Seal Arrangement Damping Element Shock Damper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seal arrangements in shock dampers and hydraulic actuators face excessive mechanical loads, leading to potential deformation and loss of sealing capacity, especially when using materials like PTFE, which can result in poorer cold shrinkage behavior and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastically deformable damping member with a lower elasticity modulus than the seal element, positioned between the seal element and the groove flank, to absorb axial forces and prevent overloading, allowing for smaller seal element dimensions and use of less mechanically resistant materials while maintaining service life and improving friction coefficient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the seal element is dimensioned larger to withstand high mechanical loads, then the load-bearing capacity and service life are improved, but the cold shrinkage behavior deteriorates and the friction coefficient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional parts: a damping member made of viscoelastic material for absorbing mechanical loads, and a seal element for sealing. This segmentation allows the damping member to bear the mechanical loads while the seal element maintains its sealing function with smaller dimensions, resolving the contradiction between load-bearing capacity and cold shrinkage behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The damping member acts as an intermediary between the high-pressure region and the seal element. It absorbs and dampens the mechanical loads before they reach the seal element, protecting the seal element from excessive stress while allowing the seal element to be dimensioned smaller for better cold shrinkage behavior
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the seal element is dimensioned larger to withstand high mechanical loads, then the service life is improved, but the seal element volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the load-bearing function (damping member) from the sealing function (seal element). The damping member absorbs mechanical loads to protect the seal element, allowing the seal element to be dimensioned smaller while maintaining service life through the protective damping action
Solution Approach 2:
The damping member serves as a protective intermediary that absorbs high mechanical loads through viscoelastic deformation, preventing these loads from being transmitted to the seal element. This allows the seal element to have smaller volume while the damping member handles the load-bearing requirement for service life
3Strength
If a material with higher mechanical resistance is used for the seal element, then the load resistance is improved, but the friction coefficient increases and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping member acts as an intermediary that absorbs mechanical loads through viscoelastic deformation, protecting the seal element from high stress. This allows the use of materials with lower mechanical resistance that have better friction and wear properties, since the damping member handles the load resistance requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter selection by using materials with lower friction coefficients for the seal element, since the damping member compensates for the reduced mechanical resistance by absorbing loads through viscoelastic deformation rather than relying on high material strength
4Stress or pressure
If the seal element is subjected to high mechanical loads, then the sealing capacity is maintained under pressure, but plastic deformation and extrusion occur reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The damping member serves as a protective intermediary positioned between the high-pressure region and the seal element. It absorbs and dampens pressure-induced mechanical loads through viscoelastic deformation, preventing these loads from causing plastic deformation or extrusion of the seal element while maintaining sealing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The damping member provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-positioned between the high-pressure region and the seal element. It is designed to absorb and dampen pressure loads before they can cause damage to the seal element, protecting against plastic deformation and extrusion that would reduce service life
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 damping member effectively counters overloading and damage, enhances cold shrinkage behavior, and reduces wear, enabling broader applications with a lower friction coefficient, and prevents unwanted vibrations and plastic deformation of the seal element.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable damping member for axial support of the seal element... the damping member is composed of a material having a lower elasticity modulus than the elasticity modulus of the material of the seal element
Data Source
AI summary
A seal arrangement includes a first and a second machine element have a sealing gap and are movable in translation relative to one another. A seal element has a sealing lip arranged in a holding groove in the first machine element and which serves to seal off a low-pressure and high-pressure region. A rubber-elastically deformable preloading element in the holding groove serves to preload the seal element. At least one elastically deformable damping member is arranged between a low-pressure side groove flank and the seal element. A free space is formed between the damping member and the sealing surface. The damping member is compressed in the axial direction by the seal element when the high-pressure region is subjected to pressure and can be deformed freely into the free space. The damping member is of a material having a lower elasticity modulus than the seal element.