Low-Friction and Low-Wear Bearing

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This invention describes a bearing with at least two moving surfaces, each functionalized with specific polymers. The bearing uses a special lubricant composed of at least two components, where each polymer on the surfaces is soluble only in one component of the lubricant. This design causes the lubricant components to concentrate around their respective surfaces, creating a phase boundary that prevents the polymers from interacting with each other. As a result, friction and wear between the surfaces are significantly reduced.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Bearings in automotive engines to enhance durability and efficiency
• Mechanical components in industrial machinery subject to high wear
• Medical devices requiring extremely low friction, such as artificial joints
• Precision equipment like watches or microscopes to minimize maintenance needs
• Aerospace mechanical systems where reliability and component lifespan are critical

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly reduced friction between moving surfaces
• Lower wear, leading to increased component lifespan
• Reduced maintenance frequency and costs
• Improved operational efficiency and energy savings
• Potential application across various industries due to generalizable design
• Enhanced reliability in critical mechanical systems

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

Within the scope of the invention, a bearing with at least two surfaces 1, 2 that are movable relative to each other and each functionalized with polymers 11, 21 has been developed. A lubricant 3 is arranged in the space between the two surfaces 1, 2, in which the polymers 11, 21 are soluble. According to the invention, the lubricant 3 consists of at least two components 31, 32, wherein the polymer 11 on surface 1 is soluble in component 31, but not in component 32, and wherein the polymer 21 on surface 2 is soluble in component 32, but not in component 31. It has been recognized that component 31 of the lubricant 3 thereby enriches at surface 1 and component 32 of the lubricant enriches at surface 2. Regardless of whether components 31 and 32 are inherently miscible, they are locally demixed in this manner. An interface forms in the space between surfaces 1 and 2 between phase-separated regions that are rich in component 31 or rich in component 32 of the lubricant 3, respectively. A shear gradient is present at this interface. As a result, the polymers 11 of surface 1 are kept away from the polymers 21 of surface 2. They thus cannot interlock, so that the friction and wear between surfaces 1 and 2 are overall very low.