Rust detection device

Abstract

To provide a rust detection device that can reduce the occurrence of false detections of the degree of corrosion. [Solution] A rust detection device having a power supply, a first electrode, and a second electrode, The first electrode has a first energizing portion that energizes the second electrode, and a second energizing portion that energizes the second electrode as time elapses since the rust detection device began operation. The second current-carrying portion comprises a first metal and a second metal that is less susceptible to corrosion than the first metal, on the surface of the first metal and in a region facing the second electrode. The second electrode has the second metal in a region opposite to the first electrode. The rust detection device is characterized in that there is a gap between the second energized portion and the second electrode that increases in size as it moves away from the first energized portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a rust detection device.

Background Art

[0002] By arranging the rust detection device, for example, around electric components in an automobile, the degree of rust generation can be detected, and by notifying the user of a sign of malfunction, component replacement can be promoted.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1 below, as one of the corrosion monitoring methods, an electric resistance type corrosion sensor for measuring the corrosion amount of the sensor part based on the increase amount of the electric resistance value accompanying the decrease in the plate thickness of the sensor part (iron) is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the rust detection device described in Patent Document 1 above, the degree of corrosion is determined by directly measuring the electric resistance value in the sensor part. In a high-temperature environment or a severe corrosion environment, it is expected that the decrease amount of the thickness of the measurement electrode will increase, making it difficult to measure the electric resistance value. Therefore, in the conventional rust detection device, it is difficult to accurately measure the electric resistance value over a long period, and there is a risk of false detection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A rust detection device according to an embodiment for solving the above problems is a rust detection device having a power source, a first electrode, and a second electrode, The first electrode has a first energizing portion that energizes the second electrode, and a second energizing portion that energizes the second electrode as time elapses since the rust detection device began operation. The second current-carrying portion comprises a first metal and a second metal that is less susceptible to corrosion than the first metal, on the surface of the first metal and in a region facing the second electrode. The second electrode has the second metal in a region opposite to the first electrode. A gap is provided between the second energizing portion and the second electrode, which increases in size as it moves away from the first energizing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rust detection device that can reduce the occurrence of false detections of the degree of corrosion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the rust growth process in the rust detection device of the present invention. [Figure 2] This graph shows an example of the change in current value at each stage in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Rust detection device) The rust detection device of the present invention comprises a power supply, a first electrode, and a second electrode, and may optionally include other means.

[0010] Here, the rust detection device of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the rust growth process in the rust detection device of the present invention.

[0011] The rust detection device 100 shown in Figure 1 comprises a power supply 1, a first electrode 21, and a second electrode 22.

[0012] <Power supply> The power source 1 is not particularly limited as long as it can supply power to the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22, and known ones can be appropriately selected.

[0013] <The first electrode> The first electrode 21 has a first energization part 41 that energizes with the second electrode 22, and a second energization part 42 that energizes with the second electrode 22 as time elapses since the operation of the rust detection device 100, and may have other members as necessary.

[0014] <<The first energization part>> The first energization part 41 has a region (region 61) where the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 contact. The rust detection device 100 is slightly energized according to the contact area between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 in the region 61 in the initial state of the rust detection device 100, that is, before the operation of the rust detection device 100.

[0015] The first energization part 41 is not particularly limited as long as it can energize with the second electrode 22, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, it may have the second metal 32 on its surface.

[0016] <<The second energization part>> The second energization part 42 has regions (regions 62, 63, etc.) where the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 contact as time elapses since the operation of the rust detection device 100.

[0017] The second energization part 42 has the first metal 31 and the second metal 32 that is more corrosion-resistant than the first metal 31 in a region on the surface of the first metal 31 and facing the second electrode 22, and may have other members as necessary.

[0018] -The first metal- The first metal 31 is not particularly limited, and generally used electrode members can be used. For example, iron (Fe), copper (Cu), etc. can be mentioned.

[0019] -The second metal- The second metal 32 is a metal that is more corrosion-resistant than the first metal 31. The second metal 32 is not particularly limited as long as it is a metal that is more corrosion-resistant than the first metal 31, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, gold (Au) and the like can be mentioned.

[0020] In this specification, the "region facing the first electrode" and the "region facing the second electrode" are regions that come into contact when the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 expand due to rust 5.

[0021] <The second electrode> The second electrode 22 has the second metal 32 in a region facing the first electrode 21.

[0022] The rust detection device 100 has a gap that increases as it moves away from the first energizing portion 41 between the second energizing portion 42 and the second electrode 22.

[0023] Here, the "gap" in this specification is the distance between the second energizing portion 42 and the second electrode 22. The gap may increase continuously as it moves away from the first energizing portion 41, or may increase stepwise as shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] Here, the mechanism of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of changes in current values at each stage of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 1(a) shows the state before the operation of the rust detection device 100. Specifically, the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 are in contact only in the region 61, and are in a state of being slightly energized according to the contact area in the region 61.

[0026] Figure 1(b) shows the state in which rust 5 is generated after the rust detection device 100 has been in operation. Specifically, as time passes since the rust detection device 100 has been in operation, the first electrode 21 is expanding due to the rust 5 that is generated in the region between the first metal 31 and the second metal 32. As the first electrode 21 expands, the second metal 32 present on the surface of a portion of the region 62 of the second energized section 42 comes into contact with the second metal 32 present on the surface of the second electrode 22. As a result, the contact area between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 increases by the amount of region 62, and the amount of current increases accordingly.

[0027] Figure 1(c) shows the rust detection device 100 in an operating state beyond that of Figure 1(b). Specifically, as time passes since the rust detection device 100 began operating, the first electrode 21 expands further due to rust 5 that forms in the region between the first metal 31 and the second metal 32. As the first electrode 21 expands further, the second metal 32 present on the surface of a portion of the second energized section 42 (region 63) comes into contact with the second metal 32 present on the surface of the second electrode 22. As a result, the contact area between the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 increases further by the amount of region 63, and the amount of current increases further accordingly.

[0028] By interpreting the resulting current changes as the degree of corrosion, the degree of corrosion can be determined in stages, thereby reducing the occurrence of false detections of the degree of corrosion.

[0029] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention as described in the claims.

Claims

[Claim 1] A rust detection device having a power supply, a first electrode, and a second electrode, The first electrode has a first energizing portion that conducts current with the second electrode, and a second energizing portion that conducts current with the second electrode as time elapses since the rust detection device began operation. The second current-carrying portion comprises a first metal and a second metal that is less corroded than the first metal, on the surface of the first metal and in a region facing the second electrode. The second electrode has the second metal in a region opposite to the first electrode, A rust detection device characterized in that there is a gap between the second energizing portion and the second electrode that increases in size as it moves away from the first energizing portion.

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