[0001] This invention relates to the field of the lubrication of closures and more specifically
relates to a device for lubricating a closure, a process for the lubrication of closures
and a delivery system for implementing such a process. This invention has been developed
with particular reference to, but without restriction to, the lubrication of doors
which may or may not be opened automatically. According to one of the embodiments
of this invention the lubrication device and process is applied to the lubrication
mechanisms of closures on board a means of transport, in particular a railway carriage.
[0002] Every closure, for example doors, gates, and the like, comprises an opening portion,
generally referred to as a leaf, and a fixed portion, generally referred to as a frame,
on which the opening portion is mounted. The frame comprises mechanisms which make
it possible for the leaf to perform a movement from a closed position to an open position
and/or vice versa. In the case of swinging doors the leaf is hinged to the frame through
hinges and can rotate about a vertical axis. In the case of sliding doors the leaf
moves on horizontal guide means. In order to permit correct and efficient opening
and closing movement of the leaf, closure mechanisms, generally the points of contact
between the leaf and the frame, must not act as friction points. Following prolonged
use closure mechanisms may deteriorate, or may become more easily fouled by atmospheric
agents, increasing friction and rendering opening and closing movements of the closure
more difficult.
[0003] Trains intended for passenger transport generally comprise a plurality of carriages
connected together, each of which is provided with access doors for passengers, dividing
doors between the various parts of the carriage and a communicating door at each end
for access to the adjacent carriage. Most of these doors are of the sliding type,
normally operated through an automated mechanism which causes them to slide. Because
of frequent use and the adverse atmospheric conditions in which these closures are
used, the slide mechanisms require frequent maintenance, for example lubricating operations,
and periodical checks to check that they are in proper working order.
[0004] One of the main disadvantages of maintenance processes of the known type comprises
the great amount of time which is necessary in order to carry out the operations of
lubricating every opening mechanism.
[0005] Another disadvantage of maintenance processes of the known type lies in the difficulty
of performing the operations of lubricating every mechanism, which must often be carried
out in areas which are hard to reach, and which are in any event inconvenient for
the operator. This situation often gives rise to leaks of lubricating fluid from the
mechanism, with consequent spillage of the fluid in the vicinity of the door and,
in addition, the risk of dirtying passengers.
[0006] Another disadvantage derives from the need to have to carry out the operations of
lubricating each mechanism when the means of transport is not in motion, that is during
prolonged stops to reduce the risks of overflow described above.
[0007] The object of this invention is to overcome the disadvantages of processes of the
known type, providing a process for the lubrication of closures and a delivery system
to carry out such a process as defined in the following claims.
[0008] Another object of this invention is to provide a process which is easy to implement,
which results in a high saving of time and costs, and which guarantees excellent results
even after a prolonged period of time.
[0009] A further object of this invention is to provide a delivery system for lubricating
substances which is simple, easy and economical to manufacture, convenient and quick
to maintain, and which has the properties of appreciable reliability even after prolonged
use over time.
[0010] Another object of this invention is to provide a delivery process and system for
implementing such a process which makes it possible to lubricate the opening mechanisms
of the doors of means of transport under any conditions, for example even when the
means of transport is in movement, and at any time of day, also for example during
the night.
[0011] According to one of the preferred embodiments of this invention the tank containing
a lubricating substance may be directly connected to the compressed air lines already
present on the means of transport, and the circuits controlling the system according
to this invention may be incorporated into the electronic circuitry already present
on board the means of transport.
[0012] One of the advantages of this invention lies in the extreme ease with which it can
be incorporated into the existing systems for operating and controlling the doors
of a railway carriage.
[0013] Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become clear from
the following detailed description which is given with reference to the appended drawings
which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:
- Figure 1 is a diagrammatical view in plan of the delivery system according to this
invention,
- Figure 2 is a view in cross-section of the device for delivery lubricating substance
according to this invention,
- Figures 3 and 4 are two frontal and cross-section views of a fixing member for the
delivery device;
- Figure 5 is a diagrammatical view in cross-section of a member operating the delivery
device, and,
- Figures 6 to 8 are diagrammatical views in cross-section of the main components of
the delivery device.
[0014] With reference now to Figure 1, a delivery device for the lubrication of closures
according to this invention comprises means for the distribution of a lubricating
substance which are fluidly connected to delivery means 50 located in the proximity
of a closure requiring lubrication. In particular the distribution means comprise
a tank 10 to contain a lubricating substance such as, for example, lubricating oil
or similar substances, and a plurality of pipe members, for example pipes of flexible
material 12, located between the said tank 10 and delivery means 50.
[0015] Tank 10, of the leaktight type, comprises a plurality of outlets connected to distribution
pipes 12 to permit the lubricating substance to leave tank 10 towards delivery means
50 when in use. Flow control members 14 may be connected to the outlets of tank 10
in such a way as to control the pressure of the exiting lubricating substance.
[0016] Tank 10 also comprises a main inlet 16, generally but not necessarily of larger dimensions
than the outlets, which in use is used to fill tank 10 with the lubricating substance.
Main inlet 16 can be selectively opened through a closure member, for example a cap,
so as to ensure that tank 10 is leaktight. The dimensions of opening 16 are such as
to permit the possible use of funnel means to prevent part of the lubricating substance
falling outside tank 10 fouling the surrounding area when the lubricating substance
is transferred into the tank from the containers in which it is transported on the
means of transport.
[0017] Tank 10 also comprises a further inlet 18 for the entry of an activating fluid, for
example compressed air, into tank 10 when in use. Inlet 18 is connected by further
pipes to a source of compressed air such as, for example, a compressor, so that the
said compressed air can be delivered into tank 10 when in use. According to a particularly
advantageous feature of this invention, the source of compressed air may be directly
branched from the compressed air line 20 already present on board the means of transport.
In this case a control member, for example, but not restricted to, an electrically-operated
valve 22 capable of selectively diverting compressed air towards opening 18 and therefore
into tank 10 is present on the said branch. In this way it is possible to reduce the
components of the lubricating system, reducing both the dimensions of the system and
ordinary and extraordinary maintenance operations on its components.
[0018] Of course the shape and dimensions of the tank, and the number and arrangement of
inlets and outlets described and illustrated here, may vary widely without thereby
going beyond the scope of this invention.
[0019] The system for the lubrication of closures according to this invention also comprises
control means which make it possible to control and adjust the functioning of the
system when in use in such a way as to implement a process for lubricating the closures
according to this invention.
[0020] The control means comprise, for example, sensor means 15 capable of detecting the
level of fluid present within tank 10. Because the sensor means are of a known type
they will not be further described below, but their features are considered to be
incorporated into this document through reference. A person skilled in the art could
easily identify different types of sensor means of known type and select those most
suitable, on the basis, for example, of the specific characteristics of the lubricating
substance present within the tank.
[0021] The control means also comprise means for detecting the opening and closure of each
closure, and in particular comprise one or more electrical contact devices connected
to each closure, for example, but not restricted to, an electrically-operated valve
controlling opening and closing of the closure in order to count the number of opening
and closing movements performed by such a closure. The counter devices may be separate
and each connected to an individual closure or, more easily, a single counter device
32 will be able to detect the opening operations of each door separately.
[0022] The control means also indicator means to indicate the operating status of the entire
system. The indicator means are also used to provide information on the filling level
of the tank and on any malfunction of the system so as to permit an operator to take
action. Again in this case, according to a particularly advantageous feature of this
invention, the indicator means may be incorporated in the control and indicator system
already present on board the means of transport.
[0023] The control means finally comprise an electronic or electromechanical circuit 30
capable of detecting and processing a series of signals originating from the system,
and of adjusting and controlling its operation. Circuitry 30 is connected to the sensor
means, to the source of compressed air, and to the indicator means.
[0024] According to one of the preferred embodiments of this invention the system for the
lubrication of closures is installed on board a means of transport comprising one
or more closures, and in particular on board a carriage of a railway train comprising
a plurality of sliding doors 40. A system capable of lubricating the four sliding
doors normally present within an individual railway carriage is illustrated in the
figures. Each opening 14 is in fact capable of feeding a pipe 12 which is connected
at one end to the delivery means 50 of a door. Of course it is possible to vary the
number of doors which have to be lubricated by varying the number of pipes, just as
it is possible to apply the system according to this invention to the other closures
present in a railway carriage or to any other means of transport.
[0025] With reference now to Figures 2 to 8, delivery means 50 according to this invention
comprise a delivery device and supporting means to support the delivery device. The
supporting means comprise a supporting member 52, which is substantially "T"-shaped,
with a base portion 54 and an upper portion 56 within which there is a through hole
58.
[0026] The delivery device comprises a principal body 60, illustrated in Figure 6, of a
shape which is elongated in a preferential direction, within which there is provided
a chamber 62 of substantially tubular shape. The principal body comprises an inlet
68 communicating with chamber 62 through a first passage 66 and an outlet 67 communicating
with the said chamber 62 through a second passage 65 comprising an inclined wall 64
having a threaded surface. Extremity 63 of principal body 60 comprises an external
threaded surface while the opposite extremity 70 is engaged by a connecting member,
for example a nut 72.
[0027] The delivery device also comprises a head 80, illustrated in Figure 7, within which
there is provided a conduit 90 passing from one extremity to the other. A first inlet
extremity 86 comprises an opening 88, which is substantially funnel-shaped, with an
outwardly inclined wall 89. On the outer surface of extremity 86 there is provided
a thread which is particularly suitable when in use for engaging head 80 with the
inclined wall 64 of principal body 60. The opposite outlet end 82 of head 80 is substantially
of frustoconical shape and comprises an inwardly inclined wall 84. Head 80 also comprises
a connecting member, for example a threaded nut 94.
[0028] The delivery device also comprises selective closure means, for example, but not
restricted thereto, a pin 100, illustrated in Figure 8, with a first curved extremity
102 and with the other extremity comprising a ring-shaped portion 104 and a mouth
106.
[0029] The delivery device according to this invention also comprises a delivery activation
member 110, preferably but not restrictively fixed to the frame of the closure. The
activating member, illustrated in Figure 5, comprises a principal body substantially
of an upside-down "L" shape with a lower appendage 112 and an upper portion 114. Corresponding
holes 118 and 116 communicating with each other are provided in upper appendage 114
and lower appendage 112. Upper hole 118 comprises a rear frontal wall 117 and is particularly
suitable when in use for engaging the delivery device, while lower hole 116 is particularly
suitable when in use to be in fluid communication with the pipes lubricating the closure
and/or with the portions of the closure which are to be lubricated.
[0030] With reference now to Figure 2, the manner in which the delivery device is assembled
will be explained below. Supporting member 52 is secured to the frame of a closure,
such as for example a sliding door 40 of a vehicle. Principal body 60 is inserted
in through hole 58 in supporting member 52. A resilient member, for example a spring
140, is located in an abutting fashion between the extremity 70 of principal body
60 and supporting member 52. An immobilising means, for example a further nut member
142, is located on the opposite extremity and screwed to threaded extremity 63 of
principal body 60, helping to secure principal body 60 to supporting member 52. Outer
extremity 68 is connected to pipes 12 distributing the lubricating substance.
[0031] A second resilient member, for example a spring 150, is located within chamber 62.
Pin 100 is inserted within chamber 62 with mouth 106 abutting spring 150. Head 80
is inserted into principal body 60 and engaged therein through nut 94 and threaded
surfaces 64 so that pin 100 is slidably located within through hole 90 of head 60
and ring 104 abuts against inclined wall 89 and forms a seal onto opening 88, for
example through an O-ring 144. Finally activating member 110 is secured to the frame
of sliding door 40 in such a way that its upper hole 118 is in axial alignment with
pin 100 and head 80, and lower hole 116 is in fluid communication with the lubricating
pipes for the closure and/or the portions of the closure which are to be lubricated.
A further sealing member, for example an O-ring 146, may be located between threaded
nut 94 and the front wall of activating member 110.
[0032] Through the delivery device according to this invention the lubricating substance
can be delivered selectively to the closure being mechanically activated purely through
the normal opening and closing function of the closure itself, and without the need
for further electrical and/or electronic actuator devices. According to one of the
preferred embodiments of this invention, when sliding doors 40 are in the open position
activation members 110 are at a distance from principal body 60. In this position
pin 100 lies outside hole 118 of activation member 110, or is only partly inserted
therein. Ring 104 of pin 100 abuts against and forms a seal against inclined wall
89 of head 80 in such a way as to shut off communication between pipe 90 of head 80
and chamber 62 of the principal body.
[0033] When sliding doors 40 move towards a closed position, activation members 110 approach
principal body 60. In this position pin 100 is completely inserted within hole 118
and its curved extremity 102 abuts against the rear inner wall 117 of upper portion
114 of activating member 110. Because the distance which principal body 60 and activation
member 110 have travelled when the doors are in a closed position is less than the
length of pin 100, pin 100 is thrust against spring 150 overcoming its resistance
and displacing ring 104 away from inclined wall 89 of head 80. This movement opens
communication between pipe 90 of head 80 and chamber 62 of the principal body. As
a consequence it is possible to distribute lubricating substance from tank 10 to closure
40 along a path which comprises pipe 12, opening 68, chamber 62, pipe 90 and hole
116.
[0034] In use tank 10 is filled with a lubricating substance through inlet opening 16 until
a predetermined maximum level calculated on the basis of the particular use of the
system, and detected by sensor means connected to the tank itself, is reached. During
some experimental tests performed by the applicant it has been calculated that the
tank can contain approximately 1000 cl of lubricating substance in such a way as to
ensure that at least four sliding doors are lubricated for a long period of time,
while taking up minimum space.
[0035] Once the tank has been filled the control system is placed in a check condition in
which the system performs a check cycle on the entire system. In this state the control
system checks that the sensor means and indicator means are in proper working order,
that there is a sufficient quantity of lubricating substance within the tank, that
there is a connection between the source of fluid flow, and zeros the counter device.
If the control system discovers any malfunction, that condition is indicated through
the indicator means.
[0036] If the initial check has a satisfactory outcome the control system passes to an initial
state in which the source of compressed air is inactive, and the counter device is
activated.
[0037] When the counter device reaches a predetermined count, for example, but not restricted
thereto, a value equal to 100, corresponding to 50 openings and 50 closures of one
of the doors, the control system changes to an operating state during which it delivers
a signal to the compressed air source so as to activate the passage of compressed
air through opening 18 into tank 10.
[0038] Of course the signal will be delivered to the electrically-operated valve if the
system is connected to the compressed air line present on board the train, or if not,
to the compressor. The control system also sends a signal to the flow regulator corresponding
to the direct line to the door which has reached the predetermined number of opening
movements. In this way the compressed air which enters tank 10 causes lubricating
substance to leave through the openings made in tank 10. Through flow regulating members
14 and distribution pipes 12 the lubricating substance is then transported towards
lubricating device 50 of door 40. The pressure of the lubricating fluid, deriving
from the pressure of the compressed air delivered into the tank, causes the lubricating
substance to flow along the path defined by opening 68, chamber 62, pipe 90 and hole
116, and therefore to enter the lubricating device, thus lubricating the door.
[0039] Of course, depending upon the characteristics and specific features of the door lubricating
device it is possible to adjust the time interval for which compressed air is delivered
in such a way as to vary the quantity of lubricating substance delivered, and it is
possible to control the flow regulating members to change the pressure of the lubricating
substance arriving at the inlets to the lubricating device.
[0040] Following a predetermined interval of time during which lubricating substance is
delivered, the control system shuts off the source of compressed air and the flow
regulator, and zeros the counter device for that closure, returning to its initial
condition.
[0041] When following prolonged use the level of lubricating substance falls beneath a preset
threshold, the sensor means send a signal to the control system, which in turn activates
the indicator means provided, for example, on an electrical panel of the train which
can be seen by a maintenance worker.
[0042] Experimental tests performed by the applicant have shown that for correct operation
of the entire system it is sufficient that the pressure of the source of fluid flow
is for example, but not restricted thereto, approximately 5 bar. According to a further
feature of this invention the system may comprise a further flow regulator 24 positioned
for example, but not restricted thereto, close to opening 18 made in cover 12. This
feature makes it possible to control the pressure of the compressed air if the system
is connected to a compressed air line already present on the means of transport having
a flow pressure in excess of 5 bar.
[0043] Of course the lubricating substance described hitherto may have physical properties
such as to guarantee a viscosity coefficient which is sufficient for it to be easily
delivered through the outlet means of the system and at the same time ensure correct
lubrication of the mechanisms opening the doors.
[0044] According to a further embodiment of this invention the sensor must also comprise
a temperature sensor connected to the control system. On the basis of the temperature
detected by the said sensor the control system is capable of controlling the pressure
of the compressed air delivered to the tank, increasing it or decreasing it to maintain
a correct flow of lubricating substance to the door lubricating mechanisms.
[0045] The control system may be configured in different ways and above all it is possible
to modify the reference parameters, such as the number of opening and closing movements
of each door, the time for which the compressed air source is open, and the indication
time of the indicator means.
1. Delivery system for the lubrication of closures comprising a tank (10) containing
a lubricating substance, the tank (10) being connected to the said closures, and to
activating means to permit the said lubricating substance to leave the tank (10) when
in use and delivery means to deliver a lubricating substance to the said closures,
characterised in that the system also comprises control means to selectively activate the said activating
means on the basis of the number of opening and/or closing movements of the said closures
and to permit selective delivery of the said lubricating substance from the tank (10)
when in use towards one or more of the said closures.
2. System according to claim 1, characterised in that the activating means comprise a source of flow for the fluid connected to the tank
(10).
3. System according to claim 2, characterised in that the tank (10) comprises inlet means (22) to insert the said lubricating substance
into the tank (10), and outlet means (20) for delivering the said lubricating substance,
the outlet means (20) being connected to the said closures.
4. System according to claim 3, characterised in that the outlet means also comprise flow controlling members (20) connected to the outlet
openings (14).
5. System according to claim 4, characterised in that it also comprises sensor means to detect the level of lubricating substance in the
tank (10).
6. Device for delivery a lubricating substance for closures characterised in that it comprises a principal body (60) having at least one inlet (68) and one outlet
(67), selective closure means to permit the passage of a lubricating substance through
the said principal body, and activation means (110), the principal body (60) and the
activation means (110) being secured to the leaf and the frame of a closure, the activation
means and the principal body selectively activating the closure means following opening
and/or closure of the said closure.
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the closure means comprise a pin (100) movably engaged in the principal body (60)
having at one end thereof an annular portion (104) and a resilient member (150) secured
to the principal body (60) and engaging the said pin (100).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterised in that the closure means comprise a head (80) within which there is a through hole (90),
one extremity of the said head having an inclined wall (89) which is particularly
suited to engage the annular portion (104) of the said pin (100) when in use.
9. Process for the lubrication of closures,
characterised in that it comprises the following stages in combination:
- providing a source of a lubricating substance,
- providing a system for delivery of the said lubricating substance,
- detecting a predetermined number of opening and/or closing operations of the said
closures,
- selectively delivering the lubricating substance through the delivery system on
the basis of the said predetermined number.
10. Process according to claim 9, characterised in that the delivery system is defined according to any one of claims 1 to 5.