KR102361774B1 - Apparatus and method for checking sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sensor inspection apparatus, comprising: a sensor assembly including a test sensor located in the center, and a pressure sensor spaced apart from each other in up, down, left and right directions of the test sensor; a pitch control unit for rotating the sensor assembly about the x-axis; a yaw control unit for rotating the sensor assembly about the y-axis; a horizontal position adjustment unit for moving the sensor assembly in the x-axis direction; and a vertical position adjustment unit for moving the sensor assembly in the y-axis direction.

Description

Apparatus and method for checking sensor

The present invention relates to a sensor inspection apparatus, and more particularly, to a sensor inspection apparatus capable of inspecting a plurality of acoustic sensors arranged in a plane by moving a signal applying sensor assembly up, down, left and right.

In general, a sensor is mounted on the exploration equipment, and a plurality of sensors may be used in a combined form. In particular, a plurality of acoustic sensors are combined and installed in a torpedo or unmanned submersible, and when developing and mass-producing these devices, qualitative/quantitative performance evaluation is performed on the underwater acoustic sensors installed therein. Should be. That is, the underwater acoustic sensor has a characteristic that the impedance is lowered on land compared to underwater, so a qualitative evaluation is performed on land and a quantitative evaluation is performed in the water.

When testing a product to which an acoustic sensor is applied on land, the medium and pressure conditions actually used in water and on land where the test is being conducted are different, and the impedance of the sensor also changes accordingly. It is difficult to accurately evaluate the performance, and there is a problem in that there is a large deviation.

In addition, the conventional sensor inspection apparatus has the same number of sensors for testing corresponding to a plurality of acoustic sensors that are the sensors to be inspected, and because it is manufactured through a dedicated molding die, not only the manufacturing cost increases, but also the inspection produced once Since the device can be used only for a specific product, there is a problem in that it cannot be applied when the arrangement of the sensor to be inspected is changed.

In addition, it is difficult to accurately align the plurality of test sensors and the plurality of sensors to be inspected, and the reproducibility of contact characteristics is low, making it difficult to perform repeated tests in the same test environment.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0997236

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and in particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor inspection apparatus that can be applied to the inspection of various products and can improve the accuracy of the test.

A sensor inspection apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention devised to achieve the above object includes: a sensor assembly including a test sensor located in the center, and a pressure sensor spaced apart from each other in the vertical and horizontal directions of the test sensor; a pitch control unit for rotating the sensor assembly about the x-axis; a yaw control unit for rotating the sensor assembly about the y-axis; a horizontal position adjustment unit for moving the sensor assembly in the x-axis direction; and a vertical position adjustment unit for moving the sensor assembly in the y-axis direction.

Preferably, a pad part is installed on the bottom surface of the sensor assembly, and the bottom surface of the pad part may be disposed to face the measurement target part.

Preferably, the test sensor and the pressure sensor, at least a part may be installed by being inserted into the upper surface of the pad part.

Preferably, a gel-type coating agent may be applied to the bottom surface of the pad part for close contact with the part to be measured.

Preferably, the measurement target unit may include a plurality of acoustic sensors arranged in a plane.

The sensor inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a mounting part which is fixedly installed while surrounding the exterior of the part to be measured.

In addition, the sensor inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a pressure adjusting unit for moving the sensor assembly in the z-axis direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor inspection apparatus may further include a control unit for generating a movement path corresponding to the part to be measured.

A sensor inspection method according to another aspect of the present invention, by using the sensor inspection apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, (a) mounting the sensor inspection apparatus to a subject to be measured having a plurality of inspected sensors; and (b) aligning the sensor assembly; including, (b) adjusting a pitch by comparing the measured values of the pressure sensors in the vertical direction; and comparing the measured values of the pressure sensors in the left and right directions to adjust the yaw.

Here, the method may further include turning on the power of the sensor inspection apparatus mounted before step (b) and generating a movement path of the sensor inspection apparatus.

In addition, step (b) may include performing a test by applying a signal to the sensor to be inspected corresponding to the current position after the pitch adjustment and yaw adjustment are completed.

In addition, in step (b), the sensor assembly may be moved along the movement path until the number of signal application tests corresponding to the number of sensors to be inspected is satisfied, and the pitch adjustment and yaw adjustment and the signal application test may be repeated.

The sensor inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include pressurizing by adjusting the height of the sensor assembly so that the inspected sensor is tested under a pressurized environment.

According to the present invention, it is configured to apply a test signal to a plurality of acoustic sensors arranged in a plane while sequentially moving a sensor assembly including a pressure sensor and a test sensor in order to reduce manufacturing cost and to provide various types of sensors to be inspected. It has the effect of having versatility that can be applied to

In addition, according to the present invention, the pressure sensors are installed to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical, left and right directions of the test sensor located in the center, and the measured target value is adjusted by adjusting the pitch and yaw values based on the pressure values measured from the pressure sensors. It has the effect of improving the test reliability by maintaining a constant state of close contact with the part.

1 is a side view of a state in which a sensor inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a measurement target;
2 is a front view of a state in which the sensor inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a measurement target;
3 is a side view of a sensor inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a front view of a sensor inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a flowchart illustrating a sensor inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First of all, it should be noted that in adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto and may be variously implemented by those skilled in the art without being limited thereto.

1 is a side view of a state in which a sensor inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a measurement target, and FIG. 2 is a front view of a state in which a sensor inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a measurement target. 3 is a side view of a sensor inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the sensor inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 4 , the sensor inspection apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is movably mounted on one side of the measurement target 10 .

Here, the measurement target 10 includes, for example, a plurality of acoustic sensors 11 that are formed in an approximately round cylindrical shape and are arranged in a planar array on a circular plane as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . It can also be used for exploration equipment such as torpedoes and unmanned submersibles.

In the sensor inspection apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, one test sensor 113 is positioned in the center, and the pressure sensors 115 are installed respectively spaced apart from each other in the vertical and horizontal directions around the test sensor 113. It includes a sensor assembly 110 that includes.

Here, the test sensor 113 is configured to apply a test signal to the acoustic sensor 11 , and the pressure sensors 115 installed in four directions, up, down, left, and right, respectively, are configured to align the posture of the sensor assembly 110 . In the embodiment of the present invention, in order to test all the acoustic sensors 11 provided in a plurality of the measurement object 10 with one test sensor 113 , the sensor inspection device 100 is provided in the measurement object 10 . A moving means for moving the sensor assembly 110 in the mounted state may be provided.

As an embodiment, the moving means provided in the sensor inspection apparatus 100 is a horizontal position adjusting unit 120 for moving the sensor assembly 110 in the x-axis direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2) as shown in FIG. 2 . and a vertical position adjusting unit 130 for moving the sensor assembly 110 in the y-axis direction (up and down direction in FIG. 2 ).

The horizontal position adjusting unit 120 and the vertical position adjusting unit 130 may be implemented in various ways. In the embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal motor 121 and the vertical motor 131 are coupled to the rotation shaft of each motor. It may be composed of a horizontal rail 123 and a vertical rail 133 .

Here, a screw thread is formed on the horizontal rail 123 and the vertical rail 133 , and the horizontal rail 123 and the vertical rail 133 are provided in the sensor assembly 110 in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. It is coupled to the rail coupling part 117 . Rail coupling hole 117a is formed in rail coupling part 117 so that horizontal rail 123 or vertical rail 133 can be inserted.

The sensor inspection apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured in this way so that the horizontal rail 123 or the vertical rail 133 rotates as the horizontal motor 121 or the vertical motor 131 operates. , the sensor assembly 110 is moved to a predetermined position along the screw thread.

In the sensor inspection apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a mounting part is fixedly installed to surround the exterior of the measurement target 10 so as to maintain the state in which the sensor inspection apparatus 100 is mounted on the measurement target 10 . (140) may be further included.

Here, the mounting unit 140 includes a mounting frame 141 composed of a plurality of vertical members and horizontal members, and a mounting jig 143 installed inside the mounting frame 141 to surround and contact the measurement target 10 . includes

Meanwhile, the sensor inspection apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a control unit 170 that generates a movement path corresponding to the measurement target unit 10 .

The control unit 170 is configured to generate a movement route and to check and control the test status. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the shape of the part 10 to be measured is formed in a cylinder having a circular side on one side. set For example, when the acoustic sensors 11 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval in the horizontal and vertical directions, starting from the upper left corner of the measurement target 10 and moving horizontally from left to right by one interval, the right end A movement path can be set to test each of the acoustic sensors 11 distributed in a circle by moving one interval downward in the vertical direction and moving one interval at a time from the right end to the left end in the horizontal direction.

Here, the control unit 170 is connected to the horizontal motor 121 or the vertical motor 131 and the control cables (a, b) respectively to move the sensor assembly 110, the acoustic sensor 11 and a pressure sensor to be described later. (115) and the yaw (yaw) control unit 160 and the pitch (pitch) control unit 170 is connected by a control cable (c).

In this way, when the sensor assembly 110 is configured to move, the horizontal motor 121 and the vertical motor 131 are installed to be movable on the mounting frame 141 to limit the movement of the sensor assembly 110 and the sensor assembly. It is preferable to configure the 110 to move smoothly.

On the other hand, in the sensor inspection apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4 , the sensor assembly 110 is accurately positioned on the acoustic sensor 11 arranged in a plane on the part to be measured 10 after movement. It includes a yaw control unit 160 and a pitch control unit 170 to be closely aligned.

That is, the yaw control unit 160 is configured to rotate the sensor assembly 110 about the y-axis, and the pitch control unit 170 is configured to rotate the sensor assembly 110 about the x-axis. The yaw control unit 160 and the pitch control unit 170 are controlled based on the measured values of the pressure sensors 115 installed spaced apart from each other in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a detailed control process for this will be described later.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3 , a pad part 191 may be installed on the bottom surface of the sensor assembly 110 .

The pad unit 191 may have a bottom surface thereof facing the measurement target portion 10 so that the bottom surface thereof may be in close contact with the measurement target portion 10 . At least a part of the test sensor 113 and the pressure sensor 115 is inserted and installed on the upper surface of the pad unit 191 , so that a test signal can be applied from the measurement target unit 10 , and the sensor assembly from the pressure sensor 115 . It is possible to confirm the degree of alignment of (110). The pad part 191 is preferably formed of a urethane material so that it can be easily manufactured and can absorb an impact upon contact.

Preferably, the coating agent 193 in a gel state may be applied to the bottom surface of the pad part 191 for closer adhesion with the measurement target part 10 . The coating agent 193 may be used for impedance matching, and may be, for example, a medical cream.

In addition, the sensor inspection apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a pressure adjusting unit 150 for generating a pressing force by moving the sensor assembly 110 in the z-axis direction. Here, the pressure adjusting unit 150 may be configured to move the sensor assembly 110 in the z-axis direction through a known motor or the like. By bringing the sensor tank and the body 110 and the measurement target 10 into close contact with the pressure control unit 150 to have a predetermined contact strength, for example, by correcting similarly to a pressurized environment such as an underwater condition, in an environment similar to the actual use environment It has the advantage of allowing the inspection to be performed.

In this way, the sensor inspection apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may perform the inspection by applying a signal through the test sensor 113 provided in the sensor assembly 110 . In addition, the sensor inspection apparatus 100 moves the sensor assembly 110 up and down or left and right directions, and then the sensor assembly 110 moves the flat acoustic sensor 11 through the pressure sensors 115 spaced apart from each other in four directions, up, down, left and right. ) can be aligned so that they are closely adhered to each other in a state parallel to ), which improves contact accuracy by reducing errors and enables high-accuracy inspections.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a sensor inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the sensor inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the measurement target unit 10, for example, a plurality of acoustic sensors 11 arranged in a plane using the sensor inspection apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention described above. ) will be checked.

First, the sensor inspection apparatus 100 is mounted on the measurement target unit 10 having a plurality of inspection target sensors (S110).

After the sensor inspection apparatus 100 is fixed, the power of the sensor inspection apparatus 100 is turned on, and the controller 180 generates a movement path of the sensor inspection apparatus 100 ( S120 ). Here, the control unit 180 may receive the shape information of the measurement target unit 10 or receive product information through CAD, etc. to obtain the arrangement information of the acoustic sensor 11 and inspect all the acoustic sensors 11 . An optimal path can be calculated. As another method of generating the movement path, the size of the measurement target 10 is determined based on the measurement value of the pressure sensor 115 at the time of initial alignment of the sensor assembly 110 to be described later, and based on this, the movement path is determined. You can also create That is, after initially aligning the sensor assembly 110 in the center of the measurement target 10, the location where the pressure value in the corresponding direction disappears by moving in the left and right and up and down directions is recognized as the outside of the measurement target 10. Next, a movement path may be generated by automatically extracting a sensor position based on the identified outer shape of the entire measured unit 10 .

Thereafter, a step (S130) of aligning the sensor assembly 110 to a predetermined position serving as a reference point is performed.

After the sensor assembly 110 is positioned at a predetermined position, the control unit 180 receives the measured values of the pressure sensor 115 and compares the respective measured values to adjust a pitch or yaw. That is, the measured values of the pressure sensors in the vertical direction are compared (S140), and if the measured values are different, the pitch is adjusted (S170), and the measured values of the pressure sensors in the left and right directions are compared (S150). If this is different, the yaw is adjusted (S180).

Next, after the pitch adjustment (S170) and the yaw adjustment (S180) are completed, the test is performed by applying a signal to the sensor under test corresponding to the current position. ) is compared (S160). Here, the threshold value may correspond to the number of acoustic sensors 11 that are sensors to be inspected.

When the number of signal application tests is smaller than the threshold value, the sensor assembly 110 is moved along a preset movement path to be positioned on the next acoustic sensor 11 to be tested (S190).

The sensor assembly 110 is moved until the number of signal application tests becomes the same as the threshold value, and the pitch adjustment (S170) and yaw adjustment (S180) and the signal application test are repeatedly performed by comparing the measured values of the pressure sensor. .

On the other hand, in the sensor inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the acoustic sensor 11, which is the sensor to be inspected, is used in an underwater environment, the height of the sensor assembly 110 is adjusted so that it can be tested under such a pressurized environment. It may further include the step of pressurizing. In the pressing step, it is preferable to press the sensor assembly 110 in parallel in the direction of the acoustic sensor 11 after the pitch adjustment (S170) and the yaw adjustment (S180) are completed.

As described above, the sensor inspection apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to apply a test signal to a plurality of acoustic sensors arranged in a plane while moving the sensor assembly including the pressure sensor and the test sensor up, down, left and right. As a result, it is possible to lower the manufacturing cost and inspect various types of sensors. .

In addition, according to the present invention, after moving the sensor assembly, by adjusting the pitch and yaw based on the pressure values measured from the pressure sensors, it is possible to maintain a constant state of close contact with the part to be measured so that the inspection can be performed with high reliability. do.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications, changes and substitutions within the scope without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. will be. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention and the accompanying drawings are for explaining, not limiting, the technical spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments and the accompanying drawings . The protection scope of the present invention should be construed by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100: sensor inspection device
110: sensor assembly
113: test sensor
115: pressure sensor
120: horizontal position control unit
121: horizontal motor
123: horizontal rail
130: vertical position control unit
131: vertical motor
133: vertical rail
160: yaw (yaw) control unit
170: pitch control unit

Claims (5)

a sensor assembly including a test sensor located in the center, and a pressure sensor spaced apart from each other in the vertical and horizontal directions of the test sensor; a pitch control unit for rotating the sensor assembly about the x-axis; a yaw control unit for rotating the sensor assembly about the y-axis; a horizontal position control unit for moving the sensor assembly in the x-axis direction; a vertical position adjustment unit for moving the sensor assembly in the y-axis direction; And as a sensor inspection method using a sensor inspection device comprising a pressure control unit for moving the sensor assembly in the z-axis direction,
(a) mounting the sensor inspection device to a measurement target having a plurality of inspection target sensors; and
(b) aligning the sensor assembly; including,
(b) step,
adjusting a pitch by comparing the measured values of the pressure sensors in the vertical direction; and
Comparing the measured values of the pressure sensors in the left and right directions to adjust the yaw; including,
Further comprising the step of pressurizing by adjusting the height of the sensor assembly so that the inspected sensor is tested under a pressurized environment, the sensor inspection method. The method according to claim 1,
(b) Turning on the power of the sensor inspection device mounted before the step (On), and further comprising the step of generating a movement path of the sensor inspection device, the sensor inspection method. 3. The method according to claim 2,
(b) step,
After the pitch adjustment and the yaw adjustment are completed, the sensor inspection method comprising the step of applying a signal to the inspected sensor corresponding to the current position to perform the test. 4. The method according to claim 3,
(b) step,
A sensor inspection method in which the sensor assembly is moved along the movement path until the number of signal application tests corresponding to the number of sensors to be inspected is satisfied, and the pitch adjustment and yaw adjustment and the signal application test are repeated. 5. The method according to claim 4,
In step (a), the measured part
A sensor inspection method comprising a plurality of acoustic sensors arranged in a plane.

Images