Vehicle Air-Conditioning Seal Vibration Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air-conditioning system module seals fail to optimize the feed-through of fluid lines through the end wall between the engine compartment and the vehicle interior, leading to inadequate sealing and vibration transmission.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air-conditioning system module seal with an elastic sealing element featuring a circumferential wall portion and a flange-like end wall portion, which provides both sealing and vibration decoupling, along with an intermediate body to absorb torsional forces, ensuring gastight and liquid-tight sealing while preventing vibration transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional seal design is used, then the sealing function is provided, but vibration decoupling is insufficient and multiple components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing elements and vibration decoupling features into a single integrated seal component. The seal includes an end wall portion with sealing lips for sealing against the end wall, and a circumferential wall portion with vibration decoupling elements for reducing vibrations from fluid lines. This integration eliminates the need for separate sealing components and vibration dampers, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable sealing and vibration protection.
2Ease of manufacture
If the seal structure is simplified, then assembly is easier, but vibration decoupling capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating vibration decoupling elements specifically in the circumferential wall portion where fluid lines connect, while maintaining a simple overall seal structure. The vibration decoupling elements are localized features within the seal body that provide vibration isolation without requiring complex external vibration damping systems, thus maintaining assembly simplicity while addressing vibration transmission locally where it occurs.
3Reliability
If multiple sealing lips are added, then sealing performance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing lips for different sealing functions (sealing against the end wall and sealing against fluid lines) into a single integrated seal body. The end wall portion includes sealing lips that seal against the end wall, while the circumferential wall portion includes sealing lips that seal against fluid lines. This integration achieves enhanced sealing performance through multiple sealing interfaces while maintaining manufacturing simplicity by producing everything as one molded elastomeric component.
4Reliability
If the seal bears against the end wall, then sealing is achieved, but vibration from the end wall is transmitted to the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vibration decoupling elements as intermediary features between the seal and the housing in the circumferential wall portion. These elements act as a mediator that allows the seal to maintain its sealing function while isolating the housing from vibrations transmitted through fluid lines. The vibration decoupling elements provide a compliant interface that absorbs vibration energy, preventing it from being transmitted to the housing while the seal continues to bear against the end wall for sealing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively seals the module housing from the end wall and fluid lines, decouples vibrations, and manages torsional forces, enhancing the sealing and installation efficiency of the air-conditioning system.
Implementation Method 1
The vehicle air-conditioning-system-module seal (also called 'seal' for short below), in addition to sealing, also supplies the elastic element for vibration decoupling between the housing of the vehicle air-conditioning-system module and the end wall
Implementation Method 2
an elastic sealing element with a circumferential wall portion, which is designed in such a manner that it can be arranged between the fluid line and a housing of the vehicle air-conditioning-system module
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A vehicle air-conditioning-system-module seal (20) which is arranged on an opening (24) in an end wall (14) between an engine compartment (16) and the vehicle interior (18) has at least one feed-through for a fluid line (22), and an elastic sealing element (30). The elastic sealing element (30) has a circumferential wall portion (36) arranged between the fluid line (22) and a housing (12) of the vehicle air-conditioning-system module, and a flange-like end wall portion (32) which encircles annularly around the circumferential wall portion (36) and bears against the end wall (14). In the case of an assembly (10), the end wall portion (32) brings about vibration decoupling between the housing (12) and the end wall (14) and the circumferential wall portion (36) brings about vibration decoupling between the housing (12) and the fluid line (22).