This invention relates to an ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver for a fish finder that detects schools of fish using ultrasonic waves.
There is a conventionally known ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver such that the case holding the ultrasonic transducer of such transmitter/receiver is suspended by a cable for signal transmission and is dropped into the water, so that the ultrasonic transducer transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, thus detecting any school of fish. (e.g. see Patent Documents 1 and 2). This ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver is used, e.g. for ice fishing such as lake-smelt fishing. The case of the ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver is to be inserted into the water through a hole made in the ice when ice fishing. To make it easier to pull such ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver up from the water, the upper-half part of it should preferably be hanging bell-shaped so as not to get caught.
By the way, besides the ordinary use of suspending the case holding the ultrasonic transducer with a cable, there is also another demand in the use of the case, that it is fastened onto the holder using a fastening member such as a U-shaped bolt, a banding band or the like, so that the holder can be attached to the boat. However, even when trying to attach a fastening member to the case of the hanging bell-shaped ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver, as described above, such a fastening member cannot get caught on the case, and eventually the fastening member easily falls off from the case. As a result, there is then the difficult problem of fastening the case.
This invention has been achieved in light of the above-referenced problems. The purpose thereof such invention is to provide an ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver of which the case can be reliably fastened by using a fastening member without impairing the usability of such case during normal use.
To solve the above problems, the first aspect of this invention refers to an ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver for a fish-finder comprising: an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a case for storing such ultrasonic transducer; and a cable for suspending the case, characterized in that the case is of a hanging bell shape, with the lower-half part having a bottom surface and an outer-peripheral surface substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, and with the upper-half part having an outer diameter gradually decreasing toward the upper end, wherein at least the lower-half part is made of an elastic body, with a groove extending in the circumferential direction of the lower-half part and which is formed on the outer-peripheral surface of the lower-half part.
As such, the first aspect of this invention allows for forming a groove on the outer-peripheral surface of the lower-half part of the case, so that a fastening member such as a U-shaped bolt or a banding band can be set in the groove. When fastening such a case to the holder using the fastening member that is set in the groove, the fastening member in the groove is then prevented from dropping out of the groove. Moreover, since the upper half of the case has a shape that does not get caught, it is possible to reliably fasten the case when the fastening member is used, without impairing the usability during normal use in which the case is suspended by the cable. Further, since the lower-half part of the case is made of an elastic body, when the fastening member that is set in the groove is tightened, such fastening member easily bites into the lower-half part of the case. In this case, since the fastening member is less likely to be displaced, it is possible more reliably to fasten the case by the fastening member. Examples of an elastic body forming the lower-half part include chloroprene rubber, neoprene rubber, polyurethane or the like.
The second aspect of this invention refers to an ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver according to the first aspect of this invention, characterized in that the upper-half part is an upper case opened at the lower end, and the lower-half part is a lower case opened at the upper end having a concave cross-sectional structure by integrally forming the bottom part and the side wall, wherein the lower case is made of an elastic body.
As such, according to the second aspect of this invention, the lower case, compared to the upper case, receives more impact if dropped or the like, since it configures the bottom part of the ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver. Yet, the lower case is made of the elastic body, so that such an impact can be reliably absorbed, thus making it possible properly to protect the ultrasonic transducer within the case. In addition, since the lower case made of an elastic body has a concave cross-sectional structure, the connecting section (corner part) between the bottom part and the side wall of the lower case, which would receive the most impact, is also made of the elastic body, thus making it possible properly to absorb more of such an impact.
The third aspect of this invention refers to an ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver according to the second aspect of this invention, characterized in that the upper case is made of a material harder than that of the lower case.
Therefore, according to the third aspect of the invention, since the upper case is made of a material harder than that of the lower case, the upper case is less likely to be deformed, thus the inner space of the upper case can be secured. The “harder material than that of the lower case” includes, for example, a material of a lower elastic modulus than that of the lower case.
The fourth aspect of this invention refers to an ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver according to the second or the third aspect of this invention, characterized in that the lower end of the upper case is fitted into the lower case through an upper-end side-opening of the lower case.
Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of this invention, in the case that the ultrasonic transducer is stored in the lower case, the size of the whole case can be reduced by making the upper case smaller. In other words, it is unnecessary to downsize the ultrasonic transducer if the case is downsized. Also, since the lower case is made of an elastic material, the lower end of the upper case can be fitted into the lower case by making the lower case elastically deformed. As such, workability in fitting the upper case into the lower case is improved. Further, since the lower end of the upper case is “fitted” into the lower case, the upper case and the lower case stay easily in close contact. Thus, a clearance is less likely to be formed between them.
The fifth aspect of the invention refers to an ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver according to any one of the second to fourth aspects of this invention, characterized in that the groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall of the lower case.
Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of this invention, since the groove is formed on the lower case made of an elastic body, the lower case is less likely to be damaged when a fastening member is set in the groove. In addition, since the site where the groove is formed is made of an elastic body, a frictional force between the lower case and the fastening member is increased, so that rattling when the fastening member is tightened can be reduced. Also, when the ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver oscillates, the fastening member is less likely to be loosened.
The sixth aspect of this invention refers to an ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver according to the fifth aspect of this invention, characterized in that the groove is provided on the upper region of the side wall.
Therefore, according to the sixth aspect of this invention, a groove is provided on the upper region of the side wall of the lower case. As such, even if such a groove is formed, the thickness of the lower region of the side wall, which is easily affected by impact if dropped or the like, is secured. Therefore, such an impact can be surely absorbed by the lower case made of an elastic body.
The seventh aspect of this invention refers to an ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of this invention, characterized in that a concave and convex part is formed on the inner surface of the groove.
Therefore, according to the seventh aspect of this invention, by providing a concave and convex part on the inner surface of the groove, a plurality of convex portions making such a concave and convex part perform an anti-slip function, so that the frictional force between the lower case and the fastening member that is set in the groove increases, thus making it possible to prevent the fastening member from falling out of the groove.
As described above in detail, according to the first to seventh aspects of this invention, the case, when a fastening member is used, can be reliably fastened without impairing its usability during normal use.
Hereinafter, the embodiments of this invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in
In addition, the piezoelectric element 23 is a disk-shaped ceramic plate-like object formed by using e.g. lead-zirconate titanate (PZT), which is a piezoelectric ceramic. The piezoelectric element 23 has a front surface 31 bonded to the base material 22 and a rear surface 32 opposite the front surface 31. Further, a front surface-side electrode (not shown in the drawings) is formed on the front surface 31 of the piezoelectric element 23, and a rear surface-side electrode (not shown in the drawings) is formed on the rear surface 32 of the piezoelectric element 23. Also, of this embodiment, the entire front surface 31 of the piezoelectric element 23 is joined to the base material 22 via the front surface-side electrode and to the adhesive layer (not shown in the drawings).
Also, as shown in
As shown in
Further, a weight 44 is arranged above the ultrasonic transducer 21, with the acoustic insulator 43 interposed there between. The weight 44 is made of zinc, lead or the like and is of a substantially circular truncated-cone shape having a cable-insertion hole 45 for inserting the cable 40 in the center. The weight 44 has the function of immersing the case 50 under water and of adjusting the balance, so that the case 50 can be vertically maintained while being suspended by the cable 40.
As shown in
As shown in
The case 50, as shown in
As shown in
Also, the ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver 10, as the embodiment of this invention, is used in the state of being suspended from the cable 40 during normal use (see
Next, the electrical configuration of the ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver 10 is described.
As shown in
The CPU 71 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer 21 via a transmission/reception circuit 74. The transmission/reception circuit 74 outputs an oscillation signal to the ultrasonic transducer 21 to drive the ultrasonic transducer 21. As a result, the ultrasonic transducer 21 emits (transmits) ultrasonic waves into the water. In addition, an electrical signal indicating an ultrasonic wave (reflected wave) received by the ultrasonic transducer 21 is input to the transmission/reception circuit 74. Furthermore, the CPU 71 is electrically connected to the operation unit 75 and to the display unit 76 of the liquid-crystal monitor.
Then, the CPU 71, as shown in
Hereinafter, the method for using the ultrasonic transducer 10 is described.
For the normal way of ice fishing, the case 50, which houses the ultrasonic transducer 21, is suspended by the cable 40 and immersed into the water. Then, fish finding is done by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic transducer 21. Specifically, firstly, turn on the power (not shown in the drawings) of the ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver 10 and of the liquid-crystal monitor. The liquid-crystal monitor, for example, is to be used while being held by an operator. Next, the CPU 71 of the controller 70 controls the ultrasonic transducer 21 to output an oscillation signal from the transmission/reception circuit 74 via the cable 40 so as to drive the ultrasonic transducer 21. At this time, the piezoelectric element 23 repeats contraction and extension in the thickness direction. As a result, the piezoelectric element 23 oscillates, and ultrasonic waves are emitted (transmitted) from the ultrasonic transducer 21 into the water. Then, when the ultrasonic waves reach a school of fish, the ultrasonic waves are reflected by the school of fish to become reflected waves and are then propagated toward the ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver 10 and then input (received) by the ultrasonic transducer 21. After that, the ultrasonic wave (reflected wave) received by the ultrasonic transducer 21 is converted into a reception signal and input to the CPU 71 via the cable 40 and via the transmission/reception circuit 74. At this time, the school of fish is detected. After that, when the operator turns off the power, the controller 70 stops the transmission/reception circuit 74, thus completing the emission of the ultrasonic waves and the reception of the reflected waves.
By the way, there is also a demand for fastening the ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver 10 onto the holder 12 and for attaching the holder 12 to the boat while in use (see
The ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver 10 can also be attached to a boat by using a fastening member other than the U-shaped bolt 11. In this case, again, the liquid-crystal monitor is used while being mounted on the boat. For example, as shown in
Therefore, the embodiment of this invention realizes the following effects.
(1) According to the ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver 10 of the above embodiment, the groove 57 is formed on the outer-peripheral surface 53 of the lower case 51 that constitutes the case 50. Therefore, when a fastening member such as the U-shaped bolt 11 or the banding band 81 or the like is set in the groove 57, and the case 50 is fastened to the holder 12 by using the fastening member set in the groove 57, then the fastening member is prevented from dropping out of the groove 57. Moreover, the upper case 61, which is the upper-half part of the case 50, is shaped so as not get caught, and the groove 57 formed on the case 50 has a shape that does not protrude from the case 50. Furthermore, the groove 57 is provided on the lower case 51, which is the lower-half part of the case 50 and is provided on the side wall 55 that constitutes the vertical portion of the lower case 51. Therefore, during ice fishing and the case 50 is being suspended by the cable 40, the case 50 can be pulled up out of the water without getting caught in the hole formed in the ice. Further, since the lower case 51 is made of an elastic body, when tightening the fastening member set in the groove 57, the lower case 51 is deformed, thus easily increasing the contact area with the fastening member. In this case, the fastening member is less likely to be displaced, thus making it possible reliably to fasten the case 50 by the fastening member. Further, since the lower case 51 made of an elastic body constitutes a portion that easily receives a shock, when the ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver 10 is suspended or if it is dropped, such an impact can be reliably absorbed, thus making it possible surely to protect the ultrasonic transducer 21 or the like in the case 50.
(2) According to the embodiment of this invention, the groove 57 formed on the lower case 51 is located near the step surface 56 abutting the lower end of the upper case 61. Therefore, when the upper case 61 and the lower case 51 are joined, the upper case 61, which is harder than the lower case 51 and thus less likely to be deformed, is positioned substantially on the rear side of the groove 57 of the lower case 51. As a result, even if a fastening member such as the U-shaped bolt 11 or a banding band 81 or the like is set in the groove 57 for tightening, the site where the groove 57 is formed in the lower case 51 is supported by the upper case 61 and is less likely to be deformed, thus making it possible reliably to prevent the fastening member from dropping out of the groove 57.
Also, each embodiment of this invention can be modified, as follows.
Besides the technical ideas described about this invention, other technical ideas to be understood about the described embodiments, above, are hereinafter described.
(1) A method for fastening the ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver, according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of this invention, characterized by comprising the step of arranging a curved portion of the U-shaped bolt in the groove formed in the case; the step of inserting both ends of the U-shaped bolt into pair of bolt-insertion holes provided on a mounting plate of the holder; and the step of fastening the case to the holder by engaging nuts to both ends of the U-shaped bolt that is inserted into the pair of bolt-insertion holes.
(2) A method for fastening the ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver, according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of this invention, characterized by comprising the step of arranging the belt part of a banding band in the groove formed on the case; the step 2 of winding both ends of the belt part around the pipe-shaped holder; the step 3 of inserting the other end of the belt part into the fastening hole of the fastening member provided on one end of the belt part; and the step 4 of fastening the case to the holder by pulling an end of the inserted belt part.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2019/046515 | 11/28/2019 | WO |