JPS5838578B2 - Snow removal and temperature control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes a bag body that can be expanded by fluid pressure, and detection devices, program discrimination devices, temperature detection devices, etc. that generate signals to supply fluid pressure to the bag body. Including, pressure supply system and snow removal/temperature control equipment.

Conventionally, snow removal from the roofs of tall buildings, vehicles, ships, dams, and other places that are prone to getting wet is an extremely dangerous task, so the reality is that it is often necessary to wait for the snow to melt naturally. Until the snow melts naturally, energy must be wasted, and the weight of snow can become a dangerous factor for driving and navigation.Furthermore, natural snow melting often occurs on roofs, mountain slopes, and slopes along roads. It is often accompanied by lightning, which often causes unexpected disasters.

In addition, in order to adjust the room temperature in a greenhouse or a general house, the structure must be designed to suit it from the beginning, which requires a large amount of equipment and maintenance costs.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a snow removal device that automates snow removal work.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a device that does not require expensive equipment costs for controlling the room temperature of a greenhouse or a general house, and can be easily installed and removed.

The present invention uses a bag made of a flexible material such as rubber or synthetic resin, both when used as a snow removal device and as a temperature control device.

First, when used as a snow removal device, in addition to the bag, there is a pressure supply device and fluid temperature control device that supply fluid pressure to the bag, and a snow detection device that sends signals to automatically control these devices. There are a temperature detection device, a temperature detection device, and a program discrimination device that receives and identifies signals transmitted from each of these devices, and a timer device is added to these as necessary to form a pressure supply system.

In the snow removal device, the program discrimination device receives signals transmitted from the snow accumulation detection device and the temperature detection device, identifies the signals, and transmits commands to the pressure supply device and the fluid temperature control device.

The pressure supply device and the fluid temperature control device each operate based on the command control, and inject and discharge fluid pressure into the bag to cause the bag to expand and contract, causing cracks in the snow on the surface of the bag and causing it to peel off. , let it fall.

Especially in weather conditions where the amount of snowfall per unit time changes or where snow is used to freezing, interlocking the snow detection device, temperature detection device, and pressure supply device is the most important element for eliminating danger. Each of these detection devices detects changing conditions such as specific gravity and bulk of snowfall due to weather conditions and changes in outside temperature, converts each changing condition into a signal and transmits it, and receives this signal. The program discrimination device identifies the signal and instructs the pressure supply device, timer device, and fluid temperature control device to operate the bag body and pressure supply device in conjunction with the change in the signal, thereby causing the bag body to expand. - Vary the deflation cycle time, or inflate and deflate the bag briefly repeatedly to vibrate the bag surface, or leave the bag in a half-inflated state and stop discharging fluid pressure so that the bag surface is Place the device under unstable conditions so that it oscillates.

These operations are based on the command control of the program discrimination device based on the identification of the transmitted signal, and these operations allow the snow removal operation to be performed safely and under the most efficient conditions.

When used as a temperature control device, a program discrimination device receives signals sent from each temperature detection device, identifies the signals, and transmits the signals to a pressure supply device and a fluid temperature control device.

The pressure supply device and fluid temperature control device inflate the bag according to the operation classification such as the type of fluid pressure to be injected into the bag, the route to be injected, and the number of fluids to be injected based on the instructions from the program discrimination device. When used in a greenhouse or the like, for example, hot water, hot air, cold water, etc. may be injected into the bag to increase the temperature control effect.

All of these are carried out based on command control from the program discrimination device, and this temperature adjustment device is also connected to the temperature detection device, pressure supply device, program discrimination device, and fluid temperature control device as necessary. Combine with a timer device to configure a pressure supply system.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bag 10, and the outer covering is made of a flexible sheet of rubber or synthetic resin.

The material used as the outer cover is selected depending on the application; for example, if the main purpose is to remove snow, an elastic material such as rubber is better, while if the main purpose is to control the temperature of a greenhouse, etc., use a transparent material. Since it is preferable to do so, synthetic resin or the like is suitable.

The bag body 10 is provided on its side with a valve 12 serving as an inlet/outlet port through which fluid pressure passes.

Valve 12 is a check valve, especially for feeding from the inlet side and force from the outlet side)
A type of valve that opens in response to suction is used.

The mounting location and number of valves 12 will depend on the number of bags used and their controlled arrangement.

The size of the bag 10 is limited due to mechanical strength and manufacturing considerations.

Therefore, in applications requiring a large area, a plurality of bags 10 are housed within a support frame 14 and used as a flock 16, as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the block 16 includes a total of eight bags 10 in two horizontal rows and four vertical rows. Adjacent bags 10 are connected to each other on their sides, and the bags 10 are connected to the support frame 14. Attachment is performed using adhesive, bolts, or the like.

Each of the bags 10 is provided with two valves 12, and adjacent bags 10 are connected to each other through these valves 12, so that the fluid pressure from the pressure supply pipes 18 and 20 inflates the bags 10 one after another. Go.

In addition, the block 16 is not necessarily used in a single state, but may be used in combination with a plurality of blocks as necessary, and each block 16 is connected by a connecting member 22 provided on each block 16. They can be used in series or in parallel.

In order to efficiently remove snow accumulated on the surface of the bag 10, fluid pressure that can withstand the load of snow on the surface of the bag 10 is injected to ensure that the bag 10 expands to a predetermined height. The most efficient method of snow removal is to create cracks in the snow on the surface of each section, that is, one bag at a time, and allow the snow to fall down.
The valve 12, which has a threshold value set to ensure that each bag is inflated to a predetermined height, plays an important role and was adopted as a result of experiments.

Injecting fluid pressure freely into the bag means that when there is no load on the top surface, the entire bag inflates smoothly like a general air bag, but when the load of snow is applied to the bag surface. In this case, there is a phenomenon in which fluid pressure concentrates in advance in areas where the load is unevenly distributed or in weak areas of the bag, and this phenomenon often increases at an accelerated rate in proportion to the pressure. Snow removal does not always occur from the intended area, and if a method for detecting and controlling the state of fluid pressure injected into the bag is not used, the bag often bursts.

It has been found that making use of the special operating characteristics of the valve 12 to crack the snow is more effective as the bag 10 is expanded more rapidly.

For this purpose, the valve 12 has thresholds (set pressures) for the injection pressure from the inlet side, that is, pressurization, and the suction pressure, that is, depressurization from the outlet side, and has a special valve that opens when these set pressures are exceeded. By using this valve 12, fluid pressure can be injected into each bag body 10 more rapidly as the set pressure is higher.

FIG. 3 shows the principle operation of the system for causing the inflation-deflation movement of the bag 10, and the pressure supply system 30 is shown to include a pressure supply device 32 and fluid directional valves 34 and 34'. The switching valves 34 and 34' communicate with the block 16 via pipes 18 and 18'.

In order to pressurize and inflate the bag 10, fluid pressure supplied from the supply pressure installation 32 passes through the switching valve 34 and the pipe 18 to the bag 10 located at the rightmost end in the diagram of the block 16.
It is injected when the pressure exceeds the set pressure of the valve 12 provided in the bag, and the bag is pressurized and expanded.

The internal pressure of the bag further rises, and at the same time exceeds the set pressure of the valve 12 of the connecting part of the adjacent bag,
Valve 12 opens and fluid pressure is injected into the left bladder, inflating it as well as the previous bladder.

In this way, the bags belonging to that series are inflated one after another.

Next, when the once inflated bag body is deflated under reduced pressure, the fluid pressure supplied from the pressure supply device 32 becomes suction pressure, and the fluid pressure is passed through the switching valve 34' and the pipe 18', and is located at the leftmost end of the block 16. When the suction pressure is transmitted to the bag body 10 and exceeds a predetermined value, the bag body 10 is suddenly deflated and deflated.

This contraction operation is sequentially transferred to all the bags in the series.

In this operation, the switching valve 34 functions as a pressure relief valve for the device 32.

The reason why this switching valve 34 is made to function as a pressure relief valve is that it is essential for each detection device and pressure supply device to work together to control the operation of the bag.Especially in the case of a snow removal device, each bag can handle the load. If there is a partial residual due to insufficient discharge of fluid pressure due to the state, the snow condition on the surface of the bag, that is, the load will be uneven, and when the bag is next inflated, the fluid pressure will remain as described above, creating a cavity. In order to prevent such conditions, it is necessary to forcibly discharge the pressure.

FIG. 4 shows the schematic configuration of the pressure supply system in FIG. 48, includes a pressure supply device 32 and a fluid directional valve device 34.

Although not shown, the snow detection device 40 and the temperature detection device 42 are each provided with a detection level setter that presets a desired detection level.

The snow detection device 40 includes a level detection type using a photoelectric switch or the like, and a rod type quantitative detection type using an air cylinder, helical spring, proximity switch, etc., and these can be used in combination as necessary.

The fluid temperature control device 46 is a device that heats or cools the fluid from the pressure supply device 32, and may be a simple heating and cooling device. Compressors, household vacuum cleaners, etc. are selected.

Next, the configuration and operation of the pressure supply system according to the usage category of this device will be explained.

First, the operation of the pressure supply system when used as a snow removal device is such that the load detection device 40 for detecting the amount of snowfall and the temperature detection device 42 for the outside air temperature for detecting freezing of snow fall each at a predetermined detection level. When detected, a signal is sent to the program discrimination device 44.

Program discriminator 44 identifies and transmits each signal to pressure supply device 32 and fluid temperature control device 46, causing each to operate in conjunction with pressure supply device 32 delivering fluid pressure;
The fluid temperature control device 46 controls the temperature of this fluid, and as described above, injects and discharges the fluid into the bag 10 in response to the snow conditions due to the weather and outside temperature, and causes the bag to expand and contract. This causes the snow on the surface of the bag to crack one section at a time, and at the same time cause it to fall off.

In addition, when used as a temperature control device in greenhouses for home use or agricultural purposes, the pressure supply system operates so that the temperature that is suitable for each cultivated plant is always maintained at a specified level. , and for this central level,
A temperature detection device 42 is provided in the greenhouse, which has preset upper and lower temperature ranges of specified levels that are permissible for maintaining and controlling an appropriate temperature. A temperature detection device (not shown) is installed to detect the outside temperature, and the specified level can be adjusted as the temperature inside the greenhouse increases or decreases, which changes due to the influence of the outside air temperature due to the weather of the four seasons and the temperature difference between day and night. When the greenhouse temperature detection device 42 detects the elapse of a preset duration time for each of the upper and lower temperature limits, it transmits a signal instructing the upper and lower temperature limits, respectively.

At the same time, the greenhouse outside temperature detection device also detects the outside temperature and sends a signal.

The program discrimination device 44 receives the signals transmitted from each, compares and identifies the temperature difference between the specified upper and lower limits of the temperature inside the greenhouse and the outside temperature, and rearranges them according to the four seasons. The information is transmitted to the pressure supply device 32 such as a pump or an air compressor, and the fluid temperature control device 46 to operate them, and at the same time, based on the comparative identification of the temperature difference, the temperature is lowered to the center level from the specified level of each of the upper and lower limits. A method of adjustment that allows recovery in time, that is, selecting the fluid pressure to be used, such as hot water, warm air, etc. in winter and autumn, and cold water, cold wind, etc. in summer and spring, and applying these fluid pressures to the bag body. The injection part, route, timer device, etc. are also used to command and control the time (amount) for injecting fluid pressure, that is, the number of bags.

The bag body into which fluid pressure is injected is connected to the adjacent bag body by a valve 12 which has the same function as a snow removal device, and the fluid pressure is transmitted to the system through the valve 12 connecting the bag bodies. The specified number of bags are inflated according to the specified number of bags to block outside air temperature, and when the temperature inside the greenhouse is at the upper limit, it is lowered with cold water and cold air, and when it is at the lower limit, it is raised with hot water and warm air, etc.
Return the temperature inside the greenhouse to the center of the specified level.

When the greenhouse temperature returns to the center of the specified level and the greenhouse temperature detection device 42 detects this, it sends a signal, and the program discrimination device 44 identifies this signal and controls the pressure supply device 32.
is operated to send fluid pressure to the switching valve 34'.

The fluid pressure supplied to this switching valve 34' becomes suction pressure, which is transmitted via the switching valve 34' and pipe 18' to the bag body 10 located at the end, which is pressurized and inflated under command control, and the suction pressure is When the predetermined value is exceeded, the bag 10 is immediately deflated and deflated.

This deflation operation is sequentially transferred to all the pressurized and inflated bags of the series.

In this operation, the switching valve 34 is operated by a device 32 similar to a snow removal device.
functions as a pressure relief valve.

If a snowfall detection device is also used in a greenhouse during winter snowfall, it will be effective in removing snow and can greatly reduce utility costs.

In addition, when you are accustomed to electricity falling, inflating the bag in advance protects the greenhouse from electricity falling and is also effective in protecting cultivated plants.

The series of operations described above are automatically performed according to a predetermined program taking into consideration the object to which the apparatus is applied, environmental conditions, etc.

However, manual control on site or remotely is of course possible, and either sequence control using a timer or adaptive control is selected for controlling the entire system.

Although the above description has been made based on the embodiments, it is possible to make changes and modifications such as, for example, making the outer cover of the bag 10 multiple or having a double structure.

In addition, in both cases where the main function is a snow removal device or a temperature control device, the multiple bags and various devices included in the pressure supply system are essential components. The equipment in the pressure supply system responds to the signals sent from each device in the pressure supply system and operates.
The fluid pressure on each bag body is controlled to function in accordance with each purpose, and the snow removal/temperature control device with these configurations is characterized by combining each detection device, discrimination device, etc. as a system, Only when they are used by taking advantage of their respective characteristics will the scope of use and application become wider, regardless of the scale, and the intended effects will be fully demonstrated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bag used as a basic element in the snow removal and temperature control device of the present invention, and Fig. 2 shows a plurality of bags shown in Fig. 1 arranged side by side in order to increase the usable area. The constructed block diagram, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operating principle of giving inflation-deflation motion to the bag, and FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram of the pressure supply system. In the figure, 10 is the bag, 12 is the Valve, 14 is a support frame, 16 is a block, 18, 18', 20 is a pipe, 22 is a connecting member, 30 is a pressure supply system, 32 is a pressure supply device, 34 is a valve switching device, 40 is a snow detection device, 42 4 is a temperature detection device, 44 is a program discrimination device, 46 is a fluid temperature control device, and 48 is a timer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a snow removal/temperature control device that uses the temperature, pressure, and low thermal conductivity of a fluid to perform snow removal or cooling/heating, each bag body made of a flexible material is charged with a predetermined injection pressure from the inlet side. The snow removal/temperature control device is equipped with a check valve that opens in response to a predetermined suction pressure from the outlet side. and a pressure supply system communicated with the bag body through a supply pipe, and when the fluid is supplied to the bag body by this pressure supply system, each of the bag bodies is pressurized or depressurized in sequence. The pressure system includes a snow detection device, a temperature detection device, a program discrimination device, a pressure supply device, a timer device, and a fluid temperature control device, and the program discrimination device determines the supply pressure based on detection signals from the snow detection device and temperature detection device. 1. A snow removal and temperature control device, characterized in that it generates control signals to a pressure device and a fluid temperature control device.