Boiler Igniter Fastening with Elastic Sealing Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening systems for igniters in boilers and burners fail to provide a secure, pressure-tight seal and risk damaging the ceramic igniter due to excessive tightening force, and often require complex assembly and multiple components, which is costly and difficult to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A fastening system featuring a cylindrical housing with a broached shell wall and an elastic sealing mechanism, using a metal tightening ring that compensates for radial pressure to prevent ceramic damage, ensuring a secure and pressure-tight seal with minimal components and simplified assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a tightening ring is used to secure the igniter in the cylindrical housing, then the igniter is firmly fastened and positioned, but the tightening force may be too strong and crack or break the ceramic igniter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidceramic damage from excessive force
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the tightening ring from rigid to elastic by selecting appropriate elastic materials and designing the ring with elastic deformation capabilities. This allows the ring to exert tightening force while accommodating the ceramic igniter's dimensional variations without causing damage, resolving the contradiction between fastening strength and ceramic protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic sealing ring serves as a cushioning element that absorbs excess tightening force before it can damage the ceramic igniter. The ring's elastic properties provide a buffer that prevents harmful stress transmission to the brittle ceramic material while maintaining secure fastening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the fastening system uses a tight seal mechanism to prevent vapor draft leakage, then pneumatic pressure-tight seal is achieved, but the sealing mechanism may exert excessive force and damage the ceramic igniter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal effectivenessVSAvoidceramic damage from sealing force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the sealing mechanism from a rigid contact system to an elastic deformation system. The sealing ring's elasticity allows it to conform to the ceramic igniter's surface irregularities and create a reliable seal through controlled deformation rather than excessive force, preventing both leakage and ceramic damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic sealing ring acts as a flexible element that adapts to the ceramic igniter's geometry. This flexible sealing approach provides effective vapor draft prevention while distributing forces evenly to avoid concentrating stress on the ceramic material that could cause cracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional fastening systems are used to secure the igniter, then the igniter is held in position, but the systems require complex assembly and multiple components which increases manufacturing complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveigniter positioning stabilityVSAvoidnumber of components and assembly steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single elastic sealing ring component: fastening, sealing, and positioning. This single element replaces traditional multi-component systems that required separate fasteners, seals, and alignment features, significantly simplifying the overall structure and assembly process while maintaining igniter stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic sealing ring performs multiple functions simultaneously: it secures the igniter mechanically, provides pneumatic sealing, and maintains proper positioning. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system provides a safe, adjustable, and repeatable protection for the ceramic igniter, ensuring a reliable seal without risking damage from excessive force, while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.

Implementation Method 1

elastic sealing means are provided... a cylindrical tightening ring having such internal and external radial dimensions that it can be inserted by forcing it between the inner wall of the cylindrical housing of the bracket and the external wall of the ceramic body of the igniter such to generate a predetermined radial tightening force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

elastic sealing means are provided cooperating at least with the cylindrical housing and the tightening ring and/or the shell surface of the portion of the ceramic body projecting beyond said cylindrical housing and such to obtain a tight seal between one side and the other one of the bracket

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic sealing: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2211103B1System for fastening igniters of boilers or the like
Publication Date: 2011.08.31 CASTFUTURA
  • EP2211103B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2211103B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2211103B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System for fastening igniters (4) for boilers or the like, comprising a bracket or a fastening plate (1) with an hole housing the ceramic body (104) of the igniter (4), which housing hole axially projects for a certain length at least from one side of the bracket (1) beyond the thickness thereof such to form a cylindrical housing (5) for the ceramic body (104) of the igniter (4), a cylindrical tightening ring (8) being provided having such internal and external radial dimensions that it can be inserted by forcing it between the inner wall of the cylindrical housing (5) of the bracket (1) and the external wall of the ceramic body (104) of the igniter (4) such to generate a predetermined radial tightening force of the igniter (4) inside the cylindrical housing (5) of the bracket (1). According to the invention, the cylindrical housing (5) of the bracket has a shell wall which is at least internally broached, while at least on one side of the bracket (1) elastic sealing means are provided cooperating at least with the cylindrical housing and the tightening ring and/or the shell surface of the portion of the ceramic body projecting beyond said cylindrical housing and such to obtain a tight seal between one side and the other one of the bracket.