Resin Seal Ring Thickness Profile for Junction Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circular annular seal rings fail to achieve optimal sealing due to gaps between the seal ring and the rotating members, which compromises their sealing ability.
Innovation Solution
A circular annular seal ring made from resin with a radial thickness that gradually decreases from two points towards a junction, where the points are separated by an angle of 60 to 150 degrees, allowing the seal ring to closely approximate a true cylindrical shape, thereby minimizing gaps and enhancing sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a seal ring is formed from an elongated arcuate rod by joining ends to form a circle, then the seal ring can be manufactured and installed, but a gap is created at the junction between the joined ends, compromising sealing ability
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring employs non-uniform radial thickness distribution, with the thinnest section positioned at the junction and progressively thicker sections toward opposite sides. This local variation in thickness compensates for the gap at the junction, ensuring continuous sealing contact with the rotating member while maintaining manufacturability through simple rod joining.
2Ease of manufacture
If the radial thickness of the seal ring is made uniform throughout, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the outer or inner peripheral surface cannot closely approximate a true cylindrical shape, creating gaps with rotating members
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring features radially varying thickness where the thinnest section is located at the junction and the thickest sections are at points approximately 90 degrees from the junction on either side. This localized thickness variation enables the peripheral surfaces to closely approximate true cylindrical shapes, minimizing gaps with rotating members while remaining manufacturable from a simple arcuate rod.
3Reliability
If the radial thickness decreases gradually from two points toward the junction, then the peripheral surfaces closely approximate cylindrical shapes for better sealing, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring implements a specific thickness distribution pattern where the radial thickness decreases gradually from two points (located approximately 90 degrees from the junction) toward the junction, creating the thinnest section at the junction. This controlled local variation achieves excellent cylindrical approximation and sealing performance without excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the angular position of the thickest sections (approximately 90 degrees from the junction) to achieve the best balance between cylindrical shape approximation and structural integrity. This parameter optimization ensures minimal gaps with rotating members while maintaining manufacturability and structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A circular annular seal ring made from a resin is adapted to be disposed between an outer member and an inner member that rotate relative to each other. The seal ring is disposed in a circumferential groove of the outer member or the inner member to isolate a liquid space from an external space. The seal ring is formed from an elongated and arcuate rod to define a circle by joining ends of the rod, and has a junction formed from the ends. The seal ring has a radial thickness gradually decreasing from two points that are apart from the junction toward the junction. The points are separated from the junction by an angle of not less than 60 degrees and not more than 150 degrees about a central axis of the circle.