Solenoid Plunger Seal Retention via Mechanical Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solenoid plunger assemblies face manufacturing issues due to adhesive escape or unreliable adhesion when coupling sealing members to a solenoid plunger, leading to inconsistent sealing performance.

Innovation Solution

The solenoid valve design incorporates a plunger with recesses that house seal members, which are mechanically retained through molding, eliminating the need for adhesive bonds by using a combination of stiff retention members and elastomeric components that provide sealed engagement through compression and mechanical locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive is used to couple sealing members to solenoid plunger, then sealing members can be retained in position, but adhesive may escape past desired location or may not reliably hold

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing retention reliabilityVSAvoidadhesive escape

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes adhesive entirely from the sealing assembly by extracting the bonding function and replacing it with a mechanical retention system consisting of a retention member with engagement features that physically secure the sealing member to the plunger without requiring adhesive bonds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (adhesive) with a mechanical retention system featuring engagement protrusions and corresponding recesses that provide reliable mechanical coupling between the sealing member and plunger, eliminating adhesive-related problems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If adhesive is used to couple sealing members to solenoid plunger, then sealing members can be retained, but manufacturing issues occur due to adhesive escape or unreliable adhesion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing assembly manufacturingVSAvoidsealing location precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates adhesive application steps from the manufacturing process by extracting the bonding function and replacing it with mechanical retention features that are integrated into the plunger and sealing member components, simplifying assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention member and sealing member are designed with self-aligning engagement features that automatically position the sealing member correctly during assembly without requiring precise adhesive application or additional positioning steps, enabling the components to self-locate and secure themselves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution ensures reliable and consistent sealing without adhesive usage, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reducing the risk of adhesive escape, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of solenoid valve assemblies.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomeric member (114)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7703744B2Core push-in seal

Publication Date: 2010.04.27 FREUDENBERG NOK GEN PARTNERSHIP

AI summary

A solenoid valve may include a housing, a solenoid coil, and a plunger. The solenoid coil may be disposed about an external portion of the housing and the plunger may be slidably disposed within the housing. The plunger may include a recess in a first end thereof having a seal assembly located and retained therein through a mechanical engagement therewith.