JP3089398B2 - Level used for automatic inclination correction device of surveying machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an automatic vertical point setting machine,
The present invention relates to a level used as one component of an automatic tilt correction device incorporated in a surveying machine such as an automatic horizontal point setting machine, an automatic vertical collimator, and an automatic horizontal collimator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Surveying machines, such as a vertical point setting machine, a horizontal point setting machine, a vertical collimating machine, and a horizontal collimating machine, each have a lens optical system according to the purpose of surveying, and this lens optical system is at least a vertical optical system. Includes the vertical optical axis to be positioned along the direction. In order to obtain accurate survey data, the surveying machine must be installed so that the vertical optical axis during the surveying coincides with the vertical direction.

However, as a practical matter, it is extremely troublesome to exactly match the vertical optical axis of the lens optical system with the vertical direction at each survey, so that the above-mentioned surveying machine has an automatic inclination correcting device. The inclination of the vertical optical axis of the lens optical system with respect to the vertical direction can be automatically corrected. Note that the above-described surveying apparatus in which such an automatic inclination correcting device is incorporated is generally called an automatic vertical point setting machine, an automatic horizontal point setting machine, an automatic vertical collimating machine, an automatic horizontal collimating machine, or the like.

[0004] The automatic tilt correcting device described above is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-222214. A level is used as one component, the level usually consisting of a hollow container having the shape of a short cylinder, which contains a suitable liquid. Specifically, the hollow container has a circular bottom wall, an annular peripheral wall erecting from the circumference of the circular bottom wall, and a circular top wall closing the upper opening of the annular peripheral wall, and is housed therein. The amount of liquid is smaller than the internal volume of the hollow container, so that a space is left between the liquid level of the contained liquid and the circular top wall. The circular bottom wall and the circular top wall of the hollow container are both formed of a transparent material and extend parallel to each other.

[0005] Such a level is incorporated in the vertical optical axis of the lens optics of the surveying instrument, the level being arranged such that its circular top wall is perpendicular to the vertical optical axis of the lens optics. Is done. If the vertical optical axis of the lens optical system is inclined with a certain inclination with respect to the vertical direction when the surveying instrument is installed, the liquid in the level forms a liquid prism having a wedge-shaped cross section, and the wedge angle is The greater the inclination of the lens optical system with respect to the vertical direction, the greater.

Therefore, if a liquid (liquid prism) having an appropriate refractive index is used as the liquid in the level, the vertical optical axis of the lens optical system is at a certain angle with respect to the vertical direction when the surveying machine is installed. Even if you are inclined with a slope,
A light beam passing along the vertical optical axis of the lens optical system, that is, a light beam having such an inclination with respect to the vertical direction can be made to coincide with the vertical direction by the refraction of the liquid prism in the level.

Since the present invention is not directed to the above-described automatic tilt correcting apparatus itself but to a level which is a component of the automatic tilt correcting apparatus itself, further detailed description of the automatic tilt correcting apparatus will be omitted. The operating principle is disclosed in detail in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-222214, so please refer to it.

As described above, since the annular peripheral wall of the level is upright between the bottom wall and the top wall, the liquid level in the level is in contact with the inner wall surface of the annular peripheral wall. It is raised or lowered at the point of contact. That is, when the annular peripheral wall of the level has wettability with respect to the contained liquid, the liquid level in the level is raised along the inner wall surface of the annular peripheral wall, and the annular peripheral wall of the level is If it is non-wetting to the contained liquid,
The liquid level in the level is lowered along the inner wall of the annular peripheral wall.

In any case, the angle between the raised liquid level of the level in the level or the lowered surface thereof and the annular peripheral wall is defined as a contact angle, and generally, the raising surface and the annular peripheral wall are in contact with each other. Is acute, and the contact angle between the lowered surface and the annular peripheral wall is obtuse. In short, in the conventional level, the liquid level of the contained liquid is not entirely flat, but is raised or lowered in the outer peripheral area.

[0010]

When the above-described conventional level is used as one component of the automatic tilt correcting device, the light must be always corrected to properly correct the tilt of the light. It must be ensured that it is incident on a flat surface area of the liquid level in the level, i.e. a flat surface area which is unaffected by the raising or lowering surface of its outer peripheral area. For this reason, conventionally, at the stage of manufacturing the level, the occurrence of a raising surface or a lowering surface in the outer peripheral area of the liquid surface is expected in advance,
It has been pointed out that the level must be designed larger accordingly.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to use as an element of an automatic inclination correcting device incorporated in a surveying machine such as an automatic vertical point setting machine, an automatic horizontal point setting machine, an automatic vertical collimating machine and an automatic horizontal collimating machine. The present invention provides a level which is configured so that the entire level of the contained liquid is substantially flat.

[0012]

The level according to the first aspect of the present invention is incorporated in a surveying machine such as an automatic vertical point setting machine, an automatic horizontal point setting machine, an automatic vertical collimating machine and an automatic horizontal collimating machine. A bottom wall, a peripheral wall rising from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, and an upper opening of the peripheral wall being closed and being parallel to the bottom wall. A hollow container comprising an extending top wall, wherein at least the bottom wall and the top wall of the hollow container are formed from a transparent material, while leaving a predetermined space between the hollow container and the top wall. A suitable liquid is contained. According to the first aspect of the present invention, in such a level, when the hollow container is disposed so that the liquid level of the contained liquid is horizontal with respect to the vertical direction, the peripheral wall of the hollow container It is characterized in that the inner wall surface is inclined so as to form a contact angle of the contained liquid with respect to the liquid surface at least in a region in contact with the liquid surface.

The level according to the second aspect of the present invention is also an automatic tilt correcting device incorporated in a surveying machine such as an automatic vertical point setting machine, an automatic horizontal point setting machine, an automatic vertical collimating machine and an automatic horizontal collimating machine. A bottom wall, a peripheral wall rising from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, and a top closing an upper opening of the peripheral wall and extending parallel to the bottom wall. A hollow container consisting of a wall and at least a bottom wall and a top wall of the hollow container are formed of a transparent material, and a suitable space is left in the hollow container so as to leave a predetermined space between the hollow container and the top wall. A liquid is contained. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in such a level, when the hollow container is arranged so that the liquid level of the contained liquid is horizontal with respect to the vertical direction, the peripheral wall of the hollow container is The inner wall surface is formed as a curved surface at least in a region in contact with the liquid surface, and a tangent to the curved surface forms a contact angle of the contained liquid with the liquid surface.

[0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Several embodiments of the level according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a first embodiment of a level according to the present invention, which comprises a hollow vessel 10 in which a suitable transparent liquid 12 is contained. Is accommodated. The hollow container 10 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin material or a transparent glass material, and has a circular bottom wall 10A, an annular peripheral wall 10B rising integrally from a peripheral edge of the circular bottom wall 10A, and an annular peripheral wall 10B.
And a circular top wall 10C extending parallel to the circular bottom wall 10A. In the present embodiment, the circular bottom wall 10A and the annular peripheral wall 10A
B is integrally formed as a cup-shaped container, and the circular top wall 10C is closed to the annular peripheral wall 10B so as to close the upper opening of the annular peripheral wall 10B after accommodating the transparent liquid 12 in such a cup-shaped container. It is fixed appropriately.

In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transparent liquid 12 is, for example, pure water or a transparent liquid resin such as silicone oil. It has wettability to a transparent material. Therefore, if the hollow container 1
Assuming that the peripheral wall 10B of the zero is upright in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 3, the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 12 is pulled up by the inner wall surface of the annular peripheral wall 10B in the outer peripheral region, and the raised liquid level Forms an acute contact angle α.

However, as shown in FIG. 2, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the hollow container 10 is
When the liquid surface of the hollow container 10 is set to be horizontal with respect to the vertical direction, the inner wall surface of the annular peripheral wall 10B of the hollow container 10 is inclined so as to form the contact angle α with the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 12. Let me do. For this reason, the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 12 is not pulled up along the inner inclined wall surface of the annular peripheral wall 10B in the outer peripheral region, and the liquid surface is a flat surface as a whole as shown in FIG.

Thus, in the first embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary to anticipate the occurrence of a pull-up surface in the outer peripheral area of the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 12 at the stage of manufacturing the level, and the level is accordingly increased. The size of the container can be reduced.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a second embodiment of a level according to the present invention, which includes a hollow vessel 14 in which a suitable transparent liquid 16 is provided. Is accommodated. The hollow container 14 is formed of the same transparent material as in the first embodiment described above, and has a circular bottom wall 14A, an annular peripheral wall 14B rising from the peripheral edge of the circular bottom wall 14A, and an upper side of the annular peripheral wall 14B. A circular top wall 14C extending integrally from the edge and parallel to the circular bottom wall 14A. In the present embodiment, the annular peripheral wall 14B and the circular top wall 14C are integrally formed as a cup-shaped container, and the circular bottom wall 14B is formed.
A is appropriately fixed to the annular peripheral wall 14B so that the lower opening of the annular peripheral wall 14B is closed after the transparent liquid 16 is accommodated in the cup-shaped container.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as the transparent liquid 16, for example, pure water or a transparent liquid resin such as silicone oil is used.
However, unlike the above-described first embodiment, the transparent liquid 1
Numeral 6 has non-wetting properties with respect to the transparent material of the hollow container 14. Therefore, if the peripheral wall 14 of the hollow container 14
Assuming that B is upright in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 16 is pulled up by the inner wall surface of the annular peripheral wall 14B in the outer peripheral region, and the raised liquid surface has an obtuse angle. The contact angle β.

However, as shown in FIG. 5, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the hollow container 14 is
When the liquid surface of the transparent container 16 is set to be horizontal with respect to the vertical direction, the inner wall surface of the annular peripheral wall 14B of the hollow container 14 is inclined so as to form the contact angle β with the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 16. Let me do. For this reason, the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 16 is not pulled down along the inner inclined wall surface of the annular peripheral wall 10B in the outer peripheral region, and the liquid surface is made flat as a whole as shown in FIG.

Thus, even in the second embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary to anticipate the occurrence of the lowering surface of the outer peripheral area of the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 16 in the stage of manufacturing the level, and the level is accordingly increased. The size of the container can be reduced.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show modified embodiments of the above-described first and second embodiments, respectively. As shown in these drawings, the annular peripheral wall 10
B, the entire inner wall surfaces of 14B are respectively inclined angles α, β
There is no need to incline. Specifically, the annular peripheral wall 10
Regarding the inclination range of the inner wall surfaces of B and 14B, when the level is inclined within the inclination range (generally about 10 minutes) that can be corrected by the automatic inclination correction device described above, the transparent liquid 12 is tilted. , 16 are sufficient if they can be in contact with each other.

In the alternative embodiment of FIG.
The upper part of B is erected and its maximum diameter is reduced, while in an alternative embodiment shown in FIG.
The lower part of B is erected to reduce its maximum diameter. Thus, in the level shown in each of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the operation and effect that the overall configuration can be further reduced can be obtained.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the above-described first and second embodiments.
Another variant embodiment of the embodiment is shown respectively. In these alternative embodiments, not only are their maximum diameters reduced, as in the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, but their annular peripheral walls 10B, 14B are also circular bottom walls 10A, 14A and circular. The top walls 10C, 14C are formed from a different material. For example, a circular bottom wall 10A,
When 14A and the circular top walls 10C, 14C are formed from a transparent glass material, the annular peripheral walls 10B, 14B are formed from a material other than the transparent glass material, and the material is not necessarily a transparent material from FIGS. Is also good. An advantage of the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is that by appropriately selecting a material having a desired contact angle with the transparent liquids 12, 16 to form the annular peripheral walls 10B, 14B, The inclination angles of the inner wall surfaces of the annular peripheral walls 10B and 14B can be arbitrarily set.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show still another modified embodiment of the first and second embodiments, respectively. In these alternative embodiments, the annular peripheral wall 10
The upper and lower portions of each of B, 14B are erected, which not only reduces the maximum diameter of the hollow containers 10, 14 as in the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. Since the usable range of the flat liquid surface of the transparent liquids 12 and 16 is widened, the level can be further reduced in the modified embodiment shown in FIGS. In the modified embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, similarly to the modified embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10,
The annular peripheral walls 10B, 14B are replaced with circular bottom walls 10A, 14A.
And it should be understood that the circular top walls 10C, 14C can be formed from different materials.

Referring to FIG. 13, a third embodiment of a level according to the present invention is shown, wherein the level
8 and a suitable transparent liquid 2 in the hollow container 18.
0 is stored. As in the case of the first embodiment described above, the hollow container 18 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin material or a transparent glass material, and has a circular bottom wall 18A, and an annular shape integrally rising from a peripheral edge of the circular bottom wall 18A. A peripheral wall 18B and a circular top wall 18C closing the upper opening of the annular peripheral wall 18B and extending parallel to the circular bottom wall 18A, but in a third embodiment the annular peripheral wall 18B Are formed as curved walls. Note that, similarly to the first embodiment described above, also in this embodiment, the circular bottom wall 18A and the annular peripheral wall 18B are integrally formed as a cup-shaped container, and the circular top wall 18C is transparent in the cup-shaped container. After the liquid is stored, it is appropriately fixed to the annular peripheral wall 18B so as to close the upper opening of the annular peripheral wall 18B.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG.
As in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, pure water or a transparent liquid resin such as silicone oil is used as the transparent liquid 20, and the transparent liquid 20 is the transparent liquid of the hollow container 18. It has wettability to the material. Accordingly, if it is assumed that the curved peripheral wall 18B of the hollow container 18 is upright in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 3, the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 20 is raised by the inner wall surface of the annular peripheral wall 18B in the outer peripheral area. The raised liquid surface forms an acute contact angle α.

However, as shown in FIG. 13, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the hollow container 18 is made of the transparent liquid 2.
When the liquid level of the transparent liquid 20 is set so as to be horizontal with respect to the vertical direction, the tangent of the inner curved wall surface of the annular peripheral wall 18B of the hollow container 18 is in contact with the liquid level of the transparent liquid 20. It forms an angle α. Therefore, the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 20 is not pulled up along the inner curved wall surface of the annular peripheral wall 18B in the outer peripheral region, and the liquid surface is made flat as a whole as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown a fourth embodiment of a level according to the present invention, wherein the level comprises a hollow container 22.
And a suitable transparent liquid 24 is provided in the hollow container 22.
Is accommodated. As in the case of the above-described second embodiment, the hollow container 22 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin material or a transparent glass material, and has a circular bottom wall 22A and an annular peripheral wall 22B rising from the peripheral edge of the circular bottom wall 22A.
And a circular top wall 22C integrally extending from the upper edge of the annular peripheral wall 22B and parallel to the circular bottom wall 22A, but in the fourth embodiment, the annular peripheral wall 22B Are formed as curved walls. Note that, similarly to the above-described second embodiment, also in the present embodiment, the annular peripheral wall 22B and the circular top wall 22C are integrally formed as a cup-shaped container, and the circular bottom wall 22A is a cup-shaped container. After the transparent liquid is accommodated therein, it is appropriately fixed to the annular peripheral wall 22B so as to close the lower opening of the annular peripheral wall 22B.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.
As in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, pure water or a transparent liquid resin such as silicone oil is used as the transparent liquid 24, and the transparent liquid 24 is transparent to the hollow container 22. The material has non-wetting properties. Therefore, assuming that the curved peripheral wall 22B of the hollow container 22 is vertically upright as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 24 is formed by the curved inner wall surface of the annular peripheral wall 22B in the outer peripheral region. The raised liquid level forms an obtuse contact angle β.

However, as shown in FIG. 14, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the hollow container 22 is
When the liquid surface of No. 4 is set to be horizontal with respect to the vertical direction, the tangent of the curved inner wall surface of the annular peripheral wall 22B of the hollow container 22 is in contact with the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 24. The angle β is formed. Therefore, the liquid surface of the transparent liquid 24 is not pulled down along the inner curved wall surface of the annular peripheral wall 22B in the outer peripheral region, and the liquid surface is made flat as a whole as shown in FIG.

In the third and fourth embodiments shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, similarly to the case shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the circular bottom walls 18A and 22A and the circular top wall 18C are formed. , 22C, the annular peripheral walls 18B, 22B may be formed from a different material than the transparent material.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, in the level according to the present invention, the entire liquid surface in the hollow container can be made flat, so that the level can be reduced. Can contribute.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of a level according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the level shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the state of the liquid level of the transparent liquid when the inner wall surface of the annular peripheral wall of the hollow container constituting the level shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is vertically erected as in the conventional case. It is sectional drawing.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of a level according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the level shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows the state of the liquid level of the transparent liquid when the inner wall surface of the annular peripheral wall of the hollow container constituting the level shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is erected in the vertical direction as in the conventional case. It is sectional drawing.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing FIGS.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modified embodiment of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

8 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 5, and FIGS.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified embodiment of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing FIGS.
FIG. 11 is a view showing still another modified embodiment of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 5, showing a further modified embodiment of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing a further modified embodiment of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 5, showing still another modified embodiment of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a third embodiment of the level according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of a level according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 14, 18, 22 Hollow container 12, 16, 20, 24 Transparent liquid 10A, 14A, 18A, 22A Circular bottom wall 10B, 14B, 18B, 22B Circular peripheral wall 10C, 14C, 18C, 22C Circular top wall

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A level used as one component of an automatic inclination correcting device incorporated in a surveying machine, comprising: a bottom wall, a peripheral wall rising from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, and an upper opening of the peripheral wall. A hollow container comprising a closed wall and a top wall extending parallel to said bottom wall, wherein at least the bottom wall and the top wall of the hollow container are formed of a transparent material, and wherein the hollow container has In a level in which an appropriate liquid is stored so as to leave a predetermined space between the hollow container and the top wall, when the hollow container is disposed so that the liquid level of the stored liquid is horizontal with respect to the vertical direction, A level which is inclined so as to form a contact angle of the contained liquid with respect to the liquid surface at least in a region where an inner wall surface of a peripheral wall of the hollow container is in contact with the liquid surface. 2. A level used as one component of an automatic inclination correcting device incorporated in a surveying machine, comprising: a bottom wall, a peripheral wall rising from a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, and an upper opening of the peripheral wall. A hollow container comprising a closed wall and a top wall extending parallel to said bottom wall, wherein at least the bottom wall and the top wall of the hollow container are formed of a transparent material, and wherein the hollow container has In a level in which an appropriate liquid is stored so as to leave a predetermined space between the hollow container and the top wall, when the hollow container is disposed so that the liquid level of the stored liquid is horizontal with respect to the vertical direction, An inner wall surface of a peripheral wall of the hollow container is formed as a curved surface at least in a region in contact with the liquid surface, and a tangent of the curved surface forms a contact angle of the contained liquid with the liquid surface. Level.