US 8,464,837 B2 · Device and method for controlling supply of lubricant at a work vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for lubrication of a work vehicle, which device includes: a tank (1) for storage of lubricant; a number of delivery points (8a-g) at which lubricant is supplied to the tools of the work vehicle or other parts that need to be lubricated; a distribution block (5) including a number of branching points (6a-g) that all are connected to a delivery point (8a-g); a pump (2) for delivering lubricant from the tank (1) to the distribution block (5) and further on to the delivery points (8a-g); a control system (3), for regulating the supply of lubricant. Further the device includes: a detector (4) that detects when a volume of lubricant that corresponds to a pump cycle has been delivered from the pump and sends a signal with this information to the control system (3), a timer (11) that measures time intervals that corresponds to a certain duration of time and is adjusted to, for each time interval, send a signal to the control system (3) that indicates that a time interval has elapsed, wherein the control system by means of the signals from the detector (4) and the timer (11) regulates the pump to deliver a certain number of pump cycles per time interval to the delivery points (8a-g). The invention also relates to a method.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A device for controlling the lubrication of a work vehicle, which device includes:

a tank (1) for storing a lubricant (12);
a number of delivery points (8a-g), at which lubricant is supplied to tools of the work vehicle or other parts that need to be lubricated;
a distribution block (5) including a number of branching points (6a-g) that are connected to said delivery points (8a-g), respectively;
a pump (2) for pumping lubricant from the tank (1) to the distribution block (5), said distribution block (5) transferring said lubricant to the delivery points (8a-g);
a control system (3), for controlling the supply of lubricant,
wherein the device also includes:
a detector (4) that detects or measures when a predetermined volume of lubricant that corresponds to a pump cycle is delivered from the pump and sends a signal with this information to the control system (3),
a timer (11) that measures time intervals that correspond to a certain duration of time and is adjusted to, for each time interval, send a signal to the control system (3) that indicates that a time interval has elapsed, wherein the control system, based on the signals from the detector (4) and the timer (11), regulates the pump to deliver a certain number of pump cycles per time interval to the delivery points (8a-g).

5 more elements

Method on a work vehicle for controlling the supply of lubricant to tools of a work vehicle or other parts that need to be lubricated, wherein said method includes the following steps:

a) pumping lubricant from a tank to a distribution block with a number of branching points, from which lubricant is transmitted to a number of delivery points at the tools of the work vehicle or other parts that need to be lubricated,
b) at the distribution block, detecting or measuring a predetermined volume of lubricant that has been transmitted to all branching points,
c) sending a signal to a control system that indicates that lubricant has been transmitted to all branching points,
d) measuring a duration of time that constitutes a time interval,
e) sending a signal to the control system when said time interval has elapsed and the next one starts,
f) defining a desired number of pulses that shall be detected within said time interval, and
g1) deactivation of the pump if a desired number of pulses are detected within said time interval, or until an operator aborts the lubrication,
g2) sending an error indication to a user interface if the desired number of pulses is not detected within said time interval, and
h) repeating the method when the next time interval starts, wherein the method is repeated as long as the work vehicle is in operation or until the lubrication is aborted via the control system.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device and method for controlling supply of lubricant at a work vehicle

Life of this patent

Device and method for controlling supply of lubricant at a work vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21