Bushing With Diagonal Outer Channel For Lubrication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lubrication systems for bearing assemblies require drilling a hole through the housing to direct grease to the center of the bushing, increasing manufacturing time and cost, and often include complex grooves for grease distribution.

Innovation Solution

A bushing design featuring an inner circumferential channel and a diagonally oriented outer channel with ports connecting them, allowing for fluid communication with a lubricant supply path, eliminating the need for additional holes in the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hole is drilled through the housing to direct grease to the center of the bushing, then lubrication is achieved, but manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication deliveryVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer channel is pre-formed on the bushing outer surface during bushing manufacturing, eliminating the need for subsequent drilling operations on the housing. The lubricant supply path is designed to align with this pre-formed channel, allowing grease to be directed to the bushing center without additional machining steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lubrication delivery function is extracted from the housing structure and integrated into the bushing itself. The bushing now contains both the outer channel (for receiving grease from the housing aperture) and the inner channel (for delivering grease to the bearing), consolidating multiple functions into a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a hole is drilled through the housing to direct grease to the center of the bushing, then lubrication is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication deliveryVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The bushing structure is merged with the lubrication delivery system. The outer channel on the bushing surface and the inner channel within the bushing work together as an integrated lubrication pathway, eliminating the need for separate housing modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If angled or helical grooves are added to the inner surface of the bushing for grease distribution, then lubrication effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrease distributionVSAvoidbushing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lubrication system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the outer channel on the bushing surface for receiving grease, the port for transfer, and the inner circumferential channel for distribution. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring complex integrated features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different surfaces of the bushing are given different properties: the outer surface has an outer channel positioned to receive grease at a specific location, while the inner surface has a circumferential channel for distribution. This localized functional differentiation achieves effective grease distribution without adding overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This design reduces manufacturing time and cost by allowing grease to flow directly to the bushing through the housing's existing apertures, avoiding drilling and potential machining issues, while maintaining effective lubrication distribution.

Implementation Method 1

An outer channel is provided diagonally on the outer surface of the bushing and is configured to be in fluid communication with a lubricant supply path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS8870461B2Bearing assembly

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

A bushing for a bearing assembly is provided. The bushing includes a tubular sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface. An inner circumferential channel is provided on the inner surface of the bushing. An outer channel is provided diagonally on the outer surface of the bushing and is configured to be in fluid communication with a lubricant supply path. Further, the bushing includes a port connecting the inner channel and the outer channel of the bushing.