Lubricating Pinion with Reduced Addendum Teeth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gear lubrication devices apply lubricant irregularly and unevenly, with insufficient supply to tribologically stressed tooth flanks due to the design of the lubricating pinion's teeth, which collect lubricant in the tooth root area rather than distributing it uniformly.
Innovation Solution
The lubricating pinion's teeth have a reduced addendum and tooth height, with a modified contour to prevent excessive penetration into the gear wheel, and multiple lubricant outlets to ensure uniform lubrication across the gear wheel's surface, particularly at tribologically stressed points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the lubricating pinion uses conventional involute toothing with full addendum, then the gear wheel is carried along properly, but the lubricant accumulates in the tooth root area and is not distributed uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the tooth geometry at different radial positions. The addendum is reduced by 25-90% (particularly 50-80%) in the region radially outside the pitch circle, while the tooth height at or below the pitch circle is maintained. This localized modification ensures proper lubricant distribution in the tooth root area without compromising gear engagement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the lubricating pinion teeth by reducing the addendum height by 25-90% compared to theoretical involute toothing. This parameter change prevents excessive penetration into the base area of the gear wheel, thereby avoiding lubricant accumulation in the tooth root while maintaining sufficient tooth height for reliable engagement
2Quantity of substance
If the tooth addendum is reduced to improve lubricant distribution, then lubricant accumulation in tooth root is avoided, but the tooth height must be carefully maintained for proper engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different geometric modifications to different parts of the tooth. The addendum region (radially outside pitch circle) is modified with 25-90% reduction, while the tooth height at or below the pitch circle is preserved. This localized approach simplifies manufacturing by focusing modifications only where needed for lubricant distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by reducing only the addendum portion of the tooth (25-90% reduction) rather than modifying the entire tooth height. This partial modification is sufficient to achieve proper lubricant distribution while maintaining the critical tooth height for engagement, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity
3Quantity of substance
If multiple lubricant outlets are provided in the teeth, then lubricant supply to tooth flanks is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the lubricant supply system into multiple outlets distributed across different teeth of the lubricating pinion. Each tooth can have lubricant outlets positioned to supply lubricant to specific tooth flanks of the gear wheel, ensuring comprehensive coverage of tribologically stressed areas
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricating pinion teeth serve multiple functions: they engage with the gear wheel to transmit motion, they distribute lubricant through outlets in their flanks, and they guide lubricant flow to specific areas. This multi-functionality is achieved by integrating lubricant outlets directly into the tooth structure without adding separate lubrication components
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a lubricating device with at least one lubricating pinion (1) for applying a lubricant, in particular grease, which is for example fed through a lubricant line by a lubricant pump from a reservoir, to at least one gearwheel (2) or the like, wherein the lubricating pinion (1) has an outer toothing into which at least one lubricant outlet (8) opens out. The teeth (7) of the outer toothing of the lubricating pinion (1) have a shortened tooth flank profile in relation to an involute toothing, wherein the addendum (hk) and/or the width of the tooth flanks in the peripheral direction are reduced in a tooth flank section which is situated radially outside the reference circle.