Residual life calculation device

Abstract

A remaining life calculation device is provided that can accurately calculate the remaining life of a timing belt. [Solution] A device for calculating a remaining life value, which is an indicator of the remaining life of a timing belt, for equipment having multiple rotating shafts including a drive shaft and a driven shaft, and a timing belt that transmits the rotational force of the drive shaft to the driven shaft to synchronize the rotation of these shafts.The remaining life calculation device monitors a deterioration correlation value that is correlated with the deterioration of the timing belt, and calculates the remaining life value based on the deterioration correlation value.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a remaining life calculation device that calculates a value related to the remaining life of a timing belt. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of machinery have been used in the past that rotates multiple shafts, including a drive shaft and a driven shaft, in synchronous fashion, and these machines are generally equipped with timing belts. The timing belt transmits the rotational force of the drive shaft to the driven shaft, thereby synchronizing the rotation of these multiple shafts.

[0003] A typical example of a device that rotates multiple shafts synchronously is a scroll compressor, such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1. This scroll compressor has an orbiting scroll with a spiral orbiting wrap and a fixed scroll with a spiral fixed wrap that meshes with the orbiting wrap, and is capable of generating compressed air by orbiting the orbiting scroll by synchronously rotating multiple crankshafts using a timing belt.

[0004] Conventionally, necessary maintenance has been carried out to ensure the appropriate long-term use of various facilities and equipment, etc. However, simply carrying out after-the-fact maintenance (corrective maintenance) after an abnormality has occurred may result in performance degradation or damage to the equipment, etc., due to the abnormality, or downtime caused by unexpected shutdowns may have a significant impact on the availability rate.

[0005] To minimize such problems, it is effective to carry out before-the-fact maintenance (preventive maintenance) before an abnormality occurs. The two main types of before-the-fact maintenance known are time-based maintenance and condition-based maintenance.

[0006] Time-based maintenance has the advantage that maintenance is performed based on elapsed time or a regularly set time, making it easy to develop a habit of on-site operation. However, the degree of deterioration of equipment varies depending on the frequency of use and the environment in which it is used. Therefore, with time-based maintenance, it is not easy to perform maintenance at the appropriate time, and problems can easily arise such as unnecessary maintenance being performed even when the equipment is not very deteriorated, or, conversely, necessary maintenance not being performed even when the equipment is very deteriorated.

[0007] On the other hand, condition-based maintenance can eliminate such problems as much as possible because maintenance is carried out according to the deterioration state of the equipment, etc. By adopting condition-based maintenance, it is possible to optimize the frequency of maintenance and minimize the downtime of equipment, etc. due to maintenance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-143913 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Timing belts used in equipment such as the scroll compressors described above gradually deteriorate as they rotate and bend around pulleys as the equipment is used. Continuing to use the equipment after the timing belt has reached the end of its life may result in serious accidents, such as timing belt breakage. Therefore, to continue using the equipment properly, maintenance to replace the timing belt is necessary.

[0010] The aforementioned condition-based maintenance is desirable as a maintenance method from the viewpoint of optimizing the frequency of maintenance, etc. However, in order to properly perform condition-based maintenance on timing belts, it is important to be able to accurately grasp the remaining life of the timing belt.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a remaining life calculation device that can accurately calculate the remaining life of a timing belt. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] A remaining life calculation device according to the present invention is a device for calculating a remaining life value that serves as an index of the remaining life of a timing belt in equipment having multiple rotating shafts, including a drive shaft and a driven shaft, and a timing belt that transmits the rotational force of the drive shaft to the driven shaft to synchronize the rotation of these shafts, and is configured to monitor a deterioration correlation value that correlates with deterioration of the timing belt and calculate the remaining life value based on the deterioration correlation value. With this configuration, it is possible to accurately calculate the remaining life of the timing belt.

[0013] More specifically, the deterioration-correlation value may be a cumulative usage time of the timing belt or a cumulative number of rotations of the timing belt. Also, more specifically, the remaining life value may be calculated based on a tension-related value that is correlated with the strength of tension applied to the timing belt, and the deterioration-correlation value and the tension-related value may be monitored.

[0014] More specifically, the above configuration may be configured to execute an alarm operation to notify the user when the calculated remaining life value deviates from a predetermined allowable range.More specifically, the above configuration may be configured to be a scroll compressor having an orbiting scroll provided with a spiral orbiting wrap and a fixed scroll provided with a spiral fixed wrap that meshes with the orbiting wrap, and which generates compressed air by orbiting the orbiting scroll using the multiple rotating shafts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the remaining life calculation device of the present invention, it is possible to accurately calculate the remaining life of a timing belt. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a remaining life calculation device according to a first embodiment and its peripheral configuration; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a scroll compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a housing included in the scroll compressor. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the scroll compressor. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of a fixed scroll included in the scroll compressor. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of an orbiting scroll included in the scroll compressor. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the remaining life calculation device according to the second embodiment and the configuration of its periphery. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0018] 1. First embodiment First, a first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 schematically shows a remaining life calculation device 2 according to the first embodiment and its peripheral configuration. The scroll compressor 1 shown in this figure has a drive motor 1a for orbiting a revolving scroll 30, which will be described later. Driving power is supplied to the drive motor 1a from a power source via lead wires. The scroll compressor 1 supplies compressed air generated by driving the drive motor 1a to a load facility 4 (facility requiring compressed air) via a supply pipe 3. The scroll compressor 1 also has a controller 1b that controls the number of rotations per unit time of the drive motor 1a (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "number of rotations N") and other parameters.

[0019] The remaining life calculation device 2 is a device that monitors information related to the scroll compressor 1 and calculates a remaining life value that serves as an index of the remaining life of the timing belt in the scroll compressor 1 based on the information. The remaining life calculation device 2 of this embodiment is configured to receive information on the current rotation speed N continuously from the controller 1b at predetermined time intervals. The remaining life calculation device 2 is able to calculate the above-mentioned remaining life value based on this information. Details of the remaining life calculation device 2 will be explained later.

[0020] Next, the detailed configuration of the scroll compressor 1 will be described below. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scroll compressor 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a housing 10 provided in the scroll compressor 1. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the scroll compressor 1. The scroll compressor 1 is a water-addition type compressor in which lubricating water is added to the air taken in. The scroll compressor 1 includes a housing 10, an orbiting scroll 30, a crankshaft 70, and two fixed scrolls 50, 150.

[0021] The housing 10 is composed of a first housing portion 15 and a second housing portion 20. A fixed scroll 50 is attached to an opening 16 formed in the first housing portion 15. A fixed scroll 150 is attached to an opening 21 formed in the second housing portion 20. The fixed scroll 50 and the fixed scroll 150 have the same configuration except that they are in a line-symmetrical mirror image relationship with a predetermined direction, such as the vertical direction, as the axis of symmetry. Note that the fixed scroll 50 is not shown in FIG. 3.

[0022] The orbiting scroll 30 is housed inside the housing 10 so that its center of rotation is located in the center. In this embodiment, the orbiting scroll 30 is held by the housing 10 so that its axial direction faces sideways (horizontally). A plurality of crankshafts 70 are connected to the orbiting scroll 30.

[0023] The crankshaft 70 includes an eccentric shaft portion 71 and base shaft portions 72 disposed on both sides of the eccentric shaft portion 71. In this embodiment, a weight balancer 75 is provided on the base shaft portion 72 to smooth the orbiting motion of the orbiting scroll 30. The shape and weight of the weight balancer 75 are adjusted appropriately depending on the mounting position of the crankshaft 70. The eccentric shaft portion 71 is journaled on the orbiting scroll 30, and the base shaft portions 72 are journaled on the housing bearing portion 26 of the housing 10.

[0024] A total of three crankshafts 70 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The three crankshafts 70 have the same structure and rotate synchronously with the eccentric shaft portions 71 aligned by a rotation synchronization mechanism consisting of a pulley 76, two timing belts 77, and two tension rollers 78. Of the three crankshafts 70, two crankshafts 70 around which the timing belts 77 are wound are drive shafts that rotate by directly transmitting the rotational driving force of the drive motor 1a, and the other two crankshafts 70 are driven shafts that rotate synchronously by transmitting the rotational force of the drive shafts via the timing belts 77.

[0025] When each crankshaft 70 is rotated by the power of the drive motor 1a, the orbiting scroll 30 orbits relative to the fixed scroll 50. As described above, the rotation speed N (number of rotations per unit time) of the drive motor 1a is controlled by the controller 1b. The value of the rotation speed N is the same as or proportional to the rotation speed per unit time of the orbiting scroll 30. The controller 1b controls the rotation speed N so that an appropriate amount of compressed air is generated according to the compressed air demand of the load equipment 4.

[0026] The fixed scroll 50 is disposed on one axial side of the orbiting scroll 30, and the fixed scroll 150 is disposed on the other axial side of the orbiting scroll 30. In other words, the orbiting scroll 30 is sandwiched between the fixed scroll 50 and the fixed scroll 150.

[0027] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the fixed scroll 50. Fig. 5 is a front view of the fixed scroll 50 provided in the scroll compressor 1.

[0028] The fixed scroll 50 comprises a disk-shaped fixed side substrate portion 51, one or more fixed wraps 52 provided on a plate surface (one side) of the fixed side substrate portion 51 facing the orbiting side substrate portion 31, and an annular outer wrap 55 surrounding the fixed wrap 52.

[0029] A central opening 60 is formed in the center of the fixed-side substrate portion 51, penetrating it in the thickness direction. The central opening 60 is a through-hole that connects the outside of the scroll compressor 1 with the compression chamber 90. In addition, an outer peripheral opening 61 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the fixed-side substrate portion 51.

[0030] The fixed wraps 52 are formed in a number, shape, and size corresponding to the orbiting wraps 32 of the orbiting scroll 30. The fixed wraps 52 extend vertically (axially) from the plate surface of the fixed-side substrate portion 51, and are configured to be curved in an involute spiral shape from the center of the fixed-side substrate portion 51 toward the outer periphery.

[0031] A tip seal 54 is provided at the tooth tip (the tip facing the orbiting scroll 30) of the fixed wrap 52 to fill the gap with the orbiting-side base plate portion 31 of the orbiting scroll 30. The tip seal 54 is arranged along the spiral of the fixed wrap 52 and comes into contact with the orbiting-side base plate portion 31.

[0032] The outer circumferential wrap 55 is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the fixed wrap 52. The space surrounded by the orbiting-side base plate portion 31, the fixed-side base plate portion 51, and the outer circumferential wrap 55 functions as a compression chamber 90 that compresses the hydrated air (fluid).

[0033] An outer circumferential seal 80 is provided at the tip of the outer circumferential wrap 55 to fill the gap with the orbiting-side base plate portion 31 of the orbiting scroll 30. The outer circumferential seal 80 is formed in an annular shape surrounding the compression chamber 90 and prevents water from leaking outside the compression chamber 90.

[0034] A notch 510 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer circumferential wrap 55. The notch 510 is located radially inward of the outer circumferential seal 80 and is formed in an arc shape. A drain port 520 that communicates with the outside of the compression chamber 90 is formed near one end 512 of the notch 510. The drain port 520 opens on the end face of the notch 510 facing the orbiting-side base plate portion 31. The drain port 520 penetrates all the way to the outer surface of the fixed-side base plate portion 51, and serves as a flow path for discharging water that has accumulated inside to the outside of the compression chamber 90.

[0035] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the orbiting scroll 30. Fig. 6 is a front view of the orbiting scroll 30 provided in the scroll compressor 1. The orbiting scroll 30 includes a disk-shaped orbiting-side substrate portion 31, orbiting wraps 32 provided on both sides of the orbiting-side substrate portion 31, and an orbiting scroll outer peripheral portion 35.

[0036] A central opening 33 is formed in the center of the orbiting-side base plate portion 31, penetrating through it in the thickness direction. The orbiting wrap 32 extends vertically (axially) from the plate surface of the orbiting-side base plate portion 31, and is configured in a plate shape that curves in an involute spiral shape from the center to the outer periphery of the orbiting-side base plate portion 31. The orbiting wraps 32 on both sides have shapes that correspond to each other.

[0037] A tip seal 34 is provided at the tooth tip (the tip portion facing each fixed scroll 50, 150) of each orbiting wrap 32 to fill the gap with the fixed-side base plate portion 51 of each fixed scroll 50, 150. The tip seal 34 is arranged along the spiral of the orbiting wrap 32 and comes into contact with the fixed-side base plate portion 51.

[0038] The orbiting scroll outer peripheral portion 35 is formed in the shape of a roughly triangular frame that surrounds the orbiting-side substrate portion 31, with the orbiting-side substrate portion 31 located inside it. The orbiting scroll outer peripheral portion 35 and the orbiting-side substrate portion 31 are integrally formed. Connecting holes 301 to which the crankshaft 70 is connected are formed at positions corresponding to the vertices (corners) of the roughly triangle of the orbiting scroll outer peripheral portion 35.

[0039] The scroll compressor 1 has the above-described configuration, and air (fluid) to which lubricating water has been added is introduced from the outside through piping (not shown) as the orbiting scroll 30 orbits. The air introduced into the compression chamber 90 of the scroll compressor 1 is compressed between the orbiting scroll 30 and each of the fixed scrolls 50, 150, moves from the outer end to the inner end of the spiral, and is discharged from the central opening 60. The compressed air thus discharged is supplied to the load equipment 4 via the supply piping 3.

[0040] As described above, the scroll compressor 1 has a rotating scroll 30 provided with a spiral-shaped rotating wrap 32, and fixed scrolls 50, 150 provided with spiral-shaped fixed wraps 52 that mesh with the rotating wrap 32, and generates compressed air by rotating the rotating scroll 30.

[0041] The scroll compressor 1 orbits the orbiting scroll 30 to generate compressed air at a predetermined internal compression pressure Px (e.g., 0.5 MPa) in the compression chamber 90, but can discharge compressed air at any set pressure up to a predetermined maximum discharge pressure Pz (e.g., 0.8 MPa) that exceeds this internal compression pressure Px. This set pressure can be set to an appropriate pressure according to the requirements of the load equipment 4, for example.

[0042] More specifically, when compressed air having a pressure higher than the internal compression pressure Px is discharged (when the discharge pressure is higher than the internal compression pressure Px), the scroll compressor 1 operates by using the force of the drive motor 1a to strongly press the compressed air in the compression chamber 90 (air having the internal compression pressure Px) into the supply pipe 3. This increases the pressure of the compressed air by the amount that it is pressed hard, making it possible to discharge compressed air having a pressure higher than the internal compression pressure Px.

[0043] On the other hand, when discharging compressed air at a pressure lower than the internal compression pressure Px (when the discharge pressure is lower than the internal compression pressure Px), the scroll compressor 1 operates to expand the compressed air in the compression chamber 90 (air at the internal compression pressure Px) in the supply pipe 3. This reduces the pressure of the compressed air by the amount of expansion, making it possible to discharge compressed air at a pressure lower than the internal compression pressure Px.

[0044] Here, the internal compression pressure Px is a design pressure based on the geometric theory of the scroll body. For example, the main parameters of a scroll compressor can be obtained from the geometric properties of the involute of a circle, and the change in compression chamber volume and built-in volume ratio relative to the rotation angle can be calculated. The theoretical built-in compression ratio can be determined by applying a polytropic exponent to the built-in volume ratio, and the internal compression pressure Px is obtained by multiplying the suction pressure by the theoretical built-in compression ratio.

[0045] When the scroll compressor 1 is driven, the timing belt 77 rotates while being bent by the pulley 76 and the tension roller 78, which causes the timing belt 77 to gradually deteriorate and reduce its remaining life. With regard to the remaining life of the timing belt 77, the remaining life calculation device 2 can calculate a remaining life value that serves as an index of the remaining life.

[0046] Next, a more detailed description will be given of the remaining life calculation device 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the remaining life calculation device 2 has a monitoring unit 2a and a calculation unit 2b.

[0047] The monitoring unit 2a monitors a deterioration correlation value V1 that is correlated with deterioration of the timing belt 77. In this embodiment, the monitoring unit 2a monitors the cumulative rotation number of the timing belt 77 (the total number of rotations from the start of use of a new belt to the present) as the deterioration correlation value V1. The monitoring unit 2a can monitor the cumulative rotation number of the timing belt 77 based on the history of information on the rotation number N that is continuously received from the scroll compressor 1 side.

[0048] Because the number of rotations of the timing belt 77 when the drive motor 1a makes one rotation is fixed, the cumulative number of rotations of the timing belt 77 is determined based on the history of the number of rotations N up to the present. The larger this cumulative number of rotations, the more the timing belt 77 is bent by the pulley 76 and the tension roller 78, and therefore the timing belt 77 is degraded. Therefore, it can be said that the cumulative number of rotations is closely correlated with the degradation of the timing belt 77 up to the present.

[0049] If the controller 1b is configured to inverter-control the drive motor 1a, information about the frequency of the control may be continuously sent from the controller 1b to the monitoring unit 2a at predetermined time intervals, and the monitoring unit 2a may detect the rotation speed N based on this information. Even in this manner, the monitoring unit 2a can monitor the cumulative rotation speed of the timing belt 77 based on the history of the rotation speed N that is successively detected. Alternatively, the monitoring unit 2a may directly detect the cumulative rotation speed of the timing belt 77 at predetermined time intervals, and use the value of this cumulative rotation speed as the deterioration correlation value V1.

[0050] Furthermore, it can be said that the longer the timing belt 77 is rotated and used, the more deteriorated the timing belt 77 is. Therefore, in addition to the above-mentioned cumulative number of rotations of the timing belt 77, the cumulative usage time of the timing belt 77 (the cumulative total time that the timing belt has been rotated and used since the start of use of a new belt until the present) can also be cited as a value correlated with deterioration of the timing belt 77. Therefore, the monitoring unit 2a may monitor the cumulative usage time of the timing belt 77 instead of the cumulative number of rotations of the timing belt 77 as the deterioration correlation value V1.

[0051] The calculation unit 2b sequentially calculates the remaining life value W based on the deterioration correlation value V1. In the example of this embodiment, the calculation unit 2b calculates the remaining life value W based on the following first formula. W=K1-K2×V1...Equation 1 In the first formula, "W" indicates the remaining life value W at that time, "V1" indicates the deterioration correlation value V1 at that time, and "K1" and "K2" each indicate a preset constant.

[0052] The constant "K1" corresponds to the remaining life value W when the timing belt 77 is unused, and the constant "K2" is a value that is set according to the degree of decrease in the remaining life value W with an increase in the deterioration correlation value V1. The specific values ​​of these constants may be determined, for example, by calculation taking into consideration various conditions, or may be determined based on the results of a simulation experiment using an experimental machine equivalent to the scroll compressor 1.

[0053] The remaining life value W calculated by the first formula is an index of the remaining life of the timing belt 77, and the smaller the remaining life value W, the shorter the remaining life of the timing belt 77 (and therefore the greater the need to replace it with a new one). Note that the method for calculating the remaining life value W based on the deterioration correlation value V1 is not limited to the method using the first formula described above, and other methods that can calculate the remaining life value W with the required accuracy based on the deterioration correlation value V1 may be adopted.

[0054] Furthermore, when the calculated value of the remaining life value W described above deviates from a predetermined allowable range (in this embodiment, when it falls below a predetermined threshold value Wa), the remaining life calculation device 2 performs a notification operation to notify an on-site equipment manager or a service person of a maintenance company (a company that provides maintenance services for the equipment) of this fact. This threshold value Wa is set appropriately in advance as a value corresponding to the remaining life value when it is assumed that replacement of the timing belt 77 is desirable. The specific value of the threshold value Wa may be determined, for example, by calculation taking various conditions into consideration, or may be determined based on the results of a simulation experiment using an experimental machine equivalent to the scroll compressor 1.

[0055] The specific form of the notification operation is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, the output of visual information (such as a predetermined display or the illumination of a warning lamp) or the output of auditory information (such as the output of a warning sound). The notification operation may also be in the form of transmitting predetermined information (maintenance recommendation information notifying that the remaining life value W has exceeded the threshold value Wa) to an information terminal or the like of a facility manager or service center via an internet line or a mobile phone line. By executing the notification operation, on-site workers, managers, etc. can know that it is time to replace the timing belt 77, and maintenance to replace the timing belt 77 can be performed at an appropriate time.

[0056] 2. Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description, emphasis will be placed on the differences from the first embodiment, and descriptions of the commonalities with the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0057] 7 shows a schematic diagram of a remaining life calculation device 2 according to the second embodiment and its peripheral configuration. As shown in the figure, the remaining life calculation device 2 of the second embodiment is configured to receive, at predetermined time intervals, information on the current rotation speed N from the controller 1b, and also receive, at predetermined time intervals, information on the current current value (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the current value I) of the lead wire that transmits drive power to the drive motor 1a.

[0058] When the scroll compressor 1 is driven, the timing belt 77 gradually deteriorates as it rotates while being bent by the pulley 76 and the tension roller 78, and the deterioration tends to progress more quickly as the tension applied to the timing belt 77 during rotation increases. Therefore, as will be described below, the remaining life calculation device 2 of the second embodiment calculates the remaining life value W, which is an index of the remaining life of the timing belt 77, taking into account the strength of the tension applied to the timing belt 77.

[0059] The monitoring unit 2a monitors the deterioration correlation value V1, which is correlated with the deterioration of the timing belt 77, and also monitors the tension-related value V2, which is correlated with the strength of the tension applied to the timing belt 77. The manner in which the deterioration correlation value V1 is monitored is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0060] The monitoring unit 2a in the second embodiment monitors, as the tension-related value V2, the integrated value of the current value I continuously received from the scroll compressor 1 (the integrated value of the current value I from the start of use of a new belt to the present). Note that the larger the current value I, the greater the torque of the drive motor 1a and the stronger the tension applied to the timing belt 77. Therefore, it can be said that the integrated value of the current value I is closely correlated with the strength of the tension applied to the timing belt 77 up to the present.

[0061] The monitoring unit 2a may directly detect the torque value of the drive motor 1a at predetermined time intervals and monitor the integrated value of this torque (the integrated value of the torque value from the start of use of a new belt to the present) as the tension-related value V2. The monitoring unit 2a may also directly detect the tension applied to the timing belt 77 at predetermined time intervals and monitor the integrated value of this tension (the integrated value of the tension value from the start of use of a new belt to the present) as the tension-related value V2.

[0062] Furthermore, when the discharge pressure of the scroll compressor 1 (the pressure of the compressed air discharged from the scroll compressor 1 to the supply pipe 3) rises (particularly when the scroll compressor 1 is started or when the discharge pressure rises above the internal compression pressure Px described above), the orbiting speed of the orbiting scroll 30 also increases compared to when the discharge pressure is substantially constant, and the tension applied to the timing belt 77 becomes stronger. In this way, the discharge pressure of the scroll compressor 1 is also correlated with the tension applied to the timing belt 77. Therefore, the monitoring unit 2a may be configured to continuously detect this discharge pressure at predetermined time intervals and monitor the integrated value of the tension applied to the timing belt 77 estimated based on the detection results as the tension-related value V2.

[0063] The calculation unit 2b sequentially calculates the remaining life value W based on the deterioration correlation value V1 and the tension-related value V2. In the example of this embodiment, the calculation unit 2b calculates the remaining life value W based on the following second formula. W=K1-K2×V1-K3×V2...2nd formula

[0064] In the second equation, "W" indicates the remaining life value W at that time, "V1" indicates the deterioration correlation value V1 at that time, "V2" indicates the tension-related value V2 at that time, and "K1", "K2", and "K3" each indicate a preset constant.

[0065] In the second formula, "K1" and "K2" are values ​​that are set in the same way as in the first embodiment, and "K3" is a value that is set according to the degree of decrease in the remaining life value W that accompanies an increase in the tension-related value V2. The specific values ​​of these constants may be determined, for example, by calculations that take various conditions into consideration, or may be determined based on the results of simulation experiments using an experimental machine equivalent to the scroll compressor 1.

[0066] The remaining life value W calculated by the second equation is also an index of the remaining life of the timing belt 77, and the smaller the remaining life value W, the shorter the remaining life of the timing belt 77 (and therefore the greater the need to replace it with a new one). Note that the method for calculating the remaining life value W based on the deterioration correlation value V1 and the tension-related value V2 is not limited to the method using the second equation described above, and other methods that can calculate the remaining life value W with the required accuracy based on the deterioration correlation value V1 and the tension-related value V2 may be adopted.

[0067] 3. Summary The remaining life calculation device 2 in each of the above-described embodiments is a device that calculates a remaining life value W, which is an index of the remaining life of a timing belt 77, for a scroll compressor 1 having a plurality of crankshafts 70 (rotating shafts) including a drive shaft and a driven shaft, and a timing belt 77 that transmits the rotational force of the drive shaft to the driven shaft to synchronize the rotation of these shafts. The remaining life calculation device 2 monitors a deterioration correlation value V1 that is correlated with deterioration of the timing belt 77, and calculates the remaining life value W based on the deterioration correlation value V1.

[0068] Therefore, the remaining life calculation device 2 can accurately calculate the remaining life of the timing belt 77. Furthermore, the remaining life calculation device 2 of the second embodiment also monitors the tension-related value V2, which is correlated with the strength of the tension applied to the timing belt 77, and calculates the remaining life value W based on the deterioration-correlation value V1 and the tension-related value V2. Therefore, it is possible to accurately calculate the remaining life by taking into account the strength of the tension applied to the timing belt 77.

[0069] In addition, in this embodiment, a scroll compressor is given as an example of a device having multiple rotating shafts including a drive shaft and a driven shaft, and a timing belt that transmits the rotational force of the drive shaft to the driven shaft and synchronizes the rotation of these shafts, but the present invention can also be applied when the device is a device other than a scroll compressor (for example, various engines that rotate multiple shafts synchronously).

[0070] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above-described embodiments, and should be understood to include all modifications that fall within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0071] <Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)> The remaining life calculation device according to the present disclosure calculates a value that serves as an indicator of the remaining life of a timing belt and provides condition-based maintenance at an appropriate time. This prevents equipment failures caused by timing belt damage and reduces carbon dioxide emissions associated with unnecessary on-site dispatches of service personnel. This can contribute to achieving Goal 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Take urgent action to combat climate change." [Industrial Applicability]

[0072] The present invention can be used in a device for calculating a value that serves as an indicator of the remaining life of a timing belt. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 Scroll compressor 1a Drive motor 1b Controller 2 Remaining life calculation device 2a Monitoring section 2b Calculation part 3 Supply piping 4 Load equipment 10. Housing 15 First housing section 16 Opening 20 Second housing section 21 Opening 26 Housing bearing part 30 Swivel Scroll 301 Connection hole 31 Swivel side base plate 32 Turning Lap 33 Central opening 34,54 Chip seal 35 Rotating scroll outer periphery 50,150 fixed scroll 51 Fixed side board part 510 Notch 52 Fixed Wrap 520 Drain port 55 Outer wrap 60 central opening 61 Outer periphery opening 70 crankshaft 71 Eccentric shaft part 72 Base section 75 Weight Balancer 76 Pulley 77 Timing belt 78 Tension roller 80 Periphery seal 90 compression chamber

Claims

1. 1. A device for calculating a remaining life value, which is an index of the remaining life of a timing belt, for a device having a plurality of rotating shafts including a drive shaft and a driven shaft, and a timing belt that transmits the rotational force of the drive shaft to the driven shaft to synchronize the rotation of these shafts, a remaining life calculation device that monitors a deterioration correlation value that is correlated with deterioration of the timing belt, and calculates the remaining life value based on the deterioration correlation value;

2. The degradation correlation value is 2. The remaining life calculation device according to claim 1, wherein the remaining life calculation value is a value of the accumulated usage time of the timing belt or the accumulated number of revolutions of the timing belt.

3. monitoring a tension-related value that is correlated with the strength of tension applied to the timing belt; The remaining life calculation device according to claim 2 , wherein the remaining life value is calculated based on the deterioration correlation value and the tension-related value.

4. 2. The remaining life calculation device according to claim 1, wherein when the calculated remaining life value deviates from a predetermined allowable range, a notification operation is executed to notify the user of this fact.

5. The device comprises:

5. The remaining life calculation device according to claim 1, wherein the scroll compressor has an orbiting scroll provided with a spiral orbiting wrap and a fixed scroll provided with a spiral fixed wrap that meshes with the orbiting wrap, and generates compressed air by orbiting the orbiting scroll using the multiple rotating shafts.

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