Seal Assembly with Non-Circular Complementary Deformations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal assemblies for track and linkage pins in earth moving equipment face challenges in maintaining continuous lubrication while preventing lubricant loss and debris ingress, particularly due to issues with maintaining contact between the load ring and seal ring under operational forces, leading to potential disengagement and reduced sealing effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly featuring a seal ring and load ring with continuous, non-circular complementary surface deformations that provide a labyrinthine pathway to prevent lubricant escape and debris entry, ensuring constant engagement and preventing rotational movement between the load ring and seal ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional seal assemblies use simple circular contact surfaces between load ring and seal ring, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the rings can rotate relative to each other and disengage under operational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by transforming the traditional circular contact surface into a non-circular complementary deformation pattern. The load ring and seal ring feature matching asymmetric deformations that interlock, preventing rotational movement while maintaining continuous contact. This asymmetric geometry ensures that the rings cannot rotate relative to each other without disrupting the complementary fit, thereby solving the reliability issue of contact maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curvature by introducing surface deformations that create curved, complementary pathways between the load ring and seal ring. These curved deformations form a labyrinthine contact pattern that guides and constrains the rings, preventing disengagement while maintaining continuous contact. The curved geometry provides mechanical interlocking without requiring complex multi-component structures.
2Ease of manufacture
If the seal assembly allows direct contact between components for simple structure, then manufacturing is easier, but lubricant can escape and debris can enter through gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The curved labyrinthine pathway created by complementary surface deformations effectively blocks the passage of lubricant and debris. The winding curved geometry increases the path length and creates multiple contact points, making it difficult for lubricant to escape and debris to penetrate, while still maintaining a relatively simple two-ring structure that is easier to manufacture than multi-component seals.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly is disclosed which may include a seal ring, a load ring in engagement with the seal ring, and complementary surface deformations in the seal ring and load ring, the complementary surface deformations circumscribing the seal ring and the load ring, the complementary surface deformations being continuous and non-circular.