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Title:
COUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR GREASE, AND A LUBRICATION SYSTEM COMPRISING SAID ARRANGEMENT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/098726
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a coupling arrangement (10) for a grease lubrication system. The coupling arrangement comprises a coupling element (11) and an attachment member (50), said coupling element (11) comprising: an inlet (22); a first outlet (17); second outlet (19); a housing (12); a closing member; a first spring (32); and a coupling 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 and the first outlet opened until the attachment member is attached to the coupling element and moving the closing member to the first position thereby closing the first outlet.

Inventors:
FRÖDIN STEN (SE)
Application Number:
PCT/SE2013/051452
Publication Date:
June 26, 2014
Filing Date:
December 04, 2013
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
PMC LUBRICATION AB (SE)
International Classes:
F16N21/04; F16N5/02; F16N7/40; F16N25/02
Foreign References:
DE202007018555U12008-10-30
US20120267890A12012-10-25
US6142393A2000-11-07
GB963836A1964-07-15
US4607727A1986-08-26
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
AWAPATENT AB (S- Stockholm, SE)
Download PDF:
Claims:
A coupling arrangement (10) for a grease lubrication system, said coupling arrangement comprises a coupling element (1 1 ) and an attachment member (50), said coupling element (1 1 ) comprising:

an inlet (22);

a first outlet (17);

a second outlet (19);

a housing (12) comprising a coupling chamber (13) arranged within the housing and connected to the inlet and the first and second outlet;

a closing member (25) movably arranged in the coupling chamber between a first position (P1 ) in which the first outlet is closed and a second position (P2) in which the first outlet is open;

a first spring (8) arranged to press said closing member towards said second position; and

a coupling control member arranged to control the movement of the closing member, said control member is movably arranged between a first position in which the second outlet is closed and a second position in which the second outlet is open;

said attachment member (50) comprising;

attachment means (52) for removably attachment of the attachment member to the coupling element; and

an attachment activation protrusion (53); wherein

the closing member is positioned in the second position until the attachment member is attached to the second outlet of the coupling element and the attachment activation protrusion moving the coupling control member to the second position and the closing member to the first position thereby closing the first outlet.

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

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

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 is arranged together with the second outlet and the second spring extending between the coupling activation part and the closing member.

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

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.

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

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 arranged between the elongated member (36) and the attachment activation protrusion (53).

9. The coupling arrangement according to anyone of claims 4 to 7, wherein the first and second springs are helical springs extending along an 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 axis parallel to the axis X exceeds the movement of the closing member along the axis parallel to the axis X. 1 1 . The coupling arrangement according to anyone of the previous claims, wherein the outlet area of the first outlet is smaller than the outlet area of 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 the storage compartment;

a coupling arrangement according to anyone of claims 1 to 1 1 ; a first pipe extending from said feeding arrangement to the inlet of the coupling element;

a second pipe extending from said first outlet of the coupling element to the grease storage compartment; and

a third pipe extending from the attachment member to the at least one component or area; wherein

grease is circulated within the system via the first outlet of the coupling element 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.

Description:
COUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR GREASE, AND A LUBRICATION

SYSTEM COMPRISING SAID ARRANGEMENT

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a coupling arrangement for grease, and a lubrication system comprising said arrangement.

5

Background of the invention

Machines and vehicles are used within a number of different fields to facilitate and improve the efficiency of the work that needs to be done. These machines comprise several mechanical components that during use are0 intended to move in relation to each other. In order to ensure that the

machines work as intended and prevent damages, lubrication of the different moving components is required. A lubrication system is therefore fitted to supply lubrication to moving mechanical parts in selected lubrication points. The lubricant supplied is for example grease, but grease accumulated in dead 5 spaces of the lubrication system (i.e. spaces without a constant flow of

grease) in combination with an applied high pressure, tends to separate into its two basic components, i.e. oil and soap which is devastating for the lubrication systems since the soap may clog the lubrication system and interrupt the supply of grease.

0

Different types of vehicles such as tractors or other machines could be provided with a number of different working implements that are removably attached to the tractor or machine. Each of the working implement comprises components that require lubrication and it is for several reasons convenient to5 connect the working implement to the lubrication system of the tractor or

machine. The lubrication system is therefore provided with a coupling element that makes it possible to connect the lubrication system of the working implement to the lubrication system of the tractor or machine. Unfortunately the existing coupling elements are not adapted for grease and there is a considerably risk that the coupling elements are clogged by soap from the 5 separated grease.

There is consequently a need for an improved coupling element and a lubrication system adapted for grease.

ISummary of the invention

The claimed coupling arrangement for a grease lubrication system provides an arrangement that fulfils the needs defined above.

The coupling arrangement comprises a coupling element and an attachment 15 member, said coupling element comprising:

an inlet;

a first outlet;

a second outlet;

a housing comprising a coupling chamber arranged within the housing 20 and connected to the inlet and the first and second outlet;

a closing member movably arranged in the coupling chamber between a first position in which the first outlet is closed and a second position in which the first outlet is open;

a first spring arranged to press said closing member towards said 25 second position; and

a coupling control member arranged to control the movement of the closing member, said control member is movably arranged between a first position in which the second outlet is closed and a second position in which the second outlet is open;

30 said attachment member comprising;

attachment means for removable attachment of the attachment member to the coupling element; and an attachment activation protrusion; wherein

the closing member is positioned in the second position until the attachment member is attached to the second outlet of the coupling element and the attachment activation protrusion moving the coupling control member to the second position and the closing member to the first position thereby closing the first outlet.

The claimed arrangement fulfils the needs defined above since one of the outlets of the coupling element always is opened which ensures a continuous flow of grease through the coupling element, and consequently also a constant exchange of grease within the coupling chamber. The continuous exchange of grease prevents grease from being maintained within the coupling chamber for long periods of time and in the end reduces the risk for grease separating into soap and oil which could clog the coupling element.

The arrangement furthermore, as a result of the continuous flow of grease through the coupling element, requires a limited space since the size of the different components could be reduced when the risk for clogging is eliminated, or at least reduced considerably.

In one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the coupling chamber is elongated and extending along an axis X, and the closing member and the control member movable along an axis parallel to the axis X. This

embodiment is favourable since it is producible to a reasonable cost and ensures the desired function of the coupling element since the coupling member could be moved easily within the chamber between the two defined positions.

In one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the first and second outlets are arranged along a common axis substantially parallel to the axis X in opposite ends of the coupling chamber. This embodiment is favourable since these positions of the outlets make it possible to open and close respective outlets in an efficient way when the closing member and the coupling control member are moved within the coupling chamber.

In one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the coupling control member comprises a second spring and a coupling activation part, said coupling activation part is arranged together with the second outlet and the second spring extending between the coupling activation part and the closing member. This is an embodiment that provides a reliable coupling

arrangement with a minimal risk for clogging.

In one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the coupling activation part comprises an inner end section in contact with the second spring and an elongated member extending through the outlet. The inner end section provides a reliably support for the second spring which in the end ensures the desired function of the arrangement. The elongated member extending through the second outlet in combination with the activation protrusion of the attachment member provides an arrangement that is very simple and robust which ensures that the coupling arrangement will be usable for several years without accidental damages to the different components of the arrangement or clogging within the chamber or the outlets.

In one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, after the attachment member is attached to the coupling element, the attachment activation protrusion is acting on the elongated member. The fact that the attachment activation protrusion act on the elongated member ensures that the required force is applied on the second spring and the closing member to compress the first spring and move the closing member to the second position and close the first outlet.

In one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, a passage 38 is extending from the second outlet and a valve is arranged in the passage. The valve closes the passage from the second outlet and ensures that no grease is leaking from the coupling element when no attachment member is attached to the coupling element.

In one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the valve comprises a spherical ball and a corresponding conical surface arranged in the passage, said spherical ball is arranged between the elongated member and the attachment activation protrusion. This embodiment of the arrangement is favourable since the spherical ball is moved together with the elongated member and the attachment activation protrusion between a position where the passage from the outlet is closed and a position where the passage is open which ensures a reliably opening and closing of the passage.

In one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the first and second spring are helical springs extending along an axis parallel to the axis X. Helical springs are easy to fit in the chamber and allows grease to flow within and around the helical springs to respective outlet.

In one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the movement of the coupling activation part along the axis parallel to axis X exceeds the movement of the closing member along the axis parallel to axis X. This is favourable since the coupling activation part, as a consequence of the reliable securing of the attachment member to the coupling element is moved a larger distance than actually required to close the first outlet, and consequently this embodiment provides coupling arrangement in which the first and second outlet could be more easily adapted to fulfil different needs.

In one embodiment of the coupling arrangement, the outlet area of the first outlet is smaller than the outlet area of the second outlet. This embodiment is very favourable since the first outlet could be used for a small continuous flow of grease through the coupling element to prevent the separation of the grease within the coupling element when the attachment member not is attached to the coupling element while the second larger outlet could be used for supplying a larger amount of grease to the intended lubrication point, or points.

The present invention furthermore relates to a grease lubrication system for lubrication 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 the storage compartment;

a coupling arrangement according to anyone of claims embodiments described above;

a first pipe extending from said feeding arrangement to the inlet of the coupling element;

a second pipe extending from said first outlet of the coupling element to the grease storage compartment; and

a third pipe extending from the attachment member to the at least one component or area; wherein

grease is circulated within the system via the first outlet of the coupling element 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 grease separating and clogging the coupling arrangement is reduced. Furthermore, the component or area requiring lubrication could be connected or

disconnected to or from the system by the coupling arrangement described more in detail above.

Further objectives of, features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

Brief description of the drawings

5 The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the

present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a cross sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the 0 coupling arrangement without the attachment member attached to the

coupling element; and

Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the coupling arrangement with the attachment member attached to the coupling element;

5

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. Detailed description of embodiments

In figure 1 and 2, a coupling arrangement 10 according to the invention is illustrated. The coupling arrangement comprises a coupling element 1 1 and an attachment member 50, illustrated in figure 2, attachable to the coupling element.

5

The coupling member comprises a coupling housing 12 that is enclosing an elongated coupling chamber 13 extending along a longitudinal axis X within the housing 12. In order to facilitate the manufacturing as well as future repair of the coupling element, the housing 12 is divided into a first 14 and a second0 15 housing section. The coupling chamber 13 is formed in the first housing section 14 from one of the side surfaces 16 of the housing, and is closed by the second housing section 15 that is secured in the first housing section by corresponding internal and external threads arranged on the first 14 and second housing section 15.

The coupling chamber 13 has a substantially circular cross sectional shape and a circular first outlet 17 arranged in a first end 18 of the coupling chamber, and a second circular outlet 19 arranged in the opposite end 20 of the coupling chamber 13. The second outlet 19 is formed in the second housing section 15. Both the first and the second outlet are arranged in the centre of the circular ends of the chamber 13 coaxial to the longitudinal axis X. The chamber 13 is surrounded by a chamber wall 20 and first 21 and a second 22 end wall arranged in corresponding ends of the chamber 13.

The coupling element 1 1 furthermore comprises an inlet 22 for supply of grease to the coupling arrangement. The inlet 22 is connected to the coupling chamber 13 in the chamber wall 20 close to the first end 18 of the coupling chamber. However, other connection positions of the inlet to the chamber are also possible.

Within the coupling chamber a closing member 25 is movably arranged. The closing member 25 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the coupling chamber 13 such that a first 26 and a second chamber section 27, divided by the closing member 25, are generated within the coupling chamber in respective ends of the chamber. The closing member has a circular shape with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the coupling chamber to be easily movable within the chamber, and substantially flat first 28 and second 29 end surfaces arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The axial length of the closing member 25 is considerably smaller than the axial length of the chamber 13, preferably less than half the length of the chamber 13. The first 28 end surface is facing the first end 18 of the coupling chamber, and the second end surface 29 the second end 4 of the chamber. From the first end surface 28 a protrusion 30 with a conical outer end 31 extend along the axis X towards the first end 18 of the container and the first outlet 17. The position of the protrusion 30 corresponds to the position of the first outlet 17, and the closing member 25 is movable between a first position P1 in which the conical outer end 31 of the protrusion 30 closes the circular first outlet 17, and a second position P2 in which the first outlet 17 is open. One passage 32 between the first and second chamber extend through the closing member 25. The passage 32 is arranged a distance from the centre of the closing member 25 not to interfere with the protrusion 30. The number of passages could however be increased as well as the position of the passage, or passages. Alternatively, one or more passages are arranged within the container wall or around the outer periphery of the closing member as long as a passage between the first and second chamber section is generated. Furthermore, the position of the inlet could be arranged in anyone of the chamber sections but never covered by the closing member to ensure a continuous flow of grease from the inlet.

The coupling element furthermore comprises a first helical spring 8 arranged with the longitudinal direction of the spring 8 substantially coaxial to the longitudinal axis X of the chamber around the protrusion 30 in the first end of the coupling chamber 13. The first spring 8 extends between the first end wall 18 of the chamber 13 and the first end surface 28 of the closing member 25. The purpose of the first spring 8 is to continuously apply a force on the closing member 25 in the direction towards said second position P2.

Furthermore, the coupling element 1 1 comprises a coupling control member arranged in the second end 4 of the coupling chamber 13. The coupling control member is intended to control the movement of the closing member 25 when the attachment member 50 is connected to the coupling element and comprises a second helical spring 33 and a coupling activation part 34. The coupling activation part 34 comprises an inner substantially flat end section 35 arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X within the chamber 13, and an elongated member 36 extending substantially coaxially with the axis X through the second outlet 19. The elongated member 36 is ended within an outlet passage 38 extending from the second outlet 19 of the chamber to attachment means 37of the second outlet of the coupling element 1 1 . The diameter of the elongated member 36 is smaller than the diameter of the second outlet 19 and the outlet passage 38 such that a space for delivery of grease from the second outlet is formed within the outlet passage 38 around the elongated member 36. The second helical spring 33 is arranged between the second end surface 29 of the closing member 25 and the flat end section 35 of the coupling activation part 34.

The coupling element 1 1 furthermore comprises threaded portions 40 arranged in the housing 12 in relation to the first outlet 17 and inlet 22 in order to make it possible to connect pipes or tubes for delivery of grease to and from the coupling element of the coupling arrangement.

Prior to attachment of the attachment member 50 to the coupling element 1 1 the closing member is forced by the first spring towards the second position P2. The first outlet 17 is thereby open and a passage for the flow of grease opened 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 to the coupling element 1 1 , the outlet passage 38 from the second outlet is closed by a valve that prevents grease from leaking from the second outlet. The valve comprises a spherical ball 7 movably arranged within the passage 38, in the illustrated embodiment along the longitudinal axis X of the coupling arrangement, a third helical spring 6 and a corresponding conical surface 5 arranged within the passage 38. The section of the passage 38 extending from the second outlet 19 in the chamber 13 to the conical surface 5 has a diameter exceeding the diameter of the spherical ball 7 such that the grease can flow between the spherical ball and the passage. The conical surface 5 reduces the diameter of the passage 38 to be smaller than the diameter of the spherical ball 7. The spherical ball, in combination with the conical surface, closes the passage 38 since the elongated member 36 of the coupling activation part is in contact with the spherical ball 7 and forces the spherical ball into contact with the conical surface 5 when the attachment member 50 not is attached to the coupling element 1 1 . In order to further reduce the risk for grease leaking from the second outlet, the third spring 6, arranged around the elongated protrusion 36 between the spherical ball and a shoulder in the passage, is arranged to press the ball 7 into contact with the conical surface and close the passage 38. Even though the third spring 6 and the shoulder are arranged in the passage around the protrusion 36 there must be enough space remaining around the third spring to ensure the desired flow of grease through the passage. In order to facilitate or increase the flow of grease through the passage a number of elongated grooves could be formed in the protrusion 36 to increase the space for the flowing grease in the passage 38. The closing of the passage 38 could be further improved by a sealing layer, for example made of rubber, arranged between the conical surface 5 and the ball 7. In 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 figure 2, is intended to be fitted to a pipe 51 for delivery of grease to a lubrication point or component and is attached to the coupling element 1 1 when lubrication of the component, or area, is desired. The attachment member 50 comprises attachment means 52, for example internal threads configured to fit on corresponding external treads of the second outlet, for removable attachment to the coupling element 1 1 .

The attachment member 50 furthermore comprises an attachment activation protrusion 53 arranged in the centre of a cavity 54 of the attachment member 50. The activation protrusion 53 has a smaller diameter than the passage 38 and is configured to fit in the passage 38 of the second outlet. When the attachment member 50 is attached to the coupling element 1 1 , the activation protrusion 53 extends into the passage 38 and into contact with the spherical ball 7 such that it is acting on the ball 7 and the elongated member 36 of the coupling activation part 34. During the final attachment of the attachment member 50 to the correct position to the coupling element 1 1 , i.e. further movement of the activation protrusion 53 into the passage 38, the spherical ball 7 and the coupling activation part 34 are moved together with the activation protrusion 53. The movement of the spherical ball opens the passage 38, and the flat end section 35 apply a pressure on the second spring 33 as well as the closing member 25 and move the closing member 25 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 . Thereby the first outlet 17 is closed and the flow of grease redirected to flow from the inlet 22 through the passage 32 in the closing member 25 and the coupling chamber 13 before it exits the coupling chamber via the second outlet 19 and the passage 38 before it continues to the attached component or area were lubrication is desired, illustrated in figure 2. The first spring 32 maintain the closing member 25 in the second position until the attachment member 50 is attached to the coupling element 1 1 and the closing member 25 moved to the first position P1 . During the attachment of the attachment member 50 to the coupling element, the compressed second spring 33 assists the movement of the closing member 25.

The fact that the closing member 25 is arranged between the first 8 and second 33 springs is very advantageous since the distance the coupling activation part 34 is moved when the attachment member 50 is attached to the coupling element 1 1 is allowed to differ from the distance the closing member 25 is moved between the first P1 and second position P2. The coupling activation part, in order to achieve a reliable securing of the attachment member to the coupling element, is moved a longer distance than required for the closing member 25 to close the first outlet. The risk for damages to the protrusion of the closing member or the first outlet in the chamber is thereby reduced considerably. The present invention furthermore relates to a grease lubrication system for lubrication of at least one component, or area. The system comprises: a grease storage compartment where greases is filled and stored in order to be ready for delivery when lubrication is needed; a grease feeding arrangement for feeding grease from the storage compartment, for example a pump adapted for grease; a coupling arrangement according to anyone of the embodiments described above; and a first pipe extending from said feeding arrangement 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 first outlet 17 of the coupling element 1 1 to the grease storage compartment. When no attachment member 50 is attached to the coupling element 1 1 , the first outlet 17 is open and grease is circulated within the system, i.e. from the storage compartment to the coupling arrangement and back to the storage compartment. Grease is thereby continuously circulated within the system and the risk for grease separating into soap and oil within the coupling arrangement is eliminated. The system furthermore comprises a third pipe extending from the attachment member 50 to at least one component requiring lubrication or the lubrication area and when the attachment member is attached to the coupling element 1 1 grease is fed to the at least one component or area when the attachment member is attached to the coupling element. Thereby a flow of grease can pass through the coupling

arrangement to either the first or second outlet. The dimensions of the different components of the system are selected depending of the intended use of the system and the expected need for supply of grease and could of course be modified in several different ways. In order to clearly illustrate the function of the coupling arrangement, the illustrations are simplified and may not be according to scale, e.g. some dimensions may be exaggerated in order to illustrate certain features. In the appended figures, one embodiment of the claimed coupling arrangement is illustrated. Several of the components of the arrangement could however be modified in several ways without departing from the scope of the invention that is defined by the claims.