Tipping bucket rain gauge

Abstract

To provide a tipping-bucket rain gauge that can be easily assembled without requiring skills.SOLUTION: A tipping-bucket rain gauge 10 comprises: a tipping bucket 22 that has a tipping shaft 26, and a pair of measures 27a, 27b provided symmetrically with respect to the tipping shaft 26; a support part 23 that supports the tipping bucket 22; and a bearing part 28 that is provided between the tipping shaft 26 and the support part 23. The tipping-bucket rain gauge 10 has the bearing part 28 provided in the tipping shaft 26, and only by installing the bearing part 28 in the support part 23, the tipping shaft 26 can be rotatably attached to the support part 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tipping bucket rain gauge. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, heavy rain disasters, such as heavy rain caused by linear rain bands, have become more serious, and the importance of rain gauges for measuring precipitation has increased. Data obtained from rain gauges is used as information for deciding whether to issue evacuation advisories or evacuation orders in the event of heavy rain disasters.

[0003] For example, the tipping bucket rain gauge described in Patent Document 1 includes a receiver for receiving rainwater, a filter installed below the receiver, a tipping bucket installed below the filter, and a drainage device installed below the tipping bucket. The bearing for supporting the tipping shaft is made of an expensive material such as sapphire. The filter removes dust such as sand contained in the rainwater dripping from the receiver. The tipping buckets are configured with a pair of buckets that collect rainwater dripping from the filter, and are symmetrically arranged around the tipping shaft. Each time a certain amount of rainwater accumulates in one bucket, the tipping buckets tip over around the tipping shaft due to the weight of the rainwater, releasing the rainwater collected in one bucket and collecting it in the other bucket. Rainwater drained from the tipping buckets passes through the drainage device and is discharged outside the tipping bucket rain gauge. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-249774 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the tipping bucket rain gauge described in Patent Document 1 requires skilled techniques because it is difficult to adjust the tightening of the bearing that receives the tipping shaft with high precision during assembly.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a tipping bucket type rain gauge that can be easily assembled without requiring any skill. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The tipping bucket type rain gauge of the present invention comprises a tipping bucket having a tipping axis and a pair of buckets arranged symmetrically around the tipping axis, a support part that supports the tipping buckets, and a bearing part that is arranged between the tipping axis and the support part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The tipping bucket rain gauge according to the present invention can be easily assembled without requiring any skill, since it is provided with a bearing portion between the tipping shaft and the support portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the internal configuration of a tipping bucket rain gauge according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the other end of the tipping shaft. [Figure 4] This is an oblique view of the main parts of a tipping bucket rain gauge viewed from above on the front side. [Figure 5] 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a pair of buckets and a pressing member are removed from the main part of the tipping bucket rain gauge shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tipping shaft is removed from the main part of the tipping bucket rain gauge shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] This is an oblique view of the main parts of a tipping bucket rain gauge viewed from above on the rear side. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of a swing arm. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining part of the assembly work of the tipping bucket type rain gauge. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tipping bucket rain gauge according to a second embodiment, viewed from above on the front side. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tipping bucket rain gauge according to a second embodiment, viewed from above on the rear side. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a tipping bucket rain gauge according to a second embodiment taken along an XZ plane. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front view of the first installation section. [Figure 12A] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the pressing member is in a closed position. [Figure 12B] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the pressing member is in an open position. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a front view of the second installation section. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the procedure for attaching the tipping axis to the support part. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the procedure for attaching the tipping axis to the support part. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the procedure for attaching the tipping axis to the support part. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the procedure for attaching the tipping axis to the support part. [Figure 18A] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tipping bucket rain gauge according to a third embodiment, viewed from above on the front side. [Figure 18B] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tipping bucket rain gauge according to a third embodiment, viewed from above on the rear side. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a front view of the first installation section. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the first installation section. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the procedure for attaching the tipping axis to the support part. [Figure 22] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the procedure for attaching the tipping axis to the support part. [Figure 23] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the procedure for attaching the tipping axis to the support part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 1. First embodiment In Figure 1, tipping bucket rain gauge 10 includes base 11, outer cylinder 12, water receiver 13, and measuring unit 14. Tipping bucket rain gauge 10 has measuring unit 14 and water receiver 13 provided in that order on base 11, with base 11, water receiver 13, and measuring unit 14 covered by outer cylinder 12. In Figure 1, the X-axis direction is the depth direction, the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is the left-right direction, and the Z-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis directions is the up-down direction.

[0011] The base 11 is a disk-shaped member made of metal, resin, or the like. A pair of drainage holes 16a, 16b are provided in the base 11. The pair of drainage holes 16a, 16b are connected to a pair of drainers 24a, 24b, which will be described later. A plurality of legs 17 are provided on the underside of the base 11. The legs 17 are formed in an L-shape and are fixed to a base (not shown) using bolts (not shown).

[0012] The outer cylinder 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the base 11. The lower end of the outer cylinder 12 is fixed to the base 11 using a bolt (not shown). An opening 12a is provided at the upper end of the outer cylinder 12.

[0013] The water receiver 13 is formed in the shape of a conical funnel and is located slightly below the opening 12a of the outer cylinder 12. The water receiver 13 has a water inlet 13a that receives rainwater that has entered the opening 12a of the outer cylinder 12, and an outlet 13b that allows the rainwater received from the water inlet 13a to flow out into the measuring section 14. Wire mesh (not shown) is provided at the bottom of the water inlet 13a and above the outlet 13b to keep out dust.

[0014] The measuring unit 14 is for measuring the rainwater received in the receiver 13. The measuring unit 14 includes a strainer 21, a tipping bucket 22, a support unit 23, and a pair of drainers 24a, 24b.

[0015] The water filter 21 is provided between the receiver 13 and the tipping bucket 22. The water filter 21 has a water filter mounting plate 21a fixed to the top of the support part 23, a funnel 21b that removes dust such as sand contained in the rainwater that flows out from the outlet 13b of the receiver 13, and a pipe 21c that drains the rainwater from which the dust has been removed by the funnel 21b into the tipping bucket 22.

[0016] The tipping bucket 22 has a tipping shaft 26 and a pair of buckets 27a, 27b arranged symmetrically around the tipping shaft 26. The tipping shaft 26 is arranged on the central axis of the tipping bucket 22, below the pair of buckets 27a, 27b. The axial direction of the tipping shaft 26 is parallel to the X-axis direction. The central axis of the tipping bucket 22 is parallel to the Z-axis direction. The tipping shaft 26 is rotatably supported by the support part 23 via a bearing part 28 arranged between the tipping shaft 26 and the support part 23. A weight for quantitative adjustment (not shown) is attached to the tipping shaft 26.

[0017] The pair of manholes 27a, 27b alternately collect rainwater flowing in from the water filter 21. In FIG. 1, the boundary between one manhole 27a and the other manhole 27b is indicated by a dotted line. A pair of receiving stones 29a, 29b are provided below the pair of manholes 27a, 27b. In this embodiment, the pair of receiving stones 29a, 29b are made of fluororesin, but they may also be made of agate, sapphire, or the like.

[0018] Tipping bucket 22 receives rainwater flowing out from pipe 21c of filter 21 in one of the pair of buckets 27a, 27b. When a certain amount of rainwater accumulates in one bucket, it tips over tipping axis 26 as a fulcrum, discharging the water collected in one bucket and receiving rainwater flowing out from pipe 21c of filter 21 in the other bucket. When a certain amount of rainwater accumulates in the other bucket, it tips over tipping axis 26 as a fulcrum, discharging the water collected in the other bucket and receiving rainwater flowing out from pipe 21c of filter 21 in the one bucket again. In tipping bucket-type rain gauge 10, tipping buckets 22 repeatedly tip over alternately around tipping axis 26 as a fulcrum while precipitation continues.

[0019] The support portion 23 supports the tipping bucket 22. The support portion 23 is provided on the base 11. A pair of stoppers 32a, 32b that prevent the tipping bucket 22 from tipping is provided on the support portion 23 via a pair of mounting members 31a, 31b. The pair of mounting members 31a, 31b are fixed to the support portion 23 below the pair of buckets 27a, 27b, at symmetrical positions across the central axis of the tipping bucket 22. The pair of stoppers 32a, 32b are attached to the mounting members 31a, 31b so that their positions in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) are adjustable. In this embodiment, a female thread is formed on each of the mounting members 31a, 31b, and a male thread is formed on each of the stoppers 32a, 32b. The position of each stopper 32a, 32b is adjustable in the vertical direction by threading the female threads into the male threads. The pair of stoppers 32a, 32b come into contact with the pair of receiving stones 29a, 29b when the tipping bucket 22 is tipped.

[0020] The pair of drainers 24a, 24b are provided on the base 11 below the pair of manholes 27a, 27b, at symmetrical positions across the central axis of the tipping bucket 22. The pair of drainers 24a, 24b are formed in a cylindrical shape. The pair of drainers 24a, 24b discharge rainwater discharged from the pair of manholes 27a, 27b through the pair of drain outlets 16a, 16b to the outside of the tipping bucket rain gauge 10. A wire mesh (not shown) is provided inside the pair of drainers 24a, 24b to prevent insects such as spiders from entering the tipping bucket rain gauge 10 through the pair of drain outlets 16a, 16b.

[0021] 2 is a perspective view of the tipping shaft 26. The tipping shaft 26 has one end 26a provided on one side in the axial direction, the other end 26b provided on the other side in the axial direction, and a mounting portion 26c provided between the one end 26a and the other end 26b and to which a pair of boxes 27a, 27b (see FIG. 1) are attached.

[0022] One end 26a of the tipping shaft 26 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 is formed so that the cross-sectional shape when cut along a plane (YZ plane) perpendicular to the axial direction is any one of an oval, an ellipse, and a polygon. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the other end 26b is an oval, as shown in FIG. 3. The other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 has a pair of positioning planes 42 at symmetrical positions in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). The number of positioning planes 42 is not limited to two, and may be one or more.

[0023] The mounting portion 26c has a pair of screw holes 43a, 43b for mounting the pair of measures 27a, 27b, and a screw hole 43c for mounting a weight for quantitative adjustment (see FIG. 2).

[0024] The bearing unit 28 includes a first bearing 28a provided at one end 26a of the tipping axle 26 and a second bearing 28b provided between the other end 26b of the tipping axle 26 and the mounting portion 26c. In this embodiment, the bearing unit 28 includes the first bearing 28a and the second bearing 28b, but it may include only one of the first bearing 28a and the second bearing 28b. For example, if the first bearing 28a is used but the second bearing 28b is not, a bearing for supporting the other end 26b of the tipping axle 26 is used instead of the second bearing 28b. The bearing is made of a material such as sapphire, which is more expensive than a bearing. Using at least one of the first bearing 28a and the second bearing 28b reduces manufacturing costs compared to using two bearings to support both ends of the tipping axle.

[0025] 4 is a perspective view of the main parts (tipping bucket 22 and support part 23) of tipping bucket rain gauge 10, viewed from above on the front side. Support part 23 has seat plate part 35 attached to base 11 and bent nail part 36 attached to seat plate part 35.

[0026] The seat panel 35 is an L-shaped member. The seat panel 35 has a fixed plate 35a provided on the upper surface of the base 11 (see FIG. 1) and a vertical plate 35b standing vertically upward from the base 11. The fixed plate 35a is fixed to the base 11 using bolts (not shown). The lower part of the vertical plate 35b is formed integrally with the fixed plate 35a. A pair of mounting members 31a, 31b are fixed to the front of the vertical plate 35b using bolts. The water filter mounting plate 21a (see FIG. 1) is fixed to the upper part of the vertical plate 35b.

[0027] The broken nail portion 36 is an L-shaped member. The broken nail portion 36 has a horizontal plate 36a arranged horizontally with the base 11 (not shown), a vertical plate 36b standing vertically upward relative to the horizontal plate 36a, and a pressing member 36c provided on the upper part of the vertical plate 36b. The horizontal plate 36a is arranged at a predetermined height from the upper surface of the base 11 and is fixed to the front of the vertical plate 35b of the seat panel portion 35 using bolts (not shown). The lower part of the vertical plate 36b is fixed to the horizontal plate 36a using bolts. The pressing member 36c is an L-shaped member and is fixed to the upper part of the vertical plate 36b using bolts.

[0028] 4, the quantitative adjustment weight 37 is detachably attached to the tipping shaft 26 using a bolt (not shown). The weight 37 is made up of multiple metal washers, and the weight can be adjusted by changing the number of metal washers.

[0029] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the tipping bucket rain gauge 10 shown in Figure 4 with the pair of buckets 27a, 27b and the retaining member 36c removed from the main parts. As shown in Figure 5, the first bearing 28a is installed in the broken nail portion 36, and the second bearing 28b is installed in the seat plate portion 35. The broken nail portion 36 is the first installation portion where the first bearing 28a is installed. The seat plate portion 35 is the second installation portion where the second bearing 28b is installed.

[0030] The broken nail portion 36 serving as the first installation portion has a notch 36d at the tip (upper portion) of the vertical plate 36b, which opens in a first direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the axial direction of the tipping shaft 26. The notch 36d is formed in a U-shape.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the tipping bucket rain gauge 10 shown in Fig. 5 with the tipping shaft 26 removed from the main part. As shown in Fig. 6, the seat panel part 35 serving as the second installation part has a stepped part 35c recessed along a second direction (X-axis direction) parallel to the axial direction of the tipping shaft 26, and an oval through-hole 35d that penetrates a part of the stepped part 35c and extends along the first direction (Z-axis direction).

[0032] The other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 is inserted into the through-hole 35d, the first bearing 28a is fitted into the notch 36d, and the second bearing 28b is fitted into the stepped portion 35c (see FIG. 5). A pressing member 36c is provided to close the notch 36d, so that the first bearing 28a fitted into the notch 36d is pressed by the pressing member 36c (see FIG. 4). As a result, the tipping shaft 26 is rotatably supported by the support portion 23.

[0033] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the main components of the tipping bucket rain gauge 10, viewed from above on the rear side. As shown in Figure 7, a swinging arm 38 is attached to the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26, which protrudes from the through-hole 35d, on the rear side of the vertical plate 35b of the seat panel portion 35. The swinging arm 38 has its base end fixed to the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26, and swings left and right around the tipping shaft 26 each time the tipping bucket 22 tips. A magnetic body 39 is attached to the tip of the swinging arm 38. The magnetic body 39 is made of a magnet or the like.

[0034] A reed switch 41 is provided on the back surface of the vertical plate 35b of the seat panel portion 35. The reed switch 41 is located below the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 and is sensitive to a magnetic body 39 fixed to the tip of the swinging arm 38. When the tipping bucket 22 rotates once, the swinging arm 38 swings, and the reed switch 41 is sensitive to the magnetic body 39 attached to the tip of the swinging arm 38 and turns on and off once. Therefore, a pulse is generated from the reed switch 41 according to the number of times the tipping bucket 22 tips. The amount of precipitation can be measured by counting the pulses generated by the reed switch 41.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 8 , the swing arm 38 has a fixed block 44 fixed to the other end 26b (not shown) of the tipping shaft 26 and a fitting portion 45 that fits with the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26. In this embodiment, the fitting portion 45 is a hole that penetrates the fixed block 44, and the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 is inserted into the fitting portion 45. A pair of positioning protrusions 46 facing each other is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the fitting portion 45. The pair of positioning protrusions 46 contact a pair of positioning flat surfaces 42 provided on the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26. When the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 is fitted into the fitting portion 45, the pair of positioning protrusions 46 contact the pair of positioning flat surfaces 42, restricting rotation of the swing arm 38 around the tipping shaft 26.

[0036] A heater (not shown) is provided in the tipping bucket rain gauge 10. Heat from the heater is transferred to the tipping bucket 22 and the pair of drains 24a, 24b (described later). For example, by using the heater to raise the temperature of the air inside the tipping bucket rain gauge 10, it is possible to prevent the tipping bucket 22 and the pair of drains 24a, 24b from freezing.

[0037] The operation and function of the tipping bucket rain gauge 10 will now be described. The tipping bucket rain gauge 10 receives rainwater from the inlet 13a of the receiver 13. The rainwater received from the inlet 13a is collected in the filter 21. If the rainwater collected in the filter 21 contains sand or other dust, the dust settles to the bottom of the funnel 21b, and the rainwater passes through the pipe 21c and is guided to one of the pair of drains 27a and 27b that make up the tipping bucket 22. When a certain amount of rainwater accumulates in one of the drains 24a and 24b, the tipping bucket 22 tips over the tipping shaft 26 as a fulcrum, and the rainwater passes through one of the pair of drains 24a and 24b and is drained. At this time, the swing arm 38 swings around the tipping shaft 26, and the reed switch 41 reacts to the magnetic body 39 attached to the tip of the swing arm 38, generating a pulse from the reed switch 41. While the rain continues, the tipping bucket 22 repeatedly tips over and over again with the tipping shaft 26 as a fulcrum, and the reed switch 41 generates pulses according to the number of times it tips over.

[0038] As described above, the tipping bucket rain gauge 10 is provided with the bearing 28 on the tipping shaft 26, and simply by installing the bearing 28 on the support 23, the tipping shaft 26 can be rotatably attached to the support 23. In conventional tipping bucket rain gauges, the tightening of the bearing that supports the tipping shaft must be adjusted with high precision to prevent rattle of the tipping shaft, and assembly requires skilled techniques. In contrast, the tipping bucket rain gauge 10 is provided with the bearing 28 between the tipping shaft 26 and the support 23, allowing for easy assembly without requiring skilled labor. Furthermore, the tipping bucket rain gauge 10 uses the bearing 28 instead of a bearing made of an expensive material such as sapphire, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0039] The swing arm 38 has a fitting portion 45 that fits with the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26. By fitting the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 into the fitting portion 45, rotation of the swing arm 38 around the tipping shaft 26 is restricted. When assembling the tipping bucket-type rain gauge 10, the swing arm 38 can be easily positioned with respect to the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 simply by fitting the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 into the fitting portion 45 of the swing arm 38.

[0040] The bearing portion 28 has a first bearing 28a provided at one end 26a of the tipping shaft 26 and a second bearing 28b provided between the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 and the mounting portion 26c. The support portion 23 has a bent nail portion 36 serving as a first mounting portion where the first bearing 28a is mounted, and a seat plate portion 35 serving as a second mounting portion where the second bearing 28b is mounted. The tipping bucket-type rain gauge 10 does not use a bearing to support the tipping shaft 26, and is configured so that the tipping shaft 26 is supported on the support portion 23 by the first bearing 28a and the second bearing 28b, making assembly easier and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0041] A notch 36d is provided in the bent nail portion 36 serving as the first installation portion, and an oval through-hole 35d is provided in the seat panel portion 35 serving as the second installation portion (see FIG. 6). The notch 36d opens in a first direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the axial direction of the tipping shaft 26. The through-hole 35d has an oval shape extending in the same direction as the opening of the notch 36d, i.e., along the first direction (Z-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 9, when assembling the tipping bucket-type rain gauge 10, the tipping shaft 26 can be easily inserted into the through-hole 35d by tilting the tipping shaft 26 while lifting the tipping shaft 26a. After inserting the tipping shaft 26b into the through-hole 35d, the tipping shaft 26 can be easily installed in the support portion 23 by simply lowering the tipping shaft 26a.

[0042] When assembling the tipping bucket type rain gauge 10, the first bearing 28a can be easily positioned by simply fitting the first bearing 28a into the cutout portion 36d and then attaching the L-shaped pressing member 36c so as to close the cutout portion 36d.

[0043] 2. Second embodiment In the first embodiment, the support portion 23 has a broken nail portion 36 as a first installation portion and a seat panel portion 35 as a second installation portion. The other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 is inserted into a through hole 35d of the seat panel portion 35. The first bearing 28a is fitted into the notch 36d of the broken nail portion 36, and the second bearing 28b is fitted into the stepped portion 35c of the seat panel portion 35. The first bearing 28a is pressed by a pressing member 36c, so that the tipping shaft 26 is rotatably supported on the support portion 23 via the bearing portion 28. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the support portion differs from that of the first embodiment. The same components as in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a tipping bucket rain gauge 50 according to a second embodiment, viewed from above on the front side. FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the tipping bucket rain gauge 50, viewed from above on the rear side. FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view of the tipping bucket rain gauge 50 cut along the XZ plane. In FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, the tipping bucket rain gauge 50 includes a base 11, an outer cylinder 12 (not shown), a water receiver 13 (not shown), and a measuring unit 54. The measuring unit 54 includes a strainer 21 (not shown), a tipping bucket 22 (not shown), a support unit 63, a pair of drainers 24a and 24b, and a level 70.

[0045] Support portion 63 supports tipping bucket 22. Support portion 63 is provided on base 11. Support portion 63 has a back plate portion 64 attached to base 11, a pair of plate-like members 65, 66 attached to back plate portion 64 and arranged at a distance from each other, and a connecting member 67 connecting the pair of plate-like members 65, 66.

[0046] The back plate 64 has a fixed plate 64a fixed to the upper surface of the base 11 and a vertical plate 64b standing vertically upward from the base 11. Here, "vertical" is not limited to completely vertical, but also includes approximately vertical which can be considered to be substantially vertical. The fixed plate 64a is formed in a concave shape when viewed from above in the Z-axis direction, and is fixed to the base 11 using fastening members such as bolts and screws.

[0047] The vertical plate 64b is formed integrally with the fixed plate 64a and extends upward from the concave edge of the fixed plate 64a. A water filter mounting plate 21a is provided on the upper part of the vertical plate 64b. The water filter mounting plate 21a is formed in a concave shape that opens downward when viewed from the front side in the X direction in FIG. 10A. The vertical plate 64b is formed in a concave shape that opens upward when viewed from the front. The vertical plate 64b and the water filter mounting plate 21a are connected so that their openings face each other. In this embodiment, the vertical plate 64b and the water filter mounting plate 21a are formed integrally.

[0048] A pair of stoppers 32a, 32b are provided via a pair of mounting members 31a, 31b on the front surface of the vertical plate 64b of the back plate portion 64 (see FIG. 10A). A reed switch 41 is provided on the back surface of the vertical plate 64b of the back plate portion 64 (see FIG. 10B).

[0049] The pair of plate-shaped members 65, 66 are disposed between the pair of stoppers 32a, 32b. The plate-shaped member 65 is fixed to the front surface of the vertical plate 64b of the back plate portion 64 using a fastening member. The front surface of the plate-shaped member 65 faces the back surface of the plate-shaped member 66. The plate-shaped member 66 is provided with a positioning pin (not shown) at its lower end, and is positioned relative to the base 11 by inserting the positioning pin into a positioning hole (not shown) provided in the upper surface of the base 11. Alternatively, the plate-shaped member 66 may be positioned relative to the base 11 by providing a positioning hole at the lower end of the plate-shaped member 66, providing a positioning pin on the upper surface of the base 11, and inserting the positioning pin of the base 11 into the positioning hole of the plate-shaped member 66.

[0050] 10A to 10C, the connecting member 67 is formed in the shape of a triangular prism extending along the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, one end of the connecting member 67 is fixed to the plate-like member 66 using a fastening member, and the other end is formed integrally with the plate-like member 65.

[0051] The spirit level 70 measures whether the tipping axis 26 of the tipping bucket 22 is in a horizontal state. Here, "horizontal" is not limited to being completely horizontal, but also includes being approximately horizontal, which can be considered to be substantially horizontal. In this embodiment, a spirit level mounting base 71 is provided on the front side of the plate-like member 66, and the spirit level 70 is mounted on the spirit level mounting base 71. The spirit level 70 may be a known spirit level, and may be either an analog spirit level or a digital spirit level.

[0052] In the second embodiment, the tipping shaft 26 is configured to be rotatably supported on the support portion 63 via the bearing portion 28. The bearing portion 28 has a first bearing 28a and a second bearing 28b, similar to the first embodiment. The first bearing 28a and the second bearing 28b are configured, for example, with an annular inner ring and an annular outer ring that is rotatable relative to the inner ring. The first bearing 28a is mounted on a plate-shaped member 66, and the second bearing 28b is mounted on a plate-shaped member 65. The plate-shaped member 66 is a first mounting portion on which the first bearing 28a is mounted. The plate-shaped member 65 is a second mounting portion on which the second bearing 28b is mounted.

[0053] Fig. 11 is a front view of the first installation portion (plate-shaped member 66). As shown in Fig. 11, the plate-shaped member 66 serving as the first installation portion has a first cutout 66a that opens in a first direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the axial direction of the tipping shaft 26, and a pressing member 66b that is provided so as to be able to close the first cutout 66a. The first bearing 28a is installed in the first cutout 66a.

[0054] The first cutout 66a is provided at the tip (upper portion) of the plate-like member 66. The first cutout 66a is formed in a C-shape when viewed from the front. The width of the opening of the first cutout 66a in the first direction (Z-axis direction) is set to a dimension that prevents the first bearing 28a from being inserted, but allows the intermediate portion 26d (see FIG. 14) of the tipping shaft 26, which will be described later, to be inserted. Specifically, the width of the opening of the first cutout 66a is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer ring of the first bearing 28a, but is larger than the diameter of the intermediate portion 26d of the tipping shaft 26. The width of the opening of the first cutout 66a is the length in a third direction (Y-axis direction) that is perpendicular to the first direction (Z-axis direction) and the second direction (X-axis direction).

[0055] When the first bearing 28a is fitted into the first cutout 66a, the inner peripheral surface of the first cutout 66a comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring of the first bearing 28a. The first cutout 66a limits the movement of the first bearing 28a in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0056] The pressing member 66b is provided on the front surface of the plate-shaped member 66. The pressing member 66b closes at least a portion of the front side of the first cutout 66a. When the first bearing 28a is fitted into the first cutout 66a, the rear end face of the pressing member 66b abuts against the front end face of the outer ring of the first bearing 28a fitted into the first cutout 66a. The pressing member 66b restricts movement of the first bearing 28a fitted into the first cutout 66a toward the front side (the front side of the paper in FIG. 11). In this way, the first bearing 28a fitted into the first cutout 66a is pressed by the pressing member 66b.

[0057] The pressing member 66b is composed of a fastening member such as a bolt or a screw. The pressing member 66b as a fastening member is composed of a threaded portion with a male thread formed on its outer circumferential surface and a head portion provided at one end of the threaded portion. The plate-shaped member 66 has a threaded hole (not shown) with a female thread formed on its inner circumferential surface. The pressing member 66b can be tightened or loosened by threading the threaded portion into the threaded hole. The head portion of the pressing member 66b is formed in a cylindrical shape in FIG. 11. The diameter of the head portion is set to a dimension that allows the head portion to close at least a portion of the front side of the first cutout portion 66a when the pressing member 66b is tightened. Note that the head portion of the pressing member 66b is not limited to being formed in a cylindrical shape and may be formed in a polygonal prism shape. If the head portion is formed in a polygonal prism shape, the diameter of the head portion is the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the head portion.

[0058] 11, the retaining member 66b is configured as a screw with a cross-shaped slit formed on the top surface of the head that can be engaged with the tip of a Phillips head screwdriver, but is not limited to this and may be configured as, for example, a knurled screw with multiple grooves formed on the outer periphery of the head. When a knurled screw is used as the retaining member 66b, when assembling or disassembling the tipping bucket rain gauge 50 for maintenance or the like, the worker can tighten or loosen the retaining member 66b by hand without using a tool such as a screwdriver.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the pressing member 66b is configured to be displaceable between a closed position where it closes the first notch 66a and an open position where it opens the first notch 66a. FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the pressing member 66b is in the closed position. The pressing member 66b, which is made of a fastening member, can be placed in the closed position by fastening it. When the pressing member 66b is in the closed position, the end face on the back side (right side of the drawing) abuts against the front face of the plate-shaped member 66. FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the pressing member 66b is in the open position. When the pressing member 66b, which is made of a fastening member, is loosened, the end face on the back side (right side of the drawing) of the pressing member 66b can be placed in the open position. When the pressing member 66b is in the open position, the end face on the back side (right side of the drawing) is separated from the front face of the plate-shaped member 66.

[0060] Fig. 13 is a front view of the second installation portion (plate-shaped member 65). As shown in Fig. 13, the plate-shaped member 65 serving as the second installation portion has a second notch 65a that opens in a first direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the axial direction of the tilting shaft 26, and a stepped portion 65b that is connected to the second notch 65a and recessed along a second direction (X-axis direction) parallel to the axial direction of the tilting shaft 26. The second bearing 28b is installed in the stepped portion 65b.

[0061] The second cutout 65a is provided at the tip (upper portion) of the plate-like member 65. The second cutout 65a is formed in a U-shape when viewed from the front. The width of the opening of the second cutout 65a in the first direction (Z-axis direction) is set to a dimension that prevents the second bearing 28b from being inserted, but allows the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 to be inserted. Specifically, the width of the opening of the second cutout 65a is smaller than the outer diameter of the outer ring of the second bearing 28b, and is larger than the major axis of the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26. The width of the opening of the second cutout 65a is the length in a third direction (Y-axis direction) that is perpendicular to the first direction (Z-axis direction) and the second direction (X-axis direction).

[0062] The step portion 65b is provided on the tip (upper portion) of the plate-shaped member 65, closer to the front than the second cutout portion 65a. The step portion 65b is formed in a C-shape when viewed from the front. The diameter of the step portion 65b is set to a dimension that allows the second bearing 28b to be inserted. It is preferable that the diameter of the step portion 65b is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the outer ring of the second bearing 28b. The diameter of the step portion 65b here means the diameter of an imaginary circle whose circumference is the C-shaped arc.

[0063] When the second bearing 28b is fitted into the stepped portion 65b, the inner peripheral surface of the stepped portion 65b abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring of the second bearing 28b, and the end face of the stepped portion 65b (the face on the back side of the paper in FIG. 13) abuts against the end face on the back side of the outer ring of the second bearing 28b. The stepped portion 65b restricts the movement of the second bearing 28b fitted into the stepped portion 65b in the up and down directions, the left and right directions, and the back side (the back side of the paper in FIG. 13).

[0064] The procedure for attaching the tipping shaft 26 to the support portion 63 during assembly of the tipping bucket-type rain gauge 50 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 14 , the retaining member 66b is loosened to the open position, and the middle portion 26d of the tipping shaft 26 is positioned above the opening of the first notch 66a, and the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 is positioned above the opening of the second notch 65a. The middle portion 26d of the tipping shaft 26 is the portion between the one end 26a of the tipping shaft 26 and the mounting portion 26c, and is formed in a cylindrical shape in this embodiment. The diameter of the middle portion 26d is set to be larger than the diameter of the one end 26a and the inner diameter of the inner ring of the first bearing 28a, but smaller than the inner diameter of the outer ring of the first bearing 28a. When the first bearing 28a is inserted into the one end 26a, the middle portion 26d is configured to abut against the end face on the back side of the inner ring of the first bearing 28a but not against the end face on the back side of the outer ring of the first bearing 28a. A pair of boxes 27a, 27b are attached to the tipping shaft 26. In Figure 14, of the pair of boxes 27a, 27b, box 27b is visible, and box 27a is hidden at the back of the page.

[0065] Next, the tipping shaft 26 is moved downward as shown in Fig. 15. The middle portion 26d of the tipping shaft 26 is inserted into the first notch 66a, and the other end 26b is inserted into the second notch 65a.

[0066] 16, tipping shaft 26 is moved toward the rear side (right side of the page) of tipping bucket-type rain gauge 50, and the rear end face of the outer ring of second bearing 28b is brought into contact with the front end face of stepped portion 65b. First bearing 28a is fitted into first cutout portion 66a, and second bearing 28b is fitted into stepped portion 65b.

[0067] Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the pressing member 66b is tightened to the closed position. In the plate-shaped member 66 serving as the first installation portion, the inner peripheral surface of the first notch 66a abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring of the first bearing 28a, and the end face on the back side (right side of the drawing) of the pressing member 66b abuts against the end face on the front side of the outer ring of the first bearing 28a. In the plate-shaped member 65 serving as the second installation portion, the inner peripheral surface of the stepped portion 65b abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring of the second bearing 28b, and the end face of the stepped portion 65b abuts against the end face on the back side of the outer ring of the second bearing 28b. In this way, the tipping shaft 26 can be rotatably attached to the support portion 63.

[0068] The procedure for removing the tipping shaft 26 from the support part 63 during disassembly of the tipping bucket-type rain gauge 50 will be described below. First, the retaining member 66b is loosened to the open position. Next, the tipping shaft 26 is moved toward the front of the tipping bucket-type rain gauge 50, and the middle part 26d of the tipping shaft 26 is positioned below the opening of the first notch 66a, and the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 is positioned below the opening of the second notch 65a. By moving the tipping shaft 26 upward, the middle part 26d is removed from the first notch 66a, and the other end 26b is removed from the second notch 65a. In this manner, the tipping shaft 26 can be removed from the support part 63.

[0069] The tipping bucket rain gauge 50 according to the second embodiment includes a support portion 63 instead of the support portion 23 of the tipping bucket rain gauge 10 according to the first embodiment. The support portion 63 includes a plate-shaped member 66 as a first installation portion and a plate-shaped member 65 as a second installation portion. The plate-shaped member 66 includes a first notch 66a that opens in a first direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the axial direction of the tipping shaft 26, and a retaining member 66b that is provided to close the first notch 66a. The plate-shaped member 65 includes a second notch 65a that opens in the first direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tipping shaft 26, and a stepped portion 65b that is recessed along a second direction (X-axis direction) parallel to the axial direction of the tipping shaft 26. The retaining member 66b is configured to be displaceable between an open position that opens the first notch 66a and a closed position that closes the first notch 66a. By placing the retaining member 66b in the open position, the first bearing 28a can be installed in the first notch 66a, and the second bearing 28b can be installed in the stepped portion 65b. By placing the retaining member 66b in the closed position, the first bearing 28a can be rotatably installed in the first notch 66a, and the second bearing 28b can be rotatably installed in the stepped portion 65b. In this way, the tipping bucket rain gauge 50 can be easily assembled without requiring any skill, because the tipping shaft 26 can be rotatably installed relative to the support portion 63 simply by installing the bearing portion 28 in the support portion 63. Furthermore, the tipping bucket rain gauge 50 uses the bearing portion 28 instead of a bearing made of an expensive material such as sapphire, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0070] In the tipping bucket rain gauge 50, the retaining member 66b is configured as a fastening member, so that the tipping shaft 26 can be easily attached to and detached from the support part 63 simply by tightening and loosening the retaining member 66b. If the retaining member 66b is configured as a knurled screw, the tipping shaft 26 can be easily attached to and detached from the support part 63 without the need for tools.

[0071] The holding member 66b is not limited to being a fastening member, but may be a leaf spring-like member that is elastically deformable in a second direction parallel to the axial direction of the tipping shaft 26. When the holding member 66b is a leaf spring-like member, the holding member 66b can be set to the open position by elastically deforming in one direction of the second direction, and to the closed position by elastically deforming in the other direction of the second direction. The one direction of the second direction is the direction in which the tip of the holding member 66b moves away from the first notch 66a. The other direction of the second direction is the direction in which the tip of the holding member 66b moves closer to the first notch 66a. When the holding member 66b is in the closed position, which is the initial state, the operator can grasp the tip of the holding member 66b in the initial state with the fingers of the hand and elastically deform the holding member 66b in one direction of the second direction to set the holding member 66b to the open position. The pressing member 66b in the open position can be returned to the closed position (that is, the initial state) by elastically deforming it in the other direction of the second direction.

[0072] Although the second installation portion is a plate-shaped member 65 in the second embodiment, the seat panel 35 of the first embodiment may also be used. When assembling a tipping bucket-type rain gauge 50 including the seat panel 35 as the second installation portion, first, loosen the retaining member 66b to the open position, and then insert the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 into the through-hole 35d of the seat panel 35 while lifting and tilting the one end 26a of the tipping shaft 26. Next, lower the one end 26a of the tipping shaft 26, and insert the middle portion 26d of the tipping shaft 26 into the first notch 66a. Next, move the tipping shaft 26 toward the back of the tipping bucket-type rain gauge 50 until the rear end face of the outer ring of the second bearing 28b abuts against the front end face of the stepped portion 35c of the seat panel 35. As a result, the first bearing 28a is fitted into the first cutout portion 66a, and the second bearing 28b is fitted into the stepped portion 35c. Then, the pressing member 66b is tightened to the closed position. Note that disassembly can be performed by reversing the assembly procedure.

[0073] 3. Third embodiment In the second embodiment, the first bearing 28a is rotatably attached to the first notch 66a by displacing the pressing member 66b between the open position and the closed position. In the third embodiment, the first bearing is rotatably attached to the first notch by elastically deforming the first notch. The same components as those in the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0074] Fig. 18A is a perspective view of a tipping bucket rain gauge 100 according to the third embodiment, viewed from above on the front side. Fig. 18B is a perspective view of a tipping bucket rain gauge 100 according to the third embodiment, viewed from above on the back side. In Figs. 18A and 18B, the tipping bucket rain gauge 100 includes a base 11, an outer cylinder 12 (not shown), a water receiver 13 (not shown), and a measuring unit 104. The measuring unit 104 includes a strainer 21 (not shown), a tipping bucket 22 (not shown), a support unit 113, a pair of drainers 24a and 24b, and a level 70.

[0075] Support portion 113 supports tipping bucket 22. Support portion 113 is provided on base 11. Support portion 113 has a back plate portion 64 attached to base 11, a pair of plate-like members 65, 116 attached to back plate portion 64 and arranged at a distance from each other, and a connecting member 67 connecting the pair of plate-like members 65, 116.

[0076] In the third embodiment, the tipping shaft 26 is configured to be rotatably supported on the support portion 113 via the bearing portion 28. The bearing portion 28 has a first bearing 28a and a second bearing 28b, similar to the first embodiment, with the first bearing 28a mounted on the plate-shaped member 116 and the second bearing 28b mounted on the plate-shaped member 65. The plate-shaped member 116 is a first mounting portion on which the first bearing 28a is mounted. The plate-shaped member 65 is a second mounting portion on which the second bearing 28b is mounted.

[0077] Fig. 19 is a front view of the first installation portion (plate-shaped member 116). Fig. 20 is a rear view of the first installation portion (plate-shaped member 116). As shown in Figs. 19 and 20, the plate-shaped member 116 serving as the first installation portion has a first cutout 116a that opens in a first direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the axial direction of the tipping shaft 26, and a pressing member 116b that is provided so as to be able to close the first cutout 116a. A first bearing 28a is installed in the first cutout 116a.

[0078] The first cutout 116a is provided at the tip (top) of the plate-like member 116. The first cutout 116a is C-shaped in rear view when viewed from the rear side in the X direction. The width of the opening of the first cutout 116a in the first direction (Z-axis direction) is set to a dimension slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the outer ring of the first bearing 28a.

[0079] The first cutout 116a is made of an elastic material such as resin or metal, and is configured to be elastically deformable in a first direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the axial direction of the inversion shaft 26 and a third direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to a second direction (X-axis direction) parallel to the axial direction of the inversion shaft 26.

[0080] The procedure for attaching the tipping shaft 26 to the support part 113 in the assembly work of the tipping bucket rain gauge 100 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 21, the first bearing 28a is placed above the opening of the first cutout part 116a in the first direction. Next, as shown in FIG. 22, the first bearing 28a is moved downward so that it abuts against the edge of the opening of the first cutout part 116a. The first bearing 28a is then moved further downward so that it is pressed into the opening of the first cutout part 116a. As the first bearing 28a moves downward, the edge of the opening of the first cutout part 116a rubs against the outer peripheral surface of the first bearing 28a, causing it to elastically deform in the third direction (Y-axis direction). When the first bearing 28a is moved further downward and the outermost diameter portion of the first bearing 28a passes the edge of the opening of the first cutout 116a, the elastically deformed first cutout 116a returns to its original shape due to its elastic restoring force as the edge of the opening rubs against the outer circumferential surface of the first bearing 28a. As a result, the first bearing 28a is inserted (fitted) into the first cutout 116a, as shown in Figure 23. The first cutout 116a exerts an elastic force that holds the first bearing 28a therein.

[0081] The procedure for removing the tipping shaft 26 from the support part 113 during disassembly of the tipping bucket rain gauge 100 will be described. First, the first bearing 28a inserted (fitted) in the first cutout 116a is moved upward. As the first bearing 28a moves upward, the edge of the opening of the first cutout 116a rubs against the outer circumferential surface of the first bearing 28a, causing elastic deformation in the third direction (Y-axis direction). When the first bearing 28a is further moved upward and the outermost diameter portion of the first bearing 28a passes the edge of the opening of the first cutout 116a, the elastically deformed first cutout 116a returns to its original shape due to elastic restoring force, while the edge of the opening rubs against the outer circumferential surface of the first bearing 28a. This removes the first bearing 28a from the first cutout 116a.

[0082] In the tipping bucket type rain gauge 100 of the third embodiment, the first cutout portion 116a is configured to be elastically deformable, so that the first bearing 28a can be easily inserted into or removed from the first cutout portion 116a simply by pushing the first bearing 28a into or pulling the first bearing 28a out of the opening of the first cutout portion 116a, and the tipping shaft 26 can be easily attached and detached to or from the support portion 63.

[0083] Although the third embodiment uses a plate-shaped member 65 as the second installation portion, the seat panel 35 of the first embodiment may also be used. When assembling a tipping bucket-type rain gauge 100 including the seat panel 35 as the second installation portion, first, one end 26a of the tipping shaft 26 is raised and tilted, while the other end 26b of the tipping shaft 26 is inserted into the through-hole 35d of the seat panel 35. Next, the first bearing 28a is moved downward so that it abuts against the edge of the opening of the first cutout 116a. The first bearing 28a is further moved downward and pressed into the opening of the first cutout 116a. As a result, the first bearing 28a is inserted (engaged) into the first cutout 116a, and the second bearing 28b is engaged in the stepped portion 35c of the seat panel 35. Disassembly can be performed by reversing the assembly procedure.

[0084] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0085] Each component of the tipping bucket rain gauge 10, 50, 100 is positioned with high precision by fitting a positioning pin into a positioning hole. For example, one or more positioning pins are provided on the pair of mounting members 31a, 31b, and one or more positioning holes are provided on the vertical plate 35b. When assembling the tipping bucket rain gauge 10, 50, 100, the pair of mounting members 31a, 31b can be easily positioned by fitting the positioning pins of the pair of mounting members 31a, 31b into the positioning holes in the vertical plate 35b. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 10, 50, 100 Tipping bucket type rain gauge 22 Tip-over bucket 23, 63, 113 Support part 26 Tipping axis 26a one end 26b other end 26c Mounting part 27a, 27b Pair of squares 28 Bearing section 28a First bearing 28b Second bearing 35 Seat board section (second installation section) 35c step 35d through hole 36 Nail section (first installation section) 36c Pressing member 36d Notch 38 Swing arm 45 Fitting part 65 Plate-shaped member (second installation portion) 65a Second notch 65b Step 66 Plate-shaped member (first installation portion) 66a First notch 66b Pressing member 116 Plate-shaped member (first installation portion) 116a first notch 116b Pressing member

Claims

1. A tipping bucket having a tipping axis and a pair of buckets symmetrically arranged around the tipping axis, A support portion supporting the tipping bucket; a bearing portion provided between the tipping shaft and the support portion; The tipping box has a swing arm that swings every time the tipping box falls, The swing arm has a fitting portion that fits with the tipping shaft, The tilting shaft has one end provided on one side in the axial direction and another end provided on the other side in the axial direction, The other end of the tipping shaft has a positioning plane, The fitting portion of the swing arm has a positioning protrusion that comes into contact with the positioning plane, A tipping bucket type rain gauge in which the other end of the tipping shaft is fitted into the fitting portion, causing the positioning protrusion to come into contact with the positioning plane and limiting the rotation of the oscillating arm around the tipping shaft.

2. The tipping shaft has a mounting portion between the one end and the other end to which the pair of plates are attached, The bearing portion includes a first bearing provided at the one end of the tipping shaft and a second bearing provided between the other end of the tipping shaft and the mounting portion, 2. The tipping bucket rain gauge according to claim 1, wherein the support portion has a first mounting portion on which the first bearing is mounted and a second mounting portion on which the second bearing is mounted.

3. A tipping bucket having a tipping axis and a pair of buckets arranged symmetrically around the tipping axis, A support portion supporting the tipping bucket; a bearing portion provided between the tipping axis and the support portion, The tipping shaft has a mounting portion between one end and the other end in the axial direction to which the pair of butts are attached, The bearing portion includes a first bearing provided at the one end of the tipping shaft and a second bearing provided between the other end of the tipping shaft and the mounting portion, the support portion has a first mounting portion on which the first bearing is mounted and a second mounting portion on which the second bearing is mounted; the first installation portion has a notch portion that opens in a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tipping shaft, the second installation portion has a stepped portion recessed along a second direction parallel to the axial direction, and an oval through-hole penetrating a portion of the stepped portion and extending along the first direction, A tipping bucket rain gauge in which the other end of the tipping shaft is inserted into the through hole, the first bearing is fitted into the cutout portion, and the second bearing is fitted into the stepped portion.

4. the first installation portion has an L-shaped pressing member provided to close the notch, 4. The tipping bucket rain gauge according to claim 3, wherein the first bearing fitted in the notch is pressed by the pressing member.

5. A tipping bucket having a tipping axis and a pair of buckets arranged symmetrically around the tipping axis, A support portion supporting the tipping bucket; a bearing portion provided between the tipping axis and the support portion, The tipping shaft has a mounting portion between one end and the other end in the axial direction to which the pair of butts are attached, The bearing portion includes a first bearing provided at the one end of the tipping shaft and a second bearing provided between the other end of the tipping shaft and the mounting portion, the support portion has a first mounting portion on which the first bearing is mounted and a second mounting portion on which the second bearing is mounted; The first installation portion has a first notch portion that opens in a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tipping shaft, and a pressing member that is provided so as to be able to close the first notch portion, the second installation portion has a second notch portion that opens in the first direction and a step portion that is connected to the second notch portion and is recessed along a second direction that is parallel to the axial direction, A tipping bucket type rain gauge in which the first bearing is fitted into the first notch, the other end of the tipping shaft is inserted into the second notch, and the second bearing is fitted into the step portion.

6. The tipping bucket rain gauge according to claim 5, wherein the pressing member is configured to be displaceable between a closing position in which the first cutout portion is closed and an opening position in which the first cutout portion is open.

7. 7. The tipping bucket rain gauge according to claim 6, wherein the pressing member is formed of a fastening member.

8. 8. The tipping bucket rain gauge according to claim 7, wherein the pressing member is formed of a knurled screw.

9. The tipping bucket rain gauge according to claim 5 , wherein the first cutout portion is configured to be elastically deformable in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

Images