JP7292010B2 - Exchange mechanism and collection container for exchanging lubricant - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a replacement mechanism for replacing the lubricant, and a collection container for recovering the lubricant from the replacement mechanism, provided in industrial equipment that uses the lubricant.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been known various replacement mechanisms provided in industrial equipment using lubricants to replace the lubricants. For example, there is an eccentric oscillating gear device having an oil seal cap, and such an eccentric oscillating gear device includes an outer cylinder, a carrier disposed inside the outer cylinder, and an eccentric portion. A crankshaft and an oscillating gear attached to the eccentric portion are provided, and the carrier is formed with a crankshaft hole for mounting the crankshaft and a central through hole into which the input shaft is inserted. An oil seal cap is fitted in the crankshaft hole and the central through hole for confining lubricating oil in the carrier.

In Patent Document 1, a grease supply/drainage hole is formed in a main body, and a plug member that closes the grease supply/drainage hole is detachably provided on the body. It is disclosed that the lubricating oil can be replaced simply by removing the from the main body. In this way, the oil seal cap itself does not have to be removed from its mounting destination, so that it is possible to reduce the trouble of replacing the lubricating oil, and the plug member can be attached to and detached from the main body. Therefore, even if the plug member is once detached from the main body, it can be attached to the main body again.

JP 2014-84999 A

However, with the seal disclosed in Patent Document 1, when replacing the lubricant from the gear device, especially when the viscosity of the lubricant is high, even if the plug member is removed from the main body of the gear device, There is a problem that it is difficult to remove the grease from the drain port provided in the main body of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an exchange mechanism capable of improving the exchange rate of the lubricant without clogging the grease discharge port with the lubricant, and to provide a collection container for recovering the lubricant from the exchange mechanism. and

A replacement mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in an industrial device that is at least partially housed in a housing and uses lubricant, and is a replacement mechanism for replacing the lubricant, which has a substantially cylindrical shape. In a replacement mechanism including a case, a greasing port is provided on an end surface of the case, and a grease draining port is provided on the peripheral surface of the housing, the opening diameter of the grease draining port is in the range of 17 mm to 35 mm. configured as follows.

The replacement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured such that an air port is further provided on the peripheral surface of the housing.

In the replacement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the industrial equipment is installed, the grease discharge port is arranged on the lower side of the industrial equipment when viewed in the vertical direction, and the air port is arranged on the lower side when the industrial equipment is installed. , is configured to be arranged on the upper side when viewed in the vertical direction of the industrial equipment.

In the replacement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, the grease drain port is configured to drain the lubricant downward when viewed in the vertical direction of the industrial equipment.

In the replacement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, the worked penetration of the lubricating oil is configured to be 420 or more. Further, in the exchange mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, the kinematic viscosity of the base oil of the lubricant is in the range from 32 (cSt) to 220 (cSt) at 40°C, or from 5 (cSt) at 100°C. It is configured to range up to 32 (cSt).

In the replacement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, the industrial equipment is a speed reducer and includes a drive source, and the grease discharge port is disposed between the drive source and the speed reducer. and disposed in a housing that accommodates at least a portion of the speed reducer.

In the replacement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the grease discharge ports are arranged on the peripheral surface of the housing.

In the replacement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the greasing ports are arranged on the end surface of the case.

In the replacement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, the speed reducer is an oscillating speed reducer having a crankshaft, and the grease inlet is arranged in alignment with the position of the crankshaft.

A collection container according to an embodiment of the present invention is a collection container used in an exchange mechanism for exchanging the lubricant, the collection container being attached to the grease discharge port of the exchange mechanism and discharged from the exchange mechanism. The amount of applied lubricant is configured to be measurable.

The exchange mechanism according to the above embodiment of the present invention can be suitably applied to various industrial equipment.

It is possible to provide an exchange mechanism capable of improving the exchange rate of the lubricant without clogging the grease discharge port with the lubricant, and a collection container for recovering the lubricant from the exchange mechanism.

1 is an overall view of an apparatus including an exchange mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the case side of the exchange mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing side of an exchange mechanism in another embodiment of the present invention; 1 is an overall view of an apparatus including an exchange mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the case side of the exchange mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a housing side of an exchange mechanism in another embodiment of the present invention; It is a schematic diagram of a collection container in one embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the present invention relates to an exchange mechanism for exchanging the lubricant and a collection container for collecting the lubricant from the exchange mechanism, which is applicable to industrial equipment using the lubricant. Although a reduction gear or a gear device will be described below as an example, the present invention is not limited to these, and can be used for a wide range of industrial equipment that uses lubricating oil.

A gear device (eccentric oscillating gear device) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. An eccentric oscillating gear device (hereinafter referred to as a gear device) 1 of this embodiment can be applied as a speed reducer to, for example, rotating parts such as the rotating body and arm joints of robots, rotating parts of various machine tools, and the like. be.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gear device 1 according to the present embodiment rotates an input shaft 50 connected to a drive source (motor) 40 to rotate a crankshaft 10 (not shown). By oscillatingly rotating the oscillating gears 14, 16 in conjunction with the eccentric portions 10a, 10b (not shown), the output rotation is reduced from the input rotation. Thereby, for example, relative rotation can be generated between the base of the robot (one mating member) and the swing barrel (the other mating member). For example, the base is exemplified as the first member, and the swing barrel is exemplified as the second member.

The gear device 1 includes a housing (outer cylinder) 2, a carrier 4, a plurality of (for example, three) crankshafts 10 (not shown), a first oscillating gear 14 (not shown), and a second oscillating gear. 16 (not shown), a plurality of (eg, three) transmission gears 20 (not shown), and a case 30 .

The housing 2 constitutes the outer surface of the gear device 1 and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The carrier 4 is accommodated in the housing 2 while being arranged coaxially with the housing 2 . The carrier 4 rotates relative to the housing 2 around the same axis. Specifically, the carrier 4 is disposed radially inward of the housing 2, and in this state is supported relative to the housing 2 by a pair of main bearings 6 (not shown) spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. rotatably supported.

The case 30 is provided so as to cover the carrier 4 at the end of the gear device 1 opposite to the drive source 40 .

Next, referring to FIG. 1, a replacement mechanism 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. A replacement mechanism 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in a gear device 1 at least partially housed in a housing 2 and using lubricant, and is a replacement mechanism 20 for replacing the lubricant, In a replacement mechanism that includes a substantially cylindrical case 30, a grease supply port 21 is provided on an end surface 31 of the case 30, and a grease drain port 22 is provided on the peripheral surface of the housing 2, the opening diameter of the grease drain port 22 is (X) is configured to range from 17 mm to 35 mm.

As a result, it is possible to provide a replacement mechanism capable of improving the replacement rate of the lubricant without clogging the grease discharge port with the lubricant.

The exchange mechanism 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured such that an air port 23 is further provided on the peripheral surface 32 of the housing 2 .

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the grease inlet 21 formed in the end surface 31 of the case 30. As shown in FIG. As illustrated, in the replacement mechanism 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of grease inlets 21 are arranged on the end face 31 of the case 30 . Further, in the replacement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the gear device 1 is an oscillating reduction gear including the crankshaft 10 , the grease inlet 21 is aligned with the position of the crankshaft 10 . are placed. As a result, the lubricant can be supplied along the periphery of the crankshaft 10, making it easier for the lubricant to enter.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the outline of the grease discharge port 22 formed in the peripheral surface 32 of the housing 2 will be described.

In the replacement mechanism 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the grease discharge port 22 is positioned downward when the gear device 1 is installed, as viewed in the vertical direction of the gear device 1 (vertical direction of the paper surface of FIGS. 1 and 3). When the gear device 1 is installed, the air port 23 is configured to be arranged on the upper side when viewed in the vertical direction of the gear device (vertical direction of the paper surface of FIGS. 1 and 3). Further, in the replacement mechanism 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the grease drain port 22 is configured to drain the lubricant downward when viewed in the vertical direction of the gear device 1 .

As a result, the pressure inside the housing 2 does not become negative when the lubricating oil is replaced, and the lubricating oil can be discharged quickly.

In the replacement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, the worked penetration of the lubricating oil is configured to be 420 or more. Further, in the exchange mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, the kinematic viscosity of the base oil of the lubricant is in the range from 32 (cSt) to 220 (cSt) at 40°C, or from 5 (cSt) at 100°C. It is configured to range up to 32 (cSt). As a result, it is possible to expedite the discharge of fat with the viscosity in the normal use state.

In the replacement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, a housing 2 disposed between a drive source (motor) 40 and the gear device 1 accommodates at least a portion of the gear device 1. are placed in As a result, grease accumulated between the drive source and the gear device can be efficiently discharged.

Next, a replacement mechanism 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A replacement mechanism 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in a gear device 1 at least partially housed in a housing 2 and using lubricant, and is a replacement mechanism 20 for replacing the lubricant, In a replacement mechanism that includes a substantially cylindrical case 30, a grease supply port 21 is provided on an end surface 31 of the case 30, and a grease drain port 22 is provided on the peripheral surface of the housing 2, the opening diameter of the grease drain port 22 is X is configured to range from 17 mm to 35 mm. As illustrated, in the replacement mechanism 29 according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the grease discharge ports 22 are arranged on the peripheral surface 32 of the housing 2 .

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the grease inlet 21 formed in the end surface 31 of the case 30. As shown in FIG. As in FIG. 2 , in the replacement mechanism 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of greasing ports 21 are arranged on the end surface 31 of the case 30 . Further, in the replacement mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the gear device 1 is an oscillating reduction gear including the crankshaft 10 , the grease inlet 21 is aligned with the position of the crankshaft 10 . are placed. As a result, the lubricant can be supplied along the periphery of the crankshaft 10, making it easier for the lubricant to enter.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, the outline of the grease discharge port 22 formed in the peripheral surface 32 of the housing 2 will be described.

In the replacement mechanism 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the grease discharge port 22 is positioned downward when the gear device 1 is installed, as viewed in the vertical direction of the gear device 1 (vertical direction of the paper surface of FIGS. 1 and 3). One is arranged, and two are arranged on the upper side when viewed in the vertical direction of the gear device (vertical direction of the paper surface of FIGS. 1 and 3). In this way, the lubricant can be discharged more effectively.

Next, Table 1 below shows the results of lubricant replacement experiments conducted on several modes of the replacement mechanism 20 . In this experiment, the number of grease supply ports 21 and grease discharge ports 22 of the exchange mechanism 20 was changed, and some air ports 23 were also introduced, and the exchange rate (%) of lubricant was measured. The opening diameter X of the grease supply port 21 and the grease discharge port 22 was set to any value in the range from 17 mm to 35 mm. Here, the exchange rate (%) is defined as the amount of discharged fat (g)/the amount of initial filling (g).

As shown in Table 1 above, it was first found that a good exchange rate can be obtained by setting the opening diameter X of the grease supply port 21 and the grease drain port 22 within a range of 17 mm to 35 mm. Further, it has been found that providing a plurality of such grease supply ports 21 and grease discharge ports 22 can further improve the exchange rate. Further, it was found that by providing the air port 23 in addition to the grease supply port 21 and the grease drain port 22, the exchange rate can be increased.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the collection container used in the replacement mechanism 20 described in FIGS. 1-3 will be described.

As described in FIG. 3, in the illustrated example, in the replacement mechanism 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the grease discharge port 22 is arranged in the vertical direction of the gear device 1 (FIG. 1, 3 and 7), and when the gear device 1 is installed, the air port 23 is arranged in the vertical direction of the gear device (vertical direction of the paper of FIGS. 1, 3, and 7). configured to be arranged on the upper side when viewed. Further, in the replacement mechanism 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the grease drain port 22 is configured to drain the lubricant downward when viewed in the vertical direction of the gear device 1 .

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the collection container 60 according to one embodiment of the present invention is used by being attached to a replacement mechanism 20 for replacing the lubricant. As illustrated, the recovery container 60 is attached to the grease discharge port 22 of the exchange mechanism 20 and is configured to be able to measure the amount of lubricant discharged from the exchange mechanism. In the past, greasing work was interrupted, the discharge amount was measured by weight, etc., and then the shortfall was added. can be done. Here, the tip portion 61 of the collecting container 60 according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is attached to the grease draining port 22 of the exchanging mechanism 20, may be formed as a tapered pipe thread. For the collection container 60 according to one embodiment of the present invention, various shapes, structures, dimensions, and materials such as a collection bag can be appropriately selected.

The principles of the above-described embodiments can be suitably used for replacing lubricating oils in various industrial equipment including gear devices and reduction gears.

1 gear device (eccentric oscillating gear device)
2 housing (outer cylinder)
10 Crankshaft 20 Replacement mechanism 21 Grease inlet 22 Grease outlet 23 Air inlet 30 Case 31 End surface 32 Peripheral surface 32a Peripheral portion 32b Operation groove 34 Seal member 36 Retaining member 40 Drive source (motor)
50 Input shaft 60 Collection container 61 Tip portion X Opening diameter

Claims (9)

A replacement mechanism provided in a speed reducer configured to reduce and output rotation input from a drive source and at least partially accommodated in a housing for replacing lubricating oil used in the speed reducer. includes a substantially cylindrical case, an end surface of the case is provided with a grease inlet, and the housing has a grease outlet extending vertically downward from the inside to the outside of the housing and penetrating through the housing. In the replacement mechanism provided, the opening diameter of the grease drain port is in the range of 17 mm to 35 mm, and the grease drain port is provided between the drive source and the speed reducer. exchange mechanism. 2. The exchange mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising an air port on the peripheral surface of said housing. When the speed reducer is installed, the grease discharge port is arranged on the lower side of the speed reducer as seen in the vertical direction, and the air port is arranged on the upper side of the speed reducer when the speed reducer is installed when the speed reducer is installed. 3. The exchange mechanism of claim 2, wherein: 4. The replacement mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said grease drain port drains lubricant downward when viewed in the vertical direction of said speed reducer. 5. The exchange mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the worked penetration of said lubricating oil is 420 or more. The kinematic viscosity of the base oil of the lubricant ranges from 32 (cSt) to 220 (cSt) at 40°C, or ranges from 5 (cSt) to 32 (cSt) at 100°C. 4. An exchange mechanism as claimed in any one of Clauses 4 to 4. The replacement mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of said grease discharge ports are arranged on the peripheral surface of said housing. The replacement mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of said greasing ports are arranged on the end face of said case. 9. The speed reducer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the speed reducer is an oscillating speed reducer having a crankshaft, and the grease inlet is arranged in alignment with the position of the crankshaft. Exchange mechanism as described.

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