Measuring device

Abstract

To provide a measuring device that is less affected by dust and water droplets and is suitable for sonic communication. [Solution] A weighing device W equipped with a weighing mechanism that determines the weighing value of an object placed on a weighing pan, a buzzer 30 that outputs an audible sound, and a case 100 that houses the weighing mechanism and buzzer 30, the weighing device W also has a sound signal generating unit 23 that generates a sound signal indicating the weighing value and outputs the sound signal from the buzzer, a partition 115 provided within the case 100 and formed between the weighing mechanism and the buzzer 30, and an opening 127 formed on the side of the case 100 and angled downward from the space on the buzzer 30 side separated by the partition 115 towards the outside of the case 100.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a weighing device, for example, a weighing device having an acoustic communication function that generates an acoustic signal indicating a measurement value and transmits the generated acoustic signal to an external device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various balances equipped with wireless communication functions have become widespread. Common wireless communication standards include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered trademark), and once initial setup is performed, weight value signals can be automatically received by a receiving device such as a PC or smartphone. This allows weight value data to be stored in the receiving device, making it easy to evaluate and analyze the weight values. A balance equipped with such Bluetooth wireless communication functions is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.

[0003] However, when using wireless communication as described above, a wireless communication device is required on the balance, which raises the problem of higher costs. Furthermore, development must be done to comply with the wireless communication function standards, which increases the time and cost involved. Especially in today's profusion of wireless communication standards, development and additional devices are required every time a wireless communication function is changed or added. For this reason, it is desirable to use the buzzer already installed on the balance or the microphone already installed on a smartphone for wireless transmission. As a method of communication using an existing buzzer or the like, sonic communication has attracted attention, and various products are on the market. For example, a thermometer using sonic communication uses an existing buzzer in the thermometer and an existing microphone in a smartphone to transmit measurement data to the smartphone. Such a thermometer is disclosed, for example, on an internet website (Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7240560 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] A webpage on the Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. website (Healthcare Store) presenting the "Ultrasonic Communication Thermometer MC-6800B Kenonkun" [searched June 13, 2025], Internet <URL:https: / / store.healthcare.omrオン.co.jp / item / MC_6800B.html?srsltid=AfmBOooO83AaQZBQC_H3e8wNvQJgZiO1ISSem0cEaqRHMVvUZ7DFHJGk> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the above-mentioned acoustic communication has the problem that it is difficult for acoustic waves to be transmitted from the buzzer inside the case to the smartphone outside the case, so it is common to provide an opening in the case to make it easier for acoustic waves to be transmitted. However, in the case of a balance, if an opening is provided in the case, dust and water droplets will enter the case through the opening, so there is a desire to avoid this as much as possible.High-precision balances in particular are precision instruments, so it is necessary to prevent dust and water droplets from adhering to the measuring mechanism as much as possible.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a weighing device that is less affected by dust and water droplets and is suitable for acoustic communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, provides a weighing device comprising a weighing mechanism for determining the weight of an object placed on a weighing pan, a buzzer that outputs an audible sound, and a case that houses the weighing mechanism and the buzzer, the weighing device further comprising: a sound wave signal generating unit that generates a sound wave signal that indicates the weight value and outputs the sound wave signal from the buzzer; a partition wall that is provided in the case and is formed between the weighing mechanism and the buzzer; and an opening that is formed on a side of the case and is diagonally downward from the space on the buzzer side partitioned by the partition wall toward the outside of the case. a step portion that bulges outward in the width direction of the case is formed on the side surface of the case, and the opening is formed below the step portion in the side surface of the case and in a position near the buzzer, and is formed in a generally crank-shaped cross section that extends obliquely downward from the inside to the outside of the case. It is characterized by:

[0009] With the above configuration, the sound wave signal output from the buzzer can be guided to the outside of the case through the opening without being diffused. That is, the partition and the opening allow the sound wave signal output from the buzzer to be concentrated through the opening and propagate to the outside of the case, making it easier for an external device to receive the sound wave signal. Therefore, for example, the sound wave signal from the weighing device can be received by an external device without the external device coming into contact with the weighing device. In addition, the present invention has an opening that faces diagonally downward from the inside to the outside of the case, which prevents dust and water droplets from entering the case through the opening. Furthermore, even if dust or water droplets do enter the case through the opening, the partition provided inside the case prevents them from entering the weighing mechanism.

[0011] In this way, in the present invention, the opening is formed below the step portion formed in the case, and the step portion prevents dust and water droplets from entering the opening (the step portion functions like a canopy, preventing dust and water droplets from entering the opening). Furthermore, the opening is not linear, but extends diagonally downward from the inside of the case to the outside, and is formed in a roughly crank-like cross section, which effectively prevents dust and water droplets from entering the case through the opening.

[0012] Preferably, the partition wall is formed to surround the periphery of the buzzer. In this way, in the present invention, the buzzer is surrounded by the partition wall, so the sound of the buzzer is easily collected.

[0013] It is also preferable that the sound wave signal generating section generates the sound wave signal by modulating the frequency between two frequencies.

[0014] According to the present invention, a sound wave signal whose frequency is modulated between two frequencies is output, which reduces noise generation and the influence of noise, making it possible to increase the output of the sound wave signal, thereby enabling reliable communication with external devices.

[0015] The present invention also provides a weighing device comprising a weighing mechanism for determining the weight value of an object to be weighed placed on a weighing pan, a buzzer for outputting an audible sound, and a case for accommodating the weighing mechanism and the buzzer, the weighing device further comprising: a sound signal generating unit for generating a sound signal indicative of the weight value and outputting the sound signal from the buzzer; a partition wall provided within the case and formed between the weighing mechanism and the buzzer; and an opening formed on a side surface of the case and extending obliquely downward from the space on the buzzer side partitioned by the partition wall towards the outside of the case, The case is formed in a substantially hollow box shape having an upper case and a lower case, the upper case having at least a top surface and a pair of upper and side surface portions bending downward and extending from both left and right sides of the upper surface, the lower case having at least a bottom surface and a pair of lower and side surface portions bending upward and extending from both left and right sides of the bottom surface, the buzzer being located on the bottom surface of the lower case and in a position near one of the lower and side surface portions, the lower end of the upper and side surface portion being located outside and below the upper end of the lower and side surface portion on the side of the case formed by the upper and lower and side surface portions near the buzzer, and a gap being formed between the lower end side of the upper and side surface portions and the upper end side of the lower and side surface portions. It is characterized by:

[0016] In this way, in the present invention, on the side surfaces of the case near the buzzer, the lower end of the upper side surface of the upper case is positioned outside and below the upper end of the lower side surface of the lower case, and a gap is formed between the lower end of the upper side surface and the upper end of the lower side surface. With this configuration, an opening extending diagonally downward from the inside of the case to the outside is formed without any special processing on the case. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a weighing device that is less affected by dust and water droplets and is suitable for acoustic communication. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a plan view of a weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an upper case and a lower case that constitute the case of the weighing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams for explaining the opening and partition provided in the case of the weighing device according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a schematic diagram showing a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 2, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of part A1 shown in FIG. 4A. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an opening provided in a case of a weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram of the case as viewed from the side. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an opening provided in a case of a weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the diagram being a schematic diagram of the case viewed obliquely from below. FIG. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams for explaining a partition wall surrounding a buzzer provided in the case of a weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a schematic diagram showing the front of the weighing device, (b) is a schematic diagram showing a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 7A, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of part B1 shown in FIG. 7B. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams for explaining a partition wall surrounding a buzzer provided in the case of a weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a schematic diagram of the weighing device without the lower case, viewed obliquely from above, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of part C1 shown in FIG. 8A.

[0019] Hereinafter, a weighing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] <<Explanation of the configuration of the measuring device W>> First, the configuration of the weighing device W of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of the weighing device of this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a plan view of the weighing device of this embodiment.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the weighing device W of this embodiment has a weighing sensor 10 that detects the load of an object to be weighed placed on a weighing pan (not shown) and outputs load data indicating the load, an arithmetic processing unit 20 that calculates the weighing value of the object to be weighed from the load data output by the weighing sensor 10 and generates a sound signal indicating the weighing value, a buzzer 30 that outputs an audible sound or a sound signal, a display unit 40 having a display screen that displays the weighing value, etc., and an operation unit 50 having operation buttons that accept various operations from the user. The "weighing sensor 10, calculation processing unit 20, display unit 40 and operation unit 50" constitute a weighing mechanism that weighs the object to be weighed, and the buzzer 30 outputs a weighing completion sound to notify the user that the weighing is complete, and also constitutes a notification mechanism that sends a sound signal indicating the weighing value to an external device.

[0022] The weighing sensor 10, the processing unit 20, the buzzer 30, the display unit 40, and the operation unit 50 are housed inside a substantially hollow box-shaped case 100 (see FIG. 2). The buzzer 30 is installed near one side of the case 100.

[0023] Furthermore, inside the case 100, a partition wall 115 is formed between the weighing mechanism and the buzzer 30, and this partition wall 115 separates the weighing mechanism from the buzzer 30. That is, inside the case 100, the partition wall 115 separates an area (space) where the weighing mechanism is located from an area (space) where the buzzer 30 is located. In addition, case 100 has an opening 127 (see Figures 4(b), 5, and 6) formed on the side near buzzer 30, which extends diagonally downward from the space on the buzzer 30 side separated by partition wall 115 inside case 100 toward the outside of case 100. The specific configuration of the partition 115 and the opening 127 will be described later, but these configurations allow the sound wave signal output from the buzzer 30 to be concentrated through the opening 127 and propagate outside the case 100, making it easier for an external information terminal (external device) T to receive the sound wave signal.

[0024] Furthermore, the weighing device W of this embodiment has an "ultrasonic communication mode in which, after calculating a weight value, a sound signal indicating the weight value is generated and the generated sound signal is output from the buzzer 30," and a "normal mode in which, after calculating a weight value, a sound signal is not generated and a weighing completion sound (audible sound) is output from the buzzer 30." The weighing device W can be set to either the "ultrasonic communication mode" or the "normal mode" by the user via the operation unit 50.

[0025] The sonic signal output from the weighing device W, which is set to "sonic communication mode," is received by an information terminal (external device) T equipped with a microphone, such as a smartphone. An application (program) that calculates a weight value from the received sonic signal is installed on this information terminal T. When the information terminal T receives the sonic signal from the weighing device W, it calculates the weight value from the sonic signal using the application's functions and displays the weight value on the display unit of the information terminal T. Each component of the weighing device W will be described below. The configurations of the weighing sensor 10, the buzzer 30, the display unit 40, and the operation unit 50 are based on existing technology, and therefore the description thereof will be simplified.

[0026] The weighing sensor 10 detects the load of an object to be weighed placed on a weighing pan (not shown). The load detected by the weighing sensor 10 is output to the calculation processing unit 20 as A / D converted load data. The weighing sensor 10 may be, for example, an electromagnetic balance type, a strain gauge type, or an electrostatic capacitance type.

[0027] The buzzer 30 is an electronic component that converts an electrical signal into sound, and is a well-known type that is installed in a measuring device, a thermometer, etc.

[0028] The display unit 40 is configured with a liquid crystal display device or the like having a touch panel display screen (liquid crystal screen or the like), and has the function of displaying the measurement values ​​and the function of accepting various operations from the user. The display unit 40 is also connected to the arithmetic processing unit 20, and exchanges various data with the arithmetic processing unit 20.

[0029] The operation unit 50 is composed of operation buttons (a power button for turning the power on / off and a mode setting button for setting the mode ("sonic communication mode" and "normal mode")) provided next to the display unit 40. The operation unit 50 is also connected to the arithmetic processing unit 20, and exchanges various data with the arithmetic processing unit 20.

[0030] The calculation processing unit 20 includes a mode switching unit 21, a measurement value calculation unit 22, and a sound wave signal generation unit 23. The arithmetic processing unit 20 is configured by, for example, a circuit board having a CPU, memory (main storage device, auxiliary storage device), and an I / O interface, and the auxiliary storage device stores programs for realizing the functions of the arithmetic processing unit 20. The functions of the arithmetic processing unit 20 (mode setting unit 21, measurement value calculation unit 22, and sound wave signal generation unit 23) are realized by the CPU loading the stored programs into the main storage device and executing them.

[0031] The mode switching unit 21 has a mode table, accepts a mode setting (either "normal mode" or "sonic wave communication mode") from the user via the operation unit 50, and registers the accepted mode in the mode table. In the initial setting state, the normal mode is registered in the mode table. Specifically, when the mode switching unit 21 receives a change in the set mode from the user via the operation unit 50, it updates the mode registered in the mode table to the received mode. The mode table is stored in the memory of the circuit board.

[0032] The measurement value calculation unit 22 receives the load data output by the weighing sensor 10, calculates the measurement value of the object to be weighed from the load data, generates display data indicating the calculated measurement value, outputs the display data to the display unit 40, and causes the display unit 40 to display the display data indicating the measurement value. Furthermore, when the weight value calculation unit 22 calculates the weight value of the object to be measured, it accesses the mode table and checks the mode set in the mode setting unit 21 .

[0033] If the set mode is the "sonic communication mode", the measurement value calculation unit 22 requests the sound signal generation unit 23 to generate a sound signal. If the set mode is the "normal mode", the measurement value calculation unit 22 sends an output command to the buzzer 30 to output a measurement completion notification sound that notifies the completion of measurement, causing the buzzer 30 to output the measurement completion notification sound.

[0034] When the sound wave signal generator 23 receives a "sound wave signal generation request" from the metric value calculator 22, it uses the metric value calculated by the metric value calculator 22 to generate a sound wave signal indicating the metric value. Specifically, the sound wave signal generating unit 23 generates coded data from the metric value that represents the metric value as 0 and 1, and generates a sound wave signal by sweeping the frequency, treating different first and second frequencies as codes of 0 and 1. Then, the sound wave signal generating unit 23 outputs a sound wave signal to the buzzer 30, causing the buzzer 30 to output the sound wave signal.

[0035] As mentioned above, the sound wave signal indicating the above metric value is not a signal of a specific frequency (for example, 17 kHz, a frequency that is difficult for humans to hear) that is turned on / off to encode the metric value, but rather, for example, by sweeping to a first frequency (16 kHz) when on and sweeping to a second frequency (17 kHz) when off, thereby expressing the metric value as on / off. That is, the sound wave signal generating unit 23 generates a sound wave signal (a sound wave signal indicating a measurement value) by modulating the frequency and sweeping the frequency between two different frequencies (a first frequency (e.g., 16 kHz) and a second frequency (e.g., 17 kHz)). When switching between the first frequency (16 kHz) and the second frequency (17 kHz), the sound wave signal generating unit 23 generates the sound wave signal by slowly sweeping and switching the frequency. In this embodiment, the first frequency (for example, 16 kHz) indicates "1", and the second frequency (for example, 17 kHz) indicates "0".

[0036] The reason for this configuration is as follows. Specifically, while the applicant was developing a weighing system equipped with a function to output a sound wave signal indicating a weighing value from a buzzer, it was discovered that when a sound wave signal of a specific frequency was output from a buzzer, the audible range expanded when the signal was turned on and off, resulting in an unpleasant, "crunching" buzzer sound.

[0037] While studying countermeasures for the above-mentioned harsh buzzer sound, the applicant discovered that if sound waves are generated by smoothly sweeping the frequency between two frequencies (i.e., if sound waves are generated by slowly sweeping and switching the frequency), harsh sounds are not generated even in audible sound wave communication, and measurement value signals can be transmitted and received reliably. That is, the applicant discovered that, while turning on and off the output of a sound wave signal using amplitude modulation, as in conventional sound wave communication, harsh sounds are generated, by using a frequency sweep method, harsh sounds are not generated. Furthermore, the applicant discovered that, while general frequency modulation is susceptible to noise from other audible sounds, by adopting a method of sweeping between two frequencies, the system is less susceptible to noise from other audible sounds, and measurement values ​​can be transmitted and received reliably. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which a sound wave signal is generated that sweeps the frequency between two different frequencies (a first frequency (for example, 16 kHz) and a second frequency (for example, 17 kHz)).

[0038] <<Explanation of the partition 115 and opening 127 formed in the case 100>> Next, the configuration of the partition wall 115 and the opening 127 formed in the case 100 of the weighing device W of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0039] Here, Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the upper and lower cases that make up the case of the weighing device of this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the opening and partition provided in the case of the weighing device of this embodiment, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing a cross section along line AA in Fig. 2 and (b) is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of part A1 shown in Fig. 4(a). Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the opening provided in the case of the weighing device of this embodiment, as viewed from the side. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the opening provided in the case of the weighing device of this embodiment, as viewed obliquely from below. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the partition wall surrounding the buzzer provided in the case of the weighing device of this embodiment, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing the front of the weighing device, Fig. 7(b) is a schematic diagram showing a cross section along line BB in Fig. 7(a), and (c) is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of part B1 shown in Fig. 7(b). Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the partition wall surrounding the buzzer provided in the case of the weighing device of this embodiment, where (a) is a schematic diagram showing the weighing device without the lower case as viewed from diagonally above, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of part C1 shown in Fig. 8(a).

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the case 100 constituting the weighing device W of this embodiment is formed in a roughly hollow box shape, with an upper case 110 having an open bottom surface and a lower case 120 having an open top surface.

[0041] Specifically, the upper case 110 has an upper surface portion 111, upper and side surface portions 112, 112 that extend and bend downward from both the left and right sides of the upper surface portion 111, an upper and front surface portion 113 that extends and bend downward from the front end of the upper surface portion 111, and an upper and rear surface portion (not shown in Figure 3) that extends and bend downward from the rear end of the upper surface portion 111, and is formed in an approximately lid-like shape with an open bottom. The upper and side portions 112, 112 are recessed on the inner peripheral surface side of the lower end (free end), and the lower end (free end) is a thin-walled portion (upper thin-walled portion) that is thinner than the other portions (see Figure 4(b)).

[0042] In addition, the upper case 110 has a downwardly protruding partition wall 115 (see Figures 4, 7(b), (c), and 8) formed on the front side of the back surface of the upper surface portion 111 (the surface that corresponds to the bottom surface portion 121 of the lower case 120) and near one of the upper and side surface portions 112 (the side surface 112 on the right side as viewed in Figure 3). This partition wall 115 is provided in a position that covers the periphery of the buzzer 30 installed in the lower case 120 when the upper case 110 is attached to the lower case 120 . The partition wall 150 has a shape including an approximately C-shaped arc portion 115a and linear portions 115b, 115b extending linearly from both ends of the arc portion 115a so as to cover the periphery of the approximately cylindrical buzzer 30 (see FIG. 7(c)).

[0043] 3, an opening 111a is formed on the front side of the top surface 111 of the upper case 110. A transparent PET film is placed in this opening 111a, and the opening 111a is covered by the PET film. The display screen of the display unit 40 is disposed opposite the PET film covering the opening 111a. An opening 111b is formed on the front side of the top surface 111 of the upper case 110 (see FIG. 3). A transparent PET film is placed in this opening 111b, and the opening 111b is covered by the PET film. The operation buttons of the operation unit 50 are arranged opposite the PET film covering the opening 111b.

[0044] The lower case 120 is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top and front, and has a bottom surface portion 121, a pair of lower / side surface portions 122, 122 that bend upward and extend from both the left and right sides of the bottom surface portion 121, and a lower / rear surface portion 123 that bends upward and extends from the rear end of the bottom surface portion 121 (see Figure 2).

[0045] 4, the outer peripheral surface side of the upper end (free end) of the lower side and side portions 122, 122 is recessed. That is, the upper end (free end) of the lower side and side portions 122, 122 is a thin-walled portion (lower side thin-walled portion) that is thinner than the remaining portions. When the upper case 110 is placed over the lower case 120, the upper thin-walled portions at the lower ends of the upper side portions 112, 112 engage with the lower thin-walled portions at the upper ends of the lower side portions 122, 122, and the upper side portions 112 and the lower side portions 122 form the sides of the case 100. In addition, the lower case 120 has protruding pieces 125, 125 formed at a front position on one of the lower side / side portions 122, which are positioned outside the straight portion 115b of the partition wall 115 when the upper case 110 is installed (see Figure 7(c)).

[0046] The lower case 120 also houses the weighing sensor 10, a board constituting the calculation processing unit 20, a board on which the components of the buzzer 30 and the operation unit 50 are mounted, and a board on which the components of the display unit 40 are mounted. In addition, Figure 3 shows a state in which the lower case 120 houses a board on which the components of the buzzer 30 and the operation unit 50 are mounted, and a board on which the components that make up the display unit 40 are mounted. The buzzer 30 is disposed on the bottom surface 121 on the front side of the lower case 120, near one of the lower side surfaces 122 (in the example shown in FIG. 3, the lower side surface 122 on the right side as you face the figure).

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower side and side portions 122, 122 of the lower case 120 have a step portion 122a formed on the upper side that bulges (protrudes) outward in the width direction (X direction), and the upper side thereof is approximately L-shaped in cross section. In addition, an opening 127 that is generally crank-shaped (approximately Z-shaped) in cross section and extends diagonally downward from the inside to the outside of the case 100 is formed below the step portion 122a of one of the pair of lower side / side portions 122, 122 that make up the lower case 120, and in the vicinity of the buzzer 30 housed in the case 100 (see Figure 4(b)). 5 and 6, a plurality of openings 127 are formed below step portion 122a of one lower / side surface portion 122 and in the vicinity of buzzer 30 housed in case 100. In the example shown, five openings 127 are formed in parallel at equal intervals along the depth direction (Y direction) of case 100.

[0048] Then, by placing the upper case 110 over the lower case 120, engaging them, and fixing them with fixing means such as screws so as to close the openings of the upper case 110 and the lower case 112, a substantially hollow box-shaped case 100 is formed, as shown in Figures 4 to 7.

[0049] 7, buzzer 30 installed on bottom surface 121 of lower case 120 is surrounded by partition wall 115 formed on top surface 111 of upper case 110. At this time, the lower end of partition wall 115 is positioned above the upper surface of the board on which buzzer 30 is mounted by a predetermined distance (e.g., 0.6 mm). That is, a gap of a predetermined distance (e.g., 0.6 mm) is formed between the lower end of partition wall 115 and the upper surface of the board on which buzzer 30 is mounted (see FIG. 4(b)). In this manner, in the weighing device W of this embodiment, the partition wall 115 formed inside the case 100 separates the inside of the case 100 into the buzzer 30 and the components other than the buzzer 30 (weighing mechanism). The space on the buzzer 30 side inside the case 100 separated by the partition wall 115 communicates with the outside of the case 100 through an opening 127 formed in the side surface of the case 100 .

[0050] With this configuration, the sound wave signal output from buzzer 30 can be guided to the outside of case 100 through opening 127 without being diffused. That is, partition wall 115 and opening 127 allow the sound wave signal output from buzzer 30 to be concentrated through opening 127 and propagate to the outside of case 100, making it easier for an external information terminal (external device) T to receive the sound wave signal. Therefore, for example, an external information terminal T can receive the sound wave signal from the weighing device W without having to bring the external information terminal T into contact with the weighing device W.

[0051] In addition, in this embodiment, opening 127 is formed obliquely downward from the inside to the outside of case 100, which prevents dust and water droplets from entering case 100 through opening 127. Furthermore, even if dust or water droplets enter case 100, partition wall 115 is provided inside case 100, and therefore partition wall 115 prevents the dust and water droplets that have entered case 100 from entering the measuring mechanism. In this embodiment, opening 127 is formed below step 122a formed on the upper side of lower / side surface portion 122 of case 100. Therefore, step 122a prevents dust and water droplets from entering opening 127 (step 122a functions like a canopy, preventing dust and water droplets from entering opening 127). Furthermore, in this embodiment, opening 127 is not linear, but is formed in a generally crank-shaped (generally Z-shaped) cross section that extends diagonally downward from the inside to the outside of case 100. Therefore, according to this embodiment, dust and water droplets can be effectively prevented from entering case 100 through opening 127.

[0052] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a weighing device that is less affected by dust and water droplets and is suitable for acoustic communication.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.

[0054] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the opening 127 is provided in the lower side / side surface portion 122 of the lower case 120 constituting the case 100, but this is not particularly limited. The opening 127 may be configured to extend obliquely downward from the inside of the case 100 to the outside. For example, on the side surfaces of case 100 near buzzer 30, the lower end of side surface portion 112 of upper case 110 may be arranged outside and below the upper end of side surface portion 122 of lower case 120, and a gap may be formed between the lower end side of upper side surface portion 112 and the upper end side 122 of lower side surface portion 122. With this configuration, an opening extending diagonally downward from the inside of case 100 to the outside is formed without any special hole drilling process being performed on case 100.

[0055] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, a weighing device that measures the load of an object placed on a weighing pan is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to measuring devices that measure physical quantities (for example, measuring devices that measure biological information such as a thermometer or a blood pressure monitor) other than weighing devices that measure the load of an object.

[0056] Furthermore, for example, the present invention can also be applied to a wireless communication device including a buzzer 30 that outputs audible tones and a sound wave signal generator 23 that generates sound wave signals indicating various data and outputs the sound wave signals from the buzzer 30. In this case, the sound wave signal generator 23 generates the sound wave signals by modulating the frequency and sweeping the frequency between a first frequency and a second frequency different from the first frequency. In this case, too, it is possible to provide a wireless communication device that is less affected by dust and water droplets and is suitable for sound wave communication. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] T...information terminal W…Weighing device 10...Weight sensor 20...Calculation processing unit 21...Mode switching section 22...Metric calculation section 23...sound wave signal generating unit 30...Buzzer 40…Display section 50...Operation unit 100…cases 110...Upper case 111...Top part 112...Top / side part 113...Top / front part 115...Bulkhead 115a...Arc section 115b…Straight section 120...Lower case 121…Bottom part 122…Lower side / side part 122a...Step 123…Lower / back part 125...Convex piece 127...Aperture

Claims

1. A weighing device comprising: a weighing mechanism for determining the weight of an object placed on a weighing pan; a buzzer for outputting an audible sound; and a case for accommodating the weighing mechanism and the buzzer, a sound wave signal generating unit that generates a sound wave signal indicating the measurement value and outputs the sound wave signal from the buzzer; a partition wall provided in the case and formed between the measuring mechanism and the buzzer; an opening formed in a side surface of the case, the opening extending obliquely downward from the buzzer-side space partitioned by the partition wall toward the outside of the case; A step portion that bulges outward in the width direction of the case is formed on the side surface of the case, The opening is formed below the step portion in the side of the case, in the vicinity of the buzzer, and is formed in a roughly crank-shaped cross section extending diagonally downward from the inside to the outside of the case.

2. 2. The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall is formed so as to surround the periphery of the buzzer.

3. 3. The weighing device according to claim 1, wherein the sound wave signal generating unit generates the sound wave signal by modulating the frequency between two frequencies.

4. A weighing device comprising a weighing mechanism for determining the weighing value of an object placed on a weighing pan, a buzzer for outputting an audible sound, and a case for accommodating the weighing mechanism and the buzzer, a sound wave signal generating unit that generates a sound wave signal indicating the measurement value and outputs the sound wave signal from the buzzer; a partition wall provided in the case and formed between the measuring mechanism and the buzzer; an opening formed in a side surface of the case, the opening extending obliquely downward from the buzzer-side space partitioned by the partition wall toward the outside of the case; The case is formed in a substantially hollow box shape having an upper case and a lower case, the upper case has at least a top surface portion and a pair of upper and side surfaces respectively bending downward and extending from both left and right sides of the top surface portion, the lower case has at least a bottom surface portion and a pair of lower and side surfaces respectively bending upward and extending from both left and right sides of the bottom surface portion, the buzzer is disposed on the bottom surface of the lower case and in the vicinity of one of the lower and side surfaces, A weighing device characterized in that, among the sides of the case constituted by the upper side portion and the lower side portion, on the side near the buzzer, the lower end of the upper side portion is positioned outside and below the upper end of the lower side portion, and a gap is formed between the lower end side of the upper side portion and the upper end side of the lower side portion.

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