Hermetic Sealing Device Thread Curvature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hermetic sealing devices with stepped threads suffer from instability due to angle changes and increased risk of dust infiltration and oil leakage, as the stepped design narrows the space between the shaft and the sealing lip, allowing dust to enter and compromise sealability.

Innovation Solution

A hermetic sealing device with a thread that features a large curve on the atmosphere side sliding surface, connecting a low projecting section to a high projecting section, where the thread height gradually increases and widens from the lip tip, forming a linear ridge line, eliminating angle instability and maintaining a consistent space with the shaft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stepped thread design is used to maintain sealability during wear, then the thread height increases to strengthen the pumping effect, but the space between the shaft and sealing lip becomes narrow, increasing dust infiltration risk

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealabilityVSAvoiddust infiltration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The atmosphere side sliding surface is formed with a large curve (arc shape) instead of straight lines or stepped surfaces. This curved surface allows the thread height to gradually increase from the lip tip toward the base, maintaining sealability during wear while avoiding the creation of narrow spaces that would trap dust particles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The thread height parameter is varied continuously along the atmosphere side sliding surface, transitioning from lower height at the lip tip to higher height at the base. This gradual parameter change ensures that the thread maintains contact with the shaft during wear while the curved surface geometry prevents dust accumulation zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If a stepped thread with angle changes is used, then the pumping effect is strengthened, but angle instability occurs and dust guidance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping effectVSAvoidangle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The large curve (arc) formed by the atmosphere side sliding surface creates a smooth, continuous transition in the thread geometry. This curved configuration eliminates abrupt angle changes while maintaining the progressive increase in thread height, thereby preserving pumping effect without creating unstable angle transitions that would guide dust.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If thread height is increased to compensate for wear, then sealability is maintained, but the space between component surfaces is reduced, allowing dust entry

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealabilityVSAvoidspace between components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The arc-shaped atmosphere side sliding surface creates a gradual, curved transition zone that increases thread height while maintaining adequate clearance between the sealing lip and shaft. The curvature distributes the height increase over a larger area, preventing the formation of narrow gaps where dust could accumulate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design enhances seal stability by preventing dust infiltration and maintaining seal integrity, as the linear ridge line and curved surface prevent dust guidance and ensure consistent sealing performance even with wear, significantly extending the time to oil leakage.

Implementation Method 1

a pumping effect achieved by the thread projection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping effect: Pump

Implementation Method 2

an oil seal with a screw

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2189689B1Hermetic sealing device
Publication Date: 2014.11.12 ARAI SEISAKUSHO CO LTD
  • EP2189689B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2189689B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2189689B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

[Configuration] In a hermetic sealing device provided with a thread on an atmosphere side sliding surface of a sealing lip that is in sliding contact with a rotating shaft, the atmosphere side sliding surface of the sealing lip is formed into a large curve that passes a sealing lip tip and recedes from a surface of a component with which the lip is in sliding contact towards the atmosphere side. A thread with a triangular cross-section is formed connecting the lip tip to a projecting section of a predetermined height formed at a required position distant from the lip tip. A ridge line of a thread peak of the thread is formed linearly. A thread is formed on the atmosphere side sliding surface, configured such that the height of the thread peak gradually increases away from the lip tip. [Effect] Because the ridge line of the thread peak is linear, a space between the shaft and the sealing lip can be maintained. As a result, risk of infiltrating dust being guided to a contacting section of the sealing lip tip can be suppressed, and leakage caused by dust becoming caught in the sealing lip can be prevented.