Injectable Tungsten Disulfide Lubricant for Micro-Gap Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lubricants containing oil and/or wax have difficulty penetrating micro-gaps in bicycle chains and gears, leading to adhesion issues and the potential for foreign substances to adhere and protrude, causing friction and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An injectable lubricant composed of tungsten disulfide powder and a volatile solvent, such as isopropyl alcohol, with a tungsten disulfide content below 25wt%, allowing smooth penetration and evaporation to leave a low-friction coating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oil and/or wax are used as lubricant medium, then adhesion ability to sliding part is improved, but penetration ability into micro-gap deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the lubricant from solid/semisolid (wax) to liquid form, enabling it to flow into micro-gaps. It also changes the chemical composition by using volatile solvents that evaporate, leaving behind the lubricating substance in the micro-gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a volatile solvent as an intermediary carrier that facilitates the delivery of the lubricating substance into micro-gaps. The solvent temporarily holds the lubricant in a liquid state for penetration, then evaporates to leave the lubricant behind.
2Productivity
If lubricant is forcibly pushed into gap, then penetration ability is improved, but adhesion of foreign substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic adhesive components (oil and wax) from the lubricant formulation, retaining only the lubricating substance and volatile solvent. This eliminates the sticky residue that would otherwise attract and hold foreign particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a volatile solvent that serves its purpose temporarily and then evaporates completely. This short-lived carrier delivers the lubricant into the micro-gap and then disappears, leaving no adhesive residue to trap foreign substances.
3Reliability
If wax is used as lubricant, then adhesion ability is improved, but processing time increases due to melting and immersion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state from solid wax requiring melting to liquid lubricant that can be applied as-is. The volatile solvent formulation allows direct injection into micro-gaps without requiring heating or immersion processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The volatile solvent acts as a temporary carrier that enables the lubricant to be applied in liquid form for easy penetration, then evaporates to leave the lubricant. This eliminates the need for time-consuming melting and immersion steps required for wax.
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 lubricant effectively penetrates micro-gaps, reduces friction, prevents adhesion of foreign substances, and eliminates the need for wax application processes, enhancing efficiency and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
after evaporation of the volatile solvent, only the tungsten disulfide remains on the sliding surfaces to achieve low friction
Data Source
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AI summary
An injectable lubricant is provided which is capable of penetrating into a micro-gap to enable low friction without protruding outside and without allowing adhesion of a foreign substance to the surroundings. The injectable lubricant consists only of tungsten disulfide powder and a volatile solvent. A percentage of the tungsten disulfide powder content is at or below 25wt%.