Annular Elastic Sealing Cutouts Prevent Wrinkle Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing partial surface treatment apparatuses face issues with electrolyte solution leakage due to wrinkle formation in annular-shaped elastic sealing members, which can lead to inefficiencies in surface treatment and potential damage to the pressure applying mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates annular-shaped elastic sealing members with cutouts along the circumferential direction, allowing for controlled deformation and reduced wrinkle formation, thereby maintaining effective sealing and preventing electrolyte solution leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the annular-shaped elastic sealing member is moved in the diameter reduction direction to seal the clearance, then the sealing performance is improved, but wrinkle formation occurs leading to electrolyte solution leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The annular-shaped elastic sealing member is divided into multiple arc-shaped elastic sealing members by forming cutouts. This segmentation allows each arc-shaped segment to deform independently during diameter reduction, preventing wrinkle formation while maintaining sealing contact with the outer circumferential surface. The cutouts enable controlled deformation patterns that eliminate the harmful wrinkling effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is constructed as a composite structure combining elastic material with strategically positioned cutouts. This composite design allows the material to exhibit both flexibility for sealing and structural integrity to prevent wrinkling, creating a hybrid structure that resolves the contradiction between sealing performance and wrinkle prevention.
2Area of stationary object
If the annular-shaped elastic sealing member is made continuous along the circumference, then the sealing contact area is increased, but wrinkle formation is promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous annular structure is segmented into multiple arc-shaped sections by introducing cutouts. Each segment maintains contact with the outer circumferential surface, collectively providing sufficient sealing area while the discontinuous structure prevents wrinkle propagation that would occur in a fully continuous configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sealing member have different properties: the arc-shaped segments provide sealing contact capability while the cutout regions provide deformation freedom. This local differentiation allows the sealing member to have both sufficient contact area and wrinkle resistance in different locations.
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 configuration enhances the efficiency of surface treatment by preventing electrolyte solution leakage and minimizing damage to the pressure applying mechanism, ensuring stable sealing performance over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure applying mechanism configured to supply pressurized fluid to an outer circumferential side of the annular-shaped elastic sealing members fitted into the accommodation portions in order to move the annular-shaped elastic sealing members in the diameter reduction direction
Implementation Method 2
a pair of annular-shaped elastic sealing members each of which is nonconductive, the annular-shaped elastic sealing members being configured to seal, at both sides relative to the circumferential groove, a clearance formed between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface
Data Source
AI summary
A partial surface treatment apparatus includes a first electrode member electrically connected to a treatment object including an outer circumferential surface and a circumferential groove, a second electrode member including an inner circumferential surface, a pair of annular-shaped elastic sealing members configured to seal a clearance between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, an accommodation portion accommodating each of the annular-shaped elastic sealing members, the annular-shaped elastic sealing members are movable in a diameter reduction direction, a pressure applying mechanism supplying a pressurized fluid to the annular-shaped elastic sealing members, the annular-shaped elastic sealing members are in pressure contact with the outer circumferential surface in a case where the annular-shaped elastic sealing members are moved in the diameter reduction direction, and a cutout formed at each of the annular-shaped elastic sealing members to be extended from an outer circumferential side edge portion towards the inner circumferential side.