Micro-Scale Energizing Element Geometry for Tolerance-Absorbing Seals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current energizing elements, such as springs, lack design customization and flexibility in load ranges and sizing, particularly on the micro-scale, making it difficult to achieve desired conditions in applications like seals, where they fail to accommodate manufacturing and installation tolerances.
Innovation Solution
The development of energizing elements with specific geometric parameters, including an aspect ratio greater than 0.1 or 0.2, maximum linear contact lengths on inner and outer radii exceeding 0.8 or 0.55, and adjusted widths less than 5 mm, allowing for enhanced contact coverage and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional energizing elements are used, then they can provide basic loading function, but they lack design customization and flexibility in load ranges and sizing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by defining specific geometric parameters (aspect ratio W/R > 0.1, contact length ratios LIR/PIR > 0.80 and LOR/POR > 0.55, and adjusted width W < 5 mm) to customize the energizing element's performance characteristics. These parameter specifications enable tailored load ranges and sizing while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized dimensional relationships.
2Volume of moving object
If energizing elements are scaled down to micro-scale, then they can fit smaller applications, but sizing becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses micro-scale sizing challenges by establishing dimensionless geometric relationships (aspect ratio W/R > 0.1, contact length ratios > 0.80 and > 0.55) that maintain consistent performance across different scales. The constraint of adjusted width W < 5 mm provides a clear manufacturing target while the ratio-based parameters ensure proportional accuracy regardless of absolute size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by focusing precision requirements on specific critical dimensions (inner radius contact length LIR, outer radius contact length LOR) rather than uniformly across the entire component. This targeted approach to dimensional control prioritizes manufacturing precision where it most affects sealing performance while allowing greater tolerance in non-critical areas.
3Reliability
If current energizing elements are used in seal applications, then they can provide sealing function, but they fail to accommodate manufacturing and installation tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing an energizing element with optimized geometric parameters that enable it to dynamically adapt to manufacturing and installation tolerances. The aspect ratio W/R > 0.1 and contact length ratios ensure the element can deform and adjust its contact pressure distribution to maintain reliable sealing despite dimensional variations in the sealed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to enhance tolerance accommodation through specific geometric ratios. The aspect ratio W/R > 0.1 and contact length ratios LIR/PIR > 0.80 and LOR/POR > 0.55 create a geometry that optimizes load distribution and contact pressure, allowing the sealing interface to compensate for manufacturing and installation variations while maintaining sealing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An energizing element including: an energizing element body oriented about a central axis, the energizing element body defining an inner radius, IR, and an outer radius, OR, where the difference between the outer radius and the inner radius defines an adjusted width, W, of the energizing element body, where the inner radius and the outer radius determine an average radius, R, of the energizing element body about the central axis, where the energizing element body defines an aspect ratio, W/R, where W/R>0.1, where the energizing element body has a maximum linear contact length on the inner radius, LIR, where the energizing element body has a perimeter on the inner radius, PIR, and LIR/PIR>0.80, where the energizing element body has a maximum linear contact length on the outer radius, LOR, where the energizing element body has a perimeter on the outer radius, POR, and LOR/POR>0.55, and where the adjusted width is less than 5 mm.