Hose and use method of the same and abnormality detection method of the same

Abstract

To provide a hose which allows a user to grasp whether an abnormality occurs in the hose easily while preventing deterioration of fluid flowing in a passage, and to provide a use method of the hose and an abnormality detection method of the hose.SOLUTION: In a hose 1, an inner surface layer 2, reinforcement layers 3, and an outer surface layer 4 are coaxially and sequentially laminated, a blade structure of reinforcement cords 3a braided as the reinforcement layers 3 or a spiral structure of the reinforcement cords 3a spirally wound is adopted, and a maximum working pressure of the hose 1 is set to 1.0 MPa or higher. The outer surface layer 4 is formed of a material M having transparency. An entire part of a passage 2a located at an inner side of the inner surface layer 2 is enclosed by a non-transparent part such as the reinforcement layers 3, an intermediate layer 5, and the inner surface layer 2. The structure prevents fluid F flowing in the passage 2a from being deteriorated by ultraviolet light etc. A calculation part 8 determines whether an abnormality occurs in the hose 1 on the basis of comparison between appearance image data Dm of the hose 1 obtained by a camera part 7 and reference data Dx which is input to the calculation part 8 in advance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hose, a method for using the hose, and a method for detecting an abnormality in the hose, and more specifically, to a hose, a method for using the hose, and a method for detecting an abnormality in the hose that can easily determine whether or not there is an abnormality inside the hose while preventing deterioration of a fluid flowing through a flow path. [Background technology]

[0002] Hoses with a relatively high operating pressure have a reinforcing layer made of reinforcing cords between the inner layer and the outer layer. The reinforcing layer resists the pressure generated by the fluid flowing through the flow path. Therefore, hoses with a maximum operating pressure set at 1.0 MPa or more are equipped with a reinforcing layer with an appropriate strength. The inner layer is made of an appropriate material depending on the fluid. For example, if the fluid is oil, the inner layer is made of a material with excellent oil resistance, and if the fluid is gas, the inner layer is made of a material with excellent gas permeability resistance. The outer layer is generally made of a material with excellent weather resistance and abrasion resistance. The outer layer is colored (non-transparent) because carbon black and other reinforcing materials are mixed into it. Therefore, the condition inside the hose cannot be seen from the outside, so abnormalities inside the hose cannot be identified by the appearance of the hose.

[0003] Although the hose has a low normal pressure of about 0.5 MPa, it has been proposed to make the hose body transparent or semi-transparent so that the fluid flowing through the flow path can be visually observed from outside the hose (see paragraphs 0008 and 0019 of Patent Document 1). However, such hose specifications entail a risk of the fluid being altered by ultraviolet light or the like outside the hose. Therefore, for hoses that have a reinforcing layer made of reinforcing cords and have a maximum operating pressure set to 1.0 MPa or more, there is room for improvement in preventing the alteration of the fluid flowing through the flow path while easily determining whether there is an abnormality inside the hose. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-46047 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a hose, a method for using the hose, and a method for detecting an abnormality in the hose that can easily determine whether or not there is an abnormality inside the hose while preventing deterioration of the fluid flowing through the flow path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the hose of the present invention has an inner layer and an outer layer which are coaxially laminated with a reinforcing layer made of a reinforcing cord, and the maximum operating pressure is set to 1.0 MPa or more, and is characterized in that the outer layer is formed from a transparent material and has a non-transparent portion on the inner peripheral side of the outer layer, and the entire flow path inside the inner layer is surrounded by the non-transparent portion.

[0007] The method for using the hose of the present invention is characterized in that the hose is placed and used in an environment shielded from direct sunlight.

[0008] The hose abnormality detection method of the present invention is characterized in that the presence or absence of an abnormality inside the hose is determined by the calculation unit based on a comparison between appearance image data of the hose and reference data pre-inputted to the calculation unit. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the hose of the present invention, the maximum operating pressure is set to 1.0 MPa or more, and the reinforcing layer made of the reinforcing cord is laminated coaxially. However, since the outer surface layer is formed of a transparent material, the state of the reinforcing layer adjacent to the inner peripheral side of the outer surface layer can be grasped from the appearance of the hose. Therefore, the presence or absence of a defect in the reinforcing layer can be easily grasped. In addition, in this hose, the maximum operating pressure is set to 1.0 MPa or more, if a defect occurs on the inner peripheral side of the reinforcing layer, the state of the reinforcing layer may change, so by grasping the state of the reinforcing layer, it is also possible to grasp the presence or absence of a defect on the inner peripheral side of the reinforcing layer. Furthermore, since the entire flow path is surrounded by the non-transparent portion, it is possible to prevent the fluid flowing through the flow path from being altered by ultraviolet rays outside the hose.

[0010] According to the method for using the hose of the present invention, by installing and using the hose in an environment shielded from direct sunlight, even if the outer layer is made of a transparent material and has poorer weather resistance than conventional hoses, the service life of the outer layer can be extended, thereby preventing the life of the hose from being shortened due to the poor weather resistance of the outer layer.

[0011] According to the hose abnormality detection method of the present invention, the presence or absence of an abnormality inside the hose is determined by the calculation unit based on a comparison between appearance image data of the hose and reference data that has been input in advance to the calculation unit, so that the presence or absence of an abnormality inside the hose can be easily and objectively grasped. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment of a hose of the present invention as seen from a side with a part cut away. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of the hose in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another embodiment of the hose as seen from a side with a part cut away. [Figure 4]2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which an abnormality inside the hose of FIG. 1 is detected. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a conventional hose with a portion cut away. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, a hose, a method of using the hose, and a method of detecting an abnormality in the hose of the present invention will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0014] The embodiment of the hose 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 has a structure in which an inner layer 2, a reinforcing layer 3, an intermediate layer 5, a reinforcing layer 3, and an outer layer 4 are laminated coaxially in this order. The dashed line CL in the figure indicates the hose axis. The maximum allowable pressure of the hose 1 is set to 1.0 MPa or more, and the normal pressure is also 1.0 MPa or more. This maximum allowable pressure is preferably 2.0 MPa or more, and more preferably 3.5 MPa or more. The upper limit of this maximum allowable pressure is, for example, 50 MPa or 35 MPa.

[0015] The inside of the inner surface layer 2 forms the flow path 2a through which the fluid F flows, so the inner surface layer 2 comes into direct contact with the fluid F. For this reason, an appropriate material (such as a known resin or vulcanized rubber) is used for the inner surface layer 2, taking into consideration the durability against the fluid F, etc. Examples of the fluid F include various known hydraulic oils, hydrogen gas, and air conditioner refrigerants. If the fluid F is oil, the inner surface layer 2 is made of a material with excellent oil resistance (such as nitrile rubber containing carbon black), and if the fluid is a gas, the inner surface layer 2 is made of a material with excellent permeability resistance (gas barrier properties) against the gas. The inner surface layer 2 may be made of transparent silicone rubber, etc., but is generally made of a non-transparent material.

[0016] The thickness of the inner surface layer 2 is, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less. The inner diameter of the inner surface layer 2 (i.e., the inner diameter of the hose 1) is, for example, 6.3 mm or more and 51 mm or less. The inner surface layer 2 is not limited to a single-layer structure, and can also have a multi-layer structure. For example, the inner surface layer 2 can have, from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side, a layered structure of a resin layer and a rubber layer, a layered structure of a rubber layer and a resin layer, a layered structure of different types of resins, a layered structure of different types of rubber layers, or a structure that is an appropriate combination of these.

[0017] The reinforcing layer 3 is formed by reinforcing cords 3a. In this embodiment, a braided structure is adopted in which the reinforcing cords 3a are braided at a predetermined angle with respect to the hose axis CL. The reinforcing layer 3 is not limited to the braided structure as in this embodiment, and may also have a spiral structure as shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, each reinforcing layer 3 is formed by winding the reinforcing cords 3a in a spiral shape around the hose axis CL. The reinforcing cords 3a of the inner reinforcing layer 3 and the reinforcing cords 3a of the outer reinforcing layer 3 are wound in a spiral shape so that their directions cross each other.

[0018] The winding density (braiding density) of the reinforcing cord 3a is preferably 95% or more. A winding density (braiding density) of 100% means that the reinforcing cord 3a is wound without any gaps. In the case of a reinforcing layer 3 with a spiral structure, the reinforcing layer 3 is generally made up of multiple layers. In the case of a reinforcing layer 3 with a braid structure, the reinforcing layer 3 is not limited to multiple layers and may be a single layer.

[0019] The reinforcing cord 3a may be a metal wire (steel wire cord) or a fiber cord. The outer diameter of the reinforcing cord 3a is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.2 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less. Various known resins such as polyester and vinylon are used as the material for the fiber cord. The reinforcing cord 3a is preferably made of a twisted structure in which, for example, 2 to 4 filaments are twisted. The twisted structure of the reinforcing cord 3a is advantageous in improving the breaking strength without impairing the fatigue resistance of the reinforcing cord 3a. The reinforcing cord 3a is usually made of a non-transparent material, so the reinforcing layer 3 is non-transparent.

[0020] The intermediate layer 5 firmly bonds adjacent reinforcing layers 3 to each other, and also functions as a buffer material to prevent the reinforcing cords 3a of each reinforcing layer 3 from contacting each other and becoming worn. The intermediate layer 5 may be made of a known vulcanized rubber used in hose manufacturing. The intermediate layer 5 made of vulcanized rubber contains carbon black and is opaque. The intermediate layer 5 may be omitted.

[0021] The outer surface layer 4 is formed of a transparent material M (synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomer). Examples of the transparent material M include vulcanized rubber not containing carbon black, such as nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, styrene-based rubber, silicone rubber, and styrene-based, urethane-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, and vinyl chloride-based thermoplastic elastomers. The thickness of the outer surface layer 4 is, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less.

[0022] The transparent material M is a material having a transparency that allows the reinforcing layer 3 disposed on the inner periphery side adjacent to the outer layer 4 to be visually recognized from the outside of the hose 1. Therefore, the outer layer 4 may not only be purely transparent, but also so-called translucent.

[0023] In this hose 1, the outer surface layer 4 is formed of a transparent material M, but has a non-transparent portion on the inner periphery side of the outer surface layer 4, and the entire flow path 2a is surrounded by the non-transparent portion. That is, the material present on the inner periphery side of the outer surface layer 4 (at least any of the materials of the inner surface layer 2, the reinforcing layer 3, and the intermediate layer 5) is non-transparent. In this embodiment, the inner surface layer 2, the reinforcing layer 3, and the intermediate layer 5 are all formed of non-transparent materials, so that the inner surface layer 2, the reinforcing layer 3, and the intermediate layer 5 are non-transparent portions surrounding the entire flow path 2a. For example, the reinforcing layer 3 and the intermediate layer 5 can also be non-transparent portions. In a hose 1 that does not have an intermediate layer 5, the inner surface layer 2 and the reinforcing layer 3 can also be non-transparent portions. This hose 1 may be manufactured by a known method.

[0024] Next, a method for detecting an abnormality in the hose 1 will be described.

[0025] In this hose 1, since the outer surface layer 4 is formed of a transparent material M, the state of the reinforcing layer 3 adjacent to the inner periphery side of the outer surface layer 4 can be grasped from the appearance of the hose 1. Therefore, by visually inspecting the appearance of the hose 1, the presence or absence of defects in the reinforcing layer 3 (disorders, cuts, etc. of the reinforcing cords 3a) can be grasped. In the conventional hose 1A illustrated in FIG. 5, since the outer surface layer 4 is formed of a non-transparent material, the state of the reinforcing layer 3 adjacent to the inner periphery side of the outer surface layer 4 cannot be grasped even by visually inspecting the appearance of the hose 1A. Therefore, in order to check the state of the reinforcing layer 3 of the hose 1A, it is necessary to disassemble the hose 1A. On the other hand, according to the hose 1 of the embodiment, the presence or absence of defects in the reinforcing layer 3 adjacent to the outer surface layer 4 can be easily grasped without disassembling the hose 1.

[0026] Incidentally, the visual inspection of the appearance of the hose 1 can be performed not only at the site where the hose 1 is used, but also before shipping the manufactured hose 1. By visually inspecting the appearance of the hose 1 before shipping, it is possible to prevent a hose 1 with a defect in the reinforcing layer 3 from being shipped.

[0027] In addition, in this hose 1, the maximum operating pressure of which is set to 1.0 MPa or more, a corresponding internal pressure is applied by the fluid F. Therefore, if a defect occurs on the inner periphery side of the reinforcing layer 3 adjacent to the inner periphery side of the outer surface layer 4, the state of the reinforcing layer 3 may change. For example, if the inner periphery 2, the reinforcing layer 3 on the inner periphery side, and the intermediate layer 5 are damaged, the internal pressure borne by the reinforcing layer 3 adjacent to the inner periphery side of the outer surface layer 4 becomes larger, so that the reinforcing layer 3 bulges and deforms more than when no defect occurs. Therefore, by visually inspecting the appearance of the hose 1 to grasp the state of the reinforcing layer 3 (such as the degree of bulging and deformation of the reinforcing cord 3a), it is also possible to grasp the presence or absence of a defect on the inner periphery side of the reinforcing layer 3.

[0028] Another method for detecting the presence or absence of an abnormality inside the hose 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The abnormality detection device 6 illustrated in Fig. 4 has a camera unit 7, a calculation unit 8, and a lighting unit 9. The camera unit 7 acquires appearance image data Dm of the hose 1. The camera unit 7 may be any of various known digital cameras or similar devices capable of acquiring this appearance image data Dm.

[0029] The calculation unit 8 receives various data such as the appearance image data Dm and performs calculation processing. A known computer is used as the calculation unit 8. Reference data Dx used when determining whether or not there is an abnormality inside the hose 1 is input to the calculation unit 8. The calculation unit 8 determines whether or not there is an abnormality inside the hose 1 based on a comparison between the appearance image data Dm and the reference data Dx. The reference data Dx will be described later.

[0030] The lighting unit 9 irradiates light onto the outer surface layer 4 when the camera unit 7 acquires the appearance image data Dm. The lighting unit 9 may be any of various known lighting devices such as an incandescent lamp (light bulb), a fluorescent lamp, and an LED. The lighting unit 9 may be provided as desired.

[0031] For example, the reference data Dx uses external appearance image data of a non-defective hose 1. The external appearance image data of the hose 1 used as the reference data Dx is compared with the external appearance image data Dm acquired by the camera unit 7 by image processing such as known template matching, and if the difference between the two data exceeds a preset tolerance and results in a mismatch, it is determined that there is an abnormality inside the hose 1. When determining whether there is an abnormality inside the hose 1 when the hose 1 is not in use (when internal pressure due to the fluid F is not acting), the reference data Dx uses external appearance image data of a non-defective hose 1 when the hose 1 is not in use (when internal pressure due to the fluid F is not acting). When determining whether there is an abnormality inside the hose 1 when the hose 1 is in use (when internal pressure due to the fluid F is acting), the reference data Dx uses external appearance image data of a non-defective hose 1 when the hose 1 is in use (when internal pressure due to the fluid F is acting).

[0032] According to this anomaly detection method, the calculation unit 8 determines whether or not there is an abnormality inside the hose 1 based on a comparison between the appearance image data of the hose 1 and reference data Dx input in advance to the calculation unit 8, making it possible to easily and objectively grasp the presence or absence of an abnormality inside the hose 1. Since using the appearance image data Dm acquired with light irradiated onto the outer surface layer 4 by the illumination unit 9 may make it easier to clarify the appearance image data Dm, it is advantageous to determine with higher accuracy whether or not there is an abnormality inside the hose 1 by appropriately setting the light irradiation angle using the illumination unit 9 as necessary.

[0033] In this hose 1, since the entire flow path 2a is surrounded by the non-transparent portion described above, the fluid F flowing through the flow path 2a is not directly irradiated with light outside the hose 1. Therefore, the fluid F flowing through the flow path 2a can be prevented from being altered by ultraviolet light outside the hose 1.

[0034] As described above, the outer surface layer 4 of this hose 1 is made of the transparent material M, and therefore the weather resistance is inferior to that of a hose made of a non-transparent material. Therefore, it is preferable to install and use this hose 1 indoors or surrounded by a cover or the like in an environment where direct sunlight is blocked. By installing and using the hose 1 in an environment where direct sunlight is blocked, the service life of the outer surface layer 4 can be extended. As a result, it is possible to prevent the life of the hose 1 from being shortened due to the weather resistance of the outer surface layer 4.

[0035] The present disclosure encompasses the following inventions: Invention 1: A hose having an inner layer and an outer layer laminated coaxially, with a reinforcing layer made of a reinforcing cord between them, and having a maximum operating pressure of 1.0 MPa or more, wherein the outer layer is formed from a transparent material and has a non-transparent portion on the inner peripheral side of the outer layer, and the entire flow path inside the inner layer is surrounded by the non-transparent portion. Invention 2: 2. The hose according to claim 1, wherein the transparent material is synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomer. Invention 3: 3. The hose according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reinforcing cord is a metal wire, and the reinforcing layer has a braid structure in which the reinforcing cord is braided, or a spiral structure in which the reinforcing cord is wound in a spiral shape. Invention 4: A method for using the hose according to any one of Inventions 1 to 3, comprising installing the hose in an environment shielded from direct sunlight. Invention 5: A hose abnormality detection method as set forth in any one of Inventions 1 to 3, wherein the presence or absence of an abnormality inside the hose is determined by a calculation unit based on a comparison between appearance image data of the hose and reference data input in advance to the calculation unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Hose 1A Conventional Hose 2. Inner layer 2a Flow path 3 Reinforcement layer 3a Reinforcement cord 4 Outer layer 5. Middle Tier 6. Anomaly detection device 7 Camera section 8 Arithmetic section 9. Lighting Section F fluid

Claims

1. A hose having an inner layer and an outer layer laminated coaxially therebetween, the inner layer being made of a reinforcing layer of a reinforcing cord, and having a maximum operating pressure of 1.0 MPa or more, the outer layer being formed of a transparent material, the outer layer having a non-transparent portion on the inner peripheral side of the outer layer, and the entire flow path inside the inner layer being surrounded by the non-transparent portion.

2. 2. The hose according to claim 1, wherein the transparent material is a synthetic rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer.

3. 3. The hose according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing cord is a metal wire, and the reinforcing layer has a braid structure in which the reinforcing cord is braided or a spiral structure in which the reinforcing cord is wound in a spiral shape.

4. 2. A method for using the hose according to claim 1, wherein the hose is installed and used in an environment where direct sunlight is blocked.

5. 2. A hose abnormality detection method according to claim 1, wherein the presence or absence of an abnormality inside the hose is determined by a calculation unit based on a comparison between appearance image data of the hose and reference data input in advance to the calculation unit.

Images