JP2019012036A - Feeler gauge with sensor and fastening confirmation system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a feeler gauge with a sensor, capable of easily confirming that many pipe joints are appropriately fastened, thoroughly.SOLUTION: A feeler gauge for confirming fastening of a joint connecting a male screw member and a female screw member in a relatively rotatable manner, comprises a gauge body 10 having a recess at its tip, a first sensor 21 provided on at least one of opening edge parts of the recess, and a second sensor 22 provided on a base end part of the recess. The opening width of the recess is made larger than a diameter of a male screw part of the male screw member. The thickness of the gauge body is made smaller than an allowable maximum distance between the male screw member and the opposite female screw member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a gap gauge with a sensor for confirming the tightening of a joint for relatively rotating and fastening a male screw member and a female screw member, and a tightening confirmation system using the same.

  In the pipe joint including the first and second tubular joint members having fluid passages communicating with each other, the joint members are fastened with appropriate screw means. A threaded portion is formed on one of the two joint members, and both the joint members are joined by a cap nut screwed to the male threaded portion of the joint member, and the first and second joint members are either A sleeve in which a male thread portion is not formed is known, and both joint members are coupled by a separate male thread member and a cap nut (Patent Document 1).

  Such pipe joints are used very often in apparatuses and plants having a large number of pipes, and the operation of appropriately tightening the pipe joints is usually performed in equipment manufacturing or on the plant site.

  The work of properly tightening the pipe joint is performed based on the specified specifications, and it is necessary to confirm whether the worker himself or another worker is properly tightened.

JP 2010-96329 A

  The operation of confirming whether or not the bolts are properly tightened is performed one point at a time for many pipe joints, which requires labor and may cause a check failure.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a clearance gauge with a sensor capable of easily confirming that a number of pipe joints are properly tightened without omission and a system for confirming the tightening of a joint using the same. It is.

  The present invention (1) is a clearance gauge for confirming tightening of a joint that relatively fastens and fastens a male screw member and a female screw member, and includes at least one of a gauge main body having a concave portion at the tip and an opening edge of the concave portion. And a second sensor provided at the base end of the recess, the opening width of the recess being larger than the diameter of the male thread of the male screw member, The thickness of the gauge body is a gap gauge with a sensor that is smaller than the maximum allowable distance between the female screw member facing the male screw member.

  When the male screw member and the female screw member for fastening the joint are rotated relative to each other, the distance between the female screw member and the female screw member facing each other is narrowed, and when it becomes a certain value or less, it is determined that necessary tightening has been performed.

  If the thickness of the sensor-equipped gap gauge is set to a certain upper limit that is determined to have been properly tightened, if the tightening is insufficient, the gap gauge between the male screw member and the opposing female screw member Enters, and the second sensor provided at the base end of the recess reacts.

  When tightening is sufficient, a gap gauge cannot be inserted between the female screw member and the female screw member facing each other, and the first sensor provided on one and / or both of the opening edge of the recess reacts. .

  It is possible to easily determine whether or not the joint has been properly tightened depending on which sensor provided in the gap gauge has reacted.

  This invention (2) has a protrusion part in any one of the right-and-left edge part of the said recessed part, and the thickness of the said protrusion part is the minimum allowable between the said internal thread member and the said internal thread member. It is a clearance gauge with a sensor as described in this invention (1) characterized by being larger than distance.

  The thickness of the protrusion of the present invention (2) is larger than the minimum allowable distance between the female screw member facing the male screw member, so that the protrusion stops and serves as a gauge. Therefore, it can be seen that the first sensor does not react and the joint is tightened too much.

  The present invention (3) is the gap gauge with a sensor according to the present invention (2), characterized in that a third sensor is provided at the tip of the protrusion.

  If the joint is tightened too much, the distance between the female screw member facing the male screw member will become smaller than a certain value. By setting the thickness of the protrusion to the upper limit, the third sensor will react when overtightened. Thus, it can be detected that the joint is overtightened.

  The present invention (4) is the gap gauge with a sensor according to any one of the present inventions (1) to (3), wherein the sensor is a strain gauge or a pressure sensor.

  By using the gap gauge with a sensor as a strain gauge or a pressure sensor, it is possible to easily take out as a signal the strain or pressure generated when the gap gauge is pressed against the joint.

  The present invention (5) is a tightening confirmation system for a joint having a gap gauge with a sensor according to the present invention (1) to the present invention (4), the receiver receiving a signal from the sensor, and the sensor. A tightening confirmation system comprising: a determination unit that determines pass / fail based on a received signal; and a storage unit that stores a result determined by the determination unit.

  Whether the receiving part of the system receives the sensor signal of the gap gauge with sensor and passes the tightening can be easily determined by identifying from which sensor the received signal is sent.

  The determined determination result is stored in the storage unit, and can be easily inspected without omission by collating with the joint of the facility or the entire plant.

  The present invention (6) is for tightening confirmation according to the present invention (5), wherein an electronic tag having joint information is provided in the joint, and the communication unit receives a signal from the electronic tag. System.

  If an electronic tag with information on the joint such as the number, specification, date of manufacture, etc. for identifying the joint is attached to each joint provided in the facility or plant, the signal from the sensor and the electronic tag Since the communication unit can simultaneously receive information on the joints from the plant, it is possible to automatically perform collation with the joints of the facility and the entire plant.

  The present invention (7) is the tightening confirmation system according to the present invention (6), wherein the electronic tag is an RFID.

  By using the RFID, the information of the joint embedded in the RFID can be easily received by the communication unit using wireless communication.

  The present invention (8) is a tightening confirmation system according to any one of the present inventions (5) to (7), characterized in that a warning is given when the tightening of a joint fails or when there is a tightening confirmation omission. is there.

  The case where the fastening of the joint is unacceptable is a case where the second sensor or the third sensor reacts and the communication unit detects the signal.

  The system of the present invention (8) associates a pass / fail signal with information from an RFID tag such as an RFID, warns that which joint is insufficiently tightened, and confirms which joint is not tightened. Can be easily alerted.

  According to the gap gauge with a sensor of the present invention, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the joint has been properly tightened without visual inspection.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing Example 1 of a gap gauge with a sensor according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing Example 2 of the sensor-equipped gap gauge according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a general pipe joint before tightening. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pipe joint after the pipe joint of FIG. 3 has been tightened. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram inspecting the pipe joint when tightening is insufficient with the sensor-equipped gauge of Example 1, and FIG. 5B shows the pipe joint when tightening is appropriate with the sensor of Example 1. FIG. 5C is a schematic diagram in which the pipe joint in the case where the tightening is overtightened is inspected with the sensor-equipped gauge according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a tightening confirmation system according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for determining whether or not the tightening is passed using the gap gauge with a sensor according to the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and various manufacturing conditions of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified. This is just an illustrative example. For convenience, the direction of the member or the like may be referred to as up, down, left, or right depending on the direction on the drawing, but these do not limit the direction of the member or the like when the present invention is implemented or used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor-equipped gap gauge 1 according to the first embodiment has a substantially semicircular cutout recess at the tip of the gauge body 10, and the second sensor 22 is located at the approximate center of the base end of the recess surface 13. Is embedded, and the second sensor slightly protrudes from the recessed surface 13.

  The first sensor 21 is embedded in the upper right and upper left of the opening edge of the recess, the first sensor 21 on the right side slightly protrudes from the right front surface 11, and the first sensor 21 on the left side slightly protrudes from the left front surface 12. It protrudes.

  In the first embodiment, the concave portion is cut out in a substantially semicircular shape, but may be cut out in a rectangular shape or the like.

  The second sensor 22 is connected to a central signal line 26 that passes through a signal line passage (not shown) penetrating into the gauge body 10, and the central signal line 26 exits from the back surface (not shown) of the gauge body 10. .

  The first sensor 21 on the right side is connected to a right signal line 24 that passes through a signal line passage (not shown) penetrating into the gauge body 10, and the right signal line 24 is connected to the right side surface (not shown) of the gauge body 10. Out.

  The first sensor 21 on the left side is connected to a left signal line 25 passing through a signal line passage (not shown) penetrating into the gauge body 10, and the left signal line 25 protrudes from the left side surface of the gauge body 10.

  The central signal line 26, the right signal line 24, and the left signal line 25 are connected to the transceiver 30 as a signal line bundle 27.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor-equipped gap gauge 1 according to the second embodiment has a substantially semicircular cut-out recess at the tip of the gauge body 10, and the second sensor 22 is located at the approximate center of the base end of the recess surface 13. Is embedded, and the second sensor protrudes slightly from the recessed surface 13.

  A first sensor 21 is embedded on the upper right side of the opening edge of the recess, and the first sensor 21 slightly protrudes from the right front surface 11.

  A protrusion 29 is provided at the left edge of the recess, and a third sensor 23 is embedded at the tip of the protrusion 29, and the third sensor 23 protrudes slightly from the left front surface 12.

  Since signal lines for sending signals from the first sensor 21, the second sensor 22, and the third sensor 23 to the transceiver 30 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The method of embedding the sensor is a method in which a recess is provided in the gauge body 10 to which the sensor is attached, and the sensor is installed therein and embedded using an adhesive or the like, a method of press-fitting the sensor into the recess, a method of brazing Although it can be performed by various methods such as a method by powder metallurgy sintering, it is not limited thereto.

  The first sensor 21, the second sensor 22, and the third sensor 23 embedded in the gauge body 10 are connected to the transmitter / receiver 30 by wire, but are not limited to those that transmit signals by wire. The data may be directly transmitted from the sensor to the transceiver 30 wirelessly.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view before tightening of the pipe joint 4, which is one embodiment of the joint. The pipe joint 4 includes a first joint member 41, a second joint member 42, a male thread 44 and a female thread. 45.

  In FIG. 3, since the tightening has not yet been performed, the external thread portion 44a of the external thread 44 appears to be exposed.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the state after the male screw 44 and the female screw 45 are relatively rotated and tightened.

  The distance between the opposing surfaces of the male screw member 44 and the female screw member 45 is narrower in FIG. 4 than in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram in which the pipe joint 4 before tightening (FIG. 5A) and the pipe joint 4 after tightening (FIG. 5B) are inspected using the gap gauge 1 with the sensor of Example 1 and the pipe that has been tightened excessively. A schematic view of the joint 4 (FIG. 5C) inspected using the sensor-equipped gap gauge 1 of Example 2 is shown.

  In FIG. 5A, since the tightening is insufficient, the distance between the opposing surfaces of the male screw member 44 and the female screw member 45 is larger than the thickness of the gauge body 10, so the second sensor 22 and the male screw member 44 of the gap gauge 1 with sensor The second sensor 22 reacts.

  In FIG. 5B, since the tightening is appropriate, the distance between the opposing surfaces of the screw member 44 and the female screw member 45 is smaller than the thickness of the gauge body 10, so that the first sensor 21 and the male screw member 44 of the gap gauge 1 with sensor are connected. The first sensor 21 reacts upon contact.

  In FIG. 5C, since the tightening is overtightened, the distance between the opposing surfaces of the screw member 44 and the female screw member 45 is smaller than the thickness of the protruding portion 29. Therefore, the third sensor 23 and the male screw member 44 of the gap gauge with sensor 1 The third sensor 23 reacts.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a tightening confirmation system using the gap gauge 1 with a sensor.

  One of a large number of pipe fittings provided in facilities and plants is illustrated, and an RFID 28, which is one of the electronic tags in which the identification number is written, is attached to the pipe fitting shown.

  The RFID may be an active type with a built-in battery or a passive type without a built-in battery. When the RFID is a passive type, power can be supplied to the RFID by radio waves from the transmitter / receiver 30 to generate RFID power.

  The identification number of the pipe joint 4 is sent from the RFID 28 to the transceiver 30 wirelessly. The identification number is received by the reception antenna 31 of the reception unit 32 and temporarily stored in the determination unit 33.

  Next, a signal from the sensor of the gap gauge 1 with sensor enters the reception unit 32 via the signal bundle 27 and is sent to the determination unit 33.

  The determination unit 33 determines whether the signal from the sensor-equipped gap gauge 1 is a pass signal or a fail signal, and is stored in the storage unit 34 in a pair with the identification number.

  The paired information can be displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the transceiver 30 for confirmation.

  Further, the tightening confirmation system can send the paired information to the transmitting unit 35, transmit a radio wave from the transmitting antenna 36 to the Internet network 37, and transmit it to the central management server 38.

  The central management server 38 performs identification management of all joints of facilities and plants, and can immediately find joints that are not properly checked or tightened and issue a warning.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an inspection for determining appropriate tightening when the joint is tightened with the gap gauge with a sensor according to the first embodiment.

First, the gap gauge with a sensor of Example 1 is pressed into the gap between the male screw member and the female screw member of the joint. (S1)
When the gap gauge is pressed, the first sensor reacts for a specified time (for example, 1 to 2 seconds) and the second sensor does not react, the first sensor reacts and the second sensor reacts, the first sensor reacts Three results are detected: the second sensor reacts. It should be noted that if the first sensor reacts and does not respond after a specified time (for example, 1-2 seconds) has not elapsed, it is not recognized that the inspection has been performed. (S2)
When the first sensor reacts for a specified time (for example, 1 to 2 seconds) and the second sensor does not react, it is determined that the first sensor has passed, and after the first sensor reacts, the second sensor reacts, or the first sensor does not react. If two sensors react, it is judged as a failure. (S3)
Thereafter, whether or not the tightening of the joint is accepted or rejected is recorded in a pair with the joint information identified by the electronic tag. (S4).

1: Gap gauge with sensor
4: Pipe fitting 10: Gauge body 11: Right front 12: Left front
13: concave surface 21: first sensor 22: second sensor 23: third sensor 24: right signal line 25: left signal line 26: central signal line 27: signal line bundle 30: transmitter / receiver 31: receiving antenna 32: receiving unit 33: determination unit 34: storage unit 35: transmission unit 36: transmission antenna 37: Internet network 38: centralized management server 41: first joint member 42: second joint member 44: male screw member 44a: male screw portion 45: female Screw member

Claims (8)

A clearance gauge for confirming the tightening of a joint for fastening by rotating a male screw member and a female screw member relatively,
A gauge body having a recess at the tip;
A first sensor provided on at least one of the opening edges of the recess;
A second sensor provided at the base end of the recess;
Have
The opening width of the recess is larger than the diameter of the external thread of the external thread member,
A gap gauge with a sensor, wherein a thickness of the gauge body is smaller than a maximum allowable distance between the female screw member facing the male screw member. It has a protrusion on either one of the left and right edges of the recess,
The gap gauge with a sensor according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the protruding portion is larger than a minimum allowable distance between the female screw member facing the male screw member.   The gap gauge with a sensor according to claim 2, wherein a third sensor is provided at a tip portion of the projecting portion.   The gap gauge with a sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a strain gauge or a pressure sensor. A tightening confirmation system for a joint having a gap gauge with a sensor according to claims 1 to 4,
A receiving unit for receiving a signal from the sensor;
A determination unit for determining pass / fail from a signal received from the sensor;
A storage unit for storing the result determined by the determination unit;
A tightening confirmation system characterized by comprising:   6. The tightening confirmation system according to claim 5, wherein an electronic tag having joint information is provided in the joint, and the communication unit receives a signal from the electronic tag.   The tightening confirmation system according to claim 6, wherein the electronic tag is an RFID. The system for tightening confirmation according to claim 5, wherein a warning is given when the tightening of the joint is unacceptable or when there is a tightening confirmation omission.

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