JP4986584B2 - Lubricant deterioration detection device and bearing with detection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant deterioration detection device for detecting a deterioration state due to a lubricant contamination and the like, and a bearing with a detection device provided with the lubricant deterioration detection device, for example, for railway vehicles, automobiles, windmill equipment, factories The present invention relates to a bearing with a lubricant deterioration detection device for equipment.

  In a bearing in which a lubricant is enclosed, if the lubricant (grease, oil, etc.) inside the bearing deteriorates, the rolling element will be poorly lubricated and the bearing life will be shortened. Judging the poor lubrication of the rolling elements from the vibration state of the bearing, etc., will be dealt with after an operational abnormality occurs due to the end of the life, so the abnormality of the lubricating state cannot be detected earlier. Therefore, it is desired to observe the state of the lubricant in the bearing periodically or in real time so that the abnormality or the maintenance period can be predicted.

As a major factor in the deterioration of the lubricant, wear powder generated with use of the bearing is mixed into the lubricant.
To detect the wear state of the bearing, an electrode is placed inside the seal member of the bearing, and the electrical characteristics of the lubricant due to the mixing of wear powder, such as resistance value, capacitance, magnetic resistance, impedance, etc. A sensor-equipped bearing that is detected by a change has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-293776 A

  However, the sensor-equipped bearing of Patent Document 1 is for detecting the electrical characteristics of the lubricant. Therefore, unless a situation occurs such that a large amount of wear powder enters and conduction occurs, it is not detected as a characteristic change. Detection of contaminants may be difficult.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a split ring-shaped optical fiber 44 is provided at both ends so that the light-emitting element 42 and the light-receiving element 43 face each other. An optical configuration in which a measurement gap portion 47 with a lubricant 45 interposed in a part in the circumferential direction is provided.
In the configuration of FIG. 7, the light emitted from the light emitting element 42 passes through the lubricant 45 existing in the measurement gap 47 via the optical fiber 44 and is detected by the light receiving element 43 via the optical fiber 44. The amount of foreign matter such as iron powder mixed in the lubricant 45 is estimated from the amount of transmitted light detected by the light receiving element 43.

  However, when such an optical sensor is incorporated in a bearing and used for detecting the deterioration of the lubricant enclosed in the bearing, the optical fiber 44 is not protected, and therefore the optical fiber 44 is not capable of flowing the lubricant. Under load. For this reason, the output may fluctuate due to movement of the optical fiber 44 or the optical fiber 44 may be damaged, and stable and accurate detection cannot be performed. In addition, it is difficult to fix the optical fiber 44.

As a measure for preventing the optical fiber 44 from moving due to the flow of the lubricant, it is conceivable to provide a cover that covers a portion of the optical fiber 44 excluding the vicinity of the measurement gap 47.
However, in this case, since the cover restricts the movement of the lubricant in the bearing together with the cage as the rolling element rotates, the lubricant may not easily enter the measurement gap 47. Still, stable and accurate detection is not possible.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant deterioration detection device that can be easily assembled and can accurately detect the lubricant deterioration state in the bearing, and a bearing with a detection device including the lubricant deterioration detection device.

Lubricant deterioration detecting device of the first invention in this inventions is provided facing the respective light emitting elements and light receiving elements at both ends of the arc-shaped optical fiber, interpose a lubricant in a portion of the arcuate optical fiber provided the measurement gap to, a Jun lubricant deterioration detecting device of a bearing that performs mounting has been degradation detection of the lubricant sealed within the bearing to the bearing, the vicinity portion of the measuring gap of the optical fiber an optical fiber support member for supporting, the near portion of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber, only set a fixture for fixing the optical fiber support member freely positioning in the axial direction, the optical fiber supporting The member has an optical fiber insertion hole that passes through the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber, and a screw hole that is orthogonal to the optical fiber insertion hole, and the fixture includes the optical fiber support portion. The result of the vicinity of the measuring gap is screwed into the screw hole from the set screw to press the,
An arc-shaped cover that covers a portion excluding the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber is provided, a slit-like opening extending in the circumferential direction is provided in a circumferential intermediate portion of the cover, and the optical fiber support member Of these, the portion supporting the vicinity of the measurement gap is a protrusion protruding from the opening, and the bearing is a tapered roller bearing, and the protrusion and the vicinity of the measurement gap of the optical fiber Is arranged near the large end surface of the roller on the inner diameter side of the cage in the bearing space of the inner and outer rings of the bearing .
According to this configuration, the optical fiber support member and the fixture for fixing the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber to the optical fiber support member so as to be adjustable in the axial direction are provided. becomes easier to adjust the measurement formic cap portion of the gap amount, it can be assembled easily. As a result, it can be easily mounted on the bearing, and the lubricant deterioration state inside the bearing can be detected with high accuracy.

Before SL optical fiber support member has an optical fiber insertion hole for inserting the vicinity of the measuring gap of the optical fiber, and a screw hole orthogonal to the optical fiber insertion hole, the fastener, the that Do from screw stop for pressing the vicinity of the measuring gap screwed into the screw hole of the optical fiber support member.
In the case of this configuration, in the state where the gap amount of the measurement gap portion is adjusted by pressing the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber inserted through the optical fiber insertion hole with the set screw as the fixture. The vicinity of the optical fiber measurement gap can be easily supported and fixed to the optical fiber support member.

The lubricant deterioration apparatus definitive second invention of the invention, opposed to each light emitting element and the light receiving element at each end of the arcuate optical fiber, interposing a lubricant in a portion of the arcuate optical fiber A lubricant deterioration detection device for a bearing, which is provided with a gap for measurement and detects the deterioration of the lubricant mounted in the bearing and enclosed in the bearing,
An optical fiber support member for supporting the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber and a vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber are fixed to the optical fiber support member so as to be adjustable in the axial direction. And a fixing tool
Before SL optical fiber support member has the optical fiber through a screw hole for screwing the vicinity of the measuring gap of the optical fiber, said fixture, said has a threaded portion and the positioning flange An external thread is externally fitted and fixed to the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber. The thread portion of the external thread is screwed into the optical fiber screw hole, and the positioning flange portion is attached to the optical fiber support member. Shall be contacted ,
An arc-shaped cover that covers a portion excluding the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber is provided, a slit-like opening extending in the circumferential direction is provided in a circumferential intermediate portion of the cover, and the optical fiber support member Of these, the portion supporting the vicinity of the measurement gap is a protrusion protruding from the opening, and the bearing is a tapered roller bearing, and the protrusion and the vicinity of the measurement gap of the optical fiber Is arranged near the large end surface of the roller on the inner diameter side of the cage in the bearing space of the inner and outer rings of the bearing.
In this configuration, the screw portion of the male screw, which is the fixture, is screwed into the screw hole for the optical fiber to a position where the positioning flange portion comes into contact with the optical fiber support member. In the state where the amount is adjusted, the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber can be easily supported and fixed to the optical fiber support member.

It is provided arc-shaped cover for covering the portion excluding the vicinity of the measuring gap of the prior SL optical fiber. In the case of this configuration, the optical fiber can be protected from a load caused by the flow of the lubricant, and the optical fiber is prevented from being damaged.

The bearing with a detecting device of the present invention is a bearing in which the lubricant deterioration detecting device having any one of the above-described configurations of the present invention is mounted on a bearing.
According to this configuration, the deterioration state of the lubricant sealed in the bearing can be accurately detected in real time. As a result, it is possible to determine the necessity of replacing the lubricant before the operation abnormality occurs in the bearing, and it is possible to prevent damage to the bearing due to poor lubrication. In addition, since the necessity for replacing the lubricant can be determined by the output of the lubricant deterioration detecting device, the amount of lubricant discarded before the expiration date is reduced.

Lubricant deterioration detecting device of the first invention in this inventions is provided facing the respective light emitting elements and light receiving elements at both ends of the arc-shaped optical fiber, interpose a lubricant in a portion of the arcuate optical fiber provided the measurement gap to, a Jun lubricant deterioration detecting device of a bearing that performs mounting has been degradation detection of the lubricant sealed within the bearing to the bearing, the vicinity portion of the measuring gap of the optical fiber an optical fiber support member for supporting, the near portion of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber, only set a fixture for fixing the optical fiber support member freely positioning in the axial direction, the optical fiber supporting The member has an optical fiber insertion hole that passes through the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber, and a screw hole that is orthogonal to the optical fiber insertion hole, and the fixture includes the optical fiber support portion. The result of the vicinity of the measuring gap is screwed into the screw hole from the set screw to press the,
An arc-shaped cover that covers a portion excluding the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber is provided, a slit-like opening extending in the circumferential direction is provided in a circumferential intermediate portion of the cover, and the optical fiber support member Of these, the portion supporting the vicinity of the measurement gap is a protrusion protruding from the opening, and the bearing is a tapered roller bearing, and the protrusion and the vicinity of the measurement gap of the optical fiber However, since it is arranged near the large end surface of the roller on the inner diameter side than the cage in the bearing space of the inner and outer rings of the bearing , it is easy to assemble and the deterioration of the lubricant inside the bearing can be accurately detected .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lubricant deterioration apparatus comprising: a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element facing each other at both ends of an arc-shaped optical fiber; and a lubricant interposed in a part of the arc-shaped optical fiber. A lubricant deterioration detection device for a bearing, which is provided with a gap portion for detecting deterioration of a lubricant mounted on a bearing and enclosed inside the bearing,
An optical fiber support member for supporting the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber and a vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber are fixed to the optical fiber support member so as to be adjustable in the axial direction. And a fixing tool
The optical fiber support member has an optical fiber threaded hole for screwing the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber, and the fixture has a screw portion and a positioning flange portion. The external thread is a male screw that is fitted and fixed to the vicinity of the gap portion for measurement of the fiber. The screw portion of the male screw is screwed into the optical fiber screw hole, and the positioning flange portion is abutted against the optical fiber support member. Shall be contacted,
An arc-shaped cover that covers a portion excluding the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber is provided, a slit-like opening extending in the circumferential direction is provided in a circumferential intermediate portion of the cover, and the optical fiber support member Of these, the portion supporting the vicinity of the measurement gap is a protrusion protruding from the opening, and the bearing is a tapered roller bearing, and the protrusion and the vicinity of the measurement gap of the optical fiber However, since it is arranged near the large end surface of the roller on the inner diameter side than the cage in the bearing space of the inner and outer rings of the bearing, it is easy to assemble and the deterioration of the lubricant inside the bearing can be accurately detected.
Detector equipped bearing of the invention this is because mounting the lubricant deterioration detecting device of the present invention to the bearing, the deterioration of the lubricant sealed in the bearing, can be done accurately in real time. As a result, it is possible to determine the necessity of replacement of the lubricant before the operation abnormality occurs in the bearing, and it is possible to prevent damage to the bearing due to defective lubricant. In addition, since the necessity for replacing the lubricant can be determined by the output of the lubricant deterioration detecting device, the amount of lubricant discarded before the expiration date is reduced.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a lubricant deterioration detection device according to this embodiment. The lubricant deterioration detection device 1 is mounted on a bearing and detects deterioration of the lubricant enclosed in the bearing, and includes a light emitting element 2 and a light receiving element 3, an arcuate optical fiber 4, and the light receiving element. And a determination means 6 for determining deterioration of the lubricant based on the output of 3. One end of the optical fiber 4 is disposed to face the light emitting surface of the light emitting element 2, and the other end is disposed to face the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 3. In addition, a measurement gap portion 7 in which the lubricant 5 is interposed is provided in a part of the optical fiber 4 in the circumferential direction.
In this way, by providing the gap portion for measurement 7 in which the lubricant 5 to be detected is interposed in a part of the circular optical fiber 4 in the circumferential direction, the light emitted from the light emitting element 2 passes through the optical fiber 4. Through the lubricant 5, the transmitted light is further incident on the light receiving element 3 through the optical fiber 4.

  As the light emitting element 2, an LED, an EL, an organic EL, or the like can be used and driven by the light emitting circuit 8. As the light receiving element 3, a photodiode, a phototransistor, or the like can be used, and the amount of light received by the light receiving element 3 is detected by the light receiving circuit 9 that receives the output.

  The optical fiber 4 is attached to an arc-shaped cover 12 having substantially the same diameter as the optical fiber 4 via two optical fiber support members 10 and 11. The arc-shaped cover 12 is a member for covering the portion of the optical fiber 4 excluding the vicinity of the measurement gap 5 and protecting the optical fiber 4 from a load caused by the flow of the lubricant 5 to be detected. As shown in FIG. 2B showing a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B, the cross-sectional outline is made of an S-shaped rigid material such as a synthetic resin or a metal material. Specifically, the arc-shaped cover 12 covers at least one side (right side in FIG. 2B) of the arc-shaped optical fiber 4 in the arc central axis direction. When the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 is installed in the bearing, the surface side of the arc-shaped cover 12 (the right side surface in FIG. 2B) is disposed so as to be exposed to the lubricant sealed in the bearing.

  One optical fiber support member 10 that supports the optical fiber 4 is an arc-shaped member that is joined to the lower half of the back surface of the cover 12 (the left side surface in FIG. 2B). Both ends of the optical fiber 4 are fixed, and the light emitting element 2 and the light receiving element 3 are also fixed to the optical fiber support member 10. Another optical fiber support member 11 that supports the optical fiber 4 is fixed to the front side of another optical fiber support member 10 as shown in FIG. The optical fiber support member 11 supports and positions the vicinity of the measurement gap 7 of the optical fiber 4. As described above, the measurement gap portion 7 can be easily positioned by supporting the vicinity of the measurement gap portion 7 with the optical fiber support member 11 different from the optical fiber support member 10 that supports both ends of the optical fiber 4. Can be. The optical fiber support member 11 may be directly fixed to the arcuate cover 12 instead of being fixed to the other optical fiber support members 10. Further, these two optical fiber support members 10 and 11 may be integrated.

  A slit-like opening 13 extending in the circumferential direction is provided in the circumferential intermediate portion of the arc-shaped cover 12 at a position corresponding to the measurement gap portion 7 of the optical fiber 4 as shown in a front view in FIG. As a result, the measurement gap 7 is exposed to the lubricant 5 inside the bearing. 3A and 3B, the optical fiber support member 11 has an arc-shaped portion that supports the vicinity of the measurement gap portion 7 of the optical fiber 4 as shown in a half cutaway plan view and a front view. A pair of projecting portions 11a and 11a are arranged side by side so as to project from the opening 13 of the cover 12 toward the surface of the cover 12 in a forked manner. As a result, the vicinity of the measurement gap 7 of the optical fiber 4 is projected from the arc-shaped cover 12 to the outside of the cover.

  With the above configuration, both ends of the optical fiber 4 and the surface side of the optical fiber support member 10 that supports and fixes the light emitting element 2 and the light receiving element 3 are covered with the cover 12. Further, the portion of the optical fiber 4 other than the measurement gap portion 7 is an arc-shaped space formed by being sandwiched between the front surface side cover 12 and the rear surface side optical fiber support member 10 as shown in FIG. 14. Thereby, the optical fiber 4, the light emitting element 2, and the light receiving element 3 are protected from the load by the flow of the lubricant 5.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the vicinity of the measurement gap 7 of the optical fiber 4 is supported and fixed to both projecting portions 11 a of the optical fiber support member 11 by a fixture 16 so that the position of the optical fiber 4 can be adjusted in the axial direction. The two protruding portions 11a of the optical fiber support member 11 have optical fiber insertion holes 17 through which the adjacent portions of the measurement gap portion 7 of the optical fiber 4 are axially inserted so as to face each other, and both the optical fiber insertion holes. Two screw holes 18 that are orthogonal to 17 are provided. The fixture 16 includes a set screw that is screwed into the screw holes 18 of the optical fiber support member 11. In the state where the gap amount of the measurement gap portion 7 is adjusted by pressing both the adjacent portions of the measurement gap portion 7 of the optical fiber 4 inserted into each optical fiber insertion hole 17 with the set screw 16, respectively. Both near portions of the measurement gap portion 7 of the optical fiber 4 are supported and fixed to both projecting portions 11 a of the optical fiber support member 11.

  The fixing of the optical fiber support members 10 and 11 to the arc-shaped cover 12 or the fixing of the other optical fiber support members 11 to the optical fiber support member 10 is a combination of one or more of screws, press-fitting, adhesion, and welding. It is done by processing. Thereby, this lubricant deterioration device 1 can be easily incorporated into the bearing.

  FIG. 4 shows another configuration example of a fixture that supports and fixes the vicinity of the measurement gap portion 7 of the optical fiber 4 to both projecting portions 11 a of the optical fiber support member 11 so that the position thereof can be adjusted in the axial direction. The fixture 19 is composed of two male screws that are fitted and fixed to both adjacent portions of the measurement gap 7 of the optical fiber 4. As shown in FIG. 4C, the male screw 19 has a screw portion 19a and a positioning flange portion 19b. In this case, the optical fiber screw holes 17A for screwing the adjacent portions of the measurement gap portion 7 of the optical fiber 4 so as to face each other in the axial direction are formed in both the protruding portions 11a of the optical fiber support member 11, respectively. Is provided. By screwing the threaded portion 19a of the male screw 19 as a fixture into each optical fiber screw hole 17A to a position where the positioning flange portion 19b contacts the side surface of the protruding portion 11a of the optical fiber support member 11. In the state where the gap amount of the measurement gap portion 7 is adjusted, both neighboring portions of the measurement gap portion 7 of the optical fiber 4 are supported and fixed to the protruding portions 11 a of the optical fiber support member 11.

  When the lubricant 5 is new, it is nearly transparent, and the intensity of transmitted light that is projected from the light emitting element 2 via the optical fiber 4 and transmitted through the lubricant 5 is high. However, as the amount of foreign matter such as iron powder (wear powder) mixed in the lubricant 5 increases, the intensity of transmitted light gradually decreases. Therefore, the determination unit 6 detects the amount of foreign matter mixed in the lubricant 5 from the output of the light receiving element 3 corresponding to the intensity of transmitted light. Since the increase in the amount of foreign matter mixed in the lubricant 5 means the progress of deterioration of the lubricant 5, the degree of deterioration of the lubricant 5 can be estimated from the detected amount of foreign matter.

  As described above, in the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1, the light emitting element 2 and the light receiving element 3 are provided at both ends of the arcuate optical fiber 4, respectively, and the lubricant 5 is provided on a part of the arcuate optical fiber 4. A measurement gap portion 7 is provided, and the vicinity of the measurement gap portion 7 is supported and fixed to the optical fiber support member 11 using a fixture 16 (19) so that the position of the gap portion 7 can be adjusted in the axial direction. Therefore, the adjustment of the gap amount of the measurement gap portion 7 of the optical fiber 4 at the time of assembly is simplified, and the assembly can be easily performed. As a result, it can be easily mounted on the bearing, and the lubricant deterioration state inside the bearing can be detected with high accuracy.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the portion excluding the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber is covered with the arc-shaped cover, the optical fiber 4 can be protected from the load caused by the flow of the lubricant 5, and the optical fiber 4 Damage is prevented.

5 and 6 show an example of a bearing with a detection device in which the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 of the above embodiment is inserted into a railcar bearing. As shown in FIG. 5, the bearing 20 with the detecting device constitutes a railway vehicle bearing unit with an oil drain 25 and a rear lid 26 which are accessories provided in contact with both sides of the inner ring 21. The bearing 20 is composed of a roller bearing, specifically, a double row tapered roller bearing. The split type inner rings 21 and 21 provided for the rollers 23 and 23 in each row, the integrated outer ring 22, the rollers 23, 23 and a cage 24.
The rear lid 26 is attached to the axle 30 on the center side of the bearing 20 and has a bearing seal 31A in sliding contact with the outer periphery. The oil drainer 25 is attached to the axle 30 and has a bearing seal 31 in sliding contact with its outer periphery. A lubricant is sealed inside the bearing 20 by both bearing seals 31, 31 </ b> A disposed at both ends of the bearing 20, and dust and water resistance are ensured.

In this case, sensor portions (light emitting element 2, light receiving element 3, optical fiber 4, arc-shaped cover 12, etc.) excluding the circuit portions (determining means 6, light emitting circuit 8, light receiving circuit 9) in lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 are It is integrated in a seal unit 27 having the bearing seal 31. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the seal unit 27.
In this case, the seal unit 27 includes an annular seal case 28 attached to the end of the bearing outer ring 22, a ring member 29 press-fitted into the inner diameter surface of the seal case 28, and an inner peripheral surface of the ring member 29. And a bearing seal 31 that is press-fitted into the bearing. The seal case 28 is an annular member that covers the bearing seal 31 and has a cross-sectional shape in which a plurality of steps are arranged stepwise in the axial direction. One end of the seal case 28 is press-fitted into the inner diameter surface of the bearing outer ring 22 serving as a fixed ring. It is attached to the bearing outer ring 22 by fitting. Furthermore, the small diameter step portion at the other end of the seal case 28 is loosely fitted into a ring-shaped groove 38 formed on the inwardly-width surface of the flange portion 25a of the oil drain 25, so that the small diameter of the groove 38 and the seal case 28 is reduced. The labyrinth gap formed between the step portions is sealed.
The ring member 29 having an L-shaped cross section is attached to the inner diameter surface of the intermediate step portion of the seal case 28 by press-fitting the cylindrical portion 29a. The standing plate portion 29 b extending to the inner diameter side of the ring member 29 is disposed so as to form a predetermined labyrinth gap with respect to the outer diameter surface of the oil drain 25. The bearing seal 31 includes an annular cored bar 32 having an L-shaped cross section and an elastic member 33 fixed to a standing plate part of the annular cored bar 32, and the cylindrical part of the annular cored bar 32 is a cylinder of the ring member 29. It is fixed to the seal case 28 via the ring member 29 by being press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the portion 29a. The elastic member 33 is formed with a radial lip that is in sliding contact with the outer diameter surface of the oil drain 25.

The lubricant deterioration detection device 1 is concentrically attached to the seal unit 27. Specifically, the large-diameter step portion of the seal case 28 is inserted into the inner diameter surface of the large-diameter step portion of the seal case 28 by the press-fitting ring 34 into which the arc-shaped cover 12 of the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 is fitted. The lubricant deterioration detection device 1 is pressed against the end surface and the upright plate portion 29b of the ring member 29 to be positioned and fixed in the axial direction. When the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 is positioned and fixed in this manner, the protrusion 11a of the optical fiber support member 11 and the vicinity of the measurement gap 7 of the optical fiber 4 maintain the bearing space between the inner and outer rings 21, 22. It is arranged in the vicinity of the large end surface of the roller 23 on the inner diameter side of the container 24.
Since the lubricant 5 inside the bearing adheres to the inner and outer diameter surfaces of the cage 24 and the large end surface of the roller 23, the measurement gap portion 7 of the optical fiber 4 can be disposed as described above. The lubricant 5 can easily enter the measurement gap 7 without the fluidity of the lubricant 5 being impaired by the arc-shaped cover 12 of the lubricant deterioration detection device 1. Thereby, the deterioration detection of the lubricant 5 inside the bearing by the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 can be stably and accurately performed.
Further, if the arcuate cover 12 is arranged concentrically with the seal case 28 in this manner and the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 is attached, the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 can be easily positioned in the bearing 20 and can be easily assembled. Become. The attachment of the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 in this case is not limited to the press-fitting, and one or more joining processes such as screws and adhesion may be employed.

The wiring 35 connecting the light emitting element 2 and the light emitting circuit 8 and the light receiving element 3 and the light receiving circuit 9 of the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 passes through the hole 36 provided in the seal case 28 from the inside of the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1. Then, it is connected to the light emitting circuit 8 and the light receiving circuit 9 installed outside the bearing 20. The hole 36 of the seal case 28 is covered with the arc-shaped cover 12 of the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 from the inside, and further sealed with an elastic body 37 to be waterproofed.
The other bearing seal 31A is also attached to the bearing outer ring 22 by the seal unit 27A. The seal unit 27A has the same structure as the seal unit 27 except that the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 is not attached.

  The light emitting circuit 8 and the light receiving circuit 9 may be installed inside the bearing 20. When there is no space for installing a circuit outside the bearing 20, the arc-shaped cover 12 of the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 is extended in the circumferential direction, and the light emitting circuit 8 and the light receiving circuit 9 are arranged on the cover 12. Thus, these circuits can be easily installed in the bearing 20.

  According to this bearing 20 with a detecting device, the deterioration state of the lubricant sealed in the bearing can be accurately detected in real time. Thereby, it is possible to determine the necessity of replacement of the lubricant before the operation abnormality occurs in the bearing 20, and it is possible to prevent the bearing 20 from being damaged due to poor lubrication. Further, since the necessity of replacing the lubricant can be determined by the output of the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1, the amount of lubricant discarded before the expiration date is reduced.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a lubricant deterioration detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1, and FIG. (A) is a half-part fracture | rupture top view of the optical fiber support member which supports the vicinity part of the measurement gap part of the optical fiber in a lubricant deterioration detector, (B) is the same front view. (A) is a half cutaway plan view of another configuration example of the optical fiber support member, (B) is the plan view, and (C) is a plane of a fixture for fixing the optical fiber to the optical fiber support member. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows one structural example of the bearing with a detection apparatus which mounts the lubricant deterioration detection apparatus of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view of the part of the seal unit of the bearing with the same detection device. It is a schematic block diagram of the prior art example of a lubricant deterioration detection apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lubricant deterioration detection apparatus 2 ... Light emitting element 3 ... Light receiving element 4 ... Optical fiber 5 ... Lubricant 7 ... Measurement gap part 11 ... Optical fiber support member 12 ... Arc-shaped cover 16 ... Fixing tool (set screw)
17 ... Optical fiber insertion hole 17A ... Optical fiber screw hole 18 ... Screw hole 19 ... Fixing tool (male screw)
19a ... Screw portion 19b ... Positioning flange portion 20 ... Bearing with detection device

Claims (3)

A light emitting element and a light receiving element are provided opposite to each other at both ends of an arc-shaped optical fiber, and a measurement gap portion for interposing a lubricant is provided in a part of the arc-shaped optical fiber. a or lubricants deterioration detector bearings performing the deterioration detection of the encapsulated lubricant,
An optical fiber support member for supporting the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber and a vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber are fixed to the optical fiber support member so as to be adjustable in the axial direction. set the fixture to be,
The optical fiber support member includes an optical fiber insertion hole that passes through a vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber, and a screw hole that is orthogonal to the optical fiber insertion hole. A set screw that is screwed into the screw hole of the fiber support member and presses the vicinity of the gap portion for measurement;
An arc-shaped cover that covers a portion excluding the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber is provided, a slit-like opening extending in the circumferential direction is provided in a circumferential intermediate portion of the cover, and the optical fiber support member Of these, the portion supporting the vicinity of the measurement gap is a protrusion protruding from the opening, and the bearing is a tapered roller bearing, and the protrusion and the vicinity of the measurement gap of the optical fiber but bearing Jun lubricant deterioration detecting device you characterized in that it is arranged in the vicinity of the large end face of the roller at the inner diameter side of the cage of the bearing space of the inner and outer rings of the bearing. A light emitting element and a light receiving element are provided opposite to each other at both ends of an arc-shaped optical fiber, and a measurement gap portion for interposing a lubricant is provided in a part of the arc-shaped optical fiber. A lubricant deterioration detection device for a bearing that detects deterioration of the lubricant enclosed in
An optical fiber support member for supporting the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber and a vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber are fixed to the optical fiber support member so as to be adjustable in the axial direction. And a fixing tool
The optical fiber support member has an optical fiber screw hole for screwing the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber, and the fixture has a screw portion and a positioning flange portion. A male screw externally fitted and fixed in the vicinity of the measurement gap portion, and the screw portion of the male screw is screwed into the optical fiber screw hole so that the positioning flange portion is brought into contact with the optical fiber support member. it is assumed to be,
An arc-shaped cover that covers a portion excluding the vicinity of the measurement gap portion of the optical fiber is provided, a slit-like opening extending in the circumferential direction is provided in a circumferential intermediate portion of the cover, and the optical fiber support member Of these, the portion supporting the vicinity of the measurement gap is a protrusion protruding from the opening, and the bearing is a tapered roller bearing, and the protrusion and the vicinity of the measurement gap of the optical fiber but Jun lubricant deterioration detecting device of the bearing, characterized in that disposed in the vicinity of the large end face of the roller at the inner diameter side of the cage of the bearing space of the inner and outer rings of the bearing. A bearing with a detection device, wherein the lubricant deterioration detection device according to claim 1 is mounted on the bearing.

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