PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method capable of detecting existence of an obstacle ahead in the advancing direction of a linear body, and applicable to linear bodies having various shapes or materials.SOLUTION: In this measuring device, the flexure degree of the linear body 1 can be detected by a sensor 7 when the tip of the linear body 1 is brought into contact with the obstacle and a compressing force P is operated to the linear body 1 in the longitudinal axis direction. The detected flexure degree of the linear body 1 is converted into a compression force P in the longitudinal axis direction operating to the linear body 1, based on the previously determined correlative relationship between the flexure degree and the compression force. Thus, the existence of the obstacle ahead of the advancing direction of the linear body 1 can be detected by increase of the compression force. Furthermore, since the same measuring device can be applied to linear bodies 1 having various shapes and materials, high cost-performance can be obtained.COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT【課題】線状体の進行方向前方における障害物の存在を検知できる、かつ種々の形状や材質を有する線状体に適用できる、装置および方法を提供する。【解決手段】この計測装置では、線状体1の先端が障害物に接触し線状体1に長手軸方向の圧縮力Pが作用するとき、線状体1が湾曲する度合いをセンサ7で検出できる。そして、検出される線状体1の湾曲度合いを、予め決定された湾曲度合いと圧縮力との相関関係に基づき、線状体1に作用する長手軸方向の圧縮力Pに変換することにより、圧縮力の増加から線状体1の進行方向前方における障害物の存在を検知することができる。さらに、同一の計測装置を種々の形状や材質を有する線状体1に適用できるので、経済的である。【選択図】図4
