Lubricant Metering Valve With Adjustable Piston Stroke
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricant metering devices require precise pre-configuration for each flow rate and are inflexible, making it difficult to adjust the amount of lubricant dispensed and adapt to different user needs.
Innovation Solution
A metering device with a frame supporting multiple cup-shaped bodies, a valve element, a piston system, and an adjustable stop to control the dispensing volume, allowing flexible adjustment and deactivation of lubricant supply based on cyclical pressure changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If prior art metering devices are used with fixed valve models for each flow rate, then the metering function is reliable, but the adaptability to different user needs is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the piston stroke length adjustable through an adjustable stop mechanism. This allows the metering device to dynamically adapt to different lubricant dispensing requirements without requiring system redesign. The adjustable stop can be positioned at different locations along the piston's path, changing the stroke length and consequently the volume of lubricant dispensed per cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the piston stroke length parameter to achieve different dispensing volumes. By adjusting the position of the adjustable stop, the stroke length parameter is changed, which directly affects the amount of lubricant dispensed. This allows a single valve model to serve multiple flow rate requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the layout of the system and relative amounts to be dispensed are established, then the system is stable, but the flexibility to change amounts is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable stop mechanism provides dynamic adaptability while maintaining system stability. The stop can be adjusted to different positions to change dispensing amounts, and once set, it remains stable during operation. This allows the system to be reconfigured for different user needs without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable stop can be positioned at different locations along the piston's path, effectively segmenting the possible stroke lengths into discrete or continuous ranges. This segmentation allows for precise control of dispensing amounts while maintaining overall system stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If different valve models are used for each flow rate, then the metering precision is high, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single valve model that can perform multiple metering functions through the adjustable stop mechanism. Instead of requiring different valve models for different flow rates, one universal valve can be adjusted to achieve various dispensing volumes, thereby maintaining metering precision while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable stop makes the valve dynamics-capable, allowing it to adapt its stroke length to achieve different metering precision requirements for various flow rates without changing the valve model itself.
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
Enables precise and adaptable lubricant dispensing, accommodating various user requirements and facilitating easy adjustment of the dispensed amount without requiring system redesign.
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.
Implementation Method 2
An elastic element (120) exerts a load against the piston (9) in the direction of the supply passage (6).
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A lubricant metering device (1) comprising a frame (5) which delineates a cup-shaped body (5A) on the bottom of which a lubricant supply passage (6) is provided, the supply passage (6) being coupled to a valve element (7), there being - axially to the cup-shaped body - a hollow tubular body (8) equipped with a free end facing the valve element (7), a piston (9) being slidingly sealed inside the cup-shaped body (5A) and along an external surface of the hollow tubular body (8), an elastic element (120) exerting a load on the said piston (9) towards the supply passage (6), the piston (8) delineating - in the cup-shaped body (5A) - an accumulation chamber (11) facing the valve element (7) and a dispensing chamber (12) which is in constant communication with the cavity (8A) of the hollow tubular body (8), the cavity (8A) of the hollow tubular body (8) being furthermore in communication with a device (1) delivery passage (13), the valve element (7) being configured to assume a first position in which the said valve element closes off the free end of the hollow tubular body (8), isolating said cavity (8A) from the accumulation chamber (11) and allowing communication between the supply passage (6) and the accumulation chamber (11), and a second position in which the said valve element isolates the accumulation chamber (11) from the supply passage (6) and allows the passage between the accumulation chamber (11) and the cavity (8A); there is an adjustable stop (14) present, which limits the stroke of the said piston (9) towards the said elastic element (120) to adjust or zero out the volumetric amount of lubricant dispensed by the device.