Eccentric Gear Engagement Claw With Grease Sump Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gear devices for seat lifters experience grease loss over time due to the escape of grease between engagement claws and recesses, leading to reduced lubrication and increased wear.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a grease sump design into the engagement claws, which holds the grease applied between the claws and recesses, preventing its escape during linear movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If grease is applied between the engagement claws and recesses for lubrication, then the lubrication effectiveness is improved, but the grease escapes over time during linear movement leading to loss of substance
Solution Approach 1:
The grease sump extracts and isolates the grease from the movement path between the engagement claw and recess. By providing a dedicated grease reservoir at the engagement point, the system separates the lubrication function from the linear movement, allowing grease to remain in place while the components move relative to each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The grease sump is integrated into the engagement claw structure, with the grease reservoir nested within the claw body. The engagement claw contains both the linear movement function and the grease storage function, with the grease sump nested inside the claw to provide lubrication at the engagement point.
2Ease of operation
If the engagement claw and recess structure is used to restrict rotational movement while permitting linear movement, then the mechanical function is improved, but grease escape occurs during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The grease sump acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the engagement claw and recess. It provides a controlled environment for grease retention while allowing the engagement components to perform their mechanical function of restricting rotation and permitting linear movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A gear device includes a first gear, a second gear, and a third gear. The second gear is offset eccentrically when the first gear is rotated. The third gear is rotated at a speed slower than a rotation speed of the first gear when the second gear is offset eccentrically. The stopper plate is engaged with the second gear through a fitting structure thereby restricting rotational movement of the second gear while permitting linear movement of the second gear. One of the second gear and the stopper plate includes an engagement claw. The other one of the second gear and the stopper plate includes a recess engaged with the engagement claw. The engagement claw includes a grease sump that holds grease applied between the recess and the engagement claw.