Cooling mechanism for outdoor equipment

Abstract

To provide a cooling mechanism of an outdoor apparatus which can prevent a failure of an electronic apparatus due to a temperature rise in a housing when used outdoors and does not cause a failure of the electronic apparatus due to water even when used in rainy weather or on water.SOLUTION: The outdoor equipment A is constituted by including a casing 1 in which the electronic equipment E is incorporated and a ventilation pipe 3 provided by penetrating the casing 1 in the lateral direction, and a body part opening part 32 is formed on the upper side of the ventilation pipe 3 inside the casing 1 to constitute the cooling mechanism of the outdoor equipment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling mechanism for outdoor equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] Small weeding robots that can be floated in paddy fields where crops such as rice are grown have been developed, and those that use a screw or a rotating brush as a propulsion mechanism are known as outdoor equipment (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). Other outdoor equipment known includes transport robots and cleaning robots that travel on the ground, and drones that fly in the air, and many of these are used for long periods of time.

[0003] However, outdoor devices such as the above-mentioned conventional weeding robots have a problem in that the built-in electronic devices, such as the drive motor, battery, and control device, generate heat when operated for a long period of time, causing the temperature inside the housing of the outdoor device to rise.In particular, outdoor devices are subject to a combination of rising outside temperatures and temperature increases inside the housing due to direct sunlight, which can cause the temperature inside the sealed housing to rise excessively, posing a risk of causing the electronic devices to break down.

[0004] Meanwhile, cooling mechanisms using heat sinks are known for outdoor equipment such as the above-mentioned transport robots and aerial drones (see, for example, Patent Documents 4 and 5), but the cooling effect of heat sinks is limited, making it difficult to lower the temperature inside the entire housing. While providing ventilation holes in the housing to allow ventilation with outside air is one possible method of cooling the inside of the housing, there is a risk that water will get in through the ventilation holes in the housing when used in the rain or on water, causing damage to the electronic equipment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7291425 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-152775 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-162492 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-152143 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-132915 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and in summary, to provide a cooling mechanism for outdoor equipment that can prevent electronic equipment from breaking down due to temperature increases inside the casing when used outdoors, and that prevents electronic equipment from breaking down due to water even when used in rainy weather or on water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the inventor constructed outdoor equipment A including a housing 1 in which electronic device E is built and a ventilation pipe 3 that penetrates the housing 1 horizontally, and formed a body opening 32 above the ventilation pipe 3 inside the housing 1 to form a cooling mechanism for the outdoor equipment (the effect will be described later).

[0008] In the present invention, the housing 1 is used as the main body of a mobile device that can sail, run or fly outdoors, and the wind received during sailing, running or flying can be used to efficiently cool the electronic devices built into the main body of the mobile device.

[0009] In the present invention, by arranging the ventilation pipe 3 in a direction that follows the forward and backward movement of the mobile device, it is possible to efficiently utilize the wind that the main body of the mobile device receives when sailing, running or flying.

[0010] In the present invention, by providing an insect mesh 34 at the body opening 32 of the ventilation pipe 3, problems such as insects entering through the end opening 31 of the ventilation pipe 3 and entering the main body of the mobile device, causing malfunction of the electronic device E, can be prevented.

[0011] In the present invention, an airflow guide section 33 is provided inside the ventilation pipe 3 to guide the air flowing in from the end opening 31 upward, making it easier for air to enter the housing 1 from the body opening 32, thereby improving the ventilation efficiency inside and outside the housing 1. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The cooling mechanism for outdoor equipment of the present invention has a ventilation pipe that penetrates the housing laterally and a body opening formed inside the housing above the ventilation pipe, which enables ventilation between the outside and the inside of the housing, preventing excessive temperature rise inside the housing and preventing damage to the built-in electronic equipment. Furthermore, by providing a body opening above the ventilation pipe, even if water gets into the ventilation pipe, it is discharged without spilling into the housing, eliminating the risk of water damage to the electronic equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1A is an overall perspective view showing a weeding robot for use in paddy fields according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is an overall front view thereof. [Figure 2] 1A is a plan view showing a weeding robot for use in paddy fields with an upper cover removed in a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the same. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a ventilation pipe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 5A is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 5B is a plan view, and FIG. 5C is a side view showing a modified example of the ventilation pipe in the first embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. In the drawings, the reference symbol A indicates an outdoor device, and the reference symbol R indicates a robot. The reference symbol 1 indicates a housing, and the reference symbol 2 indicates a propulsion mechanism. The reference symbol 3 indicates a ventilation pipe, and the reference symbol 4 indicates a solar panel.

[0015] "Configuration of outdoor equipment cooling mechanism" [1] Basic configuration The basic configuration of the cooling mechanism of the outdoor device A in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the outdoor device A is a paddy field weeding robot R, which is configured to include a housing 1 constituting the main body (hull) and rotating brushes attached to both sides of the housing 1 as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b). The housing 1 of the robot R houses electronic devices such as a drive motor M and a battery B, as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b). A ventilation pipe 3 is provided penetrating the housing 1 in the lateral direction (horizontal direction), with end openings 31 on both sides of the ventilation pipe 3 located on the front and rear surfaces of the housing 1. The ventilation pipe 3 is also configured to include a body opening 32 on the upper side inside the housing 1.

[0016] The above configuration allows ventilation inside and outside the housing 1 through the ventilation pipe 3, thereby cooling the electronic devices built into the housing 1 of the outdoor device A. In this embodiment, the outdoor device A is a paddy field weeding robot R, and the wind received by the main body while it is traveling can be utilized. However, the outdoor device A can also be any mobile device that can navigate, travel, or fly outdoors, such as an inspection robot, cleaning robot, delivery robot, industrial drone, or agricultural drone, and in such cases, the wind generated while traveling, traveling, or flying can be utilized to provide a cooling effect. The outdoor device A also includes stationary devices such as control devices and power generation devices that are installed outdoors.

[0017] [2] About the case [2-1] Case as a hull Next, each component of the outdoor equipment A (paddy field weeding robot R) will be described. First, regarding the housing 1 (hull), in this embodiment, a lightweight polystyrene foam box is used as the hull, but the main material of the hull used on water is not particularly limited as long as it floats on water, and for example, foamed resin other than polystyrene foam, non-foamed plastic material, wood, metal material, etc. can also be used. Furthermore, a combination of multiple materials can be used, and different materials can also be used in parts.

[0018] Furthermore, the shape of the housing 1 serving as the hull is not limited to a cubic box shape as in this embodiment, and is not particularly limited as long as it has a space inside that can accommodate electronic devices, and it is also possible to adopt shapes such as a boat shape, a yacht shape, a cylinder shape, etc. Furthermore, the housing 1 serving as the hull does not necessarily have to be one, and the hull can also be formed by connecting multiple housings 1.

[0019] [2-2] Chassis as a vehicle body When the outdoor device A is a traveling robot, the housing 1 can be configured as the robot's body. The housing 1 that serves as the body can be made of a plastic material, a metal material, or a composite material (e.g., CFRP) that has rigidity and durability. The shape of the housing 1 that serves as the body is not limited to a cubic box shape as in this embodiment, but can also be a known automobile or motorcycle shape, a cylindrical shape, or the like.

[0020] [2-3] The chassis as the aircraft When the outdoor device A is an aerial robot (such as an aerial drone), the housing 1 can be configured as the robot's body. The housing 1 serving as the body can be made of a rigid and lightweight plastic material, metal material, or composite material. The shape of the housing 1 serving as the body can be not only a cubic box shape as in this embodiment, but also a known drone body shape, helicopter shape, or the like.

[0021] [2-4] Housing for installed equipment When the outdoor device A is an installed device fixed to the ground or a building, the casing 1 can be configured as a housing for the installed device. The casing 1 that serves as the housing for the installed device can be made of a plastic or metal material that has the properties required for installed devices (rigidity, durability, weather resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance, etc.). The shape of the casing 1 that serves as the housing for the installed device can be adapted to the type of mechanical device.

[0022] [2-5] Lid In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the housing 1 is made up of a housing body 11 in which electronic devices are housed, and a lid 12 that is detachably attached to the upper side of the housing body 11. This allows the upper lid 12 to be removed, and electronic devices and ventilation pipes 3 to be attached inside the housing body 1 in the state shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b).

[0023] [2-6] Ventilation pipe insertion hole In this embodiment, two insertion holes for the ventilation pipes 3 are formed side by side on the front and rear surfaces of the housing 1 (hull), and the ventilation pipes 3 are inserted and attached. The number, position and shape of the insertion holes for the ventilation pipes 3 can be changed as appropriate to suit the ventilation pipes 3 used, and for example, insertion holes for the ventilation pipes 3 can be formed not only on the front and rear surfaces of the housing 1 but also on the side surfaces.

[0024] [3] About the Promotion Organization [3-1] Ship propulsion mechanism 1(a) and 1(b), in this embodiment, the propulsion mechanism 2 is configured by placing rotating brushes on the left and right sides of the housing 1 and connecting them to a drive motor M inside the housing 1. The rotating brush is composed of a shaft and bristle members arranged upright around the shaft. By rotating the rotating brush in forward and reverse directions, the hull can be moved forward and backward on the water, and by rotating the left and right rotating brushes at different speeds or in different directions, the direction of the hull can be changed.

[0025] In addition to the rotating brushes of this embodiment, screws can also be used as the propulsion mechanism 2 of the hull. Specifically, median screws, contra-rotating propellers, controllable pitch propellers, azimuth thrusters, highly skewed propellers, pump jets, surface propellers, etc. can be used. Furthermore, water jets, paddle wheels, wind-powered propulsion devices, etc. can also be used as the propulsion mechanism 2 of the hull.

[0026] [3-2] Propulsion mechanism of the vehicle When the outdoor device A is a traveling robot and the housing 1 is a vehicle body, tires, crawlers, or the like can be used as the propulsion mechanism 2. By arranging these below the housing 1 and connecting them to a drive motor, the tires or crawlers can be rotated forward and backward to move the vehicle body forward and backward on land.

[0027] [3-3] Aircraft propulsion mechanism When the outdoor device A is a flying robot and the housing 1 is the airframe, propellers or the like can be used as the propulsion mechanism 2. By arranging these on the top or front and rear of the housing 1 and connecting them to a drive motor, the propellers can be rotated to cause the airframe to take off and move back and forth in the air. In the case of an aerial drone, multiple propellers can be arranged at the four corners of the housing 1, and the direction and speed of movement can be adjusted by controlling the rotation speed and direction of the propellers.

[0028] [4] Ventilation pipes [4-1] Shape and material In this embodiment, the ventilation pipe 3 is a square pipe with a rectangular cross section as shown in Fig. 3, but any cylindrical shape such as a cylindrical or elliptical cylinder, or a square pipe with a triangular or pentagonal cross section can also be used. Regarding the material of the ventilation pipe 3, in this embodiment, a lightweight and easily processable plastic is used, but depending on the type of outdoor equipment A, a rigid metal can also be used.

[0029] In this embodiment, a straight pipe is used as the shape of the ventilation pipe 3, but other shapes can also be used, such as a shape bent in an L shape in the horizontal or vertical direction or a serpentine shape. In this embodiment, the ventilation pipe 3 is made up of a single pipe member, but the ventilation pipe 3 can also be made up of multiple pipe members connected together.

[0030] [4-2] Number and placement of pipes In this embodiment, two ventilation pipes 3 are arranged, one on each side, but the number can be one or three or more depending on the size of the outdoor equipment A and the number of electronic devices. The ventilation pipes 3 are preferably arranged higher than the electronic devices as shown in Fig. 2(b), and are preferably arranged so that the body openings 32 of the ventilation pipes 3 are at least higher than the electronic devices.

[0031] [4-2] Pipe length 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the length of the ventilation pipe 3 is adjusted to match the front-to-back length of the housing 1, and the ventilation pipe 3 is attached by inserting it into insertion holes formed on the front and back surfaces of the housing 1. However, the length of the ventilation pipe 3 can also be made longer than the front-to-back length of the housing 1, so that the end opening 31 is located outside the housing 1. Also, the length of the ventilation pipe 3 can be made shorter than the front-to-back length of the housing 1, so that the end opening 31 is located inside the housing 1.

[0032] [4-3] Body opening In this embodiment, the trunk opening 32 of the ventilation pipe 3 is formed by cutting out the upper part of the pipe to form one large opening, but multiple small openings can also be formed at predetermined intervals, or multiple small holes can be formed on the upper part of the pipe. The trunk opening 32 can also be formed on the side of the pipe, but it is preferable to design it so that water or the like that has entered the ventilation pipe 3 does not easily enter the housing 1.

[0033] [4-4] Pipe direction In this embodiment, the housing 1 (hull) of the paddy field weeding robot R is oriented in a direction parallel to the forward and backward movement (front-rear direction), so that the wind received by the main body of the robot R during navigation can be utilized. This has the same effect not only on a hull configured to be able to navigate on water, but also on a vehicle configured to be able to travel on land or an aircraft configured to be able to navigate in the air.

[0034] [4-5] Airflow guidance section In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4(a), an airflow guide section 33 is provided inside the ventilation pipe 3 to guide the air flowing in from the end opening 31 upward. This makes it easier for air to enter the housing 1 from the body opening 32, thereby improving the ventilation efficiency inside and outside the housing 1. Regarding the shape of the airflow guide section 33, although a slope is formed in the front and rear at the center bottom surface of the ventilation pipe 3 in this embodiment, a shape with a slope formed on either the front or rear side can also be adopted. Furthermore, a partition dividing the front and rear of the ventilation pipe 3 can also be formed as the airflow guide section 33.

[0035] In this embodiment, the air flow guiding portion 33 of the ventilation pipe 3 is configured as a separate member from the main body of the ventilation pipe 3, but it can also be formed integrally with the ventilation pipe 3 by integral molding or the like. Furthermore, when multiple body openings 32 are formed in the ventilation pipe 3, multiple air flow guiding portions 33 can be formed to match the positions of the body openings 32.

[0036] [4-6] Insect-proof mesh By providing an insect mesh 34 at the body opening 32 of the ventilation pipe 3 as shown in FIG. 4(b), it is possible to prevent problems such as insects entering through the end opening 31 of the ventilation pipe 3 from getting into the main body of the robot R and causing malfunctions of the electronic equipment E. The insect mesh 34 can be made of a mesh material made of metal or synthetic resin, and can be attached to the body opening 32 of the ventilation pipe 3.

[0037] [4-7] Water discharge means The shape of the ventilation pipe 3 is not limited to this embodiment and other shapes can be adopted, for example, the ventilation pipe 3 can be shaped to be diagonally oriented up and down as shown in Fig. 4(c) , which makes it easier for water that enters the ventilation pipe 3 to flow downward and be discharged to the outside, further reducing the risk of water-related damage to electronic devices.

[0038] [5] Electronic devices [5-1] Drive motor Next, the electronic devices built into the outdoor equipment A will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), a drive motor M for driving the propulsion mechanism 2 of the paddy field weeding robot R, a motor control unit C, and a battery B are built into a housing 1 (hull). The drive shaft of the drive motor M is connected to the transmission shafts of the left and right rotating brushes so that the rotating brushes can be driven to rotate forward and backward. The drive shaft of the drive motor M and the transmission shaft of the rotating brushes can be connected directly, or they can be connected via a reduction gear for adjusting the rotational speed and rotational torque, or they can be connected via a power transmission mechanism such as a transmission belt or transmission chain.

[0039] [5-2] Motor control unit and battery 2(a) and 2(b), the motor control unit C is installed in a stepped portion at the front of the housing 1, and the battery B that serves as the power source for the drive motor M and motor control unit C is installed in a stepped portion at the rear of the housing 1, and these are connected together. There are no particular restrictions on their placement, but the stability of the hull during navigation can be improved by placing the heavier motor control unit C and battery B at the front or rear of the hull, taking into account the center of gravity and weight balance of the hull.

[0040] The motor control unit C is an electronic device (microcomputer) that sends control signals to the drive motor M to control start / stop and output, and when the paddy field weeding robot R is to be automatically navigated, it can also send control signals to the drive motor M based on data calculated by a predetermined program. The battery B is not particularly limited as long as it can supply electricity to the drive motor M and motor control unit C continuously for a certain period of time. In this embodiment, the battery B is also connected to a solar panel, which will be described later.

[0041] [5-3] Other electronic devices The electronic devices built into outdoor device A include not only those listed above, but also, for example, various actuators that serve as power sources, various sensors that perform sensing, various control devices that control the devices, and GPS devices that detect location information.

[0042] [6] Solar panels In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a solar panel 4 is installed on the top side of the housing 1. This allows the battery B to be charged by the solar panel 4, allowing the paddy field weeding robot R to operate continuously. There are no particular limitations on the position, number, or size of the solar panels 7, and there are no particular limitations on the type of solar panel 4 as well, as long as it can supply electricity generated by sunlight to the battery B. The solar panel 4 allows the paddy field weeding robot R to operate continuously during the day without having to charge the battery B, and it can also operate at night using the electricity generated during the day. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 chassis 11. Main body 12 Lid 2 Propulsion mechanism 3 Ventilation pipe 31 End opening 32 Body opening 33 Airflow guidance section 34 Insect mesh 4. Solar panels A Outdoor equipment R Robot E-electronic equipment M drive motor C Motor control unit B. Battery

Claims

1. A cooling mechanism for outdoor equipment, comprising: a housing in which an electronic device is built; and a ventilation pipe that passes through the housing in the horizontal direction, wherein a body opening is formed inside the housing above the ventilation pipe.

2. 2. The cooling mechanism for outdoor equipment according to claim 1, wherein the housing is a main body of a mobile equipment that can sail, run or fly outdoors.

3. 3. The cooling mechanism for outdoor equipment according to claim 2, wherein the ventilation pipe is arranged in a direction parallel to the forward and backward movement of the mobile equipment.

4. 3. The cooling mechanism for outdoor equipment according to claim 1, wherein an insect mesh is provided at an opening of the body of the ventilation pipe.

5. 3. The cooling mechanism for outdoor equipment according to claim 1, wherein an airflow guide portion is provided inside the ventilation pipe to guide the air that has entered from outside the housing upward.

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