Raindrop detector and weather sensor including the same

Abstract

To provide a raindrop detector which is a device for detecting raindrops passing through an opening, capable of effectively discharging foreign materials entering the opening to the outside while securing the detection accuracy of the raindrops, and provide a weather sensor including the raindrop detector.SOLUTION: A raindrop detector 20 comprises a housing part 21, an opening 21a, a light source part 22a, a light receiving part 22b, a microcomputer 25, a base 24, and a discharge part 26. The opening 21a is formed in the ceiling plane 21c of the housing part 21. The light source part 22a emits light to raindrops passing through the opening 21a. The light receiving part 22b is arranged opposite the light source part 22a of the housing part 21 and receives light emitted from the light source part 22a. The microcomputer 25 detects raindrops depending on the change of an amount of received light in the light receiving part 22b. The base 24 supports the housing part 21 from downward. The discharge part 26 has a gap formed between the outer peripheral surface 21d of the housing part 21 and the base 24, and has a height equivalent to overall heights of insects coming through the opening 21a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a raindrop detection device for measuring rainfall and a weather sensor equipped with the same.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in order to measure rainfall, a tipping bucket rain gauge including a water receiver for receiving falling rainwater, a strainer for dripping the rainwater received by the water receiver, and a tipping bucket for collecting and tipping the rainwater dripping from the strainer has been used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rainfall change rate measurement system that can grasp the state of rainfall in more detail and as promptly as possible, and can be used for predicting and preventing various disasters caused by rainfall.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the above conventional rainfall change rate measurement system has the following problems. That is, in the rainfall change rate measurement system disclosed in the above publication, rainfall is detected by a water quantity quantification unit that quantifies rainfall or the like of a predetermined water quantity by a tipping bucket. For this reason, with such a configuration, it has been difficult to detect rainfall in real time.

[0005] Therefore, a raindrop detection device that detects raindrops passing through a predetermined detection area and detects rainfall in real time is used. However, with such a configuration, there is a risk that foreign substances such as fallen leaves and insects may enter from the opening through which raindrops pass, making it difficult to accurately detect rainfall. On one hand, if the gap between the housing part and the base part is enlarged in consideration of discharging foreign matters such as insects, wind may enter through the gap and cause splashing in the part where raindrop detection is performed, which may reduce the detection accuracy of raindrops.

[0006] The problem of the present invention is to provide a raindrop detection device capable of effectively discharging foreign matters that have entered from an opening to the outside while ensuring the detection accuracy of raindrops in a device that detects raindrops passing through an opening, and a weather sensor equipped with the same.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The raindrop detection device according to the first invention includes a housing part, an opening, a light source part, a light receiving part, a raindrop detection part, a base part, and a discharge part. The housing part has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and a ceiling surface. The opening is formed in the ceiling surface of the housing part. The light source part is provided in the housing part and irradiates light toward raindrops passing through the opening. The light receiving part is disposed at a position facing the light source part in the housing part and receives the light irradiated from the light source part. The raindrop detection part detects raindrops that have passed between the light source part and the light receiving part according to a change in the amount of light received by the light receiving part. The base part supports the housing part from below. The discharge part is a gap formed between the outer peripheral surface of the housing part and the base part and has a height equivalent to the total height of an insect that has entered from the opening.

[0008] Here, in a device that detects raindrops passing through an opening provided in the ceiling surface of the housing part to detect the rainfall amount, foreign matters such as insects and fallen leaves that have entered from the opening are discharged from a gap (discharge part) formed between the outer peripheral surface of the housing part and the base part and having a height equivalent to the total height of an insect that has entered from the opening. Here, the total height of an insect means, for example, the height from the upper surface of the base part of the insect in a state where an insect such as a Japanese rhinoceros beetle has fallen on the base part. Since it is assumed that the height of foreign matters such as fallen leaves from the upper surface of the base part is lower than the total height of an insect, the size of the gap of the discharge part is set based on the total height of an insect.

[0009] In a rain drop detection device having an opening through which rain drops pass on the ceiling surface of the housing portion, an opening of a certain area is required to allow the rain drops to pass through. Therefore, in addition to rain drops, foreign matters such as insects like canabin and fallen leaves may enter through the opening. For this reason, it is necessary to quickly discharge the foreign matters that have entered through the opening to the outside of the housing portion through the gap between the housing portion and the base portion. However, if the gap between the housing portion and the base portion is enlarged, due to the influence of the wind entering from the side, a blow-up may occur inside the opening, and there is a risk that the accuracy of rain drop detection will decrease.

[0010] Therefore, in the rain drop detection device of the present invention, foreign matters such as insects are discharged from a gap having a height equivalent to the total height of insects like canabin, which is assumed to be the highest among the foreign matters that may enter through the opening. As a result, foreign matters such as insects and fallen leaves that have accidentally entered through the opening can be smoothly discharged from the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the housing portion and the base portion, and the influence of the wind from the side can be minimized to prevent a decrease in the detection accuracy of rain drops caused by blow-up or the like in the opening. As a result, in a device for detecting rain drops passing through the opening, while ensuring the detection accuracy of rain drops, foreign matters that have entered through the opening can be effectively discharged to the outside.

[0011] The rain drop detection device according to the second invention is the rain drop detection device according to the first invention, wherein the discharge portion has a gap in the range of 5 to 15 mm. As a result, while suppressing the occurrence of blow-up in the opening to ensure the detection accuracy of rain drops, foreign matters such as insects and fallen leaves that have entered through the opening can be effectively discharged to the outside.

[0012] The rain drop detection device according to the third invention is the rain drop detection device according to the first or second invention, wherein the light receiving portion is arranged at a height position of 30 mm or more from the surface of the base portion. As a result, since the light-receiving part is arranged at a predetermined height position from the surface of the base part, raindrops that have passed through the opening and fallen onto the surface of the base part bounce back and block a part of the light received by the light-receiving part, preventing the detection accuracy of raindrops from decreasing.

[0013] The raindrop detection device according to the fourth invention is the raindrop detection device according to the first or second invention, wherein the housing part further has an inner wall surface that communicates from the opening to the surface of the base part. The light source part and the light-receiving part are provided at positions facing each other on the inner wall surface. As a result, since the light source part and the light-receiving part are arranged at opposing positions on the inner wall surface that communicates from the opening to the surface of the base part, raindrops passing between the light source part and the light-receiving part can be detected.

[0014] The raindrop detection device according to the fifth invention is the raindrop detection device according to the fourth invention, and further includes a raindrop detection area provided inside the inner wall surface and between the light source part and the light-receiving part. As a result, raindrops passing through the raindrop detection area formed between the light source part and the light-receiving part can be detected.

[0015] The weather sensor according to the sixth invention includes the raindrop detection device according to the first or second invention, and an anemometer arranged below the base part for detecting the speed and direction of wind passing through a predetermined measurement area. As a result, it is possible to provide a weather sensor that can effectively discharge foreign matter that has entered from the opening to the outside while ensuring the detection accuracy of raindrops in the above-described raindrop detection device, and can detect the wind speed and wind direction in the anemometer.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the raindrop detection device of the present invention, in a device that detects raindrops passing through an opening, it is possible to effectively discharge foreign matter that has entered from the opening to the outside while ensuring the detection accuracy of raindrops.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] The rain drop detection device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the weather sensor 1 equipped with the same will be described as follows with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. In this embodiment, detailed descriptions that are more than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and duplicate descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following descriptions unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art. Also, the applicant provides the accompanying drawings and the following description for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present invention, and does not intend to limit the subject matter described in the claims by these.

[0019] (1) Configuration of Weather Sensor 1 The weather sensor 1 according to this embodiment is, for example, a device installed outdoors for measuring rain, wind, illuminance, air temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, etc. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it includes a wind measurement device 10, a rain drop detection device 20, an illuminometer 30, and a temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure meter 40.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wind measurement device 10 is provided in the middle part of the weather sensor 1 and measures the speed and direction of the wind passing through the gap between the rain drop detection device 20 and the temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure meter 40. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the wind measurement device 10 includes ultrasonic sensors 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, a base 12, a reflecting surface 13, a column member 14, and a support portion 15.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the ultrasonic sensors 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are arranged on the upper surface 12a of the base 12. The ultrasonic sensors 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are used as a pair (ultrasonic sensors 11a, 11b and ultrasonic sensors 11c, 11d) arranged to face each other. One of the pair of ultrasonic sensors 11a, 11b functions as an emitting portion that emits ultrasonic waves, and the other functions as a receiving portion that receives ultrasonic waves. And these functions can also be switched reversely.

[0022] For example, when ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic sensor 11a, the ultrasonic sensor 11b arranged at a position facing this receives the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic sensor 11a and reflected by the reflecting surface 13. And when ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic sensor 11b, the ultrasonic sensor 11a arranged at a position facing this receives the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic sensor 11b and reflected by the reflecting surface 13.

[0023] Similarly, when ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic sensor 11c, the ultrasonic sensor 11d arranged at a position facing this receives the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic sensor 11c and reflected by the reflecting surface 13. And when ultrasonic waves are emitted from the ultrasonic sensor 11d, the ultrasonic sensor 11c arranged at a position facing this receives the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic sensor 11d and reflected by the reflecting surface 13.

[0024] The column member 14 is erected on the upper surface 12a where the ultrasonic sensors 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are arranged, is provided around the wind measurement area, and supports the base 24 from below. The support part 15 is provided on the upper surface 12a where the ultrasonic sensors 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are arranged, and protrudes from the upper surface 12a while supporting the ultrasonic sensors 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the raindrop detection device 20 is provided in the upper part of the weather sensor 1, detects raindrops that have passed through a predetermined opening 21a (see FIG. 3 etc.) provided on the top surface of the housing part 21, and calculates the rainfall by detecting the size of the detected raindrops and the amount per unit time. Details of the raindrop detection device 20 will be described in detail later.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the illuminometer 30 is provided together with the raindrop detection device 20 in the upper part of the weather sensor 1, and measures the illuminance as one of the weather information. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the temperature, humidity, and barometer 40 is provided in the lower part of the weather sensor 1, and measures temperature (air temperature), humidity, and barometric pressure as weather information.

[0027] (2) Configuration of the raindrop detection device 20 As shown in FIG. 4, the raindrop detection device 20 according to the present embodiment includes a housing part 21, a light source part 22a and a light receiving part 22b provided inside the housing part 21, a leg part 23, a base (base part) 24, a microcomputer (raindrop detection part) 25, and a discharge part 26. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing part 21 is a substantially cylindrical member, and has an opening 21a, an inner wall surface 21b, a ceiling surface 21c, and an outer peripheral surface 21d. The opening 21a is provided substantially at the center of the ceiling surface 21c and is formed so as to penetrate the inside of the housing part 21.

[0028] The inner wall surface 21b forms the inner wall of the housing part 21 in the through part formed by the opening 21a. The light source part 22a and the light receiving part 22b are arranged at positions on the inner wall surface 21b that face each other. The ceiling surface 21c is a substantially disk-shaped portion that forms the ceiling portion of the substantially cylindrical housing portion 21, and an opening 21a is provided in the central portion thereof. The outer peripheral surface 21d is a surface that forms the outer peripheral portion of the substantially cylindrical housing portion 21, and a gap (discharge portion 26) of a predetermined size is provided between the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface 21d and the base 24.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the light source unit 22a and the light receiving unit 22b are disposed at positions facing each other on the inner wall surface 21b of the opening 21a. The light source unit 22a is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and irradiates infrared light toward the light receiving unit 22b through a collimating lens and a condenser lens (both not shown).

[0030] The light receiving unit 22b is, for example, a photodiode, and is disposed at a position facing the light source unit 22a, and receives the light condensed through a condenser lens (not shown). Then, the light is irradiated from the light source unit 22a to the raindrop detection area A1 (see FIG. 4) formed between the light source unit 22a and the light receiving unit 22b, and a part of the light detected by the light receiving unit 22b is blocked by raindrops, and the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 22b decreases, whereby the presence or absence of raindrops is detected.

[0031] The plurality of legs 23 are erected on the upper surface of the base (base portion) 24, and the raindrop detection device 20 is connected to the anemometer 10 that constitutes the middle portion of the weather sensor 1 via the legs 23 and the base 24. The base (base portion) 24 is a substantially disk-shaped member, and supports the housing portion 21 and the like of the raindrop detection device 20 via the plurality of legs 23 erected on its upper surface 24a.

[0032] The microcomputer (raindrop detection unit) 25 is connected to the light source unit 22a and the light receiving unit 22b as shown in FIG. 4, and detects raindrops that have passed between the light source unit 22a and the light receiving unit 22b according to a change in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 22b. The discharge part 26 has a size h1 of the gap formed between the outer peripheral surface 21d of the housing part 21 and the base 24, and the size h1 of the gap has a height equivalent to the total height of the insects entering from the opening 21a. And the discharge part 26 has, for example, a gap size h1 of 9 mm (preferably a gap in the range of 5 to 15 mm).

[0033] Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, foreign matters such as insects and fallen leaves that have entered from the opening 21a of the housing part 21 can be smoothly discharged from the discharge part 26 to the outside. Further, since the size h1 of the gap of the discharge part 26 is about 9 mm, which is equivalent to the total height of the insects entering from the opening 21a, it is possible to prevent the wind blowing from the side of the weather sensor 1 from entering through the gap of the discharge part 26 and blowing up inside the opening 21a.

[0034] As a result, in the device for detecting raindrops passing through the opening 21a, while ensuring the detection accuracy of raindrops, foreign matters entering from the opening 21a can be effectively discharged to the outside. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the light source part 22a and the light receiving part 22b are arranged at a position where the height h2 from the surface of the base 24 is, for example, 40 mm (preferably 30 mm or more). Thereby, it is possible to prevent raindrops that have passed through the opening 21a and fallen onto the upper surface of the base 24 from bouncing back and blocking a part of the light received by the light receiving part 22b, and thus prevent the detection accuracy of raindrops from decreasing.

[0035] <Main features> As shown in FIG. 5, the wind measurement device 10 of this embodiment includes a housing portion 21, an opening portion 21a, a light source portion 22a, a light receiving portion 22b, a microcomputer 25, a base 24, and a discharge portion 26. The housing portion 21 has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 21d and a ceiling surface 21c. The opening portion 21a is formed in the ceiling surface 21c of the housing portion 21. The light source portion 22a is provided in the housing portion 21 and irradiates light toward raindrops passing through the opening portion 21a. The light receiving portion 22b is disposed at a position facing the light source portion 22a in the housing portion 21 and receives the light irradiated from the light source portion 22a. The microcomputer 25 detects raindrops that have passed between the light source portion 22a and the light receiving portion 22b according to a change in the amount of received light of the light received by the light receiving portion 22b. The base 24 supports the housing portion 21 from below. The discharge portion 26 is a gap formed between the outer peripheral surface 21d of the housing portion 21 and the base 24 and has a height equivalent to the total height of insects that enter from the opening portion 21a.

[0036] Thereby, foreign matters such as insects and fallen leaves that have accidentally entered from the opening portion 21a can be smoothly discharged from the gap between the outer peripheral surface 21d of the housing portion 21 and the base 24. Furthermore, it is possible to minimize the influence of wind from the side of the weather sensor 1 and prevent a decrease in the detection accuracy of raindrops caused by uplift or the like in the opening portion 21a. As a result, in a device that detects raindrops passing through the opening portion 21a, it is possible to effectively discharge foreign matters that have entered from the opening portion 21a to the outside while ensuring the detection accuracy of raindrops.

[0037] [Other Embodiments] As described above, an embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention. (A) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the size h1 of the gap of the discharge portion 26 is 9 mm, preferably in the range of 5 to 15 mm. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when different insects are likely to enter through the opening 21a depending on the region, season, etc. where the weather sensor 1 (rain drop detection device 20) is installed, the size of the gap may be set based on the total height of the largest insect that may enter, according to the region, season, etc.

[0038] (B) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the light source unit 22a and the light receiving unit 22b are arranged at a height position 40 mm, preferably 30 mm or more, from the upper surface 24a of the base 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the maximum rainfall per unit time falling on the opening 21a varies depending on the region, season, etc. where the weather sensor 1 (rain drop detection device 20) is installed, the height positions of the light source unit and the light receiving unit from the upper surface of the base may be set according to the region, season, etc.

[0039] (C) In the above embodiment, as an example, the weather sensor 1 including the anemometer 10, the illuminometer 30, and the temperature, humidity, and barometer 40 in addition to the rain drop detection device 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the device incorporated in the weather sensor including a plurality of measurement targets is not limited to the above combination, and may be a part of the above device, or may be a combination with other devices.

[0040] (D) In the above embodiment, the rain drop detection device 20 incorporated in the weather sensor 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the rain drop detection device is used alone may also be possible.

[0041] <Supplementary Note> The rain drop detection device according to the first invention is a housing portion having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and a ceiling surface, an opening formed in the ceiling surface of the housing portion, a light source unit provided in the housing portion and irradiating light toward the rain drops passing through the opening, It is disposed at a position facing the light source unit in the housing unit, and receives light irradiated from the light source unit; a raindrop detection unit that detects raindrops that have passed between the light source unit and the light receiving unit in response to a change in the amount of received light of the light received by the light receiving unit; a base unit that supports the housing unit from below; a discharge unit that is a gap formed between the outer peripheral surface of the housing unit and the base unit and has a height equal to the total height of insects entering from the opening; and is provided with.

[0042] The raindrop detection device according to the second invention is the raindrop detection device according to the first invention, wherein the discharge unit has a gap in the range of 5 to 15 mm. The raindrop detection device according to the third invention is the raindrop detection device according to the first or second invention, wherein the light receiving unit is disposed at a height position of 30 mm or more from the surface of the base unit.

[0043] The raindrop detection device according to the fourth invention is the raindrop detection device according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the housing unit further has an inner wall surface that communicates from the opening to the surface of the base unit, and the light source unit and the light receiving unit are provided at positions facing each other on the inner wall surface.

[0044] The raindrop detection device according to the fifth invention is the raindrop detection device according to the fourth invention, and further includes a raindrop detection area provided between the light source unit and the light receiving unit inside the inner wall surface. The weather sensor according to the sixth invention is the raindrop detection device according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, a wind measurement device that is disposed below the base unit and detects the speed and direction of wind passing through a predetermined measurement area; and is provided with.

Industrial Applicability

[0045] The raindrop detection device of the present invention is a device that detects raindrops passing through an opening, and has the effect of being able to effectively discharge foreign matter that has entered from the opening to the outside while ensuring the detection accuracy of raindrops. Therefore, it is widely applicable to raindrop detection devices mounted on weather sensors and the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0046] 1 Weather sensor 10 Wind measurement device 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Ultrasonic sensor 12 Base 12a Upper surface 13 Reflective surface 14 Column member 15 Support part 20 Raindrop detection device 21 Housing part 21a Opening 21b Inner wall surface 21c Ceiling surface 21d Outer peripheral surface 22a Light source part 22b Light receiving part 23 Leg part 24 Base (foundation part) 24a Upper surface 25 Microcomputer (raindrop detection part) 26 Discharge part 30 Illuminance meter 40 Temperature, humidity and barometer A1 Raindrop detection area h1 Size of gap h2 Height

Claims

1. A housing portion having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface and a ceiling surface; An opening formed in the ceiling surface of the housing portion; A light source portion provided in the housing portion and irradiating light toward raindrops passing through the opening; A light receiving portion disposed at a position facing the light source portion in the housing portion and receiving the light irradiated from the light source portion; A raindrop detection portion that detects raindrops passing between the light source portion and the light receiving portion in response to a change in the amount of light received by the light receiving portion; A base portion that supports the housing portion from below; A discharge portion that is a gap formed between the outer peripheral surface of the housing portion and the base portion and has a height equivalent to the total height of insects entering from the opening; A raindrop detection device comprising the above.

2. The discharge portion has a gap in the range of 5 to 15 mm. The raindrop detection device according to Claim 1.

3. The light receiving portion is disposed at a height position of 30 mm or more from the surface of the base portion. The raindrop detection device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The housing portion further has an inner wall surface that communicates from the opening to the surface of the base portion. The light source portion and the light receiving portion are provided at positions facing each other on the inner wall surface. The raindrop detection device according to Claim 1 or 2.

5. Further provided with a raindrop detection area provided between the light source portion and the light receiving portion inside the inner wall surface. The raindrop detection device according to Claim 4.

6. The raindrop detection device according to Claim 1 or 2; An anemometer disposed below the base portion and detecting the speed and direction of wind passing through a predetermined measurement area. A weather sensor comprising the above.

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