DE102018203833A1 - Method and device for inspecting a component for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for examining a component for a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing a model (1) of the component, wherein the model (1) is transparent to light visible to the human eye at least in a partial region (T); Passing a fluid (5) through the model (1) such that the fluid (5) flows through at least the transparent portion (T); targeted displacement of the fluid (5) with at least one substance (8) which fluoresces under UV illumination and thereby emits visible light to the human eye; and illuminating the at least the transparent portion (T) and flowing through the substance (8) offset fluid (5) with UV radiation (11), so that the fluid (5) at least in the transparent portion (T) fluoresces and thereby for the human eye radiates visible light.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for examining a component for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle.

Modern motor vehicles usually have a plurality of components which can be flowed through by a fluid, such as, for example, a liquid coolant, in particular, or flow through during operation of the motor vehicle. The coolant is used to avoid excessively high temperatures of the respective component. In this case, a streamlined guidance of the fluid through the respective component is desirable to keep flow pressure losses low and to be able to realize a particularly efficient and safe operation as a result.

The EP 0 022 507 B1 discloses a method for chemically recording boundary layer flows by flowing uncompressed electrically anodized aluminum surfaces with a moving medium to which reactive acidic or basic agents are admixed. From the DE 42 00 309 A1 For example, an apparatus and a method for determining a flow of a flow medium are known. In addition, the disclosed EP 3 018 454 A1 a flow measuring method.

Furthermore, the DE 299 08 174 U1 to take a known water pipe, in which a liquid such as water in a transparent hollow cylinder is rotated. The liquid can be added to fluorescent substances, wherein the liquid is irradiated with UV light.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device by means of which components for motor vehicles can be examined particularly advantageously.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of patent claim 1 and by a device having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for examining a component through which a medium can flow for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle such as a passenger car. In a first step of the method, a model of the component is provided, wherein the model is optically transparent to light, which is visible to the human eye, at least in a partial area. In other words, at least the portion is transparent to light having wavelengths in the optical spectral range, so that the light is visible to the human eye and thus can be visually perceived by a human person with their human eyes. In a second step of the method, a fluid is passed through the model so that the fluid flows at least through the transparent portion. As the fluid, the medium itself may be utilized, or as the fluid, a fluid simulating the medium may be used so that, for example, as the fluid, a substitute fluid other than the medium is used. The fluid is passed through the model and thus at least through the subregion. The medium and / or the fluid is, for example, a particular liquid coolant for cooling the component, or an example liquid fuel, in particular for operating an internal combustion engine, or an oil, in particular for lubricating and / or cooling of the component.

In a third step of the method, the fluid is deliberately mixed with at least one substance which fluoresces under UV illumination and thereby emits or emits visible light for the human eye. Under the feature that the fluid is specifically added to the at least one substance, it is to be understood that the substance is deliberately or desired introduced into the fluid or added to the fluid, so that the substance is not about random, but desired or targeted in the fluid is included. Preferably, the substance is specifically or actively, in particular by means of a mixing device, mixed with the fluid in order to realize an advantageous mixing of the fluid with the substance.

In addition, the method according to the invention has a fourth step, in which the fluid flowing through the material, at least the transparent subarea, is illuminated or irradiated with UV radiation so that the fluid fluoresces at least in the transparent subarea and thereby at least in the transparent subarea emits or emits visible light to the human eye. In particular, the fluid is illuminated or irradiated with the UV light by means of a lighting device, so that the fluid flowing through at least the partial region emits visible light to the human eye. The fluorescent light emitted therefrom by the fluorescence of the fluid can penetrate the transparent partial area and be visually perceived by a person outside the model or its surroundings with their human eyes, whereby the Model flowing through fluid or its flow through the model is particularly advantageous, vivid and comprehensible visualized.

Preferably, the portion is transparent to UV light, that is permeable. The fluid flowing through at least the transparent subarea is, for example, illuminated with UV light in such a way that the illumination device located in the vicinity of the model emits the UV light. The UV light emitted by the illumination device can penetrate the subarea that is preferably also transparent to UV light, as a result of which the fluid flowing through at least the transparent subarea is illuminated by the UV light emitted by the illumination device. As a result, the fluid fluoresces and releases the previously described fluorescent light, which can penetrate the partial area and thus reach the surroundings of the model.

The invention is based in particular on the following finding: In modern motor vehicles, the requirement for the, in particular engine-internal, cooling of loaded components is increasing steadily. This requires a targeted supply of the components or critical areas of the components with a coolant such as a gas or a liquid. It has been found that the most efficient use possible of an available volume flow of the coolant or a medium requires a visual plausibility of underlying flow calculations or flow simulations and the identification of poorly flowed areas, so that subsequent optimization measures can be performed. Such a visual plausibility check is possible in a particularly advantageous manner by the method according to the invention, since any flow-unfavorable regions or geometries of the model and thus of the component can easily be identified on the basis of the fluorescent fluid flowing through the model. In principle, different processes exist for fluids such as liquids, in particular water, air or other gases, in order to make respective flows visible. These methods include the introduction of substances such as per se by means of the human eye visible colors, air bubbles or vapor as well as the application of paint or thin threads on surfaces of objects flowing around. In cooling systems of motor vehicles, especially of internal combustion engines, the above-mentioned methods are not or only partially applicable, since the flow-through areas are generally not visible from the outside. This problem can now be solved because not the component per se, but the model replicating the model is used. Furthermore, it is possible to combine model components that simulate critical areas with original components.

By way of example, the substance used is a UV-luminescent color which is injected, for example, into the fluid during UV illumination. The color is, for example, colorless per se and fluoresces or luminesces only when illuminated with UV light, as a result of which areas which are poorly flowed through can be visualized and recorded optically in a particularly advantageous manner.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if images of at least the subarea and the fluorescent fluid flowing through the subarea are detected by means of at least one camera. For example, the captured images are visually evaluated and analyzed. For this purpose, the images are subjected to, for example, an image processing method. Results of the image processing method or the visual evaluation and analysis of the images can be used to calibrate a flow simulation by means of which the flow of the medium or of the fluid through the component is simulated. By means of the method according to the invention, it is possible, in particular, to visualize flow lines even at maximum medium or fluid throughput, in particular coolant throughput, for example at rated speeds of an internal combustion engine, so that regions which are poorly flowed through can be identified particularly advantageously. In addition, the method according to the invention can be realized particularly cost-effectively, so that a particularly advantageous flow through the model and in the sequence of the component can be realized in a particularly cost-effective manner.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a high-speed camera is used as the camera, which detects significantly more than 24 images per second. In particular, at least 100 and preferably at least 1000 images per second are detected, for example, by means of the high-speed camera. As a result, the fluid or its flow through the subregion can be examined and evaluated particularly advantageously.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a model is used as the model whose dimensions and geometry correspond to the dimensions and the geometry of the component. As a result, results obtained by examining or checking the model can be transmitted particularly well to the component per se, so that the component with respect to the flow of preferably gaseous or liquid Medium can be optimized by the component particularly advantageous.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a component of an internal combustion engine for driving the motor vehicle is examined as the component. This embodiment is based on the idea that components of internal combustion engines are usually not or only very expensive in terms of flow of a medium, in particular a coolant can be examined by the component, which can now be realized in a simple and cost-effective manner.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine is examined as the component. This embodiment is based on the finding that flow processes in such cylinder heads are particularly complex, which can now be visualized in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

It has been found to be particularly advantageous if a housing of an exhaust gas turbocharger is examined as the component. In particular, housings of exhaust gas turbochargers are not or only very expensive to investigate with regard to flows of coolants through such housing, the inventive method now allows a particularly cost-effective and advantageous optical examination.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the model is produced by a generative manufacturing process, in particular by 3D printing. As a result, the method can be carried out particularly inexpensively.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the model is made of a plastic, at least in the partial area. As a result, the model can be produced particularly inexpensively. In addition, a particularly advantageous transparency of the sub-area can be ensured.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a device for examining a component through which a medium can flow for a motor vehicle. Thus, the device according to the invention is designed for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The device according to the invention has a model of the component, wherein the model is transparent, at least in a partial region, for light visible to the human eye and preferably for UV light. The apparatus further includes a fluid source for providing and directing fluid through the model so that the fluid flows at least through the transparent portion. The device further comprises an adding device for selectively displacing the fluid with at least one substance which fluoresces under UV illumination and thereby emits visible light to the human eye. Furthermore, the device according to the invention comprises a lighting device for illuminating the at least the transparent portion flowing through and offset with the substance fluid with UV radiation or UV light, so that the fluid fluoresces at least in the transparent portion and thereby emits visible light to the human eye , Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention and vice versa.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with the accompanying drawings. The single FIGURE shows a schematic representation of a method according to the invention and a device according to the invention for examining a component through which a medium can flow for a motor vehicle, in particular for an internal combustion engine for driving the motor vehicle.

In the following, a method for examining a component through which a medium can flow for a motor vehicle will be described with reference to the single FIGURE. The medium in the present exemplary embodiment is, for example, a liquid coolant. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the medium is a fuel or an oil. The motor vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, which can be driven by an internal combustion engine which is also referred to as an engine or internal combustion engine. The component to be examined by means of the method is, for example, a component of the internal combustion engine, wherein the component may in particular be a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine or a housing of an exhaust gas turbocharger of the internal combustion engine.

The component itself can have at least one or more channels, which are or can be flowed through by the coolant. The coolant is a liquid and can have at least water. A flow of the coolant through the component can be simulated, for example, by means of a simulation, in particular by means of a 3D CFD simulation. However, it is desirable to make such simulations plausible by optical inspection. In other words, it is desirable that to inspect and evaluate the coolant flowing through the component or its flow through the component optically. One problem with this, however, is that the component per se is not transparent, so that the flow of the coolant through the component can not be optically detected. However, the method described below now makes it possible to examine the component optically particularly advantageously. For this purpose, for example, in a first step of the method, a model 1 provided the component. The model 1 is at least part of it T transparent to the human eye and preferably transparent to UV light or UV radiation, that is permeable. In the embodiment illustrated in the figure, the entire model is 1 for visible to the human eye light and preferably transparent or permeable to UV light. This is the model 1 For example, from a material, in particular made of a plastic, which is transparent to the human eye visible light and preferably for UV light or UV radiation, that is permeable. The method is by means of a device 2 performed the model 1 having. This means that it is not the part itself that is examined, but the part is modeled 1 examined, which simulates the component. Preferably, dimensions and geometries of the model correspond 1 the dimensions and geometries of the component so that the model 1 is a 1-to-1 model of the component.

The model 1 has at least one connection 3 on. In addition, the model points 1 as the component itself at least one channel through which the coolant can flow. In a second step of the method, the fluid is passed through the model and thereby at least through the channel, so that the fluid at least through the transparent portion T flows. The fluid used is, for example, a fluid simulating the medium or the coolant or the medium or the coolant itself. For this purpose, the device comprises 2 a fluid source 4 which, for example, a tank receiving the fluid designated 5 in FIG 6 and a line 7 having. The administration 7 on the one hand fluidic with the tank 6 and on the other hand, fluidly with the port 3 connected, so that the fluid 5 from the tank 6 emanate and into the pipe 7 infuse as well as the line 7 can flow through. That the line 7 flowing fluid is through the line 7 to the connection 3 headed and can from the line 7 off and on the connection 3 flow. About the connection 3 can the fluid in the model 1 and thus at least in the subarea T stream and subsequently the model 1 flow through. As part of the process thus the fluid 5 from the tank 6 by means of the line 7 to that and especially in the model 1 passed, so the fluid is the model 1 and at least the transparent part T flows through.

Alternatively, the connection is omitted 3 , provided a premixed fluid, which, for example, the fluid 5 and the stuff 8th has, is used. As part of the process, therefore, the premixed fluid from the tank 6 by means of the line 7 to that and especially in the model 1 passed, so the fluid is the model 1 and at least the transparent part T flows through.

In a third step of the process, the fluid 5 specifically added with at least one substance which under UV illumination, that is, when the substance is irradiated to UV light or UV radiation, fluoresces and thereby emits visible light to the human eye. The third step may be performed before the second step and / or before the first step.

To the fluid 5 specifically to offset the designated in the figure with 8 material, the device has 2 For example, a Beigabeeinrichtung 9 on, by means of which the fluid 5 specifically with the substance 8th is offset. This means that the substance 8th targeted or desired by means of the addition device 9 into the fluid 5 is introduced, so that with the substance 8th staggered or mixed fluid 5 through the model 1 and at least through the subarea T flows.

In a fourth step of the method, this becomes at least the transparent partial area T flowing through and with the substance 8th staggered fluid 5 by means of a lighting device 10 with UV radiation 11 , ie with UV light, illuminated or irradiated, so that the fluid 5 - while passing through the model 1 and thus at least through the subarea T flows - fluoresces and thereby emits visible light to the human eye. In the embodiment illustrated in the figure, the fluid becomes 5 such by means of the illumination device 10 Illuminates that the lighting device 10 in the neighborhood 12 of the model 1 that is outside the model 1 , is arranged and the UV radiation 11 provides. The of the lighting device 10 in the neighborhood 12 provided UV radiation 11 Can the model transparent to UV radiation 1 and thus the subarea T penetrate, so the UV radiation 11 from the surroundings 12 through the model 1 through into the model 1 and can penetrate into the channel. In this way, the fluid flowing through the channel 5 with the UV radiation 11 illuminated, so that the channel or the model 1 flowing fluid 5 fluoresces and thus emits visible light to the human eye. Because the model 1 or the subarea T is transparent to visible to the human eye, that of the fluorescent fluid 5 emitted light the model 1 or the subarea T penetrate and thus from within the model 1 at its surroundings 12 reach. That of the fluorescent fluid 5 Provided light can be from one in the environment 12 restrained person with their human eyes are visually perceived.

In addition, the device includes 2 preferably at least one especially in the environment 12 arranged camera 13 which is preferably designed as a high-speed camera. By means of the camera 13 be at least part of the pictures T and of the subarea T detected by flowing and fluorescent fluid. The from the camera 13 Captured images, for example, an electronic processing unit 14 supplied, by means of which an image processing is performed. The by means of the camera 13 Captured images are subjected to image processing, so that for example by means of the camera 13 detected fluid 5 and in particular its flow through a model 1 can be evaluated. The image processing provides, for example, data which is the model 1 flowing fluid 5 , in particular its flow through the model 1 , characterize. The data can be used, for example, to validate and / or adapt a simulation of a flow of the coolant through the component carried out by means of an electronic computing device. In particular, it is possible based on the fluorescent and the model 1 flowing fluid 5 possible, flow-unfavorable areas of the model 1 to be able to identify optically, which can be deduced on flow-unfavorable areas of the component. As a result, as well as possibly based on the data described above, the flow-unfavorable regions can be optimized or improved, so that a particularly streamlined guidance of the coolant through the component can be realized in a simple manner.

The described method and the device 2 allow flow lines of the fluid 5 or the coolant itself at maximum fluid or coolant throughput and thereby make it visible, for example, at a nominal power speed of the internal combustion engine, so that the component based on the model 1 can be studied particularly advantageous.

In order to carry out the process particularly cost-effective, is the model 1 preferably produced by a generative manufacturing method and thus by a rapid prototyping method, wherein the model 1 in particular can be made by 3D printing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

model

2

contraption

3

connection

4

fluid source

5

fluid

6

tank

7

management

8th

material

9

adding means

10

lighting device

11

UV radiation

12

Surroundings

13

camera

14

electronic computing device

T

subregion

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0022507 B1 [0003]
• DE 4200309 A1 [0003]
• EP 3018454 A1 [0003]
• DE 29908174 U1 [0004]

Claims (10)

A method of inspecting a component for a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: - Providing a model (1) of the component, wherein the model (1) is transparent at least in a partial area (T) for visible to the human eye light; - Passing a fluid (5) through the model (1), so that the fluid (5) at least through the transparent portion (T) flows; - targeted displacement of the fluid (5) with at least one substance (8) which fluoresces under UV illumination and thereby emits visible light to the human eye; and - Illuminating the at least the transparent portion (T) and flowing through the substance (8) offset fluid (5) with UV radiation (11), so that the fluid (5) at least in the transparent portion (T) fluoresces and thereby for the human eye radiates visible light. Method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that by means of at least one camera (13) images of at least the sub-region (T) and of the sub-region (T) flowing through and fluorescent fluid (5) are detected. Method according to Claim 2 , characterized in that a high-speed camera is used as the camera (13). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a model (1) is used as the model (1) whose dimensions and geometry correspond to the dimensions and the geometry of the component. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a component of an internal combustion engine for driving the motor vehicle is examined as the component. Method according to Claim 5 , characterized in that as the component, a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine is examined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a housing of an exhaust gas turbocharger is examined as the component. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the model (1) is produced by a generative manufacturing process, in particular 3D printing. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the model (1) is produced at least in the partial area (T) from a plastic. Device (2) for inspecting a component for a motor vehicle, comprising: a model (1) of the component, the model being transparent to light visible to the human eye, at least in a partial region (T); - A fluid source (4) for providing and passing a fluid (5) through the model (1), so that the fluid (5) at least through the transparent portion (T) flows; - An adding device (9) for selectively displacing the fluid (5) with at least one substance (8) which fluoresces under UV illumination and thereby emits visible light to the human eye; and - A lighting device (10) for illuminating the at least the transparent portion (T) and flowing through the substance (8) offset fluid (5) with UV radiation (11), so that the fluid at least in the transparent portion (T) fluoresces and thereby radiating visible light to the human eye.

Images