Ball Valve Seal Mounting for Low-Torque Reliable Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing arrangements for coolant valves face a challenge in achieving reliable sealing with low system pressure while maintaining resilience and minimizing friction, which affects the drive moment for the valve element.
Innovation Solution
The assembly system for a sealing device includes a housing made of a hard component and a sealing device made of a soft component, featuring a mounting coil for axial positioning and a locking body stop surface for consistent positioning, allowing for tolerance compensation between the sealing body and the locking body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing arrangement is preloaded against the valve element to ensure reliable sealing at low system pressure, then sealing reliability is improved, but frictional torque and drive torque increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing arrangement is divided into two functional parts: a support element made of hard material that provides structural support and positioning, and a sealing element made of soft material that contacts the valve element. This segmentation allows the hard support element to bear the preload force without generating excessive friction, while the soft sealing element maintains reliable sealing contact.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials are used for different functional requirements within the same sealing arrangement. The support element uses hard material (e.g., PPS, PTFE) for low-friction support and positioning, while the sealing element uses soft material (e.g., EPDM rubber) for reliable sealing. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between sealing reliability and friction reduction.
2Reliability
If the contact pressure of the seal against the closure body is increased to compensate for assembly and manufacturing tolerances, then sealing reliability is improved, but the forces required to actuate the closure element increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing arrangement separates the functions of positioning and sealing. The support element provides precise positioning and support with minimal contact pressure, while the sealing element provides the necessary sealing force. This segmentation allows tolerance compensation without excessive actuation forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element acts as an intermediary between the sealing element and the closure body. It provides a stable, low-friction support surface that compensates for tolerances, allowing the sealing element to maintain reliable contact without requiring high actuation forces.
3Reliability
If a soft sealing material is used to ensure snug fit against the closure element, then sealing reliability is improved, but frictional torque increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing arrangement is segmented into a support element and a sealing element. The support element made of hard material handles the friction and wear, while the sealing element made of soft material provides the sealing function with minimal friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element uses hard material properties (low friction, high wear resistance) for the support function, while the sealing element uses soft material properties (high conformability, good sealing) for the sealing function. This local quality assignment optimizes both sealing reliability and friction characteristics.
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 solution enables a reliable and secure sealing with consistent contact pressure on the locking body, while allowing for axial movement without compromising the sealing function, thus addressing the conflict between sealing reliability and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a mounting device with a mounting plunger extending in an axial direction, wherein the mounting plunger has a closure body stop surface for bearing against a closure body of a ball valve device and a sealing stop surface for bearing against the sealing device
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
According to the invention, a mounting system for a sealing device (1) of a ball valve device (23) is provided. This comprises a sealing device (1), wherein the sealing device (1) has a housing assembly (4) made of a hard component and a sealing device (5) made of a soft component, a mounting device with a mounting plunger (19) extending in an axial direction (6), wherein the mounting plunger (19) has a closure body stop surface (26) for bearing, in particular axially, against a closure body (24) of a ball valve device (23) and a sealing stop surface (27) for bearing, in particular axially, against the sealing device (1), so that the sealing device (1) can be arranged at a predetermined distance to a closure body (24).