Lubricant Pump Common Drive Multi-Lubricant Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lubricant pumps are limited in their ability to universally deliver multiple types of lubricants to different lubrication points using a single drive, as they are typically designed for a single type of lubricant.

Innovation Solution

A lubricant pump with a common drive that can simultaneously deliver at least two different types of lubricants, such as lubricating grease and oil, to separate lubrication points, with each pump element being in fluid connection exclusively with one type of lubricant reservoir, allowing for a compact and modular design with interchangeable drive options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate pump is assigned to each type of lubricant, then each lubricant can be delivered reliably to its designated lubrication points, but the device complexity and number of drives increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliable delivery of lubricantVSAvoidnumber of drives
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system is designed with a common drive that can simultaneously operate multiple pump elements of different types (plunger pump for grease, gear pump for oil) to deliver different lubricants to different lubrication points. This multi-functional design allows one drive to perform the work of multiple separate drives while maintaining reliable delivery of each lubricant type through dedicated pump elements.

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

2Device complexity

If multiple pump elements for different lubricants are integrated into a single pump system, then the device complexity and space usage decrease, but ensuring exclusive fluid connection between each pump element and its designated lubricant reservoir becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump system structureVSAvoidexclusive fluid connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system is segmented into distinct pump elements (plunger pump element for grease, gear pump element for oil) that are physically separated and each connected to its own lubricant reservoir through dedicated fluid pathways. This segmentation ensures exclusive fluid connection between each pump element and its designated lubricant type while allowing both to operate from a common drive, preventing lubricant mixing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If a single drive is used to operate multiple pump elements, then the productivity and versatility of the lubrication system increase, but the ease of maintenance and drive replacement decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication efficiencyVSAvoiddrive replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system is designed with modular pump elements that can be independently removed and replaced while the common drive remains in place. This dynamic configuration allows maintenance personnel to service or replace individual pump elements (such as plunger seals or gear components) without affecting the drive or other pump elements, combining the productivity benefits of a single drive with the ease of maintaining individual components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1798464B1Lubricant pump
Publication Date: 2008.10.15 BAIER & KOPPEL GMBH & CO
  • EP1798464B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1798464B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1798464B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The device (11) is used for supplying several moving machine parts with the appropriate kind of lubricant. At least two pump units (12, 13), both operated by the same mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic drive (14b), are connected to their individual storage tanks (15, 16, 16') which could be filled with a grease and a fluid safely sealed against each other. A basically cylindrical shape of the units (12, 13) facilitates a compact design.