Grease discharge device and grease lubrication system

Abstract

To provide a grease discharge device that can secure a large storage amount of grease, has good handleability, and is hardly subject to restrictions on working places.SOLUTION: A grease discharge device 1 includes a grounding type tank 2 of which an upper surface is opened, and which is capable of storing grease; a lid 3 for closing the upper surface of the tank 2; a pump unit 4 connected to the lid 3, the pump unit configured to suck the grease in the tank 2 and discharge it to the outside by driving a motor 10; and a detachable battery pack 5 for driving the pump unit 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a grease discharge device that discharges grease stored in a tank, and a grease lubrication system that uses the grease discharge device. [Background technology]

[0002] Heavy machinery such as construction machinery and cranes are provided with a plurality of lubrication points (nipples) for maintenance, and grease is supplied to each lubrication point to maintain an appropriate lubricated state. A grease discharge device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a grease supply device. This grease discharge device includes a main body that holds a tank, a battery-powered motor, and a pump that is operated by the motor. A cartridge filled with grease can be accommodated in the tank, and when the motor is driven to operate the pump, the grease in the cartridge is discharged from a discharge port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-158462 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The grease discharge device as described in Patent Document 1 has a battery and can be carried by an operator using a shoulder belt attached to the main body. Therefore, the amount of grease to be filled in the cartridge is kept relatively small (for example, 400 to 500 g) in consideration of the burden on the operator. However, heavy machinery has many oiling points, so the grease in one cartridge is used up and the cartridges have to be replaced many times, which is a hassle. For example, a container crane has about 100 oiling points per machine, and 15 to 20 cartridges are replaced every time.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a grease discharge device and grease lubrication system that can secure a large amount of grease storage capacity, and by using a battery, is easy to handle and less subject to restrictions on the work location. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a first configuration of the present disclosure is a grease discharge device, The grease repellent may include a grounded tank having an open top capable of storing grease, and a lid that closes the top of the tank. The first configuration may also include a pump unit connected to the lid and configured to suck up grease in the tank and discharge it to the outside by driving a motor, and a removable battery that drives the pump unit. In order to achieve the above object, a second configuration of the present disclosure is a grease discharge device, It may be a grounded type having an open top for storing grease, and may include a tank having a capacity of 10 liters or more, and a pump unit that sucks up the grease in the tank by driving a motor and discharges it to the outside. The second configuration may also include a removable battery that powers the pump unit. In order to achieve the above object, a third configuration of the present disclosure is a grease lubrication system, The grease discharge device may include a first grease discharge device having a first tank capable of storing 1 liter or less of grease and a first pump driven by a first motor to discharge the grease in the first tank. In addition, the third configuration may include a second grease discharge device having a second tank capable of storing 10 liters or more of grease and equipped with a second pump driven by a second motor to discharge the grease in the second tank. The third configuration may also include a battery capable of supplying power to the first motor and the second motor. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a large amount of grease can be stored. In addition, because the motor that operates the pump is battery-powered, no power cord or air hose is required, making it easy to handle and reducing restrictions on where the work can be done. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grease discharge device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2A is a side view, FIG. 2B is a plan view, FIG. 2C is a front view, and FIG. 2D is a rear view of the grease discharge device of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2D is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2C. [Figure 4] 13 is a perspective view of a grease discharge device in which the number of battery packs is changed. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5A is a side view of the grease discharge device in FIG. 4, FIG. 5B is a plan view, FIG. 5C is a front view, and FIG. 5D is a rear view. [Figure 6] FIG. 5D is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5C. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a grease discharge device having a modified pump unit. [Figure 8] 8A is a side view of the grease discharge device in FIG. 7, FIG. 8B is a plan view, FIG. 8C is a front view, and FIG. 8D is a rear view. [Figure 9] FIG. 8D is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 8C. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a grease discharge device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are explanatory views of a grease discharge device of Example 2, with FIG. 11A showing a side view and FIG. 11B showing a cross section taken along line DD. [Figure 12] FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram of a grease discharge device equipped with an electric heater, and FIG. 12B is a cross section taken along line EE. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the grease discharge device provided with an electric heater, with the tank and case omitted. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a grease discharge device in which the number of cartridges has been changed, FIG. 14A showing a side view and FIG. 14B showing a cross section taken along line FF. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grease discharging device that does not use a cartridge. [Figure 16] 16A and 16B are explanatory views of the grease discharge device in FIG. 15, with FIG. 16A showing a side view and FIG. 16B showing a cross section taken along line GG. [Figure 17] 17A and 17B are explanatory diagrams of a grease discharge device in which the number of battery packs is changed, with FIG. 17A showing a side view and FIG. 17B showing a cross section taken along line HH. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing modified layouts of the pump unit and the battery pack. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing modified layouts of the pump unit and the battery pack. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a grease discharge system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery may be located on the top surface of the lid. With this configuration, the battery can be placed without protruding outside the tank, and the battery does not get in the way of work. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of batteries may be provided. This configuration allows continuous long-term use and reduces interruptions to work such as for battery replacement. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tank may be equipped with a means for movement. This configuration allows the tank to be easily moved. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the means for movement may have tires. This configuration makes it easier to move the tank and change the direction of movement. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the means for moving may comprise a handle. With this configuration, the means of transportation can be easily operated. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the handle may be height adjustable. This configuration makes it easier for the worker to operate the transportation means. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the moving means may be a plurality of casters provided on the bottom surface of the tank. According to this configuration, the moving means can be made compact.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the pump unit may be provided with an operating unit that turns the motor on and off, and the discharge port of the pump unit may be selectively connectable to a first coupler that can be connected to a grease supply destination and a second coupler that has a second operating unit that controls the motor and can be connected to the grease supply destination. According to this configuration, the operating unit and the first coupler, or the second operating unit and the second coupler can be selected and used depending on the work location, which contributes to improving workability. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second operating section may include at least a switch for turning on / off the drive of the motor, and an operating member for operating the switch. According to this configuration, the grease discharge can be switched on and off simply by operating the operating member, which improves usability. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second operating unit may have a speed change operating unit capable of changing the rotation speed of the motor. According to this configuration, the amount of grease discharged can be easily changed by operating the gear shift operating part.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tank may be circular in plan view and have a volume of at least 16 liters. With this configuration, a large amount of grease can be stored, and even if there are many points to be lubricated, the grease is less likely to run out. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a display unit that displays at least the remaining capacity of the battery may be provided. According to this configuration, the battery can be replaced or charged before it runs out, making it less likely that work will be interrupted for long periods of time. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery may be covered by a cover. This configuration can prevent grease from adhering to the battery. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tank may be provided with a means for heating the grease. According to this configuration, the grease does not harden even when the temperature of the working environment is low, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in workability due to poor discharge. EXAMPLES

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a grease discharging device of the present disclosure, Fig. 2A is a side view of the grease discharging device, Fig. 2B is a plan view, Fig. 2C is a front view, Fig. 2D is a rear view, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2C. The grease discharge device 1 includes a tank 2, a lid 3, a pump unit 4, a battery pack 5, and a carrier 6. The tank 2 is circular in plan view with an open top to store grease. The capacity of the tank 2 is, for example, 16 liters, which is larger than that of conventional portable cartridges. A pail or drum is used as the tank 2. For example, a pail can be 18 liters or 20 liters. For example, a drum can be about 200 liters in capacity. In either case, the capacity can be arbitrarily determined between 15 liters and 250 liters. An inner lid 7 is provided inside the tank 2. The inner lid 7 is conical in shape and is inserted through the center of a suction pipe 12 (described later) of the pump unit 4, and is placed on the top surface of the stored grease. Providing the inner lid 7 prevents air from being mixed into the grease. The bottom surface of the inner lid 7 is in at least partial contact with the top surface of the grease G. When the amount of grease G decreases, the inner lid 7 moves downward. The tank 2 is placed from above on the tank holder 2a, which is open at the top, and is directly held by the tank holder 2a. The tank 2 held by the tank holder 2a is restricted from moving forward, backward, left, and right by the peripheral wall 2b of the tank holder 2a. In addition, the tank 2 held by the tank holder 2a is restricted from moving downward by the bottom surface 2c of the tank holder 2a. By using the tank holder 2a, it is possible to use acquired pails or drums as they are.

[0013] The lid 3 has a circular shape in a plan view and closes the top surface of the tank 2. A peripheral portion 8 that covers the upper outer periphery of the tank 2 is provided on the outer periphery of the lid 3. Three knob screws 9, 9... are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the peripheral portion 8. The knob screws 9 press the upper outer periphery of the tank 2 by a screwing operation, thereby fixing the lid 3 to the tank 2. The lid 3 prevents dust, dirt, etc. from entering the tank 2. Note that means other than the knob screws can be used as a fixing means for the lid 3. For example, a latch or a positive lock structure can be used. The pump unit 4 is connected to the cover 3. This connection is performed by fixing with screws or by welding. The pump unit 4 includes a motor 10, a pump section 11, a suction pipe 12, a discharge pipe 13, and a controller 14. The motor 10 is disposed at the top inside a case 15 that is vertically erected in the center of the top surface of the lid 3. The case 15 is formed by fixing a left case 15a and a right case 15b with screws. The motor 10 is an inner rotor type brushless motor. This brushless motor is configured by disposing a rotor 10b inside a cylindrical stator 10a. The stator 10a has a stator core, an insulator, and a coil. The rotor 10b has a rotor core and a magnet. The brushless motor also has three magnetic sensors that detect the rotation of the rotor 10b. The pump unit 11 is disposed below the motor 10 within the case 15, and includes a fan (impeller) 11a that rotates when driven by the motor 10. The fan 11a is disposed below the motor 10. Suction pipe 12 is connected to the suction side of fan 11a at the bottom of pump unit 11, passes through the center of lid 3, and extends at its lower end to near the bottom of tank 2. The length of suction pipe 12 is approximately the same as the vertical length of tank 2. Suction pipe 12 has suction port 12a, which is the inlet for grease, at its lower end, and connection port 12b, which is the outlet for grease, at its upper end. Connection port 12b is connected to pump unit 11. Discharge pipe 13 is connected to the discharge side of fan 11a in front of pump unit 11, penetrates case 15, and extends forward. Discharge pipe 13 has grease inlet 13a at its rear end, and discharge port 13b, which is the grease outlet, at its front end. Inlet 13a is connected to pump unit 11, and discharge port 13b is connected to a flexible hose 20, which will be described later.

[0014] The controller 14 is accommodated in the upper part of the case 15 above the motor 10. The controller 14 obtains power from the battery pack 5 and supplies power to the motor 10. A display unit 16 provided on the upper surface of the controller 14 is exposed on the upper surface of the case 15. The display unit 16 displays the remaining capacity of the battery pack 5. The display unit 16 is sandwiched and fixed between the left case 15a and the right case 15b. An air intake 17 is formed in the upper part of the case 15, which is the right side of the controller 14. An exhaust port 18 is formed in the middle part of the case 15, which is the right side of the motor 10. When a fan provided on a rotating shaft (not shown) of the motor 10 rotates, air sucked in from the air intake 17 passes through the controller 14 and the motor 10 in order to cool them, and then is discharged from the exhaust port 18.

[0015] A coupler 21A or a switch trigger 22 can be selectively connected to the tip of the discharge pipe 13 via a flexible hose 20. Both are shown in Figures 1 to 3. If necessary, the discharge pipe 13 may be bifurcated into two branches to connect both the coupler 21A and the switch trigger 22. The coupler 21A can be connected to an oiling point of heavy machinery or the like. When connecting the coupler 21A, a switch 23 is used. The switch 23 has an ON button 23a and an OFF button 23b, and is electrically connected to the controller 14 via a cord shown by a two-dot chain line. When the ON button 23a is pressed, an ON signal is output to the controller 14, and when the OFF button 23b is pressed, an OFF signal is output to the controller 14. When the controller 14 receives an ON signal by pressing the ON button 23a, it drives the motor 10 to operate the pump unit 11. When the controller 14 receives an OFF signal by pressing the OFF button 23b, it stops the drive of the motor 10 to stop the operation of the pump unit 11. When it receives an ON signal, the controller 14 rotates the motor 10 at full speed. When it receives an OFF signal, the controller 14 reduces the rotation of the motor 10 to zero. The switch 23 can be used by placing it on the top surface of the lid 3, hanging it in a suitable place within reach of the operator, or carrying it around with the operator. In this way, since the switch 23 is provided separately from the coupler 21A, the operation / stop of the pump unit 11 can be performed without being near the heavy machinery. The switch 23 may be fixed directly or indirectly to the case 15. In this case, the ON button 23a and the OFF button 23b of the switch 23 fixed to the case 15 may be pressed after the coupler 21A is connected to the oil supply location. Furthermore, the maximum rotation speed of the motor 10 can be set in advance to multiple stages. For example, it can be set to three stages, such as low speed, medium speed, and high speed. With this setting, when an ON signal is received, if the setting is low speed, the motor 10 rotates at low speed, if the setting is medium speed, the motor 10 rotates at medium speed, and if the setting is high speed, the motor 10 rotates at high speed. Of course, the maximum rotation speed is not limited to three stages, and can be set to four or more stages.

[0016] The switch trigger 22 has a coupler 21B at its tip. The coupler 21B has the same shape as the coupler 21A and can be connected to a lubrication point of heavy machinery or the like. The switch trigger 22 has a switch 24 and a trigger 25 for operating the switch 24, and is electrically connected to the controller 14 via a cord (not shown) that is arranged along the flexible hose 20. When the trigger 25 is pressed, the switch 24 turns ON, and the controller 14 drives the motor 10 to operate the pump unit 11. The controller 14 increases the rotation speed of the motor 10 in response to an increase in the amount of pressing of the trigger 25, thereby increasing the amount of grease discharged from the pump unit 11. In this way, the rotation speed of the motor 10 corresponds to the amount of pressing of the trigger 25, so that the configuration is suitable for lubricating the amount of oil that the operator considers necessary. When the pressing of the trigger 25 is released and the switch 24 turns OFF, the controller 14 stops the driving of the motor 10 and stops the operation of the pump unit 11. It is also possible to rotate the motor 10 at full speed by pressing the trigger 25. In this case, similarly to the switch 23, multiple maximum rotation speeds can be preset.

[0017] The battery pack 5 is connected to a battery base 26 fixed to the upper surface of the lid 3. The battery base 26 is formed by fixing a left base 26a and a right base 26b with screws. A battery connector 29 is sandwiched and fixed at the joint between the left base 26a and the right base 26b. The battery pack 5 is the same as that used in power tools, and a battery pack with a rated voltage of, for example, 36V is used. The battery pack 5 engages with the battery connector 29. The battery connector 29 is electrically connected to the controller 14 via a cord (not shown). The battery pack 5 can supply power to the controller 14 via the battery connector 29 by engaging with the battery connector 29. The battery pack 5 is fixed to the lid 3 via the battery base 26 by connecting to the battery base 26. Battery base 26 has a rectangular shape in a plan view and is fixed to the upper surface of lid 3. Part of each of the upper surface, left and right side surfaces, and rear surface of battery base 26 forms an integrated opening / closing cover 27. Opening / closing cover 27 is hinged at the lower end of the rear surface, and can be opened and closed in the vertical direction about the hinge by a latch 28 provided at the front end of the upper surface. When the opening / closing cover 27 is closed with the battery pack 5 engaged with the battery connector 29, the battery pack 5 is completely covered by the battery base 26 and the opening / closing cover 27. Therefore, the influence of factors external to the battery base 26 and the opening / closing cover 27 on the battery pack 5 can be kept low.

[0018] The carrier 6 includes a frame 30 , two tires 31 , 31 , and a handle 32 . The frame 30 includes a pair of left and right support pillars 33, 33 and a plurality of connecting rods 34, 34.... The left and right support pillars 33, 33 are fixed in the vertical direction to the rear surface of the tank 2. The connecting rods 34, 34 are installed in the left and right direction between the support pillars 33, 33. A pair of left and right brackets 35, 35 protruding rearward are provided on the lower part of the support pillars 33, 33. The tires 31, 31 are attached to the left and right ends of an axis 36 that passes through the brackets 35, 35 in the left-right direction. The tires 31, 31 are in contact with the ground in the same manner when the tank 2 is in a grounded state. The handle 32 is made up of a pair of left and right vertical bars 37, 37 protruding from left and right support columns 33, 33, and a horizontal bar 38 connecting the upper ends of the vertical bars 37, 37. The vertical bars 37, 37 are movable in the up and down direction relative to the support columns 33, 33, and can be fixed at a predetermined position by fixing means (e.g., a knob screw) not shown. Thus, the height of the horizontal bar 38 can be adjusted.

[0019] The grease discharge device 1 configured as above can store a predetermined amount of grease in the tank 2 and discharge the grease from the coupler 21A or 21B in a state where the battery pack 5 is attached to the battery connector 29 in the battery base 26. That is, when an operator presses the ON button 23a of the switch 23 or presses the trigger 25 in a state where the coupler 21A or 21B is connected to an oiling point of a heavy machine or the like, the controller 14 drives the motor 10. Then, the pump part 11 of the pump unit 4 is operated to suck the grease in the tank 2 from the suction pipe 12 and discharge it from the discharge pipe 13. The discharged grease is discharged from the coupler 21A or 21B via the flexible hose 20 and supplied to the oiling point. When the OFF button 23b of the switch 23 is pressed or the pressing operation of the trigger 25 is released, the driving of the motor 10 is stopped and the discharge of the grease is stopped.

[0020] When the grease discharge device 1 is to be moved, the horizontal bar 38 of the handle 32 is grasped and the carrier 6 together with the tank 2 is tilted backward. Then, the tank 2 is lifted off the ground with the tires 31, 31 still on the ground. Therefore, the operator can move the grease discharge device 1 to any desired location by using the carrier 6 as it is. In particular, a pail can weighs about 20 kg and a drum can weighs about 200 kg, but both can be easily moved by the tires 31. When the pail or drum is not to be used as is, the grease is transferred from the pail or drum into the tank 2. In this case, the knob screw 9 is loosened and the lid 3 is removed from the tank 2. Then, the pump unit 4 and the battery base 26 integrated with the lid 3 are also removed at the same time. Thus, grease can be supplied into the tank 2 from the open top surface.

[0021] Thus, the grease discharge device 1 of the above-mentioned Example 1 relating to the first configuration of the present disclosure includes a grounded tank 2 having an open top capable of storing grease, a lid 3 that closes the top of the tank 2, a pump unit 4 connected to the lid 3 and that sucks up the grease in the tank 2 by driving a motor 10 and discharges it to the outside, and a detachable battery pack 5 (an example of a battery) that drives the pump unit 4. According to this configuration, a large amount of grease can be stored in the grounded tank 2. In addition, since the motor 10 that operates the pump unit 4 is driven by the battery pack 5, no power cord or air hose is required, which improves maneuverability and reduces restrictions on the location of the work area.

[0022] The battery pack 5 is provided on the upper surface of the lid 3 . Therefore, the battery pack 5 can be arranged without protruding outside the tank 2, and the battery pack 5 does not get in the way of work. The tank 2 is equipped with a carrier 6 (an example of a moving means). Therefore, the tank 2 can be easily moved. The carrier 6 includes a tire 31 . This makes it easier to move the tank 2 and change the direction of movement. The carrier 6 is provided with a handle 32 . Therefore, the carrier 6 can be easily operated. The handle 32 is height adjustable. This makes it easier for the operator to operate the carrier 6.

[0023] The pump unit 4 is equipped with an ON button 23a and an OFF button 23b (an example of an operating part) for turning the drive of the motor 10 ON / OFF, and the discharge port of the pump unit 4 is selectively connectable to a coupler 21A (an example of a first coupler) that can be connected to a grease supply destination, and a coupler 21B (an example of a second coupler) that has a switch trigger 22 (an example of a second operating part) that controls the motor 10 and can be connected to the grease supply destination. Therefore, the coupler 21A, the switch 23, and the switch trigger 22 can be selected and used depending on the work location, which contributes to improving workability. The switch trigger 22 includes a switch 24 that turns on / off the drive of the motor 10, and a trigger 25 (an example of an operating member) that operates the switch 24. Therefore, by simply operating the trigger 25, it is possible to switch between discharging grease and not discharging grease, which improves usability. The switch trigger 22 has a trigger 25 (an example of a speed change operation unit) that can change the rotation speed of the motor 10. Therefore, the amount of grease discharged can be easily changed by adjusting the amount of depression of the trigger 25.

[0024] Tank 2 is circular in plan and has a volume of at least 16 liters. Therefore, a large amount of grease can be stored, and even if there are many points to be lubricated, the grease is less likely to run out. A display unit 16 is provided to display the remaining capacity of the battery pack 5 . Therefore, the battery pack 5 can be replaced or charged before the battery runs out, making it difficult to interrupt work for long periods of time. The battery pack 5 is covered by a battery base 26 and an opening / closing cover 27 (an example of a cover). This can prevent the grease from adhering to the battery connector 29 and the battery pack 5.

[0025] A modification of the first embodiment will now be described. The number of battery packs is not limited to one, and multiple battery packs may be provided. Figures 4, 5, and 6 show an example in which three battery packs 5 are provided. One battery pack 5 is provided on the top surface of the cover 3 as in Figures 1 to 3. The other two battery packs 5, 5 are provided above and below on the rear side of the frame 30 of the carrier 6. In this case, each of the upper and lower battery packs 5 is attached to a battery connector 29 in each battery base 26 attached to the rear surface of the frame 30, and the entire battery pack is covered by the battery base 26 and the opening and closing cover 27. The three battery packs 5 are connected in parallel and used one by one in order by the controller 14. However, two or three battery packs 5 may be connected in series and used simultaneously. By providing a plurality of battery packs 5 in this manner, continuous use for long periods of time is possible, and interruptions to work due to replacement of the battery packs 5, etc. can be reduced. The number and arrangement of the battery packs can be changed as appropriate and are not limited to the examples in Figures 4 to 6. For example, the battery pack on the top of the lid may be eliminated, leaving only two battery packs on the rear side of the frame. Only one battery pack may be provided on either the top or bottom of the rear side of the frame. The battery packs do not all need to have the same rated voltage.

[0026] If the temperature of the working environment is low, such as in winter or in a cold region, the grease may harden and become difficult to dispense, so it is desirable to provide a grease heating means in the tank. 4 to 6 show an example in which an electric heater, which is an example of a heating means, is provided in the tank. Here, a first electric heater 40 is provided on the circumferential surface of the tank 2, and a second electric heater 41 is provided on the bottom surface of the tank 2. Each electric heater 40, 41 is configured by arranging an electric heating wire in a planar shape (for example, a meandering shape) in a flexible sheet, and generates heat when energized from the controller 14 to heat the outer surface of the tank 2. The first electric heater 40 is a strip having a predetermined width in the vertical direction and is wound around the circumferential surface of the tank 2. The second electric heater 41 is a circular shape in a plan view and is interposed between the tank holder 2a that covers the bottom of the tank 2 from below and the bottom surface of the tank 2. Both electric heaters 40, 41 may be energized at the same time as the switches 23, 24 are turned on, or a switch for selecting the energization of both electric heaters 40, 41 may be provided separately in the case 15. The power source for these electric heaters 40, 41 is the battery pack 5 that drives the pump unit 11. However, the electric heaters 40, 41 and the pump unit 11 may be supplied with power from different power sources (for example, different battery packs if there are multiple battery packs).

[0027] By providing the first and second electric heaters 40, 41 in this way, it is possible to heat the grease by heating the tank 2 from the outside. Therefore, even if the temperature of the working environment is low, the grease does not harden, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in workability due to poor discharge. It is to be noted that only one of the first and second electric heaters may be provided instead of both. The form of the electric heater itself may be changed as appropriate. The number of electric heaters may be increased. The electric heater may be provided inside the tank.

[0028] The form of the pump unit can also be changed as appropriate. An example of a grease discharge device with a modified pump unit is shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9. In the grease discharge device 1A, the pump unit 4A is not a pump unit using a fan, but is provided with a plunger-type pump unit 42 in a case 15, which sucks grease by moving a plunger up and down by a crank mechanism, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. The case 15 is provided with a protruding portion 43 extending rearward. In the protruding portion 43, a gear portion 44, a motor 10, and a controller 14 are arranged in this order from the front, and a battery connector 29 is provided at the rear end of the protruding portion 43. When the motor 10 is driven, the plunger of the pump unit 42 moves up and down via the gear portion 44, and grease is sucked from the suction pipe 12.

[0029] In the grease discharge device 1A, the direction of the protruding portion 43 is not limited to the rearward direction, and it may protrude in the left / right direction or upward direction. A battery base that covers the battery pack 5 may be provided at the end of the protruding portion 43 as shown in Fig. 1. If the protruding portion 43 protrudes upward, the battery connector 29 and the battery pack 5 do not protrude outside the tank 2 in a plan view, making the device compact in the front / rear direction. Also, with other configurations, the pump unit 4A can be disposed within the range of the outer diameter of the tank 2. For example, the center of the front-rear length of the pump unit 4A and the battery pack 5 in FIG. 7 to 9 also show a modified example of the moving means. In this example, instead of a carrier, a plurality of casters 45, 45... are provided on the bottom surface of the tank 2 to enable it to be moved. In this way, by using a plurality of casters 45 provided on the bottom surface of the tank 2 as the moving means, the moving means can be made compact. A stopper may be provided on the caster 45. A handle may be provided on the upper surface of the lid 3. First and second electric heaters 40, 41 may be provided on the tank 2 as shown in FIG.

[0030] The following modifications are common to the above-mentioned first embodiment and each of the modifications. The capacity of the tank is not limited to 16 L. Even the grease discharge device according to the second configuration of the present disclosure, which includes a tank having a capacity of 10 L or more, a pump unit that sucks grease in the tank by driving a motor and discharges it to the outside, and a removable battery that drives the pump unit, can be suitably used in heavy machinery with many oiling points. The tank is not limited to being circular when viewed from above, but may be of other shapes such as an oval, a rectangle, or a polygon when viewed from above. The lid is not limited to a structure that is removable from the tank, but may be connected to the tank so as to be openable and closable by a hinge. A grease refill port may be provided on the lid or the tank. The gear shift operation unit for changing the rotation speed of the motor is not limited to the trigger of a switch trigger. Other gear shift operation units such as a dial may be provided as the gear shift operation unit. The gear shift operation unit may be omitted. In each of the above examples, the first coupler and the switch are selectively connected to the switch trigger, but only one of them may be connected. The switch and the controller may communicate wirelessly instead of via a wire.

[0031] The battery is not limited to a battery pack for power tools. The shape and rated voltage of the battery may be changed as appropriate. The shape of the battery base can also be changed as appropriate. In the examples of Figures 1 to 6, the opening and closing cover may be omitted. The transportation means may be omitted and the tank may be placed directly on the ground. The display unit is not limited to displaying the remaining battery capacity, but can also display other information. For example, it can display the amount of grease dispensed to the lubrication points from when the switch is turned on until it is turned off. Also, a sensor can be provided to detect the temperature and amount of grease stored in the tank, and the temperature and remaining amount of grease detected by the sensor can be displayed. A sight glass may be provided in the tank to allow the remaining amount of grease to be known. The controller may be provided with an AC / DC converter to allow a power cord to be connected so that it can also be used with commercial power. EXAMPLES

[0032] Next, another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The grease discharge device 1B shown in FIG. 10 has a horizontally long rectangular shape in a plan view, and includes an upper cartridge storage tank (hereinafter referred to as the "storage tank") 50 and a lower case 51. As shown in FIG. 11, four cartridges 52, 52... are stored in the storage tank 50 in a line in the left-right direction. Each cartridge 52 is filled with about 500 milliliters of grease. Therefore, the storage tank 50 can store about 2 liters of grease. Four receiving rings 53, 53... protruding upward are formed in a line in the left-right direction on the bottom surface of the storage tank 50. Each cartridge 52 is supported in the up-down direction by being gripped at its lower end by each receiving ring 53. A through hole 54 is formed in the bottom of the storage tank 50 at the center of each receiving ring 53. The lower end of each cartridge 52 is closed by a cushion rubber 55, and an outlet 56 provided in the center of the cushion rubber 55 protrudes into the case 51 through the through hole 54. Each outlet 56 is connected to one of four branch pipes 57, 57, ..., which are branched from the suction pipe 12 within the case 51. The upper end of each cartridge 52 is closed by a rubber seal 58 to prevent air from entering. A cartridge cover 60 is provided on the top of the storage tank 50. The front of the cartridge cover 60 is rotatably connected to the storage tank 50 by a hinge 61. A latch 62 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the storage tank 50 is provided on the back of the cartridge cover 60, so that the top of the storage tank 50 can be opened and closed as desired.

[0033] The pump unit 4B is accommodated in the case 51. The pump unit 4B is disposed on the right side of the case 51, with the motor 10 below and the pump section 11 above. The motor 10 is the inner rotor type brushless motor described in the first embodiment. The fan 11a is disposed in the pump section 11 at the upper part of the motor 10. The four cartridges 52 are connected to the suction pipe 12 connected to the pump section 11 via the branch pipes 57. The discharge pipe 13 is connected to the right side of the pump section 11, penetrates the right side of the case 51, protrudes to the right, and then bends forward. A display section 16 is disposed on the right side of the case 51 above the discharge pipe 13. The controller 14 is disposed below the motor 10. An intake port 17 is formed on the bottom surface of the case 51 below the controller 14, and an exhaust port 18 is formed on the right side of the case 51 to the right of the motor 10. A cutout 63 is formed on the lower left side of the case 51 on the left side of the pump unit 4B. A battery base 65 is attached so as to fit exactly into the cutout 63. A battery connector 29 is fixed to the upper surface of the battery base 65. A part of the battery base 65 is an opening / closing cover 66 in which parts of the left side surface, front / rear surface, and bottom surface are integrated. The opening / closing cover 66 is connected to the battery base 65 on the bottom surface by a hinge 67 and has a latch 68 on the left side surface, so that the left side surface of the battery base 65 can be opened and closed by rotating about the hinge 67. The battery connector 29 is provided on the upper surface of the cutout 63 in a horizontal direction. The battery pack 5 is slid into the battery connector 29 from the left side with the opening / closing cover 66 open.

[0034] A harness 70 is provided on the front surface of the grease discharge device 1B. The harness 70 includes a backrest portion 71 and a pair of left and right belts 72, 72. The backrest portion 71 is attached across the front surface of the storage tank 50 and the front surface of the case 51. The belts 72, 72 are connected to the backrest portion 71 at upper and lower ends on the left and right sides.

[0035] The grease discharge device 1B configured as above can be carried on the back by putting both arms through the left and right belts 72, 72 with the cartridge 52 accommodated in the accommodation tank 50 and the battery pack 5 attached to the battery connector 29 in the battery base 65. Then, when the ON button 23a of the switch 23 or the trigger 25 is pressed while the coupler 21A or 21B is connected to the oiling point of the heavy machinery or the like, the controller 14 drives the motor 10. Then, the pump section 11 of the pump unit 4B is operated to suck the grease in each cartridge 52 from the suction pipe 12 through each branch pipe 57 and discharge it from the discharge pipe 13. The discharged grease is discharged from the coupler 21A or 21B through the flexible hose 20 and supplied to the oiling point. When the OFF button 23b of the switch 23 is pressed or the trigger 25 is released from the pressing, the drive of the motor 10 is stopped and the discharge of the grease is stopped. Since the worker is carrying the grease discharge device 1B on his back, he can move to the next oiling location as is. When grease is to be supplied into the storage tank 50, the cartridge 52 may be replaced with a new one while the openable cover 66 is open.

[0036] Thus, the grease discharge device 1B of the above-mentioned Example 2 includes a shoulder-type storage tank 50 (an example of a tank) capable of storing approximately 2 liters of grease, a pump unit 4B that sucks up the grease in the storage tank 50 by driving the motor 10 and discharges it to the outside, and a detachable battery pack 5 that drives the pump unit 4B. According to this configuration, a large amount of grease can be stored in the shoulder-type storage tank 50. In addition, since the motor 10 that operates the pump unit 4B is driven by the battery pack 5, no power cord or air hose is required, which improves maneuverability and reduces restrictions on the work location. In particular, even if the oiling point is located in a high place, the worker can carry it on his back to the place and pour a large amount of grease through the coupler 21A or 21B.

[0037] Furthermore, the grease discharge device 1B of the above-mentioned Example 2 includes a storage tank 50 (an example of a tank) in which grease is stored, a pump unit 4B connected to the storage tank 50, a motor 10 that drives the pump unit 4B, a battery pack 5 capable of supplying power to the motor 10, and a trigger 25 separated from the pump unit 4B and enabling power to be supplied from the battery pack 5 to the motor 10 by a specified operation. According to this configuration, the motor 10 that operates the pump unit 4B is driven by the battery pack 5, eliminating the need for a power cord or air hose, improving maneuverability and minimizing restrictions on the location of work. In addition, the pump unit 4B is operated by operating a trigger 25 separated from the pump unit 4B, allowing the operator to easily control the start and stop of grease supply at hand.

[0038] The storage tank 50 is of a backpack type equipped with a harness 70 for carrying on the back. Therefore, the grease discharging device 1B can be moved together with the worker. The storage tank 50 stores a plurality of cartridges 52 filled with grease, and the pump unit 4B sucks the grease from the cartridges 52. Therefore, the supply and replenishment of grease to the storage tank 50 can be easily performed by the cartridge 52. The storage tank 50 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. Therefore, the storage tank 50 becomes easy to carry on one's back and the amount of grease that can be stored can be secured. The pump unit 4B and the battery pack 5 are disposed below the storage tank 50. Therefore, the heavy storage tank 50 is located at the top, which reduces the burden on the operator. Supply and replenishment of grease can also be easily performed from the top of the storage tank 50.

[0039] A modification of the second embodiment will now be described. The grease heating means can also be provided in a backpack-type storage tank 50. An example is shown in Figures 12 and 13. Here, a belt-shaped first electric heater 40 that wraps around the four cartridges 52 is disposed inside the storage tank 50. In addition, a second electric heater 41 is disposed between the bottom surface of the storage tank 50 and the cushion rubber 55 of each cartridge 52, excluding the outlet 56. By providing the first and second electric heaters 40, 41 in this way, it is possible to keep the grease warm by heating each cartridge 52 from the outside. Therefore, even if the temperature of the working environment is low, the grease does not harden, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in workability due to poor discharge. It is to be noted that only one of the first and second electric heaters may be provided instead of both. The form of the electric heater itself may be changed as appropriate. The number of electric heaters may be increased and provided for each cartridge. The electric heater may also be provided on the outside of the tank.

[0040] 14 shows an example of a grease discharge device 1B in which the number of cartridges 52 is eight. The front-to-rear width of the storage tank 50 is increased, and two rows of four cartridges 52 are provided in a front-to-rear direction. The number of cartridges 52 is not limited to this example, and can be increased or decreased as appropriate. The arrangement can also be changed as appropriate. The shape and size of the cartridges are not limited to the above example. The harness is not limited to two parallel belts on the left and right, but may be, for example, a cross-type belt that crosses in front of the chest. The length of the belt may be adjustable.

[0041] The tank may not house a cartridge. An example is shown in Figures 15 and 16. In this grease discharge device 1C, the grease G can be stored directly in the tank 50a. The storage volume is 3.4 liters. An inner lid 7 is provided in the tank 50a. An outlet 73 is formed in the center of the bottom surface of the tank 50a, and a suction pipe 12 is connected to the outlet 73. In this case, the cartridge cover 60 is opened and the inner lid 7 is removed, and the grease is supplied directly from above into the tank 50a. A refill port 75 that is normally closed by a cap 74 is provided on the side of the tank 50a. By removing the cap 74, a loader fitting can be attached to the refill port 75 to refill grease directly from a pail can or the like. By providing the refill port 75 in this way and attaching a loader fitting, it is possible to easily refill grease without opening the cartridge cover 60. However, the refill port is not necessary.

[0042] 16 also shows an example in which an electric heater 76 is provided inside the tank 50a. The electric heater 76 is placed on the bottom surface of the tank 50a and has a rectangular shape in a plan view, with a through hole 77 formed in the center to connect the outlet 73 to the inside of the tank 50a. This electric heater can be provided not only on the bottom surface of the tank 50a, but also on the inside surface. It can also be provided on the outer surface of the tank 50a. 15 and 16 also show an example of a tank provided with a shoulder belt 79 instead of a harness. Belt connectors 78, 78 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the tank 50a. Both ends of a shoulder belt 79 that crosses above the tank 50a in the left-right direction are connected to the belt connectors 78, 78. Thus, the worker can support the grease discharge device 1C by carrying it on his / her shoulder using the shoulder belt 79. In this way, even if the tank 50a is of a shoulder-carrying type equipped with a shoulder belt 79, the grease discharging device 1C can be moved together with the operator. Even if the device is shoulder-mounted, the tank may contain a cartridge.

[0043] The following modifications are common to the second embodiment and each of the modifications. The shape of the pump unit and the number of battery packs can be changed as appropriate. FIG. 17 shows a pump unit 4C in which the motor 10, pump section 11, and controller 14 are arranged in the left-right direction in a case 51 in a grease discharge device 1D having a storage tank 50 that stores eight cartridges 52. The pump section 11 is of a plunger type and is arranged in the center in the left-right direction on the upper side of the case 51. The motor 10 is arranged to the left of the pump section 11, and the controller 14 is arranged to the left of the motor 10. In this case, the intake port 17 is provided on the left side of the case 51 to the left of the controller 14 (not shown). The exhaust port 18 is provided on the rear surface of the case 51 behind the motor 10 (not shown). The display section 16 is provided on the left side of the case 51 above the intake port (not shown).

[0044] 17 also shows an example in which two battery packs 5 are provided. The battery base 65 is formed long in the left-right direction below the case 51, and has an opening / closing cover 66 that is integrated with parts of the rear, left and right side surfaces, and bottom surface. The bottom surface of the opening / closing cover 66 is connected to the battery base 65 by a hinge 67, and a latch 68 is provided on the rear surface of the opening / closing cover 66 to enable the rear surface of the battery base 65 to be opened and closed. Two battery connectors 29 are provided on the left and right sides of the bottom surface of the case 51 inside the battery base 65, and the battery packs 5 are slid into each of them from the front. Here, because the front-to-rear width of the battery base 65 is large, the battery pack 5 can be accommodated in the front-to-rear direction with the battery connector 29 facing in the front-to-rear direction. If the left-to-right width of the battery base 65 is large, two battery packs 5, 5 can be slid in the left-to-right direction from the left and right side surfaces and accommodated back-to-back. Three or more battery packs may be accommodated.

[0045] As another layout of the pump unit and the battery relative to the tank, as shown in FIG. 18, a grease discharge device 1E may be used in which the plunger type pump section 11 is disposed below the tank 50b, and the motor 10, the controller 14, and the battery pack 5 are disposed to the left of the tank 50b. This may be reversed. The pump section 11 may be of the plunger type. The tank 50b may be of the cartridge type or may be of the structure that directly stores the grease, and may be of the back-carrying type or the shoulder-carrying type. Also, as shown in Fig. 19, a grease discharge device 1F may be configured such that a plunger-type pump unit 11 is disposed below the tank 50b, and the motor 10, controller 14, and battery pack 5 are disposed behind the tank 50b. In this case, the pump unit 11 may be of the plunger type. The tank 50b may be of the cartridge type or may be configured to directly store grease, and may be of the back-carrying type or shoulder-carrying type.

[0046] The capacity of the tank is not limited to the above examples, and as long as it can supply at least 1 liter of grease, it can accommodate multiple oiling locations. The tank is not limited to a rectangular shape in plan view, and may be other shapes such as a circular shape, semicircular shape, or elliptical shape in plan view. The lid may be removable without being connected by a hinge. The discharge pipe may protrude from the left side of the case instead of the right side. The gear shift operation unit for changing the rotation speed of the motor is not limited to the trigger of a switch trigger. Other operation units such as a dial may be provided as the gear shift operation unit. The gear shift operation unit may be omitted. In each of the above examples, the first coupler and the switch are selectively connected to the switch trigger, but only one of them may be connected. The switch and the controller may communicate wirelessly instead of via a wire. The battery is not limited to a battery pack for power tools. The shape and rated voltage of the battery may be changed as appropriate. The shape of the battery base can also be changed as appropriate. The battery base may be omitted. The display unit is not limited to displaying the remaining battery capacity, but can also display other information. For example, it can display the amount of grease dispensed to the lubrication points from when the switch is turned on until it is turned off. In addition, a sensor can be provided to detect the temperature and amount of grease stored in the tank, and the temperature and remaining amount of grease detected by the sensor can be displayed. The controller may be provided with an AC / DC converter to allow a power cord to be connected so that it can also be used with commercial power.

[0047] A grease lubrication system according to the third configuration of the present disclosure can be constructed in which a battery pack is shared between a conventional portable grease dispensing device that stores 1 liter or less of grease and the grease dispensing device of the present disclosure. 20 shows an example of a grease lubrication system S, showing a grease gun 100 as a portable grease discharging device. Grease gun 100 (an example of a first grease discharging device) has, in a housing 101, a motor 102 (an example of a first motor) and a plunger-type pump section 103 (an example of a first pump section) driven by motor 102, and also has a tank 104 (an example of a first tank) that contains a cartridge filled with 1 liter or less of grease. A battery pack 5 is attached to a battery connector 105 provided in housing 101. Therefore, a grease lubrication system S can be constructed that includes this grease gun 100, for example, the grease discharge device 1 of Example 1 (an example of a second grease discharge device), and one battery pack 5 capable of supplying power to the motor 102 and the motor 10. In this case, the tank 2 is an example of a second tank, the motor 10 is an example of a second motor, and the pump unit 11 is an example of a second pump unit.

[0048] In this grease lubrication system S, for example, the battery pack 5 can be attached to the grease gun 100 in a narrow place where a tank cannot be placed, and the battery pack 5 can be attached to the grease discharge device 1 in a relatively large place where there are many places to lubricate. This improves the workability of the lubrication work and reduces the number of battery packs used. The grounded type grease discharge device may be one of the other embodiments or modified examples, or a shoulder-type grease discharge device may be incorporated into the system so that a battery pack is shared between the multiple grease discharge devices and the grease gun of the present disclosure. Figure 20 also shows an example in which the grease discharge device 1B having the shoulder-type storage tank 50 shown in Figure 11 is incorporated into the system. Also, a system may be considered in which a battery pack is shared between a grease discharge device having a backpack-type tank and a grease discharge device having a shoulder-type tank. In each system, a plurality of battery packs may be shared. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1,1A~1F··Grease discharge device, 2,50a,50b··Tank, 3··Lid, 4,4A~4C··Pump unit, 5··Battery pack, 6··Carrier, 10··Motor, 11,42··Pump section, 12··Suction pipe, 13··Discharge pipe, 14··Controller, 15,51··Case, 16··Display section, 21A,21B··Coupler, 22··Switch trigger, 23,24··Switch, 25··Trigger, 26,65··Battery base, 27,66··Opening and closing cover, 29··Battery connector, 30··Frame, 31··Tire, 32··Handle, 50··Cartridge storage tank, 52··Cartridge, 70··Harness, 72··Belt, 79··Shoulder belt, G··Grease, S··Grease lubrication system.

Claims

1. a grounded tank having an open top for storing grease; A lid that closes the top surface of the tank; a pump unit connected to the lid and configured to suck grease from the tank and discharge it to the outside by driving a motor; a removable battery for driving the pump unit; A grease discharging device comprising:

2. The grease dispensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the battery is provided on an upper surface of the lid.

3. The grease discharging device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the batteries are provided.

4. 4. The grease discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the tank is provided with a moving means.

5. 5. The grease dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the moving means comprises tires.

6. 6. The grease dispensing device of claim 5, wherein the moving means comprises a handle.

7. 7. The grease dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein the handle is height adjustable.

8. 5. The grease dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the moving means is a plurality of casters provided on the bottom surface of the tank.

9. The motor is provided with an operating unit for turning the motor on and off. a first coupler that can be connected to a grease supply destination at a discharge port of the pump unit; 9. The grease discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the motor is selectively connectable to a second coupler that is provided with a second operating portion that controls the motor and is connectable to a grease supply destination.

10. The grease discharging device according to claim 9 , wherein the second operating portion includes at least a switch for turning on / off the drive of the motor, and an operating member for operating the switch.

11. The grease discharging device according to claim 10 , wherein the second operating portion has a speed change operating portion capable of changing a rotation speed of the motor.

12. 12. The grease dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the tank is circular in plan view and has a volume of at least 16 liters.

13. 13. The grease discharging device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for displaying at least a remaining capacity of the battery.

14. 14. The grease discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the battery is covered by a cover.

15. 15. The grease discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the tank is provided with a heating means for heating the grease.

16. a tank having a capacity of 10 liters or more and a grounded type tank having an open top for storing grease; a pump unit that sucks the grease in the tank and discharges it to the outside by driving a motor; a removable battery for driving the pump unit; A grease discharging device comprising:

17. a first grease discharge device including a first tank capable of storing 1 liter or less of grease and a first pump driven by a first motor to discharge the grease in the first tank; a second grease discharge device including a second tank capable of storing 10 liters or more of grease and a second pump driven by a second motor to discharge the grease in the second tank; a battery capable of supplying power to the first motor and the second motor; A grease lubrication system comprising:

Images