Split Shaft Sleeve Snap-Fit for Easier Mechanical Seal Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical seal arrangements with one-piece shaft sleeves are difficult to assemble and disassemble, require high-quality and expensive materials, and are cumbersome during mounting due to direct contact with the product, leading to manufacturing and handling challenges.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical seal arrangement with a split shaft sleeve, comprising two annular sleeve parts joined by a snap-in connection, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without additional components like screws, and enabling the use of different materials for the sleeve parts based on their exposure to the product, with a snap-in connection that includes a plug-and-turn mechanism and elastomer seals for secure clamping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a one-piece shaft sleeve is used, then the mechanical seal arrangement is available as a pre-assembled arrangement with mounting advantages, but the shaft sleeve requires high-quality and expensive material and is cumbersome during mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft sleeve is divided into two separate annular sleeve parts (first annular sleeve part and second annular sleeve part) that can be assembled separately and then connected via snap-in connection. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured more easily and at lower cost, while still providing the pre-assembled mounting advantage when combined.
2Ease of operation
If a one-piece shaft sleeve is used, then the mechanical seal arrangement is pre-assembled, but the shaft sleeve is a very long, tube-like component that may cause problems during mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The long tube-like shaft sleeve is segmented into two shorter annular sleeve parts. Each part has a more manageable size and weight, making them easier to handle and install separately before being connected together, thus reducing mounting difficulty while maintaining the pre-assembled benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-in connection allows the two sleeve parts to be dynamically assembled and disassembled. The connection can be quickly engaged and released, providing flexibility during mounting and maintenance operations, unlike a fixed one-piece design.
3Reliability
If the shaft sleeve is made of high-quality material for product contact, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Only the second annular sleeve part that comes into contact with the product is manufactured from high-quality material suitable for sealing applications. The first annular sleeve part, which does not contact the product, can be made from less expensive material. This local differentiation of material quality maintains sealing reliability while significantly reducing overall manufacturing cost.
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
Simplifies handling and manufacturing, reduces costs by allowing the non-exposed sleeve part to be made of a less expensive material, and ensures secure sealing without damaging the slide rings, improving assembly efficiency and reducing material expenses.
Implementation Method 1
the snap-in connection comprises at least one snap-in nose and one snap-in recess for receiving the snap-in nose to allow the two sleeve parts to engage into each other
Implementation Method 2
enabling the use of different materials for the sleeve parts based on their exposure to the product, with a snap-in connection that includes a plug-and-turn mechanism and elastomer seals for secure clamping
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a mechanical seal arrangement comprising a mechanical seal including a rotating slide ring (2) and a stationary slide ring (3) which define a sealing gap (4) between seal faces (21, 31), a shaft sleeve arrangement (5), comprising a split shaft sleeve with a first annular sleeve part (51) and a second annular sleeve part (52), which are connected to each other by means of a snap-in connection (6), wherein the rotating slide ring (2) is arranged on the shaft sleeve arrangement (5), and wherein the snap-in connection (6) comprises at least one snap-in nose (60) and one snap-in recess (61) receiving the snap-in nose (60) to allow the first sleeve part (51) to engage with the second sleeve part (52).