Annular Chamber Seal for Engine Bore Leaks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for internal combustion engine bores communicating with the oil circuit suffer from oil leaks due to seizing, geometric faults, and thermal/mechanical stress-induced detachment.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with an annular chamber surrounding the side skirt of the cover, reducing contact surface and deformation, and featuring a high-pressure annular zone for enhanced sealing, optionally filled with glue, to prevent oil leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the skirt of the cover is in elastic contact with the cylindrical side face of the bore, then sealing is achieved, but seizing occurs during fitting and detachment happens under thermal and mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The bore is segmented into two distinct zones: a first zone with a larger diameter providing a clearance gap to prevent seizing during fitting, and a second zone with a smaller diameter creating a high-pressure interference fit for sealing. This segmentation allows the skirt to fit without seizing while still achieving reliable sealing through the high-pressure zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bore have different diameters to provide different functions: the first zone (larger diameter) prevents seizing by providing clearance, while the second zone (smaller diameter) creates the high-pressure interference fit necessary for sealing. This local variation in geometry resolves the contradiction between easy fitting and reliable sealing.
2Reliability
If the skirt is in elastic contact with the bore for sealing, then oil leak prevention is achieved, but the connection detaches under thermal and mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The bore is divided into a first zone for stable insertion (larger diameter) and a second zone for sealing (smaller diameter). The skirt extends through both zones, with the second zone creating a high-pressure interference fit that prevents detachment under thermal and mechanical stresses while maintaining sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first zone with larger diameter allows the skirt to be inserted into the bore before the sealing action occurs in the second zone. This preliminary insertion phase prevents seizing and positions the skirt correctly, enabling the subsequent high-pressure sealing zone to effectively prevent detachment under stress.
3Reliability
If force-fitting is used to insert the cover into the bore, then sealing is achieved, but seizing occurs during the fitting process
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting process is segmented into two phases: insertion through the first zone (larger diameter) which is easy and seizure-free, and sealing in the second zone (smaller diameter) which creates the strong seal. This segmentation allows force-fitting to be applied only where needed for sealing while avoiding seizing during the majority of the insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The bore geometry changes locally from a larger diameter first zone to a smaller diameter second zone. This local quality change allows the fitting process to be easy in the first zone (clearance fit) while achieving strong sealing in the second zone (interference fit), resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and seal strength.
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 solution effectively eliminates oil leaks by reducing seizing risks and ensuring a strong, leak-proof connection between the cover and bore, maintaining seal integrity under engine operation.
Implementation Method 1
This annular chamber makes it possible to reduce the contact surface between the skirt of the seal and the bore and consequently to limit the risks of seizing when the seal is fitted into the bore
Implementation Method 2
This chamber also makes it possible to create, at the level of the limit between the lateral face of the bore and the annular chamber, an annular zone in which the skirt bears with a very high pressure on the lateral face of the bore, which makes it possible to obtain a very strong connection between these two parts and thus an excellent seal between them
Implementation Method 3
Preferably, said annular chamber is at least partially filled with glue. This adhesive thus makes it possible to complete the seal between the cap and the bore
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Device for plugging a bore in the cylinder block or cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, said bore communicating with the oil circuit of the engine. The device comprises a seal (2) having a base and a lateral skirt (4) which is in contact with the cylindrical lateral face (1a) of the bore. The invention is characterized in that the bore comprises an annular chamber (5) that partially surrounds the lateral skirt (4) of the seal (2).