阅读说明：本技术 连结装置和密封装置 (Coupling device and sealing device ) 是由 铃木敦志 于 2019-08-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：连结装置将密封装置安装在面板上,该密封装置用于密封面板和旋转轴之间的间隙,该旋转轴配置在面板上设置的轴孔内。连结装置包括：支承壁部,形成有通孔,密封装置被插入到通孔中；多个密封装置钩,配置在支承壁部的第一面侧,并配置在通孔的周围,从外侧挂在密封装置上；以及多个面板钩,配置在支承壁部的第二面侧,并配置在通孔的周围,被插入到面板的轴孔中,从内侧挂在面板的轴孔的周缘。(The coupling device mounts a sealing device for sealing a gap between the panel and a rotating shaft disposed in a shaft hole provided in the panel on the panel. The connecting device comprises: a support wall portion formed with a through hole into which the sealing device is inserted; a plurality of sealing device hooks arranged on the first surface side of the supporting wall portion, arranged around the through hole, and hung on the sealing device from the outside; and a plurality of panel hooks arranged on the second surface side of the support wall portion, arranged around the through hole, inserted into the shaft hole of the panel, and hung on the periphery of the shaft hole of the panel from the inside.)

1. A coupling device that mounts a sealing device for sealing a gap between a panel and a rotating shaft disposed in a shaft hole provided in the panel, on the panel, the coupling device characterized by comprising:

a support wall portion having a first face, a second face opposite to the first face, and a through hole into which the sealing device is inserted;

a plurality of sealing device hooks arranged on the first surface side of the support wall portion, arranged around the through hole, and hung on the sealing device from the outside; and

and a plurality of panel hooks disposed on the second surface side of the support wall portion, disposed around the through hole, inserted into the shaft hole of the panel, and hooked on the peripheral edge of the shaft hole of the panel from the inside.

2. The joining device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a large wall portion arranged in parallel with the support wall portion and having a larger contour than a contour of the support wall portion; and

a circumferential groove formed between the second face of the support wall portion and the large wall portion, into which an elastic ring in contact with the panel is fitted.

3. The joining device according to claim 1, further comprising:

and a foam portion formed on the second surface side of the support wall portion, arranged in parallel with the support wall portion, and formed of a foam.

4. The coupling device according to claim 3,

the foam body part is formed of a plate or a ring having a uniform thickness, and a through hole into which the sealing means is inserted is formed in the plate or the ring.

5. The joining device according to claim 3 or 4,

a plurality of constraining walls that collectively surround the foam portion are provided on the second face side of the support wall portion.

6. The coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the length of the coupling device in the axial direction is smaller than the length of the sealing device in the axial direction.

7. A sealing device for sealing a gap between a panel and a rotating shaft disposed in a shaft hole provided in the panel, the sealing device comprising:

a flange secured to a joining device that joins the sealing device to the panel;

a seal lip disposed radially inward of the flange and contacting an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft; and

an annular seal lip formed on the flange and in contact with the coupling device.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connecting device for connecting a sealing device to a panel, and a sealing device.

Background

Conventionally, a seal disposed around a steering shaft of an automobile is attached to a panel of the automobile through a cylindrical long escutcheon (patent document 1).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2006 + 315609.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

For example, it is preferable that a sealing device such as a turning dust seal disposed around the rotating shaft be easily attached to the panel.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a coupling device and a sealing device, which can easily attach the sealing device disposed around a rotating shaft to a panel.

Means for solving the problems

An aspect of the present invention relates to a coupling device that attaches a seal device for sealing a gap between a panel and a rotating shaft disposed in a shaft hole provided in the panel, to the panel, the coupling device including: a support wall portion having a first face, a second face opposite to the first face, and a through hole into which the sealing device is inserted; a plurality of sealing device hooks arranged on the first surface side of the support wall portion, around the through hole, and hung on the sealing device from the outside; and a plurality of panel hooks disposed on the second surface side of the support wall portion, disposed around the through hole, inserted into the shaft hole of the panel, and hooked on the peripheral edge of the shaft hole of the panel from the inside.

In this aspect, the sealing device can be fixed to the coupling device using a plurality of sealing device hooks, and the coupling device can be fixed to the panel using a plurality of panel hooks. Therefore, the sealing device can be easily mounted on the panel.

An aspect of the present invention relates to a sealing device for sealing a gap between a panel and a rotating shaft disposed in a shaft hole provided in the panel, the sealing device including: a flange secured to a joining device that joins the sealing device to the panel; a seal lip disposed radially inward of the flange and contacting an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft; and an annular seal lip formed on the flange and contacting the coupling device.

In this aspect, the sealing device can be fixed to the coupling device using the flange. Therefore, the sealing device can be easily mounted on the panel. Further, since the annular seal lip which contacts the coupling device is formed on the flange, a gap between the seal device and the coupling device is sealed by the seal lip.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing a state of use of a coupling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a coupling device and an elastic ring according to the first embodiment to which a sealing device is attached.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the coupling device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the coupling device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the coupling device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing a use state of the coupling device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a coupling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention to which a sealing device is attached.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the coupling device according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 10 is an X-X sectional view of fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a support wall portion of the coupling device according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII of fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a coupling device according to a third embodiment of the present invention to which a sealing device is attached.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a rigid body portion of the coupling device according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing a foam part of the coupling device according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional view showing a use state of the coupling device according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a use state of the coupling device according to the modification of the third embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The scale of the drawings is not necessarily exact, and certain features may sometimes be exaggerated or omitted.

First embodiment

As shown in fig. 1, a seal structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes: a dash panel 2 of an automobile; a rotating shaft (steering shaft) 6 disposed in the shaft hole 4 provided in the dash panel 2; a sealing device 8 that seals a gap between the dash panel 2 and the rotary shaft 6; a connecting device 10 for attaching the sealing device 8 to the dash panel 2; and an elastic ring 12 sealing a gap between the coupling device 10 and the dash panel 2. In fig. 1, symbol E denotes a space on the engine compartment side, and symbol P denotes a space on the passenger compartment side.

The rotating shaft 6 is a steering shaft provided on the tilt steering mechanism. Therefore, the rotary shaft 6 is swung by the driver as indicated by arrow a. The rotary shaft 6 rotates about the axis of the rotary shaft 6 as indicated by arrow B for turning.

The sealing device 8 is a substantially cylindrical steering dust seal, and has a function of suppressing entry of foreign matter (dust, muddy water, etc.) into the passenger compartment from the engine room, and suppressing transmission of sound from the engine room into the passenger compartment. The sealing device 8 is configured to allow the swing and rotation of the rotating shaft 6, and the details of the sealing device 8 will be described later. The end of the sealing device 8 on the engine compartment side has a flange 8A.

In this embodiment, the entire coupling device 10 is formed of resin. However, the coupling device 10 may be formed of metal or hard rubber. The connecting device 10 may be a composite of resin and metal, a composite of hard rubber and metal, or a composite of resin, hard rubber and metal.

The coupling device 10 includes a wall portion (support wall portion) 14, a plurality of sealing device hooks 17, and a plurality of panel hooks 18. The wall portion 14 is in surface contact with the dash panel 2, and covers the shaft hole 4 of the dash panel 2. A circular through hole 16 is formed in the wall portion 14, and a substantially cylindrical sealing device 8 is inserted into the through hole 16.

The sealer hook 17 is disposed on the first surface side (occupant compartment side) of the wall portion 14, and is disposed around the through hole 16. The sealing device hook 17 is arranged outside the sealing device 8 when the sealing device 8 is inserted into the through hole 16. The sealing device hook 17 extends from the wall portion 14 in parallel to the axial direction of the sealing device 8, and the tip end claw portion of the sealing device hook 17 is caught on the flange 8A of the sealing device 8 from the outside. The sealing device 8 is fixed to the coupling device 10 by sandwiching the flange 8A of the sealing device 8 between the distal end claw portion of the sealing device hook 17 and the wall portion 14.

The panel hook 18 is disposed on the second surface side (engine compartment side) of the wall portion 14 and around the through hole 16. The panel hook 18 is arranged outside the sealing device 8 when the sealing device 8 is inserted into the through hole 16. The panel hook 18 extends from the wall portion 14 in parallel to the axial direction of the sealing device 8, is inserted into the shaft hole 4 of the dash panel 2, and the tip end claw portion of the panel hook 18 is caught on the peripheral edge of the shaft hole 4 of the dash panel 2 from the inside. The fastening device 10 is fixed to the dash panel 2 by sandwiching the dash panel 2 between the tip end claw portion of the panel hook 18 and the wall portion 14.

In this embodiment, the elastic ring 12 is an O-ring. However, instead of the O-ring, the elastic ring 12 may be a D-ring having a D-shaped cross section, an X-ring having an X-shaped cross section, a T-ring having a T-shaped cross section, or a ring having a triangular cross section. The elastic ring 12 is disposed around the wall portion 14, that is, around the shaft hole 4, and is compressed between the coupling device 10 and the dash panel 2, thereby sealing a gap between the coupling device 10 and the dash panel 2 and suppressing entry of foreign matter from the engine room into the passenger compartment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the coupling device 10 and the elastic ring 12, and the sealing device 8 is attached to the coupling device 10. The top and bottom of fig. 2 are opposite to fig. 1. Fig. 3 to 5 show only the connecting device 10. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the coupling device 10, fig. 4 is a bottom view of the coupling device 10, and fig. 5 is a side view of the coupling device 10. The top and bottom of fig. 3 to 5 correspond to fig. 2, and are opposite to fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 2 to 5, the connecting device 10 has three wall portions, i.e., a wall portion (large wall portion) 20, an extra large wall portion 22, and a second extra large wall portion 24, which are arranged in parallel with the wall portion (support wall portion) 14. The contour shape of the wall portion 14 is similar to the shaft hole 4 (shown by a broken line in fig. 3) of the dash panel 2 covered by the wall portion 14, and the contour shapes of the wall portions 20, 22, and 24 are also similar to the shaft hole 4. The contour shape of the wall portions 14, 20, 22, 24 of this embodiment is an oval shape similar to the shaft hole 4, but the contour shape of the wall portions 14, 20, 22, 24 is not limited to the embodiment. The profile of the wall portion 20 is greater than the profile of the wall portion 14, and the profile of the extra large wall portion 22 and the second extra large wall portion 24 that are further away from the wall portion 14 than the wall portion 20 are greater than the profile of the wall portion 20. The profile of the extra large wall portion 22 is the same as the profile of the second extra large wall portion 24.

As shown in fig. 3, three panel hooks 18 are integrally attached to the surface of the wall portion 14. These panel hooks 18 are disposed so as to be insertable into the shaft holes 4 (indicated by broken lines in fig. 3) of the dash panel 2.

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, each panel hook 18 includes a pair of leg portions 18A, a coupling portion 18B, a lever portion 18C, and a distal end claw portion 18D. The leg portion 18A is fixed to the surface of the wall portion 14 and extends substantially perpendicular to the wall portion 14. The connecting portion 18B is connected to the distal ends of the pair of leg portions 18A. The lever portion 18C is suspended from the coupling portion 18B toward the wall portion 14, and is swingable about the coupling portion 18B as a fulcrum. The distal end claw portion 18D is a protrusion formed at the distal end of the lever portion 18C and protrudes outward. When the fastening device 10 is fixed to the dash panel 2, the lever portion 18C is swung inward, the panel hooks 18 are inserted into the shaft hole 4 of the dash panel 2, and the distal end claw portion 18D is caught from the inside to the peripheral edge of the shaft hole 4 of the dash panel 2. Then, as shown in fig. 6, the dash panel 2 is sandwiched between the distal end claw portion 18D of the panel hook 18 and the wall portion 14, and the fastening device 10 is fixed to the dash panel 2. The number, arrangement, and shape of the panel hooks 18 are not limited to this embodiment.

As shown in fig. 4, 8 sealer hooks 17 are integrally attached to the back surface 14R of the wall portion 14. These sealing device hooks 17 are arranged on a circle coaxial with the through hole 16.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, each sealing device hook 17 has a leg portion 17A and a tip end claw portion 17B. The leg portion 17A is fixed to the back surface 14R of the wall portion 14 and extends perpendicularly to the wall portion 14. The leg portion 17A can swing with its root end as a fulcrum. The distal end claw portion 17B is a projection formed at the distal end of the leg portion 17A, and projects inward. When the coupling device 10 is fixed to the sealing device 8, the leg portions 17A swing outward, so that the flanges 8A of the sealing device 8 are inserted into the insides of these sealing device hooks 17, and the tip end claw portions 17B hang from the outside on the flanges 8A of the sealing device 8. Then, as shown in fig. 6, the flange 8A of the sealing device 8 is sandwiched between the distal end claw portion 17B of the sealing device hook 17 and the wall portion 14, whereby the sealing device 8 is fixed to the coupling device 10. The number, arrangement, and shape of the sealing device hooks 17 are not limited to this embodiment.

As can be seen in fig. 1, 4 and 6, the inner edges of the wall section 20, the extra large wall section 22 and the second extra large wall section 24 are joined by a ring 26. The ring 26 is attached to the wall 14. The ring 26 is disposed outside the plurality of sealing device hooks 17, and the walls 20, 22, 24 are also disposed outside the sealing device hooks 17. The flange 8A of the sealing device 8 is arranged inside the ring 26 and is fixed by a plurality of sealing device hooks 17.

As shown in fig. 4, the ring 26 is substantially circular, but the portion near the sealing device hook 17 protrudes to the outside. The inner peripheral surface 26A of the ring 26 is spaced apart from the sealing device hook 17 to allow elastic deformation of the sealing device hook 17.

As shown in fig. 2, 3, and 5, a circumferential groove 28 is formed between the wall portion 20 and a surface (second surface) of the wall portion 14 on the panel hook 18 side. Specifically, in this embodiment, the circumferential groove 28 is formed by inclining the circumferential surface of the wall portion 14. An elastic ring 12 is embedded in the circumferential groove 28. As shown in fig. 6, the elastic ring 12 is disposed around the wall portion 14, that is, around the shaft hole 4, and is compressed between the wall portion 20 and the dash panel 2, thereby sealing the gap between the connecting device 10 and the dash panel 2.

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, a gap 29 is provided between the oversized wall portion 22 and the wall portion 20, the oversized wall portion 22 being disposed further from the panel hook 18 than the wall portion 20. As shown in fig. 2, 4, and 5, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 30 that connect the wall portion 20 and the extra-large wall portion 22 are formed in the gap 29. Each reinforcing rib 30 extends from the outer peripheral surface of the ring 26 to the contour of the wall portion 20. The rigidity of the wall section 20 and the extra-large wall section 22, and thus the rigidity of the connecting device 10, is increased by the plurality of reinforcing ribs 30.

The number, arrangement, and shape of the reinforcing ribs 30 are not limited to this embodiment. In this embodiment, each rib 30 joins the ring 26, the wall 20 and the extra large wall 22, but there may be a gap between the inner end edge of any or all of the ribs 30 and the ring 26. In this embodiment, the outer end edge of each reinforcing rib 30 is smoothly continuous with (i.e., flush with) the contour of the wall portion 20, but may be disposed inside the contour of the wall portion 20.

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, a gap 31 is provided between the second extra large wall portion 24 and the extra large wall portion 22, the second extra large wall portion 24 being arranged further from the panel hook 18 than the extra large wall portion 22. As shown in fig. 2, 4, and 5, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 32 that connect the extra large wall portion 22 and the second extra large wall portion 24 are formed in the gap 31. Each reinforcing rib 32 extends from the outer circumferential surface of the ring 26 to the contour of the oversized wall portion 22 and the contour of the second oversized wall portion 24. By means of the plurality of stiffening ribs 32, the rigidity of the extra large wall portion 22 and the second extra large wall portion 24 and thus of the coupling device 10 is increased.

The number, arrangement, and shape of the reinforcing ribs 32 are not limited to this embodiment. In this embodiment, each rib 32 joins the ring 26, the oversized wall portion 22 and the second oversized wall portion 24, but there may be a gap between the inner end edge of any or all of the ribs 32 and the ring 26. In this embodiment, the outer end edge of each reinforcing rib 32 is smoothly continuous with (i.e., flush with) the contour of the extra large wall portion 22 and the second extra large wall portion 24, but may be disposed inside the contour of the extra large wall portion 22 and the second extra large wall portion 24.

Next, the sealing device 8 will be described with reference to fig. 7. The sealing device 8 according to the embodiment is an example, and the application of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. By the coupling device 10, various types of steering dustrings can be coupled to the dash panel 2.

The top and bottom of fig. 7 correspond to fig. 2, as opposed to fig. 1. The sealing device 8 is an annular component, the left half of which is shown in fig. 7. In fig. 7, symbol E denotes a space on the engine compartment side, and symbol P denotes a space on the passenger compartment side.

The sealing device 8 is basically a high-elasticity member formed of an elastic material such as an elastomer, and includes an annular flange 8A attached to the coupling device 10, an outer annular portion 40 disposed radially inward of the flange 8A, an inner annular portion 42 disposed radially inward of the outer annular portion 40, and a bent bellows portion 44 connecting the outer annular portion 40 and the inner annular portion 42. The flange 8A and the outer annular portion 40 are coaxially arranged and are connected by a connecting ring portion 41. The outer annular portion 40 is inserted into the through hole 16 of the coupling device 10.

Furthermore, the sealing device 8 has a plurality of sealing lips 46, 48, 50 which extend from the inner annular portion 42 and are in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft 6 over the entire circumference thereof. The seal lips 46, 48, 50 are elastically deformed by contact with the rotary shaft 6. The inner annular portion 42, bellows portion 44 and sealing lips 46, 48, 50 are formed of an elastomeric material, such as an elastomer. In this embodiment, 3 seal lips 46, 48, 50 are provided, but the number of seal lips is not limited to the embodiment, and may be 1, 2, or 4 or more. The shape of the seal lip is not limited to the embodiment. A sliding member that slides the rotary shaft 6 may be provided between the inner annular portion 42 and the rotary shaft 6. A reinforcing ring for reinforcing the inner annular portion 42 may be embedded in the inner annular portion 42.

The flange 8A and the outer ring portion 40 include an elastic ring 52 formed of an elastic material such as an elastomer, and a rigid ring 54 fixed to the elastic ring 52 and formed of a rigid material such as a metal. As shown, the elastic ring 52 covers the entire inner circumferential surface of the rigid ring 54. That is, most of the elastic ring 52 is disposed radially inward of the elastic ring 52. However, the elastic ring 52 covers the outer peripheral surface of the rigid ring 54 at the end opposite to the flange 8A of the flange 8A, the connecting ring portion 41, and the outer annular portion 40.

The rotating shaft 6 is a steering shaft provided on the tilt steering mechanism. Therefore, since the rotary shaft 6 is swung by the driver, the rotary shaft 6 can be made eccentric. The bellows portion 44 is a portion that is easily elastically deformed, and allows movement, that is, eccentricity, of the rotary shaft 6 by elastic deformation thereof, and the seal lips 46, 48, 50 are provided so as to be able to contact the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 6 over the entire circumference.

In addition, the sealing device 8 has a sound-insulating ring 56. The sound insulating ring 56 is disposed at a position away from the bellows portion 44, fixed to the outer annular portion 40, and radially inwardly expanded from the outer annular portion 40. The sound insulating ring 56 is provided to block transmission of sound from the engine compartment-side space E to the passenger compartment-side space P, and the material thereof is not limited. However, in order to maintain a sealed space described later, the sound insulating ring 56 is preferably formed of a rigid material such as resin or metal. The sound insulating ring 56 can be formed by, for example, punching a metal plate. Alternatively, the sound insulating ring 56 may be formed of a resin material by injection molding or press molding.

The sealing device 8 also has a ring-shaped sound-insulating lip 58 made of an elastic material, for example an elastomer. In this embodiment, the soundproof lip 58 protrudes from the bellows portion 44 toward the soundproof ring 56. However, the soundproof lip 58 may protrude from the inner annular portion 42 toward the soundproof ring 56, or may protrude from a connecting portion between the inner annular portion 42 and the bellows portion 44 toward the soundproof ring 56. The soundproof lip 58 projects obliquely toward the radial outside, and the tip end portion of the soundproof lip 58 slidably contacts with the annular portion of the soundproof ring 56 without a gap.

The outer annular portion 40, bellows portion 44, sound isolation ring 56 and sound isolation lip 58 define a sealed space 60 for attenuating sound. When the rotary shaft 6 swings and is eccentric with respect to the flange 8A of the sealing device 8, the soundproof ring 56 does not move, and the soundproof lip 58 moves laterally following the rotary shaft 6.

As described above, in the flange 8A and the coupling ring portion 41, the elastic ring 52 covers the outer peripheral surface of the rigid ring 54. An annular seal lip 62 as a part of the elastic ring 52 is formed on a surface of the coupling flange 8A and the coupling ring portion 41 of the outer annular portion 40 on the bellows portion 44 side (also on a surface of the flange 8A on the bellows portion 44 side).

As shown by the solid line inside the circle in fig. 7, the seal lip 62 extends obliquely inward in the radial direction from a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the flange 8A in the initial state (state of not coming into contact with an object). When the seal 8 is mounted on the coupling device 10 with the flange 8A sandwiched between the tip end claw portion 17B of the seal hook 17 and the wall portion 14 of the coupling device 10, the seal lip 62 is compressed in the axial direction by the wall portion 14. Therefore, the gap between the seal device 8 and the coupling device 10 is sealed by the seal lip 62, and entry of foreign matter from the engine room into the passenger compartment is suppressed.

In this embodiment, the sealing device 8 can be fixed to the fastening device 10 using a plurality of sealing device hooks 17 protruding from the back surface 14R of the wall portion 14 of the fastening device 10, and the fastening device 10 can be fixed to the dash panel 2 using a plurality of panel hooks 18 protruding from the surface of the wall portion 14. Therefore, the sealing device 8 can be easily mounted on the dash panel 2.

In this embodiment, the sealing device hook 17 directly protrudes from the back surface 14R of the wall portion 14 that the flange 8A of the sealing device 8 surface-contacts, but the back surface 14R of the wall portion 14 may not coincide with the root end of the sealing device hook 17. Further, the panel hook 18 directly protrudes from the surface of the wall portion 14 that is in surface contact with the dash panel 2, but the surface of the wall portion 14 may not coincide with the root end of the panel hook 18.

In this embodiment, the sealing device 8 includes a flange 8A fixed to the coupling device 10, and an annular seal lip 62 formed on a surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the flange 8A and in contact with the coupling device 10. The sealing device 8 can be fixed to the connecting device 10 using the flange 8A. Therefore, the sealing device 8 can be easily attached to the panel 2. Further, since the annular seal lip 62 that contacts the coupling device 10 is formed on the surface perpendicular to the axial direction of the flange 8A, the gap between the seal device 8 and the coupling device 10 is sealed by the seal lip 62, and entry of foreign matter from the engine room into the passenger compartment is suppressed.

As shown in fig. 7, the length of the coupling device 10 in the axial direction is smaller than the length of the sealing device 8 in the axial direction. In this way, by miniaturizing the coupling device 10, the space for mounting the sealing device 8 on the panel 2 can be reduced.

Further, a circumferential groove 28 is formed between the wall portion 14 and the wall portion 20 having a larger profile than that of the wall portion 14, and the elastic ring 12 fitted in the circumferential groove 28 is compressed between the wall portion 20 and the dash panel 2. Therefore, the gap between the coupling device 10 and the dash panel 2 can be sealed.

In addition, an extra large wall portion 22 having a profile larger than that of the wall portion 20 is arranged at a position farther from the panel hook 18 than the wall portion 20. The extra-large wall portion 22 is disposed at a position distant from the dash panel 2 as compared to the wall portion 20 facing the dash panel 2, and has a larger profile than that of the wall portion 20. Therefore, the operation of the fastening device 10 is easy, and for example, the user can carry the fastening device 10 by gripping the extra large wall portion 22, and the attachment to the dash panel 2 and the detachment from the dash panel 2 are easy.

The rigidity of the wall section 20 and the extra large wall section 22, and thus the rigidity of the hitch 10, is increased by the plurality of reinforcing ribs 30 that join the wall section 20 and the extra large wall section 22. Each reinforcing rib 30 terminates at the contour of the wall portion 20 and does not protrude from the wall portion 20, and therefore does not interfere with the operation of the coupling device 10.

In addition, an extra large wall portion 22 and a second extra large wall portion 24 having a profile larger than that of the wall portion 20 are arranged at positions farther from the panel hook 18 than the wall portion 20. Therefore, the operation of the hitch 10 is easy, and for example, the user can grasp the extra-large wall portion 22 and the second extra-large wall portion 24 to carry the hitch 10, and the attachment to the dash panel 2 and the detachment from the dash panel 2 are easy.

By means of the plurality of stiffening ribs 32 joining the extra large wall portion 22 and the second extra large wall portion 24, the rigidity of the extra large wall portion 22 and the second extra large wall portion 24 and thus the rigidity of the joining device 10 is increased. Each reinforcing rib 32 terminates in the profile of the oversized wall portion 22 and the second oversized wall portion 24 and does not protrude from the oversized wall portion 22 and the second oversized wall portion 24, and therefore does not interfere with the operation of the hitch 10.

Second embodiment

Fig. 8 to 12 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings of fig. 8 and the following, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the components already described, and the detailed description of these components will not be given.

The coupling device 70 according to this embodiment is also used to mount the sealing device 8 that seals the gap between the dash panel 2 and the rotary shaft 6 on the dash panel 2 in a manner similar to that shown in fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the coupling device 70 to which the sealing device 8 is attached. The top and bottom of fig. 8 are opposite to fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the coupling device 70, and fig. 10 is a side sectional view of the coupling device 70. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the wall portion 72 of the coupling device 70, and fig. 12 is a side sectional view of the wall portion 72. The top and bottom of fig. 9 to 12 correspond to fig. 8, and are opposite to fig. 1.

The connecting device 70 includes a wall portion (support wall portion) 72 and a wall portion (foam portion) 74 that are coupled to each other. Wall portion 72 and wall portion 74 are arranged parallel to each other.

Wall portion 72 is formed of resin. However, the wall portion 72 may be formed of metal or hard rubber. The wall portion 72 may be a composite of resin and metal, a composite of hard rubber and metal, or a composite of resin, hard rubber, and metal.

A circular through hole 76 is formed in the wall portion 72, and the outer annular portion 40 of the substantially cylindrical sealing device 8 is inserted into the through hole 76.

The wall portion 74 is formed of a foam. Preferred foams are foamed rubbers (e.g. foamed ethylene, propylene, diene rubbers) or foamed resins. The wall portion 74 is formed of a plate having a uniform thickness, and a circular through hole 75 is formed in the plate. The outer annular portion 40 of the sealing device 8 is inserted into the through hole 75.

The dash panel 2 is in surface contact with a surface 740 (a surface opposite to the surface on the wall portion 72 side) of the wall portion 74. The surface 740 covers the shaft hole 4 (shown by a dotted line in fig. 9) of the dash panel 2. The contour shape of the wall portion 74 is similar to the shaft hole 4 of the dash panel 2 covered by the wall portion 74, and the contour shape of the wall portion 72 is also similar to the shaft hole 4. The contour shape of the wall portions 72, 74 in this embodiment is an oval shape similar to the shaft hole 4, but the contour shape of the wall portions 72, 74 is not limited to the embodiment. The profile of wall portion 72 is larger than the profile of wall portion 74.

The attachment device 70 has a plurality of sealing device hooks 77, a plurality of panel hooks 78, and a plurality of containment walls 80. The wall portion 72, the sealing device hook 77, the panel hook 78, and the constraining wall 80 are formed of one plate.

The sealer hook 77 is disposed on the first surface side (occupant compartment side) of the wall portion 72, and is disposed around the through hole 76. When the sealing device 8 is inserted into the through hole 76, the sealing device hook 77 is disposed outside the sealing device 8. The seal device hook 77 extends from the wall portion 72 in parallel to the axial direction of the seal device 8, and a tip end claw portion of the seal device hook 77 is caught on the flange 8A of the seal device 8 from the outside.

More specifically, three sealing device hooks 77 are integrally attached to a back surface 72R (first surface) of the wall portion 72. These sealing means hooks 77 are arranged on a circle coaxial with the through holes 75, 76.

Each sealing device hook 77 has a leg portion 77A and a tip end claw portion 77B. Leg 77A is fixed to back surface 72R of wall 72 and extends perpendicularly to wall 72. The leg portion 77A can swing with its root end as a fulcrum. The distal end claw portion 77B is a projection formed at the distal end of the leg portion 77A, and projects inward. When the coupling device 70 is fixed to the sealing device 8, the leg portions 77A swing outward, so that the flanges 8A of the sealing device 8 are inserted into these sealing device hooks 77, and the tip end claw portions 77B hang from the outside on the flanges 8A of the sealing device 8. As shown in fig. 10, the flange 8A of the seal device 8 is sandwiched between the distal end claw portion 77B of the seal device hook 77 and the wall portion 72, whereby the seal device 8 is fixed to the coupling device 70. The number, arrangement, and shape of the sealing device hooks 77 are not limited to the present embodiment.

The panel hook 78 is disposed on the second surface side (engine compartment side) of the wall portion 72 and around the through hole 76. When the sealing device 8 is inserted into the through hole 76, the panel hook 78 is disposed outside the sealing device 8. The panel hook 78 extends from the wall portion 72 in parallel to the axial direction of the sealing device 8, and is inserted into the shaft hole 4 of the dash panel 2, and the tip end claw portion of the panel hook 78 is caught on the peripheral edge of the shaft hole 4 of the dash panel 2 from the inside. The fastening device 70 is fixed to the dash panel 2 by the dash panel 2 being sandwiched between the distal end claw portion of the panel hook 78 and the wall portion 72.

More specifically, the three panel hooks 78 are integrally attached to the surface 720 (second surface) of the wall portion 72. These panel hooks 78 are configured to be insertable into the shaft holes 4 (indicated by broken lines in fig. 9) of the dash panel 2.

Each panel hook 78 has a pair of leg portions 78A, a coupling portion 78B, a lever portion 78C, and a distal end claw portion 78D. Leg 78A is fixed to surface 720 of wall 72 and extends generally perpendicularly relative to wall 72. The connecting portion 78B is connected to the distal ends of the pair of leg portions 78A. The lever portion 78C is suspended from the coupling portion 78B toward the wall portion 72, and is swingable about the coupling portion 78B as a fulcrum. The distal end claw portion 78D is a protrusion formed at the distal end of the lever portion 78C and protrudes outward. When the fastening device 70 is fixed to the dash panel 2, the lever portion 78C is swung inward, the panel hooks 78 are inserted into the shaft holes 4 of the dash panel 2, and the distal end claw portion 78D is caught from the inside on the peripheral edge of the shaft holes 4 of the dash panel 2. Thus, as shown in fig. 10, the dash panel 2 is sandwiched between the tip end claw portion 78D of the panel hook 78 and the wall portion 72, and the fastening device 70 is fixed to the dash panel 2. The number, configuration, and shape of the panel hooks 78 are not limited to this embodiment.

The wall 74 formed by the foam may be compressed to change its volume. When the joining device 70 is fixed to the dash panel 2, the wall portion 74 is sandwiched between the wall portion 72 and the dash panel 2 and compressed. The dashed line 74P in fig. 10 represents the height of the surface 740 of the wall portion 74 thus compressed. The wall portion 74 is disposed around the shaft hole 4 of the dash panel 2, and is compressed between the wall portion 72 and the dash panel 2, thereby sealing the gap between the wall portion 72 and the dash panel 2 and suppressing the entry of foreign matter from the engine room into the passenger compartment.

When the joining device 70 is not fixed to the dash panel 2, as shown by a solid line in fig. 10, the wall portion 74 has an initial height. In this state, the wall portion 74 is sandwiched between the distal end claw portion 78D of the panel hook 78 and the wall portion 72.

A plurality of constraining walls 80 are integrally mounted on a surface 720 of the wall portion 72. These constraining walls 80 are arranged along the contour of the wall portion 74 and collectively surround the wall portion 74. Thus, wall portion 74 is fixed to wall portion 72.

As described above, the wall portion 72, the sealing device hook 77, the panel hook 78, and the constraining wall 80 are formed of one plate. For example, the structure can be formed by press working from a flat metal plate. As shown in fig. 9 and 11, notches 82 connected to the through-holes 76 are formed on both sides of each sealing device hook 77. Further, a groove 84 is formed on the outer side of each of the constraining walls 80, and the groove 84 is a mark of the constraining wall 80 formed by punching processing by pressing.

The sealing device 8 according to the embodiment may be the same as the sealing device 8 according to the first embodiment, but the application of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. By the coupling device 10, various types of steering dustrings can be coupled to the dash panel 2.

In this embodiment, the sealing device 8 can be fixed to the fastening device 70 using a plurality of sealing device hooks 77 that protrude from the back surface 72R of the wall portion 72 of the fastening device 70, and the fastening device 70 can be fixed to the dash panel 2 using a plurality of panel hooks 78 that protrude from the surface 720 of the wall portion 72. Therefore, the sealing device 8 can be easily mounted on the dash panel 2.

In this embodiment, the sealing device hook 77 directly protrudes from the back surface 72R of the wall portion 72 with which the flange 8A of the sealing device 8 is in surface contact, but the back surface 72R of the wall portion 72 may not coincide with the root end of the sealing device hook 77, and another object may be interposed therebetween. Further, although the panel hook 78 directly protrudes from the surface 720 of the wall portion 72 with which the wall portion 74 is in surface contact, the surface 720 may not coincide with the root end of the panel hook 78, and another object may be interposed therebetween.

As shown in fig. 10, the length of the coupling device 70 in the axial direction is smaller than the length of the sealing device 8 in the axial direction. In this way, by miniaturizing the coupling device 70, the space for mounting the sealing device 8 on the panel 2 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the wall portion 74 formed of the foam is compressed between the wall portion 72 and the dash panel 2, and the gap between the wall portion 72 and the dash panel 2 can be sealed. Since the wall portion 74 is formed of the foam, the reaction force applied to the wall portion by the wall portion 74 compressed between the wall portion 72 and the dash panel 2 when the joining device 70 is fixed to the dash panel 2 is significantly small. Therefore, when the panel hook 78 is hooked to the dash panel 2, the click feeling accompanying the operation of the panel hook 78 is easily transmitted to the user. Specifically, when the tip end claw portion 78D of the panel hook 78 is hooked on the dash panel 2, the force required to push the fastening device 70 toward the dash panel 2 is instantaneously reduced. The user can certainly feel that the panel hook 78 is caught on the dash panel 2 (or even the coupling of the coupling device 70 and the dash panel 2 is completed).

The wall portion 74 formed of the foam covers the shaft hole 4 of the dash panel 2, and is compressed in contact with the dash panel 2. Therefore, even if an elastic ring such as the elastic ring 12 of the first embodiment is not used, it is possible to suppress foreign matter from entering the passenger compartment from the engine room. Further, since the wall portion 74 is formed of a foam, the deformability is high. The wall portion 74 has high performance of sealing the gap between the wall portion 72 and the cowl panel 2 even if the surface finish of the cowl panel 2, the size of the shaft hole 4, the thickness of the cowl panel 2, and the like are uneven.

Further, the wall portion 74 formed of the foam has high sound insulation performance for suppressing transmission of sound from the engine room into the passenger compartment.

In this embodiment, the wall portion 74 can be fixed to the wall portion 72 using a plurality of panel hooks 78 and a plurality of constraining walls 80 that protrude from the surface 720 of the wall portion 72. Therefore, the operation of the coupling device 70 is facilitated.

The wall portion 74 is formed of a plate having a uniform thickness, and a through hole 75 into which the sealing device 8 is inserted is formed in the plate. Therefore, the wall portion 74 is easily manufactured.

The wall portion 72, the sealing device hook 77, the panel hook 78, and the constraining wall 80 are formed of one plate. Therefore, the wall portion 72, the sealing device hook 77, the panel hook 78, and the constraining wall 80 are easily manufactured.

Third embodiment

Fig. 13 to 16 show a third embodiment of the present invention.

The coupling device 90 according to this embodiment is also used to mount the sealing device 8 that seals the gap between the dash panel 2 and the rotary shaft 6 on the dash panel 2 in a manner similar to that shown in fig. 1. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the coupling device 90 to which the sealing device 8 is attached. The top and bottom of fig. 13 are opposite to fig. 1.

The joining device 90 has a rigid body portion 92 and a foam body portion 94. The rigid body portion 92 is entirely formed of resin. However, the rigid body portion 92 may be formed of metal or hard rubber. The rigid body 92 may be a composite of resin and metal, a composite of hard rubber and metal, or a composite of resin, hard rubber, and metal.

As shown in fig. 14, the rigid body portion 92 has a shape similar to that of the coupling device 10 of the first embodiment. However, unlike the coupling device 10 of the first embodiment, the rigid body portion 92 does not have the wall portion 14. In this embodiment, the wall portion 20 is used instead of the wall portion 14 of the coupling device 10 of the first embodiment. A circular through hole 16 is formed in the wall portion (support wall portion) 20, and a substantially cylindrical sealing device 8 is inserted into the through hole 16.

The panel hook 18 is disposed on the second surface side (engine compartment side) of the wall portion 20 and around the through hole 16. In this embodiment, three panel hooks 18 are formed on an annular wall 96, the annular wall 96 being integrally mounted on a surface of the wall portion 20. The outline shape of the annular wall 96 is similar to the shape (for example, an oval shape) of the shaft hole 4 (see fig. 1) of the dash panel 2 covered by the wall portion 20.

The sealer hook 17 is disposed on a first surface side (occupant compartment side) of the wall portion 20, is integrally attached to the wall portion 20, and is disposed around the through hole 16. On the outside of the plurality of sealing means hooks 17a ring 26 is arranged, which ring 26 is attached to the wall portion 20.

In the rigid body portion 92, the other structures including the extra large wall portion 22, the second extra large wall portion 24, and the reinforcing ribs 30, 32 are the same as those of the coupling device 10 of the first embodiment.

The foam section 94 is formed of a foam. Preferred foams are foamed rubbers (e.g., foamed ethylene, propylene, diene rubbers) or foamed resins. As shown in fig. 15, the foam body portion 94 is constituted by one ring having a uniform thickness. The foam body portion 94 has a contour shape similar to the shaft hole 4 (e.g., an oval shape). The foam body portion 94 is formed with a through hole 94A having a shape similar to the shaft hole 4. The outer annular portion 40 of the sealing device 8 and the annular wall 96 of the rigid portion 92 are inserted into the through hole 94A.

The foam portion 94 is fixed to the surface (second surface) of the wall portion 20 of the rigid body portion 92 on the panel hook 18 side by an adhesive or other fixing means.

As shown in fig. 16, in the case of using the coupling device 90, when the sealing device 8 is inserted into the through-hole 16, the sealing device hook 17 is disposed outside the sealing device 8. The seal device hook 17 extends from the wall portion 20 in parallel to the axial direction of the seal device 8, and the tip end claw portion 17B of the seal device hook 17 is hooked on the flange 8A of the seal device 8 from the outside. The flange 8A of the sealing device 8 is sandwiched between the distal end claw portion 17B of the sealing device hook 17 and the wall portion 20, whereby the sealing device 8 is fixed to the coupling device 90.

The panel hook 18 is arranged outside the sealing device 8 when the sealing device 8 is inserted into the through hole 16. The panel hook 18 extends from the wall portion 20 in parallel in the axial direction of the sealing device 8, and is inserted into the shaft hole of the dash panel 2, and the tip end claw portion 18D of the panel hook 18 is hung from the inside on the peripheral edge of the shaft hole of the dash panel 2. The fastening device 90 is fixed to the dash panel 2 by sandwiching the dash panel 2 between the distal end claw portion 18D of the panel hook 18 and the wall portion 20. The foam portion 94 fixed to the wall portion 20 is compressed between the wall portion 20 and the dash panel 2. Fig. 16 shows the foam body 94 in an uncompressed state, and a broken line 94P in fig. 16 indicates the height of the compressed foam body 94. The foam portion 94 is disposed around the shaft hole of the dash panel 2, and is compressed between the wall portion 20 and the dash panel 2, thereby sealing the gap between the wall portion 20 and the dash panel 2 and suppressing the entry of foreign matter from the engine room into the passenger compartment.

Since the foam portion 94 is formed of foam, when the coupling device 90 is fixed to the dash panel 2, a reaction force applied to the wall portion by the foam portion 94 compressed between the wall portion 20 and the dash panel 2 is significantly small. Therefore, when the panel hook 78 is hooked to the dash panel 2, the click feeling accompanying the operation of the panel hook 78 is easily transmitted to the user. Specifically, when the tip end claw portion 78D of the panel hook 78 is hooked on the dash panel 2, the force required to push the fastening device 90 toward the dash panel 2 is instantaneously reduced. The user can certainly feel that the panel hook 78 is caught on the dash panel 2 (or even that the coupling of the coupling device 90 and the dash panel 2 is completed).

The foam portion 94 formed of foam covers the axial hole of the dash panel 2, and is compressed in contact with the dash panel 2. Therefore, even if an elastic ring such as the elastic ring 12 of the first embodiment is not used, it is possible to suppress foreign matter from entering the passenger compartment from the engine room. Further, since the foam part 94 is formed of foam, the deformability is high. Even if the surface finish of the dash panel 2, the size of the shaft hole of the dash panel 2, the thickness of the dash panel 2, and the like are uneven, the foam body portion 94 has high performance of sealing the gap between the wall portion 20 and the dash panel 2.

The foam portion 94 formed of the foam has high sound insulation performance for suppressing transmission of sound from the engine room into the passenger compartment.

As shown in fig. 16, the length of the coupling device 90 in the axial direction is smaller than the length of the sealing device 8 in the axial direction. In this way, by miniaturizing the coupling device 90, the space for mounting the sealing device 8 on the panel 2 can be reduced.

In addition, an extra large wall portion 22 having a profile larger than that of the wall portion 20 is arranged at a position farther from the panel hook 18 than the wall portion 20. The extra-large wall portion 22 is disposed at a position distant from the dash panel 2 as compared to the wall portion 20 facing the dash panel 2, and has a larger profile than that of the wall portion 20. Therefore, the connecting device 90 is easy to handle, and for example, a user can carry the connecting device 90 by gripping the extra large wall portion 22, and can easily attach to and detach from the dash panel 2.

The rigidity of the wall portion 20 and the extra large wall portion 22, and thus the rigidity of the joining device 90, is increased by the plurality of reinforcing ribs 30 joining the wall portion 20 and the extra large wall portion 22. Each reinforcing rib 30 terminates in the contour of the wall portion 20 and does not protrude from the wall portion 20, and therefore does not interfere with the operation of the coupling device 90.

In addition, an extra large wall portion 22 and a second extra large wall portion 24 having a profile larger than that of the wall portion 20 are arranged at positions farther from the panel hook 18 than the wall portion 20. Therefore, the linking device 90 is easy to handle, and for example, a user can grasp the extra-large wall portion 22 and the second extra-large wall portion 24 to carry the linking device 90, and easy to attach to and detach from the dash panel 2.

By means of the plurality of stiffening ribs 32 joining the extra large wall portion 22 and the second extra large wall portion 24, the rigidity of the extra large wall portion 22 and the second extra large wall portion 24 and thus the rigidity of the joining device 90 is increased. Each reinforcing rib 32 terminates in the profile of the oversized wall portion 22 and the second oversized wall portion 24 and does not protrude from the oversized wall portion 22 and the second oversized wall portion 24, and therefore does not interfere with the operation of the hitch 90.

In this embodiment, the foam portion 94 is fixed to the wall portion 20 of the rigid portion 92. However, the foam portion 94 may not be fixed to the wall portion 20. That is, when the connecting device 90 is used, the foam body portion 94 may be brought into contact with the wall portion 20.

Fig. 17 shows a modification of this embodiment. In this modification, a circumferential groove 98 is formed in the wall portion 20 of the rigid body portion 92, and the foam body portion 94 is fitted into the circumferential groove 98 and detachably fixed to the wall portion 20. The foamed body portion 94 may also be bonded to the circumferential groove 98 with an adhesive.

Other modifications

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above description is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications including deletion, addition, and replacement of components are conceivable within the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, although the sealing device 8 is a turn wiper in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the turn wiper, and may be applied to a sealing device that seals the periphery of a rotating shaft that can be largely eccentric and attenuates noise.

The mode of the invention is also described in the following numbered schemes.

A coupling device according to claim 1, wherein a seal device for sealing a gap between a panel and a rotary shaft disposed in a shaft hole provided in the panel is attached to the panel, and the coupling device comprises:

a support wall portion having a first face, a second face opposite to the first face, and a through hole into which the sealing device is inserted;

a plurality of sealing device hooks arranged on the first surface side of the support wall portion, around the through hole, and hung on the sealing device from the outside;

and a plurality of panel hooks disposed on the second surface side of the support wall portion, disposed around the through hole, inserted into the shaft hole of the panel, and hooked on the peripheral edge of the shaft hole of the panel from the inside.

In this aspect, the sealing device can be secured to the attachment device using a plurality of sealing device hooks, and the attachment device can be secured to the panel using a plurality of panel hooks. Therefore, the sealing device can be easily mounted on the panel.

The coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a large wall portion arranged in parallel with the support wall portion and having a larger contour than a contour of the support wall portion; and

a circumferential groove formed between the second face of the support wall portion and the large wall portion, into which an elastic ring in contact with the panel is fitted.

According to this aspect, the elastic ring fitted into the circumferential groove is compressed between the large wall portion and the panel, so that the gap between the coupling device and the panel can be sealed.

The coupling device according to claim 3, further comprising:

an extra large wall portion arranged outside the sealing device hook and at a position farther from the panel hook than the support wall portion, and having a profile larger than that of the support wall portion; and

a plurality of reinforcing ribs formed between the support wall portion and the oversized wall portion.

According to this aspect, the extra-large wall portion having a larger profile than the profile of the support wall portion is disposed at a position farther from the panel hook than the support wall portion. The extra-large wall portion is arranged at a position farther from the panel than the support wall portion opposite the panel, and is larger than the support wall portion. Therefore, the coupling device is easy to operate, and for example, the mounting to and the removal from the panel are easy. In addition, the rigidity of the support wall portion and the extra large wall portion is improved by the plurality of reinforcing ribs formed between the support wall portion and the extra large wall portion.

The coupling device according to claim 4, further comprising:

a second oversized wall portion disposed outboard of the seal device hook and at a location further from the panel hook than the oversized wall portion, having a profile larger than a profile of the support wall portion; and

a plurality of stiffening ribs formed between said oversized wall portion and said second oversized wall portion linking said oversized wall portion and said second oversized wall portion.

According to this aspect, the extra-large wall portion larger than the support wall portion and the second extra-large wall portion are arranged at a position further away from the panel hook than the support wall portion. Therefore, the coupling device is easy to operate, and for example, the mounting to and the removal from the panel are easy. In addition, the rigidity of the extra large wall portion and the second extra large wall portion is increased by a plurality of reinforcing ribs that connect the extra large wall portion and the second extra large wall portion. Preferably, the stiffening ribs terminate in the contour of the oversized wall portion and the second oversized wall portion, without protruding from the oversized wall portion and the second oversized wall portion.

The coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising:

and a foam portion formed on the second surface side of the support wall portion, arranged in parallel with the support wall portion, and formed of a foam.

According to this aspect, the foam portion is compressed between the support wall portion and the panel, and the gap between the support wall portion and the panel can be sealed. Since the foam portion is formed of foam, when the coupling device is fixed to the panel, the reaction force applied to the support wall portion by the foam portion compressed between the support wall portion and the panel is significantly small. Therefore, when the panel is hooked on the panel, the click feeling accompanying the operation of the panel hook is easily transmitted to the user. The user can certainly feel that the panel is hooked on the panel (or even that the connection of the connecting device and the panel is completed). The foam portion formed of a foam covers the axial hole of the panel, and is compressed in contact with the panel. Therefore, the foam portion seals the gap between the support wall portion and the panel, and suppresses entry of foreign matter. In addition, since the foam part is formed of a foam, the deformability is high. Even if the surface smoothness of the face plate, the size of the shaft hole, the thickness of the face plate, and the like are uneven, the foam portion has high performance of sealing the gap between the support wall portion and the face plate. Further, the foam part formed of the foam has high sound insulation performance for suppressing sound transmission.

The coupling device according to claim 6, wherein the coupling device is a screw type coupling device,

the foam body part is formed of a plate or a ring having a uniform thickness, and a through hole into which the sealing means is inserted is formed in the plate or the ring.

According to this aspect, the foam part can be easily manufactured.

Case 7. the coupling device according to case 5 or 6,

the support wall portion, the sealing device hook, and the panel hook are formed of one plate.

According to this aspect, the support wall portion, the sealing device hook, and the panel hook are easily manufactured.

The coupling device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that,

a plurality of constraining walls that collectively surround the foam portion are provided on the second face side of the support wall portion.

According to this aspect, the foam body portion can be fixed to the support wall portion using the plurality of panel hooks and the plurality of constraining walls. Therefore, the coupling device is easy to operate.

Solution 9. the coupling device according to any one of solutions 1 to 8,

the length of the coupling device in the axial direction is smaller than the length of the sealing device in the axial direction.

According to this aspect, the coupling device can be downsized, and the space for mounting the sealing device on the panel can be reduced.

An aspect 10 provides a sealing device for sealing a gap between a panel and a rotary shaft disposed in a shaft hole provided in the panel, the sealing device including:

a flange secured to a joining device that joins the sealing device to the panel;

a seal lip disposed radially inward of the flange and contacting an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft; and

an annular seal lip formed on the flange and in contact with the coupling device.

In this manner, the sealing device can be fixed to the coupling device using the flange. Therefore, the sealing device can be easily attached to the panel. Further, since the annular seal lip which contacts the coupling device is formed on the flange, a gap between the seal device and the coupling device is sealed by the seal lip.

Description of the symbols:

e engine room side space

P passenger carriage side space

2 front boarding

4 axle hole

6 rotating shaft (steering shaft)

8 sealing device (steering dustproof ring)

8A flange

10 connecting device

12 elastic ring

14 wall section (supporting wall section)

14R back surface

16 through hole

17 sealing device hook

18 panel hook

20 wall parts (Large wall part, supporting wall part)

22 extra large wall part

24 second extra large wall part

28 circumferential groove

30 reinforcing rib

32 reinforcing rib

46. 48, 50 sealing lip

62 sealing lip

70 connecting device

72 wall (supporting wall)

720 surface (second surface)

72R Back (first side)

74 wall part (foam body)

740 surface

75. 76 through hole

77 sealing device hook

78 Panel hook

80 constraining wall

90 connecting device

92 rigid body part

94 foam part