Support Assembly Cover Locking for Precise Sealing Under Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fastening systems for support assemblies in the food industry, particularly for movable shafts, face challenges in precise mounting and security due to uncertainty in angular positioning, risk of accidental demounting from excessive vibration, and compromised sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
A novel fastening system featuring a cover with radially projecting teeth and an annular groove with asymmetrical ramps and mechanical stops, ensuring precise locking and preventing accidental demounting by varying the force required for mounting and demounting, thereby enhancing sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional fastening system with symmetrical grooves and teeth is used, then the mounting process is simple, but the angular positioning is imprecise and the cover can accidentally demount due to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing an annular groove with asymmetrical ramps having different slopes (first slope for mounting, second slope for demounting) and mechanical stops positioned at specific angular locations. This asymmetrical design creates a unique angular positioning for the cover relative to the casing, preventing accidental demounting while maintaining a relatively simple mounting process where the cover can still be installed by aligning teeth with the groove.
2Reliability
If a conventional fastening system is used, then the device structure is simple, but the sealing performance is compromised due to uncertain angular positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetrical ramps with different slopes create a deterministic angular positioning between the cover and casing, ensuring that sealing surfaces align properly for effective sealing. The mechanical stops further define specific angular positions, eliminating the uncertainty in angular positioning that would compromise sealing performance, while the overall mechanism remains integrated into the existing fastening structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetrical ramps act as an intermediary mechanism between the simple tooth-groove fastening and the requirement for precise angular positioning and sealing. The ramps transmit and control the angular relationship during mounting, providing the necessary positioning precision for sealing without requiring a completely complex separate positioning system.
3Reliability
If symmetrical grooves without mechanical stops are used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the cover can accidentally demount from excessive vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetrical ramp design inherently prevents accidental demounting by creating different force requirements for mounting versus demounting. The mechanical stops further enhance this security by providing positive engagement points that lock the cover in place, creating a one-way fastening mechanism that resists vibration-induced demounting while remaining manufacturable using standard machining processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical stops are pre-positioned at specific angular locations on the casing, establishing predetermined locking positions before the cover is mounted. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the cover teeth engage the groove, they will naturally settle into the correct angular position secured by the stops, preventing vibration-induced demounting without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Support assembly for movable, rotating or sliding shafts, having a bearing unit, a casing and a cover for fluid sealing an opening of an internal seat of the casing; the cover having an annular coupling portion towards a radially outer lateral surface of the casing, the annular coupling portion being provided radially on the inside with at least one pair of teeth projecting radially towards the inside of the cover and spaced circumferentially from each other;the radially outer lateral surface of the casing being provided with an annular groove for receiving the teeth of the cover, which in turn is provided circumferentially with an alternating plurality of depressions and projections;the annular groove having at least one pair of mechanical stops of the at least one pair of teeth of the cover, the mechanical stops extending in a radial direction with respect to corresponding depressions to be flush with the lateral surface of the casing.