JPH04351400A - Automatic grease supplying equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To supply grease selectively to the portion where lack of grease has been detected and also to supply grease selectively to the position where an operator wants to supply grease by one touch from an operator's room. CONSTITUTION:This equipment has the sensors 1a-12a which are arranged at respective lubricating positions 1-12 for detecting lack of grease, the grease ON-OFF changing-over valve 13 for supplying grease to the respective lubricating positions 1-12, the grease pump 14 for supplying grease to the ON-OFF changing-over valve 13, the starting equipment of the grease pump 14, and the controller 18 which always receives signals from the sensors 1a-12a and makes the starting equipment of the grease pump 14 operate by an ON signal of the selective switch 17 for the position to be supplied with grease. By this constitution, life of the machine is prolonged because optimum quantity of grease can be supplied on the basis of the detection of the lack of grease.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic lubrication device for periodically applying grease or oil to lubricating parts of working machine pins of construction machinery, machine tools, etc.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally used construction machinery and the like are provided with a large number of pin joints, for example as shown in the side view in FIG. It is bendable. Therefore, since these pin bushes and the like require constant lubrication with grease, etc., greasing points 1 to 12 are provided. In order to supply grease to these greasing points, as shown in FIG.
3, and from the distribution valve 32 to the individual greasing points at the end, when the operator operates the grease pump 31, the grease is individually distributed by air from the compressor 34. It is designed to be sent to the lubrication point. In the figure, 35 is a grease gun, and 36 is a reel. Further, in FIG. 12, a device using a known electric pump is also used instead of the pneumatic grease pump 31.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, automatic greasing devices including the above-mentioned example have a mechanism in which a set amount of grease is supplied to all greasing points each time the greasing is done. As a result, even if there is an unnecessary part due to the usage of the machine, greasing must be forcibly applied, resulting in grease leaking and staining the area around the greasing part. Also,
The loss due to such grease leakage was also large.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention detects when the grease is running out and allows greasing only to that part, and also allows the operator to selectively replenish the parts he or she wants to replenish with a single touch from the driver's seat. This invention was developed with the aim of improving the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an automatic lubrication device.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] As a means for achieving the above object, the present invention provides a sensor that is installed at each greasing point to detect when the lubricant has run out, and a grease that replenishes each lubricant point.
Grease ON/OFF switching valve and the grease ON/OFF switching valve
Signals from the grease pump that supplies grease to the switching valve, the starting device for the grease pump, and the sensor are constantly input, and the locations to be greased are selected and the switch is turned on.
The invention is characterized by comprising a controller that turns on the starting device of the grease pump and turns on the ON/OFF switching valve.

[0006]

[Operation] According to the above configuration, by pressing the selection switch of a location that requires greasing, the controller is activated to switch the grease ON/OFF switching valve of that location to ON, and at the same time Since the grease pump is started by the grease pump starting device switched to
Grease is fed under pressure and is supplied from the grease ON/OFF switching valve that is turned ON.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic greasing device according to the present invention.

The present invention includes sensors 1a to 12 which are provided at each greasing point 1 to 12 shown in FIG.
a, and the grease that applies grease to each greasing point 1 to 12, respectively.
The grease ON/OFF switching valve 13 and the grease ON/OFF switching valve 13.
a grease pump 14 that supplies grease to the FF switching valve 13; an air source 16 connected to the grease pump 14 via an air solenoid valve 15; and the sensor 1.
By constantly inputting the signals from a to 12a and turning on the selection switch 17 for greasing, the air solenoid valve 15 is turned on, and the air solenoid valve 15 is turned on and turned on and off.
The controller 18 turns on the switching valve 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor for detecting grease exhaustion is a sensor that detects (1) the temperature of a bush such as a thermocouple between a pin 19 and a boss 20 provided around the pin 19 via a bush 21; (2) detection of galling by vibration G sensor, (3) detection of galling by sound, etc. In any case, abnormality in the bearing part is caused by lubricating oil. Even if the equipment is normal, it may be damaged due to other causes, so it is necessary to detect abnormalities at an early stage in order to minimize the damage caused. Therefore, sensors are installed near the sliding parts to notify of abnormalities.

[0010] The grease ON/OFF switching valve 13
There are two types: the parallel type multiple type shown in FIG. 1, and the rotary type. Among these, the parallel type has a large number of solenoids mounted on a block 22 provided with holes 22a in the longitudinal direction through which grease is introduced from the grease pump 14, as shown in the side and rear views in FIG. -S ON, OF
F switching valves 131, 132, . . . , 1312 are arranged in parallel and connected to the holes 22a, respectively. Therefore, when one of these valves is turned on, grease is supplied to the greasing point from the grease ON/OFF switching valve 13.

FIGS. 4 to 7 show another embodiment of a rotary type grease ON/OFF switching valve 23, in which a rotating shaft 25 passes through a fixed boss 24 in the longitudinal direction.
This rotating shaft 25 is connected to a separately provided motor 26.
The block 24 is rotatable in the boss 24, and like the block 22, a grease introduction hole 25a is provided in the longitudinal direction of the axis. And one end has green
One end of a hose 27 coupled to the pump 14 is connected. Further, a potentiometer 28 is provided at the other end to detect the rotation angle with respect to the boss 24. Boss 24 (outer diameter φ200) and rotating shaft 25 (outer diameter φ100)
As for the connection example of the hole (4φ) provided in the radial direction between the two, as shown in planes a, b, and c of FIG. 6, they are connected to the respective greasing points. That is, a1 → 1 (0°), b1 → 2 (13°), c1
→3 (26°), a2 →4 (39°), b2 →5
(52°), c2 → 6 (65°), a3 → 7 (78
°), b3 →8 (91°), c3 →9 (104°)
, a4 →10 (117°), b4 →11 (130°
), c4 →12 (143°), respectively. In addition, although the example shows the case where there are 12 greasing points,
If it is 12 or more or 12 or less, it may be increased or decreased accordingly.

Next, the flow in the case of block type, which is the first embodiment, will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, to start greasing, turn on the manual switch 17.
If the answer is yes, all greasing points will be greased manually, but if the answer is no, greasing will be required and the original position will be refilled. Return to (before manual priority). If yes, greasing is not required, so
The switch turns OFF. and manual switch 17 is n
It is the same as case o. Therefore, the pin grease out sensor signal is input to the controller 18 and the grease out is OK (
Alternatively, it is checked whether the controller monitor is OK (OK), and if OK (no), the process returns as shown by the arrow, but if no (yes), the pin signal of the abnormal location is detected. As a result, the grease ON/OFF switching valve 13 and the air solenoid valve 15 are turned ON in the order of 1 and 2 to supply grease to the abnormal location. Then, the grease run-out sensor signals of other pins are inputted and the same process is repeated to replenish the grease. When the greasing is completed, steps 1, 2, and 3 are stopped and the process goes to END.

Further, the flow in the case of the rotary type, which is the second embodiment, will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, if the manual switch 17 is turned on from the start and the answer is YES, all greasing points will be relubricated with manual priority as in the first embodiment. Grease can be cut off here.
If (absent) is no (yes), lubrication is required and the greasing is performed by returning to the original position (before greasing with manual switching priority). The situation is the same as when the manual switch 17 is set to no. Therefore, the pin grease out sensor signal is controlled.
If it is OK (no), return as indicated by the arrow, but if no (yes), detect where the pin signal is at the abnormal location. As a result, the rotation signal of the motor 26 is outputted up to the signal of the potentiometer 28 of the corresponding pin, and the greasing holes of the rotating shaft 25 and the boss 24 are aligned. And potentiometer signal OK
If no, return to the position indicated by the arrow and repeat the same operation, and if yes, operate the air solenoid valve 15 to supply grease to the abnormal location. Similarly, the flow from pin grease out sensor signal input to grease replenishment is as follows.
After repeating the steps to relubricate other greasing points, the ON signal of the air solenoid valve 15 is stopped and the process ends.

Further, the flow when the operator wants to automatically lubricate a certain pin from the driver's seat will be explained with reference to FIG. First, in the case of greasing one location, turn on the corresponding location of the manual switch 17 according to the flowchart (a), and the switch signal of the greasing location is input to the controller 18, and the greasing time is set. Ru. And corresponding grease ON/OFF
A rotation signal from the switching solenoid valve 13 or the motor 26 is output, and the greasing points are matched. At the same time, the air solenoid valve 15 operates and air is supplied to the grease pump 14, so that grease is supplied to the greasing points.
Greasing is completed after the timer set time has elapsed. In addition, in the case of greasing multiple locations, turn on the necessary manual switches according to the flowchart (b), and the switch signals of the greasing locations are input to the controller 18 and the greasing time is set. . Thereafter, a rotation signal of the corresponding solenoid valve 13 or motor 26 for switching on/off the grease is output, and the greasing point is aligned with the first pin. Then, after the air solenoid valve 15 is activated and lubrication is performed for about 10 seconds, the pin is switched to the next pin and lubrication is repeated for about 10 seconds, and after the timer set time has elapsed, lubrication of all the multiple locations is completed. In addition, if the detection sensor of the present invention is used, in order to detect an abnormality in the bearing part at an early stage, it can be installed as a temperature sensor near the sliding part to notify the abnormality. The grease pump 14 in the above embodiment is started and stopped by switching the air from the air source 16 using the air solenoid valve 15, but instead of this, a known electric pump is used, and the electric Turn on the pump power.
It may also be turned off to start and stop.

[0015]

Effects of the Invention As explained above, the present invention includes a sensor provided at each greasing point to detect when the lubricant runs out, a grease ON/OFF switching valve that replenishes each lubricant point, and a Signals from the grease pump that supplies grease to the grease ON/OFF switching valve, the starting device for the grease pump, and the sensor are constantly input, and the location to be greased is selected by turning on the switch. turns on the starting device of the grease pump, and also turns on and off the grease pump.
Since it is equipped with a controller that turns on the switching valve, the present invention minimizes leakage from unnecessary locations, which is caused by replenishing grease regardless of whether it is needed or not, as in the past. Furthermore, since running out of grease can be detected early and an appropriate amount can be replenished, the life of the machine can be extended. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the amount of grease supplied to a certain part depending on the usage conditions, and the amount of grease used can be optimized.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic greasing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the grease-out detection means of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the block type grease ON/OFF switching valve of the present invention, with (a) being an explanatory view of the side and (b) being an explanatory view of the back.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a side view of the rotary type grease ON/OFF switching valve of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram in a perspective direction of FIG. 4;

6 is an explanatory diagram showing each cross section of FIG. 5, in which (a) shows the a-plane, (b) shows the b-plane, and (c) shows the c-plane.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged front view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a flowchart of a block type automatic lubrication device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a flowchart for a rotary type automatic greasing device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of how the operator lubricates a certain pin in the automatic lubrication device of the present invention; (a) shows the case where one location is greased, and (b) shows the case where multiple locations are greased. FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a pin greasing location of a working machine of a conventional excavating machine.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional greasing system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 to 12 Each greasing point 1a to 12a Sensor 13 Grease ON/OFF switching valve (block type) 14 Grease pump 15 Air solenoid valve 16 Air source 17 Selection switch (manual) 18 Controller 23 Grease ON , OFF switching valve (rotary type)

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A sensor installed at each greasing point to detect when the lubricant is out, and a grease that replenishes each lubricant point.
Grease ON/OFF switching valve and the grease ON/OFF switching valve
Signals from the grease pump that supplies grease to the switching valve, the starting device for the grease pump, and the sensor are constantly input, and the locations to be greased are selected and the switch is turned on.
An automatic lubrication system comprising: a controller that turns on the starter of the grease pump and turns on the grease ON/OFF switching valve.