Raindrop detecting device inspection device, inspection jig, and inspection method

Abstract

An inspection device (50) inspects a raindrop detecting device (20), and comprises an inspection jig (51) and a personal computer (55). The inspection jig (51) drops a reference raindrop agent having a predetermined diameter onto a raindrop detection area. The personal computer (55) determines, for the reference raindrop agent dropped by the inspection jig (51) onto the raindrop detection area of the raindrop detecting device (20), whether or not the difference between a rainfall amount calculated from the value of the diameter of the reference raindrop agent as calculated by the raindrop detecting device (20), and a rainfall amount calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent satisfies a predetermined condition. The raindrop detecting device (20) includes a light source unit (22a), a light receiving unit (22b), a raindrop detecting unit (25a), and a diameter calculating unit (25b). The raindrop detecting unit (25a) detects raindrops that have passed through the raindrop detection area in accordance with a change in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit (22b).

Description

Inspection device, inspection jig, and inspection method for raindrop detection device

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device, an inspection jig, and an inspection method for inspecting whether a raindrop detection device operates normally.

[0002] In recent years, tipping bucket rain gauges have been used to measure rainfall, and the rain gauge includes a receiver that receives falling rainwater, a filter that drips the rainwater received in the receiver, and a tipping bucket that tips over to collect the rainwater dripping from the filter. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a raindrop detection device in which a light source unit and a light receiving unit are positioned opposite each other, and when raindrops pass through a raindrop detection area formed between the light source unit and the light receiving unit, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit decreases, and the device detects raindrops based on this decreased amount of light received.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-098170

[0004] However, the conventional raindrop detection device inspection device described above has the following problem: Although the raindrop detection device disclosed in the above publication can detect raindrops that pass through the raindrop detection area based on changes in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit, there is a risk that the raindrop detection accuracy will vary due to individual differences between raindrop detection devices.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an inspection device, an inspection jig, and an inspection method for a raindrop detection device that are capable of detecting variations in raindrop detection accuracy due to individual differences.

[0006] (Means for Solving the Problem) A raindrop detection device inspection device according to a first aspect of the present invention inspects a raindrop detection device and includes a dripping unit and a determination unit. The dripping unit drips a reference raindrop agent, the diameter of which is specified in advance, onto a raindrop detection area. The determination unit compares the rainfall calculated from the diameter of the reference raindrop agent dripped onto the raindrop detection area of ​​the raindrop detection device by the dripping unit, calculated by a diameter calculation unit of the raindrop detection device, with the rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent, and determines whether the difference satisfies a predetermined condition. The raindrop detection device includes a light source unit, a light receiving unit, a raindrop detection unit, and a diameter calculation unit. The light source unit emits light in a predetermined direction. The light receiving unit is positioned opposite the light source unit and receives the light emitted from the light source unit. The raindrop detection unit detects raindrops that pass through the raindrop detection area between the light source unit and the light receiving unit in response to changes in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit. The diameter calculation unit calculates the diameter of the raindrops detected by the raindrop detection unit.

[0007] Here, in an inspection device for a raindrop detection device that detects raindrops passing between a light source unit and a light receiving unit, a standard raindrop agent with a known diameter is dropped onto the raindrop detection area of ​​the raindrop detection device by a dropping unit. The rainfall calculated from the diameter value of the standard raindrop agent calculated by a diameter calculation unit of the raindrop detection device is compared with the rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the standard raindrop agent, and a determination is made as to whether the difference satisfies predetermined conditions or not to indicate whether the individual is abnormal.

[0008] The dripping unit may be a member that drips the reference raindrop agent one by one onto the raindrop detection area, and may be either manually or automatically driven. The determining unit may be a PC or the like connected to the raindrop detection device, and may receive the calculation result from the diameter calculation unit of the raindrop detection device and determine whether the calculated diameter is within the allowable range based on the difference from the diameter of the reference raindrop agent known in advance.

[0009] The light source of the raindrop detection device is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), which emits light in a predetermined direction toward a light-receiving unit disposed opposite the light source at a predetermined distance. The light-receiving unit of the raindrop detection device is, for example, a photodiode, which receives the light emitted from the light source and outputs the received light as a voltage value. Raindrop detection includes, for example, detecting the diameter of raindrops, the volume of each raindrop, the amount of rainfall per unit time, and the speed of raindrops.

[0010] This allows a reference raindrop agent, the diameter of which is known in advance by the dripping unit, to be dripped onto the raindrop detection area of ​​the raindrop detection device. If the difference between the rainfall calculated from the diameter of the reference raindrop agent calculated by the diameter calculation unit of the raindrop detection device and the rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent does not meet a predetermined condition, the raindrop detection device can be determined to be an abnormal individual. Therefore, a raindrop detection device determined to be an abnormal individual can be subjected to a predetermined correction process and used, or determined to be unusable. As a result, variations in raindrop detection accuracy due to individual differences can be detected.

[0011] A raindrop detection device inspection device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the raindrop detection device inspection device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the dripping unit includes an inspection jig that drips a predetermined number of reference raindrop agents onto the raindrop detection area. By using the inspection jig to drip the predetermined number of reference raindrop agents onto the raindrop detection area of ​​the raindrop detection device and measure the rainfall calculated from the diameter of the drops, if the difference between the actual rainfall calculated from the diameter of the reference raindrop agents exceeds a predetermined tolerance, it can be determined that the device cannot be used as is.

[0012] The raindrop detection device inspection device according to the third aspect of the present invention is the raindrop detection device inspection device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a display unit that displays the determination result of the determination unit. This allows the raindrop detection device to notify the user of the determination result based on the rainfall measurement result calculated from the diameter of the reference raindrop agent via a display on the display unit.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an inspection device for a raindrop detection device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, in which the reference raindrop agent is a sphere. By using a sphere having a size, shape, and transmittance similar to that of a raindrop as the reference raindrop agent, the reference raindrop agent can be detected under conditions similar to those used when detecting actual raindrops.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the present invention is an inspection jig used in the inspection device for the raindrop detection device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention. The inspection jig includes a base member, a plurality of first openings formed in the base member, into which reference raindrop agents are set one by one, and a support plate that supports the reference raindrop agents set in the first openings from below and slides relative to the base member so that the reference raindrop agents are dropped one by one from the first openings. Thus, by sliding the support plate relative to the base member to release the support provided by the support plate from below, the plurality of reference raindrop agents set in the plurality of first openings provided in the base member can be dropped in a desired order.

[0015] A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to the raindrop detection device inspection jig of the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the support plate includes a second opening having a gap larger than that of the reference raindrop agent and configured to dispense the reference raindrop agent one by one into the raindrop detection area when the support plate is moved to a position overlapping the first opening in a plan view. This allows the desired reference raindrop agent to be dispensed one by one by sliding the support plate relative to the base member so that the first opening and the second opening overlap in a plan view.

[0016] A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a raindrop detection device inspection method that includes a dripping step and a determination step. In the dripping step, a reference raindrop agent having a predetermined diameter is dripped onto the raindrop detection area. In the determination step, for the reference raindrop agent dripped onto the raindrop detection area of ​​the raindrop detection device in the dripping step, a rainfall calculated from the diameter of the reference raindrop agent calculated by a diameter calculation unit of the raindrop detection device is compared with a rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent to determine whether the detection accuracy satisfies a predetermined condition. The raindrop detection device includes a light source unit, a light receiving unit, a raindrop detection unit, and a diameter calculation unit. The light source unit emits light in a predetermined direction. The light receiving unit is positioned opposite the light source unit and receives the light emitted from the light source unit. The raindrop detection unit detects raindrops that pass through the raindrop detection area between the light source unit and the light receiving unit according to changes in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit. The diameter calculation unit calculates the diameter of the raindrops detected by the raindrop detection unit.

[0017] Here, in an inspection device for a raindrop detection device that detects raindrops passing between a light source unit and a light receiving unit, a standard raindrop agent with a known diameter is dropped onto the raindrop detection area of ​​the raindrop detection device by a dropping unit. The rainfall calculated from the diameter value of the standard raindrop agent calculated by a diameter calculation unit of the raindrop detection device is compared with the rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the standard raindrop agent, and a determination is made as to whether the difference satisfies predetermined conditions or not to indicate whether the individual is abnormal.

[0018] The raindrop detection device includes a raindrop detector, ...

[0019] The light source of the raindrop detection device is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), which emits light in a predetermined direction toward a light-receiving unit disposed opposite the light source at a predetermined distance. The light-receiving unit of the raindrop detection device is, for example, a photodiode, which receives the light emitted from the light source and outputs the received light as a voltage value. Raindrop detection includes, for example, detecting the diameter of raindrops, the volume of each raindrop, the amount of rainfall per unit time, and the speed of raindrops.

[0020] This allows a reference raindrop agent, the diameter of which is known in advance by the dripping section, to be dripped onto the raindrop detection area of ​​the raindrop detection device, and if the difference between the rainfall calculated from the diameter value of the reference raindrop agent calculated by the diameter calculation section of the raindrop detection device and the rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the raindrop detection device can be determined to be an abnormal individual.

[0021] Therefore, for raindrop detection devices determined to be abnormal, a predetermined correction process can be performed before use, or the device can be determined to be unusable. As a result, variations in raindrop detection accuracy due to individual differences can be detected.

[0022] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION The raindrop detection device inspection device according to the present invention can detect variations in raindrop detection accuracy due to individual differences.

[0023] 1 is an overall perspective view showing the configuration of a raindrop detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of the raindrop detection device of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a top view of the raindrop detection device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the raindrop detection device taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3. (a) is a perspective view showing a board on which the main components of the raindrop detection device of FIG. 4 are arranged. (b) is a top view thereof. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the raindrop detection device of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing functional blocks generated inside the microcomputer of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between elapsed time and voltage changes indicating raindrops detected in the raindrop detection device of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an overall perspective view showing the configuration of an inspection device that inspects the raindrop detection device of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an inspection jig included in the inspection device of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a base on which the inspection jig of FIG. 10 is set. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a plate shutter that slides along a slide groove in the base of FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an inspection result performed by the inspection device of FIG. 9. 16(a), 16(b), and 16(c) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a structure in which a reference raindrop agent is dropped one by one onto the raindrop detection area of ​​a raindrop detection device using an inspection jig and a plate shutter. 17(a), 17(b), and 17(c) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a structure in which a reference raindrop agent is dropped one by one onto the raindrop detection area of ​​a raindrop detection device using an inspection jig and a plate shutter. 18(a), 18(b), and 18(c) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a structure in which a reference raindrop agent is dropped one by one onto the raindrop detection area of ​​a raindrop detection device using an inspection jig and a plate shutter. 19(a), 19(b), and 19(c) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a structure in which a reference raindrop agent is dropped one by one onto the raindrop detection area of ​​a raindrop detection device using an inspection jig and a plate shutter. 20(a), 20(b), and 20(c) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a structure in which a reference raindrop agent is dropped one by one onto the raindrop detection area of ​​a raindrop detection device using an inspection jig and a plate shutter. 21(a), 21(b), and 21(c) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a structure in which a reference raindrop agent is dropped one by one onto the raindrop detection area of ​​a raindrop detection device using an inspection jig and a plate shutter. 22(a), 22(b), and 22(c) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a structure in which a reference raindrop agent is dropped one by one onto the raindrop detection area of ​​a raindrop detection device using an inspection jig and a plate shutter. 23(a), 23(b), and 23(c) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a structure in which a reference raindrop agent is dropped one by one onto the raindrop detection area of ​​a raindrop detection device using an inspection jig and a plate shutter. 24(a), 24(b), and 2

[0024] The following describes an inspection device 50 and an inspection method for a raindrop detection device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, using FIGS. 1 to 15 . Note that in this embodiment, unnecessary detailed descriptions may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the applicant provides the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present invention, and does not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0025] (1) Configuration of the Raindrop Detection Device 20 As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the raindrop detection device 20 of this embodiment detects raindrops that pass through a predetermined opening 21 a provided on the top surface of the housing 21, and calculates the amount of rainfall by detecting the size of the detected raindrops and the amount per unit time.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 4, the raindrop detection device 20 includes a housing 21, a light source 22a and a light receiving unit 22b provided inside the housing 21, legs 23, a base 24, and a microcomputer 25. As shown in Fig. 4, the housing 21 is a substantially cylindrical member and includes an opening 21a, an inner wall surface 21b, a ceiling surface 21c, and an outer peripheral surface 21d.

[0027] The opening 21a is provided at approximately the center of the ceiling surface 21c and is formed to penetrate the interior of the housing 21. The inner wall surface 21b forms the inner wall of the housing 21 at the penetration portion formed by the opening 21a. The light source unit 22a and the light receiving unit 22b are arranged at positions facing each other on the inner wall surface 21b.

[0028] The ceiling surface 21c is a substantially disk-shaped portion that forms the ceiling portion of the substantially cylindrical housing 21, and an opening 21a is provided in its central portion. The outer peripheral surface 21d is a surface that forms the outer peripheral portion of the substantially cylindrical housing 21, and a predetermined gap is provided between the lower end of the outer peripheral surface 21d and the base 24. As shown in FIG. 4, the light source unit 22a and the light receiving unit 22b are arranged in opposing positions on the inner wall surface 21b of the opening 21a. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the light source unit 22a and the light receiving unit 22b are arranged in opposing positions on the substantially circular substrate 22c so as to sandwich the raindrop detection area A1.

[0029] The light source unit 22a is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and irradiates infrared light toward the light receiving unit 22b via a lens 22d that collimates the light, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b). The light receiving unit 22b is, for example, a photodiode, and is disposed opposite the light source unit 22a, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), and receives light condensed via a lens 22e that condenses the light radiated from the light source unit 22a.

[0030] The light source 22a emits light onto a raindrop detection area A1 (see FIG. 4) formed between the light source 22a and the light receiving unit 22b. The light is partially blocked by raindrops, reducing the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 22b, thereby detecting the presence or absence of raindrops. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the substrate 22c is a substantially circular member with an opening in the center, and the light source 22a, the light receiving unit 22b, and the lenses 22d and 22e are arranged on its upper surface.

[0031] An opening formed in the center of the substrate 22c corresponds to the raindrop detection area A1 and the opening 21a formed in the housing 21. The lens 22d is disposed above the light source 22a, such as an LED, with its multiple fan-shaped portions facing the light receiving unit 22b. The lens 22d reflects the infrared light emitted from the light source 22a at 90 degrees to collimate it and emits it toward the light receiving unit 22b.

[0032] The lens 22e is disposed above the light receiving unit 22b such as a photodiode, with its multiple fan-shaped portions facing the light source unit 22a. The lens 22e collects the infrared light emitted from the light source unit 22a, reflects it at an angle of 90 degrees, and directs it to the light receiving unit 22b disposed directly below. The multiple legs 23 are provided on the upper surface of the base 24.

[0033] The base 24 is a substantially disk-shaped member that supports the housing 21 of the raindrop detection device 20 via a plurality of legs 23 erected on its upper surface 24a. The microcomputer 25 is connected to the light source 22a and the light receiving unit 22b, and detects raindrops that pass between the light source 22a and the light receiving unit 22b in response to changes in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 22b.

[0034] More specifically, in addition to the light source unit 22a and the light receiving unit 22b, the raindrop detection device 20 includes a microcomputer 25, a memory (storage unit) 25d, a DC (direct current) cut unit 26a, an amplifier unit 26b, an AC (alternating current) / DC (direct current) light quantity conversion unit 26c, an amplifier unit 26d, an AC (alternating current) environmental component cancellation unit 26e, and an AC modulation drive unit 26f, as shown in FIG.

[0035] 6, the microcomputer 25 is connected to a memory 25d, and reads various programs and data stored in the memory 25d to control each part of the raindrop detection device 20. Here, the infrared light emitted from the light source unit 22a is received by the light receiving unit 22b, and the DC cut unit 26a removes environmental components such as ambient light from the detection result detected by the light receiving unit 22b.

[0036] The detection result from which the DC environmental component has been removed is amplified by amplifier 26b, and then converted into a DC component by AC / DC light intensity converter 26c. The analog signal amplified by amplifier 26d is input to microcomputer 25. Note that data (ADRAW) of the detection result from light receiving unit 22b before the removal of the disturbance light component is transmitted to microcomputer 25 as is from DC cutter 26a.

[0037] The microcomputer 25 receives the detection result from the light receiving unit 22b, controls the AC / DC light intensity converter 26c to perform AC / DC conversion processing by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control, and controls the AC modulation driver 26f to switch the light intensity of the light source unit 22a. A signal indicating the light intensity level converted into an AC component by the AC / DC light intensity converter 26c is sent to an AC environmental component canceller 26e, which removes the AC voltage component that drives the light source unit 22a, such as an LED, and sends the signal to the AC modulation driver 26f, where it is used to adjust the output of the light source unit 22a.

[0038] In addition, the AC environmental component cancellation unit 26e transmits ADFB (feedback of raindrop voltage including DC component) to the microcomputer 25, and when ADFB reaches a certain value or more, it can detect that the LED drive current is abnormally increasing due to light blocking by foreign matter, damage to parts, etc. Here, the microcomputer 25 reads various programs stored in the memory 25d and generates the functional blocks shown in FIG.

[0039] That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the microcomputer 25 has a raindrop detection unit 25a, a diameter calculation unit 25b, and a rainfall calculation unit 25c. The raindrop detection unit 25a detects raindrops that pass between the light source unit 22a and the light receiving unit 22b (raindrop detection area A1) in response to changes in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 22b. More specifically, when raindrops pass through the raindrop detection area A1, some of the infrared light emitted from the light source unit 22a is blocked, causing a change in the light detection result at the light receiving unit 22b. As shown in FIG. 8, the raindrop detection unit 25a determines the change in voltage value (peak value) obtained by amplifying the detection result at the light receiving unit 22b as a raindrop candidate. If the peak value of the voltage corresponding to each raindrop candidate exceeds a predetermined threshold, the raindrop candidate is detected as a raindrop.

[0040] The detection result shown in FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which three raindrop candidates were detected within the measurement time, and all of the raindrop candidates had peak values ​​exceeding the threshold, resulting in their detection as raindrops. The difference between the three peak values ​​in the graph shown in FIG. 8 primarily manifests as differences in the diameter, transmittance, and other characteristics of the detected raindrops. The diameter calculation unit 25b calculates the diameter of the raindrops detected by the raindrop detection unit 25a. Specifically, the diameter calculation unit 25b calculates the diameter of the voltage value having a peak value corresponding to the raindrop detected by the raindrop detection unit 25a using a table or the like showing the relationship between the voltage value and the diameter.

[0041] Assuming that the transmittance of raindrops is approximately constant, the larger the diameter of the raindrop, the greater the amount of infrared light irradiated from the light source unit 22a that is blocked, resulting in a larger diameter of the raindrop. The rainfall calculation unit 25c calculates the amount of rainfall per unit time using the raindrop diameter calculated by the diameter calculation unit 25b. Specifically, the rainfall calculation unit 25e calculates the volume V (= 4 / 3 × π × r3) of each raindrop from the diameter R of the raindrop that passes through the raindrop detection area A1, and then calculates the amount of rainfall by integrating the volume of the raindrops detected per unit time (e.g., one minute). Note that π is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its circumference, and r is the radius (= diameter R / 2).

[0042] (2) Configuration of the Inspection Device 50 The inspection device 50 of the raindrop detection device 20 of this embodiment is a device that inspects the calculation accuracy of the diameter of raindrops detected by the raindrop detection device 20 described above using a reference raindrop agent B1 (see FIG. 14(a) etc.), and as shown in FIG. 9, includes an inspection jig (dropping portion) 51, a base portion 52, a plate shutter (support plate) 53, and a PC (determination portion) 55.

[0043] The reference raindrop agent B1 is a sphere with a predetermined diameter that is used to inspect the raindrop detection device 20. The method of inspecting the raindrop detection device 20 by actually dropping the reference raindrop agent into the raindrop detection area A1 of the raindrop detection device 20 and calculating the amount of rain from the diameter of the detected reference raindrop agent will be described in detail later.

[0044] The inspection jig (dropping portion) 51 is used to drop a predetermined number of reference raindrop agents B1, each with a predetermined diameter, onto the raindrop detection area A1 of the raindrop detection device 20. As shown in Fig. 10, the inspection jig 51 includes an upper jig (base member) 51a and a lower jig 51b. The upper jig 51a is set on the upper surface of the lower jig 51b in a state where it can slide relative to the lower jig 51b, and is provided with setting holes (first openings) 51aa into which multiple reference raindrop agents B1 can be set, as shown in Fig. 10.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 10, the set holes (first openings) 51aa are, for example, 8 columns x 7 rows, a total of 56 through holes, each with an opening diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the reference raindrop agent B1. Therefore, the reference raindrop agent B1 set in the set holes 51aa is supported from below by the flat portion of the lower jig 51b, thereby being held within the set holes 51aa. As shown in FIG. 10, the lower jig 51b has an upper surface with a larger area than the upper jig 51a and a set hole 51ba that penetrates from the upper surface to the lower surface. The lower jig 51b slides the upper jig 51a within a step portion 51c formed in a concave shape on its upper surface. That is, the upper jig 51a slides relative to the lower jig 51b at the step portion 51c provided on the upper surface of the lower jig 51b.

[0046] As a result, by moving the set hole 51aa of the upper jig 51a and the set hole (first opening) 51ba of the lower jig 51b to a position where they overlap in a plan view, the reference raindrop agent B1 held in the set hole 51aa of the upper jig 51a can be dropped one step down into the set hole 51ba of the lower jig 51b (see Figures 14(a) and 14(b)). As shown in Figure 11, the base portion 52 has a support portion 52a, a slide groove 52b, a drop hole 52c, and a cylindrical portion 52d.

[0047] The support part 52a is a part of the base part 52 on which the inspection jig 51 is set, and has a slide groove 52b and a drop hole 52c formed on its upper surface as shown in Fig. 11. The slide groove 52b is a concave groove along which the plate shutter (support part) 53 (described later) slides, and the drop hole 52c is provided near the center of the slide groove 52b as shown in Fig. 11.

[0048] The drop hole 52c is a portion that communicates with the opening 21a of the raindrop detection device 20, and is positioned directly above the opening 21a when the raindrop detection device 20 is set in the inspection device 50. The reference raindrop agent B1 dropped from the inspection jig 51 passes through the drop hole 52c by natural fall, and the reference raindrop agent B1 is detected in the raindrop detection area A1 of the raindrop detection device 20.

[0049] The cylindrical portion 52d is a cylindrical member that forms the drop hole 52c and extends downward from the back surface of the support portion 52a. The plate shutter (support portion) 53 is a member that is operated when dropping the reference raindrop agent B1 one by one from the inspection jig 51 into the raindrop detection area A1 of the raindrop detection device 20. As shown in FIG. 12 , the plate shutter (support portion) 53 has a plate-shaped member 53a, a drop hole (second opening) 53b, and an opening 53c.

[0050] The plate shutter 53 is slid in a desired direction using, for example, a driving force of a motor or the like. The plate-like member 53a is installed so as to fit into the slide groove 52b of the base part 52 described above, and slides along the slide groove 52b. The plate-like member 53a is also provided with a drop hole (second opening) 53b and an opening 53c.

[0051] The drop holes (second openings) 53b are through holes formed to drip the plurality of reference raindrop agents B1 set in the set holes 51aa and 51ba of the inspection jig 51, and eight of them are provided diagonally with respect to the sliding direction (longitudinal direction) as shown in Fig. 12. As a result, the reference raindrop agents B1, which were supported on the leftmost surface shown in Fig. 12 before dripping, are dripped one by one when the drop holes 53b at the left end in the figure overlap with the set holes 51aa in a plan view.

[0052] Then, when the seven standard raindrop agents B1 set in the set holes 51aa are dropped from the drop hole 53b on the left side of the figure, the seven standard raindrop agents B1 set in the set holes 51aa in the second row are dropped from the drop hole 53b second from the left in the figure. In this way, the eight drop holes 53b corresponding to the eight rows of set holes 51aa move in order to positions overlapping with the set holes 51aa, allowing the standard raindrop agents B1 to be dropped one by one.

[0053] The PC (determination unit) 55 is connected to the raindrop detection device 20 and the inspection device 50, and has a monitor (display unit) 55a as shown in Fig. 9. For the reference raindrop agent B1 dropped into the raindrop detection area A1 of the raindrop detection device 20 by the inspection jig 51, the PC 55 compares the rainfall calculated from the diameter of the reference raindrop agent B1 calculated by the diameter calculation unit 25b of the raindrop detection device 20 with the rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent B1, and determines whether the difference satisfies a predetermined condition. More specifically, for example, if the one-minute rainfall (mm / h) calculated from the diameter value of the reference raindrop agent B1 calculated by the diameter calculation unit 25b of the raindrop detection device 20 is within a range of 12.0 to 18.0 mm / h and the number of raindrops matches the actual number of drops of the reference raindrop agent B1 (56 drops), the PC 55 determines that the raindrop detection device 20 is acceptable; if the value is outside the range, the PC 55 determines that the raindrop detection device 20 is unacceptable.

[0054] The monitor (display unit) 55a displays information such as the results of the raindrop detection device 20 inspection on the PC 55. The inspection results displayed on the monitor 55a include, for example, the inspection result, the number of raindrops detected during the inspection, and the one-minute rainfall, as shown in FIG. 13 . The PC 55 determines whether the "number of raindrops" displayed on the monitor 55a after one minute and the one-minute rainfall value satisfy the following conditions: The number of raindrops exactly matches the number "56" of the reference raindrop agent B1 dropped from all of the set holes 51aa. The one-minute rainfall is within the range of 12.0 to 18.0. This allows a user who inspects the raindrop detection device 20 using the inspection device 50 to check the inspection results on the screen of the monitor 55a.

[0055] Here, the process of dripping the reference raindrop agent B1 one by one into the raindrop detection area A1 using the inspection jig 51 will be described below with reference to Figures 14(a) to 14(c). That is, the reference raindrop agent B1 set in the 56 set holes 51aa provided in the upper jig 51a of the inspection jig 51 shown in Figure 10 is supported on the upper surface of the lower jig 51b arranged below the upper jig 51a, as shown in Figure 14(a). At this time, the set holes 51ba provided in the lower jig 51b are offset in plan view from the set holes 51aa of the upper jig 51a.

[0056] Next, when the upper jig 51a is slid in the direction of the arrow (leftward) shown in Figure 14(a), the set hole 51aa in the upper jig 51a moves to a position where it overlaps the set hole 51ba in the lower jig 51b in a plan view, as shown in Figure 14(b). As a result, the reference raindrop agent B1 set in the set hole 51aa in the upper jig 51a falls into the set hole 51ba in the lower jig 51b and is supported on the upper surface of the plate shutter 53. At this time, the drop hole 53b in the plate shutter 53 is offset in a plan view from the set hole 51ba in the lower jig 51b.

[0057] 14(b), the plate shutter 53 is slid leftward, and the drop hole 53b in the plate shutter 53 moves to a position overlapping one of the set holes 51ba in the lower jig 51b in a plan view, as shown in FIG. 14(c). As a result, the reference raindrop agent B1 set in the set hole 51ba in the lower jig 51b falls through the drop hole 53b in the plate shutter 53 into the raindrop detection area A1 of the raindrop detection device 20.

[0058] Then, when the plate shutter 53 is further slid in the direction of the arrow in the figure, the set hole 51ba next to the set hole 51ba into which the reference raindrop agent B1 fell becomes connected to the drop hole 53b, and the reference raindrop agent B1 falls into the raindrop detection area A1 of the raindrop detection device 20. By repeating this process for eight rows, the eight reference raindrop agents B1 set in the first row of the set holes 51aa of the upper jig 51a and the set holes 51ba of the lower jig 51b can be dropped one by one. Then, the drop holes 53b, which are offset in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the plate shutter 53, drop the eight reference raindrop agents B1 set in the second row one by one, and then the reference raindrop agents B1 from the third to seventh rows are sequentially dropped, so that a total of 56 reference raindrop agents B1 can be dropped one by one into the raindrop detection area A1 of the raindrop detection device 20.

[0059] <Method of Inspecting Raindrop Detection Device 20> The method of inspecting the raindrop detection device 20 performed by the inspection device 50 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0060] That is, in step S11, the inspection device 50 is started. Next, in step S12, the user uses, for example, tweezers to set the inspection jig 51, with the reference raindrop agent B1 set in the setting hole 51aa, in the inspection device 50. Next, in step S13, in the inspection device 50, the plate shutter 53 is slid in a predetermined direction, and the reference raindrop agent B1 is dropped one by one from the inspection jig 51 into the opening 21a of the raindrop detection device 20 (dropping step).

[0061] Next, in step S14, the PC 55 determines whether the raindrop detection device 20 is within the pass range, based on whether the rainfall calculated from the measurement result of the diameter of the reference raindrop agent B1 detected by the raindrop detection device 20 is within a predetermined range compared with the rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent B1 (determination step). If the raindrop detection device 20 is determined to be pass, the process proceeds to step S15, and if the raindrop detection device 20 is determined to be fail, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0062] Next, in step S15, since the determination in step S14 is "pass," the process proceeds to step S17, where the inspection result "passed" is displayed on the monitor 55a of the PC 55. On the other hand, in step S16, since the determination in step S14 is "fail," the process proceeds to step S17, where the inspection result "failed" is displayed on the monitor 55a of the PC 55.

[0063] <Major Features> The inspection device 50 of this embodiment inspects the raindrop detection device 20 and includes an inspection jig 51 and a PC 55. The inspection jig 51 drops a reference raindrop agent, the diameter of which is specified in advance, into the raindrop detection area A1. The PC 55 compares the rainfall calculated from the diameter of the reference raindrop agent dropped into the raindrop detection area A1 of the raindrop detection device 20 by the inspection jig 51, calculated by the diameter calculation unit 25b of the raindrop detection device 20, with the rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent, and determines whether the difference satisfies a predetermined condition. The raindrop detection device 20 includes a light source unit 22a, a light receiving unit 22b, a raindrop detection unit 25a, and a diameter calculation unit 25b. The light source unit 22a emits light in a predetermined direction. The light-receiving unit 22b is disposed opposite the light source unit 22a and receives light emitted from the light source unit 22a. The raindrop detection unit 25a detects raindrops that pass through the raindrop detection area A1 between the light source unit 22a and the light-receiving unit 22b in response to changes in the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 22b. The diameter calculation unit 25b calculates the diameter of the raindrops detected by the raindrop detection unit 25a.

[0064] As a result, a reference raindrop agent B1, the diameter of which is known in advance using the inspection jig 51, is dropped onto the raindrop detection area A1 of the raindrop detection device 20. If the difference between the rainfall calculated from the diameter of the reference raindrop agent B1 calculated by the diameter calculation unit 25b of the raindrop detection device 20 and the rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent B1 does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the raindrop detection device 20 can be determined to be an abnormal individual. Therefore, a raindrop detection device 20 determined to be an abnormal individual can be subjected to a predetermined correction process and used, or determined to be unusable. As a result, variations in raindrop detection accuracy due to individual differences can be detected.

[0065] [Other Embodiments] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0066] (A) In the above embodiment, the inspection device 50 is described as an example in which the reference raindrop agent B1 is automatically dropped one by one into the raindrop detection area A1 from the inspection jig 51 set on top of the raindrop detection device 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 16 , the inspection jig 151 may be configured such that the support plate 153 is manually pulled out from the main body 151a of a substantially cylindrical base 152 set on top of the raindrop detection device, and the reference raindrop agent B1 is dropped one by one from the set hole 151aa in which the reference raindrop agent B1 is set.

[0067] 17, the inspection jig 151 includes a main body 151a, a base 152, and a support plate 153. The main body 151a is the base of the inspection jig 151, and has a plurality of setting holes (first openings) 151aa provided in a substantially square flat portion, protrusions 151ab that are set to fit into recesses 152c on the base 152 side, and an insertion portion 151ac into which the support plate 153 is inserted in a slidable manner.

[0068] The base 152 is a generally cylindrical member set directly above the opening 21a of the raindrop detection device, and has a cylindrical portion 152a set to communicate with the opening 21a. The support plate 153 supports the multiple reference raindrop agents set in the set holes 151aa of the main body 151a of the inspection jig 151 from below to prevent them from falling. When the reference raindrop agents are dropped one by one from the inspection jig 151, they are gradually pulled out of the insertion portion 151ac of the main body 151a. The support plate 153 also has a plate-like portion 153a that supports the reference raindrop agents set in the set holes 151aa and an inclined portion 153b formed to intersect at a predetermined angle with the direction in which the support plate 153 is pulled out (the direction in which the set holes 151aa are aligned). As a result, when multiple reference raindrop agents are set in the set hole 151aa, if the support plate 153 is gradually pulled out from the inspection jig 151, the support from below of the reference raindrop agents is released by the inclined portion 153b, and the reference raindrop agents can be dripped one by one.

[0069] (B) In the above embodiment, the PC 55 determines whether the raindrop detection device 20 passes or fails based on whether the rainfall calculated from the diameter of the reference raindrop B1 measured by the raindrop detection device 20 after dropping the reference raindrop B1 is within a predetermined range. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the raindrop detection device may be determined to pass if the difference between the rainfall calculated from the diameter of the reference raindrop B1 measured by the raindrop detection device and the rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop B1 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.

[0070] (C) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the inspection device 50 inspects variations in diameter calculation accuracy due to individual differences in the raindrop detection devices 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the calculation accuracy of the raindrop detection device is outside the allowable range, the inspection device may perform a correction process to correct the calculation result within the raindrop detection device 20 and inspect the corrected raindrop detection device.

[0071] (D) In ​​the above embodiment, an example was described in which the inspection device 50 inspected the raindrop detection device 20 using a spherical reference raindrop agent. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if there is a device that can manufacture and drop raindrops with an accurately defined diameter, the inspection may be performed using actual raindrops (water droplets) as the reference raindrop agent.

[0072] (E) In the above embodiment, a sphere is used as the reference raindrop agent to set the correction formula. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the raindrop detection device may be inspected using a reference raindrop agent having a shape other than a sphere.

[0073] <Note> A raindrop detection device inspection device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an inspection device for inspecting a raindrop detection device, the raindrop detection device comprising: a light source unit that irradiates light in a predetermined direction; a light receiving unit that is positioned opposite the light source unit and receives the light irradiated from the light source unit; a raindrop detection unit that detects raindrops that pass through a raindrop detection area between the light source unit and the light receiving unit in accordance with a change in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit; and a diameter calculation unit that calculates the diameter of the raindrops detected by the raindrop detection unit; a dripping unit that drips a reference raindrop agent having a predetermined diameter into the raindrop detection area; and a determination unit that compares the rainfall calculated from the diameter of the reference raindrop agent calculated by the diameter calculation unit of the raindrop detection device with the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent, and determines whether the difference satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0074] The raindrop detection device inspection device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the raindrop detection device inspection device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the dripping unit includes an inspection jig that drips a predetermined number of the reference raindrop agent onto the raindrop detection area. The raindrop detection device inspection device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the raindrop detection device inspection device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further including a display unit that displays the determination result of the determination unit.

[0075] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the raindrop detection device inspection device of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the reference raindrop agent is a sphere.A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to an inspection jig used in the raindrop detection device inspection device of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the inspection jig includes a base member, a plurality of first openings formed in the base member and into which the reference raindrop agents are set one by one, and a support plate that supports the reference raindrop agents set in the first openings from below and slides relative to the base member so that the reference raindrop agents are dropped one by one through the first openings.

[0076] An inspection jig according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the inspection jig according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the support plate has a gap larger than the reference raindrop agent and includes a second opening that drops raindrops one by one into the raindrop detection area when moved to a position overlapping with the first opening in a plan view. A seventh aspect of the present invention provides an inspection method for a raindrop detection device, the method comprising: a light source unit that irradiates light in a predetermined direction; a light receiving unit that is disposed opposite the light source unit and receives the light irradiated from the light source unit; a raindrop detection unit that detects raindrops that pass through a raindrop detection area between the light source unit and the light receiving unit in accordance with a change in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit; and a diameter calculation unit that calculates the diameter of the raindrops detected by the raindrop detection unit. The method also comprises: a dripping step of dripping a reference raindrop agent having a predetermined diameter into the raindrop detection area; and a determination step of comparing the rainfall calculated from the diameter of the reference raindrop agent dropped into the raindrop detection area of ​​the raindrop detection device in the dripping step with the rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent to determine whether detection accuracy satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0077] The raindrop detection device inspection device of the present invention has the effect of being able to detect variations in raindrop detection accuracy due to individual differences, and is therefore widely applicable as an inspection device for inspecting raindrop detection devices.

[0078] 20 Raindrop detection device 21 Housing 21a Opening 21b Inner wall surface 21c Ceiling surface 21d Outer circumferential surface 22a Light source unit 22b Light receiving unit 22c Substrate 22d, 22e Lens 23 Leg 24 Base 24a Top surface 25 Microcomputer 25a Raindrop detection unit 25b Diameter calculation unit 25c Rainfall calculation unit 25d Memory (storage unit) 26a DC cut unit 26b Amplification unit 26c AC / DC light quantity conversion unit 26d Amplification unit 26e AC environmental component cancellation unit 26f AC modulation drive unit 30 Illuminance meter 40 Temperature, humidity, and pressure gauge 50 Inspection device 51 Inspection jig (dropping unit) 51a Upper jig (base member) 51aa Set hole (first opening) 51b Lower jig 51ba Set hole (first opening) 51c Step portion 52 Base portion 52a Support portion 52b Slide groove 52c Drop hole 52d Cylindrical portion 53 Plate shutter (support plate) 53a Plate-shaped member 53b Drop hole (second opening) 53c Opening 55 PC (determination portion) 55a Monitor (display portion) 151 Inspection jig 151a Main body portion 151aa Set hole (first opening) 151ab Convex portion 151ac Insertion portion 152 Base portion 152a Cylindrical portion 152c Concave portion 153 Support plate 153a Plate-shaped portion 153b Inclined portion A1 Raindrop detection area B1 Reference raindrop agent

Claims

1. An inspection device for inspecting a raindrop detection device, wherein the raindrop detection device includes: a light source unit that irradiates light in a predetermined direction; a light receiving unit that is disposed at a position facing the light source unit and receives the light irradiated from the light source unit; a raindrop detection unit that detects raindrops that have passed through a raindrop detection area between the light source unit and the light receiving unit according to a change in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit; and a diameter calculation unit that calculates the diameter of the raindrops detected by the raindrop detection unit. The inspection device further includes: a dropping unit that drops a reference raindrop agent with a predetermined diameter in advance into the raindrop detection area; and a determination unit that compares the rainfall calculated from the value of the diameter of the reference raindrop agent calculated by the diameter calculation unit of the raindrop detection device with the rainfall calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent for the reference raindrop agent dropped into the raindrop detection area of the raindrop detection device by the dropping unit, and determines whether the difference satisfies a predetermined condition.

2. The inspection device for a raindrop detection device according to claim 1, wherein the dropping unit includes an inspection jig that drops a predetermined number of the reference raindrop agents onto the raindrop detection area.

3. The inspection device for a raindrop detection device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a display unit that displays the determination result of the determination unit.

4. The inspection device for a raindrop detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reference raindrop agent is a sphere.

5. An inspection jig used in the inspection device for a raindrop detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inspection jig includes: a base member; a plurality of first openings formed in the base member and each set with one of the reference raindrop agents; and a support plate that supports the reference raindrop agent set in the first opening from below and slides relative to the base member to drop the reference raindrop agents one by one from the first opening.

6. The inspection jig according to claim 5, wherein the support plate has a gap larger than the reference raindrop agent and includes a second opening that drops one by one into the raindrop detection area when moving to a position overlapping the first opening in a plan view.

7. A test method for testing a raindrop detection device, wherein the raindrop detection device includes: a light source unit that irradiates light in a predetermined direction; a light receiving unit that is disposed at a position facing the light source unit and receives the light irradiated from the light source unit; a raindrop detection unit that detects raindrops passing through a raindrop detection area between the light source unit and the light receiving unit according to a change in the amount of received light of the light received by the light receiving unit; and a diameter calculation unit that calculates the diameter of the raindrops detected by the raindrop detection unit. The test method includes: a dropping step of dropping a reference raindrop agent with a predetermined diameter in advance into the raindrop detection area; and a determination step of comparing the rainfall amount calculated from the value of the diameter of the reference raindrop agent calculated by the diameter calculation unit of the raindrop detection device with the rainfall amount calculated from the actual diameter of the reference raindrop agent for the reference raindrop agent dropped into the raindrop detection area of the raindrop detection device in the dropping step, and determining whether the detection accuracy satisfies a predetermined condition.

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