Lubricant application device

Abstract

To provide a lubricant application device capable of suitably applying a lubricant to a seal member.SOLUTION: The coating device 60 includes a nozzle 76 for discharging the lubricant, a moving mechanism 100 for moving the cap 31 to which the first seal member 55 is attached, and a rotating body 84 having irregularities for holding the lubricant and applying the lubricant discharged from the nozzle 76 to the first seal member 55. The moving mechanism 100 is configured to rotate the cap 31 in a state in which the first seal member 55 and the irregularities of the rotating body 84 are in contact with each other. The rotating body 84 is configured to rotate while changing the contact position between the irregularities of the rotating body 84 and the first seal member 55 in conjunction with the rotation of the cap 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lubricant application device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an ion exchanger connected to a cooling circuit of a fuel cell. This ion exchanger includes a case in which refrigerant piping is provided, through which a refrigerant flows, and a cartridge detachably provided in the case.

[0003] The cartridge includes a cylindrical housing with one end closed and an ion exchange resin filled inside the housing. An annular seal member is attached to the outer periphery of the housing to seal the gap between the housing and the case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-176935 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the cartridge is attached to the case, the frictional force between the case and the seal member may cause the seal member to twist. If the cartridge is attached to the case with the seal member twisted, the sealing performance of the seal member may be reduced. For this reason, it is preferable to apply a lubricant to the outer peripheral surface of the seal member. One possible method for applying the lubricant to the seal member is to place a nozzle close to the outer peripheral surface of the seal member attached to the housing, and then rotate the housing around the central axis to eject the lubricant from the nozzle.

[0006] However, if air is mixed in the lubricant, air may accumulate in the nozzle, causing a temporary insufficient amount of lubricant being discharged from the nozzle. In this case, the amount of lubricant applied to the seal member may be insufficient, making it difficult to reduce the friction between the case and the seal member. For this reason, it is desirable to apply the lubricant to the seal member in an optimal manner.

[0007] This problem is not limited to seal members attached to the housing of the cartridge of the ion exchanger, but also occurs in seal members attached to various workpieces. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A lubricant application device for solving the above problem is a lubricant application device that applies lubricant to a sealing member attached to a workpiece, and is equipped with a nozzle that ejects the lubricant, a moving mechanism that moves the workpiece to which the sealing member is attached, and a rotating body that has irregularities on its outer surface that hold the lubricant and applies the lubricant ejected from the nozzle to the sealing member, wherein the moving mechanism is configured to move the workpiece with the sealing member and the irregularities in contact, and the rotating body is configured to rotate while changing the contact position between the irregularities and the sealing member in conjunction with the movement of the workpiece.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the moving mechanism moves the workpiece while the seal member and the asperities are in contact, and the rotating body rotates while changing the contact position between the asperities and the seal member in conjunction with the movement of the workpiece. Therefore, new contact surfaces of the rotating body sequentially come into contact with the seal member. This allows the lubricant ejected from the nozzle to be sequentially applied to the seal member via the rotating body. Therefore, even if air entrapment occurs in the nozzle, causing a temporary shortage of lubricant supply to the rotating body, the lubricant already supplied is retained in the asperities of the rotating body, preventing a shortage in the amount of lubricant applied to the seal member. Therefore, the lubricant can be optimally applied to the seal member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an ion exchanger according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the cartridge of the ion exchanger of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a coating device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the coating device of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the coating mechanism of the coating device of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view of a rotation detection unit of the application mechanism of FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view of a scraper of the application mechanism of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a side view of the coating device of FIG. 3 in a state where the rotating body is in contact with the first seal member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a lubricant application device will be described with reference to FIGS. The lubricant application device (hereinafter simply referred to as the application device 60) is a device that applies a lubricant to the first seal member 55 attached to the cap 31 that constitutes the cartridge 30 of the ion exchanger 10. The cap 31 is an example of a "workpiece." The first seal member 55 is an example of a "seal member."

[0012] (Overall configuration of ion exchanger 10) 1, the ion exchanger 10 is connected to a cooling circuit (not shown) through which coolant flows for cooling a vehicle fuel cell. The ion exchanger 10 removes ions contained in the coolant.

[0013] The ion exchanger 10 includes a case 20 and a cartridge 30. The cartridge 30 is configured to be detachable from the case 20. (Configuration of Case 20) The case 20 has a storage section 21, an inlet pipe 22, and an outlet pipe .

[0014] The accommodation portion 21 has a cylindrical shape that opens upward. An internal thread (not shown) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the accommodation portion 21. The inlet pipe 22 and the outlet pipe 23 are connected to the lower part of the storage section 21. The inlet pipe 22 and the outlet pipe 23 are oriented in opposite directions. The cooling water flowing through the cooling circuit flows into the cartridge 30 housed in the storage section 21 through the inlet pipe 22. The outlet pipe 23 allows the cooling water in the cartridge 30 to flow out into the cooling circuit.

[0015] (Configuration of cartridge 30) The cartridge 30 includes a cap 31, a flow path member 40, a lid member 45, and an ion exchange resin R. The cap 31 is cylindrical and opens downward. The cap 31 is housed in the housing 21. The flow path member 40 forms a flow path inside the cap 31 through which cooling water flows. The lid member 45 covers the open end of the cap 31. The ion exchange resin R is filled inside the cap 31. The cap 31, the flow path member 40, and the lid member 45 are made of a thermoplastic resin material such as polyamide (PA). The cap 31 is an example of a "housing."

[0016] The cap 31 has a top wall 32 and a peripheral wall 33. The top wall 32 is circular in plan view. The peripheral wall 33 protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the top wall 32. A male thread 34 that meshes with the female thread of the accommodating portion 21 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 33. By screwing the cap 31 onto the accommodating portion 21, the cartridge 30 is detachably attached to the case 20.

[0017] A plurality of pins 35 extending in the vertical direction are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 33. Each pin 35 is cylindrical. The tip of each pin 35 protrudes downward beyond the lower end of the peripheral wall 33.

[0018] An exhaust hole 36 penetrating the peripheral wall 33 is formed in a portion of the peripheral wall 33 below the male thread 34. The exhaust hole 36 has a circular cross section. The exhaust hole 36 faces the inner peripheral surface of the storage section 21. The exhaust hole 36 has the function of discharging air inside the cartridge 30 to the outside when the cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 20 in which the coolant is stored during replacement of the cartridge 30. Discharging air from the exhaust hole 36 prevents the coolant from overflowing from the case 20 during replacement of the cartridge 30.

[0019] A joint surface 33a that surrounds the exhaust hole 36 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 33. The joint surface 33a is recessed relative to the other portions of the peripheral wall 33. A first mesh member 50 that covers the exhaust hole 36 is joined to the joining surface 33a. The first mesh member 50 is joined to the joining surface 33a by, for example, vibration welding or ultrasonic welding. The first mesh member 50 has a circular shape. The first mesh member 50 is formed from a thin metal plate such as stainless steel. The mesh size of the first mesh member 50 is set to allow the passage of cooling water while preventing the passage of the ion exchange resin R.

[0020] A seal groove 37 is formed around the entire outer circumferential surface of the peripheral wall 33 above the male thread 34. An annular first seal member 55 is attached to the seal groove 37. The first seal member 55 seals between the outer circumferential surface of the cap 31 and the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating portion 21. The first seal member 55 is made of an elastic material. The first seal member 55 is, for example, an O-ring with a circular cross section.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flow path member 40 has a pipe portion 41, an annular portion 42, and a plurality of first ribs 43. The pipe part 41 has a cylindrical shape and extends vertically in the center of the interior of the cap 31. An upper end of the pipe part 41 has a gap between it and the top wall 32. The lower end of the pipe part 41 passes through the lid member 45.

[0022] The annular portion 42 is annular and surrounds the upper end of the pipe portion 41. The annular portion 42 is fitted inside the upper end of the cap 31. The first ribs 43 connect the outer peripheral surface of the pipe portion 41 and the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion 42 at multiple locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the pipe portion 41 .

[0023] An annular second seal member 56 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion 42. The second seal member 56 provides a seal between the outer circumferential surface of the annular portion 42 and the inner circumferential surface of the cap 31. The second seal member 56 is made of an elastic material.

[0024] The second mesh member 51 is integrated with the flow path member 40 by insert molding. The second mesh member 51 is disk-shaped. The second mesh member 51 covers the lower surfaces of the annular portion 42 and the plurality of first ribs 43. The second mesh member 51 is formed of a thin metal plate such as stainless steel. The mesh size of the second mesh member 51 is set to allow the passage of cooling water while preventing the passage of the ion exchange resin R.

[0025] An annular third seal member 57 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the pipe portion 41. The third seal member 57 seals between the outer peripheral surface of the pipe portion 41 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner annular portion 46, which will be described later. The third seal member 57 is made of an elastic material.

[0026] The cover member 45 has an inner annular portion 46, an outer annular portion 47, and a plurality of second ribs 48. The inner annular portion 46 is annular and surrounds the lower end of the pipe portion 41 .

[0027] The outer annular portion 47 is annular and surrounds the inner annular portion 46. The outer annular portion 47 is fitted inside the lower end portion of the cap 31. The outer annular portion 47 is provided with a plurality of insertion holes 49 spaced apart in the circumferential direction, which penetrate the outer annular portion 47 in the up-down direction.

[0028] 1, the pin portion 35 of the cap 31 is inserted into the insertion hole 49. The tip of the pin portion 35 is formed into a dome shape by heat caulking. This fixes the lid member 45 to the cap 31.

[0029] The second ribs 48 connect the outer peripheral surface of the inner annular portion 46 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer annular portion 47 at multiple locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the inner annular portion 46 . An annular fourth seal member 58 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the outer annular portion 47. The fourth seal member 58 provides a seal between the outer peripheral surface of the outer annular portion 47 and the inner peripheral surface of the cap 31. The fourth seal member 58 is made of an elastic material.

[0030] A third mesh member 52 is integrated with the cover member 45 by insert molding. The third mesh member 52 is disk-shaped. The third mesh member 52 covers the lower surface of the cover member 45. The third mesh member 52 is formed of a thin metal plate such as stainless steel. The mesh size of the third mesh member 52 is set to allow the passage of cooling water while preventing the passage of the ion exchange resin R.

[0031] The ion exchange resin R is filled in the space inside the cap 31 around the pipe portion 41 and between the annular portion 42 and the lid member 45. Most of the cooling water that flows into the inside of the case 20 from the inlet pipe 22 passes through the third mesh member 52 integrated with the lid member 45, and reaches the region inside the cap 31 that is filled with the ion exchange resin R. As the cooling water passes through the ion exchange resin R, ions are removed from the cooling water by ion exchange with the ion exchange resin R. After passing through the ion exchange resin R, the cooling water passes through the second mesh member 51 integrated with the flow path member 40, and then flows into the inside of the pipe portion 41 through the opening at the upper end of the pipe portion 41. Thereafter, the cooling water flows into the inside of the outlet pipe 23 from the lower end of the pipe portion 41, and then flows out of the outlet pipe 23 into the cooling circuit.

[0032] (Overall configuration of coating device 60) As shown in FIG. 3, the application device 60 includes an application mechanism 70, a movement mechanism 100, and a support mechanism 110. The application mechanism 70 applies lubricant to the first seal member 55 attached to the cap 31. The movement mechanism 100 moves the cap 31 to which the first seal member 55 is attached, more specifically, rotates the cap 31 to which the first seal member 55 is attached. The support mechanism 110 supports the cap 31 that is rotated by the movement mechanism 100. The lubricant is, for example, semi-solid grease.

[0033] (Configuration of the application mechanism 70) 4, the application mechanism 70 includes a fixed base 71 and a movable base 72. The movable base 72 is configured to be slidable relative to the fixed base 71.

[0034] A linearly extending guide rail 73 is fixed to the upper surface of the fixed base 71. A guide block 74 that slidably engages with the guide rail 73 is fixed to the lower surface of the movable base 72. The movable base 72 slides along the guide rail 73 relative to the fixed base 71 when driven by a linear actuator (not shown).

[0035] (Configuration of dispenser 75) As shown in FIG. 3, the application mechanism 70 includes a dispenser 75. The dispenser 75 is connected to a supply device (not shown) that supplies a lubricant. The dispenser 75 has a nozzle 76 that discharges the lubricant. The nozzle 76 is tubular and extends linearly. The dispenser 75 continuously discharges a constant amount of lubricant from the nozzle 76.

[0036] A fixing member 77 for fixing the dispenser 75 is fixed to the upper surface of the movable base 72. The dispenser 75 is fixed to the movable base 72 by being inserted into the fixing member 77.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the dispenser 75 is fixed so that the nozzle 76 is inclined with respect to the sliding direction of the movable base 72. (Configuration of Rotating Body 84) As shown in Fig. 6, the application mechanism 70 includes a fixed shaft 80, a bushing 81, and a rotating body 84. The fixed shaft 80 extends upward from the movable base 72. The bushing 81 is rotatably supported at the upper end of the fixed shaft 80. The rotating body 84 is fixed to the bushing 81. The rotating body 84 applies the lubricant discharged from the nozzle 76 by transferring it to the first seal member 55.

[0038] The fixed shaft 80 is cylindrical and is fixed to the movable base 72 on the front side in the discharge direction of the nozzle 76 so as not to be able to move relative to the movable base 72. The bushing 81 is cylindrical. Two radial bearings 83 fitted onto the fixed shaft 80 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the bushing 81. The bushing 81 has an annular flange portion 82 protruding from the lower end portion of the bushing 81 toward the outer periphery.

[0039] The rotor 84 is disk-shaped. The rotor 84 has a central hole 84a into which the bushing 81, excluding the flange portion 82, is inserted. The diameter of the rotor 84 is larger than the diameter of the flange portion 82. The lower surface of the rotor 84 is fixed to the upper surface of the flange portion 82. Therefore, the rotor 84 is configured to be rotatable about the fixed shaft 80 via the bushing 81.

[0040] 5, protrusions 85 and grooves 86 are formed alternately in the circumferential direction of the rotor 84 over the entire outer circumferential surface of the rotor 84. The protrusions 85 and grooves 86 form irregularities that hold the lubricant discharged from the nozzle 76. A gap is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 84 and the nozzle 76.

[0041] 6, the outer peripheral surface of each protrusion 85 is curved in an arc shape so that the closer it is to the center in the thickness direction of the rotor 84, the closer it is to the inner peripheral side of the rotor 84. The radius of curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 85 is larger than the wire diameter of the first seal member 55. The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 85 is continuous with the side surface of the protrusion 85 that forms the inner surface of the groove 86.

[0042] The rotating body 84 comes into contact with the first seal member 55 as the movable base 72 approaches the cap 31 to which the first seal member 55 is attached. The rotating body 84 is configured to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the cap 31 while changing the contact position with the first seal member 55 by the movement mechanism 100 rotating the cap 31 with the first seal member 55 in contact with the unevenness of the rotating body 84. In other words, the rotating body 84 rotates due to the frictional force generated between the rotating body 84 and the first seal member 55 attached to the cap 31. The rotating body 84 can rotate in either direction depending on the rotation direction of the cap 31, but in this embodiment, it rotates counterclockwise in a plan view.

[0043] (Configuration of Rotating Plate 88) The application mechanism 70 includes a cylindrical member 87 and a rotating plate 88. The cylindrical member 87 is fixed to the upper surface of the bushing 81. The rotating plate 88 is fixed to the upper surface of the cylindrical member 87 coaxially with the rotor 84.

[0044] The rotating plate 88 is disk-shaped. The diameter of the rotating plate 88 is smaller than the diameter of the rotating body 84. The rotating plate 88 is connected to the rotating body 84 via a cylindrical member 87 and a bushing 81. Therefore, the rotating plate 88 rotates relative to the fixed shaft 80 in conjunction with the rotating body 84 at a position separated from the rotating body 84.

[0045] The rotary plate 88 has a plurality of slits 89 formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the rotary plate 88. Each slit 89 extends from the outer periphery of the rotary plate 88 inward in the radial direction. (Configuration of rotation detection unit 91) 7, the application mechanism 70 includes a first bracket 90 and a rotation detector 91. The first bracket 90 is fixed to one side surface of the movable base 72 in the width direction perpendicular to the sliding direction. The rotation detector 91 is fixed to the first bracket 90. The rotation detector 91 detects the rotation of the rotating plate 88.

[0046] The rotation detection unit 91 is, for example, a transmission-type photoelectric sensor. The rotation detection unit 91 has a light-emitting unit 92 and a light-receiving unit 93. The light-emitting unit 92 and the light-receiving unit 93 are located on opposite sides of the outer periphery of the rotating plate 88 in the thickness direction of the rotating plate 88. A gap is provided between the light-emitting unit 92 and the light-receiving unit 93 and the rotating plate 88 in the thickness direction of the rotating plate 88. The outer periphery of the rotating rotating plate 88 passes between the light-emitting unit 92 and the light-receiving unit 93.

[0047] The rotation detector 91 detects the rotation of the rotating plate 88 by detecting light passing through the slit 89. More specifically, when the slit 89 of the rotating plate 88 is located between the light-emitting unit 92 and the light-receiving unit 93, the light-receiving unit 93 receives the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 92. On the other hand, when the outer periphery of the rotating plate 88 is located between the light-emitting unit 92 and the light-receiving unit 93, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 92 is blocked by the rotating plate 88, and the light-receiving unit 93 does not receive the light. The rotation detector 91 determines that the rotating plate 88 is rotating if the interval at which the light-receiving unit 93 receives the light is within a predetermined interval. The rotation detector 91 determines that the rotating plate 88 is not rotating if the time during which the light-receiving unit 93 receives the light or does not receive the light continues for a predetermined period of time. When the rotation detector 91 determines that the rotating plate 88 is not rotating, the coating device 60 uses, for example, an alarm device (not shown) to notify the user that the rotating body 84 is not rotating.

[0048] (Configuration of scraper 95) 8, the application mechanism 70 includes a second bracket 94 and a scraper 95. The second bracket 94 is fixed to the side of the movable base 72 opposite to the side to which the first bracket 90 is fixed. The scraper 95 is fixed to the second bracket 94. The scraper 95 collects the lubricant from the rotating body 84.

[0049] The scraper 95 has a pair of collecting portions 96. The pair of collecting portions 96 are located on opposite sides of the outer periphery of the rotor 84 in the thickness direction of the rotor 84. A gap is provided between the pair of collecting portions 96 and the rotor 84 in the thickness direction of the rotor 84. When the outer periphery of the rotor 84 passes between the pair of collecting portions 96, the lubricant adhering to the upper and lower surfaces of the rotor 84 adheres to and is collected by the pair of collecting portions 96. The lubricant is collected by the collecting surfaces, which are the rear surfaces of the pair of collecting portions 96 in the rotation direction of the rotor 84.

[0050] 5 and 8, the pair of collection parts 96 extend at an angle relative to the radial direction so that the further inward in the radial direction of the rotor 84 the more rearward in the rotational direction of the rotor 84. For this reason, the lubricant collected by the pair of collection parts 96 moves on the collection surface toward the base end of the collection part 96 as the amount of collected lubricant increases.

[0051] The application mechanism 70 is equipped with a collection box 97 that opens upward. The collection box 97 is fixed to the upper surface of the movable base 72 below the scraper 95. As described above, the lubricant moves on the collection surfaces of the pair of collection parts 96 toward the base ends of the collection parts 96, and therefore the lubricant tends to accumulate at the base ends. The lubricant that has accumulated at the base ends of the pair of collection parts 96 falls into the collection box 97 by its own weight and is collected.

[0052] (Configuration of the moving mechanism 100) 3, the moving mechanism 100 is disposed on the opposite side of the rotating body 84 from the dispenser 75. The moving mechanism 100 is configured to rotate the cap 31 in a state where the first sealing member 55 and the unevenness of the rotating body 84 are in contact with each other.

[0053] The movement mechanism 100 includes a support base 101 and a first driving device 103. The support base 101 supports the end of the cap 31 on which the top wall 32 is provided. The first driving device 103 rotates the support base 101.

[0054] The support base 101 is cylindrical with one end closed. The support base 101 has a recess 102 that accommodates the end of the cap 31. The recess 102 opens to the upper surface of the support base 101. The inner surface of the recess 102 is shaped to fit the top wall 32 and peripheral wall 33 of the cap 31. The inner surface of the recess 102 is provided with, for example, an engaging portion that engages with the cap 31. Therefore, the cap 31 is positioned relative to the support base 101 by being accommodated in the recess 102.

[0055] The first driving device 103 rotates the support base 101, thereby rotating the cap 31 supported by the support base 101 around the central axis of the cap 31. The first driving device 103 is, for example, a rotary actuator.

[0056] (Configuration of support mechanism 110) 3 and 4, the support mechanism 110 is disposed on the opposite side of the application mechanism 70 across the movement mechanism 100. The support mechanism 110 includes a base 111, a second drive device 112, and a support section 113. The second drive device 112 is fixed to the upper surface of the base 111. The support section 113 is slid by the second drive device 112 in the sliding direction of the movable base 72. The support section 113 supports the cap 31, which is rotated by the movement mechanism 100, from the side opposite the rotating body 84.

[0057] The second driving device 112 is, for example, a linear actuator configured so that a slide table connected to a piston can reciprocate relative to a housing that accommodates the piston. The support part 113 includes a base plate 114 and a pair of rollers 115. The base plate 114 is fixed to a slide table of the second driving device 112. The pair of rollers 115 are fixed to the base plate 114 at a distance from each other in the width direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the support part 113. Each roller 115 rotates around an axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0058] As the support portion 113 approaches the cap 31, the pair of rollers 115 supports a portion of the peripheral wall 33 of the cap 31 that is closer to the top wall 32 than the portion where the first seal member 55 is attached, from the side opposite the rotating body 84. When the support portion 113 is supporting the rotating cap 31, the pair of rollers 115 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the cap 31.

[0059] <Operation of this embodiment> An example of the procedure by which the applicator 60 applies the lubricant to the first seal member 55 will be described. 4, first, the cap 31 to which the first seal member 55 is attached is placed on the support base 101 by an operator or a device such as a robot. Note that the flow path member 40 and the lid member 45 may be assembled to the cap 31.

[0060] Next, the movement mechanism 100 rotates the support base 101 clockwise in a plan view, which causes the cap 31 to rotate clockwise. 9, the movable base 72 and the support part 113 move from opposite sides toward the cap 31, causing the rotating body 84 to come into contact with the first seal member 55 and the pair of rollers 115 to come into contact with the peripheral wall 33 of the cap 31. As a result, the rotating body 84 and the pair of rollers 115 rotate counterclockwise in a plan view in conjunction with the rotation of the cap 31. Note that the movement mechanism 100 may rotate the support base 101 and the cap 31 after the rotating body 84 comes into contact with the first seal member 55 and the pair of rollers 115 come into contact with the peripheral wall 33 of the cap 31.

[0061] Dispenser 75 dispenses a constant amount of lubricant from nozzle 76 at least while rotor 84 is rotating. It is preferable that lubricant be held on the entire outer circumferential surface of rotor 84 before movable base 72 moves toward cap 31.

[0062] When the movement mechanism 100 rotates the cap 31 while the first seal member 55 and the asperities of the rotating body 84 are in contact with each other, the rotating body 84 rotates while changing the contact position between the asperities and the first seal member 55 in conjunction with the rotation of the cap 31. As a result, new contact surfaces of the rotating body 84 sequentially come into contact with the first seal member 55. As a result, the lubricant discharged from the nozzle 76 is sequentially applied to the entire circumference of the first seal member 55 via the rotating body 84. Therefore, even if air entrapment occurs in the nozzle 76 and the supply of lubricant to the rotating body 84 is temporarily insufficient, the lubricant that has already been supplied is held by the asperities of the rotating body 84, so that the amount of lubricant applied to the first seal member 55 can be prevented from being insufficient.

[0063] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The movement mechanism 100 is configured to rotate the cap 31 while the first seal member 55 is in contact with the projections and recesses of the rotating body 84. The rotating body 84 is configured to rotate while changing the contact position between the projections and recesses of the rotating body 84 and the first seal member 55 in conjunction with the rotation of the cap 31.

[0064] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the amount of lubricant applied to the first seal member 55 from becoming insufficient, and therefore the lubricant can be applied to the first seal member 55 in an appropriate manner. (2) On the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 84, protrusions 85 and grooves 86 constituting the unevenness are formed alternately in the circumferential direction of the rotor 84.

[0065] According to the above configuration, the lubricant is held by the protrusions 85 and grooves 86 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the disc-shaped rotor 84. Then, the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 84 on which the protrusions 85 and grooves 86 are formed comes into contact with the first seal member 55, thereby applying the lubricant to the first seal member 55. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the amount of lubricant applied to the first seal member 55 from being insufficient.

[0066] (3) The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 85 is curved so that the closer it gets to the center of the rotor 84 in the thickness direction, the more it is positioned on the inner peripheral side of the rotor 84 . According to the above configuration, the outer circumferential surface of the curved protrusion 85, which is positioned closer to the inner circumferential side of the rotor 84 as it approaches the center in the thickness direction of the rotor 84, comes into contact with the first seal member 55. Therefore, compared to when the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 85 is flat, the contact area with the first seal member 55 can be increased. Therefore, the lubricant can be suitably applied to the first seal member 55.

[0067] (4) The coating device 60 includes a rotating plate 88 having a plurality of slits 89 and a rotation detector 91 that detects the rotation of the rotating plate 88 by detecting light passing through the slits 89 .

[0068] For example, if the first seal member 55 and the rotating body 84 are not in contact with each other, the rotating body 84 will not rotate even if the movement mechanism 100 rotates the cap 31. In this case, the lubricant will not be applied to the first seal member 55 via the rotating body 84.

[0069] In this regard, with the above configuration, the rotation detector 91 detects the rotation of the rotating plate 88, thereby detecting the rotation of the rotating body 84 that is linked to the rotating plate 88. Therefore, it is possible to know that the rotating body 84 is not rotating, i.e., that the first seal member 55 and the rotating body 84 are not in contact with each other.

[0070] It is also possible to have the rotation detector 91 detect light passing through the groove 86 of the rotor 84, but this may result in a decrease in detection accuracy if the groove 86 of the rotor 84 is filled with lubricant. With the above configuration, the rotation detector 91 detects the rotation of the rotating plate 88, and therefore can detect whether the rotor 84 is rotating or not without decreasing detection accuracy.

[0071] (5) The coating device 60 includes a support mechanism 110 that supports the cap 31 that is rotated by the movement mechanism 100 . According to the above configuration, the cap 31 is supported by the support mechanism 110, and therefore the posture of the cap 31 rotated by the movement mechanism 100 can be stabilized. Therefore, the lubricant can be suitably applied to the first seal member 55.

[0072] (6) The applicator 60 includes a scraper 95 that collects the lubricant from the rotating rotor 84 . According to the above configuration, the lubricant adhering to the rotor 84 can be collected, and therefore unnecessary lubricant can be prevented from remaining on the surface of the rotor 84.

[0073] (7) The movement mechanism 100 rotates the cap 31 to which the first seal member 55 is attached around the central axis of the cap 31. According to the above configuration, the movement mechanism 100 rotates the cap 31 while the first seal member 55 is in contact with the rotating body 84, whereby the lubricant is applied to the first seal member 55 via the rotating body 84. Therefore, the lubricant can be applied to the entire annular first seal member 55 attached to the cylindrical cap 31.

[0074] (8) The applicator 60 is a device that applies a lubricant to the first seal member 55 attached to the cap 31 of the cartridge 30 of the ion exchanger 10 . According to the above configuration, the applicator 60 can be embodied as a device that applies lubricant to the first seal member 55 attached to the cap 31 of the cartridge 30 of the ion exchanger 10.

[0075] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0076] The applicator 60 is not limited to an apparatus that applies lubricant to the first seal member 55 attached to the cap 31 of the cartridge 30 of the ion exchanger 10. The applicator 60 can also be embodied as an apparatus that applies lubricant to seal members attached to various workpieces. For example, the applicator 60 can be embodied as an apparatus that applies lubricant to a seal member attached to the inner circumferential surface of a cylindrical workpiece. In this case, for example, the rotor 84 may be disposed inside the workpiece, and the nozzle 76 may supply lubricant to the rotor 84 from one side of the rotor 84 in the axial direction. Furthermore, the workpiece does not have to be cylindrical, and the seal member does not have to be annular. For example, if the seal member is flat, the moving mechanism 100 may move the workpiece linearly in the direction of the surface of the seal member.

[0077] The scraper 95 may have a single collecting portion 96. The coating device 60 does not have to be equipped with the scraper 95. The support mechanism 110 may support the rotating cap 31 by pressing the cap 31 against the support base 101 from above.

[0078] The coating device 60 does not necessarily have to include the support mechanism 110. The coating device 60 does not have to include the rotating plate 88 and the rotation detection unit 91. The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 85 of the rotor 84 may be a flat surface perpendicular to the radial direction of the rotor 84 .

[0079] An annular groove extending over the entire circumference may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 84 instead of the protrusions 85 and the grooves 86. In this case, the irregularities that hold the lubricant are formed by the annular groove.

[0080] The rotor 84 may be a sphere. In this case, the rotor 84 preferably has irregularities on the entire outer surface for retaining the lubricant. At least the outer periphery of the rotor 84 may be porous. In this case, the entire porous body functions as irregularities that hold the lubricant.

[0081] The rotating body 84 may be configured to rotate independently of the rotation of the cap 31, i.e., the rotation of the support base 101. In this case, it is preferable that the rotating body 84 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the support base 101. Even in this configuration, the rotating body 84 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the cap 31, changing the contact position with the first seal member 55.

[0082] <Additional Notes> The above embodiment includes the configurations described in the following supplementary notes. [Appendix 1] A lubricant application device that applies lubricant to a sealing member attached to a workpiece, comprising: a nozzle that ejects the lubricant; a moving mechanism that moves the workpiece to which the sealing member is attached; and a rotating body that has irregularities on its outer surface that hold the lubricant and applies the lubricant ejected from the nozzle to the sealing member, wherein the moving mechanism is configured to move the workpiece with the sealing member and the irregularities in contact, and the rotating body is configured to rotate while changing the contact position between the irregularities and the sealing member in conjunction with the movement of the workpiece.

[0083] [Appendix 2] The rotating body is disk-shaped, and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body with which the sealing member comes into contact has protrusions and grooves that form the unevenness formed alternately in the circumferential direction of the rotating body. [Appendix 1] A lubricant application device as described in

[0084] [Appendix 3] The lubricant application device described in [Appendix 2], wherein the outer surface of the protrusion is curved so that it is positioned closer to the inner periphery of the rotating body as it approaches the center of the rotating body in the thickness direction. [Appendix 4] A lubricant application device according to any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 3], comprising: a rotating plate having a plurality of slits and rotating in conjunction with the rotating body; and a rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the rotating plate by detecting light passing through the slits.

[0085] [Appendix 5] The lubricant application device according to any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 4], further comprising a support mechanism for supporting the workpiece moved by the movement mechanism. [Appendix 6] The lubricant application device according to any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 5], further comprising a scraper that collects the lubricant from the rotating body.

[0086] [Appendix 7] A lubricant application device described in any one of [Appendix 1] to [Appendix 6], wherein the workpiece is cylindrical, the sealing member is annular and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the workpiece, and the moving mechanism is configured to rotate the workpiece to which the sealing member is attached around the central axis of the workpiece.

[0087] [Appendix 8] The lubricant application device described in [Appendix 6], wherein the workpiece is a cartridge housing that is detachably attached to a case of an ion exchanger and contains ion exchange resin inside, and the sealing member seals between the case and the housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] R...Ion exchange resin 10...Ion exchanger 20…case 30...Cartridge 31...Cap 55...First seal member 60... Coating device 76...Nozzle 84...rotating body 85...Protrusion 86...Groove 88...Rotating plate 89...Slit 91...Rotation detection unit 95...scraper 100...Movement mechanism 110...Support mechanism

Claims

1. A lubricant application device that applies a lubricant to a seal member attached to a workpiece, a nozzle for discharging the lubricant; a moving mechanism that moves the workpiece to which the sealing member is attached; a rotating body having an outer surface with irregularities for holding the lubricant, the rotating body applying the lubricant discharged from the nozzle to the seal member, the moving mechanism is configured to move the workpiece in a state where the seal member and the projections and recesses are in contact with each other, The rotating body is configured to rotate while changing the contact position between the concave and convex portions and the sealing member in conjunction with the movement of the workpiece. Lubricant application device.

2. The rotating body is disk-shaped, On the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body with which the seal member comes into contact, protrusions and grooves constituting the unevenness are alternately formed in the circumferential direction of the rotating body. The lubricant application device according to claim 1 .

3. The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion is curved so that the closer to the center in the plate thickness direction of the rotor, the closer to the inner peripheral side of the rotor. The lubricant application device according to claim 2 .

4. a rotating plate having a plurality of slits and rotating in conjunction with the rotating body; a rotation detection unit that detects the rotation of the rotating plate by detecting light passing through the slit. The lubricant application device according to claim 1 .

5. a support mechanism for supporting the workpiece moved by the movement mechanism; The lubricant application device according to claim 1 .

6. a scraper for collecting the lubricant from the rotating body; The lubricant application device according to claim 1 .

7. The workpiece is cylindrical, The sealing member is annular and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the workpiece, The moving mechanism is configured to rotate the workpiece to which the sealing member is attached around a central axis of the workpiece. The lubricant application device according to claim 1 .

8. the workpiece is a housing of a cartridge that is detachably attached to a case of an ion exchanger and that contains an ion exchange resin therein; The sealing member seals between the case and the housing. The lubricant application device according to claim 6.

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