Ball Stud Assembly With Thermal Conductor for Low-Maintenance Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Maintenance-intensive oil temperature control systems in warp knitting machines are prone to contamination in dusty environments, leading to clogging and increased maintenance efforts due to dust absorption and transport through pipes.

Innovation Solution

A thermally conductive element surrounds the ball stud, featuring radially arranged channels and fluid guide elements to enhance heat dissipation and prevent contamination, with a porous, sintered design and integrated filter arrangement to maintain optimal temperature and cleanliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If an oil temperature control system is used to cool the ball pin, then the temperature control is effective, but the system becomes maintenance-intensive due to dust absorption and pipe clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveball pin temperature controlVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful function of oil circulation (which absorbs dust and clogs pipes) and replaces it with a solid thermal conductor that directly contacts the ball pin. The thermal conductor is connected to a cooling device, separating the cooling function from the lubrication function, thereby eliminating maintenance issues while maintaining effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The solid thermal conductor acts as an intermediary between the ball pin and the cooling device. Instead of using oil as a medium to transfer heat, the thermal conductor directly transfers heat from the ball pin to the cooling device, eliminating the need for fluid circulation and associated maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a thermal conductor is introduced to improve heat dissipation, then temperature control improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidball pin assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal conductor is designed to surround the ball pin in a concentric arrangement, merging the cooling function with the existing ball pin structure. This integrated design minimizes the additional components needed while maximizing heat dissipation efficiency through direct thermal contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces maintenance efforts, ensures precise temperature control, and extends maintenance intervals by preventing contamination and improving heat dissipation, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the knitting process.

Implementation Method 1

an element made of thermally conductive material surrounds the section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the fluid guide element allows a fluid flowing through the cavity and the channel to strike the element in a targeted manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow: Convection

Implementation Method 3

The fluid-permeable structure increases the surface area with which the fluid is in contact and thus the surface area over which the fluid can absorb heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3741893B1Ball bolt assembly
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 KARL MAYER STOLL R&D GMBH
  • EP3741893B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

A ball stud, particularly in a sample arrangement of a warp knitting machine, is described, comprising a first end (2) having at least a portion of a spherical shape, a second end (3), and a section (4) between the first end (2) and the second end (2), wherein at least a portion of the ball stud has a cavity (9) fluidically connected to an outer surface (7) via at least one channel (5). The aim is to reduce the setup effort of the warp knitting machine and the maintenance effort of the ball stud (1). For this purpose, an element (8) made of thermally conductive material surrounds the section (4).