JPH05164640A - Pressure sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure the highly sensitive performance of a pressure sensor by equalizing the capacities of fluid-pressure introducing paths into two film-shaped piezoelectric elements, removing the inconvenience in measurement of a flow rate when a fluid to be measures is not flowing, and equalizing the pressure propagating speeds to the upper and rear surfaces of each piezoelectric element. CONSTITUTION:In a pressure sensor 1, two piezoelectric elements 2 and 3, wherein electrode layers are provided on both surfaces of each film-shaped piezoelectric body, are arranged so that the surfaces in the same direction form the same polarization. Fluid pressure is introduced through inlet nozzles 39 and 40 on the first surface of one piezoelectric element and the second surface of the other piezoelectric element and the first surface of the other piezoelectric element and the second surface of one piezoelectric element, respectively. Means 51 and 52, which can adjust the capacities of the paths, are provided for at least one of fluid-pressure introducing paths 42, 43, 44 and 45.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used for a gas flow meter using a piezoelectric element, which can detect even minute pressure fluctuations and has a high ratio of noise due to vibration to an output signal (hereinafter referred to as SN ratio). And optimal pressure sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional pressure sensors are
Various types are known, such as a switch, a Bourdon tube type, a capacitance type, a differential transformer type, and a semiconductor diaphragm type. These are generally used for detecting a large pressure, and are large in size, complicated in structure, and expensive.
Further, since the pressure to be detected is large, noise is not usually considered due to disturbance such as vibration. For this reason, it cannot be used in applications requiring detection of even minute pressures, or even if it is used, the proportion of noise becomes high, and high-precision detection becomes difficult.

As a preferable application that can detect even a minute pressure, for example, there is a fluidic flowmeter or a Karman vortex flowmeter which detects the flow rate of a fluid through pressure detection (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-187814). 57-
54809). A pressure sensor using a film-shaped piezoelectric element is known as an optimal pressure sensor that can detect even minute pressure fluctuations using these flowmeters (for example, JP-A-57-54809). In the fluidic flowmeter, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-187814, in the flowmeter element portion, the main flow of the fluid ejected from the ejection nozzle is divided into a pair of partition walls by utilizing the Coanda effect. The pressure sensors are arranged alternately, and pressure fluctuations that occur when the flow changes are detected by a pressure sensor, and the flow rate of the fluid is detected at a frequency of pressure fluctuations corresponding to the flow rate. The Karman vortex flowmeter, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-54809, generates a Karman vortex intermittently in a flowing fluid by a vortex generator provided in a flowmeter element section, Is detected by a pressure sensor, and the flow rate of the fluid is detected by the number of Karman vortices generated according to the flow rate.

A pressure sensor used in such a flow meter is desired to have high sensitivity, that is, to detect a weak pressure change and a pressure change in a wide frequency range. To this end, measures against disturbance such as vibration are taken. , SN
The ratio must be quite high. The pressure sensor disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-54809 is known as a measure against vibration in order to increase the SN ratio. This pressure sensor uses a polymer piezoelectric material as a piezoelectric element, and two piezoelectric elements are attached like a bimorph type on both sides of a lever that branches for pressure detection and noise component correction, for noise component correction. The piezoelectric element covers the surrounding area to separate the pressure detecting piezoelectric element from the atmosphere. Since the vibration that is a noise component is applied to both the pressure detection piezoelectric element and the noise component correction piezoelectric element, it is theoretically possible to subtract the signal from the noise component correction piezoelectric element from the output signal from the pressure detection piezoelectric element. The noise due to vibration will be removed. This method is the most general method called the differential type that corrects noise components other than the detection target.

[0005]

However, in the structure of the above pressure sensor, since the piezoelectric elements for noise component correction and the piezoelectric element for pressure detection are housed in different structures and atmospheres, the piezoelectric elements for both piezoelectric elements are different. There is a problem that noise components cannot be accurately and sufficiently removed because vibrations and temperatures are transmitted in different ways. In particular, since the piezoelectric element for correcting the noise component is isolated, it is difficult to remove the noise related to the temperature change of the fluid and the noise component transmitted to the entire fluid from the throttle valve and the like. In addition, since the mechanically weak piezoelectric element is exposed in the fluid flow path, foreign matter in the fluid easily adheres to the piezoelectric element, and the piezoelectric element is not damaged or damaged during the manufacturing, handling, or implementation process. There is a problem that sensitivity is likely to be lowered.

In order to solve such a problem, the present applicant previously arranged two film-shaped piezoelectric elements side by side, and arranged two piezoelectric elements in parallel with each other through two inlet nozzles and fluid pressure introduction paths of substantially the same volume. There has been proposed a pressure sensor in which a pressure is propagated to each surface and the pressure is simultaneously detected by each piezoelectric element in a reverse phase, and a gas flow meter using the pressure sensor (Japanese Patent Application No. 1-89633). issue). With this proposal, it is possible to accurately correct not only noise due to vibration but also noise such as temperature fluctuations and noise transmitted throughout the fluid, and the SN ratio is high.
Moreover, a highly sensitive pressure sensor capable of detecting even weak pressure fluctuations, having a simple structure and high reliability, and a highly accurate gas flow meter using the pressure sensor were obtained.

However, as a result of further studies, it was found that the above-proposed pressure sensor had the following problems. That is, in the above-proposed pressure sensor, the fluid pressure introduction paths leading to both surfaces of each piezoelectric element have substantially the same volume so that pressure is simultaneously transmitted to the front and back surfaces of the two film-shaped piezoelectric elements. However, a small volume difference may occur in each fluid pressure introduction path due to a manufacturing error or an assembly error. When such a volume difference occurs, the following problems may occur. For example, when the pressure sensor is attached to a gas flow meter for gas (city gas), a certain prescribed pressure is applied to the gas flow meter and the pressure sensor even when the gas does not actually flow. If this pressure fluctuates significantly for some reason, and if there is a minute volume difference in each fluid pressure introduction path, the state of pressure propagation to both sides of the piezoelectric element will differ, which will cause deformation of the piezoelectric element, resulting in a pressure sensor. Output is generated. When this output is equal to or larger than the output obtained by the pressure fluctuation according to the flow rate of gas, the flow rate is measured as if the gas flowed even though the gas did not actually flow. .. Also, even in normal flow rate measurement (when gas is actually flowing), if there is a minute volume difference in each fluid pressure introduction path, the pressure propagation speed to the front and back of each piezoelectric element will differ slightly. However, there is a problem that the sensitivity is lowered accordingly.

The object of the present invention is to further improve the previously proposed pressure sensor so that the volumes of the fluid pressure introduction paths to the two film-shaped piezoelectric elements are made uniform, and the flow rate is measured when the fluid to be measured is not flowing. In addition to eliminating the inconvenience, the pressure propagation velocities to the front and back surfaces of each piezoelectric element are made uniform to ensure high-sensitivity performance of the pressure sensor.

[0009]

According to the pressure sensor of the present invention for this purpose, two piezoelectric elements each having an electrode layer provided on both sides of a film-shaped piezoelectric body are sandwiched by two pairs of holders from both sides. And the two piezoelectric elements are arranged so as to face in the same direction and have the same polarization polarity on the surfaces in the same direction, and the pressure of the fluid is introduced into the pressure detecting section. Two inlet nozzles are provided, one inlet nozzle communicates with the first surface of the one piezoelectric element via the first fluid pressure introducing path, and the other inlet nozzle via the fourth fluid pressure introducing path. The first surface of the one piezoelectric element is communicated with the second surface of the other piezoelectric element having a different polarization polarity, and the other inlet nozzle is connected to the second surface of the other piezoelectric element through the second fluid pressure introduction path. And the third fluid pressure introduction path A pressure sensor communicated with the first surface of the other piezoelectric element, and means for adjusting at least one of the fluid pressure introduction paths to adjust the volume of the path by advancing and retracting into the path. It consists of

Preferably, the volume adjusting means includes one of the first fluid pressure introducing path and the second fluid pressure introducing path, and the third fluid pressure introducing path and the fourth fluid pressure introducing path. It is provided for either one.

This pressure sensor is an optimal pressure sensor for use in a gas flow meter consisting of a fluidic flow meter and a Karman vortex flow meter, and the two inlet nozzles of the pressure sensor are two of the same area. It is connected to a flow meter element section that generates pressure fluctuations according to the flow rate of the fluid that is circulated, through a gasket having a pressure hole.

In the present invention, the piezoelectric body used for the piezoelectric element is a ceramic piezoelectric body represented by lead zirconate titanate (PZT), a polymer piezoelectric body, or a polymer containing P.
It is composed of a composite piezoelectric material mixed with ZT powder. The polymeric piezoelectric body is made of, for example, a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and ethylene trifluoride. The film thickness depends on sensitivity, strength,
It is preferable to select it in consideration of handleability. The film thickness can be easily and highly accurately controlled by a known film forming technique.

The electrode layers provided on both sides of the piezoelectric body are made of a material such as aluminum, copper, gold, nickel and palladium, and are formed on the surface of the piezoelectric body by a metallizing method such as vapor deposition, sputtering and plating. It is desirable that each fluid pressure introduction path has a bent structure or a throttle interposition structure so that the introduced fluid does not directly contact the piezoelectric element surface. Further, the polarization polarity of the piezoelectric element is given in the process of manufacturing the piezoelectric body, and a well-known method can be applied to this. The piezoelectric elements are arranged in the pressure detection unit so that both surfaces thereof face in the same direction, but they may be arranged in parallel or in series.

[0014]

In the pressure sensor as described above, the pressure of the fluid taken out from a certain pressure outlet is passed through one inlet nozzle, the first fluid pressure introducing path, and the fourth fluid pressure introducing path to the one side. Of the same fluid that is simultaneously introduced into the first surface of the piezoelectric element and the second surface of the other piezoelectric element and taken out from another pressure outlet,
Through the third fluid pressure introducing path and the second surface of the one piezoelectric element and the first piezoelectric element of the other piezoelectric element.
Are simultaneously introduced into the surface of the piezoelectric element, the amount of polarization changes due to the deformation of each piezoelectric element caused by the pressure difference between the both surfaces, and the potential difference between the two surfaces of the piezoelectric body caused thereby is output via the electrode layer. The sum of the outputs of both piezoelectric elements is input to an amplifier circuit or the like, and is extracted as a frequency signal proportional to the flow rate by signal processing.

In the detection by this pressure sensor,
(A) A structure in which fluid pressure is simultaneously introduced to both sides of the piezoelectric element and the differential pressure is detected, (b) Two piezoelectric elements are arranged side by side in the same atmosphere with substantially the same structure,
(C) Since the volumes of the fluid pressure introduction paths on both sides of the piezoelectric element can be adjusted to be substantially the same, noise components can be removed extremely accurately.

First, since the fluid pressure is simultaneously introduced to both surfaces of one piezoelectric element, the pressure fluctuations of the entire fluid can be obtained by connecting two inlet nozzles to different measurement positions for the same fluid to be measured. The noise component) can be simultaneously guided to both surfaces of the piezoelectric element, and local pressure fluctuation corresponding to the measurement position can be guided from one path. Since the pressure fluctuation of the entire fluid is simultaneously transmitted to both surfaces of the two piezoelectric elements, the fluctuation component causes the two piezoelectric elements to undergo the same deformation and the piezoelectric element itself erases the potential difference due to the pressure fluctuation of the entire fluid. A signal having a frequency corresponding to the potential difference corresponding to the differential pressure component between the two surfaces and the number of times of differential pressure generation is output. The same applies to temperature fluctuations of the entire fluid, and temperature fluctuations are simultaneously transmitted to both surfaces of each piezoelectric element, so the two piezoelectric elements undergo the same deformation due to this fluctuation component, and the piezoelectric elements themselves are deformed. Noise components due to temperature fluctuations are automatically deleted. Therefore, by connecting this pressure sensor to the flow meter element of a fluidic flow meter or Karman vortex flow meter, the fluctuation component of the entire fluid that may cause noise is automatically deleted, while the pressure fluctuation component due to fluid vibration or the Karman vortex Only the pressure fluctuation component due to can be detected with high accuracy.

Since the pressures from the same path are introduced to the surfaces of the respective piezoelectric elements arranged so that their polarization polarities are the same, the directions of deformation of both piezoelectric elements are different. By outputting as the sum of the opposite phases and the noise component resulting from the fluctuation of the entire fluid, the output signal can be obtained with twice as high sensitivity as in the case of one piezoelectric element. .

Further, the noise component caused by the vibration of the pressure sensor and the flow meter as a whole is almost completely removed by the two piezoelectric element juxtaposed structures. Since the two piezoelectric elements are arranged in the same direction, both piezoelectric elements vibrate simultaneously under the same conditions. As described above, both piezoelectric elements simultaneously detect the pressure to be measured in opposite phases, but when vibration is applied to both piezoelectric elements, the vibration causes a deformation force in the direction in which one of the piezoelectric elements reduces the detected pressure. Is applied, a deforming force in the direction of increasing the detected pressure always acts on the other piezoelectric element with the same magnitude. The output from the pressure detector is the sum of the opposite phase detection outputs of both piezoelectric elements.
Eventually, the noise component associated with the vibration is automatically erased, and only the pressure to be measured is detected with double sensitivity as described above.

Further, in the pressure sensor of the present invention, since the volume of the fluid pressure introducing path to the piezoelectric element can be adjusted by the volume adjusting means, there is a small volume difference in each fluid pressure introducing path due to manufacturing error or assembly error. Even if there is, the volume of the fluid pressure introduction path to both sides of the piezoelectric element is adjusted to be the same volume. As a result, for example, when the fluid does not actually flow but only a pressure fluctuation occurs, the fluctuating pressure is transmitted to the both sides of the piezoelectric element at the same time, and the deformation of the piezoelectric element due to the fluctuating pressure is prevented. Therefore, there is no inconvenience that the fluctuating pressure is erroneously measured as the flow rate. That is, the high-sensitivity measurement function described above is always maintained, and highly accurate and highly reliable flow rate measurement is ensured.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 show a pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 shows an example in which the pressure sensor is used in a fluidic flow meter.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an entire pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A pressure detection unit 4 having individual piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 and an electric signal processing circuit 5 (shown in FIG. 8) are provided. The two piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 are sandwiched by two pairs of holders 12, 13 and 14, 15 from both sides, and the central portions thereof are stretched so as to be deformable. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 2, the piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 are formed on both surfaces of film-shaped piezoelectric bodies 6 and 7 made of a piezoelectric material, and are made of a metal such as aluminum, copper, gold, nickel, or palladium having good corrosion resistance. The electrode layers 8, 9 and 10, 11 are formed by vapor deposition, sputtering, plating or the like.
The planar shape of the two piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 is circular in the present embodiment, but is not limited to this. Piezoelectric body 6,
Various piezoelectric materials can be applied as the material of No. 7, but in the present embodiment, a polymeric piezoelectric material made of a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and ethylene trifluoride was used. The thickness of the polymer piezoelectric film is determined in consideration of sensitivity, strength and easiness of handling, but in this embodiment, it is set to 15 μm. However, the pressure sensor according to the present invention includes, of course, a liquid sensor, and the thickness of the polymer piezoelectric film and the structure such as an electrode portion described later may be appropriately selected according to the liquid to be measured. Although not shown, depending on the fluid to be measured and the magnitude of pressure fluctuation, it is possible to attach a polymer piezoelectric film to a thin metal or rubber diaphragm and treat it as a reinforced polymer piezoelectric film as a whole. .

The peripheral portions of the piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 are holders 12, 13 and 1 from both sides via electrode layers 8, 9 and 10, 11.
Held by 4, 15. The piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 held by the respective holders are arranged in parallel so that both surfaces thereof face in the same direction, and the surfaces in the same direction have the same polarization polarity. Holder 12, 1
3, 14, 15 are wholly or entirely formed of a conductor such as brass, and are electrically connected to the respective electrode layers 8, 9, 10, 11 to function as output terminals of the respective piezoelectric elements. The holders 12 and 13, 14 and 15 are insulated by the piezoelectric bodies 6 and 7.

This pair of two holders 12, 13 and 14, 15
Then, the piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 are sandwiched and stretched as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 having a circular planar shape
Is sandwiched by the holder at its peripheral portion, and the piezoelectric element sandwiching surfaces 12a 1, 13a and 14a 1, 15a of the holder are formed as inclined surfaces inclined in the same direction at the same angle θ. As the inclination angle θ, an angle of 7 °, which gives the maximum output from the test results of the inclination angle θ and the output of the pressure sensor, is adopted. However, this inclination angle may be appropriately determined depending on the material, thickness, rigidity, etc. of the piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 so that the output of the pressure sensor is maximized. The piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 are formed as a simple flat film, as shown in FIG. 3, before being assembled, that is, before being sandwiched between the holders 12, 13 or 14, 15. And slopes 12a, 13a and 14a, 15a
When sandwiched between both holders 12, 13 and 14, 15 having
As shown in FIG. 4, the piezoelectric element 2 and the peripheral edge portion of the piezoelectric element 3 are inclined surfaces
Since it is forcibly deformed along a, 13a and 14a, 15a, the entire piezoelectric element 2, 3 becomes a diaphragm shape (shape shown) or a hemispherical shape, and is stretched in that state.

By using a piezoelectric element previously formed in a diaphragm shape or a hemispherical shape and carefully holding it between both holders, the shape is maintained and the sensitivity is maintained.

On both sides of the piezoelectric elements 2 and 3, pressure chambers 16 and
17, 18, 19 are formed. Each pressure chamber 16, 17, 18, 19
Respectively communicate with the corresponding front chambers 20, 21, 22, 23.

The piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 are pressed and sandwiched as shown in FIG. Although the illustrated example shows the piezoelectric element 2, the piezoelectric element 3 has a similar structure. The piezoelectric element 2 is sandwiched by the holders 12 and 13 from both sides, the lower holder 12 is supported via the spacer 24 and the electrode plate 25, and the electrode plate 25 has a square head (rotated). It is fixed via screws 26. Upper holder
13 is urged by a spring 28 via an electrode plate 27, and the urging force of the spring 28 is used to cause the piezoelectric element 2 to move to both holders 1
It is clamped by pressure between 2 and 13. The electrode plate 27 is fixed in position by a screw 29 having a square head, while having the degree of freedom in the pressure contact direction. The screw 29 is fixed to the lid 33 of the substrate 32 via an O-ring 49, a washer 30, and a nut 31 for preventing gas from leaking from the pressure detecting portion 4. A circuit board 35 is fixed to each screw 29 via a nut 34, and the electrical signal processing circuit 5 is mounted on the circuit board 35.
Is built in. Reference numeral 36 and 37 in FIG.
The power input terminal of the circuit 5 and the output terminal 38 of the circuit 5 are shown. The input / output terminals 36, 37, 38 are hermetically sealed to the lid 46 of the shield case to prevent gas from leaking from the terminals. In addition, one of the electrode plates 25, 25 or 27, 27 of the piezoelectric elements 2, 3 is screwed by the screw 29.
Of the other electrode plate 27, 27 or 25, 25 is connected to the circuit 5 as an input to the electric signal processing circuit 5.

The pressure detector 4 includes holders 12, 13 and 14,
A substrate 32 for accommodating and holding 15 and a second fluid pressure introduction path 43
Of the substrate and a part of the fourth fluid pressure introduction path 45 are surrounded by a substrate lid 33 and a shield case 41 in which two inlet nozzles 39, 40 for introducing the fluid pressure are formed. . The shield case 41 and the substrate 32, the substrate 32 and the lid 33 thereof, and the shield case 41 and the lid 46 thereof are joined to each other via a deformed O-ring so as not to leak from the inside. The substrate 32 and its lid 33 may be made of engineering plastic such as epoxy resin or polyacetal resin having good insulation and high mechanical strength. In this embodiment, it is made of polybutylene terephthalate resin (PBT resin). ing.

One of the inlet nozzles 39 has a front chamber 20 and a pressure chamber 16
Via the communication passage 47, the front chamber 23, and the pressure chamber 19 to the surface of the other piezoelectric element 3 having a different polarization polarity (the second surface). ing. Therefore, the path from the front chamber 20 to the pressure chamber 16 constitutes the first fluid pressure introduction path 42 in the present invention, and the path from the communication passage 47 to the pressure chamber 19 is the fourth fluid pressure introduction path.
It comprises 45. The other inlet nozzle 40 communicates with the other surface (first surface) of the piezoelectric element 3 through the front chamber 22 and the pressure chamber 18, and also through the communication passage 48, the front chamber 21, and the pressure chamber 17. 2 communicates with the other surface (second surface). Therefore, the path from the front chamber 22 to the pressure chamber 18 constitutes the third fluid pressure introduction path 44, and the communication passage 48 to the pressure chamber
The path to 17 constitutes the second fluid pressure introduction path 43.

Further, in this embodiment, two piezoelectric elements 2,
3, the arrangement of the inlet nozzles 39, 40, the fluid pressure introduction paths 42, 44, and the fluid pressure introduction paths 43, 45 and the internal structure of the pressure detection unit 4 are configured substantially symmetrically.

The pressure detector 4 and the electric signal processing circuit 5
Are housed in a case 41 which also serves as a shield made of metal, which is an electrically good conductor, so that they are not subjected to electromagnetic induction noise from a commercial power source or the like. The negative electrode of the power source in the circuit and the case 41 are connected via screws, nuts and washers, which are not shown. Also,
In order to prevent noise generated due to movement of wiring materials and electronic parts, the case 41 and the case 41 are fixed to each other with an epoxy-based filling material, and the pressure sensor 1 is configured so that there is no extra gap inside.

With respect to the fluid pressure introduction path communicating with both surface sides of each piezoelectric element 2, 3, in the present embodiment, with respect to the second fluid pressure introduction path 43 and the fourth fluid pressure introduction path 45, advance and retreat into the path. Therefore, the volume adjusting means capable of adjusting the volume of the path is provided. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the volume adjusting means penetrates through the lid 33 and the second fluid pressure introducing path 43.
A bolt 51 extending to the antechamber 21 forming a part thereof, and a bolt 52 penetrating the lid 33 and extending to the antechamber 23 forming a part of the fourth fluid pressure introducing path 45. That is, the volume adjusting means is provided for one of the first fluid pressure introducing path and the second fluid pressure introducing path, and for the third fluid pressure introducing path and the fourth fluid pressure introducing path. Are provided. The volumes of the second fluid pressure introduction path 43 and the fourth fluid pressure introduction path 45 are adjusted by advancing and retracting the bolts 51 and 52 as the volume adjusting means into and out of the front chamber 21 and the front chamber 23, respectively. It is like this. The volume adjusting means can be provided in any one of the fluid pressure introducing paths. Further, the volume adjusting means is not particularly limited to the above structure as long as the volume of the fluid pressure introducing path can be adjusted and the adjustment can be performed from the outside. However, if it is formed of a rod-shaped member such as a bolt, there will be few obstacles to the assembly of the pressure detection unit 4. Further, the position at which the volume adjusting means is provided is not particularly limited as long as the target volume of the fluid pressure introducing path can be adjusted, and may be moved back and forth to a place other than the front chamber.

In the lid 33, penetrating female thread portions 53 and 54 which are screwed into the thread portions of the bolts 51 and 52, and a diameter expansion hole portion 55 formed in a portion corresponding to a portion of the bolt where the screw is not formed. , 56 are provided, and O-rings 57, 58 are fitted between the expanded-diameter holes 55, 56 and the bolts 51, 52 to prevent the fluid from leaking from the pressure detecting portion 4. There is.

The material of the bolts 51 and 52 is not particularly limited,
The same material as that of the lid 33 does not cause a feeling of discomfort, but may be inorganic or organic as long as it has good strength and chemical resistance. For example, metal or engineering plastic may be used. In this embodiment, metal bolts are used.

The operation of the pressure sensor having the above structure will be described below together with the structure and operation of the pressure sensor 1 when the pressure sensor 1 is used in a fluidic gas flowmeter.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration in which the pressure sensor 1 is applied to a fluidic flow meter, and 60 in the figure shows a flow meter element portion in the fluidic flow meter.
Gas to be measured is circulated through the flowmeter element unit 60 in the direction of the arrow. Reference numeral 61 is a flow path contracting portion, and a jet flow having an increased flow velocity is jetted from a jet nozzle 62 at the tip thereof. Due to the Coanda effect, the main flow of the jet flow is a pair of partition walls that form the flow passage expanding portion 63.
It flows along one of the wall surfaces of either 64 or 65, but the wall surface flow is redirected along the reflecting vane 69 and directed so as to be orthogonal to the jet from the jet nozzle 62 from the control nozzle 66 (or 67). Then, a force acts so that the jet flow from the jet nozzle 62 flows along the other partition wall. Since this is repeated, the gas flows alternately along the partition walls 64 and 65, and a pressure fluctuation occurs in the flowmeter element unit 60 in response to this flow change. Since the frequency of the flow change is proportional to the gas flow rate, the flow rate can be measured by detecting the frequency of pressure fluctuation. In the figure, 68 is a target for efficiently directing the jet flow to one of the partition walls, and 70 is a guide plate for guiding the flow.

Internal pressure outlets 71 and 72 are provided in the flow meter element portion 60 as described above, and the internal pressure outlets 71 and 72 are gaskets.
Pressure sensor 1 through 73 (preferably rubber with chemical resistance)
Are connected to the inlet nozzles 39 and 40, respectively.

Inside the flowmeter element 60, the flow is the internal pressure outlet
When switching to the 71 side, the fluid pressure in the vicinity of the internal pressure outlet 71 becomes lower than in the vicinity of the internal pressure outlet 72, and conversely the flow becomes the internal pressure outlet.
When switched to the 72 side, the fluid pressure near the internal pressure outlet 72 becomes lower. The pressure (P1) at the internal pressure outlet 71 is the gasket 73, the inlet nozzle 39, and the first fluid pressure introduction path 42.
And the piezoelectric element 2 via the fourth fluid pressure introduction path 45.
The pressure (P2) at the internal pressure outlet 72, which is introduced to the first surface of the piezoelectric element 3 and the second surface of the piezoelectric element 3, the gasket 73, the inlet nozzle 40, the second fluid pressure introduction path 43, and the third fluid pressure. It is introduced into the other surface (second surface) of the piezoelectric element 2 and the other surface (first surface) of the piezoelectric element 3 through the introduction path 44. The pressures P1 and P2 are alternately applied to the two piezoelectric elements 2 and 3, and the amount of polarization changes due to the deformation of the piezoelectric element due to the pressure variation,
As a result, a potential difference is generated on both sides of the piezoelectric body itself. The sum of the outputs of both piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 is sent to the electrical processing circuit 5,
It is processed and taken out from the output terminals 36 and 37 as a pressure fluctuation detection signal.

In the above detection, the fluid pressure is simultaneously introduced to both surfaces of the piezoelectric element, and the differential pressure is detected by each piezoelectric element. Therefore, the noise component due to the pressure variation and temperature variation generated in the entire fluid is eliminated. Since they are added to both sides of the piezoelectric element at the same time, the piezoelectric element undergoes the same deformation due to the noise component, and the noise component is automatically erased in the piezoelectric element itself. Since the detection output of the pressure to be measured from which the noise has been removed is taken out as the sum of the outputs from both piezoelectric elements 2 and 3, it is taken out with double the sensitivity as compared with the case of one sheet, which is extremely highly accurate. Various detections are possible.

When vibration is applied as a disturbance, the exciting force acts on both piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 simultaneously as a force in the same direction. Although the deformation directions of the piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 due to the introduction of the fluid pressure are opposite to each other, the deformation margins of the two piezoelectric elements due to the above-mentioned vibration force are the same in the directions of increasing and decreasing the deformation. Become. Therefore, the increase / decrease in the output due to this noise component is automatically erased at the stage of adding the outputs of both piezoelectric elements 2 and 3.

Regarding the noise due to the sound pressure, the piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 are simultaneously deformed by the same amount in the thickness direction due to the propagated sound pressure. Therefore, the increase / decrease in the output due to this noise component is automatically erased at the stage of adding the outputs of both piezoelectric elements 2 and 3. As a result, the noise due to the sound pressure is also automatically deleted, and the pressure fluctuation of the measurement target is detected with extremely high accuracy.

Further, in this embodiment, in order to further enhance the noise removing effect, the arrangement of the inlet nozzles 39 and 40, the fluid pressure introducing paths, and the structure of the pressure detecting portion for the two piezoelectric elements 2 and 3. Are configured to have almost the same shape and symmetry.

Next, the volume adjustment of the fluid pressure introducing path by the volume adjusting means will be described. In the present embodiment, since the bolts 51 and 52 as the volume adjusting means are provided in both the second fluid pressure introducing passage 43 and the fourth fluid pressure introducing passage 45, the second fluid pressure introducing passage 43 is provided. The first
To the fluid pressure introduction path 42, the fourth fluid pressure introduction path 45 to the third fluid pressure introduction path 44,
Can be adjusted to the same volume. Therefore, each piezoelectric element 2,
With respect to each of No. 3 and No. 3, the volumes of the fluid pressure introduction paths to both sides thereof become equal, and the pressure propagation velocities to both sides become equal. As a result, for example, when the fluid does not actually flow but only a pressure fluctuation occurs, the fluctuating pressure is transmitted to the both sides of the piezoelectric element at the same time, and the deformation of the piezoelectric element due to the fluctuating pressure is prevented. That is, this fluctuating pressure is not erroneously measured as the flow rate, and erroneous measurement due to disturbance is prevented. In the actual flow rate measurement, the fluctuating pressure transmitted to the piezoelectric element 2 via the first fluid pressure introduction path 42 and the fluctuating pressure transmitted to the piezoelectric element 3 via the fourth fluid pressure introduction path 45, and Since the fluctuating pressure transmitted to the piezoelectric element 2 via the second fluid pressure introduction path 43 and the fluctuating pressure transmitted to the piezoelectric element 3 via the third fluid pressure introduction path 44 are simultaneously transmitted, respectively, the above-mentioned piezoelectric The output of the opposite phase due to the fluctuating pressure detected by the elements 2 and 3 is completely synchronized. Therefore, the output having the above-mentioned doubled sensitivity is retrieved very accurately. That is, highly accurate flow rate measurement is guaranteed.

Further, in the present invention, the volume adjusting means is 4
It is also possible to provide only one of the two fluid pressure introduction paths. In this case, highly accurate flow rate measurement is guaranteed by making the following adjustments. That is, when there is a subtle difference in volume between the fluid pressure introduction paths on the side where the volume adjusting means is not provided on the fluid pressure introduction path to both sides of the piezoelectric element, the fluid pressure introduction path to both sides of the piezoelectric element is By adjusting the volume difference that matches the volume difference on the side where the volume adjusting means is provided, it is possible to make the state of fluid pressure propagation to both sides of both piezoelectric elements the same. Is. As a result, regarding each piezoelectric element, the deformation speed of the piezoelectric element may be slightly slower due to a slight volume difference between the fluid pressure introduction paths leading to the front and back surfaces, but both piezoelectric elements have the same speed. Since it is deformed, the output of the opposite phase due to the fluctuating pressure can be perfectly synchronized. Therefore, also in this case, the output having the sensitivity doubled as described above is taken out very accurately, and the highly accurate flow rate measurement is guaranteed.

FIG. 11 shows an example in which the pressure sensor according to the present invention is used in a Karman vortex flowmeter. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 80 indicates the flow meter element portion of the Karman vortex flow meter, and 81 indicates the vortex generator. The fluid flowing in the direction of the arrow in the figure hits the vortex generator 81 to intermittently generate Karman vortices 82 in the subsequent flow. One internal pressure outlet 83 is provided at the passage of the Karman vortex 82, and the other internal pressure outlet 84 is provided on the inner wall surface portion of the flowmeter element portion 80. Both internal pressure outlets 83, 84 are connected to the inlet nozzles 39, 40 of the pressure sensor 1 via a gasket 85. Other configurations are the same as those shown in the above-mentioned embodiment.

In such a Karman vortex flowmeter,
The number of Karman vortices generated per unit time changes in proportion to the flow rate of the fluid, and the flow rate is detected by measuring the number of Karman vortex passages at the internal pressure outlet 83. The pressure fluctuation when passing through the Karman vortex is introduced to one side of both piezoelectric elements 2 and 3 through the internal pressure outlet 83, the gasket 85, and the inlet nozzle 39, and the internal pressure outlet 84, the gasket 85, and the inlet nozzle 40. The pressure of the whole passing fluid and the pressure fluctuation are both piezoelectric elements 2,
3 is introduced on the other side. As the sum of the outputs of both piezoelectric elements 2 and 3, only the pressure fluctuation due to the Karman vortex passage is accurately detected, and highly sensitive and highly accurate flow rate measurement is possible. Other functions are similar to those of the fluidic flowmeter described above.

Although the above description has been made on the fluidic flowmeter and the Karman vortex flowmeter, the pressure sensor according to the present invention can be applied to other flowmeters as long as pressure fluctuation detection is essential. is there.

[0047]

As described above, when the pressure sensor of the present invention is used, one of the two piezoelectric elements arranged so that the surfaces in the same direction have the same polarization polarity is connected to one of the inlet nozzles. The pressure from the other inlet nozzle is applied to the other surface at the same time, and the noise component due to pressure fluctuation and temperature fluctuation is automatically eliminated by taking the differential pressure between the two surfaces, and at the same time, The detection accuracy is doubled by taking the sum of the outputs, and since the two piezoelectric elements are positively arranged side by side under the same condition, noise due to vibration can be automatically eliminated. Further, since at least one of the fluid pressure introduction paths leading to the piezoelectric element is provided with volume adjusting means capable of adjusting the volume of the path by advancing and retreating into the path, pressure propagation to the front and back surfaces of each piezoelectric element The velocity or the state of pressure propagation to both piezoelectric elements can be made uniform to ensure the above-mentioned highly sensitive pressure detection and maintain the accuracy of flow rate measurement.

According to the pressure sensor of the present invention, the minimum detectable pressure fluctuation width is 0.0001 to 0.1 mmH ₂ O, which is extremely small, and can be further reduced. Furthermore, SN ratio 20dBV in 0.0001mmH ₂ O, 0.1 mmH ₂ O
It is very high at 60 dBV. For this reason, it has become possible to detect minute pressure fluctuations of gas or liquid that could not be detected conventionally without being affected by ambient noise. With the technology up to the present, minute pressure fluctuations of about 0.1 mmH ₂ O are quite large, or measurement was not possible without expensive equipment. However, the product of the present invention can be configured as an extremely small sensor, and the fluidic flow rate can easily It can be used not only in the meter and Karman vortex flowmeter, but also in other instruments and part of the machine, so it can be expected to be used in a wide range of fields. Further, since the mechanically weak piezoelectric element is not exposed, the piezoelectric element is not damaged or the sensitivity is not lowered, and the durability is high and the life is long. Moreover, the volume adjusting means ensures a high-sensitivity detection state, so that the reliability is high.
Furthermore, the structure is simple, and there are no parts that require high technology for manufacturing, so that it can be manufactured at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view of a piezoelectric element portion of the pressure sensor of FIG.

3 is an enlarged partial exploded sectional view of the pressure sensor of FIG. 1 before attachment of a piezoelectric element.

4 is a vertical cross-sectional view after the piezoelectric element of FIG. 3 is attached.

5 is an enlarged exploded vertical cross-sectional view of a piezoelectric element holding portion in the pressure sensor of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a volume adjusting means portion of the pressure sensor of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG.

8 is a schematic configuration diagram when the pressure sensor of FIG. 1 is used in a fluidic flow meter.

9 is a schematic configuration diagram when the pressure sensor of FIG. 1 is used in a Karman vortex flowmeter.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Pressure Sensor 2, 3 Piezoelectric Element 4 Pressure Detecting Section 5 Electrical Signal Processing Circuit 6, 7 Piezoelectric Body 8, 9, 10, 11 Electrode Layer 12, 13, 14, 15 Holder 16, 17, 18, 19 Pressure Chamber 20 , 21, 22, 23 Front chamber 32 Substrate 33 Lid 35 Circuit board 36, 37 Input terminal 38 Output terminal 39, 40 Inlet nozzle 41 Shield case 42 First fluid pressure introduction path 43 Second fluid pressure introduction path 44 Third Fluid pressure introduction route 45 Fourth fluid pressure introduction route 46 Lids 47, 48 Communication passages 49 O-rings 51, 52 Bolts 53, 54 as volume adjusting means Female threads 55, 56 Expanded holes 57, 58 O-rings 60 Flowmeter element part 61 Flow path reduction part 62 Jet nozzle 63 Flow path expansion part 64, 65 Partition wall 66, 67 Control nozzle 68 Target 69 Reflector blade 70 Guide plate 71, 72 Internal pressure outlet 73 Gasket 80 Karman vortex flowmeter Flowmeter element part 81 Vortex generator 82 Karman vortex 83, 84 Internal pressure outlet 85 Gasket

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A pressure detecting portion, comprising two piezoelectric elements each having an electrode layer provided on both sides of a film-shaped piezoelectric body, sandwiched between two pairs of holders from both sides, and provided with tension. The elements are arranged so as to face in the same direction and have the same polarization polarity in the same direction, and the pressure detecting portion is provided with two inlet nozzles for introducing the pressure of the fluid. The polarization polarity is different from that of the first surface of the one piezoelectric element communicated with the first surface of the one piezoelectric element via the first fluid pressure introduction path and the fourth surface of the one piezoelectric element via the fourth fluid pressure introduction path. The second surface of the other piezoelectric element is communicated with, and the other inlet nozzle is communicated with the second surface of the one piezoelectric element via the second fluid pressure introducing path, and the third fluid pressure introducing path is also provided. Via a pressure sensor connected to the first surface of the other piezoelectric element via A pressure sensor, characterized in that at least one of the fluid pressure introduction paths is provided with means for adjusting the volume of the path by advancing and retracting into the path. 2. The volume adjusting means includes one of the first fluid pressure introducing path and the second fluid pressure introducing path, and any one of the third fluid pressure introducing path and the fourth fluid pressure introducing path. The pressure sensor according to claim 1, which is provided on one side.