Flange Joining Structure with Segmented Seal Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flange joining structures are prone to damage and loss of sealing performance under large bending stress, such as during earthquakes, due to the movement of the packing material, which is not adequately fixed in previous designs.
Innovation Solution
A flange joining structure with a seal body featuring an annular base portion made of a metallic plate and an elastic sealing unit, where the elastic sealing unit is integrally provided to cover the base portion and includes through holes and protrusions to prevent excessive deformation and movement, ensuring secure integration between the flange portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a seal body with through holes is used to allow bolt insertion, then the flange joining structure can be assembled, but the packing material is not adequately fixed and moves under bending stress, causing damage and loss of sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is segmented into a hard ring portion and a packing portion, with the hard ring providing structural support and the packing providing sealing. The hard ring includes through holes for bolt insertion while the packing is positioned to be compressed between flange surfaces, preventing movement under stress while maintaining assembly ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal body combines a hard ring (rigid material) with packing material (elastic material). The hard ring provides structural integrity and fixed positioning for bolts, while the packing material provides sealing functionality. This composite structure prevents packing movement under bending stress while maintaining ease of assembly.
2Reliability
If the packing material is made elastic to provide sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but the packing deforms excessively under large bending stress such as during earthquakes
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is divided into a hard ring portion and a packing portion. The hard ring includes through holes for bolt insertion and provides structural stability, while the packing portion provides sealing. The hard ring prevents excessive deformation of the packing under bending stress while maintaining sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the seal body have different properties: the hard ring portion provides rigidity and structural stability, while the packing portion provides elasticity for sealing. This local differentiation allows the packing to seal effectively without deforming excessively under stress.
3Strength
If a hard ring is used to reinforce the seal body, then the packing is prevented from excessive compression, but the overall structural stability under large bending stress is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is segmented into a hard ring with through holes and a packing portion. The hard ring provides compression resistance and structural stability, while the packing portion maintains sealing performance. The through holes in the hard ring allow for proper assembly and positioning without compromising the reinforcement function.
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 effectively prevents damage to the seal body and maintains sealing performance by securely integrating the elastic sealing unit with the annular base portion, preventing excessive deformation and ensuring stable sealing even under stress conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic sealing unit integrally provided to cover the annular base portion
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a flange joining structure having excellent earthquake resistance, for which the joining operation can be performed simply and easily, similar to conventional practice. A flange joining structure provided with a first member having a first annular flange part, a second member having a second annular flange part, and a seal body placed between the first member and the second member, these components being connected and joined together by a bolt and a nut. The seal body has an annular base part formed from a metal plate and an elastic seal part provided integrally to the annular base part, the elastic seal part being provided so as to cover the annular base part, and the elastic seal part of the seal body sealing the space between the first annular flange part and the second annular flange part.