Rotating Shaft Seal Assembly with Flexible Wall and Wiper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal assemblies for rotating shafts and stationary housings fail to effectively prevent contamination and leakage due to axial movement of the shaft, which leads to dust and abrasive particles becoming trapped between the shaft and elastomeric elements, causing wear and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly with a canister, lid, and a seal member featuring an inner and outer portion connected by a flexible wall, allowing relative movement in one direction while preventing movement in another, and a wiper section with a heel and toe for enhanced sealing, which includes a bearing surface to maintain contact with the canister and prevent longitudinal movement of the outer seal portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shaft moves axially relative to the elastomeric element during rotation, then the seal assembly allows for axial movement accommodation, but abrasive particles become trapped between the shaft and elastomeric element causing wear and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is divided into distinct segments: an elastomeric element for sealing, a wiper section with heel and toe for contaminant removal, and a bearing surface for shaft support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling axial movement while preventing contaminant entrapment that would compromise seal integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper section acts as an intermediary between the shaft and the external environment. The heel and toe configuration creates a controlled path that wipes the shaft surface, removing abrasive particles before they can be trapped between the elastomeric element and shaft, thus maintaining seal integrity during axial movement
2Reliability
If the elastomeric element maintains continuous contact with the rotating shaft, then effective sealing is achieved, but abrasive material scores the shaft and elastomeric element leading to oil leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper section with heel and toe extracts abrasive contaminants from the shaft surface through a wiping action. By removing these harmful particles before they reach the elastomeric element, the design prevents scoring and extends the lifespan of both the shaft and seal while maintaining effective sealing contact
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing surface and wiper section perform preliminary protection by supporting the shaft and removing contaminants before the elastomeric element engages with the shaft. This preliminary action prevents abrasive material from being trapped and causing wear, thereby extending seal lifespan while maintaining sealing effectiveness
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 seal assembly effectively prevents contamination and leakage by allowing the inner seal portion to move with the shaft while maintaining contact and reducing wear, thereby enhancing the lifespan of the seal and maintaining a sealed engagement between the shaft and the seal member.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible wall connecting the outer portion to the inner portion and permitting relative movement between the outer portion and the inner portion in at least a first direction
Implementation Method 2
a bearing surface to maintain contact with the canister and prevent longitudinal movement of the outer seal portion
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly disposed between relatively rotating members such as a rotating shaft passing through an opening in a stationary housing. The seal assembly may include a housing, such as a canister, and a seal member retained in the canister. The seal member may include an inner portion and an outer portion interconnected by a flexible wall and an aperture for receiving the shaft. The flexible wall may permit the inner portion to move relative to the outer portion of the seal member. The inner portion of the seal member may forms a seal with the shaft, and the seal member may rotate with the shaft within the canister. The seal assembly may engage an oil seal and may function as an excluder seal.