JP2013228276A - Flexible sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably connect a first connection part and a second connection part to each other.SOLUTION: A flexible sensor comprises: a sensor cable 2 for detecting a physical quantity of an object to be measured in a state where the sensor cable 2 is arranged to surround the object to be measured; and a connection mechanism 3 for performing connection and disconnection between both ends of the sensor cable 2. The connection mechanism 3 comprises a first connection part 3a and a second connection part 3b. The first connection part 3a has a part to be inserted 61 into which the second connection part 3b is inserted while being fixed with either one of the ends of the sensor cable 2. The second connection part 3b has a first display part 55 that indicates an insertion direction into the part to be inserted 61 and can identify whether or not the second connection part 3b is inserted into the part to be inserted 61 by a predetermined specified insertion amount while being configured to be fixed with the other end of the sensor cable 2 and to be able to be connected to and disconnected from the first connection part 3a by being inserted into the part to be inserted 61 and by being pulled out from the part to be inserted 61.

Description

  The present invention relates to a flexible sensor that is disposed so as to surround a measurement object and detects a physical quantity of the measurement object.

  As this type of flexible sensor, a current detector disclosed in JP-A-2006-329826 is known. This current detector is connected to a detection unit that is annularly wound around the current line to be measured, a holding member that holds both ends of the detection unit joined, and an output line of the detection unit to process an output signal. A signal processing unit is provided, and a current flowing through the current line to be measured can be detected. In this case, the holding member includes a socket-type holding member fixed to one end of the detection unit and a plug-type holding member fixed to the other end of the detection unit. Further, the socket-type holding member has an inner surface provided with a concave groove engaging portion, and the plug-type holding member has an outer surface provided with a convex engaging portion. By engaging, the end faces of the detection unit are joined together.

  On the other hand, the inventor has improved the above-described holding member, and as a configuration capable of more reliably connecting both ends of the detection unit (sensor cable), a flexible sensor including the connection mechanism 70 illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 18. Has already been developed. As shown in FIG. 16, the flexible sensor coupling mechanism 70 includes a first coupling portion 71 and a second coupling portion 72.

  The 1st connection part 71 is provided with the main-body part 81 and the cover 82 which were each formed in the cylindrical shape. The main body 81 is configured such that one end of the sensor cable (not shown) is fixed and the second connecting portion 72 can be inserted as shown in FIG. Further, the main body 81 is provided with a cantilevered elastic piece 81 a that can be elastically deformed along the radial direction of the main body 81. Further, a claw portion 81b that protrudes toward the central axis side of the main body portion 81 is formed at the distal end portion of the elastic piece 81a. The cover 82 is connected to the outside of the main body 81 by an engaging portion (not shown) so as to be slidable relative to the main body 81 along the length. In this case, both are connected by inserting the main body 81 into the cover 82. Further, the elastic piece 81a of the main body 81 is moved to the distal end (right end in the figure) of the cover 82 when the cover 82 is slid toward the base end (left end in the figure) of the main body 81. A protrusion 82a is provided for contacting the tip and elastically deforming the elastic piece 81a outward. The 2nd connection part 72 is being fixed to the other edge part in the sensor cable outside a figure. The second connecting portion 72 is formed with a groove 72a along the outer periphery.

  In this connecting mechanism 70, as shown in FIG. 16, the first connecting portion 71 and the second connecting portion are inserted by inserting the second connecting portion 72 from the front end portion (right end portion in the figure) side of the main body portion 81 and the cover 82. 72 is connected. In this case, as shown in the figure, when the second connecting portion 72 is inserted, the tip of the second connecting portion 72 comes into contact with the claw portion 81b of the elastic piece 81a of the main body portion 81 so that the elastic piece 81a Elastically deforms outward. Next, when the second connecting portion 72 is further inserted into the back side of the main body portion 81, the claw portion 81b of the main body portion 81 is engaged with the groove portion 72a of the second connecting portion 72, as shown in FIG. The 2nd connection part 72 and the main-body part 81 are maintained in the connected state.

  Moreover, in this connection mechanism 70, when releasing the connection state of the 2nd connection part 72 and the main-body part 81, as shown in FIG. 18, the cover 82 is faced toward the base end part of the main-body part 81 (in the same figure). Slide (in the direction of the arrow shown). At this time, the protrusion 82a of the cover 82 abuts on the tip of the elastic piece 81a of the main body 81, and elastically deforms the elastic piece 81a outward. As a result, the engagement between the groove portion 72 a of the second connecting portion 72 and the claw portion 81 b of the main body portion 81 is released. Next, in this state, the second connecting portion 72 is pulled out from the main body portion 81 and the cover 82. As described above, the connected state between the second connecting portion 72 and the main body portion 81 is released.

JP 2006-329826 A (page 3-4, FIG. 2)

  However, the above-described flexible sensor already developed by the inventor has the following problems to be improved. That is, in this flexible sensor, the second connecting portion 72 is inserted (pushed) into the main body portion 81 of the first connecting portion 71, and the claw portion 81b of the main body portion 81 is engaged with the groove portion 72a of the second connecting portion 72. By doing so, the first connecting portion 71 (main body portion 81) and the second connecting portion 72 are connected. In this case, in order to accurately measure the current value, it is preferable that the ends of the sensor cables be as close as possible. For this reason, in this flexible sensor, when the 2nd connection part 72 is fully pushed in to the back of the main-body part 81, the groove part 72a of the 2nd connection part 72 and the nail | claw part 81b of the main-body part 81 are comprised. Has been. However, in this flexible sensor, the user recognizes whether or not the second connecting portion 72 has been inserted into the main body portion 81 until the position where the groove portion 72a and the claw portion 81b are engaged (by a predetermined insertion amount specified in advance). Since there is no means to do so, the groove portion 72a and the claw portion 81b may not be engaged or may be insufficiently engaged due to insufficient insertion. Therefore, this flexible sensor has a problem that the second connecting portion 72 may be detached from the first connecting portion 71 during measurement.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this subject, and it aims at providing the flexible sensor which can connect a 1st connection part and a 2nd connection part reliably.

  In order to achieve the above object, the flexible sensor according to claim 1 is a sensor cable for detecting a physical quantity of the measurement object in a state of being arranged so as to surround the measurement object, and connection between both ends of the sensor cable. And a connection mechanism for releasing the connection, wherein the connection mechanism includes a first connection part and a second connection part, and the first connection part includes the both ends of the sensor cable. One of the parts is fixed and has an inserted part for inserting the second connecting part, and the second connecting part is fixed to the other of the both end parts and inserted into the inserted part and the covered part. It is configured to be able to be connected to and disconnected from the first connecting part by being pulled out from the inserting part, and indicates the direction of insertion with respect to the inserted part and The second coupling portion has a first display unit which can specify whether it is inserted only into the insertion member defining an insertion amount previously determined.

  The flexible sensor according to claim 2 is the flexible sensor according to claim 1, wherein the first display unit is configured by a chevron-shaped graphic, and the chevron-shaped graphic is inserted with the specified insertion amount. It is sometimes provided at a site buried in the inserted portion.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the flexible sensor according to the second aspect, the first display unit is configured by a plurality of the chevron-shaped figures arranged along the insertion direction.

  The flexible sensor according to claim 4 is the flexible sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second connecting portion is buried in the inserted portion when inserted with the specified insertion amount. One or more of the color, the surface roughness, and the outer diameter of the portion and the portion exposed from the insertion portion when inserted with the specified insertion amount are different from each other.

  The flexible sensor according to claim 5 is the flexible sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second connecting portion is exposed from the inserted portion when inserted with the specified insertion amount. It has a 2nd display part which is provided in the site | part and shows the direction of extraction from the said to-be-inserted part.

  In the flexible sensor according to claim 1, the direction of insertion of the second connecting portion with respect to the inserted portion can be indicated, and whether or not the second connecting portion has been inserted into the inserted portion by a predetermined specified insertion amount can be specified. The 2nd connection part has the 1st display part. For this reason, according to this flexible sensor, for example, when the insertion amount necessary to connect the first connection portion and the second connection portion is determined in advance as the specified insertion amount, the user can display the first display portion. By confirming the above, it is possible to make the user surely and easily recognize whether or not the second connecting portion has been inserted into the inserted portion by the specified insertion amount. Therefore, according to this flexible sensor, it is possible to reliably prevent the second connecting portion from being insufficiently inserted into the inserted portion, and as a result, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion can be reliably connected.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first display portion is formed of a chevron-shaped graphic, and the chevron-shaped graphic is provided at a portion that is buried in the inserted portion when inserted with a specified insertion amount. Therefore, by orienting the top of the chevron shape in the direction of insertion, it is possible to make the user clearly grasp the direction of insertion, and whether or not the second connecting portion has been inserted into the inserted portion by the specified insertion amount. It is possible to make the user recognize it more reliably.

  In the flexible sensor according to the third aspect, the first display unit is composed of a plurality of chevron-shaped figures arranged along the insertion direction. For this reason, according to this flexible sensor, in the middle of inserting the second connecting part into the inserted part, a part of the second connecting part is buried in the inserted part to constitute the first display part. Even if one or more of the chevron-shaped figures are invisible, other chevron-shaped figures can be seen, so that the user can clearly grasp the direction of insertion, and the second connecting portion It is possible to make the user more surely recognize whether or not a predetermined insertion amount has been inserted into the inserted portion.

  Further, in the flexible sensor according to claim 4, one or more of the color, surface roughness, and outer diameter of the portion buried in the insertion portion and the portion exposed from the insertion portion when inserted with the specified insertion amount are mutually different. The 2nd connection part is formed so that it may differ. For this reason, according to this flexible sensor, when the insertion amount of the second connecting portion with respect to the insertion portion does not reach the specified insertion amount, the insertion portion (described above) of the color different from the exposed portion (the exposed portion described above) As a result that a part of the portion to be buried is exposed from the inserted portion, it is possible to make the user more surely recognize whether or not the second connecting portion has been inserted into the inserted portion by the specified insertion amount.

  Further, according to the flexible sensor according to claim 5, by providing the second display portion indicating the pulling direction in the portion (exposed portion) exposed from the insertion portion when inserted with the specified insertion amount, The user can surely recognize the direction in which the second connecting portion is pulled out, and the user can be surely recognized that the exposed portion provided with the second display portion should be separated from the first connecting portion. it can. For this reason, according to this flexible sensor, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous operation such that the members constituting the first connecting portion are forcibly pulled apart.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a flexible sensor 1. FIG. It is the perspective view of the main-body part 11 seen from the base end part 11a side. It is the perspective view of the main-body part 11 seen from the front-end | tip part 11b side. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main body portion 11. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cover 12. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cover 12. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an operation unit 13. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an operation unit 13. FIG. It is a side view of the 2nd connection part 3b. It is sectional drawing of the 2nd connection part 3b. FIG. 5 is a first explanatory view for explaining an assembly method of the coupling mechanism 3. FIG. 6 is a second explanatory view for explaining an assembling method of the coupling mechanism 3. It is the 3rd explanatory view explaining the assembly method of connecting mechanism 3. FIG. 3 is a first explanatory diagram for explaining how to use the flexible sensor 1. It is the 2nd explanatory view explaining how to use flexible sensor 1. It is the 3rd explanatory view explaining how to use flexible sensor 1. It is the 4th explanatory view explaining how to use flexible sensor 1. FIG. 10 is a fifth explanatory diagram illustrating how to use the flexible sensor 1. It is the 1st explanatory view explaining composition of conventional connection mechanism 70. It is the 2nd explanatory view explaining composition of conventional connection mechanism 70. It is the 3rd explanatory view explaining composition of conventional connection mechanism 70.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a flexible sensor will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Initially, the structure of the flexible sensor 1 shown in FIG. 1 as an example of a flexible sensor is demonstrated. As shown in the figure, the flexible sensor 1 includes a sensor cable 2, a coupling mechanism 3, and a cable 4, and is arranged so as to surround the measurement object 100 (the ends 2a and 2b of the sensor cable 2 are coupled to each other). In this state, an annular body is configured so that a current flowing through the measurement object 100 (an example of a physical quantity for the measurement object 100) can be detected.

  The sensor cable 2 is a Rogowski coil formed by winding an insulated conductor (not shown) around the coil support, and the insulated conductor is connected to a measuring instrument (not shown) via the cable 4. The

  The connecting mechanism 3 is a mechanism for connecting and releasing the ends 2a and 2b of the sensor cable 2 and includes a first connecting part 3a and a second connecting part 3b as shown in FIG. It is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first connecting portion 3 a includes a main body portion 11, a cover 12, and an operation portion 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body portion 11 is formed in a small diameter cylindrical shape on the base end portion 11 a side, and is formed in a large diameter cylindrical shape on the distal end portion 11 b side. One of the two end portions 2a and 2b (see FIG. 1) of the sensor cable 2 (in this example, the end portion 2a) is inserted and fixed to the base end portion 11a of the main body portion 11. In addition, a connection portion between the insulated conductor and the cable 4 constituting the sensor cable 2 is accommodated in the base end portion 11a.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base end portion 11 a of the main body portion 11 is formed with a protruding portion 21 that protrudes toward the outside of the base end portion 11 a (the cover 12 in the connected state). The protruding portion 21 engages with a claw portion 31 (to be described later) of the cover 12 in a connection state between the main body portion 11 and the cover 12 (a state in which the main body portion 11 is inserted into the cover 12).

  Moreover, the main-body part 11 is comprised so that the operation part 13 can be connected (attached) to the front-end | tip part 11b. In this case, the operation unit 13 is connected to the distal end portion 11b by inserting a first elastic piece 41 and a second elastic piece 42 described later into the distal end portion 11b. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a slit 23 is formed at the tip 11 b of the main body 11. The slit 23 has a function of maintaining the connection state between the main body 11 and the operation unit 13 by fitting the second convex portion 42 a of the second elastic piece 42 in the inserted operation unit 13. . Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the inserted portion 61 into which the second connecting portion 3 b can be inserted is configured by the space inside the distal end portion 11 b and the space inside the operation portion 13 in the main body portion 11.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a groove 22 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 11 b in the main body portion 11. The groove 22 has a function of positioning the main body 11 and the cover 12 by engaging a rib 32 described later of the cover 12 with the groove 22 when the main body 11 is inserted into the cover 12 and connected to each other. have.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the edge portion 24 of the tip end portion 11 b in the main body portion 11 is formed to be thick, and a cutout 25 is formed in the edge portion 24. The notch 25 has a function of positioning the main body part 11 and the operation part 13 by engaging an instruction part 43 (to be described later) of the operation part 13 when the operation part 13 is connected to the distal end part 11 b of the main body part 11. Have.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a contact projecting toward the central axis side of the main body 11 at a position closer to the base end 11 a than the formation site of the slit 23 inside the distal end 11 b of the main body 11. A portion 26 is formed. The abutment portion 26 abuts on the first elastic piece 41 of the operation portion 13 when the operation portion 13 is positioned at a lock position described later, and restricts outward elastic deformation of the first elastic piece 41. It has a function to do.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cover 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape into which the main body 11 can be inserted, and is configured to be able to cover the main body 11 in a state of being connected (attached) to the main body 11. ing. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, ribs 32 that engage with the grooves 22 of the main body 11 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cover 12.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a claw portion 31 (two claw portions 31 in this example) is formed on the base end portion 12 a of the cover 12. As shown in FIG. 12, the claw portion 31 is engaged with the edge portion on the tip end portion 11b side (the right edge portion in the figure) of the protruding portion 21 of the main body portion 11 when the main body portion 11 is inserted into the cover 12. Together, the main body 11 and the cover 12 are connected. In this case, in this flexible sensor 1, as shown in the figure, the claw portion 31 is formed inside the cover 12, and when the main body portion 11 and the cover 12 are connected, the claw portion 31 is pressed or deformed. Operation becomes impossible. For this reason, in this flexible sensor 1, after the main body part 11 is inserted into the cover 12 and the main body part 11 and the cover 12 are connected, the engagement state between the protruding part 21 and the claw part 31 cannot be released. Yes. That is, in this flexible sensor 1, after the main body 11 is inserted into the cover 12 and the main body 11 and the cover 12 are once connected, the main body 11 and the cover 12 are not damaged unless the main body 11 and the cover 12 are destroyed. The connection state cannot be released (separation of both) (so-called fitting structure).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a release hole 33 is formed in the distal end portion 12 b of the cover 12. When the release hole 33 presses the second convex portion 42a of the second elastic piece 42 in the operation portion 13 fitted in the slit 23 of the main body portion 11 with a member for release (for example, a rod-shaped member), Used to insert the member. For this reason, the release hole 33 is formed at a position facing the slit 23 of the main body 11 when the main body 11 and the cover 12 are connected.

  The operation unit 13 is a member for performing operations of connecting and releasing the connection between the first connecting unit 3a and the second connecting unit 3b, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. . As shown in FIG. 13, the operation unit 13 is configured to be connectable (attachable) to the main body 11 by inserting the front end 13 b into the front end 11 b of the main body 11. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the operation portion 13 is formed with a cantilevered first elastic piece 41 and a second elastic piece 42 configured to be elastically deformable along the radial direction of the operation portion 13. Has been.

  In this case, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first elastic piece 41 protrudes toward the central axis side of the operation portion 13 at the intermediate portion in the length direction of the first elastic piece 41, and the first connection portion 3 a (operation portion 13 The first convex portion 41a that can be engaged with the groove portion 54 (see FIG. 9) of the second connecting portion 3b in the state of being inserted into the second connecting portion 3b is formed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the distal end portion of each second elastic piece 42 protrudes toward the outside of the operation portion 13 (that is, toward the main body portion 11 in a state of being connected to the main body portion 11). A second protrusion 42a is formed.

  In this flexible sensor 1, as shown in FIG. 13, by engaging the second convex portion 42 a of the second elastic piece 42 with the slit 23 formed in the distal end portion 11 b of the main body portion 11, On the other hand, the operation unit 13 is connected to the main body unit 11 so as to be relatively rotatable.

  Further, in the flexible sensor 1, the second convex portion 42a is positioned at one end portion 23a of the slit 23 (the right end portion in FIG. 2; hereinafter, the position of the end portion 23a is also referred to as “unlock position”). The contact portion 26 of the main body portion 11 does not contact the first elastic piece 41. Therefore, at this time, elastic deformation of the first elastic piece 41 (outward) toward the main body 11 is allowed. On the other hand, when the second convex portion 42a is located at the other end portion 23b of the slit 23 (left end portion in FIG. 2; hereinafter, the position of the end portion 23b is also referred to as “lock position”), FIG. As shown, the contact portion 26 of the main body portion 11 contacts the first elastic piece 41. For this reason, at this time, the elastic deformation of the first elastic piece 41 (outward) toward the main body 11 is restricted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, an instruction portion 43 is formed at the base end portion 13 a of the operation portion 13. The instructing portion 43 engages with a notch 25 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) formed in the distal end portion 11b of the main body portion 11 to position the operation portion 13 with respect to the main body portion 11 and also performs the above-described unloading operation. It also functions as a pointer indicating the lock position and the lock position.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second connecting portion 3 b is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape with the tip portion 51 closed, and the tip portion 51 is inserted into the inserted portion 61 (see FIG. 13) of the first connecting portion 3 a. It is possible to insert the side. As shown in FIG. 18, only the insertion amount necessary for engaging the first convex portion 41a of the operating portion 13 in the first connecting portion 3a with the groove portion 54 of the second connecting portion 3b (a predetermined rule). The portion that is buried in the inserted portion 61 (in the inserted state) when the distal end 51 side of the second connecting portion 3b is inserted into the inserted portion 61 (in the amount of insertion) is also referred to as an “inserting portion 62”. Further, as shown in the figure, a portion exposed from the inserted portion 61 when inserted with a specified insertion amount is also referred to as an “exposed portion 63” hereinafter.

  In this 2nd connection part 3b, connection and disconnection with the 1st connection part 3a are carried out by insertion of the insertion part 62 with respect to the to-be-inserted part 61 of the 1st connection part 3a, and drawing | extracting of the insertion part 62 from the to-be-inserted part 61. Done.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the second connecting portion 3 b has an opening 53 (FIG. 9, FIG. 9) where the other end (in this example, the end 2 b) of the sensor cable 2 is the other end 2 a, 2 b. 10)) and fixed in the inserted state. Further, a groove portion 54 that engages with the first convex portion 41a of the first elastic piece 41 in the operation portion 13 is formed in the insertion portion 62 of the second connecting portion 3b along the outer periphery.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, the 1st display part 55 is provided in the insertion part 62 of the 2nd connection part 3b. The first display portion 55 indicates the direction (insertion direction) when the insertion portion 62 is inserted into the insertion portion 61 of the first connecting portion 3a, and the insertion portion 62 is covered by a predetermined specified insertion amount. It has a function of indicating whether or not it has been inserted into the insertion portion 61 (which makes it possible to specify whether or not it has been inserted with a specified insertion amount). In this case, as shown in the figure, the first display unit 55 is constituted by a plurality of (in this example, three) chevron-shaped figures (hereinafter also referred to as “mountain figures 55a”) as an example. The angle-shaped figures 55a are arranged along the insertion direction (toward the left in this example) with the top of the angle-shaped figure 55a facing the tip 51 side. In addition, the bottom part of the rear chevron figure 55 a among the chevron figures 55 a is located at the boundary between the insertion part 62 and the exposed part 63.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the second display part 56 is provided in the exposed part 63 of the second connecting part 3b. The second display portion 56 has a function of indicating a direction (withdrawal direction: rightward in this example) when the insertion portion 62 (second connection portion 3b) is pulled out from the insertion portion 61 of the first connection portion 3a. ing. In this case, as shown in the drawing, the second display unit 56 is configured by a figure in the shape of a right-pointing arrow as an example.

  Moreover, the 2nd connection part 3b is formed so that the color of the insertion part 62 and the exposed part 63 may mutually differ (The coloring which is different in the insertion part 62 and the exposed part 63 is given). That is, the two colors are distinguished at the boundary portion between the insertion portion 62 and the exposed portion 63. In the second connecting portion 3b, for example, the insertion portion 62 is formed in yellow, and the exposed portion 63 is formed in black.

  Next, a method for assembling the flexible sensor 1 will be described. First, the sensor cable 2 is passed (inserted) through the cover 12, and then the end 2b (see FIG. 1) of the sensor cable 2 is fixed to the second connecting portion 3b. Specifically, an adhesive is applied to the end 2b of the sensor cable 2, and then the end 2b is inserted from the opening 53 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) of the second connecting portion 3b. Thereby, the edge part 2b is fixed to the 2nd connection part 3b.

  Next, the end 2 a (see FIG. 1) of the sensor cable 2 is fixed to the main body 11. Specifically, the insulated conductor and the cable 4 constituting the sensor cable 2 are connected, and then an adhesive is applied to the end 2a of the sensor cable 2, and then the connecting portion between the insulated conductor and the cable 4 is connected. It is inserted into the base end portion 11 a of the main body portion 11. Thereby, the end 2 a of the sensor cable 2 is fixed to the main body 11.

  Subsequently, the main body 11 and the cover 12 are connected (the main body 11 is covered with the cover 12). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the base end portion 11 a of the main body portion 11 is inserted from the opening portion of the cover 12 on the front end portion 12 b side. At this time, the rib 32 formed on the cover 12 is inserted while being engaged with the groove 22 (see FIG. 2) formed on the main body 11. By inserting in this way, the main body 11 and the cover 12 are positioned.

  Next, the main body 11 is further inserted into the cover 12. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the claw portion 31 of the cover 12 is engaged with the edge portion (right edge portion in the figure) of the protruding portion 21 of the main body portion 11 on the front end portion 11b side, thereby The part 11 and the cover 12 are connected. Here, in this flexible sensor 1, as shown in the figure, since the claw portion 31 is formed inside the cover 12, in this state (connected state), the protrusion 21 and the claw portion 31 are pressed and deformed. Such an operation cannot be performed from the outside of the cover 12. For this reason, in this flexible sensor 1, after the main body part 11 is inserted into the cover 12 and the main body part 11 and the cover 12 are once connected, the engagement state between the projecting part 21 and the claw part 31 becomes impossible. The main body 11 and the cover 12 are maintained in a connected state (a state where they are not separated).

  Subsequently, the main body 11 and the operation unit 13 are connected. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the first elastic piece 41 and the second elastic piece 42 of the operation unit 13 are inserted inside the distal end portion 11 b of the main body portion 11. At this time, the pointing portion 43 (see FIG. 7) formed at the base end portion 13a of the operation portion 13 is engaged with the notch 25 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) formed at the distal end portion 11b of the main body portion 11. Insert them together. By inserting in this way, the main-body part 11 and the operation part 13 are positioned.

  Next, the operation unit 13 is further inserted into the main body unit 11. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the second convex portion 42 a formed on the second elastic piece 42 is fitted into the slit 23 formed on the distal end portion 11 b of the main body portion 11. Thereby, the operation part 13 is connected to the front-end | tip part 11b of the main-body part 11 so that rotation between the above-mentioned unlock position and lock position is possible. Thus, the assembly of the flexible sensor 1 is completed.

  Next, the usage method of the flexible sensor 1 is demonstrated with reference to drawings.

  For example, when measuring the current flowing through the measurement object 100 shown in FIG. 1 (an example of a physical quantity for the measurement object 100) using the flexible sensor 1, the operation unit 13 of the coupling mechanism 3 is connected to the main body 11. The second convex portion 42a of the second elastic piece 42 in the operation portion 13 is positioned at the position (unlock position) of the end portion 23a (see FIG. 2) of the slit 23 of the main body portion 11, Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the measurement object 100 is surrounded by the sensor cable 2.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the insertion portion 62 (the distal end portion 51 side) of the second coupling portion 3 b is moved from the proximal end portion 13 a side to the distal end portion 13 b side (the back side of the first coupling portion 3 a). ) To insert the insertion portion 62 into the insertion portion 61 of the first connecting portion 3a. In this case, when the second convex portion 42a of the second elastic piece 42 is positioned at the unlock position, the contact portion 26 of the main body portion 11 is not in contact with the first elastic piece 41. The elastic deformation of the first elastic piece 41 is permitted. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 16, the distal end portion of the second coupling portion 3b abuts on the first convex portion 41a by pushing the insertion portion 62 (second coupling portion 3b), whereby the first elastic piece 41 becomes the main body. Elastically deforms toward the portion 11. As a result, the second connecting portion 3b is inserted into the inserted portion 61 (the cover 12 and the operation portion 13).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 17, the insertion portion 62 of the second connection portion 3b is further pushed into the back side of the first connection portion 3a, and the insertion amount of the insertion portion 62 with respect to the insertion portion 61 reaches the specified insertion amount. In this case, as shown in FIG. 18, the first convex portion 41 a is engaged with the groove portion 54 by the elastic force of the first elastic piece 41. Thereby, the 1st connection part 3a and the 2nd connection part 3b are connected (end part 2a, 2b of the sensor cable 2).

  Here, in this flexible sensor 1, the 1st display part 55 is provided in the insertion part 62 of the 2nd connection part 3b, and the insertion amount of the insertion part 62 with respect to the to-be-inserted part 61 is prescribed | regulated, as shown in FIG. When the insertion amount has not been reached, a part of the insertion part 62 is exposed from the insertion part 61, and a part of the first display part 55 (a part of each chevron figure 55a constituting the first display part 55). It becomes visible. On the other hand, when the insertion amount of the insertion portion 62 with respect to the insertion portion 61 reaches the specified insertion amount, as shown in FIG. 17, all of the insertion portions 62 are buried in the insertion portion 61 and the first display portion 55 (first All the mountain-shaped figures 55a) constituting one display unit 55 are in a state where they cannot be visually recognized. For this reason, in the flexible sensor 1, it is possible to reliably and easily recognize whether or not the insertion portion 62 has been inserted into the insertion portion 61 by a predetermined insertion amount by checking the first display portion 55. ing. Therefore, in this flexible sensor 1, it is possible to reliably prevent the first convex portion 41a and the groove portion 54 from being engaged or insufficiently engaged due to insufficient insertion of the insertion portion 62 with respect to the insertion portion 61. Thus, the first connecting part 3a and the second connecting part 3b can be reliably connected.

  Moreover, in this flexible sensor 1, it forms so that the color of the insertion part 62 and the exposed part 63 in the 2nd connection part 3b may mutually differ. For this reason, when the insertion amount of the insertion portion 62 with respect to the insertion portion 61 does not reach the specified insertion amount, a part of the insertion portion 62 having a color different from that of the exposure portion 63 is exposed from the insertion portion 61. In addition, it is possible to more reliably and easily recognize whether or not the insertion portion 62 has been inserted into the inserted portion 61 by a specified insertion amount.

  Subsequently, the operation part 13 is rotated with respect to the main body part 11, and the 2nd convex part 42a of the 2nd elastic piece 42 is located in the position (lock position) of the edge part 23b (refer FIG. 2) of the slit 23. FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 18, the contact portion 26 of the main body portion 11 contacts the outer peripheral portion of the first elastic piece 41, and the elastic deformation of the first elastic piece 41 toward the main body portion 11 is restricted. Is done. For this reason, the state where the first convex portion 41a of the first elastic piece 41 is engaged with the groove portion 54 is maintained, and the first connecting portion 3a and the second connecting portion 3b are connected to each other (the ends 2a and 2b of the sensor cable 2). Is maintained in a connected state.

  Subsequently, the cable 4 is connected to a measuring device (not shown) and measurement is started. In this case, the measuring instrument inputs and measures the voltage induced in the sensor cable 2 through the cable 4. Next, when the measurement is finished and the flexible sensor 1 is removed from the measurement target body 100 (the state surrounding the measurement target body 100 is released), the operation portion 13 of the coupling mechanism 3 is rotated with respect to the main body portion 11. Thus, the second convex portion 42 a of the second elastic piece 42 is positioned at the unlock position of the slit 23.

  At this time, the contact of the contact portion 26 with the first elastic piece 41 is released, and the restriction of the elastic deformation of the first elastic piece 41 toward the main body portion 11 is released. Then, the 2nd connection part 3b is pulled in the direction pulled out from the 1st connection part 3a. At this time, the edge portion of the groove portion 54 of the second connecting portion 3b abuts on the first convex portion 41a of the first elastic piece 41, and the first elastic piece 41 is elastically deformed toward the cover 12, so that the first convex portion The engagement state between the portion 41a and the groove portion 54 is released. As a result, the second connection portion 3b is pulled out from the first connection portion 3a, and the connection state between the first connection portion 3a and the second connection portion 3b (the connection state between the end portions 2a and 2b of the sensor cable 2) is released. Is done.

  In this flexible sensor 1, the second connecting portion 3 b can be connected to the second connecting portion 3 b only by rotating the operating portion 13 so that the second convex portion 42 a of the second elastic piece 42 positioned at the locked position is positioned at the unlocked position. It will be in the state which can be pulled out from the 1 connection part 3a. For this reason, unlike the conventional configuration in which the cover 82 is slid to the base end side of the main body 81 to release the connection state between the first connection portion 71 and the second connection portion 72, the main body portion 81 and the cover 82 It is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous operation such as forcibly pulling apart.

  In the flexible sensor 1, since the second display portion 56 is provided in the exposed portion 63, the user can be surely recognized the direction in which the second connecting portion 3 b is pulled out, and the second display portion 56. It is possible to make the user surely recognize that the exposed portion 63 provided with is to be separated from the first connecting portion 3a. For this reason, in this flexible sensor 1, it is possible to more reliably prevent an erroneous operation such as forcibly pulling the main body 81 and the cover 82 apart.

  Further, in this flexible sensor 1, the main body 11 and the cover 12 are connected by the engagement between the protrusion 21 that cannot be operated from the outside of the cover 12 and the claw 31, and the connection state of the main body 11 and the cover 12 is maintained. It has a structure. For this reason, in this flexible sensor 1, even if operation which pulls apart the main-body part 11 and the cover 12 is performed, isolation | separation with the connected main-body part 11 and the cover 12 is prevented reliably.

  Next, the sensor cable 2 is detached from the measurement object 100. Thus, the measurement of the current flowing through the measurement object 100 is completed. Subsequently, when the current flowing through the other measurement object 100 is measured, the above-described procedure is repeated.

  Here, the 1st elastic piece 41 and the 2nd elastic piece 42 currently formed in the operation part 13 are comprised comparatively thinly in order to enable elastic deformation. For this reason, there is a high possibility that the first elastic piece 41 and the second elastic piece 42 are damaged due to repeated use compared to other parts (thick parts). In this case, when the first elastic piece 41 or the second elastic piece 42 of the operation unit 13 is damaged by repeated use, the operation unit 13 is removed from the main body unit 11 and replaced.

  When removing the operation unit 13 from the main body unit 11, first, a rod-like member is inserted into the release hole 33 formed in the cover 12, and then in the operation unit 13 fitted in the slit 23 of the main body unit 11. The 2nd convex part 42a of the 2nd elastic piece 42 is pressed with the front-end | tip part of a rod-shaped member. At this time, the second elastic piece 42 is elastically deformed by the pressing, and the fitting state between the second convex portion 42a and the slit 23 is released. Subsequently, the operation unit 13 is pulled out from the main body unit 11. Thereby, the operation unit 13 is detached from the main body unit 11.

  As described above, the flexible sensor 1 has a structure in which the fitting state between the second convex portion 42 a and the slit 23 is not released unless a release rod-like member is inserted into the release hole 33 of the cover 12. For this reason, in this flexible sensor 1, it is possible to exchange the operation unit 13 (removal from the main body unit 11) and perform a normal operation for releasing the connection between the first connection unit 3a and the second connection unit 3b. It is possible to reliably prevent the operation unit 13 from being easily detached from the main body unit 11.

  As described above, in the flexible sensor 1, the first display portion 55 indicating the insertion direction and indicating whether or not the second connecting portion 3b has been inserted into the inserted portion 61 by a predetermined specified insertion amount is the second. It is provided in the connecting part 3b. Therefore, according to this flexible sensor 1, for example, when the insertion amount necessary for connecting the first connection portion 3a and the second connection portion 3b is determined in advance as the specified insertion amount, the user can By confirming the 1 display unit 55, the user can be surely and easily recognized whether or not the insertion part 62 has been inserted into the insertion part 61 by a specified insertion amount. Therefore, according to this flexible sensor 1, as a result of reliably preventing the insertion portion 62 from being insufficiently inserted into the insertion portion 61, the first connection portion 3a and the second connection portion 3b can be reliably connected. it can.

  Further, according to the flexible sensor 1, the first display portion 55 is constituted by the chevron figure 55a, and the chevron-shaped figure is inserted into the insertion part 62 that is buried in the inserted part 61 when inserted by the specified insertion amount. By providing the angle, the chevron-shaped top portion is directed to the insertion direction, so that the user can clearly grasp the insertion direction and the insertion portion 62 has been inserted into the insertion portion 61 by the specified insertion amount. The user can be more surely recognized whether or not.

  Moreover, in this flexible sensor 1, the 1st display part 55 is comprised by the several mountain-shaped figure 55a arranged along the direction of insertion. For this reason, according to this flexible sensor 1, in the middle of inserting the insertion portion 62 into the insertion portion 61, a part of the insertion portion 62 is buried in the insertion portion 61, and the first display portion 55 is displayed. Even if one or more of the respective mountain-shaped figures 55a constituting the state cannot be visually recognized, since the other mountain-shaped figures 55a can be visually recognized, the insertion direction can be clearly understood by the user and the insertion portion 62 can be It is possible to make the user more surely recognize whether or not the insertion portion 61 has been inserted by the specified insertion amount.

  Moreover, in this flexible sensor 1, it forms so that the color of the insertion part 62 and the exposed part 63 in the 2nd connection part 3b may mutually differ. Therefore, according to the flexible sensor 1, when the insertion amount of the insertion portion 62 with respect to the insertion portion 61 does not reach the specified insertion amount, a part of the insertion portion 62 having a different color from the exposed portion 63 is inserted. As a result of being exposed from 61, it is possible to make the user more surely recognize whether or not the insertion portion 62 has been inserted into the insertion portion 61 by a specified insertion amount.

  Further, according to the flexible sensor 1, the second display portion 56 indicating the pulling direction is provided on the exposed portion 63 that is exposed from the inserted portion 61 when the flexible sensor 1 is inserted with the specified insertion amount. The direction in which the portion 3b is pulled out can be surely recognized by the user, and the user can be surely recognized that the exposed portion 63 provided with the second display portion 56 should be pulled away from the first connecting portion 3a. Can do. For this reason, according to this flexible sensor 1, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous operation such as forcibly pulling the main body 11 and the cover 12 apart.

  The configuration of the flexible sensor is not limited to the configuration described above, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the example in which the three display elements 55a are arranged to form the first display unit 55 has been described above. However, the first display unit can be configured by one chevron figure 55a, or two or four or more mountain forms. The first display unit can also be configured by the graphic 55a. Moreover, it can replace with the mountain-shaped figure 55a, and can also comprise a 1st display part with the figure of the shape of an arrow. In this case, the first display unit may be configured by using only one figure in the shape of the arrow, or the first display unit may be configured by arranging two or more of these figures.

  In addition, the example in which the colors of the insertion portion 62 and the exposed portion 63 in the second connecting portion 3b are different from each other has been described above, but the surface roughness of the insertion portion 62 and the exposed portion 63 is different from each other (that is, the insertion portion 62 and the exposed portion 63). A configuration in which the surface roughness of the two is distinguished at a boundary portion with 63) can also be adopted. By adopting this configuration, in addition to being able to visually distinguish between the insertion portion 62 and the exposed portion 63, they can be distinguished from each other by the difference in tactile sensation when the insertion portion 62 and the exposed portion 63 are gripped. Can do. Further, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the outer diameters of the insertion portion 62 and the exposed portion 63 are different from each other (that is, the outer diameters of the insertion portion 62 and the exposed portion 63 are distinguished from each other). Even in the case of adopting this configuration, in addition to being able to visually distinguish between the insertion portion 62 and the exposed portion 63, a difference in sense when the insertion portion 62 and the exposed portion 63 are grasped (thickness difference) ) Can be distinguished from each other. In addition, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which two or all of the color, surface roughness, and outer diameter of the insertion portion 62 and the exposed portion 63 are different from each other.

  Moreover, although the example which employ | adopted the Rogowski coil as the sensor cable 2 was demonstrated, the sensor cable in this invention is not limited to this, The coil and conducting wire for various sensing can be employ | adopted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flexible sensor 2 Sensor cable 2a, 2b End part 3 Connection mechanism 3a 1st connection part 3b 2nd connection part 55 1st display part 55a Yamagata figure 56 2nd display part 61 Insertion part 62 Insertion part 63 Exposure part 100 Measurement object body

Claims (5)

A flexible sensor comprising a sensor cable that detects a physical quantity of the measurement object in a state of being arranged so as to surround the measurement object, and a connection mechanism that connects and disconnects both ends of the sensor cable. Because
The connection mechanism includes a first connection part and a second connection part,
The first connection part has an insertion part in which either one of the both end parts of the sensor cable is fixed and the second connection part is inserted.
The second connecting portion is configured such that the other end of the both ends is fixed and the connection to and disconnection from the first connecting portion can be performed by inserting into and removing from the inserted portion. A flexible sensor having a first display portion that indicates an insertion direction with respect to the insertion portion and that can specify whether or not the second connection portion has been inserted into the insertion portion by a predetermined specified insertion amount. . The first display unit is composed of a mountain-shaped figure,
2. The flexible sensor according to claim 1, wherein the chevron-shaped figure is provided at a portion that is buried in the insertion portion when the figure is inserted with the specified insertion amount.   The flexible sensor according to claim 2, wherein the first display unit is configured by a plurality of the mountain-shaped figures arranged along the insertion direction.   The second connecting portion has a color and a surface roughness at a portion that is buried in the inserted portion when inserted at the specified insertion amount and a portion that is exposed from the inserted portion when inserted at the specified insertion amount. The flexible sensor according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the outer diameters is different from each other.   The second connecting portion includes a second display portion that is provided at a portion exposed from the inserted portion when the second connecting portion is inserted with the specified insertion amount and indicates a direction of extraction from the inserted portion. Item 5. The flexible sensor according to any one of Items 1 to 4.

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