Electric oil injector and method for injecting lubricating oil from electric oil injector

Abstract

The invention provides an electric oil injector and a method for injecting lubricating oil from the electric oil injector. An electric oil injector according to one aspect of the present invention is provided with a first manual switch, an electric motor, a drive circuit, a pump, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls the drive circuit so as to decelerate the electric motor from the preset rotational speed on the basis of the difference between (i) the set value and (ii) the measured value during the driving of the electric motor. The set value corresponds to a target number of reciprocation times of a plunger of the pump. The measured value corresponds to the measured number of reciprocation times of the plunger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electric oil injector. Background Art

[0002] US8,528,782B2 discloses a grease gun including a lubricating oil measuring system. The lubricating oil measuring system measures the number of strokes of the pump of the grease gun during the operation of the grease gun. When the measured number of strokes reaches a preset number, the lubricating oil measuring system stops the motor of the grease gun. The preset number corresponds to the expected amount of lubricating oil sprayed. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the above grease gun, when the motor is rotated at high speed to efficiently discharge lubricating oil, it may be difficult to stop the motor quickly. As a result, the lubricating oil measuring system may discharge excess lubricating oil from the grease gun from the start of stopping the motor until the motor actually stops.

[0004] One aspect of the present invention is preferably capable of providing a technology capable of shortening the time required to eject a desired amount of lubricating oil from an electric lubricator and suppressing ejection of excess lubricating oil from the electric lubricator.

[0005] In the present invention, the terms "first" and "second" are only intended to distinguish elements from each other, and are not intended to limit the order or quantity of the elements. Therefore, the first element may be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element may be referred to as the first element. In addition, the first element may be provided without the second element, and similarly, the second element may be provided without the first element.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides an electric lubricator including a first manual switch, an electric motor, a drive circuit, a pump, and a control circuit.

[0007] The first manual switch is configured to be manually operated by a user of the electric lubricator. The electric motor is configured to generate a driving force. The drive circuit is configured to drive the electric motor. The pump comprises a discharge port, a chamber and a plunger. The discharge port is connected to the chamber. The chamber is configured to accommodate lubricating oil. The plunger is configured to (i) be located in the chamber and (ii) reciprocate in the chamber by the driving force of the electric motor and cause the lubricating oil in the chamber to be discharged from the discharge port.

[0008] The control circuit is configured to execute a first action, a second action, a third action, and a fourth action, wherein in the first action, the drive circuit is controlled in such a manner that the electric motor rotates at a preset rotational speed in response to the first manual switch being manually operated, in the second action, the number of reciprocating times of the plunger is measured during the driving of the electric motor, in the third action, the drive circuit is controlled in such a manner that the electric motor decelerates from the preset rotational speed in response to a difference between (i) a set value and (ii) a measured value during the driving of the electric motor, the set value corresponding to a target reciprocating time of the plunger, and the measured value corresponding to a measured reciprocating time of the plunger, and in the fourth action, the drive circuit is controlled in such a manner that the driving of the electric motor is stopped in response to the measured value reaching the set value.

[0009] In the electric lubricator thus constructed, when the first manual switch is manually operated, the electric motor is driven at the preset rotational speed. If the preset rotational speed is set so as to be able to quickly eject the desired amount of lubricating oil, the time required to eject the desired amount of lubricating oil can be shortened. The electric motor then decelerates according to the difference between the set value and the measured value. Therefore, when the measured value reaches the set value and the driving of the electric motor is stopped, the actual rotational speed of the electric motor is lower than the preset rotational speed. As a result, the time required until the rotation of the electric motor stops can be shortened, and the ejection of excess lubricating oil from the electric lubricator can be suppressed.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for spraying lubricating oil from an electric lubricator, the method comprising the following steps: driving an electric motor of the electric lubricator at a preset rotational speed based on manual operation of a manual switch of the electric lubricator, the electric motor being configured to reciprocate a plunger of the electric lubricator; measuring the number of reciprocations of the plunger; controlling the electric motor in a manner that decelerates the electric motor from the preset rotational speed based on a difference between (i) a set value and (ii) a measured value, the set value corresponding to a target number of reciprocations of the plunger and the measured value corresponding to a measured number of reciprocations of the plunger; and stopping the driving of the electric motor based on the measured value reaching the set value.

[0011] According to such a method, the time required to eject a desired amount of lubricating oil from the electric lubricator can be shortened, and the ejection of excess lubricating oil from the electric lubricator can be suppressed.

[0012] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the electric lubricator according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a central longitudinal section view of the electric lubricator.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a top view of the operation panel of the electric lubricator.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram showing the electrical structure of an electric lubricator.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a functional block diagram of the control circuit of the electric lubricator.

[0018] Figure 6A to Figure 6B This is a timing chart for explaining the problems of the conventional technology for controlling the rotation speed of the electric motor to be constant.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a timing chart showing changes in the rotation speed of the electric motor according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the first control process.

[0021] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the first driving process.

[0022] Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the second driving process.

[0023] Fig.11 It is a timing chart showing changes in the rotation speed of the electric motor according to the first modification.

[0024] Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the third driving process.

[0025] Fig.13 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the fourth driving process.

[0026] Fig.14 It is a timing chart showing changes in the rotation speed of the electric motor according to the third modification.

[0027] Fig.15 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the second control process.

[0028] Fig.16 This is a functional block diagram of a control circuit according to the second embodiment.

[0029] Fig.17 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the third control process.

[0030] Fig.18 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the fifth driving process.

[0031] Fig.19 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the sixth driving process.

[0032] Fig. 20 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the seventh driving process.

[0033] Fig.21 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the eighth driving process.

[0034] Fig. 22 This is a flowchart showing the flow of the fourth control process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] 1. Summary of implementation methods

[0036] One embodiment may provide an electric oiler (or electric oil cylinder, or electric grease gun) having at least one of the following features:

[0037] Feature 1: A first manual switch is configured to be manually operated by a user of the electric lubricator;

[0038] · Feature 2: An electric motor configured to generate driving force;

[0039] Feature 3: A drive circuit configured to drive the electric motor;

[0040] · Feature 4: A pump having a discharge port, a chamber, and a plunger;

[0041] Feature 5: The ejection port is in communication with the chamber;

[0042] Feature 6: The chamber is configured to contain lubricating oil;

[0043] Feature 7: The plunger is configured to (i) be located in the chamber, and (ii) reciprocate in the chamber by the driving force of the electric motor, and cause the lubricating oil in the chamber to be ejected from the ejection port;

[0044] Feature 8: Control circuit;

[0045] Feature 9: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to execute a first operation, in which the drive circuit is controlled in such a manner that the electric motor rotates at a preset rotation speed in response to the first manual switch being manually operated;

[0046] Feature 10: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to execute a second operation, in which the number of reciprocating movements of the plunger is measured during the driving of the electric motor;

[0047] Feature 11: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to execute a third action, in which, during the driving process of the electric motor, the drive circuit is controlled in such a manner that the electric motor is decelerated from the predetermined rotation speed based on a difference (or deviation or error) between (i) a set value and (ii) a measured value;

[0048] Feature 12: The set value corresponds to a target number of reciprocations of the plunger;

[0049] Feature 13: The measured value corresponds to the measured number of reciprocations of the plunger; and

[0050] Feature 14: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to execute a fourth operation in which the drive circuit is controlled so as to stop driving the electric motor in response to the measured value reaching the set value.

[0051] In an electric lubricator having at least features 1 to 14, when the first manual switch is manually operated, the electric motor is driven at the predetermined rotational speed. If the predetermined rotational speed is set so as to be able to quickly eject the desired amount of lubricating oil, the time required to eject the desired amount of lubricating oil can be shortened. The electric motor then decelerates according to the difference between the set value and the measured value. Therefore, when the measured value reaches the set value and the drive of the electric motor stops, the actual rotational speed of the electric motor is lower than the predetermined rotational speed. As a result, the time required until the rotation of the electric motor stops can be shortened, and the ejection of excess lubricating oil from the electric lubricator can be suppressed.

[0052] One embodiment may have the following features in addition to or in place of at least one of features 1 to 14:

[0053] Feature 15: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to control the drive circuit in such a manner that the actual rotation speed of the electric motor decreases as the difference decreases in the third operation.

[0054] In the electric lubricator having at least features 1 to 15, when the measured value reaches the set value, the actual rotation speed of the electric motor can be sufficiently reduced, and the electric motor can be stopped more quickly. Therefore, even if the preset rotation speed is set higher, the spraying of the excess lubricating oil from the electric lubricator can be suppressed. As a result, the desired amount of lubricating oil can be sprayed more efficiently.

[0055] One embodiment may have the following features in addition to or in place of at least one of features 1 to 15:

[0056] Feature 16: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to control the drive circuit so as to decelerate the electric motor continuously or in stages in the third operation.

[0057] In the electric lubricator having at least features 1 to 14 and 16, the electric motor can be decelerated continuously or in stages from the preset rotation speed.

[0058] One embodiment may include at least one of the following features in addition to or in place of at least one of features 1 to 16:

[0059] Feature 17: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to measure the number of rotations of the electric motor in the second operation:

[0060] Feature 18: The measured value indicates the measured number of rotations; and

[0061] Feature 19: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to convert the set value into a target number of rotations of the electric motor in the third action, and to control the drive circuit in a manner that decelerates the electric motor from the predetermined rotation speed based on the difference between (i) the converted set value and (ii) the measured value.

[0062] In the electric lubricator having at least the above-mentioned features 1 to 14 and 17 to 19, the time required to eject the desired amount of lubricating oil can be shortened based on the number of rotations of the electric motor, and ejection of the excess lubricating oil from the electric lubricator can be suppressed.

[0063] One embodiment may include at least one of the following features in addition to or in place of at least one of features 1 to 19:

[0064] Feature 20: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to: execute a fifth action, in which the drive circuit is controlled in such a manner that the drive of the electric motor is stopped in response to the first manual switch being released from the manual operation of the user; and

[0065] Feature 21: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to execute a sixth operation in which the measured value is initialized or maintained in response to the first manual switch being released from the manual operation.

[0066] In the electric lubricator having at least features 1 to 14, 20, and 21, when the first manual switch is released from manual operation by the user, driving of the electric motor is stopped, and the measured value is initialized or held.

[0067] When the measured value is initialized, if the first manual switch is manually operated again, the electric motor is driven again at the preset rotation speed.

[0068] When the first manual switch is manually operated again while the measured value is being held, the electric motor is driven again at a rotation speed corresponding to a difference between the set value and the held measured value.

[0069] One embodiment may have the following features in addition to or in place of at least one of features 1 to 21:

[0070] Feature 22: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to control the drive circuit so as to apply a braking force to the electric motor in the fourth operation.

[0071] In the electric lubricator having at least features 1 to 14 and 22, when the measured value reaches the set value, the electric motor can be stopped immediately, and thus, the spraying of the excess lubricating oil can be more reliably suppressed.

[0072] One embodiment may include at least one of the following features in addition to or in place of at least one of features 1 to 22:

[0073] Feature 23: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to: output a pulse width modulation signal to the drive circuit to control the drive circuit; and

[0074] Feature 24: The drive circuit is configured to drive the electric motor according to the pulse width modulation signal.

[0075] In the electric lubricator having at least features 1 to 14, 23, and 24, the electric motor can be controlled by the pulse width modulation signal.

[0076] One embodiment may include at least one of the following features in addition to or in place of at least one of features 1 to 24:

[0077] Feature 25: The device comprises at least one second manual switch, wherein the at least one second manual switch (i) is different from the first manual switch, and (ii) is configured to be manually operated by the user;

[0078] Feature 26: The control circuit is configured (or programmed) to further execute a seventh operation of changing the set value based on manual operation of the at least one second manual switch.

[0079] In the electric lubricator having at least features 1 to 14, 25, and 26, the user can change the set value using the at least one second manual switch.

[0080] One embodiment may include at least one of the following features in addition to or in place of at least one of features 1 to 26:

[0081] Feature 27: The electric motor has its rated rotational speed; and

[0082] Feature 28: The preset rotation speed is the rated rotation speed.

[0083] In the electric lubricator having at least features 1 to 14, 27, and 28, the desired amount of lubricating oil can be ejected most quickly.

[0084] One embodiment may include at least one of the following features in addition to or in place of at least one of features 1 to 28:

[0085] Feature 29: The lubricating oil is in a semi-solid state; and

[0086] Feature 30: The lubricating oil includes lubricating grease.

[0087] In one embodiment, the lubricating oil may be in liquid or solid form.

[0088] In one embodiment, the control circuit may be integrated into a single electronic unit, or a single electronic device, or a single circuit substrate.

[0089] In one embodiment, the control circuit may be: two or more electronic circuits, two or more electronic units, or a combination of two or more electronic devices, respectively provided on or in the electric lubricator.

[0090] In one embodiment, the control circuit may include: a microcomputer (or a microcontroller, or a microprocessor), wiring logic, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an application-specific standard product (ASSP), a programmable logic device (for example, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.), discrete electronic components, and / or a combination thereof.

[0091] Examples of the first manual switch include a trigger switch, a push button switch, a dial switch, a slide switch, a tactile switch, a joystick, a touch panel, a touch screen, and a graphical user interface (GUI).

[0092] One embodiment may provide a method having at least one of the following features:

[0093] Feature 31: The electric motor of the electric lubricator is driven at a preset rotation speed based on the manual switch of the electric lubricator being manually operated;

[0094] Feature 32: The electric motor is configured to reciprocate the plunger of the electric lubricator;

[0095] Feature 33: The number of reciprocating movements of the plunger is measured;

[0096] Feature 34: The electric motor is controlled in such a manner that the electric motor is decelerated from the predetermined rotation speed based on a difference (or deviation or error) between (i) a set value and (ii) a measured value;

[0097] Feature 35: The set value corresponds to a target number of reciprocations of the plunger;

[0098] Feature 36: The measured value corresponds to the measured number of reciprocations of the plunger; and

[0099] Feature 37: The driving of the electric motor is stopped based on the measured value reaching the set value.

[0100] According to the method including at least Features 31 to 37, the time required to eject the desired amount of lubricating oil from the electric lubricator can be shortened, and ejection of the excess lubricating oil from the electric lubricator can be suppressed.

[0101] In one embodiment, the electric lubricator may be a battery-driven lubricator.

[0102] In one embodiment, features 1 to 37 may be combined arbitrarily.

[0103] In one embodiment, any one of features 1 to 3 may be excluded.

[0104] 2. Specific Illustrative Implementations

[0105] The following exemplary embodiments provide Figure 1 The electric lubricator 1 shown is an electric grease gun configured to eject semi-solid lubricating oil, more specifically, grease.

[0106] 2-1. First embodiment

[0107] 2-1-1. Mechanical structure of electric lubricator

[0108] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the electric lubricator 1 includes a housing 2. The housing 2 includes: a first half-split housing 2a and a second half-split housing 2b that are joined to each other by two or more screws 3. The housing 2 includes a motor housing 4 in the center of its height direction. The height direction corresponds to: a direction from the lower side of the housing 2 to the upper side, or from the upper side to the lower side. In this first embodiment, the motor housing 4 is cylindrical and extends along the length direction. The length direction corresponds to: a direction from the front side of the housing 2 to the rear side, or from the rear side to the front side. The housing 2 includes a handle 5 at its upper part. In this first embodiment, the handle 5 extends along the length direction and is bent downward. The motor housing 4 includes a front coupling portion 6 at its front end. The front coupling portion 6 is coupled to the front end of the handle 5. The motor housing 4 includes a rear coupling portion 7 at its rear end. The rear coupling portion 7 is coupled to the rear end of the handle 5. In this first embodiment, the rear coupling portion 7 stands upward in a manner to form a space between the motor housing 4 and the handle 5.

[0109] The electric lubricator 1 includes a trigger switch 8 accommodated in a handle 5. The electric lubricator 1 includes a trigger 9 for a user of the electric lubricator 1 to manually operate the trigger switch 8. The trigger 9 is pulled by the user to spray grease. In the first embodiment, the trigger 9 protrudes downward from the handle 5.

[0110] The handle 5 has a lamp 10 on its front surface. In the first embodiment, the lamp 10 has a light emitting diode (LED) not shown as a light source. The handle 5 has an operation panel 70 on its front upper surface. The operation panel 70 is configured to be manually operated by a user to turn on or off the lamp 10 or to change the setting of the electric lubricator 1.

[0111] The handle 5 includes a first lock button 12 in front of the trigger 9. The first lock button 12 is configured to be pressed by the user to lock the trigger 9 in the most pulled position. The handle 5 includes a second lock button 13 below the first lock button 12. The second lock button 13 is configured to be pressed by the user to lock the trigger 9 in the original position (that is, the unpulled position).

[0112] The rear coupling portion 7 includes a battery holding portion 14 at its rear end. The battery holding portion 14 is configured to be used for detachably mounting a battery pack 15. In the first embodiment, the battery holding portion 14 is configured to slide the battery pack 15 from the top to the bottom at its rear end, thereby mounting the battery pack 15 on the battery holding portion 14. In the first embodiment, the battery pack 15 has a rated voltage of 36 volts. The battery holding portion 14 includes a terminal plate 16 therein. The terminal plate 16 is configured to be electrically connected to the battery pack 15 mounted on the battery holding portion 14. In the first embodiment, the terminal plate 16 extends in the height direction.

[0113] The battery holding portion 14 accommodates a control unit 17 in front of the terminal board 16. In the first embodiment, the control unit 17 extends in the height direction. The control unit 17 includes a control circuit board 18.

[0114] The motor housing portion 4 houses the electric motor 20. In the first embodiment, the electric motor 20 is an inner rotor type three-phase brushless DC motor. In other embodiments, the electric motor 20 may be any other type of electric motor (eg, a brushed DC motor).

[0115] The electric motor 20 includes a stator 21. The stator 21 includes three conductors 27 ( Figure 2 Only one conductor 27 is shown. The stator 21 has a first insulator 23A at its front end. The stator 21 has a second insulator 23B at its rear end. The stator 21 has three coils (i.e., a U-phase coil, a V-phase coil, and a W-phase coil) 24 wound by the first insulator 23A and the second insulator 23B. The second insulator 23B has six terminals (not shown) that are fused at the ends of the wires of the coils 24.

[0116] The second insulator 23B includes a short-circuit component 25. The short-circuit component 25 includes three short-circuit fittings 26 ( Figure 2 Only two short-circuit fittings 26 are shown. The short-circuit fittings 26 electrically connect the terminals of the second insulator 23B so that the coils 24 form a triangle configuration (or a triangle connection).

[0117] The stator 21 includes a sensor circuit board 28 between the second insulator 23B and the short-circuit member 25. The sensor circuit board 28 includes first to third rotation position sensors 28A to 28C (see Figure 5 In the first embodiment, the first to third rotation position sensors 28A to 28C are Hall sensors, but are not limited to Hall sensors. The first to third rotation position sensors 28A to 28C are connected to three signal lines 29 ( Figure 2 Only one signal line 29 is shown. The lead wire 27 and the signal line 29 are drawn toward the battery holding portion 14 and connected to the control circuit board 18 of the control unit 17 .

[0118] The electric motor 20 includes a rotor 22 inside a stator 21. The rotor 22 includes a rotating shaft 30 at its center. The rotating shaft 30 includes: two or more permanent magnets 31 embedded in the outer peripheral wall of the rotating shaft 30. The first to third rotation position sensors 28A to 28C (i) are arranged around the rotor 22, and (ii) detect the rotation position of the rotating shaft 30 and the rotation position of the rotor 22. The rotating shaft 30 includes: a fan 32 mounted on the front end thereof. In the first embodiment, the fan 32 extends orthogonally to the rotating shaft 30.

[0119] The rear joint 7 is provided with two or more air inlets 33 on its left side and right side. Each air inlet 33 sucks air from the outside of the motor housing portion 4 to the inside of the motor housing portion 4 according to the rotation of the fan 32. The motor housing portion 4 is provided with two or more exhaust ports 34 on its left side and right side. Each exhaust port 34 is located radially outside and in front of the fan 32, and exhausts the air sucked into the motor housing portion 4 to the outside of the motor housing portion 4.

[0120] The rear coupling portion 7 houses the first bearing 35 behind the short-circuit member 25. The first bearing 35 rotatably supports the rear end of the rotating shaft 30.

[0121] The motor housing portion 4 includes a gear box 40 in front of the electric motor 20. In the first embodiment, the gear box 40 is cylindrical. The gear box 40 includes an opening at its rear end. The gear box 40 includes a bracket plate 41 mounted on the opening. The rotating shaft 30 passes through the bracket plate 41 and protrudes into the gear box 40. The bracket plate 41 holds the second bearing 42. The second bearing 42 supports the front end of the rotating shaft 30 so that it can rotate.

[0122] The gear box 40 has a main shaft 44 at its front end. The gear box 40 accommodates a speed reduction mechanism 43. The speed reduction mechanism 43 is configured to (i) receive the rotation of the rotating shaft 30 and (ii) rotate the main shaft 44 at a rotation speed lower than the rotation speed of the rotating shaft 30. The speed reduction mechanism 43 may include a planetary gear.

[0123] The housing 2 includes a crankcase 45 at the front end of the gear case 40 . In the first embodiment, the crankcase 45 extends in the height direction. The main shaft 44 protrudes from the gear case 40 toward the inside of the crankcase 45 .

[0124] The crankcase 45 accommodates a crank disk 46 provided at the front end of the shaft 44. The crank disk 46 has an eccentric pin 47 protruding forward. The crankcase 45 has a slider 48 in front of the crank disk 46. The slider 48 has a long hole 49 extending along the width direction. The width direction corresponds to the direction from the right side to the left side of the housing 2, or from the left side to the right side. The slider 48 is supported in the crankcase 45 so as to be movable up and down. The eccentric pin 47 is inserted into the long hole 49. The slider 48 is connected to the plunger 50 at the center of its lower end. The plunger 50 has an upper end connected to the slider 48 and extends downward.

[0125] In the crankcase 45 thus constructed, when the crank plate 46 rotates together with the main shaft 44, the eccentric pin 47 performs eccentric motion. The stroke of the eccentric pin 47 in the height direction causes the slider 48 to reciprocate up and down, and the plunger 50 also reciprocates up and down.

[0126] The crankcase 45 has a front bracket 51 at its lower portion. The housing 2 has a rear bracket 52 behind the front bracket 51 and at the lower portion of the motor housing portion 4. The rear bracket 52 has two legs 53 protruding downward at its front and rear ends.

[0127] The electric lubricator 1 includes a box 54 supported by a front bracket 51 and a rear bracket 52. The box 54 includes an open front end. The box 54 passes through the rear bracket 52 and reaches the rear surface of the front bracket 51. The front end of the box 54 is screwed to the rear surface of the front bracket 51. That is, the box 54 extends in the longitudinal direction below the motor housing portion 4.

[0128] The box 54 accommodates the rod 55. The rod 55 extends from the rear end of the box 54 toward the front end of the box 54. The rod 55 holds the piston 56 so that it can move along the rod 55. The rod 55 has a rear end protruding from the box 54. The box 54 has a handle 57 mounted on the rear end of the rod 55. The box 54 accommodates the coil spring 58. The coil spring 58 is located behind the piston 56 and urges the piston 56 forward. The box 54 accommodates a box (not shown) filled with grease in front of the piston 56. The box is pressed by the piston 56 to supply grease to the front bracket 51.

[0129] The front bracket 51 includes a pump 60. The pump 60 includes the plunger 50 described above. The pump 60 includes an upper cylinder 61 and a lower cylinder 62. The upper cylinder 61 and the lower cylinder 62 form a chamber 63. The plunger 50 is located in the chamber 63. The chamber 63 is communicated with the tank 54. The pump 60 includes a check valve 64 at the lower portion of the chamber 63.

[0130] The lower cylinder 62 (i) communicates with the chamber 63, and (ii) has a discharge path 66 extending in the longitudinal direction. The front bracket 51 has a front cylinder 67 at its front end. The front cylinder 67 protrudes forward from the front bracket 51. The discharge path 66 passes through the center of the front cylinder 67. The discharge path 66 has a discharge port 66A at its front end. The front cylinder 67 is connected to a hose 68. Grease is discharged from the discharge port 66A to the outside of the electric lubricator 1 through the hose 68.

[0131] The front tube portion 67 is provided with a relief valve 69 at its right side. The relief valve 69 is configured to release the grease in the discharge passage 66 to the outside of the electric lubricator 1 when the pressure of the grease in the discharge passage 66 reaches a predetermined pressure or more.

[0132] 2-1-2. Mechanical action of electric lubricator

[0133] In the electric lubricator 1 configured as described above, when the user pulls the trigger 9, the electric motor 20 rotates, and the rotating shaft 30 rotates.

[0134] The rotation of the rotating shaft 30 is transmitted to the main shaft 44 via the speed reduction mechanism 43, so that the crank plate 46 rotates together with the main shaft 44. Accordingly, the eccentric pin 47 performs eccentric motion, so that the slider 48 moves up and down, and the plunger 50 reciprocates up and down.

[0135] In the pump 60, when the plunger 50 moves upward, the grease flows from the box 54 into the chamber 63. When the plunger 50 moves downward, the grease in the chamber 63 flows into the discharge path 66, and is discharged from the discharge port 66A through the hose 68 toward the outside of the electric lubricator 1. This discharge action is repeated as the plunger 50 reciprocates.

[0136] 2-1-3. Details of the operation panel

[0137] like Figure 3As shown, the operation panel 70 includes a display device 72. The display device 72 includes: a first display screen 72A, a second display screen 72B, and a third display screen 72C. In the first embodiment, the first to third display screens 72A to 72C are 7-segment displays. In other embodiments, the first to third display screens 72A to 72C may be other types of display screens including a liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0138] The first to third display screens 72A to 72C are arranged in the width direction on the front upper surface of the operation panel 70. The first to third display screens 72A to 72C are covered with a transparent resin plate.

[0139] The operation panel 70 includes a display selection switch 74. In the first embodiment, the display selection switch 74 is a push button switch. In other embodiments, the display selection switch 74 may be another type of manual switch. The display selection switch 74 is manually operated (turned on) so that the user can select a parameter value displayed on the display device 72. When the display selection switch 74 is manually operated, the selected parameter value is displayed on the first to third display screens 72A to 72C.

[0140] The operation panel 70 includes an incremental switch 76. In the first embodiment, the incremental switch 76 is a push button switch. In other embodiments, the incremental switch 76 may be another type of manual switch. The incremental switch 76 is manually operated (turned on) so that the user can increase the parameter value of the electric lubricator 1. When the incremental switch 76 is manually operated, the increased parameter value is displayed on the first to third display screens 72A to 72C.

[0141] The operation panel 70 includes a decrement switch 78. In the first embodiment, the decrement switch 78 is a push button switch. In other embodiments, the decrement switch 78 may be another type of manual switch. The decrement switch 78 is manually operated (turned on) so that the user can reduce the parameter value of the electric lubricator 1. When the decrement switch 78 is manually operated, the reduced parameter value is displayed on the first to third display screens 72A to 72C.

[0142] The display selection switch 74 is also manually operated (turned on) to determine the parameter value to be increased or decreased by the increment switch 76 or the decrement switch 78.

[0143] In the first embodiment, the display selection switch 74 , the increment switch 76 , and the decrement switch 78 are arranged in the width direction behind the first to third display screens 72A to 72C.

[0144] 2-1-4. Electrical structure of electric lubricator

[0145] like Figure 4 As shown, the electric lubricator 1 includes a power line Lp extending from the positive electrode of the battery pack 15 mounted on the battery holding portion 14 to the control circuit board 18. The electric lubricator 1 includes a ground line Ln extending from the negative electrode of the battery pack 15 mounted on the battery holding portion 14 to the ground portion on the control circuit board 18. The battery pack 15 applies its rated voltage between the power line Lp and the ground line Ln.

[0146] The electric lubricator 1 includes a power supply circuit 84. In the first embodiment, the power supply circuit 84 is located on the control circuit board 18. The power supply circuit 84 is configured to: (i) be connected to the power supply line Lp and the ground on the control circuit board 18, and (ii) generate a fixed DC voltage (hereinafter referred to as a power supply voltage) Vc based on the rated voltage of the battery pack 15.

[0147] The electric lubricator 1 includes a control circuit 80. The control circuit 80 operates by receiving a power supply voltage Vc. In the first embodiment, the control circuit 80 is located on a control circuit substrate 18. The control circuit 80 is a microcomputer including a CPU 80A and a semiconductor memory 80B. The semiconductor memory 80B includes a ROM, a RAM, and a rewritable nonvolatile memory. Examples of rewritable nonvolatile memories include: EEPROM, flash memory, ReRAM, and FeRAM. Various functions of the control circuit 80 are realized by the CPU 80A executing a program stored in the semiconductor memory 80B. The CPU 80A executes the program, and a method corresponding to the program is executed.

[0148] In other embodiments, the control circuit 80 may include an additional microcomputer. In addition, in other embodiments, part or all of the functions implemented by the CPU 80A may be implemented by one or more electronic components (e.g., integrated circuits). In addition, in other embodiments, the control circuit 80 may be a logic circuit (or a wiring logic connection) including two or more electronic components. In addition, in other embodiments, the control circuit 80 may include an ASIC and / or an ASSP. In addition, in other embodiments, the control circuit 80 may include a programmable logic device capable of constructing a reconfigurable logic circuit. Examples of programmable logic devices include FPGAs.

[0149] The electric lubricator 1 includes a drive circuit 82 configured to drive the electric motor 20. In the first embodiment, the drive circuit 82 is on the control circuit substrate 18. The drive circuit 82 is a three-phase full-bridge circuit, but is not limited to the three-phase full-bridge circuit. The drive circuit 82 includes the first to sixth switches Q1 to Q6. The first to third switches Q1 to Q3 are connected to the power supply line Lp on the control circuit substrate 18 and the above-mentioned lead 27 of the electric motor 20 so as to play the role of a high-side switch of the three-phase full-bridge circuit. The fourth to sixth switches Q4 to Q6 are connected to the lead 27 of the electric motor 20 and the ground portion so as to play the role of a low-side switch of the three-phase full-bridge circuit.

[0150] Regarding the 1st to 6th switches Q1 to Q6, (i) they receive the 1st to 6th drive control signals from the control circuit 80 respectively, and (ii) they are turned on or off according to the received respective drive control signals. In the first embodiment, the 1st to 6th drive control signals are pulse width modulation signals. In the first embodiment, the 1st to 6th switches Q1 to Q6 are semiconductor switches. Examples of semiconductor switches include: field effect transistors (FETs), bipolar transistors, and insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). In other embodiments, each or at least one of the 1st to 6th switches Q1 to Q6 can be a mechanical relay.

[0151] The control circuit board 18 is connected to the display device 72 of the operation panel 70. The display device 72 operates by receiving the power supply voltage Vc from the control circuit board 18. The display device 72 is configured to: (i) receive a display control signal from the control circuit 80, and (ii) display parameter values ​​on the first to third display screens 72A to 72C.

[0152] The electric lubricator 1 includes first to fourth pull-up resistors R1 to R4. In the first embodiment, the first to fourth pull-up resistors R1 to R4 are on the control circuit board 18. The first to fourth pull-up resistors R1 to R4 include first ends connected to the power supply circuit 84 so as to receive the power supply voltage Vc from the power supply circuit 84. The first to fourth pull-up resistors R1 to R4 include second ends connected to first contacts of the trigger switch 8, the display selection switch 74, the increment switch 76, and the decrement switch 78, respectively. The trigger switch 8, the display selection switch 74, the increment switch 76, and the decrement switch 78 include second contacts connected to the ground portion on the control circuit board 18.

[0153] When the trigger switch 8, the display selection switch 74, the increment switch 76, and the decrement switch 78 are not manually operated (or are turned off), the second ends of the first to fourth pull-up resistors R1 to R4 have a voltage of the same level (i.e., high level) as the power supply voltage Vc. When the trigger switch 8, the display selection switch 74, the increment switch 76, and the decrement switch 78 are manually operated (or are turned on), the second ends of the first to fourth pull-up resistors R1 to R4 have a voltage of the ground level (i.e., low level). The first to fourth pull-up resistors R1 to R4 may have the same resistance value. Alternatively, the first to fourth pull-up resistors R1 to R4 may also have different resistance values.

[0154] The second ends of the first to fourth pull-up resistors R1 to R4 are connected to the control circuit 80. Therefore, the control circuit 80 can detect whether the trigger switch 8, the display selection switch 74, the increment switch 76, and the decrement switch 78 are manually operated based on the voltages at the second ends of the first to fourth pull-up resistors R1 to R4. Specifically, if the voltages at the second ends of the first to fourth pull-up resistors R1 to R4 are high, the control circuit 80 recognizes that the trigger switch 8, the display selection switch 74, the increment switch 76, and the decrement switch 78 are not manually operated. If the voltages at the second ends of the first to fourth pull-up resistors R1 to R4 are low, the control circuit 80 recognizes that the trigger switch 8, the display selection switch 74, the increment switch 76, and the decrement switch 78 are manually operated.

[0155] The sensor circuit board 28 (more specifically, the 1st to 3rd rotation position sensors 28A to 28C) operates by receiving the power supply voltage Vc from the control circuit board 18. Regarding the 1st to 3rd rotation position sensors 28A to 28C, (i) they are connected to the control circuit 80 by means of the above-mentioned signal line 29, and (ii) the 1st to 3rd rotation signals are output to the control circuit 80. The 1st to 3rd rotation signals are respectively associated with the three phases (i.e., U phase, V phase, and W phase) of the electric motor 20. The 1st to 3rd rotation signals are sinusoidal wave signals, and their respective voltages reverse from positive to negative or from negative to positive when the rotor 22 rotates 180 degrees in electrical angle units. The electrical angles of the 1st to 3rd rotation signals have a phase difference of 60 degrees from each other.

[0156] In other embodiments, the sensor circuit board 28 may be configured to output a rotation detection signal (eg, a pulse signal) to the control circuit 80 every time the rotor 22 rotates 60 degrees in electrical angle units, instead of the first to third rotation signals.

[0157] The electric lubricator 1 is provided with a reciprocating detector 65 near the pump 60 in the crankcase 45. The reciprocating detector 65 operates by receiving a power supply voltage Vc from the control circuit board 18. The reciprocating detector 65 (i) detects the rotation of the crank plate 46 or the position change of the plunger 50, and (ii) outputs a reciprocating detection signal to the control circuit 80 each time the plunger 50 reciprocates once. Examples of the reciprocating detector 65 include a Hall sensor and a proximity switch.

[0158] 2-1-5. Functional structure of control circuit

[0159] like Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the control circuit 80 has the functions of the switch detection unit 91, the reciprocating number setting unit 92, the display control signal generating unit 93, the reciprocating number calculating unit 94, the first difference calculating unit 95, the drive control signal generating unit 96, and the control unit 97. In the first embodiment, the functions of the switch detection unit 91, the reciprocating number setting unit 92, the display control signal generating unit 93, the reciprocating number calculating unit 94, the first difference calculating unit 95, the drive control signal generating unit 96, and the control unit 97 are incorporated into the control circuit 80 by software. In other embodiments, at least one of the switch detection unit 91, the reciprocating number setting unit 92, the display control signal generating unit 93, the reciprocating number calculating unit 94, the first difference calculating unit 95, the drive control signal generating unit 96, and the control unit 97 may be incorporated into the control circuit 80 by hardware (electronic circuit) instead of software.

[0160] The switch detection unit 91 is configured to (i) receive input from the trigger switch 8 and (ii) indicate to the control unit 97 whether the trigger switch 8 is manually operated based on the received input. The switch detection unit 91 is also configured to (i) receive input from each of the display selection switch 74, the increment switch 76, and the decrement switch 78 and (ii) indicate to the reciprocating number setting unit 92 whether each switch is manually operated based on the received input.

[0161] The reciprocation number setting unit 92 is configured to set a set value based on an instruction from the switch detection unit 91. The set value corresponds to a target reciprocation number of the plunger 50.

[0162] The display control signal generating unit 93 is configured to (i) generate a display control signal for causing the setting value set by the reciprocation number setting unit 92 to be displayed on the display device 72 , and (ii) output the generated display control signal to the display device 72 .

[0163] The reciprocation number calculation unit 94 is configured to (i) measure the reciprocation number of the plunger 50 based on the reciprocation detection signal input from the reciprocation detector 65 and (ii) update the measured value. The measured value corresponds to the measured reciprocation number of the plunger 50.

[0164] The first difference calculation unit 95 is configured to calculate the difference between (i) the set value set by the reciprocation number setting unit 92 and (ii) the measured value updated by the reciprocation number calculation unit 94. The difference corresponds to the remaining reciprocation number of the plunger 50 required to discharge a desired amount of grease.

[0165] The drive control signal generating unit 96 is configured to (i) receive the first to third rotation signals from the first to third rotation position sensors 28A to 28C, and (ii) detect the rotation position of the rotor 22 based on the received first to third rotation signals.

[0166] The drive control signal generating unit 96 is further configured to: (i) generate the above-mentioned first to sixth drive control signals for rotating the electric motor 20 based on the drive command received from the control unit 97 and the detected rotational position of the rotor 22, and (ii) output the generated first to sixth drive control signals to the drive circuit 82. More specifically, the drive command output from the control unit 97 includes the target rotational speed of the electric motor 20. The drive control signal generating unit 96 (i) calculates the actual rotational speed of the electric motor 20 based on the first to third rotation signals received from the sensor circuit board 28, and (ii) generates the first to sixth drive control signals in a manner that keeps the actual rotational speed of the electric motor 20 at the target rotational speed. The drive circuit 82 transmits three-phase current to the three coils 24 of the stator 21 according to the first to sixth drive control signals, thereby rotating the rotor 22 (and further the rotating shaft 30). As a result, the plunger 50 reciprocates at a speed corresponding to the actual rotational speed of the electric motor 20 and discharges grease from the discharge port 66A.

[0167] The drive control signal generating unit 96 is further configured to: (i) generate the first to sixth drive control signals for stopping the electric motor 20 based on the stop command received from the control unit 97, and (ii) output the generated first to sixth drive control signals to the drive circuit 82. The drive circuit 82 stops the rotor 22 (and thus the rotating shaft 30) by (i) cutting off the three-phase current of the three coils 24 of the stator 21, or (ii) short-circuiting all ends of the three coils 24 to the ground (that is, applying a braking force to the electric motor 20) according to the first to sixth drive control signals.

[0168] The control unit 97 is configured to output a drive command or a stop command to the drive control signal generation unit 96 based on (i) an instruction from the switch detection unit 91 and (ii) the difference calculated by the first difference calculation unit 95 .

[0169] 2-1-6. Overview of the control unit's operation

[0170] In the electric lubricator 1 , the flow rate of grease ejected from the ejection port 66A (that is, the mass or volume of grease ejected per unit time) changes according to the rotation speed of the electric motor 20 .

[0171] like Fig. 6A As shown, when the target rotation speed of the electric motor 20 is set low, the flow rate of the grease becomes low, and the time required to spray a desired amount of grease may become longer. In other words, the spraying efficiency of the grease may decrease.

[0172] On the other hand, Figure 6B As shown in FIG. 1 , when the target rotation speed of the electric motor 20 is set higher, the flow rate of the grease increases, and the time required to spray the desired amount of grease may be shortened. However, when the desired amount of grease is sprayed, the driving of the electric motor 20 stops, and even if a braking force is applied to the electric motor 20, the electric motor 20 cannot be stopped quickly. As a result, excess grease may be sprayed.

[0173] In the first embodiment, Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the trigger switch 8 is manually operated to start driving the electric motor 20, the control unit 97 sets the target rotation speed to be high so that the grease is ejected at a high flow rate. Then, when the difference, in other words, the remaining number of reciprocations of the plunger 50 decreases to a predetermined threshold value (time t1), the control unit 97 decreases the target rotation speed and thus the flow rate of the grease. The threshold value of the first embodiment corresponds to the remaining number of reciprocations of the plunger 50 at which the deceleration of the electric motor 20 is to be started.

[0174] When the measured value reaches the set value (time t2), the control unit 97 stops the driving of the electric motor 20. As a result, the electric motor 20 and the plunger 50 are stopped in a short time (time t3), and the spraying of excess grease can be suppressed.

[0175] 2-1-7. Details of Processing Executed by Control Circuit

[0176] 2-1-7-1. First control process

[0177] The first control process repeatedly executed by the control circuit 80 during the operation of the control circuit 80 will be described. The functions of the switch detection unit 91, the reciprocating number setting unit 92, the display control signal generation unit 93, the reciprocating number calculation unit 94, the first difference calculation unit 95, the drive control signal generation unit 96, and the control unit 97 are implemented in the first control process. During the execution of the first control process, the display device 72 displays the above-mentioned set values.

[0178] like Figure 8 As shown, when the first control process is started, the control circuit 80 first calculates the difference between the set value and the measured value (set value-measured value) in S110.

[0179] Next, in S120, the control circuit 80 determines whether the trigger switch 8 is manually operated. If the trigger switch 8 is manually operated (S120: YES), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S200. If the trigger switch 8 is not manually operated (S120: NO), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S130.

[0180] In S130, the control circuit 80 outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for stopping the drive of the electric motor 20 to the drive circuit 82, and transfers to S140. In S130, in order to quickly stop the rotation of the electric motor 20, the control circuit 80 (i) outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for cutting off the current to the electric motor 20 to the drive circuit 82, and then (ii) outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for applying a braking force to the electric motor 20 to the drive circuit 82.

[0181] Next, in S140, the control circuit 80 determines whether the difference calculated in S110 is zero, that is, whether the measured value reaches the set value. When the difference is zero (S140: YES), the control circuit 80 transfers to S150, initializes (or resets) the measured value, and transfers to S160. In this first embodiment, the control circuit 80 sets the measured value to zero in S150. In other embodiments, the control circuit 80 can also set a value other than zero as the measured value. When the difference is not zero (S140: NO), the control circuit 80 immediately transfers to S160.

[0182] In S160, the control circuit 80 determines whether the increment switch 76 or the decrement switch 78 is manually operated. When the increment switch 76 or the decrement switch 78 is manually operated (S160: YES), the control circuit 80 transfers to S170 and initializes the measured value. Next, in S180, the control circuit 80 changes the set value (that is, increases or decreases) according to the manual operation of the increment switch 76 or the decrement switch 78, and transfers to S190.

[0183] In S160, when the increment switch 76 or the decrement switch 78 is not manually operated (S160: NO), the control circuit 80 immediately transfers to S190. In S190, the control circuit 80 outputs a display control signal for displaying the set value on the first to third display screens 72A to 72C to the display device 72, and the set value is displayed on the display device 72. When the display of the set value is completed, the control circuit 80 returns to S110.

[0184] In S200, similarly to S140, the control circuit 80 determines whether the difference calculated in S110 is zero. If the difference is zero (S200: YES), the control circuit 80 moves to S210, outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for stopping the drive of the electric motor 20 to the drive circuit 82, and moves to S190. In S210, the control circuit 80 operates similarly to the above-mentioned S130.

[0185] If the difference is not zero in S200 (S200: NO), that is, if grease needs to be ejected from the ejection port 66A, the control circuit 80 proceeds to S300 to execute Fig. 9 When the first driving process is completed, the control circuit 80 proceeds to S190.

[0186] 2-1-7-2. First drive process

[0187] like Fig. 9 As shown, in the first driving process, the control circuit 80 determines in S310 whether the difference calculated in S110 is less than a preset threshold value. When the difference is less than the threshold value (S310: YES), the control circuit 80 transfers to S320 and outputs the first to sixth driving control signals for driving the electric motor 20 at the first rotation speed to the drive circuit 82.

[0188] If the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value in S310 (S310: NO), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S330 and outputs first to sixth drive control signals for driving the electric motor 20 at the second rotation speed to the drive circuit 82. The second rotation speed is higher than the first rotation speed.

[0189] The first rotation speed and the second rotation speed are target rotation speeds of the electric motor 20. Figure 7 As shown, the electric motor 20 is driven at the second rotation speed from the start of driving the electric motor 20 to time t1 when the difference reaches the threshold value. Then, when the difference falls below the threshold value, the electric motor 20 is driven at the first rotation speed.

[0190] When the electric motor 20 is driven at the first rotation speed or the second rotation speed in S320 or S330, the control circuit 80 transfers to S400. In S400, the control circuit 80 measures the number of reciprocations of the plunger 50 based on the reciprocation detection signal, updates the measured value, and ends the first drive process.

[0191] Therefore, if Figure 7 As shown, at time t1, the target rotation speed of the electric motor 20 is shifted from the second rotation speed to the first rotation speed, and when the difference reaches zero at time t2, the driving of the electric motor 20 is stopped. Then, a braking force is applied to the electric motor 20 to stop the rotation of the electric motor 20.

[0192] Thus, when the driving of the electric motor 20 is stopped, the actual rotation speed of the electric motor 20 is reduced to the first rotation speed. Figure 6B Compared with the time shown, the time required until the electric motor 20 is actually stopped can be shortened.

[0193] 2-1-8. Technical Effects of the First Implementation

[0194] In the electric lubricator 1 of the first embodiment, the time required for the grease to be ejected can be shortened by rotating the electric motor 20 at a high speed shortly after the start of the ejection of the grease. In addition, it is possible to suppress the ejection of excess grease after the drive of the electric motor 20 is stopped. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the grease can be ejected efficiently and more appropriately.

[0195] 2-1-9. Correspondence between terms

[0196] In the first embodiment, the trigger switch 8 corresponds to an example of a first manual switch in the summary of the embodiment, and the increment switch 76 and the decrement switch 78 each correspond to an example of at least one second manual switch in the summary of the embodiment.

[0197] 2-2. Modification of the first embodiment

[0198] In the first embodiment described above, in the first driving process of S300 , the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed of the electric motor 20 are changed in two stages from the second rotation speed to the first rotation speed according to the difference.

[0199] However, the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed may be changed in three or more stages according to the difference. Alternatively, the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed may be continuously reduced as the difference decreases.

[0200] First to third modified examples in which the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed of the electric motor 20 are controlled in this manner will be described below.

[0201] 2-2-1. First Modification

[0202] The electric lubricator 1 of the first variant is different from the electric lubricator 1 of the first embodiment in that the second drive process is executed instead of the first drive process. The second drive process is equivalent to the first drive process that is partially modified. Therefore, the following description focuses only on the portion that is modified relative to the first drive process.

[0203] 2-2-1-1. Second drive process

[0204] like Fig.10 As shown, the second driving process is different from the first driving process in that S310 is replaced by S312 and S314 and S340 are added.

[0205] Specifically, in S312, the control circuit 80 determines whether the difference is less than a preset first threshold value. If the difference is less than the first threshold value (S312: YES), the control circuit 80 transfers to S320. The first threshold value of the first modification corresponds to the remaining number of reciprocations of the plunger 50 to start driving the electric motor 20 at the first rotation speed.

[0206] When the difference is greater than the first threshold value (S312: NO), the control circuit 80 moves to S314 to determine whether the difference is less than the second threshold value. The second threshold value of the first modification corresponds to the remaining number of reciprocations of the plunger 50 to start driving the electric motor 20 at the second rotation speed. The second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value.

[0207] When the difference is less than the preset second threshold value (S314: YES), the control circuit 80 transfers to S330. When the difference is greater than the second threshold value (S314: NO), the control circuit 80 transfers to S340 and outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for driving the electric motor 20 at the third rotation speed to the drive circuit 82. The third rotation speed is higher than the second rotation speed.

[0208] When the electric motor 20 is driven at any of the first to third rotational speeds in S320 to S340 , the control circuit 80 proceeds to S400 .

[0209] 2-2-1-2. Technical Effects of the First Modification

[0210] According to the second driving process, the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed of the electric motor 20 are respectively reduced from the third rotation speed to the second rotation speed and from the second rotation speed to the first rotation speed according to the difference.

[0211] Therefore, in the first modification, the time required from when the driving of the electric motor 20 is stopped until the electric motor 20 is actually stopped can be shortened more reliably.

[0212] In the second driving process, the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed of the electric motor 20 are changed in three stages.

[0213] However, if Fig.11 As illustrated, the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed may be changed in four or more stages. Fig.11 An example in which the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed change in six levels is shown. In this case, in the second drive process, the difference is compared with five threshold values.

[0214] When the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed are reduced through more stages, the electric motor 20 can be rotated temporarily at a higher rotation speed even when the set value is small.

[0215] 2-2-2. Second Modification

[0216] The electric lubricator 1 of the second modified example is different from the electric lubricator 1 of the first embodiment in that a third drive process is executed instead of the first drive process. The third drive process is equivalent to a partially modified first drive process. Therefore, the following description focuses only on the portion that has been modified relative to the first drive process.

[0217] 2-2-2-1. Third drive processing

[0218] like Fig.12 As shown, the third driving process is different from the first driving process in that S310 to S330 are deleted and S350 and S360 are added.

[0219] Specifically, in S350, the control circuit 80 calculates the target rotation speed of the electric motor 20 based on the difference. In the second modification, the control circuit 80 calculates the target rotation speed based on the following equation (1).

[0220] Target rotation speed = difference × coefficient + minimum rotation speed…(1)

[0221] In the above-mentioned formula (1), the coefficient and the minimum rotation speed are set in advance.

[0222] Next, in S360 , the control circuit 80 outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for driving the electric motor 20 at the target rotation speed calculated in S350 to the drive circuit 82 , and the process proceeds to S400 .

[0223] 2-2-2-2. Technical Effects of the Second Modification

[0224] In the second modification, the target rotation speed of the electric motor 20 is set based on the difference. Therefore, the target rotation speed is set to the maximum rotation speed corresponding to the set value immediately after the start of driving the electric motor 20. Then, as the measured value increases and the difference decreases, the target rotation speed decreases, and the actual rotation speed also decreases.

[0225] In other words, the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed are continuously reduced according to the difference after the start of driving of the electric motor 20. As a result, when the driving of the electric motor 20 is stopped, the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed can be sufficiently reduced.

[0226] Therefore, in this second modification, the time required for the grease to be ejected can be shortened. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the ejection of excess grease after the drive of the electric motor 20 is stopped.

[0227] 2-2-3. Third Modification

[0228] The electric lubricator 1 of the third variant is different from the electric lubricator 1 of the first embodiment in that the fourth drive process is executed instead of the first drive process. The fourth drive process is equivalent to the first drive process with a partial change. Therefore, the following description focuses only on the part changed relative to the first drive process.

[0229] 2-2-3-1. Fourth drive process

[0230] like Fig.13 As shown, the fourth drive process is different from the first drive process in that S320 and S330 are deleted and S370 to S390 are added.

[0231] Specifically, when the difference is greater than the threshold value in S310 (S310: NO), the control circuit 80 transfers to S370. In S370, the control circuit 80 outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for driving the electric motor 20 at a preset maximum rotation speed to the drive circuit 82, and transfers to S400. In this third modified example, the maximum rotation speed is the rated rotation speed of the electric motor 20, but it is not limited to the rated rotation speed.

[0232] If the difference is smaller than the threshold value in S310 (S310: YES), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S380. In S380, the control circuit 80 calculates the target rotation speed of the electric motor 20 based on the above formula (1), and proceeds to S390.

[0233] In S390 , the control circuit 80 outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for driving the electric motor 20 at the target rotation speed calculated in S380 to the drive circuit 82 , and the process proceeds to S400 .

[0234] 2-2-3-2. Technical Effects of the Third Modification

[0235] In the third variant, Fig.14 As shown, the electric motor 20 is driven at a preset maximum rotation speed from the start of driving the electric motor 20 until time t1 when the difference reaches the threshold. Then, the target rotation speed is set according to the difference, and the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed decrease as the difference decreases.

[0236] Therefore, the third modification can also exert the same effect as the second modification. In addition, the electric motor 20 is driven at its maximum rotation speed from the start of driving until the difference reaches the threshold value, and the third modification can shorten the time required for grease ejection compared to the second modification.

[0237] 2-2-4. Fourth Modification

[0238] The electric lubricator 1 of the fourth modified example is different from the electric lubricator 1 of the first embodiment in that a second control process is executed instead of the first control process. The second control process is equivalent to a partially modified first control process. Therefore, the following description focuses only on the portion that has been modified relative to the first control process.

[0239] 2-2-4-1. Second Control Process

[0240] In the first control process, even if the manual operation of the trigger switch 8 is released to stop the driving of the electric motor 20 , the measured value is not initialized until the control circuit 80 determines that the difference is zero in S140 .

[0241] By holding the measured value until the difference reaches zero, when the trigger switch 8 is manually operated again to restart the discharge of grease, it is possible to suppress the discharge of an excessive amount of grease.

[0242] In contrast, Fig.15 As shown, the second control process is different from the first control process in that S110, S140, S170, S200, and S210 are deleted and S220 to S240 are added.

[0243] More specifically, when the trigger switch 8 is not manually operated in S120 (S120: NO), the control circuit 80 does not determine whether the difference value is zero in S140, but moves to S150 to initialize the measured value.

[0244] Therefore, in the fourth modification, when the user temporarily releases the manual operation of the trigger switch 8 and manually operates the trigger switch 8 again, the grease can be ejected from the beginning.

[0245] In the second control process, when the manual operation of the trigger switch 8 is released, the measured value is initialized, and therefore the process of S170 in the first control process is not executed.

[0246] When the trigger switch 8 is manually operated in S120 (S120: YES), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S220 to calculate the difference.

[0247] Next, in S230, the control circuit determines whether the calculated difference is zero. If the difference is zero (S230: YES), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S240. In S240, the control circuit 80 outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for stopping the drive of the electric motor 20 to the drive circuit 82.

[0248] If the difference is not zero in S230 (S230: NO), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S300 to execute any one of the first to fourth drive processes. When the process of S240 or S300 is completed, the control circuit 80 proceeds to S190.

[0249] 2-3. Second Embodiment

[0250] The electric lubricator 1 of the second embodiment corresponds to the electric lubricator 1 of the first embodiment with some modifications. Fig.16 As shown, the electric lubricator 1 of the second embodiment is different from the electric lubricator 1 of the first embodiment in that the reciprocating detector 65 is eliminated. In addition, the electric lubricator 1 of the second embodiment is different from the electric lubricator 1 of the first embodiment in the function of the control circuit 80 and a part of the processing performed by the control circuit 80.

[0251] Therefore, the following description focuses only on the differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[0252] 2-3-1. Functional structure of control circuit

[0253] like Fig.16 As shown, in the second embodiment, as the reciprocation detector 65 is eliminated, the control circuit 80 includes a rotation number calculation unit 98 and a second difference calculation unit 99 instead of the reciprocation number calculation unit 94 and the first difference calculation unit 95 .

[0254] The rotation number calculation unit 98 is configured to: (i) receive the first to third rotation signals from the first to third rotation position sensors 28A to 28C, (ii) measure the rotation number of the electric motor 20 based on the received first to third rotation signals, and (iii) update the measured value. In the second embodiment, the measured value corresponds to the measured rotation number of the electric motor 20.

[0255] The second difference calculation unit 99 is configured to (i) convert the setting value (i.e., the target reciprocation number of the plunger 50) set by the reciprocation number setting unit 92 into the target rotation number of the electric motor 20 based on the gear ratio (or reduction ratio) of the reduction mechanism 43, and (ii) calculate the difference between the converted setting value and the measured value updated by the rotation number calculation unit 98. In the second embodiment, the reciprocation number of the plunger 50 corresponds to the product of (i) the rotation number of the electric motor 20 and (ii) the gear ratio of the reduction mechanism 43.

[0256] The control unit 97 is configured to: (i) start driving the electric motor 20 at a relatively high rotation speed, (ii) reduce the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed of the electric motor 20 when the difference calculated by the second difference calculation unit 99 decreases to a predetermined threshold value, and (iii) output the first to sixth drive control signals for stopping the driving of the electric motor 20 to the drive circuit 82 when the measured value reaches the converted set value. The threshold value of the second embodiment corresponds to the threshold value of the first embodiment converted into the number of rotations of the electric motor 20.

[0257] Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the driving of the electric motor 20 is stopped, the electric motor 20 and the plunger 50 are also stopped in a short time. As a result, the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0258] 2-3-2. Details of Processing Executed by Control Circuit

[0259] 2-3-2-1. Third Control Process

[0260] The control circuit 80 of the second embodiment executes the third control process instead of the first control process.

[0261] like Fig.17 As shown, in the third control process, the control circuit 80 first calculates the converted set value based on the set value and the gear ratio in S500. Next, in S510, the control circuit 80 calculates the difference between the converted set value and the measured value (converted set value - measured value).

[0262] Next, in S520, similarly to S120, the control circuit 80 determines whether the trigger switch 8 is manually operated. If the trigger switch 8 is manually operated (S520: YES), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S600. If the trigger switch 8 is not manually operated (S520: NO), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S530.

[0263] In S530, similarly to the above-mentioned 130, the control circuit 80 outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for stopping the drive of the electric motor 20 to the drive circuit 82, and transfers to S540. In S540, the control circuit 80 determines whether the difference calculated in S510 is zero. When the difference is zero (S540: YES), the control circuit 80 transfers to S550, initializes (or resets) the measured value, and transfers to S560. When the difference is not zero (S540: NO), the control circuit 80 immediately transfers to S560.

[0264] In S560, the control circuit 80 determines whether the increment switch 76 or the decrement switch 78 is manually operated. When the increment switch 76 or the decrement switch 78 is manually operated (S560: YES), the control circuit 80 transfers to S570 and initializes (or resets) the measured value. Next, in S580, the control circuit 80 changes the set value (that is, the target number of reciprocations of the plunger 50) according to the manual operation of the increment switch 76 or the decrement switch 78, and transfers to S590. When the increment switch 76 or the decrement switch 78 is not manually operated (S560: NO), the control circuit 80 immediately transfers to S590. In S590, similarly to the above-mentioned S190, the control circuit 80 outputs a display control signal for displaying the set value on the first to third display screens 72A to 72C to the display device 72, and the set value is displayed on the display device 72. When the display of the set value is completed, the control circuit 80 returns to S500.

[0265] In S600, the control circuit 80 determines whether the difference calculated in S510 is zero. If the difference is zero (S600: YES), the control circuit 80 moves to S610. In S610, similarly to the above-mentioned S210, the control circuit 80 outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for stopping the drive of the electric motor 20 to the drive circuit 82, and moves to S590.

[0266] When the difference is not zero (S600: NO), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S700 to execute the fifth drive process. When the fifth drive process is completed, the control circuit 80 proceeds to S590.

[0267] 2-3-2-2. Fifth drive processing

[0268] like Fig.18 As shown, the control circuit 80 determines in S710 whether the difference calculated in S510 is less than a preset threshold value. When the difference is less than the threshold value (S710: YES), the control circuit 80 transfers to S720 and outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for driving the electric motor 20 at the first rotation speed to the drive circuit 82.

[0269] If the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value in S710 ( S710 : NO), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S730 and outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for driving the electric motor 20 at the second rotation speed to the drive circuit 82 .

[0270] As a result, while the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold, the electric motor 20 is driven at the second rotation speed. When the difference decreases to be less than the threshold, the electric motor 20 is driven at the first rotation speed.

[0271] Next, in S800 , the control circuit 80 measures the number of rotations of the electric motor 20 based on the first to third rotation signals, updates the measured value, and ends the fifth drive process.

[0272] 2-3-3. Technical Effects of the Second Embodiment

[0273] In the second embodiment, the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed of the electric motor 20 are reduced from the second rotation speed to the first rotation speed after the difference between the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed reaches the threshold value until the driving of the electric motor 20 is stopped.

[0274] Therefore, in the second embodiment, Figure 6B The time required until the electric motor 20 is actually stopped can also be shortened compared to the time shown.

[0275] 2-4. Modification of the Second Embodiment

[0276] In the second embodiment, the fifth driving process can be changed in the same manner as in the first to third modified examples. The third control process can also be changed in the same manner as in the fourth modified example.

[0277] Hereinafter, fifth to eighth modified examples corresponding to the first to fourth modified examples, respectively, will be described.

[0278] 2-4-1. Fifth Modification

[0279] The electric lubricator 1 of the fifth modification is different from the electric lubricator 1 of the second embodiment in that the sixth drive process is executed instead of the fifth drive process. The sixth drive process is equivalent to a partially modified fifth drive process. Therefore, the following description focuses only on the portion that has been modified relative to the fifth drive process.

[0280] 2-4-1-1. Sixth drive process

[0281] like Fig.19 As shown, the sixth driving process is different from the fifth driving process in that S710 is replaced by S712, and S714 and S740 are added.

[0282] Specifically, in S712 , the control circuit 80 determines whether the difference is smaller than a preset first threshold value. The first threshold value of the fifth modification corresponds to the first threshold value of the first modification converted into the number of rotations of the electric motor 20 .

[0283] When the difference is less than the first threshold value (S712: YES), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S720. When the difference is greater than the first threshold value (S712: NO), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S714 to determine whether the difference is less than a preset second threshold value. The second threshold value of the fifth modification is equivalent to the second threshold value of the first modification converted into the number of rotations of the electric motor 20.

[0284] When the difference is less than the second threshold value (S714: YES), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S730. When the difference is greater than the second threshold value (S714: NO), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S740 and outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for driving the electric motor 20 at the third rotation speed to the drive circuit 82.

[0285] When the electric motor 20 is driven at any of the first to third rotational speeds in S720 to S740 , the control circuit 80 proceeds to S800 .

[0286] 2-4-1-2. Technical Effects of the Fifth Modification

[0287] According to the sixth driving process, the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed of the electric motor 20 are reduced from the third rotation speed to the second rotation speed, and then reduced from the second rotation speed to the first rotation speed, based on the difference.

[0288] Therefore, in the fifth modification, the time required from when the driving of the electric motor 20 is stopped until the electric motor 20 is actually stopped can be shortened more reliably.

[0289] In the sixth driving process, the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed of the electric motor 20 may be changed in four or more stages.

[0290] 2-4-2. Sixth Modification

[0291] The electric lubricator 1 of the sixth modification is different from the electric lubricator 1 of the second embodiment in that the seventh drive process is executed instead of the fifth drive process. The seventh drive process is equivalent to a partially modified fifth drive process. Therefore, the following description focuses only on the portion that has been modified relative to the fifth drive process.

[0292] 2-4-2-1. Seventh drive process

[0293] like Fig. 20 As shown, the seventh drive process is different from the fifth drive process in that S710 to S730 are deleted and S750 and S760 are added.

[0294] Specifically, in S750, the control circuit 80 calculates the target rotation speed of the electric motor 20 based on the difference. In the sixth modification, the control circuit 80 calculates the target rotation speed based on the following equation (2).

[0295] Target rotation speed = difference × coefficient + minimum rotation speed (2)

[0296] In the above-mentioned formula (2), the coefficient and the minimum rotation speed are set in advance.

[0297] Next, in S760 , the control circuit 80 outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for driving the electric motor 20 at the target rotation speed calculated in S750 to the drive circuit 82 , and the process proceeds to S800 .

[0298] 2-4-2-2. Technical Effects of the Sixth Modification

[0299] In the sixth modification, the target rotation speed of the electric motor 20 is set based on the difference. Therefore, the target rotation speed is set to the maximum rotation speed corresponding to the converted set value (that is, the target number of rotations) immediately after the start of driving the electric motor 20. Then, as the measured value (that is, the measured number of rotations) increases and the difference decreases, the target rotation speed decreases, and the actual rotation speed also decreases.

[0300] In other words, the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed are continuously reduced according to the difference after the start of driving of the electric motor 20. As a result, when the driving of the electric motor 20 is stopped, the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed can be sufficiently reduced.

[0301] Therefore, the sixth variation can also produce the same effect as the second variation.

[0302] 2-4-3. Seventh Modification

[0303] The electric lubricator 1 of the seventh modification is different from the electric lubricator 1 of the second embodiment in that an eighth drive process is executed instead of the fifth drive process. The eighth drive process is equivalent to a partially modified fifth drive process. Therefore, the following description focuses only on the portion that has been modified relative to the fifth drive process.

[0304] 2-4-3-1. 8th drive processing

[0305] like Fig.21 As shown, the eighth drive process is different from the fifth drive process in that S720 and S730 are deleted and S770 to S790 are added.

[0306] Specifically, when the difference is greater than the threshold value in S710 (S710: NO), the control circuit 80 transfers to S770. In S770, the control circuit 80 outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for driving the electric motor 20 at a preset maximum rotation speed to the drive circuit 82, and transfers to S800. In this seventh modification, the maximum rotation speed is the rated rotation speed of the electric motor 20, but it is not limited to the rated rotation speed.

[0307] If the difference is smaller than the threshold value in S710 (S710: YES), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S780. In S780, the control circuit 80 calculates the target rotation speed of the electric motor 20 based on the above equation (2), and proceeds to S790.

[0308] In S790 , the control circuit 80 outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for driving the electric motor 20 at the target rotation speed calculated in S780 to the drive circuit 82 , and the process proceeds to S800 .

[0309] 2-4-3-2. Technical Effects of the Seventh Modification

[0310] In the seventh modification, the electric motor 20 is driven at a preset maximum rotation speed from the start of driving the electric motor 20 until time t1 when the difference reaches the threshold. Then, the target rotation speed is set according to the difference, and the target rotation speed and the actual rotation speed decrease as the difference decreases.

[0311] Therefore, the seventh modification can also exert the same effect as the sixth modification. In addition, since the electric motor 20 is driven at its maximum rotation speed from the start of driving until the difference reaches the threshold, the seventh modification can shorten the time required for grease ejection compared to the sixth modification.

[0312] 2-4-4. Eighth Modification

[0313] The electric lubricator 1 of the eighth modification is different from the electric lubricator 1 of the second embodiment in that the fourth control process is executed instead of the third control process. The fourth control process is equivalent to the third control process with a partial change. Therefore, the following description focuses only on the portion changed relative to the third control process.

[0314] 2-4-4-1. Fourth Control Process

[0315] like Fig. 22 As shown, the fourth control process is different from the third control process in that S500, S510, S540, S570, S600, and S610 are deleted and S620 to S650 are added.

[0316] More specifically, when the trigger switch 8 is not manually operated in S520 (S520: NO), the control circuit 80 does not determine whether the difference value is zero in S540, but moves to S550 to initialize the measured value.

[0317] Therefore, in the eighth modification, similarly to the fourth modification, when the user temporarily releases the manual operation of the trigger switch 8 and manually operates the trigger switch 8 again, the grease can be ejected from the beginning.

[0318] In the fourth control process, when the manual operation of the trigger switch 8 is released, the measured value is initialized, and therefore the process of S570 in the third control process is not executed.

[0319] If the trigger switch 8 is manually operated in S520 (S520: YES), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S620. In S620, the control circuit 80 calculates the converted set value (that is, the target number of rotations) based on the set value and the gear ratio.

[0320] Next, in S630, the control circuit 80 calculates the difference between the converted set value and the measured value (converted set value - measured value), and transfers to S640. In S640, the control circuit 80 determines whether the calculated difference is zero. In the case of zero (S640: YES), the control circuit 80 transfers to S650. In S650, the control circuit 80 outputs the first to sixth drive control signals for stopping the drive of the electric motor 20 to the drive circuit 82.

[0321] When the difference is not zero (S640: NO), the control circuit 80 proceeds to S700 to execute any one of the fifth to eighth drive processes. When the process of S650 or S700 is completed, the control circuit 80 proceeds to S590.

[0322] 2-5. Other implementation methods

[0323] The present invention is not limited to the above-described first and second embodiments and first to eighth modifications, and can be implemented in various modifications.

[0324] The actual rotation speed of the electric motor 20 can be changed according to the duty ratio of the first to sixth drive control signals. Therefore, in other embodiments, (i) the duty ratio of the first to sixth drive control signals corresponding to the target rotation speed is set or calculated instead of the target rotation speed, and (ii) the duty ratio can be reduced according to the difference. Such an embodiment can exert the same effect as the first and second embodiments and the first to eighth modifications.

[0325] 2-6. Supplement

[0326] More than two functions implemented by one component in the above-mentioned embodiment and the above-mentioned modified example may also be implemented by more than two components. Alternatively, one function implemented by one component may also be implemented by more than two components. Alternatively, more than two functions implemented by more than two components may also be implemented by one component. Alternatively, one function implemented by more than two components may also be implemented by one component. Alternatively, a part of the components in the above-mentioned embodiment and the above-mentioned modified example may be omitted. Alternatively, at least a part of the components in one of the above-mentioned embodiment and the above-mentioned modified example may be added to another component in the above-mentioned embodiment and the above-mentioned modified example, or replaced with it.

[0327] In addition to the electric lubricator, the present invention can also be implemented in the following various forms: a system including an electric lubricator, a computer program for causing a computer to function as an electric lubricator, a non-migratable physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory recording the computer program, and a method for spraying lubricating oil from an electric lubricator.

Claims

1. An electric oiler, comprising: a first manual switch configured to be manually operated by a user of the electric lubricator; an electric motor configured to generate a driving force; a drive circuit configured to drive the electric motor; A pump comprising a discharge port, a chamber, and a plunger, wherein the discharge port is communicated with the chamber, the chamber is configured to contain lubricating oil, and the plunger is configured to (i) be located in the chamber and (ii) reciprocate in the chamber by the driving force of the electric motor to discharge the lubricating oil in the chamber from the discharge port; and A control circuit configured to execute a first action, a second action, a third action, and a fourth action, In the first operation, the drive circuit is controlled so that the electric motor rotates at a preset rotation speed in response to the first manual switch being manually operated. In the second operation, the number of reciprocating movements of the plunger is measured during the driving of the electric motor. In the third operation, during the driving process of the electric motor, the drive circuit is controlled in such a manner that the electric motor is decelerated from the preset rotation speed according to a difference between (i) a set value corresponding to a target number of reciprocations of the plunger and (ii) a measured value corresponding to a measured number of reciprocations of the plunger, In the fourth operation, the drive circuit is controlled so as to stop driving the electric motor in response to the measured value reaching the set value.

2. The electric oiler according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control circuit is configured to control the drive circuit in the third operation so that the actual rotation speed of the electric motor decreases as the difference decreases.

3. The electric oiler according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The control circuit is configured to control the drive circuit so that the electric motor decelerates continuously or stepwise in the third operation.

4. The electric lubricator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The control circuit is configured to measure the number of rotations of the electric motor in the second operation. The measured value indicates the measured number of rotations, The control circuit is configured to convert the set value into a target number of rotations of the electric motor in the third action, and control the drive circuit in a manner that decelerates the electric motor from the predetermined rotation speed based on the difference between (i) the converted set value and (ii) the measured value.

5. The electric lubricator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The control circuit is configured to further execute the fifth and sixth actions. In the fifth operation, the drive circuit is controlled so as to stop driving the electric motor in response to the first manual switch being released from the manual operation of the user, In the sixth operation, the measured value is initialized or maintained in response to the first manual switch being released from the manual operation.

6. The electric lubricator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The control circuit is configured to control the drive circuit so as to apply a braking force to the electric motor in the fourth operation.

7. The electric lubricator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The control circuit is configured to output a pulse width modulation signal to the drive circuit to control the drive circuit. The drive circuit is configured to drive the electric motor according to the pulse width modulation signal.

8. The electric lubricator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The electric lubricator further includes at least one second manual switch, wherein the at least one second manual switch (i) is different from the first manual switch, and (ii) is configured to be manually operated by the user. The control circuit is configured to further execute a seventh operation of changing the set value based on manual operation of the at least one second manual switch.

9. The electric lubricator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The electric motor has a rated rotational speed, The preset rotation speed is the rated rotation speed.

10. The electric lubricator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The lubricating oil is in a semi-solid form.

11. The electric lubricator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The lubricating oil includes lubricating grease.

12. A method for spraying lubricating oil from an electric oiler, comprising the following steps: The electric motor of the electric lubricator is driven at a preset rotation speed based on a manual switch of the electric lubricator being manually operated, the electric motor being configured to reciprocate a plunger of the electric lubricator; measuring the number of reciprocating movements of the plunger; controlling the electric motor in such a manner that the electric motor is decelerated from the predetermined rotational speed based on a difference between (i) a set value corresponding to a target number of reciprocations of the plunger and (ii) a measured value corresponding to a measured number of reciprocations of the plunger; as well as The driving of the electric motor is stopped based on the measured value reaching the set value.

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