Undulating O-Ring Seal for Lower Fluid Connection Insertion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connections with O-ring seals require significant insertion effort due to the annular bulge formed by the seal, making manual assembly tedious and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The O-ring seal features an undulating profile with variable axial amplitude, allowing compression to follow a stepped profile, reducing instantaneous insertion efforts by distributing the force gradually.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an annular seal is compressed during fitting to ensure fluid-tightness, then sealing reliability is improved, but insertion effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is segmented into multiple lobes (at least three lobes) instead of a single annular ring. This segmentation allows the seal to compress in a progressive manner, with each lobe deforming sequentially during insertion, thereby distributing the insertion effort over time and space while maintaining effective sealing at each compression stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal transitions from a static annular shape to a dynamic multi-lobe configuration that adapts during insertion. The lobes are designed to deform dynamically as the connectors are joined, with the seal progressively collapsing from its initial expanded state to its final compressed sealing state, reducing peak insertion forces.
2Device complexity
If manual assembly is used for fluid connections, then device complexity is reduced, but assembly time increases due to high insertion effort
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-lobe seal configuration enables manual assembly by breaking down the sealing action into smaller, manageable compression steps. Each lobe can be compressed sequentially, making the assembly process feasible for operators without requiring complex automated insertion devices or tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal's geometric parameters are optimized to reduce insertion force while maintaining sealing effectiveness. The lobe configuration, lobe count (at least three), and lobe dimensions are specifically designed to distribute compression forces, allowing manual assembly within reasonable timeframes and force limits.
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 design significantly reduces the insertion effort required for assembling fluid connections while maintaining a reliable seal, thereby improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The seal is compressed during fitting between the inner wall of the female receiving orifice and the outer wall of the male insertion end piece. The undulating profile with variable axial amplitude allows compression to follow a stepped profile, reducing instantaneous insertion efforts by distributing the force gradually.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal includes an undulating profile following a circumferential path centered on a main axis, such that the path has a variable axial amplitude relative to a reference transverse plane perpendicular to the main axis between two, lower and upper, transverse planes and defines a non-planar geometric profile of the seal. The undulating profile has at least two peaks and at least two troughs that are formed by axial excursions relative to the transverse reference plane so that compression of the seal follows a stepped profile in which the steps are defined by the upper and lower planes and intermediate planes located between the upper and lower planes.