Gasket and Sealing Structure

Abstract

To provide a gasket capable of improving sealing performance. [Solution] The gasket is formed in an annular shape and comprises a base portion that is placed in an annular groove portion of a specified member, and a plurality of protrusions that are arranged at intervals around the circumferential direction of the base and protrude toward the side surface of the groove portion, facing the side surface of the groove portion and having a support surface formed with a curvature in the circumferential direction that corresponds to the curvature of the side surface of the groove portion, and the circumferential length of the protrusions is longer than the circumferential distance between the opposing ends of circumferentially adjacent protrusions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gasket.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in housings constituting a cooling water tank, an inlet manifold, a filter bracket, etc. of an automobile or the like, an annular gasket for sealing the inside of the housing is disposed (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] The gasket described in Patent Document 1 is disposed in an annular groove provided in a housing. In order to prevent the gasket from falling down in the groove, a protrusion directed toward the side surface of the groove is provided. On the other hand, since this protrusion is curved in a shape such that the central portion in the circumferential direction protrudes toward the side surface of the groove in a plan view of the gasket, the contact area with the side surface of the groove becomes small. Therefore, improvement is required from the viewpoint of improving the sealing performance.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a gasket capable of improving the sealing performance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The gasket according to the present invention is formed in an annular shape and includes a base portion disposed in an annular groove portion of a predetermined member, and a plurality of protrusions spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the base portion in a state of protruding to the side surface side of the groove portion. The protrusions have a support surface formed to face the side surface of the groove portion and to have a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the side surface of the groove portion in the circumferential direction. The length of the protrusion in the circumferential direction is longer than the circumferential interval between the opposing end portions of the adjacent protrusions in the circumferential direction.

[0007] In the above gasket, the protrusion may have a shape in which the edge side of the support surface is rounded in at least one of the circumferential direction and the height direction of the base portion.

[0008] In the above gasket, the base portion and the protrusion may be formed using a rubber material, and the rubber hardness may be 60 or less in HDA.

[0009] In the above gasket, the predetermined member may be formed using a resin material.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gasket capable of improving the sealing performance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the gasket according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be replaced by those skilled in the art and are easy to replace, or those that are substantially the same.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a gasket 100. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a part of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the gasket 100 is formed in an annular shape using a rubber material such as silicone rubber or fluororubber. The gasket 100 is provided so as to be elastically deformable by applying a force from the outside. The gasket 100 has, for example, a rubber hardness of HDA60 or less (conforming to JIS K 7215 Shore A).

[0014] The gasket 100 is disposed in an annular groove portion 50 of a housing (predetermined member) 200 that constitutes, for example, a cooling water tank, an inlet manifold, a filter bracket, etc. of an automobile. The housing 200 is formed using, for example, a resin material, but is not limited thereto, and may be formed using other materials such as metal. The groove portion 50 has a side surface 60 and a bottom surface 70 (see FIG.  2 etc.). The side surface 60 has an inner surface 61 along the inner peripheral side of the gasket 100 and an outer surface 62 along the outer peripheral side of the gasket 100. The bottom surface 70 is planar and on which the gasket 100 is placed.

[0015] The gasket 100 includes a base portion 10 and a protrusion portion 20. The base portion 10 is formed in an annular shape corresponding to the shape of the groove portion 50 of the housing 200. In this embodiment, for example, the groove portion 50 is formed in an annular shape. Therefore, the gasket 100 is formed in an annular shape corresponding to the shape of the groove portion 50. Note that the shape of the groove portion 50 and the shape of the gasket 100 are not limited to an annular shape, and other shapes may be used.

[0016] Hereinafter, when explaining the configuration of the gasket 100, the direction in which the base portion 10 extends in an annular shape is referred to as the circumferential direction of the base portion 10. Also, in the state where the gasket 100 is disposed in the groove portion 50, the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 70 of the groove portion 50 is referred to as the height direction of the base portion 10. Regarding the height direction of the base portion 10, the direction from the gasket 100 toward the bottom surface 70 of the groove portion 50 is referred to as downward, and the opposite direction of downward is referred to as upward.

[0017] The protrusion portion 20 is disposed in a state of protruding toward the side surface 60 side of the groove portion 50. A plurality of protrusion portions 20 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the base portion 10. The protrusion portions 20 are provided over one circumference in the circumferential direction of the base portion 10. The protrusion portions 20 are arranged, for example, at equal pitches in the circumferential direction of the base portion 10, but are not limited thereto, and at least one pitch may be different from the others.

[0018] The protrusion portion 20 has a support surface 20a facing the side surface 60. As shown in FIG. 2, the support surface 20a is formed with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the side surface 60 in the circumferential direction. For example, in this embodiment, the support surface 20a is formed parallel to the side surface 60. Also, the protrusion portion 20 has a rounded shape at both ends in the circumferential direction of the support surface 20a.

[0019] Among a plurality of protrusions 20, small protrusions 20b are provided on some of the protrusions 20. In the present embodiment, the small protrusions 20b are arranged, for example, every four in the circumferential direction among the plurality of protrusions 20, but are not limited thereto. Note that the small protrusions 20b may be provided on all the protrusions 20. The small protrusions 20b are provided in a state of protruding, for example, in a hemispherical shape from the support surface 20a toward the side surface 60 side, but are not limited thereto and may have other shapes. The small protrusions 20b are arranged, for example, at the central portion in the circumferential direction. A plurality of small protrusions 20b may be arranged on one support surface 20a.

[0020] Further, the length L1 of the protrusion 20 in the circumferential direction is longer than the circumferential interval L2 between the opposing end portions (end portion 20c and end portion 20d in FIG. 1) of the adjacent protrusions 20 in the circumferential direction. With this configuration, when the gasket 100 is disposed in the groove portion 50, the circumferential length of the portion of the protrusion 20 that contacts the side surface 60 is longer than the circumferential length of the portion that does not contact the side surface 60.

[0021] The protrusion 20 has an inner circumferential side protrusion 21 and an outer circumferential side protrusion 22. The inner circumferential side protrusion 21 is disposed on the inner circumferential side of the base portion 10. The inner circumferential side protrusion 21 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface 11 of the base portion 10 toward the inner side surface 61 of the groove portion 50. The inner circumferential side protrusion 21 has an inner circumferential side support surface 21a facing the inner side surface 61. The inner circumferential side support surface 21a is formed with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the inner side surface 61 of the groove portion 50. In the present embodiment, the curvature C1 of the inner circumferential side support surface 21a is set to be the same as the curvature of the inner side surface 61.

[0022] The outer circumferential side protrusion 22 is disposed on the outer circumferential side of the base portion 10. The outer circumferential side protrusion 22 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 12 of the base portion 10 toward the outer side surface 62 of the groove portion 50. The outer circumferential side protrusion 22 has an outer circumferential side support surface 22a facing the outer side surface 62. The outer circumferential side support surface 22a is formed with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the outer side surface 62 of the groove portion 50. In the present embodiment, the curvature C2 of the outer circumferential side support surface 22a is set to be the same as the curvature of the outer side surface 62.

[0023] In this embodiment, on the side surface 60 of the groove portion 50, the inner side surface 61 and the outer side surface 62 are each formed in a cylindrical shape. The inner circumferential side support surface 21a is configured by, for example, a part of a cylindrical surface having the same diameter as the inner side surface 61 so as to have the same curvature C1 as the inner side surface 61. Similarly, the outer circumferential side support surface 22a is configured by, for example, a part of a cylindrical surface having the same diameter as the outer side surface 62 so as to have the same curvature C2 as the outer side surface 62.

[0024] Also, in this embodiment, the inner circumferential side protrusion 21 and the outer circumferential side protrusion 22 are arranged in the same range in the circumferential direction. Further, the length of the inner circumferential side protrusion 21 and the length of the outer circumferential side protrusion 22 in the circumferential direction are equal (each having a length L1).

[0025] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the base portion 10 is octagonal in a cross-sectional view by a plane perpendicular to the circumferential direction. The inner circumferential surface 11 and the outer circumferential surface 12 of the base portion 10 are parallel. The base portion 10 has a lower surface 13 that contacts the bottom surface 70 of the groove portion 50 and an upper surface 14 that contacts a sealing member 300 (see FIGS. 6, 7, etc.) that seals the housing 200. The lower surface 13 and the upper surface 14 of the base portion 10 are parallel.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a portion of the base portion 10 where the protrusion 20 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion 20 has a rounded shape at the upper end and the lower end in the height direction of the support surface 20a (inner circumferential side support surface 21a, outer circumferential side support surface 22a).

[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 20 provided with the small protrusion 20b. As shown in FIG. 5, the small protrusion 20b is arranged, for example, at the central portion in the height direction of the support surface 20a, but is not limited thereto and may be arranged at other positions. Also, a plurality of small protrusions 20b may be provided in the height direction of the support surface 20a.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a state where the gasket 100 is disposed in the groove portion 50. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state where the gasket is disposed and sealed in the groove portion. In a state where the gasket 100 is disposed in the groove portion 50, the housing 200 is sealed by the sealing member 300, so that the gasket 100 is elastically deformed within the groove portion 50. In the present embodiment, since the support surface 20a is formed with a curvature C1 corresponding to the curvature of the side surface 60, when the gasket 100 is disposed in the groove portion 50, it comes into contact with the side surface 60 in almost the entire surface. Therefore, when the gasket 100 is sealed by the sealing member 300, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, since the support surface 20a is stably supported by the side surface 60, the fall of the gasket 100 in the groove portion 50 can be suppressed. Further, since almost the entire surface of the support surface 20a comes into contact with the side surface 60, the frictional force between the support surface 20a and the side surface 60 increases. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gasket 100 from falling off the groove portion 50.

[0029] Further, in the present embodiment, the protrusion 20 has a rounded shape at the upper and lower ends in the height direction of the support surface 20a (the inner peripheral side support surface 21a and the outer peripheral side support surface 22a). Further, the protrusion 20 has a rounded shape at both ends in the circumferential direction of the support surface 20a. Therefore, due to the space between the rounded portion and the side surface 60, sufficient deformation is ensured in the protrusion 20, and stable sealing performance is ensured.

[0030] Further, the protrusion 20 has a circumferential length L1 that is longer than the circumferential interval L2 between the opposing ends of the adjacent protrusions 20 in the circumferential direction. With this configuration, when the gasket 100 is disposed and sealed in the groove portion 50, the circumferential length of the contact portion between the support surface 20a and the side surface 60 becomes longer than the circumferential length of the portion that does not contact the side surface 60. Thereby, since the gasket 100 is disposed in the groove portion 50 with a high filling rate, the sealing performance can be improved.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state where a gasket is disposed in a groove portion and sealed. FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a portion where the small protrusion 20b is provided. By providing the small protrusion 20b at substantially the center of the support surface 20a, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to prevent the gasket 100 from falling off the groove portion 50. Further, since the small protrusion 20b has a hemispherical shape, the surface of the hemispherical small protrusion 20b can be efficiently pressed against the side surface 60 of the groove portion 50. Thereby, the fall-off of the gasket 100 can be suppressed more effectively.

[0032] As described above, the gasket 100 according to the present embodiment is formed in an annular shape and includes a base portion 10 disposed in an annular groove portion 50, and a plurality of protrusions 20 protruding toward the side surface 60 side of the groove portion 50 and spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the base portion 10. The protrusion 20 has a support surface 20a formed to face the side surface 60 of the groove portion 50 and having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the side surface 60 in the circumferential direction. The circumferential length L1 of the protrusion 20 is longer than the circumferential interval L2 between the opposing end portions of the adjacent protrusions 20 in the circumferential direction. <(

[0033] With this configuration, when the gasket 100 is disposed in the groove portion 50, the circumferential length of the portion in contact with the side surface 60 is longer than the circumferential length of the portion not in contact with the side surface 60. Thereby, since the gasket 100 is disposed in the groove portion 50 with a high filling rate, the sealing performance can be improved. Further, since substantially the entire surface of the support surface 20a comes into contact with the side surface 60, the frictional force between the support surface 20a and the side surface 60 increases. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gasket 100 from falling off the groove portion 50.

[0034] Further, in the gasket 100 described above, the protrusion 20 has a shape in which the end side of the support surface 20a is rounded in at least one of the circumferential direction and the height direction. Thereby, when the gasket 100 is disposed in the groove portion 50 and sealed, sufficient deformation is ensured in the protrusion 20 due to the space between the rounded portion and the side surface 60, and stable sealing performance is ensured.

[0035] Also, in the gasket 100 according to the present embodiment, the base portion 10 and the protrusion portion 20 are formed of a rubber material, and the rubber hardness is HDA60 or less. With this configuration, it is possible to meet the requirement of reducing the reaction force against the housing 200 side.

[0036] Also, in the gasket 100 according to the present embodiment, the side surface 60 of the groove portion 50 is formed of a resin material. With this configuration, it is possible to meet the requirement of reducing the reaction force against the side surface 60 of the groove portion 50 formed of a resin material.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0037] 10 Base portion 11 Inner peripheral surface 12 Outer peripheral surface 13 Lower surface 14 Upper surface 20 Protrusion portion 20a Support surface 20b Small protrusion portion 21 Inner peripheral side protrusion portion 21a Inner peripheral side support surface 22 Outer peripheral side protrusion portion 22a Outer peripheral side support surface 50 Groove portion 60 Side surface 61 Inner side surface 62 Outer side surface 70 Bottom surface 100 Gasket 200 Housing 300 Sealing member C1, C2 Curvature L1 Length L2 Spacing

Claims

1. A base portion that is formed in an annular shape, disposed in an annular groove portion of a predetermined member, and can seal the groove portion by elastically deforming in a state of being disposed in the groove portion; A plurality of protrusions that project to the side surface side of the groove portion in a state where the base portion is disposed in the groove portion, are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the base portion, have a support surface facing the side surface of the groove portion, and are formed so that the entire surface of the support surface comes into contact with the side surface of the groove portion when the base portion elastically deforms; Comprising: In the protrusion portion, the length in the circumferential direction at the connection portion with the base portion is longer than the interval in the circumferential direction between the opposing end portions of the adjacent protrusions in the circumferential direction; The base portion has an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface that are parallel in the height direction, both end portions in the height direction are planar and perpendicular to the height direction, and in a cross-sectional view taken by a plane perpendicular to the circumferential direction, it is an octagonal shape that becomes narrower from the upper and lower ends of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface toward both end portions in the height direction; In the protrusion portion, in a cross-sectional view taken by a plane perpendicular to the circumferential direction, one is provided on each of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the base portion in the height direction; A gasket.

2. The protrusion portion has a shape in which the edge side of the support surface is rounded with respect to at least one of the circumferential direction and the height direction of the base portion; The gasket according to Claim 1.

3. The base portion and the protrusion portion are formed using a rubber material, and the rubber hardness is 60 or less in HDA; The gasket according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. A predetermined member formed using a resin material and having an annular groove portion; The gasket according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, which is disposed in the groove portion of the predetermined member; A sealing member that seals the gasket in the groove portion; A sealing structure comprising:

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