Ultrasonic receiving unit, ultrasonic inspection device, and detachable piece

Abstract

The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an ultrasonic receiving unit that offers excellent handling characteristics. [Solution] An ultrasonic receiving unit 10 according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a frame 20 having an opening 21 or a notch, and one or more detachable pieces 30 detachably arranged in the opening 21 or notch, the detachable piece 30 having an ultrasonic receiving element 31 and a support 32 that supports the ultrasonic receiving element 31, the ultrasonic receiving element 31 having a first surface 31a for receiving ultrasonic waves U, and the support 32 is detachably attached to the edge 21a of the opening 21 or the edge of the notch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic receiving unit, an ultrasonic inspection device, and a detachable piece.

Background Art

[0002] An ultrasonic inspection device that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject and inspects the quality of the subject is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes an ultrasonic inspection device that transmits an ultrasonic beam to a joint portion of a subject to inspect a defect in the joint portion. Patent Document 1 describes a configuration having a transmission unit that transmits an ultrasonic beam toward a joint portion of a subject and a plurality of reception units that receive the ultrasonic beam transmitted through the subject, with the reception units arranged in an array.

[0005] In a conventional ultrasonic inspection device, a plurality of reception units are usually integrally fixed to a resin support member. More specifically, the plurality of reception units are fixed to the resin molded body in a state of being embedded in the resin molded body.

[0006] However, with such a configuration, since each reception unit cannot be replaced, there are problems in terms of handling, such as requiring replacement of the support member even when only some of the reception units are defective.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide an ultrasonic receiving unit with excellent handling properties.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] (1) An ultrasonic receiving unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a frame having an opening or notch, and one or more detachable pieces detachably disposed in the opening or notch, the detachable piece having an ultrasonic receiving element and a support for supporting the ultrasonic receiving element, the ultrasonic receiving element having a first surface for receiving ultrasonic waves, and the support being detachably attached to the edge of the opening or the edge of the notch.

[0009] (2) In (1) above, the ultrasonic receiving unit is provided with a plurality of attachment pieces, and the plurality of attachment pieces are arranged with gaps between them.

[0010] (3) In (2) above, it is preferable that the plurality of attachment / detachment pieces be aligned in one direction with respect to the gap.

[0011] (4) In any of (1) to (3) above, a step is provided on the edge of the opening or the edge of the notch, and the support is fitted into the step.

[0012] (5) In any of (1) to (4) above, the frame may be conductive.

[0013] (6) In (5) above, the attachment piece may have at least one of the following: a first conductive film disposed on either the first surface of the ultrasonic receiving element or a second surface facing the first surface and electrically connected to the frame; and a second conductive film disposed on the other of the first surface and the second surface and electrically insulated from the frame.

[0014] (7) In any of (1) to (6) above, the detachable piece may have an acoustic matching layer that is placed on the first surface. Note that "placed on the first surface" includes configurations in which it is placed directly on the first surface and configurations in which it is placed indirectly with respect to the first surface, with other layers or the like in between.

[0015] (8) An ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises an ultrasonic receiving unit according to any of (1) to (7) above, and an ultrasonic transmitting unit that transmits ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic receiving element.

[0016] (9) A detachable piece according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a detachable piece used in any of the ultrasonic receiving units described in (1) to (7) above, comprising an ultrasonic receiving element and a support for the ultrasonic receiving element, wherein the ultrasonic receiving element has a first surface for receiving ultrasonic waves, and the support is detachably attached to the edge of the opening or the edge of the notch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] An ultrasonic receiving unit according to one aspect of this disclosure offers excellent ease of handling. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic front view showing the ultrasonic receiving unit in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic receiving unit shown in Figure 2, taken along line III-III. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 3, showing an ultrasonic receiving unit according to a different embodiment from the ultrasonic receiving unit in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic front view showing a modified example of the frame in the ultrasonic receiving unit of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail while referring to the drawings as appropriate. Note that each drawing is schematic and may not match the actual dimensions, ratios, etc. In the present disclosure, the descriptions of "first" and "second" are for distinguishing the components to which they are attached, and do not limit the number, order, priority, etc.

[0020] [First Embodiment] <Ultrasonic receiving unit> As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic receiving unit 10 according to an aspect of the present disclosure is provided in an ultrasonic inspection device 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 includes a frame body 20 having an opening 21 and a plurality of detachable pieces 30 detachably arranged in the opening 21. The detachable piece 30 has an ultrasonic receiving element 31 and a support body 32 that supports the ultrasonic receiving element 31. The ultrasonic receiving element 31 has a first surface 31a that receives ultrasonic waves U and a second surface 31b that faces the first surface 31a. The support body 32 is detachably attached to the edge 21a of the opening 21.

[0021] In the ultrasonic receiving unit 10, the support body 32 is detachably attached to the edge 21a of the opening 21, whereby the detachable piece 30 is detachably arranged in the opening 21. Therefore, even when a specific ultrasonic receiving element 31 becomes defective, for example, the detachable piece 30 in which the ultrasonic receiving element 31 is arranged can be removed from the frame body 20, and another detachable piece 30 can be attached to the frame body 20. Therefore, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 is excellent in handleability. Further, since the frame body 20 and the detachable piece 30 can be formed separately, the materials of the frame body 20 and the detachable piece 30 can be selected respectively. As a result, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 is easy to enhance usability.

[0022] (Frame body) The frame 20 is a substrate for fixing the ultrasonic receiving element 31 in a desired position. The frame 20 is, for example, plate-shaped. The opening 21 penetrates the frame 20 in the thickness direction. The shape and size of the opening 21 can be set based on the application of the ultrasonic receiving unit 10. The opening 21 may be, for example, rectangular or circular when viewed from the front. The opening 21 may have, for example, two sides that extend parallel to each other and face each other when viewed from the front. This shape makes it easier to attach multiple attachment pieces 30. Also, with this shape, multiple attachment pieces 30 of the same shape can be made in advance and replaced with any attachment piece 30 when necessary. Note that "rectangular" is a concept that includes a roughly rectangular shape, for example, a shape with chamfered corners or a shape with irregularities on part of any side. Also, "circular" includes, for example, a perfect circle, an ellipse, and an oblong (a shape in which the ends of two opposing sides are connected by an arc).

[0023] Examples of materials for forming the frame 20 include metal, resin, and wood. For example, if the frame 20 is made of metal, it can easily ensure strength as a substrate while also possessing the conductivity described later. As a result, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 can improve the ease of attaching and detaching the attachment piece 30 and the ease of electrical connection of the ultrasonic receiving element 31. Note that "metal" includes alloys.

[0024] The frame 20 may be conductive. Specific examples of a conductive frame 20 include a configuration in which the frame 20 is formed using a conductive material such as metal, or a configuration in which a conductive film is laminated on the surface of the frame 20. Examples of such films include sputtering films and printed films. The film may be provided on the entire surface of the frame 20, or on a part of the surface of the frame 20. When the film is provided on a part of the surface of the frame 20, it is arranged to be electrically connectable to the first conductive film 33a described later. As a result, the ultrasonic U received by the ultrasonic receiving element 31 can be easily extracted as a detection signal via the frame 20.

[0025] The edge 21a of the opening 21 is configured as a first connecting end connected to the support 32. As shown in Figure 3, a step 21b may be provided on the edge 21a of the opening 21. The specific shape of the step 21b is not particularly limited; for example, the step 21b may have one step or two or more steps. Furthermore, this step 21b may be parallel to the surface of the frame 20 or not. The frame 20 can easily hold the detachable piece 30 in a predetermined position within the opening 21 by supporting the end of the support 32 with the step 21b. Note that the step 21b may be provided around the entire circumference of the edge 21a of the opening 21, or only on the portion connected to the support 32.

[0026] (Detachable piece) The detachable piece 30 is itself an embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, the detachable piece 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a detachable piece 30 used in an ultrasonic receiving unit 10, and comprises an ultrasonic receiving element 31 and a support 32 that supports the ultrasonic receiving element 31, the ultrasonic receiving element 31 having a first surface 31a for receiving ultrasonic waves U, and the support 32 is detachably attached to the edge 21a of the opening 21.

[0027] The detachable piece 30 is detachably positioned in the opening 21. Therefore, if the ultrasonic receiving element 31 malfunctions, the detachable piece 30 can be removed from the frame 20, and another detachable piece 30 can be attached to the frame 20. Thus, the detachable piece 30 offers excellent handling. Furthermore, since the detachable piece 30 is formed separately from the frame 20, it can be made from a different material than the frame 20. As a result, the detachable piece 30 is easier to use.

[0028] The detachable piece 30 is fixed to the edge 21a of the opening 21 in a beam-like manner with both ends supported. The detachable piece 30 has one or more ultrasonic receiving elements 31, and in this embodiment, it has one ultrasonic receiving element 31. When multiple detachable pieces 30 are attached to the frame 20, the ultrasonic receiving elements 31 arranged on each detachable piece 30 may be arranged to align in one direction in the planar direction of the frame 20 (the YZ plane direction in Figure 2).

[0029] The shape of the attachment piece 30 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably straight. In this case, the ultrasonic receiving element 31 may be positioned in the middle of the attachment piece 30. The straight shape of the attachment piece 30 makes it easy and secure to attach to the frame 20. Furthermore, the straight shape of the attachment piece 30 improves the handling of the attachment piece 30 itself.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the multiple detachable pieces 30 are arranged with a gap G between them. By providing a gap G between adjacent ultrasonic receiving elements 31, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 can suppress vibration interference between adjacent ultrasonic receiving elements 31, and also suppress deformation due to heat. As a result, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 can improve the detection performance of the ultrasonic inspection device 1. In conventional ultrasonic inspection devices, multiple ultrasonic receiving elements are integrally fixed to a resin support member. Therefore, when forming a gap between multiple ultrasonic receiving elements, a gap (slit) is formed by dicing between adjacent ultrasonic receiving elements. However, with the conventional configuration, the processing accuracy is poor, making it difficult to control the shape of the gap. In contrast, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 can form a gap G between adjacent ultrasonic receiving elements 31 by arranging multiple detachable pieces 30 at desired positions within the opening 21, thereby improving the dimensional accuracy of the gap G. As a result, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 can easily improve the detection performance of the ultrasonic inspection device 1.

[0031] The gap G is elongated, with its longitudinal direction being the direction in which the attachment piece 30 extends (the Y-axis direction in Figure 2), and its short-axis direction being the direction in which the attachment pieces 30 are adjacent to each other (the Z-axis direction in Figure 2). The longitudinal length L of the gap G is approximately equal to the longitudinal length of the attachment piece 30. The short-axis length W of the gap G is uniform along the longitudinal direction of the gap G. The lower limit of the short-axis length W may be 0.05 mm or 0.1 mm, from the viewpoint of suppressing vibration interference between adjacent ultrasonic receiving elements 31.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the multiple attachment pieces 30 are aligned in one direction with a gap G in between. In other words, within the opening 21, the attachment pieces 30 and the gap G are arranged alternately in one direction. The multiple attachment pieces 30 are aligned in their shorter direction with a gap G in between. With this configuration, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 can easily and reliably provide the desired gap G between the attachment pieces 30. As a result, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 can improve ease of handling and easily enhance the detection performance of the ultrasonic inspection device 1.

[0033] (Ultrasonic receiving element) The ultrasonic receiving element 31 is fixed to the support 32. The first surface 31a of the ultrasonic receiving element 31 is positioned perpendicular to the thickness direction of the support 32. The ultrasonic receiving element 31 may penetrate the support 32 in the thickness direction. That is, the first surface 31a and the second surface 31b of the ultrasonic receiving element 31 may be exposed to opposing surfaces on the support 32.

[0034] The ultrasonic receiving element 31 is not particularly limited in its specific configuration as long as it can receive ultrasonic waves U, but it may include, for example, a piezoelectric element (a receiving piezoelectric element).

[0035] (Support) The support 32 is made of resin, for example. If the support 32 is made of resin, the ultrasonic receiving element 31 can be fixed to the support 32 by, for example, placing the ultrasonic receiving element 31 in the cavity of a mold and pouring resin around the ultrasonic receiving element 31 to fix it in place. The shape of the support 32 is designed based on the shape required for the attachment piece 30. The support 32 can be, for example, linear. The support 32 may be a plate-shaped or rod-shaped member with the direction in which the ultrasonic waves U are transmitted being in the thickness direction.

[0036] The support 32 is fitted into the step 21b of the frame 20. More specifically, the support 32 has second connecting ends at both longitudinal ends that are connected to the edge 21a of the opening 21. These second connecting ends can have a shape complementary to the first connecting ends provided on the edge 21a of the opening 21. The first connecting ends of the frame 20 and the second connecting ends of the support 32 are fixed in a fitted state with each other. The first connecting ends of the frame 20 and the second connecting ends of the support 32 may be bonded together, for example, with an adhesive.

[0037] The ultrasonic receiving unit 10 has a step 21b on the edge 21a of the opening 21, and the support 32 is fitted into the step 21b, so the attachment and detachment piece 30 to the opening 21 is easy to attach and detach, and the attachment and detachment piece 30 can be easily and securely fixed to the edge 21a of the opening 21.

[0038] (Conductive film) The detachable piece 30 has a first conductive film 33a and a second conductive film 33b that function as electrodes for the ultrasonic receiving element 31. The first conductive film 33a is positioned on the first surface 31a of the ultrasonic receiving element 31 and is electrically connected to the frame 20. The second conductive film 33b is positioned on the second surface 31b of the ultrasonic receiving element 31 and is electrically insulated from the frame 20. With this configuration, the first conductive film 33a and the second conductive film 33b can easily extract the ultrasonic U received by the ultrasonic receiving element 31 as a detection signal.

[0039] The first conductive film 33a may be, for example, a sputtered film or a printed film using a conductive paste. As shown in Figure 3, the first conductive film 33a is positioned on the first surface 31a and is also positioned on the surface of the support 32, continuous with the first surface 31a. The first conductive film 33a extends to the second connecting end of the support 32 and is electrically connected to the frame 20 via this second connecting end. That is, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 is configured such that the first conductive film 33a is electrically connected to the frame 20 by placing the detachable piece 30 on the frame 20. The first conductive film 33a and the frame 20 may be bonded together using a conductive adhesive.

[0040] As described above, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 is equipped with a plurality of detachable pieces 30. Each of the detachable pieces 30 may have a first conductive film 33a that is electrically connected to the frame 20. In this embodiment, the first conductive film 33a provided on each detachable piece 30 can be configured together with the first conductive film 33a provided on the other detachable pieces 30 as a common GND electrode (ground electrode).

[0041] The second conductive film 33b may be, for example, a sputtered film or a printed film using a conductive paste. As shown in Figure 3, the second conductive film 33b is positioned on the second surface 31b while being electrically insulated from the frame 20. The second conductive film 33b may be positioned only on the second surface 31b, or it may extend to a part of the support 32, as long as it is electrically insulated from the frame 20. In cases where the frame 20 is configured to insulate the first conductive film 33a and the second conductive film 33b, it is also possible to configure the second conductive film 33b to extend to the part that is in contact with the frame 20.

[0042] In the ultrasonic receiving unit 10, each of the attachment pieces 30 may have a second conductive film 33b that is electrically insulated from the frame 20. According to this embodiment, the second conductive film 33b provided on each attachment piece 30 can be configured as a signal electrode that extracts a detection signal independently of the second conductive film 33b provided on the other attachment pieces 30.

[0043] The ultrasonic receiving unit 10 may include a wiring board (not shown) that is electrically connected to a GND electrode and a plurality of signal electrodes. The wiring board is arranged, for example, near the frame 20. By including the wiring board, the ultrasonic receiving unit 10 can perform the necessary processing on the detection signals extracted from the signal electrodes.

[0044] <Ultrasound examination equipment> As shown in Figure 1, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 comprises an ultrasonic receiving unit 10 and an ultrasonic transmitting unit 40 that transmits ultrasonic waves U to an ultrasonic receiving element 31.

[0045] Since the ultrasound inspection device 1 is equipped with an ultrasound receiving unit 10, it offers excellent ease of use.

[0046] The ultrasonic inspection device 1 is used, for example, to inspect the quality of a subject P. The subject P is not particularly limited, but examples include a sealed container containing an item (contents). When the subject P is the sealed container, the object of inspection for quality in the subject P may be the seal portion that seals the opening for dispensing the item. This seal portion may be, for example, a heat-sealed portion that heat-welds the opening by heating and applying pressure, or an ultrasonic seal portion that welds the opening using ultrasound. The sealed container may be, for example, a pouch or other bag, a cup container, or any other container.

[0047] (Ultrasonic transmitter) The ultrasonic transmitting unit 40 transmits ultrasonic waves U to the subject P. The ultrasonic examination apparatus 1 is configured such that the ultrasonic waves U transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitting unit 40 and transmitted through the subject P are received by the ultrasonic receiving element 31. The specific configuration of the ultrasonic transmitting unit 40 is not particularly limited, but it may include, for example, a piezoelectric element (transmitting piezoelectric element). In this case, the ultrasonic transmitting unit 40 can transmit ultrasonic waves U based on the vibration of the transmitting piezoelectric element.

[0048] [Second Embodiment] <Ultrasonic receiving unit> The ultrasonic receiving unit 50 in Figure 4 comprises a frame 20 and a detachable piece 60. The detachable piece 60 has an acoustic matching layer 61 positioned on the first surface 31a. The ultrasonic receiving unit 50 can have the same configuration as the ultrasonic receiving units 10 in Figures 1 to 3, except that the detachable piece 60 has an acoustic matching layer 61. Therefore, only the acoustic matching layer 61 will be described below. Note that the detachable piece 60 in Figure 4 is itself one embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, an ultrasonic inspection apparatus equipped with the ultrasonic receiving unit 50 is one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] (acoustic matching layer) The acoustic matching layer 61 is located on the first surface 31a, and more specifically, on the first conductive film 33a. In other words, the acoustic matching layer 61 is indirectly located on the first surface 31a, with the first conductive film 33a in between.

[0050] The acoustic matching layer 61 promotes the transmission of ultrasound to the ultrasonic receiving element 31. In other words, generally, the greater the difference in acoustic impedance between materials, the greater the amount of ultrasound reflected at the interface between the materials. Therefore, the acoustic matching layer 61, by being interposed between the ultrasonic receiving element 31 and a fluid such as air or nitrogen, reduces the difference in acoustic impedance between the ultrasonic receiving element 31 and the fluid. As a result, it suppresses the reflection of ultrasound from the surface of the ultrasonic receiving element 31 and promotes the transmission of ultrasound to the ultrasonic receiving element 31.

[0051] The acoustic impedance of the acoustic matching layer 61 can be set to be approximately intermediate between the acoustic impedance of the fluid and the ultrasonic receiving element 31. For example, if the ultrasonic receiving element 31 is made of ceramics, the acoustic matching layer 61 may be a resin layer, and in particular, a foamed resin layer.

[0052] The acoustic matching layer 61 is bonded to the first surface 31a, for example, using an adhesive. The acoustic matching layer 61 may be located only on the first surface 31a, or it may extend to the surface of the support 32.

[0053] Since the detachable piece 60 of the ultrasonic receiving unit 50 has an acoustic matching layer 61, the transmission rate of ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic receiving element 31 can be improved.

[0054] [Other embodiments] The embodiments described above do not limit the configuration of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments may omit, substitute, or add components of each part of the embodiments based on the description herein and common technical knowledge, and all such additions should be interpreted as falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0055] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which a detachable piece is arranged in an opening of the frame. On the other hand, the ultrasonic receiving unit may also use a notch instead of the opening. In this case, the support is detachably attached to the edge of the notch. The shape of the notch is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the frame 70 may have a U-shaped notch 71. The notch 71 may have a shape having two sides that extend parallel to each other and face each other in a front view. In this case, the detachable piece may be fixed in a beam-like manner with both ends supported, straddling the two sides. Furthermore, a step may be provided at the edge of the notch, and the support may be fitted into this step. In this disclosure, "U-shaped" includes a square U-shape.

[0056] In this disclosure, the number of attachment pieces arranged in the opening or notch is not particularly limited. For example, the ultrasonic receiving unit may have only a single attachment piece. Furthermore, the number and arrangement of ultrasonic receiving elements in the attachment piece are not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment. For example, the attachment piece may have two or more ultrasonic receiving elements, and these ultrasonic receiving elements may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the attachment piece or along the short direction.

[0057] If the ultrasonic receiving unit has multiple attachment / detachment pieces, these pieces may be arranged without any gaps between them. Even with such a configuration, the ultrasonic receiving unit is easy to handle because the attachment / detachment pieces can be replaced individually. Furthermore, the multiple attachment / detachment pieces can be arranged according to the application of the ultrasonic receiving unit. For example, in the ultrasonic receiving unit, even if the multiple attachment / detachment pieces are arranged with gaps between them, these pieces do not have to be aligned in one direction.

[0058] In the ultrasonic receiving unit, the edge of the opening or the edge of the notch and the support may be connected by means other than a step. For example, the edge of the opening or the edge of the notch may be tapered in the thickness direction of the frame, and in this case, the second connecting end of the support may be formed in a shape complementary to the edge of the opening or the edge of the notch. Furthermore, the edge of the opening or the edge of the notch and the support may not interfere with each other structurally and may be bonded together using an adhesive or the like.

[0059] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the frame is conductive was described. On the other hand, the frame can also be made insulating. In this case, the electrical connection between the ultrasonic receiving element and other members can be made without going through the frame.

[0060] Furthermore, if the frame is conductive, a second conductive film may be disposed on the first surface of the ultrasonic receiving element, and a first conductive film may be disposed on the second surface of the ultrasonic receiving element. That is, in this disclosure, the attachment piece may also be configured to have at least one of a first conductive film disposed on either the first surface or the second surface facing the first surface of the ultrasonic receiving element and electrically connected to the frame, and a second conductive film disposed on the other of the first and second surfaces and electrically insulated from the frame.

[0061] In the above embodiment, a transmission-type ultrasound inspection apparatus was described in which ultrasound transmitted from an ultrasound transmitting unit and transmitted through a subject is received by an ultrasound receiving element. However, the ultrasound inspection apparatus is not limited to the transmission type. For example, the ultrasound inspection apparatus may be a reflection-type apparatus in which ultrasound transmitted from an ultrasound transmitting unit and reflected by a subject is received by an ultrasound receiving element. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 1. Ultrasound examination equipment 10, 50 Ultrasonic Receiving Unit 20, 70 frame 21 Aperture 21a Edge 21b Step 30, 60 Detachable pieces 31 Ultrasonic receiving element 31a First surface 31b Second side 32 Support 33a First conductive film 33b Second conductive film 40 Ultrasonic Transmitter 61 Acoustic matching layer 71 Notch G Gap L Length of the gap in the longitudinal direction P Subject U Ultrasonic W is the length of the gap in the shorter direction.

Claims

1. A frame having an opening or notch, One or more detachable pieces are detachably disposed in the opening or notch. Equipped with, The detachable piece comprises an ultrasonic receiving element and a support that supports the ultrasonic receiving element. The ultrasonic receiving element has a first surface for receiving ultrasonic waves, The support is an ultrasonic receiving unit that is detachably attached to the edge of the opening or the edge of the notch.

2. It is equipped with multiple attachment / detachment pieces, The ultrasonic receiving unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of attachment / detachment pieces are arranged with gaps between them.

3. The ultrasonic receiving unit according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of attachment / detachment pieces are aligned in one direction across the gap.

4. A step is provided at the edge of the opening or the edge of the notch. The ultrasonic receiving unit according to claim 1, wherein the support is fitted into the step.

5. The ultrasonic receiving unit according to claim 1, wherein the frame is conductive.

6. The ultrasonic receiving unit according to claim 5, wherein the detachable piece has at least one of a first conductive film disposed on either the first surface or a second surface facing the first surface of the ultrasonic receiving element and electrically connected to the frame, and a second conductive film disposed on the other of the first surface and the second surface and electrically insulated from the frame.

7. The ultrasonic receiving unit according to claim 1, wherein the detachable piece has an acoustic matching layer disposed on the first surface.

8. An ultrasonic receiving unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The ultrasonic transmitting unit transmits ultrasonic waves to the ultrasonic receiving element. An ultrasound examination device equipped with the following features.

9. A detachable piece used in an ultrasonic receiving unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, It comprises an ultrasonic receiving element and a support body that supports the ultrasonic receiving element, The ultrasonic receiving element has a first surface for receiving ultrasonic waves, The support is a detachable piece that is detachably attached to the edge of the opening or the edge of the notch.

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