Engine Cover Assembly With Angled Seal Groove for Debris Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine systems face challenges in efficiently securing and maintaining components like fuel pumps due to constrained configurations, leading to issues with debris ingress and component accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A cover assembly comprising a gear plate with a plate body and plate wall, a cover with a groove and sealing member, and a compression ring, designed to impede debris flow while allowing easy access and maintenance by optimizing insertion and removal forces through angled geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover assembly is designed to securely seal engine components, then debris ingress is reduced, but component accessibility and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cover assembly is divided into separable components (cover body, gear plate, sealing member) that can be independently installed and removed, allowing the sealing function to be maintained while enabling easy access to internal components through simple detachment of the cover body
2Stability of the object's composition
If a cover assembly is designed with strong securing forces, then component stability improves, but insertion and removal forces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement between the gear plate teeth and cover body features a progressive engagement mechanism where the teeth gradually engage during insertion, allowing the cover to be securely locked in position with minimal force, while the same geometry enables easy release through a corresponding disengagement motion
3Reliability
If a cover assembly is designed to tightly secure components, then sealing effectiveness improves, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is extracted as a separate, replaceable component from the cover assembly, allowing it to be independently removed and replaced without disassembling the entire cover structure, thereby maintaining effective sealing while simplifying maintenance operations
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 cover assembly effectively secures engine components, reduces debris ingress, and facilitates easy maintenance by minimizing the force differential between insertion and removal, enhancing operational reliability and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
The compression ring is positioned in the groove and contacts the plate wall
Data Source
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AI summary
A cover assembly for an engine includes a gear plate. The gear plate includes a plate body defining an opening, and a plate wall contiguous with the plate body along the opening and extending at a first angle away from the plate body. The cover assembly also includes a cover including a cover rim contacting the plate body along the opening and a cover body positioned adjacent to the plate wall and defining a groove. The groove is defined by a first groove surface, a second groove surface positioned a distance away from the first groove surface, and a third groove surface extending at a second angle from the first groove surface to the second groove surface. The cover assembly also includes a sealing member positioned in the groove and contacting the plate wall.