Hybrid Sealing Ring Structure to Prevent Valve Opening Sagging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing rings for coolant valve arrangements in internal combustion engines are prone to sagging into the valve member openings, leading to potential damage and leakage, especially when made of soft or elastic materials.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid sealing ring comprising a support ring for mechanical stability and a sliding ring for compensating surface irregularities, connected in a sealed manner to prevent sagging and ensure effective sealing, using materials like PVDF, PTFE, PPS, PPA, and PA for rigidity and elasticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a soft and/or elastic material is used for the sealing ring, then the sealing ring can compensate for surface unevenness of the valve member, but the sealing ring may dip into the opening of the valve member when rotated
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is constructed as a composite structure combining a soft/elastic sealing element (such as rubber or elastomer) with a rigid support ring (made from materials like metal or rigid plastic). The soft sealing element contacts the valve member surface to compensate for unevenness and ensure sealing, while the rigid support ring provides structural stability and prevents the sealing ring from dipping into the valve member opening during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is divided into functionally distinct segments: a soft sealing element portion that provides conformal contact and sealing against surface irregularities, and a rigid support ring portion that maintains geometric stability and prevents excessive deformation. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a soft and/or elastic material is used for the sealing ring, then the sealing ring can adapt to surface irregularities, but the sealing element can be damaged when abutting against the edge of the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure combines a soft, adaptable sealing element with a rigid support ring. The soft sealing element adapts to surface irregularities for effective sealing, while the rigid support ring provides structural strength and prevents the sealing element from contacting and damaging itself against the sharp edges of the valve member opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid support ring acts as a protective cushion or buffer that prevents the soft sealing element from directly contacting the potentially damaging edges of the valve member opening. This protective function is built into the structure beforehand, preventing damage before it occurs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional structures are added to prevent sagging, then position stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support function and sealing function are merged into a single integrated sealing ring component. The rigid support ring and soft sealing element are combined in one piece that performs both structural support (preventing sagging) and sealing functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate support structures and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support to prevent sagging, maintains positional stability during rotation, and creates the sealing contact with the valve member. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated support structures.
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 hybrid sealing ring effectively prevents permanent deformation and leakage by maintaining position over the valve member opening, even when the engine is off, ensuring a reliable seal without the need for additional sag-preventing structures.
Implementation Method 1
The material of the sealing ring is chosen so that the sealing ring can compensate for unevenness of the valve member as well as possible, so that the sealing ring optimally seals against the valve member when sliding over the rotatable valve member. This is achieved using a soft and/or elastic material.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5b
Figure 6~7c
AI summary
The invention relates to a hybrid sealing ring (12) for a sealing arrangement (10). The hybrid sealing ring (12) has a support ring (34) for mechanically stabilizing the hybrid sealing ring (12) and a sliding ring (36) for sliding on a valve member. The support ring (34) and the sliding ring (36) are sealingly interconnected.