Customer attraction device using geothermal heat

Abstract

To provide customer attraction devices that takes advantage of characteristics of hot springs of hot spring sites.SOLUTION: A moving advertisement device provided herein is configured to semipermanently swing using geothermal energy.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a moving advertising device used by hot spring resorts, hot spring inns, etc., for the purpose of attracting customers. [Background technology]

[0002] Hot spring resorts and hot spring inns use electric lights, electronic billboards, and illuminated advertising signs to attract visitors and attract them, but these do not have the distinctive features of a hot spring, and visitors quickly tire of them, so the effect of attracting customers cannot be sustained. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] none. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to promote the benefits and characteristics of hot springs, a device that satisfies all of the following requirements is required. 1. Use geothermal energy such as hot spring water and steam to move in an eye-catching way. 2. It is not a simple rotational motion, but an oscillating or reciprocating motion. 3. To attract attention by making irregular, erratic or mysterious movements. 4. It does not require any energy sources other than geothermal energy, such as electricity or gas. 5. If necessary, it will also emit sound and light. 6. Initial costs are low and it is possible to move it if necessary. 7. There is no danger to spectators. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the problem, one or more of the configurations described in any one of claims 1 to 5 of the present invention are selected and adopted. The contents of the configurations are roughly as follows. 1. Prepare a rod-shaped main body that is supported at approximately the center by a fulcrum and is configured to be swingable. 2. Geothermal energy, such as hot spring water or steam, is added to one end of the main body, which is usually lowered. 3. By utilizing the thermal deformation of the bimetal and the thermal expansion of the object, the center of gravity of the main body is changed so that the end on the heated side is lifted. 4. As time passes and the heated part cools down, the center of gravity returns to its original position and drops. 5. Repeat the above exercises semi-permanently. 6. The end opposite the side where heat is applied has a design that attracts attention. Effect of the Invention

[0006] By adopting a plurality of configurations according to any one of claims 1 to 5 of the present invention, all of the above problems can be completely solved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an example of the present invention and shows a state in which energy is received from a heat source. [Diagram 2] This represents the state after the center of gravity of the body has shifted as a result of receiving thermal energy from a heat source. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The embodiments and configurations for implementing the present invention and solving the problems are as detailed in claims 1 to 5, and any one or more of them may be selected. An example of the configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0009] Figure 1 shows an example of the present invention. A main body 4 is attached to a support 2 installed on the ground 1 so that it can swing via a central swing axis 3. In this state, hot water 6 spurting out of a pipe 5 hits a bimetal 7, which heats up and changes shape, causing a weight 8 to move to the right. As a result of weight 8 moving to the right, the center of gravity of body 4 shifts and part A rises, resulting in the state shown in Figure 2. In the state shown in Figure 2, the bimetal is not hit by hot water 6, so it cools naturally, bimetal 7 returns to its original shape, and weight 8 moves to the left, resulting in part A lowering and returning to the state shown in Figure 1. As described above, body 4 repeats its semi-permanent swing due to the geothermal heat (hot water). During this time, plate 9 with the local design moves up and down, attracting attention and providing sufficient customer attraction and advertising effects. [Industrial Applicability]

[0015] By selecting and adopting one or more of the configurations described in any one of claims 1 to 5 of the present invention, it is possible to solve all of the above-mentioned problems, avoiding the use of utility bills and making it possible to attract customers by taking advantage of the characteristics of the hot spring resort, which will greatly contribute to revitalizing the hot spring town. [Explanation of symbols]

[0016] 1, ground 2. Parts that support the fulcrum (bearings) 3. Fulcrum (approximately horizontal axis that serves as the center of oscillation) 4. Main unit 5. Pipes for conducting hot spring water (hot water) or steam (hot air) 6. Hot spring water (hot water) or steam (hot air) 7. Bimetal: Two metal plates with different thermal expansion coefficients bonded together 8. A weight having a predetermined weight 9. Plates with designs

Claims

1. A structure that uses one or more of the following heat sources as its power source: flowing hot spring water, gas, hot spring, and steam erupting from the ground, and geothermal heat, and that has a rod-shaped, plate-shaped, or pipe-shaped body with a specified cross-sectional shape made of metal, wood, light metal, resin, or a composite of these, and that performs a seesaw-like oscillating motion around a fulcrum provided approximately in the center of its longitudinal direction, and that when both ends of the body are named part A and part B, respectively, depending on the position of the fulcrum and the weight balance of the body, when no external force is acting, the center of gravity of the body is located on the part A side relative to the fulcrum, causing part A to lower, and that applies any of the above-mentioned heat sources to the vicinity of part A by one or more of the following methods and devices to raise part A, and then part A, which has moved away from the heat source, cools and lowers, thereby causing the body to perform a continuous oscillating motion and attract the interest of passersby. This is a customer attraction device that uses geothermal heat.

1. A weight is attached to the main body via a shape memory alloy, and a heat source is set up to act on the shape memory alloy, and when the temperature of the shape memory alloy rises, the position of the weight changes, and the center of gravity of the main body moves to a position on the side of part B from the fulcrum, so that part A rises. Note that this also includes a configuration in which the shape memory alloy is in a coil shape, and the overall length is increased or decreased by heating, changing the position of the weight.

2. A recess having a predetermined volume and opening downward is provided near part A, and the air inside the recess is heated by a heat source through this opening, causing part A to rise using the principle of a hot air balloon.

3. The device is designed so that the steam or gushing hot spring water hits the area near part A from below and splashes it up.

4. The main body is made of a nearly sealed or sealed hollow structure, and a piston of a certain weight that can move freely is installed inside, and the air inside expands when the vicinity of part A is heated, and the piston moves toward part B, causing part A to rise, and when part A moves away from the heat source and the expanded air contracts, the piston is pulled back toward part A by negative pressure. Note that this also includes a configuration in which the piston and the vicinity of part A are connected by an elastic member such as a spring, and the piston is pulled back by the biasing force of this member.

5. In the configuration of 4 above, the elastic member is eliminated and instead air at 1 atmosphere or more, or a sponge-like material, or a compression spring is provided on the B side of the piston so that when the A side moves away from the heat source, the piston is pushed back to the A side.

6. In the configuration of 4 above, the elastic member is eliminated, and a swing stopper is provided near the main body or the fulcrum so that the B side is always higher than the horizontal position, and when the A side cools down, the piston returns to the A side by its own weight due to the downward slope.

7. In any of the configurations 4 to 6 above, water or a liquid more volatile than water is placed inside the portion A side of the piston, and the liquid is vaporized by a heat source to move the piston.

8. In the configuration of 7 above, the piston is eliminated and the body is made to oscillate by the weight of the liquid which moves by vaporization and then cools and liquefies.

9. In any of the configurations 4 to 8 above, a radiator or an air-cooling fin for increasing the surface area is attached to the B portion side so as to quickly lower the temperature in the vicinity of the B portion.

10. A weight is attached to the main body via a bimetal made by bonding two metal plates with different thermal expansion coefficients, and a heat source is set up to act on the bimetal. When the temperature of the bimetal rises, the position of the weight changes, and the center of gravity of the main body moves to a position on the B side of the fulcrum, causing the A side to rise.

11. A spring-shaped bimetal is attached to the lower part of part A, and the diameter of the spring increases when a heat source is applied, thereby lifting part A.

12. The main body is a hollow pipe structure, with a hot spring water blowing nozzle installed under part A facing upward, an inlet into which the nozzle fits via a valve provided on the underside near part A, and a drainage outlet provided at the end or top of part B. By configuring it in this way, when hot spring water flowing in from the inlet accumulates inside the main body, causing the weight balance to be lost and part A to rise, the nozzle comes off and the inflow stops, and at the same time the inlet is blocked by the valve, and hot spring water is discharged from the lowered part B side, causing part A to lower.

13. One end of a rod-shaped member having a length extending from the vicinity of part A to at least the vicinity of the fulcrum and made of a material having a higher thermal expansion coefficient than stainless steel is attached to the vicinity of part A, and the rod-shaped member is configured to expand due to heat, causing the weight balance to be lost and causing part A to rise.

14. The bearing part of the shaft that supports the main body at the fulcrum is made into an oval hole, and the position of the fulcrum is made movable in an approximately horizontal direction. The main body is connected to the fulcrum near part A with a shape memory alloy, and the overall length of the shape memory alloy is shortened when heated. By applying heat near part A, the main body moves toward part B, changing the position of the fulcrum and lifting the part A side.

15. A container having a specified volume is placed at the top near the main body, and a pipe is passed from near the inside bottom of the container downward through near the upper edge of the container, hot spring water is poured into the container, and when the container is filled with hot spring water, the accumulated hot spring water flows out all at once using the siphon principle. The outflowing hot spring water is directed upward from below near part A, so that it splashes up the part A side.

16. A double-acting steam engine or a single-acting oscillating steam engine is installed near the main body and operated by the steam from the heat source, and its reciprocating motion is transmitted to the main body via a rod or the like to cause it to oscillate, or the main body is oscillated via a crank from a flywheel rotated by the steam engine.

17. A Stirling engine is installed near the main body and operated by a heat source. The reciprocating motion is transmitted to the main body by a rod or the like to cause it to oscillate, or the main body is oscillated via a crank from a flywheel rotated by the Stirling engine.

18. In the configuration of 16 or 17, the engine is a multi-cylinder engine.

19. A member made of a shape memory alloy or bimetal is connected to an on-off valve of a heat source, and when the temperature of the member rises above a certain level, the member closes the on-off valve, thereby cutting off or preventing the emission of hot spring water, gas or steam.

20. A variable-volume container, bag, or cylinder filled with gas is attached to the main body, and when the gas expands due to heating, the center of gravity of the main body moves toward part B, or a weight attached to the container moves toward part B.

21. In the configurations 4 to 7 above, a piston ring is provided on the piston.

2. 2. The geothermal energy-utilizing customer attraction device according to claim 1, having one or more of the following features:

1. The hot spring, fumarole, and steam, which serve as the heat source, are applied to part A approximately horizontally or downwardly from the horizontal, and the device is designed so that when part A rises above a specified position, it is no longer affected by the heat source.

2. A part or the whole of the main body is made of a substantially transparent material, or a substantially transparent window is provided in a part of the main body so that the inside can be seen in the case of a hollow body, or the opposite side can be seen in the case of a solid body.

3. The fulcrum is configured such that a substantially horizontal shaft passing through the main body, or a substantially horizontal shaft attached to the upper or lower part of the main body, is supported by a bearing member or bearing provided on one or both sides.

4. The fulcrum is configured so that protrusions protruding from the bearing members on both sides support recesses provided in the main body, and by providing multiple recesses, the contact position between the protrusions and the main body can be changed.

5. Tap water or spring water is applied to the B side to lower the temperature of the main body on the B side. A radiator is also installed on the B side to allow water to flow inside.

6. A turbine, water wheel, or windmill is rotated by utilizing a heat source, and the resulting rotational force rotates an electric fan to lower the temperature in the vicinity of part B.

7. A safety fence has been installed around the main body to prevent passersby and spectators from approaching the main body or the heat source.

8. The cross-sectional shape and size of the main body are changed regularly, irregularly, or partially in the longitudinal direction.

9. A part of the main body is made detachable by means of a screw, a spigot fitting, or a flange joint.

10. The main body can be disassembled into several parts for easier transportation.

11. When part A rises, a link mechanism attached to the main body is configured to block the outlet for the steam or hot spring water or change the direction of the outlet, or when part B descends, it blocks or blocks the flow path of the pipe leading to the outlet for the steam or hot spring water, or closes the valve, thereby weakening or stopping the spray or outflow.

12. An on-off valve is provided on the heat source so that the heat source can be shut off manually or remotely.

13. An on-off valve was provided to shut off the heat source, and a timer was connected to the on-off valve so that the heat source would only operate at the set time and for the set period of time.

14. A lightning rod has been installed on the main body.

15. In a configuration in which the main body is hollow, the cross-sectional area of ​​the main body is partially enlarged or partially reduced.

16. In a hollow body configuration, a container having a specified requirement is attached to increase the internal volume of the body.

17. An oval hole, or a plurality of mounting holes, or a plurality of bearing devices, or a plurality of swing center shafts are provided, making the position of the fulcrum relative to the main body freely variable.

3. A geothermal customer attraction device that utilizes any of the heat sources described in claim 1 to rotate a turbine, water wheel, or wind wheel, and uses the rotational force to oscillate the main body described in claim 1 or claim 2, or add power to the oscillating device, or complicate the movement of the main body, by any one or more of the following configurations.

1. It is designed to convert rotational force into swinging motion of the main body via a crank or link mechanism.

2. The crank and other components are made of a material having a higher thermal expansion coefficient than shape memory alloy, bimetal, or stainless steel, and a heat source is applied to the crank to cause the main body to oscillate irregularly.

3. The device is so designed that the movement of the main body or crank operates an on-off valve to shut off or move away the heat source, and the main body is so designed to swing intermittently.

4. The rotation of a turbine, etc., or the reciprocating motion of a crank can be extracted as power.

5. The rotary motion is used to rotate a generator and generate electricity.

6. A design is applied to a rotating part, or an object with a design is rotated.

4. 4. A customer attraction device that utilizes geothermal energy according to claim 1, having one or more of the following features:

1. The whole or part of the main body is decorated with a design intended to attract customers or a design that evokes a geothermal area, or an object with such a design is attached to the main body.

2. A specified member is attached around the main body so that the rocking movement of the main body acts on the member to generate hammering sounds, ticking sounds, discontinuous sounds, or friction sounds.

3. The vibration of the main body activates a generator to generate electricity, which then produces light and sound.

4. The body is curved in the longitudinal direction in an arc-like, wavy, regular or irregular shape.

5. The body is angled at the A and B sides from the vicinity of the fulcrum. In other words, the body is made L-shaped.

6. The member supporting the fulcrum is attached to the base so that it can be easily moved. This also includes a configuration in which pulleys or wheels are attached to the bottom surface of the base.

7. The approximately horizontal axis serving as the fulcrum was tilted in the range of 1 to 85 degrees from the horizontal.

8. The crank as recited in claim 3, 4 is adapted to revolve or swing the shaft serving as the fulcrum, thereby changing the inclination angle of the above 7.

9. The crank described in claim 3-4 is used to reciprocate a brush or a specified cleaning tool to clean the main body, the nozzle, the fulcrum, the design surface, and other parts to which hot spring components are likely to adhere.

10. A cylindrical container containing a certain amount of granular material such as sand, rice, red beans, soybeans, pebbles, pachinko balls, pellets, etc., either alone or in combination, is attached to the side, top or bottom of the main body, and is so arranged as to generate a sound similar to the sound of ocean waves ebbing and flowing in time with the rocking of the main body.

11. In the above constitution 10, a part or the whole of the granular material is colored.

12. In the composition of 10 above, a colored liquid was used instead of the granular material.

13. In any of the above configurations 10 to 12, the main body is made substantially transparent, or a substantially transparent window is provided in a part of the main body so that the granular material or liquid inside can be seen.

14. A doll was placed on the top of the main body near the fulcrum, and the device was set up so that it looked as if the doll was swinging the main body with its feet.

15. A wind vane is installed near the main body, and the direction indicated by the wind vane and the blowing direction of the steam and hot spring water from the heat source are connected by links, levers, or rods, so that the wind vane direction and the blowing direction are linked.

16. A wind vane is installed near the main body, and a movable valve is provided at the outlet of the steam from the heat source and the hot spring water. The rotating shaft of the wind vane and the movable valve are connected with a link mechanism or rod so that the amount of air blown out can be changed in conjunction with the wind direction.

17. A rotating anemometer is installed near the main body, and a centrifugal governor attached to the anemometer opens and closes a movable valve installed at the outlet of the steam from the heat source and hot spring water, so that the amount of water blown out is changed in conjunction with the wind speed.

18. The movable valve described in 16 or 17 above is arranged so as to be manually opened and closed.

19. A part of the main body is hidden by a cover, and parts A and B are made to appear and disappear by the swinging of the main body.

20. A roof is provided to cover all or part of the main body.

21. A roof is provided to cover part or all of the main body, and rainwater collected on the roof is passed through a gutter so that it can be used as a substitute for tap water or spring water as described in claim 6 of claim 2.

22. A roof is provided to cover a part or the whole of the main body, and rainwater collected on the roof is allowed to flow through a gutter. In this case, the rainwater is temporarily stored in a container and is intermittently allowed to flow by a siphon mechanism.

23. The device is so arranged that the air pump or bellows is pushed by the vibration of the main body to jet out air, and the jetted air is used to sound a trumpet, a flute, an organ, an accordion, a harmonica, or a melodica.

24. A device is provided in which a member having a design or a plurality of members having a design are caused to swing or rotate by one or more links attached to the main body.

25. Letters are written or pictures are drawn on the main body or on a movable part attached to the main body.

5. A customer attraction device that utilizes geothermal energy as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which, in the configuration described in claim 1, the action of the heat source near part A is abolished, weakened, or left as is, and the heat source is applied to the vicinity of part B, and the side of part B is lowered by any one or more of the following devices.

1. A part or the whole of the main body is made of a material having a higher thermal expansion coefficient than stainless steel, and when heated, the B part expands, so that the center of gravity of the main body moves from the fulcrum to the B part side, causing the B part side to lower.

2. A material with a higher thermal expansion coefficient than stainless steel is attached to the main body. When this material expands due to heating, the center of gravity of the main body shifts and the B part drops.

3. The main body and the weight are connected by a shape memory alloy or a bimetal, and the position of the weight moves toward part B when heated, causing part B to lower.

4. A container with a specified volume is provided near part B, and hot spring water is poured into this container, and the weight of the hot spring water causes part B to drop. When part B drops to the vicinity of the bottom, the hot spring water is discharged by tilting the container.

5. The device is designed so that downward steam or hot spring water is directed toward the area near part B, pushing down the side of part B.

6. A variable volume container, bag, or cylinder filled with gas is provided near part B, and when the gas expands due to heating, the center of gravity of the main body moves toward part B, or a weight attached to the container moves toward part B.

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