Labyrinth Seal Structure for Muddy Water Exclusion and Low Torque
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing devices for annular spaces between rotating members face challenges in preventing the intrusion of foreign substances like muddy water while minimizing torque increase and ensuring effective discharge of entered substances.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device with a seal member and slinger member configuration, including a core body with a seal fitting cylindrical portion and a slinger member with a slinger fitting cylindrical portion, featuring labyrinths that extend in radial and axial directions to prevent intrusion and facilitate discharge, along with protrusions on the cover and slinger extension ring portions to enhance sealing and discharge efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of seal lips in contact with the slinger member is increased to inhibit the intrusion of foreign substances, then the sealing effect is improved, but the torque increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is divided into two independent parts: seal lips for sealing and labyrinths for discharging foreign substances. This segmentation allows the seal lips to maintain minimal contact with the slinger member (reducing torque) while the labyrinths provide the discharge path (maintaining sealing effect).
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinths act as an intermediary structure between the seal lips and the foreign substances. Instead of relying solely on multiple seal lips to prevent intrusion, the labyrinths provide a dedicated discharge path that mediates the interaction between the sealing system and foreign substances, reducing the need for excessive seal lip contact.
2Reliability
If the slinger member covers the outer peripheral surface of the outer member to inhibit intrusion of foreign substances, then the sealing effect is improved, but the discharge of foreign substances becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The slinger member is segmented into functional zones: the main body covers the outer peripheral surface for sealing, while the slinger extension ring portion creates the first labyrinth to enable discharge. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of intrusion prevention and foreign substance discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge path is created by extending the slinger member radially outward to form the slinger extension ring portion, which creates the first labyrinth. This radial extension adds a new dimensional pathway for foreign substance discharge without compromising the axial covering function for sealing.
3Productivity
If the labyrinths are designed to facilitate discharge of foreign substances, then the discharge efficiency is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The labyrinths are merged with the existing slinger member and seal member structures rather than being separate components. The first labyrinth is formed by the slinger extension ring portion and outer member, while the second labyrinth is formed by the outer diameter side slinger cylindrical portion and seal fitting cylindrical portion, integrating the discharge function into the sealing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The slinger member serves multiple functions: it provides the sealing surface for seal lip contact, creates the first labyrinth for foreign substance discharge, and forms the second labyrinth in conjunction with the seal member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional discrete components.
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 effectively inhibits the intrusion of foreign substances and improves the discharge of entered substances into the external space, while minimizing torque increase, by utilizing the labyrinthine structure and protrusions to manage centrifugal forces and path complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a seal lip which is integrated with the core body and is constituted with an elastic body in contact with the slinger member
Implementation Method 2
improves the effect of quickly discharging the foreign substances into the external space even when the foreign substances have entered the sealing device
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing device for sealing an annular space formed between an outer member and an inner member. The sealing device includes a seal member and a slinger member, the slinger member includes a slinger extension ring portion provided on an outer side in radial direction further than an outer diameter side end portion of a slinger ring portion, facing an axially outer side end surface of the outer member, and extending in radial direction. A first labyrinth extending in radial direction is formed between the slinger extension ring portion and the outer member, an outer side end portion of the first labyrinth in radial direction opening toward an outer space. A second labyrinth extending in axial direction is formed between an outer diameter side slinger cylindrical portion and a seal fitting cylindrical portion, the second labyrinth communicating with the first labyrinth.