Adjusting Ring Sealing System for Flap Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing systems for coupled devices face challenges in compensating for manufacturing tolerances, leading to potential gaps that can accumulate sensitive pharmaceutical materials.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of detachable adjusting rings with sealing elements and dowel pins ensures proper alignment and sealing, allowing for axial tolerance compensation and enhanced tightness by using ring-shaped lips and undercuts for secure attachment and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional sealing systems are used with closing flaps, then the structure is simple, but manufacturing tolerances cannot be compensated and gaps form allowing material accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
An adjusting ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the closing flap and the device body. This adjusting ring features a sealing surface with an axial undercut that creates a tolerance compensation zone, allowing the sealing element to be positioned precisely regardless of manufacturing variations in the mating components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing solution moves from a two-dimensional surface contact to a three-dimensional volumetric seal by creating an axial undercut (a vertical dimension feature) on the sealing surface. This undercut creates a recess that allows the sealing element to protrude and form a tension seal, adding a depth dimension to the sealing mechanism.
2Manufacturing precision
If high-precision production is used to eliminate gaps, then sealing tightness improves, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface geometry is changed by introducing an axial undercut parameter. This geometric parameter change creates a self-compensating mechanism where the undercut depth provides a tolerance zone, allowing standard manufacturing tolerances to achieve the same sealing effect as high-precision manufacturing would provide without the undercut feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting ring with its precision sealing surface and undercut feature is pre-manufactured as a separate component. This preliminary preparation of the sealing interface allows for tolerance compensation to be built into the design rather than requiring high-precision assembly of multiple components, simplifying the final assembly process.
3Reliability
If sealing elements protrude beyond the sealing plane, then tolerance compensation is achieved, but the sealing system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to protrude beyond the sealing plane and engage with the axial undercut on the adjusting ring. This protrusion creates a self-centering and self-aligning effect where the sealing element automatically positions itself within the undercut recess, ensuring proper sealing contact without requiring additional alignment features or complex positioning mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
On each of the two connecting systems (1, 2) is a detachable adjustment ring (9, 10, 20, 21), with the seal area (7, 8, 24, 25) built on the inner radial surface of the adjustment ring and corresponding to the system. There is a sealing (15) on at least one of the two adjustment rings (10), whilst the adjustment ring in a coupled position is sealed off against radial outer sealings (5, 6) of the closing flaps (3, 4). There may be a pass rod (11) located on one of the adjustment rings (10, 21) and which is inserted in a coupled position in pass hole (12) of the other adjustment ring (9, 20). The seal area (24, 25) may have a seal element (22, 23) that is arranged on the radial inner surface of the adjustment ring. The seal element may be held, key-locked with the associated adjustment ring.