Chain Lubrication Tool With Excess Lubricant Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lubrication methods for chains, such as spray lubricants, result in wastage and mess, and manual application is laborious, with improper lubrication leading to faulty chain operation.

Innovation Solution

A chain lubrication tool with a body containing a chain passage and dual lubricant channels, allowing for direct application of both liquid and aerosol lubricants, with excess lubricant capture and hands-free operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If spray lubricants are used for chain lubrication, then lubrication speed is improved, but lubricant wastage and mess increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication speedVSAvoidlubricant wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The lubrication system is segmented into multiple channels (first lubricant channel and second lubricant channel) that deliver lubricant to specific locations on the chain. This segmentation allows controlled delivery of lubricant only where needed, reducing overall wastage while maintaining efficient lubrication speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (the lubrication tool with channels and openings) between the lubricant source and the chain. This intermediary controls and directs the lubricant flow precisely to the chain links, preventing unnecessary spray dispersion and reducing both wastage and mess.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual lubrication is applied to each link, then lubrication precision is improved, but labor effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication precisionVSAvoidlabor effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lubrication tool is designed to perform the lubrication function automatically once positioned on the chain. The chain passage and lubricant channels work together to self-apply lubricant to the chain links without requiring manual application to each link, thereby maintaining precision while reducing labor effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The tool is pre-configured with lubricant channels and openings positioned to contact specific chain links. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the tool is applied to the chain, lubrication is automatically delivered to the correct locations without requiring manual positioning or application to each link individually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If spray cans with nozzle hoses are used, then lubricant directionality is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubricant directionalityVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the lubricant delivery function and chain contact function into a single integrated tool body. The lubricant channels and chain passage are combined in one device, eliminating the need for separate nozzle hoses and simplifying the overall system while maintaining directional lubricant delivery to the chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260042503A1Chain lubrication tool

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 GREIG ANDREW

AI summary

A tool (10) for lubricating a chain (50), e.g. of a motorbike or bicycle, includes a block that defines a chain passage (22) through the block for receiving the chain (50). A first lubricant channel (438) through the block can be used to apply lubricant (56) into the chain passage where it is directed onto the chain. A second lubricant channel (300) can collect excess lubricant to allow the lubricant to drain and be collected for tidier operation. Lubricant channels can be provided for both aerosol and liquid lubricants.