Wind speed and direction measuring device, and sensor for wind speed and direction measuring device

Abstract

To provide a wind speed and direction measuring device that is capable of receiving a pressure from any direction of airflow in three dimensions by being able to detect minute movements caused by weak air currents, which is capable of precisely measuring wind speed and direction based on the strength of the pressure from the airflow, and a sensor for the device.SOLUTION: A wind speed and direction measuring device has a wind receiving part 2 that includes: a spherical surface 3 for receiving wind; and a first wind receiving part of the plane electrode 4. The first flat electrode and second, third, and fourth flat electrodes 6, which are opposed to each other in approximately parallel with a gap 20, constitute a capacitor. The device also includes a calculation unit 10 configured so as to, when the wind receiving part is displaced by the influence of the airflow 11, detect the change in capacitance of each capacitor to calculate the wind speed and the direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind speed and direction measuring device and a sensor for a wind speed and direction measuring device that uses changes in capacitance to measure the wind speed and direction of airflow in three-dimensional space. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in the assembly and manufacturing processes of various industrial products or home appliances, or in the manufacturing processes of devices such as various electronic components that are components of these products, various batteries, or substrates on which electronic components are mounted, the heating equipment, including heating furnaces and drying furnaces for heat treatment, has become more diverse, and the functions of each have been greatly improved.

[0003] Furthermore, in the process of heating and drying the object, which mainly involves applying hot air to the object and transferring heat from the hot air to the object, a large amount of thermal energy is consumed compared to other processes, so improving heating or drying efficiency in order to reduce energy consumption is a major challenge, and therefore managing the setting conditions of the heating device is extremely important.

[0004] Generally, in heating and drying processes using hot air, the volume of air blown from the hot air blowing section of a heating device that generates hot air and applies it to the object to be heated is controlled by, for example, setting the rotation speed of a circulation fan that circulates the hot air within the device, and the blowing air speed is determined by balancing this with the opening area of ​​the hot air blowing section or the pressure loss and flow path loss of the circulation path within the device. In many cases, the air speed at the hot air blowing section is measured using, for example, a vane anemometer that calculates the airflow speed from the rotation speed of an impeller installed at the tip of a measuring instrument, or a hot wire anemometer that calculates the airflow speed from the degree to which heat is removed from a hot wire by the airflow while heating it by passing an electric current through the hot wire, and this is subject to management in the production process.

[0005] In order to efficiently heat or cool an object by contacting it with hot or cold air, the heat transfer coefficient between the hot or cold air and the object is important. The speed and angle at which the fluid collides with the object are key factors in determining this heat transfer coefficient. In addition to heat transfer, efficient movement of the fluid near the fluid-solid interface is also necessary in processes such as drying an object to remove moisture from its surface. In this case, if the fluid is a typical viscous fluid, and in the extreme case of a fluid flowing parallel to the object's surface, the flow velocity of the fluid at the object's surface is theoretically zero.

[0006] Thus, in processes such as heating, cooling, or drying an object, in addition to the flow velocity of the fluid, the angle at the interface where the fluid and the object come into contact is important. Therefore, when applying a fluid such as an airflow to an object in a process such as heating, cooling, or drying an object, in addition to managing the air velocity or air volume of the hot air blowing section on the above-mentioned device side, it is necessary to consider the heat transfer coefficient between the fluid and the object to be heated, and for this purpose, it is important to manage both the fluid velocity and the angle with respect to the object to be heated.

[0007] In response to this, in order to control the wind conditions near the interface of the heated object to be heated, cooled, or dried, a small hot wire anemometer and a small thermometer are generally used together as a means of measuring the area near the interface, and the wind speed near the heated object is measured.

[0008] However, the main purpose of a hot wire anemometer is to calculate wind speed, and because it is omnidirectional, it cannot determine the direction of fluid flow. Also, a vane anemometer detects wind speed from the rotation speed of the impeller at the tip of the measuring section, but in this case the wind direction is limited to the wind speed in the axial direction of the impeller that the vane anemometer impeller faces, and the measuring device itself is large, making it difficult to measure wind speed near the interface of a heated object, especially directly above the object.

[0009] For this reason, a small measuring device is known that measures wind speed and direction directly above an object to be heated, and a technique for measuring wind speed and direction using a pressure distribution sensor is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0010] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional pressure sensor for measuring wind speed and direction described in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 8, a pressure sensor 45 is configured with a conductor 41 mounted on a substrate 40, a conductive elastic body 42 covering the conductor 41, and a pressure sensor (comprising a lower pressure sensor (support) 43 and an upper pressure sensor (elongated body) 44) mounted on the conductive elastic body 42. In the pressure sensor 45 shown in FIG. 8, the upper pressure sensor (elongated body) 44 is rod-shaped, the lower pressure sensor (support) 43 is a cross-shaped plate, and the conductors 41 including electrodes are mounted on the four sides of the conductive elastic body 42, which is a flat rectangular parallelepiped with square top and bottom faces, and fixed to the substrate 40. In the pressure sensor 45, pressure applied to the upper pressure sensor (elongated body) 44 in the vertical direction is transmitted to the conductive elastic body 42 via the lower pressure sensor (support) 43. The conductive elastic body 42 has the property that its resistance value changes depending on the pressure, and by measuring the resistances R1, R2, R3, and R4 between the four electrodes in the conductive body 41 using a resistance measuring device (not shown), it is possible to detect changes in the pressure (wind speed) and direction that the upper part of the pressure sensor (elongated body) 44 receives from the airflow.

[0011] Another known measuring device for measuring wind speed and direction using changes in capacitance is the system described in Patent Document 2. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the conventional measuring device for measuring wind speed and direction described in Patent Document 2. As shown in FIG. 9, Patent Document 2 describes a pressure-receiving column 51 attached to a base 50, which is composed of a thin-walled cylinder, with a common electrode 52 formed on its inner surface. A cylinder 54 made of an insulating material is concentrically arranged within the pressure-receiving column 51, separated by a gap 53. Four electrodes 55 to 58, each with equal area, are formed on the surface of the column 54 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and these electrodes are positioned in the north-south, east-west, and west directions. The east-west electrodes 55 and 56 form an equivalent circuit, located on either side of the common electrode 52, and are connected so that the capacitance formed in the gap between each electrode changes dynamically with the displacement of the pressure-receiving column 51. The north-south electrodes 57 and 58 are similarly configured. When the pressure-receiving pole 51 is exposed to wind, it moves from its neutral position in a windless state, and the gap between the common electrode 52 and the electrodes 55 to 58 in each direction changes, and the direction of the wind received by the pressure-receiving pole 51 can be calculated from the accompanying changes in each capacitance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-67542 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 57-56760 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the part that receives the wind (the upper part of the pressure sensor (slender body)) as a means for simultaneously detecting wind speed and direction is a cylindrical, slender body, so while it can detect the horizontal pressure of the airflow, it is not easily affected by the vertical pressure. Also, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, capacitance is used as a means for detecting the movement of the wind-receiving column, but similar to the problem with Patent Document 1, the wind-receiving column that receives the wind as a means for detecting wind direction is cylindrical, and detection of capacitance is only affected by the gap between the electrodes, i.e., the change in distance, so while the device configuration can detect the horizontal pressure of the airflow, it cannot detect the vertical pressure received from the airflow.

[0014] The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a wind speed and direction measuring device and a sensor for a wind speed and direction measuring device that can receive pressure from airflows from any three-dimensional direction in the same way and can accurately measure wind speed and direction based on the strength of pressure from the airflow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, a wind speed and direction measuring device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a wind receiving section having a spherical surface for receiving wind and a first planar electrode connected to the spherical surface; second, third, and fourth planar electrodes are arranged on the arrangement surface of the wind receiving portion, facing the first planar electrode with gaps therebetween, and are divided and arranged along the circumferential direction of the spherical surface by slits; an elastic body disposed at a location other than the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes between the wind receiving section and the arrangement surface of the wind receiving section, and holding the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes in the gap; The device is equipped with a calculation unit that calculates wind speed and wind direction based on the electrostatic capacitance between three pairs of electrodes formed by the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes.

[0016] A wind speed and direction measuring device according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a wind receiving section having a spherical surface for receiving wind and a first planar electrode connected to the spherical surface; second, third, and fourth planar electrodes are arranged on the arrangement surface of the wind receiving portion, facing the first planar electrode with gaps therebetween, and are divided and arranged along the circumferential direction of the spherical surface by slits; an elastic body disposed at a location other than the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes between the wind receiving section and the arrangement surface of the wind receiving section, and holding the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes in the gap; The capacitance between each of three pairs of electrodes, each consisting of the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes, can be detected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, in the wind speed and direction measuring device and the sensor for the wind speed and direction measuring device according to the above-described aspects of the present invention, the wind receiving section has a spherical surface for receiving wind and a first planar electrode. The first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes facing each other across a gap form capacitors. The capacitance of each capacitor can be detected, or changes in the capacitance of each capacitor can be detected when the wind receiving section is displaced by the influence of an airflow, thereby calculating wind speed and direction. With this configuration, the wind receiving section's spherical surface can receive airflow pressure evenly from any three-dimensional direction in space, and airflow pressure from above can be measured as a pressing force on the spherical surface. In other words, the wind receiving section can receive airflow pressure from any three-dimensional direction in space equally, making it possible to accurately measure wind speed and direction based on the strength of the airflow pressure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a wind speed and direction measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the wind speed and direction measuring device according to the first embodiment is subjected to airflow pressure. [Figure 3A]1 is an explanatory diagram of the positions of the wind-receiving electrode and the counter electrode when there is no influence of airflow in the first embodiment, and an explanatory diagram of an AC circuit. [Figure 3B] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the positions of the wind-receiving electrode and the counter electrode when they are affected by airflow in the first embodiment, and an explanatory diagram of an AC circuit. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the positions of the wind-receiving electrode and the counter electrode when there is no influence of airflow in a modified example of the first embodiment, and an explanatory diagram of an AC circuit. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the positions of the wind-receiving electrode and the counter electrode when they are affected by airflow in a modification of the first embodiment, and an explanatory diagram of an AC circuit. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the inclination of an electrode in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a wind speed and direction measuring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a wind speed and direction measuring device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Explanatory diagram of a conventional wind speed measurement sensor [Figure 9] Explanatory diagram of a conventional wind direction measurement sensor DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] (Embodiment) 1 is an explanatory diagram of a wind speed and direction measuring device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The sensor for the wind speed and direction measuring device of the wind speed and direction measuring device 1 comprises a wind receiving section 2 having a wind receiving section electrode 4 as an example of a first planar electrode, counter electrodes 6 (6a, 6b, 6c) as examples of second, third, and fourth planar electrodes, and an elastic body 7. The wind speed and direction measuring device 1 comprises the sensor for the wind speed and direction measuring device and a calculation unit 10.

[0021] The wind-receiving section 2 has a spherical surface 3 for receiving wind and a wind-receiving section electrode 4 connected to the spherical surface 3.

[0022] The opposing electrodes 6 are arranged on a base plate 5, which is an example of the arrangement surface of the wind-receiving section 2, and are arranged facing the wind-receiving section electrodes 4 with gaps 20 in the vertical direction, and are divided and arranged along the circumferential direction of the spherical surface 3 via slits 21.

[0023] The elastic body 7 is arranged at a location other than the wind-receiving section electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 between the wind-receiving section 2 and the base plate 5, which is an example of the arrangement surface of the wind-receiving section 2, for example, at the outer peripheral edge of the base plate 5, and holds the wind-receiving section electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 in place with a gap 20.

[0024] The calculation unit 10 calculates the wind speed and wind direction based on the capacitance between the three pairs of electrodes, each of which is made up of the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6.

[0025] These configurations will be described in detail below.

[0026] The wind-receiving section 2 has a spherical surface 3 for receiving the wind and receiving the pressure of the airflow, and a wind-receiving section electrode 4 made of a conductive flat plate on a flat surface 3a continuing from the spherical surface 3. The spherical surface 3 is not limited to the hemispherical surface shown in the figure, and may have a shape closer to a sphere than a hemispherical surface.

[0027] The base plate 5 is a circular plate member having the same shape as the flat portion 3a. At least three conductive flat counter electrodes 6 are arranged on the upper surface of the base plate 5. The base plate 5 is an example of a base member that supports the wind receiving section 2 and is separate from the wind receiving section 2, or an example of a surface on which the wind receiving section 2 is arranged (such as the surface of a casing of a device other than the wind speed and direction measuring device 1). As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, the wind receiving section electrode 4 is a triangular electrode (e.g., an equilateral triangle) that is point-symmetric with respect to the center of the spherical surface 3, while the counter electrodes 6, specifically, counter electrodes 6a, 6b, and 6c, are arranged around a central axis that passes through the center of the spherical surface 3 and are divided equally into three 120-degree sector-shaped electrodes by radial slits 21.

[0028] The wind receiving electrode 4 of the wind receiving section 2 and the counter electrode 6 of the base plate 5 are held opposite each other with a gap 20 between them, i.e., a fixed distance between them, via an elastic body 7. Preferably, the wind receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 are arranged approximately parallel to each other. The elastic body 7 is arranged, for example, in a ring shape on the outer peripheral edge of the flat portion 3a of the wind receiving section 2. The elastic body 7 may be made of rubber or other material that is capable of three-dimensional deformation, and may be ring-shaped, ball-shaped, or sheet-shaped.

[0029] At this time, at least three opposing conductive plates formed by the wind-receiving electrode 4 of the wind-receiving section 2 and the counter electrode 6 of the base plate 5 function as capacitors, each with its own independent capacitance. To pass current between these capacitor-functioning conductive plates, an AC power supply 8 that applies an AC voltage of a predetermined frequency is connected to the opposing wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6. At this time, the at least three capacitors formed by the wind-receiving electrode 4 of the wind-receiving section 2 and the counter electrode 6 of the base plate 5 are connected in parallel to the AC power supply 8. Furthermore, ammeters 9 for individually measuring the currents flowing between the at least three capacitor-functioning plates are connected to the wiring from each counter electrode 6 to the AC power supply 8, and the current values ​​flowing through each counter electrode 6 are individually measured by the ammeters 9. The system is equipped with a calculation unit 10 that calculates the capacitance of each capacitor from the measured current values ​​and performs a desired analysis from the calculated individual capacitances to calculate wind speed and direction. The capacitance is calculated to detect changes from the initial value as the wind-receiving section 2 moves, and is also calculated even if there is no change from the initial value.

[0030] The calculation unit 10 aggregates the measurements of each ammeter 9 and calculates the reactance of each capacitor formed by the wind-receiving electrode 4 and each of the counter electrodes 6 from the current value flowing through each of the counter electrodes 6 and the sum of these current values, and from this calculates the area where the wind-receiving electrode 4 faces each of the counter electrodes 6 and the distance between the wind-receiving electrode 4 and each of the counter electrodes 6. As an example, the calculation unit 10 sets the capacitance between the three pairs of electrodes formed by the wind-receiving electrode 4 and each of the three counter electrodes 6 when there is no load due to the airflow 11 on the wind-receiving unit 2 as an initial value, and calculates the wind speed and direction of the airflow 11 from the difference between the initial value and the capacitance between the three pairs of electrodes formed by the wind-receiving electrode 4 and each of the three counter electrodes 6 when a load due to the airflow 11 is applied to the wind-receiving unit 2.

[0031] Hereinafter, a method for calculating the capacitance from the current value measured by the ammeter 9 in the calculation unit 10 will be described.

[0032] The capacitive reactance Xc, which indicates the difficulty in passing current from the AC power source 8, is determined by the frequency f of the AC power source 8 and the capacitance C of the capacitor, and is expressed in ohms [Ω] as the resistance of the capacitor to AC. If the area of ​​the opposing wind-receiving electrode 4 and counter electrode 6 is S, the distance between the wind-receiving electrode 4 and counter electrode 6 is d, and the dielectric constant of the dielectric between the wind-receiving electrode 4 and counter electrode 6 is ε, the capacitance C of this capacitor can be expressed by equation (1).

[0033] C=ε·S / d (1) The capacitive reactance Xc of the capacitor at this time is expressed by equation (2).

[0034] Xc=1 / (2πf·C) (2) Therefore, when the voltage of the AC power supply 8 is V, the current I at this time is expressed by equation (3).

[0035] I=V / Xc=V·2πf·C[A] (3) From equation (3), if the voltage V and frequency f of the AC power supply 8 are constant, the current I is determined by the capacitance C [F]. In other words, if the voltage V and frequency f of the AC power supply 8 are constant, the capacitance C [F] can be determined from the current value measured by the ammeter 9. Furthermore, from equation (1), if the dielectric constant ε between the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 of the capacitor is constant, the capacitance C is determined by the distance d between the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 and the opposing area S. Therefore, for example, if the total area S of the opposing wind-receiving electrode 4 and counter electrode 6 does not change, the distance d can be determined from the sum of the currents flowing through each counter electrode 6, and further, from the distribution of the currents flowing through each counter electrode 6, the ratio of the area of ​​each counter electrode 6 facing the wind-receiving electrode 4 can be determined.

[0036] This derives changes in the relative horizontal positional relationship and the distance between the wind receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6, i.e., between the wind receiving section 2 and the base plate 5, and makes it possible to three-dimensionally detect the direction and distance of movement of the wind receiving section 2 due to the pressure of the airflow 11, in other words, the wind speed and direction. Details of this method of detecting three-dimensional movements of wind speed and direction will be described later using Figures 2 to 4B below.

[0037] 2 is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the wind speed and direction measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is subjected to airflow pressure. When airflow 11 is present in the space in which wind speed and direction measuring device 1 is installed, wind receiving section 2 receives pressure 12 from airflow 11 on spherical surface 3, causing elastic body 7 to deform and move laterally and vertically downward depending on the direction and strength of pressure 12 from airflow 11. This causes the relative positions of wind receiving section electrode 4 and counter electrode 6 to also displace laterally and vertically downward.

[0038] FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of the positions of the wind-receiving electrode and the counter electrode and the AC circuit by the AC power supply 8 when there is no influence of airflow in the first embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows the positional relationship when three counter electrodes 6 are evenly arranged facing the wind-receiving electrode 4, and the state in which a capacitor formed by the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 connected to the AC power supply 8 forms a parallel circuit. In FIG. 3A, the overlapping portions of the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrodes 6, i.e., the portions where S11 to S31 face each other, each function as a capacitor and has a capacitance determined by the facing area and the distance d1. FIG. 3A shows, as an example, a case in which the facing areas of the wind-receiving electrode 4 and each counter electrode 6 are all the same in a windless state. If the facing areas are S11, S21, and S31, starting from the upper left and going clockwise, then S11 = S21 = S31. At this time, since each capacitor consisting of the wind-receiving electrode 4 and each opposing electrode 6 is a parallel circuit, the AC voltage applied between each capacitor electrode is the same, and the current flowing through each opposing electrode 6 also has the same value because the capacitance is also the same if the opposing area and distance d1 are the same.

[0039] FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of the positions of the wind-receiving electrode and the counter electrode and the AC circuit when affected by an airflow in the first embodiment of the present invention. The case in FIG. 3B illustrates a case where, starting from the windless state of FIG. 1, airflow 11 is generated as shown in FIG. 2, and the wind-receiving section (not shown) moves horizontally and vertically downward under the influence of airflow 11, changing the relative positions of wind-receiving electrode 4 and each counter electrode 6, resulting in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 3B, for example. The area of ​​each counter electrode 6 facing wind-receiving electrode 4 changes from S11 to S12, S21 to S22, and S31 to S32, respectively. The inter-electrode distance also changes from d1 to d2. In this case, the area of ​​each counter electrode 6 facing wind-receiving electrode 4 differs, so the capacitance of each counter electrode as a capacitor also changes, and as a result, the value of the current flowing through each counter electrode 6 changes to a different value. As mentioned above, the direction (i.e., wind direction) and distance each counter electrode 6 has moved relative to the wind-receiving electrode 4 (i.e., wind speed) can be determined from the individual values ​​of the currents flowing through each counter electrode 6 and their sum. For example, in the case of a counter electrode 6 divided equally into three electrodes, as shown in Figure 3A, the wind-receiving electrode 4 can be made into an equilateral triangle so that the slit 21 extending from the center between the counter electrodes 6 intersects perpendicularly with the sides of the wind-receiving electrode 4. As long as the wind-receiving electrode 4 includes the three-way intersection of the central slit 21 of the opposing counter electrode 6, the area of ​​the slit 21 between the counter electrodes 6 will always be the same, and the total opposing area between the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 will naturally remain constant. In this case, the surface where the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 face each other needs to include only the counter electrodes 6 and the slit 21 between the counter electrodes.

[0040] Here, as a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, a case where four counter electrodes 6 are arranged evenly opposite the wind-receiving electrode 4 will be described.

[0041] 4A is an explanatory diagram of the positions of the wind-receiving electrode and the counter electrode and the AC circuit when there is no influence of airflow in a modified example of the first embodiment. Also, FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of the positions of the wind-receiving electrode and the counter electrode and the AC circuit when there is influence of airflow in a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows the positional relationship when four counter electrodes 6 are evenly arranged opposite the wind-receiving electrode 4, and the state in which the capacitor formed by the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 connected to the AC power source 8 forms a parallel circuit. The relative positions change from S11 = S21 = S31 = S41 in FIG. 4A to S11 → S12, S21 → S22, S31 → S32, S41 → S42, and even d1 → d2 in FIG. 4B. As a result, the direction and distance of movement of each counter electrode 6 relative to the wind-receiving electrode 4 can be determined from the individual values ​​of the current flowing through each counter electrode 6 and their sum, as in the cases of FIGS. 3A and 3B. In this case too, if the sides of the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the slit 21 between the counter electrode 6 are in a perpendicular positional relationship, the area of ​​the slit 21 between the counter electrodes 6 will always be the same as long as the central intersection of the opposing wind-receiving electrodes 4 is included, and it will naturally be possible to prevent a change in the total opposing area between the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6. In this way, if the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 are in this relationship and the opposing surface of the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 includes only the counter electrode 6 and the slit 21 between the opposing electrodes as described above, the total opposing area will not change even if the wind-receiving electrode 4 is displaced in the twisting direction for some reason.

[0042] In this embodiment, the opposing areas of the wind-receiving electrode 4 and each of the opposing electrodes 6 are assumed to be the same in the initial stage when not affected by the airflow, but this is not limited to this. Even if the opposing areas are not the same in the initial stage, it is possible to detect changes from the initial state in the same way as long as these values ​​are known in advance. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the wind-receiving electrode 4 is described as a single unit, but even if the wind-receiving electrode 4 is divided, it is similarly possible to determine the wind speed and direction of the airflow as long as the movement of the wind-receiving section 2 and the change in capacitance of each of the opposing electrodes 6 can be known in advance and related to each other.

[0043] 5 is an explanatory diagram of the inclination of the wind-receiving electrode 4 in embodiment 1 of the present invention. As an example, let us calculate the change in capacitance when the wind-receiving electrode 4 is displaced downward by the pressure of the airflow when the wind-receiving section 2 (not shown), changing the inter-electrode distance between the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 from 1.1d to d. This corresponds to a vertical downward deformation of the elastic body 7 (not shown) of 0.1d, or approximately a 10% contraction. If the elastic body 7 contracts uniformly and the entire wind-receiving electrode 4 moves horizontally by 0.1d, changing the inter-electrode distance to d, the capacitance C after the movement will be C = ε·S / d. Now, if we assume that the characteristics of the elastic body 7 supporting the wind-receiving section 2 could cause the wind-receiving electrode 4 to tilt by an additional 10% of the maximum movement distance of 0.1d, i.e., a tilt of δ = 0.01d, as shown in Figure 5, then compared to the capacitance when the entire wind-receiving electrode 4 has moved a full 0.1d, the capacitance C will be (1 - δ / 2d) = (1 - 0.01d / 2d) = 0.995 times, resulting in an error of 0.5%. It is desirable for the wind-receiving electrode 4 and the counter electrode 6 to always be parallel, but if the characteristics of the elastic body 7 when pressure is applied to it cause the wind-receiving electrode 4 to tilt by about 10% of the deformation, then the capacitance error will be about 0.5%, as mentioned above, and can be said to be within the acceptable range.

[0044] As described above, in the wind speed and direction measuring device and the sensor for the wind speed and direction measuring device according to the first embodiment, the wind receiving section 2 has the wind receiving spherical surface 3 and the wind receiving electrode 4, and this wind receiving electrode 4 and the opposing electrodes 6a, 6b, 6c that face each other substantially parallel to each other with a gap 20 therebetween form capacitors, and the wind speed and wind direction can be calculated by detecting the capacitance of each capacitor or by detecting a change in the capacitance of each capacitor when the wind receiving section 2 is displaced by the influence of the airflow 11. With this configuration, no matter which direction in three dimensions the pressure of the airflow 11 is received from in space, the wind receiving section 2 has the spherical surface 3, so that the force can be received evenly, and even the pressure of the airflow 11 from above can be measured as a pressing force on the spherical surface 3.

[0045] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a wind speed and direction measuring device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] The wind receiving section 2 must be constantly in a movable state due to the influence of the airflow, but if there is a possibility that the wiring used to supply power from the AC power source 8 to the wind receiving section electrode 4 may affect the operation of the wind receiving section 2, this effect can be suppressed by configuring it as follows: As shown in Figure 6, the wiring supplied from the AC power source 8 to the wind receiving section electrode 4 on the wind receiving section 2 side is first supplied to the base plate 5 side, and some of the elastic bodies 7 between the base plate 5 and the wind receiving section 2 are made of conductive elastic bodies 13 such as conductive silicone rubber that have the same elastic modulus as the other elastic bodies 7, and AC power 8 is supplied to the wind receiving section electrode 4 by electrically connecting them via this conductive elastic body 13.

[0047] This makes it possible to prevent the operation of the wind receiving section 2 from being hindered.

[0048] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a wind speed and direction measuring device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] When airflow 11 flows across the spherical surface 3 of the wind-receiving section 2, pressure 12 from the airflow 11 may affect the position of the center of gravity 14 of the wind-receiving section 2, causing a rotational moment around one of the contact points between the elastic body 7 and the wind-receiving section 2. In this case, it is more effective to adjust the position of the center of gravity 14 of the wind-receiving section 2 by adding a center-of-gravity adjusting member 16 with a different specific gravity to the wind-receiving section 2, as shown in Figure 7, so that the plane 15 passing through the center of gravity 14 of the wind-receiving section 2 is maintained by the elastic body 7. One example of the center-of-gravity adjusting member 16 is a metal disk-shaped member 16 with a different specific gravity from the resin of the wind-receiving section 2, which is inserted into the circular recess 5a of the base plate 5 so as to be movable laterally and vertically. The disk-shaped member 16 is fixed to the flat portion 3a on the underside of the wind-receiving section 2, and the wind-receiving section electrode 4 is disposed on the underside of the disk-shaped member 16.

[0050] It should be noted that any of the various embodiments or modifications described above can be appropriately combined to achieve the effects of each. In addition, combinations of embodiments, combinations of examples, or combinations of embodiments and examples are possible, and combinations of features from different embodiments or examples are also possible.

[0051] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0052] (Technology 1) A wind-receiving section having a spherical surface for receiving wind and a first flat electrode connected to the spherical surface; second, third, and fourth planar electrodes are arranged on the arrangement surface of the wind receiving portion, facing the first planar electrode with gaps therebetween, and are divided and arranged along the circumferential direction of the spherical surface by slits; an elastic body disposed at a location other than the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes between the wind receiving section and the arrangement surface of the wind receiving section, and holding the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes in the gap; A wind speed and direction measuring device comprising a calculation unit that calculates wind speed and wind direction based on the electrostatic capacitance between three pairs of electrodes consisting of the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes.

[0053] (Technology 2) In the wind speed and direction measuring device described in Technology 1, the calculation unit calculates the capacitance between the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes based on the detected value of the current flowing between the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes when an AC voltage is applied to the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes.

[0054] (Technical Technique 3) The wind speed and direction measuring device according to Technical Technique 1 or 2, wherein the sum of the areas of the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes facing each other is always constant.

[0055] (Technical Technique 4) The wind speed and direction measuring device according to any one of Technical Techniques 1 to 3, wherein the elastic body has a conductive elastic body as part of a power supply wiring to the first planar electrode.

[0056] (Technology 5) A wind speed and direction measuring device described in any one of Technologies 1 to 4, wherein the calculation unit sets the capacitance between three pairs of electrodes consisting of the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes when there is no load due to airflow on the wind receiving section as an initial value, and calculates the wind speed and direction of the airflow by the difference between the capacitance between the three pairs of electrodes consisting of the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes when a load due to airflow is applied to the wind receiving section and the initial value.

[0057] (Technical Technique 6) The wind speed and direction measuring device according to any one of Technical Techniques 1 to 5, wherein the wind receiving section and the elastic body are in contact with each other on a plane passing through the center of gravity of the wind receiving section.

[0058] (Technology 7) A wind-receiving section having a spherical surface for receiving wind and a first flat electrode connected to the spherical surface; second, third, and fourth planar electrodes are arranged on the arrangement surface of the wind receiving portion, facing the first planar electrode with gaps therebetween, and are divided and arranged along the circumferential direction of the spherical surface by slits; an elastic body disposed at a location other than the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes between the wind receiving section and the arrangement surface of the wind receiving section, and holding the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes in the gap; A sensor for a wind speed and direction measuring device capable of detecting the capacitance between each of three pairs of electrodes consisting of the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes.

[0059] (Technical Aspect 8) The sensor for a wind speed and direction measuring device according to Technical Aspect 7, wherein the elastic body has a conductive elastic body as part of a power supply wiring to the first planar electrode.

[0060] With each of these configurations, the wind receiving section has a spherical surface for receiving wind and a first flat electrode, and the first flat electrode and the second, third, and fourth flat electrodes facing each other with gaps form capacitors, and the capacitance of each capacitor is detected, or a change in the capacitance of each capacitor is detected when the wind receiving section is displaced by the influence of the airflow, thereby making it possible to calculate wind speed and direction.With this configuration, the wind receiving section's spherical surface can receive airflow pressure evenly from any three-dimensional direction in space, and airflow pressure from above can also be measured as a pressing force on the spherical surface. [Industrial Applicability]

[0061] The wind speed and direction measuring device and sensor for the wind speed and direction measuring device according to the above aspects of the present invention can determine the wind speed and direction relative to the surface of an object, particularly near the interface between the airflow and the object, even in situations where the wind speed and angle of the airflow impinging on the object changes from moment to moment. Therefore, the above aspects of the present invention can be applied as a wind speed and direction measuring device that manages the heat transfer coefficient between the airflow and the object, which is important in the process of heating or cooling the object, and that manages the flow of the airflow near the interface of the object in the process of drying the object, to heat treatment methods and devices that perform various heat treatments, such as drying ovens, curing ovens, and reflow ovens, in the manufacturing processes of industrial products or home appliances, or various electronic components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Wind speed and direction measuring device 2 Wind receiving section 3 Spherical surface 3a Plane part 4 Wind blower electrode 5 Base plate 5a Recess 6 Counter electrode 6a, 6b, 6c Counter electrodes 7 Elastic Body 8 AC power supply 9 Ammeter 10 Arithmetic section 11 Airflow 12 Pressure due to airflow 13 Conductive elastic body 14 Center of gravity of the wind-receiving part 15 Plane passing through the center of gravity 16 Center of gravity adjustment member 20 Gap 21 Slit 40 boards 41 Conductors 42 Conductive elastic body 43 Lower part of pressure sensor (support) 44 Upper part of pressure sensor (long and thin body) 45 Pressure Sensor 50 bases 51 Pressure column 52 Common electrode 53 Gap 54 Cylinder 55~58 electrodes

Claims

1. a wind receiving section having a spherical surface for receiving wind and a first planar electrode connected to the spherical surface; second, third, and fourth planar electrodes are arranged on the arrangement surface of the wind receiving portion, facing the first planar electrode with gaps therebetween, and are divided and arranged along the circumferential direction of the spherical surface by slits; an elastic body disposed at a location other than the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes between the wind receiving section and the arrangement surface of the wind receiving section, and holding the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes in the gap; A wind speed and direction measuring device comprising: a calculation unit that calculates wind speed and wind direction based on the electrostatic capacitance between three pairs of electrodes consisting of the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes.

2. 2. The wind speed and direction measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates the capacitance between the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes based on detected values ​​of currents flowing between the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes when an AC voltage is applied to the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes.

3. 2. The wind speed and direction measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a total sum of areas of the first planar electrode and the second, third and fourth planar electrodes facing each other is always constant.

4. 2. The wind speed and direction measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body comprises a conductive elastic body as part of a power supply wiring to the first planar electrode.

5. 2. The wind speed and direction measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit sets the capacitance between three pairs of electrodes consisting of the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes when there is no load due to the airflow on the wind receiving section as an initial value, and calculates the wind speed and direction of the airflow based on the difference between the capacitance between the three pairs of electrodes consisting of the first planar electrode and each of the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes when a load due to the airflow is applied to the wind receiving section and the initial value.

6. 2. The wind speed and direction measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the wind receiving portion and the elastic body are in contact with each other on a plane passing through the center of gravity of the wind receiving portion.

7. a wind receiving section having a spherical surface for receiving wind and a first planar electrode connected to the spherical surface; second, third, and fourth planar electrodes are arranged on the arrangement surface of the wind receiving portion, facing the first planar electrode with gaps therebetween, and are divided and arranged along the circumferential direction of the spherical surface by slits; an elastic body disposed at a location other than the first flat electrode and the second, third, and fourth flat electrodes between the wind receiving section and the arrangement surface of the wind receiving section, and holding the first flat electrode and the second, third, and fourth flat electrodes in the gap 20; A sensor for a wind speed and direction measuring device capable of detecting the capacitance between each of three pairs of electrodes consisting of the first planar electrode and the second, third, and fourth planar electrodes.

8. 8. The sensor for a wind speed and direction measuring device according to claim 7, wherein the elastic body has a conductive elastic body as part of a power supply wiring to the first planar electrode.

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