Slit Plastic Wear Ring for Clip-In Groove Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of non-metallic wear rings in machine components is complicated and costly due to their flexible nature, requiring additional fixation methods like bonding, which delays the mounting process and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A wear ring made from elastically deformable plastic or reinforced plastic with recesses on its sides, allowing for temporary widening and easy clipping into a mounting groove, eliminating the need for bonding and facilitating quicker, cost-effective mounting without compromising strength or durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-metallic wear rings are made flexible to enable easy installation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for additional fixation methods like bonding
Solution Approach 1:
The wear ring incorporates a dynamic expansion mechanism that allows it to transition from a compressed state for insertion to an expanded state for secure positioning. The resilient material enables the wear ring to dynamically adapt its shape, expanding within the groove to engage with retention features, thereby eliminating the need for additional fixation methods while maintaining ease of installation.
2Ease of manufacture
If wear rings are made from elastically deformable material to facilitate mounting, then ease of manufacture is improved, but strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wear ring is constructed from composite materials that combine resilient base material with reinforcing elements. This composite structure provides both the elastic deformability needed for easy mounting and the structural strength required for durable operation. The reinforcement allows the wear ring to be inserted in a compressed state while maintaining sufficient strength to withstand operational loads.
3Reliability
If wear rings require bonding for secure mounting, then reliability of fixation is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the bonding step from the installation process. Instead of requiring adhesive fixation, the wear ring uses its own resilient properties to create a mechanical lock within the groove. The expansion mechanism provides inherent retention through engagement with groove features, completely removing the need for bonding and thereby significantly reducing installation time while maintaining fixation reliability.
4Ease of operation
If wear rings are designed with cross-sectional width increasing towards the rear side, then ease of operation is improved for clipping installation, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wear ring incorporates controlled parameter changes in its cross-sectional geometry, with the width increasing towards the rear side to facilitate clipping installation. This gradual geometric transition is achieved through precision molding techniques that maintain manufacturing feasibility. The parameter change creates a tapered profile that guides the wear ring into the groove during installation while remaining within achievable manufacturing tolerances.
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 wear ring can be reliably and reproducibly mounted in its predetermined position, reducing installation time and costs, while maintaining sufficient strength to prevent unwanted removal or damage during use.
Implementation Method 1
The wear ring according to the invention is formed in one piece from an elastically deformable plastic or a reinforced plastic material
Data Source
AI summary
A wear ring for guidance of two machine components are arranged movably relative to one another along/around a movement axis, which is formed in one piece from a plastic or a reinforced plastic material and which is slit such that it has two free ends. The wear ring has a cross-sectional width W, which at least sectionally, increases in a radial direction towards the rear side of the wear ring. The wear ring has one or more recesses formed on its front side and/or on its the rear side for increasing its deformability and thus facilitate mounting thereof in a mounting groove of a machine element. Furthermore, a wear ring arrangement with a wear ring can be clipped into a mounting groove of one of the machine components of the wear ring arrangement.