This prevents the gasket 1 from falling off the groove 51.

[0047] Since the protrusions 10 and 11 are formed on the inner peripheral surface 41 and the outer peripheral surface 42 of the connecting portion 40, respectively, when the gasket 1 is accommodated in the groove 51, the protrusions 10 and 11 are compressed between the connecting portion 40 extending between the protrusions 10 and 11 and the side surfaces 51a and 51b of the groove 51. This increases the reaction force of the protrusions 10 and 11, increases the holding force of the gasket 1 in the groove 51 by the protrusions 10 and 11, and improves the prevention of the gasket 1 from falling off from the groove 51. The holding force by the protrusions 10 and 11 can be adjusted by changing the amount of protrusion of each of the protrusions 10 and 11 from the inner peripheral surface 41 and the outer peripheral surface 42 of the connecting portion 40 and the vertical width of the protrusions 10 and 11, etc.

[0048] As described above, when the gasket 1 is attached to the groove 51, the protrusions 10 and 11 contact the side surfaces 51a and 51b of the groove 51, respectively. Therefore, the vertical length of the upper seal lips 21 and 22, the vertical length of the lower seal lips 31 and 32, or the vertical positions of the protrusions 10 and 11 on the gasket 1 are such that the protrusions 10 and 11 contact the side surfaces 51a and 51b of the groove 51, respectively, when the leading end faces 25 and 26 of the upper seal lips 21 and 22, or the leading end faces 35 and 36 of the lower seal lips 31 and 32, respectively, are in contact with the bottom surface 51c of the groove 51. In the state in which the gasket 1 is in use as shown in FIG. 4, the lower seal lip portion 30 is accommodated in the groove 51, but the upper seal lip portion 20 may be accommodated in the groove 51 when the gasket 1 is in use.

[0049] 4, when the cover 60 is fixed by bolts or the like to the case 50 with the gasket 1 attached to the groove 51, the gasket 1 is compressed between the case 50 and the cover 60 and enters a usable state. With the cover 60 attached to the case 50, a gap G is formed between the top surface 52a of the case 50 and the inner surface 60a of the cover 60 facing the top surface 52a, but this gap G is closed at the position of the gasket 1.

[0050] In use, the lower seal lips 31, 32 are in contact with the bottom surface 51c of the groove 51 at their respective tip surfaces 35, 36, and the upper seal lips 21, 22 are in contact with a portion of the inner surface 60a of the cover 60 that faces the bottom surface 51c of the groove 51 at their respective tip surfaces 25, 26. In use, the lower seal lips 31, 32 are compressed between the connecting portion 40 and the bottom surface 51c of the groove 51, and the upper seal lips 21, 22 are compressed between the connecting portion 40 and the inner surface 60a of the cover 60. In this manner, when in use, the respective tip faces 25, 26 of the upper seal lips 21, 22 are pressed against the inner surface 60a of the cover 60, and the respective tip faces 35, 36 of the lower seal lips 31, 32 are pressed against the bottom surface 51c of the groove 51, so that the gasket 1 closes the gap G between the case 50 and the cover 60 and seals the space formed by the case 50 and the cover 60.

[0051] It should be noted that, when the gasket 1 is attached in the opposite manner to the illustrated example, the upper seal lips 21, 22 contact the bottom surface 51c of the groove 51 in the same manner as the lower seal lips 31, 32 shown in FIG. 4, and the lower seal lips 31, 32 contact the inner surface 60a of the cover 60 in the same manner as the upper seal lips 21, 22 shown in FIG. 4, and the gasket 1 closes the gap G between the case 50 and the cover 60.

[0052] As described above, each of the upper seal lips 21, 22 tapers toward the tip in the extension direction, and is easily deformed in the extension direction when compressed in the extension direction in use. Therefore, each of the upper seal lips 21, 22 is unlikely to bend and curve (protrude) toward the inner or outer periphery when compressed in the extension direction. In other words, each of the upper seal lips 21, 22 is unlikely to buckle when compressed in the extension direction in use. Therefore, the gasket 1 has high sealing performance.

[0053] In particular, when the inner surface 23a and the outer surface 23b of the upper seal lip 21 are inclined at the same angle or approximately the same angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x, as described above, the upper seal lip 21 can be made less susceptible to buckling in use. Similarly, when the inner surface 24a and the outer surface 24b of the upper seal lip 22 are inclined at the same angle or approximately the same angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x, as described above, the upper seal lip 22 can be made less susceptible to buckling in use.

[0054] As described above, each of the lower seal lips 31, 32 is tapered toward the tip in the extension direction, and is easily deformed in the extension direction when compressed in the extension direction in use. Therefore, each of the lower seal lips 31, 32 is unlikely to bend and curve (protrude) toward the inner or outer periphery when compressed in the extension direction. In other words, each of the lower seal lips 31, 32 is unlikely to buckle when compressed in the extension direction in use. Therefore, the gasket 1 has high sealing performance.

[0055] In particular, when the inner surface 33a and the outer surface 33b of the lower seal lip 31 are inclined at the same angle or approximately the same angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x, as described above, the lower seal lip 31 can be made less susceptible to buckling in use. Similarly, when the inner surface 34a and the outer surface 34b of the lower seal lip 32 are inclined at the same angle or approximately the same angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the imaginary line x, as described above, the lower seal lip 32 can be made less susceptible to buckling in use.

[0056] In addition, since each of the upper seal lips 21, 22 is tapered and each of the lower seal lips 31, 32 is tapered, the gasket 1 is easily compressed in the vertical direction, and the repulsive force of the gasket 1 when attaching the cover 60 to the case 50 is low, making it easy to attach the cover 60 to the case 50.

[0057] In addition, the gasket 1 has a connecting portion 40 between the upper seal lip portion 20 and the lower seal lip portion 30, which connects the upper seal lip portion 20 and the lower seal lip portion 30, so that the connecting portion 40 supports the upper seal lip portion 20 and the lower seal lip portion 30 even in the use state. Therefore, in the use state, the upper seal lips 21, 22 are unlikely to fall, and the lower seal lips 31, 32 are unlikely to fall. In this way, the connecting portion 40 has a function of preventing the upper seal lips 21, 22 and the lower seal lips 31, 32 from falling. The function of the connecting portion 40 to prevent the upper seal lips 21, 22 and the lower seal lips 31, 32 from falling can also prevent the upper seal lips 21, 22 and the lower seal lips 31, 32 from buckling. If the thickness (width in the vertical direction) of the connecting portion 40 is large, the connecting portion 40 becomes more difficult to deform, and the effect of preventing each of the seal lips 21, 22, 31, 32 from collapsing can be increased.

[0058] Furthermore, the gasket 1 has recesses 2 and 3, and by adjusting the areas of the recesses 2 and 3 in the cross section, it is possible to prevent the filling rate of the gasket 1 in the groove 51 from becoming excessive when in use. This makes it possible to prevent damage such as cracking of the gasket 1 caused by excessive compression of the gasket 1 when in use, and to prevent the gasket 1 from protruding into the gap G. The cross-sectional area of ​​the recess 2 of the gasket 1 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the lengths of the upper seal lips 21 and 22, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the recess 3 of the gasket 1 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the lengths of the lower seal lips 31 and 32.

[0059] In addition, since the upper seal lips 21, 22 and the lower seal lips 31, 32 protrude from the connecting portion 40, the gasket 1 is likely to exhibit a so-called self-sealing effect. That is, for example, when the inside of the case 50 and the cover 60 is under high pressure, the force of this high pressure acts on the high-pressure side surfaces of the gasket 1, that is, the outer surface 23b of the upper seal lip 21 on the high-pressure side, the outer surface 33b of the lower seal lip 31 on the high-pressure side, and the inner peripheral surface 41 on the high-pressure side of the connecting portion 40, and the gasket 1 is pressed against the low-pressure side by this force. At this time, the connecting portion 40 is pressed against the outer peripheral side surface 51b of the groove 51, and the connecting portion 40 is compressed in the direction of the imaginary line x. As a result, the upper seal lips 21, 22 are pressed toward the inner surface 60a of the cover 60, and the lower seal lips 31, 32 are pressed toward the bottom surface 51c of the groove 51, so that the tip surfaces 25, 26 of the upper seal lips 21, 22 are further pressed against the inner surface 60a of the cover 60, and the tip surfaces 35, 36 of the lower seal lips 31, 32 are further pressed against the bottom surface 51c of the groove 51. In this manner, the self-sealing action of the gasket 1 is obtained.

[0060] In particular, when the connecting portion 40 is located at or near the center of the gasket 1 in the vertical direction, the gasket 1 can exert the above-mentioned self-sealing action more uniformly between the upper seal lips 21, 22 and the lower seal lips 31, 32. In addition, when the connecting portion 40 is thick, the connecting portion 40 can be made less likely to buckle even if the connecting portion 40 receives a force from the high pressure side as described above, and the gasket 1 can exert the above-mentioned self-sealing action more reliably. However, when the connecting portion 40 is too thick, the filling rate of the gasket 1 in the groove 51 becomes excessive in the used state, so the thickness of the connecting portion 40 is preferably a thickness that takes these actions into consideration. In addition, when the protruding portions 10, 11 are located at or near the center of the gasket 1 in the vertical direction, the stability of the gasket 1 in the groove 51 in the vertical direction increases, and the gasket 1 can exert the above-mentioned self-sealing action more reliably.

[0061] As described above, the gasket 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can improve sealing performance.

[0062] As described above, since the gasket 1 has the same or approximately the same cross section along the extension direction, the structure of the mold for molding the gasket 1 can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost of the mold can be reduced. Furthermore, since the structure of the mold for molding the gasket 1 can be simplified, the occurrence of defects in molding the gasket 1 can be reduced.

[0063] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the gasket 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and includes all aspects included in the concept and scope of the claims of the present invention. In addition, each configuration may be appropriately and selectively combined so as to achieve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems and effects. For example, the shape, material, arrangement, size, etc. of each component in the above embodiment may be appropriately changed depending on the specific use mode of the present invention.

[0064] For example, the extended shape of the gasket 1 is not limited to an annular shape forming one rectangular ring in a plan view as shown in Fig. 1, but may take various shapes depending on the extended shape of the groove 51 to which the gasket 1 is attached. For example, the extended shape of the gasket 1 may be a shape in which a series of multiple rings is formed.

[0065] The gasket 1 may have a plurality of protrusions 10 on the outer surface 23b of the upper seal lip 21, the inner peripheral surface 41 of the connecting portion 40, and the outer surface 33b of the lower seal lip 31, and may have a plurality of protrusions 11 on the outer surface 24b of the upper seal lip 22, the outer peripheral surface 42 of the connecting portion 40, and the outer surface 34b of the lower seal lip 32. For example, the gasket 1 may have two protrusions 10 on the inner peripheral surface (the outer peripheral surface 23b, the inner peripheral surface 41, and the outer peripheral surface 33b), and may have two protrusions 11 on the outer peripheral surface (the outer peripheral surface 24b, the outer peripheral surface 42, and the outer peripheral surface 34b). In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, two protrusions 10 are provided on the inner peripheral surface 41 of the connecting portion 40, and two protrusions 11 are provided on the outer peripheral surface 42 of the connecting portion 40. The two protrusions 10 and the two protrusions 11 correspond to each other in the direction of the virtual straight line x. The number of protrusions 10, 11 is not limited to two and may be three or more. In this way, when a plurality of protrusions 10 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of gasket 1 and a plurality of protrusions 11 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of gasket 1, the posture of gasket 1 in groove 51 can be made more stable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1...gasket, 2, 3...recess, 10, 11...projection, 20...one side seal lip portion (upper seal lip portion), 21, 22...one side seal lip (upper seal lip), 21a, 22a...tip portion, 23a, 24a...inner surface, 23b, 24b...outer surface, 25, 26...tip surface, 30...other side seal lip portion (lower seal lip portion), 31, 32...other side seal lip (lower seal lip), 31a, 32a...tip portion, 33a, 34a...inner surface, 33b, 34b...outer surface, 35, 36...tip surface, 40...connection portion, 41...inner peripheral surface, 42...outer peripheral surface, 43...upper surface, 44...lower surface, 50...case, 51...groove, 51a, 51b...side surface, 51c...bottom surface, 52...outer edge portion, 52a...upper surface, 60...cover, 60a...inner surface, G...gap, x...imaginary straight line

Claims

1. A gasket that is attached to a groove that opens into a gap between members and closes the gap, protrusions that protrude so as to come into contact with the opposing side surfaces of the groove; a one-side seal lip portion that is a portion formed so as to contact one of the opposing surfaces via the gap; an other-side seal lip portion that is a portion formed so as to contact the other of the opposing surfaces via the gap; a connecting portion that connects the one-side seal lip portion and the other-side seal lip portion, The connecting portion extends along a virtual straight line in a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction of the gasket, the one-side seal lip portion has a pair of one-side seal lips extending side by side between the protruding portions at the connecting portion, the other-side seal lip portion has a pair of other-side seal lips extending side by side between the protruding portions at the connecting portion, Each of the one-side seal lips is tapered, Each of the other side seal lips is tapered, an inner surface inclined toward the outer periphery and an outer surface inclined toward the inner periphery of each of the one-side seal lips are inclined at the same angle with respect to the imaginary straight line in the cross section, an inner surface inclined toward the outer periphery and an outer surface inclined toward the inner periphery of each of the other-side seal lips are inclined at the same angle with respect to the imaginary straight line in the cross section, Each of the one-side seal lips has a planar upper surface of the connecting portion provided between the inner surfaces and spaced apart, A gasket comprising: a gasket member having a first end and a second end, the first end being spaced apart from the first end and having a first end that is spaced apart from the first end and a second end that is spaced apart from the first end and has a first end that is spaced apart from the first end and has a first end that is spaced apart from the first end and has a first end that is spaced apart from the first end and has a first end that is spaced apart from the first end and has a first end that is spaced apart from the first end and has a second ... second end that is spaced apart from the first end and has a second end that is spaced apart from the first end and has a

2. The gasket according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is formed on the connecting portion.

3. 2. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion protrudes in the direction of the imaginary straight line in the cross section.

4. 2. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is shaped such that the imaginary straight line is a center line in the cross section.

5. 2. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the one-side seal lip portion and the other-side seal lip portion are symmetrical with respect to the imaginary straight line in the cross section.

6. 2. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein each of the projections is shaped such that the imaginary straight line is a center line in the cross section.

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