Housing Cover Panel Assembly With Elastomer Ring for Ex-d Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing housing lid assemblies for field devices, particularly those requiring ignition protection type Ex-d, have complex designs with high strength and strict production tolerances, making them difficult to assemble efficiently without compromising performance.
Innovation Solution
A simplified assembly design featuring a circular panel, an annular body with a panel seat, and an elastomer ring, where the elastomer ring is clamped between inner and outer shoulders, acting as both a seal and a means to absorb impact energy, preventing panel shifting and ensuring secure sealing and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex designs with high strength and strict production tolerances are used, then protection class Ex-d is achieved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring and retaining ring functions are merged into a single elastomer ring component. This elastomer ring simultaneously provides sealing against gas exchange and retains the circular panel in the seat, eliminating the need for separate metal retaining rings and complex assembly steps while maintaining protection class Ex-d
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer ring serves multiple functions: it acts as a sealing ring to prevent gas exchange, as a retaining ring to hold the circular panel, and as a shock-absorbing element. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall assembly design while ensuring reliable protection
2Reliability
If complex designs with high strength and strict production tolerances are used, then protection class Ex-d is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design transitions from rigid metal components requiring strict tolerances to an elastomer-based solution that accommodates dimensional variations through material elasticity. The elastomer ring's inherent flexibility allows for broader manufacturing tolerances while maintaining effective sealing and retention functions
Solution Approach 2:
The use of elastomer material combines sealing, retaining, and shock-absorption properties in a single component. This composite approach replaces traditional multi-component metal assemblies with different tolerances, simplifying manufacturing quality control while achieving the required protection class
3Reliability
If rigid sealing and retaining structures are used, then sealing effectiveness is ensured, but impact energy absorption is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer ring is positioned to absorb impact energy before it can transmit full force to the circular panel or compromise the sealing. The elastic material deforms under impact, dissipating energy and protecting the rigid components while maintaining sealing integrity
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 design provides a simplified assembly process while maintaining performance, absorbing impact energy and ensuring secure sealing, thus meeting the requirements for ignition protection type Ex-d without the need for complex designs and high production tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic suspension via the elastomer ring enables, additionally, the absorption of impact energy, whereby the panel experiences significantly smaller forces in the case of impacts.
Implementation Method 2
the elastomer ring acts, additionally, as a sealing ring, wherein especially the second inner shoulder and the second outer shoulder serve as sealing surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly comprises a circular panel; an annular body; and an elastomer ring. The annular body has a panel seat surrounded by a lateral surface having a ring shaped outer groove bounded in a first axial direction by a first outer shoulder and bounded in an opposing, second axial direction by a second outer shoulder. Adjoining the first outer shoulder is a guide surface having a radius monotonically increasing with separation from the first shoulder. The circular panel has an outer lateral surface having a peripheral inner groove extending radially inwards. The two inner shoulders have a convex contour in which the rotational axis of the circular panel extends. The elastomer ring is clamped between both inner shoulders and both outer shoulders, whereby a shifting of the circular panel out of the annular body is prevented up to a limit loading.