Vacuum O-Ring Mounting for Flexible Seal Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automated assembly of O-rings, particularly flexible O-rings, are inefficient due to their ease of deformation and entanglement, making manual separation and feeding labor-intensive and prone to errors, and current automated systems are limited in mounting O-rings on end surfaces of work pieces.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a rotatable body with a helix groove and a vacuum system to separate and feed O-rings efficiently, and a pressure-based system to mount O-rings onto work pieces by creating negative pressure to suck the O-ring into an annular groove, which is then aligned with the work piece groove, allowing for automated and precise mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vibration mechanism is used to separate and feed O-rings, then rigid O-rings (small I/W ratio) can be effectively separated, but flexible O-rings (large I/W ratio) cannot be separated due to deformation and entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vibration-based mechanical separation system with a suction-based pneumatic system. The suction cup mechanism uses negative pressure to grasp and transport O-rings, which effectively handles flexible O-rings that cannot be separated by vibration without deformation or entanglement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a suction cup mechanism that utilizes pneumatic pressure (negative pressure/suction) to grasp and transport O-rings. This pneumatic approach allows for gentle handling of flexible O-rings, preventing deformation and entanglement while enabling automated separation and feeding.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional automated assembly methods are used, then O-rings can be mounted on outer/inner circumferences, but O-rings cannot be mounted in grooves on end surfaces of work pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a mounting mechanism with a movable platform that can position the suction cup at various locations. This universal positioning capability allows the same automated system to mount O-rings on outer circumferences, inner circumferences, and end surface grooves, making the system adaptable to multiple mounting scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a movable platform that can dynamically adjust its position to align with different groove locations on work pieces. This dynamic positioning enables the automated system to handle various mounting locations including end surface grooves, which were previously inaccessible to fixed automated mounting systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual assembly is used for flexible O-rings, then correct positioning in grooves can be achieved, but assembly efficiency is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup mechanism automatically grasps the O-ring and positions it into the groove without requiring manual intervention for positioning. The system performs both the grasping and positioning functions automatically, maintaining precision while dramatically improving assembly efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable platform acts as an intermediary between the suction cup and the work piece, enabling precise positioning of the O-ring in the groove through automated movement. This intermediary mechanism translates the suction cup's grasping action into accurate groove positioning without manual involvement.
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
Enables efficient, automated separation, feeding, and mounting of O-rings, including flexible ones, improving assembly efficiency and accuracy by ensuring O-rings are correctly positioned and seated in work piece grooves without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of air channels formed in the body and in fluid communication with the annular groove and the plurality of connecting holes to provide negative pressure with the pressure source in the annular groove to suck the O-ring in the annular groove
Implementation Method 2
provide negative pressure with the pressure source in the annular groove to suck the O-ring in the annular groove
Implementation Method 3
the O-ring is dropped into the groove when the pressure source is disconnected from the body or provides positive pressure to the plurality of air channels
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses an apparatus for mounting an O-ring to a work piece, which includes a body including a plurality of connecting holes for connecting a pressure source to the body; an annular groove formed on the body and adapted to receive the O-ring; and a plurality of air channels formed in the body, the plurality of air channels being in fluid communication with the annular groove and the plurality of connecting holes to provide negative pressure with the pressure source in the annular groove to suck the O-ring in the annular groove, the annular groove is coaxial with a groove formed on a surface of the work piece during the mounting so that the O-ring is dropped into the groove when the pressure source is disconnected from the body or provides positive pressure to the plurality of air channels.