JP2016107190A - Sealant application nozzle, and sealant application method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To mold a sealant as simply as possible into a desired shape.SOLUTION: A sealant application nozzle comprises a main nozzle part (3) and a wall member (4). The main nozzle part includes a supply port part (31) for supplying a sealant, and a molding part (32) for molding the sealant supplied from the support port part. The molding part has a back end face (323) having a marginal part (3231) for defining a passage area (REG) to pass the sealant. The wall member can be arranged at a position to cover the passage area while contacting with the back end face.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3B

Description

  The present invention relates to a sealant application nozzle and a sealant application method.

  In the fields of aircraft, automobiles, architecture, etc., a sealant may be applied to a stepped portion generated by joining two members to each other, for example. For example, when a sealant is applied to a stepped portion on an aircraft wing, it is necessary to form the sealant into a prescribed shape. The shape of the sealant is determined based on, for example, a design item of the product so that high water tightness can be obtained.

  Conventionally, the molding of the sealant has been performed manually using a spatula (example). For this reason, it has been difficult to form the sealant into a prescribed shape. Therefore, Patent Documents 1 and 2 each disclose a technique for forming a sealant applied to a stepped portion of an object into a desired shape.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a sealing gun nozzle including a rectangular nozzle body. The nozzle body includes a front wall, a rear wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall. The inside of the nozzle is hollow. A guide portion is provided at the front end of the front wall. The guide portion has a contour shape corresponding to the cross section of the work to be sealed. A molding part is provided at the tip of the rear wall. The molded part has a contour shape corresponding to the cross section of the sealant to be applied.

  Patent document 2 is disclosing the sealant shaping | molding nozzle provided with a shaping | molding part and a guide part. The molding unit includes a molding surface and an object to which the sealant is applied and a supply port for supplying the sealant to a space surrounded by the molding surface. The guide unit includes a guide surface. The guide surface has a shape in line contact with the upper corner of the step shape (stepped portion).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-38556 International Publication No. 2014/042236

  It is desirable to mold the sealant into the desired shape as easily as possible.

  Hereinafter, means for solving the problem will be described using the reference numerals used in the “DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION”. These symbols are added in order to clarify the correspondence between the description of “Claims” and “Mode for Carrying Out the Invention”. These symbols are not used for interpreting the technical scope of the invention described in “Claims”.

The sealant application nozzles (2, 2A, 2B, 2E) of the first aspect of the present invention are:
A main nozzle portion (3) configured to apply a sealant (SE) to the stepped portion (ST) of the object (1);
And wall member (4).
The main nozzle part
A supply port (31) for supplying the sealant;
And a molding part (32) for molding the sealant supplied from the supply port part.
The molding part is
A first protrusion (321) extending in a first direction (X-axis direction) and in line contact with the upper surface (111) of the stepped portion;
A second protrusion (322) extending in the first direction and in line contact with the lower upper surface (121) of the stepped portion;
A sealant molding surface (33) disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion;
And a rear end face (323) having an edge (3231) defining a passage area (REG) through which the sealant passes.
A wall member can be arrange | positioned in the position which contacts a back end surface and covers a passage area.

  The sealant application nozzle (2, 2A, 2B, 2E) of the first aspect may further include a temporary fixing portion (5) for temporarily fixing the wall member to the rear end surface of the molding portion.

In the sealant application nozzle (2, 2A, 2B, 2E) of the first aspect, the main nozzle portion is
A first sealant guide portion (35 ₁ ) provided on the front side of the first convex portion;
And a second sealant guide part (35 ₂ ) provided on the front side of the second convex part.
The first sealant guide part may include a first sealant guide surface (351 ₁ ). The second sealant guide portion may include a second sealant guide surface (351 ₂ ) that faces the first sealant guide surface. The distance (D) between the first sealant guide surface and the second sealant guide surface may vary along the first direction.

In the sealant application nozzle (2, 2A, 2B, 2E) of the first aspect, the main nozzle part may further include a sealant guide part (36) on the opposite side of the rear end face. The sealant guide portion may include a sealant guide surface that is continuous with the molding surface. The shape of the line of intersection between the sealant guide surface and the surfaces perpendicular to the first direction (P ₁ , P ₂ ) may change along the first direction.

The sealant application nozzle (2C) of the second aspect of the present invention has a main nozzle part (3) configured to apply the sealant (SE) to the stepped portion (ST) of the object (1).
The main nozzle part
A supply port (31) for supplying the sealant;
And a molding part (32) for molding the sealant supplied from the supply port part.
The molding part is
A first protrusion (321) extending in a first direction (X-axis direction) and in line contact with the upper surface (111) of the stepped portion;
A second protrusion (322) extending in the first direction and in line contact with the lower upper surface (121) of the stepped portion;
A sealant molding surface (33) disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion;
A rear end face (323) having an edge (3231) defining a passage region (REG) through which the sealant passes.
The main nozzle part
A first sealant guide portion (35 ₁ ) provided on the front side of the first convex portion;
A second sealant guide portion (35 ₂ ) provided on the front side of the second convex portion.
The first sealant guide portion includes a first sealant guide surface (351 ₁ ). The second sealant guide portion includes a second sealant guide surface (351 ₂ ) that faces the first sealant guide surface. The distance (D) between the first sealant guide surface and the second sealant guide surface varies along the first direction.

The sealant application nozzle (2D) of the third aspect of the present invention has a main nozzle part (3) configured to apply the sealant (SE) to the stepped portion (ST) of the object (1).
The main nozzle part
A supply port (31) for supplying the sealant;
And a molding part (32) for molding the sealant supplied from the supply port part.
The molding part is
A first protrusion (321) extending in a first direction (X-axis direction) and in line contact with the upper surface (111) of the stepped portion;
A second protrusion (322) extending in the first direction and in line contact with the lower upper surface (121) of the stepped portion;
A sealant molding surface (33) disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion;
And a rear end face (323) having an edge (3231) defining a passage area (REG) through which the sealant passes.
The main nozzle portion further includes a sealant guide portion (36) on the opposite side of the rear end surface. The sealant guide part includes a sealant guide surface continuous with the molding surface. The shape of the line of intersection between the sealant guide surface and the planes (P ₁ , P ₂ ) perpendicular to the first direction changes along the first direction.

  The main nozzle part may include a transparent part (37) in which the inside of the main nozzle part is visible from the outside of the main nozzle part.

The sealant application method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a sealant application method in which the sealant (SE) is applied to the stepped portion (ST) of the object (1) using the sealant application nozzle (2).
The sealant application nozzle is
A main nozzle portion (3) configured to apply a sealant (SE) to the stepped portion (ST) of the object (1);
And wall member (4).
The main nozzle part
A supply port (31) for supplying the sealant;
And a molding part (32) for molding the sealant supplied from the supply port part.
The molding part is
A first protrusion (321) extending in a first direction (X-axis direction) and in line contact with the upper surface (111) of the stepped portion;
A second protrusion (322) extending in the first direction and in line contact with the lower upper surface (121) of the stepped portion;
A sealant molding surface (33) disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion;
And a rear end face (323) having an edge (3231) defining a passage area (REG) through which the sealant passes.
The sealant application method is
A step of placing the main nozzle portion and the wall member in contact with the stepped portion, wherein the wall member is placed in contact with the rear end surface of the molding portion, and the passage region is covered with the wall member. A process including:
Supplying the sealant from the supply port to the molding part;
Separating the wall member from the main nozzle portion by moving the main nozzle portion in the first direction.

  A sealant application nozzle and a sealant application method capable of easily forming a sealant into a prescribed shape are provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an object 1. FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the upper surface of the object 1. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the object 1 at the position X = _{X 2} shown in Figure 2A. FIG. 3A is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2 in a temporarily fixed state. FIG. 3B is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2 in a separated state. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a sealant application method using the sealant application nozzle 2. FIG. 5A is a plan view showing the upper surface of the object 1. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the object 1 at the position X = _{X 2} shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 6A is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2 in a temporarily fixed state. FIG. 6B is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2 in a separated state. FIG. 6C is an external view showing the inside of the sealant application nozzle 2 in a temporarily fixed state. FIG. 6D is a three-side view of the sealant application nozzle 2 in a temporarily fixed state. FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram for explaining a sealant application method. FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram for explaining a sealant application method. FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram for explaining a sealant application method. FIG. 7D is a schematic diagram for explaining a sealant application method. FIG. 7E is a schematic diagram for explaining a sealant application method. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the sealant application nozzle 2 viewed from the positive direction of the Y axis in the negative direction in the fifth step. FIG. 9A is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2A in a temporarily fixed state. FIG. 9B is a three-side view of the sealant application nozzle 2A in a temporarily fixed state. 9C is a partial enlarged view of the first sealant guide portion 35 ₁ and the second sealant guide portion 35 ₂ viewed from the positive direction in the negative direction of the Z-axis. Figure 10A is a partially enlarged view of the first sealant guide portion 35 ₁ and the second sealant guide portion 35 ₂ viewed from the positive direction in the negative direction of the Z-axis. 10B is a partially enlarged view of the first sealant guide portion 35 ₁ and the second sealant guide portion 35 ₂ viewed from the positive direction in the negative direction of the Z-axis. FIG. 11A is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2B in a temporarily fixed state. FIG. 11B is a partially enlarged view of the sealant guide portion 36 as viewed from the positive direction of the Z-axis to the negative direction. Figure 11C is a diagram showing the shape of intersection of the sealant guide surface 361 and the first plane _{P 1.} Figure 11D is a diagram showing the shape of intersection of the sealant guide surface 361 and the second plane _{P 2.} FIG. 12A is a partially enlarged view of the sealant guide portion 36 as viewed from the positive direction of the Z-axis to the negative direction. FIG. 12B is a partially enlarged view of the sealant guide portion 36 as viewed from the positive direction of the Z-axis to the negative direction. Figure 12C is a diagram showing the shape of intersection of the sealant guide surface 361 and the second plane _{P 2.} FIG. 13 is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2C. FIG. 14 is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2D. FIG. 15 is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2E in a separated state. FIG. 16 is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2F in a temporarily fixed state. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a sealant forming apparatus.

The description will be given in the following order.
1. Terms used in this specification 2. Problems recognized by the present inventor First embodiment (example of sealant application nozzle and sealant application method)
4). Second embodiment (example of main nozzle part)
5. Third embodiment (example of main nozzle part)
6). Fourth embodiment (example of sealant application nozzle)
7). Fifth embodiment (example of sealant application nozzle)
8). Sixth embodiment (example of main nozzle part)
9. Seventh embodiment (example of main nozzle part)
10. Eighth embodiment (sealant forming apparatus)

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same members are denoted by the same reference symbols in principle, and the repeated description thereof is omitted.

  1. Terminology used in this specification

1.1. Object FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an object 1. In the example of FIG. 1, the object 1 is composed of two members (for example, a composite material). One is the upper member 11. The other is the lower member 12. The upper member 11 is laminated on the lower member 12 so that a step ΔZ is generated.

  The upper member 11 and the lower member 12 are configured as follows. The upper stage member 11 is a flat member having a certain thickness, for example. The thickness of the upper member 11 is the same as the step ΔZ. The upper stage member 11 includes an upper stage upper surface 111, an upper stage side surface 112, an upper stage lower surface 113, corner portions 114, and corner portions 115. The upper side surface 112 is a surface between the corner portion 114 and the corner portion 115. The upper stage side surface 112 is perpendicular to both the upper stage upper surface 111 and the lower stage upper surface 121. The upper lower surface 113 is a surface opposite to the upper upper surface 111. For example, the lower member 12 is a flat member having a certain thickness. The lower member 12 includes a lower upper surface 121.

  The object 1 is an example for making the following description clear and simple. For example, the thickness of each of the upper member 11 and the lower member 12 does not need to be uniform at all locations. For example, the thickness of the upper member 11 may gradually increase from the origin O along the positive direction of the Y axis. For example, the upper stage side surface 112 may be inclined with respect to the upper stage upper surface 111 or the lower stage upper surface 121.

  In the present specification, the object 1 is, for example, an aircraft wing. The target 1 may be a flying object such as a rocket or a vehicle such as an automobile.

1.2. Surface of Object “Upper surface of object” includes upper upper surface 111 and lower upper surface 121. Simply put, the “upper surface of the object” is the surface to which the sealant SE is applied among the front surface and the back surface of the object.

1.3. Side surface of the object “Side surface of the object” refers to the side surface 13 of the object 1 that is visible when viewed from the negative direction of the X axis in the positive direction. The side surface 13 includes both side surfaces of the upper stage member 11 and the lower stage member 12.

1.4. Stepped portion The stepped portion ST is a portion including a step ΔZ. Specifically, the stepped portion ST has an upper stage member 11 having an upper stage upper surface 111 and an upper stage side surface 112, and a lower stage member 12 having a lower stage upper surface 121. The cross-sectional shape (YZ plane) of the stepped portion is the same at any point on the X axis, for example.

Hereinafter, in order to make the description clear and simple, a region where the sealant is applied in the above-described stepped portion is simply referred to as a “stepped portion”. In this specification, the application portion of the sealant is the stepped portion ST of the object 1. In the example of FIG. 1, the sealant is applied to a region indicated by hatching. In this case, the stepped portion ST includes 1) a first region ARA _{1 on} the upper step side surface 112, and 2) a second region ARA ₂ located between the corner 114 and the first boundary B ₁ on the upper step upper surface 111, and 3) The lower upper surface 121 includes a third region ARA ₃ between the corner 115 and the second boundary B ₂ . Here, the first boundary B ₁ extends in the X-axis direction, is parallel to the corner portion 114, and is located at a position separated from the corner portion 114 by a width ΔY ₁ in the positive direction of the Y-axis. The second boundary B ₂ extends in the X-axis direction, is parallel to the corner portion 115, and is located at a position spaced apart from the corner portion 115 by a width ΔY ₂ in the negative direction of the Y-axis. In the present specification, the sealant SE is not applied to a region between the side surface 13 of the object 1 and the third boundary B ₃ . Here, the third boundary B ₃ extends in the Y-axis direction and is located at a position spaced from the side surface 13 by a width ΔX ₁ in the positive direction of the X-axis.

1.5. Sealant As described above, the sealant SE is applied to the stepped portion ST. The shape of the sealant SE (for example, the cross-sectional shape of the sealant SE in the YZ plane) may be set to a specified shape according to the specified items of the corresponding product. The “specified items” are determined based on, for example, the design items of the target object 1 and the quality control viewpoint of the target object 1. In the following description, a case where the following A and B are defined in “specified items” will be exemplified.
A) The width ΔY ₁ is smaller than the width ΔY ₂ (ΔY ₁ <ΔY ₂ ).
B) Width ΔY ₁ (position of first boundary B ₁ ) and width ΔY ₂ (position of second boundary B ₂ )

  Note that the sealant SE may be applied not to all of the portions including the step ΔZ but to portions where sealant is required as shown in FIG. From a practical point of view, the stepped portion ST, or a thin sealant underlayer may be provided around the stepped portion ST and its periphery.

1.6. Coordinates In this specification, orthogonal coordinates are used as appropriate. The orthogonal coordinates have an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis. As shown in FIG. 1, the origin O is at the end of the corner 115 (the side surface 13 of the object 1). The X axis is along the longitudinal direction of the corner 115. Hereinafter, a case where the Z axis is perpendicular to both the upper upper surface 111 and the lower upper surface 121 will be exemplified.
1.7. Position / Direction 1) For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, “position (X = X ₁ ) _” does not only mean the coordinates (X = X ₁ ) on the X axis, Also, it means a position separated from the side surface 13 of the object 1 by a distance (X = X ₁ ) in the positive direction of the X axis.
2) “Start position” refers to a position where application of the sealant is started in the stepped portion ST.
3) The “first direction” is the positive direction of the X axis. Simply put, the “first direction” can be said to be the longitudinal direction of the stepped portion.
4) “Front” is used as follows based on the moving direction (A) of the main nozzle part (3). In this specification, as shown to FIG. 7E, a main nozzle part moves to the positive direction from the negative direction of an X-axis. For example, “in front of the main nozzle portion” means a direction when the positive direction of the X axis is viewed from the front end surface (324). From the same viewpoint, for example, “the front side of the first convex portion (321)” means the following. As shown in FIG. 6C, the first convex portion extends in the X-axis direction and includes a part of the front end surface (324). The “front side of the first convex portion (321)” means a direction when the positive direction of the X axis is viewed from the first convex portion of the front end face (324). The same applies to “the front side of the second convex portion (322)”.

1.8. Three-side view In the three-side view of the sealant application nozzle (2, 2A), the front view, the plan view, and the side view respectively indicate the following contents. Here, the three views shown in FIG. 6D are taken as an example.
1) Front view (a) is a view of the sealant application nozzle as seen from the positive direction of the X axis to the negative direction (see FIG. 6A).
2) Plan view (b) is a view of the sealant application nozzle as seen from the positive direction of the Z-axis to the negative direction.
3) Side view (c) is a view of the sealant application nozzle as seen from the positive direction of the Y axis to the negative direction.

1.9. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the temporary fixing means that the wall member (4) is placed so that the inner wall (41) of the wall member (4) contacts the rear end surface (323) of the molded part (32). This means that it is temporarily lightly fixed to the main nozzle part (3). Here, “lightly” refers to the degree to which the wall member can be easily fixed to the main nozzle portion and removed from the main nozzle portion by hand without using a jig. The “temporarily fixed state” means a state in which the wall member is temporarily fixed to the main nozzle portion. On the other hand, the “separated state” means a state in which the wall member is removed from the main nozzle portion as shown in FIG. 3B.

1.10. Other terms 1) “Line contact” includes contact with a surface with a line having a minute width in addition to strict line contact.
2) “Sealing” refers to applying a sealant to the stepped portion.

  2. Issues recognized by the inventor

The problem recognized by the present inventor will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A is a plan view showing an upper surface of the object. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the object at the position X = _{X 2} shown in Figure 2A. 2A and 2B show a state in which the sealant is applied to the stepped portion of the object by a known means.

When applying a sealant to a stepped portion of an object, for example, consider using a nozzle (referred to as “conventional nozzle”) disclosed in Patent Document 1 or 2. In that case, the sealant is applied to the stepped portion of the object as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 2A, for example, the conventional nozzle is arranged at the start position (X = X ₁ ). Then, while injecting the sealant into a conventional nozzle, along the longitudinal direction of the stepped portion ST (position X = positive direction of the X axis from X ₁₎ a conventional nozzle is moved. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2A, the sealant SE is applied to the stepped portion ST. FIG. 2A shows a state after application. Next, the sealant SE is molded with a spatula (example) so that the shape of the sealant SE becomes a specified shape.

The conventional nozzle has the following problems. The first is that the shape of the sealant SE tends to collapse near the start position (X = X ₁ ). A two-dot chain line in FIG. 2B indicates a defined shape of the sealant SE. Finally, the sealant SE must maintain the shape shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2B. Focusing on the vicinity of the start position, in the case of a conventional nozzle, the shape of the sealant SE collapses at the stage of applying the sealant, and often does not match the prescribed shape. After applying the sealant SE, it takes time to form the sealant SE into a specified shape.

The second relates to “involvement”. Originally, the sealant SE is in contact with the lower upper surface 121 as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2B. That is, it is desirable that the angle α ₁ formed by the surface of the sealant SE and the lower upper surface 121 is an obtuse angle. However, if the entrainment occurs, end SE ₁ of sealant caught in the positive direction from the negative direction of the Y axis relative to the lower top surface 121. That is, the angle α ₂ formed by the surface of the sealant SE ₁ and the lower upper surface 121 is an acute angle. Entrainment tends to occur near the start position. Entrainment is one of the causes of the sealant SE peeling off from the sealant application surface.

  The inventor has paid attention to the above-mentioned problems and has found a means for simplifying the molding of the sealant. In particular, the present inventor considered that forming the sealant into a prescribed shape in the first stage in the vicinity of the start position leads to suppression of the occurrence of entrainment.

3. First Embodiment First, a sealant application nozzle will be briefly described.

3.1. Outline of sealant application nozzle (main configuration)
FIG. 3A is an external view of a sealant application nozzle in a temporarily fixed state. FIG. 3B is an external view of the sealant application nozzle in a separated state.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the sealant application nozzle 2 includes a main nozzle portion 3 and a wall member 4. The main nozzle portion 3 is configured to apply a sealant to the stepped portion ST. Specifically, the main nozzle part 3 includes a supply port part 31 and a molding part 32. The sealant SE is supplied to the supply port portion 31 from the outside. The sealant application nozzle 2 is disposed on the stepped portion ST of the object 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the molding portion 32 includes a first convex portion 321, a second convex portion 322, a rear end surface 323 having an edge portion 3231, a front end surface 324, and a molding surface 33. The molding unit 32 applies the sealant supplied from the supply port unit 31 while molding. The cross-sectional shape (YZ plane) of the sealant formed by the forming portion 32 is the same as the shape of the passing region REG defined by the edge portion 3231. The molding surface 33 is disposed between the first convex part 321 and the second convex part 322 inside the molding part 32.

  The wall member 4 includes an inner wall surface 41 and an outer wall surface 42. The wall member 4 has a shape complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the stepped portion ST. In the temporarily fixed state shown in FIG. 3A, the inner wall surface 41 of the wall member 4 is disposed at a position that contacts the rear end surface 323 and covers the passage region REG. In the separated state shown in FIG. 3B, the inner wall surface 41 of the wall member 4 is separated from the rear end surface 323.

3.2. Sealant application method (overview)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a sealant application method using a sealant application nozzle. In the following description, please refer to FIGS. 3A and 3B as appropriate. The sealant application method includes the following five steps.

(First step S1)
The first step S1 is a step of preparing the main nozzle part 3 and the wall member 4. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the sealant application nozzle 2 is in a separated state at this stage.

(Second step S2)
The second step S2 is a step of placing the main nozzle portion 3 and the wall member 4 in contact with the stepped portion ST. This step includes covering the passage region REG with the wall member 4 by placing the wall member 4 in contact with the rear end surface 323 of the molding portion 32. That is, the wall member 4 is temporarily fixed to the main nozzle portion 3, and then, as shown in FIG. 3A, the main nozzle portion 3 and the wall member 4 temporarily fixed to each other are arranged in the stepped portion ST. At this time, the wall member 4 is disposed at a position in contact with the rear end surface 323 and covering the passage region REG. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 3B, the main nozzle portion 3 and the wall member 4 are arranged separately in the stepped portion ST, and then the wall member 4 is placed in the main nozzle portion 3 as shown in FIG. 3A. There is no problem even if it is temporarily stopped. In the following description, as an example, the position of the rear end surface 323 (the inner wall surface 41 of the wall member 4) is at the start position (X = X ₁ ).

(Third step S3)
The third step S <b> 3 is a step of supplying the sealant from the supply port portion 31 to the molding portion 32. Injection of the sealant into the supply port 31 is started. Then, the sealant is supplied from the supply port portion 31 to the molding portion 32. Eventually, the space between the molding surface 33 of the molding part 32 and the stepped portion ST is filled with the sealant. At this time, the sealant is in contact with the entire inner wall surface 41 of the wall member 4.

(Fourth step S4)
The fourth step S4 is a step of separating the wall member 4 from the main nozzle portion 3 by moving the main nozzle portion 3 from the start position in the longitudinal direction of the stepped portion ST (see arrow A in FIG. 3B). When the main nozzle part 3 starts to move, the wall member 4 temporarily fixed to the main nozzle part 3 is separated from the main nozzle part 3. This separation is possible because the wall member 4 is lightly fixed to the main nozzle portion 3 by temporary fixing.

(5th process S5)
The fifth step S5 is a step of moving the main nozzle portion 3 along the longitudinal direction of the stepped portion ST to the end position of the stepped portion ST in a state where the wall member 4 is at the start position. The wall member 4 is in the starting position until the sealing is finished. Further, the fifth step S <b> 5 is performed while injecting the sealing into the supply port portion 31. After the sealing is finished, the main nozzle part 3 and the wall member 4 are removed from the object 1.

  Basically, the first step S1 to the fifth step S5 are performed manually. Some steps may be automated. For example, the first step S1 to the fourth step S4 may be performed manually, and the fifth step S5 may be performed using a machine.

3.3. Effect FIG. 5A is a plan view showing an upper surface of an object. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the object at the position X = _{X 2} shown in FIG. 5A. 5A and 5B show a state after the sealant is applied to the stepped portion of the object by the sealant application nozzle. The two-dot chain line indicates the prescribed shape of the sealant.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the shape of the sealant SE substantially matches the prescribed shape (two-dot chain line) also in the vicinity of the start position (X = X ₁ ). This is due to the following reason. As described above, the wall member 4 is placed at the start position until the sealing is completed. Therefore, the shape of the sealant is unlikely to collapse near the start position. As a result, the shape of the sealant SE in the Y-axis direction at the start position is linear. That is, the shape of the sealant SE substantially matches the shape of the inner wall surface 41 of the wall member 4. If there is no wall member 4, for example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the shape of the sealant tends to collapse near the start position.

As shown in FIG. 5B, even in the vicinity of the start position, the cross-sectional shape of the sealant substantially matches the prescribed shape (two-dot chain line). Further, the cross-sectional shape of the sealant is the same shape as the passage region REG defined by the edge 3231. This is because the fourth step is executed after the third step. That is, this is because the wall member is separated from the main nozzle portion after the space between the molding surface of the molding portion and the stepped portion is filled with the sealant. As a result, on the upper upper surface 111, the sealant reaches the position (first boundary B ₁ ) separated from the corner 114 by the width ΔY ₁ . In the lower upper surface 121, the sealant reaches the position (second boundary B ₂ ) separated from the corner 115 by the width ΔY ₂ . This leads to suppression of entrainment.

  Hereinafter, the sealant application nozzle will be described in detail.

3.3. Configuration of Sealant Application Nozzle The configuration of the sealant application nozzle will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D. FIG. 6A is an external view of a sealant application nozzle in a temporarily fixed state. FIG. 6B is an external view of the sealant application nozzle in a separated state. FIG. 6C is an external view showing the inside of the sealant application nozzle in a temporarily fixed state. FIG. 6D is a three-side view of the sealant application nozzle in a temporarily fixed state.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the sealant application nozzle 2 has a temporary fixing portion 5 in addition to the main nozzle portion 3 and the wall member 4. As shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the molding portion 32 includes a first projection 321, a second projection 322, a rear end surface 323, a front end surface 324, and a molding surface 33, and a guide portion 34. .

(Relationship between main nozzle part and wall member)
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the main nozzle portion 3 and the wall member 4 constitute one kit. The main nozzle part 3 is designed in consideration of the cross-sectional shape of the stepped portion ST and the desired cross-sectional shape of the sealing so that the cross-sectional shape of the molded sealing is the same as the shape of the passage region REG. On the other hand, the wall member 4 matches the cross-sectional shape of the stepped portion ST and is designed to cover the entire passage region REG. For example, the wall member 4 has a shape complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the stepped portion ST. The main nozzle portion and the wall member may be made of the same material (for example, resin) or different from each other.

(Supply port)
The supply port portion 31 is configured as follows. As illustrated in FIG. 6D, the supply port unit 31 includes an inflow port 311 and an outflow port 312. The inflow port 311 is located above the forming part 32. The outflow port 312 is located inside the molding part 32 and is located substantially in the center with respect to the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the molding part 32. The diameter of the inflow port 311 is larger than the diameter of the outflow port 312. The internal shape of the supply port 31 is a substantially cylindrical shape whose diameter gradually decreases from the inflow port 311 toward the outflow port 312. The supply port portion 31 is integrally formed with the molding portion 32, for example.

(1st convex part, 2nd convex part)
The 1st convex part 321 and the 2nd convex part 322 are comprised as follows. As shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the first convex portion 321 extends in the X-axis direction and makes line contact with the upper upper surface 111. The first convex portion 321 has an arc shape when viewed from the positive direction of the X axis to the negative direction. The second convex portion 322 extends in the X-axis direction and makes line contact with the lower upper surface 121. The second convex portion 322 has an arc shape when viewed from the positive direction of the X axis to the negative direction. The reason for the arcuate shape is that when the sealant is filled in the space between the stepped portion and the molding surface 33, the sealant reaches every corner of the stepped portion. This leads to suppression of entrainment. The distance along the Y-axis direction between the first convex part 321 and the second convex part 322 (see FIG. 6C) is the distance between the first boundary B ₁ and the second boundary B ₂ (ΔY ₁ + ΔY ₂ ) (see FIG. 6A).

  The line contact width of the second protrusion 322 may be slightly wider than the line contact width of the first protrusion 321. The reason is that in the fifth step, it is desirable that the second convex portion 322 as a fulcrum is in line contact with the lower upper surface 121 firmly.

(Rear end face / Front end face)
The rear end surface 323 and the front end surface 324 are configured as follows. As shown in FIG. 6B, the rear end surface 323 includes an edge 3231 that defines a passage region REG through which the sealant passes. The passing region REG is a region surrounded by the surface of the stepped portion ST (the upper step upper surface 111, the upper step side surface 112, and the lower step upper surface 121) and the edge 3231. As shown in FIG. 6C, the front end surface 324 includes an edge portion 3241. As shown in FIG. 6D, the front end surface 324 is provided in parallel with the rear end surface 323. The front end surface 324 and the rear end surface 323 are portions that are gripped by the user's hand in the fifth step described above.

(Molded surface)
The molding surface 33 is configured as follows. As shown in FIG. 6C, the molding surface 33 is between the first convex part 321 and the second convex part 322 inside the molding part 32. More specifically, when the first convex portion 321 is in line contact with the upper upper surface 111, a line contact portion along the X-axis direction (referred to as a “first line contact portion”) is generated on the first convex portion 321. . Similarly, when the second convex portion 322 makes a line contact with the lower upper surface 121, a line contact portion along the X-axis direction (referred to as “second line contact portion”) is generated on the second convex portion 322. If the terms “first line contact portion” and “second line contact portion” are used, the molding surface 33 is a surface from the first line contact portion to the second line contact portion inside the molding portion 32. I can say that. The shape of the molding surface 33 is designed so as to obtain a desired cross-sectional shape of the sealant.

(Guide part)
The guide part 34 is configured as follows. As shown in FIG. 6C, the guide part 34 includes a guide surface 341. The guide part 34 is provided between the front end surface 324 and the outlet 312 in the molding part 32. The guide portion 34 has a role of guiding the main nozzle portion 3 when the main nozzle portion 3 moves along the X-axis direction from the second step to the fifth step. From this viewpoint, the guide surface 341 is formed in a gently convex shape so as to be in line contact with the corner portion 114 (two-dot chain line in FIG. 6C) of the object 1. As shown in FIG. 6D, the width ΔW in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the guide portion 34 is equal to the distance between the front end surface 324 and the outlet 312 (excluding the thickness of the front end surface 324).

(Wall member)
The wall member 4 is configured as follows. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the wall member 4 includes a base portion 43 and a bottom surface portion 44 in addition to the inner wall surface 41 and the outer wall surface 42. The bottom surface portion 44 includes a first bottom surface portion 441 that contacts the upper surface 111, a bottom surface portion 442 that contacts the upper surface 112, and a second bottom surface 443 that contacts the lower surface 121.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the wall member 4 is formed in a shape complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the stepped portion ST. The first bottom surface portion 441 is parallel to the second bottom surface portion 443. The bottom surface side portion 442 is perpendicular to both the first bottom surface portion 441 and the second bottom surface portion 443. 6A and 6B, when viewed from the negative direction of the Y axis in the positive direction, the wall member 4 has a part of the wall member 4 in the negative direction from the positive direction of the X axis, as shown in an inverted L shape. It has a shape protruding from the bottom surface portion 44. The reason for this is to make the wall member 4 stand independently from the stepped portion ST so that the wall member 4 does not fall in the direction opposite to the moving direction A of the main nozzle portion 3 (the negative direction of the X axis). is there. The base part 43 plays this role. Specifically, the base portion 43 is provided on the outer wall surface 42, and extends from the first bottom surface portion 441, the bottom surface side portion 442, and the second bottom surface portion 443 in the negative direction of the X axis. As shown in FIG. 3B, if the base portion 43 is not provided, the user holds the wall member 4 by hand so that the wall member 4 does not fall down until the sealing is completed in the fifth step described above. You may need it. Since the base portion 43 is provided, a jig for allowing the wall member 4 to stand independently from the stepped portion ST becomes unnecessary.

(Temporary fixing part)
The temporary fixing part 5 is configured as follows. As shown in FIG. 6A, the temporary fixing portion 5 includes a first joint portion 51, a second joint portion 52, and a third joint portion 53. The temporary fixing part 5 temporarily fixes the wall member 4 to the rear end surface 323 of the molding part 32. If the temporary fixing portion 5 is not provided, both the wall member 4 and the main nozzle portion 3 are connected to the user so that the wall member 4 is not separated from the main nozzle portion 3 in the above-described third step (supply of sealant). May need to grip and press against the stepped part. On the other hand, when the temporary fixing part 5 is provided, the user only needs to lightly press the main nozzle part 3 against the stepped part. This increases convenience.

The details of the temporary fixing portion 5 are as follows. As shown in FIG. 6B, the first joint portion 51 is provided with ₁ and the first recess 51, and _two first projections 51. The first recess 51 ₁ is provided on a portion of the upper surface of the molded portion 32 in above the first protrusion 321. The first projection 51 ₂ is provided in the inner wall surface 41 of the wall member 4 in a position which fits into the first recess 51 _1. The second joint portion 52 includes _first and second recesses 52, and a second protrusion 52 _2. The second recess 52 ₁ is provided on a portion of the upper surface of the molding portion 32 above the second protrusion 322. The second protrusion ₅₂₂ is provided in the inner wall surface 41 of the wall member 4 in a position which fits into the second recess 52 _1. The third joint portion 53 is provided with a third recess 53 _1, and a third protrusion 53 _2. Third recess 53 ₁ is provided on a portion of the side surface of the forming unit 32. The third protrusion 53 ₂ is provided in the inner wall surface 41 of the wall member 4 in a position which fits into the third recess 53 _1.

  It should be noted that each of the first to third joint portions 51-53 only needs to be in a position that does not affect the shape of the sealant to be applied. The number of joint portions is arbitrary as long as the wall member 4 can be temporarily fixed to the rear end surface 323 of the molding portion 32. For example, the temporary fixing part 5 may be composed of a first joint part 51 and a second joint part 52.

3.4. Sealant Application Method The sealant application method will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7E in association with the first to fifth steps. 7A to 7E are schematic views for explaining a sealant application method. However, for clarity of explanation, FIGS. 7A to 7E are simplified as follows. 1) FIGS. 7A to 7E are schematic views of the sealant application nozzle as seen from the positive direction of the Y axis to the negative direction. 2) Instead of directly illustrating the object, the upper stage upper surface 111 (corner portion 114) and the lower stage upper surface 121 are supplementarily illustrated by two-dot chain lines. 3) The shaded area indicates the sealant.

(First step S1)
In the first step S1, the main nozzle portion 3 and the wall member 4 are prepared. At this stage, it is assumed that the sealant application nozzle 2 is in a separated state.

(Second step S2)
In the second step S <b> 2, the wall member 4 is temporarily fixed to the main nozzle portion 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, the main nozzle portion 3 and the wall member 4 temporarily fixed to each other are arranged in contact with the stepped portion. In this state, focusing on the main nozzle portion 3, as shown in FIG. 6B, the first convex portion 321 is in line contact with the upper upper surface 111. The second convex portion 322 is in line contact with the lower upper surface 121. The guide surface 341 of the guide part 34 is in line contact with the corner part 114. Focusing on the wall member 4, the first bottom surface portion 441 is in contact with the upper upper surface 111. The bottom side portion 442 is in contact with the upper side surface 112. The second bottom surface portion 443 is in contact with the lower upper surface 121.

(Third step S3)
In 3rd process S3, as shown to FIG. 7B, injection | pouring to the supply port part 31 of sealant SE is started. Eventually, as shown in FIG. 7C, the space SP between the molding surface 33 and the stepped portion of the molding part 32 is filled with the sealant SE. At this time, the sealant SE is in contact with the entire inner wall surface 41 of the wall member 4.

(Fourth step S4)
The user moves the main nozzle portion 3 from the start position in the longitudinal direction (arrow A) of the stepped portion. When the main nozzle part 3 starts to move, the wall member 4 temporarily fixed to the main nozzle part 3 is separated from the main nozzle part 3. More specifically, the inner wall surface 41 of the wall member 4 is separated from the rear end surface 323. However, the wall member 4 is in the start position (X = X ₁ ). In addition, it is desirable to move the main nozzle part 3 as slowly as possible so that the wall member 4 does not move from the start position.

(5th process S5)
While the wall member 4 is at the start position (X = X ₁ ), the user moves the main nozzle portion 3 along the longitudinal direction of the stepped portion to the end position while injecting the sealant into the supply port portion 31. The wall member 4 is in the starting position until the sealing is finished. The movement of the main nozzle part 3 is preferably as constant as possible. After the sealing is finished, the main nozzle part 3 and the wall member 4 are removed from the object.

  According to the first embodiment described above, firstly, the trouble of molding the sealant after applying the sealant can be saved. Secondly, the shape of the sealant can be prevented from collapsing in the vicinity of the start position. Third, since the shape of the sealant is formed into a specified shape in the first stage, the occurrence of entrainment is also suppressed. In addition, wrinkles are unlikely to occur on the surface of the sealant. The presence of wrinkles leads to deterioration of the sealant quality.

4). Second Embodiment The second embodiment relates to a main nozzle part.

4.1. New Problem Recognized by the Inventor FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the sealant application nozzle 2 viewed from the positive direction of the Y axis to the negative direction in the fifth step. FIG. 8 is simplified as follows. 1) FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the sealant application nozzle 2 shown in FIG. 6B as viewed from the positive direction of the Y axis to the negative direction. 2) Instead of directly showing the object 1, the upper upper surface 111 (corner portion 114) and the lower upper surface 121 are supplementarily illustrated by two-dot chain lines. 3) The shaded area indicates the sealant.

As described in the first embodiment, in the fifth step, the user moves the main nozzle portion 3 along the longitudinal direction of the stepped portion while injecting the sealant into the supply port portion 31. At this time, the amount of the sealant injected into the supply port 31 may increase more than necessary. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the sealant part SE ₂ is likely to protrude from the front of the main nozzle portion 3. More specifically, a part of the sealant that fills the space SP between the molding surface 33 and the stepped portion is likely to protrude from the region between the edge of the front end surface 324 and the stepped portion. Protruding sealant SE ₂ is easily attached to the unnecessary part application of sealant, lowering the quality of the product. The means for solving this new problem is as follows.

4.2. Configuration FIG. 9A is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2A in a temporarily fixed state. FIG. 9B is a three-side view of the sealant application nozzle 2A in a temporarily fixed state. As shown in FIG. 9A, the main nozzle unit 3A further includes a first sealant guide portion 35 _1, a second sealant guide portion 35 _2.

(First sealant guide part)
As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the first sealant guide portion 35 ₁ includes ₁ a first sealant guide surface 351, a ₁ and a first distal portion 352. The first sealant guide portion 35 ₁ has a shape protruding forward of the first protrusion 321 is provided on the front side of the first convex portion 321. As shown in FIG. 9B, the first sealant guide portion 35 ₁ has the same height _{H 1} and the height of the front end surface 324 of the first protrusion 321.

(Second sealant guide)
As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the second sealant guide portion 35 ₂ is provided with a second sealant guide surface 351 _2, and a second tip portion 352 _2. The second sealant guide portion 35 ₂ has a shape protruding forward of the second protrusion 322 is provided on the front side of the second convex portion 322. The second sealant guide surface 351 ₂ faces the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ . As shown in FIG. 9B, second sealant guide portion 35 _2, for example, with the same height between _{H 2} height _{H 2} of the front end surface 324 of the second protrusion 322.

4.3. Relationship diagram 9C of the first sealant guide portion and the second sealant guide portion is a first sealant guide portion 35 ₁ and a partially enlarged view of the second sealant guide portion 35 ₂ of the forward direction as viewed in the negative direction of the Z axis . The purpose of the second embodiment is that the sealant protruding from the front of the main nozzle portion 3 does not spread in the Y-axis direction, and the sealant is placed between the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ and the second sealant guide surface 351 _2. It is in confinement. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9C, the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ is a surface (for example, an inclined surface) toward the negative direction (second convex portion 322) of the Y axis as it goes forward (the positive direction of the X axis). ). Similarly, the second sealant guide surface 351 _2, toward the front (the positive direction of the X axis), a forward surface facing the (first convex portion 321) of the Y-axis (e.g., the inclined plane). The first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ and the second sealant guide surface 351 ₂ are symmetric with respect to a plane that is parallel to the XZ plane and includes the symmetry axis O ₁ . Here, the axis of symmetry O ₁ is an axis that passes through the center of the front end surface 324 of the molding portion 32 when the main nozzle portion 3 is viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis to the negative direction. Further, the symmetry axis O ₁ is parallel to the X axis.

(angle)
The angle between the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ and the front end surface 324 when the (gradient) is represented by theta _1, angle theta ₁ may be smaller than _{90 ° (θ 1 <90 °} ). When the angle between the second sealant guide surface 351 ₂ and the front end surface 324 is represented by theta _2, also angle theta _2, it may be smaller than _{90 ° (θ 2 <90 °} ). The angle θ ₁ and the angle θ ₂ may be the same value or different values. In view of confining the sealant protruding from the front of the main nozzle portion 3 between the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ and the second sealant guide surface 351 ₂ , the angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ are 45 ° or more. It is preferably 60 ° or less (45 ° ≦ θ ₁ ≦ 60 °, 45 ° ≦ θ ₂ ≦ 60 °).

(length)
The first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ has a length L. Here, the length L is a length along the X-axis refers to the length from the forward end surface 324 until the first end 352 _{1. 2} The second sealant guide surface 351, with the same length L. Basically, the length L depends on the angle θ ₁ (= θ ₂ ). The length L is a length such that the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ and the second sealant guide surface 351 ₂ do not intersect each other.

(Distance between two faces)
A distance D between the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ and the second sealant guide surface 351 ₂ changes along the X-axis direction. Details are as follows. The distance D at the front end face 324 is (D = D ₀ ). The distance D gradually decreases from the front end surface 324 in the positive direction of the X axis, and takes a minimum value D = D _min (> 0) at a position separated from the front end surface 324 by a distance (length) L. The minimum value D = D _min may be smaller than the distance (D = D ₀ ) in the front end surface 324 (D _min <D ₀ ).

4.3. Effect In the fifth step, the main nozzle portion 3 moves along the longitudinal direction of the stepped portion (the positive direction of the X axis). In this case, sealant protruding from the front of the main nozzle 3, the first and sealant guide surface 351 ₁ remains between the second sealant guide surface 351 _2, does not spread in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, even if protruding portion of sealant from the front of the main nozzle 3, the run-off sealant, hard first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ leaks to the outside from the space between the second sealant guide surface 351 ₂ . According to the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress the sealant protruding from the front of the main nozzle portion 3 from adhering to a portion where application of the sealant is unnecessary. In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

4.4. A first modification first sealant guide portion 35 ₁ and the second sealant guide portion 35 ₂ can be configured as follows. Figure 10A is a partially enlarged view of the first sealant guide portion 35 ₁ and the second sealant guide portion 35 ₂ viewed from the positive direction in the negative direction of the Z-axis.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the distance D between the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ and the second sealant guide surface 351 ₂ varies along the X-axis direction. This point is as described above. However, the distance D changes as follows. The distance D gradually decreases from the front end face 324 in the positive direction of the X axis, and takes a minimum value (D = D _min ) at a position separated from the front end face 324 by a distance (length) L. The distance D gradually increases from the position where the distance D takes the minimum value, and takes the distance D ₁ at a position separated from the front end face 324 by a distance 2L (= L + L). Incidentally, FIG. 10A, the distance _{D 1} is illustrated equal to the distance _{D 0.} Distance _{D 1} may be different from the distance _{D 0.} To the extent that the object of the second embodiment can be achieved, the distance D only needs to increase from a position separated from the front end face 324 by the distance L. For example, the distance D may be a distance (D = D ₁ ) at a position separated from the front end surface 324 by a distance (L + L / 2).

According to the first modified example, in addition to the effects exhibited by the examples of FIGS. 9A to 9C, the sealant protruding forward from the position separated from the front end surface 324 by the distance L is the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ . effect that raking between the second sealant guide surface 351 _2.

4.5. The second variant the first sealant guide portion 35 ₁ and the second sealant guide portion 35 ₂ can be configured as follows. 10B is a partially enlarged view of the first sealant guide portion 35 ₁ and the second sealant guide portion 35 ₂ viewed from the positive direction in the negative direction of the Z-axis.

The purpose of the second modified example is to prevent the sealant protruding from the front of the main nozzle portion 3 from spreading in the Y-axis direction between the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ and the second sealant guide surface 351 ₂ . It is to gather up in between. Specifically, it is as follows.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the distance D between the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ and the second sealant guide surface 351 ₂ varies along the X-axis direction. However, the distance D changes as follows. The distance D gradually increases from the front end face 324 in the positive direction of the X axis, and takes a maximum value D = D _max at a position separated from the front end face 324 by a distance (length) L. In this case, the angle θ _1a may be larger than 90 ° (θ _1a > 90 °). The angle θ _2a may also be larger than 90 ° (θ _2a > 90 °). The angle θ _1a and the angle θ _2a may be the same value or different values.

In view of collecting the sealant protruding forward from the front end surface 324 between the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ and the second sealant guide surface 351 ₂ , the angles θ _1a and θ _2a are 120 ° or more. It is preferably 150 ° or less (120 ° ≦ θ _1a ≦ 150 °, 120 ° ≦ θ _2a ≦ 150 °). The distance L can be within a range capable of scraping sealant protruding forward from the front end surface 324 between the first sealant guide surface 351 ₁ and ₂ second sealant guide surface 351 is set arbitrarily.

According to a second variant, it is scraped while the sealant protruding forward from the front end surface 324 of ₁ and the first sealant guide surface 351 and the ₂ second sealant guide surface 351. Therefore, it can suppress that the sealant which protruded from the front of the main nozzle part 3 adheres to the part which does not need application of a sealant.

5. Third Embodiment A third embodiment relates to a main nozzle portion.

5.1. Configuration FIG. 11A is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2B in a temporarily fixed state. FIG. 11B is a partially enlarged view of the sealant guide portion 36 as viewed from the positive direction of the Z-axis to the negative direction. A hatched portion in FIG. 11B indicates the molding surface 33.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the main nozzle portion 3B includes a sealant guide portion 36 and a tip surface 362. The sealant guide portion 36 is disposed in front of the front end surface 324 on the side opposite to the rear end surface 323. The sealant guide portion 36 includes a sealant guide surface 361 that is continuous with the molding surface 33. The front end surface 362 is a front end surface of the sealant guide portion 36. The sealant guide surface 361 has a tapered shape as it goes from the front end surface 324 to the front end surface 362 like a tapered shape. The front end surface 324 is a virtual surface that indicates the boundary between the molding portion 32 and the sealant guide portion 36.

5.2. Sealant Guide Surface In the third embodiment, the shape of the sealant guide surface 361 is represented by the shape of a line of intersection between the sealant guide surface 361 and a surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction. In that case, the shape of the line of intersection between the sealant guide surface 361 and the surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction changes along the X-axis direction. Hereinafter, this point will be described.

  First, the width of the sealant guide surface 361 in the Y-axis direction will be described. As shown in FIG. 11B, the sealant guide portion 36 has a length L. Here, the length L is a length along the X axis, and indicates a length from the front end surface 324 to the front end surface 362.

When viewed from the positive direction of the Z-axis to the negative direction, the sealant guide surface 361 has a width equal to the linear distance (D = D ₀ ) in the Y-axis direction at the position of the front end surface 324. Here, the linear distance (D = D ₀ ) is a linear distance between two points when viewed from the positive direction of the Z-axis, that is, a straight line between the first convex part 321 and the second convex part 322. Equal to the distance. The straight line distance D gradually decreases from the front end surface 324 in the positive direction of the X axis, and takes a minimum value D = D _min at a position separated from the front end surface 324 by a distance (length) L.

Figure 11C is a diagram showing the shape of intersection of the sealant guide surface 361 and the first plane _{P 1.} The first plane P ₁ is a plane perpendicular to the X-axis direction at a position (front end surface 324) where the linear distance D takes (D = D ₀ ). A two-dot chain line in FIG. 11C indicates the front end face 324. The solid line in FIG. 11C shows the line of intersection _{C 1} and the sealant guide surface 361 and the first plane _{P 1.}

Figure 11D is a diagram showing the shape of intersection of the sealant guide surface 361 and the second plane _{P 2.} Second plane _{P 2} is in the X-axis direction perpendicular to the plane in linear distance D is the minimum value _{(D = D min)} takes the position (tip surface 362). A two-dot chain line in FIG. 11D indicates the front end face 324. The solid line in FIG. 11D shows the line of intersection _{C 2} of the sealant guide surface 361 and the second plane _{P 2.} Dashed line in FIG. 11D shows the line of intersection _{C 1} shown in FIG. 11C. Comparing the _two intersection lines C ₁ and C ₂ with each other, the length of the intersection line C ₂ shown in FIG. 11D is shorter than the length of the intersection line C ₁ shown in FIG. 11C. That is, it can be seen that the length of the line of intersection between the sealant guide surface 361 and the surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction gradually decreases along the X-axis direction.

  Also in the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the sealant protruding from the front of the main nozzle portion 3 can be prevented from adhering to a portion where the sealant is unnecessary.

5.3. First Modification The sealant guide portion 36 can be configured as follows. FIG. 12A is a partially enlarged view of the sealant guide portion 36 as viewed from the positive direction of the Z-axis to the negative direction.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the shape of the line of intersection between the sealant guide surface 361 and the surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction changes along the X-axis direction. This point is as described above. However, the shape of the intersection line changes as follows.

First, the width of the sealant guide surface 361 in the Y-axis direction will be described. As shown in FIG. 12A, the linear distance D gradually decreases from the front end face 324 in the positive direction of the X axis, and takes a minimum value D = D _min at a position away from the front end face 324 by the distance L. The straight line distance D gradually increases from a position where the minimum value D = D _min is taken, and takes a distance (D = D ₁ ) at a position separated from the front end face 324 by a distance 2L (= L + L), for example. Incidentally, FIG. 12A, the distance _{D 1} is illustrated equal to the distance _{D 0.} The distance D ₁ may be different from the distance D _0. The linear distance D may be increased to such an extent that the object of the second embodiment described above can be achieved.

From the position of the front end surface 324 to the position where the linear distance D takes the minimum value D = _Dmin , the length of the intersection line between the sealant guide surface 361 and the surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction is X-axis as described above. It gradually shortens along the direction. On the other hand, at a position separated from the front end face 324 by a distance 2L (= L + L), the linear distance D is a distance (D = D ₁ ). Accordingly, a sealant guide surface 361, the length C ₃ of the intersection of the third plane P ₃ perpendicular to the X-axis direction at this position (position at a distance 2L from the front end surface 324) is the intersection line shown in FIG. 11C is the same as the C _1. That is, from the position where the linear distance D takes the minimum value D = D _min to the position where the distance (D = D ₁ ) takes, the length of the line of intersection between the sealant guide surface 361 and the surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction is The length gradually increases along the X-axis direction.

  Also in the sealant guide portion 36 shown in FIG. 12A, the protruding sealant can be molded in the moving direction of the main nozzle portion 3B while collecting the protruding sealant.

5.4. Second Modification The sealant guide portion 36 can be configured as follows. FIG. 12B is a partially enlarged view of the sealant guide portion 36 as viewed from the positive direction of the Z-axis to the negative direction.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, the shape of the line of intersection between the sealant guide surface 361 and the surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction changes along the X-axis direction. This point is as described above. However, the shape of the intersection line changes as follows.

First, the width of the sealant guide surface 361 in the Y-axis direction will be described. As shown in FIG. 12B, the linear distance D gradually increases from the front end surface 324 toward the positive direction of the X axis. The straight line distance D takes a maximum value (D = D _max ) at a position separated from the front end face 324 by a distance L, for example. In addition, the linear distance D should just increase to such an extent that the objective of the above-mentioned 2nd Embodiment can be achieved.

Figure 12C is a diagram showing the shape of intersection of the sealant guide surface 361 and the second plane _{P 2.} Second plane _{P 2} is in the X-axis direction perpendicular to the plane in linear distance D is the maximum value _{(D = D max)} takes the position (tip surface 362). A two-dot chain line in FIG. 12C indicates the front end face 324. The solid line in FIG. 12C shows the line of intersection _{C 3} of the sealant guide surface 361 and the second plane _{P 2.} Dashed line in FIG. 12C shows the line of intersection _{C 1} shown in FIG. 11C. When the two lines of intersection _{C 1} and _{C 3} are compared with each other, the length of the intersection line _{C 3} shown in FIG. 12C is longer than the length of the intersection line _{C 1} shown in FIG. 11C. That is, it can be seen that the length of the line of intersection between the sealant guide surface 361 and the surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction becomes gradually longer along the X-axis direction.

  Also in the sealant guide part 36 shown in FIG. 12B, the sealant protruding from the front of the main nozzle part 3 can be prevented from adhering to the part where the sealant is unnecessary.

6). Fourth Embodiment A fourth embodiment relates to a sealant application nozzle.

FIG. 13 is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2C. As shown in FIG. 13, the sealant application nozzle 2 </ b> C includes a main nozzle portion 3 </ b> A. The main nozzle portion 3A is the same as the main nozzle portion 3A (see FIG. 9A) described in the second embodiment. In other words, the main nozzle unit 3A includes a supply opening 31, and the molding portion 32, a first sealant guide portion 35 _1, a second sealant guide portion 35 _2. However, the sealant application nozzle 2 </ b> C does not include the wall member 4.

  According to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to prevent the sealant that protrudes from the front of the main nozzle portion 3 from adhering to an unnecessary portion of the object.

7). Fifth Embodiment A fifth embodiment relates to a sealant application nozzle.

  FIG. 14 is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2D. As shown in FIG. 14, the sealant application nozzle 2D includes a main nozzle portion 3B. The main nozzle portion 3B is the same as the main nozzle portion 3B described in the third embodiment (see FIG. 11A). That is, the main nozzle part 3 </ b> B includes a supply port part 31, a molding part 32, and a sealant guide part 36. However, the sealant application nozzle 2 </ b> D does not include the wall member 4.

  According to the fifth embodiment, the sealant that protrudes from the front of the main nozzle portion 3 can be prevented from adhering to an unnecessary portion of the object.

8). Sixth Embodiment The sixth embodiment relates to a temporary fixing portion.

  FIG. 15 is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2E in a separated state. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the sealant application nozzle 2 </ b> E includes a main nozzle portion 3, a wall member 4, and a temporary fixing portion 5 a. The main nozzle portion 3 and the wall member 4 are the same as the main nozzle portion 3 and the wall member 4 described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6B). However, the structure of the temporary fix | stop part 5a differs from the structure of the temporary fix | stop part 5 demonstrated in 1st Embodiment.

The temporary fixing portion 5a includes a set of first magnets 54 ₁ and 54 ₂ and a set of second magnets 55 ₁ and 55 ₂ . The pair of first magnets 54 ₁ and 54 ₂ have different polarities. The pair of second magnets 55 ₁ and 55 ₂ also have different polarities. In one set of the first magnet ₅₄ 1, 54 _2, first magnet 54 ₁ of one is provided above the first protrusion 321. ₂ the other of the first magnet 54 is provided on the first magnet 54 ₁ and sticking position on the inner wall surface 41 of the wall member 4. In the second magnets ₅₅ 1, 55 ₂ of the other pair, the second magnet 55 ₁ of one is provided above the first protrusion 321. The second magnet 55 ₂ the other is provided on the second magnet 55 ₁ and sticking position on the inner wall surface 41 of the wall member 4.

  Even if a magnet is used, the wall member 4 can be temporarily fixed to the main nozzle portion 3.

9. Seventh Embodiment The seventh embodiment relates to a main nozzle portion.

  FIG. 16 is an external view of the sealant application nozzle 2F in a temporarily fixed state. As shown in FIG. 16, the sealant application nozzle 2 </ b> F includes a main nozzle portion 3, a wall member 4, and a temporary fixing portion 5. The main nozzle part 3 includes a transparent part 37 in which the inside of the main nozzle part 3 can be seen from the outside of the main nozzle part 3. A hatched portion in FIG. 16 indicates the transparent portion 37. Basically, the main nozzle portion 3, the wall member 4, and the temporary fixing portion 5 are the same as the main nozzle portion 3, the wall member 4, and the temporary fixing portion 5 described in the first embodiment, respectively ( (See FIG. 6A).

  The transparent part 37 is made of polyethylene, for example. If the inner side of the main nozzle part 3 can be visually recognized from the outer side of the main nozzle part 3, the material of the transparent part 37 is not limited to polyethylene. In the example of FIG. 16, the transparent part 37 corresponds to the entire molding part 32. Simply put, the entire molding part 32 is transparent (including translucent). Of course, the sealant application nozzle 2 can also be formed of polyethylene (example) so that the entire sealant application nozzle 2 is transparent. In this case, the transparent portion 37 corresponds to the supply port portion 31, the molding portion 32, the wall member 4, and the temporary fixing portion 5. In addition, within a range in which the inside of the main nozzle portion 3 can be visually recognized from the outside of the main nozzle portion 3, a part of the molding portion 32 can be formed of polyethylene.

  According to the seventh embodiment, since the transparent part 37 is provided, the supply amount of the sealant to the supply port part 31 can be visually confirmed. In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

10. Eighth Embodiment The eighth embodiment relates to a sealant forming apparatus.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a sealant forming apparatus. The sealant molding apparatus includes a sealant application nozzle 2, a sealant loading unit 6, and a nozzle unit 7. The sealant application nozzle 2 includes a main nozzle part 3, a wall member 4, and a temporary fixing part 5. The sealant loading unit 6 includes a hole 61. The nozzle unit 7 includes a nozzle tip 71. The sealant application nozzle 2 is the same as the sealant application nozzle 2 described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6A).

  The sealant loading unit 6 is a container for loading the sealant SE. The hole 61 is provided on the bottom surface of the sealant loading unit 6 and is connected to the nozzle unit 7. The nozzle tip 71 is attached to the supply port 31. In addition, the supply port part 31 and the nozzle part 7 may be integrally formed.

  The sealant molding apparatus is used as follows at the time of sealing. First, the sealant SE is loaded into the sealant loading unit 6. Next, the sealant SE is pushed out from the inside of the sealant loading unit 6. Then, the sealant SE flows from the sealant loading unit 6 through the nozzle unit 7 into the supply port unit 31. The sealant application nozzle 2 applies the sealant SE supplied from the supply port 31 to the stepped portion.

  As described above, all the embodiments have been described. Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

All the embodiments and all the modified examples can be suitably combined within a range where no technical contradiction occurs. Examples of combinations are given below.
1) Second embodiment (see FIG. 9A) and seventh embodiment (see FIG. 16)
2) The third embodiment (see FIG. 11A) and the sixth embodiment (see FIG. 15)
3) A first modification of the second embodiment (see FIG. 10A), a sixth embodiment, and a seventh embodiment

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Object, 11 ... Upper step member, 12 ... Lower step member, 13 ... Side surface, 111 ... Upper step upper surface, 112 ... Upper step side surface, 113 ... Upper step lower surface, 114 ... Corner portion, 115 ... Corner portion, 121 ... Lower step upper surface, 2 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F ... sealant application nozzle, 3, 3A, 3B ... main nozzle part, 31 ... supply port part, 32 ... molding part, 321 ... first convex part, 322 ... second convex part Part, 323 ... rear end face, 3231 ... edge part, 324 ... front end face, 3241 ... edge part, 33 ... molding face, 34 ... guide part, 341 ... guide face, 36 ... sealant guide part, 37 ... transparent part, 35 ₁ ... 1st sealant guide part, 35 ₂ ... 2nd sealant guide part, 351 ₁ ... 1st sealant guide surface, 351 ₂ ... 2nd sealant guide surface, 352 ₁ ... _1st front-end | tip part, 352 ₂ ... 2nd front-end | tip part, 361 ... Sh Runt guide surface, 362 ... distal end surface, 4 ... wall member, 41 ... inner wall surface, 42 ... outer wall surface, 43 ... base portion, 44 ... bottom surface portion, 5, 5a ... temporary fixing portion, 6 ... sealant loading portion, 7 ... Nozzle part

Claims (8)

A main nozzle portion configured to apply a sealant to the stepped portion of the object;
A wall member and
The main nozzle part is
A supply port for supplying the sealant;
A molding part for molding the sealant supplied from the supply port part,
The molded part is
A first protrusion extending in a first direction and in line contact with the upper surface of the stepped portion;
A second convex portion extending in the first direction and in line contact with the lower upper surface of the stepped portion;
A sealant molding surface disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion;
A rear end surface having an edge that defines a passing region through which the sealant passes, and
The sealant application nozzle, wherein the wall member can be disposed at a position in contact with the rear end surface to cover the passage region. The sealant application nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising a temporary fixing portion that temporarily fixes the wall member to the rear end surface of the molded portion. The main nozzle part is
A first sealant guide portion provided on the front side of the first convex portion;
A second sealant guide part provided on the front side of the second convex part,
The first sealant guide part includes a first sealant guide surface,
The second sealant guide part includes a second sealant guide surface facing the first sealant guide surface,
The sealant application nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a distance between the first sealant guide surface and the second sealant guide surface varies along the first direction. The main nozzle part further includes a sealant guide part on the opposite side of the rear end face,
The sealant guide portion includes a sealant guide surface continuous with the molding surface,
The sealant application nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a shape of a line of intersection between the sealant guide surface and a surface perpendicular to the first direction changes along the first direction. Having a main nozzle portion configured to apply a sealant to the stepped portion of the object;
The main nozzle part is
A supply port for supplying the sealant;
A molding part for molding the sealant supplied from the supply port part,
The molded part is
A first protrusion extending in a first direction and in line contact with the upper surface of the stepped portion;
A second convex portion extending in the first direction and in line contact with the lower upper surface of the stepped portion;
A sealant molding surface disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion;
A rear end surface having an edge that defines a passing region through which the sealant passes, and
The main nozzle part further includes
A first sealant guide portion provided on the front side of the first convex portion;
A second sealant guide part provided on the front side of the second convex part,
The first sealant guide part includes a first sealant guide surface,
The second sealant guide part includes a second sealant guide surface facing the first sealant guide surface,
The sealant application nozzle, wherein a distance between the first sealant guide surface and the second sealant guide surface changes along the first direction. Having a main nozzle portion configured to apply a sealant to the stepped portion of the object;
The main nozzle part is
A supply port for supplying the sealant;
A molding part for molding the sealant supplied from the supply port part,
The molded part is
A first protrusion extending in a first direction and in line contact with the upper surface of the stepped portion;
A second convex portion extending in the first direction and in line contact with the lower upper surface of the stepped portion;
A sealant molding surface disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion;
A rear end surface having an edge that defines a passing region through which the sealant passes, and
The main nozzle part further includes a sealant guide part on the opposite side of the rear end face,
The sealant guide portion includes a sealant guide surface continuous with the molding surface,
A sealant application nozzle in which a shape of an intersection line between the sealant guide surface and a surface perpendicular to the first direction changes along the first direction. The sealant application nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the main nozzle portion includes a transparent portion in which the inside of the main nozzle portion can be visually recognized from the outside of the main nozzle portion. A sealant application method for applying a sealant to a stepped portion of an object using a sealant application nozzle,
The sealant application nozzle is
A main nozzle portion configured to apply a sealant to the stepped portion of the object;
A wall member and
The main nozzle part is
A supply port for supplying the sealant;
A molding part for molding the sealant supplied from the supply port part,
The molded part is
A first protrusion extending in a first direction and in line contact with the upper surface of the stepped portion;
A second convex portion extending in the first direction and in line contact with the lower upper surface of the stepped portion;
A sealant molding surface disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion;
A rear end surface having an edge that defines a passing region through which the sealant passes, and
The sealant application method is:
A step of placing the main nozzle portion and the wall member in contact with the stepped portion, wherein the wall member is placed in contact with the rear end surface of the molding portion, and the passage region is covered with the wall member. A process including:
Supplying a sealant from the supply port to the molded part;
Moving the main nozzle part in the first direction to separate the wall member from the main nozzle part.

Images