Metal Gasket with Acute-Angle Locking Hooks for Flat Surface Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gaskets face issues with displacement and damage to counter wall surfaces during assembly, especially when the counter sealing surface is flat, and require complex positioning methods or components that increase cost and complexity, particularly for small-sized products.
Innovation Solution
A gasket with metal plate body and locking hook portions that project and bend at acute angles to self-hold on counter sealing surfaces using spring force, eliminating the need for hooking projections and preventing counter surface damage, with optional rubber-like elastic members for enhanced grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If positioning pins are used to prevent gasket displacement, then the gasket can be securely positioned, but the number of components increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking hook portions are integrated directly into the gasket body as a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate positioning pins or fasteners. The gasket body and locking portions form a single component that performs both sealing and positioning functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking hook portions automatically engage with the counter sealing surface and side wall surfaces through elastic deformation and spring force, enabling self-positioning and self-fixing without requiring additional positioning pins or external assistance.
2Ease of operation
If locking portions with projections are used to hook on recessed portions, then the gasket can be temporarily jointed, but the length must be individually set according to flange thickness and size
Solution Approach 1:
The locking hook portions are designed with a standardized structure that can universally adapt to different flange thicknesses and sizes. The elastic deformation capability allows the same locking portion design to work across various dimensions without individual customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking portions utilize elastic deformation and spring force that can dynamically adjust to different geometric parameters (flange thickness, size) without requiring changes to the fundamental structure or individual customization of each locking portion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If locking portions are used on flat surfaces without recessed portions, then the gasket can be mounted, but conventional methods cannot be used at all
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on the counter sealing surface (one dimension), the locking hook portions extend to engage with the side wall surfaces (additional dimension). This multi-dimensional engagement enables secure mounting on flat surfaces without recessed portions by utilizing the vertical side walls for hooking.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking hook portions act as intermediary elements that bridge the gap between the gasket body and the flat counter sealing surface. By engaging the side wall surfaces, they provide an indirect but reliable locking mechanism that works even when direct surface engagement is not possible.
4Device complexity
If locking portions are bent at acute angles to self-hold, then the gasket can hold itself without hooking on counter member, but spring force must be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end portions of the locking hook portions are formed with curved surfaces instead of sharp angles. This curvature distributes the contact pressure more evenly on the side wall surfaces, preventing localized stress concentration and damage while maintaining effective locking through controlled spring force.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved surfaces at the distal ends of the locking portions serve as a cushioning mechanism that softens the contact with the side wall surfaces. This prevents damage to the counter member while still providing sufficient holding force through the elastic deformation of the locking portions.
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 gasket effectively self-holds on counter sealing surfaces without damaging them, allowing for secure sealing and reduced component complexity, suitable for various mounting directions and sizes, including small products, without the need for additional positioning pins or customized recesses.
Implementation Method 1
pressing the curved portions against the side wall surfaces by spring force of the locking hook portion bent at the acute angle
Implementation Method 2
abutting against side wall surfaces adjacent to a counter sealing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A gasket includes a gasket body formed of a metal plate and provided with at least two locking hook portions formed to project from the gasket body and abut against side wall surfaces adjacent to a counter sealing surface. The locking hook portions include curved portions at distal end portions of the respective locking hook portions abutting against the side wall surfaces, at least one of the locking hook portions being formed to be bent toward an inside of the gasket body such that an angle made with the gasket body is an acute angle, and press the curved portions against the side wall surfaces by spring force of the locking hook portion bent at the acute angle, allowing the gasket body to hold itself on the counter sealing surface.