A common challenge in the automotive industry is to seal a wide variety of fluids that are being utilized in a host of unique applications. Whether it be due to dynamic motion, component geometry, or a combination of the two, there are many times when an O-ring is not ideal for a part’s sealing needs. When millions of people trust automotive manufacturers with their lives each day, “non-ideal” simply won’t do. Fortunately, Parker has utilized our precision cut and extruded product line to efficiently manufacture solutions to common problems that arise in the automotive industry.
In a transmission, it is the clutch’s job to repeatedly engage and disengage drive shafts from one another to help turn the transmission’s output shaft. This often requires sealing while the clutch is in motion. Parker is able to manufacture D-rings and double chamfer seals that utilize their unique cross-sectional geometry to provide an inherent advantage over O-rings in dynamic situations such as these. The flat base of each of these profiles allows for smooth reciprocating and rotary motion without the potential of bunching, rolling, and/or spiral failure. These products are readily available in AEM or FKM materials, which are often used in transmission applications.
Cover seals
A quick look under the hood is all it takes to notice that there are many caps, nozzles, and covers that contain a wide variety of fluids. Antifreeze, coolant, and oil are the traditional fluids found in an engine, but even on the modern-day hybrid or electric vehicle, there are still many components that are covered and need sealing. Parker’s extrusion and splicing manufacturing process allows us to design seals for a wide range of challenges. Our hollow profiles allow for friction fit groove designs which retain themselves in the groove and can be utilized for low closure force on oil pans, hybrid electric battery covers, and under-the-hood sensor covers. Additionally, Parker can extrude and precision cut rectangular cross-section parts or press-in-place seals for an alternative sealing solution to any of the applications previously described. Spliced or precision cut parts can be manufactured in EPDM, Silicone, FKM, NBR, or HNBR materials.
Due to the high degree of customizability with the precision cut and extruded product line, the possibilities of applications are endless. Parker can manufacture flat rubber washers as bumpers or vibration dampers, tubes of material as fluid transfer seals, and other custom or more exotic profiles can be extruded and precision cut into solid grommets for sealing plug holes and other openings.
Vehicles today are made up of thousands of complex components and the technology is continuing to be pushed further each year. As companies continue to innovate, so will the sealing needs and challenges. With virtually endless possibilities for our precision cut and extruded product line, Parker continues to meet and exceed the sealing needs of the automotive industry.
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This article was contributed by Tyler Karnes, applications engineer, Parker O-Ring & Engineered Seals Division.
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