Integrated Plumbing Seal Structure for Low-Friction Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plumbing seals, such as O-ring arrangements in pressure independent control valves, face issues with high frictional resistance, damage susceptibility, and complex assembly processes, leading to impaired performance and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A seal comprising integrally formed apertured sealing portions with reduced friction and improved assembly ease, designed to minimize damage and facilitate efficient movement within plumbing fittings, utilizing EDPM rubber and adaptable shapes for specific applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional O-ring seals are used in plumbing fittings, then sealing effectiveness is achieved, but frictional resistance between moving parts increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple discrete sealing portions (first sealing portion, second sealing portion, third sealing portion) arranged in sequence along the flow path. Each sealing portion independently contacts the cartridge outer surface at different locations, providing distributed sealing that reduces concentrated friction compared to a single continuous O-ring seal.
2Reliability
If traditional O-ring seals are used in plumbing fittings, then sealing is achieved, but assembly time increases and assembly difficulty arises
Solution Approach 1:
The first sealing portion, second sealing portion, and third sealing portion are integrally formed as a single piece seal. This merging of multiple sealing functions into one component eliminates the need to separately install multiple O-rings, significantly reducing assembly time and complexity while maintaining the distributed sealing advantage.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrally formed seal performs multiple sealing functions simultaneously at different locations along the flow path. A single component provides sealing at the first location, second location, and third location, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate sealing elements and reducing assembly steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal for a plumbing fitting includes two or more respective apertured sealing portions. Each apertured sealing portion independently includes one or more edge portions enclosing an aperture therebetween. The apertured portions are integrally formed.