Gear Pump Seal Collar Eliminates Housing Gap

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In gear pump devices, a gap can form between the housing outer shell and the ring-shaped seal mechanism due to dimensional variations and elastic deformation under discharge pressure, leading to leakage and reduced durability, and increased drive torque.

Innovation Solution

A gear pump device with a seal mechanism comprising an annular rubber member and an inner member with a collar portion that generates a propulsive force to eliminate the gap between the housing outer shell and the seal mechanism, using the discharge pressure to ensure proper sealing and reduce loss torque.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the axial dimension of the seal mechanism member is set large in advance to prevent gap formation, then the gap between the housing outer shell and seal mechanism is eliminated, but the drive torque of the rotor increases and loss torque occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap elimination between seal mechanism and housingVSAvoidloss torque

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The seal mechanism member is designed with a collapsible structure that can dynamically adjust its axial dimension. Under normal operation, the member maintains a larger axial dimension to prevent gap formation. When discharge pressure is applied, the member collapses axially to reduce the propulsive force on the rotor, thereby eliminating loss torque while maintaining reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If the axial dimension of the seal mechanism member is set small to reduce loss torque, then the drive torque of the rotor is reduced, but a gap forms between the housing outer shell and seal mechanism leading to leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloss torqueVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If a leaf spring is added to suppress axial force variation, then the axial force variation is suppressed, but the arrangement space increases and miniaturization is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial force stabilityVSAvoidarrangement space

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The function of the leaf spring is extracted and integrated into the seal mechanism member itself. The seal mechanism member is designed with a collapsible structure that can suppress axial force variation through its own elastic deformation, eliminating the need for a separate leaf spring component and thereby reducing the arrangement space while maintaining axial force stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal mechanism member combines multiple functions: sealing, axial force suppression, and structural support. By integrating the axial force suppression function into the seal mechanism member through its collapsible design, the patent merges the functions of what would traditionally require separate components (leaf spring and seal mechanism), thereby reducing overall arrangement space while maintaining axial force stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 eliminates the gap between the seal mechanism and the housing, preventing leakage and improving durability while minimizing loss torque by utilizing the annular rubber member to increase contact pressure with the inner member, ensuring accurate sealing and efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

the gap may be generated due to the accumulation of dimensional variations within the scope of the tolerances of each member, or creep or elastic deformation of each of the members when the discharge pressure is applied thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the outer peripheral wall of the inner member is provided with a collar portion that generates a propulsive force towards the inner wall face of the inner member by a contact pressure of the annular rubber members based on a discharge pressure of the gear pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9046102B2Gear pump device with seal mechanism

Publication Date: 2015.06.02 ADVICS CO LTD

AI summary

A gear pump device of this disclosure includes: a gear pump; a casing; and a seal mechanism, wherein the seal mechanism includes: an annular rubber member; an outer member; and an inner member, which has an outer peripheral wall on which the annular rubber member is mounted, the inner member fitted into an inner side of the outer member and contacting on an inner wall face of the outer shell, wherein the outer peripheral wall of the inner member is provided with a collar portion that generates a propulsive force towards the inner wall face of the outer shell of the casing by a contact pressure of the annular rubber member based on a discharge pressure of the gear pump, and the collar portion forms a pressure receiving face to increase the propulsive force as the contact pressure of the annular rubber member increases according to an increase of the discharge pressure.