Intrinsically safe single-point lubricator

Abstract

An intrinsically safe single point lubricator (100) comprises a drive unit (10) for accommodating a power component and an oil storage unit (20) for storing a lubricant. The driving unit (10) and the oil storage unit (20) can be assembled together in a detachable mode. The power component comprises a motor (M) and a battery pack (11) for providing electric power for the motor (M), and the motor (M) is arranged to be used for driving the pump pressure mechanism (P) to extrude the lubricating agent in the oil storage unit (20) out of the oil outlet hole (21). The single-point lubricator (100) is at least partially provided with an anti-static coating, in particular a static dissipative coating, on the surface thereof. The static dissipative coating can provide relatively slow static discharge in a controllable manner while inhibiting formation of initial static charges and preventing static accumulation, so that flammable gas, liquid or solid in the surrounding environment are effectively prevented from being ignited by electric arcs or sparks generated by contact discharge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a single-point lubricator, in particular to an intrinsically safe single-point lubricator used in flammable environments such as mines. Background Art

[0002] Single-point lubricators are designed to automatically deliver the correct amount of lubricant (grease or oil) to a specific lubrication point. Compared to traditional manual lubrication techniques, single-point lubricators offer more precise control over the amount and timing of lubricant delivery. Because single-point lubricators contain a motor to drive the pump mechanism and a battery to power the motor, they must meet intrinsically safe electrical standards to be used in flammable environments such as mines. "Intrinsically safe" means that production equipment is designed to be sufficiently safe so that even misoperation or malfunction will not cause a safety hazard. Intrinsically safe electrical equipment is characterized by its entire circuitry being intrinsically safe, including the charge discharge circuit created by the flow of electrostatic charge across the lubricator's surfaces. For example, when the lubricator comes into contact with an object at a different electrical potential (such as the human body or a microcircuit), the electrostatic potential difference can be discharged through arcing or spark discharge. Under normal operation or specified conditions, the sparks and thermal effects of this discharge should not ignite the specified explosive mixture.

[0003] Reality calls for an intrinsically safe single-point lubricator that can meet the requirements of intrinsically safe electrical appliances in terms of static protection, so that it is suitable for working in explosive environments. Utility Model Content

[0004] To meet the above requirements, the present invention provides an intrinsically safe single-point lubricator comprising a drive unit for accommodating a power component and an oil reservoir for storing lubricant. The drive unit and oil reservoir are detachably assembled. The power component comprises a motor and a battery pack for powering the motor. The motor is configured to drive a pumping mechanism to squeeze lubricant from the oil reservoir out of an oil hole. The single-point lubricator has an antistatic coating, particularly a static dissipative coating, formed at least partially on its surface.

[0005] While suppressing the formation of initial static charge and preventing static accumulation, the electrostatic dissipative coating can also provide relatively slow static discharge (ranging from one hundredth of a second to several seconds) in a controllable manner, thereby effectively preventing arcs or sparks generated by contact discharge from igniting flammable gases, liquids or solids in the surrounding environment.

[0006] The specific implementation of the present invention and its beneficial technical effects are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a radial cross section of a display drive unit;

[0008] Figure 1B show Figure 1A Axial cross-sectional view of the middle drive unit;

[0009] Figure 2A A schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the oil storage unit;

[0010] Figure 2B A schematic diagram showing the appearance and structure of the oil storage unit; and

[0011] Figure 3 Schematic diagram showing the appearance of a single-point lubricator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the following description, the same or similar reference numerals are used throughout to denote the same or similar components. Terms indicating directions, such as "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," refer to the axial, radial, and circumferential directions of the components being described, unless otherwise specified or indicated.

[0013] Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B Schematic diagrams of the drive unit and oil reservoir are shown from different perspectives. As can be seen from the diagram, the single-point lubricator 100 comprises a drive unit 10 and an oil reservoir 20, which can be detachably assembled. The drive unit 10 houses power components such as a motor M and a battery pack 11, while the oil reservoir 20 stores lubricant (oil or grease). Using power from the battery pack 11, the motor M drives a pumping mechanism P, which squeezes the lubricant from the oil reservoir 20 out of the oil hole 21.

[0014] The detachable connection between the drive unit 10 and the oil storage unit 20 is achieved by threaded adaptation of the internal thread 13 of the housing of the drive unit 10 and the external thread 27 of the housing of the oil storage unit 20. In addition to the connection function, the housing 14 of the drive unit 10 is also designed to use the pressure generated by the threaded adaptation to press the battery pack 11 against the battery compartment 1, so as to ensure a reliable electrical connection between the voltage output end of the battery pack 11 (usually represented by the output electrode of the battery, not shown) and the voltage input end (not shown) of the working circuit of the drive unit 10. Usually, the voltage input end of the drive unit 10 is designed to form an electrical connection with the voltage output end of the battery pack 11, and the voltage input end is mostly formed at the bottom of the battery compartment 1. Based on the above structure, after the battery pack 11 is correctly assembled into the battery compartment 1, the voltage input end can rely on the pressure to form a reliable electrical connection with the voltage output end of the battery pack 11.

[0015] like Figure 2A As shown, the pumping mechanism P comprises a hydraulic cylinder formed by the cylindrical sidewall 22 of the oil reservoir 20 and a piston 23 that forms a sliding seal with the hydraulic cylinder (i.e., the cylindrical sidewall 22). The output torque of the motor M is transmitted via a rotating shaft 24 to a lead screw 25. The lead screw 25, through its threaded engagement with the piston 23, converts the output torque into power, causing the piston 23 to propel linearly within the oil reservoir 20. Based on this power transmission, the motor M ultimately drives the piston 23, squeezing the lubricant within the oil reservoir 20 out of the oil outlet 21 below.

[0016] During operation, the pumping mechanism P stirs and squeezes the lubricant, generating triboelectric charges. These charges accumulate on the surface of the single-point lubricator 100, forming static electricity. When a conductive object with a different electrical potential (e.g., a human body or a microcircuit) contacts the lubricator, the accumulated static electricity may be discharged in the form of arcs or sparks. Such discharges are extremely dangerous in environments containing flammable gases, liquids, or solids (e.g., mines and operating rooms).

[0017] To this end, the lubricator of the present invention has an antistatic coating formed at least partially on its surface. Figure 1A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 3 The antistatic coating is made of electrostatic dissipative materials (abbreviated as "dissipative materials") that can slowly release static electricity. The surface resistivity of the dissipative materials is between 10 4 ~10 11 Ohm / square. It can also be used for anti-static conductive materials (surface resistivity less than 10 4 Compared to dissipative materials (e.g., ohms / square), dissipative materials have weaker conductivity and allow current to flow more slowly, resulting in a longer time for charge to be shared or neutralized by the conductors, making it difficult for arcs or spark discharges to form. In a preferred embodiment, the antistatic coating has a surface resistance of no more than 1 GΩ and can be formed by spraying a self-drying, low-resistance semiconducting epoxy paint.

[0018] Figure 3A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the lubricator is shown. As can be seen from the figure, the portion of the lubricator surface not covered by the antistatic coating forms a transparent window, including a first window 12 formed on the axial top of the drive unit 10 and a second window 26 formed on the cylindrical side wall 22 of the oil storage unit 20. The first window 12 allows the user to observe the working status of the power components in the drive unit 10, and the second window 26 allows the user to observe the remaining lubricant in the oil storage unit 20. However, the arrangement of the above-mentioned windows must not hinder the overall working efficiency of the antistatic coating on the lubricator surface. This mainly depends on the position distribution and area ratio of each window on the drive unit and the oil storage unit.

[0019] from Figure 1A As can be seen in the figure, the first window 12 is set at the axial top of the drive unit 10 and is roughly circular or elliptical. As a preferred embodiment, the axial projection area of ​​the first window 12 accounts for 40-50% of the top projection area of ​​the drive unit 10. Figure 2B In the preferred embodiment shown, the second windows 26 extend generally axially along the cylindrical sidewall 22 of the oil storage unit 20, and their circumferential distribution (indicated by width D) accounts for 10-20% of the circumference of the cylindrical sidewall 22. The shape and distribution of the above-mentioned windows are based on the premise that the information of the unit in which they are located is visible, but should not affect the overall working efficiency of the antistatic coating.

[0020] The intrinsically safe single-point lubricator described above is not limited to the specific implementation method. The more general technical solution shall be subject to the limitations of the appended claims. Any changes and improvements to this utility model that comply with the limitations of the appended claims shall fall within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. An intrinsically safe single-point lubricator (100), comprising a drive unit (10) for accommodating a power component and an oil storage unit (20) for storing lubricant, wherein the drive unit (10) and the oil storage unit (20) can be assembled together in a detachable manner, the power component comprising a motor (M) and a battery pack (11) for providing power to the motor (M), the motor (M) being configured to drive a pumping mechanism (P) to squeeze the lubricant in the oil storage unit (20) out of an oil hole (21), characterized in that: The single-point lubricator (100) has an antistatic coating formed at least partially on its surface.

2. The single-point lubricator (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The antistatic coating is formed of a static dissipative material.

3. The single-point lubricator (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The surface of the single-point lubricator (100) not covered by the antistatic coating forms a transparent window, which includes a first window (12) formed on the axial top of the drive unit (10) and a second window (26) formed on the cylindrical side wall (22) of the oil storage unit (20).

4. The single-point lubricator (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first window (12) is roughly circular or elliptical, and its axial projection area accounts for 40-50% of the total projection area of ​​the top of the drive unit (10).

5. The single-point lubricator (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second window (26) extends axially on the cylindrical side wall (22) of the oil storage unit (20), and its distribution in the circumferential direction occupies 10-20% of the circumferential length of the cylindrical side wall (22).

6. The single-point lubricator (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The detachable assembly between the driving unit (10) and the oil storage unit (20) is achieved through threaded adaptation between the two.

7. The single-point lubricator (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The thread adaptation is formed by the cooperation of the internal thread (13) of the housing of the drive unit (10) and the external thread (27) of the housing of the oil storage unit (20).

8. The single-point lubricator (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The housing (14) of the drive unit (10) is configured to press the battery pack (11) against the battery compartment (1) using pressure generated by threaded fitting, thereby ensuring a reliable electrical connection between the voltage output end of the battery pack (11) and the voltage input end of the drive unit (10).

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