Abstract: A defect inspection device for metal ring end faces of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) V-belt which enables automated inspection of end face defects in the metal rings along with acquiring improved efficiency, superb precision and reproducibility. When end face defects in the metal ring are inspected by an inspection section, this task is accomplished by an angle modification portion which performs an angle modification operation continuously in a predetermined range (?1˜?5) relative to an inspectable surface for at least a first light guiding path and a second light guiding path included in the defect inspection section. Because this automated modification operation corresponds to processing by manual visual inspection and applies a common practice detection method used in labor-intensive visual inspections by changing the viewing angle to detect defects, such as a gloss mark, the object of the present invention can be achieved.

Abstract: An inspection device designed for a large number of consecutively attached metal elements punched and processed into a specified shape and for inspecting clearance between said metal elements of a continuously variable transmission belt which are assembled to support a laminated band of a metal stepless belt; a wedge-shaped inspection jig, for example, used for inspecting quantitatively the clearance value with an inspection jig structure of a modified hexahedron having six surfaces containing an upper surface and a lower surface opposing four side surfaces of which both of two side surfaces are a rectangle and the remaining two side surfaces are a wedge-shape which becomes gradually narrower in width from an upper part to a lower part.

Abstract: A metal surface inspection device for metal rings of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) V-belt which does not perform excessive detection of mackerel skins as a detrimental manufacturing flaw. This task is achieved by providing an “integral value calculation portion” for calculating an integral value of a difference value and a “difference value correction portion” for correcting the difference value in a decreasing direction as the integral value increases. When mackerel skins contained on an inspectable surface are detected the output (integral value of the difference value) of the integral value calculation portion increases. Accordingly, the difference value is corrected in a decreasing direction which enables the operation to control the signal of the mackerel skin portions and threshold values are not exceeded which prevents excessive detection.

Abstract: A metal ring inspection method of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) V-belt for inspecting end face defects in a belt laminated band composed of a plurality of metal ring stacked layers in which a first process is executed which grasps the outer periphery surface of the belt laminated band from both sides to firmly touch the inner periphery surface and removes crowning from the metal rings; a second process is executed which applies a sliding force in the width direction relative to each metal ring constituting the belt laminated band to expose the belt laminated band end face in a different tiered shape; and subsequently a third process is executed which inspects the belt laminated band end face defects exposed in the different tiered shape.

Abstract: An element correction method of continuously variable transmission belt assembled through supporting an element laminated body constituted of a number of metal elements on a belt laminated body constituted of a plurality of steel belts. The method includes the steps of: a pre-step of removing the belt laminated body from the continuously variable transmission belt, and attaching a dummy belt in place of the removed belt laminated body; a trial step of applying a load on a continuously variable transmission belt to which the dummy belt is attached for trial use; and a post-step of removing the dummy belt from the continuously variable transmission belt after completion of the trial step, and attaching the belt laminated body removed in the pre-step or a belt laminated body of similar structure in place of the removed dummy belt. Thus, abnormal shaped portions of the metal element can be efficiently and assuredly removed.

Abstract: An inspection device for metal rings of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) V-belt which does not perform excessive detection of gloss marks as a detrimental manufacturing flaw configured with a first low-pass cutting portion for cutting out a predetermined low-frequency component contained in an electrical signal outputted from a first light detector or an electrical signal correlated to its electrical signal and a second low-pass cutting portion for cutting out a predetermined low-frequency component contained in an electrical signal outputted from a second light detector or an electrical signal correlated to its electrical signal, which precede a difference value calculation portion. The difference value calculation portion calculates a difference value between an electrical signal which passes through the first low-pass cutting portion and an electrical signal which passes through the second low-pass cutting portion.

Abstract: An inspection device designed for a large number of consecutively attached metal elements punched and processed into a specified shape and for inspecting clearance between said metal elements of a continuously variable transmission belt which are assembled to support a laminated band of a metal stepless belt; a wedge-shaped inspection jig, for example, used for inspecting quantitatively the clearance value with an inspection jig structure of a modified hexahedron having six surfaces containing an upper surface and a lower surface opposing four side surfaces of which both of two side surfaces are a rectangle and the remaining two side surfaces are a wedge-shape which becomes gradually narrower in width from an upper part to a lower part.

Abstract: A metal ring inspection method of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) V-belt for inspecting end face defects in a belt laminated band composed of a plurality of metal ring stacked layers in which a first process is executed which grasps the outer periphery surface of the belt laminated band from both sides to firmly touch the inner periphery surface and removes crowning from the metal rings; a second process is executed which applies a sliding force in the width direction relative to each metal ring constituting the belt laminated band to expose the belt laminated band end face in a different tiered shape; and subsequently a third process is executed which inspects the belt laminated band end face defects exposed in the different tiered shape.

Abstract: A metal surface inspection device which does not perform excessive detection of a harmless flaw, for example, a gloss mark. This task is achieved by providing a first discrimination portion which compares a difference value and a predetermined threshold value for discriminating the presence of a defect on an inspectable surface. This discriminated result is “provisional” and a final discrimination result is obtained by the operation of a second discrimination portion. Here, among the discriminated results of the first discrimination portion, the discrimination duration time corresponding to a harmful flaw is shorter and to the contrary the discrimination duration time corresponding to a harmless flaw is longer. Consequently, the difference between a harmful flaw and a harmless flaw are distinguishable by adjusting a discrimination reference value in the second discrimination portion.

Abstract: An inspection device for metal rings of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) V-belt which does not perform excessive detection of gloss marks as a detrimental manufacturing flaw configured with a first low-pass cutting portion for cutting out a predetermined low-frequency component contained in an electrical signal outputted from a first light detector or an electrical signal correlated to its electrical signal and a second low-pass cutting portion for cutting out a predetermined low-frequency component contained in an electrical signal outputted from a second light detector or an electrical signal correlated to its electrical signal, which precede a difference value calculation portion. The difference value calculation portion calculates a difference value between an electrical signal which passes through the first low-pass cutting portion and an electrical signal which passes through the second low-pass cutting portion.

Abstract: A defect inspection device for metal ring end faces of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) V-belt which enables automated inspection of end face defects in the metal rings along with acquiring improved efficiency, superb precision and reproducibility. When end face defects in the metal ring are inspected by an inspection section, this task is accomplished by an angle modification portion which performs an angle modification operation continuously in a predetermined range (?1˜?5) relative to an inspectable surface for at least a first light guiding path and a second light guiding path included in the defect inspection section. Because this automated modification operation corresponds to processing by manual visual inspection and applies a common practice detection method used in labor-intensive visual inspections by changing the viewing angle to detect defects, such as a gloss mark, the object of the present invention can be achieved.

Abstract: A metal surface inspection device for metal rings of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) V-belt which does not perform excessive detection of mackerel skins as a detrimental manufacturing flaw. This task is achieved by providing an “integral value calculation portion” for calculating an integral value of a difference value and a “difference value correction portion” for correcting the difference value in a decreasing direction as the integral value increases. When mackerel skins contained on an inspectable surface are detected the output (integral value of the difference value) of the integral value calculation portion increases. Accordingly, the difference value is corrected in a decreasing direction which enables the operation to control the signal of the mackerel skin portions and threshold values are not exceeded which prevents excessive detection.

Abstract: An element correction method of continuously variable transmission belt assembled through supporting an element laminated body constituted of a number of metal elements on a belt laminated body constituted of a plurality of steel belts. The method comprises: a pre-step of removing the belt laminated body from the continuously variable transmission belt, and attaching a dummy belt in place of the removed belt laminated body; a trial step of applying a load on a continuously variable transmission belt to which the dummy belt is attached for trial use; and a post-step of removing the dummy belt from the continuously variable transmission belt after completion of the trial step, and attaching the belt laminated body removed in the pre-step or an equivalent belt laminated body in place of the removed dummy belt. Thus, abnormal shaped portions of the metal element can be efficiently and assuredly removed.

Abstract: Thermosensitive recording material for use in thermal printing, which is composed of a coating composition applied on a support, which coating composition comprises (a) a chromogenic compound, (b) an organic acid, (c) a water-soluble binder containing a carboxyl group and having a softening point of 200.degree. C or higher, (d) a filler, (e) a metal salt of a higher fatty acid and (f) a wax, said recording material having a Bekk surface smoothness of 100 to 500 seconds.