JP2016138466A - Lubrication device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a lubricating device capable of suppressing a decrease in defoaming property of a lubricating oil. In this lubricating device 2, an antifoaming agent supply unit 4 supplies the antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil in accordance with the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil. That is, in the lubricating device 2, the timing of supplying the antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil can be adjusted using the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil as an index. Thereby, since an antifoamer can be supplied to lubricating oil at a suitable timing, the fall of the defoaming property of lubricating oil can be suppressed. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricating device.

  Conventionally, in mechanical devices such as engines and automatic transmissions, lubricating oil is used to improve the lubricity between members. Lubricating oil is supplied from, for example, a lubricating device provided in the mechanical device, and is circulated and used in the mechanical device. Generally, a lubricating oil contains a base oil and various additives that are added according to desired properties. As such an additive, for example, an antifoaming agent for suppressing the generation of bubbles in the lubricating oil is mentioned (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-132792 A

  Lubricating oil tends to easily generate bubbles due to deterioration due to use. Moreover, since the specific gravity of an antifoamer is usually larger than the specific gravity of a base oil, there exists a problem that an antifoamer settles or is trapped by the member of a mechanical device with use of lubricating oil. Thus, when the defoaming property of lubricating oil falls, there exists a possibility that the desired characteristic of lubricating oil may not fully be exhibited.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lubrication apparatus that can suppress a decrease in the defoaming property of the lubricating oil.

  In order to solve the above problems, a lubricating device according to the present invention is a lubricating device that supplies lubricating oil to a lubricated portion, and supplies the antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil according to the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil. A supply unit is provided.

  In this lubricating device, the antifoaming agent supply unit supplies the antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil according to the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil. That is, in this lubricating device, the timing of supplying the antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil can be adjusted using the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil as an index. Thereby, since an antifoamer can be supplied to lubricating oil at a suitable timing, the fall of the defoaming property of lubricating oil can be suppressed.

  It is preferable that the lubrication apparatus further includes a deterioration detection unit that detects the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil, and the antifoaming agent supply unit supplies the antifoaming agent based on the detection result of the deterioration detection unit. In this case, since the deterioration of the lubricating oil can be accurately detected, the antifoaming agent can be supplied to the lubricating oil at a more suitable timing.

  The lubricating device further includes a flow path changing unit that changes a flow path of the lubricating oil based on the detection result of the deterioration detecting unit, and the flow path changing unit is configured to flow a part or all of the lubricating oil from the inflow flow path. It is preferable that the first outflow channel is changed to the second outflow channel, and the antifoaming agent supply unit is disposed on the second outflow channel. In this case, the flow path changing unit changes the flow path of the lubricating oil from the first outflow path to the second outflow path, so that the defoaming agent supply section is supplied to the lubricating oil flowing through the second outflow path. Supplies an antifoaming agent. As described above, the antifoaming agent can be supplied to the lubricating oil by a simple operation that simply changes the flow path.

  The deterioration detecting unit increases the pressure of the inflow channel with respect to the first outflow channel as the deterioration of the lubricating oil proceeds, detects the deterioration of the lubricating oil based on the pressure of the inflow channel, and the channel changing unit The inflow channel and the second outflow channel are preferably communicated based on the detection result of the deterioration detection unit. In this case, the lubricating oil flow path is changed from the first inflow path to the second outflow path at the timing when the pressure of the inflow path increases. Therefore, it is possible to detect the deterioration of the lubricating oil and supply the antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil at a suitable timing without using a detection sensor that directly detects the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil as the deterioration detecting unit.

  The deterioration detection unit preferably increases the pressure of the inflow channel with respect to the first outflow channel by a filter that removes impurities contained in the lubricating oil. In this case, it is possible to detect an increase in pressure due to deterioration of the lubricating oil by increasing the pressure applied to the filter due to an increase in viscosity due to deterioration of the lubricating oil or generation of sludge. Therefore, the deterioration of the lubricating oil can be detected with a simple configuration called a filter.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the defoaming property of the lubricating oil.

It is the schematic which shows one Embodiment of a lubrication apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the principal part in one Embodiment of a lubrication apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the principal part in other embodiment of the lubricating device. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of more concrete embodiment of the principal part in the lubricating device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a more specific embodiment of the configuration of the lubricating device shown in FIG. 4. It is a schematic cross section which shows the state of the lubricating device before the deterioration detection of lubricating oil. It is a schematic cross section which shows the state of the lubricating device after detection of deterioration of lubricating oil. It is a schematic cross section which shows the modification of the lubricating device shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a lubricating device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a lubricating device. As shown in FIG. 1, the lubrication mechanism 1 includes a lubrication device 2 and a portion to be lubricated 3. The lubrication mechanism 1 is incorporated in a mechanical device such as an engine or an (automatic) transmission. The lubrication device 2 is connected to the lubricated part 3 and supplies lubricating oil to the lubricated part 3. The lubricated portion 3 is a portion of the mechanical device that requires lubricity, and includes a portion that is driven by contact of components such as gears. The lubricating oil supplied to the lubricated part 3 lubricates the lubricated part 3 and then returns to the lubricating device 2. Thus, the lubricating oil is used by circulating through the lubricating device 2 and the portion to be lubricated 3. Note that the configuration of the lubrication mechanism is not limited to the above-described configuration. The lubrication mechanism may include, for example, the defoamer supply unit 4 and the deterioration detection unit 5 as separate devices. In this case, the to-be-lubricated part 3 may be provided between both so that the antifoamer supply part 4 and the deterioration detection part 5 may be connected.

  The lubricating oil contains a base oil such as mineral oil or synthetic oil, and an antifoaming agent. Examples of the antifoaming agent include polyacrylate antifoaming agents and silicone antifoaming agents. In addition to the base oil and the antifoaming agent, the lubricating oil may further contain an additive as necessary. Such additives include metal detergents, ashless dispersants, extreme pressure agents, antiwear agents, antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, rust inhibitors, demulsifiers, metal deactivators, ashless friction modifiers, Examples thereof include a viscosity index improver and a pour point depressant.

  The lubrication apparatus 2 includes an antifoam supply unit 4 and a deterioration detection unit 5. The antifoaming agent supply unit 4 supplies the antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil according to the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil. Specifically, the deterioration detecting unit 5 detects the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil, and the antifoaming agent supplying unit 4 supplies the antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil based on the detection result of the deterioration detecting unit 5.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a main part in one embodiment of the lubricating device. As shown in FIG. 2, in the lubricating device 2 </ b> A, a deterioration detection unit 5 and an antifoaming agent supply unit 4 are provided on the flow path 6. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the deterioration detection unit 5 and the antifoaming agent supply unit 4 are provided in this order from the upstream side of the lubricating oil flowing through the flow path 6. However, the order is not particularly limited, and the antifoaming agent supply unit 4 and the deterioration detection unit 5 may be provided in this order from the upstream side of the lubricating oil flowing through the flow path 6 or may be provided at the same position.

  The deterioration detection unit 5 is configured by, for example, a detection sensor immersed in the lubricating oil, and detects the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil based on an electric signal from the detection sensor. The detection sensor is, for example, a pressure loss or flow rate of a specific flow path (which may be the flow path 6 or a flow path different from the flow path 6), or a direct flow applied to the specific flow path. The pressure or the like may be corrected by the viscosity, and the viscosity of the lubricating oil may be directly measured. Further, the detection sensor may detect a change in the dielectric constant, resistance, etc. of the lubricating oil due to an increase in deteriorated substances in the lubricating oil. For example, when the viscosity of the lubricating oil exceeds a predetermined value, the deterioration detecting unit 5 transmits a signal indicating that the lubricating oil has deteriorated (hereinafter referred to as “deterioration signal”) to the antifoaming agent supplying unit 4. The detection sensor detects, for example, the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil by detecting an increase in carbonyl group, nitric acid group, nitrous acid group, etc. generated by optical color or oxidative deterioration without contacting the lubricating oil. It may be. The detection sensor uses a sensor that physically determines deterioration of the lubricating oil based on a travel distance and an accumulated operation time of a vehicle equipped with the lubrication mechanism, an accumulated rotation speed in a lubrication mechanism including a rotating device, a thermal history, and the like. Also good.

  When the defoaming agent supply unit 4 receives the deterioration signal from the deterioration detection unit 5, for example, the antifoaming agent supply unit 4 opens the antifoaming agent storage unit (not shown) in which the defoaming agent is stored, thereby providing the defoaming agent to the lubricating oil. Supply. The opening of the defoaming agent storage unit may be performed by a valve, a shutter or the like. In the antifoam storage part, the antifoaming agents such as the above-mentioned polyacrylate antifoaming agent and silicone antifoaming agent may be stored in various states such as liquid, solid and capsule. Note that the antifoaming agent storage unit may be disposed outside the flow path 6 and supply the antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil in the flow path 6 via a supply pipe. Alternatively, the defoaming agent storage unit may be disposed in the flow path 6 and may be released in the lubricating oil by being released in the lubricating oil flowing through the flow path 6. Further, the defoaming agent supply unit 4 may include a fluid transfer unit such as a pump, and when the deterioration signal is received from the deterioration detection unit 5, the fluid transfer unit is driven to drive the lubricating oil in the flow path 6. An antifoaming agent may be supplied.

  It is preferable that the antifoam supply part 4 supplies a predetermined amount of antifoam according to the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil. Specifically, the deterioration detection unit 5 transmits a deterioration signal at a level corresponding to the degree of deterioration of the lubricant to the antifoaming agent supply unit 4, and the defoaming agent supply unit 4 increases the level of the received deterioration signal. A predetermined amount of antifoaming agent is supplied each time. The amount of antifoaming agent to be supplied is preferably set by the number of capsule antifoaming agents, or is preferably controlled by a system capable of supplying an appropriate amount of antifoaming agent. The amount of the antifoaming agent supplied at a time is preferably 0.5 ppm by weight or more of the total amount of the lubricating oil used in the lubrication mechanism including the lubricated part, for example, in the case of a silicone type antifoaming agent It is more preferably at least ppm, more preferably at least 3 ppm by weight, more preferably at most 50 ppm by weight, more preferably at most 30 ppm by weight, and at most 20 ppm by weight. Is more preferable, and 10 ppm by weight or less is particularly preferable. For example, in the case of an acrylic antifoaming agent, the amount of antifoaming agent supplied at a time is preferably 0.05% by weight or more and 2% by weight or less of the total amount of the lubricating oil.

  In this case, the timing at which the antifoam supply part 4 supplies the antifoam to the lubricating oil is not particularly limited. Here, when the usage time of the lubricating oil becomes long, the antifoaming agent contained in the lubricating oil settles, or the antifoaming agent is captured by each part of the lubricated portion 3. Therefore, there is a certain correlation between the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil that occurs over time and the amount of antifoaming agent that disappears from the lubricating oil. For example, the relationship between the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil being used and the degree of deterioration of the defoaming property of the lubricating oil being used is acquired in advance as measurement data or as calculation data. Based on the data, the timing at which the deterioration detection unit 5 transmits a signal is adjusted so that the defoaming agent supply unit 4 supplies the antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil at a timing when it is necessary to replenish the defoaming agent. Keep it.

  In the above-described example, electrical exchange using a signal is performed between the deterioration detection unit 5 and the antifoaming agent supply unit 4, but electrical exchange may not be performed. For example, the deterioration detection unit 5 may be a switch mechanism that operates according to the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil, and the antifoaming agent supply unit 4 may include a mechanism that supplies the antifoaming agent based on the operation of the switch mechanism.

  As described above, in the lubricating device 2 </ b> A having the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the defoaming agent supply unit 4 supplies the defoaming agent to the lubricating oil based on the detection result of the deterioration detection unit 5. That is, in the lubricating device 2A, it is determined whether or not to supply the antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil using the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil as an index. Moreover, in this lubricating device 2A, the timing which supplies an antifoamer to lubricating oil can be adjusted by using the grade of deterioration of lubricating oil as a parameter | index. As a result, deterioration of the lubricating oil can be detected with high accuracy, so that the lubricating oil can be applied to the lubricating oil at a suitable timing as compared with a lubricating device that supplies an antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil according to the degree of foam generation in the lubricating oil, for example. Antifoam can be supplied. Therefore, in this lubricating device, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the defoaming property of the lubricating oil.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a main part in another embodiment of the lubricating device. As shown in FIG. 3, in this lubrication device 2 </ b> B, the inflow channel 7, the first outflow channel 8, and the second outflow channel 9 are connected to each other via a connecting portion 10. Lubricating oil flows from the inflow channel 7 to the connection portion 10 and flows out from the connection portion 10 to the first outflow channel 8 and / or the second outflow channel 9. The lubricating device 2 </ b> B includes an antifoaming agent supply unit 4, a deterioration detection unit 5 and a flow path changing unit 11 provided in the connection unit 10. The second outflow channel 9 may merge with the first outflow channel 8 or may be directed to the lubricated portion 3 in a state independent of the first outflow channel 8. It may be connected to the path 7. In addition, the deterioration detection part 5 and the flow-path change part 11 can be paraphrased as a deterioration detection function and a flow-path change function, respectively. That is, the deterioration detection unit 5 and the flow path change unit 11 may be separate devices, and one apparatus is both the deterioration detection unit 5 (deterioration detection function) and the flow path change unit 11 (flow path change function). The deterioration detecting function or the flow path changing function may be exhibited as the deterioration detecting section 5 or the flow path changing section 11 by cooperation of two or more devices.

  The deterioration detecting unit 5 detects at least the pressure of the inflow channel 7 and the pressure increasing unit 12 that raises the pressure of the inflow channel 7 (the pressure of the lubricating oil flowing through the inflow channel 7), thereby deteriorating the lubricant. And a pressure detector 13 for detection. The pressure increasing unit 12 increases the pressure of the inflow channel 7 with respect to the first outflow channel 8 with the progress of deterioration of the lubricating oil, for example. Then, the pressure detection unit 13 detects deterioration of the lubricating oil based on the pressure of the inflow channel 7 increased by the boosting unit 12. The pressurizing unit 12 includes, for example, a capillary, an orifice, and a filter (details will be described later) that remove impurities contained in the lubricating oil. The pressure detection unit 13 may be configured by a pressure sensor that transmits a deterioration signal to the flow path changing unit 11 when the pressure of the inflow flow path 7 exceeds a predetermined value, for example. Or the pressure detection part 13 may be comprised by the mechanism (mechanism using elastic members, such as a spring) which act | operates mechanically with the pressure of the inflow flow path 7. FIG.

  The flow path changing unit 11 causes the flow of the lubricating oil from the inflow flow path 7 to flow out only to the first outflow flow path 8 before the deterioration of the lubricating oil is detected. 13 (deterioration detection unit 5), the flow of part or all of the lubricating oil from the inflow channel 7 is changed from the first outflow channel 8 to the second outflow channel 9. Specifically, the flow path changing section 11 includes a flow path communicating section 14 and a blocking section 15, and the flow path of the lubricating oil is changed by the flow path communicating section 14 and the blocking section 15. .

  The flow channel communication unit 14 communicates the inflow channel 7 and the second outflow channel 9 based on the detection result of the deterioration detection unit 5. When the pressure detection unit 13 is configured by a pressure sensor, the channel communication unit 14 communicates the inflow channel 7 and the second outflow channel 9 when receiving a deterioration signal from the pressure detection unit 13. Alternatively, in the case where the pressure detection unit 13 is configured by a mechanically operated mechanism, the flow channel communication unit 14 operates in conjunction with the pressure detection unit 13, whereby the inflow channel 7 and the second outflow flow. The road 9 may be communicated. The blocking portion 15 blocks part or all of the flow of the lubricating oil to the first outflow channel 8 after the flow channel communication between the inflow channel 7 and the second outflow channel 9. The blocking unit 15 may be configured by a valve or a shutter that closes the first outflow channel 8 after the channel is changed. In addition, when the pressure | voltage rise part 12 is comprised with the filter, the said filter functions also as the interruption | blocking part 15 (The detail of the said structure is mentioned later).

  In addition, the pressure | voltage rise part 12, the pressure detection part 13, the flow-path communication part 14, and the interruption | blocking part 15 can be paraphrased as a pressure | voltage rise function, a pressure detection function, a flow-path communication function, and a interruption | blocking function, respectively. That is, the boosting unit 12, the pressure detection unit 13, the flow path communication unit 14, and the blocking unit 15 may be separate devices, and one device is the boosting unit 12 (boosting function) and the pressure detecting unit 13 (pressure). Detection function), flow path communication section 14 (flow path communication function), and shut-off section 15 (cut-off function). As the detection unit 13, the flow channel communication unit 14, or the blocking unit 15, a boosting function, a pressure detection function, a flow channel communication function, or a blocking function may be exhibited.

  The antifoaming agent supply unit 4 is disposed on the second outflow channel 9 and supplies the antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil whose channel has been changed by the channel changing unit 11.

  As described above, the lubricating device 2 </ b> B having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 further includes the flow path changing unit 11 that changes the flow path of the lubricating oil based on the detection result of the deterioration detecting unit 5. The flow path changing unit 11 changes the flow of part or all of the lubricating oil from the inflow flow path 7 from the first outflow path 8 to the second outflow path 9. Further, the antifoaming agent supply unit 4 is disposed on the second outflow channel 9. In this case, the flow path changing unit 11 changes the lubricating oil flow path from the first outflow path 8 to the second outflow path 9 so that the lubricating oil flowing in the second outflow path 9 is turned off. An antifoaming agent is supplied by the foaming agent supply unit 4. As described above, the antifoaming agent can be supplied to the lubricating oil by a simple operation that simply changes the flow path.

  The deterioration detection unit 5 increases the pressure of the inflow passage 7 with respect to the first outflow passage 8 as the deterioration of the lubricant progresses, and detects the deterioration of the lubricant based on the pressure of the inflow passage 7. The flow path changing unit 11 causes the inflow flow path 7 and the second outflow flow path 9 to communicate with each other based on the detection result of the deterioration detection unit 5. In this case, the lubricating oil flow path is changed from the first outflow path 8 to the second outflow path 9 at the timing when the pressure of the inflow path 7 becomes high. Therefore, the deterioration detection unit 5 can detect the deterioration of the lubricating oil without using a detection sensor that directly detects the degree of the deterioration of the lubricating oil.

  However, the configuration of the lubrication apparatus in the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration including the pressure increasing unit 12, the pressure detecting unit 13, the flow channel communicating unit 14, and the blocking unit 15 as described above, and at least the deterioration detecting unit 5 and the flow channel. What is necessary is just the structure provided with the change part 11. FIG. For example, the deterioration detection unit 5 may detect the deterioration of the lubricating oil directly with a detection sensor as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Further, the flow path changing unit 11 may switch the flow of the lubricating oil from the first outflow path 8 to the second outflow path 9 by switching a valve (for example, a three-way valve may be used). Good.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a more specific embodiment of the main part of the lubricating device shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the lubricating device 2 </ b> C includes a filter 16 provided at a connection portion between the connection portion 10 and the first outflow passage 8, and a connection between the connection portion 10 and the second outflow passage 9. And a valve 17 provided at a location. It should be noted that the internal space of the connecting portion 10 communicated with the inflow channel 7 regardless of the switching of the channel may be regarded as a part of the “inflow channel” in the claims. In this lubricating device, the flow path changing structure by the combination of the filter 16 and the valve 17 has both the function of the above-described deterioration detection unit 5 and the function of the flow path changing unit 11. That is, the filter 16 functions as the pressure increasing unit 12 and the blocking unit 15, and the valve 17 functions as the pressure detection unit 13 and the flow path communication unit 14.

  Specifically, the filter 16 removes impurities such as sludge accompanying the progress of deterioration of the lubricating oil, and clogging due to the impurities occurs with the progress of deterioration of the lubricating oil. The pressure of the inflow channel 7 with respect to the path 8 is increased (function as the booster 12). On the other hand, the valve 17 has, for example, an elastic member (for example, a coil spring, a leaf spring, a rubber member, etc.) that is deformed by pressure, and elastically applies the pressure of the inflow passage 7 increased by the filter 16. Detection is based on deformation of the member (function as the pressure detection unit 13). Here, the state in which the elastic member of the valve 17 is elastically deformed by a predetermined amount or more corresponds to the “state in which pressure is detected”. Further, the valve 17 has a lid portion that opens and closes as the elastic member is deformed. For example, when it is detected that the pressure of the inflow channel 7 exceeds a predetermined value, the inflow flow is achieved by opening the lid portion. The channel 7 and the second outflow channel 9 are communicated (function as the channel communication unit 14). Here, when the elastic member is deformed to a predetermined amount or more, it is detected that the pressure exceeds a predetermined value, and the lid is opened simultaneously with the deformation of the elastic member due to the detection of such pressure. At the time of design, data indicating the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil and the relationship between the inflow passage 7 and the first outflow passage 8 generated by the filter 16 is acquired, and the deterioration of the lubricating oil is based on the data. The elastic coefficient of the elastic member of the valve 17 is set so that the lid portion of the valve 17 opens at an appropriate timing based on the above. Further, the filter 16 is partially clogged with impurities, so that a part of the lubricating oil flows into the first outflow passage 8 after the inflow passage 7 and the second outflow passage 9 communicate with each other. Alternatively, all are blocked (function as the blocking unit 15).

  However, the configuration of the lubrication apparatus in the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration, and each element (the pressure increasing unit 12, the pressure detecting unit 13, the flow channel communicating unit 14, and the blocking unit 15) is configured as a separate part. May be. For example, a pressure detection sensor may be further provided as the pressure detection unit 13 separately from the valve 17. Further, for example, a valve that operates based on a signal from the pressure detection unit 13 may be further provided as the flow channel communication unit 14. Further, for example, a valve that completely closes the first outflow passage 8 may be provided as the blocking portion 15 separately from the filter 16.

  In the following, the configuration of the lubricating device shown in FIG. 4 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. However, FIG. 5 shows only one example of the lubricating device, and does not show all the specific structures of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a more specific embodiment of the configuration of the lubricating device shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, in the lubrication mechanism 31, the lubrication device 32 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and includes a filter 16 and a valve unit 18. The filter 16 is folded, for example, in a bellows shape, and is erected in the lubricating device 32 so as to form a hollow cylindrical shape as a whole.

Lubricating device 32, lubrication is formed and the lubricating oil outflow region R _O corresponding to the hollow region formed by the filter 16, the outer peripheral surface 16a and the upper wall portion 19 of the inner surface 32a and the filter 16 of the casing of the lubricating device 32 by an oil draining R _I, a has. The lubricating oil inflow region _RI is configured as the inflow channel 7, and the lubricating oil outflow region R _O is configured as the first outflow channel 8. A flow path extending from the lubricated portion 3 to the lubricating device 32 is connected to the lubricating oil inflow region R _I, a flow path extending from the lubricating device 32 to be lubricated portion 3 is connected to a lubricant outflow region R _O. Lubricating oil is supplied from the lubricating oil outlet region R _O to be lubricated section 3, after the lubricated portion 3 was lubrication, it returns to the lubricant draining R _I of the lubricating device 32.

The valve unit 18 is disposed on the hollow side of the filter 16 in the upper wall portion 19 that covers the upper end of the filter 16. The valve unit 18 includes a lid portion 20, an elastic member (here, a coil spring) 21, an antifoaming agent supply portion 4, and a housing portion 23 that houses these components. The accommodating portion 23 has a cylindrical shape, and accommodates the lid portion 20 and the elastic member 21 to constitute a relief valve, and an antifoaming agent arranging portion 23b for accommodating the antifoaming agent supply portion 4. And. The upper end of the valve portion 23a is configured to open to the lubricating oil draining R _I, has the seal structure to be sealed while securing the sealability by the lid portion 20. In addition, a partition wall having a through hole is provided between the valve portion 23a and the antifoaming agent arrangement portion 23b. The elastic member 21 supports the lid portion 20 on the upper end side, and is fixed to the partition wall on the lower end side. The lower end of the defoamer arrangement portion 23b is open to the lubricating oil outflow region R _O. The antifoaming agent supply unit 4 provided in the antifoaming agent arranging unit 23b is configured so that the antifoaming agent is automatically supplied into the lubricating oil when the lubricating oil flows into the antifoaming agent arranging unit 23b. Is done. The internal space S of the housing part 23 is configured as a second outflow channel 9. Here, the lubricating oil that has flowed out to the second outflow passage 9 is joined to the first outflow passage 8 after being supplied with the antifoaming agent.

Hereinafter, the function and effect of the lubricating device 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state of the lubricating device 32 before detection of deterioration of the lubricating oil. Before detecting the deterioration of the lubricating oil, the lubricating oil flows through the lubricating oil inflow region R _I (inflow channel 7) and flows out through the filter 16 to the lubricating oil outflow region R _O (first outflow channel 8). To do. In this case, since the lubricating oil permeability of the filter 16 is high, the lubricating oil does not flow toward the valve unit 18. Alternatively, even if the lubricating oil flows in the direction of the valve unit 18, the lubricating oil does not have sufficient pressure to deform the elastic member 21 in the valve unit 18, so that the lid 20 of the valve unit 18 is opened. Therefore, the lubricating oil does not flow into the valve unit 18.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of the lubricating device 32 after detection of deterioration of the lubricating oil. As the deterioration of the lubricating oil proceeds from the state shown in FIG. 6, impurities such as sludge are generated in the lubricating oil, so that the filter 16 is clogged. In the filter 16, the pressure of the inflow channel 7 with respect to the first outflow channel 8 increases (function as the pressure increasing unit 12 of the filter 16), and part or all of the lubricating oil flows toward the valve unit 18.

  On the other hand, in the valve unit 18, since the elastic member 21 is set to be deformed by a predetermined pressure, the pressure of the inflow channel 7 (that is, from the inflow channel 7 to the valve unit based on the deformation of the elastic member 21). It is detected that the pressure of the lubricating oil flowing in the 18 direction exceeds a predetermined value (function as the pressure detecting unit 13 of the valve unit 18). And since the valve unit 18 has the cover part 20 which opens and closes with a deformation | transformation of the elastic member 21, it detects that the deformation | transformation of the elastic member 21 (the pressure of the inflow flow path 7 exceeded predetermined value). Thus, the lid portion 20 is opened, and the inflow channel 7 and the second outflow channel 9 are communicated (function as the channel communication unit 14 of the valve unit 18).

  At this time, since the antifoam supply part 4 is provided on the internal space S (second outflow passage 9) of the valve unit 18, the antifoam is supplied to the deteriorated lubricating oil. Further, the filter 16 is partially clogged with impurities, so that part of the flow of the lubricating oil to the first outflow passage 8 after the inflow passage 7 and the second outflow passage 9 are communicated with each other. Alternatively, all of them are blocked (the function of the filter 16 as the blocking unit 15).

  As described above, in the lubrication device 32, the pressure increasing unit 12 that increases the pressure of the inflow channel 7 with respect to the first outflow channel 8, and the inflow channel 7 and the second outflow flow with the simple configuration of the filter 16. After communication with the passage 9, it can have a function of a blocking portion 15 that blocks part or all of the flow of the lubricating oil to the first outflow passage 8, and as a result, the lubricating oil is turned off at a suitable timing. By supplying the foaming agent, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the defoaming property of the lubricating oil. In the present embodiment, the structure for removing the impurities of the lubricating oil by the filter 16 can be simultaneously applied as the deterioration detection structure. Therefore, even without using an expensive part such as a detection sensor for directly detecting the deterioration of the lubricating oil, the simple structure in which the valve unit 18 is added to the filter 16 can be applied to the lubricating oil at a suitable timing. Can supply foam.

In the lubricating device 32 shown in FIG. 5, only the valve unit 18 is provided as the valve unit, but a plurality of valve units may be provided. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the lubricating device shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the lubrication device 42 further includes, for example, two valve units 58 in addition to the valve unit 18. Similar to the valve unit 18, the valve unit 58 includes a lid 20, an elastic member 21, and an antifoaming agent supply unit 4. On the other hand, the valve unit 58, the lubricating oil that has flowed into the valve unit 58, to flow out through the filter 16 into the lubricating oil draining R _I. In this lubricating device 42, the lubricating oil supplied with the antifoaming agent by the antifoaming agent supply unit 4 is joined again to the lubricating oil inflow region R _I (inflow channel 7). Further foaming agent can be supplied. The plurality of valve units 18 and 58 may include, as the elastic member 21, for example, elastic members having different elastic coefficients. This makes it possible to supply the antifoaming agent a plurality of times at different timings according to the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil.

  2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 32, 42 ... lubrication device, 3 ... lubricated part, 4 ... defoaming agent supply part, 5 ... deterioration detecting part, 7 ... inflow channel, 8 ... first outflow channel, 9: Second outflow channel, 11: Channel change unit, 16: Filter.

Claims (5)

A lubricating device for supplying lubricating oil to a lubricated part,
A lubrication apparatus including an antifoaming agent supply unit that supplies an antifoaming agent to the lubricating oil according to a degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil. A deterioration detecting unit for detecting the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil;
The lubrication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antifoaming agent supply unit supplies the antifoaming agent based on a detection result of the deterioration detection unit. A flow path changing unit that changes the flow path of the lubricating oil based on the detection result of the deterioration detection unit;
The flow path changing unit changes the flow of part or all of the lubricating oil from the inflow path from the first outflow path to the second outflow path,
The lubrication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the defoaming agent supply unit is disposed on the second outflow channel. The deterioration detecting unit increases the pressure of the inflow passage with respect to the first outflow passage as the deterioration of the lubricant progresses, and detects the deterioration of the lubricating oil based on the pressure of the inflow passage. ,
The lubrication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the flow path changing unit communicates the inflow flow path with the second outflow flow path based on a detection result of the deterioration detection section.   The lubrication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the deterioration detection unit increases the pressure of the inflow channel with respect to the first outflow channel by a filter that removes impurities contained in the lubricating oil.

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