pressure gauge

Abstract

We provide a pressure gauge that is easy to handle, compact, and suitable for remote pressure monitoring. [Solution] The pressure gauge 1 comprises a rotating shaft 2 that is rotatably supported, a shaft rotation mechanism 3 that applies a rotational force to the middle part of the rotating shaft 2 to rotate the rotating shaft 2 by an angle corresponding to the pressure to be measured, a pressure display unit 6 that displays the measured value of the pressure using a pointer 4 and a scale plate 5 fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 2 and rotating in conjunction with the rotating shaft 2, and a magnet 7 fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft 2 and rotating in conjunction with the rotating shaft 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure gauge having a magnet fixed to the axis of a pointer and rotating in conjunction with the axis.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a pressure display device that displays the pressure in a compressed gas container by a pointer that swings along a scale plate, and also in a display instrument arranged at a predetermined distance from the instrument (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the device of Patent Document 1, in order to display the pressure even in a display instrument separated from the instrument, a magnetic hall effect sensor that sends an electrical signal proportional to the change in the magnetic field is arranged using a permanent magnet attached to the pointer of the pressure gauge, so as to send the change in the magnetic field at a fixed point as a function of the movement amount of the pointer. The output signal of this sensor is amplified by an amplifier and sent to a display. The display instrument displays the pressure based on this amplified signal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, according to the pressure display device of Patent Document 1 described above, the magnetic hall effect sensor is arranged at a fixed point at a certain distance from the permanent magnet. This fixed point is a point where the magnetic force lines from the permanent magnet are as straight as possible. Therefore, since the distance from the permanent magnet to the magnetic hall effect sensor is relatively large, the size of the display device including the magnetic hall effect sensor increases accordingly.

[0006] Furthermore, because the magnetic Hall effect sensor, pointer, permanent magnet, and power supply are all located within the same instrument, maintenance work becomes complicated, such as requiring disassembly of the instrument when replacing batteries. Even when displaying the pressure measurement using only the pointer is sufficient, the magnetic Hall effect sensor and its power supply are always integrated into the instrument, which can sometimes result in excessive functionality.

[0007] Furthermore, remote monitoring devices that can be selectively attached to single-function pressure gauges and convert pressure into electricity for transmission are commercially available, but their installation presents the challenge of requiring the disassembly of the pressure gauge.

[0008] In view of the problems of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a pressure gauge that is easy to handle, compact, and convenient, and is also suitable for remote pressure monitoring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The pressure gauge of the present invention is A rotating shaft that is supported to rotate freely, A rotational mechanism is provided in the middle of the rotating shaft to apply a rotational force that rotates it by an angle corresponding to the measured pressure, A pressure display unit that displays the measured pressure using a pointer and a scale plate fixed to one end of the aforementioned rotating shaft and rotating in conjunction with the rotating shaft, The invention is characterized by comprising a magnet fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft and rotating in conjunction with the rotating shaft. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a magnet that rotates in conjunction with the pointer is provided at the end of the rotating shaft opposite the pointer. By attaching a sensor that detects changes in the magnetic field of the magnet to the back of the pressure gauge, a signal corresponding to the measured pressure can be obtained. By sending this signal to a remote monitoring location away from the pressure gauge via a signal transmission unit, pressure can be monitored remotely.

[0011] Furthermore, if remote pressure monitoring is not required, the pressure gauge can be used as a standalone unit without attaching sensors or signal transmission units. In this case, maintenance work such as replacing batteries or secondary batteries that supply power to the sensors and signal transmission units can be performed with these units detached from the pressure gauge, greatly improving convenience. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pressure gauge that is easy to handle, compact, convenient, and suitable for remote pressure monitoring.

[0012] Furthermore, in sealed pressure gauges designed to absorb vibrations and pulsations by filling the pressure gauge with glycerin, disassembly is difficult. However, the present invention, which allows for the separation of the sensor and signal transmission unit, is particularly effective for such glycerin-type pressure gauges. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a simplified side view showing the configuration of a pressure gauge and a signal transmission unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the axial rotation mechanism that rotates the rotation axis of the pressure gauge shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the pressure gauge and signal transmission unit. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the pressure gauge and signal transmission unit. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of the magnet held by the magnetic spacer in the pressure gauge. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a simplified pressure gauge and signal transmission unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the pressure gauge 1 includes a rotating shaft 2 that is rotatably supported, a shaft rotation mechanism 3 that applies a rotational force to the middle part of the rotating shaft 2 to rotate the rotating shaft 2 by an angle corresponding to the pressure to be measured, and a pressure display unit 6 that displays the measured pressure value using a pointer 4 fixed to one end of the rotating shaft 2 and rotating in conjunction with the rotating shaft 2, and a scale plate 5.

[0015] Further, the pressure gauge 1 is fixed to the other end of the rotary shaft 2 and includes a magnet 7 that rotates in conjunction with the rotary shaft 2. The pressure gauge 1 having the above configuration is housed in the housing 8. The front surface of the housing 8 is composed of a glass plate 9 so that the pointer 4 and the scale plate 5 can be visually observed.

[0016] A signal transmission unit 10 for electrically transmitting a signal corresponding to the measurement value by the pressure gauge 1 to a monitoring position is detachable from the housing 8 of the pressure gauge 1. The signal transmission unit 10 is configured to be detachable from the back surface of the housing 8 of the pressure gauge 1 in a state of being housed in the transmission unit storage case 11.

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020] The signal transmission unit 10 includes a sensor 12 that detects a magnetic field that changes due to the rotation of the magnet 7 interlocked with the rotary shaft 2 in a state where the signal transmission unit 10 is attached to the housing 8 of the pressure gauge 1 and outputs a signal corresponding to the measured pressure, and a transmission means 13 that electrically transmits the output signal of the sensor 12 to a monitoring position for monitoring the pressure. Here, a magnetoresistive element (MR sensor) is used as the sensor 12.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration of the pressure transmission mechanism 14 as viewed from the direction of the back side of the scale plate 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure transmission mechanism 14 includes an introduction part 15 for introducing the measured pressure, a Bourdon tube 16 connected to the introduction part 15 and deformed according to the change in the pressure, and the above-described shaft rotation mechanism 3 that rotates the rotary shaft 2 of the pointer 4 according to the deformation of the Bourdon tube 16. In FIG. 2, the display of the magnet 7 is omitted.

[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 are a cross-sectional view and an exploded perspective view specifically showing the configuration of the pressure gauge 1 of FIG. 1 and the signal transmission unit 10 detachable therefrom. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the magnet 7 in the pressure gauge 1 is fixed to the rotary shaft 2 via a magnet spacer 17. Inside the back plate that closes the back side of the housing 8 of the pressure gauge 1, a magnetic plate 19 for detachably attaching the transmission unit storage case 11 housing the signal transmission unit 10 to the housing 8 of the pressure gauge 1 is provided.

[0020] The power transmission unit storage case 11 is composed of a substrate fixing case 20 to which the signal power transmission unit 10 is fixed inside, and a case cover 21 that covers the substrate fixing case 20. The power transmission unit storage case 11 is attached to the pressure gauge 1 via the outer surface of the substrate fixing case 20.

[0021] On the outer surface of the substrate fixing case 20, at a position corresponding to the magnetic plate 19 of the pressure gauge 1, a mounting magnet 22 that can be adsorbed to the magnetic plate 19 is provided. That is, the power transmission unit storage case 11 is detachable from the housing 8 of the pressure gauge 1 by the magnetic plate 19 and the mounting magnet 22. Therefore, the attachment of the signal power transmission unit 10 to the pressure gauge 1 is performed by attaching the power transmission unit storage case 11 to the housing 8.

[0022] In addition, in this embodiment, a detaching method using a magnet is exemplified, but it is not limited to a magnet, and screws, a screw-type housing, a peelable silicone-based adhesive, etc. can also be used.

[0023] The signal power transmission unit 10 includes the above-described sensor 12 that detects and measures a magnetic field that changes due to the rotation of the magnet 7 linked to the rotary shaft 2 in a state where the signal power transmission unit 10 is attached to the pressure gauge 1, and outputs a signal corresponding to the measured pressure, and the above-described power transmission means 13 that transmits the output signal of the sensor 12 to a monitoring position that monitors the pressure. As the power transmission means 13, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (trademark), other wireless communication means, or wired communication means can be used.

[0024] The power transmission means 13 includes a circuit board 23 fixed to the substrate fixing case 20, a wireless communication board 24 provided on the circuit board 23, a battery holder 25 fixed to the circuit board 23, a battery 26 attached to the circuit board 23 via the battery holder 25, and an antenna sheet 27 provided on the battery 26. The power supply from the battery 26 to the sensor 12 and the wireless communication board 24 is performed via a power connector 28.

[0025] The sensor 12 is positioned to face the magnet 7 and appropriately detect changes in the magnetic field caused by the magnet 7 when the signal transmission unit 10 is attached to the pressure gauge 1. Specifically, the sensor 12 is located in the center of the circuit board 23, which is fixed inside the circuit board fixing case 20. The power on and off operation of the sensor 12 and the transmission means 13 is performed by the power switch 29. The power on / off status is monitored by the power LED 30.

[0026] Figure 5 shows the magnet 7 held in the magnet spacer 17. As shown in Figure 5, the center line of the magnet 7, extending between its south pole S and north pole N, is located on the central axis of the rotation axis or its extension L. Preferably, as shown in Figure 5, the magnet 7 is a cylindrical ferromagnetic metal material magnetized radially (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) such that one anti-cylindrical portion becomes the north pole N and the other anti-cylindrical portion becomes the south pole S. The magnet 7 is then positioned so that the center line of its cylindrical shape coincides with the central axis of the rotation axis 2 or its extension L.

[0027] In this configuration, when pressure from water, gas, compressed air, etc., is introduced into the inlet 15 of the pressure gauge 1, the Bourdon tube 16 deforms. The axial rotation mechanism 3 rotates the rotation shaft 2 according to the amount of this deformation. The pointer 4 rotates in conjunction with this rotation and indicates a mark on the scale plate 5, so the measured pressure value can be determined by reading the indicated mark on the scale.

[0028] In this case, if the signal transmission unit 10 is attached to the pressure gauge 1 by attraction between the mounting magnet 22 of the transmission unit housing case 11 and the magnetic plate 19 of the housing 8 of the pressure gauge 1, the magnetic field of the magnet 7, which rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 2, fluctuates according to the amount of rotation. This fluctuation in the magnetic field is detected by the sensor 12, and the detection signal is transmitted by the transmission means 13 to the monitoring position (display instrument) that monitors the pressure.

[0029] This detection signal has a signal value corresponding to the measurement value from the pressure gauge 1. Therefore, at the monitoring location, the transmitted detection signal can be received, and a value equivalent to the measurement value from the pressure gauge 1 can be displayed based on that signal value.

[0030] As described above, according to this embodiment, since the magnet 7 that rotates in conjunction with the pointer 4 is provided at the end of the rotating shaft 2 opposite to the pointer 4, the change in the magnetic field accompanying the rotation of the magnet 7 can be easily detected by the sensor 12 from the back side of the pressure gauge 1.

[0031] Therefore, by attaching a transmission unit housing case 11 having a sensor 12 and a transmission means 13 to the housing 8 of the pressure gauge 1, detection signal values ​​equivalent to the measured values ​​from the pressure gauge 1 can be transmitted to a remote location, and the measured values ​​can be monitored at the remote location to monitor pressure fluctuations.

[0032] Furthermore, when remote monitoring is not required, the pressure gauge 1 can be used as a standard, easy-to-handle, and compact pressure gauge by removing the power transmission unit housing case 11 from the pressure gauge 1. In this case, maintenance such as replacing the battery 26 that supplies power to the sensor 12 and power transmission means 13 can be performed with the power transmission unit housing case 11 removed from the housing 8 of the pressure gauge 1, improving convenience.

[0033] Furthermore, since the center line extending between the south pole S and north pole N of the magnet 7 is located on the central axis of the rotation axis 2 or its extension L, strong magnetic field lines from the south pole S to the north pole N exist near the end of the magnet 7 on the sensor 12 side. Therefore, the sensor 12 can detect changes in the magnetic field lines caused by the magnet 7 with high accuracy. Consequently, the pressure gauge 1 and the signal transmission unit 10 can be configured compactly.

[0034] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a sensor 12 using a Hall element may be used. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 1... Pressure gauge, 2... Rotating shaft, 3... Shaft rotation mechanism, 4... Pointer, 5... Scale plate, 6... Pressure display unit, 7, 7a, 7b... Magnet, 8... Housing, 9... Glass plate, 10... Signal transmission unit, 11... Transmission unit housing case, 12... Sensor, 13... Transmission means, 14... Pressure transmission mechanism, 15... Inlet unit, 16... Bourdon tube, 17... Magnet spacer, 19... Magnetic plate, 20... Circuit board fixing case, 21... Case cover, 22... Mounting magnet, 23... Circuit board, 24... Wireless communication board, 25... Battery holder, 26... Battery, 27... Antenna sheet, 28... Power connector, 29... Power switch, 30... Power LED, L... Central axis or its extension, N... North pole, S... South pole.

Claims

1. A rotating shaft that is supported to rotate freely, A shaft rotation mechanism is provided in the middle of the aforementioned rotating shaft, which applies a rotational force to rotate the rotating shaft by an angle corresponding to the pressure being measured. A pressure display unit that displays the measured pressure using a pointer and a scale plate fixed to one end of the rotating shaft and rotating in conjunction with the rotating shaft, A pressure gauge characterized by comprising a magnet fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft and rotating in conjunction with the rotating shaft.

2. The pressure gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that a signal transmission unit is detachable, comprising a sensor that detects a magnetic field that changes due to the rotation of the magnet linked to the rotating shaft when attached to the pressure gauge and outputs a signal corresponding to the pressure, and a transmission means for transmitting the output signal of the sensor to a monitoring position that monitors the pressure.

3. The pressure gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that the center line extending between the south pole portion and the north pole portion of the magnet is located on the central axis of the rotation shaft or an extension thereof.

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