JP6995161B2 - Manufacturing method of environmental data measuring instrument and water supply / drainage system for fields - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an environmental data measuring instrument and a field water supply / drainage system, and more particularly to a method for manufacturing an environmental data measuring instrument and a field water supply / drainage system for measuring the state of a field by a sensor.

Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a submersion prevention structure of a conventional device installed in a field . The technique of Patent Document 1 is a technique relating to a drainage device (paddy field water level adjusting device) having a water gate portion for controlling drainage from a paddy field to a drainage ditch, and an electric actuator is preliminarily integrated with the drainage device. It is something that is. The drainage device of Patent Document 1 includes a sluice gate portion having a sluice plate for changing the overflow water level, and an upright tubular support is welded to the upper surface of the sluice gate portion. An actuator main body (control box) containing a receiving unit, a control unit, a battery, and a drive mechanism unit is provided on the column, and the displacement of the drive mechanism unit in the actuator body is determined by an operation rod passing through the column. It is transmitted to the flood plate.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-280371

In the drainage device of Patent Document 1, the length of the column and the operation rod is set to 1 in order to prevent the actuator body having a built-in electric component such as a control unit that breaks down when immersed in water from being submerged in a flood. The actuator body is set to a high position by setting it to ~ 2 m.

However, if the height (height dimension) of the electric actuator becomes large, the electric actuator may become an obstacle and hinder agricultural work. Further, if a heavy object such as an electric actuator is installed at a high position, there is a risk that the support will be unstable and the support will be broken, so that it is necessary to increase the strength of the support.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for manufacturing an environmental data measuring instrument and a water supply / drainage system for a field.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an environmental data measuring instrument and a water supply / drainage system for a field, which can prevent an electric component that fails when immersed in water from being immersed in water without increasing the height. It is to be.

The first invention is a method for manufacturing an environmental data measuring instrument for measuring the state of a field by a sensor, wherein the environmental data measuring instrument includes a tubular side wall and a top wall that seals the upper part of the side wall, and the side wall. A method for manufacturing an environmental data measuring instrument, in which a main body case having an airtight structure is provided and the electronic circuit portion of the sensor is placed in the main body case above the lower limit height position obtained by the following equation. [Equation 1] ΔH = H + 10-10V / (V−ΔV) Here, ΔH is the distance (m) from the lower end of the main body case to the lower limit height position, and H is the maximum water level assumed at the time of flood. The distance (m) from the water surface to the lower end of the main body case, V is the gap volume (m ³ ) in the main body case, and ΔV is the gap in the main body case from the lower end of the main body case to the lower limit height position. Volume (m ³ ).

The second invention is attached to an environmental data measuring instrument for measuring the state of a field by a sensor, and a water supply device or a drainage device having a displacement mechanism for controlling water supply to the field or drainage from the field, and the displacement mechanism. The environmental data measuring instrument includes a tubular side wall and a top wall that seals the upper part of the side wall, and the side wall and the top wall have an airtight structure, and the lower surface side has an airtight structure. The electronic circuit part of the sensor is arranged in the main body case above the lower limit height position obtained based on the maximum inundation water level in the main body case at the time of flood, and is electric for the field. The actuator includes a tubular side wall and a top wall that seals the upper part of the side wall, and is driven by a second main body case in which the side wall and the top wall have an airtight structure and the lower surface side is not an airtight structure. It is equipped with a motor, a control unit that controls the drive of the motor, a gear that rotates by the driving force from the motor, and a rotation shaft that rotates with the gear. It is a field water supply / drainage system arranged in the second main body case above the lower limit height position obtained based on the water level.

According to the present invention, even if the main body case is submerged, it is possible to prevent the electronic circuit portion arranged in the main body case from getting wet with water. Therefore, it is not necessary to install the electronic circuit unit at a high position in order to avoid submersion in water, so that the environmental data measuring instrument can be miniaturized (reduced in height).

The above-mentioned object, other object, feature and advantage of the present invention will be further clarified from the detailed description of the examples described below with reference to the drawings.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the state that the electric actuator for a field which is one Example of this invention was installed in the water supply device and the drainage device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the appearance of the electric actuator for a field which is an Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the electric actuator for a field of FIG. It is a partially enlarged view which shows the peripheral part of the main gear of FIG. 3 enlarged. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the airtight structure of the main body case provided in the electric actuator for a field of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the 1st adapter. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which attached the electric actuator for a field of FIG. 2 to a water supply valve. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the 2nd adapter. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which attached the electric actuator for a field of FIG. 2 to a waterfall port. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which attached the electric actuator for a field of FIG. 2 to a sluice valve. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which attached the electric actuator for a field of FIG. 2 to a water level control device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electric actuator for a field which is another embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electric actuator for a field which is still another Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electric actuator for a field which is still another Example of this invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the electric actuator 10 for a field (hereinafter, simply referred to as “actuator 10”) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control panel 32, a storage battery 36, a motor 38, and the like. The main body case 20 is attached to a water supply device 104 such as a water supply valve installed in the field 102 or a drainage device 106 such as a water outlet to operate a displacement mechanism of the water supply device 104 or the drainage device 106.

In this embodiment, the actuator 10 is used in a field water supply / drainage system 100 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “system 100”), and is attached to both the water supply device 104 and the drainage device 106 as described in detail later. That is, the actuator 10 is used as both the first electric actuator that operates the first displacement mechanism included in the water supply device 104 and the second electric actuator that operates the second displacement mechanism included in the drainage device 106.

First, the system 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 is a field facility for performing water management of the field 102 by remote operation or automatic control based on a pre-stored program, and is equipped with a water supply device 104 and a drainage device 106. It is applied to the field 102 such as a paddy field. The field 102 is divided into a plurality of cultivated areas by ridges, and the water supply device 104 and the drainage device 106 are installed in each cultivated area.

The water supply device 104 is a device for controlling water supply to the cultivated area (field 102), and has a displacement mechanism (first displacement mechanism) including a valve body, a partition body, and the like. In this embodiment, as the water supply device 104, an alfalfa-type water supply valve of the R & R method (a method in which the shaft moves up and down with rotation of the shaft), which is widely used in general, is used.

Briefly with reference to FIGS. 1 and 7, the water supply device 104 includes a cylindrical valve box 120. The upper half of the valve box 120 is covered with a dome-shaped cap 122, and a plurality of water outlet windows 124 are formed so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction on the upper part of the side wall of the valve box 120. Further, a bearing 126 having a female thread formed on the inner peripheral surface is provided at the upper end of the valve box 120, and the valve shaft having a male thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing 126 so as to penetrate the cap 122. 128 is screwed. At the lower end of the valve shaft 128, a disk-shaped valve body 130 having a waterproof rubber 130a on the lower surface is provided. Further, a valve seat 132 having a water passage port 132a is provided at a substantially central portion in the valve box 120. Then, when a rotational force around the axis is applied to the valve shaft 128, the valve shaft 128 and the valve body 130 move up and down by the feed screw mechanism, and the water passage port 132a of the valve seat 132 is opened and closed. That is, the water supply device 104 of this embodiment includes a first displacement mechanism including a valve body 130 that moves up and down with the rotation of the valve shaft (support rod) 128.

Such a water supply device 104 is arranged in, for example, a water supply basin 108, and is attached to a downstream end of a branch pipe 112 branching from a water pipeline 110 or an irrigation canal. An actuator 10 is attached to the water supply device 104 via a first adapter 60, which will be described later, and the actuator 10 operates the first displacement mechanism (valve shaft 128 and valve body 130) of the water supply device 104.

On the other hand, the drainage device 106 is a device for controlling drainage from the field 102, and has a displacement mechanism (second displacement mechanism) including a valve body, a partition body, and the like. In this embodiment, a water outlet having a water level setting function is used as the drainage device 106.

Briefly with reference to FIGS. 1 and 9, the drainage device 106 is fitted into a short cylindrical rubber receiving frame member 140 and a receiving frame member 140, and is supported by the receiving frame member 140 so as to be vertically movable. A cylindrical partition body (weir body) 142 is provided. The upper end opening of the partition 142 functions as a drainage port. Then, when a force is applied to the partition body 142 in the vertical direction (axial direction), the partition body 142 moves up and down, and the drainage port is adjusted to an arbitrary height. That is, the drainage device 106 of this embodiment includes a second displacement mechanism including a partition body 142 provided so as to be vertically movable.

Such a drainage device 106 is arranged, for example, in a drainage basin 114 and is attached to an upstream end of a drainage pipe 118 extending to a drainage channel 116. An actuator 10 is attached to the drainage device 106 via a second adapter 70, which will be described later, and the actuator 10 operates the second displacement mechanism (partition 142) of the drainage device 106.

In FIG. 1, the water supply device 104 is arranged on one end side of the field 102 and the drainage device 106 is arranged on the opposite side, but the arrangement positions of the water supply device 104 and the drainage device 106 can be appropriately changed. .. For example, the water supply device 104 and the drainage device 106 may be arranged at close positions.

Further, the system 100 in this embodiment is a system including a plurality of cultivated areas, and at least one of the actuators 10 attached to each of the water supply device 104 and the drainage device 106 installed in each cultivated area. 10 is a master unit, and the remaining actuator 10 is a slave unit. The actuator 10 serving as a master unit is wirelessly connected to a remote control terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA, and a PC owned by the user via a network such as the Internet. On the other hand, the actuator 10 serving as a slave unit is connected to the master unit directly or via another slave unit so as to be able to wirelessly communicate with the master unit by a wireless communication method according to the specified low power wireless standard. It is connected to the remote control terminal owned by the user via wireless communication. However, as the master unit, a device other than the actuator 10 may be separately installed.

In this wireless communication, cloud computing may be used. For example, the information acquired by each actuator 10 (information on the state of the water supply device 104 or the drainage device 106 such as the degree of opening / closing of the valve body, sensor information such as the field water level and the air temperature, etc.) is transmitted to the cloud server at any time and stored. I will do it. The user accesses the cloud server from the remote control terminal to check the information acquired by each actuator 10, and remotely controls each actuator 10 using the remote control terminal to manage the water in the field 102. ..

However, the system 100 does not necessarily have to be a system that spans a plurality of cultivated areas, and the field 102 to which the system 100 is applied may be a field in which at least one water supply device 104 and one drainage device 106 are installed. Just do it.

Subsequently, the configuration of the actuator 10 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the actuator 10 includes a main body case 20 formed of a synthetic resin such as hard polyvinyl chloride. The main body case 20 includes a cylindrical side wall 22 and a top wall 24 that seals the upper end of the side wall 22. The lower end portion of the side wall 22 is reduced in diameter in a stepped shape, and this reduced diameter portion serves as a fitting portion 26 to be fitted into the upper opening of the first adapter 60 or the second adapter 70, which will be described later. The height dimension of the main body case 20 is, for example, 300 mm, and the outer diameter of the main body case 20 is, for example, 200 mm.

A solar cell panel 28 is attached to the upper surface of the top wall 24 of the main body case 20. The solar cell panel 28 is a plurality of solar cells packaged in a square shape by tempered glass, a sealing material, or the like, and is supported by the holding body 30. The holding body 30 is formed of metal, resin, or the like, and is, for example, a square frame-shaped frame 30a provided so as to cover the periphery of the solar cell panel 28, and a support provided on the lower surface of the frame 30a and bent at a predetermined angle. A plate 30b is provided.

A control panel 32, an antenna 34, a storage battery 36, a motor 38, a main gear 40, and the like are housed inside the main body case 20.

Although not shown, the control panel 32 is provided with a control unit including a CPU, a memory, and the like, a wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication with other devices, a switch such as a main power supply, and the like. The CPU of the control unit controls the entire control of the actuator 10, and controls the drive of the motor 38 and the like based on the control program stored in the memory. The wireless communication unit wirelessly communicates with an external device such as a remote control terminal owned by the user and another actuator 10 via the antenna 34 as described above.

The storage battery 36 stores the electric power generated by the solar cell panel 28. The motor 38 is driven by the electric power stored in the storage battery 36, that is, the electric power generated by the solar cell panel 28. A small gear 42 is provided at the tip of the output shaft 38a of the motor 38, and the main gear 40 is connected to the small gear 42 to receive a driving force from the motor 38 and rotate around the axis. Rotate.

In this embodiment, a motor with an encoder is used as the motor 38. The encoder of the motor 38 outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation direction and the number of rotations of the output shaft 38a to the CPU of the control unit. The CPU of the control unit calculates the position of the valve body 130 of the water supply device 104 or the partition body 142 of the drainage device 106 based on the pulse signal input from the encoder, that is, the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the output shaft 38a. That is, the encoder is used as a position detection unit for detecting the position of the valve body 130 or the partition body 142. However, the encoder that functions as the position detection unit does not necessarily have to be provided in the motor 38, and the encoder is provided in the main gear 40, and the valve body 130 or the partition body 142 is provided based on the rotation direction and the rotation speed of the main gear 40. It is also possible to calculate the position such as. Further, the control panel 32 is provided with a current value detection unit such as a current sensor (current transformer) for detecting the motor current value, and the detection data in the current value detection unit is input to the CPU of the control unit.

The main gear 40 is a double-boss type gear, and has a cylindrical shaft portion (boss portion) 40a extending in the vertical direction and a disk-shaped gear portion 40b in which gear teeth are formed on the outer peripheral surface. A disk-shaped first bearing 44, which also serves as a bottom wall of the main body case 20, is provided at the lower end of the side wall 22 of the main body case 20, and a plurality of support portions are provided above the first bearing 44. A disc-shaped second bearing 48 supported by 46 is provided. Both ends of the shaft portion 40a of the main gear 40 are rotatably held by the first bearing 44 and the second bearing 48.

A substantially cylindrical rotating shaft 50 is inserted through the shaft portion 40a of the main gear 40. That is, the rotating shaft 50 is provided so as to pass through the shaft center of the main gear 40. At the lower end of the rotating shaft 50, a coupling portion 50a that is non-rotatably connected to the valve shaft 128 of the water supply device 104 or the upper end of the connecting shaft 80 of the second adapter 70 described later is formed. Further, a key groove 40c extending along the axial direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion 40a of the main gear 40, and a sliding key 50b fitted with the key groove 40c is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 50. It is formed so as to extend along the axial direction. As a result, the rotary shaft 50 rotates as the main gear 40 rotates, and becomes slidable in the axial direction with respect to the shaft portion 40a of the main gear 40. Further, a thrust bearing 52 is provided between the upper surface of the gear portion 40b of the main gear 40 and the lower surface of the second bearing 48, and between the lower surface of the gear portion 40b of the main gear 40 and the upper surface of the first bearing 44, respectively. It will be provided. Further, although not shown, it is also possible to form a collar portion for preventing disconnection at the upper end portion of the rotating shaft 50.

Although not shown, the field 102 includes a water level sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor for detecting the field water level, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature, a pressure sensor for detecting the atmospheric pressure, a soil moisture sensor for detecting the soil moisture, and the like. Sensors are provided as appropriate. Sensor information such as the field water level and the air temperature detected by each sensor is input to the control unit of the actuator 10.

Then, in this embodiment, the main body case 20 is formed so that the side wall 22 and the top wall 24 have an airtight structure. However, "airtightness" in the present invention means that even if the water level of the field 102 reaches the maximum water level assumed at the time of flood and the main body case 20 is submerged, the air inside the main body case 20 does not leak from that portion (main body case). It means that the airtightness and watertightness are maintained during the service life to the extent that water does not enter the inside of 20).

Specifically, the main body case 20 is configured by combining the first case member 20a, the second case member 20b, and the third case member 20c. The first case member 20a constitutes the upper portion of the top wall 24 and the side wall 22 of the main body case 20, the second case member 20b constitutes the lower portion of the side wall 22, and the third case member 20c constitutes the lower end portion of the side wall 22. And the bottom wall (first bearing 44). Each of the first case member 20a, the second case member 20b, and the third case member 20c is an integrated type having no connecting portion (seam), and the connecting portion between the first case member 20a and the second case member 20b. , And an O-ring 54 is provided at each connecting portion between the second case member 20b and the third case member 20c. As a result, the side wall 22 and the top wall 24 of the main body case 20 have an airtight structure. Further, the first case member 20a and the second case member 20b are detachably connected to each other, and the second case member 20b and the third case member 20c are detachably connected to each other. When inspecting the parts in the main body case 20, the first case member 20a and the second case member 20b are appropriately removed.

Here, in order to prevent water from entering the main body case 20, it suffices if the entire main body case 20 can be formed so as to have an airtight structure. However, the actuator 10 is provided with a rotating shaft 50 connected to a valve shaft 128 or the like of the water supply device 104, and a portion (penetrating portion) in which a driving portion such as the rotating shaft 50 protrudes from the main body case 20 is provided for a long period of time. It is difficult to make it an airtight structure. Therefore, in this embodiment, the side wall 22 and the top wall 24 of the main body case 20 are configured to have an airtight structure, and the rotating shaft 50 is made to protrude from the lower surface side (bottom wall side) of the main body case 20. As a result, even if the lower surface side of the main body case 20 is not airtight, when the main body case 20 is submerged during a flood or the like, the air inside the main body case 20 cannot escape, so that water into the main body case 20 cannot be released. Intrusion can be prevented. Therefore, even if the main body case 20 is submerged, it is possible to prevent the parts arranged in the main body case 20 from getting wet with water.

However, if the lower surface side of the main body case 20 does not have an airtight structure, water slightly infiltrates into the main body case 20 from the lower surface side depending on the water level at the time of submersion.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the electric parts such as the control panel (control unit) 32, the contact portion of the storage battery 36, and the motor 38, which break down when submerged in water, are inside the main body case 20 at the time of flooding. It is arranged in the main body case 20 above the lower limit height position X obtained based on the maximum inundation water level. That is, the maximum inundation water level in the main body case 20 when the maximum water level assumed at the time of flood is set as the lower limit height position X, and at least the control panel 32, the contact portion of the storage battery 36, and the electric parts such as the motor 38 are set. Is arranged above the lower limit height position X. Preferably, the drive parts such as the main gear 40 and the thrust bearing 52 are also arranged above the lower limit height position X.

Specifically, the lower limit height position X is a position obtained by the following equation (Equation 1).
[Number 1]
ΔH = H + 10-10V / (V-ΔV)
Here, ΔH is the distance [m] from the lower end Y of the main body case 20 to the lower limit height position (maximum inundation water level) X, and H is the water surface Z of the maximum water level assumed at the time of flood to the main body case 20. The distance [m] to the lower end Y, V is the gap volume [m ³ ] in the main body case 20, and ΔV is the gap volume [m 3] in the main body case 20 from the lower end Y of the main body case 20 to the lower limit height position X. The gap volume is [m ³ ]. However, the lower end Y of the main body case 20 here means the lower end of the portion of the main body case 20 having an airtight structure, and a connecting portion or a hole in a state where the top wall 24 or the side wall 22 does not have airtightness is provided. In some cases, the upper edge position of the connecting portion or the hole is the lower end Y of the main body case 20. Further, the gap of the gap volume referred to here means a gap connected from the lower end Y of the main body case 20, that is, a gap through which air passes, and is closed in the main body case 20 so that the volume is changed even if the air pressure inside the main body changes. Does not include gaps that exist in the same state.

The above equation 1 is an equation obtained from the following equilibrium equation (Equation 2) based on Boyle's law.
[Number 2]
V = ((H-ΔH) / 10 + 1) (V-ΔV)
By arranging the electric parts and the driving parts above the lower limit height position X satisfying the above number 1, in other words, by determining the shape and dimensions of the main body case 20 so as to satisfy the above number 1, the electric parts and It is possible to surely prevent the drive parts from being submerged.

Although not shown, the wiring connecting the control unit arranged inside the main body case 20 and the solar cell panel 28 arranged outside the main body case 20 passes through a position lower than the lower end Y of the main body case 20. It is provided so as to go out to the outside of the main body case 20 and reach the solar cell panel. This eliminates the need to form holes for wiring in the top wall 24 and the side wall 22 of the main body case 20, so that the airtightness of the top wall 24 and the side wall 22 can be easily maintained. Similarly, if the wiring connecting the control unit and each sensor such as the water level sensor is also provided so as to pass through a position lower than the lower end Y of the main body case 20 and go out to the outside of the main body case 20 to reach each sensor. good.

Further, although not shown, an operation panel for manually driving the motor 38 is provided on the outer surface of the main body case 20 or at a position above the lower limit height position X in the main body case 20. You may do so. The operation panel is provided with an ascending button, a descending button, a selection button for switching an operation mode (remote mode, automatic mode, manual mode, etc.) of the actuator 10. Basically, the actuator 10 is remotely controlled or automatically controlled, but this operation panel allows the user to be near the actuator 10 at the time of initial setting of the actuator 10 or when an abnormality occurs in the actuator 10. Used when you are. However, instead of providing the operation panel, the actuator 10 can be manually controlled by using a remote controller for a short distance.

Next, an example of the first adapter 60 for attaching the actuator 10 to the water supply device 104 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the first adapter 60 includes a cylindrical portion 62, a collar-shaped first connecting portion 64 protruding outward from the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 62, and an inward portion from the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 62. It includes an annular plate-shaped second connecting portion 66 that protrudes and has a through hole 66a in the central portion thereof. A plurality of bolt holes (not shown) arranged in the circumferential direction are formed in the first connection portion 64. Further, a plurality of bolt holes (not shown) arranged in the circumferential direction are also formed in the second connecting portion 66. The bolt hole of the second connecting portion 66 may be an elongated hole long in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the actuator 10 is attached to the water supply device 104 using the first adapter 60, the fitting portion 26 of the main body case 20 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 62 of the first adapter 60, and the first adapter 60 is fitted. The first connection portion 64 of the adapter 60 and the bottom wall of the main body case 20 of the actuator 10 are bolted together. Further, the second connection portion 66 of the first adapter 60, the cap 122 of the water supply device 104, and the bearing 126 are bolted together. At this time, by making the bolt hole formed in the second connecting portion 66 a long hole long in the circumferential direction, the angle of the first adapter 60 and the actuator 10 can be adjusted in the circumferential direction with respect to the water supply device 104. Further, the upper end portion of the valve shaft 128 of the water supply device 104 is projected upward from the through hole 66a formed in the second connection portion 66 of the first adapter 60, and is projected upward to the coupling portion 50a of the rotary shaft 50 of the actuator 10. On the other hand, they are non-rotatably connected.

In the water supply device 104 to which the actuator 10 is attached in this way, for example, when a user uses a remote control terminal to transmit an operation instruction (control signal) indicating a fully closed, fully open, or arbitrary opening degree to the actuator 10. The control unit (CPU) of the actuator 10 drives the motor 38 in response to an operation instruction. The driving force of the motor 38 is transmitted to the main gear 40, and the main gear 40 rotates and the rotating shaft 50 rotates. As a result, a rotational force is applied to the valve shaft 128 fixedly connected to the rotary shaft 50. The valve shaft 128 to which the rotational force is applied is moved up and down by the feed screw mechanism between itself and the bearing 126, and the valve body 130 is moved to a fully open position, a fully closed position, and the like. Further, the rotating shaft 50 moves up and down so as to penetrate the shaft portion 40a of the main gear 40 as the valve shaft 128 moves up and down. As a result, the vertical movement of the valve shaft 128 is absorbed without requiring a large space in the vertical direction.

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 8, an example of the second adapter 70 for attaching the actuator 10 to the drainage device 106 will be described. As described above, the partition 142 of the drainage device 106 in this embodiment is only provided so as to be movable up and down, and itself does not move up and down even if it receives a rotational force. Therefore, it is necessary to convert the rotational force of the rotary shaft 50 of the actuator 10 into an axial (vertical) force and transmit it to the partition 142 of the drainage device 106. Therefore, the second adapter 70 is provided with a movable portion 82 that moves up and down by a screw mechanism, and the rotating shaft 50 and the partition body 142 are connected via the movable portion 82.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the second adapter 70 has a cylindrical portion 72 and a collar-shaped first connecting portion protruding outward from the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 72, similarly to the first adapter 60. A ring plate-shaped second connecting portion 76 that protrudes inward from the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 72 and has a through hole 76a in the central portion thereof is provided. The bolt hole formed in the second connecting portion 76 may be a long hole long in the circumferential direction.

Further, a cylindrical holding portion 78 is provided in the through hole 76a of the second connecting portion 76. The upper portion of the connecting shaft 80 connected to the rotating shaft 50 of the actuator 10 is rotatably inserted into the holding portion 78. Further, a male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion 80a of the connecting shaft 80, and a cylindrical movable portion 82 having a female screw formed on the inner peripheral surface is screwed onto the lower portion 80a of the connecting shaft 80. .. The movable portion 82 is provided with a fixing portion 84 for connecting and fixing the partition body 142 to the movable portion 82. Further, on the lower surface side of the second connecting portion 76, a pedestal 86 for mounting the actuator 10 is provided on the upper end portion of the drainage basin 114. Further, a rod-shaped detent portion 88 for preventing the movable portion 82 from rotating (rotating) together with the connecting shaft 80 is provided so as to connect the fixed portion 84 and the pedestal 86. In such a second adapter 70, when a rotational force around the axis is applied to the connecting shaft 80, the movable portion 82 and the fixed portion 84 move up and down by the feed screw mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the actuator 10 is attached to the drainage device 106 using the second adapter 70, the fitting portion 26 of the main body case 20 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 72 of the second adapter 70, and the second adapter 70 is fitted. The first connection portion 74 of the adapter 70 and the bottom wall of the main body case 20 of the actuator 10 are bolted together. Further, the pedestal 86 is attached to the upper end portion of the drainage basin 114, and the end portion of the fixing portion 84 is bolted to the partition body 142. Further, the upper end portion of the connecting shaft 80 is non-rotatably connected to the coupling portion 50a of the rotating shaft 50 of the actuator 10.

In the drainage device 106 to which the actuator 10 is attached in this way, for example, an operation instruction (control) in which the user changes the height position of the drainage port (upper end opening of the partition body 142) with respect to the actuator 10 by using a remote control terminal. When the signal) is transmitted, the control unit (CPU) of the actuator 10 drives the motor 38 in response to the operation instruction. The driving force of the motor 38 is transmitted to the main gear 40, and the main gear 40 rotates and the rotating shaft 50 rotates. As a result, a rotational force is applied to the connecting shaft 80 of the second adapter 70 that is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 50. When a rotational force around the axis is applied to the connecting shaft 80, the movable portion 82 moves up and down by the feed screw mechanism between the connecting shaft 80 and the movable portion 82, and accordingly, the partition connected and fixed to the movable portion 82. The body 142 is moved to a predetermined height position.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the side wall 22 and the top wall 24 of the main body case 20 are configured to have an airtight structure, and the control panel (control unit) 32, the storage battery 36, and the motor provided in the main body case 20 are provided. Since the electrical parts such as 38 are arranged above the lower limit height position X obtained based on the maximum inundation water level in the main body case 20 at the time of flood, even if the main body case 20 is submerged, these It is possible to prevent the parts from getting wet with water. Therefore, since it is not necessary to install parts such as the storage battery 36 at a high position in order to avoid submersion, the actuator 10 can be miniaturized (shortened) and the actuator 10 can be prevented from interfering with agricultural work. ..

Further, since the rotary shaft 50 is provided so as to penetrate the shaft center of the main gear 40, the actuator 10 can be further miniaturized.

Further, only the mounting adapters (first adapter 60 and second adapter 70) are prepared according to the water supply device 104 and the drainage device 106, and the actuators having the same structure are provided on the water supply device 104 side and the drainage device 106 side. Since the 10 can be retrofitted, remote operation or automation of water management in the field can be realized at low cost.

In the above embodiment, the main body case 20 is formed by combining a plurality of case members 20a, 20b, 20c, but the present invention is not limited to this. Although not shown, the side wall 22 and the top wall 24 of the main body case 20 may be integrated without a connecting portion. As a result, the side wall 22 and the top wall 24 of the main body case 20 can be more reliably airtight than the case where the airtight structure is formed by using the O-ring 54 or the like. Further, the position and number of connecting portions provided on the main body case 20 are not particularly limited, and for example, the first case member 20a and the second case member 20b may be integrated without connecting portions.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the water supply device 104 exemplifies an alfalfa-type water supply valve of the R & R system, and the drainage device 106 exemplifies a water outlet provided with a cylindrical partition 142, but the present invention is limited to this. Not done. The actuator 10 can be attached to various water supply devices 104 or drainage devices 106 such as ball-shaped valves, sluice valves and floodgates.

As an example, FIG. 10 shows a state in which an internal screw valve rod non-raising type sluice valve is used as a water supply device 104 and an actuator 10 is attached to the sluice valve. Briefly, the water supply device (gate valve) 104 shown in FIG. 10 includes a valve box 150 including a main section and a rising portion, and the valve rod (support rod) 152 rotates in the valve box 150. A valve body (partition body) 154 that moves up and down is provided.

The first adapter 200 for attaching the actuator 10 to such a water supply device 104 is the same as the above-mentioned first adapter 60, that is, the cylindrical portion 202 and the cylindrical portion 202 projecting outward from the upper end portion. A flange-shaped first connecting portion 204 and an annular plate-shaped second connecting portion 206 that protrudes inward from the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 202 and passes through the central portion thereof are used. Then, the rotation shaft 50 of the actuator 10 is non-rotatably connected to the upper end of the valve rod 152 of the water supply device 104. When a rotational force is applied to the valve rod 152 from the rotary shaft 50 of the actuator 10, the valve body 154 moves up and down by the feed screw mechanism between the valve rod 152 and the valve body 154, and the main portion of the valve box 150 is moved. It is opened and closed.

Although FIG. 10 shows a type of sluice valve that does not move up and down even if the valve rod 152 rotates, the water supply device 104 is a type in which the valve rod itself moves up and down as the valve rod rotates (valve rod). It may be a rising type) sluice valve.

Further, as another example, FIG. 11 shows a state in which a water level controller capable of setting the groundwater level in the field is used as the drainage device 106 and the actuator 10 is attached to the water level controller. Briefly, the drainage device (water level controller) 106 shown in FIG. 11 is provided with an outer cylinder 160 and an inner cylinder (not shown) whose lower end is connected to an underground water supply pipe. To prepare for. The inner cylinder is provided with a slide tube (partition body) 162 provided so as to be movable up and down.

The second adapter 210 for attaching the actuator 10 to such a drainage device 106 is the same as the above-mentioned second adapter 70, that is, the cylindrical portion 212, the first connection portion 214, the second connection portion 216, and the holding. Part 218, connecting shaft 220, movable part 222, fixing part 224, pedestal 226 for mounting the actuator 10 on the upper end of the outer cylinder 160, and a detent that slidably connects the inner pipe and the slide pipe 162. The one provided with the part 228 and the like is used. Then, the slide pipe 162 of the drainage device 106 and the rotating shaft 50 of the actuator 10 are connected via the connecting shaft 220 and the movable portion 222. When a rotational force is applied from the rotary shaft 50 of the actuator 10 to the connecting shaft 220, the movable portion 222 moves up and down by the feed screw mechanism between the connecting shaft 220 and the movable portion 222, and is connected to the movable portion 222 accordingly. The fixed slide tube 162 is moved to a predetermined height position.

As described above, the actuator 10 can be retrofitted to various existing water supply devices 104 and drainage devices 106.

In the second adapter shown in FIG. 8 above, when the feed screw mechanism is provided on the mounting adapter, the female screw side is used as a movable part to move up and down, but the male screw side (connecting shaft side) is used as a movable part up and down. The rotating shaft 50 and the partition body 142 or the like can be connected by the connecting shaft (movable portion) so as to be moved. This also applies when the feed screw mechanism is provided in the first adapter.

Further, in the above embodiment, the solar cell panel 28 is attached to the upper surface of the top wall 24 of the main body case 20 via the holding body 30 provided with the frame 30a and the support plate 30b, but the sun is attached to the main body case 20. The shape or configuration of the holding body 30 for attaching the battery panel 28 can be appropriately changed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a square frame-shaped frame portion 90 is formed on the top wall 24 of the main body case 20, and the solar cell panel 28 is attached in an airtight state so as to be embedded in the top wall 24. You can also.

Further, the solar cell panel 28 can be detachably and rotatably provided with respect to the main body case 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a cylindrical mounting portion 92 extending upward is integrally formed with respect to the lower end portion of the side wall 22 of the main body case 20. Further, as the holding body 30 for holding the solar cell panel 28, for example, a square frame-shaped frame 30a provided so as to cover the periphery of the solar cell panel 28, a support plate 30b bent at a predetermined angle, and a support column 94 are fitted. The one provided with the mounting portion 30c is used. Then, the cylindrical support column 94 is connected to the mounting portion 30c of the holding body 30 in an airtight state, and the support column 9 is connected.
The lower end portion of 4 is connected so as to be fitted into the mounting portion 92 formed in the main body case 20. At this time, an O-ring 54 is provided at the connecting portion between the support column 94 and the mounting portion 92 of the main body case 20. As a result, the support column 94 and the mounting portion 92 of the main body case 20 are airtightly connected, and the support column 94 (and thus the solar cell panel 28) can be attached to and detached from the mounting portion 92 and can be rotated. Be concatenated. The support column 94 and the holding body 30 may be detachably and rotatably connected to each other.

By making the solar cell panel 28 removable from the main body case 20 as in the actuator 10 shown in FIG. 13, the solar cell panel 28 can be removed from the main body case 20 and installed at a different position. Further, by making the solar cell panel 28 rotatable with respect to the main body case 20, the orientation of the solar cell panel 28 can be set in any direction. As a result, it becomes possible to flexibly respond to the situation of the field 102 (presence or absence of obstacles, etc.), and it is possible to secure good sunlight.

Further, in the actuator 10 shown in FIG. 13, the installation height of the solar cell panel 28 can be arbitrarily set by changing the length of the support column 94 by adding a support column for length adjustment or the like, so that it is more flexible. It can correspond to the situation of the field 102.

Further, in the actuator 10 shown in FIG. 13, the antenna 34 is arranged in the support column 94. In the actuator 10 shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the main body case 20 is made of resin in consideration of the point that the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the point that the antenna 34 can be arranged and protected in the main body case 20. In the actuator 10 shown, if only the support column 94 is made of resin, the main body case 20 can be made of metal having excellent durability (weather resistance). Of course, also in the actuator 10 shown in FIG. 13, since the antenna 34 is protected by the support column 94, it is possible to prevent the antenna 34 from being damaged or dirt such as dirt from adhering to the antenna 34 to cause communication failure.

However, the arrangement position of the antenna 34 can be changed as appropriate, and the main body case 20 may be made of metal as long as the antenna 34 is arranged outside the main body case 20.

Furthermore, as a modification of the actuator 10 shown in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 14, a recess is formed inward with respect to the side wall 22 of the main body case 20, and a mounting portion is formed so as to pass through the recess. 92 and a support 94 can also be provided. As a result, the actuator 10 can be made smaller. Further, although not shown, the mounting portion 92 of the support column 94 may be formed on the top wall 24.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the wiring connecting the control unit, the solar cell panel 28, each sensor, and the like is set to pass through a position lower than the lower end Y of the main body case 20, but the wiring is not limited to this. These wirings may be passed through a hole formed in the side wall 22 or the top wall 24 of the main body case 20. In this case, it is preferable to fill the gap between the hole and the wiring with a caulking material (sealing material) to secure an airtight structure of the portion through which the wiring is passed. Alternatively, it is preferable to secure an airtight structure of the portion through which the wiring is passed by compressing and inserting an elastic body such as rubber made slightly larger than the gap portion to fill the gap or filling with adhesive butyl rubber. ..

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in order to allow the rotating shaft 50 to rotate together with the main gear 40 and to be slidable in the axial direction with respect to the main gear 40, a key is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion 40a of the main gear 40. The groove 40c is formed and the sliding key 50b is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 50, but this arrangement may be reversed. That is, a sliding key may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft portion 40a of the main gear 40, and a key groove may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 50. Further, a plurality of sliding keys and key grooves may be formed. Further, the rotation shaft 50 may be a spline, serration, or the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the machine rotates together with the main gear 40 and is axially oriented with respect to the shaft portion 40a of the main gear 40 so as to be applicable to various types of water supply devices 104 and drainage devices 106 while reducing the size. The slidable rotary shaft 50 is arranged so as to penetrate the main gear 40, but the present invention is not limited to this. The rotary shaft 50 does not necessarily have to be provided so as to penetrate the main gear 40 if it can rotate together with the main gear 40. Further, when the rotary shaft 50 does not need to absorb the vertical movement as in the case of being attached to the water supply device 104 or the drainage device 106 shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the rotary shaft 50 does not necessarily have to be the main gear 40. It does not have to be slidable in the axial direction of.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the rotary shaft 50 is directly connected to the valve shaft 128 of the water supply device (water supply valve) 104, but the valve shaft and the rotary shaft are connected to a shaft adapter (not shown). It can also be connected via. The shape of the tip (upper end) of the valve shaft of the water supply device or drainage device differs depending on the manufacturer and the size of the device. The rotating shaft of the actuator 10 is attached to the valve shaft via the shaft adapter. At this time, the connection shape between the shaft adapter and the rotating shaft is the same. That is, only one type of shape is required for the connection portion of the rotating shaft.

Further, when the valve shaft and the rotating shaft are connected via the shaft adapter, an opening used for mounting or removing the shaft adapter is provided on the side surface of the mounting adapter (for example, the cylindrical portion 62 of the first adapter 60). It is good to provide it. This opening may be opened and closed by a lid.

Further, the technique (invention) for making the main body case an airtight structure as described above is not limited to application to the electric actuator 10, and is, for example, an environmental data measuring instrument for measuring the state of a field by a mounted sensor. It can also be applied. Although not shown, the environmental data measuring instrument includes, for example, a main body case provided with at least one such as a water level sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and a soil moisture sensor. This main body case includes a cylindrical side wall and a top wall that seals the upper part of the side wall, and the side wall and the top wall have an airtight structure. Then, electric parts such as a control unit and a sensor that break down when submerged are arranged in the main body case above the lower limit height position obtained based on the maximum inundation water level in the main body case at the time of flooding. .. As described above, even when the technique of making the main body case an airtight structure is applied to the environmental data measuring instrument, the same operation and effect as when applied to the electric actuator 10 is obtained.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the solar cell panel 28 and the storage battery 36 are provided so that the actuator 10 can be applied even in the field 102 where it is difficult to secure a commercial power source, but other power sources such as a commercial power source can be used. When installed in the environment, it is not always necessary to include the solar cell panel 28 and the storage battery 36. When using another power supply provided in a place different from the main body case 20, the cable for connecting the other power supply and the actuator 10 passes through a position lower than the lower end Y of the main body case 20 to the main body. It is preferable to guide it into the case 20.

The specific numerical values such as the dimensions and the specific shapes mentioned above are merely examples, and can be appropriately changed as necessary such as product specifications.

10 ... Electric actuator 20 ... Main body case 22 ... Side wall 24 ... Top wall 28 ... Solar cell panel 32 ... Control panel (control unit)
34 ... Antenna 36 ... Storage battery 38 ... Motor 40 ... Main gear (gear)
50 ... Rotating axis 100 ... Field water supply / drainage system 102 ... Field 104 ... Water supply device 106 ... Drainage device

Claims (2)

It is a manufacturing method of an environmental data measuring instrument that measures the state of the field with a sensor.
The environmental data measuring instrument includes a cylindrical side wall and a top wall that seals the upper portion of the side wall, and includes a main body case in which the side wall and the top wall have an airtight structure.
A method for manufacturing an environmental data measuring instrument, in which the electronic circuit portion of the sensor is arranged in the main body case above the lower limit height position obtained by the following equation.
[Number 1]
ΔH = H + 10-10V / (V-ΔV)
Here, ΔH is the distance (m) from the lower end of the main body case to the lower limit height position, and H is the distance (m) from the water surface of the maximum water level assumed at the time of flood to the lower end of the main body case. V is the gap volume (m ³ ) in the main body case, and ΔV is the gap volume (m ³ ) in the main body case from the lower end of the main body case to the lower limit height position. Environmental data measuring instruments that measure the condition of the field with sensors, and
A field electric actuator attached to a water supply device or a drainage device having a displacement mechanism for controlling water supply to the field or drainage from the field to operate the displacement mechanism.
The environmental data measuring instrument is
It includes a tubular side wall and a top wall that seals the upper part of the side wall, and includes a main body case in which the side wall and the top wall have an airtight structure and the lower surface side is not an airtight structure.
The electronic circuit portion of the sensor is arranged in the main body case above the lower limit height position obtained based on the maximum inundation water level in the main body case at the time of flood.
The electric actuator for the field is
A second main body case that includes a tubular side wall and a top wall that seals the upper part of the side wall, and the side wall and the top wall have an airtight structure, and the lower surface side is not an airtight structure.
Motor driven by electric power,
A control unit that controls the drive of the motor,
A gear that is rotated by a driving force from the motor and a rotation shaft that rotates with the gear are provided.
At least the motor and the control unit are arranged in the second main body case above the lower limit height position obtained based on the maximum inundation water level in the second main body case at the time of flooding. Water supply and drainage system.

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