Sealing structure and method for manufacturing sealing structure

Abstract

This sealing structure is provided with: a first member in which a mounting hole is formed; a second member that faces the first member; a fastener that is inserted into the mounting hole and fastens the first member and the second member; and a gasket that includes a plurality of constituent parts positioned between the first member and the second member. The plurality of constituent parts include a first constituent part that includes a first end surface, and a second constituent part that includes a second end surface facing the first end surface. The fastener is positioned between the first end surface and the second end surface.

Description

Sealed structure and method for manufacturing the same

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to a sealed structure and a method for manufacturing the sealed structure.

[0002] Gaskets that are installed between a pair of opposing structures have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gasket having a structure in which gaps between a plurality of divided pieces are sealed with a liquid gasket.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-76467

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, the multiple divided pieces are joined by an adhesive or a liquid gasket. Therefore, a process of applying the adhesive or the liquid gasket is required, and the gasket assembly process is complicated. In consideration of the above circumstances, one aspect of the present disclosure aims to configure a sealing structure by a simple operation.

[0005] A sealing structure according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a first member having a mounting hole formed therein, a second member facing the first member, a fastener inserted into the mounting hole to fasten the first member and the second member, and a gasket including a plurality of components positioned between the first member and the second member, wherein the plurality of components include a first component including a first end face and a second component including a second end face facing the first end face, and the fastener is positioned between the first end face and the second end face.

[0006] A method for manufacturing a sealing structure according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the steps of: arranging a plurality of components constituting a gasket between a first member having a mounting hole formed therein and a second member facing the first member, wherein the plurality of components are arranged so that a first end face of a first component among the plurality of components faces a second end face of a second component among the plurality of components; and fixing the first member and the second member by inserting a fastener into the mounting hole so that the fastener is positioned between the first end face and the second end face.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view of a sealing structure according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a plan view of a gasket; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a component part; FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a punching process in a comparative example; FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a punching process in the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the vicinity of one fastener; FIG. 7 is a plan view of a first component part and a second component part; FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the vicinity of a fastener in the second embodiment; FIG. 9 is a plan view of a first component part and a second component part in the second embodiment; FIG. 10 is a side view of a fastener in the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a side view of a fastener in a modified example;

[0008] A: First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing structure 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the sealing structure 100 of the first embodiment includes a first member 10, a second member 20, a gasket 30, and a plurality of fasteners 40. For convenience, Fig. 1 illustrates a state in which the first member 10 and the second member 20 are separated.

[0009] The first member 10 and the second member 20 face each other. The first member 10 is a hollow member having an opening 12 formed in a joining surface 11. Similarly, the second member 20 is a hollow member having an opening 22 formed in a joining surface 21. The first member 10 and the second member 20 are fixed together by a plurality of fasteners 40 with the joining surfaces 11 and 21 facing each other. The opening 12 of the first member 10 and the opening 22 of the second member 20 communicate with each other, thereby forming an internal space of the sealed structure 100.

[0010] Each fastener 40 is a bolt that fastens the first member 10 and the second member 20. The multiple fasteners 40 are installed around the openings 12 and 22 at intervals.

[0011] The gasket 30 is a loop-shaped sealing member installed between the first member 10 and the second member 20. Specifically, the gasket 30 is sandwiched between the joining surface 11 of the first member 10 and the joining surface 21 of the second member 20. The gasket 30 surrounds the internal space of the sealed structure 100.

[0012] In the following description, the Z axis is assumed. The Z axis is an axis along the thickness direction of the gasket 30. In other words, the gasket 30 is installed along a plane perpendicular to the Z axis. In addition, in the following description, observing each element of the sealing structure 100 from a line of sight along the Z axis is referred to as a "planar view."

[0013] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the gasket 30. In FIG. 2, the outline of each fastener 40 is also indicated by a dashed line. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the gasket 30 in the first embodiment has a generally rectangular loop shape (i.e., a rectangular frame shape). Specifically, the gasket 30 includes a plurality of components 50. The plurality of components 50 are located between the first member 10 (joint surface 11) and the second member 20 (joint surface 21).

[0014] Each of the plurality of components 50 is an elongated part formed in a straight, bent, or curved shape. The components 50 are arranged in a loop to form the gasket 30. The fastener 40 is located between two adjacent components 50.

[0015] 3 is a cross-sectional view of each component 50. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each component 50 includes a base material 500, a first elastic layer 501, and a second elastic layer 502. The base material 500 is a hard plate-like member and is formed, for example, from a metal material. Specifically, the base material 500 is formed, for example, from a stainless steel plate, a cold-rolled steel plate, a galvanized steel plate, or an aluminum plywood plate.

[0016] The first elastic layer 501 and the second elastic layer 502 are elastic films formed from an elastic material and covering the substrate 500. The first elastic layer 501 covers one surface of the substrate 500. The second elastic layer 502 covers the other surface of the substrate 500. That is, each component 50 is a laminate in which the substrate 500 is interposed between the first elastic layer 501 and the second elastic layer 502. Note that a surface treatment may be performed on the surface of the substrate 500 to ensure adhesion between the first elastic layer 501 and the second elastic layer 502.

[0017] The first elastic layer 501 and the second elastic layer 502 are made of a synthetic rubber sheet (e.g., foamed rubber) containing one or more rubber compounds selected from, for example, nitrile rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, fluororubber, acrylic rubber, and silicone rubber.

[0018] Each of the components 50 illustrated above is manufactured by partially punching out a plate-shaped material (hereinafter referred to as the "base member") using a press, for example. The base member is a laminated substrate in which both sides of a metal plate are covered with elastic films.

[0019] 4 is an explanatory diagram of the punching process in a configuration (hereinafter referred to as the "Comparative Example") in which a gasket 91 having an outer shape similar to that of the gasket 30 of the first embodiment is formed from a single member. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the Comparative Example, the regions of the base member 90 located outside and inside the gasket 91 are discarded. As described above, the Comparative Example requires a large base member 90, and the number of gaskets 91 produced from the base member 90 is small, making it difficult to reduce manufacturing costs. Furthermore, because a large portion of the base member 90 is discarded, improvements are required from the perspective of environmental protection.

[0020] 5 is an explanatory diagram of the punching process in the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the first embodiment, a plurality of components 50 having similar shapes are manufactured from a base member 90 in close proximity to one another. Therefore, the size required for the base member 90 is reduced compared to the comparative example, and the area of ​​the base member 90 that is discarded is reduced. With the above configuration, the number of gaskets 30 manufactured from the base member 90 is increased compared to the comparative example, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and contributing to environmental protection through the effective use of resources.

[0021] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of any one fastener 40 in the sealing structure 100 of the first embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the fastener 40 is a bolt composed of a head 41 and a body 42. The head 41 is connected to the base end of the body 42. The body 42 includes a shank 421 and a threaded portion 422. The threaded portion 422 is a cylindrical portion that includes the tip of the body 42 on the side opposite the head 41. A thread groove is formed on the outer periphery of the threaded portion 422. The shank 421 is a cylindrical portion that includes the base end of the body 42 on the head 41 side. Note that the shank 421 may be omitted.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the first member 10 has mounting holes 15 formed therein that correspond to each fastener 40. The mounting holes 15 are circular through-holes formed with a diameter slightly larger than the body portion 42 of the fastener 40. On the other hand, the second member 20 has mounting holes 25 formed therein that correspond to each fastener 40. The mounting holes 25 are circular, bottomed holes formed on their inner circumferential surfaces with thread grooves that mate with the thread grooves of the fastener 40. The fasteners 40 are inserted into the mounting holes 15 and 25. Specifically, with the body portion 42 of the fastener 40 passing through the mounting hole 15, the threaded portion 422 is fixed to the mounting hole 25.

[0023] In Fig. 6, any two adjacent components 50 of the plurality of components 50 of the gasket 30 are illustrated as a first component 51 and a second component 52. That is, the configuration illustrated in Fig. 6 is adopted for each pair of two adjacent components 50. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the first component 51 and the second component 52.

[0024] 6 and 7 , the first component 51 includes a first end surface 71. Similarly, the second component 52 includes a second end surface 72, and the first end surface 71 and the second end surface 72 face each other. The fastener 40 is located between the first end surface 71 and the second end surface 72 in a plan view.

[0025] The first end surface 71 includes a first arcuate surface 711 and a first flat surface 712. The first arcuate surface 711 is an arcuate inner peripheral surface that follows the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 42 of the fastener 40. Specifically, the first arcuate surface 711 is a cylindrical surface with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer shape of the body portion 42 and a central axis that follows the Z axis. The first flat surface 712 is a flat surface adjacent to the first arcuate surface 711. Specifically, the first flat surfaces 712 are located on both sides of the first arcuate surface 711.

[0026] Like the first end face 71, the second end face 72 includes a second arcuate surface 721 and a second flat surface 722. The second arcuate surface 721 is an arcuate inner peripheral surface that follows the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 42 of the fastener 40. Specifically, the second arcuate surface 721 is a cylindrical surface with an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer shape of the body portion 42 and whose central axis follows the Z axis. The second flat surface 722 is a flat surface adjacent to the second arcuate surface 721. Specifically, the second flat surfaces 722 are located on both sides of the second arcuate surface 721.

[0027] 7, the first flat surface 712 and the second flat surface 722 face each other with a small gap therebetween. Note that the first flat surface 712 and the second flat surface 722 may be in contact with each other without any gap.

[0028] 7 , a cylindrical space is formed by the first arcuate surface 711 and the second arcuate surface 721. The body 42 of the fastener 40 is located within the cylindrical space surrounded by the first arcuate surface 711 and the second arcuate surface 721. In other words, the fastener 40 is located between the first arcuate surface 711 and the second arcuate surface 721.

[0029] As described above, the fastener 40 is installed between two adjacent components 50 (51, 52). That is, the multiple components 50 and the multiple fasteners 40 cooperate to form a gasket for sealing the internal space of the sealed structure 100. Specifically, the sealing function is achieved by positioning the fastener 40 for fastening the first member 10 and the second member 20 between the first end surface 71 and the second end surface 72. Therefore, the sealed structure 100 can be constructed by the simple operation of fastening the first member 10 and the second member 20 with the multiple fasteners 40 while the multiple components 50 are disposed between the first member 10 and the second member 20. For example, the process of constructing the sealed structure 100 does not require the application of an adhesive or a liquid gasket, for example.

[0030] Furthermore, for example, in a configuration in which multiple components 50 are joined together by welding, unevenness occurs at the joint. Furthermore, in a configuration in which multiple components 50 are joined together with an adhesive, the components 50 must be bonded while partially overlapping each other, which causes unevenness at the joint. As described above, when unevenness exists at the joint, it is difficult to ensure sufficient sealing performance. In the first embodiment, the first end surface 71 of the first component 51 and the second end surface 72 of the second component 52 are arranged opposite each other, thereby suppressing the occurrence of unevenness. Therefore, deterioration of sealing performance due to unevenness at the joint can be suppressed.

[0031] In the first embodiment in particular, the fastener 40 is installed in the cylindrical space between the first arcuate surface 711 and the second arcuate surface 721. Therefore, compared to, for example, an embodiment in which the first end surface 71 and the second end surface 72 are simply flat surfaces, the distance between each of the first end surface 71 and the second end surface 72 and the outer circumferential surface of the fastener 40 is reduced, which results in improved sealing performance.

[0032] B: Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that, for elements in the following exemplary aspects that have the same functions as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment will be used, and detailed descriptions of each will be omitted as appropriate.

[0033] 1 , the sealing structure 100 of the second embodiment includes a first member 10, a second member 20, a gasket 30, and a plurality of fasteners 40. The gasket 30 includes a plurality of components 50.

[0034] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of any one fastener 40 in the sealing structure 100 of the second embodiment. Fig. 9 is a plan view of a first component 51 and a second component 52 adjacent to each other among the multiple components 50 that make up the gasket 30 of the second embodiment.

[0035] 8 and 9 , the sealing structure 100 of the second embodiment includes a sealant 80 in addition to the same elements as in the first embodiment. A sealant 80 is provided for each fastener 40. Each sealant 80 is an elastic body filled between the first end surface 71 of the first component 51 and the second end surface 72 of the second component 52. The sealant 80 is made of an elastic material such as nitrile rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, fluororubber, acrylic rubber, or silicone rubber.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a side view of the fastener 40 according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 10 , a sealant 85 is formed on the fastener 40 in its initial state before it is installed in the sealed structure 100. Specifically, the threaded portion 422 of the body 42 of the fastener 40 is covered with the sealant 85. The sealant 85 is a coating that becomes the sealant 80 when the fastener 40 is installed in the sealed structure 100. The sealant 85 is formed to an appropriate thickness, for example, within a range of 0.1 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less. The sealant 85 may be formed from a liquid or gel material.

[0037] When the fastener 40 described above is inserted into the mounting holes 15 and 25, the sealing material 85 is filled between the first end surface 71 and the second end surface 72. The filling of the sealing material 85 forms the sealing material 80.

[0038] 8 and 9 , the sealing material 80 includes a first seal portion 81 and a second seal portion 82. The first seal portion 81 is a portion that fills the gap between each component 50 and the fastener 40. Specifically, the first seal portion 81 is filled between the first arcuate surface 711 and the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 42 of the fastener 40, and between the second arcuate surface 721 and the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 42 of the fastener 40. In other words, the first seal portion 81 contacts both the first arcuate surface 711 and the second arcuate surface 721 and the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 42. As can be understood from the above description, the first seal portion 81 is a cylindrical portion.

[0039] 9 , the second seal portion 82 is a portion of the seal material 80 that is interposed between the first flat surface 712 of the first end face 71 and the second flat surface 722 of the second end face 72. In other words, both the first flat surface 712 and the second flat surface 722 contact the second seal portion 82. As can be understood from the above description, the second seal portion 82 is a flat plate-shaped portion.

[0040] As can be understood from the above description, in the second embodiment, a gasket for sealing the internal space of the sealing structure 100 is formed by cooperation of a plurality of components 50, a plurality of fasteners 40, and a plurality of sealing materials 80.

[0041] The second embodiment also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, in addition to the fastener 40, a sealant 80 is provided between the first end face 71 and the second end face 72. Therefore, compared to the first embodiment in which only the fastener 40 is provided between the first end face 71 and the second end face 72, the sealing performance of the sealed structure 100 can be improved.

[0042] In particular, in the second embodiment, a first seal portion 81 is installed between each of the first arc surface 711 and the second arc surface 721 and the outer peripheral surface of the fastener 40, so that the sealing performance of the sealing structure 100 can be sufficiently improved compared to a configuration in which a gap is formed between each of the first arc surface 711 and the second arc surface 721 and the outer peripheral surface of the fastener 40.

[0043] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the second seal portion 82 is installed between each of the first flat surface 712 and the second flat surface 722 and the outer peripheral surface of the fastener 40, so that the sealing performance of the sealing structure 100 can be sufficiently improved compared to a configuration in which a gap is formed between the first flat surface 712 and the second flat surface 722.

[0044] C: Modifications Specific modifications that can be added to the above-mentioned embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be combined as appropriate within the scope of not mutually contradicting each other.

[0045] (1) In the second embodiment, the threaded portion 422 of the fastener 40 is covered with the sealing material 85. However, as illustrated in FIG. 11 , the entire body portion 42 of the fastener 40 may be covered with the sealing material 85.

[0046] (2) In the second embodiment, the sealing material 80 includes the first seal portion 81 and the second seal portion 82. However, one of the first seal portion 81 and the second seal portion 82 may be omitted. For example, in a configuration in which the first arcuate surface 711 and the second arcuate surface 721 are in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the fastener 40, the first seal portion 81 may be omitted. Furthermore, in a configuration in which the first flat surface 712 and the second flat surface 722 are in close contact with each other, the second seal portion 82 may be omitted.

[0047] (3) The layered structure of each component 50 is not limited to the examples in the above-described embodiments. For example, a base film may be formed between the base material 500 and the first elastic layer 501 or the second elastic layer 502 in each component 50 to improve adhesion between them. Furthermore, the base material 500 may be formed by laminating multiple layers made of different materials. Similarly, the first elastic layer 501 and the second elastic layer 502 may be formed by laminating multiple layers made of different materials.

[0048] (4) The planar shape of the gasket 30 is not limited to the examples in the above-described embodiments. For example, the above-described embodiments are similarly applicable to an annular or polygonal gasket 30. While the above-described embodiments illustrate a loop-shaped gasket 30 that is continuous around the entire circumference, the above-described embodiments are similarly applicable to a gasket 30 that has a planar shape in which certain portions (e.g., joints) are discontinued. In other words, the planar shape of the gasket 30 may be partially disconnected. Furthermore, the number of components 50 constituting the gasket 30 is not limited to the examples in the above-described embodiments. For example, the gasket 30 may be composed of two components 50.

[0049] (5) The term "nth" (n is a natural number) in this application is used only as a formal and convenient label to distinguish each element in the description and does not have any substantive meaning. Therefore, there is no room for restrictive interpretation of the position of each element or the order of manufacture based on the term "nth."

[0050] D: Supplementary Notes From the above-described exemplary embodiments, the following configurations can be understood, for example.

[0051] A sealing structure according to one aspect (Aspect 1) of the present disclosure includes a first member having a mounting hole formed therein, a second member facing the first member, a fastener inserted into the mounting hole to fasten the first member to the second member, and a gasket including multiple components positioned between the first member and the second member. The multiple components include a first component including a first end face and a second component including a second end face facing the first end face, and the fastener is positioned between the first end face and the second end face. According to the above aspect, a sealing function is achieved by positioning the fastener for fastening the first member to the second member between the first end face and the second end face. Therefore, the sealing structure can be constructed simply by fastening the first member to the second member with the fastener while the multiple components are positioned between the first member and the second member. For example, the process of constructing the sealing structure does not require the application of an adhesive or a liquid gasket.

[0052] In a specific example (Aspect 2) of Aspect 1, the first end face includes a first arcuate surface that follows the outer circumferential surface of the fastener, the second end face includes a second arcuate surface that follows the outer circumferential surface of the fastener, and the fastener is located between the first arcuate surface and the second arcuate surface. According to the above aspect, the fastener is installed in the cylindrical space between the first arcuate surface and the second arcuate surface, thereby reducing the distance between each of the first end face and the second end face and the outer circumferential surface of the fastener, thereby improving sealing performance.

[0053] A specific example (Aspect 3) of Aspect 2 further includes a first seal portion filled between the first arcuate surface and the outer peripheral surface of the fastener and between the second arcuate surface and the outer peripheral surface of the fastener. In the above aspect, because a first seal portion is provided between each of the first arcuate surface and the second arcuate surface and the outer peripheral surface of the fastener, it is possible to sufficiently improve sealing performance compared to an aspect in which a gap is formed between each of the first arcuate surface and the second arcuate surface and the outer peripheral surface of the fastener.

[0054] In a specific example (Aspect 4) of Aspect 2 or Aspect 3, the first end face includes a first flat surface adjacent to the first arcuate surface, the second end face includes a second flat surface adjacent to the second arcuate surface, and a second seal portion is provided between the first flat surface and the second flat surface. In the above aspect, since the second seal portion is provided between each of the first flat surface and the second flat surface and the outer circumferential surface of the fastener, it is possible to sufficiently improve sealing performance compared to an aspect in which a gap is formed between the first flat surface and the second flat surface.

[0055] A specific example (Aspect 5) of any one of Aspects 1 to 4 further includes a sealant filled between the first end face and the second end face. In this aspect, since the sealant is provided between the first end face and the second end face in addition to the fastener, it is possible to sufficiently improve sealing performance compared to an aspect in which only the fastener is provided between the first end face and the second end face.

[0056] In a specific example (Aspect 6) of any of Aspects 1 to 5, each of the plurality of components includes a base material formed of a metal material, a first elastic layer covering one surface of the base material, and a second elastic layer covering the other surface of the base material. According to this aspect, the base material maintains the rigidity of the components, while the first elastic layer and the second elastic layer ensure sufficient sealing performance.

[0057] A method for manufacturing a sealed structure according to one aspect (aspect 7) of the present disclosure includes the steps of: arranging a plurality of components constituting a gasket between a first member having a mounting hole formed therein and a second member facing the first member, the plurality of components being arranged such that a first end surface of a first component of the plurality of components faces a second end surface of a second component of the plurality of components; and fastening the first member and the second member by inserting a fastener into the mounting hole so that the fastener is positioned between the first end surface and the second end surface. According to the above aspect, a sealed structure can be constructed by the simple operation of fastening the first member and the second member with the fastener while the plurality of components are arranged between the first member and the second member.

[0058] A specific example of Aspect 7 (Aspect 8) further includes a step of manufacturing the plurality of components by punching the base member. According to the above aspect, a large number of components can be manufactured collectively by punching the base member. Furthermore, because the gasket is manufactured in a state where it is divided into a plurality of components, the amount of waste in the base member can be reduced compared to a configuration in which gaskets of similar outer shapes are formed from a single member.

[0059] 100...sealing structure, 10...first member, 11...joint surface, 12...opening, 15...mounting hole, 20...second member, 21...joint surface, 22...opening, 25...mounting hole, 30...gasket, 40...fastener, 41...head, 42...body, 421...shaft, 422...threaded portion, 50, 51, 52...component, 500...substrate, 501...first elastic layer, 502...second elastic layer, 71...first end surface, 711...first arcuate surface, 712...first flat surface, 72...second end surface, 721...second arcuate surface, 722...second flat surface, 80...sealing material, 81...first seal portion, 82...second seal portion, 90...base member.

Claims

1. A sealed structure comprising: a first member having a mounting hole formed therein; a second member opposing said first member; a fastener inserted into said mounting hole to fasten said first member to said second member; and a gasket including a plurality of components positioned between said first member and said second member, said plurality of components including a first component including a first end face and a second component including a second end face opposing said first end face, and said fastener being positioned between said first end face and said second end face.

2. The sealing structure of claim 1, wherein the first end face includes a first arcuate surface that follows the outer circumferential surface of the fastener, the second end face includes a second arcuate surface that follows the outer circumferential surface of the fastener, and the fastener is located between the first arcuate surface and the second arcuate surface.

3. The sealing structure of claim 2, further comprising a first seal portion filled between the first arc surface and the outer peripheral surface of the fastener, and between the second arc surface and the outer peripheral surface of the fastener.

4. The sealing structure of claim 2 or 3, further comprising: said first end face including a first flat surface adjacent to said first arcuate surface; said second end face including a second flat surface adjacent to said second arcuate surface; and a second seal portion interposed between said first flat surface and said second flat surface.

5. The sealed structure of claim 1, further comprising a sealant filled between said first end face and said second end face.

6. The sealing structure of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of components includes a base material formed of a metal material, a first elastic layer covering one surface of the base material, and a second elastic layer covering the other surface of the base material.

7. A method for manufacturing a sealed structure, comprising: a step of arranging a plurality of components constituting a gasket between a first member having a mounting hole formed therein and a second member opposing the first member, wherein the plurality of components are arranged such that a first end face of a first component among the plurality of components and a second end face of a second component among the plurality of components face each other; and a step of fixing the first member and the second member by inserting a fastener into the mounting hole so that the fastener is positioned between the first end face and the second end face.

8. The method of manufacturing the sealing structure of claim 7, further comprising the step of manufacturing the plurality of components by punching a plate-like member.

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