Sliding Member Lubricant Segmentation for Static Charge Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding member lubricants containing conductive additives like carbon black face challenges in distinguishing between new and old lubricants due to color similarity, and they do not effectively address static charge removal and driving stability issues in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A sliding member design with distinct lubricant compositions in different sliding portions, where one portion contains no or minimal conductive carbon and another portion contains a higher amount of conductive carbon, allowing for effective static charge removal and improved driving stability while enabling easy differentiation between new and old lubricants based on color changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lubricant containing conductive carbon black is used in a sliding member, then static charge removal is improved, but it becomes difficult to visually distinguish whether the lubricant is old or new
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding member is divided into multiple sliding portions, with different lubricant compositions applied to different portions. The first sliding portion receives lubricant with minimal conductive carbon for visual monitoring, while the second sliding portion receives lubricant with higher conductive carbon content for effective static charge removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sliding member are assigned different lubricant properties. The first sliding portion uses lubricant with low conductive carbon content (0-0.5 mass%) for easy visual inspection, while the second sliding portion uses lubricant with high conductive carbon content (2-10 mass%) for optimal static charge removal performance.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a lubricant with no conductive carbon is used, then visual distinction of lubricant age is improved, but static charge removal capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant system is segmented into two compositions: one for visual monitoring (first sliding portion) and one for static charge removal (second sliding portion). This allows each lubricant to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sliding portion is assigned a lubricant composition tailored to its specific requirements. The first sliding portion uses lubricant optimized for visual inspection (minimal carbon), while the second sliding portion uses lubricant optimized for electrical conductivity (high carbon content).
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 effectively removes static charge and enhances driving stability by using conductive carbon in specific sliding portions, allowing for easy identification of lubricant age through color changes, thus improving vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
conductive grease is sealed in wheel bearings to remove static charge via the wheel bearings
Implementation Method 2
a first lubricant placed between a first friction sliding mechanism having at least two first parts
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the disclosure relates to a sliding member. The sliding member includes: a first sliding portion having a first lubricant placed between first parts of a first friction sliding mechanism; and a second sliding portion having a second lubricant placed between second parts of a second friction sliding mechanism. The first sliding portion has a lubricant feed port from which the first lubricant is fed, and the second sliding portion has no lubricant feed port from which the second lubricant is fed. The first lubricant contains base oil and an additive. The second lubricant contains base oil and an additive containing conductive carbon. The second lubricant contains a relatively larger amount of conductive carbon than the first lubricant.