Annular Seal Variable Bead Cross Section for Heat Exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Annular seals in motor vehicle heat exchangers often suffer from sealing defects due to limited deformation capacity and instability, particularly when the space assigned to the seal is insufficient, leading to imbalance in manufacturing tolerances and potential pivoting issues.
Innovation Solution
The annular seal features a cross-sectional dimension change in the bead, with a smaller radial size in support parts and a larger size in connecting parts, allowing for effective compression and stability, and includes a radial extension forming a support heel in the support parts to enhance stability further.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal bead has a uniform circular cross section, then the seal structure is simple and stable, but the deformation capacity is limited and sealing defects occur when space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seal bead transitions from a uniform cross-section to a variable cross-section design, where the radius varies along the axial direction. This allows different regions of the seal to have different deformation capacities - the midsection has larger radius for better sealing, while the ends have smaller radius to fit limited space, resolving the contradiction between sealing performance and space requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter (radius) of the seal bead cross-section along its length. By making the radius a variable parameter rather than constant, the seal can achieve both adequate deformation capacity in critical areas and reduced overall volume, directly addressing the contradiction between reliable sealing and compact dimensions
2Reliability
If the seal bead has an oval cross section to increase deformation capacity, then the sealing ability improves, but the seal becomes unstable and tends to pivot locally
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces controlled asymmetry in the cross-sectional shape - transitioning from circular to oval in the midsection to enhance sealing, while maintaining symmetry at the ends for stability. This asymmetric design allows the seal to have both deformation capacity where needed and stability where required, resolving the contradiction between sealing ability and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The seal bead is effectively segmented into different functional zones along its length: end sections with circular cross-section for stability, and midsection with oval cross-section for sealing. This segmentation allows different parts to fulfill different functions, resolving the contradiction between stability and sealing ability
3Reliability
If the channel dimensions are increased to allow sufficient seal flattening, then sealing defects are reduced, but the heat exchanger size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the cross-sectional parameters of the seal bead (making it variable rather than uniform), the invention enables adequate sealing performance within reduced channel dimensions. The variable radius design allows the seal to achieve necessary flattening in critical areas without requiring proportionally larger overall channel size, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing quality and heat exchanger dimensions
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 effectively balances manufacturing tolerances and reduces sealing defects without increasing the heat exchanger dimensions, maintaining stability and preventing material creep, thus enhancing the sealing performance.
Implementation Method 1
an annular bead intended to be deformed elastically by axial compression substantially perpendicular to a plane parallel to the annular shape of the seal
Data Source
AI summary
An annular seal for a motor vehicle heat exchanger is configured to be stretched between two opposite supports that the annular seal surrounds. The annular seal includes two opposite support parts that cooperate with the two supports, two connecting parts joining the support parts together, and an annular bead that deforms elastically by axial compression perpendicular to a plane parallel to the annular shape of the seal. Additionally, said annular bead is extending in the support and connecting parts. Further, the cross section of the annular bead between each support part and the connecting parts to which the annular bead is joined changes such that a radial dimension of the annular bead, measured in a median plane of the seal parallel to the annular shape of the seal, is smaller in the support part than in the connecting parts.