Fill Level Gauge Probe Sealing With Friction-Welded Cylindrical Seal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fill level measuring devices face challenges in achieving effective sealing without complex means, as conically formed seals are often required for secure sealing.
Innovation Solution
A fill level measuring device with a conductive probe having a plastic coating, secured by a rotationally symmetric seal via material bonding, such as friction welding, to a process connection, ensuring easy and safe sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conically formed seals are used for effective sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a conically formed seal that requires complex assembly means, the patent inverts the approach by using a cylindrical seal that is inserted into a conical recess in the process connection. This inversion simplifies the sealing mechanism while maintaining effective sealing, as the conical recess provides automatic alignment and securing without requiring complex external assembly means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sealing element as an intermediary component between the probe and the process connection. This sealing element, combined with the conical recess, creates a simple yet effective sealing mechanism that eliminates the need for complex assembly means while ensuring reliable sealing between the probe and the process connection.
2Reliability
If conically formed seals are used for secure sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the seal cylindrical rather than conical, and by providing the conical feature as a recess in the process connection rather than as the seal itself. This inversion makes the sealing mechanism easier to manufacture and assemble, as the cylindrical seal can be simply inserted into the conical recess without requiring complex manufacturing or assembly processes.
3Ease of operation
If a rotationally symmetric seal is used with material bonding, then ease of assembly is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the plastic coating on the probe as an intermediary layer that facilitates bonding with the cylindrical seal. This coating enables reliable material bonding between the probe and seal without requiring high manufacturing precision, as the coating provides a suitable bonding surface that accommodates variations in assembly precision while maintaining secure attachment.
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 solution provides a simple and reliable sealing mechanism for the probe, enhancing the device's operational integrity and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the seal is connected with the plastic coating by material bonding by means of a weld method, especially a mechanical friction welding method, such as, for example, rotational friction welding, rotational vibration welding or ultrasonic welding
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical assembly for an electrical fill level measuring device for measuring a fill level of a medium in a containment comprises an electrically conductive probe having a plastic coating in a central region and a process connection. The probe is seated by means of a rotationally symmetric, especially ring shaped or tubular, seal radially relative to the process connection. The seal is connected with the plastic coating by material bonding by means of a weld method. The probe is seated radially and/or axially in a housing near end region by a seating means rotationally fixed in at least one rotational direction.