GPS receiver attachment for pallet mounting

Abstract

To provide a GPS receiver attachment for pallet mounting, which can suppress a decrease in the intensity of satellite signals received by a GPS receiver terminal caused by water accumulating above and below the attachment and which enables the GPS receiver to stably receive GPS radio waves.SOLUTION: The present invention includes a storage member 10 for storing a GPS receiver 20 that determines the position of a pallet 30 having a loading surface 30a for loading packages on the basis of signals from satellites. The housing member 10 is inserted into a mounting hole 31 of the loading surface 30a of the pallet 30 from one side in a first direction, and defines the position of the GPS receiver 20 relative to the pallet 30 in a second direction intersecting the first direction and in a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction. The housing member 10 includes: an upper wall 105 intersecting the first direction and having an opening; and a lower wall 106 as a surface opposite to the first surface, intersecting the first direction, and having an opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pallet-mounted GPS receiver attachment. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology for managing logistics by installing a GPS receiver on a pallet used in logistics and collecting location information on the pallet as it moves around the country is known. Pallets employ a housing cover (attachment) for attaching the GPS receiver to the pallet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such pallets may be placed outdoors and exposed to wind and rain for long periods of time, and are equipped with a structure for draining water if it gets inside the attachment attached to the pallet. This prevents water from accumulating inside the attachment from weakening the satellite signal strength received by the GPS receiver. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-047932 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the housing cover (attachment) for a GPS receiver disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not have a drainage structure on the main body or top plate of the housing cover, and water cannot be drained if it gets into the housing cover. As a result, there is a risk that the strength of the satellite signal received by the terminal device (GPS receiver) will be weakened due to the influence of water accumulated inside the housing cover, and there is room for improvement in this regard. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet, which includes a storage member for accommodating a GPS receiver that determines the position of a pallet having a mounting surface for carrying cargo based on signals from satellites, wherein the storage member is inserted into a hole in the mounting surface of the pallet from one side to the other side in a first direction, and determines the position of the GPS receiver relative to the pallet in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction, and the storage member has a first surface that intersects the first direction and has a first opening, and a second surface that is the surface opposite the first surface in the first direction, intersects the first direction, and has a second opening. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state before a pallet-mounted GPS receiver attachment according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a pallet. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part shown in FIG. 1, showing the state before the storage structure is inserted into the mounting hole of the pallet. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the bottom surface of the pallet. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the attachment attached to the pallet, seen from above. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the attachment as seen from the first housing member side. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a second housing member, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a first housing member. [Figure 9] 5. (a) is a view taken along line II in FIG. 5, and (b) is a view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 10] 5. (a) is a view taken along line III-III in FIG. 5, and (b) is a view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the upper wall of the housing member as viewed from above. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the attachment in the positioning release state, seen from above. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the attachment in a positioned state, seen from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings below, the dimensions of the components may be shown on different scales to make them easier to see.

[0008] 1 and 2, a GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet of an embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "attachment 1") includes a storage member 10 that houses a GPS receiver 20 that measures the position of a pallet 30, which is a logistics resource having a mounting surface 30a for carrying cargo, based on signals from a satellite, and is detachably mounted on the mounting surface 30a of the pallet 30 in a state in which the GPS receiver 20 is housed (storage structure 1A). In other words, the storage structure 1A is a structure in which the GPS receiver 20 is housed in the storage member 10 of the attachment 1.

[0009] The GPS receiver 20 includes an omnidirectional antenna for acquiring positioning information from a GPS (Global Positioning System). Although the present embodiment describes an example in which a GPS antenna is used, an antenna for another GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) may be used instead of the GPS antenna. In the present embodiment, the GPS receiver 20 is configured as a columnar body having a substantially square cross section. The shape of the GPS receiver 20 may also be, for example, a cylindrical shape.

[0010] The pallet 30 is a plate-like member having a square shape in a plan view. The side opposite the mounting surface 30a of the pallet 30 is called the bottom surface 30b. When the pallet 30 is placed with the mounting surface 30a facing upward, the mounting surface 30a side is called the upper side, and the bottom surface 30b side is called the lower side.

[0011] Pallet 30, like a general pallet, is used for cargo handling operations in factories, warehouses, etc. Side surface 30c of pallet 30 is provided with an opening (not shown) for inserting forks (not shown) of a forklift during cargo handling operations.

[0012] A mounting hole 31 for accommodating the attachment 1 is formed in the center of the mounting surface 30a of the pallet 30. The mounting hole 31 is an opening with a square cross section that is substantially the same shape as the cross section of the attachment 1, and penetrates the pallet 30 in the thickness direction. The attachment 1 (accommodating structure 1A) accommodated in the mounting hole 31 is accommodated so that the central axis O (rotation axis) of the attachment 1 is coaxial with the opening center C of the mounting hole 31.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , each of the four inner surfaces 31 a of the mounting hole 31 of the pallet 30 is provided with a protrusion 32 that protrudes toward the inside of the mounting hole 31. Here, the planar shape of the inner surface 31 a of the mounting hole 31 is a rectangle that is long along the opening center C. The protrusions 32 are arranged on the mounting surface 30 a side and the bottom surface 30 b side of each inner surface 31 a. Here, the protrusion 32 arranged on the mounting surface 30 a side is referred to as an upper protrusion 32A, and the protrusion 32 arranged on the bottom surface 30 b side is referred to as a lower protrusion 32B. The upper protrusion 32A and the lower protrusion 32B are arranged at different positions on the left and right sides of the center in the short direction (width direction) of each inner surface 31 a when viewed from the opening center C. The lower protrusion 32B shown in FIG. 3 is a positioning member that abuts against the lower surface (lower wall 106) of the attachment 1 (storage structure 1A) mounted in the mounting hole 31 to restrict downward movement.

[0014] The protrusions 32A and 32B each extend along the width direction of the inner surface 31a. The protrusion heights of the protrusions 32A and 32B approximately coincide with the positions of the outer surfaces of first regions 101A, 102A, 103A, and 104A of the accommodating member 10, which will be described later. In other words, the dimensions are set so that the first regions 101A, 102A, 103A, and 104A of the accommodating member 10 can pass through the protrusions 32A and 32B when the accommodating member 10 is inserted into or removed from the mounting hole 31.

[0015] An outer peripheral protrusion 42 of a rotating member 40 (described later) in the positioning state P1 is located on the underside 32a of the upper protrusion 32A. At this time, because the upper protrusion 32A is located above the outer peripheral protrusion 42, upward movement of the attachment 1 is restricted, the attachment 1 is positioned in the up-down direction X1, and the attachment 1 is attached without falling off. In addition, a locking protrusion 43 of the rotating member 40 (described later) in the positioning state P1 abuts against the side surface 32b of the upper protrusion 32A.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the attachment 1 is configured so as to be able to be inserted into and removed from a mounting hole 31 provided in the center of the top surface of the pallet 30 from the side of the mounting surface 30a.

[0017] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the attachment 1 comprises a pair of storage members 10 (10A, 10B) that store the GPS receiver 20, and a rotating member 40 for fixing the storage members 10 stored in the mounting holes 31 of the pallet 30 to the mounting holes 31.

[0018] The housing member 10 has an overall outer shell shaped like a substantially square prism with four sides. The housing member 10 is hollow, and houses the GPS receiver 20 in a fixed state inside. In other words, the GPS receiver 20 is covered by the housing member 10.

[0019] Here, in the attachment 1, the direction along the central axis O extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing member 10 is defined as the up-down direction X1 (first direction), and the directions along two lines perpendicular to each other as viewed from the up-down direction X1 are defined as the front-rear direction X2 (second direction) and the left-right direction X3 (third direction). Also, in the attachment 1, the direction perpendicular to the central axis O as viewed from the direction of the central axis O is defined as the radial direction, and the direction of rotation around the central axis O is defined as the circumferential direction.

[0020] 5 to 12, the housing member 10 has a first housing member 10A and a second housing member 10B that can be separated front to back at a central position in the front-to-rear direction X2. In this embodiment, the side on which the first housing member 10A is located is referred to as the front side, and the side on which the second housing member 10B is located is referred to as the rear side. The GPS receiver 20 is housed in the housing member 10 by fitting the pair of first housing member 10A and second housing member 10B together so as to sandwich the GPS receiver 20 therebetween.

[0021] 2, the storage member 10 is inserted from above into the mounting hole 31 in the mounting surface 30a of the pallet 30 and determines the position of the GPS receiver 20 relative to the pallet 30 in the front-to-back direction X2 and the left-to-right direction X3. The storage member 10 has four side walls 101, 102, 103, and 104 surrounding it on all four sides, an upper wall 105 (first surface) covering the upper opening of the cylindrical portion surrounded by the four side walls 101, 102, 103, and 104, and a lower wall 106 (second surface) covering the lower opening of the cylindrical portion.

[0022] The side walls 101, 102, 103, and 104 have openings 101a, 102a, 103a, and 104a, respectively. The upper wall 105 and the lower wall 106 have openings 105a and 106a, respectively. That is, the upper wall 105, which has upper openings (105c and 105d), faces the lower wall 106, which has a lower opening 106a.

[0023] A plurality of upwardly protruding protruding ribs 11 are provided on the inner surface of the bottom wall 106 of each of the first housing member 10A and the second housing member 10B. The plurality of protruding ribs 11 extend in one direction (here, the front-rear direction X2) and are arranged in the left-right direction X3. In other words, recessed grooves 11a (recesses) extending in the front-rear direction X2 are formed between adjacent plurality of protruding ribs 11. The plurality of protruding ribs 11 of the first housing member 10A and the plurality of protruding ribs 11 of the second housing member 10B are aligned in the left-right direction X3 and are arranged linearly across the entire housing member 10 in the front-rear direction X2. The plurality of protruding ribs 11 support and position the GPS receiver 20 housed in the housing member 10 in the up-down direction X1.

[0024] The bottom wall 106 of the second housing member 10B is provided with a pair of engagement claws 12 (engagement portions) that engage with a bottom opening 106a of the bottom wall 106 of the second housing member 10B. The pair of engagement claws 12 extend from the second housing member 10B toward the first housing member 10A in the front-to-rear direction X2 and have claw portions 12a at their tip ends. The claw portions 12a of the engagement claws 12 are engaged with an opening edge 106b of the bottom opening 106a in the bottom wall 106 of the first housing member 10A. When the engagement claws 12 engage with the bottom opening 106a, the separated first housing member 10A and second housing member 10B are combined together.

[0025] The first side wall 101 (first side surface) of the first housing member 10A has a first region 101A on one side of the center in the left-right direction X3 and a second region 101B on the other side. The first region 101A has a first opening 101a along the up-down direction X1. The second region 101B is closed and has no opening. The second side wall 102 (second side surface) facing the first side wall 101 of the second housing member 10B in the front-to-back direction has a first region 102A on one side of the center in the left-to-right direction X3 and a second region 102B on the other side. The first region 102A has a second opening 102a along the up-to-down direction X1. The second region 102B has no opening and is generally closed, although a through groove 13 (described later) is formed therein.

[0026] The second region 102B of the second side wall 102 is disposed on the rear opposite side of the first region 101A of the first side wall 101. The first region 102A of the second side wall 102 is disposed on the rear opposite side of the second region 101B of the first side wall 101. That is, the first opening 101a of the first side wall 101 and the second opening 102a of the second side wall 102 are disposed at positions shifted in the left-right direction X3.

[0027] A plurality of (three in the figure) through grooves 13 extending in the up-down direction X1 are formed in the second region 102B of the second side wall 102. The through grooves 13 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction X3 and penetrate the second region 102B. Note that in this embodiment, no through grooves 13 are formed in the second region 101B of the first side wall 101, but a configuration in which through grooves 13 are formed in the second region 101B, similar to the second side wall 102, may also be adopted.

[0028] The third side wall 103 (third surface) is provided across the first housing member 10A and the second housing member 10B and has a first region 103A on one side (here, the first housing member 10A side) across the center in the front-rear direction X2 and a second region 103B on the other side (here, the second housing member 10B side). The first region 103A has a third opening 103a along the up-down direction X1. The second region 103B is closed and has no opening. The fourth side wall 104 (fourth surface) is provided across the first housing member 10A and the second housing member 10B and faces the third side wall 103 in the left-right direction X3. The fourth side wall 104 (fourth surface) is provided across the first housing member 10A and the second housing member 10B and faces the third side wall 103 in the left-right direction X3. The fourth side wall 104 has a first region 104A on one side (here, the second housing member 10B side) across the center in the front-rear direction X2 and a second region 104B on the other side (here, the first housing member 10A side). The first region 104A has a fourth opening 104a extending in the up-down direction X1. The second region 104B is closed and has no opening.

[0029] The second region 104B of the fourth side wall 104 is disposed on the opposite side in the left-right direction X3 to the first region 103A of the third side wall 103. The first region 104A of the fourth side wall 104 is disposed on the opposite side in the left-right direction X3 to the second region 103B of the third side wall 103. That is, the third opening 103a of the third side wall 103 and the fourth opening 104a of the fourth side wall 104 are disposed at positions offset from each other in the front-rear direction X3.

[0030] The second regions 101B, 102B, 103B, and 104B of each side wall 101, 102, 103, and 104 protrude outward from the outer surface of the first region 101A, 102A, 103A, and 104A, respectively, when viewed from the up-down direction X1. Therefore, when the housing member 10 of the attachment 1 is inserted into and housed in the mounting hole 31 of the pallet 30, the outermost portions 101b, 102b, 103b, and 104b of the second regions 101B, 102B, 103B, and 104B are in contact with the inner surface 31a of the mounting hole 31. On the other hand, the outer surfaces of the first regions 101A, 102A, 103A, and 104A are spaced apart from the inner surface 31a of the mounting hole 31.

[0031] 7 and 11, cylindrical engaging tube portions 15A and 15B extending upward are provided in the center of the upper wall 105 of the accommodating member 10. The engaging tube portions 15A and 15B are formed into a cylindrical shape by combining half-split engaging tube portions 15A and 15B in the first accommodating member 10A and the second accommodating member 10B.

[0032] An opening 105d that communicates with the inside and outside of the accommodating member 10 is formed in the inner portion of the engaging cylindrical portions 15A, 15B in the upper wall 105. The height of the engaging cylindrical portions 15A, 15B protruding from the upper surface 105a of the upper wall 105 is set to be equal to or less than the height of the rotating member 40, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the protruding height of the engaging cylindrical portions 15A, 15B is the same as the height of the rotating member 40. In addition, the outer diameter of the engaging cylindrical portions 15A, 15B matches the inner diameter of positioning holes 45A, 45B of the rotating member 40, which will be described later.

[0033] 7, 11, and 14, the upper walls 105 of the first housing member 10A and the second housing member 10B are provided with positioning portions 14A and 14B that protrude upward, respectively. The first positioning portion 14A of the first housing member 10A and the second positioning portion 14B of the second housing member 10B are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis O of the attachment 1.

[0034] At least a portion of the area around the positioning portions 14A and 14B in the upper wall 105 is open. The upper wall 105 has a through-hole 105c formed therein, in which the positioning portions 14A and 14B are disposed. The through-hole 105c is provided with an elastic piece 141 that is connected to the inner edge of the through-hole 105c and extends along the upper wall 105. Each of the positioning portions 14A and 14B is provided at the tip of the elastic piece 141. Because only the base end of the elastic piece 141 is connected to the through-hole 105c, the positioning portions 14A and 14B can move up and down together with the elastic piece 141.

[0035] The positioning portions 14A and 14B restrict the rotation of the rotating member 40, which is rotatable on the upper wall 105 and will be described later, and determine the rotation position of the rotating member 40. In this embodiment, when the rotating member 40 rotates in one first rotation direction E1, the pair of positioning portions 14A and 14B are fitted into positioning holes 45A and 45B, which will be described later, and the rotation of the rotating member 40 in the first rotation direction E1 is stopped.

[0036] 5, 7, 13, and 14, the rotational member 40 is rotatably supported on the upper wall 105 of the storage member 10, with the rotational axis being coaxial with the central axis O, in the direction (vertical direction X1) in which the storage member 10 is inserted into the mounting hole 31 provided in the mounting surface 30a of the pallet 30 shown in Fig. 2. The rotation of the rotational member 40 determines the position of the GPS receiver 20 relative to the pallet 30 in the vertical direction X1.

[0037] The rotary member 40 includes a rotary body 41 , an outer peripheral protrusion 42 , and a locking projection 43 .

[0038] The rotating body 41 is plate-shaped and has a substantially circular shape when viewed from above, so that it can rotate within the square cross section of the storage member 10. An engagement hole 44 is formed in the center of the rotating body 41, which fits onto the outside of the engagement cylindrical portions 15A, 15B provided on the upper wall 105 of the storage member 10. The upper surface 41a of the rotating body 41 is formed as an inclined surface, with the center side on the engagement hole 44 side gradually rising upward as it moves radially outward from the center. In other words, water such as rainwater that falls on the upper surface 41a of the rotating body 41 flows down through the engagement hole 44 into the interior of the storage member 10, and does not accumulate on the upper surface 41a of the rotating body 41.

[0039] The locking protrusions 43 protrude upward from the upper surface 41a of the rotating body 41 and have a radially extending convex strip shape. The locking protrusions 43 also function as an operating part that can be gripped by hand to rotate the entire rotating member 40 around the central axis O. Four locking protrusions 43 are arranged at regular intervals (here, 90° pitches) in the circumferential direction. The height of the top surface 43b of the locking protrusions 43 coincides with the position of the protruding tip of the engagement cylindrical portion 15 when the rotating member 40 is supported on the upper wall 105 of the accommodating member 10.

[0040] The rotating body 41 is provided with a pair of positioning holes 45A, 45B that penetrate in the thickness direction. The pair of positioning holes 45A, 45B are engageable with the pair of positioning portions 14A, 14B, respectively. When the positioning portions 14A, 14B are engaged with the pair of positioning holes 45A (positioning state P1), the outer peripheral protrusion 42 is positioned in the up-down direction X1 with respect to the pallet 30. In the positioning state P1, one first positioning hole 45A engages with the first positioning portion 14A provided on the upper wall 105 of the first housing member 10A. The other second positioning hole 45B engages with the second positioning portion 14B provided on the upper wall 105 of the second housing member 10B.

[0041] When the positioning portions 14A, 14B are not engaged with the pair of positioning holes 45 (positioning release state P2 shown in FIG. 5 ), the positioning of the outer peripheral protrusions 42 in the up-down direction X1 relative to the pallet 30 is released. In the positioning release state P2, the storage member 10 of the attachment 1 can move forward and backward in the up-down direction X1 relative to the mounting holes 31 of the pallet 30, and the storage structure 1A can be attached to or detached from the mounting holes 31 of the pallet 30.

[0042] Four outer peripheral protrusions 42 are provided on the outer periphery of the rotating member 40 at regular intervals (here, at 90° intervals) in the circumferential direction. The provision of the four outer peripheral protrusions 42 gives the rotating member 40 an overall windmill-like shape. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , when the GPS receiver 20 is inserted into the mounting hole 31 of the pallet 30, the outer peripheral protrusions 42 abut against the lower surface 32a of the upper convex portion 32A of the pallet 30 in the insertion direction of the accommodating member 10 into the mounting hole 31 (the up-down direction X1). The outer peripheral protrusions 42 determine the position of the accommodating structure 1A, i.e., the position of the GPS receiver 20 accommodated in the attachment 1 in the up-down direction X1.

[0043] In a positioning release state P2 in which the rotational position of the rotation member 40 is not determined by the positioning portions 14A, 14B of the storage member 10, the outer peripheral protrusion 42 is contained within the outer periphery of the storage member 10 when viewed from above.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4 , the outer peripheral protrusions 42 are configured so that the rotation of the rotating member 40 can selectively place the rotating member 40 in a positioned state P1 or a released state P2. In the positioned state P1, in which the rotational position of the rotating member 40 is determined by the positioning portions 14A and 14B of the storage member 10, the outer peripheral protrusions 42 protrude outward from the outer periphery of the first regions 101A, 102A, 103A, and 104A of the storage member 10 as viewed from above. When the attachment 1 is inserted into the mounting hole 31 of the pallet 30 and the rotating member 40 is in the positioned state P1, the outer peripheral protrusions 42 are positioned below the upper convex portions 32A of the pallet 30. As a result, because the upper convex portions 32A are positioned above the outer peripheral protrusions 42, upward movement of the attachment 1 is restricted, the attachment 1 is positioned in the up-down direction X1, and the attachment 1 is attached without falling off.

[0045] Next, the operation of the attachment 1 for mounting a pallet will be described.

[0046] As shown in Figure 1, the attachment 1 of this embodiment includes a storage member 10 that houses a GPS receiver 20 that determines the position of a pallet 30 having a mounting surface 30a on which cargo is placed based on signals from satellites. The storage member 10 is inserted into a mounting hole 31 in the mounting surface 30a of the pallet 30 from one side to the other in the up-down direction X1, and determines the position of the GPS receiver 20 relative to the pallet 30 in a front-to-back direction X2 that intersects the up-down direction X1 and in a left-to-right direction X3 that intersects the up-down direction X1 and the front-to-back direction X2. The storage member 10 has an upper wall 105 that intersects the up-down direction X1 and has upper openings (reference numerals 105c and 105d), and a lower wall 106 that is on the opposite side of the upper wall 105 in the up-down direction X1, intersects the up-down direction X1, and has a lower opening 106a.

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, by providing openings 105a, 106a in the upper wall 105 and lower wall 106 of the housing member 10 of the attachment 1, even if water seeps into the interior of the housing member 10 when the pallet 30 is placed outdoors, the water is drained from the pallet 30 through the mounting hole 31 from the attachment 1. This prevents water from accumulating above and below the attachment 1 and weakening the strength of the satellite signals received by the GPS receiver 20, allowing the GPS receiver 20 to stably receive GPS radio waves.

[0048] Furthermore, in the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the storage member 10 includes a rotating member 40 that is rotatably supported on the top wall 105 of the storage member 10, with the rotation axis being in the up-down direction X1, which is the direction in which the storage member 10 is inserted into the mounting hole 31 of the pallet 30. The position of the GPS receiver 20 in the up-down direction X1 relative to the pallet 30 is determined according to the rotation position of the rotating member 40. With this simple configuration, by inserting the storage member 10 into the mounting hole 31 of the pallet 30 and then rotating the rotating member 40 to a predetermined rotation position, the position of the storage member accommodating the GPS receiver 20 in the up-down direction X1 is determined and fixed, thereby preventing the attachment 1 from falling off the pallet 30.

[0049] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the housing member 10 includes a first housing member 10A and a second housing member 10B. The first housing member 10A and the second housing member 10B each have a portion of an upper opening 105a in their upper wall 105 and a portion of a lower opening 106a in their lower wall 106. In this case, water can be efficiently drained from the upper opening 105a of the first housing member 10A and the lower opening 106a of the second housing member 10B.

[0050] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the upper wall 105 of the first housing member 10A has a first engaging cylindrical portion 15A that protrudes to one side in the vertical direction X1. The upper wall 105 of the second housing member 10B has a second engaging cylindrical portion 15B that protrudes to one side in the vertical direction X1. The rotating member 40 fits into the first engaging cylindrical portion 15A and the second engaging cylindrical portion 15B when the first housing member 10A and the second housing member 10B are engaged with each other. Therefore, because the rotating member 40 fits into the pair of engaging cylindrical portions 15A, 15B and is supported rotatably about the engaging cylindrical portions 15A, 15B, the number of parts can be reduced, leading to cost savings.

[0051] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the height of one side of the rotating member 40 in the up-down direction X1 gradually increases from the outer periphery toward the rotation shaft of the rotating member 40. In this case, the upper surface of the rotating member 40 slopes downward from the rotation shaft toward the outer periphery, so that water that falls on the upper surface of the rotating member 40 can efficiently flow down to the outside of the attachment 1, and water is prevented from accumulating on the upper surface of the rotating member 40.

[0052] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the upper wall 105 has an opening in the area surrounded by the first engaging cylindrical portion 15A and the second engaging cylindrical portion 15B. In this case, water can be drained from the inside of the pair of engaging cylindrical portions 15A, 15B to the inside of the housing member 10, preventing water from accumulating inside the engaging cylindrical portions 15A, 15B.

[0053] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the top wall 105 of the first housing member 10A has a first positioning portion 14A that determines the rotational position of the rotating member 40. The top wall 105 of the second housing member 10 has a second positioning portion 14B that determines the rotational position of the rotating member 40. When the rotating member 40 rotates in one direction, it engages with the first positioning portion 14A and the second positioning portion 14B. In this case, the rotation of the rotating member 40 engaged with the pair of positioning portions 14A, 14B is restricted. This prevents the rotating member 40 from rotating naturally due to vibration of the pallet 30 or the like when the attachment 1 is attached to the mounting hole 31 of the pallet 30, which would release the fixed state between the rotating member 40 and the pallet 30 and cause the attachment 1 to fall off the pallet 30.

[0054] According to the attachment 1 of this embodiment, the first positioning part 14A and the second positioning part 14B are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis (central axis O). In this case, by arranging the first positioning part 14A and the second positioning part 14B diagonally, it is possible to prevent the rotation member 40 from shifting position after rotation.

[0055] According to the attachment 1 of this embodiment, the upper wall 105 has openings around the first positioning portion 14A and the second positioning portion 14B. In this case, water can be drained into the housing member 10 from the openings around the positioning portions 14A and 14B provided on the upper wall 105.

[0056] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the rotating member 40 is selectable between a positioned state P1 in which it is engaged with the first positioning portion 14A and the second positioning portion 14B, and a position release state P2 in which it is not engaged with the first positioning portion 14A or the second positioning portion 14B, as viewed from one side in the vertical direction X1. The rotating member 40 fits within the outer periphery of the storage member 10 in the position release state P2, and has an outer peripheral protrusion 42 that protrudes from the outer periphery of the storage member 10 in the positioned state P1. When the storage member 10 is inserted into the mounting hole 31 of the pallet 30, the outer peripheral protrusion 42 engages with the surface (lower surface 32a) on the other side in the vertical direction X1 of the protrusion 32 formed on the inner surface 31a of the mounting hole 31. In this case, when the attachment 1 is inserted into the mounting hole 31, the rotating member 40 can be inserted without interference from the convex portion 32 of the mounting hole 31, and by rotating the rotating member 40, the rotating member 40 and the convex portion 32 overlap in the vertical direction X1, thereby restricting movement in the insertion direction (vertical direction X1) in the storage member 10.

[0057] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the rotating member 40 has a locking protrusion 43 that protrudes to the other side in the up-down direction X1. When the rotating member 40 is in the positioning release state P2, the locking protrusion 43 moves away from the protrusion 32 of the pallet 30 in the rotational direction of the rotating member 40, and when the rotating member 40 is in the positioning state P1, the locking protrusion 43 abuts against the protrusion 32 in the rotational direction. In this case, rotation is restricted at the position where the locking protrusion 43 of the rotating member 40 locks with the protrusion 32 of the pallet 30, making it possible to determine a rotation stop position for the rotating member 40 and prevent excessive rotation.

[0058] According to the attachment 1 of this embodiment, the bottom wall 106 is provided with a plurality of protruding ribs 11 that extend to one side in the vertical direction X1 and support the GPS receiver 20 inside the housing member 10. Openings are formed between the plurality of protruding ribs 11. In this case, the GPS receiver 20 can be supported on the housing member 10 by the plurality of protruding ribs 11 that are arranged at intervals from one another. Therefore, the GPS receiver 20 can be arranged in a state where it is floating above the lower opening 106a of the bottom wall 106, which prevents the lower opening 106a from being blocked by the GPS receiver 20.

[0059] According to the attachment 1 of this embodiment, the bottom wall 106 of at least one of the first housing member 10 and the second housing member 10 has an engaging claw 12 that engages with the bottom opening 106a of the other bottom wall 106. In this case, the pair of first housing member 10A and second housing member 10B can be engaged with each other by a simple configuration in which the engaging claw 12 is engaged using the bottom opening 106a, so the number of parts required to accommodate the GPS receiver 20 can be reduced.

[0060] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the housing member 10 has a first side wall 101 formed on the first housing member 10A and a second side wall 102 formed on the second housing member 10 and facing the first side wall 101. The first side wall 101 and the second side wall 102 each have a first region 101A, 102A extending in the up-down direction X1 and having an opening, and a second region 101B, 102B adjacent to the first region 101A, 102A in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction X1 and extending in the up-down direction X1. In this case, water flowing down from the top wall 105 can be drained to the side of the housing member 10 through the openings in the first regions 101A, 102A of the first side wall 101 and the second side wall 102. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the housing members 10A and 10B have openings on the side surfaces, it is possible to prevent the signal strength received from the satellite from weakening, as would occur if the GPS receiver 20 were entirely covered by the attachment 1.

[0061] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the first region 101A of the first side wall 101 is disposed opposite the second region 102B of the second side wall 102. The second region 101B of the first side wall 101 is disposed opposite the first region 102A of the second side wall 102. In this case, the first region 101A of the first side wall 101 having the opening and the first region 102A of the second side wall 102 are disposed at offset positions, so that water inside the storage member 10 can be drained from multiple directions.

[0062] According to the attachment 1 of this embodiment, the second regions 101B, 102B have a plurality of open through grooves 13. Therefore, water can be drained from inside the storage member 10 not only from the first regions 101A, 102A having openings but also from the second regions 101B, 102B via the through grooves 13. In this case, since the through grooves 13 are added to the second regions 101B, 102B of the storage member 10, water can also be drained when the pallet 30 is leaned against it.

[0063] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the storage member 10 has a third side wall 103 formed by the first storage member 10A and the second storage member 10B, and a fourth side wall 104 formed by the first storage member 10A and the second storage member 10B and facing the third side wall 103. The third side wall 103 and the fourth side wall 104 each have a first region 103A, 104A extending in the vertical direction X1 and having an opening, and a second region 103B, 104B adjacent to the first region 103A, 104A in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction X1 and extending in the vertical direction X1. In this case, water flowing down from the top wall 105 can be drained to the side of the storage member 10 through the openings in the first regions 103A, 104A of the third side wall 103 and the fourth side wall 104. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the housing members 10A and 10B have openings on the side surfaces, it is possible to prevent the signal strength received from the satellite from weakening, as would occur if the GPS receiver 20 were entirely covered by the attachment 1.

[0064] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the first region 103A of the third side wall 103 is disposed opposite the second region 104B of the fourth side wall 104. The second region 103B of the third side wall 103 is disposed opposite the first region 104A of the fourth side wall 104. In this case, the first region 103A of the third side wall 103, which has an opening, and the first region 104A of the fourth side wall 104 are disposed at offset positions, so that water inside the storage member 10 can be drained from multiple directions.

[0065] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the second regions 101B, 102B protrude outward more than the first regions 101A, 102A when viewed in the up-down direction X1. In this case, when the attachment 1 is inserted into the mounting hole 31 of the pallet 30, the second regions 101B, 102B of each of the housing members 10A, 10B come into contact with the inner surface 31a of the mounting hole 31, thereby determining the position of the GPS receiver 20 in the front-rear direction X2 (second direction) and the left-right direction X3 (third direction) that are orthogonal to the first direction (up-down direction X1).

[0066] In the attachment 1 according to this embodiment, the second regions 103B, 104B protrude outward more than the first regions 103A, 104A when viewed in the up-down direction X1. In this case, when the attachment 1 is inserted into the mounting hole 31 of the pallet 30, the second regions 103B, 104B of each of the housing members 10A, 10B come into contact with the inner surface 31a of the mounting hole 31, thereby determining the position of the GPS receiver 20 in the front-rear direction X2 (second direction) and the left-right direction X3 (third direction) that are perpendicular to the first direction (up-down direction X1).

[0067] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the pallet 30 has a rectangular plate shape, but the shape of the pallet 30 is not limited to this.

[0069] A pallet-mounted GPS receiver attachment according to one embodiment of the present invention may have the following configuration. One embodiment of the present invention provides a GPS receiver attachment for a pallet, which is equipped with a storage member that houses a GPS receiver that determines the position of a pallet having a mounting surface for carrying cargo based on signals from satellites.The storage member is inserted into a hole in the mounting surface of the pallet from one side to the other in a first direction, and determines the position of the GPS receiver relative to the pallet in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and a third direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction.The storage member has a first surface that intersects the first direction and has a first opening, and a second surface that is the surface opposite the first surface in the first direction, intersects the first direction, and has a second opening.

[0070] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the storage member has a rotation axis in the first direction, which is the direction in which the storage member is inserted into the hole in the pallet, and is provided with a rotating member rotatably supported on the first surface of the storage member, and the position of the rotating member in the first direction relative to the pallet in the GPS receiver may be determined depending on the rotation position.

[0071] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the storage member may have a first storage member and a second storage member, and the first storage member and the second storage member may each have a portion of the first opening on the first surface and a portion of the second opening on the second surface.

[0072] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the first surface of the first storage member may have a first protrusion protruding to one side in the first direction, the first surface of the second storage member may have a second protrusion protruding to one side in the first direction, and the rotating member may be configured to engage with the first protrusion and the second protrusion when the first storage member and the second storage member are engaged.

[0073] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for pallets of the present invention, the height of the one side of the rotating member in the first direction may be configured to gradually increase from the outer periphery of the rotating member toward the rotation axis.

[0074] In one aspect of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the first surface may be configured so that an area surrounded by the first protrusion and the second protrusion is open.

[0075] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the first surface of the first storage member may have a first positioning portion that determines the rotational position of the rotating member, and the first surface of the second storage member may have a second positioning portion that determines the rotational position of the rotating member, and the rotating member may be configured so that the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion engage with each other when rotated in one direction.

[0076] In one aspect of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion may be provided at symmetrical positions across the rotation axis.

[0077] In one aspect of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the first surface may have openings around the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion.

[0078] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the rotating member is selectable between a positioning state in which it engages with the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion when viewed from one side in the first direction, and a positioning release state in which it does not engage with the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion, and the rotating member is fitted within the outer periphery of the accommodating member in the positioning release state, and has an outer peripheral protrusion that protrudes from the outer periphery of the accommodating member in the positioning state, and the outer peripheral protrusion engages with the surface on the other side in the first direction of a convex portion formed on the inner surface of the hole when the accommodating member is inserted into the hole of the pallet.

[0079] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the rotating member may have a locking protrusion that protrudes to the other side of the first direction, and the locking protrusion may be configured so that when the rotating member is in the released positioning state, it moves away from the protrusion of the pallet in the rotational direction of the rotating member, and when the rotating member is in the positioned state, it abuts against the protrusion in the rotational direction.

[0080] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the second surface may be provided with a plurality of convex ribs extending to one side of the first direction and supporting the GPS receiver inside the storage member, with openings between the plurality of convex ribs.

[0081] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the second surface of at least one of the first storage member and the second storage member may have an engagement portion that engages with the second opening on the second surface of the other storage member.

[0082] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for pallets of the present invention, the storage member may have a first side formed on the first storage member and a second side formed on the second storage member facing the first side, and each of the first side and the second side may have a first region extending in the first direction and having an opening, and a second region adjacent to the first region in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and extending in the first direction.

[0083] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the first area of the first side surface may be positioned opposite the second area of the second side surface, and the second area of the first side surface may be positioned opposite the first area of the second side surface.

[0084] In one aspect of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the second region may have a plurality of open grooves.

[0085] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for pallets of the present invention, the storage member may have a third side formed by the first storage member and the second storage member, and a fourth side formed by the first storage member and the second storage member and facing the third side, and each of the third side and the fourth side may have a first region extending in the first direction and having an opening, and a second region adjacent to the first region in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and extending in the first direction.

[0086] In one embodiment of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the first area of the third side surface may be positioned opposite the second area of the fourth side surface, and the second area of the third side surface may be positioned opposite the first area of the fourth side surface.

[0087] In one aspect of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the second area may be configured to protrude outward from the first area when viewed from the first direction.

[0088] In one aspect of the GPS receiver attachment for a pallet of the present invention, the second area may be configured to protrude outward from the first area when viewed from the first direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1...Attachment (GPS receiver attachment), 10, 10A, 10B...Storage member, 11...Convex rib, 11a...Concave groove, 12...Engagement claw (engagement portion), 13...Through groove (groove), 14A...First positioning portion, 14B...Second positioning portion, 15A...First engagement cylindrical portion (first protrusion portion), 15B...Second engagement cylindrical portion (second protrusion portion), 20...GPS receiver, 30...Pallet, 30a...Mounting surface, 30b...Bottom surface, 31...Mounting hole (hole), 31a...Inner surface, 32...Convex portion, 32A...Upper convex portion, 40...Rotating member, 41...Rotating body, 41a...Upper surface, 42...peripheral protrusion, 43...engaging protrusion, 45A, 45B...positioning holes, 101...first side wall (first side), 102...second side wall (second side), 103...third side wall (third side), 104...fourth side wall (fourth side), 105...upper wall (first surface), 105a...upper opening (first opening), 105c...through hole, 106...lower wall (second surface), 106a...lower opening (second opening), O...center axis, P1...positioned state, P2...positioned release state, X1...up-down direction (first direction), X2...front-rear direction (second direction), X3...left-right direction (third direction)

Claims

1. A GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet, the GPS receiver comprising a housing member for housing a GPS receiver that measures the position of a pallet having a loading surface on which cargo is loaded based on signals from satellites, the accommodation member is inserted into a hole in a mounting surface of the pallet from one side to the other side in a first direction, and defines a position of the GPS receiver relative to the pallet in a second direction intersecting the first direction and in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction; The containing member is a first surface intersecting the first direction and having a first opening; a second surface that is a surface opposite to the first surface in the first direction, intersects the first direction, and has a second opening; A GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet.

2. the storage member includes a rotating member that has a rotation axis in the first direction, which is a direction in which the storage member is inserted into the hole of the pallet, and is rotatably supported on the first surface of the storage member, a position of the rotating member in the first direction relative to the pallet in the GPS receiver is defined according to a rotational position of the rotating member; 2. The GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet according to claim 1.

3. The housing member includes a first housing member and a second housing member, the first housing member and the second housing member each have a portion of the first opening on the first surface and a portion of the second opening on the second surface; 3. The GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet according to claim 2.

4. the first surface of the first accommodating member has a first protrusion protruding toward the one side in the first direction, the first surface of the second accommodating member has a second protrusion protruding toward the one side in the first direction, the rotating member is fitted to the first protrusion and the second protrusion in a state in which the first accommodating member and the second accommodating member are engaged with each other; 4. The GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet according to claim 3.

5. a height of the rotating member on the one side in the first direction gradually increases from an outer periphery of the rotating member toward the rotation shaft; 5. The GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet according to claim 4.

6. the first surface has an opening in a region surrounded by the first protrusion and the second protrusion; 5. The GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet according to claim 4.

7. the first surface of the first housing member has a first positioning portion that defines a rotational position of the rotation member, the first surface of the second housing member has a second positioning portion that defines a rotational position of the rotation member, When the rotating member rotates in one direction, the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are fitted together.

4. The GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet according to claim 3.

8. The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the rotation axis.

8. A pallet-mounted GPS receiver attachment according to claim 7.

9. the first surface has openings around the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion; 8. A pallet-mounted GPS receiver attachment according to claim 7.

10. the rotating member is provided so as to be selectable between a positioning state in which the rotating member is fitted into the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion, and a positioning release state in which the rotating member is not fitted into the first positioning portion and the second positioning portion, as viewed from the one side in the first direction; the rotating member has an outer peripheral protrusion that is accommodated within the outer periphery of the accommodating member in the positioning release state and protrudes from the outer periphery of the accommodating member in the positioning state, the outer peripheral protrusion engages with the other surface of a convex portion formed on the inner surface of the hole in the first direction when the storage member is inserted into the hole of the pallet.

8. A pallet-mounted GPS receiver attachment according to claim 7.

11. the rotating member has a locking protrusion that protrudes to the other side in the first direction, The locking protrusion is When the rotating member is in the positioning release state, the rotating member is separated from the convex portion of the pallet in the rotation direction of the rotating member, When the rotating member is in the positioned state, it abuts against the protrusion in the rotation direction.

11. A pallet-mounted GPS receiver attachment according to claim 10.

12. the second surface is provided with a plurality of protruding ribs extending to the one side in the first direction and supporting the GPS receiver inside the housing member; The plurality of protruding ribs have openings therebetween.

2. The GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet according to claim 1.

13. the second surface of at least one of the first accommodating member and the second accommodating member has an engaging portion that engages with the second opening in the second surface of the other of the first accommodating member and the second accommodating member; 4. The GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet according to claim 3.

14. The containing member is a first side surface formed on the first housing member; a second side surface formed on the second housing member and facing the first side surface; Each of the first side surface and the second side surface is a first region extending in the first direction and having an opening; a second region adjacent to the first region in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and extending in the first direction; 4. The GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet according to claim 3.

15. the first region of the first side surface is disposed opposite the second region of the second side surface; The second region of the first side surface is disposed opposite the first region of the second side surface.

15. A pallet mounted GPS receiver attachment according to claim 14.

16. the second region has a plurality of grooves that are open; 16. A GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet according to claim 14 or 15.

17. The containing member is a third side surface formed by the first housing member and the second housing member; a fourth side surface formed by the first housing member and the second housing member and facing the third side surface; Each of the third side surface and the fourth side surface is a first region extending in the first direction and having an opening; a second region adjacent to the first region in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and extending in the first direction; 4. The GPS receiver attachment for mounting on a pallet according to claim 3.

18. the first region of the third side surface is disposed opposite the second region of the fourth side surface, The second region of the third side surface is disposed opposite the first region of the fourth side surface.

18. A pallet mounted GPS receiver attachment according to claim 17.

19. The second region protrudes outward from the first region when viewed from the first direction.

16. A pallet-mounted GPS receiver attachment according to claim 15.

20. The second region protrudes outward from the first region when viewed from the first direction.

18. A pallet mounted GPS receiver attachment according to claim 17.

Images