JP2006292395A - Tilt sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tilt sensor capable of preventing wrong determination of fall/tilt, even when the tilt sensor is vibrated in the vertical direction or when an impact is applied thereto in the vertical direction, by arranging the second electrode for detecting the tilted state of the tilt sensor on a position out of the vertical direction of a position where a moving body stays when the tilt sensor is in the non-tilted state. <P>SOLUTION: This tilt sensor is equipped with a sealed container 1, a guide passage 2 formed in the container, the moving body 3 movable in the guide passage, and a detection sensor 5 for detecting the moving body. The tilt sensor has characteristics wherein the detection sensor has the first electrode 5a for detecting the non-tilted state of the tilt sensor and the second electrode 5b for detecting the tilted state of the tilt sensor, and the second electrode is arranged on the position out of the vertical direction of the position where the moving body stays when the tilt sensor is in the non-tilted state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a tilt sensor (hereinafter referred to as a tilt sensor) that can detect a tilt or a fall when a movable body is disposed in a guide path formed in a container constituting the tilt sensor and the movable body moves along the guide path by tilting. In more detail, the second detection unit that detects the tilt state of the tilt sensor is arranged from the vertical direction of the position where the moving body stays when the tilt sensor is in the non-tilt state. It is related to a tilt sensor that is arranged in an off-position so that the tilt sensor is not mistakenly judged to fall or tilt even when the tilt sensor vibrates in the vertical direction or receives an impact in the vertical direction. Is.

  An inclination / falling sensor that puts a moving body in an airtight container, detects the movement of the moving body, and makes a judgment of tilting or overturning is widely known (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP2003-166822 JP 2000-241162 A JP-A-9-304062

In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the first electrode is disposed on the bottom surface of the bubble tube, the second electrode and the third electrode are disposed on the top surface of the bubble tube so as to face the bubbles, and the potential of the first electrode is set to 0 level. By doing so, the capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode and the capacitance between the first electrode and the third electrode can be obtained without being affected by leakage resistance and stray capacitance. .
In addition, the one described in Patent Document 2 includes a zero-point adjustment in which a pair of semicircular differential electrodes are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, and common electrodes are arranged at a predetermined interval so as to face each other. It is a capacitance type inclination sensor that does not require adjustment such as temperature compensation.
Furthermore, the thing of patent document 3 forms a convex part in the inner upper surface center part of the cover of an inclination sensor, and when a top and bottom of an inclination sensor are reversed by this convex part, a spherical body does not stagnate in the center part of a cover. It is a thing.

In addition to what is described in the above document, a moving body having a cylindrical shape (or spherical shape or the like) is disposed in the guide path in the container, and the container is rotated, tilted, or falls, and the moving body is in the guide path. There is known an inclination sensor or the like that can move the position of the moving body to change the position in the guide path and detect the position of the moving body by a detection sensor provided on the container.
By the way, among the above-described inclination sensors and the like, a pair of electrodes (detecting units) are arranged corresponding to positions where the moving body moves and stops particularly when the inclination sensor is inclined, and the presence or absence of the moving body is statically detected. In the case of an inclination sensor that is determined based on electric capacity, the following problem occurs.
That is, when the detection unit is a capacitance type, in many inclination sensors, even when the detection unit is in a state in which the inclination sensor is not inclined, the first electrode that detects the non-inclined state of the inclination sensor is in the non-inclined state. Since the structure is also arranged in the vertical direction of the position where the moving body stays, in other words, the structure is also arranged in the vertical direction of the moving body where the moving object stays. When a vertical vibration or impact is applied, the moving body moves in the vertical direction, and the inclination is detected by the detection unit even though the inclination sensor is not inclined.

Therefore, the present invention relates to a tilt sensor that detects the position of a moving body using capacitance or the like, and a detection sensor that detects the position of the moving body includes a first electrode that detects a non-tilt state of the tilt sensor, and a tilt sensor. A second electrode that detects the tilt state, and the second electrode deviates from the vertical direction of the position where the moving body stays when the tilt sensor is in the non-tilt state (initial position state in which the tilt state is not detected). To provide a tilt sensor that is provided in a position so that it will not be mistakenly judged to fall or tilt even when the moving body vibrates in the vertical direction or receives an impact in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is an object to solve the above problems.
In the present invention, since the arrangement of the detection unit of the inclination sensor is devised, it is possible to determine the moving state of the moving body depending on the inclination and the vertical vibration / impact, so the inclination state of the inclination sensor is accurately determined. be able to.

The technical solution adopted by the present invention is:
In a tilt sensor comprising a sealed container, a guide path formed in the container, a movable body movable in the guide path, and a detection sensor for detecting the movable body, the detection sensor is a tilt sensor. A first detection unit that detects a non-tilt state; and a second detection unit that detects a tilt state of the tilt sensor, wherein the second detection unit is a position where the moving body stays when the tilt sensor is in the non-tilt state. The tilt sensor is arranged at a position deviated from the vertical direction.
In the tilt sensor, the first detection unit is arranged to extend in a vertical direction from a position where the moving body stays.
Further, in the tilt sensor, the tilt sensor is characterized in that a vertical upper wall is formed as a convex shape toward the center side from a position where the moving body stays when the tilt sensor is not tilted. .
The tilt sensor is characterized in that a concave shape is formed in the guide path adjacent to the convex shape.

  According to the present invention, by devising the arrangement shape of the detection unit (electrode) for detecting the moving body, it is possible to accurately determine the moving state of the moving body due to tilting and vertical vibration / impact. The inclination state of the inclination sensor can be accurately determined.

  The present invention relates to an inclination sensor comprising a sealed container, a guide path formed in the container, a movable body movable in the guide path, and a detection sensor for detecting the movable body, wherein the detection sensor is A first detection unit that detects the non-tilt state of the tilt sensor and a second detection unit that detects the tilt state of the tilt sensor. By placing it at a position outside the vertical direction where it stays, even if the tilting sensor vibrates in the vertical direction or an impact is applied and the moving body moves in the vertical direction, it will accidentally fall over・ The inclination is not judged.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a front sectional configuration diagram of a tilt sensor in which a moving body (a cylinder, a sphere, a liquid, a gas in a liquid, etc.) is housed in a guide path. 2 is a detailed explanatory view of the detection sensor shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an XX sectional view of FIG.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a container. As shown in FIG. 3, the container includes left and right walls 1a and 1a made of, for example, glass material, and a peripheral wall made of, for example, glass material arranged between the walls 1a and 1a. 1b and an intermediate member (for example, a member made of Si material) 1c disposed between the wall 1a and the peripheral wall 1b. The left and right walls 1a, the peripheral wall 1b and the intermediate member 1c are anodic bonded. Has been. When the left and right walls 1a and 1a and the surrounding wall 1b are made of glass material, glass cannot be bonded to each other when anodic bonding is performed, and therefore, Si material (intermediate member) needs to be interposed. The left and right walls 1a, the peripheral wall 1b, and the intermediate member 1c are made of an appropriate material such as a resin or a ceramic material, and may be joined using an adhesive or an appropriate coupling means, or may be integrally formed. it can. A substantially triangular guide path 2 is formed in the container 1, and a moving body 3 is accommodated in the guide path. In the guide path 2, the movable body 3 does not stagnate at the center of the guide path when the top and bottom of the tilt sensor is reversed, that is, when the top and bottom are reversed, the movable body can always move left and right. In addition, a convex portion 2a is formed on the upper portion of the peripheral wall 1b (upper portion when the tilt sensor is installed). Further, a concave shape 2b is formed in the guide path adjacent to the convex portion 2a.

The moving body housed in the guide path 2 is composed of one of a cylindrical shape, a sphere, a liquid ball, or a gas in a liquid (the moving body is preferably a conductor), and the tilt sensor is tilted. Then, the moving body 3 is configured to move in the guide path 2.
In addition, a groove 4 is formed on the wall surface around the guide path 2 to prevent the moving body from coming into close contact with the wall surface forming the guide path. As the cross-sectional shape of the groove 4, various shapes can be adopted as long as it can prevent the moving body 3 and the wall 1 a from being in close contact with each other.

  On the left and right walls 1a and 1a of the guide path 2, a detection sensor 5 for detecting a moving body is arranged. The detection sensor 5 includes a first detection unit (electrode) 5a that detects a state in which the inclination sensor is not inclined, and a second detection unit (electrode) 5b that detects a state in which the inclination sensor is inclined. The first and second detectors 5a and 5b are each composed of at least a pair of electrodes facing each other, and these electrodes are appropriately provided on the wall surface of the guide path. Moreover, the electrode area of the 1st detection part and the 2nd detection part is comprised as the same area.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first detection unit 5 a is arranged to extend to the upper side where the moving body is located when the tilt sensor is not tilted, and the second detection unit 5 b is tilted by the tilt sensor. In this state, the movable body is arranged corresponding to the left and right positions where it moves. The first and second detectors 5a and 5b can detect the presence or absence of the moving body by changing the capacitance between the electrodes when the moving body enters between the electrodes. In addition, the 1st detection part 5a can be divided | segmented by the XX axis | shaft in FIG. In this way, the left and right tilt directions can be determined by using the left and right four pairs.

The detection means by the said detection part is demonstrated.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are circuit diagrams for detecting the position of the moving body based on the output from the electrodes. When the areas of the pair of electrodes constituting the first detection unit 5a and the second detection unit 5b are the same, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), an output signal such as capacitance or electrical resistance of the first detection unit 5a. Then, the output signal such as capacitance or electric resistance from the second detection unit 5b is determined by the operation amplifier unit, and the tilt state is determined.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, an output signal such as capacitance or electric resistance from the first detection unit 5a and an output signal such as capacitance or electric resistance from the second detection unit 5b are sent to the microcomputer ( (A / D port or I / O port of the microcomputer) and the inclination state is determined. The output state at this time is shown in FIG. In FIG. 5 (a), the fall / tilt state is determined based on whether the output is above or below a certain threshold value. FIG. 5 (b) determines the fall / tilt state by obtaining the difference in output.

As described above, by making the electrode area paired in the first detection unit 5a and the second detection unit 5b constant, it is possible to accurately determine the fall / tilt state of the tilt sensor.
The detection sensor is not limited to the above example, and various types of sensors can be adopted as long as the sensor can achieve the same function.

The operation of the tilt sensor having the above configuration will be described.
When the tilt sensor is in the non-tilt state, as shown in FIG. 6, the moving body 3 is located at the lowermost position, and this state is detected by the first detection unit 5a.
When the tilt sensor falls from this state as shown in FIG. 7, the moving body 3 moves in the tilt direction, and the second detector 5b detects the state.
In addition, when the tilt sensor is not tilted and the vertical sensor is subjected to vertical vibration / impact as shown in FIG. 8, the moving body 3 moves up and down in the first detector 5a. The tilt sensor determines that it is in a non-tilt state.
In addition, since the groove | channel 4 is formed in the wall 1a, a moving body and gas do not stick to a container wall surface, a smooth movement is attained, and an exact inclination state can be detected.

Although the inclination sensor according to the present invention has been described above, the guide path is not limited to a triangular shape, and a V-shaped or arc-shaped one can be used as long as the same function can be achieved. it can. Further, the moving body is not limited to a column, and a circular body such as a disk or a cylinder can also be used. Further, by using a slippery material for the guide path, the moving body, etc., the friction between them can be reduced, and the moving body can be moved smoothly.
In the above example, the moving body is arranged in the guide path. However, the guide path may be filled with a liquid, and a cylindrical, spherical, or gas moving body may be arranged therein.
In addition, although description has been made centering on the use of electrodes as the first and second detection units, other detection means can be employed as long as the same function can be achieved.
Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented in any other form without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. For this reason, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner.

  The present invention can be used for a motorcycle fall detection sensor, an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, and the like.

It is a front section lineblock diagram (FF sectional view in Drawing 3) of an inclination sensor which stored a movable body (a cylinder, a sphere, liquid, gas in liquid, etc.) in a guide way. It is a detailed explanatory view of the detection sensor shown in FIG. It is XX sectional drawing of FIG. (A) and (B) are circuit diagrams for detecting the position of the moving body based on the output from the electrodes. (A) is an explanatory diagram for judging the fall / tilt state based on whether the output is above or below a threshold value and whether it is above or below, and FIG. 5 (b) is for finding the difference between the outputs and judging the fall / tilt state. It is explanatory drawing to do. It is sectional drawing of the inclination sensor of the state (non-tilt state) in which the mobile body was located in the lowest part. It is sectional drawing of the inclination sensor of the fall state. It is explanatory drawing of the state to which the mobile body moved up and down, when an inclination sensor exists in a non-inclination state.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 1a, 1a Left-right wall 1b Peripheral wall 1c Intermediate member 2 Guide path 2a Convex part 2b Concave part 3 Moving body 4 Groove 5 Detection sensor 5a 1st detection part (electrode)
5b 2nd detection part (electrode)

Claims (4)

In a tilt sensor comprising a sealed container, a guide path formed in the container, a movable body movable in the guide path, and a detection sensor for detecting the movable body, the detection sensor is a tilt sensor. A first detection unit that detects a non-tilt state; and a second detection unit that detects a tilt state of the tilt sensor, wherein the second detection unit is a position where the moving body stays when the tilt sensor is in the non-tilt state. An inclination sensor characterized by being arranged at a position deviating from the vertical direction of the. 2. The tilt sensor according to claim 1, wherein in the tilt sensor, the first detection unit is arranged to extend in a vertical direction from a position where the moving body stays. 2. The tilt sensor according to claim 1, wherein when the tilt sensor is not tilted, the upper wall in the vertical direction is formed as a convex shape toward the center from the position where the moving body stays. 2. The tilt sensor according to 2. The inclination sensor according to claim 3, wherein a concave shape is formed in the guide path adjacent to the convex shape.

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