Machine component and monitoring system

The mechanical component design addresses complexity and detachment issues in existing bearing monitoring systems by using a recessed and bonded temperature sensing device within the housing, enabling accurate and continuous abnormality detection.

JP2025076695APending Publication Date: 2025-05-16NSK LTD +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023188462
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-11-02
Publication Date
2025-05-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing mechanical components with integrated temperature sensors and transmitters for bearing monitoring are complex in configuration, making them difficult to manufacture and prone to sensor detachment, which hinders reliable abnormality detection.

Method used

A mechanical component design featuring a housing with a recessed temperature sensing device bonded by an adhesive member, allowing for simplified configuration and secure attachment, enabling continuous temperature detection of the bearing via the housing.

Benefits of technology

This design simplifies the mechanical component configuration, prevents sensor detachment, and allows for accurate and continuous detection of bearing abnormalities, enhancing monitoring system efficiency.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To achieve simplification of a structure and prevent removal of a temperature detection device from a machine component in the machine component having a bearing and the temperature detection device and a monitoring system including the machine component.SOLUTION: A machine component 40 includes: a housing 41; a bearing 42 which is disposed in the housing 41 and rotatably supports a shaft member 31; and a temperature detection device 43 which detects a temperature of the housing 41. An outer surface of the housing 41 includes a front surface F2 having a first recessed part 41a3. The temperature detection device 43 is disposed at the inner side of the first recessed part 41a3. The machine component 40 further includes a first adhesive member C which is disposed around the temperature detection device 43 at the inner side of the first recessed part 41a3 and bonds the housing 41 and the temperature detection device 43 to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to machine components and monitoring systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a bearing unit for a conveyor as an example of a mechanical component. The mechanical component in Patent Document 1 includes a housing, a bearing arranged in the housing, a sensor for detecting the condition of the bearing, and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting information detected by the sensor.

[0003] The bearing, the sensor, and the transmitter are disposed in a housing. The sensor is, for example, a temperature sensor, and detects the temperature of the bearing. If the condition of the bearing changes, the temperature of the bearing increases, and an abnormality in the bearing may occur. The mechanical component of Patent Document 1 can contribute to detecting an abnormality in the bearing based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-11312 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The mechanical component of Patent Document 1 further includes a cover that covers the sensor and transmitter in the housing, and a seal member for preventing dust and the like from entering between the housing and the cover. As described above, the mechanical component of Patent Document 1 has an increased number of parts due to the presence of the sensor and the like in the housing, making it difficult to configure it simply. Also, in order to reliably detect abnormalities in the bearing, it is necessary to prevent the temperature detection device that detects the temperature of the bearing from coming off the mechanical component.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to simplify the configuration of a mechanical component having a bearing and a temperature detection device, and a monitoring system including the mechanical component, and to prevent the temperature detection device from becoming detached from the mechanical component. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A mechanical component according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a bearing arranged in the housing and rotatably supporting an axial member, and a temperature detection device that detects a temperature of the housing, wherein an outer surface of the housing includes a first surface having a first recess, the temperature detection device is arranged inside the first recess, and further comprises a first adhesive member arranged around the temperature detection device inside the first recess and adhering the housing and the temperature detection device.

[0008] According to this, the temperature detection device is disposed in a first recess in the outer surface of the housing. Therefore, the configuration inside the housing and the configuration of the mechanical component can be simplified. Also, the temperature detection device is adhered to the housing by a first adhesive member disposed around the temperature detection device inside the first recess. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature detection device from coming off the mechanical component. Also, the heat of the bearing is transferred to the housing. Therefore, the temperature detection device detects the temperature of the bearing via the housing. Therefore, the mechanical component can contribute to continuous detection of abnormalities in the bearing based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection device.

[0009] In addition, in a mechanical component according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the temperature detection device comprises a temperature sensor arranged opposite a bottom surface of the first recess, an RFID tag formed integrally with the temperature sensor and transmitting a temperature detected by the temperature sensor to a reader / writer, a cover member including a second surface having a second recess in which the RFID tag is arranged, and a second adhesive member arranged on the second surface and adhering the RFID tag and the cover member to the bottom surface of the first recess, wherein the temperature sensor protrudes from the second surface and the second adhesive member has a through hole inside which the temperature sensor is located.

[0010] According to this, the mechanical component can output the temperature detected by the temperature sensor with a simple configuration. Moreover, the temperature sensor faces the bottom surface of the first recess and is located inside the through hole of the second adhesive member. This makes it possible to reduce the space between the temperature sensor and the bottom surface of the first recess. Therefore, the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the housing with high accuracy. Therefore, the mechanical component can contribute to improving the accuracy of bearing abnormality detection.

[0011] In addition, in the mechanical component according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the material of the cover member is nylon resin that is waterproof and oil resistant.

[0012] According to this, the cover member has waterproof and oil resistance, and thus the property change of the cover member caused by water and oil, grease, etc. used in the machine parts is suppressed, and therefore damage to the temperature sensor and the RFID tag can be suppressed.

[0013] In the mechanical component according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second adhesive member is waterproof.

[0014] This suppresses changes in the properties of the second adhesive member caused by water, thereby suppressing damage to the temperature sensor and the RFID tag.

[0015] Furthermore, in a mechanical component according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the axis of the bearing is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity when the housing is attached to the mounting member, and when the housing is viewed along the axial direction of the bearing with the housing attached to the mounting member, the temperature detection device is located below the axis of the bearing in the direction of gravity.

[0016] In a bearing, as a state change progresses due to the load from the shaft member, the temperature of the portion where the state change progresses rises. The heat of the bearing is transferred to the housing. The temperature of the portion of the housing in contact with the portion of the bearing where the state change progresses rises earlier than other portions of the housing. Moreover, the portion of the housing in contact with the portion of the bearing where the state change progresses corresponds to the portion where the stress caused by the force acting from the bearing is maximum. Furthermore, in the housing, the portion where the stress caused by the force acting from the bearing is maximum corresponds to the portion located below the axis of the bearing in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the detected temperature of the temperature sensor rises early in response to the temperature rise of the bearing and the temperature rise of the housing. Therefore, the mechanical part can contribute to early detection of abnormalities in the bearing by the detected temperature of the temperature sensor.

[0017] A monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a mechanical device including a plurality of the above-described mechanical components, the reader / writer, and a terminal device electrically connected to the reader / writer and storing the detected temperature of the temperature sensor.

[0018] According to this, the reader / writer acquires the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors from multiple mechanical components in a short time. Therefore, the terminal device can easily acquire the temperatures detected by the multiple temperature sensors via the reader / writer. Therefore, even when the monitoring system has multiple mechanical components, it can quickly detect abnormalities in the bearings with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the mechanical component. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical component taken along line III-III shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of the mechanical component shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the temperature detection device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the temperature detection device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an RFID tag. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature detection device in a mechanical component according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature detection device in a mechanical component according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature detection device in a mechanical component according to a third modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature detection device in a mechanical component according to a fourth modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The components of each embodiment and each modified example described below can be appropriately combined. In addition, some components may not be used.

[0021] <Surveillance System 1> 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a monitoring system 1. The monitoring system 1 is a system that monitors a mechanical component 40 that includes a bearing 42, which will be described later. The monitoring system 1 includes a mechanical device 2, a reader / writer 3, and a terminal device 4. Note that the monitoring system 1 may include multiple mechanical devices 2.

[0022] The machine 2 is a roller conveyor that transports industrial products along a transport direction W. The machine 2 includes a pair of support tables 10 and a number of roller devices 20. The support tables 10 correspond to the "receiving member." In this embodiment, the number of roller devices 20 is 10, but it goes without saying that the number is not limited to this number.

[0023] The pair of support bases 10 support a plurality of roller devices 20. The pair of support bases 10 are shaped like rectangular parallelepipeds extending along the conveying direction W.

[0024] The roller device 20 includes a roller member 30 and a pair of mechanical components 40 .

[0025] The roller member 30 includes a shaft member 31 and a roller 32. The shaft member 31 has a cylindrical shape extending along a central axis.

[0026] The rollers 32 are cylindrical and disposed on the circumferential surface of the shaft member 31, and rotate integrally with the shaft member 31. Both ends of the shaft member 31 are exposed from the rollers 32.

[0027] The pair of mechanical parts 40 support the roller member 30 so as to be rotatable relative to one another. Specifically, the pair of mechanical parts 40 support both ends of the shaft member 31 so as to be rotatable relative to one another. The mechanical parts 40 are plummer blocks. The mechanical parts 40 include a bearing 42, which will be described later, and an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag 43a, which is integral with a temperature sensor 43b. The mechanical parts 40 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The pair of mechanical parts 40 are fixed to the pair of support bases 10 using, for example, fixing bolts, so that the multiple roller devices 20 are supported by the pair of support bases 10. The multiple roller devices 20 are arranged such that the central axes of the shaft members 31 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the conveying direction W.

[0029] The reader / writer 3 performs wireless communication with an RFID tag 43a provided on the mechanical component 40. The reader / writer 3 is portable by a user. The reader / writer 3 is electrically connected to a terminal device 4 by wire or wirelessly.

[0030] A user operates the reader / writer 3, and the reader / writer 3 transmits a carrier wave to the RFID tag 43a. In response, the RFID tag 43a transmits the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43b (hereinafter referred to as the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 43b) to the reader / writer 3. The reader / writer 3 obtains the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 43b and transmits it to the terminal device 4.

[0031] The reader / writer 3 can simultaneously perform wireless communication with multiple RFID tags 43a. Therefore, the reader / writer 3 can obtain the temperatures detected by the multiple temperature sensors 43b in a relatively short time. The reader / writer 3 transmits the temperatures detected by the multiple temperature sensors 43b to the terminal device 4.

[0032] The terminal device 4 is a computer, and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an internal storage unit, an input interface, and an output interface. The CPU, ROM, RAM, and internal storage unit are connected by an internal bus. Programs such as BIOS are stored in the ROM. The internal storage unit is, for example, a HDD (Hard disk drive) or flash memory, and stores an operating system program and application programs. The CPU realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the ROM or the internal storage unit while using the RAM as a work area.

[0033] The terminal device 4 acquires the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43b from the reader / writer 3. The terminal device 4 detects an abnormality in the bearing 42 before a failure occurs in the bearing 42 in the mechanical component 40, based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43b.

[0034] An abnormality in the bearing 42 occurs when a change in the state of the bearing 42 (for example, aging) progresses due to the load acting from the shaft member 31. If the abnormality in the bearing 42 is overlooked, the bearing 42 will break down, and the mechanical part 40 will break down. In other words, the terminal device 4 detects an abnormality in the bearing 42 that occurs before the bearing 42 breaks down.

[0035] As the state change of the bearing 42 progresses, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43b rises (details will be described later). If the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43b is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the terminal device 4 determines that there is an abnormality in the bearing 42. Based on the determination result of the terminal device 4, the user investigates the mechanical part 40 determined to have an abnormality.

[0036] By periodically checking the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43b using the terminal device 4, the user can discover an abnormality in the bearing 42 at an early stage.

[0037] As described above, according to this embodiment, the monitoring system 1 comprises a mechanical device 2 including a plurality of mechanical components 40, a reader / writer 3, and a terminal device 4 electrically connected to the reader / writer 3 and storing the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 43b.

[0038] According to this, the reader / writer 3 acquires the detected temperatures of the temperature sensors 43b from the multiple mechanical components 40 in a comparatively short time. Therefore, the terminal device 4 can easily acquire the detected temperatures of the multiple temperature sensors 43b via the reader / writer 3. Therefore, even when the monitoring system 1 includes multiple mechanical components 40, it is possible to quickly detect an abnormality in the bearing 42 with a simple configuration.

[0039] <Machine Part 40> In the following description, the Z direction shown in the drawing is the up-down direction of the mechanical component 40, the X direction is the left-right direction of the mechanical component 40, and the Y direction is the front-rear direction of the mechanical component 40. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other. Note that the X, Y, and Z directions are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to these directions.

[0040] Fig. 2 is a front view of the mechanical component 40. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanical component 40 taken along line III-III shown in Fig. 2. The mechanical component 40 includes a housing 41, a bearing 42, and a temperature detection device 43.

[0041] The housing 41 has a main body portion 41a and a flange portion 41b integrally therewith. The main body portion 41a has a first through hole 41a1 through which the shaft member 31 passes.

[0042] The flange portions 41b are located on both sides of the main body portion 41a in the X direction. The flange portions 41b have second through holes 41b1 through which bolts for attaching the mechanical component 40 to the support base 10 pass.

[0043] Additionally, the lower surface (the surface on the -Z side) of the housing 41 corresponds to the mounting surface F1 that comes into contact with the support base 10. The mounting surface F1 is flat. The mounting surface F1 is perpendicular to the Z direction. When the mechanical component 40 is attached to the support base 10, the Z direction is approximately parallel to the direction of gravity. Therefore, when the mechanical component 40 is attached to the support base 10, the mounting surface F1 is approximately perpendicular to the direction of gravity and faces downward in the direction of gravity.

[0044] The bearing 42 is disposed in the housing 41 and supports the shaft member 31 rotatably relative to the housing 41. The axis Ax of the bearing 42 extends along the Y direction. That is, the axis Ax of the bearing 42 is approximately perpendicular to the direction of gravity when the housing 41 is attached to the support base 10. Note that in this specification, the axis Ax being inclined with respect to the direction of gravity includes the axis Ax being perpendicular to the direction of gravity. The axis Ax of the bearing 42 is approximately parallel to the central axis of the shaft member 31.

[0045] The bearing 42 is a ball bearing. However, the bearing 42 may be a roller bearing. The bearing 42 is disposed in the first through hole 41a1. The bearing 42 includes an outer ring 42a, an inner ring 42b, and a plurality of balls 42c.

[0046] The outer ring 42a fits into an annular groove 41a2 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first through hole 41a1. The outer ring 42a is fixed to the housing 41. The inner ring 42b is located inside the outer ring 42a. The shaft member 31 is fixed to the inner ring 42b so as to be rotatable integrally therewith. A plurality of balls 42c are disposed between the outer ring 42a and the inner ring 42b.

[0047] When the shaft member 31 rotates relative to the housing 41, the inner ring 42b rotates relative to the outer ring 42a. At this time, the plurality of balls 42c roll relative to the outer ring 42a and the inner ring 42b.

[0048] The temperature detector 43 is disposed on the outer surface of the housing 41 and detects the temperature of the housing 41. The temperature detector 43 is disposed on the front surface F2 (+Y side surface: corresponding to the "first surface") of the outer surface of the housing 41. When the housing 41 is viewed along the axial direction of the bearing 42 with the housing 41 attached to the support base 10, the temperature detector 43 is located below the axis Ax of the bearing 42 in the gravitational direction. The axial direction of the bearing 42 is the direction in which the axis Ax extends.

[0049] In the state where the housing 41 is attached to the support base 10 as described above, the mounting surface F1 of the housing 41 is substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity and faces downward in the direction of gravity. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the temperature detection device 43 is located in an arrangement region R1 on the -Z side of the axis Ax of the bearing 42 on the front surface F2 of the housing 41. The arrangement region R1 corresponds to an area of ​​the front surface F2 of the housing 41 in FIG. 2 where a range H1 between the mounting surface F1 and a virtual line L that passes through the axis Ax of the bearing 42 and is parallel to the X direction, and a range H2 of the bearing 42 in the X direction overlap. In this embodiment, the temperature detection device 43 is located in a partial region R2 on the -Z side of the outer circumferential surface of the bearing 42 in the Y direction, of the arrangement region R1.

[0050] Furthermore, when the housing 41 is viewed along the axial direction of the bearing 42 with the housing 41 attached to the support base 10, at least the temperature sensor 43b, described later, of the temperature detection device 43 needs to overlap with the placement area R1 (or partial area R2).

[0051] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the temperature detecting device 43 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the temperature detecting device 43 shown in Fig. 3.

[0052] The temperature detector 43 has a flat plate shape and is disposed inside a first recess 41a3 in the front surface F2 of the housing 41. The temperature detector 43 is disposed in contact with a bottom surface 41a4 of the first recess 41a3.

[0053] Moreover, inside the first recess 41a3, a first adhesive member C that bonds the housing 41 and the temperature detection device 43 is disposed around the temperature detection device 43. The first adhesive member C is a hardened adhesive (for example, an epoxy-based adhesive or a silicon-based adhesive).

[0054] The first adhesive member C is filled in the gap G between the first recess 41a3 and the temperature detection device 43. In FIG. 4, the gap G is between the opening end of the first recess 41a3 and the periphery of the temperature detection device 43, and is formed around the entire periphery of the temperature detection device 43. The gap G is also formed from the opening end of the first recess 41a3 to the bottom surface 41a4. Note that there may be a portion between the first recess 41a3 and the temperature detection device 43 where there is no gap G.

[0055] Moreover, the first adhesive member C is not disposed between the bottom surface 41a4 of the first recess 41a3 and the temperature detector 43. Note that the first adhesive member C may be disposed between the bottom surface 41a4 of the first recess 41a3 and the temperature detector 43.

[0056] Fig. 6 is a plan view of the temperature detection device 43. Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the RFID tag 43a.

[0057] 5, 6 and 7, the temperature detection device 43 includes an RFID tag 43a, a temperature sensor 43b, a cover member 43c, and a second adhesive member 43d. The RFID tag 43a is integral with the temperature sensor 43b.

[0058] The RFID tag 43a is a passive RFID tag. The RFID tag 43a includes a substrate 43a1 shown in FIG. 5. The substrate of the substrate 43a1 may be a resin substrate, a ceramic substrate, a plastic substrate, or the like. The conductive portion of the substrate 43a1 is formed by metal plating the surface of the substrate. The conductive portion may be formed of a conductive foil. The conductive portion may be formed by screen printing, inkjet printing, or the like using a polymer-type conductive ink. The substrate 43a1 is provided with a temperature sensor 43b, an antenna 43e shown in FIG. 7, and a control circuit 43f.

[0059] The temperature sensor 43b detects the temperature of the housing 41. That is, the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 43b corresponds to the detected temperature of the temperature detection device 43.

[0060] 5, the temperature sensor 43b is disposed on the main surface 43a2 of the substrate 43a1. When the temperature detection device 43 is disposed in the housing 41, the temperature sensor 43b faces the bottom surface 41a4 of the first recess 41a3. There is a space between the temperature sensor 43b and the bottom surface 41a4 of the first recess 41a3. This prevents vibrations of the mechanical component 40 from being transmitted to the temperature sensor 43b, thereby preventing damage to the temperature sensor 43b.

[0061] Moreover, the temperature sensor 43b is located inside the first recess 41a3. Therefore, the temperature sensor 43b can detect the temperature of the housing 41 with high accuracy.

[0062] The control circuit 43f shown in FIG. 7 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 43b and the antenna 43e. The antenna 43e receives a carrier wave from the reader / writer 3. A known structure is applied to the antenna 43e. For example, the structure of an inverted F antenna described in Japanese Patent No. 4990858 can be applied to the antenna 43e. In this case, the antenna 43e can communicate even when the temperature detection device 43 is attached to the surface of a metal member. The control circuit 43f is driven by power generated by the carrier wave.

[0063] The control circuit 43f acquires the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43b and stores it in the memory area 43f1. The control circuit 43f transmits the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43b stored in the memory area 43f1 to the reader / writer 3 via the antenna 43e.

[0064] Furthermore, the control circuit 43f transmits identification information (e.g., an identification number) for identifying the mechanical component 40 in association with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43b to the reader / writer 3. The identification information is stored in advance in the memory area 43f1 by the reader / writer 3. The terminal device 4 stores the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43b in association with the identification information. Thus, the terminal device 4 can identify the mechanical component 40 for which it has been determined that the bearing 42 has an abnormality.

[0065] The control circuit 43f may be an IC chip equipped with the temperature sensor 43b. In this case, the control circuit 43f is integrated with the temperature sensor 43b. This allows the RFID tag 43a to be miniaturized.

[0066] The cover member 43c shown in Fig. 5 protects the RFID tag 43a. The cover member 43c is flat and includes an arrangement surface 43c1 (corresponding to a "second surface"). The arrangement surface 43c1 is flat. The arrangement surface 43c1 has a second recess 43c2 in which the RFID tag 43a is arranged. In a plan view of the cover member 43c, the second recess 43c2 is located in the center of the cover member 43c.

[0067] In addition, when the RFID tag 43a is placed in the second recess 43c2, the placement surface 43c1 of the cover member 43c and the main surface 43a2 of the substrate 43a1 are on the same plane. In other words, when the RFID tag 43a is placed in the second recess 43c2, the placement surface 43c1 is located all around the main surface 43a2 of the substrate 43a1. The placement surface 43c1 of the cover member 43c and the main surface 43a2 of the substrate 43a1 may be on different planes. In addition, when the RFID tag 43a is placed in the second recess 43c2, the temperature sensor 43b protrudes from the placement surface 43c1.

[0068] The material of the cover member 43c is a thermoplastic resin. Specifically, the material of the cover member 43c is a nylon resin having waterproof and oil resistance. Therefore, the cover member 43c has waterproof and oil resistance. The fact that the cover member 43c has waterproof and oil resistance means that the change in the properties of the cover member 43c caused by water and oil and grease used in the mechanical component 40 during the use of the mechanical component 40 is suppressed, and no problems occur in the operation of the temperature sensor 43b and the RFID tag 43a.

[0069] The second adhesive member 43d is disposed on the arrangement surface 43c1 of the cover member 43c, and adheres the RFID tag 43a and the cover member 43c to the bottom surface 41a4 of the first recess 41a3. The second adhesive member 43d is also disposed on the main surface 43a2 of the substrate 43a1. The second adhesive member 43d has a third through hole 43d1 (corresponding to a "through hole") in which the temperature sensor 43b is located. As a result, the temperature sensor 43b faces the bottom surface 41a4 of the first recess 41a3 with a space therebetween.

[0070] The second adhesive member 43d is a double-sided tape. The second adhesive member 43d is waterproof. The second adhesive member 43d is a so-called waterproof tape. The fact that the second adhesive member 43d is waterproof means that the change in properties of the second adhesive member 43d caused by water during the use of the mechanical component 40 is suppressed, and no problems occur in the operation of the temperature sensor 43b and the RFID tag 43a.

[0071] The second adhesive member 43d is disposed on the arrangement surface 43c1 of the cover member 43c all around the RFID tag 43a, thereby ensuring watertightness between the cover member 43c and the outer surface of the housing 41, and preventing water from adhering to the temperature sensor 43b and the RFID tag 43a.

[0072] Next, the operation of the mechanical component 40 when an abnormality occurs in the bearing 42 will be described.

[0073] 1 conveys an industrial product, a load is applied to the bearing 42 from the shaft member 31 in the downward direction in the direction of gravity. The load from the shaft member 31 generates frictional forces between the balls 42c and the inner ring 42b and between the balls 42c and the outer ring 42a. If the frictional forces cause the condition of the bearing 42 to change, abnormalities such as damage to the bearing 42 may occur. If the abnormality in the bearing 42 progresses, a failure such as seizure of the bearing 42 may occur.

[0074] Furthermore, as the change in state of the bearing 42 due to the frictional force progresses, the temperature of the bearing 42 increases. The part of the bearing 42 where the temperature is maximum is the same as the part where the frictional force is maximum, i.e., the part where the load from the shaft member 31 is maximum.

[0075] The load of the shaft member 31 is transmitted to the housing 41 via the bearing 42. The part of the housing 41 where the stress caused by the force acting from the bearing 42 is maximum corresponds to the part in contact with the part of the bearing 42 where the load acting from the shaft member 31 is maximum.

[0076] Moreover, the heat of the bearing 42 is transferred to the housing 41. The part of the housing 41 where the temperature is maximum corresponds to the part in contact with the part of the bearing 42 where the temperature of the bearing 42 is maximum.

[0077] As described above, the portion of the bearing 42 where the temperature is maximum is the same as the portion where the load from the shaft member 31 is maximum. Therefore, the portion of the housing 41 where the temperature is maximum is the same as the portion where the stress caused by the force acting from the bearing 42 is maximum. Therefore, the temperature of the portion of the housing 41 where the stress caused by the force acting from the bearing 42 is maximum rises earlier than the temperatures of other portions.

[0078] In this embodiment, a load in the downward direction of gravity (toward the -Z side along the Z direction) acts on the bearing 42 from the shaft member 31. Therefore, in the housing 41, a portion on the -Z side of the axis Ax is where the stress caused by the force acting from the bearing 42 is maximum.

[0079] As described above, the temperature detection device 43 is located in the arrangement region R1 on the -Z side of the axis Ax of the bearing 42 on the front surface F2 of the housing 41. In other words, when the housing 41 is viewed along the axial direction of the bearing 42, the temperature detection device 43 overlaps with a portion of the housing 41 where the stress generated by the force acting from the bearing 42 is maximum.

[0080] Therefore, when the temperature of the bearing 42 and the housing 41 rise due to the load from the shaft member 31, the detected temperature of the temperature detection device 43 rises early in response to the rise in temperature of the housing 41 because the temperature detection device 43 is located in the above-mentioned arrangement area R1.

[0081] As described above, the temperature detected by the temperature detector 43 is stored in the terminal device 4 via the reader / writer 3. Furthermore, when the temperature detected by the temperature detector 43 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the terminal device 4 determines that there is an abnormality in the bearing 42. Therefore, by positioning the temperature detector 43 in the above-described arrangement region R1, an abnormality in the bearing 42 can be detected early.

[0082] As described above, according to this embodiment, the mechanical component 40 includes the housing 41, the bearing 42 that is disposed in the housing 41 and rotatably supports the shaft member 31, and the temperature detector 43 that detects the temperature of the housing 41. The outer surface of the housing 41 includes a front surface F2 having a first recess 41a3. The temperature detector 43 is disposed inside the first recess 41a3. The mechanical component 40 further includes a first adhesive member C that is disposed inside the first recess 41a3 around the temperature detector 43 and bonds the housing 41 and the temperature detector 43 together.

[0083] According to this, the temperature detector 43 is disposed in the first recess 41a3 on the outer surface of the housing 41. Therefore, the configuration inside the housing 41 and the configuration of the mechanical component 40 can be simplified. Furthermore, the temperature detector 43 is adhered to the housing 41 by the first adhesive member C disposed around the temperature detector 43 inside the first recess 41a3. Therefore, the temperature detector 43 can be prevented from coming off the mechanical component 40. Furthermore, the heat of the bearing 42 is transferred to the housing 41. Therefore, the temperature detector 43 detects the temperature of the bearing 42 via the housing 41. Therefore, the mechanical component 40 can contribute to continuous detection of an abnormality in the bearing 42 by the temperature detected by the temperature detector 43.

[0084] The temperature detection device 43 includes a temperature sensor 43b disposed facing the bottom surface 41a4 of the first recess 41a3, an RFID tag 43a formed integrally with the temperature sensor 43b and transmitting the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43b to the reader / writer 3, a cover member 43c including an arrangement surface 43c1 having a second recess 43c2 in which the RFID tag 43a is disposed, and a second adhesive member 43d disposed on the arrangement surface 43c1 and adhesively attaching the RFID tag 43a and the cover member 43c to the bottom surface 41a4 of the first recess 41a3. The temperature sensor 43b protrudes from the arrangement surface 43c1. The second adhesive member 43d has a third through hole 43d1 inside which the temperature sensor 43b is located.

[0085] According to this, the mechanical component 40 can output the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 43b with a simple configuration. Moreover, the temperature sensor 43b faces the bottom surface 41a4 of the first recess 41a3 and is located inside the third through hole 43d1 of the second adhesive member 43d. This makes it possible to reduce the space between the temperature sensor 43b and the bottom surface 41a4 of the first recess 41a3. Therefore, the temperature sensor 43b detects the temperature of the housing 41 with high accuracy. Therefore, the mechanical component 40 can contribute to improving the accuracy of abnormality detection of the bearing 42.

[0086] The cover member 43c is made of nylon resin that is waterproof and oil resistant.

[0087] This makes the cover member 43c waterproof and oil resistant, which reduces changes in the properties of the cover member 43c caused by water and the oil and grease used in the mechanical component 40. This reduces damage to the temperature sensor 43b and the RFID tag 43a.

[0088] In addition, the second adhesive member 43d is waterproof.

[0089] This can prevent the property of the second adhesive member 43d from changing due to water, thereby preventing damage to the temperature sensor 43b and the RFID tag 43a.

[0090] Furthermore, the axis Ax of the bearing 42 is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity when the housing 41 is attached to the support base 10. When the housing 41 is viewed along the axial direction of the bearing 42 with the housing 41 attached to the support base 10, the temperature detection device 43 is located below the axis Ax of the bearing 42 in the direction of gravity.

[0091] When the load from the shaft member 31 causes the bearing 42 to change state, the temperature of the portion where the state change is progressing rises. The heat of the bearing 42 is transferred to the housing 41. The temperature of the portion of the housing 41 in contact with the portion of the bearing 42 where the state change is progressing rises earlier than other portions of the housing 41. In addition, the portion of the housing 41 in contact with the portion of the bearing 42 where the state change is progressing corresponds to the portion where the stress caused by the force acting from the bearing 42 is maximum. Furthermore, in the housing 41, the portion where the stress caused by the force acting from the bearing 42 is maximum corresponds to the portion located below the axis Ax of the bearing 42 in the gravitational direction. Therefore, the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 43b rises early in response to the temperature rise of the bearing 42 and the temperature rise of the housing 41. Therefore, the mechanical component 40 can contribute to early detection of an abnormality in the bearing 42 by the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 43b.

[0092] Next, a monitoring system 1 and a mechanical component 40 according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, focusing mainly on the differences from the monitoring system 1 and the mechanical component 40 of the above-described embodiment.

[0093] For example, the mechanical device 2 is not limited to a roller conveyor. The mechanical device 2 may be any device that includes a plurality of mechanical components 40 each including a bearing 42.

[0094] Furthermore, the mechanical component 40 is not limited to a plummer block. The mechanical component 40 may be any component that includes a bearing 42.

[0095] The RFID tag 43a may be an active RFID tag, in which case the RFID tag 43a further includes a power source.

[0096] The second adhesive member 43d may have elasticity. In this case, the second adhesive member 43d has, for example, an elastic sheet-like base material and adhesive layers disposed on both sides of the base material. The base material is formed of, for example, a foamed resin such as foamed polyethylene. When the mechanical device 2 is operating, the elasticity of the second adhesive member 43d can suppress vibrations transmitted from the housing 41 to the temperature sensor 43b and the RFID tag 43a.

[0097] The second adhesive member 43d may be a hardened adhesive (for example, an epoxy adhesive) or may be a butyl tape that is waterproof and oil resistant.

[0098] Moreover, the temperature detector 43 does not necessarily have to include the second adhesive member 43d. In this case, the temperature detector 43 is fixed to the housing 41 by, for example, a bolt.

[0099] Furthermore, the cover member 43c may be shaped to cover a part of the main surface 43a2 of the substrate 43a1 with the temperature sensor 43b exposed.

[0100] Furthermore, the arrangement region R1 may be located at a position other than the -Z side of the axis Ax of the bearing 42 on the front surface F2 of the housing 41. As described above, when the housing 41 is viewed along the axial direction of the bearing 42, the temperature sensor 43b overlaps with a portion of the housing 41 where the stress caused by the force acting from the bearing 42 is maximum. For example, the position of the arrangement region R1 on the front surface F2 of the housing 41 differs depending on the posture of the mechanical component 40 attached to the support base 10. For example, when the mechanical component 40 is attached to the support base 10 and the attachment surface F1 is perpendicular to the direction of gravity and faces upward in the direction of gravity, the arrangement region R1 is located at a position on the +Z side of the axis Ax of the bearing 42 on the front surface F2 of the housing 41. Furthermore, the position of the arrangement region R1 on the front surface F2 of the housing 41 differs depending on the direction of the load acting from the shaft member 31 on the bearing 42. For example, when the direction of the load acting on the bearing 42 from the shaft member 31 is from the -X side to the +X side along the X direction, the arrangement region R1 is located on the +X side of the axis Ax of the bearing 42 on the front surface F2 of the housing 41, regardless of the attitude of the mechanical component 40. Note that the mechanical component 40 may be attached to the support base 10 in a state in which the axis Ax of the bearing 42 extends along the direction of gravity.

[0101] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature detection device 43 in a mechanical component 40 according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0102] The mechanical component 40 according to the first modified example further includes a heat conductive paste 143g. The heat conductive paste 143g is, for example, a silicon-based heat conductive grease. Needless to say, the heat conductive paste 143g is not limited to a silicon-based paste, and may be any paste-like paste. The heat conductive paste 143g may be a thermosetting resin (for example, an epoxy resin) containing particles of Ag or the like having a relatively high thermal conductivity.

[0103] The thermally conductive paste 143g is filled into the third through hole 43d1 in a state in which the temperature detection device 43 is disposed in the housing 41. As a result, the temperature sensor 43b and the housing 41 are thermally connected via the thermally conductive paste 143g.

[0104] In the mechanical component 40 according to the first modified example, heat from the housing 41 is more efficiently transferred to the temperature sensor 43b via the thermally conductive paste 143g than in the mechanical component 40 according to the above embodiment.

[0105] 9 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature detection device 43 in a mechanical component 40 according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. In this second modified example, the second adhesive member 243d does not have a third through hole 43d1. The second adhesive member 243d covers the entire RFID tag 43a. As a result, the temperature sensor 43b is covered by the second adhesive member 243d. As a result, the temperature sensor 43b and the housing 41 are thermally connected via the second adhesive member 243d.

[0106] In the mechanical component 40 according to the second modified example, heat from the housing 41 is transferred more efficiently to the temperature sensor 43b via the second adhesive member 243d than in the mechanical component 40 according to the above embodiment. The second adhesive member 243d may contain particles of Ag or the like that have a relatively high thermal conductivity. In this case, heat from the housing 41 is transferred more efficiently to the temperature sensor 43b via the second adhesive member 243d.

[0107] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the temperature detection device 43 in the mechanical component 40 according to the third modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. In this third modified example, the bottom surface 41a4 of the first recess 41a3 has a third recess 341a5 into which the temperature sensor 43b fits. The shape of the third recess 341a5 is not particularly limited as long as it can accommodate the temperature sensor 43b. The shape of the third recess 341a5 is preferably such that the temperature sensor 43b is in close proximity to the third recess 341a5 without contacting the third recess 341a5 even during operation of the mechanical component 40. The third recess 341a5 may be filled with the above-mentioned thermally conductive paste 143g.

[0108] In Fig. 10, the second adhesive member 43d is omitted. In the third modified example, the second adhesive member 43d may be, for example, a cured cyanoacrylate adhesive. In this case, the thickness of the second adhesive member 43d can be reduced.

[0109] In the mechanical component 40 of the third modified example, the temperature sensor 43b is located inside the third recess 341a5, so that the temperature sensor 43b can detect the temperature of the housing 41 with higher accuracy.

[0110] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature detection device 444 in a mechanical component 40 according to a fourth modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The temperature detection device 444 of the fourth modified example does not include an RFID tag 43a and a cover member 43c. The temperature detection device 444 of the fourth modified example includes a substrate 444a, a temperature sensor 444b, and an adhesive member 444c. The temperature sensor 444b is disposed on a main surface 444a1 of the substrate 444a. The substrate 444a includes a terminal that outputs a detected temperature of the temperature sensor 444b.

[0111] In this case, the monitoring system 1 does not include the reader / writer 3, and the terminal device 4 acquires the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 444b by electrically connecting to the terminal of the board 444a. The board 444a may include a display unit that displays the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 444b. In this case, the user may check the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 444b on the display unit and input it to the terminal device 4.

[0112] The adhesive member 444c adheres the substrate 444a to the housing 41. The adhesive member 444c is, for example, a double-sided tape. The temperature detection device 444 may include a cover member that protects the substrate 444a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1. Surveillance System 2 Mechanical equipment 3 Reader / Writer 4 Terminal Equipment 10 Support stand (attached member) 31 Shaft member 40 Machine Parts 41 Housing 41a3 First recess 41a4 Bottom surface of first recess 42 Bearings 43 Temperature detection device 43a RFID tag 43b Temperature Sensor 43c Cover material 43c1 Placement surface (2nd surface) 43c2 Second recess 43d Second adhesive member 43d1 3rd through hole (through hole) Ax Bearing axis C. First adhesive member F1 Mounting surface F2 Front (first side)

Claims

1. Housing and a bearing disposed in the housing and configured to rotatably support a shaft member; a temperature detection device for detecting a temperature of the housing, an outer surface of the housing including a first face having a first recess; The temperature detector is disposed inside the first recess, a first adhesive member disposed around the temperature detection device inside the first recess and adhering the housing and the temperature detection device to each other; Mechanical parts.

2. The temperature detection device is a temperature sensor disposed opposite a bottom surface of the first recess; an RFID tag that is integrated with the temperature sensor and transmits the temperature detected by the temperature sensor to a reader / writer; a cover member including a second surface having a second recess in which the RFID tag is disposed; a second adhesive member disposed on the second surface and adhering the RFID tag and the cover member to a bottom surface of the first recess; The temperature sensor protrudes from the second surface, The second adhesive member has a through hole in which the temperature sensor is located. The machine part according to claim 1 .

3. The material of the cover member is nylon resin having waterproof and oil resistance. The machine part according to claim 2.

4. The second adhesive member has waterproof properties. The machine part according to claim 2.

5. an axis of the bearing is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity when the housing is attached to a mounting member; When the housing is attached to a workpiece and the housing is viewed along an axial direction of the bearing, the temperature detection device is located below the axis of the bearing in the direction of gravity. The machine part according to claim 1 .

6. A mechanical device including a plurality of the mechanical components according to claim 2; The reader / writer; a terminal device electrically connected to the reader / writer and configured to store the temperature detected by the temperature sensor; Surveillance system.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Conveyor device bearing unit with malfunction detection function and conveyor equipment

    JP2013011312A