Gear Spindle Oil Chamber Venting for Pressure and Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The internal pressure in the boot-type seal of a gear spindle increases due to lubricating oil vaporization and axial impacts during work roll replacement, leading to potential oil leakage and gear wear.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a first valve for discharging inner air and a second valve for introducing outer air into the oil chamber, positioned radially outward from the gear parts, with a proximity sensor and control unit to manage valve positioning and rotation to maintain optimal pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a communication hole is provided on the outer circumferential face of the inner cylindrical part to vent pressure, then the internal pressure increase due to lubricating oil vaporization can be prevented, but the lubricating oil leaks out during work roll replacement when axial impact occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A valve mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the oil chamber and the external environment. This valve selectively controls when pressure equalization occurs, allowing it during rotation (preventing oil leakage) while blocking during work roll replacement (preventing oil loss). The valve acts as a smart mediator that responds to rotational state to enable or disable pressure communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing structure transitions from a static seal to a dynamic seal that changes its state based on rotational motion. During rotation, the dynamic seal opens to allow pressure equalization; during stationary work roll replacement, it closes to prevent oil leakage. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by adapting the sealing characteristic to the operational phase.
2Productivity
If the gear spindle rotates at high speed to maintain production, then productivity is improved, but the centrifugal force causes lubricating oil to move toward the outer circumferential face increasing leakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism serves as a controlled intermediary that manages the interaction between the rotating gear spindle and the lubricating oil. By timing the pressure equalization events to occur during rotation when the valve is in the correct position, the system can maintain high rotation speeds for productivity while preventing oil leakage through the valve during critical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the periodic rotation of the gear spindle to create periodic opportunities for pressure equalization. The valve is designed to be in the correct position during specific phases of the rotational cycle, allowing pressure management to occur periodically without continuous intervention, thus maintaining high speed operation while preventing leakage.
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
Prevents lubricating oil leakage and oil chamber deformation by controlling internal pressure during work roll replacement and operation, ensuring consistent lubrication and reducing gear wear.
Implementation Method 1
a first valve for discharging inner air in the oil chamber out of the oil chamber
Implementation Method 2
a second valve for introducing outer air into the oil chamber
Implementation Method 3
with a proximity sensor and control unit to manage valve positioning and rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A driving force transmission mechanism is capable of preventing breakage of an oil chamber when the internal pressure in the oil chamber rises by impact when replacing work rolls and the like. The driving force transmission mechanism transmits power of a driving source to a work roll through a spindle and includes a first gear portion disposed on one end portion of the spindle, a second gear part disposed on the driving source or the work roll and fitted to the first gear part and an oil chamber for supplying a lubricating oil to the first gear part and the second gear part, where the oil chamber is provided with a first valve for discharging inner air in the oil chamber to an outside of the oil chamber and a second valve for introducing outer air into the oil chamber.