Mechanical Reversing Valve for Compact Grease Pumping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grease pumping devices are bulky and prone to burnout due to high reversing resistance from electromagnetic reversing valves, and their hydraulically controlled counterparts have complex structures and large volumes.

Innovation Solution

A compact grease pumping device utilizing a mechanical reversing valve with a lever mechanism and toggle member, where the output rotating shaft drives the valve core to switch between positions, reducing power consumption and costs, and eliminating external valve configuration inconveniences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electromagnetic reversing valve is used, then the valve can be controlled to switch positions, but the reversing resistance is large causing burnout and the structure is bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereversing valve reliabilityVSAvoidreversing valve structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic reversing valve with a purely mechanical reversing valve driven by the output rotating shaft through a lever mechanism. This substitution eliminates electromagnetic components that are prone to burnout from grease contamination, achieving higher reliability while reducing structural complexity and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical reversing valve is driven directly by the output rotating shaft of the grease pumping device itself, without requiring external control systems. The lever mechanism automatically switches the valve positions based on the rotation direction, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependence on external electromagnetic actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Force

If a hydraulically controlled reversing valve is used, then the reversing resistance is reduced, but the structure becomes too complex and volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereversing resistanceVSAvoidreversing valve volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the hydraulic control system from the reversing valve, retaining only the essential mechanical switching function. By removing the complex hydraulic control components, the valve volume is significantly reduced while maintaining adequate reversing performance through the simplified mechanical lever mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using hydraulic pressure to control the valve (as in conventional designs), the patent inverts the approach by using direct mechanical linkage from the output rotating shaft to drive the valve core. This inversion simplifies the control mechanism and reduces the overall valve volume while maintaining effective reversing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Extent of automation

If an electromagnetic reversing valve is used, then the valve switching is automated, but power consumption increases and costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve switching automationVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical reversing valve is driven directly by the output rotating shaft of the grease pumping device itself, without requiring external control systems. The lever mechanism automatically switches the valve positions based on the rotation direction, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependence on external electromagnetic actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic reversing valve with a purely mechanical reversing valve driven by the output rotating shaft through a lever mechanism. This substitution eliminates electromagnetic components that are prone to burnout from grease contamination, achieving higher reliability while reducing structural complexity and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 mechanical reversing valve structure enhances reliability, reduces space occupation, and lowers operational costs while maintaining efficient grease distribution and return processes.

Implementation Method 1

At least one of the lever mechanism and the toggle member is an elastic structure, when the output rotating shaft rotates in the forward direction or the reverse direction, the toggle member contacts the lever mechanism and drives the valve core to operate, and when the valve core is switched to a corresponding valve position, the toggle member and the lever mechanism slide relatively by the elastic deformation of the elastic structure.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3690301B1Grease pumping device
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 AUTOL TECH
  • EP3690301B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3690301B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3690301B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~6

AI summary

A grease pumping device, comprising a pump body (10), a driving mechanism and a plunger pair (20), and further comprising a reversing valve (40) and a lever mechanism (50); the switching actions, between valve positions, of a valve core (42) of the reversing valve (40) are driven by the swinging action of the lever mechanism (50), an output rotating shaft (311) drives a toggle member (321) rotating therewith, and when the output rotating shaft (311) rotates reciprocally in the forward and reverse directions, the toggle member (321) toggles the lever mechanism (50) in the forward and reverse directions, such that the lever mechanism (50) swings reciprocally, thereby changing the valve position of the reversing valve (40); at least one of the lever mechanism (50) and the toggle member (321) is an elastic structure, when the output rotating shaft (311) rotates in a forward or reverse direction, the toggle member (321) contacts the lever mechanism (50) and drives the valve core (42) to operate, when the valve core (42) is switched to a corresponding valve position, the toggle member (321) and the lever mechanism (50) slide relatively by means of elastic deformation of the elastic structure. The reversing power of the reversing valve (40) comes from driving components that drive the plunger pair (20) to operate, and the power is transmitted to the valve core (42) of the reversing valve (40) by means of the cooperation of the lever mechanism (50) and the toggle member (321), being simple in structure and convenient to use.