Seal component and hermetically sealing structure

Abstract

This seal component (1) closes a hole, is an integral elastic body, and has conductivity. This seal component (1) is provided with a first bead (10), which is a protruding portion and extends annularly around an axis x. The first bead (10) extends beyond the hole.

Description

Sealing Component and Sealing Structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing component and a sealing structure.

[0002] For example, batteries are used in electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). A battery has a plurality of stacked cells and a housing that accommodates the cells. A battery may malfunction when coming into contact with foreign matters such as water and dust, so the interior of the housing that accommodates the cells is hermetically sealed. Further, the battery is controlled by electronic components such as a substrate and a sensor, and failure or malfunction may occur when affected by electromagnetic waves. For this reason, there are batteries in which the housing is imparted with conductivity to block electromagnetic waves from entering the interior of the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-109452

[0004] Some conventional batteries are provided with a structure that enables work on the internal structure of the assembled battery for work on components such as cell bolts. For example, some conventional battery housings are provided with a hole communicating with the interior of the housing, and the hole in the housing is closed by a rubber sealing component. The hole is provided for working on the internal configuration of the battery, and the sealing component is required to have good workability that facilitates easy attachment and removal.

[0005] Further, battery cells expand and contract during charge and discharge. Therefore, when charge and discharge are repeated, the cells repeatedly expand and contract. In recent years, in order to achieve higher output of batteries, the expansion and contraction amounts of cells have increased, which has led to larger pressure fluctuations inside the housing. For this reason, improvement in sealing performance is also demanded for sealing components. In addition, sealing components are also required to block electromagnetic waves.

[0006] As described above, there is a demand for a configuration for conventional pressurized elastic bodies that can block electromagnetic waves, has good workability, and can improve sealing performance.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to provide a sealing component and a sealing structure that can block electromagnetic waves, have good workability, and can improve sealing performance.

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the sealing component according to the present invention is a sealing component that closes a hole, is an integral elastic body, is conductive, and has a protruding portion comprising a first bead that extends annularly around an axis, wherein the first bead extends beyond the hole.

[0009] In a sealing component according to one aspect of the present invention, the first bead extends beyond the hole in the axial direction and also extends beyond the hole in the radial direction.

[0010] In a sealing component according to one aspect of the present invention, the first bead protrudes toward the outer circumference.

[0011] A sealing component according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a protruding portion having two second beads extending annularly around the axis, the two second beads each protruding toward one side and the other side in the axial direction.

[0012] A sealing component according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a cylindrical portion which is a cylindrical part extending along the axis, and a base portion which is an annular part that extends radially and to which one end of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction is connected, and the first bead protrudes outward from the cylindrical portion.

[0013] In a sealing component according to one aspect of the present invention, the other end of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction extends beyond the hole in the axial direction, and the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion is larger than the diameter of the hole.

[0014] In a sealing component according to one aspect of the present invention, the base portion has a pair of surfaces facing away from each other in the axial direction, the first bead has a tip which is the radial end, and the distance in the axial direction between the surface of the base portion on the side of the cylindrical portion and the tip of the first bead is greater than or equal to the distance of the hole in the axial direction.

[0015] A sealing component according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a protruding portion having two second beads extending annularly around the axis, one of the second beads protruding from the base in the axial direction away from the side of the cylindrical portion, and the other second bead protruding from the cylindrical portion in the axial direction away from the side of the base.

[0016] A sealing component according to one aspect of the present invention is formed from EPDM.

[0017] To achieve the above objective, the sealing structure according to the present invention is a sealing structure for blocking electromagnetic waves and sealing an internal space, comprising a conductive housing that defines a space inside and has at least one hole that opens the space, and at least one sealing component that closes the hole, wherein the sealing component is an integral elastic body, is conductive, and has a first bead that extends annularly around its axis, the first bead being a protruding portion that extends beyond the hole.

[0018] In a sealing structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the first bead extends beyond the hole in the axial direction and also extends beyond the hole in the radial direction.

[0019] In a sealing structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the first bead protrudes toward the outer circumference.

[0020] In a sealing structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the sealing component comprises a protruding portion having two second beads extending annularly around the axis, the two second beads each protruding toward one side and the other side in the axial direction.

[0021] In a sealing structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the sealing component comprises a cylindrical portion which is a cylindrical part extending along the axis, and a base portion which is an annular part that extends radially and to which one end of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction is connected, and the first bead protrudes outward from the cylindrical portion.

[0022] In a sealing structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the other end of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction extends beyond the hole in the axial direction, and the diameter of the outer surface of the cylindrical portion is larger than the diameter of the hole.

[0023] In a sealing structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the base portion has a pair of surfaces facing away from each other in the axial direction, the first bead has a tip which is the radial end, and the distance in the axial direction between the surface of the base portion on the side of the cylindrical portion and the tip of the first bead is greater than or equal to the distance of the hole in the axial direction.

[0024] In a sealing structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the sealing component comprises a protruding portion and two second beads extending annularly around the axis, one of the second beads protruding from the base in the axial direction away from the side of the cylindrical portion, and the other of the second beads protruding from the cylindrical portion in the axial direction away from the side of the base.

[0025] In a sealing structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the sealing component is formed from EPDM.

[0026] According to the sealing component and sealing structure of the present invention, electromagnetic waves can be blocked, workability can be improved, and sealing performance can be enhanced.

[0027] This is a schematic perspective view showing a sealing component according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic perspective view showing a sealing component according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a side view of the sealing component. This is a cross-sectional view of the sealing component. This is a diagram for schematicly showing the configuration of a sealing structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the sealing structure in an exploded state. This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the sealing structure in an enlarged state in use.

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, not all of the components are assigned reference numerals, and some of the reference numerals for components may be omitted.

[0029] Figures 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views showing a seal component 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a side view of the seal component 1, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the seal component 1. Note that Figures 1 and 2 show the seal component 1 viewed from different directions. The seal component 1 is used to close a hole formed in the battery housing, as will be described later. Note that the application of the seal component according to the present invention is not limited to batteries. The application of the seal component according to the present invention includes other applications.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the seal component 1 is a seal component that closes the hole, is a single elastic body, and is conductive. The seal component 1 also has a protruding portion, which is a first bead 10 that extends in an annular shape around the axis x. The first bead 10 extends beyond the hole. The configuration of the seal component 1 will be described in detail below.

[0031] As described above, the seal component 1 has a first bead 10, which specifically extends beyond the hole in the axial x direction and also extends beyond the hole in the radial direction. The hole is, as described above, for example, a hole formed in the battery housing. The battery housing and hole will be described later. The first bead 10 also protrudes toward the outer circumference. The radial direction is perpendicular to the axial x direction, and the outer circumference is the outer side in the radial direction. The seal member 1 also further comprises, for example, two second beads 20. The second beads 20 are protruding portions that extend in an annular shape around the axial x direction. The two second beads each protrude toward one side and the other side in the axial x direction. For the sake of explanation, one side in the axial x direction will be referred to as the upper side, and the other side in the axial x direction will be referred to as the lower side.

[0032] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the seal component 1 comprises a cylindrical portion 30 that extends along the axis x, and a base portion 40 that extends radially and is an annular portion to which one end of the cylindrical portion 30 in the axial direction x is connected. The first bead 10 protrudes from the cylindrical portion 30 toward the outer circumference.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the cylindrical portion 30 has an outer circumferential surface 31 and an inner circumferential surface 32, which are a pair of cylindrical surfaces facing away from each other in the radial direction. The outer circumferential surface 31 is a cylindrical surface facing the outer circumference, and the inner circumferential surface 32 is a cylindrical surface facing the inner circumference. The cylindrical portion 30 is, for example, a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical portion with axis x as its central axis or substantially central axis, as shown in Figures 1 to 4. That is, the outer circumferential surface 31 is, for example, a cylindrical surface or substantially cylindrical surface with axis x as its central axis or substantially central axis, and the inner circumferential surface 32 is, for example, a cylindrical surface or substantially cylindrical surface with axis x as its central axis or substantially central axis. The diameter D1 of the outer circumferential surface 31 is a predetermined value. The diameter D1 of the outer circumferential surface 31 will be described later. Note that diameter D1 is a specified diameter. For example, diameter D1 is a specified distance such as the median, average, maximum, minimum, etc. of a plurality of obtained diameters.

[0034] As described above, one end of the cylindrical portion 31 in the axial x direction is connected to the base portion 40. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the upper end portion 30a of the cylindrical portion 30 is connected to the base portion 40. Also, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the lower end portion 30b of the cylindrical portion 30 is closed, and the cylindrical portion 30 has an end wall portion 33 at the lower end portion 30b. The end wall portion 33 is a disc-shaped or substantially disc-shaped portion that is connected to the inner circumferential surface 32 of the lower end portion 30b from the inner circumferential side, and has an outer end surface 34 and an inner end surface 35, which are a pair of surfaces facing away from each other in the axial x direction. The outer end surface 34 extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis x and faces downward. The inner end surface 35 extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis x and faces upward. The outer end surface 34 extends, for example, on a plane parallel or substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to the axis x. The inner end surface 35 extends, for example, parallel or substantially parallel to the outer end surface 34.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the base portion 40 is an annular or substantially annular portion that protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface 31 of the upper end portion 30a, and has an upper end surface 41 and a lower end surface 42, which are a pair of annular surfaces facing away from each other in the direction of the axis x. The upper end surface 41 extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis x and faces upward. The lower end surface 42 also extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis x and faces downward. The upper end surface 41 extends, for example, on a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the plane perpendicular to the axis x. The lower end surface 42 extends, for example, parallel or substantially parallel to the upper end surface 41.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the first bead 10 specifically protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface 31 of the cylindrical portion 30 and extends in an annular shape around the axis x along the outer circumferential surface 31. As shown in Figure 4, the first bead 10 has a tip 11 which is the radial end. The tip 11 is the annular portion of the first bead 10 that protrudes most outward around the axis x. The tip 11 is, for example, an annular surface facing the outer circumferential side. The diameter D2 of the tip 11 is a predetermined value. The diameter D2 of the tip 11 will be described later. The diameter D2 is specified in the same way as the diameter D1.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the first bead 10 has an upper connecting surface 12, which is an annular surface around axis x, connecting the tip 11 and the outer peripheral surface 31 on the upper side of the tip 11, and a lower connecting surface 13, which is an annular surface around axis x, connecting the tip 11 and the outer end surface 34 or outer peripheral surface 31 of the end wall portion 33 on the lower side of the tip 11. The upper connecting surface 12 is, for example, an inclined surface that widens in diameter from top to bottom along axis x. Specifically, for example, the upper connecting surface 12 is a frustoconical surface or a substantially frustoconical surface with axis x as its central axis or substantially central axis. The lower connecting surface 13 is, for example, an inclined surface that narrows in diameter from top to bottom along axis x. Specifically, for example, the lower connecting surface 13 is a frustoconical surface or a substantially frustoconical surface with axis x as its central axis or substantially central axis. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the diameter D3, which is the diameter of the lower end (lower end 13a) of the lower connecting surface 13, is smaller than, for example, the diameter D1 of the outer peripheral surface 31. The diameter D3 is determined in the same way as the diameter D1.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the distance L1, which is the distance in the axial x direction between the lower end surface 42 of the base 40 and the tip 11 of the first bead 10, is a predetermined value. Distance L1 is a specific distance, which is the distance between a specific part of the tip L1 and the lower end surface 42. For example, the specific part of the tip 11 that is the endpoint of distance L1 is, in the axial x direction, the upper end of the tip 11, the lower end of the tip 11, or the center of the tip 11 in the axial x direction, and in the circumferential direction around the axis x, a specific position or a specific range in the circumferential direction. Note that this specific part of the tip 11 is not limited to these. Also, if multiple distances L1 can be obtained depending on the specific part of the tip 11 that is the endpoint of distance L1, distance L1 is a specific distance such as the median, average, maximum, or minimum value among them. Distance L1 of the seal component 1 will be described later.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the distance L2, which is the distance in the axial x direction between the lower end surface 42 of the base portion 40 and the upper end 12a of the first bead 10, is a predetermined value. The upper end 12a of the first bead 10 is the upper end of the first bead 10 and the upper end of the upper connecting surface 12. Distance L2 is specified in the same way as distance L1. Distance L2 of the seal component 1 will be described later.

[0040] As described above, the seal component 1 has two second beads 20. Specifically, the seal component 1 has second beads 20 to prevent adhesion to other seal components 1 or other products. For this reason, the second beads 20 in the seal component 1 are provided in positions that can prevent adhesion to other seal components 1 or other products. For example, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, one second bead 20 is formed on the upper end surface 41 of the base portion 40 and protrudes upward from the upper end surface 41. The other second bead 20 is formed on the outer end surface 34 of the end wall portion 33 of the cylindrical portion 30 and protrudes downward from the outer end surface 34.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second bead 20 extends, for example, along a circle or approximate circle with axis x as its central axis or approximate central axis. Alternatively, the second bead 20 extends in an endless annular shape. The second bead 20 may also consist of portions that protrude intermittently around axis x. In other words, the second bead 20 may be composed of multiple protruding portions formed at intervals along an annular line around axis x. In this case, the second bead 20 may be composed of multiple protruding portions formed at equal or approximately equal angle intervals around axis x. Furthermore, the second bead 20 does not have to extend in an annular shape. For example, the second bead 20 may be composed of multiple scattered protrusions. Alternatively, the second bead 20 may be composed of a single protrusion.

[0042] Furthermore, the sealing component 1 may have only one second bead 20, or it may have three or more. For example, the second bead 20 may be provided on only one of either the upper end surface 41 of the base portion 40 or the outer end surface 34 of the end wall portion 33 of the cylindrical portion 30. Alternatively, multiple second beads 20 may be provided on the upper end surface 41 of the base portion 40, or multiple second beads 20 may be provided on the outer end surface 34 of the end wall portion 33 of the cylindrical portion 30.

[0043] The sealing member 1 has the above-described configuration. As described above, the sealing member 1 is an integral elastic body formed of an elastic material. The elastic material forming the sealing member 1 is, for example, an elastomer, such as rubber or resin. An example of the elastic material forming the sealing member 1 is EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber). Further, the sealing member 1 has conductivity, and the elastic material forming the sealing member 1 is an elastic material having conductivity. Specifically, the elastic material forming the sealing member 1 contains a conductive filler. Examples of the conductive filler include carbon black, carbon nanotubes, metal powder, metal fibers and the like. Further, the sealing member 1 is, for example, integrally formed from the same elastic material. That is, the first bead 10, the second bead 20, the cylindrical portion 30, and the base portion 40 are parts of the integrally formed sealing member 1, and the first bead 10, the second bead 20, the cylindrical portion 30, and the base portion 40 are integrated with each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the thickness of the sealing member 1 is, for example, uniform or substantially uniform throughout the entire sealing member 1.

[0044] Next, a sealing structure 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The sealing structure 2 is a sealing structure for shielding electromagnetic waves and sealing an internal space. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the sealing structure 2. FIG. 5 shows, as an example, the sealing structure 2 applied to a battery 100. As shown in FIG. 5, the sealing structure 2 includes: a conductive housing 3 that defines a space S therein and has at least one hole 4 that opens the space S; and at least one sealing member 1 that closes the hole 4. As described above, the sealing member 1 is an integral elastic body having conductivity, and includes a first bead 10 extending annularly around an axis x. The first bead 10 is a protruding portion and is configured to extend beyond the hole 4. Hereinafter, the configuration of the sealing structure will be specifically described.

[0045] The housing 3 is the housing for the battery 100. The battery 100 is a battery used in EVs, HEVs, etc., and consists of multiple cells 110 stacked together. The housing 3 defines a space S inside. The housing 3 is configured so that the space S is not open to the outside of the housing 3, except for the holes 4. The multiple cells 110 are fastened together in a stacked state by fastening means. The fastening means is, for example, bolts. The stacked multiple cells 110 are housed and supported within the space S of the housing 3. The housing 3 is configured so that electromagnetic waves from the outside do not enter the inside. The housing 3 is made of, for example, a conductive material. Specifically, for example, the housing 3 is made of an aluminum alloy.

[0046] The holes 4 are provided to allow work on the configuration of each of the multiple cells 110 supported within the space S of the housing 3. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the holes 4 are formed in each cell 110 supported within the space S of the housing 3 at a position where a tool for loosening or tightening the bolts 101 that secure the terminals of the busbar can reach them. In addition, the housing 3 has holes 4 formed in correspondence with the bolts 101, and the number of holes 4 is corresponding to the number of bolts 101. For example, in a cell 110, the two terminals of the busbar, the + terminal and the - terminal, are fastened by two bolts 101, and the housing 3 has two holes 4 formed at positions corresponding to each of these two bolts 101. Note that the number of holes 4 is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more. The holes 4 are closed by sealing parts 1. That is, the sealing structure 2 has a number of sealing parts 1 corresponding to the number of holes 4, and in this example, it has two sealing parts 1. Note that the sealing component 1 is not limited to two; it may be one or three or more. The sealing component 1 is attached to the hole 4 in the housing 3, the hole 4 is sealed by the sealing component 1, the sealed structure 2 is in operation, and the battery 100 is in operation.

[0047] FIG. 6 is an exploded partial cross-sectional view showing the sealing structure 2, in which the hole 4 of the housing 3 and the sealing component 1 are shown in an enlarged manner. FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing the sealing structure 2 in a use state, and is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the hole 4 of the housing 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the diameter D1 of the outer peripheral surface 31 of the cylindrical portion 30 of the sealing component 1 is larger than the diameter D4, which is the diameter of the hole 4 (D1>D4). Further, the diameter D2 of the tip end 11 of the first bead 10 of the sealing component 1 is larger than the diameter D1 of the cylindrical portion 30. Therefore, the diameter D2 of the tip end 11 of the first bead 10 of the sealing component 1 is larger than the diameter D4 of the hole 4 (D2>D4). The diameter D4 is specified in the same manner as the diameter D1.

[0048] Further, the distance L1 between the tip end 11 of the first bead 10 of the sealing component 1 and the lower end surface 42 of the base portion 40 is larger than the length L3, which is the length of the hole 4 in the axis x direction, for example (L1>L3). The length L3 of the hole 4 is the distance in the axis x direction between the outer side surface 51 and the inner side surface 52, which are a pair of opposite surfaces of the wall portion 50 of the housing 3 in which the hole 4 is formed. Further, the distance L2 between the upper end 12a of the upper connecting surface 12 of the first bead 10 of the sealing component 1 and the end surface 42 is, for example, equal to or less than the length L3 of the hole 4 (L2≦L3).

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, in the use state, the sealing component 1 is attached to the hole 4 of the housing 3 and closes the hole 4. Specifically, the cylindrical portion 30 is inserted into the hole 4 from the outside of the housing 3 from the lower end 30b side of the cylindrical portion 30 of the sealing component 1. When the lower end surface 42 of the base portion 40 of the sealing component 1 comes into contact with the outer side surface 51 of the wall portion 50 of the housing 3, the insertion of the sealing component 1 into the hole 4 is completed, and the sealing component 1 is brought into a use state in which it is attached to the hole 4. As shown in FIG. 7, in the use state, the first bead 10 of the sealing component 1 extends beyond the inner end 4a of the hole 4. Specifically, in the axis x direction and the radial direction, the first bead 10 extends beyond the inner end 4a of the hole 4. The inner end 4a of the hole 4 is the end of the hole 4 on the space S side.

[0050] As described above, the diameter D1 of the outer circumferential surface 31 of the cylindrical portion 30 of the sealing component 1 is larger than the diameter D4 of the hole 4. Therefore, in the operating state, the cylindrical portion 30 is press-fitted into the hole 4, and the outer circumferential surface 31 of the cylindrical portion 30 is pressed against the hole 4. As a result, the sealing component 1 closes the hole 4 and seals the space S.

[0051] Furthermore, as described above, the distance L1 between the tip 11 of the first bead 10 of the seal component 1 and the lower end surface 42 of the base 40 is greater than the length L3 of the hole 4 (L1 > L3). Therefore, in the operating state, the tip 11 of the first bead 10 extends beyond the inner end 4a of the hole 4 in the axial x direction and is located below the inner end 4a of the hole 4. On the other hand, as described above, the distance L2 between the upper end 12a of the first bead 10 of the seal component 1 and the lower end surface 42 of the base 40 is less than or equal to the length L3 of the hole 4 (L2 ≤ L3). Therefore, the upper end 12a of the first bead 10 is located at the same position as the inner end 4a of the hole 4 or above the inner end 4a of the hole 4 in the axial x direction. In other words, the first bead 10 is in contact with the inner end 4a of the hole 4 at the upper connecting surface 12.

[0052] Furthermore, as described above, the diameter D2 of the tip 11 of the first bead 10 of the seal component 1 is larger than the diameter D4 of the hole 4 (D2 > D4). Therefore, in the operating state, the tip 11 of the first bead 10 extends radially beyond the inner end 4a of the hole 4 and is located on the outer circumference side of the inner end 4a of the hole 4.

[0053] As described above, in the operating state, the tip 11 of the first bead 10 extends beyond the inner end 4a of the hole 4 downwards in the axial x direction, and also extends beyond the inner end 4a of the hole 4 radially outward. In addition, in the operating state, a part of the upper contact surface 12 of the first bead 10 does not extend beyond the inner end 4a of the hole 4 downwards in the axial x direction. Also, in the operating state, the base 40 is in contact with the wall portion 50 of the housing 3. Therefore, in the operating state, the first bead 10 is in contact with the inner end 4a of the hole 4 and the vicinity of the inner end 4a of the hole 4 on the inner surface 52 of the wall portion 50 of the housing 3. As a result, the sealing component 1 is firmly fixed to the hole 4 against both upward and downward forces. This allows the space S1 to be sealed even if the space S inside the housing 3 becomes a large positive pressure or a large negative pressure in the battery 100. In this way, the first bead 10 of the sealing component 1 can improve the sealing performance of the sealing component 1.

[0054] Furthermore, the seal component 1 is integrally formed, allowing workers to easily attach and detach it from the hole 4 in the housing 3. Also, as shown in Figure 6, the diameter D3 of the lower end 13a of the lower connection surface 13 of the first bead 10, which is the lower end of the cylindrical portion 30 of the seal component 1, is smaller than the diameter D1 of the outer circumferential surface 31. In this way, the cylindrical portion 30 tapers towards the lower end 13a side, which is the part of the seal component 1 that is first inserted into the hole 4. Therefore, the seal component 1 is easy to insert into the hole 4. If the diameter D3 of the lower end 13a of the lower connection surface 13 of the first bead 10 is smaller than the diameter D4 of the hole 4, the seal component 1 can be inserted into the hole 4 even more easily. Thus, the seal component 1 has good workability. In addition, the seal component 1 is conductive and can block electromagnetic waves together with the housing 3.

[0055] Furthermore, in the seal component 1, a second bead 20 projecting upward is provided on the upper end surface 41 of the base portion 40, and a second bead 20 projecting downward is provided on the outer end surface 34 of the end wall portion 33 of the cylindrical portion 30. In this way, the second bead 20 is provided on the relatively wide, flat portion of the seal component 1. Therefore, even when the seal component 1 faces other seal component 1 at the upper end surface 41 of the base portion 40, at the outer end surface 34 of the end wall portion 33 of the cylindrical portion 30, or between the upper end surface 41 and the outer end surface 34, the presence of the second bead 20 prevents the seal components 1 from adhering to each other, or suppresses adhesion between the seal components 1. Therefore, during transport or installation of the seal components 1, the need to separate adhered seal components 1 can be eliminated, or the occurrence of such work can be suppressed. In this respect as well, the seal component 1 offers good workability.

[0056] As described above, according to the sealing component 1 and sealing structure 2 of the present invention, electromagnetic waves can be blocked, workability can be improved, and sealing performance can be enhanced.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] For example, the relationship between the diameters D1, D2, D3, and D4 of the seal component 1 and the hole 4 described above is not limited to the relationship described above. The relationship between the distances L1 and L2 of the seal component 1 and the length L3 of the hole 4 described above is not limited to the relationship described above. Specifically, for example, the distance L2 between the upper end 12a of the first bead 10 of the seal component 1 and the lower end surface 42 of the base 40 may be greater than the length L3 of the hole 3. In this case, in the operating state, a gap in the axial x direction is formed between the first bead 10 of the seal component 1 and the inner surface 52 of the wall portion 50 of the housing 3, but a gap in the axial x direction may be formed between the first bead 10 and the inner surface 52 of the wall portion 50 within the range in which the seal component 1 achieves the desired sealing performance.

[0060] 1 Seal part, 2 Sealing structure, 3 Housing, 4 Hole, 4a Inner end, 10 First bead, 11 Tip, 12 Upper connection surface, 12a Upper end, 13 Lower connection surface, 13a Lower end, 20 Second bead, 30 Cylindrical section, 30a Upper end, 30b Lower end, 31 Outer circumference, 32 Inner circumference, 33 End wall section, 34 Outer end surface, 35 Inner end surface, 40 Base section, 41 Upper end surface, 42 Lower end surface, 50 Wall section, 51 Outer surface, 52 Inner surface, 100 Battery, 101 Volt, 110 Cell, D1, D2, D3, D4 Diameter, L1, L2 Distance, L3 Length, S Space, x Axis

Claims

1. A sealing component for closing a hole, comprising a single elastic body, having conductivity, and having a protruding portion comprising a first bead extending annularly around an axis, wherein the first bead extends beyond the hole.

2. The sealing component according to claim 1, wherein the first bead extends beyond the hole in the axial direction and beyond the hole in the radial direction.

3. The sealing component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first bead protrudes toward the outer circumference.

4. A protruding portion comprising two second beads extending annularly around the axis, wherein the two second beads each protrude toward one side and the other side in the axial direction, according to claim 1.

5. The sealing component according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a cylindrical portion which is a cylindrical part extending along the axis, and a base portion which is an annular part that extends radially and to which one end of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction is connected, wherein the first bead protrudes outward from the cylindrical portion.

6. The other end of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction extends beyond the hole in the axial direction, and the diameter of the outer surface of the cylindrical portion is greater than the diameter of the hole, as described in claim 5.

7. The seal component according to claim 5, wherein the base portion has a pair of surfaces facing away from each other in the axial direction, the first bead has a tip which is the radial end, and the distance in the axial direction between the surface of the base portion on the side of the cylindrical portion and the tip of the first bead is greater than or equal to the distance of the hole in the axial direction.

8. A protruding portion comprising two second beads extending annularly around the axis, wherein one of the second beads protrudes from the base in the axial direction away from the side of the cylindrical portion, and the other of the second beads protrudes from the cylindrical portion in the axial direction away from the side of the base.

9. The sealing component according to claim 1, which is formed from EPDM.

10. A sealing structure for blocking electromagnetic waves and sealing an internal space, comprising: a conductive housing that defines an internal space and has at least one hole that opens the space; and at least one sealing component that closes the hole, wherein the sealing component is a single elastic body, is conductive, and has a first bead that extends annularly around its axis, the first bead being a protruding portion that extends beyond the hole.

11. The sealing structure according to claim 10, wherein the first bead extends beyond the hole in the axial direction and beyond the hole in the radial direction.

12. The sealing structure according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first bead protrudes toward the outer circumference.

13. The sealing structure according to claim 10, wherein the sealing component is a protruding portion comprising two second beads extending annularly around the axis, the two second beads each protruding toward one side and the other side in the axial direction.

14. The sealing component comprises a cylindrical portion which is a cylindrical part extending along the axis and a base portion which is an annular part that extends radially and to which one end of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction is connected, and the first bead protrudes outward from the cylindrical portion, the sealing structure according to claim 10 or 11.

15. The other end of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction extends beyond the hole in the axial direction, and the diameter of the outer surface of the cylindrical portion is greater than the diameter of the hole, as described in claim 14.

16. The sealing structure according to claim 14, wherein the base portion has a pair of surfaces facing away from each other in the axial direction, the first bead has a tip which is the radial end, and the distance in the axial direction between the surface of the pair of surfaces of the base portion on the side of the cylindrical portion and the tip of the first bead is greater than or equal to the distance of the hole in the axial direction.

17. The sealing structure according to claim 14, wherein the sealing component comprises a protruding portion having two second beads extending annularly around the axis, one of the second beads protruding from the base in the axial direction away from the side of the cylindrical portion, and the other of the second beads protruding from the cylindrical portion in the axial direction away from the side of the base portion.

18. The sealing structure according to claim 10, wherein the sealing component is formed from EPDM.

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