JPH0431528B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a measuring device equipped with a power generation function, and in particular, includes a detector that converts a measurement object into an electrical signal, and an electronic display means for displaying measured values. It is effectively used in measuring instruments that display

[Background technology and its problems]

For example, in contrast to a so-called mechanical measuring device that reads the length of the object to be measured from a scale engraved on its main body, a micrometer is a measuring device.
A so-called electronic micrometer is known, which is equipped with a detector that converts the measured object into an electrical signal and reads the measured value of the measured object displayed on a display means digitally and/or analogously, and is highly accurate and easy to read. Therefore, it is used in many industrial fields.

In this way, measuring instruments with built-in electrical components such as detectors for detecting objects to be measured are appropriately classified into electronic micrometers, electronic calipers, electronic hardness meters, etc. depending on the purpose and manner of use. However, the objects to be measured are not limited to length and hardness, but also pressure, weight, etc., and the detectors are arbitrarily selected from photoelectric type, capacitance type, magnetic type, contact type, etc.

The general structure of a conventional measuring instrument incorporating electrical components including a detector for detecting such a measuring object will be explained using the electronic micrometer as an example. A detector is installed inside the main body to detect the amount of displacement of the spindle, which is the main body of the measuring machine, which is involved in the object to be measured.
The measured value obtained by processing the electrical signal from this detector can be displayed on a digital or analog display as a display means, and it also has a built-in battery as a power source to drive the electrical components. This constituted an electronic micrometer.

Therefore, simply by engaging the spindle with the object to be measured at the measurement site, measured values can be digitally or
As a result, it can be easily read as an analog value, making it possible to measure quickly and accurately.

However, the conventional measuring device described above has the following problems.

In other words, batteries are used as a power source to drive electrical components such as detectors, so if the battery capacity is increased, the entire measuring device becomes larger, which is not only disadvantageous for making it portable, but also makes it impossible to operate it with one hand. There were flaws. On the other hand, when reducing the battery capacity, the voltage drops quickly, causing errors in the measured values, and there is a risk that the worst case scenario of having to interrupt the measurement may occur frequently. Therefore, the battery capacity was determined by comparing the miniaturization and usage time, etc., but although the length of time was undefined, the battery still had to be replaced, which was cumbersome, and the battery was not close to hand. There was also the problem of having to keep it on hand. On the other hand, as a solution to the disadvantages and inconveniences of such batteries, devices with built-in solar cells have been proposed, but in this case, sufficient outside light is required, which not only limits the measurement site but also reduces work efficiency. Since the light-concentrating surface of the solar cell had to be provided on the outer surface of the measuring instrument itself, this not only made the design conditions stricter, but also resulted in an increase in size and economic burden. Furthermore, depending on the measurement site, oil droplets and dust may accumulate on the light collecting surface, making it impossible to use the device satisfactorily.

In this way, although conventional measuring instruments have more sophisticated detectors, smaller size, and lighter weight, in actual operation, the selection of the power source, etc. is an important technology that manifests and obstructs the original purpose of the measuring instrument. It had become a serious problem.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide a measuring instrument with a power generation function that can always guarantee sufficient power and perform highly accurate measurements without having to perform tasks such as replacing batteries. Our goal is to provide the following.

[Means and actions for solving problems]

The present invention focuses on the fact that the above conventional problem is that the power source for electrical components such as a detector is a battery that has a constant capacity regardless of the amount of power consumed by the measuring device and acts only in the direction of decreasing power. The system is designed to supplement power generation at any time as needed.

For this reason, the present invention includes a measuring device body that measures any of the dimensions, angles, and hardness of a measured object from the displacement of a movable member, and an electrical signal that is linked to the movable member and measures any of the dimensions, angles, and hardness. and a display means for processing the output signal from the detector in a predetermined manner to obtain a measured value of any of the dimensions, angles, and hardness, and displaying and/or outputting the measured value to the outside. The measuring circuit includes a measuring circuit, a generator that generates electricity by the movement of the movable member, and a storage circuit that stores the electric power generated by the generator, and generates electric power for driving electrical components such as the measuring circuit. The above object is achieved by comprising a power generation means and a drive means for transmitting the motion of the movable member and driving the power generation means.

Therefore, when a measuring worker operates the measuring instrument body, the built-in generator is driven via the drive means that transmits the motion of the movable member, making it possible to sufficiently cover the power consumption of the built-in detector and other electrical components. Because of this, rapid and highly accurate measurements can be achieved in the best normal conditions at any time without having to replace batteries midway and without being restricted in the measurement location.

〔Example〕

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a measuring device having a power generation function according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) In this first embodiment, the model of the measuring device is an electronic micrometer similar to the conventional case.

Now, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 of this embodiment, the electronic micrometer includes a measuring instrument main body 1, a measuring circuit 100, a power generating means 200, and a driving means 20 for driving the power generating means 200. It is composed of an overcharge prevention circuit 60 and a low voltage detection circuit 70.

First, in FIG. 1, a measuring instrument main body 1 has an anvil 3 and a spindle 4 disposed facing each other on an upright portion of a U-shaped frame 2, and the spindle 4 is connected to a frame 2.
By rotating a thimble 6 screwed into an inner cylinder 5 fixed to the inner cylinder 5, the inner cylinder 5 is moved forward and backward in the left and right directions in the figure. Therefore, the length of the object to be measured (not shown) held between the anvil 3 and the spindle 4, that is, the object to be measured is specified by the forward and backward movement position of the spindle 4 with respect to the frame 2.
Here, by bringing the spindle 4 into contact with the other side of the object to be measured whose one side is in contact with the anvil 3, the measuring machine main body 1 becomes involved in the object to be measured.

The measurement circuit 100 also includes a detector 101 that converts an object to be measured into an electrical signal, a pulsing circuit 104 that converts the electrical signal from the detector 101 into a pulse signal in which one pulse is 1 μm, and It is composed of a counter 105 that counts the measured value and a display means 110 that electronically displays the measured value. Note that the display means 110 is provided with an external output function to a printer or the like.
The detector 101 includes one electrode 102 fixed to the frame 2 by a cylindrical body 7 and a support member 8, and a spacer 1.
It is a movable member that is brought into contact with the end surface of the cylinder body 7 by a spring 13 via a spring 13, and whose position is restricted so that it cannot be displaced in the axial direction, and which is made rotatable by engagement between the key groove of the spindle 4 and the key 9. The other electrode 103 is integrally attached to the rotating body 12, and is formed from a phase-discriminative capacitance type rotary displacement detection sensor. Therefore, when the spindle 4 is moved forward or backward, the detector 101 can output an electric signal corresponding to the amount of displacement to the pulsing circuit 104. Counter 105 counts it as a measurement value. Further, the display means 110 has a digital display 111 that digitally displays the measurement value from the measurement value equivalent signal inputted from the counter 105, as shown in FIG. 4, and an analog display 112 that displays the measurement value in an analog manner. , an overcharge display section 113 and a low voltage display section 114 are provided. Here, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned detector 10
1. The pulsing circuit 104, the counter 105, the display means 110, the overcharge prevention circuit 60 described later, etc. are collectively defined as electrical components.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power generation means 200 is composed of a small generator 30, a rectifier circuit 40, and a power storage circuit 50.
Iron frame 36 fixed to frame 2 as shown in the figure
This is a single-phase alternating current generator consisting of a stator 35 formed from a coil 37 provided with lead wires 38, 38, and a rotor 31 formed from an iron piece 34 integral with a rotating shaft 32 and a permanent magnet 33. .
A rectifier circuit 40 for full-wave rectifying the AC voltage output from the generator 30 includes four rectifier diodes 41, 41, 41, 41 and a chiyoke coil 4.
2 and converts it into a DC voltage. In addition,
The power storage circuit 50 is formed including an electric double layer capacitor 51, and the power storage capacity is determined to be enough to drive the electrical equipment for 100 hours, and the generator 30 can run the electrical equipment for 15 to 2 seconds. It was selected to have a power generating capacity sufficient to run for 18 minutes. Therefore, in case power generation is not required, the rectifier circuit 4
0 is provided with a switch 43.

As shown in FIG. 1, the driving means 20 for driving the generator 30 consists of a gear 21 fixed to a rotating body 12, which is a movable member that cannot be displaced in the axial direction but is rotatable. The pinion shaft 23 at the final stage of the gear train 22 is driven by the rotor 31.
is connected to. Therefore, when the measurer rotates the thimble 6 to bring the spindle 4 into contact with the object to be measured, the power generation means 200 is driven without requiring any special power generation operation, and the power storage circuit 50 is charged. can do.

In addition, the overcharge prevention circuit 60 controls the generator 3 when the rotational speed of the thimble 6, which is optional by the measurer, becomes excessive.
Since the alternating voltage changes from 0 and there is a risk of overcharging or overcurrent being applied to the electrical components, this can be limited or detected in advance and the overcharge display section 113
This is to alert the person taking the measurement and to ensure smooth operation. The overcharge prevention circuit 60 is a switching circuit formed of a constant current diode 61 that functions to prevent overcurrent, a Zener diode 62 connected in series with a resistor 64 that functions to prevent overcharge, a transistor 63, and resistors 65 and 66. It consists of a certain overvoltage detection circuit. Therefore, overcurrent is limited by the constant current diode 61, that is, the constant current circuit, and in the case of overcharge, the transistor 63 becomes conductive, so the voltage at the terminal 67 becomes low level, and this low level signal is used to indicate overcharge. A lighting display can be performed in the section 113. Therefore, if the voltage of the Zener diode 62 and the like is selected to be lower than the permissible voltage, the operator can be alerted in advance, and overcharging can be avoided. Note that the low voltage detection circuit 70 is formed to detect a voltage lower than the above-mentioned allowable voltage. Therefore, the measurer must perform a dry run (thimble 6) several times before actual measurement.
If the power storage circuit 50 is rotated), sufficient power can be stored in the power storage circuit 50 for initial consumption.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The measurement is carried out by rotating the thimble 6 counterclockwise and retracting the spindle 4 to the right in FIG. This is done by rotating clockwise and moving leftward to pinch the object to be measured.

The measured value is measured by the detector 101 and the pulse generator 10.
4. Displayed on the digital display 111 and analog display 112 of the display means 110 via the counter 105. Since these are well known, further explanation will be omitted.

Now, when the thimble 6 is rotated during measurement, a gear 21 fixed to a rotating body 12, which is a movable member that cannot be displaced in the axial direction and can rotate synchronously with the spindle 4, and a gear train 22 for increasing speed.
The final stage pinion shaft 23 rotates the rotor 31 at an increased speed. As described above, the power generation means 200 is driven by the drive means 20, so that single-phase AC power is generated from the generator 30 from the lead wires 38, 38, which are the output circuits provided to the coil 37 of the stator 35. The rectifier circuit 40 performs full-wave rectification of this and connects it to the electric double layer capacitor 5 of the power storage circuit 50.
DC power can be stored in 1. Therefore,
Smooth operation of the measurement circuit 100 is ensured by DC power from the power storage circuit 50.

By the way, if the measurer rotates the thimble 6 at a higher speed than necessary due to inexperience, etc., the overcharge prevention circuit 6
0, the overcharge display section 1 of the display means 110
13, a display is displayed to prevent overcharging.
This prevents overcharging. Of course, overcurrent is avoided by the action of the constant current diode 61. In addition, if there is insufficient power storage at the start of measurement, etc., this will be displayed on the low voltage display section 114, so the measurer can immediately start measuring by turning the thimble 6 several times to generate power in the power storage circuit 50 prior to measurement. Sufficient power can be stored. On the other hand, when the amount of stored power is large or the measurement work is to be continued for a long time, the switch 43 may be turned OFF to avoid unnecessary power generation.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the power generation means 200
is integrally provided in the measuring device main body 1,
Its power generation function always ensures sufficient power consumption, enables smooth operation of electrical components, and ensures highly accurate measurements.

In addition, since it has a power generation function, there is no need to incorporate a large capacity battery, there is no need for complicated battery replacement work, and situations where measurements are interrupted can be avoided. At the same time, the entire measuring device can be made smaller, more portable, and lighter, making it possible to provide a one-handed measuring device. Naturally, there is no need to stockpile a large number of batteries nearby. In addition, unlike the solar cell type, problems such as contamination on the condensing surface do not occur, and the measurement work site is not restricted, making it possible to improve work performance.

Moreover, the generator 30 of the power generation means 200 has 1 to 2
It is possible to generate an amount equivalent to 15 to 18 minutes of power consumption of electrical equipment in just one second of operation, and the power storage circuit 50 can store this power, so power consumption can be immediately secured without replacing batteries, etc., and errors caused by low voltage can be generated. It is possible to perform highly accurate measurements without causing If power generation is not required, turn switch 43.
It suffices to turn it off, and the turning force of the thimble 6 due to power generation can be reduced so that it does not become a burden.

Furthermore, since the power generation means 200 is driven by the drive means 20 formed from the rotating body 12, etc., which is a movable member that is linked to the rotation of the thimble 6, which is essential for the measurement work, a special Easy to handle without requiring any tools or operations.

Furthermore, since the overcharge prevention circuit 60 is provided, overcharging and current are avoided, and the measuring circuit 10
Conventional electrical equipment can be used as is since it does not cause damage such as zero. In addition, overcharge display section 113
The display prevents the thimble 6 from operating at high speed, which has the effect of contributing to high precision measurement. On the other hand, since a low voltage display section 114 is also provided, charging can be performed before starting measurement, and errors during measurement can be prevented.

In addition, as mentioned above, it is small and has a sufficient power generation function, so it can be equipped with twice as many electrical components as before, making it possible to further enhance the functionality of measuring instruments with built-in detectors, etc. We can expect its use to expand.

(Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the type of measuring device is an electronic height gauge. Therefore, the structure of the measuring instrument main body 1 is different from that of the first embodiment. Further, the detector 101 is of a photoelectric type, and the driving means 20 is of a timing belt 29 type. Other measurement circuits 1
00, the power generation means 200, etc. are the same as in the first embodiment, so the same parts are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanation will be omitted.

First, the measuring instrument main body 1 is connected to a base 6, a pair of columns 72, 72 erected on the base 6, a slider 74 that is slidable on the columns 72, 72, and a handle 79 that moves the slider 74 up and down. It is configured. Further, a probe 18 is integrally provided on the slider 74 in order to latch the output of the detector 101 or a counter 105 (not shown) at the moment the contact comes into contact with the object to be measured.
The handle 79 is attached to a rack 73 provided on the support column 72.
It is provided integrally with a shaft 78 having a gear 77 that engages with the slider 74, and is attached to the slider 74 at the position shown in FIG. 6 on the rear side in FIG.

Note that the knob 80 is rotatably attached to the screw member 81.

Therefore, by grasping the knob 80 and rotating the handle 79, the slider 74, which is a movable member, can be moved in the vertical direction in the figure along the pillars 72, 72 via the shaft 78 and the gear 77.

The detector 101 is a known photoelectric rotary rotation detection sensor consisting of a main scale (fixed to the shaft 78), an index scale, a light emitter, and a light receiver. Further, the driving means 20 converts the linear movement of the slider 74 as a movable member into rotational operation by the measuring head 18 of the measuring device main body 1 which is to be related to the object to be measured (in this embodiment, the height of a predetermined part of the object to be measured). As shown in FIG. 6, a pinion 25 and a grooved roller 26 are provided integrally with a pinion shaft 23 that is rotatable on a slider 74, and a drive shaft 28 is provided with a grooved roller 26 that is parallel to the pinion shaft 23. The timing belt 29 is made up of a grooved roller 27 and a timing belt 29 that spans both rollers 26 and 27. The generator 30 of the power generation means 200 is connected to one end of the drive shaft 28 thereof.

Therefore, in this embodiment, by rotating the handle 79 and moving the slider 74 up and down, the contact of the probe 18 can be brought into contact with the object to be measured and the object to be measured can be measured, and the generator 30 is driven. As a result, the power generation function is exhibited, and as a result, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be achieved. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, even when the movement of the measuring instrument main body 1 involved in the measurement object is a linear movement, the linear-rotation conversion mechanism is provided and the driving means 20 converts the linear movement force into rotational force. Since power can be generated and the timing belt 29 can be used instead of transmitting the drive through gears, there is an effect that the types of measuring instruments that can carry out the present invention can be expanded. especially,
The photoelectric type detector 101 consumes 70 to 80% of the power consumption of all the built-in electrical components, but this embodiment, which has a power generation function, has a longer operating time and longer detection time than the conventional power supply type with a built-in battery. Accuracy can be further improved.

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment is shown in FIG. 7, in which, in contrast to the second embodiment, the detector 101 is of the phase-discriminative capacitance type as in the first embodiment, and In contrast to the rotary type in the first embodiment, this is a linear type.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 103 corresponds to the other electrode 103 in the first embodiment, and a slider 74 is passed through between the two pillars 72, 72, and is disposed in the vertical direction. Note that an electrode corresponding to the one electrode 102 is not shown.

According to this embodiment, similar to the first and second embodiments, it is possible to ensure sufficient power consumption.
As described above, it is understood that the present invention can be practiced even if the detector 101 is not a rotary type but a linear type.

(Fourth Embodiment) A fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. 8, in which an electronic caliper (caliper) is used as the measuring device.

In FIG. 8, 3 and 4 correspond to the anvil 3 and spindle 4 of the electronic micrometer of the first embodiment, and the slider 74 is the same as the slider 74 of the second embodiment. and detector 10
1 is a phase-discriminative capacitive linear displacement detection sensor including the other electrode 103 attached to the main scale 15, as in the case of the third embodiment.

In this embodiment, the driving means 20 has a special structure because it is a caliper-type measuring instrument main body 1 in which a slider 74 is slidably attached to the main scale 15. That is, the slider 74 is provided with a second slider 17 that is moved in synchronization with the slider 74, and the second slider 17 is provided with a main scale 1.
A driving means 20 is provided with a roller 19 pressed against one edge 16 of the roller 5 by a leaf spring 18 and a gear train 22 rotationally driven by the roller 19.

Therefore, similarly to the conventional mechanical caliper, if the slider 74 is moved back and forth in the horizontal direction as shown in the figure with respect to the main scale 15 while measuring, the power generation means 2 is moved through the drive means 20.
00 is driven. Therefore, as in the first to third embodiments, high precision measurement can be achieved while ensuring power consumption.

In addition, although each preferable example was shown above,
It is clear from the gist that the present invention is not limited to the configuration and can be implemented by freely selecting the following structures.

That is, although the power generating means 200 is a single-phase alternating current generator, it may also be a three-phase alternating current generator as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
Although it is designed so that it rotates within the stator 35, it may also have a structure in which it rotates outside the stator 35.
Furthermore, it is not limited to the rotary drive type, but may be a linear drive type. Of course, the permanent magnet 33 is made of MK steel, Ba
- You can choose from ferrite, chrome, cobalt steel, etc. However, it does not need to be an alternating current generator, as long as it has a power generation function, so a direct current generator or the like may be used.
Further, the power storage circuit 50 includes an electric double layer capacitor 5
1, but other types of capacitors may be used, or they may be implemented as a secondary battery such as a nickel cadmium battery 52 as shown in FIG.

Further, although the driving means 20 is formed of a gear 21, a gear train 22, or a timing belt 29, it may be formed of a friction belt, a friction wheel, etc. depending on the type and structure of the measuring machine, or it may be directly connected to the spindle 4, etc. good.

Furthermore, the measurement circuit 100 includes a phase-discriminative capacitance type detector 101 consisting of one electrode and the other electrode 103, but the detector 10
1 is not limited to this, and may be a magnetic method, a contact method, or the like. The point is that it should be selected in relation to the measuring instrument main body 1. In this sense, the measuring device itself is not limited to electronic micrometers, etc., but may also be electronic indicators, internal/external measuring devices, angle meters, rotation meters, hardness meters, etc., and the point is to measure not only length but also rotation and hardness. Any material that can be measured efficiently is sufficient.

In addition, although the display means 110 is assumed to have an external output function, it is not necessarily necessary, and on the other hand, the analog display 112 is assumed to have only an external output function.
etc. may be omitted.

In this way, the type, structure, etc. of each component can be arbitrarily selected.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The present invention has excellent effects in that it does not require the conventional battery replacement work, can always ensure sufficient power consumption, and can guarantee high precision measurement.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional side view showing a first embodiment of a measuring instrument with a power generation function according to the present invention, FIG.
The figure is also a schematic structural diagram of a small generator seen from the arrow line - line in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the power generation means, etc., and Figure 5 is a second implementation using an electronic height gauge as a measuring device. 6 is a partially omitted side sectional view taken from the arrow line - in FIG. 5, and FIG.
FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram showing a third embodiment using an electronic height gauge similar to the embodiment; FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional overall configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment using an electronic caliper as a measuring device; FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a generator showing other embodiments, and FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing another embodiment in which a secondary battery is employed in the power storage circuit. 1... Measuring instrument main body, 20... Drive means, 30...
... generator, 40 ... rectifier circuit, 50 ... power storage circuit, 60 ... overcharge prevention circuit, 70 ... low voltage detection circuit, 100 ... measurement circuit, 101 ... detector, 110 ... display means, 200...Power generation means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The dimensions and angle of the object to be measured from the displacement of the movable member.
A measuring device main body that measures any of the hardness, a detector that is linked to the movable member and converts any of the dimensions, angles, and hardness into an electrical signal, and an output signal from this detector is processed in a predetermined manner to A measuring circuit including a display means for obtaining measured values of dimensions, angles, and hardness and displaying and/or outputting the measured values to the outside; a generator that generates electricity by moving the movable member; and this generator. power generating means for generating electric power for driving electrical components such as the measuring circuit, and generating means for transmitting the motion of the movable member and driving the electric power generating means; A measuring instrument equipped with a power generation function, characterized in that it is equipped with a driving means. 2. A measuring instrument with a power generation function as set forth in claim 1, wherein the generator includes an alternating current generator and a static rectifier circuit. 3. A measuring instrument equipped with a power generation function as set forth in claim 1, wherein the power generation means includes an overcharge prevention circuit for preventing overcharging. 4. The measuring instrument equipped with a power generation function as set forth in claim 3, wherein the overcharge prevention circuit includes a constant current circuit, an overvoltage detection circuit, and an overcharge display means. Measuring machine. 5. The measuring instrument equipped with a power generation function according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movable member is a rotating body. 6. In the measuring instrument equipped with a power generation function according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the movable member is a linearly movable member, and the drive means converts linear moving force into rotational force. A measuring device that includes a motion conversion mechanism and has a power generation function.