O-Ring Lubrication System for Reduced Maintenance Costs
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Summary
Problems
Existing mechanical devices with piston and cylinder arrangements require periodic disassembly to replenish lubricant for O-rings, leading to increased maintenance costs and reduced operational life due to lubricant depletion over time.
Innovation solutions
A lubrication system with a reservoir between O-rings and an input port allows for lubricant replenishment without disassembly, featuring an annular groove on the piston and an input port extending through the cylinder, enabling continuous lubrication of O-rings during operation.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If lubricant is applied to O-rings during operation, then the operational life of the mechanical device is extended, but the lubricant is depleted over time requiring periodic replenishment that involves disassembling the mechanical device
Why choose this principle:
The lubrication system is segmented into distinct components: a lubricant reservoir, a delivery mechanism, and application points. This allows the lubrication function to be separated from the main mechanical device structure, enabling independent maintenance of the lubrication system without disassembling the entire device.
Principle concept:
If lubricant is applied to O-rings during operation, then the operational life of the mechanical device is extended, but the lubricant is depleted over time requiring periodic replenishment that involves disassembling the mechanical device
Why choose this principle:
The system incorporates an automatic lubricant delivery mechanism that self-regulates lubricant flow to the O-rings during operation. The piston movement automatically actuates the lubricant delivery, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling continuous self-lubrication throughout the device operational cycle.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A lubrication system with a reservoir between O-rings and an input port allows for lubricant replenishment without disassembly, featuring an annular groove on the piston and an input port extending through the cylinder, enabling continuous lubrication of O-rings during operation.
Abstract
A pressure regulator includes a cylinder and a piston contained in the cylinder. First and second O-rings are attached to the cylinder and configured to form a seal between the cylinder and an interior wall of the piston. The pressure regulator has a lubrication system that includes a lubrication reservoir between the first and second O-rings defined by an annular groove in an exterior surface of the piston and the interior wall of the cylinder, and an input port extending through the cylinder to the lubrication reservoir. The piston is configured to move along a central axis relative to the cylinder between first and second positions. The first and second O-rings are displaced from the input port during movement of the piston between the first and second positions.