Spring Member Manufacturing for Sealing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing devices face challenges in maintaining sealing performance over long periods due to plastic deformation of PTFE lip members under high temperatures, leading to uneven surface pressures and reduced rigidity, which affects the sealing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method for manufacturing a spring member with a narrowed pitch interval between inner periphery pressing portions by performing specific punching and bending steps on a metal plate material, ensuring consistent and even surface pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the pitch interval between inner periphery pressing portions is widened to facilitate manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the sealing performance deteriorates due to uneven surface pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the pitch interval between inner periphery pressing portions to be 0.5mm or less, and the width of each pressing portion to be 0.3mm or less. These specific parameter values ensure even surface pressure distribution on the PTFE lip member, maintaining sealing performance while being manufacturable through conventional punching processes.
2Reliability
If the rigidity of the lip member is lowered to compensate for plastic deformation under high temperatures, then the sealing performance is maintained over time, but the surface pressure distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific pressing portions with controlled dimensions (width of 0.3mm or less) at critical locations on the spring member. These localized pressing portions concentrate the elastic reaction force into specific areas, ensuring even pressure distribution on the lip member's contact surfaces despite the lip member's reduced rigidity at high temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the dynamic elastic properties of the spring member made of elastic steel. The spring member dynamically adjusts its pressing force in response to temperature-induced rigidity changes in the PTFE lip member, maintaining consistent surface pressure distribution through its elastic recovery capability throughout the temperature range.
3Reliability
If the pitch interval between pressing portions is narrowed to improve surface pressure distribution, then the sealing performance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves manufacturing complexity by establishing specific parameter thresholds: pitch interval of 0.5mm or less and pressing portion width of 0.3mm or less. These parameters are designed to be achievable through conventional punching processes, balancing the need for fine pitch intervals with manufacturing feasibility using standard equipment and materials.
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 method enhances the sealing performance by maintaining consistent surface pressures and reducing the impact of plastic deformation, thereby improving the durability and effectiveness of the sealing device.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member 102 made of a metal material and having an annular shape about the axis... the spring member 102 is compressed... the outer periphery side lip 105 is pushed against the opening 112 of the housing 111 by a reaction force of the outer periphery pressing portions 107
Data Source
AI summary
An inner circle and outer periphery punching step is performed in which a punching process is performed on a plate material made of a metal material to form an outline on an outer periphery side and a circle space on an inner periphery side, thereby forming an intermediate plate material. In an inner periphery bending step, the intermediate plate material is subjected to a bending process of bending a portion inside of a base circle that is a circle between an inner circle end portion and an outer circle, toward one side. In an inner periphery punching step, the intermediate plate material is subjected to a punching process of punching out inner periphery radial portions that are portions radially extending from the inner circle end portion, to form inner periphery slits extending inside of the outer circle in respective radial pieces. In an outer periphery bending step, the intermediate plate material is subjected to a bending process of bending a portion outside of the base circle from the base circle toward the one side, thereby forming a spring member.