Lubricant Pump Reservoir Venting for Faster Grease Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricant reservoirs in pumps, particularly those using grease or similar viscosity lubricants, face difficulties during the filling process, making it a long and cumbersome operation.
Innovation Solution
A pump design with a reservoir that includes a hollow body, a piston, and an automatic air venting valve system, where the piston is pressed by a spring or pneumatic element, allowing for easy filling and automatic air release, and featuring interchangeable cams made of different materials for varying load requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a direct communication grease reservoir is used in the pump, then the structure is simple and components are easily accessible, but the filling operation becomes long and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is divided into two separate parts: a grease reservoir and a water reservoir. This segmentation allows each reservoir to be filled independently through its own filling port, enabling parallel filling operations that reduce total filling time while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir design includes pre-positioned filling ports that allow grease to be introduced directly into the grease reservoir and water directly into the water reservoir before assembly. This preliminary preparation of filling pathways eliminates the need for complex disassembly during filling operations
2Reliability
If a sealed reservoir is used to prevent contamination, then reliability is improved, but air trapped during filling causes filling difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
A venting valve is introduced as an intermediary component in the sealed reservoir system. This valve allows trapped air to escape during the filling process while maintaining the sealed structure that prevents contamination. The valve acts as a mediator between the need for sealing and the need for air removal
Solution Approach 2:
The venting valve is designed to automatically open when air pressure builds up during filling and automatically close when filling is complete. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention to vent air, making the filling process easier while maintaining reliability
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
Facilitates faster and easier filling of the lubricant reservoir by automatically venting air and preventing overloading, enhancing operational efficiency and flexibility in pumping volume configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a piston (4), which is pressed by a pressing element (5), which may be a spring, a pneumatic element, a weight
Implementation Method 2
a piston (4), which is pressed by a pressing element (5), which may be a spring, a pneumatic element, a weight
Implementation Method 3
The valve (9) is configured for an automatic opening, with the movement of said piston (4)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A pump with a reservoir (1) of a lubricant (2), comprising a hollow body (3) in which a piston (4), loaded by a pressing element (5), sealingly slides, at least a port (6) for loading the lubricant in a compartment (7) defined by the inner wall (8) of the hollow body and by said piston (4), and at least a valve (9) for exhausting air trapped in said compartment (7) together with the lubricant during a loading step.