Gasket

Abstract

A gasket (1) is provided with: a pair of seal surfaces (11, 12) that face away from each other; and a pair of side surfaces (21, 22) that face away from each other between the pair of seal surfaces (11, 12). Grooves (13, 14) that extend along the seal surfaces (11, 12) and are recessed toward the seal surfaces (12, 11) facing away from each other are formed in each of the seal surfaces (11, 12). Spaces (15, 16) defined by the grooves (13, 14) remain in the side surfaces (21, 22) even when a predetermined compression allowance is applied.

Description

Gasket

[0001] The present invention relates to a gasket.

[0002] Conventionally, in order to seal a space, a gasket for sealing a gap between members has been used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-263496

[0004] Some gaskets are used between members made of materials that are easily corroded by salt water, such as aluminum. When such easily corroded members are the application targets of the gasket, corrosion may occur in the vicinity of the contact surface where the gasket contacts, and the corrosion progresses on the contact surface, and the seal line between the gasket and the contact surface may be broken. When the seal line is broken, leakage of the sealed object may occur. For this reason, conventionally, a treatment has been performed to impart corrosion resistance to easily corroded application targets. For example, when imparting corrosion resistance to aluminum, anodizing treatment has been performed. On the other hand, since the cost of the application target increases due to the anodizing treatment, it has been required to eliminate the need for the anodizing treatment. For this reason, for a gasket whose application target is a member made of a material that is easily corroded by salt water, such as aluminum, a configuration that can suppress corrosion of the contact surface of the application target has been demanded.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gasket that can suppress corrosion of a contact surface of an application target.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the gasket according to the present invention includes a pair of seal surfaces that are opposite to each other, and a pair of side surfaces that are opposite to each other between the pair of seal surfaces. Each of the seal surfaces is formed with a groove that extends along the seal surface and is recessed on the side of the opposite seal surface. The side surface is configured such that the space defined by the groove remains even when compressed by a predetermined crushing allowance.

[0007] In the gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the depth of the groove is larger than half of the predetermined crushing allowance.

[0008] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the depth of the groove is set such that even after compression, the depth of the groove remains at least 0.05 mm.

[0009] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, each of the pair of side surfaces protrudes toward the side opposite to the opposing side surface.

[0010] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, each of the pair of side surfaces protrudes most significantly toward the opposite side at a position away from each of the pair of sealing surfaces.

[0011] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, each of the pair of sides has a projection that protrudes toward the opposite side from the opposing side, and the projection extends along the sealing surface.

[0012] In a gasket according to one aspect of the present invention, the protrusions are formed at positions away from each of the pair of seals.

[0013] According to the gasket of the present invention, corrosion of the contact surface of the object to which it is applied can be suppressed.

[0014] This is a front view showing the schematic configuration of a gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic cross-sectional perspective showing the cross-section of the gasket. This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the cross-section of the gasket. This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a modified gasket. This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of a modified gasket. This is a cross-sectional view showing a gasket in use in an aluminum housing. This is a magnified cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the upper sealing surface of the gasket in use. This is a diagram schematically showing the sealing line between the gasket and the member.

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of gasket 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view showing a cross-section of gasket 1, and Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of gasket 1. Note that the cross-sections shown in Figures 2 and 3 are cross-sections taken from a plane perpendicular to the extension direction of gasket 1. Gasket 1 is applied, for example, to the aluminum housing of a vehicle such as an automobile, and is used to seal the gap between aluminum members and form a sealed space inside. Note that the applications to which gasket 1 is applied are not limited to this, and various types of gaskets 1 can be applied.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the gasket 1 comprises a pair of sealing surfaces 11 and 12 that face away from each other, and a pair of side surfaces 21 and 22 that face away from each other between the pair of sealing surfaces 11 and 12. Each of the sealing surfaces 11 and 12 has grooves 13 and 14 that extend along the sealing surfaces 11 and 12 and are recessed on the side of the opposing sealing surfaces 12 and 11. Furthermore, even after compression of a predetermined crushing amount, the spaces 15 and 16 defined by the grooves 13 and 14 remain on the side surfaces 21 and 22. The configuration of the gasket 1 will be described in detail below.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the gasket 1 is, for example, annular in shape and extends along the seal line of the application. The sealing surfaces 11 and 12 are surfaces that contact the contact surface along the seal line of the application, and each extends along a plane. The sealing surfaces 11 and 12 are, for example, surfaces that extend on a plane or substantially plane and are parallel or substantially parallel to each other. For the sake of explanation, the direction in which the sealing surfaces 11 and 12 face away from each other will be referred to as the up and down direction, the side in the direction from sealing surface 12 toward sealing surface 11 in the up and down direction will be referred to as the upper side, and the side in the direction from sealing surface 11 toward sealing surface 12 in the up and down direction will be referred to as the lower side. Note that the up and down direction, upper side, and lower side do not limit the mounting position in which the gasket 1 is attached to the application.

[0019] Grooves 13 and 14 are formed in the sealing surfaces 11 and 12, respectively, and are recessed toward the opposite sealing surfaces 12 and 11. That is, groove 13 is formed in the sealing surface 11 and is recessed toward the sealing surface 12 side (downward), while groove 14 is formed in the sealing surface 12 and is recessed toward the sealing surface 11 side (upward). As shown in Figures 2 and 3, grooves 13 and 14 define recessed spaces 15 and 16 from the sealing surfaces 11 and 12, respectively. Grooves 13 and 14 extend along the sealing surfaces 11 and 12, respectively, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, for example, extending to the center or approximately the center in the width direction of the sealing surfaces 11 and 12. The width direction of the sealing surfaces 11 and 12 is the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the sides 21 and 22 are facing away from each other.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the cross-sectional contours of grooves 13 and 14 are, for example, arc-shaped curves that are convex downwards and upwards, respectively, and grooves 13 and 14 are formed by curved surfaces that are convex downwards and upwards, respectively. Specifically, for example, the cross-sectional contours of grooves 13 and 14 are curves that form a circular arc or a roughly circular arc, respectively. Note that the shapes of grooves 13 and 14 may be other shapes, for example, shapes in which the spaces 15 and 16 in the cross-section are rectangular or roughly rectangular. Grooves 13 and 14 each have depths d1 and d2. Depths d1 and d2 are depths in the vertical direction, respectively, where the depth d1 of groove 13 is the vertical distance between the sealing surface 11 and the lowest point 13a of groove 13, and the depth d2 of groove 14 is the vertical distance between the sealing surface 12 and the lowest point 14a of groove 14. The lowest points 13a and 14a of grooves 13 and 14 are the deepest positions of grooves 13 and 14, respectively. The lowest point 13a of groove 13 is the position of groove 13 that is furthest downward in the vertical direction from the sealing surface 11, and the lowest point 14a of groove 14 is the position of groove 14 that is furthest upward in the vertical direction from the sealing surface 12.

[0021] The depths d1 and d2 of grooves 13 and 14, respectively, are set to a value greater than half of the predetermined compression allowance of the gasket 1. For example, if the compression ratio for the predetermined compression allowance is α%, the depth d1 of groove 13 satisfies d1 > H / 2 × α / 100, and similarly, the depth d2 of groove 14 satisfies d2 > H / 2 × α / 100. Hereinafter, H is the height of the gasket 1, and as shown in Figure 3, it is the vertical distance between the sealing surface 11 and the sealing surface 12.

[0022] The corrosion rate of metal due to the water film is thought to be highest when the thickness of the water film exceeds 1 μm, then decreases as the thickness of the water film increases, and becomes constant when the thickness of the water film exceeds 1 mm. Furthermore, it is thought that the corrosion rate of metal due to the water film becomes approximately constant when the thickness of the water film is 0.05 mm or more. For this reason, for example, the depths d1 and d2 of grooves 13 and 14, respectively, are set to a value that is 0.05 mm greater than half of the predetermined compression allowance of the gasket 1, as an example of a preferred value. That is, the depth d1 of groove 13 is set to satisfy, for example, d1 > H / 2 × α / 100 + 0.05 mm, and similarly, the depth d2 of groove 14 is set to satisfy, for example, d2 > H / 2 × α / 100 + 0.05 mm. As a result, in the gasket 1 described later, when the gasket 1 is compressed to a predetermined compression ratio, the spaces 15 and 16 defined by the grooves 13 and 14 are maintained to a depth of 0.05 mm or more, as long as the grooves 13 and 14 do not tear and the spaces 15 and 16 defined by the grooves 13 and 14 do not disappear.

[0023] As described above, the sides 21 and 22 face away from each other between the sealing surfaces 11 and 12. Side 21 extends between one end of each sealing surface 11 and 12, while side 22 extends between the other end of each sealing surface 11 and 12. Furthermore, as described above, the sides 21 and 22 are configured such that even when compressed by a predetermined amount, the spaces 15 and 16 defined by the grooves 13 and 14 remain. In other words, the sides 21 and 22 are configured such that even when the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount, the spaces 15 and 16 remain. Specifically, for example, the sides 21 and 22 are configured such that even when the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount, the spaces 15 and 16 do not disappear due to the grooves 13 and 14 tearing. The predetermined amount of compression is, for example, a compression ratio of 35% or less, or a compression ratio of 30% or less.

[0024] For example, each side 21, 22 protrudes on the side opposite to the opposite side 22, 21. In other words, each side 21, 22 protrudes on the side it faces. Specifically, for example, each side 21, 22 protrudes most on the side it faces at a position away from the respective sealing surfaces 11, 12. Specifically, for example, as shown in Figure 3, side 21 has a side end 23a and inclined portions 23b, 23c. The side end 23a is the part that protrudes most on the side that side 21 faces and extends along the sealing surfaces 11, 12. The inclined portions 23b, 23c are parts that extend from the sealing surfaces 11, 12 to the upper and lower ends of the side end 23a, respectively, and extend along the sealing surfaces 11, 12. Similarly, as shown in Figure 3, side 22 has a side end 24a and inclined portions 24b, 24c. The side end portion 24a is the part that protrudes most towards the side surface 22 and extends along the sealing surfaces 11 and 12. The inclined portions 24b and 24c are the parts that extend from the sealing surfaces 11 and 12 to the upper and lower ends of the side end portion 24a, respectively, and extend along the sealing surfaces 11 and 12.

[0025] The side end portion 23a is located, for example, in the center or approximately center in the vertical direction between the sealing surface 11 and the sealing surface 12. The cross-sectional contour of the side end portion 23a is, for example, a straight line or approximately a straight line extending in the vertical direction. The shape of the side end portion 23a may be other shapes; for example, the cross-sectional contour of the side end portion 23a may be a curve, such as a curve projecting toward the side facing the side surface 21, or it may be a line of another form. The inclined portions 23b and 23c are, for example, surfaces that incline toward the side facing the side surface 21 toward the upper and lower ends of the side end portion 23a from the sealing surfaces 11 and 12, respectively.

[0026] The side end portion 24a of side surface 22 has the same shape as the side end portion 23a of side surface 21 described above. The side end portion 24a is located, for example, in the center or approximately center in the vertical direction between the sealing surface 11 and the sealing surface 12. The cross-sectional contour of the side end portion 24a is, for example, a straight line or approximately straight line extending in the vertical direction. The shape of the side end portion 24a may be other shapes; for example, the cross-sectional contour of the side end portion 24a may be a curve such as a curve projecting toward the side that side surface 22 faces, or it may be a line of another form. The inclined portions 24b and 24c are, for example, surfaces that inclinate toward the side that side surface 22 faces toward the upper and lower ends of the side end portion 24a from the sealing surfaces 11 and 12, respectively. Side surfaces 21 and 22 are, for example, symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with respect to each other.

[0027] The side ends 23a and 24a each have the configuration described above, and the configuration of the side ends 23a and 24a is set such that even when the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount, spaces 15 and 16 remain. Specifically, for example, the side ends 23a and 24a have a configuration such that even when the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount, the grooves 13 and 14 do not tear, and the spaces 15 and 16 do not disappear.

[0028] For example, the protrusion amounts p1 and p2 of the side ends 23a and 24a, respectively, and the protrusion widths w1 and w2 of the side ends 23a and 24a, respectively, are set to values ​​such that even when the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount, spaces 15 and 16 remain. As shown in Figure 3, the protrusion amount p1 of the side end 23 is the distance in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction between the upper or lower end of the side surface 21 and the side end 23a, and similarly, the protrusion amount p2 of the side end 24a is the distance in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction between the upper or lower end of the side surface 22 and the side end 24a. The protrusion amounts p1 and p2 are, for example, the aforementioned distances at specific positions on the side ends 23a and 24a. The protrusion amounts p1 and p2 may also be the aforementioned distances obtained by other methods, such as the average value of the aforementioned distances at several positions on the side ends 23a and 24a. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the protruding widths w1 and w2 of the side ends 23a and 24a, respectively, are the widths in the vertical direction of the side ends 23a and 24a. Note that the protruding widths w1 and w2 are, for example, the widths at specific positions on the side ends 23a and 24a. The protruding widths w1 and w2 may also be the above-mentioned widths obtained by other methods, such as the average value of the above-mentioned widths at several positions on the side ends 23a and 24a.

[0029] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a modified side 21, 22. As shown in Figure 4, the modified side 21 has, for example, a protruding portion 25 and side bottom portions 26a, 26b. The side bottom portions 26a, 26b are portions that extend from the sealing surfaces 11, 12 to the upper and lower ends of the protruding portion 25, respectively, and extend along the sealing surfaces 11, 12. The protruding portion 25 is a portion that protrudes from the side bottom portions 26a, 26b to the side facing the side 21, and extends along the sealing surfaces 11, 12. Similarly, as shown in Figure 4, the modified side 22 has, for example, a protruding portion 27 and side bottom portions 28a, 28b. The side bottom portions 28a, 28b are portions that extend from the sealing surfaces 11, 12 to the upper and lower ends of the protruding portion 27, respectively, and extend along the sealing surfaces 11, 12. Furthermore, the protruding portion 27 is a part that protrudes from the side bottom portions 28a and 28b toward the side facing the side surface 22, and extends along the sealing surfaces 11 and 12.

[0030] The protruding portion 25 is located, for example, in the center or approximately center in the vertical direction between the sealing surface 11 and the sealing surface 12. The protruding portion 25 protrudes from the side bottom portions 26a and 26b, forming a step, and the protruding portion 25 has stepped portions 25b and 25c which form the step, and a protruding surface 25a which extends between the stepped portions 25b and 25c. The protruding surface 25a is located on the side of the protruding portion 25 that is most closely facing the side surface 21. The cross-sectional contour of the protruding surface 25a is, for example, a straight line or approximately straight line extending in the vertical direction. The shape of the protruding portion 25 may be other shapes; for example, the cross-sectional contour of the protruding surface 25a may be a curve such as a curve protruding towards the side surface 21, or it may be a line of another form. The cross-sectional contours of the side bottom portions 26a and 26b are, for example, straight lines or approximately straight lines extending in the vertical direction.

[0031] The protruding portion 27 on the side surface 22 has the same shape as the protruding portion 25 on the side surface 21 described above. The protruding portion 27 is located, for example, in the center or approximately in the center in the vertical direction between the sealing surface 11 and the sealing surface 12. The protruding portion 27 protrudes from the side bottom portions 28a and 28b, forming a step, and the protruding portion 27 has stepped portions 27b and 27c which form the step, and a protruding surface 27a which extends between the stepped portions 27b and 27c. The protruding surface 27a is located on the side of the protruding portion 27 that is most closely facing the side surface 22. The cross-sectional contour of the protruding surface 27a is, for example, a straight line or approximately a straight line extending in the vertical direction. The shape of the protruding portion 27 may be other shapes; for example, the cross-sectional contour of the protruding surface 27a may be a curve such as a curve protruding towards the side facing the side surface 22, or it may be a line of another form. Furthermore, the contours of the cross-sections of the side bottom portions 28a and 28b are, for example, straight lines or substantially straight lines extending in the vertical direction. The side surfaces 21 and 22 are, for example, symmetrical or substantially symmetrical with respect to each other.

[0032] The protrusions 25 and 27 are configured such that even when the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount, spaces 15 and 16 remain. Specifically, for example, even when the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount, the protrusions 25 and 27 are configured such that the grooves 13 and 14 do not tear, preventing the spaces 15 and 16 from disappearing.

[0033] For example, the protrusion amounts p3 and p4 of the protrusions 25 and 27, respectively, and the protrusion widths w3 and w4 of the protrusions 25 and 27, respectively, are set to values ​​such that even when the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount, spaces 15 and 16 remain. As shown in Figure 4, the protrusion amount p3 of the protrusion 25 is the distance in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction between the upper or lower end of the side surface 21 and the protruding surface 25a, and similarly, the protrusion amount p4 of the protrusion 27 is the distance in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction between the upper or lower end of the side surface 22 and the protruding surface 27a. The protrusion amounts p3 and p4 are, for example, the aforementioned distances at specific positions on the protruding surfaces 25a and 26a. The protrusion amounts p3 and p4 may also be the aforementioned distances obtained by other methods, such as the average value of the aforementioned distances at several positions on the protruding surfaces 25a and 26a. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the protruding widths w3 and w4 of the protruding surfaces 25a and 26a, respectively, are the widths in the vertical direction of the protruding surfaces 25a and 26a. Note that the protruding widths w3 and w4 are, for example, the widths at specific positions on the protruding surfaces 25a and 26a. The protruding widths w3 and w4 may also be the above-mentioned widths obtained by other methods, such as the average value of the above-mentioned widths at several positions on the protruding surfaces 25a and 26a.

[0034] Next, other modifications of the sides 21 and 22 will be described. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a modification of the sides 21 and 22. As shown in Figure 5, in this modification, side 21 has a protrusion 29 that is different from the protrusion 25 of side 21 shown in Figure 4, and side 22 has a protrusion 30 that is different from the protrusion 27 of side 22 shown in Figure 4. The protrusion 29 is a portion that protrudes from the side bottom portions 26a and 26b toward the side facing side 21 and extends along the sealing surfaces 11 and 12. Similarly, the protrusion 30 is a portion that protrudes from the side bottom portions 28a and 28b toward the side facing side 22 and extends along the sealing surfaces 11 and 12. Unlike the protrusions 25 and 27 described above, the protrusions 29 and 30 do not form a step and protrude smoothly from the side bottom portions 26a and 26b and the side bottom portions 28a and 28b, respectively.

[0035] The protrusion 29 is located, for example, in the center or approximately center in the vertical direction between the sealing surface 11 and the sealing surface 12. The cross-sectional contour of the protrusion 29 is, for example, a circular arc or a curve that forms a roughly circular arc. However, the shape of the protrusion 29 may be other shapes; for example, the cross-sectional contour of the protrusion 29 may be another curve, such as a curve that forms an arc protruding toward the side surface 21, or it may be a line of another form.

[0036] The projection 30 on side surface 22 has the same shape as the projection 29 on side surface 21 described above. The projection 30 is located, for example, in the center or approximately in the center in the vertical direction between the sealing surface 11 and the sealing surface 12. The cross-sectional contour of the projection 30 is, for example, a circular arc or a curve that forms an approximately circular arc. The shape of the projection 30 may be other shapes; for example, the cross-sectional contour of the projection 30 may be another curve, such as a curve that forms an arc projecting toward the side that side surface 22 faces, or it may be a line of another form. Side surfaces 21 and 22 are, for example, symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with respect to each other.

[0037] The protrusions 29 and 30 are configured such that even when the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount, spaces 15 and 16 remain. Specifically, for example, even when the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount, the protrusions 29 and 30 are configured such that the grooves 13 and 14 do not tear, preventing the spaces 15 and 16 from disappearing.

[0038] For example, the protrusion amounts p5 and p6 of the protrusions 29 and 30, respectively, and the protrusion widths w5 and w6 of the protrusions 29 and 30, respectively, are set to values ​​such that even when the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount, spaces 15 and 16 remain. As shown in Figure 5, the protrusion amount p5 of the protrusion 29 is the distance in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction between the upper or lower end of the side surface 21 and the protrusion 29, and similarly, the protrusion amount p6 of the protrusion 30 is the distance in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction between the upper or lower end of the side surface 22 and the protrusion 30. The protrusion amount p5 is, for example, the distance at the point in the cross-section where the protrusion 29 is located on the side facing the side surface 21. Similarly, the protrusion amount p6 is, for example, the distance at the point in the cross-section where the protrusion 30 is located on the side facing the side surface 22. Furthermore, the protrusion amounts p5 and p6 are, for example, the aforementioned distances at specific positions in the extension direction of the protruding portions 29 and 30. The protrusion amounts p5 and p6 may also be the aforementioned distances obtained by other methods, such as the average value of the aforementioned distances at several positions in the extension direction of the protruding portions 29 and 30. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the protrusion widths w5 and w6 of the protruding portions 29 and 30 are, for example, the widths of the protruding portions 29 and 30 in the vertical direction. Note that the protrusion widths w5 and w6 are, for example, the widths at specific positions of the protruding portions 29 and 30. The protrusion widths w5 and w6 may also be the aforementioned widths obtained by other methods, such as the average value of the aforementioned widths at several positions of the protruding portions 29 and 30.

[0039] Gasket 1 is formed from an elastic material. Examples of elastic materials for gasket 1 include rubber and thermoplastic elastomers.

[0040] Gasket 1 has the above-described configuration and is used in housings and the like to seal the gap between two members and to seal the space inside the housing. The operation of gasket 1 will be described below. As an example, the operation of gasket 1 will be described using gasket 1 applied to an aluminum housing 100 as an example. Gasket 1 is used in an aluminum housing 100 to seal the gap between member 110 and member 120 and to seal the internal space 101 inside the housing 100. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing gasket 1 in use when used in an aluminum housing 100. In use, gasket 1 is compressed between member 110 and member 120 so that a predetermined amount of compression is compressed. For example, in use, gasket 1 is compressed to a predetermined compression ratio so that a predetermined amount of compression is compressed. The predetermined compression ratio is, for example, 30%.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, member 120 has a groove 121 in which the gasket 1 is housed, and the groove 121 extends along the seal line between member 110 and member 120. The depth of the groove 121 is set such that, for example, when the contact surface 111 of member 110 and the contact surface 122 of member 120 come into contact, the gasket 1 is compressed to a predetermined compression ratio. In other words, when used in the housing 100, the compression ratio of the gasket 1 is maximized at a predetermined compression ratio. The depth of the groove 121 is the distance between the bottom surface 121a of the groove 121 and the contact surface 122 in the direction that the contact surface 122 faces. The width of the groove 121 is set so that the sides 21 and 22 of the gasket 1 do not come into contact when in use. Figure 6 shows an example of how the gasket 1 can be used when it is installed such that the sealing surface 11 of the gasket 1 is in contact with the contact surface 111 of the member 110, and the sealing surface 12 of the gasket 1 is in contact with the bottom surface 121a of the groove 121 of the member 120. The bottom surface 121a of the groove 121 is the lower contact surface. The gasket 1 may also be installed such that the sealing surface 12 of the gasket 1 is in contact with the contact surface 111 of the member 110, and the sealing surface 11 of the gasket 1 is in contact with the bottom surface 121a of the groove 121 of the member 120.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 6, in the state of use, the contact surface 111 of the member 110 of the housing 100 and the contact surface 122 of the member 120 are in contact with each other, and the member 110 and the member 120 are fixed to each other, and the gasket 1 is compressed to a predetermined compression ratio. Specifically, the upper sealing surface 11 is pressed against the contact surface 111 of the member 110, and the lower sealing surface 12 is pressed against the bottom surface 121a of the groove 121 of the member 120. Thereby, the sealing of the internal space 101 of the housing 100 to be sealed is achieved.

[0043] Also, as described above, the side surfaces 21 and 22 are configured such that even if the gasket 1 is compressed and the gasket 1 is crushed by a predetermined crushing allowance, spaces 15 and 16 remain. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 6, in the cross section in the state of use, all or part of the grooves 13 and 14 of the gasket 1 do not contact the contact surface 111 of the member 110 and the bottom surface 121a of the groove 121 of the member 120, respectively, and all or part of the spaces 15 and 16 defined by the grooves 13 and 14 remain. That is, in the state of use, a space is formed between the contact surface 111 and the groove 13, and a space is formed between the bottom surface 121a and the groove 14. Note that, in the state of use, a part of the grooves 13 and 14 that do not contact the contact surface 111 and the bottom surface 121a, respectively, is a part including, for example, the vicinity of the lowest points 13a and 14a of the grooves 13 and 14.

[0044] Thus, in the state of use, a space is formed between the contact surface 111 and the groove 13, and a space is formed between the bottom surface 121a and the groove 14. Thus, between the sealing surfaces 11a and 12a, which are the sealing surfaces 11 and 12 on the internal space 101 side, which is the sealing target side, and the sealing surfaces 11b and 12b, which are the sealing surfaces 11 and 12 on the atmosphere side, which is the opposite side of the sealing target side, spaces 15 and 16 remain and spaces are formed. Therefore, on the upper sealing surface 11, the sealing surface 11a on the sealing target side and the sealing surface 11b on the atmosphere side are separated by the space 15, and similarly, on the lower sealing surface 12, the sealing surface 12a on the sealing target side and the sealing surface 12b on the atmosphere side are separated by the space 16.

[0045] Therefore, even if the member 110 is corroded by saltwater on the atmospheric side and saltwater enters the sealed object side beyond the seal line 1b, which is the seal region formed by the contact between the atmospheric side seal surface 11b and the contact surface 111 of the member 110, the saltwater can be retained in the space 15, and corrosion of the contact surface 111 on the seal line 1a side, which is the seal region formed by the contact between the sealing surface 11a on the sealed object side and the contact surface 111 of the member 110, can be suppressed. Similarly, even if the member 120 is corroded by saltwater on the atmospheric side and saltwater enters the sealed object side beyond the seal line 2b, which is the region formed by the contact between the atmospheric side seal surface 12b and the bottom surface 121a of the groove 121 of the member 120, the saltwater can be retained in the space 16, and corrosion of the bottom surface 121a on the seal line 2a side, which is the region formed by the contact between the sealing surface 12a on the sealed object side and the bottom surface 121a of the groove 121 of the member 120, can be suppressed. This prevents or suppresses the entry of saltwater into the internal space 101, and prevents the separation of the seal lines 1a and 2a on the side to be sealed. As a result, a decrease in the sealing performance of the gasket 1 can be suppressed, or the period during which the gasket 1 exhibits its sealing performance can be extended.

[0046] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the upper sealing surface 11 of the gasket 1 in use. As described above, in the gasket 1 in a free state where no external force is applied, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 13 is an arc or substantially arc-shaped (see Figure 3). Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, in use, a wedge-shaped space 15a is formed in cross-section between the end of the groove 13 on the atmospheric sealing surface 11b side and the contact surface 111 of the member 110. The width of the space 15a in the vertical direction decreases toward the seal line 1b side. Therefore, even if saltwater enters the sealed object side beyond the seal line 1b, capillary action or surface tension acts on the space 15a, and as shown in Figure 8, the entering saltwater is guided away from the entry path formed by the division of the seal line 1b along the space 15a. As a result, in space 15, it is possible to prevent or suppress saltwater that has entered the sealed object side beyond the seal line 1b from progressing toward the seal line 1a side on the sealed object side. This allows the saltwater that enters to be retained in the space 15 on the atmospheric side of the seal line 1b, and further suppresses corrosion of the contact surface 111 on the seal line 1a side of the object to be sealed. As a result, it is possible to prevent or suppress the entry of saltwater into the internal space 101, and to suppress the disruption of the seal line 1a on the object to be sealed. This suppresses a decrease in the sealing performance of the gasket 1, or extends the period during which the gasket 1 exhibits its sealing performance. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the seal lines 1a and 1b between the gasket 1 and the member 110.

[0047] In the state of use, between the end portion on the seal surface 11a side on the sealing target side of the groove 13 and the contact surface 111 of the member 110, a wedge-shaped space 15a is formed in cross section, similarly to the end portion on the seal surface 11b side on the atmospheric side described above. The width of the space 15a in the vertical direction becomes smaller toward the seal line 1a side, similarly to the space 15a on the atmospheric side. For this reason, also on the seal surface 11a side, the same action as that on the seal surface 11b side described above is exhibited. Even if the salt water that has exceeded the seal line 1b attempts to enter the sealing target side beyond the seal line 1a, capillary action or surface tension acts on the space 15a on the seal surface 11a side, and the entered salt water is guided in a direction away from the entry path along the space 15a (see FIG. 8). Thereby, in the space 15, it is possible to prevent or suppress the salt water that has entered the sealing target side beyond the seal line 1b from proceeding to the sealing target side beyond the seal line 1a. Thereby, the entered salt water can be retained on the seal line 1b side, and it is possible to further suppress the contact surface 111 on the seal line 1a side on the sealing target side from being corroded.

[0048] Similarly, in the seal surface 12 on the lower side of the gasket 1 in the state of use, a space 16a, which is the same space as the space 15a of the upper groove 15, is formed in the groove 16 (see FIG. 6), and the space 16a acts in the same manner as the space 15a described above and exhibits the same effect.

[0049] Furthermore, as described above, the sides 21 and 22 are configured such that even if the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount (compression ratio), spaces 15 and 16 remain. Specifically, for example, even if the gasket 1 is compressed and crushed by a predetermined amount, the sides 21 and 22 are configured such that the grooves 13 and 14 do not tear, preventing the spaces 15 and 16 from disappearing. For this reason, in the operating state, the depths d3 and d4 of spaces 15 and 16 (see Figure 6) are maintained at 0.05 mm or more. As a result, even if saltwater fills the spaces 15 and 16 beyond the seal lines 1b and 2b, the saltwater film thickness is 0.05 mm or more, which allows the corrosion rate of the saltwater on the components 110 and 120 to be kept low. Therefore, even if saltwater enters the spaces 15 and 16 beyond the seal lines 1b and 2b, corrosion of the contact surfaces 111 on the seal line 1a and 2a side by the entering saltwater can be further suppressed. Furthermore, even if the gasket 1 is compressed by a smaller amount than the predetermined compression ratio, the depths d3 and d4 of the spaces 15 and 16, respectively, will be maintained at 0.05 mm or more in the operating state.

[0050] Thus, gasket 1 can suppress corrosion of the contact surface 111 of member 110 and the bottom surface 121a of groove 121 of member 120 of the housing 100 to which it is applied. As a result, anodizing treatment can be eliminated for members 110 and 120 of the aluminum housing 100, and the cost of the housing 100 can be reduced.

[0051] As described above, according to the gasket 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, corrosion of the contact surface to which it is applied can be suppressed.

[0052] As described above, the gasket according to the present invention can be suitably used for members made of materials that are susceptible to corrosion by saltwater, such as aluminum members.

[0053] Although the present invention has been described above through the embodiments described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the embodiments above. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the embodiments described above. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0054] The embodiments described above are for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. Furthermore, the embodiments described above do not limit the scope of application of the present invention, and the present invention may encompass anything as its target application. The components of the above embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, and sizes, are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the present invention includes differences that arise in the implementation of manufacturing tolerances, etc. Furthermore, components shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined to the extent that they do not contradict each other in a technical sense. In addition, each configuration can be selectively combined as appropriate to achieve at least some of the problems and effects described above.

[0055] 1 Gasket, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b Seal line, 11, 11a, 11b, 12, 12a, 12b Seal surface, 13, 14 Groove, 13a, 14a Bottom point, 15, 15a, 16, 16a Space, 21, 22 Side, 23a, 24a Side end, 23b, 23c, 24b, 24c Inclined part, 25, 27, 29, 30 Projection part, 25a, 27a Projection surface, 25b, 25c, 27b, 27c Step part, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b Side bottom part, 100 Housing, 101 Internal space, 110, 120 Member, 111, 122 Contact surface, 121 Groove, 121a Bottom, d1, d2 Depth, p1, p2, p3, p4 Projection amount, w1, w2, w3, w4 Projection width

Claims

1. A gasket comprising a pair of sealing surfaces which are opposite each other, and a pair of side surfaces which are opposite each other between the pair of sealing surfaces, wherein each of the sealing surfaces has a groove formed thereon that extends along the sealing surface and is recessed toward the opposite sealing surface, and the side surfaces are such that even when compressed by a predetermined amount of crushing, the space defined by the groove remains.

2. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the groove is greater than half of the predetermined compression allowance.

3. The gasket according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the groove is set such that the depth of the groove remains at least 0.05 mm even after compression.

4. The gasket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the pair of sides protrudes toward the side opposite to the opposite side of the opposing side.

5. The gasket according to claim 4, wherein each of the pair of sides protrudes most to the opposite side at a position away from each of the pair of sealing surfaces.

6. The gasket according to claim 4, wherein each of the pair of sides has a projection that protrudes toward the opposite side from the opposing side, and the projection extends along the sealing surface.

7. The gasket according to claim 6, wherein the protrusions are formed at positions away from each of the pair of seals.

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