Annular Seal Mounting Along Holder Path to Prevent O-Ring Twisting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated methods for assembling annular sealing elements, such as O-rings, on components often cause mechanical stress and deformation due to excessive stretching and predetermined movement sequences, which can lead to undesirable twisting or torsion during installation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of assembly fingers that move along the path of the seal receptacle in the opposite direction, allowing the sealing cord to be positioned correctly and evenly, with continuous relative movement of the fingers to adapt to the component's geometry, reducing mechanical stress and deformation, and enabling the use of robot manipulators for precise multi-axis movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the O-ring is stretched relatively far by assembly fingers during clamping and application, then the O-ring can be mounted onto the seal receptacle, but mechanical stress and deformation occur during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the assembly fingers to move relative to each other during the mounting process. The fingers are not fixed in position but can dynamically adjust their spacing and positioning along the seal receptacle. This dynamic adjustment allows the O-ring to be gradually stretched and guided onto the receptacle without excessive force, reducing mechanical stress and deformation while maintaining mounting capability.
2Extent of automation
If a predetermined movement sequence is used for assembly fingers, then automated assembly can be achieved, but twisting or torsion of the O-ring occurs during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect the position and state of the O-ring during assembly. The control system receives this feedback information and dynamically adjusts the movement sequence of the assembly fingers in real-time. This allows the automated system to respond to the actual state of the O-ring, preventing twisting and torsion by adjusting finger positions and movement speeds based on detected conditions, while maintaining automated operation.
3Ease of operation
If the mounting fingers are moved apart to stretch the annular sealing element, then the sealing element can be applied to the sealing receptacle, but mechanical stress on the sealing cord increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the stretching process into multiple stages with multiple fingers working at different positions. Instead of using a single pair of fingers to stretch the entire O-ring at once, multiple fingers are distributed around the O-ring and move apart in a coordinated sequence. This segments the deformation process, allowing the O-ring to be gradually stretched along its circumference, reducing the peak mechanical stress on any single section of the sealing cord while maintaining application 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 approach reduces mechanical stress on the sealing cord during assembly, ensures proper positioning, and allows for the mounting of O-rings on components with irregular cross-sections, enhancing the sealing function and enabling universal application across various designs and geometries.
Implementation Method 1
stretching the annular sealing element by moving the mounting fingers apart, forming a freely stretched section of the sealing cord between the mounting fingers
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for mounting an annular sealing element (3), which is formed by a sealing cord (31) which extends around an opening (32), on a sealing holder (23) extending around the outside of a component (21), comprising the steps: - inserting two mounting fingers (41, 51) into the opening (32) of the annular sealing element (3), - stretching out the annular sealing element (3) by moving the mounting fingers (41, 51) apart, and thus forming a cord segment (31a) of the sealing cord (31) that is freely stretched between the mounting fingers, - laying the freely stretched cord segment (31a), in a contact region (31b), onto the sealing holder (23), - applying the annular sealing element (3), with the opening (32) thereof, to the sealing holder (23), - removing the mounting fingers (41, 51) from the annular sealing element (3). In order to enable reduced mechanical loading and deformation during automated mounting, according to the invention, in order to apply the annular sealing element (3), the mounting fingers (41, 51) are moved such that the mounting fingers follow the course of the sealing holder (23), so that the mounting fingers move around the sealing holder (23) in opposite directions.