Sliding Face Dimple Layout for Sealing and Lubrication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding parts face challenges in achieving optimal sealing and lubricating performance due to inadequate dimple arrangement, leading to low fluid suction and leakage issues, as well as insufficient lubrication uniformity and increased friction.
Innovation Solution
The dimples on the sliding faces are arranged such that the average radius is smaller than the sliding radius to enhance fluid suction, and the angular-direction standard deviation is controlled to reduce torque and improve lubrication, with separate dimple groups for pumping and lubrication, and the use of land portions and grooves to manage fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plural dimples are arranged and aligned in order on the sliding face, then the lubricating performance is improved, but the pumping effect is reduced and leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The dimples are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the sliding radius, specifically positioned at a radial distance less than the sliding radius. This asymmetric positioning creates an imbalance in the pressure distribution that generates a pumping effect, allowing the dimples to both lubricate and pump fluid simultaneously, thereby preventing leakage while maintaining lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the critical parameter of dimple positioning from conventional arrangements (at or beyond sliding radius) to a specific parameter range (radial distance less than sliding radius). This parameter change transforms the fluid dynamics within the dimples, enabling them to function as pumping elements while maintaining their lubricating capability.
2Force
If dimples are arranged to improve lubricating performance, then friction is reduced, but sealing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the radial positioning parameter of the dimples to be less than the sliding radius, the invention simultaneously achieves both lubrication and sealing. The specific parameter range creates optimal conditions for fluid suction and pressure generation, resolving the contradiction between friction reduction and sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimples are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: lubrication (reducing friction) and pumping (improving sealing). This multi-functionality is achieved through the specific arrangement where dimples are positioned at radial distances less than the sliding radius, allowing a single structural feature to address both contradictory requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If fluid concentrates on the radially center portion of the sliding face, then central lubrication is improved, but uniform lubrication across the entire sliding face deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by positioning dimples at specific radial locations (less than sliding radius) rather than uniformly distributing them. This localized arrangement creates specific zones of fluid suction and pressure generation that collectively achieve uniform lubrication across the entire sliding face, addressing the non-uniform fluid distribution problem.
4Reliability
If a complicated configuration is used to improve pumping effect, then fluid suction is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of pumping from complex mechanical configurations and achieves it through a simple geometric arrangement of dimples. By positioning dimples at radial distances less than the sliding radius, the pumping effect is generated passively through fluid dynamics rather than active mechanical components, significantly reducing device complexity.
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 arrangement significantly improves sealing and lubricating properties by increasing fluid suction and reducing friction, while preventing leakage and torque generation, resulting in enhanced performance for sliding parts.
Implementation Method 1
improving a characteristic of suctioning a fluid from the leakage side to sliding faces
Implementation Method 2
a sliding part such as a seal ring or a bearing that requires reduction of friction by interposing a fluid between sliding faces
Data Source
AI summary
A pair of sliding parts has sliding faces S that slide with respect to each other in which at least the sliding face S on one side includes dimple groups 20 formed by arranging plural dimples 10, and the dimples 10 are arranged in such a manner that a radial-direction coordinate average of center coordinates of the dimples 10 of the dimple group 20 is smaller than a sliding radius Rm of the sliding face S. The sliding parts can improve a characteristic of suctioning from the leakage side to sliding faces, thereby providing excellent sealing property.