Retaining Ring Assembly With Temporary Jig for Tight Workspaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assembling a seal ring in a shaft groove require sufficient working space, which is not always available, due to the length of the jig used for sliding the seal ring on a tapered outer peripheral surface.
Innovation Solution
A ring assembly method utilizing a temporary holding jig with a small and large diameter part, along with elastically deformable press members, allows the ring to be assembled in a cylindrical member's groove without sufficient working space by temporarily holding and transferring the ring using a combination of tapered parts and press members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a long jig is used to slide the seal ring on the tapered outer peripheral surface, then the seal ring can be deformed and mounted in the groove part, but sufficient working space cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly process is divided into two distinct stages: first, the ring is expanded using a ring expanding device to a diameter larger than the cylindrical member's outer diameter; second, the expanded ring is pressed against the cylindrical member to slide onto the outer peripheral surface and into the groove. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single long jig, reducing working space requirements while maintaining assembly capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring is pre-expanded to a larger diameter before being mounted on the cylindrical member. By performing the expansion action in advance, the ring can be easily slid onto the cylindrical member's outer peripheral surface and into the groove without requiring a long guiding jig, thus solving the working space problem.
2Device complexity
If a simple configuration with elastic pieces is used for the ring press member, then device complexity is reduced, but reliable ring pressing and sliding may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ring press member utilizes elastic pieces that can change their physical state between compressed and relaxed conditions. When compressed, the elastic pieces generate sufficient pressing force to slide the ring onto the cylindrical member; when relaxed, they release the ring. This parameter change approach maintains reliability while keeping the device structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic pieces automatically generate the necessary pressing force through their elastic deformation without requiring external power sources or complex control mechanisms. The elastic force self-regulates to provide adequate pressing capability, ensuring reliable ring sliding while maintaining device simplicity.
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
Enables the assembly of a ring in a cylindrical member's groove even when sufficient working space is not available, using a simple configuration with elastic pieces and magnetic locking for secure attachment.
Implementation Method 1
a first ring press member including a cylindrical shape with a leading end part elastically deformable in a radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A process of setting a front end-side retaining ring at a small diameter part of a ring temporary holding jig. A process of causing the ring temporary holding jig to temporarily hold the front end-side retaining ring by using a first ring press member. A process of attaching the ring temporary holding jig to a shaft. A process of transferring the front end-side retaining ring from a large diameter part of the ring temporary holding jig to a first outer peripheral surface of the shaft by using a second ring press member including a dimension shorter than a dimension of the first ring press member. A process of sliding the front end-side retaining ring on the first outer peripheral surface of the shaft to assemble the front end-side retaining ring in the ring groove by using the second ring press member.