Heated Lubricant Pump Base for Low-Temperature Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lubricant pumps face challenges in efficiently pumping lubricants at low temperatures due to increased viscosity, requiring greater power consumption and potentially leading to under-lubrication or over-lubrication issues.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant pump design incorporating a pump base with a reservoir housing, a heating element within the reservoir proximate to the pump element, and a thermal switch to control the heating element's activation based on ambient temperature, reducing lubricant viscosity for efficient pumping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the lubricant pump operates at low temperatures without heating, then the device complexity is reduced, but the power consumption increases and pumping efficiency decreases due to high lubricant viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the lubricant to alter its physical state and reduce viscosity. The heating element changes the temperature parameter of the lubricant, transforming it from a high-viscosity state at low temperatures to a lower-viscosity state that can be pumped efficiently, thereby resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by heating the lubricant before it enters the pumping mechanism. The heating element is positioned to pre-heat the lubricant in advance, ensuring that by the time the lubricant reaches the pump, it has already achieved the appropriate viscosity for efficient pumping, thus avoiding the need for higher power consumption during actual pumping operation.
2Productivity
If a heating element is added to reduce lubricant viscosity, then the pumping efficiency improves, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the heating element specifically within the reservoir to heat only the lubricant that is about to be pumped, rather than heating the entire system or ambient environment. This localized heating approach improves pumping efficiency while minimizing the addition of complex system-wide heating infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through the thermal switch that automatically controls the heating element based on temperature feedback. The thermal switch monitors the lubricant temperature and activates or deactivates the heating element as needed, enabling the system to self-regulate without external control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Productivity
If the heating element operates continuously to maintain low viscosity, then the pumping efficiency remains high, but the power consumption increases and overheating risk arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using the thermal switch to intermittently activate the heating element based on temperature conditions. Rather than continuous operation, the heating element is activated only when the lubricant temperature drops below the threshold required for efficient pumping, and deactivated when the temperature is sufficient, thereby creating a periodic on-off pattern that maintains pumping efficiency while reducing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the thermal switch that continuously monitors the lubricant temperature and uses this information to control the heating element. The thermal feedback mechanism ensures that heating is applied only when necessary to maintain optimal viscosity, preventing both energy waste from continuous heating and the risk of overheating, thus maintaining pumping efficiency with minimal energy loss.
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 ensures efficient lubricant flow and pumping even at low temperatures by heating the local area around the pump element, reducing viscosity and power consumption, while preventing overheating and excessive power use.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating element disposed in the reservoir proximate the first pump element
Implementation Method 2
a thermal switch disposed in the pump base and electrically connected to the first heating element and configured to control activation and deactivation of the first heating element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A lubricant pump (14) and a method thereof are disclosed. The lubricant pump (14) includes a pump base (32) and a reservoir housing (30). The pump base (32) and the reservoir housing (30) define a lubricant reservoir for storing lubricant. One or more pump elements (34) extend at least partially into the lubricant reservoir. Heaters (36) are disposed on the pump base (32) proximate the pump elements (34). The heaters (36) are configured to heat the local area surrounding the pump elements (34), to thereby reduce the viscosity of the lubricant at the pump elements (34). The heaters (36) are electrically connected to a thermal switch (38) to control activation and deactivation of the heaters (36). With the lubricant pump (14) and the method thereof, the thermal switch (38) can control the heater (36) based on air temperature rather than the temperature of the lubricant, so the viscosity of lubricant is well controlled.