JPH0688883A - Detector for snowfall and intensity of snowfall - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make judgement of the intensity of snowfall possible by a simple and inexpensive construction, by constructing an electrode on one side of an electrode couple so that it is integrated with a heater for thawing. CONSTITUTION:An electrode 3 on one side out of electrodes 2 and 3 which are formed in close contact with the surface of an insulative film 1 is so constructed as to have two kinds of uses, an electrode for detection and a heater for thawing, and the electrode itself is made to have a resistance value of low uniformity. The film 1 is so constructed as to be thin as much as possible, since the amount of the effect on electric flux lines 4 is small when it is thick. When a DC voltage is impressed between the electrodes 2 and 3, the electrode 3 generates a heat and thereby snow on the surface of the film 1 is thawed. Therefore, snowfall and the intensity of the snowfall are judged from a change of impedance or the amount of change thereof at the time when the snow sticks on the surface of the film 1. Since the surface of the film 1 has no projection and a water drop slips well thereon, detection is completed quickly with the end of the snowfall. Since the electrode 3 itself serves as the heater, nonuniformity of the surface temperature of the film 1 is little and detecting sensitivity is uniform.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a snowfall and snowfall intensity detector which is used when controlling small-scale road heating (for example, a general home or a small store) in a cold snowy area.

2. Description of the Related Art In conventional electrode type snowfall and snowfall intensity detectors, the electrode for detecting snowfall is utilized only for the purpose of detecting snowfall, and the heater for melting snow on the detector surface is Are separated and prepared separately. These detectors do not directly detect the snow as they are, but melt the snow on the detection surface to detect the water content, so that a snow melting heater is absolutely necessary. Therefore, two kinds of parts such as a detection electrode and a heater are required, and in order to uniformly heat the detection surface, the shape and arrangement of the heater are devised, resulting in a complicated structure. There are many problems such as rising prices.

[0002]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to utilize an electrode for detecting snowfall and snowfall intensity as a heater for melting snow as well as the purpose of detection. With this structure, the structure can be simple and inexpensive because it can be composed of one component instead of two components such as the conventional detection electrode and heater.

[0003]

First, the principle structure of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, 1 is an insulating film or the like, 2 is one side of the electrode adhered to 1, 3 is the other side of the electrode adhered to 1, and has two uses of a snow melting heater and an electrode is there. Reference numeral 4 is a line of electric force generated when an alternating voltage is applied to the electrodes.

[0004]

EXAMPLE In FIG. 1, when AC voltage is applied to the electrodes 2 and 3, the impedance when there is nothing on the surface of 1 is basically represented by Z = 1 / ωc. When the snow on the surface of 1 affects the electric lines of force of 4. Therefore, the value of c in the above equation changes, which in turn changes the impedance. However, since the amount of influence of the snow on the electric lines of force is very small, it is necessary to melt the snow with a snow melting heater to increase the amount of influence on the electric lines of force.

Therefore, in order to use the electrode 3 as the electrode itself and also as a snow melting heater,
The electrodes themselves are configured to have a uniform and low resistance value.
DC voltage is applied between the electrodes. By doing so, 3
The electrode of 1 generates heat and acts to melt the snow on the surface of 1. Further, if the thickness of 1 is too thick, the amount of influence on the lines of electric force becomes small, so that 1 is made very thin. By arranging the electrodes very finely with the configuration as described above, it is possible to judge the snowfall and the snowfall intensity based on the impedance change or the amount of change when the snow is on the surface of 1. Furthermore, since there are no protrusions on the surface of 1, the water droplets are slippery and the detection ends immediately after the snowfall ends. Also, since the electrode of 3 also functions as a heater for snow melting, the surface temperature of 1 is less uneven,
The detection sensitivity is also almost uniform.

[0006]

【The invention's effect】

1) Since the detection electrode and the snow melting heater are integrated, the number of parts is reduced. 2) Since the detection electrode and the snow melting heater are integrated, the structure is simple. 3) Since the detection electrode and the snow melting heater are integrated, the temperature distribution on the detection surface has little unevenness. 4) In order to detect with an insulated person such as an insulating film,
There is no worry of electrode corrosion. 5) Since no optical parts are required, the sensitivity is less likely to decrease due to stains. 6) Since there are no protrusions on the detection surface, it is possible to quickly determine the end of snowfall. 7) The snowfall intensity can be determined with a relatively simple structure. 8) Since the snowfall intensity can also be determined, it is possible to operate a small-scale road heating system more efficiently.

[0007]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the present invention.

[0008]

[Explanation of symbols]

 Fig. 1 1 Insulating film, etc. 2 First electrode 3 Second electrode (also used as heater for snow melting) 4 Line of electric force

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A detector for arranging an electrode pair in close contact with an inside of a polyhedron made of an insulating film or a resin plate, and detecting the presence or absence of snowfall and the snowfall intensity on the outside of the polyhedron, wherein the electrode pair comprises: A material having an electric resistance value other than 0 is used, and the electrode itself has two or more terminals for one side or both shapes of the electrode pair, and has a substantially uniform current path between the terminals to easily generate heat. With the structure that can be done, the electrode pair, the electrical of the medium interposed between the mutual electrodes,
Snowfall and snowfall intensity detectors configured to detect changes or rate of change in magnetic characteristics