Sliding Surface Random Dimple Bias for Lubrication and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding components with dimples arranged in a regular or random pattern face challenges in achieving optimal lubrication and sealing properties, as they either require complex configurations or lack clarity on the impact of dimple arrangement on lubricating performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of randomly arranged dimple groups with a specific angular-direction standard deviation, biased in the circumferential direction, and separated by land portions to enhance fluid lubrication and sealing effects, improving both lubricating and sealing properties by ensuring uniform fluid distribution and preventing surface roughness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dimples are arranged and aligned in order on the sliding surface, then the sealing ability is improved, but the friction coefficient cannot be reduced sufficiently and the configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the arrangement parameters of dimples from regular patterns to specific random patterns characterized by controlled angular-direction standard deviation. This parameter change allows the dimples to be randomly arranged without requiring complex configurations like inclined leading ends, while still achieving both reduced friction and improved sealing ability through statistical distribution properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating regions with different dimple density characteristics through the random arrangement pattern. The angular-direction standard deviation control ensures that while individual dimple positions are random, the overall distribution maintains appropriate local density variations that enhance both lubrication and sealing functions without uniform complexity throughout.
2Ease of operation
If dimples are randomly arranged on the sliding surface, then the lubricating property is improved, but the sealing ability and uniform fluid distribution cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms completely random dimple arrangement into controlled random arrangement by specifying the angular-direction standard deviation parameter. This parameter control ensures that dimples are distributed randomly enough to provide excellent lubrication through varied fluid pathways, while maintaining sufficient uniformity to ensure reliable sealing and consistent fluid distribution across the sliding surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses statistical feedback control by defining the angular-direction standard deviation as a measurable parameter. This allows the random arrangement to be optimized based on observed performance, ensuring that the randomness provides lubrication benefits while the controlled standard deviation maintains sealing reliability through predictable distribution characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If fluid concentrates on the radially center portion of the sliding surface, then the center area is well-lubricated, but the entire sliding surface cannot be uniformly lubricated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spatial distribution parameters of dimples by controlling angular-direction standard deviation, which disperses fluid flow paths across the entire sliding surface rather than concentrating them at the radially center portion. This parameter control ensures uniform lubrication distribution while maintaining effective lubrication through random pathway variation.
4Reliability
If the leading ends of dimples are inclined in different directions on outer and inner peripheral sides, then the sealing ability is improved, but the friction reduction effect is limited and the configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for inclined leading ends by changing to a random arrangement parameter system. The angular-direction standard deviation control provides sufficient sealing ability through statistical distribution while allowing dimples to be arranged randomly without requiring complex inclination configurations, thereby achieving both friction reduction and sealing performance.
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
This approach results in improved lubrication and sealing performance by enhancing fluid flow and reducing torque generation, while maintaining reliability across various rotation numbers and temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a lubricating property can be improved by arranging plural dimples in a random manner on sliding surfaces of a sliding component... by finding out a relationship between dimple arrangement and a lubricating performance
Implementation Method 2
arrangement of dimples on the sliding surfaces is known... plural dimples are randomly arranged on an inner wall of a cylinder of a rotary compressor
Data Source
AI summary
In an exemplary embodiment, a pair of sliding components has sliding surfaces that slide with respect to each other, wherein at least one of the sliding surfaces, sliding surface S, includes a random dimple group 11 in which plural dimples 10 are randomly arranged, and the random dimple group 11 is arranged to be biased in the circumferential direction of the sliding surface S. The sliding components have an improved lubricating property and reliability of a sealing property.