Lubrication Fitting Identification for Accurate Grease Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lubrication processes in industrial settings are prone to errors due to manual handling, leading to incorrect lubricant application amounts or frequencies, which can result in premature wear, overheating, and increased maintenance costs, while existing automatic systems lack efficient mechanical and electrical contact reliability and durability.
Innovation Solution
A fitting and connector system with integrated circuitry for identification and communication, enabling reliable mechanical and electrical contact, suitable for harsh industrial environments, and designed for easy manufacturing and user-friendly operation, with features like corrosion resistance and high-pressure compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual lubrication is performed, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but errors in lubricant application amount and frequency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic lubrication where the lubrication point itself initiates the lubrication process by detecting when lubrication is needed and requesting lubricant delivery, eliminating manual intervention while maintaining reliability through the self-diagnostic capability of the lubrication point
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional grease nipples are used, then simplicity and ease of manufacture are maintained, but mechanical and electrical contact reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the traditional grease nipple structure with integrated communication and identification components (such as RFID tags or inductive communication coils) into a single unified fitting, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while adding reliable contactless communication capability
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 system ensures accurate lubricant transfer without contamination, supports up to 5000 lubrication events for the fitting and 100,000 events for the connector, maintaining operational reliability and reducing maintenance costs by minimizing errors and downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrical contact for establishing an electrical path between the integrated circuit and the processor of the connector when a connection between the fitting and the connector is established
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting for a lubrication point of a device to be lubricated and a connector for removably connecting to such fitting to provide a lubricant from a lubrication device via the fitting to the device to be lubricated are disclosed. The fitting comprises an integrated circuit for providing an identification code to identify the fitting, and a first electrical contact for establishing an electrical path between the integrated circuit and a processor of the connector when a connection between the fitting and the connector is established. The connector comprises the processor and a second electrical contact for establishing the electrical path. The integrated circuit is adapted for transmitting data, including the identification code, via the first electrical contact to the processor.