Snow subdividing device and snowfall device

Abstract

To reproduce snowfall in a manner close to natural in a target area, even when snow falls in clumps.SOLUTION: A snow subdividing device 10 comprises a receiving member 16 having a receiving surface 16a that receives snow S falling in clumps from a snow growing mechanism 12, and a transmission unit 18 that changes the posture of the receiving member 16 in response to an external force so that the inclination of the receiving surface 16a changes. By changing the inclination of the receiving surface 16a, the receiving member 16 causes the snow S on the receiving surface 16a to fall in portions at a time with a time lag, and causes it to fall on a target area SA. The receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16 can be inclined alternately in both directions so that the snow on the receiving surface 16a falls on both sides of the receiving surface 16a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a snow breaking device and a snow making device. [Background technology]

[0002] A snow making device for artificially making snow fall indoors has been known, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. As shown in FIG. 8, the snow making device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a drum 71 (bottom plate 71a, body 71b, and top plate 71c) having an internal space for making snow, a collection section 72 for collecting fine snow particles supplied into the drum 71, and a scraping member 73 for scraping off snow that falls off from the collection section 72 due to the vibration of the collection section 72. Snow that falls off from the collection section 72 accumulates on the bottom plate 71a of the drum 71, and the scraping member 73 scrapes off this snow and moves it toward an opening 74 provided in the bottom plate 71a. The snow on the bottom plate 71a falls through the opening 74, creating a snowfall environment in the test chamber below the drum 71. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-109496 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the snow making device disclosed in Patent Document 1, clumps of snow may be pushed toward the opening 74 by the scraping member 73. In such cases, the snow may fall in clumps from the opening 74. Therefore, clumps of snow may fall intermittently into the test chamber, which may result in snowfall conditions that differ from those found in nature.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional technology, and its purpose is to be able to reproduce snowfall in a manner that is close to natural in the target area, even when a large amount of snow falls. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the snow breaking-up device of the present invention is a snow breaking-up device for breaking up and causing snow that falls in clumps from a snow growth mechanism, and is equipped with a receiving member having a receiving surface that receives the snow that falls in clumps from the snow growth mechanism, and a transmission unit that changes the posture of the receiving member so that the inclination of the receiving surface changes or the receiving surface moves in response to an external force, and the receiving member is configured so that by changing the inclination of the receiving surface or by moving the receiving surface, the snow on the receiving surface falls in portions at a time-delayed rate, causing it to fall on a target area.

[0007] In the snow breaking device, even if snow falls in clumps from the snow growing mechanism, the snow is first received by the receiving surface of the receiving member, preventing the clumped snow from falling directly onto the target area. Furthermore, the receiving member changes the inclination of the receiving surface or moves the receiving surface due to the action of the transmission unit, causing the snow on the receiving surface to fall in portions at different times. This allows the snow to fall in portions on the target area, preventing it from falling in a way that differs from how snow falls in nature and recreating a snowfall that is closer to nature.

[0008] The receiving member may be configured so that the receiving surface can be tilted alternately in both directions or the receiving surface can be moved alternately in both directions so that snow on the receiving surface falls on both sides of the receiving surface.

[0009] In this embodiment, snow can be made to fall from both sides of the receiving surface onto the target area, thereby expanding the snowfall range.

[0010] The receiving member may further include a rotation shaft that rotationally supports the receiving member. In this case, the receiving surface of the receiving member may be tiltable alternately in both directions around the rotation shaft, or the receiving surface may be movable alternately in both directions around the rotation shaft.

[0011] In this embodiment, the receiving member rotates in both directions around the rotation axis, causing the receiving surface to tilt or move alternately in both directions, allowing snow to fall from both sides of the receiving surface.

[0012] The transmission part may be configured to tilt or move the receiving surface in one direction, and in this case, the receiving member may be configured so that the movement of the receiving surface is reversed when the transmission from the transmission part is released.

[0013] In this configuration, even if the transmission unit is configured to tilt the receiving surface of the receiving member in only one direction, the receiving surface can be tilted alternately in both directions, or even if the transmission unit is configured to move the receiving surface in only one direction, the receiving surface can be moved alternately in both directions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the configuration for dropping snow from both sides of the receiving surface from becoming complicated.

[0014] The snow breaking device may further include a pivot shaft that rotatably supports the receiving member, and in this case, the transmission unit may be configured to rotate the receiving member around the pivot shaft so that the inclination of the receiving surface changes or so that the receiving surface moves.

[0015] In this configuration, the tilt of the receiving surface changes or the receiving surface moves as the receiving member rotates around the rotation axis. Therefore, with the simple configuration of rotating the receiving member around the rotation axis, snow on the receiving surface can be caused to fall off in portions at different times.

[0016] The pivot shaft may support the receiving member above the center of gravity of the receiving member. In this aspect, when the transmission unit rotates the receiving member around the shaft so that the inclination of the receiving surface changes or the receiving surface moves, the center of gravity of the receiving member rises relative to the support position by the pivot shaft. As a result, the receiving member attempts to return to its original position by its own weight so that the center of gravity returns to its original position. Therefore, a mechanism for returning the receiving member to its original position is not required, which prevents the device configuration from becoming complicated.

[0017] The snow making device according to the present invention includes a snow growing mechanism configured to grow snow, and the snow dividing device.

[0018] In the snow-making device, the snow falling from the snow-growing mechanism is dropped one by one with a time lag by the snow-dividing device, so even if snow falls from the snow-growing mechanism in a lump, it is possible to prevent the snow from falling in a way that is different from the way snow falls in nature.

[0019] The snow growing mechanism may include a container having a space for growing snow and an opening through which grown snow falls, and a pusher that moves snow that has grown in the space and is temporarily stored at the bottom of the container toward the opening. In this case, the receiving member may be located below the opening so as to receive snow that has been moved to the opening by the pusher and falls through the opening of the container.

[0020] In this configuration, when the pushing unit moves the snow temporarily stored in the container toward the opening, the snow falls through the opening. At this time, the snow falls in portions at a time lag due to the receiving member of the snow breaking device. Therefore, even if the pushing unit causes a large amount of snow to fall from the opening, the snow can be made to fall in portions at a time lag by the snow breaking device.

[0021] The pushing unit may include a scraping member for scraping off snow accumulated in the bottom portion, and a drive unit for driving the scraping member. In this case, the transmission unit may be configured to receive the force of the scraping member to tilt or move the receiving surface of the receiving member.

[0022] In this configuration, the force of the scraping member, which is driven to remove snow from the container, can be used to tilt or move the receiving surface of the receiving member via the transmission unit. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate drive source for tilting or moving the receiving surface of the receiving member, which prevents the device configuration from becoming complicated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] As described above, according to the present invention, even when large amounts of snow fall, it is possible to reproduce snowfall in a manner that is close to natural in the target area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a snow breaking device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a receiving member provided in the snow breaking device. [Figure 3] 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing modified examples of the receiving member. [Figure 4] 1A shows the receiving member in its basic position, FIG. 1B shows the receiving member in its snow-shedding position, and FIG. 1C shows the receiving member in its snow-shedding position facing the opposite direction. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the receiving member. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a snow making device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the snow making device positioned above a target area. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional snow making device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] (First embodiment) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the snow subdivision device 10 of this embodiment is placed below the snow growth mechanism 12 and is used to cause snow S falling in bulk from the snow growth mechanism 12 to fall in portions onto the target area SA at different times.

[0027] The snow breaking device 10 includes a receiving member 16 disposed below an opening 14 provided in the snow growing mechanism 12, and a transmission unit 18 for changing the attitude of the receiving member 16.

[0028] The receiving member 16 is a block-shaped (solid) member having a receiving surface 16a that receives the snow S that falls from the opening 14 of the snow growing mechanism 12. If the opening 14 is elongated in one direction, it is preferable that the receiving surface 16a also be elongated in the same direction. However, the shape of the receiving surface 16a is not limited to a shape that is elongated in one direction, as long as it is a shape that can temporarily hold the snow S that falls from the opening 14.

[0029] The receiving surface 16a is formed by the upper surface of the receiving member 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the receiving surface 16a is a flat surface, but is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the receiving surface 16a may be curved so as to bulge outward, or may be curved so as to concave inward. Since the receiving member 16 is configured to be rotatable as described below, the degree to which the receiving surface 16a is curved or flat may be appropriately set depending on the range of rotation. Furthermore, the receiving surface 16a may be configured to have a combination of a flat surface and a curved surface.

[0030] The receiving member 16 has a pair of first side surfaces 16b that form the end faces of the receiving member 16 in the longitudinal direction (first direction), and a pair of second side surfaces 16c that form the end faces of the receiving member 16 in the width direction (second direction perpendicular to the first direction).

[0031] The receiving member 16 is supported by a rotating shaft 20 so as to be rotatable about its axis. The rotating shaft 20 is fixed to a pair of first side surfaces 16b so as to extend in a first direction. Therefore, the receiving member 16 is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction. The rotating shaft 20 is rotatably supported, for example, by a support member (not shown) fixed to a bottom plate 26 (described later) of the snow growing mechanism 12. Note that the support member may be supported not by the bottom plate 26 but by a part of a container 32 (see, for example, FIG. 6) having the bottom plate 26. Furthermore, the rotating shaft 20 may not be fixed to the pair of first side surfaces 16b, but may be fixed to only one of the pair of first side surfaces 16b.

[0032] The pivot shaft 20 supports the receiving member 16 above the position G of the center of gravity of the receiving member 16. In other words, when the receiving member 16 is not subjected to an external force, it is stable in a position (basic position) in which the position G of the center of gravity is at the lowest position relative to the pivot shaft 20. On the other hand, as will be described later, when the transmission unit 18 is subjected to an external force that changes the position of the receiving member 16, the position G of the center of gravity of the receiving member 16 moves from the lowest position to an upper position, and the receiving member 16 tries to return to the basic position. Therefore, there is no need to provide a mechanism for returning the receiving member 16 to the basic position after the application of the external force to the transmission unit 18 is released.

[0033] The transmission part 18 is a member that transmits a force to the receiving member 16 so as to generate a moment around the rotation axis 20 in the receiving member 16 by receiving the force. The transmission part 18 is configured, for example, by a rod-shaped member fixed to the first side surface 16b of the receiving member 16. The transmission part 18 is fixed to the receiving member 16 at a position offset from the rotation axis 20 in an orientation extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the rotation axis 20. The transmission part 18 extends outward (upward in FIG. 1) from the first side surface 16b beyond the receiving surface 16a.

[0034] Although FIG. 2 shows an example in which the transmission part 18 is configured by a member provided on one of the first side surfaces 16b, the transmission part 18 may be provided on each of the pair of first side surfaces 16b.

[0035] The transmission part 18 is configured to tilt when it receives a force from, for example, a scraping member 24 provided on the snow growing mechanism 12 .

[0036] Snow growing mechanism 12 is, for example, a mechanism configured to generate snow S to fall in target area SA, and has a bottom plate 26 for temporarily storing the generated snow S. Bottom plate 26 is provided with an opening 14 for dropping snow S on bottom plate 26, and scraping member 24 is provided for pushing snow S on bottom plate 26 toward opening 14. In other words, scraping member 24 is configured to move horizontally on bottom plate 26 toward opening 14 by a drive unit (not shown).

[0037] As shown in Fig. 4(a), the transmission part 18 is disposed at a height position where the lower end of the scraping member 24 can collide with the upper end of the transmission part 18. When the receiving member 16 is not subjected to an external force, it is in the basic position shown in Fig. 4(a), and when in this basic position, the lower end of the scraping member 24 can collide with the upper end of the transmission part 18. The basic position is a position where the receiving surface 16a is horizontal when the receiving surface 16a is a flat surface, and a position where both ends of the flat surface in the width direction (second direction) are at the same height position when the receiving surface 16a is a curved surface.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the scraping member 24 can push the upper end of the transmission unit 18 to change its position. At this time, the receiving member 16 rotates around the pivot shaft 20, changing the inclination of the receiving surface 16a (snow-falling position). In other words, the transmission unit 18 is configured to change the position of the receiving member 16 in response to an external force. As a result, even when snow S is piled up on the receiving surface 16a, the snow S on the receiving surface 16a falls in pieces. In this snow-falling position, the snow S on the receiving surface 16a falls from one end of the receiving surface 16a in the width direction (second direction) (the left side in FIG. 4(b)) due to the tilt of the receiving surface 16a. This creates a snowfall condition in the target area SA. At this time, all of the snow S on the receiving surface 16a may fall, or some of the snow S may fall from the receiving surface 16a, with the remaining snow S remaining on the receiving surface 16a.

[0039] Furthermore, because the receiving member 16 is rotatable about a pivot shaft 20 located above the center of gravity G of the receiving member 16, when the scraping member 24 passes the upper end of the transmission unit 18, the receiving member 16 reverses its movement, attempting to return from the snow-shedding position to the basic position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4(c), the receiving member 16 exceeds the basic position due to inertia, changing its position until the receiving surface 16a tilts in the opposite direction (reverse snow-shedding position). As a result, snow S on the receiving surface 16a falls from the end of the other side of the receiving surface 16a in the width direction (second direction) (the right side in FIG. 4(a)). In other words, the receiving member 16 is configured so that snow falls from the receiving surface 16a in both the direction in which the transmission unit 18 receives external force (the left side in FIG. 4(b)) and the opposite direction (both sides of the receiving surface 16a).

[0040] Therefore, when the receiving surface 16a is tilted to one side (the state shown in FIG. 4(b)), at least a portion of the snow S remaining on the receiving surface 16a falls from the receiving surface 16a in the opposite snow-falling position. Even in this opposite snow-falling position, the snow S falls in pieces, so snowfall continues in the target area SA. Furthermore, following the state shown in FIG. 4(b), the snow S also falls in pieces in the state shown in FIG. 4(c), recreating a snowfall that is close to natural. After the scraping member 24 has passed, the receiving member 16 may continue to oscillate between the snow-falling position (FIG. 4(b)) and the opposite snow-falling position (FIG. 4(c)) without receiving any external force. In this case, the snowfall state in which the snow S falls from the receiving surface 16a may continue.

[0041] The transmission unit 18 is located downstream (on the left side in FIG. 4(a)) of the center of gravity G of the receiving member 16 in the movement direction of the scraping member 24. Also, the edge 14a of the opening 14 on the upstream side (on the right side in FIG. 4(a)) in the movement direction of the scraping member 24 is located upstream of the center of gravity G of the receiving member 16 in the movement direction of the scraping member 24. This allows the transmission unit 18 to be in a state where it has not yet been pushed by the scraping member 24 when the snow S is pushed out by the scraping member 24 and falls from the opening 14 onto the receiving surface 16a. Therefore, when the receiving member 16 is in the basic position, the receiving surface 16a can receive a pile of snow from the snow growing mechanism 12.

[0042] That is, if the transmission unit 18 has already been pushed when the snow S falls from the opening 14, the receiving surface 16a will also be tilted accordingly. In this case, when a pile of snow S falls from the opening 14, the snow S falling from the receiving surface 16a may not be sufficiently dispersed. That is, the snow falling from the opening 14 may fall directly onto the target area SA along the tilted receiving surface 16a. Therefore, if the transmission unit 18 is configured to be moved by the scraping member 24, it is preferable that the positional relationship between the transmission unit 18 and the edge 14a of the opening 14 be set as described above. However, if the transmission unit 18 is not configured to be moved by the scraping member 24 or if the transmission unit 18 is not configured in a rod-like shape, such a positional relationship is not necessary.

[0043] The transmission unit 18 is positioned so that it changes the posture of the receiving member 16 when it receives a force (external force) from the scraping member 24, but this is not a limitation. For example, the transmission unit 18 may be positioned so that the upper end of the transmission unit 18 is pushed around the rotation axis 20 by an external force from a member other than the scraping member 24. In this case, the other member may be any member that periodically pushes the upper end of the transmission unit 18 sideways. For example, the other member may be a rod-shaped member extending horizontally, and may be configured to rotate around a vertical axis around one end of the other member by a motor (not shown). In this case, the other end of the other member pushes the upper end of the transmission unit 18, then makes a full rotation and pushes the upper end of the transmission unit 18 again. Therefore, the upper end of the transmission unit 18 can be pushed at predetermined intervals. The motor may be a motor provided in the snow growing mechanism 12, or a motor provided separately from the snow growing mechanism 12. The motor may be a motor included in the snow breaking device 10 or may be a motor provided outside the snow breaking device 10 .

[0044] As explained above, in the snow breaking device 10 of this embodiment, the receiving surface 16a can assume both a basic position and a falling position below the snow growing mechanism 12 and above the target area SA. Therefore, in the snow breaking device 10, even if snow S falls in clumps from the snow growing mechanism 12, the snow S is temporarily received by the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16, preventing the clumped snow S from falling directly onto the target area SA. Moreover, by changing the inclination of the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16, the snow S on the receiving surface 16a falls in portions at different times. Therefore, because the snow S can fall in the target area SA in portions from the receiving surface 16a, it is possible to prevent snow from falling in a way that is different from the way snow falls in nature, and to reproduce a snowfall that is closer to nature.

[0045] In this embodiment, the receiving member 16 is configured so that the receiving surface 16a can be tilted alternately in both directions so that the snow S on the receiving surface 16a falls on both sides of the receiving surface 16a. This allows the snow S to fall from both sides of the receiving surface 16a and onto the target area SA, thereby expanding the snowfall range.

[0046] Furthermore, because the receiving member 16 is configured so that the movement of the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16 is reversed when the power transmission from the power transmission unit 18 is released, the receiving surface 16a can be tilted alternately in both directions even if the power transmission unit 18 is configured to tilt the receiving surface 16a only in one direction. This prevents the configuration for dropping snow S from both sides of the receiving surface 16a from becoming complicated.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inclination of the receiving surface 16a changes as the receiving member 16 rotates around the rotation axis 20, so that with the simple configuration of rotating the receiving member 16 around the rotation axis 20, the snow S on the receiving surface 16a can be dropped one portion at a time with a time lag.

[0048] Moreover, because the rotating shaft 20 supports the receiving member 16 above the position G of the center of gravity of the receiving member 16, when the transmission unit 18 rotates the receiving member 16 around the rotating shaft 20 so as to change the inclination of the receiving surface 16a, the position G of the center of gravity of the receiving member 16 rises relative to the support position by the rotating shaft 20. As a result, the receiving member 16 tries to return to its original position by its own weight so that the position G of the center of gravity returns to its original position. Therefore, a mechanism for returning the receiving member 16 to its original position is not required, which prevents the device configuration from becoming complicated.

[0049] In this embodiment, the receiving member 16 is configured to alternately rotate in both directions relative to the basic position, but this is not limiting. That is, the receiving member 16 may be configured to change its position between the basic position and an inclined position in which it is inclined in one direction relative to the basic position and removes snow S from the receiving surface 16a. In this case, the receiving member 16 returns to the basic position without tilting in the opposite direction from the inclined position. To achieve such a configuration, a configuration can be adopted in which the transmission unit 18 is driven by a motor (not shown) so as to swing within such a range.

[0050] In this embodiment, the receiving member 16 is configured to change its posture so as to change the inclination of the receiving surface 16a. Alternatively, the receiving member 16 may be configured to move the receiving surface 16a without changing the inclination of the receiving surface 16a. In this case, the receiving surface 16a may be configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 , in an arc shape centered on the rotation axis 20. In this case, the inclination of the receiving surface 16a does not change even when the receiving member 16 rotates. However, when the scraping member 24 presses the upper end of the transmission part 18, the receiving member 16 rotates about the rotation axis 20, and the receiving surface 16a moves in the circumferential direction, causing the snow S on the receiving member 16 to fall. That is, the portion 16a1 located at the upper end of the receiving surface 16a moves in the circumferential direction as the receiving member 16 rotates, causing the snow S on the portion 16a1 and its vicinity to fall apart. At this time, even when the receiving member 16 is rotating, there is no change in the gap width between the receiving surface 16a and the edge 14a of the opening 14 of the bottom plate 26. Even in this case, the receiving surface 16a can take either a basic position in which the uppermost portion 16a1 is at the top, or a snow-shedding position in which the portion 16a1 is at a lower position than in the basic position.

[0051] In this case, the receiving member 16 may be configured to rotate when the upper end of the transmission part 18 receives an external force (force from the scraping member 24), or may be configured to rotate around the rotation shaft 20 by a motor (not shown). In the case where the receiving member 16 is configured to rotate by a motor, a gear mechanism (not shown) or the like disposed between the motor and the rotation shaft 20 functions as a transmission part that changes the position of the receiving member 16 when it receives the external force from the motor.

[0052] The receiving member 16 may be configured to rotate alternately in both directions to allow snow to fall from the receiving surface 16a on both sides, or alternatively, it may be configured to rotate in one direction to allow snow to fall from the receiving surface 16a and then rotate in the opposite direction to return to the basic position. In this case, snow falls from only one side in the width direction of the receiving surface 16a. Note that if the receiving member 16 rotates alternately in both directions to allow snow to fall from both sides, the snow S falls alternately from both sides of the receiving member 16, thereby widening the snowfall range.

[0053] In this embodiment, the pivot shaft 20 is located above the center of gravity G of the receiving member 16, so that the receiving member 16 naturally returns to the basic position after rotating to the snow-dropping position. However, the configuration for returning the receiving member 16 from the snow-dropping position to the basic position is not limited to this. For example, the receiving member 16 may be configured to return from the snow-dropping position to the basic position using a spring (not shown). In this case, the positional relationship between the position of the pivot shaft 20 and the center of gravity G of the receiving member 16 is arbitrary.

[0054] If the receiving member 16 is not configured to naturally return to the basic position after rotating to the snow-shedding position (for example, if it is configured to return to the basic position by a spring), it does not have to be configured as a block-shaped member. For example, the receiving member 16 may be configured as a plate-shaped member. In this case, the receiving member 16 may be rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 20 connected to an end face or a bottom face.

[0055] (Second embodiment) The snow breaking device 10 is combined with a snow growing mechanism 12 shown in Figure 6 to form a snow making device 30 according to the second embodiment. The snow making device 30 is a device for creating a snowfall environment in a target area SA (see Figure 7) such as a test room. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0056] The snow growing mechanism 12 includes a container 32 having an internal space IS, a collection unit 34 disposed within the internal space IS, a motor 36 that drives the collection unit 34, and a scraping member 24 attached to the collection unit 34. A snow-making duct 38 is connected to the container 32.

[0057] As shown schematically in Figure 7, snow-making duct 38 is connected to cooling device 40 through inlet passage 39. Cooling device 40 is configured to cool air to below freezing point, and this low-temperature air cooled to below freezing point is introduced into snow-making duct 38 through inlet passage 39. Inlet passage 39 is provided with nozzles 41 that atomize and spray water, and the atomized water is introduced into snow-making duct 38 in addition to the low-temperature air. Inside snow-making duct 38, the atomized water freezes, producing fine snow.

[0058] The fine snowflakes obtained in snow-making duct 38 are introduced together with low-temperature air into internal space IS of container 32. Container 32 is hollow and comprises top plate 32a to which snow-making duct 38 is connected, bottom plate 26 disposed below top plate 32a, and outer peripheral plate 32b connecting the outer periphery of top plate 32a and the outer periphery of bottom plate 26 to each other.

[0059] A return path 42 is connected to the top plate 32a, and the low-temperature air in the internal space IS is returned to the cooling device 40 through the return path 42. That is, the introduction path 39 and the return path 42 form a circulation flow path that circulates the low-temperature air between the cooling device 40 and the internal space IS. A blower 43 is provided in the return path 42 to circulate the low-temperature air.

[0060] The internal space IS of the container 32 is provided with a collection unit 34 for collecting fine snow particles introduced into the internal space IS. The collection unit 34 rotates multiple collection members 34a around a drive shaft 36a within the internal space IS to collect the fine snow particles. Specifically, the collection unit 34 has multiple frames 34b radially mounted on the drive shaft 36a, which is rotated about its axis by the motor 36, and multiple collection members 34a loosely supported by each frame 34b. The frames 34b include a pair of upper and lower frame members 34c extending radially from axially spaced positions on the drive shaft 36a, and the upper and lower ends of the collection members 34a are attached to these frame members 34c.

[0061] The collection member 34a is made of, for example, a mesh-like material, and collects fine snowflakes floating in the internal space IS by moving around the drive shaft 36a of the motor 36. As the collection member 34a moves through the internal space IS while collecting the fine snowflakes, the fine snowflakes combine with each other on the collection member 34a and grow into snow.

[0062] The container 32 is provided with a dropping means 44 for shaking the trapping member 34a to cause the snow S adhering to the trapping member 34a to drop off. The snow S dropped off from the trapping member 34a by the action of the dropping means 44 accumulates on the bottom plate 26.

[0063] The detaching means 44 may be configured with a nozzle 44a that blows compressed air onto the collection member 34a that revolves around the drive shaft 36a, thereby shaking the collection member 34a. Alternatively, the detaching means 44 may be configured with a striking part that applies an impact to the frame 34b, thereby shaking the collection member 34a.

[0064] The lower frame member 34c is provided with a scraping member 24 for scraping snow S accumulated on the bottom plate 26. The scraping member 24 is disposed so that its lower end contacts the bottom plate 26, and when the drive shaft 36a rotates about its axis, the scraping member 24 moves around the drive shaft 36a while sliding on the bottom plate 26. In other words, the scraping member 24 is moved within the internal space IS by the motor 36 that drives the collecting unit 34. Note that the lower end of the scraping member 24 does not need to contact the bottom plate 26, and it may be disposed with a small gap between it and the bottom plate 26.

[0065] The frame 34b is provided with an upper scraping member 45 for scraping off snow S adhering to the top plate 32a, and an outer peripheral scraping member 46 for scraping off snow S adhering to the outer peripheral plate 32b. The upper scraping member 45 can be omitted. The outer peripheral scraping member 46 can also be omitted.

[0066] The bottom plate 26 is provided with an opening 14 for dropping snow S. That is, snow S accumulated on the bottom plate 26 is moved over the bottom plate 26 by the scraping member 24 and dropped below the container 32 through the opening 14. That is, the scraping member 24 and a drive unit (motor 36) that drives the scraping member 24 constitute a pushing unit 47 that moves snow S temporarily accumulated on the bottom plate 26 (bottom) of the container 32 toward the opening 14. Note that the pushing unit 47 is not limited to a configuration including a scraping member that moves along the bottom plate 26 (bottom) of the container 32. For example, the pushing unit 47 may be configured to include a vibrating body that vibrates the container 32. By vibrating the container 32, snow accumulated on the bottom (bottom plate 26) of the container 32 can be moved toward the opening 14.

[0067] The opening 14 may be elongated in the radial direction of the drive shaft 36a, for example. Although Fig. 6 shows a configuration in which a plurality of openings 14 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction, the present invention is not limited to this, and only one opening 14 may be formed.

[0068] The snow breaking device 10 is placed below this opening 14. In this embodiment, multiple openings 14 are provided, and therefore a snow breaking device 10 is provided for each opening 14. The snow breaking device 10 is placed above or above the target area SA where snow will fall. The target area SA may be, for example, a test chamber (or snow environment chamber) in which a snow environment is created and tests are conducted in which test specimens are exposed to the snow environment.

[0069] In the snow making device 30 of this embodiment, the snow subdivision device 10 causes the snow S falling from the snow growth mechanism 12 to fall in portions at different times, so that even if the snow S falls in clumps from the snow growth mechanism 12, it is possible to prevent the snow S from falling in a way that is different from the way snow falls in nature.

[0070] Furthermore, the snow S temporarily stored on the bottom plate 26 of the container 32 is moved by the pushing unit 47 toward the opening 14 and falls through the opening 14. This snow S falls one by one with a time lag due to the receiving member 16 of the snow breaking device 10. Therefore, even if the snow S that has been piled up by the pushing unit 47 falls from the opening 14, the snow S can be made to fall one by one with a time lag by the snow breaking device 10.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transmission unit 18 is configured to receive the force of the scraping member 24 and tilt the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16. That is, the force of the scraping member 24, which is driven to drop the snow S from inside the container 32, is used to tilt the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16 via the transmission unit 18. Therefore, there is no need to provide another drive source to tilt the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16, which prevents the device configuration from becoming complicated.

[0072] In this embodiment, the force of the scraping member 24 is used to tilt the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16. That is, the pushing unit 47 has the scraping member 24 and the motor 36. However, the pushing unit 47 is not limited to this configuration. For example, a rod-shaped member may be provided on the drive shaft 36a of the motor 36, and this member may push the upper end of the transmission unit 18 when the motor 36 is driven.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the collection unit 34 revolves around the drive shaft 36a, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the collection unit 34 may be configured to move back and forth within the container 32. In this case, the transmission unit 18 can be configured to tilt in both directions as the collection unit 34 moves back and forth, so it is possible to avoid adopting a configuration in which the receiving member 16 naturally returns to its basic position.

[0074] Although a description of other configurations, actions, and effects will be omitted, the description of the first embodiment can be applied to the second embodiment.

[0075] (Other embodiments) It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10:Snow subdividing device 12:Snow growth mechanism 14:Aperture 16: Support member 16a: Receiving surface 18: Transmission section 20: Rotating axis 24: Scraping member 26: Bottom plate 30: Snowfall device 32: Container 47: Extrusion section S:Snow SA: Target area

Claims

1. A snow breaking device for breaking up and dropping snow that falls in clumps from a snow growing mechanism, a receiving member having a receiving surface for receiving snow that falls in bulk from the snow growing mechanism; a transmission unit that receives an external force and changes the attitude of the receiving member so that the inclination of the receiving surface changes or the receiving surface moves, The receiving member is configured to cause snow on the receiving surface to fall in portions at a time staggered manner and fall on a target area by changing the inclination of the receiving surface or by moving the receiving surface, in a snow breaking device.

2. 2. The snow breaking device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving surface of the receiving member is tiltable or movable in both directions alternately so that snow on the receiving surface falls on both sides of the receiving surface.

3. The receiving member further includes a rotation shaft that rotatably supports the receiving member, The snow breaking device according to claim 2, wherein the receiving surface of the receiving member is capable of tilting alternately in both directions around the pivot axis, or the receiving surface is capable of moving alternately in both directions around the pivot axis.

4. The transmission part is configured to tilt or move the receiving surface in one direction, The snow breaking device according to claim 2 , wherein the receiving member is configured such that the movement of the receiving surface is reversed when the transmission from the transmission part is released.

5. a rotation shaft that rotatably supports the receiving member, The snow breaking device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit is configured to rotate the receiving member about the rotation axis so that the inclination of the receiving surface changes or the receiving surface moves.

6. The snow breaking device according to claim 5 , wherein the pivot shaft supports the receiving member above the center of gravity of the receiving member.

7. a snow growing mechanism configured to grow snow; A snow-making device comprising: a snow-breaking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The snow growth mechanism is a container having a space for growing snow and an opening through which the grown snow falls; a pusher that moves snow that grows in the space and is temporarily stored at the bottom of the container toward the opening; Equipped with The snow making device according to claim 7, wherein the receiving member is positioned below the opening so as to receive snow that is moved to the opening by the pushing portion and falls through the opening of the container.

9. The pushing unit includes a scraping member for scraping off snow accumulated at the bottom, and a driving unit for driving the scraping member, The snow removal device according to claim 8 , wherein the transmission part is configured to receive the force of the scraping member and tilt or move the receiving surface of the receiving member.

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