Multi-layer Sliding Component Recesses for Timepiece Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sliding components in timepieces, such as cogwheels and bearings, face wear issues due to lack of effective lubrication retention, especially when the contact angle between components varies, leading to dispersed lubricating oil and reduced wear resistance.
Innovation Solution
A sliding component with a multi-layer structure featuring recesses on its outer peripheral surface, allowing for reliable lubricating oil retention independent of the contact angle, formed by stacking at least three layers with one layer recessed between the uppermost and lowermost layers, enhancing wear resistance and lubrication properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lubricating oil retaining structure is adopted, then wear resistance is improved, but the structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional surface structure to a three-dimensional multi-layer structure with recesses. By stacking multiple layers and creating recesses that extend into the component depth, the lubricating oil retaining structure utilizes the third dimension (depth/thickness) to hold lubricant, thereby improving wear resistance while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding component is divided into multiple stacked layers rather than being a single monolithic structure. This segmentation allows the creation of internal recesses between layers that can retain lubricating oil, providing effective lubrication without requiring a complex external retaining structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sliding portion is made smooth, then manufacturing precision is improved, but lubricating oil retention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding surface maintains smoothness for manufacturing precision and low friction, while the recesses provide localized roughness or containment features specifically where lubricant retention is needed. This local differentiation allows the smooth sliding surface to coexist with effective oil retention structures.
3Reliability
If lubricating oil is used, then wear resistance is improved, but the lubricating oil disperses over the sliding component
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricating oil is nested within the recesses formed in the sliding component. These recesses act as internal reservoirs that contain the lubricant, preventing it from dispersing across the sliding surface while ensuring it remains available for lubrication during operation.
4Manufacturing precision
If the recess is situated on one side of the stacking direction, then manufacturing precision is improved, but lubrication effectiveness deteriorates when components are inclined
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the recess only on one side in the planar dimension, the invention utilizes the stacking direction (thickness dimension) to create recesses that are distributed across multiple layers. This three-dimensional arrangement ensures that regardless of the inclination angle between components, the recesses will be positioned to effectively retain and supply lubricating oil.
Data Source
AI summary
A sliding component has a multi-layer structure having a sliding portion configured to undergo sliding contact with a surface of another component different from the sliding component. A lubricating oil retaining/supplying structure retains a lubricating oil and supplies the lubricating oil to the sliding portion during sliding contact between the sliding portion and the surface of another component irrespective of a contact angle between the sliding portion and the surface of the another component.