JP2000028087A - Lubricant supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lubricant supply device which can abundantly and stably supply a lubricant for a long period of time, and besides can employ a time-limit use. SOLUTION: In this lubricant supply device supplying a lubricant to a member to be lubricated by oozing out the lubricant from a lubricant contained polymer 11 including previously the lubricant, a heating device is arranged which heats to a predetermined temperature the lubricant contained polymer 11 including at least 10 wt.% to 90 wt.% of the lubricant in a part where the lubricant is oozed out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lubricant containing a lubricant, which is mounted at a place where a lubricant needs to be supplied, such as a linear motion guide bearing, a ball screw, an oil seal, a spindle, and various rolling bearings. The present invention relates to a lubricant supply device configured to automatically supply a lubricant from a contained polymer to a portion to be lubricated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional lubricant supply apparatus of this type is described, for example, in a microfilm (hereinafter referred to as "first conventional example") of Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 7-4952 by the present applicant. And JP-A-6-346919 (hereinafter, referred to as "second conventional example"). In the first conventional example, a lubricant-containing polymer is also mounted on an end of a nut of a ball screw so as to be able to slidably contact a screw groove of a screw shaft, also as a sealing member. The oil is automatically supplied to the ball via the thread groove so that the lubrication can be exerted for a long period of time.

[0003] In the second conventional example, a seal member such as a side seal mounted on a slider of a linear guide device is formed of rubber or synthetic resin containing a lubricant, and the side surface of a guide rail with which the seal lip contacts is rolled. On the moving body rolling groove surface,
The lubricating oil is gradually leaked out with time and is automatically supplied to the rolling elements, so that the lubricating action is exerted for a long period of time.

[0004]

However, the conventional lubricant supply device has the following unresolved problems.

[0005] First, the amount of lubricant oozing out of the lubricant-containing polymer constituting the lubricant supply device depends on the environmental temperature in which the polymer is placed. The higher the temperature, the larger the amount of lubricant. Become. As the lubricant gradually oozes out of the polymer and is supplied to the member to be lubricated, the concentration of the lubricant on the surface of the polymer which is close to the member to be lubricated decreases. To compensate for this, the lubricant inside the polymer is replenished to the surface side of the polymer, but as the time elapses, the lubricant supply capacity decreases compared to the initial stage.

Second, in the conventional lubricant supply device, the supply time and timing of the lubricant are controlled, for example, the supply of the lubricant from the lubricant supply device is started after a certain period has elapsed. It cannot be used in a timed manner to control the timing of lubricant bleeding.

The present invention has been made in view of such unsolved problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant supply device which can supply lubricant abundantly and stably over a long period of time. I do. Another object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant supply device which can be used for a limited time as described above.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a lubricant-containing polymer having at least a portion close to a member to be lubricated, preferably containing 10 to 90% by weight of a lubricant. And a lubricant supply device that supplies the lubricant to the member to be lubricated, and further includes a heating device that heats the lubricant-containing polymer and, if desired, a temperature control device that controls a heating temperature. Features.

In the lubricant supply apparatus of the present invention, a heating device is provided for a lubricant-containing polymer containing a lubricant, and when the polymer is heated when desired, the amount of lubricating oil that seeps out can be increased or the lubricated member can be increased. It is possible to improve the absolute supply amount of the lubricating oil to the oil.

When the base resin of the lubricant-containing polymer is a thermoplastic resin, when the polymer is immersed in lubricating oil while being heated to a temperature close to the melting point of the lubricant-containing polymer by using a heating device, the polymer is again returned. Can be impregnated. As a result, the lubrication supply capacity of the lubricant-containing polymer can be restored.

Hereinafter, the material of the lubricant-containing polymer of the present invention will be described. The lubricant-containing polymer of the present invention comprises a synthetic resin selected from the group of polyolefin resins having basically the same chemical structure, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, and polymethylpentene. In this synthetic resin, a paraffinic hydrocarbon oil such as poly-α-olefin oil as a lubricant, a naphthenic hydrocarbon oil, a mineral oil,
Ether oils, such as dialkyl diphenyl ether oils,
Raw materials prepared by mixing either alone or mixed oils such as ester oils such as phthalic acid esters are plasticized by heating above the melting point of the resin, and then cooled to solidify to form a lubricant-containing polymer. Get. Various additives such as an antioxidant, a rust inhibitor, an antiwear agent, a defoamer, and an extreme pressure agent may be added to the lubricant in advance.

The composition ratio of the above-mentioned lubricant-containing polymer is 10% by weight of a polyolefin resin relative to the total weight (lubricant 90%).
%) To 90% by weight of a polyolefin resin (10% by weight of a lubricant). By containing the polyolefin-based resin in an amount of 10% by weight or more, a certain level of hardness and strength can be obtained, which is practical. On the other hand, the polyolefin resin is 90% by weight or less (that is,
When the amount of the lubricant is less than 10% by weight), the supply of the lubricant to the member to be lubricated can be continued without the content of the lubricant being too small.

The above synthetic resin group has the same basic structure but the same structure.
Have different average molecular weights from 700 to 5 × 10⁶of
Range. Average molecular weight 700 to 1 × 10^FourWhen
Wax (ex polyethylene wax)
And an average molecular weight of 1 × 10 ^Four~ 1 × 10⁶Ratio
Relatively low molecular weight and average molecular weight 1 × 10⁶~ 5 × 10⁶
Ultra-high molecular weight, alone or as needed
Mix and use. Of relatively low molecular weight and lubricant
Some mechanical strength and lubricant supply depending on the combination
A lubricant-containing polymer with performance and oil retention properties is obtained. this
Some of the relatively low molecular weight substances in
If you replace it with something that is classified as wax
Affinity with lubricating oil due to small difference in molecular weight from lubricating oil
And increase the oil retention of the lubricant-containing polymer.
In addition, the lubricant can be supplied for a long period of time. Was
However, on the other hand, the mechanical strength decreases. As wax
Is a polyolefin tree such as polyethylene wax
Charcoal whose melting point is in the range of 100 to 130 ° C or higher in addition to fat
Hydrogenated (ex paraffinic synthetic wax)
If you can use it.

On the other hand, when the lubricant is replaced with an ultrahigh molecular weight, the difference in molecular weight between the ultrahigh molecular weight and the lubricating oil is large, so that the affinity with the lubricating oil is lowered, and as a result, the oil retention is reduced. In addition, the bleeding of the lubricant from the lubricant-containing polymer is accelerated. This reduces the time to reach the amount of lubricant that can be supplied from the lubricant containing polymer. Also, the mechanical strength is improved. Considering the balance of moldability, mechanical strength, oil retention, and lubricant supply, the composition ratio of the lubricant-containing polymer is 0% to 5% by weight classified as wax and 8% or less with relatively low molecular weight. Weight% to 70 weight%,
Ultra high molecular weight 2% to 15% by weight, a total of 10% to 90% by weight of the three resin components (the remainder being lubricant 90
% By weight).

In order to improve the mechanical strength of the lubricant-containing polymer of the present invention, the following thermoplastic resin and thermosetting resin may be added to the above-mentioned polyolefin resin. As the thermoplastic resin, polyamide, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether sulfone, polyether ether ketone, polyamide imide, polystyrene,
Each resin such as an ABS resin can be used.

As the thermosetting resin, resins such as unsaturated polyester resin, urea resin, melanin resin, phenol resin, polyimide resin, epoxy resin and the like can be used. These resins may be used alone or as a mixture.

Further, in order to disperse the polyolefin resin and the other resin in a more uniform state, an appropriate compatibilizer may be added as needed.

Further, a filler may be added to improve the mechanical strength. For example, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, inorganic whiskers such as potassium titanate whiskers and aluminum borate whiskers, or inorganic fibers such as glass fibers and metal fibers and those obtained by braiding them in a cloth shape, and in organic compounds, carbon Black, graphite powder, carbon fiber, aramid fiber, polyester fiber and the like may be added.

Further, in order to prevent deterioration of the polyolefin resin due to heat, N, N'-diphenyl-P-phenyldiamine, 2,2'-methylenebis (4-ethyl-
Antioxidants such as 6-t-butylphenol), and 2-hydroxy-4-n-
Octoxybenzophenone, 2- (2'-hydroxy-
An ultraviolet absorber such as 3'-t-butyl-5'-methyl-phenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole may be used.

The additive amount of all of the above additives (other than the polyolefin resin ten lubricant) should be 20% by weight or less of the total amount of the molding raw material as a whole, so that the lubricant supply capacity is maintained. Preferred above.

As the polymer material which can be used in the present invention, in addition to those based on the above-mentioned polyolefin resin, any resin having an excellent oil-impregnating ability can be used. For example, polyester elastomers can be used.

The lubricant supply device of the present invention comprises at least a lubricant-containing polymer and a heating device. The other portions may be made of any material, particularly metal, or plastic for the purpose of improving the mechanical strength of the entire device.

Further, the lubricant supply device of the present invention provides a space for a lubricant reservoir inside a lubricant-containing polymer as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-152095 by the present applicant, and lubricates the void. A structure for storing the agent may be adopted.

Further, in the lubricant supply apparatus of the present invention, a temperature detecting means (for example, a thermocouple) is provided at an appropriate place for controlling heating, and this is combined with a temperature controller (such as a microcomputer). Thus, accurate temperature control can be realized, and the means can be added to the lubricant supply device.

In the present invention, the supply of the lubricating oil from the lubricant-containing polymer to the member to be lubricated in the lubricant supply device is as follows.
This is performed by bringing the polymer into contact with the member to be lubricated, or through a lubricant supply auxiliary means such as an oil hole, an oil hole, or an oil passage even when the polymer and the member to be lubricated are separated.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1) In this embodiment, a lubricant supply device is provided with equipment for manufacturing electronic parts such as hydraulic equipment, pneumatic equipment, semiconductors, computer peripheral equipment and measuring equipment. It is applied to a linear guide device used for such purposes.

As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1, the linear guide device has a guide rail 1 having rolling member grooves 3, 3 'on its outer surface and extending in the axial direction, and is assembled so as to straddle the guide rail 1. Slider 2 is provided.

The slider 2 comprises a slider body 2A and end caps 2B attached to both ends of the slider body. The slider body 2A is provided on the inner surface of both sleeves 4 in the rolling element rolling grooves 3, 3 'of the guide rail 1. It has a rolling element rolling groove opposed to the rolling element and a rolling element return path axially penetrating the thick part of the sleeve.

On the other hand, the end cap 2B has a curved path for connecting the rolling element rolling groove of the slider body 2A with a rolling element return path parallel to the rolling element rolling groove. A circulation path of the rolling element is formed by the return path and the curved paths at both ends. A large number of rolling elements made of, for example, steel balls are loaded in the circulation path of the rolling elements.

The slider 2 mounted on the guide rail 1 moves smoothly along the guide rail through the rolling of the rolling elements in the opposing rolling element rolling grooves. During the movement, the rolling elements move inside the slider. Endlessly circulates through the rolling element circulation path.

Side seals 10 are provided on the end faces of the end caps 2B at the front and rear ends of the slider 2 to seal the frontage between the end caps 2B and the guide rail 1. Then, as shown in an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2, a lubricant-containing polymer 11 as a lubricant supply member is superimposed on the side seal 10,
It is assembled by being sandwiched between the reinforcing plate 20. In addition,
7 is a grease nipple for supplying grease to the rolling elements inside the slider 2 as required.

The above-described side seal 10 is made of a substantially "U" -shaped steel plate conforming to the outer shape of the end cap 2B, and a nitrile rubber having a shape similar to this steel plate and integrally formed on the surface thereof. It is composed of The seal lip portion that comes into contact with the guide rail 1 slides on the upper surface 1a and the outer surface 1b of the guide rail 1 according to the cross-sectional shape of the guide rail 1 so as to seal the gap between the slider 2 and the guide rail 1. It is formed into a shape that can be brought into contact, more specifically, a shape that can be brought into sliding contact with the rolling element rolling grooves 3, 3 '. Further, through holes 10a and 10b for penetrating the mounting screw are formed in both sleeve portions of the side seal 10, and a through hole 10c for grease nipple is formed in a connecting portion connecting the both sleeve portions. I have.

The lubricant-containing polymer 11 composed of the above-mentioned lubricant-containing polymer molded product is, for example, 9% by weight of low molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight 1 × 10 ^{4 to} 5 × 10 ⁵ ) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight 1 × 10 ^6). To 5 × 10 ⁶ ) 21
As a raw material, 70% by weight of a paraffinic mineral oil as a lubricant was added to polyethylene as a raw material, which was plasticized (dissolved) once using an injection molding machine.
It is molded by injecting into a predetermined mold, cooling and fixing while pressurizing. This lubricant containing polymer 11 is
The temperature is controlled by adjusting the amount of electric power to a heater described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lubricant-containing polymer 11
A pair of heaters 54 and 56 are fitted near both ends in the width direction of the temperature control device 5 through the conductors 51 and 53, respectively.
Connected to. In this portion, there is an area where the polymer has no cutouts or spaces and can accommodate the heater. A thermocouple 55 as a temperature detecting means is inserted in the lubricant-containing polymer 11, and is connected to the temperature control device 5 via a conducting wire 52. As shown in FIG.
The temperature controller 5 has a temperature controller 57 inside. The temperature controller 57 calculates and detects the current temperature of the polymer based on the output signal from the thermocouple 55. The difference between this temperature and a set temperature previously set in a ROM or the like in the temperature controller is obtained, the outputs of the heaters 54 and 56 are adjusted, and feedback control is performed so that the temperature of the lubricant-containing polymer 11 matches the set temperature. .

The insertion positions of the heaters 54 and 56 are not limited to the above-mentioned positions, as long as the lubricant-containing polymer 11 can be accommodated and the polymer can be heated to a desired temperature. What is necessary is just to accommodate in the position which can be made to be made. For example, a suitable position such as a position close to the member to be lubricated, a center of gravity of the lubricant-containing polymer 11, or the like may be selected. Further, the number of heaters is not limited to two, and the number may be appropriately selected as needed.

The shape of the lubricant-containing polymer 11 is, as shown in an enlarged perspective view of FIG.
And has a predetermined thickness in a substantially U-shape corresponding to the outer shape of the. The contact portion with the guide rail 1 is formed in a shape along the upper surface 1 a and the side surface 1 b of the guide rail 1, and the protrusion 11 corresponding to the rolling element rolling groove 3 ′ on the guide rail 1.
d, 11e, projection 11 corresponding to lower rolling element rolling groove 3
f and 11g are respectively formed and matched to the cross-sectional outer shape of the guide rail 1.

Further, on both sleeves of the lubricant-containing polymer 11,
Through holes 11a and 11b are formed by partially cutting the mounting screw of the slider into the end cap 2B in the axial direction, and a connecting portion for connecting the both sleeves is provided with a grease nipple. Through hole 1 partially cut in the axial direction
1c is formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, ring-shaped sleeve members 11A, 11B and 11C are fitted into these through holes 11a, 11b and 11c, respectively. This ring-shaped sleeve member 11A,
11B and 11C are short cylindrical members slightly longer than the thickness of the lubricant-containing polymer 11, the outer diameter of which is a size that can be easily fitted into the through holes 11a, 11b and 11c. And the lubricant-containing polymer 11
At the time of mounting, the lubricant contained is prevented from being compressed and squeezed out by tightening the screw.

The sleeves 11A, 11B and 11C
Has an outer diameter larger than that of the through holes 11a, 11b and 11c. As described above, when the sleeve diameter is increased, the inner surface of the lubricant-containing polymer 11 is constantly changed to the guide rail 1.
The lubricant can be stably supplied by pressing against the outer surface of the liquid crystal.

The reinforcing plate 20 is a substantially "U" shaped steel plate or a synthetic resin conforming to the outer shape of the end cap 2B. Through holes 22a and 22b for penetrating the mounting screws 21a and 21b are formed in both sleeve portions, and a through hole 22c for the grease nipple 7 is formed in a connecting portion connecting the both sleeve portions. . The reinforcing plate 20 is not in contact with the guide rail 1.

It should be noted that the lubricant-containing polymer 11 is usually mounted on the side seal 10 and the reinforcing plate 20 so as to be sandwiched therebetween. However, since the lubricant-containing polymer 11 can closely adhere to the outer surface of the guide rail and perform the same sealing function as the side seal 10, a reinforcing plate 20 may be used instead of the side seal 10 in some cases. Alternatively, the reinforcing plate 20 may be mounted only on the surface of the lubricant-containing polymer, and the back surface may be directly applied to the end surface of the end cap 2B.

According to the present embodiment, since the lubricant-containing polymer 11 is heated by the heater, the supply amount of the lubricant can be increased as required. Further, the supply amount of the lubricant can be adjusted temporally and in real time. As a result, it is possible to provide the linear guide with suitable operating characteristics over a long period of time, and to simplify maintenance.

(Second Embodiment of the Invention)
This is an application of a lubricant supply device to a ball screw. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a part of the ball screw as a sectional view.
When the screw shaft 401 rotates, the ball (not shown) in the ball screw nut 402 rolls along the spiral rolling path formed by the screw groove 401a in the axial rotation direction, and the ball circulation path 403.
Circulates through.

At both ends of the ball screw nut 402, a seal member 405 and a lubricant-containing polymer 404 are provided with screws 4 respectively.
10 is fixed. Lubricant-containing polymer 404
Is, for example, low molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight 1 × 10 ⁴⁾
To 5 × 10 ⁵ ) 9% by weight and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight 1 × 10 ^{6 to} 5 × 10 ⁶ ) 21% by weight, and paraffinic mineral oil 70 as a lubricant.
The mixture is formed by plasticizing (melting) the material once containing an amount of 1% by weight using an injection molding machine, then injecting it into a predetermined mold, and cooling and fixing it while applying pressure. A ring-shaped heater 407 and a thermocouple 406 are fitted in the lubricant-containing polymer 404, and lead wires 409,
08 is connected to the above-mentioned temperature control device. The configuration and temperature control of the temperature control device are the same as in the first embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, the amount of lubricating oil that seeps into the screw shaft 401 can be adjusted by heating the lubricant-containing polymer when necessary, and is supplied to the screw shaft, rolling elements, and nuts. The amount of lubricating oil to be used can be increased over a long period of time. In addition, since lubricating oil can be supplied stably over a long period of time, it has suitable operation characteristics even in a bad environment such as water, dust, and corrosive gas.

(Third Embodiment of the Invention)
The lubricant supply device is used in place of the oiler of the plummer block. FIG. 5 shows a configuration of the bearing unit, and is a cross-sectional view of the bearing unit on the fixed shaft end side.
In the figure, a shaft 521 has a reduced diameter portion 520a, 520 formed by reducing the diameter of the end, and a self-aligning rolling bearing 510 is attached to the reduced diameter portion 520. The bearing 510 is housed in a housing 508 as a bearing box, and has an inner ring 513 fitted to the reduced diameter portion 520, an outer ring 509 fitted to the inner periphery of the housing 508, and an outer ring surface of the inner ring 513. And two rows of rollers 517 that roll on each raceway groove on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 509, and an integrated retainer 516 of the rollers 517.

Spaces other than the rollers 517, the integrated retainer 516, and the guide wheels 518 between the outer ring 509 and the inner ring 513 are filled with a lubricant-containing polymer 515 up to the end faces of the rollers 517. Reference numerals 511 and 518A are also lubricant-containing polymers.

An oil seal 512 is provided in the seal groove at the shaft-side end surface of the housing 508 to secure the seal between the shaft-side end surface and the shaft 521. The oil seal 512 prevents water, dust and the like from entering from outside the housing 508. Similarly, the housing 5
08 and the reduced diameter portion 520 as well.
An oil seal 519 is provided to secure the seal a.

A hole 507 is provided at a position corresponding to the lubricant-containing polymer 515 on the peripheral side of the outer ring 509.
A hole 514 is also provided at a position corresponding to the hole 507 on the peripheral side of the housing 508. Further, a lubricant-containing polymer 501 is provided on the top of the housing 508.
An outer member 502 having a vertical line is provided, and the lubricant that seeps out of the lubricant-containing polymer 501 is supplied to the lubricant-containing polymer 515 through the hole 514. The outer member 502 is formed of polyacetal resin.

The lubricant-containing polymer 501 is composed of, for example, 9% by weight of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and 11% of high density polyethylene.
The raw material is a polyethylene containing 80% by weight of a paraffinic mineral oil as a lubricant, which is plasticized (dissolved) once using an injection molding machine and then injected into a predetermined mold. It is formed by cooling and fixing while pressing. The lubricant-containing polymer 501 is used as the outer member 502.
The inside is detachably inserted. Also, the outer member 502
A heater 503 is attached to the peripheral side surface of the device, and is connected to a temperature control device (not shown) via a conductor 504. A thermocouple 505 is inserted into the top of the outer member 502, and is connected to the temperature controller via a conductor 506. The lubricant-containing polymer 501 is maintained at a predetermined set temperature by the temperature control device, and functions as a suitable lubricant supply unit.

(Embodiment 4 of the Invention)
This is an application of a lubricant supply device to a bearing of a machine tool spindle. As shown in FIG. 6, a machine tool spindle is a double-row cylindrical roller bearing 60 as a bearing for a rotating shaft 609.
6, angular contact ball bearing 607, high-speed double row cylindrical roller bearing 6
08 is provided in the housing 610.

Further, a lubricating oil-containing polymer member 601 is provided as a means for supplying lubricating oil to these bearings. The lubricating oil-containing polymer member 601 is made of, for example, 9% by weight of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and 11% of high density polyethylene.
The raw material is a polyethylene containing 80% by weight of a paraffinic mineral oil as a lubricant, which is plasticized (dissolved) once using an injection molding machine and then injected into a predetermined mold. It is formed into a completely split ring shape by being cooled and fixed while applying pressure, and is inserted into a groove provided in the outer diameter portion of the housing 610.

A split ring-shaped heater 602 is attached to the peripheral side surface of the lubricating oil-containing polymer member 601. A thermocouple 611 is inserted into the lubricating oil-containing polymer member 601, and is connected to a temperature control device via a conductor 603. The temperature control device is a lubricating oil-containing polymer member 6.
In order to maintain 01 at the set temperature, the temperature of the heater 602 is adjusted via the conductor 604.

An oil hole 605 is formed in the housing 610 so that lubricating oil seeping out of the lubricant-containing polymer 601 is supplied to each bearing. This oil hole 605
The double row cylindrical roller bearing 606 is provided with an oil hole in the outer ring portion between the respective roller rows, and the angular ball bearing 607 is provided with an oil hole between the two bearings. ing.

According to the present embodiment, lubricating oil can be stably supplied to each bearing for a long time, and good operating characteristics of the machine tool can be obtained.

(Embodiment 5 of the Invention)
The lubricant supply device is applied to a bearing of a support unit for a ball screw. FIG. 7 shows an axial sectional view of the ball screw support unit. In the figure, inside a cylindrical housing 701, angular ball bearings 702 combined in three rows are arranged in series. Each of the angular ball bearings 702 is filled with grease. In the drawing, the outer ring of the leftmost angular ball bearing 702 is in contact with a cut portion 701 a of the housing 701.

On the other hand, the rightmost angular contact ball bearing 702
Is pressed to the left by a tightening force of a bolt 704 for fixing the holding lid 703 via a shim 714.
Therefore, a predetermined preload is applied to the angular ball bearing 702. This preload can be adjusted by changing the thickness of the shim 714.

A screw shaft 712 indicated by a two-dot chain line is inserted through the inner ring of the angular contact ball bearing 702.
An annular collar 705 is arranged on the outer periphery of the twelve so as to sandwich the inner rings of the three angular ball bearings 702. Left collar 705 and housing 701,
A dust seal 706 is arranged between the right collar 705 and the holding lid 703 so that dust and the like do not enter the housing 701.

A lubricant-containing polymer 707 is inserted into the housing 701 as a means for supplying a lubricant to each angular ball bearing 702. The lubricant-containing polymer 707 is, for example, a raw material obtained by adding 80% by weight of a paraffinic mineral oil as a lubricant to polyethylene composed of 9% by weight of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and 11% by weight of high-density polyethylene. After being plasticized (dissolved) once using an injection molding machine, it is injected into a predetermined mold, cooled and fixed while applying pressure, and molded into a completely split ring shape. The outer diameter of the support unit housing 701 Inserted into the groove provided in the part. A split ring-shaped heater 708 is attached to the peripheral side surface of the lubricant-containing polymer 707, and is connected to a temperature controller (not shown) via a conductor 710. The temperature control device detects the temperature of the lubricant-containing polymer 707 via the thermocouple 709 via the conductor 711 and adjusts the output of the heater 708 to maintain the temperature of the lubricant-containing polymer 707 at the set temperature. An oil hole 713 is formed in the housing 701 so that the lubricating oil that seeps out of the lubricant-containing polymer 707 is supplied to each angular ball bearing 702. Corresponding to the oil hole 713, the angular contact ball bearing 702 has three bearings (2
Oil holes are provided at each of the positions.

According to this embodiment, the supply amount of the lubricating oil can be adjusted by the temperature, so that the lubricating oil can be stably supplied for a long time and the life of the bearing and the seal member can be extended. it can.

(Example) In order to confirm the effect of the lubricant supply device of the present invention, the output of the heater is controlled to apply heat to the lubricant-containing polymer, so that the lubrication of the lubricant due to the temperature change of the lubricant-containing polymer. The change in outflow was measured. In particular,
The amount of outflow of the lubricant (weight loss from the beginning [% by weight]) was measured depending on whether the lubricant-containing polymer was heated or not.

FIG. 8 shows an outline of the test apparatus. The heater 80 is provided so as to cover the peripheral side surface of the substantially columnar lubricant-containing polymer 801.
Attach 2. A thermocouple 804 is inserted into the lubricant-containing polymer 801, and the temperature controller 80 is connected through a conductor 805.
6 is connected.

The temperature controller 806 enables the output of the heater 802 to be adjusted via the conducting wire 803, and the lubricant-containing polymer 8
The temperature of 01 can be adjusted to any temperature. The lubricant-containing polymer 801 used in the experiment was made from a raw material obtained by adding 70% by weight of a paraffinic mineral oil as a lubricant to polyethylene composed of 9% by weight of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and 21% by weight of high-density polyethylene. Is plasticized (dissolved) once using an injection molding machine, then injected into a predetermined mold, cooled and fixed while applying pressure, and molded into a substantially columnar shape. The experimental environment was at an ambient temperature of 40 ° C. and the standing time was 9,500 hours.

Example of the present invention: The lubricant-containing polymer (test sample) was left for 4500 hours, and then heated to 60 ° C. for 4500 hours with a heater.

Comparative Example: The lubricant-containing polymer (test specimen) was left as it was for 9,500 hours.

FIG. 9 shows the measurement results. This figure is a graph in which the change over time of the lubricant outflow is plotted. In particular, FIG. 3A shows the time axis in logarithmic form. As can be seen with reference to the figure, when the test piece was heated to 60 ° C. at the time when the amount of lubricating oil flowing out per hour increased after 4500 hours, the amount of lubricating oil flowing out began to increase. .

When the time axis was displayed in logarithmic form, the change in the amount of outflow was easy to understand, and the slope of the straight line clearly changed when heated to 60 ° C. Therefore, by heating the lubricant-containing polymer, the amount of the lubricant flowing out can be adjusted, and the supply amount of the lubricant can be increased as required when necessary. That is, the supply amount of the lubricant can be adjusted in a timely manner.

[0068]

According to the lubricant supply device of the present invention, by heating the lubricant-containing polymer when necessary, it is possible to increase the amount of lubricating oil oozing out of the polymer or to make the absolute supply amount of lubricating oil necessary. Can be improved at any time. That is, the supply amount of the lubricant can be adjusted in a timely manner, and the lubricant can be stably supplied to the member to be lubricated for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a linear guide device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the linear guide device.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a lubricant-containing polymer, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory view of a temperature adjusting device.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded sectional view of a ball screw.

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view of a plummer block.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a machine tool spindle.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the support unit of the ball screw in the axial direction.

FIG. 8 is an apparatus configuration diagram of a lubricating oil supply capability confirmation test.

FIG. 9 is an experimental result of a lubricating oil supply ability confirmation test.

[Explanation of symbols]

 742 5 Temperature control device 11 Lubricant-containing polymer 742 54, 56 Heater 51, 52, 53 Conductor 55 Thermocouple 57 Temperature controller 404 Lubricant-containing polymer 742 406 Thermocouple 407 Heater 408, 409 Conductor 742 501 Lubricant-containing polymer 502 Outer shell Member 503 Heater 504, 506 Conductor 505 Thermocouple 742 510 Bearing 742 601 Lubricant-containing polymer 602 Heater 605 Oil hole 606 Double-row cylindrical roller bearing 607 Angular ball bearing 608 High-speed double-row cylindrical roller bearing 743 707 Lubricant-containing polymer 708 Heater

Claims (1)

[Claims] At least a portion adjacent to a member to be lubricated is provided with a lubricant-containing polymer containing a lubricant, and the heating device supplies the lubricant to the member to be lubricated and further heats the polymer containing the lubricant. Lubricant supply device comprising: