Wheel Suspension Sealing Ring Radial Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel suspension designs with compressed gas rotary leadthroughs for agricultural vehicles suffer from seal wear due to manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, leading to short seal lifespan and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A wheel suspension design featuring a sealing ring with an outer surface diameter greater than or equal to the inner surface diameter of the sleeve, allowing for radial compression and improved sealing without cross-sectional deformation, and optionally with a gap for thermal expansion compensation, ensuring effective sealing and reduced friction losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rubber-elastic seals with deformable cross-section are used to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, then sealing is achieved, but the seals wear out quickly and require frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the sealing ring, specifically making the outer diameter equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the sleeve, and shaping the outer surface complementarily to the inner surface. This creates a line contact or extended surface contact sealing mechanism that eliminates the need for cross-sectional deformation, thereby preventing rapid wear while maintaining sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the seal deformable to accommodate tolerances and expansion (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by making the seal rigid with precise geometric matching. The sealing function is achieved through the complementary shaping of surfaces rather than through deformation, reversing the traditional sealing mechanism.
2Reliability
If the outer surface diameter of the sealing ring is made larger than the inner surface diameter of the sleeve, then radial compression improves sealing effect, but the sealing ring requires precise geometric matching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing function into two independent parts: the radial compression mechanism (achieved by making outer diameter larger than inner diameter of sleeve) and the geometric matching (achieved by complementary shaping). This segmentation allows each aspect to be optimized independently, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining effective sealing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a gap is provided for thermal expansion compensation, then thermal expansion is accommodated, but the sealing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the sealing ring to self-accommodate thermal expansion through its own geometric design. The gap between the sealing ring and the shaft, combined with the complementary shaping, allows the sealing ring to expand or contract radially without requiring external compensation mechanisms, maintaining sealing effectiveness while accommodating thermal changes.
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 extends the service life of the wheel suspension by minimizing seal wear and maintaining effective sealing performance under varying conditions, while reducing maintenance needs and friction losses.
Implementation Method 1
an outer surface of the sealing ring in the relaxed state is shaped complementarily to an inner surface of the sleeve that it touches in the assembled state, in order to form an extended sealing surface in the assembled state without the need for cross-sectional deformation of the sealing ring
Implementation Method 2
In order to avoid jamming, whether due to manufacturing tolerances or thermal expansion
Implementation Method 3
During operation, either the shaft or the sleeve constantly rubs against the seal over a large surface. The seal therefore wears out quickly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A wheel suspension for a vehicle, particularly an agricultural vehicle, comprises a body-side sleeve (5) and a shaft (1) rotatable within the sleeve (5). A pressurized gas passage includes an annular space (15; 28) bounded by the sleeve (5) and the shaft (1), and channels (7, 8; 16, 29) of the sleeve (5) and the shaft (1) opening into the annular space (15; 28). The annular space (15; 28) is sealed by at least one sealing ring (19) contacting the sleeve (5) and the shaft (1). An outer surface (20) of the sealing ring (19) is, in its relaxed state, complementary to an inner surface of the sleeve (5) that it contacts in its assembled state, and the diameter of the outer surface (20) is, in its relaxed state, larger than the diameter of the inner surface of the sleeve (5).