JP2007212205A - Deterioration detector of lubricant and bearing with deterioration detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a deterioration detector of a lubricant capable of being installed in a bearing or the like by a simple and compact constitution and detecting the deterioration state of the lubricant, and the bearing equipped with the deterioration detector of the lubricant. <P>SOLUTION: The deterioration detector 1 of the lubricant includes an optical system 2, which is constituted so that a light emitting element 3 and a light detecting element 4 are arranged at certain angles and the light emitted from the light emitting element 3 is scattered and reflected by the surface of the lubricant 5 to enter the light detecting element 4; and an estimation means 6. The estimation means 6 estimates the amount of foreign matter contained in the lubricant 5 from the change in the output of the light detecting element 4 caused by the quantity of the light entering the light detecting element 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant deterioration detection device for detecting a deterioration state due to a contaminant of a lubricant, and a bearing with a detection device provided with the lubricant deterioration detection device, for example, for railway vehicles, automobiles, industrial machinery, etc. The present invention relates to a bearing with a detection device.

  In a bearing in which a lubricant is enclosed, if the lubricant (grease, oil, etc.) inside the bearing deteriorates, the rolling element will be poorly lubricated and the bearing life will be shortened. Judging the poor lubrication of the rolling elements from the vibration state of the bearing, etc., will be dealt with after an operational abnormality occurs due to the end of the life, so the abnormality of the lubricating state cannot be detected earlier. Therefore, it is desired to observe the state of the lubricant in the bearing periodically or in real time so that the abnormality or the maintenance period can be predicted.

As a major factor in the deterioration of the lubricant, wear powder generated with use of the bearing is mixed into the lubricant.
A sensor-equipped bearing in which a sensor such as an electrode or a coil is arranged inside the seal of the bearing so that the electrical characteristics of the lubricant mixed with wear powder can be detected by the sensor. Has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-293776 A

However, the sensor-equipped bearing of Patent Document 1 is for detecting the electrical characteristics of the lubricant. Therefore, unless a situation occurs such that a large amount of wear powder enters and conduction occurs, it is not detected as a characteristic change. Detection of contaminants may be difficult.
In order to solve such a problem, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, an optical system 32 in which light emitted from the light emitting element 33 is reflected by the reflecting member 34 and incident on the light receiving element 35 is provided, and the optical path of the optical system 32 is provided. A configuration has been considered in which the lubricant 36 is interposed therein and the deterioration state of the lubricant 36 is estimated from the amount of light detected by the light receiving element 35.
However, in the case of this configuration, the reflection member 34 that reflects light is necessary. For example, even when the reflection member 34 is substituted by a component member around the space where the lubricant 36 exists, the substitution member has sufficient light. It must be a reflective material and may not be installed depending on the structural conditions of the environment where the lubricant to be detected is present.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant deterioration detecting device that can be installed inside a bearing or the like with a simple and compact configuration and capable of detecting the deterioration state of the lubricant, and a bearing with a detecting device including the lubricant deterioration detecting device. It is to be.

In the lubricant deterioration detecting device of the present invention, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged with an inclination angle with each other, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is scattered and reflected on the surface of the lubricant and provided with an optical system that enters the light receiving element. Estimating means for estimating the amount of foreign matter contained in the lubricant from the change in the output of the light receiving element due to the change in the amount of light entering the light receiving element is provided.
According to this configuration, light emitted from the light emitting element is scattered and reflected by the surface of the lubricant, and a part of the scattered and reflected light is detected by the light receiving element. If the content of foreign matter such as iron powder contained in the lubricant increases, the amount of scattered reflected light on the surface of the lubricant decreases, so the estimation means is based on the amount of scattered reflected light detected by the light receiving element. Can be estimated.
When a lubricant is used in, for example, a bearing, a major factor for deterioration of the lubricant is that wear powder such as iron powder generated with use of the bearing is mixed into the lubricant. For this reason, the deterioration state of the lubricant can be estimated by estimating the content of the foreign matter mixed in the lubricant by the estimating means.
In particular, in the optical system of this lubricant deterioration detection device, light emitted from the light emitting element is scattered and reflected on the surface of the lubricant to be detected and is incident on the light receiving element. Even in the case of detecting the deterioration state of the lubricant, the degree of freedom of the arrangement direction of the light emitting element and the light receiving element is high, and there is no need to separately provide a reflecting member for reflecting the light, so the configuration becomes simple and compact. Can be realized.

In this invention, the optical system is provided with a plurality of light emitting elements having different wavelengths to be emitted as the light emitting elements, and the estimating means is configured to estimate the amount of the foreign matter, and to perform scattering reflection for each wavelength. The type of foreign matter contained in the lubricant may be estimated from the difference in output of the light receiving element due to the difference in amount.
In the case of this configuration, the light receiving element can detect the amount of scattered reflection for each wavelength by alternately lighting a plurality of, for example, two light emitting elements. Not only the amount of foreign matter contained in the lubricant but also the type can be estimated from the difference in the amount of scattered and reflected light for each wavelength detected from the output of the light receiving element.

In the present invention, a plurality of light receiving elements having different wavelength sensitivities are provided as the light receiving elements, and the estimation unit is configured to estimate the amount of the foreign matter and the plurality of light receiving elements based on a difference in the amount of scattered reflection for each wavelength. The type of foreign matter contained in the lubricant may be estimated from the difference in output.
In the case of this configuration, since the amount of light scattered and reflected from the surface of the lubricant from one light emitting element is individually detected by a plurality of light receiving elements having different wavelength sensitivities, from the difference in the amount of scattered reflected light depending on the wavelength, Not only the amount of foreign matter mixed into the lubricant but also the type can be estimated.

  In this invention, two sets of the optical system are provided, one optical system uses a reference lubricant as the lubricant, and the other optical system uses a lubricant to be measured as the lubricant. May compare the output of the light receiving element of one optical system with the output of the light receiving element of the other optical system to estimate the amount of foreign matter contained in the lubricant. In the case of this configuration, the characteristics of the lubricant to be detected are compared with the characteristics of the reference lubricant without contamination, so that the type and amount of the contamination mixed in the lubricant can be measured with higher accuracy.

The bearing with a detecting device of the present invention is one in which the lubricant deterioration detecting device of any one of the above inventions is mounted on a bearing.
According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately detect deterioration of the lubricant enclosed in the bearing in real time or periodically. In addition, since there is a high degree of freedom in the arrangement direction of the light emitting element and the light receiving element in the installation of the lubricant deterioration detecting device, the configuration can be simplified and made compact.
As a result, it is possible to determine the necessity of replacement of the lubricant before the operation abnormality occurs in the bearing, and it is possible to prevent the bearing from being damaged due to poor lubrication. In addition, since the necessity for replacing the lubricant can be determined by the output of the lubricant deterioration detecting device, the amount of lubricant discarded before the expiration date is reduced.

In the lubricant deterioration detecting device of the present invention, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged with an inclination angle with each other, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is scattered and reflected on the surface of the lubricant and provided with an optical system that enters the light receiving element. Since the estimation means for estimating the amount of foreign matter contained in the lubricant from the change in the output of the light receiving element due to the change in the amount of light entering the light receiving element is provided, the lubricant can be installed in a simple and compact configuration inside the bearing. It is possible to detect the deterioration state.
Since the bearing with the lubricant deterioration detecting device of the present invention has the lubricant deterioration detecting device of the present invention mounted on the bearing, the deterioration of the lubricant enclosed in the bearing is accurately detected in real time or periodically. Therefore, the configuration of the lubricant deterioration detection device can be simplified and made compact. As a result, it is possible to determine the necessity of replacement of the lubricant before the operation abnormality occurs in the bearing, and it is possible to prevent the bearing from being damaged due to poor lubrication. In addition, since the necessity for replacing the lubricant can be determined by the output of the lubricant deterioration detecting device, the amount of lubricant discarded before the expiration date is reduced.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the lubricant deterioration detection device of this embodiment. In this lubricant deterioration detection device 1, the light emitting element 3 and the light receiving element 4 are arranged at an inclination angle, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 3 is scattered and reflected by the surface of the lubricant 5 and enters the light receiving element 4. The optical system 2 and the estimation means 6 are provided. Circuits that serve as the light emitting element 3, the light receiving element 4, and the estimating means 6 are mounted on a circuit board 7. The estimation means 6 estimates the amount of foreign matter contained in the lubricant 5 from the change in the output of the light receiving element 4 due to the change in the amount of light entering the light receiving element 4. The detection signal of the estimation means 6 is output from the wiring cable 8 to the outside. Further, power is supplied to the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 from the outside via the wiring cable 8.

  As the light emitting element 3, an LED, an incandescent bulb, a semiconductor laser diode, an EL, an organic EL, a fluorescent tube, or the like can be used. The light receiving element 4 may be a photodiode, phototransistor, CDS, solar cell, photomultiplier tube, or the like.

  In the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 configured as described above, the light emitted from the light emitting element 3 is scattered and reflected by the surface of the lubricant 5, and a part of the scattered and reflected light is detected by the light receiving element 4. When the content of foreign matter such as iron powder contained in the lubricant 5 increases, the amount of scattered / reflected light on the surface of the lubricant 5 decreases, so that the estimation means 6 determines the lubricant from the amount of scattered / reflected light detected by the light receiving element 4. 5 can be estimated.

  When the lubricant 5 is used for a bearing, for example, a main factor of deterioration of the lubricant 5 is that wear powder such as iron powder generated with use of the bearing is mixed in the lubricant 5. For this reason, it is possible to estimate the deterioration state of the lubricant 5 by estimating the content of wear powder, which is a foreign matter mixed in the lubricant 5, by the estimation means 6.

  In particular, in the optical system 2 of the lubricant deterioration detection device 1, light emitted from the light emitting element 3 is scattered and reflected on the surface of the lubricant 5 to be detected, and is incident on the light receiving element 4. Even in the case of detecting the deterioration state of the lubricant enclosed in the bearing, since the degree of freedom of the arrangement direction of the light emitting element 3 and the light receiving element 4 is high and it is not necessary to separately provide a reflecting member for reflecting light, etc. The configuration is simplified and the size can be reduced.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 of this embodiment is such that the optical path portion other than the lubricant 5 in the optical system 2 is filled with a transparent body 9 such as glass instead of air. It is. In this embodiment, the light emitting element 3 and the light receiving element 4 may be embedded in the transparent body 9 as shown in FIG. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In this way, when the optical path portion other than the lubricant 5 in the optical system 2 is filled with the transparent body 9, the optical path portion other than the lubricant 5, the light emitting portion of the light emitting element 3, and the light receiving portion of the light receiving element 4 are prevented from being contaminated. be able to. In addition, when the lubricant in the apparatus is a detection target, the transparent body 9 is attached to the apparatus partition wall, thereby enabling detection from outside the apparatus through the transparent body 9.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration diagram of still another embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of (two in this case) light emitting elements 3A, 2 having different wavelengths. It is replaced with 3B. For example, a red LED and a blue LED are used for the light emitting elements 3A and 3B. As the light receiving element 4, one having sensitivity to the wavelength of light of both the light emitting elements 3A and 3B is selected. The estimation means 6 estimates the amount and type of foreign matter contained in the lubricant 5 from the difference in the amount of scattered reflected light for each wavelength detected from the output of the light receiving element 4. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In this lubricant deterioration detection device 1, both the light emitting elements 3A and 3B are turned on alternately. Thereby, the light receiving element 4 is emitted from one light emitting element 3A and scattered and reflected on the surface of the lubricant 5, and the light receiving element 4 is scattered from the other light emitting element 3B and reflected on the surface of the lubricant 5. Light of a predetermined wavelength different from the wavelength is detected alternately. That is, the light receiving element 4 measures the amount of light for each wavelength scattered and reflected on the surface of the lubricant 6 in a time-sharing manner, and can detect the amount of scattered reflected light for each wavelength. From the difference in the amount of scattered / reflected light according to each wavelength detected in this way, the type and amount of foreign matter contained can be specified. For example, when the foreign substance contained in the lubricant 5 is red rust, the amount of scattered reflected light with a red wavelength increases, so that not only the amount of foreign substance but also the type can be specified from the output of the light receiving element 4 at that time.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration diagram of still another embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of (in this case, two) light receiving elements each having different wavelength sensitivities for one light receiving element 4 in the optical system 2. It is replaced with 4A and 4B. For example, an element having sensitivity to red light is used for one light receiving element 4A, and an element having sensitivity to blue light, for example, is used for the other light receiving element 4B. The light emitting element 3 is selected to emit, for example, white light including red and blue wavelengths. The estimation means 6 compares the outputs of the light receiving elements 4A and 4B, and estimates the type and amount of foreign matter contained in the lubricant 5 from the difference in the amount of scattered light reflected for each wavelength detected. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 configured as described above, light that has been emitted from one light emitting element 3 and scattered and reflected on the surface of the lubricant 5 is detected by a plurality of light receiving elements 4A and 4B having different wavelength sensitivities. That is, each of the light receiving elements 4A and 4B individually detects the light amounts having different wavelengths that are emitted from the light emitting element 3 and scattered and reflected on the surface of the lubricant 6.
Also in the case of this lubricant deterioration detection device 1, the deterioration state of the lubricant 5 can be estimated by estimating the content of foreign matters mixed in the lubricant 5 by the estimation means 6. In addition, since the amount of scattered / reflected light of different wavelengths is detected by the optical system 2, not only the amount of foreign matter mixed in the lubricant 5 but also the type can be specified from the difference in the amount of scattered / reflected light according to the wavelength.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 5, instead of the plurality of light receiving elements 4A and 4B having different wavelength sensitivities, a plurality of common light receiving elements 4 having a wide range of wavelength sensitivities are used, and the front side of each light receiving element 4 is used. By arranging filters with different transmission wavelengths (for example, one filter transmits red light and the other filter transmits blue light), each combination of the filter and the light receiving element 4 is illustrated. 5 may have the same function as the light receiving elements 4A and 4B.

  In such a configuration, light that is emitted from one light emitting element 3 and scattered and reflected by the surface of the lubricant 5 passes through filters having different transmission wavelengths and is detected by the individual light receiving elements 4. Thereby, each light receiving element 4 individually detects the amount of scattered reflection light having a different wavelength. The estimation means 6 can estimate the content of foreign matter in the lubricant 5 from the detected light amount, and can specify the type of foreign matter.

  Further, in this configuration, since the scattered light amounts having different wavelengths are detected by the individual light receiving elements 4 using filters having different transmission wavelengths, the wavelength light to be detected is matched with the characteristics of the lubricant 5 to be detected. The combination can be easily changed, and it is possible to specify a foreign substance with high accuracy by using a wavelength that matches the characteristics of the foreign substance to be specified.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the plurality of light receiving elements 4A and 4B having different wavelength sensitivities are replaced with light receiving elements having the same characteristics, and the light receiving elements 4A and 4B are scattered out of the light reflected by the surface of the lubricant 5. The reflection angle position at which the directly reflected light without light can be received and the reflection angle position at which the scattered reflected light is received may be switched.

  When configured in this way, the output of the light receiving element 4A that directly receives the reflected light, for example, and the output of the light receiving element 4B that receives the scattered reflected light, for example, are compared by the estimation means 6 so that the lubricant 5 It is possible to estimate the type of foreign matter mixed in.

  FIG. 6A shows a schematic configuration diagram of still another embodiment of the present invention. In the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 of this embodiment, two sets of optical systems 2A and 2B having the same configuration as that of the optical system 2 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are provided. The reference lubricant 5A without contamination is measured, and the other optical system 2B measures the lubricant 5 to be detected for deterioration. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the estimating means 6 determines the difference between the reference lubricant 5A obtained from the outputs of the light receiving elements 4 of the two sets of optical systems 2A and 2B and the lubricant 5 to be detected for deterioration. It is obtained by the differential amplifier 10 or the like and used to estimate the deterioration state of the lubricant 5. In FIG. 6A, the circuit board 8 is common to the two sets of optical systems 2A and 2B, but a different circuit board may be used for each set of optical systems 2A and 2B.

  In the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 configured as described above, the characteristics of the lubricant 5 to be detected for deterioration are compared with the characteristics of the reference lubricant 5A having no foreign matter mixed therein. The quantity can be estimated with higher accuracy.

FIGS. 7-14 shows sectional drawing of each example of the bearing with a detection apparatus for rail vehicles carrying the lubricant deterioration detection apparatus 1 of embodiment of FIG.1 and FIG.2, for example.
7 includes a roller bearing, specifically, a double-row tapered roller bearing, and includes divided inner rings 24 and 24 provided for the rolling elements 26 and 26 in each row, and an integrated outer ring. 25, rollers 26 and 26 as the rolling elements, a retainer 27, and a seal 28. The seals 28 are disposed at both ends of the bearing 21. As a result, the lubricant is sealed inside the bearing 21 and dust and water resistance is ensured.
In this example, the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 for detecting the deterioration of the lubricant enclosed in the bearing is attached between both rolling element rows of the bearing 21. The lubricant deterioration detection device 1 in this case is that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and is arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 25 and the lubricant adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 24 is detected. To do.

In the bearing 21 with the lubricant deterioration detecting device configured as described above, it is possible to accurately detect the deterioration of the lubricant sealed in the bearing in real time. Further, the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 only needs to place the light emitting element 3 and the light receiving element 4 (FIG. 1) opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 24, so that the configuration can be simplified and made compact.
As a result, it is possible to determine the necessity of replacement of the lubricant before the operation abnormality occurs in the bearing 21, so that damage to the bearing 21 due to poor lubrication can be prevented. Further, since the necessity of replacing the lubricant can be determined by the output of the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1, the amount of lubricant discarded before the expiration date is reduced.

  In the example of the bearing 21 with the lubricant deterioration detecting device shown in FIG. 8, the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 is attached to one end portion in the axial direction of the bearing 21. The lubricant deterioration detection device 1 in this case is also that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and is disposed in the recess 25 a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 25 and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the retainer 27. The lubricant is to be detected.

  Also in the example of the bearing 21 with the lubricant deterioration detecting device shown in FIG. 9, the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 is attached to one end of the bearing 21 in the axial direction. The lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 in this case is also the one according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and is disposed on the inner surface facing the bearing inside of the seal 28 and the lubricant adhered to the width surface of the rolling element 26. Detected. In this case, as the bearing 21 rotates, the scattered reflected light from the lubricant on the width surface of the rolling element 26 is intermittently received by the light receiving element 4 (FIG. 1). Therefore, it is necessary to detect the amount of reflected light at an appropriate timing facing the. In order to set the timing, another sensor for setting the timing may be installed, but the timing may be estimated from the period of increase / decrease in the amount of reflected light. Alternatively, the detection may be performed by averaging the detection signals without detecting the timing.

  Also in the example of the bearing 21 with the lubricant deterioration detecting device shown in FIG. 10, the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 is attached to one end portion in the axial direction of the bearing 21. The lubricant deterioration detection device 1 in this case is also that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and is disposed in a recess 25 a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 25, and the peripheral end portion of the rolling element 26. The lubricant adhering to 26a is to be detected. Also in this case, as the bearing 21 rotates, the scattered reflected light from the lubricant at the peripheral surface end portion 26a of the rolling element 26 is intermittently received by the light receiving element 4 (FIG. 1). It is necessary to detect the amount of reflected light at an appropriate timing when 26 faces the light receiving element 4. The detection may be performed by averaging the detection signals without detecting the timing.

  Also in the example of the bearing 21 with the lubricant deterioration detecting device shown in FIG. 11, the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 is attached to one end of the bearing 21 in the axial direction. The lubricant deterioration detection device 1 in this case is also the one in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and is disposed in the recess 25 a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 25, and the rolling surface 26 b of the rolling element 26. The lubricant that adheres to the surface is the detection target. Also in this case, as the bearing 21 rotates, the scattered reflected light from the lubricant on the rolling surface 26b of the rolling element 26 is intermittently received by the light receiving element 4 (FIG. 1). Therefore, it is necessary to detect the amount of reflected light at an appropriate timing facing the light receiving element 4. The detection may be performed by averaging the detection signals without detecting the timing.

  Also in the example of the bearing 21 with the lubricant deterioration detecting device shown in FIG. 12, the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 is attached to one end of the bearing 21 in the axial direction. The lubricant deterioration detection device 1 in this case is also the one in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and is disposed in the recess 25 a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 25, and the rolling surface 26 b of the rolling element 26. The lubricant collected in the lubricant groove 26c provided in the intermediate portion in the axial direction is a detection target. The lubricant groove 26c is a circumferential groove. Also in this case, as the bearing 21 rotates, the scattered reflected light from the lubricant in the lubricant groove 26c of the rolling element 26 is intermittently received by the light receiving element 4 (FIG. 1). It is necessary to detect the amount of reflected light at an appropriate timing when 26 faces the light receiving element 4. The detection may be performed by averaging the detection signals without detecting the timing.

  Also in the example of the bearing 21 with the lubricant deterioration detecting device shown in FIG. 13, the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 is attached to one end of the bearing 21 in the axial direction. The lubricant deterioration detection device 1 in this case is the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and is arranged on the bearing outer side of the seal 28. The seal 28 is provided with a through hole 28a, and the transparent body 9 in the embodiment of FIG. 2 is embedded in the through hole 28a. The lubricant deterioration detection device 1 uses the lubricant adhering to the inner surface of the transparent body 9 facing the bearing as a detection target.

Also in the example of the bearing 21 with the lubricant deterioration detection device shown in FIG. 14, the lubricant deterioration detection device 1 is attached to one end of the bearing 21 in the axial direction. The lubricant deterioration detection device 1 in this case is also of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and is disposed in the through hole 25 b formed in the outer ring 25. The transparent body 9 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2 is fitted into the through hole 25b. The lubricant deterioration detection device 1 uses the lubricant adhering to the peripheral end 26 a of the rolling element 26 as a detection target by projecting and receiving light through the transparent body 9.
Also in this case, as the bearing 21 rotates, the scattered reflected light from the lubricant at the peripheral end 26a of the rolling element 26 is intermittently received by the light receiving element 4 (FIG. 1). It is necessary to detect the amount of reflected light at an appropriate timing when the moving body 26 faces the light receiving element 4. The detection may be performed by averaging the detection signals without detecting the timing.

  In each example of the bearing 21 with the lubricant deterioration detecting device shown in FIGS. 7 to 14, the case where the lubricant deterioration detecting device 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 is incorporated is shown. You may incorporate the lubricant deterioration detection apparatus 1 of each embodiment shown in FIGS.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a lubricant deterioration detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the lubricant deterioration detection apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the lubricant deterioration detection apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the lubricant deterioration detection apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the lubricant deterioration detection apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. (A) is a schematic block diagram of a lubricant deterioration detection device according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a block diagram of estimation means in the lubricant deterioration detection device. It is sectional drawing of an example of the bearing with a detection apparatus for rail vehicles carrying the lubricant deterioration detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the other example of the bearing with the same detection apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the further another example of the bearing with the same detection apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the further another example of the bearing with the same detection apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the further another example of the bearing with the same detection apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the further another example of the bearing with the same detection apparatus. It is sectional drawing of an example of the bearing with a detection apparatus for rail vehicles carrying the lubricant deterioration detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the other example of the bearing with the same detection apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram of the proposal example of a lubricant deterioration detection apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lubricant deterioration detection apparatus 2, 2A, 2B ... Optical system 3, 3A, 3B ... Light emitting element 4, 4A, 4B ... Light receiving element 5 ... Lubricant 5A ... Reference | standard lubricant 6 ... Estimation means 21 ... Bearing with a detection apparatus

Claims (5)

  The light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged with an inclination angle with each other, the light emitted from the light emitting element is scattered and reflected on the surface of the lubricant, and an optical system that enters the light receiving element is provided. A lubricant deterioration detection device provided with an estimation means for estimating the amount of foreign matter contained in a lubricant from a change in output of an element.   The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element includes a plurality of light emitting elements having different wavelengths to emit light, and the estimation unit performs scattering for each wavelength in addition to the estimation of the amount of the foreign matter. A lubricant deterioration detection device that estimates the type of foreign matter contained in a lubricant from a difference in output of a light receiving element due to a difference in reflection amount.   The light receiving element according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of light receiving elements having different wavelength sensitivities are provided as the light receiving elements, and the estimation unit is configured to estimate the amount of the foreign matter and the plurality of light received by a difference in scattered reflection amount for each wavelength. Lubricant deterioration detection device that estimates the type of foreign matter contained in the lubricant from the difference in the output of the element.   4. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein two sets of the optical system are provided, a reference lubricant is used as the lubricant in one optical system, and a measurement target is used as the lubricant in the other optical system. A lubricant is used, and the estimation means estimates the amount of foreign matter contained in the lubricant by comparing the output of the light receiving element of one optical system with the output of the light receiving element of the other optical system. Lubricant deterioration detector.   A bearing with a detection device, wherein the lubricant deterioration detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is mounted on the bearing.

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