Rotary torsion testing machine and rotary torsion testing system

Abstract

The present invention provides a rotary torsion testing machine and a rotary torsion testing system that can perform rotary torsion tests while reproducing the operation of a test specimen under conditions where oil is sprayed onto it. [Solution] The rotary torsion testing machine 1a is characterized by comprising a chamber 12 (surrounding structure) that houses the test specimen M1, a shaft 131 that penetrates the outer wall of the chamber 12 (surrounding structure) and supports the test specimen M1 inside the chamber 12 (surrounding structure), a load applying unit 13 that rotates the test specimen M1 around an axis X11 via the shaft 131 and swings one of the pair of circular disc parts M11 (a pair of parts) around the axis X11 to apply a torsional load to the test specimen M1, and an oil nozzle 18 installed inside the chamber 12 (surrounding structure) that sprays oil onto the test specimen M1 supported by the shaft 131.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotational torsion testing machine and a rotational torsion testing system for performing a rotational torsion test in which a specimen having a pair of parts elastically connected to each other so as to be relatively movable about a predetermined axis is rotated while applying a torsional load thereto.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a component having a pair of parts elastically connected to each other so as to be relatively movable about a predetermined axis, for example, a clutch or a torque converter mounted on a vehicle is widely used. For these components, a testing machine for performing a test assuming the operation when mounted on a vehicle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The testing machine described in Patent Document 1 is a rotational torsion testing machine that uses a clutch as a specimen, rotates the specimen, and applies a torsional load to the specimen by swinging one of a pair of parts elastically connected in the specimen.

[0003] Here, some of the clutch and torque converter are operated in oil in a vehicle, and a testing machine for performing a test on the clutch and torque converter while reproducing the operation in oil is used (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The testing machine described in Patent Document 2 is not a rotational torsion testing machine, but in order to reproduce the operation in oil and perform a test, the test is performed in a state where a clutch as a specimen is immersed in oil accommodated in an oil box.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, clutches, torque converters, and other components that operate in oil can be categorized into those that operate while immersed in oil and those that operate while being sprayed with oil. In this case, by applying the oil box described in Patent Document 2 to the rotational torsion testing machine described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to perform rotational torsion testing while reproducing operation in oil. However, with the application of this oil box, operation in the state of being immersed in oil can be reproduced, but operation in the state of being sprayed with oil cannot be reproduced.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a rotary torsion testing machine and a rotary torsion testing system that can perform a rotary torsion test while reproducing the operation of a test specimen under conditions in which oil is sprayed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the rotary torsion testing machine is characterized by comprising: a peripheral structure that surrounds at least a portion of a test specimen having a pair of parts elastically connected to each other so as to be able to move relative to each other around a predetermined axis; a load-applying unit that has a shaft that penetrates the outer wall of the peripheral structure and supports the test specimen, and rotates the test specimen around the axis via the shaft and swings one of the pair of parts around the axis to apply a torsional load to the test specimen; and an oil nozzle that is installed so as to be surrounded together with the test specimen by the peripheral structure and sprays oil onto the test specimen supported by the shaft.

[0008] According to the rotary torsion testing machine described above, the rotational torsion test is performed by rotating the test specimen in the load application unit and applying a torsional load to the specimen. Furthermore, by spraying oil onto the test specimen from an oil nozzle during the test, it is possible to reproduce the operation under conditions where oil is being sprayed. In other words, according to the rotary torsion testing machine described above, it is possible to perform a rotary torsion test while reproducing the operation under conditions where oil is being sprayed onto the test specimen.

[0009] In this case, it is preferable that the oil nozzle is a variable nozzle capable of changing the direction of oil injection by bending deformation.

[0010] With this configuration, the accuracy of reproducing the operation under oil application can be improved by appropriately adjusting the direction of oil spraying according to the shape and size of the test specimen.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable that at least the portion of the outer wall of the surrounding structure through which the shaft passes is composed of multiple walls arranged in parallel with predetermined intervals between them, and that the space between the walls is set to a pressure higher than the ambient air pressure of the test specimen, forming a multi-wall structure.

[0012] In this configuration, the oil sprayed from the oil nozzle is blocked by multiple walls. One effect of the multiple walls is their insulating effect, which suppresses the transfer of oil temperature to the load-applying section when testing with high or low temperature oils sprayed onto the test specimen. This insulating effect helps to suppress the occurrence of malfunctions caused by temperature changes at the load-applying section. Furthermore, since the space between the walls of the multiple walls is set to a pressure higher than the ambient air pressure around the test specimen, it is also possible to suppress the intrusion of oil into the load-applying section from the shaft penetration points in the multiple walls.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferable to further provide an air introduction channel that introduces air into the inter-wall space in the multi-wall structure, thereby setting the inter-wall space to a pressure higher than the ambient air pressure around the test specimen.

[0014] This configuration allows for an effective increase in the pressure within the inter-wall spaces of the multi-walled structure by introducing air from the outside.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable that the multi-walled structure includes an inter-wall oil discharge channel that discharges the oil from the oil nozzle to the outside of the wall when the oil enters the space between the walls.

[0016] With this configuration, even if oil were to penetrate into the inter-wall space of the multi-wall system, the oil could be discharged through the inter-wall oil discharge passage, further enhancing the suppression effect against oil penetration from the shaft to the load-applying section.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferable that the multi-walled structure consists only of the portion of the outer wall through which the shaft passes, and that when the oil travels through the gap between the multi-walled structure and the shaft, an external oil discharge passage is formed on the outer wall on the lower side in the direction of gravity acting on the multi-walled structure to discharge the oil to the outside without directing it toward the load-applying section.

[0018] With this configuration, even if oil were to penetrate through the gap between the multi-walled structure and the shaft, the oil could be discharged to the outside, further enhancing the effect of suppressing oil penetration into the load-applying section.

[0019] Furthermore, it is preferable that the surrounding structure is a chamber that encloses the test specimen around its entire circumference by housing it inside.

[0020] This configuration allows for stabilization of the ambient air pressure around the test specimen, and also allows for the storage of oil from the oil nozzle inside the chamber while suppressing splashing into the surroundings.

[0021] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the rotary torsion testing system includes the rotary torsion testing machine described above, an oil supply unit having an oil supply passage connected to the oil nozzle, containing the oil and supplying the oil to the oil nozzle via the oil supply passage, and a control unit that controls the operation of the rotary torsion testing machine and the oil supply unit. It is characterized by having the following features.

[0022] According to the above-described rotational torsion testing system, since it is equipped with the aforementioned rotational torsion testing machine, it is possible to perform rotational torsion tests while reproducing the operation under conditions where oil is sprayed.

[0023] Further, the surrounding structure portion has a tray portion located below the specimen and the oil nozzle in the gravitational direction to receive the oil sprayed from the oil nozzle, and the oil supply unit further has an oil recovery path for recovering the oil sprayed from the oil nozzle and received by the tray portion, and it is preferable that the oil recovery path is connected to the surrounding structure portion in a state where the oil in the tray portion can be recovered.

[0024] According to this configuration, by providing an oil recovery path and circulating the oil between the tray portion and the oil supply unit, it is possible to reproduce the operation of the specimen in a state where the oil is sprayed onto the specimen while suppressing the amount of oil used.

[0025] Also, it is preferable that the control unit controls injection conditions including at least one of the injection amount, injection speed, and oil temperature of the oil from the oil nozzle.

[0026] According to this configuration, since the injection conditions of the oil can be adjusted, it is possible to increase the reproduction variations in the state where the oil is sprayed onto the specimen and improve the diversity of the tests related to the rotational torsional test.

Effects of the Invention

[0027] According to the above-described rotational torsional testing machine and rotational torsional test system, it is possible to perform a rotational torsional test while reproducing the operation in a state where the oil is sprayed onto the specimen.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing a rotational torsional test system equipped with a rotational torsional testing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing how a specimen is held in the rotational torsional testing machine shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3]These are explanatory diagrams illustrating the rotary torsion test performed by the rotary torsion testing machine shown in Figures 1 and 2. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the internal structure of the chamber in a rotary torsion testing machine, in a cross-sectional view including the axis that serves as the center for the rotational and oscillating drive of the test specimen. [Figure 5] This diagram, using an enlarged view of area A11 in Figure 4, illustrates the measures taken to prevent oil from entering the load-applying section from the oil nozzle, specifically focusing on the portion of the chamber's outer wall through which the shaft passes. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a structure provided in the double-wall section of the wall to discharge oil that has seeped into the space between the walls to the outside of the wall, using an enlarged view of area A12 in Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] The following describes a rotary torsion testing machine and a rotary torsion testing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a rotary torsion testing system equipped with a rotary torsion testing machine according to one embodiment. Figure 2 shows how the test specimen is held in the rotary torsion testing machine shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the rotary torsion test performed by the rotary torsion testing machine shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0031] The rotational torsion test system 1 of this embodiment is a test system that uses a vehicle's clutch or torque converter as the test specimen M1 and performs a rotational torsion test on this test specimen M1. The test specimen M1, such as a clutch or torque converter, has a pair of circular disc parts M11 (a pair of parts) that are elastically connected and stacked so that they can move relative to each other around a predetermined axis X11. The rotational torsion test here is a test in which a torsional load is applied to the test specimen M1 by rotating the test specimen M1 around the axis X11 and swinging the second part M11b (Figure 4), one of the pair of circular disc parts M11, around the axis X11. The rotational torsion test system 1 comprises a rotational torsion test machine 1a, an oil supply unit 1b, a utility 1c, and a control unit 1d.

[0032] The rotary torsion testing machine 1a is a device that houses and holds a test specimen M1 and performs a rotary torsion test, and comprises a frame 11, a chamber 12, and a load-applying unit 13. The frame 11 is fixedly installed in a predetermined location, and the chamber 12 and load-applying unit 13 are mounted on its upper surface. The chamber 12 is a surrounding structure that encloses the test specimen M1 around at least a portion of its periphery, and in this embodiment, it is a rectangular box-shaped housing that encloses the test specimen M1 around its entire circumference by housing it inside. The load-applying unit 13 has a shaft 131 that penetrates the outer wall of the chamber 12 and supports the test specimen M1 inside the chamber 12, and rotates the test specimen M1 around axis X11 via the shaft 131. Furthermore, the load-applying unit 13 is a mechanism that applies a torsional load to the test specimen M1 by oscillating the second component M11b (Figure 4) of the circular disk component M11 in the test specimen M1 around the axis X11.

[0033] The test specimen M1 is supported by the shaft 131 of the load-applying section 13 via a support fixture G1 shown in Figure 2. This support fixture G1 comprises a pair of fixture flanges G11 and a fixture shaft G12. The pair of fixture flanges G11 are connected to the outer shaft 131a of the shaft 131 of the load-applying section 13, described later, with the outer circumference of the test specimen M1 sandwiched between the first flange G11a on the front side in the protruding direction of the fixture shaft G12 and the second flange G11b on the rear side. The fixture shaft G12 is connected to the inner shaft 131b of the shaft 131, described later. Furthermore, the fixture shaft G12 is connected to the center of the second part M11b (Figure 4) of the pair of circular disc parts M11 in the test specimen M1, so as to align the axis X11 of the test specimen M1 with the central axis of the shaft 131.

[0034] The shaft 131 of the load-applying unit 13 comprises a cylindrical outer shaft 131a that forms its outer circumference and a cylindrical inner shaft 131b installed inside the cylinder. The outer shaft 131a is the part that is driven in the rotational direction D11 around the axis X11. The rotation of this outer shaft 131a causes the test specimen M1, whose outer circumference is sandwiched by a pair of jig flanges G11, to rotate in the rotational direction D11. On the other hand, the inner shaft 131b is the part that is driven in the oscillating direction D12, which alternately moves in the same direction as and opposite to the rotational direction D11 around the axis X11. The oscillating of this inner shaft 131b causes the second part M11b (Figure 4) of the pair of circular disk parts M11 in the test specimen M1 to oscillate in the oscillating direction D12. The load-applying unit 13 comprises a drive mechanism 132 that performs rotational and oscillating drive on this shaft 131, and a motor 133 as a drive source.

[0035] In the rotational torsion test system 1 shown in Figure 1, the rotational and oscillating drive of the test specimen M1 by the load application unit 13 is performed while spraying oil onto the test specimen M1 inside the chamber 12 to reproduce the operating conditions when mounted on a vehicle. The oil supply unit 1b in the rotational torsion test system 1 is a unit that supplies oil for spraying into the chamber 12. This oil supply unit 1b has an oil supply passage 14 leading to the chamber 12, and it stores oil and supplies oil through the oil supply passage 14. The oil supply unit 1b also has an oil recovery passage 15 for recovering the oil stored inside the chamber 12 after spraying. This oil recovery passage 15 is connected to the outer wall of the chamber 12 in a state that it communicates with the inside of the chamber 12. Furthermore, this oil supply unit 1b is configured to allow adjustment of the oil supply amount, supply speed, and oil temperature.

[0036] In the rotary torsion testing system 1, utility 1c provides power and air supply to the rotary torsion testing system 1, and includes a power supply 16 and an air source 17. Power from power supply 16 is supplied to various parts of the rotary torsion testing system 1 via control unit 1d. Air from air source 17 is supplied to the chamber 12 of the rotary torsion testing machine 1a, as will be described in detail later.

[0037] The control unit 1d in the rotary torsion testing system 1 controls the operation of the rotary torsion testing machine 1a, the oil supply unit 1b, and the utility 1c. Specifically, the control unit 1d controls the rotary torsion testing machine 1a, for example, by starting, stopping, and adjusting the rotational and oscillating drives described above. The control unit 1d also controls the oil supply unit 1b, for example, by starting and stopping the oil supply, and by adjusting the oil supply amount, supply speed, and oil temperature. Furthermore, the control unit 1d controls the utility 1c, for example, by turning the power supply 16 on / off, starting and stopping the air supply from the air source 17, and by adjusting the air supply amount, supply speed, and air temperature.

[0038] Next, the internal structure of the chamber 12, where oil is sprayed onto the test specimen M1 in the rotary torsion testing machine 1a, will be described in detail.

[0039] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the chamber in a rotary torsion testing machine, including the axis that serves as the center for the rotational and oscillating drive of the test specimen.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the test specimen M1 is supported by a support jig G1 via a shaft 131 of a load-applying section 13 that penetrates the outer wall of the chamber 12, as follows. First, a pair of jig flanges G11, which are superimposed so as to sandwich the outer circumference of the test specimen M1, are connected to the outer shaft 131a, thereby supporting the test specimen M1 so as to be rotatable in the rotational direction D11 around the axis X11. Furthermore, a jig shaft G12 connected to the center of the second part M11b of a pair of circular disc parts M11 in the test specimen M1 is connected to the inner shaft 131b, thereby supporting the second part M11b so as to be swingable in the swinging direction D12 around the axis X11. The test specimen M1 is rotationally driven by the rotation of the outer shaft 131a. Then, the swinging of the inner shaft 131b drives the second part M11b to swing, thereby applying a torsional load to the rotating test specimen M1. In order to perform this rotational torsion test, which involves applying rotation and torsional load, while spraying oil onto the test specimen M1, the rotational torsion testing machine 1a of this embodiment is equipped with an oil nozzle 18.

[0041] The oil nozzle 18 is installed inside the chamber 12 so as to be enclosed together with the test specimen M1, and sprays oil onto the test specimen M1 which is supported by the shaft 131. The oil is sprayed onto the test specimen M1 by the oil spray from the oil nozzle 18. The oil nozzle 18 is also configured to be bendable, for example, by a bellows structure. The oil nozzle 18 is a variable nozzle that can change the direction of oil spray by this bending deformation. An oil supply passage 14 from the oil supply unit 1b shown in Figure 1 is connected to the oil nozzle 18, penetrating the outer wall of the chamber 12. As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 1d controls the start and stop of oil supply, the amount of oil supplied, the supply speed, and the oil temperature to the oil supply unit 1b. As a result, the spray conditions such as the start and stop of oil spraying by the oil nozzle 18, the amount of oil sprayed, the spray speed, and the oil temperature are adjusted via the oil supply unit 1b.

[0042] The oil sprayed from the oil nozzle 18 is stored in the bottom wall of the chamber 12 on the lower side in the direction of gravity, which serves as a receiving tray 125. As explained with reference to Figure 1, the oil supply unit 1b has an oil recovery passage 15 for recovering the oil received and stored in this receiving tray 125. A connecting port 123 is provided on the lower side in the direction of gravity of the outer wall of the chamber 12, on the wall portion 122 opposite to the load-applying portion 13, to connect the oil recovery passage 15 in a manner that allows for oil recovery. The oil flows from this connecting port 123 through the oil recovery passage 15 and is returned to the oil supply unit 1b.

[0043] Here, there is a small gap of about 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm between the outer shaft 131a, which rotates through the outer wall of the chamber 12, and the outer wall. It is desirable to suppress the intrusion of oil sprayed from the oil nozzle 18 into the load-applying section 13 through this gap, as this could lead to mixing with the lubricating oil in the various mechanical parts of the load-applying section 13. Therefore, in this embodiment, the wall portion 121 through which the shaft 131 penetrates the outer wall of the chamber 12 is made of the ingenious features described below.

[0044] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating, using an enlarged view of area A11 in Figure 4, the measures taken to suppress the intrusion of oil from the oil nozzle into the load-applying section of the chamber's outer wall through which the shaft passes.

[0045] Figure 5 shows a portion of the wall portion 121 through which the outer shaft 131a passes, and an enlarged cross-section of the surrounding structure. As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, as part of the measures to suppress oil intrusion, the wall portion 121 is a multi-layer wall (double wall in this embodiment) composed of multiple walls 121a (two in this embodiment) arranged in parallel with a predetermined distance between them. The space between the walls 121b in this double wall is set to a higher pressure than the internal pressure of the chamber 12, which is the ambient pressure around the test specimen M11. In order to set the pressure for the space between the walls 121b, the rotary torsion testing machine 1a of this embodiment is provided with an air introduction passage 19 that introduces air into the space between the walls 121b to set the pressure of the space between the walls 121b to a higher pressure than the internal pressure of the chamber 12.

[0046] The air inlet passage 19 is a through-hole that penetrates the interior of the outer wall of the chamber 12 surrounding the wall portion 121, which is a double wall, in an axial direction D13 perpendicular to the axis X11 (Figure 4). This air inlet passage 19 exits the outer wall and opens an air outlet 191 toward the space on the load-applying section 13 side of the double wall. At the end of the air inlet passage 19 opposite the air outlet 191, there is an air inlet 192 through which air is introduced, connected to the air supply passage 171 from the air source 17 (Figure 1) in the aforementioned utility 1d. The air introduced from the air source 17 (Figure 1) into the air inlet passage 19 travels along this air inlet passage 19 in the axial direction D13, is blown out from the air outlet 191, and then, after hitting the surrounding wall, travels in the bending direction D14 and is blown onto the first wall 121a-1 on the load-applying section 13 side. This air is blown in the direction D15 from the gap between the first wall 121a-1 and the outer shaft 131a into the inter-wall space 121b. This blowing of air sets the pressure inside the inter-wall space 121b higher than that inside the chamber 12. Furthermore, because the pressure inside the inter-wall space 121b is set higher, some of the air inside the inter-wall space 121b is blown out in the direction D16 from the gap between the second wall 121a-2 on the inside side of the chamber 12 and the outer shaft 131a into the chamber 12. This blowing of air from the gap between the second wall 121a-2 and the outer shaft 131a pushes back any oil that tries to enter through this gap, thereby suppressing oil intrusion.

[0047] Furthermore, in the rotational torsion test in this embodiment, a torsional load is applied to the test specimen M1 (Figure 4). As shown in Figure 5, a torque sensor 134 that measures the load torque as the magnitude of this torsional load, a transmitter 135 that sends the measurement results from the torque sensor 134 to the control unit 1d (Figure 1), and a cable 136 that connects the two by wire are embedded in the rotating structure including the outer shaft 131a. During the test, the transmitter 135, which rotates together with the outer shaft 131a, wirelessly sends the measurement results from the torque sensor 134 to the control unit 1d (Figure 1). Air from the air outlet 191 is blown into the space between the walls 121b and is also constantly blown onto the embedded locations of the torque sensor 134 and the transmitter 135. At this time, the temperature of the air is set to room temperature, and this room-temperature air is constantly blown onto the rotating structure, which serves as the embedded location.

[0048] Furthermore, the wall portion 121, which acts as a double wall, is provided with the following structure to discharge the oil from the oil nozzle 18 into the space between the walls 121b despite the above-mentioned oil intrusion prevention measures, in order to discharge the oil to the outside of the wall.

[0049] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a structure provided in the wall portion of the double wall to discharge oil that has penetrated into the space between the walls to the outside of the wall, using an enlarged view of region A12 in Figure 4.

[0050] Figure 6 shows a portion of the wall section 121 through which the outer shaft 131a passes, specifically the lower side in the direction of gravity, and an enlarged cross-section of the surrounding structure. As shown in Figure 6, an inter-wall oil discharge passage 121c is formed on the lower side of the wall section 121 in the direction of gravity. Oil that has entered the inter-wall space 121b flows downward through this space due to its own weight and is discharged from the inter-wall oil discharge passage 121c to the outside of the wall in the direction of outward discharge D17. The oil discharged from this inter-wall oil discharge passage 121c is stored inside the chamber 12 along with other oil from the oil nozzle 18. Subsequently, the discharged oil, along with the other oil, flows through the oil recovery passage 15 (Figure 1) and is returned to the oil supply unit 1b.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an external oil discharge passage 124 is formed on the lower side in the direction of gravity of the outer wall of the chamber 12 surrounding the wall portion 121, which acts as a double wall. This external oil discharge passage 124 is designed to discharge oil to the outside without directing it towards the load-applying section 13, even if oil leaks out towards the load-applying section 13 through the gap between the first wall 121a-1 on the load-applying section 13 side and the outer shaft 131a. This external oil discharge passage 124 has a first discharge passage 124a that goes downward in the direction of gravity, and a second discharge passage 124b that branches off midway and goes towards the load-applying section 13 side (but outside the equipment). Oil that leaks out towards the load-applying section 13 side through the gap flows down in the direction D18 due to its own weight and reaches the external oil discharge passage 124. Subsequently, the oil flows through the outside oil discharge channel 124 in a branching discharge direction D19, passing through either the first discharge channel 124a or the second discharge channel 124b, and is discharged to the outside. The oil discharged from the outside oil discharge channel 124 is not returned to the oil supply unit 1b, but is instead dripped onto the outside of the rotary torsion testing machine 1a. The oil flowing out from the first discharge channel 124a drips downward in the direction of gravity, while the oil flowing out from the second discharge channel 124b flows outside the chamber 12, passing below the load-applying section 13 without coming into contact with it.

[0052] According to the rotary torsion testing machine 1a and rotary torsion testing system 1 of the embodiment described above, the load application unit 13 rotates the test specimen M1 and applies a torsional load to the test specimen M1 to perform a rotary torsion test. During the test, oil is sprayed onto the test specimen M1 from the oil nozzle 18, thereby reproducing the operation under conditions where oil is being sprayed. In other words, according to this embodiment, a rotary torsion test can be performed while reproducing the operation under conditions where oil is being sprayed onto the test specimen.

[0053] In this embodiment, the oil nozzle 18 is a variable nozzle whose spray direction can be changed. With this configuration, the accuracy of reproducing the operation when oil is sprayed can be improved by appropriately adjusting the oil spray direction according to the shape and size of the test specimen M1.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the wall portion 121 through which the shaft 131 passes in the chamber 12, which is the circumferential structure of the test specimen M1, is a double wall in which the space between the walls 121b is set to a higher pressure than the internal pressure of the chamber 12, which is the ambient pressure around the test specimen M1. With this configuration, the oil sprayed from the oil nozzle 18 is blocked by the double wall. One effect of this double wall is its heat insulation effect, which suppresses the transmission of oil temperature to the load application section 13 when performing tests with high or low temperatures of oil sprayed onto the test specimen M1. This heat insulation effect can suppress the occurrence of malfunctions caused by temperature changes in the load application section 13. Examples of such malfunctions include excessive load on the rotation of the shaft 131 due to changes in the gap of the shaft 131's penetration portion due to temperature changes, and output failures in the torque sensor 134 or transmission failures in the transmission section 135 caused by temperature changes. Furthermore, since the space 121b between the double walls is set to a higher pressure than the internal air pressure of the chamber 12, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of oil from the point where the shaft 131 penetrates the double wall to the load-applying section 13.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an air introduction passage 19 is provided that sets the inter-wall space 121b of the double wall to a higher pressure than the internal air pressure of the chamber 12 by introducing air. With this configuration, the internal air pressure of the inter-wall space 121b of the double wall can be effectively increased by introducing air from the outside.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, air from the air introduction passage 19 is constantly blown onto the installation locations of the torque sensor 134, which measures the load torque as the magnitude of the torsional load in the rotational torsion test, and the transmission unit 135 for the measurement results, and the temperature of this air is set to room temperature. With this configuration, by constantly blowing room temperature air onto the installation locations of the torque sensor 134 and the transmission unit 135, temperature increases and decreases of the torque sensor 134 and the transmission unit 135 due to the transmission of oil temperature are suppressed. As a result, output failures in the torque sensor 134 and transmission failures in the transmission unit 135 caused by temperature changes can be effectively suppressed. In addition, in this embodiment, the installation locations of the torque sensor 134 and the transmission unit 135 are part of a rotating structure including the outer shaft 131a, and the aforementioned room temperature air is constantly blown onto this rotating structure. As a result, situations such as excessive load on the rotation caused by changes in the gap of the through portion of the rotating structure due to temperature changes can be effectively suppressed.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the double wall is provided with an inter-wall oil discharge passage 121c that discharges oil that has penetrated into the inter-wall space 121b to the outside of the wall. With this configuration, even if oil penetrates into the inter-wall space 121b of the double wall, the effect of suppressing oil penetration into the load-applying section 13 can be further enhanced by discharging the oil.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the double wall consists only of the wall portion 121 through which the shaft 131 penetrates the outer wall of the chamber 12, and an oil discharge passage 124 is formed in the outer wall on the lower side in the direction of gravity of this wall portion 121. With this configuration, even if oil were to penetrate through the gap between the double wall and the shaft 131, the oil could be discharged to the outside, further enhancing the effect of suppressing oil penetration into the load-applying section 13.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a chamber 12 is provided that encloses the test specimen M1 around its entire circumference by housing the test specimen M1 inside. With this configuration, the ambient air pressure around the test specimen M1 can be stabilized, and the oil from the oil nozzle 18 can be stored inside the chamber 12 while suppressing scattering into the surroundings.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the oil supply unit 1b in the rotational torsion test system 1 has an oil recovery passage 15 for recovering the oil stored inside the chamber 12. With this configuration, by circulating the oil between the inside of the chamber 12 and the oil supply unit 1b via the oil recovery passage 15, it is possible to reproduce the operation of the test specimen M1 under conditions where oil is being sprayed, while suppressing the amount of oil used.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 1d in the rotational torsion test system 1 controls the injection conditions, including the amount of oil injected from the oil nozzle 18, the injection speed, and the oil temperature. With this configuration, the oil injection conditions can be adjusted, thereby increasing the variations in the conditions in which oil is sprayed onto the test specimen and improving the diversity of tests related to rotational torsion testing.

[0062] The embodiments described above are merely representative forms of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, it can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the core principles of the present invention. As long as such modifications still possess the configuration of the rotary torsion testing machine and rotary torsion testing system of the present invention, they are of course included within the scope of the present invention.

[0063] For example, in the embodiments described above, a rotary torsion testing machine 1a and a rotary torsion testing system 1 are provided as examples of a rotary torsion testing machine and rotary torsion testing system, in which a vehicle clutch or torque converter is used as the test specimen M1 for rotary torsion testing. However, the rotary torsion testing machine and rotary torsion testing system are not limited to these, and the specific form of the test specimen is not limited as long as it has a pair of parts elastically connected to each other so that relative movement is possible around a predetermined axis.

[0064] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, an example of an oil nozzle is shown as an oil nozzle 18 that is a variable nozzle whose spray direction can be changed by bending deformation. However, the oil nozzle is not limited to this, and may be one in which the spray direction is fixed in one direction. However, as mentioned above, by making the oil nozzle 18 a variable nozzle whose spray direction can be changed by bending deformation, the accuracy of reproducing the operation when oil is sprayed onto the test specimen can be improved.

[0065] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, as an example of a surrounding structure that encloses at least a portion of the perimeter of the test specimen, a chamber 12 is provided in which the wall portion 121 through which the shaft 131 passes is a double wall with the inter-wall space 121b set to high pressure. However, the surrounding structure is not limited to this, and the entire outer wall may be made of a single wall, etc. However, as described above, if the surrounding structure is a double wall with the wall portion 121 through which the shaft 131 passes being a double wall with the inter-wall space 121b set to high pressure, an insulating effect that suppresses the transmission of oil temperature to the load-applying section 13 can be expected, and the intrusion of oil from the shaft 131 through to the load-applying section 13 can be suppressed. Note that the wall with the inter-wall space set to high pressure is not limited to a double wall, but may be a multi-layered wall composed of multiple walls, or even a triple or higher wall. Also, even if the wall portion through which the shaft passes is a multi-layered wall, other parts of the wall other than the wall portion through which the shaft passes may also be multi-layered walls, or the entire outer wall of the surrounding structure may be a multi-layered wall.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a rotary torsion testing machine 1a is provided as an example of a rotary torsion testing machine, which is equipped with an air introduction passage 19 that sets the inter-wall space 121b of the double wall to a pressure higher than the internal ambient air pressure of the test specimen M1. However, the pressure increase in the inter-wall space of the double wall is not limited to the introduction of air, and the inter-wall space may be increased in pressure by any other method. However, as mentioned above, the pressure in the inter-wall space 121b of the double wall can be effectively increased by the introduction of air.

[0067] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, a chamber 12 is provided as an example of a surrounding structure that encloses at least a portion of the perimeter of the test specimen, in which an oil discharge passage 121c is formed between the walls of a double wall through which the shaft 131 passes. However, the surrounding structure is not limited to this, and the double wall may not have any oil discharge passage formed thereon. However, as mentioned above, forming the oil discharge passage 121c between the walls of the double wall can further enhance the effect of suppressing oil intrusion into the load application section 13.

[0068] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, a chamber 12 is exemplified as an example of a surrounding structure that encloses at least a portion of the perimeter of the test specimen, in which an external oil discharge passage 124 is formed on the lower side in the direction of gravity of the wall portion 121, which is a double wall. However, the surrounding structure is not limited to this, and may not have any oil discharge passages formed on its outer wall. However, as mentioned above, forming an external oil discharge passage 124 on the lower side in the direction of gravity of the double wall can further enhance the effect of suppressing oil intrusion into the load-applying portion 13.

[0069] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, a chamber 12 is provided as an example of a surrounding structure that encloses at least a portion of the periphery of the test specimen, by housing the test specimen M1 inside and enclosing the test specimen M1 around its entire circumference. However, the surrounding structure is not limited to this, and any structure that encloses at least a portion of the periphery of the test specimen and supports the test specimen by having the shaft of the load-applying part penetrate the outer wall may be used. For example, it may be a structure that has only a through wall made of a shaft, or a structure that has only this through wall and a receiving tray for oil from the oil nozzle. However, as described above, by providing a chamber 12 that encloses the test specimen M1 around its entire circumference by housing the test specimen M1 inside, the ambient air pressure around the test specimen M1 can be stabilized, and the oil from the oil nozzle 18 can be stored inside the chamber 12 while suppressing scattering to the surroundings.

[0070] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, an example of an oil supply unit in a rotational torsion test system is shown as an oil supply unit 1b having an oil recovery passage 15 for recovering oil stored inside the chamber 12. However, the oil supply unit is not limited to this, and it may only supply oil to the oil nozzle and not specifically recover oil from the chamber. However, as mentioned above, by providing an oil recovery passage 15 in the oil supply unit 1b, it is possible to reproduce the operation of the test specimen M1 under conditions where oil is being sprayed while suppressing the amount of oil used.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a control unit 1d is provided as an example of a control unit in a rotary torsion test system, which controls injection conditions including the amount of oil injected from the oil nozzle 18, the injection speed, and the oil temperature. However, the control unit is not limited to this, and may, for example, only control the start and stop of oil injection, with fixed conditions set for the injection conditions. However, as mentioned above, the control unit 1d that controls the injection conditions can improve the diversity of tests related to rotary torsion testing. It should be noted that the injection conditions are not limited to conditions that include all of the oil injection amount, injection speed, and oil temperature, but may include at least one of them. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1-rotation torsion testing system 1a Rotary Torsional Testing Machine 1b Oil supply unit 1c Utility 1d Control Unit 11. Stand 12 chambers 13 Load application section 14 Oil supply channels 15 Oil recovery channel 16 Power supply 17 Air source 18 Oil nozzle 19 Air intake path 121,122 wall part 121a Wall 121a-1 1st wall 121a-2 2nd wall 121b Wall space 121c Wall-to-wall oil discharge channel 123 Connection port 124 Wall-mounted oil discharge channel 124a 1st discharge channel 124b 2nd discharge path 125 Receiving tray 131 Shaft 131a Outer shaft 131b Inner shaft 132 Drive mechanism 133 Motor 134 Torque Sensor 135 Transmitter 136 Cables 171 Air supply path 191 Air outlet 192 Air Inlet D11 Rotation direction D12 Direction of oscillation D13 Direction perpendicular to axis D14 Bending direction D15 Blowing direction D16 Air outlet direction D17 Outside wall discharge direction D18 Downstream direction D19 Diversion discharge direction G1 Support fixture G11 Jig Flange G12 Jig Shaft M1 specimen M11 Circular Disc Part X11 axis

Claims

1. A periphery structure surrounds at least a portion of a test specimen having a pair of parts elastically connected to each other so as to be able to move relative to each other around a predetermined axis, A load-applying unit having a shaft that penetrates the outer wall of the surrounding structure and supports the test specimen, and which rotates the test specimen around the axis via the shaft and swings one of the pair of parts around the axis to apply a torsional load to the test specimen, An oil nozzle is installed so as to be surrounded together with the test specimen by the surrounding structure and sprays oil onto the test specimen supported by the shaft, A rotary torsion testing machine characterized by being equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The rotary torsion testing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the oil nozzle is a variable nozzle capable of changing the direction of oil injection by bending deformation.

3. The rotary torsion testing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the portion of the outer wall of the surrounding structure through which the shaft passes is composed of a plurality of walls arranged in parallel with predetermined intervals between them, and the space between the walls is set to a pressure higher than the ambient air pressure of the test specimen, forming a multi-wall structure.

4. The rotary torsion testing machine according to claim 3, further comprising an air introduction path that introduces air into the inter-wall space in the multi-wall configuration to set the inter-wall space to a pressure higher than the ambient air pressure.

5. The rotary torsion testing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the multi-walled structure has an inter-wall oil discharge passage that discharges the oil from the oil nozzle to the outside of the wall when the oil enters the space between the walls.

6. The aforementioned multi-wall is only the portion of the outer wall through which the shaft passes, The rotary torsion testing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that when the oil travels through the gap between the multi-wall and the shaft, an oil discharge passage outside the wall is formed on the outer wall on the lower side in the direction of gravity acting on the multi-wall, which discharges the oil to the outside without directing it toward the load-applying part.

7. The rotary torsion testing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the surrounding structure is a chamber that encloses the test specimen around its entire circumference by housing it inside.

8. A rotary torsion testing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, An oil supply unit having an oil supply passage connected to the oil nozzle, containing the oil and supplying the oil to the oil nozzle via the oil supply passage, A control unit that controls the operation of the rotary torsion testing machine and the oil supply unit, A rotational torsion testing system characterized by having the following features.

9. The surrounding structure is located below the test specimen and the oil nozzle in the direction of gravity and has a receiving tray portion that receives the oil sprayed from the oil nozzle. The rotational torsion test system according to claim 8, wherein the oil supply unit further has an oil recovery path for recovering the oil sprayed from the oil nozzle and received in the receiving tray, and the oil recovery path is connected to the surrounding structure in a manner that allows for the recovery of the oil from the receiving tray.

10. The rotational torsion test system according to claim 8, characterized in that the control unit controls injection conditions including at least one of the amount of oil injected from the oil nozzle, the injection speed, and the oil temperature.

Images