Ultrasonic measuring device

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic measuring device for preventing a decrease in measurement accuracy.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic measuring device comprises: a liquid tank; an ultrasonic sensor provided in the liquid tank; and a nozzle provided in the liquid tank, having an ejection axis directed toward a sensor surface of the ultrasonic sensor, and ejecting liquid along the ejection axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic measuring instrument. [Background technology]

[0002] Ultrasonic measuring devices are used for quality control of products manufactured in factories. These devices are incorporated into product production lines and measure the diameter, thickness, and other dimensions of the products. In one example, the ultrasonic measuring device includes a liquid bath through which the product can pass, an ultrasonic sensor disposed in the liquid bath, and a controller connected to the ultrasonic sensor. The controller controls the ultrasonic sensor while the product passes through the liquid bath to measure the dimensions of the product. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-167061 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides an ultrasonic measuring instrument that prevents a decrease in measurement accuracy due to foreign matter adhering to the surface of the ultrasonic sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An ultrasonic measuring instrument according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a liquid tank, an ultrasonic sensor provided in the liquid tank, and a nozzle provided in the liquid tank, having an ejection axis directed toward a sensor surface of the ultrasonic sensor, and ejecting liquid along the ejection axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The present disclosure can provide an ultrasonic measuring instrument that prevents a decrease in measurement accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an application example of an ultrasonic measuring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ultrasonic measuring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an ultrasonic measuring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic measuring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows polyethylene pipe manufacturing equipment 1. The polyethylene pipe manufacturing equipment 1 includes an extruder 2, an ultrasonic measuring device 3, a cooling water tank 4, a cutting machine 5, a vacuum water tank 6, and a connecting pipe 7. The vacuum water tank 6 is connected between the extruder 2 and the ultrasonic measuring device 3. The connecting pipe 7 is connected between the ultrasonic measuring device 3 and the cooling water tank 4. The extruder 2 continuously supplies molten polyethylene to a die to form a long polyethylene pipe 8. The long polyethylene pipe 8 is conveyed in a first direction X, passes through the vacuum water tank 6, the ultrasonic measuring device 3, and the connecting pipe 7, and is conveyed to the cooling water tank 4. The cooling water tank 4 cools the long polyethylene pipe 8. The cutting machine 5 cuts the cooled long polyethylene pipe 8 to an appropriate length to produce a polyethylene pipe.

[0010] The polyethylene pipe manufacturing equipment 1 further includes a chiller 11, a cold water tank 12, and a water supply pump 13. Cooling water circulates through the cooling water tank 4, the chiller 11, the cold water tank 12, the water supply pump 13, the ultrasonic measuring device 3, and the connecting pipe 7.

[0011] The polyethylene pipe manufacturing equipment 1 further includes a controller 14 connected to the ultrasonic measuring device 3. The ultrasonic measuring device 3 generates measurement data relating to the thickness of the long polyethylene pipe 8 and transmits it to the controller 14. The controller 14 receives the measurement data and determines whether the thickness of the long polyethylene pipe 8 is appropriate.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic measuring device 3 includes a liquid tank 30 and a bracket 40 provided within the liquid tank 30. The liquid tank 30 is, for example, a metal container and contains cooling water 34 therein. The liquid tank 30 includes an inlet 31 connected to the vacuum water tank 6 and an outlet 32 ​​connected to the connecting pipe 7. The liquid tank 30 has an object passing region 33 extending in the first direction X and connecting the inlet 31 and the outlet 32. The object passing region 33 is a region through which the long polyethylene pipe 8 passes. The inlet 31 includes a first metal plate 31a, a second metal plate 31b, and a rubber packing 31c. The rubber packing 31c is sandwiched between the first metal plate 31a and the second metal plate 31b.

[0013] The bracket 40 includes a base 41 and a ring portion 42 connected to the base 41. The base 41 is fixed inside the liquid tank 30. The base 41 has a through-hole 43 at its center that passes through in the first direction X. The ring portion 42 has an internal space 44 that communicates with the through-hole 43. The object passing area 33 passes through the through-hole 43 and the internal space 44. The ring portion 42 has one or more grooves 50 on its inner circumferential surface that extend in the first direction X.

[0014] The ultrasonic measuring device 3 further includes one or more ultrasonic sensors 60 held by the bracket 40. The one or more ultrasonic sensors 60 are respectively disposed in one or more grooves 50. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the ultrasonic measuring device 3. FIG. 2 corresponds to the cross section AA of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the one or more grooves 50 include a first groove 51, a second groove 52, a third groove 53, a fourth groove 54, a fifth groove 55, a sixth groove 56, a seventh groove 57, and an eighth groove 58. These eight grooves 50 are disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the one or more ultrasonic sensors 60 include a first ultrasonic sensor 61, a second ultrasonic sensor 62, a third ultrasonic sensor 63, a fourth ultrasonic sensor 64, a fifth ultrasonic sensor 65, a sixth ultrasonic sensor 66, a seventh ultrasonic sensor 67, and an eighth ultrasonic sensor 68. The first ultrasonic sensor 61 is disposed in the first groove 51. The second ultrasonic sensor 62 is disposed in the second groove 52. The third ultrasonic sensor 63 is disposed in the third groove 53. The fourth ultrasonic sensor 64 is disposed in the fourth groove 54. The fifth ultrasonic sensor 65 is disposed in the fifth groove 55. The sixth ultrasonic sensor 66 is disposed in the sixth groove 56. The seventh ultrasonic sensor 67 is disposed in the seventh groove 57. The eighth ultrasonic sensor 68 is disposed in the eighth groove 58.

[0015] Returning to FIG. 2 , the bracket 40 has one or more liquid supply ports 80. The liquid supply ports 80 receive cooling water 34 from the water supply pump 13 via piping 46 and internal flow paths 45, and supply the cooling water 34 into the liquid tank 30. The cooling water 34 can be supplied continuously or intermittently during operation of the polyethylene pipe manufacturing equipment 1.

[0016] The ultrasonic measuring device 3 further includes one or more nozzles 70 connected to one or more liquid supply ports 80. The one or more nozzles 70 are separate from the bracket 40.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the one or more nozzles 70 include a first nozzle 71, a second nozzle 72, a third nozzle 73, a fourth nozzle 74, a fifth nozzle 75, a sixth nozzle 76, a seventh nozzle 77, an eighth nozzle 78, a ninth nozzle 91, a tenth nozzle 92, an eleventh nozzle 93, a twelfth nozzle 94, a thirteenth nozzle 95, a fourteenth nozzle 96, a fifteenth nozzle 97, and a sixteenth nozzle 98. The first nozzle 71 is provided in the first groove 51. The second nozzle 72 is provided in the first groove 51 and spaced apart from the first nozzle 71. The third nozzle 73 is provided in the second groove 52. The fourth nozzle 74 is provided in the second groove 52 and spaced apart from the third nozzle 73. The fifth nozzle 75 is provided in the third groove 53. The sixth nozzle 76 is provided in the third groove 53 and spaced apart from the fifth nozzle 75. The seventh nozzle 77 is provided in the fourth groove 54. The eighth nozzle 78 is provided in the fourth groove 54 at a distance from the seventh nozzle 77. The ninth nozzle 91 is provided in the fifth groove 55. The tenth nozzle 92 is provided in the fifth groove 55 at a distance from the ninth nozzle 91. The eleventh nozzle 93 is provided in the sixth groove 56. The twelfth nozzle 94 is provided in the sixth groove 56 at a distance from the eleventh nozzle 93. The thirteenth nozzle 95 is provided in the seventh groove 57. The fourteenth nozzle 96 is provided in the seventh groove 57 at a distance from the thirteenth nozzle 95. The fifteenth nozzle 97 is provided in the eighth groove 58. The sixteenth nozzle 98 is provided in the eighth groove 58 at a distance from the fifteenth nozzle 97.

[0018] 4 is a perspective view showing region B in FIG. 3. The following description will focus on the first ultrasonic sensor 61 as a representative. The second ultrasonic sensor 62 to the eighth ultrasonic sensor 68 are all common to the first ultrasonic sensor 61. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the first nozzle 71 includes a first base 71b connected to the first liquid supply port 81 and a first tip 71c connected to the first base 71b. The second nozzle 72 includes a second base 72b connected to the second liquid supply port 82 and a second tip 72c connected to the second base 72b.

[0019] The first nozzle 71 has a first spray axis 71a directed toward the sensor surface 61a of the first ultrasonic sensor 61, and sprays the cooling water 34 along the first spray axis 71a. By spraying the cooling water 34 toward the sensor surface 61a, the first nozzle 71 prevents foreign matter from adhering to the sensor surface 61a. Examples of foreign matter include water stains, dust, or air bubbles. This prevents a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic measuring device 3.

[0020] The second nozzle 72 has a second spray axis 72a directed toward the sensor surface 61a of the first ultrasonic sensor 61 and sprays the cooling water 34 along the second spray axis 72a. The second spray axis 72a intersects with the first spray axis 71a at the sensor surface 61a. Like the first nozzle 71, the second nozzle 72 sprays the cooling water 34 toward the sensor surface 61a to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sensor surface 61a. The first nozzle 71 and the second nozzle 72 also apply pressure to the foreign matter from different angles, enhancing the effect of removing the foreign matter.

[0021] In this embodiment, the first nozzle 71 is bent so as to face the sensor surface 61a. Similarly, the second nozzle 72 is bent so as to face the sensor surface 61a. Specifically, the first nozzle 71 includes a first base 71b connected to the first liquid supply port 81 and a first tip 71c connected to the first base 71b. The first tip 71c is angled relative to the first base 71b. Similarly, the second nozzle 72 includes a second base 72b connected to the second liquid supply port 82 and a second tip 72c connected to the second base 72b. The second tip 72c is angled relative to the second base 72b.

[0022] FIG. 4B shows the first groove 51 with the first nozzle 71 and the second nozzle 72 removed. The first liquid supply port 81 has a first axis 81a along the first direction X. The second liquid supply port 82 has a second axis 82a along the first direction X. The first axis 81a and the second axis 82a do not face the sensor surface 61a of the first ultrasonic sensor 61. Therefore, the cooling water is not sprayed toward the sensor surface 61a, and adhesion of foreign matter to the sensor surface 61a cannot be prevented. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the first nozzle 71 is bent, so that the first nozzle 71 forms a first spray axis 71a that is non-parallel to the first direction X, enabling the first nozzle 71 to spray the cooling water 34 toward the sensor surface 61a. Similarly, the second nozzle 72 is bent, so that the second nozzle 72 forms a second spray axis 72a that is non-parallel to the first direction X, enabling the second nozzle 72 to spray the cooling water 34 toward the sensor surface 61a.

[0023] In this embodiment, the first ejection axis 71a is inclined with respect to the normal to the sensor surface 61a. Similarly, the second ejection axis 72a is inclined with respect to the normal to the sensor surface 61a. The cooling water 34 is incident on the sensor surface 61a at an angle, thereby enhancing the effect of removing foreign matter from the sensor surface 61a.

[0024] As described above, the ultrasonic measuring device 3 includes the liquid tank 30, one or more ultrasonic sensors 60 provided in the liquid tank 30, and one or more nozzles 70 provided in the liquid tank 30. For example, the first nozzle 71 has a first ejection axis 71a directed toward the sensor surface 61a of the first ultrasonic sensor 61, and ejects cooling water 34 (an example of a liquid) along the first ejection axis 71a. By ejecting the cooling water 34 toward the sensor surface 61a, the first nozzle 71 prevents foreign matter from adhering to the sensor surface 61a.

[0025] The first nozzle 71 may be bent so as to face the sensor surface 61a, so that the first nozzle 71 forms a first ejection axis 71a that faces the sensor surface 61a.

[0026] The nozzle 70 may include a first nozzle 71 and a second nozzle 72 spaced apart from the first nozzle 71. The first nozzle 71 may have a first ejection axis 71a directed toward the sensor surface 61a. The second nozzle 72 may have a second ejection axis 72a directed toward the sensor surface 61a. The second ejection axis 72a may intersect with the first ejection axis 71a at the sensor surface 61a. The first nozzle 71 and the second nozzle 72 apply pressure to the foreign matter from different angles, thereby enhancing the effect of removing the foreign matter.

[0027] The liquid tank 30 may have an object passing area 33 extending in a first direction X, through which a long polyethylene pipe 8 (an example of an object) measured by the ultrasonic sensor 60 passes. The first injection axis 71a may be non-parallel to the first direction X.

[0028] The ultrasonic measuring device 3 may further include a bracket 40 that is provided in the liquid tank 30 and has a liquid supply port 80. The nozzle 70 may be separate from the bracket 40 and connected to the liquid supply port 80.

[0029] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiment, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular, the multiple modifications described in this specification can be combined as desired.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic measuring device 3 is applied to measure the thickness of a polyethylene pipe. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the ultrasonic measuring device 3 can measure the thickness, diameter, and other dimensions of any object.

[0031] In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic measurement device 3 includes eight ultrasonic sensors 60. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the ultrasonic measurement device 3 may include four ultrasonic sensors 60 arranged at equal intervals around the ring portion 42 in the circumferential direction.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the first nozzle 71 is bent, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The first nozzle 71 may be a straight pipe. For example, the first liquid supply port 81 may be formed so that the first axis 81a of the first liquid supply port 81 faces the sensor surface 61a. The straight first nozzle 71 may be connected to this first liquid supply port 81.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the nozzle 70 is separate from the bracket 40, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The nozzle 70 may be integrated with the bracket 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 3 Ultrasonic measuring device 30 Liquid tank 40 Bracket 50 grooves 60 Ultrasonic Sensor 70 nozzles 80 Liquid supply port

Claims

1. A liquid tank; an ultrasonic sensor provided in the liquid tank; a nozzle provided in the liquid tank, the nozzle having an ejection axis directed toward a sensor surface of the ultrasonic sensor, and ejecting liquid along the ejection axis; An ultrasonic measuring instrument comprising:

2. The ultrasonic measuring instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is bent so as to face the sensor surface.

3. the nozzles include a first nozzle and a second nozzle spaced apart from the first nozzle; the first nozzle has a first ejection axis directed toward the sensor surface; the second nozzle has a second ejection axis directed toward the sensor surface; the second ejection axis intersects the first ejection axis at the sensor surface; The ultrasonic measuring instrument according to claim 1 .

4. the liquid bath has an object passage area extending in a first direction through which an object to be measured by the ultrasonic sensor passes; The ejection axis is non-parallel to the first direction. The ultrasonic measuring instrument according to claim 1 .

5. a bracket disposed within the liquid tank and having a liquid supply port; the nozzle is separate from the bracket and connected to the liquid supply port; The ultrasonic measuring instrument according to claim 1 .

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