Viscous Medium Supply Device with Removable Ventilation Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricant supply devices face contamination issues due to viscous medium entering the ventilation apparatus during filling, leading to hygiene problems and impaired functionality, and air bubbles under the follower piston hinder maximum filling and can damage the feed pump.
Innovation Solution
A supply device with a reservoir and a detachable ventilation apparatus, featuring a follower piston with a ring seal and an opening that connects fluidically with the reservoir at maximum filling to expel air, allowing the ventilation apparatus to be easily cleaned or replaced, preventing contamination and ensuring continuous air supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ventilation apparatus is permanently integrated into the reservoir, then continuous air supply is ensured, but the ventilation apparatus becomes contaminated with viscous medium and cannot be cleaned or replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation apparatus is divided into a removable part (ventilation element) and a fixed part (opening in the reservoir). The ventilation element can be detached, cleaned, or replaced independently while the reservoir remains in use, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and maintainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation apparatus transitions from a static, permanently integrated component to a dynamic, removable component. This allows the system to adapt between states of being installed (providing continuous air supply) and being removed (allowing cleaning or replacement).
2Quantity of substance
If the reservoir is filled to maximum capacity, then storage volume is optimized, but air bubbles remain under the follower piston that cannot escape and may damage the feed pump
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is positioned and sized to allow air bubbles to escape during the filling process before the follower piston reaches its maximum position. This preliminary air removal prevents harmful air bubbles from being trapped in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening acts as an intermediary pathway between the reservoir interior and exterior, allowing air bubbles to escape while the follower piston maintains maximum filling. The ring seal ensures this intermediary pathway is properly sealed when not needed.
3Device complexity
If the ventilation apparatus is permanently integrated, then structure is simplified, but contamination with viscous medium impairs functionality and requires complete reservoir replacement
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the ventilation apparatus into a removable element, the patent maintains simple overall structure while enabling independent cleaning or replacement of the ventilation element, thus preserving functionality even after contamination occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation element can be treated as a consumable or easily replaceable component. When contaminated beyond cleaning, it can be discarded and replaced with a new one, avoiding the need to replace the entire expensive reservoir system.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the ring seal completely seals the opening, then viscous medium leakage is prevented, but air bubbles under the follower piston cannot escape
Solution Approach 1:
The ring seal provides localized sealing at specific positions, allowing different regions to have different functions: the opening remains open for air escape while the ring seal prevents viscous medium leakage at the follower piston interface.
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
Prevents air inclusion and contamination, maintains hygiene, and extends the device's operational life by allowing the ventilation apparatus to be exchanged or cleaned without replacing the entire supply device, ensuring efficient lubricant delivery and pump protection.
Implementation Method 1
a follower piston (30) which comprises a ring seal (32) at its circumferential edges and is on the viscous medium (8)
Implementation Method 2
the space supplied with a viscous medium (36) is in fluidic connection with the opening (60), so that air which is enclosed below the follower piston (30) during filling can escape through the opening (60)
Implementation Method 3
a feed pump (10) for feeding the viscous medium (8) from the reservoir (6) to a medium outlet (12)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a supply device for supplying a consumer with a viscous medium, in particular a lubricant supply device, including at least a reservoir for the viscous medium including a follower piston which includes a ring seal at its circumferential edges and is supported on the viscous medium and which separates the reservoir into a space supplied with a viscous medium and an air space, and a feed pump for feeding the viscous medium from the reservoir to a medium outlet, such that further in the reservoir at least one opening is provided which serves to receive a ventilation apparatus via which the reservoir is in air-exchanging contact with the exterior surroundings, such that the opening is arranged in the reservoir such that in a determined filling state of the reservoir the ring seal at least partially overrides the opening so that the space supplied with a viscous medium is in fluidic connection with the opening.