JP2002006736A - Swirling generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a swirling generator which is small in size and low in cost and can express the action of Corioris force even near about middle latitude. SOLUTION: This swirling generator has a water tank 12, a turntable 4 which bears this water tank 12 in an eccentric position, a pump 27 which generates ascending water flow at a part of the water housed in this water tank 12 and a direction indicating means 25 which indicates the flow direction of the water in the segment where the ascending water flow is generated by the pump 27. The turntable 4 is rotated in the state of generating the ascending water flow by the pump 27, by which the swirling of the ascending water flow is initiated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a junior high school, a museum,
The present invention relates to a vortex generator that can be used as a teaching material or the like in a science museum.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in low school, high school, typhoon, tornado, etc. classes in junior high schools, the focus has been on using the image of the meteorological satellite sunflower as a teaching material and looking at this image to consider the movement of clouds. It has become. However, with this method, there is a problem that the student does not show much interest in the weather and cannot obtain a sufficient understanding. To increase students' interest and understanding of weather,
Several experimental devices for generating typhoons, tornadoes, etc. have been devised.

[0003]

However, all of these experimental devices are large, expensive, and are not practical. Moreover, these experimental devices express that the Coriolis force acts near the center of rotation of the turntable that generates the Coriolis force, and the Coriolis force near mid-latitudes (at a distance from the center of rotation). There is also the problem that students cannot intuitively accept working. Therefore, it is small, inexpensive,
In addition, there is a strong demand for a device capable of expressing that Coriolis force works even in the vicinity of middle latitudes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been developed to provide a vortex generator which is small, inexpensive, and can express that Coriolis force is exerted even near a middle latitude. Aim.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a swirl generator according to the present invention comprises a fluid storage tank, a rotating member for receiving the fluid storage tank at an eccentric position, and a fluid storage tank. An ascending flow generating means for generating an ascending flow in a part of the fluid contained therein, and an indicating means for indicating a flow direction of the fluid in a portion where the ascending flow is generated by the ascending flow generating means, By rotating the rotating member in a state where the upward flow is generated by the upward flow generating means, the upward flow starts to swirl.

That is, the vortex generator according to the present invention is a device which merely includes a fluid storage tank, a rotating member, an upflow generating means, and an instruction means, and can be manufactured using teaching materials in a school. Small, inexpensive. Then, by using the swirl generator of the present invention, it is possible to reproduce a low pressure, a typhoon, and a tornado in the northern and southern hemispheres in a student experiment in a science room. In addition, since the fluid storage tank is supported at a position eccentric from the rotation center of the rotating member, the student can intuitively understand that the Coriolis force works even near the middle latitude. As a result, the student's motivation for the weather can be stimulated, and interest and understanding are increased.

In the present invention, a liquid is stored in the fluid storage tank, a pump is used as the upward flow generating means, and the liquid stored in the fluid storage tank is placed with the suction port of the pump directed downward. In the case where the ascending flow is generated by sucking the liquid from the suction port provided in the upper layer, the ascending flow is easily generated by the pump in a part of the liquid stored in the fluid storage tank. Can be.

In the present invention, the liquid sucked from the suction port is returned to a portion of the liquid in the fluid storage tank at a predetermined distance from a portion where the upward flow is generated by the upward flow generating means, and the liquid descends to this portion. If you want to create a flow, use the liquid sucked from the suction port of the pump,
A downward flow can be created in the fluid storage tank, and high pressure can be reproduced.

In the present invention, a liquid is stored in the fluid storage tank, an air discharge pump is used as the upward flow generating means, and an air discharge port of the air discharge pump is a lower layer of the liquid stored in the fluid storage tank. In the case where an upward flow composed of fine bubbles is generated by discharging air from the air discharge port, a part of the liquid stored in the fluid storage tank is discharged by an air discharge pump. An upward flow composed of fine bubbles can be easily generated.

In the present invention, smoke is stored in the fluid storage tank, and a heat source is used as the upward flow generating means. This heat source is disposed below the smoke stored in the fluid storage tank. When the upward flow is generated by heating the smoke, the upward flow can be easily generated in a part of the smoke stored in the fluid storage tank by the heat source.

In the present invention, when the rotating member is provided with an image device for photographing the inside of the fluid storage tank, the image device allows the state inside the fluid storage tank viewed from the turntable to be viewed on a television screen. .

In the present invention, the indicating means has a rotating body rotatably attached to the bottom of the fluid storage tank, and a direction indicator protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. In the case where the direction of the direction indicating unit changes along the flow of the fluid inside, the indicating means can have a simple structure.

Next, the present invention will be described in detail.

The swirl generator according to the present invention includes a fluid storage tank, a rotating member, an upflow generator, and an indicator.

The rotating member includes various types such as a rotating plate rotated by a rotating means such as a motor, a wheel, a turntable of a record player, and the like.

As the upward flow generating means, any means can be used as long as it can generate an upward flow in a part of the fluid stored in the fluid storage tank. For example, various pumps ( Submersible pump, air discharge pump, etc.)
And heat sources (hot water, candle fire, etc.).

As the above-mentioned indicating means, not only means for directly indicating the direction of the flow of the fluid, such as a flag or a thread, but also means for directly indicating
Includes sawdust put in water, smoke put in the air (smoke of incense sticks, smoke made from hydrochloric acid and ammonia, etc.), coloring gas, and the like.
In addition, when fluorescent paint is attached to sawdust, if light is applied during the experiment, the movement of the sawdust can be seen clearly.

[0018]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment of a spiral generator according to the present invention. In these figures, 1 is a substrate. Reference numeral 2 denotes a rotating body fixed on the substrate 1, a base 3 fixed on the substrate 1, and a disk-shaped member rotatably supported on the base 3 while being horizontally held on the base 3. (Rotating member) 4. Reference numeral 5 denotes a geared motor, and its rotating shaft 5a and pulley 6 are connected at a predetermined gear ratio via a plurality of gears 7. Reference numeral 8 denotes a transmission belt for connecting the turntable 4 and the pulley 6, and is extended between a groove 4a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the turntable 4 and a groove (not shown) of the pulley 6. In the figure, reference numeral 4b denotes a rotating shaft that hangs down from the lower surface of the turntable 4, and is rotatably fitted in a round hole (not shown) formed in the upper surface of the base 3. Reference numeral 9 denotes a plurality of (for example, only two) support members (for example, rollers) provided on the upper surface of the base 3, and the rotating table 4 is provided on the upper surface thereof.
Is rotatably supported.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a mounting plate made of a rectangular flat plate, and the center of the mounting plate is mounted on the turntable 4.
The mounting plate 11 has one side (the right side in the drawing)
A water tank (fluid storage tank) 12 is mounted on the other side, and a weight 13 for holding the mounting plate 11 horizontally is mounted on the other side (the left side in the drawing).

The water tank 12 is formed of a transparent plastic container having an open top, and sawdust (not shown) is uniformly dispersed in the water contained therein. The water tank 12 is provided at its bottom with a direction indicating means 15 for indicating the flow direction of water. The direction indicating means 15 includes a plastic bottom plate 16 disposed at the bottom of the water tank 12 and a bottom plate 16 attached to the bottom plate 16.
It consists of eight flags 17. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of these flags 17 has a push pin 18 inserted from the lower surface of the bottom plate 16 (the head 18a of the push pin 18 is
Is adhered and fixed to the lower surface of the push pin 18).
(Rotating body) 1 rotatably mounted on the upper surface of the bottom plate 16 in a state where the pin portion 18b is inserted through the screw hole 19a.
9 and a direction indicating portion 20 (which is an elongated small flag-like piece formed by forming a thin plastic plate into a right-angled triangle) which is adhered and fixed to the upper surface of the nut 19. 18 a is placed on the bottom surface 12 a of the water tank 12. 1, only the bottom plate 16 and 16 nuts 19 (two nuts 19 are hidden and not visible) are shown as the direction indicating means 15. Also, the 18 flags 17
The flag group 21 and 22 provided on the front and rear sides of the bottom plate 16 and a pair of left and right flags 17 disposed between the two flag groups 21 and 22 are divided and fixed to the bottom plate 16 (see FIG. 5). The front flag group 21 is composed of eight flags 17 arranged at equal intervals on the imaginary circumference in the front part of the bottom plate 16, and the rear flag group 22 is located behind the bottom plate 16. In the side part, eight flags 1 arranged at equal intervals on the virtual circle
7. Then, with the rotation of the nut 19 of each flag 17, each direction indicator 20 rotates, thereby
The direction of each direction indicator 20 is changed.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a stand mounted on the mounting plate 11, and a pump 27 is fixed above the water tank 12 in a vertical posture by a fixture 26 provided on the stand 25. This pump 27 has a water inlet 27a,
At a first predetermined portion of the water tank 12 (a portion directly above the center of the virtual circumference of the front flag group 21), it is positioned slightly below the water surface (see FIG. 5). 28 is a connecting plate,
One end opening of a communication passage (not shown) formed therein communicates with the water suction port 27 a of the pump 27. Reference numeral 29 denotes a hose that bends in a substantially U-shape, and one end opening thereof communicates with the other end opening of the communication passage. Further, the other end opening of the hose 29 is positioned slightly below the water surface at a second predetermined portion of the water tank 12 (directly above the center of the imaginary circumference of the rear flag group 22) ( (See FIG. 5). Such a hose 29 is positioned and fixed to the water tank 12 or the like by positioning means (not shown).

Reference numeral 30 denotes a mini video camera with a transmitter mounted on the center of the mounting plate 11, and the state inside the water tank 12 captured by the camera can be viewed on a television screen.

In the above configuration, first, water is stored in the water tank 12, and the sawdust is dispersed uniformly. Next, the pump 27 is driven. As a result, water is sucked up from the water inlet 27a of the pump 27, and a slowly rising water flow (upflow) is created in this portion (see arrow A in FIG. 6). The portion where this rising water flow is created corresponds to the low pressure portion. The water sucked up from the water suction port 27a of the pump 27 is returned to the water tank 12 through the communication passage of the connecting plate 28 and the hose 29, and a slow descending water flow (downflow) is created in this portion (FIG. 6 arrow B). The portion where this descending water flow is created corresponds to the high pressure portion. At this time, the direction of the direction indicator 20 of the eight flags 17 constituting the front flag group 21 has not changed in the portion where the rising water flow is created. On the other hand, in a portion where a downward flow is generated, the direction indicating portions 20 of the eight flags 17 constituting the rear flag group 22 are radially oriented (see FIG. 7). This indicates that the descending water flow has spread radially after reaching the bottom plate 16. 6, only the bottom plate 16 and ten nuts 19 (eight nuts 19 are hidden and cannot be seen) are shown as the direction indicating means 15.

Next, when a swirl is generated in the water tank 12 in order to observe the state of a typhoon or a tornado in the northern hemisphere, the pump 27 is driven, and then the motor 5 with gears is driven. Turn counterclockwise. As a result, the inertia force acts in the water tank 12, and the water in the water tank 12 starts to move as a whole. However, the water becomes stable when rotated about 4 to 5 times. When the water stabilizes, where the rising water flow is created,
A counterclockwise vortex is created. At this time, the sawdust starts to swirl counterclockwise in the portion where the rising water flow is created. The direction of the direction indicator 20 of the eight flags 17 constituting the front flag group 21 is counterclockwise and inward (see FIG. 8).
This shows how the wind blows in the low pressure area.

On the other hand, at the portion where the descending water flow is created, water is spouted vigorously from the opening at the other end of the hose 29 toward the bottom of the water tank 12, reaches the bottom plate 16, and forms a spiral in a clockwise direction. Spread toward you. At this time, in the portion where the descending water flow is created, the eight flags 1 constituting the rear flag group 22 are arranged.
The direction of the direction indicating unit 20 is clockwise (see FIG. 5). From this, it can be seen how the wind blows out in the high pressure part. If the turntable 4 is continuously rotated at the same speed for a while, the rotation speed of the spiral in the low-pressure area is accelerated, the rotation becomes strong and thin, and the phenomenon of a typhoon or a tornado is observed.

To view the situation in the southern hemisphere, the turntable 4 is rotated clockwise. In this case, the direction of rotation of the spiral is opposite to that of the Northern Hemisphere. In this way, students can easily experiment with low and high pressures, typhoons, and tornadoes in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

As described above, in the above embodiment, the low pressure, the high pressure, the typhoon, and the tornado in the northern and southern hemispheres can be reproduced. In addition, since the water tank 12 is disposed at a position eccentric from the rotation center of the turntable 4, the student can intuitively understand that Coriolis force is exerted even near a middle latitude (for example, Japan). Moreover, since the sawdust is dispersed in the water and the direction indicating means 15 is provided, the direction in which the wind flows, the shape of the tornado, and the like can be directly viewed. In addition, since the mini video camera 30 with the transmitter is used, instead of following the tornado or the like from the periphery of the turntable 4, the tornado or the like can be viewed on a television screen. You get the impression that you are observing. Therefore, it is possible to motivate the student for the weather. Moreover, it can be manufactured using teaching materials or the like which are very familiar, and is small and inexpensive.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the swirl generator of the present invention. In this embodiment, an air discharge pump (not shown) is used instead of the pump 27 used in the above embodiment. In addition, direction indicating means 1
5 comprises a bottom plate 16 and eight flags 17 attached to the bottom plate 16 (three flags 17 are hidden and invisible). Then, one end opening of the hose 33 is connected to the air discharge port of the air discharge pump, and a bubble generator 33a for attaching the air to the other end opening of the hose 33 to make air into small bubbles and send the air into water is attached. The bubble generator 33a is positioned at a predetermined portion of the bottom plate 16 (the center of the virtual circumference of the eight flags 17). This vortex generator is a device for generating a rising water flow, a typhoon, and a whirlpool, and cannot generate a descending water flow. Other parts are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the above configuration, when the air discharge pump is driven, the air discharged from the air discharge pump rises as fine bubbles in the water in the water tank 12 to create a rising bubble flow. Then, when the turntable 4 (see FIG. 2) is rotated, a Coriolis force acts, and a vortex is observed in a portion where the rising bubble flow is created. In this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 10 shows still another embodiment of the spiral generator according to the present invention. In this embodiment, FIG.
And the water tank 12 used in the embodiment shown in FIG.
Does not contain water inside. In the bottom of the water tank 12, a water storage case (heat source) 34 in which heated water is stored is placed, and near the water storage case 34,
A smoke storage case 35 containing smoke (obtained by a chemical reaction between hydrochloric acid and ammonia) is placed. Also, in this embodiment, the direction indicating means 15 provided in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is not provided. This swirl generator is also a device for generating an updraft, a typhoon, and a swirl, and cannot generate a downdraft. In addition, the state of the updraft, the typhoon, and the swirl are observed only by the smoke flow. Other parts are the same as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the above configuration, when the mouth (not shown) of the smoke storage case 35 is opened, the smoke storage case 35
The smoke inside is released, and is heated by the heat of the water storage case 34 and rises to create an updraft. In addition, turntable 4 (see FIG. 2)
When the is rotated, the Coriolis force acts and a swirl is observed in the area where the updraft is created. In this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS.

[0033]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment shown in FIGS.
A thick board is used as the substrate 1 and a potter's wheel in an art classroom is used as the rotating body 2, and the turntable 4 of the wheel is rotated by a commercially available motor with model gear (Tanaka model) 5. . Motor 5 with gear for this model
A dry battery or a DC power supply for students (1.5 to 3 V) is used as the power source for the device. In this embodiment, the gear ratio of the motor 5 with a model gear is set to be large, and the rotational speed is 5 to 5.
Set to about 8 rpm so that strong force comes out, weight 2
It can be rotated while the object of about 0 kg is placed on the placing plate 11.

A water tank (13 liters) for appreciating tropical fish is used as the water tank 12, and sawdust passed through a mesh of 0.5 to 0.25 mm is used as sawdust. Also,
As the motor 27, a battery type submersible pump made for cleaning the water tank 12 is used. This battery type submersible pump 2
Reference numeral 7 denotes a dry battery 3V, which has a pumping power of about 2 to 3 liters / minute, and can generate a rising water flow even when the bottom plate 16 of the water tank 12 and the water suction port 27a of the battery type submersible pump 27 are separated by about 20 cm. . Further, a vinyl hose is used as the hose 29. It is preferable that the water suction port 27a and the other end opening (discharge port) of the vinyl hose 29 be separated by 20 cm or more so that the descending water flow blown from the vinyl hose 29 does not significantly affect the rising water flow. Further, a black underlay made of plastic is used as the bottom plate 16 of the direction indicating means 15.

Using such a spiral generator, a student experiment was conducted in a science room, and low pressure, high pressure, typhoon, and tornado in the northern and southern hemispheres could be reproduced.

In each of the above embodiments, a map of Japan may be displayed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 16 of the direction indicating means 15. Also, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 18 flags 17 are used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an appropriate number of flags 17 may be used. Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an appropriate number of flags 17 may be used.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, in order to check the flow direction of the water, sawdust is put into the water in the water tank 12, and direction indicating means is provided at the bottom of the water tank 12. 15 is provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and only one may be provided. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, direction indication means 15 may be provided at the bottom of water tank 12.

[0038]

As described above, according to the spiral generator of the present invention, the spiral generator can be manufactured using teaching materials in schools, and it is small and inexpensive. Further, by using the swirl generator of the present invention, it is possible to reproduce the low pressure, the typhoon, and the tornado in the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere in the student experiment in the science room. In addition, since the fluid storage tank is supported at a position eccentric from the rotation center of the rotating member, the student can intuitively understand that the Coriolis force works even near the middle latitude. As a result, the student's motivation for the weather can be stimulated, and interest and understanding are increased.

In the present invention, a liquid is stored in the fluid storage tank, a pump is used as the upward flow generating means, and the liquid stored in the fluid storage tank is placed with the suction port of the pump facing downward. In the case where the ascending flow is generated by sucking the liquid from the suction port provided in the upper layer, the ascending flow is easily generated by the pump in a part of the liquid stored in the fluid storage tank. Can be.

In the present invention, the liquid sucked from the suction port is returned to the liquid in the fluid storage tank at a predetermined distance from the portion where the upward flow is generated by the upward flow generating means, and the liquid descends to this portion. If you want to create a flow, use the liquid sucked from the suction port of the pump,
A downward flow can be created in the fluid storage tank, and high pressure can be reproduced.

In the present invention, a liquid is stored in the fluid storage tank, an air discharge pump is used as the upward flow generating means, and an air discharge port of the air discharge pump is a lower layer of the liquid stored in the fluid storage tank. In the case where an upward flow composed of fine bubbles is generated by discharging air from the air discharge port, a part of the liquid stored in the fluid storage tank is discharged by an air discharge pump. An upward flow composed of fine bubbles can be easily generated.

In the present invention, smoke is stored in the fluid storage tank, and a heat source is used as the upward flow generating means. This heat source is disposed below the smoke stored in the fluid storage tank, and When the upward flow is generated by heating the smoke, the upward flow can be easily generated in a part of the smoke stored in the fluid storage tank by the heat source.

In the present invention, when the rotating member is provided with an image device for photographing the inside of the fluid storage tank, the image device allows the state of the inside of the fluid storage tank viewed from the turntable to be viewed on a television screen. .

In the present invention, the indicating means has a rotating body rotatably attached to the bottom of the fluid storage tank, and a direction indicator protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. In the case where the direction of the direction indicating unit changes along the flow of the fluid inside, the indicating means can have a simple structure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a spiral generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the spiral generator.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a flag.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the flag.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a direction indicating means.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a rising water flow and a descending water flow.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the direction indicating means.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the direction indicating means.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the spiral generation device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing still another embodiment of the spiral generation device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Turntable 12 Water tank 15 Direction indicating means 27 Pump

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A fluid storage tank, a rotating member for supporting the fluid storage tank at an eccentric position, and an upward flow generating means for generating an upward flow in a part of the fluid stored in the fluid storage tank. Indicating a flow direction of a fluid in a portion where the upward flow is generated by the upward flow generating means, and rotating the rotating member in a state where the upward flow is generated by the upward flow generating means. Wherein the upward flow starts to swirl. 2. A liquid is stored in the fluid storage tank, and a pump is used as the upward flow generating means. The liquid is stored in the upper layer of the liquid stored in the fluid storage tank with the suction port of the pump facing downward. 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said liquid is sucked from said suction port to generate an upward flow.
A swirl generator as described. 3. The liquid sucked through the suction port,
3. The vortex generator according to claim 2, wherein the liquid is returned to a portion of the liquid in the fluid storage tank which is separated by a predetermined distance from a portion where the upward flow is generated by the upward flow generating means, and a downward flow is generated in this portion. 4. A liquid is stored in the fluid storage tank, and an air discharge pump is used as the upward flow generating means, and an air discharge port of the air discharge pump is arranged below the liquid stored in the fluid storage tank. 2. The vortex generator according to claim 1, wherein the air is discharged from the air discharge port to generate an upward flow composed of fine bubbles. 5. A method for storing smoke in the fluid storage tank, using a heat source as the upward flow generating means, disposing the heat source in a lower layer of the smoke stored in the fluid storage tank, and removing the smoke from the heat source. The vortex generator according to claim 1, wherein the upflow is generated by heating. 6. The swirl generator according to claim 1, wherein an image device for photographing the inside of the fluid storage tank is provided on the rotating member. 7. The fluid control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the indicating means includes a rotating body rotatably attached to a bottom of the fluid storage tank, and a direction indicator protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. The vortex generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the direction of the direction indicator changes along the flow of the fluid.