Lubricating oil supply device and rotation test device equipped with same

Abstract

To provide a technology which can avoid a bearing from being damaged due to inertia rotation of a shaft in the case where power supply is stopped due to power outage and the like.SOLUTION: A lubricating oil supply device 6 which supplies a lubricating oil to a bearing includes: a supply part 61 for supplying a lubricating oil stored in a temporary storage part 611 which stores the lubricating oil temporarily to a bearing little by little together with compressed air; a lubricating oil supply passage 621 which is connected to the temporary storage part 611 at one end, and which is connected to a lubricating oil storage part 620 for storing the lubricating oil at the other end; a delivery part 622 which is provided at the lubricating oil supply passage 621, and which delivers the lubricating oil stored in the lubricating oil storage part 620 via the lubricating oil supply passage 621 and fills it in the temporary storage part 611; an air supply passage 631 which is connected to the supply part 61 at one end, and which is connected to a compressed air supply part 630 for supplying compressed air at the other end; and a pressure accumulation part 633 which is provided at the air supply passage 631, and for accumulating the compressed air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lubricating oil supply device that supplies lubricating oil to a bearing, and a rotation testing device that includes the same. [Background technology]

[0002] A rotation test device is known for performing a rotation test on a test object such as a motor. As shown in Patent Document 1, for example, the rotation test device includes a rotating body such as a dynamo and a shaft (intermediate shaft) for connecting the rotating body to the test object. The rotating body applies a test load (a pseudo load or a pseudo driving force) to the test object while rotating the test object. The torque value generated between the rotating body and the test object is measured by a torque meter attached to the intermediate shaft. The torque value generated by the test object is then identified based on the measured torque value.

[0003] Any device that has a rotating shaft, including such a rotation test device, is provided with bearings to support the shaft so that it can rotate freely.

[0004] Bearings are provided with a structure for lubricating them in order to reduce friction and wear inside the bearing and prevent seizure. Known methods for lubricating bearings include those that use grease as a lubricant (grease lubrication) and those that use oil as a lubricant (oil lubrication). In general, oil lubrication is considered preferable when the shaft rotates at high speed or when cooling of the bearing is required. For example, Patent Document 1 describes the use of oil lubrication for the bearings that support the intermediate shaft of a rotation testing device.

[0005] Although the term "oil lubrication" is used broadly, there are various methods for supplying oil (lubricant) to bearings (see, for example, Patent Document 2). For example, there are known methods such as oil jet lubrication, in which lubricant stored in a tank is sucked up by a pump and sent to a nozzle, from which the lubricant is sprayed at a predetermined pressure, oil mist lubrication, in which compressed air is used to turn the lubricant into a mist and spray it, and oil-air lubrication, in which compressed air and lubricant are mixed using a mixing valve or the like and supplied in an oil-air state. An appropriate method is selected depending on the operating conditions of the bearing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-28041 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3924980 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] For example, in the case of a rotational test device, in order to accurately determine the torque value generated by a test specimen based on the torque value measured by a torque meter attached to the intermediate shaft, it is necessary to minimize the fluctuation (variation) in torque loss occurring in the intermediate shaft. However, if the lubricating oil is supplied to the bearings attached to the intermediate shaft using oil jet lubrication, the pulsation of the pump that draws the lubricating oil from the tank and delivers it to the nozzle directly affects the bearings, causing fluctuations in torque loss in the intermediate shaft. Therefore, oil mist lubrication or oil-air lubrication, which are not affected by pump pulsation, are suitable methods for supplying lubricating oil to the bearings attached to the intermediate shaft.

[0008] Furthermore, torque loss in the intermediate shaft varies depending on factors such as the viscosity of the lubricating oil supplied to the bearing, so in order to minimize this fluctuation, it is preferable to supply a small amount of lubricating oil to the bearing. In this regard, oil mist lubrication and oil-air lubrication can significantly reduce the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the bearing compared to oil jet lubrication (for example, the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the bearing per unit time with oil mist lubrication is only about one-tenth of that with oil jet lubrication, and the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the bearing per unit time with oil-air lubrication is only about one-hundredth of that with oil jet lubrication). From this perspective, oil mist lubrication and oil-air lubrication are suitable modes of supplying lubricating oil to the bearings provided on the intermediate shaft, with oil-air lubrication being particularly suitable.

[0009] However, there are cases where the power supply to a device is unexpectedly cut off, for example, due to a sudden power outage. In any device with a rotating shaft, including a rotating test device, the shaft continues to rotate due to inertial rotation for a while even after the power supply to the device is cut off. The duration of inertial rotation increases as the rotation speed of the shaft increases and the moment of inertia of the shaft increases.

[0010] However, if a power outage occurs, the power supply to the mechanism that supplies lubricating oil to the bearings will also be cut off. For example, if lubricating oil is supplied by oil jet lubrication, the power supply to the pump that sucks lubricating oil from a tank or other storage facility and delivers it to the nozzle will be cut off. Also, if lubricating oil is supplied by oil mist lubrication or oil-air lubrication, the power supply to the air compressor that supplies compressed air to generate the oil mist or oil-air lubrication will be cut off. In either case, the supply of lubricating oil to the bearings will be cut off. In other words, if a power outage occurs, the shaft will continue to rotate by inertia for a while without receiving any lubricating oil from the bearings.

[0011] With oil jet lubrication, a relatively large amount of lubricating oil is supplied to the bearing per unit time. This means that a certain amount of lubricating oil is always retained in the bearing. Therefore, even if the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or other reason and the supply of lubricating oil to the bearing is also stopped at the same time, it is unlikely that the lubricating oil will run out before the inertial rotation of the shaft stops.

[0012] In contrast, with oil mist lubrication and oil-air lubrication, the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the bearings per unit time is extremely small. Therefore, if the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or other reason and the supply of lubricating oil to the bearings is also stopped at the same time, the lubricating oil will run out before the inertial rotation of the shaft stops, and there is a risk of damaging the bearings.

[0013] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide technology that can prevent bearings from being damaged by inertial rotation of the shaft when the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures.

[0015] That is, the present invention is a lubricating oil supply device for supplying lubricating oil to a bearing, the device comprising: a temporary storage section for temporarily storing lubricating oil; a supply section for supplying the lubricating oil stored in the temporary storage section little by little together with compressed air to the bearing; a lubricating oil supply path connected at one end to the temporary storage section and at the other end to the lubricating oil storage section for storing lubricating oil; a delivery section provided in the lubricating oil supply path for delivering the lubricating oil stored in the lubricating oil storage section via the lubricating oil supply path to fill the temporary storage section; an air supply path connected at one end to the supply section and at the other end to a compressed air supply section for supplying compressed air; an accumulator section provided in the air supply path for storing compressed air; and an electromagnetic valve provided midway in the air supply path between the accumulator section and the supply section, The solenoid valve is configured to maintain a state immediately before the power supply is stopped, and when the power supply is stopped in a state in which compressed air supplied from the compressed air supply unit is supplied to the supply unit through the air supply path, the compressed air stored in the accumulator is supplied to the supply unit. It is characterized by:

[0016] According to this configuration, if the supply of compressed air from the compressed air supply unit is stopped due to a power outage or other reason, the compressed air stored in the accumulator is supplied to the supply unit, thereby continuing the supply of compressed air to the supply unit. Therefore, the supply unit can continue to supply the lubricating oil stored in the temporary storage unit to the bearing in small amounts, along with the compressed air supplied from the accumulator. In other words, even if the power supply is stopped, the supply of lubricating oil to the bearing is not immediately stopped, and the supply of lubricating oil to the bearing can be continued for a while. This prevents damage to the bearing due to the inertial rotation of the shaft.

[0017] In particular, with the above configuration, since the pressure accumulator is provided in the air supply passage, when the supply of compressed air from the compressed air supply section is stopped and the internal pressure of the air supply section drops, the internal pressure of the pressure accumulator becomes relatively higher than the internal pressure of the air supply section, and the compressed air stored in the pressure accumulator is automatically sent to the supply section via the air supply passage. Therefore, there is no need to provide a configuration for switching the source of compressed air supplied to the supply section between the compressed air supply section and the pressure accumulator. Furthermore, since the pressure accumulator is provided in the air supply passage, when the supply of compressed air from the compressed air supply section is resumed, the compressed air supplied therefrom is stored in the pressure accumulator. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate configuration for refilling the pressure accumulator with compressed air. As such, with the above configuration, the device configuration can be simplified. For example, when the shaft supported by the bearing is rotating, the solenoid valve is open and lubricating oil is supplied from the lubricating oil supply unit to the bearing. With this configuration, if the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or other reason while the solenoid valve is open, the solenoid valve remains open. Therefore, the supply of compressed air from the accumulator to the supply unit is not interrupted by the solenoid valve. On the other hand, when the shaft is not rotating, the solenoid valve is closed and lubricating oil is not supplied from the lubricating oil supply unit to the bearing. However, if the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or other reason while the solenoid valve is closed, the solenoid valve remains closed. Therefore, a situation where lubricating oil starts being supplied to the bearing even when the shaft is not rotating does not occur.

[0018] In the lubricating oil supply device, the supply unit is an oil-air or oil mist Preferably,

[0020] These configurations allow the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the bearings to be reduced. However, the smaller the amount of lubricating oil supplied, the greater the risk that the lubricating oil will run out and damage the bearings before the inertial rotation of the shaft stops when the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or other reason. However, because the supply of lubricating oil to the bearings can be maintained for a while after the power supply is stopped, this situation can be prevented. In the lubricant oil supplying device, it is preferable that only one air supply passage is provided, and that the pressure accumulator is provided in the one air supply passage.

[0023] Furthermore, the lubricating oil supply device according to each of the above configurations is preferably applied to a rotation test device for performing a rotation test on a test specimen, the rotation test device comprising a rotating body, an intermediate shaft connecting the test specimen and the rotating body, a bearing for rotatably supporting the intermediate shaft, and a torque detection unit for detecting the torque generated between the test specimen and the rotating body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the bearings from being damaged by the inertial rotation of the shaft when the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or the like. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a rotation testing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a portion of an intermediate shaft accommodated in a bearing housing. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a lubricating oil supply unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] <1. Overall configuration of rotation test equipment> The configuration of a rotation test device 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the rotation test device 100. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a portion of the intermediate shaft 3 housed in a bearing housing 12, with the bearing housing 12 shown in cross section.

[0028] The rotation test device 100 is a test device for rotating a specimen 9 to obtain various measurement data of the specimen 9. A control device 90 for driving and controlling the specimen 9 is connected to the specimen 9, and this control device 90 is configured to supply power to the specimen 9 in accordance with a torque command input from the outside, thereby controlling the torque. The specimen 9 is assumed to be, for example, a motor or transmission for a vehicle, in which case the rotation test device 100 constitutes a vehicle test device.

[0029] The rotation test apparatus 100 includes a base 1, a dynamo 2 which is a rotating body, an intermediate shaft 3 which is a rotating shaft connecting the dynamo 2 and the specimen 9, and a torque meter 4 which is a torque detection unit provided on the intermediate shaft 3 and detects the torque generated between the dynamo 2 and the specimen 9. The rotation test apparatus 100 also includes a pair of bearings (intermediate bearings) 5, 5 which rotatably support the intermediate shaft 3, and a lubricating oil supply unit 6 which supplies lubricating oil to each bearing 5. The rotation test apparatus 100 also includes a control unit 7 which controls each unit included in the rotation test apparatus 100.

[0030] Dynamo 2 is a rotating body for applying a test load (e.g., a pseudo load or a pseudo driving force) to specimen 9, and is configured by an electric motor whose rotation speed can be controlled. Dynamo 2 is also provided with a rotation speed sensor 21 for detecting its rotation speed.

[0031] The intermediate shaft 3 is a rotating shaft that connects the dynamo 2 and the specimen 9. That is, the intermediate shaft 3 is connected at one end to the dynamo 2 (specifically, its rotor) located at one end of the base 1, and at the other end to the specimen 9 (specifically, its rotating shaft) fixed to a fixed wall 11 provided at the other end of the base 1, thereby connecting the dynamo 2 and the specimen 9. The rotor of the dynamo 2 (or the rotating shaft of the specimen 9) and the intermediate shaft 3 are connected, for example, by fastening couplings provided on both the rotor and the specimen 9 with bolts. The intermediate shaft 3 axially penetrates a bearing housing 12 supported on the base 1 via a support 13, and is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings 5, 5 ( FIG. 2 ) supported in the bearing housing 12.

[0032] The torque meter 4 is a torque detection unit that detects the torque generated between the dynamo 2 and the test piece 9, and is provided midway along the extension of the intermediate shaft 3. Specifically, for example, the torque meter 4 detects a difference in torsion angle generated in the intermediate shaft 3, determines the torque generated in the intermediate shaft 3 from the detected difference in torsion angle, and outputs this as a torque signal to the control unit 7. However, the process of calculating the torque generated in the intermediate shaft 3 from the difference in torsion angle may be performed by the control unit 7 instead of the torque meter 4. In this case, the torque meter 4 and the control unit 7 work together to implement a torque detection unit. The control unit 7 identifies the torque value generated by the test piece 9 based on the torque signal (or a signal corresponding to the difference in torsion angle) acquired from the torque meter 4.

[0033] The bearing 5 is a member for rotatably supporting the intermediate shaft 3, and is supported inside a cylindrical bearing housing 12. Specifically, bearing support portions 121 are provided inside the bearing housing 12 near each end in the axial direction, and the bearings 5 ​​are supported by each bearing support portion 121. The intermediate shaft 3 is provided to penetrate the bearing housing 12 in the axial direction in a portion between the end connected to the test piece 9 and the position where the torque meter 4 is provided. The intermediate shaft 3 is rotatably supported by the bearings 5 ​​at two locations spaced apart in the axial direction in the portion where it penetrates the bearing housing 12.

[0034] The bearing 5 arranged on the dynamo 2 side and the bearing 5 arranged on the test piece 9 side have the same structure. That is, each bearing 5 is configured as a rolling bearing (deep groove ball bearing in the illustrated example) including an inner ring 51 fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate shaft 3, an outer ring 52 fixed to the bearing support part 121, and a plurality of rolling elements 53 that roll while sandwiched between the inner ring 51 and the outer ring 52. In this configuration, the intermediate shaft 3 is rotatably supported by the rolling elements 53 of each bearing 5 rolling.

[0035] The lubricating oil supply unit 6 is a device (lubricating oil supply device) for supplying lubricating oil to each bearing 5. As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the lubricating oil supply unit 6 is configured to supply lubricating oil to each bearing 5 via a first supply path portion 601 connected to the bearing housing 12 and a second supply path portion 602 provided through the bearing housing 12. The direction in which lubricating oil is supplied to each bearing 5 is from the end side of the bearing housing 12 in the axial direction toward the center. Although not shown in the figure, the intermediate shaft 3 has a shape that slightly reduces in diameter toward the center side of the bearing housing 12 in the axial direction, allowing lubricating oil supplied from one end side of each bearing 5 to flow toward the other end side.

[0036] Although not shown in the figure, excess lubricating oil and the like supplied to each bearing 5 is discharged to the outside via a discharge path (for example, a discharge path comprising a first discharge path portion extending through the bearing housing 12 and a second discharge portion disposed outside the bearing housing 12) and recovered, etc.

[0037] <2. Configuration of the lubricating oil supply unit> The configuration of the lubricating oil supply unit 6 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 in addition to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the lubricating oil supply unit 6.

[0038] The lubricant supply unit 6 includes a supply unit 61 that supplies lubricant together with compressed air to the bearing 5, a lubricant supply unit 62 that supplies lubricant to the supply unit 61, and an air supply unit 63 that supplies compressed air to the supply unit 61. The lubricant supply unit 6 also includes a control unit 64 that controls each of the units included in the lubricant supply unit 6. Some or all of the functions of the control unit 64 may be realized by the control unit 7 of the rotation testing apparatus 100.

[0039] (Lubricating oil supply section 62) The lubricant oil supply unit 62 includes a lubricant oil supply passage 621 and a pump 622 provided in the lubricant oil supply passage 621 .

[0040] The lubricating oil supply path 621 is, for example, a pipe, and is connected at one end to the supply section 61 (specifically, the temporary storage section 611 provided in the supply section 61) and at the other end to a lubricating oil storage section (oil tank) 620 that stores the lubricating oil.

[0041] Pump 622 delivers lubricating oil stored in lubricating oil storage section 620 via lubricating oil supply path 621, filling temporary storage section 611 provided in supply section 61. Pump 622 sucks up and delivers a preset amount of lubricating oil from lubricating oil storage section 620 in one delivery operation (sucking up operation), and is controlled to perform this delivery operation at preset intervals (for example, once every four minutes).

[0042] (Air supply unit 63) The air supply section 63 includes an air supply path 631, an electromagnetic valve 632 interposed in the air supply path 631, and a pressure accumulation section 633 provided in the air supply path 631, upstream of the electromagnetic valve 632.

[0043] Air supply path 631 is, for example, a pipe, and is connected at one end to supply unit 61 and at the other end to air compressor 630, which is a compressed air supply unit that supplies compressed air. For example, an air compressor installed as factory equipment is used as air compressor 630. Such air compressor 630 is connected not only to air supply path 631 but also to pipes connected to various devices installed in the factory, and constantly supplies compressed air to the various devices.

[0044] The solenoid valve 632 switches between an open state and a closed state in response to an electrical control signal from the control unit 64. When the solenoid valve 632 is in the open state, compressed air sent from the air compressor 630 is supplied to the supply unit 61 through the air supply path 631. When the solenoid valve 632 is in the closed state, the supply of compressed air from the air compressor 630 to the supply unit 61 is stopped. However, when the solenoid valve 632 is in the closed state, the supply of compressed air from the air compressor 630 to the supply unit 61 is stopped. However, the solenoid valve 632 is configured to maintain the state it was in immediately before the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or the like. That is, when the solenoid valve 632 is in the open state and the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or the like, the solenoid valve 632 remains in the open state even after the power supply is stopped, and when the solenoid valve 632 is in the closed state and the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or the like, the solenoid valve 632 remains in the closed state even after the power supply is stopped.

[0045] Accumulator 633 is a container (air tank) that stores compressed air. Accumulator 633 is provided midway through air supply path 631 and stores compressed air supplied from air compressor 630. When the supply of power to air compressor 630 is stopped due to a power outage or the like and the supply of compressed air from there is stopped, the internal pressure of air supply path 631 decreases and the internal pressure of accumulator 633 becomes relatively higher than the internal pressure of air supply path 631. As a result, the compressed air stored in accumulator 633 is automatically sent to supply unit 61 via air supply path 631. Thereafter, when the supply of compressed air from air compressor 630 is resumed, the compressed air supplied from air compressor 630 is stored in accumulator 633 due to the reverse pressure difference.

[0046] (Supply section 61) Supply unit 61 includes temporary storage unit 611 that temporarily stores the lubricating oil supplied from lubricating oil supply unit 62. Temporary storage unit 611 is a container (for example, a dish-shaped container) that can store at least the lubricating oil delivered in one delivery operation of pump 622, and the entire amount of lubricating oil delivered at once via lubricating oil supply path 621 each time pump 622 performs one delivery operation is temporarily stored in temporary storage unit 611.

[0047] The supply unit 61 supplies the lubricating oil stored in the temporary storage unit 611 in small amounts (predetermined amounts) at a time to the bearings 5 ​​together with compressed air. In this embodiment, the supply unit 61 is configured to include an oil-air generator. In this case, the supply unit 61 intermittently discharges the lubricating oil stored in the temporary storage unit 611 in small, predetermined amounts at a time using a piston or the like, and the discharged small amounts of lubricating oil are introduced into the compressed air using a mixing valve or the like and mixed with the compressed air one after another, thereby continuously generating oil-air. The generated oil-air is sent in sequence to the first supply path portion 601 and the second supply path portion 602 by the compressed air supplied from the air supply unit 63, and is supplied to each bearing 5.

[0048] However, the amount of lubricating oil delivered by one delivery operation of pump 622 is set based on the amount of lubricating oil mixed with compressed air per unit time in supply unit 61 and the interval at which pump 622 performs the delivery operation, ensuring that the lubricating oil stored in temporary storage unit 611 does not run out during the interval between delivery operations of pump 622. For example, if supply unit 61 is configured to include an oil air generator that generates oil air, the amount of lubricating oil delivered by supply unit 61 to be mixed with compressed air per unit time is approximately 0.002 ml / min. In this case, if pump 622 performs one delivery operation every four minutes, the amount of lubricating oil delivered by one delivery operation of pump 622 is set to 0.008 ml or more.

[0049] <3. Operation of the lubricating oil supply unit> The lubricating oil supply unit 6 supplies lubricating oil to the bearings 5 ​​provided on the intermediate shaft 3 while the rotation testing device 100 is in operation. The operation of the lubricating oil supply unit 6 will be described below with continued reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0050] In a normal state (when power is being supplied) in which power is being supplied, pump 622 performs a pumping operation at preset intervals. Each time pump 622 performs a pumping operation, it sucks up a preset amount of lubricant oil from lubricant oil reservoir 620, pumps it out via lubricant oil supply path 621, and fills temporary reservoir 611.

[0051] On the other hand, under normal conditions when power is being supplied, compressed air is pressure-fed from the air compressor 630 to the air supply path 631, and when the solenoid valve 632 is switched from a closed state to an open state in response to a control signal sent from the control unit 64, the compressed air supplied from the air compressor 630 begins to be supplied to the supply unit 61 via the air supply path 631.

[0052] In the supply unit 61, the lubricating oil stored in the temporary storage unit 611 is mixed with compressed air supplied from the air supply path 631 in small amounts (predetermined amounts) at a time to generate oil-air, which is then guided to the first supply path portion 601. The guided oil-air passes through the first supply path portion 601 and the second supply path portion 602 and is supplied to each bearing 5. This lubricates each bearing 5 that supports the rotating intermediate shaft 3.

[0053] While such an operation is being performed, suppose that the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or the like. However, in this case, it is assumed that the power supply to the entire factory facility in which the rotation test device 100 is installed is stopped, rather than just the power supply to the rotation test device 100 being stopped. In other words, if an air compressor installed as factory equipment is used as the air compressor 630, it is assumed that even the power supply to the air compressor is stopped.

[0054] Even if the power supply is stopped, the intermediate shaft 3 of the rotation testing device 100 continues to rotate due to inertial rotation for a while (for example, for about several minutes).

[0055] On the other hand, when the supply of power is stopped, the operation of pump 622 stops. As a result, new lubricant is no longer refilled into temporary storage unit 611. However, as described above, pump 622 is set to deliver a certain amount of lubricant in one delivery operation (i.e., a quantity of lubricant equal to or greater than the total amount of lubricant consumed during the interval between delivery operations). Also, after temporary storage unit 611 is first refilled with lubricant, there is usually a slight time lag before solenoid valve 632 switches from the closed state to the open state (i.e., the generation of oil-air begins). Considering this, the amount of lubricant held in temporary storage unit 611 never becomes zero, even immediately before pump 622 performs a delivery operation. In other words, regardless of when pump 622 stops operating, temporary storage unit 611 holds a sufficiently large amount of lubricant compared to the amount of lubricant mixed with compressed air per unit time in supply unit 61.

[0056] Furthermore, when the power supply is stopped, the operation of air compressor 630 also stops, and the supply of compressed air therefrom is stopped. As a result, the internal pressure of air supply path 631 decreases, causing the internal pressure of pressure accumulator 633 to become higher than the internal pressure of air supply path 631. The compressed air stored in pressure accumulator 633 is automatically sent to supply unit 61 via air supply path 631. A solenoid valve 632 is provided downstream of pressure accumulator 633. This solenoid valve 632 is configured to maintain its state immediately before the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or the like. Since solenoid valve 632 is open immediately before the power supply is stopped, solenoid valve 632 remains open even after the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or the like. Therefore, the solenoid valve 632 does not prevent compressed air from being sent from pressure accumulator 633 to supply unit 61.

[0057] In this way, even after the supply of power is stopped, the supply of compressed air to the supply unit 61 continues, so the supply unit 61 can continue to operate in the same way as when power was being supplied. That is, in the supply unit 61, the lubricating oil stored in the temporary storage unit 611 is mixed little by little with the compressed air supplied from the air supply path 631 to generate oil-air, which is then guided to the first supply path portion 601. The guided oil-air passes through the first supply path portion 601 and the second supply path portion 602 and is supplied to each bearing 5. This lubricates each bearing 5 that supports the inertial rotating intermediate shaft 3.

[0058] When the power supply is resumed, for example, after the power outage is restored, the supply of compressed air from air compressor 630 is resumed. Then, the compressed air sent from air compressor 630 causes the internal pressure of air supply path 631 to become higher than the internal pressure of accumulator unit 633, and the compressed air supplied from air compressor 630 is accumulated in accumulator unit 633. In this way, accumulator unit 633 is quickly restored to the accumulated state after the power supply is resumed. Needless to say, while compressed air supplied from air compressor 630 is being supplied to supply unit 61 via air supply path 631, accumulator unit 633 is maintained in the accumulated state.

[0059] <4. Effects> The lubricating oil supply section (lubricating oil supply device) 6 provided in the rotation test apparatus 100 according to the above embodiment includes a temporary storage section 611 for temporarily storing lubricating oil, a supply section 61 that supplies the lubricating oil stored in the temporary storage section 611 to the bearing 5 in small amounts together with compressed air, a lubricating oil supply path 621 connected at one end to the temporary storage section 611 and at the other end to a lubricating oil storage section 620 that stores the lubricating oil, a pump 622 that is provided in the lubricating oil supply path 621 and serves as a delivery section that delivers the lubricating oil stored in the lubricating oil storage section 620 via the lubricating oil supply path 621 to fill the temporary storage section 611, an air supply path 631 that is connected at one end to the supply section 61 and at the other end to an air compressor 630 that is a compressed air supply section that supplies compressed air, and an accumulation section 633 that is provided in the air supply path 631 and stores the compressed air.

[0060] According to this configuration, when the supply of compressed air from the air compressor 630 is stopped because the supply of power is stopped due to a power outage or the like, the compressed air stored in the accumulator 633 is supplied to the supply unit 61, thereby continuing the supply of compressed air to the supply unit 61. Therefore, the supply unit 61 can continue to supply the lubricating oil stored in the temporary storage unit 611 to the bearing 5 little by little, along with the compressed air supplied from the accumulator 633. In other words, even if the supply of power is stopped, the supply of lubricating oil to the bearing 5 is not immediately stopped, and the supply of lubricating oil to the bearing 5 can be continued for a while. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the bearing 5 due to the inertial rotation of the intermediate shaft 3.

[0061] In particular, with the above configuration, since the pressure accumulator 633 is provided in the air supply path 631, when the supply of compressed air from the air compressor 630 is stopped and the internal pressure of the air supply path 631 drops, the internal pressure of the pressure accumulator 633 becomes relatively higher than the internal pressure of the air supply path 631, and the compressed air stored in the pressure accumulator 633 is automatically sent to the supply unit 61 via the air supply path 631. Therefore, there is no need to provide a configuration for switching the source of compressed air supplied to the supply unit 61 between the air compressor 630 and the pressure accumulator 633. Furthermore, since the pressure accumulator 633 is provided in the air supply path 631, when the supply of compressed air from the air compressor 630 is resumed, the compressed air supplied therefrom is stored in the pressure accumulator 633. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate configuration for refilling the pressure accumulator 633 with compressed air. As described above, with the above configuration, the device configuration can be simplified.

[0062] Furthermore, in the lubricating oil supply unit 6 according to the above embodiment, the supply unit 61 generates oil air. With this configuration, the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the bearing 5 can be kept particularly small. On the other hand, the smaller the amount of lubricating oil supplied, the greater the risk that the lubricating oil will run out and damage the bearing 5 before the inertial rotation of the intermediate shaft 3 stops when the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or the like. However, in this embodiment, the supply of lubricating oil to the bearing 5 can be maintained for a while after the power supply is stopped, thereby preventing such a situation from occurring.

[0063] Furthermore, the lubricant oil supply unit 6 according to the above embodiment includes a solenoid valve 632 provided in the air supply passage 631 between the pressure accumulator 633 and the supply unit 61. The solenoid valve 632 is configured to maintain its state immediately before the power supply is stopped. For example, when the intermediate shaft 3 is rotating, the solenoid valve 632 is opened and lubricant oil is supplied from the lubricant oil supply unit 6 to the bearing 5. In this configuration, if the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or the like while the intermediate shaft 3 is rotating, the solenoid valve 632 remains open. Therefore, the supply of compressed air from the pressure accumulator 633 to the supply unit 61 is not obstructed by the solenoid valve 632. On the other hand, when the intermediate shaft 3 is not rotating, the solenoid valve 632 is closed and lubricant oil is not supplied from the lubricant oil supply unit 6 to the bearing 5. However, if the power supply is stopped due to a power outage or the like while the intermediate shaft 3 is rotating, the solenoid valve 632 remains closed. Therefore, a situation in which the supply of lubricating oil to the bearing 5 starts even when the intermediate shaft 3 is not rotating does not occur.

[0064] Furthermore, in the lubricant supply unit 6 according to the above embodiment, the supply unit 61 supplies the lubricant stored in the temporary storage unit 611 little by little to the bearing 5 together with compressed air. When the lubricant is supplied to the bearing 5 by oil jet lubrication, for example, the pulsation of the pump that draws the lubricant from the tank and delivers it to the nozzle may cause fluctuations in torque loss at the intermediate shaft 3. However, with the lubricant supply unit 6, the lubricant delivered from the pump 622 is first temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 611 and then supplied to the bearing 5 together with compressed air. This eliminates the risk of the pulsation of the pump 622 fluctuating the torque loss at the intermediate shaft 3. Suppressing the fluctuations in torque loss at the intermediate shaft 3 makes it possible to accurately identify the torque value generated by the test piece 9.

[0065] Furthermore, according to an embodiment in which the supply unit 61 supplies the lubricating oil stored in the temporary storage unit 611 little by little to the bearing 5 together with the compressed air, the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the bearing 5 can be reduced compared to, for example, oil jet lubrication. Therefore, it is possible to minimize fluctuations in torque loss in the intermediate shaft 3 resulting from the viscosity of the lubricating oil, etc. This in turn makes it possible to accurately identify the torque value generated by the test piece 9.

[0066] <5. Other embodiments> In the above embodiment, the supply unit 61 generates oil-air. However, the supply unit may also generate oil mist. That is, the mode of supplying small amounts (predetermined amounts) of lubricating oil to the bearings 5 ​​together with compressed air is not limited to mixing the two to generate oil-air and supplying it to the bearings 5. It may also be possible to mist the lubricating oil using compressed air to generate the oil mist and supply it to the bearings 5. This configuration can be realized, for example, by replacing the supply unit 61, which includes an oil-air generator in the above embodiment, with an oil mist generator. In this case, the supply unit 61 supplies lubricating oil stored in the temporary storage unit 611 in small, predetermined amounts into the compressed air. The lubricating oil droplets are broken down into mist (atomized) in the compressed air, thereby generating the oil mist. The generated oil mist is then mixed with compressed air supplied from the air supply unit 63 and sent by the compressed air to the first supply path portion 601 and the second supply path portion 602, and is supplied to each bearing 5. Even if the supply unit generates oil mist, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the bearing 5 may have any structure. For example, the bearing 5 may be a ball bearing in which the rolling elements 53 are balls as shown in Fig. 2, or a roller bearing in which the rolling elements are rollers.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the pressure accumulator 633 may be configured by an accumulator.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the lubricating oil is supplied from the outer side toward the center in the axial direction of the bearing housing 12 and flows toward the center, but the supply direction of the lubricating oil is not limited to this. For example, the lubricating oil may be supplied from the center of the axial direction of the bearing housing 12 toward the outer side and flow toward the outer side.

[0070] In the above embodiment, a motor or a transmission for a vehicle is exemplified as the specimen 9 to be tested by the rotation test apparatus 100, but the specimen 9 is not limited to these. In other words, the present invention can be applied to various rotation test apparatuses other than vehicle test apparatuses.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the lubricating oil supply unit 6 is applied to the rotation test apparatus 100, but the lubricating oil supply unit 6 can be applied to apparatuses other than the rotation test apparatus 100. In other words, the lubricating oil supply unit 6 can be applied to any apparatus that includes a bearing and employs a method of supplying lubricating oil to the bearing together with compressed air to lubricate the bearing (for example, oil mist lubrication or oil-air lubrication).

[0072] Other configurations can also be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 100 Rotational Test Equipment 1 base 2 Rotating body (dynamo) 3 Intermediate shaft 4 Torque detection unit (torque meter) 5. Bearings 6 Lubricating oil supply section (lubricating oil supply device) 61 Supply section 611 Temporary Storage Unit 62 Lubricating oil supply section 620 Lubricating oil reservoir 621 Lubricating oil supply path 622 Delivery section (pump) 63 Air supply section 630 Compressed air supply unit (air compressor) 631 Air supply line 632 Solenoid valve 633 Accumulator 64 Control Unit 7 Control Unit 9 Test specimen (test motor)

Claims

1. A lubricating oil supply device that supplies lubricating oil to a bearing, a supply unit that includes a temporary storage unit that temporarily stores lubricating oil and supplies the lubricating oil stored in the temporary storage unit little by little to the bearing together with compressed air; a lubricant supply passage connected at one end to the temporary storage section and connected at the other end to a lubricant storage section that stores lubricant; a delivery section provided in the lubricating oil supply passage and configured to deliver the lubricating oil stored in the lubricating oil storage section via the lubricating oil supply passage to fill the temporary storage section; an air supply line connected at one end to the supply unit and at the other end to a compressed air supply unit that supplies compressed air; a pressure accumulator provided in the air supply passage for accumulating compressed air; a solenoid valve provided in the air supply passage between the pressure accumulator and the supply section; the solenoid valve is configured to maintain the state immediately before the power supply is stopped, When the supply of power is stopped in a state in which the compressed air supplied from the compressed air supply unit is supplied to the supply unit through the air supply path, the compressed air stored in the accumulator is supplied to the supply unit. A lubricating oil supply device characterized by:

2. The lubricating oil supply device according to claim 1, The supply unit generates oil air or oil mist. A lubricating oil supply device characterized by:

3. The lubricating oil supply device according to claim 1 or 2, Only one air supply passage is provided, and the pressure accumulator is provided in the one air supply passage. A lubricating oil supply device characterized by:

4. A rotation test apparatus comprising the lubricating oil supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and performing a rotation test of a test piece, A rotating body; an intermediate shaft connecting the specimen and the rotating body; a bearing that rotatably supports the intermediate shaft; a torque detection unit that detects a torque generated between the specimen and the rotating body; A rotation test device comprising:

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