JP4265966B2 - Changeable detection rainfall type sensor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a rain detection sensor that detects rain by collecting raindrops per reference area.

  In order to maintain the growth of lawns and flower beds provided on the lawn of golf courses, on the roofs of parks and buildings, and in public facilities, it is necessary to provide appropriate moisture. However, constantly watering may give excessive moisture, which is not preferable for growing lawns and flower beds. In recent years, when water conservation has been called on, continuing to sprinkle unnecessarily results in wasteful sprinkling, especially if it is in a government office facility. For this reason, when there is sufficient moisture (hereinafter referred to as the water content of the ground) on the lawn or flower bed when it is raining, watering is stopped, while when the weather is fine, the water content of the lawn or flower bed is insufficient. When it is necessary to water. Therefore, it is necessary to perform watering artificially depending on the water content of the ground, but this is very laborious. Therefore, a device for controlling water spray is required, and for that purpose, a sensor for detecting rainfall is required to give a control signal to the device. However, since lawns, flower beds, etc. are usually outdoors, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that there is often no means for obtaining power, etc., and that it is necessary to install them anywhere.

As a sensor for giving a control signal to the watering device described above, a sensor that detects a rainfall amount and gives a timely signal is necessary.
Therefore, there are the following rain gauges as techniques for detecting the rainfall.
Patent Document 1 discloses a rain gauge having an internal structure as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 8, a rain gauge 101 includes a bottomed cylindrical body 106, a funnel-shaped lid 107 covering the upper opening of the body 106, and a lower end of a rainwater guide tube 108 formed at the center of the funnel-shaped lid 107. A funnel 109 provided on the top, a falling body 110 provided below the funnel 109, a detection body 111 that holds the falling body 110 in a swingable manner, and a pair of water receivers provided so as to sandwich the detection body 111 112 is provided. The overturning body 110 includes a support bar 113 whose lower end is pivotally supported by the detection body 111, and a pair of overturning rods 114 and 115 provided at the tip of the support bar 113.

When a predetermined amount of rainwater that has fallen from the funnel-shaped lid 107 to the funnel 109 via the rainwater guide tube 108 falls onto one of the overturning rods 114, the overturning body 110 rotates with the weight, and the overturning rod 115 is moved to the funnel 109. The detection body 111 detects the rotation of the support rod 113, counts the measured value “1” (pulse), and detects the rainfall. Then, every time the overturning rod 114 and overturning rod 115 are alternately positioned below the funnel 109, the measurement value “1” is counted, thereby making it possible to measure the rainfall.
And this rain gauge 101 is supposed to be able to perform rainfall observation by outputting a rain measurement value to a radio observation communication system (not shown).
JP 2003-228786 A (paragraphs 0034-0036, 0046-0057, FIG. 2)

  However, the rain gauge 101 of Patent Document 1 uses a radio observation communication system (not shown) in order to detect rainfall and output a rain measurement value to the observation station. Certainly (Paragraph 0012) states that “low-cost space-saving installation is possible”, but devices such as a power battery, control unit, solar cell, and GPS receiver are required, and are inexpensive and simple devices. Is not achieved, and installation space is also required, so the installation location is limited.

  In addition, when the rain stops, rainwater does not fall on the overturning rods 114 and 115 by a predetermined amount, and the overturning body 110 does not rotate, so that the rotation of the support bar 113 is not detected by the detection body 111. For this reason, the measurement value “1” (pulse) is not counted, and is output to the observation station by a wireless observation communication system (not shown) as if there is no detection of rainfall. Therefore, in rainy seasons with high humidity, even if the rain stops, the stop signal to the watering device is not output even though the water content of the ground is sufficient for a while, and unnecessary watering is performed. There is a fear. In order to cope with this, a separate use with a hygrometer or the like is necessary. However, an inexpensive and simple device cannot be realized, and an installation space is also required, so that the installation location is limited.

  Furthermore, the amount of rainwater for detecting the rain amount is determined to be a certain value depending on the volume of the overturning ridges 114, 115. For example, the watering target such as lawn and flower bed, the season of high rainy season and humidity It is not possible to output a water stop signal to the watering device according to climatic conditions such as the low winter season and watering places such as golf courses and parks.

  The present invention realizes a low-priced and simple device configuration, and detects a signal to the control device (for example, a stop signal to the watering device) according to the rainfall and humidity based on the detection result of the rain that collected raindrops per reference area. ) To output a rain detection sensor device.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the sensor according to claim 1, in a rain detection sensor that detects rain by collecting raindrops per reference area, a seesaw member that can swing around a rotation axis, A water-absorbing member having water absorption provided at one end, a raindrop collection container provided below the water-absorbing member, a movable rotating member provided at the other end of the seesaw member, and the seesaw member And a reed switch in a position facing the magnet when the seesaw member is tilted and abuts on either the one end side or the other end side.

  In order to achieve the above object, the rain detection sensor according to claim 2 is the rain detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein when the seesaw member is tilted and abutted toward the one end, the raindrop is in the raindrop collection container. And a mechanism capable of maintaining the contact state on the one end side by moving the rotating member toward the one end side in the guide pipe of the seesaw member.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the rain detection sensor according to claim 3, in the rain detection sensor according to claim 1 or 2, when the absorbing member is in a dry state, the seesaw member is inclined toward the other end side. And a mechanism that makes contact with each other.

  In order to achieve the object, a rain detection sensor according to claim 4 is characterized in that in the rain detection sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a felt is used as the absorbing member.

  In order to achieve the above object, the rain detection sensor according to claim 5 is characterized in that in the rain detection sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the rain detection sensor has a mechanism capable of varying the detected rainfall.

  The present invention relates to a rain detection sensor that collects raindrops per reference area and detects rainfall, and a seesaw member that can swing around a rotation shaft, and a water absorption device that has water absorption provided at one end of the seesaw member. A member, a raindrop collection container provided below the water absorbing member, a movable rotating member provided at the other end of the seesaw member, a magnet provided on the seesaw member, and the seesaw member Since it has a reed switch in a position that opposes the magnet when it comes into contact with either the one end side or the other end side, it can detect a predetermined amount of rain with an inexpensive and simple structure, The installation location can be freely selected without being constrained by the position of the power supply, etc., and by installing near the ground, the moisture content of the ground can be utilized regardless of the season by utilizing the moisturizing effect of the absorbent member. Detection result is obtained that complies with, the detection result is reliably by the switch, a signal to the controller (e.g., watering of the stop signal to the sprinkler system) can be output as.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the detected rainfall changeable sensor of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the configuration of the detectable rainfall changeable sensor 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the appearance of the detectable rainfall changeable sensor 1 is configured by a housing cover 11 and a bottom plate 12, and the housing cover 11 is provided with a rain receiving port 21 and a ventilation hole 15. It should be noted that the position, size, range, quantity, etc. of the ventilation holes 15 are changed in consideration of installation conditions and the like. A seesaw member 13 is present inside the detected rainfall changeable sensor 1, and a water absorbing member located below the rain receiving port 21 is located at one end of the seesaw member 13 (hereinafter referred to as an end A). A felt 22 and a raindrop collecting member 23 located below the felt 22 are provided. The shape of the felt 22 is not limited to a circle as shown in FIG. Further, a rotating member 31 and a magnet 41 are provided at the other end portion (hereinafter referred to as an end portion B) across the rotating shaft 14 of the seesaw member 13. Here, the rotating member 31 is movable in the guide pipe 32 in the axial direction of the seesaw member 13. The housing cover 11 is provided with a reed switch 42 at a position that opposes the magnet 41 when the seesaw member 13 is tilted and contacts the end A side. When the seesaw member 13 is tilted and comes into contact with the end portion B, the seesaw member 13 comes into contact with the contact portion 33 of the seesaw member 13.

The detected rainfall changeable sensor 1 having the above-described configuration operates as follows.
Here, FIG. 2 shows a state where no rainfall is detected, and FIG. 4 shows a state where rain is detected. “Upper” means the rain receiving port 21 side, and “lower” means the bottom plate 12 side.

  In FIG. 2, the felt 22 is in a dry state because it does not absorb raindrops, and the raindrop collecting member 23 is not collecting raindrops. Due to this moment, the seesaw member 13 is inclined toward the end B, and the contact portion 33 is in contact with the bottom plate 12. Accordingly, the magnet 41 does not act on the reed switch 42, and the reed switch 42 is in an open state, so that the rainfall is not detected.

  Therefore, when it starts to rain in the state of FIG. 2, raindrops are collected by the rain receiving port 21 and absorbed by the felt 22. Further, the raindrops that cannot be absorbed by the felt 22 are collected in the raindrop collection container 23 below the felt 22. . When the value of the moment around the rotating shaft 14 due to the load of the felt 22 that has absorbed raindrops and the raindrop collecting container 23 from which the raindrops have been collected exceeds the value of the moment around the rotating shaft 14 due to the loads of the rotating member 31 and the constituent members. As shown in FIG. 4, the seesaw member 13 is inclined toward the end portion A, the contact portion 33 of one end portion B is separated from the bottom plate 12, and the tip end of the end portion A contacts the bottom plate 12. Accordingly, at this time, the reed switch 42 is closed by the action of the magnet 41 in the vicinity of the reed switch 42, so that the rain amount is detected.

At this time, a mechanism that can maintain a state in which the tip of the end A is in contact with the bottom plate 12 acts.
The raindrops collected in the raindrop collection container 23 are discharged from the tip of the raindrop collection container 23, but the load due to the raindrops absorbed by the felt 22 is maintained. Further, since the rotating member 31 moves toward the end A in the guide pipe 32 due to the inclination of the seesaw member 13, the moment value about the rotating shaft 14 due to the load of the rotating member 31 decreases. Furthermore, the value of the moment about the rotating shaft 14 due to the load of the constituent members also decreases. Therefore, as long as the value of the moment about the rotating shaft 14 due to the load of the felt 22 that has absorbed raindrops exceeds the value of the moment about the rotating shaft 14 due to the load of the rotating member 31 and the constituent members, the end of the seesaw member 13 The state where the tip of A is in contact with the bottom plate 12 is maintained.

Further, when the absorbing member is in a dry state, the seesaw member acts as described below as a mechanism in which the seesaw member is brought into contact with the end B side.
When the rain stops in the state of FIG. 4 and the humidity outside the sensor decreases for a while, the raindrops absorbed into the felt 22 through the ventilation holes 15 are dried and the load on the felt 22 is reduced. The value of the moment around the rotating shaft 14 due to the load of 22 also decreases. If the value of the moment around the rotating shaft 14 due to the load of the rotating member 31 and the component member exceeds the value of the moment around the rotating shaft 14 due to the load of the felt 22 that has absorbed raindrops, the seesaw member 13 is moved to the end B side. The inclination and the contact portion 33 are in contact with the bottom plate 12. For this reason, the magnet 41 does not act on the reed switch 42, and the reed switch 42 is in an open state, so that no rain is detected. Further, since the rotating member 31 moves to the end B side due to the inclination of the seesaw member 13 in the guide pipe 32, this finally returns to the state of FIG.

Moreover, it acts as follows as a mechanism capable of varying the detected rainfall.
The guide pipe 32 is movable in the axial direction of the seesaw member 13 within the seesaw member 13 as indicated by a broken line in FIG. Thereby, the axial position of the rotating member 31 can be adjusted, and the value of the moment around the rotating shaft 14 due to the load of the rotating member 31 can be set in advance. Therefore, the felt necessary to tilt the seesaw member 13 toward the end A side. The raindrop absorption amount 22 and the raindrop collection amount in the raindrop collection container 23 can be set.

The following effects can be obtained by the first embodiment having the above configuration and operation.
The detected rainfall changeable type sensor 1 according to the first embodiment is a rain detection sensor that collects raindrops per reference area and detects rainfall, and includes a seesaw member 13 that can swing around a rotating shaft 14, and a seesaw member 13. A felt 22 having water absorption provided on the end A side, a raindrop collection container 23 provided on the lower side of the felt 22, and a movable rotating member 31 provided on the end B side of the seesaw member 13. The magnet 41 provided on the seesaw member 13 and the reed switch 42 in a position facing the magnet 41 when the seesaw member 13 is tilted and abuts on either the end A side or the end B side. By using an inexpensive and simple device, it is possible to detect the rainfall without requiring a power source and to output a watering stop signal to the watering device.

  In the detected rain amount changeable sensor 1 according to the first embodiment, when the seesaw member 13 is tilted and comes into contact with the end A, raindrops are discharged from the raindrop collection container 23, and the rotating member 31 is a guide for the seesaw member 13. Since it has a mechanism that can maintain the contact state on the end A side by moving inside the pipe 32 to the end A side, even if the rain stops, such as in the rainy season when the humidity is high, When the amount of water is sufficient, a watering stop signal can be output to the watering device, and useless watering is not performed.

  The sensor 1 that can change the detected rain amount of the first embodiment has a mechanism in which the seesaw member 13 is tilted and comes into contact with the end B when the felt 22 is in a dry state. When it decreases, the output of the sprinkling stop signal to the sprinkler can be stopped to perform the required sprinkling.

  The sensor 1 that can change the detected rainfall amount of the first embodiment uses the felt 22 having a moisturizing effect as a water-absorbing member. If the water content of the ground is sufficient for a while even after stopping, a watering stop signal can be output to the watering device, so that useless watering is not performed.

  The detected rainfall changeable type sensor 1 of the first embodiment has a mechanism capable of changing the detected rainfall, so that it is possible to set in advance the rainfall to output a watering stop signal to the watering device, watering objects such as lawns and flower beds, rainy season with high humidity It is possible to perform watering control according to climatic conditions such as the season of the winter and the winter season when humidity is low, and watering places such as golf courses and parks.

  First, the configuration of the detectable rainfall changeable sensor 2 according to the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the difference between the detected rainfall changeable type sensor 1 of the first embodiment is that the magnet 41 is provided on the end A side of the seesaw member 13, and the seesaw member 13 is the end. The reed switch 42 is provided on the housing cover 11 at a position that opposes the magnet 41 when in contact with the A side. Other configurations are the same as those of the detectable rainfall changeable sensor 1 of the first embodiment, and thus the following description is omitted.

The detected rainfall changeable sensor 2 configured as described above operates as shown in FIGS. Here, FIG. 5 shows a state where no rainfall is detected, and FIG. 7 shows a state where rain is detected.
Since the specific action is the same as that of the first embodiment, the following description is omitted.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning.
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the reed switch 42 is installed at a position that opposes the magnet 41 when the seesaw member 13 is inclined and contacts the end A side. It is good also as installing a reed switch 42 in the position which opposes the magnet 41 when it inclines and contacts the edge part B side, and outputs a sprinkling continuation signal to a watering apparatus, when the reed switch 42 is a closed state. .

  A predetermined amount of rainfall is detected by an inexpensive and simple structure, and the detection result can be output as a signal to the control device with a switch and functions as a sensor device that can maintain the output. When the water content of the ground is sufficient when it is raining or at high humidity in places or parks, it can be applied as a sensor to prevent useless sprinkling by outputting a sprinkling stop signal to the sprinkler.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance seen from the side surface direction of the sensor of Example 1 and Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side surface direction of the sensor of Example 1 (state which has not detected the rainfall). It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the upper surface direction of the sensor of Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side surface direction of the sensor of Example 1 (state which has detected the rainfall). It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side surface direction of the sensor of Example 2 (state which has not detected the rainfall). It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the upper surface direction of the sensor of Example 2. It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side surface direction of the sensor of Example 2 (state which has detected the rainfall). It is a figure which shows the internal structure seen from the side surface direction of the rain gauge of patent document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Detectable rainfall changeable type sensor 2 Detectable rainfall changeable type sensor 11 Housing cover 12 Bottom plate 13 Seesaw member 14 Rotating shaft 15 Ventilation hole 21 Rain receiving port 22 Absorbing member 23 Raindrop collection container 31 Rotating member 32 Guide pipe 33 Contact part 41 Magnet 42 Reed switch

Claims (5)

In the rain detection sensor that collects raindrops per reference area and detects rain,
A seesaw member swingable about a rotation axis;
A water absorbing member having water absorption provided at one end of the seesaw member;
A raindrop collection container provided below the water absorbing member;
A movable rotating member provided at the other end of the seesaw member;
A magnet provided on the seesaw member;
A rain detection sensor comprising: a reed switch in a position facing the magnet when the seesaw member is tilted and abuts on either the one end side or the other end side. In the rain detection sensor of Claim 1,
When the seesaw member is tilted and abuts on the one end side, raindrops are ejected from the inside of the raindrop collection container, and the rotating member moves in the guide pipe of the seesaw member to the one end side, A rain detection sensor comprising a mechanism capable of maintaining a contact state on the one end side. In the rain detection sensor of Claim 1 or Claim 2,
A rain detection sensor comprising a mechanism in which the seesaw member is brought into contact with an inclination toward the other end when the absorbing member is in a dry state. In the rain detection sensor of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3,
A rain detection sensor using a felt as the absorbing member. In the rain detection sensor of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4,
A rain detection sensor having a mechanism capable of varying the detected rainfall.

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