CONTROL BLOCK FOR A LUBRICATION SYSTEM, AND A LUBRICATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A control block (1) for a lubrication system has a main body (2) with at least one inlet port (4) and at least one outlet port (6). A primary connecting line (8) fluidically connects the inlet port (4) to the outlet port (6). The main body (2) has at least one return port (10). A relief valve (12), in an open state, opens a connection between the primary connecting line (8) and the return port (10), and, in a closed state, builds up pressure in the primary connecting line (8), for lubricant to be conveyed to the at least one lubrication point via the outlet port (6). The relief valve (12) changes from a closed state to an open state when the pressure in the primary connecting line (8) exceeds a predefined pressure value.

Claims

1. A control block for a lubrication system, the control block comprising: a main body having at least one inlet port, at least one outlet port, a primary connecting line, and at least one return port, the primary connecting line fluidically connects the at least one inlet port to the at least one outlet port; and a relief valve 12 in the main body, the relief valve is configured so that, in an open state, the relief valve opens a connection between the primary connecting line and the return port, and, in a closed state, the relief valve builds up pressure in the primary connecting line, in order for lubricant to be conveyed to at least one lubrication point via the at least one outlet port, the relief valve is configured to change from a closed state to an open state when pressure in the primary connecting line exceeds a predefined pressure value.

2. The control block according to claim 1, wherein the relief valve is a hydraulic valve.

3. The control block according to claim 2, wherein the main body has at least one control port, via which the hydraulic valve can be subjected to a hydraulic pressure.

4. The control block according to claim 2, wherein the hydraulic valve can be subjected to pressure via a hydraulic port of a lubricant pump of the lubrication system.

5. The control block according to claim 2, wherein the predefined pressure value can be set using a hydraulic pressure.

6. The control block according to claim 1, wherein the relief valve can be controlled using an upstream valve.

7. The control block according to claim 6, wherein the upstream valve is an electric valve, wherein the electric valve is preferably designed to control a supply of hydraulic fluid.

8. The control block according to claim 1, wherein provision is also made for a filter upstream of the relief valve.

9. The control block according to claim 8, wherein the filter is provided in the main body, downstream of the at least one inlet port.

10. The control block according to claim 1, wherein the main body is formed from metal or fibre-reinforced plastics material.

11. The control block according to claim 3, wherein the hydraulic valve can be subjected to pressure via a hydraulic port of a lubricant pump of the lubrication system.

12. The control block according to claim 11, wherein the predefined pressure value can be set using a hydraulic pressure.

13. The control block according to claim 12, wherein the relief valve can be controlled using an upstream valve.

14. The control block according to claim 13, wherein the upstream valve is an electric valve, wherein the electric valve is preferably designed to control a supply of hydraulic fluid.

15. The control block according to claim 14, wherein provision is also made for a filter upstream of the relief valve.

16. The control block according to claim 15, wherein the filter is provided in the main body, downstream of the at least one inlet port.

17. The control block according to claim 16, wherein the main body is formed from metal or fibre-reinforced plastics material.

18. A Lubrication system comprising: at least one lubricant pump; at least one lubricant line configured to convey lubricant to at least one lubrication point; and a control block according to claim 17, the control block being arranged downstream of the lubricant pump and upstream of the at least one lubricant line.

19. A Lubrication system comprising: at least one lubricant pump; at least one lubricant line configured to convey lubricant to at least one lubrication point; and a control block according to claim 1, the control block being arranged downstream of the lubricant pump and upstream of the at least one lubricant line.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In the following text, the present disclosure will be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments and the combinations shown in the exemplary embodiments are purely exemplary here and are not intended to define the scope of protection of the present disclosure. This is defined solely by the attached claims.

[0022] In the drawings:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a diagram for a control block according to a first embodiment,

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a diagram for a control block according to a second embodiment,

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through the control block according to the second embodiment, and

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a side view onto the control block according to the second embodiment.

[0027] In the following text, identical or functionally equivalent elements are identified by the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a diagram for a control block 1 for a lubrication system according to a first embodiment. The control block 1 comprises a main body 2 (FIG. 3). Provision is made in the main body 2 for three inlet ports 4, via which the control block 1 can be fluidically connected to a lubricant pump (not shown) by means of a lubricant inlet line (not shown). It is, however, also possible for just one inlet port 4, two inlet ports 4, or even more than three inlet ports, to be provided. Furthermore, just one lubricant inlet line can be connected to one of the three inlet ports 4, and the two others can be closed for example using a blind flange. It is, however, also conceivable for more than one lubricant inlet line to be provided.

[0029] The main body 2 also has three outlet ports 6, via which lubricant can be conveyed to at least one lubrication point by means of at least one lubricant outlet line (not shown). It is, however, also possible for just one outlet port 6, two outlet ports 6, or even more than three outlet ports, to be provided. Also, just one lubricant outlet line can be connected to one of the three outlet ports 6, and the two others can be closed for example using a blind flange. It is, however, also conceivable for more than one lubricant outlet line to be provided.

[0030] Provision is also made in the main body 2 for a primary connecting line 8, which fluidically connects the inlet ports 4 to the outlet ports 6, and for a return port 10, via which lubricant located in the control block 1, for example in the primary connecting line 8, can be conveyed back to the lubricant pump or to a lubricant reservoir.

[0031] Furthermore, provision is made in the main body 2 for a relief valve 12, which is configured so that, in an open state, it opens the connection between the primary connecting line 8 and the return port 10, and, in a closed state, it allows a pressure to be able to build up in the primary connecting line 8, in order for lubricant to be conveyed to the at least one lubrication point via the outlet ports 6. Once the lubricant has been conveyed to the at least one lubrication point, the pressure which has built up in the lubricant line can be relieved by the relief valve 12 being opened.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a filter 14 is also provided in the primary connecting line 8, upstream of the relief valve 12 and downstream of the inlet ports 4. In this case, the filter 14 is preferably correspondingly received in the main body 2, with the result that, advantageously, the number of connections in the lubricant system can be further reduced since the connections between the filter 14 and the primary connecting line 8 can be provided directly in the main body. This reduces the probability of a lubricant leak. Alternatively, the filter 14 can also be provided upstream of the control block 1.

[0033] In order for the risk of a leakage of lubricant to be reduced, the relief valve 12 is also designed to change the state from a closed state to an open state when the pressure in the primary connecting line 8 exceeds a predefined pressure value. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of the lubricant line bursting and/or of a leak occurring on account of an overpressure at a connecting point at which for example two lines are connected together or a line is connected to the control block. Additionally, as a result of the fact that the relief valve 12 opens in the event of an overpressure on the primary connecting line 8, it is possible to dispense for example with a pressure-limiting valve in order to prevent an overpressure in the lubricant system.

[0034] The relief valve 12 is designed as a hydraulic valve which is closed by being subjected to a hydraulic pressure. For this purpose, in FIG. 1, provision is made in the main body 2 for at least one control port 16, via which the relief valve 12 is provided with a hydraulic fluid and subjected to hydraulic pressure. For example, a lubricant pump of the lubrication system can be designed to subject the hydraulic fluid to pressure.

[0035] In particular, the applied hydraulic pressure is used to determine the pressure value from which, in the primary connecting line 8, the relief valve 12 transitions from the closed state into the open state, in order to relieve the primary connecting line 8 in the event of an overpressure state. For example, the relief valve 12 is designed to open when a multiple of a hydraulic pressure value prevails in the primary connecting line 8.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a diagram for a control block 1 for a lubrication system according to a second embodiment, and FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show a cross-sectional view through a corresponding control block 1 and a side view of the corresponding control block 1.

[0037] As is the case with the control block 1 shown in FIG. 1, the control block 1 in FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a main body 2 (FIGS. 3 and 4) having three inlet ports 4 and three outlet ports 6, wherein only 2 can be seen in FIG. 3. The inlet and outlet ports 4, 6 are connected together via the primary connecting line 8. As is also the case in FIG. 1, a relief valve 12 is provided between the primary connecting line 8 and a return port 10. Furthermore, a filter 14 is provided in the primary connecting line 8, upstream of the relief valve 12 and downstream of the inlet ports 4, and, as can be seen in FIG. 3, said filter is correspondingly received in the main body 2.

[0038] In the second exemplary embodiment, too, the relief valve 12 is designed as a hydraulic valve which is closed by being subjected to a hydraulic pressure via at least one control port 16. During the closing operation, a needle-like component 18 is pressed into a corresponding seal seat 20 by means of the hydraulic pressure, in order to close the relief valve 12.

[0039] As is the case with the control block 1 in FIG. 1, a lubricant pump of the lubrication system can be designed to subject the hydraulic fluid to pressure, wherein, the applied hydraulic pressure is used to determine the pressure value from which, in the primary connecting line 8, the relief valve 12 transitions from the closed state into the open state, in order to relieve the primary connecting line 8 in the event of an overpressure state. In addition to the overpressure-protection function of the relief valve 12, a pressure-limiting valve 22 is also provided in the return line, in order to reliably protect the lubrication system against an overpressure. Alternatively or additionally, the control block 1 from FIGS. 2 and 3 can also be equipped with two shut-off valves 24, which are closed during normal operation of the central lubrication system and are opened in the case of maintenance, in order to ensure that the lubrication system is free of pressure. For example, the shut-off valves 24 can be opened and closed manually.

[0040] In the second embodiment of the control block, as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the relief valve 12 is controlled using an upstream electric valve 26, wherein the electric valve is designed to control the supply of hydraulic fluid. In particular, the electric valve 26 can be designed as a 3/2-way valve. In order to be able to control the electric valve 26, provision is also made in the main body 2 for at least one control port 28 for the electric valve 26. Advantageously, the electric valve 26 can be used to enable a holding time, in which the relief valve 12 continues to be closed, but the lubricant pump has already been switched off. Such a holding time can allow, in the case of a long lubricant line to the lubrication points, a sufficient amount of lubricant to reach the lubrication points even if the lubricant pump of the lubrication system has already been switched off.

[0041] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the main body 2 is a monolithic main body, in which bores for the primary connecting line 8 and the receptacle for the relief valve 12 are formed using a material-removing process, for example, drilling, milling, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the main body 2 can also be cast. Preferably, the main body 2 is formed from metal, for example steel or aluminium, or a fibre-reinforced plastics material.

[0042] In summary, a control block 1 which reduces the risk of a leakage of lubricant can be provided, wherein provision is made in the control block 1 for a relief valve 12, which transitions from a closed state into an open state when the pressure in the primary connecting line 8 exceeds a predefined pressure value, since the above-described control block 1 reduces the risk of the lubricant line bursting and/or of a leak occurring on account of an overpressure at a connecting point at which for example two lines are connected together or a line is connected to the control block.

LIST OF THE REFERENCE SIGNS

[0043] 1 control block [0044] 2 main body [0045] 4 inlet ports [0046] 6 outlet ports [0047] 8 primary connecting line [0048] 10 return port [0049] 12 relief valve [0050] 14 filter [0051] 16 control port [0052] 18 component [0053] 20 seal seat [0054] 22 pressure-limiting valve [0055] 24 shut-off valve [0056] 26 electric valve [0057] 28 control port