Rotating Anchor Point Labyrinth Seal for Transverse Load Tilting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchor points struggle to withstand high transverse forces while maintaining effective sealing and rotational functionality, often experiencing reduced rotation or blockage due to tilting under lateral loads, which compromises their sealing functionality.
Innovation Solution
The anchor point design features a labyrinth seal with curved outer walls and flanks of the labyrinth projection and groove, allowing for a flat contact surface when tilted, enhancing transverse force absorption without impairing rotational movement, and incorporates a radial bearing support to limit tilting and maintain sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sealing gap of the labyrinth seal is increased to maintain rotatability under transverse force, then the rotatability is improved, but the sealing functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The labyrinth seal partners feature curved outer walls and flanks instead of straight surfaces. When the upper part tilts under transverse force, the curved surfaces create a flat contact area that distributes the load and maintains both sealing effectiveness and rotational movement capability, resolving the contradiction between maintaining rotatability and preserving sealing functionality.
2Device complexity
If conventional straight-walled labyrinth seals are used, then the structure is simple, but the transverse force capacity is limited due to canting under load
Solution Approach 1:
The curved outer walls and flanks of the labyrinth seal partners create a geometry that naturally accommodates tilting under transverse force, distributing contact stresses across a larger area and significantly increasing the transverse force capacity while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the upper part is allowed to tilt freely under transverse force to maintain alignment, then the alignment capability is improved, but the rotatability is reduced and can be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The curved contact surfaces of the labyrinth seal partners allow controlled tilting for alignment while preventing excessive rotation that would cause blockage. The geometry provides a balance between adaptability and operational freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved geometry changes the contact parameters between the seal partners, allowing the system to transition from point contact to surface contact under load, thereby maintaining rotatability while enabling alignment capability.
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 design significantly increases the anchor point's transverse force capacity by up to 10% compared to conventional seals, reduces wear, and prevents rotational blockage, allowing the upper part to align with applied forces effectively.
Implementation Method 1
the bearing section of the upper part, which engages the bearing bush of the lower part, is supported on the base of the bearing bush by a centrally arranged ball. In the radial direction, the upper part is supported by a ball bearing relative to the inner wall of the lower part.
Implementation Method 2
at least the outer wall of the labyrinth groove and the outer flank of the labyrinth projection are curved complementarily to one another in those sections of their engaged position in which the two parts - upper part and lower part - can come into contact with one another in the event of a transverse load
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an attachment point for securing to an object to be secured or handled, comprising a lower part (2) having a connection means for connecting the attachment point (1) to an object to be secured or handled and having a bearing bush (17), and comprising an upper part (3) that can be rotated relative to the lower part (2) and engaging into the bearing bush (17) of the lower part (2) with a bearing section (18), wherein, in said attachment point (1), the upper part (3) extends over the upper side the the lower part (2) with its radially outer edge region (26) and a labyrinth seal is formed between the edge region (26) of the upper part (3) engaging over the lower part (2) and the lower part (2) by a labyrinth protrusion (27) formed on the upper part (3) and engaging into a lower-part labyrinth groove (25), wherein at least the wall (29) of the labyrinth groove (25) pointing outwards in the radial direction and the complementary side (30) of the labyrinth protrusion (27) pointing inwards in the radial direction are curved in a complementary manner to one another in the sections where they are engaged, where the two parts - the upper part (3) and lower part (2) - can be brought into contact with one another due to a tilting of the upper part (3) relative to the lower part (2) with a transverse loading of the attachment point (1).