Snow melting control device and snow depth measurement system

Abstract

This invention provides a snow melting control device and a snow depth measurement system that can measure the amount of fresh snow without the need for snow removal. [Solution] A snow melting control device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a control unit that operates the first snow melting unit and the second snow melting unit alternately at predetermined intervals based on the detection result of a detection unit that detects the amount of snow on the snow plates of a first snow plate including a first snow melting unit for melting accumulated snow and a second snow plate which is different from the first snow plate and also includes a second snow melting unit for melting accumulated snow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a snow melting control device and a snow accumulation measurement system for measuring and melting the amount of accumulated snow.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, the measurement of the amount of snow accumulation is performed using a snow depth gauge such as an ultrasonic type or an optical type. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an optical snow depth gauge in which a plurality of sets of light emitters and light receivers are arranged side by side in the vertical direction inside a detection pole erected on the ground, and snow accumulation is detected based on whether the light emitted from the light emitter is received by the light receiver.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the case of Patent Document 1, when measuring the depth of newly accumulated snow, since the lower layer of snow that has passed through time is compressed by the weight of the upper layer of snow and its height becomes lower, it was necessary for the operator to shovel the snow after the measurement.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a snow melting control device and a snow accumulation measurement system capable of measuring the amount of newly accumulated snow without shoveling the snow.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A snow melting control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a control unit. The control unit operates the first snow-melting section and the second snow-melting section alternately at predetermined intervals based on the detection result of a detection unit that detects the amount of snow on a first snow-covered plate which includes a first snow-melting section for melting accumulated snow and a second snow-covered plate which includes a second snow-melting section for melting accumulated snow and is different from the amount of snow on the first snow-covered plate.

[0007] The detection unit may also detect the snow depth on the first snow plate and the second snow plate.

[0008] The control unit may, while operating the first snow melting unit, allow snow to accumulate on the second snow plate without operating the second snow melting unit, and when a predetermined amount of snow accumulation on the second snow plate is detected by the detection unit, activate the second snow melting unit. The first snow melting unit may not be activated until the predetermined amount of snow accumulation is detected on the first snow plate.

[0009] The first snow-receiving plate and the second snow-receiving plate may be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0010] The first snow-melting section and the second snow-melting section may be heaters.

[0011] A snow depth measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a snow depth measurement device and a snow melting control device. The snow depth measuring device described above includes a first snow plate containing a first snow melting section for melting accumulated snow, a second snow plate containing a second snow melting section for melting accumulated snow and different from the first snow plate, and a detection unit for detecting the amount of snow on the first snow plate and the second snow plate. The snow melting control device has a control unit that operates the first snow melting unit and the second snow melting unit alternately at predetermined intervals based on the detection result of the detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, the amount of fresh snow can be measured without shoveling snow. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing a snow depth measurement system relating to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram shows a snow depth measurement device; (A) is a side view, and (B) is a top view. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the overall snow depth measurement. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the measurement of snow depth using the first snow-receiving board. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the case when snowfall increases, with (A) representing the first snow cover, (B) representing the second snow cover, and (C) representing the cumulative snowfall. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the case where the snow stops or decreases midway through, with (A) representing the first snow plate and (B) representing the cumulative snow depth. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] (Snow depth measurement system) Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a snow depth measurement system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a diagram showing a snow depth measurement device 10, where (A) is a side view and (B) is a top view. The snow depth measurement system 100 of this embodiment comprises a snow depth measurement device 10 and a snow melting control device 20. The snow depth measurement system 100 of this embodiment is configured to measure the amount of snow Y accumulated on snow plates (first snow plate S1, second snow plate S2) and to melt the snow Y.

[0016] (Snow depth measurement device) The snow accumulation amount measuring device 10 includes a snow accumulation amount detection unit 11, a first snow melting unit 12, a second snow melting unit 13, and a communication unit 14. The snow accumulation amount measuring device 10 is installed, for example, in an area with a large amount of snow accumulation (such as mountainous areas, etc.), and is configured to be able to measure the amount (depth, weight) of snow accumulated through a snow board and the snow quality. In this embodiment, the snow accumulation amount measuring device 10 is installed on the ground G, but of course it is not limited to this, and it may be installed outdoors or on a rooftop.

[0017] The snow accumulation amount measuring device 10 further includes a first snow board S1 on which the fallen snow accumulates, a second snow board S2 on which the fallen snow accumulates, and a support member 10A to which the first snow board S1 and the second snow board S2 are connected and which has a predetermined height.

[0018] In this embodiment, the first snow board S1 is, for example, a square metal plate with a size of 1.5 m × 1.5 m as shown in FIG. 2(B), and has the first snow melting unit 12 described above inside. One end side of the first snow board S1 is supported by the support member 10A, and as shown in FIG. 2(A), the first snow board S1 is provided so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the ground G. In this embodiment, the predetermined angle is 1° to 2° (a gradient of about 2 - 3%), but of course it is not limited to this. Also, the first snow board S1 has a reflectivity different from that of snow with respect to electromagnetic waves or sound waves. Thereby, the accuracy of detecting the snow accumulation amount by the snow accumulation amount detection unit 11 described later can be improved.

[0019] The first snow melting unit 12 melts the snow accumulated on the surface of the first snow board S1. In this embodiment, the first snow melting unit 12 is a heater (for example, it can be heated up to 60°C), but of course it is not limited to a configuration that melts snow by heating, and it may be a snow melting device that sprays water to remove snow. The first snow melting unit 12 is configured to be able to control the temperature of the heater or the amount of water sprayed by a control signal described later.

[0020] In this embodiment, the second snow plate S2 is, for example, a square metal plate measuring 1.5m x 1.5m, as shown in Figure 2(B), and has the second snow melting section 13 described above inside. One end of the second snow plate S2 is supported by the support member 10A, and as shown in Figure 2(A), the second snow plate S2 is installed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the ground G. In this embodiment, the predetermined angle is 1° to 2° (a gradient of about 2-3%), but is of course not limited to this. Furthermore, the second snow plate S2 has a different reflectivity to electromagnetic waves or sound waves than snow. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of detecting the amount of snow by the snow depth detection unit 11, which will be described later.

[0021] The second snow-melting section 13 melts the snow accumulated on the surface of the second snow plate S2. In this embodiment, the second snow-melting section 13 is a heater (for example, capable of heating up to 60°C), but of course, it is not limited to a configuration that melts snow by heating, and may also be a snow-melting device that melts snow by spraying water. The second snow-melting section 13 is configured so that the temperature of the heater or the amount of water sprayed can be controlled by a control signal, which will be described later.

[0022] The snow depth detection unit 11 also includes a first detection unit 11A that detects the amount of snow accumulated on the first snow plate S1, and a second detection unit 11B that detects the amount of snow accumulated on the second snow plate S2.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2(A), the first detection unit 11A is provided on the support member 10A and is positioned opposite the first snow plate S1. The first detection unit 11A is configured to emit measuring radio waves toward the first snow plate S1 and to receive reflected waves of the radio waves from the accumulated snow Y. In this embodiment, the first detection unit 11A consists of a single transceiver installed in the air, and typically includes a single transmitter and a single receiver. Typically, millimeter waves are used as the measuring radio waves, but it is not limited to this, and ultrasonic waves or the like may also be used.

[0024] Furthermore, the first detection unit 11A is installed approximately 5 m from the first snow plate S1 (ground G), but is not limited to this. Also, the first detection unit 11A measures using radio waves, but is not limited to this, and the amount of snow could be detected using camera images (by marking a scale on the support member 10A and detecting how far the snow has accumulated on the scale), or a weight sensor could be installed inside the first snow plate S1 to detect the amount of snow.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2(A), the second detection unit 11B is provided on the support member 10A and is positioned opposite the second snow plate S2. The second detection unit 11B is configured to emit measuring radio waves toward the second snow plate S2 and to receive reflected waves of the radio waves from the accumulated snow Y. In this embodiment, the second detection unit 11B consists of a single transceiver installed in the air, and typically includes a single transmitter and a single receiver. Typically, millimeter waves are used as the measuring radio waves, but it is not limited to this, and ultrasonic waves or the like may also be used.

[0026] The second detection unit 11B is located approximately 5 m from the second snow plate S2 (ground G), but is not limited to this. The second detection unit 11B measures using radio waves, but is not limited to this. It may also detect the amount of snow using camera images (by marking a scale on the support member 10A and detecting how high the snow has accumulated on the scale), or by installing a weight sensor inside the second snow plate S2 to detect the amount of snow.

[0027] The communication unit 16 is configured to communicate with the snow melting control device 20 by wire or wireless connection. The communication unit 16 transmits the detection result of the snow depth detection unit 11 to the snow melting control device 20 and receives the control signal from the temperature control unit 223, which will be described later. The first snow melting unit 14 and the second snow melting unit 15 are temperature-controlled based on the control signal, which will be described later.

[0028] (Snow melting control device) The snow melting control device 20 is typically composed of a computer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, etc. The snow melting control device 20 has an acquisition unit 21, a determination unit 22, a control unit 23, a calculation unit 24, a storage unit 25, and a transmission unit 26. In this embodiment, the snow melting control device 20 is housed inside the support member 10A, but it is not limited to this and may be provided externally.

[0029] The acquisition unit 21 acquires the detection result (snow depth) detected by the snow depth detection unit 11 and stores the information regarding the snow depth in the storage unit 25.

[0030] The determination unit 22 determines whether the amount of snow depth acquired by the acquisition unit 21 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. The determination unit 22 has a first determination state which determines whether it is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and a second determination state which determines whether it is greater than or equal to a second threshold. Here, the first threshold is greater than the second threshold. This is a large value, and in this embodiment it is 5 cm, but of course it is not limited to this. Also, the second threshold is 4 cm in this embodiment, but of course it is not limited to this.

[0031] Based on the determination result of the determination unit 22, the control unit 23 generates a control signal to control the first snow melting unit 12 or the second snow melting unit 13 of the snow melting control device 20. The control unit 23 controls the first snow melting unit 12 and the second snow melting unit 13 to operate alternately.

[0032] In other words, while the control unit 23 operates the first snow melting unit 12, it does not operate the second snow melting unit 13 and allows snow to accumulate on the second snow plate S2. Next, if the control unit 23 detects that the amount of snow on the second snow plate S2 exceeds the first threshold, it activates the second snow melting unit 13 to melt the snow accumulated on the second snow plate S2, stops the operation of the first snow melting unit 12, and allows snow to accumulate on the first snow plate S1.

[0033] The control unit 23 controls the snow to accumulate alternately on the first snow plate S1 and the second snow plate S2.

[0034] The calculation unit 24 calculates the sum of the amounts of snow accumulated on the first snow plate S1 and the second snow plate S2.

[0035] When calculating the amount of snow on the second snow plate S2, the calculation unit 24 calculates the amount of snow that has accumulated from the time the first snow melting unit 12 is turned OFF (from the time the control unit 23 sends a control signal to turn OFF the first snow melting unit 12) until the determination unit 22 determines that the amount of snow is equal to or greater than the first threshold. The amount of snow calculated at this time is the amount of snow on the second snow plate S2. The same procedure is followed when calculating the amount of snow on the first snow plate S1.

[0036] The storage unit 25 is composed of a storage device such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk drive. The storage unit 25 stores programs and calculation parameters for executing the various functions described above in the determination unit 22, control unit 23, and calculation unit 24. The storage unit 25 is not limited to being built into the snow melting control device 20; it may be a separate storage device from the snow melting control device 20, or it may be a cloud server or the like that can be connected via a network.

[0037] The transmitting unit 26 is configured to transmit control signals between snow depth measuring devices 10. The communication method is not particularly limited and may be wired or wireless.

[0038] (Method for measuring overall snow depth) Next, we will describe the typical operation of the snow depth measurement system 100 configured as described above. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the overall snow depth measurement.

[0039] First, the control unit 23 turns off the operation of the first snow melting unit 12 and turns on the operation of the second snow melting unit 13 (step 101). As a result, snow accumulates on the first snow plate S1, but no snow accumulates on the second snow plate S2.

[0040] Next, the snow depth detection unit 11 measures the amount of snow on the first snow plate S1 based on a control signal transmitted from the control unit 23 that turns off the operation of the first snow melting unit 12 and turns on the operation of the second snow melting unit 13 (step 102). The measurement of the amount of snow on the first snow plate S1 will be described later.

[0041] Next, after the measurement of the snow depth on the first snow plate S1 is completed, the measurement of the snow depth on the second snow plate S2 is started (step 103). Once the measurement of the snow depth on the second snow plate S2 is completed, the measurement of the snow depth on the first snow plate S1 is started.

[0042] In this way, the amount of snow on the first snow plate S1 and the second snow plate S2 is measured alternately.

[0043] (Method for measuring the amount of snow on the first snow-receiving board) Next, a typical operation of the snow melting control device 20 configured as described above will be explained. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the measurement of the snow depth on the first snow plate S1. Figure 5 shows the case when the snow increases, with (A) being the first snow plate S1, (B) being the second snow plate S2, and (C) being the cumulative snow depth. Figure 6 shows the case when the snow stops or decreases midway, with (A) being the first snow plate S1 and (B) being the cumulative snow depth. At this time, the first snow melting unit 12 is not operating, and only the second snow melting unit 13 is operating.

[0044] First, the acquisition unit 21 acquires the amount of snow detected by the snow depth detection unit 11 (step 201). The acquisition unit 21 acquires information regarding the amount (depth) of snow accumulated on the first snow plate S1.

[0045] Next, the memory unit 25 stores the first snow depth, which is the amount (depth) of snow accumulated on the first snow plate S1 acquired by the acquisition unit 21 (step 202).

[0046] Next, the determination unit 22 determines whether the acquired first snow depth is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step 203). In this embodiment, the second threshold is set to 4 cm. If the first snow depth is equal to or greater than the second threshold (YES in S203), the process proceeds to the next step.

[0047] Next, the control unit 23 turns OFF the second snow melting unit 13 if the first snow accumulation is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step 204). As a result, the snow falling onto the second snow plate S2 is melted by residual heat.

[0048] Next, the determination unit 22 determines whether the first snow depth is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step 205). In this embodiment, the first threshold is set to 5 cm. If the first snow depth is equal to or greater than the first threshold (YES in S205), the process proceeds to the next step.

[0049] Next, the control unit 23 generates (transmits) a control signal to turn on the first snow melting unit 12 if the amount of snow on the first snow plate S2 is equal to or greater than the first threshold, and starts measuring the amount of snow on the second snow plate S2 (second snow amount) (step 206). In this embodiment, when the amount of snow exceeds the first threshold, the control unit controls the melting of the snow accumulated on the first snow plate S1. The detection unit 11 also starts measuring the second snow amount when it generates a control signal to turn on the first snow melting unit 12.

[0050] Next, the calculation unit 24 adds the first snow depth (including the time taken for snow accumulation) to the cumulative snow depth (step 207).

[0051] Furthermore, if the first snow depth is less than the second threshold (NO in S203), the control unit 23 generates a control signal to turn on the second snow melting unit 13 (step 208).

[0052] Next, the amount of snow on the second snow plate S2 is measured in the same manner as the snow depth measurement in step 1 described above. This process is repeated, alternating between measuring the first and second snow depths.

[0053] As described above, according to this embodiment, the amount of fresh snow can be accurately measured without snow removal.

[0054] In other words, while measuring the amount of snow accumulating on the first snow plate S1, the second snow melting unit 13 is kept activated to prevent snow from accumulating on the second snow plate S2. Then, after measuring the amount of snow accumulated on the first snow plate S1, the second snow melting unit 13 is turned OFF, and the amount of snow on the second snow plate S2 is measured. This process is repeated alternately. This makes it possible to constantly measure the amount of fresh snow without shoveling (see Figures 5 and 6). Here, fresh snow refers to snow that has just fallen and is not compressed.

[0055] Furthermore, regarding the measurement of snow depth, if the snow depth exceeds the first threshold (5 cm in this embodiment), the measured snow depth at that time is added to the cumulative snow depth. This prevents the snow depth (snow height) from decreasing due to the compression of the snow in the lower layers by the weight of the snow. In other words, in this embodiment, the snow is melted before it hardens, and fresh snow can be measured at all times. If the snow depth exceeds the first threshold (5 cm in this embodiment), the snow melting unit is activated to facilitate the melting of the snow.

[0056] Furthermore, when the amount of snow accumulated on the first snow plate S1 exceeds the second threshold, the second snow melting unit 13 is turned OFF. This allows the measurement of the snow accumulation on the second snow plate S2 to start immediately if the amount of snow accumulated on the first snow plate S1 subsequently exceeds the first threshold. In other words, even if the second snow melting unit 13 is turned OFF when the amount of snow on the first snow plate exceeds the first threshold, residual heat may prevent snow from accumulating on the second snow plate S2 for a while. However, in this embodiment, by turning OFF the second snow melting unit 13 when the amount of snow exceeds the second threshold, which is lower than the first threshold, it is possible to switch to the second snow plate S2 immediately after the amount of snow on the first snow plate exceeds the first threshold.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, if at a certain point the amount of snow was above the second threshold but below the first threshold, but the amount of snow decreases due to temperature or other factors and falls below the second threshold, the second snow melting unit 13 is turned ON again to prevent snow from accumulating on the second snow plate S2 (see Figure 6).

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the amount of snow is defined as the height from the start to the end of the measurement. This allows for the measurement of the actual amount of snow accumulated, even if, for example, a small amount of snow has accumulated on the first snow plate S1 at the start of the measurement, without taking that amount of snow into account.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first snow plate S1 and the second snow plate S2 are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the ground G. This makes it possible to remove the snow melted by the first snow melting section 12 and the second snow melting section 13, eliminating the need for snow shoveling.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, information regarding the time-dependent changes in snow depth can be obtained. This allows for the acquisition of information such as which time periods saw the heaviest snowfall.

[0061] <Variation> In the embodiments described above, the snow depth on the second snow plate S2 was measured when a control signal was generated to turn on the first snow melting unit 12. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the second snow plate S2 may also be equipped with a temperature detection unit, and the snow depth on the second snow plate S2 may be measured based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit.

[0062] In other words, a control signal is generated to turn on the first snow melting unit 12, and the snow depth measurement of the second snow plate S2 is started when the temperature of the second snow plate S2 is below a predetermined temperature (for example, 10°C). In that case, the measurement is taken based on the time when the measurement starts (i.e., even if 1 cm of snow has accumulated when the measurement starts, that 1 cm is corrected to the zero point). This allows for accurate measurement when the residual heat from the second snow melting unit 13 has cooled sufficiently.

[0063] In this embodiment, the snow depth detection unit 11 uses two sensors corresponding to the first snow plate S1 and the second snow plate S2, but it is not limited to this, and two or more sensors may be provided on each of the first and second snow plates S1 and S2. This reduces errors caused by unevenness in the snow resulting from detection at only one location.

[0064] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, there were two snow-retaining plates, but of course, the system is not limited to this, and there may be three or more.

[0065] In this embodiment, snow depth is described as the height of accumulated snow, but of course, it is not limited to this, and weight may also be measured. Furthermore, a snow quality calculation unit may be provided to calculate the density and snow quality by measuring the height and weight.

[0066] This allows for the use of warnings such as "be careful of freezing" due to the presence of wet snow. Furthermore, snow quality can be calculated not only from density but also from relative permittivity. Relative permittivity can be calculated from the round-trip time of radio waves to the snow plate, or by setting up electrodes in the snow layer, passing a current through them, and calculating the capacitance.

[0067] In this embodiment, the temperature of the first snow melting section 12 and the second snow melting section 13 is not controlled, but the temperature of the first snow melting section 12 and the second snow melting section 13 may be controlled (for example, based on the ambient temperature or the amount of snow accumulated on the snow plate). This makes it less likely for snow to remain on the snow plate and allows the measurement to start from a sufficiently cold state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10...Snow depth measurement device 20... Snow melting control device 21…Acquisition part 22…Judgment section 23…Control Unit 24...Calculation section 25...Storage section 26...Transmitter S1...First snow-retaining board S2...Second snow plate

Claims

1. A control unit operates the first snow-melting section and the second snow-melting section alternately at predetermined intervals based on the detection results of a detection unit that detects the amount of snow on a first snow-covered plate which includes a first snow-melting section for melting accumulated snow and a second snow-covered plate which includes a second snow-melting section for melting accumulated snow and is different from the amount of snow on the first snow-covered plate. A snow melting control device equipped with the following.

2. A snow melting control device according to claim 1, The detection unit detects the snow depth of the first snow plate and the second snow plate. Snow melting control device.

3. A snow melting control device according to claim 1, The control unit operates the first snow melting unit while allowing snow to accumulate on the second snow plate without operating the second snow melting unit. When a predetermined amount of snow is detected on the second snow plate by the detection unit, the control unit operates the second snow melting unit, and does not operate the first snow melting unit until the predetermined amount of snow is detected on the first snow plate. Snow melting control device.

4. A snow melting control device according to claim 1, The first snow plate and the second snow plate are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction. Snow melting control device.

5. A snow melting control device according to claim 1, The first snow melting section and the second snow melting section are heaters. Snow melting control device.

6. A snow depth measuring device comprising: a first snow plate including a first snow melting section for melting accumulated snow; a second snow plate different from the first snow plate including a second snow melting section for melting accumulated snow; and a detection unit for detecting the amount of snow on the first and second snow plates. A snow melting control device having a control unit that operates the first snow melting unit and the second snow melting unit alternately at predetermined intervals based on the detection result of the detection unit, A snow depth measurement system equipped with the following features.

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