Sealing device

Abstract

This sealing device comprises a reinforcement ring along an inner circumferential surface of a hole of a housing, and a cylindrical seal member fixed to the reinforcement ring and composed of an elastic material. The seal member includes: a first sealing part which is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the hole in a state of being elastically deformed by compression between the inner circumferential surface of the hole and the reinforcement ring; a second sealing part which is in close contact with an inner circumferential surface of a flow path member in a state of being elastically deformed by compression between an inner circumferential surface of one member among the flow path member and piping and the reinforcement ring; and a lip part that protrudes towards the inner side in the radial direction and contacts the outer circumferential surface of the other member among the flow path member and the piping. The lip part comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the other member in a state of extending in a direction inclined with respect to the radial direction so as to approach the inner side of the one member toward the inner side in the radial direction without using a band for pressing the outer circumferential surface of the seal member in the direction towards the other member.

Description

sealing device

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A sealing device is known in which a piping is connected from the outside of a housing to a flow path member having a pipe line arranged inside the housing through a hole penetrating the inside and outside of the housing.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a connecting member having two gripping portions fitted onto two pipes, respectively, and a connecting portion connecting the two gripping portions. In this connecting member, one of the two gripping portions is tightly fitted onto the outside of one pipe and tightly fitted into a through-hole of a housing, and the other gripping portion is tightly fitted onto the outside of the other pipe. A fastening ring is attached to the outer diameter portion of the other gripping portion.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-227701

[0005] In the connection member described in Patent Document 1, one of the gripping portions is tightly fitted to the outside of one of the pipes and to the inside of the through-hole of the housing, so the difference in diameter between the outer diameter of the one of the pipes and the inner diameter of the through-hole needs to be slightly smaller than the thickness of the one of the gripping portions. Therefore, the connection member described in Patent Document 1 cannot be used in cases where there is no such difference in diameter. Furthermore, the connection member described in Patent Document 1 requires a fastening ring to be fitted onto the outer diameter of the other of the gripping portions, which not only increases the number of parts but also leaves room for improvement in assembly.

[0006] In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing device that is easy to assemble and can connect two pipes inside and outside a housing in a liquid-tight manner.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a sealing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a sealing device for connecting piping from the outside of a housing to a flow path member having a conduit arranged inside the housing, the housing having a hole penetrating the inside and outside, through the hole, the sealing device comprising: a reinforcing ring along the inner peripheral surface of the hole; and a tubular sealing member fixed to the reinforcing ring and made of an elastic material, the sealing member having: a first sealing portion that is elastically deformed by compression between the inner peripheral surface of the hole and the reinforcing ring and comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hole; a second sealing portion that is elastically deformed by compression between the reinforcing ring and the inner peripheral surface of one of the flow path member and the piping and comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flow path member; and a lip portion that protrudes radially inward and contacts the outer peripheral surface of the other of the flow path member and the piping, the lip portion contacting the outer peripheral surface of the other member in a state of extending in an inclined direction relative to the radial direction so as to approach the inside of the housing as it moves radially inward, without using a band that presses the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member in a direction toward the piping.

[0008] The present disclosure has excellent assembly properties and can connect two pipes inside and outside the housing in a liquid-tight manner.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device according to a second embodiment; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device according to a third embodiment; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device according to a fourth embodiment; Fig. 5 is a view showing a first modification; Fig. 6 is a view showing a second modification; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device according to a third modification;

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions and scale of each part in the drawings may differ from those of the actual parts, and some parts are shown schematically to facilitate understanding. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present disclosure is limited.

[0011] 1. First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device 10 according to a first embodiment. For convenience of explanation, Fig. 1 shows a cross section of the sealing device 10 cut along a plane along the axis line AX, and also shows a housing 110, a flow path member 120, and a pipe 130 simply by two-dot chain lines. Note that Fig. 1 omits illustration of one side of a configuration symmetrical with respect to the axis line AX.

[0012] The sealing device 10 connects a piping 130 from the outside of the housing 110 to a flow path member 120 having a conduit C arranged inside the housing 110, the flow path member 120 having a hole H penetrating from the inside to the outside, through the hole H. The flow path member 120 is an example of the "one member," and the piping 130 is an example of the "other member."

[0013] The housing 110, the flow path member 120, and the piping 130 are elements used in a connection structure or a joint provided in a machine or its auxiliary equipment, such as an automobile, industrial machine, or construction machine. Here, the flow path member 120 and the piping 130 connected via the sealing device 10 form a flow path for flowing a liquid refrigerant. The pressure of the flow path is several MPa or less, preferably about 300 kPa. The refrigerant is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include water-based refrigerants such as water, alcohol-based refrigerants such as methanol, glycol-based refrigerants such as ethylene glycol, and oil-based refrigerants such as ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid).

[0014] The housing 110 is a structure having a hole H. The material constituting the housing 110 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include metal materials such as iron, stainless steel, or aluminum alloy, as well as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide (PA), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The hole H is a space surrounded by an inner circumferential surface 111 along the axis AX, and penetrates the housing 110 from the inside to the outside. A flow path member 120 is housed within the housing 110. Note that the shape of the housing 110 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1 as long as it has the hole H, and any shape is possible. In addition to the flow path member 120, a structure to be cooled may be housed within the housing 110.

[0015] The flow path member 120 is a structure having a conduit C used as a flow path for the refrigerant. The material constituting the flow path member 120 is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include metal materials such as iron, stainless steel, and aluminum alloy, as well as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide (PA), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The conduit C is a space surrounded by an inner circumferential surface 121 along the axis AX, and communicates with, for example, a flow path for cooling a cooling object (not shown) disposed within the housing 110. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the inner circumferential surface 121 has a larger diameter than the aforementioned inner circumferential surface 111. The shape of the flow path member 120 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1 and may be any shape. Furthermore, the flow path member 120 is not limited to a tubular member as long as it has the conduit C.

[0016] The pipe 130 is a tubular member having an outer circumferential surface 131 along the axis AX, and has a conduit used as a flow path for a refrigerant. The material constituting the pipe 130 is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include metal materials such as iron, stainless steel, and aluminum alloy, as well as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide (PA), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the outer circumferential surface 131 has a smaller diameter than each of the inner circumferential surfaces 111 and 121. The shape of the pipe 130 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1 , and may be any shape.

[0017] Hereinafter, the direction along the axis AX will be referred to as the “axial direction,” the direction perpendicular to the axis AX will be referred to as the “radial direction,” and the direction around the axis AX will be referred to as the “circumferential direction.” In addition, the direction from the inside to the outside of the housing 110 along the axis AX will be referred to as the “X1 direction,” and the direction opposite to the X1 direction will be referred to as the “X2 direction.”

[0018] The sealing device 10 is a structure that seals between an inner circumferential surface 111 of a housing 110, an inner circumferential surface 121 of a flow path member 120, and an outer circumferential surface 131 of a pipe 130. As shown in FIG. 1 , the sealing device 10 includes a reinforcing ring 20 and a seal member 30.

[0019] The reinforcing ring 20 is an annular member that fits along the inner peripheral surface 111 of the hole H, and reinforces the seal member 30 along the axis AX.

[0020] In order to ensure the necessary rigidity, the reinforcing ring 20 is made of a material with a higher Young's modulus than the material constituting the sealing member 30. Specifically, the reinforcing ring 20 is made of, for example, a resin material or a metal material. This has the advantage of making it easier to increase the rigidity of the reinforcing ring 20 in the radial direction.

[0021] Examples of resin materials that can be used to form the reinforcing ring 20 include polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polyamide (PA). The resin material may contain, as needed, a fiber substrate such as glass fiber, organic fiber, metal fiber, carbon fiber, or mineral fiber, or a particulate filler made of a metal oxide such as alumina, a metal hydroxide such as aluminum hydroxide, or a nitride such as boron nitride. When the reinforcing ring 20 is made of a resin material, the reinforcing ring 20 is manufactured by, for example, injection molding.

[0022] Examples of the metal material that constitutes the reinforcing ring 20 include stainless steel and SPCC (cold rolled steel). When the reinforcing ring 20 is made of a metal material, the reinforcing ring 20 is manufactured by, for example, press working or forging.

[0023] 1, the reinforcing ring 20 has a shape that is bent or curved at three points when viewed in a cross section cut along a plane including the axis AX. Specifically, the reinforcing ring 20 has a first portion 21, an end portion 22, a connecting portion 23, and a second portion 24.

[0024] The first portion 21 has a cylindrical shape centered on the axis AX. The end portion 22 protrudes radially inward from the end of the first portion 21 in the X1 direction and has a disk shape with a thickness direction along the axis AX. Thus, the axially extending first portion 21 has two ends E1 and E2. The end portion 22 extends radially inward from the end E1 of the two ends E1 and E2 of the first portion 21, which is closer to the lip portion 33. The connecting portion 23 protrudes radially outward from the end of the first portion 21 in the X2 direction and has a disk shape with a thickness direction along the axis AX. The second portion 24 extends in the X2 direction from the outer periphery of the connecting portion 23 and has a cylindrical shape centered on the axis AX. Therefore, the second portion 24 is located axially farther from the lip portion 33 than the first portion 21. In addition, the outer diameter of the second portion 24 is larger than the outer diameter of the first portion 21 .

[0025] The first portion 21 is not limited to having a constant width throughout the axial direction of the first portion 21, and may have an outer diameter or inner diameter that decreases in the X1 direction, for example. The end portion 22 is not limited to having a plate shape whose thickness direction is perpendicular to the axial direction, and may have a shape that increases in the X1 direction as it moves radially inward. Furthermore, the connecting portion 23 is not limited to having a plate shape whose thickness direction is perpendicular to the axial direction, and may have a shape that increases in the X1 direction as it moves radially inward.

[0026] Here, the sealing device 10 is divided into regions R1, R2, and R3 in the axial direction. Region R1 is a region where the sealing device 10 overlaps with the inner circumferential surface 111 of the housing 110 in the radial direction. Region R2 is a region where the sealing device 10 overlaps with the inner circumferential surface 121 of the flow path member 120 in the radial direction. Region R3 is a region where the sealing device 10 overlaps with the outer circumferential surface 131 of the pipe 130 in the radial direction. These regions are arranged in the X1 direction in the order of region R2, region R1, and region R3.

[0027] The first portion 21 has a portion disposed in region R1. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the first portion 21 straddles region R2 and region R3 and is provided over a range that includes region R1 in the axial direction. That is, the first portion 21 has not only a portion disposed in region R1 but also portions disposed in regions R2 and R3. Here, the end of the first portion 21 in the X1 direction is disposed near the end of region R3 in the X1 direction. Therefore, the end 22 of the reinforcing ring 20 is disposed near the end of region R3 in the X1 direction. Meanwhile, the end of the first portion 21 in the X2 direction is disposed near the end of region R2 in the X1 direction. Therefore, the connection portion 23 of the reinforcing ring 20 is disposed near the end of region R2 in the X1 direction. Furthermore, the second portion 24 of the reinforcing ring 20 is disposed in region R2.

[0028] The seal member 30 is a cylindrical member made of an elastic material and fixed to the reinforcing ring 20, and is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface 111 of the housing 110, the inner circumferential surface 121 of the flow path member 120, and the outer circumferential surface 131 of the piping 130. Here, the seal member 30 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface 111 of the housing 110 and the inner circumferential surface 121 of the flow path member 120 by press-fitting together with the reinforcing ring 20. The outer circumferential surface 131 of the piping 130 is inserted inside the seal member 30.

[0029] The sealing member 30 is made of an elastic material. Examples of such elastic materials include rubber materials or elastomer materials such as nitrile rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (H-NBR), acrylic rubber (ACM), fluororubber (FKM), and ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). The sealing member 30 is formed, for example, by insert molding using the reinforcing ring 20 as an insert component. This insert molding results in the sealing member 30 being bonded to the reinforcing ring 20 by vulcanization bonding. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the sealing member 30 covers almost the entire surface of the reinforcing ring 20. Note that part or all of the sealing member 30 may be made of a resin material such as a fluororesin such as PTFE (Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene).

[0030] In this way, since the elastic material constituting the seal member 30 is a rubber material or an elastomer material, the first sealing portion 31, the second sealing portion 32, and the lip portion 33, which will be described later, are each vulcanization bonded to the reinforcing ring 20. This makes it possible to improve the adhesion of the first sealing portion 31 to the housing 110, the adhesion of the second sealing portion 32 to the flow path member 120, and the adhesion of the lip portion 33 to the piping 130. Furthermore, since the first sealing portion 31, the second sealing portion 32, and the lip portion 33 are each vulcanization bonded to the reinforcing ring 20, the stability of the seal can be improved.

[0031] The seal member 30 has a first sealing portion 31, a second sealing portion 32, and a lip portion 33. These are integrally formed from the above-mentioned elastic material.

[0032] The first sealing portion 31 is a part of the seal member 30 and is an annular portion that closely contacts the inner circumferential surface 111 of the housing 110. In this embodiment, the first sealing portion 31 is fixed to the first part 21. The first sealing portion 31 is inserted into the inner circumferential surface 111 in the region R1 with a predetermined interference. The outer diameter of the first sealing portion 31 is slightly larger than the diameter of the inner circumferential surface 111 when the sealing device 10 is in its natural state. The outer diameter of the first sealing portion 31 is determined in accordance with the diameter of the inner circumferential surface 111, taking the above-mentioned interference into consideration. When the first sealing portion 31 is inserted into the inner circumferential surface 111, it elastically deforms due to compression between the inner circumferential surface 111 of the hole H and the reinforcing ring 20. As a result, the first sealing portion 31 closely contacts the inner circumferential surface 111. The "natural state of the sealing device 10" refers to a state in which the sealing device 10 is not incorporated into any of the housing 110, the piping 130, and the flow path member 120, and no external force is applied to the sealing device 10.

[0033] A first protrusion 31a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first sealing portion 31 over the entire circumferential direction. This reduces changes in the state of contact between the housing 110 and the first sealing portion 31, even if the attitude of the first sealing portion 31 with respect to the housing 110 changes. In the example shown in Fig. 1 , the first protrusion 31a has a convex curved shape when viewed in cross section taken along a plane including the axis AX. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the first protrusion 31a is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 1 and may be, for example, trapezoidal, rectangular, triangular, semicircular, or the like.

[0034] The height of the first protrusion 31a in the radial direction is smaller than the length of the first protrusion 31a in the axial direction. This has the advantage of making it easier to increase the adhesion between the housing 110 and the first sealing portion 31. Preferably, the height of the first protrusion 31a in the radial direction is within a range of 0.01 to 0.5 times the length of the first protrusion 31a in the axial direction. Note that the first protrusion 31a may be provided as needed or may be omitted.

[0035] The second sealing portion 32 is a part of the seal member 30 and is an annular portion that closely contacts the inner circumferential surface 121 of the flow path member 120. In this embodiment, the second sealing portion 32 is fixed to the second part 24. The second sealing portion 32 is inserted into the inner circumferential surface 121 in region R2 with a predetermined interference. The outer diameter of the second sealing portion 32 is slightly larger than the diameter of the inner circumferential surface 121 in its natural state. The outer diameter of the second sealing portion 32 is determined in accordance with the diameter of the inner circumferential surface 121, taking the above-mentioned interference into consideration. When the second sealing portion 32 is inserted into the inner circumferential surface 121, it elastically deforms due to compression between the inner circumferential surface 121 and the reinforcing ring 20. As a result, the second sealing portion 32 closely contacts the inner circumferential surface 121.

[0036] In this manner, the aspect in which the second sealing portion 32 is fixed to the second portion 24, which has an outer diameter larger than that of the first portion 21, has the advantage that the outer diameter of the second sealing portion 32 can be easily made larger than that of the first sealing portion 31. For this reason, the aspect in which the outer diameter of the second portion 24 is larger than the outer diameter of the first portion 21 is suitable when the diameter of the hole H of the housing 110 is smaller than the diameter of the conduit C of the flow path member 120.

[0037] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the second sealing portion 32 is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the first sealing portion 31. This allows sealing of both the housing 110 and the flow path member 120 when the diameter of the hole H in the housing 110 is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the conduit C in the flow path member 120.

[0038] A second protrusion 32a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second sealing portion 32 across the entire circumferential area. This reduces changes in the state of contact between the flow path member 120 and the second sealing portion 32, even if the attitude of the second sealing portion 32 with respect to the flow path member 120 changes. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the second protrusion 32a has a convexly curved shape when viewed in cross section cut along a plane including the axis AX. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the second protrusion 32a is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1 and may be, for example, a trapezoid, a rectangle, a triangle, a semicircle, or the like. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the second protrusion 32a may be the same as or different from the cross-sectional shape of the first protrusion 31a.

[0039] The height of the second protrusion 32a in the radial direction is smaller than the length of the second protrusion 32a in the axial direction. This has the advantage of making it easier to increase the adhesion between the flow path member 120 and the second sealing portion 32. Preferably, the height of the second protrusion 32a in the radial direction is within a range of 0.01 to 0.5 times the length of the second protrusion 32a in the axial direction. Note that the second protrusion 32a may be provided as needed or may be omitted.

[0040] 1 , a groove 35 extending in the circumferential direction is provided on the end surface of the second sealing portion 32 facing the X2 direction. This makes it possible to preferably maintain a tight contact state between the second sealing portion 32 and the inner circumferential surface 121 of the flow path member 120 even if the posture of the second sealing portion 32 with respect to the flow path member 120 changes. The groove 35 may be provided continuously or intermittently over the entire area in the circumferential direction, or may be provided in a portion in the circumferential direction. The groove 35 may also be provided as needed or may be omitted.

[0041] The lip portion 33 is a part of the seal member 30 and is an annular portion that contacts the outer peripheral surface 131 of the pipe 130. The lip portion 33 protrudes radially inward from the end of the reinforcing ring 20 in the X1 direction in the region R3. When the sealing device 10 is in its natural state, the diameter of the tip of the lip portion 33 is smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe 130, i.e., the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 131. Therefore, the lip portion 33 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 131 of the pipe 130 over the entire circumference.

[0042] The lip portion 33 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the piping 130 while extending in a direction inclined relative to the radial direction so as to approach the flow path member 120 as it moves radially inward, without using a band that presses the outer peripheral surface of the seal member 30 in a direction toward the piping 130. That is, when the lip portion 33 is incorporated into the piping 130, it inclines so as to approach the X2 direction as it moves from the base end to the tip end of the lip portion 33. As a result, when the pressure inside the flow path member 120 and the piping 130 is higher than the pressure outside the housing 110, the pressure inside the flow path member 120 and the piping 130 acts to increase the adhesion between the lip portion 33 and the outer peripheral surface 131, so that the adhesion between the lip portion 33 and the outer peripheral surface 131 is maintained in an appropriate state.

[0043] The angle θ between the extension direction of the lip portion 33 and the axial direction is preferably 10° or more and 90° or less, and more preferably 40° or more and 50° or less. When the angle θ is within this range, it is advantageous in that a suitable contact state between the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 130 and the lip portion 33 can be easily achieved. Note that the angle θ is the angle between the extension direction of the lip portion 33 and the axial direction when viewed in a cross section cut along a plane including the axis line AX in the natural state of the sealing device 10.

[0044] On the other hand, if the angle θ is too small, a gap is likely to occur between the tip of the lip portion 33 and the outer peripheral surface 131, which tends to make it difficult to maintain good contact between the lip portion 33 and the outer peripheral surface 131 depending on the pressure inside the flow path member 120 and the piping 130. On the other hand, if the angle θ is too large, the tip of the lip portion 33 is likely to be displaced from the inside to the outside of the housing 110 depending on the pressure inside the flow path member 120 and the piping 130, which tends to make it difficult to maintain good contact between the lip portion 33 and the outer peripheral surface 131.

[0045] In this embodiment, the lip portion 33 is fixed to the end portion 22. This allows the lip portion 33 to be in suitable contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 130 even when there is a large difference in diameter between the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 130 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 110.

[0046] In the sealing device 10 described above, the first sealing portion 31 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hole H of the housing 110, and the second sealing portion 32 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flow path member 120, so that sealing of the housing 110 and the flow path member 120 can be achieved even if there is no difference in diameter between these inner peripheral surfaces. Furthermore, because the lip portion 33 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 130, sealing of the pipe 130 can be achieved while allowing for eccentricity of the pipe 130.

[0047] Moreover, since the lip portion 33 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 130 while extending in a direction inclined relative to the radial direction so as to approach the flow path member 120 as it moves radially inward, the pressure inside the flow path member 120 and the pipe 130 acts to increase the adhesive force between the lip portion 33 and the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 130. Therefore, the pipe 130 can be sealed without using a band such as a metal band that presses the outer peripheral surface of the seal member 30 in a direction toward the pipe 130. Therefore, compared to an embodiment that uses a band, the number of parts of the sealing device 10 can be reduced and assembly can be improved.

[0048] 2. Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. In the following exemplary embodiment, for elements whose actions and functions are similar to those of the above-described embodiment, the reference numerals used in the description of the above-described embodiment will be used, and detailed descriptions of each element will be omitted as appropriate.

[0049] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device 10A according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the sealing device 10A has the same configuration as the sealing device 10 of the first embodiment, except that a reinforcing ring 20A is provided instead of the reinforcing ring 20 of the first embodiment.

[0050] The reinforcing ring 20A has a first portion 21A instead of the first portion 21 of the first embodiment, and is configured in the same manner as the reinforcing ring 20 of the first embodiment, except that the end portion 22 of the first embodiment is omitted.

[0051] The first portion 21A is configured similarly to the first portion 21 of the first embodiment, except that the end portion 22 of the first embodiment is not connected. Therefore, the inner diameter of the first portion 21A is constant throughout the entire axial length of the first portion 21A. The reinforcing ring 20 extending in the axial direction has two ends E3 and E4. The inner diameter of the end E3, which is closer to the lip portion 33, of the two ends E3 and E4 of the reinforcing ring 20A is equal to the inner diameter of the first portion 21A. The lip portion 33 is fixed to the first portion 21A. This allows the lip portion 33 to be in good contact with the outer circumferential surface of the piping 130, even when the difference in diameter between the outer circumferential surface of the piping 130 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 110 is small.

[0052] The second embodiment described above also has excellent assembly properties and can connect two pipes inside and outside the housing 110 in a liquid-tight manner.

[0053] 3. Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. In the following exemplary embodiment, for elements whose actions and functions are similar to those of the above-described embodiment, the reference numerals used in the description of the above-described embodiment will be used, and detailed descriptions of each element will be omitted as appropriate.

[0054] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device 10B according to a third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the sealing device 10B includes a reinforcing ring 20B and a seal member 30B.

[0055] The reinforcing ring 20B is configured similarly to the reinforcing ring 20B of the first embodiment, except that it has a tubular portion 21B instead of the first portion 21, connecting portion 23, and second portion 24 of the first embodiment. The tubular portion 21B is configured similarly to the first portion 21 of the first embodiment, except that its end in the X2 direction is located near the end of region R2 in the X2 direction. Therefore, the diameter of tubular portion 21B is constant over the entire area between a position near the end of region R3 in the X1 direction and a position near the end of region R2 in the X2 direction.

[0056] The seal member 30B is configured similarly to the seal member 30 of the first embodiment, except that its shape differs depending on the shape of the reinforcing ring 20B described above. Here, a first sealing portion 31 and a second sealing portion 32 are fixed to the tubular portion 21B. This has the advantage of making it easier to reduce the difference in outer diameter between the first sealing portion 31 and the second sealing portion 32. For this reason, the aspect in which the first sealing portion 31 and the second sealing portion 32 are fixed to a tubular portion of a constant diameter is suitable when the difference in diameter between the hole H of the housing 110 and the conduit C of the flow path member 120 is small.

[0057] 3 , in the seal member 30B, the outer diameter of the first sealing portion 31 and the outer diameter of the second sealing portion 32 are equal to each other. This allows the seal member 30B to be tightly attached to each of the inner circumferential surface 111 of the housing 110 and the inner circumferential surface 121 of the flow path member 120, even if the diameter of the inner circumferential surface 111 and the inner circumferential surface 121 are equal to each other. Note that in the seal member 30B, the outer diameter of the second sealing portion 32 may be smaller or larger than the outer diameter of the first sealing portion 31, depending on the thickness of the second sealing portion 32.

[0058] The axially extending cylindrical portion 21B has two ends E5, E6. As in the first embodiment, the end 22 of the reinforcing ring 20B extends radially inward from the end E5, which is closer to the lip portion 33, of the two ends E5, E6 of the cylindrical portion 21B. The lip portion 33 is fixed to the end 22 of the reinforcing ring 20B. As a result, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to realize the lip portion 33 that can suitably contact the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 130 even if there is a large difference in diameter between the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 130 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 110.

[0059] The third embodiment described above also has excellent assembly properties and can connect two pipes inside and outside the housing 110 in a liquid-tight manner.

[0060] 4. Fourth Embodiment A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. In the following exemplary embodiment, for elements whose actions and functions are similar to those of the above-described embodiment, the reference numerals used in the description of the above-described embodiment will be used, and detailed descriptions of each element will be omitted as appropriate.

[0061] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device 10C according to a fourth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the sealing device 10C has the same configuration as the sealing device 10B according to the third embodiment, except that it includes a reinforcing ring 20C instead of the reinforcing ring 20B according to the first embodiment.

[0062] The reinforcing ring 20C is composed of a cylindrical portion 21C. The cylindrical portion 21C is configured similarly to the cylindrical portion 21B of the third embodiment, except that the end portion 22 of the third embodiment is not connected. Therefore, the reinforcing ring 20C extending in the axial direction has two ends E7 and E8. The inner diameter of the end E7, which is closer to the lip portion 33, of the two ends E7 and E8 of the reinforcing ring 20C is equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 21C. The lip portion 33 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 21C. This allows the lip portion 33 to be in good contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 130, even if the difference in diameter between the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 130 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 110 is small.

[0063] The fourth embodiment described above also has excellent assembly properties and can connect two pipes inside and outside the housing 110 in a liquid-tight manner.

[0064] 5. Modifications The above-described embodiments may be modified in various ways. Specific modifications that may be applied to the above-described embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be combined as appropriate to the extent that they are not mutually contradictory.

[0065] 5-1. Modification 1 Fig. 5 is a diagram showing Modification 1. Fig. 5 shows an example of a housing 110, a flow path member 120, and a pipe 130 in a schematic manner.

[0066] 5 , the flow path member 120 is a pipe body, and a refrigerant is supplied to a pipe C of the flow path member 120 or a refrigerant is discharged from the pipe C of the flow path member 120 through one opening of the pipe body. A hole H corresponding to the one opening is provided in the housing 110. Then, as in the first embodiment, a sealing device 10 is attached to the hole H, and a pipe 130 is connected to the one opening of the flow path member 120 via the sealing device 10.

[0067] In the first modification, similarly to the first embodiment, the sealing device 10 seals between the inner circumferential surface of the housing 110, the inner circumferential surface of the flow path member 120, which is an example of the "one member," and the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 130, which is an example of the "other member." Here, when the pressure inside the flow path member 120 and the pipe 130 is higher than the pressure outside the housing 110, the pressure inside the flow path member 120 and the pipe 130 acts to increase the adhesion between the lip portion 33 and the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 130, so that the adhesion between the lip portion 33 and the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 130 is suitably maintained without using a band such as a metal band that presses the outer circumferential surface of the seal member 30 in a direction toward the pipe 130.

[0068] The above-described first modification also provides excellent assembly properties and enables a liquid-tight connection between two pipes inside and outside the housing 110. Note that, although Fig. 5 illustrates an example in which the sealing device 10 is used, any of the above-described sealing devices 10A, 10B, and 10C may be used instead of the sealing device 10.

[0069] 5-2. Modification 2 Fig. 6 is a diagram showing Modification 2. Fig. 6 schematically shows an example of a housing 110, a flow path member 220, and a pipe 230. The flow path member 220 has a configuration similar to that of the flow path member 120, except that it has an outer diameter smaller than that of the hole H. The pipe 230 has a configuration similar to that of the pipe 230, except that it has an inner diameter larger than that of the hole H.

[0070] 6 , the flow path member 220 is a pipe body, and a refrigerant is supplied to a pipe C of the flow path member 220 or a refrigerant is discharged from the pipe C of the flow path member 220 through one opening of the pipe body. A hole H corresponding to the one opening is provided in the housing 110. A sealing device 10 is attached to the hole H in an opposite direction to that in the first embodiment, and a pipe 230 is connected to the one opening of the flow path member 220 via the sealing device 10.

[0071] In the second modification, unlike the first embodiment, the sealing device 10 seals between the inner circumferential surface of the housing 110, the outer circumferential surface of the flow path member 220, which is an example of the “other member,” and the inner circumferential surface of the piping 230, which is an example of the “one member.” Here, when the pressure inside the flow path member 220 and the piping 230 is higher than the pressure inside the housing 110, the pressure inside the flow path member 220 and the piping 230 acts to increase the adhesion between the lip portion 33 and the outer circumferential surface of the flow path member 220, so that the adhesion between the lip portion 33 and the outer circumferential surface of the flow path member 220 is suitably maintained without using a band such as a metal band that presses the outer circumferential surface of the seal member 30 in a direction toward the flow path member 220.

[0072] The above-described second modification also provides excellent assembly properties and enables a liquid-tight connection between two pipes inside and outside the housing 110. Note that, although Fig. 6 illustrates an example in which the sealing device 10 is used, any of the above-described sealing devices 10A, 10B, and 10C may be used instead of the sealing device 10.

[0073] 7 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device 10D according to Modification 3. The sealing device 10D is configured similarly to the sealing device 10 of the first embodiment, except that it includes a seal member 30D instead of the seal member 30 of the first embodiment. The seal member 30D is configured similarly to the seal member 30 of the first embodiment, except that it includes a lip portion 33D instead of the lip portion 33 of the first embodiment.

[0074] The lip portion 33D is configured similarly to the lip portion 33 of the first embodiment, except that it has two portions that extend radially inward in different directions. Of the two portions, the angle θ1 between the extension direction of the radially outer portion and the axial direction is larger than the angle θ2 between the extension direction of the radially inner portion and the axial direction. Similar to the angle θ described above, the angle θ2 is preferably 10° to 90°, and more preferably 40° to 50°. Having the angle θ2 within this range has the advantage of making it easier to achieve a favorable contact state between the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 130 and the lip portion 33.

[0075] The above-described third modification also provides excellent assembly properties and enables a liquid-tight connection between two pipes inside and outside the housing 110. Note that the sealing device 10D may be used in place of the sealing device 10 in the first and second modifications described above.

[0076] 5-4. Modification 4 In the above-described embodiment, the reinforcing rings 20, 20A, 20B, and 20C are provided continuously across the regions R1, R2, and R3, respectively, but this is not limiting. For example, the reinforcing rings 20, 20A, 20B, and 20C may be divided between the regions R1 and R2. Furthermore, each of the reinforcing rings 20, 20A, 20B, and 20C may be provided with one or more holes that penetrate the ring in the radial direction.

[0077] 5-5. Modification 5 In the above-described embodiment, the seal members 30, 30A, 30B, and 30C each have the lip portion 33, but the present invention is not limited to this. The seal members 30, 30A, 30B, and 30C may each have a plurality of lip portions including the lip portion 33.

[0078] 5-6. Modification 6 In the above-described embodiment, the sealing members 30, 30A, 30B, and 30C are each formed of a single member, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the sealing members 30, 30A, 30B, and 30C may each be divided between the region R1 and the region R2, or between the region R1 and the region R3.

[0079] 6. Supplementary Notes The following aspects, for example, can be understood from the above embodiment and modified examples.

[0080] (Appendix 1) A first aspect, which is a preferred example of the sealing device of the present disclosure, is a sealing device for connecting piping from the outside of a housing to a flow path member having a conduit arranged inside the housing, the housing having a hole penetrating the inside and outside, through the hole, the sealing device comprising: a reinforcing ring along an inner peripheral surface of the hole; and a tubular sealing member fixed to the reinforcing ring and made of an elastic material, the sealing member having: a first sealing portion that is elastically deformed by compression between the inner peripheral surface of the hole and the reinforcing ring and comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flow path member; a second sealing portion that is elastically deformed by compression between the reinforcing ring and an inner peripheral surface of one of the flow path member and the piping and comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flow path member; and a lip portion that protrudes radially inward and contacts the outer peripheral surface of the other of the flow path member and the piping, the lip portion contacting the outer peripheral surface of the other member in a state of extending in an inclined direction relative to the radial direction so as to approach the inside of the housing as it moves radially inward, without using a band that presses the outer peripheral surface of the sealing member in a direction toward the piping.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the first sealing portion closely contacts the inner circumferential surface of the housing hole, and the second sealing portion closely contacts the inner circumferential surface of one of the flow path member and the piping. This allows sealing of the housing and the other member even without a difference in diameter between the inner circumferential surfaces. Furthermore, the lip portion contacts the outer circumferential surface of the other of the flow path member and the piping, allowing for eccentricity of the other member. Furthermore, the lip portion contacts the outer circumferential surface of the other member while extending in a direction inclined relative to the radial direction so as to approach the other member as it extends radially inward. This allows pressure within the flow path member and the piping to increase the adhesion between the lip portion and the outer circumferential surface of the one member. Therefore, sealing of the other member can be achieved without using a band that presses the outer circumferential surface of the seal member toward the other member. This reduces the number of parts in the sealing device and improves assembly ease compared to embodiments that use a band.

[0082] (Note 2) In a second aspect, which is a preferred example of the first aspect, a first protrusion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first sealing portion over the entire circumferential direction. In this aspect, even if the orientation of the first sealing portion relative to the housing changes, it is possible to reduce changes in the state of contact between the housing and the first sealing portion.

[0083] (Note 3) In a third aspect, which is a preferred example of the second aspect, the height of the first protrusion in the radial direction is smaller than the length of the first protrusion in the axial direction. This aspect has the advantage of easily increasing the adhesion between the housing and the first sealing portion.

[0084] (Note 4) In a fourth aspect, which is a preferred example of any of the first to third aspects, a second protrusion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second sealing portion over the entire circumferential area. In this aspect, even if the attitude of the second sealing portion with respect to the one member changes, it is possible to reduce changes in the state of contact between the one member and the second sealing portion.

[0085] (Note 5) In a fifth aspect, which is a preferred example of the fourth aspect, the height of the second protrusion in the radial direction is smaller than the length of the second protrusion in the axial direction. This aspect has the advantage of easily increasing the adhesion between the one member and the second sealing portion.

[0086] (Note 6) In a sixth aspect, which is a preferred example of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the outer diameter of the second sealing portion is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the first sealing portion. In this aspect, when the diameter of the hole in the housing is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the conduit of the one of the components, sealing can be performed for both the housing and the one of the components.

[0087] (Supplementary Note 7) In a seventh aspect, which is a preferred example of any of the first to sixth aspects, the angle between the extension direction of the lip portion and the axial direction is 10° to 90° in a natural state. This aspect has the advantage of making it easier to achieve a preferred contact state between the outer circumferential surface of the other member and the lip portion.

[0088] (Appendix 8) In an eighth aspect, which is a preferred example of any of the first to seventh aspects, the reinforcing ring has a first portion and a second portion located axially farther from the lip portion than the first portion, the first sealing portion is fixed to the first portion, the second sealing portion is fixed to the second portion, and the outer diameter of the second portion is larger than the outer diameter of the first portion. This aspect has the advantage that the outer diameter of the second sealing portion can be easily made larger than the outer diameter of the first sealing portion. Therefore, the aspect in which the outer diameter of the second portion is larger than the outer diameter of the first portion is preferred when the diameter of the hole in the housing is smaller than the diameter of the conduit of one of the components.

[0089] (Supplementary Note 9) In a ninth aspect, which is a preferred example of the eighth aspect, the first portion extending in the axial direction has two ends, and the reinforcing ring has an end portion extending radially inward from one of the two ends of the first portion that is closer to the lip portion, and the lip portion is fixed to the end portion. In this aspect, even if there is a large difference in diameter between the outer circumferential surface of the other member and the inner circumferential surface of the housing, it is possible to realize a lip portion that can suitably contact the outer circumferential surface of the other member.

[0090] (Supplementary Note 10) In a tenth aspect which is a preferred example of the eighth aspect, the inner diameter of the first portion is constant throughout the axial length of the first portion, the reinforcing ring extending in the axial direction has two ends, the inner diameter of the end of the reinforcing ring closer to the lip portion is equal to the inner diameter of the first portion, and the lip portion is fixed to the first portion. In the above aspect, even if the difference between the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the other member and the diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the housing is small, it is possible to realize a lip portion that can suitably contact the outer circumferential surface of the other member.

[0091] (Supplementary Note 11) In an eleventh aspect, which is a preferred example of any of the first to seventh aspects, the reinforcing ring has a cylindrical portion with a constant diameter over the entire axial length, and the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are fixed to the cylindrical portion. This aspect has the advantage that it is easy to reduce the difference in outer diameter between the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion. Therefore, the aspect in which the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are fixed to a cylindrical portion with a constant diameter is preferred when the difference in diameter between the hole in the housing and the conduit diameter of one of the components is small.

[0092] (Supplementary Note 12) In a twelfth aspect, which is a preferred example of the eleventh aspect, the axially extending cylindrical portion has two ends, and the reinforcing ring has an end portion extending radially inward from the end of the two ends of the cylindrical portion that is closer to the lip portion, and the lip portion is fixed to the end portion. In this aspect, even if there is a large difference in diameter between the outer circumferential surface of the other member and the inner circumferential surface of the housing, it is possible to realize a lip portion that can suitably contact the outer circumferential surface of the other member.

[0093] (Supplementary Note 13) In a thirteenth aspect, which is a preferred example of the eleventh aspect, the reinforcing ring extending in the axial direction has two ends, the inner diameter of the end of the reinforcing ring closer to the lip portion is equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion, and the lip portion is fixed to the cylindrical portion. In this aspect, even if the difference in diameter between the outer peripheral surface of the other member and the inner peripheral surface of the housing is small, it is possible to realize a lip portion that can suitably contact the outer peripheral surface of the other member.

[0094] (Supplementary Note 14) In a fourteenth aspect, which is a preferred example of any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the reinforcing ring is made of a metal material or a resin material. This aspect has the advantage that it is easy to increase the rigidity of the reinforcing ring in the radial direction.

[0095] (Appendix 15) In a fifteenth aspect, which is a preferred example of any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the elastic material is a rubber material or an elastomer material, and the first sealing portion, the second sealing portion, and the lip portion are each vulcanization-bonded to the reinforcing ring. In this aspect, the adhesion of the first sealing portion to the housing, the adhesion of the second sealing portion to the one of the components, and the adhesion of the lip portion to the other of the components can be improved. Furthermore, by vulcanization-bonding the first sealing portion, the second sealing portion, and the lip portion to the reinforcing ring, the stability of the seal can be improved.

[0096] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... sealing device, 10A... sealing device, 10B... sealing device, 10C... sealing device, 10D... sealing device, 20... reinforcing ring, 20A... reinforcing ring, 20B... reinforcing ring, 20C... reinforcing ring, 21... first part, 21A... first part, 21B... cylindrical portion, 21C... cylindrical portion, 22... end portion, 23... connecting portion, 24... second part, 30... sealing member, 30A... sealing member, 30B... sealing member, 30C... sealing member, 30D ...sealing member, 31...first sealing portion, 31a...first convex portion, 32...second sealing portion, 32a...second convex portion, 33...lip portion, 33D...lip portion, 35...groove, 110...housing, 111...inner circumferential surface, 120...flow path member, 121...inner circumferential surface, 130...piping, 131...outer circumferential surface, 220...flow path member, 230...piping, AX...axis, C...pipe, H...hole, R1...area, R2...area, R3...area, θ...angle.

Claims

1. A sealing device for connecting piping from outside the housing through a hole to a flow channel member having a conduit disposed inside a housing having a hole that penetrates the inside and outside, A reinforcing ring along the inner circumferential surface of the aforementioned hole, The reinforcing ring is fixed to the cylindrical sealing member made of an elastic material, and the following are included: The sealing member is A first sealing portion that is elastically deformed by compression between the inner circumferential surface of the hole and the reinforcing ring and adheres tightly to the inner circumferential surface of the hole, A second sealing portion that is elastically deformed by compression between the inner circumferential surface of one of the flow path members and the piping and the reinforcing ring, and which adheres tightly to the inner circumferential surface of the one of the members, It has a lip portion that protrudes radially inward and contacts the outer circumferential surface of the other member of the flow path member and the piping, The lip portion contacts the outer surface of the other member in a direction inclined with respect to the radial direction, without using a band to press the outer surface of the sealing member toward the other member, such that it approaches the one member as it moves inward in the radial direction. Sealing device.

2. The outer circumferential surface of the first sealing portion is provided with a first protrusion that extends over the entire circumferential area. The sealing device according to claim 1.

3. The height of the first protrusion in the radial direction is smaller than the length of the first protrusion in the axial direction. The sealing device according to claim 2.

4. The outer circumferential surface of the second sealing portion is provided with a second protrusion that extends over the entire circumferential area. The sealing device according to claim 1.

5. The height of the second protrusion in the radial direction is smaller than the length of the second protrusion in the axial direction. The sealing device according to claim 4.

6. The outer diameter of the second sealing portion is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the first sealing portion. The sealing device according to claim 1.

7. The angle between the direction in which the lip portion extends and the axial direction is, in its natural state, between 10° and 90°. The sealing device according to claim 1.

8. The reinforcing ring is, Part 1 and, It has a second portion which is located further from the lip portion in the axial direction than the first portion, The first sealing portion is fixed to the first portion, The second sealing portion is fixed to the second portion. The outer diameter of the second portion is larger than the outer diameter of the first portion. A sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The first portion, which extends in the axial direction, has two ends, The reinforcing ring has an end that extends radially inward from the end of the first portion that is closer to the lip portion, The lip portion is fixed to the end portion. The sealing device according to claim 8.

10. The inner diameter of the first portion is constant throughout the entire axial direction of the first portion. The reinforcing ring, which extends in the axial direction, has two ends, The inner diameter of the end of the reinforcing ring closer to the lip portion is equal to the inner diameter of the first portion. The lip portion is fixed to the first part. The sealing device according to claim 8.

11. The reinforcing ring has a cylindrical portion of a constant diameter throughout its entire axial direction. The first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are fixed to the cylindrical portion. A sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

12. The cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction has two ends, The reinforcing ring has an end that extends radially inward from the end of the cylindrical portion that is closer to the lip portion, The lip portion is fixed to the end portion. The sealing device according to claim 11.

13. The reinforcing ring, which extends in the axial direction, has two ends, The inner diameter of the end of the reinforcing ring closer to the lip portion is equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion. The lip portion is fixed to the cylindrical portion. The sealing device according to claim 11.

14. The reinforcing ring is made of a metal or resin material. A sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

15. The elastic material is a rubber material or an elastomer material. The first sealing portion, the second sealing portion, and the lip portion are each vulcanized and bonded to the reinforcing ring. A sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.