[001]The embodiments herein generally relate to lubricating systems, and more particularly to an apparatus for controlling and monitoring lubricating devices associated with a mechanical component or assembly desired to be lubricated.
BACKGROUND
[002] Lubrication is an important aspect of maintaining a mechanical assembly in proper operating condition. Machine elements such as bearings, journals, shafts, and joints require proper lubrication between their moving surfaces to decrease friction, prevent contamination, reduce wear and dissipate heat. Improper lubrication is likely to lead to premature component wear and component or system failure. When determining the optimal lubrication between moving machine elements, many factors should be considered.
[003] Conventionally, grease is filled in hub of king pin stub axle for lubrication and heat dissipation. Periodically, maintenance personnel may lubricate the hub of king pin stub axle by introducing grease thereto through a grease dispenser. However, such operation is labor intensive, and possesses other drawbacks. The maintenance personnel may fill the grease in the hub according to his experience and thus the grease may usually be under filled for an open type lubrication, and may not possible to

determine whether greasing is enough for a closed type lubrication. Excessive greasing results in poor heat dissipation at the hub and insufficient greasing causes abnormal high temperature due to insufficient lubricating. Thereby leading to wear and tear of king pin stub axle hub, accidents at customer end, and king pin stub axle joint crack.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for an apparatus for controlling and monitoring lubricating devices associated with a mechanical component or assembly desired to be lubricated and eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an apparatus for controlling and monitoring lubricating devices associated with a mechanical assembly or component desired to be lubricated.
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an apparatus which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method for controlling and monitoring lubricating devices associated with a mechanical assembly or component desired to be lubricated.

[008] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a fixture assembly of an apparatus for controlling and monitoring lubricating devices associated with a mechanical assembly desired to be lubricated, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a first fixture of the fixture assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;

[0012] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a second fixture of the fixture assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 4 depicts an electronic circuit diagram for operating the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 5 depicts an image of the mechanical assembly disposed in the fixture assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 6 depicts an image of the lubricant dispensing unit, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 7 depicts an image of a controller of the apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0017] FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart showing a method for controlling and monitoring lubricating devices used with a mechanical assembly desired to be lubricated, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The embodiments herein and the various features and
advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the
non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying
5 drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-
known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in
10 the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0019] The embodiments herein achieve an apparatus for controlling and monitoring lubricating devices associated with a mechanical assembly or component desired to be lubricated. Further, the
15 embodiments herein achieve the apparatus which is inexpensive and easy to
manufacture. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve a method for controlling and monitoring lubricating devices associated with a mechanical assembly or component desired to be lubricated. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 8, where
20 similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently
throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
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[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a fixture assembly of an
apparatus for controlling and monitoring lubricating devices associated
with a mechanical assembly desired to be lubricated, according to an
embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the
5 apparatus (100) includes a lubricant dispensing unit (102) (as shown in
FIG. 6), a mechanical assembly or component (104) (as shown in FIG. 5), a fixture assembly (106), a first fixture (106a), a second fixture (106b), a controller (108), a metering unit or limit switch (110).
[0021] The apparatus (100) for controlling and monitoring
10 lubricating devices associated with a mechanical assembly desired to be
lubricated includes the lubricant dispensing unit (102) (as shown in FIG. 6). The lubricant dispensing unit (102) includes a housing (not shown) in which a lubricant is stored. The lubricant dispensing unit (102) further includes at least one outlet (not shown) through which the stored lubricant
15 is dispensed to the mechanical component (104). The lubricant dispensing
unit (102) is mounted in near vicinity to the fixture assembly (106). For the purpose of explanation and ease of understanding the lubricant dispensing unit (102) is considered to be a grease gun (as shown in FIG. 6) and the mechanical component is considered to be a king pin stub axle and hub
20 assembly. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide
any other type of lubricant dispensing unit without otherwise deterring the
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intended function of lubricating as can be deduced from the description and drawings.
[0022] The apparatus (100) for controlling and monitoring
lubricating devices associated with a mechanical assembly desired to be
5 lubricated includes the fixture assembly (106). The fixture assembly (106)
is configured to hold or support the mechanical assembly or mechanical component (104). The fixture assembly includes the first fixture (106a) and the second fixture (106b) which disposed in-line with the first fixture (106a) as shown in FIG. 1. The second fixture (106b) is installed at a
10 predetermined location in a near vicinity of the first fixture (106a). The
first fixture (106a) and the second fixture (106b) together is adapted to hold the mechanical assembly or mechanical component (104) as shown in FIG. 5. In a first embodiment, the first fixture (106a) is configured to be an electro-magnetic clamp as shown in FIG. 2. However, it is also within the
15 scope of the invention to provide any other type of clamping without
otherwise deterring the intended function of holding as can be deduced from the description and drawings. Further, the first fixture (106a) is adapted to hold a first portion (not shown) of the mechanical component (104) as shown in FIG. 5. In a second embodiment, the second fixture
20 (106b) is configured to be a pneumatic clamp as shown in FIG. 3.
However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of clamping without otherwise deterring the intended function of
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holding as can be deduced from the description and drawings. Furthermore, the second fixture (106b) is adapted to hold a second portion (not shown) of the mechanical component (104) as shown in FIG. 5.
[0023] The apparatus (100) for controlling and monitoring
5 lubricating devices associated with a mechanical assembly desired to be
lubricated includes the controller (108) which is provided in communication with the said fixture assembly (106) and the metering unit (110). The controller (108) is actuated by an operator to perform one of clamping or de-clamping the mechanical component (104) from the fixture
10 assembly (106) as shown in FIG. 7. The controller (108) is adapted to
receive at least one signal from the metering unit (110) to operate the fixture assembly accordingly. In an embodiment, the controller (108) includes means for setting a timing period for each start of a lubricating cycle.
15 [0024] The apparatus (100) for controlling and monitoring
lubricating devices associated with a mechanical assembly desired to be lubricated includes the metering unit or timer (or limit switch (110) as described in this description). The metering unit (110) is integrated with the lubricating dispensing unit (102) and is provided in communication
20 with the controller (108). In an embodiment, the metering unit (110) is
adapted to record a start time and end time for which the lubricant dispensing unit (102) is displaced from its original position. The metering
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unit (110) is adapted to compare said record time with a standard
predefined time stored in a memory unit integrated with the metering unit
(110) to operate the fixture assembly (106) thereby. The metering unit
(110) is configured to compare the recorded time with the standard
5 predefined time to selectively energize the controller (108) to cut-off a
power supply and thereby operate the fixture assembly (106) to de-clamp the mechanical component (104) from the fixture assembly (106). In an event, where the lubricant dispensing unit (102) is not displaced from its original position for the predefined time, the metering unit (110) is adapted
10 to selectively energize the controller (108) to continue flow of the supply of
power to the fixture assembly (106). Based on the comparison of the time, the metering unit (110) is configured to operate the fixture assembly (106) to perform one of clamping and de-clamping the mechanical component (104) desired to be lubricated.
15 [0025] FIG. 4 depicts an electronic circuit diagram for operating the
apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The apparatus (100) includes an emergency push button (as shown in FIG. 4). The emergency push button is provided in the apparatus (100) to cut off power supply to the apparatus in case of emergency conditions. The
20 apparatus (100) further includes a clamp push button (clamp PB) which is
operated to clamp or fix the mechanical component. The lubricant dispensing unit (102) (grease gun) resting on the limit switch is operated or
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picked. The limit switch (110) is a proximity sensor and thus one supply
goes to Relay 1 i.e. RL1. The Relay 1 initiates a timer, while another
supply goes to Relay 2 i.e. RL2. The Relay 2 actuates the first fixture
(106a). Further, the power supply from Relay 1 flows to On Delay Timer
5 (T1) which starts counting time for greasing in King pin stub axle. And
RL2 switches on a Relay RL3. If the lubricant dispensing unit (102) is displaced for a predefined time from its original position i.e. for example, if the greasing is done up to 1 min 55 sec and then the grease gun is retained to its original position i.e. the grease gun rests on the limit switch then
10 timer switch will close T1 and thus the power supply goes to Relay 4 (RL4)
to de-clamp and thereby the supply goes to De-clamping D of the first fixture (magnetic clamp). Meanwhile, if the greasing is not performed for up to 1 min 55 sec, the grease gun is retained in the limit switch, then power supply in the T1 flow normally and with Relay 3 RL3 the first
15 fixture (i.e. magnetic clamp) remains in the actuated state and supply flows
normally to a Clamp PB (push button) of the controller (108). Thus it can be inferred that the first fixture (magnetic clamp) remains in actuated state until delay time is not completed.
[0026] FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart showing a method for controlling
20 and monitoring lubricating devices used with a mechanical assembly
desired to be lubricated, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. A method (200) for controlling and monitoring a
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lubricating dispensing unit (102) associated with a mechanical component
(104) or assembly desired to be lubricated is provided. The method (200),
at step (202) includes providing a fixture assembly (106) to hold said
mechanical component (104). At step (204) the method includes providing
5 a controller (108) in communication with said fixture assembly (106). At
step (206) the method includes integrating a metering unit (timer) (110) or a limit switch with said lubricating dispensing unit (102). And at step (208) the method includes providing said metering unit (110) in communication with said controller (108). The metering unit (110) is adapted to record a
10 start time and end time for which the lubricant dispensing unit (102) is
displaced from its original position. Further, the metering unit (110) is adapted to compare said record time with a standard predefined time stored in a memory unit integrated with the metering unit (110) to operate the fixture assembly (106) thereby.
15 [0027] Explanation of the method 200 is given below. Initially the
fixture assembly (106) is provided to hold said mechanical component (104). The fixture assembly (106) holds the first portion and the second portion of the mechanical component (104) through the first fixture (106a) and the second fixture (106b). Then the controller (108) is provided in
20 communication with the fixture assembly (106). The controller (108) is
actuated in order to clamp or de-clamp the fixture assembly (106). The lubricating dispensing unit (102) is integrated with the metering unit (timer)
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(110). The metering unit (110) is further provided in communication with
the controller (108). The metering unit (110) is adapted to record a start
time and end time for which the lubricant dispensing unit (102) is displaced
from its original position. The metering unit (110) is configured to
5 compare the recorded time with the standard predefined time to selectively
energize the controller (108) to cut-off a power supply and thereby operate
the fixture assembly (106) to de-clamp the mechanical component (104)
from the fixture assembly (106). In an event, where the lubricant
dispensing unit (102) is not displaced from its original position for the
10 predefined time, the metering unit (110) is adapted to selectively energize
the controller (108) to continue flow of the supply of power to the fixture assembly (106).
[0028] The advantages of the embodiments described herein include control on actual requirement of grease in hub, eliminate human
15 error, control less filling of grease in hub of king pin stub axle, control over
filling of grease in hub of king pin stub axle, and provide proper clamping of king pin stub axle.
[0029] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can,
20 by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various
applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are
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intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

We claim,

An apparatus (100) for controlling and monitoring a lubricating dispensing unit (102) associated with a mechanical component (104) or assembly desired to be lubricated, said apparatus (100) comprising:
a fixture assembly (106) to hold said mechanical component (104);
a controller (108) in communication with said fixture assembly (106); and
a metering unit (timer) (110) or a limit switch integrated with said lubricating dispensing unit (102) and provided in communication with said controller (108), wherein,
said metering unit (110) is adapted to record a start time and end time for which said lubricant dispensing unit (102) is displaced from its original position; and
said metering unit (110) is adapted to compare said record time with a standard predefined time stored in a memory unit integrated with said metering unit (110) to operate said fixture assembly (106) thereby.
The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metering unit (110) is configured to compare said record time with said standard predefined time to selectively energize said controller (108) to cut-off a

power supply and thereby operate said fixture assembly (106) to de-clamp said mechanical component (104) from said fixture assembly (106).
The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metering unit (110) is adapted to selectively energize said controller (108) to continue flow of said supply of power to said fixture assembly (106) in an event where said lubricant dispensing unit (102) is not displaced from its original position for said predefined time.
The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said metering unit (110) is configured to operate said fixture assembly (106) to perform one of clamping and de-clamping said mechanical component (104) desired to be lubricated.
The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said metering unit (110) is configured to start recording a time when said lubricant dispensing unit (102) is displaced from its original position and end said recording time when said lubricant dispensing unit (102) is retained in its original position.
The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller (108) includes means for setting a timing period for each start of a lubricating cycle.
The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixture assembly (106) includes:

a first fixture (106a); and
a second fixture (106b) disposed in-line with said first fixture (106a) at a predetermined location.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first fixture (106a) is configured to be an electro-magnetic clamp and is adapted to hold a first portion of said mechanical component (104).
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second fixture (106b) is configured to be a pneumatic clamp and is adapted to hold a second portion of said mechanical component (104).
A method (200) for controlling and monitoring a lubricating dispensing unit (102) associated with a mechanical component (104) or assembly desired to be lubricated, said method (200) comprising steps of:
providing a fixture assembly (106) to hold said mechanical component (104);
providing a controller (108) in communication with said fixture assembly (106);
integrating a metering unit (timer) (110) or a limit switch with said lubricating dispensing unit (102); and
providing said metering unit (110) in communication with said controller (108), wherein,

said metering unit (110) is adapted to record a start time and end time for which said lubricant dispensing unit (102) is displaced from its original position; and
said metering unit (110) is adapted to compare said record time with a standard predefined time stored in a memory unit integrated with said metering unit (110) to operate said fixture assembly (106) thereby.