Magnetic field source detection device

Abstract

This invention provides a magnetic field source detection device that facilitates the installation of wiring devices to wall materials by reducing the number of tasks involved in replacing work tools at each work step. [Solution] The detection device 1 can detect the location of a magnetic field source by detecting the magnetic field emitted from the magnetic field source located in a box placed on the back side of the wall material. The detection device 1 includes a magnetic sensor for detecting the magnetic field, an indicator lamp 3 for displaying the location where the magnetic sensor has detected the magnetic field, a marking guide for marking the opening work position on the surface of the wall material for opening a mounting hole A for attaching a wiring device to the box, a spirit level 7 for measuring the horizontal and vertical alignment of the wiring device relative to the surface of the wall material, and a magnet 9 that can be detachably attached to the fittings of the wiring device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnetic field source detection device.

Background Art

[0002] To install an embedded wiring device (for example, an electric switch or an electric outlet) on the surface of a wall material of a building, before the wall material is pasted, a wiring box for electrical connection is fixed to the back surface of the wall material (base member), and after the wall material is pasted, the position of the wiring box and the like hidden on the back side of the wall material from the surface of the wall material is specified, and a mounting hole for mounting the wiring device is opened on the surface of the wall material to install the wiring device.

[0003] As methods for opening a mounting hole on the surface of the wall material, for example, the following two methods are considered and implemented. (1) After the wall material is installed (pasted) on site, based on the design dimensions, the position of the wiring box is determined, and the mounting hole is drilled so that the mounting hole opens on the surface of the wall material. (2) Before the wall material is installed (pasted) on site, the wall material is drilled in advance based on the design dimensions, and then the wall material is installed.

[0004] That is, in both cases (1) and (2) above, it is necessary to perform a positioning operation to determine the position of the wiring box attached to the wall material before or after the construction (installation) of the wall material. Therefore, when a misalignment occurs in the wiring box during the work of attaching the wiring box to the wall material, or when an error occurs in the positioning operation, an operation to correct the mounting hole occurs.

[0005] In response to this, in recent years, a construction method has been adopted in which a detection magnet is installed inside the wiring box, and the position of the detection magnet is detected from the surface of the wall material using a magnet detector (magnetic sensor device). This makes the positioning work for identifying the location of the wiring box more efficient. With the wiring box positioning method using a magnetic sensor device, even when mounting holes are made by post-processing after the wall material has been installed, it is possible to prevent misalignment of the mounting holes due to errors that may occur during the wiring box installation work or errors that may occur during positioning measurement.

[0006] Conventional magnet detectors that use Hall elements are known for determining the position of a magnet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The output voltage of a Hall element changes depending on the strength of the magnetic field. Conventional magnet detectors arrange multiple Hall elements, and when the output voltages of adjacent Hall elements become equal, that is, when the strength of the magnetic field detected by adjacent Hall elements becomes equal, the magnet is determined to be located at the center of those Hall element positions (Hall element center position). Furthermore, conventional magnet detectors are equipped with an LED matrix display, which displays the degree of deviation between the magnet's position and the Hall element center position, or displays the coincidence between the magnet's position and the Hall element center position.

[0007] Furthermore, other magnet detectors are known to be equipped with guide holes for guiding a stamp or writing instrument to mark the center position of the Hall element (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to the magnet detector described in Patent Document 1, the operator marks the center position of the Hall element (position of the magnet) on the surface of the wall material by using the guide holes. Next, the operator uses a spirit level and ruler to mark the outline of the mounting hole on the surface of the wall material based on the mark marked on the surface of the wall material, thereby forming a mark. After that, the operator uses a hole saw to create a vertically elongated oval-shaped through-hole on the surface of the wall material, using the mark as a target. Finally, the user can attach wiring devices such as wall switches and wall outlets to the surface of the wall material horizontally and vertically along the wall material by connecting the terminals of the wiring devices to electric wires (wiring cables) inside the wiring box and attaching them to the wiring box. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent Application No. 2005-294074 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-292549 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] However, with all of the conventional magnet detectors mentioned above, it is necessary to change the ruler or spirit level from the magnet detector at each of the following work steps: the magnet detection work to detect magnets placed on the back of the wall material, the positioning work to determine the horizontal and vertical position of the wiring box attached to the wall material, the marking work to mark the outline of the mounting hole on the surface of the wall material, and the work to attach the wiring device vertically to the wiring box through the mounting hole opened on the surface of the wall material.

[0010] Therefore, with all of the conventional magnet detectors mentioned above, when a series of tasks are performed, from locating the wiring box with the magnet detector to installing the wiring device horizontally and vertically, various tools other than the magnet detector are required. For this reason, there is room for improvement in conventional technology in terms of reducing the number of tools that need to be prepared other than the magnet detector.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic field source detection device that facilitates the installation of wiring devices to wall materials by reducing the number of tasks required for replacing work tools at each work step. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] (1) The present invention provides a magnetic field source detection device that can detect the location of a magnetic field source by detecting a magnetic field emitted from a magnetic field source provided in a wiring box located on the back side of a wall material from the front side of the wall material, and comprises a magnetic sensor for detecting the magnetic field, an indicator lamp for indicating the position where the magnetic sensor has detected the magnetic field, a marking guide for marking the surface of the wall material for opening a mounting hole on the surface of the wall material for attaching a wiring device to the wiring box, a spirit level for measuring the horizontal and vertical alignment of the wiring device relative to the surface of the wall material, and a magnet for attachment that can be detachably attached to the wiring device.

[0013] (2) In the magnetic field source detection device described in (1) above, the outer surface of the magnetic field source detection device may function as a marking guide for marking the outer shape of the mounting hole on the surface of the wall material.

[0014] (3) In the magnetic field source detection device described in (1) or (2) above, a part of the outer surface of the magnetic field source detection device may function as a marking guide for marking the center position of the mounting hole on the wall material.

[0015] (4) In any one of the magnetic field source detection devices described in (1) to (3) above, the magnetic sensor and the indicator lamp constitute one magnetic field detection unit, and the magnetic field detection unit illuminates the indicator lamp corresponding to the magnetic sensor in response to the output from the magnetic sensor, and the magnetic field detection unit constitutes one magnetic field detection set by being a pair of magnetic field detection units arranged at spaced-apart positions on the same axis, and the magnetic field detection set activates when there is an output from the magnetic sensor of either of the pair of magnetic field detection units. The indicator lamp of one of the pair of magnetic field detection units is illuminated, while when the outputs from the indicator lamps of the pair of magnetic field detection units are equal, the indicator lamps of the pair of magnetic field detection units are illuminated to indicate that the magnetic field source is located midway between the two magnetic field detection sets. Furthermore, the magnetic field detection set includes a first magnetic field detection set arranged on a first axis and a second magnetic field detection set arranged on a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and each magnetic field detection unit of each magnetic field detection set may be arranged at an equal distance from the intersection of the first axis and the second axis.

[0016] (5) In any one of the magnetic field source detection devices described in (1) to (4) above, it is preferable that the output of the magnetic sensor is a corrected output.

[0017] (6) In the magnetic field source detection device described in (4) above, it is preferable that the output of the magnetic sensor is an output that has been separately corrected in the direction of the first axis and the second axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, a magnetic field source detection device can be provided that facilitates the installation of wiring devices to wall materials by reducing the number of tasks required for replacing work tools at each work step.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a front view showing a magnetic field source detection device which is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic view showing in cross section a part of a wall when installing a wiring device in accordance with a wiring box arranged on the back side of the wall of a building. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a wiring box. [Figure 4] It is a characteristic graph schematically showing an example of the relationship between the hall output voltage and the magnetic flux density. [Figure 5] It is a view schematically showing the arrangement of a magnetic sensor and a display lamp provided in the magnetic field source detection device of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is a front view schematically showing the state where the magnetic field source detection device of FIG. 1 is attached to a wiring device by an adsorption magnet. [Figure 7A] In the magnetic field source detection device of FIG. 1, an example of the operations of the detection unit arranged on the right side in the X direction (upper side in the Y direction) and the detection unit arranged on the left side in the X direction (lower side in the Y direction) among the four detection units, and it is a schematic view showing the state where a detection magnet is detected by one of the two detection units. [Figure 7B] In the magnetic field source detection device of FIG. 1, an example of the operations of the detection unit arranged on the right side in the X direction (upper side in the Y direction) and the detection unit arranged on the left side in the X direction (lower side in the Y direction) among the four detection units, and it is a schematic view showing the state where a detection magnet is detected by both of the two detection units. [Figure 8] It is a front view schematically showing another example of a wiring box. [Figure 9] It is a front view schematically showing in a state where the wall of a building is omitted the state where a detection magnet provided in the wiring box of FIG. 8 is detected using the magnetic field source detection device of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view schematically showing a part of the structure of the magnetic field source detection device of FIG. 1. [Figure 11]Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing the magnetic field source detection device from one side. [Figure 12] This is a schematic block diagram showing the control unit built into the magnetic field source detection device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 13] The control flow diagram shown in Figure 12 schematically illustrates the control flow of the indicator lamps executed by the MCU of the control unit. [Figure 14] The control flow diagram shown schematically illustrates the control flow that follows the control flow in Figure 13. [Figure 15] This flowchart provides a schematic example of a calculation flow for determining the correction value of a magnetic sensor. [Figure 16] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating the control flow from the magnetic field source detection device detecting a detection magnet until it detects the output voltage value of the magnetic sensor, which has been corrected by a correction value, as the output voltage value of the magnetic sensor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] The following description will explain an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic field source detection device, with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, "up," "down," "left," and "right" refer to the state in which the wall material is installed (constructed) as part of the building. Also, "left" and "right" refer to the line of sight of the worker.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a magnetic field source detection device (hereinafter also simply referred to as "detection device") 1, which is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1, the front side of the drawing is the worker's side, and the back side of the drawing is the wall 20 side (wall side). Therefore, the device 1 in Figure 1 is shown from the worker's side (worker's side).

[0022] Figure 2 shows an example of installing wiring equipment 40 in accordance with a wiring box 30 located on the back side of a building wall 20, with a portion of the wall 20 shown as a cross-section. In this disclosure, the wall 20 is composed of a wall material 21 with the interior side as its surface, and a wall base 22 located on the back side of the wall material 21. In this disclosure, the wall base 22 is fixed to the back side of the wall material 21. In this disclosure, the wiring box 30 is also fixed to the wall base 22.

[0023] Figure 3 schematically shows a wiring box 30A, which is an example of a wiring box 30. The wiring box 30A is equipped with a detection magnet 31 as a magnetic field source. In this disclosure, the detection magnet 31 is located at the center of the wiring box 30A.

[0024] Referring to Figure 1, the detection device 1 is a detection device that can detect the position of a detection magnet 31 by detecting the magnetic field emitted from the detection magnet 31, which is located in a wiring box 30A on the back side of the wall material 21, from the front side of the wall material 21.

[0025] The detection device 1 includes a magnetic sensor 2 that detects the magnetic field of a detection magnet 31, and an indicator lamp 3 that displays the position where the magnetic sensor detects the magnetic field. In this disclosure, a Hall element is used for the magnetic sensor 2. Figure 4 schematically shows an example of the relationship between the output voltage (Hall output voltage) and the magnetic flux density. As shown in Figure 4, for example, the output voltage of a Hall element changes depending on the strength of the magnetic field. In this disclosure, an LED (light-emitting diode) is used for the indicator lamp 3.

[0026] Figure 5 schematically shows the arrangement of the magnetic sensor 2 and indicator lamp 3 installed in the device 1. Like Figure 1, Figure 5 is shown from the operator's perspective.

[0027] In this disclosure, the magnetic sensor 2 and indicator lamp 3 constitute one magnetic field detection unit (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "detection unit") 4, which consists of one magnetic sensor 2 and one indicator lamp 3 corresponding to the magnetic sensor 2. The detection unit 4 illuminates the indicator lamp 3 corresponding to the magnetic sensor 2 based on the output from the magnetic sensor 2.

[0028] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the detection unit 4 is configured as a pair of detection units 4 arranged at mutually separated positions on the same axis, thereby constituting one magnetic field detection set (hereinafter also simply referred to as "detection set") 5.

[0029] In this disclosure, a detection set 5 indicates that a magnet is located in the center (middle) of a detection set 5 by illuminating one of the indicator lamps 3 of a pair of detection units 4 when there is an output from either of the magnetic sensors 2 of the pair of detection units 4, and by illuminating each of the indicator lamps 3 of the pair of detection units 4 when the outputs from the indicator lamps 3 of the pair of detection units 4 are equal.

[0030] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the magnetic field detection set 5 includes an X-direction magnetic field detection set (first magnetic field detection set) 5X arranged on the X-axis (first axis) and an X-direction magnetic field detection set (second magnetic field detection set) 5Y arranged on the Y-axis (second axis) perpendicular to the X-axis. Here, the X-axis is an axis extending in the X direction, and the Y-axis is an axis extending in the Y direction. Each detection unit 4 of the X-direction magnetic field detection set (hereinafter also referred to as the "X-direction detection set") 5X and the Y-direction magnetic field detection set (hereinafter also referred to as the "Y-direction detection set") 5Y are arranged at equal distances from the intersection of the X-axis and the Y-axis.

[0031] The detection device 1 can detect the detection magnet 31 provided in the wiring box 30A by pressing it against the surface of the wall material 21. When the detection device 1 detects the detection magnet 31 in the wiring box 30A, the indicator lamp 3 indicates whether the detection magnet 31 is located at the center of the detection set 5. In this disclosure, the center positions of the X-direction detection set 5X and the Y-direction detection set 5Y, i.e., the intersection of the X-axis and the Y-axis, correspond to the center positions of the mounting holes A (see Figure 1) for wiring devices that should be opened on the surface of the wall material 21.

[0032] In addition, the detection device 1 is equipped with a marking guide for marking the opening work position on the surface of the wall material 21 to create a mounting hole A for attaching a wiring device 40 to the wiring box 30A. In this disclosure, as described below, the detection device 1 is equipped with marking guides on the main body of the detection device 1 and on the outer peripheral surface 8 of the detection device 1.

[0033] The detection device 1 of this disclosure is provided with a marking guide hole 6 in the main body of the detection device 1, which functions as a marking guide for marking the center point of the mounting hole A on the surface of the wall material 21. In the disclosure, the marking guide hole 6 is located at the center of the detection set 5. That is, the detection device 1 aligns the center of the detection set 5 with the position of the marking guide hole 6. Specifically, the detection device 1 aligns the position of the marking guide hole 6 with the position of the intersection of the X-direction detection set 5X and the Y-direction detection set 5Y.

[0034] In addition, the detection device 1 is equipped with a spirit level 7 for measuring the horizontal and vertical alignment of the wiring device 40 relative to the surface of the wall material 21. In this disclosure, the spirit level 7 is a bubble tube. The spirit level 7 can be adjusted by operating it while pressing the detection device 1 against the surface of the wall material 21, thereby adjusting the inclination of the detection device 1 relative to the vertical. This allows the detection device 1 to be positioned perpendicular to the surface of the wall material 21. In this disclosure, the spirit level 7 can measure horizontal and vertical alignment by centering the marking guide hole 6 on the device 1.

[0035] In addition, in this disclosure, the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1 functions as a marking guide for marking the outer shape of the mounting hole A on the surface of the wall material. In this disclosure, the contour shape of the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1 is matched to the outer shape of the mounting hole A, as shown in Figure 1.

[0036] In this disclosure, the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1 comprises an outer circumferential surface 8a in the X direction and an outer circumferential surface 8b in the Y direction. In this disclosure, as shown in Figure 1, the outer circumferential surface 8 has a rectangular contour shape in plan view, demarcated by two outer circumferential surfaces 8a in the X direction and two outer circumferential surfaces 8b in the Y direction. In this disclosure, the outer circumferential surface 8b in the Y direction is longer than the outer circumferential surface 8a in the X direction. Thus, in this disclosure, the contour shape of the detection device 1 in plan view, formed by the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1, is a rectangular shape extending in the Y direction, as shown in Figure 1. However, in this disclosure, the outer circumferential surface 8b in the Y direction may be the same length as the outer circumferential surface 8a in the X direction, or shorter than the outer circumferential surface 8a in the X direction.

[0037] In this disclosure, the detection device 1 is equipped with two spirit levels 7. In this disclosure, one of the two spirit levels 7a is positioned along the outer surface 8a in the X direction. As a result, when the outer surface 8a in the X direction of the outer surface 8 of the detection device 1 is used as the horizontal reference, spirit level 7a measures the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the device 1. In addition, in this disclosure, the other spirit level 7b is positioned along the outer surface 8b in the Y direction. As a result, when the outer surface 8b in the Y direction of the outer surface 8 of the detection device 1 is used as the horizontal reference, spirit level 7b measures the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the detection device 1.

[0038] In addition, the detection device 1 is equipped with a magnet 9 that can be detachably attached to the wiring device 40. Figure 6 schematically shows the detection device 1 attached to the wiring device 40 by the magnet 9. As shown in Figure 6, the detection device 1 can be attached, for example, to the metal fitting 41 of the wiring device 40 by using the magnet 9.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, in this disclosure, the magnet 9 for adsorption is provided on the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1. In this disclosure, the adsorption surface of the magnet 9 forms the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1, as shown in Figure 1. In this disclosure, the magnet 9 is arranged on the outer circumferential surface 8b in the Y direction. In this disclosure, the magnet 9 includes two magnets 9, a magnet 9a and a magnet 9b. However, the magnet 9 is not limited to multiple magnets 9, and may consist of at least one magnet 9. As a result, as shown in Figure 6, the detection device 1 can be adsorbed onto the side of the metal fitting 41 of the wiring device 40 by using the magnet 9.

[0040] Furthermore, in this disclosure, the magnet 9 for adsorption is located on the left outer surface 8b in the Y direction, but it can be located on at least one of the two outer surfaces 8a in the Y direction. In addition, the magnet 9 for adsorption can be located on at least one of the two outer surfaces 8a in the X direction. Furthermore, the magnet 9 for adsorption can be located on both the outer surface 8a in the X direction and the outer surface 8b in the Y direction. That is, the magnet 9 for adsorption can be located at at least one location on the outer surface 8 of the detection device 1.

[0041] Furthermore, the detection device 1 in this disclosure is equipped with a bracket 12 on the main body of the detection device 1 that can be detachably attached to a holder that can be attached to the worker's belt. In this disclosure, the bracket 12 is provided on the worker side of the detection device 1. In addition, the main body of the detection device 1 is provided with a directional indicator rib (projection) 13 that defines the orientation of the detection device 1 (detection magnet 31). In addition, the detection device 1 in this disclosure is equipped with a mounting ring 14 for attaching a safety rope (not shown). In this disclosure, the mounting ring 14 can be swung toward the worker side (foreground side in the drawing). By swinging the mounting ring 14 toward the worker side, it does not interfere with the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1.

[0042] One example of how to use the detection device 1 is as follows:

[0043] The detection device can detect the detection magnet 31 installed in the wiring box 30A by pressing it against the surface of the wall material 21.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, in this disclosure, the magnetic sensor 2 and indicator lamp 3 constitute a pair of detection units 4. In this disclosure, the detection units 4 are arranged in four locations in total, with two units each in the direction of the horizontal axis (X direction) and the direction of the vertical axis (Y direction).

[0045] Here, Figures 7A and 7B show examples of the operation of two of the four detection units 4: the right-side detection unit 4A, located to the right in the X direction with the Y direction in between, and the left-side detection unit 4B, located to the left in the X direction with the Y direction in between. Figure 7A schematically shows a state in which the detection magnet 31 is detected by one of the two detection units 4. In contrast, Figure 7B schematically shows a state in which the detection magnet 31 is detected by both of the two detection units 4.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7A, when only the right-side magnetic sensor 2A located on the right-side detection unit 4A detects the magnetic flux emitted from the detection magnet 31, the right-side indicator lamp 3A located on the right-side detection unit 4A lights up, indicating that the detection magnet 31 is on the right side (towards the right-side detection unit). From this state, by moving the detection device 1 further to the right, when the detection magnet 31 is positioned at the midpoint between the right-side detection unit 4A and the left-side detection unit 4B, the magnetic flux (magnetic flux density) detected by the right-side magnetic sensor 2A and the magnetic flux (magnetic flux density) detected by the left-side magnetic sensor 22B located on the left-side detection unit 4B become equal. When it is detected that the output of the right-side magnetic sensor 2A (magnetic flux (magnetic flux density) detected by the right-side magnetic sensor 2A) and the output of the left-side magnetic sensor 2B (magnetic flux (magnetic flux density) detected by the left-side magnetic sensor 2B) are equal, the right-side indicator lamp 3A and the left-side indicator lamp 3B located on the left-side detection unit 4B are simultaneously illuminated. In other words, this device indicates that the detection magnet 31 is at the center position between the right detection unit 4A and the left detection unit 4B, i.e., the center position of the detection set 5X, by simultaneously illuminating the right indicator lamp 3A and the left indicator lamp 3B.

[0047] On the other hand, the upper detection unit 4C, positioned above the Y-axis with the X-axis in between, and the lower detection unit 4D, positioned below the Y-axis with the X-axis in between, operate independently of the X-axis, similar to the X-axis detection unit 4. For example, when the upper detection unit 4C detects that the output of the upper magnetic sensor 2C and the lower magnetic sensor 2D are equivalent, the upper indicator lamp 3C on the upper detection unit 4C and the lower indicator lamp 3D on the lower detection unit 4D are simultaneously illuminated. This indicates that the detection device 1 is at the center position between the upper detection unit 4C and the lower detection unit 4D, i.e., the center position of the detection set 5Y.

[0048] In other words, according to the detection device 1, the simultaneous illumination of a total of four indicator lamps 3—two indicator lamps in the X direction (3A, 3B) and two indicator lamps in the Y direction (3C, 3D)—allows the detection device to determine that the position of the detection magnet 31 is at the center of the four indicator lamps 3.

[0049] In this disclosure, the center positions of the four indicator lamps (3A to 3D) correspond to the center positions of the mounting holes A for wiring devices that should be opened on the surface of the wall material 21. In addition, the detection device 1 of this disclosure aligns the center positions of the four indicator lamps (3A to 3D) with the position of the marking guide hole 6.

[0050] Furthermore, the contour shape of the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1 in this disclosure, when viewed from above, matches the outer shape of the mounting hole A. As a result, by drawing a scribing line along the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1 on the surface of the wall material 21 while the detection device 1 is in contact with the surface of the wall material 21, the outer shape of the mounting hole for attaching the wiring device 40 can be easily scribed onto the surface of the wall material 21. In this disclosure, a scribing tool can be, for example, a scribing needle.

[0051] Subsequently, by using a hole saw to target the scribed marks, a mounting hole (through hole) A, for example, a vertically elongated oval shape, can be formed on the surface of the wall material 21.

[0052] After making mounting holes A on the surface of the wall material 21, the wiring device (switch, outlet, etc.) 40 is secured to the wiring box 30A by screwing the wiring cable (not shown) pulled out from the mounting holes A to the terminals of the wiring device 40.

[0053] However, the wiring device 40 must be mounted vertically on the surface of the wall material 21.

[0054] In contrast, as shown in Figure 1, the detection device 1 is equipped with a magnet 9 for attachment to the wiring device 40. By using the magnet 9, the detection device 1 can be attached to the side of the metal fitting 41 of the wiring device 40, for example, as shown in Figure 6. Therefore, if the wiring device 40 is screwed into the wiring box 30A while the detection device 1 is attached to the wiring device 40, the tilt of the wiring device 40 relative to the vertical direction along the surface of the wall material 21 can be adjusted by using the level 7 provided on the detection device 1 during the screwing process. As a result, the wiring device 40 can be fixed to the wiring box 30A vertically along the surface of the wall material 21 using the detection device 1.

[0055] As described above, according to the detection device 1, the wiring device 40 is attached to the surface of the wall material 21 perpendicularly along the back surface of the wall material 21 by having the terminals of the wiring device 40 connected to the wiring cable inside the wiring box 30A and by being attached to the wiring box 30A.

[0056] Therefore, with the detection device 1, a series of operations can be performed using a single detection device 1 without having to switch to a ruler or spirit level for each of the following work steps: magnetic detection, which involves detecting a detection magnet 31 provided in a wiring box 30A located on the back surface of the wall material 21; positioning, which involves determining the horizontal and vertical positions of the outer shape of the mounting hole A for the wiring device; and marking, which involves marking the outer shape of the mounting hole A for the wiring device on the surface of the wall material 21.

[0057] This eliminates the need for workers to carry a ruler or spirit level, which would otherwise need to be replaced with the magnet detector, as is the case with conventional magnet detectors.

[0058] Therefore, the detection device 1 provides a magnetic field source detection device that facilitates the installation of wiring devices 40 to the wall material 21 by reducing the number of work tasks required for replacing work tools at each work step. In addition, the detection device 1 also reduces the number of work tools required by reducing the number of work tasks required for replacing work tools.

[0059] In addition, in this disclosure, the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1 functions as a marking guide for marking the outer shape of the mounting hole A on the surface of the wall material 21. In this disclosure, the contour shape of the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1 matches the outer shape of the mounting hole A, as shown in Figure 1. As a result, by drawing a marking line along the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1 on the surface of the wall material 21 while the detection device 1 is in contact with the surface of the wall material 21, the outer shape of the mounting hole A for attaching the wiring device 40 can be easily marked on the surface of the wall material 21. In this case, the work of attaching the wiring device 40 to the wall material 21 becomes easier.

[0060] Incidentally, the wiring box 30 shown in Figure 8 is a different type of wiring box 30B from the wiring box 30A shown in Figure 3. In the wiring box 30B, the detection magnet 31 is located not at the center of the wiring box 30B, but at the position of the fixing screw hole 32 for fixing the wiring device 40. For this reason, conventionally, it has been necessary to prepare a dedicated magnet detector for each wiring box 30 and to use the appropriate magnet detector depending on the type of wiring box 30.

[0061] In contrast, in this disclosure, a portion of the outer surface 8 of the detection device 1 functions as a marking guide for marking the center position of the mounting hole A on the wall material.

[0062] As shown in Figure 1, a screw hole position marking guide 11 is formed on the outer circumferential surface 8 of the detection device 1 of this disclosure by recessing a part of the outer circumferential surface 8. In this disclosure, the screw hole position marking guide 11 is located on each of the outer circumferential surfaces 8a in the X direction. In this disclosure, the screw hole position marking guide 11 is located on a vertical line L passing through the center position of the detection device 1, i.e., the center position of the marking guide hole 6. In this disclosure, the screw hole position marking guide 11 is located on each of the two outer circumferential surfaces 8a in the X direction. However, the screw hole position marking guide 11 may be located on at least one of the two outer circumferential surfaces 8a in the X direction. Furthermore, the screw hole position marking guide 11 may be located on the outer circumferential surface 8b in the Y direction instead of the outer circumferential surface 8a, or together with the outer circumferential surface 8a, in a similar arrangement to that on the outer circumferential surface 8a in the X direction.

[0063] Figure 9 schematically shows the detection state when the detection device 1 uses the detection magnet 31 installed in the wiring box 30B of Figure 8 to detect something, with the building wall 20 omitted.

[0064] In the case of the wiring box 30B shown in Figure 8, as shown in Figure 9, after detecting the detection magnet 31 of the wiring box 30B, the center position of the wiring box 30B is marked on the surface of the wall material 21 by using the screw hole position marking guide 11 formed by the detection device 1. Next, the marking guide hole 6 of the detection device 1 is aligned with the center position of the wiring box 30B marked on the surface of the wall material 21, and then the surface of the wall material 21 is marked along the outer peripheral surface 8 of the detection device 1, thereby leaving a mark on the surface of the wall material 21 that is shaped to match the outer shape of the mounting hole A.

[0065] In other words, by providing a screw hole position marking guide 11 on a part of the outer surface 8 of the detection device 1, the detection device 1 can be used as is, as described above, even when attaching wiring devices 40 to different types of wiring boxes 30. Therefore, by providing a screw hole position marking guide 11 on a part of the outer surface 8 of the detection device 1, even with different types of wiring boxes (30A, 30B), a series of operations can be performed using a single detection device 1 without having to switch to a ruler or spirit level, by using the same detection device 1.

[0066] As a result, even when installing wiring devices 40 in different wiring boxes 30, workers do not need to prepare and wear a ruler or spirit level, which would require replacement from the conventional magnetic detector.

[0067] Figure 10 schematically shows a part of the structure of the detection device 1. Figure 11 schematically shows the detection device 1 from one side (in this case, the bottom side). As shown in Figure 11, in this disclosure, the magnetic sensor 2 is located on the side facing the detection magnet 31 (the wall side). In contrast, in this disclosure, the indicator lamp 3 is located on the side that provides information to the worker and is operated by the worker (the worker side).

[0068] Figure 12 schematically shows the control unit (control circuit) 100 built into the detection device 1.

[0069] Referring to Figure 12, the output voltage value A from each magnetic sensor 2 is converted to digital by being input to an ADC (analog-to-digital converter) and then input to an MCU (microcomputer). The MCU determines the strength of the magnetic flux density at the location of each magnetic sensor 2 based on the output voltage value A from the magnetic sensor 2. The MCU controls the illumination or extinguishing of the indicator lamp 3 according to the strength of the magnetic flux density at the location of each magnetic sensor 2.

[0070] Figures 13 and 14 schematically show the control flow of indicator lamp 3 executed by the MCU. Figure 14 is the control flow executed following the control flow in Figure 13.

[0071] The indicator lamp 3 is controlled independently of each other in the X and Y directions, for example, according to the control flow shown in Figure 13. Figure 13 is a flowchart for controlling the on / off state of indicator lamp 3 in the X direction.

[0072] Referring to Figure 13, in this disclosure, the MCU, in the control system of the X-direction detection set 5X, triggered by the detection of outputs from the right magnetic sensor 2A and the left magnetic sensor 2B, reads the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value yB of the left magnetic sensor 2B into the MCU via the ADC in step 1.

[0073] Next, in steps 2 to 4, it is determined whether the detection magnet 31 provided in the wiring box 30 could be detected through the wall material 21.

[0074] In this disclosure, step 2 determines whether the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B were both detected. If neither the output voltage value xA nor the output voltage value xB was detected in step 2, the process proceeds to step 8, which turns off both the right indicator lamp 3A and the left indicator lamp 3B.

[0075] In this disclosure, if the output voltage value A of the magnetic sensor 2 is less than the threshold A0, the MCU will not recognize that the output voltage value A has been output from the magnetic sensor 2, even if the magnetic sensor 2 actually has an output voltage value A. That is, in this case, the MCU will determine that the magnetic sensor 2 has not detected the magnetic flux (magnetic flux density) necessary to illuminate the indicator lamp 3. On the other hand, if the output voltage value A of the magnetic sensor 2 is greater than or equal to the threshold A0, the MCU will determine that the output voltage value A has actually been output from the magnetic sensor 2 and will recognize this output voltage value A as the output voltage value of the magnetic sensor 2. That is, in this case, the MCU will determine that the magnetic sensor 2 has detected the magnetic flux (magnetic flux density) necessary to illuminate the indicator lamp 3.

[0076] Specifically, if the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A is less than the threshold A0, the MCU determines that the right magnetic sensor 2A has not detected the magnetic flux (magnetic flux density) necessary to illuminate the right indicator lamp 3A. Conversely, if the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A is greater than or equal to the threshold A0, the MCU determines that the right magnetic sensor 2A has detected the magnetic flux (magnetic flux density) necessary to illuminate the right indicator lamp 3A. Similarly, if the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B is less than the threshold A0, the MCU determines that the left magnetic sensor 2B has not detected the magnetic flux (magnetic flux density) necessary to illuminate the left indicator lamp 3B. Conversely, if the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B is greater than or equal to the threshold A0, the MCU determines that the left magnetic sensor 2B has detected the magnetic flux (magnetic flux density) necessary to illuminate the left indicator lamp 3B.

[0077] However, in this disclosure, the value of threshold A0 can be appropriately determined (set) according to, for example, the strength of the magnetic flux of the detection magnet 31, the performance of the magnetic sensor 2, etc.

[0078] In this disclosure, in step 8, after both the right indicator lamp 3A and the left indicator lamp 3B are turned off, the system returns to step 1. As a result, when the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are newly detected, the new output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are read through the ADC.

[0079] On the other hand, in this disclosure, if at least one of the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B is detected in step 2, the system proceeds to step 3. In step 3, it is determined whether the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A was detected while the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B was not detected. If the output voltage value xA was detected in step 3 while the output voltage value xB was not detected, the system proceeds to step 9, in which the right indicator lamp 3A is turned on while the left indicator lamp 3B is turned off.

[0080] In this disclosure, in step 9, the right indicator lamp 3A is turned on while the left indicator lamp 3B is turned off, and then the system returns to step 1, similar to step 8. As a result, when the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are newly detected, the new output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are read through the ADC.

[0081] On the other hand, in this disclosure, if the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A is not detected in step 3, the process proceeds to step 4. In step 4, it is determined whether the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B has been detected without detecting the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A. If the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B has been detected without detecting the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A in step 4, the process proceeds to step 10, in which the right indicator lamp 3A is turned off while the left indicator lamp 3B is turned on.

[0082] In this disclosure, in step 10, the right indicator lamp 3A is turned off while the left indicator lamp 3B is turned on, and then the system returns to step 1, similar to steps 8 and 9. As a result, when the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are newly detected, the new output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are read through the ADC.

[0083] On the other hand, in this disclosure, if, in step 4, the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B is detected without detecting the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A, the process proceeds to step 5.

[0084] In this disclosure, steps 5 to 7 detect the position of the detection magnet 31. In step 5, it is determined whether the detection magnet 31 is at the center position between the right indicator lamp 3A and the left indicator lamp 3B, that is, at the center position of the X-direction detection set 5X.

[0085] In this disclosure, step 5 determines whether the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are both detected, and whether the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are equivalent.

[0086] In step 5, if both the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are detected, and the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are equal, the process proceeds to step 11, in which both the right indicator lamp 3A and the left indicator lamp 3B are illuminated. By illuminating both the right indicator lamp 3A and the left indicator lamp 3B, the detection device 1 indicates that the detection magnet 31 is at the center position between the right indicator lamp 3A and the left indicator lamp 3B, that is, at the center position of the X-direction detection set 5X.

[0087] In this disclosure, after lighting both the right indicator lamp 3A and the left indicator lamp 3B in step 11, the system returns to step 1, similar to steps 8 to 10. When the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are newly detected, the new output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are read through the ADC.

[0088] In this disclosure, in step 5, whether the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are equivalent is determined, for example, by whether the absolute value of the difference between the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0089] Specifically, if the absolute value of the difference (for example, xA - xB) between the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B is less than or equal to a predetermined value A1 (A1 > 0), it is determined that the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are equivalent. In this case, assuming that the detection magnet 9 is located at the center position between the right indicator lamp 3A and the left indicator lamp 3B, both indicator lamps 3, the right indicator lamp 3A and the left indicator lamp 3B, are illuminated in step 11.

[0090] On the other hand, if the absolute value of the difference (for example, xA - xB) between the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B exceeds a predetermined value A1, it is determined that the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are not equivalent. In this case, as described later, the detection magnet 9 is assumed to be in a position that is biased to either the left or right of the center position between the right indicator lamp 3A and the left indicator lamp 3B, and one of the indicator lamps 3, either the right indicator lamp 3A or the left indicator lamp 3B, is illuminated.

[0091] However, in this disclosure, the value of the predetermined value A1 can be appropriately determined (set) according to, for example, the strength of the magnetic flux of the detection magnet 31, the performance of the magnetic sensor 2, etc.

[0092] In this disclosure, if, in step 5, both the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are detected, but the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are not equal, the process proceeds to step 6.

[0093] In this disclosure, steps 6-7 determine whether the detection magnet 31 is shifted to the side of the right indicator lamp 3A or the left indicator lamp 3B with respect to the center position between the right indicator lamp 3A (right magnetic sensor 2A) and the left indicator lamp 3B (left magnetic sensor 2B).

[0094] In this disclosure, step 6 determines whether the detection magnet 31 is shifted to the side of the left indicator lamp 3B. In this disclosure, step 6 determines whether the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are both detected, but the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A is not equal to the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B, and whether the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A is less than the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B. In step 6, both the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are detected, but the absolute value of the difference between the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B (for example, xA - xB) is greater than a predetermined value A1, and the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A is less than the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B, in other words, the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B is greater than the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A, then the process proceeds to step 12, in which the right indicator lamp 3A is turned off while the left indicator lamp 3B is turned on. The detection device 1 indicates that the detection magnet is on the left side (the side of the left indicator lamp 3B) by turning on only the left indicator lamp 3B.

[0095] In this disclosure, in step 12, after turning off the right indicator lamp 3A and turning on the left indicator lamp 3B, the system returns to step 1 in the same manner as in steps 8 to 11. When the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are newly detected, the new output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are read through the ADC.

[0096] On the other hand, in this disclosure, step 7 determines whether the detection magnet 31 has shifted to the side of the right indicator lamp 3A. In this disclosure, step 7 determines whether the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B have both been detected, but the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A is not equal to the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B, and whether the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A is greater than the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B. In step 7, both the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are detected. However, if the absolute value of the difference between the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B (for example, xA - xB) exceeds a predetermined value A1, and the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A is greater than the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B, in other words, if the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A is greater than the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B, the system proceeds to step 13, in which the right indicator lamp 3A is illuminated while the left indicator lamp 3B is turned off. The detection device 1 indicates that the detection magnet is on the right side (the side of the right indicator lamp 3A) by illuminating only the right indicator lamp 3A.

[0097] In this disclosure, in step 13, the right indicator lamp 3A is turned on while the left indicator lamp 3B is turned off, and then the system returns to step 1, similar to steps 8 to 12. As a result, when the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are newly detected, the new output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are read through the ADC.

[0098] Furthermore, in this disclosure, if in step 7 both the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are detected, but it is determined that the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A is not equal to the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B, and the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A is not greater than the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B, the system returns to step 1, similar to step 13. As a result, when the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are newly detected, the new output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B are read through the ADC.

[0099] According to the detection device 1 of this disclosure, by detecting the detection magnet 31 in the X and Y directions using the X-direction detection set 5X and the Y-direction detection set 5Y, it is not necessary to perform large-scale control to simultaneously detect the output of all four magnetic sensors 2, and the program calculations are reduced, making control easier. Therefore, with the detection device 1, it is possible to control the lighting and extinguishing of the indicator lamp 3 while keeping the size of the control unit 100 down. Accordingly, in this case, the detection device 1 can be a small, simple, and low-cost detection device with an external shape equivalent to that of the mounting hole A.

[0100] Incidentally, the output voltage value A of the magnetic sensor 2 changes depending on the magnetic flux density strength applied to the magnetic sensor 2. In this disclosure, the MCU reads and controls the output voltage value A of the magnetic sensor 2, but since there are individual differences in each magnetic sensor 2, when the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor 2 differs, variations occur in the output voltage value A of the magnetic sensor 2 for each magnetic sensor 2. For example, when the detection magnet 31 is on the center line of a pair of magnetic sensors 2 arranged in the X or Y direction, the magnetic flux (magnetic flux density) that each of the magnetic sensors 2 receives from the detection magnet 31 is equal at each position of the pair of magnetic sensors 2.

[0101] However, if there is variation in the sensitivity of individual magnetic sensors 2, a difference in the output voltage value A of each magnetic sensor 2 will occur. Therefore, if there is variation in the sensitivity of individual magnetic sensors 2, it becomes difficult to accurately detect the position of the detection magnet 31.

[0102] Therefore, in order to accurately detect the position of the detection magnet 31, it is necessary to calibrate the sensitivity variation of the magnetic sensor 2 and then use the magnetic sensor 2 as a means of measuring the magnetic flux emitted from the detection magnet.

[0103] Variations in the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor 2 can be suppressed, for example, by correcting (correcting) the error that occurs in the output voltage value A of the magnetic sensor 2 through calibration. Here, "calibration" means correcting (correcting) the error that occurs in the output voltage value A of the magnetic sensor 2.

[0104] In this disclosure, the magnetic sensor 2 is calibrated by using a calibration magnet (hereinafter also referred to as the "calibration magnet").

[0105] In this disclosure, the calibration magnet (not shown) is positioned on the common centerline of two pairs of magnetic sensors: a right magnetic sensor 2A and a left magnetic sensor 2B arranged in the X direction, and an upper magnetic sensor 2C and a lower magnetic sensor 2D arranged in the Y direction. Here, the common centerline is the centerline that passes through the center of the detection device 1. In this disclosure, the common centerline is the centerline that passes through the center of the marking guide hole 6 and extends in the front-back direction (thickness direction of the detection device 1).

[0106] In this disclosure, when the calibration magnet is set on the center line of the marking guide hole 6, the output voltage value xA obtained from the right magnetic sensor 2A is defined as the right output voltage value xA0, the output voltage value xB obtained from the left magnetic sensor 2B is defined as the left output voltage value xB0, the output voltage value yA obtained from the upper magnetic sensor 2C is defined as the upper output voltage value yA0, and the output voltage value yB obtained from the lower magnetic sensor 2D is defined as the lower output voltage value yB0.

[0107] In this disclosure, when the calibration magnet is set on the center line of the marking guide hole 6, the output voltage values ​​xA, xB, yA, and yB obtained from each magnetic sensor 2, specifically the right output voltage value xA0, the left output voltage value xB0, the upper output voltage value yA0, and the lower output voltage value yB0, are read into the MCU via the ADC. Furthermore, the MCU calculates correction values ​​(calibration values) to be used for calibrating each magnetic sensor 2. In this disclosure, the MCU determines the X-direction correction value xC by finding the ratio of the right output voltage value xA0 and the left output voltage value xB0 in the X direction, and determines the Y-direction correction value yC by finding the ratio of the upper output voltage value yA0 and the lower output voltage value yB0 in the Y direction, and stores these X-direction correction value xC and Y-direction correction value yC in the non-volatile memory on the MCU. In this disclosure, the X-direction correction value xC and the Y-direction correction value yC are correction values ​​used to calibrate (correct) the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor 2 when the magnetic sensor 2 performs a measurement operation.

[0108] Figure 15 schematically shows an example of a calculation flow for calculating the correction value C for magnetic sensor 2.

[0109] In the calculation flow shown in Figure 15, the sensitivity variation between the two magnetic sensors 2, the right magnetic sensor 2A and the left magnetic sensor 2B, which are positioned in the X direction, is corrected, and further, the sensitivity variation between the two magnetic sensors 2, the upper magnetic sensor 2C and the lower magnetic sensor 2D, which are positioned in the Y direction, is corrected.

[0110] In this disclosure, the correction of the magnetic sensor 2 first involves placing a calibration magnet on the center line of the detection device 1 in step 21, as shown in Figure 15.

[0111] Next, in step 22, by placing the calibration magnets, the MCU reads the output voltage values ​​xA, xB, yA, and yB actually obtained from each magnetic sensor 2, specifically the measured values ​​of the right output voltage value xA0, the left output voltage value xB0, the side output voltage value yA0, and the lower output voltage value yB0.

[0112] Next, in steps 23 and 24, the X-direction correction value xC and the Y-direction correction value yC are calculated based on the output voltage values ​​xA, xB, yA, and yB read in step 22.

[0113] In the calculation flow of Figure 15, the X-direction correction value xC is calculated in step 23. In this disclosure, the X-direction correction value xC is calculated by determining the ratio (xA / xB) of the output voltage value xA of the right magnetic sensor 2A and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B, which were read in step 22. Specifically, the X-direction correction value xC is calculated as the ratio of the right output voltage value xA0 to the left output voltage value xB0 (xC = xA0 / xB0). Also, in the calculation flow of Figure 15, the Y-direction correction value yC is calculated in step 24. In this disclosure, the Y-direction correction value yC is calculated by determining the ratio (yA / yB) of the output voltage value yA of the upper magnetic sensor 2C and the output voltage value yB of the lower magnetic sensor 2D, which were read in step 22. Specifically, the Y-direction correction value yC is calculated as the ratio of the upper output voltage value yA0 to the lower output voltage value yB0 (yC = yA0 / yB0). However, the Y-direction correction value yC may be calculated in step 23, and the X-direction correction value xC may be calculated in step 24.

[0114] In step 25, the X-direction correction value xC and Y-direction correction value yC are stored in non-volatile memory (flash memory). This allows the MCU to read the X-direction correction value xC and Y-direction correction value yC when needed.

[0115] Next, Figure 16 schematically shows the control flow from when the detection device 1 detects a detection magnet until the output voltage value A of the magnetic sensor 2, corrected by the correction value C, is detected as the output voltage value A of the magnetic sensor 2.

[0116] In the control flow shown in Figure 16, in step 31, the MCU reads the X-direction correction value xC and Y-direction correction value yC that were stored in the non-volatile memory in step 25 of Figure 15.

[0117] Next, when searching for the detection magnets installed in the wiring box, the MCU reads the output voltage values ​​xA, xB, yA, and yB actually obtained from each magnetic sensor 2. Here, the read output voltage values ​​xA, xB, yA, and yB are denoted as xA1, xB1, yA1, and yB1, respectively.

[0118] After reading the output voltage values ​​xA, xB, yA, and yB actually obtained from each magnetic sensor 2, each of these output voltage values ​​xA, xB, yA, and yB is corrected in step 33 by an X-direction correction value xC or a Y-direction correction value yC. In this disclosure, in step 33, the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B and the output voltage value yB of the lower magnetic sensor 2D are corrected.

[0119] Specifically, the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B is corrected by the X-direction correction value xC and recognized as the corrected output voltage value xB. More specifically, the corrected output voltage value xB is calculated by multiplying the X-direction correction value xC read in step 31 and the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B read in step 32, so that the corrected output voltage value xB = (X-direction correction value xC) × (output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B obtained when searching for the detection magnet). Specifically, the corrected output voltage value xB is calculated as xC × xB1.

[0120] Furthermore, in step 33, the output voltage value yB of the lower magnetic sensor 2D is corrected by the Y-direction correction value yC and recognized as the corrected output voltage value yB. In detail, the corrected output voltage value yB is calculated by multiplying the Y-direction correction value yC read in step 31 and the output voltage value yB of the lower magnetic sensor 2D read in step 32, as follows: corrected output voltage value yB = (Y-direction correction value yC) × (output voltage value yB of the magnetic sensor 2D obtained when searching for the detection magnet). Specifically, the corrected output voltage value yB is calculated as yC × yB1.

[0121] Accordingly, in this disclosure, in step 34, the MCU detects the output voltage value xB of the left magnetic sensor 2B as the corrected output voltage value xB (=xC × xB1). Also in this disclosure, in step 35, the MCU detects the output voltage value yB of the lower magnetic sensor 2D as the corrected output voltage value yB (=yC × yB1).

[0122] As described above, according to the detection device 1 of this disclosure, the output of the magnetic sensor 2 is a corrected output voltage value. In this case, the variation in sensitivity among each magnetic sensor 2 is suppressed, making it possible to detect the position of the detection magnet more accurately.

[0123] In particular, in this disclosure, the output of the magnetic sensor 2 is an output that has been separately corrected in the X direction (first axis) and the Y direction (second axis), as described above. According to the detection device 1 of this disclosure, the output voltage value A of the magnetic sensor 2 is corrected separately in the X direction and the Y direction for the X direction detection set 5X and the Y direction detection set 5Y. In this case, by correcting the overall output voltage value of each of the four magnetic sensors 2, the detection device 1 does not need to perform large-scale control to detect the output voltage value A of each of the four magnetic sensors 2, and the program calculations are reduced, making control easier. Therefore, with the detection device 1, it is possible to reduce the size of the control unit 100 while suppressing the variation in sensitivity among each magnetic sensor 2. Accordingly, in this case, the detection device 1 is a small, simple, and low-cost detection device with an external shape equivalent to that of the mounting hole A.

[0124] The above describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0125] 1: Device (magnetic field source detection device), 2: Magnetic sensor, 3: Indicator lamp, 4: Detection unit (magnetic field detection unit), 5: Detection set (magnetic field detection set), 5X: X-direction detection set (first magnetic field detection set), 5Y: Y-direction detection set (first magnetic field detection set), 6: Marking guide hole (marking guide), 7: Level, 8: Outer surface (marking guide), 8a: X-direction outer surface (marking guide), 8b: Y-direction outer surface (marking guide), 9, 9a, 9b: Magnets for attraction, 11: Screw hole position marking guide (marking guide), 12: Bracket, 13: Direction indicator rib, 14: Mounting ring, 20: Wall, 21: Wall material, 22: Wall substrate, 30A, 30B: Wiring box, 31: Detection magnet, 40: Wiring device, 41: Metal fittings, 100: Control unit (control circuit)

Claims

1. A magnetic field source detection device capable of detecting the location of a magnetic field source by detecting the magnetic field emitted from a magnetic field source located in a wiring box on the back side of the wall material from the front side of the wall material, A magnetic field source detection device comprising: a magnetic sensor for detecting the magnetic field; an indicator lamp for indicating the position where the magnetic sensor has detected the magnetic field; a marking guide for marking the surface of the wall material for opening mounting holes for attaching wiring devices to the wiring box; a spirit level for measuring the horizontal and vertical alignment of the wiring device with respect to the surface of the wall material; and a magnet for detachably adsorbing onto the fittings of the wiring device.

2. The magnetic field source detection device according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the magnetic field source detection device functions as a marking guide for marking the outer shape of the mounting hole on the surface of the wall material.

3. The magnetic field source detection device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the outer surface of the magnetic field source detection device functions as a marking guide for marking the center position of the mounting hole on the wall material.

4. The magnetic sensor and the indicator lamp constitute a magnetic field detection unit, with one magnetic sensor and one indicator lamp corresponding to that magnetic sensor. The magnetic field detection unit illuminates the indicator lamp corresponding to the magnetic sensor based on the output from the magnetic sensor. The aforementioned magnetic field detection unit constitutes a single magnetic field detection set by comprising a pair of magnetic field detection units arranged at mutually separated positions on the same axis. The aforementioned magnetic field detection set illuminates the indicator lamp of one of the pair of magnetic field detection units when there is an output from the magnetic sensor of either of the pair of magnetic field detection units, while illuminating the indicator lamps of each of the pair of magnetic field detection units when the outputs from the indicator lamps of each unit are equal, thereby indicating that the magnetic field source is located in the middle of the aforementioned magnetic field detection set. Furthermore, the magnetic field detection set includes a first magnetic field detection set arranged on a first axis and a second magnetic field detection set arranged on a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and each magnetic field detection unit of each magnetic field detection set is arranged at an equal distance from the intersection of the first axis and the second axis, the magnetic field source detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The magnetic field source detection device according to claim 1, wherein the output of the magnetic sensor is a corrected output.

6. The magnetic field source detection device according to claim 4, wherein the output of the magnetic sensor is an output that has been separately corrected in the direction of the first axis and the second axis.

Images