Seal Installation Tool for Water Jet Device Grooves
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for maintaining and sealing the perforated plate in water-jet bonding devices are cumbersome, costly, unreliable over time, and require additional hydraulic systems, with seal replacement being time-consuming and difficult, especially due to the increased distance between the perforated plate and the nonwoven web, which reduces water jet energy and complicates seal carrier production.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a slider having a flat upper face and a ramp that allows for the easy insertion and placement of an O-ring seal into a groove within the water jet device, using a single part to facilitate quick seal changes without additional parts or hydraulic systems, with the tool itself guiding the seal into position during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a positive clamping system with piston and tie rods is used to press the perforated plate against the seal holder, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases, manufacturing cost increases, and seal replacement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the complex positive clamping system (piston, tie rods, hydraulic system) and integrates it directly into the jaw through a seal groove. The seal holder with integrated groove removes the need for external clamping mechanisms, achieving sealing reliability while dramatically simplifying the device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal groove is merged directly into the jaw structure, combining the sealing function with the structural component. This integration eliminates the need for separate seal holders and clamping mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective sealing of the perforated plate.
2Ease of operation
If an autoclamped system with removable seal holder is used, then ease of seal replacement is improved, but the distance between perforated plate and nonwoven web increases, reducing water jet energy
Solution Approach 1:
The seal groove is integrated directly into the jaw structure, eliminating the need for a separate thick seal holder. This merging of functions maintains the close proximity between the perforated plate and nonwoven web, preserving water jet energy while still allowing seal replacement by removing the entire jaw assembly.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the seal groove is directly integrated into the jaw as in US Pat. No. 6,012,654, then water jet energy is maintained, but seal replacement becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw is designed as a removable, segmented component that can be easily detached from the injector body. This segmentation allows the seal groove (with integrated seal) to be accessed and replaced by simply removing the jaw, maintaining close proximity for energy efficiency while dramatically improving seal replacement ease.
4Force
If additional hydraulic systems are added to supply the piston, then sealing force is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal groove is passively formed directly in the jaw structure, which is itself a pressure-resistant component. The jaw's inherent structural integrity provides the necessary sealing force without requiring additional hydraulic systems or active clamping mechanisms, achieving self-service sealing.
5Ease of operation
If the seal holder thickness is increased to 6-8 mm, then seal mounting ease is improved, but the distance to nonwoven web increases and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal groove is merged into the thin jaw structure itself, eliminating the need for a separate thick seal holder. This integration maintains the close proximity needed for manufacturing and operation while providing adequate space for seal installation through the integrated groove geometry.
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
Significantly reduces the time required for seal replacement to five minutes from two hours, using fewer parts and eliminating the need for external pressure systems, while maintaining the seal's effectiveness and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
two strands from the curved section are placed on the ramp, while pulling by hand on the two strands to stretch them, the tool is introduced through the first opening and by sliding the upper surface of the tool under the ceiling of the tunnel so that the two strands, pushed down by the platform, enter the groove
Implementation Method 2
the joint of the dog, the curved section of the joint thus returning by elastic return to the open curved part of the groove close to the second slot
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A tool for installing a seal in a groove (6), characterised in that it comprises a pad having a flat and smooth upper sliding face (20) and a lower face on which are arranged, successively according to the longitudinal sliding direction of the pad, a ramp (25) moving away from the upper face when it comes close to a platform (26), flat and smooth, forming the lowest surface of the lower face, the platform being followed by a driving dog.