Y-Shaped Gasket Reduces Engagement Forces in Quick Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gaskets, such as O-rings and Y-gaskets, require high engagement forces for large fluid flow diameters, are expensive to fabricate, and can be sensitive to thermal aging and creep, making them unsuitable for reducing engagement forces in quick connectors used in the automobile industry.
Innovation Solution
A Y-shaped gasket with an I-shaped stem and V-shaped portion, featuring a flash in the join plane between the stem and the V-shaped portion, is designed to reduce engagement forces by using a mold with equal cavity depths to minimize flash and optimize deformation, allowing for low engagement forces without modifying existing connector housings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gaskets (O-rings, Y-gaskets) are used for large fluid flow diameters, then sealing is achieved, but engagement forces become high
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is divided into three distinct functional zones: a first sealing lip for contacting the male connector, a second sealing lip for contacting the female connector, and a joining zone with flash between them. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently, achieving reliable sealing while distributing engagement forces across multiple contact points rather than concentrating them in a single location.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the gasket are given different properties: the sealing lips are designed with specific thicknesses and curvatures optimized for their respective sealing functions, while the joining zone contains flash that provides structural integrity. The first lip has different dimensions than the second lip, with each optimized for its specific sealing requirement, allowing effective sealing without excessive engagement forces.
2Shape
If Y-gaskets are fabricated using three-matrix molds, then Y-shaped gaskets can be produced, but manufacturing becomes difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The flash is intentionally extracted and positioned in the joining zone between the two sealing lips, where it serves a functional purpose rather than being a defect. By taking the flash and placing it in this specific location, the design converts what would normally be a manufacturing imperfection into a structural feature that reinforces the gasket and simplifies the molding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flash, which is typically considered a harmful defect in gasket manufacturing, is converted into a beneficial feature by positioning it in the joining zone. The flash provides additional material strength in the critical joining area, reinforces the bond between the two sealing lips, and eliminates the need for complex three-matrix molds, thereby simplifying manufacturing while improving gasket performance.
3Reliability
If gasket size and compression force increase for large fluid flow diameters, then sealing capability is improved, but engagement forces become high
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket employs local quality by giving the first and second sealing lips different dimensions and properties optimized for their specific sealing functions. The first lip is designed with specific thickness and curvature for sealing against the male connector, while the second lip has different dimensions for sealing against the female connector. This localized optimization allows effective sealing for large fluid flow diameters without requiring uniformly increased compression force across the entire gasket, thereby reducing engagement forces.
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 Y-shaped gasket achieves low engagement forces of 60-80 Newtons for large flow diameters, is cost-effective to produce, and maintains sealing across a wide range of fluid pressures, while minimizing flash-related issues and thermal sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing gasket of elastically deformable material having a Y-shaped longitudinal axial section
Data Source
AI summary
The invention seeks to provide a gasket for a quick connector that is inexpensive to fabricate, providing sealing over a wide range of fluid pressures, while presenting engagement forces that are small for flow diameters of large size. More precisely, the present invention provides a sealing gasket of elastically deformable material having a Y-shaped longitudinal axial section for use in a quick coupling for a fluid duct, the gasket (10) comprising an I-shaped stem (1) and a V-shaped portion (2), flash (3p, 3s) of join plane (P1) of the gasket being located between the I-shaped stem (1) and the V-shaped portion (2), preferably substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (P2) of the gasket (10). The invention also provides the use of such a gasket, and a mold and a method for fabricating such a gasket.