Fastening structure and wind turbine

Abstract

To allow for highly accurately assessing the state of a fastening target.SOLUTION: A bolt-type sensor device 30 is provided, comprising a threaded tip portion 32, a bolt head portion 31 thicker than a threaded portion 32A, an intermediate shaft portion 33 thinner than the threaded portion 32A, located between the tip portion 32 and the bolt head portion 31, and a physical change detection unit 40 provided on the intermediate shaft portion 33 to detect physical change of the intermediate shaft portion 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bolt-type sensor device, a bolt body, a wind turbine drive device, a wind turbine, and a fastening structure. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a bolt capable of detecting a decrease in fastening force is known. In this type of bolt, a detection unit such as a strain gauge for detecting a decrease in fastening force is provided inside the bolt. By utilizing the output from the detection unit and monitoring, for example, a significant decrease in axial force, it is possible to detect unacceptable loosening of the bolt. Patent Document 1 aims to prevent a decrease in bolt strength due to the installation of a detection unit in order to achieve the original purpose of the bolt.

[0003] On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, it has been confirmed that the condition of an object fastened by a bolt can be evaluated by measuring the change in the load applied to the bolt as a physical change in the bolt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-215272 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-211497 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, after extensive research, the inventors of the present invention have confirmed that the amount of change in load that needs to be detected to prevent future damage or destruction of the fastened object is very small compared to the load applied to the bolt by proper fastening. On the other hand, the conventional bolt disclosed in Patent Document 1 has high strength as a fastening means, and a large physical change is unlikely to occur in the conventional bolt with a detection part. Therefore, the conventional bolt with a detection part cannot detect with high sensitivity a slight change in load that needs to be detected to prevent future damage or destruction of the fastened object.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has an object to provide a sensor device capable of evaluating the state of an object to be fastened with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention comprises: A tip portion provided with a threaded portion; A bolt head that is thicker than the threaded portion, an intermediate shaft portion located between the tip portion and the bolt head and thinner than the threaded portion; and a physical change detection unit provided on the intermediate shaft portion and detecting a physical change in the intermediate shaft portion.

[0008] In the bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention, the intermediate shaft portion may include a base end widening portion at an end portion on the bolt head side, the base end widening portion gradually becoming thicker as it approaches the bolt head.

[0009] In the bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention, a hole may be provided that passes through the bolt head and opens into the base-end side widened portion.

[0010] In the bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention, a hole is provided through the bolt head, The hole may be open within a region overlapping with the tip portion when projected in the axial direction.

[0011] In the bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention, the intermediate shaft portion may include, at an end portion on the tip side, a tip-side widened portion that gradually becomes thicker as it approaches the tip portion.

[0012] In the bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention, the intermediate shaft portion includes a plurality of mounting surfaces provided as flat surfaces parallel to the axial direction at the same positions in the axial direction, The plurality of mounting surfaces are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to a central axis line, The physical change detection unit may be provided on each of the plurality of placement surfaces.

[0013] In the bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention, the intermediate shaft portion includes a pair of mounting surfaces that are provided as flat surfaces parallel to an axial direction and face each other in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, The physical change detection unit may be provided on each of the plurality of placement surfaces.

[0014] In the bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention, the physical change detection portion may be provided closer to the bolt head than the axial center of the intermediate shaft portion.

[0015] In the bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention, the physical change detection portion may be provided closer to the tip portion than a center of the intermediate shaft portion in the axial direction.

[0016] In the bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention, the physical change detection portion may include a plurality of physical change detection portions arranged in a circumferential direction.

[0017] In the bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention, the physical change detection portion may include a plurality of physical change detection portions aligned in the axial direction.

[0018] In the bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention, the amplifier circuit board may be located within a region overlapping with the bolt head when projected in the axial direction.

[0019] In the bolt-type sensor device according to the present invention, the length LX (mm) of the threaded portion and the maximum cross-sectional area AC (mm 2 ), the minimum cross-sectional area AA (mm 2 ) and the maximum width D (mm) of the threaded portion may satisfy the following relationship: 0.15×AC≦AA≦0.80×AC 1.5×D≦LX

[0020] The driving device for a wind turbine according to the present invention comprises: a drive unit body that is installed on one structure of a movable portion of the wind turbine and has a meshing portion that meshes with a ring gear that is installed on the other structure of the movable portion of the wind turbine; The present invention further includes any one of the above-mentioned bolt-type sensor devices according to the present invention for fixing the drive unit body to the one structure, the bolt-type sensor device being used as a bolt for fixing the drive unit body to the one structure.

[0021] A wind turbine according to the present invention comprises any of the above-mentioned wind turbine driving devices according to the present invention.

[0022] The fastening structure according to the present invention comprises: Any of the above-mentioned bolt-type sensor devices according to the present invention; a first member having a through hole through which the bolt-type sensor device passes; and a second member having a screw hole that engages with the tip of the bolt-type sensor.

[0023] In the fastening structure according to the present invention, the physical change detection unit may be located within a through hole of the first member. Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, the condition of an object to be fastened can be evaluated with high accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wind turbine, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the wind turbine shown in FIG. 1, showing the moving parts between the tower and the nacelle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the wind turbine drive device in the movable part shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the wind turbine driving device shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mounting portion of the wind turbine driving device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a bolt body included in the bolt-type sensor device. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 5, and is a cross-sectional view for explaining a fastening structure including a bolt-type sensor device. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7A, showing the fastening structure including the bolt-type sensor device from a different direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 and showing a bolt body included in one modified example of the bolt-type sensor device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIGS. 7A and 7B, showing a fastening structure including the bolt-type sensor device of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, showing a fastening structure including another modified example of the bolt-type sensor device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, showing a fastening structure including yet another modified example of the bolt-type sensor device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings accompanying this specification, the scale and aspect ratios have been appropriately changed and exaggerated from those of the actual objects for the convenience of illustration and understanding.

[0027] The bolt-type sensor device described below is used as a sensor device capable of evaluating the state of a fastening object with high accuracy. The bolt-type sensor device has a bolt body having a bolt shape and a physical change unit that detects a physical change in the bolt body. The bolt-type sensor device according to this embodiment is designed to detect slight state changes in the bolt body as physical changes in the bolt body with high sensitivity. Then, by detecting the physical change in the bolt body, it becomes possible to evaluate the magnitude of the force applied to the fastening structure and the deformation of the fastening structure with high accuracy. Below, one embodiment will be described based on an example in which the bolt-type sensor device is applied to a wind turbine, particularly a wind turbine drive device. However, the bolt-type sensor device according to this embodiment is not limited to this example, and can be applied to various fastening structures.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the wind turbine 101 has a tower 102, a nacelle 103, a rotor 104 which is a main shaft, blades 105 which are blades, and the like. The tower 102 is installed so as to extend vertically upward from the ground. The nacelle 103 is installed so as to be rotatable with respect to the upper part of the tower 102. The rotation of the nacelle 103 with respect to the tower 102 is a rotation centered on the longitudinal direction of the tower 102, which is a so-called yaw rotation. The rotation of the nacelle 103 is usually a rotation centered on a rotation axis which is parallel to the vertical direction. A power transmission shaft, a generator, and the like are arranged inside the nacelle 103. The rotor 104 is connected to the power transmission shaft and is rotatable with respect to the nacelle 103. A plurality of blades 105 (three in the example shown in FIG. 1) are provided. The blades 105 extend from the rotor 104 in a radial direction centered on the rotation axis of the rotor 104 with respect to the nacelle 103. The blades 105 are spaced apart at equal angles from one another. Each blade 105 is rotatable in the pitch direction, i.e., rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the rotor 104. That is, the connection points of the blades 105 to the rotor 104 are movable parts.

[0029] The wind turbine driving device is used as a yaw driving device that performs yaw driving to rotate the nacelle 103 relative to the tower 102. The wind turbine driving device is also used as a pitch driving device that performs pitch driving to rotate the shafts of the blades 105 relative to the rotor 104. A bolt-type sensor device 30, which will be described later, is used as at least a part of the multiple bolts B that fix the pitch driving device to the rotor 104. Below, the wind turbine driving device and the configuration for fixing the wind turbine driving device will be described in detail with reference to the wind turbine driving device used as a yaw driving device.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a wind turbine showing an enlarged view of a portion where a nacelle 103 is installed rotatably relative to a tower 102. Note that FIG. 2 illustrates the wind turbine driving device 10 as an external view rather than a cross-sectional view. The nacelle 103 is installed at its bottom 103a rotatably relative to the upper part of the tower 102 via a bearing 106. A ring gear 107 having internal teeth formed on its inner circumference is fixed to the upper part of the tower 102. However, the teeth of the ring gear 107 are not limited to those provided on the inner circumference, and may be provided on the outer circumference. In the drawing, the internal teeth of the ring gear 107 are not shown.

[0031] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a plurality of wind turbine driving devices 10 are installed in a nacelle 103. The wind turbine driving devices 10 have meshing portions 24a that mesh with internal teeth of a ring gear 107. By driving the wind turbine driving devices 10, the nacelle 103, which is one of the movable parts of the wind turbine 101, can be rotated relative to the tower 102, which is the other movable part of the wind turbine 101. As shown in Fig. 3, the ring gear 107 is formed in a circumferential shape and has a central axis CM. The nacelle 103 rotates around the central axis CM of the ring gear 107. In the illustrated example, the central axis CM of the ring gear 107 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tower 102.

[0032] In the illustrated wind turbine 101, as shown in Fig. 3, a pair of wind turbine drive device units 5 are provided. The pair of wind turbine drive device units 5 are arranged to be rotationally symmetrical about the central axis CM of the ring gear 107. Each wind turbine drive device unit 5 includes three wind turbine drive devices 10. A total of six drive device bodies 20 included in the pair of wind turbine drive device units 5 are provided along a circumference CLA (see Fig. 3) centered on the central axis CM of the ring gear 107. The three wind turbine drive devices 10 included in each wind turbine drive device unit 5 are sequentially arranged at regular intervals along the circumference CLA.

[0033] The wind turbine driving device 10 has a driving device main body 20 and a bolt-type sensor device 30. The driving device main body 20 is fixed to a nacelle 103 by using a bolt B. The bolt-type sensor device 30 is used in place of a normal bolt B for fixing the driving device main body 20 to the nacelle 103. That is, the bolt-type sensor device 30 can be used to fasten the driving device main body 20 to the nacelle 103. The bolt-type sensor device 30 has a bolt main body 30A and a physical change detection unit 40. The bolt main body 30A fastens the driving device main body 20 to the nacelle 103 in the same manner as a normal bolt. The physical change detection unit 40 can detect slight state changes of the driving device main body 20, which is the object to be fastened, as physical changes of the bolt main body 30A with high sensitivity. That is, the physical changes of the bolt main body 30A can be measured based on the detection result of the physical change detection unit 40. Then, by monitoring the physical changes of the bolt main body 30A, it becomes possible to quickly and accurately detect an abnormal state of the driving device main body 20. Hereinafter, each component of the wind turbine driving device 10 will be described in order.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the drive device body 20 has an output shaft 24 having a meshing portion 24a that meshes with the ring gear 107, a case 21 that rotatably holds the output shaft 24, and an electric motor 23 fixed to the case 21. The drive device body 20 further has a connecting portion 25 that connects the electric motor 23 and the output shaft 24. The connecting portion 25 is housed in the case 21. As an example, the connecting portion 25 reduces the speed of the input from the electric motor 23 and transmits it to the output shaft 24. As the connecting portion 25 that constitutes such a speed reducer, an eccentric oscillating gear type or planetary gear type reduction mechanism, or a reduction mechanism that combines the eccentric oscillating gear type and the planetary gear type can be used.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the end of the output shaft 24 that is away from the connecting portion 25 is located outside the case 21. A meshing portion 24a is formed on the portion of the output shaft 24 that extends from the case 21. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the meshing portion 24a of the output shaft 24 extends into a through hole 103b formed in the bottom portion 103a of the nacelle 103 and meshes with the ring gear 107. The meshing portion 24a is formed in a shape corresponding to the ring gear 107. As an example, the meshing portion 24a forms a pinion gear having external teeth that mesh with internal teeth of the ring gear 107. The wind turbine driving device 10 has a longitudinal axis parallel to the rotation axis CR of the output shaft 24. The rotation axis CR of the wind turbine driving device 10 is parallel to the central axis CM of the ring gear 107.

[0036] Next, the case 21 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the case 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 5, the case 21 is arranged so that its longitudinal axis is located on the rotation axis CR. The case 21 has both ends along the rotation axis CR open. The meshing portion 24a of the output shaft 24 is exposed from the opening of the case 21 on the tower 102 side. The electric motor 23 is attached to the opening of the case 21 on the opposite side to the tower 102. The case 21 also has a flange 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the flange 22 is formed in an annular shape and extends along a circumference CLB centered on the rotation axis CR of the output shaft 24. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the flange 22 has a through hole 22a. A large number of the through holes 22a are formed on a circumference centered on the rotation axis CR of the output shaft 24. In the illustrated example, twelve through holes 22a are formed at equal intervals along the circumference CLB. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the through hole 22a extends parallel to the rotation axis CR of the output shaft 24.

[0037] Next, the bolt type sensor device 30 for fixing the drive device main body 20 having the above-mentioned configuration to the nacelle 103 will be described with reference mainly to Figs. 6 to 7B. The bolt type sensor device 30 also functions as a fastener, and constitutes a fastening structure FS together with a first member M1 provided with a through hole through which the bolt type sensor device 30 passes and a second member M2 provided with a screw hole that engages with the tip portion 32 of the bolt type sensor device 30. In the illustrated example, the drive device main body 20 forms the first member M1, and the through hole 22a provided in the flange 22 of the drive device main body 20 forms the through hole of the first member M1. The nacelle 103 forms the second member M2, and the screw hole 103c provided in the nacelle 103 forms the screw hole of the second member M2.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 6 to 7B, the bolt-type sensor device 30 has a bolt body 30A including a bolt head 31, a tip portion 32, and an intermediate shaft portion 33. The tip portion 32 has a threaded portion 32A having a male screw. The intermediate shaft portion 33 is located between the bolt head 31 and the tip portion 32. As shown in Figs. 7A and 7B, the bolt head 31, the intermediate shaft portion 33, and the tip portion 32 are arranged in this order along the central axis CA of the bolt-type sensor device 30. The central axis CA of the bolt-type sensor device 30 is parallel to the direction in which the bolt-type sensor device 30 moves relative to the first member M1 and the second member M2 when tightening by rotation. The central axis CA of the bolt-type sensor device 30 is parallel to the rotation axis CR of the output shaft 24. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the central axis CA of the bolt-type sensor device 30 is referred to as the axial direction DA. The directions perpendicular to the axial direction DA and perpendicular to each other are referred to as the first direction DB1 and the second direction DB2, respectively. Furthermore, a direction along a circumference or an arc centered on the central axis CA is referred to as a circumferential direction DC. Each of the components of the bolt body 30A will be described below.

[0039] In order to clarify the directional relationship between the drawings, in some drawings, the axial direction DA, the first direction DB1, and the second direction DB2 are shown as directions common to the drawings. The tip side of the arrow is one side of each direction. Also, an arrow pointing from the paper surface toward the viewer along a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the drawing is shown by a symbol with a dot in a circle, as shown in FIG. 7A, for example. On the other hand, an arrow pointing from the paper surface toward the viewer along a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the drawing is shown by a symbol with an X in a circle, as shown in FIG. 7B, for example.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the bolt head 31 is wider than the intermediate shaft portion 33 and the tip portion 32. That is, the width of the bolt head 31 in any direction perpendicular to the axial direction DA is wider than the width of the intermediate shaft portion 33 and the tip portion 32 in the direction. That is, the bolt head 31 has a larger diameter than the intermediate shaft portion 33 and the tip portion 32. In other words, when projected in the axial direction DA, the intermediate shaft portion 33 and the tip portion 32 are located only in the area overlapping with the bolt head 31. The maximum width of the bolt head 31 is larger than the inner diameter of the through hole 22a of the flange 22. Therefore, the bolt head 31 cannot pass through the through hole 22a of the flange 22, and the lower surface of the bolt head 31 contacts the upper surface of the flange 22 during fastening.

[0041] As described above, the tip portion 32 has the threaded portion 32A. As shown in Figs. 7A and 7B, the threaded portion 32A has a male screw that engages with a threaded hole 103c provided in the nacelle 103. In the illustrated example, the tip portion 32 further has a shaft-shaped portion 32B that connects to the threaded portion 32A from the bolt head 31 side. The shaft-shaped portion 32B is formed in a cylindrical shape. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the threaded portion 32A is located on the side of the bolt-type sensor device 30 that is farthest from the bolt head 31. The shaft-shaped portion 32B is connected to the intermediate shaft portion 33 from the side opposite to the side connected to the threaded portion 32A.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 7B, the intermediate shaft portion 33 is a substantially cylindrical portion extending along the axial direction DA. As already described, the intermediate shaft portion 33 is located between the bolt head 31 and the tip portion 32. The intermediate shaft portion 33 is narrower than the bolt head 31 and the tip portion 32. That is, the width of the intermediate shaft portion 33 in any direction perpendicular to the axial direction DA is narrower than the width of the bolt head 31 and the tip portion 32 in the direction. That is, the intermediate shaft portion 33 has a smaller diameter than the bolt head 31 and the tip portion 32. In other words, when projected in the axial direction DA, the intermediate shaft portion 33 is located only in the area overlapping with the bolt head 31 and the tip portion 32. The maximum width of the intermediate shaft portion 33 is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 22a of the flange 22. Therefore, the intermediate shaft portion 33 can pass through the through hole 22a of the flange 22.

[0043] In the illustrated example, the intermediate shaft portion 33 has a base end widened portion 33A, a shaft body portion 33B, and a tip end widened portion 33C. In particular, the illustrated intermediate shaft portion 33 is composed only of the base end widened portion 33A, the shaft body portion 33B, and the tip end widened portion 33C. The base end widened portion 33A, the shaft body portion 33B, and the tip end widened portion 33C are arranged in this order from the bolt head 31 side to the tip end portion 32 side in the axial direction DA. Therefore, the base end widened portion 33A is adjacent to the bolt head 31. The tip end widened portion 33C is adjacent to the tip end portion 32.

[0044] The width of the base end widened portion 33A in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DA gradually increases as it approaches the bolt head 31 in the axial direction DA. Therefore, the base end widened portion 33A has a maximum width in the region connected to the bolt head 31 and a minimum width in the region farthest from the bolt head 31 in the axial direction DA. As shown in Figs. 7A and 7B, a through hole 31a penetrating the bolt head 31 opens in the base end widened portion 33A. The base end widened portion 33A has a circular shape in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction DA except for the portion where the through hole 31a is provided. The width of the tip end widened portion 33C in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DA gradually increases as it approaches the tip portion 32 in the axial direction DA. Therefore, the tip end widened portion 33C has a maximum width in the region connected to the tip portion 32 and a minimum width in the region farthest from the tip portion 32 in the axial direction DA. The tip side widened portion 33C has a circular shape in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction DA.

[0045] The shaft body 33B is formed in a generally cylindrical shape. However, the illustrated shaft body 33B has a mounting surface 33BB formed as a cutout or recess in the cylindrical side surface of the cylinder. As can be seen from FIG. 7B, the mounting surface 33BB is a flat surface parallel to the axial direction DA. In the illustrated example, a perpendicular line to the mounting surface 33BB is perpendicular to the central axis CA of the bolt body 30A. That is, the mounting surface 33BB is a flat surface perpendicular to the radial direction centered on the central axis CA.

[0046] From the viewpoint of detecting physical changes in the bolt body 30A with high sensitivity, the shaft body 33B preferably includes a plurality of mounting surfaces 33BB at the same position in the axial direction DA. The plurality of mounting surfaces 33BB are preferably located at the same position in the axial direction DA. Furthermore, the plurality of mounting surfaces 33BB are preferably located at symmetrical positions with respect to the central axis CA. The shaft body 33B shown in Figs. 6 to 7B includes a pair of mounting surfaces 33BB facing a first direction DB1 perpendicular to the axial direction DA. As shown in Fig. 7B, the pair of mounting surfaces 33BB are located at the same position in the axial direction DA. The width of the shaft body 33B along the second direction DB2, which is the normal direction of the mounting surfaces 33BB, is smallest in the region in the axial direction DA where the mounting surfaces 33BB are provided. The mounting surfaces 33BB are provided on the tip end 32 side of the center 33X in the axial direction DA of the shaft body 33B.

[0047] The bolt body 30A penetrates the through hole 22a of the flange 22, and the threaded portion 32A of the tip portion 32 engages with the threaded hole 103c provided in the nacelle 103, thereby being fixed to the nacelle 103. At this time, the lower surface of the bolt head 31 contacts the upper surface of the flange 22. As a result, the flange 22 is sandwiched between the nacelle 103 and the bolt head 31 and compressed, and the drive unit body 20 having the flange 22 can be fixed to the nacelle 103. In this way, the bolt body 30A functions as a bolt B that fastens the drive unit body 20. At this time, the intermediate shaft portion 33 is located in the through hole 22a of the flange 22, and receives a tensile force along the axial direction DA generated by fastening. That is, in the fastened state of the bolt-type sensor device 30, the intermediate shaft portion 33 of the bolt-type sensor device 30 is located in the hole of the first member M1 in the fastening structure FS, and receives a load.

[0048] In the bolt body 30A having the above configuration, the bolt head 31, the tip portion 32 and the intermediate shaft portion 33 are integrally formed from steel or the like. The reduced diameter intermediate shaft portion 33 and the mounting surface 33BB as a missing portion or recessed portion may be formed by cutting or may be molded by casting.

[0049] Next, a description will be given of the physical change detection unit 40. In the bolt-type sensor device 30, the physical change detection unit 40 is provided on the intermediate shaft portion 33 of the bolt main body 30A. The physical change detection unit 40 detects physical changes that occur in the intermediate shaft portion 33 of the bolt main body 30A.

[0050] The physical change detection unit 40 is not particularly limited and may be configured by various means for detecting physical changes. Furthermore, the physical changes detected by the physical change detection unit 40 are not particularly limited and examples thereof include tensile deformation, compressive deformation, bending deformation, torsional deformation, and shear deformation. The physical change detection unit 40 that detects the physical changes occurring in the bolt main body 30A is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the physical change to be detected. For example, examples of the physical change detection unit 40 include a position sensor, an ultrasonic range finder, a capacitance range finder, an optical range sensor, and a displacement sensor.

[0051] In the illustrated example, the physical change detection unit 40 has a strain sensor provided on the intermediate shaft portion 33. The strain sensor can obtain information about the strain of the area in which the strain sensor is arranged, for example, by changing an electrical resistance value in accordance with the deformation of the area. In the illustrated example, the strain sensor constituting the physical change detection unit 40 is provided on the shaft main body portion 33B of the intermediate shaft portion 33. As shown in FIG. 7B in particular, the illustrated physical change detection unit 40 has a pair of strain sensors provided on a pair of mounting surfaces 33BB, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7A, each mounting surface 33BB has a rectangular shape corresponding to the physical change detection unit 40. Note that the physical change detection unit 40 is omitted from FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, which will be referred to later.

[0052] Furthermore, the bolt-type sensor device 30 has an amplifier circuit board 35 electrically connected to the physical change detection unit 40. In the illustrated example, the amplifier circuit board 35 is provided on the bolt head 31. More precisely, the amplifier circuit board 35 is provided on the surface of the bolt head 31 opposite to the intermediate shaft portion 33. When projected in the axial direction DA, the amplifier circuit board 35 is located inside the area overlapping with the bolt head 31. That is, the amplifier circuit board 35 does not include a portion protruding from the bolt head 31 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA of the bolt-type sensor device 30. According to such an arrangement of the amplifier circuit board 35, it is possible to effectively prevent the amplifier circuit board 35 from coming into contact with the outside. This makes it possible to effectively prevent damage to the bolt-type sensor device 30.

[0053] In the illustrated example, the bolt head 31 has a cylindrical portion on the opposite side to the intermediate shaft portion 32 in the axial direction DA. This cylindrical portion can be produced, for example, by cutting the head of a normal bolt. As shown in Figs. 7A and 7B, an amplifier circuit board 35 is provided on this cylindrical portion. Also, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 7A, a casing 37 may be provided on the surface of the bolt head 31 opposite to the intermediate shaft portion 33. The casing 37 functions as a cover that covers the amplifier circuit board 35 and protects the amplifier circuit board 35.

[0054] The amplifier circuit board 35 is electrically connected to the physical change detection unit 40 via the wiring 36. That is, the wiring 36 electrically connects the amplifier circuit board 35 and the physical change detection unit 40. The amplifier circuit board 35 has an amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit of the amplifier circuit board 35 amplifies an electric signal related to a physical change in the bolt body 30A acquired by the physical change detection unit 40. The amplifier circuit board 35 is electrically connected to the control device 110 by wire or wirelessly. That is, an electric signal related to a measurement result output from the physical change detection unit 40 is amplified by the amplifier circuit board 35 and then transmitted to the control device 110. The control device 110 can grasp the deformation of the bolt body 30A by monitoring the electric signal output from the physical change detection unit 40. The control device 110 controls the components of the wind turbine 101, such as the drive device main body 20, based on the measurement result by the physical change detection unit 40.

[0055] As described above, the bolt head 31 has a through hole 31a formed therein, and this through hole 31a opens into the base end side widened portion 33A. The wiring 36 passes through this through hole 31a and extends to the amplifier circuit board 35.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the physical change detection unit 40 is located in the through hole 22a provided in the flange 22 of the drive device main body 20 (first member M1). In other words, the physical change detection unit 40 is not located in the screw hole 103c provided in the nacelle 103 (second member M2). That is, the physical change detection unit 40 is provided in an area of ​​the bolt type sensor device 30 that is not fixed to the nacelle 103 (second member M2). Therefore, it can be said that the physical change detection unit 40 is provided not in a part of the bolt type sensor device 30 where deformation is restricted, but in a part of the bolt type sensor device 30 where deformation is permitted, more preferably in a part of the bolt type sensor device 30 where deformation is likely to occur. Furthermore, in the fastening structure FS, the inner diameter of the through hole of the first member M1 through which the bolt type sensor device 30 penetrates is larger than the inner diameter of the screw hole of the second member M2 with which the bolt type sensor device 30 engages. Therefore, by positioning the physical change detection unit 40 inside the through hole 22a of the first member M1, it is possible to effectively prevent the physical change detection unit 40 from coming into contact with the fastening structure FS.

[0057] Next, the operation of the wind turbine driving device 10 configured as above will be described.

[0058] In the wind turbine 101 configured as described above, when rotating movable parts such as the nacelle 103 and the blades 105, the multiple wind turbine driving devices 10 included in the wind turbine driving device unit 5 are operated in synchronization. This allows the nacelle 103 and the blades 105, which are heavy objects, to rotate relative to the tower 102 and the rotor 104, respectively. Each wind turbine driving device 10 operates based on a control signal from the control device 110.

[0059] Incidentally, in the movable parts of the wind turbine 101, a failure may occur only in some of the wind turbine driving devices 10 included in the wind turbine driving device unit 5, and the wind turbine driving devices 10 may be fixed in a stopped state. Furthermore, the detection of such an abnormality may be delayed, and the control device 110 may send a drive signal to the wind turbine driving devices 10 included in the wind turbine driving device unit 5. At this time, the meshing portion 24a of the failed wind turbine driving device 10 meshes with the ring gear 107, restricting the operation of the movable parts. Therefore, when the meshing portion 24a of another normal wind turbine driving device 10 included in the wind turbine driving device unit 5 operates, a large stress is generated between the meshing portion 24a of the wind turbine driving device 10 and the ring gear 107. If the abnormal state of the wind turbine driving device 10 is not detected promptly, the wind turbine driving device 10 or the ring gear 107 may be damaged. If the wind turbine driving device 10 is damaged, the wind turbine can be restarted by replacing the wind turbine driving device 10. On the other hand, if the ring gear 107 or the periphery of the ring gear 107 of the tower 102 is damaged, large-scale repair work will be required, and the operation of the wind turbine will be suspended for a long period of time, resulting in huge losses.

[0060] As a result of intensive research aimed at avoiding such defects, it was confirmed that the state of the fastened object fastened by the bolt can be evaluated by measuring the change in the load applied to the bolt as a physical change in the bolt. In the wind turbine driving device 10, the abnormal state of the fastened object can be detected by monitoring the physical change in the bolt used in the fastening structure. However, as a result of further intensive research by the present inventors, it was confirmed that the amount of change in the load that should be detected to prevent future damage or destruction of the fastened object is very small compared with the axial load applied to the bolt by appropriate fastening, i.e., the magnitude of the axial force during tightening. Therefore, in a conventional bolt that needs to maintain its strength as a fastening member, it was difficult to detect a slight change in the load applied to the bolt that occurs when an abnormality occurs in the fastened object, even if a physical change detection unit is provided inside the bolt.

[0061] In this regard, the wind turbine driving device 10 according to the present embodiment has the above-mentioned bolt-type sensor device 30 instead of at least a part of the normal bolt B that fixes the driving device main body 20 to the nacelle 103. The bolt-type sensor device 30 has a physical change detection unit 40 that is provided on the intermediate shaft portion 33 of the bolt main body 30A and detects a physical change in the intermediate shaft portion 33. The intermediate shaft portion 33 is located between the bolt head 31 and the tip portion 32 in the axial direction DA, and is thinner than the bolt head 31 and the tip portion 32. Therefore, when the bolt main body 30A of the bolt-type sensor device 30 receives an external force such as a tensile force, a compressive force, or a bending force due to some abnormality occurring in the wind turbine driving device main body 20, a larger physical change occurs in the intermediate shaft portion 33 compared to the bolt head 31 and the tip portion 32. In other words, even if the external force applied to the bolt-type sensor device 30 due to the occurrence of an abnormal state in the wind turbine driving device main body 20 is small, a larger physical change is likely to occur in the intermediate shaft portion 33. Therefore, the physical change detection unit 40 can measure with high accuracy a slight external force applied due to an initial abnormality in the wind turbine driving device main body 20 as a deformation of the intermediate shaft portion 33. Therefore, not only can damage that has actually occurred in the driving device main body 20 be detected quickly and accurately, but also the state of the wind turbine driving device 10 can be quantitatively evaluated and initial abnormalities that may lead to future damage can be detected with high sensitivity. This makes it possible to effectively avoid a situation in which the operation of the wind turbine has to be stopped unexpectedly. Furthermore, not only can large-scale repairs and long-term operation stoppages of the wind turbine 101 due to damage to the ring gear 107 be effectively avoided, but also the life span of the wind turbine driving device main body 20, the wind turbine driving device 10, the wind turbine driving device unit 5, and the wind turbine 101 can be extended by performing maintenance at an appropriate time.

[0062] As already explained, the bolt-type sensor device 30 is not limited to application to the wind turbine driving device 10, but can be applied to various driving devices. Furthermore, the bolt-type sensor device 30 is used to form a fastening structure FS together with a first member M1 provided with a through hole 22a through which the bolt-type sensor device 30 passes and a second member M2 provided with a screw hole 103c that engages with a tip portion 32 of the bolt-type sensor device 30. In the fastening structure FS to which the bolt-type sensor device 30 is applied, as in the specific example applied to the wind turbine 101, the deformation of the bolt-type sensor device 30 is monitored to evaluate the magnitude of the external force applied to the first member M1 and the second member M2 and the deformation of the first member M1 and the second member M2, and the like, and thus an abnormality in the fastening structure FS can be detected with high sensitivity.

[0063] The bolt body 30A is preferably configured to satisfy the following formulas (1) and (2). 0.15×AC ≦ AA ≦ 0.80×AC Equation (1) 1.5×D ≦ LX Formula (2) In formulas (1) and (2), LX is the length (mm) of the threaded portion along the axial direction DA, D is the maximum width of the threaded portion 32A of the tip portion 32 along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DA, and AC is the maximum cross-sectional area (mm 2 ), and AA is the minimum cross-sectional area (mm 2 ).

[0064] The maximum cross-sectional area AC (mm 2) is determined by the radius R (mm) on the thread of the threaded portion 32A, i.e., the maximum radius of the threaded portion, and is specified by R x R x π (pi). Here, "π" is the circular constant. In the example shown in Figs. 6 to 7B, the minimum cross-sectional area AA (mm) in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction DA of the intermediate shaft portion 33 is the cross-sectional area in a cross section passing through a pair of opposing mounting surfaces 33BB. In the example shown in Figs. 6 to 7B, the maximum width D (mm) along the direction perpendicular to the axial direction DA of the threaded portion 32A of the tip portion 32 is the diameter on the thread of the threaded portion 32A.

[0065] When the bolt body 30A satisfies both formula (1) and formula (2), the threaded portion 32A of the bolt body 30A can be stably fixed to the screw hole 103c, and a physical change in the intermediate shaft portion 33 can be promoted. That is, when the state of the fastening object changes, a physical change is likely to occur in the intermediate shaft portion 33. Therefore, when the state of the fastening object changes slightly due to deterioration over time or the load of an external force, a large physical change may occur in the intermediate shaft portion 33 in response to this change. This physical change in the intermediate shaft portion 33 can be detected by the physical change detection unit 40 provided in the intermediate shaft portion 33. As a result, the change in the state of the fastening object caused by deterioration over time or the load of an external force can be monitored based on the detection result by the physical change detection unit 40.

[0066] Additionally, in the illustrated example, the bolt-type sensor device 30 includes a base-end widened portion 33A at the end of the intermediate shaft portion 33 on the bolt head 31 side, which gradually becomes thicker as it approaches the bolt head 31. According to this example, it is possible to effectively avoid stress concentration at the connection between the intermediate shaft portion 33 and the bolt head 31. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent damage or breakage of the bolt-type sensor device 30. Furthermore, physical changes are more likely to occur in the portions of the intermediate shaft portion 33 other than the base-end widened portion 33A, and the physical change detection unit 40 provided in this portion can detect physical changes in the intermediate shaft portion 33 with good sensitivity.

[0067] In the illustrated specific example, the bolt-type sensor device 30 is provided with a through hole 31a penetrating the bolt head 31 that opens into the base-end widened portion 33A. According to this specific example, the through hole 31a penetrating the bolt head 31 can be used as a path for the wiring 36 electrically connected to the physical change detection unit 40 provided on the intermediate shaft portion 33. Furthermore, the through hole 31a opens into the base-end widened portion 33A of the intermediate shaft portion 33. That is, the opening of the through hole 31a is not provided on the lower surface of the bolt head 31 that is pressed against the flange 22, which is the object to be fastened. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the wiring 36 passing through the through hole 31a from being pinched between the bolt head 31 and the object to be fastened and being broken.

[0068] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the intermediate shaft portion 33 of the bolt-type sensor device 30 includes, at the end on the tip end 32 side, a tip-side widened portion 33C that gradually becomes thicker as it approaches the tip end 32. According to such an example, it is also possible to effectively avoid stress concentration at the connection portion between the intermediate shaft portion 33 and the bolt head 31. Therefore, damage and breakage of the bolt-type sensor device 30 can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, physical changes are more likely to occur in portions of the intermediate shaft portion 33 other than the tip-side widened portion 33C, and physical change detection portion 40 provided in this portion can detect physical changes in the intermediate shaft portion 33 with good sensitivity.

[0069] Furthermore, in the illustrated specific example, the intermediate shaft portion 33 includes a plurality of mounting surfaces 33BB provided as flat surfaces parallel to the axial direction DA at the same position in the axial direction DA. The plurality of mounting surfaces 33BB are arranged symmetrically around the central axis CA. A physical change detection unit 40 is provided on each of the plurality of mounting surfaces 33BB. Since the mounting surfaces 33BB on which the physical change detection units 40 are respectively arranged are arranged symmetrically, a large physical change occurring in the intermediate shaft portion 33 can be detected by the physical change detection unit 40 arranged on any of the mounting surfaces 33BB. In addition, since the mounting surface 33BB is flat, not only the tensile force and compressive force applied to the bolt main body 30A but also the bending force can be detected. Furthermore, since the mounting surface 33BB is flat, the physical change detection unit 40 can be easily installed.

[0070] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the intermediate shaft portion 33 includes a pair of mounting surfaces 33BB that are provided as flat surfaces parallel to the axial direction DA and face each other in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction DA. A physical change detection unit 40 is provided on each of the multiple mounting surfaces 33BB. According to this example, physical changes caused by tensile force, compressive force, bending force, etc. applied to the bolt-type sensor device 30 can be detected with high sensitivity by the physical change detection unit 40. In addition, since the mounting surface 33BB is flat, the physical change detection unit 40 can be easily installed.

[0071] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the width of the intermediate shaft portion 33 along the normal direction of the mounting surface 33BB is smallest in the region where the mounting surface 33BB is provided in the axial direction DA. According to this example, physical changes are likely to occur in the region of the intermediate shaft portion 33 where the mounting surface 33BB is provided. The physical change detection unit 40 provided on this mounting surface 33BB can detect physical changes in the intermediate shaft portion 33.

[0072] Furthermore, in the illustrated specific example, the physical change detection unit 40 of the bolt-type sensor device 30 is provided on the tip portion 32 side of the center 33X in the axial direction DA of the intermediate shaft portion 33. In such a specific example, the threaded portion 32A meshes with a threaded hole 103c of the nacelle 103 that constitutes the second member M2 of the fastening structure FS, and is fixed to the second member M2. Therefore, according to such a specific example, the physical change detection unit 40 is disposed in a portion of the intermediate shaft portion 33 that is prone to bending deformation. This allows the physical change detection unit 40 to sensitively detect deformation due to bending deformation of the bolt-type sensor device 30.

[0073] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, bolt-type sensor device 30 includes amplifier circuit board 35 electrically connected to physical change detection unit 40 on the opposite side to intermediate shaft portion 33 of bolt head 31. According to this example, it is possible to shorten the length of wiring 36 connecting amplifier circuit boards 35 that form amplifier circuits in the vicinity of physical change detection unit 40. This allows the electrical signal output from physical change detection unit 40 to be amplified by the amplifier circuit with a low amount of noise, and the amount of deformation of bolt-type sensor device 30 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0074] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, amplifier circuit board 35 is located inside a region overlapping with bolt head 31 when projected in axial direction DA of bolt-type sensor device 30. According to such an example, amplifier circuit board 35 forming the amplifier circuit can be effectively prevented from contacting the outside.

[0075] In the embodiment described above, the bolt-type sensor device 30 has a tip portion 32 provided with a threaded portion 32A, a bolt head 31 that is thicker than the threaded portion 32A, and an intermediate shaft portion 33 located between the tip portion 32 and the bolt head 31. The intermediate shaft portion 33 is thinner than the threaded portion 32A. Therefore, physical changes are more likely to occur in this intermediate shaft portion 33 than in the bolt head 31 and the tip portion 32. In particular, since the intermediate shaft portion 33 is more likely to cause physical changes than the tip portion 32 provided with the threaded portion 32A, it is more likely to cause physical changes due to external forces compared to the shaft portion of a normal bolt. Therefore, when the state of the object to be fastened changes slightly due to aging or the load of an external force, a large physical change can occur in the intermediate shaft portion 33 in response to this change. The physical change in this intermediate shaft portion 33 is detected by a physical change detection unit 40 provided on the intermediate shaft portion 33. This makes it possible to monitor changes in the state of the fastened object due to deterioration over time or the load of an external force based on the detection results from the physical change detection unit 40. This also makes it possible to estimate the lifespan of the fastened object and detect loosening of bolts.

[0076] As in the above-mentioned specific example, by replacing at least one of the many bolts for fastening the wind turbine driving device 10 with the bolt-type sensor device 30, the state of the wind turbine driving device 10 can be quantitatively evaluated. This makes it possible not only to detect a sudden failure, but also to predict the time of a future failure that may occur as the usage time progresses. Therefore, the bolt-type sensor device 30 makes it possible to effectively avoid damage to the wind turbine driving device 10 and the ring gear 107. Note that, for example, by replacing only some of the many bolts for fastening the wind turbine driving device 10 with the bolt-type sensor device 30, the state of the wind turbine driving device 10 can be quantitatively evaluated while firmly fixing the wind turbine driving device 10 to the fastening object.

[0077] In the embodiment described above, the fastening structure FS includes the bolt-type sensor device 30 according to the embodiment, a first member M1 (drive device main body 20) having a through hole 22a through which the bolt-type sensor device 30 passes, and a second member M2 (nacelle 103) having a screw hole 103c that engages with the tip 32 of the bolt-type sensor device 30. In a specific example of the embodiment described above, the physical change detection unit 40 is located in the through hole 22a of the first member M1. According to this specific example, by detecting the physical deformation of the bolt-type sensor device 30, it is possible to highly accurately evaluate the magnitude of the external force applied to the first member M1 and the second member M2 fastened by the bolt-type sensor device 30 and the state of the fastened first member M1 and the second member M2. In addition, since the inner diameter of the through hole 22a is usually larger than the inner diameter of the screw hole, it is possible to effectively prevent the physical change detection unit 40 from coming into contact with the first member M1 in the through hole 22a. This effectively prevents damage to the physical change detection unit 40, and enables the amount of deformation of the bolt-type sensor device 30 to be detected stably.

[0078] Although one embodiment has been described with reference to a specific example, the above-mentioned specific example is not intended to limit the embodiment. The above-mentioned embodiment can be implemented with various other specific examples, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, additions, etc. can be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiment.

[0079] An example of the modification will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description and the drawings used in the following description, parts that can be configured similarly to the above-mentioned specific example will be designated by the same reference numerals as those used for the corresponding parts in the above-mentioned specific example, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0080] In the specific example shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, a pair of mounting surfaces 33BB facing each other in the second direction DB2 is provided, and a physical change detection unit 40 is provided on each mounting surface 33BB, but this is not limited to this example. Only one mounting surface 33BB may be provided, or three or more mounting surfaces 33BB may be provided. In the specific example shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the multiple mounting surfaces 33BB are provided only at positions that are the same as each other in the axial direction DA, but this is not limited to this example, and the mounting surfaces 33BB may be provided at multiple positions in the axial direction DA. Furthermore, in the specific example shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the mounting surface 33BB is provided on the bolt head 31 side of the center 33X in the axial direction DA of the intermediate shaft portion 33, but this is not limited to this example, and the mounting surface 33BB may be provided on the tip portion 32 side of the center 33X.

[0081] In the example shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the intermediate shaft portion 33 has a plurality of mounting surfaces 33BB. Each mounting surface 33BB is a flat surface parallel to the axial direction DA. Each mounting surface 33BB is perpendicular to the radial direction centered on the central axis CA. One physical change detection unit 40 is provided on each mounting surface 33BB. Some of the mounting surfaces 33BB are provided in the base end side region A1 of the intermediate shaft portion 33, which is closer to the bolt head 31 than the center 33X in the axial direction DA. The rest of the mounting surfaces 33BB are provided in the tip end side region A2 of the intermediate shaft portion 33, which is closer to the tip portion 32 than the center 33X in the axial direction DA. The mounting surfaces 33BB provided in the base end side region A1 are located at the same position in the axial direction DA. The mounting surfaces 33BB provided in the base end side region A1 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A pair of mounting surfaces 33BB facing the first direction DB1 and a pair of mounting surfaces 33BB facing the second direction DB2 are provided in the base end region A1. Similarly, the multiple mounting surfaces 33BB provided in the tip end region A2 are located at the same position in the axial direction DA. The multiple mounting surfaces 33BB provided in the tip end region A2 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A pair of mounting surfaces 33BB facing the first direction DB1 and a pair of mounting surfaces 33BB facing the second direction DB2 are provided in the tip end region A2. As a result, two mounting surfaces 33BB are provided on the intermediate shaft portion 33 side by side in the axial direction DA.

[0082] 8 and 9, the physical change detection units 40 are provided spaced apart in the axial direction DA on the intermediate shaft portion 33. According to this specific example, the magnitude of the force applied to the bolt-type sensor device 30 can be evaluated with high accuracy by any of the physical change detection units 40 disposed in a dispersed manner in the axial direction DA. Therefore, a large physical change occurring in the intermediate shaft portion 33 can be detected by the physical change detection unit 40 provided on any of the mounting surfaces 33BB.

[0083] In the example shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the physical change detection unit 40 is provided in the base end side region A1 of the intermediate shaft portion 33 located on the bolt head 31 side of the center 33X in the axial direction DA, so that the length of the wiring 36 extending from the physical change detection unit 40 to the amplifier circuit board 35 can be shortened. When the transmission path of the wiring 36 becomes longer, the electrical signal output from the physical change detection unit 40 includes a larger amount of noise. Therefore, the electrical signal output from the physical change detection unit 40 provided in the base end side region A1 can be amplified by the amplifier circuit with a small amount of noise. Furthermore, the screw portion 32A is engaged with the screw hole 103c of the nacelle 103 constituting the second member M2 of the fastening structure FS, and is fixed to the second member M2. Therefore, bending deformation is less likely to occur in the base end side region A1 of the intermediate shaft portion 33. This allows the physical change detection section 40 provided in the base end region A1 to detect physical changes other than bending deformation of the bolt-type sensor device 30, such as tensile deformation, with good sensitivity.

[0084] On the other hand, as already explained, the physical change detection unit 40 provided in the base end region A1 of the intermediate shaft portion 33, which is located closer to the tip portion 32 than the center 33X in the axial direction DA, can evaluate the magnitude of the bending force applied to the bolt-type sensor device 30 with high accuracy.

[0085] When multiple physical change detection units 40 are provided, it is also possible to infer how a load is being applied to the bolt-type sensor device 30 based on the detection results of the multiple physical change detection units 40. That is, when multiple physical change detection units 40 are provided at the same position in the axial direction DA and distributed in the circumferential direction DC, it is possible to identify the direction of the bending force applied to the bolt main body 30A. Similarly, when multiple physical change detection units 40 are provided spaced apart in the axial direction DA, it is possible to identify what type of force, such as bending force, tensile force, or shear force, is being applied to the bolt main body 30A.

[0086] 6 to 7B, the bolt-type sensor device 30 may include only one physical change detection unit 40. In this example, a pair of mounting surfaces 33BB may be provided, and one of the mounting surfaces 33BB may be provided with the physical change detection unit 40. As another example, only one mounting surface 33BB may be provided, and the physical change detection unit 40 may be provided on this mounting surface 33BB.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned specific example, the physical change detection unit 40 is provided on the flat mounting surface 33BB parallel to the axial direction DA, but this is not limiting. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the physical change detection unit 40 is provided on a cylindrical surface. In the example shown in Fig. 10, eight physical change detection units 40 are provided on a cylindrical surface located on the bolt head 31 side of the center 33X in the axial direction DA, and eight physical change detection units 40 are provided on a cylindrical surface located on the tip end 32 side of the center 33X in the axial direction DA.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned example, an example was described in which the intermediate shaft portion 33 has the base end widened portion 33A and the tip end widened portion 33C together with the shaft body portion 33B. However, this is not limited to this example, and one or both of the base end widened portion 33A and the tip end widened portion 33C may be omitted. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the base end widened portion 33A is omitted.

[0089] In the above-mentioned example, the through hole 31a provided in the bolt head 31 opens in the base end widened portion 33A, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As an example, in the example of FIG. 11 in which the base end widened portion 33A is omitted, the through hole 31a opens in the lower surface of the bolt head 31. However, as shown in FIG. 11, it is preferable that the through hole 31a opens in a region overlapping with the tip portion 32 when projected in the axial direction DA. Such an arrangement of the openings can effectively prevent the wiring 36 that passes through the through hole 31a and electrically connects to the physical change detection unit 40 from being pinched between the bolt head 31 and the object to be fastened and being broken. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 5 Wind turbine drive unit 10 Wind turbine drive unit 20 Drive unit body 21 cases 22 Flange 22a Through hole 23 Electric motor 24a Engagement part 24 Output shaft 25 Connecting part 30 Volt type sensor device 30A Bolt Body 31 Bolt head 31a Through hole 32 Tip 32A Threaded Part 32B Shaft part 33 Intermediate shaft 33A Base end widening section 33B Shaft body part 33BB Placement surface 33C Tip side widening section 33X center 35 Amplifier circuit board 36 Wiring 37 Casing 40 Physical change detection unit 101 Windmill 102 Tower 103 Nacelle 103a bottom 103b Through hole 103c screw hole 104 Rotor 105 Blade 106 Bearings 107 Ring gear 110 Control device FS fastening structure M1 First member M2 2nd member DC circumferential direction DA Axial Direction DB1 1st direction DB2 2nd direction CA center axis CLA Circumference CLB circumference CM central axis CR rotation axis A1 base end side region A2 tip end side region

Claims

1. a bolt-type sensor device including: a tip portion provided with a threaded portion; a bolt head portion having a larger diameter than the threaded portion; an intermediate shaft portion located between the tip portion and the bolt head portion and having a smaller diameter than the threaded portion; and a physical change detection portion provided on the intermediate shaft portion and detecting a physical change in the intermediate shaft portion; a first member having a through hole through which the bolt-type sensor device passes; a second member having a screw hole that engages with the tip end of the bolt-type sensor device; A hole is provided through the bolt head, the intermediate shaft portion includes a base end side widening portion at an end portion on the bolt head side, the base end side widening portion gradually becoming thicker as it approaches the bolt head, The hole opens into the base end widening portion, the first member is a drive device body of a wind turbine drive device, the second member is one structural member of a movable part of the wind turbine, A fastening structure, wherein the intermediate shaft portion is positioned within the through hole of the first member over its entire axial length.

2. The fastening structure according to claim 1 , wherein the hole is open in a region overlapping with the tip portion when projected in the axial direction.

3. 3. The fastening structure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate shaft portion includes a tip-side widening portion at an end portion on the tip-side side, the tip-side widening portion gradually becoming thicker as it approaches the tip.

4. the intermediate shaft portion includes a plurality of mounting surfaces provided as flat surfaces parallel to the axial direction at the same positions in the axial direction, The plurality of mounting surfaces are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to a central axis line, The fastening structure according to claim 1 , wherein the physical change detection unit is provided on each of the plurality of mounting surfaces.

5. The intermediate shaft portion includes a pair of mounting surfaces that are provided as flat surfaces parallel to an axial direction and face each other in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, The fastening structure according to claim 1 , wherein the physical change detection unit is provided on each of the pair of mounting surfaces.

6. The fastening structure according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a width of the intermediate shaft portion along a normal direction of the mounting surface is minimum in an axial region where the mounting surface is provided.

7. The fastening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the physical change detection portion is provided closer to the bolt head than the axial center of the intermediate shaft portion.

8. The fastening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the physical change detection portion is provided closer to the tip portion than to a center of the intermediate shaft portion in the axial direction.

9. The fastening structure according to claim 1 , wherein the physical change detection portion includes a plurality of physical change detection portions arranged in an axial direction.

10. The fastening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an amplifier circuit board electrically connected to the physical change detection unit on the opposite side of the bolt head from the intermediate shaft portion.

11. The fastening structure according to claim 10 , wherein, in an axial projection, the amplifier circuit board is located within a region overlapping with the bolt head.

12. The length LX (mm) of the threaded portion, the maximum cross-sectional area AC (mm ２ ), the minimum cross-sectional area AA (mm ２ 12. The fastening structure according to claim 1, wherein the threaded portion has a maximum width D (mm) and a maximum width D (mm) of the threaded portion satisfy the following relationship. 0.15×AC ≦ AA ≦ 0.80×AC 1.5 x D ≦ LX

13. The drive unit body has a meshing portion that is attached to the second member and meshes with a ring gear that is attached to another structure in the movable part of the wind turbine, The fastening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the bolt-type sensor device is used as a bolt for fixing the drive unit body to the second member.

14. A wind turbine comprising the fastening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The fastening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the physical change detection unit is located within a through hole of the first member.

Images