Multi-Capillary Grease Gun Adapter for Simultaneous Socket Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual grease guns are inefficient in filling multiple operating openings simultaneously, requiring repeated alignment and direct grease filling, which is cumbersome and unreliable, especially in challenging conditions like underwater use.
Innovation Solution
A manual grease gun with multiple capillary tubes arranged congruently with operating openings, an adapter system with channels connecting to a grease supply, and a resilient support mechanism for easy alignment and filling, allowing simultaneous filling of multiple openings with a single alignment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single capillary tube is used for filling operating openings, then the device structure is simple, but multiple operating openings require repeated alignment and filling operations which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is segmented into a modular structure with a base body and a head that can be separated. The head contains multiple capillary tubes arranged in a specific pattern, allowing simultaneous filling of multiple operating openings. This segmentation enables the adapter to be exchanged based on the number and arrangement of capillary tubes needed for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter base body is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate different adapter heads with varying numbers and arrangements of capillary tubes. This universal design allows a single base body to support multiple filling configurations, increasing versatility while maintaining a consistent mounting mechanism.
2Reliability
If direct grease filling is used, then the filling process is simple, but it is cumbersome and unreliable especially in challenging conditions like underwater use
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary tubes are pre-positioned in the adapter head in a fixed geometric arrangement that corresponds to specific operating opening patterns. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex alignment operations during the filling process, as the adapter is designed to match the target configuration from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary device between the grease supply and the operating openings. It provides a stable, pre-configured interface that mediates the filling process, ensuring reliable grease delivery to multiple openings simultaneously while protecting against contamination in challenging environments like underwater use.
3Productivity
If multiple capillary tubes are arranged to match operating openings, then simultaneous filling is achieved, but the adapter design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter head is designed to nest onto the adapter base body in a concentric arrangement. The capillary tubes are integrated into the head structure, which then attaches to the base body. This nesting approach allows multiple components to be combined in a compact, organized manner that minimizes overall complexity while enabling simultaneous filling through multiple capillary tubes.
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 efficient and reliable filling of multiple operating openings with reduced alignment requirements and visible grease indication, preventing water enclosures and ensuring complete filling, especially beneficial for underwater applications.
Implementation Method 1
The upper end of the cylindrical base body is closed with a first cover. The upper end of the cylindrical base body can be referred to as operating side because an axially displaceable extrusion piston protrudes here. This is spring-loaded and is pushed manually into the cylindrical body so that the grease is pressed out at the lower end of the cylindrical body.
Implementation Method 2
an exchangeable adapter is screwed into the cylindrical base body, into which an exchangeable adapter is screwed. This includes a capillary tube that is connected to the grease reservoir via a valve-loaded channel.
Implementation Method 3
the grease is pressed out at the lower end of the cylindrical body. The operator's fingers grip the handle on the cylindrical base as a counter-bearing, while the palm of the hand presses the plunger into the base.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Known manual grease guns for injecting grease from a grease reservoir into an operating opening of an operating unit have a single outlet, meaning the grease gun must be repositioned at each opening. Different openings are served by different adapters. For convenient simultaneous filling of n>1 operating openings (16), the adapter (15) of the grease gun (01) according to the invention has n>1 capillary tubes (27) arranged congruently with the n>1 operating openings (16). The adapter (15) is composed of two parts: an adapter head (18) and an adapter base (19), both of which are mounted within each other by means of a spring (38), and the capillary tubes (27) are guided in the adapter head (18). The grease reservoir (06) can preferably be supplied via an integrated, easily replaceable disposable syringe (09). The adapter head (18) can simultaneously serve as an adjustment and wiping aid.A grease gun set (41) with several adapters (15.1, 15.2, 40) is also proposed. Preferred applications relate to electrical connectors with multi-pole sockets (03), especially underwater (sea) water, which must be drained of water and completely filled with grease before connection.