Self-lubricating V-driver for Mechanical Presses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current self-lubricating v block and angled friction plate components in mechanical presses suffer from high material wastage and maintenance costs due to the use of expensive bronze materials, which wear out quickly under high friction and require frequent replacement, leading to increased production and maintenance expenses.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves manufacturing the v block and angled friction plate components using stainless steel or CK45 steel for the male and female blocks, with an angled friction plate made of SAE 430 B or AMPCO 25 + Graphite, which reduces material wastage and incorporates self-lubricating properties through sintered steel and graphite, eliminating the need for additional lubricants and minimizing wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If expensive high-strength manganese bronze is used in V blocks and angled friction plates, then the components can withstand large loads and high friction, but the material cost increases and the components wear out quickly requiring frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidmaterial wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining sintered steel matrix with embedded graphite particles and metal powders. The sintered steel provides structural strength to withstand large loads, while the graphite provides self-lubricating properties to reduce friction and wear. This composite structure eliminates the need for expensive bronze materials while maintaining load-bearing capacity and reducing material wastage through extended component lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by transitioning from traditional bronze alloys to sintered steel with controlled porosity (2-10%) and specific graphite content (5-20% by weight). These parameter changes optimize the balance between strength, friction resistance, and wear durability, allowing components to operate under high friction conditions without frequent replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If traditional bronze materials are used with graphite holes for lubrication, then some lubricating properties are provided, but the graphite wears out quickly and friction is not sufficiently reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefrictionVSAvoidlubrication durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes porous sintered steel material with controlled porosity of 2-10% to embed graphite particles throughout the entire matrix volume. This porous structure allows graphite to be distributed uniformly and remain embedded during operation, providing continuous self-lubrication. The porous matrix also allows for additional lubricant retention, enhancing the durability of lubrication under high friction conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service lubrication through graphite particles embedded in the sintered steel matrix. The graphite naturally transfers to counter surfaces during operation, providing automatic lubrication without requiring external lubrication systems or frequent maintenance. This self-lubricating mechanism significantly reduces friction and extends the reliability of the components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If complete male block or angled friction plate is discarded when worn, then malfunction is prevented, but production and maintenance costs increase due to frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent functionalityVSAvoidmaintenance downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables selective replacement of only the worn angled friction plate while retaining the male block and female block. The sintered steel friction plate can be easily removed and replaced without discarding the expensive bronze male block. This selective replacement strategy reduces material wastage and decreases maintenance downtime, as only the consumable friction plate needs replacement rather than the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 approach significantly reduces the cost of materials and maintenance by extending the lifespan of the components, allowing for repositioning of v block units without additional costs and minimizing downtime during replacements, while maintaining mechanical properties and reducing friction through self-lubrication.

Implementation Method 1

Self-lubricating v-driver according to the invention reduces friction between the V-block and the friction plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

bushing made of porous structured material with a lubricant grease transfer and absorb

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2552615B1Self-lubricating dwell cam driver
Publication Date: 2017.06.07 GSB OILLES IMALAT SAN PAZ TIC LTD STI
  • EP2552615B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2552615B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2552615B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention is related to a self -lubricating v-driver in the molding members of the mechanical presses used for shaping the metal sheet parts used in vehicle frames in the automotive sector and the cam dwell member located between male and female parts of this block, characterized by comprising a male block ( 1 ), Female block ( 2 ), cam dwell ( 3 ), Lubricating graphite parts ( 4 ), Grooves ( 5 ), and Assembly slots ( 6 ).