Split Bearing Ring Labyrinth Seal for Thermal-Tolerant Vent Flap Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air damper drives in buildings face challenges in being robust and precisely controllable, especially in difficult-to-access installation spaces, and they struggle with thermal stresses and manufacturing tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A drive system featuring a slotted bearing ring with a gap between its ends, allowing for elastic deformation to compensate for thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances, combined with a rotatable hub and electric motor control for precise adjustment of air flaps, using materials like aluminum and zinc die-cast components for durability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid bearing ring is used to ensure manufacturing precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but thermal stress resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing ring transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamic structure with elastic deformation capability. The slotted design allows the bearing ring to flex and adapt to thermal expansion and contraction, enabling it to compensate for dimensional changes while maintaining functional precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction of slots changes the structural parameters of the bearing ring, transforming it from a completely rigid component to one with controlled flexibility. This parameter change allows the bearing ring to maintain manufacturing precision within operational tolerances while accommodating thermal stress through elastic deformation.
2Reliability
If a slotted bearing ring is used to compensate for thermal expansion, then thermal stress resistance is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slots introduce controlled flexibility to the bearing ring, allowing it to dynamically adjust to thermal expansion and contraction. This dynamic adaptation compensates for thermal stress while maintaining sufficient manufacturing precision for the drive's operational requirements.
3Strength
If a solid bearing ring is used to ensure structural integrity, then strength is improved, but adaptability to temperature changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing ring incorporates slots that enable dynamic adaptation to temperature changes while preserving structural integrity. The elastic deformation capability allows the ring to flex with thermal expansion and contraction without compromising its overall strength or structural soundness.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If tight sealing is implemented to prevent leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but bearing play increases
Solution Approach 1:
Labyrinth seals are introduced as intermediary structures that provide effective sealing without requiring tight clearance between the bearing ring and hub. The labyrinthine path creates multiple barriers to fluid leakage while maintaining sufficient bearing clearance to minimize play and wear.
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 provides a robust, precisely controllable air damper drive that compensates for thermal stresses and manufacturing tolerances, ensuring accurate positioning and reduced wear, while allowing for simpler manufacturing processes and improved sealing.
Implementation Method 1
the bearing ring (102) is flexible, so that the first end (106) and the second end (107) can move away from and approach one another, so that, for example, the diameter of the bearing ring (102) can be changed in particular by elastic deformation of the bearing ring (102) Due to the gap between the first end and the second end of the bearing ring, the bearing ring is flexible, so that the first end and the second end can move away from and approach one another, so that, for example, the diameter of the bearing ring can be changed in particular by elastic deformation of the bearing ring
Implementation Method 2
The first end has a first surface or a first plane, in which the first surface lies, with a first surface normal and the second end has a second surface or second plane opposite the first surface, in which the second surface is on, with a second surface normal
Data Source
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AI summary
The drive (100) has a base body (101) with a receiving opening (104) and a bearing ring (102) arranged in the receiving opening and fastened at the base body. The bearing ring has two ends (106,107) in its circumferential direction (105). The two ends are spaced in the circumferential direction, so that a gap is provided between the two ends. A hub (103) is provided for driving an output shaft of the ventilation flap. The hub is fastened at the bearing ring such that the hub is rotatably supported at the base body relative to the bearing ring. An independent claim is included for a method for adjustment of a ventilation flap of a building.