Wire Rope Internal Lubricant Depots for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable car ropes face issues with internal wear and friction, leading to reduced lifespan and increased resource consumption, particularly due to widespread lubricant distribution which can result in surface lubrication and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wire rope design with localized lubricant depots, specifically placed on contact areas between longitudinal elements and the rope core, allows for targeted lubrication reduction of internal wear while maintaining high friction on outer surfaces, thus enhancing economic and ecological efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lubricant is distributed throughout the rope, then internal wear is reduced, but friction on outer surfaces decreases and resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies lubricant locally only at the contact areas between longitudinal elements and the rope core, rather than distributing it throughout the entire rope. This localized application reduces internal wear at critical interfaces while maintaining high friction on outer surfaces, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant distribution is segmented into specific contact zones between longitudinal elements and the rope core, separating the lubrication function from the friction function. This segmentation allows different regions of the rope to have different surface properties, optimizing both wear resistance and friction characteristics.
2Reliability
If lubricant is applied to reduce internal wear, then service life increases, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates lubricant application at specific contact interfaces between longitudinal elements and the rope core, eliminating unnecessary lubricant in other regions. This localized approach significantly reduces overall lubricant consumption while maintaining effective wear protection where it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes excess lubricant from non-contact regions of the rope, retaining lubricant only where it provides functional benefit. This extraction of unnecessary lubricant reduces resource consumption while preserving the essential wear-reduction function at critical interfaces.
3Reliability
If lubricant is used to protect internal surfaces, then wear is reduced, but the amount of lubricant required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies lubricant locally only at the contact interfaces between longitudinal elements and the rope core, rather than coating the entire rope surface. This localized application achieves effective wear protection with minimal lubricant quantity, as the lubricant is concentrated exactly where it is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies lubricant partially only to the extent necessary for protecting contact interfaces, rather than applying it excessively throughout the entire rope. This partial action approach provides sufficient wear protection while minimizing the total amount of lubricant required.
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 solution significantly extends the lifespan of cable car ropes by minimizing internal wear and resource consumption, while maintaining effective friction for operation, thus achieving high economic and ecological efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first lubricant reservoir (16), which is limited to a first contact area (18) spirally encircling the rope core between a first longitudinal element (12) of the longitudinal elements (12, 14) and the rope core (20)
Implementation Method 2
by locating the lubricant reservoir, in particular in an inner region of the rope, high friction on the outer surfaces of the rope can be achieved despite the use of lubricant
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a rope (10, 10', 10", 10‴), in particular a wire rope, preferably a cable car traction wire rope and/or a cable car conveyor wire rope, with a rope core (20, 20', 20") and with a plurality of longitudinal elements (12, 14), in particular wires or wire strands, which are stranded around the rope core (20, 20', 20"). It is proposed that the rope (10, 10', 10", 10‴) comprises at least a first lubricant reservoir (16, 16a) which is directed onto a contact area (18) spirally around the rope core (20, 20', 20") between a first longitudinal element (12) of the longitudinal elements (12, 14) and the rope core (20, 20', 20") or between a core element (42), which is arranged between adjacent longitudinal elements (12, 14) and is bounded by the rope core (20, 20', 20").