Linear Motion Guide Lubricant Conveying Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear motion guide devices fail to effectively lubricate when the lubricating oil or fluid level is low or when the lubricating device is tilted or turned upside down, leading to potential damage from friction and high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A lubricating device with a housing and lubricant-conveying member that includes an upper segment, lower segments, and middle segments, along with a finger for absorbing lubricant, even when tilted, and a lubricant-transmitting element to ensure continuous lubrication to the ball bearing device, using spongy materials to maintain lubricant supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional lubricating device with a simple housing and lubricant reservoir is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the lubricant cannot be supplied effectively when the device is tilted or when lubricant level is low
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant-conveying member is divided into multiple segments (first, second, and third segments) with different functional characteristics. The first segment has high lubricant absorption capacity, the second segment has intermediate capacity, and the third segment has low capacity, creating a gradient structure that enables effective lubricant conveyance in various orientations and lubricant levels
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to lubricant conveyance by using multiple segments arranged in sequence from the lubricant reservoir toward the ball bearing device. This multi-level segment structure allows lubricant to be conveyed upward and in various directions, overcoming the limitation of tilt-dependent lubrication in conventional single-level devices
2Reliability
If the lubricating device is designed with a single lubricant reservoir level, then the structure is simple, but lubrication fails when lubricant is consumed below a predetermined level
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant-conveying segments are pre-positioned at different heights and locations within the housing, with the first segment nearest the lubricant reservoir, the second segment above it, and the third segment furthest away. This preliminary arrangement ensures that as lubricant level drops, the system automatically transitions to using higher segments, maintaining continuous lubrication without external intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The gradient structure of the lubricant-conveying segments enables the system to self-regulate lubricant supply based on lubricant level and device orientation. The segments automatically adapt to different operating conditions, with lower segments activating when lubricant is abundant and upper segments activating when lubricant level drops or the device is tilted, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms
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
Ensures effective lubrication of the linear motion guide apparatus even when the lubricant level is low or the device is tilted, preventing damage from friction and high temperatures by maintaining a stable lubricant supply.
Implementation Method 1
a lubricant-conveying member disposed in the chamber of the housing and having an upper segment and at least one lower segment and at least one middle segment coupled between the upper segment and the lower segment for absorbing the lubricant into the lubricant-conveying member
Data Source
AI summary
A linear motion guide device includes a slider slidably attached onto the guide rail, a ball bearing device disposed between the slider and the guide rail, and a lubricating device having a housing slidably attached onto the guide rail for receiving and for supplying a lubricant to lubricate the ball bearing device. A lubricant-conveying member is disposed in the housing and has an upper segment and one or more lower segments and one or more middle segments coupled between the upper segment and the lower segments for absorbing the lubricant even when the lubricant is below a lower level and even when the housing is tilted or turned up side down relative to the slider and the guide rail.