Damper Seal Radial Clips Interference Fit
Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle components, such as dampers, require effective seals to prevent water and dirt ingress and noise/vibration transmission through openings in the vehicle frame, while being easy to install and providing sufficient protection.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped seal with upper and lower seals extending radially and a clip system for secure interference fit within circular openings, constructed from flexible yet solid materials like plastic or rubber, ensuring easy installation and effective sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is designed to provide effective sealing against water and dirt ingress, then sealing performance is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple functional segments: an upper seal portion extending radially outward from the upper edge, a lower seal portion extending radially inward from the lower edge, and multiple clips spaced circumferentially around the seal body. Each segment performs a specific sealing function, allowing the seal to effectively block water and dirt while maintaining a modular structure that simplifies installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clips are integrally formed with the seal body, creating a nested structure where the clips are embedded within the seal body material. This integration eliminates the need for separate attachment mechanisms, reducing installation complexity while maintaining effective sealing performance through the coordinated action of the upper and lower seal portions.
2Reliability
If a seal is designed to secure firmly to the circular opening, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clips are positioned at specific locations around the circumference of the seal body, concentrating the securing function at discrete points rather than requiring uniform attachment around the entire opening. This localized approach allows the seal to be installed by engaging clips at specific positions, improving ease of installation while maintaining firm securement and sealing reliability through the distributed clip arrangement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple clips are used to secure the seal, then sealing stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clips are merged with the seal body by integral formation, where the clips are created as a single piece with the seal body from the same material. This combining of the clips and seal body into one manufacturing step eliminates the need for separate production and assembly of clips, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining sealing stability through the distributed clip configuration that firmly secures the seal to the circular opening.
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 provides a reliable, easy-to-install seal that effectively prevents water and dirt ingress and aids in noise/vibration transmission, maintaining structural integrity and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a clip secures the seal to the circular opening
Data Source
AI summary
A seal inserted into a circular opening in a work piece from a first direction for sealing a component inserted into the circular opening from a second direction is disclosed. The seal body has a ring shape and includes an upper edge and a lower edge. An upper seal extends radially outward and downward from the upper edge of the seal body, a lower seal extends radially inward and upward from the lower edge of the seal body, and a clip secures the seal to the circular opening.