Patent ID: 12253211

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numbers.

FIG.1shows a schematic depiction of a progressive distributor1for lubricant including a housing block2. Since the basic functioning and the components of a progressive distributor are known and not changed, an illustration and explanation of the metering pistons and piston bores as well as their functioning is omitted.

The housing block2has a lubricant inlet bore (not shown) via which lubricant is introducible into the progressive distributor1via a lubricant line4and a plurality of lubricant outlets6via which a metered quantity of lubricant is dispensable to a consumer connected to each respective lubricant outlet.

In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.1, a T-piece10is provided in the lubricant line4via which a pressure sensor8is connected to the lubricant line. The pressure sensor8is configured to determine a lubricant pressure. Here the pressure sensor8is disposed upstream of the metering pistons with respect to a lubricant-flow direction. That is, the pressure sensor8determines the lubricant pressure before the lubricant reaches the first metering piston.

Due to the positioning of the pressure sensor8near the inlet of the progressive distributor, the pressure sensor8records the pressure level at this point in the lubricant line4. Due to the mode of operation of the progressive distributor1, the pressure level at the inlet of the distributor is approximately the pressure level of the currently controlled lubricant outlet6.

FIG.2shows a second embodiment of the progressive distributor1. The progressive distributor ofFIG.2differs from the progressive distributor ofFIG.1only in that the pressure sensor8is integrated in the housing block2of the progressive distributor so that the progressive distributor1and the pressure sensor8can be installed as one part into the lubrication system. Alternatively or additionally it is also possible to integrate the pressure sensor into the lubricant line4.

FIG.3shows a first preferred exemplary embodiment of an inventive lubrication system20. The lubrication system20comprises a progressive distributor1that is connected to a reservoir26via a lubricant line4, wherein a pressure sensor8is disposed upstream from the progressive distributor1via a T-piece10. The lubrication system20further comprises a control device22that is connected to the pressure sensor for data transmission by a data cable and/or wirelessly, e.g., by radio.

The lubrication system20has four downstream progressive distributors24-1,24-2,24-3,24-4that are each connected to outlets6of the first progressive distributor1. In the lubrication system20shown inFIG.3, the downstream progressive distributors24-1,24-2,24-3,24-4are configured similar to the progressive distributor1ofFIG.1, and each comprises a further pressure sensor30-1,30-2,30-3,30-4. However, it is also possible to use the downstream progressive distributors24-1,24-2,24-3,24-4without a pressure sensor, since the individual pressure sensor8allows a complete monitoring of the entire lubrication system20at the inlet of the first progressive distributor.

FIG.4shows in a graph the temporal course of the lubricant pressure that is measured by the pressure sensor8. The dashed markings I, II, III designate the time points at which a line break has occurred in the lubrication system20ofFIG.3. Here the marking I indicates a break of the line at the location I on the progressive distributor1inFIG.3, the marking II a break of the line at the location II also on the progressive distributor1inFIG.3, and the marking III a break of the line at the location III on the progressive distributor24-2inFIG.3. It is to be noted that each arising break of the line has been corrected after a cycle length tz, for example, by the line being plugged in again. The line break is thereby visible only in the pressure course of one lubricant cycle tz.

As can be seen inFIG.4, a change of the pressure course at the marked locations I, II, III can be inferred from the lubricant pressure course recorded by the pressure sensor8. That is, in the case of a line break, the course of the pressure differs from the course of the pressure that is present in the case of a normal operating state. This can be seen in particular at the peaks that each lie to the right of the marked peaks, since in the case of these peaks the broken line is connected again and therefore the normal operating state is present again.

As can be seen inFIG.4, in the case of a line break (see marking I and II inFIG.4) on the first progressive distributor1, a minimum pressure value Pminis very much lower than with a normal operating state, whereas in a line break at a downstream progressive distributor24, a maximum pressure value Pmaxturns out lower than with a normal operating state (see marking III inFIG.4). That is, using the pressure sensor8at the inlet of the progressive distributor1, not only can a line break at the progressive distributor1be determined, but also a line break on a progressive distributor24downstream from the progressive distributor1. In particular, the control device22can be configured to detect and to determine a fault such as a line break based on the lubricant pressure recorded by the pressure sensor8.

In particular, an influence of a line break on the pressure course is dependent on what proportion of the lubricant in the lubrication system20reaches into the environment without counter-pressure. If a line break now occurs, for example, after a primary progressive distributor1including eight outlets, ⅛ of the lubricant reaches into the environment without counter-pressure. If a line break in turn occurs after a downstream progressive distributor24, which, for example, also includes eight outlets, ⅛ of the lubricant of this downstream progressive distributor24reaches into the environment, which in turn, however, corresponds to only 1/64 of the total lubricant. The influence on the pressure course is thus significantly smaller.

FIG.5shows a second preferred exemplary embodiment of the inventive lubrication system20. The lubrication system20ofFIG.5differs from the lubrication system ofFIG.3in that instead of the downstream progressive distributors24-1,24-2,24-3,24-4, four valves32-1,32-2,32-3,32-4, are provided, wherein the valves32-1,32-2,32-3,32-4can be configured in particular as pressure-limiting valves. That is, exactly as inFIG.3, the lubrication system20ofFIG.5comprises a progressive distributor1that is connected to a reservoir26via a lubricant line4, wherein a pressure sensor8is disposed upstream from the progressive distributor1via a T-piece1. The lubrication system20further comprises a control device22that is connected to the pressure sensor8for data transmission by a data cable and/or wirelessly, e.g., by radio. As mentioned, the lubrication system20has four valves32-1,32-2,32-3,32-4that are in turn connected to the outlets6of the first progressive distributor1.

FIG.6shows in a graph the temporal course of the lubricant pressure that is measured by the pressure sensor8. The dashed marking IV marks a time point at which a blockage of the line has occurred in the lubrication system20. Here the marking IV indicates a blockage prior to the valve32-1inFIG.5.

As can be seen inFIG.6, a change can also be inferred from the lubricant pressure course inFIG.5recorded by the pressure sensor8. It can be seen here that the maximum value Pmaxof the lubricant pressure increases the longer the blockage lasts. In other words, the pressure sensor8can already detect a blockage at the inlet of the progressive distributor1at a time at which, for example, a conventional piston detector does not yet record any change. In particular, the control device22can be configured to detect and to determine the blockage based on the lubricant pressure recorded by the pressure sensor8.

In summary, the pressure sensor8provided at the inlet allows a more precise state-recording than a piston detector, a flow sensor, or a line-break monitor alone, and is more cost-effective than a combination of these three types of monitoring. A single pressure sensor8at the inlet of the progressive distributor1allows a complete monitoring of the entire lubrication system20. In comparison to a pressure sensor at an outlet, which pressure sensor is only able to monitor a single outlet, more information is available via the pressure sensor8at the inlet. In particular, changes of the pressure course allow conclusions to be drawn regarding a change in the lubrication system and the type of change, e.g., line break, impending blockage, etc.

REFERENCE NUMBER LIST

1Progressive distributor2Housing block4Lubricant line6Outlet8Pressure sensor10T-piece20Lubrication system22Control device24Progressive distributor26Reservoir30Pressure sensor32ValvePmaxMaximum pressurePminMinimum pressuretzLubrication cycle