Bidirectional Sliding Face Groove for Low-Torque Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding members for mechanical seals and bearings face challenges in reducing sliding torque and preventing fluid leakage while maintaining a compact structure, especially when applied to equipment that rotates in both directions, as they require separate positive and negative pressure generation mechanisms, leading to increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A sliding member design featuring a negative pressure generation mechanism surrounded by a land portion with branched portions that generate a positive pressure through a wedge effect, reducing sliding torque and leakage without the need for separate positive and negative pressure generation mechanisms, and is optimized for bidirectional rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate positive pressure generation groove and negative pressure generation groove are provided on sliding faces, then sealing performance and lubrication are improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the positive pressure generation groove and negative pressure generation groove into a single integrated groove structure on the sliding face. This single groove simultaneously generates both positive pressure (for sealing) and negative pressure (for lubrication) zones, eliminating the need for separate grooves and reducing structural complexity while maintaining sealing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated groove structure performs multiple functions: it generates positive pressure for sealing, generates negative pressure for lubrication, and maintains a compact design. This multi-functional groove replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated structures for each function
2Reliability
If separate positive pressure generation mechanism and negative pressure generation mechanism are provided for bidirectional rotation equipment, then sealing and lubrication are maintained in both directions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is designed with an asymmetric cross-sectional shape that is optimized to generate appropriate pressure distributions regardless of rotation direction. The asymmetric geometry allows the groove to adaptively create positive and negative pressure zones whether the equipment rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each direction
Solution Approach 2:
The single integrated groove structure serves as a universal mechanism that maintains sealing and lubrication functions in both forward and backward rotation directions, replacing what would traditionally require separate positive and negative pressure generation mechanisms for each direction
3Reliability
If separate positive pressure generation mechanism and negative pressure generation mechanism are provided, then sliding torque reduction and sealing are achieved, but sliding member size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the positive pressure generation function and negative pressure generation function into a single groove structure, significantly reducing the space required on the sliding face. This merged structure maintains the sealing and lubrication benefits while compacting the overall sliding member dimensions
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 design achieves reduced sliding torque and improved sealability by utilizing a single negative pressure generation mechanism, enhancing fluid lubrication and reducing leakage, while maintaining a compact structure suitable for equipment rotating in both directions.
Implementation Method 1
cavitation occurs due to pressure reduction in the negative pressure generation mechanism, and liquid is evaporated
Implementation Method 2
liquid is evaporated
Implementation Method 3
a positive pressure is generated by a wedge effect at the first branched portion
Implementation Method 4
pumping action for sucking fluid into a portion between the sliding faces from the leakage side by a negative pressure in the negative pressure generation mechanism is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
A pair of sliding members sliding relative to each other at sliding faces is configured such that at least one of the sliding faces (S) includes a negative pressure generation mechanism (41) surrounded by a land portion and a branched portion (42) arranged in the sliding face S and branched from the negative pressure generation mechanism (41). The sliding members can be formed compact and is applicable to equipment for rotation in both directions, while sliding torque reduction and sealing function improvement can be realized.