LUBRICATING ARRANGEMENT OF CHAIN ASSEMBLAGE
The present invention pertains to a lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage serving to coat chain components. Particularly, the lubricating arrangement includes a first non-electrolytic nickel layer and a second PTFE alloy layer that possess 3 to 35 vol % PTFE, whereby the present invention conduces to attain an automatically lubricating capability, increase the surface hardness of the chain assemblage, and prolong the utilization thereof without affecting the tensile strength.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage, in particular to one applied to coat the chain components of the chain assemblage with layers of non-electrolytic nickel and Polytetrafluoroethylene alloy to attain effects of automatically lubricating and increasing the surface hardness and durability of the chain without burdening the tensile strength.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, the assemblage of the chain is required to be immersed in a heat and liquefied lubricating liquid. When the liquefied lubricating liquid gradually becomes thick lubricant oil at room temperature, the chain assemblage is homogenized to be coated with the lubricant oil. In the long term, the critical occurrence attendant on the lubricant-coated chain is the large consumption of the lubricant oil caused by the wrapping of soil, mud, or sand on the chain components and the combination thereof with the redundant oil. Such difficulty not only decreases the efficiency of the chain operation but obstructs the further addition of the liquid lubricant into the chain shaft. Therefore, the conventional chain configuration is still in a rugged operation. The conventional chain also facilely incurs the problems of the rusty chain shaft and the oil stains on user's clothes while operating the chain.
A closed prior is cited by Taiwanese Patent No. M275160, shown in
The object of the present invention is to provide a lubricating arrangement that coats every chain component with layers of non-electrolytic nickel and Polytetrafluoroethylene alloy to obtain an automatic lubrication and to increase the surface hardness and durability of the chain without burdening the tensile strength.
The present invention in conformity with the lubricating arrangement of chain assemblage applied to components thereof mainly comprises a first lubricating layer coating the surface of the chain assemblage and a second lubricating layer covering the surface of the first lubricating layer; wherein, the first lubricating layer is preferably fabricated of a non-electrolytic nickel layer in a thickness of 2 to 5 micrometers (i), and the second lubricating layer is preferably made of a Polytetrafluoroethylene alloy (PTFE alloy) layer in a thickness of 2 to 8 micrometers (i) and provided with the volume of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, namely Teflon) ranging from 3 to 35 vol %.
Further, the chain assemblage comprises one of a chain hub, a chain axle, an interior chain plate, an exterior chain plate and a bushing or the combination of the above.
The chain assemblage is preferably constituted of the eighth group of periodic element.
The non-electrolytic nickel layer preferably has components in weight (wt %) ranging from 6 to 13 wt % phosphorus (P) and 87 to 94 wt % nickel (Ni).
The PTFE alloy layer preferably contains ranging from 20 to 35 vol % PTFE and provides the density ranging from 5.9 to 6.8 g/cm3, equating with 6 to 12.5 wt %. The PTFE alloy layer further comprises components in weight (wt %) ranging from 7.5 to 10 wt % phosphorus (P) and 77 to 86 wt % nickel (Ni).
The second lubricating layer is further overlaid with either a reinforcing layer or a painting, wherein the reinforcing layer is a layer of titanium nitride (TiN).
Accordingly, the advantages of present invention set forth below:
- 1. In view of the first non-electrolytic nickel layer possessing the properties of an even coating, a great adhesion, a high hardness, favorable wear and corrosion resistances, and available welding and coating hardness higher than 500 HV (HRC50). The coating hardness would preferably obtain 1000 HV (HRC70) via processing a specific treatment, so as to efficiently enhance the hardness of the chain assemblage.
- 2. The present invention renders the particles of PTFE ranging from 3 to 35 vol % to be dispersed eutectoidly with respect to the non-electrolytic nickel layer for the purpose of lubricating the chain assemblage. Such layer substantially provides the merits:
- (1) a favorable lubrication with a lower friction coefficient;
- (2) a broad temperature endurance;
- (3) a great corrosion resistance to attain a strong chemical stability;
- (4) a non-adhesive surface;
- (5) a favorable electric insulation with a minimum value of dielectric constant within the wide frequency;
- (6) a great ageing retardation without being subject to the erosion of Oxygen, Ozone, and ultraviolet rays;
- (7) a precious incombustibility; and
- (8) a diminutive absorption capability.
- 3. The components of the chain assemblage, which would be alternatively made of the eighth group of periodic element as well as the alloy thereof, stainless steel, copper (Cu) as well as the alloy thereof, titanium (Ti) as well as the alloy thereof, and magnesium (Mg) as well as the alloy thereof, can be coated with the non-electrolytic nickel layer, hence attaining a wide application.
The advantages of the present invention over the known prior arts will become more apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art by reading the following descriptions with the relating drawings.
Before describing in greater detail, it should note that the like elements are denoted by the similar reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
The pair of interior chain plates 1 are disposed in relative positions. Each interior chain plate 1 includes a first pivot bore 11 arranged thereon, a first lubricating layer 12, and a second lubricating layer 13 as illustrated in
In addition, the chain assemblage, which is alternatively made of the eighth group of periodic element as well as the alloy thereof, stainless steel, copper (Cu) as well as the alloy thereof, titanium (Ti) as well as the alloy thereof, and magnesium (Mg) as well as the alloy thereof, can be coated with the non-electrolytic nickel layer, hence attaining a wide application.
Furthermore, the second lubricating layer 13 coats the surface of the first lubricating layer 12 and has a thickness of 2 to 8 micrometers (μ). The second lubricating layer 13 is preferably made of a Polytetrafluoroethylene alloy (PTFE alloy) layer that contains particles of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) ranging from 3 to 35 vol % for being dispersed eutectoidly among the non-electrolytic nickel layer. It is adopted in the first preferred embodiment that the PTFE alloy layer, which includes the proportion in weight (wt %) ranging from 7.5 to 10 wt % phosphorus (P) and 77 to 86 wt % nickel (Ni), possesses 20 to 35 vol % PTFE and a density ranging from 5.9 to 6.8 g/cm3, equating with 6 to 12.5 wt %. A subsequent layer of titanium nitride (TiN) can serve as a reinforcing layer or process through the painting treatment for coating the surface of the second lubricating layer 13. The physical characteristics of the PTFE alloy layer with different proportions addition to PTFE particles and the non-electrolytic nickel layer are herein shown in Table 2:
Table 3 further performs the comparisons between the friction coefficients of PTFE alloy layer and that of the conventional material with lower friction coefficients as set forth below:
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
To sum up, the present invention mainly coat every component of the chain assemblage with dual lubricating layers, that is, the first non-electrolytic nickel layers 12, 22, 32, 41, 52 possessing the characteristics of a homogeneous coating, a great adhesion, a high hardness, a favorable wear resistance, a preferable anti-corrosion, and available welding and coating hardness higher than 500 HV (HRC50). The coating hardness would preferably obtain 1000 HV (HRC70) via processing a specific treatment, so as to efficiently enhance the hardness of the chain assemblage. Further, in view of the second lubricating layers 13, 23, 33, 42, 53 is the PTFE alloy layer having a friction coefficient lower than the conventional materials (see Table 3). The second lubricating layer substantially provides the merits of a favorable lubrication and a non-adhesive surface, thereby avoiding the wrapping of the dirt on the components and the rugged operation of the chain assemblage. Further, the second lubricating layer also possesses the properties of a strong temperature endurance, a favorable electric insulation, a great ageing retardation, a precious incombustibility, a great corrosion resistance to enhance the chemical stability, and a diminutive absorption capability. Consequently, the present invention facilitates to attain a durable utilization without frequent renewals, an automatic lubricating effect, and an increment of the surface hardness of the chain assemblage without burdening the tensile strength.
While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage applied to components thereof including:
- a first lubricating layer coating surfaces of said chain components; wherein, said first lubricating layer being fabricated of a non-electrolytic nickel layer in a thickness of 2-5 micrometers (μ); and
- a second lubricating layer covering a surface of said first lubricating layer; wherein, said second lubricating layer being made of a Polytetrafluoroethylene alloy (PTFE alloy) layer that contains a thickness ranging between 2-8μ and a volume of PTFE ranging between 3-35 vol %.
2. The lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said chain assemblage comprises one of a chain hub, a chain axle, an interior chain plate, an exterior chain plate and a bushing or the combination of the above.
3. The lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said chain assemblage is constituted of the eighth group of periodic element.
4. The lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said non-electrolytic nickel layer has components in weight ranging among 6-13 wt % phosphorus (P) and 87-94 wt % nickel (Ni).
5. The lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said PTFE alloy layer includes the 20-35 vol % PTFE and a density ranging between 5.9-6.8 g/cm3, equating with 6-12.5 wt %; said PTFE alloy layer further comprises components 7.5-10 wt % phosphorus (P) and 77-86 wt % nickel (Ni)
6. The lubricating arrangement of a chain assemblage as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said second lubricating layer is further overlaid with either a reinforcing layer or painting, and said reinforcing layer is preferably a layer of nitrogen titanium (TiN).
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 20, 2009
Publication Date: Sep 23, 2010
Inventor: WEN-PIN WANG (TAINAN HSIEN)
Application Number: 12/408,122
International Classification: C10M 125/00 (20060101);