Multi-Objective Optimization of Motor Sealing Performance: Numerical and Experimental Approach.

Abstract

Rubber seals have been widely applied in mechanical sealing structures in various fields such as automobiles, aerospace, and deep-sea hydraulic systems. The current analysis methods for O-ring sealing performance mainly include experiments and simulations. This study takes the motor sealing structure as the research object and proposes a multi-objective optimization method for designing sealing structures. Based on the finite element analysis model, the main indicators related to sealing performance were obtained. These indicators transfer to multi-objective optimization analysis to determine the influence of different groove depths on sealing performance. The analysis results show that when the bolt preload is 50 N, a groove depth of 0.9 mm is the optimal design scheme. The optimal relationship between the O-ring diameter D and the sealing structure groove depth is H = 0.6 D. Moreover, a prototype test under the condition of IPX7 requirement verifies the optimal design scheme's waterproof performance. The proposed method provides multiple design schemes for comprehensive evaluation considering different sealing structures. It reveals that the sealing performance is not only determined by rubber material characteristics but also by seal structure dimension.