Lubricant Evaporation Calculation for Reliable Mechanical Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to account for the evaporation of lubricants in mechanical devices, which affects their operation, as lubricant loss due to evaporation is not considered in managing lubricant amounts.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for calculating lubricant evaporation using a calculation formula that incorporates container shape, lubricant properties, environmental factors, and time parameters, along with a program to execute these calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lubricant is used in mechanical device, then friction is reduced and operation is improved, but lubricant evaporates over time and is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation reliabilityVSAvoidlubricant evaporation loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the evaporation amount of lubricant using a dedicated calculation formula that considers container shape, lubricant properties, environmental conditions, and time. This allows the system to proactively determine lubricant replenishment needs before actual depletion occurs, ensuring continuous reliable operation while accounting for evaporation losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If lubricant amount is managed to prevent operation issues, then reliability is maintained, but evaporation loss is not considered in traditional management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation reliabilityVSAvoidevaporation amount information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by calculating the evaporation amount and using this information to adjust lubricant management decisions. The calculation results provide feedback on actual evaporation losses, enabling dynamic adjustment of lubricant replenishment timing and quantities to maintain optimal lubrication while compensating for evaporative losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary calculation formula that bridges the gap between traditional lubricant management and evaporation effects. This formula acts as a mediator by quantifying evaporation losses based on multiple parameters, transforming unmeasured evaporation into actionable information for improved lubricant management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If simple lubricant management is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but evaporation effects are ignored

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubricant management easeVSAvoidevaporation amount measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a multi-parameter calculation approach that considers container shape parameters, lubricant physical properties, environmental conditions, and time. This transforms the simple lubricant management approach into a more precise system that accounts for evaporation while maintaining operational ease through systematic parameter evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Accurately predicts and measures lubricant evaporation in mechanical devices, enabling precise management and design considerations to maintain optimal lubrication.

Implementation Method 1

It is assumed that the lubricant in the mechanical device evaporates with elapse of time and flows out of the mechanical device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4722504A1Method for calculating evaporation amount of lubricant, calculation device, and program
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 NSK LTD
  • EP4722504A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(b)
  • EP4722504A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4(b)
  • EP4722504A1 patent drawingFigure 5(a)~6(b)

AI summary

This method for calculating the evaporation amount of a lubricant within a mechanical device to the exterior includes: a calculation step in which the evaporation amount of the lubricant is calculated using a calculation formula defined so as to include a container shape parameter defined by modeling the configuration within the machine device as a container in which the lubricant is accommodated, a physical property parameter of the lubricant, an environmental parameter from the area around the lubricant, and a parameter regarding time; and an output step in which the evaporation amount calculated in the calculation step is output.