阅读说明：本技术 用于输出润滑系统的未来状态的装置 (Device for outputting a future state of a lubricating system ) 是由 J.克鲁茨肯珀 S.格鲍尔 A.冈瑟 D.赫斯 A.斯特尔马赫 于 2019-07-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了一种用于输出润滑系统(2)的未来状态的装置(1),包括：传感器(4),用于记录润滑系统(2)的参数；处理单元(8),用于处理所记录的参数、基于所处理的参数确定润滑系统(2)的当前状态,并且基于当前状态和存储的数据估计润滑系统(2)在一定时间段内的未来状态；以及输出单元(10),用于输出润滑系统(2)的未来状态。(Disclosed is a device (1) for outputting a future state of a lubrication system (2), comprising: a sensor (4) for recording a parameter of the lubrication system (2); a processing unit (8) for processing the recorded parameters, determining a current state of the lubrication system (2) based on the processed parameters, and estimating a future state of the lubrication system (2) over a period of time based on the current state and stored data; and an output unit (10) for outputting a future state of the lubrication system (2).)

1. Device (1) for outputting a future state of a lubrication system (2), comprising:

a sensor (4) for recording a parameter of the lubrication system (2);

a processing unit (8) for processing the recorded parameters, determining a current state of the lubrication system (2) based on the processed parameters, and estimating a future state of the lubrication system (2) over a period of time based on the current state and stored data; and

an output unit (10) for outputting a future state of the lubrication system (2).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) comprises at least one second sensor (6) for recording another parameter of the lubrication system (2), and/or the sensor (4) is configured for recording at least two parameters, and wherein the processing unit (8) is configured for estimating a future state of the lubrication system (2) based on a combination of the parameters of the sensors (4, 6).

3. The arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the future state is indicative of a failure probability of the lubrication system (2) and/or a maintenance occasion of the lubrication system (2).

4. The device of one of the preceding claims, wherein the current state of the lubrication system (2) is indicative of an error of the lubrication system (2), and wherein the processing unit (8) is configured to determine the location of the error.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the output unit (10) is configured to output a current status of the lubrication system (2) and a location of the error.

6. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (4, 6) is a temperature sensor, a fill level sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, a contamination sensor and/or a lubricant detection sensor.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the stored data is historical data.

8. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lubrication system (2) is a central lubrication system.

9. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the output unit (10) is configured to transmit the current and/or future state to a storage device (12).

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the storage device (12) is an external storage device and the output unit (10) is configured to communicate with the storage device (12) via a communication connection, in particular a radio connection.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device for outputting a future state of a lubrication system.

Background

Lubrication systems in machines, such as agricultural machines, are required to ensure adequate lubrication of various elements of the machine. Failure of such a lubrication system can lead to failure of components, such as bearings, and thus to implementation of the entire machine. To prevent this, the lubrication system is monitored, which can be done by switches and sensors. The pressure, the volume flow, the temperature, the filling level, the circulation, etc. of the lubrication system, of the lubricant used and/or of the components can thus be monitored. Typically, such recorded information is transmitted from the lubrication system to a superior machine or vehicle control without processing the data. However, the sensors and switches here only reproduce signals about the actual state of the lubrication system, with the result that only reactions to already existing states can be made.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device with which the future state of a lubrication system can be estimated.

This object is achieved by a device for outputting a future state of a lubrication system according to patent claim 1.

The device comprises a sensor for recording a parameter of the lubrication system. The sensor may be, for example, a temperature sensor, a fill level sensor, and/or a pressure sensor. Further, the sensor may be a flow sensor or a sensor for detecting contaminants, particles or lubricants. Other sensors are also possible. Furthermore, a combination of such sensors may also be used. The parameter may be, for example, the pressure, the volume flow, the temperature, the filling level, the circulation of the lubrication system, etc. The recorded parameters are transmitted to the processing unit. It processes the parameter and determines the current state of the lubrication system based on the processed parameter. Using the current state and the stored data, the processing unit may then estimate a future state of the lubrication system over a period of time. The future state of the lubrication system may be output by the output unit, for example to a machine lubricated by the lubrication system. Higher level machine or vehicle control systems may use this information to control the lubrication system.

This approach not only determines the actual state of the lubrication system, but also provides a prediction of the future state of the lubrication system, as compared to previous systems. Therefore, even before a failure state occurs in the lubrication system, a reaction can be made, and thus a failure of the entire system can be reliably prevented. The future state of the lubrication system may be a changed or unchanged state compared to the current state.

The lubrication system may in particular be a central lubrication system. The central lubrication system may be used with a variety of machines. Depending on the application, the central lubrication system may comprise various lubrication pumps and distributors suitable for the respective machine. The central lubrication system usually has a control system which ensures an optimal supply of each individual lubrication point. Here, the bearings used in the machine may be lubricated regularly directly during running operation.

The device may comprise at least one second sensor for recording another parameter of the lubrication system, and/or the sensor may be configured for recording at least two parameters. In this way, the processing unit may estimate a future state of the lubrication system based on a combination of two or more parameters.

In the following, examples of parameters are mentioned, which in combination provide a specific error pattern in the lubrication system or a prediction about the performance of the lubrication system. It should be noted, however, that these are merely examples, which should not be considered limiting, but that a variety of combinations are possible. For example, the number of hours of operation before the lubricant tank is refilled may be determined by a combination of the current fill level indicator and the lubrication interval per unit time. The combination of pressure, time and temperature may indicate wear of the injector, leakage of the main conduit, a defective valve or a defective pump. Information about hydraulic pressure at the pump input and grease pressure at the pump output may reveal clogging/damage of the pump. The pressure at the hydraulic input, the pressure at the lubricant outlet, the pumped volume of lubricant, and the temperature may combine to indicate pump efficiency or pump damage. The hydraulic pressure at the input, the pressure at the output, and the duration of the cycle may indicate wear of the piston seals. Instead of hydraulic pressure at the input of a hydraulic motor, an electrically driven pump, the motor current can be used as a comparable data source.

The future state may particularly indicate a failure probability of the lubrication system and/or a maintenance opportunity of the lubrication system. For example, by detecting signal changes of the parameters registered by the sensors, the probability of failure can be determined. The maintenance opportunity may be, for example, a number of hours of operation from the next refill, pre-calculated in a consumption dependent manner.

By determining the failure probability and/or the maintenance time point, the risk of failure of the machine may be reduced. Maintenance time can be better planned. For example, if lubricant consumption is recorded over time, the lubricant may be ordered in advance and maintenance may be performed appropriately. In addition, collateral damage to the machine can be avoided, since errors are identified even before they lead to machine problems.

According to another embodiment, the current state of the lubrication system may indicate an error of the lubrication system. Based on these parameters, the processing unit may determine the location of such errors. In this way, an improvement in the determination of the actual, already occurring error can be achieved in addition to the prediction of future problems.

Because based on the combination of sensor signals (e.g., due to the lack of one or more signals), it may be possible to determine where the error occurred, maintenance time may be better planned and reduced because the source of the damage may be identified at an early stage. For this purpose, the output unit may output the current status and the error position of the lubrication system. By indicating the error (the current state of the lubrication system) and the location, the method and/or the material when the error occurs can be determined in a simple manner. For example, the required expertise (mechanical or electrical domain) may be determined, and damaged parts may be ordered in advance. Maintenance time can be reduced.

According to one embodiment, the stored data is historical data. These may be determined and stored based on past errors, faults, and conditions. In particular, the data may be stored in the form of a look-up table.

In another embodiment, the output unit may transmit the current and/or future state to the storage device. These states may be stored in a storage device, for example, as historical data, and used for further identification of the state.

The storage device may in particular be an external storage device, such as cloud storage. The output unit may communicate with the storage device via a radio connection. The radio connection may be a bluetooth or mobile connection. Other types of communication connections are also possible.

Data transferred to the external storage device may also be used for external condition monitoring. This means that in this case there is no need for on-site monitoring, but it can be centralized remotely.

Furthermore, a method for outputting a future state of a lubrication system is proposed. The method comprises the following steps: recording parameters of the lubrication system, processing the recorded parameters, determining a current state of the lubrication system based on the processed parameters, estimating a future state of the lubrication system over a period of time based on the current state and stored data, and outputting the future state of the lubrication system.

Furthermore, a computer program product is proposed, which comprises a program code configured to trigger the execution of the above-mentioned method on a computer.

The computer program product, e.g. the computer program medium, may be provided or transferred as a storage medium, e.g. a memory card, a universal serial bus (USB stick), a CD-ROM, a DVD, or in the form of a file downloadable from a network server. This may be achieved, for example, in a wireless communication network by transmitting a corresponding file comprising a computer program product or computer program means.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are specified in the description, the figures and the claims. Here, in particular, the combinations of features specified in the description and the drawings are purely exemplary, so that these features can also be present individually or in other combinations.

Drawings

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

Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an arrangement for outputting a future state of a lubrication system.

Detailed Description

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

Fig. 1 shows a device 1 for outputting a future state of a lubrication system 2. The device 1 may be provided separately from the lubrication system 2 or may form part of the lubrication system 2.

In order to detect the state of the lubrication system 2, the device 1 comprises one or more sensors 4, 6. These sensors 4,6 are used to record parameters of the lubrication system 2, such as temperature, pressure, volume flow, etc.

These parameters are processed by the processing unit 8. Based on the parameters and the stored data, a current state of the lubrication system is thereby determined, and a future state of the lubrication system is estimated. The stored data may be stored in the storage device 12.

In particular, the processing unit 8 determines the current and future state of the lubrication system 2 based on a combination of the parameters of the sensors 4, 6. In this way, in addition to the current state, i.e. a possible already occurring malfunction of the lubrication system 2, it is possible to estimate the future problem probability and/or the maintenance opportunities of the lubrication system 2. In this way, maintenance opportunities can be easily planned. The down time caused by a failure of the lubrication system 2 can be reduced, since it can already be estimated in advance when the failure/error will occur, and therefore countermeasures can already be taken before the failure.

These parameters may be, for example, the current fill level indication and the lubrication interval per time unit. On this basis, the processing unit 8 can estimate the number of working hours before the lubricant tank is refilled.

In addition to the future state, the processing unit 8 may accurately specify the current state based on the parameters. This means that in the case of an error not only the error itself but also the location of the error can be determined. For this purpose, parameter combinations are also used. Various combinations of parameters and their associated error patterns may be stored in the storage device 12.

The output unit 10 may be used to output the current state and the future state. On the one hand, the output unit 10 may indicate these states. The output unit 10, on the other hand, transmits these states to the storage means 12 the output unit 10 or the processing unit 8 may communicate with the storage means 12 via a communication connection, in particular a radio connection.

In summary, by means of the above described arrangement, not only the current state of the lubrication system can be determined, but also an estimation regarding the future state of the lubrication system can be made. In this way, even before a failure or error of the lubrication system occurs, corresponding countermeasures can be taken or maintenance and repair can be planned accordingly.

List of reference numbers

1 apparatus

2 lubrication system

4,6 sensor

8 processing unit

10 output unit

12 storage device