Three-Lobed Quick Coupling Gasket for High-Temperature Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaskets for male quick couplings face issues with extrusion and deformation at high temperatures, leading to oil leakage, particularly in heavy-duty applications where temperatures exceed 100°C, and assembly challenges due to the need for precise orientation and tooling.
Innovation Solution
A toroidal gasket with a three-lobed outer surface and triangular inner surface, featuring radial grooves for drainage and improved flexibility, made from a high-temperature-resistant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to maintain seal integrity and prevent deformation, eliminating the need for an O-ring and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a classic O-Ring gasket is used for sealing the valve body, then the fluid seal is ensured during normal operation, but the gasket is subjected to extrusion and crushing stresses at high temperatures leading to deformation and loss of sealing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is divided into multiple lobes (at least three) around the circumferential direction, with grooves between adjacent lobes. This segmentation allows each lobe to independently deform and absorb extrusion stresses, preventing the entire gasket from being crushed while maintaining sealing contact with the valve body.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket uses a thermoplastic polyurethane material that changes its mechanical properties based on temperature, remaining flexible at operating temperatures up to 120°C to accommodate deformation without losing sealing capacity. The multi-lobed geometry also changes the stress distribution parameters, converting concentrated crushing forces into distributed radial forces.
2Strength
If the gasket is made more rigid to resist extrusion, then resistance to deformation improves, but flexibility to follow valve body profile during sliding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket design allows dynamic adaptation through its multi-lobed structure, where each lobe can independently deform to follow the valve body profile during sliding operations. The grooves between lobes act as hinge regions that facilitate this dynamic movement while the overall structure maintains rigidity to resist extrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket utilizes a flexible thermoplastic polyurethane material that can deform elastically to conform to the valve body surface during connection and disconnection operations, while the multi-lobed geometry provides structural reinforcement against extrusion forces.
3Strength
If an anti-extrusion ring is added to protect the gasket, then resistance to extrusion improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-extrusion function is merged directly into the gasket structure itself through the multi-lobed design. The grooves between lobes create natural reinforcement zones that resist extrusion without requiring a separate anti-extrusion ring, thereby simplifying the overall device while maintaining protection against extrusion.
4Stress or pressure
If the gasket material is made more rigid to maintain seal at high pressure, then pressure resistance improves, but flexibility and ability to return to original shape deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket uses thermoplastic polyurethane, a composite material that combines the rigidity needed to maintain sealing under high pressures (up to 350 bar) with sufficient elasticity to return to its original shape after deformation. This material exhibits viscoelastic properties that allow it to deform under pressure and then recover, maintaining long-term sealing performance.
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 gasket ensures reliable fluid sealing and resistance to high temperatures up to 120°C, reducing assembly complexity and preventing oil leakage, while maintaining flexibility and mechanical integrity under pressure.
Implementation Method 1
made from a high-temperature-resistant thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to maintain seal integrity and prevent deformation
Implementation Method 2
maintaining flexibility and mechanical integrity under pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~1b
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a gasket (20) for quick couplings and a quick coupling comprising such a gasket. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gasket for sealing the front valve of a male quick coupling for the quick connection of hydraulic lines which is characterised in that it is made in a single body, being perfectly symmetrical with respect to a centreline plane. The gasket according to the invention comprises a toroidal main body in which the outer surface (20b) of the gasket comprises a central portion (21a) flanked by two lateral shoulders (21b), said outer surface being three-lobed with a central portion protruding with respect to the lateral shoulders.