Ball and Socket Connecting Rod for Oil-Less Pneumatic Motors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pneumatic piston style motors require constant lubrication, leading to oil contamination issues, especially in sensitive environments, and the wrist pin system results in frequent failures and wear of the connecting rod and piston assembly.
Innovation Solution
A connecting rod and piston system for oil-less pneumatic motors that eliminates the need for a wrist pin and lubrication, featuring a ball and socket configuration with self-lubricating materials, allowing for multiplane pendulum movement and reduced wear, and utilizing materials like oil-impregnated plastics and seals to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wrist pin system is used to connect the connecting rod to the piston, then the assembly can be manufactured and assembled, but the contact area between the piston and connecting rod is small resulting in frequent wearing down and failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional wrist pin connection with a spherical piston end that fits into a socket on the connecting rod. This spherical configuration increases the contact area between the piston and connecting rod from a small point contact to a distributed surface contact, thereby reducing wear and extending the life span of the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs plastic materials with self-lubricating properties for both the piston and connecting rod components. This material selection reduces friction and wear at the contact interface, further enhancing the reliability and life span of the assembly without requiring external lubrication.
2Reliability
If oil is added for lubrication in metal component motors, then lubrication is provided, but oil contamination occurs in the work area and materials being mixed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses plastic components with self-lubricating properties that provide lubrication without requiring external oil addition. The materials themselves generate the necessary lubrication through their inherent properties, eliminating the harmful effect of oil contamination while maintaining effective lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes traditional metal components requiring oil lubrication with plastic components that provide self-lubrication. This material substitution eliminates the need for external lubrication systems and prevents oil contamination of the work area and materials.
3Reliability
If a wrist pin system is used, then the connecting rod can be connected to the piston, but the system is cumbersome during assembly and disassembly and results in frequent failures
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical piston end design allows for simple insertion into the connecting rod socket without requiring precise alignment or complex assembly procedures. This geometric configuration simplifies both assembly and disassembly operations while eliminating the wrist pin components that cause frequent failures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly increases the contact area between the connecting rod and piston, reducing wear and extending the life span of the assembly, while preventing oil contamination and simplifying assembly and disassembly, as demonstrated by prolonged operation under full load conditions without signs of wear.
Implementation Method 1
said connecting rod and piston having self lubricating properties
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting rod and piston assembly for use in an oil-less pneumatic motor, wherein said connecting rod and piston do not require a wrist pin for connecting said rod to said piston; said connecting rod having at least two ends, connected to each other by a connecting member of a predetermined length; said at least two ends being a piston end and a crankshaft end; said piston end being distant said crankshaft end; said piston having a cylinder end and a connecting rod piston end receiving end, wherein said connecting rod piston end receiving end matingly engages said connecting rod piston end; said piston end is substantially ball shaped and said crankshaft end is shaped for engagement with a crankshaft; said connecting rod piston end receiving end is a socket shape to matingly receive said ball shaped piston end.