Dual-Material Seal Structure for Leak-Resistant Fluid Connections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices and methods for creating a fluid-tight seal between conduits and fluid conveying devices, such as hoses and faucets, are not sufficiently effective, leading to leaks and inefficiencies in fluid transfer.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced seal design featuring an outer cylindrical portion and an annular portion with specific dimensions and materials, combined with an inner cylindrical and annular portion, which includes annular protrusions and a narrowing portion to enhance sealing capabilities, is proposed. The outer portion is made from a softer material (Shore A durometer 60-70) and the inner portion from a harder material (Shore D durometer 80-90), with the seal positioned such that the cylindrical portion is upstream relative to the annular portion during fluid flow to maximize engagement and prevent leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional O-ring seal is used, then the device complexity is low, but the sealing reliability is insufficient leading to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into two distinct portions: an outer portion made of softer material (Shore A 60-70) and an inner portion made of harder material (Shore D 80-90). Each portion serves a specific sealing function, with the outer portion providing initial sealing and the inner portion providing secondary sealing, thereby improving overall sealing reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The seal combines two different materials with distinct hardness properties - a softer outer material and a harder inner material. This composite structure allows the seal to simultaneously provide flexibility for initial engagement and rigidity for maintaining sealing under pressure, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity
2Reliability
If the outer cylindrical portion length is increased to at least twice the annular portion length, then the sealing engagement is improved, but the volume of the seal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal features localized geometric modifications including a narrowing portion in the outer cylindrical portion and annular protrusions at specific locations. These local features concentrate sealing pressure where needed most, improving sealing engagement without requiring a proportional increase in overall seal volume
Solution Approach 2:
The seal incorporates curved surfaces and annular protrusions that distribute sealing pressure more effectively along the sealing interface. The curvature of the narrowing portion and protrusions allows for better contact with the sealing surface, enhancing engagement while maintaining compact dimensions
3Reliability
If the outer annular portion outer dimension is made greater than the outer cylindrical portion outer dimension, then the sealing surface area is increased, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is segmented into outer and inner portions with distinct dimensional characteristics. The outer annular portion has a larger outer dimension than the outer cylindrical portion, creating a stepped configuration that increases sealing surface area while allowing each segment to be manufactured within standard tolerances independently
Solution Approach 2:
The seal utilizes controlled dimensional parameters including the stepped outer dimensions and the length ratio between cylindrical and annular portions. These parameter variations optimize sealing surface area while maintaining manufacturability by keeping individual feature tolerances within reasonable limits
Data Source
AI summary
An enhanced seal may comprise an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion may comprise an inner cylindrical portion and an inner annular portion. The outer portion may comprise an outer cylindrical portion and an outer annular portion. The inner portion may be made of a harder material than the outer portion and may provide support to the outer portion.