Integrated Sealing Ring for Rotating Shaft Axial Space Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agitators with sealing arrangements are complex, take up significant axial space, and are not easily manufacturable, particularly due to the need for separate guide and wiper rings which complicate sealing and increase length.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece sealing ring with a flexible lip seal integrated into a base body, which also serves as a sliding bearing, utilizing a thermoplastic material like PTFE with glass fibers for low thermal expansion and chemical resistance, and featuring internal stress for optimal contact and centering, along with a separate plain bearing strip for additional support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate guide ring and wiper ring are used in the sealing arrangement, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the axial length of the shaft seal increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guide ring and wiper ring into a single integrated sealing ring component. The sealing ring includes a guide portion that guides the rotating shaft and a wiper portion that seals against the shaft, eliminating the need for separate guide and wiper rings. This integration reduces the axial length while maintaining the sealing function through the combined structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the guide portion provides radial guidance for the shaft, the wiper portion prevents material leakage, and the overall structure acts as a bearing element. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate components into a single element, reducing device complexity and axial space.
2Reliability
If a separate guide ring and wiper ring are used in the sealing arrangement, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guide ring and wiper ring into a single integrated sealing ring component. The sealing ring includes a guide portion that guides the rotating shaft and a wiper portion that seals against the shaft, eliminating the need for separate guide and wiper rings. This integration reduces the axial length while maintaining the sealing function through the combined structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the guide portion provides radial guidance for the shaft, the wiper portion prevents material leakage, and the overall structure acts as a bearing element. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate components into a single element, reducing device complexity and axial space.
3Manufacturing precision
If the lip seal is made minimally compliant, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to radial deflections decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring employs different compliance levels in different regions: the lip seal portion is made minimally compliant for manufacturing precision and stable contact, while the guide portion and base body provide the necessary flexibility to accommodate radial shaft deflections. This localized differentiation of mechanical properties allows each region to optimize its function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is made from a composite material comprising PTFE and glass fibers. This composite provides a balance between dimensional stability (for precise lip seal contact) and sufficient flexibility (to accommodate radial deflections through the guide portion). The glass fiber reinforcement enhances stiffness where needed while the PTFE matrix maintains self-lubrication and compliance.
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 solution provides a compact, reliable, and easily manufacturable sealing and bearing solution that maintains optimal contact with rotating components, preventing leaks and accommodating radial deflections while minimizing axial space usage.
Implementation Method 1
The lip seal, which is formed in one piece with the base body and is therefore made of the same material as the base body, is flexible and performs a sealing function on the rotating component. The lip seal is thus set up to rest against and seal off the rotating component. Thus, according to the invention, a sealing ring can be provided in which the base body adjusts the lip seal when wave movements occur.
Implementation Method 2
The combination of PTFE with glass fibers has only a low coefficient of thermal expansion, especially in a temperature range from -10°C to +200°C.
Implementation Method 3
The lip seal has an inherent stress which is directed in the direction of the base body. This internal stress of the lip seal ensures that the lip seal is always as close as possible to the rotating component.
Implementation Method 4
the base body is provided as a sliding bearing and the surface directed towards the rotating component is provided as a sliding bearing surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing ring (1) for sealing a rotating component (20), comprising a base body (2) having a surface (5) that is oriented towards the rotating component (20), and a lip seal (3), which is formed integrally with the base body (2). The lip seal (3) is flexible, wherein the lip seal (3) is configured to rest against, and to seal the rotating component.