Coolant Valve Sealing Frame With Spring Washer for Stable Contact Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing arrangements for control devices in cooling circuits, such as those in vehicles, face issues with elastomer springs that degrade over time, metal springs being complex and expensive, and requiring large installation spaces.
Innovation Solution
A sealing arrangement using a flat, ring-shaped spring washer between a sealing frame and a support element, with tooth-like spring supports and gaps, providing a dynamic seal that maintains constant contact pressure over the service life and temperature range, and is easy to manufacture and assemble.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If elastomer springs are used in sealing arrangements, then the sealing frame can be pressed against the control element, but the elastic properties change over service life due to external influences causing spring force to vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from elastomer material to metal material, fundamentally changing the material parameter to achieve stable elastic properties that do not degrade over service life, thereby resolving the reliability issue while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite spring structure combining metal spring washer with plastic injection-molded sealing frame and support element, achieving both manufacturing ease and reliable consistent spring force over time
2Reliability
If metal springs are used in sealing arrangements, then reliable sealing can be achieved, but they are complex to manufacture and relatively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing arrangement is segmented into distinct functional components: metal spring washer for elastic force, plastic sealing frame for sealing surface, and plastic support element for structural support. Each part is manufactured separately using optimal processes and assembled, simplifying overall manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex metal spring manufacturing with a simpler system combining a basic metal spring washer with injection-molded plastic parts, substituting complex mechanical machining with easier plastic forming processes
3Reliability
If conventional metal springs are used in sealing arrangements, then sealing force can be maintained, but they require relatively large installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The spring washer is nested within the sealing frame structure, with the spring supports integrated into the sealing frame's geometry. The spring washer sits in a recessed area between the sealing surface and support element, maximizing space utilization and minimizing overall installation volume while maintaining sealing force
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 ensures a secure, leak-free seal with minimal installation space, easy manufacturing, and consistent performance, making it suitable for rotary valves in cooling circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged between the sealing frame and the support element. The spring is a spring washer, which is flat, particularly in the relaxed state
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A sealing arrangement (10) for a control device (1) for the coolant flow in a cooling circuit of a vehicle is described, comprising a sealing frame (11), a support element (12) and a spring (13) arranged between the sealing frame (11) and the support element (12), wherein the sealing frame (11) has an annular sealing surface (15) that can be pressed against a movable control element (6) of the control device (1) by the spring (13).According to the invention, the sealing frame (11) has at least two spring supports (21) with an intermediate space (31) on the side facing away from its sealing surface (15), the support element (12) has at least one spring support (22) on its side facing the sealing frame (11), which dips into the at least one intermediate space (31) of the sealing frame (11) when the sealing frame (11) and the support element (12) approach each other, and the spring is a spring washer (13) which is in contact with both the spring supports (21) of the sealing frame (11) and with the at least one spring support (22) of the support element (12).