JP2024035304A - Test device - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress contact between an X-ray CT device and a holding device and a test piece.SOLUTION: Provided is a test device comprising: a holding device that has a first end for holding a test piece having a liquid in the inside and a second end that is opposite the first end, and has the degree of inclination in the horizontal direction changed as the relative height positions of the first and second ends change; and an X-ray CT device that includes a body unit which is provided with an opening in which the test piece is inserted and which captures an image of the test piece, and a support unit that supports the body unit, the body unit capable of pivoting with respect to the support unit so that the direction that the opening faces changes. When the holding device holds the test piece while inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the body unit of the X-ray CT device pivots with respect to the support unit so that the direction in which the opening faces is aligned with the inclination direction of the holding device. The holding device and/or the X-ray CT device slidingly moves so that the test piece moves in the inside of the opening in a direction in which the opening faces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a testing device.

An X-ray CT device is known as a device for observing the inside of a test object. For example, an X-ray CT apparatus is known in which a gantry main body having an opening into which the patient is inserted can be slid in the vertical direction in order to image a patient in an upright position using an X-ray CT apparatus (for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, a test device is known that can change the posture of a transmission in order to test the lubrication characteristics when the transmission is subjected to acceleration due to acceleration, deceleration, or turning of the vehicle (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2017-77464 Publication Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-281106

When inspecting the liquid flow characteristics of a test object that has liquid inside, the test object is held in a holding device that is tilted with respect to the horizontal direction, and the test object is photographed using an X-ray CT device. There are things to do. In this case, in order to expand the imaging range, it is desirable to move the X-ray CT apparatus and the object under test relative to each other. However, since the holding device and the test object are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, when the X-ray CT device and/or the holding device are moved, the X-ray CT device and the holding device or the test object come into contact. Sometimes I end up doing it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress contact between an X-ray CT apparatus, a holding device, and a test object.

The present invention has a first end that holds a test object having a liquid inside, and a second end opposite to the first end, and the first end and the second end are connected to each other. A holding device whose degree of inclination with respect to the horizontal direction changes as the relative height position changes, an opening into which the test object is inserted, a main body for photographing the test object, and a main body for photographing the test object; and an X-ray CT device, the main body being rotatable relative to the support so that the direction in which the opening faces can be changed, and the holding device is rotatable relative to the support in a horizontal direction. When holding the test object in a tilted state, the X-ray CT apparatus is configured such that the main body portion rotates with respect to the support portion so that the direction in which the opening faces matches the tilt direction of the holding device. , at least one of the holding device and the X-ray CT device is a testing device that slides so that the test object moves within the opening in a direction toward which the opening faces.

In the above configuration, the holding device may be configured to be able to slide horizontally in a horizontal state, and to be able to slide in an inclined direction in a state tilted with respect to the horizontal direction.

In the above configuration, the main body of the X-ray CT apparatus changes the direction in which the opening faces by rotating around a first axis, and the holding device rotates around a second axis at the first end. By rotating about the center, the degree of inclination with respect to the horizontal direction changes, and the holding device and the main body portion are aligned with the first axis so that the direction in which the opening faces matches the direction of inclination of the holding device. It may be configured such that the two axes overlap and rotate simultaneously about the first axis or the second axis.

In the above configuration, the X-ray CT apparatus may include a drive section that drives the test object, and the X-ray CT apparatus may take an image of the test object being driven by the drive section.

According to the present invention, contact between the X-ray inspection device, the holding device, and the test object can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a test device according to a first embodiment. 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing an X-ray CT apparatus in Example 1. FIG. 3(a) to 3(d) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the holding device and the X-ray CT apparatus in Example 1. FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing the operation of a holding device and an X-ray CT apparatus in a comparative example. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a test device according to the second embodiment. 6(a) and 6(b) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the X-ray CT apparatus and holding device in Example 2.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a test apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the test apparatus 100 includes a holding device 10 that holds a test object 40, an X-ray CT device 20 that photographs the inside of the test object 40, and a control section 30.

2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing the X-ray CT apparatus 20 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the X-ray CT apparatus 20 includes a main body portion 21 having an opening 23 and a support portion 22 that supports the main body portion 21. In this embodiment and the embodiments described below, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the rotation axis of the X-ray CT apparatus 20 in a non-tilted state is in the Z-axis direction, perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, and parallel to the floor surface. On the other hand, the axial direction that is horizontal is defined as perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and the axial direction that is perpendicular to the floor surface is defined as the Y-axis direction. By inserting the test object 40 into the opening 23, the inside of the test object 40 is photographed using X-rays. The main body portion 21 is rotatable relative to the support portion 22. As the main body portion 21 rotates relative to the support portion 22, the direction in which the opening 23 faces changes. FIG. 2A shows a case where the opening 23 faces in the horizontal direction, and FIG. 2B shows a case where the opening 23 faces downward in the vertical direction from the horizontal direction.

The main body 21 includes a fixed frame, a rotating frame that rotates relative to the fixed frame, a bearing that rotatably supports the rotating frame, an X-ray tube supported by the rotating frame, and a high voltage that is supplied to the X-ray tube. an X-ray high voltage device, a detector that detects the X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube and transmitted through the test object 40, and data that collects the electrical signals detected by the detector as digital data (projection data). a collection device; The support section 22 is rotatably connected to a base stand placed on the floor, a pair of upright frames extending vertically from the base stand, and each of the pair of upright frames, and is connected to the main body section 21 . and a pedestal arm fixed to the base. The tilting movement of the main body portion 21 is realized by rotating the gantry arm relative to the erected frame by the rotation drive device 24 shown in FIG.

The X-ray CT apparatus 20 reproduces a cross-sectional image (slice image or tomographic image) of the test object 40 using data collected by a data acquisition device of the main body 21, for example, outside the main body 21 and the support 22. and an output section that outputs the reconstructed image to a display section. With the test object 40 disposed within the opening 23, the X-ray CT apparatus 20 performs a CT scan. In a CT scan, an X-ray tube irradiates X-rays while a rotating part is rotated, a detector detects the X-rays, and a data collection device collects a group of projection data. The projection data group is transmitted to the reconstruction processing section, and the reconstruction processing section reconstructs an X-ray CT image from the projection data group. This X-ray CT image is outputted by the output unit and displayed on the display unit, so that the internal structure of the test object 40 can be visualized. For example, when the test object 40 is a transmission, by repeatedly performing such a CT scan, the lubrication characteristics can be inspected when the transmission is subjected to acceleration due to acceleration, deceleration, or turning of the vehicle.

The rotation drive device 24 generates power to rotate the main body 21 under control from the drive control circuit 50 . The rotation of the main body section 21 is controlled by the control section 30. The rotation drive device 24 is realized by, for example, a motor such as a servo motor, and is housed in the main body 21, for example.

3(a) to 3(d) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the holding device 10 and the X-ray CT apparatus 20 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the holding device 10 holds the test object 40 at the end portion 11. As shown in FIG. The test object 40 is, for example, a transmission, and has a flowable lubricating oil 41 inside. The test object 40 is driven by the test object driving device 13 shown in FIG. 1 receiving power generated under control from the drive control circuit 50. Driving of the test object 40 is controlled by the control section 30.

A rail-shaped member 60 is provided along the holding device 10. The holding device 10 has wheels (not shown) that fit onto the rail-shaped member 60, and is slidable along the rail-shaped member 60. The holding device 10 slides on a rail-shaped member 60 by receiving power generated by the longitudinal drive device 15 shown in FIG. 1 under control from the drive control circuit 50. When the holding device 10 is in a horizontal state, it slides horizontally on a rail-shaped member 60. The holding device 10 slides on the rail-shaped member 60 in the direction of an arrow 17 to advance to a location where the end portion 11 is located at the axis 26 of the rotation center of the main body portion 21 of the X-ray CT device 20 . The horizontal sliding movement of the holding device 10 is controlled by the control section 30.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the holding device 10 is vertically movably connected to a member 61 that is tiltable and extends in the vertical direction. The holding device 10 moves the member 61 up and down in response to the power generated by the tilt drive device 14 shown in FIG. It rotates about an axis 16 at the end 11. As a result, in the holding device 10, the relative height position between the end portion 11 and the end portion 12 opposite to the end portion 11 changes, and the degree of inclination with respect to the horizontal direction changes. The holding device 10 rotates around the shaft 16 in a state where the shaft 16 coincides with the shaft 26 that is the center of rotation of the main body 21 of the X-ray CT apparatus 20 . At this time, the main body 21 also rotates about the shaft 26 at the same time as the holding device 10 rotates so that the direction in which the opening 23 faces coincides with the inclination direction of the holding device 10. When the holding device 10 rotates around the shaft 16, the rail-shaped member 60 also rotates together with the holding device 10. The rotation of the holding device 10 and the main body 21 and the inclination of the member 61 are controlled by the control unit 30.

As shown in FIG. 3(c), the X-ray CT apparatus 20 has a predetermined imaging range 25 in which X-ray imaging can be performed. A portion of the test object 40 located in the imaging range 25 is imaged with X-rays. In order to expand the range in which the test object 40 is photographed, it is preferable to move the test object 40 within the opening 23.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(d), the holding device 10 slides on the rail-shaped member 60 in the direction of the arrow 18 so that the test object 40 moves within the opening 23 in parallel to the opening 23. . That is, the holding device 10 slides in the oblique direction. As a result, most of the object under test 40, preferably the entirety, passes through the photographing range 25, and the range in which the object under test 40 is photographed is expanded. The test object 40 is photographed by the X-ray CT apparatus 20 while being driven by the test object driving device 13, for example. The sliding movement of the holding device 10 in the tilting direction is controlled by the control section 30.

The test object drive device 13, the tilt drive device 14, and the longitudinal drive device 15 are realized by, for example, motors such as a direct drive motor or a servo motor. The drive control circuit 50 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). The control unit 30 controls the entire test apparatus 100. The control unit 30 controls the rotation drive device 24, the test object drive device 13, the tilt drive device 14, and the longitudinal drive device 15 by controlling the drive control circuit 50, for example. The control unit 30 includes a processor such as a CPU and a memory such as a ROM.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the holding device 10 and the X-ray CT apparatus 20 in a comparative example. As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), in the comparative example, the holding device 10 does not slide. Instead, the X-ray CT device 20 slides in the horizontal direction. When holding the object under test 40 with the holding device 10 tilted with respect to the horizontal direction, the X-ray CT device 20 slides horizontally in the direction of arrow 27 in order to expand the imaging range of the object under test 40. Then, the X-ray CT device 20 may come into contact with the holding device 10. Furthermore, the X-ray CT apparatus 20 may come into contact with the object under test 40.

On the other hand, according to the first embodiment, when holding the test object 40 in a state where the holding device 10 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction as shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d), the X-ray CT apparatus 20, the main body portion 21 is rotated relative to the support portion 22 so that the direction in which the opening 23 faces matches the inclination direction of the holding device 10. The holding device 10 slides in the oblique direction so that the test object 40 moves within the opening 23 in the direction toward which the opening 23 faces. As a result, contact between the X-ray CT device 20, the holding device 10, and the object under test 40 is suppressed, and most of the object under test 40, preferably the whole, passes through the imaging range 25, and the imaging range is increased. Expanding. Therefore, the behavior of the lubricating oil 41 can be photographed over a wide range when the test object 40 is tilted at various angles with respect to the horizontal direction. By photographing the test object 40 tilted and held by the holding device 10 with the X-ray CT device 20, when the test object 40 is a transmission, the test object 40 can be The behavior of lubricating oil 41 unevenly distributed within 40 can be photographed.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the holding device 10 can be slid horizontally in a horizontal state as shown in FIG. 3(a), and in a state inclined with respect to the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 3(d). It is possible to slide in the direction of inclination. Thereby, the object to be tested 40 can be moved within the opening 23 and the photographing range can be expanded regardless of whether the holding device 10 is in a horizontal state or tilted with respect to the horizontal direction.

Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the holding device 10 and the main body portion 21 of the X-ray CT apparatus 20 are arranged axially so that the direction in which the opening 23 faces and the inclination direction of the holding device 10 match. It rotates around the shaft 16 or the shaft 26 in a state where the shaft 16 and the shaft 26 overlap. As a result, even if the holding device 10 and the main body 21 do not slide in the vertical direction, when the holding device 10 holds the test object 40 at various inclination angles, the direction in which the opening 23 faces and the holding device 10 The direction of inclination can be matched.

Further, in the first embodiment, the test apparatus 100 includes a test object driving device 13 (drive section) that drives the test object 40. The X-ray CT apparatus 20 photographs the object under test 40 being driven by the object driving device 13 . Thereby, the behavior of the lubricating oil 41 while the test object 40 is being driven can be photographed. Note that the X-ray CT apparatus 20 may take an image of the test object 40 while it is not being driven.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a test apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the test apparatus 200 does not include a front-back drive device 15 that slides the holding device 10, but instead a front-back drive device that slides the X-ray CT device 20 in the direction in which the opening 23 faces. 28. The longitudinal drive device 28 generates power to slide the X-ray CT device 20 in the direction in which the opening 23 faces under control from the drive control circuit 50 . For example, the longitudinal drive device 28 has a mechanism for moving the X-ray CT device 20 in the vertical direction (vertical direction, Y-axis direction) and horizontal direction (Z-axis direction), and moves the X-ray CT device 20 in the vertical direction and horizontal direction. As a result, sliding movement in the direction in which the opening 23 faces is realized. As another example, the main body 21, the support 22, and the longitudinal drive device 28 are configured so that the main body 21 slides in the direction in which the opening 23 faces when the main body 21 slides relative to the support 22. It's okay. The sliding movement of the X-ray CT apparatus 20 is controlled by a control section 30. The rest of the configuration is the same as that in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

6(a) and 6(b) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the X-ray CT apparatus 20 and the holding device 10 in Example 2. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), in the second embodiment, when the holding device 10 holds the test object 40 in an inclined state with respect to the horizontal direction, the X-ray CT apparatus 20 The test object 40 slides in the direction of the opening 23 in the direction indicated by the arrow 29 so as to move inside the opening 23 parallel to the opening 23 .

According to the second embodiment, when the holding device 10 holds the test object 40 in a state tilted with respect to the horizontal direction as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the X-ray CT apparatus 20 , the main body part 21 is rotated relative to the support part 22 so that the direction in which the opening 23 faces matches the direction in which the holding device 10 is tilted. Further, the X-ray CT apparatus 20 slides in the direction toward which the opening 23 faces so that the object under test 40 moves within the opening 23 in the direction toward which the opening 23 faces. As a result, while suppressing contact between the X-ray CT device 20, the holding device 10, and the object under test 40, most of the object under test 40, preferably the entirety, passes through the imaging range 25, expanding the imaging range. do.

In Examples 1 and 2, when the holding device 10 slides or the X-ray CT apparatus 20 slides so that the test object 40 moves within the opening 23 in the direction in which the opening 23 faces, is shown as an example, but both the holding device 10 and the X-ray CT device 20 may slide. In this case, the amount of movement of each of the holding device 10 and the X-ray CT device 20 becomes smaller.

In the first and second embodiments, the case where the test object 40 photographed by the X-ray CT apparatus 20 is a transmission is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this case. The test object 40 may be, for example, an engine, a lead battery, or a fuel tank, or may be a device or part used for something other than an automobile. The test object 40 may be any object as long as it has a flowable liquid inside.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. Changes are possible.

10 holding device 11, 12 end portion 13 test object driving device 20 X-ray CT device 21 main body 22 support section 23 opening 25 photographing range 30 control section 40 test object 41 lubricating oil 100, 200 test device

Claims (4)

a first end holding a test object having a liquid therein; and a second end opposite to the first end, the relative height of the first end and the second end being a holding device whose degree of inclination with respect to the horizontal direction changes as the position changes;
An opening into which the test object is inserted is provided, a main body part for photographing the test object, and a support part for supporting the main body part, and the main body part is arranged so that the direction in which the opening faces can be changed. an X-ray CT device that is rotatable with respect to the support part,
In the case where the holding device holds the test object in a state where the holding device is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the X-ray CT apparatus is configured so that the main body portion is held in the state in which the main body portion is held in the state in which the holding device is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. A test device that rotates relative to a support portion, and at least one of the holding device and the X-ray CT device slides so that the test object moves within the opening in a direction toward which the opening faces. The test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding device is capable of sliding in a horizontal direction when in a horizontal state, and is slidable in an inclined direction when in a state inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The main body of the X-ray CT apparatus changes the direction in which the opening faces by rotating about a first axis,
The holding device changes the degree of inclination with respect to the horizontal direction by rotating around the second axis at the first end,
The holding device and the main body are connected to the first axis or the second axis in a state where the first axis and the second axis overlap so that the direction in which the opening faces and the direction of inclination of the holding device match. The test device according to claim 2, which simultaneously rotates around . comprising a drive unit that drives the test object,
The test device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the X-ray CT device photographs the object to be tested that is being driven by the drive section.

Images