CN112413384B - Lubricant metering assembly - Google Patents

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 fixed amount of lubricant, wherein the metering insert (2) comprises an inlet (6, 6') fluidically connectable to a lubricant source and an outlet (12, 12'); and 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 an outlet (12, 12") of the metering insert (2) to dispense a defined amount of lubricant.

Description

Lubricant metering components

Technical Field

The invention relates to a lubricant metering assembly for metering an 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 Art

Lubricant metering devices or lubricant distributors are known in the prior art and are usually used as part of a central lubrication device, via which lubricant is conveyed from a central lubricant source to at least one lubricant consumer. Here, the lubricant metering device usually 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 lubricant from the lubricant inlet into a metering chamber of a metering piston, from which the available amount of lubricant in the metering chamber is conveyed to a lubricant outlet and then to the lubricant consumer. For this purpose, the lubricant outlet is axially arranged 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, thereby predetermining the installation position of such a lubricant metering device. As a result, the known lubricant metering devices can only be installed in certain positions and require a lot of space, especially in the axial direction. Therefore, they are usually arranged remotely from the corresponding consumer. However, in particular for linear guides comprising a movable guide carriage to be lubricated, such a remote arrangement of the lubricant metering device is impractical.

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

Summary of the invention

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

In the following, a lubricant metering assembly is proposed, which comprises a tubular metering insert, which is configured to meter a fixed amount of lubricant, wherein the metering insert comprises an inlet and an outlet which can be fluidically coupled to a lubricant source. In addition, the lubricant metering assembly comprises a housing into which the metering insert can be inserted. The metering insert itself can in particular comprise a metering piston, wherein a defined piston stroke of the metering piston meters the fixed amount of lubricant. The housing can also be formed of a suitable material, such as metal or plastic.

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

Since the housing outlet is formed radially on the housing, the position of the housing outlet can be configured as required, so that even a consumer that can currently only be supplied with lubricant by a remotely arranged 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 another aspect of the invention, due to the reduced axial installation space requirement, the lubricant metering assembly can be used on a linear guide comprising a lubricant supply element, wherein it can advantageously also be mounted directly on the linear guide and/or the guide carriage and/or the lubricant supply element. In this regard, the lubricant metering assembly can be a lubricant metering assembly of the linear guide.

In particular, an exemplary embodiment is advantageous here in which the housing of the lubricant metering arrangement is configured directly as a guide carriage or a lubricant supply element or as a part of the guide carriage or a part of the lubricant supply element. As a result, not only the axial installation space requirement can be reduced, but also the radial installation space requirement can be reduced, 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 supply element, into which the metering insert can be inserted. Holes specific to the mounting position and/or specific to the lubricant supply can advantageously be produced in the housing, which simplifies production. For example, the housing outlet can merge directly into a lubricant supply channel formed in the lubricant supply element of the linear guide.

This advantageously allows lubricant to be fed 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 corresponding bores. Furthermore, this is only possible with complex spaces instead of straight bores.

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 the radial direction of the metering insert; the annular space is configured as a distribution chamber, wherein the housing outlet is fluidically 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 can be arranged at any position along the axial and/or radial point of the annular space.

The housing outlet can be arranged circumferentially around the metering insert at any position and does not need to be oriented in a manner corresponding to the housing outlet. That is, the housing outlet can be arranged in the housing in a manner corresponding to the respective lubrication situation and the metering insert can 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 enables a rotationally symmetrical arrangement of the metering insert, so that, for example, in the event of a defect, the metering insert can be replaced as required. This means that the metering inserts can each be manufactured identically in large quantities and can be simply inserted into the housing, with all elements being arranged on the housing in a standardized position and orientation.

Furthermore, the metering insert may be inserted into the housing independently of a rotation about its longitudinal axis.Of course, it is also possible to provide a plurality of housing outlets for a single metering insert.

The design including the annular space is particularly advantageous for inserting a lubricant supply element of a linear guide, since the metering insert can then be inserted into the bore without a specific orientation and the lubricant is supplied to any arbitrarily arranged channel. To form the annular space, the bore in the housing can 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 first and second limiting elements, wherein the first and second limiting elements are formed on the housing and/or on the metering insert. Unnecessary losses of lubricant from the distribution chamber can thereby be prevented. For example, the first and second limiting elements can be protrusions, in particular in stepped holes, which are formed on the housing and/or on the metering insert. In addition, the first and second limiting elements can be adapted to fluidically seal the distribution chamber.

According to another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the limiting elements is a sealing element. The sealing element can be, for example, an O-ring arranged around the metering insert. The sealing element can preferably be arranged in a groove and/or a socket in the metering insert and/or the housing. Such a groove or socket can also be used for position 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 can advantageously be formed in the housing; the one or more housing outlets interact with the respective outlets to dispense a respective amount of lubricant. This has the advantage that, in the case of the exemplary use in a guide carriage, the lubricant metering assembly can provide each raceway groove of the guide carriage with individually adjustable amounts of lubricant independently of one another. It is therefore preferred that a metering element is provided for each raceway groove of the guide carriage. Here, each of the plurality of metering inserts can 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 of one or more raceway grooves of the guide carriage for the linear guide. Alternatively, a plurality of housing outlets can also be associated with a single metering insert. Thus, the metering element can distribute the lubricant to a plurality of lubricant supply channels. Depending on the available installation space, a plurality of metering inserts themselves can be arranged adjacent to one another and/or one above the other and/or offset from one another.

A plurality of metering inserts can preferably be fluidically coupled to a common lubricant source, in particular a lubricant main line. This has the advantage that only one connection for the lubricant supply must be provided on the lubricant metering assembly, whereby the lubricant metering assembly can be designed to be more compact.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the inlet of the metering insert is arranged in the radial direction and/or in the axial direction of the metering insert. This increases the flexibility of the installation 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 can be provided which is configured to prevent radial and/or axial movement of the metering insert in the housing. Undesired movement of the metering insert can thereby be prevented, in particular making it possible to use the lubricant metering assembly on a dynamically movable guide carriage of a linear guide. The attachment element can, for example, be an elastically deformable clamping ring received in a groove. The attachment element can also be a screw or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the sealing element can also be axially attached via a friction connection.

The axial length of the metering insert is preferably less than 50 mm, more preferably less than 40 mm. Such dimensions allow the lubricant metering assembly to be easily attached or integrated onto or into a guide carriage or a lubricant supply element of a linear guide.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the metering insert can be connected to a control device, which is configured to control and monitor the metering insert. For example, the control device can be connected to a corresponding sensor, which is configured to monitor the amount of lubricant supplied to the metering insert and/or dispensed from the metering insert. Thus, the metering insert can be controlled and adjusted in a targeted manner. In particular, the control and/or monitoring can be achieved via control lines and/or via wireless signal transmission. Wireless signal transmission also has the advantage that there is no need to arrange control lines in and on the guide carriage, thereby further reducing the space requirement.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are presented in the description, the drawings and the claims. In particular, the combinations of features presented in the description and the drawings are purely exemplary here, so that the features may also exist alone or in other combinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of a lubricant supply element of a linear guide including a lubricant metering assembly according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

FIG1 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 comprises a metering insert 2 and a housing 4, which can 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 hole can be, for example, a stepped hole, into which the metering insert 2 can 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 comprises an inlet 6, which is fluidically 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 an axial direction 7 of the metering insert 2. Alternatively, the inlet 6 ' (shown in dashed lines) may also be arranged in a 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 feeds at least one outlet 12, 12' of the metering insert 2. The outlets 12, 12' are fluidly connected to an annular space 14, which together with the housing 4 forms a distribution chamber of the metering element when the metering insert 2 is inserted into the housing 4. However, the metered lubricant can be conveyed out of 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 in the figure, due to the annular space, the outlet can be arranged radially anywhere, which significantly reduces the installation space requirement of the lubricant metering assembly. Therefore, for the lubricant supply element, the overall length L can be less than 50 mm.

Since the distribution chamber is formed in the shape of an annular space 14, the lubricant can be spread throughout the annular space 14, and the radial housing outlet 16 provided in the housing 4 can be fluidically connected to the outlets 12, 12' of the metering insert 2 in a simple manner. Therefore, the housing outlet 16 can also be provided at other positions in the housing 4. For example, the housing outlet 16' or 16" (shown in dotted lines) can be provided at any desired position around the circumference of the metering insert 2. The formation of 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 relative to its longitudinal rotation axis, assembly aids can, for example, be omitted, thereby simplifying the installation of the metering insert 2. Of course, not only a single housing outlet 16 can be provided for the metering insert 2, but also a plurality of housing outlets 16, 16', 16" can be provided for the metering insert 2 in parallel, so that the metering insert 2 can, for example, supply a plurality of lubricant supply channels.

In order to limit the fluid space of the annular space 14 in its axial extension _LA and to prevent lubricant losses, in the exemplary embodiment shown, first and second limiting elements are provided in the form of sealing rings 18, 20. The sealing rings 18, 20 are formed on the metering insert 2, but can also be provided additionally or alternatively on the housing 4. Of course, the first and second limiting elements can also be realized by protrusions or the like formed in the housing 4 or in the metering insert 2. In order to allow easier insertion of the metering insert 2, the sealing elements 18, 20 can be fixed in the grooves and/or by other means, such as adhesives, so that the sealing elements 18, 20 are not displaced during insertion. For example, if the metering insert 2 is inserted into a stepped hole, displacement of the sealing elements 18, 20 during insertion can be prevented.

In order to prevent the movement of the metering insert 2, for example when attaching the lubricant metering assembly to the guide carriage of the linear guide, an attachment element 22 is provided which axially prevents the movement of the metering insert 2 in the housing 4. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment element 22 can also be provided to prevent the movement of the metering insert 2 in the housing 4 radially. The attachment element 22 can be, for example, a clamping ring, a screw, etc. The sealing elements 18, 20 can also advantageously provide an axial and radial attachment via a friction connection.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of a lubricant supply element 24 of a linear guide (not shown) comprising a lubricant metering assembly according to another embodiment. Here, the body of the lubricant supply element 24 forms a housing 4, in 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 can 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 supply element, an attachment element 22 in the form of a clamping ring is provided for each metering insert 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. Additionally or alternatively, the metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d can also be fixed via sealing elements 18, 20.

In addition, 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 the corresponding outlets of the metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d via the annular space 14 to dispense the corresponding amount of lubricant. Here, the corresponding housing outlets can be connected to one or more lubricant supply channels (not shown) of one or more raceway grooves 26, 28, 30, 32 of the lubricant supply element 24, or configured as channels.

As further shown in FIG. 2 , a plurality of metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d may be arranged adjacent to each other 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 depending on the available space and/or the position of the housing outlet 16, 16', 16" and/or the position of the lubricant supply channel.

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 fluidically connected to a common lubricant source, such as a lubricant reservoir. Alternatively, a common lubricant main line 34 can also be provided. In addition, a control and/or monitoring line 36 can also be provided, which connects the respective metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d to a control device 38, which is configured to transmit signals to control and/or monitor the respective metering inserts 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. Alternatively or additionally, the signal transmission can also be performed wirelessly, which further reduces the installation space requirement.

In summary, a lubricant metering assembly 1 is provided, the installation possibilities of which have a great variability. This variability is achieved by providing radial housing outlets and housing inlets for the lubricant, which require little installation space. It is particularly advantageous that an annular space 14 is formed between the housing 4 and the metering insert 2, which interacts with a housing outlet 16, 16', 16" formed in the housing 4. This variability can thus be further increased, since the outlet 12, 12' of the metering insert 2 and the housing outlet 16, 16', 16" do not have to be aligned with one another. This can also simplify assembly or maintenance.

As described, the lubricant metering assembly can be used particularly advantageously for linear guides, since the advantages of the invention are particularly relevant here. However, the advantages of the invention are also advantageous in other applications, so that the lubricant metering assembly is suitable, for example, for direct installation in a lubrication point, such as a bearing housing. In addition, the lubricant metering assembly is suitable for direct installation in the housing of an electric motor, and for use in the field of automation, handling and transport technology. Especially in the latter application, a small installation space and a low weight are very important. Further applications are advantageous in the following areas: 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 only as examples; many further possibilities of use can be found.

Reference numerals list

1 Lubricant metering unit

2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d Metering inserts

4. Housing

6,6' entrance

7 Axial direction

8 Sealing element

9 Radial direction

10 Metering piston

12, 12' export

14 Annular space (distribution chamber)

16, 16', 16" housing outlet

18, 20 Sealing element

22 Attachment components

24 Lubricant supply element

26, 28, 30, 32 raceway grooves

34 Lubricant main line

36 Control lines

38 Control Device

_LA axial extension of the annular space

L Overall length of the metering insert

Claims (9)

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 quantity of lubricant, wherein the tubular metering insert (2) comprises an inlet (6, 6') fluidly couplable to a lubricant source and an outlet (12, 12 "); and

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

It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

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

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

2. Lubricant metering assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the axial extension (L _A) of the annular space is limited by a first limiting element (18) and a second limiting element (20), wherein the first limiting element (18) and the second limiting element (20) are formed on the housing (4) and/or on the tubular metering insert (2).

3. The lubricant metering assembly (1) of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second restriction elements (18, 20) is a sealing element.

4. A lubricant metering assembly (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of metering inserts (2 a,2b,2c,2 d) are provided in the housing (4).

5. A lubricant metering assembly (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an attachment element (22) is provided which is configured to prevent radial and/or axial movement of the tubular metering insert (2) in the housing (4).

6. A linear guide comprising a lubricant supply element (24) and a lubricant metering assembly (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The linear guide of claim 6, wherein the housing of the lubricant metering assembly is formed via the lubricant supply element (24).

8. Linear guide according to claim 7, wherein a stepped bore or recess is provided in the lubricant supply element (24) into which the tubular metering insert (2) is insertable, and wherein the recess is configured such that an annular space (14) is formed between the tubular metering insert (2) and the lubricant supply element (24) in a radial direction of the tubular metering insert (2), the annular space (14) forming a distribution chamber of the lubricant metering assembly (1).

9. Linear guide according to claim 8, wherein one or more lubricant feed channels are provided in the lubricant feed element (24), which lubricant feed channels guide lubricant at a lubrication point of the lubricant feed element (24), wherein the lubricant feed channels are fluidly connected to the annular space (14).