Elastomer Sealing Element With Thermoplastic Welding Coating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for attaching sealing elements to seal carriers require significant effort due to the need for mechanical means like plug-in connection elements that require pressing into receiving holes, which is labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A laminated film coating with layers of polyethylene (PE) and polyamide (PA) is applied to the sealing strand before vulcanization, allowing for a prefabricated sealing strip with integrated connecting elements that can be easily welded to a seal carrier using thermoplastic materials via methods like ultrasonic or laser welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plug-in connection elements are pressed into receiving holes to attach sealing elements to seal carriers, then mechanical connection is achieved, but the attachment process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the sealing element by incorporating thermoplastic material (such as polyolefin, polyamide, or thermoplastic elastomer) with melting point between 80°C and 180°C. This parameter change enables the sealing element to be welded directly to the seal carrier through heating, replacing the mechanical pressing process and significantly improving attachment efficiency while maintaining reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical pressing system (plug-in connection elements pressed into receiving holes) with a thermal welding system. The sealing element is heated to melt the thermoplastic material, which then bonds the sealing element directly to the seal carrier. This substitution eliminates the need for separate mechanical fasteners and reduces labor-intensive operations.
2Productivity
If thermoplastic material is used in the sealing element for welding, then attachment effort is reduced, but the sealing element requires specific material composition
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite material structure where the sealing element consists of elastomeric material combined with thermoplastic material (polyolefin, polyamide, or thermoplastic elastomer). The thermoplastic material forms discrete phases (particles, droplets, or continuous matrix) within the elastomeric matrix, enabling both sealing functionality and weldability. This composite approach allows the sealing element to meet specific material requirements while maintaining ease of manufacture through established extrusion and molding processes.
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 significantly reduces the effort required for attaching sealing strips to seal carriers by enabling a firm, efficient mechanical connection through the use of a thermoplastic coating that matches the materials of the connecting elements, facilitating online welding during the vulcanization process.
Implementation Method 1
it being possible in particular for the materials of the coating and the connecting elements to match
Implementation Method 2
For example, in addition to ultrasonic welding and laser welding, friction welding can also be used for welding
Implementation Method 3
The coating preferably consists of a thermoplastic material, so that it can be welded to connecting elements made of thermoplastic materials
Implementation Method 4
the coating is a film applied to the sealing strand, which is connected to the extruded strand in particular before the vulcanization is completed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing element that is made of elastomer material and is to be secured to a seal support, in particular a seal support on a vehicle body. According to the invention, the sealing element has a coating (14), by means of which the sealing element can be welded to an element (9) that is used for joining the sealing element to the seal support, or by means of which the sealing element can be welded directly to the seal support (21).