IP Library Granted Patent US 12,372,201
Granted Patent B2
US 12,372,201 · App. 18/684,873 · Granted Jul 29, 2025

Lubricant dispenser

Inventors: Ralf Engelhardt (Schweinfurt, DE); Matthias Lenhart (Bad Kissingen, DE)
Assignee: perma-tec Gmbh & Co. KG
F16N7/38H05K1/0296H05K1/181F16N2230/02F16N2270/20G05F1/46H05K2201/10022
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,372,201
App. No.
18/684,873
Granted
Jul 29, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A lubricant dispenser has at least one lubricant reservoir, an electromechanical drive which acts on at least one actuation element for discharging lubricant from the lubricant reservoir, a battery which provides a battery voltage, and a control circuit-board assembly which has at least one main circuit board having an electronic circuit assembly including at least one central microcontroller and additional electronic functional components as well as conductor tracks. The electronic circuit assembly is subdivided into a plurality of circuit islands in each of which the maximum current flowing within the circuit island in question is limited.

Claims (86)

1. A lubricant dispenser ( 1 ) comprising:

a lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

an electromechanical drive ( 7 ) that acts on at least one actuation element ( 4 ) for discharging lubricant from the lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

a battery ( 8 ) that provides a battery voltage (VB),

a control circuit-board assembly ( 9 ) that comprises at least one main circuit board ( 9 a ) having an electronic circuit assembly comprising at least one central microcontroller ( 10 ) and additional electronic functional components as well as conductor tracks ( 11 ),

wherein

the electronic circuit assembly is subdivided into a plurality of circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ), or has multiple circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ),

wherein some or all of the circuit islands are each power limited,

wherein the circuit assembly is provided with or connected to a voltage regulation device ( 23 ), which reduces the battery voltage (VB) to a regulated operating voltage (VR),

wherein the voltage regulation device ( 23 ) is designed with multiple redundancy and comprises multiple voltage regulators ( 23 a, b, c ), and

wherein the voltage regulator or the voltage regulators ( 23 a, b, c ) are each separately power-limited, as a separate circuit island (E 7 , E 8 , E 9 ).

2. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 1 ,

wherein one or more of the circuit islands are power-limited by means of at least one current-limiting resistor (R 1 , R 1 ′, R 2 , R 3 ).

3. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein one or more of the circuit islands are each equipped with a thermal cutoff, which is attached to the circuit board.

4. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the electromechanical drive ( 7 ) is configured as a direct-current motor or comprises such a motor.

5. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the distances of the conductor tracks ( 11 ) between individual circuit islands do not drop below a predetermined minimum distance.

6. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the circuit assembly is provided with or connected to a current-limiting device ( 22 ) that limits the total energy within the entire circuit assembly.

7. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 6 , wherein the current-limiting device ( 22 ) is designed with multiple redundancy and comprises multiple current-limiters ( 22 a, b, c ).

8. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 6 , wherein the current-limiting device ( 22 ) additionally comprises a fuse ( 24 ).

9. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the circuit assembly in a circuit island (E 3 ), comprises a communication module ( 18 ) for wireless communication.

10. A lubricant dispenser ( 1 ) comprising:

a lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

an electromechanical drive ( 7 ) that acts on at least one actuation element ( 4 ) for discharging lubricant from the lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

a battery ( 8 ) that provides a battery voltage (VB),

a control circuit-board assembly ( 9 ) that comprises at least one main circuit board ( 9 a ) having an electronic circuit assembly comprising at least one central microcontroller ( 10 ) and additional electronic functional components as well as conductor tracks ( 11 ),

wherein the electronic circuit assembly is subdivided into a plurality of circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ), or has multiple circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ),

wherein some or all of the circuit islands are each power limited, and

wherein the control circuit-board assembly ( 9 ) comprises, in addition to the main circuit board ( 9 a ), an additional circuit board ( 9 b ) connected to the main circuit board.

11. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 10 , wherein the current-limiting device ( 22 ) is arranged on the additional circuit board ( 9 b ), wherein the current-limiting device ( 22 ) limits the current that flows into the main circuit board ( 9 a ).

12. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 10 , wherein the voltage regulation device ( 23 ) is arranged, in part or completely, on the main circuit board, and/or is arranged, in part or completely, on the additional circuit board ( 9 b ), wherein one or more voltage regulators ( 23 b, c ) are arranged on the additional circuit board ( 9 b ).

13. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 12 , wherein at least one voltage regulator ( 23 a ) is arranged on the main circuit board ( 9 a ), and one or more voltage regulators ( 23 b, c ) are arranged on the additional circuit board ( 9 b ).

14. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 12 , wherein all the voltage regulators ( 23 a , 23 b , 23 c ) are arranged on the additional circuit board ( 9 b ).

15. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 12 , wherein all the voltage regulators ( 23 a, b, c ) on the additional circuit board ( 9 b ) are equipped with a thermal cutoff.

16. A lubricant dispenser ( 1 ) comprising:

a lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

an electromechanical drive ( 7 ) that acts on at least one actuation element ( 4 ) for discharging lubricant from the lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

a battery ( 8 ) that provides a battery voltage (VB),

a control circuit-board assembly ( 9 ) that comprises at least one main circuit board ( 9 a ) having an electronic circuit assembly comprising at least one central microcontroller ( 10 ) and additional electronic functional components as well as conductor tracks ( 11 ),

wherein the electronic circuit assembly is subdivided into a plurality of circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ), or has multiple circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ),

wherein some or all of the circuit islands are each power limited, and

wherein the circuit assembly is provided, in certain regions or entirely, with an electrically insulating protective coating.

17. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 16 , wherein the circuit assembly on the main circuit board ( 9 a ) is coated, in certain regions, with a protective coating.

18. The lubricant dispenser according to claim 16 , wherein the control circuit-board assembly ( 9 ) comprises, in addition to the main circuit board ( 9 a ), an additional circuit board ( 9 b ) connected to the main circuit board, the additional circuit board ( 9 b ) is provided, in certain regions or entirely, with a protective coating.

19. A lubricant dispenser ( 1 ) comprising:

a lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

an electromechanical drive ( 7 ) that acts on at least one actuation element ( 4 ) for discharging lubricant from the lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

a battery ( 8 ) that provides a battery voltage (VB),

a control circuit-board assembly ( 9 ) that comprises at least one main circuit board ( 9 a ) having an electronic circuit assembly comprising at least one central microcontroller ( 10 ) and additional electronic functional components as well as conductor tracks ( 11 ),

wherein the electronic circuit assembly is subdivided into a plurality of circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ), or has multiple circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ),

wherein some or all of the circuit islands are each power limited, and

wherein distances of the conductor tracks ( 11 )

between individual circuit islands without a protective coating does not drop below a predetermined first minimum distance of 1.5 mm and/or

between individual circuit islands having a protective coating does not drop below a second minimum distance of 0.5 mm, and/or

within a circuit island does not drop below a third minimum distance of 0.2 mm, for example, with or without a protective coating.

20. A lubricant dispenser ( 1 ) comprising:

a lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

an electromechanical drive ( 7 ) that acts on at least one actuation element ( 4 ) for discharging lubricant from the lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

a battery ( 8 ) that provides a battery voltage (VB),

a control circuit-board assembly ( 9 ) that comprises at least one main circuit board ( 9 a ) having an electronic circuit assembly comprising at least one central microcontroller ( 10 ) and additional electronic functional components as well as conductor tracks ( 11 ),

wherein the electronic circuit assembly is subdivided into a plurality of circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ), or has multiple circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ),

wherein some or all of the circuit islands are each power limited, and

wherein the microcontroller ( 10 ), together with further functional components, forms a common (first) circuit island (E 1 ), wherein the functional components in the first circuit island (E 1 ) are supplied with voltage only by way of the microcontroller.

21. A lubricant dispenser ( 1 ) comprising:

a lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

an electromechanical drive ( 7 ) that acts on at least one actuation element ( 4 ) for discharging lubricant from the lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

a battery ( 8 ) that provides a battery voltage (VB),

a control circuit-board assembly ( 9 ) that comprises at least one main circuit board ( 9 a ) having an electronic circuit assembly comprising at least one central microcontroller ( 10 ) and additional electronic functional components as well as conductor tracks ( 11 ),

wherein the electronic circuit assembly is subdivided into a plurality of circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ), or has multiple circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ),

wherein some or all of the circuit islands are each power limited, and

wherein the circuit assembly in a circuit island (E 6 ), comprises a motor circuit ( 21 ) connected with the motor, which is connected to the battery voltage (VB) which is non-reduced and unregulated.

22. A lubricant dispenser ( 1 ) comprising:

a lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

an electromechanical drive ( 7 ) that acts on at least one actuation element ( 4 ) for discharging lubricant from the lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

a battery ( 8 ) that provides a battery voltage (VB),

a control circuit-board assembly ( 9 ) that comprises at least one main circuit board ( 9 a ) having an electronic circuit assembly comprising at least one central microcontroller ( 10 ) and additional electronic functional components as well as conductor tracks ( 11 ),

wherein the electronic circuit assembly is subdivided into a plurality of circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ), or has multiple circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ),

wherein some or all of the circuit islands are each power limited, and

wherein the circuit assembly is equipped with a circuit board detection, which detects the use of an additional circuit board.

23. A lubricant dispenser ( 1 ) comprising:

a lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

an electromechanical drive ( 7 ) that acts on at least one actuation element ( 4 ) for discharging lubricant from the lubricant reservoir ( 2 ),

a battery ( 8 ) that provides a battery voltage (VB),

a control circuit-board assembly ( 9 ) that comprises at least one main circuit board ( 9 a ) having an electronic circuit assembly comprising at least one central microcontroller ( 10 ) and additional electronic functional components as well as conductor tracks ( 11 ),

wherein the electronic circuit assembly is subdivided into a plurality of circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ), or has multiple circuit islands (E 1 to E 9 ),

wherein some or all of the circuit islands are each power limited, and

wherein in addition to a current limitation of one or more circuit islands between individual circuit islands that are connected to one another, a current limitation is implemented by means of one or more resistors (R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 ) arranged between two circuit islands.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2024
From: ENGELHARDT, RALF; LENHART, MATTHIAS
To: PERMA-TEC GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 066495/0200 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2021 129 977.2 · Nov 17, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240353059A1 · Oct 24, 2024
References Cited (36)
US 5634531A · Graf · 1997 [cited by examiner]
US 6012551A · Raab · 2000 [cited by examiner]
US 6125969A · Graf · 2000 [cited by examiner]
US 6354816B1 · Yang · 2002 [cited by examiner]
US 6447573B1 · Rake · 2002 [cited by examiner]
US 6498956B1 · Yang · 2002 [cited by examiner]
US 6561316B1 · Graf · 2003 [cited by examiner]
US 8544610B2 · Paluncic · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 8593838B2 · Poremba · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 8783418B2 · Orlitzky · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 8844679B2 · Conley · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 9004228B2 · Hildenbrand · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 9022177B2 · Conley · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 9151443B2 · Orlitzky · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 9212779B2 · Conley · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 9222618B2 · Donovan · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 9388940B2 · Conley · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 9458964B2 · Eisenbacher · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 9671065B2 · Conley · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 10107450B2 · Yang · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 10502366B2 · Lee · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 10851940B2 · Conley · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 11499673B2 · Wawrzola · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11512810B2 · Wawrzola · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11852292B2 · Kuno · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 12025269B2 · Conley · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20110253481A1 · Lin · 2011 [cited by examiner]
US 20120038345A1 · Poremba · 2012 [cited by examiner]
DE 4422407A1 · 1996 [cited by applicant]
DE 102010033954A1 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
DE 102011056247B4 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
DE 102012100035B4 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
DE 102019106681A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
EP 0845631A1 · 1998 [cited by applicant]
EP 1202424A2 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
International Search Report in PCT/EP2022/076261, mailed Jan. 13, 2023. [cited by applicant]