JP2733311B2 - Ultrasonic device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an ultrasonic device such as an ultrasonic diagnostic device or an ultrasonic flaw detector, and particularly to an object to be inspected at a location distant from an apparatus main body. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic device that is sometimes inspected using an ultrasonic probe.

[Prior Art] FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a conventional ultrasonic apparatus. The ultrasonic device generally has a configuration in which an ultrasonic device main body 95 and an ultrasonic probe 91 are connected by a cable 93.
The conventional ultrasonic probe 91 includes only the ultrasonic transducer 10, and the operating condition of the ultrasonic device is determined by operating the operation knobs and switches of the operation input unit 54 provided in the device main body 95. Is to be entered each time. Signals are transmitted and received between the ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit 50 of the apparatus main body 95 and the transducer 10 of the probe 91 via the signal line of the cable 93, and the received signal is processed by the signal processing circuit 53. Configuration.

As an improvement of this conventional ultrasonic device, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
There is one described in JP-A-59-243163. In this ultrasonic apparatus, a processor and a memory for facilitating signal processing are provided in the apparatus main body. Recently, `` Non-destructive inspection '' Vol.
As described in 37, No. 9A (September 1988), pp. 809 to 814, an all-digital ultrasonic device has been developed, and setting is performed using various measurement software. ,
Waveform display, signal processing, recording, etc. are made easy. However, it is the same as in the prior art that the operator must input the operating conditions of the apparatus each time from the operation input unit of the apparatus main body.

In recent years, many ultrasonic transducers arranged in an array have been used as ultrasonic probes, and electronic circuits and signal amplifiers for scanning the array transducer have been used. The equipped ultrasonic device is disclosed in JP-A-57-110924.
No., published in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. However, even in the case of setting the operating conditions in this ultrasonic apparatus, it is necessary to input each time from the operation input unit of the apparatus main body, and the inconvenience has not been solved.

As another conventional technique, there is a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-265566. In this prior art, as shown in FIG. 26, memories 701b and 701c are built in an ultrasonic probe (ultrasonic probe) 701 together with an ultrasonic vibrator 701a. And, in these memories, delay data for ultrasonic transmission / reception delay control according to the ultrasonic scan mode,
Stores vector data for image display. This delay data is read out by the transmission / reception control unit 702b of the ultrasonic apparatus main body 702, and controls the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 702a to transmit / receive ultrasonic waves. The vector data is read by an address generation unit 702c2 of a digital scan converter (DSC) 702c, and an image write address to a frame memory 702c1 is given. Thereby, a flaw detection (diagnosis) image is displayed on the CRT display 702d.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In each of the above-described prior arts, it is necessary to input an operation from a predetermined operation input unit of the apparatus main body every time an operation condition is set or each time an operation condition is changed. Also, when observing the received image, it is necessary to see the screen attached to the apparatus main body. When using an ultrasonic probe to move the ultrasonic probe over the object to be inspected, it is necessary to carefully perform the operation, and to change operating conditions or confirm a received image during the operation. It is not only troublesome to go to the apparatus main body in the place where it is located, but also adversely affects the inspection accuracy. However, the conventional ultrasonic apparatus has a problem that operability and usability in such an actual use environment are not considered. In addition, when a plurality of types of ultrasonic probes are connected to one apparatus main body, each time an ultrasonic probe to be used is connected to the apparatus main body, the operation conditions must be manually input. Further, there is a problem that the input operating conditions cannot be easily confirmed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic device that is easy to operate and easy to use.

Means for Solving the Problems The object is to provide an ultrasonic apparatus configured to connect an ultrasonic probe to an apparatus main body, and to replace various ultrasonic probes and connect the ultrasonic probe to the apparatus main body. In the apparatus, each ultrasonic probe is provided with a storage unit that stores an identification code unique to its own probe, and a unit that detects that the ultrasonic probe is connected to the device main body, Means for enabling / disabling the detection operation of the means, and means for automatically setting operating conditions according to the contents of the storage means of the connected ultrasonic probe and operating the ultrasonic apparatus under the operating conditions are provided. That is achieved.

The above object is also achieved by providing each ultrasonic probe with storage means for storing an identification code unique to its own probe,
Means for automatically setting operating conditions according to the contents of the storage means of the connected ultrasonic probe in the apparatus main body, and operating the ultrasonic apparatus under the operating conditions, and reading the structural information of the object to be inspected; Is set as one of the operating conditions.

The above object is also achieved in that each ultrasonic probe is provided with a storage unit and a command input unit storing operating conditions specific to the probe itself, and the ultrasonic probe is connected to the apparatus main body. Means, a means for enabling / disabling the detecting action of the means, and an operating condition automatically set according to the contents of the storage means of the connected ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic apparatus is operated under the operating condition. This is achieved by providing means for operating.

The above object is also achieved by providing, in each of the ultrasonic probes, storage means and command input means for storing operating conditions unique to the own probe, and the ultrasonic probe connected to the apparatus main body. A means for automatically setting an operating condition according to the contents of the storage means and operating the ultrasonic apparatus under the operating condition, and a means for reading structural information of a test object and setting the structural information as one of the operating conditions are provided. Is achieved.

[Action]

In the present invention, in addition to the means for detecting the connection of the ultrasonic probe, a means for enabling / disabling the detection operation of this means is provided. The use of the probe is facilitated, and the performance evaluation of probes having different characteristics is facilitated. Further, by using the structural information of the inspection object as the operating condition, flaw detection that follows the shape of the inspection region of the inspection object is facilitated.

〔Example〕

 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an ultrasonic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic device according to this embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 1, an ultrasonic device main body 5, and a connection cable 3 for connecting the two.

The ultrasonic probe 1 includes, as its constituent elements, information such as an ultrasonic frequency, a focal length, a focal length, and sensitivity, which are characteristics of the probe 1 itself, in addition to the transducer 10 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. , A CPU 11 for processing the information and input information from the encoder 14 and the switch 15 and transmitting the processed information to the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 via the cable 3, and the ultrasonic probe 1 connected to the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 A connection detection circuit 13 and a display device 16 for detecting that the connection has been made are built in.

The ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 includes an ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit 50, a control computer 51 for performing various settings of the ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit 50, an interface circuit 52 with an internal circuit of the ultrasonic probe 1, and signal processing for analyzing and processing flaw detection data. It comprises a circuit 53, an operation input unit 54 for performing various settings, a display unit 55 for setting status, a display unit 57 for displaying results, and a power supply 70. Note that an external storage medium 56 for storing the setting conditions and the operation method can be attached.

The connection cable 3 connects the ultrasonic probe 1 and the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5, and is a signal line for transmitting an ultrasonic signal.
30 and terminals 36 and 37, signal lines 31 to 35 used for transmitting information from the ultrasonic probe 1, communicating with the CPU 11, detecting connection, and the like, and terminals for these signal lines 31 to 35 38-47
Is provided.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic device including the ultrasonic probe 1, the cable 3, and the ultrasonic device main body 5 will be described.

First, when the ultrasonic probe 1 is connected to the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 via the cable 3, power is supplied from the power supply 70 of the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 to the ultrasonic probe 1, and the ultrasonic probe Each circuit in the child 1 becomes operable. When the connection detection circuit 13 and the probe interface circuit 52 detect that both are connected, the control computer 51 knows that the connection state has been established. Next, the control computer 51 connects the ultrasonic probe 1 with the probe interface circuit 52 via the probe interface circuit 52.
The information stored in the ROM 12 is read. The control computer 51 sets operating conditions of the ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit 50 based on the read information. The operation conditions include, for example, a transmission / reception repetition period, a transmission pulse voltage, a gain, and damping. The control computer 51 also sets the frequency, gate position, gate width, and the like in the signal processing circuit 53. These set values are values that can sufficiently exhibit the performance of the ultrasonic probe 1, and can be used in most ordinary cases.

In this way, by simply connecting the ultrasonic probe 1 to the ultrasonic apparatus main body via the cable 3, the ultrasonic apparatus is initialized so as to be in an optimal state for the ultrasonic probe 1, and The operation of the sonic device becomes simpler than before.

Next, an embodiment in which an array-type probe is used will be described. In the case of an electronic scanning type ultrasonic apparatus using an array type ultrasonic probe, a large number of transducers 10-1, 10-2,... As shown in FIG. An arrayed transducer group having 10-n arrays is used, and an electronic scanning ultrasonic transmitting / receiving circuit 50- is used instead of the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving circuit 50 shown in FIG.
Use 1. The electronic scanning ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit includes, for example, an interface circuit 501 with the control computer 51 (FIG. 1) and a multi-channel scanning control circuit 5 as shown in FIG.
02, multi-channel pulser 503, multi-channel receiver 5
04, a transmission phasing circuit 505, and a reception phasing circuit 506.

In the array type ultrasonic probe 1-1 (FIG. 2), the pitch of the array transducer, the focal length, the focal length, the sensitivity of each transducer, and whether it is for linear scanning or sector scanning. A ROM 12 is provided which stores data such as frequency, frequency, and array irregularities. When the array type probe 1-1 is connected to the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 via the cable 3, the control computer 51 is connected in the same manner as in the case of the single ultrasonic probe 1 (FIG. 1). Know that is connected. Control computer 51
Reads the data stored in the ROM 12 in the array type ultrasonic probe 1-1 via the probe interface circuit 52. Next, the control computer 51 sets the delay time of the phasing circuits 505 and 506 (FIG. 3) based on these data, adjusts the output pulse voltage of the multi-channel pulsar 503, and adjusts the gain of the multi-channel receiver 504. I do. Further, the control computer 51 sets a scanning procedure in the multi-channel scanning control circuit 502, and further sets a frequency, a gate position, a gate width, and the like for the signal processing circuit 53.

When using the array-type ultrasonic probe 1-1, the operator may change the focal length during use. In such a case, the encoder 14 provided in the operation input unit 54 of the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 or the array type ultrasonic probe 1-1,
By operating the switch 15, the control computer 51 is notified of the focal length to be changed. How to use this encoder will be described later. When the focal length to be changed is specified by the operator, the control computer 51 reads the array transducer 10- of the array-type ultrasonic probe 1-1 which has already been read.
The delay time is calculated using the pitch data of 1,..., 10-n, and the delay time is set in the phasing circuits 505 and 506. By doing so, the data of the delay time is transmitted to the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5.
There is no need to store the information in advance in the memory, and it is possible to cope with a new array type ultrasonic probe to be developed in the future.

The above is the basic configuration of the ultrasonic apparatus according to the present embodiment. Next, the details of this embodiment will be described.

First, an embodiment for detecting connection (connection detection circuit 13 and interface circuit 52) will be described with reference to FIG. The detection principle of this circuit utilizes that a closed loop is formed when the ultrasonic probe 1 is connected to the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 via the cable 3. The input of the inverter 521 of the interface circuit provided in the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 of FIG. 4 is pulled up to Vcc by the resistor R1, and the input of the inverter 521 before the connection of the probe 1 becomes high level. ing. Therefore, the output of the inverter 521 is at a low level. When the ultrasonic probe 1 is connected to the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 via the cable 3, the signal lines 341 and 342 in the cable and the connection detection circuit 13 in the ultrasonic probe 1 are connected to form a closed loop. . As a result, the input of the inverter 521 becomes low level, and the output thereof becomes high level. With this high level signal,
Monostable multivibrator 523 is triggered. A pulse is output from the triggered monostable multivibrator 523, and this pulse becomes a signal P1 indicating that the probe has been connected. While the probe is connected, the output of the inverter 521 is at a high level. Signal P3 indicating probe connection status
Indicates that the probe is being connected at the high level, and indicates that the probe is disconnected from the apparatus main body 5 at the low level. In the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 of the present embodiment, when the connection of the probe is detected by the signal P1, the information stored in the ROM 12 in the ultrasonic probe 1 is read, and the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 is read. Automatic setting of various conditions is performed for each circuit inside.

Next, a case where the ultrasonic probe 1 is separated from the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 will be considered. At this time, the input of the inverter 521 changes from the low level to the high level, and the output changes from the high level to the low level. Further, the output of the second inverter 522 changes from the low level to the high level, and the high level signal causes the monostable multivibrator 524 to output.
Is triggered to output a pulse. This pulse becomes the signal P2 indicating that the probe has been disconnected. Further, the signal P3 indicating that the probe is being connected changes from the high level to the low level, indicating that the probe 1 is disconnected.

The above is the operation of the circuit for detecting the presence or absence of the connection of the probe. To summarize the above operation, as shown in FIG.
When the probe is connected to the main body 5, a pulse P1 is generated, and during connection, the level of the signal P3 indicating the connection state becomes high. Then, when the probe 1 is separated from the main body 5, a pulse is generated.
P2 is generated, and the level of the signal P3 indicating the connection state becomes low.

In the above embodiment, the connection state is detected by hardware (circuit), but it can be realized by software. For example, the ROM 12 in the ultrasonic probe 1
A specific code is stored in the device, and as shown in FIG.
This is achieved by recognizing that the connection state is established when this code can be read correctly.

Note that this method periodically uses the ROM 12 in the ultrasonic probe 1.
It is necessary to monitor the presence or absence of connection by performing an operation of reading the specific code from the software, but this may be incorporated in a part of the software.

Next, an embodiment of a circuit for invalidating the function of detecting connection will be described. This circuit function is provided by the ultrasonic device main body 5.
This function is necessary to invalidate the automatic setting function of various conditions. When disabling the connection detection function, another type of ultrasonic probe may be used under the same setting conditions. For example, when evaluating the performance of a plurality of ultrasonic probes having different characteristics, it is necessary to perform the evaluation under the same setting conditions. In this embodiment, a circuit shown in FIG. 7 is used as a circuit for realizing this function. In this circuit, the connection of the connection detection circuit 13-1 in the ultrasonic probe is cut so as not to form the closed loop. When the method of detecting the connection by software as described with reference to FIG. 6 is adopted, an address is assigned to the switch circuit shown in FIG. 7, and the state of the switch is first detected.
This can be realized by configuring software so as to determine whether or not to perform a code reading operation for detecting a connection state. Also, in this case, the RO
This can also be realized by making it impossible to read out a specific code stored in M12. Further, the same function can be realized by providing a switch circuit on the ultrasonic device main body 5 side instead of the ultrasonic probe.

Next, an encoder provided in the ultrasonic probe will be described. FIG. 8 is a top view of the array type ultrasonic probe 1-1 provided with the encoders 14-1 and 14-2. This array type ultrasonic probe is used by connecting to an electronically operated ultrasonic device. In the electronic scanning ultrasonic apparatus, a ninth signal is given by delaying an electric pulse applied to each transducer 10 or a signal received by each transducer (a signal converted into an electric signal).
The focusing and deflection of the ultrasonic beam shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B can be performed electronically. The delay time given at this time is calculated from the arrangement pitch, the focal length, the deflection angle of the transducers and the number of transducers driven simultaneously. By the way, array pitch data of transducers is stored in the array-type ultrasonic probe 1-1 according to the present embodiment.
A control computer 51 in the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 shown in FIG.
Has been read. Also, the number of vibrators driven simultaneously is
This is known as a number that can be handled by the multi-channel pulsar 503 and the multi-channel receiver 504 of the electronic scanning ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit 50 shown in FIG. Therefore, if the focal length or the deflection angle is input, the computer 51 or the CPU 11 can calculate the delay time. Therefore, if the focal length and the deflection angle are input by the encoder 14 provided in the array type ultrasonic probe 1-1, the operation input unit 54 of the ultrasonic device main body 5 can be operated without operating. Focal length
F, it is possible to easily set or change the deflection angle θ.

Next, details of the encoder will be described. In this embodiment, an encoder for generating a binary digital code is used because data is processed by a computer. FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of the encoder. This encoder includes a buffer 140 and an electrode pattern 141 as an input-side electrical contact of the buffer 140. The electrode pattern 141 is formed on a substrate 149, and slides the moving electrode 142 on the electrode pattern 141 to generate a binary code by contact between the two. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of another encoder. This encoder is a variable resistor
Using an analog-to-digital converter 143
Is converted into a digital signal.

Next, an embodiment of a circuit for detecting when the input value of the encoder is changed will be described with reference to FIG.
The latch 525 holds the encoder input value before the change. When the input value of the encoder changes by operating the encoder 14, the comparison circuit 526 compares the value before the change held in the latch 525 with the value after the change. The comparison circuit 526 changes the output from “0” to “1” when detecting that both values do not match. That is, when the designated focal length or the deflection angle changes by operating the encoder 14, "1" is output from the comparison circuit 526. The "1" signal triggers the monostable multivibrator 527 to generate a pulse indicating a change in the encoder input value, and at the same time triggers the latch 525 to hold the new encoder input value. When the changed encoder input value is held in the latch 525, the output of the comparison circuit 526 becomes "0" again. FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a specific embodiment of FIG. As shown in this circuit diagram, the comparator
Reference numeral 526 indicates that when two values to be compared (encoder input values before and after the change) match, “0” is input and the values do not match, by taking the exclusive OR of the corresponding bits and taking the logical sum of them. Output "1" when With the circuit described above, a change in the encoder input value can be detected.

When the designation of the focal length or the like is changed by the encoder, in the electronic scanning ultrasonic apparatus, the control computer 51 shown in FIG. 1 detects a pulse indicating the change in the input value of the encoder 14 and reads the value of the encoder. . Then, the delay time is calculated from the pitch data of the transducer already read, the number of simultaneously driven transducers, and the focal length or the change angle input from the encoder, and the delay circuit is reset with the calculated delay time. That is, in this embodiment,
By inputting the focal length and the deflection angle from the encoder provided in the ultrasonic probe, the focal length and the deflection angle can be automatically set without touching the ultrasonic apparatus main body, and the operability is improved. FIG. 14 shows the flow of this operation. 14th
As can be seen from the flow of the figure, if the setting data calculated from the encoder value is out of the setting range of the device, it can be set and set to a value close to the setting value specified by the encoder, and set as specified Notify the operator of the failure. By doing so, operability is not degraded even when the value falls outside the specified range.

Next, an embodiment of a means for inputting a command will be described. First, the case of an array probe will be described with reference to FIG. 8 again. In the electronic scanning ultrasonic apparatus using the array type probe, as described above, the focal length and the deflection angle can be changed by using the encoder 14 mounted on the probe. As a flaw detection (diagnosis) system utilizing these functions, there are a sector scan in which a beam is scanned in a fan shape, a dynamic focus in which a beam is scanned while changing a focal length, and the like. Of these, in sector scanning, it is necessary to set the range of angular scanning. This can be performed by a combination of the input from the encoder 14 and the input from the switch 15 for inputting a command. In the array-type ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. 8, the encoder 14-1 first sets the first angle, and then presses the θ-set switch 15-1.
One end of the angular scanning range is set in the electronic scanning ultrasonic phase device. Next, after the encoder 14-1 is set to the second angle, the other end of the angle scanning range is set to the electronic scanning ultrasonic apparatus by pressing the θ-set switch 15-1. Thereby, the angular scanning range of the sector scanning is set, and the ultrasonic beam is scanned in a fan shape between the first angle and the second angle to perform the flaw detection.

In this setting, if the θ-set switch 15-1 is pressed immediately without setting the second angle after setting the first angle, both ends of the angle scanning range are the same, that is, the encoder
The flaw detection is performed by transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic beam only in the angle direction set to 14-1. In other words, the array-type probe for sector scanning can be treated as a fixed angle single probe without performing sector scanning.

Encoder 14-2 for dynamic focus
Similarly, by operating the switch 15-2 and the like, the flaw detection is performed while changing the focal length within the set range, or the fixed focal length is set and treated like a fixed focus single probe. I can do it.

As described above, by using the switch 15 provided in the probe according to the present embodiment in combination with the encoder 14,
Setting of a sector scanning range, fixing of a scanning angle, setting of a range of dynamic focus, fixing of a focal length, and the like can be easily performed. When both switches 15-1 and 15-2 are pressed simultaneously, the system can be reset.

Next, a case where the above-described ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment is used as a single ultrasonic probe will be described with reference to FIG.

When used as a single ultrasonic probe, the above-described sector scanning and dynamic focus are not performed. In this case, it is convenient to use the switch as follows. For example, if a reflected wave from a flaw or the like in the inspected object is observed or an abnormal reflected wave is observed while the received waveform is being observed by the receiver during flaw detection, the printer It is necessary to print a reflected waveform or perform a waveform analysis with a more sophisticated analyzer to immediately analyze and record the state of the defect. In such a case, by pressing the switch 15, these operation instructions can be given to the device,
The efficiency of flaw detection can be improved.

Next, an embodiment of an ultrasonic probe having information display means will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 16. FIG. The ultrasonic probe 1-1 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a small flat display device 16. For example, the display device 16 displays the content of the flaw detection result. This will be described with reference to FIG. The example of FIG. 16 (a) is a case where the inspected object has no defect, and since the echo level is "0", "no defect (NO)" is displayed. The example of FIG. 16 (b)
Echo level is “20” when there is a small defect
And defective (YES) and small in size (S), defect position X = 1
5, Y = 22 is displayed. The example of FIG. 16 (c) is a case where there is a large defect, the echo level is "0", the defect is present (YES), the size is large (L), and the defect position is X = 20, Y = 4.
5 is displayed. As described above, it is convenient and important in practical use that the flaw detection result can be understood by the ultrasonic probe at hand. It is for the following reasons.
That is, in ultrasonic flaw detection, it is important to detect a defect without overlooking it. To that end, it is necessary to ensure sufficient contact between the ultrasonic probe and the object to be inspected and to apply ultrasonic waves to the object to be inspected. It is necessary to make it incident well. When inspecting flaws manually by an inspector, the inspector constantly monitors the contact state and places the ultrasonic probe on the surface of the object to be inspected in order to maintain good contact between the ultrasonic probe and the object to be inspected. The flaw detection is being performed while moving. Therefore, the fact that the display unit of the flaw detection result is only on the ultrasonic device main body side, it is necessary to perform the flaw detection while alternately looking at the ultrasonic probe at a remote position and the display unit on the device main body side, It becomes impossible to concentrate on the important work of maintaining good contact between the ultrasonic probe and the object to be inspected. Further, when the display unit of the ultrasonic apparatus main body cannot be directly viewed, the flaw detection itself becomes impossible. For the above reasons, by providing a display device on the ultrasonic probe and displaying the flaw detection results on this display device, the inspector can concentrate on the operation of the ultrasonic probe and perform accurate flaw detection. Will be able to do it. It is needless to say that not only the flaw detection result but also various setting conditions of the ultrasonic device are displayed on the display unit, so that the setting conditions can be easily confirmed. Also, if only the presence or absence of a defect is indicated, a lamp or a light emitting diode may be used as a display device to turn on these when a defect is detected, or a sound may be emitted using a buzzer. .

Next, an embodiment of a conversion device used when a conventional ultrasonic probe other than the ultrasonic probe according to the present embodiment is connected to the ultrasonic apparatus main body of the present embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 17, this conversion device 7 has only a signal terminal 48 for transmitting a transmission pulse and a reception signal on the side to which the ultrasonic probe is connected. On the side connected to the ultrasonic device main body, signal terminals 39, 43, 45, 47 for transmitting and receiving information to and from the ultrasonic device main body and a terminal 41 for supplying power from the ultrasonic device main body are provided. Although provided, these do not work as long as conventional probes are used. That is, this conversion device 7
Is a kind of conversion connector. With such a conversion device, a conventional ultrasonic probe can be connected to the ultrasonic device main body 5 according to the present embodiment. However, in such a case, the function of automatically setting the ultrasonic apparatus main body to conditions suitable for the ultrasonic probe cannot be used, as a matter of course.

Next, an embodiment of the ultrasonic apparatus which sets the operating conditions of the ultrasonic apparatus from the outside, stores the operating conditions in the external storage medium, and further reads and operates the operating conditions stored in the external storage medium 1 will be described again with reference to FIG. In the inspection by ultrasonic flaw detection, ultrasonic waves are transmitted toward the inside of the object to be inspected, reflected waves from inside the object to be inspected are received,
Signal processing and visualization are performed to determine the quality of the inspection object. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 and the signal processing circuit 53 of the conventional device shown in FIG. 20, transmission / reception control of ultrasonic waves, signal processing, judgment and the like are performed. However, in a conventional ultrasonic device, for example, in the flaw detection device described in the above-mentioned document “Non-destructive inspection” Vol. 37, Vol. 9A, page 809, an existing ROM card is inserted into the device, and data stored in the ROM card is used. Control and signal processing are possible. However, the operating conditions set by the ultrasonic device are stored, or the stored operating conditions are read out,
It cannot be operated based on it. The ultrasonic apparatus according to the present embodiment has a function of storing the set operating conditions in an external storage medium 56 such as an IC card. The setting of the operating condition is performed by the operation input unit of the ultrasonic apparatus main body shown in FIG.
The processing is performed from 54, and stored in the external storage medium 56. Therefore, in the ultrasonic apparatus according to the present embodiment, the ultrasonic apparatus can be arbitrarily programmed so that the user can perform an operation and a signal processing suitable for each purpose. Further, in the present embodiment, the operating conditions stored in the external storage medium 56 and the identification code of the ultrasonic probe used at that time are also stored in the external storage medium 56. By reading and collating the identification code of the probe 1, it is possible to automatically determine whether the currently connected ultrasonic probe is the next ultrasonic probe to be used. it can. As a result, an artificial setting error of the apparatus can be reduced as much as possible, and a highly reliable ultrasonic apparatus can be configured.

Next, an ultrasonic probe having an identification code set therein, a recording medium that records information unique to the ultrasonic probe and an identification code that is separate from the ultrasonic probe, The identification code transmitted from the acoustic probe is compared with the identification code recorded on the recording medium, and when the identification code matches, the setting of the apparatus is automatically performed based on the information recorded on the recording medium. An embodiment of an ultrasonic apparatus having the above-mentioned means will be briefly described with reference to FIG. The details of the device are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

The ultrasonic probe 1 is connected to the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 via the connection cable 3, and the identification code stored in the identification code setting circuit 24 inside the ultrasonic probe 1 is stored in the apparatus main body 5.
Is read out. On the other hand, the identification code of the probe to be used is read, for example, from the ROM card 66, and then both identification codes are compared. When the comparison results match, information specific to the ultrasonic probe is read from the ROM card 66, and various conditions of the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 are automatically set. FIG. 19 shows a flow of automatic setting of the ultrasonic apparatus in this embodiment.

In FIG. 19, the identification code is described as ID. Further, in this embodiment, as the identification code setting circuit 24 provided inside the ultrasonic probe, a circuit composed of only simple wiring as shown in FIG. 20 can be used. Do. On the other hand, the identification code input circuit 65 in the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 can also be realized by the circuit shown in FIG. The circuit shown in FIG. 20 is a circuit for generating a digital identification code. The identification code input circuit 65 in the ultrasonic apparatus is set to a high level by pulling up the inputs of the buffers 651 to 654. The identification code setting circuit 24 in the ultrasound probe sets an arbitrary portion of the buffer input that has been pulled up to a low level, whereby a code according to the setting of the identification code setting circuit 24 is output. The circuit shown in FIG. 20 short-circuits or opens the code setting units 241 to 244 of the identification code setting circuit 24 to set “0” or “1”. In this example, “4” is used as a 4-bit code. 1001 "is set.
Note that in this circuit system, the code “111” in which all bits are “1” is used.
1 "cannot be used as an identification code because it is the same as the initial state of the identification code input circuit 65.

The embodiment described above is particularly effective in the case of a single ultrasonic probe that does not have much information. In a single ultrasonic probe, the information mainly includes characteristic information such as frequency, focal length, and incident angle, and structural information such as array pitch data of transducers of an array type ultrasonic probe. Since there is no information, there is little information to be recorded on the ROM card 66, and even if the user inputs the setting of the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 by hand, it is not troublesome. In addition, since there is little information recorded in the ROM card 66, a nonvolatile storage medium in which the stored information is not lost even when the power is turned off, such as an EEPROM, a magnetic bubble memory, a magnetic disk, and a memory backed up by a battery. Are provided inside the ultrasonic apparatus main body 5 and identification codes and unique information of a large number of ultrasonic probes are stored therein. It is not necessary to perform the operation of reading the information unique to the acoustic probe. Therefore, it is not necessary to always have the ROM card 66 and the ultrasonic probe 1 in pairs. This is effective when an ultrasonic device is brought to the site and a single ultrasonic probe which is often inspected manually is used. When the storage capacity of the non-volatile storage medium provided inside the ultrasonic apparatus is large, it is obvious that the present invention is also effective when applied to the array type ultrasonic probe described above.

Next, an embodiment of an ultrasonic apparatus which operates based on the structure information of the object to be inspected and the information of the ultrasonic probe input from the outside will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22.
FIG. 21 shows a case where an array-type ultrasonic probe is used to inspect a bottom surface whose distance from a surface contacted with the probe varies depending on the location. In such a case, in order to inspect each of the bottom surfaces having different distances with good resolution, it is necessary to control the ultrasonic beam so that it is focused on the bottom surface. For this purpose, structural information of the object to be inspected is required, and this information is input to the ultrasonic device, and further, by controlling the ultrasonic beam in combination with the information of the array type ultrasonic probe, The bottom surface is also inspected with good resolution. In this case, the ultrasonic apparatus first determines the focal position of the ultrasonic beam based on the structural information of the inspection object. Next, using the information of the array-type ultrasonic probe,
The delay time of the phasing circuits 505 and 506 of the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 50-1 shown in the figure is set so that the focus position of the ultrasonic beam is the position determined previously. Further, in order to selectively receive the echo from the bottom surface, a gate position t on the time axis of the signal processing circuit 53 shown in FIG. 3 is set. The gate position t can be obtained by calculating t = l / v from the sound velocity v of the test object and the distance 1 from the surface. FIGS. 22 (a), (b) and (c) show the states of echoes with the gate set. As described above, by operating the ultrasonic apparatus in consideration of the structure information of the inspection object, flaw detection can be performed according to the shape of the inspection region of the inspection object.

Next, a method of automatically setting the operating conditions of the ultrasonic device using the reference test object will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24, taking the automatic setting of the focal length as an example. FIG. 23 is a view showing a reference test object and a focusing state of an ultrasonic beam in the reference test object. The reference test object has a thickness of L, and it is important to match the focal length F of the ultrasonic beam to L in order to inspect the bottom surface well. This is similar to the embodiment described above. In the above-described embodiment, the structure information is input from the outside, and the condition setting of the ultrasonic apparatus is performed based on the information. In this embodiment, the setting is performed using the reference test object. The automatic setting operation in this embodiment is performed based on the following fact. That is, when the ultrasonic beam is focused on the bottom surface, the echo level becomes almost maximum. This is shown in FIG. In FIG. 24, it can be seen that when the focal length F becomes equal to the thickness L of the reference test object, the echo level becomes maximum. Therefore, by changing the delay time of the phasing circuits 505 and 506 of the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 50-1 shown in FIG.
By changing the focal length, the relationship between the echo level and the focal length is obtained. Next, the focal length at which the echo level becomes maximum is obtained from the result, and the delay times of the phasing circuits 505 and 506 of the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit 50-1 shown in FIG. 3 are set so as to become the focal length. In such an automatic setting operation, when a flaw detection method, for example, a radiation direction or a beam width of an ultrasonic beam is specified by a standard, a test piece for adjusting the ultrasonic beam so as to conform to the standard is prepared. In addition, there is an advantage that the setting operation of the ultrasonic apparatus before the flaw detection can be easily performed by automatically setting using the test piece.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, in addition to the means for detecting the connection of the ultrasonic probe, means for enabling / disabling the detection operation of this means are provided. It becomes easy to use another type of ultrasonic probe, and it becomes easy to evaluate the performance of probes having different characteristics. Further, by using the structural information of the inspection object as the operating condition, flaw detection that follows the shape of the inspection region of the inspection object is facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an array-type ultrasonic probe according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a connection detection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram of an output signal of the connection detection circuit, and FIG. 6 is a connection detection by software. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of means for invalidating a connection detection circuit, FIG. 8 is an external view of an array type ultrasonic probe according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. a),
(B) is an explanatory diagram of the control of the ultrasonic beam, and FIGS.
(B) is a configuration diagram of the encoder, FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the encoder, FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a change detection circuit of the encoder output value, and FIG. 13 is a specific circuit diagram of FIG. , 14th
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation condition setting procedure based on an encoder output value, FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the ultrasonic apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 16 (a), (b) and (c) are ultra- FIG. 17 is a view showing a display example of a display unit provided on an ultrasonic probe, and FIG. 17 is an illustration of a connector used when a conventional probe is connected to an apparatus main body which can be connected by replacing various ultrasonic probes. FIG. 18, FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the ultrasonic apparatus shown in FIG. 18, and FIG.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the configuration of an input circuit, and FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a case where flaw detection is performed according to the shape of an inspection part of an object to be inspected.
(B) and (c) are signal waveform diagrams at different locations of the test object in FIG. 21, FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a case where the focal length is automatically set using a reference test object, and FIG. FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 are graphs showing the relationship between the distance and the echo level, and FIG. 25 and FIG. 1 ... ultrasonic probe, 5 ... ultrasonic device body, 10 ... ultrasonic transducer, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... connection detection circuit, 14 ... encoder, 15 ... Command switch, 16 Display device.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Jun Kubota 4026 Kuji-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Within Hitachi Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. (56) References JP-A-1-129835 (JP, A) JP-A-61- 146237 (JP, A) JP-A-63-154160 (JP, A) JP-A-63-234950 (JP, A)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ultrasonic apparatus having a structure in which an ultrasonic probe is connected to an apparatus main body, wherein the ultrasonic probe is replaced with various ultrasonic probes and connected to the apparatus main body. A storage means for storing an identification code unique to its own probe is provided for each child, a means for detecting that an ultrasonic probe is connected to the apparatus main body, and a detection function of the means being enabled. And an invalidating means, and means for automatically setting an operation condition according to the contents of the storage means of the connected ultrasonic probe and operating the ultrasonic apparatus under the operation condition. apparatus. 2. An ultrasonic apparatus having a configuration in which an ultrasonic probe is connected to an apparatus main body, wherein the ultrasonic probe is connected to the apparatus main body by replacing various ultrasonic probes. A storage means for storing an identification code unique to its own probe is provided for each child, and operating conditions are automatically set in the apparatus main body according to the contents of the storing means of the connected ultrasonic probe, and Means for operating the ultrasound device with
Means for reading structural information of the test object and setting the structural information as one of the operating conditions. 3. An ultrasonic apparatus having a configuration in which an ultrasonic probe is connected to an apparatus main body, wherein the ultrasonic probe is replaced with various ultrasonic probes and connected to the apparatus main body. In each of the children, while providing a storage means and command input means storing the operating conditions unique to its own probe, means for detecting that an ultrasonic probe is connected to the device body,
Means for enabling / disabling the detection operation of the means, and means for automatically setting operating conditions according to the contents of the storage means of the connected ultrasonic probe and operating the ultrasonic apparatus under the operating conditions are provided. An ultrasonic device, characterized in that: 4. An ultrasonic apparatus having a configuration in which an ultrasonic probe is connected to an apparatus main body, wherein the ultrasonic probe is replaced with various ultrasonic probes and connected to the apparatus main body. Each of the units is provided with a storage unit for storing operating conditions specific to its own probe and a command input unit, and the automatic setting of operating conditions according to the contents of the storage unit of the ultrasonic probe connected to the apparatus main body. An ultrasonic apparatus comprising: means for setting and operating the ultrasonic apparatus under the operating conditions; and means for reading structural information of the object to be inspected and setting the structural information as one of the operating conditions.