System and program and the like

Abstract

To provide a system that detects the extent of sediment and is superior to conventional ones.SOLUTION: There is provided a system that comprises a function of determining the state of a falling object by means other than means of irradiating a deposition place of the falling object with light and detecting its reflected light to measure the state of the falling object. Light emitted by a light emission part B10 is collimated by a light emission part-side lens B20 into parallel light, which is converted by a light reception-side lens B30 on a light reception part B40. If ashes fall in a detection objective space, part of the parallel light is blocked by the falling ashes and the quantity of light received by the light reception part B40 decreases to be detected below a maximum value of the system. The amount of falling ashes is found from the decrease in the input quantity of the received light from a previously stored maximum value of the quantity of received light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a system for detecting the degree of deposition of fallout on an object is known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-21855 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional systems have had various problems.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS An object of the present invention is to provide a system, program, etc. having superior characteristics to conventional systems.

[0006] The object of the present invention is not limited to this, and the applicant intends to obtain rights for configurations that aim to obtain effects from parts of the configurations disclosed in this specification and drawings, etc., by filing a divisional application, amendment, etc. For example, this specification discloses problems in which the parts described in this specification as "can" and "is possible" are read as "is the problem." The problems are described as being independent, and the applicant intends to obtain rights for the configurations for solving each problem separately by filing a divisional application, amendment, etc. Even if the problems are implicitly understood from the description in the specification, the applicant intends to include part of the configurations described in this specification in the scope of the patent claim by amendment or divisional application. In addition, the applicant has disclosed a configuration that solves a problem that combines these independent problems, and intends to obtain rights for it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) For example, a system for measuring the status of fallout may be provided that has a function for determining the status of the fallout by means other than a means for measuring the status of the fallout by shining light onto the location where the fallout has accumulated and detecting the reflected light.

[0008] The system may be configured as a single housing, or may be configured to include multiple housings. The system may be configured to function as a single system by electrically connecting multiple housings installed in different remote locations via wires or wirelessly. The electrical connection may be made, for example, via an intranet or the Internet. The term "system" may be read as "apparatus."

[0009] (2) A system for detecting falling objects descending through a detection space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit in accordance with an electrical state that changes in accordance with the light-receiving state by receiving light output from an light-emitting unit at a light-receiving unit, the system comprising a first optical element for guiding light toward the detection space and a second optical element for guiding light from the detection space, the first optical element being an optical element for collimating the light from the light-emitting unit, and the second optical element being an optical element for focusing the collimated light on the light-receiving unit.

[0010] In this way, it is possible to detect the fallout that falls in the detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. For example, it is possible to detect the degree of light blocked by the fallout that falls in the detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. In this way, even if light that is not parallel enters the second optical member from the outside, the effect of this can be reduced. For example, disturbances such as sunlight that enter from the outside can be further reduced. In addition, even if light reflected or diffracted by fallout reaches the lens, it is not parallel to the lens and is therefore unlikely to reach the focal position, so it is easier to capture the effect of fallout such as particles that fall in the detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, such as ash, and it is possible to more accurately detect the amount of fallout that falls in the detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit.

[0011] The first optical member is preferably a lens. The second optical member is preferably a lens. The lens is preferably a collimating lens that converts diffuse light into collimated light. The lens is preferably a Fresnel lens. The lens is preferably a Fresnel lens that is a collimating lens.

[0012] The light emitting unit can use various light sources, but it is particularly preferable to use an LED. The wavelength of the light emitting unit should be one with a peak wavelength in the near infrared region, for example, one with a peak wavelength around 830 nm, 850 nm, 870 nm, 940 nm, or 975 nm. In particular, if one with a peak wavelength around 940 nm is used, the effect of sunlight is relatively small, high output is possible, and stable, high-precision detection can be performed.

[0013] It is recommended that the light receiving section has a wavelength band that includes the near-infrared region. It is especially recommended to use a light receiving peak wavelength in the near-infrared region. It is especially recommended to use a light receiving section with a maximum sensitivity of around 940 nm. It is also recommended that the light receiving section has a visible light cut filter in front of the light receiving element. It is especially recommended to use an infrared light receiving element integrated with a visible light cut filter.

[0014] The fallout may be something that falls in the atmosphere, for example, yellow sand or pollen, but is particularly preferably volcanic ash.

[0015] The falling object may include, for example, floating objects or falling objects, but is particularly preferably an object that falls through the atmosphere.

[0016] In particular, it is preferable to detect the amount of ash falling in the parallel light area from changes in the amount of light.

[0017] Detection of precipitation descending through the detection space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit is particularly effective when it involves detection of the amount of precipitation descending through the detection space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, and is particularly effective when configured to measure the amount of precipitation descending through the detection space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit.

[0018] (3) The first optical member and the second optical member may be disposed opposite each other with the detection target space therebetween.

[0019] In this way, attenuation of the light quantity can be suppressed and the influence of intervening objects can be reduced, and the amount of precipitation falling through the detection space between the opposing first and second optical members can be more accurately detected.

[0020] (4) A system for detecting precipitation descending through a space to be detected located between a second light emitter and a second light receiver in accordance with an electrical state that changes in accordance with a light receiving state when light output from a second light emitter is received by a second light receiver, wherein the second optical member also has a function of guiding light toward the space to be detected, the first optical member also has a function of guiding light from the space to be detected, the second optical member is an optical member that collimates the light from the second light emitter, and the first optical member is an optical member for focusing the collimated light on the second light receiver, and wherein the system is configured to detect precipitation descending through the space to be detected in accordance with an electrical state that changes in accordance with a light receiving state when light output from the light emitter is received by a light receiver, and an electrical state that changes in accordance with a light receiving state when light output from the second light emitter is received by the second light receiver, and wherein the system is configured to detect precipitation descending through the space to be detected in accordance with an electrical state that changes in accordance with a light receiving state when light output from the second light emitter is received by a light receiver.

[0021] In particular, it is preferable to alternately receive the light emitted by the light-emitting unit at the light-receiving unit and the light emitted by the second light-emitting unit at the second light-receiving unit, and detect the light falling in the detection target space based on the electrical states of both units.

[0022] (5) A system for detecting falling objects falling through a detection target space provided between the third light-emitting unit and the third light-receiving unit in response to an electrical state that changes in response to a light-receiving state by receiving light output from a third light-emitting unit with a third light-receiving unit,

[0023] The third optical member has a function of guiding light toward the detection target space, and the fourth optical member has a function of guiding light from the detection target space,

[0024] the third optical member is an optical member that converts the light from the second light emitting portion into parallel light,

[0025] The fourth optical element is an optical element for focusing the collimated light onto the second light receiving element, and the third optical element and the fourth optical element are arranged on either side of the detection space at a position where the first optical element and the second optical element are not installed, and the light output from the light receiving element is received by the light receiving element, and detection of precipitation falling through the detection space is performed in accordance with an electrical state that changes depending on the light receiving state, and in accordance with an electrical state that changes depending on the light receiving state, and in accordance with a third light receiving element that receives light output from the third light emitting element.

[0026] In particular, it is preferable to alternately receive the light emitted by the light emitter at the light receiver and the light emitted by the third light emitter at the fourth light receiver, and detect the light falling in the detection target space based on the electrical states of both.

[0027] (6) It is preferable that a reflecting member that reflects light is provided, and the first optical member, the second optical member, and the reflecting member are provided opposite each other with the detection target space therebetween.

[0028] In this way, the detection target space can be easily adjusted by adjusting the position of the reflecting member. For example, instead of facing the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit can be provided as close to each other as possible on the same side, and the first optical member, the second optical member, the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit can be arranged so that light is emitted toward a reflecting plate arranged vertically (or parallel to the surface through which the wind passes in the space).

[0029] (7) The reflective member may be a retroreflective member.

[0030] In this way, even if the first and second optical members are not strictly opposed to the reflecting member, it is possible to perform detection more accurately and sensitively.

[0031] (8) The first optical member is a Fresnel lens having a flat side and a convex side, and the flat side of the Fresnel lens is preferably arranged to face the light emitting unit and the convex side of the Fresnel lens is preferably arranged to face the measurement target space.

[0032] In this way, the first optical member and the second optical member can be made thinner, the overall system can be made more compact, and compared to the case where the convex side of the Fresnel lens faces the light-emitting part, the influence of diffuse reflection of light from the light-emitting part by the convex surface of the Fresnel lens can be reduced, making it possible to perform more sensitive measurements.

[0033] (9) It is preferable that the optical fiber further includes a distance adjustment unit for adjusting and fixing the distance between the first optical member and the second optical member.

[0034] In this way, the detection target space can be adjusted. For example, in a configuration in which the first optical member and the second optical member face each other, a member for adjusting and fixing the distance between the first optical member and the second optical member and the reflecting member side may be provided. In addition, a structure in which the distance between the light-emitting unit and the first optical member can be moved while being kept constant may be provided. In addition, a structure in which the distance between the light-receiving unit and the second optical member can be moved while being kept constant may be provided. For example, the distance between the light-emitting unit and the first optical member may be the focal length of the first optical member. For example, the distance between the light-receiving unit and the second optical member may be the focal length of the second optical member. As a structure in which the distance between the light-emitting unit and the first optical member can be moved while being kept constant, a plurality of fixing units may be provided for each distance between the light-emitting unit and the first optical member. As a structure capable of moving while maintaining the distance between the light receiving unit and the second optical member constant, it is preferable to provide a plurality of fixing parts for each distance between the light receiving unit and the second optical member. For example, it is preferable to provide a mechanism for varying and fixing (adjusting and fixing) the distance between the LED and the photodiode, and the distance between the LED / photodiode side and the reflector side. It is also preferable to arrange the light emitting unit and the first optical member on a rail, for example, so that they can move on the rail, and can be fixed with screws or the like. It is also preferable to arrange the light receiving unit and the second optical member on a rail, for example, so that they can move on the rail, and can be fixed with screws or the like. In particular, it is preferable to keep the light emitting unit and the first optical member at a constant interval and make them movable and fixable on the rail. In particular, it is preferable to keep the light receiving unit and the second optical member at a constant interval and make them movable and fixable on the rail. It is preferable to configure the rail to include a first rail having the light emitting unit and the first optical member, and a second rail having the light receiving unit and the second optical member. The first rail and the second rail may be configured as one common rail.

[0035] It is advisable to provide a function for setting an adjusted and fixed distance and using that distance to calculate the amount of falling objects.

[0036] For example, the detection range can be adjusted by narrowing the interval when the amount of fallout is large, such as when a volcano (such as Sakurajima) is erupting, and widening the interval when the amount of fallout is not large.

[0037] (10) The system described in claim 1 further comprising a first fallout prevention member for preventing the fallout from entering an area including the light-emitting surface of the first optical member on the light-emitting surface side, a second fallout prevention member for preventing the fallout from entering an area including the light-receiving surface of the second optical member on the light-receiving surface side, and a space between the first optical member and the second optical member as a detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit.

[0038] In this way, the influence of previously fallen fallout on measurements of current fallout can be reduced.

[0039] (11) It is preferable to have a configuration for applying vibration to members including the first optical member and the second optical member to perform cleaning.

[0040] In this way, the influence of the attached matter on the detection of the falling debris can be reduced, and detection can be performed with higher accuracy.

[0041] In particular, the components facing the flow path are treated to prevent dust from adhering, and cleaning is performed by applying vibration. The moisture level is detected, and no impact is applied when there is a lot of moisture on the surface of the component, and an impact is applied when there is little moisture (when the component is dry).

[0042] For example, in a configuration in which cleaning is performed depending on the state of falling material on the solar panels, when it is determined that cleaning should be performed, cleaning may be performed during the night (particularly in the morning).

[0043] The wavelength of the light emitting part may be, for example, green visible light. It is preferable to have a function of directing the light toward the detection target space and judging the dust adhesion state and deciding whether to perform cleaning based on the image from an image sensor that captures green better than other colors, such as a normal CMOS color image sensor (Bayer array, etc.) when it is dark (such as at night).

[0044] (12) It is preferable that the configuration include a state changing means capable of changing between a first state that prevents the fallout from entering the detection space and a second state that allows the fallout to enter the detection space, a determination means that determines whether the state is the first state or the second state, and a function of measuring the amount of fallout falling in the measurement space in the second state based on the determination result, using the electrical state in the first state as a reference.

[0045] (13) It is preferable that the measurement target space is provided between the opposing first optical member and second optical member, and that the measurement target space is configured to be positioned at a height close to the height of a deposition target on which fallout that has fallen through the measurement target space is deposited, and that the measurement target space is configured to be positioned at a height close to the height of a deposition target on which fallout that has fallen through the measurement target space is deposited.

[0046] (14) The device may be configured to include a first substrate on which the light-emitting unit is mounted and a second substrate on which the light-receiving unit is mounted, and at least one of a component mounting surface of the first substrate on which the light-emitting unit is mounted and a component mounting surface of the second substrate on which the light-receiving unit is mounted may be disposed on a surface that does not face the space to be measured.

[0047] (15) The amount of fallout falling through the measurement space between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, which is in response to an electrical state that changes in accordance with the light-receiving state, may be measured in accordance with the amount of decrease in current from a reference state in which no fallout is present.

[0048] (16) The light-emitting section is integrated with the first optical member, the light-receiving section is integrated with the second optical member, the light-emitting section is a light-emitting array member having light-emitting elements arranged in two dimensions, the light-receiving section is a light-receiving array member having light-receiving elements arranged in two dimensions, the first optical member not only collimates the light but also diffuses it, and the second optical member collects light other than the collimated light.

[0049] For example, it is advisable to use an infrared light emitting diode array on the infrared light emission side and an infrared photodiode array on the incident side, and to configure the diode array to increase the amount of infrared light emitted and incident. For example, it is advisable to configure the device to measure suspended matter in the air regardless of the amount of ashfall. By increasing the infrared light flux, it becomes easier to measure minute PM2.5, dust particles, pollen, and other particles suspended in the air. The diode array and photodiode array can be commercially available products manufactured and sold by Hamamatsu Photonics Co., Ltd., or can be configured in a lattice pattern using bullet-shaped infrared light elements.

[0050] (17) It is preferable to provide a location for inserting an object into the detection space between the first optical member and the second optical member, and have a function in which the descent of the falling object uses a range in which the change in the amount of light is relatively small, while the detection of the object uses a range in which the change in the amount of light is relatively large.

[0051] In this way, detection of falling objects and detection of object intrusion can be easily performed separately.

[0052] For example, a range where the change in light intensity is small may be used for detection of volcanic ash, and a range where the change in light intensity is large and not used for detection of volcanic ash may be used for another purpose.

[0053] It is also advisable to provide a structure that allows the size and lens spacing of the Fresnel lens to be set according to the application, and configure it so that objects and living organisms of various sizes can be detected by changing the spacing setting.

[0054] (18) It is preferable that a position for inserting a hand into the space to be detected between the first optical member and the second optical member is provided, and that the configuration has a function of determining that a hand has been inserted into the space to be detected when a sudden attenuation in the light receiving state greater than a value set as the descent of the descent object is detected.

[0055] In this way, both falling objects and hand insertion can be detected.

[0056] For example, the distance between the first optical member and the second optical member should be set to be wider than the distance through which falling objects pass, and should be large enough for at least the palm of a hand to pass through.

[0057] For example, when the first optical member and the second optical member are provided in a housing such as a case, it is preferable to provide an insertion opening in the case through which a hand can enter.

[0058] For example, if it is detected that a hand has entered the area, the detection of falling objects may be stopped immediately or temporarily stopped.

[0059] In addition, separate from the detection space of this system, the system may be provided with a function of detecting the entrance of a hand into a detection space provided between the separate light-emitting unit and the separate light-receiving unit in response to the electrical state that changes in accordance with the light-receiving state by receiving light output from the separate light-emitting unit with a separate light-receiving unit.

[0060] (19) It is preferable that a precipitation sensor is provided at the bottom of the detection space, and the detection sensor is configured to have a function of correcting the detection of precipitation falling through the detection space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit based on the rainfall conditions detected by the precipitation sensor.

[0061] In this way, it is possible to more accurately detect falling objects falling in the detection target space by taking into account the rainfall conditions.

[0062] For example, a precipitation sensor can be provided at the bottom of the detection target space, and the time at which the signal corresponding to rainfall detected by the precipitation sensor descends through the detection target space located between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit can be calculated by going back from the time at which the signal was detected, and detection correction can be made for the precipitation descending through the detection target space at that time.

[0063] For example, a weather sensor used for measuring rainfall intensity, etc., may be installed below the parallel light transmitting area. A precipitation sensor may be used as the weather sensor. A precipitation sensor is particularly preferably a precipitation sensor. The precipitation sensor may particularly be a sensor that detects the impact of each raindrop, and in particular, a sensor whose impact signal is approximately proportional to the amount of raindrops may be used. An impact sensor may be used as the precipitation sensor. For example, a piezoelectric sensor may be used as the impact sensor. The precipitation sensor may be a stainless steel cover and a piezoelectric sensor attached to the back of the cover. In particular, a precipitation sensor that detects rainfall intensity but does not detect ashfall intensity may be used.

[0064] The precipitation sensor to be used should preferably be equipped with a noise filter for removing signals due to causes other than water droplets.The precipitation sensor to be used should preferably be capable of distinguishing between raindrops and hail.The correction of the detection situation regarding the falling objects falling in the detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit should preferably be performed by performing different processing for raindrops and for hail.

[0065] The precipitation sensor may be, for example, a VAISALA Weather Transmitter WXT520.

[0066] It is advisable to use a weather sensor (eg, a precipitation sensor) and, based on empirical data accumulation, correct the change in the amount of transmitted parallel light due to rainfall.

[0067] (20) Based on the fact that the impact detected by the precipitation sensor differs depending on the mass of the target particle, etc., the output signal should be Fourier transformed, the detection target should be recognized by dividing it by frequency, and the detection of the fallout of the detection target should be corrected.

[0068] The Fourier transform may be performed, for example, by performing FFT analysis on the vibration sensor output signal.

[0069] (21) It is preferable to provide a means for measuring the condition of the fallout by irradiating light onto the accumulation site of the fallout and detecting the reflected light, and to provide a separate solar panel for detection purposes that is smaller than the large-scale solar panel and is arranged near the accumulation site of the fallout, and to have a function for determining the accumulation status of the fallout based on the relationship between the power generation of the separate solar panel and the measurement results obtained by the means for measuring the condition of the fallout by irradiating light onto the accumulation site of the fallout and detecting the reflected light.

[0070] The black side of the black-and-white reflector can be used as a black solar cell (PVref) to measure the amount of ashfall, and the system output coefficient (PR value) αPR of the large-scale PV power generation facility can be calculated from the output of Pvref, allowing the system to predict the power generation output of the PV power generation facility due to the effects of ashfall.

[0071] The ashfall sensor functions by shining infrared light over the entire white plate and a reflector having PVref, and obtaining an RSSI output from the signal that alternates between the two.The RSSI output measures the amount of ashfall based on the level ratio of the reflected signals from the white plate and the black solar cell.The power generation output of the PVref is connected to a controller (microcomputer), which measures the decrease in PVref power generation output due to the amount of ashfall, as well as environmental information such as solar radiation intensity, temperature and humidity, and calculates the PR value αPR from the proportional relationship between the amount of ashfall and the PVref power generation output, thereby making it possible to create a system that predicts the power generation output of a large-scale PV power generation facility.

[0072] (22) It is preferable to provide a detection solar panel smaller than the large-scale solar panel and arranged near the large-scale solar panel as the accumulation site of the fallout, and to provide a lighting means for illuminating the other solar panel, and to have a function of turning on the lighting means when the power generation of the other solar panel is below a predetermined value and estimating the degree of contamination of the large-scale solar panel from the power generation of the other solar panel when the lighting means is turned on.

[0073] For example, a reference solar cell and a light to illuminate the solar cell can be provided, and the degree of dirt on the reference solar cell or large-scale solar panel can be estimated from the amount of electricity generated by the solar cell when the light is turned on in a situation where there is little external light entering the solar cell.

[0074] For example, in order to actively create a situation in which little external light is incident on the solar cell, a moving means can be provided to move a member that limits the incidence of external light onto the solar cell, and the light can be turned on when the member is above the solar cell to estimate the degree of dirt on the reference solar cell or large-scale solar panel.

[0075] For example, a black semicircular disk or fan with LED lighting on its underside can be rotated to cover the solar cell. It is best not to move the solar cell side so that the state of dirt on the reference solar cell and the power generating solar cell (for example, a large solar panel) does not change.

[0076] A solar radiation intensity sensor may be provided to measure the amount of external light incident on the reference solar cell, and the illumination may be turned on when the output from the solar radiation intensity sensor indicates that the reference solar cell is not generating as much power as a predetermined value. A solar radiation intensity sensor is preferable, but an illuminance sensor or other light detection sensor capable of measuring the amount of external light may also be used.

[0077] (23) It is preferable to provide a detection solar panel that is smaller than the large-scale solar panel and is placed near the large-scale solar panel as the accumulation site of the fallout, and to provide a function for cleaning the light-receiving surface side of the other solar panel so as not to affect the amount of electricity generated by the deposit, and to provide a function for determining that the large-scale solar panel needs to be cleaned when the ratio of the amount of electricity generated by the large-scale solar panel to the amount of electricity generated by the other solar panel deviates from a predetermined range.

[0078] (24) It is preferable that the function of the system described in any one of (1) to (23) be realized by a computer.

[0079] The inventions shown in (1) to (23) above can be arbitrarily combined. For example, the invention may be configured to add at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions after (2) to all or a part of the configuration of the invention shown in (1). For example, the invention may be configured to include a plurality of items among (1) to (23), and to include a switching means for switching which of the plurality of items to be used, either manually, such as by a user's operation, or automatically, such as by a change in the detection result from a sensor. In particular, the invention may be configured to add at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions after (2) to the invention shown in (1). In addition, any configuration may be extracted from the inventions shown in (1) to (23), and the extracted configurations may be combined. The applicant of the present application intends to obtain rights to the inventions including these configurations. Furthermore, even if there is a description such as "in the case of" or "when", this is not intended to be a description of a configuration limited to that case or time. These are examples of better configurations, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to configurations other than these cases or times. Furthermore, the descriptions in an order are not limited to this order. We have also disclosed configurations in which some parts have been deleted or the order changed, and we intend to acquire the rights to these. Effect of the Invention

[0080] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system etc. that is superior to conventional systems.

[0081] The effects of the invention of this application are not limited to this, and effects achieved from the configuration disclosed in the specification and drawings are also disclosed, and the applicant intends to obtain rights to the configuration achieving said effects through divisional applications, amendments, etc. For example, in this specification, statements such as "can" and "is possible" are statements that clearly indicate the effects achieved, and there are also parts that show effects even without statements such as "can" and "is possible." Furthermore, there are effects that can be understood from the configuration even without such statements. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0082] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a detection device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the detection device. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between the appearance of a black and white board and electrical signals. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electrical signal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an example of a monitoring system. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detection device. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detection device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating the configuration of the main parts of the detection device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a base part of the detection device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a standing plate to be inserted into a through hole in a base portion of a detection device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the configuration of a detection device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a detection device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a detection device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a detection device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a detection device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a detection device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a detection device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a detection device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a detection device according to a seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0083] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment shown below is one embodiment of the present invention, and the contents of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited based on the following description.

[0084] [First Example]

[0085] The configuration of a detection device 1 in a first example according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In the following description, the upper side of Fig. 1 will be referred to as "up" and the lower side as "down". The detection device 1 is installed in a position adjacent to the solar panel 3 that generates solar power in order to detect the degree of accumulation of volcanic ash that accumulates on the upper surface of the solar panel 3. Here, the degree of accumulation is the degree to which volcanic ash covers the upper surface of the solar panel 3. The solar panel 3 and the detection device 1 are placed outdoors. Furthermore, the solar panel 3 is placed at an angle to the ground.

[0086] The detection device 1 has a first body part 10, a second body part 20, and a third body part not shown. As described later, the first body part 10 has an output terminal P1 that outputs a signal O2 indicating the degree of deposition and an output terminal P2 that outputs a signal O3 indicating whether or not the solar panel is to be cleaned, and the second body part 20 has an output terminal Q1 that outputs the voltage of the solar cell 22. The third body part has input terminals R1, R2, and R3, and the input terminal R1 is electrically connected to the output terminal P1 of the first body part 10 via a cable, the input terminal R2 is electrically connected to the output terminal P2 of the first body part 10 via a cable, and the input terminal R3 is electrically connected to the output terminal Q1 of the second body part 20 via a cable. The third body part has a control unit having a microcomputer each having a plurality of A / D converters and GPIOs, and the input terminals R1 and R3 are each connected to the A / D converter, and R2 is connected to the GPIO. In addition, power is supplied to the first body part 10 and the second body part 20 from the third body part via a cable. In this way, the first body unit 10 and the third body unit are electrically connected, and the second body unit 20 and the third body unit are also electrically connected. The control unit of the third body unit further includes a network interface for connecting to a personal computer, and is connected to a hub installed indoors by an Ethernet cable, and the hub is connected to the indoor personal computer.

[0087] The cleaning machine 2 is connected to the first body 10, and in response to an activation signal output by the first body 10 according to the degree of accumulation of volcanic ash detected, the cleaning machine 2 sprays water from a cleaning nozzle 2a provided on the cleaning machine 2 to clean the volcanic ash accumulated on the accumulation surface, which is the upper surface of the solar panel 3. The cleaning machine 2 cleans the accumulation surface of the solar panel 3 and also cleans the volcanic ash accumulated on the accumulation surface, which is the upper surface of the second body 20. The second body 20 is installed in a position adjacent to the solar panel 3 without leaving any gap therebetween, parallel to the solar panel 3. The second body 20 is arranged in a position other than directly below the first body 10. The first body 10 is arranged at an angle to the vertical direction passing through the second body 20. This prevents the first body 10 from casting a shadow and hindering the accumulation of volcanic ash on the second body 20 when the volcanic ash falls according to gravity.

[0088] The deposition surface of the second main body 20 is formed of a material having the same surface roughness, hydrophilicity, and the like as the deposition surface of the solar panel 3. This allows the deposition surface of the solar panel 3 and the deposition surface of the second main body 20 to have the same degree of removal of deposited volcanic ash. Here, when volcanic ash is removed, it may be removed by rain, wind, or the like in addition to cleaning with the cleaning machine 2. Volcanic ash deposits in the same manner on the deposition surface of the solar panel 3 and the deposition surface of the second main body 20, and the deposited volcanic ash is removed in the same manner. The second main body 20 has a white white plate 21 and a black solar cell 22, and the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22 are adjacent to each other. This makes the deposition patterns of the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22 uniform between them, and the deposition patterns of the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22 can be in the same environment. The white plate 21 and the solar cell 22 have reflectances different from the reflectance of the volcanic ash to be detected, and the reflectance of the solar cell 22 is smaller than the reflectance of the white plate 21. Moreover, the first body portion 10 and the second body portion 20 are resistant to the water used by the cleaner 2. Therefore, the degree of accumulation can be detected even after the cleaner 2 cleans the solar panel 3. Moreover, the second body portion 20 is formed of a material that is highly weather resistant. Therefore, deterioration caused by being placed outdoors for a long period of time is suppressed.

[0089] The solar cell 22 is a black solar cell (PVref (PV reference solar cell)) instead of the "black board" of the "black and white board" in the conventional Patent Document 1. The function of the ashfall sensor is to irradiate the entire plate (the range including the white board 21 and the solar cell 22) of the second main body 20, which serves as a reflector having PVref, with infrared light from the first main body 10, and the first main body 10 obtains an RSSI output from a signal that alternates between the two as described below, and obtains this RSSI output in the control unit of the third main body. The output voltage of the solar cell 22 is also obtained in the control unit of the third main body. The control unit of the third main body measures the amount of ashfall, calculates the system output coefficient (PR value) αPR of the large-scale PV power generation facility from the output of Pvref, performs processing to predict the power generation output of the PV power generation facility due to the effects of ashfall, and outputs the data of the processing result to a PC. The RSSI output measures the amount of ashfall based on the level ratio of the reflected signals of the white board 21 and the black solar cell 22. The power generation output of the PVref is connected to a controller (a microcomputer that constitutes the control unit 31), and the control unit 31 calculates the PR value αPR from the decrease in PVref power generation output due to the amount of ashfall, environmental information such as solar radiation intensity, temperature and humidity measured by another sensor, and the proportional relationship between the amount of ashfall and the PVref power generation output, and performs processing to predict the power generation output of the large-scale PV power generation facility.

[0090] The first body 10 has a box-like shape, and the size of the surface having the maximum area is, for example, about the size of a business card. It has a control unit 31, an irradiation unit 12, and a light receiving unit 13, and operates by receiving power from, for example, a power source not shown. The control unit 31 controls the irradiation unit 12, the light receiving unit 13, etc. The details of the control unit 31 will be described later. The irradiation unit 12 irradiates light over a wider range than the second body 20 so that the light is irradiated to the entire second body 20. The light irradiated from the irradiation unit 12 is reflected by the second body 20, and the light receiving unit 13 receives the reflected light from the second body 20. The first body 10 detects the degree of accumulation based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit 13. Here, the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 12 is used for detection, not sunlight whose intensity changes depending on the environment such as the weather, so that the degree of accumulation can be detected stably regardless of the environment. In addition, the range irradiated by the irradiation unit 12 is larger than that of the second body 20. As a result, even if the position of the irradiation unit 12 relative to the second body unit 20 is shifted and the range of light irradiated from the irradiation unit 12 varies, the light can be reliably directed to the second body unit 20. Furthermore, since the detection device 1 is configured such that the light receiving unit 13 receives the reflected light from the second body unit 20, the light receiving unit 13 can be configured to be disposed facing downward. As a result, the light receiving unit 13 does not directly receive sunlight. Furthermore, for example, in a configuration in which the light receiving unit 13 directly receives the light irradiated by the irradiation unit 12, the irradiation unit 12 and the light receiving unit 13 need to be disposed opposite each other, but since the light receiving unit 13 is configured to receive the reflected light from the second body unit 20, the irradiation unit 12 and the light receiving unit 13 can be configured to be gathered in one place.

[0091] The first body 10 is fixed by a support (not shown) at a distance from the second body 20 that does not interfere with the accumulation of volcanic ash on the solar panel 3 and allows the reflected light from the second body 20 to be received by the light receiving unit 13, for example, about 1 m. As a result, even if the movement of volcanic ash is blocked by the first body 10, the volcanic ash that passes through the first body 10 can go around between the first body 10 and the second body 20, so that the first body 10 is prevented from interfering with the accumulation of volcanic ash on the second body 20. In addition, when determining the distance between the second body 20 and the first body 10, the ratio between the size of the first body 10 and the distance from the second body 20 to the first body 10 is important. The larger the first body 10 is, the longer the distance from the second body 20 to the first body 10 should be. In addition, the light receiving unit 13 is arranged at a position where ambient disturbance light does not directly enter. Here, the disturbance light is, for example, sunlight, street lights, automobile and train lights, lighting used in stores and homes, etc. In particular, for the sun, whose position changes depending on the season and time of day, the light receiving unit 13 is disposed in a position where sunlight and the light of sunlight reflected by the solar panel 3 and the second main body unit 20 are not incident throughout the year, or where the period of incidence is short. By disposing the light receiving unit 13 in a position where disturbance light is not received, noise light that enters the light receiving unit 13 and causes detection errors can be removed, and further, when the noise light is strong light that exceeds the detection limit of the light receiving unit 13, it is possible to avoid a situation where detection itself becomes impossible.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 2, the first main body 10 includes the control unit 31, the irradiation unit 12, and the light receiving unit 13 shown in FIG. 1, as well as the lens 14, the amplifier 32, the amplifier 33, the analog switch 34, the band pass filter (BPF) 35, the detection IC 36, the voltage output unit 37, the comparison and judgment unit 38, and the output terminals P1 and P2. The irradiation unit 12 has an infrared light emitting diode (hereinafter, referred to as light emitting diode) LED that emits infrared light built in. The control unit 31 drives the irradiation unit 12 by applying On / Off modulation in a first predetermined period TD1. In detail, the control unit 31 outputs a signal S1 that is a drive command, and the irradiation unit 12 repeats irradiation and non-irradiation in the first predetermined period TD1 according to the signal S1. The first predetermined period TD1 is a period that is, for example, 455 kHz when converted into a frequency. The light receiving unit 13 includes a whiteboard light receiving unit 15 and a blackboard light receiving unit 16. The whiteboard light receiving unit 15 and the blackboard light receiving unit 16 each incorporate a photodiode PDw, PDb. The photodiodes PDw, PDb convert the received infrared light, which is the reflected light from the whiteboard 21 and the solar cell 22, into an electric signal, and the whiteboard light receiving unit 15 and the blackboard light receiving unit 16 output the reflected signals Opw, Opb, respectively. The lens 14 is, for example, a plano-convex lens, and is arranged so that the convex side faces the second main body unit 20. The photodiodes PDw, PDb are arranged behind the lens 14. The lens 14 focuses the whiteboard reflected light LW, which is irradiated from the irradiation unit 12 and reflected by the whiteboard 21, and the blackboard reflected light LB, which is reflected by the solar cell 22, on the photodiodes PDw, PDb, respectively. This increases the intensity of the detected light and increases the SN ratio. The whiteboard light receiving unit 15 and the blackboard light receiving unit 16 are arranged at a position where the reflected light from the boundary between the whiteboard 21 and the solar cell 22 does not enter. The amplifier 32 amplifies the reflected signal Opw output from the whiteboard light receiving portion 15 and outputs a signal Ow. The amplifier 33 amplifies the reflected signal Opb output from the blackboard light receiving portion 16 and outputs a signal Ob. Here, the first main body portion 10 is provided with amplifiers 32 and 33 corresponding to the whiteboard light receiving portion 15 and the blackboard light receiving portion 16, respectively. This makes it possible to suppress noise from being mixed into the minute signals converted by the whiteboard light receiving portion 15 and the blackboard light receiving portion 16 and before being amplified by the amplifiers 32 and 33, and to increase the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0093] Analog switch 34 is connected to the output terminal of amplifier 32 and the output terminal of amplifier 33, and alternates between outputs at a second predetermined period TD2, which is longer than first predetermined period TD1, in response to a command from control unit 31. As a result, the output signal from analog switch 34 is a signal in which signals Ow and Ob are combined into one signal by time division. Note that second predetermined period TD2 is, for example, about 280 μs, which corresponds to a frequency of, for example, about 1.8 kHz.

[0094] The bandpass filter 35 is a filter that passes a signal of a first predetermined cycle TD1, which is a cycle of irradiation and non-irradiation in the irradiating unit 12, and filters the output signal of the analog switch 34 to output a signal O1. This makes it possible to extract an electrical signal obtained by converting light received by the light receiving unit 13, the light having the same cycle as the first predetermined cycle TD1 in which the irradiating unit 12 repeats irradiation and non-irradiation. Here, by setting the first predetermined cycle TD1 to a frequency equivalent to 455 kHz, a general-purpose bandpass filter can be used as the bandpass filter 35.

[0095] The frequency 455kHz is the intermediate frequency for AM radio and the second intermediate frequency for FM radio.

[0096] The signal O1 is input to the detector IC 36. The detector IC 36 is a general-purpose limiter IC that outputs an RSSI that indicates the magnitude of the signal O1 in logarithmic value (dB). Here, the signals Ow and Ob are previously combined into one signal by the analog switch 34. This allows the same detector IC 36 to obtain RSSI for the signals Ow and Ob without providing a detector IC 36 for each of the signals Ow and Ob. When a detector IC 36 is provided for each of the signals Ow and Ob, for example, the gain of one of the detector ICs 36 may decrease due to deterioration over time, and differences may occur in the gain, offset voltage, scale error, and the like of the two detector ICs 36. In this regard, by using the signal O1 as an input, it is possible to eliminate the occurrence of errors in the RSSI due to temperature changes and changes over time.

[0097] The voltage output unit 37 includes a rectifier circuit, and converts the RSSI, which is an AC signal, into a direct current (DC) voltage and outputs it. In detail, the voltage output unit 37 performs half-wave rectification, integrates it, and outputs a signal O2 indicating the degree of deposition to the output terminal P1. The user can check the voltage value of the signal O2 by connecting, for example, a voltmeter that displays the input voltage to the output terminal P1. The comparison and judgment unit 38 compares the RSSI with a threshold voltage Vr input via, for example, a built-in volume (not shown), and outputs a signal O3 that is the comparison result. Here, the volume is, for example, a variable resistor whose resistance value can be changed by turning a knob. The voltage output unit 37 and the comparison and judgment unit 38 will be described in detail later. The control unit 31 is realized, for example, by a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) and a microcomputer, and controls the irradiation unit 12 and the analog switch 34 as described above.

[0098] Next, a method for detecting the degree of accumulation of volcanic ash will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Section Z1 in Figure 3 shows the accumulation of volcanic ash on the second main body part 20, and as the volcanic ash accumulates, it transitions to states A, B, and C in order. State A is a state in which there is no volcanic ash on the second main body part 20, state B is a state in which a small amount of volcanic ash accumulates on the second main body part 20, and state C is a state in which a large amount of volcanic ash accumulates. In this case, since the color of the volcanic ash is gray, it is possible to detect the difference between a state in which no volcanic ash accumulates on the second main body part 20 and a state in which volcanic ash accumulates on the second main body part 20. In state A, since no volcanic ash accumulates on the second main body part 20, the difference between the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22 is clear. As the transition to states B and C progresses, the amount of volcanic ash accumulated on the accumulation surface of the second main body part 20 gradually increases, and the difference between the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22 gradually becomes less clear. Since the reflectance of the whiteboard 21 is higher than that of the solar cell 22, in state A, the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW (FIG. 2) is greater than that of the blackboard reflected light LB (FIG. 2). Section Z2 in FIG. 3 indicates the reflection level ratio, which is the ratio of the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB (FIG. 2) to the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW (FIG. 2). The difference in intensity between the blackboard reflected light LB (FIG. 2) and the whiteboard reflected light LW (FIG. 2) is maximum in state A where volcanic ash is not deposited, and becomes smaller as the state transitions to states B and C. That is, as shown in section Z2, the reflection level ratio in state A is "large", the reflection level ratio in state B is "medium", and the reflection level ratio in state C is "small". Furthermore, when the entire area of ​​the second body portion 20 is covered with volcanic ash to the extent that the second body portion 20 cannot be seen with the naked eye, the light is reflected by the volcanic ash, and the difference in intensity between the blackboard reflected light LB (FIG. 2) and the whiteboard reflected light LW (FIG. 2) disappears. Therefore, the degree of accumulation can be detected from the difference in intensity between the blackboard reflected light LB (FIG. 2) and the whiteboard reflected light LW (FIG. 2). The amount of power generated by the solar cells 22 of the second body portion 20 is maximum in state A, medium in state B, and small in state C. Furthermore, since the accumulation state of the second body portion 20 and the solar panel 3 is in the same environment, the degree of accumulation of volcanic ash accumulated on the second body portion 20 can be regarded as the degree of accumulation of volcanic ash accumulated on the solar panel 3.Here, by using the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22, which have a large difference in reflectance, it is possible to detect the degree of deposition based on the difference in intensity over a wide range, and the resolution for detecting the degree of deposition can be improved.

[0099] The signal S1 shown in FIG. 4 is a signal that commands the light-emitting diode LED to be turned on during a high level period and turned off during a low level period. The signals Ow and Ob shown in FIG. 4 respectively indicate signals in state A based on the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB. In response to the signal S1, the signals Ow and Ob alternate between a high level corresponding to the turning on of the light-emitting diode LED and a low level corresponding to the turning off of the light-emitting diode LED. Since the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW is greater than the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB, the signal Ow has a larger amplitude than the signal Ob. Here, the amplitude is the difference between the maximum voltage and the minimum voltage. The analog switch 34 alternately switches the output to the bandpass filter 35 between the signal Ow and the signal Ob in the second predetermined period TD2, so that the signal O1 is a signal in which the signal Ow after passing through the bandpass filter 35 and the signal Ob after passing through the bandpass filter 35 appear alternately. Here, the period during which the signal Ow appears after passing through the bandpass filter 35 is defined as period Tw, and the period during which the signal Ob appears after passing through the bandpass filter 35 is defined as period Tb. The detection IC 36 outputs the magnitude of the signal Ow after passing through the bandpass filter 35 during period Tw, and outputs the magnitude of the signal Ob after passing through the bandpass filter 35 during period Tw. Therefore, the RSSI becomes a high level signal during period Tw and a low level signal during period Tb. In FIG. 4, the RSSI shown by the solid line corresponds to state A, and the RSSI shown by the dashed line corresponds to state B. In state A, the RSSI has an amplitude of high level Wa and low level Ba. In state B, the RSSI has an amplitude of high level Wb and low level Bb. Here, in state B, the difference in intensity between the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB is smaller than in state A, so the amplitude becomes smaller. Voltage Vl is the voltage of the RSSI when the entire area of ​​the second body 20 is covered with volcanic ash to the extent that the second body 20 cannot be seen with the naked eye. As the degree of accumulation increases, the voltage level of the RSSI gradually approaches voltage Vl. Note that voltage Vl is a value that depends on the reflectance of the volcanic ash, etc.

[0100] Section Z3 in Fig. 3 shows the RSSI in each state, and as described above, the high levels Wa, Wb, and Wc are values ​​that correspond to the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW, and the low levels Ba, Bb, and Bc are values ​​that correspond to the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB. The amplitude is large in state A, and as states B and C progress, the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW and the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB approach the same value, so the amplitude becomes smaller. The voltage Vm shown in section Z3 in Fig. 3 is an intermediate voltage between the high and low levels of the RSSI in each state.

[0101] The voltage output unit 37 has a half-wave rectifier circuit including a diode (not shown) and an integrating circuit including a capacitor, a resistor, and the like. The half-wave rectifier circuit passes a voltage component equal to or greater than the voltage Vm of the RSSI. The signal that passes through the half-wave rectifier circuit is integrated by the integrating circuit, and a signal O2 that is a DC voltage is output. As a result, the greater the amplitude of the RSSI, the higher the voltage value of the output signal O2. In section Z4 of FIG. 3, the threshold voltage Vr and the ground voltage GND are shown, along with voltages Va, Vb, and Vc that are the voltage values ​​of the signal O2 in each state. The voltages Va, Vb, and Vc are the voltages of the signal O2 in states A, B, and C, respectively. The voltage values ​​decrease in the order of voltages Va, Vb, and Vc according to the input RSSI. The comparison and determination unit 38 compares the amplitude of the RSSI with the threshold voltage Vr, and outputs a high-level or low-level DC signal that is an open collector signal. Section Z5 of FIG. 4 shows the voltage level of the signal O3 in each state. As shown in section Z4 of FIG. 3, when the output voltage of signal O2 is higher than the threshold voltage Vr, such as voltages Va and Vb, a high-level signal O3 (OPEN in section Z5 of FIG. 3) is output, and when the output voltage of signal O2 is lower than the threshold voltage Vr, such as voltage Vc, a low-level signal O3 (GND in section Z5 of FIG. 3) is output. Here, the low-level signal O3 is a start signal to the cleaner 2. The cleaner 2 uses the signal O3 as an on / off signal for executing cleaning. For example, when the dirt is greater than a specified level, the signal O3 becomes a low-level on signal, and when the dirt is less than the specified level, the signal O3 becomes a high-level off signal.

[0102] Here, the voltage value of the signal O2 obtained by integrating the RSSI corresponds to the logarithm of the "ratio of the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW to the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB" and corresponds to the level ratio of the reflected signal Opw and the reflected signal Opb. For example, the amplitude of the signal Ow, which is a signal based on the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW, is voltage Aw, the amplitude of the signal Ob, which is a signal based on the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB, is voltage Ab, the high level of the RSSI is voltage logAw, and the low level is voltage logAb. In this case, in the voltage output unit 37, the voltage component having a voltage of, for example, 1 / 2 (logAw-logAb) or more that has passed through the half-wave rectifier circuit is integrated in the integration circuit unit, and a signal O2 having a voltage of, for example, 1 / 4 (logAw-logAb) is output. The difference between the two logarithms is the logarithm of the ratio of the two numbers. Therefore, the voltage 1 / 4 (logAw-logAb) is 1 / 4 (logAw / Ab), which indicates a logarithmic value of "Aw / Ab", which is the ratio of the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW to the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB. For example, when the voltage value of the signal O2 is adjusted to 1 dB or 1 V in advance, if Aw:Ab=2:1, Aw=2×Ab, and 20log2=6 dB in decibels, then 1 / 4×logAw / Ab=1 / 4×log2=1.5. In this way, for example, when the voltage of the signal O2 is 1.5 V, it can be estimated that the ratio of the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB to the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW is about 2, or about 6 dB. Note that, although a simplified formula is used above for the purpose of explanation, it does not limit the voltage value outputted from the first main body portion 10. For example, the voltage of the RSSI is a value determined by the detection IC 36, and the voltage of the signal O2 is a value determined by the voltage output unit 37.

[0103] Furthermore, by detecting the degree of accumulation based on the "ratio" of the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB to the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW, the effect of detection errors in the intensities of the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB can be reduced compared to detecting the degree of accumulation based on the "difference" between the intensities of the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB. For example, assume that the amplitude of the output signal of the whiteboard light receiving unit 15, which is a signal based on the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW, is voltage Gw, and the amplitude of the output signal of the blackboard reflected light LB is voltage Gb, and while Gb is a value detected without detection error, Gw is a value detected with a detection error of +10%. If the value detected without detection error is Gtw, then Gw=1.1Gtw. The "difference" between the two values ​​is calculated as Gw-Gb=1.1Gtw-Gb=(Gtw-Gb)+0.1Gtw, and the "ratio" between the two values ​​is calculated as Gw / Gb=1.1Gtw / Gb=(Gtw / Gb)+0.1Gtw / Gb. In other words, compared to the value without the detection error (Gtw-Gb for the "difference" and Gtw / Gb for the "ratio"), in the case of the "difference", the value of 0.1Gtw is an error, whereas in the "ratio", the error can be 0.1Gtw / Gb. Therefore, by dividing by Gb, which is larger than 1, the effect of the error on the value used to detect the degree of deposition can be reduced. For example, even if the input / output characteristics of the photodiodes PDw and PDb change due to deterioration over time, causing a detection error, the effect of the detection error on the signal O2 can be reduced.

[0104] Moreover, by using the detection IC 36, the signal O1 is converted to a logarithm and output to the subsequent stage. This allows the detection range of the intensity related to the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB to be set widely, and the operating voltage range of the voltage output unit 37 and the comparison and determination unit 38 in the subsequent stage to be limited. Even if the path of the light irradiated from the irradiating unit 12, reflected by the second main body unit 20, and entering the light receiving unit 13 is shifted and the light intensity varies, the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB can be detected because of the wide detection range. There is no need to strictly set the relative positions of the irradiating unit 12, the second main body unit 20, and the light receiving unit 13, and they can be roughly aligned regardless of the accuracy of installation. The severity of installation can be eliminated. Also, even if the intensity of the light irradiated from the irradiating unit 12 decreases due to, for example, deterioration over time, the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB can be reliably detected because of the wide detection range.

[0105] In the configuration of the detection device 1, the second body part 20 is arranged in an environment with the same deposition state as the solar panel 3, and the first body part 10 is arranged in a position where disturbance light does not directly enter the light receiving part 13. In order to do so, the positions of the second body part 20 and the first body part 10 are not fixed, and the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the second body part 20 and the first body part 10 is increased. For this reason, the condition of the arrangement changes how the light irradiated from the irradiation part 12 hits the second body part 20, and the angle, distance, and position between the second body part 20 and the first body part 10, and further, the intensities of the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB change depending on the environment such as disturbance light. In addition, for example, if the position of the irradiation part 12 is shifted due to vibration, etc., and the way the light irradiated from the irradiation part 12 hits the second body part 20 is shifted, the ranges of the intensities of the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB will shift. In addition, for example, as the light emission intensity of the light emitting diode LED decreases due to deterioration over time, the intensities of the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB will decrease. As the emission intensity decreases, if the detection range is narrow, the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB will go out of the detection range first, and there is a risk that the difference in intensity between the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB will not be detected accurately. Even in the above case, the detection range of the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB can be widened by using the detection IC 36, so the degree of accumulation can be detected reliably. If the signal is handled linearly without being converted to logarithm, it is likely to be saturated if the absolute value is shifted. In the case of linear, the detection range may be narrower than if it is converted to logarithm. The intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB is fixed, and the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW relative to the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB changes, but rather, as described above, the absolute values ​​of the intensities of the blackboard reflected light LB and the whiteboard reflected light LW are likely to fluctuate together. For this reason, in the case of linear with a narrow detection range, the intensities of the blackboard reflected light LB and the whiteboard reflected light LW are likely to go out of the detection range.

[0106] The voltage value of the signal O2 indicating the degree of accumulation is displayed on a connected voltmeter, for example. As a result, although the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 12 is invisible because it is infrared light, the user can position the first body unit 10 in a position where the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB is high, that is, in a direction where the light receiving unit 13 captures the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB, while checking the voltage value of the signal O2. In detail, it is recommended to align the position to a position where the voltage value of the signal O2 is at a peak. In addition, the cleaning machine 2 is connected to the output terminal P2 of the first body unit 10, and is set to clean the solar panel 3 when the signal O3 is at a low level. In other words, the cleaning machine 2 performs cleaning using the low-level signal O3 as a start signal. This allows the solar panel 3 to be cleaned without the user's hands. Since the user can set the threshold voltage Vr arbitrarily, for example, the threshold voltage Vr can be adjusted according to the weather.

[0107] Here, the solar panel 3 is an example of an object, and the volcanic ash is an example of a deposit. The solar cell 22 is an example of a first irradiated portion, the whiteboard 21 is an example of a second irradiated portion, the blackboard reflected light LB is an example of a first reflected light, and the whiteboard reflected light LW is an example of a second reflected light. Also, the photodiode PDb is an example of a first light receiving portion, the photodiode PDw is an example of a second light receiving portion, the amplifier 33 is an example of a first amplifier, the amplifier 32 is an example of a second amplifier, the analog switch 34 is an example of a switching portion, the bandpass filter 35 is an example of a second means, the detection IC 36 is an example of an output means, and the voltage output unit 37 is an example of a third means. Also, the reflected signal Opb is an example of a first electrical signal, the reflected signal Opw is an example of a second electrical signal, the signal O1 is an example of a third electrical signal, and the signal O2 is an example of a fourth electrical signal. Also, the surface roughness and hydrophilicity of the deposition surface of the second main body portion 20 and the solar panel 3 are examples of the properties of the deposition surface.

[0108] The above-described embodiment is a system for measuring the condition of volcanic ash fallout, and is a system having a function of determining the condition of fallout using a system including a second main body portion 20 which is a means other than the conventional means for measuring the condition of volcanic ash fallout by directly irradiating light onto the accumulation site of volcanic ash fallout and detecting the reflected light.

[0109] This embodiment is a system comprising a first main body portion 10 which is a means for measuring the condition of the fallout by irradiating light onto the fallout accumulation area and detecting the reflected light, and a solar cell 22 which is another solar panel for detection purposes that is smaller than the solar panel 3 and is placed in the vicinity of the large solar panel 3 which is the object of interest as to whether the fallout accumulation area should be cleaned or not, and which has the function of determining the condition of the fallout accumulation area based on the relationship between the power generated by the solar cell 22 and the measurement results obtained by the first main body portion 10 which is a means for measuring the condition of the fallout by irradiating light onto the fallout accumulation area and detecting the reflected light.

[0110] This embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0111] A solar cell 22, which is another solar panel for detection purposes and is smaller than the solar panel 3, is arranged near the large solar panel 3 as a location where fallout accumulates, and a lighting means such as a lamp for illuminating the solar cell 22, which is another solar panel, is provided, and the control unit of the third main body is provided with a function of turning on the lighting means when the power generation amount of the solar cell 22, which is another solar panel, is below a predetermined value, and estimating the degree of dirt on the large solar panel 3 from the power generation amount of the solar cell 22, which is another solar panel, when the lighting means is turned on.

[0112] Another solar panel, a solar cell, serves as a reference solar cell. Instead of the large solar panel 3, or together with the large solar panel 3, the degree of dirt on the reference solar cell 22 may be estimated.

[0113] For example, a reference solar cell and a light to illuminate the solar cell can be provided, and the degree of dirt on the reference solar cell or large-scale solar panel can be estimated from the amount of electricity generated by the solar cell when the light is turned on in a situation where there is little external light entering the solar cell.

[0114] For example, in order to actively create a situation in which little external light is incident on the solar cell, a moving means can be provided to move a member that limits the incidence of external light onto the solar cell, and the light can be turned on when the member is above the solar cell to estimate the degree of dirt on the reference solar cell or large-scale solar panel.

[0115] For example, a black semicircular disk or fan with LED lighting on its underside can be rotated to cover the solar cell. It is best not to move the solar cell side so that the state of dirt on the reference solar cell and the power generating solar cell (for example, a large solar panel) does not change.

[0116] The system may be configured to include a solar radiation intensity sensor that measures the amount of external light incident on a reference solar cell, and to turn on the light when the output from the solar radiation intensity sensor indicates that the reference solar cell is not generating as much power as a predetermined value.

[0117] The solar cell 22 is a black solar cell (PVref (PV reference solar cell)) instead of the "black board" of the conventional "black and white board" in Patent Document 1, and measures the amount of ashfall. It calculates the system output coefficient (PR value) αPR of the large-scale PV power generation facility from the output of Pvref, and predicts the power output of the PV power generation facility due to the effects of ashfall. The ashfall sensor functions by irradiating the entire plate (the area including the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22) of the second main body portion 20, which is the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22, which serves as a reflector having PVref, with infrared light from the first main body portion 10, and the first main body portion 10 obtains an RSSI output from a signal that alternates between the two, as will be described later. The RSSI output measures the amount of ashfall from the level ratio of the reflected signals of the white plate 21 and the black solar cell 22. The power output of the PVref is connected to a controller (a microcomputer constituting the control unit 31), and the control unit 31 calculates the PR value αPR from the reduction in the power output of the PVref due to the amount of ashfall and the proportional relationship between the amount of ashfall and the power output of the PVref, which has been measured and stored in advance, and performs processing to predict the power output of the large-scale PV power generation facility. Furthermore, environmental information such as solar radiation intensity, temperature and humidity measured by a weather sensor or the like may be acquired and used to adjust the power generation prediction of the PV power generation facility of the solar panel 3. For example, the relationship between the environmental information such as solar radiation intensity, temperature and humidity and the power generation amount of the PV power generation facility of the solar panel 3 may be measured in advance and obtained as a correction function, and the correction may be performed using this function, or the correction coefficient may be stored as a table and the coefficient may be used for correction.

[0118] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0119] Since the whiteboard 21 and the solar cell 22 have different reflectivities, the difference in intensity between the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB is greatest when no volcanic ash has accumulated on the second main body portion 20, and becomes smaller as the degree of accumulation increases. Since the whiteboard 21 and the solar cell 22 are in the same environment where volcanic ash has accumulated, the difference in intensity between the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB becomes smaller as the degree of accumulation increases. Therefore, it is possible to detect the degree of accumulation of volcanic ash on the whiteboard 21 and the solar cell 22 based on the difference in intensity between the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB.

[0120] Here, since the second body portion 20 is in an environment in which the accumulation state of volcanic ash is the same as that of the solar panel 3, it is possible to detect the degree of accumulation of volcanic ash on the solar panel 3 by detecting the degree of accumulation of volcanic ash on the second body portion 20. By configuring the second body portion 20 with white and black colors that have a large difference in reflectance, it is possible to increase the difference in intensity between the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB in the initial state where no volcanic ash has accumulated, and it is possible to improve the resolution for detecting the degree of accumulation.

[0121] The white plate 21 and the solar cell 22 are arranged adjacent to each other. As a result, the deposition patterns of the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22 are uniform. In addition, the properties of the deposition surfaces on which the volcanic ash of the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22 is deposited are equivalent to those of the deposition surface of the solar panel 3. As a result, the deposition surface of the object and the deposition patterns of the deposition surfaces of the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22 can be made to be in the same environment between them. In addition, the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22 are thin members with a small thickness. As a result, the step between the deposition surface of the solar panel 3 on which the second main body portion 20 is placed and the deposition surface of the second main body portion 20 can be made small. It is possible to prevent the deposition pattern from becoming uneven due to the step around the step. It is possible to prevent the degree of deposition on the second main body portion 20 from differing from the degree of deposition on the solar panel 3.

[0122] The second body part 20 is disposed at a position other than directly below the first body part 10. As a result, when the volcanic ash falls due to gravity, the first body part 10 does not block the accumulation path of the volcanic ash, so that the first body part 10 casts a shadow and prevents the accumulation of the volcanic ash on the second body part 20. In addition, the second body part 20 is disposed at a distance from the first body part 10 that does not prevent the accumulation of the volcanic ash on the solar panel 3 and can detect the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB. As a result, even if the movement of the volcanic ash is blocked by the first body part 10, the volcanic ash that passes through the first body part 10 can go around between the first body part 10 and the second body part 20, and the first body part 10 is prevented from preventing the accumulation of the volcanic ash on the second body part 20. The light receiving part 13 is disposed at a position where ambient disturbance light does not directly enter. This removes noise light that enters the light receiving unit 13 and causes detection errors, and also prevents a situation in which detection itself becomes impossible when the noise light is strong enough to exceed the detection limit of the light receiving unit 13.

[0123] The irradiating unit 12 repeats irradiation and non-irradiation in the first predetermined cycle TD1, thereby irradiating the second body portion 20 with light having characteristics different from disturbance light. By passing the light through a bandpass filter 35 that passes an electrical signal in the first predetermined cycle TD1, an electrical signal converted from the light irradiated by the irradiating unit 12 can be selected and extracted. By providing an amplifier 32 for the photodiode PDw and an amplifier 33 for the photodiode PDb, the signal-to-noise ratio can be increased.

[0124] The analog switch 34 alternates between outputs at a second predetermined period TD2, and the signals Ow and Ob are time-divisionally combined into one electrical signal. This allows the RSSI to be output from the same detection IC 36 without providing a detection IC 36 for each of the signals Ow and Ob, and therefore offsets the error. This eliminates the occurrence of errors between the RSSIs output from the detection IC 36 due to temperature changes and changes over time that would occur if a detection IC 36 were provided for each of the signals Ow and Ob.

[0125] The magnitude of the signal O1 is logarithmically converted by the detection IC 36. Therefore, the detection range of the intensity that can be processed by signal processing can be set widely for the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB. Even if the path of the light that is irradiated from the irradiating unit 12, reflected by the second body unit 20, and enters the light receiving unit 13 is shifted and the light intensity varies, the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB can be detected over a wide range. Furthermore, even if the intensity of the light irradiated from the light emitting diode LED decreases due to, for example, deterioration over time, the detection range is wide, so the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB can be detected.

[0126] The voltage output unit 37 integrates the RSSI, which is a combination of a signal based on the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW and a signal based on the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB, by time division, and outputs the difference between the voltage component based on the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW in the RSSI and the voltage component based on the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB in the RSSI as a voltage value. The difference between the voltage component of the RSSI to which the voltage component based on the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW is input and the voltage component of the RSSI to which the voltage component based on the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB is input is the intensity ratio of the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB. By detecting the degree of accumulation based on the ratio of the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB to the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW, the influence of detection errors of the intensities of the whiteboard reflected light LW and the blackboard reflected light LB can be reduced compared to detecting the degree of accumulation based on the difference in the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB to the intensity of the whiteboard reflected light LW.

[0127] The voltage output unit 37 outputs a signal O2. This allows the user to place the first body unit 10 and the second body unit 20 at a position where the intensity of the blackboard reflected light LB and the whiteboard reflected light LW is large while checking the output. By implementing the control unit 31 with a CPLD, it is not necessary to use an expensive computer that requires software processing, and the detection device 1 can be provided at a low cost. The cleaning machine 2 cleans the solar panel 3 according to the signal O3. This allows cleaning without the user's hands. In addition, the user can freely set the threshold voltage Vr. The detection device 1 is resistant to cleaning by the cleaning machine 2. This allows the degree of deposition to be detected even after the cleaning machine 2 has cleaned the solar panel 3.

[0128] <System example 1>

[0129] The third main body is provided with a network interface, but instead of or in addition to this, it may be configured to be connected to an external computer via a wireless communication device. As an example of such a system, the configuration of a monitoring system 100 equipped with a detection device 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The monitoring system 100 is a system for monitoring the amount of volcanic ash (an example of deposits) that accumulates on an object. As shown in FIG. 5, the monitoring system 100 is equipped with the detection device 101, a master unit and a slave unit of a wireless communication device (written as ZigBee (registered trademark) in FIG. 5), an RC filter, a microcomputer (written as mbed (registered trademark) in FIG. 5), a PC, etc. The master unit and the slave unit of the wireless communication device perform wireless communication conforming to the ZigBee communication standard. It is preferable that the above-mentioned third main body is equipped with this function. The microcomputer is an mbed. The detection device 101 includes an oscillation circuit, an LED (an example of an irradiating unit), a second main body unit 20 (an example of an irradiated unit) functioning as a black and white reflector, a PD (an example of a light receiving unit), a detection IC, a rectification circuit, a threshold judgment circuit (described as threshold judgment in FIG. 5), and the like. The oscillation circuit, the LED, the black and white reflector, the PD, the detection IC, the rectification circuit, and the threshold judgment circuit correspond to the control unit 31, the irradiation unit 12, the second main body unit 20, the light receiving unit 13, the detection IC 36, the voltage output unit 37, and the comparison judgment unit 38 of the detection device 1, respectively, and therefore will not be described. An analog output signal output from the rectification circuit, which corresponds to the signal O2 in the detection device 1, is input to the parent unit of the wireless communication device. The parent unit of the wireless communication device transmits a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) output signal with a duty ratio adjusted according to the voltage value of the input analog output signal to the child unit of the wireless communication device. The child unit of the wireless communication device outputs the PWM output signal 1 to the RC filter. The RC filter outputs an analog output signal 1, which is a voltage value corresponding to the duty ratio of the PWM output signal 1, to the microcomputer. The output of the solar cell 22 of the second main body portion 20 is input to the parent device of the wireless communication device. The parent device of the wireless communication device also transmits a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) output signal, the duty ratio of which is adjusted according to the voltage value of the analog output signal of the output of the solar cell 22 that has been input, to the child device of the wireless communication device. The child device of the wireless communication device also outputs this PWM output signal 2 to the RC filter.The RC filter outputs analog output signal 2, which is a voltage value corresponding to the duty ratio of PWM output signal 2, to the microcomputer. The microcomputer outputs a signal based on the input analog output signals 1 and 2 to the PC. This makes it possible to monitor in real time on the PC the changes in the signals corresponding to signals O2 and Q1. The signals corresponding to signals O2 and Q1 are signals whose voltage value decreases as the level of accumulation increases and the amount of ash fall increases.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 6, in the detection device 101, the second body part 20 functioning as a black and white reflector is installed at a position other than directly below the ash fall sensor and at a position where reflected light from the second body part 20 can be detected. The ash fall sensor in FIG. 6 corresponds to the first body part 10 of the detection device 1. The position where reflected light from the second body part 20 can be detected is a position about 32.8 cm away from the second body part 20. After being blown up by an eruption, volcanic ash is carried by the wind and falls on the target object according to gravity. Depending on the wind force, ash often falls from above near the target object. Therefore, by placing the second body part 20 at a position other than directly below the ash fall sensor, it is possible to prevent the ash fall sensor from interfering with ash fall on the second body part 20.

[0131] For example, on a PC (personal computer), the amount of ashfall is measured using a signal equivalent to signal O2, and αPR is calculated from the output signal Q1 of solar cell 22 (PVref (PV reference solar cell)) shown in Figure 6 to calculate the system output coefficient (PR value) αPR of the PV power generation equipment of solar panel 3. Processing is then performed to predict the power generation output of the PV power generation equipment due to the effects of ashfall, and the predicted power generation output is displayed on a monitor connected to the PC.

[0132] As described above, the ashfall sensor functions by irradiating the entire plate (the area including the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22) of the second body portion 20 with infrared light from the first body portion 10 onto the white plate 21 and the solar cell 22, which acts as a reflector having PVref, and the first body portion 10 obtains an RSSI output from a signal that alternates between the two, as described below. The RSSI output measures the amount of ashfall from the level ratio of the reflected signals from the white plate 21 and the black solar cell 22.

[0133] As described above, the power generation output of the PVref is connected to a controller (a microcomputer constituting the control unit 31), and the control unit 31 and PC calculate the PR value αPR from the reduction in PVref power generation output due to the amount of ashfall and the proportional relationship between the amount of ashfall and the PVref power generation output, and perform processing to predict the power generation output of large-scale PV power generation equipment such as solar panels 3.

[0134] [Second embodiment]

[0135] As shown in FIG. 7, the detection device A1 includes a housing including the second cleaner A2, the solar cell A3, a support rod A4, and a control unit (not shown). The detection device A1 is a device installed near the solar panel 3 of the first embodiment. The solar cell A1 is a solar cell smaller than the solar panel 3 to be monitored for whether or not it should be cleaned. The solar cell A1 is supported from the back by a support rod A4 fixed to a support base of the solar panel 3 on the back side of the solar panel 3. The support rod A4 is a hollow pipe, and a cable for transmitting the output of the solar cell A1 is passed through the inside of the pipe. This cable is connected to a control unit including a microcomputer in a housing (not shown) installed on the back side of the solar panel 3. This microcomputer has the same configuration as the third main body part of the first embodiment, and further inputs a signal indicating the amount of power generation of the solar panel 3 as an input terminal of the control unit. In addition, the control unit includes a terminal for outputting a signal for controlling a solenoid valve for controlling whether or not water is discharged from the cleaner 2 and the second cleaner A2 as an output terminal. A pipe for passing water is provided inside the support member 3a of the solar panel 3, and this pipe is connected to the water sprinkler of the washer 2 via a first solenoid valve and to the water discharger of the second washer A2 via a second solenoid valve. The water sprinkler of the washer 2 is located at a position where it washes the solar panel 3 with the water it sprinkles, but is located at a position where it does not wash the solar cell A3. The water discharger of the washer A2 is located at a position where it washes the solar cell A3 with the water it discharges, but is located at a position where it does not wash the solar panel 3. The control unit is equipped with a real-time clock, which obtains the current time, and outputs a signal for one minute to open the solenoid valve of the second washer A2 every 10 minutes between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., so that the second washer A2 discharges water and washes the solar cell A3. This keeps the solar cell A3 in a state where the light receiving surface can be negligible against the effects of ashfall. The control unit judges whether the ratio of the power generation amount of the solar panel 3 to the power generation amount of the solar cell A3 is within a predetermined range based on the input signal from the solar panel 3 and the signal from the solar cell A3. The predetermined range is determined in advance by allowing volcanic ash to accumulate on the solar panel 3 and cleaning it, and this ratio is measured and stored at the time when a decrease in the amount of power generation is detected, and this ratio is used for judgment.When the solar cell A3 deviates from the predetermined range, it is determined that the solar panel 3 should be cleaned, and a signal to open the first solenoid valve is output to cause the spray unit of the cleaner 2 to spray water and clean the solar panel 3. Since the solar cell A3 is significantly smaller in size than the solar panel 3, the amount of water required for cleaning is extremely small compared to when cleaning the solar panel 3.

[0136] [Third Example]

[0137] As shown in Figs. 8 to 11, the detection device B1 includes a light-emitting unit B10, a light-receiving unit B40, a light-emitting unit-side lens B20, and a light-receiving unit-side lens B30. In Figs. 9 and 11, numerical values ​​of dimensions are indicated with auxiliary lines. The unit of numerical values ​​is millimeters (mm). Fig. 11 is a view of the detection device B1 as seen from the front. Fig. 9 is a diagram explaining through holes into which the protrusions 200b (Fig. 10) of the standing plates 210, 220, 230, and 240 in Fig. 11 are inserted. Fig. 9 is a view of the base part B100 as seen from above in a state in which the standing plates 210, 220, 230, and 240 in Fig. 11 are not inserted. In order to make it easier to understand the position of the through-hole, the positions of the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 are shown in Fig. 9 as a schematic diagram, but in reality, the light-emitting unit B10 is fixed to the standing plate 210, and the light-receiving unit B40 is fixed to the standing plate 240 (Fig. 11). The standing plates 210, 220, 230, and 240 (collectively referred to as standing plates 200) have the same shape as seen from the right side and the left side in Fig. 11, and have the shape shown in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 10, the standing plate 200 has a square portion 200a measuring 100 mm in both length and width, and a protrusion 200b at the center of its lower portion that is shaped to fit into the through-hole.

[0138] Specifically, the standing plates 200 are, in order from the left in Fig. 11, standing plates 210, 220, 230, and 240. The standing plates 210 and 240 are 3 mm thick, and the standing plates 220 and 230 are 6 mm thick, and when inserted into corresponding through-holes that are slightly larger than these, they are fixed in an upright state as shown in Fig. 11.

[0139] 9, the base 100 has six rectangular through holes arranged in parallel. The six through holes are, from left to right, a first through hole B110 into which a standing plate 210 that is a light-emitting unit side holding plate having a light-emitting unit B10 can be inserted, a second through hole B111 into which the standing plate 210 that is a light-emitting unit side holding plate can be inserted similarly, a third through hole B120 into which a standing plate 220 that is a Fresnel lens holding plate that holds a light-emitting unit side lens B20 that is a Fresnel lens on the light-emitting unit B10 side in a position with the center of the square portion 200a of the lens as the optical axis of the lens can be inserted, a fourth through hole B120 into which a standing plate 220 that is a Fresnel lens holding plate that holds a light-emitting unit side lens B20 that is a Fresnel lens on the light-emitting unit B10 side in a position with the center of the square portion 200a of the lens as the optical axis of the lens can be inserted, and a fifth through hole B130 into which a standing plate 220 that is a Fresnel lens holding plate that holds a light-emitting unit side lens B20 that is a Fresnel lens on the light-receiving unit B40 side can be inserted. a fourth insertion portion B130 into which a standing plate 230 which is a Fresnel lens holding plate which is a holding plate that holds the light-receiving unit side lens B30 which is a Fresnel lens in a position where the center of the square portion 200a is the optical axis of the lens; a fifth through hole B140 into which a standing plate 240 which is a light-receiving unit side holding plate having the light-receiving unit B40 in the center of the square portion 200a with its light-receiving direction as the light-receiving unit side lens B30; and a sixth through hole B141 into which the standing plate 240 which is the light-receiving unit side holding plate can be similarly inserted. As shown in Fig. 9, the length of each of these six through holes in the vertical direction is slightly larger than 50 mm when viewed from above, and the length in the horizontal direction is slightly larger than 3 mm for the first through hole B110, the second through hole B111, the fifth through hole B140, and the sixth through hole B141, and slightly larger than 6 mm for the third through hole B120 and the fourth through hole B130, and each of them can be fixed in a standing state on the base part 100 by inserting the protrusion 200b of the standing plate 200 shown in Fig. 10. In this embodiment, the protrusion 200b of the standing plate 210 is inserted into the first through hole B110, the protrusion 200b of the standing plate 220 is inserted into the third through hole B120, the protrusion 200b of the standing plate 230 is inserted into the fourth through hole B130, and the protrusion 200b of the standing plate 240 is inserted into the fifth through hole B140 and fixed.

[0140] The effective diameter of the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 is a 90% circle within the square portion 200a, and their centers are located on a straight line connecting the center of the light-emitting unit B10 and the center of the light-receiving unit B40.

[0141] In Fig. 8, the upper part shows the state when there is no ashfall, and the lower part shows the state when there is ashfall. The light emitted from the light-emitting unit B10 is collimated by the light-emitting unit side lens B20, and the collimated light is focused on the light-receiving unit B40 by the light-receiving unit side lens B30. In this embodiment, the light-emitting unit B10 is a near-infrared (940 nm) light-emitting diode (LED), and the light-receiving unit B40 is a light-receiving sensor, specifically a photodiode (PD) with a maximum sensitivity of 960 nm. The light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 are disposed opposite each other, and the collimated light area between the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens becomes the detection target space. The light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 are the same lens, and both are Fresnel lenses. In this embodiment, the light emitter side lens B20 and the light receiver side lens B30 are both Sigma Koki FRLN-B-50S-10P, with a focal length of 10 mm. Each Fresnel lens has a flat side and a non-flat side. The flat side of the light emitter side lens B20 faces the light emitter B10, and the flat side of the light receiver side lens B30 faces the light receiver B40. The non-flat side of the light emitter side lens B20 faces the space to be detected, and the non-flat side of the light receiver side lens B30 also faces the space to be detected.

[0142] As shown in the upper part of FIG. 8, when there is no ashfall, the light is not blocked by ashfall and the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit B40 is the maximum value for this system. On the other hand, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 8, when there is ashfall in the detection target space, part of the parallel light is blocked by ashfall and the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit B40 is detected as being less than the maximum value for this system. A control unit (not shown) is connected to the light-receiving unit B40, and the control unit calculates the amount of ashfall from the degree of reduction in the input amount of received light from the maximum amount of received light stored in advance. This amount of ashfall is calculated by calculating the amount of received light when ashfall is performed with multiple different amounts of ashfall in advance, and the correspondence between the multiple amounts of ashfall and the amount of received light is stored in a table. The current amount of received light is input and the amount of ashfall closest to the amount of received light stored in the table is set as the current amount of ashfall. The relationship between the amount of received light and the amount of ashfall may be calculated by various interpolations such as linear interpolation for the values ​​stored in the table. For example, the table stores the amount of light received when ash is scattered at six ashfall rates of 40 [g / m2 / h], 20 [g / m2 / h], 10 [g / m2 / h], 5 [g / m2 / h], 2.5 [g / m2 / h], and 1 [g / m2 / h], with the maximum value being 40 [g / m2 / h] (weight (grams) per hour per square meter of area). The amount of ashfall stored in the table with the amount of light received that is closest to the current amount of light received is set as the current amount of ashfall. Alternatively, a process is performed to obtain the amount of ashfall from the current amount of light received using a value linearly interpolated from the values ​​stored in this table. It is preferable to have a function to set which process to perform based on the user's selection. Alternatively, a function of the relationship between the amount of light received and the actual amount of ashfall may be obtained in advance by the least squares method or the like, and the amount of ashfall may be obtained from the amount of light received using the function.

[0143] Thus, this embodiment is a system that detects the amount of ash falling on the parallel light area created by the Fresnel lens from the change in the amount of light.

[0144] This embodiment is a system for measuring the status of fallout, and is a system having a function of judging the status of fallout by a means other than a means for measuring the status of fallout by irradiating light onto the accumulation location of fallout and detecting the reflected light. This system may be configured such that the housing of the detection device B1 and the housing of the control unit are separate, and wiring from the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 is output to a connector of the housing of the detection device B1 and connected to a connector provided on the housing of the control unit by a cable, or the two may be connected wirelessly instead of by a cable. Also, the detection device B1 and the control unit may be housed in a single housing. For example, a box may be provided under the base unit B110 of the detection device B1, and the control unit may be housed in the box.

[0145] This embodiment is a system that detects objects falling through a detection target space provided between the light emitter B10 and the light receiver B40 in response to an electrical state that changes in response to the light receiving state after receiving light output from the light emitter B10 at the light receiver B40. The system includes a light emitter-side lens B20 for guiding light toward the detection target space and a light receiver-side lens B30 for guiding light from the detection target space, the light emitter-side lens B20 being an optical member that collimates the light from the light emitter B10, and the light receiver-side lens B30 being an optical member that focuses the collimated light on the light receiver B40.

[0146] This makes it possible to detect objects falling through the space to be detected that is provided between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40. It also makes it possible to detect the degree of light blocked by objects falling through the space to be detected that is provided between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40.

[0147] By doing so, for example, even if non-parallel light enters the light-receiving unit side lens B30 from the outside, the effect of the light can be reduced. For example, disturbances such as sunlight entering from the outside can be further reduced. In addition, for example, even if light reflected and diffracted by falling debris reaches the lens, it is not parallel to the lens and is therefore unlikely to reach the focal position. This makes it easier to capture the effect of falling debris such as particles falling in the detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40, such as ash, and makes it possible to more accurately detect the amount of falling debris falling in the detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40.

[0148] In this embodiment, the light-emitting unit side lens B20 is a Fresnel lens, and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 is a Fresnel lens. This allows the device to be made smaller, but is not limited to this and various optical members can be used. A lens can be used as the optical member, and a collimating lens that converts diffused light into collimated light is particularly preferred. The lens can be a Fresnel lens as in this embodiment. The lens can be a Fresnel lens that is a collimating lens as in this embodiment.

[0149] The light emitting unit can use various light sources, but it is particularly preferable to use an LED like the light emitting unit B10 of this embodiment. The wavelength of the light emitting unit B should be one with a peak wavelength in the near infrared region, and it is particularly preferable to use one with a peak wavelength around 940 nm like the light emitting unit B10 of this embodiment.

[0150] The light receiving section should preferably have a maximum sensitivity of around 960 nm, as in this embodiment. Although a photodiode is used as the light receiving section in this embodiment, various light receiving elements can be used. For example, a phototransistor can be used.

[0151] The fallout may be something that falls through the atmosphere, such as yellow sand or pollen, but in particular, as in this embodiment, volcanic ash is the target.

[0152] The falling object may include, for example, floating objects or falling objects, but is particularly preferably an object that falls through the atmosphere.

[0153] In particular, as in this embodiment, it is preferable to detect the amount of ash falling in the parallel light area from the change in the amount of light.

[0154] In this embodiment, the amount of fallout falling through the detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 is detected. Also, in this embodiment, the amount of fallout falling through the detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 is measured.

[0155] In this embodiment, the light emitter side lens B20 and the light receiver side lens B30 are configured to be disposed opposite each other with the detection target space in between. This configuration can suppress attenuation of the amount of light and reduce the influence of intervening objects, and can more accurately detect the amount of falling objects that fall in the detection target space between the opposing light emitter side lens B20 and light receiver side lens B30.

[0156] Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a distance adjustment unit for adjusting and fixing the distance between the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30. In this way, the size of the detection target space can be adjusted. For example, in a configuration in which the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 face each other as in this embodiment, it is preferable to provide a member for adjusting and fixing the distance between the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30. It is preferable to provide a structure in which the distance between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-emitting unit side lens B20 can be moved while being kept constant. It is also preferable to provide a structure in which the distance between the light-receiving unit B40 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 can be moved while being kept constant. For example, the distance between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-emitting unit side lens B20 can be the focal length of the light-emitting unit side lens B20. For example, the distance between the light-receiving unit B40 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 can be the focal length of the light-receiving unit side lens B30. As a structure that allows movement while keeping the distance between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-emitting unit side lens B20 constant, it is preferable to provide multiple fixing parts for each distance between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-emitting unit side lens B20. As a structure that allows movement while keeping the distance between the light-receiving unit B40 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 constant, it is preferable to provide multiple fixing parts for each distance between the light-receiving unit B40 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30. For example, it is preferable to provide a mechanism that changes and fixes (adjusts and fixes) the distance between the LED and the photodiode, and the distance between the LED / photodiode side and the reflector side. It is also preferable to arrange the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-emitting unit side lens B20 on a rail, for example, so that they can move on the rail and can be fixed with a screw or the like. It is also preferable to arrange the light-receiving unit B40 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 on a rail, for example, so that they can move on the rail and can be fixed with a screw or the like. In particular, it is preferable that the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-emitting unit-side lens B20 are movable and fixed on the rail while maintaining a constant distance between them. In particular, it is preferable that the light-receiving unit B40 and the light-receiving unit-side lens B30 are movable and fixed on the rail while maintaining a constant distance between them. The rail is preferably configured to include a first rail having the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-emitting unit-side lens B20, and a second rail having the light-receiving unit B40 and the light-receiving unit-side lens B30. It is preferable that the first rail and the second rail are configured as one common rail.The control unit may be provided with a function for setting an adjusted and fixed distance and using that distance to calculate the amount of falling objects.

[0157] For example, the detection range can be adjusted by narrowing the interval when the amount of fallout is large, such as when a volcano (such as Sakurajima) is erupting, and widening the interval when the amount of fallout is not large.

[0158] In addition, it is preferable to have a configuration that includes a first fallout prevention member that prevents fallout from the light-emitting unit B10 from entering an area including the surface of the light-emitting unit side lens B20 on the light-emitting unit B10 side, a second fallout prevention member that prevents fallout from the light-receiving unit B40 from entering an area including the surface of the light-receiving unit side lens B30 on the light-receiving unit B40 side, and a space between the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 as a detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40.

[0159] In this way, the influence of previously fallen fallout on measurements of current fallout can be reduced.

[0160] Also, it is preferable to provide a configuration that applies vibration to the members including the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 to perform cleaning. For example, an ultrasonic vibrator may be attached to the light-emitting unit side lens B20, and the control unit may drive the ultrasonic vibrator to apply vibration to the light-emitting unit side lens B20 at set predetermined times, such as every hour, to clean the light-emitting unit side lens B20. Also, for example, an ultrasonic vibrator may be attached to the light-receiving unit side lens B30, and the control unit may drive the ultrasonic vibrator to apply vibration to the light-receiving unit side lens B30 at set predetermined times, such as every hour, to clean the light-receiving unit side lens B30.

[0161] In this way, the influence of the attached matter on the detection of the falling debris can be reduced, and detection can be performed with higher accuracy.

[0162] In particular, it is preferable to apply a treatment to prevent dust from adhering to the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30, which are members facing the space to be detected, and to configure the device so that cleaning is performed by applying vibration to these members.

[0163] In particular, the moisture state may be detected by detecting the rainfall state using a rainfall sensor or the like, and when the moisture on the surface of the component is deemed to be high, no impact is applied, and when the moisture is low (dry), an ultrasonic vibrator or the like is driven to apply an impact. A selection function may be provided to allow the user to select whether to drive the ultrasonic vibrator at the above-mentioned set predetermined time intervals or to drive using this configuration, and control may be performed to drive the vibrator in the selected method.

[0164] Also, for example, in a configuration in which cleaning is performed in response to the falling conditions of falling objects, when it is determined that cleaning should be performed, the control unit may perform control to perform cleaning during the night (particularly in the morning).

[0165] The wavelength of the light-emitting unit B10 may be, for example, visible light that includes a relatively large amount of the green region as a light-emitting region (for example, the peak wavelength is in the green region). The detection wavelength of the light-receiving unit B40 may be, for example, visible light that includes a relatively large amount of the green region as a light-receiving region (for example, the peak wavelength is in the green region). In addition, when the light is directed toward the detection target space and it is dark (such as at night), the control unit determines the dust adhesion state based on the image from an image sensor that captures green better than other colors, such as a normal CMOS color image sensor (such as a Bayer array), and controls to decide whether to perform cleaning.

[0166] In addition, the configuration should include a state changing means capable of changing between a first state that prevents the entry of fallout into the space to be detected and a second state that allows the entry of the fallout into the space to be detected, a determination means that determines whether the state is the first state or the second state, and a function that measures the amount of fallout falling in the space to be measured in the second state based on the determination result, using the electrical state in the first state as a reference.

[0167] For example, a roof that can be opened and closed by controlling a motor may be provided on the upper surface of detection device B1, and the control unit may control the motor to open and close the roof. The control unit may be configured to be able to switch between a closed state of the roof that prevents falling objects from entering the detection target space and an open state of the roof that allows falling objects to enter the detection target space, and the control unit may determine whether the roof is in a closed state or an open state, and based on the determination result, may measure the amount of falling objects that fall in the measurement target space when the roof is open, using the electrical state when the roof is closed as a reference.

[0168] Furthermore, the detection device B1 of this embodiment may be installed in a position where the position of the measurement target space provided between the opposing light-emitting unit side lens B20 and light-receiving unit side lens B30 is adjacent to and close in height to the solar panel 3 described in other embodiments, etc. For example, an installation means for supporting the detection device B1 may be provided by the support rod A4 described in the second embodiment.

[0169] A configuration may be provided that includes a first board on which the light-emitting unit B10 is mounted and a second board on which the light-receiving unit B40 is mounted. At least one of the component placement surface of the first board on which the light-emitting unit B10 is mounted and the component placement surface of the second board on which the light-receiving unit B40 is mounted may be disposed on a surface that does not face the measurement target space.

[0170] Measurement of the amount of fallout falling through the measurement space between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 in response to an electrical state that changes depending on the light-receiving state may be performed in response to the amount of decrease in current from a reference state without fallout.

[0171] [Fourth Example]

[0172] 12, the fourth embodiment has a configuration in which light-emitting unit C10 is provided instead of light-emitting unit B10 of the third embodiment, light-receiving unit C40 is provided instead of light-receiving unit B40, and the light-emitting unit side lens B20 is eliminated (removed) and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 is eliminated (removed). The other parts are configured in the same manner as the third embodiment.

[0173] The light emitting unit C10 is the infrared light emitting side and is composed of an infrared light emitting diode array. In this embodiment, the infrared light emitting diode array is composed of infrared light emitting diodes arranged on the same plane in a matrix of four horizontal and three vertical. The light receiving unit C40 is the infrared light incident side and is composed of an infrared photodiode array. In this embodiment, the infrared photodiode array is composed of infrared photodiodes arranged on the same plane in a matrix of four horizontal and three vertical. The surface of the infrared light emitting diode array and the surface of the infrared photodiode array are arranged perpendicular to each other and parallel to each other.

[0174] The infrared light emitting diode array that constitutes the light emitting unit C10 is connected to the control unit, which drives all the infrared light emitting diodes in a parallel connection using pulse modulation so that they are simultaneously in either an emitting or non-emitting state. A current is obtained by adding up all the currents from the infrared photodiode array (for example, a current is obtained by adding up all the currents from the infrared photodiode array using an operational amplifier adder circuit), and this current is I / V converted (current is converted to voltage), and this voltage is A / D converted and converted into the amount of ashfall by the control unit. The process of calculating the amount of ashfall is the same as in the third embodiment.

[0175] In this embodiment, both diode arrays increase the amount of infrared light emitted and incident on the device, making it possible to measure suspended matter in the air regardless of the amount of ashfall.Increasing the infrared light flux also makes it easier to measure tiny particles such as PM2.5, dust, and pollen suspended in the air.

[0176] The light emitting diode array and photodiode array may be commercially available products manufactured and sold by, for example, Hamamatsu Photonics, etc. Alternatively, bullet-shaped infrared light elements may be arranged in a lattice pattern.

[0177] The light-emitting unit C10 can be regarded as being integrated with the light-emitting unit-side lens B20, and the light-receiving unit C40 can be regarded as being integrated with the light-receiving unit-side lens B30. The light-emitting unit C10 is a light-emitting array member in which light-emitting elements are arranged two-dimensionally, and the light-receiving unit C40 is a light-receiving array member in which light-receiving elements are arranged two-dimensionally. The light-emitting unit-side lenses provided for each light-emitting diode constituting the light-emitting diode array of the light-emitting unit C10 may be ones that not only collimate light but also diffuse light. The light-receiving unit-side lenses provided for each photodiode constituting the photodiode array of the light-receiving unit C40 may be ones that collect light other than parallel light.

[0178] In this embodiment, the modified example described in the third embodiment may be applied. For example, a mechanism for adjusting the distance between the light-emitting unit C10 and the light-receiving unit C40 may be provided. Other configurations described in the third embodiment may be applied.

[0179] [Fifth Example]

[0180] In other embodiments, the light is applied in one direction, but in this embodiment, an example in which light is applied from multiple directions is shown. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 13 to 16, the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 described with reference to Fig. 8 are provided at four positions, top, bottom, left and right, as viewed from above. That is, in the top view of Fig. 8, Fresnel lenses are also provided at top and bottom positions, which are positions rotated 90 degrees with the center point between the Fresnel lenses at the left and right positions as the origin, and the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 are arranged at four positions rotated 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees with the center of the optical axis of the left and right lenses as the origin. Strictly speaking, since it is physically impossible to arrange the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 at the same position, the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 are arranged in a position parallel to the lens adjacent to the distance up to the physical limit that can be mounted at each of the left, right, top and bottom positions.

[0181] As shown in Figures 13 to 16, similar to Figure 8, in addition to the configuration in which light emitted from the left light-emitting unit B10L is received by the right light-receiving unit B40R, there is also a configuration in which light emitted from the right light-emitting unit B10R is received by the left light-receiving unit B40L, a configuration in which light emitted from the upper light-emitting unit B10U is received by the lower light-receiving unit B40D, and a configuration in which light emitted from the lower light-emitting unit B10D is received by the upper light-receiving unit B40U.

[0182] The left light-emitting unit B10L and the left light-receiving unit B40L are arranged adjacent to each other, the right light-emitting unit B10R and the left light-receiving unit B40R are arranged adjacent to each other, the upper light-emitting unit B10U and the upper light-receiving unit B40U are arranged adjacent to each other, and the lower light-emitting unit B10D and the lower light-receiving unit B40D are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0183] In this embodiment, the control unit switches between a first state (1. "→" Right) in which the left light-emitting unit B10L shown in Figure 13 emits light and the right light-receiving unit B40R receives light, a second state (2. "←" Left) in which the right light-emitting unit B10R shown in Figure 14 emits light and the left light-receiving unit B40L receives light, a third state (3. "↑" Up) in which the lower light-emitting unit B10D shown in Figure 15 emits light and the upper light-receiving unit B40U receives light, and a fourth state (4. "↓" Down) in which the upper light-emitting unit B10U emits light and the lower light-receiving unit B40D receives light, as shown in Figure 16, and this constitutes one cycle, and then the control unit returns to the first state and repeats this switching (cycle).

[0184] For example, one cycle consists of continuing the first state for 100 ms, immediately transitioning to the second state upon the end of the first state, continuing the second state for 100 ms, immediately transitioning to the third state upon the end of the second state, continuing the third state for 100 ms, immediately transitioning to the fourth state upon the end of the third state, continuing the fourth state for 100 ms, completing the cycle upon the end of the fourth state, immediately transitioning to the first state, and similarly executing the next cycle.

[0185] In one measurement, the average value of the measurement results at each light receiving element over three cycles (100 ms x 4 states x 3 cycles = 1.2 seconds) is calculated, and the amount of fallout in the detection target space is calculated from this average value.

[0186] In this way, by instantly switching between electrodes and measuring from four directions, noise can be reduced by counterbalancing. In particular, it is good to arrange the lenses in a square shape when viewed from above, and by measuring in four directions (up, down, left, right) when viewed from above, the device can be used to reduce noise by counterbalancing.

[0187] In this embodiment, the average value of the measurement results from each light receiving unit is calculated, but various statistical values ​​such as the median or mode may be calculated instead of the average value and used to calculate the amount of fallout in the detection target space. Without being limited to this, when a value that is significantly different from the amount of light received by other light receiving units is detected among the measurement results of each light receiving unit, that value may be excluded and used as the value of the measurement result. Also, for example, in terms of the arrangement of the light source, it is good to take the value that captures the same tendency above and below and to the left and right as the positive value.

[0188] According to this embodiment, compared with a configuration in which a pair of light-emitting units B10 and B40 are provided, installation is easier and installation can be assisted.

[0189] For example, when checking for misalignment of the lens and light-emitting unit B10 (light source), try aligning the light-emitting unit B10 (light source) and the light-receiving unit B40 (light-focus point) with not only "→" but also "←" alignment, and if a difference in value occurs, fine-tuning the alignment to eliminate the difference makes it easier to correct misalignment of the light source and lens alignment, allowing for highly accurate measurements. In particular, it is recommended to have an installation support function that displays the values ​​for each state in real time, and to install the system so that the values ​​for each state are roughly the same.

[0190] Each state should be switched at a good tempo, and this should be done in the same way as switching a brushless motor. For example, it can be done in the same way as switching a stepping motor. The light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 are placed at four positions rotated 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees. For example, if the switching is done at the same speed as switching the driver IC of a stepping motor, the switching speed will simply be faster, but the switching of the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 must also be done in accordance with this, so you can check the placement to make sure there is no misalignment.

[0191] In this embodiment, the term "counterbalance" is used because the view is balanced vertically and horizontally.

[0192] For example, the cycle may be reduced to the point where the light-emitting unit B10 (light source) and the light-receiving unit B40 (PD) can be switched. The cycle may be shortened (reduced) to about 1 Hz. Ideally, the current flows in the four directions (up, down, left, right) at a good tempo, resulting in approximately the same value.

[0193] In this embodiment, the control is such that the state immediately transitions to the next state when each state ends, but the state may transition to the next state via a state in which none of the light-emitting units B10 emit light. The non-light-emitting state may be set to last for, for example, 100 ms.

[0194] In this embodiment, the duration is set to 100 ms, but is not limited to this. However, it is preferable that the duration is shorter than the time that the object to be measured floats in the space to be detected and the time that the object to be measured falls in the space to be detected. It is preferable that the time for one cycle is shorter than this, and in particular, it is preferable that the time for multiple cycles is shorter.

[0195] In addition, the order of the first to fourth states is not limited to the order in this embodiment. In particular, the next state may be determined randomly (e.g., pseudo-randomly). In this way, since the order and cycle are fixed, it is easy to eliminate the influence of characteristics such as an increase in the degree of light emission or reception.

[0196] In this embodiment, the light emitting unit B20 and the light receiving unit B40 are provided at four positions, top, bottom, left and right, as viewed from above, but they may be provided at two positions, left and right, and none at the top or bottom. In this case, the configuration may be such that a process of switching between right to left (1. "→" Right) and left to right (2. "←" Left) is performed as one cycle.

[0197] [Sixth embodiment]

[0198] As shown in FIG. 17, this embodiment is provided with a piezoelectric sensor E10 at the bottom of the parallel light area (detection target space) between the light-emitting lens B20 and the light-receiving lens of the configuration of the third embodiment shown and described in FIGS. 8 to 11, and the piezoelectric sensor E10 is connected to the control unit. The piezoelectric sensor E10 detects rainfall intensity and outputs an electrical signal indicating vibration through an experiment simulating rainfall and ashfall in advance, but cannot detect ashfall intensity and does not output an electrical signal indicating vibration. In addition to the configuration of the third embodiment, the control unit inputs a signal from the piezoelectric sensor E10 and performs a correction process when calculating the amount of ashfall from the amount of received light input from the light-receiving unit B40 based on the signal. For example, this correction process may be a process in which the amount of received light is set to a value of "uncalculatable" when an electrical signal corresponding to rainfall is detected from the signal from the piezoelectric sensor E10. This makes it easy to disable the output of the device when it rains, preventing an incorrect value for the amount of ashfall being output due to the effects of rainfall.

[0199] In this embodiment, a precipitation sensor is provided at the bottom of the detection target space, and the detection of precipitation falling through the detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 is corrected based on the rainfall conditions detected by the precipitation sensor.

[0200] In this way, it is possible to take into account the rainfall conditions and more accurately detect falling objects falling in the detection target space.

[0201] The piezoelectric sensor may be incorporated in a weather sensor used to measure rainfall intensity and amount. In particular, it is preferable to incorporate a piezoelectric sensor as an impact detection sensor for detecting the impact caused by the collision of raindrops. It is preferable to install a weather sensor used to measure rainfall intensity, etc., at the bottom of the parallel light transmitting area. It is preferable to use a precipitation sensor as the weather sensor. It is particularly preferable to use a precipitation sensor as the precipitation sensor. It is particularly preferable to use a sensor that detects the impact of each raindrop, and it is particularly preferable to use a sensor whose impact signal is approximately proportional to the amount of raindrops. It is preferable to use an impact sensor as the precipitation sensor. It is preferable to use, for example, a piezoelectric sensor as the impact sensor. It is preferable to use a stainless steel cover and a piezoelectric sensor attached to the back of the cover as the precipitation sensor. It is particularly preferable to use a precipitation sensor that detects rainfall intensity but does not detect ashfall intensity. From experience with the use of meteorological sensors and data accumulation, it is generally known that such sensors can detect the intensity of rainfall but not the intensity of ashfall, and therefore it is possible to correct for the change in the transmission of parallel light due to rainfall.

[0202] In this embodiment, a sensor that detects rainfall intensity but cannot detect ashfall intensity is used, but it is not limited to this and an impact sensor (piezoelectric element, etc.) that can detect both may be used. In this case, for example, the control unit may have a function of inputting an output signal from the impact sensor and separately detecting rainfall, ashfall, and other particles from the signal. For example, it may be performed by FFT analysis of the sensor output signal input from the impact sensor. By utilizing the fact that the impact detected by the sensor differs depending on the mass of the target particle, etc., the output signal can be Fourier transformed to recognize the detection target by frequency. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the horizontal axis is the frequency axis, and fine particles such as PM2.5 are shown on the low frequency side, rainfall on the high frequency side, and ashfall vibrations are shown in between by Fourier transform. The control unit performs Fourier transform processing of the signal input from the impact sensor, recognizes it by dividing it into predetermined frequency ranges, and performs correction processing when calculating the amount of ashfall from the amount of light received from the light receiving unit B40. This correction process may involve, for example, performing a Fourier transform on the output signal of the impact sensor and, when an electrical signal corresponding to rainfall is detected, setting the amount of received light to a value of "uncalculatable." This makes it easy to invalidate the output of this device when it rains, and prevents the amount of ashfall from being output as an incorrect value due to the effects of rainfall.

[0203] Furthermore, this correction process may be such that, for example, when an electrical signal corresponding to rainfall is detected by Fourier transforming the output signal of the impact sensor, the amount of received light does not become a value "uncalculatable", but rather the intensity of the electrical signal corresponding to rainfall is corrected by subtracting a value corresponding to the intensity of the rainfall area obtained by Fourier transform from the amount of ashfall.

[0204] In this embodiment, the output signal is Fourier transformed based on the fact that the impact detected by the precipitation sensor differs depending on the mass of the target particle, etc., and the detection target is recognized by dividing it by frequency, and a function for correcting the detection of the target falling object is provided. The Fourier transform may be performed by FFT analysis of the vibration sensor output signal, as in this embodiment.

[0205] In addition, a precipitation sensor may be provided at the bottom of the detection target space, and the control unit may perform a process to determine the time when the precipitation sensor detects a signal corresponding to rainfall and determines the time when the precipitation sensor detects the precipitation that descends through the detection target space located between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40, and correct the detection of the precipitation descending through the detection target space at that time.

[0206] As in this embodiment, a weather sensor (e.g., an impact detection sensor) used for measuring rainfall intensity, etc., may be installed below the parallel light transmitting area. The precipitation sensor may be a sensor that detects the impact of each raindrop, and in particular, one whose impact signal is approximately proportional to the amount of raindrops may be used. As the precipitation sensor, a piezoelectric sensor may be used as in this embodiment. The precipitation sensor may be a stainless steel cover and a piezoelectric sensor attached to the back of the cover. In particular, a precipitation sensor that detects rainfall intensity but does not detect ashfall intensity may be used.

[0207] It is preferable to use a precipitation sensor equipped with a noise filter for removing signals due to causes other than water droplets. It is preferable to use a precipitation sensor capable of distinguishing between raindrops and hail. It is preferable to correct the detection situation regarding the falling objects falling in the detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit B10 and the light-receiving unit B40 by performing different processing for raindrops and for hail.

[0208] The precipitation sensor may be, for example, a VAISALA Weather Transmitter WXT520.

[0209] It is advisable to use a weather sensor (eg, a precipitation sensor) and, based on empirical data accumulation, correct the change in the amount of transmitted parallel light due to rainfall.

[0210] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, in contrast to the configuration of the third embodiment, a piezoelectric sensor E10 is provided at the bottom of the parallel light area (space to be detected) between the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens of the configuration of the third embodiment shown and explained in FIGS. 8 to 11, and the piezoelectric sensor E10 is connected to a control unit, and a variation thereof is shown, but the present invention is not limited to the third embodiment, and a configuration having a similar configuration to the configurations of the fourth and fifth embodiments may also be used.

[0211] [Seventh embodiment]

[0212] The present embodiment is configured to add a method of use and a configuration other than the detection of fallout, such as the detection of volcanic ash, to the third or fourth embodiment.

[0213] As shown in FIG. 19, a gap is provided between the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 in FIG. 8 so that an object can enter the space to be detected between them. Alternatively, a gap is provided between the light-emitting unit C10 and the light-receiving unit C40 in FIG. 12 so that an object can enter the space to be detected between them. The diagram on the left side of FIG. 19 shows an example in which the gap between the two is set to several centimeters to several tens of centimeters, which is a distance that allows a hand to enter, and shows the hand and the shadow cast by the hand. The diagram on the right side of FIG. 19 shows an example in which the gap between the two is set to several tens of centimeters to several meters, which is a distance that allows a pig to enter, and shows the pig and the shadow cast by the pig. In this case, the size of the lens should be large depending on the size of the object to be detected.

[0214] However, in the present invention, the best example is one having a device size as shown in Figures 8 to 11.

[0215] In this way, a gap is provided between the light emitter side lens B20 and the light receiver side lens B30 to allow an object to enter the space to be detected. Alternatively, a gap is provided between the light emitter C10 and the light receiver C40 to allow an object to enter the space to be detected.

[0216] The control unit further has a function for detecting fallout as described in the third and fourth embodiments using a range where the change in the amount of light is relatively small, while detecting objects using a range where the change in the amount of light is relatively large. A threshold value may be set in advance based on a prior experiment, at which the amount of light is reduced to a maximum when ash is artificially allowed to fall at its maximum value, and when the amount of light is reduced below this threshold, the amount of ashfall is calculated and output as volcanic ash, whereas when the amount of light is reduced above this threshold, information is output indicating that an object other than volcanic ash has been detected (such as a large number that is impossible for the amount of ashfall).

[0217] For example, a range where the change in the amount of light is small may be used for detection of volcanic ash, and a range where the change in the amount of light is large and not used for detection of volcanic ash may be used for another purpose.

[0218] In particular, it is preferable to use a range where the change in the amount of light is small for detecting volcanic ash, and to use a range where the change in the amount of light is large for other purposes and not for detecting volcanic ash.

[0219] According to this embodiment, the detection of falling objects and the detection of the intrusion of an object can be easily performed separately.

[0220] In addition, by setting the size and lens spacing of the Fresnel lens according to the application, it can be used to detect objects and living organisms of various sizes. It is preferable to provide a structure that sets the size and lens spacing of the Fresnel lens according to the application, and configure it to detect objects and living organisms of various sizes by changing the spacing setting.

[0221] The configuration may also include a location where a hand can be inserted into the space to be detected between the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30, and a function to determine that a hand has entered the space to be detected if a sudden decrease in the light receiving state greater than a value set as the descent of falling objects is detected.

[0222] In this way, both falling objects and hand insertion can be detected.

[0223] For example, the distance between the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 should be wider than the distance through which falling objects pass, and at least a distance large enough for the palm of a hand to fit in. For example, when the light-emitting unit side lens B20 and the light-receiving unit side lens B30 are provided in a housing such as a case, the case should be provided with an insertion opening through which a hand can fit.

[0224] For example, the distance between the light-emitting unit C10 and the light-receiving unit C40 should be wider than the distance through which falling objects pass, and at least a distance large enough for the palm of a hand to fit in. For example, when the light-emitting unit C20 and the light-receiving unit C40 are provided in a housing such as a case, the case should be provided with an insertion opening through which a hand can fit.

[0225] For example, if it is detected that a hand has entered the area, the detection of falling objects may be stopped immediately or temporarily stopped.

[0226] In addition, separate from the detection space of this system, the system may be provided with a function of detecting the entrance of a hand into a detection space provided between the separate light-emitting unit and the separate light-receiving unit in response to the electrical state that changes in accordance with the light-receiving state by receiving light output from the separate light-emitting unit with a separate light-receiving unit.

[0227] [others] The single infrared LED described in each of the above-described embodiments may be replaced with an infrared LED array or a bundle of multiple infrared LEDs (multiple LEDs arranged in adjacent positions). The single infrared LED described in each of the above-described embodiments may be replaced with an infrared LED array or a bundle of multiple infrared LEDs (multiple LEDs arranged in adjacent positions). In the above-mentioned embodiments, an infrared LED is used, but an infrared VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) may be used instead of or together with the infrared LED. For example, the word "LED" may be replaced with the word "VCSEL". In this way, the effect on the detection of sunlight can be further reduced.

[0228] The embodiments of the present invention may be any combination of the systems listed in the first to seventh embodiments and [Others] above. For example, it is preferable to provide all of the systems of the first to seventh embodiments, and provide a control unit or the like with a function for selecting which system to use for detecting falling objects. However, it is not limited to this, it is preferable to provide at least two of the systems of the first to seventh embodiments, and provide a control unit or the like with a function for selecting which system to use for detecting falling objects. According to the system of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, when volcanic ash adheres to the surface of a solar panel, the solar absorption rate decreases and power generation efficiency decreases, so more panels and more energy are required, which may increase fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, which can contribute to solving the issue of global warming countermeasures (SDG13). The system of each embodiment can contribute to the spread of renewable energy and global warming countermeasures. In addition, if power generation efficiency is reduced due to volcanic ash, more solar panels will be needed, which will require more energy, and this could hinder the spread of energy. By using the system of each embodiment to remove volcanic ash that has adhered to solar panels, it is possible to contribute to the spread of renewable energy (SDG7). In addition, because removing volcanic ash requires specialized technology and equipment, it can promote innovation and infrastructure development (Innovation and Infrastructure Development (SDG9)). As described above, the systems of each embodiment can contribute to the SDGs, such as promoting the spread of renewable energy, measures against global warming, and innovation and infrastructure development.

[0229] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations expressly described in the specification, but includes combinations of various aspects of the present invention disclosed in the present specification. Although the configurations of the present invention that are sought to be patented are specified in the appended claims, it is the intention of the present inventors to include in the claims the configurations disclosed in the present specification, even if they are not currently specified in the claims.

[0230] The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above-mentioned embodiment. The components of each of the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any components of each of the embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily combined with any components described in the means for solving the invention or any components that embody any components described in the means for solving the invention. We intend to acquire rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications. Even if there is a description such as "in the case of" or "when", this is not intended to describe a configuration that is limited to that case or time. We also disclose configurations that are not in these cases or times, and we intend to acquire rights. Furthermore, the parts described in order are not limited to this order. We also disclose configurations in which some parts are deleted or the order is changed, and we intend to acquire rights.

[0231] In addition, we intend to obtain rights to the overall design or partial design by converting to a design registration application. The drawings depict the entire device in solid lines, but they include not only the overall design but also partial designs claimed for a part of the device. For example, some parts of the device may be partial designs, and the drawings include some parts of the device as partial designs regardless of the parts. A part of the device may be a part of the device, or a part of that part. We intend to obtain rights to the overall design, as well as partial designs in which any part of the solid line part of the drawing is shown as a broken line part. In addition, the modules, parts, and components inside the device's casing, all of which are shown in the drawings, are subject to trade independently, and we intend to obtain rights to them by converting to a design registration application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0232] 1. Detection device 3. Solar Panels 2. Cleaning machine 2a Cleaning nozzle 10 First body part 12 Irradiation unit 13 Light receiving part 14 Lenses 15 White plate light receiving area 16 Blackboard light receiving unit 20 Second body part 21 White board 22 Solar Cells 31 Control Unit 32, 33 Amplifier 34 Switch 35 Bandpass Filter 36 Detector IC 37 Voltage output section 38 Comparison / judgment section PDw, PDb Photodiodes LW White plate reflected light LB Blackboard Reflection TD1 1st predetermined period TD2 2nd predetermined period Opw, Opb reflected signal Ow, Ob, O1, RSSI, O2, O3 signals 101 Detection device B10 Light emitting unit B20 Light-emitting lens B30 Receiver lens B40 Light receiving section 100 Pedestal B100 Pedestal B110 First through hole B111 Second through hole B120 Third through hole B130 Fourth Insertion Part B130 Fourth through hole B140 Fifth through hole B141 Sixth through hole 200 standing board 200a square part 200b Protrusion 210 Standing board 220 Standing board 230 Standing board 240 Standing board C10 Light emitting part B10L Left light emitting part B10R Right light emitting part B10U Upper light emitting part B10D Lower light emitting part E10 Piezoelectric Sensor B10 Second light emitting part B20 Light emitting part C20 Light emitting part C40 Photodetector B40 Second light receiving section B40R Right receiver B40L left receiver B40D lower receiver B40U upper light receiving section B40R left receiver

Claims

1. A device for measuring fallout conditions, comprising: An apparatus having a function of determining the condition of the fallout by means other than a means for measuring the condition of the fallout by irradiating light onto the location where the fallout has accumulated and detecting the reflected light.

2. A device for detecting falling objects falling through a detection target space provided between a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit in response to an electrical state that changes in response to a light receiving state by receiving light output from a light emitting unit, the device comprising: a first optical member for guiding light toward the detection target space and a second optical member for guiding light from the detection target space; the first optical member is an optical member that converts light from the light emitting unit into parallel light, The second optical member is an optical member for concentrating the parallel light on the light receiving portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 .

3. The first optical member and the second optical member are provided opposite to each other across the detection target space.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

4. A device for detecting falling objects falling through a detection target space provided between the second light emitting unit and the second light receiving unit in response to an electrical state that changes in response to a light receiving state by receiving light output from a second light emitting unit with a second light receiving unit, The second optical member also has a function of guiding light toward the detection target space, and the first optical member also has a function of guiding light from the detection target space, the second optical member is an optical member that converts the light from the second light emitting unit into parallel light, the first optical member is an optical member for concentrating the parallel light on the second light receiving portion, The light output from the light-emitting unit is received by the light-receiving unit, and an electrical state that changes according to the light-receiving state is detected, and the light output from the second light-emitting unit is received by the second light-receiving unit, and the electrical state that changes according to the light-receiving state is detected.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

5. A device for detecting falling objects falling through a detection target space provided between a third light emitting unit and a third light receiving unit in response to an electrical state that changes in response to a light receiving state by receiving light output from a third light emitting unit at a third light receiving unit, the device comprising: The third optical member has a function of guiding light toward the detection target space, and the fourth optical member has a function of guiding light from the detection target space, the third optical member is an optical member that converts the light from the second light emitting portion into parallel light, the fourth optical member is an optical member for concentrating the parallel light onto the second light receiving portion, The third optical member and the fourth optical member are disposed at positions where the first optical member and the second optical member are not disposed across the detection target space, The light output from the light emitter is received by the light receiver, and an electrical state that changes according to the light receiving state is detected, and the light output from the third light emitter is received by the third light receiver, and the electrical state that changes according to the light receiving state is detected.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

6. A reflecting member that reflects light is provided, The first optical member and the second optical member are provided opposite to the reflecting member with the detection target space therebetween.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

7. The reflective member is a member that performs retroreflection.

7. The apparatus of claim 6,

8. The first optical member is A Fresnel lens having a planar side and a convex side, The flat surface side of the Fresnel lens faces the light emitting unit, The convex side of the Fresnel lens is disposed facing the measurement target space.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

9. A distance adjustment unit is provided for adjusting and fixing the distance between the first optical member and the second optical member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

10. a first fallout prevention member that prevents the fallout from entering an area including a surface of the first optical member on the light-emitting unit side from the light-emitting unit; a second fallout prevention member that prevents the fallout from entering an area including a surface of the second optical member on the light receiving side from the light receiving portion; a space between the first optical member and the second optical member as a detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit; 3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

11. The cleaning device includes a structure for applying vibration to a member including the first optical member and the second optical member to perform cleaning.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

12. a first state in which the falling object is prevented from entering the detection target space; a second state that allows the falling object to enter the detection target space; A changeable state changing means; A determination means for determining whether the device is in the first state or the second state; The device has a function of measuring the amount of fallout falling through the measurement target space in the second state based on the result of the determination and using the electrical state in the first state as a reference.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

13. providing the measurement target space between the first optical member and the second optical member facing each other; The measurement space is provided with an installation means that enables the measurement space to be installed at a height close to the height of a deposition target on which the falling object that has fallen through the measurement space is deposited.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

14. A first substrate on which the light emitting unit is mounted; a second substrate on which the light receiving unit is mounted, At least one of a component placement surface of a first board on which the light-emitting unit is mounted and a component placement surface of a second board on which the light-receiving unit is mounted is disposed on a surface that is not on the side of the space to be measured.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

15. The measurement of the amount of fallout falling through the measurement target space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit in response to the electrical state that changes in response to the light-receiving state is performed in response to the amount of decrease in current from the reference state without fallout.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

16. the light emitting portion is integrated with the first optical member, the light receiving portion is integrated with the second optical member, the light-emitting unit is a light-emitting array member in which light-emitting elements are arranged two-dimensionally, the light receiving unit is a light receiving array member in which light receiving elements are arranged two-dimensionally, The first optical member not only collimates the light but also diffuses it, The second optical member is configured to collect light other than parallel light.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

17. A portion for inserting an object is provided in the detection target space between the first optical member and the second optical member, and the falling object falls using a range where the change in the amount of light is relatively small, while the object is detected using a range where the change in the amount of light is relatively large.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

18. A place where a hand can be inserted is provided in the detection target space between the first optical member and the second optical member, and a function is provided to determine that a hand has been inserted into the detection target space when a sudden attenuation in the light receiving state greater than a value set as the descent of the falling object is detected.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

19. A precipitation sensor is provided at the bottom of the detection target space, and a function is provided for correcting detection of precipitation falling in the detection target space provided between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit based on the rainfall conditions detected by the precipitation sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 .

20. Based on the fact that the impact detected by the precipitation sensor differs depending on the mass of the target particle, etc., the output signal is Fourier transformed, the detection target is recognized by dividing it by frequency, and the detection of the fallout of the detection target is corrected.

20. The apparatus of claim 19,

21. a means for irradiating light onto a location where the fallout has accumulated and detecting the reflected light to measure the condition of the fallout; a separate solar panel for detection, the separate solar panel being smaller than the large-scale solar panel and disposed in the vicinity of the large-scale solar panel as a deposition site of the fallout; a function for determining the state of deposition of the fallout based on the relationship between the power generated by the separate solar panel and the result of measurement by a means for measuring the state of the fallout by irradiating light onto the location where the fallout has accumulated and detecting the reflected light; The system of claim 1 .

22. a separate solar panel for detection, the separate solar panel being smaller than the large solar panel and disposed in the vicinity of the large solar panel as a deposition site for the fallout; providing a lighting means for illuminating the other solar panel; The large-scale solar panel is provided with a function of estimating the degree of contamination from the amount of power generated by the other solar panel when the amount of power generated by the other solar panel is equal to or less than a predetermined value by turning on the lighting means.

2. The device according to claim 1,

23. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

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