Waterproof type sensor

Abstract

To provide a waterproof sensor capable of improving design by securing visibility of a display lamp from any direction and suppressing a manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: A waterproof type sensor comprising: a housing; a substrate accommodated in the housing; a light emitting body attached to the substrate; a sensing member provided to protrude from the housing to the outside of the housing; a protective member attached to the substrate and having a protective portion surrounding the sensing member and a light guiding portion facing the light emitting body; and a sealing material sealing the substrate, the light emitting body, and the light guiding portion, wherein the protective member transmits light from the light emitting body and emits light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a waterproof sensor. [Background technology]

[0002] In Patent Document 1 (JP 2022-152187 A), the applicant disclosed a sensor comprising a housing, a sensing unit that protrudes from inside the housing to outside the housing and senses a certain physical quantity, a protective member that surrounds the sensing unit, and a light-emitting body that emits light when the sensing unit senses a predetermined amount of the physical quantity, wherein the protective member faces the light-emitting body and transmits light from the light-emitting body. Here, the protective member is attached to the lid of the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-152187 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in order to use a sensor as a waterproof type, the substrate and light emitter must be sealed with resin. In this regard, in a sensor in which a protective member is attached to the lid of the housing as in Patent Document 1, the light from the light emitter is blocked by the sealing material and does not sufficiently reach the protective member. Therefore, the sensor described in Patent Document 1 cannot be immediately applied to a waterproof type.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof sensor that can ensure visibility of the indicator light from any direction, enhance design, and reduce manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides: The housing and a substrate accommodated in the housing; a light emitter attached to the substrate; a sensing member provided so as to protrude from the housing to the outside of the housing; a protective member attached to the substrate, the protective member having a protective portion surrounding the sensing member and a light guiding portion facing the light emitter; a sealing material that seals the substrate, the light emitter, and the light guide portion, the protective member transmits light from the light emitter and emits light; To provide a waterproof sensor characterized by the above.

[0007] In the waterproof sensor of the present invention, it is preferable that the width of the light guide section increases from the light emitter side toward the protection section side.

[0008] In the waterproof sensor of the present invention, it is preferable that the light guide section is disposed at a predetermined distance from the light emitter.

[0009] In the waterproof sensor of the present invention, it is preferable that the protective member further includes legs for supporting the protective member on the substrate.

[0010] In the waterproof sensor of the present invention, it is preferable that the protective member is an integrally molded product including the protective portion, the light guiding portion, and the leg portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the light guide portion facing the light emitter can receive a sufficient amount of light from the light emitter, allowing the protective member to emit sufficient light. Moreover, only the protective portion protrudes from the housing. Therefore, visibility of the indicator light can be ensured from any direction, improving design. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of parts reduces manufacturing costs. Moreover, the light emitter and light guide portion are sealed, making it possible to provide a waterproof sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are a front view, a side view, a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, and a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of a waterproof sensor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the waterproof sensor 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the sensing mechanism of the waterproof sensor 1. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view of the protective member 4 as seen from a different direction. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a waterproof sensor according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these drawings. Furthermore, since the drawings are intended to conceptually explain the present invention, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary to facilitate understanding.

[0014] Waterproof sensor 1 (hereinafter referred to as sensor 1) is a sensor that is attached to a mounting surface (not shown) such as a ceiling or wall, and detects heat, flames, etc. Sensor 1 is waterproof and can be installed in damp places such as a water heater room, a dressing room, a washing room, a kitchen, or near a freezer. In this embodiment, the detector 1 is assumed to be a heat detector, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a smoke detector or a flame detector.

[0015] 1, the sensor 1 includes a housing 2, a sensing member 3, a protective member 4, a light emitter 5, a substrate 6, and a sealing material (sealant) 7. The sensor 1 is installed so that the sensing member 3 and the protective member 4 face a monitoring area (not shown).

[0016] The housing 2 houses various components such as the light emitter 5 and the substrate 6. The outer surface of the housing 2 (the side from which the sensing member 3 protrudes or the surface facing the monitoring area) is generally flat so as not to obstruct the visibility of the protective member 4.

[0017] 2, the housing 2 may include an inner case 21, an outer case 22, and a cover 23, but is not limited to this configuration. Each of these components can be made as an integrally molded resin product, and is preferably made of, for example, a flame-retardant resin. Each component will be described in detail. The inner case 21 is open in one direction (toward the monitoring area). The inner case 21 houses various components such as the light emitter 5 and the substrate 6, and the portions other than the opening (i.e., the bottom and peripheral walls) are closed, so that when the sealing material 7 is poured into the inner case 21, the sealing material 7 does not leak out of the inner case 21. The inner case 21 has engagement pieces 211 and 212 on its edges for engaging with the outer case 22. The outer case 22 has an opening 223 for accommodating the inner case 21. The outer case 22 has recesses 221 and 222 that engage with the engagement pieces 211 and 212 of the inner case 21. The outer case 22 and the inner case 21 are covered with a cover 23. The cover 23 has an opening 231 for exposing the protection member 4 to the monitoring area.

[0018] Therefore, by connecting the inner case 21 and the cover 23 together, inserting the inner case 21 integrated with the cover 23 into the opening 223 of the outer case 22, and rotating the inner case 21 and the cover 23 relative to the outer case 22, the engagement pieces 211, 212 of the inner case 21 can be engaged with the recesses 221, 222 of the outer case 22. In this way, the inner case 21 is attached to the outer case 22, and the housing 2 is assembled.

[0019] The housing 2 accommodates a substrate 6 . The substrate 6 is, for example, a printed wiring board, and is equipped with electronic components (not shown) such as a processor or a microcontroller in addition to the light emitter 5. The substrate 6, together with the light emitter 5 and lead wires (not shown), is sealed with a sealing material 7.

[0020] The light emitter 5 is a light source that emits light in response to a detection signal from the detection member 3, and is attached to the substrate 6. A light emitting diode (LED) is preferably used as the light emitter 5, but is not limited to this. There is no limitation on the color of the light emitted by the light emitter 5, but considering that the indicator light also serves as a warning, red light is preferred. The light emitter 5 may have dimensions of, for example, about 1.6 mm x 0.6 mm.

[0021] The sensing member 3 senses a certain physical quantity (for example, heat, smoke, flame, etc.). The sensing level of the physical quantity may comply with laws and regulations such as the Fire Service Act. The sensing member 3 is provided so as to protrude from inside the housing 2 to outside the housing 2 in order to detect heat, etc. from the monitored area.

[0022] A thermistor is preferably used as the sensing element 3, and in this case, heat is assumed to be the physical quantity to be sensed. The monitored area is monitored by utilizing the fact that the electrical resistance of the thermistor changes with heat. However, other materials such as a bimetal, a diaphragm, a thermocouple, or a glass bulb can also be used as the sensing element 3. The sensing signal of the sensing member 3 is sent to a processor or microcontroller (not shown) on the substrate 6 and is used to control the light emitter 5 .

[0023] The sensing member 3 is protected by a protective member 4 . That is, the protective member 4 protrudes from the housing 2 and surrounds the sensing member 3 to protect the sensing member 3 (see, for example, FIGS. 1(A), (C), and (D)). The protective member 4 is transparent or translucent, and transmits light from the light-emitting body 5. The protective member 4 is attached to a substrate 6. The protective member 4 will be described in detail below.

[0024] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the protective member 4 has a protective portion 41 that surrounds the sensing member 3. As shown in Fig. 4, the protective portion 41 includes a pillar portion 411 that extends along the sensing member 3, and a ring portion 412 that is arranged at the tip of the pillar portion 411. The pillar portion 411 is made up of multiple (for example, four) pillars that are arranged at approximately equal intervals along the ring portion 412 so as not to interfere with the sensing of heat, etc. by the sensing member 3.

[0025] The protective member 4 has a light guide portion 42 facing the light emitter 5. The light guide portion 42 serves to guide the light from the light emitter 5 to the protective portion 41.

[0026] The light guide portion 42 may be substantially rod-shaped. A light receiving surface 421 is provided at the end of the light guide section 42 on the light emitter 5 side. The light receiving surface 421 faces the light emitter 5 and receives the light from the light emitter 5. From the viewpoint of ease of assembly, it is preferable that the light guide 42 (light receiving surface 421) be disposed at a predetermined distance from the light emitter 5. However, in order to supply a sufficient amount of light from the light emitter 5 to the protection part 41, it is preferable that the distance from the light emitter 5 be more than 0.0 mm and 1.0 mm or less.

[0027] It is preferable that the width of the light guide section 42 increases from the light emitter 5 side toward the protective section 41 side. For example, the width of the light guide section 42 on the light emitter 5 side is approximately the same as the width of the light emitter 5, and gradually increases toward the protective section 41 side, and is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the protective section 41 on the protective section 41 side. This allows the light from the light emitter 5 to be transmitted evenly through the protective section 41, improving the visibility of the illuminated protective member 4.

[0028] A fixing portion 422 extends from the tip of the light guide portion 42 on the light emitter 5 side (i.e., the light receiving surface 421). The protective member 4 is attached to the substrate 6 by fixing the fixing portion 422 to the substrate 6. In the illustrated example, the fixing portion 422 is configured as, for example, an annular screw hole, and the fixing portion 422 and the substrate 6 can be fixed together with a screw (see, for example, FIG. 3).

[0029] A step is formed between the fixing portion 422 and the light receiving surface 421 of the light guide portion 42 to separate the light receiving surface 421 from the light emitter 5 (see, for example, FIG. 4). From the viewpoint of sufficient transmission of light from the light emitter 5, the height of this step is preferably larger than the thickness of the light emitter 5 by, for example, more than 0.0 mm and not more than 1.0 mm.

[0030] 4, a flange 44 is interposed between the protective portion 41 and the light guiding portion 42. The outer diameter of the flange 44 is larger than the inner diameter of the opening 231 of the cover 23. Therefore, when the protective member 4 is passed through the opening 231 of the cover 23, the flange 44 comes into contact with the opening 231 and restricts further movement (see, for example, FIG. 2). In other words, the flange 44 serves as a stopper. 4(B), the flange 44 may have a notch 441. The notch 441 serves to ensure an operating space for a tool such as a fastener when fixing the fixing portion 422 to the substrate 6 with a screw or the like.

[0031] The protective member 4 may further have legs 43 that support the protective member 4 on the substrate 6. By attaching the protective member 4 to the substrate 6 via the legs 43 as well, the protective member 4 can be securely attached to the substrate 6, and the sealing process with resin can be easily performed.

[0032] The leg portion 43 can be configured as a rod-shaped member extending from the protective portion 41 substantially parallel to the light guiding portion 42. The tip of the leg portion 43 fits into a hole formed in the substrate 6, thereby positioning the protective member 4 at a predetermined position on the substrate 6.

[0033] The protective member 4 may have a textured outer surface. Alternatively, the protective member 4 may be a resin member colored milky white. In either case, the protective member 4 preferably has a light transmittance of 10% to 90%.

[0034] The material of the protective member 4 is preferably a thermoplastic resin such as polycarbonate resin, but is not limited to this, and ABS, PC / ABS, etc. can also be used. The protective member 4 can be configured as an integrally molded product including a protective portion 41, a light guiding portion 42, and leg portions 43.

[0035] 2, the housing 2 is filled with a sealant 7 (sealant). In the illustrated example, the sealant 7 is filled in the inner case 21, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0036] The sealing material 7 seals the substrate 6, the light emitter 5, and various parts on the substrate 6. The sealing material 7 also seals the light guiding portion 42 (particularly the fixing portion 422) and the lead wires (not shown) of the protective member 4 by covering these components. In other words, the sealing material 7 protects the components such as the substrate 6 from moisture.

[0037] For example, an epoxy resin can be suitably used as the sealing material 7, but is not limited to this. For example, a urethane resin can be used. Furthermore, it is preferable that the sealing material 7 is transparent.

[0038] Such a sensor 1 can be assembled and installed, for example, by the following procedure. Note that wiring is prepared in advance on the mounting surface such as the ceiling, and holes or the like are formed for pulling out the wiring.

[0039] The sensing member 3 is attached to the substrate 6. Next, the protective member 4 is placed on the substrate 6 and fixed with screws or the like. The substrate 6 thus integrated with the sensing member 3 and protective member 4 is housed in the inner case 21 and fixed with screws or the like (see FIG. 3).

[0040] Then, the substrate 6, the light emitter 5, the sensing member 3 (its base), the protective member 4 (its fixing portion 422), the lead wires (not shown), etc. are sealed with the sealing material 7 (see FIG. 2). This operation is a simple process of filling the sealing material 7 into the inner case 21.

[0041] Next, the inner case 21 is attached to the cover 23. At this time, the light emitter 5 on the substrate 6 and the light guide section 42 (light receiving surface 421) of the protective member 4 are spaced apart, so that even if the outer case 22 presses the protective member 4 when the outer case 22 is attached, the protective member 4 can be prevented from coming into contact with the light emitter 5 and causing damage. Furthermore, the inner case 21 and the cover 23 are attached to the outer case 22 (see FIG. 2). That is, the inner case 21 integrated with the cover 23 is inserted into the opening 223 of the outer case 22 and locked to the outer case 22. For example, the inner case 21 integrated with the cover 23 is rotated relative to the outer case 22 within the opening 223, and the engagement pieces 211, 212 are engaged with the recesses 221, 222. Then, the sensor 1 is connected to wiring (not shown) drawn out from a mounting surface (not shown) such as a ceiling, and then fixed to the mounting surface with screws or the like. This completes the installation of the detector 1.

[0042] The detector 1 operates as follows. That is, the detector 1 constantly monitors the monitoring area. When the sensing member 3 senses a certain physical quantity (e.g., heat), a processor or microcontroller (not shown) on the substrate 6 turns on the light emitter 5. The light from the light emitter 5 passes through the light guide portion 42 and reaches the protective portion 41. This makes the protective member 4 appear to be emitting light from the outside.

[0043] Since the sensor 1 is waterproof, even if it is installed in a place with a lot of moisture, it is possible to prevent malfunction due to moisture entering the substrate 6 and the like.

[0044] The protective member 4 occupies a larger area than the lit part and is visible from all directions, thus improving the visibility of the indicator light.

[0045] Furthermore, the detector 1 does not use a light guide to guide light from the light emitter 5, but instead allows the light from the light emitter 5 to pass through the protective member 4, causing the entire protective member 4 to glow. In other words, the protective member 4 has both the function of protecting the detector 3 and the function of an indicator light. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the protection of the detector 3 and the indicator light are configured as separate parts, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0046] Furthermore, since the detector 1 does not have a separate operation indicator light, it is not excessively conspicuous or overly assertive, thereby enhancing the design of the detector 1.

[0047] The above describes a waterproof sensor as one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. Various design modifications are possible as long as the technical concept of the present invention is maintained, and all such design modifications are included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Waterproof sensor 2. Case 3. Sensing element 4 Protective materials 41 Protection Department 42 Light guide section 5. Luminous Object 6 PCB 7. Encapsulating material

Claims

1. The housing and a substrate accommodated in the housing; a light emitter attached to the substrate; a sensing member provided so as to protrude from the housing to the outside of the housing; a protective member attached to the substrate, the protective member having a protective portion surrounding the sensing member and a light guiding portion facing the light emitter; a sealing material that seals the substrate, the light emitter, and the light guide portion, the protective member transmits light from the light emitter and emits light; A waterproof sensor characterized by:

2. The width of the light guide portion increases from the light emitter side toward the protection portion side.

2. The waterproof sensor according to claim 1,

3. The light guide unit is disposed at a predetermined distance from the light emitter; 2. The waterproof sensor according to claim 1,

4. the protective member further includes legs for supporting the protective member on the substrate; 2. The waterproof sensor according to claim 1,

5. the protective member is an integrally molded product including the protective portion, the light guiding portion, and the leg portion; 5. The waterproof sensor according to claim 4,

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