JPH08105409A - Progress type automatic grease feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To greatly improve workability in failure diagnosis by diagnosing a failure point in an early stage so as to discover (identify) it in occurrence of a failure such as congestion of grease. CONSTITUTION: When a solenoid valve 12 is opened and an air pressure from an air tank 10 is supplied to a pump 9, grease inside a grease tank 8 is fed from the pump 9 to respective grease feeding units 24 via respective primary slave distributors 18, secondary slave distributors 21, and the like while being discharged to a master distributor 14. The pump 9 is provided with a discharging quantity sensor 25, while the master distributor 14 is provided with limit switches 26A-26F individually detecting a stroke end of each spool. In case of occurrence of a failure, it is determined in which section the failure such as congestion of grease occurs in respective primary slave distributors 18, respective grease feeding tubes 20, 23, the secondary slave distributor 21, and respective grease feeding units 24 on the basis of the signals from the discharging quantity sensor 25 and the limit switches 26A-26F, so that a point of a failure can be discovered (identified) in an early stage.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a progressive automatic greasing apparatus suitable for distributing and supplying grease in a grease tank to a grease greasing portion such as a pin coupling device, and more particularly to a parent type greasing section. The present invention relates to a progressive automatic greasing device in which a plurality of child distribution valves subordinate to the distribution valve are systematically provided.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in construction machines such as hydraulic excavators, a work device such as a front is provided with a plurality of pin coupling devices, and these pin coupling devices are provided with lubricating oils in their respective grease greasing portions. The grease of (1) is distributed and lubricated using, for example, a progressive automatic greasing device at the time of periodic inspection.

In this type of prior art automatic lubricating apparatus, a pump for sucking and discharging lubricating oil (grease) in an oil tank and a plurality of spools are sequentially driven by the lubricating oil from the pump. Accordingly, a parent distribution valve that distributes and sends the lubricating oil from a plurality of outlets according to the sliding displacement of each spool, and a parent distribution valve that is respectively subordinate to the parent distribution valve are provided. By sequentially driving each spool with the applied lubricating oil, a plurality of child distribution valves for distributing and sending the lubricating oil from the respective outlets according to the sliding displacement of the respective spools, and at least the respective child distribution valves It is configured to include a plurality of greasing pipes that respectively guide the lubricating oil sent from each sending port toward a plurality of greasing portions.

Each of the parent distribution valve and each child distribution valve has a valve casing in which a plurality of spool sliding holes are formed, and the spools are predetermined in the spool sliding holes of the valve casing. By driving (sliding displacement) according to the above order, lubricating oil such as grease is distributed and sent out from each outlet according to the sliding displacement of each spool.

Further, in a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator having a plurality of grease greasing parts, each child distribution valve of the progressive automatic greasing device is connected to each of the delivery ports, A plurality of grandchild distribution valves respectively subordinate to the child distribution valves are systematically provided, and each of the grandchild distribution valves sequentially drives (slides) each spool with grease (lubricating oil) distributed from each child distribution valve. By performing the dynamic displacement), the lubricating oil distributed and delivered from each delivery port of each grandchild distribution valve is supplied to each grease greasing portion via each greasing pipe.

[0006]

By the way, in the above-described conventional automatic greasing apparatus, it is systematic to connect a plurality of child distribution valves subordinate to the parent distribution valve to the respective outlets of the parent distribution valve. The lubricating oil such as grease discharged from the pump is distributed to each child distribution valve through the parent distribution valve and is sent out, and at least the lubricating oil such as grease is sent out from each outlet of each child distribution valve. Is supplied to a plurality of grease greasing portions via a plurality of greasing pipes, for example, grease may solidify and become clogged in the middle of a plurality of child distribution valves and a plurality of greasing pipes, or a malfunction may occur. If a problem occurs, the entire system of the progressive automatic greasing device stops working, and the entire system stops at the same time.

For this reason, in the conventional automatic greasing apparatus of the prior art, it is very difficult to determine at which point in the entire system a failure such as clogging of grease has occurred when a failure occurs. Early diagnosis and discovery (specific)
There is a problem that you cannot do it. In particular, when a single or a plurality of grandchild distribution valves are provided so as to be subordinate to the child distribution valve, it becomes more difficult to identify the location of the failure and the workability of failure diagnosis is very poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the present invention enables early diagnosis and detection (specification) of a failure location when a failure such as clogging of grease occurs, and the operation of failure diagnosis. To provide a progressive automatic greasing device capable of significantly improving the property.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a pump that sucks and discharges lubricating oil in an oil tank, and a plurality of spools are sequentially driven by the lubricating oil from the pump. Accordingly, a parent distribution valve that distributes and sends the lubricating oil from a plurality of delivery ports according to the sliding displacement of each spool, and a parent distribution valve that is respectively subordinate to the parent distribution valve, and is distributed from the parent distribution valve. By sequentially driving the spools with the lubricating oil, a plurality of child distribution valves for distributing and sending the lubricating oil from the respective delivery outlets according to the sliding displacement of the respective spools, and at least the respective feeding valves of the respective child distribution valves are provided. A plurality of greasing pipes that respectively guide the lubricating oil sent from the outlet toward a plurality of greasing portions, and the parent distribution valve and each child distribution valve each have a plurality of spool sliding holes formed therein. A valve casing having the valve Applied to progressive automatic lubricator device comprising slide displaced by the order said predetermined respective spool advance the spool sliding bore of pacing.

The feature of the configuration adopted by the invention of claim 1 is that the discharge amount detecting means for detecting the discharge amount of the lubricating oil discharged from the pump and the parent distribution valve are respectively provided. A plurality of displacement detecting means for individually detecting the sliding displacement of each spool, and when a failure occurs in any of the greasing pipes or the greasing portions, the displacement detecting means and the discharge amount detecting means And a failure point determination means for determining the failure point on the basis of the signal.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, the displacement detecting means are provided at both ends of the parent distributing valve, are normally opened, and each of the spools sequentially reaches the stroke end. A configuration in which a plurality of limit switches are closed, and the failure point determination means sequentially stores which of the limit switches is closed based on a signal from each of the limit switches. Preferably.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 3,
A sub-dividing valve subordinate to the sub-dividing valve is provided at each outlet of the sub-dividing valve, and the sub-dividing valve sequentially slides and displaces each spool with the lubricating oil distributed from the sub-dividing valve. Thus, the lubricating oil distributed and sent out from each outlet of the grandchild distribution valve may be guided to each greasing portion via each greasing pipe.

[0013]

With the above construction, in the invention described in claim 1,
The discharge amount detecting means detects the discharge amount of the lubricating oil discharged from the pump, and the plural displacement detecting means provided on the parent distribution valve individually detect the sliding displacement of each spool, so that a plurality of greasing agents are provided. Either in the pipe or in multiple greasing parts,
For example, when a failure such as clogging of grease occurs, it is possible to detect which of the spools has stopped in the middle of sliding displacement (stroke) based on the signal from each displacement detecting means. The discharge amount of the lubricating oil already discharged from the pump can be detected based on the signal from the discharge amount detection means, and the failure point determination means detects a failure such as grease clogging in any part of the entire system based on these detection results. It is possible to surely determine whether the occurrence has occurred.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 2,
A plurality of limit switches constituting each displacement detecting means are provided at both ends of the parent distribution valve, and each limit switch is closed each time each spool reaches the stroke end, and a signal from each limit switch is provided. Based on the above, by adopting a configuration in which which limit switch among the limit switches is closed is sequentially stored by the failure point determination means, which one of the spools of the parent distribution valve reaches the stroke end. It is possible to detect whether a failure such as clogging of grease has occurred after (which limit switch is closed), and it is possible to reliably detect which spool was in the middle of sliding displacement (stroke) when the failure occurred. .

Further, as in the invention according to claim 3,
A sub-dividing valve is provided so as to be subordinate to the sub-dividing valve, and each spool of the sub-dividing valve is sequentially slidably displaced by the lubricating oil distributed from the sub-dividing valve while being distributed from each outlet of the sub-dividing valve. Even if the lubricating oil that is sent out is guided to each greasing part via each greasing pipe, the spool that stopped in the middle of sliding displacement (stroke) is identified when a failure occurs, and it is already discharged from the pump. By detecting the discharged amount of lubricating oil, it is possible to surely determine at which point in the entire system the failure such as clogging of grease has occurred by the failure point determination means.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A progressive automatic greasing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a hydraulic excavator, which is a lower traveling body 2 and an upper revolving body 4 provided on the lower traveling body 2 so as to be revolvable via a revolving device 3.
The upper revolving superstructure 4 includes a driver's cab 5 provided on the front side thereof, a machine cab 6 located behind the driver's cab 5 for accommodating a later-described pump 9 and the like, and a driver's cab 5 and a working device 7 provided on the front part of the upper swing body 4 and located on the side of 5.

Here, the working device 7 includes a boom 7A which is pin-movably connected to the front portion of the upper swing body 4 and an arm 7B which is pin-movably connected to the tip side of the boom 7A. , A bucket 7C pivotally connected to the tip of the arm 7B by a pin and the like, and the boom 7A,
The arm 7B and the bucket 7C are respectively a boom cylinder 7D, an arm cylinder 7E and a bucket cylinder 7.
Driven by F. Further, connecting pins 7G, 7G, ... Are provided in these pin coupling portions, and each connecting pin 7G is provided.
Respectively constitute a grease greasing section 24 (see FIG. 2) described later.

8 is a grease tank as an oil tank, 9
Indicates a pump that sucks in and discharges grease (lubricating oil) in the grease tank 8, and the pump 9 is rotationally driven by air pressure supplied from the outside as shown in FIG.
While sucking the grease from the grease tank 8, the grease is discharged toward the parent distribution valve 14 described later. The pump 9 automatically stops the discharge of grease when the supply of air pressure is stopped. It should be noted that, even if the air pressure is continuously supplied when a failure described later occurs, the rotation of the pump 9 is stopped and the discharge of grease is interrupted.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an air tank for storing high-pressure air, 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes an air pipe connecting between the air tank 10 and the pump 9, 12 denotes a normally-closed type solenoid valve disposed in the middle of the air pipe 11 via a pressure reducing valve 13, and the solenoid valve 12 is The air pressure from the air tank 10, which is controlled to open and close based on a control signal output from a controller 29 described later, is reduced to a constant pressure by the pressure reducing valve 13 when the valve is opened.
It is supplied to the pump 9 via 1, and the pump 9 is rotationally driven.

Reference numeral 14 is a parent distribution valve connected to the discharge side of the pump 9, and the parent distribution valve 14 is the distribution valve previously proposed by the applicant and described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-132299. It is constructed in the same manner as the valve, and the grease from the pump 9 is distributed and delivered from the outlets A to F in a predetermined order. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the parent distribution valve 14 has, for example, three spool sliding holes 15A, 15B,
15C is formed, and spools 16, 16, ... Inserted in spool sliding holes 15A, 15B, 15C of the valve casing 15, respectively.

Further, the valve casing 15 is provided with outlets A to F at both ends of the spool sliding holes 15A, 15B and 15C, and the outlets A to F are provided with greasing pipes 17, 1 respectively.
7, ... Are connected. Then, the parent distribution valve 14 receives the grease from the pump 9 in the spool sliding holes 15A, 15
By being supplied (filled) into B and 15C, each spool 16 is driven (sliding displacement) in a predetermined order, for example, in the order of the delivery ports A, B, C, D, E, and F. The grease is distributed into the greasing pipe 17 and sent out. Here, from the respective outlets A to F, the outlets A, B, C,
One stroke in which grease is delivered in the order of D, E, and F is one discharge cycle.

.. are sub-distributing valves provided respectively subordinate to the main distributing valve 14, each sub-distributing valve 18 having substantially the same structure as the main distributing valve 14 and formed in the valve casing 19. Spools (none of which are shown) are fitted into the three spool sliding holes. Further, the valve casing 19 of each child distribution valve 18 is provided with outlets A to F at both ends of each spool sliding hole, and the outlets A to F are provided with greasing pipes 20, 20 ,. It is connected.

Each of the child distribution valves 18 is the parent distribution valve 1
4 is connected to each of the spools 4 through each greasing pipe 17, and the spools are sequentially driven (sliding displacement) by the grease distributed and supplied from the parent distribution valve 14, so that, for example, the delivery ports A, B, C, The grease is distributed into the greasing pipes 20 in the order of D, E, and F and sent out.

Reference numeral 21 designates a grandchild distribution valve provided subordinate to the child distribution valve 18. The grandchild distribution valve 21 is also constructed in substantially the same manner as the parent distribution valve 14 and has three spools formed in the valve casing 22. Spools (not shown) are fitted into the sliding holes. Further, in the valve casing 22 of the grandchild distribution valve 21, the delivery port A is provided at both ends of each spool sliding hole.
To F are provided, and greasing pipes 23, 23, ... Are connected to the outlets A to F, respectively. Then, the grandchild distribution valve 21 is connected to the child distribution valve 18 via the greasing pipe 20, and by sequentially driving (sliding displacement) each spool by the grease distributed and supplied from the child distribution valve 18. For example, the grease is distributed into the greasing pipes 23 in the order of the outlets A, B, C, D, E, and F and sent out.

When the amount of grease delivered from the delivery port C of the parent distribution valve 14 is (100), the amount of grease (25) is delivered from the delivery ports A and D of the child distribution valve 18, respectively. The grease amount (15) is sent from the outlets B and E of the child distribution valve 18, respectively.
The grease amount (10) is sent out from each of the delivery ports C and F. Then, in the grandchild distribution valve 21, the amount of grease delivered from the outlets A and D is (7.5), and the amount of grease delivered from the outlets B and E is (2.
5), and the grease amount (2.5) is sent out from the outlets C and F, respectively.

Reference numerals 24, 24, ... Represent a grease greasing section as a greasing section composed of the connecting pin 7G and the like, and each grease greasing section 24 greases each child distribution valve 18 or grandchild distribution valve 21. The grease is connected through the pipes 20 and 23, and the grease supplied from the child distribution valve 18 or the grandchild distribution valve 21 is supplied (greased) to the grease greasing portion 24. . In addition, each greasing pipe 2 is connected to each child distribution valve 18.
If necessary, a grandchild distribution valve similar to the grandchild distribution valve 21 is provided in place of any one of the grease greasing sections 24 directly connected via 0. Needless to say, each grease greasing portion may be provided in the distribution valve via each greasing pipe.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a discharge amount sensor as a discharge amount detecting means attached to the pump 9, and the discharge amount sensor 25 measures the total amount of grease discharged from the pump 9 before the pump 9 is started and stopped. The flow rate is detected as the discharge amount Q, and a detection signal of the discharge amount Q is output to the controller 29.

26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26
Reference numerals E and 26F denote limit switches as displacement detecting means provided in the parent distribution valve 14 corresponding to the outlets A to F of the parent distribution valve 14, and the limit switches 26A to 26F.
Is configured as illustrated in FIG. 3, and is normally held in the open state. The limit switches 26A to 26F are sequentially closed each time each spool 16 that is sequentially slidably displaced in the spool sliding holes 15A, 15B, 15C of the valve casing 15 reaches the stroke end, and each spool 16 is stroke end. When the sliding displacement starts from the opposite direction, the state returns to the open state again.

Reference numeral 27 denotes an engine switch provided in the operator's cab 5 of the hydraulic excavator 1, and the engine switch 2
Reference numeral 7 is opened and closed by an operator, and starts (operates) an engine (not shown) in the machine room 6 when closed.

Reference numeral 28 denotes an alarm lamp as an informing means for informing of a failure location. The alarm lamp 28 is provided for each of the sub distributor valves 18, the greasing pipes 20 and 23, the grandchild distributor valve 21, and each grease greasing section 24. Among them, when a failure such as clogging of grease occurs at any of the locations, a lamp or the like corresponding to this failure location is turned on to identify the failure location to notify the operator or the like.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a controller composed of a microcomputer or the like. The controller 29 has an input side connected with an engine switch 27, a discharge amount sensor 25, limit switches 26A to 26F, etc., and an output side with a solenoid valve 12 and an alarm. It is connected to the lamp 28 and the like. The controller 29 stores the program shown in FIG. 5 in its storage circuit and performs automatic greasing control processing, failure diagnosis processing, etc., which will be described later. In the storage circuit of the controller 29, a timer T, which will be described later, a predetermined waiting time Tc, a maximum discharge time Tm, a soft counter, and a count value N of a predetermined number of times are stored in the storage area 29A.

The progressive automatic greasing device according to this embodiment has the above-mentioned structure. Next, the failure diagnosis process including the automatic greasing control process by the controller 29 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when the processing operation is started, the engine switch 27 is read in step 1, and it is determined in step 2 whether or not the engine is started. If "YES" is determined, the procedure is advanced to step 3 and the timer T is set. Is started, and in step 4, the timer T sets a predetermined waiting time Tc.
Is determined. Then, in step 4, "Y
When it is determined as "ES", the process proceeds to step 5 and the solenoid valve 1
2 outputs a control signal to 2 and opens the solenoid valve 12 to drive the pump 9 by the air pressure from the air tank 10 to direct the grease in the grease tank 8 to the parent distribution valve 14. Discharge.

As a result, the parent distribution valve 14 drives the spools 16 in a predetermined order by supplying the grease from the pump 9 into the spool sliding holes 15A, 15B, 15C, for example, the delivery port. A, B, C, D, E,
The discharge cycle in which grease is distributed and sent into each greasing pipe 17 in the order of F is repeated.

Therefore, in step 6, the open and close signals from the limit switches 26A to 26F are read, and the operation history of the limit switches 26A to 26F (that is, the open and closed states of the limit switches 26A to 26F) can be sequentially updated. Remember. Then, in the next step 7, the storage area 2
The limit switch 2 indicates how many times the discharge cycle of the parent distribution valve 14 is repeated by the soft counter in 9A.
Cycle count value n based on signals from 6A to 26F
And counted as

Next, in step 8, it is determined whether or not the cycle count value n is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of count values N stored in the storage area 29A in advance, and if "YES" is determined in this step 8. The parent distribution valve 14 repeats the discharge cycle for the count value N times to distribute and send out the grease from the outlets A to F in a predetermined order.
Since the grease is supplied (greased) to each grease greasing portion 24 via the grandchild distribution valve 21, the process proceeds to step 9, where the solenoid valve 12 is closed and air is supplied from the air tank 10 to the pump 9. The operation of the parent distribution valve 14 is stopped while the drive of the pump 9 is stopped and the operation of the parent distribution valve 14 is stopped, and the timer T is reset in step 10 to end the processing operation.

If it is determined to be "NO" in step 8, it means that the number of discharge cycles (cycle count value n) of the parent distribution valve 14 has not reached the count value N. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 11. The count time T (n) counted by the timer T is the maximum discharge time Tm stored in advance in the storage area 29A (the upper limit value of the discharge time required for the parent distribution valve 14 to repeat the discharge cycle N times the count value). ) It is determined whether or not the following. When it is determined to be "YES" in this step 11, the count time T (n) is in a normal state within the maximum ejection time Tm, so that the process returns to step 6 and the subsequent processes are repeated. .

On the other hand, when it is judged "NO" in this step 11, the count time T (n) exceeds the maximum discharge time Tm before the discharge cycle of the parent distribution valve 14 is repeated by the count value N times. This is an abnormal state, and each child distribution valve 18, each greasing pipe 20, 23, and grandchild distribution valve 21 shown in FIG.
Also, since it can be determined that a failure such as grease clogging has occurred at any one of the grease greasing portions 24, the process proceeds to step 12, and the discharge amount Q of the pump 9 is read and then read in step 6 above. Limit switch 26A
~ 26F open / close signal and discharge amount Q by step 12
Based on this signal, the failure diagnosis is performed to identify the location of failure such as grease clogging as follows.

That is, based on the open / close signals of the limit switches 26A-26F, whichever of the limit switches 26A-26F is closed immediately before the occurrence of a failure, and which switch is scheduled to be closed next. Determine if there is,
It identifies from which of the outlets A to F of the parent distribution valve 14 the fault occurred while the grease was being delivered. The case where a failure occurs while the grease is being sent from the delivery port C of the parent distribution valve 14 will be described as an example. In step 13, the discharge amount Q and the parent distribution valve 14 will be described.
Difference ΔQ from the total delivery amount Q1 of

[0041]

[Formula 1] ΔQ = Q-Q1 Q1 = aQA + bQB + cQC + dQD + eQE + fQ
Calculate as F, and the delivery port C of the parent distribution valve 14 before the failure occurs
The amount of grease sent from the spool 16 is obtained as the difference ΔQ.

Here, the transmission amounts QA, QB, QC, QD,
QE and QF represent the amount of grease delivered from the delivery ports A to F of the parent distribution valve 14 for each stroke of each spool 16, and the number of times a, b, c, d, e, and f is the limit switch 2.
6A to 26F represent the number of times the operation is closed. That is, if a failure occurs while the grease is being sent out from the outlet C, the limit switches 26A, 26B
Is closed k times (a, b = k), the limit switches 26C to 26F are closed (c-1, d, k) times.
e, f = k-1).

Next, at step 14, based on the difference ΔQ (the amount of grease sent from the delivery port C of the parent distribution valve 14), any of the child distribution valve 18, the grandchild distribution valve 21 and the like connected to this delivery port C is selected. In order to identify whether a failure has occurred at

[0044]

[Formula 2] ΔQ <Σqx Σqx = q1 + q2 + q3 + q4 + ... + qx is performed to determine at which point the fault has occurred.

In this case, the delivery amount q1 is the amount of grease delivered from the delivery port A of the child distribution valve 18, and the next delivery amounts q2 and q3 are delivered from the delivery ports B and C of the child distribution valve 18, respectively. It represents the amount of grease, and if a failure occurs during the delivery of grease from the delivery port B of the grandchild distribution valve 21, the delivery amount A of grease of q4 is sent from the delivery port A of the grandchild distribution valve 21, and then the grandchild distribution valve 21. The total delivery amount (Σqx) when delivering the delivery amount qx of grease from the delivery port B of
) Is larger than the difference ΔQ.

Therefore, the transmission quantities q1, q2, q3, q
The total transmission amount (Σqx) obtained by sequentially summing 4, ..., qx is
By determining the portion of the delivery amount qx that is larger than the difference ΔQ in step 14, for example, the greasing pipe 23 or the grease greasing portion 24 connected to the delivery port B of the grandchild distribution valve 21.
If a failure such as clogging of grease occurs at a point midway through, the failure point can be diagnosed and found (specified).
Then, in step 15, an alarm signal is output to the alarm lamp 28, and the lamp corresponding to the failure point is turned on to notify the operator or the like of the failure occurrence point.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the solenoid valve 12 is opened after a predetermined waiting time Tc has elapsed after the engine is started, so that the grease in the grease tank 8 is transferred from the pump 9 to the parent distribution valve 14. While discharging, automatic greasing control for greasing grease to each grease greasing portion 24 via each child distribution valve 18, grandchild distribution valve 21 and the like is performed, and step 11 is performed during this automatic greasing control process. Depending on whether the count time T (n) of the timer T exceeds the maximum discharge time Tm (the upper limit of the discharge time required for the parent distribution valve 14 to repeat the discharge cycle N times the count value), automatic greasing is performed. It is possible to reliably diagnose whether or not a failure has occurred.

When a failure occurs, a failure such as clogging of grease occurs at any one of the child distribution valves 18, the greasing pipes 20 and 23, the grandchild distribution valve 21, and the grease greasing section 24 shown in FIG. Whether the occurrence of
It is possible to find (identify) by performing the calculation according to the formula (1), and to activate the alarm lamp 28 to turn on the lamp corresponding to the failure location, and to notify the operator or the like of the failure occurrence location. it can.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of child distribution valves 18, 1 subordinate to the parent distribution valve 14 are provided.
, ... and a grandchild distribution valve 21 subordinate to each of the child distribution valves 18
Etc. are systematically branched, and the grease can be automatically lubricated to a large number of grease lubrication parts 24, 24, ... Of the hydraulic excavator 1, and troubles such as grease clogging occur during lubrication work. In this case, it is possible to diagnose and identify (specify) the failure occurrence point at an early stage, and greatly improve the workability of the failure diagnosis.

Further, if any of the greasing pipes 17, 20, and 23 is damaged in the middle and grease leaks or the like, the load at the time of delivering the grease from the parent distribution valve 14 becomes small, and Of each spool 16 of the distribution valve 14,
Since any one of the sliding speeds suddenly increases, grease leakage and the like can be detected early by monitoring the operation history of the limit switches 26A to 26F (that is, the open / closed states of the limit switches 26A to 26F). , Various effects are exhibited.

In the above embodiment, step 13 and step 14 of the program shown in FIG. 5 show a specific example of the failure point determination means which is a constituent feature of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the parent distribution valve 14 is provided with the limit switches 26A to 26F for individually detecting the stroke ends of the spools 16, but the present invention is not limited to this. The limit switch 26 is also provided for each child distribution valve 18 or each grandchild distribution valve 21.
A displacement detecting means similar to A to 26F may be provided. In this case, it is possible to directly detect whether or not each spool of each child distribution valve 18 or each grandchild distribution valve 21 is slidingly displaced by each displacement detecting means, and it is possible to detect grease clogging or grease leakage. It is possible to more accurately perform the failure diagnosis.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the alarm lamp 28 is used as a notification means when a failure occurs, but instead of this, a notification means such as a voice synthesizer or a message display is used. Good.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the hydraulic excavator 1 as a construction machine is automatically greased has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and construction machines that require greasing are used. Is widely applicable to other construction machines such as hydraulic cranes.

[0055]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, as described in claim 1, the discharge amount detecting means detects the discharge amount of the lubricating oil discharged from the pump, and the discharge amount detecting means is provided in each parent distribution valve. Since the plurality of displacement detecting means individually detects the sliding displacement of each spool, when a failure such as clogging of grease occurs in any of the plurality of greasing pipes or the plurality of greasing parts, It is possible to detect which one of the spools has stopped in the middle of the sliding displacement (stroke) based on the signal from each displacement detecting means,
At this time, the discharge amount of the lubricating oil that has already been discharged from the pump can be detected based on the signal from the discharge amount detection means, and the failure point determination means detects a failure in any part of the entire system based on these detection results. It is possible to early diagnose and detect (identify) whether or not a problem has occurred, and it is possible to greatly improve the workability of failure diagnosis.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 2,
A plurality of limit switches constituting each displacement detecting means are provided at both ends of the parent distribution valve, and each limit switch is closed each time each spool reaches the stroke end, and a signal from each limit switch is provided. Based on the above, by adopting a configuration in which which limit switch among the limit switches is closed is sequentially stored by the failure point determination means, which one of the spools of the parent distribution valve reaches the stroke end. After (which limit switch is closed), it is possible to reliably detect whether a failure such as grease clogging has occurred, and accurately determine which spool was in the middle of sliding displacement (stroke) when the failure occurred. Diagnosis can be performed to identify the failure location.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 3,
A sub-dividing valve is provided so as to be subordinate to the sub-dividing valve, and each spool of the sub-dividing valve is sequentially slidably displaced by the lubricating oil distributed from the sub-dividing valve while being distributed from each outlet of the sub-dividing valve. Even if the lubricating oil sent out as is is guided to each greasing part via each greasing pipe, the spool stopped during the sliding displacement (stroke) can be identified when a failure occurs, and it is already discharged from the pump. By detecting the discharged amount of lubricating oil, it is possible to accurately diagnose in which part of the entire system a failure such as clogging of grease has occurred, and to specify the failure part in an early stage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a hydraulic excavator showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram showing a progressive automatic greasing device according to an embodiment.

3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a parent distribution valve in FIG. 2. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram showing a controller and the like of the progressive automatic greasing device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an automatic greasing control process and a failure diagnosis process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8 Grease Tank (Oil Tank) 9 Pump 10 Air Tank 12 Solenoid Valve 14 Parent Distribution Valve 15, 19, 22 Valve Casing 15A, 15B, 15C Spool Sliding Hole 16 Spool 17, 20, 23 Greasing Pipe 18 Child Distribution Valve 21 Grandchild Distribution valve 24 Grease greasing part (greasing part) 25 Discharge amount sensor (discharging amount detecting means) 26A to 26F Limit switch (displacement detecting means) 29 Controller A, B, C, D, E, F Sending port

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A pump that sucks and discharges lubricating oil in an oil tank, and a plurality of spools are sequentially driven by the lubricating oil from the pump, so that a plurality of pumps are sent in accordance with the sliding displacement of each spool. A parent distribution valve that distributes and sends the lubricating oil from an outlet, and subordinate valves for the parent distribution valve. The spools are sequentially driven by the lubricating oil that is distributed from the parent distribution valve. A plurality of child distribution valves for distributing and sending the lubricating oil from the respective outlets according to the sliding displacement of the plurality of lubricating oils, and at least the lubricating oils sent from the respective outlets of the respective child distributing valves to a plurality of greasing portions. And a plurality of greasing pipes that respectively lead to each other, and each of the parent distribution valve and each child distribution valve has a valve casing in which a plurality of spool sliding holes are formed, and in each spool sliding hole of the valve casing. Predetermined each spool above In a progressive automatic greasing device that is slidably displaced according to the set order, a discharge amount detecting means for detecting a discharge amount of the lubricating oil discharged from the pump and the parent distribution valve are respectively provided, When a failure occurs in any of the plurality of displacement detecting means for individually detecting the sliding displacement of the spool and each of the greasing pipes or the greasing portions, the displacement detecting means and the discharge amount detecting means A progressive automatic greasing device, characterized in that it is provided with a failure point determination means for determining a failure point based on a signal. 2. Each of the displacement detecting means comprises a plurality of limit switches, which are provided at both ends of the parent distribution valve, are normally opened, and are closed each time the spools reach their stroke ends. 2. The progressive automatic feeding according to claim 1, wherein the failure point determination means is configured to sequentially store which of the limit switches is closed based on a signal from each of the limit switches. Greasy equipment. 3. A sub-dividing valve subordinate to the sub-dividing valve is provided at each delivery port of the sub-dividing valve, and the sub-dividing valve is provided with respective spools of lubricating oil distributed from the sub-distribution valve. The lubricating oil distributed and sent out from each outlet of the grandchild distribution valve is guided to each greasing portion via each greasing pipe by sequentially slidingly displacing. Progressive automatic greasing device.