Segmented Single-Piece Oil Control Ring for Low Tangential Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-piece oil-scraping rings face challenges in conforming to the cylinder while applying low tangential force, especially during engine run-in, leading to high fuel consumption and CO2 emissions due to their inherent flexibility and difficulty in surface finish, making them less preferred compared to two-piece or three-piece rings.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece oil-control ring with a body comprising upper and lower portions having substantially perpendicular surfaces with inclined protrusions, ensuring at least 85% initial contact area with the cylinder wall, reducing tangential force by 50% through a geometric arrangement with acute angles (≥30 degrees) and flexible segments for adaptability, allowing efficient oil film control and reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-piece oil-scraping ring is used, then the ring has inherent flexibility and conformability to the cylinder, but it applies high tangential force against the cylinder wall during run-in, leading to high fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The ring body is divided into multiple flexible segments that can independently deform and conform to the cylinder wall surface. This segmentation allows the ring to adapt to cylinder irregularities without requiring high tangential force, as each segment can flex locally to match the surface profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the ring, specifically the angle of the inclined surface (≥30 degrees) and the height of the perpendicular surface (<0.15mm), to optimize the balance between conformability and tangential force. These parameter changes enable the ring to achieve adequate surface contact with reduced frictional resistance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single-piece ring with high flexibility is used, then the ring can conform easily to the cylinder, but the surface finish becomes more difficult to achieve, requiring great tangential force to guarantee conforming during run-in
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise geometric parameters for the ring surfaces: the inclined surface angle should be ≥30 degrees and the perpendicular surface height should be <0.15mm. These parameter specifications make the surface finish process more controllable and less dependent on high tangential force during run-in, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining conformability.
3Reliability
If a single-piece ring applies high tangential force to guarantee conforming during run-in, then adequate surface contact is achieved, but fuel consumption and CO2 emissions increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the ring body into flexible sections, the patent enables adequate surface contact through localized deformation rather than high overall tangential force. This reduces the frictional resistance and energy loss, thereby lowering fuel consumption and CO2 emissions while maintaining reliable surface contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The optimized geometric parameters (inclined surface angle ≥30 degrees, perpendicular surface height <0.15mm) reduce the tangential force requirement while ensuring adequate contact area. This parameter optimization directly addresses the contradiction between reliability of contact and harmful emissions by achieving both with reduced energy input.
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 enables the ring to maintain adequate oil film thickness with reduced fuel and CO2 emissions by minimizing tangential force, improving engine efficiency and surface finish, and allowing for lower lubricant consumption without increasing oil usage.
Implementation Method 1
a body (1) formed by a plurality of flexible segments (S), each having a degree of freedom of movement with respect to each other, which imparts to the ring (1) great flexibility and, as a result, great capability of adapting/conforming to the cylinder shape
Implementation Method 2
The oil scraping rings may be composed of one, two or three parts... the oil ring has the function of scraping excess oil from the cylinder wall and returning it to the crankcase, controlling the thickness of the oil film
Data Source
AI summary
A single-piece oil control ring for a piston may include a body having at least one upper portion and at least one lower portion each facing towards a cylinder wall of an internal combustion engine. At least one of the upper portion and the lower portion may respectively define a first surface extending substantially perpendicular to the body and a receding second surface extending from the first surface substantially at an incline. The first surface may protrude towards the cylinder wall in relation to the second surface. The first surface may have a first area of contact with the cylinder wall, and at least 95% of the first area may contact the cylinder wall.