Sealing Structure and Method of Prism for Sheet Metal Parts

Abstract

To perform sealing of a prism without using potting and an O-ring.SOLUTION: A structure and a method for sealing prism for a sheet-metal component includes causing a front part 7c of a prism 7 to go through a holding hole 6 of a sheet-metal component 2 to prevent a liquid 12 in the outside 13 of the prism 7 from entering the inside 14 of the prism 7, using a seal member 10A provided between the prism 7 and the sheet-metal component 2. The seal member 10A is made of a vulcanization-formed rubber member 10 provided by vulcanization formation in the sheet-metal component 2; and a protruding part 8A in a flange part 8 of the prism 7. The protruding part 8A is closely joined to the vulcanization-formed rubber member 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing structure and method for a prism with respect to a sheet metal part. In particular, a vulcanized rubber member formed by vulcanization molding is provided on the sheet metal part, and a convex portion provided on the flange portion of the prism is fitted to the vulcanized rubber member, so that a novel improvement for sealing without using a potting agent and an O-ring is provided.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a joining structure of this type of member, "Separator for fuel cell and method for molding its rubber packing" disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be cited. In the configuration disclosed in this Patent Document 1, a rubber packing is disposed between a pair of separators and is configured so that liquid does not penetrate from the outside.

[0003] Also, in the case of a prototype of a liquid fuel gauge (particularly, there is no document showing the constituent details) developed by the present applicant, as shown in FIG. 4, a prism guard 1 is fixed to a sheet metal part 2 having an overall concave shape via a fixing member 3. The cover 1A is fixed to the sheet metal part 2 via a plurality of support columns 4.

[0004] A prism 7 is provided in a fitting manner in a holding hole 6 formed in the sheet metal part 2, and the holding hole 6 is engaged with a step portion 7a of the prism 7, so that the prism 7 is firmly attached to the sheet metal part 2. Resin potting 9 is applied as a sealant between the flange portion 8 of the prism 7 and the sheet metal part 2.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] Conventional seal structures were configured as described above, and therefore had the following problems. In other words, in the configuration of the aforementioned Patent Document 1, a rubber packing is placed between a pair of separators, but the material of this rubber packing deteriorates over time, reducing its sealing effect. Furthermore, the potting between the prism and the sheet metal part in Figure 4 was susceptible to leakage due to the generation of air bubbles during the potting process, and the process required a significant amount of labor. Furthermore, when using O-rings, it was necessary to machine grooves into the flange, resulting in a larger part shape and a greater number of parts.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in particular, to provide a sealing structure and method for a prism on a sheet metal part, which involves providing a vulcanized molded rubber member formed by vulcanization molding on a sheet metal part, and tightly fitting a protrusion provided on the flange portion of the prism to the vulcanized molded rubber member, thereby achieving a seal without using potting and O-rings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The prism sealing structure for a sheet metal part according to the present invention is configured such that the front portion of the prism is passed through a holding hole in the sheet metal part, and a sealing member is provided between the prism and the sheet metal part to prevent liquid located outside the prism from entering the inside of the prism. The sealing member comprises a vulcanized molded rubber member provided on the sheet metal part by vulcanization molding, and a protrusion provided on the flange portion of the prism, wherein the protrusion is in close contact with the vulcanized molded rubber member, and the vulcanized molded rubber member has a recess formed therein, with the protrusion provided within the recess, and the surface of the vulcanized molded rubber member for the protrusion to be in close contact with the surface is a flat surface, the protrusion has a predetermined radius, and the protrusion in close contact with the flat surface is in point contact. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for sealing a prism to a sheet metal part, wherein the front portion of the prism is passed through a holding hole in the sheet metal part, and a sealing member is provided between the prism and the sheet metal part to prevent liquid located outside the prism from entering the inside of the prism. In this method, the sealing member consists of a vulcanized molded rubber member provided on the sheet metal part by vulcanization molding, and a protrusion provided on the flange portion of the prism, wherein the protrusion fits tightly with the vulcanized molded rubber member, and the vulcanized molded rubber member has a recess formed therein, and the protrusion is provided within the recess, and the surface of the vulcanized molded rubber member into which the protrusion fits tightly is a flat surface, the protrusion has a predetermined radius, and the protrusion that fits tightly with the flat surface is in point contact. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The prism sealing structure and method for sheet metal parts according to the present invention are configured as described above, and therefore the following effects can be obtained. In other words, in a prism sealing structure and method for a sheet metal part, the front of the prism is passed through a holding hole in the sheet metal part, and a sealing member is provided between the prism and the sheet metal part to prevent liquid located outside the prism from entering the inside of the prism, the sealing member consists of a vulcanized molded rubber member provided on the sheet metal part by vulcanization molding and a protrusion provided on the flange portion of the prism, and because the protrusion is tightly fitted to the vulcanized molded rubber member, the vulcanized molded rubber member has sufficient durability against liquids such as water and oil, and a simple structure can be used to easily achieve sealing when the sheet metal part and the prism are joined. Furthermore, since the vulcanized molded rubber member has a recess and the protrusion is provided within the recess, reliable sealing can be obtained through the combination of the protrusion and the recess. Furthermore, the surface of the vulcanized molded rubber member on which the protrusions of the vulcanized molded rubber member make close contact is flat, the protrusions have a predetermined radius, and the protrusions that make close contact with the flat surface are in point contact, thereby providing a high sealing effect and maintaining durability for a longer period than conventional methods. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing a prism sealing structure and method for sheet metal parts according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing another form of Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional configuration. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The present invention provides a sealing structure and method for a prism on a sheet metal part, which involves providing a vulcanized rubber member formed by vulcanization molding on the sheet metal part, and tightly fitting a protrusion provided on the flange portion of the prism to the vulcanized rubber member, thereby achieving sealing without the use of potting and O-rings.

Embodiment

[0012] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the prism sealing structure and method for sheet metal parts according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same or equivalent parts as those of the conventional configuration in FIG. 4 will be described with the same reference numerals. In FIG. 1, a prism guard 1 is fixed to a sheet metal part 2 having a concave overall shape via a fixing member 3. A cover 1A is fixed to the sheet metal part 2 via a plurality of support columns 4.

[0013] In a holding hole 6 formed in the sheet metal part 2, a front portion 7c of a prism 7 is provided so as to penetrate in a fitting manner, and on the back side 2A of the sheet metal part 2, an annular vulcanized rubber member 10 as a sealing member is provided by vulcanization molding so as to be located on the outer periphery of a base portion 7b of the prism 7.

[0014] The vulcanized rubber member 10 is a sealing member 10A provided between the prism 7 and the sheet metal part 2, and is formed by vulcanization molding with respect to the sheet metal part 2. The vulcanized rubber member 10 is configured to prevent a liquid 12 in a tank 11 located outside the prism 7 from entering the inside 14 of the prism 7.

[0015] The sealing member 10A is constituted by the vulcanized rubber member 10 provided on the back side 2A of the sheet metal part 2 and a convex portion 8A provided on a flange portion 8 of the prism 7. The convex portion 8A is configured to be closely fitted to a concave portion 10B formed in the vulcanized rubber member 10 by insertion or fitting.

[0016] The configuration in which the convex portion 8A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is fitted and tightly adhered to the concave portion 10B has been described. However, for example, as in another form shown in FIG. 3, the surface 20 of the vulcanized molded rubber member 10 is composed of a flat surface 20a, and the convex portion 8A is composed of an R portion 8E. Therefore, with respect to the surface 20 composed of the flat surface 20a of the vulcanized molded rubber member 10, the convex portion 8A becomes a point contact 21, and a tight adhesion between the convex portion 8A and the surface 20 can be formed.

Industrial Applicability

[0017] The prism sealing structure and method for sheet metal parts according to the present invention uses a vulcanized molded rubber member provided on the sheet metal part by vulcanization molding and a convex portion provided on the flange portion of the prism, and achieves sealing by pressing the convex portion against the vulcanized molded rubber member, preventing the liquid in the tank outside the prism from entering the inside of the prism, enabling complete sealing, and improving the reliability of a fuel gauge or the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0018] 1 Prism guard 1A Cover 1a Inner surface 2 Sheet metal part 2A Back side 3 Fixing member 4 Support column 5 Back 6 Holding hole 7 Prism 7b Base 7c Front part 8 Flange portion 8A Convex portion 8E R portion 10 Vulcanized molded rubber member 10A Seal member 10B Concave portion 11 Tank 12 Liquid 13 Outer side 14 Inner side 20 Surface 20a Flat surface 21 Point contact

Claims

1. A sealing structure for a prism with respect to a sheet metal part, in which a front part (7c) of a prism (7) is inserted into a holding hole (6) of a sheet metal part (2), and a sealing member (10A) provided between the prism (7) and the sheet metal part (2) prevents a liquid (12) located on the outside (13) of the prism (7) from penetrating into an inside (14) of the prism (7), The sealing structure of a prism for a sheet metal part is characterized in that the sealing member (10A) comprises a vulcanization molded rubber member (10) provided on the sheet metal part (2) by vulcanization molding, and a convex portion (8A) provided on the flange portion (8) of the prism (7), and the convex portion (8A) is tightly fitted to the vulcanization molded rubber member (10).

2. The sealing structure of a prism for a sheet metal part according to claim 1, characterized in that a recess (10B) is formed in the vulcanized molded rubber member (10), and the protrusion (8A) is provided within the recess (10B).

3. The sealing structure of a prism for a sheet metal part as described in claim 1, characterized in that the surface (20) of the vulcanization molded rubber member (10) with which the convex portion (8A) of the vulcanization molded rubber member (10) is to be tightly fitted consists of a flat surface (20a), the convex portion (8A) consists of a predetermined R portion (8E), and the convex portion (8A) that is tightly fitted to the flat surface (20a) consists of a point contact (21).

4. A method for sealing a prism to a sheet metal part, in which a front part (7c) of a prism (7) is inserted into a holding hole (6) of the sheet metal part (2), and a sealing member (10A) is provided between the prism (7) and the sheet metal part (2) to prevent a liquid (12) located on the outside (13) of the prism (7) from penetrating into an inside (14) of the prism (7), The sealing member (10A) comprises a vulcanization-molded rubber member (10) provided on the sheet metal part (2) by vulcanization molding, and a convex portion (8A) provided on the flange portion (8) of the prism (7), and the convex portion (8A) is tightly fitted to the vulcanization-molded rubber member (10).

5. 5. A method for sealing a prism to a sheet metal part according to claim 4, wherein a recess (10B) is formed in the vulcanized molded rubber member (10), and the protrusion (8A) is provided within the recess (10B).

6. A method for sealing a prism to a sheet metal part as described in claim 4, characterized in that the surface (20) of the vulcanization molded rubber member (10) with which the convex portion (8A) of the vulcanization molded rubber member (10) is to be tightly fitted consists of a flat surface (20a), the convex portion (8A) consists of a predetermined R portion (8E), and the convex portion (8A) that is tightly fitted to the flat surface (20a) consists of a point contact (21).

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