Recessed Seal Ring Structure for Low-Friction Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seal rings experience a reduction in sealing performance due to changes in the contact area with the shaft and shaft hole, which is influenced by the size and shape of the gap between the shaft and shaft hole, leading to inconsistent sealing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A seal ring design featuring an annular outer peripheral surface with recessed parts and rib surfaces, arranged at equal intervals, which maintains a consistent contact area and reduces sliding resistance by allowing the seal ring to adapt to varying attachment targets without compromising sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If recessed parts are provided in the seal ring to reduce sliding resistance, then sliding resistance is reduced, but contact area with the groove side surface decreases leading to reduced sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The outer peripheral surface is segmented into multiple functional zones: rib surfaces for sliding contact, recessed parts for reducing contact area and sliding resistance, and contact surfaces for maintaining sealing. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with others.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the outer peripheral surface are given different properties: rib surfaces provide sliding contact capability, recessed parts provide reduced contact area, and contact surfaces provide sealing function. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by assigning specific functions to specific locations.
2Reliability
If contact area with the groove side surface is increased to improve sealing performance, then sealing performance is improved, but sliding resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact area is segmented into discrete contact surfaces separated by recessed parts, rather than having a continuous large contact area. This allows sufficient contact for sealing while maintaining low sliding resistance through reduced overall contact area.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing full circumferential contact for sealing, only specific partial contact surfaces are provided. This partial contact is sufficient for sealing function while significantly reducing sliding resistance compared to full contact.
3Ease of manufacture
If the seal ring structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then manufacturing is easier, but adaptability to different attachment targets decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring structure with rib surfaces, recessed parts, and contact surfaces serves multiple functions simultaneously: sealing, sliding resistance reduction, and adaptability to different gap sizes and groove shapes. This multi-functional design achieves both simplicity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring can adapt to different attachment targets by utilizing parameter variations in the recessed parts and contact surfaces, allowing the same basic structure to function effectively across different gap sizes and groove configurations without requiring complex customization.
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 seal ring maintains consistent sealing performance across different attachment targets by stabilizing the contact area and reducing sliding resistance, enabling effective hydraulic pressure maintenance and operation under high PV conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a side surface of the seal ring contacts a side surface of a groove, thereby sealing a space between the shaft and the shaft hole
Implementation Method 2
in order to reduce a sliding resistance generated between the side surface of the seal ring and the side surface of the groove, for example, by providing recessed parts in a side portion of the seal ring
Data Source
AI summary
The seal ring is annular around an axis x and includes an annular outer peripheral surface facing an outer periphery side, and a plurality of recessed parts. The recessed parts are formed in such a way as to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction and are recessed from the outer peripheral surface toward an inner periphery side. The recessed parts expand, in the axis x direction, from one side surface to a position which does not reach another side surface. The outer peripheral surface includes a annular contact surface between the another side surface and the position, and rib surfaces respectively between mutually neighboring recessed parts in the circumferential direction. Each of the rib surfaces extends between the one side surface and the position in the axis x direction.