JPH10252785A - Inspecting device for brake lining - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a hammering sound without requiring a skill by providing a feed member conveying a brake lining along a circular arc-shaped guide face and ultrasonic probes arranged face to face in contact with both faces of the brake lining conveyed along the guide face. SOLUTION: The rotating rollers 4a, 5a of ultrasonic probes 4, 5 serve as contact sections with a work, and the ultrasonic probes 4, 5 can be reciprocated in the arrow directions against a brake lining 1 by spring means 4b, 5b provided in them. When the brake lining 1 different in shape, i.e., radius of curvature, is inspected, the ultrasonic probes 4, 5 can keep the contact state with a work. When the handle of a reciprocating mechanism is rotated, the outside ultrasonic probe 5 can be moved to the center direction of the feed member, and the interval with the inside ultrasonic probe 4 can be adjusted. One of the ultrasonic probes 4, 5 serves as a transmitter, and the other serves as a receiver.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the inspection of brake linings used for vehicle brakes,
The present invention relates to a device for inspecting cracks and internal swelling in an arc-shaped brake lining used for a drum brake.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A brake lining is made of a material obtained by mixing a fibrous material, a filler and a binder. As the fiber material, organic fibers such as cellulose pulp and aramid, metal fibers such as chip-shaped metal pieces or steel wool, and inorganic fibers such as rock wool are used. Fillers include barium sulfate, calcium carbonate,
Graphite or the like is used. The binder binds a fiber material and a filler, and is made of a thermosetting resin such as a phenol resin and a rubber. After these raw materials are mixed at a designed ratio, they are weighed to a predetermined weight, placed in a mold, and pressurized and heated to form a brake lining.

[0003] In the above-mentioned forming process, gas is generated when the raw material is heated and melted. In principle, most of this gas is vented and released to the outside. In some cases, however, the gas is insufficiently vented and a part of the gas is trapped inside. The residual gas may cause swelling (cavity) inside the completed brake lining, or cracks may be formed from the residual gas or various conditions such as cooling conditions. If there is a crack, the strength decreases, and if there is swelling, a cavity appears and the frictional force decreases while the brake lining is used. Therefore, it is very important to inspect the formed brake lining for cracks and blisters. In response to such requests, hitherto, cracks and swelling have been hit with a hammer, and the difference in hitting sound has been judged by ear or visually inspected.

[0004]

However, in such a sensory test relying on human sensation, the skill of the measurer has a great influence, and the measurement accuracy is not stable. In the case of the brake lining of a large vehicle, there is a problem that the work becomes heavy and the burden on the operator is large.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus for a brake lining which does not require any skill and eliminates a tapping sound.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a brake lining inspection device capable of reducing the burden on an operator.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a brake lining inspection apparatus according to the present invention comprises a feed member for conveying a brake lining along an arcuate guide surface having substantially the same curvature as that of the feed member. And an ultrasonic probe that is disposed so as to face and contact both surfaces of the brake lining conveyed along the guide surface.

Further, the ultrasonic probe has a rotating roller that comes into contact with the brake lining, and at least one of the ultrasonic probes is spring-biased so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the brake lining. Or an entrance detector for detecting that the leading end of the brake lining has reached the measurement position, and an exit detector for detecting that the rear end of the brake lining has passed the measurement position.

[0008] The feed member may include a rotating disk and a feed claw provided on the disk. Further, it is possible to provide a carry-in device for sending the ultrasonic wave to 140 to 170 Khz or for sending an untested brake lining to the feed member and a carry-out device for discharging the tested brake lining.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention applies the ultrasonic internal flaw detection method to the inspection of the brake lining for cracks and swelling.
Conventionally, such an ultrasonic internal flaw detection method has never been used for inspection of a brake lining. for that reason,
Even if the ultrasonic flaw detection method is applied, it is necessary to consider whether the transmission method or the reflection method should be adopted, the number of probes is one or two, whether the direct method is the water immersion method, etc. The direct method was adopted as the transmission method.

FIGS. 1 to 3 are views showing the configuration of a brake lining inspection apparatus using the ultrasonic flaw detection method of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a top view, FIG. 2 is a view seen from A in FIG. FIG. 3 is a view similarly viewed from B. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of the inspection device, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a case where the curvature radii of the brake linings are different. With reference to these drawings, the configuration and operation of the main part of the present invention will be described first, and then the configuration and operation of the peripheral portion will be described.

The brake lining 1 indicated by a virtual line in the above-mentioned drawing is used for a drum brake and has an arc-shaped surface which is a part of a cylinder. As described above, the brake lining 1 is a material in which the binder reacts under pressure and heat in the mold as described above, and is hardened. Has undergone various finishing processes.

The main components of the inspection apparatus include the feed member 2, the ultrasonic probes 4 and 5, and the detectors 6 and 7.

The feed member 2 is provided on the upper surface of the frame of the inspection apparatus, and has a shape in which two disks are vertically stacked at an interval, has a pulley 2a in a lower frame, and is also provided in the frame. The motor 8 is connected to a pulley 8a of the motor 8 by a belt and is rotatable. The guide surface 3 is a locus along which the brake lining 1 moves, and overlaps a considerable portion of the outer peripheral surface of the disk.

The feed member 2 has a feed claw 2b formed in a projecting shape on the outer periphery thereof. When the feed member 2 rotates, the feed claw 2b hits the rear end face of the brake lining 1 to guide the brake lining 1 into an arcuate guide. Move along surface 3.

One of the ultrasonic probes 4 and 5 is a transmitter, and the other is a receiver. Ultrasonic waves emitted from the transmitter are transmitted through the brake lining 1 as a work and received. Is received by the device. This method utilizes the fact that when there is a defect such as a crack or a cavity in a work, the energy of ultrasonic waves received by the receiver is reduced by scattering.

The frequency of the ultrasonic wave in the ultrasonic inspection differs depending on the material of the work. On the other hand, the material of the brake lining to be a work also differs depending on the type of vehicle and the like, and is not constant. However, it is complicated to set the frequency every time the material of the brake lining to be inspected changes. For this reason, various studies have been made on what frequency is most efficient. As a result, 140
When it is in the range of 170 Khz, it can be seen that ultrasonic waves can be transmitted through brake linings of most commonly used materials, and flaw detection inspection can be performed.

These ultrasonic probes 4 and 5 have rotating rollers 4a and 5a at their contact portions with the work, and
The structure is such that the spring means 4b, 5b provided inside can move forward and backward with respect to the brake lining 1 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Therefore, even when inspecting the brake linings 1 having different shapes (radius of curvature), the ultrasonic probes 4, 5
Can always keep contact with the brake lining following changes in the shape of the work.
Further, the outer ultrasonic probe 5 can be moved toward the center of the feed member by rotating the handle of the advance / retreat mechanism 9, and the distance between the outer ultrasonic probe 5 and the inner ultrasonic probe 4 can be adjusted.

The following state will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
(A) shows the brake lining 1 based on the curvature of the guide surface 3.
Shows a case where the radius of curvature is small. In this case, since both ends 1a of the brake lining entering the ultrasonic probes 4 and 5 are on the guide surface 3, there is no problem that the tip enters between the ultrasonic probes 4 and 5 indicated by a virtual line. . However, the central portion 1b of the brake lining 1 is separated from the guide surface 3 by S1. Then, with the movement of the brake lining 1, the ultrasonic probes 4, 5 gradually move in the direction of the arrow shown by the spring means 4b, 5b, and follow the outer shape of the work. When the ultrasonic probe 4 and 5 move inward beyond the position indicated by the solid line (the center of the brake lining), they return to the normal state (standby state) when the rear end of the brake lining 1 passes.

FIG. 5B shows a case where the radius of curvature of the brake lining 1 is larger than the radius of curvature of the guide surface 3.
In this case, if the brake lining 1 is fixed to the guide surface 3, both ends 1a, 1a are separated from the guide surface 3 by S2, and the central portion 1b comes into contact with the guide surface 3. Therefore, when both ends are sandwiched between the ultrasonic probes 4 and 5, the rotating rollers 4a and 5a of the ultrasonic probes 4 and 5 rotate and move outward and follow as shown by arrows. Will be. Thereafter, with the movement of the brake lining 1, the ultrasonic probes 4, 5 gradually move inward by the spring means 4b, 5b and reach the center. Thereafter, it moves outward again, and returns to the normal state after the rear end comes out.

The guide surface 3 of the brake lining 1
If the brake lining 1 is not firmly fixed, the brake lining 1 may follow the guide surface 3 between the ultrasonic probes 4 and 5. But in any case,
It is still desirable that at least one of the ultrasonic probes 4 and 5 is spring-biased. When the thickness of the brake lining 1 changes, the distance between the ultrasonic probes 4 and 5 is adjusted by turning the handle of the advance / retreat mechanism 9.

The entrance detector 6 and the exit detector 7 emit light such as infrared rays from one side and receive light on the other side. When the brake lining 1 is sent in and the infrared rays of the entrance detector 6 are cut off, When it is determined that the tip of the work has reached the measurement position, the cutoff of the exit detector 7 is released, and when infrared light is transmitted, it can be detected that the work has left the measurement position.

The entrance detector 6 and the exit detector 7 operate in conjunction with the ultrasonic probes 4 and 5, and when the entrance detector 6 detects the tip of the work, the ultrasonic probes 4 and 5 use ultrasonic waves. When the flaw detection is started and the exit detector 7 detects the passage of the rear end of the work, the flaw detection by the ultrasonic probes 4 and 5 is terminated.

The main configuration of the inspection apparatus of the present invention has been described above. The configuration and operation of the peripheral parts other than the above will be described below. Reference numeral 10 denotes a carry-in device for supplying the brake lining 1 to the inspection device of the present invention. The brake lining 1 is carried in a state of being laid down on the carrying-in device 10, and is mounted on two round bars provided in parallel with the work receiving portion 11 of the inspection device.

The work receiving section 11 has a first cylinder 11
a and the second cylinder 11b. When the rod of the first cylinder 11a retracts in the direction of arrow a, the work receiving portion 11 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow b around the shaft 11c, and rotates the brake lining 1 by 90 ° to be in an upright state. Then, the rod of the second cylinder 11b protrudes in the direction of arrow c, and moves the brake lining 1 to the feed member 2
To the guide surface 3.

A support member 12 is provided above the feed member 2. The support member 12 has a cylindrical shape, and is fixed above the feed member 2 with the edge cut from the feed member 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the height of the brake lining 1 is considerably higher than the height of the feed member 2. Therefore, there is a concern that the brake lining 1 may not fall during the movement.
It is decided to support with 2. Further, there is a possibility that the brake lining 1 may fall outward, and therefore, some pressing members 20 are provided outside.

The brake lining 1 is sent from the carry-in device 10 to the inspection device along the arrow e, moves the guide surface 3 in the direction of the arrow d, undergoes ultrasonic inspection, and is a good product without cracks or swelling. Is discharged in the direction of arrow f by a solenoid (not shown) provided in the feeding member 2 and discharged by the unloading device 13 to the outside of the device.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a defective work removing member.
This is because the arc-shaped portion 14 is attached to the tip of the substantially triangular plate 14a.
b, the arcuate portion 14b enters between the two disks of the feed member 2 and its outer peripheral surface is
, Ie, substantially coincides with the guide surface 3.
The side surface of the plate 14a is also a part of the guide surface 3. The work in which cracks and swelling were found by ultrasonic flaw detection pass through the unloading device 13 without the operation of the solenoid, and are separated from the feed member 2 by the guide surface 3 of the triangular plate 14a of the defective work elimination member 14, Defective product discharge device 1
5 is discharged in the direction of arrow g.

In the above embodiment, the feed member 2 and the feed claw 2
b is rotating integrally, but the feed member and the feed claw are separately formed, the disk of the feed member is fixed, and only the feed claw is rotationally moved along the feed member to form the brake lining. It may be configured to send. Also, the ultrasonic probes 4, 5
Has shown only a pair, but it is obvious that a plurality of pairs may be provided.

[0029]

As described above, according to the inspection apparatus of the present invention, the feed member for conveying the brake lining along an arcuate guide surface having substantially the same curvature as the curvature thereof, and the brake lining are conveyed along the guide surface. And an ultrasonic probe arranged opposite to contact both sides of the brake lining, so that cracks and swelling of the formed brake lining can be inspected by ultrasonic waves, Can be inspected accurately and easily regardless of the skill level of the person.

If the ultrasonic probe has a rotating roller that contacts the brake lining, and at least one of the ultrasonic probes is spring-biased so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the brake lining. Even if the shape of the brake lining changes, the inspection can be performed by following the shape.

By providing an entrance detector for detecting that the leading end of the brake lining has reached the measurement position and an exit detector for detecting that the rear end of the brake lining has passed the measurement position, both detectors can be used. The inspection can be performed by confirming the existence of the work, the inspection can be reliably performed, and automation can be performed.

If the feed member has a rotating disk and a feed claw provided on the disk, the radius of curvature of the disk can be made substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the brake lining. The ultrasonic probe can easily follow the brake lining. The ultrasonic wave is 140-170K
With hz, measurement is possible even if the raw material of the brake lining changes variously.

By providing a carry-in device for feeding the uninspected brake lining to the feed member and a carry-out device for discharging the inspected brake lining, it is not necessary to carry the work by hand, and labor can be saved. Further, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a brake lining inspection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view as seen from A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view as seen from B in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the brake lining of the present invention.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing a state in which the ultrasonic probe follows the brake lining. FIG. 5A shows a case where the radius of curvature of the brake lining is smaller than the curvature of the guide surface, and FIG. 5B shows a state where the brake lining is smaller than the curvature of the guide surface. Shows a case where the radius of curvature is large.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Brake lining 2 Feeding member 2b Feeding claw 3 Guide surface 4,5 Ultrasonic probe 4a, 5a Rotating roller 4b, 5b Spring means 6 Inlet detector 7 Outlet detector 10 Loading device 13 Transporting device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A feed member for conveying a brake lining along an arcuate guide surface having substantially the same curvature as a curvature thereof, and a feed member opposed to contact both surfaces of the brake lining conveyed along the guide surface. An inspection device for a brake lining, comprising: an arranged ultrasonic probe. 2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating roller that contacts a brake lining, and wherein at least one of the ultrasonic probes is spring-biased so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the brake lining. The inspection device for a brake lining according to claim 1, wherein: 3. An inlet detector for detecting that the leading end of the brake lining has reached the measurement position, and an outlet detector for detecting that the rear end of the brake lining has passed the measurement position. The brake lining inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. The brake lining inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feed member has a rotating disk and a feed claw provided on the disk. 5. The brake lining inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic wave is 140 to 170 Khz. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a carry-in device for feeding the uninspected brake lining to the feed member, and a carry-out device for ejecting the inspected brake lining. Brake lining inspection device.