Gauging Head Retraction Device Bellows Gasket Sealing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retraction devices in gauging heads for mechanical pieces face issues with air leakage between gaskets and the cylinder wall, leading to partial sealing and increased friction, which complicates reliable operation and longevity.

Innovation Solution

The use of a bellows gasket as the sole sealing element between the piston and cylinder eliminates the need for a drainage pipe, reducing friction and preventing damping fluids from leaking, while ensuring reliable sealing and reduced stress on components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sealing gaskets are used between the piston and cylinder wall, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but friction increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of sealing gaskets

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single bellows gasket that performs both sealing and friction reduction. The bellows structure integrates the sealing function that would otherwise require multiple separate gaskets, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bellows gasket is a flexible membrane structure that provides sealing between the piston and cylinder wall. Its flexible nature allows it to conform to the cylindrical surface while maintaining effective sealing, replacing rigid multi-component sealing systems with a single flexible element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If multiple sealing gaskets are used between the piston and cylinder wall, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but friction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single bellows gasket that performs both sealing and friction reduction. The bellows structure integrates the sealing function that would otherwise require multiple separate gaskets, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bellows gasket is a flexible membrane structure that provides sealing between the piston and cylinder wall. Its flexible nature allows it to conform to the cylindrical surface while maintaining effective sealing, replacing rigid multi-component sealing systems with a single flexible element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If a drainage pipe is added to discharge leaked air, then operational reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the drainage pipe component by improving the sealing effectiveness of the bellows gasket. The enhanced sealing prevents air leakage that would otherwise require a drainage system, thereby removing the need for additional components while maintaining operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of air leakage into a benefit by using the bellows gasket's flexible structure to prevent leakage in the first place. The bellows design inherently resists air infiltration, turning a potential problem (air leakage) into a non-issue, thereby eliminating the need for drainage infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This solution enhances the reliability and longevity of the retraction device by minimizing air leakage and fluid interference, allowing for simpler designs and cost reduction by eliminating unnecessary components.

Implementation Method 1

a bellows gasket, which is the only sealing element between the piston and the cylinder wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

A retraction device, including a piston movable with respect to the support element... the piston being adapted for cooperating with the movable arm to bring the movable arm to a definite inoperative position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

a compression spring, the ends of which are coupled to the piston and to the cylinder, respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Spring

Implementation Method 4

a feeler, a fulcrum, coupled to the arm and to the support element for enabling limited rotational displacements of the arm with respect to the support element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectContact detection:

Data Source

PatentEP2082185B1Head for checking linear dimensions of mechanical pieces

Publication Date: 2010.01.27 MARPOSS SPA

Figure 1
Figure 2

AI summary

A gauging or measuring head for checking linear dimensions of mechanical pieces includes a casing (1), a movable arm (4) carrying a feeler (7), a fulcrum (10), coupled to the casing and the arm for enabling arm displacements with respect to the casing, a retraction device (68) with a cylinder (70) coupled to the casing and a piston (72) which slides therein for urging the arm to a definite inoperative position, and a position transducer (50) that provides signals depending on the position of the arm with respect to the casing. The retraction device includes a bellows gasket (88), which is housed in the cylinder and has its ends fixed to the cylinder and the piston.