Tilt sensor unit

Abstract

One of the objectives is to provide a tilt sensor unit that can suppress drift in the output signal. [Solution] The tilt sensor unit of the present invention comprises a tilt sensor, a control unit for processing signals from the tilt sensor, and a base member on which the tilt sensor and the control unit are mounted, wherein the control unit is formed on a control board, and the control board is fixed to the base member separately from the tilt sensor.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 This invention relates to an inclination sensor unit that is fixed to a measurement object to monitor its inclination and outputs data related to the inclination state. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Patent Document 1 discloses an invention related to a sensor unit including inertial sensors such as an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor. 【0003】 The inertial sensor is mounted on a base, and a control circuit board is attached to the upper surface of the inertial sensor. The control circuit board and the inertial sensor are electrically connected. The control circuit board is equipped with control circuit elements such as an MCU. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0004】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-200123 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0005】 Due to the heat generation of the control element, the control circuit board may be deformed, and this deformation may affect the inertial sensor and cause a drift in the output signal. Also, the drift could occur when the inertial sensor is affected by various operations such as the mounting of the control circuit board and the connector connection between the control circuit board and the inertial sensor. 【0006】 In view of this point, one of the purposes of the present invention is to provide an inclination sensor unit capable of suppressing the drift of the output signal. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0007】 One embodiment of the tilt sensor unit according to the present invention is a tilt sensor unit comprising a tilt sensor, a control unit for processing signals from the tilt sensor, and a base member on which the tilt sensor and the control unit are mounted, wherein the control unit is formed on a control board, and the control board is fixed to the base member separately from the tilt sensor. [Effects of the Invention] 【0008】 According to the present invention, the thermal effects on the tilt sensor and the effects of stress generated in the control board can be reduced, and drift of the output signal can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0009】 [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the tilt sensor unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the control board disassembled from the tilt sensor unit. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the tilt sensor unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the tilt sensor unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the tilt sensor unit with the case removed. [Figure 6] This is a side view of the tilt sensor unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram of the tilt sensor unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the part fixed to the object being measured, and (b) is a bottom view. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a method for fixing the object to be measured. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing the usage state of the tilt sensor unit of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0010】 The tilt sensor unit according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. 【0011】 <Overview of the tilt sensor unit 1 of this embodiment> Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tilt sensor unit 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the control board disassembled from the tilt sensor unit 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the tilt sensor unit 1 according to the first embodiment, showing the cover 15 of the tilt sensor unit 1 shown in Figure 1 cut along line AA for a side view. Figure 7 is a block diagram of the tilt sensor unit 1 according to this embodiment. 【0012】 The tilt sensor unit 1 of this embodiment, shown in Figures 1 to 3, comprises a tilt sensor 2 for detecting the tilt angle of an object to be measured, a control unit 3 for processing the signal from the tilt sensor 2, and a base member 4 on which the tilt sensor 2 and the control unit 3 are mounted. The tilt sensor 2 is, for example, a two-axis tilt sensor. It detects the tilt of the axes, and the control unit 3 can process the detected signal as a tilt angle. 【0013】 The base member 4 constitutes part of the housing of the tilt sensor unit 1 and is a substrate on which the tilt sensor 2 and control unit 3 are mounted. The base member 4 has an inner surface 4a and an outer surface 4b that are opposite each other in the thickness direction. The inner surface 4a is the side on which the sensor substrate 5, which will be described later, is installed, and is also the side on which the control substrate 8 is opposed, and when the case 15, which will be described later, is attached, it refers to the inner surface of the tilt sensor unit 1. In Figure 1, the case 15 is shown by a dotted line, and the figure shows a transparent view of the inside of the tilt sensor unit 1. 【0014】 As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the inner surface 4a of the base member 4 has a larger area than the sensor substrate 5, which will be described later. The outer surface 4b of the base member 4 refers to the side on which the object to be measured is placed, or the outer surface of the tilt sensor unit 1. 【0015】 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the side surface of the base member 4 (the surface connecting between the inner surface 4a and the outer surface 4b), a fixing portion 13 protruding laterally is provided. The fixing portion 13 is a fixing portion for attaching the inclination sensor unit 1 of the present embodiment to the measurement object. The detailed configuration of the fixing portion 13 will be described later. 【0016】 As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the inclination sensor 2 is mounted on the sensor substrate 5. The sensor substrate 5 is smaller than the inner surface 4a of the base member 4 and is fixed on the inner surface 4a. 【0017】 The sensor substrate 5 is in the form of a thin plate and has a larger area than the inclination sensor 2. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the planar shape of the sensor substrate 5 is rectangular, but it is not limited thereto. 【0018】 As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a wiring connector 6 with the control substrate 8 is provided on the sensor substrate 5. 【0019】 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sensor substrate 5 is fixed to the base member 4 by, for example, screws 7. 【0020】 The control unit 3 is, for example, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The control unit 3 is formed on the control substrate 8. The control substrate 8 is in the form of a flat plate with a predetermined thickness, and its planar shape is not limited. 【0021】 As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in addition to the control unit 3, a wiring connector 9, a light emitting element 10, a communication unit 11, and a power source 12 are arranged on the control substrate 8. Thus, circuits such as signal processing and communication are mounted on the control substrate 8. As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 3, the light emitting element 10, the communication unit 11, and the power source 12 are electrically connected to each other by internal wiring provided on the control substrate 8. 【0022】 As shown in Figure 3, wiring 14 is connected between the wiring connector 6 of the sensor board 5 and the wiring connector 9 of the control board 8. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the tilt sensor 2 and the control unit 3 are electrically connected via the sensor board 5 and the control board 8. 【0023】 The light-emitting element 10 is, for example, an LED, and is provided to indicate the operating status of the tilt sensor unit. For example, it indicates the measurement state, standby state, test mode state, etc., by blinking or by changing the color of the light emission. In addition, a notification unit such as an audio unit or a liquid crystal display unit can be provided together with the light-emitting element 10, or in place of the light-emitting element 10. 【0024】 The communication unit 11 can be either a wireless communication unit such as Bluetooth® or a wired communication unit such as USB. For example, data can be transmitted from the communication unit 11 to a mobile terminal, and the tilt angle of the object to be measured can be obtained on the mobile terminal. Furthermore, by using LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) to store the data output from the tilt sensor unit in the cloud via a base station, a system suitable for remote monitoring can be created. 【0025】 A power source 12, such as a button battery, is located on the back surface of the control board 8 (the surface facing the inner surface 4a of the base member 4). 【0026】 The types and arrangement of components on the control board 8 shown in Figures 1 to 3 are examples only and are not limited to this configuration. 【0027】 As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the control board 8 is fixed to the base member 4 via multiple support columns 16. For example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the control board 8 and the support columns 16 are fixed with screws 17. The number and position of the support columns 16 are not limited to those shown in Figures 1 to 3. 【0028】 The height of the support column 16 is adjusted so that it does not come into contact with the tilt sensor 2, the control board 8, or the components fixed to the control board 8 (such as a button battery in Figure 3). 【0029】 As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the case 15 is attached to the base member 4. For example, the case 15 is fixed to the base member 4 with screws. As a result, the tilt sensor 2 and the control unit 3 are enclosed inside the case 15. As shown in Figure 3, the case 15 is provided with a light-transmitting window 15a at a position facing the light-emitting element 10, and the light emission state of the light-emitting element 10 can be checked through the window 15a. 【0030】 <Background leading to the present invention> The control board 8 is equipped with the control unit 3, which acts as a heat source. Therefore, the control board 8 may deform due to the heat generated by the control unit 3. The light-emitting element 10 also generates heat. If this deformation affects the tilt sensor 2, there is a risk of drift in the output signal of the tilt sensor 2. In addition to heat generation, drift can also occur due to the installation work of the control board 8 and the work of connecting the control board 8 and the sensor board 5 with connectors. Therefore, the inventors have developed a tilt sensor unit 1 that can reduce the influence of heat and stress from the control board 8 on the tilt sensor 2. 【0031】 <Regarding the characteristic features of the present invention> In the tilt sensor unit 1 of this embodiment, the control board 8 is fixed to the base member 4 separately from the tilt sensor 2. 【0032】 As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the base member 4 is equipped with a tilt sensor 2 and a control unit 3. The control unit 3 is formed on a control board 8, which is fixed to the base member 4 separately from the tilt sensor 2. The tilt sensor 2 and the control board 8 are spaced apart. Although not limited to this, for example, as shown in this embodiment, the control board 8 is fixed to the base member 4 via a support column 16, and the tilt sensor 2 and the control board 8 are spaced apart in the height direction. 【0033】 As a result, heat generated by the control unit 3, as well as stress from assembly work on the control board 8, connecting and disconnecting wires between connectors, and installing the button battery, will not affect the tilt sensor 2, or will have little effect, thereby suppressing drift in the output signal of the tilt sensor 2. 【0034】 While the material of the base member 4 is not limited, forming it from a material that is resistant to deformation, such as stainless steel, and mounting the tilt sensor 2 on the base member 4 will suppress drift over a long period of time. 【0035】 As shown in Figures 1 to 3, by supporting the control board 8 in a state where it is suspended from the base member 4 by multiple support columns 16, the control board 8 can be easily separated from the tilt sensor 2 on the base member 4. 【0036】 In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, a sensor board 5 on which a tilt sensor 2 is mounted is further included. The sensor board 5 is fixed to the base member 4 separately from the control board 8. This allows the tilt sensor 2 to be stably mounted on the base member 4 via the sensor board 5. In addition, the tilt sensor 2 and the control unit 3 can be easily and reliably connected via connectors through the sensor board 5 and the control board 8. 【0037】 Specifically, in this embodiment, the control board 8 is fixed at a distance from the base member 4, while the sensor board 5 is fixed in contact with the base member 4. This effectively suppresses the drift of the output signal of the tilt sensor 2. In other words, since the base member 4 can be made of a material that is resistant to deformation, such as stainless steel, by directly mounting the sensor board 5 on the base member 4, the influence of heat and stress from the control board 8 can be minimized. Furthermore, by separating the control board 8 from the base member 4, the influence of heat and stress from the control board 8 can be further reduced, thereby more effectively suppressing the drift of the output signal. 【0038】 <Regarding a tilt sensor unit of another embodiment> The tilt sensor unit 1 in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 has a horizontal configuration. That is, the object to be measured is located in a substantially planar direction, and for example, the tilt sensor unit 1 is installed on the plane of the object to be measured. Then, the tilt angle of the object from the planar direction can be measured. 【0039】 On the other hand, the tilt sensor unit 20 of another embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 6 is a vertical type, meaning that the object to be measured is located in a substantially vertical direction, and the tilt sensor unit 20 is installed on the vertical surface of the object to be measured. In this configuration, the tilt angle of the object with respect to the vertical direction can be measured. 【0040】 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the tilt sensor unit 20 according to the second embodiment. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the tilt sensor unit 20 shown in Figure 4 with the case 15 removed. Figure 6 is a side view of the tilt sensor unit 20 according to the second embodiment, showing the case 15 cut along the DD line shown in Figure 4. 【0041】 In the tilt sensor unit 20 shown in Figures 4 to 6, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those in the tilt sensor unit 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3. Here, "same parts" is assumed to mean that they have the same function. However, even if the functional part is the same, if the shape or other aspects need to be changed when changing from a horizontal type to a vertical type, a different reference numeral is used. 【0042】 In the perspective view shown in Figure 4, unlike in Figure 1, the case 15 is shown with a solid line, and as shown in Figure 4, the case 15 is fixed to the base member 4 with screws 21. In Figure 4, the window 15a is positioned on the front of the case 15, but by controlling the position and reflection of the light-emitting element 10 inside the case 15, the window 15a can also be positioned on the top or side of the case 15. The same applies to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3. 【0043】 Figure 5 shows the case 15 shown in Figure 4 with the case removed. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the base member 4 forms part of the housing of the tilt sensor unit 20 and has a portion that protrudes vertically from the main surface of the base member 4. 【0044】 As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the base member 4 has a first base portion 4c and a second base portion 4d that protrudes from the first base portion 4c. Preferably, the second base portion 4d protrudes perpendicularly from the surface of the first base portion 4c. 【0045】 The first base portion 4c forms part of the housing of the tilt sensor unit 20 and is equipped with a fixing portion 13 for attachment to the object to be measured. Similar to Figures 1 to 3, the control board 22 is fixed to the first base portion 4c via a support column 16. Therefore, the control board 22 is spaced apart from the first base portion 4c. 【0046】 The second base portion 4d protrudes from any position on the first base portion 4c. For example, if the first base portion 4c is oriented in a planar direction, the second base portion 4d stands upright from the surface of the first base portion 4c. 【0047】 The second base portion 4d has a flat surface 4e, which extends vertically from the first base portion 4c. The main surface of the first base portion 4c and the flat surface 4e of the second base portion 4d are at a right angle. The sensor substrate 5 is fixed on the flat surface 4e. The second base portion 4d can also be called the sensor substrate mounting portion. The flat surface 4e has a larger area than the sensor substrate 5, allowing the sensor substrate 5 to be easily and accurately positioned on the flat surface 4e. 【0048】 In this manner, the sensor substrate 5 is fixed perpendicularly to the base member (first base portion 4c). 【0049】 As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the control board 22 has a notch 22a formed in the portion facing the tilt sensor 2, so that the tilt sensor 2 does not come into contact with the control board 22 and does not overlap it in the height direction (vertically from the first base portion 4c). As shown in Figure 6, in a top view of the control board 22 (viewed vertically from the top when the control board 22 is oriented in the planar direction: arrow direction shown in Figure 6), the tilt sensor 2 does not overlap the control board 22. This makes it possible to achieve a compact structure while fixing and holding the tilt sensor 2 vertically with respect to the base member (first base portion 4c). 【0050】 In the tilt sensor unit 20 of the second embodiment, similar to the tilt sensor unit 1 of the first embodiment, the influence of heat and stress from the control board 22 on the tilt sensor 2 can be minimized, and drift of the output signal can be suppressed more effectively. In addition to the drift suppression effect, the effects of the tilt sensor unit 20 of the second embodiment will be described. For example, the tilt sensor 2 used in this embodiment is a two-axis tilt sensor that can measure tilt with respect to the horizontal (the plane perpendicular to the direction in which gravity acts). 【0051】 In the horizontal type, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, by using the tilt sensor unit 1, the tilt sensor 2 mounted on the horizontal base member 4 can be adjusted to a 0° tilt direction (i.e., horizontal direction) for both the X and Y axes. By measuring the tilt of the X or Y axis when the tilt sensor 2 is tilted, the tilt of the object to be measured can be measured. Although not limited to this, for example, the tilt sensor 2 can measure tilts of ±30° with high resolution. 【0052】 In contrast, when installing the tilt sensor unit on a vertical wall, if the tilt sensor unit 1 of the first embodiment is fixed to the vertical wall, the X and Y axes of the tilt sensor will be supported in a position that is tilted beyond the resolution from the horizontal direction. For example, if the X axis of the tilt sensor 2 is 0°, the Y axis will point in the direction of 90°, which exceeds the resolution and makes measurement impossible. 【0053】 In the tilt sensor unit 20 shown in the second embodiment in Figures 4 to 6, the sensor board 5 is fixed perpendicularly to the base member 4. Therefore, when the base member 4 is mounted on a vertical wall, the sensor board 5 faces horizontally. In other words, in the vertical type, the X and Y axes of the two-axis tilt sensor 2 can be oriented horizontally (0°), allowing for accurate measurement of the tilt of the object being measured. 【0054】 In the tilt sensor unit 20 of the second embodiment, the tilt sensor 2 is not fixed to the first base portion 4c that fixes the control board 22, so that space for the power supply 12 can be secured, enabling effective use of installation space and miniaturization. 【0055】 <Method of fixing to the object to be measured> The method of fixing the tilt sensor unit to the object to be measured in this embodiment is not limited, but one example is shown below. 【0056】 Figure 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of the fixing part 13 shown in Figure 1, cut along the BB line and viewed from the direction of the arrow. Figure 8(b) is a bottom view of the fixing part 13. Note that in Figures 8 and 9, only the structure of the fixing part 13 is shown, and other parts such as the base part 4 and case 15 are omitted. 【0057】 As shown in Figure 8(a), a through hole 13a is provided that penetrates the fixing part 13. For example, the through hole 13a has a two-tiered shape (wider on the bottom side). Figure 9 shows an example of fixing the fixing part 13 to the object to be measured M. As shown in Figure 9(a), the tilt sensor unit can be fixed to the object to be measured M using a bolt 23. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 9(b), a magnet 24 is placed in the through hole 13a of the fixing part 13, and the magnet 24 is fixed to the fixing part 13 with a nut 25. As shown in Figure 9(b), a certain clearance C is ensured between the magnet 24 and the object to be measured M. 【0058】 The bottom surface of the fixing part 13 is flat, allowing it to be fixed in contact with the object to be measured M. As shown in Figure 9(a), it may be fastened with bolts 23, or, if the object to be measured M is made of a material that is attracted to magnets, it may be fastened with magnets 24 as shown in Figure 9(b). As shown in Figure 9(b), by providing a clearance C, the bottom surface of the fixing part 13 can be brought into contact with the object to be measured M, and the object to be measured M can be fixed by magnetic force, allowing the tilt sensor unit to be easily and reliably fixed regardless of the location of the object to be measured M. Furthermore, by fastening with magnets 24, it can be fixed without using screws, eliminating the effect of stress on the tilt sensor 2 caused by screw fastening. 【0059】 <Regarding the usage status of the tilt sensor unit> Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the usage state of the tilt sensor unit of this embodiment. In Figure 10(a), the tilt sensor unit 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 can be installed on the surface of an object M to be measured, such as various manufacturing equipment and inspection equipment that are required to maintain a horizontal state, thereby detecting the tilt of the object M from the horizontal direction. 【0060】 Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10(b), the tilt sensor unit 20 shown in Figures 4 to 6 can be installed on the surface of the object to be measured, such as various pieces of equipment, which are required to maintain a vertical position, thereby detecting the tilt of the object to be measured from the vertical direction. 【0061】 As shown in Figure 10(c), detection data from tilt sensor units 1 and 20 can be acquired by the mobile terminal 30. Therefore, the tilt of the object M can be monitored even from a location far from the object M. [Industrial applicability] 【0062】 For example, when performing earth retention work using steel materials, sheet piles, etc., to prevent the excavated ground from collapsing at a construction site, the tilt sensor unit of the present invention can be used to monitor the tilt state of the steel materials, etc., from a safe location. 【0063】 According to the present invention, the accuracy of inclination measurement of objects to be measured can be improved, contributing to improved safety. The present invention can contribute to Goal 9, "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation," and Goal 12, "Make sure your consumption and production are responsible," both of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). [Explanation of Symbols] 【0064】 1: Tilt sensor unit 2: Tilt sensor 3: Control Unit 4: Base component 4c: First base section 4d: Second base section 5: Sensor board 6: Wiring connector 7: Screws 8: Control board 9: Wiring connector 10: Light-emitting element 11: Communications Department 12: Power supply 13: Fixed part 13a: Through hole 14: Wiring 15: Case 15a: Window 16: Strut 20: Tilt sensor unit 22: Control board 22a: Notch 23: Bolt 24: Magnet 30: Mobile devices C: Clearance M: Object to be measured

Claims

[Claim 1] Tilt sensor and A control unit that processes the signal from the tilt sensor, A tilt sensor unit comprising a base member on which the tilt sensor and the control unit are mounted, The control unit is formed on the control board, The control board is fixed to the base member separately from the tilt sensor. A tilt sensor unit characterized by the following features. [Claim 2] The sensor board further comprises the aforementioned tilt sensor, The sensor substrate is fixed to the base member separately from the control substrate. The tilt sensor unit according to feature 1. [Claim 3] The control board is fixed at a distance from the base member. The sensor substrate is fixed in contact with the base member, The tilt sensor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that it is as described above. [Claim 4] The sensor substrate is fixed perpendicularly to the base member. The tilt sensor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that it is as described above. [Claim 5] The base member has a first base portion and a second base portion protruding from the first base portion. The control board is fixed to the first base portion, The sensor substrate is fixed to the second base portion, The tilt sensor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that it is as described above. [Claim 6] In a top view of the control board, the tilt sensor is not covered by the control board. The tilt sensor unit according to feature 1.

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