Stacked Piston Ring Gap Sealing for Blowby Gas Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piston ring configurations fail to effectively prevent leakage of blowby gas due to gas passages formed between the piston ring and the ring groove, leading to inefficient sealing properties.
Innovation Solution
A piston ring design featuring first and second ring pieces with displaced piston ring gap portions in the circumferential direction, closed by a closing member that includes an inner-peripheral-side curved member and plug pieces, which are elastically pressed to maintain airtight contact with the ring groove, preventing gas passage between the upper and lower sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the piston ring gap portion is opened in the width direction to allow radial expansion and contraction, then the piston ring can adapt to thermal expansion and operational variations, but gas passages are formed between the piston ring and ring groove allowing blowby gas leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The piston ring is divided into multiple ring pieces (first ring piece and second ring piece) stacked in the width direction, with their respective piston ring gap portions displaced from each other in the circumferential direction. This segmentation allows the ring pieces to work together to block gas passages while maintaining radial adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a single-ring design to a multi-layer stacked configuration in the width direction. By displacing the gap portions in the circumferential direction between layers, the design blocks gas passages that would otherwise form in the radial dimension, while preserving radial expansion capability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple ring pieces are stacked in the width direction with displaced gap portions, then gas passage is blocked, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The closing member integrates multiple functions: it includes an inner-peripheral-side curved member that closes the piston ring gap portion of the first ring piece, and plug pieces that close the gap of the second ring piece. This merging of closing functions into a single integrated component reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining effective gas sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing member serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides structural support, seals the piston ring gap portions of both ring pieces, and maintains the displaced gap configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the piston ring gap portion is closed in the width direction by stacking ring pieces, then blowby gas sealing is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring pieces and closing member are designed with predetermined geometries and displacement configurations that enable self-alignment during assembly. The inner-peripheral-side curved member and plug pieces are pre-configured to fit into the ring pieces, reducing the need for complex alignment procedures and simplifying the assembly process.
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 design effectively eliminates gas passages, enhancing sealing properties and reducing blowby gas leakage by ensuring airtight contact between the piston ring and the ring groove, even under varying conditions such as temperature changes and high-speed operations.
Implementation Method 1
A closing member closes the piston ring gap portions of the first ring pieces in the radial direction of the first ring pieces. The closing member includes an inner-peripheral-side curved member and plug pieces, which are elastically pressed to maintain airtight contact with the ring groove
Data Source
AI summary
A piston ring includes a plurality of first ring pieces placed inside the ring groove in a stacking manner such that the first ring pieces adhere to each other in the axis direction. The first ring pieces include respective piston ring gap portions each having end surfaces separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the first ring pieces such that the end surfaces face each other via a ring gap having a predetermined dimension. The respective piston ring gap portions of the first ring pieces are displaced from each other in the circumferential direction. A closing member is provided to close the piston ring gap portions of the first ring pieces in the radial direction of the first ring pieces.