Shock Absorber Lubrication Structure Using Self-Lubricating Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shock absorber bearings for bicycles have high cost, volume, and tolerance issues, leading to reduced smooth movement and shorter life due to structural weakness and loss of self-lubricating effect under impact.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication structure comprising a non-circular metal protecting pipe with an elongated slit and a self-lubricating engineering plastic layer, which is mounted between the outer and inner tubes of the shock absorber to provide low friction and protect the self-lubricating layer from direct contact, allowing smooth movement and enhanced durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional bearing is used, then smooth movement is achieved, but cost and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional bearing materials to engineering plastic with self-lubricating properties, achieving smooth movement through the material's inherent low friction coefficient rather than through traditional bearing mechanisms, thereby reducing volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses engineering plastic self-lubricating bearings that are cheaper and smaller than conventional bearings, accepting that they may have shorter service life under heavy loads but providing sufficient performance for typical bicycle shock absorber applications
2Volume of moving object
If a self-lubricating bearing made from engineering plastic pipe is used, then cost and size are reduced, but structural strength becomes weak and cracking occurs under greater impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining engineering plastic with embedded reinforcement elements (such as fiberglass or metal fibers) within the plastic matrix, creating a composite that maintains the low friction and small size benefits while significantly improving structural strength and impact resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by concentrating reinforcement materials in specific high-stress regions of the bearing, such as the outer rim and load-bearing surfaces, while maintaining the overall lightweight and small-size characteristics of the engineering plastic construction
3Strength
If the thickness of the self-lubricating bearing is increased to improve strength, then durability improves, but the advantage of small size is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material structure allows for increased strength without proportional increases in thickness by incorporating high-strength reinforcement materials that provide structural integrity within the thin wall structure, maintaining the small size advantage while achieving necessary durability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters by optimizing the wall thickness and reinforcement distribution to achieve the minimum necessary thickness for adequate strength, rather than uniformly increasing thickness throughout the bearing, thereby preserving compact dimensions
4Ease of operation
If conventional bearings are used with small tolerances, then smooth movement is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the tolerance parameters by utilizing the self-lubricating properties of the engineering plastic material, which allows for slightly larger tolerances while still maintaining smooth movement through reduced friction, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing cost
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 solution achieves low cost, small size, and improved durability by reducing friction and preventing cracking of the self-lubricating layer, enabling smoother operation and extended life of the shock absorber.
Implementation Method 1
the self-lubricating layer with a small friction coefficient is mounted around the inner shaft to enable the inner shaft to move smoothly relative to the outer tube
Implementation Method 2
the protecting pipe engages in the outer tube to prevent the self-lubricating layer from contacting the outer tube directly
Data Source
AI summary
A lubrication structure for a shock absorber of a vehicle has a protecting pipe and a self-lubricating layer. The protecting pipe is a non-circular metal tube and has an elongated slit. The self-lubricating layer is an engineering plastic layer, is deposited in the protecting pipe and has a shaft hole. When the lubrication structure is deposited between an outer tube and an inner tube of a shock absorber of a vehicle, the protecting pipe engages in the outer tube to prevent the self-lubricating layer from contacting the outer tube directly. The self-lubricating layer with a small friction coefficient is mounted around the inner shaft to enable the inner shaft to move smoothly relative to the outer tube. The lubrication structure has characteristics of low cost, small volume, and small tolerance, and the life and the practicality of the lubrication structure can be improved.