Variable Flow Compressed Air Device Sealings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure medium devices lack flexibility in variable pressure medium switching, as they rely on fixed configurations of molded seals to open or close flow connections between layers, limiting the variability of pressure medium circuits.

Innovation Solution

The design features an annular ring part with a closure part that forms a chamber for pressure medium flow, allowing for different flow connections by varying the position or rotational position of the molded seal, enabling the creation of multiple pressure medium circuits without replacing the seal, and the ring part can be elastic or rigid, with the closure part held under prestress for enhanced sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple molded seals with different closure positions are provided to achieve variable pressure medium circuits, then the adaptability of the pressure medium device is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple seal components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariable pressure medium circuit configurationVSAvoidnumber of molded seal components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single molded seal design incorporates multiple closure elements that can selectively close different flow openings. The molded seal includes a body with multiple closure elements arranged at different positions, allowing one seal component to perform the function of multiple separate seals by selecting which closure elements are activated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The molded seal is divided into multiple functional segments or closure elements within a single body. Each closure element can independently close a specific flow opening, allowing the seal to be configured for different circuit arrangements by selecting which segments are engaged, rather than using multiple complete seal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If fixed configuration molded seals are used to close flow openings, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability of pressure medium circuits is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal closure accuracyVSAvoidpressure medium circuit variability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The molded seal incorporates movable or selectively engageable closure elements that can be positioned to close different flow openings. This dynamic capability allows the seal to adapt to various circuit configurations while maintaining precise closure when engaged, combining manufacturing precision with operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seal configuration can be changed by selecting different closure elements to engage, effectively changing the operational parameters of the seal without replacing the entire component. This allows the same molded seal to provide precise closure for different flow openings based on the required circuit configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If multiple closure elements are integrated into one molded seal, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to more complex seal design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of seal componentsVSAvoidmolded seal fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple closure elements that would traditionally require separate seal components are merged into a single molded seal body. This integration reduces the total number of components and assembly steps while the molding process itself is designed to efficiently create the multi-element structure in one manufacturing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution allows for cost-effective and flexible configuration of pressure medium circuits by simply replacing or rotating the molded seal, enabling various pneumatic or hydraulic circuit configurations, and reduces the need for complex seal arrangements, thus optimizing space usage and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least one ring part and at least one closure part connected to the ring part, comprising at least one molded seal, are arranged between the two layers, the closure part being provided for sealing at least one of the flow openings in the first surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

The ring part encloses a chamber through which pressure medium can flow, in a sealing manner, and is further bounded by the first surface and by the second surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

The ring part can be elastic or rigid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3234374B1Compressed air device with sealings providing variable flow connections
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP3234374B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3234374B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3234374B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle pressure medium device (1) in which a pressure medium flows, comprising a multilayer construction which has at least two layers that contact each other. At least three flow openings (44, 56, 58) of flow channels for the pressure medium open in a first surface (76) of a first layer (20). Said first surface lying opposite a second surface (78) of a second layer (36) adjoining the first layer (20). At least one molded seal (40; 40a, 40b, 40c) containing at least one annular part (46) and at least one closure part (42) connected to the annular part (46) is arranged between the two layers (20, 36), said closure part being provided in order to sealingly close at least one of the flow openings (44, 56, 58) in the first surface (76). According to the invention, the annular part (46) is designed in an annularly circumferential manner, and the at least one closure part (42) is arranged within the annular part (46). The annular part (46) surrounds a chamber (74) through which a pressure medium can flow, and the chamber is further delimited by the first surface (76) and the second surface (78). A group of molded seals (40a, 40b, 40c) is provided, the at least one closure part (42) of each of which has a different position relative to the annular part (46). At least one respective other flow opening (44, 56, 58) is closed by the at least one closure part (42) on the basis of a molded seal (40a, 40b, or 40c) which is selected from the group of molded seals (40a, 40b, 40c) and is mounted between the two layers (20, 36), and thus a respective other fluidic connection between at least two openings (44, 56 or 44, 58 or 56, 58) of the at least three flow openings (44, 56, 58) is produced within the chamber (74); or the molded seal (40) is designed and the flow openings (44, 56, 58) are arranged in the first surface (76) such that at least one other flow opening (44 or 56 or 58) is closed by the at least one closure part (42) on the basis of the rotational position of said molded seal (40), and a respective other fluidic connection between at least two openings (44, 56 or 44, 58 or 56, 58) of the at least three flow openings (44, 56, 58) is produced within the chamber (74).