JP7042043B2 - Flaw detection system and coating equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for applying a contact medium used for flaw detection to be inspected.

Various techniques for investigating the position of a defect to be inspected and the shape of the defect using ultrasonic waves have been developed (see Patent Document 1). In order to efficiently propagate the ultrasonic waves to the inspection target, a contact medium is applied to the inspection target before the ultrasonic flaw detection. Conventionally, the application of the contact medium to the inspection target has been performed manually.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-90430

When surface SH waves are used as ultrasonic waves for ultrasonic flaw detection, the contact medium generally has a high viscosity. Therefore, when the operator manually applies the contact medium, the thickness of the layer of the contact medium on the inspection target tends to be non-uniform. In addition, the contact medium often has high hygroscopicity. The propagation efficiency of ultrasonic waves varies depending on the amount of moisture absorbed by the contact medium. This means that the variation in the period length from the application of the contact medium to the inspection target until the ultrasonic flaw detector performs flaw detection has a great influence on the flaw detection result. In addition to the hygroscopic characteristics, the variation in the period length from the application of the contact medium to the inspection target until the ultrasonic flaw detector performs flaw detection also changes the sagging property, viscosity and quick-drying property of the contact medium. Changes in these characteristics will also have a significant effect on the flaw detection results. Therefore, it has been difficult to obtain highly reproducible flaw detection results.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that reduces the variation in the period length from application of a contact medium to flaw detection and makes it possible to obtain highly reproducible flaw detection results.

The flaw detection system according to one aspect of the present invention detects flaws to be inspected. In the flaw detection system, the coating portion for applying the contact medium used for the flaw detection, the flaw detection portion for propagating ultrasonic waves to the inspection target through the contact medium to perform the flaw detection, and the coating portion and the flaw detection portion are integrated. It is provided with a driving unit that generates a driving force for moving the flaw detection portion, and a connecting member that connects the flaw detection portion to the coating portion . The drive unit moves the coating portion and the flaw detecting portion in a direction in which the flaw detecting portion follows the coating portion. The connecting member is configured to be bendable so as to allow the coating portion and the flaw detecting portion to move along the curved surface of the inspection target.
The flaw detection system according to another aspect of the present invention detects flaws to be inspected. In the flaw detection system, the coating portion to which the contact medium used for the flaw detection is applied, the flaw detection portion that propagates ultrasonic waves to the inspection target through the contact medium to perform the flaw detection, and the flaw detection portion follows the coating portion. In the direction, it includes a driving unit that generates a driving force for integrally moving the coating portion and the flaw detection portion, and a connecting member that connects the flaw detection portion to the coating portion. The connecting member is bendable around at least one axis of rotation such that the coated portion and the flaw detected portion move along the curved surface of the inspection target.

According to the above configuration, the coating portion to which the contact medium used for flaw detection is applied is moved by the driving force generated from the driving portion, so that the operator does not manually apply the contact medium to the inspection target. You may. Since the coating period of the contact medium does not depend on the skill of the operator, the fluctuation of the period length during which the contact medium is exposed to the outside air is small. This means that changes in the amount of moisture absorption, sagging property, viscosity and quick-drying property of the contact medium are reduced. Therefore, the flaw detection system can detect flaws to be inspected and obtain highly reproducible flaw detection results.

The driving force generated from the drive unit integrally moves the coating unit and the flaw detection unit that propagates ultrasonic waves to the inspection target through the contact medium and performs flaw detection, so the period from application of the contact medium to flaw detection is long. Fluctuations are reduced. This means that the amount of moisture absorbed by the contact medium during the period from when the contact medium is applied to the inspection target until the ultrasonic waves are propagated to the inspection target through the contact medium is reduced. Therefore, the flaw detection system can detect flaws to be inspected and obtain highly reproducible flaw detection results. Since the connecting member connecting the coating portion and the flaw detection portion is bendable, the coating portion and the flaw detection portion can move along the curved surface to be inspected. Therefore, the flaw detection system can be suitably used for flaw detection of an inspection target having a curved surface.

With respect to the above configuration, the connecting member may include a first member connected to the coating portion and a second member connected to the flaw detection portion. The second member may be separable from the first member.

According to the above configuration, since the second member can be separated from the first member, the flaw detection portion can be separated from the coating portion. Therefore, the operator can transport the flaw detection portion and the coating portion separately. As a result, the operator can easily handle the flaw detection portion and the coating portion .

The flaw detection system according to another aspect of the present invention detects flaws to be inspected. In the flaw detection system, the coating portion to which the contact medium used for the flaw detection is applied, the flaw detection portion that propagates ultrasonic waves to the inspection target through the contact medium to perform the flaw detection, and the flaw detection portion follows the coating portion. In the direction, a drive unit that generates a driving force for integrally moving the coating unit and the flaw detection unit, and a movement control unit that controls the drive unit are provided . The coating unit includes a discharge unit formed with a discharge port from which the contact medium is discharged, and a pressure detection unit that detects the medium pressure of the contact medium toward the discharge port. When the medium pressure detected by the pressure detection unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the movement control unit controls the drive unit, and the flaw detection unit follows the coating portion. The movement of the portion and the coating portion is started.

According to the above configuration, the flaw detection portion and the coating portion continue to stand still until the medium pressure of the contact medium toward the discharge port formed in the discharge portion exceeds a predetermined threshold value. When the medium pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, a sufficient amount of contact medium for flaw detection is discharged to the inspection target. When the medium pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the movement control unit controls the drive unit and starts the movement of the flaw detection portion and the coating portion so that the flaw detection portion follows the coating portion, which is sufficient. After the amount of the contact medium is discharged from the discharge port, the flaw detector can propagate the ultrasonic wave to the inspection target through a sufficient amount of the contact medium to detect the inspection target.

The flaw detection system according to another aspect of the present invention detects flaws to be inspected. In the flaw detection system, the coating portion to which the contact medium used for the flaw detection is applied, the flaw detection portion that propagates ultrasonic waves to the inspection target through the contact medium to perform the flaw detection, and the flaw detection portion follows the coating portion. A drive unit for generating a driving force for integrally moving the coating unit and the flaw detection unit is provided in the direction. The drive unit includes a first drive unit that generates a first drive force that moves the coating portion, and a second drive unit that generates a second drive force that moves the flaw detection unit. The flaw detection system is a movement control unit that controls the first drive unit and the second drive unit so that the flaw detection portion moves at a constant speed with the coating portion while the flaw detection portion is separated from the coating portion. Is further equipped .

According to the above configuration, since the flaw detection portion is separated from the coating portion, the operator can easily carry the flaw detection portion and the coating portion. Since the second drive unit moves the flaw detection unit at a constant speed with the coating unit under the control of the movement control unit, the coating unit and the flaw detection unit move integrally under the control of the movement control unit . In addition, since the operator can move the coating portion and the flaw detecting portion integrally without connecting the flaw detecting portion to the coating portion, the flaw detecting operation can be efficiently performed.

In the above-described configuration, the coating portion includes a discharge portion in which a discharge port for discharging the contact medium is formed, an extrusion portion that applies extrusion pressure to the contact medium and pushes the contact medium to the discharge port, and the above. It may include a flow rate detecting unit for detecting the flow rate of the contact medium extruded by the extrusion unit. The flaw detection system further includes a supply control unit that controls the amount of the contact medium supplied to the discharge unit by the extrusion unit. The supply control unit may control the extrusion unit so that the extrusion pressure increases as the flow rate decreases.

According to the above configuration, the extruder applies an extrusion pressure to the contact medium and pushes the contact medium out to the discharge port, so if the extruder applies a high extrusion pressure, the flow rate detected by the flow rate detector is high. Become. On the other hand, if the extruder applies a low extrusion pressure, the flow rate detected by the flow detector will be smaller. Since the supply control unit controls the extrusion unit so that the extrusion pressure increases as the flow rate decreases, the risk of excessive decrease in the discharge amount of the contact medium is low.

With respect to the above configuration, the coating portion and the flaw detecting portion may be designed as one device in which the coating portion and the flaw detecting portion are connected to each other .

According to the above configuration, since the coating portion and the flaw detecting portion are designed as one device, the operator can move the coating portion and the flaw detecting portion integrally without connecting the flaw detecting portion to the coating portion. Can be done. Therefore, the worker can efficiently perform the flaw detection work.

The coating apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention applies a contact medium used for flaw detection to be inspected. The coating device includes a discharge portion formed with a discharge port from which the contact medium is discharged, a holding portion that holds the discharge portion so that the discharge port faces the surface of the inspection target, and the discharge port. However, ultrasonic waves are propagated to the inspection target through the driving portion that applies a driving force to the holding portion, the holding portion, and the contact medium so as to move along the surface of the inspection target, and the flaw detection is performed. A flaw detection device to be performed and a connecting member connected to the flaw detection device are provided. The driving unit applies the driving force to the holding unit so that the holding unit precedes the flaw detector. The connecting member is configured to be bendable so as to allow the coating device and the flaw detecting device to move along the curved surface of the inspection target.

According to the above configuration, the contact medium used for flaw detection to be inspected is discharged from the discharge port formed in the discharge portion of the coating device. Since the holding portion that holds the discharging portion is driven by the driving portion, the discharging portion can move along the surface of the inspection target. Therefore, when the holding portion that holds the discharge portion that discharges the contact medium from the discharge port is moved by the drive unit, the contact medium is applied to the inspection target. That is, unlike the prior art, the contact medium is applied by a coating device rather than by the operator's manual work.

Since the connecting member is connected not only to the holding portion but also to the flaw detecting device that propagates ultrasonic waves to the inspection target through the contact medium and performs flaw detection, the flaw detecting device is connected to the coating device by the connecting member. Become. The drive unit exerts a driving force on the holding unit so that the holding unit precedes the flaw detection device, so that the flaw detection device can move following the coating device. As a result, the ultrasonic wave is propagated to the inspection target through the contact medium immediately after being applied to the inspection target by the coating device.

The length of time from application of the contact medium to flaw detection is determined by the distance from the coating device to the flaw detection device and the moving speed of the holding portion. If the distance from the coating device to the flaw detection device and the moving speed of the holding portion are constant, the period length from application of the contact medium to flaw detection is also constant. Therefore, the designer who designs the coating device can easily reduce the variation in the period length from the coating of the contact medium to the flaw detection. Since the amount of moisture absorbed by the contact medium during the period from application of the contact medium to flaw detection is also substantially constant, the flaw detection results obtained from the flaw detector are not affected by fluctuations in the period length from application of the contact medium to flaw detection, and are highly reproduced. Can have sex. Since the connecting member connecting the coating device and the flaw detecting device is bendable, the coating device and the flaw detecting device can move along the curved surface to be inspected. Therefore, the flaw detection system can be suitably used for flaw detection of an inspection target having a curved surface.

The above-mentioned technique reduces the variation in the period length from the application of the contact medium to the flaw detection, and makes it possible to obtain highly reproducible flaw detection results.

It is a schematic plan view of an exemplary flaw detection system. It is a schematic perspective view of the coating apparatus of the flaw detection system shown in FIG. It is another schematic perspective view of another coating apparatus shown in FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the coating apparatus shown in FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary application system. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the exemplary process of the supply control part of the coating system shown in FIG. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the exemplary process of the movement control part of the coating system shown in FIG. It is a schematic perspective view of the flaw detection device of the flaw detection system shown in FIG. 1. Another schematic perspective view of the flaw detector shown in FIG. 8A. It is a schematic side view of a connecting member. It is a schematic plan view of the connecting member shown in FIG. It is the schematic sectional drawing of the discharge part of the coating apparatus shown in FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing of another other discharge part.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary flaw detection system 100. The flaw detection system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

The flaw detection system 100 is used to detect flaws in the ITG to be inspected. FIG. 1 shows a cylindrical body containing a magnetic material as an ITG to be inspected. However, the flaw detection system 100 may be used for flaw detection of a square tube or a flat plate. Therefore, the principle of this embodiment is not limited to the specific shape of the ITG to be inspected.

The flaw detection system 100 includes a coating device 200 and a flaw detection device 300. The coating device 200 and the flaw detector 300 can be magnetically attracted to the ITG to be inspected. The operator arranges the flaw detector 300 at a desired height position on the ITG to be inspected. The coating device 200 is designed as a coating unit for coating a contact medium used for flaw detection of the ITG to be inspected. The flaw detection device 300 is designed as a flaw detection unit that propagates ultrasonic waves to the inspection target ITG through a contact medium to detect flaws in the inspection target ITG. Regarding the present embodiment, the coating portion is designed as a device different from the flaw detection portion. However, the flaw detection system may be designed as a single device incorporating a coating portion and a flaw detection portion. Therefore, the principle of this embodiment is not limited to the specific structure of the coating device 200 and the flaw detection device 300.

The coating device 200 can coat various contact media with different viscosities. For example, a contact medium having a viscosity of 50 Pa · s or more and 4000 Pa · s or less can be coated by the coating device 200. The principle of this embodiment is not limited to a specific contact medium. For example, SHN-B25 (manufactured by Sarntech Co., Ltd.) can be suitably used as a contact medium.

The flaw detection system 100 further includes a connecting member 150 that connects the flaw detection device 300 to the coating device 200. Since the flaw detection device 300 is connected to the coating device 200 by the connecting member 150, the coating device 200 and the flaw detection device 300 can be integrally moved. With respect to this embodiment, the coating device 200 and the flaw detecting device 300 are integrated by the connecting member 150. However, the movement of the coating device 200 and the flaw detecting device 300 may be controlled so that the flaw detecting device 300 follows the coating device 200 at substantially constant intervals. In this case, the coating device 200 and the flaw detecting device 300 can be integrally moved under the control of moving the coating device 200 and the flaw detecting device 300 at a constant speed. Therefore, the principle of this embodiment is not limited by the connecting member 150.

The flaw detection system 100 includes a drive unit that generates a driving force for integrally moving the coating device 200 and the flaw detection device 300. FIG. 1 shows a first drive unit 140 and a second drive unit 410 as drive units. The first driving unit 140 is incorporated in the coating device 200 and generates a first driving force for moving the coating device 200. The second drive unit 410 is incorporated in the flaw detector 300 to generate a second drive force for moving the flaw detector 300. The first drive unit 140 and the second drive unit 410 generate the first drive force and the second drive force so that the application device 200 and the flaw detection device 300 move in the direction in which the flaw detection device 300 follows the coating device 200. Generate each. As described above, since the flaw detection device 300 is connected to the coating device 200 by the connecting member 150, the first drive unit 140 and the second drive unit 410 generate the first drive force and the second drive force, respectively. And, the coating device 200 and the flaw detection device 300 can be moved integrally.

With respect to the present embodiment, the first driving unit 140 applies the first driving force to the coating device 200, and the second driving unit 410 applies the second driving force to the flaw detection device 300. However, the driving unit may apply a driving force to one of the coating device 200 and the flaw detection device 300. If the driving unit applies the driving force only to the coating device 200, the flaw detection device 300 connected to the coating device 200 by the connecting member 150 can be moved so as to be dragged by the coating device 200. If the drive unit applies driving force only to the flaw detector 300, the coating device 200 can be moved to be pushed by the flaw detector 300.

FIG. 1 conceptually shows two rotation axes PX1 and PX2. The connecting member 150 can be bent around the rotation shafts PX1 and PX2. The operator arranges the flaw detector 300 at a desired height position on the ITG to be inspected. The operator can then bend the connecting member 150 around the rotation shafts PX1 and PX2 to bring the coating device 200 closer to the inspection target ITG from the position shown in FIG. As a result, not only the flaw detection device 300 but also the coating device 200 can be magnetically attracted to the curved surface of the ITG to be inspected. The coating device 200 is then moved along the curved surface of the ITG to be inspected in the direction of travel shown in FIG. The flaw detector 300 is moved in the traveling direction following the coating device 200.

If the flaw detection system 100 is used exclusively for flaw detection of flat plates, the connecting member 150 may not be bent. Therefore, the principle of this embodiment is not limited to the specific structure of the connecting member 150.

The designer may determine how many axes of rotation are formed on the connecting member 150 so that the flaw detection system 100 fits within the range of radius of curvature of the surface of the ITG to be inspected that can be used. Therefore, the connecting member 150 may have a single rotation axis or may have more than two rotation axes. Therefore, the principle of the present embodiment is not limited to how many rotation shafts are formed on the connecting member 150.

<Other features>
The designer can give various features to the above-mentioned flaw detection system 100. The features described below do not limit any of the design principles of the flaw detection system 100 described above.

(Applying device)
The coating device 200 is used to coat a contact medium (not shown) used for flaw detection of an inspection target (not shown). Many of the known contact media have high hygroscopicity and high viscosity. When the operator manually applies the contact medium to the inspection object, the length of time the contact medium is in contact with the air may depend on the skill level of the operator. This means that the amount of moisture absorbed by the contact medium varies depending on the skill level of the operator. The high viscosity makes it difficult to form a layer of contact medium of uniform thickness on the surface to be inspected. The uniformity of the layer thickness of the contact medium also depends on the skill of the operator. Variations in the amount of moisture absorbed by the contact medium and variations in the thickness of the layer of the contact medium both result in variations in the flaw detection results. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain highly reproducible flaw detection results under the conventional coating technique (that is, manual coating operation). On the other hand, the coating device 200 enables a substantially constant coating operation without depending on the skill level of the operator. Since the variation in the amount of moisture absorbed by the contact medium and the variation in the thickness of the layer of the contact medium are reduced as a result of a substantially constant coating operation of the coating device 200, the coating device 200 obtains a flaw detection result having high reproducibility. Contribute to.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the coating device 200. The coating device 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

With respect to this embodiment, the first drive unit 140 and the connecting member 150 described with reference to FIG. 1 are designed as part of the coating device 200. The coating device 200 includes a discharge unit 110, a supply mechanism 120, and a holding unit 130, in addition to the first drive unit 140 and the connecting member 150. The discharge unit 110 is a hollow plate member that is long in a direction substantially orthogonal to the traveling direction of the coating device 200. With respect to this embodiment, the extending direction of the discharge unit 110 is referred to as a "vertical direction". However, the principle of this embodiment is not limited by the term indicating the direction.

The discharge unit 110 includes a facing surface 111 facing the ITG to be inspected (see FIG. 1). The plurality of discharge ports 112 are formed on the facing surface 111. The plurality of discharge ports 112 are slit holes that are long in the vertical direction. The plurality of discharge ports 112 are aligned in the vertical direction. The plurality of discharge ports 112 communicate with an elongated air chamber (not shown) formed in the discharge portion 110. The above-mentioned contact medium is discharged from a plurality of discharge ports 112 to the ITG to be inspected.

The supply mechanism 120 forms a supply path for supplying the contact medium to the plurality of discharge ports 112. The discharge unit 110, the supply mechanism 120, and the first drive unit 140 are attached to the holding unit 130. When the first drive unit 140 generates the first drive force for moving the holding unit 130, the discharge unit 110, the supply mechanism 120, the holding unit 130 and the first drive unit 140 are output from the first drive unit 140. It is integrally moved in the traveling direction by the generated first driving force.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting member 150 includes a first member 151, a second member 152, two intermediate members 153, a first connecting shaft 154, and a second connecting shaft 155. The first member 151 is connected to the holding portion 130. The second member 152 is located rearward in the traveling direction of the coating device 200 and is connected to the flaw detecting device 300 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, the flaw detection device 300 is located behind the coating device 200 in the traveling direction of the coating device 200. As described above, since the contact medium is discharged from the plurality of discharge ports 112, the surface of the ITG to be inspected located in front of the flaw detector 300 is covered with the contact medium. Therefore, the flaw detector 300 can propagate ultrasonic waves to the ITG to be inspected through the contact medium to perform flaw detection.

The two intermediate members 153 are arranged between the first member 151 and the second member 152. The first connecting shaft 154 penetrates the first member 151 and the two intermediate members 153. The second connecting shaft 155 penetrates the second member 152 and the two intermediate members 153. The connecting member 150 can be bent at each of the first connecting shaft 154 and the second connecting shaft 155. Therefore, the coating device 200 and the flaw detecting device 300 can be arranged so as to fit the curved surface of the ITG to be inspected. The rotation shafts PX1 and PX2 described with reference to FIG. 1 are formed by the first connecting shaft 154 and the second connecting shaft 155, respectively. However, these rotating shafts PX1 and PX2 may be formed by other parts (for example, rivets) that connect a plurality of parts and allow bending between these parts.

The holding portion 130 includes a base plate 131, a wheel mechanism 132, and a holding bracket 133. The base plate 131 may be a thin metal plate. With respect to this embodiment, bending processing is applied to the outer peripheral edge of the base plate 131. Therefore, the base plate 131 can have high rigidity. The base plate 131 includes an inner surface 134 and an outer surface 135 opposite to the inner surface 134. With respect to the following description, the term "inward" means the direction from the base plate 131 to the ITG to be inspected. The term "outer" means the direction opposite to the direction represented by the term "inner".

The wheel mechanism 132 is formed between the ITG to be inspected and the inner surface 134 of the base plate 131. The wheel mechanism 132 includes an axle holding portion 231, a front axle 232, a rear axle 233, a plurality of front wheels 234, and a plurality of rear wheels 235. The axle holding portion 231 projects inward from the inner surface 134 of the base plate 131 and holds the lower ends of the front axle 232 and the rear axle 233 extending in the vertical direction. In addition, the axle holding section 231 holds the front axle 232 and the rear axle 233 near the first drive section 140. The front axle 232 extends in the vertical direction in front of the discharge portion 110. The rear axle 233 extends in the vertical direction behind the discharge portion 110. The front axle 232 and the rear axle 233 receive a first driving force from the first driving unit 140 and can rotate around their central axes. The plurality of front wheels 234 are magnetic wheels fixed to the front axle 232. The plurality of rear wheels 235 are magnetic wheels fixed to the rear axle 233. Therefore, the coating device 200 can be magnetically attracted to the ITG to be inspected containing a magnetic material by these magnetic wheels. When the first drive unit 140 rotates the front axle 232 and the rear axle 233, the plurality of front wheels 234 and the plurality of rear wheels 235 roll on the surface of the ITG to be inspected, and the coating device 200 is to be inspected. It can move in the direction of travel along the surface of the ITG. During this time, the contact medium is discharged from a plurality of discharge ports 112 of the discharge unit 110 arranged between the plurality of front wheels 234 and the plurality of rear wheels 235.

The first member 151 of the connecting member 150 includes a base portion 156, three first connecting portions 157, and three rear protrusions 158. The base 156 extends substantially parallel to the rear axle 233. The three first connecting portions 157 project forward from the base 156.

The three first connecting portions 157 are aligned in the vertical direction. The rear axle 233 penetrates the three first connecting portions 157. The first member 151 can rotate around the rear axle 233. The lowermost first connecting portion 157 is connected to the rear axle 233 between the lowermost rear wheel 235 and the second rear wheel 235 from the bottom. The uppermost first connecting portion 157 is connected to the rear axle 233 between the uppermost rear wheel 235 and the second rear wheel 235 from the top. The two rear wheels 235 are located between the middle first connecting portion 157 and the lowermost first connecting portion 157. The other two rear wheels 235 are located between the middle first connecting portion 157 and the uppermost first connecting portion 157.

The three rear protrusions 158 are aligned vertically. The first connecting shaft 154 penetrates the two intermediate members 153 and the three rear protrusions 158. A portion of one of the two intermediate members 153 is disposed between the lower rear protrusion 158 and the middle rear protrusion 158. The other part of the two intermediate members 153 is arranged between the upper rear protrusion 158 and the middle rear protrusion 158. The first connecting shaft 154 is fixed by using a C-shaped retaining ring. The operator can remove the C-shaped retaining ring and pull out the first connecting shaft 154. As a result, the second member 152 and the two intermediate members 153 can be separated from the first member 151.

The second member 152 includes a second connecting portion 251 and three front protrusions 252. The second connecting portion 251 extends substantially parallel to the base portion 156 of the first member 151. The flaw detector 300 is connected to the second connecting portion 251. The connection structure between the flaw detector 300 and the second coupling portion 251 may be determined to be compatible with the structure of the flaw detector 300. The principle of this embodiment is not limited to the specific connection structure between the flaw detector 300 and the second connection portion 251.

The three front protrusions 252 project forward from the base 156. The three front protrusions 252 are aligned in the vertical direction. The second connecting shaft 155 penetrates the two intermediate members 153 and the three front protrusions 252. A portion of one of the two intermediate members 153 is disposed between the lower front protrusion 252 and the middle front protrusion 252. The other part of the two intermediate members 153 is arranged between the upper front protrusion 252 and the middle front protrusion 252. The second connecting shaft 155 is fixed by using a C-shaped retaining ring. The operator can remove the C-shaped retaining ring and pull out the second connecting shaft 155. As a result, the second member 152 can be separated from the two intermediate members 153 and the first member 151.

FIG. 3 is another schematic perspective view of the coating device 200. The coating device 200 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The supply mechanism 120 conceptually includes a supply source 121, a connecting pipe 122, a pipeline block 123, a flow rate detecting unit 124, a connecting block 125, and a connecting tube 126 (in FIG. 3, an arrow indicates the connecting tube 126). Represented), an upstream branch pipe 127, a downstream branch pipe 128, and a pressure detection unit 129. The above-mentioned contact medium is filled in the supply source 121. The supply mechanism 120 supplies the contact medium from the supply source 121 to the upstream branch pipe 127 through the connection pipe 122, the pipeline block 123, the flow rate detection unit 124, the connection block 125, and the connection tube 126. A part of the contact medium supplied to the upstream branch pipe 127 is then discharged from the discharge unit 110.
Is supplied to. The other portion of the contact medium supplied to the upstream branch pipe 127 is supplied to the downstream branch pipe 128. The contact medium supplied to the downstream branch pipe 128 is then supplied to the discharge unit 110. The contact medium that has reached the discharge unit 110 is then discharged from the plurality of discharge ports 112.

The holding bracket 133 of the holding portion 130 is installed on the outer surface 135 of the base plate 131. The holding bracket 133 projects outward from the outer surface 135 of the base plate 131. The supply source 121 is inserted into a circular opening formed in the holding bracket 133 and is held by the holding bracket 133.

Similar to the supply source 121, the pipeline block 123 is installed on the outer surface 135 of the base plate 131. The pipeline block 123 is located below the supply source 121. The connecting pipe 122 extends downward from the supply source 121 and is connected to the pipeline block 123. A pipeline (not shown) extending from the connecting portion to which the connecting pipe 122 is connected to the connecting portion connected to the flow rate detecting unit 124 is formed in the pipeline block 123. The contact medium supplied from the supply source 121 flows into the flow rate detecting unit 124 through the pipeline in the connecting pipe 122 and the pipeline block 123.

The flow rate detection unit 124 is installed on the outer surface 135 of the base plate 131 above the pipeline block 123. The flow rate detection unit 124 detects the flow rate of the contact medium that has flowed into the flow rate detection unit 124. The flow rate detection unit 124 generates a detection signal representing the detected flow rate. The detection signal is used for feedback control to keep the flow rate substantially constant.

The connecting block 125 is installed on the outer surface 135 of the base plate 131 above the flow rate detection unit 124. The connecting block 125 is connected to the flow rate detecting unit 124 and the connecting tube 126. The contact medium that has passed through the flow rate detecting unit 124 flows into the upstream branch pipe 127 through the connecting block 125 and the connecting tube 126.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the coating device 200. The coating apparatus 200 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

The upstream branch pipe 127 includes an outer cylinder portion 221, an inner cylinder portion 222, and a vertical cylinder portion 223. A vertically elongated slot 236 is formed substantially in the center of the base plate 131. The outer cylinder portion 221 projects outward from the base plate 131 through the slot 236. The connecting tube 126 extending from the connecting block 125 is connected to the outer cylinder portion 221. The inner cylinder portion 222 extends in the direction opposite to the outer cylinder portion 221 (that is, inward) and is connected to the discharge portion 110. The vertical cylinder portion 223 extends upward and is connected to the downstream branch pipe 128 arranged above the upstream branch pipe 127. A part of the contact medium flowing into the upstream branch pipe 127 through the connecting tube 126 flows into the discharge part 110 through the inner cylinder portion 222, while the other part of the contact medium flows downstream through the vertical cylinder portion 223. It flows into the tube 128.

Similar to the upstream branch pipe 127, the downstream branch pipe 128 includes an outer cylinder portion 224, an inner cylinder portion 225, and a vertical cylinder portion 226. Similar to the outer cylinder portion 221 of the upstream branch pipe 127, the outer cylinder portion 224 of the downstream branch pipe 128 projects outward from the base plate 131 through the slot 236. The pressure detection unit 129 is attached to the outer cylinder unit 224. Similar to the inner cylinder portion 222 of the upstream branch pipe 127, the inner cylinder portion 225 of the downstream branch pipe 128 extends inward and is connected to the discharge portion 110. Unlike the vertical cylinder portion 223 of the upstream branch pipe 127, the vertical cylinder portion 226 of the downstream branch pipe 128 extends downward. The vertical cylinder portion 226 of the downstream branch pipe 128 is substantially coaxial with the vertical cylinder portion 223 of the upstream branch pipe 127. The contact medium flows from the vertical cylinder portion 223 of the upstream branch pipe 127 to the vertical cylinder portion 226 of the downstream branch pipe 128. A part of the contact medium that has flowed into the vertical cylinder portion 226 of the downstream branch pipe 128 flows into the discharge portion 110 through the inner cylinder portion 225. The other part of the contact medium is guided to the pressure detection unit 129 by the outer cylinder unit 224. Since the outer cylinder portion 224 and the inner cylinder portion 225 of the downstream branch pipe 128 are the farthest from the supply source 121 in the supply mechanism 120, the contact medium is most filled in the outer cylinder portion 224 and the inner cylinder portion 225. Hateful. If the contact medium is not sufficiently filled in the outer cylinder portion 224, the pressure detection unit 129 detects a low medium pressure. If the contact medium is sufficiently filled in the outer cylinder portion 224, the pressure detection unit 129 detects a high medium pressure. The pressure detection unit 129 generates a detection signal representing the detected medium pressure. As described above, the medium pressure detected by the pressure detection unit 129 is an index of whether or not the contact medium is sufficiently filled in the supply mechanism 120, so that the detection signal activates the first drive unit 140. It can be used as a trigger signal for.

In addition to the facing surface 111, the discharge unit 110 includes a connecting surface 113 on the opposite side of the facing surface 111. The discharge unit 110 includes two inlet cylinders 114 protruding from the connection surface 113 toward the base plate 131. The two inlet cylinders 114 are arranged in the vertical direction. The inner cylinder portion 222 of the upstream branch pipe 127 is connected to the lower inlet cylinder 114. The inner cylinder portion 225 of the downstream branch pipe 128 is connected to the upper inlet cylinder 114.

The discharge portion 110 includes two thick portions 115 raised from the connection surface 113. These thick portions 115 are used for connecting to the holding portion 130.

The holding unit 130 includes two connecting mechanisms 330 used for connection with the discharging unit 110. One of the two coupling mechanisms 330 is located below the lower end of slot 236. The other of the two coupling mechanisms 330 is located above the upper end of slot 236. Each of these connecting mechanisms 330 includes a base member 331, a connecting pin 332, a washer 333, a bolt 334, and a coil spring 335. The base member 331 includes a fixing plate portion 336 and an insertion portion 337. The fixing plate portion 336 of the lower connecting mechanism 330 is overlapped with the outer surface 135 of the base plate 131 so as to cover the through hole penetrating the base plate 131 below the lower end of the slot 236, and is fixed to the base plate 131. The fixing plate portion 336 of the upper connecting mechanism 330 is overlapped with the outer surface 135 of the base plate 131 so as to cover the through hole penetrating the base plate 131 above the upper end of the slot 236, and is fixed to the base plate 131. The insertion portion 337 of the lower connecting mechanism 330 projects inward from the fixing plate portion 336 and is inserted into a through hole formed below the slot 236. The insertion portion 337 of the upper connecting mechanism 330 projects inward from the fixing plate portion 336 and is inserted into a through hole formed above the slot 236.

The connecting pin 332 of each of the two connecting mechanisms 330 penetrates the fixing plate portion 336 and the insertion portion 337, and protrudes from the end face of the insertion portion 337 toward the discharge portion 110. The male screw portion formed at the inner end portion of the connecting pin 332 is screwed into the female screw hole formed at the thick portion 115. As a result, the discharge unit 110 is connected to the connecting mechanism 330 so that the plurality of discharge ports 112 face the ITG to be inspected (see FIG. 1).

The coil spring 335 surrounds the insertion portion 337 and the connecting pin 332 between the thick portion 115 and the base plate 131. The coil spring 335 pushes the discharge portion 110 toward the ITG to be inspected. When the plurality of front wheels 234 and the plurality of rear wheels 235 are magnetically attracted to the inspection target ITG, the coil spring 335 is compressed and deformed by the reaction force from the inspection target ITG. That is, the discharge unit 110 is displaced in the direction approaching the base plate 131. At this time, the connecting pin 332 can move linearly along the central axis of the coil spring 335. When the plurality of front wheels 234 and the plurality of rear wheels 235 are separated from the ITG to be inspected, the coil spring 335 returns to its natural length. At this time, the discharge unit 110 and the connecting pin 332 move inward. The washer 333 functions as a stopper for the inward movement of the discharge portion 110 and the connecting pin 332. The bolt 334 is screwed into a female screw hole formed in the outer end surface of the connecting pin 332 to fix the washer 333.

The coating device 200 further includes two spacer rollers 161, 162. The spacer roller 161 is attached to the lower end surface of the discharge portion 110. The spacer roller 162 is attached to the upper end surface of the discharge portion 110. The spacer rollers 161, 162 can rotate coaxially around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. When the plurality of front wheels 234 and the plurality of rear wheels 235 are magnetically attracted to the ITG to be inspected, the spacer rollers 161, 162 are pressed against the surface of the ITG to be inspected by the coil springs 335. At this time, the diameters of the spacer rollers 161 and 162 are designed so that the discharge portion 110 is slightly separated from the ITG to be inspected. Since the plurality of discharge ports 112 are not blocked by the surface of the ITG to be inspected, the contact medium can be smoothly discharged from the plurality of discharge ports 112.

(Flow control of contact medium)
If the temperature of the environment in which the contact medium is used is low, the contact medium has a high viscosity. On the other hand, if the ambient temperature is high, the contact medium will have a low viscosity. If the medium pressure applied to the contact medium from the source 121 (see FIG. 2) is constant, the coating amount of the high viscosity contact medium will be excessively small, while the coating amount of the low viscosity contact medium will be. , May be excessive. If the coating amount of the contact medium is excessively reduced, a part of the surface of the ITG to be inspected (see FIG. 1) may be exposed from the contact medium. This results in inadequate flaw detection results. An excessively large amount of coating means wasting the contact medium. That is, the flaw detection cost increases unnecessarily. The control technique for reducing the influence of the environmental temperature on the coating amount of the contact medium is described below.

As shown in FIG. 4, the supply source 121 includes a storage container 321, an extrusion unit 322, and an air compressor. The contact medium is filled in a closed space surrounded by the containment container 321 and the extrusion section 322. Since the contact medium is less likely to come into contact with air, the amount of moisture absorbed by the contact medium becomes very small. The air compressor is arranged at a position away from the storage container 321 and the extrusion section 322. The compressed air generated by the air compressor is sent to the extrusion section 322 through a hose (not shown). The extruded portion 322 is pushed by compressed air and narrows the closed space. As a result, the contact medium is pushed out of the containment vessel 321. The contact medium flows into the connecting pipe 122 connected to the storage container 321 and then flows into the upstream branch pipe 127 through the pipeline block 123, the flow rate detecting unit 124, the connecting block 125 and the connecting tube 126. A part of the contact medium flows into the discharge unit 110 through the upstream branch pipe 127. The other part of the contact medium flows from the upstream branch pipe 127 into the downstream branch pipe 128, and then flows into the discharge unit 110. During this time, the flow rate detecting unit 124 detects the flow rate of the contact medium passing through the flow rate detecting unit 124. The flow rate detection unit 124 generates a detection signal representing the detected flow rate. The detection signal is used for feedback control for keeping the flow rate of the contact medium substantially constant. The flow rate detection unit 124 may be a general flow meter. The principle of this embodiment is not limited to the specific measuring device used as the flow rate detecting unit 124.

The flow rate of the contact medium can be adjusted by the amount of compressed air supplied from the air compressor to the extrusion section 322. An increase in the supply of compressed air results in an increase in the flow rate of the contact medium. A decrease in the supply of compressed air results in a decrease in the flow rate of the contact medium. The amount of compressed air supplied from the air compressor is adjusted under the feedback control described above.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the flaw detection system 100. The flaw detection system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5. The solid arrow in FIG. 5 schematically represents the signal flow. The dotted line in FIG. 5 schematically represents the flow of the contact medium.

The flaw detection system 100 includes a control device 500 for controlling the coating device 200 and the flaw detection device 300, in addition to the coating device 200 and the flaw detection device 300 described with reference to FIG. The control device 500 includes a supply control unit 510, a movement control unit 520, and an operation panel 530. The supply control unit 510 controls the air compressor 323. The movement control unit 520 controls the first drive unit 140.

The operator operates the operation panel 530 and requests the supply control unit 510 to supply the contact medium. The supply control unit 510 generates a control signal in response to the operator's request. The control signal is output from the supply control unit 510 to the air compressor 323. At this time, the control signal may indicate a predetermined value with respect to the supply amount of the compressed air.

The air compressor 323 supplies the amount of compressed air specified in the control signal to the extrusion unit 322 in response to the control signal. As a result, the compressed air applies extrusion pressure to the contact medium in the closed space surrounded by the storage container 321 and the extrusion portion 322 via the extrusion portion 322. Since the extruded portion 322 is displaced by the compressed air so as to narrow the closed space, the contact medium in the closed space is extruded from the storage container 321 by the extruded portion 322. The contact medium extruded by the extrusion unit 322 passes through the flow rate detection unit 124, and is finally discharged from the discharge unit 110 to the detection target ITG.

The flow rate detection unit 124 detects the flow rate of the contact medium that has passed through the flow rate detection unit 124. The flow rate detection unit 124 generates a detection signal representing the detected flow rate. The detection signal is output from the flow rate detection unit 124 to the supply control unit 510.

The supply control unit 510 determines the supply amount of compressed air with reference to the detection signal from the flow rate detection unit 124. When the flow rate represented by the detection signal decreases and falls below a predetermined threshold, the supply control unit 510 determines an increase in the supply amount of compressed air. As a result, the extrusion pressure applied by the extrusion unit 322 to the contact medium increases. When the flow rate represented by the detection signal increases and becomes equal to or higher than the threshold value, the supply control unit 510 determines the decrease in the supply amount of compressed air. As a result, the extrusion pressure applied by the extrusion unit 322 to the contact medium is reduced.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart showing an exemplary process of the supply control unit 510. The processing of the supply control unit 510 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

(Step S110)
The supply control unit 510 waits for a start request from the operation panel 530. When the operator operates the operation panel 530 and the activation request is output from the operation panel 530 to the supply control unit 510, step S120 is executed.

(Step S120)
The supply control unit 510 generates a control signal in response to the activation request. The control signal is output from the supply control unit 510 to the air compressor 323. The air compressor 323 sends compressed air to the extrusion unit 322 in response to the control signal. As a result, the contact medium is extruded from the storage container 321 by the extrusion section 322. The contact medium extruded from the storage container 321 passes through the flow rate detection unit 124. The flow rate detection unit 124 detects the flow rate of the contact medium that has passed through the flow rate detection unit 124. The flow rate detection unit 124 generates a detection signal representing the detected flow rate. The detection signal is output from the flow rate detection unit 124 to the supply control unit 510. When the supply control unit 510 generates a control signal, step S130 is executed.

(Step S130)
The supply control unit 510 compares the detected flow rate “FRT” represented by the detection signal from the flow rate detection unit 124 with a predetermined flow rate threshold value “FTH”. If the detected flow rate "FRT" is below the flow rate threshold "FTH", step S140 is executed. In other cases, step S160 is executed.

(Step S140)
The supply control unit 510 determines to increase the supply amount of compressed air. The supply control unit 510 generates a control signal indicating an increased supply amount. The control signal is output from the supply control unit 510 to the air compressor 323. The air compressor 323 increases the supply amount of compressed air according to the control signal. As a result, the extrusion unit 322 can increase the extrusion pressure applied to the contact medium in the storage container 321. Since the contact medium is pushed out of the storage container 321 by the increased extrusion pressure, the flow rate of the contact medium passing through the flow rate detection unit 124 can also be increased. When the supply control unit 510 generates a control signal indicating the increased supply amount, step S150 is executed.

(Step S150)
The supply control unit 510 waits for a stop request from the operation panel 530. When the operator operates the operation panel 530 and the stop request is output from the operation panel 530 to the supply control unit 510, the supply control unit 510 ends the process. In other cases, step S130 is executed.

(Step S160)
The supply control unit 510 determines to reduce the supply amount of compressed air. The supply control unit 510 generates a control signal indicating a reduced supply amount. The control signal is output from the supply control unit 510 to the air compressor 323. The air compressor 323 reduces the supply amount of compressed air according to the control signal. As a result, the extrusion unit 322 can reduce the extrusion pressure applied to the contact medium in the storage container 321. Since the contact medium is pushed out of the storage container 321 by the reduced extrusion pressure, the flow rate of the contact medium passing through the flow rate detection unit 124 can also be reduced. When the supply control unit 510 generates a control signal indicating a reduced supply amount, step S150 is executed.

As a result of the process shown in FIG. 6, the flow rate of the contact medium supplied from the supply source 121 is stabilized around the flow rate threshold “FTH”. That is, regardless of whether the contact medium is used in a high temperature environment or a low temperature environment, the flow rate of the contact medium becomes a value close to the flow rate threshold value “FTH”.

(Movement control of coating device)
If the coating device 200 (see FIG. 3) begins to move before the contact medium reaches the downstream branch tube 128 (see FIG. 3) from the source 121 (see FIG. 3), the contact medium of the contact medium. The coating width is smaller than the length of the plurality of discharge ports 112 (see FIG. 2) in the vertical direction. As a result, the ultrasonic waves emitted from the flaw detector 300 (see FIG. 1) directly reach the ITG to be inspected (see FIG. 1) without passing through the layer of the contact medium. This results in inadequate flaw detection results. A control technique for initiating the movement of the coating device 200 after the contact medium is fully filled in the supply mechanism 120 (see FIG. 4) is described below.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first drive unit 140 includes a motor 141, a gearbox 142, and gears 143 and 144. The motor 141 is fixed to the gearbox 142. The shaft of the motor 141 is inserted into the gearbox 142 and connected to the gear 143. The gear 144 meshes with the gear 143. A gear (not shown) that meshes with the gear 143 is attached to each of the front axle 232 (see FIG. 2) and the rear axle 233 (see FIG. 2).

The motor 141 is driven under the control of the movement control unit 520 described with reference to FIG. 5 to generate a first driving force. When the motor 141 is driven by the movement control unit 520, the first driving force of the motor 141 is transmitted to the front axle 232 and the rear axle 233, respectively, through the gears 143 and 144. As a result, the plurality of front wheels 234 (see FIG. 2) and the plurality of rear wheels 235 (see FIG. 2) are rotated, and the coating device 200 can move in the traveling direction.

As described with reference to FIG. 3, the pressure detection unit 129 is the furthest away from the supply source 121 in the supply mechanism 120. As shown in FIG. 5, a part of the contact medium that has passed through the flow rate detection unit 124 goes to the pressure detection unit 129. If a part of the contact medium that has passed through the flow rate detection unit 124 has not reached the pressure detection unit 129, the pressure detection unit 129 detects a low medium pressure. If the contact medium is filled in the supply mechanism 120 to such an extent that it is totally discharged from the plurality of discharge ports 112, the contact medium has reached the pressure detection unit 129 and thus the pressure. The detection unit 129 can detect a high medium pressure.

The pressure detection unit 129 generates a detection signal representing the detected medium pressure. The detection signal is output from the pressure detection unit 129 to the movement control unit 520. The movement control unit 520 refers to the medium pressure represented by the detection signal and determines whether or not to drive the motor 141.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart showing an exemplary process of the movement control unit 520. The processing of the movement control unit 520 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 7.

(Step S210)
The movement control unit 520 waits for a start request from the operation panel 530. When the operator operates the operation panel 530 and the activation request is output from the operation panel 530 to the movement control unit 520, step S220 is executed.

(Step S220)
The movement control unit 520 compares the medium pressure “PRS” represented by the detection signal from the pressure detection unit 129 with a predetermined pressure threshold value “PTH”. Step S220 is repeated until the medium pressure "PRS" exceeds the pressure threshold "PTH". When the medium pressure “PRS” exceeds the pressure threshold value “PTH”, step S230 is executed.

(Step S230)
The movement control unit 520 generates a drive signal. The drive signal is output from the movement control unit 520 to the motor 141 of the first drive unit 140. The motor 141 rotates the gear 143 in response to the drive signal. As a result, the front axle 232, the plurality of front wheels 234, the rear axle 233 and the plurality of rear wheels 235 receive the first driving force via the gear 144, and the coating device 200 can move in the traveling direction. When the movement control unit 520 generates a drive signal, step S240 is executed.

(Step S240)
The movement control unit 520 waits for a stop request from the operation panel 530. When the operator operates the operation panel 530 and the stop request is output from the operation panel 530 to the movement control unit 520, the movement control unit 520 ends the process. If the movement control unit 520 has not received the stop request, step S220 is executed.

(Scratch detector)
The flaw detector 300 (see FIG. 1) coupled to the coating device 200 (see FIG. 1) may have various structures. An exemplary structure of the flaw detector 300 is described below.

8A and 8B are schematic perspective views of the flaw detector 300. The flaw detector 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8B.

With respect to this embodiment, the second drive unit 410 described with reference to FIG. 1 is designed as part of the flaw detector 300. The second drive unit 410 includes a front motor 415 and a rear motor 416. In addition to the front motor 415 and the rear motor 416, the flaw detector 300 includes two probes 411, a holding portion 412, two front wheels 413, two rear wheels 414, and four magnets 417. Be prepared. The two probes 411, the two front wheels 413, the two rear wheels 414, the front motor 415 and the rear motor 416 are attached to the holding section 412. The four magnets 417 are built into the two front wheels 413 and the two rear wheels 414, respectively. Therefore, like the coating device 200, the flaw detecting device 300 can be magnetically attracted to the ITG to be inspected.

The front motor 415 drives two front wheels 413 under the control of the movement control unit 520 described with reference to FIG. Similar to the front motor 415, the rear motor 416 drives two rear wheels 414 under the control of the movement control unit 520. The rotation directions of the two front wheels 413 and the two rear wheels 414 are determined so that the traveling direction of the flaw detector 300 coincides with the traveling direction of the coating device 200. With respect to this embodiment, the second drive unit 410 includes a front motor 415 and a rear motor 416. Alternatively, the second drive unit may be a single motor. In this case, the second driving force generated by a single motor is transmitted to the two front wheels 413 and the two rear wheels 414 by a plurality of gears (not shown) arranged in the holding portion 412.

The drive signal is output from the movement control unit 520 not only to the motor 141 of the coating device 200 but also to the front motor 415 and the rear motor 416 in step S230 described with reference to FIG. 7. Therefore, the flaw detection device 300 can start moving in the traveling direction in synchronization with the coating device 200.

The holding portion 412 has a box structure surrounding two probes 411, two front wheels 413 and two rear wheels 414. The holding portion 412 opens toward the ITG to be inspected, and the two probes 411, the two front wheels 413 and the two rear wheels 414 are exposed through the opening of the holding portion 412. The holding portion 412 includes a front wall 418 facing the coating device 200. The two positioning holes 421 and the two through holes 422 are formed in the front wall 418. The two positioning holes 421 and the two through holes 422 are arranged in the vertical direction. One of the two through holes 422 is formed below the two positioning holes 421. The other of the two through holes 422 is formed above the two positioning holes 421.

FIG. 2 shows two positioning pins 171 and two connecting screws 172. The operator can remove these connecting screws 172 from the second connecting portion 251 and bring the second connecting portion 251 into contact with the front wall 418. As a result, the positioning pin 171 is fitted into the positioning hole 421 formed in the front wall 418. After that, the operator can insert the two connecting screws 172 into the two through holes 422 formed in the front wall 418 and screw them into the two female screw holes of the second connecting portion 251. As a result, the connecting member 150 is connected to the flaw detector 300.

One of the two probes 411 emits ultrasonic waves. For this embodiment, the ultrasonic wave is a surface SH (Shear Horizontal) wave. As described above, the coating device 200 traveling in front of the flaw detector 300 can appropriately apply the contact medium to the surface of the ITG to be inspected, so that the ultrasonic waves are transmitted through the layer of the contact medium to the ITG to be inspected. Will be propagated to. The other of the two probes 411 receives the ultrasonic waves reflected by the ITG to be inspected. Whether or not the defect is present in the inspection target ITG is determined by analyzing the ultrasonic waves reflected by the inspection target ITG. Known flaw detection analysis techniques can be applied to the analysis of ultrasonic waves reflected by the ITG to be inspected. Therefore, the principle of this embodiment is not limited to a specific analysis method for ultrasonic waves reflected by the ITG to be inspected.

(Other structures of connecting members)
The structure of the connecting member may be designed to fit the mechanical structure of the applicator and flaw detector. Other structures of the connecting member are described below.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the connecting member 150A. The connecting member 150A will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 8A and 9.

The connecting member 150A can be replaced with the connecting member 150 described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 schematically shows a coating device 200A and a flaw detection device 300A in addition to the connecting member 150A. The coating device 200A differs from the coating device 200 described with reference to FIG. 2 only in that it has a connecting arm 180. Therefore, the description of the coating device 200 is applied to the coating device 200A except for the connecting arm 180. The flaw detector 300A differs from the flaw detector 300 described with reference to FIG. 8A only in that it has a connecting arm 480. Therefore, the description of the flaw detector 300 is incorporated into the flaw detector 300A, except for the connecting arm 480.

The connecting arm 180 includes two protruding plates 181, 182 and a connecting shaft 183. The two projecting plates 181, 182 project toward the flaw detector 300A. The protruding plates 181, 182 are arranged in the vertical direction. The base ends of the projecting plates 181 and 182 may be fixed to the base plate 131 (see FIG. 2). The connecting shaft 183 is connected to the protruding plates 181, 182, respectively, and extends in the vertical direction.

The connecting arm 480 includes two protruding plates 481,482 and a connecting shaft 483. The two projecting plates 481,482 project toward the coating device 200A. The protruding plates 481, 482 are arranged in the vertical direction. The base ends of the protrusions 481,482 may be fixed to the front wall 418 (see FIG. 8A). The connecting shaft 483 is connected to the protruding plates 481 and 482, respectively, and extends in the vertical direction.

The connecting member 150A is connected to the connecting shafts 183 and 483. The connecting member 150A can change the angle with respect to the coating device 200A around the connecting shaft 183. The connecting member 150A can change the angle with respect to the flaw detector 300A around the connecting shaft 483.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the connecting member 150A. The connecting member 150A will be described with reference to FIG.

The connecting member 150A has a split structure. The connecting member 150A includes an inner member 351 and an outer member 352. The inner member 351 and the outer member 352 sandwich the connecting shafts 183 and 483.

(Structure around the discharge port)
The thickness of the layer of the contact medium depends on the shape around the discharge port 112. The effect of the shape around the discharge port 112 on the thickness of the layer of the contact medium will be described below.

FIG. 11A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the discharge unit 110. FIG. 11B is a schematic cross-sectional view of another discharge portion 110A. The discharge units 110 and 110A will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B. The discharge unit 110A can be replaced with the discharge unit 110.

The discharge unit 110 includes a ridge 116 projecting from the facing surface 111 toward the ITG to be inspected. The ridge 116 extends in the vertical direction. The discharge port 112 is formed on the end face of the ridge 116.

FIG. 11A shows the thickness “LT1” of the layer of the contact medium. The layer thickness "LT1" of the contact medium substantially corresponds to the distance from the edge of the ridge 116 extending in the vertical direction to the surface of the ITG to be inspected.

Unlike the discharge unit 110, the discharge unit 110A does not have a ridge 116. Therefore, the discharge port 112 is formed on the flat facing surface 111.

FIG. 11B shows the thickness “LT2” of the layer of the contact medium. The thickness “LT2” of the layer of the contact medium substantially corresponds to the distance from the edge of the facing surface 111 extending in the vertical direction to the surface of the ITG to be inspected. Since the facing surface 111 is larger in width than the ridges 116, the thickness "LT2" of the contact medium layer is larger than the thickness "LT1" of the contact medium layer. Therefore, the discharge unit 110 is larger than the discharge unit 110A in the adjustment width of the thickness of the layer of the contact medium.

The principles of the embodiments described above are applicable to various coating devices and various flaw detection devices.

For the above embodiments, the contact medium is extruded with compressed air from the air compressor 323. However, the plunger, which is driven directly by the motor, may push out the contact medium.

With respect to the above embodiment, two discharge ports 112 are formed in the discharge portions 110 and 110A. However, one discharge port may be formed in the discharge portion. Alternatively, more than two discharge ports may be formed in the discharge portion. The principle of the above-described embodiment is not limited to how many discharge ports are formed in the discharge portion.

With respect to the above-described embodiment, the supply mechanism 120 is held by the holding unit 130. However, the supply mechanism does not have to be held by the holding portion 130. For example, a long hose may extend from the source 121 separated from the holding 130 to the outlet 112. The contact medium can be supplied from the supply source 121 to the discharge port 112 through a long hose.

The principle of the above-described embodiment is suitably used in various work sites to which a contact medium is applied.

100 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・···································································································································· ·········································································································································· ···········································································································································・ ・ ・ First member 152 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Second member 200, 200A ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Coating device 300, 300A ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・···································································································································································································· ······························································································································・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Inspection target

Claims (8)

It is a flaw detection system that detects flaws to be inspected.
A coating portion to which the contact medium used for flaw detection is applied, and a coating portion.
A flaw detection unit that propagates ultrasonic waves to the inspection target through the contact medium and performs the flaw detection,
A drive unit that generates a driving force for integrally moving the coating portion and the flaw detection portion,
A connecting member for connecting the scratch detection portion to the coating portion is provided.
The drive unit moves the coating portion and the flaw detecting portion in a direction in which the flaw detecting portion follows the coating portion .
The connecting member is configured to be bendable so as to allow the coating portion and the flaw detecting portion to move along the curved surface of the inspection target.
Flaw detection system. It is a flaw detection system that detects flaws to be inspected.
A coating portion to which the contact medium used for flaw detection is applied, and a coating portion.
A flaw detection unit that propagates ultrasonic waves to the inspection target through the contact medium and performs the flaw detection,
A drive unit that generates a driving force for integrally moving the coating portion and the flaw detection portion in a direction in which the flaw detection portion follows the coating portion.
A connecting member for connecting the scratch detection portion to the coating portion is provided.
The connecting member is bendable around at least one axis of rotation such that the coated portion and the flaw detected portion move along the curved surface of the inspection target .
Flaw detection system. The connecting member includes a first member connected to the coating portion and a second member connected to the flaw detection portion.
The flaw detection system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the second member is separable from the first member. It is a flaw detection system that detects flaws to be inspected.
A coating portion to which the contact medium used for flaw detection is applied, and a coating portion.
A flaw detection unit that propagates ultrasonic waves to the inspection target through the contact medium and performs the flaw detection,
A drive unit that generates a driving force for integrally moving the coating portion and the flaw detection portion in a direction in which the flaw detection portion follows the coating portion.
A movement control unit that controls the drive unit is provided .
The coating portion includes a discharge portion formed with a discharge port from which the contact medium is discharged, and a pressure detection unit for detecting the medium pressure of the contact medium toward the discharge port.
When the medium pressure detected by the pressure detection unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the movement control unit controls the drive unit, and the flaw detection unit follows the coating portion. Start the movement of the portion and the coating portion
Flaw detection system. It is a flaw detection system that detects flaws to be inspected.
A coating portion to which the contact medium used for flaw detection is applied, and a coating portion.
A flaw detection unit that propagates ultrasonic waves to the inspection target through the contact medium and performs the flaw detection,
A drive unit for generating a driving force for integrally moving the coating unit and the flaw detection unit in a direction in which the flaw detection portion follows the coating portion is provided.
The drive unit includes a first drive unit that generates a first drive force that moves the coating portion, and a second drive unit that generates a second drive force that moves the flaw detection unit.
The flaw detection system controls movement control to control the first drive portion and the second drive portion so that the flaw detection portion moves at a constant speed with the coating portion in a state where the flaw detection portion is separated from the coating portion. It has more parts,
Flaw detection system. The coating portion is extruded by the ejection portion in which the ejection port from which the contact medium is ejected is formed, the extrusion portion that applies extrusion pressure to the contact medium and extrudes the contact medium to the ejection port, and the extrusion portion. Includes a flow rate detector that detects the flow rate of the extruded contact medium.
The flaw detection system further includes a supply control unit that controls the amount of the contact medium supplied to the discharge unit by the extrusion unit.
The supply control unit controls the extrusion unit so that the extrusion pressure increases as the flow rate decreases.
The flaw detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 . The flaw detection system according to claim 4 or 6 , wherein the coating portion and the flaw detecting portion are designed as one device in which the coating portion and the flaw detecting portion are connected to each other . A coating device that applies a contact medium used for flaw detection to be inspected.
A discharge portion formed with a discharge port from which the contact medium is discharged, and a discharge portion.
A holding portion that holds the discharge portion so that the discharge port faces the surface of the inspection target, and a holding portion.
A drive unit that applies a driving force to the holding unit so that the discharge port moves along the surface of the inspection target.
The holding portion, the flaw detection device that propagates ultrasonic waves to the inspection target through the contact medium and performs the flaw detection, and a connecting member connected to the flaw detector are provided.
The driving unit applies the driving force to the holding unit so that the holding unit precedes the flaw detector.
The connecting member is configured to be bendable so as to allow the coating device and the flaw detecting device to move along the curved surface of the inspection target .

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