STATIC SEAL WITH INTEGRATED SUPPORT FUNCTION

Abstract

A seal with integrated support function for a static axial seal application in the secondary force flux, for a resulting sealing gap, and with variable height. The seal includes a first structure with a first material, and a second structure with a second material. The first and second structures are connected. The first structure has a higher hardness, or Shore A hardness, than the second structure. The first structure has an elongate form, a first and second end, and is insertable lengthwise into a sealing groove. The second structure at least partially encloses the second end and forms a flexible region adjoining the second end, where the seal is compressible in the flexible region and can compensate for differences in height.

The seal provides functional integration with integrated support function with a flexible region for bridging large and variable sealing gaps and a sealing function relating to contacting parts.

Claims

1. A seal with an integrated support function for a static axial seal application in a secondary force flux, for a resulting sealing gap, and with a variable height, comprising: a first structure comprising a first material; and a second structure comprising a second material; wherein the first structure and the second structure are at least partially connected to one another; wherein the first structure has a higher hardness, or a higher Shore A hardness, than the second structure; wherein the first structure has an elongate form, comprises a first end and a second end, and is configured to be insertable lengthwise into a sealing groove; and wherein the second structure at least partially encloses the second end and thus forms a flexible region adjoining the second end, such that the seal is compressible in the flexible region and can therefore compensate for differences in height.

2. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the second structure comprises a first sealing lip.

3. The seal according to claim 2, wherein the first sealing lip comprises a third material, wherein the third material is different from the second material.

4. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the first material and/or the second material comprises an elastomer or a thermoplastic.

5. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the first material and/or the second material comprises a thermosetting plastic.

6. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the second material has a Shore A hardness in a range of 50 to 70, and the first material has a Shore A hardness in a range of 80 to 90.

7. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the first structure and the second structure comprise a 2-component rubber-rubber composite.

8. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a metallic material.

9. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal is configured to perform the sealing function in the secondary force flux.

10. The seal according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the seal has a V shape, a K shape or an H shape.

11. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a closed geometry or an open geometry over its longitudinal extent.

12. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the second structure comprises a second sealing lip, or multiple sealing lips.

13. The seal according to claim 1, wherein the first end and/or the second end has a rounded or angled form.

14. A vehicle having a seal according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft, a ship, a spacecraft or a road vehicle.

15. A device having a seal according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Example embodiments are discussed in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings. The illustrations are schematic and not true to scale. The same reference signs denote identical or similar elements. In the figures:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a seal with an integrated support function, according to a first example embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a seal with an integrated support function, according to a further example embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the seal with an integrated support function from FIG. 2 in the installed state, according to a further example embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a seal with an integrated support function in the installed state with sealing gaps of different sizes, according to a further example embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a seal with an integrated support function, according to a further example embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a seal with an integrated support function, according to a further example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a seal 10 with an integrated support function for a static axial seal application in the secondary force flux, in particular for a resulting sealing gap, in particular with a variable height. The seal has a first structure 12 comprising a first material, and a second structure 14 comprising a second material. The first structure 12 and the second structure 14 are at least partially connected to one another, and the first structure 12 has a higher hardness than the second structure 14. The first structure 12 has an elongate form and comprises a first end 16 and a second end 18. The first structure is also configured to be insertable lengthwise into a sealing groove. The second structure 14 encloses the second end 18 at least partially and thus forms a flexible region 20 adjoining the second end 18, such that the seal is compressible in the flexible region 20 and can therefore compensate for differences in height.

[0041] In the embodiment shown, the second end 18 is angled and connected to the second structure 14. In this case, the edge can run perpendicularly or at an angle to the longitudinal extent of the seal 10. The first structure 12 and the second structure 14 may be connected by vulcanization of two elastomer partners, by an integral bond using an adhesion promoter or similar integral bonding joining processes, and/or by a mechanical assembly in the form of a form fit.

[0042] Since the second structure 14 forms the flexible region 20, the ratio of the first structure 12 to the second structure 14 along the height of the sealing groove is decisive for compensating for a sealing gap with a variable height. The larger the flexible region 20 is, the higher the difference in height to be compensated of the sealing gap can be. Furthermore, the sealing gap to be compensated in terms of height also depends on the geometry of the actual sealing element, the overall height of the component, the materials used and the shaping of the seal as a whole.

[0043] Preferably, the second material is an elastomer and has a Shore A hardness in the range of 50 to 70, and the first material has a Shore A hardness in the range of 80 to 90.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the seal 10 described in FIG. 1 with an integrated support function for a static axial seal application in the secondary force flux, in particular for a resulting sealing gap, in particular with a variable height. The seal 10 likewise has a first structure 12 comprising a first material, and a second structure 14 comprising a second material. The first structure 12 and the second structure 14 are at least partially connected to one another, and the first structure 12 has a higher hardness, in particular Shore A hardness, than the second structure 14. The first structure 12 has an elongate form and comprises a first end 16 and a second end 18. The first structure 12 is also configured to be insertable lengthwise into a sealing groove. The second structure 14 can enclose the second end 18 at least partially, as in the case shown, and thus forms a flexible region 20 adjoining the second end 18, such that the seal is compressible in the flexible region 20 and can therefore compensate for differences in height.

[0045] The seal 10 described in FIG. 2 differs by virtue of two additional sealing lips 22 and 24. The cross section of the seal 10 has a K shape. The sealing lips 22 and 24 can be made of the same material as the second structure 14. As an alternative, the sealing lips 22 and 24 can be made of a material different from the material of the second structure 14. The material of the first sealing lip 22 can differ from or be identical to the material of the second sealing lip 24.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment described in FIG. 2 in an installed state. Here, the seal 10 is disposed in a sealing groove. The first end 16 and the first sealing lip 22 are in contact with a first component and the flexible region 20 and the second sealing lip 24 are in contact with the groove bottom. A media pressure p acts on the seal in the direction of the arrow. The two sealing lips 22, 24 seal the two parts which make contact with respect to the media pressure and the resulting convection of the medium. Since the sealing lips 22, 24 work counter to the pressure direction in wedge-shaped and concave fashion, the sealing lips are pressed against the respective components, as a result of which the pressure-exerting surface area and thus the sealing action are increased.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows two illustrations of the seal 10 described in FIG. 2, wherein the sealing gap is larger in the left-hand illustration than in the right-hand illustration.

[0048] The same seal in the same sealing groove is illustrated. It is just that the sealing gap is smaller in the right-hand illustration. This can for example occur in applications if large housing seals with a nonuniform screwed connection are involved, the manufacturing tolerances are very great, or the plane parallelism is not sufficient. It is also conceivable for different applications to be involved.

[0049] In the left-hand illustration, the compressible region 20 is only slightly compressed, wherein the sealing lips 22, 24 are in contact with the components and seal them.

[0050] In the right-hand illustration, the compressible region 20 is compressed by the smaller sealing gap to a greater extent, with the result that the height extent of the seal 10 is reduced. The first sealing lip 22 and the second sealing lip 24 are likewise compressed, with the result that the sealing function can still be ensured.

[0051] Therefore, a difference in height in the sealing gap can be compensated for by the seal 10 via the compressible region 20.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the seal 10 with an integrated support function for a static axial seal application in the secondary force flux, in particular for a resulting sealing gap, in particular with a variable height. The seal has a first structure 12 comprising a first material, and a second structure 14 comprising a second material. The first structure 12 and the second structure 14 are at least partially connected to one another, and the first structure 12 has a higher hardness than the second structure 14. The first structure 12 has an elongate form and comprises a first end 16 and a second end 18. The first structure is also configured to be insertable lengthwise into a sealing groove. The second structure 14 encloses the second end 18 at least partially and thus forms a flexible region 20 adjoining the second end 18, such that the seal is compressible in the flexible region 20 and can therefore compensate for differences in height.

[0053] Here, the seal has only one first sealing lip 22. The transition from the first sealing lip 22 to the flexible region 20 may be sharp-edged or continuous in this case. The wall thickness of the sealing lip 22 can differ from or be identical to the wall thickness of the first structure 12.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the seal 10 with an integrated support function for a static axial seal application in the secondary force flux, in particular for a resulting sealing gap, in particular with a variable height. The seal has a first structure 12 comprising a first material, and a second structure 14 comprising a second material. The first structure 12 and the second structure 14 are at least partially connected to one another, and the first structure 12 has a higher hardness than the second structure 14. The first structure 12 has an elongate form and comprises a first end 16 and a second end 18. The first structure is also configured to be insertable lengthwise into a sealing groove. The second structure 14 encloses the second end 18 at least partially and thus forms a flexible region 20 adjoining the second end 18, such that the seal is compressible in the flexible region 20 and can therefore compensate for differences in height.

[0055] In this embodiment, the first sealing lip 22 and the second sealing lip 24 are connected via a third sealing lip in such a way that a cavity is formed.

[0056] What all these embodiments have in common is that the hardness of the first structure 12, which is higher than that of the second structure 14, prevents gap extrusion, wherein the flexible region 20 of the second structure 14 makes it possible to compensate for differences in height along a sealing gap.

[0057] While at least one example embodiment of the invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the example embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a, an or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0058] 10 Seal [0059] 12 First structure [0060] 14 Second structure [0061] 16 First end [0062] 18 Second end [0063] 20 Flexible region [0064] 22 First sealing lip [0065] 24 Second sealing lip