Lubricating grease service life testing device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a lubricating grease service life testing device, which comprises a temperature control box and a grease service life testing mechanism, the grease service life testing mechanism is arranged in the temperature control box, the grease service life testing mechanism comprises a driving piece, a first gear, a second gear and a load assembly, the driving piece is in transmission connection with the first gear, and the second gear is in transmission connection with the load assembly. The first gear is meshed with the second gear, and the load assembly is installed on the second gear. Through friction meshing of the first gear and the second gear, the service state of lubricating grease in actual operation can be simulated, and accelerated aging conditions under actual working conditions can be simulated through applying a load by the load assembly, providing a preset temperature by the temperature control box and adjusting the rotating speed by the driving piece; therefore, the time required by traditional long-term whole machine testing can be greatly shortened, the evaluation efficiency can be improved, and the requirement for rapid model selection in product development can be met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of lubricating grease technology, and in particular to a lubricating grease life testing device. Background Technology

[0002] In the home appliance manufacturing industry, the efficient operation of moving parts is crucial to product performance, and lubricating grease, as a key material for reducing friction and extending the lifespan of these parts, makes its performance evaluation a core part of the product development process. Currently, the industry primarily relies on two traditional methods for evaluating lubricating grease:

[0003] One method is performance testing, which evaluates grease by testing its basic physicochemical properties such as viscosity, dropping point, and anti-wear properties. However, in actual selection, it has been found that the performance test indicators of different types of grease often show a high degree of similarity, making it difficult to effectively distinguish their true performance under actual working conditions.

[0004] The second method is the long-term operation test of the entire machine. This method involves installing the grease in the machine and running it throughout its entire life cycle to directly observe its performance degradation. Although this method can reflect the grease's life more realistically, its significant drawback is the extremely long evaluation cycle—it requires ensuring that the machine's operating time is completely consistent with the grease's design life. For example, a grease with a design life of 10 years needs to run continuously for 10 years. This seriously contradicts the need for "rapid iteration and shortened cycles" during product development. Therefore, the traditional long-term operation test method cannot meet the selection work during the development process at all. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a grease life testing device, which aims to solve the problems of long evaluation cycle and low evaluation efficiency of existing grease life assessment methods.

[0006] This utility model provides a grease life testing device, including: a temperature control chamber and a grease life testing mechanism. The grease life testing mechanism is disposed in the temperature control chamber. The grease life testing mechanism includes a driving component, a first gear, a second gear, and a load component. The driving component is connected to the first gear in a transmission manner. The first gear and the second gear mesh. The load component is mounted on the second gear.

[0007] Furthermore, the second gear is horizontally positioned, and the load assembly is vertically mounted on the second gear.

[0008] Furthermore, the load assembly includes a load rod and at least one loading block, wherein the load rod is vertically disposed on the second gear and the loading block is sleeved on the load rod.

[0009] Furthermore, the grease life testing mechanism also includes: a heat insulation shell, the driving component is disposed inside the heat insulation shell, and the driving end of the driving component extends out of the heat insulation shell and is connected to the first gear for transmission.

[0010] Furthermore, the grease life testing mechanism also includes a bearing housing, which is disposed on the heat insulation shell, and the second gear is rotatably mounted on the bearing housing.

[0011] Furthermore, the heat insulation shell is provided with at least one oil hole, which is located below the first gear.

[0012] Furthermore, the oil hole is provided with a flared opening, and the opening of the flared opening faces the first gear.

[0013] Furthermore, the first gear is detachable from the drive component, and the second gear is detachable from the heat insulation shell.

[0014] Furthermore, the grease life testing mechanism also includes a dustproof protective cover, and the first gear, the second gear, and the load assembly are disposed inside the dustproof protective cover.

[0015] Furthermore, the temperature control box includes a box body and a door, the box body is provided with an open receiving cavity, the grease life testing mechanism is disposed in the receiving cavity, and the door is rotatably disposed on the box body to open or close the opening.

[0016] This utility model discloses a grease life testing device, comprising: a temperature control chamber and a grease life testing mechanism. The grease life testing mechanism is disposed inside the temperature control chamber and includes a drive component, a first gear, a second gear, and a load assembly. The drive component is driven by the first gear, and the first gear and the second gear mesh. The load assembly is mounted on the second gear. This utility model, through the frictional meshing of the first and second gears, can simulate the service state of grease in actual operation. By applying load through the load assembly, providing a preset temperature through the temperature control chamber, and adjusting the speed through the drive component, it can simulate accelerated aging conditions under actual working conditions. This significantly reduces the time required for traditional long-term whole-machine testing and improves evaluation efficiency, thereby meeting the needs of rapid selection in product development. Furthermore, this device has a simple and stable structure and is not easily damaged. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a grease life testing device;

[0019] Figure 2 A first-person view structural diagram of an oil life testing mechanism;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the grease life testing mechanism (with the dust cover removed);

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the loading block structure;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the grease life testing mechanism from a second-view perspective;

[0023] Explanation of the labels in the diagram:

[0024] 1. Temperature control box; 11. Box body; 111. Opening; 112. Receiving cavity; 12. Box door;

[0025] 2. Grease life testing mechanism; 21. Drive component; 22. First gear; 23. Second gear; 24. Load assembly; 241. Load rod; 242. Loading block; 2421. Inner hole; 25. Heat insulation shell; 251. Oil hole; 26. Coupling; 27. Bearing seat; 28. Dustproof protective cover; 281. Heat dissipation hole. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0027] It should be understood that, when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms “comprising” and “including” indicate the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or collections thereof.

[0028] It should also be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0029] It should also be further understood that the term "and / or" as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0030] Please see Figure 1-3 This embodiment provides a grease life testing device, including: a temperature control chamber 1 and a grease life testing mechanism 2. The grease life testing mechanism 2 is disposed in the temperature control chamber 1. The grease life testing mechanism 2 includes a driving component 21, a first gear 22, a second gear 23 and a load component 24. The driving component 21 is connected to the first gear 22 in a transmission manner. The first gear 22 and the second gear 23 mesh. The load component 24 is mounted on the second gear 23.

[0031] This embodiment, through the frictional meshing of the first gear 22 and the second gear 23, can simulate the service state of lubricating grease in actual operation. By applying load through the load component 24, providing a preset temperature through the temperature control chamber 1, and adjusting the rotational speed through the drive component 21, it can simulate accelerated aging conditions under actual working conditions. This significantly reduces the time required for traditional long-term whole-machine testing and improves evaluation efficiency, thereby meeting the needs of rapid selection in product development. In addition, this device has a simple and stable structure and is not easily damaged.

[0032] When life testing of the grease to be tested is required, the grease is evenly applied to the meshing tooth surfaces of the first gear 22 and the second gear 23. Then, the temperature control chamber 1 is turned on, and the experimental temperature is set. After preheating to the target temperature, a load component 24 of a predetermined weight is installed on the second gear 23. The grease life testing mechanism 2 is then installed inside the temperature control chamber 1, and the chamber door 12 is closed. Subsequently, the drive unit 21 is started and operates at a predetermined speed, thereby enabling the testing of the grease to be tested at a predetermined temperature, load, and speed.

[0033] The drive component 21 can be an electric motor, a servo motor, a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, or other rotating power device, and its selection can be flexibly configured according to the requirements of the test conditions.

[0034] In this embodiment, the second gear 23 is horizontally arranged, and the load component 24 is vertically mounted on the second gear 23.

[0035] The second gear 23 is horizontally positioned so that the direction of force applied to it during operation remains relatively consistent with the horizontal plane. This reduces lateral forces caused by tilting, resulting in more even force distribution during rotation. It also lowers the risk of wear, deformation, or damage due to uneven force distribution, thus improving the gear's service life and operational smoothness. The load assembly 24 is vertically mounted on the horizontally positioned second gear 23. This mounting method provides a stable support foundation for the load assembly 24 and allows it to better apply load to the second gear 23.

[0036] More specifically, the load assembly 24 includes a load rod 241 and at least one loading block 242, wherein the load rod 241 is vertically disposed on the second gear 23 and the loading block 242 is sleeved on the load rod 241.

[0037] The load rod 241 is a high-strength metal rod (such as alloy steel) and is vertically mounted on the end face of the second gear 23. The loading block 242 is a detachable weight module with a central inner hole 2421, which can slide along the load rod 241 and is fixed by a nut or snap-fit ​​structure. The number and mass of the loading blocks 242 can be flexibly adjusted according to test requirements (e.g., from 50 N·m to 200 N·m).

[0038] The combination of the load bar 241 and the loading block 242 is relatively simple, reducing the need for complex mechanical structures and making the overall design more compact, facilitating installation and layout within limited space. The design of the loading block 242 fitting onto the load bar 241 makes its installation and removal very convenient. This helps to quickly complete operations when it is necessary to add or remove the loading block 242, improving operational efficiency.

[0039] In some embodiments, the surface of the load bar 241 is machined with a plurality of parallel grooves along the axial direction, and the inner hole 2421 of the loading block 242 (e.g. Figure 4 As shown, a guide groove is provided to match the groove, and the two achieve relative movement through a sliding fit of the "convex and groove" structure. Specifically, the axial groove of the load rod 241 adopts a rectangular cross-section design with a depth of 0.5mm. The width strictly matches the size of the guide groove to ensure that the outer edge of the groove (i.e., the protruding part of the load rod 241) can be embedded in the guide groove to form a stable sliding contact surface. The length of the guide groove is slightly larger than the stroke range of the load rod 241 to avoid movement jamming.

[0040] This structure achieves its function by sliding between the guide groove of the loading block 242 and the surface groove of the load rod 241 when the loading block 242 moves axially, limiting radial offset and allowing the loading block 242 to move precisely axially only. The contact surfaces of the groove and the guide groove are treated with a high-hardness material (such as chrome-plated steel or ceramic coating) to reduce the coefficient of friction and extend service life. Simultaneously, the clearance of the sliding fit is controlled within 0.01 mm to ensure guiding accuracy and meet the requirements for motion stability in dynamic load testing.

[0041] In this embodiment, the grease life testing mechanism 2 further includes: a heat insulation shell 25, a driving member 21 disposed inside the heat insulation shell 25, and the driving end of the driving member 21 extending out of the heat insulation shell 25 and being connected to the first gear 22 for transmission.

[0042] The heat insulation shell 25 protects the drive component 21 from the high-temperature environment inside the temperature control box 1. The heat insulation shell 25 consists of a double-layer structure: an outer layer of stainless steel and an inner layer filled with ceramic fiber insulation cotton. There is a gap between the inner and outer walls of the shell, with a spacing of 10mm or 20mm depending on the specific situation. This gap effectively blocks heat conduction. The heat insulation shell 25 is generally rectangular and is isolated from the gear pair area (i.e., the area of ​​the first gear 22 and the second gear 23) inside the temperature control box 1. The drive component 21 is completely encapsulated inside the heat insulation shell 25. Its drive end extends outward through a pre-drilled hole in the heat insulation shell 25. A high-temperature resistant sealing ring (made of high-temperature resistant materials such as fluororubber) is installed at the through hole to prevent heat from entering the heat insulation shell 25 through the through hole. The drive end is connected to a coupling 26 (e.g., Figure 2 As shown, the coupling 26 is rigidly connected to the horizontal shaft of the first gear 22. The exposed part of the coupling 26 is wrapped with a ceramic fiber heat insulation sleeve, which further reduces the impact of heat radiation on the drive component 21.

[0043] In this embodiment, the grease life testing mechanism 2 further includes: a bearing seat 27, which is disposed on the heat insulation shell 25, and the second gear 23 is rotatably mounted on the bearing seat 27.

[0044] Specifically, the heat insulation shell 25 has a fixed structure on its top or side wall to support the bearing housing 27 and ensure its alignment with the rotation axis of the second gear 23. The second gear 23 is connected to the bearing housing 27 via a rolling bearing or a sliding bearing, forming a stable rotational fulcrum, enabling the second gear 23 to maintain low friction and high-precision rotational stability during meshing. By rotatably mounting the second gear 23 onto the bearing housing 27, this design effectively solves the stability problem of the gear pair under high-speed rotation and load.

[0045] Furthermore, the bearing housing 27 is positioned corresponding to the lower end of the second gear 23, and its axis is aligned with the load direction applied by the loading block 242. This ensures that the load is evenly transmitted to the rotation center of the second gear 23 through the bearing housing 27, preventing gear misalignment or vibration due to eccentric torque. In addition, the coaxiality of the bearing housing 27 and its alignment with the loading block 242 further optimize the load transmission path, reduce energy loss and mechanical wear, and improve the accuracy of grease life assessment.

[0046] In some embodiments, the connection structure between the bearing housing 27 and the heat insulation shell 25 adopts a sealed design to prevent lubricating grease vapor or particulate matter from seeping into the bearing under high-temperature experimental conditions and affecting its service life.

[0047] The integrated design with the heat insulation shell 25 isolates the high-temperature environment from the bearing performance, ensuring the long-term stable operation of the gear pair during the test.

[0048] In this embodiment, at least one oil hole 251 is provided on the heat insulation shell 25 (e.g., Figure 5 As shown, the oil hole 251 is located below the first gear 22.

[0049] The oil hole 251 is used to prevent grease from flowing onto the coupling 26 area of ​​the drive component 21 due to gravity. Specifically, the oil hole 251 is opened on the top of the heat insulation shell 25 at the position corresponding to the first gear 22. The size of the oil hole 251 is matched with the flow characteristics of the grease, ensuring that excess grease can be discharged through the oil hole 251 during the operation of the gear pair, avoiding accumulation or contamination of critical components.

[0050] The design of the oil hole 251 combines the physical properties of the grease with the motion state of the gear pair. When the grease is applied to the meshing area of ​​the first gear 22 and the second gear 23, under the action of gear rotation and gravity, some of the grease may flow along the gear surface to the connection point of the coupling 26, thereby contaminating the drive component 21 or affecting its operational stability. By providing the oil hole 251 on the heat insulation shell 25, the grease can be guided to drain along a predetermined path, rather than directly contacting the coupling 26.

[0051] In some specific embodiments, the heat insulation shell 25 is provided with four oil holes 251, which are located below the first gear 22 and are evenly distributed around the first gear 22.

[0052] Specifically, four oil holes 251 are provided on the top of the heat insulation shell 25 along the rotation axis of the first gear 22. The center of each oil hole 251 corresponds to the outer circumferential surface of the first gear 22, ensuring that the grease dripping due to gravity during gear rotation can be synchronously guided by the four oil holes 251.

[0053] After the grease is applied to the meshing area of ​​the first gear 22 and the second gear 23, under the action of gear rotation and gravity, the grease may diffuse along the gear surface and flow to the coupling 26 area. By providing four symmetrical oil holes 251 on the heat insulation shell 25, the drainage range can be expanded, reducing the possibility of grease accumulation under the gears or seeping into the coupling 26.

[0054] The four-hole symmetrical layout optimizes the grease drainage efficiency and avoids the risk of contamination caused by local accumulation.

[0055] In some embodiments, the oil hole 251 is provided with a flared opening, the opening 111 of which faces the first gear 22.

[0056] Specifically, the oil hole 251 on the heat insulation shell 25 extends axially, with a narrow opening at the end away from the first gear 22 and a wide opening at the end closer to the first gear 22, forming a gradually expanding trumpet-shaped structure. The opening 111 of the trumpet is oriented directly towards the rotation trajectory of the first gear 22, ensuring that the grease dripping due to gravity during gear rotation can be efficiently collected by the trumpet and guided to the oil hole 251 for discharge.

[0057] After grease is applied to the meshing area of ​​the first gear 22 and the second gear 23, some grease may flow along the surface of the heat insulation shell 25 to the coupling 26. By designing the oil hole 251 in a flared shape with its opening 111 facing the first gear 22, the drainage range of the oil hole 251 can be expanded, reducing the possibility of grease accumulation or seepage into the coupling 26. The narrow opening of the flared hole can communicate with the oil collection groove or guide channel inside the heat insulation shell 25, facilitating the centralized collection or discharge of grease while preventing it from seeping into the drive component 21.

[0058] In some embodiments, a filter screen is provided within the oil hole 251 to intercept impurities in the grease and prevent them from entering the drive component 21 or coupling 26 area. Specifically, the filter screen is installed inside the flared end of the oil hole 251, corresponding to the wide end of the oil hole 251, and is tightly fitted against the inner wall of the oil hole 251. The filter screen is made of high-temperature resistant metal mesh (such as stainless steel) or polymer filter material, with a pore size ranging from 50 to 200 μm, to filter particulate matter, metal debris, or oxidation products that may be present in the grease.

[0059] The filter screen can be installed in a fixed or detachable manner. The fixed type is embedded into the inner wall of the oil hole 251 via welding or threaded connection, while the detachable type allows for quick replacement via a snap-fit ​​or threaded structure. When the grease flows along the surface of the first gear 22 to the oil hole 251 due to gravity, the filter screen intercepts larger particles of impurities, allowing only clean grease to be discharged through the oil hole 251. This avoids the risk of impurities accumulating in the oil collection tank or guide channel, thus preventing blockage.

[0060] The filter effectively improves the purity of the grease by intercepting impurities, reducing clogging of the oil collection tank or flow channel. Simultaneously, the filter's high-temperature resistance ensures stable operation in the high-temperature environment of the temperature control chamber 1 (e.g., 200℃), and its pore size design balances filtration efficiency and grease flowability, preventing grease retention or poor drainage due to clogging. This structure allows the grease life testing mechanism 2 to maintain a stable testing environment during long-term operation, improving the reliability of test results.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first gear 22 is detachable from the drive member 21, and the second gear 23 is detachable from the heat insulation shell 25.

[0062] The design of the first gear 22 being detachable from the drive component 21 and the second gear 23 being detachable from the heat insulation shell 25 allows for quick cleaning of the first and second gears 22 and 23 after a grease life test. Then, the next grease sample can be applied. Afterward, the cleaned and freshly greased first gear 22 is reinstalled in its appropriate position with the drive component 21, and the cleaned and freshly greased second gear 23 is precisely reinstalled in its corresponding position on the heat insulation shell 25. This enables rapid testing of the grease. Furthermore, gears, as critical components in mechanical transmission, may wear or be damaged after long-term operation. The detachable design allows for individual gear replacement when a problem occurs, without replacing the entire drive component 21 or the heat insulation shell 25, thus reducing maintenance costs.

[0063] More specifically, the first gear 22 is fixed to the output shaft of the drive component 21 via a coupling 26 or a threaded connection. The coupling 26 uses a flexible snap-fit ​​or quick-release bolt, allowing the first gear 22 to quickly disengage from the drive component 21, avoiding wear caused by long-term testing or difficulty in disassembly when changing grease. The second gear 23 is connected to the heat insulation shell 25 via a bearing housing 27. The bearing housing 27 uses a threaded fixation or snap-fit ​​installation, allowing the second gear 23 to slide axially and disengage from the heat insulation shell 25, facilitating cleaning or replacement of the gear pair.

[0064] To ensure the stability of the detachable structure, an anti-loosening washer or locking nut is provided at the connection between the first gear 22 and the drive component 21 to prevent gear displacement due to vibration during operation; the mating surface between the second gear 23 and the bearing housing 27 is sealed with a sealing ring or a high-temperature resistant adhesive layer to prevent grease from seeping into the heat insulation shell 25. During disassembly, the gear can be separated from the drive component 21 or the heat insulation shell 25 by rotating the nut or pressing the clip, without the need for a complete disassembly device, significantly shortening the test preparation time.

[0065] The modular disassembly method solves the problem of difficult replacement of traditional fixed gears, making it particularly suitable for testing scenarios that require frequent changes of grease samples. At the same time, the detachable structure reduces maintenance costs, minimizes equipment downtime due to gear wear or contamination, and improves the efficiency and reusability of grease life testing.

[0066] In this embodiment, the grease life testing mechanism 2 further includes: a dustproof protective cover 28 (e.g., Figure 2 As shown, the first gear 22, the second gear 23 and the load assembly 24 are housed inside the dustproof protective cover 28.

[0067] The first gear 22, the second gear 23, and the load assembly 24 are all housed within a dust cover 28 to isolate external contaminants and prevent grease from splashing out. The dust cover 28 is made of a transparent, high-temperature resistant material (such as polycarbonate or tempered glass) and has a semi-enclosed or fully enclosed structure, covering the operating area of ​​the gear pair and the load assembly 24 to ensure complete isolation of the grease from the external environment during testing.

[0068] The dust cover 28 has an openable access panel on its top or side wall, facilitating the installation and replacement of gear assemblies or adjustment of load parameters by technicians. The connection between the cover and the grease life testing mechanism 2 is sealed with a rubber strip or elastic gasket to prevent dust, particles, or grease vapor from penetrating the testing area.

[0069] The physical isolation provided by the dust cover 28 effectively solves the problem of grease contamination caused by splashing or oxidation during testing. The transparent cover facilitates real-time observation of gear meshing and the rheological properties of the grease (such as coking and oxidation), while the sealed structure ensures the cleanliness of the testing environment, reducing wear on the gear pairs caused by impurities, thereby improving the accuracy and repeatability of test data. In addition, the high-temperature resistance of the dust cover 28 can adapt to the high-temperature environment of the temperature control chamber 1, ensuring long-term operational stability.

[0070] Furthermore, the dust cover 28 is provided with heat dissipation holes 281 (such as...). Figure 2 (As shown).

[0071] The dust cover 28 is equipped with heat dissipation holes 281 to balance the internal temperature of the temperature control box 1 and prevent the grease from overheating and causing abnormal performance. Specifically, the heat dissipation holes 281 are distributed on the top or side wall of the dust cover 28, with a diameter ranging from 5-10 mm. The openings face outwards from the temperature control box 1, and the airflow direction is optimized by a guiding structure (such as an angled opening 111 or a guide plate). The location of the heat dissipation holes 281 avoids the direct operating area of ​​the gear pair and load assembly 24, preventing airflow disturbance from the heat dissipation holes 281 from affecting the gear meshing accuracy or grease distribution.

[0072] To balance dust prevention and heat dissipation, the heat dissipation holes 281 are embedded with high-temperature resistant filters (such as stainless steel mesh or polymer filter membranes) with a pore size of 50-200μm. These filters intercept external dust, particulate matter, or lubricating grease vapor, preventing them from entering the testing area. The filters are secured to the inner wall of the heat dissipation holes 281 with clips or threads for easy periodic cleaning or replacement. Furthermore, the distribution density of the heat dissipation holes 281 is optimized based on the heating power and testing temperature requirements of the temperature control chamber 1. For example, the number of heat dissipation holes 281 is increased in high-temperature testing scenarios (such as 200℃), while the number is reduced in low-temperature testing scenarios to maintain temperature stability within the chamber.

[0073] This design, through the rational layout of the heat dissipation holes 281, achieves thermal balance control of the test area while isolating external contaminants. The airflow guiding structure of the heat dissipation holes 281 works in conjunction with the filter screen to ensure efficient heat dissipation from the temperature control chamber 1, while preventing dust or impurities from entering the gear pair and load assembly 24, thereby improving the long-term operational stability of the test device and the accuracy of grease life assessment.

[0074] In this embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The temperature control box 1 includes a box body 11 and a box door 12. The box body 11 is provided with a receiving cavity 112 with an opening 111. The grease life testing mechanism 2 is disposed in the receiving cavity 112. The box door 12 is rotatably disposed on the box body 11 to open or close the opening 111.

[0075] The enclosure 11 is made of double-layer heat-insulating material (such as a composite structure of high-temperature resistant stainless steel and an insulating layer). The opening 111 of the receiving cavity 112 is located on the front or top of the enclosure 11. The edge of the opening 111 is equipped with a sealing strip or elastic gasket to ensure that an airtight sealed environment is formed when the enclosure door 12 is closed, preventing external heat or contaminants from entering. The enclosure door 12 is partially covered by a transparent high-temperature resistant material (such as polycarbonate or tempered glass) to facilitate observation of the operating status of the testing mechanism (such as gear meshing and grease rheological properties).

[0076] The rotating structure of the chamber door 12 includes a hinge connection or a sliding rail type rotating shaft, with an opening angle range of 0° to 180°, facilitating technicians to operate the testing mechanism from the front or side. The chamber door 12 is equipped with a handle or quick-release buckle to improve opening and closing efficiency. When the testing mechanism needs installation or maintenance, opening the chamber door 12 fully exposes the grease life testing mechanism 2 through the opening 111 of the receiving cavity 112, facilitating the disassembly or adjustment of components such as gears and load components 24.

[0077] The rotatable opening function of the chamber door 12 enables flexible control of the internal environment of the temperature control chamber 1. The opening 111 of the receiving cavity 112 and the sealing structure of the chamber door 12 work together to ensure temperature stability during testing, while also ensuring ease of operation. The transparent observation window of the chamber door 12 further enhances the visualization of the experimental process, facilitating real-time monitoring of changes in the performance of the lubricating grease, thereby improving testing efficiency and data accuracy.

[0078] In some embodiments, the grease life testing mechanism 2 is also equipped with a steam generator or an ultrasonic atomizer, as well as a humidity detection sensor.

[0079] The grease life testing chamber 2 is equipped with a steam generator or ultrasonic atomizer, as well as a humidity sensor, to simulate a high humidity environment and monitor the impact of humidity changes on the performance of the lubricating grease in real time. The steam generator produces saturated water vapor through electric heating or gas heating, or the ultrasonic atomizer atomizes water into micron-sized particles. Both methods introduce water vapor into the sealed space of the testing chamber (such as the temperature control chamber 1 or the dustproof protective cover 28) through pipes or nozzles to raise the ambient humidity to the target value (such as 80% to 100% RH).

[0080] The steam generator or ultrasonic atomizer is installed close to the core area (i.e., gear pair) of the grease life testing mechanism 2 to ensure uniform distribution of water vapor and direct application to the friction contact surface of the grease being tested. Simultaneously, the control module of the steam generator or ultrasonic atomizer is linked to the temperature regulation system of the temperature control chamber 1 to achieve coordinated control of humidity and temperature. For example, humidity can be increased synchronously during high-temperature testing to simulate the high-temperature and high-humidity complex environment in actual working conditions.

[0081] To prevent condensation buildup that could dilute the grease or corrode equipment, the heat insulation shell 25, dustproof cover 28, or inner wall of the test chamber 11 are equipped with a hydrophobic coating or condensation drainage channels to direct excess moisture to a collection tank or drain pipe. Furthermore, the grease life test chamber 2 integrates a humidity sensor (such as a capacitive or resistive sensor) to monitor ambient humidity in real time and provide feedback to the controller. The humidity sensor is installed close to the gear pair's operating area to ensure accurate reflection of the humidity conditions of the grease.

[0082] The integration of a steam generator or ultrasonic atomizer expands the environmental simulation capabilities of the grease life testing mechanism 2, enabling it to reproduce the performance degradation process of lubricating grease under high humidity conditions (such as accelerated oxidation and consistency changes). The real-time monitoring function of the humidity sensor further enhances testing accuracy, ensuring the stability of humidity parameters and the reliability of data, thus providing a scientific basis for the life assessment of lubricating grease under complex environments.

[0083] In some embodiments, the grease life testing mechanism 2 is also equipped with a cyclone dust generator.

[0084] The grease life testing unit 2 is equipped with a cyclone dust generator to simulate the impact of a high-dust environment on the performance of lubricating grease. The cyclone dust generator is designed based on the reverse principle of a cyclone dust collector, and its core structure includes an inlet pipe, a cyclone drum, a dust supply chamber, and a diffusion outlet. The dust supply chamber is pre-loaded with the dust to be tested (such as metal particles, industrial dust, or mixed dust), which is driven into the cyclone drum by airflow. The dust-laden airflow forms a strong spiral rotation within the cyclone drum, using centrifugal force to evenly disperse and accelerate the diffusion of the dust into the enclosed space of the testing unit (such as the temperature control chamber 1 or the dustproof protective cover 28), thereby simulating a dusty environment.

[0085] The cyclone generator's cyclone chamber is made of high-temperature resistant and wear-resistant ceramic or stainless steel. Its internal structure is optimized with a conical design to enhance airflow rotation intensity and expand dust diffusion range. The dust supply chamber controls dust flow rate via adjustable valves, and in conjunction with an airflow pressure regulation module (such as an air pump or valve), achieves precise control of dust concentration (e.g., 50–1000 mg / m³). 3 The diffusion outlet is sealed to the heat insulation shell 25 or dustproof protective cover 28 of the testing mechanism to prevent dust from escaping and contaminating the drive component 21 or coupling 26 area, while ensuring that the dust is evenly distributed in the operating space of the gear pair and load assembly 24.

[0086] The integration of the cyclone dust generator significantly expands the environmental simulation capabilities of the grease life testing mechanism 2, enabling it to reproduce the performance degradation process of lubricating grease under high-dust conditions (such as accelerated wear, consistency changes, or accelerated failure), thereby improving the applicability and reliability of the test results. The modular design of the cyclone dust generator also supports quick changes in dust type or adjustment of diffusion parameters to adapt to different testing needs.

[0087] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatus disclosed in the embodiments, since it corresponds to the method disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to in the method section. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications to this utility model without departing from its principles, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

[0088] It should also be noted that, in this specification, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusivity.

[0089] The term "comprises" implies that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprises a..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

Claims

1. A grease life testing device, characterized in that, include: A temperature control chamber and a grease life testing mechanism are provided. The grease life testing mechanism is located inside the temperature control chamber and includes a drive component, a first gear, a second gear, and a load assembly. The drive component is connected to the first gear, the first gear and the second gear mesh, and the load assembly is mounted on the second gear.

2. The grease life testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second gear is horizontally positioned, and the load assembly is vertically mounted on the second gear.

3. The grease life testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The load assembly includes a load rod and at least one loading block, wherein the load rod is vertically mounted on the second gear and the loading block is sleeved on the load rod.

4. The grease life testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grease life testing mechanism further includes: a heat insulation shell, the driving component is disposed inside the heat insulation shell, and the driving end of the driving component extends out of the heat insulation shell and is connected to the first gear for transmission.

5. The grease life testing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The grease life testing mechanism further includes a bearing housing, which is disposed on the heat insulation shell, and the second gear is rotatably mounted on the bearing housing.

6. The grease life testing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heat insulation shell is provided with at least one oil hole, which is located below the first gear.

7. The grease life testing device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The oil hole is designed with a flared opening, with the opening of the flared opening facing the first gear.

8. The grease life testing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first gear is detachable from the drive component, and the second gear is detachable from the heat insulation shell.

9. The grease life testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grease life testing mechanism further includes a dustproof protective cover, and the first gear, the second gear, and the load assembly are disposed inside the dustproof protective cover.

10. The grease life testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature control box includes a box body and a box door. The box body has an open receiving cavity, the grease life testing mechanism is disposed in the receiving cavity, and the box door is rotatably disposed on the box body to open or close the opening.

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