Elastic Ring Mounting With Circular Finger Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mounting elastic rings on cylindrical bodies, such as sealing rings, often require complex mechanical and control engineering efforts, can cause twisting and damage to the rings, and limit insertion depth, making them inefficient and prone to quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and mounting unit using at least three fingers, where some fingers are movable relative to others, allowing for the expansion and positioning of elastic rings without twisting, by moving the fingers along circular paths to increase and then decrease the ring's cross-section, enabling secure and torsion-free mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-finger grippers are used to expand the elastic ring, then the ring can be mounted on the component, but the system becomes complex with extensive tubing and cable routing, making it heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device is divided into a small number of discrete fingers (at least three) that can be independently positioned and controlled. Each finger acts as an independent element that can be moved to specific locations around the ring, eliminating the need for complex continuous control systems while achieving reliable ring expansion and mounting.
2Ease of manufacture
If conical joining sleeves are used to stretch the elastic ring, then the ring can be mounted, but the ring experiences rolling movement and twisting, resulting in faulty functioning
Solution Approach 1:
The fingers are positioned to move along circular paths around the ring, maintaining a constant radial distance from the ring's center. This circular motion ensures uniform expansion without introducing twisting or rolling movements, as the force is applied symmetrically from all directions around the ring's circumference.
Solution Approach 2:
The fingers are first positioned at locations that frame the cross-section of the ring before expansion begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the ring is properly supported and aligned before the expansion force is applied, preventing any initial twisting or misalignment that could lead to faulty mounting.
3Ease of operation
If conical joining sleeves are used, then the mounting process can be simplified, but the insertion depth is limited and the ring can only be mounted close to the front side of the component
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device transitions from a linear axial approach to a circular radial approach. By positioning fingers around the ring in a circular arrangement and moving them along circular paths, the system can reach components at various axial positions along the ring's circumference, effectively extending the usable insertion depth beyond what linear joining sleeves can achieve.
4Productivity
If multi-finger systems are used to expand the ring, then the ring can be applied to the component, but high frictional forces produce damaging twisting and abrupt relaxation causes uncontrollable position change
Solution Approach 1:
The fingers are retracted individually or in controlled groups rather than all at once. This periodic retraction allows the ring to relax gradually, maintaining control over its position and preventing abrupt relaxation that would cause uncontrollable position changes. The controlled sequencing of finger withdrawal minimizes frictional forces and twisting damage.
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 reduces mechanical and control engineering requirements, minimizes the risk of ring damage, allows for mounting at positions far from the component's end, and ensures precise positioning of the elastic ring, improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the mounting process.
Implementation Method 1
moving at least one finger along a circle or moving a plurality of fingers along a circle or a plurality of concentric circles such that the elastic ring is stretched and the cross-section thereof is increased
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.