JP2017003535A - Flexible sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a reduction in detection accuracy caused by wear in a connection mechanism.SOLUTION: A flexible sensor of the present invention includes a connection mechanism 3 for connecting and disconnecting both end parts of a sensor cable, the connection mechanism 3 being provided with a cap 11 having a groove 11d, a cover 12 having a recess, a coupler 13 having a cylindrical member 31, with the tip side of the cylindrical member 31 engageable into the recess, and a knob 14 externally fitted to the base end part side of the cylindrical member 31. The coupler 13 is provided with an elastic piece 41 the other end part of which is displaceably constructed, and a projection part 41a formed so as to project inward from the inner face of the other end part of the elastic piece 41 and engaging with the groove 11d of the cap 11 inserted into the cylindrical member 31. The knob 14 is constructed to be able to rotationally move between a first position where the projection part 41b of the elastic piece 41 comes in contact with a contact part 51 and the engagement state of the projection part 41b with the groove 11d is maintained, and a second position where the contact of the contact part 51 with the projection part 41b is released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

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

  As this type of flexible sensor, a flexible sensor disclosed by the applicant in Patent Document 1 below is known. This flexible sensor includes a sensor cable and a connection mechanism that connects and disconnects both ends of the sensor cable. The connection mechanism includes a main body portion to which one end portion of the sensor cable is fixed, a cover that covers the main body portion, and a first connection portion having an operation portion that is attached to a distal end portion of the main body portion, and the other end portion of the sensor cable. The 2nd connection part to which is fixed. In this case, the operation part is a member for performing operations of connecting and releasing the connection between the first connecting part and the second connecting part, and includes a first elastic piece and a second elastic piece.

  The first elastic piece includes a first convex portion formed so as to protrude toward the central axis side of the operation portion, and a first groove is formed in the groove portion formed in the second coupling portion inserted in the first coupling portion. The insertion state of the second connecting portion (the connected state of both ends of the sensor cable) is maintained by the engagement of the one convex portion. Further, the second elastic piece includes a second convex portion formed so as to protrude toward the outside of the operation portion, and the second convex portion is fitted into a slit formed at the distal end portion of the main body portion. Thus, the operation unit can be rotated with respect to the main body unit. In this sensor cable, when the operation portion is rotated to the lock position, the elastic deformation of the first elastic piece is restricted, and the extraction of the second connection portion from the first connection portion is restricted. Further, when the operating portion is rotated to the unlock position, the first elastic piece is allowed to be elastically deformed, and the second connecting portion is allowed to be pulled out from the first connecting portion.

JP 2013-228275 A (Pages 6-8, FIGS. 16-19)

  However, the conventional flexible sensor described above has the following problems to be improved. That is, in this flexible sensor, by fitting the second convex portion formed on the second elastic piece of the operation portion into the slit formed at the tip portion of the main body portion, the operation portion is moved with respect to the main body portion. It can be rotated. For this reason, in this flexible sensor, when rotating an operation part, a 2nd convex part and the edge part of a slit will slide. In this case, as the number of times of use is increased, the second convex portion and the edge of the slit are worn by sliding, and a gap is formed between the two, resulting in the central axis direction of the operation portion (the length of the sensor cable). (Sag) may occur. Therefore, in the conventional flexible sensor, such “rattle” occurs, and the distance between both ends of the sensor cable connected by the connecting mechanism changes, which may reduce the detection accuracy. There is a problem.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this subject, and it aims at providing the flexible sensor which can prevent the fall of the detection accuracy resulting from abrasion of a connection mechanism.

  In order to achieve the above object, the flexible sensor according to claim 1 includes 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 connection and disconnection of both ends of the sensor cable. A flexible sensor, and the coupling mechanism is configured in a cylindrical shape and has a groove formed on an outer peripheral surface, and either one of the both ends of the sensor cable. A first member to which the first member is fixed, a second member having a recess and the other end of the both ends being fixed, a cylindrical portion configured to be able to insert the first member, and the cylinder in the recess. A third member that is configured to be insertable at the distal end side of the cylindrical portion and is restricted from moving relative to the second member in the inserted state, and is externally fitted to the proximal end side of the cylindrical portion. A fourth member configured to be rotatable around the base end side, and the third member has one end fixed to the circumferential wall of the cylindrical portion and the other end being the cylindrical shape. A first elastic piece configured to be displaceable in a direction approaching and separating from the central axis of the portion, and projecting in a first direction toward the central axis from an inner surface of the other end portion of the first elastic piece. And a first protrusion that engages with the groove of the first member inserted into the cylindrical portion, and the fourth member has the first protrusion that is the groove of the first member. In the engaged state engaged with the first elastic piece, the contact portion is in contact with the outer surface side of the first elastic piece, and the displacement of the other end portion in the second direction away from the central axis is regulated to maintain the engaged state. The first position to be released, and the contact of the contact portion with the outer surface side of the first elastic piece is released and the second orientation is And a second position which permits the displacement of the end portion is configured to be rotatable.

  The flexible sensor according to claim 2 is the flexible sensor according to claim 1, wherein the third member has one end fixed to the circumferential wall of the cylindrical portion and the other end to the central axis. A second elastic piece configured to be displaceable in a direction toward and away from the second elastic piece, and a second protrusion formed so as to protrude in the second direction from an outer surface of the other end of the second elastic piece. The fourth member presses the second protrusion when the fourth member is rotated between the first position and the second position, and the other end portion of the second elastic piece is moved to the first position. And a protrusion that releases the pressure on the second protrusion when displaced in the first position and the first position and the second position.

  Further, the flexible sensor according to claim 3 is the flexible sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recessed portion of the second member and the distal end side of the cylindrical portion are mutually in the fitted state. An engaging portion is formed that engages and maintains the inserted state, and is released by the releasing operation to allow the tubular portion to be pulled out from the recess.

  The flexible sensor according to claim 4 is the flexible sensor according to claim 3, wherein the engaging portion includes an engaging hole penetrating from an inner surface of the concave portion to an outer surface of the second member, and the cylindrical portion. A third elastic piece having one end fixed to the circumferential wall and being displaceable in a direction in which the other end is in contact with and away from the central axis; and the other end of the third elastic piece. A third projecting portion that is formed so as to protrude from the outer surface in the second direction and engages with the engagement hole in the inserted state, and from the outer surface of the second member via the engagement hole. The engagement state between the engagement hole and the third protrusion can be released by a pressing operation as the release operation on the third protrusion.

  According to the flexible sensor of the first aspect, the first sensor is provided with the first protrusion that is formed to protrude in the first direction from the inner surface of the other end of the first elastic piece and engages the groove of the first member. The third member is configured to be fitted on the base end side of the cylindrical portion, and the fourth member is configured to be rotatable between the first position and the second position. Even if the fourth member is rotated, the edge of the first protrusion and the groove and the fourth member that maintain the connection state between the third member and the first member do not slide, and the number of uses Even if they are stacked, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which the edge of the first protrusion or the groove is worn by sliding with the fourth member. Therefore, according to this flexible sensor, it is possible to reliably prevent a decrease in detection accuracy due to wear of the first protrusion and the edge of the groove.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the flexible sensor includes a second elastic piece whose other end can be displaced, and a second projecting portion protruding in the second direction from the outer surface of the other end of the second elastic piece. When the third member is configured and rotated between the first position and the second position, the second protrusion is pressed to displace the other end of the second elastic piece in the first direction, The fourth member is configured with a protrusion that releases the pressure on the second protrusion when positioned at the first position and the second position. For this reason, according to this flexible sensor, when the other end part of the second elastic piece is displaced and when the second elastic piece is restored, the countering force against the force that rotates the fourth member by the change in the elastic force of the second elastic piece. The force is changed, and thus the response (click feeling) in which the fourth member is located at the first position and the second position can be generated. Therefore, according to this flexible sensor, a user can be surely grasped that the 4th member was located in the 1st position and the 2nd position.

  In the flexible sensor according to the third aspect, the engagement state is released by the release operation while engaging with each other in the insertion state in which the cylindrical portion of the third member is inserted in the recess. An engaging portion that allows the tubular portion to be pulled out from the recessed portion is formed at the recessed portion forming portion and the distal end portion of the tubular portion in the second member. Therefore, according to this flexible sensor, even if the third member or the fourth member is worn or the third member or the fourth member is damaged due to the sliding between the third member and the fourth member, The third member and the fourth member can be easily exchanged by pulling and removing the three members from the second member.

  According to the flexible sensor of the fourth aspect, the engagement hole formed in the second member, the third elastic piece, and the outer surface of the other end of the third elastic piece, the engagement hole in the fitted state. The engaging portion is configured such that the engagement state between the engaging hole and the third projecting portion can be released by a pressing operation on the third projecting portion through the engaging hole. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably and easily perform the maintenance of the fitted state in which the cylindrical portion of the third member is fitted in the concave portion and the release of the fitted state, though the configuration is simple. Therefore, according to this flexible sensor, the manufacturing cost can be sufficiently reduced by the simple configuration, and the connecting mechanism can be miniaturized by the simple configuration.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a flexible sensor 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a coupling mechanism 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cap 11. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cover 12. FIG. FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of the coupler 13 as viewed from the distal end portion 31a side of a cylindrical body 31. FIG. 5 is a second perspective view of the coupler 13 as viewed from the distal end portion 31a side of the cylindrical body 31. It is the 1st perspective view which looked at coupler 13 from the flange 32 side. It is the 2nd perspective view which looked at coupler 13 from the flange 32 side. FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of a knob 14. It is a 2nd perspective view of the knob. It is a front view of the knob 14. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cover 12, the coupler 13, and the knob 14 in the B cross section in FIG. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cover 12 and the coupler 13 by the A line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the cover 12, the coupler 13, and the knob 14 in the C cross section in FIG. 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.

  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 connection mechanism 3, and a signal cable 4, and is arranged so as to surround the measurement object 100 (the ends 2a and 2b of the sensor cable 2 are connected). In this state, an annular body is formed so that a current flowing through the measurement target 100 (an example of a physical quantity for the measurement target 100) can be detected. In addition, illustration of the sensor cable 2 is abbreviate | omitted in other figures except FIG.

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

  The connection mechanism 3 is a mechanism for connecting and releasing the end portions 2a and 2b of the sensor cable 2, and includes a cap 11, a cover 12, a coupler 13, and a knob 14 as shown in FIGS. Configured.

  The cap 11 corresponds to a first member, and is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape (an example of a cylindrical shape) with a distal end portion 11a closed as shown in FIG. The end portion 2a of the sensor cable 2 (one of both end portions: see FIG. 1) is fixed to the cap 11 in a state of being inserted from the opening portion 11c of the base end portion 11b. Further, the cap 11 is formed with a groove portion 11d that engages with a later-described protrusion 41a of the coupler 13 along the outer peripheral surface.

  The cover 12 corresponds to the second member, and as an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the tip 12 a side has a circular cross section, and the base end 12 b side has a substantially elliptical cross section. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a fixing member 24 is attached to the base end portion 12 b of the cover 12 (the illustration of the fixing member 24 is omitted in other drawings except FIG. 1), and the end of the sensor cable 2. The portion 2b (the other end of both ends) and the end 4a of the cable 4 are fixed to the cover 12 by the fixing member 24.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a concave portion 21 into which the distal end portion 31 a side (see FIG. 5) of the cylindrical body 31 constituting the coupler 13 is fitted is formed on the distal end portion 12 a side of the cover 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 22 are formed on the opening 21 a side of the recess 21. In addition, two engagement holes 23 (see also FIG. 12) penetrating from the inner peripheral surface 21 b of the concave portion 21 to the outer peripheral surface 12 c of the cover 12 are formed on the distal end portion 12 a side (formation portion of the concave portion 21) of the cover 12. Is formed. The protrusion 43a (see FIG. 5) of the coupler 13 engages with the engagement hole 23. As shown in FIG. 4, the edge of the tip end portion 12 a is thinned by cutting the outside, and the tip end portion 14 a of the knob 14 is fitted to this thin portion.

  The coupler 13 corresponds to a third member and includes a cylindrical tubular body 31 (tubular portion) as shown in FIGS. The cylindrical body 31 has an inner diameter that allows the cap 11 to be inserted. In addition, the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 31 is defined so that the distal end portion 31 a side can be fitted into the concave portion 21 of the cover 12. In addition, a flange 32 is provided at the base end portion 31 b of the cylindrical body 31 to prevent the knob 14 (see FIG. 12) fitted on the cylindrical body 31 from dropping off.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, two elastic pieces 41, 42, and 43 are formed on the coupler 13. In this case, the elastic pieces 41, 42, 43 are cut at the circumferential wall 31 d constituting the cylindrical body 31, so that one end is fixed to the circumferential wall 31 d and the other end is the central axis of the cylindrical body 31. It is configured in the shape of a cantilever that can be displaced in the direction of contact with and away from 31c. In the following description, the fixed end portion (one end portion) of the elastic pieces 41, 42, 43 is also referred to as a “fixed end”, and the displaceable end portion (the other end portion) is also referred to as a “free end”. .

  The elastic piece 41 corresponds to a first elastic piece, and is configured such that the distal end portion 31a side is a fixed end and the proximal end portion 31b side is a free end, as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the free end of the elastic piece 41 has a direction toward the central axis 31 c (corresponding to the first direction, hereinafter also referred to as “inward”) from the inner surface of the elastic piece 41. A protruding portion 41a is formed. This protrusion 41a corresponds to the first protrusion and engages with the groove 11d of the cap 11 inserted in the cylindrical body 31 (see FIG. 15). 5 to 8, the free end of the elastic piece 41 has an outer surface of the elastic piece 41 in a direction away from the central axis 31c (corresponding to the second direction, hereinafter also referred to as “outward”). A protrusion 41b protruding from the center is formed. The protrusion 41b comes into contact with a contact portion 51 formed on the knob 14 when the knob 14 is rotated to a first position described later (see FIGS. 16 and 17).

  The elastic piece 42 corresponds to a second elastic piece and, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, is configured such that the distal end portion 31a side is a fixed end and the proximal end portion 31b side is a free end. In addition, a protrusion 42 a that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the elastic piece 42 is formed at the free end of the elastic piece 42. The protrusion 42a corresponds to a second protrusion, and is formed on the knob 14 when the knob 14 is rotated between a first position and a second position described later (see FIGS. 13 and 16). It contacts the protruding portion 52 (FIGS. 10 and 11).

  The elastic piece 43 corresponds to a third elastic piece and is configured such that the distal end portion 31a side is a fixed end and the proximal end portion 31b side is a free end, as shown in FIGS. In addition, a protrusion 43 a that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the elastic piece 43 is formed at the free end of the elastic piece 43. This projection 43a corresponds to a third projection, and engages with the engagement hole 23 of the cover 12 in the fitted state in which the tip 31a side of the cylindrical body 31 is fitted in the recess 21 of the cover 12 (FIG. 12). In this case, the protrusion 43a engages with the engagement hole 23 to move the coupler 13 with respect to the cover 12 (direction along the central axis 31c of the cylindrical body 31, direction along the plane orthogonal to the central axis 31c). And movement in the rotation direction around the central axis 31c) are restricted. In addition, an engaging part is comprised by the engagement hole 23 of the cover 12, the elastic piece 43, and the projection part 43a.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, protrusions 44 are formed on the circumferential wall 31 d of the cylindrical body 31 adjacent to both sides of the protrusions 42 a (see also FIG. 13). When the knob 14 rotates excessively beyond the first position and the second position, the projection 44 contacts the projection 52 of the knob 14 so that the knob 14 is disengaged from the first position and the second position. It has a function to prevent.

  The knob 14 corresponds to a fourth member, and is formed in an annular shape (short cylindrical shape) as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, and as shown in FIG. 12, the proximal end portion 31 b of the cylindrical body 31 of the coupler 13. Is externally fitted. Moreover, the knob 14 is comprised so that rotation around the base end part 31b is possible. Specifically, the knob 14 can rotate between a first position shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 and a second position shown in FIGS. In FIGS. 13 and 16, the cover 12 is not shown.

  In addition, a contact portion 51 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the knob 14 as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the abutting portion 51 contacts the protrusion 41 b (the outer surface side of the elastic piece 41) of the elastic piece 41 in the coupler 13 when the knob 14 is located at the first position. In contact therewith, the outward displacement of the free end of the elastic piece 41 is regulated. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17, the cap 11 is inserted into the cylindrical body 31 of the coupler 13 and the protrusion 41 a of the elastic piece 41 engages with the groove 11 d of the cap 11. When the portion 51 is in contact with the protruding portion 41b of the elastic piece 41, the engaged state between the protruding portion 41a and the groove portion 11d is maintained, whereby the inserted state of the coupler 13 and the cap 11, that is, the end of the sensor cable 2 is maintained. The connected state of the parts 2a and 2b is maintained. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the knob 14 is located at the second position, the contact between the protrusion 41b and the contact portion 51 of the elastic piece 41 is released (the protrusion 41b and the contact portion). 51 is maintained in a non-contact state), and the outward displacement of the free end of the elastic piece 41 is allowed, whereby the cap 11 can be pulled out of the coupler 13 and the cap 11 can be inserted into the coupler 13. It becomes a state.

  Further, a projection 52 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the knob 14 as shown in FIGS. When the protrusion 52 is rotated between the first position and the second position (in the process of rotation), the protrusion 42 a of the elastic piece 42 in the coupler 13 is pressed to freely move the elastic piece 42. The end is displaced inward, and when it is located at the first position and the second position, the pressure on the protrusion 42a is released and the free end of the elastic piece 42 is restored to the non-displaced state (initial state) (FIG. 13, 16). In this case, the opposing force (resistance force) that opposes the force that rotates the knob 14 is changed by the change in the elastic force of the elastic piece 42 when the free end of the elastic piece 42 is displaced or restored to the non-displaced state. Thus, it is possible to generate a response (click feeling) in which the knob 14 is positioned at the first position and the second position. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the edge of the tip 14 a of the knob 14 is thinned by shaving the inside. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the thin portion of the tip portion 14a and the thin portion formed on the tip portion 12a of the cover 12 are fitted together, so that the surface of the tip portion 12a and the tip portion 14a The knob 14 rotates in a state in which no step is generated between the surface and the surface.

  Next, a method for assembling the flexible sensor 1 will be described.

  First, the end 2a (see FIG. 1) of the sensor cable 2 is inserted from the opening 11c of the cap 11, and the end 2a is fixed to the cap 11 using, for example, an adhesive. Next, the end 2b of the sensor cable 2 fixed to the fixing member 24 (see FIG. 1) and the end 4a of the cable 4 are fixed in the base end 12b of the cover 12, and then the fixing member 24 is fixed to the base end. It attaches to the part 12b, for example, it fixes using an adhesive agent.

  Next, the tubular body 31 of the coupler 13 is inserted into the knob 14, and the knob 14 is fitted on the proximal end portion 31 b side of the tubular body 31. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the protrusion 41 b of the elastic piece 41 formed on the cylindrical body 31 does not come into contact with the contact portion 51 and the protrusion 52 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the knob 14. Then, the cylindrical body 31 is inserted into the knob 14.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 12, the tubular body 31 of the coupler 13 in a state in which the knob 14 is externally fitted is fitted into the concave portion 21 of the cover 12. Specifically, the cylindrical body 31 is in a state where the position of the engagement hole 23 formed in the cover 12 and the position of the elastic piece 43 formed in the cylindrical body 31 of the coupler 13 are aligned. Is inserted into the recess 21 through the opening 21 a of the recess 21. When the cylindrical body 31 is fitted into the recess 21, the protrusion 43 a formed at the free end of the elastic piece 43 of the cylindrical body 31 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the recess 21 near the opening 21 a, Accordingly, the free end of the elastic piece 43 is displaced inward (elastically deformed). Next, when the cylindrical body 31 is further fitted and the protrusion 43a is positioned at the position where the engagement hole 23 is formed in the cover 12, the free end is displaced outwardly by the elastic force as shown in FIG. Thus, the protrusion 43a and the engagement hole 23 are engaged. Thereby, the movement of the coupler 13 with respect to the cover 12 is regulated. 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.

  When the flexible sensor 1 is used to measure, for example, the current flowing through the measurement target 100 shown in FIG. 1 (an example of a physical quantity for the measurement target 100), the knob 14 of the coupling mechanism 3 is rotated to 13 and 14, the knob 14 is positioned at a second position where the protrusion 41 b of the coupler 13 and the contact portion 51 of the knob 14 are in a non-contact state. In this state, since the protrusion 41b and the contact portion 51 are not in contact with each other, the outward displacement of the free end of the elastic piece 41 is allowed.

  Here, when the knob 14 is rotated (in the process of rotation), the protrusion 52 formed on the knob 14 presses the protrusion 42 a of the elastic piece 42 in the coupler 13, thereby free end of the elastic piece 42. Is displaced inward. When the knob 14 is positioned at the second position, the pressing of the protruding portion 52 against the protruding portion 42a is released, and the free end of the elastic piece 42 is restored to the non-displaced state. In this case, the opposing force against the force for rotating the knob 14 is changed by the change in the elastic force of the elastic piece 42 when the free end of the elastic piece 42 is displaced and restored, and thereby the knob 14 is moved to the second position. Positioned response (click feeling) occurs. For this reason, in this flexible sensor 1, it becomes possible to make a user grasp | ascertain reliably that the knob 14 was located in the 2nd position.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 1, the measurement object 100 is surrounded by the sensor cable 2, and then, as shown in FIG. 15, the distal end from the proximal end portion 31 b (flange 32) side of the cylindrical body 31 of the coupler 13. The cap 11 is inserted toward the part 31a side. In this case, since the outward displacement of the free end of the elastic piece 41 of the coupler 13 is allowed, the tip of the cap 11 is inserted into the protrusion 41 a formed at the free end of the elastic piece 41 by the insertion of the cap 11. This abuts, whereby the free end of the elastic piece 41 is displaced outward (elastically deformed).

  When the tip of the cap 11 is inserted to the vicinity of the tip 31a of the cylindrical body 31 (the bottom of the recess 21 of the cover 12 into which the tip 31a is inserted), as shown in FIG. Due to the elastic force, the free end of the elastic piece 41 is displaced inward (restored to a non-displaced state), and as a result, the protrusion 41 a is engaged with the groove 11 d of the cap 11. Thereby, the coupler 13 and the cap 11 are connected (the end portions 2a and 2b of the sensor cable 2).

  Subsequently, the knob 14 is rotated to position the knob 14 at a first position where the protrusion 41b of the coupler 13 and the contact portion 51 of the knob 14 come into contact with each other, as shown in FIGS. Even in this case, since the protrusion 14 is pressed and released from the protrusion 42a when the knob 14 is rotated, the knob 14 is positioned at the first position (click feeling). It is possible to make the user surely know that it is located.

  On the other hand, in the state where the knob 14 is located at the first position, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the protrusion 41 b and the contact portion 51 are in contact with each other, so that the free end of the elastic piece 41 is displaced outward. Is regulated. For this reason, the engagement state in which the protruding portion 41a of the elastic piece 41 is engaged with the groove portion 11d of the cap 11 is maintained, whereby the coupler 13 and the cap 11 are inserted (the end portion 2a of the sensor cable 2). 2b) is maintained.

  Next, the signal cable 4 is connected to a measuring device (not shown) and measurement is started. In this case, a measuring instrument inputs and measures the voltage induced in the sensor cable 2 via the signal cable 4. Subsequently, when the measurement is finished and the flexible sensor 1 is removed from the measurement object 100 (the state surrounding the measurement object 100 is released), the knob 14 is rotated to position the knob 14 at the second position. Thereby, the protrusion part 41b of the coupler 13 and the contact part 51 of the knob 14 will be in a non-contact state, and the outward displacement of the free end in the elastic piece 41 is permitted.

  Next, the coupler 13 is pulled out from the cylindrical body 31. In this case, since the outward displacement of the free end of the elastic piece 41 is allowed, the edge of the groove 11d in the cap 11 is formed on the protrusion 41a formed at the free end of the elastic piece 41 by pulling out the cap 11. By abutting, the free end of the elastic piece 41 is displaced outward (elastically deformed), and the engaged state between the protrusion 41a and the groove 11d is released. As a result, the cap 11 is pulled out from the cylindrical body 31, and the coupling state between the coupler 13 and the cap 11 (the coupling state between the end portions 2a and 2b of the sensor cable 2) is released.

  Subsequently, 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. Next, when the current flowing through the other measurement object 100 is measured, the above procedure is repeated.

  Here, in the flexible sensor 1, a protrusion 41 a that protrudes inward from the inner surface of the free end of the elastic piece 41 in the cylindrical body 31 of the coupler 13 is formed, and the protrusion 41 a is engaged with the groove 11 d of the cap 11. By combining, the coupling state between the coupler 13 and the cap 11 is maintained. For this reason, even if the knob 14 fitted to the cylindrical body 31 is rotated, the protrusion 41a and the edge of the groove 11d that maintain the coupling state of the coupler 13 and the cap 11 and the knob 14 slide. There is nothing. As a result, in this flexible sensor 1, even if the number of times of use is repeated, it is possible to reliably avoid the situation where the protrusion 41 a and the edge of the groove 11 d wear due to sliding with the knob 14. Therefore, in this flexible sensor 1, unlike the conventional configuration in which the second convex portion and the edge portion of the slit slide when the operation portion is rotated, the coupling state between the coupler 13 and the cap 11 is maintained. For this reason, in this flexible sensor 1, it is possible to reliably prevent a decrease in detection accuracy due to wear of the protrusion 41a and the groove 11d.

  On the other hand, in this flexible sensor 1, since the coupler 13 can be removed from the cover 12, when the coupler 13 and the knob 14 are worn by repeated use, the coupler 13 is removed from the cover 12, The coupler 13 and the knob 14 can be exchanged. When exchanging the coupler 13 or the knob 14, a rod-shaped member is inserted into the engagement hole 23 of the cover 12 and the projection 43 a of the coupler 13 engaged with the engagement hole 23 is pressed inward. (Corresponds to the release operation). At this time, the free end of the elastic piece 43 on which the protrusion 43a is formed is displaced inward (elastically deformed), and the engagement of the protrusion 43a with the engagement hole 23 is released. Subsequently, the coupler 13 in this state is pulled out from the recess 21 of the cover 12. Next, the replacement parts of the coupler 13 and the knob 14 are attached according to the procedure in the above assembling method.

  Thus, according to the flexible sensor 1, the coupler 13 is configured by including the protrusion 41 a that is formed to protrude inward from the inner surface of the free end of the elastic piece 41 and engages with the groove 11 d of the cap 11. Then, the knob 14 that is externally fitted to the cylindrical body 31 is formed by fitting the knob 14 so as to be able to rotate between the first position and the second position by being externally fitted to the proximal end portion 31 b of the cylindrical body 31. The protrusions 41a and the edges of the grooves 11d that maintain the coupling state of the coupler 13 and the cap 11 do not slide with the knob 14 even when the coupler 13 is rotated. It is possible to reliably avoid the situation where the protrusion 41a and the edge of the groove 11d are worn by sliding. Therefore, according to the flexible sensor 1, it is possible to reliably prevent a decrease in detection accuracy due to wear of the edge portions of the protrusion 41a and the groove 11d.

  Further, in the flexible sensor 1, the coupler 13 is configured by including an elastic piece 42 whose free end can be displaced and a protrusion 42a protruding outward from the outer surface of the free end of the elastic piece 42, and the first position When rotating between the second position, the protrusion 42a is pressed to displace the free end of the elastic piece 42 inward, and the protrusion 42a is pressed when positioned at the first position and the second position. The knob 14 is provided with a projection 52 for releasing the. For this reason, according to the flexible sensor 1, when the free end of the elastic piece 42 is displaced and the elastic force of the elastic piece 42 is changed when the elastic piece 42 is restored, the opposing force changes against the force that rotates the knob 14. Thus, it is possible to generate a response (click feeling) in which the knob 14 is positioned at the first position and the second position. Therefore, according to the flexible sensor 1, the user can be surely grasped that the knob 14 is located at the first position and the second position.

  Further, in this flexible sensor 1, while the coupler 13 is fitted in the concave portion 21, they are engaged with each other to maintain the fitted state, and the engagement state is released by the release operation, and the cylindrical body from the concave portion 21. Engagement portions that permit the withdrawal of 31 are formed in the formation portion of the recess 21 in the cover 12 and the distal end portion 31 a of the cylindrical body 31. For this reason, according to this flexible sensor 1, even if the coupler 13 or the knob 14 is worn or the coupler 13 or the knob 14 is damaged due to the sliding of the coupler 13 and the knob 14, the coupler 13 is removed from the cover 12. By pulling out and removing, the coupler 13 and the knob 14 can be easily replaced.

  Further, according to the flexible sensor 1, the engagement hole 23 formed in the cover 12, the elastic piece 43, and the protrusion that is formed on the outer surface of the free end of the elastic piece 43 and engages with the engagement hole 23 in the fitted state. And a simple configuration by configuring the engagement portion so that the engagement state between the engagement hole 23 and the projection 43a can be released by a pressing operation on the projection 43a through the engagement hole 23. However, it is possible to reliably and easily maintain the fitting state in which the coupler 13 is fitted in the recess 21 and release the fitting state. For this reason, according to the flexible sensor 1, the manufacturing cost can be sufficiently reduced by the simple configuration, and the connecting mechanism 3 can be downsized by the simple configuration.

  The configuration of the flexible sensor is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the configuration example in which the fixed end of the elastic piece 41 in the coupler 13 is provided on the distal end portion 31a side of the cylindrical body 31 and the free end is provided on the proximal end portion 31b side of the cylindrical body 31 has been described above. On the contrary, the structure which provides the fixed end of the elastic piece 41 in the base end part 31b side, and provides a free end in the front-end | tip part 31a side is also employable. Similarly, either one or both fixed ends of the elastic pieces 42 and 43 are provided on the base end portion 31b side, and either one or both free ends of the elastic pieces 42 and 43 are provided on the distal end portion 31a side. It can also be adopted.

  In addition, the configuration example in which two elastic pieces 41, 42, 43 are formed on the cylindrical body 31 has been described above. However, the number of elastic pieces 41, 42, 43 is not limited to two, and each is defined as an arbitrary number. can do.

  In addition, although the example in which the engagement portion is configured by the engagement hole 23 of the cover 12 and the elastic piece 43 and the projection 43a of the cylindrical body 31 in the coupler 13 has been described above, the configuration of the engagement portion is not limited thereto. . For example, a screw portion that is screwed together is formed in the concave portion 21 of the cover 12 and the cylindrical body 31 of the coupler 13, and the cylindrical body 31 is rotated (rotated) with respect to the concave portion 21 (corresponding to a release operation). The engaging portion can also be configured to allow the cylindrical body 31 to be pulled out from the recess 21. Further, it is possible to employ an engaging portion having a configuration (so-called fitting structure) that does not allow the tubular body 31 to be pulled out from the recess 21.

  Moreover, although the example which employ | adopted the Rogowski coil as the sensor cable 2 was demonstrated, the coil and conducting wire for various sensing are employable as a sensor cable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flexible sensor 2 Sensor cable 2a, 2b End part 3 Connection mechanism 11 Cap 11d Groove part 12 Cover 13 Coupler 14 Knob 21 Recess 23 Engagement hole 31 Cylindrical body 31a Tip part 31b Base end part 31c Center axis 31d Circumferential wall 41, 42 , 43 Elastic piece 41a, 42a, 43a Protruding part 51 Abutting part 52 Protruding part 100 Measuring object

Claims (4)

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. ,
The coupling mechanism is configured in a cylindrical shape and has a groove formed on an outer peripheral surface, and a first member in which any one of the both end portions of the sensor cable is fixed; A second member to which the other of the parts is fixed, and a cylindrical part configured to be able to insert the first member, and being configured to be capable of inserting the distal end side of the cylindrical part into the concave part A third member whose movement with respect to the second member is restricted, and a fourth member which is externally fitted to the base end side of the cylindrical portion and is configured to be rotatable around the base end side. Prepared,
The third member has a first elastic piece configured such that one end is fixed to the circumferential wall of the tubular portion and the other end is displaceable in a direction in which the other end is in contact with or separated from the central axis of the tubular portion. And engaging with the groove portion of the first member formed so as to protrude from the inner surface of the other end portion of the first elastic piece in the first direction toward the central axis and inserted into the cylindrical portion. A first protrusion that
The fourth member is a second member in which a contact portion abuts on an outer surface side of the first elastic piece in an engaged state in which the first protrusion is engaged with the groove portion of the first member and moves away from the central axis. The first position for restricting the displacement of the other end portion in the direction of maintaining the engagement state, the contact of the contact portion with the outer surface side of the first elastic piece is released, and the second position The flexible sensor comprised so that rotation between the 2nd positions which accept | permit the displacement of the said other end part of direction is possible. The third member includes a second elastic piece configured such that one end is fixed to the circumferential wall of the cylindrical portion and the other end is displaceable in a direction in which the other end is in contact with or separated from the central axis. A second protrusion formed so as to protrude in the second direction from the outer surface of the other end of the second elastic piece,
The fourth member presses the second protrusion when the fourth member is rotated between the first position and the second position, so that the other end of the second elastic piece is in the first direction. 2. The flexible sensor according to claim 1, further comprising: a protrusion that displaces the first protrusion and releases the pressure against the second protrusion when positioned at the first position and the second position.   The recessed portion of the second member and the distal end side of the tubular portion are engaged with each other in the fitted state to maintain the fitted state, and the engaged state is released by a release operation. The flexible sensor according to claim 1, wherein an engaging portion is formed to allow the cylindrical portion to be pulled out from the concave portion.   The engaging portion includes an engaging hole penetrating from the inner surface of the concave portion to the outer surface of the second member, one end portion fixed to the circumferential wall of the cylindrical portion, and the other end portion serving as the central axis. A third elastic piece configured to be displaceable in a direction in which the third elastic piece is brought into contact with and separated from, and formed to protrude in the second direction from an outer surface of the other end of the third elastic piece, and in the inserted state, A third protrusion that engages with the engagement hole, and the engagement hole by a pressing operation as the release operation on the third protrusion from the outer surface of the second member via the engagement hole. The flexible sensor according to claim 3, wherein the engagement state with the third projecting portion can be released.

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