Seal Structure With Variable Thickness For Uniform Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal structures face challenges in maintaining uniform seal pressure and preventing damage to casings due to varying reaction forces during compression, particularly around fastening regions.
Innovation Solution
A seal structure with a seal member arranged inwardly of the casing, featuring rib-less and ribbed parts with varying thicknesses, where the reaction force in the compression direction is smaller near fastening regions and larger elsewhere, allowing for optimized seal pressure and reduced material strength requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal member is compressed uniformly throughout, then the seal pressure is uniform, but the reaction force damages the casing near fastening regions
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is designed with non-uniform thickness, where the thickness varies in the compression direction between different regions. Specifically, the thickness is greater in fastening regions and smaller in non-fastening regions, allowing the seal member to withstand higher reaction forces near fastening regions without damaging the casing while maintaining adequate seal pressure throughout.
2Force
If the seal member thickness is increased to withstand higher compression forces, then the seal pressure is sufficient, but the material strength requirements and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member employs variable thickness design where material is concentrated in regions requiring higher strength (fastening regions) and reduced in regions requiring less strength (non-fastening regions). This optimized material distribution achieves the necessary compression force resistance while minimizing overall material usage and manufacturing cost.
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
This configuration ensures the seal member can withstand increased compression forces without damaging the casing, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves assembly efficiency by varying the reaction force distribution and using an interference fit for secure positioning.
Implementation Method 1
The seal member is compressed in a compression direction between the case and the cover
Implementation Method 2
Reaction force in the compression direction of the seal member located in the vicinities of the fastening regions is smaller than reaction force in the compression direction of the seal member located in positions other than the vicinities of the fastening regions
Data Source
AI summary
A seal structure includes a seal body. The seal body is sandwiched between a case and a cover and provided between a space and fastening regions. The space is formed by the case and the cover. The case and the cover is fastened at the fastening regions to compress the seal body in a compression direction. The seal body includes first regions and second regions. The first regions correspond to the fastening regions. Each of the second regions is provided between one of the first regions and another of the first regions. Reaction force in the compression direction in the seal body located at the first regions is smaller than reaction force in the compression direction in the seal body located in the second regions.