Unit House

Abstract

To provide a modular house that is easy to transport and has excellent wind resistance. [Solution] This unit house (1) is configured to be movable and has an internal space (4) formed by a top wall (11), a perimeter wall (12), and a bottom wall assembly (14). The bottom wall assembly (14) has a storage tank (16) capable of storing fluid, an inlet (21) for injecting the fluid into the storage tank (16), and an outlet (25) for discharging the fluid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a unit house that can be easily transported and has excellent wind resistance performance.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a mobile structure that can be transported to a desired location and used as a space for living, office work, working, resting, medical treatment, etc. is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, as a countermeasure against movement and tipping due to strong winds or the like, it is necessary to fix the mobile structure to the ground with an anchor or the like. However, when installing in a place where it cannot be fixed to the ground with an anchor or the like, it is necessary to increase the weight of the mobile structure body, or to place heavy objects or the like as weights after installation to increase the overall weight.

[0005] When the weight of the mobile structure body is increased, due to the increase in weight, a crane with a higher lifting capacity is required during transportation, resulting in an increase in cost. Also, due to the increase in weight, a transport vehicle with a higher loading capacity is required, which not only increases the cost, but also causes transportation restrictions such as the vehicle becoming too large to pass through narrow roads.

[0006] If heavy objects are placed as counterweights after installation, increasing the overall weight, a robust floor structure capable of withstanding the load will be required, resulting in increased costs. Furthermore, placing unnecessary counterweights inside the structure reduces the usable space within the structure. In addition, labor is required to transport the counterweights into the structure, and the overall balance of the structure will become uneven as a result of the counterweights being placed inside.

[0007] The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a modular house that can be easily transported and has excellent wind resistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the unit house according to the present invention is configured to be movable and has an internal space formed by a top wall, a side wall, and a bottom wall assembly. The bottom wall assembly has a storage tank capable of storing fluid, an inlet for injecting the fluid into the storage tank, and an outlet for discharging the fluid.

[0009] This configuration allows for the storage of fluids such as water in the bottom wall assembly. This increases the weight of the unit house and improves its wind resistance, even when installing it in locations where it cannot be fixed to the ground with anchors, without increasing the weight of the main body or adding heavy objects as ballast after installation. Furthermore, the overall weight can be reduced by draining the fluid stored in the storage tank during relocation and transportation. This reduces the transportation constraints that arise when the weight of the unit house is increased. In addition, it prevents the increased costs and hassle of transporting the unit house that would occur if heavy objects were placed inside as ballast. Moreover, by supplying cold or hot water to the storage tank, it can be used as a heat source for air conditioning or underfloor heating.

[0010] In the unit house of the present invention, the storage tank may be sloped so that the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet.

[0011] This configuration allows the fluid inside the storage tank to be easily discharged to the outside of the unit house.

[0012] In the unit house of the present invention, the storage tank may be formed by a storage tank capable of storing the fluid.

[0013] With this configuration, the storage tank can be easily cleaned by washing the individual storage tanks.

[0014] In the unit house of the present invention, the bottom wall assembly may include a beam member having a fluid passage opening through which the fluid can pass into the storage tank, and a floor plate covering the upper part of the beam member.

[0015] This configuration allows for increased overall rigidity of the unit house because it includes beam members within the storage tank. In particular, it improves the strength of the bottom wall assembly. Furthermore, since the fluid injected from the inlet flows through the fluid passage to the outlet, the fluid can be evenly stored in the storage tank.

[0016] In the unit house of the present invention, a heat transfer plate having fins that promote heat radiation or heat absorption may be provided above the storage tank of the bottom wall assembly.

[0017] With this configuration, when hot water is placed in the storage tank, the heat inside the tank is more easily radiated into the internal space. Conversely, when cold water is placed in the storage tank, the heat from the internal space is more easily absorbed by the cold water inside the tank. In this way, by equipping the unit house with a heat transfer plate having fins that promote heat radiation or heat absorption above the storage tank in the bottom wall assembly, the fluid inside the storage tank can be used more effectively as a heat source for cooling or underfloor heating, etc.

[0018] In the unit house of the present invention, a heat transfer plate that is colored to promote heat radiation or heat absorption may be provided above the storage tank of the bottom wall assembly.

[0019] According to the configuration using this colored heat transfer plate, similar to the case of using the heat transfer plate with fins described above, the fluid in the storage tank can be more effectively utilized as a heat source for cooling or floor heating.

[0020] In the unit house of the present invention, it may be provided with at least one power generation device of a wind power generation device or a solar power generation device.

[0021] According to this configuration, the power required for the unit house can be generated by sunlight and / or wind. Also, in an unelectrified area where it is difficult to secure a power source, there is no need to newly install utility poles and transmission lines, so the installation work is easy and the construction cost can be reduced.

[0022] In the unit house of the present invention, a control device for controlling the power generation device may be installed in the internal space.

[0023] According to this configuration, the control device that is easily affected by the external environment can be protected.

Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the unit house of the present invention, while suppressing the weight of the entire unit house during movement and transportation, the wind resistance performance can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1A] It is a front view of the unit house according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2] [Figure 1B] It is a right side view of the unit house according to the embodiment. [Figure 1C] It is a plan view of the unit house according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a sectional view taken along line II-II of the unit house according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view showing the bottom wall assembly of the unit house according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]This is a cross-sectional view of a modular house according to a second embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to Figure 2. [Figure 5] This is an exploded perspective view showing the bottom wall assembly of the unit house according to the same embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of a modular house according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an exploded perspective view showing the bottom wall assembly of the unit house according to the same embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a right side view of a unit house according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a plan view of a unit house according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] <First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1A to 3. In the following description, directions will be referred to as the up-down direction and the left-right direction as viewed from a person facing the unit house 1 shown in Figure 1A. As shown in Figures 1A to 1C, the unit house 1 according to this embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, is configured to be movable, and has an internal space 4 inside for at least one of the following: living, working, resting, shopping, and medical services. The unit house 1 may also be a transport container. In this embodiment, the unit house 1 is not a self-propelled structure, but a structure that can be transported and moved by means of transport, etc. The unit house 1 is formed as a whole from steel, but may also be formed from resin.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1A to 1C, the unit house 1 has an internal space 4 formed by a top wall 11, a perimeter wall 12, and a bottom wall assembly 14. The top wall 11 and the perimeter wall 12 are supported by a top frame 5, a side frame 6, and a bottom frame 7. The top wall 11 is a substantially rectangular plate and is arranged to extend substantially horizontally. The perimeter wall 12 has a front wall section 12a, a rear wall section 12b (not shown), a left wall section 12c (Figure 2), and a right wall section 12d. The front wall section 12a, the rear wall section 12b, the left wall section 12c, and the right wall section 12d are each substantially rectangular plate and are arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to the horizontal direction. The front wall section 12a and the rear wall section 12b are arranged opposite each other in the front-to-back direction. The left wall section 12c and the right wall section 12d are arranged opposite each other in the left-to-right direction. In Figure 1, a door 3 is provided on the front wall 12a, allowing people to enter and exit the interior space 4. However, it may also be provided on the rear wall 12b or the left and right walls 12c and 12d.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bottom wall assembly 14 consists of a bottom frame 7, a bottom wall 13, a floor plate 15, and a storage tank 16 capable of storing fluid. The floor plate 15 defines the internal space 4 and the storage tank 16. In this embodiment, the storage tank 16 is a storage tank 16 capable of storing fluid. The bottom frame 7 has a front bottom frame 7a, a rear bottom frame 7b, a left bottom frame 7c, and a right bottom frame 7d.

[0029] The right bottom frame 7d is provided with an inlet 21 for injecting fluid, and the left bottom frame 7c is provided with an outlet 25 for discharging fluid. The positions of the inlet 21 and outlet 25 are not limited to these; for example, the inlet 21 may be provided on the left bottom frame 7c and the outlet 25 on the right bottom frame 7d. Alternatively, the inlet 21 may be provided on the front bottom frame 7a and the outlet 25 on the rear bottom frame 7b. The fluid can be, for example, cold water or hot water.

[0030] An injection member 22 is attached to the injection port 21 for injecting fluid and flowing it into the storage tank 16. To facilitate fluid injection, the injection member 22 is preferably curved upward from the end on the injection port 21 side to the opposite end, but is not limited to this. Except when fluid is being injected into the injection member 22, a lid 23 is provided on the end of the injection member 22 opposite to the storage tank 16 to prevent fluid leakage and to prevent foreign matter from entering the injection member 22. A discharge member 26 is attached to the discharge port 25 for discharging fluid and releasing it from the storage tank 16. The shape of the discharge member 26 is a straight shape extending horizontally, but it is not limited to this shape. Except when discharging fluid from the discharge member 26, a lid 27 is provided at the end of the discharge member 26 opposite to the storage tank 16 to prevent fluid leakage and to prevent foreign matter from entering the discharge member 26. The injection member 22 and the discharge member 26 are, for example, pipes.

[0031] The storage tank 16 has a storage tank inlet 17 and a storage tank outlet 18 (not shown) at positions corresponding to the inlet 21 and outlet 25. With this configuration, fluid injected from the injection member 22 via a hose or the like is stored in the storage tank 16 through the storage tank inlet 17. When discharging, the lid 27 is removed, and the fluid stored in the storage tank 16 is discharged to the outside of the unit house 1 through the storage tank outlet 18 and the discharge member 26.

[0032] To facilitate the discharge of fluid from the storage tank 16, the storage tank 16 is sloped downwards so that the fluid flows from the inlet 21 side to the outlet 25 side. In other words, it has a gradient. That is, the height of the bottom of the storage tank 16 on the inlet 21 side is higher than the height of the bottom on the outlet 25 side. Such a gradient is not required. The bottom wall 13 in this embodiment has an uneven shape extending in the front-to-back direction, but it is not required.

[0033] The unit house 1 according to this embodiment is transported by means of transport such as automobiles, railways, ships, and aircraft. When transporting the unit house 1 by automobile, for example, a truck-mounted crane (truck with a crane) may be used. After the truck-mounted crane transports the unit house 1 to the installation site, the crane on the truck with a crane may be used to unload the unit house 1 from the vehicle. However, the method of transporting the unit house 1 is not limited to this.

[0034] <Effects and Effects> As described above, with the Unit House 1, by storing a fluid such as water in the storage tank 16 of the bottom wall assembly 14, even when the Unit House 1 is installed in a location where it cannot be fixed to the ground with anchors, the weight of the Unit House 1 can be increased without increasing the weight of the main body or placing heavy objects as counterweights after installation, thereby improving its wind resistance. Furthermore, when moving or transporting the unit, the fluid stored in the storage tank 16 can be drained, reducing the overall weight. This reduces the transportation constraints that would arise if the weight of the Unit House 1 were increased. In addition, it reduces the increased costs and effort required for delivery that would occur if heavy objects were placed inside the Unit House 1 as counterweights.

[0035] The storage tank 16 is sloped so that fluid flows from the inlet 21 to the outlet 25, allowing the fluid inside the storage tank 16 to be easily discharged to the outside of the unit house 1 simply by removing the lid 27 of the discharge member 26. The storage tank can be easily cleaned by washing the storage tanks individually.

[0036] The unit house 1 of this embodiment can be used as a heat source for air conditioning or underfloor heating by supplying cold or hot water to the storage tank 16. Furthermore, since the bottom wall 13 has an uneven shape, heat from the storage tank 16 is less likely to escape from the bottom wall 13 to the outside of the unit house 1.

[0037] <Regarding other embodiments> In the following description, parts corresponding to matters previously described in each embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described, the other parts of the configuration will be the same as those described in the previously described form unless otherwise specified. The same configuration will produce the same effects. Not only are combinations of the parts specifically described in each embodiment possible, but it is also possible to partially combine embodiments, provided that there are no particular problems with the combination.

[0038] <Second Embodiment> Next, a unit house 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. In this embodiment, the storage tank 16 is not a storage tank 16, but a space in which fluid is stored. The bottom wall assembly 14 has beam members 30 having fluid passage ports 31 to the storage tank 16. In the illustrated example, beam members 30 are provided in a total of four places to connect the front bottom frame 7a and the rear bottom frame 7b, but the number can be changed arbitrarily, and they may also connect the left bottom frame 7c and the right bottom frame 7d. Also, in the illustrated example, four circular fluid passage ports 31 are provided on one beam member 30, but the number can be changed arbitrarily, and the shape is not limited to circular. A shape other than circular may be, for example, rectangular.

[0039] The floorboard 15 covers the upper part of the beam member 30. Between the floorboard 15 and the beam member 30, there is an upper plate 33 that forms the upper wall of the storage tank 16. The upper plate 33 is a roughly rectangular board and has roughly the same length and width dimensions as the floorboard 15. The upper plate 33 is optional.

[0040] According to the unit house 1 of the second embodiment, the overall rigidity of the unit house 1 can be increased by providing a beam member 30 having a fluid passage port 31 in the bottom wall assembly 14. In particular, the strength of the bottom wall assembly 14 can be improved. In addition, since the fluid injected into the injection member 22 flows through the fluid passage port 31 to the discharge port 25 side, the fluid can be stored evenly in the storage tank 16.

[0041] When an upper plate 33 is provided between the floorboard 15 and the beam member 30, the possibility of fluid in the storage tank 16 leaking onto the floorboard 15 is reduced compared to when the upper plate 33 is not provided.

[0042] <Third Embodiment> Next, a unit house 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in this embodiment, the inlet 41 and outlet 45 are provided on the top plate 40, not the bottom frame 7. When the inlet 41 is on the right side of the top plate 40, the injection member 42 attached to the inlet 41 penetrates the right wall portion 12d and connects to the outside of the unit house 1. Except when fluid is injected into the injection member 42, a lid 43 is provided on the end of the injection member 42 opposite to the top plate 40 to prevent fluid leakage and foreign matter from entering the injection member 42. When the outlet 45 is on the left side of the top plate 40, the discharge member 46 attached to the outlet 45 penetrates the left wall portion 12c and connects to the outside of the unit house 1. Except when fluid is injected into the discharge member 46, a lid 47 is provided on the end of the discharge member 46 opposite to the top plate 40 to prevent fluid leakage and foreign matter from entering the discharge member 46. The top plate 40 is provided above the storage tank 16 of the bottom wall assembly 14, and a floor plate 15 is provided above the top plate 40.

[0043] The top plate 40 has fins 48 that promote heat radiation or heat absorption. The fins 48 are provided on part or the entire surface of the top plate 40. The fins 48 are in the shape of numerous parallel grooves, but can take on various other shapes. To improve the efficiency of heat transfer, the fins 48 are made of materials with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper. In other words, the top plate 40 in this embodiment functions as a heat transfer plate. The fins 48 are not required.

[0044] The top plate 40 is colored to promote heat radiation or heat absorption. Such a color is, for example, black. The top plate 40 may not be colored, or it may be colored without the fins 48.

[0045] According to the unit house 1 of the third embodiment, the top plate 40 has fins 48 that promote heat radiation or heat absorption, and / or is colored to promote heat radiation or heat absorption, so that when hot water is placed in the storage tank 16, the heat in the storage tank 16 is more easily radiated into the internal space 4. Also, when cold water is placed in the storage tank 16, the heat in the internal space 4 is more easily absorbed by the cold water in the storage tank 16. In this way, because the top plate 40 has fins 48 and / or is colored, the fluid in the storage tank 16 can be used more effectively as a heat source for air conditioning or underfloor heating, etc.

[0046] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, a unit house 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 8. As shown in Figure 8, the unit house 1 is equipped with a wind power generation device 50 as a power generation device. The wind power generation device 50 comprises a wind turbine 51 and a generator 52 that generates electricity using the wind turbine 51. The wind turbine 51 is configured as a vertical-axis wind turbine. Specifically, the wind turbine 51 has a plurality of (two in this example) blades 53 and a blade support 54 that supports these blades 53. Each blade 53 extends in the vertical direction, and the blade support 54 is rotatably supported at the upper end of a support column 55 via a bearing (not shown) around a vertical axis. The two blades 53 are positioned at 180-degree phase differences with respect to the axis of the support column 55. The support column 55 is fixed to the upper center of one of the peripheral walls 12 of the unit house 1 (the right wall 12d in this example).

[0047] The generator 52 of the wind power generation device 50 is located inside a generator casing 56 attached to the upper end of the support column 55. The fixed ring of the bearing is attached to the generator casing 56, and the rotating ring of the bearing is connected to the blade support 54. As the wind turbine 51 rotates, the rotor of the generator 52 rotates together with the rotating ring inside the generator casing 56, thereby generating electricity with the generator 52. For example, an induction generator or a synchronous generator can be used as the generator 52.

[0048] The vertical-axis wind turbine 51 is suitable as a wind turbine for a wind power generation device 50 installed in a unit house 1 because it can rotate even if it is relatively small by receiving wind. However, the wind turbine 51 is not limited to this, and a horizontal-axis wind turbine may also be used.

[0049] Unit house 1 is equipped with a control device 59 and a battery 63 in its internal space 4. The control device 59 controls the input of power generated by the wind power generator 50 to the battery 63 and supplies the power input to the battery 63 to the electrical equipment installed in unit house 1. The control device 59 consists of a computer, a program executed on it, and various electronic circuits. For example, the control device 59 includes an AC / DC converter that converts the AC power generated by the wind power generator 50 into a DC voltage that can be stored in the battery 63, and an inverter that converts the power stored in the battery 63 into a sinusoidal AC similar to commercial AC power, or a square wave AC. The control device 59 and the battery 63 may be installed outside unit house 1 instead of in the internal space 4.

[0050] The control device 59 is configured to supply power to electrical equipment installed outside the unit house 1. Specifically, an outlet 57 is provided on the perimeter wall 12 of the unit house 1, and this outlet 57 is electrically connected to the control device 59. Therefore, by connecting the electrical cables of the external electrical equipment to the outlet 57, the electrical equipment can be used. The unit house 1 is also provided with a power connection section that receives power from the grid, a fuel-powered generator, or a battery installed in an electric vehicle (EV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), etc. A charging plug 58, which is a power connection section, is provided on the perimeter wall 12, and this charging plug 58 is electrically connected to the control device 59. In this case, for example, it is possible to use the wind power generator 50 as the main power source and supplement any temporary power shortage with an external power source such as the grid, or to use the grid as the main power source and utilize the wind power generator 50 as a backup power source during a power outage.

[0051] According to the unit house 1 of the fourth embodiment, since it is equipped with a wind power generation device 50, the unit house 1 can generate the electricity it needs using wind power. Furthermore, in unelectrified areas where it is difficult to secure a power source, there is no need to install new utility poles and transmission lines, making installation easy and reducing construction costs. In addition, since the control device 59 that controls the wind power generation device 50 is installed in the internal space 4, the control device 59, which is susceptible to external environmental influences, can be protected.

[0052] <Fifth Embodiment> Next, a unit house 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9, the unit house 1 is equipped with a photovoltaic power generation system 60 as a power generation device. The photovoltaic power generation system 60 has photovoltaic panels 61 that convert sunlight into photoelectric energy, and a panel mounting frame (not shown) for attaching the photovoltaic panels 61 to the unit house 1. In this example, the photovoltaic panels 61 are attached to the top wall 11 of the unit house 1 via the panel mounting frame. Depending on the direction of sunlight or the installation environment, the photovoltaic panels 61 may be installed on the perimeter wall 12 of the unit house 1, or they may be spread out around the unit house 1. The panel mounting frame may have a mechanism that allows the photovoltaic panels 61 to be tilted in accordance with the direction of the sun.

[0053] Similar to the unit house 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the unit house 1 according to the fifth embodiment includes a control device 59 and a storage battery 63 in the internal space 4. The control device 59 can also control the input of electricity generated by the solar power generation device 60 to the storage battery 63, and the supply of this electricity to electrical equipment installed in the unit house 1. The unit house 1 may include both a wind power generation device 50 and a solar power generation device 60.

[0054] According to the unit house 1 of the fifth embodiment, since it is equipped with a solar power generation device 60, the unit house 1 can generate the electricity it needs using solar power. Furthermore, in unelectrified areas where it is difficult to secure a power source, there is no need to install new utility poles and transmission lines, making installation easy and reducing construction costs. In addition, since a control device 59 for controlling the solar power generation device 60 is installed in the interior space 4, the electricity generated by the solar power generation device 60 can be supplied to electrical equipment inside and outside the unit house 1.

[0055] While embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1...Unit house, 4...Interior space, 11...Top wall, 12...Surface wall, 14...Bottom wall assembly, 15...Floorboard, 16...Storage tank, 21...Inlet, 25...Outlet, 30...Beam member, 31...Fluid passage, 48...Fin, 50...Wind power generation device, 59...Control device, 60...Solar power generation device

Claims

1. A movable unit house having an internal space formed by a top wall, perimeter wall and bottom wall assembly, The bottom wall assembly comprises a storage tank capable of containing fluid, A unit house having an inlet for injecting the fluid into the storage tank and an outlet for discharging the fluid.

2. The unit house according to claim 1, wherein the storage tank is sloped so that the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet.

3. A unit house according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage tank is a storage tank capable of storing the fluid.

4. A unit house according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom wall assembly comprises a beam member having a fluid passage opening through which the fluid can pass into the storage tank, and a floor plate covering the upper part of the beam member.

5. A unit house according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a heat transfer plate having fins that promote heat radiation or heat absorption is provided above the storage tank of the bottom wall assembly.

6. A unit house according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a heat transfer plate that is colored to promote heat radiation or heat absorption is provided above the storage tank of the bottom wall assembly.

7. A unit house according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one power generation device, either a wind power generation device or a solar power generation device.

8. A unit house according to claim 7, wherein a control device for controlling the power generation device is installed in the internal space.

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