Connection Assembly Cold Forming Undercuts for Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection arrangements for sealing in hydraulic devices, such as between automatic transmissions and transmission control plates, require additional assembly materials and costly production steps, like welding, to achieve effective sealing.
Innovation Solution
A connection arrangement where the edge section areas of functional layers form a form-fitting contact without overhang, using cold forming processes to create undercuts or recesses that allow for secure fixation without additional materials, such as rivets or welds, ensuring a fluid-tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If welding or additional assembly materials are used to fix functional layers, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the sealing function and the fixing function into a single integrated bead structure. The bead is formed directly on the functional layer and serves both to seal the fluid path and to mechanically fix the functional layer to the housing, eliminating the need for separate welding or additional assembly materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The bead structure is self-forming and self-fixing. During the forming process, the bead automatically creates the sealing geometry and the mechanical interlock with the housing simultaneously, without requiring external fixing materials or additional assembly steps.
2Reliability
If welding or additional assembly materials are used to fix functional layers, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the sealing function and the fixing function into a single integrated bead structure. The bead is formed directly on the functional layer and serves both to seal the fluid path and to mechanically fix the functional layer to the housing, eliminating the need for separate welding or additional assembly materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the separate fixing elements (welds, rivets, screws) from the assembly process. Only the bead structure remains, which performs both sealing and fixing functions, thereby simplifying the device structure and reducing assembly complexity.
3Strength
If additional assembly materials like rivets or welds are used, then the fixing strength is improved, but the loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bead structure is self-forming and self-fixing. During the forming process, the bead automatically creates the sealing geometry and the mechanical interlock with the housing simultaneously, without requiring external fixing materials or additional assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention discards the need for additional fixing materials that would otherwise be consumed and wasted. The bead is formed from the functional layer material itself, eliminating the consumption of separate rivets, welds, or other assembly materials.
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 method enables a cost-effective and simple production of sealing connections with exact form-fitting contact, eliminating the need for extra materials and complex assembly processes while ensuring a secure and effective seal.
Implementation Method 1
using cold forming processes to create undercuts or recesses that allow for secure fixation without additional materials
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The assembly (1) has first, second and third functional layers (2, 3, 14) fixed to one another at a fixing point. The first and third functional layers are partially engagement with a free edge sectional region (6). The engagement of the sectional region is formed at the fixing point relating to a thickness extension of the second functional layer. An undercut region is formed as a step portion (10) with an extendable intersection layer, which is removed from the first and third functional layers. The undercut region includes a sectional region partially formed in cone-shape.