Mechanical Seal Sensor Harness for Safer Explosive-Area Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of mechanical seal arrangements with sensors is complicated and prone to damage, especially in environments with explosive media, due to the need for additional sealing and protection of cables and electrical connections, which increases susceptibility to faults.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical seal arrangement with pre-assembled sensors and cable harnesses, using a common multi-pole combination plug for easy installation, and a compact design that includes a cover for protection against damage, explosion, dirt, and moisture, allowing sensors to be assembled during manufacturing rather than at the customer's site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sensors and cable arrangements are assembled separately at the customer's premises, then the mechanical seal arrangement can be installed, but the assembly process becomes complicated and sensors are prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the sensors and cable arrangements into a integrated unit during the manufacturing process, before delivery to the customer. This allows the complex sensor assembly work to be performed in a controlled factory environment where proper handling and protection measures can be ensured, rather than attempting assembly at the customer's premises where damage risk is higher.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sensors and cable arrangements into a single integrated assembly unit. By combining these components that were previously assembled separately into one pre-assembled module, the patent eliminates the complex separate assembly process at the customer's site and reduces the susceptibility to damage during installation.
2Reliability
If additional sealing and protection measures are implemented for cables and electrical connections, then sensor protection is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing all necessary sealing and protection measures for cables and electrical connections during the factory pre-assembly process. This transfers the complexity of protective measures from the customer's assembly site to the manufacturing environment, where they can be properly executed without adding complexity to the customer's installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sealing and protection functions into the pre-assembled sensor unit. By integrating these protective measures into the factory-prepared assembly, the patent eliminates the need for customers to perform additional sealing and protection steps, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable sensor protection.
3Productivity
If sensors are pre-assembled in components during manufacturing, then assembly at customer's premises is simplified, but the mechanical seal arrangement requires more integrated design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the sensor assembly during manufacturing before delivery to the customer. This shifts the assembly activity to an earlier stage where it can be done more efficiently with proper tools and training, significantly speeding up the customer's installation process even though it requires integrated design planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple components (sensors, cable arrangements, sealing elements) into a single pre-assembled unit. This integration, while requiring coordinated design, enables the customer to install a ready-made module rather than assembling multiple separate components, thereby increasing productivity at the customer's site.
4Volume of moving object
If a compact design is used to accommodate sensors and cable arrangements, then installation space is optimized, but the design and manufacturing become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by arranging cable arrangements and sensors in a nested or space-efficient configuration within the mechanical seal assembly. The cable arrangements are routed through existing structures and components, utilizing available spaces efficiently to achieve a compact overall design that fits within the limited installation space of the mechanical seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cable arrangements with the sensor housing and mechanical seal components into an integrated compact unit. By combining these elements into a single space-optimized design rather than separate assemblies, the patent reduces the overall volume required for installation while managing the manufacturing complexity through integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a mechanical seal arrangement comprising a mechanical seal (2; 12) with a rotating slide ring (3; 13) and a stationary slide ring (4; 14), which define a sealing gap (5; 15) between the sliding surfaces thereof, a pre-assembled assembly group including a first sensor (6) and a first cable arrangement (60) and a second sensor (7) with a second cable arrangement (70), wherein the first cable arrangement (60) and the second cable arrangement (70) are brought together to form a common cable harness (9), and wherein a free end of the common cable harness (9) comprises a multi-pole combination plug (10) with a plurality of contacts.