Sealed Lube Cap Nozzle for Low-Pressure Shaft Bore Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary seals fail to properly function at low lubricant pressures and are expensive, leading to issues with premature failure of mechanical components due to improper lubrication.
Innovation Solution
A unique sealed lubrication cover or lube cap design that operates at low pressures, eliminating the need for radial shaft seals or rotating seal rings, and facilitates lubricant flow from a reservoir into a shaft bore with a nozzle configuration that sprays lubricant into the bore and intentionally leaks some to lubricate nearby bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotary seals are used to seal at high lubricant pressures, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rotary seal component entirely from the system. Instead of using a rotary seal to prevent lubricant leakage, the invention uses a sealed lube cap with a nozzle that sprays lubricant through a gap between the shaft and cap, eliminating the need for complex sealing mechanisms while maintaining sealing effectiveness at low pressures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive rotary seals with a simple, inexpensive sealed lube cap design. The cap and nozzle are relatively simple components that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, significantly reducing device complexity and cost compared to rotary seal systems
2Reliability
If rotary seals are used to seal at high lubricant pressures, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive rotary seals with an inexpensive sealed lube cap assembly. The cap and nozzle are simple components that can be manufactured from common materials at low cost, significantly reducing material costs while maintaining adequate sealing and lubrication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
By removing the rotary seal component, the invention eliminates the high material costs associated with these complex sealing devices. The simplified cap and nozzle design uses fewer and less expensive materials, directly reducing overall material costs
3Device complexity
If a sealed lube cap design is used to operate at low pressures, then device complexity is reduced, but sealing effectiveness may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by spraying lubricant through a nozzle into a gap between the shaft and cap. The pressurized lubricant spray creates a fluid seal effect that prevents leakage without requiring mechanical sealing components, achieving effective sealing through fluid dynamics rather than mechanical contact
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant spray acts as an intermediary medium that seals the gap between the shaft and cap. Instead of using a mechanical seal to prevent lubricant escape, the invention uses the lubricant itself in a sprayed form to create a sealing barrier, eliminating the need for complex sealing 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
The lube cap design effectively seals and lubricates mechanical components at low pressures, reducing the risk of premature failure and material costs associated with expensive rotary seals.
Implementation Method 1
The nozzle is configured to flow most of the lubricant from the reservoir into the bore of the shaft
Implementation Method 2
As the shaft rotates, the lubricant flows from the reservoir through the nozzle and into the bore
Data Source
AI summary
A powertrain system includes a housing that defines a reservoir. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the housing, and the shaft defines a bore. A cap is positioned to seal the reservoir. The cap defines an opening configured to supply lubricant to the shaft. The opening in the cap is positioned proximal the shaft to spray the lubricant into the bore. In one form, the cap has a nozzle, and the nozzle defines the opening configured to supply the lubricant to the shaft. The shaft is configured to rotate about a rotational axis, and the bore extends along the rotational axis of the shaft. The nozzle is aligned with the rotational axis of the shaft to spray the lubricant into the bore in order to lubricate bearings and other parts of the system.