Universal Joint Spring-Elastic Sealing Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing universal joint arrangements face challenges with sealing effectiveness due to high design complexity, cost of special seals, and inability to maintain tightness under varying tolerances, especially in applications with high loads and elastic deformations.
Innovation Solution
A spring-elastic sealing unit with a compression spring prestressing the sealing lip, allowing for flexible compensation of dimensional tolerances and reliable operation, featuring a support unit with multiple sealing lips and a simple design for easy assembly and reliable sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If special seals are pressed directly into the cylindrical bearing bush, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to expensive special seals and special tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive special seals with standard sealing profiles that can be purchased by the meter. These standard seals are less expensive and do not require special tools for installation, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate sealing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses standard sealing profiles that can be universally applied to different bearing bushes, rather than custom seals designed for specific applications. This universality reduces the need for special tools and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining sealing effectiveness across various universal joint configurations.
2Ease of manufacture
If sealing profiles are used in practice, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but design complexity increases and absolute tightness cannot always be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal seal holder design with a standardized mounting structure that can accommodate different sealing profiles. This reduces design complexity by creating a modular system where the seal holder remains consistent while only the sealing profile needs to be changed for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is divided into separate functional components: the seal holder (mounting structure) and the sealing profile (sealing element). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall design complexity while maintaining manufacturing cost benefits.
3Ease of manufacture
If sealing profiles are used in practice, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sealing reliability decreases due to gaps when individual ends are connected
Solution Approach 1:
The seal holder is designed with overlapping end sections that are预先 configured to join together without gaps. This preliminary design of the joining mechanism ensures that when the sealing profile is installed, there are no gaps at the connection points, maintaining sealing tightness while keeping the system cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal holder incorporates a compensating mechanism that anticipates and compensates for potential gaps or misalignments at the connection points. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if minor dimensional variations occur during assembly, the sealing profile maintains continuous contact and absolute tightness is achieved.
4Reliability
If multiple individual sealing devices are provided in series, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to required recesses for attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated seal holder structure. Instead of providing multiple separate sealing devices that require individual mounting recesses, the seal holder merges all sealing elements into one unified component, reducing structural complexity while maintaining enhanced sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal holder is designed as a universal mounting structure that can accommodate multiple sealing profiles simultaneously or in series. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate attachment recesses for each sealing device, simplifying the overall structure while preserving the benefits of multiple sealing elements.
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 provides a flexible, reliable, and cost-effective sealing mechanism that maintains tightness even under relative movements and high loads, ensuring optimal sealing and resistance to aging, while allowing for easy assembly and grease escape during relubrication.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-elastic sealing unit with a compression spring prestressing the sealing lip
Implementation Method 2
A spring-elastic sealing unit with a compression spring prestressing the sealing lip
Implementation Method 3
allowing for flexible compensation of dimensional tolerances and reliable operation, featuring a support unit with multiple sealing lips
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a universal joint assembly with at least one pin of a pivot cross mounted in a joint fork via a bearing arrangement; the bearing arrangement comprises a radial bearing; and a sealing unit associated with the bearing arrangement in the region of the pin root, which is supported on the pivot cross via a seal holder. The universal joint assembly according to the invention is characterized by the following features: the sealing unit comprises at least one sealing lip forming a sealing surface, which, via a spring unit in the form of a compression spring, biases the sealing surface at least indirectly against the joint fork.