U.S. patent application number 14/342212 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for joining member having ventilation function and joining structure using same.
This patent application is currently assigned to NITTO DENKO CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Kouji Furuuchi, Nobuharu Kuki, Teppei Tezuka. Invention is credited to Kouji Furuuchi, Nobuharu Kuki, Teppei Tezuka.
Application Number | 20140220876 14/342212 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47755619 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140220876 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Furuuchi; Kouji ; et
al. |
August 7, 2014 |
JOINING MEMBER HAVING VENTILATION FUNCTION AND JOINING STRUCTURE
USING SAME
Abstract
A joining member (1) includes an air-permeable membrane (11), a
first adhesive layer (21) provided on a side of a first principal
surface (11a) of the air-permeable membrane (11), a second adhesive
layer (22) provided on a side of a second principal surface (11b)
of the air-permeable membrane (11), an opening (21h) formed in the
first adhesive layer (21), and a vent groove (1d) formed through
the second adhesive layer (22) or between the second adhesive layer
(22) and the air-permeable membrane (11). The vent groove (1d)
includes a first portion (D1) extending from an outer peripheral
edge of the joining member (1) to a region corresponding to the
opening (21h) and a second portion (D2) to which the second
principal surface (11b) of the air-permeable membrane (11) is
exposed in the region corresponding to the opening (21h). The vent
groove (1d) provides an air passage (1v) between a housing (31) and
a support body (32) to communicate an inside of the housing (31)
and an outside of the housing (31) when the housing (31) is fixed
to the support body (32) using the joining member (1).
Inventors: |
Furuuchi; Kouji; (Osaka,
JP) ; Tezuka; Teppei; (Osaka, JP) ; Kuki;
Nobuharu; (Osaka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Furuuchi; Kouji
Tezuka; Teppei
Kuki; Nobuharu |
Osaka
Osaka
Osaka |
|
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
Ibaraki-shi, Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
47755619 |
Appl. No.: |
14/342212 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
July 25, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2012/004751 |
371 Date: |
February 28, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/241 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C09J 2203/322 20130101;
C09J 2301/124 20200801; C09J 2301/18 20200801; F24F 7/04 20130101;
Y02E 10/50 20130101; H02S 40/345 20141201; C09J 2301/208 20200801;
H01L 31/02008 20130101; C09J 2427/006 20130101; C09J 2400/243
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/241 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/04 20060101
F24F007/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 2, 2011 |
JP |
2011-191895 |
Claims
1. A sheet-like joining member having a ventilation function and
used to fix a housing having a vent hole to a support body, the
joining member comprising: an air-permeable membrane having a first
principal surface and a second principal surface; a first adhesive
layer provided on a side of the first principal surface of the
air-permeable membrane, the first adhesive layer being adapted to
be brought into contact with the housing around the vent hole; an
opening formed in the first adhesive layer so that the first
principal surface of the air-permeable membrane faces the vent hole
of the housing when the first adhesive layer comes into contact
with the housing; a second adhesive layer provided on a side of the
second principal surface of the air-permeable membrane, the second
adhesive layer being adapted to be brought into contact with the
support body; and a vent groove formed through the second adhesive
layer or between the second adhesive layer and the air-permeable
membrane so as to provide an air passage between the housing and
the support body to communicate an inside of the housing and an
outside of the housing when the housing is fixed to the support
body using the joining member, the vent groove including a first
portion extending from an outer peripheral edge of the joining
member to a region corresponding to the opening and a second
portion to which the second principal surface of the air-permeable
membrane is exposed in the region corresponding to the opening.
2. The joining member according to claim 1, further comprising: a
spacer provided between the second adhesive layer and the
air-permeable membrane; and a third adhesive layer provided between
the spacer and the air-permeable membrane, wherein the vent groove
is formed at least through the spacer so that the vent groove has a
depth equal to or greater than a thickness of the spacer.
3. The joining member according to claim 2, wherein the vent groove
is formed through the second adhesive layer, the spacer, and the
third adhesive layer so that the vent groove has a depth equal to a
total thickness of the second adhesive layer, the spacer, and the
third adhesive layer, and the vent groove has a bottom formed of
the second principal surface of the air-permeable membrane.
4. The joining member according to claim 1, wherein the vent groove
is formed through the second adhesive layer so that the vent groove
has a depth equal to a thickness of the second adhesive layer, and
the vent groove has a bottom formed of the second principal surface
of the air-permeable membrane.
5. The joining member according to claim 1, wherein the
air-permeable membrane comprises a porous polytetrafluoroethylene
membrane.
6. The joining member according to claim 1, wherein the first
adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer are each formed of a
double-sided adhesive tape.
7. A joining structure comprising: a support body; a housing having
a vent hole and fixed to the support body; and a sheet-like joining
member disposed between the support body and the housing so as to
fix the housing to the support body, wherein the joining member
comprises: an air-permeable membrane having a first principal
surface and a second principal surface; a first adhesive layer
provided on a side of the first principal surface of the
air-permeable membrane, the first adhesive layer being in contact
with the housing around the vent hole; an opening formed in the
first adhesive layer so that the first principal surface of the
air-permeable membrane faces the vent hole of the housing; a second
adhesive layer provided on a side of the second principal surface
of the air-permeable membrane, the second adhesive layer being in
contact with the support body; and a vent groove formed through the
second adhesive layer or between the second adhesive layer and the
air-permeable membrane so as to provide an air passage between the
housing and the support body to communicate an inside of the
housing and an outside of the housing, the vent groove including a
first portion extending from an outer peripheral edge of the
joining member to a region corresponding to the opening and a
second portion to which the second principal surface of the
air-permeable membrane is exposed in the region corresponding to
the opening.
8. The joining structure according to claim 7, wherein the support
body is a solar cell panel, and the housing is a terminal box of a
solar cell.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a joining member having a
ventilation function and a joining structure including the joining
member.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A housing that requires ventilation is provided with a vent
hole for ensuring communication between the inside and outside of
the housing for ventilation. In order to prevent foreign substances
such as water and dust from entering the housing through the vent
hole, a ventilation member is attached to the vent hole. In order
to attach the ventilation member to the housing, a double-sided
adhesive tape or an adhesive is commonly used (see Patent
Literature 1). In the case where the housing is made of a
thermoplastic resin, the ventilation member can also be welded to
the vent hole of the housing.
[0003] In order to fix the above-mentioned housing to a support
body, a joining member is used in addition to the above-mentioned
ventilation member. Examples of this joining member include
double-sided adhesive tapes, adhesives, and screws.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0004] Patent Literature 1: JP 2005-070542 A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0005] For a conventional configuration, it is necessary to prepare
a ventilation member and a joining member separately.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a member
having both the function of a ventilation member and the function
of a joining member.
Solution to Problem
[0007] The present invention provides a sheet-like joining member
having a ventilation function and used to fix a housing having a
vent hole to a support body. The joining member includes: an
air-permeable membrane having a first principal surface and a
second principal surface; a first adhesive layer provided on a side
of the first principal surface of the air-permeable membrane, the
first adhesive layer being adapted to be brought into contact with
the housing around the vent hole; an opening formed in the first
adhesive layer so that the first principal surface of the
air-permeable membrane faces the vent hole of the housing when the
first adhesive layer comes into contact with the housing; a second
adhesive layer provided on a side of the second principal surface
of the air-permeable membrane, the second adhesive layer being
adapted to be brought into contact with the support body; and a
vent groove formed through the second adhesive layer or between the
second adhesive layer and the air-permeable membrane so as to
provide an air passage between the housing and the support body to
communicate an inside of the housing and an outside of the housing
when the housing is fixed to the support body using the joining
member, the vent groove including a first portion extending from an
outer peripheral edge of the joining member to a region
corresponding to the opening and a second portion to which the
second principal surface of the air-permeable membrane is exposed
in the region corresponding to the opening.
[0008] The present invention also provides a joining structure
including: a support body; a housing having a vent hole and fixed
to the support body; and the above-mentioned joining member
disposed between the support body and the housing so as to fix the
housing to the support body.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0009] In the joining member of the present invention, the first
adhesive layer is provided on the first principal surface side, and
the second adhesive layer is provided on the second principal
surface side. The air-permeable membrane is disposed between the
first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer. The first
adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer serve to fix the
housing to the support body with the air-permeable membrane placed
between the housing and the support body. The first adhesive layer
adapted to be brought into contact with the housing has an opening
formed therein. The vent groove is formed through the second
adhesive layer or between the second adhesive layer and the
air-permeable membrane so as to provide an air passage between the
housing and the support body to communicate the inside of the
housing and the outside of the housing. The opening and the vent
groove serve to ventilate the housing through the air-permeable
membrane.
[0010] As described above, the joining member of the present
invention has both the joining function and the ventilation
function. Therefore, the number of component parts required to
produce the joining structure including the housing and the support
body can be reduced. The number of man-hours required in the
process for producing the joining structure can also be
reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a joining structure
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the joining structure
shown in FIG. 1A.
[0013] FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of a joining member
used in the ventilation structure shown in FIG. 1A.
[0014] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the joining member.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first adhesive layer.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second adhesive layer.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the ventilation function
of the joining member.
[0018] FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of a joining member
according to a first modification.
[0019] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the joining member
according to the first modification.
[0020] FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view of a joining member
according to a second modification.
[0021] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the joining member
according to the second modification.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0023] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a joining structure
according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional
view taken along a straight line IB-IB in FIG. 1A.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a joining structure 30
includes a housing 31, a support body 32, and a joining member 1.
The housing 31 has a vent hole 31h. The joining member 1 is a
sheet-like member and has a ventilation function. The joining
member 1 is disposed between the housing 31 and the support body 32
and fixes the housing 31 to the support body 32.
[0025] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show the case where the support body 32
is a solar cell panel and the housing 31 is a terminal box of a
solar cell. In FIG. 1A, cables 33 extend from the housing 31.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the joining member 1
includes a first adhesive layer 21, a second adhesive layer 22, a
third adhesive layer 23, an air-permeable membrane 11, and a spacer
12. The first adhesive layer 21 is provided on the side of a first
principal surface 11a of the air-permeable membrane 11. The second
adhesive layer 22 is provided on the side of a second principal
surface 11b (opposite to the first principal surface 11a) of the
air-permeable membrane 11. The spacer 12 is provided between the
second adhesive layer 22 and the air-permeable membrane 11. The
third adhesive layer 23 is provided between the spacer 12 and the
air-permeable membrane 11. That is, in the joining member 1, the
first adhesive layer 21, the air-permeable membrane 11, the third
adhesive layer 23, the spacer 12, and the second adhesive layer 22
are stacked in this order. More specifically, the first adhesive
layer 21 and the air-permeable membrane 11 are in direct contact
with each other, the air-permeable membrane 11 and the third
adhesive layer 23 are in direct contact with each other, the third
adhesive layer 23 and the spacer 12 are in direct contact with each
other, and the spacer 12 and the second adhesive layer 22 are in
direct contact with each other.
[0027] The air-permeable membrane 11 has the properties of
preventing water and dust from entering therein and allowing air to
pass therethrough. That is, the air-permeable membrane 11 provides
the waterproof function, dustproof function, and ventilation
function to the joining member 1.
[0028] The material of the air-permeable membrane 11 is, for
example a porous material. Given that the joining member 1 is
sometimes used outdoors and exposed to rain or mud, it is
preferable to use, as the air-permeable membrane 11, a membrane
including a porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane having
water resistance and stain resistance. The structure of the
air-permeable membrane 11 is not particularly limited. For example,
the air-permeable membrane 11 may have a net structure or a
nonwoven fabric structure. The air-permeable membrane 11 is square
in plan view, but it may have another shape such as a polygon other
than a square, or a circle.
[0029] A porous PTFE membrane can be produced by the following
method, for example. First, a liquid lubricant is added to a PTFE
fine powder to preform a pasty mixture. The liquid lubricant is not
particularly limited as long as it can wet the surface of the PTFE
fine powder and can be removed by extraction or heating.
Hydrocarbons such as liquid paraffin, naphtha, and white oil can be
used as the liquid lubricant. The appropriate amount of the liquid
lubricant added is about 5 to 50 parts by weight per 100 parts by
weight of the PTFE fine powder. The above-mentioned preforming is
performed at such a pressure that the liquid lubricant is not
squeezed out. Next, the mixture obtained by the above-described
preforming is formed into a sheet by paste extrusion or rolling to
obtain a PTFE sheet. Next, this PTFE sheet is stretched uniaxially
or biaxially. Thus, a porous PTFE membrane is obtained. Stretching
conditions may be determined as appropriate. For example, the
temperature for stretching is 30.degree. C. to 400.degree. C., and
the stretch ratio is 1.5 to 200 for each stretching direction. In
addition, in the case where the porous PTFE membrane is not
sintered in the stretching process, it is preferable to sinter the
porous PTFE membrane at a temperature equal to or higher than the
melting point of the porous PTFE membrane after the stretching.
[0030] The air-permeable membrane 11 may include an air-permeable
membrane body that prevents water and dust from entering therein
and allows air to pass therethrough and a reinforcing member for
reinforcing the air-permeable membrane body. Examples of the
air-permeable membrane body includes membranes made of the porous
materials described above. Examples of the material of the
reinforcing member include synthetic fibers made of resins such as
polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), polyamides,
polyesters, aromatic polyamides, acrylics, and polyimides, and
composite materials of these. Preferably, the reinforcing member
has a structure whose permeability can be easily increased, such as
a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, a net, or the like. The
arrangement of the air-permeable membrane body and the reinforcing
member is not particularly limited. For example, the reinforcing
member may cover one side of the air-permeable membrane body, or
the reinforcing members may cover both sides of the air-permeable
membrane body. From the viewpoint of ensuring the waterproofness of
the housing 31, it is preferable to arrange the air-permeable
membrane body and the reinforcing member so that the air-permeable
membrane body comes into direct contact with the first adhesive
layer 21. In view of this point, the reinforcing member preferably
covers only one side of the air-permeable membrane body.
[0031] The thickness of the air-permeable membrane 11 is, for
example, 5 to 2000 .mu.m, and preferably 10 to 500 .mu.m.
[0032] Preferably, the air-permeable membrane 11 has a water entry
pressure of 5 cm/H.sub.2O or more for the following reasons. The
internal pressure of the housing 31 is lower than the external
pressure thereof in some environments of use. In such a case, even
if the air-permeable membrane 11 has water resistance, water or the
like outside the housing 31 may penetrate the air-permeable
membrane 11 and be drawn into the housing 31. Therefore, it is
preferable that the air-permeable membrane 11 have not only water
resistance but also a predetermined level of water entry pressure.
When the air-permeable membrane 11 has a water entry pressure in
the range given above, the risk that outside water or the like may
be drawn into the housing can be reduced effectively. This means
that, when the air-permeable membrane 11 has a water entry pressure
given above, it can have good internal pressure
controllability.
[0033] The air-permeable membrane 11 may be subjected to
oil-repellent treatment. For example, when the housing 31 is used
to contain automotive electronic components, window washer fluid,
oil such as engine oil and brake oil, etc. may adhere to the
vicinity of the housing 31, which in turn adheres to the surface of
the air-permeable membrane 11. Oil-repellent treatment makes it
possible to more effectively prevent a low surface tension liquid
from penetrating the air-permeable membrane 11.
[0034] The first adhesive layer 21 is a layer adapted to be brought
into contact with the housing 31 around the vent hole 31h. The
first adhesive layer 21 may be made of a single material, or may
contain two or more materials. For example, the first adhesive
layer 21 may consist only of an adhesive, or may be a double-sided
adhesive tape including a substrate and an adhesive applied to both
sides of the substrate. From the viewpoint of ease of producing the
joining member 1, the first adhesive layer 21 is preferably a
double-sided adhesive tape. The same applies to the second adhesive
layer 22 and the third adhesive layer 23 as well. In the present
embodiment, the first adhesive layer 21 is a double-sided adhesive
tape. The thickness of the first adhesive layer 21 is, for example,
25 to 3000 .mu.m.
[0035] The second adhesive layer 22 is a layer adapted to be
brought into contact with the support body 32. The third adhesive
layer 23 is a layer for bonding the spacer 12 to the air-permeable
membrane 11. The second adhesive layer 22 and the third adhesive
layer 23 can each have the same structure as the first adhesive
layer 21. In the present embodiment, the second adhesive layer 22
and the third adhesive layer 23 are each a double-sided adhesive
tape.
[0036] The spacer 12 is a member for maintaining a space between
the air-permeable membrane 11 and the support body 32. In the
present embodiment, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film is used
as the spacer 12. Another plastic film may be used as the spacer
12.
[0037] In the joining structure 30, the joining member 1 forms an
air passage communicating the inside and outside of the housing 31.
In the present embodiment, the air-permeable membrane 11 is
sandwiched between the first adhesive layer 21 and the second
adhesive layer 22, the spacer 12 and the third adhesive layer 23,
so as to form the air passage. The shapes of the first adhesive
layer 21, the second adhesive layer 22, the spacer 12, and the
third adhesive layer 23 for forming the air passage, and that air
passage are described below.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first adhesive layer 21. As
shown in FIG. 3, the first adhesive layer 21 has an opening 21h
formed therein. The opening 21h is provided in the center of the
first adhesive layer 21. In the ventilation structure 30, the
opening 21h of the first adhesive layer 21 coincides with the vent
hole 31h of the housing 31.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the second adhesive layer 22. As
shown in FIG. 4, the second adhesive layer 22 has a vent recess 22d
formed therein.
[0040] In the present embodiment, the spacer 12 and the third
adhesive layer 23 have the same shape as the second adhesive layer
22 in plan view. That is, the spacer 12 has a vent recess 12d, and
the third adhesive layer 23 has a vent recess 23d. The vent recess
12d and the vent recess 23d have the same shape as the vent recess
22d in plan view.
[0041] In the joining member 1 of the present embodiment, the
second adhesive layer 22, the spacer 12, and the third adhesive
layer 23 are stacked so that their side edges are aligned (see FIG.
2B). Thus, the second adhesive layer 22, the spacer 12, and the
third adhesive layer 23 form a vent groove 1d having a thickness
corresponding to the total thickness of these three layers.
[0042] In other words, the vent groove 1d is formed through the
second adhesive layer 22, the spacer 12, and the third adhesive
layer 23. The vent groove 1d includes a first portion D1 and a
second portion D2. The first portion D1 of the vent groove 1d is a
portion extending from the outer peripheral edge of the joining
member 1 to a region corresponding to the opening 21h (a region
overlapping or coinciding with the opening 21h in plan view). The
second portion D2 of the vent groove 1d is a portion to which the
second principal surface 11b of the air-permeable membrane 11 is
exposed in the region corresponding to the opening 21h. The vent
groove 1d is separated from the opening 21h by the air-permeable
membrane 11. As described below, when the housing 31 is fixed to
the support body 32 using the joining member 1, the vent groove 1d
provides an air passage between the housing 31 and the support body
32 to communicate the inside of the housing 31 and the outside of
the housing 31.
[0043] Next, the ventilation function of the joining member 1 is
described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional
view taken along a straight line V-V in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG.
5, since the opening 21h is formed in the first adhesive layer 21,
the first principal surface 11a of the air-permeable membrane 11
faces the vent hole 31h of the housing 31 when the first adhesive
layer 21 comes into contact with the housing 31. Therefore, the
interior space of the housing 31, the vent hole 31h, and the
opening 21h communicate with each other. On the other hand, the
vent groove 1d is formed between the support body 32 and the
air-permeable membrane 11 and communicates with the exterior space
of the housing 31. More specifically, a space of the vent groove 1d
is formed between the support body 32 and the air-permeable
membrane 11, and this space and the exterior space of the housing
31 communicate with each other. That is, in the joining structure
30, the interior space and the exterior space of the housing 31 are
separated from each other only by the air-permeable membrane 11.
This means that the opening 21h, the air-permeable membrane 11, and
the vent groove 1d form an air passage 1v. The air passage 1v is
never blocked by the support body 32. Therefore, the air passage 1v
ensures communication between the interior space and the exterior
space of the housing 31 for good ventilation of the housing 31.
[0044] In the present embodiment, the vent groove 1d is also formed
through the spacer 12, and has a depth equal to or greater than the
thickness of the spacer 12. The bottom of the vent groove 1d is
formed of the second principal surface 11b of the air-permeable
membrane 11. The vent groove 1d has a depth equal to the total
thickness of the second adhesive layer 22, the spacer 12, and the
third adhesive layer 23. As described later, the spacer 12 and the
third adhesive layer 23 are not essential components. However, the
presence of the spacer 12 and the third adhesive layer 23 makes the
vent groove 1d deeper. That is, when the joining structure 30 is
assembled, the air flow cross sectional area of the air passage 1v
is increased on the side of the second principal surface 11b of the
air-permeable membrane 11. As a result, good ventilation of the
housing 31 can be ensured in the joining structure 30.
[0045] The dimensions of the vent groove 1d is not particularly
limited, but the depth of the vent groove 1d is, for example, 50 to
5000 .mu.m, and preferably 200 to 300 .mu.m.
[0046] The width of the vent groove 1d is preferably 1 to 20 mm in
plan view in order to achieve both the air flow cross sectional
area large enough for the vent groove 1d and the strength high
enough for the joining member 1.
[0047] In the present embodiment, the vent groove 1d is a recess
having a combined shape of a semicircle and a rectangle in plan
view. However, the shape of the vent groove 1d is not limited. For
example, the vent groove 1d may be a recess having a quadrangular
shape such as a rectangle in plan view. The second adhesive layer
22, the spacer 12, and the third adhesive layer 23 may each be
divided into two or more regions so that the vent groove 1d has a
cross shape or the like in plan view.
[0048] In the joining member 1, the vent recess 22d, the vent
recess 12d, and the vent recess 23d completely coincide with each
other. However, the side edges of the vent recesses 22d, 12d and
23d may be slightly misaligned with each other as long as the vent
groove 1d having a depth equal to the total thickness of the second
adhesive layer 22, the spacer 12, and the third adhesive layer 23
is formed.
[0049] In the ventilation structure 30 of the present embodiment,
the position of the joining member 1 and the position of the
housing 31 are determined so that the vent groove 1d extends in a
depression angle direction. This configuration makes it possible to
prevent a liquid such as water from remaining in the vent groove
1d, resulting in a decrease in the possibility that the liquid may
enter the housing 31 from the outside. However, the direction in
which the vent groove 1d opens is not limited, and the vent groove
1d may extend in an elevation angle direction.
[0050] The diameter of the opening 21h formed in the first adhesive
layer 21 is not particularly limited, and it is 2 to 50 mm, for
example. In the present embodiment, the opening 21h has a circular
shape, but it may have another shape, for example, a quadrangular
shape.
[0051] The positional relationship between the vent hole 31h and
the opening 21h is not particularly limited, but preferably the
centers thereof coincide with each other. Thereby, good ventilation
of the housing 31 can be ensured. In the present embodiment, the
vent hole 31h has the same shape as the opening 21h, but they need
not necessarily have the same shape. Their shapes may be slightly
different from each other.
[0052] (First Modification)
[0053] A joining member 101 shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B has a
second adhesive layer 122 instead of the second adhesive layer 22
of the joining member 1 in the embodiment described above. That is,
in the joining member 101, the first adhesive layer 21, the
air-permeable membrane 11, the third adhesive layer 23, the spacer
12, and the second adhesive layer 122 are stacked in this order.
The first adhesive layer 21 and the air-permeable membrane 11 are
in direct contact with each other, the air-permeable membrane 11
and the third adhesive layer 23 are in direct contact with each
other, the third adhesive layer 23 and the spacer 12 are in direct
contact with each other, and the spacer 12 and the second adhesive
layer 122 are in direct contact with each other. The second
adhesive layer 122 does not have a vent recess like the vent recess
22d. That is, the second adhesive layer 122 has the same shape as
the air-permeable membrane 11 in plan view. The second adhesive
layer 122 is an adhesive layer having the same structure as the
second adhesive layer 22 except for this point. In the first
modification using this configuration, a vent groove 101d is formed
through the spacer 12 and the third adhesive layer 23 located
between the second adhesive layer 122 and the air-permeable
membrane 11. The vent groove 101d is covered by the second adhesive
layer 122 in the thickness direction of the second adhesive layer
122.
[0054] In a joining structure (not shown) including the joining
member 101, the bonding area between the joining member 101 and the
support body 32 (i.e., the contact area between the second adhesive
layer 122 and the support body 32) can be made larger than the
bonding area between the joining member 1 and the support body 32
(i.e., the contact area between the second adhesive layer 22 and
the support body 32). Therefore, the housing 31 can be fixed to the
support body 32 more firmly when the joining member 101 is used
than when the joining member 1 is used.
[0055] In the first modification, the second adhesive layer 122
does not serve as an air passage. Therefore, in the first
modification, the total thickness of the spacer 12 and the third
adhesive layer 23 is preferably greater than that in the embodiment
described above. That is, it is preferable that the total depth of
the vent recess 12d and the vent recess 23d be greater than that in
the embodiment described above. For this reason, in the first
modification, the total thickness of the spacer 12 and the third
adhesive layer 23 is preferably 200 to 300 .mu.m.
[0056] (Second Modification)
[0057] A joining member 201 shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B does not
have the spacer 12 and the third adhesive layer 23 of the joining
member 1 in the embodiment described above. That is, in the joining
member 201, the first adhesive layer 21, the air-permeable membrane
11, and the second adhesive layer 22 are stacked in this order. The
first adhesive layer 21 and the air-permeable membrane 11 are in
direct contact with each other, and the air-permeable membrane 11
and the second adhesive layer 22 are in direct contact with each
other. In the second modification, a vent groove 201d is formed
through the second adhesive layer so that the vent groove 201d has
a depth equal to the thickness of the second adhesive layer 22, and
the bottom of the vent groove 201d is formed of the second
principal surface 11b of the air-permeable membrane 11. That is, in
the second modification, the vent groove 201d is a vent recess 22d
formed in the second adhesive layer 22.
[0058] The configuration of the joining member 201 is simpler than
that of the joining member 1. Therefore, the joining member 201 is
superior to the joining member 1 in terms of the material costs and
ease of production.
[0059] However, the joining member 201 does not have layers
corresponding to the spacer 12 and the third adhesive layer 23 in
the embodiment described above. That is, the joining member 201
does not have the vent recess 12d and the vent recess 23d.
Therefore, in the second modification, it is preferable that the
thickness of the second adhesive layer 22 be greater than that in
the embodiment described above. That is, the depth of the vent
recess 22d is preferably greater than that in the embodiment
described above. For this reason, in the second modification, the
thickness of the second adhesive layer 22 is preferably 200 to 300
.mu.m.
Examples
[0060] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more
specifically by way of an actually produced joining member. The
present invention is not limited to these examples.
[0061] (Preparation of Component Parts)
[0062] First, component parts of the joining member were
prepared.
[0063] A porous PTFE membrane was produced in the following manner.
First, a pasty mixture obtained by adding 19 parts by weight of a
liquid lubricant (normal decane) per 100 parts by weight of PTFE
fine powder (trade name F104, manufactured by Daikin Industries,
Ltd.) was preformed, and the resulting preformed body was formed
into a round bar form by paste extrusion to obtain a formed body.
Next, the formed body was rolled into a sheet with a thickness of
0.2 mm. After the rolling, the liquid lubricant was removed from
the sheet in a drying furnace at 150.degree. C. Next, the sheet was
stretched in the longitudinal direction at a stretch ratio of 2 at
280.degree. C., and further stretched at a stretch ratio of 4 at a
temperature of 360.degree. C. After the stretching in the
longitudinal direction, the sheet was stretched in the transverse
direction at a stretch ratio of 5 in a 100.degree. C. atmosphere.
Thus, a porous PTFE membrane was obtained. The thickness of the
porous PTFE membrane thus obtained was 80 .mu.m.
[0064] A double-sided tape (No. 5620A, manufactured by Nitto Denko
Corporation) was prepared for use as a first adhesive layer, a
second adhesive layer, and a third adhesive layer. The thickness of
this double-sided take was 200 .mu.m.
[0065] As a spacer, a PET film (Lumirror S10 (#100) manufactured by
Toray Industries, Inc.) was prepared. The thickness of this PET
film was 100 nm.
[0066] (Shaping of Component Parts)
[0067] Next, the component parts thus prepared were subjected to
shaping to adjust the dimensions and shapes thereof. Specifically,
each of the component parts was subjected to punching using a
Thomson die cutter.
[0068] First, the porous PTFE membrane was punched into a square of
50 mm.times.50 mm in plan view.
[0069] Next, the both-sided adhesive tape for the first adhesive
layer was punched into a shape as shown in FIG. 3. Specifically,
the both-sided adhesive tape was punched out so that the resulting
first adhesive layer had a square outline of 50 mm.times.50 mm in
plan view and had a 10-mm-diameter circular hole formed in the
center of the layer.
[0070] Next, the both-sided adhesive tape for the second adhesive
layer was punched into a shape as shown in FIG. 4. Specifically,
the both-sided adhesive tape was punched out so that the resulting
second adhesive layer had unrecessed three sides of 50 mm and one
recessed side and that the recess included a 10-mm-diameter
circular region formed in the center of the layer (i.e., a region
coinciding with the hole of the first adhesive layer when the
joining member was assembled) in plan view. Next, the both-sided
adhesive layer for the third adhesive layer was punched in the same
manner as in the formation of the second adhesive layer. Next, the
PET film was punched in the same manner as in the formation of the
second adhesive layer.
[0071] (Stacking of Component Parts)
[0072] The materials obtained by punching as described above were
stacked as shown in FIG. 2B. Thus, the joining member was produced.
The thickness of the joining member was 780 .mu.m.
[0073] [Evaluation of Ventilation Performance]
[0074] The ventilation performance of the joining member thus
produced was evaluated in the following manner.
[0075] First, an aluminum plate and an aluminum box having a
circular vent hole with a diameter of 8 mm and a suction port to
which a pump could be connected were prepared. Next, the joining
member was placed between the aluminum plate and the aluminum box
so as to fix the aluminum box to the aluminum plate. Specifically,
the aluminum box and the first adhesive layer of the joining member
were brought into contact with each other so that the center of the
vent hole of the aluminum box coincided with the center of the hole
of the first adhesive layer, and the aluminum plate and the third
adhesive layer of the joining member were brought into contact with
each other. Thus, the aluminum box was fixed to the aluminum plate.
The pump was attached to the suction port of the aluminum box to
suck the air out of the aluminum box. The difference between the
pressure inside the aluminum box and the pressure outside the
aluminum box, and the rate of air flow were measured. The pressure
difference was 0.125 kPa, and the rate of air flow was 0.16
cm.sup.3/cm.sup.2/sec. The measurement results revealed that the
produced joining member had good ventilation function.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0076] The joining member of the present invention can be used to
fix a terminal box of a solar cell that requires ventilation to a
solar cell panel. However, the use of the joining member of the
present invention is not limited. For example, the joining member
of the present invention can be used to mount an ECU box to a
support body such as a car body.
* * * * *