T-Shaped Seal Ring for Low-Force Assembly and Eccentricity Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing rings, such as O-rings, require high assembly force due to their incompressibility and poor friction properties, and have production and economic disadvantages related to insertion bevels, which are not feasible in compact applications and cannot reliably seal larger eccentricities between machine elements.
Innovation Solution
A sealing ring with a support part having specific radii of curvature transitioning into flat surfaces and a flexible sealing lip that nests against the machine element surface, allowing for compensation of larger eccentricities and reduced assembly force, while being easy to produce and install without bevels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If O-rings are used for static sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly force becomes excessively high and insertion bevels are required
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is divided into two functional parts: a support part (axially extending) and a sealing lip (radially extending). This segmentation allows the support part to provide structural stability while the sealing lip provides flexible sealing contact, reducing the force needed for assembly compared to a monolithic O-ring design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the sealing ring have different properties: the support part has higher rigidity to maintain position, while the sealing lip has higher elasticity to conform to the sealing surface. This local differentiation of material properties enables reliable sealing with lower assembly force.
2Ease of operation
If insertion bevels are used to facilitate assembly, then ease of installation is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is designed with a specific T-shaped cross-section and radius of curvature features that pre-condition the assembly process. The rounded support areas and sealing lip geometry automatically guide the sealing ring into proper position during assembly, eliminating the need for preliminary bevels on the machine components.
3Reliability
If O-rings are used for sealing, then sealing of small eccentricities is achieved, but larger eccentricities cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip is designed to be dynamically flexible, allowing it to adapt its position and orientation in response to eccentric movements between machine elements. Unlike a rigid O-ring, the sealing lip can dynamically conform to varying sealing surfaces, compensating for larger eccentricities while maintaining sealing reliability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the sealing lip is made flat and thick, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring features local variation in thickness and geometry: the support part has greater thickness for stability, while the sealing lip has optimized thickness for flexibility. The rounded support areas transition smoothly between these regions, creating localized zones with different mechanical properties to simultaneously achieve stability and adaptability.
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 sealing ring can be assembled with low force and reliability, even without insertion bevels, and effectively compensates for larger eccentricities, reducing manufacturing costs and the risk of jamming or tilting, while maintaining a stable sealing function.
Implementation Method 1
a radially extending, elastically compliant sealing lip
Implementation Method 2
due to the near incompressibility and poor frictional properties of the elastomer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
Sealing ring made of an elastomeric sealing material, which, viewed in cross-section, is essentially T-shaped and comprises a support part (2) extending in the axial direction (1) and an elastically flexible sealing lip (4) extending in the radial direction (3), wherein the sealing lip (4) has a base (5) which is formed to transition into the support part (2).