Spherical Seal Body Scattered Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spherical annular seal members in exhaust pipe joints experience abnormal frictional noise and surface damage due to excessive exposure of metal wire net reinforcing members, leading to abrasive wear and reduced sealability under continuous axial loads.
Innovation Solution
A spherical annular seal member design featuring a base member with a metal wire net reinforcing member and expanded graphite, combined with a sliding layer of lubricating composition, where the reinforcing member is exposed in a scattered manner on the outer layer surface, reducing direct contact and promoting a lubricating film for smooth sliding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the reinforcing member is exposed on the outer layer surface to improve sliding performance, then smooth sliding is achieved, but abnormal frictional noise and surface damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a non-uniform distribution of the reinforcing member on the outer layer surface. Specifically, the reinforcing member is exposed in a scattered manner with controlled area ratios (5-35% on the outer diameter side, 10-40% on the inner diameter side), rather than being uniformly exposed or completely covered. This localized exposure pattern allows different regions to serve different functions: some areas provide sliding assistance while others maintain surface protection, thereby resolving the contradiction between sliding performance and noise/surface damage prevention.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the reinforcing member is completely covered by the outer layer to prevent surface damage, then surface protection is improved, but sliding performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention prevents complete coverage of the reinforcing member, instead allowing controlled local exposure. The outer layer covers most of the reinforcing member to maintain surface protection, while leaving scattered exposed portions (5-35% area ratio on outer diameter side, 10-40% on inner diameter side) to assist sliding. This partial coverage strategy resolves the contradiction by balancing surface protection with sliding performance through spatially differentiated functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the area ratio of exposed reinforcing member is increased to improve sliding, then sliding performance is enhanced, but abrasive wear and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the contradiction by optimizing the area ratio parameter of the exposed reinforcing member. Instead of maximizing exposure, the patent specifies precise ranges: 5-35% on the outer diameter side and 10-40% on the inner diameter side. These parameter values are optimized to provide sufficient sliding assistance while preventing excessive abrasive wear and noise. The parameter change from complete exposure to controlled partial exposure maintains reliability while improving sliding 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
Prevents surface damage and noise generation by minimizing direct contact between the seal member and mating surface, maintaining seal integrity and reducing frictional wear.
Implementation Method 1
the transfer of the lubricant 609 from the outer surface 612 onto the surface of the concave spherical portion is effected to form on the concave spherical portion a lubricating film constituted of the lubricant 609
Implementation Method 2
heat-resistant material containing expanded graphite, filling meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member 607
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A spherical annular seal member 39 includes a spherical annular base member 37 defined by a cylindrical inner surface 33, a partially convex spherical surface 34, and an annular end faces 35 and 36; and an outer layer 38 formed integrally on the partially convex spherical surface 34 of the spherical annular base member 37. The spherical annular base member 37 includes a reinforcing member 5 made from a metal wire net and a heat-resistant material 6 filling meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member 5 and formed integrally with the reinforcing member 5 in mixed form. The outer layer 38 includes a base layer 46 and a sliding layer 40 constituted of a lubricating composition and adherently formed integrally on the base layer 46 at an outer layer intermediate surface 42, the base layer 46 including a reinforcing member 15 made from a metal wire net and compressed and a heat-resistant material 14 filling meshes of the metal wire net of the reinforcing member 15 and closely press bonded to the reinforcing member 1 S, the base layer 46 being formed integrally with the partially convex spherical surface 34.