Elastic Ring Insertion Device with Wavy Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inserting elastic rings, such as sealing rings, into inner grooves are unreliable and difficult to automate due to instability and material variability, leading to uncontrollable deformations and potential damage during the insertion process, especially when compression is required.
Innovation Solution
A device with multiple circumferentially spaced retainers that deform the ring into a wavy shape, allowing it to be inserted into a workpiece opening with a trailing slider, reducing axial deformation and increasing reproducibility, and enabling use across a wide range of ring and groove dimensions without costly conversions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ring is compressed to be pushed into the groove along the complete circumference, then the ring can be inserted into the groove, but the compression load increases the cross-section of the cord and produces uncontrollable deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion process is divided into two distinct phases: first, the ring is pulled into the workpiece opening using tensile force without compression; second, the ring is pushed into the groove using a follower that applies force only after the ring has been properly positioned. This segmentation avoids the harmful effect of compressing the ring during the entire insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring is first pulled into the workpiece opening and positioned in the groove region before the pushing action begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the ring is correctly oriented and located before the follower applies compression force to push it into the groove, preventing uncontrollable deformations.
2Extent of automation
If the ring is compressed for insertion, then the ring can be pushed into the groove, but friction forces and material variability make automated installation extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a movable follower that can dynamically adjust its position and apply force only when appropriate. The follower moves along with the ring during insertion and only applies pushing force when the ring reaches the groove region, adapting to the actual insertion progress rather than applying continuous compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion method changes the force application parameter from continuous compression to a sequence of tensile force followed by controlled compressive force. The follower applies compression only after the ring has been pulled in and positioned, changing the timing and magnitude of the compression parameter to achieve reliable automated installation.
3Ease of operation
If a single tool is used to grasp and pull the ring into a transition sleeve, then the ring can be deformed into an oval, but the device complexity increases with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The follower serves multiple functions: it guides the ring during insertion, pushes the ring into the groove, and can be adjusted for different ring sizes and groove positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized tools while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device operates primarily in the axial dimension, pulling the ring in and pushing it forward, rather than requiring complex radial deformation mechanisms. This simplifies the device structure by utilizing linear motion in one dimension rather than complex multi-dimensional deformation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the ring is deformed in the ring plane to reduce diameter, then the ring can be inserted, but high degree of compression is required which limits dimensions and rigidity values
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of compressing the ring radially to reduce its diameter for insertion, the method inverts the approach by pulling the ring in using tensile force and then pushing it axially into the groove. This avoids the need for high radial compression that would damage fragile sealing edges or limit adaptability to different ring dimensions.
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 ensures a consistent and reliable insertion process with reduced friction and material stress, allowing for the use of the same device across various ring and groove dimensions, and facilitates automated installation even for rings with fragile sealing edges.
Implementation Method 1
Elastic rings that are inserted into inner grooves in workpieces are usually embodied from an elastomer... In order to make it possible to install the elastic rings into the inner grooves, said elastic rings must first be deformed
Implementation Method 2
at least one trailing slider for pushing the trailing curved regions in the axial direction towards the inner groove
Implementation Method 3
the ring that sits in the recesses can deform between its retaining regions to form a wavy shape seen in the lateral view in order to form trailing, curved regions
Data Source
AI summary
A device, a modular construction system and a method for inserting an elastic ring into an inner groove of a workpiece opening provides that the device the ring is fixed by multiple retainers to specific retaining regions and between the retaining regions said ring acquires a wavy shape or crown shape in an axial direction.