Concentric Ring Hinge Structure for Wear-Resistant Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinged components with a single ring suffer from localized wear, leading to reduced service life under operational stresses such as high pressure, corrosion, and abrasion.
Innovation Solution
A hinged component comprising at least two concentric rings movable in rotation around a central axle, with three friction surfaces forming three wear surfaces, and optional surface treatments, coatings, and lubricant reservoirs to enhance wear resistance and lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a single ring is used in the hinged component, then the device complexity is reduced, but the service life is significantly reduced due to localized wear
Solution Approach 1:
The single ring is segmented into multiple concentric rings (at least two rings) that can move relative to each other. This segmentation creates multiple friction surfaces where wear can occur, distributing the wear across different surfaces rather than localizing it to a single surface, thereby extending the service life of the component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-ring structure to a multi-ring concentric structure, adding a dimensional aspect of radial layering. This creates multiple cylindrical friction surfaces at different radial positions, effectively utilizing another spatial dimension to increase the total wear surface area and extend component life.
2Reliability
If multiple concentric rings are used to increase wear surface, then the service life is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The component is divided into multiple concentric rings with distinct friction surfaces, segmenting the wear function across multiple surfaces. This segmentation allows each ring to contribute to the overall wear resistance, improving reliability while maintaining a relatively simple concentric structural arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple rings are nested concentrically within each other, with each ring containing or surrounding the previous one. This nesting arrangement creates multiple friction surfaces in a compact configuration, improving wear resistance without proportionally increasing the overall size or complexity of the device.
3Reliability
If the friction interface is sealed to prevent lubricant leakage, then the lubrication effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sealing components
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted as a distinct component (sealing element) separate from the friction surfaces. This sealing element is specifically designed to prevent lubricant leakage from the friction interface between the rings, improving lubrication effectiveness while allowing the friction surfaces themselves to remain simple and focused on their primary function.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing element acts as an intermediary component between the friction interface and the external environment. This mediator prevents lubricant from escaping the friction interface while allowing the friction surfaces to maintain their simple concentric design, thus improving lubrication effectiveness without significantly complicating the overall structure.
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 component exhibits significantly improved service life, with wear life multiplied by at least five compared to a single-ring component, due to the increased potential wear surface and effective lubrication and sealing mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
defining a friction interface therebetween
Implementation Method 2
When the mechanical system is in operation, the grease gradually emerges from arrangements in order to lubricate the friction interface between the ring and the axle
Data Source
AI summary
A hinged component with one degree of freedom includes at least two concentric rings, movable in rotation in relation to one another around a central axis, defining a friction interface therebetween and including: an outer ring having an inner friction surface and an inner ring having an outer friction surface and an inner friction surface intended to receive a movable member guided by the component in rotation, oscillation and/or translation.