Lubrication system for print hammer mechanisms
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorEdward F. Helinski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosure describes a passive lubrication system for use in a high speed print hammer mechanism to provide continuous lubrication to all print hammer elements. Channels are formed along the length of a pivot pin and filled with a porous material having a finer porosity than the sintered print hammer block serving as the principal reservoir. Fins located at each side of print hammer elements also are of the same porosity as the print hammer block and communicate lubricant to the material in the pivot pin channels. From the channels, lubricant is conveyed to the interface between each print hammer element and the pivot pin by capillary action.
Claims20
In a print hammer mechanism, the combination comprising:
- elongated pivot pin means to form a support for at least one print hammer element;
- at least two fins spaced apart and having means to define openings to receive said pivot pin means;
- a print hammer element having a stem portion with means to define an opening to receive said pivot pin means for supporting said print hammer element in a position between said fins;
- and
- a lubrication system for lubricating said print hammer element while in said position of support by said pivot pin means, comprising:
- reservoir means for containing a supply of lubricant;
- means on said pivot pin means to define a channel extending longitudinally of said pivot pin means;
- and
- porous means in said channel for conveying lubricant by capillary action from said reservoir means to said print hammer element.
A lubrication system in a print hammer mechanism having, in combination:
- elongated pivot pin means to form a support for a plurality of print hammer elements and having a predetermined length;
- means on said elongated pivot pin means to define two channels extending substantially the length of said elongated pivot pin means in a predetermined location;
- a plurality of fins arranged in a predetermined spaced apart relationship to receive a print hammer element between adjacent fins;
- reservoir means for containing a supply of lubricant;
- said plurality of fins being formed of a porous material to receive a flow of said lubricant from said reservoir means;
- and
- wick material in each of said two channels and having a porosity limited to that of said porous material forming said plurality of fins;
- whereby said wick material is in communication with each of said plurality of fins in a plurality of locations for ensuring lubricant availability to an area on said elongated pivot pin means at which a print hammer element is supported.
A passive lubrication system for use in a mechanism having at least one element of a predetermined length supported to be pivoted at high speed over a very small angle, comprising:
- elongated pivot pin means to support said one element and having a predetermined length;
- at least two means having means to define an opening to receive said elongated pivot pin means, one of said means located on each side of said one element, and having means to define at least one channel extending along said predetermined length;
- porous means located within said channel and extending out therefrom to be in communication with said two means;
- and
- reservoir means for containing a supply of a predetermined lubricant and including means forming a path for lubricant flow from said reservoir means to said two means;
- whereby lubricant flow by capillary action occurs readily from said reservoir means, through said two means, and through said porous means to lubricate an area of support between said elongated pivot pin means and said one element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.