Adjustable Lubricant Metering for Precise Cyclic Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricant metering devices require careful design and are inflexible, necessitating prior knowledge of lubricant requirements for each user and making it difficult to adjust dispensing amounts once the system is set up.
Innovation Solution
A flexible lubricant metering device that utilizes cyclical pressure changes in the lubricant supply line to dispense a predetermined amount of lubricant, featuring an adjustable stop to precisely control the volumetric amount dispensed at each cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a predetermined metering device is designed for a specific flow rate, then the dispensing precision is improved, but the adaptability to varying user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates an adjustable stop that can be moved along the piston rod to change the piston stroke length. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the same device to adapt to different lubricant dispensing requirements while maintaining precise metering capability through controlled piston movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter of piston stroke length to achieve different dispensing volumes. By adjusting the stop position, the effective stroke length varies, which directly controls the amount of lubricant dispensed per cycle, thus providing versatility without sacrificing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the system is configured with fixed metering valves for specific lubricant amounts, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable stop mechanism allows operators to dynamically change the dispensing volume by simply repositioning the stop along the piston rod. This maintains the precision of the metering mechanism while significantly improving ease of operation, as no system reconfiguration or valve replacement is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-configured with an adjustable stop mechanism that can be quickly repositioned to desired settings. This preliminary design feature enables operators to make adjustments without complex procedures, maintaining manufacturing precision while enhancing operational flexibility.
3Productivity
If the metering device is designed for continuous lubricant supply, then the productivity is improved, but the adaptability to optional axes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device can be dynamically deactivated by positioning the adjustable stop to block the lubricant flow path or by controlling the activation timing. This allows the system to switch between continuous supply mode for active axes and deactivated mode for optional axes, maintaining both productivity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The metering device operates in periodic cycles synchronized with the activation of different axes. For optional axes, the device can be deactivated during specific cycles when those axes are not in use, allowing continuous operation for other axes while adapting to the optional axis requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device allows for precise adjustment of lubricant dispensing, is adaptable to varying user needs, and can be temporarily deactivated, enhancing flexibility and ease of use compared to traditional devices.
Implementation Method 1
The activation cycle is controlled by the cyclical pressure of a lubricant supply line, which can change from 1 to (typically) 20 bar repetitively
Data Source
AI summary
A lubricant metering device includes a cup-shaped body with a supply passage coupled to a valve element, a hollow tubular body with a free end facing the valve element, a piston slidingly sealed inside the cup-shaped body and along an external surface of the tubular body, an elastic element exerting a load on the piston towards the supply passage, delineating an accumulation chamber facing the valve element and a dispensing chamber in constant communication with the cavity of the tubular body, also in communication with a delivery passage, the valve element closing the free end of the tubular body, isolating the cavity from the accumulation chamber and allowing communication with the supply passage, or isolating the accumulation chamber from the supply passage and allowing communication with the cavity. A stop limits the piston stroke towards the elastic element to adjust the dispensing of lubricant.