JP3115762B2 - Termite sensor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the detection of termites entering a house or eating a substance for a sensor after the invasion, or detecting that a large number of termites have gathered around the sensor. The present invention relates to a termite sensor used by an exterminator to quickly perform damage before damage occurs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Termites that normally damage houses are mainly Yamato termites and house termites. This type is called an underground termite and is generally invisible because it nests underground. For this reason, wing ants that occur in the nesting behavior of swarms, which are often seen from April to May, are found in houses or placed in intrusion routes as described in JP-A-63-56240. This was done by checking for the presence of termites in the wood.

As a method of searching for damage of general wood pests, as described in JP-A-2-251750, the inside of wood is observed from the outside with an ultrasonic flaw detector or the like, and voids are formed inside the wood. A method of examining whether or not a sound is generated or attaching an acoustic emission (hereinafter, referred to as AE) sensor to a non-tested wood as described in JP-A-3-102257 and observing a sound that destroys the inside of the wood. There was.

[0004]

As described above, the presence or absence of termites on wood or the like placed on the invasion route is visually checked, or each time, an ultrasonic flaw detector is used to check the damage status of the wood pests. If the system detects the occurrence of termites by examining it, there is a drawback that a system capable of monitoring 24 hours a year cannot be supplied by developing an inexpensive sensor.

[0005] Conventionally, the sound of termite food that has propagated through the wood has been observed with an AE sensor or the like. However, in this method, the sound transmitted from the wood surface to the air is picked up by a microphone, so that it is clear. In addition, there is a drawback that a specific noise in the air is observed depending on the mounting shape of the microphone, and the result cannot be discriminated unless the user is sufficiently skilled. In addition, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to determine the installation locations of a large number of sensors installed under the floor when performing an inspection.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The termite sensor of the present invention eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages, and detects by direct vibration whether termites have eaten or are attracted to and attracted to an attractant. It is possible to provide a 24-hour monitoring system that automatically reports via a telephone line or the like by supplying a sensor that operates in conjunction with a terminal. Further, a reflective tape for reflecting light, such as a flashlight, is applied to an outer portion of the sensor so that the light can be easily found even in darkness.

[0007]

The sensor for termites of the present invention detects, as vibration, that a termite has bitten a bait or is attracted to an attractant and enters the sensor, and further observes it for 24 hours using a telephone line or the like. The results can be reported to the monitoring center. For this reason, there is no need to completely remove the lumber from the bait, and it is not affected by the hardness or the manner of eating, etc. In addition, the inspection work is performed by the reflection tape attached to the outer shell of the sensor for inspection work. Can be easily found.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the termite sensor of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a termite sensor according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an outer casing of a sensor, 2 denotes a dry battery serving as a power supply, 3 denotes a signal processing circuit for amplifying and processing a signal from the sensor, 4 denotes a vibration sensor for detecting vibration,
Reference numeral 5 denotes a lever for transmitting vibrations emitted by termites to the vibration sensor, 6 denotes wood used as bait for the termites, 7 denotes a spring for bringing the lever 5 into close contact with the wood, 8 denotes a bait stand, and 9 denotes a sensor bottom plate.

The termite sensor constructed as shown in FIG. 1 is usually installed under the floor of a kitchen, a bathroom, or the like, on the ground where a termite is likely to be generated. Under the floor, many insects such as worms and round worms as well as termites inhabit, so if small animals other than termites enter the sensor, the sensor may detect it incorrectly.

For this reason, the outer shell 1 of the sensor is fixed to the sensor bottom plate 9 with a slight gap 10 (about 1 mm). This gap becomes more reliable if the width on the left and right as well as the interval between the upper and lower sides is regulated (for example, about 5 mm).

In the termite sensor configured as described above, the termites that have entered through the intrusion gap 11 detect the wood of the bait by antenna, etc., and if they are prey substances, contact their friends and, for the first time, call the “bait”. Recognize as At this time, the underfloor material other than the sensor is also "tasted" at the same time, but since the underfloor material is usually made of a material that is disliked by termites, you will eventually eat the wood in the sensor.

Since termites feed by cutting the fiber of the wood with their powerful jaws, the vibration generated when eating is transmitted through the wood 6, transmitted to the lever 5, and transmitted to the vibration sensor 4. At this time, since the lever 5 is firmly adhered to the surface of the wood, the vibration is transmitted relatively smoothly and the reliability is high.

However, since the vibration at this time is very fine, it cannot be taken out as it is.
The vibration once converted into an electric signal by the vibration sensor 4 is amplified by the signal processing circuit 3 and it is determined whether or not it is a termite food sound. After the determination, the signal processing circuit 3 issues a detection signal as necessary.

In this embodiment, the vibration sensor uses a piezoelectric element with a lever directly attached thereto. However, a sensor using electromagnetic induction, such as a record pickup, may be used. In the termite detection system using the termite sensor according to the present invention, the signal from the sensor is reported to the monitoring center using a communication terminal such as a modem.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the termite sensor of the present invention. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 2, termites are attracted by an attractant prepared in place of wood, enter the sensor body 1, travel along the lever 5, and go up to the bait stand 8. At this time, since a small gap is provided between the bottom plate 10 and the lever 5, the termites need to perform a “crossing” operation. That is, while the abdomen is attached to the bottom plate 10, the lever 5 searches for the lever 5 and catches and hangs.

Signals become more frequent as the number of friends increases. This is picked up by the vibration sensor 4 as in the above-described example, amplified by the signal processing circuit 3, and it is determined whether or not the collected sound is termite. After the determination, the signal processing circuit 3 issues a detection signal as necessary.

The basic operation of the termite sensor of the present invention is as described above. When termite damage is detected in this way, a termite exterminator visits the user's home with the extermination equipment and inspects under the floor. It is a translation. At this time, the location of the sensor is checked while illuminating under the floor with a flashlight, etc.
Usually, there is no glow under the floor, so it is very difficult to see in the dark.

In such a case, if a reflective tape or the like is attached to the outer portion of the sensor for reflecting light such as a flashlight, the benefit in the actual work is extremely large. As the reflection tape, a commercially available material such as a resin obtained by embossing a foil of aluminum or the like and processing the resin or a resin mixed with metal powder is used. Further, if the type of tape, the type of the model, the installation number, and the like are distinguished from each other, it is convenient for the service. Further, it is also possible to more positively emit light with a light emitting diode or the like based on the same concept.

As described above, according to the present invention, the vibrations generated by termites themselves are directly picked up by a simple sensor, so that monitoring for 24 hours can be performed reliably and inexpensively without being affected by the hardness of the wood or the manner of eating. This will make it possible to detect termite intrusions early and reliably, and to notify the monitoring center using a telephone line or the like before the damage reaches the residence, making not only easy termite removal but also countermeasures The cost goes up cheaply.

In addition, the extermination work can be carried out systematically on the side of the monitoring center, because the termite detection information is not directly transmitted to the family, but the monitoring center contacts the extermination company. Furthermore, the extermination worker who went to the inspection can find the installation location of the sensor easily by the function of the reflection tape, so that the effect in practical use is very large.

[0022]

Since the termite sensor of the present invention has the above-described configuration, the invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the termites are susceptible to vibration generated when the termite is eating a detection substance which is a bait. , It is possible to reliably eliminate malfunctions caused by small animals other than termites that do not eat the substance for detection. Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the termites are attracted and gathered by a substance that the termites prefer, the behavior of the termites is detected as vibration, so that the detection can be performed quickly and reliably.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention, malfunctions due to invasion of small animals can be prevented, and only termites can be reliably detected. The invention described in claim 4 provides, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2, a light source such as a flashlight for irradiating a termite in a dark place to easily install a sensor. You can check.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment of a termite sensor according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing another embodiment of the termite sensor of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer shell 2 Dry battery 3 Signal processing circuit 4 Vibration sensor 5 Lever 6 Wood 7 Spring 8 Bait stand 9 Sensor bottom plate 10 Ingress gap 11 Reflective tape

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References Jingoji 1-12612 (JP, Y2) Joji 34-10088 (JP, Y1) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A01M 1/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An installation means for installing a substance that a termite prefers to eat near a path through which a termite invades, and a detection means for detecting, with a vibration sensor, the vibration itself of the substance generated by the termite eating the substance. , Provided in the sensor body, to prevent small animals from entering the sensor body,
Only termites can pass through to prevent false detection
A termite sensor characterized by an opening formed by a fine slit . 2. An installation means for installing a substance that a termite prefers near an invasion path of a termite, and a vibration sensor for detecting the vibration of the termite crossing motion caused when the termite is attracted by the substance and gathers near the substance. and a detection means for detecting the sensor body in, invasion of small animals to the sensor body
Termites only to prevent entry and prevent false sensor detection.
A termite sensor characterized in that an opening is formed by a fine slit through which an air can pass . 3. A termite that is preferably consumed by termites.
Means for installation near the intrusion route of
The vibration of the substance itself caused by eating quality
The detection means for detecting with the vibration sensor, the sensor body
To easily recognize the location where it is installed on the sensor body.
The purpose is to reflect light such as a flashlight
A termite sensor characterized in that tape is attached to it . 4. The termite-invading substance is used for termite-preferred substances.
Installation means installed near the road, and the termites are attracted to the substance
Termites that are evoked when they are gathered near the material
Detection means for detecting the vibration of the moving motion with a vibration sensor
Provided the door to the sensor body, so that it can easily recognize the location that was placed in the sensor body, wherein a to Resid Roari sensors that pasted tape or the like for the purpose of allowed to reflect light, such as a flashlight.