Radial Shaft Seal Ring Structure for Lower Installation Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radial shaft seal rings face high installation forces due to the need to press undulating projections inward, leading to material deformation and potential cracking, especially when the static seal element has a larger outer diameter than the bore, resulting in increased effort and risk of axial deformation during installation.
Innovation Solution
A radial shaft seal ring design featuring a support body with axial and radial parts connected by a curved part, including a static seal element with an axial and radial seal section, and a radially outward seal bead to facilitate uniform installation force and prevent material stripping, ensuring a secure seal with reduced deformation and increased material yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the static seal element has a larger outer diameter than the bore to ensure overlap and press fit, then sealing reliability is improved, but installation force increases rapidly and material deformation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is divided into an axial part and a radial part connected by a curved connecting part. This segmentation allows the seal element to be installed in stages: the axial part enters the bore first with lower force, then the curved connecting part gradually transitions the seal into the radial position, distributing the installation force throughout the process rather than requiring a single high-force press-fit operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved connecting part introduces a dimensional transition between the axial and radial directions. Instead of directly pressing the seal radially inward (one-dimensional force), the curved path allows the seal to move through a combination of axial and radial displacement, converting a high radial installation force into a more manageable axial insertion force followed by gradual radial positioning.
2Reliability
If the static seal element has a larger outer diameter than the bore to ensure overlap, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but material cracking occurs due to excessive radial inward pressing
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support body into axial and radial parts with a curved connecting part, the installation process is divided into manageable stages. The material is deformed gradually along the curved path rather than being suddenly compressed radially inward, preventing stress concentration and cracking while still achieving the necessary overlap for sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved connecting part is designed in advance to provide a deformation path that accommodates material flow during installation. This preliminary structural design ensures that as the seal is installed, the material naturally follows the curved path into its final position without experiencing excessive localized stress that would cause cracking.
3Manufacturing precision
If undulating projections are pressed radially inward during installation, then overlap with the bore is achieved, but axial deformation and cracking occur due to accumulated deforming force
Solution Approach 1:
The curved connecting part transforms the installation process from a purely radial pressing operation into a combined axial-radial movement. The seal element is first inserted axially into the bore, then the curved connecting part gradually guides it into the radial position, distributing the deformation effort across both dimensional directions and reducing the peak force required at any single moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved connecting part introduces dynamic flexibility to the installation process. Rather than a rigid, forceful press-fit, the curved geometry allows the seal to adapt and deform gradually as it moves through the installation path, making the process more controllable and less prone to sudden failures or cracking.
Data Source
AI summary
A radial shaft seal ring for sealing a space between a shaft and a bore in a housing includes a support body having an axial part, a radial part and a curved connecting part connecting the axial part to the radial part. A seal body is mounted on the support body and has a static seal element configured to seal between the support body and the bore and a dynamic seal element configured to sealingly abut against the shaft. The static seal element extends from the axial part of the support body over the connecting part to the radial part of the support body and includes an axial seal element section and a radial seal element section. A radially outer surface of the static seal element has a radially outwardly directed first seal bead, at least a portion of which is located directly radially outward of the curved connecting part.