Sealing Element With Additional Ring and Meandering Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gap or labyrinth seals are not absolutely tight, allowing environmental media to penetrate due to their design, which results in incomplete sealing.
Innovation Solution
A sealing element with an additional ring forming a meandering sealing gap that includes an undercut profile, enhancing the sealing path and acting as a 'catching channel' for media, and utilizing a press fit connection and specific gap profiles to improve sealing efficacy, including a return mechanism for liquids via centrifugal forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional gap or labyrinth seal is used, then the sealing structure is simple, but the sealing effectiveness is insufficient and environmental media can penetrate
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is divided into three separate rings: an inner ring, an outer ring, and an additional ring. This segmentation allows each ring to perform specific functions - the inner and outer rings form the basic sealing structure, while the additional ring creates the undercut profile and catching channel. The segmented design improves sealing effectiveness without requiring a completely complex new structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional ring introduces a new dimensional feature - the undercut profile - that extends the sealing path in a radial direction rather than just axially. This creates a three-dimensional sealing path with multiple levels, forming a catching channel that traps media. The dimensional change transforms the simple linear sealing path into a multi-level structure that significantly improves sealing effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the sealing gap has a simple profile, then the structure is easy to manufacture, but the sealing path is insufficient and media can penetrate
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing gap profile is segmented into distinct sections: an entry section, a meandering section, and an exit section with undercut. Each section serves a specific function in preventing media penetration. The segmentation of the profile into manageable sections makes it easier to manufacture compared to creating a completely complex monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional ring is designed to connect to the inner ring in advance, forming the undercut profile and catching channel structure before the sealing element is installed. This preliminary formation of the complex sealing path structure simplifies the manufacturing process, as the intricate three-dimensional profile is created as an integrated component rather than requiring complex post-assembly operations.
3Reliability
If the additional ring is added to form an undercut profile, then the sealing path is extended and catching channel is formed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The additional ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it creates the undercut profile that extends the sealing path, forms the catching channel that traps media, and connects to the inner ring to provide structural support. By combining multiple functions into a single component, the design improves sealing properties without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of extending the sealing path, creating the catching channel, and providing structural support are merged into the additional ring. This consolidation means that one component accomplishes what would otherwise require multiple separate elements, thereby improving sealing effectiveness while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the additional ring connects to the inner ring, then the sealing element is prevented from disintegrating, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The additional ring is designed to connect to the inner ring through a self-service mechanism where the press fit connection is formed by the interference fit between the components during assembly. The structure itself facilitates its own connection - the additional ring's inner diameter is slightly smaller than the inner ring's outer diameter, creating a self-centering and self-locking effect that ensures stable connection without requiring complex external fastening mechanisms.
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 significantly enhances sealing properties by preventing media ingress and ensuring almost complete tightness, even at standstill conditions, while also providing structural support to prevent the sealing element from disintegration and allowing for use as an adjustment element for machine components.
Implementation Method 1
When the machine components to be sealed are at a standstill, the surrounding medium (typically liquid) is collected in this gutter and can then be transported away by centrifugal forces if the machine components to be sealed move relative to each other
Implementation Method 2
Forming a press fit has proven to be an advantageous connection method for connecting the additional ring to the inner ring, in particular a press fit in which the inner lateral surface of the additional ring is pressed with the outer lateral surface of the inner ring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing element (1) for sealing a cylindrical inner surface (13) of a first machine component and a cylindrical outer surface (8) of a second machine component, which sealing element comprises an inner ring (2), an additional ring (14) arranged coaxially to the inner ring (2), said additional ring being connected to a part of an outside lateral face (7) of the inner ring (2), an outer ring (3) arranged coaxially to the inner ring (2), and a sealing gap (19), which is formed by an external lateral face (7) of the inner ring (2), an internal lateral face (12) of the outer ring (3) and an external lateral face (18) and an end face (17) of the additional ring (14) and which in axial section through the common axis (A1) of the inner ring (2), the outer ring (3) and the additional ring (14) has a meandering profile.