Sensor system and sensor device

Abstract

To provide a sensor system and others capable of applying an electrode in a measuring unit to a part necessary for sensing in a sensor device used while the measuring unit is pressed against a measuring target.SOLUTION: A sensor system 1 includes a sensor device 5 and a fixing device 3 for installing the sensor device 5 on a surface of a measuring target 7. The sensor device 5 includes a measuring unit 11 and a signal line 17. The measuring unit 11 includes an electrode 19. The fixing device 3 includes an accessory component 27 and a pressing component 29. The pressing component 29 brings the measuring unit 11 from a state not being pressed against the surface of the measuring target 7 through the accessory component 27 into a state being pressed thereto. The electrode 19 and the signal line 17 are not connected in the state where the measuring unit 11 is not pressed against the surface of the measuring target 7, and are connected in the state where the measuring unit 11 is pressed against the surface of the measuring target 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor system and a sensor device, which includes a sensor device and a fixing device for installing the sensor device on a surface of a measurement target. [Background technology]

[0002] 6 and 7 show a sensor device proposed by the applicant (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] 6, the sensor device includes a sensor main body 101 and a measuring unit 103. The measuring unit 103 is flexible.

[0004] Referring to FIG. 7(a), the bolt 105 in the sensor body 101 presses and connects the electrode 107 and the signal line 117 via the insulating member 115.

[0005] 7(b), the electrode 107 provided on the measuring unit 103 must extend to the sensor main body 101. The effective sensing range 109 indicates the range that can be measured by the electrode 107. The contact point 111 is the point where the electrode 107 and the signal line 117 are connected, and is the position of the bolt 105. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7066092 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, as shown in Figure 7(b), the point (contact point) 111 where the bolt 105 presses the signal line 117 against the electrode 107 is located in the sensor main body 101, and is provided separately from the area where the measuring unit 103 is pressed against the object to be measured.

[0008] 6 and 7, electrode 107 needs to have a portion 113 that is not related to the effective sensing range between the area pressed against the measurement object and the position where signal line 117 is connected. This can result in a decrease in the performance (sensitivity, characteristics, etc.) of the sensor device.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor system or the like in which electrodes in the measuring unit can be applied to parts required for sensing in a sensor device in which the measuring unit is pressed against a measurement object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention is a sensor system comprising a sensor device and a fixing device for installing the sensor device on the surface of a measurement object, wherein the sensor device comprises a measurement unit and a signal line, the measurement unit comprises an electrode, and the fixing device comprises a pressing unit, which changes the measurement unit from a state where it is not pressed against the surface of the measurement object to a state where it is pressed against the surface of the measurement object, and the signal line is not fixed to the electrode, and when the measurement unit is pressed against the surface of the measurement object, the electrode and the signal line are connected, and when the measurement unit is not pressed against the surface of the measurement object, the electrode and the signal line are allowed to be unconnected.

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention is a sensor system according to the first aspect, wherein when the measuring unit is pressed against the surface of the object to be measured, the position of the contact point where the electrode and the signal line connect is within the effective sensing range of the electrode, and the pressing unit presses part or all of the effective sensing range of the electrode in the measuring unit against the surface of the object to be measured.

[0012] A third aspect of the present invention is a sensor system of the first or second aspect, wherein the sensor device comprises a sensor main body, the fixing device comprises the fixed main body part, the pressing part is attached to the sensor main body by a sensor mounting part, and the sensor main body can be moved independently of the fixed main body part, at least in a state where the pressing part is not pressing the measuring part against the surface of the object to be measured.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a sensor device in which a measuring unit is pressed against the surface of a measurement object, the measuring unit having an electrode, the electrode not fixed to a signal line for outputting a measurement signal, the electrode being connected to the signal line when the measuring unit is pressed against the surface of the measurement object, and being allowed to be unconnected to the signal line when the measuring unit is not pressed against the surface of the measurement object.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the sensor device of the fourth aspect, wherein when the measuring unit is pressed against the surface of the object to be measured, the position of the contact portion where the electrode and the signal line are connected is located within the effective sensing range of the electrode, and the pressing unit causes part or all of the effective sensing range of the electrode in the measuring unit to be pressed against the surface of the object to be measured.

[0015] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a sensor device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the sensor device comprises a sensor main body, and the fixing device comprises a pressing portion and a fixed main body part, the pressing portion being attached to the sensor main body by a sensor mounting portion, and the sensor main body can be moved independently of the fixed main body part, at least when the pressing portion is not pressing the measuring portion against the surface of the object to be measured. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, by connecting the electrodes and signal lines by utilizing the fact that the measuring unit is pressed against the object to be measured, it is possible to provide contact points between the electrodes and the signal lines in the area where the measuring unit is pressed against the object to be measured, and therefore the electrodes in the measuring unit can be applied to the areas required for sensing.

[0017] 6 and 7, the electrodes and signal wires are electrically connected both under no load (when the measuring unit is not pressed against the surface of the object to be measured) and under load (when the measuring unit is pressed against the surface of the object to be measured). In contrast, the present invention allows for the electrodes and signal wires to be electrically connected under load, but not to be electrically connected under no load. In other words, electrical continuity between the electrodes and signal wires is guaranteed under load, but not to be guaranteed under no load. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sensor system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a specific configuration of the sensor system 1 of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a first diagram for explaining an example of a specific configuration of the sensor device 53 of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a second diagram for explaining an example of a specific configuration of the sensor device 53 of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the sensor system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of a conventional sensor device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of a conventional sensor device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sensor system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The sensor system 1 includes a fixed device 3, a sensor device 5, and a measurement object 7.

[0022] The fixing device 3 comprises a fixing main body part 21, a measurement object mounting part 23, a sensor mounting part 25, an accessory part 27, and a pressing part 29 (the accessory part 27 and the pressing part 29 together are an example of the "pressing part" of the present invention).

[0023] The sensor device 5 is, for example, an ultrasonic sensor, and measures ultrasonic waves in a measurement object 7. The sensor device 5 includes a measurement unit 11, a sensor main body 13, and a signal line 17. The measurement unit 11 includes an insulating member 15 and an electrode 19.

[0024] The electrodes 19 are conductive films printed with, for example, silver paste. The signal lines 17 are pressed onto the electrodes 19 to make contact, ensuring electrical connection. For example, the performance of the electrodes 19 can be improved by making them circular.

[0025] In the fixing device 3, the pressing part 29 is, for example, a bolt, and is attached from the outside of the fixed main body part 21 (the side farther from the measurement object 7). The measuring unit 11 is located between the accessory part 27 and the surface of the measurement object 7. The pressing part 29 presses part or all of the effective sensing range of the electrode 19 of the measuring unit 11 against the surface of the measurement object 7 via the accessory part 27. For example, the pressing part 29 presses part or all of the measuring unit 11, including the contact part. Hereinafter, a state in which the pressing part 29 is not pressing the measuring unit 11 against the surface of the measurement object 7 is referred to as "unloaded." A state in which the pressing part 29 applies a load to the measuring unit 11 via the accessory part 27 and presses the measuring unit 11 against the surface of the measurement object 7 is referred to as "loaded." The surface of the accessory part 27 closest to the measurement object 7 has a convex and concave shape corresponding to the concave and convex parts of the surface of the measurement object 7. For example, if the measurement object 7 is cylindrical, the surface of the attachment 27 closest to the measurement object 7 has a recessed shape of the same diameter. The measuring unit 11 is flexible, and is pressed by the attachment 27 to come into close contact with the surface of the measurement object 7.

[0026] Accessory part 27 is attached to sensor main body 13 by sensor attachment part 25. When no load is applied, accessory part 27 can change its position independently of fixed main body part 21, and when a load is applied, accessory part 27 is fixed to fixed main body part 21 and cannot change its position.

[0027] The fixed main body part 21 is attached to the object to be measured 7 by the measurement object attachment part 23. Even when the fixed main body part 21 is attached to the object to be measured 7, the position of the accessory part 27 can be changed independently of the fixed main body part 21 when no load is applied, allowing the position of the sensor device 5 to be adjusted. When a load is applied, the accessory part 27 is fixed to the fixed main body part 21 to fix the position of the sensor device 5, and the accessory part 27 presses the measuring part 11 against the surface of the object to be measured. The fixing device 3 can install the sensor device 5 on the surface of the object to be measured 7. The fixed main body part 21 may be fixed to an object other than the object to be measured, such as a pillar provided in the vicinity.

[0028] One end of the signal line 17 is connected to the measurement unit 11, and the other end is connected to a measurement processing device (not shown) through the sensor main body 13. The measurement signal is a signal obtained by measurement processing in the sensor device 5. The measurement processing device can obtain the measurement signal through the signal line 17. When there is a load, the electrode and the signal line are electrically connected. When there is no load, a state in which there is no electrical connection between the electrode and the signal line is permitted. In other words, when there is a load, electrical connection between the electrode and the signal line is guaranteed, but when there is no load, electrical connection between the electrode and the signal line is not guaranteed.

[0029] In the measuring unit 11, the insulating member 15 is close to the accessory 27, and the electrode 19 is close to the object to be measured 7. In the measuring unit 11, one end of the signal line 17 is located between the insulating member 15 and the electrode 19. In the sensor device 5, the signal line 17 and the electrode 19 are not fixed. Therefore, when there is no load and the pressing part 29 is not pressing the measuring unit 11 against the surface of the object to be measured 7, the connection between the signal line 17 and the electrode 19 is not ensured. When there is a load, the pressing part 29 applies a load to the measuring unit 11, pressing the measuring unit 11 against the surface of the object to be measured 7, thereby connecting the signal line 17 and the electrode 19. Note that, because there is an insulating member 15 between the signal line 17 and the accessory 27, no current flows even when the pressing part 29 presses the measuring unit 11 against the surface of the object to be measured 7. The signal measured by the measuring unit 11 is transmitted to the measurement processing device via the signal line 17.

[0030] In the sensor device 5, the electrode 19 may be present in the measurement unit 11. The point where the electrode 19 and the signal line 17 come into contact (contact portion) is present in the measurement unit 11, and therefore does not need to extend to the sensor main body 13. The position of the contact portion is not fixed and may be present within the effective sensing range of the electrode 19. Therefore, if the shape of the electrode 19 is, for example, circular, performance such as ultrasonic sensitivity is improved. Because the effective sensing range is inside the portion exposed to the outside, the contact portion can be provided inside the circle (for example, in the center). The electrode area can be applied only for sensing, and there is no need to provide anything unnecessary for sensing for connection with the signal line 17, so performance such as ultrasonic sensitivity and characteristics is not reduced.

[0031] An example of a specific configuration of the sensor system 1 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the sensor system includes a fixed device 51, a sensor device 53, and a measurement target 55.

[0033] The fixing device 51 includes a fixing main body part 61 , measurement object mounting parts 631 and 632 , sensor mounting parts 651 and 652 , an accessory part 67 , and a pressing part 69 .

[0034] The sensor device 53 includes a measuring unit 71, a sensor main body 73, and a signal line 83. The measuring unit 71 includes an insulating member 81, an electrode 75, a piezoelectric film 76, and a conductive substrate 78. The electrode 75 is the upper electrode, and the conductive substrate 78 also serves as the lower electrode. The effective sensing range 77 is the range that can be measured by the electrode 75. The contact portion 79 is the location where the electrode 75 and the signal line 83 are connected.

[0035] The measurement object 55 is a pipe.

[0036] 2(a), in the fixing device 51, the fixing main body part 61 is attached to the measurement object 55 by the measurement object attachment parts 631 and 632. The accessory part 67 is attached to the sensor device 53 by the sensor attachment parts 651 and 652. The sensor attachment parts 651 and 652 are, for example, screws. The fixing device 51 can install the sensor device 53 on the surface of the measurement object 55.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2(b), the pressing part 69 is, for example, a bolt, and is attached from the outside of the fixed main body part 61 (the side farther from the measurement object 55). When the pressing part 69 is screwed in, the tip of the pressing part 69 presses the accessory part 67 toward the surface of the measurement object 55. The measuring unit 71 is located between the accessory part 67 and the surface of the measurement object 55. The pressing part 69 presses the measuring part 71 against the surface of the measurement object 55 via the accessory part 67. The measurement object 55 is a cylindrical pipe, and the surface of the accessory part 67 closest to the measurement object 55 has a concave shape with the same diameter. The measuring part 71 is flexible, and is pressed by the accessory part 67 so that it adheres closely to the surface of the measurement object 55. The position of the accessory part 67 is also fixed.

[0038] Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view showing the appearance of the sensor device 53. Fig. 3(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the measurement unit 71, the sensor main body 73, and the electrode 75. The electrode 75, which is the upper electrode, is circular. The electrode 75 is present in the measurement unit 71 and does not extend to the sensor main body 73.

[0039] FIG. 4(a) shows the effective sensing range 77 and the position of the contact portion 79. The effective sensing range 77 exists inside the electrode 75. At least a part or all of the effective sensing range 77 is pressed against the object to be measured 55. The contact portion 79 is provided within the effective sensing range 77. For example, the contact portion 79 may be provided in a range of the effective sensing range 77 that is pressed against it. In FIG. 4(a), the contact portion 79 is provided in the center of the circle of the electrode 75.

[0040] The electrode area can be applied only for sensing, and the electrode 75 may be present in the measuring unit 71. The electrode area does not need to include any part for connection with the signal line 83 that is not necessary for sensing, so performance such as ultrasonic sensitivity and characteristics is not reduced.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 4(b), one end of the signal line 83 is connected to the measurement unit 71, and the other end passes through the sensor main body 73 and is connected to a measurement processing device (not shown). The measurement processing device can obtain a measurement signal from the sensor device 53. When a load is applied, the electrode 75 and the signal line 83 are electrically connected. When no load is applied, a state in which the electrode 75 and the signal line 83 are not electrically connected is permitted. In other words, when a load is applied, electrical connection between the electrode 75 and the signal line 83 is guaranteed, but when no load is applied, electrical connection between the electrode 75 and the signal line 83 is not guaranteed.

[0042] In the measuring unit 71, the insulating member 81 is close to the accessory 67, and the electrode 75 is close to the object to be measured 55. In the measuring unit 71, one end of the signal line 83 is located between the insulating member 81 and the electrode 75. In the sensor device 53, the signal line 83 and the electrode 75 are not fixed. Therefore, when the pressing part 69 is not pressing the measuring unit 71 against the surface of the object to be measured 55, electrical continuity between the signal line 83 and the electrode 75 is not guaranteed. When there is no load, the signal line 83 and the electrode 75 may or may not be electrically connected. When the pressing part 69 is pressing the measuring unit 71 against the surface of the object to be measured 55, electrical continuity between the signal line 83 and the electrode 75 is guaranteed. Note that an insulating member 81 is located between the signal line 83 and the accessory 67. The measurement signal is transmitted to the measurement processing device via the signal line 83.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the sensor system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 5(a), this sensor system is installed on the surface of a measurement target 91.

[0045] 5(b), the pressing unit 92 is, for example, a screw or bolt, and presses the measuring unit of the sensor device against the surface of the measuring object 91 from the outside (the side farther from the measuring object 91). The pressing unit 92 presses part or all of the effective sensing range of the electrode 94 of the measuring unit against the surface of the measuring object 91. The electrode 94 and the signal line 93 are connected by utilizing the fact that the measuring unit is pressed against the measuring object 91. As in this example, this can be achieved without using any accessory parts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Sensor System 3 Fixing device 5. Sensor Device 7 Measurement Object 11 Measuring part 13 Sensor body 15 Insulating material 17 Signal line 19 electrode 21 Fixed body parts 23 Measurement object mounting part 25 Sensor mounting part 27 Accessories 29 Pressed parts 51 Fixation device 53 Sensor Device 55 Measurement Object 61 Fixed body parts 631,632 Measurement object mounting part 651,652 sensor mounting part 67 Accessories 69 Pressed parts 71 Measuring part 73 Sensor body 75 electrode 76 Piezoelectric film 77 Effective sensing range 78 Conductive substrate 79 Contact point 81 Insulating materials 83 Signal Line 91 Measurement Object 92 Pressing part 93 Signal Line 94 electrode

Claims

1. A sensor system comprising a sensor device and a fixing device for installing the sensor device on a surface of a measurement target, The sensor device includes a measurement unit and a signal line. The measuring unit includes an electrode, The fixing device includes a pressing portion, the pressing unit changes the measurement unit from a state where it is not pressed against the surface of the measurement object to a state where it is pressed against the surface of the measurement object, the signal line is not fixed to the electrode, When the measurement unit is pressed against the surface of the measurement object, the electrodes and the signal lines are connected to each other, A sensor system in which the electrodes and the signal lines are allowed to be disconnected when the measuring unit is not pressed against the surface of the object to be measured.

2. a contact point where the electrode and the signal line are connected when the measurement unit is pressed against the surface of the measurement target is located within an effective sensing range of the electrode; The sensor system according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing unit presses a part or all of the effective sensing range of the electrode in the measuring unit against the surface of the measurement object.

3. The sensor device includes a sensor main body, the fixation device comprises a fixation body part; the pressing portion is attached to the sensor body by a sensor attachment portion, The sensor system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor body can be moved independently of the fixed body component at least in a state where the pressing portion is not pressing the measuring portion against the surface of the measurement object.

4. A sensor device in which a measuring unit is pressed against a surface of a measurement target, The measuring unit includes an electrode, the electrodes are not fixed to signal lines for outputting measurement signals; The electrode is When the measurement unit is pressed against the surface of the measurement object, it is in a state of being connected to the signal line, A sensor device in which the measuring unit is allowed to be disconnected from the signal line if it is not pressed against the surface of the object to be measured.

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