Plastic Lubricant Collection Container for Industrial Gear Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lubricant supply systems for industrial gear transmissions are costly and complex, particularly in difficult-to-access areas, due to the need for expensive cast parts and labor-intensive manufacturing processes, and often require additional components like pumps for effective lubrication.
Innovation Solution
A transmission system with plastic lubricant collection containers featuring a lubricant wiper and slot-like opening on each gear wheel, allowing for efficient lubricant collection and distribution without pressure, and eliminating the need for costly post-processing and pumps, with the containers being easily integrated into the transmission housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cast parts and integrated lubricant collection devices are used, then reliable lubricant supply is achieved, but manufacturing cost and structural complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant collection and distribution system is segmented into separate functional components: a collection container with wiper for oil collection, distribution channels integrated into the housing, and individual supply points. This modular segmentation simplifies manufacturing while maintaining reliable lubricant supply to all necessary locations.
Solution Approach 2:
A lubricant collection container serves as an intermediary element between the oil sump and the bearing lubrication points. This container collects lubricant from the sump and distributes it through integrated channels to multiple supply points, eliminating the need for complex direct routing and reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cast parts with integrated lubricant collection are used, then functional integration is achieved, but manufacturing effort and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the lubricant collection container from the housing structure, allowing the container to be manufactured independently using simpler processes. The housing contains only the necessary distribution channels, which can be created through standard machining or injection molding techniques, significantly reducing manufacturing effort compared to complex integrated castings.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant distribution channels in the housing are designed as simplified copies or representations of the collection container's functional requirements. Rather than creating a fully integrated complex casting, the housing contains channel structures that replicate the necessary lubricant routing functionality in a manufacturable form.
3Ease of manufacture
If lubricant collection containers are made as separate components, then manufacturing cost decreases, but integration into transmission housing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant collection container is merged with the distribution channel system through direct integration of the container outlet with the housing channels. This combining of functions eliminates the need for separate connection components and simplifies the integration process, allowing the separately manufactured container to be easily incorporated into the housing assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant collection container is designed with universal features that allow it to function both as a collection vessel and as a distribution manifold. The container includes integrated outlet structures that can connect to multiple distribution channels, making it a multi-functional component that reduces overall system integration complexity.
4Device complexity
If no lubricant pump is used, then system simplicity and cost decrease, but lubricant supply reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant collection container incorporates a wiper that automatically collects lubricant from the oil sump as gears rotate through the transmission. This self-service mechanism uses the existing motion of transmission components to drive lubricant collection and distribution, eliminating the need for external pumps while maintaining reliable lubricant supply to all bearing points.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation of gears within the transmission creates mechanical motion that agitates the lubricant in the oil sump, facilitating its collection by the wiper and subsequent distribution through the channels. This mechanical vibration and motion from normal transmission operation provides sufficient force for lubricant circulation without requiring additional pumping equipment.
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
This solution provides a reliable, cost-effective, and space-efficient lubricant supply system that effectively skims lubricant from rotating components and distributes it to lubrication points independently of gear rotation direction, reducing structural complexity and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the gear oil dragged out of the oil sump by the lower gear and pressed out in the gusset by the upper gear is collected
Implementation Method 2
the lubricant collected in the lubricant collection container is distributed without pressure in the direction of the lubrication points to be supplied
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The transmission has a transmission housing (1) with spur wheels (3, 4) engaged with one another. Drive and output shafts (2, 5) are guided through an opening at the housing. A lubricant collecting container (6) made from plastic is arranged at one of the wheels, and has an upper opening for collecting injected lubricant and a base section with a nozzle-like part for transferring the lubricant to a lubricating point of the housing. A lubricant deflector formed at the opening of the container is designed as a lug and aligned on an outer radial front side surface of the wheel.