JPH11252676A - Sensor main body support structure for ultrasonic wave sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a projected part of a horn by suppressing turning around a vertical axis. SOLUTION: The structure has a housing 20 that has a housing opening 24 at a one side 21 and a groove 25 that is tapered (26) around a circumferential edge of the housing opening 24 in a direction perpendicular to the housing opening 24, and a sensor main body 10 of a nearly spherical shape having a projection 13 to limit turning around a perpendicular axis perpendicular to one side. The sensor main body 10 has a horn opening 12 whose cross section is that of the sensor main body 10, the projection 13 is fitted to the groove to turn the sensor main body 10 around a rotary shaft in parallel with one face for an ultrasonic wave sensor 1. The projection 13 is projected from an outer face of the sensor main body 10 on a plane passing through a center of the nearly spherical shape of the sensor main body 10 and has a width L longer than the length of the groove in a direction in parallel with the plane.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sensor main body having a built-in ultrasonic sensor for detecting a human body. The sensor main body is held rotatably so that a monitoring range of an object can be changed. The present invention relates to a sensor main body holding structure for an ultrasonic sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A sensor body holding structure of a conventional ultrasonic sensor will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a three-view drawing for explaining a sensor main body holding structure of a conventional ultrasonic sensor.
(a) is a plan view, (b) is a partial cross-sectional side view taken along the AA section of (a), and (c) is a partial cross-sectional side view taken along the BB section of (a). Are respectively shown. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating a sensor main body holding structure of the ultrasonic sensor.

The ultrasonic sensor 1 includes a sensor main body 10 having a built-in piezoelectric element, a housing 20 for slidingly rotating the sensor main body 10, and a holding bracket 30 for rotatably holding the sensor main body 10 on the housing 20. It is configured with. In the following description, it is assumed that the mounting surface T to which the ultrasonic sensor 1 is mounted is a horizontal ceiling for the sake of understanding.
Take a first horizontal axis X as a rotation axis in one horizontal direction,
In another direction that is perpendicular to and horizontal to the first horizontal axis X, a second horizontal axis Y is taken as a rotation axis, and a vertical axis Z is taken as a rotation axis in the vertical direction. , The second horizontal axis Y, and the vertical axis Z constitute three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates.

The sensor body 10 has a substantially spherical body 11 having a predetermined diameter, and a horn opening 1 is formed on an outer surface of the substantially spherical body 11.
2 are protruding. On the outer surface of the substantially spherical body 11, a pair of small columnar projections 13 extending in the diametrical direction are formed at portions other than the horn opening 12. Sensor body 1
Reference numeral 0 designates a transmitter 14 for transmitting an ultrasonic signal therein and a receiver 15 for receiving an ultrasonic signal reflected by an object to be detected. Is determined. The transmission unit 14 and the reception unit 15 transmit detection information of a detection target such as a human body through the internal wiring 17.

The housing 20 has a recess 22 on one surface 21 facing the mounting surface T, and a bottom surface 23 of the recess 22
It has a housing opening 24 smaller than the diameter of the substantially spherical body 11 and larger than the horn opening 12. In addition, a groove 25 that is long in the thickness direction of the housing 20 is provided on the periphery of the concave portion 22.
It is provided at a position facing each other. That is, the sensor main body 10 is configured such that the horn opening 12 projects from the housing opening 24 and the projection 13 is fitted into the groove 25.
It falls into the bottom surface 23. The holding bracket 30 is attached to the sensor body 10.
Is screwed to one surface 21 so as to be slidably held in the concave portion 22.

When such an ultrasonic sensor 1 is mounted on a mounting surface T such as a ceiling, the direction of the horn opening 12 is adjusted by hand to set a detection area for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals. In the sensor body 10, the substantially spherical body 11 rotates in the concave portion 22, but cannot rotate around the vertical axis Z perpendicular to the one surface 21 because the protrusion 13 is caught in the groove 25. That is, the protrusion 13 is provided in the sensor body 10.
To a first horizontal axis X or a second horizontal axis Y parallel to one surface 21.
To prevent the sensor main body 10 from rotating around the vertical axis Z, thereby preventing the internal wiring 17 from being twisted and disconnected. The sensor main body 10, around the center C of the substantially spherical body 11, a protrusion 13, by an angle theta ₁ of range around the first horizontal axis X, move up caught on the bottom surface 23.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional sensor body holding structure of the ultrasonic sensor, if the protruding portion of the horn 16 is shortened in order to improve the appearance of the sensor body 10, the housing opening There is a possibility that the setting of the detection area may be hindered at the periphery of 24.
Further, in order to prevent the setting of the detection area from being hindered by the periphery of the housing opening 24, the periphery of the housing opening 24 is slightly cut so that the center C of the sensor main body 10 approaches the one surface 21 side. 24, there is a problem that the angle θ ₁ around the first horizontal axis X cannot be sufficiently obtained, and the range of the direction setting of the horn opening 12 is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress rotation around a vertical axis and shorten the projecting portion of a horn. An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor main body holding structure for an acoustic wave sensor.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing having a housing opening on one surface and a groove provided on a peripheral edge of the housing opening in a direction perpendicular to the housing opening. A substantially spherical sensor body having a diameter larger than the opening and having a horn opening on the outer surface, and further provided with a protrusion for restricting rotation about a vertical axis perpendicular to the one surface, In the sensor main body holding structure of the ultrasonic sensor, wherein the protrusion is fitted into the groove and the sensor main body is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the one surface, the sensor main body cuts the sensor main body. The cross section is the horn opening, and the projection is provided on the plane passing through the center of the substantially spherical portion of the sensor main body from the outer surface of the sensor main body, and The groove has a width longer than the length of the groove in a parallel direction, and the groove is configured such that the protrusion is fitted into the groove and the sensor body slides on a peripheral edge of the housing opening. The range of the angle of rotation of the protrusion around the rotation axis connecting the center of the substantially spherical portion of the main body and the groove is limited so that the horn opening moves only within the range of the housing opening. Characterized in that:

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a sensor main body holding structure of an ultrasonic sensor according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are three views illustrating a sensor main body holding structure of an ultrasonic sensor, wherein FIG. 1A is a plan view, and FIG.
-Partial cross-sectional side view taken along section A, (c) is B-(a)
FIGS. 4A and 4B are partial cross-sectional side views cut along a B cross section, each schematically illustrating a movable range of a protrusion and a stopper. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sensor main body of the ultrasonic sensor. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating a protrusion and a groove.

The ultrasonic sensor 1 includes a sensor body 10 having a built-in piezoelectric element, a housing 20 for slidingly rotating the sensor body 10, and a holding bracket 30 for rotatably holding the sensor body 10 on the housing 20. It is configured with. In the following description, it is assumed that the mounting surface T to which the ultrasonic sensor 1 is mounted is a horizontal ceiling for the sake of understanding.
Further, in one horizontal direction, a first horizontal axis X is taken as a rotation axis, and in another direction perpendicular to and horizontal to the first horizontal axis X, a second horizontal axis Y is taken as a rotation axis. The first horizontal axis X, the second horizontal axis Y, and the vertical axis Z form three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates, taking the vertical axis Z as a rotation axis in the vertical direction.

The sensor main body 10 has a substantially spherical body 11 which is a part of a spherical body having a predetermined diameter from the center C. On the outer surface of the substantially spherical body 11, a part of the substantially spherical body 11 is cut out. A horn opening 12 that does not protrude from the substantially spherical body 11 is provided. That is, the sensor body 10 has a horn opening 12 in a section obtained by cutting the sensor body 10.

On the outer surface of the substantially spherical body 11, a projection 13 having an angular range θ ₂ centered on the center C and notched at the center of the sector is formed in a direction perpendicular to the peripheral edge of the horn opening 12. , Protruding from the outer surface of the sensor body 10.
The projections 13 are provided in a pair with the center C symmetrical, and are provided at the same height when the horn opening 12 is viewed as a lower surface. Further, the protrusion 1
3 has a width L longer than a length of a groove 25 of the housing 20 described later in a direction perpendicular to the peripheral edge of the horn opening 12. The portion above the protrusion 13 with the horn opening 12 facing downward further extends in the diametric direction away from the center C, and this extended portion is referred to as a stopper 18. The stopper 18 is used to rotate the sensor body 10 around the first horizontal axis X, as will be described later.
Plays the role of a hook to determine ₂ .

Further, the sensor main body 10 has therein a transmitting section 14 for transmitting an ultrasonic signal and a receiving section 15 for receiving an ultrasonic signal reflected by an object to be detected.
The transmitting / receiving direction of the ultrasonic signal is determined by the horn 16 having 2 as an end. The transmission unit 14 and the reception unit 15 transmit detection information of an object to be detected such as a human body to the parent device or the like through the internal wiring 17.

The housing 20 has a housing opening 24 which is smaller than the diameter of the substantially spherical body 11 and larger than the horn opening 12 on one surface 21 facing the mounting surface T. Also,
A pair of grooves 25 that are long in the thickness direction of the housing 20 are provided on the periphery of the housing opening 24 so as to face each other. The groove 25 is provided at substantially the same depth as the height at which the protrusion 13 projects from the outer surface of the substantially spherical body 11.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1 (c), a tapered portion 26 is formed in the groove 25 so as to communicate the thickness of the housing 20, and the tapered portion 26 is formed on one surface 2 of the housing 20.
1 is formed so as to increase in width from the inner surface to the outer surface. Tapered portion 26 has an angular range theta ₃ the protrusion 13 around a second horizontal axis Y is a direction can be inclined connecting the center C and the groove 25, the protrusion 1 in a range of the angle range theta ₃
3 is rotated. Here, the angle range θ ₃ is an angle that indicates the rotation limit of the sensor main body 10 about the second horizontal axis Y, and like the angle range θ ₂ , the horn opening 12.
Are limited so as not to overlap the periphery of the housing opening 24.

The sensor body 10 is inserted into the groove 25 so that the horn opening 12 can be seen through the housing opening 24, and falls into the housing opening 24. Note that the sensor body 10 does not fit into the housing 20 by fitting the protrusion 13 into the groove 25, but fits into the housing 20 by the outer surface being hooked on the peripheral edge of the housing opening 24. Holding bracket 30
The surface 21 is pressed so as to hold the sensor main body 10 from the horizontal direction and slidably hold it in the housing opening 24.
Is screwed with a screw 31.

In the ultrasonic sensor 1 configured as described above, when the ultrasonic sensor 1 is mounted on the mounting surface T such as a ceiling, the direction of the horn opening 12 is adjusted by hand, thereby detecting and transmitting ultrasonic signals. Is set. That is, the sensor main body 10 rotates by being hooked on the peripheral edge of the housing opening 24, but cannot rotate around the vertical axis Z perpendicular to the one surface 21 because the projection 13 is hooked by the groove 25. Further, in the sensor body 10, the protrusion 13 is
By rotating the slide so as to penetrate the first
The orientation about the horizontal axis X has been changed,
About a second horizontal axis Y, by rotating within the angular range theta _3, the orientation is changed for the second horizontal axis Y around. In other words, the tapered portion 26 is
The range of the angle of rotation of the projection 13 about the horizontal axis Y is limited so that the horn opening 12 moves only within the range of the housing opening 24.

In other words, the projection 13 is attached to the sensor body 10.
Is rotatable only around two first horizontal axes X and second horizontal axes Y parallel to one surface 21, and the internal wiring 1 generated when the sensor main body 10 rotates around the vertical axis Z.
7 is prevented from twisting.

Further, the sensor body 10 is rotated about the first horizontal axis X similarly to the tapered portion 26 around the second horizontal axis Y by the stopper 18 for preventing the rotation about the first horizontal axis X from being excessive. respect also, the horn opening 12 is adapted to pivot angle range theta ₂ in the range such as not to overlap the peripheral edge of the housing opening 24. The angle range θ ₂ is an angle range corresponding to a range where the protrusion 13 is provided, as viewed from the center C.

Accordingly, on the outer surface of the sensor body 10, an angle range θ in which the sensor body 10 rotates around the first horizontal axis X is provided.
_Since the stopper 18 for suppressing the projection ₂ is protruded, even if the sensor body 10 is formed so that the horn opening 12 does not protrude from the substantially spherical body 11, the sensor main body 10 does not rotate too much around the first horizontal axis X. The horn opening 12 is the housing opening 24
Of the housing opening 24.
Does not hinder the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, and the setting of the detection area is not hindered. That is, the rotation around the vertical axis Z can be suppressed, and the setting of the detection area is not hindered even if the protruding portion of the horn 16 is shortened.

The groove 25 is formed so as to communicate the thickness of the housing 20, and the projection 13 is formed in a fan shape perpendicular to the peripheral edge of the horn opening 12. Since the groove 25 is formed with a tapered portion 26 that determines the angular range θ ₃ of rotation about the second horizontal axis Y, the horn opening 12 projects the sensor body 10 from the substantially spherical body 11. Even if it is formed not to be provided, the horn opening 12 can be prevented from overlapping with the peripheral edge of the housing opening 24 without rotating too much around the second horizontal axis Y, and the peripheral edge of the housing opening 24 becomes It does not hinder transmission and reception of sound waves, and does not hinder the setting of the detection area. That is, the rotation around the vertical axis Z can be suppressed, and the setting of the detection area is not hindered even if the protruding portion of the horn 16 is shortened.

In the above-described embodiment, the stopper 18 protrudes from the protruding portion 13 with the same thickness as the protruding portion 13, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the stopper is perpendicular to the protruding portion. You may provide so that it may have the part which protrudes also to the side. With this configuration, the stopper is hooked on one surface side of the housing with a wider area, so that excessive rotation of the sensor main body can be more firmly prevented.

Further, the stopper 18 is not limited to the one provided at the upper end of the projection 13, but may be provided at the lower end of the projection, and the stopper may be provided without the pair of projections. Only one protrusion may be provided at the upper and lower ends.
The stopper may not be connected to the protrusion. Further, the stopper may be formed in an annular shape around the vertical axis Z.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the projection 13 has a fan shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. The projection may be a columnar projection as shown in the conventional example. It may have a discontinuous shape such as a gear tooth shape.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the holding fitting 30 is exemplified to have a shape for holding the sensor main body 10 from the side of the sensor main body 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. May have any shape as long as the sensor body is rotatably held.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the taper portion 26 is formed so as to become wider from the inner surface to the outer surface of the housing 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the taper portion is not limited to this. , May be formed so as to increase in width from the outer surface to the inner surface of the housing.

[0029]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sensor body has a horn opening in a cross section obtained by cutting the sensor body, and the projection has a plane passing through the center of the substantially spherical portion of the sensor body. The sensor is protruded from the outer surface of the sensor body and has a width longer than the length of the groove in a direction parallel to the plane, and the groove slides on the peripheral edge of the housing opening when the protrusion is fitted into the groove. Regarding the moving sensor body, the horn opening is moved around the rotation axis connecting the center of the substantially spherical portion of the sensor body and the groove, and the horn opening is moved only within the range of the housing opening. Since the rotation around the vertical axis can be suppressed, and even if the horn opening is formed so as not to protrude, the horn opening can be prevented from being too close to the peripheral edge of the housing opening, Howe The peripheral edge of the ring opening, not interfere with ultrasonic wave transmission and reception, the setting of the detection area is not hindered.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a three-view drawing for explaining a sensor main body holding structure of an ultrasonic sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sensor main body of the ultrasonic sensor according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating a protrusion and a groove according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a three side view illustrating a sensor main body holding structure of a conventional ultrasonic sensor.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating a sensor main body holding structure of the ultrasonic sensor according to the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic sensor 10 Sensor main body 12 Horn opening 13 Projection part 20 Housing 21 One surface 24 Housing opening 25 Groove C Center L width X axis, Y axis Rotation axis Z axis Vertical axis θ ₃ angle

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masatake Uno 1048 Odakadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A housing having a housing opening on one surface and a groove provided on a peripheral edge of the housing opening in a direction perpendicular to the housing opening, and a horn opening on an outer surface having a larger diameter than the housing opening, A substantially spherical sensor body provided with a projection for restricting rotation about a vertical axis perpendicular to the one surface, wherein the projection is fitted into the groove, and the sensor body is In a sensor main body holding structure of an ultrasonic sensor that is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to one surface, the sensor main body has a cross section obtained by cutting the sensor main body as the horn opening, and the projection portion Has a width protruding from the outer surface of the sensor main body on a plane passing through the center of the substantially spherical portion of the sensor main body and having a width longer than the length of the groove in a direction parallel to the plane. Wherein the groove is configured to connect the center of the substantially spherical portion of the sensor main body to the groove with respect to the sensor main body that slides along the periphery of the housing opening when the protrusion is fitted into the groove. A sensor body for an ultrasonic sensor, wherein a range of an angle of rotation of the protrusion around a moving axis is limited so that the horn opening moves only within a range of the housing opening. Retention structure.