Wear detection cable, wear detector and wear detection method

Abstract

To provide a wear detection cable, easy to detect occurrence of wear of a sheath, a wear detector for detecting wear of the sheath and a wear detection method of the sheath.SOLUTION: A cable 3 includes: a conductor part 31 including a linear conductor; and a sheath 32 covering the conductor part 31, and is capable of detecting wear of the sheath 32 through reflection of light emitted toward the sheath 32. The sheath 32 includes: a first region 321 having a first reflection characteristic to the emitted light; and a second region 322 having a second reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic to the emitted light. The second region 322 is formed inside the first region 321, continuously to the first region 321. A wear detector 28 includes: an irradiation part 281 configured to irradiate the sheath 32 with light; a receiver 282 configured to receive reflected light; and a detection processing part 283 configured to detect wear of the first region 281 and exposure of the second region 282 according to a measurement outcome of an intensity of the reflected light received at the receiver 282.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wear detection cable including a conductor portion including a linear conductor and a sheath, which is easy to detect wear of the sheath, a wear detection device for detecting wear of the sheath, and a method for detecting wear of the sheath.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a cable formed by covering a plurality of electric wires with a sheath may be arranged at a site where wear is likely to occur in mechanical equipment. The applicant has proposed the one described in Patent Document 1 as a cable used for supplying power to a moving body in a non-contact manner. This cable generates an induced voltage in a coil provided in the moving body by a magnetic field generated by an electric current flowing through the electric wire, and supplies power for the moving body to move to the moving body. Further, Patent Document 1 describes a housing having a pair of side walls and a bottom wall, and a cable is accommodated between the pair of side walls in this housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the one described in Patent Document 1, for example, if a part of the cable protrudes from the housing due to the undulation of the cable, the sheath of the protruding part may come into contact with a component such as a coil in the moving body and wear. When such wear of the sheath occurs, it is desirable to detect this early and take measures such as replacing or repairing the cable. However, the cable may be arranged in a place where it is difficult to confirm by visual inspection by an operator or the like, and it is not easy to detect wear of the sheath early.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a wear detection cable that can easily detect the occurrence of wear on the sheath, a wear detection device that detects wear of the sheath, and a method for detecting wear of the sheath.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above problems and provides a wear detection cable including a linear conductor portion and a sheath covering the conductor portion, and capable of detecting wear of the sheath by reflection of light irradiated toward the sheath. The sheath has a first region having a first reflection characteristic with respect to the light and a second region having a second reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic with respect to the light, and the second region is formed continuously inside the first region.

[0007] Further, the present invention aims to solve the above problems and provides a wear detection device that detects wear of the sheath in the above wear detection cable, including an irradiation unit that irradiates the light toward the sheath, a light receiving unit that receives the reflected light reflected by the light, and a detection processing unit that detects that the first region has worn and the second region has been exposed based on a measurement result of the intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit.

[0008] Further, the present invention aims to solve the above problems and provides a method for detecting wear of the sheath in a cable including a linear conductor portion and a sheath covering the conductor portion, including a step of measuring the reflected light reflected by the light irradiated toward the sheath. The sheath has a first region having a first reflection characteristic with respect to the light and a second region having a second reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic with respect to the light, and the second region is formed continuously inside the first region. Based on the measurement result of the reflected light, it is detected that the first region has worn and the second region has been exposed.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention aims to solve the above problems, and provides a method for detecting wear of a sheath in a cable including a conductor portion having an insulated wire in which a conductor is coated with an insulator and a sheath covering the conductor portion, the method including a step of measuring reflected light obtained by reflecting light irradiated toward the sheath, the sheath having a first region having a first reflection characteristic with respect to the light and a second region having a second reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic with respect to the light, the second region being formed continuously inside the first region, the insulator of the insulated wire having a third reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic and the second reflection characteristic with respect to the light, and detecting, based on the measurement result of the reflected light, that the first region has worn and the second region has been exposed, and that the first region and the second region have worn and the insulator of the insulated wire has been exposed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the cable for wear detection according to the present invention, it becomes easy to detect that wear has occurred in the sheath. According to the wear detection device and the wear detection method according to the present invention, it is possible to detect that wear has occurred in the sheath by reflection of light irradiated toward the sheath.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0012] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment when the cable for wear detection of the present invention is applied to a mobile system will be described with reference to the drawings. This cable for wear detection is laid in a place where wear is likely to occur and can be suitably used for applications where the occurrence of wear should be detected early when wear occurs. In particular, when used in mechanical equipment in combination with a wear detection device described later, it exhibits excellent effects.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a mobile system 1 in which a cable 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention is used as a guide wire. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the mobile system 1 viewed from the horizontal direction.

[0014] In this embodiment, the mobile system 1 is configured as a rail-type unmanned conveyance system, and a conveyance carriage 2, which is a mobile body, loads a conveyance object 5 (shown in FIG. 2) on a loading platform 20 and moves along a pair of rails 11 laid on a traveling path 10. A plurality of markers 100 for detecting the position of the conveyance carriage 2 are provided on the traveling path 10. The mobile system 1 includes a conveyance carriage 2, a cable 3, a high-frequency power source 12 that passes a high-frequency alternating current through the cable 3, and a control device 13 that controls the conveyance carriage 2. The control device 13 performs transmission and reception of various signals with the conveyance carriage 2 by wireless communication.

[0015] The transport cart 2 includes a power supply unit 21 that generates a DC voltage by the energy of a magnetic field generated by an alternating current flowing through the cable 3, an inverter circuit 22 having a plurality of switching elements that switch the DC voltage supplied from the power supply unit 21, a servo driver 23 that outputs on-off signals to the plurality of switching elements of the inverter circuit 22, a motor 24 to which a drive current is supplied from the inverter circuit 22, a speed reducer 25 that decelerates the rotation of the output rotation shaft 240 of the motor 24 and rotates the left and right rotation shafts 251, 252, drive wheels 261, 262 respectively connected to the left and right rotation shafts 251, 252, driven wheels 263, 264 that rotate by the forward and backward movement of the transport cart 2 by the drive wheels 261, 262, a position detection device 27 that detects the position of the transport cart 2 based on the positions of the plurality of markers 100, a wear detection device 28 that detects the wear of the cable 3, and a transceiver 29 that communicates with the control device 13.

[0016] The servo driver 23, the position detection device 27, and the wear detection device 28 are connected to the transceiver 29 and are capable of two-way communication with the control device 13. The servo driver 23 performs PWM control on the inverter circuit 22 based on a command signal from the control device 13. The position detection device 27 sends a signal indicating the detected position of the transport cart 2 to the control device 13. The wear detection device 28 sends a signal indicating the degree of wear of the cable 3 to the control device 13. The control device 13 can stop the transport cart 2 at an arbitrary position within the movement range by sending a command signal to the servo driver 23 based on the signal indicating the position of the transport cart 2 sent from the position detection device 27.

[0017] The cable 3 has both ends connected to the high-frequency power supply 12 and extends along the rail 11, and is folded back at the folding portion 300. The cable 3 extends over a range longer than the moving range of the carrier cart 2. Hereinafter, the direction in which the carrier cart 2 approaches the folding portion 300 is referred to as the forward direction of the carrier cart 2, and the opposite direction is referred to as the backward direction. Also, the right-side portion of the cable 3 folded at the folding portion 300 with respect to the forward direction is referred to as the right-side portion 3R, and the left-side portion of the cable 3 folded at the folding portion 300 with respect to the forward direction is referred to as the left-side portion 3L. The right-side portion 3R and the left-side portion 3L of the cable 3 extend parallel to each other along the forward and backward directions of the carrier cart 2.

[0018] Figure 3 is a configuration diagram showing a cross section of the right-side portion 3R and the left-side portion 3L of the cable 3 and the peripheral portion thereof together with a schematic configuration of the power supply unit 21. The cable 3 is held by a cable guide 14 disposed on the traveling path 10. The cable guides 14 are respectively disposed corresponding to the right-side portion 3R and the left-side portion 3L of the cable 3. Each cable guide 14 has a bottom wall 141 facing the traveling path 10 and a pair of side walls 142 and 143 erected upward from the bottom wall 141, and the cable 3 is accommodated in an accommodation space 140 between the pair of side walls 142 and 143. The accommodation space 140 is open vertically upward toward the carrier cart 2. The depth of the accommodation space 140 from the front end surfaces 142a and 143a of the pair of side walls 142 and 143 is equal to the outer diameter of the cable 3.

[0019] The power supply unit 21 has a pickup coil 211, a rectifier circuit 212, a smoothing circuit 213, a DC-DC converter 214, and a case member 215 that houses these. An AC voltage is generated in the pickup coil 211 when the magnetic flux of the magnetic field generated by the AC current flowing through the cable 3 intersects. The rectifier circuit 212 converts the AC voltage of the pickup coil 211 into a DC voltage by, for example, a diode bridge circuit. The smoothing circuit 213 smoothes the DC voltage converted by the rectifier circuit 212. The DC-DC converter 214 converts the output voltage of the smoothing circuit 213 into a supply voltage to the inverter circuit 22.

[0020] The pickup coil 211 is disposed between a cable guide 14 that houses the right portion 3R of the cable 3 and a cable guide 14 that houses the left portion 3L of the cable 3 in a state of being housed in the case member 215. In the pickup coil 211, the direction in which the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the right portion 3R of the cable 3 intersects and the direction in which the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the left portion 3L of the cable 3 intersect are the same. The right portion 3R and the left portion 3L of the cable 3 face the case member 215 in the vertical direction, respectively. Note that a plurality of pickup coils 211 may be arranged side by side along the extending direction of the cable 3.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the cable 3. The cable 3 includes a conductor portion 31 and a sheath 32 as an outer covering that covers the conductor portion 31. In the present embodiment, the conductor portion 31 has a plurality of insulated electric wires 4. Further, a central intervening member 30 made of an insulator is disposed at the center of the cable 3, and six insulated electric wires 4 are disposed around the central intervening member 30. The six insulated electric wires 4 are twisted together in a spiral shape around the central intervening member 30 and are connected in parallel to the high-frequency power supply 12. Each insulated electric wire 4 has a linear conductor 41 covered with an insulator 42. The conductor 41 is composed of a plurality of conductor strands 411 made of a highly conductive metal such as copper. The insulator 42 can be preferably made of a fluororesin such as ETFE (tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer), FEP (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), polyimide, or PEEK (polyetheretherketone). The outer diameters of the plurality of insulated electric wires 4 are common. The conductor cross-sectional area of the conductor 41 in each insulated electric wire 4 is, for example, 7 mm 2 or more.

[0022] Alternatively, instead of the center intermediate member 30, a heat detection wire capable of detecting when the insulated wire 4 becomes overheated due to Joule heat may be arranged. As this heat detection wire, for example, a twisted bundle of a plurality of heat detection wires in which a conductor is coated with an insulator having a melting point lower than that of the insulator 42 of the insulated wire 4 can be used. In this case, it is possible to detect that the insulated wire 4 has become hot when the insulators of the plurality of heat detection wires melt and the conductors short-circuit. The heat detection wires and the heat detection wire may be arranged outside the central portion of the cable 3, such as between adjacent insulated wires 4.

[0023] Further, the cable 3 can detect wear (scuffing) of the sheath 32 by the reflection of light irradiated toward the sheath 32. In FIG. 4, a part of the sheath 32 is enlarged and shown as a blown-out portion. The sheath 32 has a first region 321 having a first reflection characteristic with respect to the irradiated light and a second region 322 having a second reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic with respect to this light, and the second region 322 is formed continuously with the first region 321 inside the first region 321.

[0024] The first region 321 and the second region 322 are made of the same type of resin material. Thereby, the adhesion between the first region 321 and the second region 322 is enhanced. As the resin material of the first region 321 and the second region 322, for example, PVC (poly vinyl chloride) can be preferably used. When manufacturing the cable 3, a molten resin that becomes the first region 321 is extruded around the conductor portion 31, and a molten resin that becomes the second region 322 is extruded before this molten resin hardens. Thereby, the second region 322 can be formed continuously without a gap on the outer periphery of the first region 321.

[0025] The thickness T2 of the second region 322 in the radial direction of the cable 3 is thinner than the thickness T1 of the first region 321. By having the thickness T2 of the second region 322 be thinner than the thickness T1 of the first region 321, it is possible to prevent the wear of the sheath 32 from being detected with an overly high sensitivity. The thickness T2 of the second region 322 is, for example, about 10% (5% or more and 15% or less) of the thickness T1 of the first region 321. The overall thickness of the sheath 32, which is the sum of the thickness T1 of the first region 321 and the thickness T2 of the second region 322, is, for example, 0.6 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. Note that the thickness T3 of the insulator 42 is preferably thicker than the thickness T2 of the second region 322. By having the thickness T3 of the insulator 42 be thicker than the thickness T2 of the second region 322, it becomes easier to detect the wear of the second region 322 by the exposure of the insulator 42 before the conductor 41 is exposed.

[0026] In the present embodiment, as an example, the first region 321 has a higher light absorptivity than the second region 322. In other words, the light reflectivity of the second region 322 is higher than the light reflectivity of the first region 321. More specifically, the lightness of the color of the second region 322 is higher than the lightness of the color of the first region 321. The first region 321 is, for example, black, and the second region 322 is, for example, gray, white, or the like. However, the first region 321 and the second region 322 are not limited to achromatic colors and may be chromatic colors. For example, if the second region 322 is made a color that is easy to visually recognize with the naked eye, such as orange or yellow, it becomes easier for an operator or the like to identify the worn portion of the sheath 32 by visual inspection.

[0027] In addition, in the present embodiment, each insulator 42 of the plurality of insulated electric wires 4 has a third reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic of the first region 321. In the present embodiment, the third reflection characteristic is also different from the second reflection characteristic. However, the third reflection characteristic may be the same as the first reflection characteristic or the second reflection characteristic. When the insulator 42 has a third reflection characteristic different from both the first reflection characteristic and the second reflection characteristic of the second region 322, the color of each insulator 42 of the insulated electric wire 4 is, for example, a color with a higher brightness than the color of the second region 322 of the sheath 32 (light gray, white, etc.). However, the light reflectance of the insulator 42 of the insulated electric wire 4 may be a value between the light reflectances of the first region 321 and the second region 322 of the sheath 32. Further, the light reflectance of the insulator 42 of the insulated electric wire 4 may be lower than the light reflectances of the first region 321 and the second region 322 of the sheath 32. Thereby, the cable 3 can detect the wear (scuffing) of the sheath 32 by the exposure of the insulator 42.

[0028] For example, due to the undulation of the cable 3 itself, if a part of the cable 3 protrudes upward from the cable guide 14, the sheath 32 may be worn by contact with a component of the carrier cart 2 such as the case member 215 when the carrier cart 2 travels. If the wear of the sheath 32 progresses without being detected, the insulator 42 of the insulated electric wire 4 may wear following the sheath 32, and the conductor 41 of the insulated electric wire 4 may be exposed. Next, the configuration of the wear detection device 28 of the carrier cart 2 for detecting the cable 3 and the method for detecting the wear of the sheath 32 by the wear detection device 28 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0029] FIG. 5(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the wear detection device 28 together with the cable 3 in which wear has occurred at the first location 3A and the second location 3B. FIG. 5(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state of the first location 3A and the second location 3B as viewed from the wear detection device 28 side. At the first location 3A, the first region 321 of the sheath 32 is worn and the second region 322 is exposed. At the second location 3B, the first region 321 and the second region 322 of the sheath 32 are worn and the insulator 42 of the insulated electric wire 4 is exposed.

[0030] The wear detection device 28 includes an irradiation unit 281 that irradiates light toward the sheath 32 of the cable 3, a light receiving unit 282 that receives the reflected light reflected by the sheath 32 from the light irradiated by the irradiation unit 281, and a detection processing unit 283 that detects the degree of wear of the sheath 32 based on the measurement result of the intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 282. Note that the function of the detection processing unit 283 may be provided on the control device 13 side. In this case, a signal indicating the measurement result of the intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 282 is transmitted from the carrier cart 2 to the control device 13.

[0031] Since the cable 3 has different first reflection characteristics in the first region 321 of the sheath 32, second reflection characteristics in the second region 322, and third reflection characteristics in the insulator 42 of the insulated wire 4, even if the intensity of the light irradiated by the irradiation unit 281 toward the cable 3 is constant, the intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 282 differs depending on the degree of wear. In the wear detection method of the present embodiment, the degree of wear is detected based on the measurement result of the reflected light of the light irradiated by the irradiation unit 281 by utilizing this fact. That is, the wear detection method in the present embodiment includes a step of irradiating light toward the cable 3, a step of measuring the reflected light reflected by the cable 3 from the irradiated light, and a step of detecting the degree of wear based on the measurement result of this reflected light.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the irradiation unit 281 is an infrared LED (light emitting diode), and the light receiving unit 282 is an infrared light receiving element. However, it is not limited to this, and the irradiation unit 281 may be, for example, an LED that emits ultraviolet light or white light, or an LD (laser diode) that emits laser light. The light receiving unit 282 may be any device that can measure the light intensity at the wavelength of the light emitted by the irradiation unit 281. Further, a photo-reflector having the irradiation unit 281 and the light receiving unit 282 integrally may be used.

[0033] When the light emitted by the irradiation unit 281 is invisible light such as infrared light, the color of the first region 321 and the color of the second region 322 of the sheath 32 may be the same when viewed with the naked eye. Even in this case, for example, by using an infrared absorber in the first region 321 or an infrared reflector in the second region 322, the first reflection characteristic and the second reflection characteristic can be made different. Similarly, for the insulator 42 of the insulated wire 4, the color when viewed with the naked eye may be the same as the color of the first region 321 or the second region 322 of the sheath 32.

[0034] The detection processing unit 283 includes an AD converter, an arithmetic element, or a comparator, and detects the degree of wear of the sheath 32 based on whether the intensity of the reflected light detected by the light receiving unit 282 is higher or lower than a reference. Specifically, based on the measurement result of the reflected light, it detects that the first region 321 of the sheath 32 has worn and the second region 322 is exposed, and that the first region 321 and the second region 322 have worn and the insulator 42 of the insulated wire 4 is exposed.

[0035] Furthermore, the detection processing unit 283 may be configured to detect that the insulator 42 of the insulated wire 4 has worn and the conductor 41 is exposed based on the measurement result of the reflected light. Since the surface of the conductor strand 4411 constituting the conductor 41 has a higher light reflectivity than the sheath 32 and the insulator 42, it is possible to detect that the conductor 41 is exposed.

[0036] The detection processing unit 283 moves in the longitudinal direction of the cable 3 with respect to the cable 3 when the carriage 2 moves in the forward and backward directions. Therefore, it can detect the degree of wear of the sheath 32 over a length corresponding to the distance from the forward end to the backward end of the carriage 2. The wear detection device 28 has an irradiation unit 281 and a light receiving unit 282 corresponding to the right side portion 3R and the left side portion 3L of the cable 3, respectively, and simultaneously detects the degree of wear of the right side portion 3R and the left side portion 3L in parallel.

[0037] When the wear detection device 28 detects that the second region 322 of the sheath 32 is exposed and when it detects that the insulator 42 of the insulated wire 4 is exposed, it immediately transmits the detection result to the control device 13. Further, when the detection processing unit 283 detects that the insulator 42 of the insulated wire 4 has worn and the conductor 41 is exposed, it also immediately transmits the detection result to the control device 13.

[0038] The control device 13 notifies the detection result of the wear detection device 28 in a manner corresponding to the degree of wear. This notification manner is, for example, displaying an alarm message on a display device connected to the control device 13, or sending an email to the manager or operator of the factory or the like where the transport cart 2 is installed.

[0039] Further, since the control device 13 receives the detection result of the position of the transport cart 2 from the position detection device 27, based on the detection result of the position of the transport cart 2 at the time when it receives the wear detection result from the wear detection device 28, it is possible to specify the position where the wear detection device 28 detected wear, that is, the position where wear of the cable 3 has occurred. The control device 13 notifies the information on this position together with the detection result of the wear detection device 28. Thereby, the operator can easily find the location where wear of the cable 3 has occurred and can promptly take measures such as repair.

[0040] Note that even when wear is detected by the wear detection device 28, the function of the cable 3 itself is not affected, and the mobile system 1 can continue to operate. That is, even when wear of the sheath 32 is detected by the wear detection device 28, there is a time margin until further wear progresses and the conductor 41 of the insulated wire 4 is exposed. During this time, it is possible to obtain a replacement cable 3 or perform repairs on the cable 3 in use.

[0041] (Operations and Effects of the Embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, since the first reflection characteristic in the first region 321 of the sheath 32 is different from the second reflection characteristic in the second region 322, it is possible to detect that wear has occurred on the sheath 32 due to the reflection of light irradiated toward the sheath 32. Further, in the present embodiment, since the insulator 42 of the insulated wire 4 has a third reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic and the second reflection characteristic, it is also possible to detect that the wear of the sheath 32 has progressed and the insulator 42 has been exposed. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the irradiation unit 281 and the light receiving unit 282 of the wear detection device 28 move with respect to the cable 3 as the carriage 2 moves, it is possible to detect the degree of wear of the cable 3 over a length corresponding to the distance from the forward end to the backward end of the carriage 2 without providing a dedicated mechanism for moving the irradiation unit 281 and the light receiving unit 282 with respect to the cable 3.

[0042] [Modified Embodiment] The present invention may also be implemented by a modified embodiment in which the above embodiment is modified as follows. The first modified embodiment is to make the hardness of the second region 322 of the sheath 32 harder than the hardness of the first region 321. For example, when PVC is used as the resin material for the first region 321 and the second region 322 as described above, the second region 322 can be made harder than the first region 321 by adjusting the amount of the plasticizer. By making the second region 322 harder than the first region 321, when the wear of the sheath 32 progresses to the second region 322, further wear of the sheath 32 in the second region 322 can be suppressed, and it is possible to prevent the sheath 32 from being torn and the insulated wire 4 from being exposed.

[0043] The second modified embodiment is to disperse light-reflective particles in the second region 322 to make the second reflection characteristic of the second region 322 different from the first reflection characteristic of the first region 321. As the light-reflective particles, for example, particles such as titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, or zirconium dioxide can be used. Also according to this second modified embodiment, as in the above embodiment, it is possible to detect that wear has occurred on the sheath 32 due to the reflection of light irradiated toward the sheath 32.

[0044] In the third modified embodiment, the surface roughness of the surface of the first region 321 and the surface roughness of the surface of the second region 322 (the interface with the first region 321) are configured to be different, so that the first reflection characteristic of the first region 321 and the second reflection characteristic of the second region 322 are made different. Also according to this third modified embodiment, as in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to detect that wear has occurred on the sheath 32 due to the reflection of light irradiated toward the sheath 32.

[0045] (Summary of Embodiment) Next, the technical idea grasped from the embodiments described above will be described by referring to the reference numerals and the like in the embodiments. However, each reference numeral in the following description is not limited to the members or the like that specifically show the components in the claims in the embodiments.

[0046] [1] A wear detection cable 3 including a conductor portion 31 including a linear conductor (41) and a sheath 32 covering the conductor portion 31, capable of detecting wear of the sheath 32 by reflection of light irradiated toward the sheath 32, wherein the sheath 32 has a first region 321 having a first reflection characteristic with respect to the light and a second region 322 having a second reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic with respect to the light, and the second region 322 is formed continuously with the first region 321 inside the first region 321.

[0047] [2] The wear detection cable 3 according to [1] above, wherein the thickness (T2) of the second region 322 is thinner than the thickness (T1) of the first region 321.

[0048] [3] The wear detection cable 3 according to [1] above, wherein the first region 321 and the second region 322 are made of the same type of resin material.

[0049] [4] The conductor part (31) has an insulated electric wire (4) formed by coating the conductor (41) with an insulator (42), and the insulator (42) of the insulated electric wire (4) has a third reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic with respect to the light. The cable for wear detection (3) according to [1] above.

[0050] [5] The third reflection characteristic is different from the second reflection characteristic. The cable for wear detection (3) according to [4] above.

[0051] [6] The thickness (T3) of the insulator (42) is thicker than the thickness (T2) of the second region (322). The cable for wear detection (3) according to [4] above.

[0052] [7] The hardness of the second region (322) is harder than the hardness of the first region (321). The cable for wear detection (3) according to [1] above.

[0053] [8] The second region (322) has light-reflective particles dispersed therein. The cable for wear detection (3) according to [1] above.

[0054] [9] A wear detection device (28) for detecting wear of the sheath (32) in the cable for wear detection (3) according to any one of [1] to [8] above, the irradiation unit (281) for irradiating the light toward the sheath (32), a light receiving unit (282) for receiving the reflected light reflected by the light, and a detection processing unit (283) for detecting that the first region (321) has worn and the second region (322) has been exposed based on the measurement result of the intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit (282). A wear detection device (28) provided with.

[0055] A method for detecting wear of the sheath (32) in a cable (3) including a conductor part (31) including a linear conductor (41) and a sheath (32) covering the conductor part (31), the method including a step of measuring reflected light reflected from light irradiated toward the sheath (32), the sheath (32) having a first region (321) having a first reflection characteristic with respect to the light and a second region (322) having a second reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic with respect to the light, the second region (322) being formed continuously inside the first region (321) and in continuity with the first region (321), and detecting, based on the measurement result of the reflected light, that the first region (321) has worn and the second region (322) has been exposed. A method for detecting wear of the sheath (32) in a cable (3).

[0056] A method for detecting wear of the sheath (32) in a cable (3) including a conductor part (31) having an insulated wire (4) in which a conductor (41) is covered with an insulator (42) and a sheath (32) covering the conductor part (31), the method including a step of measuring reflected light reflected from light irradiated toward the sheath (32), the sheath (32) having a first region (321) having a first reflection characteristic with respect to the light and a second region (322) having a second reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic with respect to the light, the second region (322) being formed continuously inside the first region (321) and in continuity with the first region (321), the insulator (42) of the insulated wire (4) having a third reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic and the second reflection characteristic with respect to the light, and detecting, based on the measurement result of the reflected light, that the first region (321) has worn and the second region (322) has been exposed, and that the first region (321) and the second region (322) have worn and the insulator (42) of the insulated wire (4) has been exposed. A method for detecting wear of the sheath (32) in a cable (3).

[0057] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the above embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, it should be noted that not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are essential means for solving the problems of the invention. Further, the present invention can be appropriately modified without departing from its gist, and for example, it can be implemented with the following modifications.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the case where the third reflection characteristic of the insulator 42 of the insulated wire 4 is different from the first reflection characteristic of the first region 321 and the second reflection characteristic of the second region 322 of the sheath 32 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the third reflection characteristic may be the same as the first reflection characteristic. Even in this case, since the intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 282 changes as the degree of wear progresses, it is possible to detect the degree of wear based on the intensity of the reflected light.

[0059] Also, in the above embodiment, the case where the first region 321 has higher light absorptivity and lower light reflectivity than the second region 322 has been described. Conversely, the first region 321 may have lower light absorptivity and higher light reflectivity than the second region 322. Also, the wear detection device 28 may not detect that the insulator 42 of the insulated wire 4 is exposed.

[0060] Also, in the above embodiment, the case where the cable 3 is used to supply power to the carrier vehicle 2 of the moving body system 1 by electromagnetic induction has been described. However, the use of the cable of the present invention is not limited to this, and the cable of the present invention can be used for various applications such as various industrial machines.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the conductor portion 31 of the cable 3 is composed of six insulated electric wires 4 and the center interposition 30 has been described. However, the configuration of the conductor portion 31 is not limited to this and can be appropriately changed according to the requirements specification. For example, when the conductor portion 31 is configured to include a signal line for transmitting a high-frequency signal, the first region 321 and the second region 322 may be formed of resin materials having different relative dielectric constants for adjusting the transmission characteristics. Further, in this case, when the reflectance of light in the first region 321 and the reflectance of light in the second region 322 are different due to the difference in relative dielectric constant, the first reflection characteristic of the first region 321 and the second reflection characteristic of the second region 322 may be made different by this difference in reflectance.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the wear detection device 28 is installed on the carrier cart 2 has been described. However, the installation location of the wear detection device 28 is not limited to this, and it can be installed at any location where it is possible to detect the wear of the sheath 34, such as an arbitrary location of the cable guide 14.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0063] 28... Wear detection device 281... Irradiation unit 282... Light receiving unit 283... Detection processing unit 3... Cable (cable for wear detection) 31... Conductor portion 32... Sheath 321... First region 322... Second region 4... Insulated electric wire 41... Conductor 42... Insulator

Claims

1. A wear detection cable including a conductor part containing a linear conductor and a sheath covering the conductor part, wherein wear of the sheath can be detected by reflection of light irradiated toward the sheath, the sheath has a first region having a first reflection characteristic with respect to the light and a second region having a second reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic with respect to the light, and the second region is formed continuously inside the first region and is continuous with the first region, a wear detection cable.

2. The thickness of the second region is thinner than the thickness of the first region, The wear detection cable according to claim 1.

3. The first region and the second region are made of the same kind of resin material, The wear detection cable according to claim 1.

4. The conductor part has an insulated wire formed by covering the conductor with an insulator, the insulator of the insulated wire has a third reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic with respect to the light, The wear detection cable according to claim 1.

5. The third reflection characteristic is different from the second reflection characteristic, The wear detection cable according to claim 4.

6. The thickness of the insulator is thicker than the thickness of the second region, The wear detection cable according to claim 4.

7. The hardness of the second region is harder than the hardness of the first region, The wear detection cable according to claim 1.

8. The second region has light-reflective particles dispersed therein, The wear detection cable according to claim 1.

9. A wear detection device for detecting wear of the sheath in the wear detection cable according to any one of claims 1 to 8, an irradiation unit that irradiates the light toward the sheath, a light receiving unit that receives the reflected light reflected by the light, a detection processing unit that detects that the first region has worn and the second region has been exposed based on a measurement result of the intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit, A wear detection device comprising:

10. A method for detecting wear of a sheath in a cable including a conductor part containing a linear conductor and a sheath covering the conductor part, the method including a step of measuring reflected light reflected by light irradiated toward the sheath, the sheath has a first region having a first reflection characteristic with respect to the light and a second region having a second reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic with respect to the light, and the second region is formed continuously inside the first region and is continuous with the first region, Detecting that the first region has worn away and the second region has been exposed based on the measurement result of the reflected light Wear detection method

11. A method for detecting wear of the sheath in a cable including a conductor portion having an insulated wire in which a conductor is coated with an insulator and a sheath covering the conductor portion, including a step of measuring reflected light reflected from light irradiated toward the sheath, wherein the sheath has a first region having a first reflection characteristic with respect to the light and a second region having a second reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic with respect to the light, and the second region is formed inside the first region continuously with the first region, wherein the insulator of the insulated wire has a third reflection characteristic different from the first reflection characteristic and the second reflection characteristic with respect to the light, detecting that the first region has worn away and the second region has been exposed, and that the first region and the second region have worn away and the insulator of the insulated wire has been exposed, based on the measurement result of the reflected light Wear detection method

Images