Elastic Seal Ring Structure for Rotating Shaft Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional seal rings for rotating shafts in internal combustion engine thermostats are costly, difficult to assemble, and have high defect rates due to the need for precise installation of metal skeletons, which can lead to uneven stress and reduced sealing effectiveness and service life.
Innovation Solution
A seal ring with an outer wall featuring external ribs and inner wall with obliquely extending seal contact parts, made of elastic ethylene propylene diene rubber, designed to optimize assembly sequence for miniaturization and mass automatic assembly, with features like a K-shaped or Y-shaped axial section and a hook component to prevent sliding, and a seal structure that includes a recessed part for lubrication, allowing for improved sealing and reduced material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal skeleton structure is used in the seal ring, then the seal ring can be secured at the sealing position through tension, but the material costs and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metal skeleton structure from the seal ring, extracting only the essential sealing function. The seal ring is made entirely of elastic material (such as rubber or polymer) that provides both structural integrity and sealing capability without requiring a separate metal skeleton, thereby reducing material costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to secure at the sealing position through elastic tension
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from a composite metal-rubber structure to a homogeneous elastic material structure. By selecting elastic materials with appropriate tensile strength and elasticity parameters, the seal ring achieves sufficient tension retention without the need for metal reinforcement, optimizing both cost and performance
2Strength
If a metal skeleton structure is used in the seal ring, then the seal ring can be secured at the sealing position, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metal skeleton structure from the seal ring, extracting only the essential sealing function. The seal ring is made entirely of elastic material (such as rubber or polymer) that provides both structural integrity and sealing capability without requiring a separate metal skeleton, thereby reducing material costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to secure at the sealing position through elastic tension
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from a composite metal-rubber structure to a homogeneous elastic material structure. By selecting elastic materials with appropriate tensile strength and elasticity parameters, the seal ring achieves sufficient tension retention without the need for metal reinforcement, optimizing both cost and performance
3Strength
If the metal skeleton is positioned at the installation position before installing the rotating shaft, then the seal ring can be secured, but the installation accuracy requirement becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the elasticity parameter of the seal ring material to provide a broader tolerance range for installation. The elastic material can accommodate slight misalignments and variations in rotating shaft positioning without suffering uneven stress concentration, thereby reducing the required installation accuracy while maintaining effective sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material structure serves as a cushioning element that absorbs and distributes installation errors and operational variations. This beforehand cushioning effect prevents stress concentration and potential failure, allowing for less precise installation while maintaining seal integrity
4Strength
If the rotating shaft is inserted into the positioned skeleton oil seal, then the seal ring can be fixed, but uneven stress may damage the seal ring and reduce service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the elasticity parameter of the seal ring material to provide stress distribution across the contact surface. This elastic property allows the seal ring to accommodate slight misalignments and variations in rotating shaft positioning without suffering uneven stress concentration, thereby preventing damage and extending service life
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material structure serves as a cushioning element that absorbs and distributes installation errors and operational variations. This beforehand cushioning effect prevents stress concentration and potential failure, allowing for less precise installation while maintaining seal integrity throughout the service life
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 new seal ring design enhances sealing effectiveness, extends service life, and simplifies assembly, reducing material costs and defect rates while ensuring reliable sealing in a rotating shaft environment.
Implementation Method 1
the seal ring is made of an elastic material
Implementation Method 2
the outer wall includes one or more external ribs
Implementation Method 3
a recessed part is provided between the two seal contact parts, the recessed part being configured to receive a lubricant
Data Source
AI summary
A seal ring is provided for sealing a rotating shaft. The seal ring has an outer wall and an inner wall. The outer wall includes one or more external ribs, and the external ribs are disposed along a circumferential direction of the outer wall. The inner wall includes one or more seal contact parts extending inwards from the inner wall, and the seal contact parts are disposed along a circumferential direction of the inner wall. The seal ring is made of an elastic material.