Coating Equipment

Abstract

To uniformly apply a coating agent to a peripheral face of a columnar member with a uniform thickness.SOLUTION: Provided is a coating apparatus for applying a grease (coating agent) to a peripheral face of a columnar member 90, in which in the columnar member 90, a hole part 31 into which a coating part 91 to which the grease is applied is inserted, is formed, and a cylindrical member 30, in which a plurality of feed passages 32 for feeding the grease toward the hole part 31 from an outer periphery side is formed in a peripheral direction with intervals around the hole part 31, is disposed. In addition, a regulation member 40 for regulating a coating amount of the grease applied to the coating part 91 is disposed by being interlocked with the operation of drawing from the hole part 31 the columnar member 90 on which the grease is applied to the coating part 91 in the cylindrical member 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an applicator that applies a coating agent such as grease to the peripheral surface of a columnar member such as a shaft. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Applicator devices for applying a coating agent such as grease to an object to be coated have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses an applicator that applies grease to a flat surface of an object at intervals in a circumferential pattern. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With conventional coating devices, it was difficult to apply a coating material such as grease evenly and with a uniform thickness to the peripheral surface of a columnar member such as a shaft.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a coating device that can easily and evenly apply a coating material to the peripheral surface of a columnar member with a uniform thickness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The coating device of this invention is a coating device that applies a coating agent to the peripheral surface of a columnar member, and comprises a cylindrical member in which a hole portion is formed in the columnar member into which an applicator portion that applies the coating agent is inserted, and in which a plurality of supply paths are formed at intervals circumferentially around the hole portion for supplying the coating agent from the outer periphery side toward the hole portion, and a regulating member that regulates the amount of coating agent applied to the application portion in conjunction with the action of pulling out the columnar member with the coating agent applied to the application portion from the hole portion in the tubular member. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coating device that can easily and evenly apply a coating material to the peripheral surface of a columnar member with a uniform thickness. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a coating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a coating attachment. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a restricting member. [Figure 6] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing a procedure for applying grease to the outer peripheral surface of a columnar member. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an application attachment serving as a first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a distributor member as a second modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a coating device as a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0010] First, the overall configuration and operation of a coating apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The application device 1 in this embodiment is a device that applies grease as a coating agent to the peripheral surface (outer circumferential surface) of a columnar member 90. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a coating device 1 is made up of supply units 2 and 3, a coating attachment 10, a base 100, and the like. In this embodiment, in Figs. 1, 2, 6, etc., the columnar member 90 is illustrated as a cylindrical shaft member.

[0011] The supply unit is composed of a syringe 2, a dispenser 3, etc., and supplies grease as a lubricant to a storage portion 21 (see FIG. 2) of an application attachment 10 (distribution member 20). The syringe 2 has an inner cylindrical portion filled with grease (appliance) and is firmly connected to a connection portion 24 (see FIG. 2) of the distributing member 20 (described later) by a luer lock (or a double thread screw). By using such a connection method, the syringe 2 is less likely to come off from the distributing member 20 (appliance attachment 10) while supplying grease. The dispenser 3 (supply unit) is controlled so that the amount of grease (coating agent) supplied to the distribution member 20 (storage section 21) per unit time is substantially constant. As the dispenser 3, for example, one that pushes a pusher that fits into the inner cylinder of the syringe 2 at a constant speed can be used.

[0012] In this embodiment, the supply units 2, 3 are detachably connected to the distribution member 20 (application attachment 10), so that even if the object to be applied is a columnar member 90 (shaft member) having a different outer diameter, cross-sectional shape, application range, application position, etc., it is possible to perform the grease application work by appropriately attaching the application attachment 10 corresponding to the object to be applied. In this embodiment, the supply units 2 and 3 are those that automatically supply grease to the application attachment 10, but it is also possible to use a unit that manually supplies grease to the application attachment 10. For example, a unit that manually pushes in a push rod that fits into the inner cylinder of the syringe 2 can be used. When configured in this way, an inexpensive and simple application device 1 can be provided.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a base 100 is provided for fixing and supporting a non-coated portion of a columnar member 90 serving as a columnar member. Then, the grease is applied by the application device 1 to the application portion 91 (application area) of the columnar member 90 supported by the base 100. The base 100 is provided with a movable chuck capable of fixing columnar members 90 having different outer diameters, cross-sectional shapes, and the like. In addition, the base 100 is installed on the application device 1 so that the central axis Z (shown by a dotted line in Figure 1) of the fixed columnar member 90 coincides with the central axis Z of the hole portion 31 (see Figure 4, etc.) and the regulating hole portion 41 (see Figure 5, etc.) of the application attachment 10. In this embodiment, the columnar member 90 is fixed to the base 100, but it is also possible to use a columnar member 90 that is not fixed to a base and is held by hand and inserted into a fixed application attachment 10. When configured in this way, an inexpensive and simple application device 1 can be provided.

[0014] 2 and other figures, application attachment 10 is made up of a distribution member 20, a cylindrical member 30, a restriction member 40, and the like. In this embodiment, the distribution member 20, the tubular member 30, and the restriction member 40 are separably housed in a cylindrical socket 11 (see FIG. 1).

[0015] As shown in Figures 2, 3, etc., the distribution member 20 distributes and discharges the grease (coating agent) stored in a storage section 21 (a section to which grease is directly supplied from the supply units 2, 3) via a plurality of nozzles 22 (six nozzles 22 in this embodiment) to a plurality of supply paths 32 (the same number of which are provided in a cylindrical member 30 described later; see Figure 4). Referring to FIG. 3, the multiple nozzles 22 are each connected to the upstream side (the outer circumferential side) of the multiple supply paths 32, and are installed at intervals in the circumferential direction around a hole 31 (which is a hole of a tubular member 30 described later). Specifically, in this embodiment, six nozzles 22 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the central axis Z.

[0016] 2, 4, etc., the cylindrical member 30 is formed with a hole 31 into which an applicator 91 that applies grease (appliance) to a columnar member 90 is inserted. The cylindrical member 30 also has a plurality of supply paths 32 formed at intervals in the circumferential direction around the hole 31 for supplying grease from the outer periphery side toward the hole 31. Specifically, in this embodiment, six supply passages 32 are arranged radially at equal intervals around the central axis Z (hole portion 31) so as to extend radially.

[0017] The grease supplied to the reservoir 21 of the distributor 20 by the supply units 2 and 3 is supplied to the six supply paths 32 of the cylindrical member 30 via the six nozzles 22. The grease G0 supplied to each of the six supply paths 32 is then applied in the circumferential direction to the application portion 91 of the columnar member 90 inserted into the hole 31 (see FIG. 6(B)). That is, in the application attachment 10, the grease flows in the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 2 and is supplied to the outer circumferential surface of the columnar member 90.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2, 5, 6, etc., the regulating member 40 regulates the amount (thickness) of grease applied to the application portion 91 in conjunction with the action of pulling out the columnar member 90, which has grease G0 applied to the application portion 91 of the tubular member 30, from the hole portion 31. Specifically, the restricting member 40 is a substantially cylindrical member, and is formed with a restricting hole portion 41 having a size (hole diameter N) equal to or smaller than the size (hole diameter M) of the hole portion 31 of the tubular member 30 (M≧N). The restricting hole portion 41 is disposed adjacent to the hole portion 31 on the upstream side (the right side in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6) of the insertion direction of the columnar member 90 with respect to the hole portion 31 of the tubular member 30.

[0019] Specifically, in this embodiment, the restricting member 40 is formed with a fitting hole portion 43 (formed concentrically with the hole portion 31 and the restricting hole portion 41) into which the tubular member 30 is fitted. Moreover, the restriction hole portion 41 is determined according to the target thickness (restriction amount) of the application portion 91. For example, if the outer diameter of the columnar member 90 is A (mm) and the target thickness (grease layer thickness) of the application portion 91 is B (mm), the hole diameter of the restriction hole portion 41 is set to approximately A+2B (mm).

[0020] 6(B), when the columnar member 90 having the grease G0 applied to the application portion 91 of the cylindrical member 30 is pulled out of the cylindrical member 30 (hole portion 31) as shown in FIG. 6(C), the excess grease G0' applied to the application portion 91 is scraped off by the end portion (edge ​​portion 41a) of the regulating hole portion 41. As a result, the desired thickness of grease G1 is applied to the application portion 91 of the columnar member 90. In addition, when the application portion 91 of the columnar member 90 is set at a position away from the tip surface (the left end surface in FIG. 6) as shown in FIG. 6(A), when the columnar member 90 is pulled out of the tubular member 30 (hole portion 31), as shown in FIG. 6(C), the excess grease G0' applied to the application portion 91 can apply a substantially uniform thickness of grease G1 (at least a thickness that does not exceed the hole diameter N of the regulating hole portion 41) to the tip portion 92 as well.

[0021] In this embodiment, the restricting hole 41 has an edge 41a formed on the circumferential surface at the end on the hole 31 side. In other words, the end (edge) of the regulating hole portion 41 on the side of the hole portion 31 is not rounded or chamfered, but is formed in an edge shape (with sharp corners remaining as they are). With this configuration, the ability to scrape off excess grease G0' applied to the application portion 91 when the columnar member 90 is pulled out of the tubular member 30 (hole portion 31) is improved. In order to further improve the ability to scrape off such excess grease G0', a blade-shaped member with a sharp tip pointing in the direction of the central axis Z can be installed on the end (edge) of the regulating hole portion 41 on the hole portion 31 side.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the restricting member 40 has restricting hole 41 formed to have the same hole size (hole diameter N) and a predetermined length in the insertion direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5). The restricting member 40 is formed such that the hole size (hole diameter) gradually increases from the upstream end of restricting hole 41 in the insertion direction (right-side end in FIG. 5) toward the upstream side in the insertion direction. That is, the cone-shaped hole portion 42 is formed so as to be adjacent to (communicate with) the restricting hole portion 41 having a predetermined hole diameter N and a predetermined length. In this manner, by providing the cone-shaped hole 42 in the regulating member 40, the columnar member 90 can be easily inserted into and removed from the application attachment 10 (regulating member 40).

[0023] Moreover, the application device 1 (application attachment 10) in this embodiment is provided with a positioning portion 23 that determines the attitude of the columnar member 90 inserted into the hole 31 of the tubular member 30 and the position in the insertion direction. Specifically, in this embodiment, the positioning portion 23 is a non-through hole centered on the central axis Z, with a hole diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the columnar member 90, and is formed at the end of the distribution member 20. Then, the tip end of the columnar member 90 (the end on the downstream side in the insertion direction) fits into the positioning portion 23, thereby determining the attitude and insertion direction position of the columnar member 90. By providing the positioning portion 23 in this manner, the posture of the columnar member 90 in the application device 1 (application attachment 10) can be precisely determined, and the axial position of the application portion 91 in the tubular member 30 can also be precisely determined, so that the desired thickness of grease can be precisely applied to the application portion 91 of the columnar member 90.

[0024] In this manner, the application device 1 in this embodiment is provided with a regulating member 40 that regulates the amount of grease applied to the application portion 91 in conjunction with the action of pulling out the columnar member 90 to which the grease G0 has been applied in the cylindrical member 30 from the hole portion 31. Therefore, grease can be easily applied with a uniform thickness and without unevenness to a desired position (application portion 91) on the outer circumferential surface of the columnar member 90. Therefore, it is possible to prevent various problems (for example, loss of lubricity obtained by applying grease) that occur when grease is not applied to a desired position on the outer circumferential surface of the columnar member 90 or when grease is applied with an uneven thickness or unevenness.

[0025] In summary, the procedure for applying grease to the outer circumferential surface (application portion 91) of the columnar member 90 in this embodiment will be briefly described below with reference to FIG. First, a columnar member 90 fixed to a base 100 (see FIG. 1) is moved relative to a coating attachment 10 (coating device 1) in the direction of the white arrow in FIG. 6(A). Then, as shown in FIG. 6(B), with the attitude and insertion direction position of the columnar member 90 in the coating attachment 10 being determined, grease is supplied from supply units 2 and 3 (see FIG. 1) to the coating attachment 10, and grease G0 is applied to a coating portion 91 of the columnar member 90 by the flow of the grease in the direction of the black arrow. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6(C), when the columnar member 90 is moved relative to the application attachment 10 in the direction of the white arrow (pulled out), the excess grease G0' applied to the application portion 91 is scraped off by the edge portion 41a of the regulating hole portion 41, and the desired thickness of grease G1 is applied to the application portion 91 of the columnar member 90.

[0026] <Variation 1> As shown in FIG. 7, the application attachment 10 (application device 1) in the first modified example is provided with a push switch 50 as a position detection means for detecting that the position in the insertion direction of the columnar member 90 inserted into the hole 31 of the tubular member 30 is a target position. More specifically, in the first modification, the push switch 50 (position detection means) is provided at the end of the distribution member 20 (the space surrounded by the multiple nozzles 22). When the tip of the columnar member 90 (the end on the downstream side in the insertion direction) comes into contact with the push switch 50 during insertion of the columnar member 90, a display panel (not shown) displays (notifies) that the columnar member 90 has been set in the correct position. Providing a position detection means (push switch 50) in this manner can prevent improper setting of the columnar member 90. That is, the axial position of the application part 91 in the cylindrical member 30 is determined with high precision, and the grease can be applied to the application part 91 of the columnar member 90 with a desired thickness with high precision.

[0027] <Variation 2> As shown in FIG. 8, the application attachment 10 (application device 1) in variant example 2 is also provided with a position detection means for detecting that the position in the insertion direction of the columnar member 90 inserted into the hole 31 of the tubular member 30 is a target position. More specifically, in the second modification, the electrode section 51, the current detection section 52, and the like function as position detection means. Two electrode sections 51 are provided at separate positions at the end of the distribution member 20 (a space surrounded by a plurality of nozzles 22). The two electrode sections 51 are connected in series to a battery, and the current detection section 52 is provided in the circuit. When a columnar member 90 made of a conductive material such as a metal material is inserted, and the tip end of the columnar member 90 (the end downstream in the insertion direction) comes into contact with the two electrode sections 51, the current detection section 52 detects that a current is flowing in the circuit. Then, a display panel (not shown) displays (notifies) that the columnar member 90 has been set in the correct position. Providing the position detection means (electrode portion 51, current detection portion 52) in this manner makes it possible to prevent improper setting of the columnar member 90. That is, the axial position of the application portion 91 in the cylindrical member 30 is determined with high precision, and the grease can be applied to the application portion 91 of the columnar member 90 with a desired thickness with high precision.

[0028] <Modification 3> As shown in FIG. 9, the application device 1 in the third modification is provided with a temperature sensor 60 as a temperature detection means for directly or indirectly detecting the temperature of the grease (application agent) supplied to the distribution member 20. Specifically, in the third modification, the temperature sensor 60 serving as the temperature detection means is installed in the gap between the socket 11 and the distribution member 20 (at a position in contact with the peripheral surface of the distribution member 20), and indirectly detects the temperature of the grease in the distribution member 20. As such a temperature sensor 60, a thermistor, a thermopile, a thermocouple, or the like may also be used. Note that as the temperature detection means, a device that directly detects the temperature of the grease in the distribution member 20 may also be used. Moreover, the supply units 2 and 3 in the third modification are controlled so that the amount of coating agent supplied to the distribution member 20 per unit time is substantially constant. Specifically, the supply units 2 and 3 are configured so that the speed at which the plunger is pushed into the syringe 2 is constant. In the third modification, the supply time (the time the plunger is pressed) for supplying grease from the supply units 2 and 3 to the distributor 20 is controlled based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 60 (temperature detection means). Such control is performed because the amount of grease discharged from the nozzle 22 changes depending on the temperature of the grease. Specifically, the control unit 70 is provided with a calculation unit (or a storage unit that stores a data table of the relationship between the detected temperature and the supply time) for calculating the supply time of the supply units 2 and 3 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60. Then, when the control unit 70 determines the supply time of the supply units 2 and 3 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60, the supply units 2 and 3 supply grease to the application attachment 10 for only the determined supply time, and a desired amount of grease is applied to the application part 91 of the columnar member 90 without waste, regardless of temperature changes. In addition, since the temperature characteristics of the amount of grease discharged differs depending on the characteristics of the grease, the program of the above-mentioned calculation unit (or storage unit) differs for each type of grease (appliance). For example, when using grease whose amount of grease discharged increases with an increase in temperature, a program is used that shortens the supply time of the supply units 2 and 3 when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 60 is high compared to when the detected temperature is low.

[0029] As described above, the application device 1 in this embodiment is an application device that applies grease (application agent) to the peripheral surface of a columnar member 90, and is provided with a cylindrical member 30 in which a hole 31 into which an application part 91 that applies grease is inserted is formed in the columnar member 90, and a plurality of supply paths 32 for supplying grease from the outer periphery side toward the hole part 31 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction around the hole part 31. Also, a regulating member 40 is provided in the cylindrical member 30 to regulate the amount of grease applied to the application part 91 in conjunction with the operation of pulling out the columnar member 90 with grease applied to the application part 91 from the hole part 31. This allows the grease to be applied evenly and in a uniform thickness to the peripheral surface of the columnar member 90 .

[0030] In this embodiment, a columnar member 90 (subject to be coated) that is cylindrical, solid, and straight is used, but the columnar member is not limited to this, and may be polygonal, hollow, or non-straight (for example, stepped and capable of being inserted into a coating attachment). In this case, a coating attachment 10 that matches the shape of the columnar member 90 is installed in the coating device 1. Further, in this embodiment, grease is used as the coating agent, but the coating agent is not limited to this and may be an ointment, or may be a non-viscous or liquid material. In these cases, the same effects as those of this embodiment can be obtained.

[0031] It is clear that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and that the present embodiment may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention in addition to the modifications suggested in the present embodiment. Furthermore, the number, position, shape, etc. of the components are not limited to the present embodiment, and may be any number, position, shape, etc. suitable for implementing the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1 Coating device, 2 syringes (supply units), 3 dispenser (supply unit), 10 Application attachment, 11 sockets, 20 Distribution member, 21 storage portion, 22 nozzle, 23 positioning portion, 30 Cylindrical member, 31 hole, 32 supply path, 40 Regulatory components, 41 restriction hole portion, 41a edge portion, 42 mortar-shaped hole portion, 43 fitting hole portion, 50 Push switch (position detection means), 51 Electrode (position detection means), 52 current detection unit (position detection means), 60 temperature sensor (temperature detection means), 70 control section, 90 Columnar members, 91 Application part, 100 base, G0, G0´, G1 grease (lubricant). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0033] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2015-81614

Claims

1. A coating device that applies a coating agent to a peripheral surface of a columnar member, a cylindrical member in which a hole into which an applicator that applies a coating agent is inserted is formed in the columnar member, and a plurality of supply paths for supplying the coating agent from an outer periphery side toward the hole are formed at intervals in a circumferential direction around the hole; a regulating member that regulates an amount of coating agent applied to the coating portion in association with an operation of pulling out the columnar member having the coating agent applied to the coating portion of the cylindrical member from the hole; A coating apparatus comprising:

2. The coating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the regulating member is arranged upstream of the hole portion of the tubular member in the insertion direction of the columnar member, and a regulating hole portion of equal or smaller size than the hole portion is formed.

3. The coating device according to claim 2 , wherein the restricting hole portion has an edge portion formed in a peripheral shape at an end portion on the hole portion side.

4. The coating device described in claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the regulating member is formed so that the regulating hole portion is formed to a predetermined length with the same hole size in the insertion direction, and the hole size gradually increases from the upstream end of the regulating hole portion in the insertion direction toward the upstream side in the insertion direction.

5. The coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a plurality of nozzles each connected to the upstream side of the plurality of supply paths are arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction around the hole portion, and a distribution member is provided which distributes and ejects the coating agent stored in a storage portion to the plurality of supply paths via the plurality of nozzles.

6. The coating device according to claim 5 , further comprising a supply unit detachably connected to the distribution member for supplying the coating material toward the reservoir.

7. A temperature detection means is provided for directly or indirectly detecting the temperature of the coating material supplied to the distribution member, 7. The coating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a supply time for supplying the liquid from the supply unit to the distributor is controlled based on a detection result of the temperature detection means.

8. 8. The coating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the supply unit includes a syringe connected to the distributor by a luer lock or a double thread.

9. The coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a positioning portion that determines an attitude and a position in an insertion direction of the columnar member inserted into the hole.

10. The coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a position detection means for detecting that a position of the columnar member inserted into the hole in an insertion direction is a target position.

11. The coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the coating agent is grease.

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