Expansion-type floating body device

Abstract

To provide an expansion-type floating body device having a light and simple structure.SOLUTION: An expansion-type floating body device 1 comprises: a floating body member (e.g., buoy 2) floating on a liquid such as sea water or water; an elastic long member (e.g., elastic rod 3) changed from a prescribed storage state to an expansion state where the member extends outside the floating body member; and holding means (e.g., water-soluble holding component 5) for holding the elastic long member so as to maintain the storage state and releasing the holding of the elastic long member during use. The storage state is a state where the elastic long member is wound on the outside of the floating body member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a deployable floating body device that is used while floating on a liquid surface such as the sea surface or the water surface.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of deployable floating body device, for example, a device that floats on the sea surface or the water surface and transmits radio waves such as a distress signal is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a floating antenna (deployable floating body device) is disclosed which includes a weight body disposed at the center portion and a deployable float (floating body member) attached around the weight body, and is configured such that the float is deployed by dissolution of a water-soluble tape when it is injected into water. In this floating antenna, an antenna (elastic elongated member) made of an elastic metal strip is folded and stored in a storage case, and the lid of the storage case is also fixed with a water-soluble latch (holding means). When this floating antenna is injected into water during use, the latch dissolves, and the antenna opens the lid of the storage case by its own elastic restoring force and becomes extended. Further, in this floating antenna, when the float is deployed by dissolution of the water-soluble tape, the antenna floats on the water surface in an upright state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In addition to the device that transmits radio waves such as the above-described distress signal, the deployable floating body device is expected to be used for a wide variety of applications, and a lighter and simpler structure is required.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a deployable floating device including a floating member floating on a liquid, an elastic elongate member that extends outward from the floating member in a deployed state from a predetermined stored state, and holding means for holding the elastic elongate member so that the stored state is maintained and releasing the holding of the elastic elongate member during use. The stored state is characterized in that the elastic elongate member is wound around the outside of the floating member. In this aspect, when deployed (during use), the elastic elongate member that extends outward from the floating member is in a stored state in which the elastic elongate member is wound around the outside of the floating member when stored (when not in use). According to such a configuration, a storage case for storing the elastic elongate member, a lid of the storage case, etc. are not required as in the prior art, and a deployable floating device with a lightweight and simple structure can be realized.

[0006] In the deployable floating device, at least a part of the elastic elongate member may be located on the liquid surface of the liquid in the deployed state. According to this aspect, a deployable floating device can be realized in which equipment that is unusable or difficult to use in a liquid (such as seawater or water on which the floating member floats during use) is supported by the elastic elongate member.

[0007] In the deployable floating device, the elastic elongate member may have an antenna portion that transmits or receives or both. According to this aspect, a deployable floating device in which the antenna portion is supported by the elastic elongate member can be realized.

[0008] In the deployable floating device, the antenna portion may include an antenna for GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). According to this aspect, a signal from a GNSS artificial satellite can be received, and position information (for example, information on latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the deployable floating device can be obtained based on the reception result.

[0009] In the deployable floating body device, the antenna unit may include an antenna for LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). According to this aspect, communication over a wide area with low power becomes possible.

[0010] In the deployable floating body device, separately from the elastic long member, a second elastic long member that extends outward from the floating member from a predetermined stored state to a deployed state, and a second holding means that holds the second elastic long member so that the stored state is maintained and releases the holding of the second elastic long member during use, which is the same as or different from the holding means, may be provided. The second elastic long member may have a weight that is located below the liquid level of the liquid in the deployed state. According to this aspect, separately from the above-described elastic long member, a second elastic long member having a weight that is located below the liquid level of the liquid in the deployed state is provided. Therefore, during deployment (during use), the floating member can be stabilized in a posture in which the weight of the second elastic long member is located below the liquid level when floating on the liquid surface. Thus, the elastic long member in the deployed state can be stably positioned on the liquid surface of the liquid. In particular, in this aspect, since the weight can be arranged at a position away from the floating member according to the length of the second elastic long member, a lighter weight can be adopted compared to the case where the weight is directly arranged on the floating member (when the weight is arranged near the floating member). Therefore, while reducing the weight of the entire deployable floating body device, the posture of the floating member when floating on the liquid surface can be stabilized.

[0011] In the deployable floating body device, the elastic long member and the second elastic long member may be wound around the outside of the floating member in the same direction in the stored state. If, in the stored state, the elastic long member and the second elastic long member are wound around the outside of the floating member in opposite directions to each other, when the elastic long member and the second elastic long member are deployed by the elastic restoring force from the state of being wound around the outside of the floating member, a situation where they catch or become entangled with each other easily occurs. According to this aspect, when the elastic long member and the second elastic long member are deployed by the elastic restoring force from the state of being wound around the outside of the floating member, the tip portions of the elastic long member and the second elastic long member are deployed so as to rotate in the same direction. According to this, when the elastic long member and the second elastic long member are deployed, a situation where they catch on each other or become entangled is less likely to occur.

[0012] In the deployable floating device, the floating member may be a member having a cylindrical side surface, and in the stored state, the elastic long member and the second elastic long member may be wound along the cylindrical side surface of the floating member. The elastic long member may be supported by the floating member so as to extend in a tangential direction from a predetermined position on the cylindrical side surface, and the second elastic long member may be supported by the floating member so as to extend in a tangential direction from a position opposite to the predetermined position on the cylindrical side surface. According to this aspect, the portion of the floating member around which the elastic long member and the second elastic long member are wound is the cylindrical side surface. Therefore, the elastic long member and the second elastic long member in the wound state (stored state) are in an annular shape, so they are not locally bent greatly or hit the corner portions of the floating member. Therefore, in the stored state, it is possible to avoid a situation where a local mechanical load is generated on the elastic long member and the second elastic long member. Moreover, in this aspect, the elastic long member and the second elastic long member in the deployed state are supported by the floating member so as to extend in a tangential direction from positions on opposite sides of the cylindrical side surface. Therefore, during deployment (during use), approximately, the position of the weight of the second elastic long member can be positioned near directly below the floating member, and the center of gravity position of the elastic long member can be positioned near directly above the floating member. Therefore, the elastic long member in the deployed state can be more stably positioned on the liquid surface of the liquid.

[0013] In the deployable floating device, the floating member may be a member having a cylindrical side surface, and in the stored state, the elastic long member may be wound along the cylindrical side surface of the floating member. According to this aspect, the portion of the floating member around which the elastic long member and the second elastic long member are wound is the side surface of a cylinder. Therefore, the elastic long member and the second elastic long member in the wound state (stored state) form an annular shape, and thus are not locally bent significantly or hit against the corner portions of the floating member. Accordingly, in the stored state, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a local mechanical load is generated on the elastic long member and the second elastic long member.

[0014] In the deployable floating device, the elastic long member may have a weight located below the liquid level in the deployed state. According to this aspect, during deployment (use), the floating member can be stabilized in a posture in which the weight of the elastic long member is located below the liquid level when the floating member is floating on the liquid surface. In particular, in this aspect, since the weight can be arranged at a position away from the floating member according to the length of the elastic long member, a lighter weight can be employed as compared with the case where the weight is directly arranged on the floating member (when the weight is arranged near the floating member). Thus, while reducing the weight of the entire deployable floating device, the posture of the floating member when floating on the liquid surface can be stabilized.

[0015] In the deployable floating device, the holding means may be a soluble holding member having solubility in the liquid. According to this aspect, when the floating member is floating in the liquid and the deployable floating device is in use, the soluble holding member that holds the elastic long member in the stored state dissolves by contacting the liquid, thereby releasing the holding of the elastic long member. Thus, as a configuration for releasing the holding and deploying the elastic long member, it can be realized by using a passive mechanism of the elastic restoring force of the elastic long member and the soluble holding member without using an active mechanism such as a motor, and a simple and lightweight holding means can be provided. Further, since a power source is not required as the holding means, long-term storage in the unused state (stored state) is also possible.

[0016] In the deployable floating device, at least one of the elastic long member and the second elastic long member may be composed of a plurality of long members. According to this aspect, devices supported by the elastic long member or the second elastic long member can be supported in a state where a plurality of long members are bundled to enhance rigidity, or individually supported by a plurality of long members. For example, by bundling a plurality of long members to enhance the rigidity of the elastic long member, it is possible to more stably position the elastic long member in the deployed state on the liquid surface of the liquid. Further, for example, by supporting an individual weight on each of the plurality of long members constituting the second elastic long member, the weights can be arranged in a dispersed state below the liquid surface, thereby making it possible to further stabilize the posture of the floating member when floating on the liquid surface.

[0017] In the deployable floating device, it may include a power consumption device, and a third holding means that holds the power switch of the power consumption device in an off state and switches the power switch to an on state by releasing the holding of the power switch during use, which is the same as or different from the holding means or the second holding means. According to this aspect, the power consumption device mounted on the deployable floating device can be maintained in a state where there is no power consumption (the power switch is in the off state) during storage (when not in use) as described above. On the other hand, when it comes to deployment (when in use) as described above, the holding of the power switch by the third holding means is released, the power switch is switched to the on state, power is supplied to the power consumption device, and the power consumption device operates. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately operate the power consumption device during use while avoiding wasteful power consumption of the power consumption device when not in use.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, a deployable floating device with a simple structure can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the deployable floating body device according to the present invention will be described. The deployable floating device of this embodiment is a deployable floating device that automatically deploys an antenna and automatically transmits a position coordinate signal on the sea surface or on the water surface (hereinafter, including the sea surface, referred to as "on the water surface"). Note that the present invention is not limited to the deployable floating device as in this embodiment, and can be widely applied as a deployable floating device used for various purposes in a state of floating on the water surface or on the liquid surface of any other liquid.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a deployable floating device 1 in a state where the elastic rod 3 is in a stored state (state when not in use). FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a deployable floating device 1 in a state where the elastic rod 3 is in a deployed state (state when in use). The deployable floating device 1 of this embodiment mainly includes a buoy 2, an elastic rod 3, a transceiver module 4, a water-soluble holding component 5, and a weight 6.

[0022] The buoy 2 is a floating member that gives buoyancy to the deployable floating device 1 on the water surface S. As shown in FIG. 2, the deployable floating device 1 can float on the water surface S by the buoyancy of the buoy 2. The buoy 2 is a hollow member, and various components can be mounted in its internal space. The outer shape of the buoy 2 is an example of a cylindrical shape in this embodiment, but there is no particular limitation, and as long as it is an outer diameter shape that can wind the elastic rod 3 around it as described later, it can be a rectangular shape, an oval shape, a gourd shape, or any other shape.

[0023] The elastic rod 3 is an elastic long member that extends substantially linearly in the deployed state. One end side of the elastic rod 3 is fixed to the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2, and it is supported so as to extend in the tangential direction of the cylindrical side surface 2a from the fixed position. The elastic rod 3 of this embodiment has sufficient rigidity in the deployed state (state when in use) so that, as shown in FIG. 2, it can be positioned on the water surface S and maintain a posture extending vertically upward from the buoy 2. That is, in the deployed state (state when in use), the elastic rod 3 has sufficient rigidity so that it does not bend due to its own weight and the weight of the equipment (the transceiver module 4 in this embodiment) mounted thereon and come into contact with the water surface S.

[0024] On the one hand, in the stored state (when not in use), as shown in FIG. 1, the elastic rod 3 is wound along the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2. Therefore, even when wound along the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2, it has flexibility that allows it to elastically deform without breaking. The number of turns wound around the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2 is determined by the length of the elastic rod 3 and the dimensions of the buoy 2 (the circumference of the cylindrical side surface 2a), and it may be less than one turn or more than one turn. Also, there is no particular limitation on the material of the elastic rod 3, but for example, GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics) is preferably used.

[0025] The transmission / reception module 4 is attached to the tip of the elastic rod 3. The transmission / reception module 4 is a GNSS communication unit that receives radio waves (electromagnetic waves) from GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellites such as GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites as its own current position information, and acquires position information such as data on the latitude, longitude, and altitude at which the deployable floating device 1 is located based on the reception result.

[0026] The transmission / reception module 4 mainly consists of an antenna unit 4a that transmits and receives radio waves, and an electric circuit unit 4b that controls transmission and reception, processes signals transmitted and received by the antenna unit, and performs positioning processing. The transmission / reception module 4 measures its own position (the position of the present deployable floating device 1) by receiving radio waves from GNSS satellites at, for example, predetermined time intervals, and transmits the measurement result (positioning result) as a position coordinate signal from the antenna unit 4a.

[0027] The transmission / reception module 4 is not particularly limited in terms of communication method, radio wave intensity, etc., as long as it can perform necessary communication functions such as a reception function for receiving radio waves from GNSS satellites, a transmission function for transmitting position coordinate signals, or a communication function for communicating with an external communication device. However, as the communication function for communicating with an external communication device (including the transmission function for transmitting position coordinate signals), a communication function conforming to the LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) communication method may be used. According to this, it is possible to realize a wide-area communication technology with low power consumption. In particular, when using the LoRa (registered trademark) communication method, in Japan, the transmission / reception module 4 can be used as a specific low-power radio station without a radio station license.

[0028] The water-soluble holding component 5 is a holding means for holding the elastic rod 3 so that the stored state (the state of being wound around the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2) is maintained. As shown in FIG. 1, the water-soluble holding component 5 is a water-soluble linear member or wire-like member. The water-soluble holding component 5 is attached to the buoy 2 at one or two or more locations in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2 (three locations in the example of FIG. 1), so that the wound water-soluble holding component 5 suppresses the force directed outward from the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2 by its own elastic restoring force, and the elastic rod 3 is maintained in the state of being wound around the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2 (stored state). Note that as long as the elastic rod 3 can be maintained in the stored state, for example, the water-soluble holding component 5 may not be attached to the buoy 2 and may be provided to bundle the elastic rod 3.

[0029] The water-soluble holding component 5 is a soluble holding member that is soluble in seawater or water (liquid) that will come into contact when the deployable floating body device 1 is used (during use). Here, a water-soluble member is used. According to this, when the deployable floating body device 1 is used, the water-soluble holding component 5 that holds the elastic rod 3 in the stored state comes into contact with water when it lands on the water surface and dissolves, and the holding of the elastic rod 3 by the water-soluble holding component 5 is released.

[0030] According to this, as a configuration for releasing the holding and deploying the elastic rod 3, it can be realized by using a passive mechanism such as the elastic restoring force of the elastic rod 3 and the water-soluble holding component 5 without using an active mechanism such as a motor. Therefore, a holding means for holding the elastic rod 3 in the stored state and releasing the holding of the elastic rod 3 during use can be realized with a simple and lightweight configuration. Further, since such a holding means can be realized with a configuration that does not require a power source, a deployable floating body device 1 that can be stored for a long period in the unused state (stored state) can be realized.

[0031] The weight 6 is disposed within the internal space of the buoy 2. During use (deployed state), as shown in FIG. 2, it is disposed below the water surface S by its own weight, and thereby the posture of the buoy 2 is maintained such that the position of the weight 6 becomes the bottom of the buoy 2. The posture of the buoy 2 during this use (deployed state) is a posture in which the elastic rod 3 extends vertically upward. The weight and arrangement of the weight 6 disposed within the internal space of the buoy 2 are appropriately set in consideration of a weight balance that can stably maintain the posture during this use. As the weight 6, for example, among the mounted devices mounted on the deployable floating body device 1, a relatively heavy mounted device such as a battery (power storage device) can also be used as part or all of the weight 6.

[0032] In the unused state (stored state) as shown in FIG. 1, the elastic rod 3 of the deployable floating body device 1 of the present embodiment is wound around the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2 and becomes substantially as small in size (compact) as the dimensions of the buoy 2. Therefore, advantages such as not occupying the storage space within a device or apparatus (e.g., a rocket, etc.) on which the deployable floating body device 1 is mounted, or facilitating handling when carrying the deployable floating body device 1 can be obtained.

[0033] On the other hand, when the deployable floating body device 1 is in use, by landing on the water surface S, the water-soluble holding component 5 dissolves and the elastic rod 3 automatically deploys, assuming the deployed state as shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the radio wave from the GNSS satellite is received by the transceiver module 4 attached to the tip of the elastic rod 3 to measure its own position, and its own position coordinate signal is transmitted. As a result, for example, by receiving the position coordinate signal transmitted from the present deployable floating body device 1, it becomes possible to specify the position of the present deployable floating body device 1.

[0034] According to the present deployable floating body device 1, from the position of the landed deployable floating body device 1, not only the position of the present deployable floating body device 1 but also the position of the equipment or device on which the present deployable floating body device 1 was mounted, or the position of the user who possessed the present deployable floating body device 1, etc. can be specified and estimated. Therefore, the present deployable floating body device 1 can be used, for example, as a water rescue tool, as a tool for recovering a rocket that has landed in the sea, or as a tool for various applications.

[0035] Also, in the present embodiment, the transceiver module 4 is an electrical device or an electronic device (power consumption device) that consumes power. Therefore, if the power supply of the transceiver module 4 remains on during the unused period, the transceiver module 4 will consume power uselessly, which is not preferable. On the other hand, when the power supply of the transceiver module 4 is turned off during the unused period, an operation to switch the power supply of the transceiver module 4 to the on state is required during use. Similar to the configuration in which the elastic rod 3 automatically deploys during use, it is preferable that the power supply is automatically switched to the on state during use.

[0036] FIG. 13 is a plan view schematically showing the power switch 7 of the deployable floating body device 1 in the unused state. FIG. 14 is a plan view schematically showing the power switch 7 of the deployable floating body device 1 in the used state. The deployable floating body device 1 of this embodiment is provided with a power switch 7 for turning on and off the power supply of the transmission / reception module 4. This power switch 7 is not limited to the transmission / reception module 4. As long as the deployable floating body device 1 is equipped with a power-consuming device that does not require power when not in use and requires power when in use, it may also function as the power switch of that power-consuming device.

[0037] The power switch 7 is composed of a simple mechanical switch and includes a button 7a and a lever 7b. In the state where the button 7a is pressed by the lever 7b (the state in FIG. 13), the power supply to the transmission / reception module 4 is turned off, and in the state where the button 7a is not pressed (the state in FIG. 14), the power supply to the transmission / reception module 4 is turned on.

[0038] The deployable floating body device 1 of this embodiment is provided with another water-soluble holding component 8 as a third holding means for holding the power switch 7 of the transmission / reception module 4 in an off state when not in use. The lever 7b of the power switch 7 is arranged outside the deployable floating body device 1 (the side surface 2a of the cylinder in the illustrated example), and another water-soluble holding component 8 is attached to the buoy 2 so that the lever 7b is maintained in a state of pressing the button 7a. Thereby, when not in use, the off state of the power switch 7 is maintained, and unnecessary power consumption in the transmission / reception module 4 can be suppressed.

[0039] Another water-soluble holding component 8 is a soluble holding member that is soluble (water-soluble) in seawater or water (liquid) that the deployable floating body device 1 will contact when in use, and is made of the same material as the above-mentioned water-soluble holding component 5. Therefore, when another water-soluble holding component 8 dissolves due to contact with water during the use of the deployable floating body device 1, the holding of the lever 7b by another water-soluble holding component 8 is released. As a result, the button 7a of the power switch 7 is not pressed (the state in FIG. 14), and the power supply to the transmission / reception module 4 is turned on.

[0040] Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the deployable floating device 1 is in use, by landing on the water surface S, both the water-soluble holding component 5 and another water-soluble holding component 8 dissolve. As a result, the elastic rod 3 automatically deploys and assumes the deployed state as shown in FIG. 2, and at the same time, the power switch 7 automatically turns on, enabling power supply to the transceiver module 4, and the transceiver module 4 can start operating. Thus, when the deployable floating device 1 of this embodiment is used by landing on the water surface S, all the operations necessary for its operation are automatically performed.

[0041] Note that another water-soluble holding component 8 may be provided with not only the function of holding the power switch 7 in the off state but also the function of holding the elastic rod 3 in the stored state. That is, the water-soluble holding component 5 (holding means) and another water-soluble holding component 8 (third holding means) may be constituted by a single component. According to this, a simpler and lighter configuration can be realized by reducing the number of components.

[0042] Also, in this embodiment, the transceiver module 4 is provided at the tip of the elastic rod 3. However, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, among the transceiver module 4, the antenna portion 4a may be provided on the elastic rod 3, and the electric circuit portion 4b may be provided in the internal space of the buoy 2. At this time, the cable 4c connecting the antenna portion 4a and the electric circuit portion 4b is mounted, for example, along the elastic rod 3.

[0043] According to the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, the total weight of the elastic rod 3 can be reduced, so it becomes easier to maintain the posture in which the elastic rod 3 extends vertically upward during use (deployed state). This leads to, for example, weight reduction of the weight 6 and contributes to weight reduction of the entire deployable floating device 1.

[0044] In addition, although the elastic rod 3 of the present embodiment is composed of a single rod, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it may be composed of two or more rods (three rods in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6). According to this, by reducing the rigidity and increasing the flexibility of each elastic rod 3, it is possible to prevent it from breaking even when it is bent and wound more greatly in the stored state. On the other hand, according to this, a single elastic rod 3 lacks the rigidity necessary to support the transmission / reception module 4 in the use state (deployed state), but the necessary rigidity is ensured by supporting the transmission / reception module 4 with a bundle of a plurality of elastic rods 3. According to the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, it becomes easy to achieve both the flexibility required for the elastic rod 3 in the stored state and the rigidity in the deployed state.

[0045] 〔Modification Example 1〕 Next, a modification of the above-described embodiment (hereinafter, this modification is referred to as "Modification Example 1") will be described. This Modification Example 1 is a deployable floating body device provided with a second elastic rod as a second elastic long member, separately from the elastic rod 3 described above, and has a configuration in which a weight is arranged at the tip of the second elastic rod. The basic configuration of the deployable floating body device in this Modification Example 1 is the same as that of the above-described Embodiment 1. Therefore, in the following description, the same parts as those in the above-described Embodiment 1 will be omitted, and the different parts will be described.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the deployable floating body device 10 of this Modification Example 1 in which the elastic rod 3 and the second elastic rod 11 are in the stored state (the state when not in use). FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the deployable floating body device 10 of this Modification Example 1 in which the elastic rod 3 and the second elastic rod 11 are in the deployed state (the state when in use). The deployable floating body device 10 of this Modification Example 1 includes, as in the above-described embodiment, a buoy 2, an elastic rod 3, a transmission / reception module 4, and a water-soluble holding component 5, and also includes a second elastic rod 11 and a weight 12. Although not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the deployable floating body device 10 of this Modification Example 1 also includes a power switch 7 and another water-soluble holding component 8, as in the above-described embodiment.

[0047] The second elastic rod 11 is a second elastic elongate member that extends substantially linearly in the deployed state. One end side of the second elastic rod 11 is fixed to the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2, and it is supported so as to extend in the tangential direction of the cylindrical side surface 2a from the fixed position. At this time, the fixed position on the cylindrical side surface 2a where the second elastic rod 11 is fixed is a position on the cylindrical side surface 2a that is located on the opposite side of the fixed position where the elastic rod 3 is fixed. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9, in the deployed state (the state during use), when the position of the weight 12 of the second elastic rod 11 is in a posture located near directly below the buoy 2, due to the weight balance, the center of gravity position of the elastic rod 3 (here, the position of the transceiver module 4 supported at the tip of the elastic rod 3) can be located near directly above the buoy 2. Therefore, the elastic rod 3 in the deployed state can stably maintain the posture of extending vertically upward. It can be stably maintained.

[0048] The second elastic rod 11 in this first modification example has, in the deployed state (the state during use), as shown in FIG. 8, a rigidity sufficient to maintain a posture of being located below the water surface S and extending vertically downward from the buoy 2. That is, in the deployed state (the state during use), it has sufficient rigidity such that the weight 12 is stably arranged at a position separated from the buoy 2 by a certain distance (the distance corresponding to the length of the second elastic rod 11) below the water surface.

[0049] On the other hand, in the stored state (the state when not in use), the second elastic rod 11, like the elastic rod 3, is in a state of being wound around the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2 as shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, it has flexibility such that it can be elastically deformed without breaking even when wound around the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2. The number of winding turns around the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2 is determined by the length of the second elastic rod 11 and the dimensions of the buoy 2 (the circumference of the cylindrical side surface 2a), and it may be less than one turn or more than one turn. Also, there is no particular limitation on the material of the second elastic rod 11, but similar to the elastic rod 3, for example, GFRP is preferably used.

[0050] In the present Modification Example 12, second holding means is provided to hold the second elastic rod 11 in a stored state (a state of being wound around the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2). Similar to the holding means for the elastic rod 3, this second holding means releases the holding of the second elastic rod 11 during use. In the present Modification Example 12, as the second holding means for holding the second elastic rod 11, the water-soluble holding component 5, which is the holding means for the elastic rod 3, is used, and the elastic rod 3 and the second elastic rod 11 are integrally held by the water-soluble holding component 5. However, the second holding means for holding the second elastic rod 11 may have a configuration different from that of the holding means for the elastic rod 3.

[0051] Also, in the present Modification Example 1, the elastic rod 3 and the second elastic rod 11 are wound in the same direction along the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2 in the stored state. The elastic rod 3 and the second elastic rod 11 may be wound in opposite directions along the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2 in the stored state. However, in this case, when the elastic rod 3 and the second elastic rod 11 are deployed by their respective elastic restoring forces, a situation is likely to occur where they catch on each other or become entangled and cannot be properly deployed. According to the present Modification Example 1, since the elastic rod 3 and the second elastic rod 11 are deployed so as to rotate in the same direction, a situation where they catch on each other or become entangled during deployment is less likely to occur.

[0052] The weight 12 is provided at the tip of the second elastic rod 11. The weight 12 serves as part or all of the role of the weight 6 disposed in the internal space of the buoy 2 in the above-described embodiment. That is, during use (deployed state), as shown in FIG. 8, it is disposed below the water surface S by its own weight, and the posture of the buoy 2 is maintained so that the position of the weight 12 is located near directly below the buoy 2.

[0053] In the first modification example, the weight 12 is arranged at a position separated from the buoy 2 by the length of the second elastic rod 11 during use (deployed state). According to this, even if a lighter weight 12 is adopted compared to the configuration in which the weight 6 is arranged in the internal space of the buoy 2 as in the above-described embodiment, the attitude stability during use (deployed state) can be obtained. Therefore, high attitude stability can be obtained while reducing the weight of the entire deployable floating body device 10 of the first modification example.

[0054] Regarding the weight 12 as well, similar to the weight 6 described above, for example, among the mounted devices mounted on the deployable floating body device 10, a relatively heavy mounted device such as a battery (power storage device) can be used as part or all of the weight 12.

[0055] Also, the second elastic rod 11 of the first modification example is composed of one rod, but it may be composed of two or more rods (four rods in the example of FIG. 10). At this time, if a configuration is adopted in which one weight 12 is supported by a plurality of second elastic rods 11, similar to the elastic rod 3 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, by reducing the rigidity of each rod to increase flexibility, in the stored state, it can be bent more and wound without breaking, and the point that the rigidity is insufficient in the use state (deployed state) with one rod can be ensured by the bundle of a plurality of rods.

[0056] Also, as shown in FIG. 10, if a configuration is adopted in which individual weights 12 are provided for each of the plurality of second elastic rods 11, the weights 12 can be arranged in a dispersed state below the water surface S. According to this, it is possible to stabilize the attitude of the buoy 2 floating on the water surface S more than in the case of a single weight.

[0057] 〔Second Modification Example〕 Next, another modification example of the above-described embodiment (hereinafter, this modification example is referred to as "modification example 2") will be described. This second modification example 2 includes a second elastic rod 11 that supports the weight 12, similar to the above-described modification example 1, but is an example of a deployable floating device that does not include an elastic rod 3 that supports the transceiver module 4. In the following description, descriptions of the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment 1 and modification example 1 are omitted.

[0058] FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing the deployable floating device 20 of this second modification example 2 in a stored state (state when not in use), where the second elastic rod 11 is in the stored state. FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing the deployable floating device 20 of this second modification example 2 in a deployed state (state when in use), where the second elastic rod 11 is in the deployed state. The deployable floating device 20 of this second modification example 2 includes, similar to the above-described modification example 1, a buoy 2, a water-soluble holding component 5, a power switch 7, another water-soluble holding component 8, a second elastic rod 11, and a weight 12, but does not include the elastic rod 3 and the transceiver module 4.

[0059] Also in this second modification example 2, similar to the above-described modification example 1, in the deployed state (state when in use), as shown in FIG. 12, the second elastic rod 11 is located below the water surface S and has rigidity sufficient to maintain a posture extending vertically downward from the buoy 2. Also in this second modification example 2, in the stored state (state when not in use), as shown in FIG. 11, the second elastic rod 11 is wound along the cylindrical side surface 2a of the buoy 2.

[0060] Also in this second modification example 2, similar to the above-described modification example 1, during use (deployed state), as shown in FIG. 12, the weight 12 is placed below the water surface S by its own weight, and the posture in which a predetermined portion on the buoy 2 is located above the water surface can be stably maintained. Thus, for example, if a mounting device 21 (e.g., a transceiver module, a light-emitting unit, a solar power generation unit, etc.) to be placed above the water surface during use is placed on the outer surface or inside corresponding to the predetermined portion of the buoy 2, the mounting device 21 can be stably placed above the water surface during use (deployed state).

[0061] Also, in this Modification 2 as well, during use (in the deployed state), since the weight 12 is disposed at a position away from the buoy 2 by the length of the second elastic rod 11, similar to Modification 1, it is possible to obtain high postural stability while reducing the weight of the entire deployable floating body device 20.

Explanation of Signs

[0062] 1, 10: Deployable floating body device 2: Buoy 2a: Cylindrical side surface 3: Elastic rod 4: Transceiver module 4a: Antenna part 4b: Electric circuit part 4c: Cable 5, 8: Water-soluble holding parts 6, 12: Weights 7: Power switch 7a: Button 7b: Lever 11: Second elastic rod 20: Deployable floating body device 21: Mounted equipment S: Water surface

Claims

1. A floating member that floats on a liquid, An elastic elongate member that extends outward from the floating member from a predetermined stored state to a deployed state, A deployment-type floating device comprising: holding means for holding the elastic elongate member so that the stored state is maintained and releasing the holding of the elastic elongate member during use, The deployment-type floating device, wherein the stored state is a state in which the elastic elongate member is wound around the outside of the floating member.

2. In the deployment-type floating device according to Claim 1, At least a part of the elastic elongate member is located on the liquid surface of the liquid in the deployed state. The deployment-type floating device is characterized by this.

3. In the deployment-type floating device according to Claim 2, The elastic elongate member has an antenna portion that transmits or receives or both. The deployment-type floating device is characterized by this.

4. In the deployment-type floating device according to Claim 3, The antenna portion includes an antenna for GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). The deployment-type floating device is characterized by this.

5. In the deployment-type floating device according to Claim 3, The antenna portion includes an antenna for LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). The deployment-type floating device is characterized by this.

6. In the deployment-type floating device according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, Separate from the elastic elongate member, a second elastic elongate member that extends outward from the floating member from a predetermined stored state to a deployed state, Second holding means, which is the same as or different from the holding means, for holding the second elastic elongate member so that the stored state is maintained and releasing the holding of the second elastic elongate member during use, The second elastic elongate member has a weight that is located below the liquid surface of the liquid in the deployed state. The deployment-type floating device is characterized by this.

7. In the deployment-type floating device according to Claim 6, The elastic elongate member and the second elastic elongate member are wound in the same direction around the outside of the floating member in the stored state. The deployment-type floating device is characterized by this.

8. In the deployment-type floating device according to Claim 7, The floating member is a member having a cylindrical side surface, The elastic elongate member and the second elastic elongate member are wound along the cylindrical side surface of the floating member in the stored state. The elastic long member is supported by the floating member so as to extend in a tangential direction from a predetermined position on the side surface of the cylinder. The deployable floating body device is characterized in that the second elastic long member is supported by the floating member so as to extend in a tangential direction from a position on the side surface of the cylinder opposite to the predetermined position. **Claim 9** In the deployable floating body device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, the floating member is a member having a cylindrical side surface, the deployable floating body device is characterized in that, in the stored state, the elastic long member is wound along the cylindrical side surface of the floating member. **Claim 10** In the deployable floating body device according to Claim 1, the deployable floating body device is characterized in that, in the deployed state, the elastic long member has a weight positioned below the liquid level of the liquid. **Claim 11** In the deployable floating body device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, the deployable floating body device is characterized in that the holding means is a soluble holding member having solubility in the liquid. **Claim 12** In the deployable floating body device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, the deployable floating body device is characterized in that the elastic long member is composed of a plurality of long members. **Claim 13** In the deployable floating body device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, a power consumption device; the deployable floating body device is characterized by comprising third holding means, which is the same as or different from the holding means, for maintaining the power switch of the power consumption device in an off state and switching the power switch to an on state by releasing the holding of the power switch during use.

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