Rain gauge, sensitive unit for rain gauge, and attachment for rain gauge

Abstract

Provided are a rain gauge, a sensitive unit for a rain gauge, and an attachment for a rain gauge, which are capable of reducing the burden on an operator for maintenance work compared with the prior art. The rain gauge comprises: a base 12 fixed to an immobile fixing surface; a frame 21 detachably fixed to the base 12; a tipping basin 23 which is fixed to the frame 21, receives water flowing out from a funnel 17, and tips over around the rotation axis for each determined water amount; and a spirit level fixed to the frame 21 and detecting horizontality in accordance with the acting gravity.

Description

Rain gauges, rain gauge sensor units and rain gauge attachments

[0001] The present invention relates to a rain gauge, a sensor unit for a rain gauge, and an attachment for a rain gauge.

[0002] Patent Document 1 and other publications disclose a rain gauge that measures rainfall by fixing a base to a stationary surface. The rain gauge has an outer cylinder mounted on the base, and a frame (base plate) that stands upright from the base within the internal space of the outer cylinder. The frame is equipped with a tipping bucket. The tipping bucket receives water flowing out of a funnel and tips around a rotation axis every time a predetermined amount of water is poured into it.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 7335023 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-37338

[0004] The base is firmly fixed to a fixed surface. The rain gauge itself is not intended to be removed. Maintenance work on rain gauges involves workers removing the outer tube from the base to perform internal maintenance work, or replacing the entire base. Because rain gauge maintenance work is performed outdoors, there was a problem of heavy workload for workers in hot sun or bad weather.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a rain gauge, a sensor unit for a rain gauge, and an attachment for a rain gauge that can reduce the burden of maintenance work on workers compared to conventional methods.

[0006] The rain gauge of the present invention comprises a base fixed to a stationary fixed surface, a frame detachably attached to the base, a funnel for collecting water, and an outer cylinder connected to the base and accommodating the funnel and the frame. The frame is fitted with a tipping bucket that receives water flowing out of the funnel below the funnel and tips around its axis of rotation every time a predetermined amount of water is collected, and a spirit level that detects the horizontal direction in response to the acting gravity. The tipping bucket and the spirit level can be attached and detached together with the frame from the base.

[0007] The sensor unit for a rain gauge according to the present invention is a sensor unit for a rain gauge that is provided on a base of the rain gauge and comprises: a frame that is detachably fixed to the surface of the base, which is fixed to an immovable fixed surface; a tipping bucket that is fixed to the frame and is located below a funnel above the rain gauge to receive water flowing out from the funnel and tip around its axis of rotation every time a predetermined amount of water is received; and a spirit level that is fixed to the frame and detects the horizontal direction in response to the acting gravity, and the tipping bucket and the spirit level are configured to be detachable from the base together with the frame.

[0008] The rain gauge attachment of the present invention is an attachment for a rain gauge for attaching a frame to a base of the rain gauge, the frame having fixed thereto a tipping bucket that receives water flowing out of the funnel of the rain gauge below the funnel and tips around its axis of rotation every time a predetermined amount of water is reached, and a spirit level that detects the horizontal direction in response to acting gravity.The attachment comprises an attachment base that is removably attached by being placed on top of the surface of the base, and a shaft that is attached to the attachment base and protrudes to the outside.The shaft is configured to be able to enter an opening formed in an opening forming portion of the frame that is removably attached to the base, and the frame can be attached to the base or detached from the base by entering the shaft into the opening and withdrawing the shaft from the opening.

[0009] The rain gauge attachment of the present invention is an attachment for a rain gauge for attaching a frame to a base of the rain gauge, the frame having fixed thereto a tipping bucket that receives water flowing out of the funnel of the rain gauge below the funnel and tips around its axis of rotation every time a predetermined amount of water is reached, and a spirit level that detects the horizontal direction in response to acting gravity.The attachment comprises an attachment base that can be detachably attached by being placed on top of the surface of the base, and an opening forming portion provided on the attachment base and having an opening, the opening forming portion having a configuration that allows a shaft protruding from the lower end of the frame that is detachably attached to the base to enter the opening, and the entry of the shaft into the opening and the withdrawal of the shaft from the opening allows the frame to be attached to the base and removed from the base.

[0010] According to the present invention, when performing maintenance work, there is no need to remove the tipping bucket and the spirit level separately from the base; by removing only the frame from the base, the tipping bucket and the spirit level can all be removed from the base at once, thereby reducing the burden of maintenance work on the worker compared to conventional methods.

[0011] 10A , 10B , 10C , 10D , 10E , 10F , 10G , 10H , 10H , 10G ... FIG. 15B is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the attachment mechanism according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 15C is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the attachment mechanism, with the magnet shown in FIG. 15A omitted, showing the shaft and opening. FIG. 15D is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the attachment mechanism according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 15E is a perspective view showing the configuration when the attachment is detachably provided on the surface of the base. FIG. 15F is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the sensor unit according to the ninth embodiment attached to the base. FIG. 15G is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration when the water filter installation section is separated from the first support plate. FIG. 15H is a perspective view showing the configuration when a high-temperature body is provided on the base. FIG. 15I is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the connection adapter.

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0013] (1) First Embodiment <Configuration of Rain Gauge> As shown in FIG. 1 , the rain gauge 11 includes a base 12 defining an upper surface within a horizontal plane, an outer cylinder 13 extending upward from the upper surface of the base 12 and defining a cylindrical space having a vertical central axis 13a, and a frame 14 fixed to the upper end of the outer cylinder 13. The frame 14 defines a water inlet 14a of a predetermined size that opens in the horizontal plane. The water inlet 14a is formed in a circular shape with a diameter of, for example, 200 mm. Multiple (here, three) support legs 15 are fixed to the rear surface (bottom surface) of the base 12. The support legs 15 are arranged, for example, at equal intervals around the central axis 13a of the cylindrical space. In the rain gauge 11, the support legs 15 are fixed to a fixed surface (any outdoor installation location), and the base 12 is fixed to the fixed surface by the support legs 15.

[0014] 2A, the lower end of the outer cylinder 13 is positioned on a stepped portion 12b of the base 12 so as to surround the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 12a at the upper end of the base 12. The outer cylinder 13 is connected to the outer periphery (side surface) of the base 12 with screws 16 having horizontal axes. The screws 16 are arranged, for example, at equal intervals around the central axis 13a of the cylindrical space. The outer cylinder 13 is formed, for example, from stainless steel.

[0015] The cylindrical space inside the outer cylinder 13 houses a funnel 17 and a sensor unit 18. The funnel 17 is supported on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder 13 below the water inlet 14a. The funnel 17 collects rain and snow that enters through the water inlet 14a. The funnel 17 has, for example, a cylindrical outlet pipe 17a, an inverted truncated cone-shaped convergence pipe 17b, and a cylindrical receiver pipe 17c with a larger diameter than the outlet pipe 17a, all connected together. The water collected in the receiver pipe 17c at the upper end of the funnel 17 flows out from the outlet pipe 17a at the lower end. The funnel 17 is made of, for example, aluminum.

[0016] The sensor unit 18 is attached to the upper surface (surface) of the base 12 below the funnel 17. The sensor unit 18 includes a frame 21 that is detachably fixed to the surface of the base 12. A strainer 22 disposed below the funnel 17, a tipping bucket 23 disposed below the strainer 22, a level 33, and a detector 34 (described later in FIG. 3 ) are fixed to the frame 21. The tipping bucket 23 has a rotation shaft 24 rotatably supported by the frame 21, a first bucket 25, a first stopper 26 that receives the first bucket 25, a second bucket 27, and a second stopper 29 that receives the second bucket 27. The tipping bucket 23 changes position between a first position and a second position around the axis (rotation axis 24a) of the rotation shaft 24.

[0017] In the first position, water flowing down from the water filter 22 is received by the first basket 25 of the tipping bucket 23. When a predetermined amount of water accumulates in the first basket 25, the tipping bucket 23 tips in a first direction around the rotation axis 24a. The first basket 25 is received by the first stopper 26 fixed to the frame 21. This prevents the tipping bucket 23 from tipping in the first direction. The tipping bucket 23 is prevented from tipping in the first direction and assumes the second position. The first stopper 26 has a configuration in which the protrusion 26a can be moved up and down, allowing the protrusion amount of the protrusion 26a to be adjusted. By adjusting the protrusion amount of the protrusion 26a of the first stopper 26, the angle of tipping in the first direction of the first basket 25 is adjusted, and the amount of water flowing into the first drain tube 31 due to tipping is adjusted.

[0018] In the second position, water flowing from the water filter 22 is received by the second bucket 27 of the tipping bucket 23. When a predetermined amount of water accumulates in the second bucket 27, the tipping bucket 23 tips around the rotation axis 24a in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The second bucket 27 is received by the second stopper 29 fixed to the frame 21. This prevents the tipping bucket 23 from tipping in the second direction. The tipping bucket 23 is prevented from tipping in the second direction and returns to the first position. The second stopper 29 has a configuration in which the protrusion 29a can be moved up and down, allowing the protrusion amount of the protrusion 29a to be adjusted. By adjusting the protrusion amount of the protrusion 29a of the second stopper 29, the angle of tipping in the second direction of the second bucket 27 can be adjusted, and the amount of water flowing into the second drain tube 32 due to tipping can be adjusted. In this way, the tipping bucket 23 receives water flowing into the strainer 22 from the outlet pipe 17a of the funnel 17, and tips alternately in the first direction and the second direction around the rotation axis 24a for each predetermined amount of water.

[0019] A first drain tube 31 and a second drain tube 32 are fixed to the base 12. When the tipping bucket 23 tips in a first direction from the first position to the second position around the rotation axis 24a, the water in the first bucket 25 is received by the first drain tube 31. The water in the first drain tube 31 is drained from the drain pipe 31a below the base 12. When the tipping bucket 23 tips in a second direction from the second position to the first position around the rotation axis 24a, the water in the second bucket 27 is received by the second drain tube 32. The water in the second drain tube 32 is drained from the drain pipe 32a below the base 12.

[0020] The level 33 is fixed to the frame 21. The level 33 detects the horizontal direction in response to gravity. The level 33 determines the horizontal direction that serves as a reference when adjusting the tipping bucket 23 so that the left and right tips are uniform. The level 33 visually indicates the level. For example, the level 33 may be a thin, transparent disk containing liquid and a single air bubble. In this case, the level 33 aligns the position of the air bubble to a predetermined reference position by adjusting the installation height of the support legs 15 and changing the angle of the base 12. In this state, the tipping bucket 23 adjusts the protrusion amount of the protrusion 26 a of the first stopper 26 that receives the first bucket 25 and the protrusion amount of the protrusion 29 a of the second stopper 29 that receives the second bucket 27 so that the tipping bucket 23 tips uniformly to the left and right. This allows the first bucket 25 and the second bucket 27 to have equal amounts of water required for tipping.

[0021] 2B , frame 21 is provided with support plates 21a, each of a pair of side surfaces arranged on the front and back sides, perpendicular to the surface of base 12. Support plate 21a is provided with a beam 211 on one side surface, extending in the direction normal to the side surface, and an opposing support plate 21c arranged perpendicular to the top surface of base 12 is connected to beam 211. Tipping bucket 23 is disposed between support plate 21a and opposing support plate 21c on frame 21, and a rotation shaft 24 of tipping bucket 23 is rotatably supported by support plate 21a and opposing support plate 21c, respectively.

[0022] The lower end of the opposing support plate 21c abuts the upper surface of the base 12, and its side surface is disposed perpendicular to the upper surface of the base 12. An installation base 21f on which a spirit level 33 is installed is provided on the outer side surface of the opposing support plate 21c (the outer side surface of the opposing support plate 21c, opposite the inner side surface of the opposing support plate 21c, which faces the side surface of the support plate 21a). The level of the spirit level 33 fixed to the installation base 21f is adjusted by adjusting the angle of the base 12 with the frame 21 attached to the base 12. One end of the rotation shaft 24 of the tipping bucket 23 is rotatably supported by the opposing support plate 21c. The support plate 21a, opposing support plate 21c, beam 211, and installation base 21f of the frame 21 may be formed from a resin material such as plastic, or may be formed from a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the sensor unit 18 includes a detector 34 fixed to the other side of the support plate 21a of the frame 21, opposite to the side on which the tipping bucket 23 and the level 33 are mounted. The detector 34 detects the tipping bucket 23 tipping over. The detector 34 outputs a detection signal in response to the tipping bucket 23 tipping over. The detector 34 includes a reed switch 35 positioned away from the rotation axis 24a and a magnet 36 connected to the tipping bucket 23, which is displaced around the rotation axis 24a and exerts a magnetic force on the reed switch 35 at its lowest position. As the tipping bucket 23 tipps over, the magnet 36 traces an arc around the rotation axis 24a. The magnet 36 approaches the reed switch 35 at its lowest position. Each time the magnet 36 approaches the reed switch 35, the reed switch 35 is turned on. This causes the detector 34 to output a detection signal. The sensor unit 18 can determine the amount of rainfall based on the number of detection signals (pulse signals) output.

[0024] A bracket 37 is fixed to the other side surface of the support plate 21a of the frame 21. The bracket 37 includes a horizontal plate 37a that supports the reed switch 35, and a vertical plate 37b that continues from the horizontal plate 37a and is fixed to the support plate 21a of the frame 21 with screws 38. The vertical plate 37b is fixed to the side surface of the support plate 21a of the frame 21 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction (height direction). In this case, the support plate 21a has a sliding surface 39, and an elongated hole 41 formed in the vertical plate 37b of the bracket 37 is positioned on this sliding surface 39.

[0025] In the support plate 21a, screws 38 inserted into elongated holes 41 of a bracket 37 are screwed into the slide surface 39. When the screws 38 are loosened, the vertical plate 37b is displaced up and down on the slide surface 39 along the elongated holes 41 extending in the vertical direction. In this way, the bracket 37 can adjust the height of the reed switch 35 and the distance between the reed switch 35 and the magnet 36. The vertical plate 37b is fixed to the support plate 21a with the screws 38 when the distance between the reed switch 35 and the magnet 36 is optimal. The bracket 37 may be made of a resin material such as plastic, or may be made of a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum.

[0026] The support plate 21a of the frame 21 includes a support plate main body 21h, a filter mounting section 21b provided at the upper end of the support plate main body 21h, a fixed plate 46 provided at the lower end of the support plate main body 21h, and a pair of side plates 21g connecting the side of the support plate main body 21h and the side of the fixed plate 46. The support plate main body 21h, the filter mounting section 21b, the fixed plate 46, and the pair of side plates 21g are integrally molded from, for example, a resin material. The support plate main body 21h is provided with a beam portion 211 and a bracket 37, and rotatably supports the other end of the rotation shaft 24 of the tipping bucket 23. The filter mounting section 21b extends upward from the upper end of the support plate main body 21h, and the filter 22 is mounted at its upper end. The filter mounting section 21b positions the filter 22 below the funnel 17.

[0027] The side plates 21g of the support plate 21a connect the sides of the support plate main body 21h and the fixing plate 46, improving the mechanical strength of the support plate main body 21h and the fixing plate 46, which is disposed perpendicular to the support plate main body 21h. The fixing plate 46 is integrally formed with the lower end of the support plate main body 21h, which is the lower end of the frame 21, and the surface direction of the fixing plate 46 is disposed perpendicular to the side surface of the support plate main body 21h. The side plates 21g of the support plate 21a are provided with terminals 35a that output a pulse signal (contact signal) generated by the reed switch 35 to an external device. Wiring (not shown) is connected to the terminals 35a. The pulse signal generated by the reed switch 35 is output to an external device via the wiring connected to the terminals 35a.

[0028] Here, the rain gauge 11 includes an attachment mechanism 45a that allows the frame 21 to be attached to the base 12 and detached from the base 12 by displacing the frame 21 relative to the base 12. The attachment mechanism 45a according to this embodiment is composed of an opening forming portion 46b on the fixing plate 46 and a shaft 47 provided on the base 12.

[0029] The fixed plate 46 according to this embodiment has a concave (U-shaped) shape when viewed from above. Specifically, the fixed plate 46 includes a plate-shaped mounting portion 46a extending in the width direction of the support plate main body 21h, and plate-shaped opening-forming portions 46b integrally formed at the longitudinal ends of the mounting portion 46a and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion 46a. The lower ends of the side plates 21g of the support plate 21a are integrally formed on the sides of the opening-forming portions 46b of the fixed plate 46. The fixed plate 46 is placed on the shaft installation portion 19 located at a specific position on the surface of the base 12, and is detachably attached to the surface of the base 12.

[0030] 5, the surface of the base 12 is provided with a plate-shaped shaft installation portion 19 that receives the opening forming portion 46b, and a shaft 47 that protrudes outward from the surface of the shaft installation portion 19. Note that, here, a case will be described in which the shaft installation portion 19, which is a separate member from the base 12, is installed on the surface of the base 12, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the surface of the base 12 itself may serve as the shaft installation portion 19 without providing a separate member on the base 12.

[0031] In this embodiment, two shaft bodies 47 are arranged in series and disposed at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the frame 21, for a total of four shaft bodies 47. The multiple shaft bodies 47 have the same configuration, and each shaft body 47 includes a shaft portion 49 protruding outward from the surface of the shaft body installation portion 19, a stopper 51 fixed to the tip of the shaft portion 49 at a position away from the surface of the shaft body installation portion 19, a washer 53 arranged between the shaft body installation portion 19 and the stopper 51, and an elastic body 52 arranged between the washer 53 and the stopper 51.

[0032] The washer 53 slides freely along the axial direction of the shaft portion 49 against the elastic force of the elastic body 52. ​​The elastic body 52 may be, for example, an annular rubber. Alternatively, a spiral spring or the like may be used as the elastic body 52. ​​Because the stopper 51 is fixed to the tip of the shaft portion 49, the back surface of the washer 53 is pressed upward, compressing the elastic body 52, and the elastic force of the elastic body 52 acts to drive the washer 53 downward. The fixing plate 46 is inserted between the shaft mounting portion 19 and the washer 53 against the elastic force of the elastic body 52, and is pressed against the shaft mounting portion 19 by the elastic force of the elastic body 52. ​​In this way, the fixing plate 46 is fixed between the shaft mounting portion 19 and the washer 53.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6 , the fixed plate 46 has an opening 55 formed in the opening forming portion 46b through which the shaft 47 can enter and exit. The opening 55 has a coupling hole 56a that couples with the guided shaft 49 while preventing the stopper 51 from entering, and an entrance / exit 56b that receives the entry of the stopper 51 and allows the shaft 49 to enter the coupling hole 56a. The entrance / exit 56b is an opening that receives the entry of the stopper 51 and guides the shaft 47 into the coupling hole 56a. The entrance / exit 56b is formed by cutting out the lower end of the support plate main body 21h of the support plate 21a of the frame 21 and communicates with the coupling hole 56a formed in the opening forming portion 46b of the fixed plate 46. Another entrance / exit 56b is also formed in the opening forming portion 46b, and an opening area through which the stopper 51 can enter is also formed at the rear end of the coupling hole 56a. The opening 56b can prevent interference between the moving stopper 51 and the support plate main body 21h. The opening 56b also makes it easier for the shaft 47 to enter the coupling hole 56a.

[0034] The opening forming portion 46b extends parallel to the surface of the base 12. The coupling holes 56a formed in each of the pair of opening forming portions 46b have the same shape. The coupling holes 56a are elongated holes extending along the longitudinal direction of the opening forming portion 46b, with one end communicating with the outside and the other end having a closed U-shaped notch shape. The pair of elongated coupling holes 56a extend parallel to each other.

[0035] The opening dimension of the coupling hole 56a in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is smaller than the width direction dimension of the stopper 51 and larger than the diameter of the shaft 49. The coupling hole 56a is also long enough to accommodate multiple (here, two) shafts 47 arranged in series in the longitudinal direction. The coupling hole 56a has a leading edge portion on the distal end side of the opening-forming portion 46b, so that the front shaft 49 abuts against this leading edge and receives the front shaft 47 at this leading edge. In this way, the front shaft 47 couples with the coupling hole 56a to restrict the backward movement of the sensor unit 18. The multiple shafts 47 arranged in series sandwich the opening-forming portion 46b of the fixing plate 46 between the shaft installation portion 19 and the stopper 51. The elastic body 52 uses its elastic force to strongly press the opening forming portion 46 b against the shaft installation portion 19 , preventing the frame 21 of the sensor unit 18 from rattling (moving freely) on the shaft installation portion 19 .

[0036] The multiple shafts 47 arranged in series exit (detach) from the openings 55 via the entrances 56b by sliding the frame 21 forward on the surface of the base 12. When all of the shafts 47 have been detached from the respective openings 55, the frame 21 can be removed from the base 12.

[0037] <Measuring Rainfall Using a Rain Gauge> Rain and snow fall from the inlet 14a into the funnel 17. The rain and snow are collected by the funnel 17. The collected water flows down from the outlet pipe 17a at the bottom of the funnel 17 into the water filter 22. When the tipping bucket 23 is in the first position, water dripping from the water filter 22 is received in the first compartment 25 of the tipping bucket 23. When a predetermined amount of water is collected in the first compartment 25, the tipping bucket 23 tips to the second position around the rotation axis 24a. At this time, a pulse signal is output from the reed switch 35. When the tipping bucket 23 is in the second position, water dripping from the water filter 22 is received in the second compartment 27 of the tipping bucket 23. When a predetermined amount of water is collected in the second compartment 27, the tipping bucket 23 returns to the first position around the rotation axis 24a. At this time, a pulse signal is output from the reed switch 35. In this way, the amount of rain is measured according to the number of pulse signals output.

[0038] <Method of Removing the Sensor Unit from the Base> The sensor unit 18 can be removed from the base 12 for inspection or other purposes. To remove the sensor unit 18 from the base 12, as shown in Figure 7, an operator applies an external force in the forward direction (the direction of the arrow in Figure 7) to the frame 21 of the sensor unit 18, which is provided on the surface of the base 12. At this time, the operator does not need to use a tool; instead, the operator simply grasps the frame 21 directly with their hand and applies the external force with their bare hands. Although the opening forming portion 46b of the fixing plate 46 of the frame 21 is pressed against the shaft mounting portion 19 by the elastic body 52 on the back surface of the washer 53 of the shaft 47, the application of an external force by the operator causes the fixing plate 46 to slide across the surface of the base 12. When the frame 21 slides along the longitudinal direction of the opening 55 of the fixed plate 46, the opening forming portion 46b moves out from between the shaft installation portion 19 and the washer 53, and the shaft 47 moves out of the opening 55 through the rear end entrance 56b. The connection between the opening 55 of the fixed plate 46 and the shaft 47 is released, and the frame 21 is released from the constraint of the shaft 47.

[0039] 8, the worker can lift the sensor unit 18 upward from the surface of the base 12. In this way, the worker can collectively separate the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, the detector 34, and the water filter 22 from the base 12 together with the frame 21 by simply displacing the frame 21 relative to the base 12. Therefore, since the worker can collectively remove the sensor unit 18 from the base 12, maintenance of the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, the detector 34, and the water filter 22 can be performed at a location other than where the rain gauge 11 is fixed.

[0040] For example, an operator can perform inspection work indoors on the sensor unit 18 removed from the base 12, thereby avoiding inspection work on the sensor unit 18 under the scorching sun or in bad weather. Also, an operator can avoid inspection work on the base 12 at the fixed location of the rain gauge 11 and perform inspection work on the removed sensor unit 18 in a suitable posture. During inspection work, the positional relationship between the reed switch 35 and the magnet 36 is maintained, so inspection of the detector 34 can also be performed smoothly.

[0041] <Method of Attaching the Sensor Unit to the Base> The worker can attach a sensor unit 18 that has been inspected or a new sensor unit 18 to the base 12 from which the sensor unit 18 was removed. This allows the worker to attach the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, the detector 34, and the water strainer 22 together with the frame 21 to the base 12. When attaching the sensor unit 18 to the base 12, as shown in FIG. 8 , the worker positions the shaft 47 on the surface of the base 12 in the opening 55 of the fixing plate 46 of the sensor unit 18. Specifically, the worker places the fixing plate 46 of the frame 21 on the surface of the base 12 so that the entrance 56b of the opening 55 in the fixing plate 46 is aligned with the front shaft 47.

[0042] Next, as shown in Figure 7, the worker applies an external force in the rear direction (the opposite direction to the arrow direction in Figure 7) to the frame 21 of the sensor unit 18 placed on the surface of the base 12. At this time, the worker does not use any tools; instead, the worker directly grasps the frame 21 with his or her hand and applies the external force with his or her bare hand. As a result, the shaft 47 of the frame 21 enters the opening 55 of the fixed plate 46 through the opening 56b at the rear end of the opening 55. At this time, although the opening forming portion 46b of the fixed plate 46 of the frame 21 is pressed against the shaft installation portion 19 by the elastic body 52 with the back surface of the washer 53 of the shaft 47, the application of the external force by the worker causes the fixed plate 46 to slide on the surface of the base 12 between the shaft installation portion 19 and the washer 53. When the frame 21 moves backward, the shaft 47 moves along the coupling hole 56a within the coupling hole 56a, and the shaft portion 49 of the shaft 47 hits the tip edge of the coupling hole 56a, and the movement of the shaft 47 is restricted by the tip of the opening 55. The frame 21 is restrained by the shaft 47 at a predetermined position of the fixing plate 46.

[0043] After attaching the frame 21 to the surface of the base 12, the worker adjusts the installation height of the support legs 15 using the air bubble in the level 33 attached to the sensor unit 18 as a guide to change the angle of the base 12 and determine the horizontal direction. Note that the sensor unit 18 attached to the base 12 has the protrusion amounts of the protrusions 26a of the first stopper 26 that receives the first measure 25 and the protrusion amount of the protrusions 29a of the second stopper 29 that receives the second measure 27 adjusted in advance so that the tipping bucket 23 will tip evenly to the left and right in the horizontal direction. This allows the sensor unit 18 to tip the tipping bucket 23 evenly to the left and right, enabling accurate measurement of rainfall.

[0044] <Operations and Effects> According to the above configuration, the rain gauge 11 has the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, the detector 34, and the strainer 22 fixed to the frame 21, and is configured so that the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, the detector 34, and the strainer 22 can be attached and detached together with the frame 21 from the base 12. As a result, with the rain gauge 11, during maintenance work, it is not necessary to individually remove the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, the detector 34, and the strainer 22 from the base 12. By removing only the frame 21 from the base 12, the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, the detector 34, and the strainer 22 can all be removed from the base 12 at once, thereby reducing the burden of maintenance work on workers compared to conventional methods.

[0045] Furthermore, when attaching the frame 21 to the base 12, the worker simply slides the frame 21 rearward relative to the base 12 with his or her bare hands, without using any tools, causing the shaft 47 to enter the opening 55 of the fixing plate 46 and connect the opening 55 with the shaft 47. At this time, the elastic force of the shaft 47 presses the fixing plate 46 against the shaft installation portion 19 of the frame 21. As a result, the fixing plate 46 of the frame 21 is restrained to the surface of the base 12 by the action of the elastic force. In this way, the frame 21 can be attached to the base 12 by the worker's bare hands alone, without using any tools.

[0046] Furthermore, in the frame 21 according to this embodiment, the fixing plate 46 can be inserted between the shaft installation portion 19 and the washer 53 simply by sliding the fixing plate 46 along the surface of the base 12, and the fixing plate 46 can be pressed against the shaft installation portion 19 by the elastic force generated by compressing the elastic body 52, thereby easily fixing the fixing plate 46. Therefore, when attaching the frame 21 to the base 12, the worker does not need to use tools or tighten screws with his or her bare hands, which reduces the burden on the worker compared to conventional methods.

[0047] On the other hand, when removing the frame 21 from the base, the worker simply slides the frame 21 forward relative to the base 12 with his bare hands without using any tools, causing the shaft 47 to retract from the opening 55 of the fixing plate 46, thereby releasing the connection between the opening 55 and the shaft 47. At this time, the frame 21 is also released from the elastic force of the shaft 47, and is released from the constraint of the fixing plate 46. In this way, the frame 21 can be removed from the base 12 with just his bare hands, without using any tools.

[0048] Furthermore, in the frame 21 according to this embodiment, the fixed plate 46 can be removed from between the shaft installation portion 19 and the washer 53 simply by sliding the fixed plate 46 along the surface of the base 12. Therefore, when removing the frame 21 from the base 12, the worker does not need to use tools or perform screw tightening work with bare hands, and the burden on the worker can be reduced accordingly compared to conventional methods.

[0049] 9 , for example, a plate 60 may be inserted between the fixed plate 46 and the washer 53 when attaching the frame 21 to the surface of the base 12. By inserting the plate 60 between the fixed plate 46 and the washer 53 in this way, the elastic body 52 can be further compressed. This increases the elastic force of the elastic body 52, causing the fixed plate 46 to be pressed further against the shaft installation portion 19, and the frame 21 can be firmly fixed to the base 12.

[0050] In this case, the plate 60 has a flat plate body 60a and a protrusion 60b formed on an end of the plate body 60a. The plate body 60a is formed in a rectangular shape from a resin material such as plastic or a metal material. The plate body 60a has a thickness that allows it to be inserted between the opening forming portion 46b of the fixing plate 46 and the washer 53. The plate body 60a also has an elongated hole-shaped notch 60c extending along the longitudinal direction. The notch 60c guides the shaft portion 49 of the shaft body 47 while preventing the stopper 51 from entering.

[0051] Specifically, the shaft 49 protruding from the shaft installation portion 19 can enter the notch 60c from the open end communicating with the outside of the notch 60c. The plate body 60a has a length that allows multiple (two) shafts 47 arranged in series to be received in the notch 60c. The protrusion 60b is plate-shaped and is integrally formed at the end of the plate body 60a so as to protrude upward from the surface of the plate body 60a. The protrusion 60b has a height that allows it to be grasped by an operator.

[0052] After attaching the frame 21 to the surface of the base 12, the worker pinches the protrusion 60b of the plate 60 and inserts the plate 60 between the opening forming portion 46b of the fixing plate 46 and the washer 53 so that the shaft portion 49 of the shaft body 47 on the base 12 enters the notch 60c. At this time, the back surface of the washer 53 of the shaft body 47 is pressed against the surface of the plate 60, and the washer 53 rises against the elastic force of the elastic body 52. ​​As a result, the frame 21 can be firmly fixed to the base 12 by the amount that the elastic force of the elastic body 52 increases.

[0053] In addition, with conventional rain gauges, disassembly or part replacement at the installation site could cause the tipping bucket 23 to lose its tipping balance, making it impossible to guarantee the accuracy of rainfall measurement, so it is difficult to disassemble or assemble on site, and even if it is necessary to replace only the tipping bucket 23 or the detector 34, the entire base 12 must be replaced. Furthermore, in conventional rain gauges, even if the base 12 is in a reusable condition, the entire base 12 has to be removed at the installation site, which means that the entire base 12 has to be discarded, which increases waste and creates a large environmental load.

[0054] In contrast, in the rain gauge 11 according to this embodiment, the frame 21 can be removed from the base 12 or attached to the base 12 while the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, the detector 34, and the filter 22 are attached to the frame 21. In this case, the tipping balance of the tipping bucket 23 on the frame 21 can be adjusted in advance at the factory using the horizontal plane set by the level 33 attached to the frame 21 as a reference, thereby ensuring the accuracy of rainfall measurement before attaching the frame 21 to the base 12. Therefore, when the frame 21 is attached to the base 12, the tipping balance of the tipping bucket 23 can be adjusted at the site simply by adjusting the installation height of the support legs 15, adjusting the angle of the base 12, and aligning the horizontal plane with the level 33, thereby ensuring the same level of rainfall measurement accuracy as when adjusted at the factory. Therefore, only the frame 21 can be removed from the base 12 and replaced, and since there is no need to replace the base 12, the base 12 can remain installed at the installation location. This allows the base 12 to be reused, thereby reducing waste and environmental impact.

[0055] Furthermore, the attachment mechanism 45a allows an operator to remove the frame 21 from the base 12 and attach the frame 21 to the base 12 using only his bare hands without using any tools, so that the frame 21 can be easily replaced even at an outdoor installation location, reducing the burden on the operator.

[0056] (2) Second Embodiment In the above-described embodiment, the opening 55 includes an elongated notched coupling hole 56a with one end communicating with the outside as the coupling hole that couples with the guided shaft portion 49 while preventing the stopper 51 from entering, and an entrance / exit 56b formed in the support plate 21a as the entrance to receive the stopper 51 entering the coupling hole 56a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as another opening, a potbellied opening 57 that connects an opening with a small diameter circular locus and an opening with a large diameter circular locus may be used, as shown in FIG. 10A . In this case, the opening 57 includes a curved coupling hole 57a that couples with the guided shaft portion 49 while preventing the stopper 51 ( FIG. 5 ) of the shaft 47 from entering, and an entrance / exit 57b that receives the stopper 51 entering the coupling hole 57a.

[0057] The mounting mechanism 45b according to the second embodiment also includes an opening forming portion 46b having an opening 57 and a shaft 47 provided on the base 12. An opening 57 is formed in the opening forming portion 46b of the fixing plate 46 for each shaft 47 shown in FIG. 5 . In the opening forming portion 46b of this embodiment, two openings 57 are formed in series along the longitudinal direction of the opening forming portion 46b, corresponding to the two shafts 47 arranged in series. The coupling hole 57a has a diameter smaller than that of the stopper 51 but equal to that of the shaft 49, and couples to the shaft 47 while preventing the stopper 51 from entering. Note that the diameter of the coupling hole 57a being equal to that of the shaft 49 does not only mean that the diameter of the coupling hole 57a is the same as that of the shaft 49, but also means that the diameter of the coupling hole 57a is slightly larger than that of the shaft 49, but is large enough to allow the shaft 49 to fit within the coupling hole 57a. The opening 57b is continuous with the connecting hole 57a and has a size that allows the stopper 51 to pass in and out. In each opening 57, the connecting hole 57a and the opening 57b are arranged on a straight line in the front-to-rear direction along the longitudinal direction of the opening forming portion 46b. The straight line defines the movement direction of the frame 21.

[0058] When the frame 21 is attached to the base 12, it is placed on the surface of the base 12 so that the stopper 51 of the shaft 47 provided on the base 12 enters the opening 57b. The frame 21 is then slid rearward relative to the surface of the base 12 by an operator with bare hands without using any tools. As shown in FIG. 10B , the shaft 47, which has entered the opening 57b of the fixing plate 46, enters the coupling hole 57a, and the opening 57 couples to the shaft 47. At this time, the opening forming portion 46b of the frame 21 is sandwiched between the stopper 51 and the shaft installation portion 19, and the elastic force of the shaft 47 presses the fixing plate 46 against the base 12. This elastic force restrains the frame 21 against the surface of the base 12. In this way, the frame 21 can be attached to the base 12 by the operator's bare hands without using any tools.

[0059] On the other hand, when removing the frame 21 from the base, the worker slides the frame 21 forward relative to the surface of the base 12 with his bare hands without using any tools, causing the shaft 47 to retract from the opening 57 of the fixing plate 46, thereby releasing the shaft 47 from the opening 57. At this time, the frame 21 is also released from the elastic force of the shaft 47, and is released from the constraint of the fixing plate 46. The frame 21 is lifted from the surface of the base 12 by the worker, and is removed from the base 12 with only his bare hands, without using any tools.

[0060] According to the above configuration, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the worker can displace the frame 21 relative to the base 12, and the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, the detector 34, and the water strainer 22 can be attached and detached together with the frame 21 from the base 12, thereby achieving the same effects as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the configuration of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the worker does not need to use tools or tighten screws with his bare hands when removing or attaching the frame 21 to the base 12, and therefore the burden on the worker can be reduced accordingly compared to the conventional configuration.

[0061] 11, an attachment mechanism 45c according to another embodiment may have an opening 56b formed by cutting out the lower end of the support plate main body 21h in the support plate 21a of the frame 21. In the opening 58 shown in FIG. 11, the opening 56b of the support plate main body 21h receives the stopper 51 entering the opening 58, and the shaft 49 inserted into the opening 56b can be guided to the coupling hole 56a and coupled to the shaft 47.

[0062] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the shape of the opening formed in the opening forming portion 46b of the fixing plate 46 is different, but the other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12 , an attachment mechanism 45d according to the second embodiment also includes an opening forming portion 46b having an opening 59 and a shaft 47 provided on the base 12. The pair of opening forming portions 46b extend parallel to each other in one direction (the front-rear direction). The pair of opening forming portions 46b are provided with parallel elongated openings 59 extending parallel to each other in the front-rear direction. The openings 59 each include an entrance 56b for receiving the entry of the stopper 51, a guide hole 59a extending from the distal end of the entrance 56b to the distal end, and a coupling hole 59b communicating with the distal end of the guide hole 59a and coupling to the shaft 47.

[0063] The pair of guide holes 59a extend longitudinally so as to gradually separate from each other in the short-side direction as they extend forward from the support plate main body 21h of the frame 21. In this case, in the vicinity of the support plate main body 21h of the frame 21, the longitudinal center of the guide hole 59a is located on a straight line 61 extending in the direction normal to the surface of the support plate main body 21h. The guide holes 59a extend such that the longitudinal center of the guide hole 59a separates outward from the straight line 61 as they extend forward from the support plate main body 21h.

[0064] The coupling hole 59b is provided at the tip of the guide hole 59a and has a curved recessed shape that is located on the opposite side of the other guide hole 59a. In this case, the coupling hole 59b is formed so that the center of the coupling hole 59b is located near a line 61 that extends in the direction normal to the surface of the support plate main body 21h (on the line 61 or inside the line 61). Furthermore, the shaft 49 enters the coupling hole 59b through the guide hole 59a while preventing the stopper 51 of the shaft 47 from entering.

[0065] Although the guide hole 59a is inclined outward as it extends forward in the longitudinal direction, the shaft 47 can be guided to the connecting hole 59b at the tip of the guide hole 59a. The opening forming portion 46b of the fixing plate 46 is deformed outward by the shaft 47, and an elastic force is applied to the opening forming portion 46b.

[0066] When the shaft 47 is guided along the guide hole 59a extending outward from the entrance 56b, the guide hole 59a receives a reaction force from the stationary shaft 47, causing the opening-forming portion 46b of the fixed plate 46 to deform outward. At this time, the pair of opening-forming portions 46b of the fixed plate 46 expand in directions away from each other, generating a force that draws the pair of opening-forming portions 46b toward each other. When the shaft 47 subsequently reaches the tip of the guide hole 59a, the shaft 47 is received in the coupling hole 59b. This releases the force that bends the opening-forming portion 46b outward, which was exerted by the shaft 47 moving along the guide hole 59a, and the opening-forming portion 46b returns to its original shape. By coupling the shaft 47 to the coupling hole 59b, the frame 21 is restrained on the base 12 to prevent forward and backward movement of the frame 21 relative to the base 12.

[0067] According to the above configuration, the third embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, when attaching the frame 21 to the base 12, an operator can simply slide the frame 21 rearward relative to the surface of the base 12 with his or her bare hands without using any tools. This causes the shaft 47, which has entered the opening 56b of the fixed plate 46, to enter the coupling hole 59b via the guide hole 59a, thereby coupling the opening 59 and the shaft 47. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, when removing the frame 21 from the base 12, an operator can simply apply an external force to the opening forming portion 46b with his or her bare hands without using any tools so as to bend the longitudinal direction of the opening forming portion 46b inward, while sliding the frame 21 forward relative to the base 12, thereby removing the shaft 47 from the opening 59 of the fixed plate 46 and releasing the coupling between the opening 59 and the shaft 47.

[0068] Fourth Embodiment In the above-described embodiment, the mounting mechanism is described as including an opening forming portion 46b having openings 55, 57, 58, and 59 at the lower end of the frame, and including a shaft 47 on the surface of the base 12 that protrudes outward and can enter the openings 55, 57, 58, and 59. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As another mounting mechanism, a configuration may be used in which an opening forming portion having openings 55, 57, 58, and 59 is provided on the surface of the base 12, and a shaft 47 is provided on the lower end of the frame 21 that protrudes outward and can enter the openings 55, 57, 58, and 59.

[0069] 13 shows a configuration in which an opening forming portion 65 having an opening 68 is provided on the surface of the base 12, and a shaft 63 is provided at the lower end of the frame 21, protruding outward and capable of entering the opening 68. Note that the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment described above except for the configuration of the shaft 63 and the opening forming portion 65, and therefore the following description will focus on the shaft 63 and the opening forming portion 65 to avoid duplication.

[0070] The attachment mechanism according to the fourth embodiment is composed of a shaft 63 provided on the fixed plate 46 and an opening forming portion 65 having an opening 68 provided on the base 12. The fixed plate 46 includes a plate-shaped mounting portion 46a extending in the width direction of the support plate main body 21h, and plate-shaped shaft installation portions 64 integrally provided at each longitudinal end of the mounting portion 46a and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion 46a. Each shaft installation portion 64 has multiple (two) shafts 63 arranged in series in the front-to-rear direction disposed therein.

[0071] Thus, unlike the shaft body 47 according to the embodiment described above, the shaft body 63 is provided on the fixed plate 46 and is coupled to an opening 68 provided in the base 12. The shaft body 63 has a configuration similar to that of the shaft body 47 according to the embodiment described above. That is, the shaft body 63 includes a shaft portion 49 that protrudes outward, a stopper 51 fixed to the shaft portion 49 at a position away from a shaft body installation portion 64 that is the arrangement surface of the shaft body 63, a washer 53 arranged between the shaft body installation portion 64 and the stopper 51, and an elastic body 52 arranged between the washer 53 and the stopper 51. In this case, because the stopper 51 is fixed at the lower limit position, when the washer 53 moves downward and the elastic body 52 is compressed, an upward driving force acts on the washer 53.

[0072] Openings 68 are formed in the base 12 corresponding to the individual shafts 63 of the fixed plate 46. In this example, the openings 68 are formed in a potbellied shape by connecting an opening with a small diameter circular locus and an opening with a large diameter circular locus, similar to the opening 57 in the second embodiment described above. The openings 68 have a curved coupling hole 57a that couples with the guided shaft portion 49 while preventing the stopper 51 of the shaft 63 from entering, and an entrance / exit 57b that accepts the stopper 51 entering the coupling hole 57a.

[0073] According to the above configuration, the fourth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, when attaching the frame 21 to the base 12, the worker can simply slide the frame 21 rearward relative to the surface of the base 12 with his or her bare hands without using any tools, thereby causing the shaft 63, which has entered the opening 57b of the base 12, to enter the coupling hole 57a and couple the opening 68 with the shaft 63. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, when removing the frame 21 from the base 12, the worker can simply slide the frame 21 forward relative to the surface of the base 12 with his or her bare hands without using any tools, thereby releasing the coupling between the opening 68 of the base 12 and the shaft 63.

[0074] In the fourth embodiment described above, the base 12 is provided with a potbelly-shaped opening 68 that connects the opening of the small-diameter circular locus with the opening of the large-diameter circular locus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as another opening, as shown in Fig. 6, it may be an elongated hole extending in the front-rear direction, with an opening 56b at one end and a connecting hole 56a in the shape of a closed U-shaped notch at the other end. In this case, the opening 56b is formed only on the surface of the base 12.

[0075] In addition, the opening forming portion 65 may be made of a separate member from the base 12 and installed on the surface of the base 12, or the surface of the base 12 itself may be the opening forming portion 65 without providing a separate member on the base 12.

[0076] Fifth Embodiment In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the frame 21 is displaced relative to the base 12 by sliding the frame 21 relative to the base 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the description of the case where the frame 21 is displaced relative to the base 12 also includes the case where the frame 21 is displaced relative to the base 12 by simply lifting the frame 21 from the surface of the base 12 or placing the frame 21 at a specific position on the surface of the base 12.

[0077] The mounting mechanism 45e of the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 14 simply lifts the frame 21 from the surface of the base 12, or places the frame 21 at a specific position on the surface of the base 12, thereby causing relative displacement, thereby allowing the shaft 69 of the base 12 to enter into the opening 70 of the opening forming portion 46b of the frame 21 and the shaft 69 to exit from the opening 70, thereby making it possible to attach the frame 21 to the base 12 and detach the frame 21 from the base 12.

[0078] A shaft 69 protruding from the surface of the base 12 by the shaft installation portion 19 enters the opening 70 formed in the opening forming portion 46b. Although the hole shape of the opening 70 according to the present embodiment is circular, it may have any shape as long as it allows the shaft 69 of the base 12, which will be described later, to enter, and may be rectangular, triangular, elongated, or other hole shape to match the shape of the shaft 69. Furthermore, the shapes of the shaft 69 and the opening 70 are preferably such that the shaft 69 can be fitted into the opening 70.

[0079] On the surface of the base 12, there is provided a plate-shaped shaft installation portion 19 that receives the opening forming portion 46b, and a shaft 69 that protrudes outward from the surface of the shaft installation portion 19. Note that, here, a case will be described in which the shaft installation portion 19, which is a separate member from the base 12, is installed on the surface of the base 12, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the surface of the base 12 itself may serve as the shaft installation portion 19 without providing a separate member on the base 12.

[0080] In this embodiment, two shaft bodies 69 are arranged in series and disposed at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the frame 21, for a total of four shaft bodies 69. The multiple shaft bodies 69 have the same configuration, but the shapes of the front shaft body 69 and the rear shaft body 69 may be different, or the shapes of each shaft body 69 may be different.

[0081] It is desirable that the shaft body 69 has a sufficient height and fit with the opening 70 so that when it enters the opening 70 of the frame 21 and is restrained by the opening 70, it will not come out of the opening 70 or cause rattle in the frame 21 even if an external force that tilts the frame 21 is applied. Furthermore, it is desirable that the shaft body 69 has a height that will not come out of the opening 70 even when an external force that separates the frame 21 from the base 12 is applied when the outer cylinder 13 is placed on the base 12 (see Figures 1 and 2 ) and a part of the frame 21 hits the inner surface of the outer cylinder 13.

[0082] The height of the shaft 69 is preferably at least twice the thickness of the opening forming portion 46b, and more preferably at least three times the thickness. Furthermore, the height of the shaft 69 is preferably such that, for example, when the shaft 69 of the base 12 is inserted into the opening 70 of the frame 21 and the frame 21 is attached to the surface of the base 12, the tip of the shaft 69 does not hit any component provided on the frame 21.

[0083] According to the above configuration, the fifth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, when attaching the frame 21 to the base 12, an operator can insert and fit the shaft 69 of the base 12 into the opening 70 of the frame 21 by simply placing (relatively displacing) the frame 21 on the surface of the base 12 with his or her bare hands without using any tools. This allows the opening 70 and the shaft 69 to be coupled together. Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, when removing the frame 21 from the base 12, an operator can remove the shaft 69 of the base 12 from the opening 70 of the frame 21 by simply lifting (relatively displacing) the frame 21 from the surface of the base 12 with his or her bare hands without using any tools. This allows the opening 70 and the shaft 69 to be released from the coupling.

[0084] The shaft 69 may be formed from a hard elastic material. This makes it easier for the shaft 69 to enter the opening 70, and by fitting the hard shaft 69 into the opening 70, the frame 21 can be stably fixed to the base 12. The shaft 69 is cylindrical, but it may also be truncated cone-shaped. The diameter of the opening 70 may be larger than the diameter of the shaft 69, so long as the water drained when the tipping bucket 23 tips over falls correctly into the first drain tube 31 and the second drain tube 32, allowing the sensor unit 18 to move back and forth and left and right relative to the base 12.

[0085] Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment in which a magnet is provided in the attachment mechanism will be described. Fig. 15A is an enlarged perspective view of an attachment mechanism 45f according to the sixth embodiment. Fig. 15B is an enlarged perspective view of the attachment mechanism 45f, showing the shaft 72 and the opening 73, with the magnet 71 shown in Fig. 15A omitted. The attachment mechanism 45f shown in Fig. 15A displaces the frame 21 relative to the base 12 by simply lifting the frame 21 off the surface of the base 12 or placing the frame 21 at a specific position on the surface of the base 12. This relative displacement causes the shaft 72 to enter and exit the opening 73, and magnetically couples and releases the magnet 71 and the shaft 72, thereby enabling the frame 21 to be attached to the base 12 and detached from the base 12.

[0086] In this case, the mounting mechanism 45f includes a magnet (a magnetic body having magnetic force) 71 on the surface of an opening forming portion 46b provided on the fixing plate 46. The magnet 71 is fixed to the surface of the opening forming portion 46b so as to cover an opening 73 formed in the opening forming portion 46b. The magnet 71 may be fixed to the opening forming portion 46b using an adhesive or other methods. As shown in FIG. 15B , the back surface of the magnet 71 has an opening 73 formed in the opening forming portion 46b. A shaft 72 protruding from the surface of the base 12 enters the opening 73. As a result, the opening 73 is positioned at a predetermined position on the surface of the base 12 by the shaft 72 entering the opening 73.

[0087] Although the opening 73 in this embodiment has a circular shape, it may have a rectangular, triangular, or elongated shape to match the shape of the shaft 72 of the base 12, as long as the shaft 72 can be inserted therein. Furthermore, the shape of the opening 73 may be different from the shape of the shaft 72, as long as the shaft 72 can be inserted therein. Furthermore, as long as the water drained when the tipping bucket 23 tips over properly flows into the first drain tube 31 and the second drain tube 32, a small-diameter shaft 72 may be inserted into the opening 73 (e.g., the diameter of the opening 73 is 4 mm, and the diameter of the shaft 72 is 3 mm), allowing the sensor unit 18 to be shifted forward, backward, left, or right relative to the base 12. A plurality of openings 73 are arranged in series along the longitudinal direction of the opening forming portion 46b to match the positions of the shafts 72 provided on the base 12.

[0088] The shaft body 72 is formed of a magnetic material such as a metal member that can be coupled to the magnet 71 by the magnetic force of the magnet 71. The shaft body 72 has a columnar shape. The shaft body 72 is erected so as to protrude outward from the shaft body installation portion 19 of the base 12. The shaft body 72 can be formed from the shank of a screw that is screwed from the back surface (lower surface) of the base 12 toward the front surface of the base 12. A plurality of shaft bodies 72 are arranged in series along the front-rear direction. When the shaft body 72 is fitted into the opening 73 of the opening forming portion 46b of the frame 21 to attach the frame 21 to the base 12, the tip of the shaft body 72 comes into contact with the back surface of the magnet 71 placed above the opening 73 and is coupled to the magnet 71 by magnetic force. Furthermore, if the shaft body 72 and the magnet 71 can be connected by magnetic force, the tip of the shaft body 72 may be configured to be non-contact with the magnet 71 (for example, a structure in which there is a small gap between the tip of the shaft body 72 and the magnet 71, but connection by magnetic force is possible).

[0089] According to the above configuration, the sixth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, when attaching the frame 21 to the base 12, the worker can simply place (relatively displace) the frame 21 on the surface of the base 12 with his or her bare hands without using any tools, thereby inserting the shaft 72 of the base 12 into the opening 73 of the frame 21 and positioning the opening 73 with respect to the shaft 72. In addition, in the sixth embodiment, the magnet 71 and the shaft 72 are coupled by magnetic force, so that the frame 21 is attached to the base 12 even more firmly.

[0090] Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, when removing the frame 21 from the base 12, the worker can simply lift (relatively displace) the frame 21 from the surface of the base 12 with his bare hands without using any tools, thereby separating the shaft 72, which is coupled to the magnet 71 by magnetic force, from the magnet 71 and releasing the coupling. Furthermore, simply by lifting the frame 21 in this state, the shaft 72 of the base 12 can be withdrawn from the opening 73 of the frame 21, and the constraint of the frame 21 by the shaft 72 can be released.

[0091] In the sixth embodiment, the magnet 71 is disposed above the opening 73 of the opening forming portion 46b, and the shaft 72 is coupled to the magnet 71 by magnetic force. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a magnetic body that can be coupled to a magnet may be disposed above the opening 73 of the opening forming portion 46b instead of the magnet 71, and the shaft 72 may be formed from a magnet, and the shaft 72 and the magnetic body may be coupled by the magnetic force of the shaft 72.

[0092] <Seventh embodiment> An attachment mechanism according to a seventh embodiment may be configured such that a magnet (a magnetic material having magnetic force) is provided on either the front surface of the base 12 or the back surface of the opening forming portion 46 b, and a magnetic material that magnetically couples with the magnet is provided on the other of the front surface of the base 12 or the back surface of the opening forming portion 46 b. Fig. 16 shows an example of an attachment mechanism 45 g in which a plate-shaped magnet 75 is provided on the back surface of the opening forming portion 46 b, and a shaft installation portion 74 made of a magnetic material that magnetically couples with the magnet 75 is provided on the front surface of the base 12.

[0093] The opening forming portion 46b of the fixing plate 46 is received by a shaft mounting portion 74 provided on the surface of the base 12. The opening forming portion 46b is attracted to the shaft mounting portion 74 by the magnetic force of a magnet 75. An opening 76 penetrating the thickness is formed in the opening forming portion 46b and the plate-shaped magnet 75 provided on the back surface of the opening forming portion 46b. A shaft 77 protruding from the surface of the base 12 by the shaft mounting portion 74 enters the opening 76. As a result, the opening 76 is restrained by the shaft 77. The frame 21 can be positioned on the surface of the base 12 by the shaft 77 entering the opening 76.

[0094] Although the hole shape of the opening 76 in this embodiment is circular, it is sufficient if the shaft 77 of the base 12, which will be described later, can enter, and the hole shape may be rectangular, triangular, elongated, or other shapes to match the shape of the shaft 77. The shaft installation portion 74 is made of a magnetic material such as a metal member, and the columnar shaft 77 is erected on the surface of the shaft installation portion 74. The shaft 77 may be made of a metal member or plastic, for example. The shaft 77 in this embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape to match the shape of the opening 76.

[0095] According to the above configuration, the seventh embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the seventh embodiment, when attaching the frame 21 to the base 12, an operator can simply place (relatively displace) the frame 21 on the surface of the base 12 with their bare hands without using any tools, thereby inserting the shaft 77 of the base 12 into the opening 76 of the frame 21 and positioning the opening 76 with the shaft 77. In addition, in the seventh embodiment, the magnet 75 and the shaft installation portion 74 are coupled by magnetic force, so that the frame 21 is attached to the base 12 even more firmly.

[0096] Furthermore, in the seventh embodiment, when removing the frame 21 from the base 12, the worker can simply lift (relatively displace) the frame 21 from the surface of the base 12 with his or her bare hands without using any tools, thereby separating the magnet 75 coupled to the shaft body installation portion 74 from the shaft body installation portion 74 and releasing the coupling. Furthermore, simply by lifting the frame 21 in this state, the shaft body 77 of the base 12 can be withdrawn from the opening 76 of the frame 21, and the constraint of the frame 21 by the shaft body 77 can be released.

[0097] While the above description has been given of a case in which the magnet 75, which is a separate member from the opening forming portion 46b, is installed on the back surface of the opening forming portion 46b, the present invention is not limited to this. The opening forming portion 46b itself may be formed of a magnet without providing a separate member for the opening forming portion 46b. Also, as described above, an attachment mechanism may be used in which a shaft mounting portion made of a magnet is provided on the surface of the base 12, and a magnetic plate made of a magnetic material that is magnetically coupled to the shaft mounting portion, which is a magnet, is provided on the back surface of the opening forming portion 46b. In this case, the opening forming portion 46b itself may be formed of a magnetic material that is magnetically coupled to the shaft mounting portion.

[0098] In the above-described embodiment, the shaft mounting portion 74, which is a separate member from the base 12, is mounted on the surface of the base 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The surface of the base 12 itself may serve as the shaft mounting portion 74 without providing a separate member on the base 12. In this case, the shaft 77 is erected on the surface of the base 12. A magnet or a magnetic material that can be coupled to a magnet by magnetic force is provided on the surface of the base 12 at the location where the shaft 77 is provided. The magnet or magnetic material provided on the surface of the base 12 has an insertion hole, and the shaft 77 is inserted into the insertion hole. When attaching the frame 21 to the base 12, the shaft 77 protruding from the magnet or magnetic material is inserted into the opening 76 in the opening forming portion 46b of the frame 21. This magnetically couples the magnet or magnetic material on the surface of the base 12 to the magnetic material or magnet in the opening forming portion 46b of the frame 21.

[0099] Eighth Embodiment Next, a rain gauge according to an eighth embodiment will be described, which includes a rain gauge attachment for detachably mounting the frame to the base. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the configuration when the attachment 81 is detachably mounted on the surface of the base 12. The attachment 81 for receiving the sensor unit 18 is detachably mounted on the surface of the base 12 of the rain gauge. The attachment 81 includes an attachment board 82 that is overlaid on the surface of the base 12 and fixed to the base 12, and a shaft 47 that is mounted on the surface of the attachment board 82 and protrudes outward. Note that the configuration other than the attachment 81 is the same as that of the rain gauge 11 of the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here, and the following description will focus on the differences.

[0100] The attachment board 82 is made of a metal member, plastic, or the like, and is formed in a plate shape so as to be placed on the surface of the base 12. The attachment board 82 according to this embodiment has an outer shape that allows it to be placed in the area between the first drain tube 31 and the second drain tube 32, which are fixed to the surface of the base 12, where the frame 21 is attached. The sides of the attachment board 82 have curved edges 82a that are positioned along the curved side surfaces of the first drain tube 31 and the second drain tube 32. This allows the attachment 81 to be placed in the area between the first drain tube 31 and the second drain tube 32 while avoiding the first drain tube 31 and the second drain tube 32.

[0101] The attachment board 82 also has recessed edges 82b for avoiding screws 12c that protrude from the back surface of the base 12 toward the surface of the base 12 in order to fix the support legs 15 to the underside of the base 12. The recessed edges 82b may also be provided to avoid other protrusions that protrude from the surface of the base 12. As a result, the attachment board 82 has an outer shape that allows it to be placed in the placement area of ​​the frame 21, while avoiding protrusions that protrude from the surface of the base 12 with the recessed edges 82b.

[0102] The attachment board 82 is fixed to a screw hole provided in advance on the surface of the base 12 using a screw 84. Therefore, the attachment board 82 has an outer shape that is positioned at the position of the screw hole provided on the surface of the base 12. The screw 84 may be, for example, a screw that is screwed into the base 12 with a tool such as a screwdriver, or may be a knurled screw that is screwed into the base 12 by an operator's bare hands. By attaching the attachment board 82 to the base 79, the attachment 81 can later provide the shaft 47 on the surface of the base 12 where no shaft 47 is provided.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the attachment board 82 is fixed to the surface of the base 12 using the screws 84, but the present invention is not limited to this. The attachment 81 may be configured to fix the attachment board 82 to the surface of the base 12 using, for example, adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like.

[0104] The shaft body 47 has a configuration that allows it to enter an opening 55 formed in an opening forming portion 46b of a frame 21 (FIG. 8) that is detachably attached to the base 12. The shaft body 47 has the same configuration as the shaft body 47 of the first embodiment described above, and includes a shaft portion 49, a stopper 51, an elastic body 52, and a washer 53. To avoid duplication, a description of the shaft body 47 will be omitted here.

[0105] According to the above configuration, even if the base 12 does not have a shaft 47 to which the opening 55 ( FIG. 8 ) in the fixing plate 46 of the frame 21 can be coupled, the attachment 81 can post-install the shaft 47 on the surface of the base 12 by attaching the attachment board 82 to the surface of the base 12. This allows the frame 21 having the opening 55 to be detachably attached to the base 12 even if the base 12 does not have the shaft 47. Furthermore, even if the base 12 does not have the shaft 47, an attachment mechanism 45a having the opening 55 and the shaft 47 can be provided.

[0106] In the eighth embodiment, the shaft 47 including the shaft portion 49, the stopper 51, the elastic body 52, and the washer 53 is used as the shaft provided in the attachment, but the present invention is not limited to this. The attachment may also have a shaft provided on an attachment board that can be coupled to and uncoupled from an opening formed in the fixing plate 46 of the frame 21 attached to the base 12 according to the shape of the opening. Examples of the shaft include a shaft formed only with the shaft portion 49 and the stopper 51, as well as the shaft 69 according to the fifth embodiment, the shaft 72 according to the sixth embodiment, and the shaft 77 according to the seventh embodiment, and a magnet 75 (or a magnetic body that couples to the magnetic force of the magnet) provided on an attachment board 82.

[0107] Ninth Embodiment Next, a ninth embodiment will be described. The ninth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the water filter installation portion 21b is detachably attached to the support plate main body 21h. The following description will focus on this difference. As shown in FIG. 18 , the frame 21 of the sensor unit 18 is provided with a support plate 21a having a fixing plate 46 attached to its lower end, and an opposing support plate 21c (not shown in FIG. 18 ; see FIG. 2B ) disposed opposite the support plate 21a, and a tipping bucket 23 is disposed between the support plate 21a and the opposing support plate 21c.

[0108] The support plate 21a has a filter installation section 21b detachably connected to the upper end of the support plate body 21h. The support plate body 21h rotatably supports one of the rotation shafts of the tipping bucket 23. A bearing that receives the rotation shaft 24 of the tipping bucket 23 is formed in the support plate body 21h. The bearing is surrounded by a frame 92 around a vertical axis. A protruding positioning section 93 that intersects with the support plate body 21h is provided on the outer surface of the frame 92.

[0109] As in the first embodiment described above, the ninth embodiment also includes an attachment mechanism 45a that enables the frame 21 to be attached to the base 12 and detached from the base 12. The frame 21 may be detachably attached to the base 12 using the attachment 81 of the eighth embodiment. The configuration of the attachment mechanism 45a is the same as in the first embodiment described above, and therefore will not be described here to avoid duplication.

[0110] The water filter installation section 21b includes a connector 94 connected to the upper end of the support plate body 21h and an arm piece 95 extending vertically from the connector 94 and supporting the water filter 22 at its upper end. The connector 94 has two front panel pieces 97 that are placed on the front of the support plate body 21h and sandwich the support plate body 21h between them and a rear panel piece 96. The front panel pieces 97 and rear panel pieces 96 exert a holding force to hold the support plate body 21h in place by elastic deformation. Each front panel piece 97 contacts the positioning portions 93 on both sides of the frame portion 92 and is positioned accordingly. As shown in FIG. 19 , the water filter installation section 21b can be detached from the support plate body 21h against the holding force of the front panel pieces 97 and rear panel pieces 96. The water filter 22 can then be separated from the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, and the detector 34.

[0111] According to the above configuration, in the rain gauge of the ninth embodiment, an operator can remove the filter installation section 21b, on which the filter 22 is mounted, from the support plate main body 21h with bare hands without using any tools, and the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, and the detector 34 can be fixed to the frame 21. Therefore, in the ninth embodiment, the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, and the detector 34 are detachable from the base 12 together with the frame 21. As a result, during maintenance work on the rain gauge, it is not necessary to individually remove the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, and the detector 34 from the base 12. By removing only the frame 21 from the base 12, the tipping bucket 23, the level 33, and the detector 34 can all be removed from the base 12 at once, thereby reducing the burden of maintenance work on the operator compared to conventional methods.

[0112] Tenth Embodiment Another rain gauge may be configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 20 , to include a heater unit 101 in addition to the sensor unit 18. The heater unit 101 is fixed to the surface of the base 12 with the funnel 17 shown in FIG. 2A supported above it, and is housed in the outer cylinder 13. The heater unit 101 includes a high-temperature body 102 connected to the funnel 17 (see FIG. 2A ), not shown in FIG. 20 , to transfer heat to the funnel 17, and a high-temperature body support frame 103 detachably fixed to the base 12 to support the high-temperature body 102 above the tipping bucket 23. The high-temperature body support frame 103 includes three support columns 103 a that stand upright in the vertical direction from the top surface of the base 12 at positions corresponding to the support legs 15, and a horizontal plate 103 b that is connected to the upper ends of the support columns 103 a and extends horizontally around the funnel 17.

[0113] The high-temperature body 102 is supported by a high-temperature body support frame 103 and includes a heater 104 that generates heat in response to the supply of power, and a heat transfer plate 105 that is coupled to the heater 104, contacts the outer surface of the funnel 17, and transfers heat from the heater 104 to the funnel 17. Two heat transfer plates 105 are installed at equal intervals around the central axis 13a of the outer cylinder 13 (see FIG. 1 ). The heat transfer plates 105 are made of a material with good thermal conductivity. Here, the heat transfer plates 105 are formed from metal plates such as aluminum or stainless steel. The heat transfer plates 105 are inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the vertical direction to match the opening angle of the funnel 17. The inclination allows the heat transfer plates 105 to contact the outer surface of the funnel 17 along the generatrix of the funnel 17.

[0114] The heater unit 101 is supported by a hot body support frame 103 and includes a temperature sensor 106 that measures temperature. The temperature sensor 106 outputs an electrical signal that identifies the measured temperature. A control circuit is connected to the temperature sensor 106. The control circuit supplies power to the heater 104 when the measured temperature drops to a predetermined temperature. When the measured temperature reaches the predetermined temperature, the supply of power is stopped. The control circuit is mounted on the hot body support frame 103.

[0115] Electric power is supplied to the heater 104 in accordance with the output of the temperature sensor 106. Heat is transferred from the heater 104 to the funnel 17 via the heat transfer plate 105. The funnel 17 is heated. As a result, freezing and snow accumulation inside the funnel 17 can be prevented. High accuracy in measuring rainfall can be maintained even at low temperatures. On the other hand, if water freezes inside the funnel 17 or snow accumulates inside the funnel 17, an error will occur in the measured rainfall.

[0116] A connection adapter 107 is connected to the lower end of each support 103a. The connection adapter 107 includes a plate 107a extending in a horizontal plane and a standing piece 107b that rises from one end of the plate 107a and is connected to the lower end of the support 103a. The standing piece 107b forms a space of a predetermined height between the upward surface of the plate 107a and the lower end of the support 103a. Here, the support 103a and the connection adapter 107 may be formed from a single metal plate. The standing piece 107b may be elastically deformable. The elastic deformation of the standing piece 107b can serve to absorb misalignment of the heat transfer plate 105 relative to the funnel 17.

[0117] A receiving body 108 that receives the plate piece 107a of the connection adapter 107 is fixed to the surface of the base 12. The receiving body 108 has a support surface that extends horizontally and receives the plate piece 107a. A screw shaft 109 protrudes vertically from the support surface. A screw head (knurled screw) 111, which is an internally threaded body, is engaged with the screw shaft 109. The screw head 111 can be driven around the screw shaft 109 by the movement of an operator's fingers without the need for tools. When the screw head 111 is tightened, the plate piece 107a is sandwiched between the screw head 111 and the support surface of the receiving body 108. In this way, the plate piece 107a can be fixed onto the base 12. The screw shaft 109 is an externally threaded screw shaft that penetrates the base 12 and secures the support leg 15 to the underside of the base 12.

[0118] As shown in Figure 21, notches 112 are formed in the plate pieces 107a of the connection adapter 107. The notches 112 allow the screw shafts 109 to move in and out of each plate piece 107a when the corresponding plate piece 107a slides along the support surface of the receiving body 108 in response to displacement of the high-temperature body support frame 103. When the screw heads 111 are tightened around the screw shafts 109 toward the receiving body 108, the plate pieces 107a are sandwiched between the support surface of the receiving body 108 and the screw heads 111. The high-temperature body support frame 103 can be fixed to the base 12. At this time, the corresponding screw shafts 109 enter the notches 112 for each receiving body 108.

[0119] When the screw head 111 is loosened around the screw shaft 109 so as to move away from the receiving body 108, the plate piece 107a is allowed to slide along the support surface of the receiving body 108. In this way, the high-temperature body support frame 103 can be removed from the base 12. At this time, the screw head 111 only needs to be loosened; it does not need to be removed from the screw shaft 109. In this way, the high-temperature body 102 and the high-temperature body support frame 103 can be easily removed from the base 12 when inspecting the rain gauge. Here, the displacement of the high-temperature body support frame 103 includes not only one direction in the horizontal plane but also rotation around the central axis 13a of the outer cylinder 13, for example. The receiving body 108 may be a pedestal formed integrally on the upper surface of the base 12.

[0120] By removing the heater unit 101 from the surface of the base 12 in the manner described above, the entire sensor unit 18 that was enclosed by the heater unit 101 can be exposed to the outside, so that the frame 21 can be displaced relative to the base 12 without being obstructed by the heater unit 101, and the frame 21 can be removed from the base 12.

[0121] <Others> In other embodiments, a rain gauge may be formed by appropriately combining the configurations of the first to tenth embodiments. In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the shaft body 47 including the shaft portion 49, the stopper 51, the elastic body 52, and the washer 53 is applied, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shaft body may be configured without the washer 53, or without the elastic body and the washer.

[0122] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a case was described in which a sensor unit 18 was applied in which a tipping bucket 23, a spirit level 33, a detector 34, and a water strainer 22 were fixed to a frame 21, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any sensor unit having at least a tipping bucket 23 and a spirit level 33 is sufficient.

[0123] In the eighth embodiment described above, the configuration in which the protruding shaft 47 is provided on the attachment base plate has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other attachments may be configured, for example, with an opening-forming portion having an opening provided on the attachment base plate. In this case, the opening-forming portion has a configuration in which the shaft protruding from the lower end of the frame 21, which is detachably attached to the base 12, can enter the opening. This allows the attachment to be attached to the base 12 or detached from the base 12 by coupling and uncoupling the opening provided in the attachment base plate and the shaft of the frame 21.

[0124] As an attachment mechanism in another embodiment that allows a worker to attach and detach the frame 21 to the base 12 using only their bare hands without using any tools, for example, instead of the magnet and magnetic material described above, a sheet member that allows the frame 21 to be attached and detached to the base 12 by relative movement with bare hands, such as double-sided tape, an adhesive gel sheet, or a pair of hook and loop fasteners (Velcro (registered trademark)), may be provided. Alternatively, the attachment mechanism may be provided solely with a sheet member such as double-sided tape, an adhesive gel sheet, or a hook and loop fastener.

[0125] In addition, as an attachment mechanism in another embodiment that allows an operator to attach and detach the frame 21 to the base 12 using only his or her bare hands without using tools, it may be a pair of male and female buttons, or a structure having a metal or resin clasp structure, known as a snap lock or a snap lock. Furthermore, an attachment mechanism consisting of a pair of male and female rails may be provided, and the frame 21 may be attached to the surface of the base 12 by fitting and sliding one rail provided on the surface of the base 12 with the other rail provided on the fixing plate 46 of the frame 21. Even with an attachment mechanism of this structure, an operator can attach and detach the frame 21 to the base 12 using only his or her bare hands without using tools.

[0126] Furthermore, as an attachment mechanism in another embodiment that allows a worker to attach and remove the frame 21 to the base 12 using only his or her bare hands without using tools, openings may be provided on both the fixing surface 46 of the frame 21 and the surface of the base 12, and a clip such as a push rivet, in which a pin serving as a shaft is inserted into a grommet insertion hole, may be inserted into the overlapping opening to attach the frame 21 to the base 12. Even with an attachment mechanism having such a clip structure, a worker can remove the shaft (pin) of the push rivet from the grommet insertion hole using only his or her bare hands without using tools, thereby allowing the shaft to be removed from both the openings on the fixing surface 46 of the frame 21 and the surface of the base 12, respectively, and the worker can remove the frame 21 from the base 12 using only his or her bare hands without using tools.

[0127] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 Rain gauge 12 Base 13 Outer cylinder 17 Funnel 18 Sensor unit 21 Frame 23 Tipping bucket 24a Rotation axis 33 Level 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d, 45e, 45f, 45g Mounting mechanism 47, 49, 63, 70, 72, 77 Shaft 55, 57, 58, 59 Opening 81 Attachment

Claims

1. A rain gauge comprising: a base fixed to a stationary fixed surface; a frame detachably attached to the base; a funnel for collecting water; and an outer cylinder connected to the base and housing the funnel and the frame, wherein the frame is fixed with: a tipping bucket below the funnel that receives water flowing out of the funnel and tips around its axis of rotation for each set amount of water; and a spirit level that detects the horizontal direction in response to the acting gravity; and wherein the tipping bucket and the spirit level can be attached and detached from the base together with the frame.

2. A rain gauge as claimed in claim 1, wherein a detector is fixed to the frame that detects tipping of the tipping bucket and outputs a detection signal in response to the tipping, and the tipping bucket, the spirit level and the detector are detachable from the base together with the frame.

3. A rain gauge as described in claim 1, wherein a strainer positioned below the funnel is fixed to the frame, the tipping bucket is positioned below the strainer and catches water flowing out of the funnel through the strainer, and the tipping bucket, the level and the strainer are configured to be detachable from the base together with the frame.

4. A rain gauge as described in claim 1, which is provided with an attachment mechanism that enables the frame to be attached to the base and detached from the base by relative displacement of the frame with respect to the base.

5. A rain gauge as described in claim 4, wherein the mounting mechanism has: an opening forming portion having an opening provided on either the lower end of the frame or the surface of the base; and a shaft provided on the other of the lower end of the frame or the surface of the base, protruding outward and capable of entering the opening, and the frame can be attached to the base or detached from it by the shaft entering and exiting the opening caused by the frame being displaced relative to the base.

6. A rain gauge as described in claim 5, wherein when the shaft body enters the opening, the shaft body fits into the opening and connects with it, attaching the frame to the base, and when the shaft body withdraws from the opening, the connection between the opening and the shaft body is released, and the frame is detached from the base.

7. A rain gauge as described in claim 5, wherein the shaft body comprises at least a shaft portion standing from the shaft body placement surface, and a stopper fixed to the shaft portion at a position away from the shaft body placement surface, and the opening has a connecting hole that connects with the guided shaft portion while preventing the stopper from entering, and an entrance / exit that receives the entry of the stopper and guides the shaft portion into the connecting hole, and the frame slides along the surface of the base, allowing the shaft body to enter and exit the connecting hole from the entrance, and the frame can be attached to the base and removed from the base by the entry of the shaft body into the opening and the withdrawal of the shaft body from the opening.

8. A rain gauge as described in claim 7, wherein the shaft body is received by the stopper and has an elastic body placed on the shaft portion, and the frame is slid relative to the surface of the base, and the opening forming portion is inserted between the placement surface of the shaft body and the elastic body against the elastic force of the elastic body.

9. A rain gauge as described in claim 7, wherein the frame is arranged perpendicular to the surface of the base and comprises a support plate body that supports the tipping bucket and the spirit level, the opening forming portion is provided at the lower end of the support plate body of the frame, the shaft body is provided on the surface of the base, and the entrance / exit communicating with the connecting hole is formed in the support plate body.

10. A rain gauge as described in claim 7, wherein the opening forming portions are a pair of opening forming portions extending parallel to one another in one direction, the pair of opening forming portions having a pair of guide holes extending longitudinally so as to gradually move away from each other in the short direction, the connecting holes being provided at the longitudinal ends of the guide holes, and the shaft body guided through the guide holes is fitted into the connecting holes to restrict the longitudinal movement of the shaft body.

11. A rain gauge as described in claim 4, wherein the mounting mechanism has a magnet on at least one of the lower end of the frame and the base, and enables the frame to be attached to the base and detached from the base by coupling and releasing the coupling using the magnet, which occurs when the frame is displaced relative to the base.

12. A rain gauge as described in claim 5, comprising an attachment that is detachably mounted on the surface of the base, wherein either the opening forming portion or the shaft body is provided at the lower end of the frame, and the other of the opening forming portion and the shaft body is provided on an attachment base that is detachably mounted on the surface of the base, and wherein either the opening or the shaft body is positioned on the surface of the base by mounting the attachment base on the surface of the base.

13. The rain gauge according to claim 8, wherein a plate is removably inserted between the arrangement surface of the shaft body and the elastic body.

14. A sensor unit for a rain gauge that is mounted on the base of the rain gauge, comprising: a frame that is detachably fixed to the surface of the base, which is fixed to an immovable fixed surface; a tipping bucket that is fixed to the frame and is located below a funnel above the rain gauge to receive water flowing out from the funnel and tip around its axis of rotation every time a predetermined amount of water is reached; and a spirit level that is fixed to the frame and detects the horizontal direction in response to the acting gravity, wherein the tipping bucket and the spirit level are configured to be detachable from the base together with the frame.

15. An attachment for a rain gauge for attaching a frame to a base of the rain gauge, the frame having fixed thereto a tipping bucket that is located below the funnel of the rain gauge and tips around its axis of rotation every time a set amount of water is reached, and a spirit level that detects the horizontal direction in response to the acting gravity, the attachment comprising: an attachment base that is detachably attached to and overlaid on the surface of the base; and a shaft that is attached to the attachment base and protrudes outward, the shaft being configured to be able to enter an opening formed in an opening forming portion of the frame that is detachably attached to the base, and the frame can be attached to the base or detached from the base by entering the shaft into the opening and withdrawing the shaft from the opening.

16. An attachment for a rain gauge for attaching a frame to a base of the rain gauge, the frame having fixed thereto a tipping bucket that is located below the funnel of the rain gauge and tips around its axis of rotation every time a set amount of water is reached, and a spirit level that detects the horizontal direction in response to the acting gravity, the attachment comprising: an attachment base that is removably attached by being placed on the surface of the base; and an opening forming part that is provided on the attachment base and has an opening, the opening forming part having a configuration in which a shaft protruding from the lower end of the frame that is removably attached to the base can enter the opening, and the frame can be attached to the base or detached from the base by entering the shaft into the opening and withdrawing the shaft from the opening.

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