Transmission Seal Assembly That Locks Out Lateral Movement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing arrangements for automated manual transmissions allow lateral movement between housing parts, leading to premature aging and potential leaks, which can cause corrosion of electrical components.
Innovation Solution
A seal with a layered structure and a support having an arrangement section that deforms during assembly to engage with recesses in housing components, limiting lateral movement and providing a positive-locking connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elastomer layers are not rigidly connected to housing parts, then ease of assembly is improved, but lateral movement occurs causing premature aging and leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is pre-assembled on the support structure before being installed between housing parts. The arrangement section is pre-positioned to engage with the recess, ensuring proper alignment and preventing lateral movement from the outset, rather than relying on post-assembly constraints
2Reliability
If a rigid connection is made between elastomer layers and housing parts, then lateral movement is prevented, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into distinct functional sections: elastomer layers for sealing, a support structure for rigidity, and an arrangement section for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while simplifying the overall assembly process through modular design
3Ease of manufacture
If the seal structure is simplified without additional components, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but lateral movement restriction capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The arrangement section integrates the support structure with the sealing function by combining rigid support elements with laterally extending arrangement sections that engage recesses. This merging eliminates the need for separate positioning components while providing effective lateral movement restriction
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 lateral movement, maintaining a reliable sealing function and preventing leaks, thereby enhancing the durability and integrity of the seal.
Implementation Method 1
the arrangement section is designed to be deformed by the second alignment section during assembly of the seal between the first housing component and the second housing component, and to engage in the first recess
Implementation Method 2
a first elastomer layer arranged on a first side of the support and a second elastomer layer arranged on a second side of the support
Data Source
Figure 1~2(B)
Figure 3(A)~3(D)
Figure 4(A)~4(D)
AI summary
Seal (260) for a sealing arrangement (250) for an automated manual transmission (210) for a vehicle (200a), in particular a commercial vehicle (200b), wherein the sealing arrangement (250) comprises a first housing component (251) with a first alignment section (253) comprising a first recess (255) and a second housing component (252) with a second alignment section (254); and the seal (260) has a layer structure (261) along a sealing surface (265) to achieve a sealing effect between the first housing component (251) and the second housing component (252); the seal (260) for forming the layer structure (261) comprises a two-sided support (262), a first elastomer layer (263) arranged on a first side (270) of the support (262) and a second elastomer layer (264) arranged on a second side (271) of the support (262) that differs from the first side (270);the carrier (262) has an arrangement section (266) extending laterally with respect to the sealing surface (265); wherein the arrangement section (266) is configured to be deformed by the second alignment section (254) and to engage in the first recess (255) when the seal (260) is assembled between the first housing component (251) and the second housing component (252).