Integrated Valve Shaft Seal Ring to Cut Dead Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve devices require a complex mounting ring structure with multiple components, leading to increased size and potential for corrosion and foreign object accumulation, which affects sealing efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A simplified valve device design featuring a mounting ring formed from a single continuous plate material with a ring portion, one-side plate portion, and opposite-side plate portion, which clamps the seal member, reducing the number of components and eliminating the need for a fixing portion, thereby minimizing the axial length and dead space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mounting ring with multiple components (outer ring and inner ring) is used to mount the seal member, then the seal member can be securely mounted, but the device complexity increases and the axial length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the outer ring and inner ring into a single integrated mounting ring structure. This mounting ring includes a ring portion, a one-side plate portion, and an opposite-side plate portion formed from a single continuous plate material, eliminating the need for separate outer and inner rings while maintaining the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting ring is segmented into functional portions (ring portion, one-side plate portion, opposite-side plate portion) that are formed from a single continuous plate material through bending. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function while maintaining structural integrity as a single piece.
2Reliability
If a mounting ring with multiple components is used, then the seal member can be mounted, but the axial length of the valve device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the outer ring and inner ring into a single integrated mounting ring structure, which reduces the axial length by eliminating the gap and fastening requirements between separate rings. The single continuous plate material structure allows for a more compact axial configuration.
3Reliability
If a complex mounting ring structure with fixing portions is used, then the seal member can be securely mounted, but dead spaces are created where corrosion and foreign objects can accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mounting ring formed from a single continuous plate material without separate fixing portions or joints. This eliminates dead spaces where corrosion and foreign objects could accumulate, while the one-side plate portion and opposite-side plate portion still provide secure clamping of the seal member.
Solution Approach 2:
This principle is not applicable to this patent.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for the mounting ring, then assembly flexibility is provided, but the number of components and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple mounting ring components into a single piece formed from continuous plate material. This reduces the number of components while maintaining assembly flexibility through the integrated design of the ring portion, one-side plate portion, and opposite-side plate portion.
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 reduces the number of components, minimizes axial length, and enhances sealing efficiency by eliminating dead spaces, thus preventing corrosion and foreign object accumulation, improving the overall reliability and performance of the valve device.
Implementation Method 1
holding the seal member with the mounting ring by bending an entire circumferential region of the cylindrical tubular portion in a state where the outer peripheral end portion of the seal member is overlapped with a part of the one-side plate portion placed adjacent to the cylindrical tubular portion and thereby forming the ring portion and the opposite-side plate portion such that the seal member is clamped between the one-side plate portion and the opposite-side plate portion
Implementation Method 2
The seal member is slidably in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the rotatable shaft to limit penetration of the gas through a gap between the rotatable shaft and the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A valve device includes: a housing; a valve element; a rotatable shaft that rotates the valve element; a seal member that is slidably in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the rotatable shaft to limit penetration of gas through a gap between the rotatable shaft and the housing; and a mounting ring that is shaped in a ring form and mounts the seal member to the housing. The mounting ring has: a ring portion, a one-side plate portion and an opposite-side plate portion which are formed from a single continuous plate material. The one-side plate portion and the opposite-side plate portion clamp the seal member therebetween and are joined together through the ring portion.