Distributing element for lubricating systems

Abstract

A distributor element, in particular a feed distributor, is provided for the metering of lubricants for lubricating installations. The element includes a valve piston featuring a bore. The valve piston moves under the pressure of a lubricant operating at a lubricant inlet against the force of a first return spring from a starting position in which the bore releases a connection between a dispensing chamber and a metering chamber via a connecting passage, to a metering position in which the valve piston releases a passage from the lubricant inlet to the connecting passage and therefore to the metering chamber. Furthermore, the distributor element features a dispensing piston which under the effect of a lubricant entering the metering chamber moves against the force of a second return spring from a starting position and thereby pushes the lubricant volume present in the dispensing chamber between the valve piston and the dispensing piston into a lubricant outlet. The valve piston may also be moved into an intermediate position until equalization of pressure has occurred, in which position the valve piston blocks the passage from the lubricant inlet to the connecting passage and therefore to the metering chamber. Upon pressure relief at the lubricant inlet, the valve piston is moved back to its starting position by the first return spring and the dispensing piston is moved back to its starting position by the second return spring.