Progressive dispenser

Abstract

A progressive dispenser for lubricant is disclosed, comprising a housing block, wherein the housing block comprises a lubricant inlet aperture through which lubricant is introduced into the progressive dispenser and a plurality of lubricant outlet apertures through which a metered amount of lubricant can be dispensed to a consumer device connected to the respective lubricant outlet aperture, at least two metering pistons are provided in the housing, which are accommodated in associated piston apertures, wherein each metering piston is configured such that it defines, together with the piston aperture, two annular spaces which are configured as working spaces for the lubricant, and wherein at the end of the piston aperture two metering spaces are provided, respectively, for the axial movement of the metering piston in the piston aperture, wherein a first and a second switching aperture are provided, each fluidically connecting a working space and a metering space, wherein the first switching aperture is provided laterally offset on a first side of a central plane and the second switching aperture is provided laterally offset on a second side of the central plane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a progressive distributor. Background Technology

[0002] A progressive distributor, or progressive lubricant system, is used to divide the lubricant supplied by a pump into multiple portions and supply it to multiple lubrication points / consumption devices. A key design feature of this distributor is called a block distributor. In this type of progressive distributor, a steel block (housing) forms a machined base into which a piston dispensing lubricant is inserted. For this purpose, an orifice is introduced into the housing block, into which a metering piston is inserted, which in turn supplies lubricant through a common lubricant inlet orifice.

[0003] Here, each metering piston supplies lubricant to two lubrication points / consumption devices through its respective outlet. Furthermore, the lubricant dosage measured by each metering piston is the same for each metering piston and cannot be changed. The progressive dispenser specifically requires the metering piston to move continuously from a first position to a second position to dispense lubricant at the lubricant outlet, or to apply corresponding pressure to the metering piston to move it from the first position to the second position. In other words, a corresponding metering piston can only move if the metering piston preceding it in the metering piston sequence has already moved. For this purpose, a connecting hole is provided that connects the last metering piston in the sequence to the first metering piston, such that the first metering piston moves backward only after the last metering piston has moved.

[0004] To connect the first and last metering pistons, the connecting holes must extend through the entire progressive distributor, making them relatively long. This results in these connecting holes typically containing more lubricant, or having a volume larger than a single metering piston stroke or the volume moved by that stroke. This causes the lubricant in these connecting holes to move back and forth instead of being replaced by new lubricant. This is problematic, especially for grease, which hardens with age and can clog the connecting holes. This leads to higher pressure, increased oil-grease separation, and ultimately progressive distributor failure. Furthermore, the holes may contain air. This air is easily compressible, causing inaccurate lubricant measurements. Additionally, these long connecting holes are difficult to manufacture, especially in progressive distributors that include multiple metering pistons. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a progressive dispenser in which the lubricant is easier to replace in all the connection holes of the progressive dispenser compared to a conventional progressive dispenser.

[0006] This objective is achieved by a progressive allocator according to claim 1 of the patent.

[0007] The following describes a progressive dispenser for lubricants, comprising a housing block, wherein the housing block includes a lubricant inlet orifice and a plurality of lubricant outlet orifices. Lubricant is introduced into the progressive dispenser through the lubricant inlet orifices, and a corresponding measured amount of lubricant is dispensed through the lubricant outlet orifices to a consumption device connected to the respective lubricant outlet orifice. At least two metering pistons are provided for dispensing the measured amount of lubricant. These metering pistons are housed in associated piston orifices, and each metering piston is configured such that it, together with the piston orifice, defines two annular spaces, which constitute a working space for the lubricant. Each working space is fluidly connected to a lubricant outlet orifice. Furthermore, at the ends of the piston orifices, two metering spaces are respectively provided for metering the axial movement of the pistons within the piston orifices. Additionally, at least two piston orifices are stacked vertically along a first axis, such that the central axes are parallel to each other and define a central plane.

[0008] To connect the two metering pistons to each other, making it possible to replace the lubricant in the connection, first and second switching holes are provided, each fluidly connecting the working space and the metering space, wherein the first switching hole is laterally offset on a first side of the central plane, and the second switching hole is laterally offset on a second side of the central plane.

[0009] In other words, the working space and the metering space can be connected by a switching hole, which extends obliquely from the first metering piston to the second metering piston without intersecting or crossing, as each is located on one side of the central plane. Therefore, the switching hole can be designed to be shorter, making lubricant replacement easier and simplifying the manufacturing process of the switching hole.

[0010] The central axis of the corresponding switching orifice preferably extends parallel to the central plane. Alternatively, the central axis of the corresponding switching orifice can be configured such that it does not intersect the central plane between the associated metering space and its associated working space. This prevents switching orifice crossing and piston switching.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, a first switching orifice connects the first working space of the first piston to the second metering space of the second piston, and a second switching orifice connects the second working space of the first piston to the first metering space of the second piston. This enables the subsequent movement of the second piston through the movement of the first piston, thereby achieving the transition from the first piston to the second piston.

[0012] The volume of the corresponding switching orifice is preferably smaller than the volume that moves or is movable during the piston stroke. This ensures that the lubricant contained in the switching orifice is completely replaced when the relevant piston is actuated. The smaller volume in the switching orifice and the associated permanent lubricant replacement particularly improve the lubricant seepage behavior, making even grease usable as a lubricant in the progressive distributor. For example, the volume of the switching orifice can be half the size of the working space volume.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the piston orifice is a through-hole extending through the housing and is fluid-tightly closed on both sides by sealing baffles that are releasably connected to the housing but closed in a fluid-tight manner, and the piston orifice, together with the sealing baffles, defines a metering space. In particular, a cavity can be provided in the sealing cover. Therefore, on the one hand, it can be ensured that the metering piston has sufficient space for its stroke.

[0014] The diameter of the piston orifice in the metering space is preferably larger than the lateral offset of one of the switching orifices from the central plane. This has a particular advantage in that the switching orifice can be positioned in a larger metering space compared to the piston orifice. This advantageously ensures that the lateral offset of the switching orifice is sufficiently large.

[0015] According to another preferred embodiment, an auxiliary hole is provided, which fluidly connects the working space and the switching hole. In other words, the switching hole extends almost into the working space, and the auxiliary hole connects the switching hole to the working space. This particularly improves the accuracy of the connection between the switching hole and the working space. Furthermore, this simplifies the manufacturing of the switching hole. The auxiliary hole preferably extends perpendicularly to the central plane from one side of the housing into the working space, wherein the auxiliary hole is fluidly sealed outwards by a sealing cap. Here, the auxiliary hole can preferably be shorter than the switching hole. Shorter and / or linearly extending holes can be achieved with higher precision. Furthermore, by means of the auxiliary hole extending perpendicularly to the central plane from one side of the housing into the working space, the switching hole can be prevented from tilting into the working space. This also has the advantage that the final connection hole between the working space and the switching hole is smaller.

[0016] According to another preferred embodiment, the progressive dispenser includes at least two additional metering pistons housed in associated piston orifices, wherein the two metering pistons and at least two additional metering pistons are arranged in two stacked layers, such that at least one metering piston and at least one additional metering piston are provided in each layer. Due to the stacked arrangement, the connection holes and / or switching holes can be kept shorter, thereby allowing for faster replacement of the lubricant in the connection holes and / or switching holes.

[0017] According to another preferred embodiment, a blind piston is provided in at least one piston bore, which permanently seals the lubricant inlet bore and two lubricant outlet bores, and includes at least one bypass connection that fluidly connects the two connection bores to each other, so as to transfer lubricant through the blind piston to a connection bore leading to the next piston bore. This allows for the provision of a modular progressive dispenser.

[0018] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are described in detail in the specification, drawings, and claims. In particular, the combinations of features specified in the specification and drawings are merely exemplary, and thus these features may also exist individually or in other combinations.

[0019] The invention will now be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings. Here, the exemplary embodiments and combinations shown are purely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The scope is defined only by the pending claims. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 A perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of the progressive allocator is provided;

[0021] Figure 2 It shows the way Figure 1 First cross-sectional view of the progressive allocator;

[0022] Figure 3 It shows the crossing Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the open cross-section of the progressive distributor;

[0023] Figure 4 The diagram shows the central axis along the auxiliary hole. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the progressive allocator; and

[0024] Figure 5 It shows the central axis along the piston bore. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an asymptotic allocator.

[0025] In the following text, identical or functionally equivalent elements are indicated by the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Figure 1 A perspective view of a progressive dispenser 1 with a block-like construction is shown. For this purpose, the progressive dispenser 1 typically includes a housing block 2 into which multiple holes are introduced. Figure 2 and 3 As can be seen from the cross-sectional view, the housing 2 includes a piston hole 4, in which the metering piston 6 can be accommodated.

[0027] The progressive distributor 1 specifically includes four piston holes 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, and 4-4, which are arranged in pairs, stacked in two rows or two layers S1, S2. That is, piston hole 4-4 is located on piston hole 4-1, and piston hole 4-3 is located on piston hole 4-2, wherein piston hole 4-1 is located near piston hole 4-2, and piston hole 4-3 is located near piston hole 4-4. Alternatively, the progressive distributor may also include only two piston holes 4, or more than four, for example, up to 20 piston holes. Figure 1 In this configuration, the four piston holes 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, and 4-4 are located behind the corresponding sealing caps 26-1, 26-2, 26-3, and 26-4 that seal the piston holes 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, and 4-4 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0028] Each piston bore 4 has its own central axis A, and the central axes A of the two stacked piston bores 4 each have a central plane M and a plane E perpendicular to M. Plane E thus separates layers S1 and S2 from each other.

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic diagram is shown, in which two layers with piston holes are folded apart and shown as stacked. This means that the switching holes 8-1, 8-2 (in...) Figure 2 The auxiliary holes 30-1 and 30-2 (shown at the upper and lower edges) merge with each other. Figure 3 This shows a view of the progressive allocator 1 cut along line M. From Figure 2 As can be seen more precisely, the piston bores 4 are connected to each other via connecting holes 10. Through these connecting holes 10, lubricant is guided from one piston bore 4 to another, or through the lubricant outlet hole 14. Figure 2 and 3 It is guided to the lubricant outlet 16.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment of the progressive distributor 1 shown, lubricant can be guided to the corresponding lubricant outlet 14 (see [example description needed]) via connecting holes 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-6 between piston holes 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 and 4-4. Figure 2 and 3 Therefore, for example, in the operating state of the progressive distributor 1, lubricant can be transferred from piston bore 4-1 to piston bore 4-2 via connecting bore 10-1, and from there to piston bore 4-3 via connecting bore 10-2. The lubricant can then be transferred from there through working space 22-1, configured as an annular space 11, to lubricant outlet bore 14-1 and lubricant outlet 16-1.

[0031] Especially as Figure 2 and 3As shown, each metering piston 6 is movably disposed in a piston bore 4 and alternatively releases one of the lubricant outlet bores associated with the corresponding metering piston, such as 14-1 or 14-5. Furthermore, the housing includes a lubricant inlet bore 12 through which lubricant is supplied to the respective piston bores 4.

[0032] Since the main function of the progressive distributor is known and unchanged, an explanation of its function and how the metering piston 6 moves is omitted. However, since the progressive distributor 1 is based on the fact that the metering piston 6 moves continuously from a first position to a second position to dispense lubricant at the lubricant outlet 16, or that pressure is applied to the metering piston 6 to move it from the first position to the second position, the first and last piston holes 4-1 and 4-4 must also be connected to each other. In known progressive distributors, the connecting holes that connect the first and last piston holes pass through the entire progressive distributor and are therefore relatively long. This results in these connecting holes typically containing more lubricant or having a volume larger than that of a metering piston stroke or the volume moved by the piston stroke. Therefore, the lubricant in these connecting holes can only move back and forth, which means that the lubricant in the connecting holes cannot be replaced and replaced with new lubricant.

[0033] To connect the two piston holes 4-1 and 4-4 to each other, allowing for the most complete possible replacement of the lubricant in the connection, first and second switching holes 8-1 and 8-2 are provided. Figure 2 Each fluid connection includes a working space 22 and a metering space 24. (e.g.) Figure 5 As shown, the first switching hole 8-1 is laterally offset on the first side of the central plane M, and the second switching hole is laterally offset on the second side of the central plane M. Furthermore, each working space 22 can be fluidly connected to the lubricant outlet hole 14.

[0034] In other words, the working spaces 22-4, 22-8 and the metering spaces 24-1, 24-5 are connected via switching holes 8-1, 8-2, such that the switching holes 8-1, 8-2 extend obliquely from the first piston hole 4-1 to the second piston hole 4-4, but do not intersect or cross, because each is located on one side of the central plane M. Figures 1 to 5 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the central axes of the corresponding switching holes 8-1, 8-2 extend parallel to the central plane M. Alternatively, the central axes of the switching holes 8-1, 8-2 may extend such that they do not intersect the central plane M between their associated metering spaces 24-1, 24-5 and their associated working spaces 22-4, 22-8.

[0035] like Figure 2 , 4As shown in Figure 5, the switching holes 8-1 and 8-2 have inclined extension holes 28-1 and 28-2 and auxiliary holes 30-1 and 30-2, which fluidly connect the working spaces 22-4 and 22-8 and the inclined extension holes 28-1 and 28-2. That is, the inclined extension holes 28-1 and 28-2 extend almost into the working spaces 22-4 and 22-8, and the auxiliary holes 30-1 and 30-2 connect the holes 28-1 and 28-2 to the working spaces 22-4 and 22-8. This significantly improves the accuracy of the connection between the switching holes 8-1 and 8-2 and the working spaces 22-4 and 22-8.

[0036] Here, auxiliary holes 30-1 and 30-2 can be drilled, for example, perpendicular to the central plane M from one side of the housing block 2 to the working spaces 22-4 and 22-8. Auxiliary holes 30-1 and 30-2 can be fluid-tightly closed outwards by fluid-tight caps (not shown), such as ball seals or plugs. Switching holes 8-1 and 8-2 can therefore be designed to be shorter, thereby facilitating lubricant replacement and simplifying manufacturing. For example, the volume of switching holes 8-1 and 8-2 can be smaller than the volume of piston stroke movement, for example, half its size.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, the sealing cap 26 includes a cavity 12, which, together with the piston bore 4, defines a metering space 24, thereby ensuring that the metering piston 6 has sufficient space for its stroke. Furthermore, the piston bore 4 is designed to have a larger diameter in the region of the metering space 24. Here, the diameter of the metering space 24 is larger than the lateral offset of one of the switching holes 8, which is set to be laterally offset from the central plane M.

[0038] In summary, using a progressive distributor allows for a shorter switching bore design, making it easier to change the lubricant within the switching bore. The stacked arrangement of the piston bores also simplifies the manufacturing of the switching bore, eliminating the need for complex drilling through the entire housing block.

[0039] List of reference numerals

[0040] 1. Progressive Allocator

[0041] 2. Shell Block

[0042] 4 Piston bore

[0043] 6 Metering piston

[0044] 8 Switching holes

[0045] 10 Connecting holes

[0046] 11. Circular Space

[0047] 12 cavities

[0048] 14 Lubricant outlet hole

[0049] 16 Lubricant outlet

[0050] 18 Lubricant inlet hole

[0051] 20 inner hole

[0052] 22 Workspace

[0053] 24 Measurement Space

[0054] 26. Sealing cap

[0055] 28 Inclined Hole

[0056] 30 auxiliary holes

[0057] A central axis

[0058] E plane

[0059] M center plane

[0060] S layer

Claims

1. A progressive dispenser (1) for a lubricant, comprising a housing block (2), wherein the housing block (2) includes a lubricant inlet orifice (18) and a plurality of lubricant outlet orifices (16), through which lubricant is introduced into the progressive dispenser (1), and a metered quantity of lubricant is dispensed through the lubricant outlet orifices (16) to a consumption device connected to a corresponding lubricant outlet orifice (16), wherein for dispensing the metered lubricant quantity, at least two metering pistons (6) are provided in the housing block (2), which are received in associated piston orifices (4), wherein each metering piston (6) is configured such that it, together with the piston orifice (4), defines two annular spaces (11), the annular spaces being configured as a working space (22) for the lubricant, and wherein two metering spaces (24) are respectively provided at the ends of the piston orifice (4) for axial movement of the metering piston (6) within the piston orifice (4), wherein, Furthermore, at least two piston holes (4) are stacked vertically along the first axis, such that the central axes (A1, A2) are parallel to each other and define a central plane (M). Its features are, Each fluid connection is provided with a first switching hole and a second switching hole, wherein the first switching hole (8-1) is laterally offset on the first side of the central plane (M), and the second switching hole (8-2) is laterally offset on the second side of the central plane (M).

2. The progressive allocator according to claim 1, wherein, The central axes (A1, A2) of the corresponding switching holes (8) extend parallel to the central plane (M).

3. The progressive allocator according to claim 1, wherein, The central axes (A1, A2) of the corresponding switching holes (8) do not intersect the central plane (M) between their associated metering space (24) and their associated working space (22).

4. The progressive allocator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first switching hole (8-1) connects the first working space (22) of the first metering piston (6) to the second metering space (24) of the second piston hole (4), and the second switching hole (8-2) connects the second working space (22) of the first metering piston (6) to the first metering space (24) of the second piston hole (4).

5. The progressive allocator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The volume of the corresponding switching hole (8) is smaller than the volume moved by the piston stroke.

6. The progressive allocator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The piston hole (4) is a through hole extending through the housing block and can be fluid-tightly closed on both sides by a sealing cap (26) that is releasably connected to the housing block but fluid-tightly closed, and the piston hole (4) together with the sealing cap (26) defines the metering space (24).

7. The progressive allocator according to claim 6, wherein, The diameter of the piston hole (4) in the region of the metering space (24) is greater than the lateral offset of one of the switching holes (8) set to be laterally displaced from the central plane (M).

8. The progressive allocator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, An auxiliary port (30) is provided, which is fluidly connected to the workspace (22) and the switching port (8).

9. The progressive allocator according to claim 8, wherein, The auxiliary hole (30) extends perpendicularly to the center plane (M) from one side of the housing block (2) to the working space (22), and wherein the auxiliary hole (30) is closed in a fluid-tight manner by a sealing cap (26).

10. The progressive allocator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The progressive dispenser includes at least two additional metering pistons (6) housed in associated piston holes (4), wherein the two metering pistons (6) and the at least two additional metering pistons (6) are arranged in two stacked layers such that at least one metering piston (6) and at least one additional metering piston (6) are provided in each layer.

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