SEALING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A sealing assembly comprising: a housing having an outer wall; a gasket surrounded by the outer wall; and a reinforcing ring in contact with the gasket. The gasket is located between the reinforcing ring and the housing.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1, as is essentially known from US 3 279 805 A. Comparable sealing arrangements can be found in the documents US 6 290 240 B1 and DE 89 01 604 U1.

[0002] A vehicle typically includes numerous joints. Many of these joints include a gasket that provides a fluid-tight seal. Such a joint might be found, for example, at the interface between an engine oil cooler and an upper oil pan. Joints that include a gasket are also found in various areas beyond automotive engineering. SUMMARY

[0003] According to the invention, a sealing assembly is presented, which is characterized by the features of claim 1 and comprises: a housing having an outer wall; a seal surrounded by the outer wall; and a reinforcing ring in contact with the seal. The seal is located between the reinforcing ring and the housing. The reinforcing ring comprises a first end and a second end overlapping the first end.

[0004] In other features, the seal is in contact with the outer wall.

[0005] In further features, the housing includes a bar, the seal sits on the bar.

[0006] In further features, the seal is made of an elastomer.

[0007] In further features, the seal is circular and the reinforcement ring is surrounded by the seal.

[0008] In further features, the reinforcement ring includes a first end with a first rounded edge and a second end with a second rounded edge.

[0009] In further features, the reinforcement ring is made of steel.

[0010] In further features, the reinforcement ring is flexible, sits in the seal and is preloaded radially outwards against the seal.

[0011] In other features, the seal is configured to contract when heated.

[0012] In other features, the reinforcement ring is shorter than the outer wall.

[0013] Another sealing arrangement comprises: a housing having an outer wall and a ledge extending inward from the outer wall; a gasket seated on the ledge, in contact with the outer wall, and surrounded by the outer wall; and a reinforcing ring in contact with the gasket. The gasket is located between the reinforcing ring and the housing.

[0014] In further features, the reinforcing ring comprises a first end and a second end spaced from the first end.

[0015] In further features, the reinforcing ring includes a first end and a second end overlapping the first end.

[0016] In further features, the reinforcement ring is made of steel.

[0017] Yet another sealing assembly comprises: a housing including an outer wall and a ledge extending inwardly from the outer wall; a gasket seated on the ledge, in contact with the outer wall, and surrounded by the outer wall; and a reinforcing ring in contact with the gasket, the reinforcing ring including a first end with a first rounded edge and a second end with a second rounded edge, the gasket being between the reinforcing ring and the housing. The reinforcing ring is flexible, shorter than the outer wall, seated within the gasket, and biased radially outward against the gasket.

[0018] In further features, the reinforcing ring comprises a first end and a second end spaced from the first end.

[0019] In further features, the reinforcing ring includes a first end and a second end overlapping the first end.

[0020] In further features, the reinforcement ring further comprises a rounded upper surface extending around the reinforcement ring, a rounded lower surface extending around the reinforcement ring, and rounded corners adjacent the first end and the second end.

[0021] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are provided for illustrative purposes only. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention will be better understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a sealing arrangement according to the present invention; Fig. 1B a cross-sectional view of Fig. 1A is; Fig. 1C is a perspective view of a reinforcing ring for a seal used in the sealing assembly of Fig. 1A is included; Fig. 1D a rounded end with rounded corners, a rounded upper surface and a rounded lower surface of the reinforcing ring made of Fig. 1C illustrates; Fig. Figure 2A illustrates the reinforcement ring in a contracted state in response to being heated; Fig. Figure 2B illustrates the reinforcement ring in an expanded state compared to the contracted state after cooling; Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the sealing assembly including a reinforcing ring according to the present invention; Fig. 3B a cross-sectional view of Fig. 3A is; Fig. 3C is a perspective view of the reinforcement ring of Fig. 3A is; Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the reinforcement ring of Fig. 3A in a contracted state in response when heated; and Fig. 4B the reinforcement ring of Fig. 3A in an expanded state compared to the contracted state after cooling.

[0023] Reference symbols may be reused in the drawings to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention comprises a sealing assembly for a joint, such as an automotive or non-automotive joint. The sealing assembly comprises a gasket that provides a fluid-tight seal. Such joints and sealing assemblies can be used in a variety of locations. With regard to automotive joints, for example, they can be used to connect an engine oil cooler to an upper oil pan, to connect an engine oil pump to an upper oil pan, at an oil cooler joint, etc. The sealing assembly of the present invention comprises a housing with an outer wall but no inner wall. For example, the omission of an inner wall saves space, simplifies manufacturing, and improves sealing. The gasket bears against the outer wall.A reinforcing ring rests against the seal to prevent the seal from rolling inward, away from the outer wall.

[0025] Fig. 1A-1D illustrate an exemplary sealing assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention. The sealing assembly 10 is shown together with an exemplary component or part 20. The part 20 may be any automotive or non-automotive part. For example, the part 20 may be an engine oil cooler, an upper oil pan, an engine pump, etc.

[0026] The sealing assembly 10 includes a housing 30, which may include or be configured as a flange. The housing 30 includes an outer wall 32. The housing 30 does not include an inner wall. The outer wall 32 is circular in the illustrated example, but may have any suitable shape. Extending inwardly from the outer wall 32 is a ledge 34 (see Fig. 1B).

[0027] A seal 50 is seated on the ledge 34. The seal 50 is surrounded by the outer wall 32. The seal 50 may be circular, as illustrated, or have any other suitable shape. The shape of the seal 50 typically corresponds to the shape of the outer wall 32. The seal 50 includes an inner sealing surface 52 and an outer sealing surface 54 generally opposite the inner sealing surface 52. The outer sealing surface 54 contacts the outer wall 32 of the housing 30. The seal 50 is configured to provide a liquid-tight seal and may be made of any suitable material to provide such a seal. For example, the seal 50 may be made of any suitable elastomer. The seal 50 seals against another part (not shown) that bears against the seal 50 and the housing 30.

[0028] The sealing assembly 10 further includes a reinforcing ring 110A. The reinforcing ring 110A is in contact with the inner sealing surface 52 of the seal 50. The reinforcing ring 110A can sit on the ledge 34 such that the seal 50 lies between the reinforcing ring 110A and the housing 30. The reinforcing ring 110A includes a first end 120A and a second end 122A. The reinforcing ring 110A further includes an outer annular surface 140A and an inner annular surface 142A opposite the outer annular surface 140A. The outer annular surface 140A abuts the inner sealing surface 52 of the seal 50. The reinforcement ring 110A has a height that is shorter than the outer wall 32 to facilitate the interaction between the housing 30 / seal 50 and an opposite side of the sealing assembly 10 (not shown).

[0029] The reinforcement ring 110A can be made of any suitable material, such as steel. The reinforcement ring 110A is generally a steel sheet rolled into the seal 50 and fitted with the first end 120A opposite and facing the second end 122A. The reinforcement ring 110A is flexible and preloaded to expand outward against the inner sealing surface 52, preventing the seal 50 from potentially rolling inward away from the outer wall 32. The reinforcement ring 110A is generally "preloaded" to expand radially outward against the inner sealing surface 52 so that the reinforcement ring 110A and the seal 50 do not separate. The reinforcement ring 110A holds the seal 50 in place when no inner wall of the housing 30 is present and improves the sealing performance of the seal 50.The elimination of an interior wall saves space, reduces weight and provides several other advantages.

[0030] The reinforcement ring 110A is configured to contract and expand in response to temperature changes. During contraction and expansion, the first end 120A and the second end 122A slide along the inner sealing surface 52 of the seal 50. To facilitate this sliding movement, the first end 120A has a first rounded edge 130A and the second end 122A has a second rounded edge 132A (see, for example, Fig. 1C and Fig. 1D). The first rounded edge 130A and the second rounded edge 132A are configured to slide along the inner sealing surface 52 without "pinching" the inner sealing surface 52. To further facilitate sliding, the reinforcement ring 110A includes a rounded upper surface 150A extending around the reinforcement ring 110A, a rounded lower surface 152A extending around the reinforcement ring 110A, and rounded corners 154A adjacent the first rounded edge 130A and the second rounded edge 132A.

[0031] With reference to Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, the reinforcement ring 110A sits within the seal, with the first end 120A and the second end 122A opposite and spaced apart from each other. At elevated temperature, the seal 50 contracts, causing the reinforcement ring 110A to contract, so that the reinforcement ring 110A maintains contact with the seal 50. As the reinforcement ring 110A contracts, the first end 120A and the second end 122A move closer together from an initial position ( Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B) into a contracted position ( Fig. 2A). As the seal 50 cools and expands, the reinforcement ring 110A is configured to expand with the seal 50 to maintain contact with the seal 50, as shown in Fig. 2B. In the extended position of Fig. 2B, the first end 120A and the second end 122A may be closer together than in the initial position of Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B (as in Fig. 2B) or further apart. The reinforcement ring 110A is configured to subsequently contract and expand with the seal 50 to maintain contact with the seal 50 and prevent the seal 50 from rolling inward away from the outer wall 32 during temperature fluctuations. The reinforcement ring 120A has an inner diameter that matches or generally matches the inner diameter of the seal 50. The reinforcement ring 110A remains in contact with the seal 50 to prevent rotation of the reinforcement ring 110A relative to the seal 50.

[0032] Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 3C, Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B illustrate the sealing assembly 10 including a reinforcement ring 110B according to the present invention. The reinforcement ring 110B is substantially similar to the reinforcement ring 110A. Features of the reinforcement ring 110B that are identical or substantially comparable to those of the reinforcement ring 110A are designated in the figures by the same reference numerals, but with the suffix "B" in place of "A." The description of these identical or similar features set forth above in the description of the reinforcement ring 110A is also sufficient to describe the reinforcement ring 110B.

[0033] The reinforcement ring 110B is longer than the reinforcement ring 110A. Thus, the first end 120B and the second end 122B overlap. With particular reference to Fig. 4A, when the seal 50 is subjected to increased heat, the seal 50 contracts, causing the reinforcement ring 110B to contract. As the reinforcement ring 110B contracts, the overlap between the first end 120B and the second end 122B increases. As the seal 50 cools and expands, the reinforcement ring 110B is biased to expand radially outward and remain in contact with the seal 50. As the reinforcement ring 110B expands radially outward, the overlap between the first end 120B and the second end 122B decreases.

[0034] As the reinforcement ring 110B expands and contracts, the first end 120B slides along an inner surface of the reinforcement ring 110B, and the second end 122B slides along an outer surface of the reinforcement ring 110B. At the first end 120B there is a first rounded edge that is identical or similar to the rounded edge 130A, and at the second end 122B there is a second rounded edge that is identical or similar to the rounded edge 132A. With particular reference to Fig. 3C, to further facilitate sliding, the reinforcement ring 110B includes a rounded upper surface 150B extending around the reinforcement ring 110B, a rounded lower surface 152B extending around the reinforcement ring 110B, and rounded corners 154B adjacent the first end 120B and the second end 122B.

Claims

[1] Sealing arrangement (10) comprising: a housing (30) comprising an outer wall (32); a seal (50) surrounded by the outer wall (32); and a reinforcing ring (110B) in contact with the seal (50), the reinforcing ring (110B) comprising a first end (120B) and a second end (122B); wherein the seal (50) is located between the reinforcing ring (110B) and the housing (30); characterized by that the second end (122B) of the reinforcing ring (110B) overlaps the first end (120B) of the reinforcing ring (110B). [2] Sealing arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the seal (50) is in contact with the outer wall (32). [3] Sealing assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (30) further comprises a ledge (34) and the seal (50) is seated on the ledge (34). [4] Sealing arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the seal (50) is made of an elastomer. [5] Sealing arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein the seal (50) is circular, and the reinforcing ring (110B) is surrounded by the seal (50). [6] The sealing assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the first end (120B) of the reinforcing ring (110B) has a first rounded edge (130A) and the second end (122B) of the reinforcing ring (110B) has a second rounded edge (132A). [7] Sealing assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing ring (110B) is made of steel. [8] Sealing assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing ring (110B) is flexible, sits within the seal (50) and is biased radially outwardly against the seal (50).

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