Self-lubricating Linear Motor Slider for Vacuum Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-lubricating mechanisms for linear motors fail to effectively lubricate in vacuum environments and require additional components and power sources, leading to increased complexity, weight, and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A self-lubricating mechanism for linear motors that uses a slider with an integrated oil reservoir and a push body to distribute lubricating oil between rolling sections, driven by the motor's own power, eliminating the need for external components and power supplies, and operates within a vacuum environment without disrupting the vacuum chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional self-lubricating mechanism with oil reservoir and woolen felts is used, then lubrication is achieved in normal environment, but the capillary effect becomes unapparent in vacuum environment due to high viscosity of lubricating oil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the capillary effect-based oil feeding mechanism (which relies on surface tension and wick action) with a mechanical push body system. The push body is driven by the linear motor's own motion to actively pressurize and deliver lubricating oil through passages to the rolling sections, eliminating dependence on capillary action that fails in vacuum conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear motor serves dual functions: it performs the primary motion function and also drives the push body to deliver lubrication. The motor's own reciprocating motion is utilized to push the push body forward, which in turn forces lubricating oil from the reservoir through passages to the contact surfaces, making the system self-sufficient without external lubrication equipment.
2Reliability
If a pump-pressurized lubricating mechanism is used to achieve lubrication in vacuum environment, then lubrication purpose is achieved, but additional components occupy much room and lead to increment of load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lubrication delivery function with the existing linear motor structure. The oil reservoir, passages, and push body are integrated into the slider assembly that is part of the linear motor's mover. The motor's own structural components (slider, guide rails) serve as the lubrication delivery pathway, eliminating the need for separate external pump systems and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear motor's slider assembly performs multiple functions: it provides the reciprocating motion for the mover, guides the linear track, and simultaneously serves as the lubrication delivery system. The passages within the slider and the push body mechanism are multi-functional elements that both move with the motor cycle and deliver lubrication, maximizing the utility of existing components.
3Reliability
If a pump-pressurized lubricating mechanism is used, then lubrication is achieved in vacuum, but heat generated by the pressurizing pump cannot be dissipated via air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pump-pressurized system (which generates heat through mechanical compression and motor operation) with a passive mechanical push body system driven by the motor's own motion. The push body simply transfers the motor's reciprocating force to pressurize and move the oil, minimizing energy conversion and heat generation. The system leverages the motor's existing motion rather than adding a separate pressurization stage.
4Device complexity
If conventional self-lubricating mechanism is used, then simplified structure is achieved, but lubrication operation cannot be performed in vacuum chamber without opening the chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system is completely self-contained within the vacuum chamber environment. The oil reservoir stores lubricating oil internally, the passages are sealed within the slider, and the push body is driven by the motor's own motion that occurs within the vacuum chamber. The entire lubrication cycle (storage, pressurization, delivery) happens in-situ without requiring chamber opening, making the system adaptable to continuous vacuum operation.
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 mechanism provides continuous lubrication within a vacuum environment with reduced weight, volume, and energy consumption, minimizing maintenance interruptions and extending equipment lifespan by leveraging the motor's power to distribute lubricant efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a push body slidably disposed on the main body
Implementation Method 2
The oil reservoir 6 has woolen felts 7 to provide capillary effect for feeding the lubricating oil reserved in the oil reservoir 6 between the ball bodies and the faces in contact therewith
Implementation Method 3
The mover 2 is linearly reciprocally movable by means of the magnetic field effect between the mover 2 and the stator 3
Data Source
AI summary
A self-lubricating mechanism of slide member, including a slide assembly and a lubricating section. The slide assembly has a linear guide section, a slider linearly slidably mounted on the guide section and reciprocally movable between a first position and a second position and at least one rolling section positioned in a space defined between the slider and the guide section. The lubricating section has a main body fixedly disposed on one side of the slider. The main body is formed with an internal oil reservoir and at least one passage in communication with the oil reservoir. The passage has an opening formed on a first side of the main body in communication with the space. A push body is retractably disposed on the main body. A stopper body is fixed in a position adjacent to the first position for retracting the push body to drive the oil into the space.