Hole Plug With Integral Sealing Lips and Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hole plugs require separate sealing structures or adhesives to secure to components, increasing labor time and costs.
Innovation Solution
A hole plug with a collar and plugging protuberance that expands and melts upon heating to securely couple with components, featuring a dome-shaped nose and inwardly-canted annular hinge for uniform expansion, eliminating the need for additional sealing materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate sealing structures or adhesives are used to secure hole plugs to components, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing structure and the hole plug into a single integrated unit. The sealing lips are formed as integral parts of the hole plug body, eliminating the need for separate sealing structures or adhesives. This integration maintains sealing reliability while significantly reducing assembly time and labor costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The hole plug is designed with self-sealing capabilities through its geometric features. The inclusion of sealing lips with ledges and ramped semi-cones allows the plug to create its own sealing interface with the component hole without requiring external sealing materials. The plug's own structure provides the sealing function, eliminating dependency on separate sealing components.
2Ease of operation
If hole plugs use simple geometric shapes for insertion, then ease of installation is improved, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hole plug employs local quality by incorporating specific geometric features at critical locations. The sealing lips are positioned at the interface with the component hole, featuring ledges that engage with the hole edge and ramped semi-cones that provide sealing pressure. These localized geometric features enhance sealing effectiveness without complicating the overall insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curved surfaces in the form of ramped semi-cones on the sealing lips. These conical surfaces allow for progressive engagement with the hole edge during insertion, providing both ease of installation and effective sealing. The curved geometry facilitates smooth insertion while maintaining reliable sealing contact.
3Reliability
If hole plugs are made from resilient materials like rubber, then sealing capability is improved, but structural strength and precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hole plug is formed from composite materials that combine the benefits of different material properties. The plug incorporates resilient sealing lips for sealing capability while maintaining a structurally precise body. This composite construction allows the plug to achieve both flexible sealing and dimensional precision, overcoming the limitations of using单一 resilient materials.
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 hole plug provides a robust, fluid-tight seal without additional sealing structures, reducing assembly time and costs by securely engaging with components through melting and expansion, ensuring efficient sealing and retention.
Implementation Method 1
the hole plug is configured to melt and/or expand when heated to sealingly and securely couple to the component
Implementation Method 2
the hole plug is configured to melt and/or expand when heated to sealingly and securely couple to the component
Data Source
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AI summary
A hole plug is configured to plug a hole of a component. The hole plug includes a collar that is configured to abut a first surface of the component, and a plugging protuberance extending from the collar. The plugging protuberance includes a first lip and a second lip. The first lip is configured to abut an internal edge of the component that defines the hole. The second lip is configured to abut a second surface of the component that is opposite from the first surface.