JP2004061117A - Sensor for rolling devices and rolling device with sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase a resonance frequency by reduction in weight of a sensor for a rolling device for improvement in reliability of malfunction determination based on detected vibration and for improvement in thermal conductivity resulting in improvement in detection responsiveness during temperature detection. <P>SOLUTION: In this sensor 20 for the rolling device, a condition of the rolling device 10 is detected by means of detection elements 30 and 31 housed and held in a sensor case 26 fixed to the rolling device. When the sensor case 26 is formed of lightweight metal, the resonance frequency is increased by reduction in weight, and improvement of the thermal conductivity results in improvement of detection responsiveness in temperature detection. Consequently, detection accuracy is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sensor device for a rolling device and a rolling device with a sensor, for detecting the operating state of a rolling device such as a rolling bearing device and a linear motion device, for preventive maintenance of a mechanical device, and for an electrical information device. Used for bearing abnormality detection. In particular, the present invention relates to a sensor device for a rolling device and a rolling device with a sensor used for preventive maintenance of a bearing device, a gear box, and the like of a railway vehicle, an automobile, a transport vehicle, and the like that require reliability.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, large rolling devices, such as axle bearing devices for railway vehicles, prevent the occurrence of inconvenience due to wear and breakage of component parts, and at the same time, reduce the frequency of laborious overhauls and reduce maintenance costs. For the purpose of reducing the number of rolling devices, a rolling device with a sensor equipped with a sensor device for a rolling device for detecting a state of the rolling device has been actively developed.
[0003]
FIG. 4 shows a conventional example of such a rolling device with a sensor.
This sensor-equipped rolling device 80 is a rolling bearing device that rotatably supports the axle 15 of a railway vehicle, and includes a pair of rolling bearings 81, 81 arranged at an axial end of the axle 15 at an axial distance. The structure includes a housing 88 externally fitted to outer rings 82 of the rolling bearings 81, 81, and a rolling device sensor device 90 attached to the housing 88.
[0004]
The rolling device sensor device 90 has a configuration including a sensor case 91 fixed to the housing 88 and a detection element 100 housed and held in the sensor case 91.
The sensor case 91 is formed by integrally forming a hollow main body 91a for accommodating the detection element 100 and a mounting flange portion 91b protruding from an outer periphery of the main body 91a with a heavy metal such as iron or stainless steel. The mounting flange portion 91b is fixed to the housing 88 by being fastened to the housing 88 by screws 99.
[0005]
In this example, the detection element 100 is a vibration detection element that detects the vibration of the rolling bearing 81, and is mounted on a printed board 95 fixed in the main body 91a.
On the printed circuit board 95, in addition to the vibration detecting element 100, other detecting elements added to improve the reliability of the abnormality detection of the bearing device, elements mounted on the board, and the like are electrically connected to an external cable. Circuit components and the like for connection are mounted.
The circuits and elements on the printed circuit board 95 are connected to an external power supply, an arithmetic processing unit, and the like via a cable 98 that passes through a cable outlet 91c of the sensor case 91.
[0006]
The above-described sensor device 90 for a rolling device compares the output of the vibration detecting element 100 with a preset reference value or analyzes the frequency, so that the rolling bearing 81 can be used due to wear or breakage of its component parts. When an unusual vibration occurs, it can be detected.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in order to improve the accuracy of the abnormality determination based on the output signal of the vibration detecting element 100 used in the rolling device sensor device 90, it is necessary that the waveform of the vibration frequency range used for the determination be disturbed by resonance. It is preferable to suppress this. For this purpose, it is effective to increase the resonance frequency by reducing the weight of the rolling device sensor device 90 to enable stable detection up to higher-order frequencies.
However, in the conventional rolling device sensor device 90, since the sensor case 91 is made of a heavy metal such as iron, it is difficult to reduce the weight of the rolling device sensor device 90 as a whole. For this reason, the resonance frequency cannot be increased due to the weight reduction, and in the end, an arithmetic processing device that processes the output of the detection element 100 must perform processing to eliminate the influence of resonance, and the arithmetic processing becomes complicated. Thus, the burden on the arithmetic processing unit has been increased.
[0008]
When the rolling device with a sensor is a bearing device that supports an axle such as an automobile or a railway car, the rolling device and the sensor for the rolling device are used to improve vehicle performance by reducing unsprung load and the like. The weight reduction of each device is an important issue, but the above-described heavy metal sensor case 91 has caused such weight reduction to be difficult.
[0009]
When the rolling device is a rolling bearing device, if a temperature detecting element is added as a detecting element provided in the rolling device sensor device 90, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the operating temperature and the presence or absence of a vibration abnormality can be collated. Thus, the accuracy of determining the presence or absence of an abnormality can be further improved.
As described above, when monitoring the temperature of the rolling device by providing the temperature detecting element, the sensor case is designed so that the temperature change of the rolling device does not slow down due to heat conduction on the sensor case 91. Although it is desirable to impart excellent thermal conductivity to 91, the iron-based material conventionally used for the sensor case 91 is not particularly excellent in thermal conductivity as compared with other metal materials, and is not improved. There was room.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to increase the resonance frequency by reducing the weight, to prevent the waveform of the vibration frequency range used for determination from being disturbed by resonance, It is possible to improve the accuracy in performing an abnormality determination based on the vibration generated by the rolling device, and when the rolling device with the sensor is unsprung, the unsprung load due to the weight reduction of the sensor device for the rolling device is reduced. The temperature can be reduced, and the sensor case has excellent thermal conductivity. When the temperature detecting element is provided in the rolling device sensor device, the rolling device can be accurately and responsively mounted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a rolling device sensor device and a sensor-equipped rolling device capable of detecting a temperature change and utilizing the temperature change of the rolling device for determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the rolling device.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object of the present invention is achieved by the following configurations.
(1) A sensor device for a rolling device for detecting a state of the rolling device by a detection element housed and held in a sensor case fixed to the rolling device,
A sensor device for a rolling device, wherein the sensor case is made of a lightweight metal.
(2) The sensor device for a rolling device according to (1), wherein the lightweight metal is an aluminum alloy.
(3) The sensor device for a rolling device according to (1), wherein the lightweight metal is a titanium alloy.
(4) The sensor device for a rolling device according to (1), wherein the lightweight metal is a magnesium alloy.
(5) As the detection element, at least a vibration detection element for detecting vibration of the rolling device is housed and held in the sensor case, any one of (1) to (4) above. 4. A sensor device for a rolling device according to claim 1.
(6) At least one of the above-mentioned (1) to (5), wherein a temperature detecting element for detecting a temperature of the rolling device is housed and held in the sensor case as the detecting element. 4. A sensor device for a rolling device according to claim 1.
(7) The rolling device is provided with the rolling device sensor device according to any one of (1) to (6), and the state of the rolling device is detected by the rolling device sensor device. A rolling device with a sensor.
(8) The rolling device with a sensor according to the above (7), wherein the rolling device is a rolling bearing device.
(9) The rolling device with a sensor according to the above (7), wherein the rolling device is a linear motion device that realizes a linear movement by rolling of a rolling element.
(10) The rolling device with a sensor according to the above (9), wherein the linear motion device is a ball screw.
(11) The rolling device with a sensor according to (9), wherein the linear motion device is a linear guide.
[0012]
According to the rolling device sensor device and the sensor-equipped rolling device having the above-described configurations, the sensor case of the rolling device sensor device that houses and holds the detection element and is fixed to the rolling device is made of a lightweight metal. In comparison with a conventional rolling device sensor device in which the sensor case is made of heavy metal, the resonance frequency can be increased by reducing the weight of the sensor case.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the waveform in the vibration frequency range used for the determination from being disturbed by resonance, and to improve the accuracy in performing the abnormality determination based on the vibration generated by the rolling device.
In addition, when the rolling device with the sensor has an unsprung load, the unsprung load can be reduced by reducing the weight of the rolling device sensor device.
[0013]
In addition, when a lightweight metal used for the sensor case, for example, an aluminum alloy or a titanium alloy is used, these lightweight metals have excellent thermal conductivity as compared with conventional iron-based materials, and therefore have excellent heat conductivity for the sensor case. When the temperature sensor is provided in the rolling device sensor device with conductivity, the temperature change of the rolling device can be detected accurately and responsively, and the temperature of the rolling device can be detected. By utilizing the change in the determination of the presence or absence of an abnormality in the rolling device, the reliability of the determination of the presence or absence of the abnormality can be further improved.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a rolling device 10 with a sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
This sensor-equipped rolling device 10 is a rolling bearing device that rotatably supports a shaft 15, and a pair of rolling bearings (here, ball bearings) 11, which are arranged at an axial end of the shaft 15 at an axial interval. The rolling bearing sensor device 20 includes a rolling bearing device 17 having a housing 11 fitted on the outer races 12 of the rolling bearings 11 and 11. The shaft 15 is fitted inside the inner rings 13 and 13 of the rolling bearing.
[0015]
Here, the outer races 12, 12 and the housing 18 function as an outer member and a stationary member, and the inner races 13, 13 and the shaft 15 function as an inner member and a movable member. ) 14 are arranged.
[0016]
The housing 18 is formed in a cylindrical shape, extends in the axial direction beyond one of the rolling bearings 11 (rightward in the figure), and has an end cover 19 fixed to an end thereof. The shaft 15 terminates in the housing 18 before reaching the end cover 19. The sensor device mounting portion for the rolling device of the housing 18 may be cylindrical or planar.
[0017]
The sensor device 20 for a rolling device includes a sensor unit 24 on which a plurality of types of detection elements for detecting the state of the rolling bearing 11 are mounted on a printed circuit board; a sensor case 26 for housing and holding the sensor unit 24; A cable 23 is inserted through the case 26 to connect the detection element to an external control device or arithmetic processing device.
[0018]
The sensor case 26 includes a case main body 21 having a housing part opened upward, and a case cover 22 that covers an open part of the case main body 21. The case body 21 is provided with a cable outlet (not shown) through which the cable 23 is inserted.
[0019]
In the case of the present embodiment, the case body 21 and the case cover 22 constituting the sensor case 26 are made of an aluminum alloy, which is one of lightweight metals.
The aluminum alloy used in the present embodiment has a specific gravity of about 2.8, and it is preferable to use a duralumin-based aluminum alloy such as A2017, A2020, or A7075. When corrosion resistance is required, A6061 and A6063 are preferable.
Aluminum alloys have the characteristics of being lightweight and having superior thermal conductivity compared to iron-based metal materials, while duralumin-based aluminum alloys have high mechanical strength and robust sensors. You can get a case.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the case body 21 includes a mounting plate 21a placed on the outer surface of the housing 18 without any gap, a side plate 21b erected on the mounting plate 21a, and a housing 18 similar to the mounting plate 21a. A flange 21c that is placed on the outer surface without any gap and protrudes from the side plate 21b toward the outer periphery. A support 21d is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the side plate 21d so as to protrude inside the sensor case, and a printed board 25 is attached to the support with screws (not shown). A plurality of detection elements 30 and 31 are mounted on the printed board 25.
The mounting surface of the mounting plate 21a (the surface facing the outer surface of the housing 18) is set to have a shape that contacts the outer surface of the housing 18 without gaps in order to improve heat transfer and vibration transfer.
[0021]
In the above-described sensor unit 24, the detection element 30 is a vibration detection element (acceleration sensor) that detects vibration generated in the rolling bearing 11 or its components. The detecting element 31 is a temperature detecting element that detects the temperature of the rolling bearing 11.
On the printed circuit board 25 of the sensor unit 24, in addition to the vibration detecting element 30 and the temperature detecting element 31, an electronic component for processing signals from each detecting element and a cable 23 connected to each detecting element. And the like are mounted as appropriate.
[0022]
As the vibration detecting element 30, a silicon acceleration sensor can be used. In this technique, silicon micromachine parts (mechanical elements) are integrated on the same silicon substrate as an electronic circuit, thereby achieving miniaturization, high performance, and low cost. The silicon acceleration sensor is manufactured using an IC manufacturing technology such as photolithography.
However, the vibration detecting element 30 is not limited to the silicon acceleration sensor, and may be a bimorph vibration sensor using a piezoelectric element, a vibration sensor combining a piezoelectric element and a weight, or a vibration sensor having a cantilever structure. Alternatively, a vibration sensor using a strain gauge may be used instead of the piezoelectric element.
Further, instead of the surface mount type vibration detecting element, a lead type vibration detecting element may be used.
[0023]
In the case of the present embodiment, the printed circuit board 25 of the sensor unit 24 is set so that the thickness direction is orthogonal to the direction of the detected vibration (arrow V in the drawing).
[0024]
In order to fix the printed circuit board 25 in the case main body 21, a molding material such as an epoxy resin may be molded and fixed in the case main body 21 instead of using a screw or an adhesive. Further, in the case of fixing with a screw, it may be subsequently molded with an epoxy resin or the like. For waterproofing, a soft silicone resin or silicone gel may be filled.
In the case of molding with a hard resin such as an epoxy resin, it is preferable to cover the detecting element and the electronic parts with a soft resin such as a silicon resin and then mold with a molding material. At this time, if a foaming resin (such as a foaming silicone resin) is covered on a soft resin and then molded with a molding material, the pressure generated due to a difference in thermal expansion coefficient due to a temperature change can be reduced. This is further preferable because damage to electronic components can be prevented. The molding may be performed after the detection element or the electronic component is covered with the foaming resin itself.
[0025]
The vibration detecting element 30 on the printed board 25 detects the vibration of the housing 18 and the axle 15 in the direction indicated by the arrow V.
When the direction of vibration detection is set in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the printed circuit board 25 in this way, compared to the conventional one in which the thickness direction of the printed circuit board is parallel to the direction V of the detected vibration. As a result, the vibration in the bending direction of the printed board 25 can be removed from the detected vibration signal, and the detection accuracy of the vibration detection element 30 can be prevented from being reduced by the bending deformation of the printed board 25 itself.
[0026]
Further, the vibration detection direction may be one direction, two directions, or more directions as long as the direction is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the printed circuit board 25.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, vibrations V1 and V2 in two orthogonal directions can be detected. When vibrations in two directions are detected in this way, by combining the values, vibrations in all directions orthogonal to the thickness direction of the printed circuit board 25 can be detected.
[0027]
The rigidity of the printed circuit board 25 used in the sensor unit 24 in the thickness direction (bending direction) is generally smaller than the rigidity of expansion and contraction of the printed circuit board 25 in the plate surface direction (direction orthogonal to the thickness direction). Therefore, the natural frequency of the printed board 25 in the bending direction is lower than the natural frequency of the board in the expansion and contraction direction.
If the external vibration to be measured has a frequency band including this natural frequency, the printed circuit board 25 resonates in the bending direction. Therefore, when the vibration detection direction is set to the thickness direction of the printed circuit board 25, the vibration of the resonance in the bending direction of the printed circuit board 25 is measured, and the original vibration waveform cannot be accurately measured. .
On the other hand, if the vibration detection direction is set to a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the printed circuit board 25 as in the present embodiment, the vibration in the bending direction is not detected, so that the original vibration waveform can be accurately measured. can do.
[0028]
The natural frequency of the printed circuit board 25 in the bending direction generally exists in the range of 1 to 4 kHz, and often overlaps the frequency band to be measured.
On the other hand, since the natural frequency of the printed circuit board 25 in the expansion and contraction direction is large in rigidity, it is often 10 kHz or more, which is higher than the frequency band to be measured. Therefore, by setting the vibration detection direction of the vibration detection element 30 to a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the printed circuit board 25, it is possible to accurately measure the vibration of the measurement target.
[0029]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the rolling device with a sensor 10 has an unsprung load, the unsprung load can be reduced by reducing the weight of the rolling device sensor device 20.
[0030]
Further, since the aluminum alloy used for the sensor case 26 is superior in thermal conductivity as compared with the conventional iron-based material, the sensor case 26 is provided with excellent thermal conductivity, and When the temperature detecting element 31 is provided, the temperature change of the rolling device can be detected accurately and with good responsiveness, and the temperature change of the rolling device 10 is utilized for determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the rolling device. Thus, the reliability of the determination of the presence or absence of the abnormality can be further improved.
[0031]
In the above embodiment, the signal is extracted by the cable 23. However, the signal may be transmitted wirelessly using a wireless method. In the case of wireless, a rolling device sensor device may be provided on the movable wheel side (on the movable member side).
Further, the rolling bearing 11 in the bearing device 17 is not limited to a ball bearing, but may be a cylindrical roller bearing, a tapered roller bearing, or various double row bearings.
[0032]
Further, in the above-described sensor device 20 for a rolling device, the vibration detecting element 30 and the temperature detecting element 31 are provided as the detecting elements in the case main body 21, but the detecting elements to be mounted are limited to the above-described embodiment. It does not do. As long as at least one of the vibration detection element 30 and the temperature detection element 31 is provided as the detection element provided in the case main body 21, the effect obtained by using a lightweight alloy for the sensor case can be obtained. If necessary, as in the above embodiment, a configuration equipped with both the vibration detecting element 30 and the temperature detecting element 31 may be used, or a speed detecting element, a distortion detecting element, or the like may be combined as a detecting element. It is possible. By providing a speed detection element, it is possible to measure multiple physical quantities of vibration and rotation speed, temperature and rotation speed, and furthermore, vibration, temperature and rotation speed, and to judge as vibration and temperature depending on the rotation speed. Can be more appropriately determined whether or not is abnormal. At this time, since the rotation speed is output as a value proportional to the absolute value or the amount of change of the magnetic flux density, if the sensor case is made of a non-magnetic material, the rotation speed can be accurately measured since the magnetic flux is not cut off. Since lightweight metals such as aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, and magnesium alloys are non-magnetic materials, such effects are also obtained when a speed detecting element is provided as a sensor. In addition, even when a generator using the relative rotation of the rolling device is provided as a power supply for the vibration detecting element and the temperature detecting element, the generator uses the electromotive force proportional to the absolute value and the variation of the magnetic flux density. Similarly, by using a lightweight metal that is a nonmagnetic material, voltage and current can be efficiently supplied to the vibration detecting element and the temperature detecting element.
[0033]
Further, the present invention can be applied not only to the bearing device 17 but also to a ball screw 50 which is a linear motion device that realizes a linear movement by rolling of a rolling element as shown in FIG.
In the ball screw 50, by attaching the rolling device sensor device 60 to the nut 51, it is possible to detect an abnormality such as peeling at an engagement portion between the screw shaft 52 and the nut 51.
The mounting device of the sensor device 60 for the rolling device is not limited to the nut 51, and may be mounted on the support unit 53 on the fixed side or the support unit 54 on the simple support side supporting the screw shaft 52. The screw shaft 52 is axially fixed to a fixed-side support unit 53 by a lock nut 55, and is rotated by a drive motor 57 coupled via a coupling 56.
[0034]
In addition to the ball screw, an abnormality such as peeling can be detected by attaching the rolling device sensor device 60 to a movable portion or a rail of a linear guide or another linear motion device.
[0035]
The lightweight metal material used for the sensor case of the sensor device for a rolling device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
For example, even when a duralumin-based aluminum alloy is used, the use of a corrosion-resistant duralumin such as A5056 and A6061 can make the sensor case 26 exposed outdoors have corrosion resistance.
[0036]
When the sensor case 26 is formed of an aluminum alloy, it is preferable to perform a chemical coating treatment or an anodizing treatment (alumite treatment) as the surface treatment. By performing such a surface treatment, the corrosion resistance can be further improved. In addition, when the alumite treatment is performed, if the hard alumite treatment is performed, the corrosion resistance and the wear resistance can be improved at the same time.
[0037]
As the lightweight metal used for the sensor case 26, a magnesium alloy having a specific gravity of about 1.8 or a titanium alloy having a specific gravity of about 4.5 can be selected.
Since the magnesium alloy is lighter than the aluminum alloy, the weight reduction of the rolling device sensor device 20 can be promoted. Also, when using a magnesium alloy, it is preferable to perform a surface treatment such as an anodic oxidation treatment or a chemical conversion treatment for the purpose of preventing corrosion. When both the corrosion resistance and the wear resistance are to be improved, the anodic oxidation treatment is preferable. It is good to perform processing.
In the case of a titanium alloy, the specific gravity is larger than that of an aluminum alloy, so that the degree of weight reduction is somewhat smaller. However, since the titanium alloy itself has excellent corrosion resistance, surface treatment for improving corrosion resistance can be omitted.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
According to the rolling device sensor device and the rolling device with the sensor of the present invention, the sensor case of the rolling device sensor device is made of a lightweight metal, and the rolling device sensor device is reduced in weight. When the rolling device has an unsprung load, the unsprung load can be reduced by reducing the weight of the rolling device sensor device.
[0039]
In addition, the sensor case of the rolling device sensor device is made of an aluminum alloy or a titanium alloy, thereby ensuring superior thermal conductivity as compared with a conventional device using an iron-based material. If the sensor device is equipped with a temperature detecting element, it is possible to detect the temperature change of the rolling device accurately and with good responsiveness. By determining the presence / absence, the reliability of the rolling device sensor device can be further improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a rolling device with a sensor according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a sensor device for a rolling device in the rolling device with a sensor shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a ball screw to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a conventional rolling device with a sensor.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Bearing device with sensor (rolling device with sensor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Rolling bearing 12 Outer ring 13 Inner ring 15 Shaft 17 Rolling bearing device (rolling device)
Reference Signs List 20 Rolling device sensor device 21 Case body 22 Case cover 23 Cable 24 Sensor unit 25 Printed circuit board 26 Sensor case 30 Vibration detecting element 31 Temperature detecting element 50 Ball screw 60 Rolling device sensor device

Claims (11)

A sensor device for a rolling device for detecting a state of the rolling device by a detection element housed and held in a sensor case fixed to the rolling device,
A sensor device for a rolling device, wherein the sensor case is made of a lightweight metal. The sensor device for a rolling device according to claim 1, wherein the lightweight metal is an aluminum alloy. The sensor device for a rolling device according to claim 1, wherein the lightweight metal is a titanium alloy. The sensor device for a rolling device according to claim 1, wherein the lightweight metal is a magnesium alloy. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the detection element includes at least a vibration detection element housed and held in the sensor case and configured to detect vibration of the rolling device. 6. Sensor device for rolling devices. 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the detecting element includes at least a temperature detecting element that is housed and held in the sensor case and detects a temperature of the rolling device. 7. Sensor device for rolling devices. A sensor device for a rolling device, comprising the rolling device sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the state of the rolling device is detected by the rolling device sensor device. Rolling device. The rolling device with a sensor according to claim 7, wherein the rolling device is a rolling bearing device. The rolling device with a sensor according to claim 7, wherein the rolling device is a linear motion device that realizes a linear movement by rolling of a rolling element. The rolling device with a sensor according to claim 9, wherein the linear motion device is a ball screw. The rolling device with a sensor according to claim 9, wherein the linear motion device is a linear guide.

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