Sealing Device Labyrinth Lip Configuration for Muddy Water Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing devices with labyrinth seals have inferior sealability due to a wide gap between the seal flange and the sealing device main body, leading to increased muddy water infiltration, especially in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
The sealing device incorporates a labyrinth lip positioned further outward than the seal lip, with a labyrinth gap formed between the labyrinth lip and the seal flange, and the seal flange is inclined towards the labyrinth lip, creating a complex labyrinth gap structure that enhances water sealability without increasing friction torque or heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a labyrinth seal is used with a wide gap between the seal flange and the sealing device main body, then friction torque and heat generation are reduced, but sealability deteriorates and muddy water infiltration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is divided into multiple segments: the contact-type seal lip for primary sealing, and multiple labyrinth lips (first, second, third labyrinth lips) forming a segmented labyrinth seal structure. This segmentation allows the system to combine the advantages of both contact and non-contact sealing methods, achieving both good sealability and reduced friction torque.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges two different sealing mechanisms into a single integrated structure: a contact-type seal lip that maintains sliding contact for reliable sealing, and a labyrinth seal structure with multiple lips that creates a complex flow path to prevent muddy water infiltration while minimizing friction and heat generation.
2Reliability
If a contact-type seal is used to improve sealability, then muddy water resistance improves, but friction torque and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented between the contact-type seal lip (which provides primary sealing with minimal friction) and the labyrinth seal structure (which provides additional protection against muddy water infiltration). This segmentation distributes the sealing function across multiple components, reducing the friction burden on any single element.
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinth seal structure acts as an intermediary between the contact-type seal and the external environment. It creates a complex flow path that prevents muddy water from directly reaching the contact seal, thereby protecting the seal lip from contamination and reducing the friction and heat generation associated with direct contact sealing.
3Reliability
If the gap between the seal flange and sealing device main body is narrowed to improve sealability, then muddy water resistance improves, but friction torque increases and heat generation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is segmented into a contact seal lip for primary sealing and multiple labyrinth lips forming a complex flow path. This segmentation allows the system to achieve good sealability without requiring a narrow gap throughout the entire sealing interface, thereby reducing friction and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying solely on narrowing the radial gap to improve sealability, the invention introduces a multi-dimensional labyrinth structure with multiple lips extending in different directions. This creates a complex three-dimensional flow path that prevents muddy water infiltration without requiring tight clearances, thereby reducing friction and heat generation.
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 significantly improves muddy water resistance and maintains sealability over a long period by creating a high labyrinth seal effect, suppressing infiltration through a complex labyrinth gap design that causes pressure loss for incoming water.
Implementation Method 1
a labyrinth gap is formed between the labyrinth lip and the seal flange, and the tube part... creating a high labyrinth seal effect since the labyrinth lip positioned further to the outer side than the seal lip extends towards the radially opposite side to the tip part end of the seal flange
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing device including a sealing device main body 1 mounted on one of two members 101 that rotate relatively, and a seal flange mounted to the other of the two members 102. The sealing device main body 1 is provided with a structure provided with a seal lip 12 slidably connected to a seal flange 22, and a tube part 18 positioned further to the outer side than the seal lip 12. A labyrinth lip 15 is provided on the sealing device main body 1 positioned further to the outer side than the seal lip 12; and, the labyrinth lip 15 extends towards the radially opposite side to the tip end of the seal flange 22 facing the tube part 18 in a radial direction, as the tip end closely faces the seal flange 22 in an axial direction, and a labyrinth gap 3 is formed between the labyrinth lip 15 and the seal flange 22, and the tube part 18.