JPH1137754A - Inclination and acceleration detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inclination/acceleration detecting device that is suitable for detecting inclination/acceleration in such specific direction as front-back direction and left-right direction of a car, etc., by combining a permanent magnet and magneto electric transducer such as Hall IC. SOLUTION: A mobile magnet body 1, a vessel 2 of none-magnetic body having a deflected internal space and housing the mobile magnetic body 1 for free displacement, and a magneto electric transducer 3 for converting the movement of the mobile magnetic body 1 into an electric signal, are provided, and the mobile magnet body 1 comprises a permanent magnet 1a magnetized in movement direction and steel balls 1b as at least two spherical soft-magnetic body attracted to both magnetic pole surfaces of the permanent magnet 1a, while the diameter of the steel ball 1b is set larger than the outside diameter of the permanent magnet 1a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tilt / acceleration detecting device for detecting a tilt or acceleration by combining a permanent magnet and a magneto-electric conversion element such as a Hall IC. The present invention relates to a tilt and acceleration detection device suitable for detecting a tilt and an acceleration in a specific direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of inclination / acceleration detecting apparatus, there is an apparatus using a pendulum body proposed as an "in-vehicle gradient sensor" in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 59-117912. In this method, an arc-shaped permanent magnet magnetized in the swinging direction is attached to the lower end of a pendulum body, and a magnetoelectric conversion element is arranged close to a position below the neutral point of the permanent magnet. The change in the magnetic field when swinging to the center is detected by the magneto-electric conversion element. Also, a viscous liquid is sealed between the fixed shaft and the pendulum so that a stable operation can be obtained even if disturbances such as vibrations are given. A mechanism for obtaining it has also been proposed.

[0003]

However, the prior art using the above-mentioned pendulum requires a costly arc-shaped permanent magnet and has a problem that the total number of parts is increased.

Further, the damper mechanism has a complicated structure because it is provided on a sliding portion that supports the pendulum body so as to be slidable with respect to the fixed shaft, and it is necessary to seal the liquid with the sliding portion.
There is also a problem that sliding resistance occurs in the pendulum body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention provides an inclination / acceleration detecting apparatus which does not use a permanent magnet having a special shape, has a small number of parts, and can simplify the structure and reduce the cost. Aim.

[0006] Other objects and novel features of the present invention will be clarified in embodiments described later.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a first inclination / acceleration detecting device according to the present invention comprises a movable magnet body, and a curved internal space accommodating the movable magnet body in a displaceable manner. And a magneto-electric conversion element that converts the movement of the movable magnet body into an electric signal, further comprising: a permanent magnet magnetized in a moving direction; It is characterized by comprising at least two spherical soft magnetic materials adsorbed on both magnetic pole surfaces of a magnet, wherein the diameter of the spherical soft magnetic material is larger than the outer diameter of the permanent magnet.

In the first inclination / acceleration detecting device, the movable magnet body includes one or a plurality of connecting soft magnetic bodies interposed between the permanent magnets or between the permanent magnets and the spherical soft magnetic body. At least one of the connecting soft magnetic bodies may be a sphere having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the permanent magnet.

Further, a second tilt / acceleration detecting device according to the present invention provides a movable magnet body, a non-magnetic container having a curved inner space for accommodating the movable magnet body in a displaceable manner, and the movable magnet body. The movable magnet body further includes a plurality of permanent magnets magnetized in a moving direction, and one or more magnets attracted between the permanent magnets. Wherein at least one of the connecting soft magnetic bodies is spherical having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the permanent magnet.

In the first or second tilt / acceleration detecting device, a fluid may be sealed in the non-magnetic container. Further, the fluid may be a magnetic fluid provided around the movable magnet body.

Further, the internal space of the container may be annularly continuous, and an orifice may be provided in a part of the internal space.

[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a tilt / acceleration detecting device according to the present invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, 1a is a permanent magnet, 1b is a steel ball as a spherical soft magnetic body magnetically attracted to both sides thereof, and these constitute the movable magnet body 1. The movable magnet body 1 is housed in a non-magnetic pipe-shaped container 2 having a curved shape for accommodating the movable magnet body 1, for example, a U-shaped internal space 2 a (having a circular cross section, for example). . 3 is a magneto-electric conversion element such as a Hall IC,
It is arranged close to the outside of the intermediate position of the container 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a lid that closes both ends of the container. The container 2 and the magnetoelectric conversion element 3 may be stored in an outer case 5 indicated by a dotted line. Note that the magnetoelectric conversion element 3 may be configured to be directly attached to the container 2 so as not to project into the internal space 2a.

The permanent magnet 1a is, for example, cylindrical and magnetized in the moving direction, and the steel ball 1b has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the permanent magnet 1a and slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the container. For this reason, the permanent magnet 1a can be separated from the inner peripheral surface of the container, and the corner of the permanent magnet 1a can be prevented from colliding with the inner surface of the container. 2a can be moved smoothly.

In the first embodiment, in the container upright state shown in FIG. 1, the movable magnet 1 is at the lowest intermediate position in the internal space 2a of the container 2 due to gravity, and the magnetic flux φ by the movable magnet 1 is subjected to magnetoelectric conversion. The element 3 has detected, and the upright state can be detected. As shown in FIG.
When tilted by a certain angle θ or more, the magnetic flux φ generated by the movable magnet body 1 comes off the magneto-electric conversion element 3, and it is possible to detect a tilt or a fall.

The acceleration detection is performed in the state shown in FIG.
When acceleration is applied to the whole, the movable magnet body 1 in the container 2 moves from the lowest intermediate position according to the acceleration level,
This is performed by detecting a change in magnetic flux accompanying this movement by the magnetoelectric conversion element 3.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The permanent magnet 1a has a simple shape such as a columnar shape, and does not require the use of a specially shaped permanent magnet.
Parts cost can be reduced.

(2) A steel ball 1b as a spherical soft magnetic material is magnetically attracted to both ends of the permanent magnet 1a, and the diameter of the steel ball 1b is made larger than the outer diameter of the permanent magnet 1a.
It is possible to prevent the sliding resistance from increasing due to the contact of a with the inner surface of the container 2.

(3) The main components are the movable magnet body 1, the container 2, and the magneto-electric conversion element 3. The number of components is small, the structure can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a movable magnet used in the second embodiment. As can be seen from these figures, the movable magnet body 10 has an articulating ball 1c as a connecting soft magnetic body between two permanent magnets 1a.
A steel ball 1b as a spherical soft magnetic material is magnetically adsorbed on both ends of two permanent magnets 1a, with a spherical soft magnetic material such as a steel ball functioning as a joint. It is connected by suction force. However, different poles of the plurality of permanent magnets 1a face each other with the joint ball 1c interposed therebetween.
Therefore, the magnetic flux φ generated by the movable magnet body 10 largely turns and is generated in a direction connecting the steel balls 1b at both ends. In this manner, the range in which the magnetic flux φ of the movable magnet body 10 passes can be widened, and the range in which the magnetoelectric conversion element 3 detects the magnetic flux of the movable magnet body can be changed. That is, the tilt detection range can be changed according to the detection level of the desired tilt angle. The articulated ball 1c can be easily bent by reducing its diameter within a range that does not increase the sliding resistance of the movable magnet body 10. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment, and the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters and description thereof is omitted.

In the second embodiment, the movable magnet body 10 is bent along the joint ball 1c as a fulcrum, so that the movable magnet body 10 can be deformed along the curved shape while moving in the container internal space 2a. By connecting a plurality of permanent magnets via an articulated ball, the range of passage of the magnetic flux φ of the movable magnet body 10 can be expanded, and the range in which the magnetoelectric conversion element 3 detects the magnetic flux can be changed. For this reason, the movable magnet body 10 of FIG.
When tilted by an angle θ ′ or more larger than the case of FIG. 2 showing the first embodiment, the magnetic flux φ
Comes off the magneto-electric conversion element 3.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows a movable magnet used in the third embodiment. As can be seen from these figures, the movable magnet body 20 is a joint ball 1c as a connecting soft magnetic body which is a spherical soft magnetic body such as a steel ball.
, The permanent magnets 1a are magnetically attracted to each other with the same polarity.
A steel ball 1b as a spherical soft magnetic material is magnetically attracted to both ends of the two permanent magnets 1a. In this case, the joint ball 1c
Needs to have a size such that a reaction force due to the same pole opposition does not occur between the permanent magnets 1a, and a magnetic flux φ in a narrow range in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the two permanent magnets 1a near the joint ball 1c. Occurs. Therefore, the magnetic flux applied to the magnetoelectric conversion element 3 such as a Hall IC changes greatly with a small movement of the movable magnet body 20. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment, and the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters and description thereof is omitted.

In the third embodiment, the magnetic flux φ from the joint ball 1c at the center of the movable magnet body is detected by the magneto-electric conversion element 3 disposed close to and outside the intermediate position of the container 2. In this case, even with a small inclination or acceleration applied to the container 2, the magnetic flux from the joint ball 1 c is displaced from the magnetoelectric conversion element 3, so that it is possible to detect a small angle of inclination and acceleration.

FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Steel balls 1b as soft magnetic bodies for connection with many permanent magnets 1a
And permanent magnets 1a at both ends.
Also, the movable magnet body 30 having the entire structure connected by magnetic attraction is housed in the internal space 2a of the container 2 made of a non-magnetic material. Hall IC
And the like are arranged close to the outside of the intermediate position of the container. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment, and the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters and description thereof is omitted.

Also in the case of the fourth embodiment, the permanent magnet 1a is located near the steel ball 1b between the adjacent permanent magnets 1a.
The magnetic flux φ is generated in a narrow range in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. Moreover, the magnetic flux is inverted for each steel ball 1b. By utilizing the fact that the movable magnet body 30 generates magnetic fluxes that are alternately inverted, multipoint angle detection is possible by measuring the number of inverted magnetic fluxes with the magnetoelectric conversion element 3.

FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
A movable magnet body 1 composed of a permanent magnet 1a and steel balls 1b on both sides of the movable magnet body 1 provided with (applied) an appropriate amount of magnetic fluid 7 is used as an O-shaped container O composed of a U-shaped container 2 and a connection pipe 2b. It is housed in the mold internal space 2a. An orifice 6 having a narrow air passage inside the container is formed in the connection pipe 2b. The other configuration is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters and description thereof is omitted.

In the case of the fifth embodiment, the magnetic fluid 7
As a result, the permanent magnet 1a can be slightly lifted from the inner wall of the container, and the internal space 2a of the container 2 can be partially closed, and the orifice 6 restricts the movement of air to the left and right of the movable magnet body 1, thereby providing a damper effect. (The effect of slow operation against external impact) is obtained.

Although the container 2 and the connecting pipe 2b constitute an O-shaped container in FIG. 8, the overall shape of the container is arbitrary as long as it forms an annularly continuous internal space.

In the case of the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the inside of the container may be air, but the damper effect is improved by putting a liquid having an appropriate viscosity such as silicon oil. You can also.

Further, in the second embodiment, the number of the connecting soft magnetic members between the permanent magnets of the movable magnet is one, but the number may be plural as shown in FIGS. .

FIG. 9 shows a movable magnet body 40 which can be used in place of the movable magnet body of FIG.
b are magnetically attracted to each other by interposing two magnets between the permanent magnets 1a.

FIG. 10 shows a movable magnet body 50 which can be used in place of the movable magnet body shown in FIG. 4, and three connecting soft magnetic bodies are interposed between the permanent magnets 1a. That is, the joint ball 1c is further provided between the steel balls 1b, which are spherical soft magnetic bodies, and magnetically attract each other. Here, the main function of the steel ball 1b adjacent to the permanent magnet 1a is to separate the permanent magnet 1a from the inner peripheral surface of the container, and the joint ball 1c between the steel balls 1b has a function as a joint to be easily bent. Lord.

FIG. 11 shows a movable magnet body 60 which can be used in place of the movable magnet body of FIG. 4, and three connecting soft magnetic bodies are interposed between the permanent magnets 1a. In other words, a non-spherical connecting soft magnetic body 1d such as a column is further provided between the steel balls 1b, which are spherical soft magnetic bodies, and are magnetically attracted to each other.
Since the steel balls 1b are formed on both sides of the connecting soft magnetic body 1d, the connecting soft magnetic body 1d can be bent even if it is non-spherical.

FIG. 12 shows a movable magnet body 70 which can be used in place of the movable magnet body shown in FIG. 4, in which five joint balls 1c as soft magnetic bodies for connection are interposed between the permanent magnets 1a, and are mutually magnetic. Adsorbed. In this case, the joint ball 1 between the permanent magnets 1a
c and the total weight is large, the permanent magnet 1
Even if the spherical soft magnetic material outside a is omitted, it can be moved inside the container without any problem.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the detection level of the inclination angle can be set arbitrarily by increasing or decreasing the number of connecting soft magnetic bodies between the permanent magnets 1a. However, in order to be able to move freely in the container, it is necessary that at least one of the connecting soft magnetic bodies has a spherical shape having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the permanent magnet.

In the second embodiment, the number of permanent magnets in the movable magnet body is two. However, depending on the detection level of the desired inclination angle, three or more permanent magnets having different polarities are used. The movable magnet body may be configured to be connected via a connecting soft magnetic body.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims. There will be.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention,
There is an advantage that the structure is simplified, a highly reliable and inexpensive tilt and acceleration detecting device can be realized, and the tilt angle and the detection level of the acceleration can be easily set according to the purpose. Further, a damper function can be easily added, and its effect can be easily adjusted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a tilt and acceleration detecting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a container in an upright state.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the container in an inclined state.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of a container according to a second embodiment of the present invention in an inclined state.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a configuration of a movable magnet body used in a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of a third embodiment of the present invention, showing a container in an upright state.

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a configuration of a movable magnet body used in a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front sectional view of a container in an upright state according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, showing a container in an upright state.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a modification of the movable magnet body usable in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing another modification of the movable magnet body usable in the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing another modification of the movable magnet body usable in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing another modification of the movable magnet body usable in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 10, 20, 30 Movable magnet body 1a Permanent magnet 1b Steel ball 1c Joint ball 1d Soft magnetic body for connection 2 Container 2a Internal space 2b Connection pipe 3 Magnetoelectric conversion element 4 Lid 5 Outer case 6 Orifice 7 Magnetic fluid

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A movable magnet body, a non-magnetic container having a curved internal space accommodating the movable magnet body so as to be displaceable, and a magnetoelectric conversion element for converting the movement of the movable magnet body into an electric signal. The movable magnet body comprises a permanent magnet magnetized in a moving direction, and at least two spherical soft magnetic bodies adsorbed on both magnetic pole surfaces of the permanent magnet. A tilt and acceleration detecting device, wherein the diameter of the spherical soft magnetic material is larger than the outer diameter of the permanent magnet. 2. A movable magnet body, a non-magnetic container having a curved internal space that accommodates the movable magnet body in a displaceable manner, and a magnetoelectric conversion element that converts the movement of the movable magnet body into an electric signal. The movable magnet body includes a plurality of permanent magnets magnetized in a moving direction, and one or a plurality of connecting soft magnetic bodies adsorbed between the permanent magnets. At least one of the connecting soft magnetic bodies has a spherical shape having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the permanent magnet. 3. The movable magnet body is formed by connecting the permanent magnets or the permanent magnet and the spherical soft magnetic body by magnetic attraction with one or a plurality of connecting soft magnetic bodies interposed therebetween. The inclination / acceleration detecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the connecting soft magnetic bodies has a spherical shape having a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the permanent magnet. 4. The tilt / acceleration detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the non-magnetic container is filled with a fluid. 5. The tilt / acceleration detecting device according to claim 4, wherein the fluid is a magnetic fluid provided around the movable magnet body. 6. The inclination / acceleration detecting device according to claim 4, wherein an inner space of the container is annularly continuous, and an orifice is provided in a part of the inner space.