Magnetizing device

Abstract

To provide a magnetization device that can be easily placed at a magnetization position for a magnetized object and easily removed from the magnetization position.SOLUTION: A magnetization device 1 includes a magnet 2, and a buffer mechanism 3 that applies repulsive force between the magnet 2 and a magnetized object 4 so as to offset at least a part of the attractive force between the magnet 2 and the magnetized object 4 due to the magnetic force of the magnet 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a magnetization device.

Background Art

[0002] In order to detect abnormalities in magnetic materials such as pipes by magnetic flaw detection, a magnetization device that magnetizes the magnetic material, that is, magnetizes it to give residual magnetization, is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is desirable that the magnetization device can be easily placed at the magnetization position with respect to the magnetization object and removed from the magnetization position.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a magnetization device that can be easily placed at the magnetization position with respect to the magnetization object and removed from the magnetization position.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0007] [1] A magnet, A magnetization device having a buffer mechanism that applies a repulsive force between the magnet and the magnetization object so as to cancel at least a part of the attractive force between the magnet and the magnetization object due to the magnetic force of the magnet.

[0008] [2] The magnetization device according to [1], wherein the buffer mechanism comprises a contact portion, a connecting portion that connects the magnet and the contact portion so that the magnet can perform a reciprocating motion in the approaching direction and the moving away direction with respect to the object to be magnetized while in contact with the contact portion, and a biasing portion that biases the magnet in the moving away direction of the reciprocating motion in order to impart a repulsive force between the magnet and the object to be magnetized.

[0009] [3] The contact portion is rotatable with respect to the object to be magnetized, as described in [2], the magnetization device.

[0010] [4] The magnetization device according to [2] or [3], wherein the connecting portion has a stopper portion that defines the stroke limit position in the approaching direction during the reciprocating motion.

[0011] [5] The magnetizing device according to any one of [2] to [4], wherein, when the magnetizing device is positioned at the magnetizing position relative to the object to be magnetized, the contact portion is located in a portion other than the portion between the magnet and the object to be magnetized.

[0012] [6] A magnetizing device according to any one of [2] to [5], wherein when the contact portion comes into contact with the object to be magnetized, the attractive force of the magnet moves the magnet closer to the object to be magnetized against the repulsive force of the buffer mechanism.

[0013] [7] The cushioning mechanism has a predetermined number of cushioning members, The buffer member comprises a base member integrally attached to the magnet, a movable member that can reciprocate relative to the base member, and an elastic member that can be elastically deformed by the reciprocating movement of the movable member relative to the base member, wherein the movable member constitutes the contact portion, the magnetization device according to any one of [2] to [6].

[0014] [8] A magnetizing device according to any one of [1] to [6], having a first part having the first magnet and the first buffer mechanism, and a second part rotatable with respect to the first part and having the second magnet and the second buffer mechanism, and having an openable and closable annular part formed thereby.

[0015] [9] The first buffer mechanism has a first predetermined number of buffer members. The buffer member has a base member integrally attached to the magnet, a moving member reciprocally movable with respect to the base member, and an elastic member elastically deformable by the reciprocal movement of the moving member with respect to the base member, and the moving member constitutes the contact part. The magnetizing device according to [8], wherein the second buffer mechanism has a second predetermined number of the buffer members.

[0016]

[10] The magnetizing device according to [9], wherein the first predetermined number and the second predetermined number are different.

[0017]

[11] The magnetizing device according to any one of [8] to

[10] , wherein the first part and the second part each form a semi-annular shape.

[0018]

[12] In a state where the magnetizing device is disposed at a magnetizing position with respect to the magnetizing object, a first difference obtained by subtracting the repulsive force from the attractive force in the first part is different from a second difference obtained by subtracting the repulsive force from the attractive force in the second part. The magnetizing device according to any one of [8] to

[11] . [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a magnetizing device that is easy to be disposed at a magnetizing position with respect to a magnetizing object and removed from the magnetizing position. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1]This is a perspective view of a magnetization device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a plan view of the magnetization device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the magnetization device positioned at the magnetization location. [Figure 4A] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the buffer member in a steady state in the magnetization device. [Figure 4B] Figure 4A is a plan view showing the buffer member in a steady state. [Figure 5A] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the buffer member in the magnetization device at its operating limit. [Figure 5B] Figure 5A is a plan view showing the cushioning member in its operating limit state. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modified example of the magnetization device shown. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the magnetization device positioned at the magnetization location. [Figure 8A] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the buffer member in a steady state in the magnetization device. [Figure 8B] Figure 8A is a plan view showing the buffer member in a steady state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 to 5B, a magnetization device 1 according to one embodiment includes a magnet 2 and a buffer mechanism 3 that provides a repulsive force between the magnet 2 and the object to be magnetized 4 so as to cancel out at least a portion of the attractive force between the magnet 2 and the object to be magnetized 4 due to the magnetic force of the magnet 2.

[0023] With this configuration, when the magnetizing device 1 is placed in the magnetizing position (i.e., a position where the object 4 can be magnetized) relative to the object to be magnetized 4, the force of attraction due to magnetic force can be buffered by the buffering mechanism 3. Furthermore, when removing the magnetizing device 1 from the magnetizing position, the repulsive force provided by the buffering mechanism 3 can be utilized, making it easy to place the magnetizing device 1 in and out of the magnetizing position.

[0024] The repulsive force of the cushioning mechanism 3 is generated by the elastic force of an elastically deformable member. With this configuration, the momentum of adsorption due to the suction force can be converted into elastic force and stored, thus achieving efficient cushioning. However, the cushioning mechanism 3 is not limited to this, and may also be configured to generate the repulsive force by, for example, a driving force from an actuator.

[0025] The buffer mechanism 3 includes a contact portion 3a that can contact the object to be magnetized 4, a connecting portion 3b that connects the magnet 2 and the contact portion 3a so that the magnet 2 can move in a reciprocating motion toward and toward the object to be magnetized 4 while in contact with the contact portion 3a, and a biasing portion 3c that biases the magnet 2 in the toward direction of reciprocating motion to impart a repulsive force between the magnet 2 and the object to be magnetized 4. With such a configuration, the buffer mechanism 3 can be easily constructed. However, the configuration of the buffer mechanism 3 is not limited to this.

[0026] The contact portion 3a is rotatable relative to the object to be magnetized 4. With this configuration, when the magnetization device 1 is moved along the object to be magnetized 4 at the magnetization position, the sliding resistance to the object to be magnetized 4 can be reduced by allowing the object to be magnetized 4 to roll relative to the magnetization device 1, thus making it easy to magnetize the object to be magnetized 4. However, the configuration of the contact portion 3a is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in the modified examples in Figures 6 to 8B, the contact portion 3a may be configured to be non-rotatable relative to the object to be magnetized 4. For example, as shown in Figure 3, when the object to be magnetized 4 is a pipe, one example of its rolling is that it rolls along the outer surface of the pipe, which is the object to be magnetized 4, in the axial direction of the pipe.

[0027] The contact portion 3a is configured to be rotatable by at least one wheel. With this configuration, the rotatable contact portion 3a can be easily constructed. However, the contact portion 3a is not limited to this, and may be composed of, for example, at least one roller or ball.

[0028] The connecting portion 3b has a stopper portion 3b1 that defines the stroke limit position in the approaching direction during reciprocating motion (for example, the distance from the outer surface of the pipe if the object to be magnetized 4 is a pipe). With this configuration, the distance of the magnet 2 to the object to be magnetized 4 at the magnetization position can be defined by the stopper portion 3b1, thus enabling stable magnetization. However, the configuration of the connecting portion 3b is not limited to this. For example, the stopper portion 3b1 can be fixed to the magnet 2.

[0029] When the magnetization device 1 is positioned at the magnetization position relative to the object to be magnetized 4, the contact portion 3a is located in a part other than the portion between the magnet 2 and the object to be magnetized 4. With this configuration, magnetic force can be efficiently applied to the object to be magnetized 4 at the magnetization position, thus achieving efficient magnetization. However, the configuration of the magnetization device 1 is not limited to this.

[0030] When the contact portion 3a comes into contact with the object to be magnetized 4, the attractive force of the magnet 2 overcomes the repulsive force of the buffer mechanism 3, bringing the magnet 2 closer to the object to be magnetized 4. With this configuration, the magnetization device 1 can be easily positioned at the magnetization location relative to the object to be magnetized 4. However, the configuration of the magnetization device 1 is not limited to this.

[0031] The buffer mechanism 3 has a predetermined number of buffer members 5, each buffer member 5 comprising a base member 5a integrally attached to the magnet 2, a movable member 5b that can reciprocate relative to the base member 5a, and an elastic member 5c that can be elastically deformed by the reciprocating movement of the movable member 5b relative to the base member 5a, with the movable member 5b constituting a contact portion 3a. With such a configuration, the buffer mechanism 3 can be easily constructed. However, the configuration of the buffer mechanism 3 is not limited to this. The connecting portion 3b is composed of the base member 5a and the movable member 5b. The buffer member 5 can switch between states: a steady state in which the movable member 5b is in a steady position relative to the base member 5a, and an operational limit state in which the movable member 5b is in the stroke limit position in the approach direction during reciprocating movement, contacting the base member 5a at the stopper portion 3b1. The predetermined number means one or more. For one buffer member 5, there may be one or more base members 5a, movable members 5b, and elastic members 5c.

[0032] The movable member 5b has a sliding member 5b1 that can slide relative to the base member 5a and a contact member 5b2 attached to the sliding member 5b1, and the contact portion 3a is composed of a predetermined number of contact members 5b2 of the cushioning member 5. With such a configuration, the cushioning mechanism 3 can be easily constructed. However, the configuration of the cushioning mechanism 3 is not limited to this.

[0033] The contact member 5b2 has a predetermined number of wheels as rolling elements. With this configuration, a rotatable contact portion 3a can be easily constructed. However, the contact member 5b2 is not limited to this, and may have rolling elements other than wheels, such as rollers or balls. The cross-sectional shape of the rolling elements such as wheels may be a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, etc. Also, the contact member 5b2 may have a sliding member that is not rotatable but can slide relative to the magnetized object 4, as shown in the modified examples in Figures 6 to 8B. The contact member 5b2 may have a plurality of sliding members, or it may have both a predetermined number of rolling elements and a predetermined number of sliding members.

[0034] The elastic member 5c is made of a tension spring. With this configuration, the cushioning mechanism 3 can be easily constructed. However, the cushioning mechanism 3 is not limited to this, and may be made of, for example, a compression spring, a leaf spring, a torsion spring, etc. The elastic member 5c is arranged so that the base member 5a and the movable member 5b can transmit force to each other via the elastic member 5c. When the elastic member 5c is made of a tension spring, the tension spring is stretched between a part of the base member 5a and a part of the movable member 5b. When the elastic member 5c is made of a compression spring, the compression spring is arranged between a part of the base member 5a and a part of the movable member 5b so that compression by these parts is possible.

[0035] The elastic member 5c generates elastic force through the elastic deformation of an elastic material such as metal. With this configuration, the elastic member 5c can be easily constructed. However, the elastic member 5c is not limited to this; for example, it may also be configured to generate elastic force using an air spring device that utilizes the repulsive force of sealed compressed air.

[0036] The magnetization device 1 has an openable and closable annular portion 6 formed by a first portion 6a having a first magnet 2 and a first buffer mechanism 3, and a second portion 6b that is rotatable relative to the first portion 6a and has a second magnet 2 and a second buffer mechanism 3. With this configuration, a pipe (such as piping in a plant) to be magnetized 4 is placed inside the annular portion 6 with the annular portion 6 open, and by closing the annular portion 6, the magnetization device 1 can be easily positioned to magnetize the pipe. From this magnetized position, the pipe is magnetized by moving the magnetization device 1 in the axial direction of the pipe, and the pipe can be removed from the magnetized position by opening the annular portion, thus achieving efficient magnetization of the pipe. Furthermore, with this configuration, the connecting portion 3b of the buffer mechanism 3 can be adapted to pipes of various diameters, the stopper portion 3b1 can achieve good alignment with the pipe, and the rolling contact portion 3a can achieve a simple magnetization operation with low sliding resistance. However, the configuration of the magnetization device 1 is not limited to this. For example, the magnetization device 1 may have a first part 6a but no second part 6b, and as a result, may not form an annular part 6. The object to be magnetized 4 is not limited to a tube, but may be a magnetic material of any shape. The shape of the magnet 2 is not limited to a semi-cylindrical shape, but can be set as appropriate according to the shape of the object to be magnetized 4, etc. For example, the magnet 2 can be configured to be a curved plate or a flat plate to match the shape of the object to be magnetized 4. The magnetization device 1 may have multiple magnets 2 of different sizes, for example, the first magnet 2 and the second magnet 2 may be of different sizes. The number of magnets 2 in the magnetization device 1 may be one or three or more. The magnet 2 may be a permanent magnet, a temporary magnet, or an electromagnet.

[0037] The first part 6a and the second part 6b each form a semi-ring. With this configuration, the opening and closing operation of the ring portion 6 can be easily performed. However, the configuration of the ring portion 6 is not limited to this.

[0038] When the magnetization device 1 is positioned at the magnetization location relative to the object to be magnetized 4, the first difference obtained by subtracting the repulsive force from the first buffer mechanism 3 from the attractive force from the first magnet 2 in the first part 6a is different from the second difference obtained by subtracting the repulsive force from the second buffer mechanism 3 from the attractive force from the second magnet 2 in the second part 6b. With this configuration, it is possible to determine which of the first part 6a and the second part 6b is more likely to remain attached to the tube when the annular part 6 is opened, thereby enabling a simple removal operation of the magnetization device 1 from the tube. However, the configuration of the magnetization device 1 is not limited to this. The attractive force from the first magnet 2 is the force that pulls the tube radially at the circumferential center of the semi-annular first part 6a. The repulsive force from the first buffer mechanism 3 is the force that repels the tube radially at the circumferential center of the semi-annular first part 6a.

[0039] The first portion 6a has a first outer casing member 7 provided along the outer surface of the first magnet 2, and the second portion 6b has a second outer casing member 7 provided along the outer surface of the second magnet 2. The magnetization device 1 has a hinge portion 8 that rotatably connects one end of the first outer casing member 7 to one end of the second outer casing member 7, and a locking portion 9 that detachably connects the other end of the first outer casing member 7 to the other end of the second outer casing member 7. With such a configuration, an openable and closable annular portion 6 can be easily constructed. However, the configuration of the magnetization device 1 is not limited to this.

[0040] The repulsive force of the first portion 6a can be easily set by the number of cushioning members 5 (elastic members 5c) that constitute the first cushioning mechanism 3 provided in the first portion 6a. In the illustrated example, the number of cushioning members 5 provided in the first portion 6a is 2, but this is not limited to this.

[0041] The repulsive force of the second portion 6b can be easily set by the number of cushioning members 5 (elastic members 5c) that constitute the second cushioning mechanism 3 provided in the second portion 6b. In the illustrated example, the number of cushioning members 5 provided in the second portion 6b is 2, but this is not limited to this.

[0042] The first difference and the second difference described above can be easily made to differ, for example, by making the first predetermined number of cushioning members 5 constituting the first cushioning mechanism 3 different from the second predetermined number of cushioning members 5 constituting the second cushioning mechanism 3.

[0043] The first portion 6a has the first buffer mechanism 3 on only one side in the axial direction of the annular portion 6. However, the first portion 6a may be configured to have the first buffer mechanism 3 on both sides in the axial direction of the annular portion 6, as shown in the modified examples in Figures 6 to 8B.

[0044] The second portion 6b has the second buffer mechanism 3 on only one side in the axial direction of the annular portion 6. However, the second portion 6b may be configured to have the second buffer mechanism 3 on both sides in the axial direction of the annular portion 6, as shown in the modified examples in Figures 6 to 8B.

[0045] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified in various ways without departing from its essence.

[0046] Therefore, the magnetization device 1 according to the above embodiment can be modified in various ways, as long as it includes a magnet 2 and a buffer mechanism 3 that provides a repulsive force between the magnet 2 and the object to be magnetized 4 so as to cancel out at least a portion of the attractive force between the magnet 2 and the object to be magnetized 4 due to the magnetic force of the magnet 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 1 Magnetizer 2 Magnets 3 Buffer mechanism 3a Contact part 3b Connecting part 3b1 Stopper section 3c Force section 4. Objects to be magnetized 5. Cushioning material 5a Base member 5b Movable member 5b1 Sliding member 5b2 Contact member 5c Elastic member 6. Ring section 6a Part 1 6b Second part 7 Outer enclosure member 8. Hinge section 9 Locking part

Claims

1. Magnets and The system includes a buffering mechanism that applies a repulsive force between the magnet and the object to be magnetized so as to cancel out at least a portion of the attractive force between the magnet and the object to be magnetized due to the magnetic force of the magnet, The buffer mechanism is a magnetizing device comprising: a contact portion; a connecting portion that connects the magnet and the contact portion so that the magnet can move in an approaching direction and an awaying direction relative to the object to be magnetized while in contact with the contact portion; and a biasing portion that biases the magnet in the awaying direction of the reciprocating motion in order to impart a repulsive force between the magnet and the object to be magnetized.

2. The magnetization device according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is rotatable relative to the object to be magnetized.

3. The magnetization device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion has a stopper portion that defines the stroke limit position in the approaching direction during the reciprocating motion.

4. The magnetization device according to claim 1, wherein, when the magnetization device is positioned at the magnetization position relative to the object to be magnetized, the contact portion is located in a portion other than the portion between the magnet and the object to be magnetized.

5. The magnetization device according to claim 1, wherein when the contact portion comes into contact with the object to be magnetized, the attractive force of the magnet moves the magnet closer to the object to be magnetized against the repulsive force of the buffer mechanism.

6. The cushioning mechanism has a predetermined number of cushioning members, The magnetization device according to claim 1, wherein the buffer member comprises a base member integrally attached to the magnet, a movable member that can reciprocate relative to the base member, and an elastic member that can be elastically deformed by the reciprocating movement of the movable member relative to the base member, and the movable member constitutes the contact portion.

7. Magnets and The system includes a buffering mechanism that applies a repulsive force between the magnet and the object to be magnetized so as to cancel out at least a portion of the attractive force between the magnet and the object to be magnetized due to the magnetic force of the magnet, A magnetizing device having an openable and closable annular portion formed by a first portion having a first magnet and a first buffer mechanism, and a second portion that is rotatable relative to the first portion and having a second magnet and a second buffer mechanism.

8. The buffer mechanism comprises a contact portion, a connecting portion that connects the magnet and the contact portion so that the magnet can move in an approaching direction and an awaying direction relative to the object to be magnetized while in contact with the contact portion, and a biasing portion that biases the magnet in the awaying direction of the reciprocating motion in order to impart a repulsive force between the magnet and the object to be magnetized, The first cushioning mechanism has a first predetermined number of cushioning members, The buffer member comprises a base member integrally attached to the magnet, a movable member capable of reciprocating relative to the base member, and an elastic member capable of elastic deformation by the reciprocating movement of the movable member relative to the base member, wherein the movable member constitutes the contact portion. The magnetization device according to claim 7, wherein the second buffering mechanism has a second predetermined number of buffering members.

9. The magnetization device according to claim 8, wherein the first predetermined number and the second predetermined number are different.

10. The magnetization device according to claim 7, wherein the first part and the second part each form a semi-ring.

11. The magnetizing device according to claim 7, wherein, when the magnetizing device is positioned at the magnetizing position relative to the object to be magnetized, the first difference obtained by subtracting the repulsive force from the attractive force in the first part is different from the second difference obtained by subtracting the repulsive force from the attractive force in the second part.

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