Sealing element and method for producing a sealing element

Abstract

In order to provide a sealing element, in particular for use as a rod seal, piston seal and/or shaft seal, which ensures a reliable seal and which can be produced easily and economically, it is proposed that the sealing element includes a main body formed from a thermoplastic material, wherein the main body has obtained at least part of its final outer shape in a high-pressure process and/or in a high-temperature process.

1 . A sealing element, comprising a main body formed from a thermoplastic material which has obtained only part of its final outer shape in a high-pressure process or in a high-temperature process, which is an injection molding process,
 wherein the main body consists of a fluoro-thermoplastic material,   wherein the main body is annular and comprises two radially inner dynamic sealing portions for dynamically sealing between the sealing element and a movable component,   wherein the main body further comprises one or more radially outer sealing portions, 0     wherein each dynamic sealing portion comprises one, two or more than two sealing lips,   wherein the dynamic sealing portions have obtained their respective final outer shape by machining,   wherein the one or more radially outer sealing portions have obtained their final outer shape in the high-pressure process or in the high-temperature process,   wherein the main body is an injection-molded component.   
     
     
         2 . The sealing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body only in part has a surface finish which comprises a body formed or completed in a high-pressure process or in a high-temperature process. 
     
     
         3 . The sealing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body only in part has a surface finish which comprises a body formed or completed in an injection molding process. 
     
     
         4 . The sealing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is configured for use as a rod seal, piston seal or shaft seal, in particular in a fuel pump or a piston pump. 
     
     
         5 . The sealing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is a spring assisted grooved ring. 
     
     
         6 . The sealing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the flouro-thermoplastic material of the main body is melt-processable. 
     
     
         7 . A method for producing a sealing element, comprising:
 producing a main body of the sealing element from a thermoplastic material, wherein the main body obtains only part of its final outer shape in a high-pressure process or in a high-temperature process,   wherein the main body consists of a fluoro-thermoplastic material,   wherein the main body is annular and comprises two radially inner dynamic sealing portions for dynamically sealing between the sealing element and a movable component,   wherein the main body further comprises one or more radially outer sealing portions,   wherein each dynamic sealing portion comprises one, two or more than two sealing lips,   wherein the dynamic sealing portions obtain their respective final outer shape by machining,   wherein the one or more radially outer sealing portions obtain their final outer shape in the high-pressure process or in the high-temperature process,   wherein the high-pressure process or the high-temperature process is an injection molded process.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the main body of the sealing element is subjected to a finishing operation only in part after the high-pressure process or the high-temperature process has been performed. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the main body is coated. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the main body is produced from partially fluorinated or fully fluorinated thermoplastic material which in particular is injection-moldable. 
     
     
         11 . The sealing element according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the one, two or more than two sealing lips are substantially annular. 
     
     
         12 . The sealing element according to  claim 1 , wherein an axis of symmetry is defined parallel to a longitudinal axis of the movable component and the sealing element, and wherein each of the one, two or more than two sealing lips are substantially rotationally symmetrical about the axis of symmetry. 
     
     
         13 . The sealing element according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the two radially inner dynamic sealing portions are configured to be pressed against the movable component by means of one or more spring elements. 
     
     
         14 . The sealing element according to  claim 13 , wherein the main body further comprises one or more spring element receptacles configured to receive the one or more spring elements. 
     
     
         15 . The sealing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the one, two or more than two sealing lips are arranged at different spacings from a transverse central plane of the sealing element which runs at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the sealing element.