Conductive Sealing Ring With Clamped Foil Contact Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing elements for creating an electrically conductive connection between machine elements are complex and costly to produce, often requiring pre-treatment steps and integrally bonded connections.

Innovation Solution

A sealing element comprising a disc-shaped conducting element and a support ring with an axial and radial flange, where the conducting element is secured via a clamping or adhesive connection, allowing for a simple and cost-effective production method with a pressing element for enhanced clamping force, and optionally featuring an elastomeric pressing element for improved deformation and contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an integrally bonded connection is used to secure the conducting element to the support ring, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to required pre-treatment steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the sealing element into separate components: the support ring and the conducting element are manufactured independently and then assembled through a clamping connection. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex integrally bonded connections while maintaining electrical reliability, as the conducting element can be securely clamped between the support ring and the machine element without requiring pre-treatment steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If an integrally bonded connection is used to secure the conducting element, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional pre-treatment steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the chemical bonding process (integrally bonded connection requiring pre-treatment) with a mechanical clamping system. The conducting element is secured through a purely mechanical clamping connection between the support ring and the machine element, eliminating the need for surface pre-treatment, adhesives, or thermal processes while maintaining sufficient connection strength for electrical conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If a clamping connection is used to secure the conducting element, then the ease of manufacture is improved by omitting pre-treatment steps, but the manufacturing precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a clamping mechanism as an intermediary between the support ring and the conducting element. This clamping connection provides both mechanical securing and positional stabilization, ensuring that the conducting element maintains precise alignment and contact with the machine element while allowing for simple assembly without pre-treatment steps. The clamping force ensures consistent electrical contact and proper positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enables a straightforward, cost-effective production of a sealing element with a large contact surface for efficient electrical conductivity between machine elements, reducing the need for pre-treatment and integrally bonded connections, while providing a robust and reliable clamping connection.

Implementation Method 1

a pressing element is provided, which, by means of elastic deformation, effects the clamping connection of the conducting element between the support ring and the second machine element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The buffer seal is formed as a potential-equalising ring and consists of an electrically conductive non-woven fabric impregnated with PTFE

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11560949B2Sealing element

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 CARL FREUDENBERG KG

AI summary

Sealing element for producing an electrically conductive connection between a first machine element and a second machine element, comprising at least one disc-shaped conducting element and a support ring, the support ring comprising an axial flange and a radial flanged, the conducting element being formed from an electrically conductive foil, and the conducting element being secured at least in sections along the axial flange between the support ring and the second machine element.