JPH07270158A - Inclination sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an inclination sensor functioning as inclination detector in one direction alone by lowering cost with smaller height dimensions. CONSTITUTION:This inclination sensor 1 includes a magnet body 2, a non- magnetic container which has a magnet body moving section 3 comprising a flat part to let the magnet body 2 stay as being steady and an inclined part 3a to allow the moving of the magnet body 2 in one direction from the flat part 3a as being inclined and a lead switch 6 in which a magnetic holding part 7C formed by a part f one lead 7A is arranged below the flat part 3a of the magnet body moving section 3. A contact part of the lead switch 6 is closed by a magnetic flux which is supplied via the magnetic holding part 3 from the magnet body 2 as being steady. The contact part of the lead switch 6 is opened with a decrease in the magnetic flux to the magnetic holding part 7C with the movement of the magnet body 2 in one direction to the inclined part 3b from the flat part 3a corresponding to the inclination of the container 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tilt sensor, and more particularly to a tilt sensor suitable for application to, for example, a warm air blower.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional example of this type of tilt sensor is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

An inclination sensor 51 shown in FIG. 14 has a spherical movable permanent magnet 53 and a space 54 in which the movable permanent magnet 53 can move (roll) at a substantially central portion, and a reed switch 58 described later is inserted therein. A groove portion 55 is provided in the upper portion of the space 54, and a container 56 in which the holding magnetic body 57 whose upper end is exposed to the space 54 is loaded, and a reed switch 58 arranged in the groove portion 55 of the container 56 are provided. . The holding magnetic body 57 magnetically holds the movable permanent magnet 53 by a magnetic attraction force acting between the holding magnetic body 57 and the movable permanent magnet 53. The reed switch 58 forms a contact portion sealed by a glass sealing body with the ends of the pair of leads 58A, 58B, and each lead 58A, 58B.
Lead wires 58C and 58D are connected to 58B, respectively.

In the tilt sensor 51, in a normal state where the container 56 is placed in a flat position, the magnetic pole direction of the movable permanent magnet 53 and the lead shaft of the reed switch 58 are aligned with each other. The magnetic flux of the movable permanent magnet 53 passes in the axial direction, and the reed switch 58 is in the on state with the contact portions of the pair of reeds 58A and 58B closed by the magnetic attraction force.

On the other hand, when the container 56 itself is tilted at a predetermined tilt angle θ as shown in FIG. 15, the magnetic pole direction of the movable permanent magnet 53 and the lead axis direction of the reed switch 58 are deviated from each other, so that the reed switch 58 is moved. The magnetic flux component in the reed axis direction decreases, and the magnetic attraction force of the movable permanent magnet 53 decreases. As a result, the contact portion of the reed switch 58 opens and changes to the off state.

Therefore, by the operation of the inclination sensor 51 as described above, it is possible to detect the inclination state of the container 56 and further the inclination of the warm air blower or the like incorporating the inclination sensor 51.

[0007]

However, in the case of the conventional tilt sensor 51 described above, the reed switch 58,
Since the movable permanent magnet 53 and the holding magnetic body 57 are arranged in the vertical direction, the height dimension H of the container 56 is defined as the length of the holding magnetic body 57 and the movable permanent magnet 53.
Must be larger than the total diameter of the reed switch 58 and the size of the glass sealed body of the reed switch 58.
There is a problem that the height dimension becomes large and the cost is high due to the large number of parts.

Further, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional inclination sensor 51, since the movable permanent magnet 53 is arranged in the space 54, the contact portion between the movable permanent magnet 53 and the holding magnetic body 57 becomes point contact. As a result, there is also a problem in that a slight vibration easily causes a malfunction.

Further, in the case of the conventional tilt sensor 51 described above, the movable permanent magnet 53 can move bidirectionally in the space 54 as shown in FIG. 14, so that it functions as a bidirectional tilt detecting element. There is also a problem that it cannot be used as a detection element that detects an inclination in only one direction.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a tilt sensor which has a small height dimension, can be manufactured at a reduced cost, has no malfunction, and functions as a tilt detecting element in only one direction.

[0011]

An inclination sensor according to claim 1, wherein the magnet body and a flat portion where the magnet body stays in a steady state and the magnet body moves in one direction from the flat portion when in an inclined state. A non-magnetic container provided with a magnet moving part made of a slantable part and a magnetic holding part formed by a part of one lead are arranged below the magnet moving part in the vicinity of the flat part. A reed switch arranged, and in a steady state, the contact portion of the reed switch is closed by the magnetic flux supplied from the magnet body via the magnetic holding portion, and from the flat portion of the magnet body according to the inclination of the container. The contact portion of the reed switch is opened by reducing the magnetic flux to the magnetic holding portion due to the movement in one direction to the inclined portion.

In the tilt sensor according to the second aspect of the present invention, the engaging portion of the magnet body is provided on the flat portion of the magnet body moving portion.

[0013]

According to the tilt sensor of the first aspect, in a steady state, the magnet body is retained on the flat portion of the magnet body moving portion in the nonmagnetic container, and at this time, the magnet body is stronger than the magnetic holding portion. Magnetic flux is supplied to the contact portion of the reed switch via one of the leads that is held and includes the magnetic holding portion. As a result, the contact portion of the reed switch is closed. Further, the contact portion is opened due to a decrease in magnetic flux to the magnetic holding portion as the magnet body moving portion moves in one direction from a flat portion to an inclined portion of the magnet body moving portion according to the inclination of the container. As a result, it is possible to reliably execute the tilt detection operation in only one direction of the tilt sensor.

Further, according to this inclination sensor, since the magnetic holding member which can be constituted by the container, the magnet body and the reed switch and which is different from the conventional one, is not required, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. At the same time, since the reed switch is arranged along the magnet body moving part, the height dimension of the tilt sensor can be reduced.

According to the inclination sensor of the second aspect, since the engaging portion of the magnet body is provided in the flat portion of the magnet moving portion, the holding operation of the magnet body by the magnetic holding portion in the flat portion. Can be made more reliable, and malfunctions due to vibrations can be reliably prevented.

[0016]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below.

The tilt sensor 1 of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Is a spherical magnet body 2 and a slanting portion 3b that is movable in one direction (direction toward the other end) when the magnet body 2 stays in a flat portion 3a at one end in a steady state (flat state) and is slanted. A container 5 formed of a non-magnetic material having a groove 4 for forming a magnet body moving part 3 formed therein and a lid body (upper lid) 5B provided on the upper part thereof, and the magnet body below the magnet body moving part 3. The reed switch 6 is provided along the moving part 3 and fixed on the bottom plate 5A of the container 5 with an adhesive or the like.
As is clear from the cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 2, the magnet body moving portion 3 is composed of a pair of plate-like members arranged on the side wall portions 5a and 5b of the container 5 with an interval D0 in the middle. The groove 4 thus formed serves as a moving part of the magnet body 2. It goes without saying that the distance D0 is made smaller than the diameter of the magnet body 2 and slightly larger than the diameter of the glass sealing body 8 of the reed switch 6. Reed switch 6
By using a high-viscosity adhesive as the adhesive that adheres the bottom plate 5A to the bottom plate 5A,
It does not flow out through the hole 9 through which B is inserted.
An eyelet is attached to the hole 9 to form a pair of leads 7A and 7B.
May be fixed by soldering or the like.

The reed switch 6 includes a pair of reeds 7.
The ends of A and 7B are made to face each other in the glass sealing body 8 to form a contact portion, and the leads 7A and 7B protruding from the glass sealing body 8 are extended along the magnet body moving portion 3, and The magnet body moving portion 3 is bent downward from a position corresponding to the vicinity of both ends and penetrates through a hole 9 provided in the bottom plate 5A of the container 5 to project downward. The portion of one of the leads 7A located near the flat portion 3a of the magnet body moving portion 3 functions as a magnetic holding portion 7C that magnetically holds the magnet body 2.

The assembly of this tilt sensor is performed as follows. First, the reed switch 6 in which the reeds have been previously formed is inserted from the upper opening of the container 5, the tips of the reeds 7A and 7B are inserted into the through holes of the bottom plate 5A, and the reed switch 6 is bonded to the upper surface of the bottom plate 5A. Fix and insert the magnet body 2 from above the container, and place the magnet body 2 on the flat portion 3a.
After arranging, the upper lid 5B is covered and fixed by adhesion or the like.

If the bottom plate 5A is provided separately from the container instead of the above-mentioned structure, the reed switch 6 having reeds inserted through the bottom plate can be fixed in advance, and then the bottom plate can be attached to the bottom of the container. As a result, the work of inserting the lead can be facilitated and the assembly work can be carried out smoothly.

According to the inclination sensor 1, the magnet body moving portion 3 of the container 5 has a flat portion 3a on which the magnet body 2 stays in a steady state, and the magnet body 2 can move in one direction when in an inclined state. The inclined portion 3b is formed, the reed switch 6 is arranged below the magnet body moving portion 3, and the magnetic holding portion 7C formed on the reed of the reed switch 6 causes the magnet on the flat portion 3a in a steady state. Since the body 2 is magnetically held, the magnet body 2 in the steady state is magnetically strongly held by the magnetic holding portion 7C of the reed switch 6.

That is, in the steady state, the magnet body 2 is
The magnetic attraction force acting between the magnetic holding portion 7C and the magnetic holding portion 7C holds the lead 7A at the position where the magnetic attraction force is the largest. At this time, in the magnet body 2, the N pole or the S pole having the largest magnetic attraction force always faces the reed 7A side, and a sufficient magnetic flux is supplied to the contact portion of the reed switch 6. As a result, reliable "closing" of the contact portion is realized.

The contact portion of the reed switch 6 is
In a steady state, the magnetic body 2 is closed by the magnetic flux supplied to the leads via the magnetic holding portion 7C, and the flat portion 3a to the inclined portion 3b of the magnet body 2 corresponding to the inclination of the container 5 as shown in FIG. To the magnetic holding portion 7C and the lead 7A due to the movement of the upper surface of the groove portion 4 (movement of the upper surface of the groove portion 4), the tilt detection operation in one direction of the container 5 as shown in FIG. 3 is surely performed. I can do it. That is, the magnet body 2 is moved away from the magnetic holding portion 7C by an inclination more than the set angle of the container 5 (determined by the magnetic attraction force and inclination and the weight and diameter of the magnet body 2), and as a result, a sufficient magnetic flux is generated.
Is not supplied to the contact and the contact is opened.

Further, according to the inclination sensor 1, the container 5, the magnet body 2 and the reed switch 6 can be used, and a magnetic holding member as a separate component as in the prior art is not required, so that the number of components is reduced. Since the cost can be reduced and the reed switch 6 is arranged along the magnet body moving portion 3 of the magnet body 2, the height dimension H0 of the container 5 can be made smaller than that of the conventional example.

When the tilt sensor 1 is tilted in the opposite direction, the lateral wall of the flat portion 3a of the container 5 impedes the movement of the magnet body 2, so that the reed switch 6 contacts. The part maintains a positive “closed” state.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present embodiment, in which the bent end of one lead 7A of the reed switch 6 is further bent in comparison with the structure shown in the above-mentioned embodiment so that the magnet body 2 can be obtained.
A point where a projecting portion 7D that projects in the direction is provided, a point where the locking portion 15 is provided at the flat portion 3a of the magnet body moving portion 3, and
The difference is that the bottom plate 5A of the container 5 is a separate member and is attached to the container 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the engaging portion 15 provided on the flat portion 3a is formed by providing a notch portion 15 on the opposing wall surfaces of the flat portions 3a, 3a facing each other. According to the apparatus of this embodiment, since the protruding portion 7D of the lead 7A is closer to the magnet body 2, the magnetic holding operation is further assured, and the flat portion 3 of the magnet body moving portion is provided.
Since the locking portion 15 is provided in a, the holding operation of the magnet body 2 can be made more reliable, and the malfunction caused by the vibration can be surely prevented. Further, since the bottom plate 5A is a separate body, Since the reed switch 6 with the reeds 7A and 7B inserted therein can be attached and fixed to the bottom surface of the container 5, there is an advantage that the assembling work becomes easy.
In this case, the magnetic holding operation can be reliably performed even if the protrusion 7D is provided on the lead 7A without providing the locking portion 15.

In addition to the magnet body 2 shown in FIG. 1, the magnet body 2 is obtained by molding a columnar magnet 10 shown in FIG. 6 with a resin 11 to form a spherical body, and as shown in FIG. 7, a disk-shaped magnet. The body 14 or the like can also be used.

In particular, when the disk-shaped magnet body 14 shown in FIG. 7 is used, the container 5 is used more than when the magnet body 2 is used.
Between the front side wall surface 5a and the rear side wall surface 5b at
(That is, the width of the groove portion 4) can be narrowed, and the depth dimension D of the tilt sensor 1 shown in FIG. 2 can be reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a groove is provided in each of the hemispherical resin moldings 10a and 10b, and rod-shaped magnets 10a and 10b are embedded in the grooves, and both hemispheres are combined to form a spherical magnet body. Good. In this case, the magnets 10a, 10
It is advisable to set the polarity b so that it will be adsorbed when combined with each other, and to bond and fix the combined portion. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9, a pair of hemispherical resin molded bodies 11a and 11b are provided with grooves facing each other, and one bar-shaped magnet 10 is provided in each groove.
May be embedded to form a magnet body having a spherical shape as a whole. In this case, the hemispherical resin molded body and the magnet 10 in the molded body groove may be simultaneously bonded.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The tilt sensor 1A shown in FIG. 10 has basically the same structure as that of the tilt sensor 1 except that a magnetic holding portion 7C near the flat portion 3a is provided on the upper surface of the bottom 5A of the container 5. The inclined surface 5C is provided so that the distance to the inclined portion 3b increases as the distance increases along the inclined portion 3b. Then, the reed switch 6 is placed on the inclined surface 5C.
It is characterized by having placed.

According to the inclination sensor 1A, since the reed switch 6 is arranged along the inclined surface 5C, which is opposite to the inclined portion 3b in the inclined state, the magnet in the state where the container 5 is inclined in one direction is used. The separation distance of the body 2 from the magnetic holding portion 7C can be made larger, whereby the magnetic flux to the magnetic holding portion 7C accompanying the movement of the magnet body 2 from the flat portion 3a to the inclined portion 3b in one direction. Is more remarkable, and the tilt detection operation in only one direction can be realized more reliably.

The inclination sensor 1B shown in FIG. 11 has basically the same structure as the inclination sensor 1A, but a part of the outer circumference of the magnet body 2 is engaged with the flat portion 3a of the magnet body moving portion 3. The locking portion 15 for stopping is provided. According to this inclination sensor 1B, the magnet body 2 does not move at all due to slight vibration due to the locking action of the locking portion 15, and the holding operation of the magnet body 2 by the magnetic holding portion 7C in the flat portion 3a is made more reliable. It is possible to prevent malfunctions more reliably.

The tilt sensor 1C shown in FIG. 12 has basically the same structure as the tilt sensor 1 shown in FIG.
A nonmagnetic container 20 having a partition wall 21 on the upper surface of which the magnet body 2 stays in a steady state, and a magnet body moving portion 3 composed of a flat portion 3a and an inclined portion 3b that can move in one direction when in an inclined state is formed. And the flat portion 3a of the partition wall 21
The magnetic holding portion 7D in the bent state of one lead 7A of the reed switch 6 is made to face the flat portion 3a with the end portion 21a forming the above-mentioned being sandwiched therebetween.

Examples of the shape of the magnetic holding portion 7D in the bent state include a V shape and an R shape, and the magnetic holding portion 7D can form a portion having the strongest magnetic holding force for the magnet body 2.

The reed switch 6 is fixed to the bottom plate 22 made of an insulating plate arranged at the bottom of the container 20 with an adhesive. The assembling method is, for example, after attaching the magnet body 2 to the flat portion 3a before attaching the upper lid 5A, and then attaching the upper lid 5A, and after attaching the reed switch 6 with the reed switch lead inserted through the bottom plate 22. The bottom plate 22 is attached to the bottom of the container. This attachment may be a fitting, an adhesive surface, or the like.

According to the tilt sensor 1C, the magnet body 2 is held in the steady state by the magnetic holding portion 7D.
It can be strongly and stably held on the upper side, and the same effect as that of the tilt sensor 1 described above can be exhibited.

In the case of the inclination sensor 1C shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to regulate the movement of the magnet body 2 in the depth direction by providing a guide notch along the movement direction of the magnet body 2.

In the tilt sensor 1D shown in FIG. 13, instead of the magnetic holding portion 7D of the tilt sensor 1C, a through hole 21b as a locking portion that penetrates the end 21a forming the flat portion 3a of the partition wall 21 is provided. The magnetic holding portion 7E in which the lead 7A on one side of the reed switch 6 is bent is provided in the through hole 21.
It is arranged inside b.

According to this inclination sensor 1D, since the magnetic holding portion 7E of the lead 7A faces the inside of the through hole 21b, the magnetic holding force for the magnet body 2 is applied to the inclination sensor 1D.
It can be increased more than in the case of C.

Further, due to the locking action of the magnet body 2 by the through hole 21b, the magnet body 2 does not move due to slight vibration,
In combination with the increase in the magnetic holding force of the magnet body 2 due to the magnetic holding portion 7D, the malfunction of the tilt sensor 1D can be prevented more reliably.

The through hole 21b in the embodiment shown in FIG.
Instead of this, the same effect as above can be obtained by forming grooves on the upper and lower surfaces of the partition wall.

According to the above-mentioned tilt sensors, the number of components is small, the size is small, and it is most suitable for detecting tilt in only one direction, and stable and reliable operation can be achieved.

[0044]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an inclination sensor having a small height can be provided, which can surely execute the inclination detection operation in only one direction, reduce the number of parts, and reduce the cost. can do.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a tilt sensor which can prevent malfunction due to vibration or the like, and can more reliably prevent malfunction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an inclination sensor that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tilt sensor of the present embodiment in a tilted state.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the tilt sensor of the present invention.

5 is a perspective view of a main part for explaining a locking part of FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another example of the magnet body in the tilt sensor of this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing still another example of the magnet body in the tilt sensor of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a magnet body used in the tilt sensor.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the magnet body used in the tilt sensor.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing another example of the tilt sensor which is the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view showing still another example of the tilt sensor which is the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing still another example of the tilt sensor which is the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing still another example of the tilt sensor which is the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view showing a conventional inclination sensor.

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a conventional tilt sensor in a tilted state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Inclination sensor 2 Magnet body 3 Magnet body moving part 5 Container 6 Reed switch 7A, 7B Reed 7C Magnetic holding part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A magnet body, and a magnet body moving portion including a flat portion where the magnet body stays in a steady state and a slope portion which is movable in one direction from the flat portion when the magnet body is in an inclined state. A non-magnetic container, and a reed switch arranged below the magnet moving part in a state where a magnetic holding part formed by a part of one of the reeds is arranged near the flat part. The magnetic holding portion is formed by closing the contact portion of the reed switch by a magnetic flux supplied from the magnet body through the magnetic holding portion and moving the magnet body in one direction from the flat portion to the inclined portion according to the inclination of the container. The inclination sensor is characterized in that the contact portion of the reed switch is opened by reducing the magnetic flux to the. 2. The tilt sensor according to claim 1, wherein a locking portion of the magnet body is provided on a flat portion of the magnet body moving portion.