Conductive Sealing Ring Potential Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sealing rings fail to prevent mechanical damage from electrostatic charges, leading to dielectric breakdowns between machine elements with different electric potentials.

Innovation Solution

The sealing ring is made of electrically conductive rubbery elastic material, allowing for potential equalization between machine elements by grounding one element, thereby preventing dielectric breakdowns and protecting against contaminants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional sealing ring made of non-conductive rubbery elastic material is used, then the sealing ring provides basic sealing functionality and protects against contaminants, but it allows electrostatic charge accumulation leading to dielectric breakdown and mechanical damage between machine elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of dielectric breakdownVSAvoidelectrostatic charge damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the sealing ring material by incorporating conductive fillers (carbon black, metal particles, or conductive polymers) into the rubbery elastic matrix. This transforms the material from electrically insulating to electrically conductive, enabling charge equalization between machine elements and preventing dielectric breakdown while maintaining sealing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining rubbery elastic base material with electrically conductive fillers. The composite structure provides both the elastic sealing properties of the rubber matrix and the electrical conductivity of the dispersed filler particles, simultaneously achieving mechanical sealing and electrostatic protection functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the sealing ring material is made electrically conductive to prevent dielectric breakdown, then protection against electrostatic damage is achieved, but the material selection and processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against electrostatic chargeVSAvoidmaterial selection and processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the functional requirements into distinct components: the rubbery elastic matrix provides sealing functionality while the dispersed conductive filler particles provide electrical conductivity. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function and simplifies manufacturing by using standard mixing and molding processes for composite materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the sealing ring provides both sealing and electrostatic protection functions, then comprehensive protection is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive protection functionalityVSAvoidsealing ring structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the sealing ring as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical sealing through its elastic deformation and electrical charge equalization through its conductive material. This single component replaces what would otherwise require separate sealing elements and electrostatic protection elements, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the sealing function and electrostatic protection function into a single integrated sealing ring component. The conductive filler particles are distributed throughout the sealing ring material, enabling both functions to operate concurrently within the same structural element without requiring additional components or assembly steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 electrically conductive sealing ring ensures equalization of electric potential between machine elements, preventing mechanical damage from dielectric breakdowns and maintaining the sealing ring's performance over a long service life.

Implementation Method 1

the rubbery elastic material of the sealing ring is electrically conductive... An equalization of electric potential between the machine elements is thereby effected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10161522B2Sealing ring

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 CARL FREUDENBERG KG

AI summary

A seal assembly having a sealing ring, including at least one dynamically stressed sealing lip (1) and a buffer seal (2), which is arranged adjacent to the sealing lip (1) at an axial distance (3) therefrom, wherein the buffer seal (2) is made of an electrically conductive material, and wherein the sealing lip (1) and the buffer seal (2) are adjacent to and in contact with a surface (5) to be sealed of a first machine element (6) to be sealed, wherein the first machine element (6) to be sealed is arranged adjacent to a second machine element (8) at a radial distance (7) therefrom, wherein the sealing ring (1) is arranged in the a gap (9) formed by the radial distance (7), wherein the first (6) and second machine elements (8) are in contact with the buffer seal (2) in an electrically conductive manner.