Sealing Element Structure for Secure Groove Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing elements face challenges in secure mounting, orientation, and resistance to sliding out of cutouts, particularly in applications requiring high reliability and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A sealing element design featuring a stabilizing surface orthogonal to its longitudinal extent, equipped with a retaining surface and securing elements that project from the stabilizing surface, enhancing retention and preventing sliding, with a preferred width and length ratio for improved stability and vibration damping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional sealing element design is used, then the structure is simple, but the sealing element cannot be securely retained in the cutout and has poor resistance to sliding out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention securityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is divided into functionally distinct surfaces: a stabilizing surface for orientation and positioning, and a retaining surface with securing elements for preventing sliding out. This segmentation allows each surface to optimize its specific function, improving overall retention security without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a protruding dimension with securing elements that extend beyond the sealing element body into the cutout. This dimensional addition creates mechanical interlocking that significantly improves retention security while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a sealing element without securing elements is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the mounting security and resistance to sliding out are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element incorporates discrete securing elements as separate functional components on the retaining surface. This segmentation allows the securing elements to be optimized for mounting security while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integrated molding or attachment of standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Securing elements are placed specifically on the retaining surface where they are needed for mounting security, rather than complicating the entire sealing element structure. This local quality approach improves mounting security without significantly increasing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If the sealing element lacks a dedicated stabilizing surface, then the structure is simpler, but the orientation and positioning accuracy in the cutout are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsurface configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A dedicated stabilizing surface is created with specific geometric properties (area, orientation, position) that are optimized solely for positioning and orienting the sealing element in the cutout. This local quality enhancement improves positioning accuracy without requiring complex modifications to the entire sealing element structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizing surface utilizes the cross-sectional dimension of the sealing element to create positioning features that engage with the cutout geometry, improving positioning accuracy in the transverse direction without adding longitudinal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If the securing elements do not project from the stabilizing surface, then the structure is simpler, but the resistance to sliding out of the cutout is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding resistanceVSAvoidsecuring element configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Securing elements project protrudingly from the stabilizing surface in the longitudinal direction, creating mechanical interlocking with the cutout. This dimensional extension significantly improves sliding resistance while maintaining relatively simple securing element configuration through standardized protruding geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4660483A1Sealing element
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 CARL FREUDENBERG KG
  • EP4660483A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4660483A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4660483A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a sealing element (10) for introduction into a cutout, in particular a groove, with a lubricant or without a lubricant, wherein the sealing element (10) has a longitudinal extent direction (12), wherein a sealing cross section (14) of the sealing element (10) is arranged substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal extent direction (12), wherein the sealing cross section (14) has a stabilizing surface (16), wherein the stabilizing surface (16) is configured to retain the sealing element in the cutout and/or to secure the sealing element in the cutout against tilting, wherein the sealing cross section (14) has a retaining surface (18), wherein the retaining surface (18) has at least one securing element (20) which projects from the stabilizing surface (16), wherein the retaining surface (18) is configured to secure the sealing element (10) against sliding out of the cutout by means of the securing element (20).