Three-Segment Gasket Design for Gas Hob Shaft Sealing Without Knob
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas hob gaskets fail to provide a sealed connection when the control knob is removed from the shaft, leading to potential liquid ingress.
Innovation Solution
A gasket with a stepped contour and a coupling portion that includes a first gasket portion for sealing around the shaft, a second gasket portion for lying flat against the appliance surface, and a coupling portion to maintain the seal even when the knob is not installed, made from a single piece of high-temperature silicone with a Shore-A hardness of 50 or lower for enhanced elasticity and deformability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional gasket is used to seal the opening when a knob is attached, then the sealing function is provided during normal operation, but the sealing fails when the knob is removed from the shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is divided into three functional segments: a first gasket portion for sealing around the shaft, a second gasket portion for sealing against the appliance surface, and a coupling portion connecting them. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific sealing function independently, ensuring reliable sealing whether the knob is present or removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket is designed to perform multiple sealing functions: it seals the passage between the shaft and appliance surface, prevents liquid ingress, and maintains sealing effectiveness in both installed and removed knob states. The coupling portion specifically enables the gasket to adapt to different operational states, providing universal sealing capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single-piece gasket design is used, then the assembly process is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but achieving effective sealing in all states becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The single-piece gasket incorporates distinct functional segments (first gasket portion, second gasket portion, and coupling portion) that are integrated into one component. This segmentation enables complex multi-state sealing functionality while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of a single-piece construction, avoiding assembly issues while achieving precise sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket utilizes material parameter optimization with Shore-A hardness of 50 or lower to achieve enhanced elasticity and deformability. This parameter change allows the single-piece gasket to conform precisely to the shaft and appliance surface, ensuring effective sealing despite the simplified single-component design.
3Strength
If a hard gasket material is used, then the gasket maintains its shape and structural integrity, but it cannot deform sufficiently to provide an effective seal
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket material hardness is optimized to Shore-A 50 or lower, balancing structural integrity with deformability. This parameter change enables the gasket to maintain its shape for structural stability while deforming sufficiently to conform to the shaft and appliance surface, ensuring effective sealing in both knob installed and removed states.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket is made from high-temperature silicone, a composite material that combines the necessary elasticity for sealing with sufficient structural strength. This material selection provides both the deformability needed for effective sealing and the structural integrity required for durable operation across various temperatures.
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 gasket effectively seals the passage between the shaft and the appliance surface, preventing liquid ingress even when the control element is not engaged, ensuring a reliable and durable seal across various temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
made from a single piece of high-temperature silicone with a Shore-A hardness of 50 or lower for enhanced elasticity and deformability
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Gasket for sealing a passage (2) of a shaft (3.1) of a control element (3) of a household appliance through a horizontal appliance portion (5), the gasket (1) comprising: - a first gasket portion (6) being adapted to provide a sealed connection around the shaft (3.1) of the control element (3); - a second gasket portion (7) adapted to be arranged below said horizontal appliance portion (5); and - a coupling portion (8) for coupling said first and second gasket portions (6, 7); wherein said gasket (1) is adapted to seal a ring-shaped passage (2) between said shaft (3.1) of the control element (3) and the edge (4.1) of the opening (4) of the horizontal appliance portion (5) in order to avoid an ingress of liquid into one or more control element portions arranged below the gasket.