JP2006284496A - Lubricant monitor device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lubricant monitor device, capable of inspecting a plurality of kinds of lubricants and capable of simply deciding the deterioration of each of the lubricants, in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: The lubricant monitor device is equipped with an inspection pipe 1, a valve 20, a monochromatic line sensor and a microcomputer 24. The valve 20 provided to the inspection pipe 1 is opened to introduce the lubricant into the linear part 14 of the inspection pipe 1. The present region of the lubricant in the linear part 14, at several seconds after a valve 20 is opened, is detected by the monochromatic line sensor. The presence of the deterioration of the lubricant is decided by the microcomputer 24 receiving a signal, showing the present region of the lubricant from the monochromatic line sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant monitoring device capable of monitoring a deterioration state of a lubricant, and more particularly to a lubricant monitoring device capable of monitoring a deterioration state of a lubricant sealed in a machine such as a bearing.

  Conventionally, as a lubricant monitoring device capable of inspecting the deterioration state of grease in a bearing, there is one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-93957 (Patent Document 1).

  The lubricant monitoring device includes a grease inflow pipe, a grease outflow pipe, a grease circulation pump, an infrared light emission source, a light receiving element, and a spectrum analysis device.

  This lubricant monitoring device performs an inspection for deterioration of grease in the ball bearing.

  The ball bearing subjected to the inspection of the lubricant includes an outer ring, an inner ring, and a ball. The outer ring is not rotatable in the circumferential direction. The outer ring has a grease inlet that communicates the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side, and a grease outlet that communicates the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side. The inner ring rotates in the circumferential direction. A plurality of the balls are arranged between the inner raceway surface of the outer ring and the outer raceway surface of the inner ring with a certain interval in the circumferential direction while being held by a cage.

  The grease inflow piping connects the discharge port of the grease circulation pump and the grease inflow port of the outer ring, and the grease outflow piping is a grease outflow port of the outer ring and an intake port of the grease circulation pump. And connected.

  The grease circulation pump takes in grease from the intake port and discharges grease from the discharge port.

  The infrared light emitting source is configured to irradiate the grease flowing in the grease inflow pipe with infrared rays. The light receiving element receives infrared rays that are emitted from the infrared ray generation source and reflected by the grease flowing through the grease inflow piping, and converts the received infrared rays into electrical signals.

  The spectrum analyzer performs infrared spectrum analysis based on the electrical signal output from the light receiving element.

  The conventional lubricant monitoring device detects the state of deterioration of the grease by analyzing the degree of reflection / absorption of infrared rays in the grease based on the infrared spectrum analyzed by the spectrum analyzer. .

  However, since the conventional lubricant monitoring device detects the degree of grease deterioration based on infrared reflection / absorption, it can only monitor grease whose infrared reflectance or absorption rate changes before and after deterioration. However, there is a problem that it is impossible to monitor the deterioration of the type of grease whose infrared reflection / absorption does not change before and after the infrared deterioration.

  As another method for determining the deterioration of the grease, there is a method for detecting the viscosity of the grease.

  This method involves disassembling or partially destroying a machine that uses grease (for example, a bearing), and then removing the grease from the machine and measuring the viscosity of the removed grease using a grease analyzer. Therefore, the deterioration of the grease is judged.

However, this method has a problem that many man-hours are required to determine the deterioration of the grease, and much time and labor are required to determine the deterioration of the grease.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-93957 (FIG. 9)

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant monitoring device that can inspect a plurality of types of lubricants and that can easily determine the deterioration of the lubricant in a short time.

In order to solve the above problems, the lubricant monitoring device of the present invention is:
A test tube having a light-transmitting portion that transmits light and containing a lubricant;
A valve for controlling the lubricant flowing into the inspection tube;
Receives transmitted light or reflected light from the lubricant in the inspection tube via the light transmitting portion, and detects the size and position of the region where the lubricant is present in the light transmitting portion. And an optical sensor.

  The speed at which the lubricant travels in the test tube varies depending on the viscosity of the lubricant if the set conditions (for example, the suction force by which the pump sucks the lubricant in the test tube) are the same. In general, as the lubricant viscosity increases, the speed at which the lubricant travels through the test tube decreases.

  According to the present invention, the size and position of the lubricant existing area in the light transmitting portion can be detected by the area detecting optical sensor after a predetermined time has elapsed since the valve was opened. Therefore, the viscosity of the lubricant can be indirectly measured based on the size and position of the detected region of the lubricant, and the degree of deterioration of the lubricant can be determined based on the measured viscosity of the lubricant. It can be measured. For example, when the viscosity of the lubricant is lower than the normal range, it can be determined that water or the like is mixed in the lubricant. Conversely, when the viscosity of the lubricant is higher than the normal range, It can be determined that metal wear powder or the like is mixed.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the deterioration of the lubricant is determined based on the viscosity of the lubricant, the degree of deterioration of the lubricant can be determined for a plurality of types of lubricants regardless of the type of the lubricant.

  Further, according to the present invention, the valve is opened in a state where the tip end portion of the test tube is communicated with a lubricant enclosure space of a machine such as a bearing, and the optical sensor performs the above operation after a predetermined time from the time the valve is opened It is possible to determine the deterioration of the lubricant only by detecting the region where the lubricant is present. Therefore, the deterioration of the lubricant can be judged easily and in a short time as compared with a method of taking out the lubricant by disassembling the machine.

  Further, the lubricant monitoring device according to an embodiment includes an arrival detection optical sensor that detects that the lubricant has reached the first position in the light transmission portion of the inspection tube, and the arrival detection light. When a signal indicating that the lubricant has reached the first position is received from a sensor, the control unit outputs a signal for driving the region detection optical sensor.

  An expression that, when receiving a signal indicating that the lubricant has reached the first position from the arrival detection optical sensor, the control unit outputs a signal for driving the area detection optical sensor. When the control unit receives a signal indicating that the lubricant has reached the first position from the arrival detection optical sensor, the control unit indicates that the control unit has reached the first position. It also includes a case where a signal for driving the above-described region detection optical sensor is output after a time from receiving the signal to be expressed.

  According to the embodiment, since the arrival detection optical sensor can accurately detect the time when the lubricant has reached the first position in the test tube, the time and position when the lubricant has reached (the above-mentioned Based on the first position), the viscosity of the lubricant can be calculated accurately.

  Further, according to the embodiment, in the state where the arrival detection optical sensor does not detect that the lubricant has reached the first position, the region detection optical sensor is stopped. be able to. Accordingly, the drive time of the arrival detection optical sensor can be minimized, the cost required for determining whether the lubricant has deteriorated can be reduced, and the lifetime of the arrival detection optical sensor can be extended. be able to.

  Further, the lubricant monitoring device according to an embodiment includes an arrival detection optical sensor that detects that the lubricant has reached the first position in the light transmission portion of the inspection tube, and the arrival detection light. When a signal indicating that the lubricant has reached the first position is received from a sensor, a control unit that outputs a signal for driving the optical sensor for detecting the region and a signal for closing the valve is provided. I have.

  The expression that the control unit outputs a signal for closing the valve upon receiving a signal indicating that the lubricant has reached the first position from the optical sensor for detection of the arrival includes the control unit. However, when receiving a signal indicating that the lubricant has reached the first position from the arrival detection optical sensor, the control unit receives a signal indicating that the first position has been reached. The case where a signal for closing the valve is output after a time is included.

Further, in the lubricant monitoring device of one embodiment, the optical sensor for detecting the region is a monochrome line sensor,
A deterioration determination unit is provided that receives a signal representing the size and position of the region where the lubricant is present from the monochrome line sensor and determines deterioration of the lubricant.

  According to the above embodiment, since the area detection optical sensor is a monochrome line sensor, for example, the area detection optical sensor can be used as compared with a case where an area sensor is employed as the area detection optical sensor. The processing speed of image data can be significantly increased. In addition, the deterioration determination unit that receives a signal indicating the size and position of the region where the lubricant is present from the monochrome line sensor can determine whether the lubricant has deteriorated in a short time.

  Moreover, the lubricant monitoring device of one embodiment includes a pump that causes the lubricant to flow into the test tube.

  According to the embodiment, since the pump is provided, the lubricant can be easily flowed into the inspection tube.

  Moreover, the lubricant monitoring apparatus of one Embodiment is provided with the washing | cleaning apparatus which wash | cleans at least the said light transmission part of the said test | inspection tubes.

  According to the embodiment, after the inspection is completed, the cleaning device can clean at least a portion including the light transmission portion of the inspection tube.

  Moreover, the lubricant monitoring apparatus of one Embodiment is opened so that the inlet_port | entrance of the said test tube may oppose the direction of the flow of the said lubricant.

  According to the embodiment, the lubricant can be automatically taken into the inspection tube from the entrance of the inspection tube.

  According to the lubricant monitoring apparatus of the present invention, the size and position of the lubricant existing region in the light transmission portion can be detected by the region detection optical sensor after a predetermined time has elapsed since the valve was opened. Therefore, the viscosity of the lubricant can be indirectly measured based on the size and position of the detected region where the lubricant exists, and the degree of deterioration of the lubricant can be determined based on the measured viscosity of the lubricant. It can be measured.

  In addition, according to the lubricant monitoring device of the present invention, the deterioration of the lubricant is determined based on the viscosity of the lubricant. Can be judged.

  Further, according to the lubricant monitoring device of the present invention, the valve is opened in a state where the tip of the test tube is in communication with the lubricant enclosure space of a machine such as a bearing, and after a predetermined time from the time the valve is opened, Deterioration of the lubricant can be determined only by detecting the region where the lubricant is present with the optical sensor. Accordingly, it is possible to easily determine the deterioration of the lubricant in a short time.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an outline of the lubricant monitoring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The lubricant monitoring device includes a test tube 1 and a sensor unit 2. This lubricant monitoring device determines the deterioration of the lubricant inside the ball bearing 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ball bearing 3 for which deterioration of the lubricant is determined includes an outer ring 5, an inner ring 6, a ball 7, and seal members 9 and 10. The outer ring 5 is a fixed ring, and is fixed to a housing or the like of a machine in which the ball bearing 3 is installed. On the other hand, the inner ring 6 is a rolling wheel and is fixed to a rotating shaft (not shown). A plurality of the balls 7 are arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 5 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 6 while being held by the retainer 4 with a certain interval in the circumferential direction. The seal members 9 and 10 seal the raceway surfaces of the outer ring 5 and the inner ring 6 and the balls 7 to the outside. The outer ring 5, the inner ring 6 and the seal members 9 and 10 define a lubricant enclosure space 11 in which a lubricant is enclosed.

  Although not shown, the two openings (lubricant inlet and outlet) of the inspection tube 1 are located in the lubricant enclosure space 11, and the inspection tube 1 communicates with the lubricant enclosure space 11. The test tube 1 is fixed to the cored bar portion of the seal member 10. A part of the inspection tube 1 is arranged outside the outer surface in the axial direction of the cored bar portion of the seal member 10. The inspection tube 1 is made of a material that transmits light.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the sensor unit 2 is located at a distance d in the axial direction from the outer end surface in the axial direction of the inner ring 6 (or outer ring 5) of the ball bearing 3, and It arrange | positions in the location of the radial direction of the ball bearing 3 which opposes a part.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ball bearing 3 and the test tube 1 and shows the structure of the test tube 1 outside the ball bearing 3 in detail. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the ball bearing 3 and the inspection tube 1 shown in FIG. 2 cut along a plane indicated by p in FIG. In FIG. 2, the inner ring 6 rotates in the direction of arrow A. FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view of the connection portion between the test tube 1 and the ball bearing 3 as viewed from the direction of the arrow C.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the test tube 1 extends through the first portion 17 of the cored bar portion of the seal member 10 from the lubricant enclosure space of the ball bearing 3, and then extends away from the ball bearing 3. The direction is changed by approximately 180 ° and extends again so as to approach the ball bearing 3, and extends linearly in the direction of a straight line perpendicular to the radial direction of the ball bearing 3 near the surface of the cored bar portion. Thereafter, the inspection tube 1 passes through the second portion 18 of the core part of the seal member 10 and returns to the lubricant enclosure space inside the ball bearing 3. A portion (hereinafter referred to as a straight portion) 14 that extends in a straight line in the inspection tube 1 is an example of a light transmission portion. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the straight portion 14 of the test tube 1 has a semicircular cross section, which suppresses unnecessary reflection of light from the outside and performs inspection by a line sensor described later. It does not become an obstacle. The cross-sectional shape may be anything such as a circle or a rectangle.

  Although not shown, the inlet of the inspection tube 1 is opened so as to face the direction of the lubricant flow. That is, the opening on the first portion 17 side of the test tube 1 is directed in the circumferential direction of the ball bearing 3 and in the direction facing the arrow A in the lubricant enclosure space. From this, when the rotation shaft rotates, the inner ring 6 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 2, and the lubricant moves along the inner ring 6 and moves in the direction of the arrow A. It flows into the inspection tube 1 through an opening on the 17th side (inlet of the inspection tube 1).

  Further, the opening on the second portion 18 side of the test tube 1 is directed in the radial direction of the ball bearing 3 and in the direction not facing the arrow A. From this, when the ball bearing 3 is moving, the lubricant easily flows out from the test tube 1 through the opening on the second portion 18 side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a valve 20 is set at a portion of the test tube 1 where the direction of the approximately 180 ° is changed. In addition, the lubricant monitoring device includes a compressor 23 as an example of a cleaning device. The air outlet of the compressor 23 is connected to one end of the air introduction tube 22, and the other end of the air introduction tube 22 is connected between the valve 20 and the linear portion 14 in the inspection tube 1. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lubricant monitoring device includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 24 that is a deterioration determination unit as well as a control unit. The microcomputer 24 outputs a control signal indicating opening / closing of the valve 20 to the valve 20 through wiring. The microcomputer 24 outputs a control signal indicating the operation or stop of the compressor 23 to the compressor 23 through wiring.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the sensor unit 2 in detail. Specifically, FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the sensor unit 2 in FIG. 1, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ in FIG. 3A, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of the sensor unit 2 when viewed from the direction indicated by α in FIG. 3A and 3C, for ease of understanding, a part of the housing (case) is removed for the sake of convenience, and the internal structure is clearly shown.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the sensor unit 2 is provided with a monochrome line sensor 31 as an example of an area detection optical sensor. The light receiving surface 33 of the monochrome line sensor 31 is disposed so as to face the linear portion 14.

  Specifically, the monochrome line sensor 31 has a structure in which pixels are arranged in an example. The length of the monochrome line sensor 31 in the pixel arrangement direction is substantially the same as the length of the linear portion 14, that is, the length indicated by the arrow B in FIG. The monochrome line sensor 31 is disposed substantially in parallel with the linear portion 14. Both the straight line connecting one end of the monochrome line sensor 31 and one end of the linear portion 14 and the straight line connecting the other end of the monochrome line sensor 31 and the other end of the linear portion 14 are both In addition, it is substantially orthogonal to the monochrome line sensor 31 and substantially orthogonal to the linear portion 14.

  Each of the pixels arranged in a row detects the presence or absence of lubricant in the portion of the linear portion 14 where the pixels face each other.

  That is, the monochrome sensor 31 detects the position of the lubricant in the linear portion 14. Specifically, the monochrome sensor 31 receives light from the inside of the linear portion 14, and determines the image density in a range from white (image density 0) to black (image density 255). A signal representing the determination result is output to the microcomputer 24 which is a deterioration determination unit.

  Further, when the microcomputer 24 receives a signal from the monochrome line sensor 31, as will be described in detail later, the microcomputer 24 compares the determination result data made by the monochrome line sensor 31 with the normal data input in advance. It has become. Then, the deterioration of the lubricant is judged.

  The sensor unit 2 has a trigger photodiode as an example of an arrival detection optical sensor indicated by 35 in FIGS. The trigger photodiode 35 is disposed at a position close to one end of the monochrome line sensor 31. The trigger photodiode 35 is disposed at a position facing the one end 15 (see FIG. 2) of the linear portion 14 on the bulb 20 side. The trigger photodiode 35 receives light from the inside of one end 15 of the test tube 1. The inside of the one end 15 of the test tube 1 is an example of a first position in the light transmission portion.

  The trigger photodiode 35 detects that the lubricant has reached the inside of the one end 15 when the lubricant has reached the inside of the one end 15 of the linear portion 14. A signal indicating that the signal reached has been output to the microcomputer 24 serving as a control unit.

  Then, the microcomputer 24 that has received the signal from the trigger photodiode 35 outputs a control signal for driving the monochrome line sensor 31 to a drive control circuit (not shown) that controls the driving or stopping of the monochrome line sensor 31. It has become.

  The lubricant inspection device further includes an LED (not shown). The LED is disposed outside the ball bearing 3. The light emitted from the LED is incident on the inside of the linear portion 14 that transmits light, is reflected on the inside of the linear portion 14, and enters the monochrome line sensor 31.

  In the above configuration, the deterioration of the lubricant is determined as follows.

  First, in a state where the inner ring 6 is rotating, the valve 20 is opened for several seconds by a control signal of the microcomputer 24, and the lubricant is introduced into the linear portion 14 side of the test tube 1 with the valve 20 as a boundary. . More specifically, after the valve 20 is opened for several seconds, the arrangement of the valve 17 that receives a signal from the microcomputer 24 as a control unit squeezes the lubricant on the first location 17 side of the valve 17. The air contact arrangement changes so that the lubricant on the second portion 18 side of the valve comes into contact with the air.

  Thereafter, when the lubricant reaches the inside of the one end 15 on the valve 17 side of the linear portion 14, the trigger photodiode 35 detects that the lubricant has reached the inside of the one end 15, and the trigger photodiode 35 is detected. The microcomputer 24 that receives the signal from turns on the drive control circuit of the monochrome line sensor 31.

  Then, a few seconds (for example, 1 to 3 seconds) after the time when the lubricant reaches the inside of the one end 15, the microcomputer 24 captures the image of the monochrome line sensor 31, and the captured image is input in advance. The image is compared with the image of the monochrome line sensor 31 when the lubricant is normal. When the captured image is not within the normal image range of the monochrome line sensor 31, it is determined that the lubricant has deteriorated. On the other hand, when the captured image is normal When it is within the range of the image of the monochrome line sensor 31, it is determined that the lubricant has not deteriorated.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detection result of the monochrome line sensor 31 (a signal output from the monochrome line sensor 31). Specifically, FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a detection result when the lubricant is normal, and FIG. 4B is a case where water is mixed in the lubricant and the lubricant is softer than normal. It is a figure which shows the detection result. FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a detection result in the case where the lubricant is softened from the normal state due to mixing of wear powder or the like in the lubricant.

  Note that the actual monochrome line sensor 31 detects the lubricant with the degree of density of black and white. Specifically, the pixel in the portion where the image density of the monochrome line sensor 31 is dark detects the lubricant. Become. However, in FIG. 4, for easy understanding, a pixel in which the lubricant is detected is indicated by a hatched portion. In FIG. 4, the number 1 pixel is the pixel on the trigger photodiode 35 side.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the detection result when the lubricant is softened has a larger number of pixels that have detected the lubricant than the normal detection result. In addition, the pixel further away from the trigger photodiode 35 (pixel away from the lubricant inflow side) detects the lubricant.

  This is because when the lubricant is softened, the amount of the lubricant flowing into the linear portion 14 is increased as compared with a normal lubricant even when the release time of the valve 20 is the same. This is because the speed of traveling through 1 increases.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C, the detection result when the lubricant is hardened indicates that the number of pixels in which the lubricant is detected is smaller than the normal detection result. A pixel that is smaller and closer to the trigger photodiode 35 (a pixel on the lubricant inflow side) detects the lubricant.

  This is because when the lubricant is hardened, the amount of the lubricant flowing into the linear portion 14 is smaller than that of a normal lubricant even if the release time of the valve 20 is the same. This is because the speed of going through 1 becomes smaller.

  For the plurality of lubricants, the microcomputer 24 serving as a deterioration determination unit has a range of normal detection results of the monochrome line sensor 31 when each lubricant is normal (the pixel closest to the valve 20 is the farthest from the valve 20). Pixel range) is input. The microcomputer 24 receives a signal indicating the type of lubricant to be inspected from outside before inspecting the lubricant, and selects the type of lubricant in advance, and the type of lubricant is selected. Thus, the signal from the monochrome line sensor 31 is received.

  Then, the signal received from the monochrome line sensor 31 is compared with the selected lubricant data, and the signal received from the monochrome line sensor 31 is within the range of the selected lubricant data. When it is determined that the lubricant is normal and the signal received from the monochrome line sensor 31 has a portion (protruded portion) that is outside the range of the selected lubricant data, the lubricant is It has come to judge that it has deteriorated.

  When the inspection of the deterioration of the lubricant is finished, the microcomputer 24 outputs a signal for moving the compressor 23 to the compressor 23. The compressor 23 that has received the signal discharges air into the test tube 1 and cleans the portion of the test tube 1 including the linear portion 14.

  According to the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the valve 20 was opened, the lubricant existing region (the lubricant is present) in the linear portion 14. The size and position of the area can be detected by the monochrome line sensor 31. Therefore, the viscosity of the lubricant can be measured based on the detected region where the lubricant is present, and the degree of deterioration of the lubricant can be measured based on the measured viscosity of the lubricant.

  In addition, according to the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, since the deterioration of the lubricant is determined based on the viscosity of the lubricant, the degree of deterioration of the lubricant can be determined for a plurality of lubricants.

  Further, according to the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, the valve 20 is opened while the tip of the test tube 1 is in communication with the lubricant enclosure space 11 of the ball bearing 3, and the time when the valve 20 is opened. After a predetermined time, the monochrome line sensor 31 can detect the deterioration of the lubricant only by detecting the presence region of the lubricant inside the linear portion 14. Accordingly, it is possible to easily determine the deterioration of the lubricant in a short time.

  Further, according to the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, the trigger photodiode 35 can accurately detect the time when the lubricant has reached the inside of the one end 15 of the linear portion 14, so that the lubricant is Based on the arrival time, the viscosity of the lubricant can be accurately measured.

  Further, according to the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, the monochrome line sensor 31 is driven in response to a signal from the trigger photodiode 35, and the monochrome line sensor 31 is not always driven. Therefore, the drive time of the monochrome line sensor 31 can be minimized, and the cost required for the deterioration of the lubricant can be reduced. In addition, the life of the monochrome line sensor 31 can be extended.

  Further, according to the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, the microcomputer 20 can keep the valve 20 open only for a desired period.

  Further, according to the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, since the area detection optical sensor is the monochrome line sensor 31, for example, when a color sensor or an area sensor is employed as the area detection optical sensor. As compared with the above, the processing speed of image data in the region detection optical sensor can be significantly increased.

  Further, according to the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, the inside of the inspection tube can be cleaned by the compressor 23 after the inspection is completed.

  Further, according to the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, the lubricant inflow side opening (inlet of the test tube 1) of the test tube 1 is directed in the direction of the lubricant flow. There is no need to flow the inspection tube 1 by a pump, and the lubricant monitoring device can be made compact.

  Further, according to the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, it is possible to always monitor the deterioration of the lubricant online.

  In the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, the sensor unit 2 is disposed away from the ball bearing 3, but in the present invention, the sensor unit may be disposed in close contact with the ball bearing. In this case, since the influence of disturbance light can be reduced, the presence or absence of deterioration of the lubricant can be determined more precisely.

  Further, in the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, after the valve 20 is opened for several seconds, the arrangement of the valve 17 receiving the signal from the microcomputer 24 is closer to the first location 17 than the valve 17. While the lubricant was squeezed, the air contact arrangement was changed so that the lubricant on the second portion 18 side of the valve was in contact with the atmosphere. However, in this invention, when the trigger photodiode detects that the lubricant has reached the inside of one end, the trigger photodiode outputs a signal indicating that the lubricant has reached the inside of one end to the microcomputer. The arrangement of the valve that receives the signal from the microcomputer changes the air contact arrangement so that the lubricant on the first location side of the valve is stopped and the lubricant on the second location side of the valve is in contact with the atmosphere. Anyway.

  In the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, when the trigger 24 receives a signal indicating that the lubricant has reached the inside of the one end 15 of the linear portion 14, the microcomputer 24 performs monochrome processing. A signal for driving the line sensor 31 is output to the drive control circuit of the monochrome line sensor 31. However, in the present invention, when a signal indicating that the lubricant has reached the inside of one end of the linear portion from the trigger photodiode is received, the microcomputer receives a signal indicating that the lubricant has reached. After that, a signal for driving the monochrome line sensor may be output to the drive control circuit of the monochrome line sensor.

  Further, in the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, after the valve 20 is opened, the valve 20 is placed in contact with the atmosphere. However, in the present invention, the valve 20 is left open and the valve 20 is opened. A few seconds after that, the region where the lubricant exists in the linear portion 14 may be detected.

  In the lubricant monitoring apparatus of the first embodiment, the monochrome line sensor is used as the area detection optical sensor. However, in the present invention, a color sensor or an area sensor may be used as the area detection optical sensor. .

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the lubricant monitoring device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement position of the pump 71 that causes the lubricant to flow in the inspection tube 72.

  The lubricant monitoring device of the second embodiment is different from the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment only in that it has a pump 71 that causes the lubricant to flow into the inspection tube 72.

  In the lubricant monitoring device of the second embodiment, the description of the operational effects and modifications common to the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the configuration different from the lubricant monitoring device of the first embodiment, Only the function and effect will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the pump 71 is disposed in a region opposite to the ball side with the seal member 74 as a boundary. The discharge port of the pump 71 is connected to the valve 20 side, while the suction port of the pump 71 is connected to a lubricant enclosure space inside the ball bearing. The pump 71 forcibly sucks up a certain amount of lubricant from the lubricant enclosure space and flows it into the inspection tube 72.

  According to the lubricant monitoring device of the second embodiment, since the pump 71 is provided, the lubricant can easily flow in the inspection tube 72.

  In the lubricant monitoring device according to the first and second embodiments, the lubricant monitoring device according to the present invention is used for determining whether or not the lubricant filled in the sealed space of the ball bearing 3 has deteriorated. However, you may use the lubricant monitoring apparatus of this invention, for example for the judgment of the deterioration of the lubricant with which the sealing space of bearings other than the ball bearing 3 is filled. In addition, the lubricant monitoring device according to the present invention is used to determine whether or not the lubricant filled in the housing space of all machines (including machines other than bearings) having a sealed lubricant housing space has deteriorated. May be used for

It is a figure which shows roughly the outline | summary of the lubricant monitoring apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the fragmentary sectional view which looked at the connection part of a test tube and a ball bearing from the arrow C direction. It is a perspective view of a ball bearing and an inspection tube, and is a figure showing the structure of an inspection tube in the exterior of a ball bearing in detail. It is a figure which shows the sensor unit with which the lubricant monitoring apparatus of 1st Embodiment is provided in detail. It is a figure which shows the example of the detection result of a monochrome line sensor. It is a perspective view which shows a part of lubricant monitoring apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,72 Inspection tube 2 Sensor unit 3 Ball bearing 14 Linear part 20 Valve 23 Compressor 24 Microcomputer 31 Monochrome line sensor 35 Trigger photodiode 71 Pump

Claims (7)

A test tube having a light-transmitting portion that transmits light and containing a lubricant;
A valve for controlling the lubricant flowing into the inspection tube;
Area detection light that receives transmitted light or reflected light from the lubricant in the test tube through the light transmission part and detects the size and position of the lubricant in the light transmission part. A lubricant monitoring device comprising a sensor. The lubricant monitoring device according to claim 1,
An arrival detection optical sensor for detecting that the lubricant has reached the first position in the light transmission portion of the test tube;
A controller that outputs a signal for driving the region detection optical sensor when receiving a signal indicating that the lubricant has reached the first position from the arrival detection optical sensor. Lubricant monitoring device. The lubricant monitoring device according to claim 1,
An arrival detection optical sensor for detecting that the lubricant has reached the first position in the light transmitting portion of the test tube;
When a signal indicating that the lubricant has reached the first position is received from the arrival detection optical sensor, a signal for driving the area detection optical sensor is output and a signal for closing the valve is output. And a controller for outputting the lubricant. In the lubricant monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The area detection optical sensor is a monochrome line sensor,
A lubricant monitoring apparatus, comprising: a deterioration determining unit that receives a signal representing a size and position of a region where the lubricant is present from the monochrome line sensor and determines deterioration of the lubricant. In the lubricant monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A lubricant monitoring apparatus comprising a pump for causing the lubricant to flow into the inspection tube. In the lubricant monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A lubricant monitoring device comprising a cleaning device for cleaning at least the light transmitting portion of the test tube. In the lubricant monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The lubricant monitoring device, wherein an inlet of the inspection tube is opened so as to oppose the flow direction of the lubricant.

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