Sealing member and lighting device

Abstract

To provide a seal member that can improve adhesion and waterproofness.SOLUTION: A seal member 10 includes: an annular base part 11; and one or more annular projection parts 12 formed on at least one surface of a first abutment surface 111 and a second abutment surface 112 of the annular base part 11. The first abutment surface 111 is a surface abutting on a first member, while the second abutment surface 112 is a surface abutting on a second member. The annular projection parts 12 are formed so as to surround an opening 113 of the annular base part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seal member and a lighting device. [Background Art]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a packing in which outer circumferences of a first contact portion abutting against a socket body side and a second contact portion abutting against a fastening cover side are each formed of a curved surface that is convex outward. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-37764 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] However, in order to prevent liquid intrusion from the outside, higher adhesion and higher waterproofness are required for seal members. This is the same not only for lighting devices but also for various other devices.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a seal member capable of further improving adhesion and waterproofness, and a lighting device using the same.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the seal member of the present invention includes: an annular base portion; and one or more annular convex portions formed on at least one of a first contact surface and a second contact surface of the annular base portion, the first contact surface is a surface that abuts a first member, the second contact surface is a surface that abuts a second member, the annular convex portion is a seal member formed so as to surround an opening of the annular base portion.

[0007] The present invention's lighting device, The present invention relates to an apparatus that includes a sealing member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sealing member that can further improve adhesion and waterproofing, and a lighting device using the same. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sealing member in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the sealing member in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the sealing member shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the lighting device in Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited or restricted in any way by the embodiments described below. In the following drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The descriptions in each embodiment can be used interchangeably with each other. Furthermore, the configurations of each embodiment are combinable unless otherwise specified. Also, in the drawings, for the sake of clarity, the structure of each part may be simplified as appropriate, and the dimensional ratios of each part may differ from the actual dimensions and may be shown schematically.

[0011] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sealing member 10 in this embodiment. Figure 1(A) is a front view of the annular base portion 11 as seen from the side on which the annular projection 12 is formed, and Figure 1(B) is a side view of the cross section A'-A' of Figure 1(A). The sealing member 10 of this embodiment includes an annular base portion 11 and an annular projection 12, as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows an example in which the annular projection 12 is formed on only one side of the annular base portion 11, but this is an example and is not limited to this, as will be described later. The sealing member 10 may further include, for example, a linear projection 13, as an arbitrary configuration, as will be described later. Unless otherwise specified, the shape, size, number, arrangement position, etc. of each part of the sealing member 10 shown in Figure 1 are examples and can be changed as desired.

[0012] The sealing member 10 is positioned between the first member and the second member and seals the space between the first member and the second member. The sealing member 10 is also called, for example, a packing or gasket.

[0013] The use of the sealing member 10 is not particularly limited, and it can be used, for example, to seal between components of various devices such as lighting devices.

[0014] The first and second members are not particularly limited. If the sealing member 10 is a sealing member used in a lighting device, for example, the first member may be a cover and the second member may be the main body. Conversely, the first member may be the main body and the second member may be a cover. The main body and the cover will be described later as the main body 21 and cover 22 in the lighting device 20 described in Embodiment 2.

[0015] The annular base portion 11 has a first contact surface 111 that abuts against the first member, a second contact surface 112 that abuts against the second member, and an opening 113. The annular base portion 11 may also be provided with, for example, an engagement hole (not shown) for engaging the first member, the second member, and the sealing member 10.

[0016] The outer diameter X, inner diameter Y, and height Z1 of the annular base portion 11 can be appropriately designed based on the size of the device to which the seal member 10 is applied, particularly the size of the first member and the second member.

[0017] There may be one or more engagement holes. The engagement hole is arranged, for example, at a position on the annular base portion 11 that does not overlap with an annular protrusion 12 and a linear protrusion 13 described later. Further, a convex portion for engagement hole may be provided around the engagement hole, for example, so as to surround the engagement hole. A part of the convex portion for engagement hole may also serve as a part of the annular protrusion 12 and / or the linear protrusion 13 described later, for example. Further, the convex portion for engagement hole may be arranged in contact with the annular protrusion 12 and / or the linear protrusion 13 described later, for example. According to the convex portion for engagement hole, even when the engagement hole is provided, high adhesion and high waterproof performance can be achieved.

[0018] The annular protrusion 12 is formed on at least one of a first contact surface 111 and a second contact surface 112 of the annular protrusion 12. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the annular protrusion 12 is formed on the first contact surface 111. As illustrated, the annular protrusion 12 is formed so as to surround an opening 113 of the annular base portion 11. There may be one or more annular protrusions 12. The number of the annular protrusions 12 can be appropriately designed based on the size of the annular base portion 11 (specifically, the thickness of the ring calculated by "outer diameter X" minus "inner diameter Y"). FIG. 1 exemplifies two annular protrusions 12: one formed on the outer peripheral side of the annular base portion 11, and the other formed on the inner peripheral side of the annular base portion 11 (on the opening 113 side).

[0019] The outer diameter and inner diameter of the annular protrusion 12 are not particularly limited as long as they are smaller than the outer diameter X of the annular base portion 11 and larger than the inner diameter of the annular base portion 11. The height Z2 and width W of the annular protrusion 12 are not particularly limited and can be appropriately set. When there are a plurality of annular protrusions 12, the outer diameter, inner diameter, height Z2, and width W of each annular protrusion 12 may be the same or different.

[0020] When there is one annular convex portion 12, for example, the annular convex portion 12 may be formed at an intermediate position between an outer peripheral end portion and an inner peripheral end portion (on the opening 113 side) of the annular base portion 11, or may be biased to either the outer peripheral side end or the inner peripheral side (opening 113 side) end. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 1, when there are a plurality of annular convex portions 12, the intervals between the respective annular convex portions 12 may be, for example, equal intervals or unequal intervals. In addition, when there are a plurality of annular convex portions 12, the intervals between the respective annular convex portions 12, the distance from the annular convex portion 12 having the largest outer diameter and inner diameter to the outer peripheral end of the annular base portion 11, and the distance from the annular convex portion 12 having the smallest outer diameter and inner diameter to the inner peripheral end of the annular base portion 11 may also be equal intervals or unequal intervals.

[0021] The plurality of annular convex portions 12 may be concentric, for example. In addition, the center of the opening 113 of the annular base portion 11 and the center of the annular convex portion 12 may be concentric, for example.

[0022] The draft angle of the annular convex portion 12 is, for example, 0.5° to 3°. Thereby, for example, when the seal member 10 is manufactured using a mold, the seal member 10 can be smoothly taken out from the mold.

[0023] The term "annular" in the annular base portion 11 and the annular convex portion 12 is not limited to annular shapes such as a perfect circle, an ellipse, and a distorted circle, and may also be an annular shape having corners or the like. The annular shape having corners is, for example, a polygonal annular shape such as a triangle, a quadrangle, or the like.

[0024] The annular base portion 11 and the annular convex portion 12 may be, for example, continuously and integrally molded members, or may be individually independently molded members. When they are independently molded members, the annular base portion 11 and the annular convex portion 12 are bonded, for example, by an adhesive member. In addition, the annular base portion 11 and the annular convex portion 12 may be bonded using a known technique such as welding, for example. The adhesive member is not particularly limited, and known techniques such as adhesives, welding agents, etc. can be used, for example.

[0025] The materials constituting the annular base portion 11 and the annular projection portion 12 are not particularly limited and include, for example, elastic materials such as natural rubber, artificial rubber, leather, plastic, cotton, asbestos, glass fiber, paper, and wood. Furthermore, the materials may be composed of a combination of the elastic material with metals such as iron, copper, lead, and alloys thereof.

[0026] The annular base portion 11 and the annular projection portion 12 are, for example, elastically deformable. The material of the annular base portion 11 and the annular projection portion 12 is not particularly limited, as long as it is made of a material with higher elasticity compared to the first member and the second member. Specifically, for example, by making the elastic material the main component, the annular base portion 11 and the annular projection portion 12 become elastically deformable. Here, "elastically deformable annular base portion 11 and annular projection portion 12" refers to the annular base portion 11 and the annular projection portion 12 having general elastic properties, and specifically refers to the annular base portion 11 and the annular projection portion 12 that can be deformed when an external force is applied and have elasticity that causes them to return to their original dimensions when the external stress is removed. The degree of elasticity (and further, density, hardness, etc.) can be changed according to the application. The sealing member 10 can be more tightly fitted to the first member and the second member by the elastically deformable annular base portion 11 and the annular projection portion 12.

[0027] Furthermore, the annular base portion 11 and the annular projection portion 12 may each have different degrees of elasticity (and even density, hardness, etc.). By having different degrees of elasticity (and even density, hardness, etc.) between the annular base portion 11 and the annular projection portion 12, it is possible to further improve, for example, adhesion and waterproofing.

[0028] Figure 2 shows another example of the configuration of the sealing member 10. Figure 2(A) is a front view of the annular base portion 11 as seen from the surface on which the annular projection 12 is formed, and Figure 2(B) is a side view of the cross section A'-A' of Figure 2(A). Figure 3 also shows another example of the configuration of the sealing member 10 shown in Figure 2. Figure 3(A) shows another example of Figure 2(A), and Figure 3(B) shows another example of Figure 2(B). Unless otherwise specified, the above description can be used by reference. The sealing member 10 may further include one or more linear projections 13, for example, as shown. The number of linear projections 13 can be appropriately designed based on the size of the annular base portion 11 (specifically, the thickness of the ring calculated by "outer diameter X" - "inner diameter Y"). Figures 2 and 3 show an example in which linear projections 13 are formed at a total of 12 locations in the direction from 1 o'clock to 12 o'clock on the annular base portion 11.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the linear projection 13 is formed radially on the annular base portion 11 so as to intersect with the annular projection 12. The linear projection 13 only needs to intersect with the annular projection 12; for example, as shown in Figure 2(B), the linear projection 13 may be formed up to the outer and inner ends of the annular base portion 11, or it may not be formed up to each end, as shown in Figure 3(B). The linear projection 13 may be formed continuously radially on the annular base portion 11, as shown in Figure 2(A), or it may be formed intermittently, as shown in Figure 3(A). When the linear projection 13 is formed intermittently, that is, when the linear projection is formed only at the points where it intersects with the annular projection 12.

[0030] The length X2 of the linear projection 13 can be appropriately set by the thickness of the annular base portion 11 (the thickness of the ring calculated by "outer diameter X" - "inner diameter Y") and the width W of the annular projection 12. The width W of the linear projection 13 may be the same as, for example, the width W of the annular projection 13, or it may be different. The height Z3 of the linear projection 13 may be the same as, for example, the height Z2 of the annular projection 12, or it may be lower or higher.

[0031] Depending on the size of the annular base portion 11 (specifically, the thickness of the ring calculated by "outer diameter X" - "inner diameter Y"), if the linear protrusions 13 are formed intermittently, the length X2 of the linear protrusions 13 is, for example, longer than the width W of the annular protrusion 12. Here, the length X2 of the linear protrusion 13 is the length including the portion that overlaps with the width W of the annular protrusion 12. In this case, the linear protrusion 13 may be formed so that only one end of the linear protrusion 13 protrudes from the annular protrusion 12, or it may be formed so that both ends of the linear protrusion 13 protrude.

[0032] The position of the linear projection 13 is not particularly limited, as long as it intersects with the annular projection 12. If there are multiple linear projections 13, the spacing between each linear projection 13 may be, for example, equal or unequal.

[0033] The draft angle of the linear projection 13 is, for example, 0.5° to 3°. This allows the sealing member 10 to be smoothly removed from the mold when it is manufactured using a mold, for example. The draft angles of the annular projection 12 and the linear projection 13 may be the same or different.

[0034] The term "linear" in the linear protrusion 13 is not limited to a straight line; for example, it may be a curve, a wavy line, or the like.

[0035] The linear projection 13 may be a member molded as a continuous, integral part with the annular base portion 11 and the annular projection 12, or they may be members molded independently. If they are independently molded members, the linear projection 13 is bonded to the annular base portion 11 and the annular projection 12 using known techniques such as adhesive or welding.

[0036] The material constituting the linear protrusion 13 is, for example, the same as that of the annular base portion 11 and the annular protrusion 12. Furthermore, the linear protrusion 13 may also be elastically deformable, similar to the annular base portion 11 and the annular protrusion 12. The annular base portion 11, the annular protrusion 12, and the linear protrusion 13 may have similar or different elasticities.

[0037] According to the sealing member 10 of this embodiment, the annular projection 12 makes it possible to further improve adhesion and waterproofing. In particular, since the annular projection 12 is formed to surround the opening 113 of the annular base portion 11, it can more effectively prevent liquid from entering from outside the annular base portion 11 toward the opening 113. Furthermore, by providing the sealing member 10 with linear projections 13, the adhesion and waterproofing can be further improved. Even if liquid enters due to deterioration, the sealing member 10 shown in Figure 2 can minimize the damage caused by liquid intrusion. Specifically, with the sealing member 10 which includes a plurality of annular projections 12 and a plurality of linear projections 13, and in which the linear projections 13 are formed continuously in the radial direction of the annular base portion 11, a plurality of compartments are formed on the annular base portion 11, so that liquid that enters from the outside can be kept in the compartments, and damage can be minimized.

[0038] From the standpoint of safety and intended use, lighting devices, especially aircraft landing guidance flashing devices, are required to prevent light leakage to the outside. In response to this, the sealing member 10 of this embodiment has an annular projection 12 that also functions as a light-shielding wall, making it possible to further suppress light leakage to the outside.

[0039] If the sealing member has dot-shaped protrusions on the annular base portion, the following problems (1) to (3) will arise.

[0040] (1) Reduced adhesion As the number of protrusions increases, the load applied to each protrusion decreases, and the adhesion decreases. Also, as the number of protrusions increases and the space between them becomes closer, the deformation allowance of the protrusions causes them to interfere with each other, further reducing the adhesion.

[0041] (2) Decreased water resistance As the number of protrusions decreases, the structure on the annular base (the labyrinthine structure formed by the protrusions) becomes simpler, resulting in reduced waterproofing.

[0042] (3) High cost The more protrusions there are, the more complex the structure of the mold used to manufacture the sealing member becomes, and the higher the cost of manufacturing the mold.

[0043] Thus, with a sealing member having dot-shaped protrusions on an annular base, it is difficult to achieve both high adhesion and high waterproofness, as well as low cost. In contrast, with the sealing member 10 of this embodiment, a single annular protrusion 12 can crush a wide area compared to a single dot-shaped protrusion. Therefore, even with a single annular protrusion 12, it is possible to improve both adhesion and waterproofness. Furthermore, since the number of annular protrusions 12 can be reduced compared to dot-shaped protrusions, the structure of the mold does not become complicated, and the cost of manufacturing the mold can be reduced. In this way, the sealing member 10 of this embodiment can achieve both high adhesion and high waterproofness, as well as low cost.

[0044] Next, the method for manufacturing the sealing member of the present invention and the mold of the present invention will be described. The method for manufacturing the sealing member of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a sealing member using a mold, characterized in that the sealing member is the aforementioned sealing member 10. The method for manufacturing the sealing member of the present invention can utilize conventionally known techniques, except that the sealing member is the aforementioned sealing member 10.

[0045] The mold of the present invention is a mold for manufacturing a sealing member, characterized in that the sealing member is the aforementioned sealing member 10. Aside from the fact that the sealing member is the aforementioned sealing member 10, the mold of the present invention can utilize conventionally known technologies.

[0046] Specifically, the inner circumferential shape of the mold corresponds to the outer circumferential shape of the sealing member 10. That is, the inner circumferential shape of the mold includes an annular base surface corresponding to the shape of the annular base portion 11 and an annular recess corresponding to the shape of the annular convex portion 12. The inner circumferential shape of the mold may also include, for example, a linear recess corresponding to the shape of the linear convex portion 13. For example, the elastic material is filled into the mold in a molten state and solidified within the mold. The solidification method is not particularly limited and may include, for example, cooling, ultraviolet irradiation, load application, humidity, etc.

[0047] [Embodiment 2] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the lighting device 20 in this embodiment. Figure 4(A) is a side cross-sectional view (overall side view) of the lighting device 20 when the irradiation direction is to the left, and Figure 4(B) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of Figure 4(A) showing the arrangement of the sealing member 10.

[0048] The lighting device 20 of this embodiment includes the sealing member 10 described in Embodiment 1, a main body 21, a cover 22, and a light source unit 23. This is an example, and the lighting device 20 of this embodiment only needs to have the sealing member 10; other components may be those of a conventionally known lighting device. The sealing member 10 can be described by reference to Embodiment 1.

[0049] In Figure 5, the lighting device 20 is shown as an aircraft landing guidance flashing device. However, this is an example and is not limited to this. The lighting device 20 may be, for example, a lighting device other than an aircraft landing guidance flashing device (e.g., a ceiling light).

[0050] The main body 21 can fix the light source unit 23. The main body 21 shown in Figure 4 is a housing having an opening, and houses the light source unit 23 and the like inside. Specifically, the main body 21 shown in Figure 4 can be exemplified by having an inner wall that widens from the light source unit 23 towards the opening of the main body 21, and this shape is also called, for example, umbrella-shaped. Also, the cross section of the main body 21 shown in Figure 4, for example, from the light source unit 23 towards the opening of the main body 21 may be, for example, an arc shape, or a flat straight line as shown in Figure 4. The method for fixing (attaching) the light source unit 23 is not particularly limited, and for example, known techniques can be used.

[0051] The lighting device 20 may further include, for example, a light distribution section. The light distribution section is located on the light-emitting side of the light source section 23. The light distribution section is a component that sends the light emitted by the light source section 23 to the cover 22 side by means of, for example, reflection, focusing, diffusion, etc. The type of light distribution section is not particularly limited and examples include a reflector, a lens, etc. The light distribution section may consist of, for example, either the reflector or the lens, or both may be used in combination. Known technologies can be used for the light distribution section.

[0052] The cover 22 is positioned to completely cover the illumination surface of the light source unit 23 (for example, the opening of the main body 21 in the case of Figure 4) in order to protect the light source unit 23, and diffuses the linearly emitted light from the light source unit 23 to transmit it outside the lighting device 20. The material of the cover 22 may be, for example, a light-transmitting material and also a diffusing material, and a specific example is a light-transmitting resin such as acrylic resin. The surface of the cover 22 may be processed to have anti-glare properties and light-diffusing properties by, for example, a frosted glass-like or slit-like pattern. The cover 22 is, for example, detachable from the main body 21.

[0053] The light source unit 23 emits light. The light is not particularly limited and may be, for example, visible light or invisible light (infrared, ultraviolet). The light source unit 23 may be, for example, a component having a light-emitting element mounted on a substrate, or a fluorescent tube having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. In the light source unit 23, the size and material of the substrate, the number of light-emitting elements (e.g., LEDs) mounted on the substrate, the color of light emitted by the light-emitting elements, etc., are not particularly limited. The light source unit 23 may be, for example, an LED or a xenon lamp. If the main body 21 has a shape having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, the light source unit 23 may be mounted, for example, along the longitudinal direction of the main body 21. The light source unit 23 may be arranged in a space covered by the main body 21 and the cover 22, for example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. If it is an illumination device 20 for an aircraft landing guidance flashing device, the brightness of the illumination device 20 may be, for example, the same as or greater than the brightness of a xenon lamp in a conventional aircraft landing guidance flashing device. The conditions of the substrate and the light-emitting element in the light source unit 23 can be appropriately set, for example, according to the desired brightness.

[0054] The sealing member 10 is positioned to seal the space between the main body 21 and the cover 22, for example, as shown in Figure 4. The annular projection 12 of the sealing member 10 is provided on at least one of the surfaces that contact the main body 21 and the surface that contacts the cover 22. The sealing member 10 may also be positioned in locations other than between the main body 21 and the cover 22.

[0055] The main body 21, the sealing member 10, and the cover 22 are fixed in this order, for example. The fixing method is not particularly limited, and for example, they may be fixed using engaging members such as screws and clamps, or using the adhesive members, or using known techniques such as welding.

[0056] In particular, lighting devices such as aircraft landing guidance flashing devices intended for outdoor use are susceptible to rainwater intrusion. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the sealing member 10 can further enhance adhesion and waterproofing. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the sealing member 10 can suppress light leakage to the outside of the lighting device 20.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications to the configuration and details of the present invention can be made that will be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0058] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sealing member that can further improve adhesion and waterproofness, and a lighting device using the same. The present invention is useful, for example, in lighting devices and sealing members intended for outdoor use, such as aircraft landing guidance flashing devices.

[0059] 10 sealing member 11 Annular base section 111 First contact surface 112 Second contact surface 113 Opening 12 Annular protrusion 13 Linear protrusions 20 Lighting devices 21 Main unit 22 Cover 23 Light source section

Claims

1. The ring-shaped base section, A plurality of annular protrusions formed on at least one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface of the annular base portion, Including multiple linear protrusions, The first contact surface is a surface that contacts the first member, The second contact surface is a surface that contacts the second member, The annular projection is formed to surround the opening of the annular base portion, The sealing member is characterized in that the linear protrusions are intermittently formed only on the inner and outer sides in the radial direction of the points where they intersect with the plurality of annular base portions.

2. The sealing member according to claim 1, wherein the annular base portion is provided with one or more engagement holes for engaging the first member and the second member, and a projection for engagement holes is provided around the engagement holes so as to surround the engagement holes.

3. The sealing member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the center of the opening in the annular base portion and the center of the annular protrusion portion are concentric.

4. The sealing member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the annular base portion, the annular projection portion, and the linear projection portion are elastically deformable.

5. The sealing member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the draft angle of the annular projection and the linear projection is 0.5° to 3°.

6. The first member is either a cover or a main body, If the first member is a cover, then the second member is the main body. If the first member is the main body, then the second member is a cover. A sealing member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, used in a lighting device.

7. A lighting device including the sealing member described in claim 6.

8. The lighting device according to claim 7, wherein the sealing member is disposed between the main body and the cover.

9. The lighting device according to claim 7 or 8, used as an aircraft landing guidance flashing device.

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