Stepped-Piston Lubricant Pump for Viscous Low-Temperature Grease
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricant dispensers have complex constructions and reduced conveying properties, particularly when dealing with viscous lubricants or low temperatures, and often require additional pre-pressure or spring loading to ensure reliable emptying.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant dispenser with a stepped piston that divides the piston chamber into upper and lower compartments, using one-way valves to create negative pressure for suction and positive pressure for delivery, allowing continuous conveying without idle strokes and minimizing dead space, thus eliminating the need for additional spring loading or complex constructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional piston pump design is used, then the construction is simple, but the conveying properties are reduced especially with viscous lubricants or at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The piston chamber is segmented into two separate compartments (first compartment connected to inlet port, second compartment connected to outlet port) by the piston. This segmentation allows independent pressure control in each compartment, enabling the pump to effectively handle viscous lubricants by creating sufficient pressure differential without requiring complex external pre-pressure systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of suction and delivery into a single piston chamber with two compartments, eliminating the need for separate pre-pressure chambers or additional spring loading mechanisms found in conventional designs. This integration maintains simple construction while improving conveying properties.
2Reliability
If additional spring loading or pre-pressure is applied to ensure reliable emptying, then the delivery reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump achieves reliable delivery through the inherent pressure differential created by piston movement between the two compartments. The system is self-priming and does not require external spring loading or pre-pressure mechanisms, as the piston action itself generates the necessary pressure to overcome viscous forces and ensure complete lubricant delivery.
3Productivity
If the piston chamber is divided into two compartments, then the conveying efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston chamber is divided into two compartments by the piston itself, which acts as a movable separator. This segmentation enables continuous conveying by maintaining pressure differential throughout the piston stroke, improving conveying efficiency without requiring additional complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston serves multiple functions: it separates the two compartments, transmits drive force, and creates the pressure differential needed for conveying. This multi-functionality achieves improved conveying efficiency without adding separate components that would increase device complexity.
4Loss of substance
If conventional pump designs are used, then the construction is straightforward, but dead space volume is increased leading to waste
Solution Approach 1:
The two-compartment design with piston separation minimizes dead space by ensuring that both compartments are actively involved in the conveying process. The piston moves to fully utilize the chamber volume, reducing the amount of lubricant remaining in dead spaces and improving overall material utilization.
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 solution enables efficient, self-priming lubricant delivery with minimal dead volume, effectively handling viscous media and operating at low temperatures without additional pre-pressure, while reducing waste and simplifying the construction of both the pump and reservoir.
Implementation Method 1
a first valve (13) that is biased into a closed rest position by spring force, and a passage (12a) that is integrated or formed in or on the piston (6) and connects the upper compartment (8) to the lower compartment (9) with the interposition of a second valve (14), such that, when the piston (6) is lowered, the first valve (13) is opened by the creation of negative pressure in the upper compartment (8) and lubricant is sucked out of the reservoir (1) into the upper compartment (8)
Implementation Method 2
the second valve (14) closes and lubricant is forced out of the lower compartment (9) into the outlet passage (16)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lubricant dispenser comprising a storage container (1) filled with lubricant and a pump (2) which is connected to or can be connected to the storage container (1) and by means of which the lubricant can be pumped out of the storage container (1). The pump has a pump housing (3) with an inlet opening (4) and an outlet opening (5), a piston (6) which is movably guided in the pump housing (3) in a linear manner, and a drive (7) which acts on the piston (6). The pump housing (3) of the pump (2) is connected to or can be connected to the storage container (1), and the piston (6) can be raised or lowered cyclically by the drive (7) in order to pump a lubricant from the inlet opening (4) to the outlet opening (5). The lubricant dispenser is characterized in that the piston (6) is designed in a stepped manner with an upper piston surface (10) which delimits an upper displacement chamber (8) and a lower piston surface (11) which delimits a lower displacement chamber (9) and is reduced compared to the upper piston surface (10). The upper displacement chamber (8) adjoins the inlet opening (4) via a first valve (13), and the first valve (13) is loaded or can be loaded into a closed base position. A through-opening (12a, 12b) which connects the upper displacement chamber (8) to the lower displacement chamber (9) with the interposition of a second valve (14) is arranged in or on the piston (6), and the lower displacement chamber (9) transitions into the outlet opening (5) via an outlet channel (16). When the piston (6) is lowered as the result of a negative pressure in the upper displacement chamber (8), the first valve opens (for example against a spring force), and lubricant is suctioned out of the storage container into the upper displacement chamber (8), but the second valve (14) closes and lubricant is pushed out of the lower displacement chamber (9) into the outlet channel (16). When the piston (6) is raised, the first valve (13) closes, but the second valve (14) opens in the piston (6), and lubricant both flows from the upper displacement chamber (8) into the lower displacement chamber (9) and is pushed from the lower displacement chamber (9) into the outlet channel (16).