JP2006258226A - Lubricant sealing device and lubricant sealing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To fill a predetermined amount of lubricant at the inside of a bearing without generating drawing of a liquid and dropping off of the liquid. <P>SOLUTION: The device for sealing a predetermined amount of lubricant in the bearing having an inner diameter of 6 mm or less is provided with a delivery mechanism for capable of delivering a predetermined amount of lubricant to the inside of the bearing; an excitation mechanism (coil 24, amplifier (amplifier) 26, excitation unit 28 and controller 30) for exciting the delivery mechanism at a predetermined period. A delivery port M for delivering the lubricant to the inside of the bearing is provided on the delivery mechanism and after a predetermined amount of lubricant is delivered from the delivery port, the delivery mechanism is excited by the excitation mechanism in a predetermined period when the delivery port and the bearing are relatively separated from each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant sealing device and a lubricant sealing method capable of sealing a predetermined amount of lubricant in a bearing without causing, for example, stringing or dripping.

  Conventionally, in order to reduce friction and wear, extend the fatigue life of the bearing, prevent overheating of the bearing, and the like, for example, a predetermined amount of lubricant is sealed inside the bearing during the bearing manufacturing stage or during use of the bearing. The device that encloses the lubricant inside the bearing is provided with, for example, a syringe, a nozzle, etc., and the lubricant supplied to the syringe (nozzle) is discharged from the discharge port toward the inside of the bearing. A predetermined amount of lubricant can be sealed in the container.

  However, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the discharge of the lubricant is stopped at the end of sealing and the discharge port M is separated from the retainer 4 of the bearing 2 in the direction of the arrow S1, it remains in the vicinity of the discharge port M ( Due to the viscosity of the adhering lubricant, thread drawing or dripping may occur from the discharge port M (the thread drawing L is illustrated in the drawing), and the bearing surface may become dirty. Therefore, in order to prevent stringing or dripping, devices such as those shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have been proposed.

In the apparatus of Patent Document 1, an outer cylinder is provided around a syringe (nozzle), and by drawing a liquid (for example, a lubricant) remaining (attached) near the discharge port after stopping discharge into the outer cylinder, It is intended to prevent stringing and dripping.
The apparatus of Patent Document 2 is provided with a liquid cutting cutter, and after stopping discharge, stringing or dripping liquid (for example, lubricant) from the discharge port is cut by the liquid cutting cutter, thereby drawing or dripping. Prevention of this is made.

  Incidentally, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the residual amount (attachment amount) of the liquid (for example, lubricant K) remaining (attached) in the vicinity of the discharge port M cannot be adjusted. For this reason, the residual amount (attachment amount) near the discharge port M may increase or decrease.

  Thus, when the residual amount (adhesion amount) near the discharge port M increases or decreases, for example, the amount of lubricant enclosed in the bearing 2 may vary. In this case, for example, when the residual amount increases, the amount of lubricant decreases accordingly, whereas when the residual amount decreases, the amount of lubricant increases correspondingly. The amount of lubricant enclosed in the bearing 2 is set to an optimum value according to, for example, the type and size of the bearing 2, the purpose of use of the bearing 2 and the usage environment. There is a risk that it may be difficult to reliably reduce friction and wear, extend the fatigue life of the bearing, and prevent overheating of the bearing.

  In addition, in the apparatus of Patent Document 2, the amount of thread drawing or dripping liquid (for example, lubricant) from the discharge port cannot be accurately adjusted, and thus the amount of lubricant enclosed in the bearing may vary. is there. The amount of lubricant sealed inside the bearing is set to an optimum value according to, for example, the type and size of the bearing, the purpose of use of the bearing, and the usage environment. As a result, the amount of lubricant varies to reduce friction and wear. There is a risk that it will be difficult to reliably increase the fatigue life of the bearing and prevent overheating of the bearing.

Furthermore, in the apparatus of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to secure a space for allowing the liquid cutting cutter to pass under the discharge port of the syringe (nozzle). In this case, depending on the size of the space, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the cut thread drawing portion (liquid dripping portion) Lp becomes long, and the long cut portion becomes the bearing surface (for example, the outer ring 6). The bearing surface may become dirty due to the side surface 6s). This is not a problem with a large and wide bearing because it remains in the bearing even if the cutting portion Lp falls down, but it becomes a problem because the cutting portion Lp tends to adhere to the bearing surface with a very narrow bearing.
JP 2004-99155 A JP 2001-80613 A

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and its purpose is to enclose a lubricant capable of enclosing a predetermined amount of lubricant inside the bearing without causing stringing or dripping. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for encapsulating a lubricant.

  In order to achieve such an object, the lubricant enclosing apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus for enclosing a predetermined amount of lubricant in a bearing having an inner diameter of 6 mm or less, and discharges a predetermined amount of lubricant into the bearing. And a vibration mechanism that vibrates the discharge mechanism at a predetermined cycle when the lubricant is discharged. Further, the discharge mechanism is provided with a discharge port for discharging the lubricant toward the inside of the bearing, and after discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant from the discharge port, the discharge port and the bearing are relatively separated from each other. At this time, the discharge mechanism is vibrated at a predetermined cycle by the vibration mechanism.

  In this case, the direction in which the discharge mechanism is vibrated can be set to the axial direction of the bearing or the rotational direction of the bearing. In the present invention, a bearing incorporating a rolling element having a diameter of 0.6 mm or less is assumed, and the bearing is mainly used for a swing arm of a hard disk drive device.

  In addition, the technical scope of the present invention includes a lubricant sealing device that relatively rotates the discharge mechanism and the bearing instead of vibrating the discharge mechanism. In other words, such a device is a device that encloses a predetermined amount of lubricant in a bearing having an inner diameter of 6 mm or less, and includes a discharge mechanism capable of discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant into the bearing. Is provided with a discharge port for discharging the lubricant toward the inside of the bearing, and after discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant from the discharge port, when the discharge port is separated from the bearing, the bearing and the discharge mechanism are relatively Rotate.

  Further, the present invention is a method of enclosing a predetermined amount of lubricant in a bearing having an inner diameter of 6 mm or less, a step of discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant from the discharge mechanism into the bearing, and after discharging the lubricant, And a step of vibrating the discharge mechanism at a predetermined cycle. Further, the discharge mechanism is provided with a discharge port for discharging the lubricant toward the inside of the bearing, and after discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant from the discharge port, the discharge port and the bearing are relatively separated from each other. At this time, the discharge mechanism is vibrated at a predetermined cycle by the vibration mechanism.

  In this case, the direction in which the discharge mechanism is vibrated can be set to the axial direction of the bearing or the rotational direction of the bearing. In the present invention, a bearing in which rolling elements having a diameter of 0.6 mm or less are incorporated is assumed, and the bearing is used for a swing arm of a hard disk drive device.

  In addition, the technical scope of the present invention includes a lubricant sealing method in which the discharge mechanism and the bearing are relatively rotated at a predetermined cycle instead of vibrating the discharge mechanism. That is, this method is a method in which a predetermined amount of lubricant is sealed in a bearing having an inner diameter of 6 mm or less, a step of discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant into the bearing from the discharge port of the discharge mechanism, and a step from the discharge port. A step of rotating the bearing and the discharge mechanism relatively at a predetermined cycle when the discharge port is separated from the bearing after the fixed amount of lubricant has been discharged.

  According to the lubricant sealing device and the lubricant sealing method of the present invention, a predetermined amount of lubricant can be applied without causing stringing or dripping by vibrating or relatively rotating the discharge mechanism after discharging the lubricant. It can be sealed inside the bearing.

Hereinafter, a lubricant enclosing apparatus and a lubricant enclosing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
This embodiment assumes an apparatus and method for enclosing a predetermined amount of lubricant in a bearing having an inner diameter of 6 mm or less, a discharge mechanism capable of discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant into the bearing, and lubrication. And a vibration mechanism that vibrates the discharge mechanism at a predetermined cycle after the agent is discharged. In this case, as the lubricant, for example, grease or oil can be assumed.

  In addition, as a bearing, although a thrust bearing and a radial bearing can be applied, a radial bearing is assumed as an example here. In this case, as each rolling element incorporated in the bearing, for example, a ball or a roller can be applied. Here, a ball having a diameter of 0.6 mm or less is assumed as an example. In addition, as a cage that holds the rolling elements (balls) in a freely rotatable manner, for example, a corrugated cage, a cage cage, a crown cage, etc. can be applied.Here, as an example, a crown cage is used. Suppose.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the discharge mechanism applied to the present embodiment is configured by arranging a plurality of discharge ports M in a ring shape at predetermined intervals on the lower end side of the movable body 10 supported by the holder 8. Has been. In this case, the arrangement interval of the discharge ports M is arbitrarily set according to the internal configuration of the bearing 2 (configuration between the outer ring 6 and the inner ring 12). For example, in the case of the bearing 2 in which rolling elements (balls) 16 are rotatably held in a plurality of pockets 14 of the crown-shaped cage 4, a pair of claws 18 are formed in the openings of the pockets 14 so as to partially cover the openings. Is protruding. In this case, the arrangement interval of the ejection ports M is set to match the arrangement interval between the adjacent pockets 14 (between the claws 18).

  The movable body 10 is supported by the holder 8 so as to be movable up and down in the arrow S direction (the axial direction of the bearing 2), and a lubricant discharge path (not shown) is formed inside the movable body 10. . One end of the discharge path is connected to the dispenser 22 via the supply tube 20, and the other end is connected to each discharge port M. Further, the holder 8 is configured so that the movable body 10 can be moved by a moving mechanism (not shown) so that each discharge port M of the movable body 10 can approach or separate from the bearing 2.

Here, a method of enclosing a lubricant in the bearing 2 will be described.
First, after setting the bearing 2 on a base (not shown), the movable body 10 is moved closer to the bearing 2 by the holder 8. At this time, each discharge port M of the movable body 10 is positioned between the adjacent pockets 14 (between the claws 18). In this state, when the dispenser 22 is driven to supply the lubricant from the supply tube 20 to the movable body 10, the lubricant is sent to each discharge port M through a discharge path (not shown), and then each discharge port. A predetermined amount is discharged from M into the bearing 2. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1B, for example, a predetermined amount of lubricant J is filled between the pockets 14 (between the claws 18).

Next, after the dispenser 22 is stopped, the movable body 10 is separated from the bearing 2 by the holder 8. In the present embodiment, during the separation movement, the discharge mechanism described above is vibrated at a predetermined cycle by the vibration mechanism.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the excitation mechanism applied to the present embodiment is configured by connecting both ends of a coil 24 wound around the movable body 10 a plurality of times to an oscillator 28 via an amplifier 26. The oscillator 28 is driven and controlled by the controller 30. The holder 8 incorporates a magnetic field generation source (not shown) such as a permanent magnet, and the coil 24 wound around the movable body 10 is always positioned in a magnetic field having a predetermined strength. It has become.

  The oscillator 28 is controlled to oscillate an AC signal at a predetermined timing by the controller 30. The AC signal oscillated from the oscillator 28 is amplified to a predetermined value by an amplifier (amplifier) 26 and then moved to a movable body. 10 flows through the coil 24 wound around. At this time, a vertical force acts on the magnetic field and current (alternating current signal) on the coil 24 according to Fleming's left-hand rule to vibrate the movable body 10 around which the coil 24 is wound. In this case, since the movable body 10 is supported by the holder 8 so as to be movable up and down in the arrow S direction (axial direction of the bearing 2), the movable body 10 is moved in the arrow S direction (bearing 2) by the force applied from the coil 24. Vibrates in the axial direction).

At this time, as shown in FIG. 1 (c), each discharge port M of the movable body 10 is separated from the bearing 2 while being vibrated at a predetermined cycle along the arrow S direction (the axial direction of the bearing 2). become. In this case, the excitation frequency can be arbitrarily set according to the oscillation frequency of the oscillator 28.
Here, by setting the oscillation frequency of the oscillator 28 to, for example, a high frequency band of 300 MHz to 3 GHz, each discharge port M of the movable body 10 can be vibrated at a cycle of 300 × 10 ^{6 to} 3 × 10 ⁹ per second. . The oscillation frequency of the oscillator 28 (vibration period of each discharge port M of the movable body 10) is set to an optimum value according to, for example, the type (viscosity) of the lubricant and the atmosphere in which the lubricant is discharged. There is no particular limitation here.

  In this way, since each discharge port M of the movable body 10 is vibrated at a predetermined cycle, the lubricant does not remain (attach) near each discharge port M (FIG. 1 (c)). Variation in the amount of lubricant to be sealed in can be reduced. Furthermore, since it is possible to prevent stringing or dripping from the discharge port M, the surface of the bearing 2 is not soiled. A predetermined amount of lubricant J can be accurately sealed in the bearing 2 by attaching the sealing plate (not shown) after the lubricant is discharged.

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, It can change as follows.
In the above-described embodiment, each discharge port M of the movable body 10 is vibrated in the direction of the arrow S (the axial direction of the bearing 2). You may make it vibrate in the direction (arrow H direction: FIG.1 (c)) which crosses a direction. Further, the vibration may be continued during the discharge.

  Further, as the vibration mechanism, in each of the above-described embodiments, each discharge port M of the movable body 10 is vibrated using a magnetic action. Instead, for example, each discharge port M of the movable body 10 is mechanically replaced. May be vibrated. In this case, for example, a piston (not shown) may be provided in the holder 8 and driven by hydraulic pressure to vibrate each discharge port M of the movable body 10. Moreover, you may vibrate using a piezoelectric element etc.

  Further, instead of vibrating each discharge port M of the movable body 10, for example, the bearing 2 and the discharge mechanism (each discharge port M) are rotated relatively in a predetermined cycle in the arrow R direction (the rotation direction of the bearing 2). Also good. In this case, the bearing 2 is fixed and the movable body 10 is rotated in the arrow R direction (rotation direction of the bearing 2), and the movable body 10 is fixed and the bearing 2 is moved in the arrow R direction (rotation direction of the bearing 2). The method of rotating can be applied.

  Moreover, although the discharge mechanism of the embodiment described above is configured by arranging a plurality of discharge ports M in a ring shape at a predetermined interval on the lower end side of the movable body 10, instead of this, for example, FIG. As shown to e), you may apply the syringe 32 by which the discharge port M protruded at the front-end | tip. In this case, as the mounting position of the vibration mechanism 34 as described above, if the discharge port M is short (FIG. 1 (d)), it may be attached to a portion other than the discharge port M. If it is long (FIG. 1 (e)), it may be attached to the discharge port M.

Further, by using the bearing 2 in which a predetermined amount of lubricant is accurately encapsulated by the above-described lubricant encapsulating apparatus and lubricant encapsulating method as a swing arm of a hard disk drive apparatus (HDD apparatus), the swing arm can be used for a long period of time. It can be rotated smoothly over.
Here, the HDD apparatus will be briefly described. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, for example, the HDD apparatus includes a spindle motor 38 that rotates a magnetic disk 36 and a magnetic head for recording or reading information. 40.

  The magnetic head 40 is attached to the tip of a swing arm 44 that is rotatably supported by a bearing device 42, and a voice coil 46 that rotates the swing arm 44 is provided at the base end. The swing arm 44 is rotatably supported on a base 48 of the HDD device via a bearing device 42. The swing arm 44 is rotated while the magnetic disk 36 is rotated, and the magnetic head 40 is rotated. By moving the magnetic disk 36 in parallel, information can be recorded on the magnetic disk 36 or information can be read from the magnetic disk 36.

  The bearing 2 in which a predetermined amount of lubricant is accurately encapsulated by the above-described lubricant encapsulating apparatus and lubricant encapsulating method is incorporated in the bearing apparatus 42 as shown in FIG. Specifically, two bearings 2 are externally mounted on the shaft 50 in the bearing device 42, and a swing arm 44 is attached to the two bearings 2 via a sleeve 52.

(a) is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a lubricant enclosure device according to an embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the lubricant is discharged into the bearing, (c) Is a diagram showing a state in which the discharge port is vibrated and separated after the lubricant is discharged, (d) is a diagram showing a configuration example in which a syringe is applied as a discharge mechanism, and a vibration mechanism is attached to the syringe. FIG. 9E is a diagram showing another configuration example in which a syringe is applied as a discharge mechanism and a vibration mechanism is attached to the syringe. (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example in which a bearing encapsulating a predetermined amount of lubricant according to the present invention is applied to a swing arm of a hard disk drive device, and (b) is a diagram of the hard disk drive device of FIG. The top view and (c) are sectional views showing the example of composition of the bearing built in the swing arm of the figure (a). (a) is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which stringing is generated from a discharge port in a conventional lubricant encapsulation, and (b) shows a state in which the threading part has fallen and the bearing surface has become dirty. Sectional drawing.

Explanation of symbols

2 Bearing 10 Movable body 24 Coil 26 Amplifier (Amplifier)
28 Oscillator M Discharge port

Claims (14)

An apparatus for enclosing a predetermined amount of lubricant in a bearing having an inner diameter of 6 mm or less,
A discharge mechanism capable of discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant into the bearing;
An apparatus for enclosing a lubricant, comprising: a vibration mechanism that vibrates the discharge mechanism at a predetermined cycle after discharging the lubricant. The discharge mechanism is provided with a discharge port that discharges the lubricant toward the inside of the bearing,
2. The discharge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein after discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant from the discharge port, the discharge mechanism is vibrated at a predetermined cycle by the vibration mechanism when the discharge port and the bearing are relatively separated from each other. The lubricant encapsulating apparatus described.   The lubricant enclosing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a direction in which the discharge mechanism is vibrated is set in an axial direction of the bearing.   The lubricant enclosing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a direction in which the discharge mechanism is vibrated is set to a rotation direction of the bearing.   The lubricant sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a rolling element having a diameter of 0.6 mm or less is incorporated in the bearing.   The lubricant encapsulating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the bearing is used in a swing arm of a hard disk drive device. An apparatus for enclosing a predetermined amount of lubricant in a bearing having an inner diameter of 6 mm or less,
A discharge mechanism capable of discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant into the bearing;
The discharge mechanism is provided with a discharge port that discharges the lubricant toward the inside of the bearing,
After discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant from the discharge port, when the discharge port is separated from the bearing, the bearing and the discharge mechanism are relatively rotated. A method of enclosing a predetermined amount of lubricant in a bearing having an inner diameter of 6 mm or less,
A step of discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant from the discharge mechanism into the bearing;
And a step of vibrating the discharge mechanism at a predetermined cycle after discharging the lubricant. The discharge mechanism is provided with a discharge port that discharges the lubricant toward the inside of the bearing,
9. The discharge mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the discharge mechanism is vibrated at a predetermined cycle by the vibration mechanism when the predetermined amount of lubricant is discharged from the discharge port and the discharge port and the bearing are relatively separated from each other. The lubricant encapsulating method as described.   The method for enclosing a lubricant according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a direction in which the discharge mechanism is vibrated is set in an axial direction of the bearing.   The method for enclosing a lubricant according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a direction in which the discharge mechanism is vibrated is set to a rotation direction of the bearing.   The method for encapsulating a lubricant according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein a rolling element having a diameter of 0.6 mm or less is incorporated in the bearing.   The method for encapsulating a lubricant according to claim 12, wherein the bearing is used in a swing arm of a hard disk drive device. A method of enclosing a predetermined amount of lubricant in a bearing having an inner diameter of 6 mm or less,
A step of discharging a predetermined amount of lubricant into the bearing from the discharge port of the discharge mechanism;
And a step of relatively rotating the bearing and the discharge mechanism at a predetermined cycle when the discharge port is separated from the bearing after discharging a predetermined amount of the lubricant from the discharge port. .

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