JP7465080B2 - Measuring Instrument - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a measuring device, for example, a small measuring device that can be held in the hand.

There are small measuring instruments that are held in the hand, such as internal diameter measuring instruments (cylinder gauges) and micrometers.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 50-141659 Jpn. Jpn. 62-44327 Utility Model Publication No. 52-009457 Utility Model Publication No. 58-036302

Before using a measuring device, it is necessary to allow the temperature to acclimate. At this stage, it is difficult to judge whether the temperature has acclimatized sufficiently, so to be on the safe side, a slightly longer temperature acclimatization time is allowed. This extra temperature acclimatization time is actually unnecessary, and is one of the reasons why measurement efficiency does not improve.

In addition, when using a cylinder gauge or micrometer for an extended period of time, the heat from your hands can be transferred to the measuring device. If the temperature of the measuring device changes, differences occur due to thermal expansion, and if the user continues measuring without realizing this, it may lead to measurement errors.

The object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that allows the temperature state to be visually observed, thereby improving measurement efficiency and reducing measurement errors.

The measuring device of the present invention comprises:
A measuring instrument for measuring the dimensions of a measurement object, comprising:
A fixed body portion;
A movable body portion is provided so as to be movable relative to the fixed body portion and directly or indirectly contacts the object to be measured,
The present invention is characterized in that a temperature indicating material that changes color depending on temperature is provided in a predetermined region of at least one of the fixed body portion and the movable body portion.

In the present invention,
It is preferable that a grip portion for a user to hold by hand is provided on a part of an outer surface of the fixed body, and the temperature indicating material is provided on a part of the outer surface of the fixed body other than the grip portion.

In the present invention,
The fixed body is cylindrical, and a peep hole is provided through the fixed body from an outer surface to a cylindrical hole.
The movable body portion moves forward and backward through a cylindrical hole of the fixed body portion,
It is preferable that a temperature indicating material is provided on the surface of the movable body portion so as to be visible through the peephole.

In the present invention,
The measuring instrument is an inner diameter measuring instrument,
A longitudinal outer cylinder portion as the fixed body portion;
As the movable body portion, a rod that advances and retreats inside the outer cylinder portion;
a measuring head portion having a measuring element that moves in conjunction with the rod in a direction perpendicular to the rod,
The grip is provided near one end of the outer cylinder, and the measurement head is connected to the other end of the outer cylinder,
It is preferable that the temperature indicating material is provided in a region near the other end of the outer tubular portion.

In the present invention,
The measuring instrument is a micrometer,
The fixed body is a U-shaped frame of a micrometer,
The temperature indicating material is preferably provided on the whole or a part of the U-shaped frame.

In the present invention,
The temperature indicating material is preferably provided in the vicinity of an anvil mounting portion of the U-shaped frame.

In the present invention,
Furthermore, it is preferable that the temperature indicating material is provided on the entirety or a part of the anvil.

In the present invention,
The measuring instrument is a micrometer or a dial gauge,
It is preferable that a temperature indicating material is provided on the spindle as the movable body portion.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a cylinder gauge. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the measurement head unit. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a micrometer. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a dial gauge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated and described with reference to the reference numerals given to the various elements in the drawings.
First Embodiment
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The first embodiment is a cylinder gauge (inner diameter measuring instrument) 100 .
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a bore gauge 100. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the measurement head unit 120. As shown in FIG.
The cylinder gauge 100 includes a longitudinal outer cylinder portion 110 (fixed body portion) and a measuring head portion 120 .

A clamp holder 111 is attached to one end of the outer cylinder portion 110, and the clamp holder 111 holds, for example, the stem (not shown) of a dial gauge (not shown).
In addition, a grip portion 112 is provided in an area near one end of the outer cylinder portion 110. The grip portion 112 is made of synthetic resin and has heat insulating properties. This is, of course, provided to prevent heat from the hand from being transferred to the outer cylinder portion 110 and the measurement head portion 120, which are made of metal.
A driver rod (movable body portion) 113 is inserted inside the outer cylinder portion 110 so as to be movable in the axial direction.

The measurement head portion 120 is attached to the lower end of the outer cylinder portion 110 .
The measuring head unit 120 includes a measuring head main body unit 121 , a driver pin 123 , a probe 125 , an anvil 126 , and a guide member 127 .

An outer diameter threaded portion 122 is formed at the upper end of the measurement head main body portion 121. The other end of the outer tube portion 110 is screwed and fixed into this outer diameter threaded portion 122.

The driver pin 123 enters the outer tube 110 from the other end thereof, and the driver rod 113 and driver pin 123 butt against each other. A right-angled triangular cam 124 is rotatably supported between the driver pin 123 and the probe 125, converting the direction of movement of the driver pin 123 at a right angle. The probe 125 is disposed so that it moves forward and backward in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the driver rod 113 and driver pin 123, with the cam 124 between them.

A temperature indicator 600 is disposed on the outer surface of the outer cylinder portion 110 in a region on the other end side.
The temperature indicator 600 changes color depending on the temperature. Here, for example, the color (e.g., green) is different for temperatures between 20°C and 25°C, and the color (e.g., red) is different for other temperatures. By utilizing the color change, colored text (e.g., "OK") may be displayed when the temperature is between 20°C and 25°C.

It is preferable that the temperature indicator 600 be reversible.
The temperature indicating material 600 may be a paint or a type that can be applied like a sticker.
In Figs. 1 and 2, the temperature indicating material 600 is assumed to be paint, but a smaller sticker-like temperature indicating material may also be affixed.
The temperature indicating material 600 may be of one type or of multiple types with different sensitive temperatures that may be affixed side by side.
For example, temperature-indicating materials indicating respective temperature ranges, such as 15°C to 20°C (first temperature range), 20°C to 25°C (second temperature range), 25°C to 30°C (third temperature range), 30°C to 35°C (fourth temperature range), and 35°C to 40°C (fifth temperature range), may be attached side by side.

Furthermore, a through hole is drilled in the outer cylinder portion 110 as a peephole 114, through which the driver rod 113 inside can be seen. A temperature indicator 600 is provided on the surface of the driver rod 113, and the temperature indicator 600 on the surface of the driver rod 113 can be confirmed through the peephole 114. The peephole 114 may be covered with a transparent resin as long as it is capable of transmitting light.

Further examples of positions where the temperature indicator 600 may be provided include directly above or directly below the grip portion 112 on the outer surface of the outer tube portion 110.

When using the bore gauge 100 of the first embodiment having such a configuration, first, the color of the temperature indicating material 600 is checked to see whether the bore gauge 100 has been adjusted to the intended temperature.
After confirming that the temperature of the bore gauge 100 is appropriate, the object to be measured is measured with the bore gauge 100 as usual.
Furthermore, when using the bore gauge 100 for a long time, the heat of the hand may be transferred to the bore gauge 100, causing a change in the temperature of the measuring device, even if the user is holding the grip portion 112. In this case, the user will know that the bore gauge 100 is too hot due to a change in color of the temperature indicator 600, and will allow the bore gauge 100 to rest and allow the temperature to equalize.

Further advantages can be expected from the bore gauge 100 of the first embodiment.
When using the bore gauge 100 to measure the inside diameter of an object to be measured, the grip portion 112 is gripped, but beginners often end up holding parts of the outer cylinder 110 other than the grip portion 112. Or, when inserting the measuring head portion 120 into the hole of the object to be measured, they may grab the area near the measuring head portion 120. If this happens, the bore gauge 100 will heat up quickly, and thermal expansion will lead to measurement errors.
In this regard, if the temperature-indicating material 600 is provided in a place that should not be touched, the user will be more likely to recognize that temperature is important, and will understand that they should not touch any part other than the grip portion 112 .

The temperature of the driver rod 113 can also be checked through the peephole 114. This allows visual inspection to determine whether the temperature has been properly adjusted to the inside. Therefore, when adjusting the temperature of the cylinder gauge 100 before use, it is not necessary to take an extra long time for the temperature adjustment, which is expected to improve measurement efficiency.

Second Embodiment
In a small measuring instrument that is held in the hand, the problem of heat transfer from the hand is a problem not limited to the bore gauge 100.
In addition, depending on the type of measuring device, there are certain points that beginner users tend to touch, and where the heat from the hands can easily affect measurement errors.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the micrometer 200.
The micrometer 200 includes a U-shaped frame (fixed body portion) 210 , a spindle (movable body portion) 220 , a thimble 230 , and an anvil 240 .
A spindle 220 is screwed to one end of a U-shaped frame 210, and the spindle 220 is advanced and retreated by rotating a thimble 230. An anvil 240 is attached to the other end of the U-shaped frame 210. (The anvil may be considered as part of the fixed body.)

In the micrometer 200, it is advisable to provide the temperature indicator 600 near the anvil 240 of the U-shaped frame 210. Although the heat insulating cover 211 is provided on the U-shaped frame 210, it is possible that the vicinity of the anvil 240 is accidentally held. Thermal expansion in the vicinity of the anvil 240 is likely to affect measurement errors.
In this regard, if the temperature indicating material 600 is provided near the anvil 240 of the U-shaped frame 210, it is expected that the user will be made aware of not touching the area around the anvil 240 unnecessarily. Furthermore, if the user unintentionally touches the area around the anvil 240, the user can appropriately adjust the temperature by looking at the display on the temperature indicating material 600.

Of course, the spindle 220 may be provided with a temperature indicator 600. Furthermore, the anvil 240 may be provided with a temperature indicator 600.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a digital dial gauge 300. As shown in FIG.
(Digital dial gauges are also called digital indicators.)
Although a digital dial gauge is shown as an example in FIG. 4, a mechanical dial gauge may also be used.
In the case of the dial gauge 300, since the case body (fixed body part) of the dial gauge 300 is often set on a stand for use, the user does not hold the dial gauge 300 during measurement work, but a beginner user may pick up the spindle (movable body part) 310 directly with his/her hand and lift it up. Therefore, it is advisable to provide a temperature indicating material 600 on the surface of the spindle 310.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

100...Cylinder gauge,
110: outer cylinder portion, 111: clamp holder, 112: grip portion, 113: driver rod, 114: peephole,
120: measuring head portion, 121: measuring head main body portion, 122: outer diameter screw portion, 123: driver pin, 124: cam, 125: measuring element, 126: anvil, 127: guide member,
200...micrometers,
210: U-shaped frame; 211: heat insulating cover; 220: spindle; 230: thimble; 240: anvil;
300…Dial gauge,
310...spindle,
600...temperature indicating material.

Claims (6)

A measuring instrument for measuring the dimensions of a measurement object, comprising:
A fixed body portion;
A movable body portion is provided so as to be movable relative to the fixed body portion and directly or indirectly contacts the object to be measured,
The fixed body is cylindrical, and a peep hole is provided through the fixed body from an outer surface to a cylindrical hole.
The movable body portion moves forward and backward through a cylindrical hole of the fixed body portion,
A measuring instrument characterized in that a temperature indicating material that changes color depending on temperature is provided on a surface of the movable body portion so as to be visible through the peephole. 2. The measuring device according to claim 1,
A longitudinal outer cylinder portion as the fixed body portion;
As the movable body portion, a rod that advances and retreats inside the outer cylinder portion;
a measuring head portion having a measuring element that moves forward and backward in conjunction with the rod,
A grip portion having heat insulating properties is provided near one end of the outer cylinder portion so that the user can grip the grip portion with his/her hand and the heat of the hand is not transferred to the outer cylinder portion , and the measurement head portion is connected to the other end of the outer cylinder portion,
A measuring device characterized in that a temperature indicating material that changes color depending on temperature is provided in a region near the other end of the outer cylinder. 3. The measuring device according to claim 2,
A measuring instrument comprising: a temperature indicating material, the color of which changes depending on temperature, provided on an outer surface of the outer cylinder portion other than the grip portion. In the measuring device according to claim 2 or 3,
The measuring instrument is an inner diameter measuring instrument,
The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the probe advances and retreats in a direction perpendicular to the rod. 2. The measuring device according to claim 1,
A part of the outer surface of the fixed body is provided with a grip portion having insulating properties so that when a user holds the fixed body with their hand, heat from the user's hand is not transferred to the fixed body , and a temperature-indicating material that changes color depending on temperature is provided on the outer surface of the fixed body at a location other than the grip portion. The measuring device according to claim 5,
The measuring device, characterized in that the movable body portion is provided with a temperature indicating material whose color changes depending on temperature.

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