Self-lubricating maintenance-free chain transmission device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a self-lubricating maintenance-free chain transmission device, which relates to the technical field of chain transmission devices, comprises a chain link, a pin shaft and a bushing, and is characterized in that the pin shaft is of a hollow structure, an oil storage cavity extending along the axial direction is arranged in the pin shaft, and the oil storage cavity is filled with a solid lubricating medium; a micropore channel communicated with the oil storage cavity is formed in the circumferential surface of the pin shaft, and heat is generated through friction of relative movement of the pin shaft and the lining, so that the lubricating medium is melted and seeps to a friction interface through the micropore channel. According to the self-lubricating maintenance-free chain transmission device, the problem that a friction pair depends on an external lubricating system in the prior art is solved through the synergistic effect of the oil storage cavity of the pin shaft, the micropore channel and the self-lubricating layer of the bush, and maintenance-free long-acting lubrication is achieved; through a slow release structure in the oil storage cavity, a conical diffusion opening of the micropore channel and a dynamic lubrication triggering mechanism, the defect that in the prior art, active compensation lubrication cannot be achieved through a static anti-wear design is overcome.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of chain drive devices, specifically a self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device. Background Technology

[0002] Chain drives are widely used in machinery, vehicles and industrial equipment, where power is transmitted through the meshing of chain links and sprockets.

[0003] In the prior art, such as in publication number CN204140777U, a wear-resistant chain is disclosed, comprising: multiple inner and outer chain links connected in series in the form of a hinge pair. Each inner chain link includes an inner chain plate, a sleeve, and a roller; each outer chain link includes an outer chain plate and a pin. The sleeve passes through the middle of the roller, and the inner and outer chain plates are respectively disposed at both ends of the roller from the inside out. The pin is inserted into the sleeve, with both ends located on the outer chain plate. The width of one side of each outer chain plate is greater than the width of the other side. This wear-resistant chain increases the thickness of the contact surface between the outer chain plate and the particles, thereby enhancing the wear resistance of the contact surface and increasing the service life of the chain.

[0004] While the aforementioned patent increases wear resistance by increasing the thickness of the contact surface between the outer chain plate and the particles, it does not address the lubrication requirements of the core friction pair of the chain. It still relies on an external lubrication system and cannot achieve maintenance-free operation. Furthermore, the increased chain plate thickness is a static wear-resistant optimization and cannot actively provide lubrication protection during chain operation. When the lubricant is depleted or contaminated, the friction pair will still fail rapidly due to the lack of lubrication replenishment.

[0005] Therefore, this utility model provides a self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device. It solves the problem of relying on external lubrication systems due to a lack of improvement on the lubrication requirements of the core friction pairs in the chain, thus failing to achieve maintenance-free operation. Furthermore, the increased chain plate thickness is a static anti-wear optimization and cannot actively provide lubrication protection during chain operation. When the lubricant is depleted or contaminated, the friction pairs will still fail rapidly due to the lack of lubrication replenishment.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model is implemented through the following technical solution: a self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device, comprising chain links, pins, and bushings, characterized in that: the pin is a hollow structure with an axially extending oil storage cavity inside, the oil storage cavity being filled with a solid lubricating medium, and the circumferential surface of the pin having microporous channels communicating with the oil storage cavity; the relative movement of the pin and the bushing generates heat through friction, causing the lubricating medium to melt and seep out through the microporous channels to the friction interface.

[0008] Preferably, the inner surface of the bushing is coated with a self-lubricating layer, which is a copper-based graphite sintered material. The pores of the copper-based graphite sintered material adsorb the liquid lubricant released from the oil storage cavity to form a continuous lubricating film.

[0009] Preferably, the oil storage cavity is provided with a slow-release structure, which includes alternating layers of carbon fiber braided layers and a grease storage layer, wherein the carbon fiber braided layers are used to slow down the release rate of the lubricating medium.

[0010] Preferably, the outlet end of the microporous channel is provided with a tapered diffuser, the larger end of which faces the inner wall of the bushing, in order to expand the coverage of the lubricant at the friction interface.

[0011] Preferably, a pre-lubrication gap is provided between the pin and the bushing, and the pre-lubrication gap is filled with a mixed lubricant, which includes grease and molybdenum disulfide solid particles.

[0012] Preferably, the lubricating medium in the oil storage cavity is a paraffin-based phase change material, and carbon nanotube thermal conductivity enhancers are added to the paraffin-based phase change material. The liquid flow of the phase change material is triggered by the temperature change of the friction interface to release the lubricant.

[0013] Beneficial effects

[0014] This invention provides a self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device. Compared with the prior art, it has the following advantages:

[0015] 1. This self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device solves the problem of friction pairs relying on external lubrication systems in the prior art by synergistic action of the oil storage chamber of the pin shaft, the microporous channel and the self-lubricating layer of the bushing, thus achieving maintenance-free and long-lasting lubrication.

[0016] 2. This self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device overcomes the shortcomings of existing static anti-wear designs that cannot actively compensate for lubrication through the slow-release structure in the oil storage chamber, the conical diffuser of the microporous channel, and the dynamic lubrication triggering mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the overall appearance of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the pin and self-lubricating layer of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional appearance diagram of the sustained-release structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the disassembled appearance of this utility model.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Link; 2. Pin; 21. Oil reservoir; 22. Microporous channel; 3. Bushing; 31. Self-lubricating layer; 4. Slow-release structure; 41. Carbon fiber braided layer; 42. Grease storage layer; 5. Mixed lubricant. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0023] This utility model provides two technical solutions:

[0024] Figures 1-4 The first embodiment is shown: a self-lubricating maintenance-free chain drive device, including a chain link 1, a pin 2 and a bushing 3, characterized in that: the pin 2 is a hollow structure, and its interior is provided with an axially extending oil storage cavity 21, which is filled with a solid lubricating medium. The circumferential surface of the pin 2 is provided with a microporous channel 22 communicating with the oil storage cavity 21. The relative movement of the pin 2 and the bushing 3 generates heat through friction, causing the lubricating medium to melt and seep out to the friction interface through the microporous channel 22.

[0025] Specifically, when the chain is running, the relative motion and friction between the pin 2 and the bushing 3 generate heat, causing the solid lubricating medium in the oil reservoir 21 to melt into a liquid state. The liquid lubricant seeps out to the friction interface through the microporous channel 22. At the same time, the copper-based graphite sintered material on the inner surface of the bushing 3 uses its pores to adsorb the seeping lubricant, forming a continuous lubricating film. The mixed lubricant 5 in the pre-lubrication gap contains solid molybdenum disulfide particles, which further fill the initial friction interface. Combined with the paraffin-based phase change material dynamically releasing lubricant with temperature changes under the action of carbon nanotube thermal conductivity enhancer, a multi-layer lubrication guarantee mechanism is formed, completely eliminating the dependence on external lubrication.

[0026] In this embodiment, the oil storage cavity 21 is provided with a slow-release structure 4, which includes alternating layers of carbon fiber braided layer 41 and grease storage layer 42. The carbon fiber braided layer 41 is used to slow down the release rate of the lubricating medium.

[0027] Specifically, the alternating layers of carbon fiber braided layer 41 and grease storage layer 42 in the oil storage chamber 21 slow down the release rate of the lubricating medium through the porous structure of the fiber layer 41, while the conical diffuser at the outlet end of the microporous channel 22 diffuses the lubricant to a wider range on the inner wall of the bushing 3, ensuring that the lubricant uniformly covers the friction interface; at the same time, the paraffin-based phase change material triggers liquid flow to release the lubricant through friction temperature changes, so that the amount of lubricant released is adaptively matched with the actual working conditions, dynamically compensates for the loss of the lubricating film, and significantly extends the service life of the chain under high load or high speed conditions.

[0028] Figures 1-4 The second embodiment is shown. The main difference from the first embodiment is that the inner surface of the bushing 3 is coated with a self-lubricating layer 31, which is a copper-based graphite sintered material. The pores of the copper-based graphite sintered material adsorb the liquid lubricant released from the oil storage cavity 21 to form a continuous lubricating film.

[0029] Specifically, the self-lubricating layer 31 of copper-based graphite sintered material on the inner surface of the bushing 3 utilizes its porous characteristics to adsorb the liquid lubricant released from the oil storage cavity 21 to form a continuous lubricating film. This, in conjunction with the lubricant release mechanism of the pin 2, constructs a double lubrication barrier at the friction interface. In practice, the copper-based graphite sintered material is sintered onto the inner wall of the bushing 3 using powder metallurgy. Its porosity matches the lubricant seepage rate of the microporous channel 22, ensuring that the lubricating film continuously regenerates during dynamic operation and avoiding wear caused by dry friction.

[0030] The outlet end of the microporous channel 22 is provided with a tapered diffuser, with the larger end of the tapered diffuser facing the inner wall of the bushing 3, in order to expand the coverage of the lubricant at the friction interface.

[0031] Specifically, by setting a conical diffuser at the outlet end of the microporous channel 22, the lubricant covers a larger area of ​​the inner wall of the bushing 3 along the larger end direction of the diffuser. In practice, the inclination angle of the conical diffuser is matched with the curvature of the inner wall of the bushing 3. Under capillary action, the lubricant is evenly spread along the inclined surface of the diffuser, eliminating the lubrication blind zone caused by the local aggregation of traditional microporous lubricant and improving the lubrication uniformity of the friction interface.

[0032] The lubricating medium in the oil storage chamber 21 is a paraffin-based phase change material. Carbon nanotube thermal conductivity enhancer is added to the paraffin-based phase change material. The liquid flow of the phase change material is triggered by the temperature change of the friction interface to release the lubricant.

[0033] Specifically, paraffin-based phase change material is used as the lubricating medium for the oil reservoir 21, and carbon nanotube thermal conductivity enhancer is added. The liquid flow of the phase change material is triggered by the temperature change of the friction interface, so as to release the lubricant on demand. In specific implementation, the paraffin-based material melts at 40-60℃, and the carbon nanotube accelerates the heat transfer to the inside of the oil reservoir 21, so that the lubricant release rate is positively correlated with the intensity of frictional heat generation. This increases the amount of lubricant under high load and reduces waste under low load, achieving a balance between dynamic energy saving and long-term lubrication.

[0034] Furthermore, any content not described in detail in this specification is existing technology known to those skilled in the art.

[0035] Working principle: The relative motion between the pin 2 and the bushing 3 generates frictional heat, which triggers the solid lubricating medium in the oil storage cavity 21 inside the pin 2 to melt into a liquid state. The liquid lubricant seeps out to the friction interface through the microporous channels 22 on the circumferential surface of the pin 2. At the same time, the copper-based graphite sintered material on the inner surface of the bushing 3 absorbs the seeping lubricant through its pores in the self-lubricating layer 31, forming a continuous lubricating film and reducing the coefficient of friction. The slow-release structure 4 installed in the oil reservoir 21 slows down the lubricant release rate through alternating layers of carbon fiber braided layer 41 and grease storage layer 42, avoiding excessive consumption. The conical diffuser at the outlet of the microporous channel 22 diffuses the lubricant along the inner wall of the bushing 3, expanding the coverage area. The mixed lubricant 5 filled in the pre-lubrication gap provides immediate lubrication protection at the initial stage of chain start-up through the synergistic effect of molybdenum disulfide solid particles and grease. When the friction interface temperature rises, the paraffin-based phase change material in the oil reservoir 21 responds quickly to the temperature change under the action of carbon nanotube thermal conductivity enhancer, triggering the liquid flow of the phase change material and dynamically adjusting the lubricant release amount to achieve precise matching between lubrication supply and operating conditions, ultimately achieving the goal of maintenance-free and long-term operation.

[0036] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0037] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device, comprising chain links (1), pins (2), and bushings (3), characterized in that: The pin (2) is a hollow structure with an axially extending oil storage cavity (21) inside. The oil storage cavity (21) is filled with a solid lubricating medium. The circumferential surface of the pin (2) is provided with a microporous channel (22) that connects to the oil storage cavity (21). The relative movement of the pin (2) and the bushing (3) generates heat through friction, causing the lubricating medium to melt and seep out to the friction interface through the microporous channel (22).

2. The self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner surface of the bushing (3) is coated with a self-lubricating layer (31), which is a copper-based graphite sintered material. The pores of the copper-based graphite sintered material adsorb the liquid lubricant released from the oil storage cavity (21) to form a continuous lubricating film.

3. The self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oil storage cavity (21) is provided with a slow-release structure (4), which includes alternating layers of carbon fiber braided layer (41) and grease storage layer (42). The carbon fiber braided layer (41) is used to delay the release rate of the lubricating medium.

4. The self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outlet end of the microporous channel (22) is provided with a conical diffuser, the large end of which faces the inner wall of the bushing (3) to expand the coverage of the lubricant at the friction interface.

5. The self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pre-lubrication gap is provided between the pin (2) and the bushing (3), and the pre-lubrication gap is filled with a mixed lubricant (5), which contains grease and molybdenum disulfide solid particles.

6. The self-lubricating, maintenance-free chain drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lubricating medium in the oil storage cavity (21) is a paraffin-based phase change material. The liquid flow of the phase change material is triggered by the temperature change of the friction interface to release the lubricant.

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