Mobile body

Abstract

A mobile body 1 comprises: a main body 2 that can float on a water surface WS; a fan 6 which is provided to the main body 2 and which can generate an airflow directed outward from the main body 2 in the lateral direction of the main body 2; and a guide surface 72a which is provided to the main body 2 and which receives a reaction force by guiding the airflow generated by the fan 6. The guide surface 72a is disposed at a position offset from a center point CP of the body 2 in the lateral direction and is configured to change the direction of travel of the airflow generated by the fan 6 so as to increase the upward directivity of the airflow.

Description

Mobile

[0001] The present invention relates to a moving body that moves on the surface of water.

[0002] Vehicles that move on the water surface and perform various tasks are known. For example, vehicles equipped with cameras, sensors, and other devices have been proposed for use in sewer pipe inspections, and vehicles for seed scattering have been proposed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a moving body that includes a buoyant body that can float on the water surface and multiple propellers mounted on the upper surface of the buoyant body. Specifically, the moving body includes four propellers with axes parallel to the longitudinal direction of the moving body and two propellers with axes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the moving body. The moving body obtains a propulsive force in the longitudinal direction by rotating the former propellers and obtains a propulsive force in the width direction by rotating the latter propellers.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-24501

[0005] The moving body described in Patent Document 1 encounters a large resistance from water when moving in the width direction, which causes a problem that it takes time to move in the width direction, reducing work efficiency.

[0006] Furthermore, the air currents generated by the rotation of the propellers diffuse as they move forward. When these air currents reach the water surface, they can cause ripples and splash water droplets. If cameras, sensors, and other equipment installed on the mobile unit become wet, their operation may be hindered, and the mobile unit may not be able to perform its work properly.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a mobile body that can move quickly in the width direction while preventing water from getting on equipment mounted on the main body.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, a moving body that moves on the water surface comprises a main body capable of floating on the water surface, a fan provided on the main body and capable of generating an airflow directed outward from the main body in the width direction of the main body, and a guide surface provided on the main body that receives a reaction force by guiding the airflow generated by the fan, the guide surface being positioned at a position offset from the center point of the main body in the width direction and configured to change the direction of travel of the airflow generated by the fan to increase the upward directionality of the airflow.

[0009] In the moving body, the fan may have a propeller that rotates around an axis and a duct that surrounds the propeller.

[0010] The moving body may further include an angle adjustment mechanism that can adjust the angle formed between the width direction and the axis of the fan by rotating the fan relative to the main body.

[0011] The moving body may include a plurality of fans and a plurality of angle adjustment mechanisms, and the plurality of fans may include a first fan arranged closer to the front end of the body than the center point of the body, and a second fan arranged closer to the rear end of the body than the center point of the body, and the plurality of angle adjustment mechanisms may include a first angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle between the width direction and the axis of the first fan, and a second angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle between the width direction and the axis of the second fan independently of the first angle adjustment mechanism.

[0012] The moving body may further include a fan casing that includes a guide surface and fixes the fan to form a fan unit, and the angle adjustment mechanism may be configured to rotate the fan unit relative to the main body.

[0013] In the above moving body, the fan casing may be configured to cover the periphery of a path between the fan and the guide surface.

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a moving body that can move quickly in the width direction while preventing devices provided on the main body from being exposed to water.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a moving body according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the moving body of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the moving body of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the moving body of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the fan unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the moving body of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the moving body of FIG. 1 moving to the right. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a moving body according to a second embodiment.

[0016] [First embodiment] The configuration of a moving body 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the moving body 1 from the front. Figures 2 to 4 are a plan view, a side view, and a front view, respectively, showing the moving body 1.

[0017] In this specification, the left and right sides of the moving body 1 placed on the water surface when facing forward are referred to as "left" and "right," respectively. The left-right direction corresponds to the width direction of the main body 2, which will be described later. Furthermore, the upper side in the vertical direction is referred to as "top," and the lower side in the vertical direction is referred to as "bottom."

[0018] The mobile unit 1 is used to acquire information about a sewer pipe (not shown). The mobile unit 1 has a vertically elongated shape so that it can easily move along the direction in which the sewer pipe extends. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the width W, which is the distance between the left end 2c and the right end 2d of the main body 2, is smaller than the overall length L, which is the distance between the front end 2e and the rear end 2f of the main body 2. A center point CP is located at the center of the main body 2 in the left-right and front-rear directions.

[0019] The moving body 1 includes a main body 2, an information acquisition device 3, a forward movement fan 4, and four fan units 5.

[0020] The main body 2 is made of a lightweight, highly rigid material (e.g., carbon fiber reinforced plastic). A raised portion 21 that protrudes upward is formed in the center of the top surface 2a of the main body 2. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the side surface 2b of the main body 2 extends downward from the end of the top surface 2a, and its front-to-back and left-to-right dimensions gradually decrease toward the bottom. An accommodation space (not shown) is formed inside the main body 2, and this accommodation space accommodates electrical components such as a storage battery, a control device, and a wireless communication device. The main body 2 can float on the water surface WS with the electrical components accommodated and equipped with an information acquisition device 3, a forward movement fan 4, and a fan unit 5 (described later).

[0021] The information acquisition device 3 is provided to acquire information about objects around the moving body 1. As shown in Fig. 2 , the information acquisition device 3 has a front camera 31, an upper camera 32, two FPV cameras 33, two ToF sensors 34, and four lights 35.

[0022] Both the front camera 31 and the upper camera 32 are provided on the raised portion 21 of the main body 2. The front camera 31 is positioned so that its imaging range faces forward, and the upper camera 32 is positioned so that its imaging range faces upward.

[0023] One FPV camera 33 is provided on the front and one on the back of the raised portion 21. The FPV camera 33 provided on the front of the raised portion 21 is positioned so that its imaging range faces forward, and the FPV camera 33 provided on the back of the raised portion 21 is positioned so that its imaging range faces backward. One ToF sensor 34 is provided on the left and right sides of the raised portion 21. The ToF sensor 34 provided on the left side of the raised portion 21 is positioned so that its measurement range faces leftward, and the ToF sensor 34 provided on the right side of the raised portion 21 is positioned so that its measurement range faces rightward.

[0024] The lights 35 are lighting devices including light-emitting diodes and are provided on the top surface 2a of the main body 2. Two lights 35 are arranged near the front end 2e of the main body 2 so as to irradiate light forward. Two more lights 35 are arranged near the rear end 2f of the main body 2 so as to irradiate light backward.

[0025] The forward movement fan 4 is provided on the top surface 2a of the main body 2 in a region near the rear end 2f of the main body 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the forward movement fan 4 has a propeller 61 and a duct 62. The forward movement fan 4 is configured to receive a control signal to be driven and blow out air.

[0026] The four fan units 5 are provided on the top surface 2a of the main body 2. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, fan units 51 and 52 are arranged closer to the front end 2e than the center point CP, and fan units 53 and 54 are arranged closer to the rear end 2f than the center point CP. Furthermore, fan units 51 and 53 are arranged closer to the left end 2c than the center point CP, and fan units 52 and 54 are arranged closer to the right end 2d than the center point CP.

[0027] <Configuration of Fan Unit> Next, the configuration of the fan unit 5 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the fan unit 5. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 1, showing only the fan casing 7 (described later). Figures 7 and 8 are plan views showing the moving object 1.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5 , the fan unit 5 includes a fan 6 and a fan casing 7 .

[0029] The fan 6 has a propeller 61 and a duct 62. The propeller 61 has a plurality of blades extending radially from an axis 61a and is configured to be rotatable around the axis 61a. The duct 62 has a cylindrical shape extending in a substantially straight line between an inlet 62a and an outlet 62b. The central axis of the duct 62 is aligned with the axis 61a of the propeller 61 and is disposed so as to cover the propeller 61. The forward movement fan 4 described above has the same configuration as this fan 6. The fan 6 of the fan units 51 and 52 is an example of the "first fan" in the present invention, and the fan 6 of the fan units 53 and 54 is an example of the "second fan" in the present invention.

[0030] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the fan casing 7 has a bottom plate 71, a curved plate 72, and a pair of side plates 73. The bottom plate 71 is rectangular in plan view. The curved plate 72 extends upward while curving from one end of the bottom plate 71 and has a guide surface 72a. As shown in Figure 2, the guide surface 72a is positioned offset from the center point CP of the main body 2 in the left-right direction. In other words, the guide surface 72a does not exist on a straight line (not shown) that passes through the center point CP and extends in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 5, the pair of side plates 73 are positioned to face each other with the bottom plate 71 and the curved plate 72 sandwiched between them.

[0031] Holes 711 to 713 are formed in the bottom plate 71, penetrating the bottom plate 71. Hole 711 is formed in the center of the bottom plate 71. Holes 712 and 713 are elongated holes that extend in an arc shape with hole 711 as the center in a plan view. Specifically, hole 712 extends from one side of hole 711 toward the curved plate 72, and hole 713 extends from the other side of hole 711 in the direction opposite to the curved plate 72. Two elongated holes (not shown) in the fan casings 7 of fan units 52 and 54 extend in the opposite direction to holes 712 and 713 in the fan casings 7 of fan units 51 and 53, respectively.

[0032] The fan 6 is fixed to the fan casing 7. More specifically, the fan 6 is disposed between a pair of side plates 73 and fixed to the side plates 73. As shown in Fig. 6 , the fan 6 is spaced apart from the guide surface 72a of the curved plate 72 and is disposed so that the outlet 62b of the duct 62 faces the guide surface 72a. As a result, the periphery of the path P between the fan 6 and the guide surface 72a is covered by the pair of side plates 73.

[0033] The fan unit 5 is mounted on the upper surface 2a of the main body 2 by screws 81 to 83 shown in Fig. 5. The screw 81 passes through a hole 711 in the fan casing 7, and the screws 82 and 83 pass through holes 712 and 713.

[0034] The holes 711-713 and the screws 81-83 are an example of an "angle adjustment mechanism" according to the present invention. The provision of this angle adjustment mechanism allows the fan unit 5 to rotate within a predetermined range relative to the main body 2. Specifically, the fan unit 5 can rotate around the axis 81a of the screw 81 within the range in which the holes 712 and 713 can slide relative to the screws 82 and 83. This allows the angle formed by the shaft 61a of the propeller 61 relative to the left-right direction to be adjusted between 0° (see FIG. 2 ) and θ (see FIG. 7 , where θ is, for example, 45°). This angle can be adjusted by an inspector manually rotating the fan unit 5. Alternatively, a motor (not shown) for driving the angle adjustment mechanism may be mounted on the mobile object 1, and the motor may be driven to adjust the angle in accordance with the behavior of the mobile object 1 and the flow of water in the sewer pipe.

[0035] An angle adjustment mechanism is provided for each of the fan units 51 to 54. This allows the angles of the fan units 51 to 54 to be adjusted independently of one another. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 8 , it is possible to arrange the fan units 51 and 52 so that their axes 61 a are parallel to the left-right direction, while the fan units 53 and 54 so that their axes 61 a form an angle θ with respect to the left-right direction. The angle adjustment mechanism provided for the fan units 51 and 52 is an example of the "first angle adjustment mechanism" of the present invention, and the angle adjustment mechanism provided for the fan units 53 and 54 is an example of the "second angle adjustment mechanism" of the present invention.

[0036] <Inspection of the inside of a sewer pipe using a mobile body> Next, an inspection of the inside of a sewer pipe using a mobile body 1 will be described. An inspector performing an inspection using the mobile body 1 operates the mobile body 1 using a remote controller (not shown). When the remote controller receives an operation from the inspector, it wirelessly transmits an operation signal corresponding to that operation to the outside. In the mobile body 1, a wireless communication device receives this operation signal, and a control device transmits control signals to the information acquisition device 3, the forward drive fan 4, and the fan unit 5.

[0037] The forward movement fan 4 receives a control signal and is driven to rotate the propeller 61 (see FIG. 1) at a rotation speed corresponding to the control signal. The propeller 61 draws in air through an inlet 62a of a duct 62 and blows the air out from an outlet 62b of the duct 62. Figures 2, 7, and 8 show airflow B that can be formed by the forward movement fan 4. The moving body 1 can move forward using the reaction force acting on the forward movement fan 4 as propulsion.

[0038] While the moving object 1 is moving, the light 35 emits light, and the front camera 31 and the upper camera 32 take images. The front camera 31 captures an image in front of the moving object 1, and the upper camera 32 captures an image of the ceiling surface of the sewer pipe. These images are used to check the condition of the sewer pipe.

[0039] Furthermore, FPV cameras 33, one on the front side and one on the back side of the raised portion 21 of the main body 2, capture video images in front of and behind the mobile body 1. These videos are converted into signals in real time and transmitted to an inspector via a wireless communication device. The inspector operates the remote controller while checking the images displayed on the display based on the signals.

[0040] Furthermore, ToF sensors 34, each provided on the left and right sides of the raised portion 21 of the main body 2, emit laser light toward the inner wall surface of the sewer pipe and allow the laser light reflected by the inner wall surface to enter. Information regarding the emission and incidence of this laser light is transmitted as a signal from the ToF sensors 34 to a control device inside the main body 2. The control device performs a predetermined calculation based on the signal to calculate the distance between the inner wall surface of the sewer pipe and the mobile object 1. This calculated distance is used to control the mobile object 1.

[0041] When the moving body 1 moves left and right, the fan unit 5 is driven instead of or in addition to the forward movement fan 4. As described above, the angle that the shaft 61a of the fan unit 5 forms with respect to the left and right direction can be adjusted. The inspector can set the angle as appropriate depending on the sewer pipe to be inspected, the water flow within the sewer pipe, etc.

[0042] For example, if the mobile object 1 is required to move quickly left and right, the inspector can arrange all fan units 5 so that their axes 61a are parallel to the left and right direction, as shown in FIG. 2 . In this arrangement, FIG. 2 shows airflows L1 and L3 that can be generated by fan units 51 and 53, and airflows R2 and R4 that can be generated by fan units 52 and 54. Airflows L1 and L3 are directed leftward, and airflows R2 and R4 are directed rightward. The formation of airflows L1 and L3 generates a reaction force acting on fan units 51 and 53, allowing the mobile object 1 to move quickly rightward. Furthermore, the formation of airflows R2 and R4 generates a reaction force acting on fan units 52 and 54, allowing the mobile object 1 to move quickly leftward.

[0043] Furthermore, if the mobile object 1 is required to move left and right while countering the relatively fast water flow in the sewer pipe, the inspector can arrange all of the fan units 5 so that the axes 61a form an angle θ with respect to the left and right direction, as shown in FIG. 7 . In this arrangement, FIG. 7 shows the airflows BL1 and BL3 that can be generated by the fan units 51 and 53, and the airflows BR2 and BR4 that can be generated by the fan units 52 and 54. The airflows BL1 and BL3 are directed backward and leftward, and the airflows BR2 and BR4 are directed backward and rightward. The airflows BL1 and BL3, which act on the fan units 51 and 53, enable the mobile object 1 to move rightward while countering the water flow. The airflows BR2 and BR4, which act on the fan units 52 and 54, enable the mobile object 1 to move leftward while countering the water flow.

[0044] Furthermore, if the mobile body 1 is required to move left and right against the relatively slow water flow in the sewer pipe or to make rapid turns, the inspector can arrange the fan units 51 and 52 so that their axes 61a are parallel to the left and right direction, and arrange the fan units 53 and 54 so that their axes 61a form an angle θ with respect to the left and right direction, as shown in FIG. 8 . FIG. 8 shows the airflows L1 and BL3 that can be generated by the fan units 51 and 53 and the airflows R2 and BR4 that can be generated by the fan units 52 and 54 in this arrangement. The airflows L1 and BL3, which act on the fan units 51 and 53, enable the mobile body 1 to move rightward against the water flow or make rapid turns to the right. Furthermore, the airflows R2 and BR4, which act on the fan units 52 and 54, enable the mobile body 1 to move leftward against the water flow or make rapid turns to the left.

[0045] <Movement of the moving body in the left-right direction> Next, movement of the moving body 1 in the left-right direction will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the moving body 1 moving to the right. In the moving body 1 shown in Fig. 9, all of the fan units 5 are arranged so that the axes 61a are parallel to the left-right direction (see Fig. 2).

[0046] 6, the fan 6 of the fan unit 5 is spaced apart from the guide surface 72a of the curved plate 72, and is disposed so that the outlet 62b of the duct 62 faces the guide surface 72a of the fan casing 7. Therefore, the airflow L11 generated by the fan 6 is directed along the axis 61a near the fan 6, but then flows along the guide surface 72a, thereby increasing its upward directionality. At this time, the guide surface 72a receives a reaction force downward and outward of the main body 2, as indicated by arrow F1.

[0047] Therefore, when the fan units 51 and 53 are driven, a portion of the main body 2 near the left end 2c receives a force in the direction of arrow F1 via the fan casing 7. As a result, as shown in Fig. 9, the movable body 1 tilts so that the left end 2c of the main body 2 descends and the right end 2d rises. After the movable body 1 tilts, the airflow L12 flowing along the guide surface 72a is directed in a direction closer to the horizontal than the airflow L11 shown in Fig. 6. This allows the movable body 1 to move to the right, using the reaction force acting on the fan units 51 and 53 as a propulsive force.

[0048] On the other hand, when the movable body 1 moves leftward, the fan units 52 and 54 are driven. In this case, the force acting on the guide surfaces 72a of the fan units 52 and 54 causes the movable body 1 to tilt so that the right end 2d of the main body 2 descends and the left end 2c ascends.

[0049] <Operations and Effects> Next, operations and effects based on the configuration of the moving body 1 will be described.

[0050] As described above, the guide surface 72a is disposed at a position offset from the center point CP of the main body 2 in the left-right direction (i.e., the width direction of the main body 2) and is configured to change the direction of the airflow generated by the fan 6 and increase the upward directivity of the airflow. With this configuration, the movable body 1 can be tilted to reduce the area of ​​the portion of the main body 2 that is located underwater. This makes it possible to reduce the resistance that the main body 2 experiences from water when the movable body 1 moves left-right.

[0051] Furthermore, the guide surface 72a increases the upward directionality of the airflow, directing the airflow away from the water surface WS, thereby suppressing rippling of the water surface WS and scattering of water droplets caused by the airflow.

[0052] That is, the configuration of the moving body 1 makes it possible to move quickly in the left-right direction while preventing the devices provided in the main body 2 from getting wet.

[0053] The fan 6 also has a propeller 61 that rotates around a shaft 61 a and a duct 62 that surrounds the propeller 61 .

[0054] With this configuration, the duct 62 can suppress the diffusion of the airflow generated by the propeller 61, and the airflow can be efficiently directed toward the guide surface 72a. As a result, the movable body 1 can be reliably tilted and moved quickly in the left and right directions.

[0055] The moving body 1 further includes an angle adjustment mechanism that can adjust the angle formed between the left and right direction and the shaft 61 a of the fan 6 by rotating the fan 6 relative to the main body 2 .

[0056] This configuration makes it possible to adjust the directionality of the airflow generated by the fan 6 and to adjust the direction of the reaction force received by the fan 6. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately adjust the direction of the propulsive force in accordance with the water flow around the moving body 1, etc.

[0057] The movable body 1 also includes a plurality of fans 6 and a plurality of angle adjustment mechanisms. The plurality of fans 6 includes fans 6 (first fans) of fan units 51 and 52 arranged closer to the front end 2 e of the main body 2 than the center point CP of the main body 2, and fans 6 (second fans) of fan units 53 and 54 arranged closer to the rear end 2 f of the main body 2 than the center point CP of the main body 2. The plurality of angle adjustment mechanisms includes a first angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle between the left-right direction and the shafts 61 a of the fans 6 of the fan units 51 and 52, and a second angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle between the left-right direction and the shafts 61 a of the fans 6 of the fan units 53 and 54 independently of the first angle adjustment mechanism.

[0058] This configuration makes it possible to more precisely adjust the directionality of the airflow generated by the fan 6 and adjust the direction of the reaction force received by the fan 6. As a result, it becomes possible to more appropriately adjust the direction of the propulsive force in accordance with the water flow around the moving body 1, etc.

[0059] The movable body 1 further includes a fan casing 7 that includes the guide surface 72a and fixes the fan 6 to form the fan unit 5. The angle adjustment mechanism is configured to rotate the fan unit 5 relative to the main body 2.

[0060] With this configuration, the angle adjustment mechanism can rotate the fan unit 5 without changing the relative positional relationship between the fan 6 and the guide surface 72a. As a result, it is possible to efficiently direct the airflow generated by the fan 6 toward the guide surface 72a, regardless of the angle formed between the left-right direction and the shaft 61a of the fan 6.

[0061] The fan casing 7 is configured to cover the periphery of the path P between the fan 6 and the guide surface 72a.

[0062] With this configuration, the fan casing 7 can suppress the diffusion of the airflow generated by the fan 6, and the airflow can be efficiently directed toward the guide surface 72 a. As a result, the movable body 1 can be reliably tilted and moved quickly in the left-right direction.

[0063] Second Embodiment Next, a moving body 1A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the moving body 1A from the front. As in the first embodiment, the moving body 1A moves inside a sewer pipe (not shown) and is used to acquire information about the sewer pipe. The configuration of the moving body 1A differs from that of the first embodiment in the guide plates 91, 92, etc. The same components of the moving body 1A as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0064] The fans 6 of the moving body 1A are mounted on the top surface 2a of the main body 2 without using a fan casing 7. An angle adjustment mechanism (not shown) is provided between the top surface 2a and the four fans 6 other than the forward movement fan 4. This makes it possible to adjust the angles that the shafts 61a of the four fans 6 form with respect to the left-right direction, just like in the first embodiment.

[0065] Furthermore, guide plates 91, 92 are provided near the left end 2c and the right end 2d (see FIG. 1 ) of the main body 2 of the movable body 1A. The guide plate 91 extends upward and leftward from near the left end 2c and has a guide surface 91a. The guide plate 92 extends upward and rightward from near the right end 2d and has a guide surface 92a. The four fans 6 other than the forward movement fan 4 are spaced apart from the guide surface 91a or the guide surface 92a and are positioned so that the outlets 62b of the ducts 62 face the guide surface 91a or the guide surface 92a.

[0066] The airflows L1A, L3A, R2A, and R4A generated by the four fans 6 other than the forward fan 4 flow along the guide surface 91a or the guide surface 92a, thereby increasing their upward directionality. At this time, the guide surface 91a or the guide surface 92a receives a reaction force downward and outward of the main body 2, as shown by the arrow F21 or the arrow F22.

[0067] Therefore, a portion of the main body 2 near the left end 2c or the right end 2d receives a force in the direction of arrow F21 or arrow F22 via the guide plate 91 or the guide plate 92. As a result, the movable body 1 tilts so that one of the left end 2c or the right end 2d of the main body 2 descends and the other ascends. After the movable body 1 tilts, the airflow flowing along the guide surface 91a or the guide surface 92a is directed in a direction close to horizontal. This allows the movable body 1 to move right or left using the reaction force acting on the fan 6 as a propulsive force.

[0068] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements of the embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and may be modified as appropriate.

[0069] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Mobile body 2 Main body 5, 51 to 55 Fan unit 6 Fan 61 Propeller 61a Shaft 62 Duct 7 Fan casing 711 to 713 Holes (angle adjustment mechanism) 72a, 91a, 92a Guide surface 81 to 83 Screws (angle adjustment mechanism) CP Center point WS Water surface

Claims

1. A moving body that moves on the water surface, comprising: a main body capable of floating on the water surface; a fan provided on said main body and capable of generating an airflow directed outward from said main body in the width direction of said main body; and a guide surface provided on said main body and receiving a reaction force by guiding the airflow generated by the fan, wherein said guide surface is positioned at a position offset from a center point of said main body in the width direction and is configured to change the direction of travel of the airflow generated by the fan to increase the upward directionality of the airflow.

2. The moving body according to claim 1, wherein the fan has a propeller that rotates around an axis and a duct that surrounds the propeller.

3. A moving body as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising an angle adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the angle between the width direction and the axis of the fan by rotating the fan relative to the main body.

4. A moving body as described in claim 3, comprising a plurality of said fans and a plurality of said angle adjustment mechanisms, wherein said plurality of fans includes a first fan arranged closer to the front end of said body than the center point of said body, and a second fan arranged closer to the rear end of said body than the center point of said body, and said plurality of angle adjustment mechanisms includes a first angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle between said width direction and the axis of said first fan, and a second angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle between said width direction and the axis of said second fan independently of said first angle adjustment mechanism.

5. The moving body according to claim 4, further comprising a fan casing including said guide surface and fixing said fan to form a fan unit, said angle adjustment mechanism being configured to rotate said fan unit relative to said main body.

6. The moving body according to claim 5, wherein the fan casing is configured to cover the periphery of a path between the fan and the guide surface.

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