Explosion-proof Device Sealing with Deformable Inner Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing explosion-proof devices fail to ensure complete sealing at low temperatures or with strong temperature fluctuations, as the seal may not maintain contact with the inner housing wall.

Innovation Solution

An explosion-proof device with a deformable inner body and a spring element that constantly exerts pressure to ensure the inner body rests against the housing wall, even at varying temperatures, using a movable adapter sleeve to transmit the spring force and prevent rotation, and adjustable mounting screws for prestressing the spring element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid seal is used to ensure complete sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but adaptability to temperature fluctuations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to temperature fluctuations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the inner body deformable rather than rigid. The inner body is designed to elastically deform in response to temperature changes, allowing it to maintain sealing contact with the housing wall across varying temperatures. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between sealing reliability and temperature adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing the inner body to change its physical dimensions through elastic deformation. The inner body's outer diameter varies in response to temperature fluctuations, enabling it to maintain continuous contact with the housing wall. This parameter change approach allows the seal to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a deformable inner body is used to adapt to temperature changes, then adaptability to temperature fluctuations is improved, but contact pressure stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to temperature fluctuationsVSAvoidcontact pressure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through the elastic properties of the inner body. As the inner body deforms due to temperature changes, it automatically adjusts its contact pressure with the housing wall. The elastic deformation provides a self-regulating mechanism that maintains stable contact pressure across temperature variations, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and pressure stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the seal is pressed firmly against the housing wall to ensure complete contact, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the inner body to automatically maintain contact with the housing wall through its own elastic properties. The inner body's material characteristics enable it to self-adjust and self-maintain sealing contact without requiring additional actuating mechanisms, springs, or complex adjustment devices. This self-service approach achieves reliable sealing while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Guarantees complete sealing and contact between the inner body and the housing, maintaining the integrity of the explosion-proof seal across temperature variations, meeting standards for pressure resistance, temperature resistance, and chemical resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element arranged in the middle section, which constantly exerts pressure on the inner body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The pressure generated by the spring force is sufficient to deform the inner body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3876372B1Explosion-proof device
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 PEPPERL & FUCHS SE
  • EP3876372B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3876372B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3876372B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An explosion-proof device (1) is described, comprising a plastically deformable inner body (20) which has at least one conduit channel (30, 31) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) through the inner body (20), wherein the conduit extends through the at least one conduit channel (30, 31). The inner body (20) is surrounded by a housing (2), wherein the housing (2) is divided into an inlet section (3), an outlet section (4) and a central section (5) arranged between the inlet section (3) and the outlet section (4), wherein a spring element (25) is provided which is arranged in the central section (5) and exerts pressure on the inner body (20).