Crankshaft Lip Seals with Reduced Friction Resistance

The article discusses the cooperation of the elastomeric sealing ring with the shaft in terms of wear and losses to overcome frictional forces, the design of a classic seal and seals with reduced resistance to movement. Since the seal-shaft lip arrangement is a specific friction pair, the focus was on local micro-scale contact conditions as a parameter determining global macro resistance to movement. Test rig and research method was described. Friction losses were measured during the long-term tests. Thanks to the modification applied, a reduction of friction losses of 18-25% was achieved. Sealing lip profiles and shaft surface were compared before and after the test. The tests that have been carried out for two types of oils allow us to conclude that there is a need to modernize the lip seals for their long-term operation.