JP2018179552A - Input device, water level gauge, and input detection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device, a water level gauge, and an input detection system which are safely used even under an atmosphere in which a flammable gas is filled.SOLUTION: An optical fiber strain sensor 24 and a tabular sensor mounting part 18 are stored in a storage container 6. The optical fiber strain sensor 24 is formed in the middle of an optical fiber 2. The sensor mounting part 18 whose both ends are fixed in a state that the optical fiber strain sensor 24 applies constant tension to its one face is elastically deformable in a board thickness direction, and extends the optical fiber strain sensor 24 by convexly curving on its one face side. An operation part 26 for curving the sensor mounting part 18 is operably attached to the storage container 6 from the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device using an optical fiber, a water level gauge, and an input detection system.

  Conventionally, as an alarm device for notifying an abnormal situation used in a plant or the like, there is one which is notified by radio by pressing a push button switch (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2010-20369

  However, the conventional alarm device is configured to use electricity for turning on and off the relay. Therefore, for example, when used in a plant, a tanker, a silo, etc., an accident may occur, and if used in an atmosphere filled with flammable gas, there is a risk of ignition or explosion in some cases.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device which can be used safely even in an atmosphere filled with a flammable gas, and a water level gauge and an input detection system provided with the input device. .

The present invention, as means for solving the above problems,
In the storage container,
An optical fiber strain sensor formed in the middle of the optical fiber,
It is plate-like, and both ends are fixed in the state where the fixed tension is given to one side of the optical fiber strain sensor, it is elastically deformable in the thickness direction, and the one side is curved in a convex shape. A sensor attachment for extending the optical fiber strain sensor;
As well as
There is provided an input device characterized in that an operation portion for bending the sensor attachment portion is movably attached from the outside.

  With this configuration, when the operation unit is operated, the sensor attachment unit is curved and the optical fiber strain sensor is extended. The amount of displacement of the sensor attachment portion is larger than the amount of deformation of the optical fiber strain sensor. Therefore, it is possible to secure a sufficient amount of movement when operating the operation unit. In addition, since the optical fiber strain sensor is attached to the sensor attachment portion in a state in which tension set in advance in the extension direction acts, the sensitivity of the optical fiber strain sensor can be stabilized. Then, due to the extension of the optical fiber strain sensor, the wavelength of light reflected by the optical fiber strain sensor changes. This makes it possible to determine whether or not the operation unit has been operated. In addition, since no electricity is used, it can be used safely even in an atmosphere filled with flammable gas.

  It is preferable that the optical fiber be disposed with a surplus portion in the storage container.

  According to this configuration, even if a failure occurs in a part of the optical fiber, the failure can be removed and quick response can be achieved by using the surplus portion.

The present invention, as means for solving the above problems,
In the case where water can flow in and out,
An input device,
A float that can be raised and lowered according to the difference in water level in the case, and a suction unit is housed,
Equipped with
The input device is
In the storage container,
An optical fiber strain sensor formed in the middle of the optical fiber,
It is plate-like, and both ends are fixed in the state where the fixed tension is given to one side of the optical fiber strain sensor, it is elastically deformable in the thickness direction, and the one side is curved in a convex shape. A sensor attachment for extending the optical fiber strain sensor;
An operation unit including a suctioned portion to be suctioned by a suction portion of the float, and bending the sensor attachment portion by a suction operation;
To provide a water gauge characterized in that.

  With this configuration, the float moves up and down due to the difference in water level, and the suction part suctions the suctioned part of the input device by the suction part at the rising time to bend the sensor attachment part and extend the optical fiber strain sensor to obtain a predetermined water level. Can be detected.

The present invention, as means for solving the above problems,
An optical fiber strain sensor formed in the middle of the optical fiber and a plate shape, both ends of the optical fiber strain sensor being fixed to one surface of the storage container in a fixed tension applied to one surface, It is elastically deformable and accommodates a sensor attachment portion for extending the optical fiber strain sensor by curving the one surface side in a convex shape, and allows the operation portion for bending the sensor attachment portion to be operated from the outside And a plurality of input devices connected in series via optical fibers extending from the storage container;
A light output member for outputting light to each of the input devices via the optical fiber;
A wavelength detection member that detects the wavelength of light output from the light output member and reflected by the optical fiber strain sensor of the input device;
An operation determination member that determines whether or not the operation unit of the input device is operated based on the wavelength detected by the wavelength detection member;
To provide a motion detection system characterized by comprising:

  With this configuration, in a state in which the operation unit of the input device is not operated, only specific wavelength components of the light output from the light output member are reflected by the optical fiber strain sensor of each input device, and the operation determination member operates It can be determined that the department has not been operated. When one of the operation units is operated, the wavelength of the reflected light from the optical fiber strain sensor changes, so the operation discrimination member determines which input device operates the operation unit from the change in the wavelength. be able to. Since the input devices only need to be connected in series with optical fibers, the laying operation can be easily performed, and the laying cost can be significantly reduced. In addition, since no electricity is used, it can be used safely even in an atmosphere filled with flammable gas.

  According to the present invention, the optical fiber strain sensor is merely extended by the operation unit, and electricity is not used. Therefore, even in the atmosphere filled with the flammable gas, it can be used with ease. In addition, since the plate-like sensor attachment portion having elasticity is used to extend the optical fiber strain sensor, the deformation amount of the optical fiber strain sensor is suppressed even if the deformation amount of the sensor attachment portion by the operation unit is increased. be able to. Therefore, the operation amount at the time of operating the operation unit can be secured.

It is a figure explaining an outline of an input detection system concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view of the input device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the cover body from FIG. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the mounting plate of Figure 2; It is front sectional drawing of the input device of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the shaft member of FIG. It is front sectional drawing of the input device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the input device concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the cover body from FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the link member and positioning member of FIG. It is a perspective view of the input device concerning a 4th embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the state which removed the cover body from FIG. It is a perspective view of a water gauge which adopted an input device. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the case cover from FIG. It is a perspective view of the input device which shows the state which removed the cover body of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the water level gauge of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described according to the attached drawings. In the following description, terms that indicate specific directions or positions (for example, terms including “upper”, “lower”, “side”, and “end”) are used as needed, but the use of those terms Is for facilitating the understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited by the meaning of these terms. Also, the following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its applications. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic, and ratios of dimensions and the like may not necessarily match actual ones.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a view for explaining an outline of an input detection system in which the input device 1 according to the first embodiment is adopted as a plant or the like. The input device 1 is installed at various places, and consists of a plurality of sets connected in series by an optical fiber 2. The ends of each set of optical fibers 2 are connected to the monitoring unit 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the input device 1 includes a main body 4 and an input unit 5. The main body 4 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is configured of a storage container 6 and a lid 7. In the following description, the lateral direction of the input device 1 may be described as the X-axis direction, the longitudinal direction as the Y-axis direction, and the height direction as the Z-axis direction, as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the storage container 6 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and through holes (not shown) are provided at two places in the Y-axis direction at predetermined intervals in one long side wall 8a facing in the X-axis direction. Are formed, and connectors 9a and 9b are attached thereto, respectively. One end of the optical fiber 2 is connected to the connector 9a. The optical fiber 2 is disposed along one short side wall 10a, the other long side wall 8b, and the other short side wall 10b of the storage container 6 from one connector 9a, and is mounted on the mounting plate 18 described later. , And again reach the other short side wall 10b along the other long side wall 8b, and are then connected to the other connector 9b. As described above, by arranging the optical fiber 2 with the surplus portion 11 in the storage container 6, even if a defect such as a disconnection occurs, the surplus portion 11 can be used to cope with it. .

  The connectors 9a and 9b have a cylindrical shape projecting laterally from the outer surface of the long side wall 9a, and the end portion (end surface) of the optical fiber 2 is exposed outward at the central portion thereof. Then, when the connector 9 is connected to a connector receiving portion (not shown), the end portions of the optical fiber 2 face each other, and light can be transmitted.

  From the bottom surface of the storage container 6, screwing bases 12 (short side side 10b sides are not shown) protrude at three locations along the respective short side 10a and 10b. The plate-like inner frame 13 is screwed using the screw mounts 12. A first guide wall 14 and a second guide wall 15 extending in the longitudinal direction at predetermined intervals are formed at a central portion of the upper surface of the inner frame 13. In the first guide wall 14 and the second guide wall 15, groove portions 14a and 15a extending in the vertical direction are respectively formed by the inner side surface being recessed outward in a region where a pressing block 39 described later moves. One end of the first guide wall 14 is shorter than the second guide wall 15, and two protrusions 16 (one is not shown) are formed in the vicinity thereof. Attached pieces 17 are screwed to these protrusions 16. A pair of screw holes (not shown) are formed in the mounting piece 17, and notches 17a are formed between the screw holes from one side edge. Protrusions 17b are respectively formed on both sides of the other side edge end face so that the mounting plate 18 can be guided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting plate 18 is a plate having a spring material extending from one end to the other end. One end side of the mounting plate 18 is cut and raised substantially at a right angle, and the tip end side is further bent substantially at a right angle. As a result, a pressed piece 19 protruding from one end of the mounting plate 18, a narrow arm portion 20 extending downward from both sides thereof, and a contact piece 21 at the tip end side are formed. The pressed piece 19 can be pressed by a pressing block 39 described later.

  Openings 22 are formed in the mounting plate 18 at two points on a center line divided into two in the width direction. An optical fiber is disposed along the center line on one surface (upper surface in FIG. 6) of the mounting plate 18, and an optical fiber strain sensor 24 (FBG element) described later is positioned between the openings 22 . Thus, the mounting plate 18 functions as a sensor mounting portion. The epoxy resin applied to the other surface (the lower surface in FIG. 6) of the mounting plate 18 is solidified in a state in which it penetrates the upper surface where the optical fiber 2 is disposed through the opening 22 and the optical fiber 2 is mounted Integrated into 18 In this state, a constant tensile force acts on the optical fiber strain sensor 24 in the extension direction. The upper surface of the mounting plate 18 is protected by a coating with a resin (not shown) along with the optical fiber 2.

  A mounting piece 23 is formed on the other end side of the mounting plate 18 by bending and raising one side edge. Through holes (not shown) are formed in the attachment piece 23 at two locations, and are screwed to the attached piece 17 via the through holes.

  The optical fiber 2 connected to the connector 9 is a sheath coated with a core wire (core). An optical fiber strain sensor 24 (here, OSs 3110 and 3120 manufactured by MICRON OPTICS are used) in the middle of the optical fiber 2 is used. The optical fiber strain sensor 24 is a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) element, and a diffraction grating is engraved in the core of the optical fiber 2 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction, and only laser light of a specific wavelength is It reflects and transmits laser light of other wavelengths. Further, when the light distortion sensor itself expands, the distance between the diffraction gratings changes, and the wavelength of the reflected laser light also changes with the change.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the input unit 5 is a cover member 25 fixed to the central portion of the lid 7 attached with an operation button 26 which is an example of the operation unit. The cover member 25 includes a cover main body 27 and a cover lid 28. The cover body 27 includes a cylindrical outer wall 29 whose outer diameter gradually decreases with distance from the top surface of the lid 7. The cover main body 27 also includes a cylindrical inner wall 30 whose internal diameter gradually decreases from the upper opening 31 toward the bottom. The outer wall 29 and the inner wall 30 merge to form the upper opening 31. The cover lid 28 is rotatably provided at the upper opening 31 around the hinge 32 and opens and closes the upper opening 31.

  An opening 33 is formed in the center of the bottom of the inner wall 30. An outer ring 34 and an inner ring 35 are attached to the opening 33 to constitute a cylindrical guide 36. An operation button 26 is attached to the outer ring 34 so as to be pushable.

  The operation button 26 is composed of a shaft 37 supported slidably in the axial direction with respect to the outer ring 34, and a collar 38 which is expanded in the outer diameter direction from the upper end thereof. The shaft 37 is guided by the inner ring 35 so as to be movable up and down.

  The pressing block 39 is configured of a cylindrical shaft portion 40 and a block main body 41 continuous to the lower end thereof. The shaft portion 40 of the pressing block 39 is guided by the inner ring 35 and is slidable in the axial direction. A recess 42 is formed at the center of the lower surface of the block body 41. A bottom member 43 is attached to the lower surface of the block main body 41.

  The bottom member 43 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and a recess 44 surrounded by the surrounding side wall is formed on the top surface. A cylindrical portion 45 is formed at the center of the bottom of the recess 44. Guide grooves (not shown) are respectively formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 45 at opposing positions. An annular groove 47 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 45. A shaft member 48 is disposed in a space formed between the block body 41 and the bottom member 43.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the shaft member 48 includes a shaft 49 and a flange 50 formed at one end of the shaft 49. The shaft 49 has a cylindrical shape, and the central hole is partitioned in a cross shape by a pair of partition walls 51 orthogonal to each other. Thereby, the reduction of rigidity is prevented while achieving weight reduction. The tip of the shaft 49 is hemispherical, and the outer surface is formed with a ridge 52 extending from the base (the flange 50) toward the tip. The protrusions 52 are disposed symmetrically about the axial center of the shaft 49 and are located on both sides of one of the partition walls 51. The protrusion 52 is slidably guided in a guide groove (not shown) of the bottom member 43. Thereby, the shaft member 48 can be positioned in the rotational direction with respect to the bottom member 43. At the tip of the shaft 49, a recess 53 is formed along the other partition wall 51 at right angles to the shaft center. Since the shaft member 48 is positioned in the rotational direction with respect to the bottom member 43 by the ridges 52, when the pressed piece 19 of the mounting plate 18 is pressed by the tip of the shaft member 48, the optical fiber 2 is reliably recessed It can be positioned at 53, which makes it possible to reliably avoid the interference between the two. An annular projection 54 is formed on the upper surface of the collar portion 50. An annular groove 55 is formed on the lower surface of the collar 38.

  Returning to FIG. 5, a spring 56 is disposed between the annular groove 47 of the bottom member 43 and the annular groove 55 of the shaft member 48. As a result, the shaft member 48 is urged upward and pushes up the pressing block 39 in a normal state. That is, when the operation button 26 is released after being pressed, it returns to the original position where it can be pressed.

  The input device 1 can be used, for example, as a notification means at a place where there is a risk of explosion when volatile gas fills up when an accident or the like occurs in a plant, a factory, a power plant or the like. That is, the input device 1 is installed at a necessary place. Then, the optical fiber 2 is laid so that it can be connected to each input device 1. Then, a connector receiver connected to one end of the optical fiber 2 is connected to the connector 9 of each input device 1.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the monitoring unit 3 includes an optical switch 57, an optical sensor monitoring device 58, a switching hub 59, an alarm hand link server 60, an information browsing terminal 61, and the like. Are configured.

  The optical switch 57 has 16 channels, and both ends of the series-connected eight rows of optical fibers 2 are respectively connected. The optical switch 57 functions as a light output member that automatically switches the switch and outputs the laser light from the light sensor monitoring device 58 to each input device 1.

  The optical sensor monitoring device 58 functions as a wavelength detection member and an operation determination member that transmits laser light of a plurality of predetermined wavelengths and receives the laser light (reflected light) reflected by each input device 1. In each input device 1, the wavelength of the laser light that can be reflected is set for each of the optical fiber strain sensors 24. The optical sensor monitoring device 58 sequentially outputs light of wavelengths that can be reflected by each of the optical fiber strain sensors 24, and the light of that wavelength is received, whereby the target input device 1 operates normally. I will judge. Further, the optical sensor monitoring device 58 determines that the operation button 26 is pressed and the optical fiber strain sensor 24 is deformed by the tensile force based on the change in the wavelength of the reflected light. In these cases, it is preferable to correct the amount of deformation of the optical fiber strain sensor 24 caused by the temperature change. Furthermore, the optical sensor monitoring device 58 determines that a certain input device 1 has failed based on the fact that the input of the reflected light from the input device 1 is lost.

  The switching hub 59 receives the signal from the light sensor monitoring device 58 and outputs the determination result of the light sensor monitoring device 58 to the alarm handling server 45.

  The alarm handling server 45 transmits the corresponding information to the information browsing terminal 61 based on the input signal from the optical sensor monitoring device 58.

  The information browsing terminal 61 displays the information transmitted from the optical sensor monitoring device 58 via the alarm handling server 45.

  Next, the operation of the input detection system having the above configuration will be described.

  Laser light is output from the optical sensor monitoring device 58 of the monitoring unit 3 and is transmitted by the optical switch 57 to the optical fiber strain sensor 24 of the input device 1 installed at various places via the optical fiber 2. In the optical fiber strain sensor 24 of each input device 1, the wavelengths of the laser light capable of reflection are set to different values. Therefore, the wavelength of the laser beam to be transmitted is sequentially changed to one corresponding to each optical fiber strain sensor 24. In a state in which the operation button 26 of the input device 1 is not pressed, only a constant tension as an initial state is acting on each of the optical fiber strain sensors 24, and laser light of the wavelength initially set sequentially Only is reflected. In the monitoring unit 3, the light sensor monitoring device 58 determines which of the input devices 1 is the reflected light. Then, the determination result is transmitted from the light sensor monitoring device 58 to the alarm handling server 45. The alarm handling server 45 transmits the determination result to each information browsing terminal 61. Each information browsing terminal 61 displays the contents on the monitor.

  When the operation button 26 is pressed by the input device 1, the pressing block 39 is moved downward against the biasing force of the spring 56. Then, the tip end of the shaft member 48 provided in the pressing block 39 abuts on the pressed piece 19 of the mounting plate 18. At this time, interference with the optical fiber 2 is avoided by the recessed portion 53 provided at the tip of the shaft member 48, and only the pressed piece 19 can be reliably pressed. As a result, the mounting plate 18 is elastically deformed so as to be convexly curved in the thickness direction, and the optical fiber strain sensor 24 extends. That is, when the mounting plate 18 is elastically deformed in the thickness direction, the optical fiber strain sensor 24 which is disposed on the outer surface and whose both ends are fixed extends. Although the optical fiber strain sensor 24 has a small allowable extension amount, it can be converted into an elastic deformation amount in the thickness direction by attaching it to one side of the mounting plate 18. That is, compared to the case where the optical fiber strain sensor 24 is directly pulled and extended, the amount of deformation is increased by using the mounting plate 18. Therefore, a sufficient distance for the pressing operation by the operation button 26 can be secured.

  When the optical fiber strain sensor 24 expands due to the pressing operation of the operation button 26, the wavelength of the reflected laser light changes. Therefore, the optical sensor monitoring device 58 determines that the operation button 26 has been pressed based on the change of the wavelength. Do. The optical sensor monitoring device 58 transmits to the alarm handling server 45 a signal indicating that the operation button 26 has been pressed. The alarm handling server 45 transmits a signal to each information browsing terminal 61 to make the monitor display that effect. As a result, the operator can grasp at a glance which operation button 26 of the input device 1 has been pressed.

  When the laser beam is not reflected because the optical fiber 2 is broken halfway or the input device 1 is damaged, the input device 1 from which the reflected light can not be obtained is specified. In this case, laser light is transmitted from the other end of the optical fiber 2. Then, similarly to the above, the wavelength of the laser beam to be transmitted is sequentially changed to one corresponding to each optical fiber strain sensor 24. As a result, when the reflected light is obtained from the input device 1 specified that the reflected light can not be obtained, it can be determined that the input device 1 is not broken and the optical fiber 2 is broken. Conversely, if the reflected light can not be obtained, it can be determined that the possibility that the input device 1 is broken is high.

  As described above, in the embodiment, the presence or absence of the pressing operation of the operation button 26 in the input device 1 is detected based on the reflected light from each input device 1 for each of the optical fibers 2 connected in series. be able to. For this reason, it is not necessary to lay the optical fiber 2 separately to each input device 1, and the cost can be suppressed. In each input device 1, the wavelength of light that can be reflected is determined, and it can be determined whether or not the optical fiber strain sensor 24 is driven by extension. In addition, it is possible to collectively manage with the optical sensor monitoring device 58. Then, it is only necessary to lay a device which does not use the electricity of only the input device 1 and the optical fiber 2 at a place where the combustible gas may be generated, such as a plant. Therefore, the input device 1 can be used safely without the danger of ignition or explosion as in the prior art.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 7 shows the input device 1 according to the second embodiment. The input device 1 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but is different in that it is housed in a casing 62. An opening 63 is formed in the casing 62, and a translucent cover 65 is attached to the opening 63 by a ring 64. The operation button 26 of the input device 1 can be visually recognized from the opening 63, and the cover 65 can be broken and the operation button 26 can be pressed. The casing 62 is provided to eliminate the influence of the surroundings, such as the corrosion of the input device 1.

Third Embodiment
8 and 9 show an input device 1 according to a third embodiment. The input device 1 has an input section 67 housed in a main body 66.

  The main body 66 is composed of a storage container 68 and a lid 69. The storage container 68 has a shape in which the bottom wall 70 is surrounded by four side walls 71 rising from its four sides, and connectors 73 are attached to the short side walls 72, respectively. A through hole 74a is formed in one long side wall 74, and a wire 75 connected to the internal link member 80 extends therefrom. Further, the long side wall 74 is formed to have a low height at one end side, and a recess 76 is also formed in the lid 7 correspondingly. A slit (not shown) is formed in the recessed portion 76, and an operation piece 77 integrated with a positioning member 91 described later is slidably disposed.

  The input unit 67 includes a mounting plate 78, an optical fiber strain sensor 79 mounted on the mounting plate 78, and a link member 80 that elastically deforms the mounting plate 78. The mounting plate 78 and the optical fiber strain sensor 79 have the same configuration as that according to the first embodiment. The mounting plate 78 extends to face the lower long side wall 74, and the optical fiber strain sensor 79 is located on the opposite surface. The optical fiber strain sensor 79 is provided in the middle of the optical fiber 81 connected between the connectors 73, and the optical fiber 81 is wound so that the surplus portion 82 is formed in the upper space.

  The link member 80 is rotatably mounted on the bottom wall 70 of the storage container 68 about a pivot 83. With further reference to FIG. 10, the link member 80 has a first arm 84 extending in a triangular shape from the support shaft 83 and a second arm 85 extending to the opposite side. A wire 75 is connected to the tip of the first arm 84. At a tip end of the second arm portion 85, a first protrusion 86 that abuts on the positioning member 91 is formed. In the vicinity of the second arm 85, a second protrusion 87 protrudes upward. The tip of the second protrusion 87 is hemispherical, and a groove is formed in the central portion. This groove is for avoiding interference with the optical fiber 2. Further, a third protrusion 88 protrudes laterally on the side surface on the other end side of the link member 80. A first spring 89 is wound around the support shaft 83. One end extending from the winding portion of the first spring 89 is sandwiched between a pair of support protrusions 90 formed on the bottom wall 70 of the storage container 68. The other end side of the first spring 89 is in contact with the third projection 88 of the link member 80. Thus, the link member 80 is biased in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9 around the support shaft 83.

  The positioning member 91 includes an abutted portion 92 and a holding portion 93 located on the opposite side. The abutted portion 92 includes a first recess 94, an inclined surface 95 extending from the first recess 94, and a second recess 96 formed at the tip of the first recess 94. The positioning member 91 is disposed between the bottom wall 70 of the storage container 68 and a guide wall 97 formed to face the bottom wall 70 at a predetermined distance, and is moved to the link member 80 by the second spring 98. It is urged. The first protrusion 86 of the link member 80 before operation is located in the first recess 94 of the positioning member 91. When the link member 80 rotates, the first projection 86 moves on the inclined surface 95 and locks in the second recess 96. Thereby, the link member 80 is positioned in the middle of rotation.

  In the positioning member 91, an operation piece 77 is screwed to a cylindrical attachment portion 99 provided at an intermediate portion. The operation piece 77 is disposed outside the lid 69, and can reciprocate along the slit together with the positioning member 91. By operating the operation piece 77 from the outside, the state in which the first projection 86 of the link member 80 is locked to the second recess 96 of the positioning member 91 is released, and the link member 80 is biased by the first spring 89. It is possible to return to the original position.

  In the input device 1 configured as described above, when the wire 75 extending from the main body 4 is pulled, the link member 80 pivots around the support shaft 83 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. At this time, the first protrusion 86 moves from the first recess 94 to the inclined surface 95, and pushes the positioning member 91 to the right against the biasing force of the first spring 89. Then, the second projection 87 presses one end portion of the mounting plate 78 to elastically deform the mounting plate 78. As a result, the optical fiber strain sensor 79 expands and the wavelength of the reflected light changes. Since the first projection 86 of the link member 80 is locked to the second recess 96 of the positioning member 91, this state is maintained.

Fourth Embodiment
11 and 12 show an input device 1 according to a fourth embodiment. The input device 1 has a configuration in which an input unit 102 is accommodated in a main body 101, and a lever 103 capable of operating the input unit 102 is attached to the main body 101.

  The main body 101 is configured of a storage container 104 and a lid 105. The storage container 104 has a shape in which the bottom wall 106 is surrounded by four side walls 107 rising from its four sides, and a pair of connectors 109 are attached to one short side wall 108 a at predetermined intervals in the width direction. The middle of the long side walls 110a and 110b of the storage container 104 and the other short side wall 108b are formed lower than the other portions, and the lid 105 is formed with a step according to the height. . The step formed in the lid 105 is displaced in the longitudinal direction halfway in the width direction, and a pivot 111 serving as a rotation center of the lever 103 protrudes from the displaced portion. An arc-shaped groove 112 centered on the support shaft 111 is formed on the lower surface of the lid 105. A protrusion (not shown) of the lever 103 is disposed in the groove portion 112, and the rotation range of the lever 103 is limited.

  As in the third embodiment, the input unit 102 includes a mounting plate 114, an optical fiber strain sensor 115 mounted on the mounting plate 114, and a link member 116 that elastically deforms the mounting plate 114. The mounting plate 114 and the optical fiber strain sensor 115 have the same configuration as that according to the third embodiment. The mounting plate 114 extends to face the lower long side wall 110a, and the optical fiber strain sensor 115 is located on the opposite surface. The optical fiber strain sensor 115 is provided in the middle of the optical fiber 117 connected between the connectors 109, and the optical fiber 117 is wound so that the surplus portion 118 is formed in the upper space.

  The link member 116 has a convex portion 121 formed in a cross shape at the upper end of the support shaft 111. A concave portion (not shown) formed in the bearing portion 120 of the lever 103 is engaged with the convex portion 121, and the link member 116 and the lever 103 are integrally rotated by screwing.

  In the link member 116, a first protrusion 123 and a second protrusion 124 are formed on both ends of an end of an arm 122 extending from the support shaft 111. The first protrusion 123 has the same structure as that of the third embodiment, and the tip is hemispherical, and a groove is formed in the central portion. The other end of a spring 125 screwed at one end to a boss projecting from the bottom wall 106 of the storage container 104 is screwed to the tip of the second projection 124. Thus, the link member 116 is biased in the clockwise direction in FIG. 12 about the support shaft 111. Further, in the link member 116, a third projection 126 protrudes from the bearing portion 120 in the opposite direction to the arm portion 122. The third projection 126 abuts on the contact portion 127 a of the partition wall 127 protruding from the bottom wall 106 of the storage container 104 in a state where the biasing force of the spring 125 acts on the link member 116. Thereby, the rotation range of the link member 116 is limited, and the first projection 123 faces the tip of the mounting plate 114 in a state where it can be pushed.

  The lever 103 is rotatably mounted around the support shaft 111 by connecting the bearing portion 120 to the support shaft 111 of the link member 116 and screwing it. On the lower surface of the lever 103, a projection (not shown) is formed which is located in the groove of the lid 7 and restricts the pivoting range of the lever 103. A roller 129 is rotatably attached to the other end of the lever 103.

  According to the input device 1 configured as described above, when the object contacts the roller 129 and the lever 103 is rotated, the link member 116 rotates against the biasing force of the spring 125 and the first protrusion 123 The mounting plate 18 is elastically deformed. As a result, the optical fiber strain sensor 115 fixed to the mounting plate 18 expands, and the wavelength of the reflected light changes.

Fifth Embodiment
FIG. 13 shows a water level gauge 130 using the input device 132 according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the water level gauge 130 accommodates the input device 132 and the float 133 in a case 131.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the case 131 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a case main body 134 and a case cover 135. These are formed of a synthetic resin or a metal material such as stainless steel excellent in corrosion resistance.

  The case body 134 is a box that opens in one side surrounded by three side plates (first side plate 134a, second side plate 134b, third side plate 134c) and both end plates (first end plate 134d and second end plate 134e) It is body shape. On both end plates 134d and 134e of the case main body 134, a plurality of slits 136 communicating the front and back surfaces are arranged in parallel. Through holes 137 are formed in two places in the first end plate 134 d, and caps 139 a and 139 b for drawing out the optical fiber 138 are respectively attached thereto. Attachment pieces 140 (on the side of the first side plate 134 a are not shown) are fixed to the opposite side plates (the first side plate 134 a and the second side plate 134 b) at two positions opposite to the opening. The case body 134 can be attached to a desired position by using the attachment pieces 140. Guide plates 142 are screwed to the inner surface of the third side plate 134c via ribs 142a provided at the four corners. In the guide plate 142, guide holes 142a are respectively formed along both side edges thereof. The guide plate 142 slidably supports a float 133 described later by the guide hole 142a.

  The case cover 135 covers the opening of the case body 134. In the case cover 135, an engaging portion 135a is formed at the peripheral edge. Fixing of the case cover 135 to the case main body 134 is performed by screwing the engaging portion 135a. A vertically long opening 135 b is formed in a part of the case cover 135. The opening 135 b is covered with a transparent plate 143 so that the inside can be viewed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the input device 132 accommodates various components in a main body 146 including a storage container 144 and a lid 145. The storage container 144 has a different shape including a rectangular parallelepiped main body portion 144a and an expanded portion 144b which partially protrudes sideward from one side surface thereof. The bottom of the storage container 144 is formed with a guide wall 147 extending in the longitudinal direction. A groove is formed in the open end face of the storage container 144, and an annular packing 148 is disposed there. As a result, when the storage container 144 is closed by the lid 145, the internal space is sealed to prevent the entry of water.

The component comprises an optical fiber 149, a mounting plate 150 and a link member 151.
The optical fiber 149 extends downward from one cap 139 a along one side of the guide wall 147. The optical fiber 149 is folded at the lower end of the guide wall 147 and directed upward along the other side to the other cap 139 b. In the optical fiber 149, surplus portions 149a and 149b which are slackened are formed respectively at the folded portion and the portion before the other cap 139b. In addition, the optical fiber 149 has the middle portion, that is, both ends of the optical fiber strain sensor 149 c integrated with the mounting plate 150.

  The configuration of the mounting plate 150 is the same as that of each of the above embodiments. One end of the mounting plate 150 is screwed to a rib protruding from the bottom surface of the storage container 144. At the other end of the mounting plate 150, a pressed piece 150a on the tip end side and a contact piece 150b bent from both sides thereof are formed. Openings are formed in two places in the mounting plate 150, and an intermediate portion of the optical fiber 149 is fixed by epoxy resin or the like using the openings 150c.

  The link member 151 is attached to the bottom surface of the storage container 144 so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 151 a. The link member 151 includes a first arm 151b extending in one direction from the support shaft, and a second arm 151c extending in the opposite direction to the first arm 151b. A pressing portion 151d protrudes from the side surface on the tip end side of the first arm 151b. The pressing portion 151 d can press-contact the pressed piece 150 a of the mounting plate 151. The tip of the second arm 151 c is bent at a right angle, and a permanent magnet 152 is accommodated therein.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the input device 132 is housed in the case 131, the back surface abuts the inner surface of the third side plate 134 c of the case main body 134, and both side surfaces are the first side plate 134 a of the case main body 134. And the inner surface of the second side plate 134b. Then, a first space is formed between the lid 145 of the input device 132 and the case cover 135. A second space is formed between the upper inclined surface of the expanded portion 144b and the inner surface of the first end plate 134d. A third space is formed between the lower horizontal surface of the expanded portion 144b and the inner surface of the second end plate 134e. A float 133 is disposed in the third space.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the float 133 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a float body 152 and a float cover 153. The float body 152 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with one opening, and a groove is formed on the opening end face, and an annular packing 152 a is disposed there. As a result, the internal space is sealed, and if water enters the case 131, the case moves upward by buoyancy. The back surface of the float 133 is slidably supported by a guide plate 142 fixed in the case 131. A storage chamber 133a is formed on the upper surface behind the float 133, and a permanent magnet 133b is stored therein. The float 133 moves up in the third space due to the entry of water into the case 131, and when the permanent magnet 133b approaches below the extended portion 144b of the input device 132, it attracts the internal permanent magnet 152, and the link member Rotate 151. However, one of the permanent magnets 133 b and 152 may be made of a magnetic material that can be attracted by the remaining one.

  The water level gauge 130 which consists of the said structure is used, for example, in order to detect a water leak etc. in a plant, a power station, etc. That is, when water enters the case 131, the float 133 moves upward along the guide plate 142 by buoyancy. Then, when the permanent magnet 133a on the float 133 side approaches the expanded portion 144b of the input device 132, the permanent magnet 152 in the input device 132 is attracted, and the link member 151 rotates about the support shaft 151a. Along with this, the pressing portion 151 d of the link member 151 brings the pressed piece 150 a of the mounting plate 151 into pressure contact, thereby elastically deforming the mounting plate 151. As a result, the optical fiber strain sensor 149a fixed to the mounting plate 151 expands to change the distance between the diffraction gratings, and the wavelength of the reflected laser light also changes with the change. As a result, it can be detected that the float 133 has moved up to a position indicating a predetermined water level. In addition, if the position of the float 133 is directly observed visually from the opening formed in the case 131, it can be easily determined whether or not a failure occurs in the lifting and lowering operation of the float 133.

  Moreover, the water level gauge 130 which consists of the said structure can only detect a single water level. Therefore, a plurality of water gauges 130 may be provided to detect different water levels. In this case, the optical fibers 149 extending from the input device 132 of each water gauge 130 need only be connected in series with a connector not shown. Then, as in the above-described embodiments, the water level can be determined in a plurality of stages by specifying the water level gauge 130 located at the highest position among the ones in which the wavelength of the reflected light has changed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure described in the said embodiment, A various change is possible.

  Although the various embodiments of the input device 1 have been described in the above embodiments, like the attachment plates 18 and 150, a plate shape which extends from one end to the other end and is elastically deformed by being pressed at one end As long as it has a configuration in which the optical fiber strain sensors 24 and 149c provided in the middle of the optical fiber 2 are fixed in the middle of the body, any form may be used to press the plate.

Reference Signs List 1 input device 2 optical fiber 3 monitoring unit 4 main body 5 input portion 6 storage container 7 lid 8 side wall 9 side connector 9 side wall 11 short side 11 surplus portion 12 screwing 13: Inner frame 14: First guide wall 15: Second guide wall 16: Projection 17: Mounting piece 18: Mounting plate (sensor mounting portion)
19 ... pressed piece 20 ... arm 21 ... contact piece 22 ... opening 23 ... mounting piece 24 ... optical fiber strain sensor 25 ... cover member 26 ... operation button (operation unit)
27: cover main body 28: cover lid 29: outer wall 30: inner wall 31: upper opening 32: hinge 33: opening 34: outer ring 35: inner ring 36: cylindrical guide 37: shaft portion 38: collar portion 39 ... Depressed block 40 ... shaft portion 41 ... block main body 42 ... recess 43 ... bottom member 44 ... recess 45 ... cylindrical portion 46 ... guide groove 47 ... annular groove 48 ... shaft member 49 ... shaft portion 50 ... ridge portion 51 ... partition wall 52: projection 53: recess 54: annular projection 55: annular groove 56: spring 57: light switch 58: light sensor monitoring device 59: switching hub 60: alarm hand link server 61: information browsing terminal 62: casing 63: ... Opening 64: Ring 65: Cover 66: Main body 67: Input part 68: Storage container 69: Lid 70: Bottom wall 71: Side wall 72: Short side wall 73 ... connector 74 ... long side wall 75 ... wire 76 ... recessed part 77 ... operation piece 78 ... mounting plate 79 ... optical fiber strain sensor 80 ... link member 81 ... optical fiber 82 ... surplus part 83 ... support shaft 84 ... first Arm 85 Second arm 86 First projection 87 Second projection 88 Third projection 89 First spring 90 Support projection 91 Positioning member 92 Contacted part 93 Holding part 94 First Recess 95: Inclined surface 96: Second recess 97: Guide wall 98: Second spring 99: Mounting portion 100: Operation piece 101: Main body 102: Input portion 103: Lever 104: Storage container 105: Lid 106: Bottom wall 107 Side Wall 108 Short Side Side Wall 109 Connector 110 Long Side Side Side Wall 111 Support Shaft 112 Groove 113 113 Projection 114 Mounting Plate 115 Optical Fiber Strain Sensor 116 link member 117 optical fiber 118 excess portion 119 support shaft 120 bearing portion 121 convex portion 122 arm portion 123 first protrusion 124 second protrusion 125 spring 126 third protrusion 127 partition wall 128 Protrusions 129 Rollers 130 Water level gauge 131 Case 132 Input device 133 Float 133a Storage chamber 133b Permanent magnet 134 Case main body 134a First side plate 134b Second side plate 134c Third side plate 134d Fourth 1 end plate 134e ... second end plate 135 ... case cover 135a ... engaging part 135b ... opening 136 ... slit 137 ... through hole 138 ... optical fiber 139a, 139b ... cap 140 ... mounting piece 142 ... guide plate 142a ... guide hole 143 ... plate 144 ... storage container 144 a ... main unit 1 4b ... Expansion part 145 ... Lid body 146 ... Main body 147 ... Guide wall 148 ... Packing 149 ... Optical fiber 149a, 149b ... Surplus part 149c ... Optical fiber strain sensor 150 ... Mounting plate 150a ... Pressed part 150b ... First arm 150c 2nd arm 150d ... pressing part 151 ... link member 152 ... float main body 152a ... packing 153 ... float cover

Claims (4)

In the storage container,
An optical fiber strain sensor formed in the middle of the optical fiber,
It is plate-like, and both ends are fixed in the state where the fixed tension is given to one side of the optical fiber strain sensor, it is elastically deformable in the thickness direction, and the one side is curved in a convex shape. A sensor attachment for extending the optical fiber strain sensor;
As well as
An input device characterized in that an operation unit for bending the sensor attachment unit is movably attached from the outside.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is disposed with a surplus portion in a storage container. In the case where water can flow in and out,
An input device,
A float that can be raised and lowered according to the difference in water level in the case, and a suction unit is housed,
Equipped with
The input device is
In the storage container,
An optical fiber strain sensor formed in the middle of the optical fiber,
It is plate-like, and both ends are fixed in the state where the fixed tension is given to one side of the optical fiber strain sensor, it is elastically deformable in the thickness direction, and the one side is curved in a convex shape. A sensor attachment for extending the optical fiber strain sensor;
An operation unit including a suctioned portion to be suctioned by a suction portion of the float, and bending the sensor attachment portion by a suction operation;
A water gauge characterized by having. An optical fiber strain sensor formed in the middle of the optical fiber and a plate shape, both ends of the optical fiber strain sensor being fixed to one surface of the storage container in a fixed tension applied to one surface, It is elastically deformable and accommodates a sensor attachment portion for extending the optical fiber strain sensor by curving the one surface side in a convex shape, and allows the operation portion for bending the sensor attachment portion to be operated from the outside And a plurality of input devices connected in series via optical fibers extending from the storage container;
A light output member for outputting light to each of the input devices via the optical fiber;
A wavelength detection member that detects the wavelength of light output from the light output member and reflected by the optical fiber strain sensor of the input device;
An operation determination member that determines whether or not the operation unit of the input device is operated based on the wavelength detected by the wavelength detection member;
A motion detection system comprising:

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