Sealing device and method for its assembly

Abstract

Sealing device (11) comprising: a housing (12) that a cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a), a front end at which a counter-component (21) is arranged, and has a rear end that is positioned opposite the front end; a sealing ring (13) having an outer circumferential surface, wherein the sealing ring (13) is configured to be inserted axially displaceable from the rear end of the housing (12) along the cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a) of the housing (12), wherein the diameter of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a) of the housing (12) is larger than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring (13), and a maximum length in the axial direction of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a) of the housing (12) is greater than a maximum length in the axial direction of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring (13), wherein the sealing ring (13) has: a front end face (13a) which is arranged towards the front end of the housing (12), and a rear end surface (13b) that defines a sealing mounting space (13c) and is arranged towards the rear end of the housing (12); a seal (14) configured to provide a seal between the housing (12) and the sealing ring (13), wherein the seal (14) is arranged in the seal mounting space (13c) from the rear end of the housing (12); and a spring element (15) arranged on the side of the rear end face of the sealing ring (13) to elastically preload the sealing ring (13) towards the side of the front end face.

Description

Area

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing device and a method for its assembly. background

[0002] Recently, in light of environmental concerns, the automotive industry has been actively developing fuel-efficient vehicles. One device developed to improve fuel efficiency is a flow control valve, which regulates a fluid such as oil or coolant. The flow control valve is equipped with a valve seal.

[0003] A conventionally known valve seal is a sealing device 111, which is used in Fig. Figure 5 (JP 2015-96747A, hereinafter referred to as “Patent Reference 1”). In the conventional sealing device 111, a front end face 113a of a sealing ring 113, which is elastically pre-tensioned by a spring 115, is pressed against an outer surface 121a of a valve rotor 121 to create a seal between the sealing ring 113 and the valve rotor 121. A seal 114 arranged between a housing 112 and the sealing ring 113 creates a seal at a gap c between the housing 112 and the sealing ring 113.

[0004] Note that the outer surface 121a of the valve rotor 121 is frequently a spherical or cylindrical surface. Similarly, the front end surface 113a of the sealing ring 113 is also a spherical or cylindrical surface.

[0005] US 2008 / 0315144A1 describes a ball valve with improved sealing between the valve and the valve body. The improved seal is achieved by a sealing element that can float on the outer surface of the valve element in the closed position.

[0006] DE 11 2014 002 468 T5 discloses a smooth-running sealing arrangement for a temperature control valve, wherein the sealing arrangement has a housing with a chamber and at least one bore for the flow of a fluid medium from a location outside the housing, through the bore to the housing chamber.

[0007] US 3 037 738 A refers to rotor valves for fluid lines and, in particular, to valves with a spherical rotor cone and an adjustable or floating valve seat in the flow line. Brief summary: Technical problem

[0008] If, as in Fig. Figure 5 shows that the outer surface 121a of the valve rotor 121 is a cylindrical surface and, accordingly, the front end surface 113a of the sealing ring 113 is also a cylindrical surface. Therefore, in order for the front end surface 113a of the sealing ring 113 to be in contact with the outer surface 121a of the valve rotor 121 over the entire circumference of the ring, the central axis of the cylindrical surface, which is the front end surface 113a of the sealing ring 113, must be exactly aligned with the central axis of the cylindrical surface, which is the outer surface 121a of the valve rotor 121.

[0009] On the other hand, in patent literature 1, the seal 114 is mounted on a seal mounting groove 112b, which is formed on an inner circumferential surface 112a of the housing 112. Consequently, when assembling the sealing device 111, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the seal 114 is pre-mounted on the seal mounting groove 112b, and then the sealing ring 113 is inserted along the inner circumference of the housing 112.

[0010] This means that when the sealing ring 113 is inserted into the inner circumference of the housing 112, the seal 114 is already mounted on the seal mounting groove 11b. Consequently, inserting the sealing ring 113 is subject to an insertion resistance attributable to the elasticity of the seal 114. Furthermore, in the subsequent step, when attempting to precisely align the central axis of the cylindrical surface, which is the front end surface 113a of the sealing ring 113, with the central axis of the cylindrical surface, which is the outer surface 121a of the valve rotor 121, rotation of the sealing ring 113 relative to the housing 112 in the circumferential direction encounters a rotational resistance attributable to the elasticity of the seal 114. This insertion resistance and rotational resistance, both attributable to the elasticity of the seal 114, can be detrimental to smooth assembly.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device and a method for its assembly which are free from insertion resistance and rotational resistance attributable to the elasticity of a seal, and consequently to facilitate the assembly work. Solution to the problem

[0012] A sealing device of the present invention comprises: a case that a cylindrical inner circumferential surface, having a front end to which a counter-component is arranged, and a rear end that is arranged opposite the front end; a sealing ring having an outer circumferential surface, wherein the sealing ring is configured to be inserted axially displaceable from the rear end of the housing along the cylindrical inner circumferential surface of the housing, wherein the diameter of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface of the housing is larger than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring, and a maximum length in the axial direction of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface of the housing is greater than a maximum length in the axial direction of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring, the sealing ring has: a front end face that is arranged towards the front end of the housing, and a rear end face that defines a sealing mounting space and is arranged towards the rear end of the housing; a gasket configured to create a seal between the housing and the sealing ring, the gasket being positioned in the gasket mounting space from the rear end of the housing; and a spring element located on the side of the rear end face of the sealing ring to elastically preload the sealing ring towards the side of the front end face.

[0013] A method for assembling a sealing device of the present invention comprises: Providing a sealing ring having an outer circumferential surface, configuring the sealing ring to be inserted axially displaceable from the rear end of a housing along a cylindrical inner circumferential surface of the housing, wherein the diameter of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface of the housing is larger than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring, and a maximum axial length of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface of the housing is greater than a maximum axial length of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring, inserting the sealing ring into the cylindrical inner circumferential surface of the housing; subsequently, inserting a seal into a seal mounting space defined by a rear end face of the sealing ring to create a seal between the cylindrical inner circumferential surface of the housing and the outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring; and Subsequently, insert, from the side of the rear end face of the sealing ring, a spring means that is configured to elastically preload the sealing ring to one side of the front end face of the sealing ring. Beneficial effects

[0014] The present invention is free from insertion resistance and rotational resistance attributable to the elasticity of a seal and consequently facilitates the assembly of a sealing device. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device according to a first embodiment. Fig. Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of a sealing ring according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2B is a perspective view of the sealing ring. Fig. Figure 3 is an explanatory illustration showing a method for assembling a sealing device according to the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device according to a second embodiment. Fig. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device of a conventional technique. Fig. Figure 6 is an explanatory illustration showing a method for assembling a sealing device using a conventional technique. Detailed description<Erste Ausführungsform>

[0015] With reference to Fig. In Figure 1, a sealing device according to the present embodiment is described. The sealing device 11 according to the present embodiment is a valve seal used for a flow control valve that regulates a fluid such as oil or coolant in the automotive sector. A valve rotor 21 is a mating component with which a sealing ring 13 is slidably in contact. The valve rotor 21 has an outer surface 21a that is cylindrical. The outer surface 21a is provided with several openings 22. Note that Fig. 1 shows only one opening 22.

[0016] The sealing device 11 comprises a housing (sealing housing) 12, a sealing ring 13, a seal 14, and a spring element 15. The housing 12 is sleeve-shaped and has a cylindrical inner circumferential surface 12a. The sealing ring 13 is inserted along the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 12a so that it is axially displaceable and is connected to the outer surface 21a of the valve rotor 21 at a front end surface 13a (the upper end in Fig. 1) brought into slidable contact. The seal 14 is arranged between the housing 12 and the sealing ring 13 to create a seal at a gap c between the housing 12 and the sealing ring 13. The seal 14 is, for example, an O-ring. The spring element 15 is located on the side of the rear end face 13b (in Fig. 1 of the side of the lower end) of the sealing ring 13, and elastically pre-tensions the sealing ring 13 against the valve rotor 21. The spring element 15 is, for example, a coil spring.

[0017] The sealing ring 13 is made of an element whose coefficient of friction is low, such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene).

[0018] As in the Fig. 2A and Fig. As shown in Figure 2B, corresponding to the outer surface 21a of the valve rotor 21, which is a cylindrical surface, the front end surface 13a of the sealing ring 13 is a corresponding cylindrical surface over the entire ring circumference to make contact with the outer surface 21a of the valve rotor 21.

[0019] An annular tapered surface 13d is formed on the rear end face 13b of the sealing ring 13. Consequently, an annular sealing mounting space 13c is defined for mounting the seal 14 on the rear end face 13b of the sealing ring 13. That is, the sealing mounting space 13c is defined as a space whose cross-section is triangular. When the seal 14 is mounted on the sealing mounting space 13c, the seal 14 is brought into contact with the tapered surface 13d of the sealing ring 13 and the inner circumferential surface 12a of the housing 12 to create a seal at the space c between the housing 12 and the sealing ring 13.

[0020] The sealing ring 13, which has the tapered surface 13d, exhibits excellent formability in the case where a powder material such as PTFE is packed into a mold arrangement and formed.

[0021] To prevent the seal 14 from falling out of the seal mounting space 13c, the rear end face 13b of the sealing ring 13 can be combined with a plate-shaped stop ring 16. In this case, the spring element 15 elastically pre-tensions the sealing ring 13 via the stop ring 16. Although not shown in the drawings, a stop ring can also be combined with the inner circumference of the rear end of the housing 12 to support the rear end of the spring element 15.

[0022] Next, with reference to Fig. 3 A method for mounting the sealing device 11 according to the present embodiment is described. The sealing ring 13 is inserted from the rear end of the housing 12. Then, the seal 14 is inserted into the seal mounting space (13c) from the rear end of the housing 12. Next, the stop ring 16 is inserted from the rear end of the housing 12. Finally, the spring element 15 is inserted from the rear end of the housing 12.

[0023] The insertion of the stop ring 16 can be omitted.

[0024] After inserting the spring element 15, the stop ring can be inserted from the side of the rear end of the housing 12.

[0025] According to the present embodiment, the sealing ring 13 is inserted before the seal 14 is mounted on the inner circumference of the housing 12. Consequently, the insertion of the sealing ring 13 is free from any insertion or rotational resistance attributable to the elasticity of the seal 14, which contributes to smooth assembly of the sealing device 11. <Zweite Ausführungsform>

[0026] With reference to Fig.Section 4 describes a sealing device according to the present embodiment. Note that the structure of the sealing device according to the present embodiment is essentially similar to the sealing device according to the first embodiment. Consequently, a structure identical to that in the first embodiment is designated by an identical reference numeral to omit its detailed description. A structure that differs from that in the first embodiment is described below.

[0027] In particular, the sealing device 11 according to the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the structure of the rear end surface 13b of the sealing ring 13. According to the present embodiment, an annular groove 13e with a rectangular cross-section is formed on the rear end surface 13b of the sealing ring 13. That is, the sealing mounting space 13c is defined as a space with a rectangular cross-section. When the seal 14 is mounted on the sealing mounting space 13c, the seal 14 is brought into contact with the groove 13e of the sealing ring 13 and the inner circumferential surface 12a of the housing 12 to create a seal at the gap c between the housing 12 and the sealing ring 13.

[0028] Next, a method for assembling the sealing device 11 according to the present embodiment is described. The sealing ring 13 is inserted from the rear end of the housing 12. Next, the seal 14 is inserted from the rear end of the housing 12 into the seal mounting space (13c), which is defined by the groove 13e. Next, the stop ring 16 is inserted from the rear end of the housing 12. Finally, the spring element 15 is inserted from the rear end of the housing 12.

[0029] The insertion of the stop ring 16 can be omitted.

[0030] After inserting the spring element 15, the stop ring can be inserted from the side of the rear end of the housing 12.

[0031] Similar to the first embodiment, in the present embodiment the sealing ring 13 is inserted before the seal 14 is mounted on the inner circumference of the housing 12. Consequently, the insertion of the sealing ring 13 is free from any insertion or rotational resistance attributable to the elasticity of the seal 14, which contributes to smooth assembly of the sealing device 11. Reference symbol list 11 Sealing device 12 cases 12a Inner perimeter area 13 Sealing ring 13a front end surface 13b rear end surface 13c Seal mounting space 13d tapered area 13th nut 14 Seal 15 spring elements 16 Stop ring 21 Valve rotor (counter-component) 21a Outdoor area 22 Opening c space

Claims

[1] Sealing device (11) comprising: a housing (12) that a cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a), a front end at which a counter-component (21) is arranged, and has a rear end that is positioned opposite the front end; a sealing ring (13) having an outer circumferential surface, wherein the sealing ring (13) is configured to be inserted axially displaceable from the rear end of the housing (12) along the cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a) of the housing (12), wherein the diameter of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a) of the housing (12) is larger than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring (13), and a maximum length in the axial direction of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a) of the housing (12) is greater than a maximum length in the axial direction of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring (13), wherein the sealing ring (13) has: a front end face (13a) which is arranged towards the front end of the housing (12), and a rear end surface (13b) that defines a sealing mounting space (13c) and is arranged towards the rear end of the housing (12); a seal (14) configured to provide a seal between the housing (12) and the sealing ring (13), wherein the seal (14) is arranged in the seal mounting space (13c) from the rear end of the housing (12); and a spring element (15) arranged on the side of the rear end face of the sealing ring (13) to elastically preload the sealing ring (13) towards the side of the front end face. [2] Sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the rear end surface (13b) has a tapered surface (13d) that defines the sealing mounting space (13c). [3] Sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the rear end surface (13b) has a groove that defines the sealing mounting space (13c) and has a rectangular cross-section. [4] Sealing device according to one of claims 1 to 3, which further comprises a stop ring (16) arranged between the sealing ring (13) and the spring means (15). [5] Method for assembling a sealing device (11), wherein the method comprises: Providing a sealing ring (13) having an outer circumferential surface, configuring the sealing ring (13) to be inserted axially displaceably from the rear end of a housing (12) along a cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a) of the housing (12), wherein the diameter of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a) of the housing (12) is larger than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring (13), and a maximum length in the axial direction of the cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a) of the housing (12) is greater than a maximum length in the axial direction of the outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring (13), Inserting the sealing ring (13) into the cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a) of the housing (12); subsequently, a seal (14) is inserted into a seal mounting space (13c) defined by a rear end face (13b) of the sealing ring (13b) to create a seal between the cylindrical inner circumferential surface (12a) of the housing (12) and the outer circumferential surface of the sealing ring (13); and subsequently, inserting from the side of the rear end face of the sealing ring (13), a spring means (15) which is configured to elastically preload the sealing ring (13) to one side of the front end face of the sealing ring (13).

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