Rectangular Shaft Seal Joint Ramps for Non-Directional Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internally clamping rectangular seals require directional installation due to limited buckle geometries, leading to complex and time-consuming assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating at least one contact ramp at the ring-end sections, oriented obliquely to both the circumferential and radial directions, allowing for non-directional installation by prestressing the seal to reduce its radius and facilitate insertion into a shaft bore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If internally clamping rectangular seals use traditional buckle geometries, then the seal structure is simple, but directional installation is required which increases assembly complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing contact ramps with different orientations on different ring-end sections. Specifically, one ring-end section has a contact ramp oriented at a first angle to the circumferential direction, while the other ring-end section has a contact ramp oriented at a second angle to the circumferential direction. This asymmetric configuration enables the seal to be installed from either direction without requiring precise orientation, thereby eliminating directional installation constraints while maintaining simple buckle geometries.
2Reliability
If externally clamping rectangular seals are used with various buckle geometries, then leakage is reduced, but implementation in internally clamping seals is limited due to directional installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing contact ramps that can accommodate multiple buckle geometries (butt joints, overlap joints, I-buckles, step buckles) within a single internally clamping seal structure. The contact ramps are configured to work with various joint types between ring-end sections, allowing the seal to achieve low leakage performance across different buckle configurations without requiring directional installation, thus providing multi-functional adaptability.
3Length of moving object
If rectangular seals are compressed for installation with twisted ring diameter smaller than shaft bore, then insertion is enabled, but assembly becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring contact ramps on the ring-end sections that guide the engagement process. When the seal is compressed for installation, the contact ramps automatically guide the ring-end sections into proper alignment and engagement sequence, eliminating the need for complex manual positioning and reducing assembly time. The ramps perform the alignment function in advance during the compression process itself.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an internally clamping rectangular seal (40) for sealing a shaft (20) with respect to a housing (10), wherein the rectangular seal can be inserted into a groove (13) disposed circumferentially on a shaft bore (12), wherein the rectangular seal is interrupted along its circumferential direction at a joint (42) and two ring-end sections (43, 44) are formed, and wherein the rectangular seal has an outer surface (40.4) facing radially outwards, an inner clamping surface (40.1) facing radially inwards and opposing flank surfaces (40.3) facing in the axial direction. Therefore, provision is made that at least one contact ramp (45.1, 45.2, 45.3) is disposed at at least one ring-end section, that the at least one contact ramp is oriented obliquely with respect to the circumferential direction and obliquely with respect to the radial direction of the rectangular seal, and that the at least one contact ramp, starting from a non-stressed state of the rectangular seal, forms a first mechanical contact, pointing in the circumferential direction, between the opposing ring-end sections when the radius of the rectangular seal is reduced by prestressing the rectangular seal.The rectangular seal permits low leakage rates and can be installed non-directionally.