Elastic Seal Element with Offset Beads for Tolerance Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastic sealing elements, such as O-rings, require high assembly forces and can influence pressure measurement signals, making them difficult to assemble and affecting the sealing integrity in fluid passages between components with manufacturing tolerances.
Innovation Solution
An elastic sealing element with a hose-like design featuring radial sealing lines and axial grooves to allow for eccentric alignment, reducing assembly forces and compensating for manufacturing tolerances, while avoiding axial sealing lines that can affect fluid passage sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an ordinary O-ring sealing element is used to seal a fluid passage between two components, then the sealing function is provided, but high assembly forces are required making assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is divided into two distinct sealing lines: a first sealing line for sealing the fluid passage between the first component and the sealing element, and a second sealing line for sealing the fluid passage between the second component and the sealing element. This segmentation allows each sealing line to be optimized independently, with the first sealing line providing reliable sealing while the second sealing line enabling easy assembly with the second component.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sealing element are given different properties: the first sealing line is designed with specific geometric features (such as a sealing lip or contact surface) to provide reliable sealing against the first component, while the second sealing line is designed with different geometric features to facilitate easy assembly with the second component, thereby resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and assembly ease.
2Reliability
If high assembly forces are applied to clamp an O-ring between two components, then the sealing is achieved, but the axial forces influence the measurement signal of a pressure measuring cell
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into two independent sealing lines, allowing the first sealing line to bear the sealing load against the first component while the second sealing line interfaces with the second component (which may be a pressure measuring cell). This segmentation isolates the measurement device from the high assembly forces required for sealing, thereby preserving measurement precision while maintaining sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element acts as an intermediary between the first component and the second component (pressure measuring cell). The first sealing line provides the necessary sealing force against the first component, while the second sealing line provides a gentle interface with the pressure measuring cell, thereby mediating between the high forces needed for sealing and the sensitivity of the measurement device.
3Reliability
If conventional sealing elements are used to seal fluid passages, then sealing is provided, but manufacturing tolerances of components affect the sealing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element incorporates geometric parameters that compensate for manufacturing tolerances. The first sealing line is designed with specific dimensional characteristics (such as a sealing lip angle, contact surface geometry, or compliance features) that allow it to adapt to variations in the first component's manufacturing tolerances, thereby maintaining consistent sealing quality across different production batches.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed with dynamic sealing characteristics, where the first sealing line can deform or adjust its contact pressure in response to manufacturing tolerances and operational conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the sealing line to maintain effective sealing contact despite variations in component dimensions, reducing sensitivity to manufacturing precision requirements.
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
Facilitates flexible assembly and sealing with reduced assembly forces, maintaining sealing integrity even with components having manufacturing tolerances, and minimizing material usage, thus simplifying the assembly process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The hose casing (22) allows an eccentric arrangement or a transverse offset of the second bead (6) relative to the first bead (2)... By means of the elastic sealing element according to the invention, a flexible compensation of a tolerance-related offset of the first component (26) and the second component (28) or of holes for the passage of fluid in the components relative to one another is made possible
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an elastic seal element (1) for sealing a fluid passage (38) between a first component (26) and a second component (28) from the surroundings, said fluid passage passing through the seal element (1). The elastic seal element (1) has a first bead (2) which provides a sealing line (10) in order to sealingly contact the first component (26) around the fluid passage (38). The elastic seal element (1) further has a second bead (6) which provides a second sealing line (12) in order to sealingly contact the second component (28) around the fluid passage (38). The elastic seal element (1) has a tubular shape, a tubular casing (22) extending between the first bead (2) at the first end (7) of the seal element and the second bead (6) at the second end (8) of the seal element, wherein the tubular casing allows a transversal offset Q of the second bead (6) relative to the first bead (2) in order to seal the fluid passage (38) by means of the elastic seal element (1) even when the second component (28) is offset transversely relative to the first component (26). The invention further relates to a fluid-conducting device, to a compressed air system for a motor vehicle, to a motor vehicle comprising the elastic seal element, and to the use of an elastic seal element (1) in order to seal the fluid passage (38).