Shake detector

Abstract

To provide a seismic detector that can detect tremors with a simple configuration. [Solution] The device comprises a cylindrical body extending along a plane and having undulations along the direction of extension, a magnet movable inside the cylindrical body, a coil wound around the outer surface of the transition portion between a first apex convex in a direction perpendicular to the plane and a second apex convex in a direction opposite to the direction of extension, and a detection unit that detects the voltage generated in the coil and detects the shaking of the cylindrical body according to the detection result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shake detector.

Background Art

[0002] A system for detecting shaking by attaching to a device or the like has been disclosed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a strain gauge type load cell arranged at the legs of a device such as a manufacturing device or an inspection device, and a processing device that determines whether seismic motion is occurring according to the load detection result of the arranged load cell.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Regardless of the shake detection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, when attempting to provide a device for detecting shaking in an environment where there is no power source in the surroundings and it is difficult to obtain power from the outside, or in an environment where it is difficult to install a large-scale device, it is required to have a power-saving and simple configuration.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a shake detector capable of detecting shaking with a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vibration detector according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a cylindrical body extending along a plane and having undulations along the direction of said extension; a magnet movable inside the cylindrical body; a coil wound around the outer circumferential surface of the transition portion between a first apex convex in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said undulations of the cylindrical body and a second apex convex in another direction opposite to the direction of said apex; and a detection unit that detects the voltage generated in the coil and detects the vibration of the cylindrical body according to the detection result. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the vibration detector according to Example 1. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing a part of the side view of the vibration detector according to Example 1. [Figure 3] This is a circuit diagram of the rectifier for the vibration detector according to Example 1. [Figure 4] This figure shows a part of the side view of a vibration detector according to a modified example of Example 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows a part of the side view of a vibration detector according to a modified example of Example 1. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the vibration detector according to Example 2. [Figure 7] This is a top view of a vibration detector according to a modified example of Example 2. [Figure 8] This is a top view of the vibration detector according to Example 3. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged view of a portion of the side of the vibration detector according to Example 3. [Figure 10] This is a top view of a vibration detector according to a modified example of Example 3. [Figure 11] This is an enlarged view of a portion of the upper surface of the vibration detector according to a modified example of Example 3. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of the vibration detector according to Example 4. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of a modified example of the vibration detector according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view of a modified example of the vibration detector according to Embodiment 4.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, substantially the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Embodiment

[0009] First, the configuration of the shake detector 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described using FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shake detector 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a view showing a part of the side surface of the shake detector 100 shown in FIG. 1.

[0010] In FIG. 1, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis represent the three axes of a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. Also, in FIG. 1, the ring CR (dashed line in the figure) is a virtual circular ring in an arbitrary plane, in this embodiment, in the XY plane formed by the X-axis and Y-axis. In FIG. 2, the vertical direction in the figure is the vertical direction of the shake detector 100.

[0011] The cylindrical body 11 is an annular cylindrical body (hollow circular ring body) extending along the ring CR. The cylindrical body 11 forms one circular ring body by repeating undulations in one direction perpendicular to an arbitrary plane and another direction opposite to the one direction, in this embodiment, in the Z-axis direction with respect to the XY plane.

[0012] That is, the cylindrical body 11 has the first top portion 11A convex upward with respect to the XY plane, the second top portion 11B convex downward with respect to the plane, and the transition portion 11T which is the portion transitioning from the first top portion 11A to the second top portion 11B are alternately connected (see FIG. 2).

[0013] In the shake detector 100 of this embodiment, the cross-section perpendicular to the extending direction of the cylindrical body 11 has an annular shape. The cylindrical body 11 is made of a material having insulation and non-magnetism, such as plastic or ceramic.

[0014] Coil 13 is a solenoid coil wound in a spiral shape around the outer peripheral surface of each of the transition portions 11T of the cylindrical body 11. In the vibration detector 100 of the present embodiment, the coil 13 is wound around the transition portion 11T in a single-layer winding manner. Note that the coil 13 may be wound in a multi-layer winding manner of two or more layers.

[0015] Magnet 15 is a spherical magnet that can move while rotating along the extending direction of the cylindrical body 11 inside the cylindrical body 11. One hemispherical surface of the magnet 15 has a north pole, and the other hemispherical surface has a south pole. The magnet 15 is a permanent magnet such as a neodymium magnet, for example.

[0016] In the vibration detector 100, as the magnet 15 moves inside the cylindrical body 11 and passes through the transition portion 11T, the magnetic flux passing through the coil 13 wound around the outer peripheral surface of the transition portion 11T changes. That is, a voltage is generated in the coil 13 due to the occurrence of the electromagnetic induction phenomenon.

[0017] Rectifier 17 is electrically connected to the coil 13 and is a device that rectifies and smoothes the voltage generated in the coil 13 by the above-described electromagnetic induction phenomenon. There are as many rectifiers 17 as there are coils 13, and each rectifier 17 is connected to each coil 13, but its depiction is omitted in FIG. 1.

[0018] Here, an example of the configuration of the rectifier 17 will be described using FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the rectifier 17. The rectifier 17 is composed of a bridge diode BD connected to two terminals of each of the coils 13 and a capacitor C connected to the bridge diode BD.

[0019] In the vibration detector 100, since the magnet 15 rolls inside the cylindrical body 11 while the north pole and the south pole are interchanged, voltages in opposite directions (positive and negative) can be generated in the coil 13 when the magnet 15 passes through the inside thereof.

[0020] The bridge diode BD is the part that performs full-wave rectification, converting the negative voltage component of the input voltage input from coil 13 to the bridge diode BD into a positive voltage and outputting it. The voltage that has been full-wave rectified by the bridge diode BD is input to capacitor C.

[0021] Capacitor C, through its charging and discharging action, receives the voltage that has been full-wave rectified by the bridge diode BD and smooths out the pulsating current component contained in that voltage. This converts the voltage containing the pulsating current component into a voltage with a flat waveform, thereby obtaining a DC voltage.

[0022] Refer again to Figures 1 and 2. The vibration detection circuit 19 is a circuit that is electrically connected to the rectifier 17. In the vibration detector 100 of this embodiment, the vibration detection circuit 19 is connected to each of the rectifiers 17, which are the same number as the coils 13.

[0023] The vibration detection circuit 19 individually detects the DC voltage that has been rectified and smoothed via the rectifier 17 when an electromotive force is induced in the coil 13 due to the electromagnetic induction phenomenon described above. In other words, in the vibration detector 100 of this embodiment, the vibration detection circuit 19 is capable of detecting the DC voltage for each coil 13 provided in the cylindrical body 11.

[0024] The vibration detection circuit 19 detects vibration in the cylindrical body 11 when it detects the DC voltage input from the coil 13 via the rectifier 17. In other words, the vibration detection circuit 19 functions as a detection unit that detects vibration in the cylindrical body 11 according to the detection result of the induced electromotive force generated in the coil 13, utilizing the electromagnetic induction phenomenon using the coil 13 and the magnet 15.

[0025] The detection circuit 19 has a battery (secondary battery) (not shown) that stores the DC power output by each of the rectifiers 17. The detection circuit 19 is configured to use the power stored in the battery as the driving power for the vibration detection circuit 19. Therefore, in the vibration detector 100, the vibration detection circuit 19 can be driven without providing an external power supply or anything like that.

[0026] Furthermore, when supplying power to the battery, for example, intermittent charging periods may be introduced, during which the power generated by coil 13 may be used for charging rather than for vibration detection. Alternatively, by connecting the vibration detection circuit 19 and the battery in parallel, a portion of the power used for vibration detection may be used for charging. In this way, it is possible to improve energy harvesting efficiency.

[0027] The following describes an example of detecting the shaking of the cylindrical body 11 using the shaking detection circuit 19. The shaking detector 100 can be incorporated, for example, into an earthquake sensor for detecting earthquakes or a security sensor attached to a windowpane as a measure against burglaries. When installing these sensors, the cylindrical body 11 of the shaking detector 100 is positioned so that the ring CR is horizontal when the device is stationary (when there is no shaking).

[0028] Furthermore, the cylindrical body 11 is positioned such that, when stationary, the magnet 15 rests on the second top portion 11B of the cylindrical body 11. In other words, the cylindrical body 11 is positioned such that the second top portion 11B of the cylindrical body 11 is convex downward in the vertical direction.

[0029] For example, if the cylindrical body 11 is subjected to shaking, the magnet 15, which was stationary at the second top 11B, will roll from the second top 11B toward the top of the first top 11A. In other words, the magnet 15 will roll toward either the second top 11B or the transition portion 11T that is continuous with the second top 11B.

[0030] At this time, the vibration detection circuit 19 detects that vibration has occurred in the cylindrical body 11 by detecting the induced electromotive force generated in the coil 13, which is wrapped around the outer surface of the transition portion 11T on the side where the magnet 15 has rolled, as a DC voltage via the rectifier 17.

[0031] For example, if the vibration detection circuit 19 is incorporated into a security sensor, the vibration detection circuit 19 may be connected to an alarm device that notifies the outside when vibration occurs in the cylindrical body 11. When vibration occurs in the cylindrical body 11, the vibration detection circuit 19 transmits a signal to the alarm device, and the alarm device, upon receiving this signal, notifies the outside that vibration has occurred in the cylindrical body 11 through an alarm sound or communication.

[0032] According to the vibration detector 100 of this embodiment, as described above, the vibration of the cylindrical body 11 can be detected with a simple configuration consisting of the cylindrical body 11, the coil 13, and the magnet 15, while also improving energy harvesting capabilities. Therefore, according to the vibration detector 100 of this embodiment, there is no need to use large-scale equipment for vibration detection, and vibration detection can be performed even in narrow spaces where it is difficult to install such equipment.

[0033] In this embodiment, the vibration detector 100 detects vibration in the cylindrical body 11 by detecting the DC voltage input from the rectifier 17. However, it is also possible to detect whether or not vibration has occurred in the cylindrical body 11 based on the magnitude of the DC voltage input from the rectifier 17.

[0034] For example, if a security sensor incorporating a vibration detector 100 is installed on a window, even slight vibrations of the window due to wind or other factors can cause the magnet 15 to move inside the cylindrical body 11, generating an induced electromotive force in the coil 13. In such cases, when the vibration experienced by the cylindrical body 11 is gentle, the DC voltage input to the vibration detection circuit 19 will be considerably smaller than the DC voltage input to the vibration detection circuit 19 when, for example, the window is opened and the cylindrical body 11 vibrates as a result.

[0035] Therefore, the vibration detector 100 may be configured such that, for example, by pre-setting a threshold value for the magnitude of the DC voltage in the vibration detection circuit 19, the vibration detection circuit 19 does not detect vibration in the cylindrical body 11 when the cylindrical body 11 is subjected to vibrations of a degree similar to those caused by wind. Furthermore, for example, when the cylindrical body 11 is subjected to vibrations of a degree similar to those caused by wind, the power generated by such vibrations may be used to charge the battery.

[0036] As a result, for example, if a security sensor incorporating a vibration detection circuit 19 is installed on a window, when the detection circuit 19 detects vibration of the cylindrical body 11, the probability that the vibration is likely related to security, i.e., vibration caused by opening and closing the window, is increased, thereby improving the reliability of the sensor.

[0037] In the vibration detector 100 of this embodiment, the cylindrical body 11 only needs to have undulations that can move from the second top portion 11B to the transition portion 11T, and is not limited to the number of first top portions 11A, transition portions 11T, and second top portions 11B.

[0038] Furthermore, the cylindrical body 11 only needs to have undulations that can move from the second top portion 11B to the transition portion 11T, and its upper surface shape does not have to be continuous like a ring. For example, the upper surface shape of the cylindrical body 11 may be semicircular or linear. Also, the cross-section of the cylindrical body 11 perpendicular to the direction of extension only needs to be a shape through which the magnet 15 can pass, and may be an elliptical or rectangular shape in addition to an annular shape.

[0039] Furthermore, the cylindrical body 11 only needs to be made of a non-magnetic material so that the magnet 15 is not attracted to its inner surface. This material can be plastic or ceramic, or it may be made of a non-magnetic metal such as aluminum (Al) or copper (Cu) that has been insulated between it and the coil 13.

[0040] Furthermore, the thickness of the cylindrical body 11 is preferably a few millimeters or less, for example, so as not to affect the electromagnetic induction phenomenon between the magnet 15 and the coil 13. Also, for the reasons mentioned above, the gap between the magnet 15 and the inner surface of the cylindrical body 11 is preferably as small as possible, for example a few millimeters or less, so as not to affect the electromagnetic induction phenomenon between the magnet 15 and the coil 13.

[0041] Although the rectifier 17 is described as performing full-wave rectification of the input voltage from the coil 13 using a bridge diode BD, it is not limited to this. For example, the rectifier 17 may perform half-wave rectification to cancel out the negative voltage component of the input voltage. This allows a lower voltage than that used when full-wave rectification is performed to be used as the power source for the oscillation detection circuit 19.

[0042] In the vibration detector 100 of this embodiment, the vibration detection circuit 19 has a battery that stores the DC power output by each of the rectifiers 17, but it is not limited to this and does not have a battery. For example, the vibration detector 100 may be configured such that the vibration detection circuit 19 detects vibration by electromotive force due to electromagnetic induction and uses that electromotive force as a power source for LPWA wireless communication circuits such as Wi-SUN (registered trademark) or LoRa (registered trademark).

[0043] In the vibration detector 100 of this embodiment, the method of winding the coil 13 around the cylindrical body 11 is not limited to a helical shape; any method that generates voltage due to the movement of the magnet 15 inside the cylindrical body 11 is acceptable. For example, a disordered winding method that allows more induced current to flow due to electromagnetic induction is also acceptable.

[0044] In the vibration detector 100 of this embodiment, the shape of the magnet 15 is not limited to a spherical shape, but may be cylindrical, elliptical, or the like. For example, if the magnet 15 is cylindrical, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical body 11 be a quadrilateral with four equally sized corners.

[0045] [Example 1] Next, a modified example of the vibration detector 100 according to Example 1 will be described using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing a part of the side view of the vibration detector 110 according to Modification 2. The vibration detector 110 differs from Example 1 in the way the coil 13 is installed, and otherwise has the same configuration as the vibration detector 100.

[0046] In this modified version of the vibration detector 110, as shown in Figure 4, the distances from the apex of the second peak 11B are different for coil 13A and coil 13B, which are provided in the transition section 11T. Specifically, the distance L1 from the apex of the second peak 11B to the center of coil 13A is shorter than the distance L2 from the apex of the second peak 11B to the center of coil 13B.

[0047] Therefore, in this modified version of the vibration detector 110, coil 13A and coil 13B are configured to detect vibrations of different degrees. In other words, in this modified version of the vibration detector 110, the vibration detection circuit 19 is configured to detect whether the vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11 is small or large, depending on whether an induced electromotive force is generated in coil 13A or coil 13B.

[0048] For example, if the vibration detection circuit 19 detects only the induced electromotive force generated in coil 13A, that is, if the vibration of the cylindrical body 11 is such that the magnet 15 passes through coil 13A but not coil 13B, the vibration detection circuit 19 will detect the vibration of the cylindrical body 11 as a small vibration.

[0049] Furthermore, for example, if the vibration detection circuit 19 detects an induced electromotive force generated in coil 13B, that is, if vibration occurs in the cylindrical body 11 such that the magnet 15 passes through both coil 13A and coil 13B, the vibration detection circuit 19 detects the vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11 as a large vibration.

[0050] Therefore, according to the modified vibration detector 110, the degree of vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11 can be detected by determining which of the coils 13A and 13B the vibration detection circuit 19 detects the induced electromotive force from.

[0051] For example, if a security sensor incorporating a detector 110 is installed on a window, and the vibration detection circuit 19 detects that the vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11 is small, it can be configured not to send a signal to the notification device, as it is unlikely that the vibration is related to opening or closing the window.

[0052] [Differentiation 2] Next, a modified example of the vibration detector 100 according to Example 1 will be described using Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram showing a part of the side view of the vibration detector 120 according to Modification 1. The vibration detector 120 differs from Example 1 in the way the coil 13 is installed, and otherwise has the same configuration as the vibration detector 100.

[0053] In this modified version of the vibration detector 120, two coils 13 are provided on the outer surface of one transition portion 11T of the cylindrical body 11, spaced apart from each other. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, coil 13A is positioned relatively close to the apex of the second top portion 11B, while coil 13B is positioned further from the apex of the second top portion 11B than coil 13A.

[0054] In the modified vibration detector 120, the vibration detection circuit 19 is configured to detect the induced electromotive force generated by coil 13A and coil 13B as DC voltages via the rectifier 17. Depending on whether an induced electromotive force is generated only in coil 13A or in both coil 13A and coil 13B, the vibration detection circuit 19 detects the degree of vibration, whether the vibration in the cylindrical body 11 is small or large.

[0055] For example, if the vibration detection circuit 19 detects an induced electromotive force from coil 13A only, that is, if the magnet 15 moves from the second top 11B to the part of the transition section 11T within coil 13A and stops, and then moves back to the second top 11B due to gravity, the vibration detection circuit 19 will detect the vibration that occurred in the cylindrical body 11 as a small vibration.

[0056] Furthermore, for example, if the vibration detection circuit 19 detects induced electromotive force from both coil 13A and coil 13B, that is, if the magnet 15 moves from the second top 11B to the first top 11A, the vibration detection circuit 19 detects the vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11 as a large vibration.

[0057] Therefore, according to the modified vibration detector 120, the degree of vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11 can be detected depending on which of the coils 13A and 13B the vibration detection circuit 19 detects the induced electromotive force from.

[0058] For example, if a security sensor incorporating a vibration detector 120 is installed on a window, and the vibration detection circuit 19 detects that the vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11 is small, it can be configured not to send a signal to the notification device, as it is unlikely that the vibration is related to opening or closing the window.

[0059] If the notification device is not to send a signal when the shaking is small, it may be sufficient to simply record that there was shaking in the cylindrical body 11. For example, the shaking detector 120 may be placed on the ground or in a building adjacent to a road or railway track, and when the cylindrical body 11 shakes due to the passage of a car or train, it may be possible to determine whether the shaking is large or small and count the number of each.

[0060] Furthermore, in the modified vibration detector 120, the number of coils 13 in the transition section 11T may be further increased. Alternatively, the number of coils 13 installed only in a portion of the transition section 11T of the cylindrical body 11 may be increased.

[0061] Furthermore, in the modified vibration detector 120, for example, one of the two transition portions 11T extending from one second top portion 11B of the cylindrical body 11 may be used to detect vibrations of the cylindrical body 11, while the other transition portion 11T may be used for power generation. In other words, the roles of vibration detection and power generation may be changed for each transition portion 11T.

[0062] Furthermore, if, for example, the cylindrical body 11 shakes and an induced electromotive force is generated in both coil 13A and coil 13B, the shaking detection circuit 19 may calculate the velocity of the magnet 15 from the time it takes for the magnet 15 to move from coil 13A to coil 13B and the distance between coil 13A and coil 13B in the transition section 11T.

[0063] Furthermore, the vibration detection circuit 19 may calculate the acceleration of the magnet 15 from the calculated velocity of the magnet 15. For example, when the vibration detection circuit 19 calculates the velocity and acceleration of the magnet 15, it may detect the calculated velocity and acceleration as the approximate velocity and acceleration of the vibration of the cylindrical body 11. [Examples]

[0064] Next, the vibration detector 200 according to Example 2 will be described using Figure 6. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the vibration detector 200 according to Example 2. The vibration detector 200 differs from the vibration detector 100 according to Example 1 in the internal configuration of the cylindrical body 11, but otherwise has the same configuration as the vibration detector 100.

[0065] The partition 21 is a plate-shaped partition provided perpendicular to the extending direction of the cylindrical body 11 at each vertex of the first top portion 11A. The partition 21 has a circular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the cylindrical body 11 and is provided to prevent the movement of the magnet 15 from crossing the location where the partition 21 is formed.

[0066] The partition 21 is made of a non-magnetic, nonlinear elastic material such as a rubber sheet, which does not attract the magnet 15 by magnetic force. The partition 21 is joined to the first top portion 11A by, for example, brazing, crimping, solid-state bonding, or fusion bonding. It is also preferable that the partition 21 has a thickness that maintains a sufficient distance between each of the magnets 15 when they come into contact with each other, so that the magnets 15 do not attract each other by magnetic force.

[0067] In the vibration detector 200 of this embodiment, partitions 21 are provided at each vertex of the first top portion 11A, so that the cylindrical body 11 forms multiple internal spaces, each including a second top portion 11B. In the vibration detector 200 of this embodiment, one magnet 15 is placed in each of the internal spaces partitioned by the partitions 21.

[0068] In other words, in the vibration detector 200 of this embodiment, each of the multiple magnets 15 can move only within the internal space of the cylindrical body 11 formed by the partition 21, and movement of the cylindrical body 11 in any other direction is prevented by the partition 21.

[0069] In the vibration detector 200 of this embodiment, the vibration detection circuit 19 is configured to individually detect the induced electromotive force generated in the coil 13 as a DC voltage via the rectifier 17, similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, the vibration detector 200 of this embodiment can detect the vibration of the cylindrical body 11 with a simple configuration consisting of the cylindrical body 11, the coil 13, and the magnet 15.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the vibration detector 200 of this embodiment, as described above, one magnet 15 is placed in each of the internal spaces partitioned by the partition 21, so that the vibration detection circuit 19 can detect the direction of the vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11.

[0071] For example, the vibration detection circuit 19 detects that the vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11 is in the left-right direction in the figure when it detects an induced electromotive force generated in one of the coils 13 located within the range indicated by the dashed line in Figure 6.

[0072] Therefore, according to the vibration detector 200 of this embodiment, the vibration detection circuit 19 can detect not only the vibration of the cylindrical body 11 but also the direction of the vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11. The vibration detection circuit 19 may also detect the direction of the vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11 by, for example, detecting the induced electromotive force generated in a plurality of adjacent coils 13.

[0073] In the vibration detector 200 of this embodiment, the vibration detection circuit 19 does not need to individually detect the induced electromotive force generated in the coil 13. For example, a rectifier 17 may be connected in series to each internal space partitioned by the partition 21, and the vibration detection circuit 19 may detect the DC voltage combined from the series-connected rectifiers 17 for each internal space.

[0074] In the vibration detector 200 of this embodiment, the vibration detection circuit 19 detects the direction of vibration of the cylindrical body 11, but it may also be used in combination with the modified examples 1 and 2 described above to detect the degree of vibration of the cylindrical body 11.

[0075] Furthermore, when the cylindrical body 11 shakes and multiple coils 13 located in separate internal spaces simultaneously generate induced electromotive forces, the shaking detection circuit 19 may detect the direction of the shaking as the direction in which the portion of the cylindrical body 11 containing the coil 13 exhibiting the largest voltage value among the DC voltages detected via the rectifier 17 is located.

[0076] In the vibration detector 200 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the partition 21 has high resilience and elastic force sufficient to bounce back the magnet 15, which has rolled from the second top 11B and reached the first top 11A, back to the second top 11B.

[0077] Furthermore, in the vibration detector 200 of this embodiment, the internal space of the cylindrical body 11 partitioned by the partition 21 may contain two or more second top portions 11B. For example, the two internal spaces of the cylindrical body 11 partitioned by two partitions 21 may each contain two second top portions 11B, and each of these internal spaces may be configured to have one magnet 15.

[0078] Furthermore, the partition 21 should be provided in such a way that it prevents the magnets 15 from moving to the adjacent second top portion 11B and prevents the magnets 15 from sticking together. For example, two thin partitions 21 may be provided on the first top portion 11A to increase the distance between them so that the magnets 15 do not stick together.

[0079] [Difference 3] Next, a modified example of the vibration detector 200 according to Example 2 will be described using Figure 7. Figure 7 is a top view of the vibration detector 210 according to Modification 3. The vibration detector 210 differs from Example 2 in the installation configuration of the coil 13, and otherwise has the same configuration as the vibration detector 200.

[0080] In this modified version of the vibration detector 210, the installation configuration of the coil 13 differs between any one internal space partitioned by the partition 21 and another internal space located diagonally opposite to that internal space in a top view.

[0081] Specifically, for example, as shown in Figure 7, the distance L1 from the vertex of the second vertex 11B in space SP1 to the center of the coil 13 is greater than the distance L2 from the vertex of the second vertex 11B in space SP2, which is located diagonally opposite space SP1 in a top view, to the center of the coil 13.

[0082] In the vibration detector 210, the extension directions of the cylindrical body 11 in the two diagonally opposite internal spaces are approximately equal. Therefore, for example, in space SP1 and space SP2, when vibration occurs in the cylindrical body 11, the directions in which it vibrates are approximately equal.

[0083] In this modified version of the vibration detector 210, by changing the distance from the apex of the second top 11B to the center of the coil 13 in space SP1 and space SP2 as described above, the degree of vibration detected by the vibration detection circuit 19 can be changed even if the direction of vibration of the cylindrical body 11 is the same.

[0084] In other words, in the modified vibration detector 210, the vibration detection circuit 19 detects whether the vibration in the cylindrical body 11 is small or large, depending on whether an induced electromotive force is generated only in the coil 13 of space SP2 or in both the coil 13 of space SP2 and the coil 13 of space SP1.

[0085] For example, if the vibration detection circuit 19 detects an induced electromotive force only from the coil 13 in space SP2, the vibration detection circuit 19 will detect the vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11 as a small vibration. Also, for example, if the vibration detection circuit 19 detects an induced electromotive force from the coils 13 in both space SP2 and space SP1, the vibration detection circuit 19 will detect the vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11 as a large vibration.

[0086] Therefore, according to the modified vibration detector 210, for example, in spaces SP1 and SP2 where the direction of vibration is the same as described above, by changing the distance from the apex of the second apex 11B to the coil 13, vibrations of different degrees can be detected in one space and the other. [Examples]

[0087] Next, the vibration detector 300 according to Embodiment 3 will be described using Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 is a top view of the vibration detector 300 according to Embodiment 3. Figure 9 is a view of a part of the side of the vibration detector 300. In Figure 9, the vertical direction in the figure is the vertical direction of the vibration detector 300.

[0088] The vibration detector 300 differs from the vibration detector 100 according to Embodiment 1 in the manner in which the cylindrical body 11 is formed, but in other respects, such as the configuration of the rectifier 17 and the vibration detection circuit 19, it has the same configuration as the vibration detector 100.

[0089] The vibration detector 300 of this embodiment has a cylindrical section 23 consisting of a hexagonal prism-shaped central section CP located in the center of a plane formed by the X and Y axes, and a plurality of cylindrical bodies 11 extending radially from each of the sides of the central section CP. Specifically, each of the cylindrical bodies 11 extends from the central section CP in the up, down, left, right, and diagonal directions in Figure 8 such that the angle between the extension directions of adjacent cylindrical bodies 11 is 45° when viewed from above.

[0090] In the vibration detector 300 of this embodiment, each of the cylindrical bodies 11 is a hollow annular body, similar to the cylindrical body 11 of the vibration detector 100, and is undulating in the vertical direction with respect to the Z axis. That is, each of the cylindrical bodies 11 of the cylindrical body portion 23 has a first apex 11A, a transition portion 11T, and a second apex 11B, as shown in Figure 9.

[0091] Furthermore, in the vibration detector 300 of this embodiment, a coil 13 is wound around the outer surface of each transition portion 11T of the cylindrical body 11. In addition, one magnet 15 is rotatably arranged inside each of the cylindrical bodies 11.

[0092] In the vibration detector 300 of this embodiment, each of the cylindrical bodies 11 of the cylindrical body section 23 is independently provided so as to face different directions from each other, making it easier for the vibration detection circuit 19 to detect the direction of vibration when vibration occurs in the cylindrical body 11.

[0093] Therefore, the vibration detector 300 of this embodiment can detect the vibration of the cylindrical body 11 in the same way as in Embodiment 2, and it is also easier to detect the direction of the vibration occurring in the cylindrical body 11. In addition, in the vibration detector 300 of this embodiment, the position in which the coil 13 is provided may be changed for cylindrical bodies 11 facing the same direction, for example, between the cylindrical body 11 that is positioned upward in Figure 8 and the cylindrical body 11 that is positioned downward in Figure 8.

[0094] Furthermore, in the vibration detector 300, the number of cylindrical bodies 11 in the cylindrical body section 23 may be increased, or the number of cylindrical body sections 23 themselves may be increased and arranged so that the extension directions of each cylindrical body 11 are different.

[0095] [Differentiation Example 4] Next, a modified example of the vibration detector 300 according to Example 3 will be described using Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is a top view of the vibration detector 310 according to Modification 4. Figure 11 is an enlarged view of part A in Figure 10.

[0096] In this modified version of the vibration detector 310, the cylindrical body portion 23 has cylindrical bodies 25A and 25B that extend left and right from the central point CP when viewed from above, and cylindrical bodies 26A and 26B that extend up and down from the central point CP.

[0097] In this modified version of the vibration detector 310, two cylindrical bodies 25A and 25B are arranged to form a single arc with the central point CP in between, and similarly, two cylindrical bodies 26A and 26B are arranged to form a single arc with the central point CP in between. In addition, in this modified version of the vibration detector 310, each of the coils 13 is provided on the outer surface of the respective cylindrical bodies 25A, 25B, 26A, and 26B.

[0098] In this modified version of the vibration detector 310, the central part CP is a hollow, cube-shaped member. Furthermore, the connection ends of the cylindrical bodies 25A, 25B, 26A, and 26B connected to the central part CP are open. Therefore, the magnet 15 placed inside the cylindrical body is configured to move from inside the cylindrical body into the central part CP.

[0099] In other words, in the modified vibration detector 310, the magnet 15 is configured to be movable via the central point CP between the cylindrical bodies 25A and 25B that extend in the left-right direction in the figure, and between the cylindrical bodies 26A and 26B that extend in the up-down direction in the figure.

[0100] Here, we will explain the specific movement of the magnet 15 using Figure 11. Each side of the central CP is provided with swing doors SW1 to SW4 that can be opened and closed in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of each cylindrical body. In Figure 11, the outlines of the magnet 15 and the swing doors SW1 to SW4 within the central CP are shown with solid lines.

[0101] For example, if the cylindrical body 23 is subjected to shaking and the magnet 15 located on the cylindrical body 25B moves as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 11, the swing door SW1 located in the central part CP will be pushed open by the magnet 15 from the position indicated by the dashed line in the figure, as shown by the dashed arrow. As a result, the magnet 15 will move into the central part CP.

[0102] The magnet 15, having moved into the central CP, pushes open the swing door SW2 opposite the pushed-open swing door SW1 and moves into the cylindrical body 25A. As a result, the magnet 15, which was located in the cylindrical body 25B, passes through the central CP and moves into the cylindrical body 25A.

[0103] When the magnet 15 located inside the cylindrical body 25B pushes open the swing door SW1, the swing door SW1 opens toward the central part CP. Therefore, the swing doors SW3 and SW4, which are provided in the vertical direction in the figure, become less likely to open inward when subjected to a force that opens them from the outside inward, for example.

[0104] Therefore, for example, even if the magnet 15 moving inside the cylindrical body 26B tries to open the swing door SW4 at the same time that the magnet 15 pushes open the swing door SW1, the swing door SW4 will be difficult to open.

[0105] Therefore, in the modified vibration detector 310, when the magnet 15 moves, if one swing door (e.g., SD1, SD2) opens, the other swing door (e.g., SD3, SD4) becomes less likely to open, making it less likely for the magnet 15 passing between the cylindrical body 25A and the cylindrical body 25B to stick together with the magnet 15 passing between the cylindrical body 26A and the cylindrical body 26B.

[0106] In this modified version of the vibration detector 310, the range of movement of the magnet 15 within the cylinder can be wider than that of the vibration detector 300. Therefore, even if the vibration detector 310 is the same size as the vibration detector 300, it can detect larger vibrations. Furthermore, it can also detect vibrations with long periods, such as low-frequency vibrations.

[0107] In addition, in the modified vibration detector 310, as in the vibration detector 300, multiple cylindrical parts 23 may be arranged so that the extension directions of each cylindrical part are different. For example, the cross-shaped combination of cylindrical parts 23 may be stacked in the Z-axis direction with slightly different angles.

[0108] In this modified version of the vibration detector 310, a further cylindrical body may be provided in the cylindrical body portion 23. In this case, it is preferable to have a configuration in which the multiple magnets 15 attempting to pass through the central part CP do not stick to each other. For example, a bridge structure that operates by the weight of the magnets 15, such as a movable bridge, may be provided in the central part CP, and this may be combined with the swing door mechanism described above to move the magnets 15. [Examples]

[0109] Next, the vibration detector 400 according to Embodiment 4 will be described using Figure 12. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the vibration detector 400 according to Embodiment 4. The vibration detector 400 differs from Embodiment 1 in that it uses another container instead of the cylindrical body 11, but in other respects, such as the configuration of the rectifier 17 and the vibration detection circuit 19, it is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0110] The vibration detector 400 in this embodiment has a hollow, bowl-shaped container 31, coils 33 wound around the outer surface of the container 31 at a distance from each other, and a magnet 15 placed inside the container 31. A rectifier 17 is connected to the coils 33, as in Embodiment 1.

[0111] The vibration detector 400 is positioned as shown in Figure 12, with the magnet 15 placed on the bottom surface of the container 31 when it is stationary. When the container 31 is shaken, the magnet 15 placed inside the container 31 moves from the bottom surface to the side surface of the container 31, stops on the side surface, and then moves back to the bottom surface of the container 31 due to gravity.

[0112] At this time, when the magnet 15 reaches the position where the coil 33 is wound around the side of the container 31 from the bottom surface, an induced electromotive force is generated in the coil 33 due to electromagnetic induction. Therefore, the vibration detection circuit 19 can detect that the container 31 is vibrating by detecting the induced electromotive force generated in the coil 33 as a DC voltage via the rectifier 17.

[0113] In this embodiment, the vibration detector 400 may have multiple coils 33 spaced apart from each other on the outer surface of the container 31. This allows the vibration detection circuit 19 to detect the degree of vibration of the container 31 according to which coil 33 generates an inductive electromotive force.

[0114] Furthermore, the vibration detector 400 may be configured to have multiple containers 31, each containing a magnet 15. For example, the containers 31 may be arranged in a square grid pattern, like a takoyaki maker, and a coil 33 may be provided on the outer surface of each of the arranged containers 31.

[0115] [Difference 5] Next, a modified example of the vibration detector 400 according to Example 4 will be described using Figure 13. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the vibration detector 410 according to Modified Example 4. The vibration detector 410 differs from Example 4 in that it has a configuration that supports the vibration detector 400 according to Example 4, but in other respects, for example, the configuration of the vibration detector 400 is the same as in Example 4.

[0116] The vibration detector 410 consists of a container 31 in which a coil 33 and a magnet 15 are arranged, a base plate 35, and a support column 36. The base plate 35 is a plate-like body having a rectangular top surface. The base plate 35 is fixed, for example, so that its bottom surface is horizontal to the ground.

[0117] The support column 36 is a rod-shaped member with one end connected to the center of the lower surface of the container 31 and the other end connected to the center of the upper surface of the bottom plate 35. The bottom plate 35 and the support column 36 are made of wood, resin, or metal that has been insulated from the container 31.

[0118] In the modified vibration detector 410, for example, when the bottom plate portion 35 is subjected to an external force, the vibration of the container 31 may be greater than when the container 31 itself is subjected to an external force of the same magnitude, because the support column 36 is provided on the container 31. Therefore, in the modified vibration detector 410, the vibration of the container 31 can be amplified according to the length of the support column 36.

[0119] Therefore, in the modified version of the vibration detector 410, for example, when the vibration detector 410 is installed in an environment where the vibrations occurring in the container 31 are originally small, the vibrations occurring in the container 31 can be amplified by increasing the length of the support column 36.

[0120] In this modified example of the vibration detector 410, a rod-shaped member is used as the support column 36, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, an expandable member such as a coil spring may be used instead of the rod-shaped member.

[0121] [Modification 6] Finally, a modified example of the vibration detector 400 according to Example 4 will be described using Figure 14. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the vibration detector 420 according to Modification 5. The vibration detector 420 differs from the vibration detector 400 according to Example 4 in the installation configuration of the coil 13, and is otherwise the same as Example 4.

[0122] In this modified version of the vibration detector 420, a plurality of annular coils 38 are attached to the outer surface of the container 31. Each of the coils 38 is arranged to surround the outer surface of the container 31, for example, while being spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals.

[0123] In this modified version of the vibration detector 420, when the container 31 vibrates, the magnet 15 placed inside the container 31 moves from the bottom to the side of the container 31, stops on the side, and then moves back to the bottom of the container 31 due to gravity, similar to Example 4.

[0124] At this time, because multiple coils 38 are attached to the outer surface of the container 31, an induced electromotive force may be generated by electromagnetic induction in the coils 38 provided on the outer surface of the container 31 corresponding to the position when the magnet 15 moves.

[0125] Therefore, in the modified vibration detector 420, the vibration detection circuit 19 can detect the trajectory of the movement of the magnet 15 by detecting the induced electromotive force generated in each coil 38 according to the position of the magnet 15 inside the container 31.

[0126] Furthermore, the vibration detection circuit 19 can detect the trajectory of the movement of the magnet 15, for example, from the highest point reached by the magnet 15 on the container 31, it can detect the degree of vibration, whether the vibration occurring in the container 31 is small or large, and can also detect the general direction of the vibration.

[0127] In addition, instead of providing multiple coils 38 on the outer surface of the container 31, or in addition to providing them on the outer surface, multiple coils 38 may be provided on the inner surface of the container 31. Furthermore, the shape of the coils 38 is not limited to annular shapes, but may also be square or triangular. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0128] 100, 110, 120, 200, 210, 300, 310, 400, 410, 420 vibration detector 11, 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B cylinder 13, 33, 38 coils 15 Magnets 17 Rectifier 19. Shake detection circuit 21 dividers 23 Cylinder part 31 Container 35 Plate-shaped part 36 pillars

Claims

1. A cylindrical body that extends along a plane and is undulating along the direction of said extension, A movable magnet is placed inside the aforementioned cylindrical body, A coil is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the transition portion between a first apex that is convex in a direction 1 perpendicular to the plane 1 of the cylindrical body and a second apex that is convex in a direction opposite to the direction 1, A detection unit that detects the voltage generated in the coil and detects the shaking of the cylindrical body according to the detection result, A vibration detector characterized by having the following features.

2. In one of the aforementioned transition sections, a plurality of coils are provided spaced apart from each other. The vibration detector according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection unit detects the voltage of the plurality of coils and determines the degree of vibration of the cylindrical body according to the detection result.

3. The vibration detector according to claim 1, characterized in that the two coils, each wound around two transition portions adjacent to the first or second apex, are at different distances from the apex of the first or second apex.

4. The vibration detector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cylindrical body forms a ring extending along the plane of the first.

5. The first apex is convex upward with respect to the plane of the first, It has a plurality of partitions formed on adjacent first tops, which prevent the magnet from moving inside the cylindrical body across the formed locations, The vibration detector according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the plurality of magnets is arranged in each of the internal spaces of the cylindrical body partitioned by the plurality of partitions.

6. The vibration detector according to claim 5, characterized in that the detection unit determines the direction of the vibration of the cylindrical body based on the position of the coil that detected the voltage.

7. The vibration detector according to claim 5, characterized in that the coils wound around the transition portions extending from the first vertex of 1 and the other first vertex located diagonally opposite the first vertex of 1 are at different distances from the vertices of the first vertex or the second vertex.

8. The vibration detector according to any one of 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of cylindrical bodies extending in different directions along the plane of 1.

9. The vibration detector according to claim 8, characterized in that each of the plurality of cylindrical bodies extends radially from the central part of 1 which is located at the center of the plane 1.

10. The vibration detector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the detection unit individually detects the voltage generated in the coil.

11. The vibration detector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the magnet is a spherical permanent magnet.

Images