Multi-lobed Seal Member Reduces Compressive Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional O-ring seals require high compressive force to create a sufficient seal, making it difficult for individuals with limited strength to engage and disengage objects, particularly in fluid handling systems like pool and spa systems, where easy access and maintenance are necessary.
Innovation Solution
A multi-lobed seal member with an imbalance of lobes on one face compared to the other, providing additional points of contact for sealing, which reduces the required compressive force while maintaining effective sealing under pressure, vacuum, or atmospheric conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an O-ring seal member is used to create a sufficient seal, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the compressive force required increases making engagement and disengagement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is divided into multiple lobes (typically 3-5 lobes) around its circumference, creating multiple discrete sealing contact points instead of a single continuous contact surface. This segmentation allows the sealing force to be distributed across multiple points, reducing the total compressive force needed while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The lobes are positioned asymmetrically around the seal member circumference, with varying angles and spacing between adjacent lobes. This asymmetric arrangement creates optimal sealing pressure distribution at each contact point while allowing the seal to engage and disengage more easily by rotating through positions where lobe contact is minimized.
2Reliability
If high compressive force is applied to an O-ring seal to ensure adequate sealing, then leak prevention is improved, but the strength required to operate the connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the seal into multiple lobes, the total sealing force is divided into several smaller forces applied at different locations. Each lobe applies localized pressure to create its own sealing barrier, so the sum of these distributed forces achieves effective leak prevention without requiring high total compressive force from the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
Each individual lobe applies only partial sealing pressure compared to what a single O-ring would need to apply, but the cumulative effect of multiple lobes provides sufficient overall sealing. This partial action at each contact point avoids the need for excessive total force.
3Device complexity
If a single-point contact seal is used, then the seal structure is simple, but the barrier against fluid leakage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is segmented into multiple lobes that create multiple discrete sealing barriers around the connection interface. Each lobe forms an independent barrier against fluid leakage, and the multiple barriers work together to provide enhanced leak prevention compared to a single contact point, while the overall structure remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sealing contact points are merged into a single seal member component, combining the functions of several seals into one integrated part. This merging provides multiple leakage barriers while maintaining structural simplicity and ease of installation.
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 multi-lobed seal member allows for easier engagement and disengagement of components with less effort, providing adequate sealing in fluid handling systems, even in cramped spaces or by individuals with limited strength, while maintaining effective leak reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-lobed seal member that allows substantially 'equal to O-ring' seal quality with less compression force required
Data Source
AI summary
A seal member for creating an adequate sealing engagement between two bodies. The seal member may have a closed loop shape, a plurality of engagement surfaces and a plurality of lobes formed on the engagement surfaces. The lobes may contact a sealing surface on a body to aid in creating an adequate seal between two bodies.