Position detection device and actuator

Abstract

SOLUTION: A position detection device 20 includes: a first sensor 70 that outputs a first detection signal when a piston 50 is located within a first detection range R1; a detection unit 76 that detects a piston position P based on the first detection signal; an antenna 72 that receives power wirelessly; a power supply wiring Wp1 that supplies power from the antenna 72 to the first sensor 70 when the piston 50 is located within the first detection range R1; and a power output wiring Wpo capable of externally outputting power to a sensor module 30 used for detecting the piston position P when the piston 50 is located outside the first detection range R1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a position detection device and an actuator. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a wireless antenna module for communication. Power is supplied to two wireless antenna modules, a first module body and a second module body, from a battery that stores wirelessly supplied power. The first module body wirelessly transmits a sensor detection signal from the first device body to a master device (GW unit). The second module body wirelessly transmits a sensor detection signal from the second device body to the master device (GW unit). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-78294 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Wirelessly supplied power is often very weak, so if weak power is supplied to both wireless antenna modules, there is a possibility that both wireless antenna modules will not have enough power.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is a position detection device that is attached to a cylinder and detects the piston position of a piston moving within the cylinder, comprising: a first sensor that outputs a first detection signal when the piston is located within a first detection range; a detection unit that detects the piston position based on the first detection signal; a communication device that transmits the piston position detected by the detection unit to an external device; an antenna that receives power wirelessly; a power supply wiring that supplies the power from the antenna to the first sensor when the piston is located within the first detection range; and a power output wiring that can externally output the power to a sensor module used to detect the piston position when the piston is located outside the first detection range.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is an actuator, comprising the position detection device according to the first aspect, the sensor module, the cylinder, and the piston. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a shortage of wirelessly supplied power. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an actuator. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the first sensor and the second sensor, and power supply to the first sensor and the second sensor according to the piston position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the first sensor and the second sensor, and power supply to the first sensor and the second sensor according to the piston position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another example of the configuration of the first sensor and the second sensor, and power supply to the first sensor and the second sensor according to the piston position. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another example of the configuration of the first sensor and the second sensor, and power supply to the first sensor and the second sensor according to the piston position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 1 is a diagram illustrating an actuator 10. The actuator 10 is used for transporting a workpiece, etc., and includes a position detection device 20, a sensor module 30, a cylinder 40, and a piston 50. The position detection device 20 and the sensor module 30 are both attached to the outer surface of the cylinder 40, and are connected to each other by a cable Cb.

[0011] The piston 50 moves in the X direction within the cylinder 40. That is, the movement direction of the piston 50 is the X direction. The position detection device 20 detects the piston position P of the piston 50 in the X direction. A magnet Mg is provided on the piston 50. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the piston position P corresponds to the position of the magnet Mg.

[0012] The position detection device 20 receives power wirelessly from the wireless power supply device 60. The position detection device 20 and the sensor module 30 are used to detect the piston position P. When the piston 50 moves in the X direction inside the cylinder 40, the position detection device 20 or the sensor module 30 may output a first detection signal or a second detection signal related to the piston position P of the piston 50. The output of the first detection signal or the second detection signal is performed using the power received wirelessly by the position detection device 20. The position detection device 20 detects the piston position P based on the first detection signal or the second detection signal.

[0013] The position detection device 20 transmits the detected piston position P to an external device 62. The external device 62 is, for example, a management device that manages the position detection device 20 or the actuator 10. The piston position P is transmitted from the position detection device 20 to the external device 62 by wireless communication or wired communication.

[0014] The configurations of the position detection device 20 and the sensor module 30 will be further described with reference to Fig. 1. The position detection device 20 has a first sensor 70, an antenna 72, a power conversion circuit 74, a detection unit 76, a communicator 78, an indicator 80, and a connector 82. The first sensor 70, the antenna 72, the power conversion circuit 74, the detection unit 76, the communicator 78, and the indicator 80 are housed in a housing 20h of the position detection device 20. The connector 82 is provided in the housing 20h such that a portion of the connector 82 is exposed on the outer surface of the housing 20h.

[0015] The sensor module 30 has a second sensor 90 and a connector 92. The second sensor 90 is accommodated in a housing 30h of the sensor module 30. The connector 92 is provided in the housing 30h so that a portion of the connector 92 is exposed on the outer surface of the housing 30h.

[0016] The number of components included in the sensor module 30 is significantly smaller than that of the position detection device 20. Therefore, the sensor module 30 is significantly smaller than that of the position detection device 20. Therefore, the area occupied by the sensor module 30 when attached to the cylinder 40 can be significantly smaller than that of the position detection device 20.

[0017] The antenna 72 of the position detection device 20 wirelessly receives power from the wireless power supply device 60. The power conversion circuit 74 converts the power received by the antenna 72. The power conversion circuit 74 converts, for example, AC power into DC power. The power converted by the power conversion circuit 74 is supplied to the first sensor 70, the detection unit 76, the communication device 78, and the indicator 80. Note that the wiring connections for the power supplied to the detection unit 76, the communication device 78, and the indicator 80 are shown schematically in FIG. 1 .

[0018] The position detection device 20 further includes a power supply wiring Wp1. The power supply wiring Wp1 connects the power conversion circuit 74 and the first sensor 70. When the piston 50 moves in the X direction and the magnet Mg of the piston 50 is positioned within the first detection range R1, the piston position P is positioned within the first detection range R1. In this case, the first sensor 70 is turned on. The configuration of the first sensor 70 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0019] When the first sensor 70 is turned on, power is supplied from the antenna 72 via the power conversion circuit 74 to the first sensor 70 through the power supply wiring Wp1. The power supplied to the first sensor 70 is consumed by the load resistor Rs. As a result, the voltage output from the first sensor 70 is obtained as the above-mentioned first detection signal output by the first sensor 70. That is, when the magnet Mg of the piston 50 is located within the first detection range R1, the first sensor 70 outputs the first detection signal.

[0020] The detection unit 76 has an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The detection unit 76 acquires a first detection signal output from the first sensor 70. The detection unit 76 detects the piston position P based on the first detection signal. That is, the detection unit 76 detects that the piston position P is located within a first detection range R1. The communication device 78 transmits the piston position P detected by the detection unit 76 to the external device 62. Note that communication between the communication device 78 and the external device 62 may be wireless communication or wired communication.

[0021] The indicator 80 has a first lamp 80a and a second lamp 80b that emit light in different colors. The power wirelessly supplied from the wireless power supply device 60 may be weak. To reduce power consumption, the first lamp 80a and the second lamp 80b emit light intermittently. When the detection unit 76 detects the piston position P based on the first detection signal, the indicator 80 turns on the first lamp 80a and then turns it off. The indicator 80 blinks the first lamp 80a by repeatedly turning it on and off. In other words, the first lamp 80a emits light intermittently.

[0022] The position detection device 20 further has a power output wiring Wpo. One end of the power output wiring Wpo is connected to the power conversion circuit 74, and the other end of the power output wiring Wpo is connected to a connector 82. A cable Cb that connects the position detection device 20 and the sensor module 30 can be attached to the connector 82. When the magnet Mg of the piston 50 is located outside the first detection range R1 and the second sensor 90 in the sensor module 30 is turned on, the power output wiring Wpo can externally output power received by the antenna 72 and converted by the power conversion circuit 74 to the sensor module 30. The externally output power can be supplied to the second sensor 90, as described below.

[0023] As described above, when the magnet Mg of the piston 50 is located within the first detection range R1, the power received by the antenna 72 is supplied to the first sensor 70 through the power supply wiring Wp1. When the magnet Mg of the piston 50 is located outside the first detection range R1 and the second sensor 90 is on, the power received by the antenna 72 is externally output to the sensor module 30 through the power output wiring Wpo, and can be supplied to the second sensor 90.

[0024] That is, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power supply, such as supplying wirelessly supplied power to both the first sensor 70 and the second sensor 90. This reduces the possibility of a shortage of wirelessly supplied power.

[0025] The above-mentioned cable Cb can be attached to the connector 92 of the sensor module 30. In the example shown in Fig. 1, one end of the cable Cb is attached to the connector 82 of the position detection device 20, and the other end of the cable Cb is attached to the connector 92 of the sensor module 30. The cable Cb accommodates an output line Cbo from the position detection device 20 to the sensor module 30, and an input line Cbi from the sensor module 30 to the position detection device 20. The above-mentioned power output wiring Wpo is connected to the output line Cbo in the cable Cb via the connector 82.

[0026] The sensor module 30 further includes a power supply wiring Wp2. The power supply wiring Wp2 connects the connector 92 and the second sensor 90. The power supply wiring Wp2 is connected to the output line Cbo in the cable Cb via the connector 92. When the piston 50 moves in the X direction and the magnet Mg of the piston 50 is positioned within the second detection range R2, the piston position P is positioned within the second detection range R2. In this case, the second sensor 90 is turned on. The configuration of the second sensor 90 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0027] When the second sensor 90 is turned on, power is supplied from the antenna 72 of the position detection device 20 to the second sensor 90 via the power conversion circuit 74, the power output wiring Wpo and connector 82 of the position detection device 20, the output line Cbo in the cable Cb, and the connector 92 and power supply wiring Wp2 of the sensor module 30. The voltage output from the second sensor 90 is obtained as the above-mentioned second detection signal output by the second sensor 90. That is, when the magnet Mg of the piston 50 is located within the second detection range R2, the second sensor 90 outputs the second detection signal.

[0028] The sensor module 30 further includes a signal output wiring Wso. The signal output wiring Wso connects the second sensor 90 and the connector 92. The signal output wiring Wso can output a second detection signal to the position detection device 20 via the connector 92 and the cable Cb. The signal output wiring Wso is connected to the input line Cbi in the cable Cb via the connector 92.

[0029] The position detection device 20 further includes a signal input wiring Wsi. The signal input wiring Wsi connects the connector 82 and the detection unit 76. The signal input wiring Wsi is connected to the input line Cbi in the cable Cb via the connector 82. A second detection signal output from the second sensor 90 of the sensor module 30 is supplied to the detection unit 76 through the signal input wiring Wsi.

[0030] The detection unit 76 acquires a second detection signal output from the second sensor 90. The detection unit 76 detects the piston position P based on the second detection signal. That is, the detection unit 76 detects that the piston position P is located within the second detection range R2. The communication device 78 transmits the piston position P detected by the detection unit 76 to the external device 62. When the detection unit 76 detects the piston position P based on the second detection signal, the indicator 80 turns on the second lamp 80b and then turns it off. The indicator 80 blinks the second lamp 80b by repeatedly turning it on and off. That is, the second lamp 80b emits light intermittently.

[0031] The signal input wiring Wsi is also connected to the load resistor Rs. Therefore, the power supplied to the second sensor 90 is consumed by the load resistor Rs.

[0032] The first sensor 70 is disposed, for example, at a position corresponding to one end of the stroke of the piston 50 moving in the X direction. The second sensor 90 is disposed, for example, at a position corresponding to the other end of the stroke of the piston 50 described above. That is, the first sensor 70 of the position detection device 20 is attached to the cylinder 40 at a position separated from the second sensor 90 of the sensor module 30 along the X direction. The first sensor 70 and the second sensor 90 are disposed at positions where the first detection range R1 of the position detection device 20 and the second detection range R2 of the sensor module 30 do not overlap in the X direction.

[0033] Therefore, when the magnet Mg of the piston 50 is located within the first detection range R1, the first sensor 70 is on, but when the magnet Mg of the piston 50 is not located within the second detection range R2, the second sensor 90 is off. In this case, the first sensor 70 outputs a first detection signal, but the second sensor 90 does not output a second detection signal. Unnecessary power supply to the second sensor 90 is prevented.

[0034] Furthermore, when the magnet Mg of the piston 50 is located within the second detection range R2, the second sensor 90 is on, but because the magnet Mg of the piston 50 is not located within the first detection range R1, the first sensor 70 is off. In this case, the second sensor 90 outputs a second detection signal, but the first sensor 70 does not output a first detection signal. This prevents unnecessary power supply to the first sensor 70. Therefore, both the first sensor 70 and the second sensor 90 are not on. This further reduces the possibility of insufficient wirelessly supplied power.

[0035] When the magnet Mg of the piston 50 is located outside the first detection range R1 and outside the second detection range R2, both the first sensor 70 and the second sensor 90 are turned off.

[0036] When a first detection signal is output from the first sensor 70, the detection unit 76 detects the piston position P based on the first detection signal. When the detection unit 76 detects the piston position P based on the first detection signal, the indicator 80 turns on the first lamp 80a. In this case, the second detection signal is not output, and therefore the second lamp 80b does not turn on.

[0037] When the second sensor 90 outputs a second detection signal, the detection unit 76 detects the piston position P based on the second detection signal. When the detection unit 76 detects the piston position P based on the second detection signal, the indicator 80 turns on the second lamp 80b. In this case, the first detection signal is not output, and therefore the first lamp 80a does not turn on. In this way, the piston position P can be easily detected and the piston position P can be notified to the worker performing work using the actuator 10.

[0038] 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating exemplary configurations of the first sensor 70 and the second sensor 90, and the supply of power to the first sensor 70 and the second sensor 90 in accordance with the piston position P. The wiring connections for power supplied to the detection unit 76, the communication device 78, the indicator 80, and the like are not shown. The first sensor 70 and the second sensor 90 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are both reed switches. Specifically, the first sensor 70 is a reed switch Sw1, and the second sensor 90 is a reed switch Sw2. The reed switches Sw1 and Sw2 open and close in response to the magnetism of a magnet Mg provided on the piston 50.

[0039] 2, the first detection range R1 includes the piston position P of the piston 50. The first detection range R1 of the first sensor 70 is determined based on the piston position P when the reed switch Sw1 is closed by the magnetism of the magnet Mg of the piston 50. When the piston 50 is located within the first detection range R1, the reed switch Sw1 is closed and turned on.

[0040] As a result, power is supplied from the antenna 72 to the reed switch Sw1 via the power conversion circuit 74 and the power supply wiring Wp1. The power supplied to the reed switch Sw1 is consumed by the load resistor Rs. A voltage is output from the turned-on reed switch Sw1. In other words, the reed switch Sw1 outputs a first detection signal. The detection unit 76 detects the piston position P based on the first detection signal output from the reed switch Sw1.

[0041] The first detection range R1 of the first sensor 70 of the position detection device 20 and the second detection range R2 of the second sensor 90 of the sensor module 30 do not overlap in the X direction. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the second detection range R2 does not include the piston position P. The reed switch Sw2, which can be closed by the magnetism of the magnet Mg of the piston 50, is not closed. In other words, when the piston 50 is located outside the second detection range R2, the reed switch Sw2 is open and off. Therefore, no power is supplied from the antenna 72 to the reed switch Sw2. The reed switch Sw2 does not output a second detection signal.

[0042] 3, the second detection range R2 includes the piston position P of the piston 50. The second detection range R2 of the second sensor 90 is determined based on the piston position P when the reed switch Sw2 is closed by the magnetism of the magnet Mg of the piston 50. When the piston 50 is located within the second detection range R2, the reed switch Sw2 is closed and turned on.

[0043] As a result, power is supplied from the antenna 72 to the reed switch Sw2 via the power conversion circuit 74, power output wiring Wpo, and power supply wiring Wp2. The power supplied to the reed switch Sw2 is consumed by the load resistor Rs. A voltage is output from the turned-on reed switch Sw2. In other words, the reed switch Sw2 outputs a second detection signal. The detection unit 76 detects the piston position P based on the second detection signal output from the reed switch Sw2.

[0044] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the piston position P is not included in the first detection range R1. The reed switch Sw1, which can be closed by the magnetism of the magnet Mg of the piston 50, is not closed. In other words, when the piston 50 is located outside the first detection range R1, the reed switch Sw1 is open and off. Therefore, no power is supplied from the antenna 72 to the reed switch Sw1. The reed switch Sw1 does not output the first detection signal.

[0045] As described above, the reed switch Sw1 is turned on and outputs the first detection signal when the piston 50 is located within the first detection range R1. The reed switch Sw1 is turned off and does not output the first detection signal when the piston 50 is located outside the first detection range R1. This makes it possible to easily detect whether the piston position P is located within the first detection range R1.

[0046] As described above, the reed switch Sw2 is turned on and outputs the second detection signal when the piston 50 is located within the second detection range R2. The reed switch Sw2 is turned off and does not output the second detection signal when the piston 50 is located outside the second detection range R2. This makes it possible to easily detect whether the piston position P is located within the second detection range R2.

[0047] It should be noted that switches other than the reed switch Sw1 and the reed switch Sw2 may be used as the first sensor 70 and the second sensor 90. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating other configuration examples of the first sensor 70 and the second sensor 90 and the supply of power to the first sensor 70 and the second sensor 90 according to the piston position P. It should be noted that the wiring connection for power supplied to the detection unit 76, the communication device 78, the indicator 80, etc. are not shown.

[0048] The first sensor 70 and the second sensor 90 shown in Figures 4 and 5 each include a magnetic sensor and a semiconductor switch. Specifically, the first sensor 70 includes a magnetic sensor Ms1 and a semiconductor switch Ss1. The second sensor 90 includes a magnetic sensor Ms2 and a semiconductor switch Ss2. The magnetic sensors Ms1 and Ms2 output an electric signal corresponding to a current or a voltage in response to the magnetism of the magnet Mg provided on the piston 50. The magnetic sensors Ms1 and Ms2 are, for example, magnetoresistive (MR) elements or Hall elements.

[0049] The electrical signal output from the magnetic sensor Ms1 is input to the semiconductor switch Ss1, turning the semiconductor switch Ss1 on. The electrical signal output from the magnetic sensor Ms2 is input to the semiconductor switch Ss2, turning the semiconductor switch Ss2 on.

[0050] 4, the first detection range R1 includes the piston position P of the piston 50. The first detection range R1 of the first sensor 70 is determined based on the piston position P when an electric signal is output from the magnetic sensor Ms1 due to the magnetism of the magnet Mg of the piston 50. When the piston 50 is located within the first detection range R1, the magnetic sensor Ms1 outputs an electric signal, and the semiconductor switch Ss1 is turned on.

[0051] As a result, power is supplied from the antenna 72 to the semiconductor switch Ss1 via the power conversion circuit 74 and the power supply wiring Wp1. The power supplied to the semiconductor switch Ss1 is consumed by the load resistor Rs. A voltage is output from the turned-on semiconductor switch Ss1. In other words, the semiconductor switch Ss1 outputs a first detection signal. The detection unit 76 detects the piston position P based on the first detection signal output from the semiconductor switch Ss1.

[0052] The first detection range R1 of the first sensor 70 of the position detection device 20 and the second detection range R2 of the second sensor 90 of the sensor module 30 do not overlap in the X direction. Therefore, in the example shown in Fig. 4, the piston position P is not included in the second detection range R2. The magnetic field of the magnet Mg of the piston 50 prevents the magnetic sensor Ms2 from outputting an electrical signal that can be output to the semiconductor switch Ss2.

[0053] That is, when the piston 50 is located outside the second detection range R2, no electrical signal is input from the magnetic sensor Ms2 to the semiconductor switch Ss2, and the semiconductor switch Ss2 is turned off. Therefore, no power is supplied to the semiconductor switch Ss2 from the antenna 72. The semiconductor switch Ss2 does not output a second detection signal.

[0054] 5, the second detection range R2 includes the piston position P of the piston 50. The second detection range R2 of the second sensor 90 is determined based on the piston position P when an electric signal is output from the magnetic sensor Ms2 due to the magnetism of the magnet Mg of the piston 50. When the piston 50 is located within the second detection range R2, the magnetic sensor Ms2 outputs an electric signal, and the semiconductor switch Ss2 is turned on.

[0055] As a result, power is supplied from the antenna 72 to the semiconductor switch Ss2 via the power conversion circuit 74, the power output wiring Wpo, and the power supply wiring Wp2. The power supplied to the semiconductor switch Ss2 is consumed by the load resistance Rs. A voltage is output from the turned-on semiconductor switch Ss2. In other words, the semiconductor switch Ss2 outputs a second detection signal. The detection unit 76 detects the piston position P based on the second detection signal output from the semiconductor switch Ss2.

[0056] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the piston position P is not included in the first detection range R1. The magnetic field of the magnet Mg of the piston 50 prevents the magnetic sensor Ms1 from outputting an electrical signal to the semiconductor switch Ss1. In other words, when the piston 50 is located outside the first detection range R1, no electrical signal is input from the magnetic sensor Ms1 to the semiconductor switch Ss1, and the semiconductor switch Ss1 is turned off. Therefore, no power is supplied from the antenna 72 to the semiconductor switch Ss1. The semiconductor switch Ss1 does not output a first detection signal.

[0057] As described above, when the piston 50 is located within the first detection range R1, the magnetic sensor Ms1 outputs an electric signal and the semiconductor switch Ss1 is turned on to output the first detection signal. When the piston 50 is located outside the first detection range R1, the magnetic sensor Ms1 does not output an electric signal and the semiconductor switch Ss1 is turned off to not output the first detection signal. This makes it possible to simply detect whether the piston position P is located within the first detection range R1.

[0058] As described above, when the piston 50 is located within the second detection range R2, the magnetic sensor Ms2 outputs an electric signal, and the semiconductor switch Ss2 is turned on to output the second detection signal. When the piston 50 is located outside the second detection range R2, the magnetic sensor Ms2 does not output an electric signal, and the semiconductor switch Ss2 is turned off to not output the second detection signal. This makes it possible to easily detect whether the piston position P is located within the second detection range R2.

[0059] The following additional notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0060] (Appendix 1) A position detection device (20) attached to a cylinder (40) for detecting a piston position (P) of a piston (50) moving within the cylinder includes a first sensor (70) that outputs a first detection signal when the piston is located within a first detection range (R1), a detection unit (76) that detects the piston position based on the first detection signal, a communication device (78) that transmits the piston position detected by the detection unit to an external device (62), an antenna (72) that receives power wirelessly, a power supply wiring (Wp1) through which the power is supplied from the antenna to the first sensor when the piston is located within the first detection range, and a power output wiring (Wpo) that can externally output the power to a sensor module (30) used for detecting the piston position when the piston is located outside the first detection range. This configuration reduces the possibility of insufficient wirelessly supplied power.

[0061] (Appendix 2) In the position detection device described in Supplementary Note 1, the piston may be provided with a magnet (Mg), and the first sensor may be a reed switch (Sw1) that is turned on to output the first detection signal when the piston is located within the first detection range, and is turned off to not output the first detection signal when the piston is located outside the first detection range. With this configuration, it is possible to easily detect whether the piston is located within the first detection range.

[0062] (Appendix 3) In the position detection device described in Supplementary Note 1, the piston is provided with a magnet, and the first sensor includes a magnetic sensor (Ms1) that outputs an electric signal when the piston is located within the first detection range, and a semiconductor switch (Ss1) that is turned on when the electric signal is input and outputs the first detection signal, and when the piston is located outside the first detection range, the magnetic sensor does not output the electric signal, and the semiconductor switch is turned off when the electric signal is not input and does not output the first detection signal. With this configuration, it is possible to simply detect whether the piston is located within the first detection range.

[0063] (Appendix 4) In the position detection device described in Supplementary Note 1, the sensor module may have a second sensor (90) that outputs a second detection signal when the piston is located within a second detection range (R2), the first sensor may be attached to the cylinder at a position spaced apart from the second sensor along the movement direction (X) of the piston, and the first sensor and the second sensor may be disposed at positions where the first detection range and the second detection range do not overlap in the movement direction. With this configuration, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of insufficient wirelessly supplied power.

[0064] (Appendix 5) The position detection device described in Supplementary Note 1 may further include a connector (82) to which a cable (Cb) connecting the position detection device and the sensor module can be attached, and the power output wiring may be connected to the connector. With this configuration, the wirelessly supplied power can be output to the sensor module.

[0065] (Appendix 6) The position detection device described in Supplementary Note 5 may further include a signal input wiring (Wsi) connecting the connector and the detection unit, the sensor module having a second sensor that outputs a second detection signal when the piston is located within a second detection range, the second detection signal output from the second sensor being supplied to the detection unit through the signal input wiring, and the detection unit detecting the piston position based on the second detection signal. With this configuration, it is possible to detect whether the piston is located within the second detection range.

[0066] (Appendix 7) In the position detection device described in Supplementary Note 4, when the first sensor outputs the first detection signal, the detection unit may detect the piston position based on the first detection signal, and when the second sensor outputs the second detection signal, the detection unit may detect the piston position based on the second detection signal. With this configuration, the piston position can be detected easily.

[0067] (Appendix 8) The position detection device described in Supplementary Note 7 may further include an indicator (80) having a first lamp (80a) and a second lamp (80b) that emit light in different colors, and the indicator may turn on the first lamp when the detection unit detects the piston position based on the first detection signal, and may turn on the second lamp when the detection unit detects the piston position based on the second detection signal. In this way, the piston position can be notified to a worker performing work using the actuator.

[0068] (Appendix 9) The actuator (10) includes the position detection device described in Supplementary Note 4, the sensor module, the cylinder, and the piston. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility of insufficient wirelessly supplied power during work using the actuator.

[0069] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10...Actuator 20...Position detection device 30: Sensor module 40: Cylinder 50... Piston 60... Wireless power supply device 62...External device 70...First sensor 72...antenna 74...power conversion circuit 76...detection unit 78...communication device 80...Indicator 82, 92...Connector 90...Second sensor

Claims

1. A position detection device attached to a cylinder and detecting a piston position of a piston moving within the cylinder, a first sensor that outputs a first detection signal when the piston is located within a first detection range; a detection unit that detects the piston position based on the first detection signal; a communication device that transmits the piston position detected by the detection unit to an external device; an antenna that receives power wirelessly; a power supply wiring through which the power is supplied from the antenna to the first sensor when the piston is located within the first detection range; a power output wiring that can output the power to an external sensor module used to detect the position of the piston when the piston is located outside the first detection range.

2. 2. The position detection device according to claim 1, The piston is provided with a magnet, The position detection device, wherein the first sensor is a reed switch that is turned on when the piston is located within the first detection range and outputs the first detection signal, and that is turned off when the piston is located outside the first detection range and does not output the first detection signal.

3. 2. The position detection device according to claim 1, The piston is provided with a magnet, the first sensor includes a magnetic sensor that outputs an electric signal when the piston is located within the first detection range, and a semiconductor switch that is turned on when the electric signal is input and outputs the first detection signal, A position detection device in which, when the piston is positioned outside the first detection range, the magnetic sensor does not output the electrical signal, and the semiconductor switch is turned off due to the absence of the electrical signal, so that the semiconductor switch does not output the first detection signal.

4. 2. The position detection device according to claim 1, the sensor module includes a second sensor that outputs a second detection signal when the piston is located within a second detection range; the first sensor is attached to the cylinder at a position spaced apart from the second sensor along the movement direction of the piston; a position detection device, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are disposed at positions where the first detection range and the second detection range do not overlap in the movement direction;

5. 2. The position detection device according to claim 1, a connector to which a cable connecting the position detection device and the sensor module can be attached; The power output wiring is connected to the connector.

6. 6. The position detection device according to claim 5, further comprising a signal input wiring that connects the connector and the detection unit; the sensor module includes a second sensor that outputs a second detection signal when the piston is located within a second detection range; the second detection signal output from the second sensor is supplied to the detection unit through the signal input wiring; The detection unit detects the piston position based on the second detection signal.

7. 5. The position detection device according to claim 4, When the first detection signal is output from the first sensor, the detection unit detects the piston position based on the first detection signal, and when the second detection signal is output from the second sensor, the detection unit detects the piston position based on the second detection signal.

8. 8. The position detection device according to claim 7, further comprising an indicator having a first lamp and a second lamp that emit light of different colors; When the piston position is detected by the detector based on the first detection signal, the indicator lights up the first lamp; When the piston position is detected by the detector based on the second detection signal, the indicator turns on the second lamp.

9. The position detection device according to claim 4 ; the sensor module; The cylinder; The piston; An actuator comprising:

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