JP6694934B2 - Honeycomb structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a honeycomb structure. More specifically, in the segment type honeycomb structure, there is no limitation on the installation position of a sensor such as a thermocouple for measuring the temperature of the joint portion, and the joint surface of the honeycomb segment may have any shape. The present invention relates to a honeycomb structure capable of installing a sensor.

  Exhaust gas emitted from engines such as automobiles contains harmful particulate matter (also called "particulate matter" or "PM"). Is required to be collected. A ceramic honeycomb structure is incorporated in an exhaust gas system of a diesel engine as a filter (“diesel particulate filter” or “DPF”) for collecting the particulate matter.

  Such a honeycomb structure includes a segment-type honeycomb structure in which a plurality of honeycomb segments are bonded with a bonding material. In order to design the honeycomb structure, set the usage standard, and calculate the thermal stress of each part of the honeycomb structure, the temperature inside the honeycomb structure, especially the temperature of the joint part, is grasped by the thermocouple. There is a need to. Although it is relatively easy to dispose the sensor in the fluid passage of the honeycomb structure, it is difficult to dispose the sensor at the joint. Therefore, the temperature of the joint could only be indirectly estimated from the temperature in the vicinity of the joint. Therefore, there has been a strong demand for the development of a technique that enables the temperature of the joint to be measured with high accuracy.

  Conventionally, in the measurement of the junction temperature of a segment type honeycomb structure, a tool such as a drill is used to arrange a thermocouple at the junctions of a plurality of honeycomb segments. I opened it and inserted a thermocouple into the hole. In drilling with such a drill, since it is necessary to form a straight hole, it is difficult to confirm whether or not the actual drilling position is the desired position in addition to the restriction on the measurement position. Further, in drilling with a drill, only a large hole having a diameter of 1 mm or more was drilled. Therefore, when a thin thermocouple such as 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm is used, the gap between the thermocouple and the hole is large. There was the drawback that If the gap is large like this, accurate temperature measurement cannot be performed, and thus it has conventionally been necessary to fill the gap with a ceramic material or the like.

  In addition, it is difficult to form an elongated hole in a thin joint portion because the possibility of damage to the joint portion or a tool for processing the joint portion is high. In particular, in a segment type honeycomb structure, since a hard ceramic such as silicon carbide, silicon nitride, cordierite, alumina, or mullite is used as a joint portion, the blade of the drill easily breaks during processing, which causes a problem in terms of cost. there were. Moreover, the depth of the hole to be drilled was limited to about 40 mm. Further, it is necessary to prepare an extra honeycomb segment in consideration of failure in drilling and damage to the honeycomb structure.

  In addition, as described in Patent Document 1, when the bonding surface of adjacent honeycomb segments has a curvature, or when the segments are vertically and horizontally displaced, further described in Patent Document 2. As described above, when adjacent honeycomb segments have a warp, it is necessary to form a curved hole, which is substantially impossible by the conventional method using a drill.

JP 2007-260530A International Publication No. 2005/047210 JP, 2004-262670, A

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art. The problem is that, in a segment type honeycomb structure, there is no limitation on the setting position to the joint of the sensor regardless of the shape of the honeycomb segment, and it is possible to easily and accurately set the honeycomb. To provide a structure.

  According to the present invention, the following honeycomb structure is provided.

[1] A honeycomb structure in which a plurality of honeycomb segments that define and form a plurality of cells that extend from an inflow end surface serving as a fluid flow path to an outflow end surface are integrally bonded at their bonding surfaces via a bonding portion, the joint portion, the outflow end face of the honeycomb structure and is formed as an elongated blind hole extending from at least one place of the side, have a hole for the at least one sensor insertion, the hole is, the joint A honeycomb structure, which is derived from a core provided in a bonding material that constitutes the honeycomb structure.

[2] The honeycomb structure according to [1], wherein the hole has a linear shape.

[3] The honeycomb structure according to [1], wherein the hole has a curved shape including at least one curved portion.

[4] The honeycomb structure according to [3], wherein the radius of curvature of the curved portion is 2 mm or more and is 5 times or more the outer diameter of the sensor.

[5] The honeycomb structure according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein a linear distance from an opening of the hole to a stop position of the hole is at least 50 mm.

[6] The honeycomb structure according to any one of [1] to [5], in which a sensor is inserted in the hole.

[7] The honeycomb structure according to [6], wherein the difference between the diameter of the hole and the outer diameter of the sensor is 0.02 mm to 1.5 mm.

[8] The honeycomb structure according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the sensor is a temperature measurement sensor.

  In the manufacturing method of the honeycomb structure of the present invention, during the joining of the plurality of honeycomb segments or after the joining, a removable core is used to form a hole for sensor insertion in the joined portion of the honeycomb segments. Therefore, there is no limitation on the formation position of the hole. Therefore, it has become possible to easily install the sensor even in a place away from the outflow end face of the honeycomb structure by 50 mm or more, which has been impossible in the past. Further, the measurement position by the sensor (the tip position of the sensor) and the withdrawal position of the sensor from the honeycomb structure can be freely set in both the axial direction and the radial direction of the honeycomb structure. Further, since the position of the hole can be set accurately, the measurement position by the sensor (for example, in the case of temperature measurement, the tip position of the thermocouple which is the temperature sensor) can be accurately grasped.

  Further, by using a curved core, it is possible to form a curved hole, which was not possible in the past, so that the joining surface of adjacent honeycomb segments has a curvature, It has become possible to easily install the sensor even when the segments are vertically and horizontally displaced, and even when the adjacent honeycomb segments have a warp. That is, according to the present invention, the sensor can be installed regardless of the shape of the bonding surface of the honeycomb segment. Further, even if the joining surfaces of the adjacent honeycomb segments do not have a curvature, it is possible to prevent the sensor from coming off by adopting the curved hole portion.

  Further, by using a core having a small diameter, accurate temperature measurement can be performed even when a thin sensor having a diameter of 0.3 to 0.5 mm, which has been impossible in the past, is used. It was

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a honeycomb structure manufactured according to a first embodiment of a manufacturing method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure of the present invention as seen from the inflow end face side, in which the position of a sensor installed in a joint is the inflow It is a schematic diagram typically shown from the end surface side. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A ′ of the honeycomb structure of FIG. 1A. It is a view seen through the honeycomb structure manufactured according to the second embodiment of the manufacturing method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure of the present invention from the inflow end face side, the position of the sensor installed in the joint is the inflow It is a schematic diagram typically shown from the end surface side. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the honeycomb structure of FIG. 2A seen from the side, and is a schematic diagram schematically showing the position of the sensor installed in the joint portion from the side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the honeycomb structure manufactured according to the third embodiment of the manufacturing method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure of the present invention from the inflow end face side, in which the position of the sensor installed in the bonding portion is the inflow direction. It is a schematic diagram typically shown from the end surface side. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the honeycomb structure of FIG. 3A seen from the side, and is a schematic diagram schematically showing the position of the sensor installed in the joint portion from the side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the honeycomb structure manufactured according to the fourth embodiment of the manufacturing method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure of the present invention from the inflow end face side, in which the position of the sensor installed in the joint is the inflow It is a schematic diagram typically shown from the end face side. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the honeycomb structure of FIG. 4A seen from a side surface, and is a schematic diagram schematically showing the position of the sensor installed in the bonding portion from the side surface. It is a perspective view which showed typically process A of a manufacturing method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure of the present invention. It is a perspective view which showed typically process C of the manufacturing method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure of the present invention. It is a perspective view which showed typically process C of the manufacturing method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure of the present invention. It is a figure which showed typically process D of a manufacturing method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing typically a honeycomb structure after removing a core. FIG. 3 is a view of an enlarged portion of an outflow end surface of a honeycomb structure manufactured according to the first embodiment as seen through from the outflow end surface, and is a schematic view of a sensor insertion hole formed after removing a core.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and appropriate modifications and improvements are made to the following embodiments based on ordinary knowledge of those skilled in the art within the scope not departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is to be understood that the addition of is also within the scope of the present invention.

(1) First Embodiment of Manufacturing Method of Honeycomb Structure FIG. 1A shows a honeycomb structure 100 manufactured according to a first embodiment of a manufacturing method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure according to the present invention. It is the figure seen through from the inflow end face side, and is a schematic view schematically showing the position of the sensor 16 installed in the joint portion 13 'from the inflow end face side. Further, FIG. 1B shows a sectional view taken along the line AA ′ in FIG. 1A. Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure may be simply referred to as “the manufacturing method of the first embodiment”. The honeycomb structure 100 is formed by bonding a plurality of honeycomb segments 10 with a bonding material 13.

  The manufacturing method of the first embodiment includes the following steps A to D. Step A is a step of preparing a plurality of honeycomb segments that partition-form a plurality of cells that extend from the inflow end surface to the outflow end surface that serves as a fluid flow path. Step B is a step of preparing an elongated core 11 having a diameter larger than that of the sensor 16 to be inserted. In the step C, one end of the core 11 is placed at a desired position when the bonding material 13 is applied to the bonding surfaces 12 of the plurality of honeycomb segments to form the bonding portion 13 ′, and the other of the core 11 is removed. In this step, at least one core 11 is installed so that one end portion communicates with the outside of the honeycomb segment. Step D is a step of removing the core 11 from the joint 13 'to form the elongated hole 14 for inserting the sensor. As a method of joining the honeycomb segments other than the steps A to D according to the present invention, a conventionally known method can be used. The above steps A to D will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E. Here, FIG. 5A is a perspective view schematically showing step A of the manufacturing method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a perspective view schematically showing step C of the manufacturing method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure of the present invention. FIG. 5C is a perspective view schematically showing step C of the manufacturing method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure of the present invention. FIG. 5D is a diagram schematically showing step D of the manufacturing method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure of the present invention, and is a perspective view schematically showing the honeycomb structure after the core is removed. is there.

(Process A)
Step A is a step of preparing a plurality of honeycomb segments 10 that partitionly form a plurality of cells 17 (see FIG. 5A) that extend from the inflow end surface to the outflow end surface that serves as a fluid flow path. The method for producing the honeycomb segment 10 is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known method can be used. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a quadrangular prism honeycomb segment 10 is used, but in the present invention, the shape of the honeycomb segment 10 used is not limited. For example, the bonding surfaces 12 of the adjacent honeycomb segments 10 at the time of bonding may have a curvature or may have a warp. The honeycomb segment is not limited to the quadrangular prism, but may be a triangular prism, a hexagonal prism, other polygons, a cylinder, or a combination of a triangular prism and a hexagonal prism.

  Moreover, the material of the honeycomb segment 10 is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known material can be used. As a material of the honeycomb segment 10, from the viewpoint of strength and heat resistance, silicon carbide, silicon-silicon carbide based composite material, silicon nitride, cordierite, mullite, alumina, spinel, silicon carbide-cordierite based composite material, silicon-based material. It is preferable to use at least one selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide composite materials, lithium aluminum silicate, aluminum titanate, zeolite, and Fe—Cr—Al-based metals.

  The honeycomb segment 10 is produced, for example, by adding methyl cellulose, hydroxypropoxyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, a binder such as polyvinyl alcohol, a surfactant, water as a solvent, etc. to a material appropriately selected from the above materials. To form a plastic kneaded material, and the kneaded material is extruded into the above-mentioned shape. Then, it can be performed by drying with microwaves, hot air or the like, and then firing. The honeycomb segment 10 may be a fired body obtained by drying and firing the above-mentioned kneaded clay extrusion-molded, a dried body before firing, or a molded body before drying.

(Process B)
Step B is a step of preparing an elongated core 11 having a diameter larger than that of the sensor 16 to be inserted. The core 11 is given the reference numeral 11 in FIG. 5C. The diameter of the core 11 may be a little larger than the diameter of the sensor 16, but if the gap between the diameter of the hole formed after removing the core 11 and the diameter of the sensor 16 is too small, the sensor 16 is inserted. However, if the gap is too large, it is necessary to fill the gap with a large amount of ceramic material or the like, which is not preferable. Therefore, it is preferable that the gap is about 0.02 mm to 1.5 mm. Depending on the material of the core 11 to be used, when it expands or contracts during heating and drying, the gap finally obtained is about 0.02 mm to 1.5 mm depending on each material. The diameter of the core 11 may be adjusted. The length of the core 11 is not particularly limited, but is longer than the distance from the measurement position 18 of the sensor (stop position of the hole) to the insertion port of the sensor 16 (opening of the hole). Is preferred. When the core is curved, the length of the core can be appropriately set according to the curvature of the core. In the present invention, by using a core having a length such that the linear distance from the opening of the hole to the stop position of the hole is 50 mm or more, a long hole which is difficult to form by the conventional manufacturing method is used. Can be formed.

  Examples of the material of the core 11 used include, but are not limited to, a wax material, a thermoplastic material such as a resin, a flammable material such as a cotton thread, or a metal. Any material that can be removed from the joint 13 'during or after joining the honeycomb segments can be used in the present invention. Also, these various materials may be used alone or in combination.

  When a wax material is used as the core 11, the wax material may be processed into a rod shape and used as a linear core, or may be curved depending on the installation position of the sensor 16 or the like.

  When a resin is used as the core 11, for example, a straw, a straw with a bellows, a vinyl pipe, a resin-coated electric wire, and an elongated rubber balloon are preferable. The core of the resin-coated electric wire may have metal.

  When a metal is used as the core 11, for example, a rod or pipe of iron, aluminum, copper, stainless steel or the like is preferable. Alternatively, solder containing tin as a main component may be used.

  The cross-sectional shape of the core 11 is not particularly limited as long as the sensor 16 can be inserted, and examples thereof include a polygon such as a quadrangle, a circle, and an ellipse. In step D described below, when the core 11 is pulled out from the relatively soft bonding material 13 before drying to form the hole 14 in the bonding material 13, the cross-sectional shape of the core 11 is circular. Preferably. Further, in step D described later, when the core 11 is removed from the bonding material 13 by melting or burning, the cross-sectional size of the core 11 changes in the longitudinal direction of the core 11. May be. For example, the core 11 may be one in which the size of the cross section increases or decreases between the stop position of the hole and the opening of the hole. Further, the core 11 may be such that its cross section increases at the measurement position 18 (the position where the hole stops). The hole formed from the core 11 having such a shape is difficult to form by machining with a tool such as a conventional drill.

  As the sensor 16 to be inserted, a sheath thermocouple can be considered in the manufacturing method of the first embodiment, but various types of conventionally known thermocouples can be used depending on the application. The diameter of the sensor 16 may be smaller than the thickness of the joint portion 13 ', but is preferably 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm. Examples of the sensor to be inserted include a thermocouple, an acceleration sensor, a strain gauge, a gas velocity meter, and a sampling tube of a gas analyzer.

(Process C)
In the step C, one end of the core 11 is placed at a desired position when the bonding material 13 is applied to the bonding surfaces 12 of the plurality of honeycomb segments 10 to form the bonding portion 13 ′, and This is a step of installing at least one core 11 so that the other end communicates with the outside of the honeycomb segment 10. As the bonding material 13, a ceramic material kneaded with a solvent such as water to form a paste can be used. Examples of the ceramic material include cordierite, silicon carbide, silicon-silicon carbide based composite materials, mullite, alumina, aluminum titanate, zeolite, silicon nitride, and silicon carbide-cordierite based composite materials. The desired position may be the measurement position 18 by the sensor 16.

  The core 11 is preferably embedded in the bonding material 13 when the bonding material 13 is applied to the bonding surface 12 of the honeycomb segment 10 to form the bonding portion 13 ′. An example of a method for embedding the core 11 in the bonding material 13 is shown in FIGS. 5B to 5C. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, first, the bonding material 13 is applied to the bonding surface 12. Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, the core 11 is installed, the bonding material 13 is applied again from the core 11, and another honeycomb segment 10 is assembled, and the same steps are performed until a desired honeycomb structure 100 is obtained. repeat. However, this is merely an example, and there is no particular limitation as long as the core 11 can be installed at a desired position in the joint portion 13 '. For example, in the present embodiment, the bonding material 13 is applied again from the top of the installed core 11, but the honeycomb segment 10 to which the bonding material 13 has already been applied may be assembled onto the core 11. Alternatively, the core 11 may be installed on the bonding surface 12, the bonding material 13 may be applied from above, and another honeycomb segment 10 may be assembled.

  In the manufacturing method of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the positions (1, 2, 3, 4) in the joint portion 13 ′ where the corners of the honeycomb segments 10 face each other, and the honeycomb The purpose is to arrange the sensor 16 at the position (5) in the joint portion 13 'where the side surfaces of the segments 10 face each other. Therefore, five curved cores 11 are prepared, one end of each core 11 is installed at the above positions 1 to 5, and the other end of the core 11 joins the honeycomb segments 10 together. The honeycomb structure 100 is installed so as to communicate with the outside of the honeycomb structure 100 at approximately one place α1 on the outflow end surface of the honeycomb structure 100. Thus, in the outflow end face, the positions where the core 11 communicates with the outside of the honeycomb segment 10 correspond to the sensor 16 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) later, respectively. 2 ', 3', 4 ', 5'). Here, the insertion openings (1 ', 2', 3 ', 4', 5 ') of the sensor 16 are centrally formed at the one location α1 as shown in FIG. 5E. Such a configuration has an advantage of facilitating the handling of wiring after the sensor 16 is finally inserted and the replacement of the sensor 16.

(Process D)
Step D is a step of removing the core 11 from the joining portion 13 'to form the elongated hole portion 14 for inserting the sensor. The above-mentioned joining portion 13 ′ may remove water from the joining material 13 or may be formed by heating and drying. The method of removing the core 11 depends on the material of the core 11 used.

  When a wax material is used as the core 11, the wax material melts and flows out from the honeycomb structure 100 during heating and drying (about 100 ° C.) of the joint portion 13 ′, so that it can be easily removed. It is also possible to remove the core 11 by pulling it out before heating and drying.

  When the resin is used as the core 11, the core 11 is melted and discharged by raising the temperature after heating and drying, or the core 11 is burned by further raising the temperature, or is withdrawn before or after the heat drying. Therefore, it can be easily removed.

  When a high melting point metal such as iron, aluminum, copper or stainless steel is used as the core 11, it can be pulled out before the joint 13 ′ (joining material 13) is heated and dried, but the jointing material 13 is pulled out after heating and drying. Preferably. Extracting the metal core 11 after heating and drying has an advantage that the hole 14 is less likely to be damaged by the metal core 11 during extraction. The refractory metal means a metal that does not melt at the heating and drying temperature of the bonding material 13, that is, has a melting point higher than the heating and drying temperature.

  On the other hand, when a low melting point metal such as solder is used as the core 11, it can be easily removed by dissolving and flowing out during heating and drying like other thermoplastic materials (for example, wax). .. In addition to heating and melting, the core 11 can be removed by pulling out before heating and drying. The low melting point metal means a metal that melts at the heating and drying temperature of the bonding material 13, that is, a metal having a melting point equal to or lower than the heating and drying temperature.

  FIG. 5E is a schematic diagram in which an enlarged portion of the outflow end surface of the honeycomb structure 100 manufactured according to the manufacturing method of the first embodiment is seen through from the outflow end surface. Further, FIG. 5E schematically shows a hole 14 for inserting a sensor, which is formed after removing the core 11. As described above, the hole 14 is formed in the shape of a blind hole in the portion where the core 11 is removed, and the openings of the hole 14 are the insertion openings (1 ′, 2 ′, 3) of the sensor 16, respectively. '4', 5 ').

  Insert the desired sensor 16 such as a temperature sensor such as a thermocouple or a strain sensor such as a strain gauge into the insertion ports (1 ′, 2 ′, 3 ′, 4 ′, 5 ′) of the sensor 16 of FIG. 5E. Is possible. In order to improve the measurement accuracy, it is preferable to fill the gap with the same material as the bonding material 13. In this case, before the sensor 16 is inserted, water or the like having a reduced viscosity added to the joining material 13 may be poured or pushed, and the sensor 16 may be inserted thereafter.

  In addition to these steps, various steps such as firing are actually performed in manufacturing the honeycomb structure 100. However, since a conventionally known method can be used for these steps, they are omitted here.

(2) Second Embodiment of Manufacturing Method of Honeycomb Structure FIG. 2A shows a honeycomb structure manufactured according to the second embodiment of the manufacturing method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure according to the present invention, on the inflow end face side. It is a schematic diagram seen through. FIG. 2A schematically shows the position of the sensor 16 installed in the joint 13 ′ from the inflow end face side. FIG. 2B is a schematic view of the honeycomb structure of FIG. 2A seen from the side. In FIG. 2B, the position of the sensor 16 installed in the joint 13 ′ is schematically shown from the side surface. Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure may be simply referred to as “the manufacturing method of the second embodiment”.

  The manufacturing method of the second embodiment includes substantially the same steps as the manufacturing method of the first embodiment. However, the arrangement of the core 11 in the step C is different from that of the manufacturing method of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, in the manufacturing method of the second embodiment, a hole 14 for inserting a sensor is formed on each of the A surface, the B surface, and the C surface, The core 11 is installed. In this way, the measurement position (for example, in the case of temperature measurement, the tip position of the thermocouple, which is the temperature sensor, or the temperature measurement position) can be freely set. In this case, a curved core 11 is used for the installation positions (1 to 7) of the sensor 16, and a linear core 11 is used for the installation positions (8, 9) of the sensor 16. In this way, the cores 11 having various shapes can be used in combination.

  Further, in the manufacturing method of the second embodiment, the insertion ports of the sensor 16 are formed substantially at two points α2 and β2 on the outflow end surface of the honeycomb structure 200 obtained by joining the honeycomb segments 10. .. At this time, for the installation positions (1 to 3) of the sensor 16 near the first location α2, the insertion port of the sensor 16 is provided at the first location α2. Regarding the installation positions (4 to 9) of the sensor 16 near the second location β2, the insertion port of the sensor 16 is provided at the second location β2. When the hole 14 for inserting the sensor is formed by such a configuration, there is an advantage that the insertion length of the sensor 16 into the honeycomb structure 200 can be shortened.

(3) Third Embodiment of Manufacturing Method of Honeycomb Structure FIG. 3A shows the inflow end surface of the honeycomb structure 300 manufactured according to the third embodiment of the manufacturing method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure according to the present invention. It is a schematic diagram seen from the side. FIG. 3A schematically shows the position of the sensor 16 installed in the joint 13 ′ from the inflow end face side. 3B is a schematic view of the honeycomb structure 300 of FIG. 3A seen from the side. In FIG. 3B, the position of the sensor 16 installed in the joint 13 ′ is schematically shown from the side. Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure 300 may be simply referred to as “the manufacturing method of the third embodiment”.

  The manufacturing method of the third embodiment includes substantially the same steps as the manufacturing method of the first embodiment and the manufacturing method of the second embodiment. However, the arrangement of the core 11 in the process C is different from that of any of the embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in the manufacturing method of the third embodiment, the insertion port of the sensor 16 is formed not only at the outflow end face portion (δ3) of the honeycomb structure 300 but also at the side face portions (α3, β3, γ3). Is also provided. In this manufacturing method, both the curved and linear cores 11 may be used. Such a configuration has an advantage that the insertion length of the sensor 16 into the honeycomb structure 300 can be shortened, and is suitable for manufacturing a honeycomb structure in which it is desirable to expose the wiring of the sensor 16 from the side surface.

(4) Fourth Embodiment of Manufacturing Method of Honeycomb Structure FIG. 4A shows an inflow end surface of a honeycomb structure 400 manufactured according to a fourth embodiment of a manufacturing method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure according to the present invention. It is a schematic diagram seen from the side. FIG. 4A schematically shows the position of the sensor 16 installed in the joint 13 ′ from the inflow end face side. Further, FIG. 4B is a schematic view of the honeycomb structure 400 of FIG. 4A seen from the side. FIG. 4B schematically shows the position of the sensor 16 installed in the joint portion 13 ′ from the side surface. Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment of the method for manufacturing the honeycomb structure 400 may be simply referred to as “the manufacturing method of the fourth embodiment”.

  The manufacturing method of the fourth embodiment is characterized by the shape of the curved core 11. Therefore, the manufacturing method of the fourth embodiment can be combined with any of the first to third embodiments.

  In the manufacturing method of the fourth embodiment, the hole 14 for inserting the sensor is formed using the curved core 11. It is considered that the sensor 16 is less likely to come off when the sensor insertion hole 14 is straight, as compared with the case where the sensor insertion hole 14 is linear, but the sensor 16 may still come off. In such a case, preferably, as shown in FIG. 4B, by forming the curved portion 15 at two or more places, the sensor 16 becomes difficult to come off.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the radius of curvature of the curved portion 15 is 2 mm or more and 5 times or more the outer diameter of the sensor, the sensor 16 can be easily inserted and the sensor 16 is not easily broken. This is preferable because the advantageous effect of

  In addition, in each of the present embodiments, a honeycomb structure having a rectangular outer peripheral shape is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a known method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure having any outer peripheral shape, which is known for a segment type honeycomb structure. For example, a plurality of honeycomb segments may be joined together to produce a joined body, and the outer peripheral portion of the obtained joined body may be ground into a predetermined shape such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon such as a triangle. When the outer peripheral wall is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the bonded body, the outer peripheral surface of the obtained bonded body or the ground surface of the bonded body is coated with an outer peripheral coating material, for example, with an arbitrary thickness of 0.1 mm to 10 mm. May be applied to form the outer peripheral wall.

  Regarding the reference numerals in the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to configurations having the same meaning.

(Example 1)
As shown in FIG. 5A, 24 rectangular column-shaped honeycomb segments having a size of a = 50 mm, b = 50 mm, and c = 300 mm were prepared. The honeycomb segment is produced by adding a pore-forming material, a binder, a surfactant, and water to a ceramic raw material obtained by mixing 80 parts by mass of SiC powder and 20 parts by mass of metallic Si powder to prepare a forming raw material, and kneading the raw material. The kneaded material obtained in this manner was extruded using a die for forming a honeycomb formed body, dried by heating, and sintered. The partition wall thickness was 100 μm, and the number of cells (cell density) was 65 cells / cm ² .

  Five cylindrical cores having a length of 400 mm and a diameter of 0.17 mm were made of wax.

  A silica fiber, an organic binder and water were added to the alumina powder and kneaded to prepare a paste-like bonding material. Next, the obtained bonding material was applied to the side surfaces of the honeycomb segments so that the thickness was 1 mm, and the six honeycomb segments were bonded in a horizontal row. Next, the above-mentioned bonding material was further applied to the surface on which the core of the bonded honeycomb segment was placed so that the thickness was 0.5 mm.

  Next, the five cores prepared previously were arranged on the bonding material applied to the surface on which the cores are set. Specifically, one end of the core was installed at each of the sensor installation positions 1 to 5 corresponding to the temperature measurement position, and then the other end of the core was joined in the horizontal row. Of the six honeycomb segments, the core was placed in such a manner that the other end of the core protruded by 1 mm or more from the outflow end side of the outermost honeycomb segment. If the protruding length is too long, it may be removed by cutting or the like. The linear distances from the temperature measurement position to the core pull-out position were 295 mm at installation position 1, 250 mm at installation position 2, 200 mm at installation position 3, 80 mm at installation position 4, and 50 mm at installation position 5. .. The actual distances from the temperature measurement position to the core pull-out position were as follows: installation position 1 was 395 mm, installation position 2 was 370 mm, installation position 3 was 300 mm, installation position 4 was 150 mm, and installation position 5 was 100 mm.

  After a core was placed on the above-mentioned bonding material, the bonding material was applied again with a thickness of 0.5 mm, and the honeycomb segment was arranged from above to obtain a honeycomb segment bonded body. Further, 6 honeycomb segments were stacked in two layers with a bonding material sandwiched therebetween to form a honeycomb segment bonded body of 6 × 4 layers.

  The obtained honeycomb segment bonded body was heated and dried at 120 ° C. for 1 hour so that the core was pulled out downward, and a honeycomb structure in which 24 honeycomb segments were bonded through the bonding portion was obtained. Obtained. At this time, at the same time, the core melted and flowed out of the bonding material and was removed. Needless to say, the core may be burned and removed at a higher temperature. In the obtained honeycomb structure, a hole was formed in the portion where the core flowed out and was removed. A sheath thermocouple (K thermocouple) of a stainless steel (SUS316) protective tube having an outer diameter of 0.15 mm was inserted into the hole. Before the thermocouple was inserted, the bonding material was diluted 1.5 times with water to form a slurry, and the slurry was poured into the hole.

  A propane combustion gas at 400 ° C. was caused to flow through the honeycomb structure having the thermocouples inserted therein, and the temperature at each thermocouple installation position was measured using the above thermocouples. As a result, it was possible to measure the temperature of the joint portion 50 mm or more away from the thermocouple insertion port, which could not be measured by the conventional method.

(Example 2)
A honeycomb segment was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. A wire made of stainless steel (SUS304) having a diameter of 0.55 mm was used as the core. The bonding material was applied in a thickness of 1 mm, and the core was set by pushing the core into the bonding material. After drying the honeycomb segment bonded body of 6 pieces × 4 layers, the core was pulled out from the obtained honeycomb structure to obtain a hole. When pulling out the core, pulling it out, pushing it, rotating it, or giving it vibration can easily pull it out. When setting the core, it is easier to pull out the core if the surface of the core is coated with edible oil such as olive oil or fat, or butter. A sheath thermocouple (K thermocouple) of a stainless steel (SUS316) protection tube having an outer diameter of 0.5 mm was inserted into the hole.

  Propane combustion gas at 600 ° C. was caused to flow through the honeycomb structure having the thermocouples inserted therein, and the temperature at each thermocouple installation position was measured using the above thermocouples. As a result, it was possible to measure the temperature of the joint portion 50 mm or more away from the thermocouple insertion port that could not be measured by the conventional method.

  The present invention is a honeycomb structure that can be used as a filter or a catalyst carrier for purifying exhaust gas discharged from an automobile or the like.

1-9: Sensor installation position (hole stop position), 1'-9 ': Sensor insertion opening (hole opening), 10: Honeycomb segment, 11: Core, 12: Bonding surface, 13: Bonding Material, 13 ': Joined portion, 14: Hole portion, 15: Curved portion, 16: Sensor, 17: Cell, 18: Measurement position by sensor, α1, α2, β2, α3, β3, γ3, δ3: Sensor insertion port Location, 100, 200, 300, 400: Honeycomb structure.

Claims (8)

A honeycomb structure in which a plurality of honeycomb segments that form and form a plurality of cells that extend from the inflow end surface to be the fluid flow path to the outflow end surface are integrally bonded at their bonding surfaces via a bonding portion,
Said joining portion, the outflow end face of the honeycomb structure and is formed as an elongated blind hole extending from at least one place of the side, have a hole for the at least one sensor insertion, the hole is, the joint A honeycomb structure, which is derived from a core provided in a bonding material forming the honeycomb structure.   The honeycomb structure according to claim 1, wherein the hole has a linear shape.   The honeycomb structure according to claim 1, wherein the hole has a curved shape including at least one curved portion.   The honeycomb structure according to claim 3, wherein the radius of curvature of the curved portion is 2 mm or more and is 5 times or more the outer diameter of the sensor.   The honeycomb structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a linear distance from an opening of the hole to a stop position of the hole is at least 50 mm.   The honeycomb structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a sensor is inserted in the hole.   The honeycomb structure according to claim 6, wherein a difference between a diameter of the hole and an outer diameter of the sensor is 0.02 mm to 1.5 mm.   The honeycomb structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sensor is a sensor for measuring temperature.

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