JP2006300527A - Object detection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To acquire an object detection apparatus capable of facilitating the cleaning of a container, preventing the occurrence of operational failure, preventing a solution from overflowing from the container, and detecting the mounting of the container to a correct position. <P>SOLUTION: The object detection apparatus is provided with the container 20 freely detachably mounted on a main body 30 for storing a liquid 40 and a sensor 1 mounted on the main body 30 for measuring the distance to an opposite object on the basis of reflection signals from the opposite object. Reflection signals 70 from the opposite object when the container 20 is at a normal mounting position of the main body 30 and reflection signals 70 when the container 20 is not at a normal mounting position are made different from each other. In this case, the distance from the sensor 1 to the position of the bottom surface 20b of the container 20 opposite to the sensor 1 is made different depending on whether the the container 20 is at the normal mounting position or not. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an object detection device capable of detecting a distance to a liquid level of a container and detecting whether or not the mounting position of the container is correct.

  In the conventional dehumidifier, the water level detector of the drainage tank is rotatably attached to the inside of the removable drainage tank, and has a float at one end and a magnet at the other end. And if the drainage tank accumulates more than a certain amount in the drainage tank, the float rises, the magnet attached to the other end descends and moves away from the reed switch fixed to the main body, so that the switch operates and the water is full. Detected and the operation of the dehumidifier was stopped. When the drain tank is removed from the main unit and drained, and then inserted into the main unit again, confirm that the magnet is correctly set near the reed switch by operating the switch, and determine that the drain tank is inserted correctly. The operation was resumed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-262359 (second page, FIG. 4)

  According to the conventional dehumidifier, the float device detects that there is drainage in the drainage tank, and also detects whether the drainage tank is installed at the correct position, but it is difficult to clean the drainage tank. In many cases, the rotation axis of the float is fixed due to dirt or the like, and the float does not move and the water level cannot be detected. In addition, the solution may overflow from the drainage tank, and it may not be possible to sufficiently detect that the drainage tank is attached at the correct position.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an object detection device that facilitates cleaning of a container and does not cause malfunction due to dirt. It is another object of the present invention to provide an object detection device that can reliably prevent the liquid from overflowing from the container and can accurately detect that the container is attached at the correct position.

  An object detection device according to the present invention includes a container that is detachably attached to a main body and stores a liquid, and a sensor that is attached to the main body and measures a distance from the opposite object to the opposite object using a reflected signal. The reflected signal from the opposing object when in the regular mounting position is different from the reflected signal from the opposing object when not in the regular mounting position.

  Since the object detection device of the present invention can detect the liquid in the container and the proper attachment position of the container without installing a detection device such as a float in the container, the container can be easily cleaned. Since the sensor is located in a place where it is not immersed in the liquid, there will be no malfunction due to contamination of the detection device. In addition, the sensor signal obtained when the container is in the proper position is different from the sensor signal obtained when the container is in the non-regular position, so it is possible to reliably prevent liquid from overflowing from the container. In addition, it is possible to accurately detect that the container is attached at the proper position.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an object detection apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in the figure, for example, a plastic container 20 such as a drainage tank for storing dehumidified water is detachably attached to a main body 30 of the dehumidifier, and the water collected in the dehumidifying operation is stored in the container 20. It is designed to accumulate inside. A partition plate 5 is provided at the top of the container 20 and is attached to the main body 30 so as to be substantially parallel to the bottom 30b. An ultrasonic sensor 1 is attached to the upper part of the partition plate 5, and the ultrasonic sensor 1 can transmit and receive with the container 20 through a passage hole 5 a provided in the partition plate 5.

  A substantially cylindrical convex portion 20a is formed on the bottom surface 20b of the container 20 toward the inner side of the container. When the container 20 is stored at a normal position of the main body 30, the convex portion 20a is connected to the ultrasonic sensor 1. It comes to oppose. On the other hand, a cylindrical recess 30 a is formed on the bottom surface 30 c of the bottom 30 b of the main body 30 facing the ultrasonic sensor 1.

  Next, the operation will be described. When the transmission ultrasonic wave 60 is transmitted downward from the ultrasonic sensor 1, it passes through the passage hole 5a of the partition plate 5, propagates in the air as the transmission ultrasonic wave 60, reaches the water surface 40a of the container 20, and is reflected here. Thereafter, it propagates upward in the air as the received ultrasonic wave 70, reaches the ultrasonic sensor 1 and is captured here. In the ultrasonic sensor 1, the time from the transmission of the transmission ultrasonic wave 60 to the capture of the reception ultrasonic wave 70 is measured, and the distance HO between the ultrasonic sensor 1 and the water surface 40a is determined from the velocity of the ultrasonic wave propagating in the air. To do.

  When the operation of the dehumidifier continues and the wastewater accumulates in the container 20, the water level in the container 20 rises and becomes full as shown in FIG. The distance to the water surface 41a is measured by the same operation as shown in FIG. 1 and compared with the full water level H1. If the measured value is the same as the full water level H1 or less than H1, the container 20 Is determined to be full. In this way, the operation of the dehumidifier is stopped so that the drainage does not accumulate any more, or it is notified that the dehumidifier is full, and the water in the container 20 is discarded.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where the container 20 after the water 40 is discarded is attached to the regular position of the main body 30. The distance to the bottom surface of the container 20 facing the ultrasonic sensor 1 is determined by the same operation as shown in FIG. The ultrasonic reflectance does not change in magnitude between the water surface and the plastic material constituting the container 20, and the distance to the bottom surface of the container 20 can be measured in the same manner as in the case of water. The distance H2 is stored in advance as a distance from the convex portion 20a that is measured when the container 20 is attached at the correct position. When the distance H2 is measured by the ultrasonic sensor 1, the container 20 is at the correct position. Permits start of operation as installed.

  Although the container 20 is attached to the regular position of the main body 30 after the water is discarded, the container 20 may not be attached to the correct position as shown in FIG. In this case, the distance to the bottom surface of the container 20 is determined by the same operation as shown in FIG. The distance H3 is stored in advance as the distance from the bottom surface 20b measured when the container 20 is not attached at the correct position. When the distance H3 is measured by the ultrasonic sensor 1, the container 20 is at the correct position. Assuming that the container 20 is not attached, the start of operation is not permitted and the attachment position of the container 20 is informed.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the container 20 is not attached to the main body 30. In this case, the distance to the bottom surface of the main body 30 is determined by the same operation as shown in FIG. The distance H4 is stored in advance as the distance to the concave portion 30a of the main body 30 that is measured when the container 20 is not attached. When the distance H4 is measured by the ultrasonic sensor 1, the container 20 is attached. If not, the start of operation is not permitted and the container 20 is not attached.

  According to the first embodiment, since the distance determined by the ultrasonic sensor 1 is compared with the previously stored distance H1 when the water is full, it is possible to detect whether the water is full. it can. In addition, since the distance determined by the ultrasonic sensor 1 is compared with the distance H2 to the convex portion 20a of the container 20 when the container 20 is correctly attached to the main body 1, the container 20 is in the correct position. It was possible to detect whether or not it was attached, and water no longer leaked from the container 20. Furthermore, since the distance determined by the ultrasonic sensor 1 is compared with the distance H3 to the bottom surface 20b of the container 20 when the container 20 is not correctly attached to the main body 1, the container 20 is correctly attached. It is possible to detect whether or not the water has leaked, and water no longer leaks from the container 20.

Further, since the distance determined by the ultrasonic sensor 1 is compared with the distance H4 to the recess 30a of the main body 20 when the container 20 is not attached to the main body 30, the container 20 is not attached. It is possible to detect whether or not water leaks from the container 20.
In this way, since the ultrasonic sensor 1 can be used to detect the attachment state of the container 20, it is not necessary to provide a float or the like. Therefore, the inside of the container 20 such as a drainage tank can be easily cleaned. The rotating shaft is fixed by dirt or the like and the float does not move, so that the water level can be detected reliably, no noise is generated even during transportation, and this is preferable in terms of design.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the object detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the portion of the bottom surface 20b of the container 20 that faces the ultrasonic sensor 1 is the cylindrical convex portion 20a. However, in the second embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor 1 is located on the bottom surface 20b of the container 20. The portion opposite to the convex portion 20c is a truncated cone-shaped convex portion 20c.
The other configuration is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 6 shows a case where the container 20 after the water has been discarded is attached to the regular position of the main body 30. The distance to the bottom surface of the container 20 facing the ultrasonic sensor 1 is determined by the same operation as shown in FIG. The distance H5 is stored in advance as a distance from the frustoconical convex portion 20c measured when the container 20 is attached at a correct position, and when the distance H5 is measured by the ultrasonic sensor 1, the container 20 As soon as is installed in the correct position, the operation can be started.
According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects shown in the first embodiment, the portion facing the ultrasonic sensor 1 on the bottom surface 20b of the container 20 is the truncated cone-shaped convex portion 20c, so that dirt is wiped off. Easy to clean.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an object detection device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the portion of the bottom surface 20b of the container 20 that faces the ultrasonic sensor 1 is the cylindrical convex portion 20a. However, in the third embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor 1 is located on the bottom surface 20b of the container 20. A portion opposed to is a cylindrical recess 20d.
The other configuration is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 7 shows a case where the container 20 after the water is discarded is attached to the main position of the main body 30. The distance to the bottom surface of the container 20 facing the ultrasonic sensor 1 is determined by the same operation as shown in FIG. The distance H6 is stored in advance as a distance from the cylindrical recess 20d that is measured when the container 20 is attached at a correct position. When the distance H6 is measured by the ultrasonic sensor 1, the container 20 is It is possible to start driving as if it was installed in the correct position.
According to the third embodiment, an effect similar to that shown in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an object detection apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the first to third embodiments, when the container 20 is attached to the main body 30, the distance determined by the reflection of the received ultrasonic wave 70 and the convex portion 20 a of the container 20 when the container 20 is attached to the main body 1. , 20b, 20c and the distance H2 to the recess 20d, it is determined whether or not the container 20 is attached to the regular position of the main body 30. In the fourth embodiment, the container 20 is in the regular position. When it is attached to the ultrasonic sensor 1, the ultrasonic sensor 1 is configured not to receive the received ultrasonic wave.

As shown in FIG. 8, for example, a cone that does not reflect the transmitted ultrasonic wave 60 from the ultrasonic sensor 1 in the direction of the ultrasonic sensor 1 at a portion that is located on the bottom surface 20 c of the container 20 and faces the ultrasonic sensor 1. The shape is a convex portion 20e.
The other configuration is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation will be described. Since the transmission ultrasonic wave 60 transmitted from the ultrasonic sensor 1 is reflected by the inclined surface of the conical convex portion 20e, the reception ultrasonic wave is hardly reflected in the ultrasonic sensor 1 direction 70a, and other than the ultrasonic sensor 1. Reflected in the direction 70b. Therefore, when the container 20 is attached at a correct position, the ultrasonic sensor 1 can hardly detect the received ultrasonic wave and cannot determine the distance H7. When the container 20 is located at a position other than the normal position, the distance H3 to the bottom surface 20b of the container 20 and the distance H4 when the container 20 is not present are measured. In this case, the distance can be determined. It can be distinguished from the above case where H7 cannot be determined, and this makes it possible to detect that the container 20 is attached in the correct position.

  As described above, since the received ultrasonic wave is not parallel to the transmitted ultrasonic wave 60 from the ultrasonic sensor 1, it is possible to detect that the container 20 is attached at the correct position. 20 can be more easily realized, and the price can be kept low.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an object detection device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, when the container 20 is attached at a regular position, the ultrasonic sensor 1 is configured not to receive the received ultrasonic waves.
As shown in FIG. 9, the transmitted ultrasonic wave 60 from the ultrasonic sensor 1 is not reflected in the direction of the ultrasonic sensor 1 on the part located on the bottom surface 20 b of the container 20 and facing the ultrasonic sensor 1. A material 20f that hardly reflects is pasted.
The other configuration is substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

Next, the operation will be described. The transmission ultrasonic wave 60 transmitted from the ultrasonic sensor 1 is hardly reflected in the direction of the ultrasonic sensor 1 by the material 20f that hardly reflects the ultrasonic wave. Therefore, when the container 20 is attached at a correct position, the ultrasonic sensor 1 can hardly detect the received ultrasonic wave and cannot determine the distance H8. When the container 20 is located at a position other than the normal position, the distance H3 to the bottom surface 20b of the container 20 and the distance H4 when the container 20 is not present are measured. In this case, the distance can be determined. Can be distinguished from the above-mentioned case where it is not possible to determine, so that it is possible to detect that the container 20 is attached in the correct position.
In the above description, the material 20f that hardly reflects ultrasonic waves is attached to the bottom surface 20b of the container 20 facing the ultrasonic sensor 1, but the bottom surface 20b of the container 20 is processed into a rough surface, or the bottom surface 20b of the container 20 is processed. Alternatively, a paint having a low reflectance with respect to the ultrasonic waves may be applied.

  According to the fifth embodiment, in addition to the effects shown in the fourth embodiment, it is not necessary to change the mold when the container 20 is molded, which can be realized more easily and keeps the price low. It becomes possible.

  As an application example of the present invention, it can be used as a water level sensor / drain tank position detection sensor in a drain tank of a dehumidifier.

It is explanatory drawing of the object detection apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory diagram of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory diagram of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory diagram of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory diagram of FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing of the object detection apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the object detection apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the object detection apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the object detection apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic sensor, 20 Container, 20a, 20c, 20e Convex part, 20b Bottom surface, 20d Concave part, 20f The material which does not reflect an ultrasonic wave easily, 30 main body, 30a Concave part of a main body, 40 Water, 60 transmitting ultrasonic wave, 70 receiving super wave Sonic.

Claims (9)

A container that is detachably attached to the main body and stores a liquid, and a sensor that is attached to the main body and measures a distance to the opposite object by a reflected signal from the opposite object,
An object detection device characterized in that a reflected signal from an opposing object when the container is in a proper mounting position of the main body and a reflected signal from the opposing object when not in a normal mounting position are different. .   2. The object according to claim 1, wherein a distance from the sensor to a bottom surface position of the container facing the sensor is different depending on whether or not the container is in a proper attachment position of the main body. Detection device.   3. An object according to claim 2, wherein a cylindrical convex portion is provided on the bottom surface of the container, and the convex portion is located at a position facing the sensor when the container is in a normal mounting position. Detection device.   The convex part of truncated cone shape is provided in the bottom face of the said container, When this container is in a regular attachment position, the said convex part was made to come to the opposing position of the said sensor. Object detection device.   When the container is at a normal position of the main body and when not mounted on the main body, the distance from the sensor to the bottom surface position of the container facing the sensor, and the sensor facing the sensor The object detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance to the main body position is different.   The object detection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a cylindrical recess is formed at a position of the main body facing the sensor. A container that is detachably attached to the main body and stores a liquid, and a sensor that is attached to the main body and measures a distance to the opposite object by a reflected signal from the opposite object,
An object detection apparatus characterized in that when the container is at a normal mounting position of the main body, a reflected signal from a container bottom surface facing the sensor cannot be received by the sensor.   The object according to claim 7, wherein a conical convex portion is provided on the bottom surface of the container, and the convex portion is located at a position opposite to the sensor when the container is in a normal mounting position. Detection device. 8. A member that does not reflect a signal from the sensor is provided on the bottom surface of the container, and when the container is in a proper mounting position, the member is positioned opposite the sensor. The object detection apparatus described.

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