Grooved Sliding Member for Low-Resistance Fixing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding members in fixing devices experience high sliding resistance and maintenance challenges due to lubricant accumulation and wear debris, necessitating improved designs for reduced friction and enhanced durability.
Innovation Solution
The sliding member features grooves angled between 45° and 90° with respect to the sliding direction, along with intersecting grooves to stabilize lubricant supply and debris discharge, maintaining low sliding resistance and improving maintainability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If grooves are provided on the sliding surface to supply lubricant and discharge debris, then sliding resistance is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to the complexity of groove configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding surface is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first groove for lubricant supply, a second groove for debris discharge, and a third groove for additional lubricant retention. This segmentation allows each groove to perform its specific function independently, optimizing lubricant distribution and debris removal while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity through standardized groove geometries
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sliding surface are assigned different groove configurations tailored to local requirements. The first groove is positioned in the high-pressure zone for lubricant supply, the second groove is placed in the debris accumulation zone for discharge, and the third groove is located to supplement lubricant retention. Each groove has locally optimized dimensions and angles matched to its specific functional zone
2Force
If the angle A of the groove wall surface is increased to improve lubricant supply, then sliding resistance decreases, but the stability of lubricant supply deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The angle A of the groove wall surface is precisely controlled within the range of 5° to 15°, representing an optimized parameter that balances lubricant supply efficiency with supply stability. This angle range ensures sufficient lubricant flow toward the sliding interface while preventing excessive spray or loss of lubricant, thereby maintaining stable lubrication conditions throughout operation
Solution Approach 2:
The groove configuration ensures continuous and stable lubricant supply to the sliding surface. The first groove provides primary lubricant delivery, while the third groove supplements lubricant retention and continuous supply. This continuous lubricant delivery maintains stable friction conditions and prevents intermittent lubrication failures
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 design effectively reduces sliding resistance and enhances maintainability by stabilizing lubricant supply and debris removal, ensuring consistent performance and reduced wear.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of first grooves are provided at intervals along a width direction of the first grooves in a central portion of the sliding surface in the width direction... stabilizing lubricant supply
Implementation Method 2
an angle A formed by a wall surface of the first groove on a downstream side in the sliding direction and the sliding direction in the first groove is 21° or more and 45° or less
Data Source
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AI summary
A sliding member includes a central portion of a sliding surface in a width direction provided with plural first grooves at intervals along a width direction of the first grooves, in which an angle formed by a first groove and a sliding direction is 45° or more and 90° or less, and in a case where a cut surface obtained by cutting the sliding member along a direction perpendicular to the first groove and along a thickness direction is observed, an angle A formed by a wall surface of the first groove on a downstream side in the sliding direction and the sliding direction in the first groove is 21° or more and 45° or less.