JP7397506B2 - Measuring device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a measuring device, and more particularly to a portable measuring device that has a housing portion in which a battery is housed and is carried by a worker.

Steam traps are known that are used to discharge only condensate (drain) from piping equipment through which steam flows. Many such steam traps are installed in various plants.

In addition, the intensity of vibration and surface temperature of the steam trap and the steam piping at its entrance are measured, and the presence or absence of steam leakage is diagnosed based on the correlation between them. For such diagnosis, a measuring device is used that includes a vibration probe for measuring the intensity of vibration of a steam trap or the like, and a temperature probe for measuring the surface temperature of the steam trap or the like. There are two types of measurement devices: portable types that are carried by workers to measure steam traps and the like in plants, and installation types that have vibration probes and temperature probes fixed to steam traps and the like. Patent Document 1 discloses a portable measuring device.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the measuring device 9 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a housing section 90, a probe 91, and a lid 92. The housing portion 90 has a flat and thin rectangular parallelepiped shape. A recess 90b for accommodating batteries 93 and 94 is formed in the back surface 90a of the casing 90. The probe 91 is formed to protrude outward from the end surface of the housing section 90 in the Y direction. At the tip of the probe 91, a vibration probe tip and a temperature probe tip are provided.

The lid 92 is disposed so as to close the opening of the recess 90b in which the batteries 93 and 94 are housed, and is attached to the housing section 90 with screws 95 and 96. The housing portion 90 is formed with screw holes 90c and 90d into which screws 95 and 96 are screwed.

As shown in FIG. 5(b), in the measuring device 9 disclosed in Patent Document 1, the housing portion 90 has locking recesses 90e, 90f in addition to the screw holes 90c, 90d on the outer periphery of the recess 90b. is also formed. Locking pieces (not shown) formed on the lid 92 are fitted into the locking recesses 90e and 90f. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the housing portion 90 is provided with locking recesses 90e and 90f on one side in the Y direction of the outer peripheral portion of the recess 90b. On the other hand, screw holes 90c and 90d are provided on the opposite side in the Y direction across the recess 90b.

The measuring device 9 disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to sequentially or timely transmit measured data to a notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a "notebook PC") carried by a worker. There is.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-84419

For example, in a plant such as a petroleum industrial complex, it may not be possible to bring a notebook PC with a built-in Li-ion battery into the plant due to explosion-proof regulations. When performing measurements using a measuring device in such a plant, it is possible to store the measured data in the memory of the measuring device and transfer the data to a personal computer, etc. after the worker leaves the plant. It becomes necessary. For this reason, in measuring devices used in plants such as petroleum industrial complexes, it is necessary to increase the battery capacity in order to store a large amount of data in a memory or the like.

As a specific measure to realize a measuring device having a large battery capacity, a configuration in which two or more batteries are added to the measuring device 9 disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be considered. Here, in the case part 90 shown in FIG. 5A, it is considered difficult to increase the width in the X direction because the operator will have to grip this part. Therefore, if you want to increase the number of batteries, you can increase the number of batteries in the Y direction by lengthening the housing part 90 shown in FIG. It is conceivable to configure them so that they are lined up.

However, with respect to the measuring device 9 disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the housing portion 90 is extended in the Y direction, the lid 92 also needs to be lengthened in the Y direction, which may cause problems with the strength of the lid 92. It will be done. On the other hand, it is conceivable to increase the thickness of the lid 92 or to use a high-strength material for the lid 92, but this would increase the thickness and weight of the entire casing 90 and further increase the manufacturing cost. Problems such as an increase in

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems.In order to secure a large battery capacity while suppressing an increase in size, weight, and manufacturing cost, the present invention has been made by reducing the recess in the casing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a measuring device capable of closing a recessed portion with a lid with high strength even when the housing portion is elongated in the longitudinal direction.

A measuring device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a housing and a probe. The housing section has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in one direction, and accommodates a plurality of batteries. The probe is a part that protrudes from one end surface in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and measures the state of the measurement target by pressing the tip against the measurement target, and is a rod-shaped or cylindrical part. It has a shape. Each of the plurality of batteries housed in the housing has an elongated columnar external shape and includes a first battery and a second battery.

In the measuring device according to this aspect, the housing section includes a case and a lid. The case is arranged such that the first battery and the second battery are arranged in series along the one direction (the form of electrical connection between the first battery and the second battery is not limited to series connection). This member accommodates a plurality of batteries and is provided with a recessed portion having an opening whose length in one direction is longer than the length in a direction perpendicular to the one direction. The lid is a member that closes the opening of the case. The lid is coupled to the case at both ends in the orthogonal direction.

In addition, in the above, "the first battery and the second battery are lined up in series along one direction" indicates that the first battery and the second battery are arranged in series, and the first battery and the second battery are arranged in series. It is not limited to the form in which the second battery is electrically connected in series.

In the measuring device according to the above aspect, the case is provided with a recessed portion for accommodating a plurality of batteries. The concave portion is provided so that the length of the housing portion in the longitudinal direction (the above-mentioned one direction) is longer than the width in the lateral direction (the above-mentioned perpendicular direction). Accordingly, the lid that closes the opening of the recess also has the same shape as the opening.

In the measuring device according to the above aspect, the lid is connected to the case at both ends in the transverse direction (the orthogonal direction). Therefore, depending on how the battery is stored in the recess, the length of the lid in the longitudinal direction becomes longer than the width in the transverse direction. The moment applied to the connecting portion can be made smaller than when connecting at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, in the measuring device according to the above aspect, it is possible to close the opening of the recess with the lid with high strength without increasing the thickness of the lid or using a high-strength material.

Furthermore, in the measuring device according to the above aspect, by connecting the lid to the case at both ends in the short direction, a rating plate is provided between the region of the case where the recess is provided and the end surface from which the probe protrudes. Even when an area where the sticker can be pasted is secured, the size expansion in the longitudinal direction of the casing can be suppressed. In other words, compared to the case where the case and the lid are connected using screws or the like at both ends in the longitudinal direction, the area required to connect the lid to the case in the longitudinal direction can be eliminated, and the area required for attaching the rating nameplate can be saved. It becomes possible to do this.

In the measuring device according to the above aspect, the lid may have a locking piece portion formed to protrude outward in the orthogonal direction at one end in the orthogonal direction, and the case may include: A lock that engages the lid with the case by fitting the locking piece into a portion of the periphery of the recess where one end of the lid in the orthogonal direction is arranged. It may have a recess. Furthermore, the measuring device according to this aspect may further include a screw that screws together the other end of the lid in the orthogonal direction and a portion of the case around the recess. The lid and the case may be coupled to each other by engagement by fitting the locking piece into the locking recess and by screwing with the screw.

In the measuring device according to the above aspect, the lid is engaged with the case by fitting the locking piece into the locking recess on one side in the transverse direction, and is screwed on the other side by screwing. Since the lid is connected to the case, it is easier to attach and remove the lid compared to the case where the lid is connected to the case by screwing both ends in the short direction with screws. be able to.

In the measuring device according to the above aspect, the lid may include, as the locking piece, a first locking piece and a second locking piece that are spaced apart from each other in the one direction. , the case has a first locking recess, which is spaced apart from each other in the one direction and is provided corresponding to each of the first locking piece and the second locking piece, as the locking recess. It may also have a second locking recess.

Further, in the measuring device according to the above aspect, in the one direction, the first locking recess may be disposed at a location corresponding to a range in which the first battery is accommodated in the recess, and The second locking recess may be disposed at a location corresponding to a range in which the second battery is accommodated in the recess.

In the measuring device according to the above aspect, the first locking recess and the second locking recess in the case are respectively formed on the sides of the first battery and the second battery arranged in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, even if each battery housed in the case tries to rise from the bottom of the recess, it is possible to securely hold it with the lid.

In the measuring device according to the above aspect, the plurality of batteries include a third battery arranged in parallel in the direction perpendicular to the first battery, and a third battery arranged in parallel in the direction perpendicular to the second battery. The battery may further include a fourth battery arranged in series along the one direction with respect to the third battery.

In addition, in the above, regarding the third battery and the fourth battery, it is sufficient that the third battery and the fourth battery are arranged in series, and the third battery and the fourth battery are electrically connected in series. It is not limited to the current form.

In the measuring device according to the above aspect, since the third battery and the fourth battery are arranged in parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction and are arranged in parallel in the transverse direction with respect to the first battery and the second battery, the battery capacity is It is effective in increasing Note that even in the case where the third battery and the fourth battery are provided in addition to the first battery and the second battery, the lid can be connected to the case with high strength by employing the above configuration.

In the measuring device according to each of the above aspects, in order to secure a large battery capacity while suppressing an increase in size, weight, and manufacturing cost, it is possible to make the recess in the casing longer in the longitudinal direction of the casing. Even if the recess is present, it is possible to close the recess with a lid with high strength.

1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the casing section from the back side. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a method of attaching a lid to a case and a configuration inside a recess of the case. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of cylindrical batteries in a recess and the configuration of the periphery of the recess in a case. (a) is a rear view of a measuring device according to the prior art seen from the back side, and (b) is a rear view showing the arrangement of batteries accommodated in a recessed portion of a case.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the form described below is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following form in any way except for its essential configuration.

Furthermore, in the figures used in the following explanation, the X direction corresponds to the lateral direction of the casing, and the Y direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the casing. In other words, the Y direction corresponds to "one direction" and the X direction corresponds to "orthogonal direction".

1. Schematic Configuration of Measuring Device 1 The schematic configuration of the measuring device 1 will be described using FIG. 1.

The measuring device 1 is a device developed so that it can be used in plants such as oil complexes, for example, and is a device that measures the vibration intensity and surface temperature of a steam trap or steam piping in the vicinity of the steam trap. . Furthermore, the measuring device 1 according to this embodiment is a portable device carried by a worker.

As shown in FIG. 1, the measuring device 1 includes a housing 10, a probe 11, a display section 12, a circuit board 13, an operation switch 14, and an indicator 15. The housing portion 10 has a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the Y direction and flat in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. When using the measuring device 1, an operator grasps both sides of the housing section 10 in the X direction.

On the front surface 10a of the housing 10, a display section 12 is provided on the side from which the probe 11 protrudes, and a plurality of operation switches 14 and an indicator 15 are provided on the side opposite to the side from which the probe 11 protrudes. It is being

Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the probe 11 includes a vibration probe for detecting the intensity of vibration of a measurement target such as a steam trap, and a temperature probe for detecting the surface temperature of the steam trap or the like. The vibration probe includes a cylindrical probe rod made of a metal material, and a vibration sensor (for example, a piezoelectric acceleration sensor) that outputs a signal according to the intensity of vibration input to the probe rod. Note that the vibration sensor is fixed to the probe rod via a pedestal made of a metal material.

The temperature probe is disposed within the cylinder hollow part of the probe rod in the vibration probe. The temperature probe has a pair of thermocouple wires. A pair of thermocouple wires are joined near the tube opening of the probe rod.

The display unit 12 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD panel) and a protective sheet that protects its surface, and displays measurement results (intensity of vibration of a steam lamp, etc. and surface temperature) and a display based on the measurement results. Various information such as diagnosis results is displayed.

The operation switch 14 includes a power switch for turning on/off the power of the measuring device 1, a command switch for selecting/executing a command, a scroll switch for sending/returning data display, etc.

The indicator 15 is a power indicator that lights up when the power is turned on. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which the color temperature of the light emitted from the indicator 15 changes when the battery capacity becomes less than a predetermined capacity.

A circuit board 13 that constitutes a controller is built inside the casing 10 . The controller includes a microprocessor including an MPU/CPU, ASIC, ROM, RAM, etc., and a relatively large capacity memory. The controller calculates the intensity of vibration and the surface temperature based on the detection results from the probe 11 by executing firmware or the like stored in advance in a ROM or the like.

2. How batteries are accommodated in the casing 10 The manner in which batteries are accommodated in the casing 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing section 10 includes a case 101, a lid 102, and screws 16. The case 101 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the length in the Y direction is longer than the width in the X direction when viewed from above. The lid 102 is coupled to the case 101 using screws 16 on the rear surface 10b side of the housing section 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, a nameplate is attached to the back surface 10b of the casing 10 for attaching a rating nameplate to the area between the area where the lid 102 is placed and the end surface from which the probe 11 protrudes. A region 10c is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the case 101 is provided with a recess 101a that is recessed in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the opening of the recess 101a has a rectangular shape with a length L2 in the Y direction and longer than a width W2 in the X direction.

Returning to FIG. 3, four cylindrical batteries 17 to 20 are housed in the recess 101a. Each of the four cylindrical batteries 17 to 20 is an AA type manganese dry battery or an alkaline dry battery. However, the type of battery is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use, for example, a D-type, C-type, or even an AAA-type or N-type dry battery. It is also possible to use a prismatic battery.

The cylindrical battery 17 and the cylindrical battery 19 are arranged so that their cylindrical axes run along the Y direction and are lined up in series with each other in the Y direction. The cylindrical battery 18 and the cylindrical battery 20 are arranged so that their cylindrical axes run along the Y direction and are lined up in series with each other in the Y direction. The cylindrical battery 17 and the cylindrical battery 18 are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction, and the cylindrical battery 19 and the cylindrical battery 20 are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction.

The lid 102 is set to be slightly larger than the opening size of the recess 101a. This is because, as shown in FIG. 4, a rectangular annular outer edge shelf 101b recessed to a shallower depth than the recess depth of the recess 101a is provided on the outer periphery of the recess 101a of the case 101. This is because the lid 102 is formed such that the outer peripheral edge of the lid 102 comes into contact with the outer edge shelf portion 101b of the case 101. Specifically, the lid 102 has a length L1 in the Y direction that is longer than L2, and a width W1 in the X direction that is wider than W2.

The lid 102 has two locking pieces 102c and 102d and one projecting piece 102b. The two locking pieces 102c and 102d are formed to protrude outward from one end of the rectangular lid body 102a of the lid 102 in the X direction. The locking piece 102c and the locking piece 102d are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction.

The projecting piece 102b of the lid 102 is formed to protrude outward in an arc shape from the other end of the lid main body 102a in the X direction. The projecting piece 102b has a through hole through which the screw 16 is inserted. Note that the screws 16 are arranged so that they do not come off the lid 102 when the screws 16 are not screwed to the case 101.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical battery 18 and the cylindrical battery 20 are connected in series in the recess 101a such that the negative electrode of the cylindrical battery 18 and the positive electrode of the cylindrical battery 20 are in contact with each other. The cylindrical battery 17 and the cylindrical battery 19 are also connected in series. Terminals 22, 23 and terminal springs 21, 24 are provided to protrude from the recess 101a of the case 101 in the Y direction. Terminal 22 is connected to the positive electrode of cylindrical battery 18 , and terminal 23 is connected to the positive electrode of cylindrical battery 19 . Terminal spring 21 is connected to the negative electrode of cylindrical battery 17 , and terminal spring 24 is connected to the negative electrode of cylindrical battery 20 . The terminals 22, 23 and the terminal springs 21, 24 are electrically connected to the circuit board 13 described using FIG.

Case 101 has two locking recesses 101e and 101f and one screw hole forming part 101c. The two locking recesses 101e and 101f are each formed to recess outward from the outer periphery surrounding the recess 101a. In the Y direction, the locking recess 101e is formed at a position approximately in the middle of the cylindrical battery 18 in the longitudinal direction, and the locking recess 101f is formed at a position approximately in the middle of the cylindrical battery 20 in the longitudinal direction. It is formed in the part where the When the lid 102 is coupled to the case 101, the locking pieces 102c and 102d provided on the lid 102 are respectively fitted into the locking recesses 101e and 101f.

The screw hole forming portion 101c in the case 101 is formed flush with the outer edge shelf portion 101b, and is formed in an arc shape into which the protrusion portion 102b of the lid 102 can be inserted. The screw hole forming portion 101c has a screw hole 101d into which the screw 16 is screwed.

When an operator replaces the cylindrical batteries 17 to 20, the operator turns the screw 16 to release the screwed state, lifts the protruding piece 102b of the lid 102 from the screw hole forming part 101c of the case 101, and removes the screw from the screw hole forming part 101c of the case 101. By removing the locking pieces 102c and 102d from the locking recesses 101e and 101f, the lid 102 is removed from the case 101, and the used cylindrical batteries 17 to 20 are removed. Then, after storing the unused cylindrical batteries 17 to 20 in the recess 101a, the cover 102 is coupled to the case 101 in the opposite procedure to the above, thereby completing the replacement of the cylindrical batteries 17 to 20. do.

3. Effects In the measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment, the case 101 is provided with a recess 101a that accommodates four cylindrical batteries 17 to 20. The recessed portion 101a is provided so that the length L2 in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the housing portion 10 is longer than the width W2 in the lateral direction (X direction). Therefore, the lid 102 that closes the opening of the recess 101a also has a substantially rectangular shape with a length L1 and a width W1 (shorter in length than L1), similarly to the opening of the recess 101a.

In the measuring device 1, the lid 102 is connected to the case 101 at both ends in the lateral direction (X direction). Therefore, depending on how the cylindrical batteries 17 to 20 are stored in the recess 101a, the length L1 of the lid 102 in the Y direction becomes longer than the width W1 in the X direction. By connecting the two ends, the moment applied to each connected portion can be made smaller than when connecting at both ends in the Y direction. Therefore, in the measuring device 1, it is possible to close the opening of the recess 101a with the lid 102 with high strength without increasing the thickness of the lid 102 or using a high-strength material.

Furthermore, in the measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment, the connecting portions of the lid 102 to the case 101 are at both ends in the X direction, so that the region in the case 101 where the recess 101a is provided and the end surface from which the probe 11 protrudes It is possible to secure a nameplate pasting area 10c where a rating nameplate can be pasted between the two, and to suppress the size expansion in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the casing 10 even if the nameplate pasting area 10c is provided. I can do it.

Furthermore, in the measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment, the locking pieces 102c and 102d of the lid 102 are fitted into the locking recesses 101e and 101f of the case 101 on one side in the X direction, thereby locking the lid 102 against the case 101. Since the lid 102 is coupled to the case 101 by engagement and by screwing with the screw 16 on the other side in the X direction, compared to the case where both ends in the X direction are coupled by screwing with screws, The lid 102 can be attached and removed with simple operations.

In addition, in the measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment, the locking recess 101e (first locking recess) and the locking recess 101f (second locking recess) in the case 101 are connected to the cylindrical battery 18 (first battery) and the cylindrical battery 18 (first battery). Since the batteries 20 (second batteries) are formed on the sides in the X direction at the middle part in the longitudinal direction, each of the batteries 17 to 20 housed in the recess 101a of the case 101 is separated from the bottom of the recess 101a. Even if it tries to float up, it can be reliably held down by the lid 102.

In addition, in the measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the two cylindrical batteries 18 and 20 arranged in series in the Y direction, two cylindrical batteries 18 and 20 are also arranged in series in the Y direction. Since the batteries 17 and 19 are provided from the cylinder, the battery capacity can be increased compared to the conventional measuring device 9 shown in FIG. Even in a plant, it is possible to measure the state (vibration intensity, surface temperature) of an object to be measured, such as a steam trap, at many locations and store the information in memory.

As described above, in the measuring device according to each of the above aspects, in order to secure a large battery capacity while suppressing an increase in size, weight, and manufacturing cost, the recess in the casing is formed in the longitudinal direction of the casing. Even if the recess is made long, it is possible to close the recess with a lid with high strength.

[Modified example]
In the above embodiment, cylindrical batteries are used as the batteries 17 to 20 built into the housing 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use prismatic cylindrical batteries. is also possible.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the negative electrode of the cylindrical battery 18 and the positive electrode of the cylindrical battery 20 are connected in direct contact, and the positive electrode of the cylindrical battery 17 and the negative electrode of the cylindrical battery 19 are connected in direct contact. Although a connected form has been adopted, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a partition plate having terminals is interposed between the batteries arranged in the Y direction.

Further, in the embodiment described above, an example is given in which four cylindrical batteries 17 to 20 are built into the housing part 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to incorporate the above batteries.

Further, in the above embodiment, the lid 102 is provided with two locking pieces 102c and 102d, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a form having only one locking piece. , it is also possible to adopt a form having three or more locking pieces.

Further, in the above embodiment, one screw 16 is used to connect the lid 102 to the case 101, but the present invention may use two or more screws. Further, the case and the lid may be connected to each other by screws at both ends in the X direction.

Note that the screws used to connect the case and the lid may be screws that can be rotated one turn or more to complete screwing, or screws that can be screwed in less than one rotation. Good too.

1 Measuring device 10 Housing part 10b Back side 10c Nameplate pasting area 11 Probe 16 Screws 17-20 Cylindrical battery 101 Case 101a Recessed part 101d Screw holes 101e, 101f Locking recess 102 Lid 102d Projecting pieces 102c, 102d Locking piece

Claims (4)

A casing portion having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in one direction and housing a plurality of batteries;
a rod-shaped or cylindrical probe that protrudes from one end surface in the longitudinal direction of the casing, and whose tip is pressed against the measurement object to measure the state of the measurement object;
Equipped with
Each of the plurality of batteries has an elongated columnar external shape and includes a first battery and a second battery,
The housing portion is
The plurality of batteries are housed such that the first battery and the second battery are lined up in series along the one direction, and the length in the one direction is perpendicular to the one direction. a case provided with a recess having an opening that is longer than the length;
a lid that closes the opening of the case;
has
The lid is coupled to the case at both ends in the orthogonal direction.
Measuring device. The measuring device according to claim 1,
The lid has a locking piece formed at one end in the orthogonal direction to protrude outward in the orthogonal direction,
The case locks the lid to the case by fitting the locking piece into a portion of the periphery of the recess where one end of the lid in the orthogonal direction is disposed. It has a locking recess for matching,
The measuring device further includes a screw screwing the other end of the lid in the orthogonal direction to a portion around the recess in the case,
The lid and the case are coupled to each other by engagement by fitting the locking piece into the locking recess and screwing with the screw.
Measuring device. The measuring device according to claim 2,
The lid has, as the locking piece, a first locking piece and a second locking piece that are spaced apart from each other in the one direction,
The case has a first locking recess and a second locking recess, which are spaced apart from each other in the one direction and are provided corresponding to each of the first locking piece and the second locking piece. 2 locking recesses;
In the one direction,
The first locking recess is disposed at a location corresponding to a range in which the first battery is accommodated in the recess,
The second locking recess is disposed at a location corresponding to a range in which the second battery is accommodated in the recess.
Measuring device. The measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The plurality of batteries include a third battery arranged in parallel in the direction perpendicular to the first battery, a third battery arranged in parallel in the direction perpendicular to the second battery, and a third battery arranged in parallel in the direction perpendicular to the second battery. further comprising: a fourth battery arranged in series along the one direction;
Measuring device.