Speed Reducer Lubrication Bypassing Catch Tank Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricating structures for speed reducers require lubricating oil to accumulate in a catch tank before it can be supplied to lubricated portions, leading to delayed lubrication, even with the use of guide members.
Innovation Solution
A lubricating structure that includes a case with a reduction gear, a catch tank, an oil passage, a radially extending rib, and a groove, allowing scooped-up lubricating oil to be directly guided to lubricating oil supply objects without passing through the catch tank, utilizing the rib to radially extend and guide oil toward the inner side and the groove to communicate with the supply objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lubricating oil is supplied through the catch tank, then the lubricating oil can be stored and supplied systematically, but it takes time for the lubricating oil to reach the supply object
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the lubrication path into two separate channels: (1) a direct supply path from the scooping portion through the oil supply hole to the supply object, and (2) a storage path through the catch tank. This segmentation allows lubricating oil to reach the supply object immediately through the direct path while excess oil is stored in the catch tank, resolving the contradiction between quick supply and systematic storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil supply hole acts as an intermediary element that provides a direct shortcut for lubricating oil to reach the supply object without passing through the catch tank. This intermediary structure enables simultaneous achievement of fast supply and systematic storage by mediating between the scooping portion and the supply object.
2Productivity
If a guide member is provided to guide lubricating oil, then lubricating oil can be directed toward the supply port, but only lubricating oil guided from the opening to the supply port is utilized and it still takes time to pass through the catch tank
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the direct supply function from the catch tank system by providing the oil supply hole that bypasses the catch tank entirely. This allows the most critical lubrication need to be met immediately while the catch tank handles only the storage function, extracting the time-consuming storage path from the supply path.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil supply hole is pre-positioned to receive lubricating oil directly from the scooping portion before the oil has a chance to enter the catch tank. This preliminary action of providing an alternative path ensures that lubricating oil reaches the supply object without the delay of catch tank storage.
3Quantity of substance
If the opening is provided at the upper portion of the catch tank, then lubricating oil can be guided to the catch tank, but the oil level must reach the support port before supply begins
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the lubrication function into immediate supply (through oil supply hole) and storage (through catch tank opening). This segmentation allows the system to accumulate oil quantity in the catch tank while simultaneously providing immediate lubrication through the separate oil supply hole, eliminating the waiting time caused by requiring oil level to reach the opening.
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
Enables quick and efficient supply of lubricating oil to lubricating oil supply objects, reducing the time required for lubrication and improving lubrication efficiency by bypassing the catch tank, thus enhancing the lubrication process in speed reducers.
Implementation Method 1
a reduction gear that rotates interlocking with an output shaft of a drive source and that is provided inside a case, guides lubricating oil, which is stored at a bottom inside the case, toward a catch tank by scooping up the lubricating oil with the use of the reduction gear
Implementation Method 2
a rib formed on the side wall so as to radially extend, the rib being configured to guide the scooped-up lubricating oil toward a radially inner side
Data Source
AI summary
A lubricating structure for a speed reducer includes: a case; a reduction gear provided inside the case, the reduction gear being configured to rotate around a rotation axis; a catch tank configured to store part of lubricating oil scooped up by the reduction gear; an oil passage provided in the side wall, the oil passage being configured to guide the lubricating oil, scooped up by the reduction gear, to the catch tank; a rib formed on the side wall so as to radially extend, the rib being configured to guide the scooped-up lubricating oil toward a radially inner side; and a groove provided at an end edge of the rib of the side wall, the lubricating oil trapped by the rib being introduced into the groove, and the groove communicating with the lubricating oil supply object.