Multi-Piece Oil Scraper Ring With Shaped Expander Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional three-piece oil control rings in internal combustion engines experience high friction, leading to increased fuel consumption, which is not effectively mitigated by existing designs.

Innovation Solution

A multi-part piston ring configuration comprising an upper scraper ring, a lower support ring, and an expander spring/bending spring, where the expander spring is designed with unique cross-sectional shapes such as double-L, Z, or S-shaped, and SS-50 spring types, and the support ring is preloaded to ensure a closed joint with zero play, reducing friction by eliminating the need for the support ring to apply outward forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a conventional three-part oil scraper ring is used with the support ring applying outward forces, then the ring can maintain contact with the cylinder wall for oil scraping, but friction increases leading to higher fuel consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidfriction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the lower support ring from the conventional three-part oil scraper ring assembly. By eliminating this component entirely, the patent removes the source of excessive friction while maintaining the essential oil scraping function through the upper wiper ring and expander spring combination alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful friction generated by the support ring's outward forces into a beneficial reduction in energy loss. By eliminating the support ring, the design allows the expander spring to directly apply controlled force to the wiper ring, reducing unnecessary friction while maintaining effective oil scraping contact with the cylinder wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If the support ring is designed to apply outward forces to maintain cylinder wall contact, then oil scraping effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil scraping effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the lower support ring from the conventional three-part oil scraper ring assembly. By eliminating this component entirely, the patent simplifies the device structure while maintaining the essential oil scraping function through the upper wiper ring and expander spring combination alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The expander spring in the invention performs multiple functions: it provides expansion force to maintain the wiper ring's contact with the cylinder wall, replaces the support function previously performed by the removed support ring, and ensures reliable oil scraping effectiveness. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the support ring is preloaded to ensure closed joint with zero play, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidjoint alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the lower support ring from the conventional three-part oil scraper ring assembly. By eliminating this component entirely, the patent eliminates the need for preloading and zero-play joint requirements, thereby reducing manufacturing precision demands while maintaining structural stability through the simplified two-component design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design significantly reduces friction, allowing for a lightweight and simple oil control ring with reduced contact with the cylinder wall, thereby lowering fuel consumption and enhancing engine efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an expander spring (8), wherein the expander spring (8) is intended to bear against the lower flank surface (26) of the upper wiper ring (2) with one upper side and is intended to bear against the upper flank surface (44) of the lower support ring (4) with one lower side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3797232B1Multi-piece oil scraper ring with reduced friction
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 FEDERAL MOGUL BURSCHEID GMBH
  • EP3797232B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3797232B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~2A
  • EP3797232B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2B'

AI summary

The invention relates to a multi-piece piston ring (10) comprising: a top oil scraper ring (2) with two flank faces (24, 26), an outer scraper face/edge (20) and an inner spring bearing face (22); a bottom support ring (4) with two flank faces (44, 46), an outer spring bearing face (40), and a support ring inner face (42); and an expander spring/bending spring (8), the top and bottom sides (80, 82) of which are intended to bear against a bottom flank face (26) of the top oil scraper ring (2) and against the top flank face (44) of the support ring (4), respectively; and oil scraper ring bearing projections (84) projecting upwards on an inner side of the spring and support ring bearing projections (86) projecting downwards on an outer side of the spring, wherein the oil scraper ring bearing projections (84) are intended to bear against the inner spring bearing face (22) of the oil scraper ring (2), and downward-projecting support ring bearing projections (86) are intended to bear against the outer spring bearing face (40).