Manifold-to-Container Sealing Protrusion for Tolerance-Robust Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing mechanisms between manifolds and liquid containers are prone to leaks due to manufacturing and application process tolerances, requiring exact positional and angular adjustments and external axial forces for sealing.
Innovation Solution
A manifold with a sealing protrusion having an outer circumferential sealing surface that forms a liquid-tight seal with the inner circumferential sealing surface of the liquid container, eliminating the need for external axial forces and being tolerant to manufacturing and angular misalignments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional surface-to-surface seals (cone-shaped edges, chamfers, or conical stoppers) are used between manifold and liquid container, then the sealing structure is simple, but the seal is sensitive to manufacturing tolerances and angular misalignments, leading to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing protrusion is divided into multiple sealing surfaces (first sealing surface, second sealing surface, and optionally third sealing surface) at different locations and orientations. This segmentation allows each surface to independently contribute to the seal, so that if one surface is affected by misalignment or tolerance issues, other surfaces can compensate and maintain sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional single-plane surface-to-surface seals to a multi-dimensional sealing approach where sealing surfaces are distributed across different planes and orientations (radial, axial, and oblique surfaces). This multi-dimensional arrangement makes the seal robust against angular misalignments and positional tolerances in any single dimension.
2Device complexity
If conventional single sealing edge designs are used, then the sealing mechanism is simple, but small inaccuracies in surface or edge uniformity can lead to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing protrusion incorporates multiple sealing surfaces (first radial sealing surface, second axial sealing surface, and optionally third oblique sealing surface) instead of a single sealing edge. This segmentation distributes the sealing function across multiple surfaces, reducing sensitivity to manufacturing variations in any single surface while maintaining overall sealing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If external axial forces are applied to press sealing surfaces together, then the seal can be maintained, but the system requires additional actuators and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing protrusion is designed to create its own sealing action through its geometric configuration. The multiple sealing surfaces (radial, axial, and oblique) work together to generate sealing forces from the insertion and engagement process itself, eliminating the need for external axial actuators. The system is self-regulating and maintains the seal through its structural design rather than requiring active control mechanisms.
4Reliability
If exact positional and angular adjustment between manifold and liquid container is required, then the seal can be precise, but the application process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing protrusion uses multiple sealing surfaces at different orientations (radial, axial, oblique) that can independently accommodate positional and angular variations. This segmentation allows the seal to remain effective across a range of alignments, eliminating the need for precise manual adjustment during application while maintaining sealing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sealing parameters from requiring exact single-point contact to distributed multi-surface contact. By utilizing multiple sealing surfaces with different orientations, the system accepts a range of positional and angular parameters rather than requiring a single precise configuration, thereby reducing application time and complexity.
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 proposed sealing mechanism achieves a robust and reliable seal without external axial forces, tolerating manufacturing and angular deviations, and maintaining the seal under increasing load conditions and axial displacement.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing protrusion comprises an outer circumferential sealing surface, which contacts the walls of the opening to form a liquid tight seal between the manifold and the liquid container
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing system is provided that includes a liquid container configured to hold a liquid. The liquid container defines an opening having an inner circumferential sealing surface surrounding the opening, a manifold through which liquid is supplied to and/or removed from the liquid container. The manifold includes a sealing protrusion having an outer circumferential sealing surface, which is curved along a longitudinal axis. In a connected state, the manifold is located on the opening to supply liquid to, or to remove liquid from, the liquid container. The sealing protrusion extends into the opening, and the outer circumferential sealing surface contacts the inner circumferential sealing surface to form a seal between the manifold and the liquid container. In an unconnected state, a circumferential length of the outer circumferential sealing surface is larger than a circumferential length of the inner circumferential sealing surface.