JP2011069402A - Bearing device with power generation function, and bearing device for vehicle using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bearing device with a power generation function which is easily attached on an existing bearing device, more specifically a bearing device for a vehicle which uses a power generation element such as a thermoelectric conversion element or a vibration power generation element. <P>SOLUTION: The bearing device includes a power generation function comprising a bearing 13, an axle box 14 storing the bearing 13, and the power generation element. A power generation unit 21 including a micro vibration power generation element such as a thermoelectric conversion element or a vibration power generation element is attached on an outer surface of the axle box 14 exposed to the outside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a bearing device having a minute power generation element such as a thermoelectric conversion element and a vibration type power generation element, and a vehicle bearing device using the bearing device.

  A freight train is composed of a locomotive with driving force and a freight car without driving force. The locomotive has a power supply device, but the freight car does not have a power supply device. For this reason, when using an electric device in a freight car, a power source must be obtained from the locomotive.

  As an example of an electric device used in a freight car, there is a bearing monitoring device that monitors an abnormality of an axle bearing. This bearing monitoring device is attached to a shaft box of an axle bearing, and there is a monitoring system that wirelessly transmits data obtained by the monitoring device to a locomotive. In order to obtain power for driving the device from the locomotive, it is necessary to perform wiring between the axle box and the bogie frame and between the bogie frame and the vehicle body.

  As a method for eliminating the above-described wiring construction, it is known to provide an axle generator in a freight car (Patent Document 1). This axle generator is an electromagnetic induction generator in which a rotor is formed by attaching a permanent magnet to an axle of a bearing portion of an axle, and a stator is formed by attaching a coil to a surrounding axle box portion.

  In addition, in order to reduce the size of the generator, a thermoelectric conversion element is directly attached to the bearing ring of the rolling bearing that constitutes the bearing device, and the temperature difference between the temperature of the shaft box that generates heat as the bearing rotates and the temperature of the atmosphere. It is also known that power generation is performed by using (Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, in general, a vibration type power generation element that uses an electret or the like to convert vibration into electric energy is known as a small-sized micro-power generator (Patent Document 3).

  In the present invention, a static micro-power generator that does not rotate, such as the thermoelectric conversion element and the vibration power generation element, is simply referred to as a power generation element.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-117099 JP 2004-332859 A JP 2009-77614 A

  Since the above-mentioned axle generator has a structure in which a bearing and a generator are integrated, it is necessary to replace both of them when one of them breaks down. Moreover, since the space factor of a generator is high, there exists a problem which a bearing apparatus enlarges.

  In addition, the configuration in which the thermoelectric conversion element is mounted on the bearing ring is desirable in terms of downsizing the apparatus. However, when the thermoelectric conversion element is attached to a bearing device that is already attached to the vehicle, it is difficult to attach the thermoelectric conversion element to the bearing ring of the bearing because the bearing is housed inside the axle box. Also, it is difficult and practical to pull out the wiring outside the bearing device.

  The vibration-type power generation element also has the same problem as that of the thermoelectric conversion element that is attached to the bearing ring of the existing bearing.

  Therefore, the present invention uses a power generation element such as a thermoelectric conversion element or vibration type power generation element having excellent characteristics in terms of downsizing the generator, and a bearing with a power generation function that can be easily attached to an existing bearing device. An object is to provide a device and a vehicle bearing device using the same.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a bearing device having a power generation function that is a bearing, a shaft box that houses the bearing, and a power generation element, and the power generation element is attached to an outer surface of the shaft box. The bearing device can be used for a vehicle bearing device as a specific application.

  Further, a configuration can be adopted in which a storage battery is attached to the power generation element, and an electromotive force generated by the power generation element is charged in the storage battery. Furthermore, it is possible to adopt a configuration provided with an electric device such as a bearing monitoring device to which drive power is supplied from a power supply device constituted by the power generation element and the storage battery.

  Specific examples of the power generation element include a thermoelectric conversion element and a vibration power generation element.

  As described above, in the present invention, the power generation element is attached to the outer surface of the shaft box of the bearing device, so that the power generation element is attached to the outer surface of the shaft box that is normally exposed to the outside in the bearing device. Is easy. For this reason, when an additional power generation function is added to the existing bearing device, there is the convenience that the remodeling work can be performed without touching the internal structure of the bearing device. Further, since the power generation element is downsized, the size of the bearing device is not affected.

Also, when a thermoelectric conversion element is used as a power generation element, the heat dissipation side is exposed to the atmosphere outside the bearing device. Therefore, when a heat sink is attached to this part, heat absorption is performed even when the heat sink is not attached. A high temperature difference is obtained between the sides.
Furthermore, when the vehicle travels, the heat radiation side is cooled, and a higher temperature difference is obtained.

Further, when the vibration type power generation element is used as the power generation element, the power generation is started simultaneously with the rotation of the bearing, so that the power can be supplied to the electric device without delay.
Furthermore, in the bearing device, not only the vibration accompanying the rotation of the bearing but also the vibration generated when the wheel rolls on the rail is added, so the power generation capacity is large.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view, partly omitted, of the power generation unit mounting portion. These are the expanded sectional views of a power generation unit same as the above. These are the block diagrams of a power generation unit same as the above. These are the expanded sectional views of the electric power generation unit of Embodiment 2. FIG. These are the block diagrams of a power generation unit same as the above.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Embodiment 1]
The axle bearing device 11 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is composed of a bearing 13 that supports the axle 12 and an axle box 14 that houses the bearing 13 as shown in FIG. The

  The axle box 14 is supported by a support arm 16 attached to the carriage frame 15 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. At the same time, the axle box 14 is connected to the lower portion of the carriage frame 15 via an axle spring 17 and a damper 18 provided therewith, and a load acting on the carriage frame 15 is supported by a wheel 19 via the bearing 13 and the axle 12. .

  A power generation unit 21 is attached to the outer surface of the axle box 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the power generation unit 21 includes a power supply device 23, a required electrical device 24, and a cover case 25 that covers these components and is mounted on the substrate 22.

  The power supply device 23 includes a thermoelectric conversion element 27 housed in a metal case 26 with a collar and a storage battery 28 attached on the substrate 22, and the bottom surface of the metal case 26 penetrates the substrate 22 and is a shaft to be attached. The box 14 can be contacted.

  The thermoelectric conversion element 27 joins two different metals and generates an electromotive force when a temperature difference occurs between both ends, and is composed of bismuth, tellurium, or the like. These thermoelectric conversion elements are conventionally known (see Patent Document 2), and are accommodated so that the heat absorption side electrode is in contact with the bottom surface of the metal case 26 having a high thermal conductivity, and the exhaust heat side electrode is the cover case. It faces 25 window holes 29. The metal case 26 is fixed by adhering the collar portion 26 a to the substrate 22. Although it is possible to adopt a structure in which the heat absorption part of the thermoelectric conversion element 27 is in direct contact with the outer surface of the axle box 14 without using the metal case 26, in order to attach the thermoelectric conversion element 27 to the substrate 22 stably, It is desirable to use the metal case 26.

  A heat radiating plate 30 having a large number of heat radiating fins is attached to the exhaust heat side electrode of the thermoelectric conversion element 27, and the heat radiating plate 30 protrudes outside the cover case 25 through the window hole 29. The cover case 25 covers the power supply device 23 and the electric device 24 and is fixed to the substrate 22 with screws 31 in a state where the heat radiating plate 30 is exposed to the outside through the window hole 29.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply device 23 has a storage battery 28 connected in parallel to the thermoelectric conversion element 27, and charges the storage battery 28 by the electromotive force generated in the thermoelectric conversion element 27. Power is supplied to the device 24.

  Power is supplied to the other electric devices provided outside the power generation unit 21 by the power cable 35 drawn from the power supply device 23 through the connector 36 (see FIG. 2).

  As the electric device 24, there are various devices necessary for vehicle operation. As an example, a case of a bearing monitoring device for a vehicle bearing of a freight train will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the bearing monitoring device includes a temperature sensor 33 and a control circuit 34 including a transmission function, and the temperature sensor 33 is housed in a metal case 37 with a collar having high thermal conductivity. 37 is attached so as to penetrate the substrate 22 and contact the bearing housing 14. The collar portion 37 a of the metal case 37 is bonded to the substrate 22. Data obtained by the temperature sensor 33 is wirelessly transmitted from the control circuit 34 to a locomotive cab monitor or the like.

  The temperature sensor 33 detects the temperature of the bearing 13 through the axle box 14, and when the temperature exceeds a certain reference value in the control circuit 34, a detection signal is transmitted to the outside through the power cable 35. Power is supplied from the power supply device 23 for electrical operation of these components.

  The axle bearing device 11 according to the first embodiment is as described above, and the power generation unit 21 is attached to the outer surface of the axle box 14 of the existing axle bearing device 11 with bolts 38. When an electric device is provided outside the power generation unit 21, the power cable 35 is wired along the support arm 16 to a predetermined position.

  The bearing 13 generates heat as the vehicle travels, and the temperature of the axle box 14 in contact with the bearing 13 rises. On the other hand, the heat radiating plate 30 comes into contact with the outside air to dissipate heat. A temperature difference occurs in the temperature of the side electrode, and an electromotive force is generated. The electromotive force is charged in the storage battery 28.

  As described above, since the heat dissipation side of the thermoelectric conversion element 27 is exposed to the atmosphere outside the axle bearing device 11, particularly when the heat dissipation plate 30 is provided, especially when the heat dissipation plate 30 is not provided, A large temperature difference can be obtained.

  Power is supplied from the power supply device 23 including the thermoelectric conversion element 27 and the storage battery 28 to the electric device (bearing monitoring device) 24, and a required detection signal is wirelessly transmitted to, for example, the driver's seat of the locomotive.

[Embodiment 2]
In the case of the second embodiment, the power generation unit 41 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is used in place of the power generation unit 21 in the axle bearing device 11 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above.

  The power generation unit 41 is different from the power supply device 23 in that a vibration type power generation element 42 is used instead of the thermoelectric conversion element 27 described above. The point that the storage battery 28 is connected in parallel to the vibration type power generation element 42 and the point that the power source 23 supplies power to the electric device 24 are the same as in the above case. However, the electric device 24 in this case shows a case of a bearing monitoring device that detects abnormal vibration of the bearing. For this reason, the electric device 24 includes a vibration sensor 43 and a control circuit 44 having a transmission function.

  As the vibration power generation element 42, in addition to an element using an electret (see Patent Document 3), an element using a piezoelectric element or the like can be used. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The vehicle bearing device according to the second embodiment is as described above. As in the case of the first embodiment, the power generation unit 41 is attached to the outer surface of the axle box 14 of the existing vehicle bearing device 11 with the bolts 38 and necessary. Accordingly, the power cable 35 is routed along the support arm 16 to a predetermined position.

  When the bearing 13 rotates as the vehicle travels, the axle box 14 vibrates, and the vibration type power generation element 42 vibrates via the substrate 22 in contact therewith. An electromotive force is generated by the vibration, and the storage battery 28 is charged.

  The vibration power generation element 42 and the vibration sensor 43 do not necessarily need to be in direct contact with the axle box 14, but are housed in the same metal case as in the first embodiment, and the metal case is brought into contact with the axle box 14. You may do it.

  In the case of the second embodiment, an electromotive force is generated by vibration associated with the rotation of the bearing 13, and therefore, an electromotive force is generated at the same time as the vehicle starts to travel, and power is immediately supplied to the electric device 24. be able to.

  In addition, although the above Embodiment 1 and 2 described the axle bearing apparatus 11 which has an electric power generation function, this invention is applied not only to the axle bearing apparatus 11 but when giving an electric power generation function to a general bearing apparatus. be able to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Axle bearing apparatus 12 Axle 13 Bearing 14 Axle box 15 Bogie frame 16 Support arm 17 Axle spring 18 Damper 19 Wheel 21 Power generation unit 22 Substrate 23 Power supply 24 Electric device 25 Cover case 26 Metal case 26a Collar part 27 Thermoelectric conversion element 28 Storage battery 29 window hole 30 heat sink 31 screw 33 temperature sensor 34 control circuit 35 power cable 36 connector 37 metal case 37a collar 38 bolt 41 power generation unit 42 vibration type power generation element 43 vibration sensor 44 control circuit

Claims (9)

  A bearing device having a power generation function comprising a bearing, a shaft box that houses the bearing, and a power generation element, wherein the power generation element is attached to an outer surface of the shaft box. .   The bearing device having a power generation function according to claim 1, wherein a storage battery is attached to the power generation element, and an electromotive force generated by the power generation element is charged in the storage battery.   The bearing device having a power generation function according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a required electric device to which driving power is supplied from a power supply device configured by the power generation element and a storage battery.   The bearing device having a power generation function according to claim 3, wherein the power supply device and the electric device are unitized as a power generation unit, and the power generation unit is attached to the axle box.   The bearing device having a power generation function according to claim 4, wherein the electrical device is a bearing monitoring device.   The power generation element is composed of a thermoelectric conversion element, the heat absorption part of the thermoelectric conversion element is in direct or indirect contact with the outer surface of the axle box, and a heat sink is attached to the exhaust heat part of the thermoelectric conversion element. A bearing device having a power generation function according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The bearing device having a power generation function according to claim 1, wherein the power generation element is configured by a vibration type power generation element, and generates power by vibration accompanying rotation of the bearing.   The bearing device having a power generation function according to claim 7, wherein the vibration power generation element uses a piezoelectric element or an electret.   A vehicular bearing device comprising the bearing device having the power generation function according to claim 1.

Images