Lubricant Pump Plate Valve for Low-Force Grease Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricant pumps with exchangeable reservoirs face issues with small opening regions and high force requirements for lubricant transfer, especially with viscous grease, due to annular gaps and valve disc designs that hinder flow and require strong components.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant pump design featuring separable reservoir and pump units with movable plates that slide or rotate to create a large opening cross-section for lubricant transfer, allowing easy connection and disconnection without exposing the system to dirt or air, using sliding or rotational movements perpendicular to the lubricant flow and incorporating seals to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an annular gap valve is used to transfer lubricant from reservoir to pump, then the valve can control the flow, but the opening region is small which hinders lubricant transfer especially for viscous grease
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into multiple segments that can rotate independently around the central axis. When the segments are rotated to an open position, they create multiple parallel flow paths, effectively increasing the total opening cross-section from a single annular gap to multiple rectangular gaps, thereby improving lubricant transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve segments are designed to rotate in a dimension perpendicular to the main flow direction, transforming the flow geometry from a narrow annular gap to wide rectangular gaps. This dimensional change allows lubricant to flow through larger cross-sectional areas, reducing resistance especially for viscous materials.
2Productivity
If a valve disc is used to open the annular gap, then flow control is achieved, but a strong force is necessary to open and keep the gap open against lubricant pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve segments are designed to rotate dynamically around the central axis rather than using a traditional disc that must lift against pressure. This rotational movement allows the segments to align with the flow direction, minimizing the force required to overcome pressure differential and enabling easier opening and closing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a central disc that pushes against the lubricant pressure to open an annular gap, the invention uses peripheral segments that rotate to create open passages. The force application point is inverted from the center to the perimeter, allowing the lubricant pressure itself to assist in keeping the segments open once rotated.
3Loss of time
If the reservoir unit is made exchangeable, then refilling time is reduced, but the connection interface must be sealed to prevent contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The connection sections of both the reservoir and pump units are pre-equipped with sealed openings and plate structures before connection. When the units are brought together, the plates automatically align and seal the openings, preventing contamination during the connection process. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for additional sealing operations during refilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate structure acts as an intermediary sealing element between the reservoir and pump units. The plates can be opened to allow lubricant transfer while maintaining a sealed interface that prevents dirt and air from entering the system during the exchange process.
Data Source
AI summary
A lubricant pump (1) has a reservoir unit (100) and a pump unit (200). The reservoir unit (100) has a reservoir housing (101). The pump unit (200) has a pump housing (201). The pump unit (200) and the reservoir unit (100) are separably connected. When the housings (101; 201) are connected, the openings (108; 208) are fluid-connected to one another such that lubricant can flow out of the reservoir unit (100) into the pump unit (200). First and second plates (210; 212; 810; 910) are movable such that the opening (108; 208) of the pump unit can be closed and opened. Alternatively or in addition, first and second plates (110; 112; 810; 910) are movable such that the opening (108; 208) of the reservoir unit can be closed and opened.