JP7250376B2 - Gas leak inspection system and gas leak inspection method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gas leak inspection system and a gas leak inspection method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various methods have been considered for inspecting whether or not gas filled in a hollow object (inspection object) such as a tire is leaking from the inspection object to the outside. Patent Literature 1 discloses a method of immersing a portion of a tire in a container filled with liquid in order to inspect air leaks in a tire attached to a motorcycle.

JP 2016-049818 A

In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to visually confirm the position where gas is leaking (gas leak position) in the inspection object. However, since defects (for example, holes) of inspection objects that are gas leak positions are often minute, it is difficult to visually grasp the gas leak position. Another problem is that it takes a long time to find the location of the gas leak. Furthermore, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a process (drying process) for drying the liquid adhering to the tire after the inspection, which complicates the tire gas leak inspection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas leak inspection system and a gas leak inspection method that can easily identify the location of a gas leak in an object to be inspected in a short period of time.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas leak inspection apparatus including a gas sensor arranged close to an outer surface of a hollow inspection object and detecting gas filled inside the inspection object outside the inspection object. an additional gas leakage inspection device that covers a partial area of the outer surface of the inspection object determined to have gas leakage , and inspects the presence or absence of gas leakage in the covered partial area; , is a gas leak inspection system comprising:

One aspect of the present invention includes a closing step of closing an opening of a hollow inspection object, a filling step of filling the inspection object with a gas, and a gas filled in the inspection object outside the inspection object. a detection step of detecting, after the detection step, the gas in the partial area covering a partial area of the outer surface of the inspection object determined to have gas leakage in the detection step; and an inspection step of inspecting for the presence or absence of a leak.

One aspect of the present invention is a gas leak inspection method using the gas leak inspection system described above, wherein after inspecting the object to be inspected for gas leakage using the gas leak inspection device, the additional gas leakage A gas leak inspection method for inspecting presence/absence of gas leakage in the partial region using an inspection device.

According to the present invention, the gas sensor can detect the gas leaking from the test object while the gas sensor and the test object are relatively moved by the moving means. As a result, it is possible to easily grasp the location of the gas leak in the inspection object in a short period of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the structure of the gas leak test|inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement example of gas sensors and a configuration example of a moving means in the gas leak inspection device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a gas sensor in the gas leak inspection device of FIG. 1; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first configuration example of an additional gas leak inspection device of the gas leak inspection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second configuration example of an additional gas leak inspection device of the gas leak inspection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a second configuration example of the additional gas leak inspection device of FIG. 6 ; It is a figure which shows the structure of the gas leak test|inspection apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an accommodation unit, an arrangement example of gas sensors, and a configuration example of a moving means in the gas leak inspection device of FIG. 8 ; 2 is a perspective view showing another configuration example of a gas sensor in the gas leak inspection device of FIG. 1; FIG.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-7 and 10. FIG.

In the present embodiment, the hollow test object to be inspected for gas leakage may be arbitrary. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inspection object 100 in this embodiment is an axially symmetrical object having an axially symmetrical outer surface. Specifically, the inspection object 100 of this embodiment is a tire 101 used for a vehicle or the like. The tire 101 has, as an axially symmetrical outer surface, a cylindrical ground contact surface 102 extending along the axis A1 of the tire 101, and a circle connected to both axial ends of the ground contact surface 102 and intersecting (for example, perpendicular to) the axis A1. and annular side surfaces 103 , 104 . The sides 103, 104 of the tire 101 may be flat or curved, for example. The tire 101 is open at both axial ends. Therefore, when inspecting the tire 101 for gas leakage, the openings at both ends of the tire 101 are closed with a pair of lids 105 and 106 as shown in FIG. do.

The gas filled in the tire 101 during gas leak inspection may be hydrogen gas, helium gas, argon gas, carbon dioxide gas, or any other type of gas (reactive gas) that reacts with the gas sensor. Also, the gas to be detected may be a mixed gas containing a reactive gas (for example, a mixed gas of 5% hydrogen gas and 95% nitrogen gas). For the reactive gas, for example, a gas with low viscosity (eg, a gas with a viscosity lower than that of the air injected into the tire 101 during use) may be selected.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a gas leak inspection device 1 according to this embodiment includes a gas sensor 2 and a moving means 3. As shown in FIGS.
The gas sensor 2 is arranged facing (adjacent to) the outer surface of the tire 101 (hollow test object 100). The gas sensor 2 (especially the detection surface 13, which will be described later) is preferably arranged closer to the outer surface of the tire 101 as long as it does not contact the outer surface of the tire 101 (ground contact surface 102, side surfaces 103, 104). The gas sensor 2 detects the gas filled in the tire 101 outside the tire 101 . The gas sensor 2 detects the reaction gas described above or a mixed gas containing the same. A gas sensor 2 detects the concentration of the reaction gas. The gas sensor 2 outputs the concentration of the detected reaction gas as an electric signal (for example, voltage value).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10 , the gas sensor 2 of this embodiment includes a sensor main body (detection section) 11 for detecting gas, and an extension section 12 having an opening with an area larger than that of the sensor main body 11 .
The sensor body 11 has a detection surface 13 for detecting gas. The detection surface 13 may be, for example, an opening into which gas is introduced. The extended portion 12 has an opening with a larger area than the detection surface 13 (or opening) of the sensor body 11 . The extended portion 12 is formed so as to surround the detection surface 13 (or opening) of the sensor main body 11 . The extension part 12 may be formed integrally with the sensor main body 11, for example, or may be detachably attached to the sensor main body 11, for example. The gas sensor 2 may be arranged such that at least a partial opening of the expanded portion 12 faces the outer surface of the tire 101 .

The specific shape of extension 12 may be arbitrary. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the extension part 12 may be formed in a box shape or a bowl shape that opens only in the direction in which the detection surface 13 faces (the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 3A). In this case, the sensor body 11 is arranged so that the detection surface 13 faces the outer surface of the tire 101 .
As illustrated in FIGS. 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), and 10(a), the extension part 12 extends in the direction in which the detection surface 13 faces (FIGS. 3(b) and 3(a). c), FIG. 3(d), the direction indicated by arrow X in FIG. d), it may be formed so as to open in the direction indicated by arrow Y in FIG. 10(a). In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 3(d), the expansion part 12 is formed so as to open on both sides in one direction, and the gas passes through the expansion part 12 through the openings on both sides of the expansion part 12. good. 3(b), 3(c), and 10(a), the extension part 12 is formed so as to open only on one side in one direction, and the opening on one side of the extension part 12 The gas that has entered the inside of the expanded portion 12 from the opening may be prevented from passing through the expanded portion 12 .

As illustrated in FIGS. 3(e) and 10(b), the extended portion 12 opens in the direction in which the detection surface 13 faces (the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIGS. 3(e) and 10(b)). , and is opened in one direction along the detection surface 13 (the direction indicated by arrow Y in FIGS. 3(e) and 10(b)), and further in a direction orthogonal to the one direction along the detection surface 13 (orthogonal direction 3(e) and 10(b), it may be formed to open in the direction indicated by the arrow Z). In this case, as illustrated in FIGS. 3(e) and 10(b), the extension part 12 is formed to open on one side in one direction and to open on one side in the orthogonal direction. you can Moreover, the extension part 12 may be formed so as to open on both sides in one direction, and may be formed so as to open on both sides in the orthogonal direction, for example. In the gas sensor 2 illustrated in FIG. 3E, the sensor main body 11 is arranged so that the detection surface 13 faces the X direction, but it may be arranged so that the detection surface 13 faces the Z direction, for example. .

When the extension part 12 opens in a plurality of directions, the sensor body 11 is arranged so that the detection surface 13 faces the outer surface of the tire 101 as illustrated in FIGS. 3(b) and 3(d). 3(c), 3(e), 10(a), and 10(b), the detection surface 13 intersects the outer surface of the tire 101 (FIG. 3(c), FIG. 3(e) are orthogonal).

When the extension part 12 opens in a plurality of directions, that is, when the extension part 12 has a plurality of opening surfaces facing in different directions, the sensor main body 11 is configured as shown in FIGS. d), as exemplified in FIG. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, the sensor main body 11 may be arranged so that the detection surface 13 faces the corners of two opening surfaces facing in different directions. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the sensor main body 11 may be arranged so that the detection surfaces 13 face the corners of three opening surfaces facing in different directions.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the moving means 3 relatively moves the tire 101 and the gas sensor 2 so that the gas sensor 2 moves along the outer surface of the tire 101 . The moving means 3 preferably moves the tire 101 and the gas sensor 2 relatively so that the distance from the outer surface of the tire 101 to the gas sensor 2 is kept constant. The direction in which the tire 101 and the gas sensor 2 are moved relative to each other by the moving means 3 may be arbitrary. The moving means 3 of this embodiment relatively moves the tire 101 and the gas sensor 2 around the axis A1 of the tire 101 .

The moving means 3 may move the gas sensor 2 along the outer surface of the tire 101, for example. In this case, the moving means 3 may include, for example, a robot arm that moves the gas sensor 2 and a computer that controls the robot arm so that the gas sensor 2 moves according to the shape of the outer surface of the tire 101 . The moving means 3 of this embodiment moves the tire 101 so that the gas sensor 2 moves along the outer surface of the tire 101 . More specifically, the moving means 3 of this embodiment is composed of a rotation driving section 3A that rotates the tire 101 about its axis A1. The specific configuration of the rotation driving section 3A may be arbitrary. The rotation drive unit 3A of this embodiment is configured by a stepping motor capable of grasping the rotational position of the tire 101. As shown in FIG.

The rotation drive unit 3A may be connected to a table on which the tire 101 is placed, for example. The rotation driving section 3A of this embodiment is connected to a first lid section 105 that closes the opening of the tire 101. As shown in FIG. As a result, the axis A1 of the tire 101 and the axis A2 of the rotary drive section 3A can be easily aligned.

The gas sensor 2 may be arranged so as to face at least a part of the outer surface of the tire 101 in the circumferential direction. The gas sensor 2 may be arranged, for example, so as to face the ground contact surface 102 of the tire 101 . The gas sensor 2 of this embodiment is arranged so as to face the side surfaces 103 and 104 of the tire 101 . The number of gas sensors 2 may be, for example, one, but is plural in this embodiment.

The plurality of gas sensors 2 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 around the axis A1 of the tire 101 . The plurality of gas sensors 2 arranged in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 may, for example, be arranged at uneven intervals, but are arranged at equal intervals in this embodiment. In this embodiment, two gas sensors 2 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 .

The gas sensor 2 may be arranged to face only one side surface 103 of the tire 101 , for example, but is arranged to face both side surfaces 103 and 104 of the tire 101 in this embodiment. The gas sensor 2 facing one side surface 103 and the gas sensor 2 facing the other side surface 104 may be offset from each other in the circumferential direction of the tire 101, for example. do.

Although the gas sensor 2 of this embodiment does not move, it may move along the outer surface of the tire 101, for example. That is, the moving means 3 moves the gas sensor 2 along the outer surface of the tire 101 in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the outer surface of the tire 101 (radial direction or axial direction). For example, when the gas sensor 2 is arranged to face the side surfaces 103 and 104 of the tire 101 as shown in FIGS. Further, for example, when the gas sensor 2 is arranged to face the ground contact surface 102 of the tire 101 , the gas sensor moving section may move the gas sensor 2 in the axial direction of the tire 101 .
Further, a plurality of gas sensors 2 may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the outer surface of the tire 101 (for example, the radial direction or the axial direction of the tire 101).

The gas leak inspection device 1 of this embodiment includes a gas supply/discharge unit 4 . The gas supply/discharge unit 4 includes a gas supply unit that supplies reaction gas and mixed gas containing the reaction gas to the inside of the tire 101 . Further, the gas supply/discharge portion 4 includes a gas discharge portion for discharging reaction gas and mixed gas from inside the tire 101 . In this embodiment, the supply and discharge of gas to and from the tire 101 by the gas supply/discharge unit 4 is controlled by the PLC 15, which will be described later. The gas supply/discharge unit 4 includes a supply source (for example, a gas cylinder) of a reaction gas and a mixed gas containing the same, a gas supply pipe connecting the supply source and the inside of the tire 101, and a gas discharge connecting the inside and the outside of the tire 101. It may be configured by appropriately combining a pipe for the gas supply, a valve (none of which is shown) provided in the pipe to switch between gas flow and gas flow cutoff in the pipe, and the like. 1 and 2, the pipe 14 of the gas supply/discharge unit 4 is connected to the second lid portion 106 that closes the opening of the tire 101. As shown in FIG. The pipe 14 of the gas supply/discharge unit 4 serves both as a gas supply pipe and as a gas discharge pipe.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gas leak inspection device 1 of this embodiment includes a position detection means 5, a determination means 6, and a leak position specifying means 7. As shown in FIG.
The position detecting means 5 detects the position of the gas sensor 2 on the outer surface of the tire 101 based on the relative moving time or moving distance between the tire 101 and the gas sensor 2 by the moving means 3 . The position detection means 5 of this embodiment detects the position of the gas sensor 2 in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 . Moreover, when the gas sensor 2 moves in the radial direction or the axial direction of the tire 101 , the position detection means 5 may detect the position of the gas sensor 2 in the radial direction or the axial direction of the tire 101 , for example. The position detection means 5 of this embodiment detects the position of each of the plurality of gas sensors 2 .

The position detection means 5 of this embodiment is composed of a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 15 and a rotation driving section 3A. The PLC 15 is configured as a control unit that controls various operations of the gas leak inspection device 1 and a data management unit that manages various data necessary for the gas leak inspection device 1 . The PLC 15 detects the position of the gas sensor 2 on the outer surface of the tire 101 based on the rotational position data of the tire 101 sent from the rotary drive unit 3A. The PLC 15 also controls the operation (driving, stopping, speed adjustment, etc.) of the rotation driving section 3A.

The determination means 6 determines whether or not the tire 101 is leaking gas based on the concentration of the reaction gas detected by the gas sensor 2 . When the concentration of the reactant gas detected by the gas sensor 2 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the determining means 6 determines that "there is no gas leakage in the tire 101 (the tire 101 has no defects such as holes)". . Further, when the concentration of the reaction gas detected by the gas sensor 2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, the determination means 6 determines that "the tire 101 has a gas leak (the tire 101 has a defect such as a hole)". judge.

The judging means 6 of this embodiment is composed of the PLC 15 and the gas measuring section 16 . The gas measuring section 16 is connected to each gas sensor 2 . The gas measurement unit 16 converts the electric signal (voltage value) output from each gas sensor 2 into the concentration of the reaction gas. The reference data for converting the electric signal into the reaction gas concentration may be stored in the gas measurement unit 16, for example, but is stored in the PLC 15 in this embodiment. Therefore, when the electric signal is converted into the concentration of the reaction gas in the gas measuring section 16 , the above reference data is sent from the PLC 15 to the gas measuring section 16 . The reaction gas concentration (or voltage value) converted by the gas measurement unit 16 is sent to the PLC 15 in a state of being associated with each gas sensor 2 .

The PLC 15 stores in advance threshold data for determining whether or not the tire 101 is leaking gas. The threshold may be the concentration of the reaction gas or the voltage value. The PLC 15 compares the reaction gas concentration (or voltage value) sent from the gas measuring unit 16 with the above threshold to determine whether or not the tire 101 is leaking gas.

The gas measurement unit 16 described above may include, for example, a display unit that displays the concentration of the reaction gas. For example, the voltage value output from the gas sensor 2 may be displayed on the display section of the gas measurement section 16 . In this embodiment, a voltmeter 17 is connected to the gas measuring section 16 . The voltage value output from the gas sensor 2 is displayed on the voltmeter 17 .

The leak position identifying means 7 determines the position of the gas sensor 2 detected by the position detecting means 5 (the position of the gas sensor 2 relative to the outer surface of the tire 101) detected by the position detecting means 5 when the determining means 6 determines that "gas is leaking from the tire 101". position) and the concentration of the reaction gas detected by the gas sensor 2 are associated to specify the position where the gas leak occurs in the tire 101 . The leak position identifying means 7 of this embodiment is composed of the PLC 15 .

In this embodiment, the PLC 15 associates the position of the gas sensor 2 with the concentration of the reaction gas detected by the gas sensor 2 regardless of the presence or absence of gas leakage. The associated data is sent to a PC (personal computer) 18 and stored in the storage section of the PC 18 or displayed on the display section of the PC 18 . Data specifying the inspected tire 101 (for example, an identification number) may be associated with the associated data.

Further, in the present embodiment, the PLC 15 may send the associated data to the various peripheral devices 19 when identifying the location of the gas leak in the tire 101 .
The peripheral equipment 19 includes, for example, an additional gas leak inspection device 50 to be described later, a sorting device that sorts the tires 101 into good products (tires 101 without defects) and defective products (tires 101 with defects), various may be a manufacturing apparatus of If the peripheral device 19 is a sorting device, the sorting device can efficiently sort the tires 101 into non-defective products and defective products based on data sent from the PLC 15 . When the peripheral device 19 is a manufacturing device of various kinds, the PLC 15 sends the associated data to the manufacturing device related to the gas leak position in the tire 101, so that the corresponding manufacturing device can be repaired at an early stage. .

The gas leak inspection device 1 of this embodiment constitutes a gas leak inspection system together with an additional gas leak inspection device 50 shown in FIGS. 4-7.
The additional gas leak inspection device 50 covers a partial area of the outer surface of the tire 101 and inspects the presence or absence of gas leakage in the partial area. The additional gas leak inspection device 50 includes a gas sensor 51 (hereinafter called the second gas sensor 51) having the same function as the gas sensor 2 (hereinafter also called the first gas sensor 2) of the gas leak inspection device 1 described above. .

The second gas sensor 51 includes a sensor body 52 similar to the first gas sensor 2 of the gas leak inspection device 1 and a cover portion 53 attached to the detection surface 54 side of the sensor body 52 . The sensor main body 52 is arranged such that the detection surface 54 faces the outer surface of the tire 101 . The cover portion 53 is formed in a bowl shape surrounding the detection surface 54 and covers a partial region of the outer surface of the tire 101 . The open ends 55 ( 55 A, 55 B) of the cover portion 53 contact the outer surface of the tire 101 . The open end 55 of the cover portion 53 is preferably formed so as not to form a gap with the outer surface of the tire 101 or to reduce the gap. The open end 55 of the cover portion 53 is preferably made of a soft material such as rubber.

The additional gas leak inspection device 50 of this embodiment includes a first additional inspection device 50A illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and a second additional inspection device 50B illustrated in FIGS. The second gas sensor 51A of the first additional inspection device 50A has a larger area of the outer surface of the tire 101 covered by the cover portion 53 than the second gas sensor 51B of the second additional inspection device 50B.

In the second gas sensor 51A of the first additional inspection device 50A shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cover portion 53A covers the entire circumferential partial region of the tire 101 in the outer surface of the tire 101 . Specifically, the cover portion 53A covers the ground contact surface 102 of the tire 101 and a pair of side surfaces 103 and 104 positioned on both sides of the ground contact surface 102 of the tire 101 in a portion of the tire 101 in the circumferential direction. For this reason, the cover portion 53A in the first additional inspection device 50A is formed in a strip shape extending in the arrangement direction of the one side surface 103, the ground contact surface 102, and the other side surface 104 of the tire 101. As shown in FIG.

The cover portion 53A in the first additional inspection device 50A is formed in a bellows shape or made of an elastic material such as rubber so as to elastically expand and contract in the arrangement direction of the one side surface 103, the ground surface 102 and the other side surface 104, for example. may be formed by In this case, the cover portion 53A can be held on the tire 101 by the elastic force of the cover portion 53A. Also, the cover portion 53A can be adapted to a plurality of types of tires 101 having different sizes.

In the second gas sensor 51B of the second additional inspection device 50B shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cover portion 53B covers a small partial region of the outer surface of the tire 101. Specifically, the open end 55B of the cover portion 53B in the second additional inspection device 50B is formed flat in a state where no external force acts on the open end 55B. That is, the cover portion 53B in the second additional inspection device 50B is formed so as to cover the flat or slightly curved region of the outer surface of the tire 101 . The opening end 55B of the cover portion 53B illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 is formed in an annular shape, but may be formed in an arbitrary annular shape such as a rectangular annular shape.

The additional gas leak inspection device 50 may include, in addition to the second gas sensor 51, the same gas supply/discharge unit 4 as in the gas leak inspection device 1, the position detection means 5, the determination means 6 (see FIG. 1), and the like. . Further, the additional gas leak inspection device 50 may include the same PLC 15 as in the gas leak inspection device 1, the gas measuring section 16, the voltmeter 17, and the PC 18 (see FIG. 1). The PLC 15 in the additional gas leak inspection device 50 sends data identifying the location of the gas leak in the tire 101 to various peripheral devices 19 (see FIG. 1), as in the case of the gas leak inspection device 1. good too.

Next, a gas leak inspection method using the gas leak inspection system of this embodiment will be described.
In the gas leakage inspection method of the present embodiment, first, the gas leakage inspection device 1 is used to inspect the tire 101 for gas leakage. In the gas leak inspection device 1 of this embodiment, the tire 101 is rotated about its axis A1 so that the first gas sensor 2 moves along the outer surface of the tire 101 . Therefore, when gas is leaking from the tire 101 , the gas leak inspection device 1 can specify at least the gas leak position (gas leak area) in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 .

After that, the presence or absence of gas leakage in a partial region of the outer surface of the tire 101 is inspected using the additional gas leakage inspection device 50 . Gas leakage inspection by the additional gas leakage inspection device 50 may be performed only for the tire 101 determined to have gas leakage by the gas leakage inspection device 1 described above. The area of the outer surface of the tire 101 covered by the additional gas leak inspection device 50 (the cover portion 53 of the second gas sensor 51) can be determined based on the gas leak location data specified by the gas leak inspection device 1. As a result, gas leak inspection using the additional gas leak inspection device 50 can be efficiently performed. Further, with the additional gas leak inspection device 50, the gas leak position in the tire 101 can be identified in more detail.

In this embodiment, when inspecting the tire 101 for gas leakage using the additional gas leakage inspection device 50, first, the gas leakage position (gas leakage area) in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 using the first additional inspection device 50A ) in more detail. At this time, while changing the position of the second gas sensor 51A of the first additional inspection device 50A in the circumferential direction of the tire 101, the presence or absence of gas leakage in the region of the outer surface of the tire 101 covered by the second gas sensor 51A may be inspected.
After that, using the second additional inspection device 50B, the gas leakage positions in the arrangement direction of the one side surface 103, the ground contact surface 102, and the other side surface 104 of the tire 101 are specified in more detail. At this time, while changing the position of the second gas sensor 51B of the second additional inspection device 50B within the region of the outer surface of the tire 101 where the gas leakage was detected by the first additional inspection device 50A, the tire covered with the second gas sensor 51B The presence or absence of gas leakage in the region of the outer surface of 101 may be inspected.

As described above, in the gas leak inspection device 1 of the present embodiment, the tire 101 and the gas sensor 2 move relative to each other so that the gas sensor 2 moves along the outer surface of the tire 101 . can detect gas leaking from Therefore, the location of the gas leak in the tire 101 can be easily grasped in a short time without human error.

Further, in the gas leak inspection device 1 of the present embodiment, the tire 101 and the gas sensor 2 move relative to each other around the axis A1 of the tire 101 . Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp the gas leakage position in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 in a short time.

Further, in the gas leak inspection device 1 of the present embodiment, the tire 101 rotates around its axis A1. Therefore, compared to the case where the gas sensor 2 is moved with respect to the tire 101, the configuration of the moving means 3 for realizing relative movement between the tire 101 and the gas sensor 2 can be simplified. As a result, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost and size of the gas leak inspection device 1 .

In addition, in the gas leak inspection device 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of gas sensors 2 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 around the axis A1. Therefore, the area inspected by one gas sensor 2 in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 can be reduced. Therefore, compared to the case where only one gas sensor 2 is arranged in the circumferential direction of the tire 101, the amount of movement (rotation angle) of the tire 101 is kept small, and the entire outer surface (entire circumferential direction) of the tire 101 is shortened. can be inspected in time.

Moreover, according to the gas leak inspection device 1 of the present embodiment, the position detection means 5 , the determination means 6 , and the leak position specifying means 7 are provided. Thereby, the gas leakage position in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 can be reliably specified.

Further, in the gas leak inspection device 1 of the present embodiment, the gas sensor 2 includes the sensor main body 11 that detects gas and the extension portion 12 that has an opening with a wider area than the sensor main body 11 . Therefore, the gas sensor 2 can detect gas leakage in the tire 101 over a wider range than the sensor body 11 even if the sensor body 11 (for example, the detection surface 13) is small.

Further, in the gas leak inspection device 1 of the present embodiment, the gas sensors 2 are arranged facing both side surfaces 103 and 104 of the tire 101 . Therefore, the entire outer surface of the tire 101 can be inspected in a shorter time than when the gas sensor 2 is arranged to face only one side surface 103 of the tire 101 .

Further, in the gas leak inspection device 1 of the present embodiment, in addition to the rotation of the tire 101, when the gas sensor 2 moves along the outer surface of the tire 101 in the radial direction and the axial direction of the tire 101, a smaller number , the entire outer surface of the tire 101 can be inspected. Also, it is possible to easily perform a leak test for a plurality of types of tires 101 having different sizes.

Further, the gas leak inspection device 1 of this embodiment includes a gas supply/discharge unit 4 . Therefore, even when the gas sensor 2 is inspecting the tire 101 for gas leakage, the gas is supplied into the tire 101 and the amount of gas leaking out from the defect of the tire 101 (gas flow rate per unit time). can be prevented or suppressed from decreasing. Further, by increasing the pressure of the gas in the tire 101 to increase the amount of gas leaking from the tire 101, it is possible to detect gas leakage by the gas sensor 2 in a short time.

Further, according to the gas leakage inspection system and gas leakage inspection method of the present embodiment, after inspecting the gas leakage in the entire tire 101 using the gas leakage inspection device 1, the gas leakage of the tire 101 in the gas leakage inspection device 1 Based on the inspection result, gas leakage in a partial area of the tire 101 can be inspected using the additional gas leakage inspection device 50 . As a result, it is possible to efficiently and precisely identify the location of the gas leak in the tire 101 .

Further, in the gas leakage inspection device 1 and the additional gas leakage inspection device 50 of this embodiment, the gas leaking from the tire 101 is detected by the gas sensors 2 and 51 . Therefore, it is possible to inspect the tire 101 for gas leakage without leaving deposits such as moisture on the tire 101 . That is, the defect of the tire 101 can be efficiently repaired without drying the tire 101 after the inspection for gas leakage. Repairs to tire 101 can be performed using repair kits and components that are well known in the art. The tire 101 may be repaired manually, for example, or by a robot, for example.

Further, in the gas leakage inspection device 1 and the additional gas leakage inspection device 50 of the present embodiment, when a gas with a low viscosity (for example, a gas with a viscosity lower than that of air) is selected as the reaction gas to be filled in the tire 101, The amount (gas flow rate) of the gas filled in the tire 101 that leaks from the tire 101 to the outside is greater than that of a highly viscous gas (for example, air). For this reason, it becomes possible to detect more minute defects in the tire 101 more easily by the gas sensors 2 and 51 .

Further, with the gas leakage inspection device 1 and the gas leakage inspection system of the present embodiment, gas leakage from the tire 101 can be detected in a short period of time as described above. Therefore, it is also possible to incorporate the gas leakage inspection device 1 and the gas leakage inspection system into the manufacturing line of the tire 101 .

[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the same components as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a gas leak inspection device 1D of this embodiment includes a gas sensor 2D and a moving means 3, like the gas leak inspection device 1 of the first embodiment. The gas sensor 2D of the present embodiment is constructed in the same manner as the sensor main body 11 (see FIG. 3) of the gas sensor 2 (first gas sensor 2) of the first embodiment. The moving means 3 is a rotation driving section 3A similar to that of the first embodiment.
The gas leak inspection device 1D of the present embodiment also includes the gas supply/discharge unit 4, the position detection means 5, the determination means 6, and the leak position specifying means 7, which are similar to those of the first embodiment.

A gas leakage inspection device 1D of this embodiment includes a housing portion 8D that houses the tire 101 therein. For example, the housing portion 8D may be configured to seal the space inside the housing portion 8D from the outside, or may be configured to allow some air to flow inside and outside the housing portion 8D.

The accommodation portion 8D may be configured to surround the entire tire 101, for example. The housing portion 8D of the present embodiment is configured by a hood 22D that covers the tire 101 placed on the base surface 21D from above. The opening end of the hood 22D opening on the side of the base surface 21D may be in close contact with the base surface 21D without a gap as in the illustrated example, but for example, there may be some gap between it and the base surface 21D. It may contact the base surface 21D. In this embodiment, the hood 22D is arranged on the base surface 21D so that it can be lifted from the base surface 21D.

The tire 101 is arranged in the housing portion 8D so that its axis A1 is orthogonal to the base surface 21D. The rotary drive unit 3A may be arranged outside the housing portion 8D, for example, but is housed in the housing portion 8D together with the tire 101 in this embodiment.

The gas sensor 2D is attached to the hood 22D so that the detection surface 13D faces the inside of the housing portion 8D. In this embodiment, the gas sensor 2D is attached to the hood 22D so that the detection surface 13D faces one side surface 103 of the tire 101 arranged in the housing portion 8D. The gas sensor 2D may be arranged, for example, so that its detection surface 13D faces the ground contact surface 102 of the tire 101 arranged inside the housing portion 8D. Further, the gas sensor 2D may be arranged on the base surface 21D so that the detection surface 13D faces the other side surface 104 of the tire 101, for example.

A plurality of gas sensors 2D are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 around the axis A1 of the tire 101, like the first gas sensor 2 of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, four gas sensors 2</b>D are arranged in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 .

In the gas leakage inspection device 1D of the present embodiment configured as described above, the tire 101 is moved so that the gas sensor 2D moves along the outer surface of the tire 101, as in the gas leakage inspection device 1 of the first embodiment. It rotates around its axis A1. Therefore, the gas leak inspection device 1D can specify at least the gas leak position (gas leak region) in the circumferential direction of the tire 101 .

The gas leak inspection device 1D of this embodiment may constitute a gas leak inspection system together with an additional gas leak inspection device 50 (see FIG. 4-7) similar to that of the first embodiment.

As described above, according to the gas leakage inspection device 1D of this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained.
Further, according to the gas leakage inspection device 1D of the present embodiment, the tire 101 is housed in the housing portion 8D. Therefore, even if the distance from the outer surface of the tire 101 to the detection surface 13D of the gas sensor 2D is long, the gas leaking from the tire 101 can be efficiently detected by the gas sensor 2D without being affected by the atmosphere (for example, wind) around the tire 101. Moreover, it can be reliably detected.

Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1D... Gas leak inspection apparatus, 2, 2D... Gas sensor, 3... Moving means, 3A... Rotary drive part, 4... Gas supply/exhaust part, 5... Position detection means, 6... Judgment means, 7... Leak position specifying means , 11... sensor main body (detection part), 12... expansion part, 50... additional gas leak inspection device, 50A... first additional inspection device, 50B... second additional inspection device, 51, 51A, 51B... second gas sensor, 100 Object to be inspected 101 Tire 102 Ground contact surface (outer surface) 103, 104 Side surface (outer surface) 105, 106 Lid portion A1 Axis of tire 101

Claims (11)

a gas leak inspection device provided in close proximity to an outer surface of a hollow inspection object and provided with a gas sensor for detecting gas filled inside the inspection object outside the inspection object;
an additional gas leakage inspection device that covers a partial area of the outer surface of the inspection object determined to have gas leakage , and inspects the presence or absence of gas leakage in the covered partial area; gas leak inspection system. 2. The gas leak inspection system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said gas sensors are arranged at intervals. 3. The gas leak inspection system according to claim 1, further comprising moving means for relatively moving the inspection object and the gas sensor so that the gas sensor moves along the outer surface of the inspection object. A storage unit that stores the inspection object,
4. The gas leak inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gas sensor is provided in the housing. a closing step for closing the opening of the hollow test object;
a filling step of filling the inspection object with gas;
a detection step of detecting the gas filled in the inspection object outside the inspection object;
After the detection step, in the inspection object determined to have gas leakage in the detection step, a partial area of the outer surface of the inspection object is covered to inspect the presence or absence of gas leakage in the partial area. an inspection step;
A gas leak inspection method comprising: 6. The gas leak inspection method according to claim 5 , wherein the closing step is performed by closing the opening of the inspection object with a lid. the gas is a reactive gas that reacts with a gas sensor;
7. The gas leak inspection method according to claim 5 , wherein the detection of the reaction gas in the detection step is performed by the gas sensor. 8. The gas leak inspection method according to claim 7 , further comprising a moving step of relatively moving the inspection object and the gas sensor such that the gas sensor moves along the outer surface of the inspection object. further comprising an arrangement step of arranging the inspection object in the storage unit;
8. The gas leakage inspection method according to claim 7 , wherein the gas sensor is provided in the housing portion. The gas leak inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the gas sensor includes a detection portion that detects gas, and an extension portion that has an opening with an area larger than that of the detection portion. A gas leak inspection method using the gas leak inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A gas leakage inspection method comprising inspecting for gas leakage in the inspection object using the gas leakage inspection device and then inspecting for gas leakage in the partial region using the additional gas leakage inspection device.

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