Strain Wave Gear Inner Seal for Lubricant Leak Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Strain wave gear mechanisms face issues with lubricant leaks and premature dry running due to the migration of used lubricant within the gear mechanism, which can lead to contamination of the pivot bearing and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A strain wave gear mechanism with an inner seal that encloses the interior space and adjoins the pivot bearing, preventing material entry and leak, while allowing controlled lubricant exit, using durable and low-wear seals like elastomer or lubricant-soaked felt materials, and optionally a gasket or O-rings for enhanced sealing and reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gear mechanism operates with lubricant mass for permanent lubrication, then the toothing system and drive component are well-lubricated, but the used lubricant migrates within the gear mechanism and contaminates the pivot bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The gear mechanism is divided into two separate sealed spaces: a first space containing the toothing system and drive component with lubricant mass, and a second space containing the pivot bearing. The seal rings create a partition that prevents lubricant migration from the first space to the second space, allowing each space to maintain its own lubrication environment independently
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful factor (used lubricant) is extracted from the pivot bearing region by introducing seal rings that prevent its migration. The seal rings actively remove the contamination risk by creating a barrier that stops the lubricant from reaching the pivot bearing, thus protecting it from contamination
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pivot bearing is sealed to prevent lubricant entry, then contamination is prevented, but lubricant leak and premature dry running may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The seal rings act as intermediary elements that selectively control the interaction between lubricant and pivot bearing. They allow the pivot bearing to remain sealed against contamination while permitting controlled lubricant access through the seal interface, thus mediating between contamination prevention and lubrication sufficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the gear mechanism have different sealing requirements. The seal rings provide localized sealing at the interface between the toothing system space and pivot bearing space, allowing the pivot bearing region to be protected while the toothing system maintains its lubricant mass. Each region receives the appropriate level of sealing based on its specific needs
3Object-affected harmful factors
If seal rings are introduced to prevent lubricant migration, then contamination is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal rings are designed as flexible sealing elements that can deform to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations. This flexibility allows effective sealing with relatively simple ring-shaped structures, reducing the complexity compared to rigid multi-component sealing systems while still preventing lubricant migration
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 inner seal effectively prevents lubricant leaks and contamination, ensuring reliable lubrication and extended gear mechanism life by containing lubricant within the interior space and reducing friction, thus maintaining high efficiency and preventing premature dry running.
Implementation Method 1
an interior space of the strain wave gear mechanism, in which interior space is enclosed at least partially by the transmission component and the internal or external toothing system and adjoins the pivot bearing, is sealed by means of an inner seal with respect to the bearing intermediate space of the pivot bearing
Implementation Method 2
using durable and low-wear seals like elastomer or lubricant-soaked felt materials
Data Source
AI summary
A strain wave gear mechanism (1) has a gear mechanism component (CS) and an elastically deformable transmission component (FS) that is at least partially in alignment therewith in the radial direction (29) and can be deformed elliptically by way of a drive component (WG). Internal or external toothing systems (8, 9) on the gear mechanism component (CS) and the transmission component (FS) are brought into engagement in opposite regions of an elliptical axis to rotate the transmission component (FS) and the gear mechanism component (CS) relative to one another. The transmission component (FS) and the gear mechanism component (CS) are mounted such that they can be rotated relative to one another by means of a pivot bearing (30) which has a bearing intermediate space (16). To maintain lubrication and avoid lubricant leaks, an interior space (28) of the strain wave gear mechanism (1) that adjoins the pivot bearing (30) is sealed by an inner seal (12) with respect to the bearing intermediate space (16) of the pivot bearing.