Test equipment

Abstract

To suppress contact between an X-ray CT device and a holding device and a test piece.SOLUTION: Provided is a test device comprising: a holding device that has a first end for holding a test piece having a liquid in the inside and a second end that is opposite the first end, and has the degree of inclination in the horizontal direction changed as the relative height positions of the first and second ends change; and an X-ray CT device that includes a body unit which is provided with an opening in which the test piece is inserted and which captures an image of the test piece, and a support unit that supports the body unit, the body unit capable of pivoting with respect to the support unit so that the direction that the opening faces changes. When the holding device holds the test piece while inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the body unit of the X-ray CT device pivots with respect to the support unit so that the direction in which the opening faces is aligned with the inclination direction of the holding device. The holding device and / or the X-ray CT device slidingly moves so that the test piece moves in the inside of the opening in a direction in which the opening faces.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , ,

[0005] , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a test apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An X-ray CT apparatus is known as an apparatus for observing the inside of a test object. For example, an X-ray CT apparatus is known in which a gantry body having an opening into which a patient is inserted is slidable in the vertical direction in order to photograph a patient in a standing position (for example, Patent Document 1). Further, a test apparatus capable of changing the posture of a transmission is known in order to inspect the lubrication characteristics of the transmission in a state where the transmission receives acceleration due to acceleration or deceleration or turning of a vehicle (for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to a test apparatus comprising: a holding device having a first end for holding a test object having liquid inside and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the degree of inclination with respect to the horizontal direction changes as the relative height position of the first end and the second end changes; an X-ray CT apparatus having a main body for photographing the test object and an opening into which the test object is inserted, and a support part for supporting the main body, wherein the main body is rotatable relative to the support part so as to change the direction in which the opening faces, wherein when the holding device holds the test object in an inclined state with respect to the horizontal direction, the main body of the X-ray CT apparatus rotates relative to the support part so as to the direction in which the opening faces, and at least one of the holding device and the X-ray CT apparatus slides so as to move the test object within the opening in the direction in which the opening faces.

[0007] In the above configuration, the holding device can be configured to slide horizontally when in a horizontal state and to slide in the inclined direction when in an inclined state relative to the horizontal.

[0008] In the above configuration, the main body of the X-ray CT apparatus rotates around the first axis, thereby changing the direction in which the opening faces, and the holding device rotates around the second axis at the first end, thereby changing the degree of inclination with respect to the horizontal direction. The holding device and the main body can be configured to rotate simultaneously around the first axis or the second axis with the first axis and the second axis overlapping, such that the direction in which the opening faces and the inclination direction of the holding device match.

[0009] In the above configuration, the X-ray CT apparatus may be configured to include a drive unit for driving the object under test, and to image the object under test being driven by the drive unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, contact between the X-ray inspection device, the holding device, and the object under test can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the test apparatus according to Example 1. [Figure 2] Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing the X-ray CT apparatus in Example 1. [Figure 3] Figures 3(a) to 3(d) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the holding device and the X-ray CT apparatus in Example 1. [Figure 4] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the holding device and the X-ray CT device in the comparative example. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the test apparatus according to Example 2. [Figure 6] Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the X-ray CT apparatus and holding device in Example 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Examples]

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the test apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 1, the test apparatus 100 comprises a holding device 10 for holding the object to be tested 40, an X-ray CT device 20 for imaging the inside of the object to be tested 40, and a control unit 30.

[0014] Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing the X-ray CT apparatus 20 in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the X-ray CT apparatus 20 comprises a main body 21 having an opening 23 and a support part 22 that supports the main body 21. In this embodiment and the embodiments described later, as shown in Figure 2(a), the rotation axis of the X-ray CT apparatus 20 in the non-tilted state is defined as the Z-axis direction, the axis perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and horizontal to the floor surface is defined as the X-axis direction, and the axis perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and perpendicular to the floor surface is defined as the Y-axis direction. When the object to be tested 40 is inserted into the opening 23, the inside of the object to be tested 40 is photographed by X-rays. The main body 21 is rotatable relative to the support part 22. When the main body 21 rotates relative to the support part 22, the direction in which the opening 23 faces changes. Figure 2(a) illustrates the case where the opening 23 is oriented horizontally, while Figure 2(b) illustrates the case where the opening 23 is oriented vertically downward from the horizontal direction.

[0015] The main body 21 includes a fixed frame, a rotating frame that rotates relative to the fixed frame, bearings that rotatably support the rotating frame, an X-ray tube supported by the rotating frame, an X-ray high-voltage device that supplies high voltage to the X-ray tube, a detector that detects X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube and transmitted through the test object 40, and a data acquisition device that collects the electrical signals detected by the detector as digital data (projection data). The support section 22 includes a base stand placed on the floor, a pair of upright frames extending vertically from the base stand, and a support arm that is rotatably connected to each of the pair of upright frames and fixed to the main body 21. The tilting motion of the main body 21 is achieved by the rotation of the support arm relative to the upright frame by the rotation drive device 24 shown in Figure 1.

[0016] The X-ray CT apparatus 20 includes, for example, outside the main body 21 and the support 22, a reconstruction processing unit that reconstructs a cross-sectional image (slice image or tomographic image) of the subject 40 using the data collected by the data collection device of the main body 21, and an output unit that outputs the reconstructed image to a display unit. With the subject 40 placed inside the aperture 23, the X-ray CT apparatus 20 performs a CT scan. In the CT scan, while rotating the rotating part, X-rays are irradiated by an X-ray tube and detected by a detector, and a group of projection data is collected by the data collection device. The group of projection data is sent to the reconstruction processing unit, and an X-ray CT image is reconstructed from the group of projection data by the reconstruction processing unit. By outputting this X-ray CT image by the output unit and displaying it on the display unit, the internal structure of the subject 40 can be visualized. For example, when the subject 40 is a transmission, by repeatedly performing such a CT scan, it is possible to inspect the lubrication characteristics of the transmission in a state where it is subjected to acceleration due to vehicle acceleration and deceleration and turning.

[0017] The rotation drive device 24 generates power to rotate the main body 21 in accordance with control from the drive control circuit 50. The rotation of the main body 21 is controlled by the control unit 30. The rotation drive device 24 is realized by a motor such as a servo motor, for example, and is housed inside the main body 21, for example.

[0018] FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d) are cross-sectional views showing the operations of the holding device 10 and the X-ray CT apparatus 20 in Example 1. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the holding device 10 holds the subject 40 at the end 11. The subject 40 is, for example, a transmission and has lubricating oil 41 that can flow inside. The subject 40 is driven by receiving power generated by the subject drive device 13 shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with control from the drive control circuit 50. The drive of the subject 40 is controlled by the control unit 30.

[0019] A rail-shaped member 60 is provided along the holding device 10. The holding device 10 has wheels (not shown) that fit into the rail-shaped member 60 and is slidable along the rail-shaped member 60. The holding device 10 slides on the rail-shaped member 60 by receiving power generated by the front and rear drive device 15 shown in FIG. 1 according to the control from the drive control circuit 50. When in a horizontal state, the holding device 10 slides horizontally on the rail-shaped member 60. By sliding on the rail-shaped member 60 as indicated by the arrow 17, the holding device 10 advances to a position where the end 11 is located on the axis 26 of the rotation center of the main body 21 of the X-ray CT apparatus 20. The horizontal sliding movement of the holding device 10 is controlled by the control unit 30.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the holding device 10 is connected to a member 61 that extends in the vertical direction and is tiltable so as to be vertically movable. By receiving the power generated by the tilt drive device 14 shown in FIG. 1 according to the control from the drive control circuit 50 and moving the holding device 10 vertically on the member 61 and changing the degree of tilt of the member 61, the holding device 10 rotates about the axis 16 at the end 11. As a result, the relative height position between the end 11 and the end 12 opposite to the end 11 changes, and the degree of tilt with respect to the horizontal direction changes. The holding device 10 rotates about the axis 16 in a state where the axis 16 coincides with the axis 26 of the rotation center of the main body 21 of the X-ray CT apparatus 20. At this time, the main body 21 also rotates about the axis 26 simultaneously with the rotation of the holding device 10 so that the direction in which the opening 23 faces coincides with the tilt direction of the holding device 10. When the holding device 10 rotates about the axis 16, the rail-shaped member 60 also rotates together with the holding device 10. The rotation of the holding device 10 and the main body 21 and the tilt of the member 61 are controlled by the control unit 30.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3(c), the X-ray CT apparatus 20 has a determined imaging range 25 in which imaging by X-rays is possible. A portion of the test object 40 located within the imaging range 25 is imaged by X-rays. To expand the imaging range of the test object 40, it is preferable to move the test object 40 within the opening 23.

[0022] Therefore, as shown in Figure 3(d), the holding device 10 slides along the rail-shaped member 60 as indicated by arrow 18 so that the test object 40 moves parallel to the opening 23 within the opening 23. That is, the holding device 10 slides in the inclined direction. As a result, most of the test object 40, preferably the entire object, passes through the imaging range 25, and the imaging range of the test object 40 is expanded. The test object 40 is imaged by the X-ray CT apparatus 20 while being driven, for example, by the test object drive device 13. The sliding movement of the holding device 10 in the inclined direction is controlled by the control unit 30.

[0023] The test object drive unit 13, the tilt drive unit 14, and the front / rear drive unit 15 are implemented by motors such as direct drive motors or servo motors. The drive control circuit 50 has a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory). The control unit 30 controls the entire test apparatus 100. The control unit 30 controls the rotation drive unit 24, the test object drive unit 13, the tilt drive unit 14, and the front / rear drive unit 15, for example by controlling the drive control circuit 50. The control unit 30 has a processor such as a CPU and memory such as ROM.

[0024] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the holding device 10 and the X-ray CT apparatus 20 in the comparative example. As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), in the comparative example, the holding device 10 does not slide. Instead, the X-ray CT apparatus 20 slides horizontally. When the holding device 10 holds the test object 40 in an inclined position relative to the horizontal, if the X-ray CT apparatus 20 slides horizontally as indicated by arrow 27 to expand the imaging range of the test object 40, the X-ray CT apparatus 20 may come into contact with the holding device 10. Also, the X-ray CT apparatus 20 may come into contact with the test object 40.

[0025] On the other hand, according to Embodiment 1, when the holding device 10 holds the test object 40 in an inclined state with respect to the horizontal direction, as shown in Figures 3(a) to 3(d), the main body 21 of the X-ray CT apparatus 20 rotates relative to the support 22 so that the direction in which the opening 23 faces matches the inclination direction of the holding device 10. The holding device 10 slides in the inclination direction so that the test object 40 moves within the opening 23 in the direction in which the opening 23 faces. This suppresses contact between the X-ray CT apparatus 20, the holding device 10, and the test object 40, while allowing most, preferably the entire, of the test object 40 to pass through the imaging range 25, thereby expanding the imaging range. Therefore, the behavior of the lubricating oil 41 when the test object 40 is inclined at various angles with respect to the horizontal direction can be imaged over a wide range. By photographing the test object 40, which is held at an angle by the holding device 10, with the X-ray CT scanner 20, if the test object 40 is a transmission, the behavior of the lubricating oil 41, which is unevenly distributed within the test object 40 as the vehicle travels on slopes and curves, can be photographed.

[0026] Furthermore, in Example 1, the holding device 10 can slide horizontally when in a horizontal position, as shown in Figure 3(a), and can slide in the inclined direction when in an inclined position relative to the horizontal, as shown in Figure 3(d). This allows the test object 40 to be moved within the opening 23 to expand the imaging range, regardless of whether the holding device 10 is in a horizontal position or inclined relative to the horizontal.

[0027] Furthermore, in Example 1, as shown in Figure 3(b), the holding device 10 and the main body 21 of the X-ray CT apparatus 20 rotate around axis 16 or axis 26 with their axes 16 and 26 overlapping, so that the direction in which the opening 23 faces matches the inclination direction of the holding device 10. This makes it possible to align the direction in which the opening 23 faces with the inclination direction of the holding device 10 when the holding device 10 holds the test object 40 at various inclination angles, even without the holding device 10 and the main body 21 sliding vertically.

[0028] In Example 1, the test apparatus 100 includes a test object drive device 13 (drive unit) for driving the test object 40. The X-ray CT apparatus 20 photographs the test object 40 being driven by the test object drive device 13. This allows the behavior of the lubricating oil 41 to be photographed while the test object 40 is in motion. The X-ray CT apparatus 20 may also be used to photograph the test object 40 when it is not in motion. [Examples]

[0029] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the test apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 5, the test apparatus 200 does not have a forward / backward drive device 15 for sliding the holding device 10, but instead has a forward / backward drive device 28 for sliding the X-ray CT apparatus 20 in the direction the aperture 23 is facing. The forward / backward drive device 28 generates power to slide the X-ray CT apparatus 20 in the direction the aperture 23 is facing according to control from the drive control circuit 50. For example, the forward / backward drive device 28 has a mechanism for moving the X-ray CT apparatus 20 in the vertical direction (up and down direction, Y-axis direction) and the horizontal direction (Z-axis direction), and sliding in the direction the aperture 23 is facing is achieved by moving it in the vertical and horizontal directions. Alternatively, as another example, the main body 21, the support 22, and the forward / backward drive device 28 may be configured such that the main body 21 slides relative to the support 22 to slide in the direction the aperture 23 is facing. The sliding movement of the X-ray CT apparatus 20 is controlled by the control unit 30. The other components are the same as those in Figure 1 of Example 1, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0030] Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the X-ray CT apparatus 20 and the holding device 10 in Embodiment 2. As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), in Embodiment 2, when the holding device 10 holds the test object 40 in an inclined position with respect to the horizontal, the X-ray CT apparatus 20 slides in the direction of the opening 23 as indicated by the arrow 29, so that the test object 40 moves parallel to the opening 23 within the opening 23.

[0031] According to Example 2, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), when the holding device 10 holds the test object 40 in an inclined position relative to the horizontal, the main body 21 of the X-ray CT apparatus 20 rotates relative to the support 22 so that the direction in which the opening 23 faces matches the inclination direction of the holding device 10. The X-ray CT apparatus 20 also slides in the direction in which the opening 23 faces so that the test object 40 moves within the opening 23 in the direction in which the opening 23 faces. This suppresses contact between the X-ray CT apparatus 20, the holding device 10, and the test object 40, while allowing most, preferably the entire, of the test object 40 to pass through the imaging range 25, thereby expanding the imaging range.

[0032] In Examples 1 and 2, the cases in which the holding device 10 or the X-ray CT device 20 slides so that the test object 40 moves within the opening 23 in the direction of the opening 23 were shown as examples. However, it is also possible for both the holding device 10 and the X-ray CT device 20 to slide. In this case, the amount of movement of both the holding device 10 and the X-ray CT device 20 will be smaller.

[0033] In Examples 1 and 2, the test object 40 imaged by the X-ray CT scanner 20 was shown as a transmission, but the example is not limited to this case. The test object 40 may be, for example, an engine, a lead-acid battery, or a fuel tank, or it may be a device or part used in something other than an automobile. The test object 40 only needs to have a fluid liquid inside.

[0034] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 10 Holding device 11, 12 Ends 13 Test object drive device 20 X-ray CT device 21 Main body 22 Support part 23 Aperture 25 Shooting range 30 Control Unit 40 Test specimens 41 Lubricating oil 100, 200 Test Equipment

Claims

1. A holding device having a first end for holding a test object containing liquid inside and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the degree of inclination in the horizontal direction changes as the relative height position of the first end and the second end changes, An X-ray CT apparatus comprising: a main body having an opening into which the object to be tested is inserted and for photographing the object to be tested; and a support part for supporting the main body, wherein the main body is rotatable relative to the support part so as to change the direction in which the opening faces, When the holding device holds the object to be tested in an inclined position with respect to the horizontal direction, the X-ray CT apparatus is configured such that the main body rotates relative to the support portion so that the direction in which the opening faces matches the inclination direction of the holding device, and at least one of the holding device and the X-ray CT apparatus slides so that the object to be tested moves within the opening in the direction in which the opening faces.

2. The test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding device is slidable in the horizontal direction when in a horizontal state and slidable in the inclined direction when in an inclined state with respect to the horizontal direction.

3. The main body of the X-ray CT apparatus rotates around the first axis, thereby changing the direction in which the opening faces. The holding device rotates around the second axis at the first end, thereby changing the degree of inclination with respect to the horizontal direction. The test apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the holding device and the main body rotate simultaneously around the first axis or the second axis with the first axis and the second axis overlapping, such that the direction in which the opening faces matches the inclination direction of the holding device.

4. The unit includes a drive unit for driving the object to be tested, The X-ray CT apparatus is a test apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the X-ray CT apparatus photographs the object to be tested which is driven by the drive unit.

Images