Seal Cover Locking Geometry for Lower Mounting Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal covers require a large force for mounting due to the overlap of maximum compression of the sealing member and maximum resilient deformation of the locking portion, increasing the burden on workers, especially when design restrictions prevent displacement of the locking portion.
Innovation Solution
A seal cover design featuring a locking portion with a tapered surface that delays the time of maximum resilient deformation, ensuring that the sealing member's maximum compression and locking portion's maximum deformation do not overlap, reducing the required mounting force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking portion is made resiliently deformable to lock to the locking projection, then the seal cover can be securely mounted on the opening, but a large force is necessary to mount the seal cover when the maximum compression of the sealing member and maximum resilient deformation of the locking portion overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered surface is provided in advance on the locking portion to prepare for the deformation sequence. This preliminary structural design ensures that during the mounting process, the locking portion deforms progressively along the tapered surface, delaying the maximum deformation point to occur after the sealing member has already been compressed, thereby avoiding the overlap of force requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The shape of the locking portion is changed by introducing a tapered surface, which modifies the deformation characteristics. This geometric parameter change causes the locking portion to deform more gradually and delays the timing of maximum resilient deformation, separating it from the maximum compression timing of the sealing member, thus reducing the peak mounting force required
2Force
If the position of the locking portion is displaced to prevent overlap of maximum compression and maximum deformation time points, then the mounting force can be reduced, but design restrictions may prevent such displacement
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of displacing the entire locking portion, only a local area is modified by adding a tapered surface to the locking portion. This local structural change achieves the desired deformation timing adjustment without affecting the overall position and layout of the locking portion, thereby maintaining design flexibility and avoiding conflicts with other design constraints
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 seal cover reduces the force needed for mounting by separating the time points of maximum compression and deformation, thereby decreasing the worker's burden without displacing the relative positions of the sealing member and locking portion, even when design restrictions apply.
Implementation Method 1
The locking portion is pushed by the locking projection to be resiliently deformed and moves over the locking projection to be locked to the locking projection
Data Source
AI summary
A seal cover for closing an annular opening portion having locking projections provided on an outer peripheral surface includes a fitting portion having a seal ring (example of a sealing member) fit on an outer peripheral surface and locking portions configured to be pushed and resiliently deformed by the locking projections and move over the locking projections to be locked to the locking projections when the fitting portion is fit into the opening portion. Tapered surfaces for delaying a time point when the locking portions are maximally resiliently deformed from a time point when the seal ring is maximally compressed when the fitting portion is fit and inserted into the opening portion are formed on front end parts of the locking portions in a connecting direction.