Radial Shaft Sealing Ring With Exposed Support Ring Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radial shaft sealing rings are unable to facilitate attachment of additional elements due to the elastomer material completely encasing the support ring, preventing electrical or thermal conduction and limiting the integration of conductive or thermally conductive components.
Innovation Solution
A radial shaft sealing ring design featuring a metal support ring with a surface free of elastomer material, allowing attachment of elements such as conductive or thermally conductive components, and incorporating through-holes or protrusions to enable elastomer flow without covering the attachment surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the support ring is completely encased in elastomer material, then sealing performance is improved, but the ability to attach additional elements and conduct electrical currents is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The support ring is divided into two distinct surfaces: one surface is completely encased in elastomer material for sealing purposes, while the other surface remains free of elastomer material to allow attachment of additional elements. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing dedicated zones for different functions within the same component.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the support ring are given different properties: one region is covered with elastomer material to provide sealing functionality, while another region is left as bare metal to provide attachment functionality. This local differentiation allows the single support ring to fulfill multiple functions simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the support ring is completely encased in elastomer material, then sealing performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to inability to attach additional elements
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support ring into covered and exposed surfaces, the design simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for separate attachment steps for additional elements, while still maintaining effective sealing through the covered portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A radial shaft sealing ring has a metal support ring and an elastomer part with a scaling lip resting at least partially on a rotating component. The elastomer part at least partially surrounds the support ring. The support ring has a first surface, which is free of the elastomer part, faces the exterior space and to which an element can be attached.