JP3997097B2

JP3997097B2 - Non-contact transmission / reception system for measuring instruments

Info

Publication number: JP3997097B2
Application number: JP2002059530A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 清日野; 清和岡本
Original assignee: Mitutoyo Corp
Current assignee: Mitutoyo Corp
Priority date: 2002-03-05
Filing date: 2002-03-05
Publication date: 2007-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-05
Also published as: JP2003256974A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、測定器の非接触送受信システムに関する。詳しくは、測定器本体と外部装置との間で、情報の伝送を行う測定器の非接触送受信システムに関する。
【０００２】
【背景技術】
距離、傾斜角度、間隔などの幾何学的測定を行う小型測定器（スモールツール）、たとえば、ノギス、マイクロメータ、ダイヤルゲージなどの中には、測定データを外部に出力できるようにした出力付き測定器が知られている。
この出力付き測定器は、幾何学的測定を行う測定手段、この測定手段からの測定信号を処理する信号処理回路、および、この信号処理回路に接続され測定器本体の外表面に露出した出力電極を備える測定器本体と、外部機器と、一端に測定器本体の出力電極に取り付けられるコネクタを有し、他端が外部機器に接続される接続ケーブルとを備える。
このような構成において、測定手段によって測定された測定信号は、信号処理回路で処理された後、出力電極、コネクタおよび接続ケーブルを通って外部機器に伝送され、そこで処理される。
【０００３】
また、信号処理回路、出力電極、コネクタへの水、油、粉塵などの浸入を防ぐ防護機構を備えた出力付き測定器も知られている。
この防護機構を備えた出力付き測定器は、測定器本体の内部に測定データを誘導電磁波として伝送するコイルを設けるとともに、接続ケーブルのコネクタに電磁場の変化に感応するコイルを設け、これらのコイルによる非接触の無線通信によって、測定データを測定器本体から接続ケーブルに伝送する構造である。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、測定データを測定器本体から外部機器に電気信号として伝送するための信号処理や電気信号の伝送に内部電池の電力を使用すると、測定器本体の使用時間が短くなってしまうという問題がある。
特に、この問題は、接続・分離可能でかつそれぞれ内部に回路を有する測定器本体と外部処理手段とが、電磁カップリングおよびケーブルを介して情報交換可能に連結された非接触送受信システムに共通する課題でもある。
【０００５】
本発明の目的は、従来の問題を解消し、水や油などの浸入を防ぐ防護機能を備えつつ、使用時間が短縮されることがない測定器の非接触送受信システムを提供することにある。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の測定器の非接触送受信システムは、測定器本体と外部処理手段とが、接続・分離可能、かつ、接続された状態において電磁カップリングを介して情報交換可能に構成された測定器の非接触送受信システムであって、前記測定器本体は、距離、傾斜角度、間隔などの幾何学的情報を検出、処理する信号処理回路と、この信号処理回路を駆動させる内蔵電池と、前記外部処理手段から前記電磁カップリングを介して送信されてくる制御信号を受信し前記信号処理回路へ与える制御信号受信回路と、前記信号処理回路からの処理信号を前記電磁カップリングを介して前記外部処理手段へ送信する処理信号送信回路と、前記電磁カップリングを介して前記外部処理手段から送られてくる交流電力の振幅に基づく電力を受信し前記測定器本体の電力消費部へ与える電力受信回路とを備え、前記外部処理手段は、外部機器と、この外部機器と前記測定器本体との間を接続する接続ケーブルとを備え、前記接続ケーブルは、前記測定器本体に対して接続・分離可能な測定器本体側プラグを有し、この測定器本体側プラグには、前記信号処理回路を制御する制御信号を前記電磁カップリングを介して前記測定器本体へ送信する制御信号送信回路と、前記測定器本体から前記電磁カップリングを介して送信されてくる処理信号を受信する処理信号受信回路と、前記電磁カップリングを介して前記測定器本体へ交流電力を送る電力供給回路と、前記外部機器に対して前記データ出力指令の出力を要求するスイッチとが設けられ、前記外部機器は、前記スイッチの操作に応じてデータ出力指令および制御指令を前記制御信号送信回路へ出力するとともに、前記処理信号受信回路で受信された前記測定器本体からの処理信号を処理する、ことを特徴とする。
【０００７】
このような構成によれば、外部処理手段において、制御信号送信回路から出力指令や制御指令に関する制御信号が電磁カップリングを介して測定器本体へ送信されると、測定器本体では、その制御信号を制御信号受信回路が受信し、信号処理回路へ与える。すると、信号処理回路から処理信号が出され、その処理信号が電磁カップリングを介して外部処理手段へ送信される。外部処理手段では、処理信号受信回路が測定器本体から送信されてくる処理信号を受信し、処理、あるいは、他の外部機器へ送信する。つまり、測定器本体と外部処理手段との間で、電磁カップリングを介して相互に情報伝送される。
【０００８】
このようなシステムにおいて、外部処理手段側において、電力供給回路から供給された交流電力が外部処理手段側の電磁カップリングに印加されると、その交流電力は測定器本体側の電磁カップリングで受信される。すると、電力受信回路において、交流電力の振幅に基づく電力が測定器本体の電力消費部へ与えられるから、測定器本体側に内蔵された信号処理回路を駆動させる内蔵電池の消耗を防ぐことができる。つまり、測定器本体側の使用時間が短縮されることがない非接触送受信システムを実現できる。
また、測定器本体と外部処理手段との連結を接点によらず、電磁カップリングを用いたので、接点式電気接続に必要な機構的開口部を廃止して密封構造化できる。いわゆる、クーラントプルーフ化を実現できる。
【０００９】
上記非接触送受信システムにおいて、前記電磁カップリングは、前記測定器本体側および外部処理手段側に設けられた一対の感応コイルを備えることが望ましい。
このようにすれば、一対の感応コイルによって、測定器本体と外部処理手段との双方の情報伝送および外部処理手段から測定器本体への電力伝送を実現できるから、構造を簡易化できる。
【００１０】
また、上記非接触送受信システムにおいて、前記処理信号送信回路は振幅変調手段を有し、前記処理信号受信回路は振幅復調手段を有し、前記制御信号送信回路は前記電力供給回路の交流電力を入力とした周波数変調手段または位相変調手段を有し、前記制御信号受信回路は周波数復調手段または位相復調手段を有し、前記振幅変調手段の変調度は浅く、前記周波数変調手段または前記位相変調手段の変調度は深く設定されていることが望ましい。
このようにすれば、外部処理手段側から測定器本体側へ伝送される電力および制御信号は周波数変調または位相変調され、測定器本体側から外部処理手段側へ伝送される処理信号は振幅変調されるから、つまり、周波数変調または位相変調信号に振幅変調信号を重畳しても、信号が混信することがないから、同時双方向の伝送が可能である。しかも、振幅変調の変調度は浅く、周波数変調または位相変調の変調度は深く設定されているから、周波数変調または位相変調の変調度が深い交流電力に、振幅変調信号が影響を与えることが少なく、同時に安定した電力供給を実現できる。
【００１１】
また、上記非接触送受信システムにおいて、前記測定器本体と外部処理手段との間で送受信される信号は、同時伝送または時分割伝送であることが望ましい。このようにすれば、伝送にかかる時間を短くできるので、迅速な処理が期待できる。
【００１２】
また、上記非接触送受信システムにおいて、前記位相、周波数、振幅変調手段の各変調度の少なくとも一部は、２値的であり、２値的変調度に対応する情報は、時間的に直列の２値信号列であるとともに、残部の情報に対応する信号の変調度は多値的もしくは連続的であってもよく、または、前記位相、周波数、振幅変調手段の各変調度の少なくとも一部は、多値的であり、この多値の状態は、時間的な連続量を所定の時間周期でデジタル量に変換し、時間的に前記周期で更新する多値信号の状態に対応しているとともに、残部の情報に対応する信号の変調度は２値的もしくは連続的であってもよく、さらには、前記位相、周波数、振幅変調手段の各変調度の少なくとも一部は、時間的に連続なアナログ量に対応する信号であるとともに、残部の情報に対応する信号の変調度は２値的もしくは多値的であってもよい。
【００１３】
また、上記非接触送受信システムにおいて、前記電磁カップリングは、前記測定器本体側および外部処理手段側に設けられた複数対の感応コイルを備え、これら複数対の感応コイルを介して前記制御信号および処理信号が独立的に伝送されるようにしてもよい。
このようにすれば、制御信号および処理信号が複数対の感応コイルを介してそれぞれ独立的に伝送されるから、信号伝送時に多重変調をかけなくてもよいから、回路を簡易化できる。
【００１４】
また、上記非接触送受信システムにおいて、前記電力受信回路に代えて、前記電磁カップリングを介して前記測定器本体側で発生する交流電力の振幅が所定以上になったことを条件として作動し、外部エネルギを直流電力に変換して前記測定器本体内の電力消費部へ与える外部エネルギ変換手段を備えることが望ましい。
このようにすれば、電磁カップリングを介して測定器本体側で発生する電気的交流の振幅が所定以上になったことを条件として、外部エネルギ変換手段が作動し、外部エネルギを直流電力に変換して測定器本体内の電力消費部へ与えるので、測定器本体内の各回路を安定して動作させることができる。
【００１５】
その際、外部エネルギ変換手段は、前記電磁カップリングを介して前記測定器本体側で発生する交流電力の振幅を直流に変換する変換器を備え、この変換器により前記測定器本体内の前記制御信号受信回路および処理信号送信回路へ直流電力の供給を行うようにすれば、より好ましい。
【００１６】
また、上記非接触送受信システムにおいて、前記外部エネルギ変換手段は、温度差、光エネルギー、振動等の機械的外乱を直流電力に変換する変換器を備えていてもよい。
このようにすれば、温度差、光エネルギー、振動等の機械的外乱を利用して、測定器本体内の制御信号受信回路および処理信号送信回路へ直流電力を供給できるから、特別な電源を確保しなくてもよい。
【００１７】
また、上記非接触送受信システムにおいて、前記外部処理手段側には、前記制御信号送信回路、処理信号受信回路および電力供給回路への電力供給を制御する電力供給制御手段が設けられ、前記電力供給制御手段は、外部からの電力供給開始信号を検知したとき前記制御信号送信回路、処理信号受信回路および電力供給回路に電力を供給してこれらを動作させるとともに、前記測定器本体から最終処理信号を受信したとき前記制御信号送信回路、処理信号受信回路および電力供給回路への電力供給を停止させることが望ましい。
このようにすれば、信号伝送時など電力供給が必要なときのみ電力の供給を行い、不必要なときには電力供給を停止させることができるから、無駄な電力消費を削減することができる。
【００１８】
この際、前記電力供給制御手段は、前記測定器本体から送られてくる処理信号の伝送単位情報を計数し、計数値が所定値になったことで最終処理信号として判定してもよく、あるいは、前記測定器本体から送られてくる処理信号のうち、予め定められた最終処理信号コードを受信したことで最終処理信号として判定するようにしてもよい。
【００１９】
また、上記非接触送受信システムにおいて、前記外部処理手段側に設けられた制御信号送信回路、処理信号受信回路および電力供給回路を動作させる付加電池を備え、前記電力供給制御手段は、前記付加電池の電力を前記制御信号送信回路、処理信号受信回路および電力供給回路へ供給する経路を開閉することが望ましい。
このようにすれば、外部処理手段側に設けられた前記制御信号送信回路、処理信号受信回路および電力供給回路を動作させるための電力を付加電池によって賄うことができるから、外部機器には電力供給能力のないもの、あるいは、その能力が低いものでも接続できる。しかも、付加電池の電力を制御信号送信回路、処理信号受信回路および電力供給回路へ供給する経路を開閉するのみで、各回路への電力の供給、停止を制御することができるから、極めて簡単に制御を行える。
【００２０】
また、上記非接触送受信システムにおいて、前記付加電池は、太陽電池、温度差起電力変換器、振動電力変換器のいずれかで構成できる。
【００２１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に基づいて説明する。以下の実施形態の説明にあたって、同一構成要件については、同一符号を付し、その説明を省略もしくは簡略化する。
【００２２】
（第１実施形態）
図１は本発明の第１実施形態を示している。第１実施形態の測定器の非接触送受信システムは、物理的に接続・分離可能でかつそれぞれ内部に回路を有する信号処理手段１と外部処理手段２とが、電磁カップリング５を介して情報交換可能に連結された非接触送受信システムである。
ここで、電磁カップリング５は、信号処理手段１側および外部処理手段２側に設けられた一対の電磁気感応コイル１１，２１（磁性体およびコイルからなる）を備える。
【００２３】
信号処理手段１は、距離、傾斜角度、間隔などの幾何学的情報を検出、処理する測定器本体１０によって構成されている。
測定器本体１０は、感応コイル１１と、距離、傾斜角度、間隔などの幾何学的情報を検出、処理する幾何学的計測信号処理回路１２と、この信号処理回路１２を駆動させる内蔵電池１３と、外部処理手段２から電磁カップリング５を介して送信されてくる制御信号を受信し信号処理回路１２へ与える制御信号受信回路１４と、信号処理回路１２からの処理信号を電磁カップリング５を介して外部処理手段２へ送信する処理信号送信回路１５と、電磁カップリング５を介して外部処理手段２から送られてくる電気的交流（交流電力を意味する：以下同じ）の振幅に基づく電力を受信し信号処理手段１の電力消費部へ与える電力受信回路１６とを備える。
【００２４】
外部処理手段２は、外部機器４と、この外部機器４および信号処理手段１間を接続する接続ケーブル３とを備える。接続ケーブル３は、信号処理手段１および外部機器４に接続されるプラグ２０，３０を両端に有する。
プラグ２０は、感応コイル２１と、信号処理回路１２を制御する制御信号を電磁カップリング５を介して信号処理手段１へ送信する制御信号送信回路２２と、信号処理手段１から電磁カップリング５を介して送信されてくる処理信号を受信する処理信号受信回路２３と、電磁カップリング５を介して信号処理手段１へ電気的交流を送信する電力供給回路２４と、データ出力を要求するスイッチ２５とを備える。
【００２５】
以上において、信号処理手段１における処理信号送信回路１５は振幅（ＡＭ）変調手段を有し、プラグ２０における処理信号受信回路２３は振幅（ＡＭ）復調手段を有している。
また、制御信号送信回路２２は周波数（ＦＭ）変調手段を有し、制御信号受信回路１４は周波数（ＦＭ）復調手段を有している。なお、周波数（ＦＭ）変調手段に代えて位相（ＰＭ）変調手段を、周波数（ＦＭ）復調手段に代えて位相（ＰＭ）復調手段を用いてもよい。
ここで、ＡＭ変調手段の変調度は浅く、ＦＭ変調手段またはＰＭ変調手段の変調度は深く設定されている。
なお、電力受信回路１６は、ＡＣ／ＤＣ変換部を有している。
【００２６】
プラグ３０は、外部機器４からデータ出力指令あるいは制御指令などが与えられると、そのデータ出力指令あるいは制御指令をプラグ２０側の制御信号送信回路２２に印加するとともに、信号処理手段１から送信されかつ処理信号受信回路２３で復調された信号を解読する制御・信号解読部３１と、外部機器４から供給される電力から接続ケーブル３内の各回路（制御信号送信回路２２、処理信号受信回路２３、電力供給回路２４および制御・信号解読部３１）で必要とする直流電力を作るための制御電源３２とを備える。
【００２７】
外部機器４は、プラグ２０側に設けられたスイッチ２５の操作に応じて出力信号が与えられると、制御・信号解読部３１に対してデータ出力指令あるいは制御指令などを与えるとともに、制御・信号解読部３１から出力された信号を処理して出力する。
【００２８】
このような構成において、スイッチ２５を押すと、接続ケーブル３を通じて外部機器４に出力信号が与えられる。外部機器４は、その出力信号を認識すると、制御・信号解読部３１に対してデータ出力指令あるいは制御指令などを与える。制御・信号解読部３１は、その受信した指令をプラグ２０側の制御信号送信回路２２に印加し、電力供給回路２４で発生した電気的交流に深いＦＭ変調を加える。このＦＭ変調された信号が感応コイル２１に印加されると、信号処理手段１側の感応コイル１１で受信される。
【００２９】
この受信された信号のうち、電気的交流の振幅成分は、電力受信回路１６のＡＣ／ＤＣ変換部で直流電圧に変換され、信号処理手段１内の回路（制御信号受信回路１４や処理信号送信回路１５など）に供給される。ここで、ＦＭ変調を用いているのは、ＦＭ変調の場合には、信号処理手段１側の感応コイル１１で受信する電気的交流の振幅に影響がでないので、信号処理手段１側に供給される電力が影響を受けないためである。
【００３０】
一方、電気的交流の周波数成分は、制御信号受信回路１４のＦＭ復調手段で復調され、出力指令あるいは制御指令となって信号処理回路１２に印加される。信号処理回路１２が出力指令を解読すると、計測データがシリアルパルス形式で出力され、予め浅いＡＭ変調度に設定された処理信号送信回路１５のＡＭ変調手段にＡＭ変調信号として印加され浅く変調される。処理信号送信回路１５のＡＭ変調手段によって、信号処理回路１２からの処理信号を浅く変調する理由は、外部処理手段２から供給される電力の振幅に影響を与えないようにするためである。信号処理手段１側の感応コイル１１の負荷を２値的に変動させるＦＭ変調された電気的交流信号に、ＡＭ変調信号を重畳しても、ＦＭ復調の特性から信号が混信することがないから、同時双方向の情報伝送が可能で、しかも、浅いＡＭ変調と深いＦＭ変調を受けた電気的交流信号により、同時に安定した電力供給を実現できる。
【００３１】
さて、ＡＭ変調された信号は、プラグ２０側の処理信号受信回路２３のＡＭ復調手段で基の２値的直流信号に復調され、接続ケーブル３を通じてプラグ３０側の制御・信号解読部３１に印加される。制御・信号解読部３１では、復調されたシリアルパルス列形式の信号を、ある一定の規則を基にして解読し、計測データとして一次蓄積したのち、外部機器４が受付可能な信号形態に変換して出力する。
【００３２】
従って、第１実施形態によれば、信号処理手段１と外部処理手段２との連結を接点によらず、電磁カップリングを用いたので、接点式電気接続に必要な機構的開口部を廃止して密封構造化できる。いわゆる、クーラントプルーフ化を実現できる。
また、外部処理手段２側において、電力供給回路２４から供給された電気的交流が外部処理手段２側の電磁カップリング５に印加されると、その電気的交流は信号処理手段１側の電磁カップリングで受信される。すると、電力受信回路１６において、電気的交流の振幅に基づく電力が信号処理手段１の電力消費部へ与えられるから、信号処理手段１側に内蔵された内蔵電池１３の消耗を防ぐことができる。つまり、信号処理手段１（測定器本体１０）側の使用時間が短縮されることがない非接触送受信システムを実現できる。
【００３３】
また、一対の感応コイル１１，２１によって、信号処理手段１と外部処理手段２との双方の情報伝送および外部処理手段２から信号処理手段１への電力伝送を実現できるから、構造を簡易化できる。
また、外部処理手段２側から信号処理手段１側へ伝送される電力および制御信号はＦＭ変調またはＰＭ変調され、信号処理手段１側から外部処理手段２側へ伝送される処理信号はＡＭ変調されるから、つまり、ＦＭ変調またはＰＭ変調信号にＡＭ変調信号を重畳しても、信号が混信することがないから、同時双方向の伝送が可能である。しかも、ＡＭ変調の変調度は浅く、ＦＭ変調またはＰＭ変調の変調度は深く設定されているから、ＦＭ変調またはＰＭ変調の変調度が深い電気的交流の振幅（電力）に、ＡＭ変調信号が影響を与えることが少なく、同時に安定した電力供給を実現できる。
【００３４】
（第２実施形態）
図２は本発明の第２実施形態を示している。第２実施形態の非接触送受信システムは、第１実施形態の非接触送受信システムにおいて、信号処理手段１の電力受信回路１６に代わって外部エネルギ変換手段１７を備える点、接続ケーブル３のプラグ３０および外部機器４が省略されている点が異なる。なお、本実施形態では、制御信号送信回路２２、処理信号受信回路２３および電力供給回路２４に外部の直流電源が接続され、制御信号送信回路２２に出力・制御指令が直接印加されるようになっている。
【００３５】
外部エネルギ変換手段１７は、電磁カップリング５を介して信号処理手段１側（感応コイル１１）で発生する電気的交流の振幅が所定以上になったことを条件として作動し、外部エネルギを直流電力に変換して信号処理手段１内の電力消費部へ与える第１の変換器のほかに、信号処理手段１（感応コイル１１）側で発生する電気的交流の振幅の交流を直流に変換する第２の変換器を備える。
これらの変換器を介して、信号処理手段１内の制御信号受信回路１４および処理信号送信回路１５へ直流電力の供給が行われる。なお、第１の変換器としては、温度差、光エネルギー、振動等の機械的外乱を電力に変換するいずれの変換器でもよい。
【００３６】
このような構成において、制御信号送信回路２２、処理信号受信回路２３および電力供給回路２４に外部の直流電源が印加されると、電力供給回路２４の交流発生手段が電気的交流信号を発生し、これが制御信号送信回路２２のＦＭ変調手段の一方の入力端に与えられる。制御信号送信回路２２のＦＭ変調手段の他方の入力端に外部から出力指令、あるいは、制御指令が与えられると、電力供給回路２４で発生した電気的交流に深いＦＭ変調が加えられた電気的交流信号が発生される。このＦＭ変調された信号が感応コイル２１に印加されると、信号処理手段１側の感応コイル１１で受信される。この感応コイル１１で発生する電気的交流の振幅が所定以上になると、外部エネルギ変換手段１７が作動し、外部エネルギを直流電力に変換するとともに、感応コイル１１で発生する電気的交流の振幅の交流を直流電力に変換する。
【００３７】
従って、外部エネルギ変換手段１７によって変換された直流電源により、制御信号受信回路１４のＦＭ復調手段および処理信号送信回路１５のＡＭ変調手段を動作させる電力を全て賄うことができるから、信号処理回路１２を動作させる内蔵電池１３を前述の２つの回路１４，１５（ＦＭ復調手段およびＡＭ変調手段）の動作に使用する必要がないため、処理信号を外部へ出力するために内蔵電池１３を消耗させることがない。よって、測定器本体１０の使用時間を短縮するようなことも防げる。
なお、信号処理手段１から外部処理手段２への処理信号の伝送については、第１実施形態と同じであるため、説明を省略する。
【００３８】
（第３実施形態）
図３は本発明の第３実施形態を示している。第３実施形態の非接触送受信システムは、第１実施形態の非接触送受信システムにおいて、次の点が異なる。
信号処理手段１側において、電力受信回路１６に代わって制御電源部１８が設けられ、かつ、電圧検出部１９が設けられている。
プラグ３０側において、制御電源３２に代わって付加電池３３が設けられているとともに、付加電池３３の電力を制御信号送信回路２２、処理信号受信回路２３および電力供給回路２４へ供給する経路を開閉するスイッチ３４が設けられている。付加電池３３は、太陽電池、温度差起電力変換器、振動電力変換器のいずれかで構成されている。
【００３９】
また、制御・信号解読部３１は、外部（ここでは、外部機器４）からの電力供給開始信号を検知したとき、付加電池３３の電力を制御信号送信回路２２，処理信号受信回路２３および電力供給回路２４に印加して、これらを作動させるとともに、前記信号処理手段１から最終処理信号を受信したとき、制御信号送信回路２２，処理信号受信回路２３および電力供給回路２４への電力供給を停止させる電力供給制御手段を兼ねている。
ここで、電力供給制御手段は、信号処理手段１から送られてくる処理信号の伝送単位情報を計数し、計数値が所定値になったことで最終処理信号として判定する、あるいは、前記信号処理手段から送られてくる処理信号のうち、予め定められた最終処理信号コードを受信したことで最終処理信号として判定する。
【００４０】
このような構成において、スイッチ２５を押すと、接続ケーブル３を通じて外部機器４に出力信号が与えられる。外部機器４は、その出力信号を認識すると、制御・信号解読部３１に対してデータ出力指令あるいは制御指令などを与える。制御・信号解読部３１は、その指令を認識すると、スイッチ３４をオンする。すると、付加電池３３の電圧が接続ケーブル３を通じてプラグ２０側の制御信号送信回路２２，処理信号受信回路２３および電力供給回路２４に印加され、これら回路が活性化、つまり、これら回路を構成するＦＭ変調手段、ＡＭ復調手段および交流発生手段が活性化される。
従って、接続ケーブル３の各プラグ２０，３０内に設けられる各回路２２，２３，２４，３１を動作させるための電力を付加電池３３によって賄うことができるから、外部機器４には電力供給能力のないもの、あるいは、その能力が低いものでも接続できる。
【００４１】
また、制御・信号解読部３１は、受信した指令（データ出力指令あるいは制御指令）をプラグ２０側の制御信号送信回路２２に印加し、電力供給回路２４で発生した電気的交流に深いＦＭ変調を加える。このＦＭ変調された信号が外部処理手段２側の感応コイル２１に印加されると、信号処理手段１側の感応コイル１１で受信される。
【００４２】
この受信された信号のうち、電気的交流の振幅成分は、制御電源部１８で信号処理手段１内の回路を動作させる直流電圧に変換される。そして、その直流電圧が電圧検出回路１９で検出され、その検出電圧レベルが所定レベル以上になったことを条件として、出力開始信号が信号処理回路１２に与えられる。信号処理回路１２は、この出力開始信号を認識すると作動状態となり、所定時間内に制御指令が与えられなければ、予め定められた形式で計測データをシリアルパルス形式で出力する。なお、ここで、ＦＭ変調を用いているのは、ＦＭ変調の場合には、信号処理手段１側の感応コイル１１で受信する電気的交流の振幅に影響がでないので、信号処理手段１側に供給される電力が影響を受けないためである。
【００４３】
一方、電気的交流の周波数成分は、制御信号受信回路１４のＦＭ復調手段で解読され、その解読された指令が信号処理回路１２に印加される。信号処理回路１２が出力開始信号または制御指令を解読すると、計測データがシリアルパルス形式で出力され、予め浅いＡＭ変調度に設定された処理信号送信回路１５のＡＭ変調手段にＡＭ変調信号として印加され浅く変調される。処理信号送信回路１５のＡＭ変調手段によって、信号処理回路１２からの処理信号を浅く変調する理由は、外部処理手段２から供給される電力の振幅に影響を与えないようにするためである。
信号処理手段１側の感応コイル１１の負荷を２値的に変動させるＦＭ変調された電気的交流信号に、ＡＭ変調信号を重畳しても、ＦＭ復調の特性から信号が混信することがないから、同時双方向の情報伝送が可能で、しかも、浅いＡＭ変調と深いＦＭ変調を受けた電気的交流信号は同時に安定した電力供給を実現できる。
【００４４】
さて、ＡＭ変調された信号は、プラグ２０側の処理信号受信回路２３のＡＭ復調手段で基の２値的直流信号に復調され、接続ケーブル３を通じてプラグ３０側の制御・信号解読部３１に印加される。制御・信号解読部３１では、復調されたシリアルパルス列形式の信号を、ある一定の規則を基にして解読し、計測データとして一次蓄積する。そして、信号処理手段１から送られてくる処理信号の伝送単位情報を計数し、計数値が所定値になったことをもって最終処理信号（受信終了）、あるいは、信号処理手段１から送られてくる処理信号のうち、予め定められた最終処理信号コードを受信したことをもって最終処理信号（受信終了）として見なし、スイッチ３４をオフする。
すると、制御信号送信回路２２，処理信号受信回路２３および電力供給回路２４への電力供給が停止される結果、これら回路２２，２３，２４の動作が停止される。従って、無駄な電力を削減することができる。
制御・信号解読部３１に蓄積された受信データは、外部機器４が受付可能な信号形態に変換されて外部機器４へ出力される。
【００４５】
なお、本発明の非接触送受信システムは、上述の実施形態にのみ限定されるものではなく、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲内において種々変更を加え得ることは勿論である。
たとえば、電磁カップリングを、信号処理手段１側および外部処理手段２側に設けられた複数対の感応コイルによって構成し、これら複数対の感応コイルを介して制御信号および処理信号を独立的に伝送するようにしてもよい。
また、信号処理手段１と外部処理手段２との間で送受信される信号は、同時伝送でなくてもよく、時分割伝送であってもよい。
【００４６】
また、上記実施形態では、位相、周波数、振幅変調手段の各変調度を全て２値的としたが、計測されたアナログ量をデジタル量にＡＤ変換した場合のように、多値的変調であってもよく、あるいは、２値、多値および連続の組み合わせであってもよい。
すなわち、位相、周波数、振幅変調手段の各変調度の少なくとも一部は、２値的であり、２値的変調度に対応する情報は、時間的に直列の２値信号列であるとともに、残部の情報に対応する信号の変調度は多値的もしくは連続的であってもよく、または、前記位相、周波数、振幅変調手段の各変調度の少なくとも一部は、多値的であり、この多値の状態は、時間的な連続量を所定の時間周期でデジタル量に変換し、時間的に前記周期で更新する多値信号の状態に対応しているとともに、残部の情報に対応する信号の変調度は２値的もしくは連続的であってもよく、さらには、前記位相、周波数、振幅変調手段の各変調度の少なくとも一部は、時間的に連続なアナログ量に対応する信号であるとともに、残部の情報に対応する信号の変調度は２値的もしくは多値的であてもよい。
【００４７】
【発明の効果】
以上の通り、本発明の測定器の非接触送受信システムによれば、水や油などの浸入を防ぐ防護機能を備えつつ、使用時間が短縮されることがないという効果が期待できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態を示すブロック図である。
【図２】本発明の第２実施形態を示すブロック図である。
【図３】本発明の第３実施形態を示すブロック図である。
【符号の説明】
１信号処理手段
２外部処理手段
３接続ケーブル
４外部機器
５電磁カップリング
１０測定器本体
１１感応コイル
１２信号処理回路
１３内蔵電池
１４制御信号受信回路（ＦＭ変調手段）
１５処理信号送信回路（ＡＭ変調手段）
１６電力受信回路
１７外部エネルギ変換手段
２０プラグ
２１感応コイル
２２制御信号送信回路（ＦＭ変調手段）
２３処理信号受信回路（ＡＭ変調手段）
２４電力供給回路（交流発生手段）
２５スイッチ
３０プラグ
３１制御・信号解読部（電力供給制御手段）
３２制御電源
３３付加電池
３４スイッチ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a contactless transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument. Specifically, the present invention relates to a non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument that transmits information between the measuring instrument main body and an external device.
[0002]
[Background]
Some small measuring devices (small tools) that measure geometrical distances, tilt angles, intervals, etc., such as calipers, micrometers, dial gauges, etc., are equipped with outputs that allow measurement data to be output to the outside. The vessel is known.
The measuring instrument with an output includes a measuring means for performing a geometric measurement, a signal processing circuit for processing a measurement signal from the measuring means, and an output electrode connected to the signal processing circuit and exposed on the outer surface of the measuring instrument main body. A measuring instrument main body, an external device, and a connection cable having a connector attached to an output electrode of the measuring instrument main body at one end and connected to the external device at the other end.
In such a configuration, the measurement signal measured by the measurement means is processed by the signal processing circuit, then transmitted to the external device through the output electrode, the connector and the connection cable, and processed there.
[0003]
There is also known a measuring instrument with an output provided with a protection mechanism for preventing intrusion of water, oil, dust or the like into the signal processing circuit, the output electrode, and the connector.
The measuring instrument with an output equipped with this protective mechanism is provided with a coil for transmitting measurement data as an induced electromagnetic wave inside the measuring instrument body, and a coil that is sensitive to changes in the electromagnetic field is provided at the connector of the connection cable. In this structure, measurement data is transmitted from the measuring instrument main body to the connection cable by non-contact wireless communication.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if the power of the internal battery is used for signal processing for transmitting measurement data as an electric signal from the measuring instrument main body to an external device or for transmission of the electric signal, there is a problem that the usage time of the measuring instrument main body is shortened. .
In particular, this problem is common to a contactless transmission / reception system in which a measuring instrument body that can be connected and disconnected and has an internal circuit and an external processing means are connected to each other via an electromagnetic coupling and a cable so that information can be exchanged. It is also an issue.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to provide a non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument that solves the conventional problems and has a protective function for preventing intrusion of water, oil, and the like, and that does not shorten the use time.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring instrument of the present invention is a measuring instrument configured such that the measuring instrument main body and the external processing means can be connected and disconnected, and can exchange information via an electromagnetic coupling in the connected state. In the non-contact transmission / reception system, the measuring instrument main body includes a signal processing circuit that detects and processes geometric information such as a distance, an inclination angle, and an interval, a built-in battery that drives the signal processing circuit, and the external processing A control signal receiving circuit for receiving a control signal transmitted from the means via the electromagnetic coupling and supplying the control signal to the signal processing circuit, and a processing signal from the signal processing circuit via the electromagnetic coupling for the external processing means Processing signal transmission circuit to transmit to A power receiving circuit that receives power based on the amplitude of AC power sent from the external processing means via the electromagnetic coupling and supplies the power to the power consuming unit of the measuring instrument body; The external processing means includes: An external device, and a connection cable for connecting between the external device and the measuring instrument main body, the connecting cable has a measuring instrument main body side plug that can be connected to and separated from the measuring instrument main body, This instrument body side plug has A control signal for controlling the signal processing circuit is transmitted through the electromagnetic coupling. Measuring instrument body A control signal transmission circuit for transmitting to, and Measuring instrument body A processing signal receiving circuit for receiving a processing signal transmitted from the electromagnetic coupling through the electromagnetic coupling; , Via the electromagnetic coupling Measuring instrument body What AC power Send power supply circuit And a switch that requests the external device to output the data output command, and the external device outputs a data output command and a control command to the control signal transmission circuit in accordance with an operation of the switch. And processing the processing signal from the measuring instrument body received by the processing signal receiving circuit. It is characterized by that.
[0007]
According to such a configuration, when the control signal related to the output command or the control command is transmitted from the control signal transmission circuit to the measuring instrument main body via the electromagnetic coupling in the external processing means, the measuring instrument main body receives the control signal. Is received by the control signal receiving circuit and applied to the signal processing circuit. Then, a processing signal is output from the signal processing circuit, and the processing signal is transmitted to the external processing means via the electromagnetic coupling. In the external processing means, the processing signal receiving circuit receives the processing signal transmitted from the measuring instrument main body and processes it or transmits it to another external device. That is, information is transmitted between the measuring instrument main body and the external processing means via the electromagnetic coupling.
[0008]
In such a system, the external processing means side is supplied from the power supply circuit. AC power Is applied to the electromagnetic coupling on the external processing means side AC power Is received by electromagnetic coupling on the measuring instrument main body side. Then, in the power receiving circuit, AC power Since the power based on the amplitude of the signal is supplied to the power consumption unit of the measuring instrument main body, it is possible to prevent the built-in battery that drives the signal processing circuit built in the measuring instrument main body from being consumed. That is, it is possible to realize a non-contact transmission / reception system in which the use time on the measuring instrument main body side is not shortened.
In addition, since the coupling between the measuring instrument main body and the external processing means is not based on the contact but the electromagnetic coupling is used, the mechanical opening necessary for the contact-type electrical connection can be eliminated and a sealed structure can be formed. So-called coolant proofing can be realized.
[0009]
In the non-contact transmission / reception system, it is preferable that the electromagnetic coupling includes a pair of sensitive coils provided on the measuring device main body side and the external processing means side.
In this way, since the information transmission between the measuring instrument main body and the external processing means and the power transmission from the external processing means to the measuring instrument main body can be realized by the pair of sensitive coils, the structure can be simplified.
[0010]
In the contactless transmission / reception system, the processing signal transmission circuit includes amplitude modulation means, the processing signal reception circuit includes amplitude demodulation means, and the control signal transmission circuit includes the power supply circuit. AC power The control signal receiving circuit has frequency demodulation means or phase demodulation means, and the amplitude modulation means has a shallow modulation degree, and the frequency modulation means or phase modulation means is provided. It is desirable that the modulation degree of the means is set deep.
In this way, the power and control signals transmitted from the external processing means side to the measuring instrument main body side are frequency modulated or phase modulated, and the processing signals transmitted from the measuring instrument main body side to the external processing means side are amplitude modulated. That is, even if the amplitude modulation signal is superimposed on the frequency modulation or phase modulation signal, the signal does not interfere with each other, so that simultaneous bidirectional transmission is possible. Moreover, since the modulation depth of amplitude modulation is shallow and the modulation depth of frequency modulation or phase modulation is set deep, the modulation depth of frequency modulation or phase modulation is deep. AC power In addition, the amplitude modulation signal is less affected and a stable power supply can be realized at the same time.
[0011]
In the non-contact transmission / reception system, the signal transmitted / received between the measuring instrument main body and the external processing means is preferably simultaneous transmission or time division transmission. In this way, since the time required for transmission can be shortened, rapid processing can be expected.
[0012]
In the contactless transmission / reception system, at least a part of each modulation degree of the phase, frequency, and amplitude modulation means is binary, and information corresponding to the binary modulation degree is temporally in series 2 And the modulation degree of the signal corresponding to the remaining information may be multi-valued or continuous, or at least a part of each modulation degree of the phase, frequency, and amplitude modulation means is: This multi-valued state corresponds to the state of a multi-value signal that converts a continuous amount of time into a digital amount at a predetermined time period and updates it in the period in time. The degree of modulation of the signal corresponding to the remaining information may be binary or continuous. Furthermore, at least a part of the degree of modulation of the phase, frequency, and amplitude modulation means is a temporally continuous analog signal. Signal corresponding to the volume and the remaining Modulation of the corresponding signals to the information may be binary or multi-level manner.
[0013]
In the non-contact transmission / reception system, the electromagnetic coupling includes a plurality of pairs of sensitive coils provided on the measuring instrument main body side and the external processing means side, and the control signal and The processing signal may be transmitted independently.
In this way, the control signal and the processing signal are independently transmitted through the plurality of pairs of sensitive coils, so that it is not necessary to perform multiple modulation at the time of signal transmission, so that the circuit can be simplified.
[0014]
Further, in the non-contact transmission / reception system, instead of the power receiving circuit, it is generated on the measuring instrument main body side through the electromagnetic coupling. AC power It is desirable to provide an external energy conversion means that operates on the condition that the amplitude of the signal becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, converts external energy into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the power consumption unit in the measuring instrument body.
In this way, the external energy conversion means operates and converts the external energy into DC power on condition that the amplitude of the electrical alternating current generated on the measuring instrument main body side via the electromagnetic coupling becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Thus, the power consumption unit in the measuring instrument main body is given, so that each circuit in the measuring instrument main body can be stably operated.
[0015]
At that time, the external energy conversion means is generated on the measuring instrument main body side through the electromagnetic coupling. AC power amplitude It is more preferable to provide a converter for converting DC to DC, and to supply DC power to the control signal receiving circuit and the processing signal transmitting circuit in the measuring instrument main body by this converter.
[0016]
In the non-contact transmission / reception system, the external energy conversion means may include a converter that converts mechanical disturbances such as a temperature difference, light energy, and vibration into DC power.
In this way, DC power can be supplied to the control signal reception circuit and processing signal transmission circuit in the measuring instrument body using mechanical disturbances such as temperature difference, light energy, vibration, etc., so a special power supply is secured. You don't have to.
[0017]
In the contactless transmission / reception system, a power supply control means for controlling power supply to the control signal transmission circuit, the processing signal reception circuit, and a power supply circuit is provided on the external processing means side, and the power supply control The means supplies power to the control signal transmission circuit, the processing signal reception circuit and the power supply circuit when an external power supply start signal is detected, operates them, and receives a final processing signal from the measuring instrument body. Then, it is desirable to stop power supply to the control signal transmission circuit, the processing signal reception circuit, and the power supply circuit.
In this way, it is possible to supply power only when power supply is necessary, such as during signal transmission, and to stop power supply when it is not necessary, thereby reducing wasteful power consumption.
[0018]
At this time, the power supply control means may count transmission unit information of the processing signal sent from the measuring instrument body, and may determine that the count value has reached a predetermined value as a final processing signal, or The final processing signal may be determined by receiving a predetermined final processing signal code from among the processing signals sent from the measuring instrument main body.
[0019]
The contactless transmission / reception system further includes an additional battery that operates a control signal transmission circuit, a processing signal reception circuit, and a power supply circuit provided on the external processing unit, and the power supply control unit includes: It is desirable to open and close a path for supplying power to the control signal transmission circuit, the processing signal reception circuit, and the power supply circuit.
In this way, power for operating the control signal transmission circuit, processing signal reception circuit, and power supply circuit provided on the external processing means side can be provided by the additional battery, so that power is supplied to the external device. It can be connected even if it has no ability or has low ability. Moreover, it is very easy to control the supply and stop of power to each circuit simply by opening and closing the path for supplying the power of the additional battery to the control signal transmission circuit, processing signal reception circuit and power supply circuit. You can control.
[0020]
In the non-contact transmission / reception system, the additional battery can be configured by any one of a solar battery, a temperature difference electromotive force converter, and a vibration power converter.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the following embodiments, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.
[0022]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring instrument according to the first embodiment, the signal processing means 1 and the external processing means 2 that are physically connectable / detachable and each have an internal circuit exchange information via an electromagnetic coupling 5. It is a contactless transmission / reception system that is connected in a possible manner.
Here, the electromagnetic coupling 5 includes a pair of electromagnetic sensitive coils 11 and 21 (consisting of a magnetic body and a coil) provided on the signal processing means 1 side and the external processing means 2 side.
[0023]
The signal processing means 1 is constituted by a measuring device main body 10 that detects and processes geometric information such as distance, inclination angle, and interval.
The measuring instrument main body 10 includes a sensitive coil 11, a geometric measurement signal processing circuit 12 for detecting and processing geometric information such as distance, inclination angle, and interval, and an internal battery 13 for driving the signal processing circuit 12. The control signal receiving circuit 14 that receives the control signal transmitted from the external processing means 2 via the electromagnetic coupling 5 and supplies the control signal to the signal processing circuit 12, and the processing signal from the signal processing circuit 12 via the electromagnetic coupling 5 The processing signal transmission circuit 15 for transmitting to the external processing means 2 and the electrical alternating current sent from the external processing means 2 via the electromagnetic coupling 5 (AC power means: the same applies below) And a power receiving circuit 16 that receives the power based on the amplitude of the signal and supplies the power to the power consuming unit of the signal processing means 1.
[0024]
The external processing means 2 includes an external device 4 and a connection cable 3 that connects the external device 4 and the signal processing means 1. The connection cable 3 has plugs 20 and 30 connected to the signal processing means 1 and the external device 4 at both ends.
The plug 20 includes a sensing signal coil 21, a control signal transmission circuit 22 that transmits a control signal for controlling the signal processing circuit 12 to the signal processing means 1 through the electromagnetic coupling 5, and the electromagnetic coupling 5 from the signal processing means 1. A processing signal receiving circuit 23 that receives a processing signal transmitted via the power supply circuit 24, a power supply circuit 24 that transmits electrical alternating current to the signal processing means 1 via the electromagnetic coupling 5, and a switch 25 that requests data output. Is provided.
[0025]
In the above, the processing signal transmission circuit 15 in the signal processing means 1 has amplitude (AM) modulation means, and the processing signal reception circuit 23 in the plug 20 has amplitude (AM) demodulation means.
The control signal transmission circuit 22 has frequency (FM) modulation means, and the control signal reception circuit 14 has frequency (FM) demodulation means. A phase (PM) modulation unit may be used instead of the frequency (FM) modulation unit, and a phase (PM) demodulation unit may be used instead of the frequency (FM) demodulation unit.
Here, the modulation degree of the AM modulation means is shallow, and the modulation degree of the FM modulation means or the PM modulation means is set deep.
The power receiving circuit 16 has an AC / DC converter.
[0026]
When a data output command or control command is given from the external device 4, the plug 30 applies the data output command or control command to the control signal transmission circuit 22 on the plug 20 side, and is transmitted from the signal processing means 1 and A control / signal decoding unit 31 for decoding the signal demodulated by the processing signal receiving circuit 23, and each circuit (control signal transmitting circuit 22, processing signal receiving circuit 23, A power supply circuit 24 and a control power source 32 for generating DC power required by the control / signal decoding unit 31).
[0027]
When the external device 4 is given an output signal in response to the operation of the switch 25 provided on the plug 20 side, the external device 4 gives a data output command or a control command to the control / signal decoding unit 31 and also performs control / signal decoding. The signal output from the unit 31 is processed and output.
[0028]
In such a configuration, when the switch 25 is pressed, an output signal is given to the external device 4 through the connection cable 3. When the external device 4 recognizes the output signal, it gives a data output command or a control command to the control / signal decoding unit 31. The control / signal decoding unit 31 applies the received command to the control signal transmission circuit 22 on the plug 20 side, and applies deep FM modulation to the electrical alternating current generated in the power supply circuit 24. When this FM modulated signal is applied to the sensitive coil 21, it is received by the sensitive coil 11 on the signal processing means 1 side.
[0029]
Of this received signal, the amplitude component of the electrical alternating current is converted into a direct current voltage by the AC / DC converter of the power receiving circuit 16, and the circuit in the signal processing means 1 (the control signal receiving circuit 14 and the processed signal transmission). Circuit 15 etc.). Here, FM modulation is used because, in the case of FM modulation, there is no influence on the amplitude of the electrical alternating current received by the sensitive coil 11 on the signal processing means 1 side, so that it is supplied to the signal processing means 1 side. This is because the power to be received is not affected.
[0030]
On the other hand, the frequency component of the electrical alternating current is demodulated by the FM demodulation means of the control signal receiving circuit 14 and applied to the signal processing circuit 12 as an output command or a control command. When the signal processing circuit 12 decodes the output command, the measurement data is output in the form of a serial pulse, and is applied as an AM modulation signal to the AM modulation means of the processing signal transmission circuit 15 set in advance to a shallow AM modulation degree and is shallowly modulated. . The reason why the processing signal from the signal processing circuit 12 is shallowly modulated by the AM modulation means of the processing signal transmission circuit 15 is to prevent the amplitude of the power supplied from the external processing means 2 from being affected. Even if an AM modulation signal is superimposed on an FM-modulated electrical AC signal that binaryly varies the load of the sensing coil 11 on the signal processing means 1 side, the signal does not interfere due to the FM demodulation characteristics. In addition, simultaneous bidirectional information transmission is possible, and furthermore, stable electric power supply can be realized at the same time by an electrical AC signal subjected to shallow AM modulation and deep FM modulation.
[0031]
The AM-modulated signal is demodulated into a basic binary DC signal by the AM demodulating means of the processing signal receiving circuit 23 on the plug 20 side and applied to the control / signal decoding unit 31 on the plug 30 side through the connection cable 3. Is done. The control / signal decoding unit 31 decodes the demodulated serial pulse train format signal based on a certain rule, first stores it as measurement data, and converts it into a signal format that can be accepted by the external device 4. Output.
[0032]
Therefore, according to the first embodiment, since the coupling between the signal processing means 1 and the external processing means 2 is not based on the contact but the electromagnetic coupling is used, the mechanical opening necessary for the contact-type electrical connection is eliminated. And can be sealed. So-called coolant proofing can be realized.
On the external processing means 2 side, when the electrical alternating current supplied from the power supply circuit 24 is applied to the electromagnetic coupling 5 on the external processing means 2 side, the electrical alternating current is converted to the electromagnetic cup on the signal processing means 1 side. Received on the ring. Then, in the power receiving circuit 16, power based on the amplitude of the electrical alternating current is given to the power consuming unit of the signal processing means 1, so that the built-in battery 13 built in the signal processing means 1 can be prevented from being consumed. That is, it is possible to realize a contactless transmission / reception system in which the use time on the signal processing means 1 (measuring instrument body 10) side is not shortened.
[0033]
In addition, since the pair of sensitive coils 11 and 21 can realize information transmission between the signal processing means 1 and the external processing means 2 and power transmission from the external processing means 2 to the signal processing means 1, the structure can be simplified. .
The power and control signal transmitted from the external processing means 2 side to the signal processing means 1 side are FM modulated or PM modulated, and the processing signal transmitted from the signal processing means 1 side to the external processing means 2 side is AM modulated. That is, even if the AM modulation signal is superimposed on the FM modulation or PM modulation signal, the signal does not interfere with each other, so simultaneous bidirectional transmission is possible. In addition, since the modulation degree of AM modulation is shallow and the modulation degree of FM modulation or PM modulation is set deep, the AM modulation signal is generated in the amplitude (electric power) of electrical alternating current with a deep modulation degree of FM modulation or PM modulation. There is little influence, and stable power supply can be realized at the same time.
[0034]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The contactless transmission / reception system of the second embodiment is the same as the contactless transmission / reception system of the first embodiment, except that the external energy conversion means 17 is provided instead of the power reception circuit 16 of the signal processing means 1, the plug 30 of the connection cable 3, and The difference is that the external device 4 is omitted. In the present embodiment, an external DC power source is connected to the control signal transmission circuit 22, the processing signal reception circuit 23, and the power supply circuit 24, and an output / control command is directly applied to the control signal transmission circuit 22. ing.
[0035]
The external energy conversion means 17 operates on the condition that the amplitude of the electrical alternating current generated on the signal processing means 1 side (the sensitive coil 11) via the electromagnetic coupling 5 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and converts the external energy to DC power. In addition to the first converter that converts the signal to the power consuming unit in the signal processing means 1, the second converter converts the alternating current of the electrical alternating current generated on the signal processing means 1 (sensitive coil 11) side into a direct current. Two converters are provided.
DC power is supplied to the control signal receiving circuit 14 and the processed signal transmitting circuit 15 in the signal processing means 1 through these converters. The first converter may be any converter that converts mechanical disturbances such as temperature difference, light energy, and vibration into electric power.
[0036]
In such a configuration, when an external DC power supply is applied to the control signal transmission circuit 22, the processing signal reception circuit 23, and the power supply circuit 24, the AC generation means of the power supply circuit 24 generates an electrical AC signal, This is given to one input terminal of the FM modulation means of the control signal transmission circuit 22. When an output command or a control command is given from the outside to the other input terminal of the FM modulation means of the control signal transmission circuit 22, an electrical AC in which deep FM modulation is added to the electrical AC generated in the power supply circuit 24. A signal is generated. When this FM modulated signal is applied to the sensitive coil 21, it is received by the sensitive coil 11 on the signal processing means 1 side. When the amplitude of the electrical alternating current generated in the sensitive coil 11 exceeds a predetermined value, the external energy conversion means 17 is activated to convert the external energy into direct current power, and the alternating current of the electrical alternating current generated in the sensitive coil 11 is changed. Is converted to DC power.
[0037]
Accordingly, the DC power source converted by the external energy converting means 17 can cover all the power for operating the FM demodulating means of the control signal receiving circuit 14 and the AM modulating means of the processing signal transmitting circuit 15, and therefore the signal processing circuit 12. Since it is not necessary to use the built-in battery 13 for operating the two circuits 14, 15 (FM demodulating means and AM modulating means) described above, the built-in battery 13 is consumed in order to output the processing signal to the outside. There is no. Therefore, shortening the usage time of the measuring instrument main body 10 can also be prevented.
Note that the transmission of the processing signal from the signal processing unit 1 to the external processing unit 2 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0038]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The contactless transmission / reception system of the third embodiment is different from the contactless transmission / reception system of the first embodiment in the following points.
On the signal processing means 1 side, a control power supply unit 18 is provided in place of the power receiving circuit 16, and a voltage detection unit 19 is provided.
On the plug 30 side, an additional battery 33 is provided in place of the control power supply 32, and a path for supplying the power of the additional battery 33 to the control signal transmission circuit 22, the processing signal reception circuit 23, and the power supply circuit 24 is opened and closed. A switch 34 is provided. The additional battery 33 is configured by any one of a solar battery, a temperature difference electromotive force converter, and a vibration power converter.
[0039]
When the control / signal decoding unit 31 detects a power supply start signal from the outside (here, the external device 4), the control / signal decoding unit 31 supplies the power of the additional battery 33 to the control signal transmission circuit 22, the processing signal reception circuit 23, and the power supply. Applied to the circuit 24 to activate them, and when the final processing signal is received from the signal processing means 1, the power supply to the control signal transmission circuit 22, the processing signal reception circuit 23 and the power supply circuit 24 is stopped. Also serves as power supply control means.
Here, the power supply control means counts the transmission unit information of the processing signal sent from the signal processing means 1, and determines the final processing signal when the count value reaches a predetermined value, or the signal processing Of the processing signals sent from the means, a predetermined final processing signal code is received and determined as a final processing signal.
[0040]
In such a configuration, when the switch 25 is pressed, an output signal is given to the external device 4 through the connection cable 3. When the external device 4 recognizes the output signal, it gives a data output command or a control command to the control / signal decoding unit 31. When the control / signal decoding unit 31 recognizes the instruction, it turns on the switch 34. Then, the voltage of the additional battery 33 is applied to the control signal transmission circuit 22, the processing signal reception circuit 23, and the power supply circuit 24 on the plug 20 side through the connection cable 3, and these circuits are activated, that is, FMs constituting these circuits. The modulation means, AM demodulation means and AC generation means are activated.
Therefore, since the additional battery 33 can provide power for operating the circuits 22, 23, 24, 31 provided in the plugs 20, 30 of the connection cable 3, the external device 4 has a power supply capability. It can be connected even if it does not have it or has low ability.
[0041]
Further, the control / signal decoding unit 31 applies the received command (data output command or control command) to the control signal transmission circuit 22 on the plug 20 side, and performs deep FM modulation on the electrical AC generated in the power supply circuit 24. Add. When this FM-modulated signal is applied to the sensitive coil 21 on the external processing means 2 side, it is received by the sensitive coil 11 on the signal processing means 1 side.
[0042]
Of this received signal, the amplitude component of the electrical alternating current is converted into a direct current voltage for operating the circuit in the signal processing means 1 by the control power supply unit 18. Then, the DC voltage is detected by the voltage detection circuit 19, and an output start signal is given to the signal processing circuit 12 on condition that the detected voltage level is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. When the signal processing circuit 12 recognizes this output start signal, the signal processing circuit 12 is activated and outputs measurement data in a serial pulse format in a predetermined format if no control command is given within a predetermined time. Here, FM modulation is used because, in the case of FM modulation, the amplitude of the electrical alternating current received by the sensitive coil 11 on the signal processing means 1 side is not affected. This is because the supplied power is not affected.
[0043]
On the other hand, the frequency component of the electrical alternating current is decoded by the FM demodulation means of the control signal receiving circuit 14, and the decoded command is applied to the signal processing circuit 12. When the signal processing circuit 12 decodes the output start signal or the control command, measurement data is output in a serial pulse format, and is applied as an AM modulation signal to the AM modulation means of the processing signal transmission circuit 15 set in advance to a shallow AM modulation degree. Shallowly modulated. The reason why the processing signal from the signal processing circuit 12 is shallowly modulated by the AM modulation means of the processing signal transmission circuit 15 is to prevent the amplitude of the power supplied from the external processing means 2 from being affected.
Even if an AM modulation signal is superimposed on an FM-modulated electrical AC signal that binaryly varies the load of the sensing coil 11 on the signal processing means 1 side, the signal does not interfere due to the FM demodulation characteristics. In addition, simultaneous bidirectional information transmission is possible, and electrical alternating current signals subjected to shallow AM modulation and deep FM modulation can simultaneously realize stable power supply.
[0044]
The AM-modulated signal is demodulated into a basic binary DC signal by the AM demodulating means of the processing signal receiving circuit 23 on the plug 20 side and applied to the control / signal decoding unit 31 on the plug 30 side through the connection cable 3. Is done. The control / signal decoding unit 31 decodes the demodulated serial pulse train format signal based on a certain rule and primarily accumulates it as measurement data. Then, the transmission unit information of the processing signal sent from the signal processing means 1 is counted, and the final processing signal (reception is completed) or sent from the signal processing means 1 when the count value reaches a predetermined value. Of the processed signals, the reception of a predetermined final processed signal code is regarded as the final processed signal (reception end), and the switch 34 is turned off.
Then, as a result of the power supply to the control signal transmission circuit 22, the processing signal reception circuit 23, and the power supply circuit 24 being stopped, the operations of these circuits 22, 23, and 24 are stopped. Therefore, useless power can be reduced.
The received data stored in the control / signal decoding unit 31 is converted into a signal format that can be received by the external device 4 and output to the external device 4.
[0045]
Note that the contactless transmission / reception system of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, the electromagnetic coupling is constituted by a plurality of pairs of sensitive coils provided on the signal processing means 1 side and the external processing means 2 side, and control signals and processing signals are independently transmitted through the pairs of sensitive coils. You may make it do.
Further, signals transmitted and received between the signal processing means 1 and the external processing means 2 may not be simultaneous transmission but may be time division transmission.
[0046]
Further, in the above embodiment, each modulation degree of the phase, frequency, and amplitude modulation means is binary, but multi-level modulation is used as in the case where the measured analog quantity is AD converted into a digital quantity. Or a combination of binary, multivalued and continuous.
That is, at least a part of each modulation degree of the phase, frequency, and amplitude modulation means is binary, and the information corresponding to the binary modulation degree is a binary signal sequence that is temporally serial, and the remainder The modulation degree of the signal corresponding to the information may be multi-valued or continuous, or at least a part of each modulation degree of the phase, frequency, and amplitude modulation means is multi-valued. The state of the value corresponds to the state of the multi-value signal that converts a continuous amount in time into a digital amount at a predetermined time period and is updated in the period in time, and the signal state corresponding to the remaining information. The degree of modulation may be binary or continuous. Furthermore, at least a part of each degree of modulation of the phase, frequency, and amplitude modulation means is a signal corresponding to a temporally continuous analog quantity. The degree of modulation of the signal corresponding to the remaining information is 2 Basis or may be multi-level basis der.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring instrument of the present invention, it is possible to expect an effect that the use time is not shortened while providing a protective function for preventing intrusion of water or oil.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Signal processing means
2 External processing means
3 Connection cable
4 External equipment
5 Electromagnetic coupling
10 Measuring instrument body
11 Sensitive coil
12 Signal processing circuit
13 Built-in battery
14 Control signal receiving circuit (FM modulation means)
15 Processing signal transmission circuit (AM modulation means)
16 Power receiving circuit
17 External energy conversion means
20 plugs
21 Sensitive coil
22 Control signal transmission circuit (FM modulation means)
23 Processing signal receiving circuit (AM modulation means)
24 Power supply circuit (AC generating means)
25 switches
30 plugs
31 Control / Signal Decoding Unit (Power Supply Control Unit)
32 Control power supply
33 Additional battery
34 switch

Claims

A measuring instrument non-contact transmission / reception system in which the measuring instrument main body and the external processing means are connectable / detachable, and in a connected state, the information can be exchanged via electromagnetic coupling,
The measuring instrument main body includes a signal processing circuit for detecting and processing geometric information such as distance, tilt angle, and interval, a built-in battery for driving the signal processing circuit, and an external processing means via the electromagnetic coupling. A control signal receiving circuit that receives and transmits the control signal transmitted to the signal processing circuit, and a processing signal transmission circuit that transmits the processing signal from the signal processing circuit to the external processing means via the electromagnetic coupling; A power receiving circuit that receives power based on the amplitude of AC power sent from the external processing means via the electromagnetic coupling and supplies the power to the power consuming unit of the measuring instrument body ,
The external processing means includes an external device and a connection cable for connecting the external device and the measuring instrument main body,
The connection cable has a measuring instrument main body side plug that can be connected to and disconnected from the measuring instrument main body, and the control signal for controlling the signal processing circuit is connected to the electromagnetic coupling on the measuring instrument main body side plug. a control signal transmitting circuit for transmitting to the instrument body via a processing signal receiving circuit for receiving the processed signals transmitted via the electromagnetic coupling of the measuring device main body via said electromagnetic coupling A power supply circuit for sending AC power to the measuring instrument body , and a switch for requesting the output of the data output command to the external device,
The external device outputs a data output command and a control command to the control signal transmission circuit according to an operation of the switch, and processes a processing signal from the measuring instrument body received by the processing signal reception circuit.
A non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument.

2. The non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic coupling comprises a pair of sensitive coils provided on the measuring instrument main body side and the external processing means side. Contact transmission / reception system.

In the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring device according to claim 2,
The processing signal transmission circuit has amplitude modulation means, and the processing signal reception circuit has amplitude demodulation means,
The control signal transmission circuit has frequency modulation means or phase modulation means with AC power of the power supply circuit as input, and the control signal reception circuit has frequency demodulation means or phase demodulation means,
A non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument, wherein the modulation degree of the amplitude modulation means is shallow and the modulation degree of the frequency modulation means or the phase modulation means is set deep.

In the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring device according to claim 3,
A non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument, wherein signals transmitted and received between the measuring instrument main body and external processing means are simultaneous transmission or time division transmission.

In the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring device according to claim 3,
At least a part of each modulation degree of the phase, frequency, and amplitude modulation means is binary, and the information corresponding to the binary modulation degree is a binary signal sequence in series in time, A non-contact transmission / reception system of a measuring instrument characterized in that the modulation degree of a signal corresponding to information is multi-valued or continuous.

In the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring device according to claim 3,
At least a part of each degree of modulation of the phase, frequency, and amplitude modulation means is multi-valued, and this multi-valued state is obtained by converting a temporal continuous quantity into a digital quantity at a predetermined time period, A non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument, which corresponds to the state of the multi-level signal updated at the above-mentioned period, and the modulation degree of the signal corresponding to the remaining information is binary or continuous.

In the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring device according to claim 3,
At least a part of each modulation degree of the phase, frequency, and amplitude modulation means is a signal corresponding to a temporally continuous analog quantity, and the modulation degree of a signal corresponding to the remaining information is binary or multilevel. Non-contact transmission / reception system for measuring instruments.

In the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring device according to claim 1,
The electromagnetic coupling includes a plurality of pairs of sensitive coils provided on the measuring instrument main body side and the external processing means side, and the control signal and the processing signal are independently transmitted through the plurality of pairs of sensitive coils. A non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument.

In the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring device according to claim 1,
Instead of the power receiving circuit, it operates on the condition that the amplitude of the AC power generated on the measuring instrument body side through the electromagnetic coupling is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and converts external energy into DC power to A non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument, comprising external energy conversion means for giving power to a power consuming unit in the measuring instrument main body.

In the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring device according to claim 9,
The external energy conversion means includes a converter that converts the amplitude of AC power generated on the measuring instrument body side through the electromagnetic coupling into direct current, and receives the control signal in the measuring instrument body by the converter. A non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument which supplies DC power to a circuit and a processing signal transmission circuit.

In the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring device according to claim 9 or 10,
The non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument, wherein the external energy conversion means includes a converter for converting mechanical disturbances such as temperature difference, light energy, vibration and the like into DC power.

In the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring device according to claim 1,
The external processing means side is provided with power supply control means for controlling power supply to the control signal transmission circuit, processing signal reception circuit and power supply circuit,
The power supply control means supplies power to the control signal transmission circuit, the processing signal reception circuit, and the power supply circuit when an external power supply start signal is detected, operates them, and finally performs a final operation from the measuring instrument main body. A non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument which stops power supply to the control signal transmission circuit, processing signal reception circuit and power supply circuit when a processing signal is received.

The contactless transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument according to claim 12,
The power supply control means counts the transmission unit information of the processing signal sent from the measuring instrument main body, and determines the final processing signal when the count value reaches a predetermined value. Non-contact transmission / reception system.

The contactless transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument according to claim 12,
The power supply control means determines a final processing signal by receiving a predetermined final processing signal code from among processing signals sent from the measuring instrument main body. Transmission / reception system.

In the non-contact transmission / reception system of the measuring device in any one of Claims 12-14,
An additional battery for operating a control signal transmission circuit, a processing signal reception circuit and a power supply circuit provided on the external processing means side;
The non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument, wherein the power supply control means opens and closes a path for supplying the power of the additional battery to the control signal transmission circuit, the processing signal reception circuit, and the power supply circuit.

The contactless transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument according to claim 15,
The non-contact transmission / reception system for a measuring instrument, wherein the additional battery is a solar battery, a temperature difference electromotive force converter, or a vibration power converter.