Expansion Ring Assembly With Ratcheting And Drive Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal mechanisms for manhole access ports and underground pipes often experience leakage issues due to inadequate sealing, requiring secondary sealing assemblies to address these leaks.
Innovation Solution
An expansion ring assembly with a ratcheting mechanism for incremental expansion and a drive mechanism for fine adjustment, allowing for precise gasket compression between the expansion ring and the structure, ensuring a fluid-tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional expansion ring with single expansion mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and sealing reliability deteriorate due to inability to achieve both rapid expansion and precise pressure control
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion ring is divided into two functional segments: a ratcheting mechanism for rapid incremental expansion and a screw mechanism for precise final adjustment. This segmentation allows each mechanism to specialize in its optimal function, achieving both speed and precision without requiring a single complex mechanism to do both.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion ring transitions from a static single-mechanism design to a dynamic two-stage system where the ratcheting mechanism provides rapid coarse adjustment and the screw mechanism provides fine control. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt its expansion method based on the stage of installation.
2Productivity
If a ratcheting mechanism is added for rapid expansion, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The ratcheting mechanism enables preliminary rapid expansion to achieve approximately 90% of the required gasket pressure quickly, reserving only the final 10% adjustment for the more time-consuming screw mechanism. This preliminary action significantly reduces the overall installation time while maintaining simplicity in the final adjustment stage.
3Ease of operation
If the expansion ring is designed for easy installation and removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the seal may deteriorate due to potential loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of expansion functions into ratcheting (for installation) and screw mechanism (for final sealing) allows the screw mechanism to provide continuous adjustable pressure that can be tightly secured, preventing loosening while still allowing for removal and reinstallation when needed.
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 expansion ring assembly provides a rapid and precise method to achieve a desired gasket pressure, effectively preventing moisture infiltration and allowing for easy installation and reinstallation, while maintaining a continuous annular surface for effective sealing.
Implementation Method 1
a ratcheting mechanism which allows the ring to incrementally expand but not to contract
Implementation Method 2
a second threaded member disposed between and threadingly connecting the pair of first threaded members
Implementation Method 3
a flexible elastomeric gasket is placed within the opening in the wall, followed by fitting an expansion ring against the interior surface of the gasket
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion ring assembly seals a gasket with respect to an annular wall of a rigid structure. The expansion ring assembly includes two arcuate expansion ring bands that cooperate to define a generally circular profile. At one side of the expansion ring assembly, a first pair of ends of the expansion ring bands overlap and include a ratcheting mechanism which allows the ring to incrementally expand but not to contract. At another location of the expansion ring assembly, a second pair of ends are joined by a drive mechanism for engaging and driving apart the opposing ends of an expansion ring to thereby non-incrementally expand the ring. The ratchet mechanism may be used to initially set and hold the expansion ring against a gasket in a desired position and to provide an initial expansion pressure, i.e., for a coarse adjustment. The drive mechanism may then be used to provide a final expansion pressure of the gasket, i.e., for a fine adjustment. Advantageously, the coarse adjustment followed by the final adjustment allows a user to quickly and precisely achieve a desired gasket pressure by manipulating the torque applied to the drive mechanism.