furniture

Abstract

This product provides fixtures that not only reuse wind turbine blades in terms of their shape, but also add functional value by utilizing them in ways other than just their shape. [Solution] The fixture comprises a main body 2 composed of at least a portion of a wind turbine blade, and a power generation device 4 provided on the main body and configured to generate electricity using a power generation medium containing crushed wind turbine blades.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to furniture.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, from the viewpoints of effective utilization of resources and reduction of environmental load, the reuse of waste has been promoted. Specifically, various recycled products have been put into practical use, including recycled products using parts and members manufactured by reprocessing or reworking, and recycled products in a form of directly reusing some parts as they are.

[0003] As an example of such recycled products, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of directly reusing a used snowboard as a seat surface or a backrest of a bench by making use of its plate-like shape and design. On the other hand, with the spread of renewable energy, regarding the blades for wind power generation whose amount of waste is increasing, from the same viewpoints, in recent years, attempts have also been made to cut a part of the blades for wind power generation and reuse them as a bench or a playground equipment by making use of their curved shape.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the above-mentioned reuse method of the blades for wind power generation has remained at the reuse of the shape that physically diverts the blades for wind power generation as a mere member to another use such as a bench. That is, the reuse method of the blades for wind power generation does not give any added value other than a mere physical function (seating function) to the reused product (bench).

[0006] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned issues, and aims to provide fixtures that have added functional value not only by reusing wind turbine blades in terms of shape, but also by making effective use of them in ways other than shape reuse. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the fixture relating to this disclosure comprises a main body composed of at least a portion of a wind turbine blade, and a power generation device provided on the main body and configured to generate electricity using a power generation medium containing crushed material of the wind turbine blade. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the fixtures disclosed herein, it is possible to not only reuse wind turbine blades in terms of their shape, but also to add functional value by utilizing them in ways other than shape reuse. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a bench according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the main body according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, a fixture according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of this disclosure are illustrative and not limiting, and can be modified at will within the scope of the technical idea of ​​this disclosure.

[0011] <Fixtures> (composition) The configuration of the furniture 1 according to one embodiment will be described. In one embodiment, the furniture 1 is a bench 1A(1). Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bench 1A according to one embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 1, the bench 1A includes a main body 2 and a power generation device 4. In one embodiment, the bench 1A further includes a power consumption device 6, an illuminance sensor 8, a power control device 10, and a support member 12. Note that the furniture 1 according to this disclosure is not limited to the bench 1A, and may be, for example, a table, a desk, a partition, etc.

[0012] The main body 2 is composed of at least a portion of a wind turbine blade. In one embodiment, the main body 2 is a hollow member formed by cutting a discarded wind turbine blade along its longitudinal direction (span direction). The main body 2 has a pair of cut surfaces 28 formed by the cutting at both ends in the span direction (front-rear direction D2, described later). These cut surfaces 28 constitute an opening 29 that connects the internal space of the main body 2 to the outside.

[0013] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main body 2 according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the main body 2 is composed of a portion of the span direction and has a cylindrical shape having an airfoil-shaped cross section defined by the leading edge 23, the trailing edge 24, the pressure surface 22 connecting the leading edge 23 and the trailing edge 24, and the negative pressure surface 21 connecting the leading edge 23 and the trailing edge 24 of the wind turbine blade. The main body 2 has an outer shell 26 that extends continuously from the leading edge 23 to the trailing edge 24. The outer shell 26 is formed of a composite material such as glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP).

[0014] In this disclosure, the direction in which the main body 2 extends is described as the "left-right direction D1," the horizontal direction perpendicular to the left-right direction D1 (the depth direction of bench 1A) is described as the "front-rear direction D2," and the vertical direction perpendicular to these (the height direction of bench 1A) is described as the "up-down direction D3." In this disclosure, the left-right direction D1 corresponds to the chord direction of the wind turbine blade, and the front-rear direction D2 corresponds to the longitudinal direction (span direction) of the wind turbine blade. In the left-right direction D1, the rounded leading edge 23 side is considered to be the left, and the acute-angled trailing edge 24 side is considered to be the right. In the up-down direction D3, the pressure surface 22 side is considered to be the upper side, and the negative pressure surface 21 side is considered to be the lower side.

[0015] As illustrated in Figure 1, the main body 2 is arranged such that a convexly curved negative pressure surface 21 faces downward and a pressure surface 22 faces upward. In one embodiment, the upward-facing pressure surface 22 constitutes a seat surface 5 for the user to sit on. On the other hand, the downward-facing negative pressure surface 21 constitutes a bottom surface 7 located on the opposite side of the seat surface 5 in the vertical direction D3. The bottom surface 7 has a contact portion 27 that contacts the installation surface G, such as the ground or floor. The contact portion 27 is composed of, for example, a region including the lowest point of the curved bottom surface 7 (negative pressure surface 21). This contact portion 27 may also include a flat surface formed by flattening processing such as cutting or polishing on a part of the curved bottom surface 7 (negative pressure surface 21). As a result, the main body 2 is stably supported on the installation surface G without rolling.

[0016] The internal structure of the main body 2 will now be described. As illustrated in Figure 2, the interior of the main body 2 is provided with a plurality of partition walls 25 that extend to connect the negative pressure surface 21 and the pressure surface 22. These partition walls 25 are components equivalent to spars or shear webs in wind turbine blades, and are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction D1.

[0017] The outer shell 26 of the main body 2 is not of uniform thickness; rather, the thickness is greater in the central portion where it connects to the bulkhead 25 than in other parts. This thicker portion corresponds to the spur cap in a wind turbine blade. In this way, the main body 2 retains the original main structural components of a wind turbine blade, namely the spur and spur cap, thus ensuring high bending rigidity and suppressing deflection when seated. Furthermore, the interior of the main body 2 has been modified to remove unnecessary protrusions and other manufacturing defects, and is shaped to be suitable for the placement of equipment described later.

[0018] The internal space of the main body 2 is divided into multiple sections in the left-right direction D1 by partition walls 25. In one embodiment, it is divided into three spaces by two partition walls 25, and the first space 3A, the second space 3B, and the third space 3C are formed in order from left to right in the left-right direction D1. Each of the first space 3A, the second space 3B, and the third space 3C is a tunnel-shaped space extending in the front-rear direction D2. Both ends of each of these first space 3A, the second space 3B, and the third space 3C in the front-rear direction D2 are open to the outside as openings 29 in the cross-section 28 described above.

[0019] The power generation device 4 is located inside the main body 2. This power generation device 4 is configured to generate electricity using a power generation medium (not shown) which includes crushed waste wind turbine blades. The crushed waste wind turbine blades are not merely waste, but are used as a base material to support or hold the power generation elements, or as a material to assist in the power generation reaction or energy conversion, and constitute at least a part of the power generation medium.

[0020] In one embodiment, the power generation device 4 includes a plurality of cylindrical cases 42 disposed in the second space 3B. Inside this case 42, a power generation medium containing pulverized waste wind turbine blades is accommodated. Further, inside this case 42, a pair of rod-shaped current collecting members (electrodes), not shown, for extracting electric power from the power generation medium are inserted. The power generation device 4 generates electric power by collecting a minute potential difference caused by chemical, physical or electrochemical phenomena in the power generation medium with the current collecting members, and collects this. The collected electric power is sent to the power consumption device 6 via a wiring, not shown, extending from the case 42.

[0021] The power consumption device 6 is provided in the main body 2. This power consumption device 6 consumes the electric power generated by the power generation device 4. In one embodiment, the power consumption device 6 is a light emitting device 6A (6) configured to irradiate light from the seating surface 5 (pressure surface 22) toward the outside of the main body 2. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the light emitting device 6A is, for example, a circular LED light, and a plurality of them are arranged at a predetermined interval along the left-right direction D1 on the seating surface 5. The light emitting device 6A is embedded in the outer shell 26 of the main body 2 so that its upper surface is flush with the seating surface 5 or slightly recessed from the seating surface 5 so as not to hinder seating. Note that the number and arrangement position of the light emitting devices 6A are not limited to the form illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the light emitting device 6A may be singular, or may be five or more. Also, the light emitting devices 6A may be randomly arranged according to the design.

[0022] The illuminance sensor 8 detects the ambient brightness. The illuminance sensor 8 is provided on a part of the seating surface 5 and receives external light. In one embodiment, the illuminance sensor 8 is disposed in a portion of the seating surface 5 (pressure surface 22) on the leading edge 23 side with respect to the maximum blade thickness portion (the portion having the largest thickness in the vertical direction D3) of the main body 2. Generally, a user tends to sit on a relatively flat area of the seating surface 5. For this reason, the portion on the leading edge 23 side with respect to the rounded maximum blade thickness portion is less likely to be covered by the body of the seated user, and an open state is likely to be maintained.

[0023] The power control device 10 controls the supply of power from the power generation device 4 to the light emitting device 6A based on the detection result of the illuminance sensor 8. In one embodiment, the power control device 10 is housed in the first space 3A of the main body 2. And this power control device 10 controls the driving of the light emitting device 6A according to the ambient brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 8.

[0024] In one embodiment, the power control device 10 includes a power storage element that stores the minute power obtained from the power generation device 4, and a control circuit that controls the input and output of power. This power control device 10 charges the power storage element with the power continuously generated (collected) by the power generation device 4 during bright time periods such as daytime. And when the illuminance sensor 8 detects that the surroundings have become below a predetermined brightness (at night etc.), the power stored in the power storage element is supplied to the light emitting device 6A to light up the light emitting device 6A.

[0025] Note that the present disclosure does not limit the configuration of the power control device 10 to the above-described one embodiment. The power control device 10 may be configured to supply the power generated by the power generation device 4 to the power consumption device 6 in real time without having a power storage element. In some embodiments, the power control device 10 includes a switching circuit that switches the electrical connection state between the power generation device 4 and the power consumption device 6. The switching circuit is configured to switch the circuit between the power generation device 4 and the power consumption device 6 to an off state (non-conductive state) or a conductive state according to the ambient brightness detected by the illuminance sensor 8. The power control device 10 switches the circuit to the conductive state when the illuminance sensor 8 detects that the surroundings have become dark. For this reason, the power output from the power generation device 4 is supplied to the light emitting device 6A, and the light emitting device 6A lights up.

[0026] The support member 12 is positioned on the rear edge 24 side of the contact portion 27. This support member 12 supports the main body 2. In one embodiment, the support member 12 is formed in a box or block shape and is positioned between the bottom surface 7 of the main body 2 and the installation surface G. In this case, the upper surface of the support member 12 is formed in a curved shape that follows the curved shape of the bottom surface 7. As a result, there is no gap between the support member 12 and the main body 2, and a unified appearance is formed. However, this disclosure does not limit the configuration of the support member 12 to the above-described embodiment. In some embodiments, the support member 12 is composed of a plurality of leg members extending downward from the negative pressure surface 21.

[0027] (Effects / Actions) The operation and effects of bench 1A according to one embodiment will be described. According to one embodiment, wind turbine blades that are to be discarded can be effectively reused. Specifically, not only is the shape of the wind turbine blade itself reused as the main body 2 of bench 1A, but the crushed material produced by crushing the wind turbine blade is utilized as a power generation medium for the power generation device 4, thereby giving bench 1A its own power generation function.

[0028] According to one embodiment, since the main body 2 has a cylindrical shape with an airfoil-shaped cross-section, the design of bench 1A can be improved by making full use of the streamlined airfoil shape characteristic of wind turbine blades. Furthermore, the message of renewable energy reuse can be visually conveyed to those who view bench 1A. In addition, because the main body 2 is cylindrical, the internal space can be effectively utilized as a space for housing the power generation device 4 and other components.

[0029] According to one embodiment, since a light-emitting device 6A is provided, the power generated by the power generator 4 can be used to light up the light-emitting device 6A. Therefore, wiring work from the commercial power supply and periodic battery replacement are unnecessary. In addition, it is possible to improve the visibility of bench 1A at night and create a soft lighting effect similar to indirect lighting.

[0030] According to one embodiment, since an illuminance sensor 8 and a power control device 10 are provided, it is possible to control the system to turn on the light-emitting device 6A when the surroundings are dark and consume the power generated by the power generation device 4. Therefore, even when the amount of power generated is small or the amount of stored energy is limited, energy can be used efficiently to maintain functionality.

[0031] According to one embodiment, since a support member 12 is provided, the main body 2 is supported at multiple points by the contact portion 27 and the support member 12, allowing the bench 1A to be stably installed on the installation surface G. In particular, since the support member 12 supports the main body 2 from the rear edge 24 side of the contact portion 27, it is possible to effectively prevent sinking or tipping when a user sits on the rear edge 24 side of the contact portion 27.

[0032] Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from its essence.

[0033] In one embodiment, bench 1A is given as an example of fixture 1, but this disclosure does not limit fixture 1 to bench 1A. Fixture 1 according to this disclosure may be a fixture 1 other than bench 1A that can utilize the structure of the waste material of wind turbine blades which is the main body 2, for example, a table, counter, display shelf, or partition (divider), etc.

[0034] In one embodiment, a configuration in which the main body 2 is placed horizontally so that the negative pressure surface 21 (bottom surface 7) of the main body 2 is in contact with the installation surface G is illustrated, but this disclosure does not limit the placement orientation of the main body 2 to horizontal. Depending on its application and installation environment, the main body 2 may be positioned so that any surface faces the installation surface G. In some embodiments, the main body 2 is placed vertically so that the span direction of the wind turbine blades extends vertically. In this case, one cut surface 28 of the main body 2 is in contact with the installation surface G. With this configuration, the main body 2 functions as a columnar or wall-shaped fixture 1 (e.g., partition, monument, or sign stand) extending upward from the installation surface G. Furthermore, when the main body 2 is placed vertically, the fixture 1 can utilize the internal space (first space 3A, second space 3B, or third space 3C) that extends in the vertical direction D3 as a storage or housing area. For example, by closing off the lower part of the internal space and filling it with soil, the fixture 1 can be used as a flower bed (planter). In this case, plants can be exposed through the opening 29 at the top of the main body 2.

[0035] In one embodiment, an energy harvesting device was exemplified as the power generation device 4, but the configuration of the power generation device 4 is arbitrary as long as it is possible to generate electricity using a power generation medium containing pulverized material. For example, the power generation device 4 may be a combustion power generation device (such as a boiler power generation) that generates electricity using thermal energy produced by burning pulverized material.

[0036] In one embodiment, the light-emitting device 6A was positioned on the pressure surface 22 (seat surface 5), but this disclosure does not limit the positioning of the light-emitting device 6A to the pressure surface 22. In some embodiments, the light-emitting device 6A is provided on the negative pressure surface 21 of the main body 2 and configured to emit light toward the installation surface G. In this case, it functions as a footlight utilizing the reflected light from the installation surface G, providing an indirect lighting effect.

[0037] In one embodiment, a light-emitting device 6A (such as an LED light) is given as an example of a power-consuming device 6, but this disclosure does not limit the power-consuming device 6 to a light-emitting device 6A. The power-consuming device 6 is any electronic device that consumes the power generated by the power-generating device 4. For example, the power-consuming device 6 is a power supply port for supplying power to a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet owned by the user. For example, the power-consuming device 6 is a temperature-regulating device that regulates the temperature of the main body 2 (the seat surface 5 of the bench 1A). For example, the power-consuming device 6 is a sensor device (such as a thermometer, hygrometer, or CO2 concentration meter) that measures ambient environmental information, or a display device (such as an electronic paper or liquid crystal panel) that displays images or text information. Furthermore, the power-consuming device 6 may be a combination of several of these (light-emitting device 6A, power supply port, temperature-regulating device, sensor device, or display device).

[0038] In one embodiment, bench 1A was equipped with an illuminance sensor 8. Although not shown, in some embodiments, bench 1A is equipped with a motion sensor that detects the approach of a person, either in place of the illuminance sensor 8 or in addition to the illuminance sensor 8. The power control device 10 is configured to turn on the light-emitting device 6A when the motion sensor detects the approach of a person.

[0039] The contents described in each of the above embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows:

[0040] [1] The furniture (1) relating to this disclosure is A main body (2) consisting of at least a portion of a wind turbine blade, The system includes a power generation device (4) provided on the main body (2) and configured to generate electricity using a power generation medium containing crushed material from the wind turbine blades.

[0041] According to the configuration described in [1] above, not only can wind turbine blades be reused in terms of shape, but functional added value can also be added by making effective use of them in ways other than shape reuse. Specifically, by utilizing the crushed material of discarded wind turbine blades as a power generation medium, the fixture can be given a unique power generation function resulting from the reuse of wind turbine blades.

[0042] [2] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [1] above, The main body (2) is composed of a portion of the longitudinal direction of the wind turbine blade and has a cylindrical shape having an airfoil-shaped cross-section defined by the leading edge (23), trailing edge (24), pressure surface (22) connecting the leading edge (23) and the trailing edge (24) of the wind turbine blade, and negative pressure surface (21) connecting the leading edge (23) and the trailing edge (24).

[0043] According to the configuration described in [2] above, the design of the fixture can be improved by making use of the streamlined wing shape unique to wind turbine blades. Furthermore, the message of renewable energy reuse can be visually conveyed to those who view the fixture. In addition, because the main body is cylindrical, it can be effectively used as a space for housing power generation equipment and the like.

[0044] [3] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [2] above, The main body (2) further includes a power consumption device (6) that is provided on the main body (2) and consumes the electricity generated by the power generation device (4).

[0045] According to the configuration described in [3] above, the power consumption device can be operated using electricity generated by the power generation device itself.

[0046] [4] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [3] above, The power consumption device (6) includes a light-emitting device (6A) configured to emit light toward the outside of the main body (2) from at least one of the pressure surface (22) and the negative pressure surface (21).

[0047] According to the configuration described in [4] above, it is possible to improve the visibility of the fixtures at night and create a soft, indirect lighting effect.

[0048] [5] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [4] above, At least one of the following: an illuminance sensor (8) that detects ambient brightness and a motion sensor that detects the approach of a person, The system further includes a power control device (10) that controls the supply of power from the power generation device (4) to the light-emitting device (6A) based on the detection results of the illuminance sensor (8) or the motion sensor.

[0049] According to the configuration described in [5] above, it becomes possible to control the power consumption, such as consuming power when it is dark or when a person approaches. Therefore, even when the amount of power generated is small or the amount of stored energy is limited, energy can be used efficiently to maintain functionality.

[0050] [6] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of [2] to [5] above, The main body (2) is configured to have a contact portion (27) in which the pressure surface (22) or the negative pressure surface (21) contacts the installation surface (G), The system further includes a support member (12) positioned on the trailing edge (24) side of the contact portion (27) and supporting the main body (2).

[0051] According to the configuration described in [6] above, even if the main body, which is composed of at least a portion of the wind turbine blades, has a curved shape, it can be stably installed on the installation surface by being supported at multiple points by the contact portion and the support member.

[0052] [7] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of [1] to [6] above, The aforementioned furniture (1) is a bench (1A).

[0053] According to the configuration described in [7] above, it is possible to provide a bench that not only reuses wind turbine blades in terms of shape, but also provides functional added value by making effective use of them in ways other than shape reuse. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1. Fixtures 1A Bench 2 Main unit 3A 1st space 3B 2nd space 3C 3rd space 4. Power generation equipment 5 Seat 6 Power consumption equipment 6A Light-emitting device 7. Bottom 8. Illuminance sensor 10 Power control device 12 Support members 21 Suction surface 22 Pressure surface 23 Leading edge 24 Trailing edge 25 Bulkhead 26 Outer shell 27 Contact area 28 Cut surface 29 Opening 42 cases D1 Left / right direction D2 Anteroposterior direction D3 Vertical Direction G Installation surface

Claims

1. A body consisting of at least a portion of a wind turbine blade, The system includes a power generation device provided on the main body and configured to generate electricity using a power generation medium containing crushed material from the wind turbine blades, furniture.

2. The main body is composed of a portion of the wind turbine blade in the longitudinal direction and has a cylindrical shape having an airfoil-shaped cross-section defined by the leading edge, trailing edge, pressure surface connecting the leading edge and the trailing edge, and negative pressure surface connecting the leading edge and the trailing edge of the wind turbine blade. The fixture according to claim 1.

3. The main body is further provided with a power consumption device that consumes the electricity generated by the power generation device, The fixture according to claim 2.

4. The power consumption device includes a light-emitting device configured to emit light toward the outside of the main body from at least one of the pressure surface and the negative pressure surface. The fixture described in claim 3.

5. At least one of the following: an illuminance sensor that detects ambient brightness and a motion sensor that detects the approach of a person, The system further comprises a power control device that controls the supply of power from the power generation device to the light-emitting device based on the detection results of the illuminance sensor or the motion sensor. The fixture according to claim 4.

6. The main body is configured to have a contact portion in which the pressure surface or the negative pressure surface contacts the installation surface. The system further comprises a support member positioned on the rear edge side of the contact portion and supporting the main body, The fixture according to claim 2.

7. The aforementioned furniture is a bench. The fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images