Seal Lip Texture and Grease Viscosity for Friction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing devices with concavities and convexities on the lip contact surface suffer from increased sliding abrasion and deteriorated sealing performance due to high friction, which is not effectively addressed by prior art solutions.
Innovation Solution
Applying concavities and convexities to the sliding surfaces of the seal lips and using low base oil viscosity grease, while maintaining a smooth surface on the other member, reduces friction and prevents wear by minimizing contact area and utilizing lubrication effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If concavities and convexities are applied to the lip slidable contact surface, then friction is reduced, but sliding abrasion of the seal lip is promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different surface qualities to different locations: the seal lip sliding surface has concavities and convexities for low friction, while the other member's contact surface remains smooth. This local differentiation allows the seal lip to slide with reduced friction on the textured surface while maintaining sealing contact on the smooth surface, preventing abrasion and deterioration of sealing performance.
2Force
If concavities and convexities are applied to reduce contact area, then friction force is reduced, but seal lip wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a localized textured surface on the seal lip while keeping the mating surface smooth. This allows reduced friction during sliding motion through the concavities and convexities, but maintains proper sealing contact and distributes wear appropriately, extending the seal's service life without compromising durability.
3Force
If low base oil viscosity grease is used, then friction force is reduced, but lubrication effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the viscosity parameter of the grease to a lower base oil viscosity value, which reduces friction force during sliding. The concavities and convexities on the seal lip work synergistically with this lower viscosity grease to maintain effective lubrication while achieving the desired low friction state, thus improving fuel efficiency without sacrificing lubrication 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
The solution achieves low friction during sliding motion and suppresses lip abrasion, maintaining sealing performance while improving fuel efficiency by reducing frictional forces and extending seal service life.
Implementation Method 1
a low base oil viscosity grease is supplied to the sliding surfaces of the seal lips... the grease easily intervenes by the concavities and convexities. Accordingly, a friction force is reduced.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a sealing device having a seal lip which slidably comes into close contact with the other member, the sealing device can achieve a low friction in conjunction with the sliding motion and can suppress the lip abrasion. In order to achieve the object, in a sealing device having a seal lip which slidably comes into close contact with the other member, for simultaneously achieving a reduction of a frictional force in the sliding motion and a suppression of the lip abrasion, concavities and convexities are applied to a sliding surface of the seal lip and a low base oil viscosity grease is supplied to the sliding surface of the seal lip. The concavities and convexities have a magnitude between 1.0 and 3.0 µmRa, as to the low base oil viscosity grease, it is desirable to employ a grease in which a base oil kinetic viscosity at 40 ºC is between 10 and 40 mm2/s.