Sliding Surface Texture for Lubricant Retention and Seizure Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding member technologies do not effectively optimize the profile relationship between large waviness and fine roughness, leading to insufficient lubricant retention and wettability, which results in reduced seizure resistance and durability.
Innovation Solution
Applying an isotropic texture with a valley area of 1000 µm²/mm to 20000 µm²/mm and RLo (λc: 0.08 mm) of 1% to 12% to the sliding surface of a low-hardness member to enhance lubricant retention and wettability, thereby improving seizure resistance and reducing friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional surface roughness is applied, then manufacturing is simple, but seizure resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameters of surface texture by introducing a specific multi-scale structure with defined characteristics: large waviness with specific amplitude and wavelength, and fine roughness with specific RMS values. This parameter optimization achieves enhanced seizure resistance while maintaining compatibility with conventional manufacturing processes like grinding or honing.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface structure is essentially a composite of two different texture scales, combining the benefits of large-scale waviness (oil retention) and fine-scale roughness (lubricant distribution). This composite surface structure achieves superior seizure resistance compared to single-scale roughness, while still being manufacturable using standard surface treatment processes.
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 optimized texture improves lubricity and seizure resistance, extending the life of the sliding member by enhancing lubricant retention and supply to the contact surface.
Implementation Method 1
large waviness functions as oil reservoirs
Implementation Method 2
fine irregularities function to supply base oil of grease or lubricating oil to a contact surface
Implementation Method 3
a first member and a second member having a higher hardness than the first member slide against each other via a lubricant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Provided is a sliding component in which a low-hardness first component and a high-hardness second component slide with a lubricant therebetween, wherein the configurational relationship between microroughness and large undulations imparted to the first component is optimized to enhance both lubricant retention and wettability, and to further improve anti-seizing properties. In the sliding component, the first component and the second component with higher hardness than the first component slide with a lubricant therebetween. The sliding component is imparted, in an area contacting the second component in the first component, with an isotropic texture in which the valley surface area is 1000 µm2/mm to 20000 µm2/mm, and the RLo (λc: 0.08 mm) is from 1% to 12%.