Unit house

Abstract

This unit house (1) has an internal space (4) formed by a top wall (11), a peripheral wall (12), and a bottom wall assembly (14), and the unit house is configured to be movable. The bottom wall assembly (14) has a storage tank (16) capable of storing a fluid, an injection port (21) for injecting the fluid into the storage tank (16), and a discharge port (25) for discharging the fluid.

Description

Unit house ,

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[0006] Related application

[0001] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-231222 filed on December 26, 2024, and the entire content thereof is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this application.

[0002] The present invention relates to a unit house that can be easily transported and has excellent wind resistance.

[0003] Conventionally, a mobile structure that can be transported to a desired location and used as a space for living, working, operating, resting, medical treatment, etc. is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-5416

[0005] In Patent Document 1, as a countermeasure against movement or 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 main body or place a heavy object or the like as a weight after installation to increase the overall weight.

[0006] When the weight of the mobile structure main body is increased, due to the increased weight, a crane with a higher lifting capacity is required during transportation, resulting in increased costs. Also, due to the increased weight, a transport vehicle with a higher loading capacity is required, not only increasing costs but also causing transportation restrictions such as being unable to pass through narrow roads due to the increased size of the vehicle.

[0007] When placing a heavy object or the like as a weight after installation to increase the overall weight, a robust floor structure capable of withstanding the loading weight is required, resulting in increased costs. Also, since an unnecessary weight is placed inside the structure, the available space inside the structure becomes narrower. Furthermore, labor for carrying the weight into the structure is generated, and the balance of the entire structure becomes uneven due to placing the weight.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a unit house that can be easily transported and has excellent wind resistance.

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] This configuration allows the fluid inside the storage tank to be easily discharged to the outside of the unit house.

[0013] In the unit house of the present invention, the storage tank may be formed by a storage tank capable of storing the fluid.

[0014] With this configuration, the storage tank can be easily cleaned by washing the individual storage tanks.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] This configuration using colored heat transfer plates allows for more effective utilization of the fluid in the storage tank as a heat source for cooling or underfloor heating, similar to the case using the heat transfer plates with fins described above.

[0021] The unit house of the present invention may be equipped with at least one power generation device, either a wind power generation device or a solar power generation device.

[0022] This configuration allows for the generation of electricity necessary for the modular house using solar and / or wind power. Furthermore, in unelectrified areas where securing a power source is difficult, there is no need to install new utility poles or transmission lines, making installation easier and reducing construction costs.

[0023] In the unit house of the present invention, a control device for controlling the power generation device may be installed in the internal space.

[0024] This configuration allows for the protection of control devices that are susceptible to external environmental influences.

[0025] Any combination of at least two configurations disclosed in the claims and / or the specification and / or drawings is included in the present invention. In particular, any combination of two or more of each claim is included in the present invention.

[0026] The present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments and drawings are for illustrative and explanatory purposes only and should not be used to define the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, the same part number in multiple drawings indicates the same or corresponding part. This is a front view of a unit house according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This is a right side view of a unit house according to the same embodiment. This is a top view of a unit house according to the same embodiment. This is a cross-sectional view of a unit house according to line II-II according to the same embodiment. This is an exploded perspective view showing the bottom wall assembly of a unit house according to the same embodiment. This is a cross-sectional view of a unit house according to the second embodiment of the present invention corresponding to Figure 2. This is an exploded perspective view showing the bottom wall assembly of a unit house according to the same embodiment. This is a cross-sectional view of a unit house according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This is an exploded perspective view showing the bottom wall assembly of a unit house according to the same embodiment. This is a right side view of a unit house according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This is a top view of a unit house according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] <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-and-down direction and the left-and-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 is substantially rectangular in shape, is configured to be movable, and has an internal space 4 inside which at least one of the following activities can be performed: living, working, resting, shopping, and medical treatment. The unit house 1 may also be a transport container. In this embodiment, the unit house 1 is not a self-propelled type of 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.

[0028] 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 portion 12a, a rear wall portion 12b (not shown), a left wall portion 12c (Figure 2), and a right wall portion 12d. The front wall portion 12a, the rear wall portion 12b, the left wall portion 12c, and the right wall portion 12d are each substantially rectangular plate portions and are arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to the horizontal direction. The front wall portion 12a and the rear wall portion 12b are arranged opposite each other in the front-to-back direction. The left wall portion 12c and the right wall portion 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] An inlet 21 for injecting fluid is provided on the right bottom frame 7d, and an outlet 25 for discharging fluid is provided on the left bottom frame 7c. 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.

[0031] An injection member 22 is attached to the inlet 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 inlet 21 side to the opposite end, but is not limited to this. Except when injecting fluid 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 outlet 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 is not limited to this shape. Except when discharging fluid from the discharge member 26, a lid 27 is provided on 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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) is 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.

[0035] <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 place where it cannot be fixed to the ground with anchors, etc., 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 wind resistance. Furthermore, when moving or transporting, the fluid stored in the storage tank 16 can be discharged, and the overall weight can be reduced by emptying the tank. 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 arise if heavy objects were placed inside the Unit House 1 as counterweights.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] <Regarding Other Embodiments> In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for parts corresponding to matters previously described in each embodiment, and redundant explanations are omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described, the other parts of the configuration are the same as those described previously unless otherwise specified. The same configuration produces 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.

[0039] <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 openings 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 openings 31 are provided on one beam member 30, but the number can be changed arbitrarily, and the shape is not limited to circular. As a shape other than circular, for example, it may be rectangular.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] <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 instead of 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 to prevent 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 upper plate 40 to prevent fluid leakage and to prevent foreign matter from entering the discharge member 46. The upper plate 40 is provided above the storage tank 16 of the bottom wall assembly 14, and a floor plate 15 is provided above the upper plate 40.

[0044] The upper plate 40 has fins 48 that promote heat radiation or heat absorption. The fins 48 are provided on part or all of the upper plate 40. The fins 48 have a shape of a number of parallel grooves, but can take various other shapes. In order to improve the efficiency of heat transfer, a material having high thermal conductivity such as aluminum or copper is used for the fins 48. That is, the upper plate 40 of the present embodiment has a role as a heat transfer plate. The fins 48 may not be provided.

[0045] The upper plate 40 is colored to promote heat radiation or heat absorption. Such a color is, for example, black. The coloring of the upper plate 40 may not be performed, or only the coloring may be performed without the fins 48.

[0046] According to the unit house 1 according to the third embodiment, since the upper plate 40 has fins 48 that promote heat radiation or heat absorption and / or is colored to promote heat radiation or heat absorption, when warm water is put in the storage tank 16, the heat in the storage tank 16 is easily radiated to the internal space 4. Also, when cold water is put in the storage tank 16, the heat in the internal space 4 is easily absorbed by the cold water in the storage tank 16. Thus, since the upper 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 floor heating or the like.

[0047] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, the unit house 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the unit house 1 includes a wind power generation device 50 as a power generation device. The wind power generation device 50 includes a windmill 51 and a generator 52 that generates electricity by the windmill 51. The windmill 51 is configured as a vertical axis type windmill. Specifically, the windmill 51 has a plurality (two in this example) of 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 around a vertical axis at the upper end of a support column 55 via a bearing (not shown). The two blades 53 are provided at positions having a phase difference of 180 degrees around the axis of the support column 55. Further, the support column 55 is fixed to the upper center of any one of the peripheral walls 12 of the unit house 1 (the right wall portion 12d in this example).

[0048] The generator 52 of the wind power generation device 50 is provided inside a generator casing 56 attached to the upper end of a support column 55. A fixed ring of the bearing is attached to the generator casing 56, and a rotating ring of the bearing is connected to the blade support 54. As the windmill 51 rotates, the rotor of the generator 52 rotates inside the generator casing 56 together with the rotating ring, enabling the generator 52 to generate electricity. As the generator 52, for example, an induction generator or a synchronous generator can be used.

[0049] The vertical-axis windmill 51 is relatively small but can rotate when receiving wind, so it is suitable as the windmill for the wind power generation device 50 provided in the unit house 1. However, the windmill 51 is not limited to this, and a horizontal-axis windmill may also be used.

[0050] The unit house 1 includes a control device 59 and a storage battery 63 in an internal space 4. The control device 59 controls to input the electric power generated by the wind power generation device 50 into the storage battery 63 and supply the electric power input to this storage battery 63 to the electrical equipment provided in the unit house 1. The control device 59 is composed of a computer, a program executed thereon, and various electronic circuits, etc. The control device 59 includes, for example, an AC / DC converter that converts the AC power generated by the wind power generation device 50 into a DC voltage that can be stored in the storage battery 63, and an inverter that converts the power stored in the storage battery 63 into an alternating current of a sine wave similar to commercial AC power or an alternating current of a rectangular wave. The control device 59 and the storage battery 63 may be installed outside the unit house 1 instead of in the internal space 4.

[0051] 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 surrounding wall 12 of the unit house 1, and this outlet 57 is electrically connected to the control device 59. Therefore, by connecting the electrical cable 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), electric hybrid vehicle (HEV), etc. A charging plug 58, which is a power connection section, is provided on the surrounding 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 it with an external power source such as the grid when a temporary shortage of power generation occurs, or to use the grid power source or the like as the main power source and utilize the wind power generator 50 as a backup power source in the event of a power outage.

[0052] 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.

[0053] <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 device 60 as a power generation device. The photovoltaic power generation device 60 has a photovoltaic panel 61 that converts sunlight into photoelectricity, and a panel mounting frame (not shown) for attaching the photovoltaic panel 61 to the unit house 1. In this example, the photovoltaic panel 61 is 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 panel 61 may be installed on the peripheral wall 12 of the unit house 1, or it may be spread out around the unit house 1. The panel mounting frame may be equipped with a mechanism that allows the photovoltaic panel 61 to be tilted in accordance with the direction of the sun.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] As described above, preferred embodiments have been explained with reference to the drawings, but various additions, modifications, and deletions are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, such additions and deletions are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0057] 1...Unit house 4...Interior space 11...Top wall 12...Surface wall 14...Bottom wall assembly 15...Floorboard 16...Storage tank (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, a perimeter wall, and a bottom wall assembly, wherein 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.

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 comprises 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, which is 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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