Clutch Seal Middle Ring Positioning for Membrane Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional annular clutch seals face durability issues due to repeated deformation under centrifugal forces and risk of working fluid accumulation in concave surfaces, leading to strain and potential breakage, while also having inadequate sealing performance and fixing force.
Innovation Solution
The annular clutch seal features a middle ring positioned at an intermediate stroke point, with membrane portions designed to have gradually changing thickness and inclined angles to reduce strain, and incorporates metal fittings and lip-like rubber seal portions for enhanced durability and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the membrane portions are made thin to reduce deformation resistance, then the sealing flexibility is improved, but the durability under centrifugal force deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane portion has non-uniform thickness distribution, being thinner at the center and thicker at the peripheral region. This local quality variation allows the center to maintain flexibility for sealing while the periphery provides strength to resist centrifugal force, resolving the contradiction between sealing flexibility and durability.
2Reliability
If the membrane portions have deep concave surfaces to accommodate working fluid, then the fluid sealing is improved, but the strain concentration and breakage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the membrane portion by providing a shallow concave surface rather than a deep one. This parameter modification allows sufficient working fluid accommodation for sealing while reducing the depth-to-width ratio that causes strain concentration, thereby preventing breakage.
3Ease of manufacture
If the seal structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the fixing force and sealing performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The seal comprises a composite structure with a resin base material providing flexibility and sealing, reinforced with a fabric layer (such as glass fiber or aramid) providing strength and dimensional stability. This composite material approach maintains manufacturing feasibility while significantly improving fixing force and sealing performance.
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 enhances the durability of the membrane portions, prevents fluid accumulation, maintains sealing performance, and increases the fixing force of the seal, effectively inhibiting fluid leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane portions 59 and 60 constructed by a rubber-like elastic body elastically deform repeatedly according to a stroke action of the piston 53
Implementation Method 2
the membrane portions 59 and 60 are constantly exposed to a centrifugal force at the high-speed turning time
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a clutch seal which can enhance a durability of a membrane portion which is a constituting part of a seal and is constructed by a rubber-like elastic body, and can inhibit a working fluid from standing in a concave surface of the membrane portion. The clutch seal of the invention is an annular seal interposed between a clutch plate in a dry clutch and a piston pressing the clutch plate, has a middle ring fixed to the piston between an outer ring and an inner ring which are fixed to a clutch housing, and has membrane portions constructed by a rubber-like elastic body respectively between the outer ring and the middle ring and between the inner ring and the middle ring, wherein the middle ring is arranged at an intermediate position of a stroke in an initial shape of the membrane portion.