Coupling Bushing Seal Groove for Smooth Insertion and Rotation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling bushing designs face challenges in providing flexibility in the rotation of the head part relative to the sealing part while maintaining smooth operation and affordability, particularly in the automotive supply market where cost sensitivity is high.
Innovation Solution
A coupling bushing design featuring a decoupling ring that is manufactured separately from the head part and sealing part, allowing for rotational symmetry of the head part while deviating from it in the sealing groove, which reduces production costs and enhances flexibility by enabling multiple angular positions without the need for additional injection molding tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the head part is integrally connected with the sealing part and the sealing groove is rotationally symmetrical, then the head part and sealing part can be turned around the middle axis in any manner (flexibility), but the axially directed forces are not evenly distributed during coupling plug insertion (rough operation)
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling bushing is divided into three separate components: head part, sealing part, and decoupling ring. The decoupling ring is inserted into the sealing groove before the head part, and its non-rotational symmetry profile (with varying axial positions around the circumference) absorbs and distributes the insertion forces evenly, preventing the head part from experiencing rough operation while maintaining rotational flexibility between head part and sealing part.
2Ease of operation
If the sealing groove deviates from rotational symmetry to evening out axial forces, then smooth operation is achieved, but the head part cannot be turned relative to the sealing part (loss of flexibility)
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling ring serves as an intermediate element that separates the functional requirements: its non-rotational symmetric profile in the sealing groove ensures smooth insertion by evening out axial forces, while the head part maintains rotational symmetry and can be turned relative to the sealing part. The decoupling ring acts as a buffer that absorbs the asymmetry requirement without transmitting it to the head part-sealing part interface.
3Strength
If the head part is completely inserted into the sealing part with latching connection, then structural integrity is improved, but additional manufacturing complexity is required (multiple injection molding tools)
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling bushing is segmented into three separately manufacturable components (head part, sealing part, decoupling ring), each produced with standard injection molding tools. The decoupling ring is inserted into the sealing groove first, followed by the head part that latches onto the sealing part. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with conventional tools, avoiding the need for complex multi-cavity or specialized injection molding tools while maintaining structural integrity through the latching connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling bushing including a bushing bodyhaving a sealing groovewith a groove base and an inner groove wall as well as an outer groove wall. The inner groove wall and/or the outer groove wall here have at least one point, whose complete circulation as viewed in the longitudinal section of the coupling bushing at least sectionally deviates from a perpendicular to the middle axis (M). The bushing body comprises a head part and a sealing part, wherein the head part and the sealing part are manufactured separately from each other and connected with each other. The sealing part has the groove base and the inner groove wall. The coupling bushing comprises a decoupling ring, wherein the decoupling ring is manufactured separately from the head part. The decoupling ring forms at least one section of the outer groove wall with at least a portion of its rear side.