Transmission Cover Seal Durability via Snap Ring Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing transmission systems for crawler vehicles, such as hydraulic shovels, face issues with seal member durability due to relative displacement between the rotary housing and open-end cover, which allows unwanted matters to accumulate and damage the seal, reducing its effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A transmission system with a compressed seal member, such as an O-ring, is used between the rotary housing and open-end cover, and a snap ring is employed to restrict the axial movement of the open-end cover, preventing damage to the seal and enhancing its durability by pushing it against the snap ring with a repulsive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal member is provided between the rotary housing and open-end cover to prevent leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but the seal member is damaged by unwanted matters accumulated in the gap, reducing its durability
Solution Approach 1:
A restricting member (snap ring) is introduced as an intermediary component between the open-end cover and the seal member. This snap ring acts as a mediator that prevents unwanted matters from reaching the seal member while allowing the seal member to maintain its sealing function, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing performance and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting member is installed in advance to prevent unwanted matters from accumulating near the seal member before damage can occur. By taking preliminary protective action, the seal member is shielded from potential damage, ensuring both sealing performance and extended durability
2Ease of operation
If clearance is formed between the wire and cylinder-shaped space to allow relative displacement, then assembly and vibration absorption are improved, but the seal member moves axially allowing unwanted matters to enter, reducing sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The restricting member serves as an intermediary that constrains the axial movement of the open-end cover and seal member while maintaining the necessary clearance for assembly. This mediator prevents excessive displacement that would compromise sealing, thus resolving the contradiction between assembly ease and sealing reliability
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 effectively restricts the movement of the seal member, preventing damage and improving its durability, while also enhancing the sealing properties between the rotary housing and open-end cover, thereby reducing the entry of unwanted matters.
Implementation Method 1
a seal member provided between the rotary housing and the cover in a compressed state in an axial direction of the rotary housing, the seal member being configured to seal between an inner circumferential portion of the rotary housing and an outer circumferential portion of the cover
Data Source
AI summary
The transmission includes: an open-end cover fitted to an inner circumference of an open end portion of a rotary housing, the cover being configured to close the open end portion; an O-ring provided between the rotary housing and the open-end cover in the compressed state in the axial direction of the rotary housing, the O-ring being configured to seal between the inner circumferential portion of the rotary housing and the outer circumferential portion of the open-end cover; and a snap ring configured to restrict the movement of the open-end cover in the axial direction. The open-end cover is pushed against the snap ring by the repulsive force exerted by the compressed O-ring.