Removable Ceramic Seal Rings for Hygienic Mechanical Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical seal devices for apparatuses preparing and dispensing fluid or creamy food products face challenges in maintaining hygiene standards, as they wear out quickly and are costly to replace, complicating maintenance and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical seal device comprising a rotating unit and a stationary unit with removable ceramic seal rings and polymeric support elements, allowing for easy assembly, maintenance, and ensuring a high hygienic standard through optimal contact and adjustable alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical seal device with integral mixing device seal is used, then the seal function is provided, but the maintenance cost increases and hygiene standards are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical seal device is divided into separate components: a support element and a seal ring that can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation allows the seal ring to be replaced without replacing the entire mixing device, reducing maintenance costs and improving ease of repair while maintaining reliable sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring is extracted as a separate removable component from the mixing device assembly. It can be taken out for replacement or cleaning independently, which reduces maintenance complexity and allows for more frequent seal maintenance to uphold hygiene standards without requiring complete device replacement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If frequent cleaning is required for the tank, then hygiene standards are maintained, but the seal device components wear out quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring is designed as a relatively inexpensive, easily replaceable component that can be frequently changed without significant cost. This allows the seal ring to be replaced more often to maintain hygiene standards, even if wear occurs during the cleaning cycles, while the overall system remains cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring can be removed, discarded if worn, and replaced with a new one without affecting the permanent components of the mixing device. This discarding and recovering approach enables frequent seal replacement to maintain hygiene while preserving the investment in the main mixing device structure.
3Device complexity
If the seal ring is integral with the mixing device, then the seal structure is simplified, but the replacement cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal device is segmented into a permanent support element and a replaceable seal ring. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity while enabling cost-effective replacement of only the wear-prone seal ring rather than the entire mixing device assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring is extracted as a separate replaceable component, allowing it to be manufactured and replaced independently at lower cost. This extraction maintains the simplicity of the overall seal structure while reducing the financial impact of routine maintenance replacements.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The mechanical seal device comprises a rotating unit (11) and a stationary unit (12) respectively comprising a ring of ceramic material (13, 15) associated with the bottom of a support element (14, 16) of polymeric material shaping a respective sealing face. The rotating unit (11) and the stationary unit (12) are suitable to be coaxially mounted on a shaft (8) of a rotating member (3), in specular position, so that said rings (13, 15) of ceramic material have said seal faces in mutual contact on a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft (8).