Estimation device and estimation method

Abstract

The present invention includes: a displacement sensor (9) having a detection unit (9A) that acquires a relative distance from a pulley (4) having a winding belt (5) in a belt device (1) in the axial direction of the pulley (4); a displacement amount calculation unit (110) that calculates a displacement amount in the axial direction of the pulley (4) based on the acquired relative distance; and a belt life estimation unit (130) that estimates the life of the belt (5) based on the calculated displacement amount.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an estimation device and an estimation method, and more particularly to a technique for estimating the life of a belt device of an engine. Background Art

[0002] Generally, such a belt device has a drive pulley provided on a crankshaft and a driven pulley provided on an auxiliary device such as an alternator or a radiator fan, and this belt device is configured by winding an endless belt (hereinafter simply referred to as a belt) around the drive pulley and the driven pulley.

[0003] Such a belt elongates due to deterioration or the like after being used for a certain period of time, and thus is replaced based on the traveling distance of the vehicle equipped with the belt device or the like. For example, the following technique is disclosed in Patent Document 1: A strain gauge is provided on a rotating shaft that can be integrally rotatably fixed to a pulley, and the replacement period of the belt is determined based on the torque detected by the strain gauge.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-344807 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] As in the technique described in the above-mentioned Document 1, in order to use a strain gauge to detect the deterioration of the belt, it is necessary to attach the strain gauge to the rotating shaft, or connect the strain gauge to an amplifier for amplifying the output of the strain gauge, etc., and the structure of the device becomes complicated. Therefore, further simplification of the device is desired.

[0009] The technology of the present invention has been completed in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to effectively estimate the life of the belt with a simple structure.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problem

[0011] The estimation device of the present invention includes: a distance acquisition device having a detection unit that acquires a relative distance from a pulley of a belt device having a belt wound thereon in an axial direction of the pulley; a displacement amount calculation device that calculates a displacement amount in the axial direction of the pulley based on the acquired relative distance; and a belt life estimation device that estimates the life of the belt based on the calculated displacement amount.

[0012] In addition, a storage device is included, and the storage device stores a map that defines the relationship between the displacement amount of the pulley and the elongation amount of the belt. The belt life estimation device can also obtain the elongation amount of the belt by referring to the map based on the calculated displacement amount, and estimate the life of the belt based on the elongation amount.

[0013] In addition, the detection unit can also obtain the relative distance in the axial direction of the pulley from the circumferential center portion on the outer peripheral side of the pulley in contact with the belt. The detection unit can also be provided at a position away from the pulley in the axial direction at the central position in the length direction of the region of the pulley in contact with the belt.

[0014] In addition, the belt device includes a plurality of the pulleys, and the detection unit can also obtain the relative distance in the axial direction from the pulley having the smallest bending rigidity of the rotation axis among the plurality of pulleys.

[0015] The method of the present invention is characterized by including the following steps executed by a computer: obtaining the relative distance in the axial direction of the pulley in a belt device having a pulley around which a belt is wound from the pulley; calculating the displacement amount in the axial direction of the pulley based on the obtained relative distance; and estimating the life of the belt based on the calculated displacement amount.

[0016] Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the technology of the present invention, the life of the belt can be effectively estimated with a simple structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic front view showing an internal combustion engine of the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 in which (A) is a schematic front view showing the arrangement of the displacement sensor of the present embodiment, Figure 2 in which (B) is a schematic side view showing the arrangement of the displacement sensor of the present embodiment.

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic functional block diagram showing a control device of the present embodiment and associated peripheral structures.

[0021] Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing the detection value of the displacement sensor of the present embodiment.

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic view showing the inclination of the driven pulley of the present embodiment.

[0023] Figure 6 is a flowchart for explaining the process of misalignment detection performed by the control device of the present embodiment.

[0024] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process of belt life estimation performed by the control device according to this embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0025] Hereinafter, the estimation device according to this embodiment will be described based on the drawings. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components, and their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0026] [Overall Structure]

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the internal combustion engine according to this embodiment as viewed from the crankshaft direction. In the following description, in Figure 1 the direction near the front of the drawing paper is referred to as the front side, and the depth direction of the drawing paper is referred to as the rear side. In addition, arrow A indicates the rotation direction of the belt.

[0028] The engine 10 of the internal combustion engine includes an engine main body portion 11 mainly composed of a cylinder block, a cylinder head, a crankcase, an oil pan, etc. On the engine main body portion 11, a crankshaft 12 that outputs the rotational force transmitted from a piston (not shown) via a connecting rod, etc. is rotatably supported on the shaft.

[0029] [Belt Device]

[0030] The belt device 1 includes a driving pulley 2, driven pulleys 3 and 4, a tension pulley 6, a holding portion 7 that holds the tension pulley 6, the driving pulley 2, and a belt 5. The belt 5 is wound around the driven pulleys 3 and 4 and the tension pulley 6. The belt 5 is, for example, a multi-wedge belt, and a plurality of V-shaped grooves (not shown) are formed on the inner peripheral surface portion. The driving pulley 2 and the driven pulleys 3 and 4 are, for example, multi-wedge pulleys, and a plurality of grooves corresponding to the grooves on the inner peripheral surface portion of the belt 5 are formed on the outer peripheral surface portion. In addition, the number of the driven pulleys 3 and 4 and the tension pulley 6 is not limited to the illustrated example, and an appropriate number can be adopted.

[0031] The driving pulley 2 is fixed to the front end portion of the crankshaft 12 protruding forward from the front end surface 11A of the engine main body portion 11 so as to be rotatable integrally with the crankshaft 12.

[0032] The driven pulley 3 is a pulley of the air conditioner compressor 30, and is fixed to the front end portion of the rotating shaft 31 protruding forward from the front end surface 30A of the air conditioner compressor 30 so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotating shaft 31. The driven pulley 3 includes an electromagnetic clutch (not shown), and when the electromagnetic clutch is engaged, it is rotationally driven by the power of the engine 10.

[0033] The driven pulley 4 is a pulley of the alternator 40 and is fixed to the front end portion of the rotary shaft 41 that protrudes forward from the front end surface 40A of the alternator 40 in a manner that enables integral rotation with the rotary shaft 41. The alternator 40 generates electricity using the power of the engine 10. The electricity generated by the alternator 40 is stored in the electrically connected battery 70.

[0034] The tension pulley 6 is a back flat pulley around which the outer peripheral surface of the belt 5 without grooves is wound, and is fixed to the front end portion of the rotary shaft 8 that protrudes forward from the front end surface 7A of the holding portion 7 in a manner that enables integral rotation with the rotary shaft 8. The tension pulley 6 is arranged to be able to reciprocate between a first position on the outer peripheral side of the predetermined belt 5 and a second position closer to the inner peripheral side of the belt 5 while being in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the belt 5.

[0035] The holding portion 7 holds the tension pulley 6 at a predetermined position between the first position and the second position by moving the rotary shaft 8 along the guide groove 7B. By holding the tension pulley 6 at a predetermined position using the holding portion 7, the tension of the belt 5 can be appropriately adjusted.

[0036] [Estimation device]

[0037] The estimation device 20 includes a displacement sensor 9 and a control device 100.

[0038] Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 2 in (A), the specific configuration of the displacement sensor 9 will be described in detail.

[0039] The belt tension in the tangential direction connecting the outer periphery of the driven pulley 4 and the outer periphery of the driving pulley 2 (hereinafter referred to as the first tension Fa) acts on the driven pulley 4. In addition, the belt tension in the tangential direction connecting the outer periphery of the driven pulley 4 and the outer periphery of the driven pulley 3 (hereinafter referred to as the second tension Fb) acts on the driven pulley 4. That is, the resultant force Fa + Fb, which is the vector sum of the first tension Fa and the second tension Fb, acts on the driven pulley 4 through the belt 5.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the displacement sensor 9 is disposed behind (on the engine 10 side) substantially at the circumferential center on the radially outer side of the driven pulley 4. The position behind substantially at the circumferential center on the radially outer side of the driven pulley 4 coincides with the back side (on the engine 10 side) of substantially the circumferential center on the outer peripheral side of the driven pulley 4 in contact with the belt 5, that is, the vector direction of the resultant force Fa + Fb acting on the driven pulley 4. In other words, the displacement sensor 9 is disposed at a position away from the driven pulley 4 in the axial direction of the driven pulley 4 at the central position of the region of the driven pulley 4 in contact with the belt 5. Thereby, the displacement sensor 9 can effectively detect the amount of displacement in the axial direction (i.e., the direction of the rotation axis of the driven pulley 4) of the driven pulley 4 at the position where the inclination of the driven pulley 4 is maximum. The amount of displacement of the driven pulley 4 is, for example, the amount of displacement in the axial direction of a predetermined position (e.g., the central position of the region in contact with the belt 5) of the driven pulley 4.

[0041] The displacement sensor 9 (an example of the distance acquisition device of the present invention) is, for example, an optical sensor, as shown in (B) of Figure 2 is disposed on the front end face 40A of the alternator 40 on the back side of the driven pulley 4. The displacement sensor 9 includes a detection unit 9A, and the detection unit 9A includes a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit. The light projecting unit emits laser light toward the back side of the driven pulley 4 substantially parallel to the axis Y of the rotation axis 41 of the driven pulley 4. The light receiving unit receives the reflected light emitted by the light projecting unit and reflected by the detection object. The displacement sensor 9 detects the relative distance in the axial direction (hereinafter also referred to as the actual relative distance D) between the driven pulley 4 and the detection unit 9A. The actual relative distance D detected by the displacement sensor 9 is sent to the control device 100 which is electrically connected.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the displacement sensor 9 is configured to acquire Figure 1 the relative distance in the axial direction between the driven pulley 4 having the lowest bending rigidity among the plurality of pulleys 2, 3, 4, 6 shown in

[0043] [Control Device]

[0044] Figure 3 is a schematic functional block diagram showing the control device 100 of the present embodiment and associated peripheral structures.

[0045] The control device 100 is a computing device such as a computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input port, an output port, etc., which are interconnected via a bus or the like, and executes a program.

[0046] Further, by executing the program, the control device 100 functions as a device including a displacement amount calculation unit 110, a misalignment detection unit 120, a belt life estimation unit 130, and a notification unit 140. Each of these functional elements is described as a functional element included in the integrated hardware, i.e., the control device 100, in the present embodiment, but any part of them may also be provided in separate hardware.

[0047] The displacement amount calculation unit 110 (an example of the displacement amount calculation device of the present invention) calculates the axial displacement amount L1 of the driven pulley 4 based on the actual relative distance D transmitted from the displacement sensor 9. Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5 the calculation of the axial displacement amount L1 performed by the displacement amount calculation unit 110 will be described.

[0048] Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing the time change of the actual relative distance D detected by the displacement sensor 9.

[0049] When the driven pulley 4 is installed while being inclined at a predetermined angle (an angle greater than 0) with respect to the rotating shaft 41, every time the driven pulley 4 rotates one revolution, the actual relative distance D changes in a sine wave shape including a maximum value and a minimum value.

[0050] Every time the driven pulley 4 rotates one revolution, the displacement amount calculation unit 110 sequentially stores the maximum value of the actual relative distance D (the value of the inflection point when the change of the actual relative distance D changes from increasing to decreasing) in a memory (storage device), and calculates the average value in a predetermined period of the maximum value. Thereby, the influence of the sensor outliers of the displacement sensor 9 when an extreme external force is applied can be reduced.

[0051] Further, the axial relative distance between the driven pulley 4 and the detection unit 9A when the driven pulley 4 is installed perpendicular to the rotating shaft 41 is stored in advance in the memory of the control device 100 as a reference relative distance LK. The displacement amount calculation unit 110 calculates the value obtained by subtracting the reference relative distance LK from the average value in a predetermined period of the maximum value of the actual relative distance D as the axial displacement amount L1 of the driven pulley 4 (refer to Figure 5)。The axial displacement amount L1 calculated by the displacement amount calculation unit 110 is sent to the misalignment detection unit 120 and the belt life estimation unit 130.

[0052] The misalignment detection unit 120 detects the misalignment of the driven pulley 4 based on the axial displacement amount L1 sent from the displacement amount calculation unit 110.

[0053] Specifically, the misalignment detection unit 120 uses trigonometric functions to calculate according to formula (1) based on the radial distance L2 between the detection unit 9A pre-stored in the memory of the control device 100 and the axis Y of the rotating shaft 41 and the axial displacement amount L1 sent from the displacement amount calculation unit 110. Figure 5 The inclination θ of the driven pulley 4 shown.

[0054] arctan(L1 / L2) = θ ······ (1)

[0055] When the inclination θ of the driven pulley 4 exceeds a predetermined upper limit threshold (for example, about 0.5 to 1.0 degrees), the misalignment detection unit 120 determines that the driven pulley 4 is misaligned. Thus, the control device 100 can detect the misalignment of the driven pulley 4.

[0056] In addition, when the axial displacement amount L1 is not sent from the displacement amount calculation unit 110, it is assumed that the driven pulley 4 is tilted to such an extent that the reflected light is not received by the detection unit 9A of the displacement sensor 9, or it deviates from the rotating shaft 41. In addition, when the axial displacement amount L1 sent from the displacement amount calculation unit 110 is less than a predetermined lower limit threshold, it is assumed that there is an obstacle such as an unillustrated bracket detached from the engine 10 between the driven pulley 4 and the detection unit 9A. In this case, the misalignment detection unit 120 determines that the misalignment cannot be detected or an abnormality has occurred.

[0057] In this embodiment, the displacement amount calculation unit 110 calculates the axial displacement amount L1 based on the average value within a predetermined period of the maximum value of the actual relative distance D. Thus, it is prevented that when there are extreme abnormal values in the sensor value of the displacement sensor 9, the misalignment detection unit 120 immediately determines that the driven pulley 4 is misaligned or abnormal. The determination result of the misalignment detection unit 120 is sent to the notification unit 140.

[0058] The belt life estimation unit 130 (an example of the belt life estimation device of the present invention) estimates the life of the belt 5 based on the axial displacement amount L1 sent from the displacement amount calculation unit 110.

[0059] Specifically, a map M1 representing the relationship between the axial displacement amount L1 and the elongation amount of the belt 5, which has been obtained in advance through experiments or the like, is stored in the memory of the control device 100. Here, the greater the elongation amount of the belt 5, the lower the tension of the belt 5, and the amount by which the pulley 4 tilts due to the tension of the belt 5 decreases, so the axial displacement amount L1 also decreases. Therefore, in the map M1, the smaller the axial displacement amount L1, the greater the elongation amount of the belt 5 is set. In addition, the greater the bending rigidity of the rotating shaft 41, the smaller the amount by which the pulley 4 tilts due to the tension of the belt 5, so the axial displacement amount L1 also decreases. Therefore, in the map M1, for a predetermined axial displacement amount L1, the smaller the bending rigidity of the rotating shaft 41, the greater the elongation amount of the belt 5 is set.

[0060] In addition, a map M2 representing the relationship between the elongation amount of the belt 5 and the life of the belt 5, which has been obtained in advance through experiments or the like, is stored in the memory of the control device 100. In the map M2, the greater the elongation amount of the belt 5, the shorter the life of the belt 5 is set.

[0061] First, the belt life estimation unit 130 estimates the elongation amount of the belt 5 by referring to the map M1 based on the axial displacement amount L1 transmitted from the displacement amount calculation unit 110.

[0062] Next, the belt life estimation unit 130 estimates the life of the belt 5 by referring to the map M2 based on the elongation amount of the belt 5 obtained by referring to the map M1. When the life of the belt 5 is less than a predetermined lower limit life, the belt life estimation unit 130 determines that it is time to replace the belt.

[0063] In addition, when the axial displacement amount L1 is not transmitted from the displacement amount calculation unit 110, it is assumed that the driven pulley 4 tilts to such an extent that the reflected light is not received by the detection unit 9A of the displacement sensor 9, or deviates from the rotating shaft 41. Further, when the axial displacement amount L1 transmitted from the displacement amount calculation unit 110 is less than a predetermined lower limit threshold value, it is assumed that there is an obstacle such as an unillustrated bracket detached from the engine 10 between the driven pulley 4 and the detection unit 9A. In this case, the belt life estimation unit 130 determines that the belt life cannot be estimated or an abnormality has occurred.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the displacement amount calculation unit 110 calculates the axial displacement amount L1 based on the average value within a predetermined period of the maximum value of the actual relative distance D. Thereby, it is prevented that when there are extreme outliers in the sensor value of the displacement sensor 9, the belt life estimation unit 130 overestimates or underestimates the life of the belt 5. The life of the belt 5 estimated by the belt life estimation unit 130 and the determination result are transmitted to the notification unit 140.

[0065] The notification unit 140 notifies the determination result transmitted from the misalignment detection unit 120, and the life of the belt 5 and the determination result transmitted from the belt life estimation unit 130.

[0066] Specifically, when the determination result that the driven pulley 4 is misaligned or abnormal is sent from the misalignment detection unit 120, the notification unit 140 notifies the occurrence of the misalignment or abnormality. The notification unit 140 notifies the occurrence of the misalignment or abnormality, for example, through the indicator light 50 or a screen (not shown). Thereby, the misalignment or abnormality of the driven pulley 4 can be appropriately notified.

[0067] In addition, the notification unit 140 appropriately notifies the misalignment or abnormality of the driven pulley 4, thereby promoting the inspection or replacement of the driven pulley 4, and thus it is possible to suppress the rotation of the driven pulley 4 in a misaligned state and the occurrence of uneven wear on the driven pulley 4 or the belt 5. In addition, the notification unit 140 may store the information on the occurrence of the misalignment or abnormality in a server provided in the vehicle center 200 or the like through a communication device (not shown). Thereby, appropriate vehicle operation management can be performed.

[0068] In addition, the notification unit 140 notifies the life of the belt 5 and the determination result sent from the belt life estimation unit 130 through the indicator light 50 or a screen (not shown). Thereby, the life of the belt 5 can be easily grasped. In addition, the replacement frequency of the belt 5 can be optimized to suppress costs, and the occurrence of failures or defects in the belt device 1 can be prevented. In addition, the notification unit 140 may store the information on the life of the belt 5 and the determination result in a server provided in the vehicle center 200 or the like through a communication device (not shown). Thereby, appropriate vehicle operation management can be performed.

[0069] Next, based on Figure 6 The process of the misalignment detection control of the driven pulley 4 performed by the control device 100 of the present embodiment will be described. This control starts, for example, simultaneously with the ON operation of the ignition switch.

[0070] In step S110, the displacement amount calculation unit 110 calculates the axial displacement amount L1 of the driven pulley 4 based on the actual relative distance D sent from the displacement sensor 9.

[0071] In step S120, the misalignment detection unit 120 determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the belt device 1 based on the axial displacement amount L1 sent from the displacement amount calculation unit 110. When the misalignment detection unit 120 determines that no abnormality has occurred (No), this control proceeds to step 140. On the other hand, when the misalignment detection unit 120 determines that an abnormality has occurred (Yes), this control proceeds to step 130.

[0072] In step S130, the notification unit 140 notifies the occurrence of the abnormality. After that, this control returns.

[0073] In step S140, the misalignment detection unit 120 calculates the inclination θ of the driven pulley 4 based on the axial displacement amount L1 sent from the displacement amount calculation unit 110.

[0074] In step S150, the misalignment detection unit 120 determines whether the driven pulley 4 is misaligned based on the inclination θ of the driven pulley 4. When the misalignment detection unit 120 determines that no misalignment has occurred (No), the control returns. On the other hand, when the misalignment detection unit 120 determines that misalignment has occurred (Yes), the control proceeds to step 160.

[0075] In step S160, the notification unit 140 notifies the occurrence of misalignment. After that, the control returns.

[0076] Next, based on Figure 7 The process of the belt 5 life estimation control performed by the control device 100 of the present embodiment will be described. This control starts, for example, simultaneously with the ON operation of the ignition switch.

[0077] In step S210, the displacement amount calculation unit 110 calculates the axial displacement amount L1 of the driven pulley 4 based on the actual relative distance D sent from the displacement sensor 9.

[0078] In step S220, the misalignment detection unit 120 determines whether the belt device 1 has an abnormality based on the axial displacement amount L1 sent from the displacement amount calculation unit 110. When the misalignment detection unit 120 determines that no abnormality has occurred (No), the control proceeds to step 240. On the other hand, when the misalignment detection unit 120 determines that an abnormality has occurred (Yes), the control proceeds to step 230.

[0079] In step S230, the notification unit 140 notifies the occurrence of the abnormality. After that, the control returns.

[0080] In step S240, the belt life estimation unit 130 estimates the life of the belt 5 based on the axial displacement amount L1 sent from the displacement amount calculation unit 110.

[0081] In step S250, the belt life estimation unit 130 determines whether the life of the belt 5 is less than the lower limit life. When the belt life estimation unit 130 determines that the life of the belt 5 is less than the lower limit life (Yes), the control proceeds to step 260. On the other hand, when the belt life estimation unit 130 determines that the life of the belt 5 is equal to or greater than the lower limit life (No), the control proceeds to step 270.

[0082] In step S270, the notification unit 140 notifies the life of the belt 5 and the determination result of not needing to replace the belt. After that, the control returns.

[0083] In step S260, the notification unit 140 notifies the life of the belt 5 and the determination result of the need to replace the belt. After that, the control returns.

[0084] As described above, according to the present embodiment described in detail, the displacement amount calculation unit 110 calculates the axial displacement amount L1 based on the axial relative distance between the driven pulley 4 and the detection unit 9A of the displacement sensor 9 provided on the engine 10 side of the driven pulley 4. And the misalignment detection unit 120 is configured to calculate the inclination θ of the driven pulley 4 based on the axial displacement amount L1. Thus, the misalignment detection unit 120 can reliably calculate the inclination θ of the driven pulley 4 with a simple structure, and can effectively detect the misalignment of the driven pulley 4 based on the inclination θ.

[0085] In addition, the displacement amount calculation unit 110 is configured to calculate the axial displacement amount L1 of the driven pulley 4 based on the axial relative distance between the driven pulley 4 and the detection unit 9A of the displacement sensor 9, and the belt life estimation unit 130 is configured to estimate the life of the belt 5 based on the axial displacement amount L1. Thus, the belt life estimation unit 130 can effectively estimate the life of the belt 5 with a simple structure, and can appropriately notify the appropriate belt replacement time.

[0086] [Other]

[0087] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0088] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the displacement sensor 9 detects the axial relative distance between the driven pulley 4 and the detection unit 9A is described. However, the axial relative distance between other pulleys 2, 3, 6 and the detection unit 9A may also be detected. In addition, a plurality of displacement sensors 9 may be provided to respectively detect the axial relative distances between the plurality of pulleys 2, 3, 4, 6 and the detection unit 9A.

[0089] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the winding method of the belt of the belt device 1 is described as the so-called spiral method in which one belt 5 is wound around a plurality of pulleys 2, 3, 4, 6. However, it may also be a method in which separate belts are wound around the drive pulley 2 and the driven pulley 3 and around the drive pulley 2 and the driven pulley 4 to transmit power.

[0090] Explanation of reference numerals

[0091] 1 Belt device

[0092] 2 Drive pulley

[0093] 3, 4 Driven pulleys

[0094] 5 Belt

[0095] 6 Tension pulley

[0096] 9 Displacement sensor (distance acquisition device)

[0097] 9A Detection unit

[0098] 10 Engine

[0099] 11 Engine main body

[0100] 12 Crankshaft

[0101] 20 Estimation device

[0102] 30 Air conditioner compressor

[0103] 40 Alternator

[0104] 41 Rotating shaft

[0105] 50 Indicator light

[0106] 100 Control device

[0107] 110 Displacement amount calculation unit (displacement amount calculation device)

[0108] 120 Misalignment detection unit

[0109] 130 Belt life estimation unit (belt life estimation device)

[0110] 140 Notification unit

Claims

1. An estimation device, characterized in that, Comprising: A distance acquisition device having a detection unit that emits light toward one surface of a pulley in a belt device having a wound belt and acquires a relative distance in the axial direction of the pulley from the pulley; A displacement amount calculation device that calculates a displacement amount in the axial direction of the pulley based on the acquired relative distance; and A belt life estimation device that estimates the life of the belt based on the calculated displacement amount.

2. The estimation device according to claim 1, wherein: It further includes a storage device that stores a map defining the relationship between the displacement amount of the pulley and the elongation amount of the belt, The belt life estimation device obtains the elongation amount of the belt by referring to the map based on the calculated displacement amount and estimates the life of the belt based on the elongation amount.

3. The estimation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The detection unit acquires the relative distance in the axial direction of the pulley from the circumferential center portion on the outer peripheral side of the pulley in contact with the belt.

4. The estimation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The detection unit is provided at a position away from the pulley in the axial direction at the central position in the length direction of the region in contact with the belt in the pulley.

5. The estimation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The belt device includes a plurality of the pulleys, The detection unit acquires the relative distance in the axial direction from the pulley having the smallest bending rigidity of the rotation axis among the plurality of pulleys.

6. An estimation method, characterized in that, Including the following steps executed by a computer: In a belt device having a pulley with a wound belt, a step of emitting light toward one surface of the pulley and acquiring a relative distance in the axial direction of the pulley from the pulley; A step of calculating a displacement amount in the axial direction of the pulley based on the acquired relative distance; And A step of estimating the life of the belt based on the calculated displacement amount.

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