Sealing Ring Antirotation via Elastic Preloading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing arrangements fail to reliably prevent the sealing ring from corotating within the installation space, especially when the direction of rotation changes frequently and under non-pressurized conditions, leading to potential wear and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

A sealing ring is designed with elastic axial and radial preloading, featuring two dynamically loaded sealing lips and multiple static sealing regions, which ensures a force-locking and rotationally fixed engagement within the installation space, preventing corotation without the need for separate antirotation devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a sealing ring is used without separate antirotation devices, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the sealing ring may corotate within the installation space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidantirotation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antirotation function is merged into the sealing ring structure itself through the interaction between the dynamically loaded sealing lips and the surface to be sealed. The sealing lips are designed to engage with the surface, creating a mechanical interlock that prevents corotation without requiring separate antirotation devices. This integration eliminates additional components while maintaining reliable antirotation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring utilizes its own sealing lips to perform the antirotation function. The dynamically loaded sealing lips automatically engage with the surface to be sealed, creating friction and mechanical engagement that prevents corotation. The system serves itself by using the sealing mechanism's inherent contact surfaces to provide both sealing and antirotation functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the sealing ring is subjected to elastic axial and radial preloading, then the sealing ring is prevented from corotating during normal use, but the preloading force may increase wear on the sealing surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantirotation reliabilityVSAvoidwear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The preloading force is locally applied through the dynamically loaded sealing lips at specific contact points with the surface to be sealed. Rather than uniform preloading across the entire sealing ring, the force is concentrated at the sealing lip contact zones, providing effective antirotation where needed while minimizing wear on other surfaces. The local application of force optimizes the balance between preventing corotation and reducing wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the sealing ring is designed with multiple static sealing regions and dynamically loaded sealing lips, then the sealing ring maintains rotationally fixed engagement, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotationally fixed engagementVSAvoidsealing ring geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring is segmented into multiple functional regions: static sealing regions for sealing and dynamically loaded sealing lips for antirotation. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function. The dynamically loaded sealing lips are designed with specific geometric features that engage the surface to be sealed, providing antirotation through controlled mechanical interaction rather than requiring high-precision fit throughout the entire ring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively secures the sealing ring against rotation, minimizing wear and maintaining consistent performance over a long service life, even under varying conditions such as frequent direction changes and increased friction from contaminants.

Implementation Method 1

A sealing ring (1) is subjected to elastic axial and radial preloading within an installation space (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic preloading: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The sealing ring (1) is conFIGUREd as a contact seal between two machine elements (2, 3) under radial preloading in the installation space (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8616840B2Sealing arrangement, sealing ring and use thereof

Publication Date: 2013.12.31 CARL FREUDENBERG KG

AI summary

A sealing arrangement is provided, including a sealing ring for sealing two machine elements from one another, the sealing ring being conFIGUREd in an installation space for the second machine element that is open toward the first machine element to be sealed, and sealingly contacting the surface to be sealed of the first machine element, by way of at least one dynamically loaded first sealing lip. The sealing ring is arranged under elastic axial and radial preloading within the installation space.