JPH10104112A - Leakage test apparatus, seal method and seal structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of times for replacing a seal member by suppressing a damage to the seal member such as an O ring or the like and increase a life of the seal member in a leakage test, etc. SOLUTION: A leakage test apparatus is provided with a connection member 3 (3a-3f), an O ring 10 and a helium feed device. The connection member 3 has an insertion part 3f, a seal-fitting part 3b and a leeway part 3e. A part of a torque converter 50 is inserted into the insertion part 3f. The seal-fitting part 3b is formed at the side of one end of the insertion part 3f, having a seal face 3a. The leeway part 3e has a taper face 3c formed to gradually increase a diameter from an end part of the seal-fitting part 3b. The O ring 10 is fitted at the seal-fitting part 3b to be in pressed touch with the seal face 3a of the seal-fitting part 3b and torque converter 50. The helium feed device is connected to the insertion part 3f, with feeding a gas or fluid to the torque converter 50 set to the insertion part 3f.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a leak test apparatus, a sealing method, and a sealing structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A sealing device is used to prevent gas or liquid from leaking or foreign matter from entering from outside. Among them, there is a device using a ring-shaped sealing member (such as an O-ring) as a device for performing sealing using direct contact. For example, an O-ring is a ring-shaped member having a circular cross section mainly made of synthetic rubber, and is generally widely used because it is easy to mount and has excellent sealing properties. The O-ring is press-fitted to the groove having a rectangular cross section with an appropriate crushing allowance, and is pressed against a wall surface to perform a sealing action due to the repulsive force of the rubber itself.

[0003] When a leak test is performed, a sealed structure is required, but an O-ring is often used here as well.
For example, when performing a leak test of a product having a cylindrical portion, the following leak test device is used. The leak test device includes a supply section for supplying helium, a connection section having one end connected to the supply section and the other end sealed to the product, a storage case for storing the product, and a periphery of the product in the storage case. And a detector for detecting helium leaking from the inside of the product into the storage case. In such a leak test apparatus, an O-ring is used between a product and a connection part.

In the case of performing a leak test of a large number of products using the above-described leak test apparatus, when the test is completed for one product, the product is removed from the connection portion and the next product is connected. That is, connection and disconnection of the connection part and the product are repeatedly performed by the number of products.

[0005]

Conventionally, an O-ring mounting groove is formed in a connecting portion of a leak tester, and a cylindrical portion of a product is inserted in a state where an O-ring is set therein, and an O-ring is mounted on the connecting portion. An O-ring is compression-mounted between the groove and the product for sealing. Here, the inner diameter of the O-ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical part of the product by the amount of the crushing of the O-ring. For this reason, when inserting a product, the corner of the end face of the cylindrical portion of the product may hit the inner peripheral portion of the O-ring and damage the O-ring. Normally, the end of the cylindrical portion of the product is chamfered to reduce the damage, but the connection and removal are repeated for each product, so that the sealing property of the O-ring deteriorates. Therefore, in the leak test, the O-ring is replaced with a new one every several tens of times. In addition, some products have notches in the end faces or have few chamfers. In such a case, the O-rings must be replaced more frequently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to suppress damage to a seal member such as an O-ring, extend the life of the seal member, and reduce the number of steps for replacing the seal member.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a leak test apparatus for use in a leak test of a product, comprising a connection member, a seal member, and a supply means. The connection member has an insertion portion, a seal attachment portion, and a relief portion. The insertion portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a part of the product is inserted therein. The seal mounting portion is formed on one end side of the insertion portion and has a seal surface. The relief portion has a tapered surface, and the tapered surface is formed so that the diameter gradually increases from the end of the seal mounting portion. The seal member is mounted on the seal mounting portion, and is pressed and mounted between the seal surface of the seal mounting portion and a product mounted on the insertion portion. The supply means is connected to the insertion section and supplies gas or fluid to a product mounted on the insertion section.

When performing a leak test, first, a part of the product is inserted into the insertion portion of the connection member. In this state, a part of the product and the connection member are sealed by the seal member. Then, in a state where the gas or the liquid is supplied to the product by the supply means, a gas or a liquid leaking from the inside of the product is detected, and a change in the pressure inside the product is checked. Here, the gap between the sealing surface of the seal mounting portion and the product is set to a dimension obtained by subtracting the crushing allowance from the cross-sectional dimension of the seal member, but the gap between the relief portion and the product is larger than this dimension. Has become. For this reason, if the seal member is arranged in the escape portion when the product is inserted into the connection member, it is possible to reduce the contact of the end face of the product with the seal member at the time of insertion of the product, or to reduce the end face of the product. Contact with the seal member can be avoided. Thus, damage to the seal member can be suppressed, and the life of the seal member can be extended.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a leak test apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a seal member moving means. The seal member moving means,
With a part of the product inserted into the insertion portion, the seal member is moved from the escape portion to the seal mounting portion. Here, after the product is inserted into the connecting member, the seal member can be reliably moved from the escape portion to the seal mounting portion and the seal member can be compressed and mounted, so that the seal can be reliably performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the leak test apparatus of the second aspect, the seal member moving means has a seal member contact portion. The seal member contact portion is insertable into the escape portion and contacts the seal member. In addition, the seal member contact portion is relatively movable with respect to the connection member and is detachable. Here, since the seal member abutment portion is relatively movable with respect to the connection member and is detachable, it is easy to replace the seal member when the seal member is worn.

A leak test apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the leak test apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a storage case, a vacuum exhaust unit, and a detecting unit. The storage case stores a product and forms a sealed space between the product and the product. The vacuum evacuation means is means for evacuating the sealed space in the storage case to evacuate the sealed space. The detecting means is a means for detecting a gas or a fluid leaking from the product to the sealed space in the storage case.

When a leak test is performed using this leak test apparatus, first, a product is set in a storage case and connected to a connection member in a sealed state. Next, a suitable gas or fluid is supplied to the inside of the product by the supply means. And
The inside of the storage case is evacuated, and gas or fluid leaking from the inside of the product is measured by the detecting means. The quality of the product is determined based on the leak amount detected by the measurement for a predetermined time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first member is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an insertion portion, a seal mounting portion, and a relief portion, and a second member inserted into the insertion portion of the first member. And a sealing method using a ring-shaped sealing member, which comprises a first step and a second step. The seal mounting portion of the first member is formed on one end side of the insertion portion,
It has a sealing surface. The relief portion of the first member has a tapered surface formed so that the diameter gradually increases from the end of the seal mounting portion. In the first step, a seal member is disposed at the escape portion of the first member. In the second step, a part of the second member is inserted into the insertion portion of the first member, and the sealing member is brought into pressure contact with the sealing surface of the seal mounting portion of the first member and the second member.

The gap between the sealing surface of the seal mounting portion and the product is set to a dimension obtained by subtracting the crushing allowance from the cross-sectional dimension of the seal member, but the gap between the relief portion and the product is larger than this dimension. . Here, when the second member is inserted into the first member, the seal member is arranged in the relief portion, and after the end surface of the second member passes through the inner peripheral portion of the seal member, the seal member is sealed from the relief portion. Can be transferred to the section and sealed. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the contact of the end face of the product with the seal member when the product is inserted,
Alternatively, contact of the end face of the product with the seal member can be avoided. Thus, damage to the seal member can be suppressed, and the life of the seal member can be extended.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the sealing method of the fifth aspect, the second step includes a step of moving the seal member from the escape portion to the seal mounting portion.
Here, the movement of the seal member from the escape portion to the seal mounting portion is reliably performed. The sealing structure according to claim 7, wherein
A sealing structure for sealing two members, comprising a first member, a second member, and a sealing member. The first member is formed in a tubular shape, and has an insertion portion, a seal attachment portion, and a relief portion. The seal mounting portion is formed on one end side of the insertion portion and has a seal surface. The relief portion has a tapered surface formed so that the diameter gradually increases from the end of the seal mounting portion. The second member is
At least a part is inserted into the insertion portion of the first member. The seal member is mounted on the seal mounting portion, and is press-fitted between the seal surface of the seal mounting portion and the second member mounted on the insertion portion.

The sealing structure according to an eighth aspect is the sealing structure according to the seventh aspect, further comprising a seal member moving means. The seal member moving means moves the seal member from the escape portion to the seal mounting portion in a state where at least a part of the second member is inserted into the insertion portion of the first member.

[0017]

FIG. 1 shows a leak test apparatus 1 employing an embodiment of the present invention. The leak test apparatus 1 is used for a leak test of a mass-produced product (torque converter 50 shown in FIG. 1). The torque converter 50 has a tubular portion 50a, and has a structure in which the inside is sealed when an end of the tubular portion 50a is closed. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a connection portion between the leak test device 1 and a torque converter 50 as a test object.
The state before the seal and the state after the seal 50 are separately shown on the right and left sides, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the leak test apparatus 1 includes a main body 2, a helium supply device A, and a vacuum exhaust device B.
, A helium detector C, and a purge dry air supply device D. The main body 2 has a connection member 3, an O-ring moving mechanism 4, a storage case 5, and an O-ring 10, and creates a sealed space 90 around the torque converter 50. The O-ring 10 has an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 50a of the torque converter 50.

The connecting member 3 is a disk-shaped member through which a steel pipe 22 penetrates at the center.
f (see FIG. 2) is extended. The inner diameter of the insertion portion 3f is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 50a, and
It is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the ring 10. As shown in FIG. 2, an insertion portion 3f is provided below the insertion portion 3f of the connection member 3.
A seal mounting portion 3b which is a cylindrical cavity having a seal surface 3a having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the seal is formed. Further, a tapered surface 3c formed so as to gradually increase in diameter from the lower end of the sealing surface 3a, and a peripheral surface 3 having the same diameter as the diameter of the lower end of the tapered surface 3c from the lower end of the tapered surface 3c.
An escape portion 3e, which is a cavity having a space d, is formed.
The diameter of the seal surface 3a of the seal mounting portion 3b is set to a dimension obtained by adding a cross-sectional dimension obtained by subtracting the crushing allowance of the O-ring 10 from the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 50a of the torque converter 50. The diameter of the lower end of the tapered surface 3c, that is, the diameter of the peripheral surface 3d, is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the O-ring 10.

The O-ring moving mechanism 4 includes an O-ring contact member 6 and a product contact member 7. The O-ring contact member 6 includes an inner cylindrical portion 6b on the inner peripheral side and an outer cylindrical portion 6c on the outer peripheral side.
Are connected by an annular disk portion 6d at the lower end. The outer cylindrical portion 6c has an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the insertion portion 3f of the connecting member 3, and has an axially long slot 6a at several locations in the circumferential direction.
Is provided. The O-ring moving mechanism 4 includes the slot 6
The connection member 3 is connected to the connection member 3 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction by a bolt 30 that passes through the insertion member 3a and is fixed to the insertion portion 3f. The O-ring moving mechanism 4 can be removed from the connecting member 3 by removing the bolt 30.
The inner cylindrical portion 6b supports a lower portion of the O-ring 10 with the O-ring moving mechanism 4 attached to the connection member 3. The inner diameter of the inner cylindrical portion 6b is equal to the inner diameter of the insertion portion 3f, and the outer diameter is smaller than the diameter of the sealing surface 3a.

The product contact member 7 is fixed to the lower surface of the annular disk portion 6d of the O-ring contact member 6 at several places in the circumferential direction. The product contact member 7 is composed of a screw and a cylinder having a screw hole, and the height dimension can be adjusted. The storage case 5 has a box-shaped cover portion 5 whose lower surface is open.
a and a product installation table 5b on which products are placed. A steel pipe 21 penetrates a lower part of the cover part 5a, and a steel pipe 23 penetrates an upper part on the opposite side. In addition, an opening 5c is provided at an upper portion of the cover portion 5a for inserting a member having the O-ring moving mechanism 4 attached to the insertion portion 3f of the connection member 3.

A helium supply device A, a vacuum evacuation device B, a helium detector C, and a dry air supply device D are connected to the main body 2 having the above structure via piping. The helium supply device A is connected to the steel pipe 22 penetrating the connection member 3 with the valves 32 and 33 interposed therebetween. The evacuation device B is branched and connected from a pipe extending from the steel pipe 23 penetrating the storage case 5 to the emission valve 34.

The helium detector C is branched and connected to a pipe extending to the diffusion valve 34, similarly to the evacuation device B. The dry air supply device D is connected to the steel pipe 21 penetrating the storage case 5 with the valve 31 interposed therebetween. Next, the procedure of the leak test will be described.

First, the torque converter 50 to be tested is set on the product mounting table 5b, and the cover 5a is placed thereon. A seal member such as a packing is mounted between the product installation base 5b and the cover 5a, and a gap between the two is sealed. Then, the one with the O-ring moving mechanism 4 attached is inserted into the insertion portion 3f of the connection member 3 from the opening 5c of the cover 5a. The connecting member 3 has an O-ring 10
The O-ring moving mechanism 4 is mounted with the bolts 30 in a state where the O-ring moving mechanism 4 is placed at the position e (see the right side in FIG. 2). The height of the product contact member 7 of the O-ring moving mechanism 4 is set in a state where the connecting member 3 is set in the storage case 5 as shown in FIG.
It is adjusted so that the O-ring 10 comes to the position of the seal mounting portion 3b.

When the connecting member 3 is inserted into the storage case 5, the cylindrical portion 50a of the torque converter 50 is relatively inserted into the connecting member 3, as shown on the right side of FIG. Is in contact with the torque converter 50.
Here, since the diameter of the peripheral surface 3d of the escape portion 3e is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the O-ring 10, and the O-ring 10 is in a free state, the corner of the end face of the cylindrical portion 50a contacts the O-ring 10. It's just not hitting at an angle. For this reason, as compared with the case where the O-ring is set in the O-ring mounting groove as in the related art, the O-angle of the end face of the cylindrical portion 50a is smaller.
The angle of contact with the ring 10 is reduced, and damage due to the contact is suppressed.

When the O-ring is further inserted, the O-ring moving mechanism 4 moves relative to the connecting member 3, and the inner cylindrical portion 6b of the O-ring contact member 6 moves the O-ring 10 from the escape portion 3e to the seal mounting portion. 3b. Here, the O-ring 10 is compressed between the sealing surface 3a of the seal mounting portion 3b and the cylindrical portion 50a of the torque converter 50, and seals the insertion portion 3f and the cylindrical portion 50a.

When the torque converter 50 and the connection member 3 are sealed in this way, as shown in FIG. 1, a space (sealed space 90) surrounded by the storage case 5, the connection member 3, and the torque converter 50. Becomes a sealed state. The space between the storage case 5 and the connection member 3 is sealed with a seal member such as packing. Next, after purging the sealed space 90 by operating the dry air supply device D, the valve 31
Then, the evacuation device B is operated by closing the diffusion valve 34. When the sealed space 90 reaches a predetermined degree of vacuum, helium is supplied into the torque converter 50 by the helium supply device A, and helium leaking from the torque converter 50 into the sealed space 90 is detected by the helium detector C. If a predetermined helium is not detected in a predetermined time, it is determined that the torque converter 50 has passed the leak test.

When one test is completed, the connection member 3 with the O-ring moving mechanism 4 mounted thereon and the cover 5a are removed, the next torque converter 50 is set, and the test is repeated in the same procedure. If the O-ring 10 is consumed during the repetition of the test, the O-ring moving mechanism 4 is removed from the connecting member 3 and the O-ring 10 is replaced. Here, as described above, the torque converter 50
Since the damage of the O-ring at the time of connection between the O-ring and the connecting member 3 is suppressed, the life of the O-ring 10 is extended, and the number of replacements of the O-ring 10 is reduced. O-ring 1
The time efficiency of the leak test is improved by reducing the number of man-hours for replacing 0. In particular, when the end surface shape of the cylindrical portion 50a of the torque converter 50 has a cutout portion or when the corner of the end surface of the cylindrical portion 50a is less chamfered,
The structure of the present invention that can avoid the angled contact between this portion and the O-ring 10 effectively works to extend the life of the O-ring.

[0029]

According to the present invention, the damage of the seal member can be suppressed by setting the seal member before the seal in the relief portion which is larger in size than the seal mount portion which is displaced from the seal mount portion. Its life is extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a leak test apparatus employing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a connection portion between a leak test device and a test object.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Leak test apparatus 3 Connection member 3a Seal surface 3b Seal mounting part 3c Taper surface 3e Escape part 3f Insertion part 4 O-ring moving means 5 Storage case 6 O-ring contact member 7 Product contact member 10 O-ring 50 Torque converter A Helium Supply device B Vacuum exhaust device C Helium detector D Dry air supply device

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A leak test apparatus used for a leak test of a product, comprising: an insertion portion formed in a cylindrical shape, into which a part of the product is inserted; and a sealing surface formed on one end side of the insertion portion. A connecting member having a seal mounting portion having the same, a relief portion having a tapered surface formed so as to gradually increase in diameter from an end of the seal mounting portion; and a seal mounting portion mounted on the seal mounting portion. A sealing member press-fitted between the sealing surface of the product and the product mounted on the insertion portion; supply means connected to the insertion portion and supplying gas or fluid to the product mounted on the insertion portion; Leak test equipment equipped with. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a seal member moving means for moving said seal member from said relief portion to said seal mounting portion while a part of said product is inserted into said insertion portion. Leak test equipment. 3. The seal member moving means has a seal member contact portion that can be inserted into the escape portion and abuts on the seal member, and the seal member contact portion is positioned relative to the connection member. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, which is movable and detachable.
The leak test apparatus according to 1. 4. A storage case for storing the product and forming a sealed space between the product and the product, vacuum evacuation means for evacuating the sealed space in the storage case, Detecting means for detecting gas or fluid leaking into the sealed space in the storage case,
The leak test device according to claim 1. 5. A first member is formed in a cylindrical shape, an insertion portion, a seal mounting portion formed on one end side of the insertion portion and having a sealing surface, and a diameter gradually increasing from an end of the seal mounting portion. And a relief portion having a tapered surface formed so as to be larger, and the first member and the second member inserted into the insertion portion of the first member are hermetically sealed using a ring-shaped seal member. A first step of arranging a seal member at an escape portion of the first member, and inserting a part of the second member into an insertion portion of the first member, and removing the seal member. A second step of pressing and contacting the seal surface of the seal mounting portion and the second member;
With sealing method. 6. The sealing method according to claim 5, wherein said second step includes a step of moving said seal member from said relief portion to said seal mounting portion. 7. A sealing structure for sealing two members, wherein the sealing member is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has an insertion portion; a seal mounting portion formed on one end side of the insertion portion and having a sealing surface; A first member having a relief portion having a tapered surface formed so as to gradually increase in diameter from an end of the seal mounting portion; and a second member at least part of which is inserted into an insertion portion of the first member. And a sealing member mounted on the seal mounting portion and pressure-welded between the sealing surface of the seal mounting portion and the second member mounted on the insertion portion. 8. A seal member moving means for moving the seal member from the escape portion to the seal mounting portion when at least a part of the second member is inserted into the insertion portion of the first member. The sealing structure according to claim 7, wherein: