CV Joint Grease Composition Balancing Durability and Boot Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Constant velocity joints face durability challenges under severe lubrication conditions due to complex rolling and sliding motions and repeated stress on lubricating portions, particularly during special car driving conditions.

Innovation Solution

A grease composition comprising a lubricating base oil, a nitrogen-containing compound thickener, triglyceride, diester, and boron nitride, with specific mass ratios and preferred additives like organomolybdenum, zinc dithiophosphate, and polysulfide, is developed to enhance durability and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional grease compositions with molybdenum disulfide and organomolybdenum additives are used to improve durability under severe lubrication conditions, then durability is improved, but the cost of grease increases and the effect on boot material deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoideffect on boot material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the grease by replacing molybdenum-based additives with a specific combination of triglyceride (1-5 mass%) and diester (1-5 mass%) in controlled ratios (triglyceride/diester = 0.3 to 0.9). This parameter change maintains durability improvement while eliminating the harmful effect on boot material caused by molybdenum additives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite grease formulation by combining triglyceride and diester in specific proportions within the base grease composition. This composite approach synergistically provides both durability enhancement and boot material compatibility, resolving the contradiction between improved reliability and reduced harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If more additives such as molybdenum disulfide and organomolybdenum are added to improve durability under severe lubrication conditions, then durability is improved, but the cost of grease increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the additive package parameters by eliminating expensive molybdenum-based additives and replacing them with cost-effective triglyceride and diester esters. The specific concentration range (1-5 mass% each) optimizes the balance between durability performance and cost reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If grease composition is optimized for severe lubrication conditions with complex rolling and sliding motions, then durability is improved, but the complexity of grease formulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidgrease formulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the grease formulation by focusing on two key parameters - the triglyceride/diester ratio (0.3 to 0.9) and their combined content (1 to 5 mass% each). This targeted parameter optimization provides durability improvement under severe conditions without requiring complex multi-component formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 grease composition significantly improves durability under severe lubrication conditions, as demonstrated by improved low temperature torque and friction characteristics, effectively addressing the durability issues in constant velocity joints.

Implementation Method 1

a grease composition for constant velocity joints comprising a lubricating base oil, a thickener comprising a nitrogen-containing compound, a triglyceride, a diester, and a boron nitride

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolid lubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

improve durability under severe lubrication conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3476922B1Grease composition for constant velocity joints, and constant velocity joint in which same is sealed
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 ENEOS CORP
  • EP3476922B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3476922B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3476922B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a grease composition for constant velocity joints, which includes a lubricating base oil, a thickener including a nitrogen-containing compound, a triglyceride, a diester, and a boron nitride, wherein a total content of the triglyceride and the diester is 1 to 5 mass% based on a total amount of the grease composition, and a mass ratio of a content of the triglyceride to a content of the diester (triglyceride/diester) is 0.3 to 1.5.