Wind direction and anemometer

The wind direction and speed meter with a rotatable wind direction plate and suspended threads addresses the challenges of large-scale devices and weak wind measurement, offering accurate wind direction and speed detection in a cost-effective and versatile format.

JP7847920B2Active Publication Date: 2026-04-20SANKI ENG CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
SANKI ENG CO LTD
Filing Date
2022-03-31
Publication Date
2026-04-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing wind direction and speed measurement devices are either large-scale, require multiple personnel, or struggle with accurate determination of wind direction in weak winds, especially when using suspended strings.

Method used

A wind direction and speed meter with a rotatable wind direction plate and suspended threads, featuring a support member, fan-shaped angle display, and threads with different weights or wind resistance, allowing for accurate wind direction and speed measurement even in gentle breezes.

Benefits of technology

The device provides clear wind direction indication and accurate angle determination, suitable for handheld use or array arrangement, enabling low-cost manufacturing and wide-area airflow pattern analysis.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a wind direction and wind power meter 10 with a simple configuration that can simultaneously measure a wind direction and a wind power by using a hanging string and can easily get the pattern of wind.SOLUTION: A wind direction and wind power meter includes: a supporting member 11; a wind direction plate 13 being hung rotatably around a vertical straight line N by the supporting member 11; a fan-shaped angular display 20 displayed in the wind direction plate 13; and hanging strings 14 and 15 hanging from portion corresponding to an essential part of the fan-shaped angular display 20. A hanging member 12 is formed between the supporting member 11 and the wind direction plate 13, and a spherical bead 18 of reducing the friction is interposed between the supporting member 11 and the upper end of the hanging member 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind direction and wind speed meter for detecting the wind direction and wind force of ventilation and draft in a building, and more particularly to a wind direction and wind speed meter that can be easily held by hand to detect gap wind or arranged in multiple arrays to detect a spatial pattern, and can be manufactured at a low cost.

Background Art

[0002] When investigating airflows in surveys such as air conditioning ventilation and building drafts, conventionally, for example, the wind speed is measured using a hot-wire portable wind speed meter, and the wind direction is measured by hanging a thread (water thread, etc.). However, to measure the characteristics of airflows over a wide area, it is necessary to grasp the wind direction and wind speed at many points in the same time zone, so many wind meters and a large number of personnel are required. In addition, the swing angle of the hanging thread varies depending on the viewing position, making it difficult to grasp. Therefore, a wind direction and wind speed meter that can be manufactured at a low cost and whose measured values are easy to grasp is desired.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a wind direction indicator with a simple configuration for detecting airflows around an object such as a model installed in a wind tunnel. A wind direction plate formed of a lightweight plate such as styrofoam is rotatably supported around a vertical line by a support shaft. Also disclosed are supporting the wind direction plate with beads to facilitate rotation and irradiating infrared rays from above to record the temporal change in the orientation of the wind direction plate.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a wind direction meter in which one end of an elongated membrane body (balloon) is connected to a support column. This device fills the membrane body with helium to generate a buoyancy approximately equal to the weight of the membrane body, floats it in the air, and measures the wind direction. Therefore, not only the horizontal direction but also the direction of wind in the vertical direction such as obliquely downward can be detected.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a wind deflector for grasping and confirming the wind speed and wind direction of the wind blowing at a construction site. This device can detect the wind force by fluttering horizontally in strong winds and hanging downward in weak winds.

[0006] Patent Document 4 discloses a simple measuring device in which multiple threads (silk fibers) hang from the bottom edge of a long, narrow board. With this device, the user can hold the board in their hand and measure wind direction and wind force from the inclination of the threads. Furthermore, it is proposed to attach a protractor to the board so that the angle of the inclined threads can be measured.

[0007] Patent Document 5 discloses an airflow angle measuring instrument that measures the deviation of vertical laminar flow blown down from the ceiling of a cleanroom using a string suspended from near the ceiling and a ruler (measuring scale) held horizontally. Patent Document 6 discloses an airflow measuring instrument equipped with multiple concentric rings and angle scales that measures the distance and direction of a suspended string from the suspension center (reference point). Patent Document 7 discloses a wind speed checker that measures the state of airflow in a cleanroom using wind turbines and tachometers arranged in a large number of vertical and ring-shaped configurations. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 5-67911 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-48237 [Patent Document 3] Registered Utility Model No. 3172675 Gazette [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-54841 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-49580 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-189934 [Patent Document 7] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-174777 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The wind direction indicator in Patent Document 1 has a simple structure and can be manufactured inexpensively. The floating membrane in Patent Document 2 can detect wind direction even in a light breeze, and many of them can be used to understand wind patterns. However, since both only measure wind direction, an anemometer must be prepared separately. The windsock in Patent Document 3 can detect wind force and wind direction simultaneously and is relatively large and easy to see, but it is large in scale.

[0010] The simple measuring device using a suspended string described in Patent Document 4 has a simple structure and is easy to operate as the user can hold the board in their hand to take measurements. Furthermore, wind force can be measured by measuring the inclination of the string with a protractor. However, when the wind force is weak and the angle of swing of the string (angle of inclination relative to the vertical) is small, it is difficult to determine the wind direction. In addition, it is necessary to view the string from the side to determine the angle of swing, but since the direction of the inclination of the string is difficult to determine, it is difficult to accurately determine the angle of swing.

[0011] The airflow angle measuring device described in Patent Document 5 can detect the degree of airflow deflection from the ceiling by the inclination of a suspended string. Furthermore, since the measuring piece is pre-aligned with the direction of the string's inclination and the scale on the measuring piece is checked, the degree of airflow deflection can be accurately determined. However, aligning the orientation of the measuring piece with the direction of the string is time-consuming.

[0012] The airflow measuring device described in Patent Document 6 can simultaneously measure wind force and wind direction using a concave angle scale positioned along the lower end of a swinging thread and an azimuth scale provided around the entire circumference of an annular body. However, the equipment is large-scale. The airflow checker described in Patent Document 7 can also simultaneously measure wind force and wind direction, but it uses a large number of wind turbines and power meters to detect rotational speed, making the equipment even larger.

[0013] The present invention aims to provide a simple wind direction and wind speed meter that can simultaneously measure wind direction and wind speed using a suspended string, making it easy to determine wind direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The wind direction and speed meter 10 of the present invention is characterized by comprising a support member 11, a wind direction plate 13 that is rotatably suspended by the support member 11 around a vertical line N, a fan-shaped angle display 20 displayed on the wind direction plate 13, and threads 14 and 15 hanging down from a part corresponding to the pivot of the fan-shaped angle display 20. In such a wind direction and speed meter 10, a suspension member 12 is interposed between the support member 11 and the wind direction plate 13, and it is preferable that spherical beads 18 that reduce friction are interposed between the support member 12 and the upper end of the suspension member 12.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable that a thread support shaft (horizontal section 12a) is provided horizontally from the pivot point of the fan of the angle indicator 20, the threads 14 and 15 are taut, and the threads 14 and 15 are connected to the thread support shaft (12a) so as to swing approximately parallel to the wind deflector 13. In that case, it is preferable that the thread support shafts are provided on both sides of the wind deflector, and that threads 14 and 15 with different weights per unit length or wind resistance values ​​are suspended on each side of the thread support shaft (12a).

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferable that a weight W is provided at the lower part (22) of the wind deflector 13, and that the wind deflector 13 rotates around a vertical line N connecting the suspended part and the weight W. It is also preferable that the wind deflector 13 comprises a fan section 21 having a central angle of 90 degrees on which an angle indicator 20 is displayed, and a wind receiving piece 23 extending upward from the fan section 21. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The wind direction and speed meter of the present invention clearly indicates the wind direction by the direction of the wind vane, and allows for accurate determination of the string's deflection angle by the angle display of the wind vane. Furthermore, its simple structure allows for low-cost manufacturing, and it is suitable for detecting drafts by holding it in the hand or for understanding the overall airflow pattern in a space by arranging multiple units.

[0018] In such a wind direction and wind speed meter, when a suspension member is interposed between the support member and the wind direction plate, and spherical beads for reducing friction are interposed between the support member and the upper end of the suspension member, the rotational frictional resistance of the wind direction plate is small, so the wind direction can be accurately indicated even in a gentle breeze.

[0019] When a thread support shaft protrudes horizontally from a key part of the fan-shaped part for angle display, and the thread has tension and is connected to the thread support shaft so as to swing substantially parallel to the wind direction plate, the frictional resistance between the thread and the wind direction plate is small, so the wind speed can be detected even in a gentle breeze. Further, when the thread support shafts protrude from both sides of the wind direction plate respectively, and threads with different weights per unit length or wind resistance values are suspended on each side of the thread support shaft, by changing the thread for measurement between the case of a gentle breeze and the case of a stronger wind, the wind speed over a wide range can be measured.

[0020] When a weight is provided at the lower part of the wind direction plate and the wind direction plate rotates around a vertical line connecting the suspended part and the weight, even if the wind direction plate is made lightweight, it is difficult to be swayed by the wind, and the rotation center can be surely maintained in the vertical direction. Further, when the wind direction plate includes a fan part having a central angle of 90 degrees where the angle display is shown, and a wind receiving piece extended above the fan part, the area for receiving the wind becomes wide and the torque generated by the wind becomes large, so the wind direction can be accurately indicated even in a gentle breeze.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the wind direction and wind speed meter of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2A is a side view of the wind direction and wind speed meter, and FIG. 2B is a front view. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of the wind direction and wind speed meter. [Figure 4] It is a front view of the wind direction plate. [Figure 5] It is an enlarged view of the key part of FIG. 2B. [Figure 6] It is a schematic plan view showing the usage method of the wind direction and wind speed meter. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] The wind direction and speed meter 10 shown in Figure 1 comprises a support member 11, a suspension member 12 that is rotatably suspended and supported by the support member 11 around a vertical line N, and a wind direction plate 13 and two threads 14 and 15 suspended from the lower end of the suspension member 12. In this embodiment, the lower end of the suspension member 12 is a horizontally extending horizontal section 12a, the wind direction plate 13 is suspended from the center of the horizontal section 12a, and the upper ends of the threads 14 and 15 are rotatably connected to the parts that extend to the left and right. The left and right sides of the horizontal section 12a are thread support axes.

[0023] The support member 11 is, for example, a square rod made of wood, and allows the user to move around inside the building while holding the wind direction and speed meter 10 in their hand. A receiving part 16, made of a paperclip or the like, is fixed to the tip of the support member 11 with a double clip 17 or the like. The receiving part 16 is a member that supports a spherical bead 18 so that it can rotate and swing freely. Instead of a paperclip, a member formed by bending a metal wire can also be used as the receiving part. A hole may also be formed near the tip of the support member 11 to serve as the receiving part.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the suspension member 12 is made by extending the upper part of a metal wire, such as a wire, vertically and bending the lower part into a triangular shape to form horizontal parts 12a extending to the left and right. For example, it can be formed by unfolding a large triangular clip. The upper part of the suspension member 12 is a vertical part 12b that extends vertically, and in this embodiment, after passing the vertical part 12b through the hole of the spherical bead 18, the protruding part (projection) 12c is bent sideways to prevent it from coming off.

[0025] By interposing a spherical bead 18 between the protruding portion 12c and the receiving portion 16, the suspension member 12 rotates smoothly (see Figure 3). Furthermore, because a spherical bead 18 is used, the suspension member 12 can be hung straight downwards even if the support member 11 is tilted to some extent.

[0026] The wind deflector 13 can be formed by sandwiching a sheet of paper printed with an angle indicator 20 between two transparent synthetic resin films (laminate films), heat-bonding the films together, and then cutting the resulting laminated sheet into a predetermined shape. For the paper, for example, 40-60 kg / 1000 sheets of copy paper (especially high-quality 55 kg) can be used. For the synthetic resin film, a polyester film with a thickness of 50-150 μm (especially 100 μm) can be used. It may also be composed of paper only, or synthetic resin film only. A laminated sheet made of paper laminated with synthetic resin film is highly durable, water-repellent, and stain-resistant.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the angle indicator 20 consists of a vertical line 20a extending vertically, a horizontal line 20b extending horizontally at a 90-degree angle from the upper end of the vertical line 20a, and inclined lines 20c displayed in 15-degree increments between them (see Figure 4). The inclined line 20c1 at 15 degrees from the horizontal line 20b is labeled "Strong," the inclined line 20c2 at 45 degrees is labeled "Medium," and the inclined line 20c3 at 75 degrees is labeled "Weak." Distinguishing the wind strength by color—for example, using a red-ish color for the sector between the horizontal line 20b and the 30-degree line, light blue for the sector between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, and blue for the sector between 60 degrees and the vertical line 20a—makes it easier to determine the wind strength. As shown in Figure 2A, when the wind force is strong, the string 14 tilts sharply to a position close to horizontal, and when the wind force is weak, the string 14 hangs almost completely down.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the wind deflector 13 comprises a fan-shaped section 21 having a central angle of approximately 90 degrees and an angle indicator 20, a weight attachment piece 22 extending along one vertical side (vertical side) 21a of the fan-shaped section 21, and a wind receiving piece 23 extending upward from the other horizontal side (horizontal side, dashed line) 21b. A roughly arc-shaped edge 21c is provided between the vertical side 21a and the horizontal side 21b of the fan-shaped section 21. A weight W is attached to the weight attachment piece 22 (see Figure 2A). The weight W can also be attached directly to the fan-shaped section 21. By extending the weight attachment piece 22 downward, the torque applied to the rotation of the wind deflector 13 increases, making the wind deflector 13 more stable.

[0029] By attaching the weight W, the wind deflector 13 can be pulled up and down in cooperation with the upward force from the suspension member 12, defining a vertical line N (see Figure 1) that serves as the axis of rotation, and allowing the wind deflector 13 to rotate smoothly around the vertical line N. Since the vertical line N is close to the end (vertical side 21a) of the wind deflector 13, as shown in Figure 3, when the fan section 21 or wind receiving piece 23 receives wind, it rotates around the vertical line N so that the fan section 21 or wind receiving piece 23 faces downwind, similar to a weather vane. This allows the wind direction (arrow P) to be indicated. As the weight W, readily available materials such as so-called "gacha-tama" (thin metal clips used to close paper), binder clips, or lead pieces can be used.

[0030] In this embodiment, the wind-receiving piece 23 is modeled after the head of a small bird, and together with the fan section 21, which can be likened to the body and wings, the entire wind deflector 13 takes the form of a small bird. This makes it more approachable and is expected to have a calming effect. By providing the wind-receiving piece 23, it becomes easier to follow the wind direction (arrow P) even in a light breeze. Note that if a part of the fan section 21 is extended horizontally, the threads 14 and 15 may become difficult to see, but this risk does not exist if it is extended upward. The wind-receiving piece 23 is located away from the pivot point 24 of the fan, which is the suspension point of the wind deflector 13. This allows for a larger torque to be applied to the rotation of the wind deflector 13.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, a grommet 25 is fixed to the pivot point 24 of the fan section, and a cylindrical bead 26 is fitted into the hole of the grommet 25. As shown in Figure 5, the horizontal section 12a of the suspension member 12 passes through the central hole of the bead 26, and the wind deflector 13 is suspended so as to be able to rotate around the horizontal section 12a. By attaching the grommet 25, the area around the hole can be protected, and the left-right positional relationship between the wind deflector 13 and the suspension member 12 is restricted via the flange of the grommet 25.

[0032] The holes in the eyelets 25 are too large compared to the diameter of the metal wires that make up the horizontal section 12a, causing looseness. However, this looseness can be reduced by providing cylindrical beads 26. As cylindrical beads 26, for example, toy beads called iron beads can be used, which are made by arranging many beads and welding them together by heating and pressing the ends with an iron to form a predetermined shape. By making the wind deflector 13 rotatable around the horizontal section 12a of the suspension member 12, the posture of the wind deflector 13 remains stable even when the support member 11 is moved by hand. However, the wind deflector 13 can also be fixed to the suspension member 12.

[0033] The threads 14 and 15 can be made of twisted threads made of natural or synthetic fibers. In particular, it is preferable to use nylon twisted threads (ink pot rigid threads) for marking lines, which have been untwisted to reduce their thickness to about 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of their original thickness. In particular, threads with a thickness of about 0.3 to 0.8 mm and a weight of about 0.6 to 1.5 g / m per meter are preferred. In order to properly indicate the angle against the wind, it is preferable that the threads have a certain degree of tension, for example, that do not sag when one end of the thread is held, but extend straight. Synthetic resin may be impregnated into natural fiber threads to give them tension.

[0034] In this embodiment, two threads 14 and 15 of different thicknesses are used. This allows for the use of threads with different functions, such as thread 15 for strong winds and thread 14 for light breezes (see Figure 2A). In this embodiment, the two threads 14 and 15 are positioned separately on the left and right sides of the wind deflector 13 to prevent them from becoming entangled. At least the thread 15 behind the wind deflector 13 is longer than the radius of the fan section 21. Therefore, wind force can be detected in the portion visible below the fan section 21.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the upper ends of the threads 14 and 15 are wrapped around the eyelet 27 and tied, and a cylindrical bead 28 is fixed in the central hole of the eyelet 27. Using the eyelet 27, the flange of the eyelet 27 prevents the threads 14 and 15 from shifting laterally. The bead 28 is rotatably attached around the horizontal portion 12a of the suspension member 12, and a spherical bead 29 is interposed as a spacer between the bead 28 for the thread and the bead 26 for the wind deflector 13. Furthermore, a spherical bead 30 is also interposed as a spacer between the lower end of the diagonal line 12d of the suspension member 12 and the bead 28 for the thread.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5, a predetermined gap S is provided between the strings 14 and 15 and the wind deflector 13. This prevents interference between the strings 14 and 15 and the wind deflector 13 or the weight W even if the strings 14 and 15 sway. However, if there is little friction between the strings 14 and 15 and the wind deflector 13, or if the strings 14 and 15 and the weight W are prone to slipping, the gap S may be omitted, and the strings 14 and 15 may be in contact with the wind deflector 13.

[0037] In the wind direction and speed meter 10 configured as described above, as shown in Figure 3, the fan section 21 and the wind receiving piece 23 rotate around the vertical line N so that they receive the wind and are leeward. Then, depending on the strength of the wind, the strings 14 and 15 are blown upward. That is, when the wind is strong, the strings 14 and 15 rotate high and when the wind is weak, they hang downward. Therefore, the user can observe the wind direction and wind strength at the same time. In addition, since it is recommended to view the wind direction plate 13 from directly to the side, the angle of the strings 14 and 15 can be measured accurately.

[0038] Figure 6 shows a pattern measuring device 31 in which numerous wind direction and speed meters 10 are suspended from the ceiling of a building in a grid pattern. By arranging numerous wind direction and speed meters 10 in this way within a building, the patterns of wind direction and strength flowing through the building can be visually observed. The arrows attached near each wind direction and speed meter 10 indicate the wind direction and, by their length, the wind force, i.e., the angle of the threads 14 and 15. Creating such images and videos makes it easier to analyze wind direction and wind force. The wind direction and speed meters 10 can be arranged not only horizontally but also vertically in multiple layers. For example, in a high-ceilinged atrium or a dome-ceilinged arcade, they can be arranged in two or even three or more layers.

[0039] Although preferred embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified in various ways depending on the required measurement accuracy, spatial decoration, measurement conditions, etc. In the above embodiments, a wooden square bar that can be held by hand was used as the support member 11, but a member fixed to the ceiling may also be used. In addition to wood, a member made of metal or synthetic resin may also be used. As the suspension member 12, in addition to metal wire, a wire or member made of synthetic resin, a synthetic fiber such as nylon fiber, or a member made from natural fiber may also be used. The threads 14 and 15 may be wires such as synthetic resin wire or metal wire. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 10 Wind direction anemometer 11 Support Member N plumb line 12. Suspension member 12a Horizontal section (thread support shaft) 12b Vertical section 12c Protruding part (bent portion) 12d diagonal line 13 Wind direction plate 14, 15 threads 16 Receiving part 17 Double Clips 18 spherical beads 20 angle display 20a Vertical line 20b horizontal line 20c, 20c1, 20c2, 20c3 slope line W weight 21 Fan section 21a Vertical side 21b Horizontal side 22 Weight attachment piece P Wind direction 23 Wind-receiving piece 24 Key parts 25 eyelets (for wind deflectors) 26. Cylindrical beads (for wind deflectors) 27 Eyelets (for thread) 28 Cylindrical beads (for thread) 29 Spherical beads S interval 30 spherical beads 31 Pattern measuring device

Claims

1. Support member and A wind deflector is suspended from the support member via a suspension member having a vertical portion extending in the vertical direction, so as to be rotatable around a vertical line. The fan-shaped angle indicator displayed on the wind deflector, It is equipped with a thread hanging down from a part that corresponds to the pivot point of the fan-shaped angle display, A weight is provided at the bottom of the wind deflector, The wind deflector rotates around the vertical line connecting the part from which it is suspended and the weight. Wind direction anemometer.

2. An anemometer according to claim 1, wherein a spherical bead is interposed between the support member and the upper end of the suspension member to reduce friction.

3. A thread support shaft is provided protruding laterally from the pivot point of the fan-shaped angle indicator. The aforementioned thread has tension, The string is connected to the string support shaft so that it swings approximately parallel to the wind deflector. An anemometer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned thread support shafts are provided protruding from both sides of the wind deflector, An anemometer according to claim 3, wherein threads with different weights per unit length or wind resistance values ​​are suspended from each side of the thread support shaft.

5. The wind direction and speed meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wind direction plate comprises a fan section having a central angle of 90 degrees on which an angle display is shown, and a wind receiving piece extending upward from the fan section.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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