Integrated Washer Oil Retention and Return System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor bearing systems have a complex structure with multiple components, leading to high costs, difficult installation, and poor lubrication, resulting in excessive friction, oil leakage, and reduced motor lifespan due to inadequate oil retention and return.
Innovation Solution
A washer with a central axial hole, first and second oil retainers, and a transition groove is introduced, featuring oil-storage grooves on the surface and flanges that enhance oil retention and return, reducing friction through an oil film formation and preventing oil leakage, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple components (axial retaining ring, positioning retaining ring, adjusting retaining ring, rubber washer, wear-resistant pad, oil cap) are used in the bearing system, then the system can provide oil retention and return functions, but the structure becomes complex, installation becomes troublesome, and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (retaining rings, rubber washer, wear-resistant pad, oil cap) into a single integrated washer structure. This washer includes an oil storage groove, oil return groove, and wear-resistant layer, consolidating functions that previously required multiple separate parts. The merging reduces component count, simplifies installation, and lowers cost while maintaining the oil retention and return functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated washer performs multiple functions simultaneously: it retains oil through the oil storage groove, returns oil through the oil return groove, provides wear resistance through the wear-resistant layer, and acts as a sealing element. This multi-functional design replaces several specialized components with one universal element, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Strength
If a wear-resistant pad with rough surface is used, then wear resistance is provided, but friction force increases due to insufficient lubrication, leading to fast abrasion and reduced work life
Solution Approach 1:
The washer features a wear-resistant layer applied specifically to the contact surface that requires wear protection. This localized treatment provides wear resistance only where needed, while the rest of the washer maintains smooth surfaces for reduced friction. The oil storage groove also provides localized lubrication to the wear-resistant surface, reducing friction in the high-wear zone without compromising overall wear resistance.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple laminar components with same radial dimension are used, then the structure can be assembled, but oil leakage occurs due to poor oil retaining and return effect, leading to inadequate lubrication and reduced motor lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the oil retention and return functions into the washer structure itself through molded-in oil storage and oil return grooves. This eliminates the need for separate oil retention components and their associated sealing interfaces, which were prone to leakage. The integrated design maintains assembly simplicity while ensuring reliable oil retention and return.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil storage groove and oil return groove are designed with specific geometric parameters (depth, width, curvature) optimized for oil retention and return flow. The wear-resistant layer thickness and material composition are also optimized to maintain lubrication while reducing friction. These parameter optimizations ensure reliable oil management without compromising assembly ease.
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 proposed washer system ensures effective lubrication, reduces friction, and increases motor lifespan by maintaining a consistent oil supply and preventing oil from entering the motor body, while simplifying the structure and reducing installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the oil-storage groove is disposed on the surface of the first oil retainer of the washer, and allows oil film to be formed on the surface thereof, which reduces friction between the washer and contact surface
Implementation Method 2
the first oil retainer, the second oil retainer, and the transition groove formed on the washer have good oil retaining and return effect, and are capable of keeping lubricating oil in the bearing system of the motor for cyclic utilization, and preventing oil from entering a motor body
Data Source
AI summary
A washer, including a central axial hole, a first oil retainer, a second oil retainer, and a transition groove. The central axial hole allows a motor shaft to pass therethrough. The first oil retainer and the second oil retainer are formed on the washer. The transition groove is disposed between the first oil retainer and the second oil retainer.