Stapler Lubricant Flow Path for Wear-Resistant Sliding Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in maintaining sufficient lubricant supply on sliding surfaces without reducing the contact area between moving parts, leading to increased surface pressure, wear, and decreased strength.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a first member with a flow path for lubricant, allowing it to be supplied to the sliding surface without enlarging the opening, thus maintaining the contact area and preventing lubricant depletion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a grease storage recess or through hole is provided on the sliding surface to supply lubricant, then the lubricant supply is improved, but the area of the sliding surface is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubricant supplyVSAvoidsliding surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The grease storage recess is formed in the thickness direction (depth dimension) of the sliding surface rather than expanding in the planar area. This allows sufficient grease volume to be stored while maintaining the full contact area of the sliding surface, resolving the contradiction between lubricant supply and sliding surface area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the size of the grease storage is enlarged to hold sufficient grease, then the lubricant depletion is suppressed, but the area of the sliding surface is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrease volumeVSAvoidsliding surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The grease storage recess utilizes the thickness direction of the sliding surface to increase grease storage volume without reducing the planar sliding surface area. This dimensional approach allows sufficient lubricant quantity while maintaining full contact area between mating surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of stationary object

If the area of the sliding surface is reduced, then the grease storage volume is increased, but the surface pressure increases and wear is promoted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrease storage volumeVSAvoidsurface pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

By forming the grease storage recess in the thickness direction rather than reducing the planar sliding surface area, the invention maintains adequate surface pressure distribution while providing sufficient grease storage volume. The full sliding surface area remains in contact, preventing excessive surface pressure and wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Volume of stationary object

If the area of the sliding surface is reduced, then the grease storage volume is increased, but the strength of the sliding surface is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrease storage volumeVSAvoidsliding surface strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The grease storage recess is formed in the thickness direction of the sliding surface, preserving the full planar area of the sliding surface. This maintains the structural strength and load-bearing capacity of the sliding surface while providing adequate grease storage volume through increased depth rather than reduced area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 suppresses lubricant depletion and wear on the sliding surfaces while maintaining the contact area, thereby enhancing the durability and performance of the device.

Implementation Method 1

lubricant such as grease may be applied to a sliding surface in order to improve the slidability and durability of the sliding surface (contact surface) of two members

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4124414B1Stapler with a lubricant flow path
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 MAX CO LTD
  • EP4124414B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4124414B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4124414B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A stapler and a device (11A) comprising: a first member (2) having a first surface (20), and a second member (3) having a second surface (30) that is partially or wholly in contact with the first surface (20), wherein the first member (2) and the second member (3) are configured to operate relatively, and wherein the first member (2) has a flow path (5) of a lubricant that has an opening (50) provided in the first surface (20).