Undulating Sealing Ring Geometry for Lower Connector Insertion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing rings with uniform circumferential shapes require high insertion forces due to uniform deformation across their entire circumference, making the assembly process cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A sealing ring design featuring an annular base with undulating or inclined inside and outside sealing portions, which reduces the insertion force by allowing segmented contact and deformation, thereby distributing the force more evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a sealing ring with uniform circumferential shape is used, then the sealing surface is simple to manufacture, but the insertion force required is relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring's circumferential contour is segmented into multiple sections with different radial positions. Specifically, the contour includes a first section, second section, third section, and fourth section arranged sequentially along the circumferential direction, where each section has a different radial position. This segmentation allows different parts of the sealing ring to contact the inserted component at different times during insertion, reducing the peak insertion force required.
2Reliability
If all parts of the sealing ring are pressed and deformed simultaneously, then the sealing effect is achieved, but the peak insertion force becomes relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented contour design enables preliminary action by ensuring that not all parts of the sealing ring are pressed and deformed simultaneously during insertion. The first section contacts and deforms before the second section, which contacts and deforms before the third section, and so on. This sequential deformation reduces the peak insertion force while still achieving the sealing effect through cumulative deformation of all sections.
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 undulating or inclined sealing portions reduce the peak insertion force required, making the assembly process easier and more efficient by distributing the contact and deformation across the circumference.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing ring is in dynamic contact with the other component and is pressed and deformed, so as to connect the side surfaces of the two components in a sealing manner
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a sealing ring, which comprises an annular base, an inside sealing portion, and an outside sealing portion. The annular base comprises an inner annular side and an outer annular side. The inside sealing portion protrudes inwardly from the inner annular side. The outside sealing portion protrudes outwardly from the outer annular side. At least one of the inside sealing portion and the outside sealing portion has a contour undulating in an axial direction of the annular base or inclined with respect to a radial direction of the annular base. The sealing ring according to the present disclosure is used for a sealing between side surfaces of two components (such as a male connector and a female connector of a connector assembly) that cooperate with each other by insertion, and by the above configuration, an insertion force that an operator needs to apply during the insertion operation between the two components can be reduced.