JP2912341B1 - Tilt / vibration sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve reliability in motion detection and obtain good responsiveness. SOLUTION: Two cylindrical cases 7, 8 each formed of a non-magnetic conductive member having openings 7a, 8a on both sides in the axial direction, which are arranged via spacer rings 3 each formed of an insulating member, and each of these cylinders Two circular substrates 9 and 10 made of insulating material and provided with conductive pins 13 and 14 and a conductive pattern 11 on the inner surface side thereof, which are provided in the cases 7 and 8 so as to close the openings 7a and 8a on the side opposite to the spacer ring.
And a movable electrode 5 made of conductive balls disposed between the circular substrates 9 and 10 so as to be freely rollable and housed in the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 and the spacer ring 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tilt / vibration sensor suitable for use as an alarm carried, for example, by a worker in a factory or a maintenance / inspection person of machine equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a portable alarm detects such a condition by a tilt / vibration sensor when a carrier encounters some kind of accident and rolls over or cannot move while sitting down. After that, it is known as a device that automatically reports an emergency using a sounder or a wireless transmitter.

Conventionally, a tilt / vibration sensor for this type of alarm is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-180392, and is configured as shown in FIGS. (A) to (d) of FIG.
The tilt / vibration sensor denoted by reference numeral 101 in FIG. 1 includes a cylindrical body 102, a disk 103, and a movable electrode 104.

[0004] The cylindrical body 102 has two openings 102a and 102b on both sides in the axial direction, and is entirely formed of a non-magnetic conductive member such as aluminum. Disk 103
Is composed of two discs facing each other, and is mounted on the cylindrical body 102 so as to close the openings 102a and 102b.

[0005] Both discs 103 are entirely formed of an insulating member such as epoxy resin. Radial conductive patterns 103a made of copper foil or the like are provided on inner surfaces of both discs 103.
Are formed. The movable electrode 104 is made of a metal ball such as iron, and is disposed between the two circular plates 103 so as to roll freely, and is housed in the cylindrical body 102.

[0006] 105 and 106 are cylindrical bodies 10 respectively.
2 and a conductor connected to the conductive pattern 103a. When the movable electrode 104 rolls and electrical conduction / non-conduction is performed, the ON / OFF time of the output signal (pulse signal) is measured by a counter (not shown).

[0007] In the alarm having the tilt / vibration sensor configured as described above, the cylindrical body 1 is moved in accordance with the movement of the wearer.
02 rolls, and the movable electrode 104
Is on the conductive pattern 103a and is in contact with the cylindrical body 102, conduction between the two conductors 105 and 106 is established. When the movable electrode 104 is not in contact with the cylindrical body 102 or when the movable electrode 104 is not on the conductive pattern 103a, the conductive state is non-conductive.

Therefore, when the wearer performs a normal operation and the movable electrode 104 rolls in accordance with the movement of the wearer, the period is indefinite, but the conduction and non-conduction of both conductors 105 and 106 cause the two conductors 105 and 106 to conduct. , 106, an ON / OFF pulse signal is output at certain intervals. On the other hand, when the carrier encounters an unexpected accident and cannot move,
Between 05 and 106, conduction or non-conduction continues.
The ON / OFF pulse signal is not output. In this case, in the alarm device, if there is no output of the pulse signal between the two conductors 105 and 106 for a predetermined time, it is determined that an “emergency situation” has occurred and an alarm is issued.

[0009]

In this type of tilt / vibration sensor, the entire surface of the disk 103 is formed by the rolling surface of the movable electrode 104, and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 102 is formed only of the conductive portion. Therefore, there are the following problems. That is, the movable electrode 104 is
In the sensor upright state where the axis of 02 coincides with the vertical line (inverted state of the sensor), it is at the center on the disk 103, and in the sensor horizontal state where the axis of the cylinder 102 coincides with the horizontal line, the axial direction of the cylinder 102 If the inclination / vibration sensor 101 stays in the middle, the small vibration in such a state cannot be regarded as a sensor stop state, and an accurate sensor operation state cannot be detected. Was.

In the conventional tilt / vibration sensor,
The fact that the entire surface of the disc 103 is formed by the rolling surface of the movable electrode 104 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 102 is formed only by the conductive portion means that the conductive electrode is switched between conductive and non-conductive by rolling. And the response in motion detection deteriorates.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has a boss protruding in the axial direction of the spacer ring on the inner surface of two disks having radial conductive portions, and is made of a non-magnetic conductive member. The object of the present invention is to provide a tilt / vibration sensor capable of improving the reliability of motion detection and obtaining good responsiveness by interposing a spacer ring made of an insulating member between two cylindrical bodies. I do.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the tilt / vibration sensor according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided with a spacer ring formed of an insulating member and arranged on both sides in the axial direction. Two cylindrical bodies made of a non-magnetic conductive member having an opening, and a boss which is disposed in each of the cylindrical bodies so as to close the opening on the side opposite to the spacer ring and which projects in the axial direction of the spacer ring; Two disks made of an insulating member having on its inner surface a number of conductive portions extending radially from the boss, and arranged between the two disks so as to roll freely and housed in a cylindrical body and a spacer ring And a movable electrode formed of a conductive ball. Therefore, the conductive portion and each cylindrical body are electrically connected by the rolling of the movable electrode between each cylindrical body and each boss, and the two cylindrical bodies are electrically connected by the rolling of the movable electrode on the inner peripheral surface of both cylindrical bodies.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the tilt / vibration sensor according to the first aspect, the movable electrode is located between the cylindrical body and the boss, and can contact at least one of the two cylindrical bodies. The movable electrode has a large outer diameter. Therefore, the movable electrode rolls circumferentially or radially between each cylindrical body and each boss on the disk, and the movable electrode rolls on the inner circumferential surface of each cylindrical body between the two disks. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the first or second aspect.
In the tilt / vibration sensor described above, the cylindrical body, the conductive portion, the movable electrode, and the boss are subjected to gold plating. Therefore, the electrical resistance on each of the gold-plated processing surfaces is reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the tilt / vibration sensor according to the first, second or third aspect, a gentle curved surface is formed in the opening of the cylindrical body on the spacer ring side. Therefore, the rolling of the movable electrode from one cylindrical body to the other cylindrical body is performed smoothly.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the tilt / vibration sensor according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the boss comprises a conductive pin inserted through the disk and connected to the conductive portion. There is. Therefore, when the movable electrode contacts the conductive part and the cylindrical body, each conductive pin and each cylindrical body are electrically connected.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the tilt / vibration sensor according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, an ON / OFF signal output by electrical conduction / non-conduction due to rolling of the movable electrode. And a counter for measuring the required time. Therefore, when the movable electrode rolls, it becomes electrically conductive / non-conductive, and the counter measures the required time of the ON / OFF signal.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the tilt / vibration sensor according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, currents having different magnitudes are supplied to the conductive portions on each disk. . Therefore, the sensor standing state and the sensor inverted state are separately detected by the contact of the movable electrode with each cylindrical body and each conductive part.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the entire tilt / vibration sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
(A)-(c) are the top view and bottom view which show the disk of the inclination and vibration sensor which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention, and AA of (b).
FIGS. 3A to 3C are a plan view, a front view, and a bottom view showing a pin (boss) of the tilt / vibration sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4A and 4B. 5) is a plan view and a front view showing a cylinder of the tilt and vibration sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams of the tilt and vibration sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view and a front view showing a spacer ring, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an inclined state of the inclination / vibration sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7A and 7B are first embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a horizontal state of the tilt / vibration sensor according to the embodiment and a cross-sectional view illustrating an S portion thereof in an enlarged manner. In FIG. 1, the tilt / vibration sensor denoted by reference numeral 1 includes a cylindrical body 2, a spacer ring 3, a disk 4, a movable electrode 5, and a boss 6.

The cylindrical body 2 is composed of two cylindrical cases 7, 8 located on the same axis, and has openings 7 on both sides in the axial direction.
a, 8a. Each of the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 is entirely formed of a non-magnetic conductive member such as aluminum, and has gentle curved surfaces 7A and 8A (shown in FIG. 7) formed in the openings 7a and 8a on the spacer ring side. I have. Thereby, the rolling of the movable electrode 5 from one cylindrical case 7 or the cylindrical case 8 to the other cylindrical case 8 or the cylindrical case 7 is smoothly performed, and a small operation of the tilt / vibration sensor 1 in the sensor horizontal state is detected. Is done. Here, the sensor horizontal state refers to a state in which the axes of the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 coincide with the horizontal lines.

The spacer ring 3 has two cylindrical cases 7, 8
It is interposed between and is entirely formed of an insulating member such as an epoxy resin. The outer diameter of the spacer ring 3 is set to be the same as the outer diameter of each of the cylindrical cases 7, 8, and the inner diameter is set to be larger than the inner diameter of each of the cylindrical cases 7, 8. That is, the thickness of the spacer ring 3 is set (thin) smaller than the thickness of each of the cylindrical cases 7 and 8.

The disk 4 is composed of two circular substrates 9 and 10 facing each other, and is mounted on the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 so as to close the openings 7a and 8a on the side opposite to the spacer ring. Each of the circular substrates 9 and 10 has through holes 9a and 10a at the center, respectively, and is entirely formed of, for example, an insulating member made of Bakelite. The inner surfaces of both circular substrates 9 and 10 have a central portion (through hole 9).
a, 10a), eight conductive portions 11 extending radially from
By arranging a, a radial conductive pattern 11 made of copper foil or the like connected to the through holes 9a and 10a and a non-conductive pattern 12 are formed.

With this arrangement, when the axes of the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 are inclined relative to the vertical line, the movable electrode 5 is moved along with the rotation of the inclination / vibration sensor 1 around the conductive pins 13 and 14. When rolling around the conductive pins 13 and 14 on the circular substrates 9 and 10 while contacting the inner peripheral surfaces of the conductive pins 13 and 14, the conductive pins 13 and 14 alternately come into contact with the conductive pins 11 and Cases 7, 8
The operation of the tilt / vibration sensor 1 (operation at 360 ° in the horizontal plane) is detected by the conduction / non-conduction between them. Therefore, the mounting of the tilt / vibration sensor 1 on the tilt / vibration detection target is not dependent on the mounting angle / direction.
The degree of freedom in mounting the vibration sensor can be increased.

The conductive pins 13 and 14 of each of the circular substrates 9 and 10
In order to detect the sensor standing state and the sensor inverted state of the inclination / vibration sensor 1, for example, I ₁ ,
I ₂ (I ₁ > I ₂ ) is supplied to the conductive pin 14. Thereby, each of the cylindrical bodies 7 and 8 of the movable electrode 5 and each of the conductive portions 11a
The magnitude of the current detected during the contact with the depending on whether I ₁ or I _2, the sensor can determine whether upright inverted state. Here, the standing state of the sensor refers to the cylindrical cases 7 and 8.
Indicates a state in which the axes of the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 coincide with a vertical line, respectively, and includes a state in which the inclination / vibration sensor 1 is inclined from this state. The sensor inverted state refers to a state in which the axes of the cylindrical cases 8, 7 are aligned with the vertical line with the cylindrical cases 8, 7 up and down, and includes a state in which the inclination / vibration sensor 1 is inclined from this state. .

In this embodiment, the case where the conductive pattern 11 includes eight conductive portions 11a has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the conductive pattern 11 may include sixteen conductive portions (not shown). The detection sensitivity can be increased as the number increases.

The movable electrode 5 is rotatably disposed between the two circular substrates 9 and 10 and is housed in cylindrical cases 7 and 8. The movable electrode 5 includes the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 and the bosses 6.
And is formed of a conductive ball of iron or the like having an outer diameter capable of contacting at least one of the cylindrical cases 7 and 8. As a result, the movable electrode 5 rolls circumferentially or radially between the cylindrical cases 7, 8 and the bosses 6 on the circular substrates 9, 10, and moves between the circular substrates 9, 10. Rolls on the inner peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical cases 7 and 8.

The outer diameter of the movable electrode 5 is the same as that of the conductive portion 11a.
The optimal dimensions are determined by the shape of the cylinder case, the dimensions between the cylindrical cases 7, 8 and the boss 6, and the like.
If the size between the and the boss 6 is reduced, the detection sensitivity is increased. In addition, since the movable electrode 5 is spherical, electric conduction / non-conduction is performed by point contact with the cylindrical cases 7, 8 and the like, so that the possibility of wear or metal fatigue is low. The mechanical life is increased.

The boss 6 comprises two conductive pins 13 and 14 (stepped pins) having stoppers 13a and 14a.
Each is press-fitted and fixed in the through holes 9a and 10a. Stoppers 13a, 14a of each conductive pin 13, 14
Are located in each of the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 and each through hole 9
a, 10a.

Thus, the movable electrode 5 is connected to the conductive pattern 1
1 and the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 contact each other,
14 and each of the cylindrical cases 7, 8 are electrically connected. Also,
The fact that the stoppers 13a, 14a of the conductive pins 13, 14 are located in the cylindrical cases 7, 8 means that the stoppers 13a,
The movable electrode 5 is prevented from climbing onto the base 14a, and the stopper 13a, 14a is effectively prevented from staying on the circular substrates 9, 10 as compared with the case where the stoppers 13a, 14a are not inside the cylindrical cases 7, 8. Thus, the reliability of the operation detection can be improved.

Each of the conductive pins 13 and 14 (stopper side)
Inner peripheral surfaces of cylindrical cases 7 and 8, conductive portion 11a and movable electrode 6
In addition, a gold plating process is performed. As a result, the electrical resistance of each gold-plated surface is reduced, so that the sensor operating state can be detected even if the diameter and weight of the movable electrode 5 are reduced, and the size and weight of the entire sensor can be reduced.

When electric conduction / non-conduction is performed by the rolling of the movable electrode 5, the ON / OFF time of the output signal (pulse signal) is measured by a counter (not shown). The counter (not shown) is composed of three counters, and the tilt / vibration sensor 1 is in an upright state (including a tilted state), an inverted state (including a tilted state), and a horizontal state, respectively. And work to.

In the tilt / vibration sensor configured as described above, assuming that the tilt angle of the entire sensor from the vertical line is θ (the counterclockwise direction is positive), as shown in FIG. Are set to be up and down respectively, and θ is (1) θ = 0 °
(Sensor standing state), -90 ° <θ <90 ° (sensor tilted state), cylindrical cases 7, 8 are horizontal, (2) θ = ± 90 ° (sensor horizontal state) and cylinder Θ is (3) θ with cases 8 and 7 turned up and down, respectively.
The operation when = 0 ° (sensor inverted state) and −90 ° <θ <90 ° (sensor tilted state) will be described.

(1) θ = 0 °, −90 ° <θ <90 ° (FIG. 6) When the entire sensor vibrates in a horizontal plane (including rotation around the conductive pin 14), the movable electrode 5 It rolls between the cylindrical case 8 and the conductive pins 14 (stroke of several mm) or around the conductive pins 14 without staying on the conductive pins 14.
That is, when the tilt / vibration sensor 1 (the target of tilt / vibration detection) operates in a horizontal plane, the movable electrode 5 repeats contact / non-contact with the cylindrical case 8 or contact / non-contact with the conductive pattern 11 and the non-conductive pattern 12. . At this time, the movable electrode 5 is connected to the cylindrical case 8 and the conductive pattern 11.
, The cylindrical case 8 and the conductive pin 14 are brought into conduction through the movable electrode 5.

(2) θ = ± 90 ° As shown in FIG. 7, when the entire sensor vibrates in a horizontal plane, the movable electrode 5 is moved to the inner peripheral surfaces of the two cylindrical cases 7, 8 (both circular substrates 9, 8). 10) and reciprocate. That is,
When the tilt / vibration sensor 1 (a tilt / vibration detection target) operates in a horizontal plane, the movable electrode 5 repeats contact / non-contact with the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 or contact / non-contact with the conductive pattern 11 and the non-conductive pattern 12. . At this time,
The movable electrode 5 straddles the spacer ring 3, and the cylindrical case 7,
8, the two cylindrical cases 7, 8 enter a conductive state via the movable electrode 5. When the movable electrode 5 contacts the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 and the conductive pattern 11, the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 and the conductive pins 13 and 14 are brought into conduction through the movable electrode 5.

(3) θ = 0 °, −90 ° <θ <90 ° When the entire sensor vibrates in a horizontal plane (including rotation around the conductive pin 13), the movable electrode 5 And rolls between the cylindrical case 7 and the conductive pin 13 (stroke of several mm) or around the conductive pin 13.
That is, when the tilt / vibration sensor 1 (the target of tilt / vibration detection) operates in a horizontal plane, the movable electrode 5 repeats contact / non-contact with the cylindrical case 7 or contact / non-contact with the conductive pattern 11 and the non-conductive pattern 12. . At this time, the movable electrode 5 is connected to the cylindrical case 7 and the conductive pattern 11.
, The conductive case 13 and the conductive pin 13 are brought into conduction through the movable electrode 5.

In the alarm with the inclination / vibration sensor 1, if the pulse interval is longer than a predetermined time, that is, if the output signal is continuously ON or OFF for a predetermined period of time, "the tilt / vibration sensor 1 Operation stops,
An emergency has occurred "and an alarm is issued.

Therefore, in this embodiment, since the movable electrode 5 is configured to roll between the cylindrical cases 7, 8 and the conductive pins 13, 14, and between the cylindrical cases 7, 8, the sensor is in an upright (inverted) state. Even if the sensor stays in the cylindrical cases 7, 8 and on the circular substrates 9, 10 in the horizontal state of the sensor, the electrical conduction / non-conduction is switched by a small vibration,
An accurate sensor operation state can be detected.

In this case, the movable electrode 5 is connected to the cylindrical case 7,
By contacting the conductive pattern 8 with the conductive pattern 11 or the non-conductive pattern 12 or by contacting at least one of the cylindrical cases 7 and 8, electrical conduction / non-conduction is performed. The operation does not require external power supply, and the sensor peripheral circuit can be simplified. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the structure in which the movable electrode 5 rolls between the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 and the conductive pins 13 and 14 and between the cylindrical cases 7 and 8 means that the conduction due to the rolling of the movable electrode 5 can be improved. Non-conduction switching can be performed quickly.

In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is used for an alarm carried by a worker in a factory or a maintenance and inspection staff of mechanical equipment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can be used for a portable terminal of a lifesaving emergency notification device, and can be applied to a measuring instrument and the like in the same manner as the embodiment.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, two discs each having a radially conductive portion are provided with bosses projecting in the axial direction of the spacer ring on the inner surfaces of the two discs, and are formed of two nonmagnetic conductive members. Since a spacer ring made of an insulating member is interposed between the cylinders, the conductive portion and each cylinder are formed by the rolling of the movable electrode between each cylinder and each boss, and the movable electrodes on the inner peripheral surfaces of both cylinders are formed. The two cylinders are electrically connected by the rolling. Therefore, even if the sensor stays in the cylinder or on the disk in the sensor standing (inverted) state and the sensor horizontal state, electrical conduction / non-conduction is switched by a small vibration, so that an accurate sensor operation state can be detected. Thus, the reliability of the operation detection can be improved.

Further, the structure in which the movable electrode rolls between the cylindrical body and the boss and between the two cylindrical bodies can rapidly switch between conduction and non-conduction due to the rolling of the movable electrode. Good detection response can also be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an entire inclination / vibration sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are a plan view and a bottom view showing a disk of the tilt and vibration sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
It is AA sectional drawing of.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are a plan view, a front view, and a bottom view showing a pin (boss) of the tilt / vibration sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a plan view and a front view showing a cylinder of the tilt and vibration sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a plan view and a front view showing a spacer ring of the tilt and vibration sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a tilt state of the tilt / vibration sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views showing a horizontal state of the tilt and vibration sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing which expands and shows a part.

8 (a) to 8 (d) are a front view, a bottom view, a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 8 (a) and a sectional view B of FIG.
It is -B sectional drawing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tilt / vibration sensor 2 Cylindrical body 3 Spacer ring 4 Disk 5 Movable electrode 6 Boss 7, 8 Cylindrical case 7a, 8a Opening 7A, 8A Curved surface 9, 10 Circular substrate 9a, 10a Through hole 11 Conductive pattern 11a Conductive part 12 Non-conductive pattern 13, 14 conductive pin

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-9-147707 (JP, A) JP-A-6-290690 (JP, A) JP-A-61-180392 (JP, A) JP-A-52-103769 (JP) , U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H01H 35/02 G08B 21/00

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. Two cylindrical bodies made of a non-magnetic conductive member, each of which is disposed via a spacer ring made of an insulating member and has openings on both axial sides thereof, and said opening is formed in each of these cylindrical bodies. A boss, which is disposed to close the opening on the side opposite to the spacer ring and protrudes in the axial direction of the spacer ring, and an insulating member having on its inner surface a large number of conductive portions extending radially from the boss. Characterized by comprising two circular plates and a movable electrode made of a conductive ball disposed between the two circular plates so as to be able to roll freely and housed in the cylindrical body and the spacer ring. Sensor. 2. The movable electrode is located between the cylindrical body and the boss, and comprises a movable electrode having an outer diameter capable of contacting at least one of the two cylindrical bodies. The tilt / vibration sensor according to claim 1. 3. The tilt / vibration sensor according to claim 1, wherein a gold plating process is applied to the cylindrical body, the conductive portion, the movable electrode, and the boss. 4. A tilt / vibration sensor according to claim 1, wherein a gentle curved surface is formed in a spacer ring side opening of each cylindrical body. 5. The tilt / vibration sensor according to claim 1, wherein the boss comprises a conductive pin inserted through the disk and connected to a conductive portion. 6. A counter according to claim 1, further comprising a counter for measuring a required time of an ON / OFF signal output by electrical conduction / non-conduction due to rolling of the movable electrode. The tilt / vibration sensor according to one of the claims. 7. A current supply device according to claim 1, wherein currents having different magnitudes are supplied to conductive portions on each of said disks.
6. The tilt / vibration sensor according to any one of 6.