Grooved Conical Oil Flow Regulator for Stable Minimal Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air/oil lubrication devices face challenges in maintaining a stable and accurately adjustable low flow rate of lubricant over time, particularly at very low flow rates, due to unknown reasons leading to a decrease in flow rate even when the shutter position remains unchanged.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a modular design with a conical shutter and a surface groove that allows for precise adjustment of the lubricant flow rate, using a cylindrical seat and a moving body with an O-ring seal, and a control rod with a calibrated hole and thread, ensuring a stable flow rate by preventing the phenomenon of flow rate decrease over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conical shutter is used to adjust oil flow rate, then fine adjustment capability is improved, but flow rate stability deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the shutter by adding a groove to its conical surface. This groove creates a reference surface that maintains a consistent radial gap with the calibrated hole wall, ensuring stable flow characteristics over time while preserving the fine adjustment capability of the conical geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on purely mechanical positioning (shutter against hole wall) with a geometric reference system (groove as reference surface). This substitution eliminates the instability caused by mechanical wear or positioning variations, maintaining consistent flow rates without compromising adjustment precision.
2Quantity of substance
If very low flow rates are supplied, then minimal lubrication requirements are met, but flow rate stability worsens due to unknown reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the flow path geometry by introducing a groove on the shutter surface that creates a controlled radial gap. This geometric parameter change ensures stable laminar flow conditions even at very low flow rates, preventing the instability phenomenon observed in conventional designs while maintaining minimal lubrication quantities.
3Device complexity
If a simple shutter mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adjustment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shutter surface by adding a groove, creating distinct functional zones: the conical surface for adjustment and the grooved reference surface for stability. This segmentation achieves high adjustment precision without increasing overall device complexity, as the groove is integrated into the existing shutter structure.
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 solution provides a stable and precise adjustment of lubricant flow rates, effectively maintaining the optimized flow rate for minimal lubrication requirements, particularly at low flow rates of around 60 Ml/h, ensuring consistent lubrication and reducing friction and wear.
Implementation Method 1
a moving body (701) sealably sliding in said cylindrical seat (700)
Implementation Method 2
a shutter (713) at least partially housed in said calibrated hole (710) when it is in at least one intermediate position between the upper and lower end of stroke, said shutter having a conical profile portion (713A) that generates an annular outlet port of the pressurized lubricant
Implementation Method 3
a pump (6), preferably at high pressure, which can be connected under the plate. The conduit in particular can supply an intake (7) with the lubricating fluid coming from the tank (2)
Implementation Method 4
supplying an air flow that operates continuously, supplying not only a means of transportation for the oil to the lubrication point, but also a means for cooling the members to be lubricated and for the lubrication system
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
A minimal lubrication device comprising a tank (2) for storing a lubricating fluid, means (6) for raising the pressure of said lubricant and means (81) for supplying the pressurized lubricant to at least one modular element (50A, 50B...), at least one modular element comprising a lubricating fluid conduit (90) intercepted by a flow regulator (84) and a compressed air conduit (810), such conduits being fluidically connected to an air and lubricant mixing element (88), the flow regulator (84) comprising a shutter (713) that can be at least partially housed in a calibrated hole (710) and movable between an upper end of stroke position and a lower end of stroke position, the calibrated hole (710) being in fluid communication, on one side, with a delivery of said means (6) for raising the pressure of the lubricant and, on the other side, with said mixing element (88), the shutter (713) having at least one conical profile portion (713A) insertable in said calibrated hole, characterized in that the conical profile portion (713A) has a surface groove (714) facing a surface defining said calibrated hole (710) at least when the shutter is in an intermediate position between said lower end of stroke position and said upper end of stroke position.