JPH10191485A - Ultrasonic wave transmission-reception device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a mounting time at a high lift place, to improve the safety and to obtain an accurate measurement result by eliminating a delicate adjustment work. SOLUTION: A weight 6 is fitted in the vicinity of a transmission reception wave front on a center axis of an ultrasonic wave beam of a transmission reception wave main body 20. The transmission reception wave main body 20 is fitted to a mount face and fixed and the center axis of the ultrasonic wave beam is kept in a vertical downward direction with the weight 6 by a vertical holding mechanism 5. A protection cover 3 is provided, which is mounted onto an observation pole 11 with a mount metallic fixture 12 or the like to protect the transmission reception wave main body 20, the weight 6 and the vertical holding mechanism. Rough mount is enough for the transmission reception wave main body 20 so as not to be in contact with the protection cover 3 and the ultrasonic wave beam itself is held accurately in the vertical downward direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer, and more particularly to an ultrasonic transducer used for a snow depth gauge, a water level gauge, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a snow depth gauge, a water level gauge, or the like, a distance from a predetermined position to a reference plane and a distance from a predetermined position to a snow surface or a water surface are measured by ultrasonic waves. Many methods for calculating the amount and water level (water depth) are used. In such a snow depth gauge and a water level gauge, as shown in FIG.
An ultrasonic transducer 10x that emits an ultrasonic beam to a reference surface, a snow-covered surface, or a water surface and receives a reflected wave thereof is attached, and measures the distance described above.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the structure of the ultrasonic transducer 10x and the state when the ultrasonic transducer 10x is mounted on the observation pole 11. This ultrasonic transducer 1
0x is a transmitting / receiving element 1 for generating an ultrasonic wave and receiving the reflected wave, and converging the ultrasonic wave from the transmitting / receiving element 1 in a predetermined direction, radiating it as an ultrasonic beam, and transmitting / receiving the reflected wave. A transmission / reception main body 20 having a reflection horn 2 for transmitting to the wave element 1, a protection cover 3 for covering and protecting the transmission / reception main body 20 and fixing the top surface to the tip of the observation pole 11 with a mounting bracket 12 or the like; A transmission / reception cable 4 for transmitting / receiving signals to / from an electronic device such as a snow depth gauge and a water level gauge is provided.

[0004] As described above, this ultrasonic transducer 10x has the mounting bracket 12 mounted on the upper surface of the protective cover 3;
The mounting bracket 12 and the leveling bolts 13a and 13b are used to fix the tip of the observation pole 11 6 to 7 m above the ground. At this time, a level is placed on the upper surface side of the protective cover 3 so that the center axis of the ultrasonic beam from the transmitting / receiving body 20 is directed vertically downward, and the horizontal adjustment bolts 13a, 13b Tighten and fix. By doing so, it is possible to accurately measure the amount of snow, water level (water depth), and the like.

[0005]

The conventional ultrasonic transducer includes a mounting bracket 1 mounted on an upper surface of a protective cover 3.
2, and fixed to the tip of the observation pole 11 by horizontal adjustment bolts 13a and 13b. At this time, a level is placed on the upper surface side of the protective cover 3 so that the ultrasonic beam is directed vertically downward. Since the horizontal adjustment bolts 13a and 13b are tightened and fixed while maintaining the horizontal level, the installation work including the vertical adjustment of the center axis of the ultrasonic beam can be performed at a height of about 6 to 7 m above the ground. In addition, delicate adjustment work with a level etc. is required, so the work time is prolonged and there is a danger of falling etc.There is a safety problem, and the center axis of the ultrasonic beam is oriented vertically. Since the work for adjustment is horizontal adjustment of the portion on the upper surface side of the protective cover 3, the vertical between the upper surface of the protective cover 3 and the center axis of the ultrasonic beam may vary in various conditions in the manufacturing process. By Eliminated the, there is a problem that the central axis of the ultrasonic beam can not be accurately measured deviates from the vertical direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic transducer capable of shortening the installation work time without delicate adjustment work, improving safety, and obtaining accurate measurement results. Is to provide.

[0007]

The present invention has the following means in order to achieve the above object. That is, the ultrasonic transducer of the present invention includes a transmitting / receiving element for generating an ultrasonic wave and receiving a reflected wave thereof, and a transmitting / receiving main body for emitting an ultrasonic beam in a predetermined direction and receiving the reflected wave. And a weight provided at a predetermined position of the transmission / reception main body, and a beam direction holding mechanism for attaching and fixing the transmission / reception main body to a mounting surface and maintaining a center axis of the ultrasonic beam in a predetermined direction together with the weight. The wave transmitting / receiving body, the weight, and the beam direction holding mechanism attached to an observation installation point by a mounting bracket to fix a fixed portion of the beam direction holding mechanism and to maintain a center axis of the ultrasonic beam in a predetermined direction. And a protective cover for covering and protecting the cover.

The center of the ultrasonic beam is oriented vertically downward, and the weight is provided on the central axis of the ultrasonic beam of the transmitting / receiving body and near the transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic beam. The transmitting / receiving body is configured to be fixedly mounted on a mounting surface of the beam direction holding mechanism so that a center axis of the ultrasonic beam and a beam direction holding axis of the beam direction holding mechanism coincide with each other. The holding mechanism is configured as a gimbal structure.

Further, a lock mechanism for stopping and fixing the movement of the wave transmitting / receiving body by the beam direction holding mechanism may be provided, or the protection cover may be provided near the wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic beam of the wave transmitting / receiving body. An opening protection cover for closing the opening of the cover and transmitting the ultrasonic beam is provided, and the beam direction holding mechanism, the weight, and the transmitting / receiving body are configured to be shielded from the outside air.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a first embodiment of the present invention,
A weight is attached near the ultrasonic beam transmitting / receiving surface on the central axis of the ultrasonic beam of the transmitting / receiving main body including the transmitting / receiving element, and a beam direction holding mechanism by a gimbal structure or the like on the opposite side of the ultrasonic beam transmitting / receiving surface of the transmitting / receiving main body. The beam direction holding mechanism is mounted on the mounting surface so that the axis of the beam direction holding mechanism coincides with the center axis of the ultrasonic beam. A protective cover for covering and protecting the wave body, the weight and the beam direction holding mechanism is provided.

When the ultrasonic transducer of the first embodiment is attached to the tip of the observation pole at the observation installation point with the ultrasonic beam transmitting / receiving surface facing downward, unless the main body of the ultrasonic transducer hits the protective cover. The center axis of the ultrasonic beam is kept vertically downward by the beam direction holding mechanism and the weight, so it is extremely easy to attach the ultrasonic transducer to the observation pole, etc., using mounting brackets, etc., without requiring fine adjustment. The time required for the installation work at high places can be reduced, and the safety can be improved. Further, since the center axis of the ultrasonic beam itself is directly held in the vertical direction by the beam direction holding mechanism and the weight, an accurate measurement result can be obtained.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, a lock mechanism for stopping and fixing the movement of the wave transmitting / receiving main body is provided. When the protective cover is open on the side of the ultrasonic beam transmitting / receiving surface of the transmitting / receiving main body, wind or the like blows from this opening, and the transmitting / receiving main body swings, and the center axis of the ultrasonic beam deviates from the vertical direction to accurately Measurement becomes impossible. In the second embodiment, the movement of the transmission / reception main body is stopped and fixed by the lock mechanism while the center axis of the ultrasonic beam is held vertically downward by the beam direction holding mechanism and the weight, and the influence of wind and the like is reduced. It is removed so that accurate measurement results can be obtained.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, an opening protection cover for closing the opening and transmitting the ultrasonic beam is provided in the opening of the protection cover, and the transmission / reception main body, the beam direction holding mechanism, and the weight are provided. Shut off from outside air. Since the transmitting / receiving body, beam direction holding mechanism and weight are isolated from the outside air,
Even without a lock mechanism, the transmitting / receiving body does not fluctuate under the influence of wind or the like, and the ultrasonic beam is always directed vertically downward, so that accurate measurement can be performed.

[0014]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, a transmitting / receiving element 1 for generating an ultrasonic wave and receiving a reflected wave thereof, and converging an ultrasonic wave from the transmitting / receiving element in a predetermined direction and radiating it as an ultrasonic beam. Reflection horn 2 for transmitting a reflected wave to transmitting / receiving element 1
A weight 6 provided on the center axis of the ultrasonic beam at the tip of the wave transmitting / receiving element 1 of the wave transmitting / receiving body 20, and a side opposite to the weight 6 of the wave transmitting / receiving body 20, A vertical holding mechanism 5 of a beam direction holding mechanism for mounting the beam direction holding axis on the mounting surface so as to coincide with the center axis of the ultrasonic beam and holding the center axis of the ultrasonic beam vertically downward together with the weight 6, and a mounting bracket 12. And a vertical holding mechanism 5 attached to the tip of the observation pole 11 by horizontal adjustment bolts 13a and 13b.
And a protection cover 3 for covering and protecting the transmission / reception main body 20, the weight 6, and the vertical holding mechanism 5 while keeping the center axis of the ultrasonic beam vertically downward, a snow depth gauge, and a water level gauge. And a transmission / reception cable 4 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from an electronic device. The vertical holding mechanism 5 has a gimbal structure or the like.

With such a structure, the mounting bracket 12 and the horizontal adjustment bolts 13a, 13a and 13b are provided so that the reflection horn 2 of the transmission / reception main body 20 does not hit the protective cover 3.
b attached to the observation pole 11 and the horizontal adjustment bolt 1
If the 3a and 13b are tightened and fixed, the center axis of the ultrasonic beam will be directed vertically downward.

Therefore, fine adjustment work at high places is not required, and the above-described mounting work with extremely simple and rough accuracy can be completed, so that the mounting work time can be shortened and safety is improved. In addition, the center axis of the ultrasonic beam can be accurately held vertically downward, and an accurate measurement result can be obtained.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a plurality of fixing screws 7 of a lock mechanism for stopping and fixing the movement of the transmission / reception main body 20 by the vertical holding mechanism are provided. is there. These fixing screws 7 are tightened while holding the ultrasonic beam vertically downward (for example, by holding the wave transmitting / receiving body 20 so as not to move), and stop the movement of the wave transmitting / receiving body 20 to fix it.

By doing so, the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface side of the protective cover 3 is open, and wind and the like are transmitted by the transmitting / receiving main body 2.
Even if it hits 0 directly, the transmitting / receiving body 20 does not shake,
The center axis of the ultrasonic beam can always be kept vertically downward, and accurate measurement results can be obtained.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment uses a material that closes the opening and transmits the ultrasonic beam in the opening on the ultrasonic beam transmitting / receiving surface side of the protective cover 3 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. An opening protection cover 8 is provided, and the wave transmitting / receiving body 2 is provided.
0, the vertical holding mechanism 5 and the weight 6 are shielded from outside air.

With this arrangement, even when a strong wind blows, the wave transmitting / receiving body 20 does not hit the wave transmitting / receiving body 20, so that the wave transmitting / receiving body 20 does not oscillate. Further, since there is no lock mechanism as in the second embodiment, the ultrasonic wave The central axis of the beam can always be kept vertically downward, and accurate measurement results can be obtained. In the third embodiment, since there is no lock mechanism, even if the observation pole 11 shakes due to strong wind or the like,
There is also an advantage that the center axis of the ultrasonic beam can always be held vertically downward by the vertical holding mechanism 5 and the weight 6.

In these embodiments, the example in which the center axis of the ultrasonic beam is kept vertically downward has been described. However, by displacing the mounting position of the weight 6 from the center axis of the ultrasonic beam, The center axis of the beam can be shifted by a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. In this way, for example, the amount of snow attached to the slope can be measured as the amount of snow in the direction perpendicular to the slope.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, the weight is attached to a predetermined position of the transmitting / receiving body, and the transmitting / receiving body is attached to the mounting surface, and the center axis of the ultrasonic beam by the transmitting / receiving body is determined together with the weight. By providing a beam direction holding mechanism for holding the beam in the direction of, covering and protecting these transmission / reception main body, weight and beam direction holding mechanism, and providing a protective cover attached and fixed to the observation installation point by a mounting bracket. ,
Mounting work in high places can be easily done with rough accuracy so that the transmitting / receiving body does not hit the protective cover.
Accurate measurement results can be obtained because the center axis of the ultrasonic beam itself is held in a predetermined direction by the weight and the beam direction holding mechanism, while shortening the installation work time and improving safety. This has the effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining a method of attaching a conventional ultrasonic transducer to an observation pole and a method of using the same.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an example of a conventional ultrasonic transducer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transmitting / receiving element 2 Reflection horn 3 Protective cover 4 Transmitting / receiving cable 5 Vertical holding mechanism 6 Weight 7 Fixing screw 8 Opening protective cover 10 Ultrasonic transducer 10x Ultrasonic transducer 11 Observation pole 12 Mounting bracket 13a Horizontal adjustment Bolt 13b Horizontal adjustment bolt 20 Transmitting and receiving body

Claims (5)

[Claims] A transmitting / receiving element for emitting an ultrasonic beam in a predetermined direction and receiving a reflected wave; a transmitting / receiving element for generating an ultrasonic wave and receiving the reflected wave; A weight provided at a predetermined position, a beam direction holding mechanism for mounting and fixing the transmission / reception main body to a mounting surface and holding the center axis of the ultrasonic beam in a predetermined direction together with the weight, and an observation mounting point by a mounting bracket. And a protection cover for fixing the fixed portion of the beam direction holding mechanism and covering and protecting the transmission / reception main body, the weight, and the beam direction holding mechanism while keeping the center axis of the ultrasonic beam in a predetermined direction. And an ultrasonic transducer. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a direction of a center axis of the ultrasonic beam is set to a vertical downward direction, and a weight is provided on a center axis of the ultrasonic beam of the transmitting / receiving body and near a transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic beam. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is mounted and fixed on a mounting surface of the beam direction holding mechanism such that a center axis of the ultrasonic beam and a beam direction holding axis of the beam direction holding mechanism coincide with each other. . 3. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the beam direction holding mechanism has a gimbal structure. 4. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism for stopping and fixing the movement of the transmission / reception main body by the beam direction holding mechanism. 5. A beam direction holding mechanism, comprising: a protective cover for covering an opening of the protective cover in the vicinity of a transmitting / receiving surface of an ultrasonic beam of the transmitting / receiving main body and transmitting the ultrasonic beam. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein the weight and the transmitting / receiving main body are configured to be shielded from outside air.