Integrated Elastomeric Gasket for Severe Rotating Shaft Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cassette-type sealing gaskets used in severe operating conditions, such as in tractors and earth-moving machines, have limited durability and operational hours due to harsh conditions like intermittent operation, mud exposure, and high circumferential speeds, leading to inefficiencies in preventing lubricant leakage and external contaminant ingress.
Innovation Solution
A sealing gasket design featuring internal and external support rings made of rigid material, with integrated elastomeric elements and a wiper member, providing multiple sealing lips and a shock-absorbing pad to effectively prevent lubricant leakage and contaminant ingress, while allowing for simpler production and reduced component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate elastomeric elements and wiper members are used to ensure sealing under severe conditions, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate elastomeric elements and wiper members into a single integrated elastomeric component that performs all sealing functions. This unified structure maintains the reliability of multiple sealing lips while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components and their associated mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated elastomeric element is designed to perform multiple sealing functions simultaneously - it includes sealing lips for preventing lubricant leakage, contaminants ingress, and lubricant ingress, all within a single component. This multi-functional design reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive sealing protection.
2Reliability
If multiple separate elastomeric elements and wiper members are used to ensure sealing under severe conditions, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate elastomeric elements and wiper members into a single integrated elastomeric component that performs all sealing functions. This unified structure maintains the reliability of multiple sealing lips while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components and their associated mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated elastomeric element is designed to perform multiple sealing functions simultaneously - it includes sealing lips for preventing lubricant leakage, contaminants ingress, and lubricant ingress, all within a single component. This multi-functional design reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive sealing protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple gasket design with fewer components is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but durability under severe operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate elastomeric elements and wiper members into a single integrated elastomeric component that performs all sealing functions. This unified structure maintains the reliability of multiple sealing lips while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components and their associated mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the sealing lips, specifically optimizing their angles and dimensions to enhance sealing performance under severe operating conditions. The sealing lips are designed with specific angular configurations that improve their ability to resist deformation and maintain effective sealing contact during intermittent operation and high-speed rotation.
4Reliability
If sealing lips with optimized geometric parameters are used, then sealing performance is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the sealing lips, specifically optimizing their angles and dimensions to enhance sealing performance under severe operating conditions. The sealing lips are designed with specific angular configurations that improve their ability to resist deformation and maintain effective sealing contact during intermittent operation and high-speed rotation.
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 significantly increases the operational hours of the gaskets under severe conditions by enhancing sealing efficacy and reducing the risk of component failure, ensuring effective barrier performance against contaminants and lubricant leakage.
Implementation Method 1
an annular elastomeric element carried by the support ring 10 and having one or more annular sealing lips 15
Implementation Method 2
allowing for simpler production and reduced component count
Data Source
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AI summary
It is described a gasket (1, 1', 1" , 1"') for sealing a compartment (2) between two members (3, 4), the one rotating and the other fixed; the gasket (1, 1', 1", 1"') comprises: a first ring (10) adapted to be connected in use to a rotating member (4); a second ring (12) radially more external than the first ring (10) and adapted to be connected in use to a fixed member (3); a first annular elastomeric element (14) carried by the first ring (10) and defining at least a first annular sealing lip (15) cooperating with the second ring (12) to counter, in use, the passage of external contaminants inside the compartment (2); a second annular elastomeric element (16) carried by the second ring (12) and defining at least a second annular sealing lip (17) cooperating with the first ring (10) to counter, in use, the passage of lubricant to the outside; and an annular wiper member (18) connected to the first elastomeric element (14) and having a wiping portion (20, 32) cooperating with the second fixing portion (13) of the second support ring (12) to counter, in use, the passage of external contaminants from the second ambient (6) to the first sealing lip (15).