Intermediate Plate Metal Coating for Durable Seal Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intermediate plates in control units for fluid-operated consumers, such as transmission control units, face issues with elastomer coatings that deteriorate over the operating life, leading to a compromised seal between sealing surface areas and surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A metal coating with a Brinell hardness less than 50 HB is applied to the sealing surfaces, providing a more durable and less-wearable alternative that ensures a permanent and reliable seal, potentially combined with a hard coating for added protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastomer coatings are used on sealing surface areas, then initial sealing is achieved, but the seal deteriorates over operating life due to wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the coating from elastomer to metal with specific Brinell hardness less than 50 HB. This parameter change transforms the coating from a soft, wear-prone material to a more durable metal coating that maintains its sealing properties throughout the service life of the control unit, resolving the contradiction between initial seal integrity and long-term durability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a metal coating applied to the sealing surface areas of the intermediate plate. This composite material approach combines the sealing capability with enhanced wear resistance, ensuring that the seal remains intact throughout the operational lifespan of the control unit
2Ease of operation
If a metal coating with low Brinell hardness is applied to sealing surfaces, then sliding properties are maintained, but coating stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a precise parameter range for the metal coating's Brinell hardness (less than 50 HB), which balances two opposing requirements: soft enough to maintain good sliding properties and conformability to sealing surfaces, yet hard enough to provide adequate wear resistance and coating stability. This controlled parameter change resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and coating strength
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an intermediate plate for the sealing of sealing faces, which lie opposite each other, of housing parts of a control unit for fluid operated consumers, said intermediate plate comprising two sealing surface regions of at least one sealing layer, which sealing surface regions face their respective sealing faces and which can be placed on said sealing faces in a sealing manner. The aim of the invention is to improve an intermediate plate of the above type in such a way that a durable and reliable seal is ensured between the sealing surface regions and the sealing faces. To achieve this aim, at least one of the sealing surface regions is formed by an exposed metal coating that is slideable relative to the sealing faces, in order to lie directly against the sealing faces.