sealing device

Abstract

This seal device comprises at least two seal members. One end of one of the at least two seal members has a first base and a first shaft part that vertically extends from a seating surface of the first base. One end of the other of the seal members has a first receiving seat that is to be seated on the seating surface of the first base, and a first shaft hole into which the first shaft part is fitted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sealing device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack mounted on a vehicle. Such a battery pack includes a tray in which battery cells are accommodated and a cover that covers the tray. A gasket for closing a gap is provided between the sealing surface of the tray and the sealing surface of the cover.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The gasket (sealing device) disclosed in Patent Document 1 is annular and larger than the opening of the tray, so the manufacturing cost is high and parts management is difficult.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a sealing device that can reduce manufacturing costs and facilitate parts management.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A sealing device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a sealing device including at least two sealing members. One end of one of the at least two sealing members has a first pedestal and a first shaft portion extending perpendicularly from the seating surface of the first pedestal. One end of the other one has a first seating portion seated on the seating surface of the first pedestal and a first shaft hole into which the first shaft portion fits.

[0007] According to the configuration described in (1) above, one sealing member and another sealing member can be connected by seating the second receiving seat on the first base and fitting the first shaft portion into the first shaft hole. As a result, each sealing member (one sealing member and another sealing member) becomes smaller, costs can be reduced, and parts management becomes easier.

[0008] (2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, one other end has a second seat having the same shape as the first seat and a second shaft hole having the same shape as the first shaft hole, and the other other end has a second base having the same shape as the first base and a second shaft portion having the same shape as the first shaft portion.

[0009] According to the configuration described in (2) above, the other end of one sealing member can be connected to the other end of another sealing member. This allows at least two sealing members (or multiple sealing members) to be connected in a ring shape, and the multiple sealing members can be formed into a ring-shaped sealing device.

[0010] (3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, one other end has a second base having the same shape as the first base and a second shaft having the same shape as the first shaft, and the other other end has a second seat having the same shape as the first seat and a second shaft hole having the same shape as the first shaft hole.

[0011] According to the configuration described in (3) above, one sealing member and another sealing member can be connected alternately. This allows at least two sealing members (multiple sealing members) to be connected in a ring shape, and multiple sealing members can be used to form a ring-shaped sealing device.

[0012] (4) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, the first base has a first tapered surface on the surface facing the other sealing member, the other sealing member has a first joining surface that is joined to the first tapered surface, the first seat has a second tapered surface on the surface facing the sealing member, and the sealing member has a second joining surface that is joined to the second tapered surface.

[0013] According to the configuration of (4) above, the second seat is seated on the first base and the first shaft is fitted into the first shaft hole, thereby joining the first tapered surface and the first joint surface, and joining the second tapered surface and the second joint surface. When the sealing device is pressed, the first tapered surface and the first joint surface come into close contact, and the second tapered surface and the second joint surface come into close contact. As a result, the space between the first base and the first sealing member is sealed, the space between the seat and the other sealing member is sealed, and watertightness between the one sealing member and the other sealing member can be ensured.

[0014] (5) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (4) above, the first base has a first stopper surface that defines the first tapered surface and a portion of one adjacent surface to the first joint surface abuts against, and the second base has a second stopper surface that defines the second tapered surface and a portion of one adjacent surface to the second joint surface abuts against.

[0015] According to the configuration of (5) above, a portion of one surface adjacent to the first joint surface comes into contact with the first stopper surface, and a portion of one surface adjacent to the second joint surface comes into contact with the second stopper surface, thereby making the watertightness between one sealing member and the other sealing member stronger.

[0016] (6) In some embodiments, in any one of the configurations (1) to (5) above, a sealing device is installed between a tray and a cover that covers the tray, wherein at least one of the at least two sealing members has a mounting portion for attaching to the tray.

[0017] According to the configuration of (6) above, by attaching the attachment part to the tray, at least one of the at least two seal members is fixed to the tray, so that the at least two seal members can be positioned.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, cost reduction is possible and parts management becomes easier.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a diagram schematically showing a tray, a cover, and a seal member constituting a battery pack. [Figure 2] It is a diagram schematically showing the main part of two seal members constituting the seal device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] It is a diagram schematically showing the main part of a seal device combining the two seal members shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a diagram schematically showing two seal members constituting the seal device according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 5] It is a diagram schematically showing a part of a seal device in which the two seal members shown in FIG. 4 are alternately connected. [Figure 6] It is a diagram schematically showing two seal members constituting the seal device according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 7] It is a diagram schematically showing a part of a seal device in which the two seal members shown in FIG. 6 are alternately connected. [Figure 8] It is a diagram schematically showing two seal members constituting the seal device according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 9] It is a diagram schematically showing one seal member constituting the seal device according to Embodiment 5. [Figure 10] It is a plan view schematically showing a seal member directly connected to a seal member. [Figure 11] It is a plan view schematically showing a seal member connected to a seal member at an angle. [Figure 12]This is a schematic diagram showing a sealing device according to Embodiment 6. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram showing a sealing device according to Embodiment 7. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram showing a sealing device according to Embodiment 8. [Figure 15] This is a schematic diagram showing a sealing device according to Embodiment 9. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc., of the components described as embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples.

[0021] [Embodiment 1] As shown in Figure 1, the sealing device 1A according to Embodiment 1 is a sealing device that closes the gap between the sealing surface 110a of a tray 110, which constitutes a battery pack 100 mounted on an electric vehicle, and the sealing surface 120a of a cover 120 that covers the tray 110. The sealing device 1A is constructed by connecting a plurality of sealing members 10, 20... in an annular shape. The plurality of sealing members 10, 20... are all made of elastomer. For example, ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) is used, but it is not limited to this.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the thickness t of the multiple sealing members 10, 20... is constant. One end of one sealing member 10 has a base 11 and a shaft portion 12 extending perpendicularly from the seating surface 11a of the base 11. One end of one sealing member 20 has a seat 21 that sits on the seating surface 11a of the base 11 and a shaft hole 22 into which the shaft portion 12 fits. The base 11 is cylindrical in shape, and its thickness is half the thickness t of the sealing member 10 (t / 2). The shaft portion 12 is provided at the center of the seating surface 11a of the base 11. The shaft portion 12 is cylindrical in shape, smaller in size than the base 11, and its height is half the thickness t of the sealing member 10 (t / 2). The receiving seat 21 is cylindrical in shape, the same size as the base 11, and its thickness is half the thickness t of the sealing member 20 (t / 2). The shaft hole 22 has a circular cross-section and penetrates the center of the receiving seat 21.

[0023] Furthermore, one end of the sealing member 10 is provided with a cylindrical surface 10a that is joined to the outer circumferential surface 21b of the receiving seat 21, and one end of the sealing member 20 is provided with a cylindrical surface 20a that is joined to the outer circumferential surface 11b of the base 11.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the shaft portion 12 provided at one end of the sealing member 10 fits into the shaft hole 22 provided at one end of the sealing member 20, and the receiving seat 21 sits on the seat surface 11a of the base 11, thereby connecting the sealing member 20 to the sealing member 10.

[0025] According to the sealing device 1A of Embodiment 1, the sealing member 10 and the sealing member 20 can be connected by seating the receiving seat 21 on the base 11 and fitting the shaft hole 22 into the shaft portion 12. As a result, each sealing member 10, 20 can be made smaller, reducing costs and simplifying parts management.

[0026] Furthermore, when the tray 110 is covered by the cover 120, the sealing device 1A (sealing members 10, 20) is pressed, causing the base 11 and the receiving seat 21 to come into close contact. This seals the space between the base 11 and the receiving seat 21. Additionally, when the sealing members 10, 20 are pressed, the outer circumferential surface 11b of the base 11 and the cylindrical surface 20a of the sealing member 20 come into close contact, and the outer circumferential surface 21b of the receiving seat 21 comes into close contact with the cylindrical surface 10a of the sealing member 10. This seals the space between the base 11 and the sealing member 20, and seals the space between the receiving seat 21 and the sealing member 10.

[0027] [Embodiment 2] As shown in Figure 4, one end of one sealing member 10 and one end of the other sealing member 20 of the sealing device 1B according to Embodiment 2 are the same as one end of the sealing member 10 and one end of the sealing member 20 of the sealing device 1A according to Embodiment 1. In the sealing device 1B according to Embodiment 2, the other end of the sealing member 10 has a receiving seat 13 of the same shape and size as the receiving seat 21 and a shaft hole 14 of the same shape and size as the shaft hole 22, and the other end of the sealing member 20 has a base 23 of the same shape and size as the base 11 and a shaft portion 24 of the same shape and size as the shaft portion 12.

[0028] Furthermore, the other end of the sealing member 10 is provided with a cylindrical surface 10b of the same size and shape as the cylindrical surface 20a, and the other end of the sealing member 20 is provided with a cylindrical surface 20b of the same size and shape as the cylindrical surface 10a.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the shaft hole 14 provided at the other end of the seal member 10 fits into the shaft portion 24 provided at the other end of the seal member 20, and the receiving seat 13 sits on the seat surface 23a of the base 23, thereby connecting the seal member 10 to the seal member 20.

[0030] According to the sealing device 1B of Embodiment 2, the sealing members 10 and 20 can be connected alternately. This allows multiple sealing members 10, 20... to be connected in a ring shape, and multiple sealing members 10, 20... can be used to form a ring-shaped sealing device.

[0031] [Embodiment 3] As shown in Figure 6, one end of one sealing member 10 and one end of the other sealing member 20 of the sealing device 1C according to Embodiment 3 are the same as one end of the sealing member 10 and one end of the sealing member 20 of the sealing device 1A according to Embodiment 1. In the sealing device 1C according to Embodiment 3, the other end of the sealing member 10 has a base 15 that is the same shape and size as the base 11 and a shaft portion 16 that is the same shape and size as the shaft portion 12, and the other end of the sealing member 20 has a receiving seat 25 that is the same shape and size as the receiving seat 21 and a shaft hole 26 that is the same shape and size as the shaft hole 22.

[0032] Furthermore, the other end of the sealing member 10 is provided with a cylindrical surface 10c having the same size and shape as the cylindrical surface 10a, and the other end of the sealing member 20 is provided with a cylindrical surface 20c having the same size and shape as the cylindrical surface 20a.

[0033] As shown in Figure 7, the shaft portion 16 provided at the other end of the seal member 10 fits into the shaft hole 26 provided at the other end of the seal member 20, and the receiving seat 25 sits on the seat surface 15a of the base 15, thereby connecting the seal member 10 to the seal member 20.

[0034] According to the sealing device 1C of Embodiment 3, the sealing members 10 and 20 can be connected alternately. This allows multiple sealing members 10, 20... to be connected in a ring shape, and multiple sealing members 10, 20... to form a ring-shaped sealing device.

[0035] [Embodiment 4] In the sealing device 1D according to Embodiment 4, components identical to those in the sealing device 1A according to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. As shown in Figure 8, in the sealing device 1D according to Embodiment 4, the base 11 of the sealing member 10 has a tapered surface 11b1 on the surface facing the sealing member 20, and the sealing member 20 has a joining surface 20a1 that is joined to the tapered surface 11b1. The tapered surface 11b1 is a conical surface that gradually widens from the seat surface 11a toward the lower surface of the base, and the joining surface 20a1 is a mortar-shaped surface that contacts the tapered surface. Furthermore, the receiving seat 21 of the sealing member 20 has a tapered surface 21b1 on the surface facing the sealing member 10, and the sealing member 10 has a joining surface 10a1 that is joined to the tapered surface 21b1. The tapered surface 21b1 is a conical surface that gradually expands from the lower surface of the seat 21 toward the upper surface of the seat, and the joining surface 10a1 is a mortar-shaped surface that contacts the tapered surface.

[0036] According to the sealing device 1D of Embodiment 4, the receiving seat 21 is seated on the seating surface 11a of the base 11, and the shaft portion 12 is fitted into the shaft hole 22, thereby joining the tapered surface 11b1 and the joining surface 20a1, and joining the tapered surface 21b1 and the joining surface 10a1. When the sealing device 1D is pressed, the tapered surface 11b1 and the joining surface 20a1 come into close contact, and the tapered surface 21b1 and the joining surface 10a1 come into close contact. As a result, the space between the base 11 and the sealing member 20 is sealed, the space between the receiving seat 21 and the sealing member 10 is sealed, and watertightness between the sealing member 10 and the sealing member 20 can be ensured.

[0037] [Embodiment 5] In the sealing device 1E according to Embodiment 5, components identical to those in the sealing device 1D according to Embodiment 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. As shown in Figure 9, in the sealing device 1E according to Embodiment 5, the base 11 has a pair of boundary surfaces 11b2 and 11b3 that define the tapered surface 11b1. Of the pair of boundary surfaces 11b2 and 11b3, at least one boundary surface becomes a stopper surface that abuts against a part of one adjacent surface 20d (20e) that is adjacent to the joining surface 20a1. Also, as shown in Figure 8, the receiving seat 21 has a pair of boundary surfaces 21b2 (the other is omitted) that define the tapered surface 21b1. Of the pair of boundary surfaces 21b2 (the other is omitted), at least one boundary surface becomes a contact surface that abuts against a part of one adjacent surface 10d (the other is omitted) that is adjacent to the joining surface 10a1.

[0038] In the example shown in Figure 10, both of the pair of boundary surfaces 11b2 and 11b3 defining the tapered surface 11b1 become stopper surfaces, and the pair of surfaces 20d and 20e adjacent to the joining surface 201a1 of the sealing member 20 abut against the stopper surfaces 11b2 and 11b3, respectively. Also, both of the pair of boundary surfaces 11b2 and 11b3 defining the tapered surface 21b1 become stopper surfaces, and the pair of surfaces 10d and 10e adjacent to the joining surface 10a1 of the sealing member 10 abut against the stopper surfaces 11b2 and 11b3, respectively.

[0039] In the example shown in Figure 11, of the pair of boundary surfaces 11b2 and 11b3 defining the tapered surface 11b1, one boundary surface 11b2 becomes a stopper surface, and one surface 20d adjacent to the joining surface 20a1 of the sealing member 20 abuts against the stopper surface 11b2. Also, of the pair of boundary surfaces 21b2 and 21b3 defining the tapered surface 21b1, one boundary surface 21b2 becomes a stopper surface, and one surface 10d adjacent to the joining surface 10a1 of the sealing member 10 abuts against the stopper surface 21b2.

[0040] According to the sealing device 1E of Embodiment 5, a portion of one surface 20d (20e) adjacent to the joining surface 20a1 abuts against the stopper surface 11b2 (11b3), and a portion of one surface 10d (10e) adjacent to the joining surface 10a1 abuts against the stopper surface 21b2 (21b3), thereby making the watertightness between the sealing member 10 and the sealing member 20 stronger.

[0041] [Embodiment 6] As shown in Figure 12, the sealing device 1F according to Embodiment 6 is constructed by alternately connecting sealing members 10 and sealing members 20 having the same length (La) as the sealing member 10. If the sealing members 10 and 20 of the sealing device 1F according to Embodiment 6 are the same as the sealing members 10 and 20 of the sealing device 1B according to Embodiment 2, then since the lengths of the sealing members 10 and 20 are the same, the sealing members 10 and 20 will have the same shape and size. Thus, the sealing device 1F according to Embodiment 6 is constructed by sequentially connecting the sealing members 10.

[0042] According to the sealing device 1F of Embodiment 6, if the sealing members 10 and 20 are the same as the sealing members 10 and 20 of the sealing device 1F of Embodiment 2, only the sealing member 10 needs to be manufactured, which reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies parts management.

[0043] [Embodiment 7] As shown in Figure 13, the sealing device 1G according to Embodiment 7 is constructed by connecting a sealing member 10, a sealing member 20 having the same length (La) as the sealing member 10, and a sealing member 30 having a different length (Lb) than the sealing member 10. If the sealing members 10 and 20 of the sealing device 1G according to Embodiment 7 are the same as the sealing members 10 and 20 of the sealing device 1B according to Embodiment 2, then since the lengths of the sealing member 10 and the sealing member 20 are the same, the sealing member 10 and the sealing member 20 will have the same shape and size. As a result, the sealing member 20 can be used as the sealing member 10.

[0044] In the sealing device according to Embodiment 7, if the sealing members 10 and 20 are the same as the sealing members 10 and 20 of the sealing device 1F according to Embodiment 2, the sealing device 1G is constructed by sequentially connecting the sealing member 10 and the sealing member 30.

[0045] According to the sealing device of Embodiment 7, if the sealing members 10 and 20 are the same as the sealing members 10 and 20 of the sealing device 1F of Embodiment 2, it is only necessary to manufacture the sealing member 10 and the sealing member 30, which reduces manufacturing costs and simplifies parts management.

[0046] [Embodiment 8] As shown in Figure 14, the sealing device 1H according to Embodiment 8 consists of a pair of straight sealing members 10, 10 and a pair of bent sealing members 20, 20. The pair of straight sealing members 10, 10 are the same length, shape, and size, and the pair of bent sealing members 20, 20 are the same length and shape. Therefore, it is only necessary to manufacture two types of sealing members, the straight sealing member 10 and the bent sealing member 20, which reduces manufacturing costs compared to manufacturing an annular sealing device and simplifies parts management.

[0047] [Embodiment 9] As shown in Figure 15, the sealing device 1K according to Embodiment 9 is a sealing device installed between a tray 110 and a cover 120 that covers the tray 110, and at least one of the sealing members 10, 20 has a mounting portion 40 for attaching to the tray 110. The mounting portion 40 is, for example, composed of a recess 41 that fits into a projection 111 provided on the inside of the sealing surface of the tray 110, but is not limited to this.

[0048] According to the sealing device 1K of the embodiment 9 described above, by attaching the mounting portion 40 to the tray 110, at least one of the sealing members 10 and 20 is fixed to the tray 110, so that the two sealing members 10 and 20 can be positioned.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes modified forms of the embodiments described above, as well as forms that combine these forms as appropriate.

[0050] The electric vehicle on which the battery pack 100, which constitutes the tray 110 according to the above embodiment, is mounted is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) powered by a motor, or an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle (HV) or fuel cell vehicle (FCV) powered by an engine and a motor. The hybrid vehicle is, for example, a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV, PHV) that can be charged from an external power source by external charging or can supply external power to external devices, but is not limited to plug-in hybrid vehicles. Furthermore, the battery pack 100 may be mounted inside the passenger compartment or outside the passenger compartment (for example, under the floor). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1. Sealing device 10 sealing member 10a, 10b, 10c Cylindrical surface 10a1 Joint surface 10d, 10e Surfaces adjacent to the joint surface 11 Pedestal 11a Seat 11b Outer surface 11b1 Tapered surface 11b2, 11b3 boundary surface (stopper surface) 12 Shaft section 13 catch seat 14 shaft hole 15 Pedestal 16. Shaft section 20 sealing member 20a, 20b, 20c Cylindrical surface 20a1 Joint surface 20d, 20e: Surfaces adjacent to the joint surface 21 catch seat 21b Outer surface 21b1 Tapered surface 21b2, 21b3 boundary surface (stopper surface) 22 shaft hole 23 Pedestal 24 Shaft section 25 catch seat 26 shaft hole 27 Tapered surface 30 sealing member 40 Mounting part 100 Battery Pack 110 trays 110a sealing surface 111 Protrusion 120 Cover 120a sealing surface

Claims

1. A sealing device comprising at least two sealing members, Of the at least two sealing members, one end has a first base and a first shaft portion extending perpendicularly from the seating surface of the first base, and the other end has a first receiving seat that sits on the seating surface of the first base and a first shaft hole into which the first shaft portion fits. The first base has a first tapered surface on the surface facing the other sealing member, The other sealing member has a first joining surface that is joined to the first tapered surface, The first seat has a second tapered surface on the surface facing the one sealing member, The aforementioned sealing member has a second joining surface that is joined to the second tapered surface. Sealing device.

2. The other end of the aforementioned one has a second seat having the same shape as the first seat and a second shaft hole having the same shape as the first shaft hole. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the other device has a second base having the same shape as the first base and a second shaft having the same shape as the first shaft.

3. The other end of the aforementioned one has a second base having the same shape as the first base and a second shaft having the same shape as the first shaft, The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the other end has a second seat having the same shape as the first seat and a second shaft hole having the same shape as the first shaft hole.

4. The first base has a first stopper surface that defines the first tapered surface and a portion of one of the surfaces adjacent to the first joint surface abuts against it. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the first receiving seat has a second stopper surface that defines the second tapered surface and a portion of one of the surfaces adjacent to the second joining surface abuts against it.

5. A sealing device installed between a tray and a cover that covers the tray, The sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the at least two sealing members has a mounting portion for attaching to the tray.

Images