System for oil-gas lubrication of rolling bearing of drive unit of machine tool

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) for oil-gas lubrication of rolling bearings (8, 9, 10, 11) of a drive unit of a machine tool, comprising: a lubrication device (2) having a device controller (3), a data interface (4), a tank (5) for lubricant and a lubrication point connection (6); a lubricant line (7) which extends from the lubrication point connection end (6) to the rolling bearings (8, 9, 10, 11); a memory unit (20, 21) associated with the drive unit, in which memory unit lubrication parameter data of the drive unit is stored; and a data link (22) for transmitting lubrication parameter data of the drive unit to a data interface (4) of the lubrication device (2). The device controller (3) is designed to lubricate rolling bearings (8, 9, 10, 11) of the drive unit on the basis of lubrication parameter data of the drive unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an oil-air lubrication system for rolling bearings in a drive unit of a machine tool. Background Technology

[0002] It has long been known in the art that machine tool drive units (e.g., motor spindles) are supported by rolling bearings. It is also known that during machine tool operation, lubricants (e.g., oil-air mixtures) are supplied to these rolling bearings using a lubrication system to extend their service life. However, the optimal lubrication dosage and optimal lubrication timing vary depending on the type of drive unit and operating parameters. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an oil-air lubrication system for rolling bearings in a drive unit of a machine tool, which enables lubrication of the rolling bearings in a manner tailored to the specific drive unit.

[0004] This objective is achieved by a system having the features described in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] The oil-air lubrication system for rolling bearings of a machine tool drive unit according to the present invention includes a lubrication device, lubricant lines, and a memory unit associated with the drive unit. The lubrication device includes a device controller, a data interface, a reservoir for lubricant, and a lubrication connection point. The lubricant lines extend from the lubrication connection point to the rolling bearing. Lubrication parameter data of the drive unit is stored in the memory unit associated with the drive unit. Furthermore, the system has a data link for transmitting the lubrication parameter data of the drive unit to the data interface of the lubrication device, and the device controller of the lubrication device is designed to lubricate the rolling bearings of the drive unit based on the lubrication parameter data of the drive unit.

[0006] In this way, personalized lubrication parameter data for each drive unit is provided to the machine tool's lubrication system, enabling optimal lubrication of the corresponding drive unit. By associating the memory unit with the drive unit, reliable access to personalized lubrication parameter data for the spindle of the corresponding drive unit is ensured, while simultaneously preventing the misallocation of this lubrication parameter data to other drive units.

[0007] The lubrication parameter data for the drive unit preferably includes descriptions / data regarding the lubrication operation mode, particularly regarding whether pre-lubrication operation, normal lubrication operation, venting operation, or standby operation should be performed. Furthermore, the lubrication parameter data for the drive unit preferably includes descriptions regarding the lubrication cycle, particularly regarding the time interval between two successive lubrications and the amount of lubricant delivered during each lubrication. Additionally, the lubrication parameter data for the drive unit may also include identification for the drive unit or further information about the drive unit, for example, in the form of a digital nameplate.

[0008] Generally, the memory unit is associated with the drive unit. This association can be achieved in particular by integrating the memory unit into the spindle housing of the drive unit or mounting it on the drive unit in a (separate) housing. However, other implementations are also conceivable, in which the memory unit is integrated into the machine tool controller or designed as a cloud memory unit. Importantly, however, it must be ensured that a clear association exists between the memory unit and the drive unit.

[0009] In the data link used to transmit lubrication parameter data of the motor spindle, a machine tool controller is connected in the middle. Particularly advantageously, the data link is designed as a bidirectional data link, particularly a bidirectional data link according to the IO-Link standard. In this way, lubrication control can be integrated into another machine tool controller, and data processing can be achieved.

[0010] In one advantageous embodiment, the system further includes an update unit designed to modify drive unit lubrication parameter data stored in a memory unit. This allows optimal lubrication parameters to be maintained in real time and adjusted based on new information. For this purpose, the update unit can access the memory unit (e.g., via remote access through a communication network) and overwrite the drive unit lubrication parameter data stored therein with the updated lubrication parameter data. Attached Figure Description

[0011] The invention will be further described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the drive unit of the machine tool is designed as a motor spindle.

[0012] Figure 1 This schematically illustrates an oil-air lubrication system for the rolling bearings of a machine tool's drive unit—more precisely, the motor spindle. Detailed Implementation

[0013] exist Figure 1 The system 1 shown is integrated into the machine tool and has a lubrication device 2 for oil-air lubrication. The lubrication device 2 has a device controller 3, a data interface 4, a reservoir 5 for lubricant, and multiple lubrication connection terminals 6. Figure 1Only a few of these lubrication connection ends are marked with reference numerals. A lubricant line 7 is installed on the lubrication connection end 6. The lubricant line 7 extends to the corresponding lubrication points, namely, to the rolling bearings 8 and 9 of the first motor spindle 12 and the rolling bearings 10 and 11 of the second motor spindle 13. The rolling bearings 8, 9, 10, and 11 support the motor shafts 14 and 15 in the spindle housing 16 of the first motor spindle 12 or in the spindle housing 17 of the second motor spindle 13.

[0014] A memory housing 18 is flange-connected to the spindle housing 16 of the first motor spindle 12. A first memory unit 20 is located within the memory housing 18. This first memory unit 20 stores lubrication parameter data for the first motor spindle 12. Similarly, a memory housing 19 is flange-connected to the spindle housing 17 of the second motor spindle 13. A second memory unit 21 is located within this memory housing 19. This second memory unit 21 stores lubrication parameter data for the second motor spindle 13. The lubrication parameter data for each rolling bearing 8, 9, 10, and 11 includes instructions on whether pre-lubrication, normal lubrication, venting, or standby operation should be performed, as well as instructions on the time interval between two successive lubrication operations and the amount of lubricant delivered during each lubrication. Furthermore, the memory units 20 and 21 store the corresponding static characteristic data for the motor spindles 12 and 13.

[0015] The data interface 4 of the lubrication device 2, the first memory unit 20, and the second memory unit 21 are connected to the machine tool controller 23 of the machine tool via a data link 22. The data link 22 is designed as a bidirectional data link according to the IO-Link standard and is capable of data exchange between connected components. For example, the machine tool controller 23 may forward data received and / or requested from the first memory unit 20 or the second memory unit 21 to the lubrication device 2.

[0016] The device controller 3 is designed to receive lubrication parameter data via the data interface 4 and operate the lubrication device 2 such that the desired amount of lubricant, based on the corresponding lubrication parameter data, is delivered to the rolling bearings 8, 9, 10, and 11 at the desired time via the corresponding lubricant lines 7. In other words, the device controller 3 is programmed to lubricate the rolling bearings 8 and 9 of the first motor spindle 12 based on the lubrication parameter data of the first motor spindle 12, and to lubricate the rolling bearings 10 and 11 of the second motor spindle 13 based on the lubrication parameter data of the second motor spindle 13. Thus, optimal lubrication can be achieved for each of the rolling bearings 8, 9, 10, and 11 via the lubrication device 2. However, it is also possible to lubricate all rolling bearings 8, 9, 10, and 11 with the same lubrication parameters. In this case, the data applicable to all rolling bearings 8, 9, 10, and 11 is set as the lubrication parameters.

[0017] For example, if the first motor spindle 12 should now be replaced with another motor spindle ("third motor spindle"), then the third motor spindle has an additional memory unit ("third memory unit") associated with the third motor spindle. This third memory unit stores lubrication parameter data for the third motor spindle. Therefore, after replacing the first motor spindle with the third motor spindle, the lubrication device 2 learns the individually adjusted lubrication parameters, thereby enabling optimal lubrication of the third motor spindle.

[0018] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows two motor spindles 12 and 13. However, implementations with only one motor spindle or with two or more motor spindles are also feasible.

[0019] exist Figure 1 The update unit is not explicitly shown. The update unit is designed to modify the lubrication parameter data of the motor spindles 12 and 13 stored in the first memory unit 20 and the second memory unit 21, specifically replacing the stored lubrication parameter data with updated lubrication parameter data. For this purpose, the update unit can be accessed remotely via a communication network (in a wired or wireless manner) to the first memory unit 20 and / or the second memory unit 21.

[0020] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0021] 1 system

[0022] 2. Lubrication device

[0023] 3 Device Controller

[0024] 4 Data Interface

[0025] 5. Storage tanks for lubricants

[0026] 6. Lubrication points and connection ends

[0027] 7 Lubricant lines

[0028] Rolling bearings 8, 9, 10, and 11

[0029] 12 First motor spindle

[0030] 13 Second motor spindle

[0031] 14 and 15 spindles

[0032] 16, 17 Spindle Housing

[0033] 18, 19 Memory casing

[0034] 20 First Memory Unit

[0035] 21 Second Memory Unit

[0036] 22 data links

[0037] 23 Machine Tool Controller

Claims

1. An oil-air lubrication system (1) for rolling bearings (8, 9, 10, 11) of a drive unit of a machine tool, said system having: - Lubrication device (2), the lubrication device having device controller (3), data interface (4), storage tank (5) for lubricant and connection end (6) for lubrication part; - Lubricant line (7), which extends from the lubrication part connection end (6) to the rolling bearing (8, 9, 10, 11). - Memory units (20, 21) associated with the drive unit, wherein lubrication parameter data of the drive unit is stored; and - Data link (22), the data link is used to transmit the lubrication parameter data of the drive unit to the data interface (4) of the lubrication device (2); in, The device controller (3) is designed to lubricate the rolling bearings (8, 9, 10, 11) of the drive unit based on the lubrication parameter data of the drive unit.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The lubrication parameter data for the drive unit includes instructions on the lubrication operation mode, particularly regarding whether pre-lubrication operation, normal lubrication operation, venting operation, or standby operation should be performed.

3. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The lubrication parameter data for the drive unit includes descriptions of the lubrication cycle, particularly the time interval between two successive lubrications, and the amount of lubricant delivered during each lubrication.

4. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The memory cells (20, 21) associated with the drive unit are mounted on the drive unit in the housing (18, 19).

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The data link (22) of the data interface (4) used to transmit the lubrication parameter data of the drive unit to the lubrication device (2) is designed as a bidirectional data link, in particular a bidirectional data link according to the IO-Link standard.

6. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The data link (22) used to transmit lubrication parameter data of the drive unit passes through the machine tool controller (23) of the machine tool.

7. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, the system further comprising an update unit designed to modify drive unit lubrication parameter data stored in memory units (20, 21).

8. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, the system further comprising an additional drive unit having an additional memory unit (20, 21) associated therewith, wherein lubrication parameter data of the additional drive unit is stored in the additional memory unit.

9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The drive unit is designed as a motor spindle (12, 13).

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