Connecting Pipe Sealing for Combustion Engine Channel Misalignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing devices in internal combustion engines face challenges in achieving reliable tolerance compensation across flange planes, leading to potential leakages and component stresses due to misalignment, especially when connecting components like a timing gear cover, clutch housing, or flywheel housing.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a connecting pipe with a radially sealing sealing ring and an annular collar accommodated in a channel-side recess, allowing for axial sealing and tolerance compensation via a circumferential gap without compromising the sealing effect, while maintaining centering and simplifying assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a connecting pipe with sealing ring is used to connect components, then the tight connection of channels is improved, but tolerance compensation in the flange plane is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidtolerance compensation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting pipe is segmented into multiple functional sections: a first section with a radially acting sealing ring for tight sealing, and a second section with an axially acting sealing ring for tolerance compensation. This segmentation allows each section to specialize in one sealing function, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and tolerance compensation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting pipe acts as an intermediary element between the two components, providing both sealing functions through its dual sealing ring design. The first sealing ring ensures tight connection while the second sealing ring accommodates misalignment, making the connecting pipe a mediator that resolves the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If tolerance compensation is implemented, then misalignment issues are addressed, but sealing effect may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetolerance compensation capabilityVSAvoidsealing effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is segmented into two independent sealing rings: the first sealing ring provides radial sealing for tight connection, while the second sealing ring provides axial sealing for tolerance compensation. This segmentation ensures that tolerance compensation does not compromise the sealing effect, as each sealing ring handles its specific sealing requirement independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sealing mechanisms are applied at different locations along the connecting pipe. The radially acting sealing ring is positioned where tight sealing is critical, while the axially acting sealing ring is positioned to handle misalignment. This local differentiation of sealing quality ensures both tolerance compensation and sealing effect are maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Ensures reliable sealing and tolerance compensation across flange planes, effectively addressing misalignment issues and accommodating relative displacements due to thermal expansions or deformations, such as those caused by a freely suspended gearbox.

Implementation Method 1

between which and an associated channel wall of the first component a radially sealing sealing ring is arranged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial sealing:

Implementation Method 2

An axially sealing second sealing ring is arranged between a front section of the annular collar and a wall area of the channel-side recess

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAxial sealing:

Implementation Method 3

Tolerance compensation in the sealing plane can take place via the circumferential gap without impairing the sealing effect of the sealing ring acting in the axial direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTolerance compensation:

Data Source

PatentEP2754863B1Device for the sealed connection of communicating channels in adjacent and/or connected parts of a combustion engine

Publication Date: 2016.08.31 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE

Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for the tight connection of communicating channels (7, 8) in adjacent and/or connected components (2, 4) of an internal combustion engine (1), in particular of communicating channels in a crankcase and an oil pan of an internal combustion engine, with a connecting pipe (9) inserted into the channels (7, 8), which has a pipe section (9a) projecting into a first component (2), between which and an associated channel wall of the first component (2) a radially sealing sealing ring (10) is arranged.According to the invention, the connecting pipe (9) further comprises an annular collar (9c) received in a channel-side recess (8a) of the second component (4), wherein an axially sealing second sealing ring (11) is arranged between an end-face section of the annular collar (9c) and a wall area of the channel-side recess (8a), and wherein the annular collar (9c) is also received in the recess (8a) with a radial circumferential gap (s).