Sliding Components With Recovery Groove Pressure Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing sliding components, the uneven distribution of positive pressure generation regions leads to impaired lubrication due to difficulty in achieving a floating balance between sliding surfaces.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of dynamic pressure generation grooves and fluid recovery grooves on the sliding surfaces, partitioned by a circumferential groove, allows for stable positive pressure generation at multiple locations, enhancing lubrication by guiding and recovering fluid effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the positive pressure generation region of the dimple is disposed close to a sealed fluid space to recover sealed fluid, then fluid recovery is improved, but the positive pressure distribution becomes uneven and floating balance is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealed fluid recoveryVSAvoidfloating balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding surface is divided into multiple independent pressure generation regions (first dimple, second dimple, third dimple) with different configurations. Each dimple has its own cavitation formation region and positive pressure generation region positioned at different locations, creating a segmented pressure distribution system that achieves both fluid recovery and floating balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sliding surface are given different local characteristics through varying dimple configurations. The first dimple has its positive pressure generation region at a specific location, while the second and third dimples have their positive pressure generation regions at different locations, creating localized pressure zones that collectively achieve uniform overall pressure distribution and stable floating balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of substance

If multiple dimples with positive pressure generation regions are distributed in the circumferential direction, then sealed fluid recovery is enhanced, but the positive pressure becomes uneven between sliding surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealed fluid recoveryVSAvoidpositive pressure distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The dimples are designed with asymmetric configurations where the positive pressure generation regions are positioned at different circumferential locations for each dimple. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the positive pressure is distributed evenly across the sliding surface, preventing concentration of pressure in specific areas and maintaining uniform pressure distribution for stable floating balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Loss of substance

If the positive pressure generation regions are disposed close to sealed fluid space side, then fluid recovery is improved, but lubrication is impaired due to uneven pressure distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealed fluid recoveryVSAvoidlubrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding surface is segmented into multiple dimples with positive pressure generation regions positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the system to recover sealed fluid effectively while distributing positive pressure evenly, creating stable floating balance that prevents direct contact between sliding surfaces and maintains effective lubrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each dimple creates localized positive pressure at its specific positive pressure generation region, and the combination of multiple such localized pressure zones results in uniform overall pressure distribution. This local quality approach enables both effective fluid recovery and stable lubrication by ensuring even pressure distribution across the sliding surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 stabilizes positive pressure generation and improves lubrication by evenly distributing pressure across the sliding surfaces, preventing interference and ensuring efficient fluid recovery.

Implementation Method 1

positive pressure can be generated at different positions in the radial direction on the sliding surface by the dynamic pressure generation groove and the pressure generation portion of the fluid recovery groove

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrodynamic pressure generation: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a pair of sliding surfaces rotate relative to each other and which partition a sealed fluid space and a leakage space off from each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDynamic pressure generation: Bernoulli Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4644735A1Sliding components
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 EAGLE INDS
  • EP4644735A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4644735A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4644735A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There are provided sliding components capable of enhancing lubrication. In sliding components 10 and 20 of which a pair of sliding surfaces 11 and 21 rotate relative to each other and which partition a sealed fluid space S1 and a leakage space S2 off from each other, at least one of the sliding surfaces is provided with a dynamic pressure generation groove 13, a fluid recovery groove 14 provided on a leakage space S2 side with respect to the dynamic pressure generation groove 13 and including a pressure generation portion 143 on a downstream side in a relative rotation direction, the pressure generation portion 143 being a circumferential end portion, a curved portion, or a bent portion, and a circumferential groove 15 provided between the dynamic pressure generation groove 13 and the fluid recovery groove 14 in a radial direction and extending in a circumferential direction.