Embedded Clamping Ring Seal Assembly for Reliable Dynamic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing arrangements with simple sealing rings or washers often provide insufficient sealing, leading to contamination and wear in applications like bicycles, electric tools, and refrigeration machines due to inadequate dynamic and static sealing contact pressure.
Innovation Solution
A sealing arrangement featuring a sealing unit with a clamping ring embedded in elastically deformable material, which forms a compact construction unit with a retaining section and sealing lip, providing both dynamic and static sealing capabilities, and includes tool engagements for easy assembly and disassembly, and can be made from polymer or metal for durability and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple sealing ring or sealing washer is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing unit merges the sealing ring, clamping ring, and retaining section into a single integrated assembly that functions as one unit. The clamping ring is embedded in the elastically deformable material of the sealing ring, creating a unified structure that provides both dynamic and static sealing capabilities simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing unit combines different materials with complementary properties: an elastically deformable material for the sealing ring (providing dynamic sealing), a clamping ring material (providing static sealing and axial positioning), and potentially different material compositions for the retaining section. This composite approach enables a single component to achieve multiple sealing functions that would otherwise require separate elements.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact sealing design is implemented, then the volume is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping ring is nested within the elastically deformable material of the sealing ring, with the clamping ring's outer circumference at least partially embedded in the sealing ring material. This nesting arrangement achieves a compact construction depth while maintaining the functional integrity of both components through a single integrated manufacturing process.
3Ease of repair
If the sealing unit is designed for easy disassembly, then the ease of repair is improved, but the structural integrity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing unit is segmented into distinct functional components (sealing ring with embedded clamping ring, retaining section, sealing lip) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled into a unified structure. The tool engagements provide discrete access points that allow the entire sealing unit to be removed as one replaceable assembly while maintaining the integrity of the embedded clamping ring structure during normal operation.
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 sealing unit achieves reliable protection against contaminants and high-pressure cleaning, reduces wear on bearing parts, and simplifies maintenance by ensuring secure and effective sealing with a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping ring (28) arranged at least partially embedded in the elastically deformable material of the sealing ring (26)
Implementation Method 2
The clamping ring, which is internally tensioned in a radial direction, secures the axial position of the retaining section of the sealing ring
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing arrangement includes a housing, a shaft and a sealing unit. The sealing unit includes a sealing ring having a retaining section and having a sealing lip which extends outwardly from the retaining section in a direction radial to the central axis of the sealing unit and which dynamically sealingly rests against a sealing surface of a housing of the sealing arrangement. The sealing unit includes an internally tensioning clamping ring which is arranged embedded in the material of the sealing ring and secures the axial position of the retaining section in the retaining groove and ensures that the retaining section is circumferentially pretensioned and statically sealingly rests against the shaft.