Stepped O-Ring Seal Geometry for Lower Fluid Connector Insertion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connections in fluid transfer circuits face high insertion forces due to annular seals, making manual assembly tedious and time-consuming, and existing solutions do not adequately address this issue without significant additional cost.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connection design featuring a double-curved O-ring seal with a stepped profile, comprising peak and trough crests on different axial planes, allowing gradual compression during insertion to reduce insertion forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an annular seal (O-ring) is used to ensure fluid tightness between connectors, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but insertion force increases making manual assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The O-ring seal is segmented into multiple independent compression zones along its circumference, with each zone having peaks and valleys that compress sequentially during insertion. This segmentation allows the total compression force to be distributed across multiple smaller force applications rather than one large force, reducing the peak insertion force while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The O-ring seal incorporates a dynamic corrugated profile with varying cross-sectional dimensions along its circumference, creating a non-uniform compression sequence. As the male connector inserts, different portions of the O-ring compress at different times and with different forces, making the insertion process more dynamic and manageable rather than requiring uniform high force across the entire seal at once.
2Ease of operation
If a corrugated profile is added to the O-ring seal to reduce insertion forces, then ease of assembly is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The O-ring seal features local variations in cross-sectional dimensions at specific locations (peaks and valleys) while maintaining a relatively simple overall toroidal structure. The complexity is localized to specific regions of the seal rather than requiring complex geometry throughout, making the seal easier to manufacture while achieving the force distribution benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The O-ring seal incorporates smooth curved transitions between peaks and valleys in its corrugated profile, avoiding sharp angles or complex geometric features. This curvature approach simplifies manufacturing compared to angular or multi-faceted geometries while still achieving the desired sequential compression effect during insertion.
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 stepped profile of the O-ring seal reduces instantaneous insertion forces, facilitating easier assembly while maintaining effective sealing, without increasing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the compression of the seal follows a stepped profile which has steps defined by each of the upper, intermediate and lower planes
Implementation Method 2
the compression of the sealing seal occurs gradually during axial insertion
Implementation Method 3
This seal thus ensures the fluid tightness between the male connector and the female connector of the fluid coupling
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a seal (50) that has an undulating profile following a circumferential path centered on a main axis, such that the path has a variable axial amplitude relative to a reference transverse plane perpendicular to the main axis between two, lower (PI) and upper (PS), transverse planes and defines a non-planar geometric profile of the seal (50). The undulating profile has at least two peaks (A, C) and at least two troughs (B, D) that are formed by axial excursions relative to the transverse reference plane so that compression of the seal (50) follows a stepped profile in which the steps are defined by the upper (PS) and lower (PI) planes and intermediate planes located between the upper (PS) and lower (PI) planes.