Dual-Ring Seal Assembly for Track Lubricant Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal assemblies for lubricant spaces in track vehicles fail to simultaneously prevent the entry of impurities and the escape of lubricant effectively, as optimizing for one often compromises the other, leading to suboptimal sealing over time.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly utilizing two distinct seal rings, one optimized for impurity prevention and the other for lubricant retention, with different materials and configurations, supported by an elastic ring and a stiffening insert to ensure effective sealing against both impurities and lubricant escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the seal element is optimized for sealing against an entry of impurities, then the sealing against impurities is improved, but the sealing against lubricant escape deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into two separate seal rings: a first seal ring optimized for preventing impurity entry and a second seal ring optimized for preventing lubricant escape. Each seal ring can be made from different materials and configured with different properties to address their specific sealing requirements independently, resolving the contradiction between impurity sealing and lubricant retention.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the seal assembly have different sealing properties. The first seal ring uses stiffer material with specific geometric features for impurity exclusion, while the second seal ring uses softer material with different geometry for lubricant retention. This local differentiation allows each seal ring to optimize its function without compromising the other.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the seal element is configured stiffer for impurity sealing, then the sealing against impurities is improved, but the pressing capability against contact surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into two separate components: the first seal ring with stiffer material configuration for impurity sealing, and the second seal ring with softer material for maintaining pressing capability. This segmentation allows the stiffer first seal ring to focus on impurity exclusion without needing to maintain high pressing capability, while the second seal ring handles the lubricant sealing requiring softer contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly uses composite material strategy by combining different materials in two separate seal rings. The first seal ring uses stiffer material (such as thermoplastic or ceramic) for impurity resistance, while the second seal ring uses softer elastomeric material for lubricant retention and pressing capability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between stiffness for impurity sealing and softness for pressing capability.
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 dual-seal ring configuration ensures optimal sealing of the lubricant space by using materials and shapes tailored for specific functions, preventing impurity entry and lubricant escape, while maintaining adaptability and stability under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic ring for applying pressure to the first seal ring
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly for sealing a lubricant space that is formed between a pin, a track shoe pressed-on onto one end of the pin, and a sleeve of a track. The sleeve is pushed onto the pin and is swivelable on the pin. The track further includes at least one second track shoe pressed onto one end of the sleeve. The seal assembly provides a first seal ring for sealing the lubricant space between the sleeve and the first track shoe, and an elastic ring for applying pressure to the first seal ring. The seal assembly further provides a second seal ring for sealing the lubricant space between the sleeve and the first track shoe and/or the pin.