Water-soluble lubricant supply system

Abstract

This invention provides a novel water-soluble lubricant supply system that enables the sterilization of microorganisms in water-soluble lubricants and the oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances with a simple configuration. [Solution] A water-soluble lubricant supply system (1), which is one embodiment of a water-soluble lubricant supply system, comprises a water-soluble lubricant storage section (10), a pipeline (20) for circulating the water-soluble lubricant, an ozone generation section (40), and an ozone introduction pipe (41) for injecting ozone into the water-soluble lubricant in the water-soluble lubricant storage section (10) or along the pipeline (20), wherein the ozone generation section (40) has an excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water-soluble lubricant supply system.

Background Art

[0002] Cutting oil, also called coolant, is used in processing equipment for metal processing such as cutting and grinding to reduce the friction between the tool and the workpiece, remove the generated heat, and improve the cutting efficiency and accuracy. When a water-soluble lubricant is used as the cutting oil, if it is circulated and used between the water-soluble lubricant supply device and the processing device, microorganisms such as bacteria may be generated due to the heat associated with the rise in temperature inside the processing device and the outside air temperature, and the water-soluble lubricant may deteriorate. As the deterioration of the water-soluble lubricant progresses, there is a problem that a bad smell is generated and the working environment is deteriorated. Therefore, in order to suppress the deterioration of the water-soluble lubricant, an antiseptic treatment of the water-soluble lubricant is carried out.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a deodorizing device for machine oil including an outer tank for deodorizing treatment, an inner tank disposed inside the outer tank, an ultraviolet lamp disposed inside the inner tank, an intake pipe having one end communicatively connected to an ozone generation space between the inner tank and the ultraviolet lamp and the other end communicatively connected to an oil passage space between the outer tank and the inner tank, and a blower for sending the gas in the intake pipe from the ozone generation space side toward the oil passage space side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the deodorizing device described in Patent Document 1 adds ozone to the machine oil to be deodorized, and the resulting ozone-containing machine oil is sent into the oil passage space of the deodorizing device, where ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet lamp is irradiated onto the ozone-containing machine oil. Therefore, when applying the deodorizing device described in Patent Document 1 to an existing water-soluble lubricant supply system, it is necessary to provide a separate path for sending the water-soluble lubricant to be deodorized into the oil passage space of the deodorizing device, in addition to the water-soluble lubricant supply path that circulates between the water-soluble lubricant supply device and the processing device, which may make application to existing water-soluble lubricant supply systems difficult. Furthermore, there is room for improvement in the antibacterial effect of the deodorizing device described in Patent Document 1.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a novel water-soluble lubricant supply system that can disinfect microorganisms in water-soluble lubricants and oxidatively decompose odor-causing substances with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a result of diligent research to solve the above problems, the inventors have discovered for the first time that by using an ozone generation unit equipped with an excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp, and injecting the ozone generated in the ozone generation unit into the water-soluble lubricant in a water-soluble lubricant storage unit, or in the middle of a pipeline circulating the water-soluble lubricant within a water-soluble lubricant supply system, it is possible to disinfect microorganisms in the water-soluble lubricant and oxidatively decompose odor-causing substances with a simple configuration, thus completing the present invention.

[0008] In other words, in order to solve the above problems, a water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a water-soluble lubricant storage section in which a water-soluble lubricant is stored, a pipeline for circulating the water-soluble lubricant stored in the water-soluble lubricant storage section, an ozone generation section for generating ozone, and an ozone introduction pipe for injecting the ozone generated in the ozone generation section into the water-soluble lubricant in the water-soluble lubricant storage section or in the middle of the pipeline, wherein the ozone generation section has an excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a novel water-soluble lubricant supply system can be provided that enables the sterilization of microorganisms in water-soluble lubricants and the oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure schematically shows the configuration of a water-soluble lubricant supply system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows the configuration of the ozone generation unit and ozone introduction pipe included in the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the configuration of a second embodiment of the bubble generation section of the ozone introduction pipe in the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] One aspect of the present invention will be described in detail below. Unless otherwise specified in this specification, "A to B" representing a numerical range means "greater than or equal to A and less than or equal to B".

[0012] A water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a water-soluble lubricant storage section in which a water-soluble lubricant is stored, a pipeline for circulating the water-soluble lubricant stored in the water-soluble lubricant storage section, an ozone generation section for generating ozone, and an ozone introduction pipe for injecting the ozone generated in the ozone generation section into the water-soluble lubricant in the water-soluble lubricant storage section or along the pipeline, wherein the ozone generation section has an excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp.

[0013] In a water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention, the water-soluble lubricant is supplied from a water-soluble lubricant storage unit through a pipeline to a target for supply, and after being used for purposes such as lubrication and cooling at the target, it is returned from the target to the water-soluble lubricant storage unit through the pipeline. This system for circulating the water-soluble lubricant is defined herein as a water-soluble lubricant supply system. In a water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention, an ozone generation unit generates ozone, and the ozone generated in the ozone generation unit is injected through an ozone introduction pipe to at least one location in the path for circulating the water-soluble lubricant within the water-soluble lubricant supply system (e.g., the water-soluble lubricant storage unit and the pipeline). The water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention preferably includes a pump. The pump can circulate the water-soluble lubricant in the pipeline by supplying energy to the water-soluble lubricant in the pipeline.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, an ozone introduction pipe is provided at least at one location in the path (for example, the water-soluble lubricant storage section and the pipeline) through which the water-soluble lubricant is circulated within the water-soluble lubricant supply system. The ozone introduction pipe injects ozone generated in the ozone generation section into the water-soluble lubricant in the water-soluble lubricant storage section or along the pipeline. Thus, with a simple configuration, sterilization of microorganisms in the water-soluble lubricant and oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances can be achieved.

[0015] (Target recipients of water-soluble lubricants) The objects to which the water-soluble lubricant is supplied by the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "supply targets") are not particularly limited as long as the supply of water-soluble lubricant is desired. For example, machine tools used for metal processing such as cutting and grinding; these include machining centers, lathes, milling machines, boring machines, drilling machines, grinding machines, and hobbing machines. Such supply targets may be incorporated as part of the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0016] In addition to metal processing (removing processing) such as cutting and grinding, water-soluble lubricants used in plastic processing such as pressing, punching, bending, rolling, drawing, and wire drawing; furthermore, not only in metal processing, but also in places where fire is not desired, such as steel mills and power plants, a water-soluble lubricant supply system according to an aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into a supply system for non-flammable or flame-retardant hydraulic oils that are representative of such water-soluble lubricants.

[0017] (The water-soluble lubricant to be supplied) The water-soluble lubricant supplied by the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to an aspect of the present invention will be described. Such water-soluble lubricants include conventionally known water-soluble lubricants generally used as cutting oils, for example, cutting oils of types A1, A2, and A3 specified in JIS K2241:2000. Among these, type A1 is particularly preferred.

[0018] In addition to the cutting oils and grinding oils shown above, water-soluble lubricants used in plastic processing, such as pressing oils, punching oils, bending oils, rolling oils, drawing oils, wire drawing oils; furthermore, not only in metal processing, but also water-soluble lubricants such as non-flammable or flame-retardant hydraulic oils used in places where fire is not desired, such as steel mills and power plants, are suitable for use in this water-soluble lubricant supply system.

[0019] (Bactericidal mechanism by ozone and microorganisms to be sterilized) Ozone is considered to sterilize bacteria by destroying the functions of cells through oxidative denaturation of the cell walls and cell membranes of the bacteria and lysing the cells. Examples of the action of ozone on the cell membrane include oxidative denaturation of membrane proteins, oxidative denaturation of cell membrane channels, leakage of cytoplasmic components to the outside of the cell due to destruction of the cell membrane, oxidative denaturation of intracellular proteins, oxidative cleavage of DNA, etc. It is considered that bacteria can be sterilized by these functions of ozone that destroy cells.

[0020] Here, in this specification, the "sterilization" of the water-soluble lubricant by ozone means removing bacteria from the water-soluble lubricant by adding ozone to the water-soluble lubricant (which may be referred to as "ozone treatment"). "Sterilization" includes, in addition to killing bacteria, inactivating bacteria so that they do not grow and suppressing the growth of bacteria. Suppressing the growth of bacteria is also referred to as "antibacterial".

[0021] Since ozone has a high oxidizing power, a high sterilization effect can be obtained. In addition, ozone has the advantage that it does not cause drug-resistant bacteria.

[0022] In the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention, the microorganisms to be sterilized by ozone are microorganisms that can survive or grow in the water-soluble lubricant. Representative examples of such microorganisms include the following eubacteria and fungi, but the microorganisms to be sterilized by ozone treatment are not limited to these: · Aerobic bacteria such as Pseudomonas bacteria. A representative species of Pseudomonas bacteria is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. · Enterobacteria such as Escherichia coli; anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium bacteria; · Sulfate-reducing bacteria such as Desulfovibrio denitri-ficans · Fusarium mold (red mold) · Lactic acid bacteria · Yeasts · Penicillium mold · Aspergillus mold · Bacillus bacteria.

[0023] According to the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention, a sterilization effect on the spores of microorganisms can also be obtained by ozone treatment. For example, the following spores of microorganisms can be mentioned, but are not limited to these: · Spores of yeasts • Spores of the fungus Penicillium • Spores of Aspergillus fungi • Spores of fungi of the genus Bacillus.

[0024] (Substances that are subject to oxidative decomposition by ozone) Ozone can oxidize and decompose substances such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, methanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), ethylene oxide gas (EOG), ammonia, nicotine, and mercaptans. Among these, ammonia and mercaptans are typical examples of substances that cause odor in water-soluble lubricants.

[0025] (Water-soluble lubricant with added ozone) Used water-soluble lubricant from a machine tool is returned to a water-soluble lubricant reservoir for reuse and supply to the machine tool again. The water-soluble lubricant reservoir to which the used water-soluble lubricant is returned is called the first reservoir. The first reservoir stores water-soluble lubricant, including the used water-soluble lubricant. The water-soluble lubricant stored in the first reservoir is called dirty fluid.

[0026] Dirty fluid contains foreign matter such as sludge, so it is filtered to remove the foreign matter before being supplied back to the machine tool. The water-soluble lubricant from which foreign matter has been removed to a degree that it can be supplied to the machine tool is called clean fluid. The "sludge" contained in dirty fluid refers to insoluble matter mixed in with the water-soluble lubricant and substances that do not contribute to the lubrication performance of the water-soluble lubricant. Examples of such insoluble matter include metal chips and other cutting materials produced by metal cutting; external contaminants such as lubricating oil and grease used in the machine tool; bacteria and other microorganisms that have proliferated in the water-soluble lubricant; and insoluble matter resulting from the alteration of the components of the water-soluble lubricant due to its use.

[0027] In a water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to add ozone to the dirty liquid from the viewpoint of the effects of ozone addition, but ozone may also be added to the clean liquid, or ozone may be added to both the dirty liquid and the clean liquid.

[0028] In a water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention, when ozone is added to the dirty liquid, it is preferable to remove foreign matter using two types of filters with different filtration performance in the process of generating a clean liquid from the dirty liquid. In this specification, these two types of filters are referred to as the first filter and the second filter. The first filter has lower filtration performance than the second filter. The first filter and the second filter will be described in detail later.

[0029] In this specification, the dirty liquid before passing through the first filter is specifically referred to as the "primary dirty liquid," and the dirty liquid after passing through the first filter is referred to as the "secondary dirty liquid."

[0030] The secondary dirty solution has a lower impurity content and higher transparency than the primary dirty solution because larger particles present in the primary dirty solution have been removed by the first filter. On the other hand, the secondary dirty solution is not clean enough to be called a clean solution, and contains a moderate amount of impurities such as metal powders like iron oxide with small particle sizes. For this reason, the secondary dirty solution falls into the category of dirty solution.

[0031] By passing the secondary dirty liquid through a second filter, foreign matter such as metal powders with small particle sizes, including iron oxide, that were not removed by the first filter can be removed, and a clean liquid can be obtained. The clean liquid may also be produced by directly passing the primary dirty liquid through the second filter.

[0032] Primary dirty fluid, secondary dirty fluid, and clean fluid can also be distinguished by their appearance and color at room temperature (25°C). For example, if the water-soluble lubricant is a cutting fluid of type A1 as specified in JIS K2241:2000, the primary dirty fluid has a reddish-brown appearance with visible foreign matter and suspended particles, the secondary dirty fluid has an appearance between reddish-brown and brown without visible foreign matter and suspended particles, and the clean fluid has an appearance between brown and milky white without visible foreign matter and suspended particles. Here, "reddish-brown" means a dark brown with a slightly blackish tint. The secondary dirty fluid can be distinguished from the primary dirty fluid by the absence of visible foreign matter and suspended particles, and by its lighter brown appearance. The secondary dirty fluid can also be distinguished from the clean fluid by its darker brown appearance.

[0033] (Water-soluble lubricant reservoir) The volume and shape of the water-soluble lubricant reservoir are not particularly limited, as long as it can store the water-soluble lubricant inside. Conventional known water tanks, tanks, etc., can be used as the water-soluble lubricant reservoir. The water-soluble lubricant reservoir can be made of any material, whether metal or plastic, as long as it can withstand the weight and chemical properties of the water-soluble lubricant to be stored. However, if the ozone introduction pipe is the water-soluble lubricant reservoir and ozone is directly added to the water-soluble lubricant in the reservoir, painted or unpainted hot-rolled steel or stainless steel can be used, in particular, from the viewpoint of suppressing deterioration of the water-soluble lubricant reservoir by ozone.

[0034] Preferably, the water-soluble lubricant storage section comprises at least a first storage section for storing dirty fluid and a second storage section for storing clean fluid. By providing two types of storage sections, used dirty fluid returned from the machine tool and clean fluid supplied to the machine tool can be stored separately. Furthermore, by temporarily storing the dirty fluid and clean fluid in the storage sections, the flow rates of the pump supplying water-soluble lubricant from the first storage section to the second storage section and the pump supplying clean fluid from the second storage section to the machine tool can be stabilized, and continuous supply becomes possible.

[0035] (pipeline) The conduit is a hollow tube through which a water-soluble lubricant can flow, and its material, diameter, and shape are not particularly limited. The length of the conduit can be selected appropriately depending on the distance between the water-soluble lubricant reservoir and the machine tool, and the distance between the first and second reservoirs. However, if the ozone introduction tube adds ozone to the water-soluble lubricant midway through the conduit, there are no special restrictions on the type of tube used because the amount of ozone supplied is not large. Nevertheless, from the viewpoint of suppressing deterioration (oxidation) of the conduit due to ozone, it is preferable that the conduit be made of stainless steel, for example.

[0036] (pump) The type of pump is not particularly limited. Regarding the performance of the pump (e.g., discharge rate, head, etc.), one with an appropriate output can be selected according to the scale of the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0037] (filter) In a water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to use two types of filters with different filtration performance in the process of generating a clean liquid from a dirty liquid. In this specification, these two types of filters are referred to as the first filter and the second filter.

[0038] The first filter has lower filtration performance than the second filter. "Lower filtration performance than the second filter" means that the first filter can remove particles of a larger size than the second filter. The first filter can remove larger particles contained in the primary dirty liquid, but it has only enough filtration performance to allow smaller particles of foreign matter, such as metal powders like iron oxide, to pass through without being able to remove them.

[0039] For example, the particle size of foreign matter that passes through the first filter is at least twice that of foreign matter that passes through the second filter. If a filter with higher filtration performance is used as the second filter, the particle size of foreign matter that the first filter can allow to pass may be 3 times, 5 times, 10 times, 15 times, or 20 times or more that of foreign matter that the second filter can allow to pass.

[0040] The first filter is used to roughly remove foreign matter from the primary dirty liquid. By passing the liquid through the first filter, for example, particles with a particle size of 100 μm or larger can be removed from the primary dirty liquid.

[0041] Therefore, it is preferable to use a filter capable of removing particles with a particle size of 100 μm or larger as the first filter. This allows foreign matter such as small-particle iron oxide and other metal powders, as well as active ingredients such as small-particle water-soluble lubricant micelles, contained in the primary dirty liquid, to pass through the first filter without being removed.

[0042] By passing the primary dirty liquid through the first filter, foreign matter can be roughly removed from the primary dirty liquid to generate the secondary dirty liquid. Therefore, the first filter is a filter for generating the secondary dirty liquid from the primary dirty liquid.

[0043] As the first filter, for example, a conventionally known filter used for coarse filtration can be used. Examples of such filters include depth filters, pleated filters, bag filters, resin filters, wire mesh strainers, and suction strainers. For example, any conventionally known filter installed in the suction side pipeline of a pump for the purpose of protecting the pump from foreign matter in the liquid can be suitably used as the first filter. In addition, for example, in the case of a wire mesh filter, a wire mesh filter with a mesh size of 80 mesh (mesh opening 360 μm) to 200 mesh (mesh opening 90 μm) can be suitably used as the first filter.

[0044] The second filter is used to generate a clean solution from the secondary dirty solution. By passing the secondary dirty solution through the second filter, small foreign matter (for example, particles with a particle size of 50 μm or larger) that could not be removed by the first filter can be removed from the secondary dirty solution.

[0045] Therefore, it is preferable to use a second filter capable of removing particles with a particle size of 50 μm or larger. From the viewpoint of producing a cleaner liquid by removing foreign matter such as metal powders such as iron oxide with small particle sizes that were not removed by the first filter, while maintaining the active ingredients such as micelles of the water-soluble lubricant, it is more preferable that the second filter is capable of removing particles with a particle size of 30 μm or larger, more preferably that it is capable of removing particles with a particle size of 25 μm or larger, more preferably that it is capable of removing particles with a particle size of 20 μm or larger, more preferably that it is capable of removing particles with a particle size of 10 μm or larger, and even more preferably that it is capable of removing particles with a particle size of 5 μm or larger.

[0046] As a second filter, for example, conventionally known filters used to generate a clean liquid from a dirty liquid can be used. Examples of such filters include cyclone filters, porous filters, resin filters, screen filters, nonwoven fabric filters, wound yarn filters, and membrane filters.

[0047] In addition, in a water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention, ozone may be added only to the clean liquid. In that case, since there is no need to generate a secondary dirty liquid, the primary dirty liquid may be passed directly through the second filter without using the first filter to generate the clean liquid.

[0048] In a water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention, a third filter may be provided in the pipeline supplying the clean liquid from the second storage unit to the machine tool. By providing the third filter in the suction pipeline upstream of the pump, the supply route and quality can be maintained by removing foreign matter that is present in the clean liquid and which would reduce the flow rate of the water-soluble lubricant supply path or degrade the quality due to contamination during processing. The same filter as the first filter can be used as the third filter.

[0049] (Ozone generation unit) The ozone generation unit is preferably an ultraviolet ozone generation unit equipped with at least an excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp. In the ozone generation unit, the excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp irradiates oxygen with ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength of less than 200 nm, thereby dissociating oxygen molecules into oxygen atoms (Equation (1) below). The dissociated oxygen atoms recombine with other oxygen molecules to generate ozone (Equation (2) below): O2 + hν → 2O …… (1) O+O2+M→O3+M …… (2) (In equation (2), M is the third field).

[0050] The peak wavelength of ultraviolet light emitted by an excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp is preferably between 140 nm and 200 nm. This allows for the generation of ozone without generating nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are harmful to the human body, thus maintaining a good working environment. This is because nitrogen molecules do not absorb ultraviolet light with wavelengths above 100 nm, and by setting the peak wavelength of ultraviolet light emitted by the excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp to between 140 nm and 200 nm, the ultraviolet light from the excimer lamp prevents the separation of nitrogen molecules into nitrogen atoms.

[0051] An excimer emission ultraviolet lamp can be a known dielectric barrier discharge excitation type excimer emission ultraviolet lamp. By changing the type of luminescent gas sealed inside the discharge tube, the wavelength of ultraviolet light emitted by the excimer emission ultraviolet lamp can be varied.

[0052] Examples of luminescent gases used in excimer ultraviolet lamps include xenon (Xe) gas, krypton (Kr2) gas, argon bromide (ArBr) gas, argon fluoride (ArF) gas, argon chloride (ArCl) gas, and fluorine (F2) gas.

[0053] for example, An excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp, which contains a light-emitting gas including xenon gas, emits excimer light with a peak wavelength of 172 nm. An excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp, which contains a luminescent gas including krypton gas, emits excimer light with a peak wavelength of 146 nm. An excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp, which contains an excimer gas containing argon bromide, emits excimer light with a peak wavelength of 165 nm. An excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp, which contains a light-emitting gas including argon fluoride, emits excimer light with a peak wavelength of 193 nm. An excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp, which contains an excimer gas including argon chloride, emits excimer light with a peak wavelength of 175 nm. An excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp containing a fluorine gas emits excimer light with a peak wavelength of 153 nm.

[0054] In a water-soluble lubricant supply system according to one aspect of the present invention, the excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp is more preferably an excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp that emits excimer light having a peak wavelength of 172 nm and is filled with a light-emitting gas containing xenon gas, because the wavelength is such that ozone can be efficiently generated. Such excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamps are commercially available, for example, the "Clean172" UV light source module for ozone generation manufactured by Ushio Inc. TM One example is "[...].

[0055] Any ultraviolet light source capable of emitting ultraviolet light with peak wavelengths within the above range can be used, other than excimer ultraviolet lamps. Examples of such ultraviolet light sources include low-pressure mercury lamps and ultraviolet light-emitting diode lamps.

[0056] However, compared to low-pressure mercury lamps, excimer ultraviolet lamps are preferable as the ultraviolet light source in an ozone generation unit for several reasons, including their extremely high ozone generation efficiency (mg / (h·W)) and ozone generation rate (mg / h) (approximately 30 times higher ozone generation efficiency and approximately 10 times higher ozone generation rate), low power consumption, and low environmental impact due to the absence of mercury; and the ability to obtain a single wavelength of ultraviolet light compared to ultraviolet light-emitting diode lamps. Consequently, they offer good luminescence efficiency at the target wavelength (e.g., 172 nm).

[0057] The ozone generation unit may generate ozone using a known ozone generation method other than the ultraviolet type. For example, the ozone generation unit may be a known silent discharge type ozone generation unit. However, since ozone can be generated without generating nitrogen oxides (NOx), it is more preferable that the ultraviolet light source provided in the ozone generation unit be an excimer ultraviolet lamp.

[0058] While there are no particular limitations on the configuration of the ozone generation unit other than the ultraviolet light source, it is preferable that the ozone generation unit be configured to generate ozone-containing gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. The ability of the ozone generation unit to generate high-pressure ozone-containing gas offers advantages such as enabling the formation of fine bubbles in the ozone-containing gas and stably generating ozone-containing gas regardless of the viscosity of the water-soluble lubricant.

[0059] Such an ozone generation unit may be configured to include, for example, a compressor, a dehumidifier, a gas separator, and an ozone generator. The compressor, dehumidifier, gas separator, and ozone generator are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream along the flow of gas circulating inside the ozone generation unit.

[0060] The compressor applies pressure to the gas supplied to the ozone generation unit to produce high-pressure gas. The dehumidifier removes moisture contained in the high-pressure air discharged from the compressor. The gas separation unit separates the high-pressure air, from which moisture has been removed by the dehumidifier, into a "raw material gas" mainly composed of oxygen and a "non-raw material gas" mainly composed of nitrogen. The ozone generator has an excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp. As the high-pressure raw material gas introduced into the ozone generator flows through the ozone generation space of the ozone generator, ultraviolet light of a predetermined wavelength is irradiated from the excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp, generating high-pressure ozone-containing gas. The high-pressure ozone-containing gas generated in the ozone generator is discharged outside the ozone generation unit through an ozone introduction pipe, which will be described later. The detailed configuration of the ozone generation unit as described above is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-183958.

[0061] In addition to the above-described configuration, the ozone generation unit may further include, for example, a regulator, a mist filter, a pressure gauge, etc. The regulator and mist filter are installed in this order between the compressor and the dehumidifier. The regulator is installed to adjust (usually reduce) the pressure of the compressed air supplied from the compressor (air compressor) if it is too strong and affects the equipment or machinery in the subsequent process. The mist filter is installed to remove moisture mixed in the compressed air and mist from the oil used in the compressor. The pressure gauge is installed upstream of the ozone generator and can measure the pressure of the raw material gas supplied to the ozone generator. Furthermore, the ozone generation unit can also be configured without a gas separation device.

[0062] (Ozone introduction tube) An ozone introduction pipe is a pipe used to inject ozone generated in the ozone generation unit into the water-soluble lubricant storage unit or into the water-soluble lubricant along the pipeline. The ozone introduction pipe is a hollow pipe that can allow ozone-containing gas to flow through, and is not particularly limited in terms of material, diameter, or shape. The length of the ozone introduction pipe can be selected appropriately depending on the distance between the point where the ozone introduction pipe is connected to the water-soluble lubricant storage unit and the ozone-containing gas exhaust port of the ozone generation unit; or the distance between the point where the ozone introduction pipe is connected to the pipeline and the ozone-containing gas exhaust port of the ozone generation unit. There are no special restrictions on the pipe used as the ozone introduction pipe, but from the viewpoint of suppressing deterioration (oxidation) of the ozone introduction pipe by ozone, it is preferable that the ozone introduction pipe be made of stainless steel, for example.

[0063] The ozone introduction tube preferably has a bubble generating section that generates ozone-containing bubbles (hereinafter referred to as "ozone bubbles"). This allows the ozone injected into the water-soluble lubricant from the ozone introduction tube to be converted into fine bubbles. The ozone bubbles supplied into the water-soluble lubricant float to the surface of the water-soluble lubricant and are released into the atmosphere, where they react with oxygen in the atmosphere and decompose immediately. However, by retaining the fine ozone bubbles in the water-soluble lubricant, the sterilization effect on microorganisms in the water-soluble lubricant and the oxidative decomposition effect on odor-causing substances can be enhanced.

[0064] In this specification, "fine bubble" refers to a bubble with a diameter of less than 100 μm. Fine bubbles include microbubbles with a diameter of 1 μm or more and less than 100 μm, and ultrafine bubbles with a diameter of less than 1 μm.

[0065] Since miniaturized ozone bubbles have a longer residence time in the liquid, it is preferable for the ozone-containing bubbles to have a smaller particle size from the viewpoint of enhancing the effect of ozone addition. Therefore, it is preferable for the ozone bubbles generated by the bubble generation unit to be microbubbles with a diameter of 1 μm or more and less than 100 μm, and more preferably ultrafine bubbles with a diameter of less than 1 μm.

[0066] In this specification, the particle size of ozone bubbles is a value measured by dynamic light scattering.

[0067] A known microbubble nozzle can be used as the bubble generation unit. Such microbubble nozzles are commercially available, for example, the "Product Name: YJ Nozzle" manufactured by Enviro-Vision Co., Ltd.

[0068] (Ozone concentration in water-soluble lubricants) The higher the ozone concentration in a water-soluble lubricant, the greater the antibacterial effect and the oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances tend to be. Therefore, the amount of ozone added to the water-soluble lubricant should be adjusted so that an ozone concentration is maintained that provides sufficient antibacterial effect and oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances. In addition, as mentioned above, the ozone concentration in the water-soluble lubricant may be maintained by increasing the retention effect of ozone bubbles in the liquid by miniaturizing the ozone bubbles.

[0069] The ozone concentration required for disinfection varies depending on the type of microorganism, but it is believed that a minimum ozone concentration of 5 ppm in the water-soluble lubricant is sufficient to achieve a disinfecting effect against the microorganisms listed above as examples of microorganisms that can be disinfected with ozone.

[0070] Furthermore, although the ozone concentration required for the oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances varies depending on the type of substance, it is believed that a sufficient oxidative decomposition effect can be obtained for the substances listed above as examples of substances targeted for oxidative decomposition by ozone if the ozone concentration in the water-soluble lubricant is at least 5 ppm.

[0071] On the other hand, it is preferable to adjust the upper limit of the ozone concentration in the water-soluble lubricant to 1 ppm or less, taking into consideration the effects of ozone on the human body.

[0072] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 according to this embodiment. The arrows in Figure 1 indicate the direction of flow of the water-soluble lubricant in the pipeline 20. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ozone generation unit 40 and the ozone introduction pipe 41 provided in the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1. For the sake of explanation, in Figure 2, the pipeline 20, the ozone introduction pipe 41, and the bubble generation unit 42 provided in the ozone introduction pipe 41 are shown in a cross-sectional view along the axis of the pipe. Also, Figure 2 shows the state in which the water-soluble lubricant is flowing through the pipeline 20.

[0073] As shown in Figure 1, the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 includes a dirty tank (first storage section) 101 for storing dirty liquid and a clean tank (second storage section) 102 for storing clean liquid as water-soluble lubricant storage sections. It also includes a first pipeline 201, a second pipeline 202, a third pipeline 203, and a fourth pipeline 204 as pipelines.

[0074] The water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 regenerates the dirty liquid in the dirty tank 101 into clean liquid by passing it through the second conduit 202 and stores it in the clean tank 102. The clean liquid in the clean tank 102 is supplied to the machine tool 50 through the third conduit 203. The used water-soluble lubricant (dirty liquid) used in the machine tool 50 is returned to the dirty tank 101 from the machine tool 50 through the fourth conduit 204 and reused. In each of the first conduit 201, the second conduit 202, the third conduit 203, and the dirty tank 101, ozone generated by the ozone generation units 401, 402, 403, 404, and 405 is injected into the water-soluble lubricant through ozone introduction pipes 411, 412, 413, 414, and 415, respectively, to disinfect microorganisms in the water-soluble lubricant and oxidize and decompose odor-causing substances. In the following explanation, the two tanks 101 and 102 may not be distinguished and will simply be referred to as tank 10. Similarly, the four pipelines 201 to 204 may not be distinguished and will simply be referred to as pipeline 20. Furthermore, the five ozone generating units 401 to 405 may not be distinguished and will simply be referred to as ozone generating unit 40. Finally, the five ozone inlet pipes 411 to 415 may not be distinguished and will simply be referred to as ozone inlet pipe 41.

[0075] The configuration and function of each part of the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 are described in detail below for each pipeline.

[0076] (First pipeline 201) The first conduit 201 is a conduit for agitating the dirty liquid in the dirty tank 101. The first conduit 201 is configured to agitate the dirty liquid in the dirty tank 101 by drawing it in from one end and discharging it into the dirty tank 101 from the other end. Specifically, the first conduit 201 is equipped with four nozzles at the end of the discharge conduit 2012. This increases the agitation efficiency of the primary dirty liquid in the dirty tank 101. The number of nozzles is not limited to four and can be changed as appropriate.

[0077] In the first pipeline 201, a first filter 601 and a pump 301 are provided in that order, from upstream to downstream along the flow of the dirty liquid within the first pipeline 201. The first filter 601 is a filter for generating secondary dirty liquid from primary dirty liquid. In the first pipeline 201, secondary dirty liquid is generated as the primary dirty liquid passes through the first filter 601.

[0078] The ozone generation unit 401 is connected to an ozone introduction pipe 411 downstream of the location where the first filter 601 of the first pipeline 201 is installed. The ozone introduction pipe 411 injects the ozone generated by the ozone generation unit 401 into the secondary dirty liquid midway through the first pipeline 201. This produces the following effects (1) to (3).

[0079] (1) The effect of injecting ozone into the water-soluble lubricant in the pipeline. In the first pipeline 201, the flow rate of the water-soluble lubricant is limited to a constant level, which allows for a higher ozone concentration in the water-soluble lubricant compared to the dirty tank 101. As a result, the sterilization effect on microorganisms in the water-soluble lubricant and the oxidative decomposition effect on odor-causing substances are enhanced.

[0080] (2) The effect of injecting ozone into the secondary dirty liquid Dirty liquid contains foreign matter such as metal powder generated during the metalworking process. When ozone is injected into the dirty liquid, it is consumed in oxidizing the foreign matter, leaving less ozone available for microbial disinfection and oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances. Therefore, by injecting ozone into secondary dirty liquid, which has a lower foreign matter content than primary dirty liquid, the proportion of ozone consumed in oxidizing the foreign matter can be reduced, and the proportion of ozone consumed in microbial disinfection and oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances in the water-soluble lubricant can be increased, thereby enhancing the microbial disinfection effect and the oxidative decomposition effect of odor-causing substances in the dirty liquid.

[0081] (3) The effect of injecting ozone into the first pipeline 201 By connecting the ozone introduction pipe 411 to the first pipeline 201 that agitates the dirty liquid in the dirty tank 101, and injecting ozone into the primary dirty liquid midway through the first pipeline 201, ozone can be distributed to every corner of the dirty tank 101, where bacteria and odor-causing substances tend to be generated and accumulate. As a result, microbial sterilization and oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances in the water-soluble lubricant can be efficiently performed.

[0082] Furthermore, an additional benefit of providing the first pipeline 201 is that it becomes possible to recover foreign matter in the primary dirty liquid with high efficiency. Specifically, by agitating the primary dirty liquid in the dirty tank 101 with the first pipeline 201, an optimal flow of the primary dirty liquid is formed within the dirty tank 101, making it difficult for foreign matter to accumulate at the bottom of the dirty tank 101. As a result, foreign matter in the primary dirty liquid can be recovered with high efficiency by the second filter 604 provided in the second pipeline 202.

[0083] The diameter of the first conduit 201 is preferably 0.3 cm or more in inner diameter from the viewpoint of the flow velocity, flow rate, and liquid flow state of the water-soluble lubricant. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of enhancing the effect of (1) above, it is preferable that the inner diameter be 15 cm or less.

[0084] (Second pipeline 202) The second pipeline 202 is a pipeline for circulating a water-soluble lubricant from the dirty tank 101 to the clean tank 102. The second pipeline 202 is configured to draw in dirty liquid from the dirty tank 101 at one end and discharge clean liquid into the clean tank 102 at the other end.

[0085] In the second pipeline 202, a first filter 602, a pump 302, and a second filter 604 are provided in that order, from upstream to downstream along the flow of the water-soluble lubricant within the second pipeline 202. The first filter 602 is a filter for generating secondary dirty liquid from primary dirty liquid. The second filter 604 is a filter for generating clean liquid from dirty liquid. In the second pipeline 202, secondary dirty liquid is generated when the primary dirty liquid passes through the first filter 602, and then clean liquid is generated when it passes through the second filter 604. The generated clean liquid is supplied to the clean tank 102 through the second pipeline 202.

[0086] The ozone generation unit 402 is connected to an ozone introduction pipe 412 at a position between the first filter 602 and the second filter 604 of the second pipeline 202, and the ozone introduction pipe 412 injects the ozone generated by the ozone generation unit 402 into the secondary dirty liquid midway through the second pipeline 202. The ozone generation unit 403 is connected to an ozone introduction pipe 413 at a position downstream of the second filter 604 of the second pipeline 202, and the ozone introduction pipe 413 injects the ozone generated by the ozone generation unit 403 into the clean liquid midway through the second pipeline 202. The ozone introduction pipe 412 injects the ozone generated by the ozone generation unit 402 into the secondary dirty liquid midway through the second pipeline 202, thereby achieving the same effects as described in (1) and (2). Furthermore, the ozone introduction pipe 413 injects the ozone generated by the ozone generation unit 403 into the clean liquid midway through the second pipeline 202, thereby achieving an even higher sterilization effect and an oxidative decomposition effect of odor-causing substances. With the above configuration in the second pipeline 202, the clean liquid, which has been sterilized and whose odor-causing substances have been oxidatively decomposed, can be supplied to the clean tank 102.

[0087] The diameter of the second conduit 202 is preferably 0.3 cm or larger from the viewpoint of the flow velocity, flow rate, and liquid flow state of the water-soluble lubricant. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of enhancing the effect of (1) above, it is preferable that the inner diameter be 15 cm or smaller.

[0088] (Third pipeline 203) The third pipeline 203 is a pipeline for supplying clean fluid from the clean tank 102 to the machine tool 50. The third pipeline 203 is configured to draw in clean fluid from the clean tank 102 at one end and discharge the clean fluid to the machine tool 50 at the other end.

[0089] In the third pipeline 203, a third filter 603 and a pump 303 are installed in that order, from upstream to downstream along the flow of the clean liquid within the third pipeline 203.

[0090] The third filter 603 is located in the suction-side pipeline 2031 upstream of the pump 303. The third filter 603 is provided to maintain the supply route and quality by removing foreign matter that may be present in the clean fluid, which could reduce the flow of the water-soluble lubricant supply route or degrade its quality due to contamination during processing.

[0091] The ozone generation unit 404 is connected to the discharge pipeline 2032 downstream of the pump 303 in the third pipeline 203 via an ozone introduction pipe 414. The ozone introduction pipe 414 injects the ozone generated by the ozone generation unit 404 into the clean liquid midway through the third pipeline 203. This is expected to provide the same effect as described in (1) above, resulting in a high disinfection effect and an oxidative decomposition effect on odor-causing substances in the clean liquid supplied to the machine tool 50.

[0092] The diameter of the third conduit 203 is preferably 0.3 cm or larger from the viewpoint of the flow velocity, flow rate, and liquid flow state of the water-soluble lubricant. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of enhancing the effect of (1) above, it is preferable that the inner diameter be 15 cm or smaller.

[0093] (Fourth pipeline 204) The fourth pipeline 204 is a pipeline for returning the used water-soluble lubricant discharged from the machine tool 50 to the dirty tank 101.

[0094] The diameter of the fourth conduit 204 is preferably 0.3 cm or larger from the viewpoint of the flow velocity, flow rate, and liquid flow state of the water-soluble lubricant. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of miniaturization and space saving, it is preferable that the inner diameter be 15 cm or smaller.

[0095] (Dirty Tank 101) An ozone introduction pipe 415 is connected to the side wall of the dirty tank 101, and the ozone introduction pipe 415 injects ozone generated by the ozone generation unit 405 into the primary dirty liquid in the dirty tank 101. By directly injecting ozone into the primary dirty liquid in the dirty tank 101, where bacteria and odor-causing substances tend to be generated and accumulate, it is possible to disinfect microorganisms in the primary dirty liquid and oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances. By using this in combination with ozone injection into the first pipeline 201, the disinfection effect on the primary dirty liquid in the dirty tank 101 and the oxidative decomposition effect on odor-causing substances can be further enhanced.

[0096] (Ozone generation unit 40 and ozone introduction pipe 41) As shown in Figure 2, the ozone generation unit 40 is an ultraviolet ozone generation unit equipped with an excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp 43. In the ozone generation unit, ozone is generated when the excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp irradiates oxygen with ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength of less than 200 nm.

[0097] The ozone gas 81 generated in the ozone generation unit 40 is introduced into the ozone introduction pipe 41 from the ozone inlet 4101 of the ozone introduction pipe 41, which is connected to the outlet of the ozone generation unit 40. The ozone introduction pipe 41 has a bubble generation unit 42. The ozone gas 81 introduced into the ozone introduction pipe 41 is formed into microbubbles in the bubble generation unit 42 together with the liquid 82 introduced into the bubble generation unit 42 from the fluid inlet 4102, thereby generating ozone bubbles 83. The generated ozone bubbles 83 are supplied to the water-soluble lubricant from the outlet 4103 of the ozone introduction pipe 41 along the pipeline 20. The liquid 82 mixed with the ozone gas 81 is not particularly limited as long as it does not affect the lubrication performance of the water-soluble lubricant, for example, it may be water. Alternatively, a gas may be introduced from the fluid inlet 4102 instead of the liquid 82. The gas is not particularly limited as long as it does not affect the lubrication performance of the water-soluble lubricant, for example, it may be air.

[0098] (Second form of ozone introduction tube) Figure 2 shows an example where the bubble generation section 42 of the ozone introduction tube 41 is T-shaped, but the bubble generation section of the ozone introduction tube that the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 can be equipped with is not limited to the form shown in Figure 2.

[0099] Figure 3 shows the configuration of a second embodiment of the ozone introduction pipe that the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 may have. For the sake of explanation, Figure 3 shows the pipeline 20, the ozone introduction pipe 41a, and the bubble generation unit 42a of the ozone introduction pipe 41a in a cross-sectional view along the pipe axis. Figure 3 also shows the state in which the water-soluble lubricant is flowing through the pipeline 20. The configuration of the ozone generation unit 40 and pipeline 20 shown in Figure 3 is the same as the configurations shown in Figure 2, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0100] As shown in Figure 3, the bubble generation section 42a of the ozone introduction tube 41a may be L-shaped. The L-shaped bubble generation section 42a differs from the T-shaped bubble generation section 42 described in Figure 2 in that it does not have a fluid inlet for introducing a liquid or gas to be mixed with the ozone gas 81.

[0101] The ozone gas 81 generated in the ozone generation unit 40 is introduced into the ozone introduction pipe 41a through the ozone inlet 4101a of the ozone introduction pipe 41a, which is connected to the outlet of the ozone generation unit 40. The ozone gas 81 introduced into the ozone introduction pipe 41a is converted into microbubbles in the bubble generation unit 42a of the ozone introduction pipe 41a, thereby generating ozone bubbles 83a. The generated ozone bubbles 83a are supplied to the water-soluble lubricant from the outlet 4103a of the ozone introduction pipe 41a along the pipeline 20.

[0102] The shape of the bubble generation section of the ozone introduction pipe is not limited to the shape described above, and can be, for example, I-shaped. Figures 2 and 3 show an example of the configuration of the ozone introduction pipe and bubble generation section installed in pipeline 20, but the configuration of the ozone introduction pipe and bubble generation section when the ozone introduction pipe is installed in a water-soluble lubricant storage section (for example, the dirty tank 101 and clean tank 102 in Figure 1) is the same as the configuration of the ozone introduction pipe and bubble generation section when it is installed in pipeline 20.

[0103] A modified version of the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 is described below.

[0104] <Example 1> In the above description, an example was given of a configuration in which the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 includes all of the ozone generating units 401, 402, 403, 404, and 405, as well as the ozone introduction pipes 411, 412, 413, 414, and 415. However, this is not limited to this embodiment. The water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 may also be configured to include at least one of the ozone generating units 401, 402, 403, 404, and 405 as the ozone generating unit. Furthermore, the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 may also be configured to include at least one of the ozone introduction pipes 411, 412, 413, 414, and 415 as the ozone introduction pipe.

[0105] For example, the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 includes a mechanism for injecting ozone into the water-soluble lubricant in the pipeline 20, (A) The configuration may also include an ozone generating unit 401, but omit ozone generating units 402, 403, and 404; (B) The configuration may also include an ozone generating unit 402, but omit ozone generating units 401, 403, and 404; (C) The configuration may also include an ozone generating unit 403, but omit ozone generating units 401, 402, and 404; (D) The configuration may also include an ozone generating unit 404, but omit ozone generating units 401, 402, and 403; (E) The configuration may also include ozone generating units 401 and 402, but omit ozone generating units 403 and 404; (F) The configuration may include ozone generating units 401 and 403, but may not include ozone generating units 402 and 404. Furthermore, the ozone generating units 401, 402, 403, and 404 are connected to the corresponding ozone introduction tubes 411, 412, 413, and 414, respectively.

[0106] Since the ozone generation unit 40 and the ozone introduction pipe 41 are easy to install, and by injecting ozone into the dirty liquid, a higher disinfection effect and an oxidative decomposition effect of odor-causing substances can be obtained, and because it does not involve the second pipe 202 and the third pipe 203, which are the main piping routes for supplying water-soluble lubricant to the machine tool 50, it is most preferable that the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 be configured to include at least an ozone generation unit 401 and an ozone introduction pipe 411.

[0107] Furthermore, the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 may be configured without an ozone generation unit 405 and an ozone introduction pipe 415, as it is a mechanism for directly injecting ozone into the water-soluble lubricant in the dirty tank 101.

[0108] Furthermore, if the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 includes an ozone generation unit 405 and an ozone introduction pipe 415, it may be used in combination with a mechanism for injecting ozone into the water-soluble lubricant in the pipeline 20, and can be combined with any of the patterns (A) to (F) described above.

[0109] <Modification 2> In the above description, an example was given of a configuration in which the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 installs the first filters 601 and 602 in the suction-side pipelines 2011 and 2021 upstream of the pumps 301 and 302, respectively, but this is not limited to this embodiment. The water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 may also be configured to install the first filter 601 in the discharge-side pipeline 2012 of the first pipeline 201, at a position between the pump 301 and the ozone injection point of the ozone introduction pipe 411. Similarly, the first filter 602 may be configured to be installed in the discharge-side pipeline 2022 of the second pipeline 202, at a position between the pump 302 and the ozone injection point of the ozone introduction pipe 412.

[0110] From the viewpoint of protecting the pump from foreign matter in the water-soluble lubricant, it is preferable to install the first filters 601 and 602 in the suction-side pipelines 2011 and 2021 upstream of the pumps 301 and 302, respectively.

[0111] <Variation 3> In the above description, an example was given of a configuration in which the water-soluble lubricant supply system 1 includes both the first filters 601 and 602, but this is not limited to this embodiment. The first filters 601 and 602 can be omitted if a corresponding ozone introduction pipe is not provided downstream of them.

[0112] 〔summary〕 A water-soluble lubricant supply system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a water-soluble lubricant storage section in which a water-soluble lubricant is stored, a pipeline for circulating the water-soluble lubricant stored in the water-soluble lubricant storage section, an ozone generation section for generating ozone, and an ozone introduction pipe for injecting the ozone generated in the ozone generation section into the water-soluble lubricant in the water-soluble lubricant storage section or along the pipeline, wherein the ozone generation section has an excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp.

[0113] This makes it possible to provide a water-soluble lubricant supply system that can disinfect microorganisms in water-soluble lubricants and oxidatively decompose odor-causing substances. Furthermore, an ozone introduction pipe is provided at least at one location in the path through which the water-soluble lubricant is circulated within the water-soluble lubricant supply system (for example, the water-soluble lubricant storage section and the pipeline), and this ozone introduction pipe injects ozone generated in the ozone generation section into the water-soluble lubricant in the water-soluble lubricant storage section or along the pipeline. Thus, disinfection of microorganisms in water-soluble lubricants and oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances can be achieved with a simple configuration.

[0114] Furthermore, because the ozone generation unit has an excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp, it can generate ozone without generating nitrogen oxides (NOx), has very high ozone generation efficiency (mg / (h·W)) and ozone generation rate (mg / h), consumes little power, and does not use mercury, resulting in a low environmental impact.

[0115] In the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, the ozone introduction pipe may be provided in the water-soluble lubricant storage section as described in embodiment 1 above.

[0116] This allows for efficient sterilization of microorganisms in the water-soluble lubricant and oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances by directly injecting ozone into the water-soluble lubricant reservoir.

[0117] The water-soluble lubricant supply system according to embodiment 3 of the present invention may be configured such that, in embodiment 1 or 2 above, the water-soluble lubricant storage unit has a first storage unit for storing dirty liquid and a second storage unit for storing clean liquid, and the ozone introduction pipe is provided in the first storage unit for storing dirty liquid.

[0118] This allows for efficient sterilization of microorganisms and oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances in the dirty liquid by directly injecting ozone into the dirty liquid in the first reservoir, where bacteria and odor-causing substances tend to be generated and accumulate.

[0119] In the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, the ozone introduction pipe may be configured to be located in the middle of the pipeline, as in embodiment 1 described above.

[0120] As a result, the flow rate of the water-soluble lubricant within the pipeline is restricted to a constant level, allowing for a higher ozone concentration in the water-soluble lubricant compared to the water-soluble lubricant reservoir. Consequently, the microbial sterilization effect and the oxidative decomposition effect of odor-causing substances in the water-soluble lubricant are enhanced.

[0121] In the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to aspect 5 of the present invention, it is preferable that in any of the above aspects 1 to 4, the peak wavelength of ultraviolet light emitted by the excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp is 140 nm or more and less than 200 nm.

[0122] This allows for the generation of ozone without producing nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are harmful to human health, thus maintaining a good working environment on site.

[0123] In the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to embodiment 6 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 5 above, it is preferable that the ozone introduction tube has a bubble generating unit that generates bubbles containing ozone, and the bubbles generated by the bubble generating unit are microbubbles with a diameter of 1 μm or more and less than 100 μm.

[0124] This allows fine ozone bubbles to remain in the water-soluble lubricant, thereby enhancing the sterilization effect on microorganisms in the water-soluble lubricant and the oxidative decomposition effect on odor-causing substances.

[0125] In the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to embodiment 7 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 5 described above, the ozone introduction tube preferably has a bubble generating unit that generates bubbles containing ozone, and the bubbles generated by the bubble generating unit are ultrafine bubbles with a diameter of less than 1 μm.

[0126] This further enhances the retention effect of ozone bubbles in the liquid, thereby increasing the sterilization effect on microorganisms in water-soluble lubricants and the oxidative decomposition effect on odor-causing substances.

[0127] In the water-soluble lubricant supply system according to embodiment 8 of the present invention, it is preferable that in any of embodiments 1 to 7 above, the pipeline is provided with a filter for removing foreign matter from the water-soluble lubricant, and the ozone introduction pipe is provided downstream of the location in the pipeline where the filter is provided.

[0128] By injecting ozone into the water-soluble lubricant after it has passed through the filter, the proportion of ozone consumed for the oxidation of foreign substances in the water-soluble lubricant can be reduced, and the proportion of ozone consumed for the sterilization of microorganisms and the oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances in the water-soluble lubricant can be increased, thereby enhancing the sterilization effect on microorganisms and the oxidative decomposition effect on odor-causing substances in the water-soluble lubricant.

[0129] A water-soluble lubricant supply system according to embodiment 9 of the present invention preferably comprises, in any of embodiments 1 to 8 above, the water-soluble lubricant storage section having a first storage section for storing dirty liquid and a second storage section for storing clean liquid, the pipeline being a pipeline for stirring the dirty liquid in the first storage section by drawing in the dirty liquid from one end and discharging it into the first storage section from the other end, and a first filter provided for generating secondary dirty liquid from the primary dirty liquid drawn in from the first storage section, and a second pipeline for circulating the water-soluble lubricant from the first storage section to the second storage section, the first filter and a second filter provided downstream of the first filter for generating the clean liquid from the secondary dirty liquid, and the ozone introduction pipe being provided in at least one of the following locations: (a) A location inside the first conduit and downstream of the location where the first filter is installed; (b) a location inside the second conduit and between the first filter and the second filter; and (c) A location inside the second pipeline and downstream of the location where the second filter is installed.

[0130] By injecting ozone into the water-soluble lubricant after it has passed through the filter, the proportion of ozone consumed for the oxidation of foreign substances in the water-soluble lubricant can be reduced, and the proportion of ozone consumed for the sterilization of microorganisms and the oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances in the water-soluble lubricant can be increased, thereby enhancing the sterilization effect on microorganisms and the oxidative decomposition effect on odor-causing substances in the water-soluble lubricant.

[0131] A water-soluble lubricant supply system according to embodiment 10 of the present invention may be configured such that, in embodiment 9 above, the ozone introduction pipe is installed at the following position (a): (a) inside the first pipeline and downstream of the position where the first filter is provided.

[0132] By installing an ozone introduction pipe in the first pipeline that agitates the dirty liquid in the dirty tank, and injecting ozone into the secondary dirty liquid midway through the first pipeline, in addition to the effects obtained by injecting ozone into the water-soluble lubricant in the pipeline and the effects obtained by injecting ozone into the secondary dirty liquid, ozone can be distributed to every corner of the dirty tank where bacteria and odor-causing substances tend to be generated and accumulate. As a result, microbial sterilization and oxidative decomposition of odor-causing substances in the water-soluble lubricant can be efficiently achieved.

[0133] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0134] 1. Water-soluble lubricant supply system 10 Tank (Water-soluble lubricant storage section) 101 Dirty Tank (First Storage Section) 102 Clean Tank (Second Storage Section) 20 conduit 201 First pipeline 202 Second pipeline 203 Third pipeline 204 Fourth pipeline Pumps 30, 301, 302, and 303 40, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405 Ozone generation unit 41, 41a, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 411a, 412a, 413a, 414a, 415a Ozone introduction tube 42, 42a Bubble generation section 43. Excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp 50 Machine tools 60 filters 601, 602 First filter 603 Third Filter 604 Second filter 81 Ozone gas 82 liquid 83, 83a Ozone bubble 2011, 2021, 2031 Suction side pipe 2012, 2022, 2032 Discharge side pipe

Claims

1. A water-soluble lubricant reservoir where a water-soluble lubricant is stored, A pipeline for circulating the water-soluble lubricant stored in the water-soluble lubricant reservoir, An ozone generating unit that generates ozone, The system includes an ozone introduction pipe that injects the ozone generated in the ozone generation unit into the water-soluble lubricant storage unit or into the water-soluble lubricant midway through the pipeline, The ozone generation unit has an excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp. Water-soluble lubricant supply system.

2. The ozone introduction pipe is provided in the water-soluble lubricant storage section. The water-soluble lubricant supply system according to claim 1.

3. The water-soluble lubricant reservoir is, A first storage section for storing dirty liquid, A second storage section for storing the clean liquid, It has, The ozone introduction tube is provided in the first storage section that stores the dirty liquid. A water-soluble lubricant supply system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The water-soluble lubricant supply system according to claim 1, wherein the ozone introduction pipe is provided in the middle of the pipeline.

5. The water-soluble lubricant supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the peak wavelength of ultraviolet light emitted by the excimer-emitting ultraviolet lamp is 140 nm or more and less than 200 nm.

6. The ozone introduction tube has a bubble generating section that generates bubbles containing ozone, The bubbles generated by the bubble generation unit are microbubbles with a diameter of 1 μm or more and less than 100 μm. A water-soluble lubricant supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The ozone introduction tube has a bubble generating section that generates bubbles containing ozone, The bubbles generated by the bubble generation unit are ultrafine bubbles with a diameter of less than 1 μm. A water-soluble lubricant supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The aforementioned pipeline is provided with a filter for removing foreign matter from the water-soluble lubricant. The ozone introduction pipe is located downstream of the location where the filter is installed in the pipeline. A water-soluble lubricant supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The water-soluble lubricant reservoir is, A first storage section for storing dirty liquid, A second storage section for storing the clean liquid, It has, The aforementioned conduit is A first pipeline is provided with a first filter for generating a secondary dirty liquid from the primary dirty liquid drawn in from the first reservoir, by drawing in the dirty liquid from one end and discharging it into the first reservoir from the other end, and is a pipeline for stirring the dirty liquid in the first reservoir, A pipeline for circulating a water-soluble lubricant from the first storage section to the second storage section, comprising the first filter and a second filter downstream of the first filter for generating the clean liquid from the secondary dirty liquid, Includes, The ozone introduction tube is installed in at least one of the following locations: (a) to (c): (a) A location inside the first conduit and downstream of the location where the first filter is installed; (b) a location inside the second conduit and between the first filter and the second filter; and (c) A location inside the second pipeline and downstream of the location where the second filter is installed, A water-soluble lubricant supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The ozone introduction pipe is installed at the position shown in (a) below. (a) From the inside of the first conduit and from the position where the first filter is installed Also downstream The water-soluble lubricant supply system according to claim 9.

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