Vacuum Valve Seal Profile to Prevent Groove Pull-Out
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum valve seals are prone to being pulled out of their grooves, especially when the valve is opened against a vacuum, leading to malfunction and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A seal with a circular base element having a non-circular cross-section, featuring an inner side that tapers towards the center, allowing it to be clamped securely within a sealing element, preventing displacement and ensuring reliable valve functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an O-ring is arranged in a dovetail shaped groove, then the seal can be installed in the valve, but the O-ring can be easily pulled out of the groove causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The seal base element transitions from a symmetric circular cross-section (O-ring) to an asymmetric non-circular cross-section with a tapered inner side. This asymmetric geometry creates a directional retention mechanism where the seal can be inserted in one direction but is prevented from being pulled out, resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and retention reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a dimensional feature by creating an extending inner side that tapers towards the center of the seal. This dimensional change from a simple circular profile to a profile with radial extension creates a mechanical interference fit that prevents pull-out while maintaining installation ease through the tapered geometry.
2Ease of operation
If the valve is opened against a vacuum, then the valve can be opened for maintenance or operation, but the vacuum pulls out the O-ring from the groove
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered inner side geometry creates a preliminary mechanical constraint that counteracts the vacuum pull-out force before it can dislodge the seal. The extending inner side engages with the sealing element groove in a way that creates friction and mechanical interference, providing preliminary resistance against the harmful vacuum effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal combines materials with different properties: the base element is made of a material suitable for vacuum applications (such as PTFE or rubber) that provides both sealing capability and mechanical strength to resist vacuum forces, while the tapered geometry provides the mechanical retention feature.
3Reliability
If the inner side of the base element is tapering towards the center, then the seal can be compactly fixed in the sealing element, but the thickness reduces along the radial direction
Solution Approach 1:
The seal employs local quality variation by having a non-uniform thickness profile where the inner side tapers towards the center. This creates a localized region of reduced thickness that provides the retaining feature, while the outer regions maintain sufficient thickness for sealing and structural integrity. The asymmetric thickness distribution is optimized for the specific function of retention rather than uniform geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
Seal for a vacuum valve comprising a circular base element, wherein the base element has a non-circular cross-section having an outer side extending in an axial direction and an inner side extending radially such that the inner side of the seal can be clampingly fixed in a sealing element of a valve. Further, the present invention relates to a sealing element, such a seal and a valve with such a sealing element.