Machine-Tool Seal Lip Structure for Uneven Sliding Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sealing members for machine tools face challenges in maintaining consistent contact pressure due to uneven sliding surfaces, leading to wear and compromised sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
A sealing member design featuring a flat plate-shaped elastic member with a curved lip portion, supported by a flat plate-shaped support member, which absorbs unevenness and maintains consistent contact pressure, reducing wear and enhancing sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sliding surface is uneven, then the sealing member can adapt to the surface, but the contact pressure becomes inconsistent leading to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is divided into a flat plate portion and a lip portion that can independently deform. The lip portion specifically adapts to the uneven sliding surface while the flat plate portion remains relatively stable, allowing localized adaptation without compromising overall contact pressure consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the elastic member have different functional properties: the flat plate portion provides stable mounting and overall positioning, while the lip portion provides localized adaptation to surface unevenness. This local differentiation allows the sealing member to simultaneously maintain consistent contact pressure and adapt to uneven surfaces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lip portion is made rigid to maintain shape, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to uneven surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member combines a rigid flat plate portion for structural stability with a flexible lip portion for surface adaptation. The flat plate portion maintains overall structural integrity and stable mounting, while the lip portion locally deforms to conform to uneven sliding surfaces, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.
3Reliability
If the contact pressure is increased to improve sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but wear of the contact portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member concentrates its sealing function in the lip portion which can locally deform to maintain optimal contact pressure on uneven surfaces. This localized sealing action distributes wear more evenly and prevents excessive contact pressure in any single area, thereby maintaining sealing performance while extending service life.
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 effectively minimizes contact pressure changes and extends the sealing performance duration by allowing the entire lip portion to deform and absorb surface unevenness, while also being easier to produce and adapt to design changes.
Implementation Method 1
the entire lip portion to deform and absorb surface unevenness
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing member for machine tools is capable of keeping sealing performance. The sealing member includes a support member and an elastic member formed in a flat plate shape. The elastic member includes an edge portion to slide on a sliding surface of a machine tool. The support member has a support surface facing a part of a front surface of the elastic member. The sealing member is mounted to the machine tool such that the elastic member is sandwiched between a mount portion of the machine tool and the support surface of the support member. The elastic member has a fixed portion sandwiched between the mount portion and the support member. A lip portion not sandwiched between the mount portion and the support member when the sealing member is mounted to the machine tool, the lip portion including the edge portion and configured to be curved.