JP2015183847A - Lubricant supply confirmation device and lubricant supply confirmation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to ensure the detection of a device inferior in the supply of lubricant, to achieve cost reduction, and to ensure the confirmation of a lubricant supply state.SOLUTION: An operation confirmation device 24 of a lubricant supply confirmation device 10 includes a clogging confirmation device 32 representing a lubricant clogging state by whether or not a first pin 30 protrudes; and a discharge confirmation device 36 representing a lubricant discharge state by whether or not a second pin 34 protrudes. A plurality of clogging confirmation devices 32 and a plurality of discharge confirmation devices 36 are arranged in parallel. A sensor device 26 includes a first optical sensor 72 detecting whether or not at least one first pin 30 protrudes based on a light received state of light emitted toward an arrangement direction of the clogging confirmation devices 32; and a second optical sensor 74 detecting whether or not at least one second pin 34 protrudes based on a light received state of light emitted toward an arrangement direction of the discharge confirmation devices 36.

Description

  The present invention provides a lubricant automatic supply device (device for automatically supplying lubricant to a plurality of lubricant supply targets from a pump storing lubricant such as grease via a distribution valve) attached to a production facility. The present invention relates to a lubricant supply confirmation device and a lubricant supply confirmation method for confirming automatic supply.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known as a lubricant supply confirmation apparatus for confirming automatic supply of lubricant in an automatic lubricant supply apparatus.

  This device is installed in equipment that needs to be supplied with a lubricant or a supply pipe for lubricant, and is supplied from a supply state monitoring sensor that senses the supply state of the lubricant to this equipment, and the supply state monitoring sensor at a predetermined cycle. A supply signal reading device that generates and outputs time-series data based on the signal, and a determination unit that determines the quality of the lubricant supply state based on the time-series data. The supply state monitoring sensor has a plate-like shape in which a nipple is connected to a joint of a T-type pipe joint connected to a lubricant supply pipe, a socket into which a plug is inserted is connected to the opposite side of the nipple, and a sensing element is further provided. The detection part is inserted into the T-shaped pipe joint through an opening provided in the plug.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed an operation confirmation device that represents the supply state (clogging or discharge) of a lubricant to a device by the presence or absence of protrusion of a pin (see Patent Document 2). In this operation confirmation device, a human visually confirms whether or not a pin protrudes.

JP 2005-201392 A JP 2000-274593 A

  By the way, in a device that needs to be supplied with a lubricant such as a linear guide, it is important to eliminate the shortage of supply of the lubricant in order to suppress the occurrence of troubles such as early wear.

  In order to eliminate the shortage of supply of the lubricant and extend the life of the linear guide and the like, it is necessary to confirm that the lubricant has been supplied to the lubricant supply location of the linear guide and the like.

  As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to use the device described in Patent Document 1. However, in order to check whether or not the lubricant is supplied to a large number of devices connected via the lubricant distribution valve, it is necessary to install a supply state monitoring sensor for each device. In this case, for example, in a system that supplies lubricant to several tens of devices, the number of wires from each sensor increases according to the number of devices, wiring becomes complicated, and costs increase. To do.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to install an operation confirmation device described in Patent Document 2 instead of the supply state monitoring sensor. In this case, wiring is unnecessary, but it is not known in advance whether it is normal or abnormal, so it is necessary to visually check the presence or absence of protruding pins for all operation confirmation devices. This leads to the addition of processes to be performed and increased confirmation time, and is not an appropriate response. In addition, for example, when there is a failure in supplying lubricant to one or two devices among several tens of devices, there is a problem that it may lead to a leak of confirmation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and can minimize wiring and reliably detect even one device with a poor lubricant supply. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lubricant supply confirmation device and a lubricant supply confirmation method capable of reducing the cost and ensuring confirmation of the supply state of the lubricant.

[1] In the lubricant supply confirmation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation confirmation device having a first detection pin protruding due to a lubricant discharge failure and a second detection pin protruding due to normal discharge of the lubricant is lubricated. It is installed between the lubricant pump and the lubricant supply target, and by detecting the presence or absence of protrusions of the first detection pin and the second detection pin in the operation confirmation device, the lubricant from the lubricant pump to the lubricant supply target is detected. It is characterized by confirming automatic supply.

[2] In the first aspect of the present invention, a distribution valve that supplies the lubricant from the lubricant pump to a plurality of lubricant supply targets is provided, and a plurality of operation confirmation devices are arranged in parallel on the discharge side of the distribution valve, By detecting the presence or absence of protrusions of the first detection pin and the second detection pin in the operation confirmation device, abnormal supply of lubricant from the distribution valve to a plurality of lubricant supply targets may be detected.

[3] In this case, it is preferable to have a sensor device that detects whether or not the first detection pin and the second detection pin of the operation confirmation device are protruding, and the number of sensor devices is preferably smaller than the number of operation confirmation devices.

[4] The sensor device includes a plurality of first optical sensors that detect the presence or absence of protrusion of at least one first detection pin based on a light receiving state of light emitted toward the arrangement direction of the plurality of first detection pins. A second optical sensor that detects the presence or absence of protrusion of at least one second detection pin based on the light receiving state of the light emitted toward the arrangement direction of the second detection pins.

[5] In this case, the second detection pin may have a plate piece extending in the lateral direction, and light may pass below the plate piece when the discharge state of the lubricant is normal.

[6] Furthermore, you may make it have a return means to project the 2nd detection pin.

[7] The first aspect of the invention further includes a first determination unit and a second determination unit, and the first determination unit determines abnormality when detecting the protrusion of at least one first detection pin. The second determination unit may determine abnormality when detecting at least one second detection pin that does not protrude.

[8] The lubricant supply confirmation method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes an operation confirmation device having a first detection pin protruding due to a lubricant discharge failure and a second detection pin protruding due to normal discharge of the lubricant. Lubricant installed between the lubricant pump and the lubricant supply target, and detecting the presence or absence of protrusion of the first detection pin and the second detection pin in the operation confirmation device, thereby supplying the lubricant from the lubricant pump to the lubricant supply target. It is characterized by confirming the automatic supply.

[9] In the second aspect of the present invention, when supplying lubricant from a lubricant pump to a plurality of lubricant supply targets via a distribution valve, a plurality of operation confirmation devices are arranged in parallel on the discharge side of the distribution valve. Further, by detecting the presence or absence of protrusions of the first detection pin and the second detection pin in the operation confirmation device, abnormality in supply of lubricant from the distribution valve to a plurality of lubricant supply targets may be detected.

[10] In this case, the abnormality determination may be performed when the protrusion of at least one first detection pin is detected, and the abnormality determination may be performed when at least one second detection pin that does not protrude is detected.

  According to the lubricant supply confirmation device and the lubricant supply confirmation method according to the present invention, wiring can be minimized, and even if there is only one device that is poorly supplied with lubricant, it can be reliably detected. Thus, the cost can be reduced and the supply state of the lubricant can be confirmed reliably.

It is a block diagram which shows the A type lubricant automatic supply system to which the lubricant supply confirmation apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment is applied. It is a block diagram which abbreviate | omits and shows the lubricant supply confirmation apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. 3A to 3D are cross-sectional views taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2, FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the supply state of the lubricant is normal, and FIG. 3B shows the supply state of the lubricant. FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view showing a case where the supply state of the lubricant is abnormal supply, and FIG. 3D is an abnormality such as clogging between the clogging confirmation device and the discharge confirmation device. It is sectional drawing which shows the case where there existed. It is a flowchart which shows the lubricant supply confirmation method which concerns on this Embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a B-type lubricant automatic supply system to which a lubricant supply confirmation device according to the present embodiment is applied. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second pin of the discharge confirmation device protrudes due to the supply of lubricant, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIB-VIB in FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6C is a supply of lubricant. 6D is a cross-sectional view showing that the second pin of the discharge confirmation device is kept protruding even after the end of FIG. 6D, and FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view on the VID-VID line in FIG. 6C. 7A and 7B are explanatory views showing the first return means of the second pin. 8A and 8B are explanatory views showing second return means of the second pin. 9A and 9B are explanatory views showing third return means of the second pin.

  Embodiments of a lubricant supply confirmation device and a lubricant supply confirmation method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  A lubricant supply confirmation device 10 (see FIG. 2) according to the present embodiment is used in a lubricant automatic supply system 12 as shown in FIG. The lubricant automatic supply system 12 automatically supplies a plurality of lubricant supply objects 18 from one or more distribution valves 16 from a lubricant pump 14 that stores lubricant such as grease. In the example of FIG. 1, the example which installed the four distribution valves 16 is shown. Examples of the lubricant supply target 18 include equipment that needs to be supplied with a lubricant, such as a linear guide, a bearing, a ball screw, and a linear table.

  The automatic lubricant supply system 12 includes a main path 20 that connects the lubricant pump 14 and the four distribution valves 16, and a plurality of auxiliary supplies that respectively connect the distribution valves 16 and a plurality of lubricant supply objects 18 that respectively correspond to the distribution valves 16. Path 22. In the example of FIG. 1, an A-type lubricant automatic supply system 12 is shown, and four distribution valves 16 are connected to the main path 20 in parallel. In addition, for example, ten lubricant supply targets 18 are connected to each distribution valve 16 via a sub-path 22. Therefore, for example, there are 40 sub-routes 22 in total.

  The lubricant supply confirmation device 10 is installed for each lubricant supply object 18, and a plurality of operation confirmation devices 24 that indicate the supply state of the lubricant to each lubricant supply object 18 by the presence or absence of protrusion of the pin. And a sensor device 26 that detects the presence or absence of protrusion of the pins of the plurality of operation confirmation devices 24, and a determination unit 28 that determines normality or abnormality based on a detection signal from the sensor device 26. The operation confirmation devices 24 are each connected to the sub route 22.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation confirmation device 24 includes a clogging confirmation device 32 that represents the clogged state of the lubricant 29 by the presence or absence of protrusion of the first pin 30, and the lubricant 29. And a discharge confirmation device 36 that indicates the discharge state by the presence or absence of protrusion of the second pin 34. The plurality of clogging confirmation devices 32 and the plurality of discharge confirmation devices 36 are respectively arranged in parallel.

  The clogging confirmation device 32 projects the first pin 30 when the grease is clogged. That is, the first pin 30 is displaced upward from the initial position P1. Specifically, the clogging confirmation device 32 includes a first T-type pipe joint 38 as shown in FIG. 3A, for example. The first T-type pipe joint 38 has a first main pipe portion 40 through which the lubricant 29 flows, and a first branch pipe portion 42 that branches from the first main pipe portion 40 in the vertical direction. The first branch pipe portion 42 has a shape in which the end portion 44 has a small diameter and the first through hole 46 is formed in the center portion of the end portion 44. The first pin 30 is accommodated in the first branch pipe portion 42. The first pin 30 has a columnar shape (for example, a columnar shape or a polygonal columnar shape), the outer diameter of the distal end portion thereof is smaller than the diameter of the first through hole 46, and the distal end portion is interposed through the first through hole 46. It can be projected. A flange 48 having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the first through hole 46 is formed at the lower end of the first pin 30, so that the entire first pin 30 does not protrude from the first through hole 46. ing.

  Further, a compression coil spring 50 is provided between the flange 48 of the first pin 30 and the end portion 44 of the first branch pipe portion 42 to constantly urge the first pin 30 downward. As shown in FIG. 3A, the spring constant of the compression coil spring 50 is set such that the first pin 30 does not protrude with the normal discharge pressure of the lubricant 29 of the lubricant automatic supply system 12. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, when clogging 52 of the lubricant 29 occurs in the secondary path 22, the pressure in the first T-type pipe joint 38 (the force by which the lubricant 29 presses the first pin 30 upward). ) Increases, the first pin 30 protrudes when this pressure exceeds the normal discharge pressure of the lubricant 29.

  The discharge confirmation device 36 protrudes the second pin 34 when the lubricant 29 is normally discharged. That is, the second pin 34 is displaced upward. Specifically, the discharge confirmation apparatus 36 has the 2nd T type pipe joint 54, for example, as shown to FIG. 3A. The second T-type pipe joint 54 includes a second main pipe portion 56 through which the lubricant 29 flows, and a second branch pipe portion 58 that branches from the second main pipe portion 56 in the vertical direction. The second main pipe portion 56 has a step 60 formed on the downstream side.

  Further, the second branch pipe portion 58 has a shape in which the end portion 62 has a small diameter and the second through hole 64 is formed in the center portion of the end portion 62. Part of the second pin 34 is accommodated in the second branch pipe portion 58. The second pin 34 includes a columnar portion 66 accommodated in the second branch pipe portion 58 and a disc-shaped upper flange 68 that is provided on the tip end portion 66a of the columnar portion 66 and protrudes in the lateral direction. The upper flange 68 is always located outside the second branch pipe portion 58. The outer diameter of the columnar portion 66 is made smaller than the diameter of the second through hole 64, and the tip end portion 66 a can protrude through the second through hole 64. That is, the upper flange 68 extending in the lateral direction can be displaced upward. A lower flange 70 having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the second through hole 64 is formed at the lower end of the second pin 34, so that the entire second pin 34 does not protrude from the second through hole 64. It has become. In addition, the compression coil spring is not installed.

  When the lubricant 29 is supplied at a normal discharge pressure, the lubricant 29 gets over the step 60 and is discharged downstream, so that the second pin 34 is pushed upward by the lubricant 29. As a result, the second pin 34 protrudes. When the lubricant 29 is supplied at a pressure lower than the normal discharge pressure for some reason, or when there is an abnormality such as clogging between the clogging confirmation device 32 and the discharge confirmation device 36, The lubricant 29 cannot get over the step 60, and the second pin 34 does not protrude.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the sensor device 26 detects the presence or absence of protrusions of at least one first pin 30 and the presence or absence of protrusions of at least one second pin 34. And a two-light sensor 74.

  The first optical sensor 72 includes a first light emitting element 72a that emits the first light 76 along the arrangement direction of the plurality of clogging confirmation devices 32, and a light receiving state of the first light 76 emitted from the first light emitting element 72a. And a first light receiving element 72b for detecting the presence or absence of protrusion of at least one first pin 30. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, the first light emitting element 72 a causes the first light 76 to be above the first pin 30 when the first pin 30 of the clogging confirmation device 32 does not protrude (when normal). 3B, the first light 76 is emitted in the direction in which the first light 76 is blocked by the first pin 30 when the first pin 30 protrudes (abnormal) as shown in FIG. 3B.

  The second light sensor 74 is in a light receiving state of the second light emitting element 74a that emits the second light 78 along the arrangement direction of the plurality of ejection confirmation devices 36, and the second light 78 emitted from the second light emitting element 74a. The second light receiving element 74b that detects the presence or absence of the protrusion of at least one second pin 34 is provided. As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the second light emitting element 74a emits the second light 78 when the second pin 34 of the ejection confirmation device 36 protrudes (normal). When the second pin 34 does not protrude (abnormal) as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the second light 78 is blocked by the upper flange 68 of the second pin 34. The second light 78 is emitted in the direction.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 6A, the discharge confirmation device 36 of the operation confirmation device 24 projects the second pin 34 when the discharge state of the lubricant 29 is normal as shown in FIG. 6A. Once the second pin 34 protrudes, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the state where the second pin 34 of the discharge confirmation device 36 protrudes is maintained even after the supply of the lubricant 29 is completed. . Therefore, the second pin 34 does not return unless an external force is applied. Therefore, it is preferable to provide return means for returning the second pin 34 to the original position after the confirmation of the supply state of the lubricant 29 to the lubricant automatic supply system 12 is completed. The return means will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the determination unit 28 includes a first determination unit 80 that determines abnormality when the first optical sensor 72 detects the protrusion of at least one first pin 30, and at least one second optical sensor 74. And a second determination unit 82 for determining an abnormality when the two non-projecting second pins 34 are detected.

  Here, a lubricant supply confirmation method using the lubricant supply confirmation device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S1 of FIG. 4, a plurality of clogging confirmation devices 32 and a plurality of discharge confirmation devices 36 are respectively arranged in parallel.

  In step S <b> 2, the first optical sensor 72 emits the first light 76 along the arrangement direction of the plurality of clogging confirmation devices 32.

  In step S <b> 3, the first optical sensor 72 detects the presence or absence of the protrusion of at least one first pin 30 based on the light receiving state of the emitted first light 76.

  In step S <b> 4, the first determination unit 80 determines that there is an abnormality when the first optical sensor 72 detects the protrusion of at least one first pin 30.

  In step S5, when an abnormality determination is made in step S4, among the clogging confirmation devices 32, the device from which the first pin 30 protrudes is visually confirmed, and the sub-path 22 having an abnormality is specified. .

  In step S <b> 6, the second optical sensor 74 emits the second light 78 along the arrangement direction of the plurality of ejection confirmation devices 36.

  In step S <b> 7, the second optical sensor 74 detects the presence or absence of the protrusion of at least one second pin 34 based on the light receiving state of the emitted second light 78.

  In Step S <b> 8, the second determination unit 82 determines that there is an abnormality when the second optical sensor 74 detects at least one second pin 34 that does not protrude.

  In step S9, when an abnormality determination is made in step S8, a device in which the second pin 34 does not protrude is visually confirmed in the discharge confirmation device 36, and the sub-path 22 having an abnormality is specified.

  In step S10, the content of the abnormality (the supply state of the lubricant) is determined from the following Table 1 based on the presence or absence of the protrusion of the first pin 30 and the presence or absence of the protrusion of the second pin 34 for the identified sub-path 22 having an abnormality. ).

  Note that steps S2 to S5 and steps S6 to S9 may be performed in parallel.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the number of sensor devices 26 is smaller than the number of operation confirmation devices 24. In the present embodiment, the number of the optical sensors for the 40 lubricant supply targets 18 is very small, ie, two points. Of course, the number of lubricant supply objects 18 can be further increased according to the reach distance of the light emitted from the first light emitting element 72a and the second light emitting element 74a. The electrical wiring is not affected by the number of lubricant supply targets 18, and wiring to the first light emitting element 72a, the first light receiving element 72b, the second light emitting element 74a, and the second light receiving element 74b, that is, four wirings. Just do it. As a result, this is advantageous in reducing the cost.

  In addition, before all the operation confirmation devices 24 visually confirm whether the first pin 30 and the second pin 34 are protruding, the first optical sensor 72 and the second optical sensor 74 The presence or absence of protrusions of the first pin 30 and the second pin 34 is detected, and if there is an abnormality determination, the presence or absence of the protrusion of the first pin 30 and the second pin 34 is visually checked for all the operation confirmation devices 24. I try to check. That is, if it is normal determination, the visual confirmation with respect to all the operation confirmation apparatuses 24 can be abbreviate | omitted. Even when visual confirmation of all the operation confirmation devices 24 is performed by abnormality determination, since it is known as abnormality determination in advance, the occurrence of confirmation leakage can be suppressed.

  That is, in the lubricant supply confirmation device 10 and the lubricant supply confirmation method according to the present embodiment, the wiring can be minimized, and there is only one device that is poorly supplied with the lubricant 29. In addition, it is possible to reliably detect the cost, and it is possible to reduce the cost and to confirm the supply state of the lubricant 29 with certainty.

  Next, various modifications will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example applied to the A-type lubricant automatic supply system 12 has been shown. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the present invention may be applied to the B-type lubricant automatic supply system 12. In this case, the distribution valve 16 has at least one first distribution valve 16A and a plurality of second distribution valves 16B.

  The lubricant automatic supply system 12 further connects the main path 20 connecting the lubricant pump 14 and the first distribution valve 16A, and the first distribution valve 16A and the plurality of second distribution valves 16B in series. The first sub-path 22A has a plurality of second sub-paths 22B that connect the second distribution valve 16B and the plurality of lubricant supply targets 18, respectively.

  In the lubricant supply confirmation device according to the modified example, as shown in FIG. 5, the operation confirmation devices 24 are connected to the plurality of first sub-paths 22A and the plurality of second sub-paths 22B, respectively.

  In this case, the supply state (clogging or discharge state) of the lubricant 29 from the second distribution valve 16B to each lubricant supply target 18 can be confirmed, and the first distribution valve 16A to each second distribution valve 16B. The supply state of the lubricant 29 can also be confirmed, and the supply state of the lubricant 29 can be confirmed more reliably.

  Here, a means for returning (protruding) the second pin 34 of the discharge confirmation device 36, that is, a returning means will be described. Examples of the return means include first return means to third return means shown in FIGS. 7A to 9B.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the first return means includes a bar 84 extending in the arrangement direction of the plurality of discharge confirmation devices 36 arranged in parallel, and an air cylinder 86 for moving the bar 84 in the vertical direction, for example. While the supply state of the lubricant 29 to the automatic lubricant supply system 12 is being confirmed, the bar 84 is positioned upward, and when the confirmation is completed, the air cylinder 86 is driven as shown in FIG. 7A. Then, the bar 84 is moved downward to return each second pin 34 to its original position (a state in which the second pin 34 does not protrude). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7B, the air cylinder 86 is driven to move the bar 84 upward. At this time, by using the second optical sensor 74 to confirm whether all the second pins 34 have returned to their original positions, the confirmation operation can be completed quickly. In this case, the second light emitting element 74a of the second optical sensor 74 allows the second light 78 to pass above the upper flange 68 of the second pin 34 when the second pin 34 of the ejection confirmation device 36 does not protrude. When the second pin 34 protrudes, the second light 78 is emitted in a direction in which the second light 78 is blocked by the upper flange 68 of the second pin 34. Thereby, it can be confirmed whether all the 2nd pins 34 returned to the original position.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the second return means has the same structure as the clogging confirmation device 32. That is, a compression coil spring 88 that constantly urges the second pin 34 downward is installed between the end 62 of the second branch pipe portion 58 and the lower flange 70 of the second pin 34. The spring constant of the compression coil spring 88 is such that the second pin 34 protrudes with the normal discharge pressure of the lubricant 29 of the automatic lubricant supply system 12 and the discharge pressure of the lubricant 29 is lower than the normal discharge pressure. Set so that the 2-pin 34 does not protrude.

  Thereby, while the supply state of the lubricant 29 to the lubricant automatic supply system 12 is confirmed, the second pin 34 protrudes or does not protrude depending on the discharge pressure of the lubricant 29. Thereafter, if the discharge pressure of the lubricant 29 becomes lower than the normal discharge pressure at the stage where the confirmation is completed, all the second pins 34 do not protrude by the action of the compression coil spring 88, that is, the original position. Return to. In this case, since it is not necessary to install an external device such as the air cylinder 86, the installation space can be reduced. However, it may be necessary to change each compression coil spring 88 when the normal discharge pressure changes by changing the type and supply pressure of the lubricant 29.

  The third return means returns the second pin 34 to the original position by blowing air into the second branch pipe portion 58. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, an annular groove 92 in which an O-ring 90 for preventing air leakage is mounted is formed on the inner peripheral portion of the end portion of the second branch pipe portion 58. A groove 94 in which the O-ring 90 slides is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the second pin 34. Similarly, an annular groove 98 in which an O-ring 96 for preventing air from entering the lubricant side is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the lower flange 70, and is formed in the inner peripheral portion of the second branch pipe portion 58. A groove 100 in which the O-ring 96 slides is formed. Further, an air supply port 102 for introducing air into the second branch pipe part 58 between the position of the end 62 and the lower flange 70 of the second pin 34 in the inside of the second branch pipe part 58. Is provided.

  Further, the third return means is provided with an air introduction pipe 104 corresponding to a plurality of discharge confirmation devices 36 (in this case, the second branch pipe section 58) installed in the lubricant automatic supply system 12, An electromagnetic valve 112 is inserted and connected to the air introduction pipe 110 between the coupling portion 106 of the air introduction pipe 104 and the air pump 108.

  While the supply state of the lubricant 29 to the automatic lubricant supply system 12 is being confirmed, the air from the air pump 108 is supplied into the second branch pipe portion 58 by controlling the solenoid valve 112 to “closed”, for example. Keep it from being done. After that, when the lubricant 29 is not supplied at the stage where the confirmation is completed, the air from the air pump 108 is supplied into the second branch pipe portion 58 by controlling the electromagnetic valve 112 to “open”, for example. Thereby, all the 2nd pins 34 can be returned to the original position.

  It should be noted that the lubricant supply confirmation device and the lubricant supply confirmation method according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Lubricant supply confirmation apparatus 12 ... Lubricant automatic supply system 14 ... Lubricant pump 16 ... Distribution valve 18 ... Lubricant supply object 20 ... Main path | route 22 ... Sub path | route 24 ... Operation | movement confirmation apparatus 26 ... Sensor apparatus 28 ... Determination part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 29 ... Lubricant 30 ... 1st pin 32 ... Clogging confirmation apparatus 34 ... 2nd pin 36 ... Discharge confirmation apparatus 50, 88 ... Compression coil spring 52 ... Clogging 72 ... 1st optical sensor 74 ... 2nd optical sensor 76 ... 1st light 78 ... 2nd light 80 ... 1st determination part 82 ... 2nd determination part 84 ... Bar 86 ... Air cylinder 90, 96 ... O-ring 102 ... Air supply port 104, 110 ... Air introduction pipe 108 ... Air pump 112 …solenoid valve

Claims (10)

An operation confirmation device having a first detection pin protruding due to a lubricant discharge failure and a second detection pin protruding due to normal discharge of the lubricant is installed between the lubricant pump and the lubricant supply target,
The automatic supply of the lubricant from the lubricant pump to the lubricant supply target is confirmed by detecting the presence or absence of protrusion of the first detection pin and the second detection pin in the operation confirmation device. Lubricant supply confirmation device. In the lubricant supply confirmation device according to claim 1,
A distribution valve for supplying the lubricant from the lubricant pump to the plurality of lubricant supply targets;
A plurality of the operation confirmation devices are arranged in parallel on the discharge side of the distribution valve,
Detecting abnormality of supply of the lubricant from the distribution valve to the plurality of lubricant supply targets by detecting the presence or absence of protrusion of the first detection pin and the second detection pin in the operation confirmation device. Lubricant supply confirmation device. In the lubricant supply confirmation device according to claim 2,
A sensor device for detecting the presence or absence of protrusion of the first detection pin and the second detection pin of the operation confirmation device;
The number of the sensor devices is smaller than the number of the operation confirmation devices. In the lubricant supply confirmation device according to claim 3,
The sensor device includes:
A first optical sensor that detects the presence or absence of protrusion of at least one of the first detection pins based on a light receiving state of light emitted toward an arrangement direction of the plurality of first detection pins;
A second optical sensor that detects the presence or absence of protrusion of at least one of the second detection pins based on a light receiving state of light emitted toward the arrangement direction of the plurality of second detection pins. Lubricant supply confirmation device. In the lubricant supply confirmation device according to claim 4,
The second detection pin has a plate piece extending in a lateral direction,
The lubricant supply confirmation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light passes under the plate piece when the lubricant discharge state is normal. In the lubricant supply confirmation device according to claim 5,
A lubricant supply confirmation device comprising return means for projecting the second detection pin. In the lubricant supply confirmation device according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
Furthermore, it has a 1st determination part and a 2nd determination part,
The first determination unit determines an abnormality when detecting the protrusion of at least one first detection pin,
The second determination unit makes an abnormality determination when detecting at least one second detection pin that does not protrude. An operation confirmation device having a first detection pin protruding due to a lubricant discharge failure and a second detection pin protruding due to normal discharge of the lubricant is installed between the lubricant pump and the lubricant supply target,
The automatic supply of the lubricant from the lubricant pump to the lubricant supply target is confirmed by detecting the presence or absence of protrusion of the first detection pin and the second detection pin in the operation confirmation device. Lubricant supply confirmation method. In the lubricant supply confirmation method according to claim 8,
When supplying the lubricant from the lubricant pump to a plurality of lubricant supply objects via a distribution valve,
A plurality of the operation confirmation devices are arranged in parallel on the discharge side of the distribution valve,
Detecting abnormality of supply of the lubricant from the distribution valve to the plurality of lubricant supply targets by detecting the presence or absence of protrusion of the first detection pin and the second detection pin in the operation confirmation device. A characteristic lubricant supply confirmation method. In the lubricant supply confirmation method according to claim 9,
An abnormality is determined when at least one protrusion of the first detection pin is detected,
A lubricant supply confirmation method, wherein abnormality determination is made when at least one second detection pin that does not protrude is detected.

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