Symmetric Oil Control Ring Profile for Lower Oil Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil rings have vertically asymmetric cross-sectional shapes in the sliding contact region, leading to high contact surface pressure and increased oil consumption, which complicates manufacturing and affects assembly.
Innovation Solution
The oil control ring features vertically symmetric outer peripheral surfaces with protruding surfaces having a radius of curvature of 0.30 mm or less, simplifying the cross-sectional shape and enhancing oil scraping efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a taper surface is provided to reduce the sliding surface area and increase contact pressure for better oil scraping, then oil consumption is reduced, but the cross-sectional shape becomes vertically asymmetric complicating manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry in reverse - it deliberately creates a symmetric cross-sectional shape where asymmetry would traditionally be used. The outer peripheral surface is designed with vertical symmetry around the radial centerline, eliminating the need to distinguish front and back during manufacturing while still achieving effective oil scraping through the symmetric protruding structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curvature by defining the sliding contact region with a specific radius of curvature (0.05mm to 0.30mm) on the protruding surface. This curved geometry maintains contact pressure distribution while enabling symmetric design, replacing the traditional tapered (linear) surface with a curved symmetric surface that achieves similar oil scraping functionality without manufacturing complexity
2Loss of substance
If the sliding surface area is reduced to promote oil scraping action, then oil consumption is reduced, but the contact surface pressure becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a protruding surface with specific geometric characteristics (radius of curvature 0.05mm to 0.30mm) only in the sliding contact region, while other portions of the rail may have different characteristics. This localized curved protruding structure concentrates the oil scraping function in a specific zone, achieving effective oil control with moderate contact pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the sliding surface by specifying a radius of curvature between 0.05mm and 0.30mm for the protruding surface. This parameter optimization balances the contact surface pressure - the curved geometry maintains sufficient pressure for oil scraping while distributing it over an optimized area, preventing excessively high localized stress
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 configuration reduces oil consumption while simplifying the cross-sectional shape, improving manufacturing ease and preventing reverse assembly, thereby enhancing the oil scraping capability.
Implementation Method 1
the sliding contact region can sufficiently scrape down oil
Implementation Method 2
a coil expander installed along the inner peripheral surface
Data Source
AI summary
An oil control ring includes: a main body portion having an annular shape, that includes an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, and one side surface and an other side surface; and a coil expander installed along the inner peripheral surface. The main body portion includes a pair of first rail portion and second rail portion each having an annular shape, and a pillar portion connecting the first rail portion and the second rail portion. The outer peripheral surfaces of the first rail portion and the second rail portion each include a protruding surface having a cross-sectional shape protruding convexly outward in a radial direction. The protruding surface is an arcuate surface having a radius of curvature of 0.30 mm or less in a sliding contact region including a vertex that is a radially outermost point of the first rail portion or the second rail portion.