Crusher Dust Seal Ring Assembly for Tight-Tolerance Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of dust seal rings in crushers is cumbersome due to tight tolerances, which can lead to damage and allow dust particles to enter the mechanical components, increasing maintenance and operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A dust sealing system comprising multiple sealing members that can move from a non-operating to an operating position, forming a dust seal ring with a specific tolerance, using an actuating mechanism such as an inflatable tube or fastening members to secure the seal ring in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dust seal ring is installed with tight tolerance (0.5 mm to 2.2 mm) to prevent dust entry, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but installation difficulty increases and risk of damage to the dust seal ring increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust sealing effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dust seal ring is divided into multiple individual sealing members that can be installed separately in a loose configuration and then assembled together after the main shaft is in place, eliminating the difficulty of maneuvering a complete pre-assembled seal ring through tight tolerances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing members are pre-positioned in a loose, non-operating configuration within the annular groove before main shaft installation, allowing easy placement without requiring precise alignment or complex maneuvering through tight clearances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If multiple sealing members are used to form the dust seal ring, then installation ease is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidsealing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual sealing members are designed to engage with each other through complementary engaging faces and step portions, merging into a unified dust seal ring configuration that provides the same sealing function as a traditional single-piece seal ring but with easier installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the head center is lowered around the dust collar during installation, then main shaft installation is achieved, but risk of damaging the dust seal ring increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoiddust seal ring integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing members are positioned in a loose, non-operating configuration with increased clearance from the dust collar before main shaft installation, providing a buffer zone that prevents contact and potential damage during the lowering and installation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 system allows for easy and damage-free installation of the main shaft in the crusher, maintaining the integrity of the dust seal ring and preventing dust entry, thus reducing maintenance costs and ensuring the reliability and durability of the crusher.

Implementation Method 1

The actuating mechanism includes an inflatable tube. The inflatable tube is configured to move the plurality of sealing members to the operating position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatics: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP4566716A1Dust sealing system and method of installing dust sealing system in crusher
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 F L SMIDTH & CO AS
  • EP4566716A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4566716A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4566716A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A dust sealing system (210) for a crusher (100) is provided. The dust sealing system (210) includes a plurality of sealing members (220) at least partly received within an annular groove (222) defined in a head center (150) of the crusher (100). The dust sealing system (210) further includes an actuating mechanism (600) for moving the plurality of sealing members (220) from a non-operating position to an operating position. The plurality of sealing members (220) together forms a dust seal ring (300) in the operating position and abuts a dust collar (202) of the crusher (100). A tolerance (C1) defined between the plurality of sealing members (220) and the dust collar (202) at the non-operating position is greater than a target tolerance (C2) defined between the plurality of sealing members (220) and the dust collar (202) at the operating position.