Pipe Coupling Seal Assembly Using Elastic Funnel Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for mounting seals in pipe couplings are labor-intensive, prone to deforming the casing under high pressure, or require complex and costly 2K injection molding processes.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising a seal feeding device and a seal mounting device that uses a seal funnel with a tapered surface to reduce the mounting ring outer diameter, allowing the seal to be elastically compressed and launched into the pipe coupling casing, thereby automating the process and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual mounting of the seal is used, then labor intensity is high, but the casing is not deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The seal uses its own elastic properties to achieve mounting. The mounting ring is elastically compressed by the tapered funnel surface and then releases this compression to launch itself into the casing, eliminating the need for external high-pressure forces or manual labor.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting ring's outer diameter parameter is dynamically changed during the mounting process. It starts with a larger diameter for easy insertion, is compressed to a smaller diameter by the tapered funnel, and then expands back to its original diameter to launch into the casing.
2Extent of automation
If high pressure forces are exerted onto the seal for machine mounting, then automation is achieved, but the casing may deform
Solution Approach 1:
The seal mounting is achieved through the seal's own elastic energy rather than external high-pressure forces. The compressed mounting ring releases its stored elastic energy to propel itself into the casing, eliminating the need for high-pressure forcing that could deform the casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered funnel surface gradually compresses the mounting ring before ejection, allowing controlled elastic deformation. This gradual compression prevents sudden high-pressure impacts that could deform the casing while still achieving automated mounting.
3Extent of automation
If 2K injection molding is used to integrally form the seal with the casing, then automation is achieved, but the injection mold complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into two separate components: a mounting ring and a seal ring. This segmentation allows the mounting ring to be separately manufactured and then mounted onto the seal ring, simplifying the injection molding process while maintaining automated production capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting ring is pre-compressed by the tapered funnel surface before being launched into the casing. This preliminary compression action enables automated mounting without requiring complex integral molding, as the seal components are prepared and assembled in a simplified sequence.
4Extent of automation
If the mounting ring outer diameter is reduced to pass through the ejection opening, then automated ejection is enabled, but the mounting ring must be elastically compressed
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting ring's outer diameter parameter is temporarily changed during the ejection process. The tapered funnel surface compresses the ring to a smaller diameter for passage through the ejection opening, after which the ring expands back to its original diameter, maintaining structural integrity through controlled elastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered funnel surface provides gradual compression of the mounting ring before ejection, allowing the material to deform elastically without exceeding its strength limits. This controlled pre-compression enables automated ejection while preserving the mounting ring's structural integrity.
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 solution enables cost-efficient, automated mounting of seals in pipe couplings, reducing labor intensity and avoiding the complexities and costs associated with high-pressure methods or 2K injection molding.
Implementation Method 1
In the seal funnel the initial mounting ring outer diameter of the mounting ring is reduced when it is pushed along the funnel surface towards the ejection opening. Due to the reduction of the mounting ring outer diameter, the mounting ring is elastically compressed and biased
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly comprising a seal feeding device (50) and a seal mounting device (150) for mounting a seal (20) of a pipe coupling (1), wherein the seal comprises a mounting ring (21) with a mounting ring outer diameter (D3) that merges into a flexible seal ring (30), wherein the seal mounting device (150) comprises a seal funnel (155) for receiving the seal, wherein the seal funnel comprises an entry opening (161) with an entry opening diameter (D1) for the seal, an ejection opening (163) with an ejection opening diameter (D2) for the seal, and a funnel surface (160) that extends therebetween, wherein the seal mounting device comprises a seal pusher (174) having a pusher mandrel (175), and multiple seal punches (177) that project radially outwards from the pusher mandrel, wherein the seal pusher comprises corresponding punch passages (162) for the seal punches in the seal funnel that are recessed from the funnel surface (160) and that extend in the push direction (M).