JP2021183967A - Ultrasonic wave flow rate switch - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic wave flow rate switch that can be easily manufactured at low costs without reducing efficiency of transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves.SOLUTION: A casing part 500 integrally or individually holding ultrasonic wave elements 710 and 720 in a waterproof manner is attached to an exterior face of piping by a clamp part. The ultrasonic wave elements 710 and 720 and the piping are acoustically coupled to element coupling faces 530A and 530B of the casing part 500 and a piping coupling face 530C, respectively. An ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic wave element 710 is guided into a fluid body in the piping through the element coupling face 530A and the piping coupling face 530C. The ultrasonic wave propagating in the fluid body in the piping is received by the ultrasonic wave element 720 through the piping coupling face 530C and the element coupling face 530B. On the basis of an output signal of at least one of the ultrasonic wave elements 710 and 720, flow rate of the fluid body in the piping is calculated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic flow switch that operates based on the amount of fluid flowing in the pipe.

A flow meter is used to accurately measure the value of the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the pipe. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an ultrasonic flow meter having a sensor. In such a sensor, a transmitting element, a receiving element, a transmitting path, a receiving path, and a measuring unit are generally provided in the housing. The housing is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe at a predetermined angle. The transmitting element transmits ultrasonic waves to the piping outside the housing through the transmission path. The receiving element receives ultrasonic waves from the piping outside the housing through the receiving path. The measuring unit can measure the amount of fluid flowing in the pipe based on the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transmitting element and the ultrasonic waves received by the receiving element.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-356532

In a sensor such as Patent Document 1, it is necessary that the transmitting element, the receiving element, the transmitting path, and the receiving path are fixed in the housing in a state where the transmitting element, the receiving element, the transmitting path, and the receiving path hold a predetermined angle at a predetermined position. However, it is difficult to fix the transmitting element, the receiving element, the transmitting path, and the receiving path by using a small number of members without lowering the transmitting efficiency or the receiving efficiency of the ultrasonic wave. On the other hand, if the transmission element, the reception element, the transmission path, and the reception path are fixed by using a large number of members, the component cost and the assembly cost increase, and the assembly process of the ultrasonic flow meter becomes complicated.

On the other hand, as in the case of managing the operating status of equipment in a factory, the exact flow rate value of the fluid flowing in the pipe is not necessary, and it is detected whether the fluid is flowing in the pipe at a flow rate above a certain value. You may have to do it. In such a case, a flow rate switch that outputs an on / off signal can be used instead of a flow meter. It is desired that the flow rate switch can be easily manufactured at low cost without deteriorating the efficiency of ultrasonic transmission and reception.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic flow rate switch that can be easily manufactured at low cost without deteriorating the efficiency of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.

(1) The ultrasonic flow switch according to the present invention is an ultrasonic flow switch attached to the outer surface of a pipe, and is a first ultrasonic element that transmits and receives at least ultrasonic waves, and ultrasonic waves. A second ultrasonic element that receives at least one of transmission and reception, a calculation unit that calculates the flow rate of the fluid in the pipe based on the output signal of at least one of the first and second ultrasonic elements, and a second unit. It is provided with an element holding portion that holds the first and second ultrasonic elements in a waterproof and integral manner, and the element holding portion is a first ultrasonic element so as to be acoustically coupled to the first ultrasonic element. The first element coupling surface that supports the second element, the second element coupling surface that supports the second ultrasonic element so as to acoustically couple with the second ultrasonic element, and the piping that acoustically couples with the piping. It includes a coupling surface and a first ultrasonic shielding member arranged between the first ultrasonic element and the second ultrasonic element, and includes a first element coupling surface, a second element coupling surface, and piping. In the coupling surface, the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the first ultrasonic element are guided into the fluid in the pipe through the first element coupling surface and the pipe coupling surface, and the ultrasonic waves propagating in the fluid in the pipe are transmitted. It is arranged so as to be received by the second ultrasonic element through the pipe coupling surface and the second element coupling surface.

In this ultrasonic flow rate switch, the first and second ultrasonic elements are waterproofly and integrally held by the element holding portion. The first and second ultrasonic elements are acoustically coupled to the first and second element coupling surfaces of the element holding portion, respectively. The element holding portion is attached to the outer surface of the pipe by the attachment tool. As a result, the pipe coupling surface of the element holding portion is acoustically coupled to the pipe.

The ultrasonic waves transmitted by the first ultrasonic element are guided into the fluid in the pipe through the first element coupling surface and the pipe coupling surface. The ultrasonic waves propagating in the fluid in the pipe are received by the second ultrasonic element through the pipe coupling surface and the second element coupling surface. The flow rate of the fluid in the pipe is calculated based on the output signal of at least one of the first and second ultrasonic elements.

According to this configuration, the first and second ultrasonic elements are supported by the element holding portion in a desired position and a desired posture. Further, the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the first ultrasonic element is guided to the pipe through a part of the element holding portion, and the ultrasonic wave propagating in the fluid in the pipe is guided to the pipe through a part of the element holding portion. It is guided to the second ultrasonic element.

In this case, it is not necessary to separately provide the member that supports the first and second ultrasonic elements and the member that constitutes the ultrasonic path. This reduces component costs, manufacturing costs and assembly costs. Further, since the member supporting the first and second ultrasonic elements and the member constituting the ultrasonic path are integrally joined, even when there is a temperature change and a mechanical load, the joint portion is joined. The efficiency of ultrasonic transmission and reception is not reduced. In addition, liquid such as water or oil does not infiltrate from the joint portion. Furthermore, the assembly process of the ultrasonic flow switch can be simplified. As a result, it becomes possible to easily manufacture an ultrasonic flow rate switch at low cost without deteriorating the efficiency of ultrasonic transmission and reception.

(2) The element holding portion further includes a second ultrasonic shielding member provided in a non-coupling portion of the first ultrasonic element different from the coupling portion to the first element coupling surface, and the second ultrasonic wave. The shielding member may block the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the non-coupling portion of the first ultrasonic element.

(3) The element holding portion further contains an ultrasonic shielding agent that partially covers the periphery of the first and second ultrasonic elements, and the ultrasonic shielding agent does not propagate in the fluid flowing in the pipe. The ultrasonic wave guided from the first ultrasonic element to the second ultrasonic element may be blocked.

(4) The element holding portion includes a path member having a first and second element coupling surface and a piping coupling surface and transmitting ultrasonic waves, and the first and second element coupling surfaces and the piping coupling surface are It may be formed on opposite sides of the path members.

(5) The element holding portion further includes an accommodating portion for accommodating the first and second ultrasonic elements, and the path member may be attached to the accommodating portion via a waterproof structure.

(6) The pipe coupling surface is a first piping coupling surface that guides ultrasonic waves from the first element coupling surface to the piping and a second piping coupling surface that guides ultrasonic waves from the piping to the second element coupling surface. The path member may be formed of a common member having first and second element coupling surfaces and first and second piping coupling surfaces.

(7) The ultrasonic flow rate switch may further include an acoustic coplant formed of a soft elastic body and fixed to an element holding portion so as to be arranged between a path member and a pipe.

(8) The acoustic couplant may be detachably fixed to the element holding portion.

(9) In the acoustic couplant, a slit may be formed at a position corresponding to the first ultrasonic shielding member.

(10) The element holding portion may further include a crushing amount regulating portion that regulates the crushing amount of the acoustic coplant when attached to the pipe.

According to the present invention, an ultrasonic flow rate switch can be easily manufactured at low cost without deteriorating the efficiency of ultrasonic transmission and reception.

It is external perspective view of the flow rate switch which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of the flow rate switch of FIG. It is a perspective view of the upper clamp member. It is the end view and the vertical sectional view of the upper clamp member. It is a top view of the upper clamp member. It is a side view of the upper clamp member. It is a perspective view of the lower clamp member. It is an end view of the lower clamp member. It is a top view of the lower clamp member. It is a side view of the lower clamp member. It is a perspective view of a sensor part. It is an end view of a sensor part. It is a top view of the sensor part. It is a bottom view of a sensor part. It is a side view of a sensor part. It is sectional drawing BB of the sensor part of FIG. It is a perspective view of the upper housing part and the electronic circuit part of the housing part. It is a perspective view of the lower housing part. It is a perspective view of a path member and an ultrasonic control mechanism. It is a perspective view of a joint part. It is an exploded perspective view of the clamp part before being attached to a pipe. It is a perspective view of the clamp part after being attached to a pipe. 22 is a plan view and a side view of the clamp portion of FIG. 22. It is a perspective view of the clamp part before the sensor part is attached. FIG. 24 is a plan view and a side view of the clamp portion of FIG. 24. It is an end view and a sectional view of a flow rate switch. It is a side view and a sectional view of a flow rate switch. It is a perspective view and the side view of the flow rate switch in the state which the lower clamp member is arranged in the 1st direction. It is a perspective view and the side view of the flow rate switch in the state which the lower clamp member is arranged in the 2nd direction. It is a side view and the sectional view of the sensor part in the 1st modification of the mounting method of an acoustic coplant. It is a side view and the sectional view of the sensor part in the 2nd modification of the mounting method of an acoustic coplant. It is a side view and the sectional view of the lower housing part in the 3rd modification of the mounting method of an acoustic coplant. It is a side view and the sectional view of the flow rate switch in the 1st modification of the crushing amount regulation system of an acoustic coplant. It is a side view and the sectional view of the flow rate switch in the 2nd modification of the crushing amount regulation system of an acoustic coplant. It is a side view and the sectional view of the flow rate switch in the 3rd modification of the crushing amount regulation system of an acoustic coplant. It is a side view and the sectional view of the flow rate switch in the 4th modification of the crushing amount regulation system of an acoustic coplant. It is an end view and the sectional view of the flow rate switch in the 5th modification of the crushing amount regulation system of an acoustic coplant. It is a figure which shows the 1st modification of the shape of a notch part. It is a figure which shows the 2nd modification of the shape of a notch part. It is a figure which shows the 3rd modification of the shape of a notch part. It is a figure which shows the 4th modification of the shape of a notch part. It is a side view of the flow rate switch in the 1st modification of the arrangement of an ultrasonic element. It is a side view of the flow rate switch in the 2nd modification of the arrangement of an ultrasonic element. It is an end view of the flow rate switch in the 1st modification of the structure of a clamp part. It is an end view of the flow rate switch in the 2nd modification of the structure of a clamp part.

[1] Schematic configuration of ultrasonic flow rate switch Hereinafter, an ultrasonic flow rate switch (hereinafter, abbreviated as a flow rate switch) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a flow rate switch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the flow rate switch 1 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the flow rate switch 1 is composed of a clamp unit 100 and a sensor unit 400.

The clamp portion 100 includes an upper clamp member 200 and a lower clamp member 300. The clamp portion 100 is arranged so as to sandwich the pipe 2 by the upper clamp member 200 and the lower clamp member 300. As a result, the clamp portion 100 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2. In the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner diameter of the pipe 2 is d. In the present embodiment, the sensor unit 400 is fixed to the upper clamp member 200 of the clamp unit 100 by two sensor fixing screws 410.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor unit 400 includes a housing unit 500, a coupling unit 600, an ultrasonic control mechanism 700, and an electronic circuit unit 800. The housing portion 500 includes an upper housing portion 510, a lower housing portion 520, and a path member 530. The upper housing portion 510 has a window portion 511 formed of a transparent member on the upper surface. The upper housing portion 510 is attached to the upper part of the lower housing portion 520, and the path member 530 is attached to the lower part of the lower housing portion 520. As a result, a space in which liquids such as water and oil cannot enter is formed inside the housing portion 500.

The coupling portion 600 includes a solid-shaped acoustic coplant 610 and a holding member 620 described below (see FIGS. 14 and 20). The acoustic couplant 610 is arranged between the path member 530 of the housing portion 500 and the pipe 2. The holding member 620 holds the acoustic couplant 610 in the lower housing portion 520 of the housing portion 500.

The ultrasonic control mechanism 700 is housed inside the housing portion 500. The ultrasonic control mechanism 700 includes two ultrasonic elements 710, 720, an ultrasonic shielding plate 730, and two filling members 740, 750. The ultrasonic element 710 is arranged so as to form a predetermined angle with respect to the pipe 2, and is joined to the path member 530 by the acoustic bonding agent 711. Similarly, the ultrasonic element 720 is arranged so as to form a predetermined angle with respect to the pipe 2, and is joined to the path member 530 by the acoustic bonding agent 721.

The ultrasonic shielding plate 730 is arranged between the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 so as to penetrate the path member 530. The filling members 740 and 750 are formed of different members. The filling member 740 is arranged so as to surround the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720. The filling member 750 is arranged above the filling member 740. Details of the ultrasonic shielding plate 730 and the filling members 740 and 750 will be described later.

In the above arrangement, the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic element 710 is incident on the fluid in the pipe 2 at an incident angle θ through the path member 530 and the acoustic couplant 610. The ultrasonic waves that have passed through the fluid are reflected on the inner surface of the pipe 2 at the reflection angle θ, and are received by the ultrasonic element 720 through the acoustic couplant 610 and the path member 530.

Similarly, the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic element 720 are incident on the fluid in the pipe 2 at an incident angle θ through the path member 530 and the acoustic couplant 610. The ultrasonic waves that have passed through the fluid are reflected on the inner surface of the pipe 2 at the reflection angle θ, and are received by the ultrasonic element 710 through the acoustic pumpplant 610 and the path member 530.

The electronic circuit unit 800 includes a control unit 811, a storage unit 812, a display unit 821, a connection unit 830, an operation unit 840, and a display lamp 850. The control unit 811, the storage unit 812, and the display unit 821 are housed inside the housing unit 500. The connection portion 830, the operation portion 840, and the indicator lamp 850 are provided on the upper surface of the upper housing portion 510 of the housing portion 500.

Various data and programs for operating the flow rate switch 1 are stored in the storage unit 812. The control unit 811 controls the operations of the ultrasonic elements 710, 720, the display unit 821, and the display lamp 850 based on the data and the program stored in the storage unit 812. Further, the control unit 811 is connected to an external device (not shown) through the connection unit 830 and the cable 3.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 811 measures the time difference Δt. The time difference Δt is the time until the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic element 710 is received by the ultrasonic element 720 and the time until the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic element 720 is received by the ultrasonic element 710. Is the difference. Based on the measured time difference Δt, the control unit 811 _{calculates the velocity V f} of the fluid flowing in the pipe 2 by the following formula (1), and calculates the flow rate Q of the fluid flowing in the pipe 2 by the following formula (2). Calculated by

Here, d is the inner diameter of the pipe 2, θ is the incident angle of the ultrasonic wave, and V _s is the velocity of the ultrasonic wave. K is a flow rate correction coefficient for converting the velocity of a fluid having a predetermined distribution in the cross section of the pipe 2 into an average velocity. Incident angle theta, the speed V _s and a flow rate correction coefficient K is known. The user can store the inner diameter d of the pipe 2 in the storage unit 812 by operating the operation unit 840. Further, the user can store the threshold value of the flow rate in the storage unit 812 by operating the operation unit 840.

The control unit 811 compares the flow rate Q calculated by the above equation (2) with the threshold value stored in the storage unit 812, and outputs an on / off signal based on the comparison result. The on / off signal is a signal for switching between the on state and the off state of the external device connected to the connection unit 830. The indicator lamp 850 lights up so as to distinguish between the on state and the off state of the external device.

The display unit 821 is arranged at a position close to the window unit 511 of the upper housing unit 510. _{The display unit 821 displays various information such as the fluid velocity V f} calculated by the above formula (1), the flow rate Q calculated by the above formula (2), or the threshold value stored in the storage unit 812. can do.

[2] Clamp portion (1) Upper clamp member FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upper clamp member 200. FIG. 4 is an end view and a vertical sectional view of the upper clamp member 200. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the upper clamp member 200. FIG. 6 is a side view of the upper clamp member 200. FIG. 4B shows a sectional view taken along line AA of the upper clamp member 200 of FIG. 5A. Hereinafter, the configuration of the upper clamp member 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper clamp member 200 is composed of a fixed portion 210 and a movable portion 220. The fixing portion 210 is fixed to the pipe 2 of FIG. The movable portion 220 is provided so as to be movable with respect to the fixed portion 210. In this embodiment, the movable portion 220 is movable by sliding with respect to the fixed portion 210.

5 (a) and 6 (a) show the upper clamp member 200 when the movable portion 220 is not slid, and FIGS. 5 (b) and 6 (b) show the upper clamp member when the movable portion 220 is slid. The member 200 is shown. The position of the movable portion 220 in FIGS. 5 (b) and 6 (b) is referred to as a first position, and the position of the movable portion 220 in FIGS. 5 (a) and 6 (a) is referred to as a second position.

The fixing portion 210 includes a top surface portion 230, two end face portions 240, two side surface portions 250 and two contact portions 260. In the present embodiment, the upper surface portion 230, the two end face portions 240, the two side surface portions 250, and the two contact portions 260 are integrally formed of a member having high rigidity such as metal.

The upper surface portion 230 has a rectangular frame shape extending in one direction in a plan view. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the upper surface portion 230 in a plan view is referred to as the longitudinal direction of the flow rate switch 1, the width direction of the upper surface portion 230 is referred to as the width direction of the flow rate switch 1, and the directions orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the width direction are referred to as the flow rate switch 1. It is called the vertical direction of. With the flow switch 1 attached to the pipe 2, the longitudinal direction of the flow switch 1 coincides with the axial direction of the pipe 2 (the direction in which the pipe 2 extends), and the width direction of the flow switch 1 is the circumferential direction of the pipe 2. It substantially matches, and the vertical direction of the flow rate switch 1 coincides with the radial direction of the pipe 2.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 (a) and 5 (b), screw holes 231 penetrating in the vertical direction are formed at both ends of the upper surface portion 230 in the longitudinal direction. The sensor fixing screw 410 of FIG. 2 is screwed into each screw hole 231. Notches 232 are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the upper surface portion 230 in the longitudinal direction. Each notch 232 is formed with a downwardly projecting protrusion 233. As a result, two recesses 234 are formed on the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends of the upper surface portion 230 in the longitudinal direction so as to sandwich the protrusion 233.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 (a) and 6 (b), the two end face portions 240 extend downward from both ends of the upper surface portion 230 in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 4A, each end face portion 240 is formed with a polygonal notch portion 241 that opens downward. As a result, a plurality of cut surfaces appear at the cut end of the end face portion 240 in the cutout portion 241. In this example, two vertical cut surfaces 211, one horizontal cut surface 212, and two inclined cut surfaces 213 appear on each end face portion 240.

The two vertical cut planes 211 extend vertically upward from the bottom of the end face portion 240. The distance between the two vertical cutting surfaces 211 in the width direction is larger than the outer diameter of the pipe 2. The horizontal cut surface 212 extends horizontally in the width direction above between the two vertical cut surfaces 211. The length of the horizontal cut surface 212 in the width direction is smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe 2. One inclined cut surface 213 extends from the upper part of one vertical cut surface 211 to one end of the horizontal cut surface 212 so as to be inclined. The other inclined cut surface 213 extends from the upper part of the other vertical cut surface 211 to the other end of the horizontal cut surface 212 so as to be inclined.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (a) and 4 (b), the two side surface portions 250 extend downward from both ends of the upper surface portion 230 in the width direction, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4B, the two contact portions 260 are provided corresponding to the two side surface portions 250, respectively. Each contact portion 260 includes a horizontal portion 261 and an inclined portion 262. The horizontal portion 261 extends horizontally inward so as to bend from the lower end portion of the corresponding side surface portion 250. The inclined portion 262 extends diagonally upward inward so as to be inclined from the end portion of the horizontal portion 261.

The tilt angle of one and the other tilted portion 262 is substantially equal to the tilt angle of one and the other tilted cut surface 213 of the end face portion 240, respectively. In a state where the upper clamp member 200 is not attached to the pipe 2, the lower surface of one and the other inclined portion 262 protrudes slightly inward and downward from the one and the other inclined cut surface 213 of the end face portion 240. As a result, the lower surface of one and the other inclined portion 262 can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2.

As shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 6 (a) and 6 (b), a plurality of through holes 263 penetrating in the vertical direction are formed in each horizontal portion 261. In this example, two through holes 263 are formed in each horizontal portion 261 so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction with a predetermined distance. A plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 are inserted into the plurality of through holes 263 of the horizontal portion 261 from above.

In this example, as shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 6 (b), by sliding the movable portion 220 to the first position, a plurality of through holes 263 can be visually recognized from above. In this state, the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 are inserted into the plurality of through holes 263, respectively. In the state where the movable portion 220 is in the first position, the sensor portion 400 cannot be attached to the upper clamp member 200. Therefore, when the sensor portion 400 of FIG. 1 is attached to the upper clamp member 200, the movable portion 220 is returned to the second position as shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A.

Each clamp fixing screw 110 is provided with a posture maintaining mechanism 120. Each posture maintaining mechanism 120 includes an annular member 121 and a spring member 122. The annular member 121 is fixed to the substantially central portion of the clamp fixing screw 110 in the vertical direction with the clamp fixing screw 110 inserted through the through hole 263 of the horizontal portion 261. The spring member 122 has a spiral shape, and the outer diameter of the spring member 122 is smaller than the outer diameter of the annular member 121. The spring member 122 is arranged between the horizontal portion 261 and the annular member 121 so as to urge the horizontal portion 261 and the annular member 121.

According to this configuration, even when the upper clamp member 200 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction or the width direction faces the vertical direction, the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 are maintained substantially perpendicular to the horizontal portion 261 by the posture maintaining mechanism 120. Will be done. Thereby, even when the upper clamp member 200 is attached to the pipe 2 extending in the vertical direction, the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 can be easily screwed into the plurality of screw holes described later in the lower clamp member 300.

(2) Lower clamp member FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lower clamp member 300. FIG. 8 is an end view of the lower clamp member 300. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the lower clamp member 300. FIG. 10 is a side view of the lower clamp member 300. Hereinafter, the configuration of the lower clamp member 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lower clamp member 300 includes a bottom surface portion 310, two end face portions 320, and two side surface portions 330. In the present embodiment, the bottom surface portion 310, the two end face portions 320, and the two side surface portions 330 are integrally formed of a member having high rigidity such as metal.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottom surface portion 310 has a curved shape extending in the longitudinal direction. The curvature of the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 310 is larger than the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2 of FIG. 1 can come into contact with the curved upper surface of the bottom surface portion 310. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the two side surface portions 330 are provided at both ends of the bottom surface portion 310 in the width direction, respectively. Each side surface 330 includes two projecting pieces 331, two projecting pieces 332 and one tilted piece 333.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, the two projecting pieces 331 of each side surface portion 330 are referred to as projecting pieces 331A and 331B, respectively, and the two projecting pieces 332 are referred to as projecting pieces 332A and 332B, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, on each side surface portion 330, the projecting piece 331A, the projecting piece 332B, the inclined piece 333, the projecting piece 331B, and the projecting piece 332A are arranged so as to be arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, each end face portion 320 includes two projecting pieces 321. The two projecting pieces 321 of one end face portion 320 are provided so as to project upward from one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the two projecting pieces 331A. The two projecting pieces 321 of the other end face portion 320 are provided so as to project upward from the other end portions of the two projecting pieces 332A in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, the projecting pieces 331A and 331B of each side surface portion 330 project horizontally outward from both ends of the bottom surface portion 310 in the width direction. The protruding pieces 332A and 332B of each side surface portion 330 project horizontally outward from both ends of the bottom surface portion 310 in the width direction. The inclined piece 333 of each side surface portion 330 projects so as to be inclined outward and upward from both ends of the bottom surface portion 310 in the width direction.

As shown in FIG. 10, the projecting pieces 331A and 331B are located at substantially equal heights to each other. The projecting pieces 332A and 332B are located below the projecting pieces 331A and 331B at substantially equal heights to each other. As shown in FIG. 9, screw holes 331h penetrating in the vertical direction are formed in the protruding pieces 331A and 331B. Screw holes 332h penetrating in the vertical direction are formed in each of the protruding pieces 332A and 332B.

The distance between the screw holes 331h of the protruding pieces 331A and 331B in each side surface portion 330 is equal to the distance between the two through holes 263 in one horizontal portion 261 of the upper clamp member 200 in FIG. 6A. The distance between the screw holes 332h of the protruding pieces 332A and 332B in each side surface portion 330 is equal to the distance between the two through holes 263 in one horizontal portion 261 of the upper clamp member 200 in FIG. 6A.

Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the orientation of the lower clamp member 300 when the projecting piece 331A is located at one end in the longitudinal direction and the projecting piece 332A is located at the other end in the longitudinal direction is defined as the first orientation. Call. On the other hand, contrary to FIGS. 9 and 10, the orientation of the lower clamp member 300 when the projecting piece 331A is located at the other end in the longitudinal direction and the projecting piece 332A is located at one end in the longitudinal direction is defined as the second orientation. Call. The operator can arrange the direction of the lower clamp member 300 in the first direction or the second direction by rotating the lower clamp member 300 by 180 degrees around an axis parallel to the vertical direction.

According to the above configuration, when the pipe 2 is sandwiched between the upper clamp member 200 and the lower clamp member 300 with the lower clamp member 300 arranged in the first direction, the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 shown in FIG. 6A. Is screwed into each of the plurality of screw holes 331h. On the other hand, when the pipe 2 is sandwiched between the upper clamp member 200 and the lower clamp member 300 with the lower clamp member 300 arranged in the second direction, the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 of FIG. 6A have a plurality of screw holes. Screw each into 332h.

Here, the protruding piece 331 and the protruding piece 332 are located at different heights. That is, the vertical distance from the through hole 263 in FIG. 6A to the screw hole 331h and the vertical distance from the through hole 263 in FIG. 6A to the screw hole 332h are different from each other. Therefore, by appropriately selecting the direction in which the lower clamp member 300 is arranged according to the outer diameter of the pipe 2 in the first direction and the second direction, the lower clamp member 300 can be easily and appropriately used in the pipe 2. Can be attached.

[3] Sensor unit As described above, the sensor unit 400 includes a housing unit 500, a coupling unit 600, an ultrasonic control mechanism 700, and an electronic circuit unit 800. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the sensor unit 400. FIG. 12 is an end view of the sensor unit 400. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the sensor unit 400. FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the sensor unit 400. FIG. 15 is a side view of the sensor unit 400. FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line BB of the sensor unit 400 of FIG.

The housing portion 500 is composed of a plurality of sealing members, a plurality of reinforcing members, and a plurality of screw members in addition to the upper housing portion 510, the lower housing portion 520, and the path member 530. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the upper housing portion 510 and the electronic circuit portion 800 of the housing portion 500. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the lower housing portion 520. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the path member 530 and the ultrasonic control mechanism 700. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the joint portion 600. Hereinafter, the configuration of each part of the sensor unit 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 20.

(1) Housing portion (a) Upper housing portion The upper housing portion 510 is formed of, for example, resin. As shown in FIGS. 11, 16 and 17, the upper housing portion 510 has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the longitudinal direction in a plan view. The upper housing portion 510 is formed with two screw openings 512 that penetrate in the vertical direction. The two screw openings 512 are arranged at both ends of the upper housing portion 510 in the longitudinal direction. Each screw opening 512 includes a counterbore for locking the screw head of the sensor fixing screw 410 inserted from above while being embedded in the upper housing portion 510. The two sensor fixing screws 410 are rotatably fixed in the two screw openings 512, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 15, two bottomed screw holes 517 extending in the vertical direction are formed on each of the lower surfaces of both ends of the upper housing portion 510 in the longitudinal direction. Each screw hole 517 is arranged at a substantially central portion of the upper housing portion 510 in the width direction. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the two screw holes 517 are arranged so as to be arranged in the width direction with the screw opening 512 interposed therebetween.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 11, 16 and 17, the upper housing portion 510 has a display portion opening 513, a connection portion opening 514, an operation portion opening 515 and a lamp opening 516 that penetrate in the vertical direction. Is formed. The display portion opening 513 is arranged at a substantially central portion of the upper housing portion 510 in the longitudinal direction. The connection portion opening 514 is arranged between the one screw opening portion 512 and the display portion opening 513. The operation portion opening 515 and the lamp opening 516 are arranged so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction between the other screw opening 512 and the display portion opening 513.

The display portion opening 513 has a substantially rectangular shape. A display flange 513F projecting inward is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the display opening 513. The display portion seal member 541 is arranged between the upper surface of the display portion flange 513F and the edge portion of the lower surface of the window portion 511. In this state, the window portion 511 is fitted into the display portion opening 513 from above.

The connection portion opening 514 has a substantially circular shape. A connecting portion flange 514F projecting inward is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connecting portion opening 514. The connection portion 830 of the electronic circuit portion 800 has a substantially cylindrical outer peripheral surface. A flange portion 831 projecting outward is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion opening 514. A connecting portion sealing member 542 is arranged between the upper surface of the connecting portion flange 514F and the lower surface of the connecting portion 830 flange portion 831. In this state, the connection portion 830 is fitted into the connection portion opening 514 from above.

The opening 515 for the operation unit has a substantially rectangular shape. An operation portion flange 515F projecting inward is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the operation portion opening 515. The operation unit seal member 543 is arranged between the upper surface of the operation unit flange 515F and the lower surface of the operation unit 840 of the electronic circuit unit 800. In this state, the operation unit 840 is fitted into the operation unit opening 515 from above.

The lamp opening 516 has a substantially rectangular shape. A lamp flange 516F projecting inward is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lamp opening 516. A lamp seal member 544 is arranged between the upper surface of the lamp flange 516F and the edge of the lower surface of the indicator lamp 850 of the electronic circuit unit 800. In this state, the indicator lamp 850 is fitted into the lamp opening 516 from above.

(B) Lower housing portion The lower housing portion 520 is formed of, for example, resin. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, the lower housing portion 520 includes a fitting portion 521, an outer flange portion 522, and an inner flange portion 523. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the fitting portion 521 has two fitting side surface portions 521A and two fitting end face portions 521B. The two fitting side surface portions 521A are the side surface portions at both ends of the fitting portion 521 in the width direction, respectively. The two fitting end face portions 521B are end face portions at both ends of the fitting portion 521 in the longitudinal direction, respectively. The upper and lower parts of the fitting portion 521 are open.

The outer peripheral surface of each fitting side surface portion 521A has a shape of fitting to the inner peripheral surface of the upper surface portion 230 in the width direction of the upper clamp member 200 of FIG. 5A. As shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of hook-shaped hooking portions 529 for attaching the coupling portion 600 to the housing portion 500 are formed in the lower portion of each fitting side surface portion 521A. Each fitting end face portion 521B has two convex portions 524 arranged in the width direction. Each of the two convex portions 524 extends in the vertical direction and protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of convex portions 524 are fitted into the plurality of concave portions 234 of the upper surface portion 230 of FIG. 5A, respectively.

In the present embodiment, the lower end surface of the fitting end surface portion 521B projects downward from the lower end surface of the fitting side surface portion 521A. Therefore, when the flow rate switch 1 is attached to the pipe 2, the lower end surface of each fitting end face portion 521B comes into contact with the pipe 2. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 14, and 18, a pipe contact surface reinforcing sheet metal 551 for reinforcing the lower end surface is attached to each fitting end surface portion 521B.

Each pipe contact surface reinforcing sheet metal 551 has a J-shaped cross section. Each pipe contact surface reinforcing sheet metal 551 wraps around the inner peripheral surface of the mating end face portion 521B from between the two convex portions 524 on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting end face portion 521B through the lower end surface of the fitting end face portion 521B. Be placed.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 14 to 16 and 18, the outer flange portion 522 projects outward from the upper portion of the fitting portion 521. Two screw holes 525, a screw opening 526 and two screw openings 527 are formed on each of the upper surfaces of both ends of the outer flange portion 522 in the longitudinal direction. Each screw opening 526 is arranged at a substantially central portion of the outer flange portion 522 in the width direction. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 16, the plurality of screw openings 526 penetrate in the vertical direction and communicate with the plurality of screw openings 512 of the upper housing portion 510, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 18, each of the two screw holes 525 is arranged so as to be arranged in the width direction with the screw opening 526 interposed therebetween. The plurality of screw holes 525 are formed on the upper end surface of the outer flange portion 522 and have a bottomed shape extending in the vertical direction.

Each of the two screw openings 527 is arranged so as to be aligned in the width direction with the two screw holes 525 and the screw opening 526 interposed therebetween. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 15, the plurality of screw openings 527 penetrate in the vertical direction and communicate with the plurality of screw holes 517 of the upper housing portion 510, respectively. Each screw opening 527 includes a counterbore for locking the screw head of the housing fixing screw 501, which will be described later, inserted from below while being embedded in the outer flange portion 522.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 15, 16 and 18, a lower housing portion reinforcing sheet metal 552 for reinforcing the upper end surface is attached to the outer flange portion 522. The lower housing portion reinforcing sheet metal 552 is arranged so as to cover the upper end surface of the outer flange portion 522 and the side surface portions of both ends of the outer flange portion 522 in the width direction.

As shown in FIG. 18, at each end of the lower housing portion reinforcing sheet metal 552 in the longitudinal direction, two screw openings 552a, a screw opening 552b, and two screw openings 552c penetrating in the vertical direction are provided. It is formed. The plurality of screw openings 552a are arranged so as to overlap each other with the plurality of screw holes 525 of the outer flange portion 522. The plurality of screw openings 552b are arranged so as to overlap each other of the plurality of screw openings 526 of the outer flange portion 522. The plurality of screw openings 552c are arranged so as to overlap each other of the plurality of screw openings 527 of the outer flange portion 522.

A plurality of sheet metal fixing screws 502 are inserted from above into the plurality of screw openings 552a of the lower housing portion reinforcing sheet metal 552. In this state, each sheet metal fixing screw 502 is screwed into the corresponding screw hole 525 of the outer flange portion 522. As a result, the lower housing portion reinforcing sheet metal 552 is attached to the outer flange portion 522.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, an inter-housing seal member 545 is arranged on the inner edge of the upper end surface of the outer flange portion 522. Next, the upper housing portion 510 is arranged on the outer flange portion 522 from above. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of housing fixing screws 501 are inserted into the plurality of screw openings 512, respectively.

In this state, each housing fixing screw 501 is screwed into the corresponding screw hole 517 through the screw opening 552c of the lower housing portion reinforcing sheet metal 552. As a result, the upper housing portion 510 is attached to the lower housing portion 520. As shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 15 and 16, the tip of the sensor fixing screw 410 inserted into each screw opening 512 of the upper housing portion 510 passes through the screw opening 526 and the outer flange portion 522. Protrudes downward.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, the inner flange portion 523 projects inward from the inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion 521. As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of (three in this example) positioning protrusions 523a, 523b, 523c projecting downward are formed on the outer edge of the lower surface of the inner flange portion 523. The two positioning protrusions 523a and 523b are arranged at one end of the inner flange portion 523 in the width direction so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction. One positioning protrusion 523c is arranged at the other end of the inner flange portion 523 in the width direction.

Further, a plurality of screw holes 528 having a bottomed shape are formed on the outer edge of the lower surface of the inner flange portion 523 so as to extend in the vertical direction. Half of the screw holes 528 out of the plurality of screw holes 528 are arranged at one end of the inner flange portion 523 in the width direction so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction. The other half of the screw holes 528 are arranged at the other end of the inner flange portion 523 in the width direction so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction. A housing path-to-path seal member 546 is arranged on the inner edge of the lower surface of the inner flange portion 523. A path member 530 is attached to the lower surface of the inner flange portion 523. Details will be described later.

(C) Path member The path member 530 is made of a non-metal material having high rigidity and high acoustic permeability. Further, the path member 530 is preferably formed of a material having high environmental resistance. In this example, the pathway member 530 is made of PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) resin or ULTEM® resin.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 19, the path member 530 includes a bottom surface portion 531 and an outer flange portion 532. The bottom surface portion 531 has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the longitudinal direction in a plan view. The lower surface of the bottom surface portion 531 has a planar shape. The lower surface of the bottom surface portion 531 is referred to as a pipe joint surface 530C.

Two projecting structures 533, 534 projecting upward are formed on the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 531 so as to line up in the longitudinal direction. Further, the bottom surface portion 531 is formed with an opening 535 for a shielding plate that penetrates between the protruding structures 533 and 534 in the vertical direction so as to extend in the width direction. The ultrasonic shielding plate 730 of the ultrasonic control mechanism 700 is fitted into the shielding plate opening 535.

In this case, it is prevented that the ultrasonic wave is directed from the ultrasonic element 710 to the ultrasonic element 720 without propagating in the fluid flowing in the pipe 2. Similarly, it is prevented that the ultrasonic wave is directed from the ultrasonic element 720 to the ultrasonic element 710 without propagating in the fluid flowing in the pipe 2. Thereby, the flow rate of the fluid in the pipe 2 can be calculated more accurately.

The protruding structure 533 has an inclined surface that faces diagonally upward and outward in the longitudinal direction. The protruding structure 534 has an inclined surface that faces diagonally upward and outward in the longitudinal direction. The inclined surfaces of the protruding structures 533 and 534 are referred to as element coupling surfaces 530A and 530B, respectively.

Specifically, the element coupling surface 530A has an end portion a1 closest to the element coupling surface 530B in the longitudinal direction and an end portion a2 farthest from the element coupling surface 530B in the longitudinal direction. The element coupling surface 530A is inclined so that the end portion a2 is closer to the pipe than the end portion a1. The element coupling surface 530B has an end portion b1 closest to the element coupling surface 530A in the longitudinal direction and an end portion b2 farthest from the element coupling surface 530A in the longitudinal direction. The element coupling surface 530B is inclined so that the end portion b2 is closer to the pipe than the end portion b1.

The ultrasonic element 710 of the ultrasonic control mechanism 700 is bonded to the element coupling surface 530A. The ultrasonic element 720 of the ultrasonic control mechanism 700 is bonded to the element coupling surface 530B. In this case, the ultrasonic element 710 is arranged so as to transmit ultrasonic waves to the fluid in the pipe 2 in a state of being inclined with respect to the pipe 2. The ultrasonic element 720 is arranged so as to receive ultrasonic waves propagating the fluid in the pipe 2 in a state of being inclined with respect to the pipe 2. As a result, it is possible to efficiently transmit ultrasonic waves to the fluid in the pipe 2 and receive ultrasonic waves propagating in the fluid in the pipe 2.

In this way, the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 can be supported by the common path member 530. This further reduces component costs, manufacturing costs and assembly costs. In addition, the assembly process of the flow rate switch 1 can be further simplified. Further, the flow rate switch 1 can be miniaturized.

The outer flange portion 532 projects outward from the upper portions of both ends of the bottom surface portion 531 in the width direction. The outer flange portion 532 is formed with a plurality of (three in this example) positioning openings 536a, 536b, 536c that penetrate in the vertical direction. The two positioning openings 536a and 536b are arranged at one end of the outer flange portion 532 in the width direction so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction. One positioning opening 536c is arranged at the other end of the outer flange portion 532 in the width direction. The plurality of positioning openings 536a to 536c correspond to the plurality of positioning projections 523a to 523c (FIG. 14) of the inner flange portion 523, respectively.

A path fixing sheet metal 553 having a rectangular frame shape is arranged below the path member 530. The bottom surface portion 531 of the path member 530 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the path fixing sheet metal 553. Further, the lower surface of the outer flange portion 532 of the path member 530 comes into contact with the upper surfaces of both ends of the path fixing sheet metal 553 in the width direction.

A plurality of screw openings 553a penetrating in the vertical direction are formed at both ends of the path fixing sheet metal 553 in the width direction. Half of the screw openings 553a out of the plurality of screw openings 553a are arranged at one end of the path fixing sheet metal 553 in the width direction so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction. The other half of the screw openings 553a are arranged at the other end of the path fixing sheet metal 553 in the width direction so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of screw openings 553a correspond to the plurality of screw holes 528 (FIG. 14) of the inner flange portion 523, respectively.

A plurality of positioning protrusions 523a to 523c of the inner flange portion 523 of FIG. 14 are fitted into the positioning openings 536a to 536c of the path member 530 from above. In this case, the housing path-to-path seal member 546 (FIG. 18) is arranged between the lower surface of the inner flange portion 523 and the upper surface of the outer flange portion 532 of the path member 530.

A plurality of sheet metal fixing screws 503 are inserted from below into the plurality of screw openings 553a of the path fixing sheet metal 553. In this state, each sheet metal fixing screw 503 is screwed into the corresponding screw hole 528 of the inner flange portion 523. As a result, the path member 530 and the path fixing sheet metal 553 are attached to the lower housing portion 520.

In the above configuration, the positioning mechanism is configured by the plurality of positioning protrusions 523a to 523c of the inner flange portion 523 and the positioning openings 536a to 536c of the path member 530. According to this configuration, the path member 530 cannot be attached to the lower housing portion 520 in the direction opposite to the normal direction in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the path member 530 can be easily attached to the lower housing portion 520 in the normal direction in the longitudinal direction.

By the above mounting work, the housing portion 500 having a space inside is completed. The joint portion of the plurality of members in the housing portion 500 includes a display portion sealing member 541, a connecting portion sealing member 542, an operation portion sealing member 543, a lamp sealing member 544, an inter-housing sealing member 545, and a housing. An inter-path seal member 546 is provided. Therefore, liquids such as water and oil are prevented from entering the space inside the housing portion 500.

(2) Joint portion As shown in FIGS. 14 and 20, the joint portion 600 includes an acoustic coplant 610 and a holding member 620. The acoustic couplant 610 is formed of a soft elastic material made of a polymer rubber, a gel-like substance, or the like.

The acoustic coplant 610 preferably has an acoustic impedance value between the acoustic impedance value of the path member 530 of FIG. 16 and the acoustic impedance value of the pipe 2. This makes it possible to further reduce the reflection of ultrasonic waves between the acoustic couplant 610 and the pipe 2, and between the acoustic couplant 610 and the path member 530. As a result, the transmission efficiency and reception efficiency of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 can be improved.

The acoustic couplant 610 includes a bottom surface portion 611 and an outer flange portion 612. The bottom surface portion 611 has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the longitudinal direction in a plan view. A slit 613 extending in the width direction is formed at a substantially central portion of the bottom surface portion 621 in the longitudinal direction.

The outer flange portion 612 projects outward from the upper portions of both ends of the bottom surface portion 611 in the width direction. A plurality of positioning openings 614 penetrating in the vertical direction are formed in the outer flange portion 612. Half of the positioning openings 614 out of the plurality of positioning openings 614 are arranged at one end of the outer flange portion 612 in the width direction so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction. The other half of the positioning openings 614 are arranged at the other end of the outer flange portion 612 in the width direction so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction.

The holding member 620 is formed of, for example, a resin. The holding member 620 includes a bottom surface portion 621 and two side surface portions 622. The bottom surface portion 621 has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the longitudinal direction in a plan view. At the center of the bottom surface portion 621 in the width direction, an opening 623 for a couplant extending in the longitudinal direction is formed.

A plurality of positioning protrusions 624 projecting upward are formed on the bottom surface portion 621. Half of the positioning protrusions 624 out of the plurality of positioning protrusions 624 are arranged at one end of the bottom surface portion 621 in the width direction so as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction. The other half of the positioning protrusions 624 are arranged at the other end of the bottom surface portion 621 in the width direction so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of positioning protrusions 624 correspond to the plurality of positioning openings 614 of the acoustic couplant 610, respectively.

The two side surface portions 622 are provided so as to extend upward from both ends of the bottom surface portion 621 in the width direction. A plurality of hook-shaped hooking portions 625 are formed on the inner surface of each side surface portion 622. The plurality of hooking portions 625 of the two side surface portions 622 correspond to the plurality of hooking portions 529 (FIG. 18) of the lower housing portion 520, respectively.

A plurality of positioning protrusions 624 of the bottom surface portion 621 are fitted into the positioning opening 614 of the bottom surface portion 611 from below. Further, the bottom surface portion 611 is fitted into the capplant opening 623 of the bottom surface portion 621 from above. As a result, the acoustic couplant 610 is fixed to the holding member 620, and the joint portion 600 is completed. In this state, the plurality of hooking portions 625 of the two side surface portions 622 and the plurality of hooking portions 529 (FIG. 18) of the lower housing portion 520 are respectively coupled to each other. As a result, the coupling portion 600 is attached to the housing portion 500.

In this configuration, the acoustic couplant 610 is held by the holding member 620 in the lower housing portion 520. The upper surface of the bottom surface portion 611 of the acoustic coplant 610 is in close contact with the pipe connecting surface 530C (FIG. 16) of the path member 530. Further, the lower surface of the bottom surface portion 611 of the acoustic couplant 610 projects downward from the lower surface of the bottom surface portion 621 of the holding member 620. Since the operator can handle the acoustic couplant 610 together with the housing portion 500, the handleability of the flow rate switch 1 is improved. In addition, the efficiency of the installation work of the flow rate switch 1 is improved.

(3) Ultrasonic control mechanism The ultrasonic control mechanism 700 is housed inside the housing portion 500. As shown in FIG. 16, the ultrasonic control mechanism 700 includes two ultrasonic elements 710, 720, an ultrasonic shielding plate 730, and two filling members 740, 750. The two ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 each have a flat plate shape.

Further, the ultrasonic control mechanism 700 includes an acoustic bonding agent 711 (FIG. 2) corresponding to the ultrasonic element 710, an element back sound wave blocking member 712, and an element fixing member 713. Further, the ultrasonic control mechanism 700 includes an acoustic bonding agent 721 (FIG. 2) corresponding to the ultrasonic element 720, an element back sound wave blocking member 722, and an element fixing member 723. In the present embodiment, the acoustic bonding agents 711 and 721 are grease in which minute fillers are dispersed. The element back sound wave blocking member 712,722 is formed of foam rubber. The element back sound wave blocking member 712,722 may be formed of, for example, a porous material.

One surface of the ultrasonic element 710 is bonded to the element coupling surface 530A (FIG. 16) of the path member 530 by the acoustic bonding agent 711. The element back sound wave blocking member 712 is attached to the other surface of the ultrasonic element 710. In this state, the ultrasonic element 710 is fixed to the path member 530 by the element fixing member 713. The ultrasonic element 710 is provided so as not to block the element coupling surface 530A.

Similarly, one surface of the ultrasonic element 720 is bonded to the element coupling surface 530B (FIG. 16) of the path member 530 by the acoustic bonding agent 721. The element back sound wave blocking member 722 is attached to the other surface of the ultrasonic element 720. In this state, the ultrasonic element 720 is fixed to the path member 530 by the element fixing member 723. The element fixing member 723 is provided so as not to block between one surface of the ultrasonic element 720 and the element coupling surface 530B.

According to this configuration, the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 are fixed to the path member 530 by the element fixing members 713 and 723, respectively. In this case, it is not necessary to use an adhesive to fix the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 to the path member 530. That is, no adhesive is arranged between one surface of the ultrasonic element 710 and the element coupling surface 530A, and between one surface of the ultrasonic element 720 and the element coupling surface 530B. This prevents the loss of ultrasonic waves. As a result, the efficiency of transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 can be improved.

Further, ultrasonic waves are efficiently extracted from one surface of the ultrasonic element 710 by the acoustic bonding agent 711 and transmitted from the element coupling surface 530A into the path member 530. Similarly, ultrasonic waves are efficiently extracted from one surface of the ultrasonic element 720 by the acoustic bonding agent 721 and transmitted from the element coupling surface 530B into the path member 530.

As described above, the acoustic bonding agents 711 and 712 have a structure in which fine fillers are dispersed in grease. In this case, the acoustic impedance of the acoustic bonding agents 711 and 712 has a value close to the acoustic impedance of the element coupling surfaces 530A and 530B of the path member 530. As a result, the reflection of ultrasonic waves between the ultrasonic element 710 and the element coupling surface 530A is reduced, and the reflection of ultrasonic waves between the ultrasonic element 720 and the element coupling surface 530B is reduced. As a result, the efficiency of transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 can be improved. The acoustic bonding agent 711,712 may have a structure in which a minute filler is dispersed in the adhesive.

Further, element back sound wave blocking members 712 and 722 are attached to the other surface of the ultrasonic element 710 and the other surface of the ultrasonic element 720, respectively. In this case, the ultrasonic waves extracted from the other surface of the ultrasonic element 710 and the other surface of the ultrasonic element 720 are blocked. As a result, the loss of ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 can be reduced, and the intensity of ultrasonic waves extracted from one surface of the ultrasonic element 710 and one surface of the ultrasonic element 720 can be increased.

The ultrasonic shielding plate 730 is formed of the same material as the material of the element back sound wave blocking member 712,722. As described above, the ultrasonic shielding plate 730 is fitted into the shielding plate opening 535 of the path member 530. In this case, the transmission of ultrasonic waves between the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 in the path member 530 is blocked. This prevents the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic element 710 from being directly received by the ultrasonic element 720 through the path member 530. Similarly, it is prevented that the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic element 720 passes through the path member 530 and is directly received by the ultrasonic element 710.

The filling member 740 is formed of a material having a characteristic impedance having a value close to the characteristic impedance of the path member 530 and having a large characteristic of attenuating (dispersing) ultrasonic waves. For example, the filling member 740 is formed of a material in which a plurality of members having different characteristic impedance values are dispersed. In the present embodiment, the filling member 740 is formed of silicon in which aluminum oxide is dispersed as a filling material.

The filling member 740 is arranged so as to partially cover the periphery of the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720. In this case, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 to the surroundings without propagating in the fluid flowing in the pipe 2 are attenuated by the filling member 740. This prevents the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic element 710 to the surroundings from being received by the ultrasonic element 720 as a stray signal. Similarly, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic element 720 to the surroundings are prevented from being received by the ultrasonic element 710 as a stray signal.

The filling member 750 is formed of a heat insulating material. The filling member 750 is arranged above the filling member 740 and below the control board 810 of the electronic circuit unit 800 described later. According to this arrangement, even when a low-temperature fluid flows in the pipe 2, the heat (cold air) radiated from the pipe 2 to the control board 810 is blocked by the filling member 750. This prevents dew condensation on the control board 810. Further, since it is not necessary to fill the control substrate 810 with resin or the like in order to prevent dew condensation, the sensor unit 400 can be easily assembled and disassembled.

According to the above configuration, the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic element 710 is input to the element coupling surface 530A, passes through the inside of the path member 530, and is output from the pipe coupling surface 530C. The ultrasonic wave output from the pipe coupling surface 530C is incident on the fluid in the pipe 2 through the acoustic pumping plant 610, reflected on the inner surface of the pipe 2, and then input to the pipe coupling surface 530C through the acoustic pumping plant 610 again. The ultrasonic wave input to the pipe coupling surface 530C is output from the element coupling surface 530B through the inside of the path member 530 and received by the ultrasonic element 720.

Similarly, the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the ultrasonic element 720 is input to the element coupling surface 530B, passes through the inside of the path member 530, and is output from the pipe coupling surface 530C. The ultrasonic wave output from the pipe coupling surface 530C is incident on the fluid in the pipe 2 through the acoustic pumping plant 610, reflected on the inner surface of the pipe 2, and then input to the pipe coupling surface 530C through the acoustic pumping plant 610 again. The ultrasonic wave input to the pipe coupling surface 530C is output from the element coupling surface 530A through the inside of the path member 530 and received by the ultrasonic element 710.

(4) Electronic Circuit Unit As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the electronic circuit unit 800 includes a control board 810, a display board 820, a connection unit 830, an operation unit 840, and an indicator lamp 850. The control unit 811 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit 812 includes, for example, a volatile memory or a hard disk. The control unit 811 and the storage unit 812 are mounted on the control board 810. The display unit 821 includes, for example, a segment display. The display unit 821 may include a dot matrix display. The display unit 821 is mounted on the display board 820.

The control board 810 is arranged above the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 so as to be close to the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720. As a result, the connection line connecting the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 and the control board 810 is shortened. Thereby, the radiation noise from the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 can be suppressed.

The operation unit 840 includes a plurality of operation buttons. The indicator lamp 850 includes a plurality of light emitting elements. Each light emitting element is, for example, an LED (light emitting diode). The operation unit 840 and the display lamp 850 are connected to the display board 820, and the display board 820 is connected to the control board 810. Further, the control board 810 is connected to an external device (not shown) through the connection portion 830 and the cable 3.

The control board 810, the display board 820, and the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 acquire electric power from the power source of the external device through the cable 3. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the housing portion 500 with a power source for supplying electric power to the control board 810, the display board 820, and the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720. Therefore, the flow rate switch 1 can be miniaturized.

The display board 820 is arranged at a position close to the window portion 511 of the upper housing portion 510. As a result, the user can visually recognize the display unit 821 from the window unit 511 of the upper housing unit 510. The display unit 821 displays various information such as the fluid velocity Vf calculated by the above formula (1), the flow rate Q calculated by the above formula (2), or the threshold value stored in the memory of the control unit 811. Can be displayed.

The indicator lamp 850 lights up so as to distinguish between the on state and the off state of the external device. For example, the indicator lamp 850 may be turned on when the external device is on, and the indicator lamp 850 may be turned off when the external device is off. On the contrary, the indicator lamp 850 may be turned off when the external device is on, and the indicator lamp 850 may be turned on when the external device is off. As a result, the user can easily distinguish between the on state and the off state of the external device.

In the present embodiment, the indicator lamp 850 includes a light emitting element that emits light in green and a light emitting element that emits light in red. When the external device is on, the indicator lamp 850 lights up in green, and when the external device is off, the indicator lamp 850 lights up in red. On the contrary, when the external device is in the on state, the indicator lamp 850 may be lit in red, and when the external device is in the off state, the indicator lamp 850 may be lit in green.

[4] Installation of the flow rate switch (1) Installation of the clamp portion to the pipe FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp portion 100 before being attached to the pipe 2. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the clamp portion 100 after being attached to the pipe 2. 23 (a) and 23 (b) are a plan view and a side view of the clamp portion 100 of FIG. 22, respectively. Hereinafter, attachment of the clamp portion 100 to the pipe 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23. In the example of FIGS. 21 to 23, the lower clamp member 300 is arranged in the first direction.

First, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 (a) and 23 (b), the movable portion 220 of the upper clamp member 200 is slid to the first position. In this case, as shown in FIG. 23A, a plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 can be visually recognized from above. As a result, the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 can be operated from above. In this example, the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 are rotatably fixed in a state of being inserted into the plurality of through holes 263 (FIG. 21).

Next, as shown in FIG. 21, the upper clamp member 200 and the lower clamp member 300 are arranged so as to face each other in the vertical direction with the pipe 2 interposed therebetween. Here, as described above, the lower surface of the inclined portion 262 of the contact portion 260 of the upper clamp member 200 protrudes slightly inward and downward from the inclined cut surface 213 of the end surface portion 240. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the pipe 2 abuts on the lower surface of the inclined portion 262 of the contact portion 260 of the upper clamp member 200. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the pipe 2 abuts on the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 310 of the lower clamp member 300.

In this state, a plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 are operated from above by a tool such as a screwdriver. As a result, the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 are screwed into the screw holes 331h of the plurality of projecting pieces 331 of the lower clamp member 300, respectively. When the lower clamp member 300 is arranged in the second direction, the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 are screwed into the screw holes 332h of the plurality of protruding pieces 332 of the lower clamp member 300, respectively.

By screwing the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 into the plurality of screw holes 331h, the pressure between the lower surface of the inclined portion 262 of the contact portion 260 and the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2 increases. In this case, the inclined portion 262 of the contact portion 260 is deformed so as to be distorted outward and upward from the initial position. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the pipe 2 comes into contact with the inclined cut surface 213 of the end surface portion 240 of the upper clamp member 200. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion of the pipe 2 abuts on the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 310 of the lower clamp member 300.

According to this configuration, on the cut surface perpendicular to the pipe 2, the pipe 2 abuts at least two places on the upper clamp member 200 and at least one place on the lower clamp member 300. That is, on the cut surface perpendicular to the pipe 2, the pipe 2 abuts at least three points on the clamp portion 100. As a result, the clamp portion 100 is securely fixed to the pipe 2.

Further, as described above, the length of the horizontal cut surface 212 in the width direction is smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe 2, and the distance between the two vertical cut surfaces 211 in the width direction is larger than the outer diameter of the pipe 2. According to this configuration, the clamp portion 100 is attached to the pipe 2 having various outer diameters within the range of the length in the width direction of the horizontal cutting surface 212 or more and the distance between the two vertical cutting surfaces 211 in the width direction or less. It becomes possible.

(2) Attaching the sensor portion to the clamp portion FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the clamp portion 100 before the sensor portion 400 is attached. 25 (a) and 25 (b) are a plan view and a side view of the clamp portion 100 of FIG. 24, respectively. Hereinafter, attachment of the sensor unit 400 to the clamp unit 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25.

After the clamp portion 100 is attached to the pipe 2, the movable portion 220 is returned to the second position as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 (a) and 25 (b). As a result, the sensor unit 400 can be attached to the clamp unit 100. The sensor portion 400 is attached to the clamp portion 100 by screwing the two sensor fixing screws 410 into the two screw holes 231 of the clamp portion 100, respectively.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the clamp portion 100 cannot be attached to the pipe 2 when the sensor portion 400 is attached to the clamp portion 100. Therefore, after the clamp portion 100 is attached to the pipe 2, the sensor portion 400 is attached to the clamp portion 100. This makes it possible to reliably execute the procedure for fixing the sensor unit 400 with an appropriate fixing force.

Further, since the two sensor fixing screws 410 are arranged so as to sandwich the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 in the longitudinal direction, the sensor unit 400 is not tilted with respect to the pipe 2 and is radially toward the center of the pipe 2. A fixing force can be applied to. As a result, the operator can perform the mounting work of the sensor unit 400 without being aware of the adjustment of the inclination of the sensor unit 400 with respect to the pipe 2.

The outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 521 of the lower housing portion 520 of the housing portion 500 is fitted to the inner peripheral surfaces of both ends in the width direction of the upper surface portion 230. Here, as described above, each fitting side surface portion 521A of the fitting portion 521 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the upper surface portion 230 in the width direction. Further, two recesses 234 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of each end of the upper surface portion 230 in the longitudinal direction so as to sandwich the protrusion 233. Each fitting end face portion 521B of the lower housing portion 520 of the housing portion 500 is formed with a convex portion 524 that fits into each of the two concave portions 234 on the inner peripheral surface of the upper surface portion 230.

In this case, the fitting portion 521 does not displace the sensor portion 400 in the axial direction of the pipe 2 and the circumferential direction of the pipe 2 on the clamp portion 100, but displaces the sensor portion 400 only in the radial direction of the pipe 2. Can be done. In this way, when the sensor unit 400 is attached to the clamp unit 100, the displacement of the sensor unit 400 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction is restricted. On the other hand, the vertical displacement of the sensor unit 400 is allowed.

26 (a) and 26 (b) are end views and sectional views of the flow rate switch 1, respectively. 27 (a) and 27 (b) are a side view and a cross-sectional view of the flow rate switch 1, respectively. 26 (b) shows a sectional view taken along line CC of the flow rate switch 1 of FIG. 26 (a), and FIG. 27 (b) shows a sectional view taken along line DD of the flow rate switch 1 of FIG. 27 (a).

By tightening the sensor fixing screw 410 of FIG. 26B, the sensor unit 400 moves downward, that is, in a direction approaching the pipe 2. In this case, the acoustic coplant 610 of FIGS. 26 (b) and 27 (b) is crushed by the housing portion 500.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the lower end surface of the fitting end surface portion 521B projects downward from the lower end surface of the fitting side surface portion 521A. Therefore, the lower end surface (pipe contact surface reinforcing sheet metal 551) of the fitting end surface portion 521B comes into contact with the pipe 2. As a result, the downward movement of the sensor unit 400 is stopped, and the crushing of the acoustic coplant 610 by the housing unit 500 is stopped. As described above, the fitting end face portion 521B has a function of regulating the crushing amount of the acoustic couplant 610. The fitting end face portion 521B regulates the crushing amount of the acoustic couplant 610 at the portion where the crushing amount of the acoustic couplant 610 is the largest.

In the present embodiment, the crushing amount of the acoustic couplant 610 is regulated to be 10% or more and 50% or less of the thickness of the acoustic couplant 610 when not crushed. In this case, the pipe connecting surface 530C (FIG. 16) of the path member 530 and the pipe 2 are brought into close contact with each other with sufficient pressure. As a result, ultrasonic waves can be efficiently incident on the fluid in the pipe 2. On the other hand, excessive pressure is suppressed from being applied to the acoustic couplant 610. This prevents the acoustic coplant 610 from being damaged.

(3) Direction of the lower clamp member In the attachment of the clamp portion 100 to the above pipe 2, the lower clamp member 300 is arranged in the first direction, but the lower clamp member 300 is arranged in the second direction. May be good. 28 (a) and 28 (b) are a perspective view and a side view of the flow rate switch 1 in a state where the lower clamp member 300 is arranged in the first direction, respectively. 29 (a) and 29 (b) are a perspective view and a side view of the flow rate switch 1 in a state where the lower clamp member 300 is arranged in the second direction, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 28A, when the lower clamp member 300 is arranged in the first direction, the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 are screwed into the screw holes 331h of the plurality of projecting pieces 331, respectively. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 29A, when the lower clamp member 300 is arranged in the second direction, the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 are screwed into the screw holes 332h of the plurality of projecting pieces 332, respectively. do.

Here, the projecting piece 331 is located above the projecting piece 332. That is, the vertical distance from the through hole 263 of the horizontal portion 261 to the screw hole 332h of the protruding piece 332 is larger than the vertical distance from the through hole 263 of the horizontal portion 261 to the screw hole 331h of the protruding piece 331.

When the outer diameter of the pipe 2 is relatively large and the lower clamp member 300 is arranged in the second direction, the vertical distance from the through hole 263 to the screw hole 332h becomes larger than the length of the clamp fixing screw 110. There is. In this case, the clamp portion 100 cannot be attached to the pipe 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 28B, when the outer diameter of the pipe 2 is relatively large, the lower clamp member 300 is arranged in the first direction. As a result, the clamp portion 100 can be appropriately attached to the pipe 2.

On the other hand, when the outer diameter of the pipe 2 is relatively small, when the lower clamp member 300 is arranged in the first direction, the vertical distance from the through hole 263 to the screw hole 331h exceeds the length of the clamp fixing screw 110. May become smaller. In this case, the amount of operation (number of times of tightening) of the clamp fixing screw 110 for fixing the clamp portion 100 to the pipe 2 increases, and the burden on the operator increases. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 29 (b), when the outer diameter of the pipe 2 is relatively small, the lower clamp member 300 is arranged in the second direction. As a result, the clamp portion 100 can be attached to the pipe 2 with a low load.

[5] Modification Example (1) Mounting method of acoustic coplant In this embodiment, the acoustic coplant 610 is held by the holding member 620, and a plurality of hooking portions 625 of the holding member 620 and a plurality of lower housing portions 520 are held. Each of the hooking portions 529 is coupled. The acoustic coplant 610 is attached to the housing portion 500 by this method, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The acoustic couplant 610 may be attached to the housing portion 500 by another method.

FIG. 30 is a side view and a cross-sectional view of the lower housing portion 520 in the first modification of the mounting method of the acoustic couplant 610. FIG. 30 (b) shows a sectional view taken along line EE of the sensor unit 400 of FIG. 30 (a). In the example of FIG. 30, the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 611 of the acoustic couplant 610 is adhered to the lower surface of the fitting portion 521 of the lower housing portion 520 and the lower surface of the outer flange portion 532 of the path member 530 by the adhesive member 421. As a result, the acoustic couplant 610 is attached to the housing portion 500. In this example, the acoustic coplant 610 can be integrated with the housing portion 500 with a simple configuration.

FIG. 31 is a side view and a cross-sectional view of the lower housing portion 520 in the second modification of the mounting method of the acoustic couplant 610. 31 (b) shows a sectional view taken along line FF of the sensor unit 400 of FIG. 31 (a). In the example of FIG. 31, the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 611 of the acoustic couplant 610 is fixed to the lower surface of the fitting portion 521 of the lower housing portion 520 by the plurality of screw members 422. As a result, the acoustic couplant 610 is attached to the housing portion 500.

FIG. 32 is a side view and a cross-sectional view of the lower housing portion 520 in the third modification of the mounting method of the acoustic couplant 610. 32 (b) shows a sectional view taken along line GG of the sensor unit 400 of FIG. 32 (a). In the example of FIG. 32, the acoustic coplant 610 and the holding member 620 are integrally formed. In this state, the plurality of hooking portions 625 of the holding member 620 and the plurality of hooking portions 529 of the lower housing portion 520 are coupled to each other. As a result, the acoustic couplant 610 is attached to the housing portion 500.

In the examples of FIGS. 30 and 31, the holding member 620 is not provided in the joint portion 600. In the example of FIG. 30 or FIG. 31, instead of using the adhesive member 421 or the plurality of screw members 422, the acoustic coplant 610 and the lower housing portion 520 are integrally formed to form the housing portion 500. The acoustic couplant 610 may be attached to the. In the example of FIG. 32, instead of using the plurality of hooking portions 625, the acoustic coplant 610 may be attached to the housing portion 500 by using an adhesive member or a plurality of screw members.

(2) Crushing amount regulation method In the present embodiment, the fitting end face portion 521B is a crushing amount regulating portion of the acoustic coplant 610. In this method, the amount of crushing of the acoustic couplant 610 is restricted by the lower end surface of the fitting end surface portion 521B coming into contact with the pipe 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The amount of crushing of the acoustic couplant 610 may be regulated by another method.

FIG. 33 is a side view and a cross-sectional view of the flow rate switch 1 in the first modification of the crushing amount regulation method of the acoustic couplant 610. 33 (b) shows a sectional view taken along line OH of the flow rate switch 1 of FIG. 33 (a). In the example of FIG. 33, crushing amount limiting screws 401 are provided at both ends of the housing portion 500 in the longitudinal direction so as to penetrate in the vertical direction. Each crushing amount restricting screw 401 is arranged at a substantially central portion of the housing portion 500 in the width direction.

The tip of each crushing amount regulating screw 401 projects below the lower surface of the housing portion 500. By operating each crushing amount regulating screw 401 from above with a tool such as a screwdriver, it is possible to adjust the protrusion amount of the tip of each crushing amount regulating screw 401 with respect to the lower surface of the housing portion 500.

When the flow rate switch 1 is attached to the pipe 2, the acoustic pumpplant 610 is crushed by the lower surface of the housing portion 500. Here, when the tip of each crushing amount regulating screw 401 comes into contact with the pipe 2, the downward movement of the sensor portion 400 on the clamp portion 100 is stopped, and the crushing of the acoustic pumpplant 610 by the housing portion 500 is performed. Stop. As a result, the amount of crushing of the acoustic couplant 610 is regulated.

FIG. 34 is a side view and a cross-sectional view of the flow rate switch 1 in the second modification of the crushing amount regulation method of the acoustic couplant 610. 34 (b) shows a sectional view taken along line I-I of the flow rate switch 1 of FIG. 34 (a). In the example of FIG. 34, the plate-shaped crushing amount regulating member 402 is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 2 so as to correspond to the lower surfaces of both ends of the housing portion 500 in the longitudinal direction. The thickness of each crushing amount regulating member 402 in the vertical direction is smaller than the thickness of the bottom surface portion 611 (FIG. 20) of the acoustic couplant 610 in the vertical direction.

When the flow rate switch 1 is attached to the pipe 2, the acoustic pumpplant 610 is crushed by the lower surface of the housing portion 500. Here, when the lower surfaces of both ends of the housing portion 500 in the longitudinal direction come into contact with the upper surface of the crushing amount regulating member 402, the downward movement of the sensor portion 400 on the clamp portion 100 is stopped and the housing portion is stopped. The crushing of the acoustic couplant 610 by 500 is stopped. As a result, the amount of crushing of the acoustic couplant 610 is regulated.

In this example, the crushing amount regulating member 402 can be arranged at a desired position between the housing portion 500 and the outer surface of the pipe 2. As a result, the degree of freedom in arranging the crushing amount regulating member 402 is improved.

FIG. 35 is a side view and a cross-sectional view of the flow rate switch 1 in the third modification of the crushing amount regulation method of the acoustic couplant 610. 35 (b) shows a sectional view taken along line JJ of the flow rate switch 1 of FIG. 35 (a). In the example of FIG. 35, a plurality of (two in this example) crushing amount controlling protrusions 101 correspond to the lower surfaces of both ends of the outer flange portion 522 of the housing portion 500 in the longitudinal direction of the upper clamp member 200. It is formed on the upper surface.

The tip of each crushing amount regulating protrusion 101 projects upward from the upper surface of the clamp portion 100. The amount of protrusion of the tip of each crushing amount regulating projection 101 with respect to the upper surface of the clamp portion 100 is smaller than the thickness of the bottom surface portion 611 (FIG. 20) of the acoustic couplant 610 in the vertical direction.

When the flow rate switch 1 is attached to the pipe 2, the acoustic pumpplant 610 is crushed by the lower surface of the housing portion 500. Here, when the lower surfaces of both ends of the outer flange portion 522 of the housing portion 500 in the longitudinal direction come into contact with the tips of the plurality of crushing amount regulating projections 101, the downward movement of the sensor portion 400 on the clamp portion 100 is stopped. At the same time, the crushing of the acoustic couplant 610 by the housing portion 500 is stopped. As a result, the amount of crushing of the acoustic couplant 610 is regulated.

In the third modification of the crushing amount controlling method of the acoustic couplant 610, the crushing amount controlling protrusion 101 is not provided on the upper surface of the upper clamp member 200, and the housing portion 500 is in contact with the upper clamp member 200. It may be provided on the lower surface. In this example, the operator can handle the crushing amount regulating protrusion 101 together with one of the housing portion 500 and the clamp portion 100, so that the handleability of the flow rate switch 1 is improved. In addition, the efficiency of the installation work of the flow rate switch 1 is improved.

FIG. 36 is a side view and a cross-sectional view of the flow rate switch 1 in the fourth modification of the crushing amount regulation method of the acoustic couplant 610. 36 (b) shows a sectional view taken along line KK of the flow rate switch 1 of FIG. 36 (a). In the example of FIG. 36, the plate-shaped crushing amount regulating member 403 is arranged on the upper surface of the upper clamp member 200 so as to correspond to the lower surfaces of both ends of the outer flange portion 522 of the housing portion 500 in the longitudinal direction. The thickness of each crushing amount regulating member 403 in the vertical direction is smaller than the thickness of the bottom surface portion 611 (FIG. 20) of the acoustic couplant 610 in the vertical direction.

When the flow rate switch 1 is attached to the pipe 2, the acoustic pumpplant 610 is crushed by the lower surface of the housing portion 500. Here, when the lower surfaces of both ends of the outer flange portion 522 of the housing portion 500 in the longitudinal direction come into contact with the upper surface of the crushing amount regulating member 403, the downward movement of the sensor portion 400 on the clamp portion 100 is stopped. , The crushing of the acoustic couplant 610 by the housing portion 500 is stopped. As a result, the amount of crushing of the acoustic couplant 610 is regulated.

In this example, the crushing amount regulating member 403 can be arranged at a desired position between the housing portion 500 and the upper clamp member 200. As a result, the degree of freedom in arranging the crushing amount controlling member 403 is improved.

FIG. 37 is an end view and a cross-sectional view of the flow rate switch 1 in the fifth modification of the crushing amount regulation method of the acoustic couplant 610. 37 (b) shows a sectional view taken along line LL of the flow rate switch 1 of FIG. 37 (a). In the example of FIG. 37, plate-shaped crushing amount regulating members 601 are arranged on both end faces of the acoustic coplant 610 so as to correspond to the lower surfaces of both ends of the outer flange portion 522 of the housing portion 500 in the longitudinal direction.

The thickness of each crushing amount regulating member 601 in the vertical direction is smaller than the thickness of the bottom surface portion 611 (FIG. 20) of the acoustic pumpplant 610 in the vertical direction. The crushing amount controlling member 601 may be adhered to the acoustic coplant 610 by an adhesive member, or may be integrally formed with the acoustic coplant 610.

When the flow rate switch 1 is attached to the pipe 2, the acoustic pumpplant 610 is crushed by the lower surface of the housing portion 500. Here, when the acoustic couplant 610 is crushed until the thickness of the bottom surface portion 611 of the acoustic couplant 610 becomes substantially equal to the thickness of each crushing amount regulating member 601, the lower end surface of each crushing amount regulating member 601 becomes the pipe 2. Contact. In this case, the downward movement of the sensor portion 400 on the clamp portion 100 is stopped, and the crushing of the acoustic coplant 610 by the housing portion 500 is stopped. As a result, the amount of crushing of the acoustic couplant 610 is regulated.

In this case, since the operator can handle the crushing amount controlling member 601 together with the acoustic pumpplant 610, the handleability of the flow rate switch 1 is improved. In addition, the efficiency of the installation work of the flow rate switch 1 is improved.

(3) Shape of Notch In the present embodiment, the notch 241 of each end face portion 240 of the upper clamp member 200 has two vertical cut surfaces 211, one horizontal cut surface 212, and two inclined cut surfaces. It has a polygonal shape including 213, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The cutout portion 241 of each end face portion 240 of the upper clamp member 200 may have any of the shapes of the following first to fourth deformation examples, or a shape in which the first to fourth deformation examples are combined. It may have other shapes.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a first modification of the shape of the cutout portion 241. As shown in FIG. 38, in the first modification of the shape of the notch 241 the notch 241 includes a curved cut surface 212a instead of the horizontal cut surface 212 of FIG. 4 (a). The curved cut surface 212a is connected so as to be curved between the upper portion of one inclined cut surface 213 and the upper portion of the other inclined cut surface 213.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a second modification of the shape of the notch portion 241. As shown in FIG. 39, in the second modification of the shape of the cutout portion 241, the cutout portion 241 replaces the two inclined cut surfaces 213 of FIG. 4 (a) with two steeply inclined cut surfaces 213a. And includes two gently sloping cut surfaces 213b.

One steeply inclined cut surface 213a extends inward while being inclined from the upper part of the one vertical cut surface 211. One gently inclined cut surface 213b extends inward while being inclined from the upper part of one steeply inclined cut surface 213a. The other steeply inclined cut surface 213a extends inward while being inclined from the upper part of the other vertical cut surface 211. The other gently inclined cut surface 213b extends inward while being inclined from the upper part of the other steeply inclined cut surface 213a. The horizontal cut surface 212 connects between the inner ends of the two gently sloping cut surfaces 213b so as to extend horizontally.

The inclination of the steeply inclined cut surface 213a with respect to the horizontal direction is larger than the inclination of the gently inclined cut surface 213b. In the example of FIG. 39, the two gently inclined cut surfaces 213b abut on the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the pipe 2. Instead of the two gently inclined cut surfaces 213b, the two steeply inclined cut surfaces 213a may be configured to abut on the outer peripheral surface of the upper part of the pipe 2.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a third modification of the shape of the notch portion 241. As shown in FIG. 40, in the third modification of the shape of the notch 241 the notch 241 does not include the horizontal cut surface 212 of FIG. 4 (a) and is inside the two inclined cut surfaces 213. The ends of the are connected to each other at approximately the center of the end face 240 in the width direction.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a fourth modification of the shape of the notch portion 241. As shown in FIG. 41, in the fourth modification of the shape of the notch 241 the notch 241 does not include the two vertical cut surfaces 211 of FIG. 4 (a) and is outside each inclined cut surface 213. One end extends to the end of the end face 240 in the width direction. The outer end of each inclined cut surface 213 may extend to the end of the end face 240 in the vertical direction rather than in the width direction.

(4) Arrangement of ultrasonic elements In the present embodiment, two ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 are joined to a common path member 530 and integrally held by a common housing portion 500. The invention is not limited to this. The two ultrasonic elements 710, 720 may be joined to separate path members 530. In this case, the two ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 may be held by the common housing portion 500 or may be individually held by the separate housing portion 500. This improves the degree of freedom in arranging the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720. The electronic circuit unit 800 may be held by one housing unit 500 or may be held by both housing units 500.

FIG. 42 is a side view of the flow rate switch 1 in the first modification of the arrangement of the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720. In the example of FIG. 42, two housing portions 500 and two clamp portions 100 are prepared. The ultrasonic element 710 is held by one housing portion 500, and is attached to the pipe 2 by the one clamp portion 100. The ultrasonic element 720 is held by the other housing portion 500 and is attached to the pipe 2 by the other clamp portion 100. The two housing portions 500 may be arranged so as to face each other with the pipe 2 interposed therebetween.

FIG. 43 is a side view of the flow rate switch 1 in the second modification of the arrangement of the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720. In the example of FIG. 43, two housing portions 500 are prepared. The lower clamp member 300 of the clamp portion 100 can attach the housing portion 500 to the pipe 2. The ultrasonic element 710 is held by one housing portion 500 and is attached to the pipe 2 by the upper clamp member 200. The ultrasonic element 720 is held by the other housing portion 500 and is attached to the pipe 2 by the lower clamp member 300.

In this case, the ultrasonic element 710 and the ultrasonic element 720 are arranged so as to face each other with the pipe 2 interposed therebetween. This makes it possible to calculate the flow rate of the fluid in the pipe 2 using the transmission type configuration without adding a member.

(5) Configuration of Clamp portion In the present embodiment, the upper clamp member 200 and the lower clamp member 300 of the clamp portion 100 are separably configured, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The upper clamp member 200 and the lower clamp member 300 of the clamp portion 100 may be integrally configured. Alternatively, the clamp portion 100 may not include the lower clamp member 300.

FIG. 44 is an end view of the flow rate switch 1 in the first modification of the configuration of the clamp portion 100. In the example of FIG. 44, a part of the upper clamp member 200 of the clamp part 100 and a part of the lower clamp member 300 are joined by the hinge part 111. As a result, the upper clamp member 200 and the lower clamp member 300 can sandwich the pipe 2 in a state where a part of the upper clamp member 200 and the lower clamp member 300 are fixed. In this example, since the upper clamp member 200 and the lower clamp member 300 of the clamp portion 100 are integrally configured, the handleability of the clamp portion 100 is improved.

FIG. 45 is an end view of the flow rate switch 1 in the second modification of the configuration of the clamp portion 100. In the example of FIG. 45, the clamp portion 100 does not include the lower clamp member 300, but includes a binding band 112. The upper clamp member 200 is fixed to the pipe 2 by the binding band 112. In this case, the sensor unit 400 is attached to the pipe 2 by the upper clamp member 200 and the binding band 112.

[6] Effect (1) Effect by the housing portion In the flow rate switch 1 according to the present embodiment, the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 are acoustically connected to the element coupling surfaces 530A and 530B of the path member 530 of the housing portion 500, respectively. Combine. The pipe coupling surface 530C of the path member 530 of the housing portion 500 is acoustically coupled to the pipe 2. According to this configuration, the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 are supported by the path member 530 in a desired position and a desired posture. As a result, the ultrasonic element 710 is arranged so as to transmit the ultrasonic wave to the fluid in the pipe 2, and the ultrasonic element 720 is arranged so as to receive the ultrasonic wave propagating in the fluid in the pipe 2. Will be easier.

Further, the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic element 710 are guided to the pipe 2 through the path member 530, and the ultrasonic waves propagating in the fluid in the pipe 2 are guided to the ultrasonic element 720 through the path member 530. Here, since the path member 530 is formed of a member that transmits ultrasonic waves, the acoustic transparency of the path member 530 is improved.

As described above, it is not necessary to separately provide the member that supports the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 and the member that constitutes the ultrasonic path. This reduces component costs, manufacturing costs and assembly costs. Further, since the member supporting the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 and the member constituting the ultrasonic path are integrally bonded, even if there is a temperature change and a mechanical load, the ultrasonic wave is generated at the bonded portion. Transmission and reception efficiency is not reduced. In addition, liquid such as water or oil does not infiltrate from the joint portion. Further, the assembly process of the flow rate switch 1 can be simplified. As a result, it becomes possible to easily manufacture the flow rate switch 1 at low cost without deteriorating the efficiency of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.

Further, a part of the ultrasonic control mechanism 700 and the electronic circuit unit 800 is housed in the housing unit 500 composed of the upper housing unit 510, the lower housing unit 520, and the path member 530. The housing portion 500 includes a seal member 541 for a display portion, a seal member 542 for a connection portion, a seal member 543 for an operation portion, a seal member 544 for a lamp, a seal member between housings 545, a seal member between housing paths 546, and the like. A waterproof structure is provided. This improves the durability of the flow rate switch 1, such as heat resistance, water resistance, and oil resistance.

(2) Effect of clamp portion In the flow rate switch 1 according to the present implementation, the clamp portion 100 is attached to the outer surface of the pipe 2. The sensor portion 400 is fixed to the clamp portion 100 by the sensor fixing screw 410. Here, in a state where the sensor portion 400 is not fixed to the clamp portion 100, the displacement of the sensor portion 400 in the axial direction of the pipe 2 and the circumferential direction of the pipe 2 is restricted, but the sensor in the radial direction of the pipe 2 is restricted. Displacement of the part 400 is allowed. In this case, the mounting position of the sensor portion 400 in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the pipe 2 is determined by the mounting position of the clamp portion 100. Further, the position of the sensor portion 400 in the radial direction of the pipe 2 can be adjusted on the clamp portion 100.

According to this configuration, the fixing force of the clamp portion 100 to the pipe 2 and the fixing force of the sensor portion 400 to the clamp portion 100 can be adjusted separately. Therefore, by firmly fixing the clamp portion 100 to the pipe 2, the position of the sensor portion 400 in the axial direction and the circumferential direction of the pipe 2 can be determined. After that, by operating the sensor fixing screw 410, the position of the sensor unit 400 in the radial direction of the pipe 2 can be determined so that the sensor unit 400 sufficiently contacts the pipe 2.

Therefore, even when the sensor unit 400 is attached to the pipe 2 having various dimensions, it is not necessary to bring the sensor unit 400 into contact with the pipe 2 excessively strongly, so that the position of the ultrasonic wave emitting portion is not damaged. Can be determined accurately. Further, if the position of the ultrasonic wave emitting portion is accurately determined, it becomes easy to adjust the ultrasonic wave receiving sensitivity to a desired value. As a result, the flow rate switch 1 can be stably attached to the pipe 2 having various dimensions.

Further, the end face portion 240 of the upper clamp member 200 includes two inclined cut surfaces 213. The two inclined cutting surfaces 213 intersect the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface of the sensor unit 400 and are inclined on one side and the other side of the symmetric plane so as to be inclined symmetrically with respect to the symmetric plane including the radial direction and the axial center direction, respectively. To position.

According to this configuration, even when the clamp portion 100 is attached to the pipe 2 having various dimensions, the two inclined cut surfaces 213 of the clamp portion 100 come into contact with the pipe 2. Thereby, the fixing force of the clamp portion 100 to the pipe 2 can be improved. Further, the transmission / reception surface of the sensor unit 400 is located between the two inclined cutting surfaces 213. Therefore, even when the clamp portion 100 is attached to the pipe 2 having various dimensions, the sensor portion 400 is not displaced on the clamp portion 100 in the axial direction of the pipe 2 and the circumferential direction of the pipe 2, and is in the radial direction of the pipe 2. The sensor unit 400 can be displaced only in.

Further, at least one point of the bottom surface portion 310 of the lower clamp member 300 of the clamp portion 100 comes into contact with the pipe 2. Therefore, the fixing force of the clamp portion 100 to the pipe 2 can be improved regardless of the outer diameter of the pipe 2. Further, even if the clamp portion 100 is firmly fixed to the pipe 2, the pipe 2 is prevented from being deformed into an elliptical shape.

(3) Effect of coupling portion In the flow rate switch 1 according to the present embodiment, when the clamp portion 100 is attached to the outer surface of the pipe 2 and the sensor portion 400 is held by the clamp portion 100, the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 The acoustic switch 610 is pressed against the outer surface of the pipe 2 so that the sound is acoustically coupled to the pipe 2. Here, the crushing amount of the acoustic couplant 610 at the portion where the crushing amount of the acoustic couplant 610 by the pipe 2 is the largest is regulated by the fitting end face portion 521B of the housing portion 500.

According to this configuration, even when the sensor unit 400 is attached to the pipe 2 having a relatively large outer diameter, the acoustic coplant 610 is connected to the pipe 2 so that the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 and the pipe 2 are acoustically and securely connected. Is pressed against. On the other hand, even when the sensor unit 400 is attached to the pipe 2 having a relatively small outer diameter, the maximum crushing amount of the acoustic couplant 610 is surely regulated, so that the acoustic couplant 610 is damaged by excessive crushing by the pipe 2. Is prevented.

In these cases, the maximum crushing amount of the acoustic couplant 610 is restricted to a constant value regardless of the outer diameter of the pipe 2 and the operator, and the acoustic couplant 610 has a constant thickness even in the minimum thickness portion. As a result, the acoustic coupling between the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 and the pipe 2 is uniformly determined. As a result, the flow rate switch 1 can be stably attached to the pipe 2 having various dimensions without impairing the uniformity of the performance of the flow rate switch 1.

Further, in the present embodiment, the fitting end face portion 521B is integrally provided in the housing portion 500 as the crushing amount regulating portion. The contact between the fitting end surface portion 521B and the outer surface of the pipe 2 regulates the distance between the outer surface of the pipe 2 and the lower surface of the path member 530. As a result, the amount of crushing of the acoustic couplant 610 is regulated.

In this case, since it is not necessary to separately prepare the crushing amount regulating unit, the number of parts of the flow rate switch 1 can be reduced. Further, since the operator can handle the crushing amount regulating portion together with the housing portion 500, the handleability of the flow rate switch 1 is improved. Further, the efficiency of the installation work of the flow rate switch 1 is improved.

Further, the acoustic couplant 610 can be attached to and detached from the housing portion 500 by the holding member 620. Therefore, it becomes easy to attach the acoustic coplant 610 to the housing portion 500 and to remove the acoustic coplant 610 from the housing portion 500. As a result, the worker can easily perform the replacement work of the acoustic couplant 610. As a result, the maintenance cost of the flow rate switch 1 can be reduced.

(4) Effect of Other Sensors In the flow switch 1 according to the present embodiment, the clamp fixing screw 110 and the sensor fixing screw 410 can be operated from a common direction (vertical direction in this example). Further, the display unit 821 is provided so as to be visible from a common direction, and the connection unit 830 is provided so that the cable 3 can be connected from a common direction.

In this case, the operator can efficiently attach the clamp portion 100 to the pipe 2 and fix the sensor portion 400 to the clamp portion 100 by the sensor fixing screw 410 from a common direction. In addition, the user can easily see the display unit 821 from a common direction. Further, the cable 3 can be easily connected to the connection portion 830 without interfering with the pipe 2.

[7] Other Embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, the sensor unit 400 calculates the flow rate Q of the fluid flowing in the pipe 2 by the equation (2) based on the propagation time difference method. Not limited to. The sensor unit 400 may calculate the flow rate Q of the fluid flowing in the pipe 2 based on the Doppler method. In this case, one of the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 may be configured by the ultrasonic transmitting element, and the other of the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 may be configured by the ultrasonic receiving element.

(2) In the above embodiment, the electronic circuit unit 800 includes a display unit 821 and an indicator lamp 850, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The electronic circuit unit 800 may not include the display unit 821 or may not include the display lamp 850.

(3) In the above embodiment, the lower housing portion 520 and the path member 530 are formed as separate bodies, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The lower housing portion 520 and the path member 530 may be integrally formed. In this case, waterproofing between the lower housing portion 520 and the path member 530 can be easily performed.

(4) In the above embodiment, the waterproof structure is not formed in the joint portion between the lower housing portion 520 and the joint portion 600, but the present invention is not limited to this. A waterproof structure may be formed at the joint portion between the lower housing portion 520 and the joint portion 600.

(5) In the above embodiment, the housing portion 500 includes one path member 530, and the element coupling surfaces 530A and 530B and the common pipe coupling surface 530C are formed on the path member 530. Not limited to this. The housing portion 500 may include two path members 530 provided as separate bodies. In this configuration, the element coupling surface 530A and the pipe coupling surface 530C are formed on one path member 530, and the element coupling surface 530B and the piping coupling surface 530C are formed on the other path member 530.

(6) In the above embodiment, the upper clamp member 200 of the housing portion 500 is provided with a movable portion 220 at the fixed portion 210, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The upper clamp member 200 does not have to be provided with the movable portion 220 in the fixed portion 210. In particular, when the sensor unit 400 is attached to the clamp unit 100 and the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 are located below the sensor unit 400, the plurality of clamp fixing screws 110 cannot be operated from above. In such a case, it is not necessary to provide the movable portion 220 on the fixed portion 210.

(7) In the above embodiment, each clamp fixing screw 110 is provided with a posture maintaining mechanism 120, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The posture maintaining mechanism 120 may not be provided on each clamp fixing screw 110. In particular, when the clamp portion 100 is attached to the horizontally extending pipe 2, each clamp fixing screw 110 is maintained substantially vertically, so that it is not necessary to provide the posture maintaining mechanism 120 on each clamp fixing screw 110.

Further, when the size of the clamp portion 100 is small and the clamp fixing screw 110 is short, even if the clamp portion 100 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction or the width direction faces the vertical direction, each clamp fixing screw 110 is substantially vertical. Be maintained. Even in such a case, it is not necessary to provide the posture maintaining mechanism 120 on each clamp fixing screw 110.

(8) In the above embodiment, by selecting the lower clamp member 300 in the first direction and the second direction, the screw holes into which the clamp fixing screw 110 is screwed are formed by the screw holes 331h and the screw holes 332h. It is selected, but the invention is not limited to this. By another method, the screw hole into which the clamp fixing screw 110 is screwed may be selectable between the screw hole 331h and the screw hole 332h.

For example, the lower clamp member 300 may be further provided with a screw hole 331h or a screw hole 332h so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction. In this case, by selecting the position of the upper clamp member 200 with respect to the lower clamp member 300 in the longitudinal direction, the screw hole into which the clamp fixing screw 110 is screwed can be selected between the screw hole 331h and the screw hole 332h.

(9) In the above embodiment, the clamp fixing screw 110 and the sensor fixing screw 410 are provided so as to be operable from a common direction, the display unit 821 is provided so as to be visible from the common direction, and the connection portion 830 is provided in the common direction. Although the cable 3 can be connected to the cable 3, the present invention is not limited to this. The clamp fixing screw 110 and the sensor fixing screw 410 may be provided so as to be operable from another direction, the display portion 821 may be provided so as to be visible from the other direction, and the connection portion 830 may be provided from the other direction. The cable 3 may be provided so as to be connectable. Alternatively, the display unit 821 or the connection unit 830 may be rotatably provided with respect to the housing unit 500 so as to face in any direction.

(10) In the above embodiment, it is preferable that the acoustic couplant 610 is arranged so as to acoustically couple both the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720, the ultrasonic element, and the pipe 2, but this is the present invention. Not limited to. The acoustic coplant 610 may be arranged so as to acoustically couple at least one of the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 with the pipe 2.

(11) In the above embodiment, it is preferable that the sensor unit 400 is attached to the pipe 2 by the clamp unit 100, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The sensor unit 400 may be attached to the pipe 2 by a binding band similar to the binding band 112 of FIG. 45.

(12) In the above embodiment, it is preferable that the solid-shaped acoustic couplant 610 is attached to the housing portion 500, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The acoustic couplant 610 may not be attached to the housing portion 500. In this case, an acoustic coplant is arranged between the pipe 2 and the housing portion 500. The acoustic coplant may have an individual shape, a liquid shape, or a semi-liquid shape.

[8] Correspondence between each component of the claim and each part of the embodiment The example of correspondence between each component of the claim and each part of the embodiment will be described below. Not limited.

In the above embodiment, the pipe 2 is an example of a pipe, the flow rate switch 1 is an example of an ultrasonic flow switch, and the ultrasonic elements 710 and 720 are examples of the first and second ultrasonic elements, respectively. .. The control unit 811 is an example of a calculation unit and an output unit, the sensor unit 400 is an example of an element holding unit, the clamp unit 100 is an example of a mounting unit, and the element coupling surfaces 530A and 530B are first and second, respectively. This is an example of the element coupling surface of. The pipe joint surface 530C is an example of the pipe joint surface and the first and second pipe joint surfaces, the route member 530 is an example of the route member, and the upper housing portion 510 and the lower housing portion 520 are examples of the accommodating portion. The housing path-to-path sealing member 546 is an example of a waterproof structure.

The ends a1, a2, b1 and b2 are examples of the first to fourth ends, respectively, the ultrasonic shielding plate 730 is an example of the first ultrasonic shielding member, and the element back sound wave blocking member 712,722. Is an example of the second ultrasonic shielding member. The filling member 740 is an example of an ultrasonic shielding agent, the filling member 750 is an example of a heat insulating member, and the element fixing members 713 and 723 are examples of the first and second element fixing members, respectively. The acoustic bonding agent 711 and 721 are examples of the acoustic bonding agent, the sensor fixing screw 410 is an example of the fixing member, the display unit 821 is an example of the display unit, and the connecting unit 830 is an example of the connecting unit.

As each component of the claim, various other components having the structure or function described in the claim can also be used.

[9] Reference mode (1) The ultrasonic flow switch according to this reference mode is an ultrasonic flow switch attached to a pipe via a fixture, and is the first ultrasonic flow switch that transmits and receives at least ultrasonic waves. Ultrasonic element, a second ultrasonic element that transmits and receives at least ultrasonic waves, and a fluid in a pipe based on the output signal of at least one of the first and second ultrasonic elements. It includes a calculation unit that calculates the flow rate and an element holding unit that holds the first and second ultrasonic elements waterproofly and integrally or individually. Each has an opening for fixing to the fixture, a first element coupling surface that supports the first ultrasonic element so as to acoustically couple with the first ultrasonic element, and a second element coupling surface. The first element coupling surface, which includes a second element coupling surface that supports the second ultrasonic element so as to acoustically couple with the ultrasonic element, and a pipe coupling surface that acoustically couples with the piping, In the element coupling surface and the pipe coupling surface of 2, the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the first ultrasonic element are guided into the fluid in the pipe through the first element coupling surface and the pipe coupling surface, and the fluid in the pipe is introduced. The ultrasonic waves propagating through the inside are arranged so as to be received by the second ultrasonic element through the pipe coupling surface and the second element coupling surface.

In this ultrasonic flow switch, the first and second ultrasonic elements are held waterproofly and integrally or individually by the element holding portion. The first and second ultrasonic elements are acoustically coupled to the first and second element coupling surfaces of the element holding portion, respectively. The element holding portion is attached to the outer surface of the pipe by the attachment tool. As a result, the pipe coupling surface of the element holding portion is acoustically coupled to the pipe.

The ultrasonic waves transmitted by the first ultrasonic element are guided into the fluid in the pipe through the first element coupling surface and the pipe coupling surface. The ultrasonic waves propagating in the fluid in the pipe are received by the second ultrasonic element through the pipe coupling surface and the second element coupling surface. The flow rate of the fluid in the pipe is calculated based on the output signal of at least one of the first and second ultrasonic elements.

According to this configuration, the first and second ultrasonic elements are supported by the element holding portion in a desired position and a desired posture. Further, the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the first ultrasonic element is guided to the pipe through a part of the element holding portion, and the ultrasonic wave propagating in the fluid in the pipe is guided to the pipe through a part of the element holding portion. It is guided to the second ultrasonic element.

In this case, it is not necessary to separately provide the member that supports the first and second ultrasonic elements and the member that constitutes the ultrasonic path. This reduces component costs, manufacturing costs and assembly costs. Further, since the member supporting the first and second ultrasonic elements and the member constituting the ultrasonic path are integrally joined, even when there is a temperature change and a mechanical load, the joint portion is joined. The efficiency of ultrasonic transmission and reception is not reduced. In addition, liquid such as water or oil does not infiltrate from the joint portion. Furthermore, the assembly process of the ultrasonic flow switch can be simplified. As a result, it becomes possible to easily manufacture an ultrasonic flow rate switch at low cost without deteriorating the efficiency of ultrasonic transmission and reception.

(2) The element holding unit may further include a display unit provided between both ends of the element holding unit and displaying the flow rate calculated by the calculation unit.

(3) The element holding unit may further include an indicator lamp provided between both ends of the element holding unit and displaying an on / off signal based on a comparison result between the flow rate calculated by the calculation unit and the threshold value.

(4) The element holding portion includes a path member having a first and second element coupling surface and a piping coupling surface and transmitting ultrasonic waves, and the first and second element coupling surfaces and the piping coupling surface are It may be formed on opposite sides of the path members.

(5) The element holding portion further includes an accommodating portion for accommodating the first and second ultrasonic elements, and the path member may be attached to the accommodating portion via a waterproof structure.

(6) The pipe coupling surface is a first piping coupling surface that guides ultrasonic waves from the first element coupling surface to the piping and a second piping coupling surface that guides ultrasonic waves from the piping to the second element coupling surface. The path member may be formed of a common member having first and second element coupling surfaces and first and second piping coupling surfaces.

(7) The pipe coupling surface is a first piping coupling surface that guides ultrasonic waves from the first element coupling surface to the piping and a second piping coupling surface that guides ultrasonic waves from the piping to the second element coupling surface. The path member includes a first member having a first element coupling surface and a first pipe coupling surface, and a second member having a second element coupling surface and a second piping coupling surface. It may be formed.

The present invention can be effectively used for various ultrasonic flow switches.

1 Flow switch 2 Piping 3 Cable 100 Clamp part 101 Crushing amount control protrusion 110 Clamp fixing screw 111 Butterfly part 112 Bundling band 120 Attitude maintenance mechanism 121 Circular member 122 Spring member 200 Upper clamp member 210 Fixed part 211 Vertical cutting surface 212 Horizontal Cut surface 212a Curved cut surface 213 Inclined cut surface 213a Steeply inclined cut surface 213b Slowly inclined cut surface 220 Movable part 230 Top surface part 231,331h, 332h, 517,525,528 Screw hole 232,241 Notch 233 Protruding part 234 Recessed part 240 , 320 End face part 250, 330, 622 Side part 260 Contact part 261 Horizontal part 262 Inclined part 263 Through hole 300 Lower clamp member 310,531,611,621 Bottom part 321,331,331A, 331B, 332,332A, 332B Projecting piece 333 Inclined piece 400 Sensor part 401 Crushing amount control screw 402,403,601 Crushing amount control member 410 Sensor fixing screw 421 Adhesive member 422 Screw member 500 Housing part 501 Housing fixing screw 502,503 Sheet metal fixing screw 510 Upper housing part 511 Window part 512,526,527,552a to 552c,553a Screw opening 513 Display part opening 513F Display part flange 514 Connection part opening 514F Connection part flange 515 Operation part opening 515F Operation part Flange 516 Lamp opening 516F Lamp flange 520 Lower housing part 521 Fitting part 521A Fitting side part 521B Fitting end face part 522,532,612 Outer flange part 523 Inner flange part 523a, 523b, 523c, 624 Positioning protrusions 524 Convex part 259 Hooking part 530 Path member 530A, 530B Element coupling surface 530C Piping coupling surface 533,534 Protruding structure 535 Shielding plate opening 536a to 536c, 614 Positioning opening 541 Display part sealing member 542 Connection part sealing member 543 Sealing member for operation part 544 Sealing member for lamp 545 Sealing member between housings 546 Sealing member between housing paths 551 Piping contact surface reinforcing sheet metal 552 Lower housing part reinforcing sheet metal 553 Route fixing sheet metal 600 Coupling part 610 Acoustic coplant 613 Slit 620 Retaining member 623 Cplant opening 700 Ultrasonic control mechanism 710,720 Ultrasonic element 711,721 Acoustic bonding agent 712,722 Element back sound wave blocking member 713,723 Element fixing member 730 Ultrasonic shielding plate 740,750 Filling member 800 Electronic circuit part 810 Control board 811 Control part 812 Storage part 820 Display board 821 Display part 830 Connection part 831 Flange part 840 Operation part 850 Display lamp a1, a2, b1, b2 End part

(1) The ultrasonic flow switch according to the first invention is an ultrasonic flow switch attached to the outer surface of a pipe, and includes a first ultrasonic element that transmits and receives at least ultrasonic waves and an ultrasonic element. A second ultrasonic element that receives at least one of the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, and a calculation unit that calculates the flow rate of the fluid in the pipe based on the output signal of at least one of the first and second ultrasonic elements. an element holding section for holding the first and second ultrasonic element to be waterproof, and a sound couplant formed by soft elastic material, the element holding portion, acoustically coupled to the first ultrasonic element A first element coupling surface that supports the first ultrasonic element and a second element coupling surface that supports the second ultrasonic element so as to acoustically couple with the second ultrasonic element. The acoustic coplant comprises a pipe coupling surface that acoustically couples to the pipe, a first and second element coupling surface, and one or more path members that have a piping coupling surface and transmit ultrasonic waves. It is fixed to the element holding portion so as to be arranged between the member and the pipe, and the first element coupling surface, the second element coupling surface and the pipe coupling surface are formed by the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the first ultrasonic element. The ultrasonic waves guided into the fluid in the pipe through the first element coupling surface and the pipe coupling surface and propagated in the fluid in the pipe pass through the pipe coupling surface and the second element coupling surface to the second ultrasonic wave. Arranged to be received by the ultrasonic element.

(2) The acoustic couplant may be detachably fixed to the element holding portion.

(3) The element holding portion may further include a crushing amount regulating portion that regulates the crushing amount of the acoustic coplant when attached to the pipe.

(4) The element holding portion may further include a fixing screw for attaching the element holding portion to the clamp member attached to the pipe.

(5) The fixing screw may be provided at each of both ends of the element holding portion, and the element holding portion may further include a display unit provided between both ends and displaying the flow rate calculated by the calculation unit.

(6) The element holding unit may further include a display board corresponding to the display unit.

(7) Fixing screws are provided at both ends of the element holding portion, the element holding portion integrally holds the first and second ultrasonic elements, and the element holding portion is between both ends. It may further include a control substrate provided and connected to the first and second ultrasonic elements.

(8) The element holding part integrally holds the first and second ultrasonic elements, and the element holding part is provided with an ultrasonic shielding agent that partially covers the periphery of the first and second ultrasonic elements. Further included, the ultrasonic shielding agent may block the ultrasonic waves guided from the first ultrasonic element to the second ultrasonic element without propagating in the fluid flowing in the pipe.

(9) The ultrasonic flow switch according to the second invention is an ultrasonic flow switch attached to the outer surface of a pipe, and includes a first ultrasonic element that transmits and receives at least ultrasonic waves and an ultrasonic element. A second ultrasonic element that receives at least one of the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, and a calculation unit that calculates the flow rate of the fluid in the pipe based on the output signal of at least one of the first and second ultrasonic elements. The element holding portion is provided with an element holding portion that holds the first and second ultrasonic elements in a waterproof manner and an acoustic coplant formed of a soft elastic body, and the element holding portion is acoustically coupled to the first ultrasonic element. A first element coupling surface that supports the first ultrasonic element and a second element coupling surface that supports the second ultrasonic element so as to acoustically couple with the second ultrasonic element. The acoustic coplant comprises a pipe coupling surface that acoustically couples to the pipe, a first and second element coupling surface, and one or more path members that have a piping coupling surface and transmit ultrasonic waves. It is fixed to the element holding portion so as to be arranged between the member and the pipe.

(10) The element holding portion may further include a fixing screw for attaching the element holding portion to the clamp member attached to the pipe.
(11) The fixing screw may be provided at each of both ends of the element holding portion, and the element holding portion may further include a display unit provided between both ends and displaying the flow rate calculated by the calculation unit.
(12) The element holding unit may further include a display board corresponding to the display unit.
(13) Fixing screws are provided at both ends of the element holding portion, the element holding portion integrally holds the first and second ultrasonic elements, and the element holding portion is between both ends. It may further include a control substrate provided and connected to the first and second ultrasonic elements.

Claims (10)

An ultrasonic flow switch attached to the outer surface of the pipe.
The first ultrasonic element that transmits and receives at least ultrasonic waves, and
A second ultrasonic element that receives at least one of the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves,
A calculation unit that calculates the flow rate of the fluid in the pipe based on the output signal of at least one of the first and second ultrasonic elements.
It is provided with an element holding portion for waterproofing and integrally holding the first and second ultrasonic elements.
The element holding portion is
A first element coupling surface that supports the first ultrasonic element so as to be acoustically coupled to the first ultrasonic element.
A second element coupling surface that supports the second ultrasonic element so as to be acoustically coupled to the second ultrasonic element,
A pipe joint surface that acoustically connects to the pipe,
A first ultrasonic shielding member arranged between the first ultrasonic element and the second ultrasonic element is included.
In the first element coupling surface, the second element coupling surface, and the piping coupling surface, ultrasonic waves transmitted by the first ultrasonic element pass through the first element coupling surface and the piping coupling surface. The ultrasonic waves guided into the fluid in the pipe and propagated in the fluid in the pipe are received by the second ultrasonic element through the pipe coupling surface and the second element coupling surface. An ultrasonic flow switch located in. The element holding portion further includes a second ultrasonic shielding member provided in a non-coupling portion of the first ultrasonic element, which is different from the coupling portion to the first element coupling surface.
The ultrasonic flow switch according to claim 1, wherein the second ultrasonic shielding member blocks ultrasonic waves transmitted from the uncoupled portion of the first ultrasonic element. The element holding portion further contains an ultrasonic shielding agent that partially covers the periphery of the first and second ultrasonic elements.
The method 1 or 2 according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ultrasonic shielding agent blocks ultrasonic waves guided from the first ultrasonic element to the second ultrasonic element without propagating in the fluid flowing in the pipe. Ultrasonic flow switch. The element holding portion includes the first and second element coupling surfaces and a path member having the piping coupling surface and transmitting ultrasonic waves.
The ultrasonic flow rate switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second element coupling surfaces and the piping coupling surface are formed on opposite sides of the path member. The element holding portion further includes an accommodating portion for accommodating the first and second ultrasonic elements.
The ultrasonic flow rate switch according to claim 4, wherein the path member is attached to the accommodating portion via a waterproof structure. The pipe coupling surface is a first pipe coupling surface that guides ultrasonic waves from the first element coupling surface to the pipe, and a second pipe that guides ultrasonic waves from the piping to the second element coupling surface. Including the joint surface
The ultrasonic flow rate switch according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the path member is formed of a common member having the first and second element coupling surfaces and the first and second piping coupling surfaces. The ultrasonic wave according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising an acoustic coplant formed of a soft elastic body and fixed to the element holding portion so as to be arranged between the path member and the pipe. Flow switch. The ultrasonic flow rate switch according to claim 7, wherein the acoustic coplant is detachably fixed to the element holding portion. The ultrasonic flow rate switch according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a slit is formed in the acoustic coplant at a position corresponding to the first ultrasonic shielding member. The ultrasonic flow rate switch according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the element holding portion further includes a crushing amount regulating portion that regulates a crushing amount of the acoustic coplant when attached to the pipe. ..

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