Rotor Sealing Structure With Bendable Second Seal for Easier Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary valve seals in thermal management systems for electric vehicles experience increased friction and assembly difficulties due to the transmission of a significant reaction force in the radial direction, making them less slidable and harder to assemble.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device comprising a first seal with radial ports and grooves, and a second seal that is bendable during assembly, reducing the reaction force transmitted from the second seal to the first seal by allowing the second seal to bend in a direction intersecting with the radial direction, thereby facilitating easier assembly and improved slidability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second seal is made from elastic material with solid cross section to seal the gap between housing and first seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but the reaction force in radial direction increases making assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The second seal is designed with a bendable structure that can deform during assembly. The seal includes a body with a predetermined bend that allows it to flex during the assembly process, reducing the reaction force in the radial direction and making assembly easier while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second seal incorporates a bendable feature that allows it to dynamically change its shape during assembly. The seal body includes a bend that can deform under assembly forces, enabling the seal to adapt during installation and reduce the radial reaction force that would otherwise make assembly difficult.
2Reliability
If the second seal transmits reaction force to the first seal to ensure sealing contact, then sealing performance is improved, but the first seal becomes less slidable on the rotor
Solution Approach 1:
The bendable second seal can deform to absorb some of the reaction force, reducing the force transmitted to the first seal. This maintains adequate sealing contact while preventing excessive force that would reduce the slidability of the rotor and first seal.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the second seal is made rigid to maintain sealing contact force, then sealing stability is improved, but assembly becomes significantly harder
Solution Approach 1:
The second seal incorporates a bendable feature that allows it to dynamically change its shape during assembly. The seal body includes a bend that can deform under assembly forces, enabling the seal to adapt during installation and reduce the radial reaction force that would otherwise make assembly difficult.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal's flexibility parameter is optimized to balance between assembly ease and sealing stability. The bendable structure allows the seal to be flexible during assembly for easier installation, while maintaining sufficient rigidity in its final position to ensure stable sealing contact.
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 sealing device reduces the radial reaction force, enhancing the assembly process and improving the slidability of the rotor, making it easier to assemble and maintain the sealing structure.
Implementation Method 1
the second seal including a bend bendable during assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing device is assembled between a cylindrical housing and a rotor located inside the housing coaxially with the housing and rotatable about an axis. The sealing device includes a first seal and a second seal. The first seal includes a body to extend along an outer periphery of the rotor, a port through the body in a radial direction of the body, and a groove on an outer circumferential surface of the body, surrounding the port when the outer circumferential surface is viewed in the radial direction, and including a pair of slopes flaring toward the housing. The second seal is attachable to the groove to be in contact with the pair of slopes and seals a gap between the housing and the first seal.