Multi-Component Sealing Element for Actuator Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing command and signaling devices face limitations in achieving a secure sealing effect between the actuator and front panel, which is crucial for safety applications, while also requiring easy assembly and structural design flexibility, especially in harsh environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-component sealing element comprising a hard and soft component, designed as a sealing ring, which serves both as a seal and fixation, allowing one-hand assembly and providing tolerance compensation, with features like a conical transition area and expansion elements for enhanced assembly and protection against environmental influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanently mounted seal is used on the actuator, then the sealing effect is improved, but the assembly complexity and structural flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is divided into multiple independent components: a soft sealing component and a hard fixation component. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while simplifying assembly, as the components can be installed separately rather than as a single pre-assembled unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: the soft component provides sealing, while the hard component provides fixation and positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sealing and fixing operations, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable sealing.
2Reliability
If a permanently attached seal is used, then the sealing effect is improved, but the ease of assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element components are designed to be pre-formed with specific geometric features (such as the conical transition area and expansion elements) that enable easy assembly without requiring preliminary preparation or special tools. The one-hand assembly capability is achieved through these pre-designed structural features.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element incorporates dynamic features such as expansion elements that allow the component to adapt during assembly. The conical transition area enables the sealing element to be compressed and expanded during installation, facilitating easy assembly while ensuring a tight seal once installed.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple seal design is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the protection against environmental influences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element uses composite construction with a soft component (elastomer or rubber) for sealing and a hard component (plastic or metal) for fixation. This composite design provides both the simplicity needed for manufacturing and the robust protection against environmental influences required for safety applications.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the sealing element have different material properties optimized for their specific functions: the soft component provides flexibility and sealing at the contact surface, while the hard component provides structural strength and fixation. This local optimization achieves high protection standards without overly complicating the manufacturing process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-component sealing element is used, then the structural design flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is segmented into functional components that can be independently designed and manufactured. This segmentation provides structural design flexibility, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function while using standardized connection methods that prevent the complexity from escalating.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing and fixation functions are merged into a single integrated sealing element assembly. This merging reduces the overall number of separate components needed in the system, thereby reducing device complexity despite the multi-component nature of the sealing element itself.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a command and alert device (1), which comprises an actuator (2) having a tubular body (3), wherein the tubular body (4) is guided through a front plate (5) and a seal is arranged between the tubular body (4) and the front plate (5). The invention is characterized in that the seal is a sealing element (6) which is composed of several components.