T-Shaped Seal With Guide Sections for Pneumatic Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sealing arrangements in pneumatic or hydraulic systems face issues such as play between the seal and groove walls even in the loaded state, tilting of seals during assembly, and reduced sealing effectiveness due to radial expansion and mobility, leading to potential leaks and stress on components.

Innovation Solution

A sealing arrangement with a T-shaped cross-section, featuring guide sections in the upper and lower areas that prevent tilting and a compensating recess for material equalization, ensuring the seal remains guided and sealed effectively, even under load, with independent design of sealing, guiding, and compensating sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional seals are used with play between seal and groove walls, then assembly is simpler, but sealing effectiveness is reduced and leaks occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidseal structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is divided into functionally distinct sections: sealing sections with sealing beads for contact sealing, and guide sections for positioning and guidance. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally - sealing sections maintain contact for sealing effectiveness while guide sections provide positioning without compromising the overall seal integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the seal are given different geometric properties tailored to their specific functions. The sealing sections have rounded sealing beads for effective sealing contact, while the guide sections have specific geometric shapes (such as trapezoidal or rectangular profiles) optimized for guidance and positioning within the groove, allowing local optimization without compromising overall performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If seals are designed to prevent tilting during assembly, then sealing reliability improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidguide section geometry precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide sections are designed to engage with the groove walls during the assembly process itself, providing preliminary guidance and preventing tilting before the sealing sections make contact. This preliminary action ensures proper positioning is achieved during assembly rather than requiring high-precision pre-positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide sections feature asymmetric geometric profiles (such as trapezoidal shapes with different angles on each side) that are specifically designed to match the groove geometry. This asymmetric design provides natural guidance and prevents tilting through geometric constraint rather than requiring symmetric high-precision manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of manufacture

If seals are made with larger tolerances for easier manufacturing, then ease of manufacture improves, but play between seal and groove walls increases reducing sealing effect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidsealing effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide sections are designed to automatically position and guide the seal into the correct position during assembly through geometric interference with the groove walls. This self-guiding mechanism eliminates the need for external alignment tools or complex assembly procedures, making the seal easy to manufacture and assemble while maintaining reliable sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If radial expansion of seal under pressure is allowed, then seal can accommodate pressure chambers, but sealing effect is reduced and leaks occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure chamber accommodationVSAvoidsealing effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing beads are designed with rounded, curved geometries that naturally conform to the mating surfaces and distribute contact pressure more evenly. This curvature allows the sealing sections to accommodate pressure chamber geometries while maintaining reliable sealing contact, as the rounded beads can deform elastically to maintain contact under pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2017508B1Sealing arrangement and method for sealing off an interval as well as component assembly for holding a seal

Publication Date: 2013.09.11 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH

Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7

AI summary

The seal (10) has a sealing body (16), which is placed in a gap (18) for sealing the gap formed between two components (12,14), and which comprises a sealing section (20) over which the gap is sealed. The sealing body comprises a guide section (22) differentiated from the sealing section, by which the sealing body is guided in the gap in a loaded or unloaded condition. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for sealing a gap by a seal (2) a component with a recess (3) a component assembly with a component.