Patent Grant
10647940
The present invention relates to a lubricating oil composition, and a precision reduction gear using the same.
A lubricating oil composition for use for reduction gears of various industrial machines is required to have wear resistance for preventing wear of gears, etc.
As a method for improving wear resistance of a lubricating oil, in general, there are known a method of adding a phosphorus-sulfur-containing compound and a sulfur-containing compound to a lubricating oil (for example, see PTL 1), a method of adding a dialkyl trisulfide, a dithiophosphate, an acid phosphate and an alkylamine salt thereof, and further optionally an alkenylsuccinimide derivative, a molybdenum dithiophosphate, a molybdenum disulfide and the like in combination, for improving oxidation stability at high temperatures while securing wear resistance (for example, see PTL 2), etc.
Among various industrial machines, precision reduction gears are incorporated in joint sites and the like of industrial robots. Such precision reduction gears use a specific gear such as a planetary gear for realizing a large reduction ratio in a limited space, and the gear ratio of engaging gears (number of rack gear teeth/number of pinion gear teeth) therein is extremely large. In addition, industrial robots repeat switchover of reciprocating motion and motion speed. Accordingly, precision reduction gears for industrial robots are given an extremely larger load than that to general reduction gears. Consequently, an oil film is difficult to form in the lubrication state, therefore often resulting in boundary lubrication or mixed lubrication in many cases, and causing wear with ease to form wear debris.
In addition, in a lubricating oil for use in precision reduction gears of industrial robots, decomposition products of additives may often precipitate owing to heat generation under severe lubrication conditions such as switchover of reciprocating motion and motion speed of precision reduction gears, and owing to the precipitated decomposition products and oil oxidation degradation by heat generation, sludge may be readily formed, and accordingly, sludge reduction is also desired.
A conventional lubricating oil heretofore used in reduction gears of various industrial machines could not still attain sufficient wear resistance even though the above-mentioned compounds are added thereto, and sludge is often formed.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a lubricating oil composition capable of exhibiting excellent wear resistance in a wide range of contact pressures ranging from high to low and capable of preventing sludge generation, and to provide a precision reduction gear using the lubricating oil composition.
As a result of assiduous studies, the present inventors have found that, when a base oil is combined with a thiophosphate compound having a specific structure, the above-mentioned problems can be solved. The present invention has been completed on the basis of this finding.
Specifically, the present invention provides the following [1] to [3].
According to the present invention, there are provided a lubricating oil composition capable of exhibiting excellent wear resistance in a wide range of contact pressures ranging from high to low and capable of preventing sludge generation, and a precision reduction gear using the lubricating oil composition.
The lubricating oil composition of the present invention contains a base oil and a thiophosphate compound (A) represented by the general formula (I) but does not substantially contain a molybdenum-based compound.
The lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention does not substantially contain a molybdenum-based compound, and can therefore reduce sludge.
The present inventors' investigations have clarified that, when a molybdenum-based compound-containing lubricating oil composition is used in precision reduction gears for robots, decomposition products may often precipitate owing to heat generation under severe lubrication conditions such as switchover of reciprocating motion and motion speed of precision reduction gears, and owing to the decomposition products, sludge may be readily formed. Accordingly, the lubricating oil composition of the present invention does not substantially contain a molybdenum-based compound. The “lubricating oil composition not substantially containing a molybdenum-based compound” is meant to exclude any one intentionally containing a molybdenum-based compound.
However, the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention may contain a minor amount of a molybdenum-based compound that may be contained therein as an impurity. In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, the content of the minor amount of a molybdenum-based compound that may be contained therein as an impurity is as small as possible, and specifically, the molybdenum atom-equivalent content of the molybdenum-based compound therein is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, generally less than 100 ppm by mass, preferably 50 ppm by mass or less, more preferably 10 ppm by mass or less, even more preferably 5 ppm by mass or less, and especially preferably 1 ppm by mass or less.
Examples of the molybdenum-based compound include an organic molybdenum compound heretofore used as an additive for a lubricating oil. Examples of the organic molybdenum compound include molybdenum carbamate, molybdenum dicarbamate, molybdenum dithiophosphate (MoDTP), and molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC).
From the viewpoint of more improving wear resistance, the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention preferably contains a phosphate compound (B) not containing a sulfur atom.
In addition, from the viewpoint of more improving wear resistance, the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention preferably contains sulfur-based compound (C) containing 2 or more sulfur atoms in the molecule and not containing a phosphorus atom.
The lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention may contain any other additive for a lubricating oil than the above-mentioned components (A) to (C), for example, an antioxidant (D) within a range not detracting from the advantageous effects of the present invention.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, the total content of the base oil and the component (A) is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, preferably 60.01% by mass or more, more preferably 70.01% by mass or more, even more preferably 80.01% by mass or more, further more preferably 85.01% by mass or more, especially preferably 90.01% by mass or more, and is generally 100% by mass or less, preferably 99.9% by mass or less, more preferably 99% by mass or less.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, the total content of the base oil and the components (A) to (D) is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, preferably 70 to 100% by mass, more preferably 80 to 100% by mass, even more preferably 85 to 100% by mass, further more preferably 90 to 100% by mass, especially preferably 95 to 100% by mass.
Details of each component contained in the lubricating oil composition of the present invention are described below.
[Base Oil]
Not specifically limited, the base oil for use in the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention may be at least one selected from mineral oils and synthetic oils that are used in ordinary lubricating oils.
Examples of the mineral oil include atmospheric residues obtained through atmospheric distillation of crude oils, or mineral oils obtained from lubricating oil fractions that are obtained through reduced pressure distillation of atmospheric residues obtained through atmospheric distillation of crude oils, in one or more treatments of solvent deasphalting, solvent extraction, hydrocracking, solvent dewaxing, catalytic dewaxing or hydrorefining; and wax-isomerized mineral oils; mineral oils obtained according to a method of isomerization of GTL (GTL is an abbreviation of gas to liquids) wax such as Fischer-Tropsch wax. Among these mineral oils, mineral oils belonging to Group II or III in grouping of base oil by API (API is an abbreviation of American Petroleum Institute) are preferred; and mineral oils belonging to Group III are more preferred.
Examples of the synthetic oil include aliphatic hydrocarbon oils (polybutene-based synthetic oils) such as poly-α-olefins (PAO), ethylene-α-olefin copolymers, and polybutenes; aromatic hydrocarbon oils such as alkylbenzenes, and alkylnaphthalenes; glycol oils such as polyalkylene glycols; ether oils such as polyphenyl ethers, and alkyl-substituted diphenyl ethers; ester oils such as polyol esters, dibasic acid esters, and carbonates; silicone oils; fluorinated oils; and GTL. In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, ester oils and polyolefin-based synthetic oils are preferred among these synthetic oils; poly-α-olefins (PAO), ethylene-α-olefin copolymers, polyol esters, dibasic acid esters, carbonates and GTL are more preferred; and poly-α-olefins (PAO) are even more preferred.
The base oil may be a single system using one kind of the above-mentioned mineral oils and synthetic oils, or may be a mixed system of two or more kinds of mineral oils, a mixed system of two or more kinds of synthetic oils, or a mixed system of one or more of mineral oils and synthetic oils.
The base oil for use in the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention is preferably one containing a mineral oil belonging to Group II or III in base oil grouping by API, or one containing a synthetic oil, and is more preferably one containing a synthetic oil.
The kinematic viscosity at 40° C. (hereinafter may be referred to as “40° C. kinematic viscosity”) of the base oil for use in the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention is, from the viewpoint of lubricity, cooling performance and friction loss reduction in stirring, preferably 40 mm2/s or more.
The kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of the base oil is preferably 10 mm2/s or more, and 1,800 mm2/s or less, more preferably 40 mm2/s or more and 1,650 mm2/s or less, even more preferably 50 mm2/s or more and 1,500 mm2/s or less, further more preferably 60 mm2/s or more and 1,200 mm2/s or less, especially more preferably 70 mm2/s or more and 1,100 mm2/s or less.
The viscosity index of the base oil is, from the viewpoint of suppressing viscosity change with temperature change, preferably 60 or more, more preferably 75 or more, even more preferably 90 or more.
Here, in the case where the base oil for use in the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention is a mixture of two or more kinds of base oils, the 40° C. kinematic viscosity and the viscosity index thereof each may fall within the above-mentioned range.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, the kinematic viscosity and the viscosity index of the base oil and the lubricating oil composition are values measured according to JIS K2283.
The content of the base oil is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, preferably 60% by mass or more, more preferably 70% by mass or more, even more preferably 80% by mass or more, further more preferably 85% by mass or more, especially more preferably 90% by mass or more, and is preferably 99.9% by mass or less, more preferably 99.0% by mass or less, even more preferably 98.0% by mass or less.
[Thiophosphate Compound (A) Represented by General Formula (I)]
The lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention contains a thiophosphate compound (A) represented by the general formula (I). In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, the component (A) includes aryl thiophosphates, and alkylaryl thiophosphates.
In the general formula (I), R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent an aryl group having 6 to 12 ring carbon atoms, and the aryl group may be substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
In the general formula (I), the aryl group represented by R1, R2 and R3 includes a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted 1-naphthyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted 2-naphthyl group, and a substituted or unsubstituted biphenyl group.
In the aryl group represented by R1, R2 and R3, one or more hydrogen atoms that the aryl group has may be substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms includes a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, and an isopropyl group. The position of the alkyl group may be, in the case where the aryl group is a phenyl group or a biphenyl group, any of an ortho-, para- or meta-position, and in the case where the aryl group is a naphthyl group, the position may be any of an α,- or β-position.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, the component (A) is preferably a thiophosphate compound (A1) represented by the following general formula (II).
In the general formula (II), R4, R5 and R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms includes a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group and an isopropyl group. The position of the substituents R4, R5 and R6 may be any of an ortho-, para- or meta-position.
Specifically, the thiophosphate compound (A1) represented by the general formula (II) includes tricresyl phosphate and triphenyl phosphorothioate.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, one alone of the component (A) may be used or two or more kinds thereof may be used in combination.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, the content of the component (A) is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass or less. More preferably, the content is 0.2% by mass or more and 0.8% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 0.6% by mass or less. In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, when the content of the component (A) is 0.1% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass or less based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, a lubricating oil composition can be provided which can have excellent wear resistance in a wide range of contact pressures ranging from high to low to such an extent that the composition can resist to lubrication conditions required for precision reduction gears to be incorporated in joint sites of industrial robots that are given an extremely large load and are readily worn to form wear debris.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, the content of a thiophosphate compound represented by the following general formula (III) is preferably as small as possible. When the composition contains a large amount of the thiophosphate compound represented by the following general formula (III), the composition may rather cause formation of wear debris and could hardly improve wear resistance, and in addition, may interfere with the effect to be expressed by the component (A) contained in the composition.
Accordingly, in the lubricating oil composition usable in precision reduction gears that are driven under severe lubrication conditions where a larger load than that to ordinary reduction gears will be applied to readily cause formation of wear debris, specifically, the content of the thiophosphate compound represented by the following general formula (III) is preferably 0 to 10 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the component (A), more preferably 0 to 5 parts by mass, even more preferably 0 to 1 part by mass.
In the general formula (III), R7, R8 and R10 each independently represent a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 18 ring carbon atoms and optionally having a substituent. R9 represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. X1, X2 and X3 each independently represent an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, the content of a thiophosphate compound represented by the following general formula (IV) is preferably as small as possible. When the composition contains a large amount of the thiophosphate compound represented by the following general formula (IV), the composition may rather cause formation of wear debris and could hardly improve wear resistance, and in addition, may interfere with the effect to be expressed by the component (A) contained in the composition.
Accordingly, in the lubricating oil composition usable in precision reduction gears that are driven under severe lubrication conditions where a larger load than that to ordinary reduction gears will be applied to readily cause formation of wear debris, specifically, the content of the thiophosphate compound represented by the following general formula (IV) is preferably 0 to 10 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the component (A), more preferably 0 to 5 parts by mass, even more preferably 0 to 1 part by mass.
In the general formula (IV), R11, R12 and R13 each independently represent a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 4 or more carbon atoms (generally having 4 to 18 carbon atoms). The position of the substituents R11, R12 and R13 may be any of an ortho-, para- or meta-position.
[Phosphate Compound (B) not Containing Sulfur Atom]
Preferably, the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention further contains a phosphate compound (B) not containing a sulfur atom.
As the component (B), a triphosphate or acid phosphate compound is preferred, and a triphosphate or acid phosphate compound represented by the following general formula (b1) is more preferred.
In the general formula (b1), R14 represents a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 24 carbon atoms, and m represents 1, 2 or 3. When m is 2 or 3, plural R14O's may be the same as or different from each other.
In the general formula (b1), the hydrocarbon group having 2 to 24 carbon atoms represented by R14 includes an alkyl group having 2 to 24 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 24 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, and an arylalkyl group having 7 to 24 carbon atoms.
The alkyl group having 2 to 24 carbon atoms and the alkenyl group having 2 to 24 carbon atoms may be linear, branched or cyclic, and examples thereof include an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, various pentyl groups, various hexyl groups, various octyl groups, various decyl groups, various dodecyl groups, various tetradecyl groups, various hexadecyl groups, various octadecyl groups, various nonadecyl groups, various eicosyl groups, various heneicosyl groups, various docosyl groups, various tricosyl groups, various tetracosyl groups, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, an allyl group, a propenyl group, various butenyl groups, various hexenyl groups, various octenyl groups, various decenyl groups, various dodecenyl groups, various tetradecenyl groups, various hexadecenyl groups, various octadecenyl groups, various nonadecenyl groups, various eicosenyl groups, various heneicosenyl groups, various docosenyl groups, various tricosenyl groups, various tetracosenyl groups, a cyclopentenyl group, and a cyclohexenyl group.
Examples of the aryl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms include a phenyl group, a tolyl group, a xylyl group, a naphthyl group, and a biphenyl group. Examples of the arylalkyl group having 7 to 24 carbon atoms include a benzyl group, a phenethyl group, a naphthylmethyl group, a methylbenzyl group, a methylphenethyl group, and a methylnaphthylmethyl group.
The phosphate compound represented by the general formula (b1) is preferably one having a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms.
Specifically, the acid phosphoric monoester with m=1 includes monoethyl acid phosphate, mono-n-propyl acid phosphate, mono-n-butyl acid phosphate, mono-2-ethylhexyl acid phosphate, monododecyl acid phosphate (monolauryl acid phosphate), monotetradecyl acid phosphate (monomyristyl acid phosphate), monopalmityl acid phosphate, monooctadecyl acid phosphate (monostearyl acid phosphate), and mono-9-octadecenyl acid phosphate (monooleyl acid phosphate).
The acid phosphoric diester with m=2 includes di-n-butyl acid phosphate, di-2-ethylhexyl acid phosphate, didecyl acid phosphate, didodecyl acid phosphate (dilauroyl acid phosphate), di(tridecyl) acid phosphate, dioctadecyl acid phosphate (distearyl acid phosphate), and di-9-octadecenyl acid phosphate (dioleyl acid phosphate).
Further, the phosphoric triester with m=3 includes a triaryl phosphate, and a trialkyl phosphate; and examples thereof include mono-t-butylphenykliphenyl phosphate, di-t-butylphenylphenyl phosphate, benzyldiphenyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, tributyl phosphate, tridecyl phosphate, ethyldibutyl phosphate, and triethylphenyl phosphate.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, one alone may be used for the component (B) or two or more kinds may be used in combination. Further, amine salts and imide salts of these phosphate compounds may also be used.
In the case where the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention contains the component (B), the content thereof is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 1.2% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 1.1% by mass or less. In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, when the content of the component (B) is 0.1% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less, a lubricating oil composition having more excellent wear resistance in a wide range of contact pressures ranging from high to low can be provided.
[Sulfur-Based Compound (C) Containing 2 or more Sulfur Atoms in Molecule and not Containing Phosphorus Atom]
Preferably, the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention further contains a sulfur-based compound (C) containing 2 or more sulfur atoms in the molecule and not containing a phosphorus atom (hereinafter may be referred to as “sulfur-based compound (C)”).
The sulfur-based compound (C) is preferably one that is given a rating of 2 or less in a copper corrosion test (JIS K 2513) where the compound is added to the base oil to be contained in the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention in an amount of 1% by mass and tested under the measurement condition of 100° C. for 3 hours. The sulfur-based compound (C) given a rating of 2 or less in the copper corrosion test can better heat resistance of the lubricating oil composition. More preferably, the rating in the copper corrosion test is 1.
The sulfur-based compound (C) is preferably an organic compound containing 2 or more sulfur atoms in the molecule and not containing a phosphorus atom, and preferred examples of the sulfur-based compound (C) include a dithiocarbamate compound. Examples of the dithiocarbamate compound include an alkylenebisdialkyl dithiocarbamate. Above all, compounds having an alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms and an linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms or a cyclic alkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms are preferably used. Examples of such sulfur-based compounds (C) include methylenebis(dibutyldithiocarbamate), methylenebis(dioctyldithiocarbamate), and methylenebis(tridecyldithiocarbamate). Among these, from the viewpoint of improving wear resistance, methylenebis(dibutyldithiocarbamate) is preferred.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, one alone may be used for the component (C) or two or more kinds may be used in combination.
In the case where the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention contains a sulfur-based compound (C), the content thereof is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less, more preferably 0.02% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 0.2% by mass or less. In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, when the content of the component (C) is 0.01% by mass or more based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, a lubricating oil composition having more excellent wear resistance in a wide range of contact pressures ranging from high to low can be provided. When the content of the component (C) is 1% by mass or less based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, sludge formation may be prevented.
The lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention may contain, as needed, any other anti-wear agent, extreme-pressure agent and the like except the components (A) to (C) within a range not detracting from the advantageous effects of the present invention. The content of the other anti-wear agent and extreme-pressure agent than the components (A) to (C) in the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention is, relative to 100 parts by mass of the component (A), preferably 0 to 10 parts by mass, more preferably 0 to 5 parts by mass, even more preferably 0 to 1 part by mass.
[Antioxidant (D)]
Preferably, the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention further contain an antioxidant (D).
As the antioxidant (D), a phenol-based antioxidant, an amine-based antioxidant and the like are preferably used.
The phenol-based antioxidant is not specifically limited, and for example, may be suitably selected any desired one from known phenol-based antioxidants heretofore used as an antioxidant for lubricating oil. Examples of the phenol-based antioxidant include 4,4′methylenebis(2,6-di-t-butylphenol), 4,4′-bis(2,6-di-t-butylphenol), 4,4′-bis(2-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 2,2′-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-t-butylphenol), 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 4,4′-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 4,4′-isopropylidenebis(2,6-di-t-butylphenol), 2,2′-methylenebis (4-methyl-6-nonylphenol), 2,2′-isobutylidenebis(4,6-dimethylphenol), 2,2′-methylenebis (4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol), 2,6-t-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-ethylphenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-t-butylphenol, 2,6 di-t-amyl-p-cresol, 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-(N′,N′-dimethylaminomethylphenol), 4,4′-thiobis(2-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 4,4′-thiobis(3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol, 2,2′-thiobis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), bis(3-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylbenzyl) sulfide, bis(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) sulfide, n-octyl-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-di-t-butylphenyl)propionate, n-octadecyl-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-di-t-butylphenyl)propionate, and 2,2′-thio[diethyl-bis-3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]. Among these, bisphenol-based antioxidants and ester group-containing phenol-based antioxidants are preferred.
Examples of the amine-based antioxidant include monoaldiphenylamine-based antioxidants such as monooctyldiphenylamine, and monononydiphenylamine; dialkydiphenylamine-based antioxidants such as 4,4′-dibutyldiphenylamine, 4,4′-dipentyldiphenylamine, 4,4′-dihexyldiphenylamine, 4,4′-diheptyldiphenylamine, 4,4′-dioctyldiphenylamine, and 4,4′-dinonyldiphenylamine; polyalkyldiphenylamine-based antioxidants such as tetrabutyliphenylamine, tetrahexyldiphenylamine, tetraoctyldiphenylamine, and tetranonyldiphenylamine; naphthylamine-based antioxidants such as αnaphthylamine, and phenyl-α-naphthylamine; alkyl-substituted phenyl-α-naphthylamines such as butylphenyl-α-naphthylamine, pentylphenyl-α-naphthylamine, hexylphenyl-α-naphthylamine, heptylphenyl-α-naphthylamine, and octylphenyl-α-naphthylamine. Among these, dialkydiphenylamine-based antioxidants and naphthylamine-based antioxidants are preferred.
For the antioxidant (D), one alone may be used or two or more kinds may be used in combination. For example, from the viewpoint of the effect of antioxidation, a mixture of one or more kinds of phenol-based antioxidants and one or more kinds of amine-based antioxidants is preferred.
The content of the antioxidant (D) may be appropriately controlled within a range not detracting from wear resistance, and is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, generally 0.01 to 10% by mass, preferably 0.05 to 8% by mass, more preferably 0.10 to 5% by mass.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, specifically, preferred examples of the combination of the above-mentioned constituent components are embodiments of the following <1> to <3>.
The lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention may contain, as needed, any other additives for a lubricating oil than the components (A) to (D) (hereinafter may be simply referred to as “lubricant additives”) within a range not detracting from the advantageous effects of the present invention.
Examples of such lubricant additives include a rust inhibitor, a metal deactivator, and an anti-foaming agent.
A compound having plural functions as the above-mentioned additives may also be used.
Further, one alone of various lubricant additives may be used or two or more kinds thereof may be used in combination.
The content of the lubricant additive may be appropriately controlled within a range not detracting from the advantageous effects of the present invention, and is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, generally 0.0005 to 15% by mass, preferably 0.001 to 10% by mass, more preferably 0.005 to 8% by mass.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, the total content of these lubricant additives is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, preferably 0 to 40% by mass, more preferably 0 to 30% by mass, even more preferably 0 to 20% by mass, further more preferably 0 to 15% by mass.
The rust inhibitor includes petroleum sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, dinonylnaphthalene sulfonates, alkenylsuccinates, and polyalcohol esters. The content of the rust inhibitor is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, preferably 0.001 to 1% by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5% by mass.
The metal deactivator includes benzotriazole compounds, tolyltriazole compounds, thiadiazole compounds and imidazole compounds. The content of the metal deactivator is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, preferably 0.001 to 1% by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5% by mass.
The anti-foaming agent includes silicone oils, fluorosilicone oils and fluoroalkyl ethers. The content of the anti-foaming agent is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, preferably 0.01 to 1% by mass, more preferably 0.02 to 0.5% by mass.
[Method for Producing Lubricating Oil Composition]
A method for producing the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention includes a step of blending a base oil and a thiophosphate compound (A) represented by the general formula (I) and does not includes a step of blending a molybdenum-based compound.
In this, as needed, a phosphate compound (B) not containing a sulfur atom, a sulfur-based compound (C) having 2 or more sulfur atoms in the molecule and not containing a phosphorus atom, an antioxidant (D), and the above-mentioned lubricant additives may be blended.
The blending amount of the components (A) to (C) is so controlled as to fall within the above-mentioned content range based on the total amount of the resultant lubricating oil composition, and the same shall apply to the other components.
After blended, the components are stirred and uniformly mixed according to a known method.
A lubricating oil composition in which a part of the components have denatured after blending or two components have reacted with each other to form a different component also belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.
[Physical Properties of Lubricating Oil Composition]
The kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention is, from the viewpoint of lubricity, cooling performance and reduction in friction loss during stirring, preferably 40 mm2/s or more.
From the same viewpoint, the kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention is preferably 40 mm2/s or more and 1650 mm2/s or less, more preferably 50 mm2/s or more and 1500 mm2/s or less, even more preferably 60 mm2/s or more and 1200 mm2/s or less, further more preferably 60 mm2/s or more and 1100 mm2/s or less.
The viscosity index of the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention is, from the viewpoint of suppressing viscosity change with temperature change, preferably 60 or more, more preferably 70 or more, even more preferably 80 or more, further more preferably 90 or more, and especially preferably 100 or more.
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, phosphorus (P) content is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, preferably 200 ppm by mass or more, more preferably 250 ppm or more and 1,000 ppm by mass or less, even more preferably 300 ppm by mass or more and 900 ppm by mass or less, further more preferably 400 ppm by mass or more and 800 ppm by mass or less. When the phosphorus content is 200 ppm by mass or more, a lubricating oil composition having better wear resistance can be provided. The phosphorus atom-containing compound includes the thiophosphate compound of the above-mentioned component (A) and the phosphate compound of the component (B).
In the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention, sulfur (S) content is, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, preferably 300 ppm by mass or more, more preferably 350 ppm by mass or more and 2,000 ppm by mass or less, even more preferably 400 ppm by mass or more and 1,800 ppm by mass or less, further more preferably 500 ppm by mass or more and 1,600 ppm by mass or less, and especially preferably 420 ppm by mass or more and 1,020 ppm by mass or less. When the sulfur content is 300 ppm by mass or more, a lubricating oil composition can be provided which can have more excellent wear resistance in a wide range of contact pressures ranging from high to low to such an extent that the composition can resist to lubrication conditions required for precision reduction gears to be incorporated in joint sites of industrial robots that are given an extremely large load and are readily worn to form wear debris.
Examples of the sulfur atom-containing compound include the thiophosphate compounds of the above-mentioned component (A) and the sulfur-based compounds of the component (C).
[Use of Lubricating Oil Composition]
The lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention has excellent wear resistance and can sufficiently reduce sludge generation in a wide range of contact pressures ranging from high to low to such an extent that the composition can resist to lubrication conditions required for precision reduction gears to be incorporated in joint sites of industrial robots that are given an extremely large load and are readily worn to form wear debris, and therefore the lubricating oil composition can be favorably used in precision reduction gears to be incorporated in joint sites of industrial robots that are given an extremely large load and are readily worn to form wear debris,
[Precision Reduction Gear]
The precision reduction gear of one embodiment of the present invention is a precision reduction gear using the lubricating oil composition of one embodiment of the present invention. Even when wear debris is mixed in the lubricating oil composition used in the precision reduction gear of one embodiment of the present invention, the lubricating oil composition can be exchanged without disassembling the precision reduction gear, and therefore, when the precision reduction gear is incorporated in joint sites of industrial robots, the maintenance performance thereof can be improved as compared with that using grease. The precision reduction gear of one embodiment of the present invention is preferably used in industrial robots.
The precision reduction gear of one embodiment of the present invention includes a differential gear reducer such as an oscillating reduction gear, a wavy reduction gear, and an impulse reduction gear. Specifically, there are mentioned Cyclo (registered trademark) reduction gear by Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., RV reduction gear by Nabtesco Corporation, Harmonic Drive (registered trademark) by Harmonic Drive Systems Inc., etc.
Regarding use thereof, the precision reduction gear of one embodiment of the present invention is used in a field that requires low backflush for precision positioning accuracy such as joint sites of robots, automatic tool exchangers in working machines, blade angle-adjusting pitch derives in wind-driven generators, and roll Yaw drives.
Next, the present invention is described in more detail with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not whatsoever limited by these Examples.
Components shown in Table 1 were blended to prepare lubricating oil composition in such a manner that the molybdenum, phosphorus and sulfur atom content therein, based on the total amount of the lubricating oil composition, could be as shown in Table 1 (% by mass, ppm by mass). The properties of the compositions are shown in Table 1. Details of the components are mentioned below. In the case where the component is dispersed in a mineral oil, the content of each component (% by mass) shown in Table 1 is the content thereof as a dispersion containing the mineral oil.
[Base Oil]
The dithiocarbamate compound (C1) was given a rating of 2 in a copper corrosion test (JIS K 2513) where the compound was added to the base oil used in the lubricating oil composition in an amount of 1% by mass and tested under the measurement condition of 100° C. for 3 hours.
(Other Additives than Components (A) to (C))
The lubricating oil compositions shown in Table 1 were so controlled that the viscosity thereof could satisfy VG100 of the ISO viscosity grade. The lubricating oil compositions shown in Table 1 were so controlled that the viscosity index thereof could be 160 to 240.
The properties of the base oils, the constituent components and the lubricating oil compositions were measured according to the following methods.
Kinematic viscosity at 40° C. and 100° C. was measured according to JIS K 2283.
Measured according to JIS K 2283.
The content of molybdenum atom and phosphorus atom was measured according to JPI-5S-38-03, and the content of sulfur atom was measured according to JIS K2541-6.
The lubricating oil compositions of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 shown in Table 1 were tested in a friction test according to the method mentioned below, and the properties thereof were evaluated. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.
[Frictional Wear Test Under Line Contact Condition (1)]
Using a reciprocating friction tester (SRV friction tester by Optimol Corporation) described in DIN51834, and using a cylinder as the upper test piece and a disc as a lower test piece, the lubricating oil compositions of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were tested in a friction test under the condition mentioned below to measure the wear width (mm) on the cylinder in 120 minutes after the start of the test. A smaller value means more excellent wear resistance.
Using a reciprocating friction tester (SRV friction tester by Optimol Corporation) described in DIN51834, and using a ball as the upper test piece and a disc as a lower test piece, the lubricating oil compositions of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 4 were tested in a friction test under the condition mentioned below, and in 120 minutes after the start of the test, the wear mark expansion on the ball was measured in the X (lateral) direction and the Y (longitudinal) direction using a microscope. The data were averaged to give a wear mark diameter (mm). A smaller value means more excellent wear resistance.
The lubricating oil compositions of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were tested in a lubricating oil thermal stability test at 120° C. for 96 hours according to JIS K2540. 100 ml of each lubricating oil composition after the test was filtered through a cellulose filter having a pore size of 0.8 μm to collect sludge, then the lubricating oil composition having remained on the cellulose filter was washed away with n-hexane, and the sludge amount having remained on the cellulose filter was quantitatively determined.
As in Table 1, in the test (1), Examples 1 to 4 had a small wear mark width and had excellent wear resistance as compared with Comparative Examples 1 to 3, 5 and 6.
Also in the test (2) where the contact pressure was larger than in the test (1), the wear mark diameter in Examples 1 to 4 was small as compared with that in Comparative Examples 2 to 6 where the wear mark diameter could be measured, therefore also resulting in that Examples 1 to 4 had excellent wear resistance. In Comparative Example 1, wear was so large as to cause seizure, and therefore the wear mark diameter could not be measured.
In sludge generation evaluation, the sludge amount in Examples 1 to 4 was small as compared with that in Comparative Example 6 (containing a molybdenum compound), therefore resulting in reduced sludge generation therein.
Accordingly, the results in Examples 1 to 4 are that the lubricating oil compositions had excellent wear resistance and had small sludge generation.
The present invention can provide a lubricating oil composition which has excellent wear resistance and reduces sludge generation in a wide range of contact pressures ranging from high to low to such an extent that the composition can resist to lubrication conditions required for precision reduction gears to be incorporated in joint sites of industrial robots that are given an extremely large load and are readily worn to form wear debris. The precision reduction gear of the present invention is a precision reduction gear that uses a lubricating oil composition excellent in wear resistance and capable of reducing sludge generation, and therefore, even when wear debris is mixed in the lubricating oil composition, the lubricating oil composition can be exchanged without disassembling the precision reduction gear, that is, the maintenance performance of the precision reduction gear using the lubricating oil composition of the present invention is better than a case using grease, and consequently, the precision reduction gear of the present invention is useful for industrial robots.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-073029 | Mar 2016 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2017/013644 | 3/31/2017 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017/171020 | 10/5/2017 | WO | A |
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| 20190100712 A1 | Apr 2019 | US |
