Annular Packing Structure for Low-Friction Connector Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors face challenges in achieving both effective seal performance and ease of operation due to the difficulty in balancing the deformation of annular packings under varying frictional forces, which can require excessive external force or compromise seal integrity.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring an annular packing with a protruding seal portion and a depressed portion, where the edge of the depressed portion is positioned on the inner side, allowing the packing to deform and seal effectively while reducing frictional force, facilitating easy fitting and maintaining seal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rubber material of the seal portion is made soft to facilitate deformation, then the workability of fitting the connector is improved, but the seal performance is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The packing is designed with non-uniform thickness, featuring a first thickness in the radial direction at the end portion and a second thickness at the seal portion, where the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. This local variation in geometric properties allows the end portion to deform more easily during fitting while the seal portion maintains sufficient material to ensure sealing performance.
2Ease of operation
If the frictional force between the seal portion and housing surface is reduced, then the deformation during fitting is facilitated, but the seal performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The packing features different thicknesses at different locations: a greater thickness at the end portion for easy deformation and insertion, and a controlled smaller thickness at the seal portion for maintaining seal performance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and sealing effectiveness.
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 connector achieves both seal performance and operational workability by reducing frictional force and ensuring the packing is supported at multiple points, allowing for easy deformation and maintaining seal integrity during fitting.
Implementation Method 1
the rubber material or the like constituting the seal portion is elastically compressed in the thickness direction and is deformed toward the periphery of the seal portion
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a housing; and an annular packing to be sandwiched between the housing and a mating component. The packing has: an annular seal portion protruding toward a radially outer side, and an annular depressed portion located on a surface of the seal portion on the radially inner side and depressed toward the radially outer side. An edge of the depressed portion is positioned on one side with respect to a protruding end of the seal portion. When the housing and the mating component are fitted to each other, the protruding end of the seal portion is in contact with the mating component, the edges of the depressed portion are in contact with the housing, and the end portion is displaced in a direction away from the housing to warp with a vicinity of the edge on the one side as a center.