Precision inspection device for railway vehicle wheels

Abstract

To detect defects in a rim portion and a web portion of a wheel of a railway vehicle by using ultrasonic wave and lasers for wheels of various standards regardless of wheel size.SOLUTION: A precision inspection device for detecting defects in wheels of a railway vehicle includes a lower frame module, an upper frame module, a fixing module, a rotating module, a first inspection module, and a second inspection module. The pair of first inspection modules are disposed in symmetric positions based on a wheel center point with a structure surrounding a rim portion contour surface of a wheel in an upper space, and use ultrasonic wave to inspect defects in a web portion of the wheel. The second inspection module is disposed in a position in contact with a side surface of the rim portion at a wheel center upper end in the upper space, and uses ultrasonic wave to inspect defects in the rim portion of the wheel. A third inspection module radiates and receives a laser beam to / from a track-contacting surface of the rim portion of the wheel in a side space of the inspection device to inspect defects.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device for detecting wheel defects of railway vehicles. More specifically, it relates to an inspection device for detecting wheel defects of railway vehicles that can detect defects in the rim and web parts of railway vehicle wheels more accurately and efficiently for wheels of various specifications regardless of the wheel size, using contact ultrasonic waves and non-contact laser.

Background Art

[0002] Detecting defects in railway vehicle wheels is important not only for inspecting the current state of the wheels but also for evaluating durability and future safety, and as a result, it is necessary for the safe operation of railway vehicles. For this reason, many technologies related to detecting defects in a large number of wheels have been developed. For example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0049398 discloses a technique for detecting defects in railway vehicle wheels by performing inspections using ultrasonic waves while rotating the wheels. Also, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2006-0008580 discloses a technique for detecting tire defects using non-contact laser-induced ultrasonic waves, and through Japanese Registered Patent No. 5912992, a technique for inspecting the defect situation inside a tire by performing photography toward the outer peripheral surface of the tire is disclosed.

[0003] As described above, although many defect detection technologies using ultrasonic waves, imaging images, etc. for defects in railway vehicle wheels and automobile tires have been developed, a device that can distinguish defects in the rim and web parts of railway vehicle wheels and detect defects with one device has not been developed until now. In particular, in defect detection for recent high-speed railway wheels, only fragmentary technologies are applied.

[0004] For high-speed rail wheels, defect detection is performed only on the rim portion of the wheel tread. Furthermore, this is only done using a rail-embedded method or by installing inspection equipment in a pit within the depot when vehicles enter or leave the depot. This not only limits the scope of inspection but also presents difficulties in inspecting defects in the web portion. Consequently, there are limitations in achieving more accurate detection of defects in the wheels. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] Registered Patent Gazette No. 10-2015-0049398 of the Republic of Korea Registered Patent Gazette No. 10-2006-0008580 of the Republic of Korea Japanese Registered Patent No. 5912992 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The technical objective of the present invention is to provide a railway vehicle wheel defect detection inspection device that can more accurately and efficiently detect defects in the rim and web portions of railway vehicle wheels, regardless of wheel size, using contact-type ultrasonic and non-contact-type lasers for wheels of various specifications.

[0007] The technical problems that the railway vehicle wheel precision inspection device, relating to the technical concept of the present invention, aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by an ordinary person from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An inspection device for detecting defects in the wheels of a railway vehicle according to one embodiment for achieving the above-mentioned object of the present invention comprises: a lower frame module that forms a lower space; an upper frame module coupled on the lower frame module to form an upper space; a fixing module fixed to the lower frame module to fix the wheel; a rotating module that rotates the wheel on the left and right sides of the fixing module; a first inspection module fixed to the upper frame module to inspect defects in the web portion of the wheel; a second inspection module fixed to the upper frame module to inspect defects in the rim portion of the wheel; and a third inspection module fixed to the lower frame module to inspect defects in the contact surface of the rim portion of the wheel with the railway track; thereby detecting defects in the wheel.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the lower frame module further includes an LM guide for moving the upper frame module along a first direction x, so that the upper frame module can be moved in the first direction x to secure mounting space and then the wheel can be fixed to the fixed module.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second inspection modules are connected to the upper frame module, and the positions of the first and second inspection modules can be varied depending on the size of the wheels.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the upper frame module may include an upper horizontal frame extending horizontally; an additional horizontal frame fixed to the upper surface of the horizontal frame, in which the first inspection module is positioned as it moves horizontally along the rail section; and a folding frame located in the center of the upper horizontal frame, in which the second inspection module is positioned as it moves vertically along the sliding groove section.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing module may include a fixing unit comprising a pair of fixing plates coupled to the center of the wheel, fixing the center of the wheel and positioning the wheel in the lower and upper spaces; and a fixing extension frame that positions the fixing unit at a predetermined height in which the wheel is located.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the pair of rotating modules may include a roller that contacts the rim of the wheel to rotate or support the wheel; a roller drive motor that provides rotational driving force to the roller; a stage that supports the roller so that it can rotate; and a transport guide that allows the stage to move in one direction.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating module further includes a roller moving motor, a ball screw shaft rotated by the roller moving motor, and a pair of ball nuts that rotate in opposite directions to each other when the ball screw shaft rotates, thereby moving the pair of stages in opposite directions, the rotation of the pair of ball nuts moves the pair of rotating modules toward or away from each other, in addition to rotating the wheels, so that the wheels can be raised or lowered and fixed to the stationary module.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first inspection module can inspect for defects in the web portion using ultrasonic waves, with at least one module in contact with the rim of the wheel.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, when one of the first inspection modules inspects a defect in the web portion, the defect can be inspected using a pulse-echo inspection method, and when a pair of the first inspection modules inspect a defect in the web portion, the defect can be inspected using a time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) inspection method.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, when using the pulse-echo inspection method, the ultrasonic inspection module includes a plurality of sensor modules arranged adjacent to each other on the tread surface of the wheel, and one of the sensor modules may be used as a transmitter that generates ultrasonic waves and a receiver that receives ultrasonic waves reflected from a defect.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, when using the TOFD (time of flight diffraction) inspection method, a pair of ultrasonic inspection modules are arranged on the tread so as to be separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and a pair of sensor modules are arranged, one of which may be used as a transmitter that generates ultrasonic waves, and the other as a receiver that receives ultrasonic waves reflected from defects.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first inspection module may include a first inspection body that contacts the rim of the wheel and has a contact surface with the same curvature as the curvature of the wheel; and a plurality of first inspection units arranged inside the first inspection body to provide ultrasonic waves to the web portion.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first inspection module may further include a first vertical frame extending vertically to facilitate contact between the wedge and the wheel; a first rotating frame connected to the end of the first inspection body and extending to rotate relative to the first vertical frame so that the first inspection body contacts the rim of the wheel; and a tilting stage that allows the first inspection body to rotate around a hinge.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first vertical frame includes a sliding groove and a fixing portion formed in the sliding groove, the first rotating frame is fixed on the sliding groove with its position variable in the vertical direction, and the first rotating frame includes a first pressing portion having a predetermined elastic force.

[0022] The first inspection body can provide an external force that contacts the rim portion of the wheel.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second inspection module includes a plurality of sensor modules arranged adjacent to each other on the tread surface of the wheel, and uses a pulse-echo inspection method used as a transmitter that generates ultrasonic waves and a receiver that receives ultrasonic waves reflected by defects to inspect for defects in the rim portion of the wheel.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second inspection module includes a second vertical frame extending in the vertical direction; a second sliding plate extending perpendicular to the second vertical frame toward the rim portion of the wheel; a second inspection body attached to the end of the second sliding plate; and a plurality of second inspection units arranged inside the second inspection body to provide ultrasonic waves to the rim portion.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second sliding plate includes a second pressing portion having a predetermined elastic force, and can provide an external force for the second inspection body to contact the rim portion of the wheel.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, in an ultrasonic precision inspection module including a sensor module for inspecting defects in the rim portion or web portion of the wheel, the sensor module includes a wedge portion that generates ultrasonic waves; a plunger portion that presses the wedge portion against the tread surface above the wedge portion; and a water supply portion that supplies water to the tread surface of the wheel through the wedge portion.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plunger portion includes a fixing jig to which a bush located above the wedge portion is fastened; a shaft that passes through the fixing jig to which the bush is fastened and is in close contact with the wedge portion; and a spring that constantly presses the upper portion of the wedge portion with an elastic force while surrounding the lower end of the shaft between the bush and the wedge portion.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, the water supplied to the lower channel through the water supply unit forms a water film between the bottom surface of the wedge portion and the tread surface of the wheel, and the ultrasonic precision inspection module can use the water as an ultrasonic coupling medium to facilitate contact between the wedge portion and the surface of the wheel and to improve ultrasonic beam transmission.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasonic inspection method using the ultrasonic inspection module can be applied, which includes the steps of: analyzing the stress on the wheel; selecting a defect occurrence area based on the stress analysis results; determining the position of the sensor module and the ultrasonic incidence angle considering the selected prediction area; and analyzing the wheel defects using the pulse-echo inspection method or the TOFD (time of flight diffraction) inspection method.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the step of analyzing the stress on the web portion of the wheel, an ultrasonic inspection method can be applied in which the self-weight of the wheel is set at the axle centerline to derive the stress distribution generated in the web portion of the wheel, and a region where stress is concentrated is selected as the predicted defect occurrence region of the web portion of the wheel based on the stress distribution result.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasonic inspection method can be applied in which the position of the sensor module on the tread surface; the angle of incidence of the ultrasonic waves; and the frequency of the ultrasonic waves are set such that ultrasonic waves pass through the defect prediction area during the stage of determining the position of the sensor module and the ultrasonic incident angle.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, each sensor module that provides ultrasonic waves to a total of four regions selected as areas where defects in the wheel web are expected to occur has the following conditions for the ultrasonic inspection method of the wheel web: 1st sensor module: X=168mm, θ=21°, α=42.5°; 2nd sensor module: X=224mm, θ=28°, α=36.6°; 3rd sensor module: X=264mm, θ=33°, α=31.25°; 4th sensor module: X=319mm, θ=39°, α=26.2°;

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, four inspection areas 1', 2', 3', and 4' in which defects are expected to occur are selected during the stage of analyzing the stress on the rim of the wheel. For three wedges that provide ultrasound to each area, the area to be inspected, the distance from the origin of the rim downward in the third direction Z where the wedge must be positioned, and the angle of incidence of the wedge are as follows: Ultrasonic wedge (left): Inspection area 1', separation distance = 28.3 mm, angle of incidence = 23.1° (transverse wave upward); Ultrasonic wedge (center): Inspection area 2', separation distance = 15.3 mm, angle of incidence = 0° (longitudinal wave perpendicular); Ultrasonic wedge (right): Inspection areas 3' and 4', separation distance = 25.3 mm, angle of incidence = 27° (transverse wave downward) and 40° (longitudinal wave downward), respectively. These conditions can be applied to an ultrasonic inspection method for the rim of a wheel.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the third inspection module is mounted on a laser inspection module stand installed on one side of the frame that supports the upper end of the lower frame module, in a position where a laser beam can be irradiated toward the wheel. The laser inspection module, which is composed of a plurality of laser sensors, receives a laser emitted from a light-emitting unit in the laser sensor with a light-receiving unit, and can inspect defects on the tread surface of the rim portion of the wheel of a railway vehicle, which is the part that comes into contact with the track.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the laser inspection module mounting base includes a first stage that causes the laser inspection module to slide in a first direction (X-axis); and a second stage that causes the laser inspection module to slide in a fourth direction (N-axis) that linearly connects the laser inspection module and the central axis of the wheel; the first stage plays a role in moving the inspection range of the wheel surface, and the second stage plays a role in adjusting the inspection range of the wheel surface by changing the distance between the laser sensor and the wheel surface.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the laser inspection module acquires a profile of the wheel rim surface by receiving the laser emitted by the light-emitting part of the laser sensor when it reflects off the wheel surface. The laser inspection module mounting stand can be configured such that the laser inspection module is mounted at a predetermined angle so that the laser beam penetrates the center of the wheel and is incident in the direction normal to the rim, in order to ensure the reproducibility of the inspection for acquiring the profile of the rim surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0037] A precision inspection device for railway vehicle wheels according to an embodiment based on the technical concept of the present invention According to the embodiment, defects in the web portion and defects in the rim portion of the wheel can be distinguished and inspected through separate inspection modules, thereby enabling more reliable inspection and evaluation of various wheel conditions. At this time, by designing the attitude, position, and range of motion of each inspection module for accurate inspection of the web portion and rim portion of the wheel, inspections can be performed with higher accuracy for wheels of various sizes.

[0038] In particular, as the wheel size is variable, it is possible to raise and lower the wheel's position, in addition to raising the wheel to various positions and rotating it using the rotation module. When attaching the wheel to the inspection device, the upper frame module can be moved horizontally to secure the necessary space before attachment, and then moved back to its original position, making it easier to attach and detach the wheel.

[0039] Furthermore, considering that the curvature varies depending on the size of the wheel, the first inspection module, which uses ultrasound to inspect for defects, can be designed so that the first inspection unit at its end is rotatable as well as horizontally and vertically, allowing for more accurate mounting on the wheel web in a variety of orientations. Similarly, the second inspection module, which also uses ultrasound to inspect for defects, can be designed so that the second inspection unit at its end is movable horizontally and vertically, allowing for more accurate mounting on the wheel rim. In particular, both the first and second inspection modules can improve the accuracy and reliability of the inspection by including a pressurizing section that utilizes elastic force for stable contact and mounting of the first and second inspection units.

[0040] The third inspection module, which uses lasers to inspect for defects, is also designed to allow for horizontal positioning and adjustment of its distance from the wheels, ensuring the reproducibility and reliability of the inspection.

[0041] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, but should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the detailed description of the present invention or the configuration of the invention as described in the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] A brief description of each drawing is provided to help you better understand the drawings cited in this specification. [Figure 1] This is a front perspective view of a precision wheel inspection device for railway vehicles according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]This is a rear perspective view of a precision wheel inspection device for railway vehicles according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This shows a sliding movement structure for an upper frame module in a first direction x according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This shows a fixing module and fixing unit for fixing the center of a wheel according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This diagram shows a pair of rotating modules for rotating a wheel according to one embodiment of the present invention, and how the wheel's position in a third direction is adjusted while moving in a second direction Y. [Figure 6] This shows a first inspection body according to one embodiment of the present invention, mounted on an upper frame module, capable of sliding in the second direction Y and the third direction Z, rotating about the first direction X as an axis, and being tiltable by a tilting stage to facilitate contact with the wheel rim. [Figure 7] A first inspection module according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in detail. [Figure 8] This image shows a second inspection body according to one embodiment of the present invention, mounted on an upper frame module via a folding frame, and in a state where it can slide in a first direction X and a third direction Z. [Figure 9] This shows the configuration of an ultrasonic sensor module used for internal inspection of the wheel web. [Figure 10] This demonstrates the principle by which the ultrasonic sensor module adheres to the surface of the wheel. [Figure 11] This shows the structure of a sensor module for injecting water, which acts as a coupling medium, between the wheel and the wedge. [Figure 12] This shows the process by which an ultrasound inspection module performs ultrasonic detection and inspection. [Figure 13] This shows the process of simultaneously inspecting a wheel using the P / E inspection method and the TOFD inspection method with an ultrasonic inspection module. [Figure 14]This diagram compares the inspection of wheels using the P / E inspection method and the TOFD inspection method with an ultrasonic inspection module. [Figure 15] This shows the flow of an ultrasound examination procedure using an ultrasound examination module. [Figure 16] This image illustrates the results of the stress analysis on the wheel web and shows the results of selecting the defect occurrence prediction area. [Figure 17] This shows the ultrasonic beam path analysis process used to determine the position of the sensor module and the incident angle of the wedge, as well as the resulting sensor module position and wedge incident angle. [Figure 18] This shows the results of ultrasonic beam path analysis and S-scan signal analysis for each sensor module using the P / E method. [Figure 19] This shows the results of ultrasonic beam path analysis and ultrasonic signal analysis for each sensor module using the TOFD method. [Figure 20] This diagram shows the main locations where defects occur on the wheel rim. [Figure 21] This shows the wedge position and wedge angle for each inspection area relative to the wheel rim. [Figure 22] This shows the results of ultrasonic beam path analysis for each sensor module in ultrasonic inspection of the wheel rim. [Figure 23] This shows the ultrasonic inspection results for each sensor module in a P / E method inspection of the wheel rim. [Figure 24] This diagram shows a laser inspection module according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a laser beam is irradiated onto a light-emitting unit and the reflected light is received again by a light-receiving unit. [Figure 25] This demonstrates that a laser inspection module according to one embodiment of the present invention can create optimal inspection conditions while moving along the X and N axes. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0044] This document will provide a detailed explanation focusing on the parts necessary to understand the operation and function of the present invention.

[0045] When describing embodiments of the present invention, technical details that are widely known in the art to which the present invention belongs and are not directly related to the present invention will be omitted from the explanation.

[0046] This is to communicate the gist of the invention more clearly without ambiguity by omitting unnecessary explanations.

[0047] Furthermore, when describing the components of the present invention, different reference numerals may be assigned to components with the same name in the drawings, and the same reference numerals may also be assigned to components that are in different drawings.

[0048] However, even in such cases, this does not mean that the components in question have different functions depending on the embodiment, or that they have the same function in different embodiments. The function of each component must be determined based on the description of each component in the relevant embodiment.

[0049] Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically defined herein, technical terms used herein should be interpreted in the sense generally understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and should not be interpreted in an overly comprehensive or overly restrictive sense.

[0050] Furthermore, singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless otherwise specified in context.

[0051] In this application, terms such as “composed of” or “including” should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the many components or stages described in the specification, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or stages may not be included, or that additional components or stages may be included.

[0052] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the railway vehicle wheel inspection device (10, hereinafter referred to as the inspection device) according to this embodiment includes a lower frame module 100, an upper frame module 200, an upper end moving device 300, a fixed module 400, a rotating module 500, a first inspection module 600, a second inspection module 700, and a third inspection module 800.

[0053] The lower frame module 100 constitutes the lower frame of the inspection device 10 and includes a base plate 110 that is located on the ground and extends in a planar manner, and a lower frame 120 which is formed by connecting a plurality of frames to each other on the base plate 110.

[0054] In this case, the structure of the lower frame module 100 is merely illustrative, and it is sufficient to form a lower space 101 in which the fixed module 400 and the rotating module 500, which will be described later, are located.

[0055] In other words, in the case of the lower frame 120, the drawing illustrates a configuration in which multiple horizontal frames and multiple vertical frames are connected to each other to form the lower space 101, but the connection relationships and arrangements of the frames can be designed in a variety of ways.

[0056] However, the lower frame module 100 must form a predetermined lower space 101 in which the fixed module 400 and the rotating module 500 are located, and the lower space 101 must be formed to have a predetermined height.

[0057] At the upper end of the lower frame 120, upper end support frames 150 are formed on the left and right sides of the wheel to be mounted, and have a predetermined length, running parallel to the axial direction (X direction, first direction) of the wheel 20. An LM guide 300, which is an upper end movement device having a sliding groove structure along the first direction x, is fastened to the upper end support frame 150.

[0058] The upper frame module 200 constitutes the upper frame of the inspection device 10 and includes an upper vertical frame 210 that is fastened to the LM guide 300 and extends upward (Z direction, third direction), an upper horizontal frame 220 that extends horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the upper vertical frame 210 (Y direction, second direction), and additional horizontal frames 230, 240. Therefore, the upper frame module 200 can be moved a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the LM guide in order to mount the wheels to the inspection device.

[0059] In this case, the upper vertical frames 210 may be extended in pairs so that they are parallel to each other, as shown in the figure, and the upper horizontal frames 220 connect the upper ends of the pair of upper vertical frames 210 to each other.

[0060] At this time, the additional horizontal frame 230 extends in a plate shape having a predetermined height on the upper surface of the upper horizontal frame 220, and the first inspection module 600, which will be described later, is connected to it.

[0061] A folding frame 710 on which the second inspection module 700 is mounted is connected to the upper horizontal frame 220. The folding frame 710 is connected to the center of the upper horizontal frame 220, and a second vertical frame 720 on which the second inspection module 700 is mounted is connected to it via a hinge so that it can rotate about the second direction Y as an axis. When attempting to mount wheels to the inspection device 10, the second vertical frame 720 can be lifted upward to secure space for mounting the wheels.

[0062] As shown in the figure, the upper frame module 200 forms an upper space 201 above the lower space 101, and the wheels 20 are located in both the lower space 101 and the upper space 201.

[0063] Referring to Figure 4, the fixed module 400 includes a fixed extension frame 410 and a fixed unit 420. In this case, a pair of fixed modules 400 are provided symmetrically in front of and behind the wheel 20, and the pair has the same structure as the others except that they are provided symmetrically. Therefore, only one fixed module 400 will be described below.

[0064] The fixed extension frame 410 is fixed to the base plate 110 and extends a predetermined length in the third direction Z, with the fixed unit 420 fixed to the upper end of the fixed extension frame 410. In other words, the fixed extension frame 410 is a frame that extends to position the fixed unit 420 at a predetermined height.

[0065] The fixing unit 420 is fixed to the upper end of the fixing extension frame 410, and the center 25 of the wheel 20 is fixed, positioning the wheel 20 in the lower space 101 and the upper space 201.

[0066] Specifically, the fixing unit 420 includes a pair of guide plates 421 spaced a predetermined distance apart, a bar-shaped guide bar 422 extending along the first direction X between the guide plates, a guide block 423 being moved along the guide bar 422 in the first direction X, a bar-shaped extension bar 424 extending from the guide block 423 toward the wheel 20, and a circular plate-shaped fixing plate 425 connected to the end of the extension bar 424.

[0067] Then, when the wheel 20 is positioned between the pair of fixing units 420, the guide block 423 is moved along the guide bar 422 and the fixing plate 425, which is connected to the end of the extension bar 424, is coupled to the center 25 of the wheel 20, and the wheel 20 is fixed by the pair of fixing units 420.

[0068] In this case, the fixing plate 425 must be connected to the extension bar 424 so as to be rotatable when the wheel 20 rotates. Furthermore, the fixing plate 425 must have a shape that can be connected to the shape of the flange formed on the center 25 of the wheel 20.

[0069] Figure 5 shows details of the rotary module and the rotary module control unit. The rotary module 500 is located on the base plate 110 and can be arranged in pairs so as shown in the figure, separated by a predetermined distance from each other.

[0070] The rotating module 500 includes a roller 570 for rotating a wheel, a stage 580 for supporting the roller so that the roller 570 can rotate, and a roller drive motor 550 for rotating the roller 570, and is coupled with a transport guide 590 for guiding a path so that it is transported by sliding in a second direction Y.

[0071] Furthermore, the rotating module 500 is connected and fastened to a ball screw shaft, and when the roller moving motor 510 operates, the gearbox 520 operates, causing the connected ball screw shaft 530 to rotate, and the rotating module 500 is moved along the roller transfer guide 590. At this time, the roller drive motor 550 is moved together along the motor transfer guide 560. When the ball screw shaft 530 rotates, the ball nuts 540 on the left and right sides of the ball screw shaft 530 must rotate in opposite directions. Therefore, when the torque generated by the roller drive motor 550 is transmitted to the ball screw shaft 530 through the gearbox 520, the pair of rotating modules 500 are moved towards or away from each other through the stage 580 and the transfer guide 590.

[0072] At this time, the rotating modules 500 have a mechanism that raises the railway vehicle wheels 20 placed on the rollers 570 when they move closer to each other, and lowers the railway vehicle wheels 20 when they move away from each other.

[0073] As the pair of rotating modules 500 are moved toward each other in the direction of the arrow in the second direction Y, the wheels 20 are raised upward in the third direction Z. When the wheels 20 are raised in this way and the center 25 is aligned with the position of the fixing plate 425, the wheels 20 are fixed to the fixing module 400. Of course, depending on the size of the wheels 20, i.e., their radius, the wheels 20 may be lowered in addition to raised in order to align the fixing plate 425 with the center 25.

[0074] The roller drive motor 550 is located on one side of the stage 580 and provides rotational driving force, which is supplied to the roller 570. The roller 570 then rotates around its axis of rotation.

[0075] In this case, the roller 570 is in contact with the wheel 20, and as the roller 570 rotates, the wheel 20 also rotates. That is, the rotating module 500 is provided in pairs, and when the pair of rollers 570 rotate in the same direction, for example clockwise, while in contact with the wheel 20, the wheel 20 will rotate counterclockwise.

[0076] In addition to rotating the wheel 20, the rotating module 500 also raises or lowers the wheel 20 through transport along the second direction Y, positioning it so that it can be fixed to the stationary module 400.

[0077] After the wheel 20 is fixed in place as described above, the inspection is carried out by bringing the first and second inspection modules 600 and 700 close to or in contact with the wheel 20.

[0078] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the first inspection module 600 inspects for defects in the web portion of the wheel 20 and includes a first vertical frame 610, a first rotating frame 620, a first inspection body 630, and a first inspection unit 640.

[0079] The first vertical frame 610 extends vertically along the third direction Z and includes a first vertical plate 611, a transfer section 612, a first sliding plate 613, a sliding groove section 614, and a fixing section 615. The first vertical plate 611 has a rectangular plate shape that extends along the third direction Z for a predetermined length, and the transfer section 612 is formed at the upper end of the first vertical plate 611.

[0080] The transfer unit 612 is coupled to a rail section 231 formed along the upper surface of the additional horizontal frame 230 so as to be able to slide, and as the transfer unit 612 slides along the rail section 231, the position of the first vertical plate 611 is varied along the second direction Y, and a lever 232 can be provided to fix the position so that it does not move from a specified position.

[0081] On the other hand, the first sliding plate 613 is coupled to the upper surface of the first vertical plate 611 and slides along the first vertical plate 611 in the third direction Z. At this time, a pair of first sliding grooves 614 are formed on the first vertical plate 611, thereby allowing the first sliding plate 613 to slide along the first sliding grooves 614.

[0082] Furthermore, while multiple fixing portions 615 are formed at regular intervals on the first sliding groove 614, the sliding plate 613 may have fixing portions formed on it that can be connected to or fixed to each of the fixing portions 615. As a result, the sliding plate 613 can be fixed and positioned at a specific location while moving along the third direction Z.

[0083] On the other hand, the first rotating frame 620 is connected to the first sliding plate 613, and the first rotating frame 620 is coupled to the sliding plate 613 so as to be rotatable with respect to the first direction X as the axis of rotation. Specifically, the first rotating frame 620 includes a first rotating plate 621, a tilting stage 622, a first pressurizing section 623, and a central section 624.

[0084] The first rotating plate 621 is rotatably connected to the sliding plate 613 through the central part 624 and rotates with the first direction X as the axis of rotation with respect to the central part 624. The first rotating plate 621 may also have a rectangular plate shape extending for a predetermined length, and the tilting stage 622 is connected to the end of the first rotating plate 621.

[0085] On the other hand, the first pressurizing section 623 is located on the first rotating plate 621, with one side fixed and the other side connected to the tilting stage 622. In this case, the first pressurizing section 623 may be an elastic body having a predetermined elastic force, and consequently, it will provide a predetermined pressurizing force to the tilting stage 622.

[0086] Therefore, the applied pressure thus provides the first inspection body 630, which is connected to the tilting stage 622, to be able to make more stable contact with the web portion 22 of the wheel 20.

[0087] The tilting stage 622 has a structure in which a first pressurizing section connecting section (not shown) and the inspection body connecting section (not shown) are connected together via a hinge, and the inspection body 630 can be rotated around the hinge to come into contact with or separate from the rim section 23. The ultrasonic inspection module can be tilted by the tilting stage, making it easier for the ultrasonic inspection module to come into contact with the tread of the wheel rim section 23.

[0088] As the position and orientation of the first rotating plate 621 are varied, the position and orientation of the first inspection body 630, which is connected to the tilting stage 622, can also be varied.

[0089] The first inspection body 630 may have a curved block shape that includes a contact surface 631 having the same curvature as the wheel 20 as a whole, and forms a predetermined internal space 632. The first inspection body 630 is connected to the tilting stage 622 and, as described above, adheres tightly to the rim portion 23 due to the pressure applied by the first pressurizing section 623.

[0090] The first inspection unit 640 is located on a predetermined internal space 632 formed by the first inspection body 630 and uses ultrasound to inspect the web portion 22 of the wheel 20 for defects. In this case, as shown in the figure, multiple first inspection units 640 are arranged at regular intervals from each other and are in close contact with the rim portion 23, performing ultrasonic inspections on different areas. The number of first inspection units 640 can be varied in various ways.

[0091] On the other hand, as mentioned above, the first inspection module 600 may be provided in a pair, and if a pair is provided, it may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the wheel 20. Furthermore, when performing an inspection of the web portion 22 of the wheel 20 through the inspection unit 640 of the pair of first inspection modules 600, it is possible to use both the entire pair of first inspection modules 600 and to selectively use only one of the first inspection modules 600.

[0092] Furthermore, as described above, the position of the first vertical frame 610 is variable along the second direction Y on the additional horizontal frame 230, and the position of the first rotating frame 620 is variable along the third direction Z on the first vertical frame 610, and its orientation can be varied so that it can rotate relative to the first vertical frame 610.

[0093] Therefore, even if the position of the rim portion 23 of the wheel 20, which is the subject of the inspection, is varied in various ways, the first inspection module 600 can easily contact the rim portion 23 in various positions and orientations. Consequently, inspection for defects in the web portion can be easily performed regardless of the size of the wheel 20.

[0094] Referring to Figure 8, the folding frame 710, which includes a second vertical frame 720 on which the second inspection module 700 is mounted, includes a second vertical plate 730 formed to a predetermined length along the third direction z, the second vertical plate 730 including a second sliding groove 731 and a second fixing portion 735. The second sliding plate 740 is coupled to the second vertical plate 730 and slides along the second vertical plate 730 in the third direction Z. At this time, a pair of second sliding grooves 731 are formed on the second vertical plate 730, thereby allowing the second sliding plate 740 to slide along the sliding grooves 731.

[0095] Furthermore, a plurality of second fixing portions 736 are formed on the second sliding groove portion 731 at regular intervals, and the second sliding plate 740 may have fixing portions 735 that can be connected to or fixed to each of the second fixing portions 736. As a result, the second sliding plate 740 can be fixed and positioned at a specific location while moving along the third direction Z.

[0096] On the other hand, the second sliding plate 740 includes a second pressurizing section 750 and a second inspection body 760. One side of the second pressurizing section 750 is fixed to the second sliding plate 740, and the other side is connected to the second inspection body support base. In this case, the second pressurizing section 740 has a structure that allows its length to be extended in the first direction x, so that the position of the second inspection body 760 in the first direction x can be adjusted, and it can be an elastic body having a predetermined elastic force, thereby providing a predetermined pressing force to the second inspection body 760.

[0097] Therefore, the applied pressure provided in this manner allows the second inspection unit 770 to be positioned in a variable location along the first direction X, enabling it to make more stable contact with the rim portion 23 of the wheel 20. As described above, the second inspection body 760 is also formed to be movable by a predetermined displacement in the first direction x and the third direction Z, and accordingly, the second inspection unit 770 can make more accurate and stable contact with the rim portion 23 of the wheel 20 to perform defect inspection. Furthermore, regardless of the type or size of the wheel 20, it becomes possible to inspect defects in the rim portion through the second inspection module 700 for a variety of wheels.

[0098] According to the embodiments of the present invention described above, defects in the web portion 22 and defects in the rim portion 23 of the wheel can be distinguished and inspected through separate inspection modules, thereby enabling more reliable inspection and evaluation of various conditions of the wheel. At this time, by designing the attitude, position, and range of movement of each inspection module for accurate inspection of the web portion 22 and rim portion 23 of the wheel, inspections of wheels of various sizes can be performed with higher accuracy.

[0099] Furthermore, considering that the curvature varies depending on the size of the wheel, the first inspection module is designed so that the first inspection unit, which is located at the end, can rotate as well as move horizontally and vertically, allowing it to be mounted more accurately on the web portion 22 of the wheel in a variety of orientations. Similarly, the second inspection module is designed so that the second inspection unit, which is located at the end, can move horizontally and vertically, allowing it to be mounted more accurately on the rim portion 23 of the wheel. In particular, both the first and second inspection modules can improve the accuracy and reliability of the inspection by including a pressurizing section that utilizes elastic force for stable contact and mounting of the first and second inspection units.

[0100] The rotating module is designed to be able to rotate and also rise, allowing the wheels to be raised to various positions by making the wheel size variable. Furthermore, the upper frame module 200 can be moved to attach the wheels to the inspection device, and the second vertical frame 720 of the folding frame to which the second inspection body 760 is attached can be lifted upward to secure space for attaching the wheels, thus making it easier to attach and detach the wheels.

[0101] Figure 9 shows the configuration of the sensor module, and the ultrasonic inspection module for internal inspection of the web section consists of four sensor modules. The sensor module is broadly composed of a wedge section 900 that is coupled to the ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic probe jig 980 that contacts the wedge section 900, a spring 963, a joint 940, a sensor module jig 970, a BNC 985, etc. The four sensor modules come into contact with the wheel simultaneously to perform the inspection.

[0102] The ultrasonic sensor module moves in the direction normal to the wheel tread portion, which is the contact surface, by means of a spring, and receives a force in the normal direction, thereby facilitating ultrasonic wave transmission within the wheel. Furthermore, it can be designed to allow rotational motion, facilitating contact between the tread surface and the wedge of the wheel rim. The coupling 940 is connected to the wedge portion 900 to supply a coupling medium between the tread surface of the wheel 20 and the wedge portion 900.

[0103] Referring to Figure 10, the ultrasonic inspection module according to this embodiment includes a frame portion 950 and a plurality of sensor modules 922, 923, 924, and 925. The frame portion 950 includes a pair of first and second side frames 951 and 952 extending parallel to each other on both sides, and a fixing jig 953 that forms the top surface. The sensor modules 922, 923, 924, and 925 are located inside the area formed by the frame portion 950.

[0104] In this embodiment, the sensor modules are exemplified as either a total of four or arranged in a single row within the internal space of the frame portion 950. However, the number of sensor modules is not limited to one or more. For the sake of explanation, however, in the following description, we will use an example where there are four sensor modules, and each of the sensor modules will have the same structure and shape.

[0105] The sensor module includes a wedge portion 900, a plunger portion 960, and a water supply portion 990. The wedge portion 900 generates ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic probe (not shown) is located inside to transmit or receive ultrasonic waves. At this time, the specific ultrasonic wave generation and reception mechanism is prior art, so a detailed explanation is omitted. The wedge portion 900 can have a rectangular block shape as a whole, and one corner of the rectangular block can be formed to be inclined, but its shape is not limited.

[0106] Specifically, the wedge portion 900 includes an upper surface portion 910, a body portion 920, and a bottom surface portion 930. The upper surface portion 910 forms the upper surface of the wedge portion 900, and the bottom surface portion 930 forms the bottom surface of the wedge portion 900. In this case, the plunger portion 960 is coupled to the upper surface portion 910, and the bottom surface portion 930 is the surface that is in close contact with the tread surface 21 of the wheel.

[0107] The body portion 920 forms the body of the wedge portion 900 and forms a predetermined internal space 921 inside it. In this case, the ultrasonic probe (not shown) can be positioned in the internal space. The plunger portion 960 includes a shaft 961 and a fixing jig 953, and presses the wedge portion 900 downward through the shaft 961 and the fixing jig 953 so that the wedge portion 900 is in close contact with the wheel 20. Specifically, the fixing jig 953 has a plate shape that extends horizontally and is positioned so as to be a predetermined height away from the upper surface portion 910 of the wedge portion 900.

[0108] The fixing jig 953 is positioned to be fixed to the pair of first and second side frames 951 and 952, and the position of the fixing jig 953 is fixed. The shaft 961 extends downward through the fixing jig 953 to which the bush is fastened, and the spring 963 is located at the lower end of the shaft 961.

[0109] The spring 963 has its upper end connected to the bush 962 and its lower end in close contact with the upper surface portion 910, and extends along the vertical direction, which is the extension direction of the shaft 961. The wedge portion 900 is pressed downward by the spring 963, and at this time, the spring 963 may be a spring having a predetermined elastic modulus.

[0110] In this way, the pressure from the spring 963 pressurizes the wedge portion 900, causing it to be pushed downwards. Consequently, the bottom portion 930 of the wedge portion 900, which is positioned to form a predetermined distance from the tread surface 21, comes into close contact with the tread surface 21 due to the pressure.

[0111] In the case of the wedge portion 900, when no external force is applied, it is fixed to the fixing jig 953 through the plunger portion 960, and the bottom surface 930 of the wedge portion 900 is designed to be separated from the tread surface 21 by forming a predetermined distance. When the ultrasonic inspection device 10 moves to a position for inspection on the tread surface 21 of the wheel, obstruction of movement or damage to the wedge portion due to contact between the bottom surface 930 of the wedge portion 900 and the tread surface 21 is prevented.

[0112] However, after moving to the position for the inspection, in order for the ultrasonic waves generated by the wedge portion 900 to pass through the tread surface 21 and be effectively delivered to the rim or web portion of the wheel 20, the bottom surface 930 of the wedge portion 900 and the tread surface 21 must be in close contact. When an external force is applied to the plunger portion 960, the pressure from the plunger portion 960 causes the bottom surface 930 of the wedge portion 900 to be in close contact with the tread surface 21.

[0113] Referring to Figure 11, the water supply unit 990 provides water such that a water film is formed between the bottom surface 930 and the tread surface 21 when the bottom surface 930 and the tread surface 21 are in close contact. The water supply unit 990 includes an inlet 991, a descending channel 992, a first lower channel 993, and a second lower channel 994.

[0114] The inlet portion 991 extends through the upper surface portion 910 of the wedge portion 900 and is connected to an external water supply unit, receiving water from the outside. In this case, a pair of inlet portions 991 may be formed on the upper surface portion 910 spaced apart from each other, and their number and position can be designed in various ways.

[0115] The descending channel 992 is connected to the inlet 991 and extends downward through the internal space 921 of the body 920, supplying the incoming water downward. In this case, although the descending channel 992 is shown extending vertically downward in Figure 4a, the direction of extension of the descending channel 992 can be varied in design, and it is sufficient to supply the incoming water downward.

[0116] The first and second lower channels 993 and 994 are connected to the descending channel 992 and are formed along the bottom surface 930. In this case, although the drawings illustrate that the first lower channel 993 and the second lower channel 994 extend perpendicular to each other and are formed along the bottom surface 930, the extension direction of such lower channels can be varied in various ways. That is, the first and second lower channels 993 and 994 can be formed to extend in various directions from the bottom surface 930, and it is sufficient to provide water between the bottom surface 930 and the tread surface 21 through them.

[0117] Thus, when water is supplied between the bottom surface 930 and the tread surface 21 through the first and second lower channels 993 and 994, a water film 995 is formed. This water film 995 facilitates contact between the wedge portion 900 and the surface of the wheel and enhances the transmission of the ultrasonic beam, so that the ultrasonic waves generated in the wedge portion 900 can be transmitted to the tread surface 21 more effectively. On the other hand, in order for the water film 995 to be stably formed during the ultrasonic inspection process, the water supply unit 990 must continuously supply water during the ultrasonic inspection process.

[0118] According to the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ultrasonic sensor module can adhere more closely to the tread surface, and a water film can be formed between them, thereby more effectively guiding the transmission and reception of ultrasonic signals and improving the accuracy of defect inspection of the wheel rim or web.

[0119] In particular, the ultrasonic precision inspection module moves on the wheel tread for inspection, but during the movement process, the sensor module and the tread separate, and the sensor module and the tread only come into close contact when performing defect detection. This improves not only the ease of movement to any position but also the accuracy of defect detection. In this case, the sensor module is equipped with a plunger that pressurizes a wedge portion that generates ultrasonic waves in response to an external force, and the plunger pressurizes the wedge portion through elastic pressure, thereby improving the contact with the tread.

[0120] Furthermore, since water flowing in from the outside penetrates the wedge portion and is supplied to the tread surface along the lower channel formed on the bottom surface of the wedge portion, water is effectively supplied between the tread surface and the wedge portion, enabling effective transmission of ultrasonic signals by a water film. In addition, since the evaluation of defects in the rim and web portions of the wheel can be performed through a single ultrasonic precision inspection module, more reliable inspection and evaluation of various conditions of the wheel can be performed through this.

[0121] Referring to Figure 12, the ultrasonic inspection process of the present invention includes a process of operating a sensor module through stress analysis, selection, simulation, and control unit processes. The sensor module generates and acquires ultrasonic signals for inspecting defects in the rim portion 23 and the web portion 22, and determines the presence or absence of defects based on these signals.

[0122] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the detection of defects in the rim and web portions of a vehicle using an ultrasonic inspection module. Referring to Figure 13, the ultrasonic inspection modules 10 and 11 in this embodiment are positioned as a pair on the wheel 20 of a railway vehicle to detect defects 30 and 40 in the web portion of the wheel 20.

[0123] Generally, the rim portion 23 of a wheel refers to the outer circumference of the wheel 20, including the tread 21 and flange that the wheel contacts the rail. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic inspection module detects defects in the rim portion shown in Figure 20 using the pulse-echo (P / E) inspection method.

[0124] In contrast, the web portion 22 of the wheel is the web connecting the tread surface 21 and the hub, and in this embodiment, the ultrasonic inspection module detects defects 40 in the web portion using either the pulse-echo (P / E) inspection method or the TOFD (time of flight diffraction) inspection method. However, in order to avoid redundant explanations of the pulse-echo inspection method and the TOFD inspection method, the following description will illustrate an example in which the pulse-echo inspection method is used for defects in the rim portion and the TOFD inspection method is used for defects in the web portion.

[0125] On the other hand, in the pulse eco inspection method, one sensor module performs both the roles of transmitter and receiver to carry out the inspection, while in the TOFD inspection method, a pair of sensor modules perform the inspection, one acting as a transmitter and the other as a receiver. Therefore, if the pair of ultrasonic inspection modules 10 and 11 are positioned symmetrically with the first ultrasonic inspection module on one side of the wheel 20 and the second ultrasonic inspection module on the other side of the wheel 20, both the pulse eco inspection method and the TOFD inspection method can be applied.

[0126] In other words, if the first ultrasonic inspection module 10 includes first to fourth sensor modules and the second ultrasonic inspection module includes fifth to eighth sensor modules, then the rim defect in Figure 20 can be detected through the pulsed eco inspection method, and the web defects 30 and 40 can be detected through either the pulsed eco inspection method or the TOFD inspection method.

[0127] For example, in the pulsed ultrasound inspection method, one sensor module must perform both the roles of transmitter and receiver. Therefore, the first sensor module (101, #1) of the first ultrasound inspection module can perform both the roles of transmitter and receiver for the web defects 30 and 40, and similarly, the eighth sensor module (108, #8) of the second ultrasound inspection module can perform both the roles of transmitter and receiver for the web defects 30 and 40.

[0128] In contrast, in the TOFD inspection method, the sensor module used as the transmitter and the sensor module used as the receiver are different from each other. Therefore, the second to fourth sensor modules (102, 103, 104, #2, #3, #4) of the first ultrasonic inspection module can act as transmitters for the web defects 30 and 40, and the fifth to seventh sensor modules (105, 106, 107, #5, #6, #7) of the second ultrasonic inspection module can act as receivers for the web defects 30 and 40.

[0129] Of course, it is obvious that the combinations of sensor modules used in the pulse eco inspection method and the combinations of sensor modules used in the TOFD inspection method can be changed to be different from each other, but the optimal combination of receiver and transmitter can be selected considering the location and number of the web defects 30 and 40.

[0130] As described above, by arranging a pair of ultrasonic inspection modules, each containing at least one sensor module, on the wheel 20, ultrasonic defect detection for defects in the rim and web can be performed through pulsed eco inspection and TOFD inspection methods.

[0131] However, as mentioned above, in order to use the TOFD inspection method, a pair of ultrasonic inspection modules must be provided: one module that acts as an ultrasonic transmitter, and another ultrasonic inspection module positioned to receive the ultrasonic waves reflected by the defect. In this way, the inspection method can be used selectively, making it possible to inspect a variety of wheel shapes and structures.

[0132] If the wheel 20 contains defects including web defects 30 and 40, the ultrasonic inspection module can perform flaw detection on the web defects 30 and 40 through the pulsed eco inspection method or the TOFD inspection method.

[0133] For example, if the TOFD inspection method is used, the first to fourth sensor modules (101, 102, 103, 104, #1, #2, #3, #4) of the first ultrasonic inspection module can act as transmitters for the web defects 30 and 40, and the fifth to eighth sensor modules (105, 106, 107, 108, #5, #6, #7, #8) of the second ultrasonic inspection module can act as receivers for the web defects 30 and 40.

[0134] In contrast, the web defects 30 and 40 included in the wheel 20 can also be inspected through the pulsed ultrasonic inspection method. In this case, since the pulsed ultrasonic inspection method allows inspection through a single ultrasonic inspection module, the first to fourth sensor modules (101, 102, 103, 104, #1, #2, #3, #4) of the second ultrasonic inspection module can each perform the roles of transmitter and receiver for the web defects 30 and 40.

[0135] Of course, when applying such a pulsed ultrasound inspection method, the inspection can be performed with only one ultrasound module, as shown in Figure 4b, or with a pair of ultrasound modules in place, the inspection can be performed by driving only one of the modules.

[0136] As described above, by considering the types and occurrence conditions of the web defects 30 and 40 contained in the wheel 20, the pulse eco inspection method or TOFD inspection method can be selectively or entirely applied with one or a pair of the ultrasonic inspection modules of this embodiment in place to perform defect detection. Therefore, a variety of defect detection methods can be easily and conveniently applied regardless of the type of defect, without having to set up or move separate ultrasonic inspection modules.

[0137] Referring to Figures 15 and 16, in the ultrasonic inspection method using the ultrasonic inspection module according to this embodiment, first, the stress on the web portion 22 of the wheel 20 is analyzed before performing direct inspection for defects. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the stress is analyzed only on the web portion 22 of the wheel 20, but the stress analysis can be performed not only on the web portion but also on the rim portion. However, for the sake of explanation, the stress analysis results on the web portion will be described below as an example of a defect.

[0138] Such stress analysis can be performed through simulation, and Figure 16 shows an example of the results of an FEM simulation. That is, as shown in Figure 16, for example, the stress distribution generated in the web portion 22 of a railway vehicle wheel can be predetermined through simulation by setting the self-weight along the axle centerline for a railway vehicle wheel of a predetermined radius. After this, referring to Figures 15 and 16, based on the stress analysis results, the predicted region where defect occurrence is expected is selected.

[0139] In other words, based on the stress distribution simulation results in Figure 16a, a region 51 where wheel defects are expected to occur can be selected as a region where stress is concentrated, as shown in Figure 16b. At this time, the region 51 where wheel defects are expected to occur may be selected from multiple regions. Furthermore, the criteria for determining the presence or absence of a region where stress is concentrated can be set in advance, and these criteria can be varied in various ways.

[0140] In this way, by pre-selecting the areas where wheel defects are expected to occur as regions where stress is concentrated, the position of the ultrasonic inspection module can be pre-set based on these areas. Compared to performing inspections on all areas to detect defects, the time and cost of defect detection can be minimized. In this case, the areas where defects are expected to occur may be the rim or the web.

[0141] Taking into consideration the predicted defect occurrence area 51, the position of the sensor module and the ultrasonic incidence angle are set in the ultrasonic inspection module 10. That is, if the ultrasonic inspection module 10 includes at least one sensor module, the position and ultrasonic incidence angle of each sensor module are set to position the sensor module at the corresponding location. For example, as shown in Figure 17a, once the predicted defect occurrence area Zone 1 is set, the position of the sensor module can be set relative to the area Zone 1.

[0142] The position of the sensor module is set considering the position of the ultrasonic probe (not shown) located inside the wedge portion 900 that generates ultrasonic waves, that is, considering the angle of incidence of the ultrasonic waves provided inside the wheel 20. In other words, the position of the sensor module must be set so that the ultrasonic waves provided inside the wheel 20 reach the defect occurrence prediction area Zone 1, and similarly the angle of incidence of the ultrasonic waves must also be set.

[0143] In other words, the position of the sensor module can be set by a distance X1 separated horizontally from a line segment that penetrates the region Zone 1 and passes through the central axis of the wheel 20, and by an angle θ1 tilted with respect to the position (origin) of the region Zone 1.

[0144] Furthermore, if the position of the sensor module is set so that it is located in the corresponding position, the wedge portion 900 included in the sensor module will be in contact with the tread surface 21 of the wheel 20, so the angle α1 formed by the wedge portion 900 with respect to the region Zone 1 can also be set. The incidence angle of the ultrasonic waves that enter the interior of the wheel 20 through the sensor module can also be set.

[0145] As described above, the position of the sensor module and the ultrasonic incidence angle can be determined by considering the predicted defect occurrence areas. For example, if there are four predicted defect occurrence areas, Zone 1 to Zone 4, then the position and incidence angle of each of the four sensor modules (101, 102, 103, 104) (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4) can be set.

[0146] Depending on the position of the sensor module and the ultrasonic incidence angle set in this manner, the ultrasonic waves provided to the defect prediction area are as illustrated in Figure 17b. Furthermore, an example of the actual arrangement of four sensor modules, whose positions and incidence angles are set in order to provide ultrasonic waves to the prediction area, is shown in Figure 17c.

[0147] In this case, the defect occurrence prediction regions Zone 1 to Zone 4 could be web defects 30 and 40, and the type of defect is not distinguished. This is because, as mentioned above, in the case of the ultrasonic inspection module according to this embodiment, both pulsed eco inspection and TOFD inspection methods can be utilized, and the sensor module best suited to applying the relevant inspection method can be selected and applied according to the type and location of the defect.

[0148] [Table 1] Information on ultrasound inspection modules when applying the pulsed ultrasound method JPEG0007894918000001.jpg37163

[0149] More specifically, the positions of the sensor modules and ultrasonic incidence angles arranged in Figure 17c are illustrated in the table. In this case, when the pulsed eco inspection method is applied to the defect occurrence prediction regions Zone 1 to Zone 4, one ultrasonic inspection module 10 is used as described above, and the positions of each sensor module and ultrasonic incidence angles when such a single ultrasonic inspection module 10 is used are as shown in [Table 1].

[0150] In this case, the ultrasonic inspection module 10 may include the first to fourth sensor modules 100, 102, 103, and 104. Therefore, α1, α2, α3, and α4 are the angles formed by the wedge portions of the first to fourth sensor modules with respect to each region Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, and Zone 4; X1, X2, X3, and X4 are the horizontal distances between the wedge portions of the first to fourth sensor modules and each region Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, and Zone 4; and θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4 are the angles inclined by the wedge portions of the first to fourth sensor modules with respect to the position (origin) of each region Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, and Zone 4. On the other hand, f represents the frequency of the ultrasonic probe.

[0151] In other words, based on the position of the sensor module and the ultrasonic incidence angle set through [Table 1] as described above, the pulse eco inspection method can be applied, thereby effectively detecting defects in the wheels of railway vehicles.

[0152] In contrast, when applying the TOFD inspection method to the defect occurrence prediction areas Zone 1 to Zone 4, a pair of ultrasonic inspection modules are used as described above. When such a pair of ultrasonic inspection modules is used, the position of each sensor module and the ultrasonic incidence angle are as shown in [Table 2].

[0153] [Table 2] Information on ultrasound modules when applying the TOFD method JPEG0007894918000002.jpg37161

[0154] In this case, Table 2 illustrates the position of the sensor module and the ultrasonic incidence angle for one ultrasonic inspection module as shown in Figure 8, and it is sufficient that the position of the sensor module and the ultrasonic incidence angle for another ultrasonic inspection module are symmetric with respect to the central axis that penetrates the regions Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, and Zone 4 with respect to the position and incidence angle illustrated in Table 2.

[0155] In this case, α1, α2, α3, and α4 are the angles formed by the wedge portions of the first to fourth sensor modules with respect to each region Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, and Zone 4; X1, X2, X3, and X4 are the horizontal distances between the wedge portions of the first to fourth sensor modules and each region Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, and Zone 4; θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4 are the angles tilted by the wedge portions of the first to fourth sensor modules with respect to the position (origin) of each region Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, and Zone 4; and f represents the frequency of the ultrasonic probe, as is the case in [Table 1] above.

[0156] In other words, based on the position of the sensor module and the ultrasonic incidence angle set through [Table 2] as described above, the TOFD inspection method can be applied, thereby effectively detecting defects in the wheels of railway vehicles.

[0157] As described above, after setting the position of the ultrasonic inspection module considering the predicted defect occurrence area, defects in the wheel 20 are analyzed using either the pulse-echo inspection method or the TOFD (time of flight diffraction) inspection method.

[0158] At this time, the analysis of defects in the wheel 20 can be performed using either the pulse-echo inspection method or the TOFD (time of flight diffraction) inspection method, depending on the type of defect in the wheel 20. As mentioned above, the pulse-echo inspection method can be applied to the rim defects in Figure 20, and either the pulse-echo inspection method or the TOFD (time of flight diffraction) inspection method can be applied to the web defects 30 and 40.

[0159] In the following, the actual inspection results will be replaced with simulation results for explanation. Figure 18 shows the FEM simulation results for each sensor module when the P / E method is used. In the cases of (a), (c), (e), and (g) in Figure 18, the path of the ultrasonic beam is shown as it propagates within the wheel and scatters upon hitting a defect. In the cases of (b), (d), (f), and (h) in Figure 18, the ultrasonic signal (S-scan) within a specific angular range is shown. At this time, the ultrasonic beam generated by the ultrasonic probe propagates as a spherical wave rather than a plane wave, so the reflected wave that hits the defect propagates again to the sensor module.

[0160] This image illustrates the path of the ultrasonic beam when ultrasound is applied to the four regions Zone1 to Zone4, which were selected as defect occurrence prediction regions, using the pulse-echo inspection method at the position of the set ultrasonic inspection module 10.

[0161] Figure 19 shows the FEM simulation results for each sensor module when using the TOFD method. In cases (a), (c), (e), and (g) of Figure 19, the path of the ultrasonic beam is shown as it propagates within the wheel and scatters upon hitting a defect. In cases (b), (d), (f), and (h) of Figure 19, the defect signal (A-scan) acquired by the receiver is shown. In this case, with the TOFD method, it is impossible to acquire the defect signal unless the receiver is located at a point with the same reflection angle as the incidence angle.

[0162] In the case of the aforementioned TOFD (time of flight diffraction) inspection method, as shown in Figures 11a to 11d, it can be confirmed that the ultrasonic waves generated through the sensor modules 100, 102, 103, and 104 propagate inside the wheel 20 and scatter upon hitting the respective defect zones 1, 2, 3, and 4. At this time, the other sensor modules 105, 106, 107, and 108 that receive the ultrasonic waves must be located at a point where the reflection angle is the same as the incident angle of the transmitted ultrasonic waves relative to the sensor modules 100, 102, 103, and 104 that transmit the ultrasonic waves.

[0163] As described above, the sensor modules 100, 102, 103, and 104 transmit ultrasonic waves to the defect zones 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively, and the other sensor modules 105, 106, 107, and 108 receive the reflected waves reflected from the defect zones 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively, and through this, they perform detection of web defects 30 and 40 using the TOFD (time of flight diffraction) inspection method.

[0164] Figure 20 schematically shows the main defect locations 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the rim of a railway vehicle wheel, and indicates the selected inspection areas 1', 2', 3', and 4' for flaw detection using the apparatus of the present invention. Three wedges were used in the ultrasonic precision flaw detection sensor module to inspect the corresponding areas of the rim, similar to the ultrasonic inspection of the web, and the angles of the wedges were calculated.

[0165] As shown in Figure 21, the wedge position and setting angle relative to the wheel rim inspection area are shown, and the ultrasonic probe frequencies (f) used are 2.25 MHz and 5 MHz, the same as for the web ultrasonic inspection. The wedge position for inspecting inspection area 1' is 28.3 mm away from the origin of the rim, and the angle of incidence of the wedge is 23.1°. The wedge position for inspecting inspection area 2' is 15.3 mm away from the origin of the rim, and the angle of incidence of the wedge is 0° (perpendicular incidence). The wedge positions for inspecting inspection areas 3' and 4' are 25.3 mm away from the origin of the rim, and the angles of incidence of the wedge are -27° and -40°, respectively.

[0166] Figure 22 shows the results of ultrasonic beam path analysis using FEM simulation for each rim sensor module utilizing a wedge. The analysis was performed using the wedge position and wedge incidence angle attached to the module selected in Figure 16, confirming that the inspection area is sufficiently covered. Furthermore, the ultrasonic precision flaw detection sensor module inspecting the rim was inspected using the P / E method.

[0167] Figure 23 shows the wedge parameters of the previously selected railway vehicle rim sensor module and the results of ultrasonic inspection experiments using FEM simulation. When defects are present in the previously selected inspection areas 1', 2', 3', and 4', the results of each ultrasonic experiment using the railway vehicle rim sensor module are shown, confirming that inspection is possible.

[0168] As described above, detection can be performed by transmitting or receiving ultrasound based on whether the defect is located in the rim or the web. Furthermore, if it is unclear whether the defect is located in the rim or the web, pulse-echo testing can be applied to rim defects, and pulse-echo testing or TOFD (time of flight diffraction) testing can be applied to web defects, and the results can be examined.

[0169] According to the embodiments of the present invention described above, the evaluation of defects in the rim and web portions of a wheel can be performed through a single ultrasonic inspection module, thereby enabling more reliable inspection and evaluation of various conditions of the wheel.

[0170] In particular, if a single ultrasonic inspection module includes multiple sensor modules, each sensor module can be used as a transmitter and receiver for defect inspection at multiple locations when using the pulse-echo inspection method, thus enabling inspection of defects at various locations.

[0171] On the other hand, when using the TOFD (time of flight diffraction) inspection method, the ultrasonic inspection modules are positioned at the incident and reflection angles of the ultrasound, with one ultrasonic inspection module containing multiple sensor modules used as a transmitter and the other ultrasonic inspection module containing multiple sensor modules used as a receiver. Thus, defect inspection can be performed at a variety of locations.

[0172] Furthermore, in ultrasonic inspection methods using such ultrasonic inspection modules, regions where stress is concentrated are first selected as defect occurrence prediction regions through stress analysis, and the position of the sensor module and the ultrasonic incidence angle are determined considering the prediction regions. This reduces trial and error, minimizes time and cost, and enables accurate and rapid detection of defect occurrence.

[0173] In this case, by optimally positioning the sensor module considering the reception position of the reflected ultrasonic signal for each detection method, such as pulse-echo inspection or TOFD (time of flight diffraction) inspection, it is possible to distinguish between various defects in the wheel, particularly defects in the rim and web, and obtain results in a single inspection. This improves the speed, convenience, and accuracy of defect inspection.

[0174] A laser inspection module 800, used for inspecting tread surface defects on the rim of a wheel, is shown in Figures 24 and 25. The laser inspection body 810, composed of two laser sensors 8200, is mounted on a laser inspection module stand 830, which is positioned adjacent to one wheel on the upper end support frame 150 so as to project a laser beam onto the rim 23 of the wheel. The laser emitted from the light-emitting unit is received by the light-receiving unit.

[0175] The laser inspection module mounting base 830 comprises a first stage 840 that causes the laser inspection body 810 to slide and reciprocate in the axial direction of the wheel 20, which is the first direction (X-axis), and a second stage 850 that causes the laser inspection module to slide and reciprocate in the fourth direction (N-axis), which is a straight line connecting the laser inspection module and the central axis of the wheel.

[0176] Figure 24 shows the surface inspection of the wheel rim portion 23 using the laser sensor beam. The laser emitted from the laser sensor takes on a triangular shape as the distance from the laser sensor increases, and it can be confirmed that when it reaches a specific distance, the width of each laser beam covers the entire tread surface of the wheel rim portion 23.

[0177] Furthermore, in order to maintain a certain level of reproducibility of the inspection results, the system must be designed so that the laser can always be incident on the Tread surface in the N-axis direction. The laser beam that reaches the surface of each wheel 20 is reflected from the surface of the wheel 20 and reaches the light receiving unit, allowing the profile of the wheel rim surface to be obtained. In other words, in order to ensure the reproducibility of the inspection for obtaining the profile of the rim surface 23, the laser inspection module stand 830 must be mounted with the laser inspection body 810 at a predetermined angle so that the laser beam is irradiated so as to penetrate the center of the wheel 20 and incident in the direction normal to the rim 23.

[0178] Figure 25 shows the movement axes of the two stages. The N-axis is the direction that penetrates the center of the wheel, and the X-axis is the direction perpendicular to the surface of the wheel rim 23. The second stage 850 in the N-axis direction adjusts the inspection range of the wheel surface by changing the distance between the laser sensor and the wheel surface, while the first stage 840 in the X-axis direction moves the inspection range of the wheel surface.

[0179] The description above presents the best mode of the present invention and provides examples to illustrate the invention and enable those skilled in the art to construct and utilize it. The specification thus prepared is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific terms presented therein.

[0180] Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the examples above, those skilled in the art can modify, change, and alter these examples without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, it is not necessary to separately include all the functional blocks shown in the drawings or to perform all the sequences shown in the drawings in the order they are illustrated, and any other deviation can still fall within the technical scope of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0181] 10: Precision inspection device for railway vehicle wheels 20: Wheels 21: Wheel tread 22: The web portion of the wheel 23: Wheel rim 25: Center of the wheel 30 (31, 32, 33): Defects in the web section 40(41, 42): Defects in the web section 51: Predicted area of ​​wheel defect occurrence 100: Lower frame module 101: Lower space 110: Base plate 120: Lower frame 150: Upper end support frame 200: Upper frame module 201: Upper space 210: Upper vertical frame 220: Upper horizontal frame 230: Additional horizontal frame 231: Rail section 232: Lever 240: Additional horizontal frame 300: LM Guide 400: Fixed module 410: Fixed extension frame 420: Fixed Unit 421: Guide Plate 422: Guide bar 423: Guide Block 424: Extension bar 425: Fixing plate 500: Rotating Module 510: Motor for roller movement 520: Gearbox 530: Ball screw shaft 540: Ball nut 550: Roller drive motor 560: Motor transfer guide 570: Laura 580: Stage 590: Roller transfer guide 600: First inspection module 610: First Vertical Frame 611: First Vertical Plate 612:Transfer section 613: First sliding plate 614: Sliding groove 615: Fixed part 620: First rotation frame 621: First Rotating Plate 622: Tilting Stage 623: First pressurization section 624: Center 630: First inspection fuselage 631: Surface that contacts the wheel 640: First Inspection Unit 700: Second inspection module 710: Folding frame 720: Second Vertical Frame 730: Second Vertical Plate 731: Second sliding groove 735:Second fixed part 736:Second fixed part 740: Second sliding plate 750: Second pressurization section 760: Second inspection fuselage 770: Second Inspection Unit 800: Third inspection module 810: Laser inspection of the torso 820: Laser sensor 830: Laser inspection module mounting stand 840: Stage 1 850: Stage 2 900: Wedge section 910:Top part 920: Torso 922, 923, 924, 925: Multiple sensor modules 930: Bottom part 940: Fittings 950: Frame part 951: First side frame 952: Second side frame 953: Fixing jig 960: Plunger section 961: Shaft 962: Bush 963: Spring 970: Sensor module jig 980: Ultrasonic probe jig 985:BNC 990: Water supply department 991:Inflow section 992: Descent channel 993: First lower channel 994: Second lower channel 995: Water film

Claims

1. Lower frame module that forms the lower space; An upper frame module coupled to the lower frame module and forming an upper space; A fixing module that is fixed to the lower frame module and secures the wheels; Rotating modules that rotate the wheels on the left and right sides of the fixed module; A first inspection module fixed to the upper frame module for inspecting defects in the web portion of the wheel using ultrasound; A second inspection module fixed to the upper frame module for inspecting defects in the rim portion of the wheel using ultrasound; and A precision inspection device for railway vehicle wheels, including a third inspection module fixed to the lower frame module and using a laser to inspect for defects in the contact surface of the wheel rim with the railway track.

2. The upper end of the lower frame module further includes an LM guide for moving the upper frame module along a first direction (x), The precision inspection device for a railway vehicle wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper frame module is moved in a first direction (x) to secure mounting space, and then the wheel is fixed to the fixing module.

3. The railway vehicle wheel precision inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second inspection modules are connected to the upper frame module, and the positions of the first and second inspection modules are variable depending on the size of the wheel.

4. The aforementioned upper frame module is Upper horizontal frame extending horizontally; An additional horizontal frame fixed to the upper surface of the upper horizontal frame, in which the first inspection module is positioned as it moves horizontally along the rail section; and The precision inspection device for railway vehicle wheels according to claim 3, characterized in that it includes a folding frame located in the center of the upper horizontal frame, the second inspection module being positioned as it moves vertically along a sliding groove.

5. The aforementioned fixed module is A fixing unit comprising a pair of fixing plates coupled to the center of the wheel, which fixes the center of the wheel and positions the wheel in the lower and upper spaces; and The precision inspection device for the wheels of a railway vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a fixed extension frame that positions the fixed unit at a predetermined height where the wheel is located.

6. Each of the pair of rotating modules is: A roller that contacts the rim of the wheel and rotates or supports the wheel; A roller drive motor that provides rotational driving force to the roller; A stage that supports the roller so that the roller can rotate; and The railway vehicle wheel precision inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a transport guide that allows the stage to move in one direction.

7. The aforementioned rotating module is A motor for moving the rollers, and a ball screw shaft that rotates with the motor for moving the rollers; and A pair of ball nuts that rotate in opposite directions to each other when the ball screw shaft rotates, thereby moving the pair of stages in opposite directions; further comprising The rotation of the pair of ball nuts moves the pair of rotating modules toward or away from each other, in addition to rotating the wheel, The precision inspection device for the wheels of a railway vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the wheel is raised or lowered and positioned so as to be fixed to the fixed module.

8. The first inspection module is, A precision inspection device for railway vehicle wheels according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the devices contacts the rim of the wheel and uses ultrasound to inspect for defects in the web portion.

9. When one of the first inspection modules inspects for defects in the web portion, it uses a pulse-echo inspection method to inspect for defects. The precision inspection device for railway vehicle wheels according to claim 8, characterized in that when the pair of first inspection modules inspects defects in the web portion, the defects are inspected using the TOFD (time of flight difference) inspection method.

10. When using the aforementioned pulse-echo testing method, The railway vehicle wheel precision inspection apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second inspection modules include a plurality of sensor modules arranged adjacent to each other on the tread surface of the wheel, and one of the sensor modules is used as a transmitter that generates ultrasonic waves and a receiver that receives ultrasonic waves reflected from defects.

11. When using the aforementioned TOFD (Time of Flight Diffraction) testing method, The first and second inspection modules include a plurality of sensor modules arranged in pairs on the tread of the wheel at a predetermined distance from each other, wherein the sensor modules are arranged in pairs, with one used as a transmitter that generates ultrasonic waves and the other used as a receiver that receives ultrasonic waves reflected from defects, as described in claim 9.

12. The first inspection module is, A first inspection body that contacts the rim of the wheel and has a contact surface with the same curvature as the wheel; and The railway vehicle wheel precision inspection device according to claim 8, characterized in that it includes a plurality of first inspection units arranged inside the first inspection body, which provide ultrasonic waves to the web portion.

13. The first inspection module is, A first vertical frame extending vertically to facilitate contact between the wedge and the wheel; A first rotating frame is connected to the end of the first inspection body and extends so as to rotate relative to the first vertical frame that the first inspection body contacts the rim of the wheel; and The railway vehicle wheel precision inspection device according to claim 12, further comprising a tilting stage capable of rotating the first inspection body around a hinge.

14. The first vertical frame is, The first rotating frame is fixed on the sliding groove with its position adjustable vertically, including a sliding groove and a fixing portion formed in the sliding groove. The first rotating frame includes a first pressurizing portion having a predetermined elastic force, The railway vehicle wheel precision inspection device according to claim 13, characterized in that the first inspection body provides an external force that contacts the rim portion of the wheel.

15. The aforementioned second inspection module is A precision inspection device for a railway vehicle wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a plurality of sensor modules arranged adjacent to each other on the tread surface of the wheel, and uses a pulse-echo inspection method in which one of the sensor modules is used as a transmitter that generates ultrasonic waves and a receiver that receives ultrasonic waves reflected from defects to inspect defects in the rim portion of the wheel.

16. The aforementioned second inspection module is A second vertical frame extending vertically; A second sliding plate extending perpendicularly to the second vertical frame toward the rim of the wheel; A second inspection body attached to the end of the second sliding plate; and The precision inspection device for the wheels of a railway vehicle according to claim 15, characterized in that it includes a second inspection unit which is arranged in a plurality inside the second inspection body and provides ultrasonic waves to the rim portion.

17. The second sliding plate is, It includes a second pressurizing part having a predetermined elastic force, The precision inspection device for railway vehicle wheels according to claim 16, characterized in that the second inspection body provides an external force that causes it to contact the rim portion of the wheel.

18. An ultrasonic precision inspection module including a sensor module for inspecting defects in the rim or web portion of the wheel, wherein the sensor module is Wedge section that generates ultrasonic waves; A plunger portion that presses the wedge portion against the wheel tread at the upper part of the wedge portion; and A precision inspection device for a railway vehicle wheel according to claim 8 or claim 15, characterized in that it includes a water supply unit that supplies water to the tread surface of the wheel through the wedge unit.

19. The plunger portion is A fixing jig to which a bush located at the upper part of the wedge portion is fastened; A shaft that penetrates the fixed jig to which the bush is fastened and is in close contact with the wedge portion; and The precision inspection device for railway vehicle wheels according to claim 18, characterized by including a spring that constantly surrounds the lower end of the shaft between the bush and the wedge portion while applying elastic pressure to the upper part of the wedge portion.

20. A lower flow channel is provided in the water supply section. The water supplied to the lower channel through the water supply unit forms a water film between the bottom surface of the wedge and the tread surface of the wheel. The ultrasonic precision inspection module is characterized by using water as an ultrasonic coupling medium to facilitate contact between the wedge portion and the surface of the wheel and to improve ultrasonic beam transmission, as described in claim 18, for the precision inspection device for railway vehicle wheels.

21. A method for precisely inspecting the wheels of a railway vehicle using the wheel precision inspection device described in claim 1, A step of analyzing the stress on the wheel; The step of selecting the defect occurrence area based on the stress analysis results; A step of determining the position of the sensor module included in the ultrasound inspection module and the ultrasonic incidence angle, taking into consideration the selected predicted area; and A method for precisely inspecting the wheels of a railway vehicle, comprising the step of analyzing defects in the wheels using a pulse-echo inspection method or a time of flight difference (TOFD) inspection method.

22. In the stage of analyzing the stress on the web portion of the wheel, The self-weight of the wheel is set at the axle centerline, and the stress distribution generated in the web portion of the wheel is derived. A method for precisely inspecting the wheels of a railway vehicle according to claim 21, wherein a region where stress is concentrated is selected as the predicted defect occurrence region of the web portion of the wheel based on the stress distribution result.

23. In the step of determining the position of the sensor module and the ultrasonic incidence angle, the ultrasonic waves are to pass through the defect occurrence prediction region. The position of the sensor module on the wheel tread; The angle of incidence of the ultrasonic waves; and The method for precisely inspecting the wheels of a railway vehicle according to claim 21, which involves setting the frequency of the ultrasonic waves.

24. Four regions were selected as areas where defects in the web portion of the wheel are expected to occur. Each sensor module that provides ultrasound to each region has a horizontal isolation distance (X) from each region, an angle (θ) tilted relative to the position of each region, and an angle (α) formed by the wedge portion with respect to each region. First sensor module: X = 168 mm, θ = 21°, α = 42.5°; Second sensor module: X = 224 mm, θ = 28°, α = 36.6°; Third sensor module: X = 264 mm, θ = 33°, α = 31.25°; Fourth sensor module: X = 319 mm, θ = 39°, α = 26.2°; The method for precisely inspecting the wheels of a railway vehicle according to claim 23, characterized in that the above conditions are applied to the ultrasonic inspection method of the web portion of the wheel.

25. In the stage of analyzing the stress on the rim of the wheel, a total of four inspection areas (1', 2', 3', 4') where defects are expected to occur are selected, and for the three wedges that provide ultrasonic waves to each area, the area to be inspected, the distance from the origin of the rim downward in the third direction Z where the wedge must be positioned, and the angle of incidence of the wedge are as follows: Ultrasonic wedge (left side): Examination area 1', separation distance = 28.3 mm, incident angle = 23.1° (transverse wave upward); Ultrasonic wedge (center): Examination area 2', separation distance = 15.3 mm, incident angle = 0° (perpendicular to longitudinal waves); Ultrasonic wedge (right side): Examination areas 3' and 4', separation distance = 25.3 mm, incidence angles are 27° (downward transverse wave) and 40° (downward longitudinal wave), respectively; The method for precisely inspecting the wheels of a railway vehicle according to claim 21, characterized in that the above conditions are applied to the ultrasonic inspection method for the rim portion of the wheel.

26. The aforementioned third inspection module is A method for precisely inspecting the wheels of a railway vehicle according to claim 21, characterized in that a laser inspection module is mounted on a laser inspection module stand positioned on one side of the frame that supports the upper end of the lower frame module, in a position where a laser beam can be irradiated toward the wheel, and the laser inspection module, which is composed of a plurality of laser sensors, receives a laser emitted from a light-emitting part in the laser sensor with a light-receiving part, and inspects defects on the tread surface of the rim portion of the wheel of the railway vehicle, which is the part that comes into contact with the track.

27. The aforementioned laser inspection module mounting stand is A first stage that causes the laser inspection module to slide in a first direction (X-axis); and A second stage is provided to cause the laser inspection module and the wheel's central axis to slide in a fourth direction (N-axis) connected by a straight line; The method for precisely inspecting the wheels of a railway vehicle according to claim 26, characterized in that the first stage plays the role of moving the inspection range of the wheel surface, and the second stage plays the role of adjusting the inspection range of the wheel surface by changing the distance between the laser sensor and the wheel surface.

28. The aforementioned laser inspection module is When the laser emitted by the light-emitting part of the laser sensor reflects off the surface of the wheel, it is received by the light-receiving part to obtain a profile of the surface of the wheel rim. The aforementioned laser inspection module mounting stand is A method for precisely inspecting the wheels of a railway vehicle according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that, in order to ensure the reproducibility of the inspection for obtaining a profile of the rim surface, the laser inspection module is mounted at a predetermined angle such that the laser beam is irradiated so as to penetrate the center of the wheel and incident in the direction normal to the rim.

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