Elastic Ring Mounting Unit for Torsion-Free Deep Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mounting elastic rings on cylindrical bodies, such as sealing rings, often result in twisting and mechanical stress, requiring significant mechanical and control engineering effort, and limiting insertion depth, making them unsuitable for efficient automation and prone to quality issues and damage.
Innovation Solution
A method and mounting unit using at least three movable fingers that stretch and position the elastic ring torsion-free by increasing and then reducing its cross-section, allowing it to be securely mounted on a cylindrical body without intermediate steps, reducing mechanical effort and stress on the ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conical joining sleeve is used to mount the elastic ring, then the ring can be stretched and mounted on the component, but the ring experiences rolling movement and twisting leading to faulty functioning
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device divides the ring expansion task among multiple fingers (at least three) that can be independently positioned and moved. Each finger independently contacts and expands a segment of the ring, preventing the rolling movement that occurs with conical joining sleeves while achieving the necessary expansion for mounting.
2Extent of automation
If a multi-finger gripper is used to expand the ring, then the ring can be stretched and applied to the component, but complex mechanics and control technology are required making the system heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device uses a standardized multi-finger gripper design that can accommodate different ring sizes and component types through programmable control. The same basic mechanical structure serves multiple mounting functions, reducing the need for specialized complex mechanisms for each application while maintaining automation capability.
3Reliability
If fingers are retracted individually or in groups against the wiper to prevent abrupt relaxation, then ring damage is reduced, but high frictional forces still promote twisting and quality problems
Solution Approach 1:
The fingers are designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing them to be retracted individually or in controlled groups with adjustable speeds and forces. This dynamic control enables optimization of the retraction sequence to minimize frictional forces and prevent twisting while avoiding abrupt relaxation that would cause ring damage.
4Length of stationary object
If a conical joining sleeve is used, then the ring can be mounted relatively close to the front side of the component, but the insertion depth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device uses a joining sleeve as an intermediary component that can be firmly connected to the device. This intermediary allows the ring to be expanded and transferred to the component at various positions along its length, enabling deep insertion while maintaining the benefits of controlled expansion and preventing the limitations of conical joining sleeves.
5Ease of manufacture
If the ring is stretched by moving fingers along a circle, then the cross-section is increased and the ring can be mounted, but mechanical effort and stress on the ring are significant
Solution Approach 1:
The fingers are designed to stretch the ring only to the extent necessary for successful mounting, avoiding excessive expansion that would increase stress and potential damage. The movement along the circular path is controlled to achieve just sufficient cross-section increase for the ring to be mounted without subjecting it to unnecessary mechanical stress.
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
This approach enables reliable, stress-reduced mounting of elastic rings at any position along the cylindrical body, facilitating automation and reducing the risk of damage, while allowing for precise positioning and stable placement in grooves.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic ring is stretched and the cross-section thereof is increased
Implementation Method 2
moving at least one finger on the circle or a plurality of fingers on the common circle or concentric circles relative to each other so that the cross-section of the ring is reduced
Data Source
AI summary
A method of mounting an elastic ring, e.g. sealing ring, on a body via a mounting unit is presented, having at least three fingers which are movable relative to each other. The method comprises holding and clamping the ring on the exterior side of the fingers which extend into a cross-section framed by the ring, moving at least one finger along a circle or a plurality of fingers along a common circle or a plurality of concentric circles such that the elastic ring is stretched and the cross-section thereof is increased, moving the ring and the component relative to each other so that the component projects into the cross-section and the ring extends around the component, moving one or more fingers relative to each other so that the ring contacts the component in sections between adjacent fingers, and moving the fingers out of the ring. Also disclosed are a mounting unit for executing the method, and a ring mounting device including such a mounting unit.