Lubrication system and procedure

Abstract

A lubrication system (1) for lubricating multiple lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) is disclosed, wherein the lubrication system (1) comprises a lubricant reservoir (4), multiple lubricant injectors (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8) for supplying lubricant from the lubricant reservoir (4) to the multiple lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8), and a control unit (8) for controlling the lubricant flow from the lubricant reservoir (4) to the multiple lubricant injectors (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8), wherein the control unit (8) is configured to control the multiple lubricant injectors (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8) to simultaneously deliver lubricant to the multiple lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) in predefined lubrication cycles (CL),wherein the lubrication system (1) further comprises a condition monitoring unit (10) for monitoring the condition of the multiple lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8), wherein, if the condition monitoring unit (10) detects that the condition of at least one of the multiple lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) is abnormal, the control unit (8) is configured to control the lubricant injector (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8) associated with the lubrication point (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8), which is in an abnormal state in order to individually deliver an additional dose of lubricant to the assigned lubrication point (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8).

Description

Technical Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to a lubrication system according to claim 1.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn most technical fields, in which bearings (rolling bearings or plain bearings) are used, the bearings are lubricated in order to allow a satisfactory functioning and a long service life of the bearings. To maintain sufficient lubrication, a central and automatic lubrication system may be used. Such a system may provide lubricant to multiple bearings or lubrication points. In particular, a predetermined quantity of lubricant is provided to each of the lubrication points by a central lubrication system at certain time intervals.However, if a bearing failure is detected that can be detected using a condition monitoring system, the collected condition monitoring data must be analyzed by an analyst or qualified technician and / or it determines that lubrication of the bearing is required. He / she must then instruct a lubricating technician to manually provide additional lubrication to the appropriate locations, either with a grease gun or by forcing the central and automatic lubrication system (ALS) to perform a manual lubrication cycle. In the latter case, forcing a manual lubrication cycle results in unnecessary lubrication of all bearings that are part of the system, as selective lubrication is not possible. This is a short term solution that is repeated in the plant regularly (often monthly) and runs many hours of the time of analysts and lubricators.Alternatively, the problem may be ignored. That is, the device may be over or under lubricated throughout its useful life, and in many cases, this will affect and possibly shorten the life of the device, and may result in more frequent catastrophic shut-downs and / or unscheduled downtime.It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved lubrication system capable of providing central, automatic lubrication while at the same time ensuring that each lubrication point is sufficiently lubricated.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis object is achieved by a lubrication system for lubricating a plurality of lubrication points according to claim 1 and a lubrication method for lubricating a plurality of lubrication points according to claim 10.The lubrication system includes a lubricant reservoir, a plurality of lubricant injectors for providing lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the plurality of lubrication points, such as bearings, and a control unit for controlling the flow of lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the plurality of lubricant injectors. The lubricant may be any type of lubricant, e.g., grease or oil. The plurality of lubrication points may be any number of lubrication points.The control unit is configured to control the plurality of lubricant injectors such that they simultaneously deliver lubricant to the plurality of lubrication points in predefined lubrication cycles. In each lubrication cycle, a predetermined amount or quantity of lubricant is supplied to each injector and then delivered to each lubrication location or bearing. The control unit may be any unit capable of controlling the supply of lubricant from the reservoir to the injectors and subsequently to the lubricating sites. The control unit may be implemented in the lubrication system or may be implemented remotely, e.g., on a server or remote computing system.In order to provide improved lubrication of each of the lubrication points, the lubrication system further comprises a state monitoring unit for monitoring the state of the plurality of lubrication points. The state monitoring unit can, for example, monitor the state of lubrication of the lubrication points, e.g. of the bearings, via monitoring parameters. If the state monitoring unit determines that the state of at least one of the plurality of lubrication points is abnormal (e.g. has too high a vibration and / or temperature, which may indicate insufficient lubrication), the control unit is configured to control the lubricant injector associated with the lubrication point having the abnormal state to individually deliver an additional dose of lubricant to the lubrication point having the abnormal state. Thus, in addition to automatic lubrication in certain lubrication cycles, one or more of the lubrication points may be additionally lubricated if the condition of the lubrication point requires such additional lubrication.According to an embodiment, the control unit is configured to deliver the additional lubricant dose to the lubrication point having an abnormal state outside the predefined lubrication cycles. During the predefined lubrication cycles, the predefined amount or quantity of lubricant is delivered to all lubrication points. Outside these predefined lubrication cycles, only the lubrication point that requires additional lubrication may be lubricated based on the currently monitored state of the lubrication point.According to a further embodiment, the state monitoring unit comprises at least one sensor for each lubrication point of the plurality of lubrication points, wherein at least one state detection parameter is configured per sensor of the respective lubrication point, which is indicative of a state of the lubrication point. Preferably, the sensor can measure at least more than one parameter. Measuring more than one parameter may provide improved knowledge of the state of the lubrication points, in particular whether the state of the lubrication point is normal or deviates from the normal state (in which the lubrication point, e.g. the bearing, is functioning properly) and is in an abnormal state. The at least one parameter can comprise, for example, the temperature and / or the vibration of the lubrication point. Further, the sensors may be suitable sensors such as a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a displacement sensor, and the like.According to a further embodiment, the state monitoring unit is configured to compare the value of the monitored parameter with a predefined threshold value and is configured to determine that the state of the respective lubrication point is abnormal if the value of the monitored parameter exceeds the predefined threshold value. For example, if the monitored parameter is a temperature of the lubrication point and the temperature rises and exceeds a predefined threshold temperature, this may indicate an abnormal state of the respective lubrication point.According to a further embodiment, the state monitoring unit is designed to continuously monitor the plurality of lubrication points. In this way, an abnormal state of the lubrication points can be immediately detected and a corresponding additional lubricant dose can be initiated. Alternatively, the state monitoring unit may monitor the plurality of lubricating points at certain intervals. Such an embodiment may provide the advantage that, due to the reduced monitoring time, it is possible to react proactively and automatically.According to a further embodiment, the control unit is configured to individually control each of the plurality of lubricant injectors to stop the transport of lubricant to the plurality of lubrication points outside the predefined lubrication cycles and, if necessary, to supply an additional lubricant dose to the lubrication point that has an abnormal state. This controlled supply of lubricant can be achieved by providing a stop element at each lubricant injector. Such a stop element can be designed to allow or prevent a lubricant flow from the injector to the lubrication point. The stop element of each of the plurality of lubricant injectors may comprise, for example, a valve which is designed to be closed or opened by the control unit. Such a valve may be, for example, a solenoid or solenoid valve.According to a further embodiment, the control unit is configured to adapt the predefined lubrication cycles if the control unit determines over a predetermined period of time that all lubrication points of the plurality of lubrication points require additional lubricant doses outside the predefined lubrication cycle. This can provide the advantage that, in addition to the additional dispensing of lubricant, the already existing lubrication cycles can also be changed on the basis of the monitored states of the lubrication points. As a result, the service life of the lubrication points, for example of the bearings, can be further improved and increased.According to a further aspect, a lubrication method for lubricating a plurality of lubrication points is proposed. The method includes the steps of: controlling a plurality of lubricant injectors to deliver lubricant from a lubricant reservoir to a plurality of lubrication locations in predefined lubrication cycles; monitoring the state of the plurality of lubrication locations; and when it is determined that the state of at least one of the plurality of lubrication locations is abnormal, controlling the lubricant injector associated with the at least one of the plurality of lubrication locations to deliver an additional dose of lubricant to the at least one of the plurality of bearings.A further aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program product comprising computer program code adapted to cause a control unit, e.g. a computer, and / or a computer of the above-described lubricating system to perform the above-described steps.The computer program product may be provided as a storage device, such as a memory card, a USB stick, a CD-ROM, a DVD, and / or may be a file that can be downloaded from a server, in particular a remote server, in a network. The network may be a wireless communication network for transmitting the file with the computer program product.Further preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims as well as in the description and the figures. Here, elements described or shown in combination with other elements may be present alone or in combination with other elements without departing from the scope thereof.Brief Description of the DrawingsPreferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, wherein the drawings are only exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope thereof. The scope of protection is defined solely by the appended claims.The figures show: FIG. 1 : a schematic view of a lubrication system; and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the lubrication cycles of the lubrication system of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn the following, identical or similar functional elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.FIG. 1 shows a lubrication system 1. the lubrication system 1 is designed to lubricate a plurality of lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8. The lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 can be bearings, for example. In FIG. 1, the bearings are shown as ball bearings, but it can also be any other type of bearing, for example any other type of roller bearing such as roller or angular contact ball bearings or plain bearings without rolling bodies.The lubrication system 1 comprises a lubricant reservoir 4 which can be combined with a pressure valve, thereby forming a pump unit. The lubricant reservoir 4 comprises a lubricant such as oil or grease. Furthermore, the lubrication system 1 comprises a plurality of lubricant injectors 6- 1, 6- 2, 6- 3, 6- 4, 6- 5, 6- 6, 6- 7, 6- 8 configured to provide lubricant from the pump unit 4 to the plurality of lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8. The lubricant flow is controlled by a control unit 8. The control unit 8 is configured in particular to control the plurality of lubricant injectors 6- 1, 6- 2, 6- 3, 6- 4, 6- 5, 6- 6, 6- 7, 6- 8 such that they deliver lubricant in predefined lubrication cycles (C L, shown in FIG. 2 and explained in more detail below) simultaneously to the plurality of lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8). The dispensing of lubricant in predefined lubrication cycles implements automatic and central lubrication of the lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8. The predefined lubrication cycles may be defined in advance based on application considerations, such as the typical amount of lubricant and the intervals at which the lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 need to be re-lubricated.In addition, the lubrication system 1 further comprises a state monitoring unit 10 for monitoring the state of the plurality of lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8. The state monitoring unit 10 may include a plurality of sensors 12- 1, 12- 2, 12- 3, 12- 4, 12- 5, 12- 6, 12- 7, 12- 8 capable of measuring at least one parameter of each of the lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8. The parameters can be any type of parameter which is suitable for assessing the state of the lubrication point or the condition of the respective lubrication point 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8.For example, the state monitoring unit 10 may determine that the state of at least one of the plurality of lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 is abnormal based on the measured parameters. This may be the case, for example, when the temperature as the measured parameter exceeds a predefined threshold value.In the case that one or more of the lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 are determined to be abnormal, the control unit 8 is configured to control the lubricant injectors 6- 1, 6- 2, 6- 3, 6- 4, 6- 5, 6- 6, 6- 7, 6- 8 associated with the lubrication point or points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 that are in the abnormal condition or state to individually deliver an additional lubricant dose to the associated lubrication point or points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8.The lubrication system 1 may use near real-time monitoring to evaluate the lubrication condition of the lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8. The assessment may be based on one or more parameters such as vibration, temperature, ultrasound, or the like, as described above. When an abnormal condition associated with any of the lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 is detected, the control unit 8 initiates an additional lubricant dose to the specific lubrication point / bearing 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 without changing its standard lubrication cycle.Further, after each additional lubrication dose, the control unit 8 may re-assess the lubrication condition of the re-lubricated location 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 to determine whether another additional lubrication dose is required. The lubrication system 1 may be configured to have a predetermined number of additional lubricant doses or continue to lubricate until the abnormal state is resolved by the lubrication system 1. Furthermore, all other lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 can also be constantly monitored and re-lubricated if necessary.The lubrication system 1 may store the lubrication point state(s) and the system operating conditions d for post-processing, trend determination, and analysis. For example, for the purpose of adjusting the predefined lubrication cycles as needed.In this connection, it should be noted that the injectors 6- 1, 6- 2, 6- 3, 6- 4, 6- 5, 6- 6, 6- 7, 6- 8 may each provide a predefined amount or dose of lubricant. Further, a pump (not shown) may be used to discharge the lubricant from the pump unit 4 to the injectors 6- 1, 6- 2, 6- 3, 6- 4, 6- 5, 6- 6, 6- 7, 6- 8. Each of the injectors 6- 1, 6- 2, 6- 3, 6- 4, 6- 5, 6- 6, 6- 7, 6- 8 may have a valve, for example, a solenoid, to allow or prevent the flow of lubricant from the injector 6- 1, 6- 2, 6- 3, 6- 4, 6- 5, 6- 6, 6- 7, 6- 8 to the lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8.FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating a lubrication cycle C L where the x-axis corresponds to time and the y-axis corresponds to the amount of lubricant dispensed (0 means no lubricant is dispensed and 1 means a predefined amount or dose of lubricant is dispensed). As seen in FIG. 2, the lubrication system 1 is an automatic lubrication system that undergoes a standard lubrication cycle C L (with a running time t R, during which lubricant is supplied to all lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8, and a pause time t P, during which lubricant is not supplied). When the control unit 8 of the lubrication system 1 receives, via the state monitoring unit 10 and the sensors 12- 1, 12- 2, 12- 3, 12- 4, 12- 5, 12- 6, 12- 7, 12- 8, state monitoring signals indicating that a particular lubrication point 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 needs additional lubricant, selective lubrication may be performed as explained above. Selective lubrication means that the control unit 8 responds by providing an additional dose of lubricant provided only to the lubrication point(s) 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 requiring (requiring) additional lubrication. This additional lubrication occurs during a time t Extra during the regularly scheduled pause time t P for the remaining lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8. At the same time, the standard lubrication cycle C L is not changed.An exemplary sequence of lubrication steps is described below. During normal operation, the control unit 8 executes a typical lubrication cycle C L( standard lubrication cycle) consisting of a part of the expected running time t R and a typically much longer pause time t P. The control unit 8 continuously performs this cycle to supply grease to all the lubrication points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8. When an abnormal under-lubrication state is detected, this state (alarm status) of only the subject bearing or lubrication point 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 is transmitted to the control unit 8. During the pause time t P of the standard cycle C L the control unit 8 closes all injector valves except for the affected lubrication point or points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 and initiates an additional lubrication dose for the affected lubrication point or points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8. The additional lubrication t Extra is completed within the total pause time t P. When the total pause time t P has passed and the runtime t R begins, all lubricating points 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 are lubricated. This additional lubrication may continue over multiple lubrication cycle time intervals C L if the under-lubrication condition continues to exist. In practice, as a rule only 1-2 additional lubrications are required during normal operation. If a bearing or lubrication point 2- 1, 2- 2, 2- 3, 2- 4, 2- 5, 2- 6, 2- 7, 2- 8 is damaged, a long-term need for additional lubrication can be expected and this can be programmed via the control unit 8.In summary, the lubrication system described herein provides improved lubrication of various types of lubrication points, e.g., bearings, by a combination of automatic, central lubrication at predetermined lubrication cycles and additional lubrication at certain individual lubrication times for lubrication points that require additional lubrication. The lubrication system successfully combines predictive maintenance with automation of lubrication, resulting in a lubrication system that modifies its cycle according to the state of the bearing or the lubrication location.The lubrication system is particularly suitable for critical applications because it helps avoid unscheduled machine stalls caused by problems with the lubrication system and bearing errors. Because additional lubricant is provided when certain monitoring parameter levels exceed alarm thresholds, the additional lubrication may help slow the degradation d of the respective bearings or lubrication points. By automatizing the additional lubrication, manual intervention becomes unnecessary and contributes to the safety of the employees. The possibility of automatic auxiliary lubrication, if necessary, allows critical installations to run longer and / or prevents unscheduled shut-downs. Further, since the additional lubricant is only discharged at lubrication locations requiring the additional lubrication, the total lubricant consumption (as compared to manual lubrication) can be reduced because more lubricant is added only after confirming that more lubricant is needed, and preferably only the location requiring it is lubricated, and not all injectors connected to the same line.List of reference characters1 Lubrication system 2- 1 to 2- 8 Bearing / lubrication point 4 Lubricant reservoir / pump unit, consisting of a reservoir and a pressure valve 6- 1 to 6- 8 Lubricant injector 8 Control unit 10 State monitoring unit 12- 1 to 12- 8 Sensor C L Lubrication cycle t P Pause time t R Run time t Extra Additional lubrication time

Claims

A lubrication system (1) for lubricating a plurality of lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8), the lubrication system (1) comprising a lubricant reservoir (4), a plurality of lubricant injectors (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8) for providing lubricant from the lubricant reservoir (4) to the plurality of lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8), and a control unit (8) for controlling the flow of lubricant from the lubricant reservoir (4) to the plurality of lubricant injectors (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8), wherein the control unit (8) is configured to control the plurality of lubricant injectors (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8) to simultaneously control lubricant to the plurality of lubrication points (2-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8), 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) in predefined lubrication cycles (C L) characterized in that the lubrication system (1) further comprises a state monitoring unit (10) for monitoring the state of the plurality of lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8), wherein when the state monitoring unit (10) determines that the state of at least one of the plurality of lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) is abnormal, the control unit (8) is configured to control the lubricant injector (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8) associated with the lubrication point (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) having an abnormal state, to individually deliver an additional lubricant dose to the corresponding lubrication point (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8).The lubrication system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to deliver the additional lubricant dose to the lubrication point (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) having the abnormal state outside the predefined lubrication cycles (CL).The lubrication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the condition monitoring unit (10) comprises at least one sensor (12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, 12-5, 12-6, 12-7, 12-8) for each bearing of the plurality of lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8), wherein the at least one sensor (12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, 12-5, 12-6, 12-7, 12-8) is configured to monitor at least one parameter of the respective lubrication point (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) indicative of an abnormal condition of the lubrication point (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8).The lubrication system according to claim 3, wherein the lubrication point (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) is a bearing and wherein the at least one parameter comprises the temperature and / or the vibration of the bearing.The lubrication system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the state monitoring unit (10) is configured to compare the value of the monitored parameter with a predefined threshold value, and is configured to determine that the state of the respective lubrication point (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) is abnormal if the value of the monitored parameter exceeds the predefined threshold value.Lubrication system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the state monitoring unit (10) is configured to continuously monitor the plurality of lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8).The lubrication system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to individually control each of the plurality of lubricant injectors (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8) to stop the transport of lubricant to the plurality of lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) outside the predefined lubrication cycles (C L) and, if necessary, to supply an additional dose of lubricant to the lubrication point (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) having an abnormal state.The lubrication system according to claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of lubricant injectors (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8) comprises a valve configured to be closed or opened by the control unit (8).Lubrication system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (8) is configured to adjust the predefined lubrication cycles (C L) when the control unit (8) determines over a predetermined period of time that all lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) of the plurality of lubrication points (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) require additional doses of lubricant outside the predefined lubrication cycle (C L).A lubrication method for lubricating a plurality of lubrication sites (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8), the method comprising controlling a plurality of lubricant injectors (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8) to discharge lubricant from a lubricant reservoir (4) to a plurality of lubrication sites (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) in predefined lubrication cycles (C L) characterized in that the method further comprises monitoring the state of the plurality of lubrication sites (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8), and if it is determined that the state of at least one of the plurality of lubrication sites (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) is abnormal, controlling the lubricant injector (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-6, 6-7, 6-8) associated with the at least one of the plurality of lubrication sites (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8) to deliver an additional dose of lubricant to the at least one of the plurality of lubrication sites (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7, 2-8).

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