Undercut Projection Joint for Thermal-Movement Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection technologies between components often fail to maintain a secure and reliable seal or positive connection due to relative movements caused by differing coefficients of thermal expansion and material differences, leading to potential disconnection during operation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a first component with a projection and a second component with a cavity, where a sealing or connecting material is introduced into the cavity, and the projection is deformed to create an undercut, ensuring a strong connection and compression of the sealing or connecting element, which is then hardened to form an elastic or solid element that maintains the connection under various loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional joining techniques are used to compensate for relative movement between components, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to be deformable, allowing it to dynamically adapt to relative movements between components caused by thermal expansion. The element can be compressed and deformed elastically to maintain sealing pressure without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element's physical parameters (shape, volume, stiffness) are changed through controlled compression during assembly. This parameter change enables the element to compensate for dimensional changes in the components while maintaining effective sealing contact
2Reliability
If the projection completely fills the cavity with sealing material, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the risk of porosity and connection defects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is designed to exceed the cavity volume slightly, forcing excess sealing material to escape through defined paths. This controlled excessive action ensures complete cavity filling while providing a safety margin against porosity without trapping air pockets
Solution Approach 2:
Air pockets and excess sealing material are actively extracted from the cavity during the assembly process. The design facilitates the removal of harmful elements (air, excess material) while retaining the beneficial sealing material in the correct position
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sealing element is made elastic to accommodate thermal expansion, then adaptability is improved, but connection strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element combines materials with different properties: an elastic base material for thermal compensation and reinforcing elements or surface treatments for enhanced strength. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of flexibility and structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sealing element have different mechanical properties. The bulk material provides elasticity for thermal compensation, while specific localized regions (contact surfaces, reinforcement zones) have enhanced strength characteristics to maintain connection integrity
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
This method provides a reliable and secure sealing or connecting effect, even under conditions of relative movement between components, such as thermal expansion, by compressing the sealing or connecting element, thus enhancing the connection's durability and resistance to porosity and external loads.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing and/or joining material can, for example, be a liquid or paste-like material... For instance, the material could be a sealant for sealing against gaseous and/or liquid media, such as silicone or acrylic. Furthermore, the material could be a joining material for form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection of the components, such as an adhesive. For example, the adhesive could be a curing adhesive, such as a chemically curing adhesive.
Implementation Method 2
the first component can be joined to the second component in such a way that the projection is completely surrounded by the sealing and/or joining material... Due to the undercut of the projection, the component assembly exhibits a particularly strong and/or tight connection in the joined state.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for connecting a first component (2) to a second component (3). In the method, a first component (2), which has a projection (6) having an undercut (12), and a second component (3), which has a cavity (5), are provided. A sealing and/or connecting material (4) is introduced into the cavity (5) in the second component (3). Furthermore, the first component (2) and the second component (3) are joined together to form a component arrangement (1), wherein the projection (6) of the first component (2) projects into the cavity (5) in the joined state. The invention further relates to a component arrangement (1).