Coupling structure in pressure sensor

Abstract

The present invention provides a connection structure for a pressure detection device that enables connection and disconnection by means of a connecting mechanism installed in each of the sensor unit and the conduit unit through simple operation, and enables this with a single touch. The unit (20) has an insertion member (22), and a pressure sensing part is fixed downward in the center. An inner annular wall (22a) is formed on the outer edge, and the outer surface of the inner annular wall (22a) is a polyhedron having a plurality of facets (22b), and a locking projection (22d) protrudes outward from the outer surface. In the unit (30), a receiving member (32) for receiving an insertion member (22) is installed, and a thin film portion (31) and a tubular body (33) are installed in the receiving member (32). An outer ring wall (32a) is formed on the outer edge, and a flat portion (32b) that contacts the face (22b) is formed on the inner wall. Additionally, a notch portion (32c) is formed to allow a locking projection (22d) to be inserted from above, and a locking portion (32d) is extended from the notch portion (32c) to prevent the inserted locking projection (22d) from coming out after rotation. By connecting the units (20, 30) through rotation, the pressure sensing part comes into contact with the thin film part (31), and the pressure of the liquid can be detected.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure of a pressure detection device for detecting fluid pressure, for example, within a pipeline. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, a pressure detection device is known for detecting the pressure of a liquid by connecting a sensor unit having a pressure sensing part to a pipe unit in which a flow path is formed for introducing a liquid such as a chemical solution.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the sensor unit and the conduit unit are connected using multiple screws.

[0004] In addition, in Patent Document 2, the connection and separation of the sensor unit and the conduit unit are performed almost with one touch by interposing a connecting member, which is a third member that becomes part of the connection structure. Prior art literature

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. JP 2017-227525 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Publication No. 10962158 The problem to be solved

[0006] However, according to the configuration of Patent Document 1, the sensor unit and the conduit unit must be connected and disconnected using multiple screws, which requires a great deal of effort. In addition, since the space between the sensor unit and the conduit unit must be sealed, it is impossible to connect and disconnect while fluid is flowing.

[0007] Meanwhile, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, the operation of connecting and disconnecting is easier than in the case of Patent Document 1, and connection is possible even when fluid is flowing, but a large-scale connecting member, which is a third member, is required for connecting and disconnecting. In addition, there are cases where a part of the connecting member protrudes outward, and there is a risk that the connection may be released as another member gets caught on this connecting member and the connecting member moves.

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problem and to provide a connection structure for a pressure detection device that enables connection and disconnection by means of a connecting mechanism installed on each of the sensor unit and the pipeline unit through simple operation, and makes this possible with a single touch. means of solving the problem

[0009] The connection structure of a pressure detection device according to the present invention comprises a sensor unit and a measurement unit that is detachably connected to the sensor unit and contains a measurement target, and is a connection structure of a pressure detection device that performs connection and separation by rotating the sensor unit and the measurement unit relatively in a circumferential direction. The sensor unit comprises an insertion member that is approximately disc-shaped, a pressure sensing part disposed in the center of the insertion member, an inner annular wall formed on the outer edge of the insertion member, and a locking projection protruding from the outer surface of the inner annular wall. The measurement unit comprises a receiving member into which the insertion member is inserted, a thin film part installed on the receiving member, the back surface of which contacts the measurement target and the surface of which contacts the pressure sensing part, and an outer annular wall formed on the periphery of the receiving member. A notch corresponding to the locking projection is formed on the outer annular wall, and a locking part extends from the notch in the rotational direction of the receiving member. The locking projection of the sensor unit is connected to the notch of the measurement unit. After insertion, the sensor unit and the unit to be measured are rotated to move the locking projection to the locking portion and engage, thereby connecting the sensor unit and the unit to be measured, and a flat portion is formed on the inner wall of the outer annular wall of the unit to be measured, and on the outer surface of the inner annular wall of the sensor unit, a first polyhedron that contacts the flat portion before the sensor unit and the unit to be measured are rotated relative to each other, and a second polyhedron that is adjacent to the first polyhedron and contacts the flat portion after the sensor unit and the unit to be measured are rotated. Effects of the invention

[0010] The present invention enables the connection and disconnection of a sensor unit and a conduit unit through simple operation without requiring a separate component as a connecting member. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pressure detection device of an embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sensor unit and the conduit unit before connection. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the sensor unit seen from below. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor unit. Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the main part of the sensor unit. Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of the main part of the conduit unit. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the insertion member of the sensor unit is inserted into the receiving member. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the state during rotation for connecting the insertion member to the receiving member of the conduit unit. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the insertion member and the receiving member in a connected state. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0012] The present invention will be described in detail below by way of illustrated embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connection state between the sensor unit (20) and the pipe unit (30) of the pressure detection device (10), FIG. 2 is a perspective view before connection, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sensor unit (20) viewed from below, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor unit (20).

[0014] The pressure detection device (10) is composed of a sensor unit (20) used in connection and a pipe unit (30) which is a unit to be measured. The sensor unit (20) is equipped with a pressure sensing part (21) for detecting the pressure of a liquid flowing through the pipe unit (30), and the pipe unit (30) is equipped with a thin film part (31) for transmitting the pressure of the liquid to the pressure sensing part (21). Additionally, the sensor unit (20) and the pipe unit (30) are superimposed on each other so that they can be connected and separated by relative rotation.

[0015] The sensor unit (20) has an insert member (22) made of synthetic resin that is approximately disc-shaped, and a cylindrical pressure sensing member (21) is inserted downwardly into the center of the insert member (22) perpendicular to the plate surface, and is fixed to the insert member (22) by screw coupling with a hexagonal member (23) through an O-ring not shown for sealing. The pressure sensing member (21) is composed of a metal cylindrical body (24), a flexible plate (25) made of, for example, metal and having flexibility installed at the top of the cylindrical body (24), and a strain gauge not shown attached to the inner surface of the flexible plate (25). The rear part of the cylindrical body (24) is covered by a cover member (26), and the output of the strain gauge is connected to an external device through a lead wire (27) drawn from the cover member (26). Based on the resistance value of the strain gauge obtained from the outside through the lead wire (27), the pressure value of the liquid on the side of the conduit unit (30) applied to the flexible plate (25) can be detected.

[0016] As shown in the schematic plan view of the main part of the sensor unit (20) of FIG. 5, a thick inner annular wall (22a) is formed on the outer edge of the insertion member (22), and the outer surface of the inner annular wall (22a) is, for example, a polyhedron having 12 faces (22b), a regular dodecahedron with an angle of 30° centered on the center point (C). In addition, the polyhedron is preferably a multiple of 6, and, for example, a regular octahedron with an angle of 20° may be adopted.

[0017] The radius from the center point (C) of the inner annular wall (22a) to the corner part (22c) of the polygon, which is the maximum radius, is R, and the radius from the center point (C) to the center of the face (22b) is r, which is slightly smaller than R.

[0018] Additionally, from the lower part of any position on the outer surface of the inner annular wall (22a), for example, three thin locking protrusions (22d) are protruded outwardly in a claw shape at equal intervals of 120°. On the upper edge surface of these locking protrusions (22d), an inclined surface (22e) is formed to facilitate insertion into the locking part described later during rotation. Additionally, on the annular upper surface of the inner annular wall (22a), for example, six operating grooves (22f) are formed at equal intervals facing the radial direction.

[0019] Meanwhile, as shown in the schematic plan view of the main part of the pipe unit (30) in FIG. 6, the pipe unit (30) is provided with a circular, plate-shaped receiving member (32) made of synthetic resin to rotatably receive the insertion member (22) of the sensor unit (20), and a pipe body (33) through which a liquid to be pressure measured flows is fixed to the lower part of the receiving member (32). One end of the pipe body (33) is a fluid inlet (33a), and the other end is a fluid outlet (33b). A circular hole (34) is formed in the center of the receiving member (32) into which the tip of the pressure sensing part (21) of the sensor unit (20) is inserted, and a flexible thin film part (31) made of a diaphragm that seals a part of the pipe body (33) is disposed at the bottom of the circular hole (34).

[0020] Additionally, on the outer edge of the receiving member (32), a thick outer annular wall (32a) is formed, with an inner wall radius R from the center point (C). Inside the outer annular wall (32a), the inner annular wall (22a) of the insertion member (22) is rotatably inserted, and in a part of the inner wall of the outer annular wall (32a), one or more planar sections (32b) are installed so as to be in contact with the face (22b) of the inner annular wall (22a) when the insertion member (22) is inserted, and the radius from the center point (C) of these planar sections (32b) is r, which is equal to the radius of the face (22b).

[0021] Additionally, on the outer annular wall (32a), three notches (32c) are formed correspondingly so that three locking protrusions (22d) of the inner annular wall (22a) can be inserted from above. At the lower part of the notches (32c), a locking part (32d) indicated by a dotted line having an overhang is formed continuously on the notches (32c) to allow the inserted locking protrusions (22d) to rotate in at least one circumferential direction, for example, to the right, and to prevent the locking protrusions (22d) from coming out upward after rotation.

[0022] In addition, for example, four retaining members (35) are installed on the side of the pipe body (33), and by using these retaining members (35), the pipe unit (30) can be fixed to a predetermined location or stably aligned and arranged for storage, etc.

[0023] In this way, in order to make the insertion member (22) insertable into the outer ring wall (32a) of the receiving member (32), the radius of the outer surface of the insertion member (22) and the radius of the inner wall of the outer ring wall (32a) are both set to R, and the radius of the flat portion (32b) of the receiving member (32) and the radius of the opposing face (22b) of the polyhedron of the insertion member (22) are both set to r.

[0024] For example, the approximate dimensions of this pressure detection device (10) are, for instance, the maximum radius R of the outer surface of the inner annular wall (22a) and the radius R of the inner wall of the outer annular wall (32a) are both about 20 mm, and the radius of the outer edge of the outer annular wall (32a) is about 25 mm.

[0025] In order to make this pressure detection device (10) measurable, the sensor unit (20) and the pipe unit (30) are assembled and used by connecting them. That is, when the inner annular wall (22a) of the sensor unit (20) is positioned inside the outer annular wall (32a) of the pipe unit (30) and connected in an overlapping manner, the pressure sensing part (21) is inserted into the circular hole (34), and the flexible plate (25) at the tip of the pressure sensing part (21) comes into contact with the thin film part (31) at the bottom of the circular hole (34), thereby enabling the pressure of the liquid flowing inside the pipe (33) to be detected.

[0026] In connection, the insertion member (22) of the sensor unit (20) is fitted into the receiving member (32) of the conduit unit (30). That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer surface of the inner annular wall (22a) of the insertion member (22) is inserted into the inner wall of the outer annular wall (32a) of the receiving member (32). Since the radius of the inner annular wall (22a) and the radius of the inner diameter of the outer annular wall (32a) are both R, this insertion is possible.

[0027] However, since a flat portion (32b) with radius r is installed on a part of the inner wall of the outer ring wall (32a), if the corner portion (22c) with radius R of the inner ring wall (22a) coincides with this flat portion (32b), insertion is not possible because R > r. Accordingly, insertion is performed by finding the relative rotational position of the inner ring wall (22a) and the outer ring wall (32a) so that the face (22b) comes into contact with the flat portion (32b). The locking projection (22d) is designed to be inserted into the notch portion (32c) from above in such an insertable positional relationship.

[0028] In this way, with the stopper projection (22d) inserted into the notch portion (32c) from above, for connection, two ends of an unillustrated Y-shaped operating tool are connected to the operating groove (22f) installed on the upper surface of the inner annular wall (22a), and the sensor unit (20) is rotated to the right relative to the conduit unit (30) as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7. For this rotation, the radius from the center point (C) of the corner portion (22c) of the inner annular wall (22a) is R, and it must pass through a flat portion (32b) with a radius r smaller than that, and there is a large resistance to this rotation.

[0029] However, when the sensor unit (20) is rotated to the right with a strong force relative to the conduit unit (30), as shown in FIG. 8, the flat portion (32b) is pushed outward and widened by the pressure exerted by the edge portion (22c) of the polyhedral face, allowing the edge portion (22c) to pass over the flat portion (32b). After passing through the edge portion (22c), the flat portion (32b) is restored to its original flat shape, and the flat portion (32b) comes into contact with the adjacent new second polyhedron (22b") from the first polyhedron (22b') that was in contact until then. This rotation angle is 30° when the polyhedron is a dodecahedron, and this rotation provides a click sensation due to the restoration of the flat portion (32b), and a reliable connection is established without individual differences among the operator.

[0030] As described above, the rotational operation of the sensor unit (20) was explained using an unillustrated operating tool, but it is also possible to place an unillustrated protective covering having the aforementioned rotational operation function on the outer side of the cover member (26).

[0031] At the bottom of a protective covering made of synthetic resin or the like, a plurality of convex parts protrude to be fitted into an operating groove (22f), and by fitting the plurality of convex parts into the operating groove (22f) of the protective covering mounted so as to be rotatable around a lead wire (27), it is possible to rotate the sensor unit (20) without using the aforementioned operating tool.

[0032] In this way, the catch projection (22d) moves to the right where the notch portion (32c) is extended, and catches on the catch portion (32d), and the sensor unit (20) is connected to the conduit unit (30) and becomes usable.

[0033] To disconnect the connection between the sensor unit (20) and the conduit unit (30), the sensor unit (20) is rotated to the left, opposite to the direction of connection, so that the corner portion (22c) passes over the flat portion (32b) using the aforementioned operating tool, and the locking projection (22d) is pulled upward from the notch portion (32c). Since a strong force is required for this rotation, there is no risk of the connection being separated due to unintended rotation.

[0034] Although the rotation of the sensor unit (20) can be configured to allow connection in either the left or right direction, as in the embodiment, it is preferable to limit the rotation direction of the locking projection (22d) by connecting the locking part (32d) to the notch part (32c) only in the case of right rotation, for example, and separating it when it rotates to the left.

[0035] In addition, in the embodiment, the outer circumference of the inner ring wall (22a) is made of a 12-sided polyhedron, but an octahedron, a hexahedron, etc. may be adopted. Also, the polyhedron (22b) may be formed only in the part that operates in correspondence with the planar part (32b). That is, when the sensor unit (20) and the conduit unit (30) are rotated relative to each other, at least a first polyhedron (22b') that comes into contact with the planar part (32b) and a second polyhedron (22b") that is adjacent to the first polyhedron (22b') and comes into contact with the planar part (32b) after rotation are provided.

[0036] Additionally, as shown in the illustration, a pair of planar sections (32b) and a pair of first and second polyhedra (22b', 22b") are arranged to face each other in parallel with the center point (C) of the inner annular wall (22a) and the outer annular wall (32a) in between, but they are not limited to facing each other passing through the center point (C). Also, the planar section (32b) and the first and second polyhedra (22b', 22b") may be formed on only one side.

[0037] In addition, in the embodiment, a pair of flat sections (32b) of the pipe unit (30) are positioned directly above the pipe body (33) as shown in FIG. 6. This is because, if the flat section (32b) in contact with the face (22b) is deformed due to impact from the outside to the outer ring wall (32a), rotation becomes impossible and connection / separation becomes impossible. Therefore, it is preferable to install the flat section (32b) directly above the pipe body (33), which is a part that is difficult to receive impact from due to the presence of the pipe body (33).

[0038] If the pressure detection device (10) is not used, a sealing member that serves as a dummy and has the same connection mechanism as the sensor unit (20) is connected to the conduit unit (30) instead of the sensor unit (20), thereby preventing damage to, for example, the thin film portion (31) inside the conduit unit (30).

[0039] In addition, although the embodiment describes a fluid as the target for pressure detection, the target for detection may not be a fluid but may be a stationary liquid, etc.

[0040] In addition, the terms up and down, left and right, and front and back used in the examples are intended to facilitate understanding of the drawings and do not specify the product of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0041] 10: Pressure detection device 20: Sensor unit 21: Pressure sensing unit 22: Insertion part 22a: Medial annular wall 22b: polyhedron 22c: Corner 22d: catch projection 30: Pipeline Unit 31: Thin film part 32: Absence of reception 32a: Lateral annular wall 32b: Planar section 32c: Notch 32d: catch 33: Concurrent 34: Circular hole R, r: radius C: Center point

Claims

Claim 1 A connection structure of a pressure detection device comprising a sensor unit and a measurement unit that is detachably connected to the sensor unit and contains a measurement object, wherein the sensor unit and the measurement unit are rotated relative to each other in a circumferential direction to perform connection and separation, wherein the sensor unit comprises a roughly disc-shaped insertion member, a pressure sensing part disposed in the center of the insertion member, an inner annular wall formed on the outer edge of the insertion member, and a locking projection protruding from the outer surface of the inner annular wall, wherein the measurement unit comprises a receiving member into which the insertion member is inserted, a thin film part installed on the receiving member, wherein the back surface contacts the measurement object and the surface surface contacts the pressure sensing part, and an outer annular wall formed on the periphery of the receiving member, wherein a notch corresponding to the locking projection is formed on the outer annular wall, and a locking part extending in the rotational direction of the receiving member is formed on the notch, and after inserting the locking projection of the sensor unit into the notch of the measurement unit, the sensor unit and the measurement A connection structure of a pressure detection device characterized by connecting the sensor unit and the unit to be measured by rotating the unit to move the locking projection to the locking portion and engage it, forming a flat portion on the inner wall of the outer annular wall of the unit to be measured, and forming on the outer surface of the inner annular wall of the sensor unit a first facet that contacts the flat portion before the sensor unit and the unit to be measured are rotated relative to each other, and a second facet that is adjacent to the first facet and contacts the flat portion after the sensor unit and the unit to be measured are rotated. Claim 2 A connection structure of a pressure detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that a circular hole is installed in the center of the receiving member, the thin film portion is placed at the bottom of the circular hole, and when connected, the tip of the pressure sensing portion of the sensor unit is inserted into the circular hole. Claim 3 A connection structure of a pressure detection device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, in the rotation of the sensor unit and the unit to be measured, the edge portion between the facets extends beyond the plane portion, and the plane portion comes into contact with a new facet. Claim 4 A connection structure of a pressure detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that the radius from the center point of the outer annular wall of the planar portion and the radius from the center point of the inner annular wall of the facet are equal to r, and the radius from the center point of the inner wall of the outer annular wall and the radius from the center point of the inner annular wall of the corner portion are both R (>r). Claim 5 A connection structure of a pressure detection device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a pair of planar portions and a pair of first and second polyhedra are arranged to face each other in parallel with the center points of the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall in between. Claim 6 A connection structure of a pressure detection device according to claim 5, wherein the unit to be measured comprises a tubular body containing the body to be measured interposed therein with respect to the thin film portion, and the pair of flat portions are arranged to be positioned directly above the tubular body. Claim 7 A connection structure of a pressure detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that the outer surface of the inner annular wall is a polyhedron.

Images