Container for flying object and flying object

Abstract

To provide means for realizing sufficient strength against a difference between an internal pressure and external pressure, for an airtight container for a flying object that flies to a high altitude.SOLUTION: A container 13 for a flying object includes: an airtight container body 131; a restraining member 132 disposed so as to come into contact with an external surface of the container body 131; and an adjusting mechanism 133 that adjusts strength of force with which the restraining member 132 constricts the container body 131 from outside. As the flying object rises, force that pushes the container body 131 from inside toward outside is generated due to a difference between internal pressure and external pressure, and the container body 131 is deformed by the force. The restraining member 132 constricts the container body 131 from the outside against the force. As a result, deformation of the container body 131 is curbed, and problems such as damage to the container body 131 caused by the deformation are avoided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for a projectile. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, it is desirable for a flying object that flies by buoyancy, such as a balloon or an airship, or by lift, such as an airplane or a helicopter, to be lightweight in order to improve performance, such as the altitude at which it can fly or the speed at which it can travel.

[0003] Many flying objects are equipped with a container (a container for the flying object) for accommodating transported goods (including people). For example, a flying object that transports passengers is equipped with a container for passengers called a cabin.

[0004] In order to reduce the weight of flying objects, there is a need to reduce the weight of containers for flying objects. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a cabin for a flying object that has a main body that forms an airtight storage space with a wall having a reinforced portion that is a band-shaped area thicker than the surrounding area. In the cabin described in Patent Document 1, the wall of the main body is formed thicker than the surrounding area in the portion that requires high strength, and the other portion is formed thin. As a result, the cabin described in Patent Document 1 can achieve weight reduction while ensuring the necessary strength. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-54387 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When a flying object flies to a high altitude, for example, exceeding 10,000 meters above the ground, it may be necessary to make the container airtight in order to keep the environment, such as the air pressure, inside the container in which the flying object flies close to the environment on the ground.

[0007] When an airtight container flies to a high altitude, the air pressure in the space outside the container decreases, causing a large pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container, and a force pushing the container's walls from the inside to the outside is applied. For example, if the container walls are made thin to reduce weight, they cannot withstand the force caused by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container, and problems such as cracks in the walls may occur.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention relates to an airtight container for a flying object that flies to high altitudes, and provides a means for realizing sufficient strength against the internal and external pressure difference. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention proposes a container for a flying object, comprising a container body that contains air in an airtight manner from the outside space, and a restraining member that restrains the wall of the container body so as to generate a force that resists a pushing force from the inside to the outside that is generated on the container body due to the internal and external pressure difference associated with flight. Effect of the Invention

[0010] When the container according to the present invention flies to a high altitude, the restraining member generates a force that resists the force exerted on the container body from the inside to the outside due to the internal and external pressure difference, resulting in a container with sufficient strength to resist the internal and external pressure difference. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a flying object according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a container according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a role of a restraining member according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a connecting mechanism according to a modified example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a container according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] [Embodiment] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a flying object 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The flying object 1 includes an air envelope 11, a sling 12, and a container 13.

[0013] The air bag 11 (an example of a buoyancy generating portion) contains a gas that is lighter than air (hereinafter referred to as light gas) such as helium gas, and generates buoyancy in the air.

[0014] The suspending rope 12 is a plurality of ropes (four ropes in the example of FIG. 1) that serve to suspend the container 13 below the air bag 11.

[0015] The container 13 is a container for storing objects (including people) that are transported into the sky by the flight of the flying object 1.

[0016] 2 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the container 13. The container 13 includes a container body 131, a restraining member 132, an adjustment mechanism 133, and a connecting ring .

[0017] The container body 131 is a hollow shell-shaped structure that is the main body of a container that contains an object to be transported into the sky. The flying object 1 is expected to rise to a high altitude of, for example, 10,000 m or more above the ground, and in order to maintain an internal pressure close to that of the ground even at high altitude, the container body 131 contains air in an airtight manner against the external space.

[0018] In the example of Figure 2, container body 131 comprises a cylindrical wall 1311 with its axis in the vertical direction, a window 1312 attached to cover a hole formed in the side of wall 1311, a hemispherical wall 1313 attached to cover the lower opening of wall 1311, a hemispherical wall 1314 attached to cover the upper opening of wall 1311, and a hatch 1315 attached to cover a hole formed in the top of wall 1314.

[0019] Walls 1311, 1313, and 1314 are integrally manufactured from, for example, fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0020] The window 1312 is made of, for example, polycarbonate and transmits visible light with sufficient transmittance to allow a person housed in the container 13 to see the outside and to allow a visible light camera housed in the container 13 to photograph the outside.

[0021] The hatch 1315 is made of, for example, fiber-reinforced plastic reinforced with aluminum, and opens and closes a hole formed in the wall 1314. For example, when the hatch 1315 is open, things (including people entering and exiting) are put into and taken out of the container 13 through the hole formed in the wall 1314. Note that the hatch 1315 includes a sealing member (not shown) and air-tightly seals the container body 131 from the outside space when closed.

[0022] The restraining member 132 is a member that restrains the walls of the container body 131 (wall 1311, window 1312, wall 1313, and wall 1314 in the example of Figure 2) so as to generate a force that resists the pushing force from the inside to the outside that is generated on the container body 131 due to the internal and external pressure difference as the flying object 1 flies.

[0023] Restraint member 132 is a plurality of belt-shaped members connected in a cage shape and arranged so as to be in contact with the outer surface of container body 131. The material of restraint member 132 is, for example, nylon. In the example of Fig. 2, restraint member 132 is composed of belt-shaped member 1321 and belt-shaped member 1322 arranged so as to form a U-shape, and belt-shaped member 1323, belt-shaped member 1324, and belt-shaped member 1325 arranged so as to extend horizontally and form a circle.

[0024] The restraining member 132 is not fixed to the container body 131 and is detachable from the container body 131 .

[0025] The adjustment mechanism 133 adjusts the strength of the force resisting the force pushing from the inside to the outside of the container body 131 due to the internal / external pressure difference accompanying flight. In other words, the adjustment mechanism 133 adjusts the strength of the force with which the restraining member 132 tightens the container body 131 from the outside. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the adjustment mechanism 133 is provided on each of the five belt-shaped members constituting the restraining member 132, and adjusts the length of the portions of the belt-shaped members that contact the container body 131 by, for example, a ratchet mechanism.

[0026] The length of the portion of the belt-shaped member constituting the restraining member 132 that contacts the container body 131 is adjusted so that the force tightening the container body 131 inward is zero or a positive force before the flying object 1 flies, i.e., when the flying object 1 is on the ground.

[0027] The connecting ring 134 is an annular member attached to both ends of the belt-shaped member 1321 and the belt-shaped member 1322. The lower end of the suspending rope 12 is attached to the connecting ring 134. As a result, the container body 131 is suspended from the suspending rope 12 via the restraining member 132.

[0028] When the lower end of the suspending rope 12 is attached directly to the container body 131, the load of the container body 131 is concentrated on the portion of the container body 131 to which the lower end of the suspending rope 12 is attached (four portions when there are four suspending ropes 12). This makes it necessary to reinforce the portion where the load is concentrated, which may increase the weight of the container body 131. On the other hand, when the container body 131 is suspended by the suspending rope 12 via the restraining member 132 arranged so as to cover the container body 131 from the outside, as in this embodiment, the load of the container body 131 is distributed to the area where the restraining member 132 and the container body 131 are in contact with each other. This makes it unnecessary to reinforce the container body 131, and the weight of the container body 131 does not increase due to the reinforcement.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the role of the restraining member 132. All of Fig. 3(A) to (C) are cross-sectional views (e.g., views seen from above) of the container body 131 cut along a horizontal plane at a height where the belt-shaped member 1324 contacts the container body 131.

[0030] Fig. 3(A) shows the wall 1311 and the window 1312 when the flying object 1 is on the ground. In the example of Fig. 3, the window 1312 is arranged so as to cover from the inside a hole opened in the wall 1311. The contact portion between the wall 1311 and the window 1312 is airtightly fixed by, for example, adhesion.

[0031] FIG. 3(B) shows the wall 1311 and the window 1312 in a state where the flying object 1 rises without the container body 131 being covered by the restraining member 132, the air pressure in the space outside the container body 131 drops, and a force pushing from the inside to the outside of the container body 131 is generated due to the internal and external pressure difference. For example, if the elasticity of the window 1312 is greater than that of the wall 1311, the center of the window 1312 is deformed so as to be pushed outward, as shown in FIG. 3(B). Then, as the window 1312 deforms, a force is generated in the direction of peeling off the adhesion of the fixed portion between the wall 1311 and the window 1312. As a result, a gap is generated in the fixed portion between the wall 1311 and the window 1312, and there is a risk that the airtightness of the container body 131 will be lost.

[0032] FIG. 3(C) shows the wall body 1311 and the window 1312 in a state in which the flying object 1 rises with the container body 131 covered by the restraining member 132, the air pressure in the space outside the container body 131 drops, and a force pushing from the inside to the outside of the container body 131 occurs due to the internal and external pressure difference. When the restraining member 132 is arranged to cover the outside of the container body 131, the restraining member 132 applies a force (a force from the outside to the inside) to the container body 131 that resists the force pushing from the inside to the outside of the container body 131 caused by the internal and external pressure difference. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(C), the deformation of the wall body 1311 and the window 1312 is suppressed, and there is a low risk of the airtightness of the container body 131 being impaired, compared to when the restraining member 132 is not present (see FIG. 3(B)).

[0033] [Variations] The above-described flying object 1 may be modified in various ways within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Examples of modifications are shown below. Two or more of the following modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0034] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the restraining member 132 is detachable from the container body 131. If the restraining member 132 is detachable from the container body 131, the total weight of the flying object 1 can be kept to a necessary minimum by using a restraining member 132 having a strength according to, for example, the altitude of the highest point reached in the flight of the flying object 1 or the weight of the transported object contained in the container 13.

[0035] However, the restraining member 132 may be provided undetachably to the container body 131. For example, a part of the restraining member 132 may be fixed to the container body 131 by adhesion or the like in a state where the adjustment by the adjustment mechanism 133 is possible.

[0036] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the strength of the force with which restraining member 132 tightens container body 131 from the outside can be adjusted by adjustment mechanism 133, but container 13 does not have to be equipped with adjustment mechanism 133. For example, restraining member 132 may be made of an elastic material, and its shape and size may be adjusted in advance so that, when placed to cover container body 131, restraining member 132 generates a force on container body 131 from the outside to the inside due to its elasticity.

[0037] (3) The materials described above for the components of the flying object 1 are merely examples and may be modified in various ways. For example, in the above embodiment, the walls 1311, 1313, and 1314 of the container body 131 are made of fiber-reinforced plastic, but they may be made of other materials, such as other types of plastics and light metals such as aluminum. Also, in the above embodiment, the material of the restraining member 132 is nylon, but the restraining member 132 may be made of other materials, such as other types of plastics and light metals such as aluminum.

[0038] (4) The container 13 may include a cushioning material between the container body 131 and the restraining member 132. For example, if the restraining member 132 is made of a material harder than the container body 131, such as aluminum, when the container body 131 tries to expand outward due to the internal and external pressure difference, a large force is applied to the container body 131 at the edge of the restraining member 132, and there is a risk that the container body 131 will be damaged. If a cushioning material is disposed between the container body 131 and the restraining member 132, such inconvenience can be avoided.

[0039] (5) The shapes of the components of the flying object 1 shown in the drawings or described above are merely examples and may be modified in various ways. For example, in the above embodiment, the shape of the container body 131 is a capsule shape in which a cylindrical wall is connected to the top and bottom of a hemispherical wall, but other shapes such as a sphere, a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, etc. may be used.

[0040] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the shape of the restraint member 132 is a shape that covers the portion of the container body 131 except for the wall body 1314 and the hatch 1315, but, for example, a shape that covers the entire container body 131 including the wall body 1314 and the hatch 1315 may be adopted.

[0041] (6) In the above-described embodiment, the restraining member 132 is configured from a belt-shaped member, but the form of the restraining member 132 is not limited to this. For example, the restraining member 132 may be configured from a net-like member or a sheet-like member (e.g., a punched nylon sheet, etc.) that covers a part or the whole of the container body 131. Furthermore, the restraining member 132 may be configured from a rope-like member instead of a belt-shaped member.

[0042] (7) The container 13 may include a connecting mechanism that connects the restraining member 132 and an object to be placed outside the container body 131. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of such a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism 135 in Fig. 4 is a member that detachably connects to a connecting mechanism 20 attached to a camera C (one example of an object to be placed outside the container body 131). The connecting mechanism 135 and the connecting mechanism 20 are connected to each other by, for example, screwing, engaging, magnetic force, or the like, and a user can connect and disconnect the connecting mechanism 135 and the connecting mechanism 20 by performing a simple operation on them.

[0043] When an object is attached directly to container body 131, reinforcement may be necessary so that container body 131 does not become insufficient in strength at the attachment position. On the other hand, according to this modification, an object to be placed outside container body 131 is attached to container body 131 via restraining member 132 by connecting mechanism 135, and the load of the object on container body 131 is distributed by restraining member 132, so that reinforcement of container body 131 is not required.

[0044] (8) In the above-described embodiment, the restraining member 132 is disposed so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the container body 131. However, instead, the restraining member may be disposed within the wall of the container body 131.

[0045] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a container 13 according to this modified example. In the container 13 of Fig. 5, a restraining member 132 is disposed in a region indicated by a dashed line in the wall of a container body 131. In this case, the material of the restraining member 132 may be, for example, any of nylon tape, metal plate, metal wire, fiber bundles of carbon fiber or glass fiber (if the material of the container body 131 is fiber-reinforced plastic, fiber bundles of fibers stronger than the fibers disposed around it, or fiber bundles of fibers denser than the fibers disposed around it), and the like, and is enclosed in the wall of the container body 131 when the container body 131 is molded.

[0046] In addition, the wall thickness of the portion of container body 131 where restraining member 132 is arranged may be the same as the wall thickness of the surrounding area, or may be thicker.

[0047] Also, the restraining member 132 may be disposed so as to contact the inner surface of the container body 131. For example, the restraining member 132 may be attached so as to contact from the inside, in a region of the inner wall surface of the container body 131 indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 5. In this case, when the container body 131 expands due to the internal and external pressure difference accompanying flight, the restraining member 132 generates a force that holds the container body 131 from the inside so as to resist a pushing force from the inside to the outside that is generated by the internal and external pressure difference.

[0048] In addition, when the restraint member 132 is positioned so as to contact the inner surface of the container body 131, the restraint member 132 may be fixed to the container body 131 by a method that makes it difficult to remove, such as by adhesion, or may be connected in a detachable manner, such as by engagement of a connecting member.

[0049] Furthermore, when the restraining member 132 is positioned so as to contact the inner surface of the container body 131, as in the above-described embodiment, the container 13 may be provided with an adjustment mechanism 133 for adjusting the strength of the force generated by the restraining member 132 against the pushing force from the inside to the outside caused by the pressure difference inside and outside the container body 131.

[0050] Furthermore, when the restraint member 132 is placed within the wall of the container body 131 and its material is nylon tape, metal plate, metal wire, etc., or when the restraint member 132 is placed so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the container body 131, the restraint member 132 may be connected to a buoyancy generating unit that generates buoyancy or lift for the air bag 11, etc., by the suspending rope 12, as in the above-described embodiment.

[0051] For example, when the restraining member 132 is disposed within the wall of the container body 131, the upper end of the restraining member 132 may be configured to be exposed to the outside from the container body 131, and the sling 12 may be connected to the exposed portion.

[0052] Furthermore, when the restraining member 132 is disposed so as to contact the inner surface of the container body 131, the upper end of the restraining member 132 may be configured to penetrate from the inside to the outside of the container body 131, and the suspending rope 12 may be connected to the portion that penetrates and is exposed to the outside. Alternatively, a connecting member may be attached to the container body 131 so as to penetrate the wall, the upper end of the restraining member 132 may be connected to the portion exposed to the inside of the connecting member, and the suspending rope 12 may be connected to the portion exposed to the outside of the connecting member. In such cases, the through hole opened in the container body 131 is airtightly sealed with a sealing member or the like.

[0053] Furthermore, when the restraining member 132 is disposed so as to contact the inner surface of the container body 131, the container 13 may be provided with a connecting mechanism that connects the restraining member 132 to an object to be placed inside the container body 131. In this case, the connecting mechanism is desirably a member that can be detachably connected to a connecting mechanism attached to an object to be placed inside the container body 131 by screwing, engaging, magnetic force, or the like, similar to the connecting mechanism 135 shown in FIG.

[0054] (9) In the above embodiment, the type of flying object 1 is a gas balloon, but the type of flying object 1 is not limited to this. The flying object 1 may be a flying object that flies by buoyancy generated by wings, such as an airplane or a helicopter, or may be a flying object other than a gas balloon that flies by buoyancy, such as a hot air balloon or an airship. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1...projectile, 11...air bag, 12...suspender, 13...container, 20...connecting mechanism, 131...container body, 132...restraint member, 133...adjustment mechanism, 134...connecting ring, 135...connecting mechanism, 1311...wall, 1312...window, 1313...wall, 1314...wall, 1315...hatch, 1321...strip member, 1322...strip member, 1323...strip member, 1324...strip member, 1325...strip member.

Claims

1. A container for a projectile, A container body that stores air in an airtight manner with respect to an external space; a restraining member that restrains the wall of the container body so as to generate a force that resists a pushing force from the inside to the outside that is generated on the container body due to an internal and external pressure difference accompanying flight; A container comprising:

2. The restraining member is disposed so as to contact the outer surface of the container body and fastens the container body from the outside.

2. The container of claim 1.

3. The restraining member is disposed within the wall of the container body.

2. The container of claim 1.

4. The restraining member is disposed so as to contact the inner surface of the container body and holds the container body from the inside.

2. The container of claim 1.

5. The restraining member has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the strength of the force resisting the pushing force generated by the restraining member. Container according to claim 2 or 4.

6. The restraining member is connected to a buoyancy generating unit that generates buoyancy or lift by a sling. A container according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

7. The restraining member is detachable from the container body. Container according to claim 2 or 4.

8. A cushioning material is provided between the container body and the restraining member.

3. The container of claim 2.

9. A connecting mechanism is provided for connecting the restraining member to an object to be placed outside the container body.

3. The container of claim 2.

10. A connecting mechanism is provided for connecting the restraining member and an object to be placed inside the container body.

5. The container of claim 4.

11. A flying object comprising the container according to claim 1.

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