Plastic Sealing Ring Assembly for Durable Replaceable Seals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing systems for small electrical devices are often expensive, of inferior quality, and fail to maintain sealing effectiveness throughout the device's lifespan due to high material costs and lack of exchange options.

Innovation Solution

A sealing ring design comprising a plastic-based supporting body and sealing body, connected via adhesive or welding, with a housing element featuring radial and axial flanges, allowing for a form-fitting connection that eliminates the need for pretreatment and enhances sealing durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If sealing elements are integrated directly into housing components with simple sealing systems, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates over service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsealing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into separate components: a housing element and a separate sealing element that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element is positioned within a recess of the housing element, creating a nested structure where the sealing element sits inside the housing component. This ensures proper positioning and maintains sealing effectiveness without requiring complex integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If sealing elements are made from inferior quality materials to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sealing durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial costVSAvoidsealing durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different materials are used for different components: the housing element can be made from cost-effective materials while the sealing element uses specialized materials with appropriate sealing properties. This localized material selection optimizes both cost and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element may incorporate composite material structures or combinations of materials that provide both cost-effectiveness and enhanced sealing durability, such as polymer composites or multi-layer constructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If sealing elements are made replaceable, then sealing effectiveness over service life is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is designed as a separate, replaceable component that can be independently removed and replaced without affecting the housing structure. This modular approach enables maintenance while keeping the overall device simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing element with its recess is designed to universally accommodate the sealing element, creating a standardized interface that simplifies replacement procedures and reduces the need for complex fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Strength

If material-to-material bonding is used to connect sealing body to housing element, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and pretreatment requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding process is extracted and simplified by using pre-formed sealing elements with integrated bonding features or surface treatments that eliminate the need for complex pretreatment steps before assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Bonding surfaces are pre-prepared during the manufacturing of individual components, with surface treatments or bonding layers applied in advance. This eliminates the need for complex pretreatment operations during final assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design provides a cost-effective, durable sealing solution with improved clamping and static sealing capabilities, suitable for various materials and applications, including household appliances.

Implementation Method 1

The sealing body can be bonded to the housing element by a material fit. The material fit can be created using an adhesive.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The material fit is preferably achieved by melting the plastic in places, for example, through a welded joint. This can be achieved, for example, by friction welding.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3631254B1Sealing ring
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 CARL FREUDENBERG KG
  • EP3631254B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3631254B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3631254B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sealing ring (1), comprising a support body (2) and at least one sealing body (3), the support body (2) having at least one housing element (4) made from plastic, the housing element (4) having a radial flange (6) and an axial flange (7) and the housing element (4) holding the sealing body (3).