SE536841C2 - Grease coupling arrangement, and a lubrication system comprising said arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

18 AbstractThe present invention relates to a coupling arrangement (10) for a grease Iubrication system. The coupling arrangement comprises acoupling element (11) and an attachment member (50), said coupling5 element (11) comprising: an in|et (22); a first outlet (17); second outlet(19); a housing (12); a closing member; a first spring (32); and acoupling control member. The attachment member (50) comprises;attachment means (52); and an attachment activation protrusion (53);wherein the closing member is positioned in the second position and10 the first outlet opened until the attachment member is attached to thecoupling element and moving the closing member to the first positionthereby closing the first outlet. 15 (Figure 2)

Description

AWAPATENT AB PMC Lubrication AB Kontor/Handläggare Ansökningsnr Vår referens Stockholm/Fredrik Liljegren/FLN SE-21059572 COUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR GREASE, AND A LUBRICATIONSYSTEM COMPRISING SAID ARRANGEMENT Field of the inventionThe present invention relates to a coupling arrangement for grease, and aIubrication system comprising said arrangement.5Background of the inventionMachines and vehicles are used within a number of different fields to facilitateand improve the efficiency of the work that needs to be done. Thesemachines comprise several mechanical components that during use are10 intended to move in relation to each other. ln order to ensure that themachines work as intended and prevent damages, Iubrication of the differentmoving components is required. A Iubrication system is therefore fitted tosupply Iubrication to moving mechanical parts in selected Iubrication points.The lubricant supplied is for example grease, but grease accumulated in dead15 spaces of the Iubrication system (i.e. spaces without a constant flow ofgrease) in combination with an applied high pressure, tends to separate intoits two basic components, i.e. oil and soap which is devastating for theIubrication systems since the soap may clog the Iubrication system andinterrupt the supply of grease.Different types of vehicles such as tractors or other machines could beprovided with a number of different working implements that are removablyattached to the tractor or machine. Each of the working implement comprisescomponents that require Iubrication and it is for several reasons convenient to25 connect the working implement to the Iubrication system of the tractor or machine. The Iubrication system is therefore provided with a coupling element 2 that makes it possible to connect the Iubrication system of the workingimplement to the Iubrication system of the tractor or machine. Unfortunatelythe existing coupling elements are not adapted for grease and there is aconsiderably risk that the coupling elements are clogged by soap from the separated grease.

There is consequently a need for an improved coupling element and aIubrication system adapted for grease. 19ummary of the invention The claimed coupling arrangement for a grease Iubrication system providesan arrangement that fulfils the needs defined above.

The coupling arrangement comprises a coupling element and an attachmentmember, said coupling element comprising: an inlet; a first outlet; a second outlet; a housing comprising a coupling chamber arranged within the housingand connected to the inlet and the first and second outlet; a closing member movably arranged in the coupling chamber between afirst position in which the first outlet is closed and a second position in whichthe first outlet is open; a first spring arranged to press said closing member towards saidsecond position; and a coupling control member arranged to control the movement of theclosing member, said control member is movably arranged between a firstposition in which the second outlet is closed and a second position in whichthe second outlet is open; said attachment member comprising; attachment means for removable attachment of the attachment member to the coupling element; and 3 an attachment activation protrusion; wherein the closing member is positioned in the second position until theattachment member is attached to the second outlet of the coupling elementand the attachment activation protrusion moving the coupling control memberto the second position and the closing member to the first position therebyclosing the first outlet.

The claimed arrangement fulfils the needs defined above since one of theoutlets of the coupling element always is opened which ensures a continuousflow ofgrease through the coupling element, and consequently also aconstant exchange of grease within the coupling chamber. The continuousexchange of grease prevents grease from being maintained within thecoupling chamber for long periods oftime and in the end reduces the risk forgrease separating into soap and oil which could clog the coupling element.

The arrangement furthermore, as a result of the continuous flow of greasethrough the coupling element, requires a limited space since the size of thedifferent components could be reduced when the risk for clogging iseliminated, or at least reduced considerably. ln one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the coupling chamber iselongated and extending along an axis X, and the closing member and thecontrol member movable along an axis parallel to the axis X. Thisembodiment is favourable since it is producible to a reasonable cost andensures the desired function of the coupling element since the couplingmember could be moved easily within the chamber between the two defined positions. ln one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the first and second outletsare arranged along a common axis substantially parallel to the axis X inopposite ends of the coupling chamber. This embodiment is favourable sincethese positions of the outlets make it possible to open and close respective 4 outlets in an efficient way when the closing member and the coupling control member are moved within the coupling chamber. ln one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the coupling control membercomprises a second spring and a coupling activation part, said couplingactivation part is arranged together with the second outlet and the secondspring extending between the coupling activation part and the closingmember. This is an embodiment that provides a reliable coupling arrangement with a minimal risk for clogging. ln one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the coupling activation partcomprises an inner end section in contact with the second spring and anelongated member extending through the outlet. The inner end sectionprovides a reliably support for the second spring which in the end ensures thedesired function of the arrangement. The elongated member extendingthrough the second outlet in combination with the activation protrusion of theattachment member provides an arrangement that is very simple and robustwhich ensures that the coupling arrangement will be usable for several yearswithout accidental damages to the different components of the arrangementor clogging within the chamber or the outlets. ln one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, after the attachmentmember is attached to the coupling element, the attachment activationprotrusion is acting on the elongated member. The fact that the attachmentactivation protrusion act on the elongated member ensures that the requiredforce is applied on the second spring and the closing member to compressthe first spring and move the closing member to the second position andclose the first outlet. ln one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, a passage 38 is extendingfrom the second outlet and a valve is arranged in the passage. The valvecloses the passage from the second outlet and ensures that no grease is 5 Ieaking from the coupling element when no attachment member is attached to the coupling element. ln one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the valve comprises aspherical ball and a corresponding conical surface arranged in the passage,said spherical ball is arranged between the elongated member and theattachment activation protrusion. This embodiment of the arrangement isfavourable since the spherical ball is moved together with the elongatedmember and the attachment activation protrusion between a position wherethe passage from the outlet is closed and a position where the passage is open which ensures a reliably opening and closing of the passage. ln one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the first and second springare helical springs extending along an axis parallel to the axis X. Helicalsprings are easy to fit in the chamber and allows grease to flow within and around the helical springs to respective outlet. ln one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the movement of thecoupling activation part along the axis parallel to axis X exceeds themovement of the closing member along the axis parallel to axis X. This isfavourable since the coupling activation part, as a consequence of the reliablesecuring of the attachment member to the coupling element is moved a largerdistance than actually required to close the first outlet, and consequently thisembodiment provides coupling arrangement in which the first and second outlet could be more easily adapted to fulfil different needs. ln one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the outlet area of the firstoutlet is smaller than the outlet area of the second outlet. This embodiment isvery favourable since the first outlet could be used for a small continuous flowof grease through the coupling element to prevent the separation of thegrease within the coupling element when the attachment member not isattached to the coupling element while the second larger outlet could be used 6 for supplying a larger amount of grease to the intended lubrication point, orpoints.

The present invention furthermore relates to a grease lubrication system forlubrication of at least one component or area where lubrication is needed.The system comprising:a grease storage compartment;a grease feeding arrangement for feeding grease from thestorage compartment;a coupling arrangement according to anyone of c|aimsembodiments described above;a first pipe extending from said feeding arrangement to the in|etof the coupling element;a second pipe extending from said first outlet of the couplingelement to the grease storage compartment; anda third pipe extending from the attachment member to the at leastone component or area; whereingrease is circulated within the system via the first outlet of the couplingelement when no attachment member is attached to the coupling element,and fed to the at least one component or area when the attachment member is attached to the coupling element The claimed lubrications system i favourable since the risk for greaseseparating and clogging the coupling arrangement is reduced. Furthermore,the component or area requiring lubrication could be connected ordisconnected to or from the system by the coupling arrangement described more in detail above.

Further objectives of, features of, and advantages with, the present inventionwill become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, thedrawings and the appended c|aims. Those skilled in the art realize that 7 different features of the present invention can be combined to createembodiments other than those described in the following.

Brief description of the drawings 5 The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention, will be better understood through the following illustrativeand non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a cross sectional view along the longitudinal axis of thecoupling arrangement without the attachment member attached to thecoupling element; and Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view along the longitudinal axis of thecoupling arrangement with the attachment member attached to the coupling element; All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally onlyshow parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. 2Detai|ed description of embodiments ln figure 1 and 2, a coupling arrangement 10 according to the invention isillustrated. The coupling arrangement comprises a coupling element 11 andan attachment member 50, illustrated in figure 2, attachable to the coupling element.

The coupling member comprises a coupling housing 12 that is enclosing anelongated coupling chamber 13 extending along a longitudinal axis X withinthe housing 12. ln order to facilitate the manufacturing as well as future repairof the coupling element, the housing 12 is divided into a first 14 and a second15 housing section. The coupling chamber 13 is formed in the first housingsection 14 from one of the side surfaces 16 of the housing, and is closed bythe second housing section 15 that is secured in the first housing section by 8 corresponding internal and external threads arranged on the first 14 andsecond housing section 15.

The coupling chamber 13 has a substantially circular cross sectional shapeand a circular first outlet 17 arranged in a first end 18 of the couplingchamber, and a second circular outlet 19 arranged in the opposite end 20 ofthe coupling chamber 13. The second outlet 19 is formed in the secondhousing section 15. Both the first and the second outlet are arranged in thecentre of the circular ends of the chamber 13 coaxial to the Iongitudinal axisX. The chamber 13 is surrounded by a chamber wall 20 and first 21and asecond 22 end wall arranged in corresponding ends of the chamber 13.

The coupling element 11 furthermore comprises an in|et 22 for supply ofgrease to the coupling arrangement. The in|et 22 is connected to the couplingchamber 13 in the chamber wall 20 close to the first end 18 of the couplingchamber. However, other connection positions of the in|et to the chamber are also possible.

Within the coupling chamber a closing member 25 is movably arranged. Theclosing member 25 is movable along the Iongitudinal direction of the couplingchamber 13 such that a first 26 and a second chamber section 27, divided bythe closing member 25, are generated within the coupling chamber inrespective ends of the chamber. The closing member has a circular shapewith a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the coupling chamber tobe easily movable within the chamber, and substantially flat first 28 andsecond 29 end surfaces arranged substantially perpendicular to theIongitudinal axis X. The axial length of the closing member 25 is considerablysmaller than the axial length of the chamber 13, preferably less than half thelength of the chamber 13. The first 28 end surface is facing the first end 18 ofthe coupling chamber, and the second end surface 29 the second end 4 ofthe chamber. From the first end surface 28 a protrusion 30 with a conicalouter end 31 extend along the axis X towards the first end 18 of the container 9 and the first outlet 17. The position of the protrusion 30 corresponds to theposition of the first outlet 17, and the c|osing member 25 is movable betweena first position P1 in which the conical outer end 31 of the protrusion 30closes the circular first outlet 17, and a second position P2 in which the firstoutlet 17 is open. One passage 32 between the first and second chamberextend through the c|osing member 25. The passage 32 is arranged adistance from the centre of the c|osing member 25 not to interfere with theprotrusion 30. The number of passages could however be increased as wellas the position of the passage, or passages. Alternatively, one or morepassages are arranged within the container wall or around the outer peripheryof the c|osing member as long as a passage between the first and secondchamber section is generated. Furthermore, the position of the in|et could bearranged in anyone of the chamber sections but never covered by the c|osing member to ensure a continuous flow of grease from the in|et.

The coupling element furthermore comprises a first helical spring 8 arrangedwith the longitudinal direction of the spring 8 substantially coaxial to thelongitudinal axis X of the chamber around the protrusion 30 in the first end ofthe coupling chamber 13. The first spring 8 extends between the first end wall18 of the chamber 13 and the first end surface 28 of the c|osing member 25.The purpose of the first spring 8 is to continuously apply a force on thec|osing member 25 in the direction towards said second position P2.

Furthermore, the coupling element 11 comprises a coupling control memberarranged in the second end 4 of the coupling chamber 13. The couplingcontrol member is intended to control the movement of the c|osing member25 when the attachment member 50 is connected to the coupling element andcomprises a second helical spring 33 and a coupling activation part 34.

The coupling activation part 34 comprises an inner substantially flat endsection 35 arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X within thechamber 13, and an elongated member 36 extending substantially coaxially with the axis X through the second outlet 19. The elongated member 36 isended within an outlet passage 38 extending from the second outlet 19 of thechamber to attachment means 37of the second outlet of the coupling element11. The diameter of the elongated member 36 is smaller than the diameter ofthe second outlet 19 and the outlet passage 38 such that a space for deliveryof grease from the second outlet is formed within the outlet passage 38around the elongated member 36. The second helical spring 33 is arrangedbetween the second end surface 29 of the c|osing member 25 and the flat end section 35 of the coupling activation part 34.

The coupling element 11 furthermore comprises threaded portions 40arranged in the housing 12 in relation to the first outlet 17 and inlet 22 in orderto make it possible to connect pipes or tubes for delivery of grease to andfrom the coupling element of the coupling arrangement.

Prior to attachment of the attachment member 50 to the coupling element 11the c|osing member is forced by the first spring towards the second positionP2. The first outlet 17 is thereby open and a passage for the flow of greaseopened from the inlet 22, via the coupling chamber 13 to the first outlet 17,which is illustrated in figure 1.

When the first outlet 17 is open, i.e. not attachment member 50 attached tothe coupling element 11, the outlet passage 38 from the second outlet isclosed by a valve that prevents grease from leaking from the second outlet.The valve comprises a spherical ball 7 movably arranged within the passage38, in the illustrated embodiment along the longitudinal axis X of the couplingarrangement, a third he|ica| spring 6 and a corresponding conical surface 5arranged within the passage 38.

The section of the passage 38 extending from the second outlet 19 in thechamber 13 to the conical surface 5 has a diameter exceeding the diameterof the spherical ball 7 such that the grease can flow between the spherical 11 ball and the passage. The conical surface 5 reduces the diameter of thepassage 38 to be smaller than the diameter of the spherical ball 7. Thespherical ball, in combination with the conical surface, closes the passage 38since the elongated member 36 of the coupling activation part is in contactwith the spherical ball 7 and forces the spherical ball into contact with theconical surface 5 when the attachment member 50 not is attached to thecoupling element 11. ln order to further reduce the risk for grease leakingfrom the second outlet, the third spring 6, arranged around the elongatedprotrusion 36 between the spherical ball and a shoulder in the passage, isarranged to press the ball 7 into contact with the conical surface and close thepassage 38. Even though the third spring 6 and the shoulder are arranged inthe passage around the protrusion 36 there must be enough space remainingaround the third spring to ensure the desired flow of grease through thepassage. ln order to facilitate or increase the flow of grease through thepassage a number of elongated grooves could be formed in the protrusion 36to increase the space for the flowing grease in the passage 38. The closing ofthe passage 38 could be further improved by a sealing layer, for examplemade of rubber, arranged between the conical surface 5 and the ball 7. ln figure 1, a removable cap 41 is arranged to cover the outer end of the passage 38 in order to prevent that dirt is entering the passage 38.

The attachment member 50 of the coupling arrangement, illustrated in figure2, is intended to be fitted to a pipe 51 for delivery of grease to a lubricationpoint or component and is attached to the coupling element 11 whenlubrication of the component, or area, is desired. The attachment member 50comprises attachment means 52, for example internal threads configured tofit on corresponding external treads of the second outlet, for removable attachment to the coupling element 11.

The attachment member 50 furthermore comprises an attachment activationprotrusion 53 arranged in the centre of a cavity 54 of the attachment member 12 50. The activation protrusion 53 has a smaller diameter than the passage 38and is configured to fit in the passage 38 of the second outlet. When theattachment member 50 is attached to the coupling element 11, the activationprotrusion 53 extends into the passage 38 and into contact with the sphericalball 7 such that it is acting on the ball 7 and the elongated member 36 of thecoupling activation part 34. During the final attachment of the attachmentmember 50 to the correct position to the coupling element 11, i.e. furthermovement of the activation protrusion 53 into the passage 38, the sphericalball 7 and the coupling activation part 34 are moved together with theactivation protrusion 53. The movement of the spherical ball opens thepassage 38, and the flat end section 35 apply a pressure on the secondspring 33 as well as the closing member 25 and move the closing member 25from the second position P2 to the first position P1. Thereby the first outlet 17is closed and the flow of grease redirected to flow from the inlet 22 throughthe passage 32 in the closing member 25 and the coupling chamber 13before it exits the coupling chamber via the second outlet 19 and the passage38 before it continues to the attached component or area were lubrication isdesired, illustrated in figure 2.

The first spring 32 maintain the closing member 25 in the second positionuntil the attachment member 50 is attached to the coupling element 11 andthe closing member 25 moved to the first position P1. During the attachmentof the attachment member 50 to the coupling element, the compressedsecond spring 33 assists the movement of the closing member 25.

The fact that the closing member 25 is arranged between the first 8 andsecond 33 springs is very advantageous since the distance the couplingactivation part 34 is moved when the attachment member 50 is attached tothe coupling element 11 is allowed to differ from the distance the closingmember 25 is moved between the first P1 and second position P2. Thecoupling activation part, in order to achieve a reliable securing of theattachment member to the coupling element, is moved a longer distance than 13 required for the closing member 25 to close the first outlet. The risk fordamages to the protrusion of the closing member or the first outlet in thechamber is thereby reduced considerably.

The present invention furthermore relates to a grease lubrication system forlubrication of at least one component, or area. The system comprises: agrease storage compartment where greases is filled and stored in order to beready for delivery when lubrication is needed; a grease feeding arrangementfor feeding grease from the storage compartment, for example a pumpadapted for grease; a coupling arrangement according to anyone of theembodiments described above; and a first pipe extending from said feedingarrangement to the inlet of the coupling element in order to deliver grease to the coupling arrangement.

The system furthermore comprises a second pipe extending from said firstoutlet 17 of the coupling element 11 to the grease storage compartment.When no attachment member 50 is attached to the coupling element 11, thefirst outlet 17 is open and grease is circulated within the system, i.e. from thestorage compartment to the coupling arrangement and back to the storagecompartment. Grease is thereby continuously circulated within the systemand the risk for grease separating into soap and oil within the couplingarrangement is eliminated. The system furthermore comprises a third pipeextending from the attachment member 50 to at least one componentrequiring lubrication or the lubrication area and when the attachment memberis attached to the coupling element 11 grease is fed to the at least onecomponent or area when the attachment member is attached to the couplingelement. Thereby a flow of grease can pass through the couplingarrangement to either the first or second outlet. The dimensions of thedifferent components of the system are selected depending of the intendeduse of the system and the expected need for supply of grease and could ofcourse be modified in several different ways. 14 ln order to clearly illustrate the function of the coupling arrangement, theillustrations are simplified and may not be according to scale, e.g. some dimensions may be exaggerated in order to illustrate certain features. ln the appended figures, one embodiment of the claimed couplingarrangement is i||ustrated. Several of the components of the arrangementcould however be modified in several ways without departing from the scope of the invention that is defined by the claims.

Claims (12)

1. Claims1. A coupling arrangement (10) for a grease Iubrication system, saidcoupling arrangement comprises a coupling element (11) and an5 attachment member (50), said coupling element (11) comprising: an in|et (22); a first outlet (17); a second outlet (19); a housing (12) comprising a coupling chamber (13) arranged 10 within the housing and connected to the in|et and the first and secondoutlet; a closing member (25) movably arranged in the couplingchamber between a first position (P1) in which the first outlet is closedand a second position (P2) in which the first outlet is open; 15 a first spring (8) arranged to press said closing member towardssaid second position; and a coupling control member arranged to control the movement ofthe closing member, said control member is movably arrangedbetween a first position in which the second outlet is closed and a 20 second position in which the second outlet is open; said attachment member (50) comprising; attachment means (52) for removably attachment of theattachment member to the coupling element; and an attachment activation protrusion (53); wherein 25 the closing member is positioned in the second position until theattachment member is attached to the second outlet of the couplingelement and the attachment activation protrusion moving the couplingcontrol member to the second position and the closing member to thefirst position thereby closing the first outlet.

2. The coupling arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the couplingchamber (13) is elongated and extending along an axis X, and the 16 closing member and the control member movable along an axis parallel to the axis X.

3. _ The coupling arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the first and second outlet are arranged along a common axis substantially parallelto the axis X in opposite ends of the coupling chamber.

4. _ The coupling arrangement according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the coupling control member comprises a second spring (33)and a coupling activation part (34), said coupling activation part isarranged together with the second outlet and the second springextending between the coupling activation part and the closing member.

5. _ The coupling arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the coupling activation part comprises an inner end section (35) in contact with thesecond spring and an elongated member (36) extending through the second outlet.

6. _ The coupling arrangement according to claim 5, wherein, after the attachment member is attached to the coupling element, the attachment activation protrusion is acting on the elongated member.

7. _ The coupling arrangement according to claim 6, wherein a passage 38 is extending from the second outlet and a valve is arranged in the DGSSGQG.

8. _ The coupling arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the valve comprises a spherical ball (7) and a corresponding conical surface (5)arranged in the passage (38), said spherical ball (7) is arrangedbetween the elongated member (36) and the attachment activation protrusion (53). 17

9. The coupling arrangement according to anyone of claims 4 to 7, wherein the first and second springs are helical springs extending alongan axis parallel to the axis X.

10.The coupling arrangement according to anyone of claims 4 to 8, wherein the movement of the coupling activation part along the axisparallel to the axis X exceeds the movement of the closing memberalong the axis parallel to the axis X.

11.The coupling arrangement according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the outlet area of the first outlet is smaller than the outlet areaof the second outlet.

12.A grease lubrication system for lubrication of at least one component or area where lubrication is needed, said system comprising: a grease storage compartment; a grease feeding arrangement for feeding grease from thestorage compartment; a coupling arrangement according to anyone of claims 1 to 11; a first pipe extending from said feeding arrangement to the inletof the coupling element; a second pipe extending from said first outlet of the couplingelement to the grease storage compartment; and a third pipe extending from the attachment member to the at leastone component or area; wherein grease is circulated within the system via the first outlet of thecoupling element when no attachment member is attached to thecoupling element, and fed to the at least one component or area whenthe attachment member is attached to the coupling element.