Strain Wave Gear Lubrication With Controlled Powder Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubrication methods for gear devices using solid lubricant powders often result in excessive powder accumulation, leading to increased rotational resistance and potential lockup of rotation, especially in space applications where vibrations and shocks are significant.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication method and mechanism that utilizes a powder-accommodating bag with discharge holes, positioned within the gear device's interior space, where vibration or force from the gear device's operation agitates and discharges a controlled amount of solid lubricant powder to lubricate specific sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid lubricant powder is sealed inside a casing and agitated by vibration or rotation, then lubrication is supplied to sites to be lubricated, but excessive powder accumulation occurs leading to increased rotational resistance and potential lockup
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the solid lubricant powder supply system into discrete segments by using multiple powder discharge holes distributed across the powder discharge surface. This segmentation allows controlled, distributed discharge of powder throughout the device interior space, preventing localized accumulation that would cause excessive rotational resistance and lockup, while still providing adequate lubrication to all sites to be lubricated.
2Quantity of substance
If a large amount of solid lubricant powder enters sites to be lubricated in a single action, then lubrication is provided, but rotational resistance increases and rotation may be locked
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements periodic action through the coordinated discharge of powder from multiple holes during continuous rotation of the powder discharge member. As the member rotates, different holes are exposed to the device interior space at different times, creating a periodic, pulsed discharge pattern that distributes powder gradually over time rather than releasing a large amount in a single action, thus maintaining rotational freedom while providing adequate lubrication.
3Reliability
If solid lubricant powder is used in space applications with strong vibration or shock, then lubrication is supplied, but powder may move in large amounts and clog gear meshing portions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-positioning multiple powder discharge holes at strategically located positions on the powder discharge surface before the device operates. This preliminary arrangement ensures that powder is discharged at multiple locations simultaneously or sequentially during normal operation, creating a distributed lubrication pattern that prevents powder from concentrating and clogging gear meshing portions even under strong vibration or shock conditions in space applications.
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
This approach ensures continuous, controlled supply of solid lubricant powder to the sites of lubrication, preventing excessive accumulation and maintaining optimal operational conditions by reducing rotational resistance and preventing lockup.
Implementation Method 1
discharging the solid lubricant powder that is accommodated in the powder-accommodating bag into the device-interior space, via the powder discharge holes, by using vibration or force that acts on the powder-accommodating bag or on the solid lubricant powder in association with driving of a gear device
Implementation Method 2
preventing excessive accumulation and maintaining optimal operational conditions by reducing rotational resistance and preventing lockup
Data Source
AI summary
A lubrication mechanism of a strain wave gearing is disposed in an interior space of an externally toothed gear and comprises a powder-accommodating bag that stores solid lubricant powder. A diaphragm of the externally toothed gear is repeatedly deflected during the driving of the strain wave gearing. Vibration or deflection is repeatedly imparted to the powder-accommodating bag and the solid lubricant powder is discharged from a powder discharge hole formed in the powder-accommodating bag into the interior space. A site to be lubricated is lubricated with the solid lubricant powder discharged into the interior space. Harmful effects due to a large amount of the solid lubricant powder being supplied to the site to be lubricated at one time can be resolved, and a necessary amount of the solid lubricant powder can be continuously supplied to the site to be lubricated.