Monolithic Sealing Element for Hydraulic Pump Leakage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic devices, such as hydraulic pumps and camshaft phase adjusters, face challenges in maintaining an effective seal across moving components due to thermal expansions and manufacturing tolerances, leading to leakage issues, especially at low hydraulic pressures, and require complex multi-part sealing systems that increase assembly errors and costs.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic sealing element with a molded sealing structure and spring structure, integrated in one piece, preferably from plastic, which ensures sealing contact independently of hydraulic fluid pressure, reducing assembly complexity and costs by eliminating the need for separate parts and providing consistent sealing performance across varying operational conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate spring element is used to press the sealing strip into sealing contact, then the sealing function is improved, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing element and spring element into a single integrated sealing unit. The sealing strip is directly connected to the spring element, forming one component that is pushed as a unit into the recess. This eliminates the need for separate assembly of multiple parts while maintaining the spring-loaded sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sealing unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: the spring element provides the pressing force for sealing, the sealing strip creates the seal, and the entire unit acts as a pre-assembled component that simplifies installation. This multi-functional design reduces both complexity and assembly steps.
2Reliability
If a separate spring element and sealing strip are used, then the sealing performance is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the sealing strip and spring element into a single molded component, the patent eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and quality control of multiple parts. The integrated design reduces manufacturing steps, material handling, and assembly operations, thereby lowering overall production costs despite maintaining effective sealing performance.
3Reliability
If multiple separate sealing components are used, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the assembly error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates assembly errors by pre-assembling the sealing strip and spring element into a single integrated unit during molding. This ensures correct positioning and orientation are built-in during manufacturing, eliminating the risk of assembly errors that would occur if multiple separate components were assembled manually or automatically.
4Reliability
If hydraulic pressure is used to press the sealing element into contact, then the sealing is effective at high pressure, but leakage occurs at low pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-loaded during assembly to provide immediate pressing force on the sealing strip, ensuring sealing contact is established before hydraulic pressure is applied. This preliminary mechanical force ensures effective sealing from the moment of assembly, eliminating the delay that would otherwise occur while waiting for hydraulic pressure to build up.
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 integrated sealing solution effectively seals pressure chambers in hydraulic devices, reducing leakage and assembly errors, ensuring reliable operation even at low pressures and maintaining efficiency throughout the device's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
The spring structure can be compressed in a spring surface that extends in the longitudinal direction and follows the profile of the sealing structure in the direction of the rear side of the sealing structure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Hydraulic device for an internal combustion engine or a transmission, namely a hydraulic pump with adjustable delivery volume or a hydraulic camshaft phaser for adjusting the phase position of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, the hydraulic device comprising: (a) a housing with a chamber wall structure that defines a pressure chamber for a pressurized hydraulic fluid, (b) an actuator that is adjustable in one direction and in the opposite direction for adjusting the delivery volume or the phase position in the housing relative to the chamber wall structure, (c) and a sealing element with a sealing structure and a spring structure that is supported or formed on one of the chamber wall structure and actuator, preferably on the actuator, and which presses the sealing structure into a sealing contact with the other of the chamber wall structure and actuator by spring force to seal the pressure chamber.(d) wherein the sealing structure and the spring structure are formed in one piece.