JP4911089B2 - Packing, waterproof structure using the packing, and electronic device provided with the waterproof structure using the packing - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof packing for a case, a waterproof structure using the packing, and an electronic apparatus provided with a waterproof structure using the packing.

  An O-ring is often used as a sealing packing when maintaining the airtightness and liquid-tightness of joints such as the mating surfaces of cases. The O-ring is formed by forming an elastic material such as rubber in a ring shape and making the cross section of the ring O-shaped. In addition, for example, the O-ring is fitted with a groove provided on one of the joining end faces of the case forming the mating surface, and the protrusion provided on the other joining end face is fitted into the groove fitted with the O-ring. Thus, the inner O-ring is pressed to close the gap with the crushed O-ring.

  By the way, in the case of using such an O-ring, when the pressing force is increased to increase the sealing degree, the case is deformed when the repulsive force (restoring force) of the compressed O-ring is large. For example, as shown in FIG. Further, there is a problem that a gap a is generated between the screw 1 and the screw 1 for tightening the case and the sealing performance is impaired.

  As a method for solving this problem, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, there is a method using a packing (C-ring) 2 having a C-shaped cross section instead of an O-ring (see Patent Document 1). In this case, as the C ring 2, the restoring force is weakened except for the elastic material of the C-shaped opening portion, and it is deformed greatly with a small compressive force so that a sufficient sealing degree can be obtained without tightening the case. Thus, the generation of the gap a due to the restoring force is prevented.

  However, in the C-ring 2 described above, the pressing direction (clamping direction) and the restoring direction of the C-ring 2 coincide with each other, so that there is still a restoring force, and there is a problem that the deformation of the case cannot be prevented completely.

  One method for solving this problem is to devise a packing shape other than an O-ring or C-ring 2. For example, a dumbbell-shaped packing in which grooves are formed on both of the joining end surfaces of the case forming the mating surface, and the both ends are formed to have a width equal to or larger than the width of the groove as shown in FIG. 3 is inserted (see Patent Document 2).

  When the dumbbell-shaped packing 3 having a width equal to or larger than the width of the groove is inserted, both end portions of the packing 3 are in close contact with the side surfaces of the groove of the case and sealed. Therefore, since the tightening direction of the case and the repulsion direction of the packing 3 are different, the deformation of the case can be prevented.

  However, in the case where the dumbbell-shaped packing 3 is inserted into the groove, the case is not joined by fitting the protrusion into the groove as in the case of the O-ring or C-ring 2, but only by the packing. Therefore, in order to increase the sealing performance, the adhesion between the dumbbell-shaped packing and the side surface of the groove of the case must be increased. At this time, by increasing the width of both ends of the dumbbell-shaped packing, which is equal to or greater than the width of the groove, it is possible to increase the adhesion to the side surface of the groove of the case, but the width within the groove is greater than that width. There is a problem that workability is deteriorated when inserting the packing.

  In addition, the packing 3 must be molded into a complicated shape, leading to an increase in cost. Furthermore, the packing 3 having a complicated shape is difficult to fit in the groove and has poor workability. Further, as can be seen from the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 13, the intermediate portion sandwiched between both ends of the packing 3 is just at the joint portion of the case, and the side surface of the groove 3 provided in the upper and lower cases has the packing 3. Since the sealing performance is maintained by bringing both ends into close contact with each other, there is a problem that it cannot be used for an opening / closing portion that requires the joint surface of the case to be separated during use.

For this reason, if the O-ring or C-ring 2 is used for the opening / closing part, there are problems as described above. Especially when used in an electronic device that generates heat during use, the case or O-ring is used. Alternatively, since the C-ring 2 is thermally deformed, there is a serious problem that the sealing performance is significantly lowered. Here, for example, it is conceivable to reduce the size without changing the shape of the O-ring or C-ring 2. For example, if the cross-sectional diameter of the O-ring or C-ring 2 is reduced, the restoring force should be weakened.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-288473 (page 3, FIGS. 1 and 2) JP-A-11-132336 (9th page, FIGS. 1 to 5)

  However, when using packings with a reduced diameter of the O-ring or C-ring, the packing can be easily removed unless the dimensions of the grooves into which these packings are fitted are also reduced in accordance with the packing. However, if the width of the groove is narrowed and shallow, for example, when fitting the case, it becomes difficult to fit the protrusion into the groove, or the fitted protrusion becomes easy to come off. Moreover, since the part which a groove | channel and a protrusion contact | connect becomes small, the intensity | strength of a fitting also falls. Therefore, there is a problem that the dimension of the groove cannot be changed.

  Furthermore, the O-ring or C-ring with a reduced diameter has a problem that the workability at the time of assembling deteriorates. In other words, with an O-ring or C-ring having a small diameter, the ring is thin and the waist is lost, resulting in “funyahunya”. For this reason, it takes time and effort to fit in the groove, and the workability deteriorates.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to increase the amount of pressing deformation (crushing allowance) of the packing when the mating surfaces of the case are joined, so that the restoring force of the packing and the thermal deformation of the case and the packing are reduced. Is to maintain high sealing performance. At this time, workability for fitting the packing should not be lowered. Furthermore, it is providing the waterproof structure with high airtightness.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, the base material side of the packing having a laminated structure in which a sealing layer made of an elastic material is laminated on a plate-like base material having at least one rigid section is provided on the case. So as to press toward the groove by fitting it toward the groove provided on one of the joint end faces, and by fitting a protrusion provided on the other joint end face of the case into the groove into which the packing is inserted. The configuration is used.

  By adopting such a structure, the seal layer of the packing fitted in the groove is crushed and closed up when pressed. At this time, the sealing layer of the elastic body has a restoring force, but has a laminated structure in which a sealing layer made of an elastic material is laminated on a plate-like base material. By adjusting the thickness of the layer, it is possible to easily adjust the amount of change in pressure (crushing allowance) that can follow the restoring force of the seal layer. Moreover, since the outer shape of the packing is equal to the path of the groove provided on one of the joining end faces, the degree of adhesion with the groove can be kept high. Furthermore, even when the case or packing is thermally deformed, it is possible to easily adjust the deformation amount (crushing allowance) that can maintain the sealing performance of the joint portion of the mating surfaces of the case. On the other hand, the base material reinforces (supports) the sealing layer and supports it, so that it does not become “funyahunya”, and the assembly workability is also good.

  Moreover, the structure which made the said sealing layer the sponge member which has a closed-cell structure can be employ | adopted.

  In this way, by using a sponge member having a larger amount of pressure deformation (crushing allowance) than rubber as the sealing layer of the elastic body, it becomes possible to increase the amount of pressure deformation (crushing allowance). Even when the force, the case, and the packing are thermally deformed, a sufficient amount of deformation (crushing allowance) that can maintain the sealing performance of the joint portion of the mating surfaces of the case can be secured. Therefore, the application range becomes wider than rubber. Moreover, since an appropriate restoring force can be obtained, application to an opening / closing part is also conceivable. In addition, since a sponge member having a closed cell structure is used as the seal layer, the air tightness and liquid tightness of the joint can be kept higher.

  Moreover, the waterproof structure of the case joint part by the said packing can be applied to an electronic device.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to easily adjust and maintain the restoring force of the packing and the amount of pressing deformation that can maintain hermeticity against thermal deformation of the case and the packing. Therefore, the airtightness and liquid tightness of the case and the like can be increased, and for example, the waterproof effect can be improved.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a packing 10 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the packing 10 has a two-layer structure in which a sealing layer 12 made of an elastic material is formed on a rigid base material 11.

  The substrate 11 is plate-shaped and supports and reinforces the seal layer 12 (provides waist). In this embodiment, for example, a rigid PET sheet is used as the base material 11. On the other hand, the seal layer 12 is elastically deformable with respect to pressing, and specifically uses a closed-cell sponge member, and the sponge member is bonded to the substrate 11 with an adhesive. . In this way, by using a closed-cell sponge member instead of open cells, it can be used as a packing having airtightness and liquid-tightness.

  In this embodiment, a sponge member is used for the seal layer 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any material that can be elastically deformed may be used. Further, in this embodiment, the base material 11 and the seal layer 12 are bonded with an adhesive, but the bonding method is not limited to the adhesive. Any method can be used as long as it can bond the base material 11 and the seal layer 12 together. For example, it may be a hot melt.

  In the packing configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 2, when the groove 13 is inserted and pressed by the protrusion 14, the seal layer 12 is crushed and the gap can be closed. At this time, the sealing layer 12 formed of an elastic body repels, but its restoring force increases or decreases according to the thickness of the sealing layer 12.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the thickness of the base material 11 is changed from one to two base materials 11 (the thick base material 11 is used without changing the number). However, since the seal layer 12 can be thinned without changing the contact position d with the protrusion 14, the amount of deformation can be easily adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the seal layer 12.

  In Example 1, a method for processing the packing 10 will be described. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, an adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the sheet-like base material 11 (adhesion process), and the sponge member 12 molded to the same dimensions as the base material 11 is placed. After the adhesive is sufficiently dried, for example, in the case described later (Example 2), a punching process is performed to a size substantially matching the outer peripheral shape of the groove 13 of the case body 31, and then the inner peripheral shape of the groove A punching process is performed on a shape substantially corresponding to (Punching process). Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a packing 10 ′ that matches the path of the groove 13 can be manufactured.

  As described above, the packing 10 'of the present application has a simple structure in which the sealing layer 12 is laminated on the base material 11, so that the packing 10' in accordance with the groove 13 as shown in FIG. it can. Therefore, it is also suitable for mass production.

  In addition, the packing 10 ′ manufactured by punching as shown in FIG. 5 supports the sealing layer 12 with a rigid base material 11, so that even if it is lifted up alone, it does not become “funyahunya”. The workability at the time is also good. Furthermore, as described above, the amount of deformation of the seal layer 12 can be easily adjusted by changing the number and thickness of the base material 11 or the thickness of the seal layer 12, so that a die for punching can be used. It can be done without change.

  In the second embodiment, the packing 10 'of the present application is applied to a battery pack 30 that can be attached to and detached from a portable radio communication device body (communication device body) 20 as shown in FIG.

  The battery pack 30 is of a type that accommodates a dry cell, and includes a battery case main body (case main body) 31 and a lid cover 32, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). As shown in FIG. 6, the case main body 31 is provided with a bottom cover 34 for placing the communication device main body 20 on the mounting surface side 33 of the communication device main body 20, and on the attachment surface side of the cover cover 32, As shown in a), a partition wall 35 is provided to accommodate six dry batteries in three rows and two stages. Further, the accommodating portion 36 is formed with a step as shown in FIG. 9, and the width of the case main body 31 is reduced to match the width of the communication device main body 20 by arranging the batteries on both sides slightly obliquely. I have to do it.

  A groove 13 is provided so as to surround the dry cell storage portion 36. The groove 13 is a groove 13 into which the packing 10 ′ is inserted, and the width of the upper and lower grooves 13 is larger than the width of the left and right grooves 13. As described later, the packing 10 ′ of the groove 13 formed large in the vertical direction receives a large pressure applied when the lid cover 32 is stopped by the lock plate 37. In addition, packing 10 'used here is formed by the punching process of Example 1. FIG.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, a stopper portion 38 protruding like a hook is provided on the upper portion of the case body 31. The stopper portion 38 has a protrusion that is the same as the thickness of the lid cover 32, and two locking slits 39 are provided on the inner side of the stopper portion 38 at an interval from the left and right. As will be described later, the slit 39 is for locking a claw 40 provided at the tip of the lid cover 32.

  An electrode is provided at the upper end of the case body 31 so as to be connected to the electrode of the communication device body 20. Further, a required voltage is supplied by a series circuit (not shown).

  A lock plate 37 is attached to the rear portion of the case body 31. The lock plate 37 is an L-shaped locking lever. A concave portion 41 is formed at the center of the rear end of the case body 31 in accordance with the width and thickness of the lever, and the concave portion 41 is pivotally attached to the concave portion 41. It is. By doing so, as will be described later, when the lock plate 37 is rotated and engaged with the lid cover 32, it does not protrude from the rear end of the case body 31.

  The lid cover 32 is a long lid that covers the battery housing portion 36 of the case body 31, and comes into contact with the periphery of the lid cover 32, that is, when the lid cover 32 is attached to the case body 31. As shown in FIG. 7B, a protrusion (protrusion) 43 is formed around the groove 13 of the case main body 31 that is the joining end face of the mating surface and the lid cover 32 that faces the groove 13. .

  Further, two claws 40 are provided at intervals at the tip of the lid cover 32, and the claw 40 provided at an interval is inserted into the slit 39 of the stopper portion 38 of the case body 31. It is supposed to be. On the other hand, a concave portion 44 is formed in the central portion at the rear end of the lid cover 32, and an L-shaped lock plate 37 of the case body 31 is hung on the concave portion 44.

  The battery pack 30 configured as described above is assembled by fitting a punched packing 10 ′ into the groove 13 of the case body 31 according to the shape of the groove 13 as shown in FIG. At this time, the packing 10 ′ adjusts the thickness of the seal layer 12 by the thickness of the base material 11 or the number of the base materials 11 in accordance with the shape (mainly depth) of the groove 13. In this way, when the front and rear claws 40 and the L-shaped lock plate 37 are engaged with each other, the restoring force is set so that no gap is formed between the case body 31 and the lid cover 32.

  Since the packing 10 ′ thus manufactured is supported by the base material 11, it retains the punched shape even if it is lifted up alone. Therefore, if the base material 11 is set to the groove 13 side as shown in FIG.

In the battery pack 30 assembled by fitting the packing 10 ′ into the case body 31 as described above, the battery is mounted on the case body 31 and the lid cover 32 is attached. At this time, the lid cover 32 has a claw 40 at the tip inserted into the slit 39 of the stopper portion 38 of the case body 31 so that the lid cover 32 covers the battery housing portion 36 of the case body 31. Is fitted into the groove 13 of the case body 31. Then, when the lock plate 37 at the rear end of the case body 31 is fitted into the recess 44 at the rear end of the cover cover 32, a snapping sound is applied and pressure is applied to the cover cover 32, and the protrusion 43 of the cover cover 32 is formed in the groove 13. By crushing and elastically deforming the packing 10 ′, the protrusion 43 and the packing 10 ′ and the packing 10 ′ and the groove 13 are brought into close contact with each other, and airtightness and liquid tightness are maintained. At this time, the restoring force of the packing 10 ′ is adjusted so as not to push up the lid cover 32 by changing the thickness of the seal layer 12. Therefore, the battery pack 30 does not generate a gap even on the mating surface of the side portion with a weak locking force that is separated from the front and rear ends locked by the claw 40 or the lock plate 37. In the case of such a battery pack 30, in order to obtain a potential required for operating the communication device main body 20, in this case, six dry batteries are required. I must. When the dry battery is exhausted, the lid cover 32 must be removed from the case body 31 to replace the battery. Therefore, although it is configured to be long, it cannot be provided with many locking portions. However, by using the packing 10 'according to the present invention, a gap is formed between the case main body 31 and the lid cover 32 as described above, even when the claw 40 and the lock plate 37 are only locked. It does not occur and airtightness and liquid tightness can be maintained.

  Further, when the battery pack 30 is attached to the communication device main body 20 and the heat generated by the communication device main body 20 is transmitted to the battery pack 30 during use, the battery pack 30 can follow even when the case main body 31 and the lid cover 32 are deformed. In particular, when thermal deformation is large, if a closed cell sponge having less elasticity than rubber is used for the seal layer 12, a large amount of crushing can be obtained and a sufficient restoring force can be obtained when the pressure is released. It is optimal because it can.

  By the way, the communication device main body 20 and the battery pack 30 are overlapped and slid as shown by the arrows in FIG. 6, so that a locking piece (not shown) of the portable radio device is placed in the locking recess on the battery pack 30 side. Can be engaged and mounted, and this engagement mechanism is also provided with a lock mechanism for preventing it from being removed during operation. In addition, the communication device main body 20 can be mounted with a charging pack in which a Li-ion cell having the same engagement mechanism is housed instead of the battery pack 30. Reference numeral 21 denotes an antenna, reference numeral 22 denotes a channel switching knob, reference numeral 23 denotes a volume knob, reference numeral 24 denotes a PTT switch, and reference numeral 25 denotes a speaker grill.

Cross-sectional view of the embodiment Action explanatory diagram of the embodiment (A), (b) Action explanatory drawing of embodiment The perspective view of Example 1 Plan view of Example 1 The perspective view of Example 2 (A), (b) Plan view of Example 2 Partially cutaway side view of Example 2 Sectional drawing of Example 2 The expanded sectional view of the important section of Example 2 Action explanatory diagram of conventional example Cross section of conventional example Cross section of conventional example

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Packing 10 'Packing 11 Base material 12 Sealing layer 13 Groove 14 Protrusion 20 Radio | wireless communication apparatus main body

Claims (3)

The base material side of the packing having a laminated structure in which a seal layer made of an elastic material is laminated on a plate-like base material having at least one rigid section is placed on the groove side provided on one of the joining end faces of the case. The case joint is waterproofed by fitting the projection on the other end of the joint end face of the case into a groove into which the packing is fitted. Structure . The waterproof structure for a case joint portion according to claim 1, wherein the seal layer is a sponge member having an closed cell structure . An electronic apparatus comprising the waterproof structure of the case joint portion according to claim 2 .

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