Lubrication Device Protective Cap With Integrated Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic lubrication devices in the food industry face issues with water penetration and accumulation, leading to potential bacterial growth due to high-pressure cleaning, which compromises hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A protective cap with a smooth, hard cover and engaging means that allows rotation with the insert, along with a sealing ring, prevents water ingress and accumulation while enabling adjustment of the lubricant release mechanism without removal, ensuring the device can be cleaned effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective cap with hard cover is added to prevent water penetration and accumulation, then hygiene and water resistance are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to remove and reinstall the cap for adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective cap and adjustment tool into a single integrated component. The cap includes a cavity that receives the adjustment tool, and the tool can rotate within the cavity to adjust the release mechanism while the cap remains in place, eliminating the need to remove the cap for adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment tool acts as an intermediary between the user and the release mechanism. The user operates the tool through the cap's cavity, and the tool transmits the rotational motion to the release mechanism, allowing indirect adjustment without removing the protective cap
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective cap covers the insert completely to prevent water ingress, then water resistance is improved, but the ability to rotate the insert for adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adjustment function from the protective cap structure by introducing a separate adjustment tool. The cap provides complete coverage and protection, while the tool (which can be stored in a cavity in the cap) provides the adjustment function when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment tool is preliminarily stored in a cavity within the protective cap. When adjustment is needed, the tool is accessed from the cap itself, allowing the cap to remain in place while still enabling the adjustment operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A lubrication device is provided comprising a lubricant container (1) for containing a lubricant, an outlet opening and an adjustable release mechanism. The outlet opening is provided at a first end of the lubricant container (1) for releasing the lubricant. The adjustable release mechanism comprises, at a second end of the lubricant container (1), an insert (5) which is rotatable relative to the lubricant container (1) for setting a release rate of the lubricant. The lubrication device (1) further comprises a protective cap (6) comprising a hard cover (7). The hard cover (7) covers the insert (5) and the second end of the lubricant container (1). The hard cover (7) has a smooth outer surface and an inner surface comprising engaging means (9) for engaging with the insert (5), such that the protective cap (6) is rotatable together with the insert.