carport

Abstract

To provide a carport that can adjust the amount and distribution of sunlight entering a parking area while maintaining a function of protecting a vehicle from rainfall and snowfall, and can keep the environment of the parking area at a comfortable brightness and temperature. In addition to the roof section having a light-transmitting portion, a light-blocking sheet is disposed opposite the underside of the roof section, and a winding section is provided that enables the light-blocking sheet to be wound up and unwound.The roof section is also provided with a sheet holding section that prevents the light-blocking sheet from behaving unstably.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carport with a light-transmitting roof. [Background technology]

[0002] Carports have the role of protecting vehicles from rain and snow, but to ensure brightness in the parking area, translucent materials such as polycarbonate resin and polyester resin are often used for the roof. Furthermore, to maintain the temperature environment in the parking area, these translucent materials are often colored or given heat-absorbing or heat-blocking properties. However, because the light-blocking and heat-blocking properties of the materials are uniquely determined when the carport is manufactured, it is not possible to adjust the brightness or temperature environment, making it difficult to achieve comfort throughout the four seasons. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a carport that solves the above-mentioned problems, in which a non-translucent roof portion is slid open and closed to adjust the area of ​​light that enters the parking area. Patent Documents 2 and 3 also propose a means of forming a light-guiding layer that bends light on the underside of the translucent member of the roof portion, and using the difference in the angle of incidence of sunlight between winter and summer to control the amount of light that reaches the parking area. [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 58-167122 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4537478 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 55146616 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the solution in Patent Document 1 is easily affected by weather, as it only changes the area of ​​sunlight that shines into the parking area, not its intensity, and in bad weather the roof must be closed even if light is to be let in, making it difficult to achieve both brightness and a good temperature environment.In addition, the solutions in Patent Documents 2 and 3 have limitations on the illuminance that can be controlled by the light guiding layer, and the dimensions and shape of the prisms are minute, so there is a possibility that the state of transmitted light will change due to deterioration of the roof over time or the accumulation of dust or dirt on the roof or light guiding layer, resulting in a deterioration of functionality.

[0005] To provide a carport that can maintain a comfortable environment of brightness and temperature by adjusting the amount and distribution of sunlight entering a parking area while maintaining the function of protecting a vehicle from rain and snow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The carport of the present invention has a roof with a translucent portion, a shading sheet disposed opposite the underside of the roof, and a winding section that allows the shading sheet to be wound up and unwound. The roof also has a holding section that prevents the shading sheet from moving unstably, and the operation of the winding section allows the in-plane shading distribution of the shading sheet to move along a trajectory.

[0007] The shading sheet can be wound up and unwound along either the length or width of the carport roof, as long as the winding section is set up to match that direction. Note that the shading sheet may sag under its own weight or flap in strong winds, so it is advisable to provide a holding section to prevent this.

[0008] Light-blocking sheets can be made from acrylic resin, polycarbonate, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and other polyester films, and the light-blocking rate can be adjusted by coloring them or coating the surface with a reflective agent, etc. Furthermore, for completely light-blocking sheets that completely block light, aluminum foil can be laminated onto these resins, or aluminum can be vapor-deposited onto the surface.

[0009] The shading sheet can have areas with different shading rates on its unfolded surface, or sheets with different shading rates can be connected together. By moving the unfolded surface of the shading sheet horizontally by operating the winding part, the desired distribution of shading rates can be formed under the roof. For example, by connecting a nearly transparent sheet with a sheet with high shading properties, it is possible to ensure sunlight exposure only directly below the nearly transparent sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The carport of the present invention has a shading sheet disposed opposite the underside of the roof portion having a translucent portion, and is equipped with a winding section for the shading sheet on the roof portion, so that the brightness and temperature environment of the parking area can be changed without impairing the rain protection function, etc. In addition, it has a holding section that suppresses the unstable behavior of the shading sheet, so that it can be prevented from sagging under its own weight or flapping in strong winds, etc. Furthermore, the in-plane shading distribution of the shading sheet can be changed by operating the winding section, so the amount of sunlight reaching the parking area can be partially changed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the exterior of a carport according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a structural explanatory diagram of the carport in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a means for unfolding the light-shielding sheet in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the carport in the first embodiment as seen from directly above. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a structural explanatory diagram of a carport in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the carport in the second embodiment as seen from directly above. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a means for unfolding the light-shielding sheet in the second embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a means for holding a light-shielding sheet in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Example]

[0012] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a schematic view of the exterior of a carport 1 of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a structural explanatory view of the carport 1 of the present invention as seen from the direction in which vehicles C enter and exit. Figure 3 shows means for deploying shading sheets S11 to S14 opposite the underside of the roof portion 2.

[0013] Figure 4 is a plan view of the carport 1 seen from directly above, showing the distribution of the shading rate of the entire roof, with pillars 3 and gutters 4 arranged on the left side of the page, just like Figure 2. For convenience of explanation, the roof 2 is assumed to be transparent in Figure 4 and is not shown.

[0014] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, four sets of winding means W1 and light-shielding sheets S11 to S14 are attached to avoid the three beams 5. Here, only the light-shielding sheet S11 is not unfolded but is wound up by the winding means W1. The light-shielding sheets S11 to S14 are strip-shaped, and in Figs. 1 and 2, one end of each is connected to the winding means W1, and the other end has a handle 6 attached to it for pulling out the light-shielding sheet S11 from the winding means W1, and the handle 6 is hooked onto a hook 7 provided at the tip of the beam 5.

[0015] Roller shafts 8 are placed between the beams 5 and between the beams 5 and the side frames 14 in a direction perpendicular to the beams 5, at three locations in Fig. 1 and at four locations in Figs. 2 and 3, and light-shielding sheets S12 to S14 are deployed through the gaps between the roof portion 2 and the roller shafts 8. The roof portion 2 is made of a conventional translucent material such as polycarbonate resin or polyester-based resin.

[0016] The winding means W1 has a built-in coil spring (not shown), and when the handle 6 is released, the light-shielding sheet S11 is wound up by the winding means W1 and stored in a roll, as shown in Figure 2(b). Thus, tension acts on the light-shielding sheet S11 that is pulled in the direction of the arrow in the figure and is unfolded, and the supporting effect of the roller shaft 8 is also added, preventing the light-shielding sheet S11 from sagging or shaking. The relationship between each of the light-shielding sheets S12 to S14 and the winding means W1 is the same as that of the light-shielding sheet S11.

[0017] Figure 3(a) shows an example in which winding means W2, which operate by operating a circulating rope 9, are arranged at two locations, the base and tip of the beam 5, and both ends of the light-shielding sheet S11 are connected to each winding means W2. When the circulating rope 9 of the left-side winding means W2 is turned in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise), the unfolded surface of the light-shielding sheet S11 slides to the left while being unwound from the right-side winding means W2. Conversely, when the right-side winding means W2 is turned clockwise, the unfolded surface of the light-shielding sheet S11 slides to the right. Also, as in the example of Figure 2, a roller shaft 8 is arranged to prevent the light-shielding sheet S11 from sagging or shaking.

[0018] Figure 3(b) is the same as Figure 3(a) except that the light-shielding sheet S11 is deployed to weave around the roller shaft 8, but the behavior of the light-shielding sheet S11 is more tightly regulated than in Figure 3(a), so that slack and shaking can be effectively prevented. In both Figures 3(a) and 3(b), it is advisable to incorporate a coil spring or the like in the winding means W2 so that tension is always applied to the light-shielding sheet S11.

[0019] 3 has a distribution of shading rate within its surface, the shading distribution in the parking area can be changed by balancing the winding amounts of the left and right winding means W2. For example, by using a shading sheet S11 whose shading rate changes along its length or a shading sheet S11 made by joining sheets with different shading rates, the distribution of sunlight in the parking area can be made uniform or divided.

[0020] Figure 4 shows a view from directly above of the carport 1 with all of the shading sheets S11 to S14 in Figure 1 unfolded. Here, shading sheet S11 is a polypropylene sheet with a thickness of about 0.2 to 0.5 mm and a medium shading rate, while shading sheets S12 and S13 are both complete shading sheets made by laminating aluminum foil onto polyester sheets with a thickness of about 0.3 mm. Shading sheet S14 is a sheet formed by connecting sheet S14a, which has the same shading rate as shading sheet S11, and sheet S14b, which has a lower shading rate, via a connecting portion P.

[0021] Therefore, for example, if vehicle C is parked near the center of carport 1 during strong summer sunlight, shading sheets S12 and S13 will block sunlight from reaching the roof of vehicle C, preventing the temperature inside the vehicle from rising. Meanwhile, faint sunlight penetrates through shading sheets S11 and S14 into the front and rear of vehicle C, ensuring brightness even though the temperature tends to rise. Strong light penetrates directly below sheet 14b, so it is a good idea to place plants that like sunlight. Since the shading distribution in the parking area is determined by the shading properties of the four shading sheets S11 to S14, it is best to select the sheets according to the purpose. [Example]

[0022] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 5 to 8. The carport 1 of this embodiment has a similar structure to the first embodiment, except that the arrangement direction of the shading sheets S21 to S24 is different by 90 degrees. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the first embodiment.

[0023] Like Fig. 3, Fig. 5 shows a means for deploying shading sheets S21-S24 directly below the roof portion 2. Also, like Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a plan view of the carport 1 as seen from directly above, showing the distribution of the shading rate of the roof, with pillars 3 and gutters 4 on the left side of the page. And, like the first embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the roof portion 2 is assumed to be a transparent body and is not shown. Fig. 7 is a view of the carport 1 as seen from the right of Fig. 5, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the carport 1 taken along line Q-Q' in Fig. 6.

[0024] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 8, four shading sheets S21 to S24 are deployed to pass through the gaps between the roof section 2 and the beams 5 while avoiding the five purlins 10, and as shown in Figure 7, both ends of each sheet are connected to winding means W3 provided on both ends of the roof section 2, allowing them to slide left and right. As shown in Figure 6, the two central shading sheets S22 and S23 are sheets in which a transparent sheet S22a and a complete shading sheet S22b are connected at part P, and the two shading sheets S21 and S24 on both sides are wound up by winding means W3 and are sheets in which a transparent sheet (not shown) and a sheet S21b having an intermediate shading rate are connected.

[0025] Figure 5 shows two ways of unfolding the light-shielding sheets S21 to S24. Figure 5(a) shows a structure in which one end of the light-shielding sheets S21 to S24 is connected to a winding means W3, which has four winding sections integrally provided on a single shaft 11. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, by providing this winding means W3 on both ends of the roof portion 2, the light-shielding sheets S21 to S24 slide left and right together.

[0026] On the other hand, in Fig. 5(b), four winding means W2 are independently attached to the shaft 11. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7, by providing winding means W2 on both ends of the roof portion 2, the shading sheets S21 to S24 can slide independently, and as shown in Fig. 6, the distribution of the shading rate of the roof can be changed relatively freely.

[0027] In the case of this embodiment, the light-shielding sheets S21 to S24 have a long unfolded length, and therefore are more likely to sag than in the first embodiment and flap in strong winds, etc. To address this issue, the light-shielding sheets S21 to S24 may be reinforced by using fiber-reinforced sheets, which may be pulled by winding means W2 at both ends, and support rollers 12 may be provided at several locations (four locations in the figure) parallel to the beam 5, as shown in Figure 7(b).

[0028] As a further measure, it is advisable to provide guides 13 that hold and guide the light-shielding sheets S21 to S24 along the sliding direction of the sheets. Figure 8(b) is an enlarged view of the R portion of Figure 8(a), in which the guide 13 is attached in a U-shape to the side of the main roof 10 so as to enclose the light-shielding sheet S23. Therefore, even if a strong wind blows, the light-shielding sheet S23 will not deviate from the guide 13. Although not shown, it is even more effective to provide rollers inside the guide 13 that pinch the light-shielding sheet S23 from the front and back.

[0029] In the above, in this embodiment, the winding means has been described as being manually operated, but it may also be operated by a motor or the like. In that case, a power supply to the carport is required, but if it is difficult to supply power from an external source, it is possible to install solar panels near the carport or on part of the carport roof and use the electricity generated there. Furthermore, if the winding of the sheet is motorized, it is possible to measure the amount of solar radiation with a sensor and deploy a sheet with the optimal degree of shading based on the situation. [Industrial Applicability]

[0030] By using this invention, it is possible to relatively easily suppress changes in the brightness and temperature environment of the parking area, even when the solar radiation conditions change with the seasons, without compromising the rain protection function, etc., and to maintain a comfortable environment. In particular, in the summer, it is possible to prevent the heat island effect in the parking area and suppress the rise in temperature inside the vehicle, thereby not only reducing discomfort when riding in the car, but also reducing the load on the air conditioner when starting up, thereby achieving energy savings. The present invention can also be applied to bicycle parking areas and other facilities with a structure similar to a carport. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1: Carport 2: Roof 3: Pillar 4: Rain gutters 5: Beam 6: Handle 7: Hook 8: Roller shaft 9: Circulating rope 10: Main house 11: Shaft 12: Support roller 13: Guide 14: Side frame S11, S12, S13, S14, S21, S22, S23, S24: Light-blocking sheets W1, W2, W3: Winding means P: Connection C: Vehicle

Claims

1. A carport comprising a roof having a light-transmitting portion, a shading sheet disposed opposite the underside of the roof, and a winding section disposed below the roof that allows the shading sheet to be wound up and unwound.

2. 2. The carport according to claim 1, wherein a support portion for preventing unstable behavior of the shading sheet is provided and connected to the roof portion.

3. 3. The carport according to claim 1, wherein the in-plane light-shielding distribution of the light-shielding sheet moves in accordance with the operation of the unwinding section.

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