Laminated Manifold Gasket With Offset Slits for Thermal Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manifold gaskets are prone to damage due to thermal expansion or contraction, which can cause temperature differences and lead to deformation or damage, especially in regions where metal plates are not removed to mitigate thermal effects.
Innovation Solution
A manifold gasket design featuring laminated metal plates with offset slits in the thermal deformation coping portion, which absorb expansion and contraction by intersecting slits that do not penetrate in the lamination direction, reducing compressive and tensile forces and maintaining sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal plates are removed in regions prone to thermal expansion/contraction, then deformation and damage due to thermal effects are reduced, but the remaining metal plates may still be damaged due to thermal expansion or contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the metal plates into multiple regions with different structural characteristics. Specifically, it segments the gasket into a lamination portion (with multiple metal plates) and a thermal deformation coping portion (with offset slits). This segmentation allows different regions to handle thermal expansion differently, preventing damage while maintaining sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the metal plates by introducing offset slits in the thermal deformation coping portion. These slits are positioned at different locations in adjacent metal plates, creating a staggered pattern that allows controlled deformation. This parameter change enables the gasket to accommodate thermal expansion without damaging the remaining metal plates.
2Strength
If slits are aligned in the lamination direction, then thermal expansion is accommodated effectively, but unnecessary penetration portions are formed causing sealing deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent explicitly avoids symmetric alignment of slits in the lamination direction by employing offset positioning. The slits in adjacent metal plates are deliberately positioned at different locations, creating an asymmetric pattern that prevents continuous penetration paths while maintaining the ability to accommodate thermal expansion in each individual plate.
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
Effectively prevents damage from temperature changes by absorbing thermal expansion and contraction, maintaining high sealing performance and preventing unnecessary penetration that could deteriorate sealing, while ensuring uniform deformation and force distribution across the gasket.
Implementation Method 1
the slits prevent damage to the manifold gasket due to temperature fluctuations by accommodating thermal expansion or contraction of the manifold gasket
Implementation Method 2
the slits prevent damage to the manifold gasket due to temperature fluctuations by accommodating thermal expansion or contraction of the manifold gasket
Data Source
AI summary
A manifold gasket includes two or more metal plates laminated together to form the manifold gasket, a plurality of bores formed in the metal plates, a plurality of annular seal portions, each surrounding each of the plurality of bores to seal therearound, a plurality of bolt holes disposed at an outer periphery of each of the plurality of annular seal portions so that fastening bolts are inserted therethrough, and a partition protector having a thermal deformation coping portion, located in the two or more metal plates between two of the bores. The thermal deformation coping portion includes offset slits in each metal plate such that none of the slits are aligned in a lamination direction of the thermal deformation coping portion, and such that the slits prevent damage to the manifold gasket due to temperature fluctuations by accommodating thermal expansion or contraction of the manifold gasket.