DETECTOR AND DETECTION METHOD |
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申请号 | EP08777517.7 | 申请日 | 2008-06-23 | 公开(公告)号 | EP2164086B1 | 公开(公告)日 | 2014-05-21 |
申请人 | International Business Machines Corporation; | 发明人 | KATOH, Naotaka; MIYATA, Kaname; IGAMI, Hideo; ISHII, Yuhta; | ||||
摘要 | |||||||
权利要求 | |||||||
说明书全文 | The present invention relates to techniques for detecting a tumble of and a shock to articles, and in particular, relates to a detector for detecting a tumble of and a shock to articles by using an indicator, and detection methods for detecting a tumble of and a shock to articles by using the detector. Hitherto, when articles susceptible to damage when the articles are tumbled over, for example, precision instruments such as video cameras or hard disks, are transported, a tumble detector that detects a tumble of an article has been attached to a container (an article) that holds many precision instruments so as to detect whether the article has been tumbled over during transportation. Tumble detectors of such a type include a tumble detector that incorporates an electrical circuit for recording and displaying the time when a tumble has occurred. Although a new function can be added to the tumble detector by incorporating the electrical circuit, the cost of the tumble detector increases. Tumble detectors in which it can be detected whether an article has been tumbled over during transportation and the cost is reduced include those described in United States Patent Nos. The known tumble detector 10 is similar in the basic principle to those described in United States Patent Nos. When the container 20 is tumbled over, so that the tumble detector 10 inclines, for example, leftward to be tumbled over, the disk 15 rolls on and moves away from the inclined guide 25, as shown in Part (a) of In this way, after the container 20 is tumbled over, even when the container 20 is returned to the original position, the disk 15 remains at the bottom of the tumble detector 10 and is not returned to the initial position. Thus, it can be detected whether the container 20 has been tumbled over during transportation by checking the position of the disk 15 in the case 20 after the container 20 is transported.
In known tumble detectors, as long as the tumble detectors have a simple structure based on the basic principle, it can be detected whether an article has been tumbled over during transportation with the cost being reduced to a low level. However, since known simple and low-cost tumble detectors have a simple structure, only it can be detected whether an article has been tumbled over during transportation, and it cannot be detected how much shock an article has received to during transportation due or not due to a tumble. Moreover, in known simple and low-cost tumble detectors, it can be detected whether an article has been tumbled over during transportation. However, a problem exists in that it cannot be determined at all whether an article has been actually tumbled over with receiving a shock or has been merely laid horizontally without receiving a shock during transportation. US Patent Application, publication number The above-mentioned problem is solved by the claims. Advantageously the present invention provides a detection technique in which a tumble of and a shock to articles can be detected even with a simple and low-cost structure is implemented via the present invention, so that the problems of the known art can be solved. Specifically, it can be determined whether an article has been actually tumbled over with receiving a shock or has been merely laid horizontally without receiving a shock during transportation. The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to preferred embodiments, as illustrated in the following figures:
The following embodiments do not restrict the invention claimed in the claims. Moreover, all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily mandatory for the problem-solving means of the invention. The same numbers are assigned to the same components throughout the description of the embodiments. Moreover, the sizes of the individual components may be increased or decreased as necessary for purposes of illustration, and there is no intention in the sizes of the illustrated individual components and the relationships between the sizes of the components. Parts (a) to (d) of Parts (b), (c), and (d) of The bonding members 630 are provided at junction protrusions 615 formed on a surface of the resin disk 610, as shown in the section in Part (a) of The supporting protrusion 715 is formed near the center, i.e., at or near the barycenter, of the resin disk 710, as shown in Parts (a) and (b) of As long as the second part 120 of the indicator 100 is joined to the first part 110 and held between the slope portions 225 and 235, the resonant tag 250 is detuned because the resonant tag 250 is shielded from electromagnetic waves by the second part 120. However, when the detector 900 inclines beyond a limit for inclination, so that the first part 110 and the second part 120 of the indicator 100 move away from the slope portion 225 or 235 to move to the left or right side of the bottom of the case 210, the first part 110 and the second part 120 being joined together, as shown in Part (b) of In this case, in an experiment, it was observed that the second part 120, which shields electromagnetic waves in the indicator 100, shields a resonant tag like the resonant tag 250 by at least 25%, so that the resonant tag 250 is detuned. Moreover, in the experiment, it was observed that when the resonant tag is shielded by about 25%, detuning of the resonant tag is affected by the angle which the plane of the resonant tag forms with the orientation of electromagnetic waves because the degree of shielding is small; when the angle falls within a range of up to 25 degrees from a right angle, the resonant tag is detuned; and when the resonant tag is shielded to a greater extent, detuning of the resonant tag is not affected by the angle. Thus, as shown in Parts (a) and (b) of A tumble of and a shock to an article can be detected using the detector 800 shown in A case where the first part 110 and the second part 120 have moved away from the guides 220 and 230, the first part 110 and the second part 120 being joined together, in the detector 800 attached to the two positions occurs when the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination in a direction toward a place where the first part 110 and the second part 120 have moved away. Thus, in this case, it can be determined that the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination in a direction toward a place where the first part 110 and the second part 120 have moved away, and such a determination is made. Moreover, a case where the first part 110 is held between the slope portions 225 and 235 and separated from the second part 120 in the detector 800 occurs when the article 1300 has not inclined beyond the limit for inclination but has received a shock. Thus, in this case, it can be determined that the article 1300 has not inclined beyond the limit for inclination but has received a shock, and such a determination is made. Moreover, a case where the first part 110 has moved away from the guides 220 and 230 and is separated from the second part 120 in the detector 800 occurs when the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination in a direction toward a place where the first part 110 has moved away and has received a shock. Thus, in this case, it can be determined that the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination in a direction toward a place where the first part 110 has moved away and has received a shock, and such a determination is made. When the detector 900, in which the resonant tag 250 is provided, shown in When the detection gate 1400 has detected the resonant frequency of the resonant tag 250 in the detector 900, the second part 120, which shields electromagnetic waves, is not detuning the resonant tag 250, i.e., the second part 120 is not held between the slope portions 225 and 235 of the pair of guides 220 and 230. Such a case where the second part 120 is not held between the slope portions 225 and 235 occurs when the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination or received a shock, or both of them have happened to the article 1300. Thus, in this case where the resonant frequency has been detected, it can be determined that the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination or received a shock, or both of them have happened to the article 1300, and such a determination is made. This determination is made by an existing computer-controlled logistics monitoring system that is improved so as to carry out the detection method according to the present invention in response to a detection signal output when the detection gate 1400 has detected the resonant frequency. In this case where the resonant frequency has been detected, it is preferable to further visually observe the first part 110 and the second part 120 of the indicator 100 in the detector 900 through the cover 240 to make a determination in the following way. When the first part 110 and the second part 120 have moved away from the guides 220 and 230, the first part 110 and the second part 120 being joined together, it can be determined that the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination, and thus such a determination is made. Moreover, when the first part 110 is held between the slope portions 225 and 235 and separated from the second part 120, it can be determined that the article 1300 has not inclined beyond the limit for inclination but has received a shock, and thus such a determination is made. Moreover, when the first part 110 has moved away from the guides 220 and 230 and is separated from the second part 120, it can be determined that the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination and received a shock, and thus such a determination is made. On the other hand, when the detection gate 1400 has not detected the resonant frequency of the resonant tag 250, the second part 120, which shields electromagnetic waves, is detuning the resonant tag 250, i.e., the second part 120 is joined to the first part 110 and held between the slope portions 225 and 235 of the pair of guides 220 and 230. Such a case where the second part 120 is held between the slope portions 225 and 235 occurs when the article 1300 has not inclined beyond the limit for inclination nor received a shock. Thus, in this case where the resonant frequency has not been detected, it can be determined that the article 1300 has not inclined beyond the limit for inclination nor received a shock, and such a determination is made. This determination is also made by an existing computer-controlled logistics monitoring system that is improved so as to carry out the detection method according to the present invention in a case where the detection gate 1400 has not output a detection signal when having not detected the resonant frequency. Moreover, when the detector 1000, in which the resonant tag 260 is provided, shown in When the detection gate 1400 has not detected the resonant frequency of the resonant tag 260 in the detector 1000, the second part 120, which shields electromagnetic waves, is detuning the resonant tag 260, i.e., the second part 120 is separated from the first part 110 to pass between the pass portions 226 and 236 of the pair of guides 220 and 230 to stop. Such a case where the second part 120 passes between the pass portions 226 and 236 to stop occurs when the article 1300 has received a shock without inclining beyond the limit for inclination, or has inclined after receiving a shock even if it has inclined beyond the limit for inclination. Thus, in this case where the resonant frequency has not been detected, it can be determined that the article 1300 has received a shock without inclining beyond the limit for inclination, or has inclined after receiving a shock even if it has inclined beyond the limit for inclination, and such a determination is made. This determination is also made by an existing computer-controlled logistics monitoring system that is improved so as to carry out the detection method according to the present invention in a case where the detection gate 1400 has not output a detection signal when having not detected the resonant frequency, as described above. In this case where the resonant frequency has not been detected, it is preferable to further visually observe the first part 110 and the second part 120 of the indicator 100 in the detector 1000 through the cover 240 to make a determination in the following way. When the first part 110 is held between the slope portions 225 and 235 and separated from the second part 120, it can be determined that the article 1300 has not inclined beyond the limit for inclination but has received a shock, and thus such a determination is made. Moreover, when the first part 110 has moved away from the guides 220 and 230 and is separated from the second part 120, it can be determined that the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination, after receiving a shock, and thus such a determination is made. On the other hand, when the detection gate 1400 has detected the resonant frequency of the resonant tag 260, it is preferable to further visually observe the first part 110 and the second part 120 of the indicator 100 in the detector 1000 through the cover 240 to make a determination in the following way. When the first part 110 and the second part 120 are joined together and held between the slope portions 225 and 235, it can be determined that the article 1300 has not inclined beyond the limit for inclination nor received a shock, and thus such a determination is made. Moreover, when the first part 110 and the second part 120 have moved away from the guides 220 and 230, the first part 110 and the second part 120 being joined together, it can be determined that the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination, and thus such a determination is made. Moreover, when the first part 110 has moved away from the guides 220 and 230 and is separated from the second part 120, it can be determined that the article 1300 has received a shock, after having inclined beyond the limit for inclination, and thus such a determination is made. Moreover, when the detector 1100, in which the pair of resonant tags 270 and 275 are provided, shown in Fig. 11 is used, a tumble of and a shock to an article can be detected using a detection gate. A method for detecting a tumble of and a shock to an article using the detector 1100 will now be described as yet another embodiment according to the present invention. Using the detector 1100, the detector 1100 is first prepared by setting the indicator 100 on the pair of guides 220 and 230. Then, in the same way as the aforementioned method, in which the detector 800 is used, the detector 1100 having been prepared is fixed to an upper position of the article 1300 with the longitudinal direction of the detector 1100 correspondent to the height direction of the article 1300. In view of a tumble of the article 1300 in two directions, i.e., the forward-backward direction and the left-right direction, the detector 1100 is fixed to two positions on adjacent sides of the article 1300. Then, after the article 1300 is moved by, for example, transportation, the article 1300 is passed through two different detection gates 1400 and 1500 that detect different resonant frequencies of a pair of resonant tags, respectively, as shown in When both of the two detection gates 1400 and 1500 have detected the resonant frequencies of the resonant tags 270 and 275 in the detector 1100, respectively, the second part 120, which shields electromagnetic waves, is not detuning either of the resonant tags 270 and 275, i.e., the second part 120 is held between the slope portions 225 and 235 of the pair of guides 220 and 230, or the second part 120 is separated from the first part 110 to pass between the pass portions 226 and 236 of the guides 220 and 230 to stop. Such a case where the second part 120 is held between the slope portions 225 and 235, or the second part 120 is separated from the first part 110 to pass between the pass portions 226 and 236 to stop occurs when the article 1300 has not received a shock or has received a shock without inclining beyond the limit for inclination, or has inclined after receiving a shock even if it has inclined beyond the limit for inclination. Thus, in this case where both of the resonant frequencies have been detected, it can be determined that the article 1300 has not received a shock or has received a shock without inclining beyond the limit for inclination, or has inclined after receiving a shock even if it has inclined beyond the limit for inclination, and such a determination is made. This determination is also made by an existing computer-controlled logistics monitoring system that is improved so as to carry out the detection method according to the present invention in response to detection signals output when both of the detection gates 1400 and 1500 have detected the resonant frequencies, as described above. In this case where both of the two detection gates 1400 and 1500 have detected the resonant frequencies, respectively, it is preferable to further visually observe the first part 110 and the second part 120 of the indicator 100 in the detector 1100 through the cover 240 to make a determination in the following way. When the first part 110 and the second part 120 are joined together and held between the slope portions 225 and 235, it can be determined that the article 1300 has not inclined beyond the limit for inclination nor received a shock, and thus such a determination is made. Moreover, when the first part 110 is held between the slope portions 225 and 235 and separated from the second part 120, it can be determined that the article 1300 has not inclined beyond the limit for inclination but has received a shock, and thus such a determination is made. Moreover, when the first part 110 has moved away from the guides 220 and 230 and is separated from the second part 120, it can be determined that the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination, after receiving a shock, and thus such a determination is made. On the other hand, when one of the two detection gates 1400 and 1500 has not detected corresponding one of the resonant frequencies of the resonant tags 270 and 275, the second part 120, which shields electromagnetic waves, is detuning one of the resonant tags 270 and 275, i.e., the second part 120 is held in one of the capture portions 227 and 237 of the guides 220 and 230. Such a case where the second part 120 is held in one of the capture portions 227 and 237 occurs when the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination in a direction toward the resonant tag not having detected it. Thus, in this case where one of the resonant frequencies has not been detected, it can be determined that the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination in a direction toward the resonant tag not having detected it, and such a determination is made. This determination is also made by an existing computer-controlled logistics monitoring system that is improved so as to carry out the detection method according to the present invention in a case where one of the detection gates 1400 and 1500 has not output a detection signal when having not detected the resonant frequency. In this case where one of the two detection gates 1400 and 1500 has not detected corresponding one of the resonant frequencies, it is preferable to further visually observe the first part 110 and the second part 120 of the indicator 100 in the detector 1100 through the cover 240 to make a determination in the following way. When the first part 110 and the second part 120 join together, it can be determined that the article 1300 has not received a shock, and thus such a determination is made. Moreover, when the first part 110 and the second part 120 are separated from each other, it can be determined that the article 1300 has received a shock, and thus such a determination is made. Moreover, when the detector 1200, in which the pair of resonant tags 280 and 285 are provided, shown in Fig. 12 is used, a tumble of and a shock to an article can be detected using a detection gate. A method for detecting a tumble of and a shock to an article using the detector 1200 will now be described as yet another embodiment according to the present invention. Using the detector 1200, the detector 1200 is first prepared by setting the indicator 100 on the pair of guides 220 and 230. Then, in the same way as the aforementioned method, in which the detector 800 is used, the detector 1200 having been prepared is fixed to an upper position of the article 1300 with the longitudinal direction of the detector 1200 correspondent to the height direction of the article 1300. In view of a tumble of the article 1300 in two directions, i.e., the forward-backward direction and the left-right direction, the detector 1200 is fixed to two positions on adjacent sides of the article 1300. Then, after the article 1300 is moved by, for example, transportation, the article 1300 is passed through the two different detection gates 1400 and 1500, as shown in When both of the two detection gates 1400 and 1500 have detected the resonant frequencies of the resonant tags 280 and 285 in the detector 1200, respectively, the second part 120, which shields electromagnetic waves, is not detuning either of the resonant tags 280 and 285, i.e., the second part 120 is separated from the first part 110 to pass between the pass portions 226 and 236 of the guides 220 and 230 to stop. Such a case where the second part 120 is separated from the first part 110 to pass between the pass portions 226 and 236 to stop occurs when the article 1300 has received a shock without inclining beyond the limit for inclination, or has inclined after receiving a shock even if it has inclined beyond the limit for inclination. Thus, in this case where both of the resonant frequencies have been detected, it can be determined that the article 1300 has received a shock without inclining beyond the limit for inclination, or has inclined after receiving a shock even if it has inclined beyond the limit for inclination, and such a determination is made. This determination is also made by an existing computer-controlled logistics monitoring system that is improved so as to carry out the detection method according to the present invention in response to detection signals output when both of the detection gates 1400 and 1500 have detected the resonant frequencies, as described above. In this case where both of the two detection gates 1400 and 1500 have detected the resonant frequencies, respectively, it is preferable to further visually observe the first part 110 and the second part 120 of the indicator 100 in the detector 1200 through the cover 240 to make a determination in the following way. When the first part 110 is held between the slope portions 225 and 235 and separated from the second part 120, it can be determined that the article 1300 has not inclined beyond the limit for inclination but has received a shock, and thus such a determination is made. Moreover, when the first part 110 has moved away from the guides 220 and 230 and is separated from the second part 120, it can be determined that the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination, after receiving a shock, and thus such a determination is made. On the other hand, when one of the two detection gates 1400 and 1500 has not detected corresponding one of the resonant frequencies of the resonant tags 280 and 285, the second part 120, which shields electromagnetic waves, is detuning one of the resonant tags 280 and 285, i.e., the second part 120 is held in one of the capture portions 227 and 237 of the pair of guides 220 and 230. Such a case where the second part 120 is held in one of the capture portions 227 and 237 occurs when the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination in a direction toward the resonant tag not having detected it. Thus, in this case where one of the resonant frequencies has not been detected, it can be determined that the article 1300 has inclined beyond the limit for inclination in a direction toward the resonant tag not having detected it, and such a determination is made. This determination is also made by an existing computer-controlled logistics monitoring system that is improved so as to carry out the detection method according to the present invention in a case where one of the detection gates 1400 and 1500 has not output a detection signal when having not detected the resonant frequency. In this case where one of the two detection gates 1400 and 1500 has not detected corresponding one of the resonant frequencies, it is preferable to further visually observe the first part 110 and the second part 120 of the indicator 100 in the detector 1200 through the cover 240 to make a determination in the following way. When the first part 110 and the second part 120 join together, it can be determined that the article 1300 has not received a shock, and thus such a determination is made. Moreover, when the first part 110 and the second part 120 are separated from each other, it can be determined that the article 1300 has received a shock, and thus such a determination is made. When either of the two detection gates 1400 and 1500 has not detected the resonant frequencies of the resonant tags 280 and 285 in the detector 1200, the second part 120, which shields electromagnetic waves, is detuning both of the resonant tags 280 and 285, i.e., the second part 120 is joined to the first part 110 and held between the slope portions 225 and 235 of the pair of guides 220 and 230. Such a case where the second part 120 is held between the slope portions 225 and 235 occurs when the article 1300 has not inclined beyond the limit for inclination nor received a shock. Thus, in this case where either of the resonant frequencies has not been detected, it can be determined that the article 1300 has not inclined beyond the limit for inclination nor received a shock, and thus such a determination is made. This determination is also made by an existing computer-controlled logistics monitoring system that is improved so as to carry out the detection method according to the present invention in a case where either of the detection gates 1400 and 1500 has not output a detection signal when having not detected the resonant frequency. Regarding the indicators 300 to 700 shown as the first to fifth examples of the indicator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, experiments were performed to determine whether the joined disks corresponding to the first part 110 and the second part 120 of the indicator 100 actually separate upon receiving a shock. For each of the indicators, an experiment in which the indicator is set in the detector 800 shown in An iron L-shaped angle was fixed to the center of the surface of a table of the drop shock tester with bolts. A boundary point where separation occurs in an indicator was examined with the height of equivalent free fall (cm) being changed while the velocity change was measured with an acceleration sensor fixed on the surface of the table. Simultaneously, the shock value (peak acceleration) was measured, and the acceleration at the time of separation occurring in the indicator was measured. In each of the indicators 500 to 700 in the third to fifth examples, since the mechanism for separating the joined disks from each other is based on breakage upon a shock, the duration time was set to 3 msec or less. For each drop shock test of a prototype of each of the indicators, separation of the disks of the indicator was visually checked. In each drop shock test of a prototype of each of the indicators, after the table was made ready to be dropped, the detector 800 was inclined rightward (or leftward) on the table with the detector 800 in hand It was checked that the indicator was held in the capture portion of the guide on the right side, and the disks of the indicator stayed in the capture portion without being separated from each other when the original condition was restored. Then, the indicator was placed back to its original position between the slope portions of the guides by shaking the detector 800 by hand. The indicator was further inclined in the opposite direction, and then it was checked that the indicator was held in the capture portion without separation. Then, the indicator was again placed back to its initial position by shaking the detector 800 by hand. Subsequently, the detector 800 was moved quietly onto the table, and the back face of the detector 800 was attached to the vertical surface of the L-shaped angle fixed on the table, a double-faced adhesive tape being attached to the vertical surface. At this time, the bottom face of the detector 800 was placed in direct contact with the surface of the table. Subsequently, the table was raised up to an equivalent free fall height that was set and then dropped from the equivalent free fall height. After the table was dropped, it was visually checked whether separation had occurred in the indicator. Simultaneously, data of a generated acceleration and a duration time was obtained using the acceleration sensor fixed on the surface of the table. When the height of equivalent free fall was increased little by little, the disks of the indicator were separated from each other. Separation does not always occur at the same height of equivalent free fall. Thus, each experiment was performed with the height of equivalent free fall being increased until separation completely occurred. Prototypes of the indicator 300 were prepared. A PVC resin disk measuring 23.1 mm in diameter and 0.8 mm in thickness and weighing 0.5 g was used as the resin disk 310 corresponding to the first part 110. Regarding the metal disk 320 and the magnet disk 330, which constitute two portions that are joined together by a magnetic force, corresponding to the second part 120, an iron disk measuring 19.4 mm in diameter and 2.3 mm in thickness and weighing 5 g was used as the metal disk 320, and a magnet disk measuring 19.4 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness and weighing 0.7 g was used as the magnet disk 330. Three prototypes #1, #2, and #3 were tested with five different heights of equivalent free fall of 9 cm, 7 cm, 5 cm, 3 cm, and 2.5 cm. Table 1 shows the data of the experimental results. The data of the experimental results shown in Table 1 is sorted in order of velocity change and shown in Table 2. Table 2 shows that, in the tested prototypes, when the velocity change exceeds 0.9 m/s, the PVC resin disk, the iron disk, and the magnet disk separate. Prototypes of the indicator 400 were prepared. A PVC resin disk measuring 23.1 mm in diameter and 0.8 mm in thickness and weighing 0.5 g was used as the resin disk 410 corresponding to the first part 110. Regarding the magnet disks 420 and 430, which constitute two portions that are joined together by a magnetic force, corresponding to the second part 120, a north/south pole magnet disk measuring 19.4 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness and weighing 0.7 g was used as the magnet disk 420, and a north/south pole magnet disk measuring 19.4 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness and weighing 1.4 g was used as the magnet disk 430. Three prototypes #1, #2, and #3 were tested with five different heights of equivalent free fall of 18 cm, 15 cm, 12 cm, 9 cm, and 7 cm. Table 3 shows the data of the experimental results. The data of the experimental results shown in Table 3 is sorted in order of velocity change and shown in Table 4. Table 4 shows that, in the tested prototypes, when the velocity change exceeds 2.0 m/s, the PVC resin disk and the two north/south pole magnet disks separate. Prototypes of the indicator 500 were prepared. An ABS resin disk measuring 23.1 mm in diameter and 2.3 mm in thickness, weighing 1.3 g, and having an aperture measuring 0.95 mm in diameter at its center was used as the resin disk 510 corresponding to the first part 110. An iron disk measuring 19.4 mm in diameter and 2.3 mm in thickness, weighing 5 g, and having an aperture measuring 1 mm in diameter at its center was used as the metal disk 520 corresponding to the second part 120. Moreover, a graphite core measuring 0.9 mm in diameter and 4.5 mm in length and weighing 0.008 g was used as the linear member 530 corresponding to the joining portion. The graphite core is inserted into the apertures located at the individual centers of the ABS resin disk and the iron disk to be fixed. Three prototypes #1, #2, and #3 were tested with five different heights of equivalent free fall of 38 cm, 33 cm, 30 cm, 26 cm, and 22 cm. Table 5 shows the data of the experimental results. The data of the experimental results shown in Table 5 is sorted in order of velocity change and shown in Table 6. Table 6 shows that, in the tested prototypes, when the velocity change exceeds 3.0 m/s, the graphite core is broken, so that the ABS resin disk and the iron disk separate. Prototypes of the indicator 600 were prepared. An ABS resin disk measuring 23.1 mm in diameter and 1.8 mm in thickness, weighing 1.0 g, and having the four junction protrusions 615 in four (north, south, east, and west) positions on one surface thereof was used as the resin disk 610 corresponding to the first part 110. An iron disk measuring 19.4 mm in diameter and 4.6 mm in thickness and weighing 10 g was used as the metal disk 620 corresponding to the second part 120. Moreover, a commercially available instant adhesive, a bit of which was applied to two of the four junction protrusions 615 opposing each other, was used as the bonding members 630 corresponding to the joining portion. Three prototypes #1, #2, and #3 were tested with five different heights of equivalent free fall of 36 cm, 33 cm, 30 cm, 26 cm, and 22 cm. Table 7 shows the data of the experimental results. The data of the experimental results shown in Table 7 is sorted in order of velocity change and shown in Table 8. Table 8 shows that, in the tested prototypes, when the velocity change exceeds 3.5 m/s, the instant adhesive is peeled off, so that the ABS resin disk and the iron disk separate. Prototypes of the indicator 700 were prepared. An ABS resin disk measuring 23.1 mm in diameter and 2.3 mm in thickness, weighing 1.3 g, and having the supporting protrusion 715 measuring 2.6 mm in length and 0.95 mm in diameter at the center of one surface thereof was used as the resin disk 710 corresponding to the first part 110. An iron disk measuring 19.4 mm in diameter and 4.6 mm in thickness, weighing 10 g, and having the aperture 725 measuring 1 mm in diameter at its center was used as the metal disk 720 corresponding to the second part 120. The supporting protrusion 715 was fitted into the aperture 725 to be fixed. Three prototypes #1, #2, and #3 were tested with five different heights of equivalent free fall of 36 cm, 33 cm, 30 cm, 26 cm, and 22 cm. Table 9 shows the data of the experimental results. The data of the experimental results shown in Table 9 is sorted in order of velocity change and shown in Table 10. Table 10 shows that, in the tested prototypes, when the velocity change exceeds 3.3 m/s, the supporting protrusion is sheared, so that the ABS resin disk and the iron disk separate. It was observed that, in separation of disks of an indicator upon a drop shock, the velocity change is affected by the acceleration and the duration time during which the acceleration exists, i.e., a value obtained by summing up the acceleration and the duration time. According to Experiments 1 to 5, the intensity of shock on an indicator can be evaluated only with the velocity change. Thus, when the obtained data of the experimental results is sorted in order of velocity change, it can be found that disks of an indicator separate at a high rate in a predetermined range of velocity change. Actually, it was confirmed that disks of an indicator were separated from each other in a range of velocity change exceeding 0.9 m/s in Experiment 1, a range of velocity change exceeding 2.0 m/s in Experiment 2, a range of velocity change exceeding 3.0 m/s in Experiment 3, a range of velocity change exceeding 3.5 m/s in Experiment 4, and a range of velocity change exceeding 3.3 m/s in Experiment 5. The confirmed velocity change shows that, even in the case of a very high acceleration (shock value (peak acceleration)) having a short duration time, when the velocity change (energy value) obtained by summing up the acceleration and the duration time does not exceed the aforementioned values, separation of disks due to breakage by shearing or peeling does not occur. Conversely, the confirmed velocity change shows that, even in the case of a low acceleration (shock value (peak acceleration)), in a shock waveform having a very long duration time, when the velocity change (energy value) obtained by summing up the acceleration and the duration time exceeds the aforementioned values, separation shock value (peak acceleration) of disks due to breakage by shearing or peeling occurs. In the prototypes based on each of the examples of the indicator; corresponding one of these ranges can be determined as being a boundary where separation occurs. In the experiments, a boundary value that defmes a range of velocity change in which disks of an indicator separate falls within a narrow range. This means that an indicator is highly useful in that the indicator can reliably and repeatedly detect a shock of a predetermined intensity as a detection indicator that detects not only inclination but also a shock. In this case, whether binding of disks of an indicator, especially, a joining portion, has been deteriorated due to rolling or sliding of the indicator can be determined by comparing the indicator with that having not been subjected to an inclination experiment. In additional experiments, significant deterioration was not observed. |