Flexible Disc Tool for Automatic Transmission Seal Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-cost tools are typically required for installing seals in automotive transmissions and industrial machinery, which is impractical for transmission overhaul kits where the cost of the tool exceeds the cost of the seals being replaced.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost, flexible circular disc installation tool is used to orient and position seal lips correctly by flipping and rotating them into place between a bore and a shaft or piston, ensuring proper seal installation without damaging the seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional installation tools are used, then reliable seal installation is achieved, but tool cost far exceeds seal cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive installation tool consisting of a flat circular plate with a diameter slightly larger than the seal outer diameter. This disposable or low-cost reusable tool replaces expensive conventional installation tools, achieving reliable seal installation without the high tooling costs that would exceed seal replacement costs in overhaul scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential function from complex conventional installation tools - the basic capability to press and orient the seal lip. By removing unnecessary complexity and features from traditional tools, a simple circular plate remains that performs the core installation function reliably at minimal cost.
2Productivity
If high-cost tools are used, then rapid assembly pace is maintained, but tool cost is unjustified for overhaul kits
Solution Approach 1:
The simple circular plate tool can be easily manufactured at low cost and used efficiently for seal installation in overhaul operations. While not as robust as expensive industrial tools, it maintains adequate assembly pace for overhaul scenarios where tools are used once or infrequently, making the cost justification possible.
3Ease of manufacture
If seal lip is flipped backward during insertion, then seal can be installed, but proper orientation must be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The flat circular plate acts as an intermediary tool between the installer and the seal lip. By positioning the plate against the seal lip and rotating it, the tool mediates the orientation correction process, flipping the seal lip from its backward orientation during insertion to the proper forward-facing orientation needed for functional sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The circular plate tool utilizes rotational motion around the shaft axis to correct seal lip orientation. The curved/rotational action allows the seal lip to be progressively oriented from its inverted position to the correct position, simplifying what would otherwise require complex manual manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A low cost and simple seal installation method provides for easy installation of bonded pistons and lip seals in an automatic transmission or other industrial machine. The installation method utilizes a flexible circular disc that can be inserted in a gap between the bore and the shaft and is pressed against the seal lip to flip the seal lip to its desired orientation while the disc is rolled around the circumference of the gap to orientate the entire seal in its proper position.