Adapter Frame Sealing for Engine Housing Flanges
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connecting devices for internal combustion engine housing parts, such as the oil pan and crankcase, face challenges in maintaining tightness and sealing due to non-overlapping connecting flanges, which can lead to sealing gaps and leaks, especially with varying manufacturing tolerances and material differences.
Innovation Solution
An adapter frame is introduced between the connecting flanges, which completely overlaps the sealing sections and interacts with them to form a tight seal, using a liquid silicone seal that hardens after assembly to compensate for tolerances and thermal expansion, and a screw connection with spacer bushes to prevent material compression and distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If connecting flanges are designed with non-overlapping dimensions to accommodate different housing parts, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but sealing gaps and tightness are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
An adapter frame is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second connecting flanges. This adapter frame completely overlaps both sealing sections and provides a continuous sealing surface, eliminating the sealing gaps that would otherwise exist between non-overlapping flanges. The adapter frame acts as a mediator that enables tight sealing while preserving the dimensional differences and adaptability of the original flanges.
2Ease of manufacture
If connecting flanges are made with different dimensions to fit various housing parts, then ease of manufacture and modularity are improved, but manufacturing precision and seal tightness are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter frame serves as a precision intermediary that compensates for manufacturing tolerances. By providing a continuous sealing surface that completely overlaps both flanges, it ensures consistent sealing performance regardless of the dimensional variations inherent in manufacturing different flange sizes. This mediator approach allows modular assembly while maintaining manufacturing precision requirements.
3Reliability
If a rigid sealing structure is used to ensure tightness, then sealing reliability is improved, but adaptability to different materials and tolerances is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing solution employs a two-part system where the adapter frame provides rigid structural support and positioning, while the sealing element (such as a gasket or seal) provides flexible adaptation. This parameter change from purely rigid to combined rigid-flexible allows the system to maintain sealing reliability while adapting to different materials, tolerances, and housing part configurations.
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
This solution ensures a reliable, tight seal between non-overlapping connecting flanges, compensates for manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, and allows for the use of different materials, improving the connection's stability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
using a liquid silicone seal that hardens after assembly to compensate for tolerances and thermal expansion
Implementation Method 2
compensates for manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The connecting device (11) has connecting flanges which are arranged at the housing parts. A fastening unit is provided, with which the two connecting flanges are detachably connected with each other in a sealing manner. The two connecting flanges have two sealing sections. An adapter frame (30) is arranged between the two connecting flanges, which overlaps the two sealing sections completely. An independent claim is included for a crankcase lower part and oil pan with holes.