JP7221086B2 - Two-part seal structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a two-part seal structure that seals between a first part and a second part with a seal piece integrally molded with the first part.

In response to global warming, vehicles are required to improve fuel efficiency. A vehicle is equipped with a ventilation duct made of resin in order to efficiently guide the air taken in from the front grill provided at the front of the vehicle to a cooler (radiator or condenser). In order to reduce airflow resistance and improve vehicle fuel efficiency, a cushion is placed between the ventilation duct and a bumper or other object to seal the airflow. However, if a cushion is provided, not only the number of parts increases, but also the number of man-hours for adhering the cushion to the ventilation duct or bumper increases, leading to an increase in cost. Therefore, in recent years, a method of integrally molding a seal piece having flexibility by making it thinner than the duct has been adopted (for example, Patent Document 1).

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which a flexible seal piece 1 that is thinner than the duct 2 is integrally formed with the duct 2 . The seal piece 1 has a substantially constant thickness over the entire length in the projecting direction.

Generally, there is variation in the position of the seal counterpart 3, such as a bumper, relative to the duct 2. Even with the seal piece 1 disclosed in Patent Document 1, variations in the position of the sealing member 3 can be absorbed by changing the amount of deformation (deflection). The relationship between the seal 2 and the sealing counterpart 3 is changed, and it becomes difficult to ensure the sealing performance with the length of the seal piece 1.例文帳に追加For example, if the seal counterpart 3 is a bumper of a vehicle, if the design of the bumper changes, the seal piece 1 must be newly designed and manufactured accordingly. Therefore, new parts are frequently provided for each vehicle variation, leading to high costs.

It is expected that the above problem can be alleviated by making the seal piece 1 longer. However, if the resin stops flowing (hardens) in the middle, the resin will not flow beyond that point, and the product will have a gap. In other words, in the conventional structure, a molding limit is imposed in order to prevent defective molding.

JP 2012-158266 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a two-piece seal construction that allows longer seal strips to be molded, thereby accommodating changes in the position and shape of the seal partner.

The present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.
(1) a first part made of resin;
a second part;
a flexible sealing piece integrally molded with the first component for sealing between the first component and the second component;
has
The sealing piece includes a first thin-walled portion which is provided so as to protrude from the first component toward the second component and which is thinner than the first component; a second thin portion protruding toward the two parts, thinner than the first thin portion, and having a free end,
The second part is located at a position farther from the first part than the boundary between the first thin part and the second thin part of the seal piece in the free state, and the tip of the second thin part in the projecting direction. when the second thinned portion contacts the second component and contributes to sealing when the second thinned portion is closer than
When the second component is closer to the first component than the boundary between the first thin-walled portion and the second thin-walled portion of the seal piece in a free state, at least the first thin-walled portion contacts the second part and contributes to the seal.
Two-part seal structure.
(2) A description of (1), wherein the first thin portion is provided with a first bent portion that bends or curves in the plate thickness direction of the first thin portion at a projecting direction intermediate portion and/or a projecting direction distal end portion. 2-part seal structure.
(3) 2 according to (1) or (2), wherein the second thin portion is provided with a second bent portion that bends or curves in the plate thickness direction of the second thin portion at least at the tip in the projection direction. Parts sealing structure.

In the two-part seal structure of (1) above, the seal piece has the first thin portion and the second thin portion which is thinner than the first thin portion, so that the following effects can be obtained.
(a) Compared to the case where the thickness of the second thin portion is constant between the first thin portion and the second thin portion, when the seal piece is integrally molded with the first component, the thickness from the first thin portion to the second thin portion is reduced. (2) The fluidity of the molten resin to the thin portion can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to form a seal piece having a larger protrusion than the conventional one while suppressing molding defects. Therefore, even if there is a change in the position or shape of the second part, which is the sealing partner, with respect to the first part, the number of cases where the first part and the seal piece can be shared increases, and the cost can be reduced.
In addition, (b) the reaction force generated in the seal piece from the second component can be reduced compared to the case where the thickness of the first thin portion and the second thin portion are constant. . Therefore, the worker can assemble the first and second parts with a relatively light force, which involves deformation of the seal piece, which is advantageous in terms of workability.

In the two-part seal structure of (2) above, since the first bent portion is provided, when the seal piece is deformed in contact with the second part, the first thin portion is relatively bent in the plate thickness direction. It can be easily bent and deformed with a light force. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the reaction force from the second component that is generated in the seal piece. Therefore, the worker can assemble the first and second parts with a relatively light force, which involves deformation of the seal piece, which is advantageous in terms of workability.

In the two-part seal structure of (3) above, since the second bent portion is provided at least at the tip of the second thin portion, the tip of the second thin portion may damage or scrape the second part. can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to increase the rigidity against deformation in the thickness direction of the projecting direction end portion of the second thin portion, thereby suppressing unintended molding deformation due to shrinkage during molding.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a first part and a seal piece in a free state of a two-piece seal structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the seal piece of FIG. 1 and its vicinity; In the two-part seal structure of the embodiment of the present invention, the second part has the second thin part at a position farther than the boundary between the first thin part and the second thin part of the seal piece in the free state with respect to the first part. FIG. 10 is an assembly operation diagram when the part is located closer to the leading end in the projecting direction of the part; (a) shows just before the seal piece is deformed. (b) shows the state after the seal piece is deformed. In the two-component seal structure of the embodiment of the present invention, when the second component is located closer to the first component than the boundary between the first thin-walled portion and the second thin-walled portion of the seal piece in the free state. 4 is an assembly operation diagram; FIG. (a) shows a state in which the seal piece is deformed. (b) shows the state after the seal piece is deformed. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first part and the seal piece in a free state in the first modified example of the two-part seal structure of the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first part and the seal piece in a free state in the second modified example of the two-part seal structure according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first part and the seal piece in a free state in the third modification of the two-part seal structure according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first part and the seal piece in a free state in the fourth modification of the two-part seal structure according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first part and the seal pieces in a free state in the fifth modification of the two-part seal structure of the embodiment of the present invention; In the two-part seal structure of the embodiment of the present invention, the first part is a component part of the ventilation duct arranged between the front bumper and the grille shutter of the vehicle, and the second part is the front grill provided on the front bumper. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing first and second parts and the vicinity thereof. FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional two-part seal structure in which the seal piece is in a free state; FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a seal piece is deformed in a conventional two-part seal structure;

A two-piece seal structure (hereinafter also simply referred to as a seal structure) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG.

A seal structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a resin-made first component 20 , a second component 30 , and a seal piece 40 integrally formed with the first component 20 .

Although not particularly limited, as shown in FIG. 10 , the first part 20 is a component of a ventilation duct from a front grille 101 to a grille shutter 102 provided in the front bumper of the vehicle, and is opposed in the vertical direction of the vehicle. It is the upper and lower walls of the ventilation duct that Left and right walls 103 of the ventilation duct are integrally formed with the front bumper so as to protrude rearward of the vehicle. Also, the second part 30 is a front bumper. The running wind of the vehicle flowing from the front grille 101 passes through the space surrounded by the upper and lower walls (first part 20) of the ventilation duct and the left and right walls 103, passes through the grille shutter 102, and passes through the cooler (not shown) behind the vehicle. (radiators and capacitors).

A seal piece 40 is provided for sealing between the first part 20 and the second part 30, as shown in FIG. The seal piece 40 is molded integrally with the resin first component 20 and has flexibility utilizing resin elasticity. The material of the seal piece 40 is the same as the material of the first component 20, and is made of polypropylene resin, for example. The seal piece 40 is provided at the end of the first component 20 on the second component 30 side. The seal piece 40 is provided so as to protrude from the first component 20 toward the second component 30 (toward the second component 30). The seal piece 40 is not provided with any hole or notch that penetrates the seal piece 40 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the seal piece 40 has a first thin portion 41 thinner than the end portion 21 of the first component 20 on the side of the seal piece 40, and a free end portion thinner than the first thin portion 41. and a second thinned portion 42 formed as an end.

The first thin portion 41 has a constant plate thickness over its entirety or substantially its entirety. The first thin portion 41 protrudes from the first component 20 in a direction parallel to the in-plane direction D of the surface of the end portion 21 of the first component 20 at the root portion 41 a in the projecting direction. This is to increase the fluidity of molten resin from the first component 20 to the first thin portion 41 when molding the first component 20 and the seal piece 40 . Further, the first thin portion 41 is provided with a first curved portion 41b curved in the plate thickness direction of the first thin portion 41 at the intermediate portion and/or the distal end portion in the projecting direction. This is because the provision of the first bent portion 41 b facilitates bending deformation of the first thin portion 41 when receiving a reaction force from the second component 30 . The first curved portion 41b may not be curved in the thickness direction of the first thin portion 41, and may be curved in the thickness direction of the first thin portion 41 as shown in FIG. At least one first bending portion 41b may be provided, and a plurality of first bending portions 41b may be provided.

The second thin portion 42 has a uniform thickness over its entirety or substantially its entirety. The thickness of the second thin portion 42 is preferably about 0.2 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less, for example, and the thickness of the first thin portion 41 is about 0.3 mm thicker than the thickness of the second thin portion 42 . desirable. The reason why the thickness of the second thin portion 42 is desirably 0.2 mm or more is that if it is less than 0.2 mm, it is too thin and the flowability of molten metal during molding deteriorates. The reason why the thickness of the second thin portion 42 is preferably 0.8 mm or less is that if it is thicker than 0.8 mm, the second thin portion 42 becomes thicker and the reaction force from the second component 30 generated in the second thin portion 42 becomes large. Because it becomes The reason why it is desirable that the thickness of the first thin portion 41 is about 0.3 mm thicker than the thickness of the second thin portion 42 is that the first thin portion 41 is prevented from becoming too thick, and the sealing piece 40 This is because the thickness of the seal piece 40 can be multi-leveled while maintaining the flexibility of the seal piece 40 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the second thin portion 42 is provided so as to protrude toward the second component 30 from the distal end portion 41c of the first thin portion 41 in the projecting direction. As shown in FIG. 8, a bead portion 43 thicker than the first and second thin portions 41 and 42 is provided at the boundary 44 between the second thin portion 42 and the first thin portion 41. In this case, the second thin portion 42 protrudes from the first thin portion 41 via the bead portion 43 .

The direction in which the second thin portion 42 protrudes from the first thin portion 41 may be in a direction approaching the second component 30 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the second component 30 is on the front side of the in-plane direction D with respect to the first component 20 (the left side of the first component 20 in FIG. 2), the second thin portion 42 may protrude in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to direction D as shown in FIG. It is desirable that the projection be tilted at an acute angle .theta. The ease of deformation of the second thin portion 42 can be adjusted by the length of the second thin portion 42 and the angle from the direction D. As shown in FIG. 7 when the second part 30 is in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the direction D with respect to the first part 20 (for example, the upper side of the first part 20 in FIG. 2). , may protrude in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the direction D, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second thin portion 42 is provided with a second bent portion 42a that bends or curves in the plate thickness direction of the second thin portion 42 at least at the tip in the projecting direction. This is because when the second thin portion 42 begins to contact the second component 30, the tip of the second thin portion 42 contacts the second component 30 and damages or scrapes the second component 30 at the tip. In addition, it is intended to suppress unintended molding deformation due to shrinkage during molding by increasing the rigidity against deformation in the plate thickness direction of the protruding direction end portion of the second thin portion 42 . In order to obtain these effects, as shown in FIG. 9, the second thin portion 42 has a thickness greater than that of the other portion of the second thin portion 42, instead of the second curved portion 42a, at the tip portion in the projecting direction. A thickened bead 42b may be provided.

Next, the operation and effect of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

(i) As shown in FIG. 3, the position where the second component 30 is farther from the first component 20 than the boundary 44 between the first thin portion 41 and the second thin portion 42 of the seal piece 40 in the free state. , the thickness of the second thin portion 42 is thinner than that of the first thin portion 41 when the second thin portion 42 is located closer to the tip of the second thin portion 42 in the projecting direction. , the first thin portion 41 is not or hardly deformed by the second component 30 , and the second thin portion 42 is mainly deformed by the second component 30 . Specifically, the second thin portion 42 is deformed so as to rotate around a boundary 44 where a difference in plate thickness from the first thin portion 41 occurs. The first thin portion 41 does not contact the second component 30, and only the second thin portion 42 contacts the second component 30 (only the second thin portion 42 contacts the second component 30 and contributes to sealing). ).
(ii) As shown in FIG. 4, when the second component 30 is closer to the first component 20 than the boundary 44 of the seal piece 40 in the free state, not only the second thin portion 42 but also the first The thin portion 41 is also deformed by the second part. Specifically, the second thin portion 42 is rotated around the boundary 44 by the second component 30 , and the first thin portion 41 is bent and deformed by the second component 30 . At least the first thin portion 41 contacts the second component 30 (at least the first thin portion 41 contacts the second component 30 and contributes to sealing).
From the above (i) and (ii), the second thin portion 42 and the first thin portion 41 can gradually absorb variations in the positions of the first component 20 and the second component 30 .

(A) In the embodiment of the present invention, the seal piece 40 has the first thin portion 41 and the second thin portion 42 which is thinner than the first thin portion 41 (because the multi-stage seal portion structure is adopted). ), (a) When the seal piece 40 is integrally molded with the first part 20, compared to the case where the thickness of the second thin portion 42 is constant between the first thin portion 41 and the second thin portion 42, , the fluidity of the molten resin from the first thin portion 41 to the second thin portion 42 can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to form the seal piece 40 having a larger protrusion than the conventional one while suppressing molding defects. Therefore, even if there is a change in the position or shape of the second part 30, which is the sealing partner, with respect to the first part 20, the number of cases where the first part 20 and the seal piece 40 can be shared increases, and the cost can be reduced. can. In addition, (b) the thickness of the first thin portion 41 reduces the reaction force from the second component 30 generated in the seal piece 40 compared to the case where the thickness of the first thin portion 41 and the second thin portion 42 is constant. can be reduced. Therefore, the worker can assemble the first and second parts 20 and 30 with a relatively light force, which involves deformation of the seal piece 40, which is advantageous in terms of workability.

(B) Since the first thin portion 41 of the seal piece 40 is provided with the first bent portion 41b, when the seal piece 40 contacts the second component 30 and is deformed, the first thin portion 41 is bent. It can be easily bent and deformed in the thickness direction with a relatively light force. Therefore, the reaction force from the second component 30 that is generated in the seal piece 40 can be reduced. Therefore, the worker can assemble the first and second parts 20 and 30 with a relatively light force, which involves deformation of the seal piece 40, which is advantageous in terms of workability.

(C) Since the second bent portion 42a that bends or curves in the plate thickness direction of the second thin portion 42 is provided at least at the distal end portion of the second thin portion 42 in the direction of projection, the second thin portion 42 is It is possible to prevent the tip of the second thin portion 42 from damaging or scraping the second component 30 when the two components 30 start to come into contact with each other. In addition, it is possible to increase the rigidity against deformation in the plate thickness direction of the protruding direction end portion of the second thin portion 42, so that unintended molding deformation due to shrinkage during molding can be suppressed.

(D) The second thin portion 42 is provided with a bead 42b thicker than the rest of the second thin portion 42, instead of the second curved portion 42a. However, the above effect (C) can be obtained. Further, when the thickness is increased by providing the bead 42b, the resin shrinks and deforms mainly in the direction of the thick side when the resin is cooled and solidified during molding. It is also possible to manipulate the amount of deformation of the tip of the portion 42 .

10 Two-component seal structure 20 First component 21 First component end 30 Second component 40 Seal piece 41 First thin portion 41a Root portion 41b of first thin portion 41b First curved portion 41c Protruding direction of first thin portion Tip portion 42 Second thin portion 42a Second curved portion 42b Bead 43 Bead 44 Boundary 101 Front grille 102 Grille shutter 103 Left and right walls of ventilation duct

Claims (3)

a first component made of resin;
a second part;
a flexible sealing piece integrally molded with the first component for sealing between the first component and the second component;
has
The sealing piece includes a first thin-walled portion which is provided so as to protrude from the first component toward the second component and which is thinner than the first component; a second thin portion protruding toward the two parts, thinner than the first thin portion, and having a free end,
The sealing piece has a multi-stage structure in which the first thin-walled portion and the second thin-walled portion each have a constant plate thickness,
The second part is located at a position farther from the first part than the boundary between the first thin part and the second thin part of the seal piece in the free state, and the tip of the second thin part in the projecting direction. when the second thinned portion contacts the second component and contributes to sealing when the second thinned portion is closer than
When the second component is closer to the first component than the boundary between the first thin-walled portion and the second thin-walled portion of the seal piece in a free state, at least the first thin-walled portion contacts the second part and contributes to the seal.
Two-part seal structure. 2. The two parts according to claim 1, wherein the first thin portion is provided with a first bent portion that bends or curves in the plate thickness direction of the first thin portion at a projecting direction middle portion and/or a projecting direction tip portion. seal structure. 3. The two-component seal according to claim 1, wherein the second thin portion is provided with a second curved portion that is bent or curved in the plate thickness direction of the second thin portion at least at a tip portion in a projecting direction. structure.

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