JPH02181613A - Seismoscope with horizontal attitude holding function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To preclude malfunction by supporting a case which has a spherical or circular conical sphere receiving surface at the bottom part so that the case can swing around 1st and 2nd support shafts which cross each other at right angles at the upper part of the case. CONSTITUTION:A steel sphere 3 swings by more than specified to roll and move on the spherical sphere receiving surface 2 faster than a constant speed and collide against the cylindrical plunger part 4A of the cylindrical plunger part 4 of a plunger 4. Then, the plunger 4 swings around the local part of the annular engagement projection part 5C of an actuator 5 as a fulcrum R. The switch operation projection 5D of the actuator 5 presses up a movable contact piece 11 by the swinging motion of the plunger 4 like this to close a switch part. Namely, the seismoscope operates. Here, the plunger 4 is not affected by dynamic resistance at all, so high-sensitivity operation characteristics are obtained and a return is made secure.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a sensor which is attached to a free-standing appliance such as a stove and configured to open and close a switch section when vibrations such as those caused by an earthquake are detected. The present invention relates to a seismic device, and more particularly, to a seismic device equipped with a horizontal holding mechanism that exhibits predetermined operating characteristics even when installed in an inclined position.

■Prior art and its problems] Conventionally, as a seismic sensor with a horizontal holding mechanism of this type, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-36327, the seismic sensor is attached to a device. A model with a level function that displays the inclination, and a model with a level function that displays the inclination, for example, JP-A-61-
As disclosed in Publication No. 160026 and Publication of Utility Model Application No. 58-46134, etc., the seismic sensor is floated above the liquid sealed in the container and the installation automatically maintains the horizontal position regardless of the inclination at the time. There are known types that are configured to do so.

However, with conventional models equipped with a level function, it is sometimes necessary to horizontally adjust the level when installing the device, which not only takes time and effort, but also requires that the level can be monitored from the outside at all times. Therefore, installation on a device is limited by space, and since it needs to be large enough to be visible, it is difficult to miniaturize it.

In addition, in the conventional example of automatic leveling type using liquid,
It is difficult to ensure the sealing properties of containers that contain liquids, and in order to ensure reliable operation over a long period of time, expensive methods such as welding must be used to manufacture the containers, resulting in high costs. Moreover, it required flexible connections such as lead wires to extract the signal from the switch section of the seismic sensor suspended on the liquid, which resulted in poor overall assembly workability.

[Object of the invention] This invention was made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks,
A horizontal holding mechanism that improves assembly workability and installation workability, achieves miniaturization and low cost, can be installed anywhere, and exhibits stable operating characteristics even when installed roughly. The purpose is to provide a seismic sensor.

[Configuration and Effects of the Invention] In order to achieve the above object, a horizontal holding mechanism-equipped seismic sensor according to the present invention has a spherical or conical spherical receiving surface at the bottom that supports the spherical body in a rolling and movable manner. The case is arranged in such a manner that first and second
They are each supported swingably around their respective spindles, and
A cylindrical plunger with a diameter larger than that of a sphere, an actuator for opening and closing a switch part that is connected to the upper part of the cylindrical plunger and has a conical engagement part, and an annular plunger that receives the annular engagement part of the actuator. A guide member having a receiving surface is provided, and the cylindrical plunger receives an impact force due to the rolling movement caused by the vibration of the sphere, or swings around a local part of the annular engaging portion as a fulcrum to move the switch portion. It is characterized by being configured to open and close.

According to such a configuration, the impact force caused by the rolling movement of the sphere due to vibrations such as earthquakes causes the switch to swing around the cylindrical plunger or a local part of the annular engagement part connected to the upper part of the plunger as a fulcrum. Since it operates to open and close the plunger, sliding resistance does not affect the plunger's operation at all, and since there is no habitual resistance, the return is reliable, stabilizing the plunger's operating characteristics, and reducing the sensitivity. The response of the seismic device can be improved.

Furthermore, not only are the spheres and the plunger not always in contact with each other, but the plunger does not operate unless the sphere collides with the plunger at a certain speed or higher, making it possible to prevent malfunctions caused by external disturbances such as vibrations associated with walking, for example.

Moreover, even if there is an inclination when installing the device, there is no need for manual horizontal adjustment, and the case having one spherical surface can swing around the first and second support shafts that are perpendicular to each other. Since the case and the sphere can be automatically held in a horizontal state, stable operating characteristics are exhibited even if the device is installed roughly. Therefore, it is possible to improve workability by attaching it to a tool, and it can also be attached at any location, allowing for a wide range of applications.

Since no liquid is used to maintain the level, there is no need for high-grade manufacturing to ensure sealing performance, and there is no need for flexible connections to take out signals, improving assembly workability and reducing costs. Not only can costs be reduced, but operation reliability can be ensured over a long period of time.

Furthermore, since no visual control is required, miniaturization can be achieved.

[Explanation of Examples] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a seismic sensor with a horizontal holding mechanism according to the present invention, and in the figures, l is a cylindrical case made of synthetic resin, and the inner surface of the bottom wall IA is spherical. A first support shaft 12.12 is formed on the spherical receiving surface 2, and a first support shaft 12.12 is integrally protruded outward at a radially opposed location on the outer surface near the upper end. 3 is a steel ball which is an example of a sphere, and this steel ball 3 is placed on the spherical ball receiving surface 2 by 360 mm.
It is supported so that it can roll and move in all directions.

4 is a plunger, and this plunger 4 consists of a cylindrical plunger part 4A having a diameter larger than the spherical diameter of the steel ball 3, and a cylindrical conical part 4B integrally formed above the plunger part 4A. 5 is an actuator, and this actuator 5 is press-fitted into the central hole 4C of the cylindrical conical portion 4B of the plunger 4 and connected to the central shaft portion 5A integrally connected to the plunger 4 by hot caulking, and from the upper part of the central shaft portion 5A. A disk portion 5B protruding laterally, an annular engagement protrusion 5C extending downward from the outer periphery of the disk portion 5B, and a hemispherical switch formed at the center of the upper surface of the disk portion 5B. It consists of an operating projection 5D.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a guide member, and a through hole 6 in the center thereof has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the upper end of the cylindrical conical portion 4B of the plunger 4.
A is provided, and an annular retaining protrusion 5C of the actuator 5 is provided in a portion close to the central through hole 6A.
An annular receiving surface 6B for receiving the terminal is formed with an upward opening, and cutout grooves 6C for terminal insertion are formed on the peripheral edge at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. By engaging the annular engagement protrusion 5C of the actuator 5 with the annular receiving surface 6B of the guide member 6, the large-diameter cylindrical plunger portion 4A of the plunger 4 connects to the upper half of the steel ball 3. It is designed to envelop the

7 is a base cover, and 4 are equally spaced in the circumferential direction of the base cover.
A hanging portion 7A is formed at each location, and an engaging convex portion 7B is formed on each hanging portion 7A.

Reference numeral 8.9 denotes a fixed terminal plate and a movable terminal plate inserted into the lower surface of the base cover 7, and these terminal plates 8.9
Terminals 8A and 9A, which pass through the notch groove 60 of the guide member 6, project downward from the guide member 6, respectively. A fixed contact 10 is provided at one end of the fixed terminal plate 8, and a movable contact piece 11 is connected to the movable terminal plate 9 by caulking, and can freely open and close toward and away from the fixed contact lO. A switch portion opened and closed by the actuator 5 is constituted by the hemispherical switch operation protrusion 5D of the actuator 5 that is in contact with the intermediate portion of the lower surface of the actuator 11.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a ring-shaped first support frame, and a first support shaft 12 protruding from the cylindrical case l is provided at an opposite location on the inner wall surface of the ring-shaped first support frame.
．． Engagement grooves 13A, 13A are formed in which the cylindrical case 12 can be engaged from above, and by engaging the first support shaft '12. It is supported swingably around a first support shaft 12.12 at the upper part thereof, and a second support shaft 14.14 perpendicular to the first support shaft 12.12 extends outwardly. It is integrally projected towards.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a cylindrical second support frame, on the inner surface of which a step-like protrusion 16 is integrally formed, and the second support shaft 14° 14 is connected upwardly at a position opposite to the upper edge of the step-like protrusion 16. Engagement grooves 15A, 15A that can be engaged with each other are formed, and by engaging the second support shaft 14.14 with these engagement grooves 15A, 15A, the first support frame 13 and the cylindrical case are connected. l
is swingably supported around a second support shaft 14.14. Further, near the upper end of the second support frame 15, an engagement recess 15B with which the engagement protrusion 7B elastically engages when the base cover 7 is fitted into the second support frame 15 from above. is formed, and by fixing the second support frame 15 and the base cover 7 through elastic engagement between the engagement protrusion 7B and the engagement recess 15B, an external case with other components inside is formed. It consists of

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained.

FIG. 2 shows a neutral state when the seismic sensor is installed horizontally on an appliance such as a stove (not shown). In this state, the center of the plunger 4 and the center of the steel ball 3 are on the same vertical line a. -a, and on this vertical line a-a, the steel ball 3
The surface thereof is in point contact with the lowest part of the spherical receiving surface 2.

In the above state, if a certain level of vibration is applied to the instrument due to an earthquake or the like, the first support frame 13, second support frame 15, and case l will vibrate, and the steel ball 3 will also vibrate.
At this time, since the receiving surface 2 of the steel ball 3 is spherical, the amount of vibration of the steel ball 3 is small compared to the amount of vibration of the first support frame 13, the second support frame 158, and the case l, and the vibration of the steel ball 3 is small compared to the amount of vibration of the first support frame 13, second support frame 158, and case l. The steel ball 3 does not come into contact with the cylindrical plunger portion 4A of the plunger 4 until .

When the vibration exceeds a predetermined level and the steel ball 3 rolls and moves on the spherical receiving surface 2 at a speed higher than a certain level and collides with the cylindrical plunger portion 4A of the plunger 4, the impact force causes the brassiere 4 to As shown in FIG. 3, the actuator 5 integrated with the plunger 4 swings around a local portion of the annular engagement protrusion 5C as a fulcrum R. As shown in FIG. Due to this rocking movement of the brassiere 4, the hemispherical switch actuating protrusion 5D of the actuator 5 pushes the movable contact piece 11 upward, and the movable contact piece 11 comes into contact with the fixed contact lO, thereby closing the switch section. Ru. In other words, the seismic sensor operates to sense vibrations. Here, since the plugger 4 is not affected by dynamic resistance at all, it is possible to obtain extremely sensitive operating characteristics and also to ensure a reliable return.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, if the second support frame 15 is
When attached to an instrument in a tilted state, it swings around the first support frame 13 or the second support shaft 14, and
Since the case l swings around the first support shaft 12,
The case 1 and the steel ball 3 will automatically maintain a horizontal state. Therefore, even if the seismic device is installed at a rough angle and at an angle, the speed and impact force will not exceed those required to operate the plunger 4, and the operating characteristics of the seismic sensor will hardly be affected. If a vibration above a certain level is applied in such an inclined mounting state, the steel ball 3 will roll and move on the spherical ball receiving surface 2 at a speed above a certain level, as in the case of a horizontal mounting. The cylindrical plunger portion 4A of the plunger 4
The impact force causes the plunger 4 to swing around the local part of the annular engagement protrusion 5C of the actuator 5 as a fulcrum R, causing a vibration-sensing operation in the same way as in the case of horizontal mounting. Therefore, since strict levelness is not required when attaching to a device, attachment becomes very simple.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a protrusion 16 protrudes from the lower surface of the bottom wall IA of the case l, and a circular shape is formed on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the second support frame 15 corresponding to the protrusion 16. By forming a shaped groove 17 to limit the angle of inclination between the case l and the second support frame 15, it is possible to prevent unexpected malfunctions when mounting in an inclined state.

Further, around the first support shaft 12 and the second support shaft 14,
By bringing the natural vibration period around the second support frame 15 closer to the vibration period applied from the outside of the second support frame 15, or by increasing the natural vibration period, the amplitude due to external vibration on the lower surface of the second support frame 15 can be reduced. This makes it possible to increase the natural vibration frequency of only the vibration-sensing part, making it possible to completely eliminate the need for a buffer tamper that uses viscous fluid or the like.

Furthermore, although the annular engaging portion 5C of the actuator 5 is shown as an engaging protrusion in the above embodiment, it may be formed as an engaging recess.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 show an example of a seismic sensor according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the whole, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the assembled state, and FIGS. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the operation. 2... Spherical receiving surface, 3... Steel ball, 4... Plunger, 5... Actuator, 6... Guide member, 8.
9... Terminal board, 10... Fixed contact, 11... Movable contact piece, 12... First support shaft, 13... First support frame, 14... Second support shaft , 15... second support frame. Diagram

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A case having a spherical body and a spherical or conical spherical receiving surface on the bottom that supports the spherical body in a rolling and movable manner;
A first support frame that supports the case swingably around a first support shaft at its upper part, and a second support frame that supports the first support frame around a second support shaft that is orthogonal to the first support shaft. a second support frame that is swingably supported, a cylindrical plunger having a larger diameter than the spherical body, an actuator that is connected to the upper part of the cylindrical plunger and has an annular engagement part, and the second support It is equipped with a switch part mounted on a frame and opened and closed by the actuator, and a guide member having an annular receiving surface for receiving an annular engaging part of the actuator, and the guide member has a ring-shaped receiving surface that receives the annular engaging part of the actuator, and the guide member is provided with a switch part that is attached to a frame and is opened and closed by the actuator. A seismic device with a horizontal holding mechanism, characterized in that a cylindrical plunger receiving an impact force swings around a local part of the annular engagement part as a fulcrum to open and close the switch part.