JP2004360716A - Gasket - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gasket which can respond to a request of reduction in the reaction force of a gasket 1, which can prevent a falling phenomenon on a lip 6 and which can maintain a sealing function even if a minute unevenness, a step difference 9, etc. are in a counterparty surface 7a. <P>SOLUTION: The gasket 1 is mounted at one member 2 of two members 2, 7 opposed to each other and is brought into close contact with the other member 7, in such a manner that a mounting part 4 mounted at the one member 2 and a sealing part 5 brought into close contact with the other member 7 are integrally molded in the gasket 1. A seal rip 6 having one direction sealability is provided at the sealing part 5, and a rib-like or lip-like sub-sealing part 8 is provided at the part opposed to the sealing part 5 or the other member 7 of the mounting part 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gasket, which is a kind of a sealing device, and more particularly to a gasket suitable for use as a gasket for a fuel cell or a top cover gasket in a hard disk drive (HDD).
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a fuel cell, a reduction in size and space is required, and a separator as a component thereof is also required to be thinner. In particular, the separator is formed of a brittle material such as carbon or a carbon-containing resin. In this case, the gasket is required to have a lower reaction force in order to prevent the breakage.
[0003]
On the other hand, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 17, the lip shape of the gasket is made thinner (for example, the thickness of the lip 51 is changed from d ₁ shown in FIG. 17A to d ₂ shown in FIG. In general, in this case, when the lip 51 is compressed by the upper and lower separators 52 and 53 when the cell is assembled, the lip 51 falls down. There is a problem that the phenomenon occurs. (If the lip 51 falls down toward the sealing fluid (in the direction of the arrow x), the sealing fluid can be pressed against the separator 52 by the sealing fluid pressure, so that a certain sealing function can be secured. If it falls down to the atmosphere (in the direction of arrow y), the sealing function cannot be maintained. In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the lip is formed in a bead shape having a cross section with no directivity, so that the falling direction is specified in advance. Rukoto can not).
[0004]
Further, on the surface of the separator 52, which is the mating surface with which the lip 51 is in close contact, irregularities or steps having a size of several μm to several tens μm may be formed due to the following circumstances.
{Circle around (1)} In the highly filled carbon separator, the smoothness of the surface is easily impaired by the agglomeration boundary of carbon particles.
{Circle around (2)} In the carbon-based separator obtained by injection molding, the smoothness of the surface is easily impaired due to the formation of welds. That is, in the molding of a composition highly filled with conductive particles, especially when the conductive particles are blended with particles that tend to be oriented by flow, such as carbon fibers, the leading end of the flow and the flow direction change. Irregularities are likely to be formed in the part where the flow is flowing and the part where the flows merge.
{Circle around (3)} In the molding by the molding die, a step due to the parting line is easily formed.
{Circle around (4)} In pellet molding, irregularities due to pellet marks are easily formed.
{Circle around (5)} In machining, a step due to a tool mark is easily formed.
{Circle around (6)} Scars may be formed by handling.
{Circle around (7)} In a carbon-based separator, warpage and undulation are likely to occur.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2003-049949 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above points, the present invention can meet the demand for low reaction force, can prevent the lip from falling down, and have small irregularities or steps on the mating surface. Another object of the present invention is to provide a gasket capable of maintaining a sealing function.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the gasket of the present invention is a gasket attached to one of the two members facing each other and closely contacting the other member, and the attachment portion attached to the one member and In a gasket obtained by integrally molding a seal portion in close contact with the other member, the seal portion is provided with a seal lip having a one-way sealing property, and a portion of the seal portion or the mounting portion facing the other member is provided. , A rib-shaped or lip-shaped sub-seal portion is provided.
[0008]
In the gasket of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the seal lip having one-way sealing is, for example, integrally formed in a diagonal direction from the mounting portion, and is elastically deformed so as to fall down when sandwiched by two members during assembly. I do. Therefore, while the above-mentioned conventional bead-shaped lip is only compressed and deformed in a squeeze shape, it is easily elastically deformed, so that it is possible to realize a low reaction force after assembly.
[0009]
Further, since the falling direction is specified in advance, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the falling phenomenon that it is not known whether the sealing lip falls on the sealing fluid side or the atmosphere side.
[0010]
Further, even when a gap is formed between the mating surface and the seal lip due to minute unevenness or a step on the mating surface, the rib-shaped or lip-shaped sub-seal portion follows and closely contacts the mating surface. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the sealing function.
[0011]
The present application includes the following embodiments.
[0012]
(A) A gasket used for a cell seal for a fuel cell, which is integrated with a mounting member such as a separator or an electrolyte membrane. The gasket has a shape falling down to the sealing fluid side and is pressed against a sealing surface of the other party under the pressure of the sealing fluid. A gasket comprising: a lip; and a rib or a minute lip provided on the seal lip.
[0013]
(B) A gasket used for a fuel cell seal, which is integrated with a mounting member such as a separator or an electrolyte membrane. The gasket has a shape that falls down to the sealing fluid side and is pressed against a mating sealing surface under the pressure of the sealing fluid. A gasket having a lip, wherein the seal lip is formed into a shape that has been previously collapsed from the time of molding, and the seal lip is further provided with a rib or a minute lip.
[0014]
(C) A gasket used for a cell seal for a fuel cell, which is integrated with a mounting member such as a separator or an electrolyte membrane. A gasket having a lip, wherein the seal lip has a shape formed so as to fall down in advance from the time of molding, and a rib or a minute lip is provided on the seal lip.
[0015]
(D) In order to integrate the gasket with the mounting parts such as the separator and the electrolyte membrane, the gasket has a lip shape of a low reaction force lip shape such that the lip falls down at the time of sealing. A gasket comprising:
[0016]
(E) In a gasket for a fuel cell part, when the lip shape basically falls down to the side where the internal pressure is applied to the thickness in the sealing direction, the step height of the separator is set within a range where the surface pressure of the lip contact surface is high. A gasket characterized by having a generally triangular rib or a small lip which is not less than a height and has a sharp apex angle (for example, preferably in a range of 45 degrees and 30 to 60 degrees) and is easily crushed.
[0017]
(F) A rib or a small lip with a low lip height is easy to settle and has low durability. However, the inclined low reaction force lip fits with unevenness or a step before the rib or the small lip is settled, so that a low lip is formed. A gasket characterized by realizing sealing performance while being powerful.
[0018]
(G) In the above items (A) to (F), the ribs or the minute lips are provided to increase the followability to the irregularities or steps on the mating seal surface and to secure the sealability. The cross-sectional shape of the rib or the minute lip is not particularly limited, and is, for example, a triangular cross-section. Further, since the rib or the minute lip is provided to absorb unevenness or a step on the mating seal surface, the rib or the minute lip is placed on a plane with the base of the seal lip of the gasket (connection portion with the mounting portion). It is possible to satisfy the function with respect to the sag while having a low reaction force by providing the position where the positions overlap. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when it is difficult to provide at the above position from the viewpoint of space saving, when it cannot be provided at the above position due to installation space, or when more emphasis is placed on low reaction force, etc. The gasket may be provided at a position where the base of the seal lip and the position on the plane do not overlap, that is, at the tip side of the seal lip.
[0019]
(H) The gasket and the separator are integrated by filling, adhering, impregnating, or the like into the groove. Alternatively, the rubber alone and the plate may be assembled.
[0020]
(I) In the case of integrally molding at the center, a method of integrating with an adhesive rubber material and a resin film, or a method of impregnating a gas diffusion layer with rubber to achieve integration can be considered. In this case, PET, PEN, PI, or the like is used as the resin film.
[0021]
(J) The gasket material is not particularly limited, but silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, EPDM or the like is preferable.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
First embodiment ...
FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a gasket 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the gasket 1 after assembly (after stack assembly). FIG. 3 shows a cross section taken along line AA of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 shows a cross section taken along line BB. Have been. The gasket 1 is used as a fuel cell gasket, and is configured as follows.
[0024]
That is, first, one separator 2 is provided as a mounting member (one member in claim 1) for attaching the gasket 1, and the gasket 1 is integrally formed on one surface 2a of the separator 2 and adhered by an adhesive. It is attached by attachment means such as vulcanization bonding or fitting.
[0025]
The gasket 1 is formed of a predetermined rubber-like elastic body, and has a relatively wide mounting portion 4 disposed in a mounting groove 3 provided on one surface 2 a of the separator 2, and a seal integrally formed with the mounting portion 4. And a sealing lip 6 provided on the sealing portion 5.
[0026]
The seal lip 6 has a one-way sealing property, that is, has a left-right asymmetrical shape as shown in the figure, which is inclined toward the sealing fluid side (the right side in the drawing), and receives a pressure of the sealing fluid on its inner surface 6a to make contact with its outer surface 6b. It is formed so as to be pressed against the mating sealing surface 7a of another separator 7 which is the mating partner (the other member in claim 1). The sealing fluid side of the gasket 1 is the internal pressure side of the gasket 1, ie inside the gasket 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the seal lip 6 is formed into a shape that has been previously collapsed toward the sealing fluid side of the gasket 1 from the time of molding. The base 6c of the seal lip 6 is disposed at the end of the upper surface of the mounting portion 4 on the atmosphere side (left side in the figure), and is provided obliquely from the base 6c toward the sealed fluid side. All parts are provided so as to overlap the mounting part 4 on a plane.
[0027]
On the outer surface 6b of the seal lip 6, a rib-shaped auxiliary seal portion 8 having a substantially triangular cross section is provided.
[0028]
In the gasket 1 having the above structure, since the seal lip 6 is formed integrally with the one-way sealing property in the oblique direction from the mounting portion 4, as shown in FIG. Is elastically deformed so as to fall between the upper and lower separators 2 and 7. Therefore, the conventional bead-shaped lip is easily deformed elastically, as opposed to only being deformed by compression, so that a low reaction force after assembly can be realized.
[0029]
Further, since the falling direction of the seal lip 6 is specified in advance, the falling direction of the seal lip 6 is not specified, thereby preventing the occurrence of the falling phenomenon that the sealing function cannot be maintained. it can.
[0030]
In addition, the other sealing surface 7a of the other separator 7 has minute irregularities, steps 9, and the like (shown as steps in FIGS. 2 to 4 and formed by, for example, tool marks) in FIG. Even when the gap 10 is formed between the mating seal surface 7a and the seal lip 6 as shown in FIG. 4, the rib-shaped sub-seal provided on the outer surface 6b of the seal lip 6 as shown in FIG. Since the portion 8 follows and closely adheres to the mating seal surface 7a, a gap can be eliminated, and thus the sealing function can be maintained.
[0031]
In this embodiment, the rib-shaped sub-seal portion 8 is provided in a region E where the base portion 6c of the seal lip 6 in the gasket 1 overlaps a plane position. As described above, this may be provided on the side of the tip 6d of 6.
[0032]
Second embodiment ...
FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a gasket 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 6 shows a cross section of the gasket 1 after assembly (after stack assembly). FIG. 7 shows a cross section taken along the line CC of FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 shows a cross section taken along the line DD. Have been. The gasket 1 is used as a fuel cell gasket, and is configured as follows.
[0033]
That is, first, one separator 2 is provided as a mounting member (one member in claim 1) for attaching the gasket 1, and the gasket 1 is integrally formed on one surface 2a of the separator 2 and adhered by an adhesive. It is attached by attachment means such as vulcanization bonding or fitting.
[0034]
The gasket 1 is formed of a predetermined rubber-like elastic body, and has a relatively wide mounting portion 4 disposed in a mounting groove 3 provided on one surface 2 a of the separator 2, and a seal integrally formed with the mounting portion 4. And a sealing lip 6 provided on the sealing portion 5.
[0035]
The seal lip 6 has a one-way sealing property, that is, has a left-right asymmetrical shape as shown in the figure, which is inclined toward the sealing fluid side (the right side in the drawing), and receives a pressure of the sealing fluid on its inner surface 6a to make contact with its outer surface 6b. It is formed so as to be pressed against the mating sealing surface 7a of another separator 7 which is the mating partner (the other member in claim 1). The sealing fluid side of the gasket 1 is the internal pressure side of the gasket 1, ie inside the gasket 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the seal lip 6 is formed into a shape that has been previously collapsed toward the sealing fluid side of the gasket 1 from the time of molding. The base 6c of the seal lip 6 is disposed at the end of the upper surface of the mounting portion 4 on the sealed fluid side, and is provided obliquely from the base 6c toward the sealed fluid side. 6d is provided so as not to overlap the mounting portion 4 on a plane.
[0036]
On the outer surface 6b of the seal lip 6, a rib-shaped auxiliary seal portion 8 having a substantially triangular cross section is provided.
[0037]
In the gasket 1 having the above-described configuration, the seal lip 6 is formed integrally with the one-way sealing property in the oblique direction from the mounting portion 4 as shown in FIG. Is elastically deformed so as to fall between the upper and lower separators 2 and 7. Therefore, the conventional bead-shaped lip is easily deformed elastically, as opposed to only being deformed by compression, so that a low reaction force after assembly can be realized.
[0038]
Further, since the falling direction of the seal lip 6 is specified in advance, the falling direction of the seal lip 6 is not specified, thereby preventing the occurrence of the falling phenomenon that the sealing function cannot be maintained. it can.
[0039]
Further, the other sealing surface 7a of the other separator 7 has minute unevenness, a step 9 and the like (illustrated as a step in FIGS. 6 to 8 and formed by a tool mark, for example) in FIG. Even when the gap 10 is formed between the mating seal surface 7a and the seal lip 6 as shown in FIG. 8, the rib-shaped sub-seal provided on the outer surface 6b of the seal lip 6 as shown in FIG. Since the portion 8 follows and closely adheres to the mating seal surface 7a, a gap can be eliminated, and thus the sealing function can be maintained.
[0040]
In this embodiment, the rib-shaped sub-seal portion 8 is provided on the boundary line inside and outside the region E where the base position 6c of the seal lip 6 in the gasket 1 overlaps on a plane. That is, as described above, this may be provided on the base 6c side of the seal lip 6 or outside the region E, that is, on the tip 6d side of the seal lip 6. In addition, in the assembled state of FIG. 6, the rib-shaped sub-seal portion 8 is provided outside the region where the mounting portion 4 of the gasket 1 overlaps a plane position, but may be provided in this region. . Further, a bead-shaped lip (not shown) may be separately provided on the upper surface of the mounting portion 4.
[0041]
Third embodiment ...
FIG. 9 shows a cross section of a gasket 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows a cross section of the gasket 1 after assembly (after stack assembly). FIG. 11 shows a cross section taken along line FF of FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 shows a cross section taken along line GG of FIG. Have been. The gasket 1 is used as a fuel cell gasket, and is configured as follows.
[0042]
That is, first, one separator 2 is provided as a mounting member (one member in claim 1) for attaching the gasket 1, and the gasket 1 is integrally formed on one surface 2a of the separator 2 and adhered by an adhesive. It is attached by attachment means such as vulcanization bonding or fitting.
[0043]
The gasket 1 is formed of a predetermined rubber-like elastic body, and is formed integrally with the mounting portion 4 having a relatively narrow mounting portion 4 disposed in a mounting groove 3 provided on one surface 2 a of the separator 2. The seal portion 5 is integrally provided, and the seal portion 5 is provided with a seal lip 6.
[0044]
The seal lip 6 has a one-way sealing property, that is, has a left-right asymmetrical shape as shown in the figure, which is inclined toward the sealing fluid side (the right side in the drawing), and receives a pressure of the sealing fluid on its inner surface 6a to make contact with its outer surface 6b. It is formed so as to be pressed against the mating sealing surface 7a of another separator 7 which is the mating partner (the other member in claim 1). The sealing fluid side of the gasket 1 is the internal pressure side of the gasket 1, ie inside the gasket 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the seal lip 6 is formed into a shape in which the seal lip 6 has fallen in advance toward the sealing fluid side of the gasket 1 from the time of molding, and the tip 6d faces the separator 2 at the position. . The base 6c of the seal lip 6 is disposed on the entire upper surface of the mounting portion 4 and is provided obliquely from the base 6c toward the sealed fluid side. Are provided so as not to overlap on a plane.
[0045]
On the outer surface 6b of the seal lip 6, a rib-shaped auxiliary seal portion 8 having a substantially triangular cross section is provided.
[0046]
In the gasket 1 having the above-described configuration, the seal lip 6 is integrally formed in the oblique direction from the mounting portion 4 with a one-way sealing property. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Is elastically deformed so as to fall between the upper and lower separators 2 and 7. Therefore, the conventional bead-shaped lip is easily deformed elastically, as opposed to only being deformed by compression, so that a low reaction force after assembly can be realized.
[0047]
Further, since the falling direction of the seal lip 6 is specified in advance, the falling direction of the seal lip 6 is not specified, thereby preventing the occurrence of the falling phenomenon that the sealing function cannot be maintained. it can.
[0048]
In addition, the other sealing surface 7a of the other separator 7 has minute irregularities, steps 9, and the like (illustrated as steps in FIGS. 10 to 12 and formed by, for example, tool marks) in FIG. Even when the gap 10 is formed between the mating seal surface 7a and the seal lip 6 as shown in FIG. 12, the rib-shaped sub-seal provided on the outer surface 6b of the seal lip 6 as shown in FIG. Since the portion 8 follows and closely adheres to the mating seal surface 7a, a gap can be eliminated, and thus the sealing function can be maintained.
[0049]
In this embodiment, the rib-shaped sub-seal portion 8 is provided in a region E where the base portion 6c of the seal lip 6 in the gasket 1 overlaps a plane position. As described above, this may be provided on the side of the tip 6d of 6.
[0050]
Fourth embodiment ...
FIG. 13 shows a cross section of a gasket 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 shows a cross section of the gasket 1 after assembly (after stack assembly). FIG. 15 shows a cross section taken along line HH of FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 shows a cross section taken along line II of FIG. Have been. The gasket 1 is used as a fuel cell gasket, and is configured as follows.
[0051]
That is, first, a polymer electrolyte membrane electrode complex 11 is provided as an attachment member (one member in claim 1) for attaching the gasket 1, and the gasket 1 is integrally formed on an end 11a of the complex 11. It is attached by attaching means such as bonding with an adhesive, vulcanization bonding or fitting.
[0052]
The gasket 1 is formed of a predetermined rubber-like elastic body, and integrally has a mounting portion 4 fixed to an end 11 a of the composite 11 and a seal portion 5 integrally formed with the mounting portion 4. The seal portion 5 is provided with a pair of upper and lower seal lips 6 in the figure.
[0053]
Each of the seal lips 6 has a one-way sealing property, that is, has a left-right asymmetrical shape as shown in the figure, which is inclined toward the sealing fluid side (the right side in the drawing), and receives the pressure of the sealing fluid at its inner surface 6a and at its outer surface 6b. It is formed so as to be pressed against the mating sealing surfaces 7a of the pair of upper and lower separators 7 which are mating contacts (the other member in claim 1). The sealing fluid side of the gasket 1 is the internal pressure side of the gasket 1, ie inside the gasket 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the seal lip 6 is formed into a shape that has been previously collapsed toward the sealing fluid side of the gasket 1 from the time of molding.
[0054]
The outer surface 6b of the seal lip 6 is provided with a rib-shaped auxiliary seal portion 8 having a substantially triangular cross section.
[0055]
In the gasket 1 having the above structure, since the seal lip 6 is integrally formed so as to have a one-way sealing property and obliquely from the mounting portion 4, as shown in FIG. Numeral 6 is elastically deformed so as to fall between the upper and lower separators 2 and 7. Therefore, the conventional bead-shaped lip is easily deformed elastically, as opposed to only being deformed by compression, so that a low reaction force after assembly can be realized.
[0056]
Further, since the falling direction of the seal lip 6 is specified in advance, the falling direction of the seal lip 6 is not specified, thereby preventing the occurrence of the falling phenomenon that the sealing function cannot be maintained. it can.
[0057]
In addition, there are minute irregularities, steps 9 and the like (shown as steps in FIGS. 14 to 16, and the steps are formed by, for example, tool marks) on the mating seal surface 7 a of the separator 7, as shown in FIG. 15. Even when the gap 10 is formed between the mating seal surface 7a and the seal lip 6, the rib-shaped auxiliary seal portion 8 provided on the outer surface 6b of the seal lip 6 as shown in FIG. Can closely follow the mating seal surface 7a, so that a gap can be eliminated and the sealing function can be maintained.
[0058]
In this embodiment, each of the rib-shaped sub-seal portions 8 has a region E where the position on the plane overlaps with the base 6c of the seal lip 6 in the gasket 1 or the end 11a of the composite body 11 to which the base 6c is fixed. However, it may be provided outside this area E, that is, on the side of the tip 6d of the seal lip 6.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has the following effects.
[0060]
That is, according to the gasket of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the seal portion is provided with the seal lip having the one-way sealing property, and the seal lip falls down when sandwiched by the two members during assembly. Elastically deform. Therefore, in contrast to the conventional bead-shaped lip which is only compressed and deformed in a squeeze shape, it is easily elastically deformed, so that a low reaction force after assembly can be realized.
[0061]
Further, since the falling direction is specified in advance, it is possible to prevent the so-called falling phenomenon from occurring on the seal lip.
[0062]
In addition, even when there is a small gap between the mating surface and the seal lip due to a minute unevenness or a step on the mating surface, the rib-shaped or lip-shaped sub-seal portion follows the mating surface. Due to the close contact, the sealing function can be maintained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a sectional view of a gasket according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state after the gasket is assembled; FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the gasket according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after the gasket is assembled. FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the gasket according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state after the gasket is assembled. FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. 10; FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a gasket according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. 14; FIG. I line cross-sectional view FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a gasket according to a conventional example [Description of symbols]
1 gasket 2 separator (one member)
3 mounting groove 4 mounting part 5 seal part 6 seal lip 6a inner surface 6b outer surface 6c base 6d tip 7 separator (other member)
7a Mating seal surface (Mating surface)
8 Secondary seal part 9 Step 10 Gap 11 Polymer electrolyte membrane electrode composite (one member)

Claims (1)

A gasket (1) attached to one member (2) of the two members (2) and (7) opposed to each other and closely contacting the other member (7), attached to the one member (2). A gasket (1) formed integrally with a mounting portion (4) to be mounted and a sealing portion (5) in close contact with the other member (7);
The seal portion (5) is provided with a seal lip (6) having one-way sealability,
A gasket characterized in that a rib-shaped or lip-shaped sub-sealing portion (8) is provided at a portion of the sealing portion (5) or the mounting portion (4) facing the other member (7).

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