Grease Nipple Encoder Holder for Reliable Lubrication Point Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lubrication connection devices face challenges in providing a reliable and practical solution for identifying lubrication nozzles, especially in harsh environments, while maintaining flexibility and ease of use, due to issues with encoder installation, performance reduction, and compatibility with various configurations and environments.

Innovation Solution

A lubrication connection device featuring a lubricating nozzle with a fixing portion, a lubricating inlet interface, and a flange with a radio frequency encoder holder that allows for axial alignment and torque transmission, ensuring reliable connection and identification, even if the grease supply source is not aligned with the nozzle axis, using a radio frequency encoder with an antenna positioned around the lubrication axis for improved reading capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If an encoder and matching element are installed for identification, then identification capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The encoder holder integrates multiple functions: it holds the radio frequency encoder, provides a bearing surface for the collar, and creates an imprint for housing the collar. This merging of functions into a single component reduces overall device complexity while maintaining identification capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The encoder holder serves multiple purposes: supporting the encoder for identification, providing mechanical alignment through the bearing surface, and enabling torque transmission through the imprint engagement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If a radio frequency encoder is used for identification, then identification capability is improved, but connection performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification capabilityVSAvoidconnection performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The encoder is separated from the connection interface by placing it in the encoder holder at a distance from the grease fitting connection point. This segmentation allows the identification system to operate independently without interfering with the mechanical connection performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If an encoder holder is added for encoder mounting, then identification capability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification capabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The encoder holder is designed as a single integrated component that combines the encoder mounting structure, the bearing surface for collar support, and the imprint for collar housing. This integration simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts that need to be produced and assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4204731B1Lubricating connecting device equipped with a grease nipple and with a holder for an identification encoder
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 NTN EUROPE
  • EP4204731B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~3
  • EP4204731B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~6
  • EP4204731B1 patent drawingFigure 7~12

AI summary

The invention relates to a lubricating connecting device (1) comprising: a grease nipple (10) having a fixing portion (11) extending along a fixing axis (A1), a grease inlet interface (12) extending along a lubricating axis (A2) and a flange (13) positioned between the grease inlet interface (12) and the fixing portion (11), the flange (13) having a lower face (131) facing axially toward the fixing portion (11), the lower face (131) extending in a reference plane (P) of the grease nipple (10) perpendicular to the fixing axis (A1), the grease inlet interface (12) being configured to be connected to an external source for supplying grease, for example a grease gun; and an encoder holder (20) holding a radiofrequency encoder (21) configured to be read by a reading element, the connecting device (1) being characterized in that the encoder holder (20) has passing through it a hole (22) extending axially with respect to the fixing axis (A1) and having a bearing surface (23) against which the lower face (131) of the flange (13) of the grease nipple (10) comes to bear, the encoder holder (20) having an impression (24) in which the flange (13) of the grease nipple (10) becomes housed.