CN112413384A

CN112413384A - Lubricant metering assembly

Info

Publication number: CN112413384A
Application number: CN202010703367.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J.克鲁茨坎珀; F.施密特; H.施密特
Original assignee: SKF Lubrication Systems Germany GmbH
Current assignee: SKF Lubrication Systems Germany AG; SKF Lubrication Systems Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2019-08-21
Filing date: 2020-07-21
Publication date: 2021-02-26
Also published as: JP2021032410A; DE102019215231A1

Abstract

A lubricant metering assembly (1) for metering an amount of lubricant is disclosed, the lubricant metering assembly (1) comprising a tubular metering insert (2) configured to meter a metered amount of lubricant, wherein the metering insert (2) comprises an inlet (6, 6') fluidly coupleable to a lubricant source and an outlet (12, 12'); further comprising a housing (4) into which the metering insert (2) is insertable, wherein a housing outlet (16, 16', 16 ") is formed in the housing (4) in a radial direction of the metering insert (2), wherein the housing outlet (16, 16', 16") interacts with the outlet (12, 12 ") of the metering insert (2) to dispense a defined amount of lubricant.

Description

Lubricant metering assembly

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a lubricant metering assembly for metering the amount of lubricant according to the preamble of patent claim 1. The invention also relates to a linear guide comprising a lubricant supply element and a lubricant metering assembly.

Background

Lubricant metering devices or lubricant distributors are known in the prior art and are usually used as part of a central lubricating device via which lubricant is delivered from a central lubricant source to at least one lubricant consumer. Here, the lubricant metering device generally comprises a lubricant inlet which is connected to a lubricant source, in particular a lubricant pump, wherein the lubricant source pumps lubricant to the lubricant metering device sequentially or continuously. In addition, the lubricant metering device usually comprises a control piston which is designed to guide the lubricant from the lubricant inlet into a metering chamber of the metering piston, from which metering chamber the usable amount of lubricant is conveyed out to a lubricant outlet and then to a lubricant consumer. For this purpose, a lubricant outlet is provided axially on the lubricant metering device in the extension of the piston, which lubricant outlet can be connected to the consumer.

However, in the lubricant metering devices known from the prior art, it is disadvantageous that the lubricant outlet is arranged axially on the lubricant metering device, so that the installation position of such a lubricant metering device is predetermined. The known lubricant metering devices can therefore only be installed in certain positions and require a lot of space, in particular axial space. Therefore, they are usually located away from the respective consumers. However, such a remote arrangement of the lubricant metering device is impractical, in particular for linear guides comprising a movable guide carriage to be lubricated.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lubricant metering assembly which can be used anywhere in the consumer, in particular on a linear guide, and which is preferably easy to integrate.

Disclosure of Invention

This object is achieved by a lubricant metering assembly for metering an amount of lubricant according to patent claim 1 and a linear guide according to patent claim 7.

A lubricant metering assembly is presented hereinafter that includes a tubular metering insert configured to meter a metered amount of lubricant, wherein the metering insert includes an inlet and an outlet fluidly coupleable to a lubricant source. Additionally, the lubricant metering assembly includes a housing into which the metering insert is insertable. The metering insert itself may in particular comprise a metering piston, wherein a defined piston stroke of the metering piston meters the quantity of lubricant. The housing may also be formed of a suitable material, such as metal or plastic.

In order to increase the variability during assembly and installation of the lubricant metering assembly, a housing outlet is formed in the housing in the radial direction of the metering insert, wherein the housing outlet interacts with the outlet of the metering insert to dispense a metered quantity of lubricant.

Since the housing outlet is formed radially on the housing, the position of the housing outlet can be configured as desired, so that even consumers, which can currently only be supplied with lubricant by way of a remotely located lubricant source, can be equipped with a lubricant metering assembly. In particular, providing the housing outlet in the radial direction allows reducing the axial installation space requirement of the lubricant metering assembly.

As a result of the reduced axial installation space requirement, the lubricant metering assembly can be used on a linear guide comprising a lubricant feed element, wherein it can advantageously also be mounted directly on the linear guide and/or the guide carriage and/or the lubricant feed element. In this regard, the lubricant metering assembly may be a lubricant metering assembly of a linear guide.

Here, in particular, an exemplary embodiment is advantageous in which the housing of the lubricant metering assembly is directly configured as a guide carriage or lubricant supply element or as a part of a guide carriage or of a lubricant supply element. This makes it possible to reduce both the axial and radial installation space requirements, which further facilitates integration into the guide carriage or into the lubricant supply element.

For this purpose, holes and/or recesses can be provided, for example, in the guide carriage or in the lubricant feed element, into which the metering insert can be inserted. It is advantageously possible to produce holes in the housing that are specific to the installation location and/or to the lubricant supply, which simplifies production. For example, the housing outlet may merge directly into a lubricant supply channel formed in the lubricant supply element of the linear guide.

It can thereby be advantageously achieved that the lubricant is supplied directly to one or more raceway grooves of the guide carriage of the linear guide. In lubricant metering devices with axial distribution, this can only be achieved over a large axial length of the guide carriage in order to provide sufficient space for the respective bores. Furthermore, this can only be achieved through complex spaces rather than straight holes.

The housing and/or the metering insert may preferably be configured such that an annular space is maintained between the metering insert and the housing in a radial direction of the metering insert; the annular space is configured as a distribution chamber, wherein the housing outlet is fluidly connected to the distribution chamber, i.e. the annular space. The advantage of the annular space is that the housing outlet only needs to open into the annular space in order to fluidly connect the housing outlet to the outlet. Thus, the housing outlet may be disposed at any location along the axial and/or radial point of the annular space.

The housing outlet may be disposed circumferentially about the metering insert at any location and need not be oriented in a manner corresponding to the housing outlet. That is, the housing outlet may be provided in the housing in a manner corresponding to the respective lubrication situation, and the metering insert may then be inserted into the housing without having to ensure the correct position and/or angular orientation of the metering element.

Forming the housing outlet on the housing further provides for the metering insert to be arranged rotationally symmetrically, so that, for example, in the event of a defect, the metering insert can be replaced as required. That is to say, the metering inserts can each be produced in large numbers identically and can be simply inserted into the housing, with all the elements of the position and orientation standard being provided on the housing.

Furthermore, the metering insert may be inserted into the housing independently of rotation about its longitudinal axis. Of course, multiple housing outlets may be provided for a single metering insert.

The design comprising an annular space is advantageous in particular for inserting a lubricant supply element of a linear guide, since the metering insert can then be inserted into the bore without specific orientation and the lubricant is supplied to the arbitrarily provided channel. To form the annular space, the bore in the housing may advantageously be configured as a stepped bore. The stepped bore is simple to manufacture and at the same time allows the axial position of the metering insert to be fixed.

Alternatively or additionally, the axial extension of the annular space or the annular space itself is limited by a first and a second limiting element, wherein the first and the second limiting element are formed on the housing and/or on the metering insert. Thereby unnecessary loss of lubricant from the distribution chamber can be prevented. For example, the first and second limiting elements may be protrusions, in particular in stepped bores, formed on the housing and/or the metering insert. Additionally, the first and second restriction elements may be adapted to fluidly seal the dispensing chamber.

According to another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the limiting elements is a sealing element. The sealing element may for example be an O-ring arranged around the metering insert. The sealing element may preferably be provided in a groove and/or a socket in the metering insert and/or the housing. Such a recess or socket may also serve for positional fixation of the sealing element during insertion of the metering insert into the housing.

According to a further preferred exemplary embodiment, a plurality of metering inserts are arranged in the housing. Here, for each metering insert, one or more housing outlets may advantageously be formed in the housing; one or more housing outlets interact with a respective outlet to dispense a respective amount of lubricant. This has the advantage that, in the case of an exemplary use in a guide carriage, the lubricant metering assembly can provide an individually adjustable amount of lubricant for each raceway groove of the guide carriage independently of one another. It is therefore preferred to provide each raceway groove of the guide carriage with a metering element. Here, each of the plurality of metering inserts may be configured to dispense a different amount of lubricant.

In addition, it is advantageous if the respective housing outlet of the lubricant supply assembly is connected to one or more lubricant supply channels for one or more raceway grooves of a guide carriage of the linear guide. Alternatively, multiple housing outlets may also be associated with a single metering insert. Thus, the metering element may distribute lubricant to a plurality of lubricant supply channels. Depending on the available installation space, a plurality of metering inserts may themselves be arranged next to one another and/or one above the other and/or offset from one another.

The plurality of metering inserts are preferably fluidly coupleable to a common lubricant source, in particular a lubricant main line. This has the advantage that only one connection for the lubricant supply has to be provided on the lubricant metering assembly, so that the lubricant metering assembly can be designed more compactly.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the inlet of the metering insert is arranged in a radial direction and/or in an axial direction of the metering insert. This increases the flexibility of the mounting position of the metering insert on the one hand and makes the design of the lubricant metering assembly more compact on the other hand.

In addition, an attachment element may be provided which is configured to prevent radial and/or axial movement of the metering insert in the housing. As a result, undesired movements of the metering insert can be prevented, in particular so that the lubricant metering assembly can be used on a dynamically movable guide carriage of the linear guide. The attachment element may for example be an elastically deformable clamping ring received in the groove. The attachment elements may also be screws or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the sealing element may also be axially attached via a friction connection.

The axial length of the metering insert is preferably less than 50mm, more preferably less than 40 mm. Such dimensions allow for easy attachment or integration of the lubricant metering assembly onto or into the guide carriage or lubricant supply element of the linear guide.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the metering insert may be coupled to a control device configured to control and monitor the metering insert. For example, the control device may be connected to a respective sensor configured to monitor the amount of lubricant supplied to and/or dispensed from the dosing insert. Thus, the metering insert may be controlled and adjusted in a targeted manner. In particular, the control and/or monitoring may be realized via control lines and/or via wireless signal transmission. Wireless signal transmission also has the following advantages: there is no need to arrange control lines in and on the guide carriage, thereby further reducing space requirements.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are set forth in the description, the drawings and the claims. The combination of features presented in the description and the drawings in particular is purely exemplary, so that the features can also be present individually or in other combinations.

Drawings

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings. Here, the exemplary embodiments and combinations shown in the exemplary embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The scope is limited only by the claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view through a lubricant metering assembly, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of a lubricant supply element including a linear guide of a lubricant metering assembly in accordance with another embodiment.

Detailed Description

In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view through a lubricant metering assembly 1, which is configured, for example, for metering the amount of lubricant of a linear guide (not shown). The lubricant metering assembly 1 includes a metering insert 2 and a housing 4, the housing 4 may be formed of a suitable material, such as metal or plastic. Here, the metering insert 2 is inserted into a hole or recess in the housing 4. As shown, the bore may be, for example, a stepped bore into which the metering insert 2 may be pushed.

The metering insert 2 has a tubular shape and is configured to meter a defined amount of lubricant. In addition, the metering insert 2 may have an axial length L of less than 50 mm. In addition, the metering insert includes an inlet 6 that is fluidly coupled to a lubricant source (not shown) via a sealing element 8 (e.g., a pinch valve). As shown in fig. 1, the inlet 6 of the metering insert 2 may be arranged in the axial direction 7 of the metering insert 2. Alternatively, the inlet 6' (shown in dashed lines) may also be arranged in the radial direction 9 of the metering insert or extend obliquely.

The metering insert 2 further comprises a metering piston 10, wherein a defined piston stroke of the metering piston 10 meters the defined amount of lubricant and supplies at least one outlet 12, 12' of the metering insert 2. The outlets 12, 12' are fluidly connected to an annular space 14, the annular space 14 and the housing 4 forming a dispensing chamber of the metering element when the metering insert 2 is inserted into the housing 4. However, the metered lubricant may be transported away from the annular space 14 in the radial direction of the metering insert 2 via a housing outlet 16 formed in the housing 4. As shown, due to the annular space, the outlet can be arranged radially anywhere, which significantly reduces the installation space requirements of the lubricant metering assembly. Thus, the overall length L may be dimensioned less than 50mm for the lubricant supply element.

Since the distribution chamber is formed in the shape of the annular space 14, the lubricant can be spread out in the entire annular space 14, and the radial housing outlet 16 provided in the housing 4 can be fluidly connected to the outlet 12, 12' of the metering insert 2 in a simple manner. Therefore, the housing outlet 16 may also be provided at other positions in the housing 4. For example, the housing outlets 16' or 16 "(shown in phantom) may be disposed about the circumference of the metering insert 2 at any desired location. Forming the housing outlet 16 on the housing 4 also allows the metering insert 2 to be simply replaced, for example in the event of a defect. Since there is no need to align the metering insert 2 with respect to its longitudinal axis of rotation, assembly aids may for example be omitted, thereby simplifying the installation of the metering insert 2. Of course, not only a single housing outlet 16 may be provided for the metering insert 2, but also a plurality of

housing outlets

16, 16', 16 ″ may be provided for the metering insert 2 in parallel, so that the metering insert 2 may, for example, supply a plurality of lubricant supply channels.

In order to limit the annular space 14 in its axial extension L_AAnd prevents loss of lubricant, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the first and second restriction elements are provided in the form of sealing rings 18, 20. The sealing rings 18, 20 are formed on the metering insert 2, but may additionally or alternatively be provided on the housing 4. Of course, the first and second limiting elements may also be realized by protrusions or the like formed in the housing 4 or the dosing insert 2. To allow easier insertion of the metering insert 2,the sealing

elements

18, 20 may be secured in the grooves and/or by other means, such as an adhesive, so that the sealing

elements

18, 20 do not displace during insertion. For example, if the metering insert 2 is inserted into a stepped bore, the sealing

elements

18, 20 may be prevented from displacing during insertion.

In order to prevent movement of the metering insert 2, for example when attaching a lubricant metering assembly to a guide carriage of a linear guide, an attachment element 22 is provided which axially prevents movement of the metering insert 2 in the housing 4. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment element 22 may also be provided to radially prevent movement of the metering insert 2 in the housing 4. The attachment element 22 may be, for example, a clamping ring, a screw, or the like. The sealing

elements

18, 20 may also advantageously provide axial and radial attachment via a frictional connection.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of a lubricant supply element 24 including a linear guide (not shown) of a lubricant metering assembly in accordance with another embodiment. Here, the body of the lubricant supply element 24 forms the housing 4, into which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, four metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are inserted and integrated. Alternatively, the metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d may also be inserted into a separate housing and attached to the lubricant supply element 24. In order to fix the metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d in the lubricant feed element, an attachment element 22 in the form of a clamping ring is provided for each metering insert 2a, 2b, 2c, 2 d. Additionally or alternatively, the metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d may also be fixed via the sealing

elements

18, 20.

Additionally, for each of the plurality of metering inserts, one or more housing outlets (not shown) are respectively formed in the lubricant supply element 24; the one or more housing outlets interact with corresponding outlets of the metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d via the annular space 14 to dispense a corresponding amount of lubricant. Here, the respective housing outlet may be connected to or configured as one or more lubricant supply channels (not shown) of the one or

more raceway grooves

26, 28, 30, 32 of the lubricant supply element 24.

As further shown in fig. 2, the plurality of metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d may be disposed adjacent to one another and/or slightly offset. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of metering inserts may be stacked one above the other or arranged in one plane. The arrangement of the metering inserts may be selected according to the available space and/or the position of the

housing outlets

16, 16', 16 "and/or the position of the lubricant supply channels.

In order to supply the respective inlets of the metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d with lubricant, the plurality of metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are fluidly coupled to a common lubricant source, such as a lubricant reservoir. Alternatively, a common lubricant main line 34 may also be provided. In addition, a control and/or monitoring line 36 may also be provided, which connects the respective metering insert 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d to a control device 38, which control device 38 is configured to transmit signals to control and/or monitor the respective metering insert 2a, 2b, 2c, 2 d. Alternatively or additionally, the signal transmission can also take place wirelessly, which further reduces the installation space requirement.

Overall, a lubricant metering assembly 1 is provided, the installation possibilities of which are highly variable. This variability is achieved by providing radial housing outlets and housing inlets for the lubricant, which requires little installation space. It is particularly advantageous that an annular space 14 is formed between the housing 4 and the metering insert 2, which annular space 14 interacts with a

housing outlet

16, 16', 16 "formed in the housing 4. This variability can be further increased because the outlets 12, 12 'of the metering insert 2 and the

housing outlets

16, 16', 16 "do not have to be aligned with one another. This may also simplify assembly or maintenance.

As described, the lubricant metering assembly can be used particularly advantageously with a linear guide, since the inventive advantages are particularly relevant here. However, the advantages of the invention are also advantageous in other applications, so that the lubricant metering assembly is for example suitable for direct mounting in a lubrication point, such as a bearing housing. In addition, the lubricant metering assembly is suitable for direct mounting in the housing of an electric motor, and for use in automation, handling and transportation technology. In particular in the latter application, a small installation space and a low weight are important. Further applications are advantageous in the following fields: in the field of machine tools, for example in drive spindles, in injection molding machines, for example in the field of lever clamping of tools, and more generally in all dynamic applications, for example tool tables, handling systems and automation systems. The applications mentioned are to be understood as examples only; many further possibilities of use can be found.

List of reference numerals

1 Lubricant metering Assembly

2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d metering insert

4 outer cover

6, 6' inlet

7 axial direction

8 sealing element

9 radial direction

10 metering piston

12, 12' outlet

14 annular space (distribution chamber)

16, 16' housing outlet

18, 20 sealing element

22 attachment element

24 lubricant feeding member

26, 28, 30, 32 raceway grooves

34 lubricant main circuit

36 control circuit

38 control device

L_AAxial extension of the annular space

L measures the total length of the insert

Claims

1. A lubricant metering assembly (1) for metering an amount of lubricant, wherein the lubricant metering assembly (1) comprises:

a tubular metering insert (2) configured to meter a metered amount of lubricant, wherein the metering insert (2) comprises an inlet (6, 6') fluidly coupleable to a lubricant source and an outlet (12, 12 "); and

a housing (4) into which the metering insert (2) can be inserted,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

in the housing (4), a housing outlet (16, 16', 16 ") is formed in a radial direction of the metering insert (2), wherein the housing outlet (16, 16', 16") interacts with an outlet (12, 12') of the metering insert (2) to dispense the metered amount of lubricant.

2. The lubricant metering assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (4) and/or the metering insert (2) are configured such that an annular space (14) is formed between the metering insert (2) and the housing (4) in a radial direction of the metering insert (2), the annular space (14) forming a distribution chamber of the lubricant metering assembly, wherein the housing outlet (16, 16', 16 ") is fluidly connected to the annular space (14).

3. The lubricant metering assembly (1) of claim 2, wherein the axially extending section (L) of the annular space_A) Is limited by at least one first and second limiting element (18, 20), wherein the at least one first and second limiting element (18, 20) is formed on the housing (4) and/or on the metering insert (2).

4. The lubricant metering assembly (1) of claim 3, wherein at least one of the restraining elements (18, 20) is a sealing element.

5. The lubricant metering assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of metering inserts (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are provided in the housing (4).

6. The lubricant metering assembly (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an attachment element (22) is provided which is configured to prevent the metering insert (2) from moving radially and/or axially in the housing (4).

7. A linear guide comprising a lubricant supply element (24) and a lubricant metering assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The linear guide of claim 7, wherein the housing of the lubricant metering assembly is formed via the lubricant supply element (24).

9. The linear guide as claimed in claim 8, wherein a recess, in particular a stepped bore, is provided in the lubricant supply element (24), into which recess the metering insert (2) can be inserted, and wherein the recess is configured such that an annular space (14) is formed between the metering insert (2) and the lubricant supply element (24) in the radial direction of the metering insert (2), the annular space (14) forming a distribution chamber of the lubricant metering assembly (1).

10. The linear guide of claim 9, wherein one or more lubricant supply channels are provided in the lubricant supply element (24), which lubricant supply channels guide lubricant at a lubrication point of the lubricant supply element (24), wherein the lubricant supply channels are fluidly connected to the annular space (14).