JP2008157298A - Liquid gasket - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid gasket facilitating accurate and easy determination of curing completion thereof. <P>SOLUTION: In an engine10, the liquid gasket 20 is used between mating surfaces of a cylinder head main body 12a and a cam shaft housing 12b of a cylinder head 12, between mating surfaces of a cylinder block 11 and a lower case 14, and between mating surfaces of the lower case 14 and an oil pan 15. The liquid gasket 12 for sealing between the mating surfaces of members arranged opposite to each other contains a curing instruction component to be changed in color with curing of the liquid gasket 20. As the curing instruction component to be changed in color by reaction with moisture intruded into the liquid gasket 20 from air, cobalt chloride or the like is used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a curable liquid gasket that seals between mating surfaces of opposing members.

  2. Description of the Related Art A technique using a hardened liquid gasket (FIPG) is known as a gasket that is interposed between mating surfaces of opposing members and seals between the mating surfaces. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). As the curable liquid gasket (hereinafter simply referred to as “liquid gasket”), for example, a material mainly composed of a silicone resin is used. As such a silicone resin, for example, a condensation curing type in which an organopolysiloxane having a hydroxyl group at a terminal and a crosslinking agent are mixed is known.

And a liquid gasket is used for an engine, for example, and is interposed between the mating surfaces of the opposingly arranged members of the engine. Specifically, the liquid gasket is used at a location as shown in FIG. Patent Document 1 discloses a sealing method for a three-surface mating portion in an engine. Specifically, in an engine composed of a cylinder block, a cylinder head, and a chain case, a space between the opposed surfaces of the cylinder block and the cylinder head is sealed by a cylinder head gasket, and a space between the opposed surfaces of the cylinder block and the chain case is sealed by a liquid gasket. Further, it is shown that the liquid gasket is applied in advance to both ends of the cylinder head gasket in the vicinity of the joint between the cylinder head gasket and the liquid gasket.
JP 2000-130258 A

  By the way, in the case of a liquid gasket, a certain amount of time is required until the liquid gasket is completely cured after the liquid gasket is applied to one surface of the mating surfaces of the opposing members. The reason is that the liquid gasket does not cure immediately, but reacts with moisture in the air and gradually cures. That is, the liquid gasket interposed between the mating surfaces gradually hardens from the region on the outer edge side that is in contact with air to the region on the inner side (center side) that is not in contact with air. Therefore, after applying the liquid gasket to a member that uses the liquid gasket, until the predetermined time elapses, in order to fully cure the liquid gasket and ensure the sealing performance, ), Instead of moving on to the work of ()

  However, the waiting time, that is, the curing time of the liquid gasket, is greatly affected by the clearance shape between the mating surfaces of the parts that use the liquid gasket, and in addition to this, the amount used and the period of use (summer, winter, etc.) It is also affected by the shape of the member used. For this reason, it has been difficult to accurately determine whether or not the liquid gasket has completely cured from the outer edge side region to the inner side region, that is, whether or not the liquid gasket has been completely cured. Further, when there are a plurality of places where the liquid gasket is used, it is impossible to individually determine whether or not the liquid gasket has been completely cured for each place of use.

  Conventionally, the curing time of the liquid gasket has been set empirically in consideration of the above-described clearance shape, amount used and time of use, the shape of the member to be used, and the like, but has the following problems. If the curing time of the liquid gasket is set to be long, there is a possibility that a wasteful waiting time until the next process is started occurs and productivity is lowered. On the other hand, if the curing time of the liquid gasket is set to be short, there is a possibility that the sealing performance of the member using the liquid gasket may be insufficient.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid gasket capable of accurately and easily determining the completion of curing.

  In the present invention, means for solving the above-described problems are configured as follows. That is, the present invention is a liquid gasket that is interposed between the mating surfaces of the members arranged opposite to each other and seals between the mating surfaces, and includes a curing instruction component that changes color as the liquid gasket is cured. It is characterized by being.

  According to the said structure, a liquid gasket is apply | coated to one surface of the mating surface of those members prior to the coupling | bonding of the members arrange | positioned facing each other. The applied liquid gasket is deformed in accordance with the clearance shape by being sandwiched between the mating surfaces of the members arranged to face each other. The liquid gasket sandwiched between the mating surfaces is cured by reacting with moisture that has entered the liquid gasket from the air. The liquid gasket is gradually cured from a region on the outer edge side in contact with air to a region on the inner side not in contact with air. Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the liquid gasket is completely cured from the outer edge side region to the inner side region. As a result, a gasket having a shape matching the clearance shape is formed between the mating surfaces of the opposing members, and the gap between the mating surfaces is sealed.

  Here, since the liquid gasket of the present invention includes a curing instruction component, the color exhibited by the liquid gasket changes with the curing. This makes it possible to visually confirm whether or not the liquid gasket has been cured. Then, it becomes possible to accurately and easily determine that the liquid gasket has been cured. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the sealing performance between the mating surfaces of the opposing members and improve the quality. In addition, since it becomes possible to immediately move to the next step after the curing is completed, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a wasteful waiting time until the next step is started, thereby improving productivity. .

  Moreover, when there are a plurality of locations where the liquid gasket is used, it is possible to individually determine the completion of curing of the liquid gasket for each location where the liquid gasket is used. Therefore, it is possible to easily distinguish between a use location where the liquid gasket has been cured and a use location where the liquid gasket has not been cured. As a result, for each use location of the liquid gasket, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the sealing performance between the mating surfaces of the opposing members, and improve the quality.

  In addition, when there are multiple objects that use liquid gaskets, distinguish between objects for which liquid gaskets at all locations of use have been completely cured and objects for which liquid gaskets at any point of use have not been completely cured. Can do. Thereby, it becomes possible to move to the operation | work of the next process in an order from the target object which the liquid gasket of all the use locations completed hardening. In this case, since it is possible to quickly move to the next step, it is possible to prevent generation of useless waiting time until the shift to the next step, thereby improving productivity.

  Here, in the present invention, the curing instruction component can be discolored by reaction with moisture that has entered the liquid gasket from the air. Examples of such a curing instruction component include cobalt chloride. Is mentioned.

  Moreover, an engine is mentioned as a use object of the liquid gasket of this invention, for example. When the liquid gasket of the present invention is used in an engine, the liquid gasket is interposed between the mating surfaces of the members arranged opposite to each other in the engine.

  Since the liquid gasket of the present invention contains a curing instruction component, the color exhibited by the liquid gasket changes with the curing. This makes it possible to visually confirm whether or not the liquid gasket has been cured. Then, it becomes possible to accurately and easily determine that the liquid gasket has been cured. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the sealing performance between the mating surfaces of the opposing members and improve the quality. In addition, since it becomes possible to immediately move to the next step after the curing is completed, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a wasteful waiting time until the next step is started, thereby improving productivity. .

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, an example in which the liquid gasket of the present invention is used as an automobile engine shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  First, prior to the description of the liquid gasket, the schematic configuration of the engine to be used will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the engine 10 includes a cylinder block 11 and a cylinder head 12 fixed to the upper surface of the cylinder block 11. A cylinder head cover 13 is fixed to the upper surface of the cylinder head 12. A lower case 14 is fixed to the lower surface of the cylinder block 11, and an oil pan 15 is fixed to the lower surface of the lower case 14.

  The cylinder block 11 is provided with a plurality (four in FIG. 1) of cylinders 11a, 11a,. Each cylinder 11a houses a piston 11b. A combustion chamber is formed by the cylinder 11a, the piston 11b, and the cylinder head 12. A camshaft 16 is rotatably supported on the cylinder head 12. The cylinder head 12 is divided into a cylinder head main body 12a and a camshaft housing 12b fixed to the upper surface thereof. The cylinder block 11 and the lower case 14 constitute a crankcase, and a crankshaft 17 is accommodated in the crankcase.

  A chain case 18 is fixed to one side (left side in FIG. 1) of the cylinder block 11, the cylinder head 12, and the lower case 14. The chain case 18 houses a chain 18 a that transmits the output of the engine 10 from the crankshaft 17 to the camshaft 16. An oil seal retainer 19 is fixed to one side (the right side in FIG. 1) of the cylinder block 11 and the lower case 14.

  A liquid gasket 20 is interposed between mating surfaces of opposing members of the engine 10. Thereby, the gap between the mating surfaces is sealed by the liquid gasket 20. In this example, the specific use location of the liquid gasket 20 in the engine 10 is between the mating surfaces of the cylinder head body 12a and the camshaft housing 12b of the cylinder head 12, between the mating surfaces of the cylinder block 11 and the lower case 14, and the lower case. 14 and the oil pan 15, the chain case 19, the cylinder head 12, the cylinder block 11, and the lower case 14, and the oil seal retainer 19, the cylinder block 11, and the lower case 14. It is between the mating surfaces. A metal gasket is interposed between the mating surfaces of the cylinder block 11 and the cylinder head 12, and a rubber gasket is interposed between the mating surfaces of the cylinder head 12 and the cylinder head cover 13.

  Next, the details of the liquid gasket 20 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid gasket 20 contains a silicone resin component 20a as a main component. Examples of the silicone resin include a condensation-curing type in which an organopolysiloxane having a hydroxyl group at a terminal and a crosslinking agent are mixed. Here, the silicone resin is assumed to be colorless. Accordingly, the color exhibited by the liquid gasket 20 is the same as the color exhibited by the cobalt chloride component 20b described later.

The liquid gasket 20 is used in the above-described use location of the engine 10 in the assembly process of the engine 10. Specifically, prior to the coupling of the opposing members of the engine 10, it is applied to one surface of the mating surfaces of those members. The applied liquid gasket 20 is deformed in accordance with the clearance shape by being sandwiched between mating surfaces of the members when the members disposed opposite to each other in the engine 10 are coupled. The liquid gasket 20 sandwiched between the mating surfaces is cured while reacting with moisture (H ₂ O) that has entered the liquid gasket 20 from the air to form a bridge. In this reaction, a by-product gas (reaction gas) is released.

  The liquid gasket 20 gradually cures from the outer edge side region in contact with air to the inner side (center side) region not in contact with air. Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the liquid gasket 20 is completely cured from the outer edge side region to the inner side region. As a result, a gasket having a shape matching the clearance shape is formed between the mating surfaces of the opposing members of the engine 10, and the gap between the mating surfaces is sealed.

In this example, the liquid gasket 20 includes a cobalt chloride (CoCl ₂ ) component 20b as a curing instruction component. The cobalt chloride component 20b is uniformly mixed in the silicone resin component 20a. The cobalt chloride component 20b includes an anhydride that changes color by reaction with moisture (absorption of moisture). Since such a cobalt chloride component 20b is contained, the liquid gasket 20 is sealed and stored so as not to react with moisture in an unused state before being used in the engine 10.

When the liquid gasket 20 is in an unused storage state, the cobalt chloride component 20b does not react with moisture (does not absorb moisture), and thus is in an anhydrous state (CoCl ₂ ) and exhibits a blue color. Yes. For this reason, the liquid gasket 20 exhibits the same blue color as the cobalt chloride component 20b when it is in an unused storage state or while it is used but does not react with moisture.

On the other hand, when the liquid gasket 20 is used, the cobalt chloride component 20b changes to a hexahydrate state (CoCl ₂ .6H ₂ O) when it reacts with moisture (when moisture is absorbed), and appears red. become. Thus, the color exhibited by the cobalt chloride component 20b changes from blue to red due to the absorption of moisture. For this reason, the liquid gasket 20 exhibits the same red color as the cobalt chloride component 20b when used and cured.

  As described above, the liquid gasket 20 reacts with moisture in the air, and gradually hardens from the outer edge side region in contact with air to the inner side region not in contact with air. At this time, a part of the water entering the liquid gasket 20 is used for curing the liquid gasket 20, and the remaining water is used for the reaction with the cobalt chloride component 20 b in the liquid gasket 20. For this reason, the reaction of the cobalt chloride component 20 b in the liquid gasket 20 with the water proceeds as the liquid gasket 20 is cured. Therefore, the discoloration (blue → red) of the cobalt chloride component 20b due to the absorption of moisture spreads from the outer edge side region to the inner side region of the liquid gasket 20.

  Thus, the degree of cure of the liquid gasket 20 (the ratio of the cured region to the entire curable region) is the degree of reaction of the cobalt chloride component 20b with the moisture in the liquid gasket 20, in other words, the color change of the cobalt chloride component 20b. It is determined according to the degree (the ratio of the discolored area to the total discolorable area). Therefore, the degree of cure of the liquid gasket 20 can be confirmed by the degree of discoloration of the cobalt chloride component 20b, in other words, the color exhibited by the liquid gasket 20.

  Here, the color exhibited by the liquid gasket 20 changes as follows according to the degree of curing of the liquid gasket 20.

  First, when the liquid gasket 20 is uncured, the cobalt chloride component 20b that has reacted with moisture does not appear in the outer edge side region and the inner side region of the liquid gasket 20. For this reason, the region on the outer edge side and the region on the inner side of the liquid gasket 20 both exhibit blue, and the liquid gasket 20 exhibits blue as a whole.

  Next, when the curing of the liquid gasket 20 proceeds and the degree of curing increases, first, the cobalt chloride component 20b that reacts with moisture appears in the region on the outer edge side of the liquid gasket 20 and gradually increases. Subsequently, also in the region on the inner side of the liquid gasket 20, the cobalt chloride component 20b that has reacted with moisture appears and gradually increases. For this reason, the liquid gasket 20 becomes purple as a whole during curing. In this case, as the degree of curing of the liquid gasket 20 increases, the region of the cobalt chloride component 20b that has reacted with moisture expands from the outer edge side to the inner side, so the color of the liquid gasket 20 changes from blue purple to red purple. I will do it.

  When the liquid gasket 20 is completely cured, the cobalt chloride component 20b that has not reacted with moisture disappears in the outer edge side region and the inner side region of the liquid gasket 20. For this reason, the region on the outer edge side and the region on the inner side of the liquid gasket 20 are both changed to red, and the liquid gasket 20 is red as a whole. In this case, the red color that the liquid gasket 20 exhibits upon completion of curing varies depending on the proportion of the cobalt chloride component 20b contained in the liquid gasket 20, the amount of the liquid gasket 20 used, the clearance shape of the use location, and the like.

  This makes it possible to visually confirm whether or not the liquid gasket 20 has been cured, that is, whether or not the liquid gasket 20 has completely cured from the outer edge side region to the inner side region. In this example, it is possible to accurately and easily determine that the liquid gasket 20 has been cured by confirming that the color of the liquid gasket 20 has changed to red as a whole. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the sealing performance between the mating surfaces of the members 10 facing each other in the engine 10 and improve the quality of the engine 10. Moreover, since it becomes possible to immediately move to the next process (for example, the test process before product shipment) after the completion of curing, it is possible to prevent unnecessary waiting time until the next process is started. , Productivity can be improved.

  Moreover, the completion of hardening of the liquid gasket 20 can be individually determined for each use location of the liquid gasket 20 of the engine 10. Therefore, it is possible to easily distinguish the use location where the liquid gasket 20 is completely cured from the use location where the liquid gasket 20 is not completely cured. As a result, the sealing property between the mating surfaces can be sufficiently secured for each use location of the liquid gasket 20 of the engine 10, and the quality of the engine 10 can be improved.

  Further, when there are a plurality of engines 10 to which the liquid gaskets 20 are to be used, the engines 10 in which the liquid gaskets 20 in all the use locations are completely cured and the engines 10 in which the liquid gaskets 20 in any of the use locations are not completely cured. And can be distinguished. Thereby, it becomes possible to move to the work of the next process in order from the engine 10 in which the liquid gaskets 20 of all the used places are completely cured. In this case, since it is possible to immediately move to the next process, it is possible to prevent generation of useless waiting time until the next process is performed, and to improve the productivity of the engine 10. .

  As described above, during the curing of the liquid gasket 20, the color exhibited by the liquid gasket 20 changes from blue purple to red purple as a whole as the degree of curing increases. This makes it possible to grasp the progress of the curing of the liquid gasket 20 for each use location of the liquid gasket 20 of the engine 10, so that preparations for the next process work are prepared according to the progress. Is possible. Even if the curing has not been completed, it is possible to proceed to the next step when the curing has progressed to some extent. As a result, the productivity of the engine 10 can be improved.

  Here, the determination of the completion of the curing of the liquid gasket 20 can be performed by an operator who confirms the assembly of the engine 10 with the naked eye, and can be automatically performed by providing a determination device without manual intervention. Is also possible. When the assembly operator makes a determination by checking with the naked eye, it is only necessary to know in advance the color (in this case, red) that the liquid gasket 20 exhibits when the curing is completed. On the other hand, when the determination device is provided and the determination is performed, the determination device includes a detection unit (for example, a color sensor) that detects the color exhibited by the liquid gasket 20, and information on the color that the liquid gasket 20 exhibits when curing is completed. The stored storage means (for example, ROM) and the comparison means (for example, the color of the liquid gasket 20 detected by the detection means and the color of the liquid gasket 20 that is stored in the storage means when the curing is completed) , CPU).

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of the liquid gasket of this invention was described, embodiment shown here can be changed variously.

The cobalt chloride anhydride mentioned as the curing instruction component of the liquid gasket is an example and may be other than that. That is, the curing instruction component of the liquid gasket is not particularly limited as long as the color changes before and after the reaction with moisture. For example, the liquid gasket curing instruction component may be ferric chloride (FeCl ₃ ) anhydride, nickel chloride (NiCl ₂ ) anhydride, or the like.

  The silicone resin mentioned as the main component of the liquid gasket is an example, and other silicone resins may be used. For example, the main component of the liquid gasket may be urethane resin. The color of the main component such as silicone resin is not particularly limited as long as the color of the curing instruction component can be confirmed.

  In the above example, the determination of the completion of the hardening of the liquid gasket is performed using the change in color (change in hue) exhibited by the liquid gasket. This determination is based on the color intensity (saturation) of the liquid gasket. It is also possible to make use of changes and changes in color brightness (brightness). In this case, instead of the determination using the color change described above, the determination of the completion of curing of the liquid gasket may be performed using a change in color density or a change in color brightness. In addition to the determination using the color change, the liquid gasket may be determined to be cured using at least one of a change in color intensity and a change in color brightness. Even when making these determinations, as in the case of the determination using the color change described above, the determination of the completion of curing of the liquid gasket may be performed by the engineer confirming with the naked eye, A determination device may be provided. Note that the color intensity and brightness of the liquid gasket when curing is complete differ depending on the ratio of the curing instruction component contained in the liquid gasket, the amount of liquid gasket used, and the clearance shape of the location of use. Become.

  Then, in addition to the determination using the color change described above, the liquid gasket is determined to be cured using at least one of the change in the color density and the change in the brightness of the color. The accuracy of the determination of completion can be improved, and it becomes possible to more accurately determine that the liquid gasket has been cured. For example, in the process of curing the liquid gasket, a state in which only a small area on the inner side is not discolored occurs just before the curing is completed. At this time, the liquid gasket appears to have a color almost similar to that at the completion of the curing. become. For this reason, the completion of curing of the liquid gasket is determined separately from the state just before the completion of curing by checking not only the color change but also the change of color intensity and the change of color brightness. Is possible.

  The use place of the liquid gasket in the engine mentioned above is an example, and the liquid gasket may be used in other places.

  Moreover, the engine mentioned as a usage object of a liquid gasket is an example, and may be other than that. That is, as long as the liquid gasket is used to seal between the mating surfaces between the mating surfaces of the members arranged opposite to each other, the usage target of the liquid gasket is not particularly limited.

It is a figure which shows roughly the engine used as the usage object of the liquid gasket which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the state before hardening of a liquid gasket, and the state after hardening.

Explanation of symbols

10 Engine 20 Liquid gasket 20b Cobalt chloride component

Claims (4)

It is a liquid gasket that is interposed between the mating surfaces of the members arranged facing each other and seals between the mating surfaces,
A liquid gasket comprising a curing instruction component that changes color as the liquid gasket is cured.   2. The liquid gasket according to claim 1, wherein the curing instruction component changes color by reaction with moisture that has entered the liquid gasket from the air.   The liquid gasket according to claim 2, wherein the curing instruction component is cobalt chloride.   The liquid gasket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opposing members are constituent members of an engine.

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