Annular Seal Assembly Along Receptacle Profiles to Limit O-Ring Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated methods for assembling annular seal elements, such as O-rings, subject the sealing material to excessive mechanical stressing and deformation due to the stretching and application process, which can impair the sealing function.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of assembly fingers that move in opposite directions along the seal receptacle's profile to apply and position the O-ring, allowing for continuous stretching and precise placement, reducing mechanical stress and deformation, and enabling assembly on components with asymmetrical or irregular cross-sections using multi-axis robot manipulators and retaining devices for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated assembly using assembly fingers is used to improve manufacturing efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the O-ring is subject to excessive mechanical stressing and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the movement parameters of the assembly fingers, specifically making them follow the profile of the seal receptacle rather than moving in straight lines. This parameter change allows the O-ring to be installed with reduced stretching and deformation while maintaining automated assembly efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly fingers are made dynamically controllable through multi-axis robot manipulators, allowing real-time adjustment of movement paths to follow the seal receptacle profile. This dynamic control enables adaptation to different geometries while minimizing mechanical stress on the O-ring
2Ease of operation
If the assembly fingers move apart to stretch the O-ring for assembly, then the O-ring can be placed on the seal receptacle, but twisting and torsion occur during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly fingers are pre-positioned and guided to follow the seal receptacle profile before the O-ring installation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures the O-ring is stretched uniformly and correctly from the start, preventing twisting and torsion during the assembly process
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the assembly fingers and the O-ring, coordinating their movements to ensure the fingers follow the seal receptacle profile. This intermediary control prevents unsynchronized movements that would cause twisting
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional assembly methods are used for cylindrical components, then assembly is straightforward, but the method cannot handle asymmetrical or irregular cross-sections
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly system is designed with universal multi-axis robot manipulators that can handle various component geometries including cylindrical, asymmetrical, and irregular cross-sections. The system's multi-functionality is achieved through programmable movement paths that adapt to different seal receptacle profiles
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly fingers are mounted on multi-axis robot manipulators that provide dynamic positioning capabilities. This allows the system to adapt to different component geometries by programming the fingers to follow the specific profile of each seal receptacle, making the system versatile without requiring complex mechanical adjustments
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 method reduces mechanical stressing of the O-ring during assembly, ensures better sealing performance, and allows for efficient assembly on various component geometries, including asymmetrical ones, with reduced deformation and improved manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
stretching the annular seal element by moving the assembly fingers apart from one another, with the formation of a cord portion of the sealing cord, said cord portion being freely tensioned between the assembly fingers
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling an annular seal element, formed by a sealing cord which runs around an opening on a seal receptacle which runs around on the outside of a component. The method includes introducing two assembly fingers into the opening of the annular seal element, stretching the annular seal element by moving the assembly fingers apart from one another, with the formation of a cord portion of the sealing cord, the cord portion being freely tensioned between the assembly fingers, placing the freely tensioned cord portion onto the seal receptacle in a contact region, applying the annular seal element, by way of its opening, onto the seal receptacle, and removing the assembly fingers from the annular seal element. The assembly fingers are moved so as to follow the profile of the seal receptacle, to travel around the seal receptacle in opposite directions.