Optimum Lip Seal Design by Fractional Factorial Experimentation

The multitude of lip section designs and the continued major automotive warranty problem in the field of radial oil seals indicated that a more thorough knowledge of lip section design was necessary. Seven design factors were investigated by means of fractional factorial experimentation to determine the optimum level for each of the factors. The general effects of trim diameter, radial lip force, seal lip to case eccentricity, spring position, contact width, flex section, and material modulus, plus the interactions between these seven factors, were investigated. Leakage was measured as the response or dependent variable. A detailed drawing of the optimum lip section, derived from the results of tests which optimized on the main effects only, is given.