JP2023166741A - Visualization test device and visualization test method - Google Patents

Abstract

To clearly observe the behavior of a machine using lubricant with a fluorescent characteristic.SOLUTION: A visualization test device 100 for observing the behavior of a machine or a machine element, comprises a camera 10. Using a fluorescent material that emits light in a wavelength range different from that of lubricant used in the machine or machine element, observation is performed by attaching the fluorescent material to a measurement object 102 of the machine or machine element, or an extension of the camera 10 and the measurement object 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a visualization test device and a visualization test method for observing the behavior of machines using lubricating oil having fluorescent properties.

A technology has been disclosed for injecting a fluorescent grease composition containing a base oil, a thickener, and a fluorescent substance into a rolling bearing, and observing the luminescence of the fluorescent substance contained in the fluorescent grease composition to understand the behavior of grease lubrication. (Patent Document 1).

Furthermore, a laser-induced fluorescence method is disclosed in which the thickness of an oil film is determined from the fluorescence intensity induced when an oil film containing a fluorescent substance is irradiated with a short wavelength laser (Non-Patent Document 1). The laser-induced fluorescence method has excellent dynamic followability and high spatial resolution equivalent to the diameter of the laser beam.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-348589

“Analysis of piston oil film behavior using laser-induced fluorescence method (LIF method)”, Toyota Central Research Institute R&D Review, Vol. 28, No. 4 (1993)

By the way, in the above conventional technology, the behavior of the oil film and the thickness of the oil film are measured from the intensity of fluorescence in the oil or grease containing the fluorescent material by mixing a fluorescent material with oil or grease and irradiating it with excitation light from a light source. . However, the above-mentioned conventional technology is only intended to measure the behavior and thickness of oil or grease containing fluorescent substances, and is not intended to measure the behavior of machines (or machine parts) that use oil or grease. do not have.

In addition, the fluorescent substances used in the conventional technology are coumarin 6 and pyrelin, and the maximum emission wavelengths of these are 498 nm and 480 nm, respectively, which are close to the emission wavelength of oil and grease, so oil and grease and fluorescent substances are different. It is difficult to distinguish and measure.

One aspect of the present invention is a visualization test device for observing the behavior of a machine or a machine element, which includes an imaging means and has a wavelength different from a wavelength region of light emission of a lubricant used in the machine or the machine element. Observation is carried out using a fluorescent material that emits light in a region, and the fluorescent material is attached to an object to be measured of the machine or the mechanical element, or an extension of the imaging means and the object to be measured. This is a visualization test device.

Here, it is preferable to include a light source that irradiates light in a wavelength range that excites fluorescence of the fluorescent substance.

The machine or the mechanical element further includes an optical filter that transmits at least part of light in the wavelength range of light emission from the fluorescent substance and attenuates at least part of light in the wavelength range of light emission by the lubricant; Preferably, the optical filter is disposed between the imaging means and the imaging means.

Further, it is preferable that the fluorescent substance emits light in a wavelength range that is 30 nm or more away from the wavelength range of light emission of the lubricant.

According to the present invention, it is possible to clearly observe the behavior of a machine that uses lubricating oil with fluorescent properties.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of spectral characteristics of a CMOS camera. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image of the entire wavelength range of visible light obtained by capturing the emission of grease. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image in the green (G) wavelength region of the emission of grease; FIG. It is a figure which shows the image of the red (R) wavelength range which imaged the light emission of grease. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the emission intensity of grease in the green (G) and red (R) wavelength regions. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a visualization test device in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a measurement target in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a fluorescent substance is applied to a measurement object in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a captured image in the entire wavelength range of visible light (white light) for a comparative example. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a captured image in a green (G) wavelength region for a comparative example. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a captured image of the entire wavelength range of visible light (white light) for an example. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing captured images in the green (G) and red (R) wavelength regions for the example. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a captured image in the red (R) wavelength region for an example. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a fluorescent substance is applied to a measurement object in an embodiment of the present invention.

<Measurement of fluorescence characteristics of grease>
As a preliminary study of the visualization test device and visualization test method in the embodiment of the present invention, grease was applied to a metal flat plate, and the luminescence characteristics of the grease were measured. The measurement was performed using a 3CMOS color camera (manufactured by JAI, AP-3200T-USB, lens: Optoart, MP-05F-65) under light irradiation with a fluorescent lamp. The 3CMOS color camera has image sensors with different spectral characteristics for red (R), green (G), and blue (B). FIG. 1 shows the spectral characteristics of a 3CMOS color camera in the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) wavelength regions. Note that in this embodiment, the wavelength range of red (R) is approximately 580 nm to 680 nm, the wavelength range of green (G) is approximately 500 nm to 570 nm, and the wavelength range of blue (B) is approximately 400 nm to 490 nm. The following shall apply.

FIG. 2 shows an image of the grease in the entire visible light wavelength region, FIG. 3 shows an image of the grease in the green (G) wavelength region, and FIG. 4 shows an image of the grease in the red (R) wavelength region. FIG. 5 shows the emission intensity in the green (G) wavelength region and the emission intensity in the red (G) wavelength region along the line AA in FIG. The grease exhibited fluorescent properties, and the fluorescence emission intensity was about four times higher in the green (G) wavelength region than in the red (G) wavelength region.

<Visualization test device and visualization test method>
A visualization test apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a camera 10, a light source 12, and an optical filter 14, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. The visualization test apparatus 100 is used for a visualization test that measures the behavior of a measurement object 102, which is a machine or mechanical element having a moving part. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the measurement target object 102 is a mechanical element including a ball, but this is just an example, and the present invention can be similarly applied to other machines or mechanical elements.

The camera 10 includes an imaging section that is sensitive to the emission wavelength of the fluorescent substance used in the visualization test. The light source 12 is a means for irradiating light to excite the fluorescent material applied to the measurement object 102 and cause it to emit fluorescence. As the fluorescent material, for example, GSI Creos, Mr. When the color C171 fluorescent red is used, it is preferable that the light source 12 can emit light with a wavelength shorter than the red (R) wavelength range of 580 nm or more and 680 nm or less.

The optical filter 14 is a filter having optical properties that transmits at least part of the light in the emission wavelength range of the fluorescent substance applied to the measurement object 102 and attenuates at least part of the light in the emission wavelength range of the grease. It is. As the fluorescent material, for example, GSI Creos, Mr. When the color C171 fluorescent red is used, it is preferable that the optical filter 14 transmits light in the red (R) wavelength region of 580 nm or more and 680 nm or less. Further, when general grease is used as the lubricant, it is preferable that the optical filter 14 attenuates light in the green (G) wavelength range from 500 nm to 570 nm. The optical filter 14 is placed between the measurement object 102 and the camera 10 when the visualization test device 100 is used.

Note that the optical filter 14 may be provided as necessary. For example, if the image sensor included in the camera 10 has a characteristic that can distinguish between fluorescence emission from a fluorescent substance and fluorescence emission from grease. What is necessary is to separate the fluorescence from the grease and the fluorescence from the grease. Further, the image captured by the camera 10 may be filtered by software to separate the wavelength range of fluorescence from the fluorescent substance and the wavelength range of fluorescence from the grease.

The measurement object 102 is placed on a measurement table. It is preferable that the measurement stand has enough strength to mechanically support the measurement object 102. Further, the measurement table may be provided with a drive means such as a motor for moving the movable part of the measurement object 102 during measurement, if necessary.

FIG. 7 shows a partially enlarged view of the measurement target 102. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view along line AA in FIG. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a gap between adjacent balls 24 in a mechanical element including a ball, which is the object to be measured 102, is measured.

A mechanical element including a ball, which is the object to be measured 102, is composed of a shaft 20, an outer ring 22, and a ball 24. Ball 24 is arranged between shaft 20 and outer ring 22. In this embodiment, the outer ring 22 is made of a transparent member, such as quartz, in order to image the light emitted from the fluorescent material.

In the visualization test method in this embodiment, the structure and behavior of the measurement object 102 are visualized by using a fluorescent substance used at a measurement target location of the measurement object 102 and measuring the luminescence of the fluorescent substance.

In the present invention, grease includes oil (lubricant, coolant, etc.). Examples of the grease include urea grease manufactured by AZ (product number 781).

The fluorescent substance is a substance that has emission characteristics different from the wavelength characteristics of the emission of grease. The fluorescent substance is a substance that emits light in a wavelength range different from that of the grease. Since general grease emits light in the green (G) wavelength range, it is preferable that the fluorescent material is a substance that emits light in the red (G) wavelength range. The fluorescent material is, for example, manufactured by GSI Creos, Mr. The color can be C171 fluorescent red.

When measuring the gap between the balls 24, as shown in FIG. 8, a fluorescent substance X is applied to the bottom of the groove of the shaft 20, which is an extension of the camera 10 and the object to be measured 102, and the camera 10 takes an image. Since the fluorescence from the applied fluorescent material X is blocked by the balls 24, the fluorescence from the fluorescent material X can be imaged only from between adjacent balls 24.

<Comparative example>
As a fluorescent substance, commonly used coumarin 6 was applied to the bottom of the groove of the shaft 20 extending from the camera 10 and the object to be measured 102, and images were taken with the camera 10. The wavelength range of coumarin 6 fluorescence is 475 nm to 550 nm.

<Example>
As a fluorescent substance, Mr. Color C171 fluorescent red was applied and an image was taken with the camera 10.

FIG. 9 shows an image in the entire visible light wavelength range (white light) in the comparative example, and FIG. 10 shows an image in the green (G) wavelength range. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the estimated shape of the ball 24 of the measurement object 102 is shown by a broken line.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the image of the entire visible light wavelength range (white light), the emission from the grease and coumarin 6 is captured spread over the entire image, and the position and shape of the ball 24 can be estimated from the image alone. That was difficult. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, even in the image in the green (G) wavelength region, the light emission from the grease and coumarin 6 is captured spread over the entire image, and the grooves of the shaft 20 coated with coumarin 6 are captured. It was not possible to specify the bottom, and it was difficult to estimate the position and shape of the ball 24 from the image alone.

FIG. 11 shows an image of the entire visible light wavelength region in the example, FIG. 12 shows an image of the red (R) and green (G) wavelength region, and FIG. 13 shows an image of the red (R) wavelength region. shows. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the estimated shape of the ball 24 of the measurement target 102 is shown by a broken line.

As shown in FIG. 11, images in the entire visible light wavelength range (white light) show Grease, GSI Creos, and Mr. The light emitted from the color C171 fluorescent red was captured spread over the entire image, and it was difficult to estimate the position and shape of the ball 24 from the image alone.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, in the images in the red (R) and green (G) wavelength regions, the fluorescence of grease was captured in the green (G) wavelength region; As shown, manufactured by GSI Creos, Mr. The fluorescence of color C171 fluorescent red was imaged in the red (R) wavelength region. That is, the area of the fluorescent material applied to the bottom of the groove of the shaft 20 that is not shielded by the ball 24 of the measurement object 102 is clearly distinguished from other areas in the red (R) wavelength region image. Imaged. As a result, it is possible to identify an area where fluorescence is not captured in an image in the red (R) wavelength region as an area blocked by the ball 24, and it is possible to clearly distinguish and observe the position and shape of the ball 24. It has become possible.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 14, a ball 24 to be measured in the measurement object 102 may be coated with a fluorescent substance and observed. As in the above embodiment, the fluorescent material is, for example, manufactured by GSI Creos, Mr. Color C171 fluorescent red may be used. This makes it possible to observe the fluorescence from the ball 24 itself, which is the object of measurement, while distinguishing it from the fluorescence from grease applied to other parts.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a fluorescent substance that emits light in a wavelength range different from that of a lubricant such as grease used in a machine or a machine element is used to improve the performance of a machine or a machine element. By performing observation by attaching a fluorescent substance to the object to be measured, or to an extension of the imaging means and the object to be measured, it is possible to clearly observe the behavior of a machine that uses lubricating oil having fluorescent properties.

[Configuration of the claimed invention]
Configuration 1:
A visualization test device for observing the behavior of a machine or a machine element,
Equipped with an imaging means,
Using a fluorescent substance that emits light in a wavelength range different from that of the lubricant used in the machine or the machine element, the measurement target of the machine or the machine element, or the imaging means and the measurement A visualization test device characterized in that observation is performed by attaching the fluorescent substance to an object and its extension.
Configuration 2:
The visualization test device according to configuration 1,
A visualization test device comprising a light source that irradiates light in a wavelength range that excites fluorescence of the fluorescent substance.
Configuration 3:
The visualization test device according to configuration 1 or 2,
an optical filter that transmits at least part of the light in the wavelength range of the emission of the fluorescent substance and attenuates at least part of the light in the wavelength range of the emission of the lubricant;
A visualization testing device characterized in that the optical filter is arranged between the machine or the mechanical element and the imaging means.
Configuration 4:
The visualization test device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4,
The visualization test device is characterized in that the fluorescent substance emits light in a wavelength range that is 30 nm or more away from the wavelength range of light emission of the lubricant.

Reference Signs List 10 camera, 12 light source, 14 optical filter, 16 measurement stand, 20 shaft, 22 outer ring, 24 ball, 100 visualization test device, 102 measurement object.

Claims (4)

A visualization test device for observing the behavior of a machine or a machine element,
Equipped with an imaging means,
Using a fluorescent substance that emits light in a wavelength range different from that of the lubricant used in the machine or the machine element, the measurement target of the machine or the machine element, or the imaging means and the measurement A visualization test device characterized in that observation is performed by attaching the fluorescent substance to an extension of the object. The visualization test device according to claim 1,
A visualization test device comprising a light source that irradiates light in a wavelength range that excites fluorescence of the fluorescent substance. The visualization test device according to claim 1 or 2,
an optical filter that transmits at least part of the light in the wavelength range of the emission of the fluorescent substance and attenuates at least part of the light in the wavelength range of the emission of the lubricant;
A visualization testing device characterized in that the optical filter is arranged between the machine or the mechanical element and the imaging means. The visualization test device according to claim 1,
The visualization test device is characterized in that the fluorescent substance emits light in a wavelength range that is 30 nm or more away from the wavelength range of light emission of the lubricant.

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