TECHNICAL FIELD

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a detection member, an insulator, and a detection method.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Document 1 describes a suspension insulator used to support a power line on a steel tower. The suspension insulator includes an insulator body having a tubular portion and a flared portion, and a cap fitting fixed to the outer side of the tubular portion of the insulator body with a cement. The flared portion has a plurality of ribs on its lower face, and an annular recess on its upper face. A glass pipe filled with a coloring agent enters into the recess, and is fixed thereto by means of an adhesive. When a crack occurs in the flared portion, the glass pipe breaks and coloring agent leaks out, enabling crack detection.

The lower face of the flared portion is circular, and a pin fitting for coupling to another insulator enters into the center of the lower face of the flared portion. The pin fitting is fixed to the inner side of the tubular portion of the insulator body with a cement, and the lower portion of the pin fitting protrudes downward from the flared portion. An engaging recess for engaging with a pin fitting of another insulator is provided at the top of the cap fitting, and the engaging recess can engage with the downward-protruding pin fitting, thereby coupling a plurality of insulators to each other.

SUMMARY

A pin for coupling to another insulator, such as the above-mentioned pin fitting, is plated for corrosion protection. Examples of a plating material may include metallic materials having a high ionization tendency such as zinc. In the case where the pin of the insulator is plated with a metallic material having a high ionization tendency, when the pin is fixed to the insulator body with a cement, a plating metal having a high ionization tendency is interposed between the pin and the cement.

The plating metal having a high ionization tendency tends to cause electrolysis, leading to electric corrosion. That is, when the plating metal and the pin are interrupted by a liquid containing an electrolyte to generate a current, the plating metal may be ionized and eluted, causing rust of the pin (metal inside of the plating metal). In addition to electric corrosion or irrespective of electric corrosion, acid rain or sea wind (containing salt) may elute the plating metal or rust. Such metal elution and occurrence of rust due to electric corrosion, acid rain or the like are referred to as corrosion in the present disclosure. Due to the corrosion of the pin in itself or subsequent progression of rust (for example, metal becomes brittle and is partially peeled off), the pin is narrowed and moves from the insulator body to be detached from the insulator body. For this reason, it is required to previously detect narrowing of the pin.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

A detection member in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure is a detection member for detecting narrowing of a pin of an insulator, and the detection member includes a contact portion that is in contact with the pin, an outer circumferential portion provided at least a part of a circumference of the pin via the contact portion, and a reflective fluorescence portion provided at least a part of the outer circumferential portion.

In the above-mentioned detection member in accordance with the aspect, the outer circumferential portion is supported by the pin of the insulator via the contact portion, and the reflective fluorescence portion is provided on at least a part of the outer circumferential portion. Thus, by providing the reflective fluorescence portion that emits light by reflection or fluorescence in response to incident light, the position of the reflective fluorescence portion with respect to the pin can be easily recognized. Accordingly, since the position of the reflective fluorescence portion can be remotely recognized with ease, narrowing of the pin can be previously detected by checking the reflective fluorescence portion.

With narrowing of the pin due to electric corrosion of plating metal, the reflective fluorescence portion may move with respect to the pin. Thus, since the reflective fluorescence portion moves with narrowing of the pin, the position of the reflective fluorescence portion can be remotely recognized more easily.

At least of a part of the contact portion may include metal having an ionization tendency of the plating metal of the pin or higher. Since the ionization tendency of the material for the contact portion is the ionization tendency of the plating metal of the pin or higher, the reflective fluorescence portion can be moved with respect to the pin before corrosion of the pin by electrically corroding at least a part of the contact portion on purpose. Accordingly, narrowing of the pin (including sign of narrowing) can be detected before the pin is corroded.

The reflective fluorescence portion may contain a retroreflective material. Thus, reflective fluorescence (retroreflective) portion reflects light in the direction of incident light. Accordingly, the reflective fluorescence portion can perform retroreflection when the light source irradiates the reflective fluorescence portion with light, further enhancing light components from the reflective fluorescence portion toward the light source. As a result, the position of the reflective fluorescence portion can be recognized more easily. The above-mentioned detection member is attached to the insulator in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. Since the insulator has the above-mentioned detection member, the same effects as those in the detection member can be achieved.

A detection method in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure is a method for detecting narrowing of a pin of an insulator attached to a higher place, and the method includes steps of irradiating the insulator with light by use of a light source from a place located lower than the high place, and at irradiation of the light, detecting light from a reflective fluorescence portion moved from the pin with corrosion of the pin to detect narrowing of the pin.

In the above-mentioned detection method according to the aspect, since the reflective fluorescence portion moved from the pin with narrowing of the pin is irradiated with light to emit light, when the pin is narrowed, the reflective fluorescence portion can be remotely recognized with ease. Accordingly, since the reflective fluorescence portion can be remotely recognized with ease, narrowing of the pin can be previously detected by checking the reflective fluorescence portion.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

The detection member, the insulator, and the detection method of the present disclosure can previously detect, for example, narrowing of the pin of the insulator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an example of a wiring facility including a detection member and an insulator in accordance with a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of an insulator in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3a is a schematic view illustrating the state where a pin of an insulator is normal; FIG. 3b is a schematic view illustrating abnormality of the pin of the insulator.

FIG. 4a is a schematic view illustrating the detection member attached to the pin;

FIG. 4b is a plan view of the detection member illustrated in FIG. 4a; and FIG. 4c is a view illustrating another example of the contact portion of the detection member.

FIG. 5a is a side view illustrating a reflective fluorescence portion of the detection member; FIG. 5b is a schematic view illustrating the polarization state of the reflective fluorescence portion; and FIG. 5c is a view illustrating an example of a light source that irradiates the reflective fluorescence portion with light, and a camera.

FIG. 6a is a horizontal sectional view illustrating a contact portion of a detection member in accordance with a second embodiment; FIG. 6b is a plan view illustrating an outer circumferential portion of the detection member in accordance with the second embodiment; FIG. 6c is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the state where the detection member in accordance with the second embodiment is attached to a pin of an insulator; and FIG. 6d is a side view illustrating the state where the detection member in accordance with the second embodiment is attached to the pin of the insulator.

FIG. 7a is a schematic view illustrating a detection member in accordance with a third embodiment; and FIG. 7b is a horizontal sectional view illustrating a contact portion and a pin of the detection member illustrated in FIG. 7a.

FIG. 8a is a schematic view illustrating a contact portion of a detection member in accordance with a fourth embodiment; and FIG. 8b is a schematic view illustrating the detection member illustrated in FIG. 8a.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a contact portion of a detection member in accordance with a fifth embodiment;

FIG. lOa is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a detection member in accordance with a sixth embodiment; FIG. 1 Ob is a horizontal sectional view illustrating the detection member illustrated in FIG. lOa; and FIG. lOc is a perspective view illustrating the detection member illustrated in FIG. lOa.

FIG. 1 la is a schematic view illustrating the detection member in the state where the pin of the insulator is normal; and FIG. 1 lb is a schematic view illustrating the detection member in the state where the pin of the insulator is abnormal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to figures, embodiments of a detection member, an insulator, and a detection method according to the present disclosure will be described below. In the following description of the figures, the same reference symbols have been assigned to elements that are the same or equivalent, and that redundant descriptions thereof have been omitted. Furthermore, the figures are drawn with a portion simplified or embellished in order to ease understanding, and the dimensional ratios and the like are not limited to those illustrated in the figures.

The“insulator” in this specification serves to insulate an electric wire from an object to be supported (steel tower or utility pole), and typically includes a suspension insulator, a long rod insulator, and a pin insulator. The“pin of the insulator” refers to a portion protruding from the insulator, and includes the pin inserted into another insulator to be coupled thereto. The“abnormality of the pin” denotes a sign or event indicating that plating metal of the pin is eluted and thus, the pin is corroded or narrowed.

The“plating metal” denotes a metallic material applied to the surface of the object to be plated. The“detection member for detecting narrowing” includes a member for detecting narrowing and a member for predicting narrowing. The“contact portion” denotes a portion directly or indirectly attached to any portion of the pin. The“outer circumferential portion” is a portion that surrounds at least a part of the pin and is supported by the contact portion. The “reflective fluorescence portion” denotes a portion that emits light by reflection and/or emit fluorescence.

The“electric corrosion” means that a metallic material having a high ionization tendency is eluted due to the battery action caused by interposing an electrolyte solution (such as pure water or salt water) between a plural types of metallic materials having different ionization tendencies. The“narrowing” includes reducing of the diameter of a round rod-like or partial spherical object, as well as thinning of a rod-like object having a polygonal or oblong cross section. The“retroreflective material” denotes a material that reflects light in a direction of incidence of the light. The“high place” includes a high site that is not accessible from the ground, for example, an upper portion of a steel tower or a utility pole. The“low place” includes a place that is located lower than the high place, for example, a place that is accessible from the ground.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an example of a wiring facility provided with a detection member and an insulator in accordance with a first embodiment. A wiring facility 1 is. for example, a railway wiring facility, and includes a plurality of wire poles 2 provided along a track, an electric wire 3 hanging between the plurality of wire poles 2, and an insulator 5 that isolates the electric wire 3 from the wire poles 2. In this embodiment, a light source S located on the ground irradiates the insulator 5 with light Ll, and a camera C receives light L2 from a detection member 10 (see, for example, FIG. 3) provided on the insulator 5, to detect deterioration of the insulator 5 at a place remote from the insulator 5.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the insulator 5 attached to upper portions of the wire poles 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the insulator 5 includes, for example, a flared insulator body 6, a cap 7 located at the top of the insulator body 6, and a pin 8 protruding from the insulator body 6 to the opposite side to the cap 7. The insulator body 6 is configured of porcelain, thereby improving electrical insulation properties, weatherability, and mechanical strength of the insulator 5.

The insulator body 6 has, for example, a disc-shaped flared portion 6a and a protruding portion 6b protruding from the center of the flared portion 6a. The flared portion 6a is provided with a plurality of annular folds 6c protruding to the opposite side to the protruding portion 6b. The plurality of folds 6c having different diameters are concentrically arranged, increasing the insulation distance from a current passing the surface of the flared portion 6a. A recess 6d, into which the pin 8 is inserted, is formed on the inner side of the protruding portion 6b of the insulator body 6.

The cap 7 and the pin 8 are made of, for example, iron, and plating metal M is applied to each of the cap 7 and the pin 8. FIG. 2 illustrates the plating metal M of the pin 8 and however, for simplification, figures other than FIG. 2 do not illustrate the plating metal M.

The plating metal M is, for example, zinc plating. The plating metal M made of zinc can improve adhesiveness of the plating metal to metal such as iron to protect corrosion, and realize the pin 8 having a high weatherability. The pin 8 has a small diameter portion 8a entering into the recess 6d, and an extended diameter portion 8b that is extended from the small diameter portion 8a and has a hole 8c. The shape of the pin 8 is not limited to the shape having the small diameter portion 8a and the extended diameter portion 8b with the hole 8c, and may be appropriately changed.

For example, the pin 8 is fixed to the insulator body 6 via a cement 9 filled in the recess 6d of the insulator body 6. As described above, since the pin 8 is plated, the pin 8 and the cement 9 are interrupted by the plating metal M. For example, in the case where the material for the plating metal M is zinc and the material for the pin 8 is iron, the plating metal M has a higher ionization tendency than the pin 8.

Thus, in a case where the plating metal M and the pin 8 are interrupted by a liquid containing an electrolyte to generate a current, the plating metal M may be ionized and eluted, exposing the metal of the pin 8 on the inner side of the plating metal M, such that the metal is rusted and narrowed. The narrowing may move the pin 8 from the insulator body 6 and detach the pin 8 from the insulator body 6. On the contrary, the insulator 5 in this embodiment has the detection member 10 for detecting the above-mentioned abnormality of the pin 8 in advance.

FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b are schematic views illustrating the detection member 10 attached to the insulator 5. As illustrated in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, the detection member 10 has a reflective fluorescence portion 11 on its outer face, and detects the movement of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 from the insulator body 6, thereby detecting abnormality associated with narrowing of the pin 8. For example, FIG. 3a illustrates the state where the pin 8 is normal, and when the pin 8 is normal, and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 enters into the insulator 5 (for example, inside of the folds 6c of the insulator body 6).

FIG. 3b illustrates an example of the state where the pin 8 is abnormal. As described above, when the pin 8 and the plating metal M are interrupted by a liquid containing an electrolyte to generate a current, the plating metal M is ionized and causes electric corrosion. That is, when the plating metal M causes electric corrosion, the plating metal M is eluted. As a result, the pin 8 is rusted and narrowed. The detection member 10 is a member supported by the pin 8. However, when the pin 8 is narrowed, the force with which the detection member 10 supports the decreases. Then, with narrowing of the pin 8, the detection member 10 moves to expose the reflective fluorescence portion 11 of the detection member 10 from the insulator 5. The abnormality of the pin 8 is detected by detecting the exposed reflective fluorescence portion 11. FIG. 4a is a schematic side view illustrating the detection member 10 and the pin 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 4a, the detection member 10 includes, in addition to the above- mentioned reflective fluorescence portion 11, a contact portion 12 attached to the pin 8, and an outer circumferential portion 13 that is provided on at least a part of the circumference of the pin 8 and supported by the pin 8 via the contact portion 12.

For example, the contact portion 12 contains metal having a higher ionization tendency than the plating metal M of the pin 8. In this case, at least a part of the contact portion 12 may be electrically corroded together with the plating metal M or earlier than the plating metal M, to early move the outer circumferential portion 13 and the reflective fluorescence portion 11. The contact portion 12 may include zinc or aluminum. In the case where the contact portion 12 contains zinc, since it is expected that the electric corrosion of the contact portion 12 and the plating metal M of the pin 8 progresses in the same manner, the electric corrosion of the pin 8 can be advantageously detected substantially in a real time. In the case where the contact portion 12 contains aluminum, since aluminum has a higher ionization tendency than zinc, the electric corrosion of the pin 8 can be advantageously detected at a relatively early stage.

For example, the shape of the contact portion 12 may be round rod-like, square rod like, or spherical shape. In the contact portion 12, the portion that is in contact with the pin 8 is thinner or narrower than the portion that is not in contact with the pin 8 in the thickness direction, that is, a tip of the portion that is in contact with the pin 8 may be cone-shaped or rounded. With such shape, the area of the contact portion 12 in contact with the pin 8 is small, contributing to detect electric corrosion of the pin 8 or the contact portion 12 at an early stage.

As illustrated in FIG. 4b, for example, the contact portions 12 may be disposed at a plurality of circumferential positions on an outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8. The number of contact portions 12 is, for example, two or more and 100 or less, more preferably, three or four. As an example, the contact portions 12 may be disposed at circumferential three positions on the outer circumferential face 8d, and each of the contact portions 12 may be disposed at substantially regular intervals of 120 degrees. In this case, supporting of the contact portions 12 can be further stabilized.

As illustrated in FIG. 4c, the contact portion 12 may have a weakened region l2a that is weaker than the other region. The weakened region l2a denotes a region that is weaker than the surrounding region. The weakened region l2a is a part that is more brittle and breaks more easily than the surrounding region in shape or material, for example, a thinner region than the surrounding region. The position, shape, and number of the weakened region l2a in the contact portion 12 may be appropriately changed. The weakened region l2a may be omitted. The weakened region l2a may be made of a brittle material that is different from the material for the surrounding portion. For example, the weakened region l2a may be made of a material having a higher ionization tendency than the material for the surrounding region. In this case, the weakened region l2a may be weakened earlier than the pin 8. The contact portion 12 may have the weakened region l2a at an end on the side of the pin 8 (a radial inner end than the outer circumferential portion 13). In this case, the weakened region l2a can be weakened with narrowing of the pin 8. Providing the weakened region l2a thus weakened can move the detection member 10 from the pin 8 at an early stage.

The outer circumferential portion 13 is a portion provided on at least a part of the circumference of the pin 8, for example, so as to surround the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8. The outer circumferential portion 13 is a portion supported by the pin 8 via the contact portion 12. For example, with narrowing the pin 8 due to electric corrosion of the plating metal M, the outer circumferential portion 13 moves with respect to the pin 8. As an example, the outer circumferential portion 13 moves in the downward direction, with narrowing of the pin 8. In this specification, "downward direction” includes in the vertical downward direction as well as in the oblique downward direction, for example, slightly downward direction. The direction in which outer circumferential portion moves with respect to the pin is not limited to the downward direction, and may be the upward or lateral (horizontal) direction.

In other words, the position of the outer circumferential portion 13 at detection of abnormality of the pin 8 may be different from the position of the outer circumferential portion 13 in the normal state of the pin 8. For example, the position of the outer

circumferential portion 13 at detection of abnormality of the pin 8 may be lower than the position of the outer circumferential portion 13 in the normal state of the pin 8. In this case, since the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is exposed more reliably at detection of abnormality of the pin 8, abnormality of the pin 8 can be detected more easily.

The material for the outer circumferential portion 13 is, for example, resin, and may be appropriately changed. The outer circumferential portion 13 may be made of plastic. As an example, the outer circumferential portion 13 may be shaped like a truncated conical tube (flared) that extends in diameter toward the tip of the pin 8 (downward). However, the shape of the outer circumferential portion 13 may be appropriately changed, and may be tubular or a truncated conical tube (flared) that contracts in diameter toward the tip of the pin 8

(downward). That is, the inclination angle of the outer circumferential portion 13 with respect to the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the pin 8 may be appropriately changed.

FIG. 5a, FIG. 5b, and FIG. 5c are views for describing the reflective fluorescence portion 11. As illustrated in FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is provided on at least a part of the outer circumferential portion 13 and for example, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is stuck to the outer face of the outer circumferential portion 13. However, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 may be arranged on the outer circumferential portion 13 by any other suitable means such as coating, which is not limited to sticking.

At least a part of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is exposed from the outer circumferential portion 13. As described above, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is hidden inside the insulator 5 when the pin 8 is normal, and moves with movement of the outer circumferential portion 13 due to narrowing of the pin 8 and then, is exposed to the outside of the insulator 5. For example, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 includes a retroreflective material. Thus, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 reflects light along the light incidence direction, that is, reflects light in the opposite direction to the light incidence direction. As an example, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 may be a prism-type retroreflective material, that is, a retroreflective sheet having a cube comer element.

As illustrated in FIG. 5b and FIG. 5c, in the case where the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is the prism-type retroreflective material, for example, when the light source S irradiates the reflective fluorescence portion 11 with the light Ll through a polarization filter Fl that allows the light Ll having a first direction Dl as the polarization direction to pass through, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 reflects the light L2 having a second direction D2 intersecting the first direction Dl as the polarization direction. The camera C receives the light L2 from the reflective fluorescence portion 11 through a polarization filter F2 that allows the light L2 having the second direction D2 as the polarization direction to pass through. In this manner, the effect of light other than the light L2 on the camera C can be reduced such that the camera C can receive the light L2 more reliably. As an example, the first direction Dl is the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) relative to the light Ll, and the second direction D2 is the lateral direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the first direction D 1.

The reflective fluorescence portion 11 may be any suitable material other than the retroreflective material and for example, may include a material on which a fluorescent agent for converting ultraviolet radiation into visible light is applied. In this case, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 does not emit light when irradiated with radiation other than ultraviolet radiation, and emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet radiation.

Next, a detection method in accordance with this embodiment will be described. Hereinafter is described, an example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, of detecting abnormality of the pin 8 provided on the insulator 5 attached to a higher place that is not accessible by a person and is hardly viewable. As an example, the insulator 5 is provided on the upper side of the wire poles 2 of the railway wiring facility 1. For example, abnormality of the pin 8 is detected by an operator P holding the camera C equipped with the light source S in his/her hands. First, the light source S irradiates the insulator 5 with light Ll (light irradiation step). At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, when the pin 8 is normal, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is hidden inside the insulator body 6 and thus, even at irradiation with the light Ll, reflected light is not acquired. On the contrary, when the pin 8 is abnormal, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 moves from the insulator body 6 and is exposed.

Accordingly, at irradiation with the light Ll, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 emits the light L2.

Thus, by irradiating the insulator 5 with the light Ll and checking the position of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 based on the presence or absence of the light L2, the pin 8 is determined as normal when the light L2 is not acquired, and the pin 8 is determined as abnormal when the light L2 is acquired. By projecting the light L2 into the camera C and detecting the light L2 by the camera C in this manner, abnormality of the pin 8 is detected (pin abnormality detection step). At occurrence of abnormality of the pin 8, since the light L2 is reliably projected into the camera C even when the light Ll is remotely irradiated, abnormality of the pin 8 can be detected reliably and easily.

Next, actions and effects of the detection member 10 and the detection method in this embodiment will be described in detail.

In the detection member 10 in accordance with this embodiment, the outer circumferential portion 13 is supported by the pin 8 of the insulator 5 via the contact portion 12, and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is provided on at least a part of the outer circumferential portion 13. Thus, by providing the reflective fluorescence portion 11 that emits the light L2 by reflection or fluorescence in response to the incident light Ll, the position of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 with respect to the pin 8 can be easily recognized. Accordingly, since the position of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 can be remotely recognized with ease, narrowing of the pin 8 can be previously detected by checking the reflective fluorescence portion 11.

With narrowing of the pin 8 due to electric corrosion of the plating metal M, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 may move with respect to the pin 8. Thereby, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 moves with abnormal narrowing of the pin 8, enabling the position of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 to be remotely recognized more easily.

At least a part of the contact portion 12 may include metal (for example, zinc or aluminum) having an ionization tendency of the plating metal M of the pin 8 or higher. Since the ionization tendency of the contact portion 12 is the ionization tendency of the plating metal M on the pin 8 or higher, the outer circumferential portion 13 and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 can be moved with respect to the pin 8 before corrosion of the pin 8 by electrically corroding at least a part of the contact portion 12 on purpose. Therefore, narrowing of the pin 8 can be detected before the pin 8 is corroded. The reflective fluorescence portion 11 may contain a retroreflective material.

Thereby, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 (retroreflective portion) reflects the light L2 along the incidence direction of the light Ll. Accordingly, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 can perform retroreflection when the light source S irradiates the reflective fluorescence portion 11 with the light Ll, further enhancing components of the light L2 from the reflective fluorescence portion 11 toward the light source S. As a result, the position of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 can be recognized more easily.

The above-mentioned detection member 10 is attached to the insulator 5 in accordance with this embodiment. That is, since the insulator 5 has the detection member 10, the same effects as those of the detection member 10 can be acquired.

According to the detection method in accordance with this embodiment, since the reflective fluorescence portion 11 moved from the pin 8 with narrowing of the pin 8 is irradiated with the light Ll to emit the light L2, when the pin 8 is narrowed, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 can be remotely recognized with ease. Accordingly, since the reflective fluorescence portion 11 can be remotely recognized with ease, narrowing of the pin 8 can be previously detected by checking the reflective fluorescence portion 11.

Second Embodiment

Next, a detection member 20 in accordance with a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6a to FIG. 6d. As illustrated in FIG. 6a to FIG. 6d, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the detection member 20 includes a contact portion 22 and an outer circumferential portion 23, which are different from the above-mentioned contact portion 12 and outer circumferential portion 13, respectively. In the following, overlapping description between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

For example, the contact portion 22 includes two divided members 22a, and the outer circumferential portion 23 includes two divided members 23a. At least one of the divided members 22a and the divided members 23a may be a semi-circular half member. In this case, the divided members 22a, 23a may be bonded to each other to easily assemble the contact portion 22 or the outer circumferential portion 23. As an example, the shape of the contact portion 22 acquired by combining the two divided members 22a and the outer circumferential portion 23 acquired by combining the two divided members 23a is an annular (tubular) shape extending along the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8. However, the shape of the contact portion 22 and the outer circumferential portion 23 may be appropriately changed.

The material for the contact portion 22 and the outer circumferential portion 23 may be resin or metal, and may be appropriately changed. However, in the case where the contact portion 22 (more specifically, a setscrew N3 in contact with the pin 8) includes a material having a higher ionization tendency than the ionization tendency of the plating metal M on the pin 8, the contact portion 22 can be electrically corroded before corrosion of the pin 8.

This can move the outer circumferential portion 23 and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 earlier to detect abnormality of the pin 8 earlier.

A method of attaching the detection member 20 to the pin 8 will be described below. First, as illustrated in FIG. 6a, the two divided members 22a are arranged so as to surround the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8, and the two divided members 22a are combined with each other using a screw N 1 and a nut N2. Then, the contact portion 22 is shifted to a predetermined position on the pin 8 (small diameter portion 8a), and the setscrew N3 is fastened to fix the contact portion 22 to the pin 8. Next, as illustrated in FIG. 6b, FIG. 6c, and FIG. 6d, each of the two divided members 23a is attached to the outer side of each of the divided members 22a, and the reflective fluorescence portion 11, which may be a retroreflective sheet, is stuck to the outer circumference of each of the divided members 23a to complete attachment of the detection member 20.

In the detection member 20 in accordance with the second embodiment, the outer circumferential portion 23 is supported by the pin 8 of the insulator 5 via the contact portion 22, and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is provided on at least a part of the outer circumferential portion 23. Thus, by providing the reflective fluorescence portion 11 that emits the light L2, the position of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 with respect to the pin 8 can be easily recognized. Specifically, since the outer circumferential portion 23 and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 moves with respect to the pin 8 with narrowing of the pin 8 due to electric corrosion of the plating metal M on the pin 8, the position of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 can be remotely recognized with ease. Therefore, the same actions and effects as those of the detection member 10 according to the first embodiment can be achieved.

Third Embodiment

Next, a detection member 30 in accordance with a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The third embodiment is different from each of the above- mentioned embodiments in the configuration of a contact portion 32. The contact portion 32 includes an attachment member 32a attached so as to abut the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8, and a clamping member 32b clamping the attachment member 32a. For example, the plurality of attachment members 32a are provided, and the clamping member 32b clamps the plurality of attachment members 32a together. As an example, in the state where a pair of attachment member 32a sandwich the pin 8 therebetween, the clamping member 32b clamps the pair of attachment members 32a.

The material for the attachment members 32a and the clamping member 32b may be resin or metal, and may be appropriately changed. However, in the case where the attachment members 32a (in particular, the portion in contact with the pin 8) include a material having a higher ionization tendency than the ionization tendency of the plating metal M on the pin 8, the outer circumferential portion 13 and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 can be moved earlier. As a result, abnormality of the pin 8 can be detected earlier. Each of the attachment members 32a has, for example, a conical portion 32c that makes contact with the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8, and a pair of flat planar portions 32d that extend from both respective ends of the conical portion 32c in the radial outer direction of the pin 8.

The clamping member 32b includes, for example, a screw 32e, and a nut (not illustrated) threadedly engaged with the screw 32e. Each of the flat planar portions 32d has a screw hole 32f into which the screw 32e is inserted. The screw 32e inserted into the screw holes 32f of the two attachment members 32a is screwed into the nut to bond the two attachment members 32a to each other. As in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the outer circumferential portion 13 and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 are provided on the outer side of the contact portion 32.

In the detection member 30 in accordance with the third embodiment, the outer circumferential portion 13 is supported by the pin 8 of the insulator 5 via the contact portion 32, and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is provided on at least a part of the outer circumferential portion 13. Thus, by providing the reflective fluorescence portion 11 that emits the light L2, the position of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 with respect to the pin 8 can be easily recognized. Therefore, the same actions and effects as those in each of the above-mentioned embodiments can be achieved.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a detection member 40 in accordance with a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The fourth embodiment is different from each of the above-mentioned embodiments in the configuration of a contact portion 42. The contact portion 42 includes a planar member 42a that makes contact with the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8, a planar member 42b attached to the planar member 42a on the opposite side to the pin 8 (radial outer side of the pin 8), and a clamping member 42c that clamps the planar member 42b.

For example, the contact portion 42 includes the plurality of planar members 42a, the plurality of planar members 42b, and the plurality of clamping members 42c. Each of the planar members 42a is disposed so as to surround the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8, and each of the planar members 42b is disposed on the outer side of each of the planar members 42a. As an example, the planar members 42a are sandwiched between the planar members 42b and the pin 8, and in the state where the pair of planar members 42b sandwich the pair of planar members 42a and the pin 8 therebetween, the clamping members 42c clamp the pair of planar members 42b. Each of the attachment members 42b has, for example, a curved face portion 42d that makes contact with the outer circumferential face of the planar member 42a, and a pair of flat planar portions 42e that extend from both respective ends of the curved face portion 42d in the radial outer direction of the pin 8. The clamping member 42c includes, for example, a screw 42f, and a nut (not illustrated) threadedly engaged with the screw 42f. Each of the flat planar portions 42e has a screw hole 42g into which the screw 42f is inserted. The configuration of the screw 42f and the screw hole 42g may be the same as the configuration of the screw 32e and the screw hole 32f. As in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the outer circumferential portion 13 and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 are provided on the outer side of the contact portion 42.

For example, the planar members 42a include a material having a higher ionization tendency than the ionization tendency of the plating metal M on the pin 8. In this case, the outer circumferential portion 13 and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 can be moved earlier by electrically corroding the planar members 42a earlier than the pin 8, thereby detecting abnormality of the pin 8 earlier. The material for the planar members 42b and the clamping members 42c may be resin or metal but however, is not specifically limited.

In the detection member 40 in accordance with the fourth embodiment, since the outer circumferential portion 13 is supported by the pin 8 of the insulator 5 via the contact portion 42, and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is provided on at least a part of the outer circumferential portion 13, the position of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 with respect to the pin 8 can be easily recognized. Therefore, the same actions and effects as those in each of the above-mentioned embodiments can be achieved.

Fifth Embodiment

Subsequently, a detection member 50 in accordance with a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The detection member 50 in accordance with the fifth embodiment includes a contact portion 52, a reflective fluorescence portion 11, and an outer circumferential portion 13, and the fifth embodiment is different from each of the above- mentioned embodiments in the configuration of the contact portion 52. Since the reflective fluorescence portion 11 and the outer circumferential portion 13 are the same as the outer circumferential portion 13 and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 in each of the above- mentioned embodiments, FIG. 9 do not illustrate the outer circumferential portion 13 and the reflective fluorescence portion 11.

The contact portion 52 includes an attachment member 52a attached to the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8, and an adhesive 52b that fixes the attachment member 52a to the pin 8. For example, the contact portion 52 includes the plurality of attachment members 52a, and each of the attachment members 52a is adhered to the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8 by use of the adhesive 52b. Since the adhesive 52b adhesively fixes each of the attachment members 52a to the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8, a clamping member such as a screw is unnecessary in the fifth embodiment. In the case where the adhesive 52b contains a resin (polyamide or polyacetal) decomposed by a substance (for example, zinc chloride) generating when the plating metal M is eluted due to acid rain or salt water, when the plating metal M on the pin 8 elutes, the adhesive force of the adhesive 52b can be lowered.

Like the planar member 42b, each of the attachment member 52a has a curved face portion 52c extending along the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8, and a pair of flat planar portions 52d extending from both respective ends of the curved face portion 52c in the radial outer direction of the pin 8. An adhesive 52e is interposed between the pair of flat planar portions 52d aligned in the direction in which the two attachment members 52a are opposed, thereby adhesively fixing the two attachment members 52a to each other with the adhesive 52e.

In the detection member 50 in accordance with the fifth embodiment, the outer circumferential portion 13 is supported by the pin 8 via the contact portion 52, and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is provided on at least a part of the outer circumferential portion 13. Therefore, the position of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 with respect to the pin 8 can be easily recognized. Therefore, the same actions and effects as those in each of the above-mentioned embodiments can be achieved. Furthermore, since the detection member 50 requires no clamping member, the number of components can be reduced, and the detection member 50 can be easily attached to the pin 8.

Sixth Embodiment

In the first to fifth embodiment, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5a, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is disposed on the outer side of the outer circumferential portion 13 (given that the pin 8 is disposed on the inner side). However, the reflective fluorescence portion 11 may be disposed on the inner side of the outer circumferential portion 13. In this case, when the pin 8 is narrowed, at least a part of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 moves with respect to the outer circumferential portion 13 such that at least a part of the reflective fluorescence portion 11 is exposed from the inner side to the outer side of the outer circumferential portion 13. For example, the contact portion 12 may abut the reflective fluorescence portion 11, and when the contact portion 12 partially elutes, the abutted region may be partially lost to partially move the reflective fluorescence portion 11. The reflective fluorescence portion 11 may be liquid or gel-like fluid, and may be carried or reserved in the contact portion 12.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. lOa, FIG. lOb, and FIG. lOc, a detection member 60 includes a contact portion 62 that abuts the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8, a hollow outer circumferential portion 63 located on the radial outer side of the pin 8 with respect to the contact portion 62, a reflective fluorescence portion 61 that is a liquid or gel like fluid stored in the outer circumferential portion 63, and an adhesive 64 provided between the outer circumferential portion 63 and the outer circumferential face 8d.

The reflective fluorescence portion 61 is, for example, a reflective fluorescent paint. For example, the outer circumferential portion 63 is shaped like a tube surrounding the pin 8, and the outer circumferential portion 63 has a gap K from the pin 8. As an example, the outer circumferential portion 63 is tubular. The gap K is formed between an inner circumferential face 63a of the outer circumferential portion 63 and the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8. The contact portion 62 protrudes from the inner circumferential face 63a of the outer circumferential portion 63 to the radial inner side of the pin 8, and a front end 62a of the contact portion 62 abuts the outer circumferential face 8d of the pin 8. For example, the plurality of contact portions 62 may protrude from the inner circumferential face 63a, and the plurality of contact portions 62 may be disposed at regular intervals on the circumference of the pin 8.

As an example, the contact portions 62 may be disposed at two circumferential positions on the outer circumferential face 8d, and each of the contact portions 62 may be disposed at substantially regular intervals of 180 degrees. The adhesive 64 is provided to adhesively fix the outer circumferential portion 63 to the pin 8, and for example, the adhesive is filled in the portion of the gap K, in which the contact portion 62 is not provided. As an example, the adhesive 64 may be filled between the plurality of contact portions 62 circumferentially aligned.

For example, the outer circumferential portion 63 includes a plurality of divided members 63b, and the plurality of divided members 63b may be bonded to each other via the adhesive 64. As an example, the divided members 63b each may be a semi-tubular half member. In this case, the two divided members 63b may be bonded to each other to easily assemble the outer circumferential portion 63. However, the shape and material of the outer circumferential portion 63 may be appropriately changed.

At least a part of the contact portion 62 (for example, the front end 62a) may include a metal having a higher ionization tendency than the ionization tendency of the plating metal M on the pin 8. In this case, the reflective fluorescence portion 61 can be moved earlier by electrically corroding the contact portion 62 earlier than the pin 8. At least a part of the contact portion 62 (for example, the front end 62a) may contain a resin (polyamide or polyacetal) decomposed by a substance (for example, zinc chloride) generated when the plating metal M elutes. This can early move the reflective fluorescence portion 61.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1 la and FIG. 1 lb, when the contact portion 62 elutes to generate a hole or gap, the reflective fluorescence portion 61 leaks through the hole or gap, and moves. That is, the contact portion 62 and the outer circumferential portion 63 are configured as a case for storing the liquid or gel-like reflective fluorescence portion 61, and with elution of the contact portion 62, the reflective fluorescence portion 61 flows out and is exposed to the outside. In the sixth embodiment, the reflective fluorescence portion 61 can be moved earlier by electrically corroding the contact portion 62 earlier than the pin 8, thereby detecting abnormality of the pin 8 earlier. Therefore, the same effects as those in each of the above-mentioned embodiments can be achieved.

Although descriptions were given above for the embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. The present disclosure may be also applied to various insulators including an insulator attached to an object other than the wire pole of the railway wiring facility, for example, an insulator attached to the upper portion of the steel tower. For example, a tubular zinc sleeve may be provided around the pin, and the detection member may be attached via the zinc sleeve. In this case, the contact portion of the detection member may be attached to the pin via the zinc sleeve. The configuration of the insulator may be appropriately changed as described above, and a corrosion-resisting member such as the zinc sleeve, and the detection member may be concurrently used. The shape, dimension, material, the number, and arrangement of each portion of the detection member are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and may be appropriately changed.

EXAMPLE

Next, an example of the detection member and the insulator will be described. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the below-mentioned example. As illustrated in FIGS. 6a to 6d, the insulator in the example includes a pin 8, and the detection member in the example includes a reflective fluorescence portion 11, a contact portion 22, and an outer circumferential portion 23. The pin 8 has a round rod-like small diameter portion 8a and an extended diameter portion 8b, to which the detection member is attached, and the small diameter portion 8a has a diameter of 19 mm. Both the contact portion 22 and the outer circumferential portion 23 are annular. The contact portion 22 has a diameter of 35 mm, and the outer circumferential portion 23 has a diameter of 40 mm. The contact portion 22 has a height (thickness) of 8 mm, and the outer circumferential portion 23 has a height (thickness) of 12 mm. The reflective fluorescence portion 11 is a retroreflective sheet.

In the insulator and the detection member in the example, when the pin 8 is electrically corroded, the outer circumferential portion 23 and the reflective fluorescence portion 11 moves downward from the pin 8 to expose the reflective fluorescence portion 11 from the insulator 5. Thus, abnormality of the pin 8 can be detected by detecting the exposed reflective fluorescence portion 11. EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Item 1. A detection member for detecting narrowing of a pin of an insulator, the detection member comprising:

a contact portion that is in contact with the pin;

an outer circumferential portion provided in at least a part of a circumference of the pin via the contact portion; and

a reflective fluorescence portion provided in at least a part of the outer

circumferential portion.

Item 2. The detection member according to Item 1, wherein

with narrowing of the pin due to electric corrosion of plating metal, the reflective fluorescence portion moves with respect to the pin.

Item 3. The detection member according to Item 1 or 2, wherein

at least a part of the contact portion includes metal having an ionization tendency of the plating metal on the pin or higher.

Item 4. The detection member according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein

the reflective fluorescence portion includes a retroreflective material.

Item 5. The detection member according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein

the reflective fluorescence portion is located on the outer surface side of the outer peripheral portion.

Item 6. The detection member according to any one of Items 1 to 5, wherein

the reflective fluorescence portion is located in the inner side of the outer peripheral portion.

Item 7. The detection member according to any one of Items 1 to 6, wherein

the reflective fluorescence portion includes a retroreflective material.

Item 8. The detection member according to any one of Items 1 to 7, wherein

the contact portion is located between the outer circumferential portion and the pin.

Item 9. An insulator to which the detection member according to any one of Items 1 to 8 is attached. Item 10. A detection method for detecting narrowing of a pin of an insulator attached to a higher place, the method comprising steps of:

irradiating the insulator with light by use of a light source from a place located lower than the high place; and

at irradiation of the light, detecting light from a reflective fluorescence portion moved from the pin with corrosion of the pin to detect narrowing of the pin.