CN114730985A - Wireless sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a wireless sensor capable of withstanding pressure, the wireless sensor (10) is provided with: an antenna (1), which is helical, flexible and capable of expansion and contraction; and a measuring part (2), which is electrically connected to the antenna (1). Connect and measure the measurement object.

Description

Wireless sensor

technical field

The present invention relates to a wireless sensor.

Background technique

In the past, sensors were powered by wires, and data were sent and received by wires. However, in recent years, wireless sensors that transmit and receive data wirelessly have become widespread (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2). Wireless sensors have advantages such as requiring no wiring work, being able to be placed in places where wiring is physically difficult, and preventing wiring defects due to contact between wiring and objects.

prior art literature

Patent Literature

Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2016/123062

Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2018/179327

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Invention to solve problem

The inventors have found that flexible wireless sensors are useful for pressure. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless sensor that can withstand pressure.

technical solutions to problems

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless sensor including an antenna that is helical, flexible, and expandable and retractable, and a measurement unit that is electrically connected to the antenna to measure a measurement object.

In the above-mentioned wireless sensor, the diameter of the antenna may be configured such that, when the antenna is contracted, a portion with a small diameter is accommodated inside an adjacent portion with a large diameter.

The above-mentioned wireless sensor may further include an electric wire connecting the antenna and the measurement unit, and a container cover that encloses the electric wire.

In the above-mentioned wireless sensor, the maximum diameter of the antenna may be configured to be equal to or smaller than the width of the conveyance path in which the container with the container lid inserted therein is conveyed.

In the above-mentioned wireless sensor, the antenna may be configured to receive electric power by electromagnetic waves.

In the above-described wireless sensor, the antenna may emit radio waves of information on the measurement target measured by the measurement unit.

In the above wireless sensor, the measurement object may be temperature.

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of measuring a measurement object in a container, comprising the steps of preparing a wireless sensor including a helical, flexible and extendable antenna, electrically connecting to the antenna and A measuring part for measuring the object to be measured, an electric wire connecting the antenna and the measuring part, and a container lid containing the electric wire; the measuring part of the wireless sensor is put into the container so that the antenna becomes the outside of the container, and the container is half-pressed by the container cover stopper; measure the object to be measured in the container by the measuring unit; and press down the antenna and the container cover from above the antenna, press the container cover into the container while shrinking the antenna, and press the container.

In the method for measuring the object to be measured in the container, the diameter of the antenna may be configured such that, when the antenna is contracted, a portion with a small diameter is accommodated in an adjacent portion with a large diameter.

In the above-described method of measuring the object to be measured in the container, the maximum diameter of the antenna may be configured to be equal to or smaller than the width of the conveyance path for conveying the container with the container lid inserted therein.

In the method for measuring the object to be measured in the above-mentioned container, an antenna may receive electric power by electromagnetic waves.

In the above-described method for measuring the measurement object in the container, the antenna may further include an antenna for emitting radio waves of the information of the measurement object measured by the measurement unit.

In the method for measuring the measurement object in the above-mentioned container, the measurement object may be temperature.

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid processing method comprising the steps of preparing a wireless sensor including a helical, flexible and extendable antenna, electrically connecting to the antenna, and performing a measurement on a measurement object. The measuring part to be measured, the wire connecting the antenna and the measuring part, and the container lid containing the wire; the container containing the liquid is prepared; the measuring part of the wireless sensor is put into the container so that the antenna becomes the outside of the container, and the The container is half-pressed; while the liquid in the container is processed, the measurement object in the container is measured by the measuring part; plug.

In the above-described liquid processing method, the diameter of the antenna may be configured such that, when the antenna is contracted, a portion with a small diameter is accommodated in an adjacent portion with a large diameter.

In the above-described liquid processing method, the maximum diameter of the antenna may be configured to be equal to or smaller than the width of the conveyance path for conveying the container with the container lid inserted therein.

In the above-mentioned liquid treatment method, an antenna may be further included to receive electric power by electromagnetic waves.

In the above-described liquid processing method, the antenna may further include an antenna for emitting radio waves of the information of the measurement object measured by the measurement unit.

In the above-described liquid processing method, the measurement object may be temperature.

In the above-mentioned liquid treatment method, the treatment may be freeze-drying.

Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a freeze-dried product, comprising the steps of preparing a wireless sensor having a helical, flexible and extendable antenna, electrically connecting to the antenna, and measuring The measuring part for the object to be measured, the wire connecting the antenna and the measuring part, and the container lid containing the wire; the container containing the liquid is prepared; the measuring part of the wireless sensor is placed in the container so that the antenna becomes the outside of the container, and the container passes through The container is half-pressed with the lid; the temperature in the container is measured by the measuring unit while the liquid in the container is freeze-dried; and after the freeze-drying is completed, the antenna and the container lid are pressed down from above the antenna, and the container lid is closed while the antenna is retracted. Press into the container and press the container.

In the above-described method for producing a freeze-dried product, the diameter of the antenna may be configured such that, when the antenna is contracted, a small-diameter portion is accommodated in an adjacent large-diameter portion.

In the above-described method for producing a freeze-dried product, the maximum diameter of the antenna may be configured to be equal to or smaller than the width of the conveyance path for conveying the container with the container lid inserted therein.

In the above-mentioned method for producing a freeze-dried product, an antenna may further include receiving electric power by electromagnetic waves.

In the above-described method for producing a freeze-dried product, an antenna may further include a radio wave for emitting the information of the measurement object measured by the measurement unit.

effect of invention

According to the present invention, a wireless sensor capable of withstanding pressure can be provided.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the wireless sensor according to the first embodiment.

2 is a schematic side view of the wireless sensor according to the first embodiment.

3 is a schematic side view of the wireless sensor according to the first embodiment.

4 is a schematic side view of the wireless sensor according to the first embodiment.

5 is a schematic side view of a container into which the wireless sensor of the first embodiment is inserted.

6 is a schematic side view of a container into which the wireless sensor of the first embodiment is inserted.

7 is a schematic side view of a container into which the wireless sensor of the reference example is inserted.

8 is a schematic plan view of a container into which the wireless sensor of the second embodiment is inserted.

9 is a schematic side view of a container into which the wireless sensor of the second embodiment is inserted.

10 is a schematic side view of a container into which the wireless sensor of the second embodiment is inserted.

11 is a schematic plan view of a container into which the wireless sensor of the second embodiment is inserted.

12 is a schematic plan view of a container into which the wireless sensor of the second embodiment is inserted.

13 is a schematic plan view of a container into which the wireless sensor of the second embodiment is inserted.

Detailed ways

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the description of the drawings below, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar symbols. However, the drawings are schematic. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. In addition, it is needless to say that parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios are included among the drawings.

(first embodiment)

As shown in FIG. 1( a ), the wireless sensor 10 according to the first embodiment includes: a helical, flexible, and extendable antenna 1 ; and a measurement unit 2 that is electrically connected to the antenna 1 and that measures a measurement target .

The material of the antenna 1 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, metal. As shown in FIG. 1( b ), when the helical antenna 1 receives pressure from the axial direction, the antenna 1 shrinks while reducing the pitch of the helix. As shown in FIG. 1( c ), when the pressure from the axial direction is released, the antenna 1 may be extended while increasing the pitch to return to the original free length.

As shown in FIG. 2( a ), the helical antenna 1 may be conical. The conical antenna 1 may be connected to the measuring unit 2 on the apex side, or may be connected to the measuring unit 2 on the side opposite to the apex side. The diameter of the conical antenna 1 is configured such that, when the antenna 1 is contracted, a portion with a small diameter is accommodated inside an adjacent portion with a large diameter. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 2( b ) and 2 ( c ), when the antenna 1 is contracted, the contact length of the antenna 1 is substantially the same as the diameter of one wire of the antenna 1 .

The measurement object of the measurement unit 2 is arbitrary, and is, for example, the temperature, humidity, dryness, pressure, flow velocity, and flow rate around the wireless sensor 10 . Alternatively, the measurement object may be a substance.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the antenna 1 and the measurement unit 2 are connected by an electric wire 3 . For example, the antenna 1 receives electric power through electromagnetic waves such as microwaves, and supplies the electric power to the measuring unit 2 . For example, the measurement unit 2 outputs to the antenna 1 a current signal including the measured information of the measurement object, and the antenna 1 emits radio waves of the information of the measurement object. The antenna 1 does not necessarily have to supply power to the measurement unit 2 . For example, when the measurement unit 2 is battery-driven, the antenna 1 may not supply power to the measurement unit 2 . Alternatively, for example, the measuring unit 2 includes an oscillator such as a crystal, and oscillates at a frequency depending on the temperature by an electromagnetic wave oscillator such as irradiated microwaves, thereby measuring the ambient temperature, and emitting radio waves of information on the temperature measured by the antenna 1 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the wireless sensor 10 may include a container lid 4 for plugging the container 20 , and may be a container lid 4 that encloses the electric wire 3 . The electric wire 3 penetrates the container cover 4 . The antenna 1 is arranged above the container cover 4 . The measuring part 2 is arranged below the container lid 4 . The container lid is made of, for example, an elastic material such as a polymer. The wireless sensor 10 is configured such that, for example, when the container lid 4 of the wireless sensor 10 is inserted into the opening of the container 20 , the measuring unit 2 is arranged inside the container 20 and the antenna 1 is arranged outside the container 20 . The container lid 4 may be provided with a concave portion 41 that allows fluid such as gas to communicate between the inside and outside of the container 20 when the container 20 is half-pressed by the container cover 4 . In addition, the half-pressed stopper refers to the degree to which the container lid is gently inserted into the opening of the container, so that the fluid can be communicated with the inside and outside of the container. The measurement unit 2 may measure the measurement object in the container 20 in a state where the container 20 is half-pressed by the container cover 4 .

When the container 20 is pressed by the container cover 4, as shown in FIG. put pressure on. As shown in FIG. 6( b ), the antenna 1 subjected to pressure from the pressing member 6 contracts and transmits the pressure to the container lid 4 . The container lid 4 under pressure from the antenna 1 is pressed into the inner direction of the opening of the container 20 . As shown in FIG. 6( c ), the antenna 1 and the container cover 4 are pressed by the pressing member 6 until the length of the antenna 1 becomes the contact length, the container cover 4 moves toward the inside of the opening of the container 20 , and the container 20 is pressed plugged, sealed.

As shown in FIG. 7( a ), assuming that the antenna 101 is not in a spiral shape, if the non-spiral antenna 101 is subjected to pressure, the antenna 101 will bend as shown in FIG. 7( b ), or as shown in FIG. 7( b ). As shown in (c) of 7, the bent antenna 101 may be cut and damaged. On the other hand, the helical antenna 1 of the wireless sensor 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is less likely to be bent, cut, or damaged. Therefore, the wireless sensor 10 of the first embodiment can be reused, for example, even after being subjected to pressure.

(Second Embodiment)

The liquid processing method according to the second embodiment includes the steps of preparing a wireless sensor 10 having a helical, flexible and extendable antenna 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 , electrically connecting to the antenna 1 and The measurement part 2 for measuring the measurement object, the electric wire 3 connecting the antenna 1 and the measurement part 2, and the container lid 4 enclosing the electric wire 3; the container 20 containing the liquid is prepared; The measuring part 2 of the sensor 10 is put into the container 20, and the container 20 is half-pressed by the container cover 4; in the state where the container 20 is half-pressed, the measuring part 2 measures the inside of the container 20 while processing the liquid in the container 20. and after the treatment of the liquid in the container 20 is completed, the antenna 1 and the container cover 4 are pressed down from above the antenna 1, the container cover 4 is pressed into the container 20 while the antenna 1 is retracted, and the container 20 is pressed. .

Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the container 20 is a vial, the liquid contained in the container 20 is a drug, the treatment to which the liquid is subjected is freeze-drying, and the measurement object measured by the measuring unit 2 is temperature, but the container 20, the liquid, the treatment, and the measurement object are respectively Not limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 8 , a plurality of containers 20 filled with liquid and half-pressed by the container lids 4 of the wireless sensor 10 are arranged on a plate 110 of a closed space 100 provided by a furnace, a tank, a storage, and the like. The closed space 100 may be opened by a door or the like. Each of the plurality of containers 20 includes, for example, a cylindrical shape. The plurality of containers 20 may be in a staggered arrangement such that more containers 20 are arranged on the board 110 .

After the plurality of containers 20 are arranged on the plate 110 in the closed space 100 , the closed space 100 is closed, and the environment in the closed space 100 becomes an environment suitable for freeze-drying the liquid in the container 20 . The container 20 is half-pressed by the container cover 4, and the inside and outside of the container 20 can communicate. Therefore, the gas suitable for freeze-drying in the closed space 100 enters the container 20, and the liquid in the container 20 is freeze-dried. While the liquid in the container 20 is freeze-dried, the measurement unit 2 of the wireless sensor 10 measures the temperature in the container 20 , and the antenna 1 transmits the measurement result of the measurement unit 2 . In addition, the antenna 1 may optionally receive electric power by electromagnetic waves, and may supply electric power to the measurement unit 2 . For example, when the temperature measured by the wireless sensor 10 is abnormal, freeze-drying may be stopped.

When the medicine in the container 20 is freeze-dried, as shown in FIG. 9( a ), in the closed space 100 such as a freeze-drying furnace, the upper plate 111 arranged on the upper part of the plate 110 is lowered, and the wireless sensor 10 is lowered. When the antenna 1 is retracted, the container lid 4 half-pressed on the container 20 is pressed down, and the container 20 is pressed as shown in FIG. 9( c ). Alternatively, the plate 110 is raised toward the upper plate 111 , and the upper part of the antenna 1 is brought into contact with the upper plate 111 to press the container 20 . Then, as shown in FIG. 10 , the upper plate 111 is raised so that the container 20 can be carried out of the closed space 100 . Alternatively, the plate 110 may be lowered so that the container 20 can be carried out of the enclosed space 100 .

As shown in FIG. 11 , a conveyance path 40 such as a conveyor belt is arranged in front of the closed space 100 . A bridge 50 may be provided between the plate 110 and the conveyance path 40 . After the tamping is completed, when the plurality of containers 20 are taken out from the closed space 100 , a door of a furnace or the like providing the closed space 100 is opened, and the carrying out tool 30 transfers the plurality of containers 20 on the plate 110 toward the direction via the bridge 50 . Path 40 rolls out. The carry-out tool 30 has, for example, a shape that can be brought into contact with the innermost row of the plurality of containers 20 in the closed space 100 . In other words, the unloading tool 30 has a shape capable of contacting a row of the containers 20 on the opposite side of the conveyance path 40 among the plurality of containers 20 on the plate 110 . The shape of the carry-out tool 30 is, for example, a rod. The traveling direction of the unloading tool 30 is, for example, parallel to the upper surfaces of the plate 110 and the bridge 50 and perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying path 40 . In the vicinity of the plate 110 and the bridge 50 , a guide 70 may be provided, which prevents the container 20 pressed by the carry-out tool 30 from spreading laterally with respect to the traveling direction of the carry-out tool 30 .

Then, as shown in FIG. 12 , the transport path 40 is driven, and the container 20 is transported. In the traveling direction of the conveyance path 40 , as shown in FIG. 13 , a separation guide 91 may be arranged that guides the traveling direction of the overturned container 20Z to be different from the traveling direction of the unoverturned container 20A. direction. The separation guide 91 is arranged on the conveyance path 40 at a position where the overturned container 20Z is conveyed. The overturned container 20Z comes into contact with the separation guide 91 , and falls, for example, from the conveyance path 40 into the collection container 92 . The separation guide 91 may support the container 20A which is not overturned from both sides, and may change the traveling direction of the container 20A which is not overturned while maintaining the row.

The maximum diameter of the antenna 1 of the wireless sensor 10 may be configured to be equal to or smaller than the width of the conveyance path 40 in which the container 20 with the container lid 4 is conveyed. For example, when the width of the conveyance path 40 is equal to or less than the width of the containers 20 in one row or less, if the maximum diameter of the antenna 1 of the wireless sensor 10 is equal to or smaller than the width of the conveyance path 40, the antenna 1 will not interfere with the conveyance path. 40 conveyance of the container 20.

As shown in FIG. 7 , when the antenna 101 is not in a spiral shape, if the container 20 is pressed with the container lid 4 via the non-spiral antenna 101 , the antenna 101 may be bent or broken. However, the bent antenna 101 may damage the adjacent container 20 or knock the adjacent container 20 over. In addition, if the curved antenna 101 protrudes from the conveyance path of the container 20 , the curved antenna 101 may hinder the conveyance of the container 20 . In addition, if the damaged antenna 101 is dropped, the container 20 may hang on the dropped antenna, which may cause the container 20 to overturn. In addition, fragments and the like of the damaged antenna 101 enter the interior of the container 20 and cause contamination. On the other hand, since the helical antenna 1 of the wireless sensor 10 of the second embodiment is not easily bent, cut, or damaged, these problems that may occur in the non-helical antenna 101 are unlikely to occur.

(Other Embodiments)

As mentioned above, although this invention was described by embodiment, it should not be understood that the description and drawings which form a part of this disclosure limit this invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operation techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the liquid put into the container 20 is not limited to medicines, but may be food, beverages, chemicals, and the like. The furnace is not limited to a freeze-drying furnace, but may be a fermentation furnace, or any furnace including any where it is desired to suppress uneven distribution of the internal temperature. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention encompasses various embodiments not described herein.

Symbol Description

1...antenna, 2...measurement unit, 3...electric wire, 4...container lid, 6...pressing member, 10...wireless sensor, 20...container, 30...unloading device, 40...conveyance path, 41...recess, 50...bridge, 70...guide, 91...separation guide, 92...recovery container, 100...enclosed space, 101...antenna, 110...plate, 111...upper plate.

Claims (10)

1. A wireless sensor is characterized by comprising:

an antenna which is flexible and can be extended and retracted; and

and a measurement unit electrically connected to the antenna and configured to measure a measurement target.

2. The wireless sensor of claim 1,

the diameter of the antenna is configured such that when the antenna is contracted, a small-diameter portion is accommodated in an adjacent large-diameter portion.

3. The wireless sensor of claim 1 or 2,

further provided with: a wire connecting the antenna and the measurement unit; and

and a container cover enclosing the electric wire.

4. The wireless sensor of claim 3,

the maximum diameter of the antenna is set to be equal to or less than the width of a conveying path for conveying the container with the container lid inserted therein.

5. The wireless sensor of claim 1,

the antenna is configured to receive power by electromagnetic waves.

6. The wireless sensor of claim 1,

the antenna emits radio waves of the information of the measurement target measured by the measurement unit.

7. The wireless sensor of claim 1,

the measurement object is a temperature.

8. A method of treating a liquid, comprising the steps of:

preparing a wireless sensor having a helical, flexible, and stretchable antenna, a measurement section electrically connected to the antenna and measuring an object to be measured, an electric wire connecting the antenna and the measurement section, and a container cover enclosing the electric wire;

preparing a container containing a liquid;

placing the measuring portion of the wireless sensor in the container so that the antenna is outside the container, and semi-corking the container through the container cover;

measuring the measurement object in the container by the measurement unit while processing the liquid in the container; and

the antenna and the container lid are pressed from above the antenna, and the container lid is pressed into the container while the antenna is contracted, thereby pressing the container.

9. The method of treating a liquid according to claim 8,

the diameter of the antenna is configured such that when the antenna is contracted, a small-diameter portion is accommodated in an adjacent large-diameter portion.

10. The liquid treatment method according to claim 8 or 9,

the treatment is freeze drying.

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