Offset Seal Structure for High-Pressure Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seals face challenges in effectively sealing gaps under high pressure conditions, particularly in applications involving fuel injectors and spark plug tubes, where they fail to maintain sealing integrity due to deformation and lack of offset capability.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system comprising an outer and inner annular inserts with an elastomeric body over-molded on both, featuring a webbing connected by ribs that allow for offset and include a seal lip with an annular bead for enhanced compression, enhancing pressure resistance and maintaining sealing integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional seals are used to seal gaps around inner members, then basic sealing function is provided, but sealing integrity fails under high pressure conditions due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is divided into multiple segments including an outer annular insert, an inner annular insert, and an elastomeric body with webbing connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to perform specific functions: the inserts provide structural support while the elastomeric body provides sealing, enabling the seal to maintain integrity under high pressure without excessive deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member combines different materials with complementary properties: rigid annular inserts (metal or plastic) for structural strength and pressure resistance, and elastomeric material for flexibility and sealing. This composite structure allows the seal to withstand high pressure while maintaining sealing integrity through the elastomeric body's ability to deform and conform to surfaces
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional seals are used to maintain sealing, then sealing function is provided, but offset capability is limited causing deformation under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The webbing connecting the outer and inner annular inserts is designed to be flexible and elastic, allowing it to dynamically adjust its configuration in response to pressure and offset conditions. This dynamic capability enables the seal to accommodate movement and deformation without losing sealing effectiveness, as the webbing can stretch and reconfigure while maintaining the seal's structural integrity
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 solution provides improved sealing performance under high pressure by reducing deformation and allowing for offset, thereby maintaining effective sealing even in maximum offset conditions.
Implementation Method 1
An elastomeric body includes an outer portion over-molded on the outer annular insert and an inner portion over-molded on the inner annular insert
Implementation Method 2
The seal lip can include an annular bead thereon. The plurality of ribs can include a first portion that extends along an outer portion of the inner portion of the elastomeric body and a second portion that extends along the webbing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A sealing system includes an outer member (32) having a bore (30) and an inner member (34) received in the bore (30), the inner member (34) including an outer surface with a shoulder (36). A seal member (10) includes an outer annular insert (12) having a first diameter and an inner annular insert (14) having a second smaller diameter. An elastomeric body (16) includes an outer portion (16a) over-molded on the outer annular insert (12) and an inner portion (16b) over-molded on the inner annular insert (14) and including an inner seal member (18) extending radially inward from the inner annular insert (14). The elastomeric body (16) including a webbing (16c) connecting the outer portion (16a) to the inner portion (16b), the elastomeric body (16) including a plurality of ribs (22) extending radially outward from the inner portion (16b) of the elastomeric body (16) along an interface between the webbing (16c) and the inner portion (16b) of the elastomeric body (16). The inner portion (16b) of the elastomeric body (16) is against the shoulder (36) on the inner member (34).