Support device

Abstract

To provide a supporting device that can properly continue operations of an apparatus.SOLUTION: The technique disclosed in the present specification is embodied by a supporting device which supports the maintenance of an apparatus with a consumption part. The supporting device has at least one computer. The at least one computer performs the processing of acquiring an index showing the consumption level of a consumption part, specifying the time needed to exchange the consumption part when the index shown by the consumption level reaches a predetermined threshold value; and restricting operations of the apparatus when the remaining life of the consumption part related to the threshold value is shorter than the time needed for the exchange.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a support device that supports the maintenance of equipment having consumable parts. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a system that automatically orders consumable parts (for example, printing pins of an impact printing head in a winning / losing discriminating machine for lottery tickets, etc.) when an indicator (for example, the amount that the printing pin protrudes) indicating the wear level of the consumable parts reaches a threshold value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-086661 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The time required to replace a consumable part may change depending on the inventory status of the consumable part. For this reason, in the technology of Patent Document 1, when an event occurs in which the time required to replace a consumable part becomes longer than usual, such as a shortage of inventory, an abnormality may occur in the consumable part being used before it is replaced with a new consumable part that has been ordered. As a result, there is a risk that the operation of the device may not continue properly. This specification provides a technology that allows the device to continue to operate properly even if the time required to replace a consumable part changes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification is embodied in an assistance device that assists in the maintenance of equipment having consumable parts. The assistance device includes at least one computer. The at least one computer executes a process of acquiring an index indicating a wear level of the consumable part, a process of specifying a required period for replacing the consumable part at a time point when the index indicating the wear level reaches a predetermined threshold, and a process of restricting operation of the equipment when the remaining life of the consumable part associated with the threshold is shorter than the required period for the replacement.

[0006] The above-mentioned support device, by at least one computer, specifies the period required for replacing the consumable part at the time when the indicator indicating the wear level reaches a predetermined threshold. As a result, when the wear level of the consumable part reaches the predetermined threshold and the time to replace the consumable part approaches, the period required for replacement at that time can be specified. Furthermore, the computer restricts the operation of the equipment when the remaining life of the consumable part associated with the threshold is shorter than the period required for replacement at that time. As a result, wear of the consumable part approaching the time to replace can be suppressed. Therefore, the actual remaining life of the consumable part can be extended. In this way, the support device disclosed in this specification can continue the appropriate operation of the equipment based on the period required for replacement of the latest consumable part at the time when the wear level of the consumable part reaches the predetermined threshold.

[0007] This specification also discloses an assistance device of another embodiment. The assistance device of this embodiment assists in the maintenance of equipment having consumable parts. The assistance device includes at least one computer. The at least one computer executes a process of acquiring an index indicating a wear level of the consumable part, a process of determining whether the index indicating the wear level has reached a predetermined threshold, a process of identifying a period required for replacing the consumable part at that time before the index indicating the wear level reaches the threshold, and a process of correcting the threshold when the remaining life of the consumable part associated with the threshold is shorter than the period required for the replacement.

[0008] The above-mentioned support device uses at least one computer to identify the period required for replacing the consumable part at that time before the indicator indicating the wear level reaches a predetermined threshold. This makes it possible to identify the period required for replacement at that time before the wear level of the consumable part reaches the predetermined threshold. Furthermore, the computer corrects the threshold when the remaining life of the consumable part associated with the threshold is shorter than the period required for the latest replacement. This makes it possible to correct the threshold to a threshold corresponding to the latest required period. As a result, the remaining life of the consumable part associated with the threshold is also corrected, so that it is possible to prevent the remaining life associated with the threshold from becoming shorter than the period required for the latest replacement when the wear level reaches the predetermined corrected threshold. In this way, it is possible to continue appropriate operation of the equipment based on the period required for the latest replacement of the consumable part at the time when the wear level of the consumable part reaches the predetermined threshold.

[0009] Details and further improvements of the technology disclosed in this specification are described in the following "Forms for Carrying Out the Invention". [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 shows a block diagram of a support device 10 of a first embodiment and a hydroelectric power generation system 100 for which the support device 10 supports the maintenance. [Diagram 2] 1 shows an example of a lead time table T1 stored in the memory 14 of the support device 10. [Diagram 3] The relationship between the operating period T and the vibration intensity VL for each of the order components F1 to F4 is shown. [Figure 4] 1 shows the relationship between the operating period T and the vibration strength VL in the first order component F1. [Diagram 5] 2 shows a flow diagram of processing executed by a CPU 12 of the support device 10 of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 shows a flow diagram of processing executed by a CPU 12 of a support device 10 of a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 shows a flow diagram of processing executed by a CPU 12 of a support device 10 of a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] In one embodiment of the present technology, in the process of restricting the operation of the device, the operation of the device may be restricted to a greater extent the shorter the remaining life of the consumable part is relative to the required time for the replacement. With this configuration, for example, the operation of the device can be restricted so that the required time for replacement and the remaining life are exactly the same.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present technology, the at least one computer may execute a process of determining a required period for replacing the consumable part at a time point before the indicator indicating the wear level reaches a predetermined threshold, and a process of correcting the threshold when the remaining life of the consumable part associated with the threshold is shorter than the required period for the replacement. With this configuration, the threshold can be changed according to the required period for the replacement.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present technology, in the process of correcting the threshold value, the threshold value may be corrected to a greater extent as the remaining life of the consumable part is shorter than the required time for the replacement. With this configuration, for example, the threshold value can be corrected so that the required time for replacement and the remaining life are exactly the same.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present technology, the at least one computer may be configured to be able to communicate with an external device that manages the time required for replacing the consumable part. With this configuration, the at least one computer can, for example, obtain the latest time required for replacing the consumable part from the external device.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present technology, the indicator indicating the wear level may be the intensity of an order component corresponding to the consumable part extracted from vibration data measured by the device. However, in another embodiment, the indicator indicating the wear level may not be an indicator derived from vibration data, and may be set in various ways depending on the device. For example, if the device is an inkjet printer and the consumable part is an ink cartridge, the indicator indicating the wear level may be the remaining amount of the ink cartridge.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present technology, the consumable part may be a gear or a bearing. In this case, the order component corresponding to the consumable part may be correlated with the number of teeth of the gear or the number of rolling elements of the bearing. With this configuration, the consumable part can be identified by using the order component correlated with the number of rolling elements.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present technology, the device may have a plurality of consumable parts including a first consumable part and a second consumable part. In this case, the process of acquiring an index indicating the wear level, the process of identifying a period required for replacing the consumable part, and the process of restricting the operation of the device may be executed for each of the first consumable part and the second consumable part. Furthermore, the index indicating the wear level of the first consumable part may be the intensity of a first order component extracted from vibration data measured by the device, and the index indicating the wear level of the second consumable part may be the intensity of a second order component extracted from vibration data measured by the device. According to this configuration, when the device has a plurality of consumable parts, it is possible to identify a consumable part having a high wear level among the plurality of consumable parts by using the order component extracted from vibration data measured by the device.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present technology, the equipment may be a hydroelectric power system, although in other embodiments the equipment may be, for example, a printer.

[0019] (First embodiment) The support device of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a support device 10 and a hydroelectric power generation system 100 supported by the support device 10. The support device 10 is, for example, a notebook computer, and includes a CPU 12 and a memory 14. In a modified example, the support device 10 may be a desktop personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like. The support device 10 is a device that supports the maintenance of the hydroelectric power generation system 100.

[0020] The hydroelectric power generation system 100 includes a water turbine 4, a first generator 40, a second generator 50, a gearbox 30, and a control device 20. The hydroelectric power generation system 100 is a device that generates power by transmitting the rotation of the water turbine 4 to the generators 40, 50 via the gearbox 30.

[0021] The water turbine 4 is provided with a drive shaft 6 extending in one direction from the water turbine 4. The drive shaft 6 is a shaft fixed to the center of the water turbine 4. The water turbine 4 is disposed in the flow path 2. The flow path 2 is curved from the Y-axis direction (i.e., the left side of the paper in FIG. 1) toward the X-axis direction (i.e., the upper side of the paper in FIG. 1). As shown by the arrow D1, the water in the flow path 2 flows along the Y-axis direction into the flow path 2. Thereafter, as shown by the arrow D2, the water in the flow path 2 flows toward the water turbine 4. The water in the flow path 2 passes through the water turbine 4 along a guide vane provided on the water turbine 4 and flows in the direction of the arrow D3. As a result, the water turbine 4 rotates. This causes the drive shaft 6 of the water turbine 4 to rotate in the same manner. The drive shaft 6 is connected to a drive rotor 32 of the speed increaser 30.

[0022] The speed increaser 30 includes a case 31, a driving rotor 32, a first driven rotor 34, a second driven rotor 35, and a vibration sensor 39. The case 31 houses the rotors 32, 34, and 35. The rotors 32, 34, and 35 are bevel gears (i.e., gears). The inclined surface of the driving rotor 32 abuts against the inclined surface of the first driven rotor 34. This causes the teeth of the inclined surface of the driving rotor 32 to mesh with the teeth of the inclined surface of the first driven rotor 34. As a result, the first driven rotor 34 is perpendicular to the drive shaft 6 to which the driving rotor 32 is fixed. Similarly, the second driven rotor 35 is also perpendicular to the drive shaft 6. The rotation of the drive shaft 6 is transmitted to the first driven rotor 34 and the second driven rotor 35, which are perpendicular to the drive shaft 6, via the driving rotor 32.

[0023] Furthermore, the number of teeth of the driving rotor 32 is greater than the number of teeth of the first driven rotor 34 and the second driven rotor 35. The first driven rotor 34 and the second driven rotor 35 both have the same number of teeth. As a result, the rotation speeds of the first driven rotor 34 and the second driven rotor 35 are greater than the rotation speed of the driving rotor 32. This causes the speed increaser 30 to increase the rotation speed of the first driven rotor 34 and the second driven rotor 35.

[0024] The vibration sensor 39 detects the vibration frequency and rotation speed of the speed increaser 30. The vibration sensor 39 transmits the vibration frequency and rotation speed of the speed increaser 30 to the control device 20 as amplifier vibration data I3.

[0025] The first generator 40 includes a case 41, a first input shaft 46, a first motor 48, bearings 42 and 43, a first input gear 44, a motor gear 45, and a motor shaft 47. The case 41 houses each component of the first generator 40. The first input shaft 46 is a shaft that penetrates the case 41. The first input shaft 46 is connected to the first driven rotor 34 of the speed increaser 30 via a shaft coupling 41s. As a result, the rotation of the drive shaft 6 of the water turbine 4 is transmitted to the first input shaft 46 of the first generator 40 via the drive rotor 32 and the first driven rotor 34 of the speed increaser 30.

[0026] Bearings 42, 43 and a first input gear 44 are fixed to the first input shaft 46. The bearings 42, 43 rotatably support the first input shaft 46 in the case 41. The bearings 42, 43 are both so-called ball bearings and include a plurality of balls 42b, 43b, respectively.

[0027] The first input gear 44 is a so-called spur gear. The first input gear 44 meshes with a motor gear 45, which is also a spur gear. The motor gear 45 is fixed to a motor shaft 47. This allows the rotation of the first input shaft 46 to be transmitted to the motor shaft 47. As a result, a magnet (not shown) fixed to the motor shaft 47 rotates, and the first motor 48 generates power. In this way, the first generator 40 generates power by utilizing the rotation of the water turbine 4.

[0028] The vibration sensor 49 detects the vibration frequency and the rotation speed of the first generator 40. The vibration sensor 49 transmits the vibration frequency and the rotation speed of the first generator 40 to the control device 20 as first vibration data I4.

[0029] The second generator 50 includes a case 51, a second input shaft 56, a second motor 58, bearings 52 and 53, a second input gear 54, a motor gear 55, and a motor shaft 57. The case 51 houses each component of the second generator 50. The second input shaft 56 is a shaft that penetrates the case 51. The second input shaft 56 is connected to the second driven rotor 35 via a shaft coupling 51s. As a result, the rotation of the drive shaft 6 of the water turbine 4 is transmitted to the second input shaft 56 of the second generator 50 via the drive rotor 32 of the speed increaser 30 and the second driven rotor 35. In this way, the second generator 50 has a similar configuration to the first generator 40. The vibration sensor 59 transmits the vibration frequency and rotation speed of the second generator 50 to the control device 20 as second vibration data I5.

[0030] The control device 20 is a computer including a CPU 22 and a memory 24. The control device 20 controls the operation of each of the generators 40, 50 in accordance with a program in the memory 24. For example, in addition to a normal mode in which each of the generators 40, 50 generates a predetermined amount of power, the control device 20 can execute a power mode in which a larger amount of power is generated, a save mode in which the amount of power generated is reduced, and the like for each of the generators 40, 50. The control device 20 controls each of the generators 40, 50 based on the vibration data I3, I4, I5 received from each of the generators 40, 50 and the gearbox 30.

[0031] The management device 60 is a computer located at the vendor of the hydroelectric power generation system 100. The management device 60 receives the inventory status of each consumable part (e.g., gears, bearings) of each of the generators 40, 50 and the gearbox 30 from the manufacturer (not shown) of the consumable parts at predetermined time intervals. As a result, the management device 60 manages the latest inventory status of each consumable part. In addition to the inventory status of the consumable parts, the management device 60 manages the latest information such as the logistics status from the factory to the hydroelectric power generation system 100. In other words, the management device 60 manages the required time for replacing the consumable parts. The management device 60 is connected to the support device 10 via the Internet 8. The management device 60 can also place an order for each consumable part via the Internet 8.

[0032] The support device 10 stores a lead time table T1 in the memory 14. As shown in Fig. 2, the lead time table T1 stores a threshold value Th, a remaining life period RT, and an actual lead time LT for each consumable part in association with each other. For example, the threshold value Th1, the remaining life period RT1, and the actual lead time LT1 are stored in association with each other for the driving rotor 32. Similarly, the threshold value Th2, the remaining life period RT2, and the actual lead time LT2 are stored in association with each other for the first driven rotor 34. Although not shown in the figure, the lead time table T1 stores information such as the threshold value Th corresponding to the other consumable parts described above (i.e., the bearings 42, 43, 52, 53, the input gears 44, 54, etc.).

[0033] The threshold value Th is a threshold value of the wear level of the consumable. The wear level is a value indicating the degree of wear of the consumable part, and the higher the value, the greater the degree of wear. The support device 10 uses the threshold value to identify the wear level of the consumable part. When the wear level of a certain consumable part does not reach the threshold Th, the support device 10 determines that the wear level of the certain consumable part is low and therefore does not need to be replaced. On the other hand, when the wear level of a certain consumable part reaches the threshold Th, the support device 10 determines that the wear level of the certain consumable part is high and therefore needs to be replaced. Although details will be described later, the support device 10 of this embodiment uses the vibration intensity of the order component as an index indicating the wear level. Here, the order component indicates the number of cycles of vibration (i.e., the vibration frequency) generated during one rotation of each consumable part.

[0034] Moreover, the order components corresponding to the gears (i.e., each of the rotating bodies 32, 34, 35 and each of the gears 44, 45, 54, 55) are correlated with the number of teeth thereof. The order components corresponding to the bearings 42, 43, 52, 53 correspond to the number of balls 42b, 43b, 53b, 54b thereof. The order components corresponding to the bearings 42, 43, 52, 53 are correlated with the number of rolling bodies thereof. In this way, the support device 10 can associate the order components included in each of the vibration data I3, I4, I5 with the consumable parts by utilizing the order components correlated with the structure of the consumable parts.

[0035] The remaining life period RT indicates the period during which the consumable part is expected to function properly after the wear level of the consumable part reaches the threshold value Th. The remaining life period RT changes according to the threshold value Th. For example, when the threshold value Th is set low, the remaining life period RT becomes long. When the threshold value Th is set high, the remaining life period RT becomes short.

[0036] The actual lead time LT is determined by the inventory status of the consumable parts at a certain time, the distance from the manufacturing plant of the consumable parts to the hydroelectric power generation system 100, traffic conditions, the period required for the replacement work, the number of workers for the replacement work, and the like. In other words, the actual lead time LT indicates the period actually required to replace the consumable parts. The actual lead time LT is information that can change at that time. For example, if the inventory of the consumable parts is insufficient, the actual lead time LT becomes longer. The support device 10 receives the latest inventory status from the management device 60 via the Internet 8, and updates the actual lead time LT in the lead time table T1 using the inventory status. In this way, the support device 10 can support the maintenance of the hydroelectric power generation system 100 using the latest actual lead time LT. In a modified example, the support device 10 may store the actual lead time LT in the memory 14 in advance.

[0037] The relationship between the order component F, the vibration intensity VL, and the operation period T will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Figs. 3 and 4 are graphs obtained by carrying out various tests, such as a durability test, on each consumable part (e.g., the driving rotor 32) of the hydroelectric power generation system 100. The first order component F1 is the order component of the driving rotor 32 (see Fig. 1). The vibration intensity VL is an index indicating the intensity of vibration, such as amplitude. The operation period T is the period during which the consumable part is in operation. As shown in Fig. 3, the vibration intensity VL of the driving rotor 32 having the first order component F1 increases as the operation period T increases. Similarly, the vibration intensity VL of the other consumable parts having order components F2 to F4 also increases as the operation period T increases, although the magnitudes are different from one another. In other words, the vibration intensity VL indicates the wear level of the consumable part.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the vibration intensity VL of the driving rotor 32 gradually increases with the operation period T. The vibration intensity VL of the driving rotor 32 reaches the threshold value Th1 at the arrival time Tx. If the driving rotor 32 continues to operate thereafter, it exceeds the limit intensity Vm1 at the limit timing Tz. The limit intensity Vm1 is an intensity at which an abnormality in the operation of the driving rotor 32 is confirmed in a durability test or the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the vibration intensity VL of the driving rotor 32 reaches the limit intensity Vm1 at the limit timing Tz after the remaining life period RT has elapsed after reaching the threshold value Th1 at the arrival time Tx. In this way, the order component F, the threshold value Th, and the remaining life period RT of each consumable part of the hydroelectric power generation system 100 are correlated with each other, and their values ​​can be obtained by a durability test or the like.

[0039] The process executed by the CPU 12 of the support device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In the following, the subject executing the process will be simply described as the support device 10. When the power supply of the support device 10 is turned on during power generation of the hydroelectric power generation system 100, the process of Fig. 5 is started. Before the process of Fig. 5 is started, each generator 40, 50 of the hydroelectric power generation system 100 is performing power generation in normal mode.

[0040] The support device 10 receives each of the vibration data I3 to I5 from the control device 20 (step S1). Next, the support device 10 analyzes each of the received vibration data I3 to I5 and extracts the vibration intensity VL for each order component F (step S2). That is, the support device 10 acquires the current vibration intensity VL for each consumable part (hereinafter referred to as a target consumable part) corresponding to the extracted order component F. Furthermore, the support device 10 acquires a threshold value Th (e.g., threshold value Th1) corresponding to the target consumable part (e.g., the driving rotor 32) from a lead time table T1 (see FIG. 2) in the memory 14 (step S4).

[0041] The support device 10 compares the vibration intensity VL of the target consumable part acquired in the process of step S2 with the threshold value Th acquired in the process of step S4 (step S6). As described with reference to FIG. 4, if the vibration intensity VL of the target consumable part does not reach the threshold value Th, the wear level of the target consumable part is low. Therefore, if the vibration intensity VL of the target consumable part does not reach the threshold value Th (step S6: NO), the support device 10 executes the process of step S1 again and receives new vibration data I from the control device 20. That is, the support device 10 repeats the processes of steps S1 to S6 until the vibration intensity VL of the target consumable part reaches the threshold value Th.

[0042] When the vibration strength VL of the target consumable part reaches the threshold value Th (step S6: YES), the support device 10 identifies the actual lead time LT (e.g., actual lead time LT1) corresponding to the target consumable part from the lead time table T1 (see FIG. 2) in the memory 14 (step S8). Next, the support device 10 compares the actual lead time LT identified in the process of step S8 with the remaining life period RT (e.g., remaining life period RT1) associated with the threshold value Th acquired in the process of step S4 (step S10).

[0043] If the remaining life period RT is longer than the actual lead time LT (step S10: NO), the support device 10 transmits an order request signal requesting an order for the target consumable part to the management device 60 via the Internet 8 (step S14). The management device 60 places an order with the manufacturer of the target consumable part. This allows the target consumable part whose vibration strength VL has reached the threshold value Th (i.e., the operating period T is close to the limit timing Tz) within the actual lead time LT to be replaced with a new consumable part before the remaining life period RT has elapsed. Thereafter, the support device 10 ends the processing of FIG. 5.

[0044] On the other hand, if the remaining life period RT is shorter than the actual lead time LT (step S10: YES), the support device 10 restricts the operation of the device including the target consumable part (e.g., the gearbox 30) (step S12). For example, in step S12, the support device 10 switches each of the generators 40, 50 to a save mode. As a result, for example, the rotation speed of each of the rotating bodies 32, 34, 35 of the gearbox 30 is reduced. As a result, the remaining life period RT after the operation restriction of the target consumable part (e.g., the drive rotating body 32) becomes longer.

[0045] Furthermore, the support device 10 reduces the output power of each generator 40, 50 in step S12 as the remaining life period RT is shorter than the actual lead time LT. As a result, the support device 10 can extend the remaining life period RT of the target consumable part after the operation restriction as the remaining life period RT of the target consumable part after the operation restriction is longer than or equal to the actual lead time LT. In this way, the support device 10 of this embodiment limits the operation of the target consumable part according to the comparison result between the latest actual lead time LT and the remaining life period RT. As a result, even if the actual lead time LT changes, the hydroelectric power generation system 100 can be operated so that the remaining life period RT is longer according to the change. As a result, the support device 10 can continue the appropriate operation of the hydroelectric power generation system 100.

[0046] Thereafter, the support device 10 transmits an order request signal corresponding to the target consumable part to the management device 60 via the Internet 8 (step S14), and ends the processing in Fig. 5. This makes it possible to order a new consumable part to replace the target consumable part while extending the remaining life period RT of the target consumable part by restricting the operation.

[0047] Second embodiment Next, the process executed by the support device 10 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The support device 10 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the support device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0048] When the hydroelectric power generation system 100 is powered on while generating electricity, the support device of the second embodiment performs the processing of steps S1, S2 and S4, and then identifies the actual lead time LT corresponding to the target consumable part from the lead time table T1 (see Figure 2) in the memory 14 before comparing the vibration intensity VL with the threshold value Th (step S20).

[0049] Next, the support device 10 compares the actual lead time LT identified in the process of step S20 with the remaining life period RT associated with the threshold value Th acquired in the process of step S4 (step S22). If the remaining life period RT is shorter than the actual lead time LT (step S22: YES), the support device 10 modifies the threshold value Th corresponding to the target consumable part (step S24). Specifically, the support device 10 changes the threshold value Th corresponding to the target consumable part to a lower value. If the remaining life period RT is shorter than the actual lead time LT even before the vibration strength VL of the target consumable part reaches the threshold value Th, the target consumable part cannot be replaced before the remaining life period RT has elapsed even if an order for the target consumable part is placed after the vibration strength VL of the target consumable part reaches the threshold value Th associated with the remaining life period RT. In that case, the hydroelectric power generation system 100 cannot continue to operate appropriately.

[0050] Therefore, when the remaining life period RT is shorter than the actual lead time LT, the support device 10 of the present embodiment corrects the threshold value Th to a lower value, thereby enabling the target consumable part to be ordered earlier than a configuration in which the target consumable part is ordered after the threshold value Th before correction is reached. As a result, the hydroelectric power generation system 100 can continue to operate appropriately.

[0051] Furthermore, the shorter the remaining life period RT is relative to the actual lead time LT, the lower the threshold value Th is modified in step S12 by the support device 10. As a result, the shorter the remaining life period RT is relative to the actual lead time LT, the shorter the remaining life period RT of the target consumable part after modification becomes. As a result, the support device 10 can set the remaining life period RT of the target consumable part corresponding to the modified threshold value Th to be just right relative to the actual lead time LT.

[0052] On the other hand, if the remaining life period RT is longer than the actual lead time LT (step S22: NO), the support device 10 skips the process of step S24 and executes the process of step S26.

[0053] In the process of step S26, the support device 10 compares the vibration strength VL with the threshold value Th. Here, the threshold value Th used for comparison in the process of step S26 is either the threshold value Th acquired in the process of step S4 or the threshold value Th corrected in the process of step S24. If the vibration strength VL of the target consumable part reaches the threshold value Th (step S26: YES), the support device 10 transmits an order request signal corresponding to the target consumable part to the management device 60 via the Internet 8 (step S28). Thereafter, the support device 10 ends the process of FIG. 6.

[0054] If the vibration strength VL of the target consumable part has not reached the threshold value Th (step S26: NO), the support device 10 executes the process of step S1 again to receive new vibration data I. That is, the support device 10 repeats the processes of steps S1 to S26 until the vibration strength VL of the target consumable part reaches the threshold value Th.

[0055] Third embodiment The process executed by the support device 10 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The support device 10 of the third embodiment has a similar configuration to the support device 10 of the first and second embodiments. The support device of the third embodiment executes the processes from step S1 to step S26 in the same manner as the support device 10 of the second embodiment, and then further compares the actual lead time LT identified in the process of step S20 with the remaining life period RT associated with the threshold value Th (step S30). Here, as the threshold value Th for calculating the remaining life period RT in the process of step S30, either the threshold value Th acquired in the process of step S4 or the threshold value Th corrected in the process of step S24 is used.

[0056] If the remaining life period RT is longer than the actual lead time LT (step S30: NO), the support device 10 transmits an order request signal corresponding to the target consumable part to the management device 60 via the Internet 8 (step S34), and ends the processing of FIG.

[0057] On the other hand, if the remaining life period RT is shorter than the actual lead time LT (step S30: YES), the support device 10 sets each of the generators 40, 50 to a save mode (step S32). This makes it possible to extend the remaining life period RT after the operation restriction of the target consumable part. Thereafter, the support device 10 transmits an order request signal corresponding to the target consumable part to the management device 60 via the Internet 8 (step S34), and ends the processing of FIG. 7.

[0058] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

[0059] (Modification 1) In the process of step S12, the support device 10 of the first embodiment may not reduce the output power of each of the generators 40, 50 as the remaining life period RT is shorter than the actual lead time LT. In this case, when the remaining life period RT is shorter than the actual lead time LT, the support device 10 may set each of the generators 40, 50 to a predetermined save mode regardless of the difference between the remaining life period RT and the actual lead time LT. In a further modification, the support device 10 may stop the operation of each of the generators 40, 50 when the remaining life period RT is shorter than the actual lead time LT. This stops the operation of each of the generators 40, 50 before an abnormality occurs in each of the generators 40, 50, thereby suppressing breakdowns of each of the generators 40, 50.

[0060] (Modification 2) In the process of step S24, the support device 10 of the second embodiment may not necessarily set the threshold value Th smaller as the remaining life period RT is shorter than the actual lead time LT. In this case, when the remaining life period RT is shorter than the actual lead time LT, the support device 10 may correct the threshold value Th to a predetermined threshold value Th regardless of the difference between the remaining life period RT and the actual lead time LT.

[0061] (Modification 3) The support device 10, like the management device 60, may be disposed at the vendor of the hydroelectric power generation system 100.

[0062] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings have technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 2: Flow path 4: Waterwheel 6: Drive shaft 8: Internet 10: Support equipment 12, 22: CPU 14, 24: Memory 20: Control device 30: Gearbox 32: Drive rotor 34: First driven rotor 35: Second driven rotor 39, 49: Vibration sensor 40: First generator 41s: Shaft coupling 42, 43: Bearings 42b, 43b: Ball 44: 1st input gear 45: Motor gear 46: First input shaft 47: Motor shaft 48: First motor 60: Management device 100: Hydroelectric power generation system LT: Actual lead time RT: remaining life expectancy

Claims

1. A support device that supports maintenance of a device having a consumable part, At least one computer, the at least one computer comprising: obtaining an index indicative of a wear level of the consumable part; a process of identifying a period of time required for replacing the consumable part at a time when the indicator indicating the wear level reaches a predetermined threshold; a process of restricting operation of the device when a remaining life of the consumable part associated with the threshold value is shorter than a required period for replacement; determining a time period required for replacing the consumable part at that time before the indicator indicating the wear level reaches a predetermined threshold; a process of correcting the threshold value when a remaining life period of the consumable part associated with the threshold value is shorter than a required period for the replacement; Execute Support equipment.

2. The support device according to claim 1 , wherein in the process of restricting the operation of the device, the operation of the device is restricted to a greater extent the shorter the remaining life of the consumable part is compared with the period required for the replacement.

3. 3 . The support device according to claim 1 , wherein in the process of correcting the threshold value, the threshold value is corrected to a greater extent as the remaining life of the consumable part is shorter than the required period for the replacement.

4. The support device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one computer is configured to be capable of communicating with an external device that manages a required period for replacing the consumable part.

5. The support device according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator indicating the wear level is a strength of an order component corresponding to the consumable part, extracted from vibration data measured by the equipment.

6. The consumable part is a gear or a bearing, The support device according to claim 5 , wherein the order component corresponding to the consumable part correlates with the number of teeth of the gear or the number of rolling elements of the bearing.

7. the device has a plurality of consumable parts, including a first consumable part and a second consumable part; the process of acquiring an index indicating a wear level, the process of identifying a period required for replacing the consumable part, and the process of restricting an operation of the device are executed for each of the first consumable part and the second consumable part; the index indicating a wear level of the first consumable part is an intensity of a first order component extracted from vibration data measured by the device; 7. The support device according to claim 5, wherein the index indicating the wear level of the second consumable part is a strength of a second order component extracted from vibration data measured by the equipment.

8. The support device according to claim 1 , wherein the equipment is a hydroelectric power generation system.

9. A support device that supports maintenance of a device having a consumable part, At least one computer, the at least one computer comprising: obtaining an index indicative of a wear level of the consumable part; determining whether the indicator of the wear level has reached a predetermined threshold; determining a time period required for replacing the consumable part at that time before the indicator indicating the wear level reaches the threshold; and executing a process of correcting the threshold value when a remaining life period of the consumable part associated with the threshold value is shorter than a period required for the replacement. Support equipment.

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