JP2022111175A - Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus which can store an object, to which a module for generating information is attached, and which can transmit radio waves including the information with high intensity.

SOLUTION: An apparatus 1 comprises a dustbin 2 (apparatus body) which can receive dusts therein and to which a module 4 for generating information is attached, and an antenna 5 which is disposed on a wall of the dustbin 2. When the module 4 and the antenna 5 are connected to each other with the module 4 attached to the dustbin 2 (apparatus body), the apparatus 1 can transmit radio waves including the information generated by the module 4 to the outside by the antenna 5.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device capable of accommodating or placing an object and capable of transmitting radio waves through an antenna.

Conventionally, for various purposes, it has been proposed to provide a sensor on a container or a pallet and transmit information based on the measurement result of the sensor to the outside.

For example, Patent Literature 1 describes that a trash box as a container is provided with a weight scale. In Patent Document 1, when a weight scale detects that a certain amount of dust has accumulated, the detection result is notified to the outside via the Internet, thereby collecting the dust.

Patent document 2 describes that a wireless tag is attached to a pallet on which articles are placed. The wireless tag has a position information measurement unit with a built-in GPS sensor, and the current position of the pallet is notified by transmitting the current position of the pallet specified by the position information measurement unit to the physical distribution management device. .

Conventionally, transmitters 100 and 110 shown in FIGS. 17 and 19 are attached to trash cans in order to inform them that garbage has been accumulated in the trash cans.

A transmitter 100 shown in FIG. 17 has a module substrate 102 and an ultrasonic sensor (not shown) arranged inside a cup-shaped case 101 . This transmitter 100 detects the amount of accumulated dust based on the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor. When it is detected that a certain amount of dust has accumulated, radio waves containing that information are transmitted to the module substrate. It is transmitted via the antenna on 102 and via the antenna 103 . The antenna 103 has the structure shown in FIG. 18, and is attached to the inner surface of the case 101 as shown in FIG. The outline (white line) of the antenna 102 is added).

A transmitter 110 shown in FIG. 19 is obtained by adding an antenna 111 to the transmitter 100 (FIG. 17) described above, and the antenna 111 is attached to the outer surface of the case 101 . Similarly to the transmitter 100 of FIG. 17, the transmitter 110 of FIG. 19 also detects the accumulated amount of dust based on the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor. Then, when it is detected that a certain amount of dust has accumulated, a radio wave containing that information is transmitted via the antenna on the module substrate 102, the antenna 103, and the antenna 111 (the module substrate 102 and the antenna 103 see FIG. 17(b)).

JP-A-2002-255308 JP 2011-93817 A

By the way, when placing trash cans and pallets (hereinafter referred to as trash cans, etc.) in a closed space surrounded by walls (inside a building such as a house, building, warehouse, etc., or in a basement, etc.), or when a trash can, etc. is placed from a receiving device such as a relay base station. When the device is far away, it is necessary to strengthen the radio waves radiated from the antenna so that the reception sensitivity of the device on the receiving side is not weakened. As a method, there is a method of increasing the output of the transmitter and a method of using a high-gain antenna. In the transmitters 100 and 110 shown in FIGS. A method of increasing the output of the transmitter is adopted by installing a small antenna that does not exist (a method of increasing the output of the transmitter is adopted without adopting the method of using a high-gain antenna).

Reason 1: The Radio Law limits the maximum output of radiated radio wave intensity, so it is not possible to both increase the output of the transmitter and use a high-gain antenna.
Reason 2: Since the case 101 has to be made small in order to be attached to the trash can, the antennas provided inside the case 101 (the antenna 103 attached to the inner surface of the case 101 and the antenna on the module substrate 102) are also small. I have to. Therefore, the antenna provided inside the case 101 cannot have a high gain.
Reason 3: When the antenna 111 is attached to the outer surface of the case 101 as shown in FIG. 19, the antenna 111 must be made small so that the antenna 111 does not become an obstacle when attaching the transmitter to the trash can. Therefore, the antenna 111 cannot have a high gain.

By the way, the method of increasing the power of the transmitter increases the power consumption and consequently shortens the life of the battery used in the transmitter. On the other hand, if it becomes possible to use a high-gain antenna, which is another method, the output of the transmitter can be suppressed, the battery life can be suppressed, and the price of the high-frequency amplifier of the transmitter itself can be suppressed. can.

Due to the above factors, in the field of IOT devices such as trash cans and pallets that transmit information as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a method using a high-gain antenna is used to radiate from the antenna. There is a need to strengthen the radio waves that

The present invention has been made in view of the above matters, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of accommodating or placing an object, to which a module for generating information is attached, which includes the information. An object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of transmitting radio waves with high intensity.

To achieve the above objectives, the present invention includes the subject matter described in the following sections.

Section 1. an instrument body capable of accommodating an object inside or placing an object on the upper surface thereof, and to which a module for outputting information is attached;
An antenna provided on the wall of the instrument body,
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna is connected to the module while the module is attached to the device main body, whereby radio waves containing information output by the module can be transmitted by the antenna.

Section 2. Item 2. The device according to Item 1, wherein the antenna is attached to the wall with an adhesive sheet.

Item 3. 2. A device according to clause 1, wherein the antenna is fitted into a groove formed in the surface of the wall.

Section 4. Item 2. The device according to Item 1, wherein the antenna is inserted into a guide hole formed in the wall.

Item 5. Item 5. The apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the antenna is a loop antenna.

Item 6. The antenna has a radiator and a reflector,
Item 5. The device according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the radiator and the reflector face each other across a wall of the device body.

Item 7. Item 5. A device according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the antenna is a dipole antenna.

Item 8. Item 5. The apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the antenna is an array antenna in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged.

Item 9. 9. Apparatus according to any preceding clause, wherein antennas are provided along two or more of said walls extending in different directions.

Item 10. further comprising a sensor for detecting the internal state of the instrument body or the current position of the instrument body;
Item 10. The instrument according to any one of Items 1 to 9, wherein the module generates information based on detection results of the sensor.

Item 11. Item 11. The device according to Item 10, wherein the module and the sensor are detachably attached to the wall of the device main body.

Item 12. The instrument body is a trash can,
The sensor is capable of detecting the state of trash in the trash can,
The module includes a determination unit that determines whether or not a certain amount of dust has accumulated in the trash can based on the signal from the sensor, and an output unit that outputs information based on the determination result of the determination unit. ,
When the determining unit determines that a certain amount of dust has been accumulated, the output unit outputs information indicating that the certain amount of dust has been accumulated, so that the information is included from the antenna. 11. The device of Clause 10, wherein radio waves are transmitted.

Item 13. The instrument body is a pallet on which an object is placed,
the sensor is capable of identifying the current position of the pallet;
Item 11. The device according to Item 10, wherein the module generates information indicating the current position identified by the sensor, and the antenna transmits radio waves containing the information.

Item 14. The instrument body is a plant cultivation container,
The sensor is capable of measuring the pH or water content of the soil contained in the plant cultivation container,
Item 11. The device according to Item 10, wherein the module outputs information indicating the measurement result of the sensor, and the antenna transmits a radio wave including the information.

According to the device of the present invention, since the antenna can be lengthened by providing the antenna on the wall of the device body, high-intensity radio waves can be transmitted from the antenna. Therefore, according to the device of the present invention, even when the device is placed in a closed space such as a building or a basement, or when the device is far away from the receiving device, the radio waves transmitted from the antenna can be received. It is possible to make the side device receive with high sensitivity.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an instrument according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. It is a schematic front view of an antenna. (a) is a schematic plan view of a side wall to which an antenna 5 is attached, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the side wall to which the antenna is attached, taken along line AA in FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the procedure which attaches an antenna to the side wall of a trash box. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the procedure which attaches a sensor and a module to a trash box. 1 is a schematic diagram of a garbage collection system using a device according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a modified instrument of the invention; Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of part of a modified instrument of the invention, (a) showing the groove used to mount the antenna, and (b) showing the antenna fitted into the groove; . FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing part of an instrument according to a variant of the invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing another example of an antenna; Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a modified instrument of the invention; It is a figure which shows a part of instrument of the modification of this invention, (a) is a schematic plan view of an instrument, (b) is a schematic side view of an instrument. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of an antenna; FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing another example of an antenna; Fig. 10 is a photograph showing a modified instrument of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a photograph showing a modified instrument of the present invention; It is a photograph showing a conventional transmitter, (a) shows the appearance of the transmitter, and (b) shows the disassembled state of the transmitter. 1 is a photograph showing an antenna attached to a conventional transmitter; 1 is a photograph showing a conventional transmitter;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an instrument 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

A device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a trash can 2 as a device main body, a sensor 3 capable of detecting the state of trash in the trash can 2, a module 4 for outputting information based on the detection result of the sensor 3, and a module 4 for outputting information based on the detection result of the sensor 3. and an antenna 5 for transmitting radio waves including

The trash box 2 has a rectangular bottom wall 6A and four side walls 6B extending upward from the four sides of the bottom wall 6A, so that garbage can be stored in an internal space surrounded by the four side walls 6B. The bottom wall 6A and side walls 6B are made of plastic, for example.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the antenna 5. FIG. Antenna 5 is a clad loop antenna and has figure-of-eight directivity without a plane of polarization. As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna 5 is attached to the side wall 6B of the trash can 2. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 3(a) is a plan view of the side wall 6B to which the antenna 5 is attached. FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of the side wall 6B to which the antenna 5 is attached, taken along line AA in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, a guide hole 36 for inserting the antenna 5 is formed in the wall 6B to which the antenna 5 is attached. The guide hole 36 is composed of an inlet portion 37 and a placement portion 38 . The entrance portion 37 extends vertically and opens to the upper surface of the wall 6B. The arrangement portion 38 is formed deep inside the entrance portion 37 (that is, the arrangement portion 38 continues to the lower end of the entrance portion 37). The placement portion 38 has a shape corresponding to the antenna 5 in a side view, and the antenna is placed in the placement portion 38 .

Attachment of the antenna 5 to the side wall 6B is performed when the trash can 2 is manufactured. As for the procedure, first, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the cable 5a constituting the antenna 5 is put into the entrance portion 37 through the opening 37a. Then, the cable 5a is pushed into the entrance portion 37 (the cable 5a is pushed in the direction A in FIG. 4(a)), and the cable 5a is introduced around the arrangement portion 38 (the cable 5a is pushed in the direction B in FIG. 4(b)). direction). As a result, the antenna 5 is placed on the placement portion 38 (that is, the antenna 5 is attached to the side wall 6B).

Further, when attaching the antenna 5 to the side wall 6B as described above, the antenna 5 and the transmission cable 90 (FIG. 1) are also connected. A transmission cable 90 is embedded in the side wall 6B and used to connect the antenna 5 and the module 4 . One end 90a of the transmission cable 90 extends into the arrangement portion 38, and the antenna 5 is connected to the one end 90a. The other end 90b of the transmission cable 90 extends inside the side wall 6B near the mounting location of the module 4, and the module 4 is connected to the other end 90b of the module 4 (more specifically, the transmission cable 90 is A connector is provided at the other end 90b, and a connector 4c of the module 4, which will be described later, is connected to this connector). Until the module 4 is connected to the other end 90b of the transmission cable 90, the other end 90b is covered with a dummy cover 91 (protective cover) in order to protect the other end 90b (FIG. 5A described later). . The dummy cover 91 is detachably attached to the inner surface of the side wall 6B by known means such as double-sided tape and bolts.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor 3 and module 4 are housed in a cup-shaped case 8. As shown in FIG. The case 8 is fastened to a fixture (not shown) extending from the inner surface of the upper portion of the side wall 6B. By fastening the case 8, the sensor 3 and the module 4 are arranged above the inside of the trash can 2. . Further, the sensor 3 and the module 4 are detachably attached to the upper portion of the side wall 6B by fastening the case 8 to the fixing metal fittings with bolts, nuts, or the like. In order to adjust the direction of the ultrasonic wave emitted from the sensor 3, it is preferable to use a metal fitting capable of adjusting the direction of the case 8 as the fixing metal fitting.

The sensor 3 is an ultrasonic sensor, and includes a transmitter that emits ultrasonic waves downward and a receiver that receives ultrasonic waves reflected by dust. The sensor 3 calculates the reciprocating distance of the ultrasonic waves based on the time from when the ultrasonic waves are transmitted to when they are received, and outputs a signal indicating the reciprocating distance of the ultrasonic waves (hereinafter referred to as distance signal). The round-trip distance of ultrasonic waves is inversely proportional to the amount of accumulated dust.

The module 4 includes a battery 4a, an IC board 4b, and a connector 4c. The battery 4a, the connector 4c, and the sensor 3 are mounted on the IC board 4b. When power is supplied from the battery 4a to the sensor 3, the sensor 3 outputs a distance signal, and the distance signal is input to the IC board 4b. be done. The IC board 4b functions as a determination unit that determines whether or not a certain amount of dust has accumulated in the trash can 2 based on the distance signal from the sensor 3, and an output unit that outputs information indicating the determination result of the determination unit. configured

Attachment of the sensor 3 and the module 4 to the side wall 6B is performed after the antenna 5 is attached (that is, after the trash can 2 is manufactured). At this time, first, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the dummy cover 91 is removed from the side wall 6B to expose the other end 90b of the transmission cable 90. FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the case 8 containing the sensor 3 and the module 4 is fastened to the upper part of the side wall 6B, and the connector 4c of the module 4 is connected to the connector of the other end 90b of the transmission cable 90. is done. The attachment of the sensor 3 and the module 4 is completed as described above. In this state, the antenna and the module 4 are connected via the transmission cable 90, so that the antenna 5 can transmit radio waves containing the information output by the IC board 4b.

When a certain amount of dust has accumulated in the trash can 2, the determination unit of the IC board 4b determines that a certain amount of dust has accumulated in the trash can 2 based on the distance signal from the sensor 3. As a result, the output section of the IC board 4b outputs information indicating that a certain amount of dust has accumulated in the trash box 2, and the antenna 5 transmits radio waves containing the information.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a garbage collection system 20 using the appliance 1 of this embodiment.

The garbage collection system 20 has the appliance 1 described above, a base station 21 and a server 22 . In this garbage collection system 20, communication between the base station 21 and the server 22 is possible via a wireless or wired network N. FIG. In addition, radio waves D can be transmitted and received between the antenna of the device 1 and the base station 21 by communication methods such as LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), 3G, and 4G. From the viewpoint of realizing long-distance communication while suppressing power consumption, the communication method is preferably LPWA.

In the garbage collection system 20 described above, when a certain amount of garbage is accumulated in the trash box 2, a radio wave D containing information indicating the accumulation of the garbage is transmitted from the antenna 5 of the appliance 1 to the base station 21. received. Information indicating that the predetermined amount of dust has been accumulated is transmitted to the server 22 via the network N, and the information is output by the server 22 . As a result, the garbage collector is notified that garbage has been accumulated in the trash box 2, and the garbage is collected by the collection vehicle C.

According to the device 1 of the present embodiment, the antenna 5 can be lengthened by providing the antenna 5 on the side wall 6B of the trash can 2 (device main body), so that high-intensity radio waves can be transmitted from the antenna 5 . Specifically, since the length L1 (FIG. 2) of one side of the antenna 5, which is a grad loop antenna, can be set to the length of a quarter wavelength of the radio wave D, the radio wave of maximum strength can be transmitted from the antenna 5. FIG. Therefore, according to the device 1 of this embodiment, even when the device 1 is placed in a closed space such as a building or a basement, or when the device 1 is far away from the receiving device (base station 21), The radio waves transmitted from the antenna 5 can be received by the receiving device (base station 21) with high sensitivity. Therefore, it is possible to reliably notify the garbage collector that a certain amount of garbage has been accumulated in the trash box 2, so that the garbage can be collected at the timing when the certain amount of garbage is accumulated. Further, since the antenna 5 is provided on the side wall 6B of the trash can 2, the antenna 5 does not become an obstacle when the sensor 3 and the module 4 are attached to the side wall 6B. Therefore, the sensor 3 and the module 4 can be attached smoothly.

In addition, since the antenna 5 is provided in the trash can 2 (appliance main body) in advance, it is not necessary to attach the antenna 5 to the trash can 2 (appliance main body) when installing the apparatus 1 (specifically, when the apparatus 1 is installed, In addition, the trouble of purchasing the antenna 5, the trouble of fixing the antenna 5 to the trash can 2, and the trouble of adjusting the direction of the antenna 5 are not required). Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor required to install the instrument 1 .

Moreover, since the sensor 3 and the module 4 are detachable from the trash can 2, the sensor 3 and the module 4 can be replaced. Therefore, the functions of the sensor 3 and the module 4 can be stably maintained. Moreover, by attaching the sensor 3 and the module 4 after the trash can 2 (instrument main body) is manufactured, the manufacturing cost of the instrument 1 can be kept low.

By inserting the antenna 5 into the guide hole 36 formed in the side wall 6B, the antenna 5 is buried inside the side wall 6B. Therefore, the antenna 5 can be prevented from being damaged, and the function of the antenna 5 can be maintained for a long period of time. Also, since the number of parts required for mounting the antenna 5 can be reduced, the cost required for mounting the antenna 5 can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified in various ways.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the antenna 5 is provided on one side wall 6B was shown, but as shown in FIG. A guide hole 36 is formed in each of the two side walls 6B orthogonal to each other, and the antenna 5 is inserted into each guide hole 36). In this way, radio waves can be radiated over a wide range, so there is no need to finely adjust the orientation of the trash can 2 in order to receive the radio waves transmitted from the antenna 5 at the receiving side (base station 21). In the example of FIG. 7, the two antennas 5 and the module 4 are connected using a distributor and a transmission cable (not shown). That is, each antenna 5 is connected to the distributor by a transmission cable, and the distributor is also connected to the module 4 by a transmission cable. Also, the transmission cables and distributors are assumed to be embedded in the side wall 6B. 1, the antenna 5 is connected to the end of the transmission cable extending into the guide hole 36 (placement portion 38), and the module 4 is connected to the end of the transmission cable extending inside the side wall 6B. be done.

Also, the antenna 5 may be provided on two opposing side walls 6B, or on three or more side walls 6B. Alternatively, the antenna 5 may be provided on the bottom wall 6A. Even in the above case, the antenna 5 can be made longer, so that the antenna 5 can transmit high-intensity radio waves. Hereinafter, the bottom wall 6A and the side walls 6B of the trash can 2 are collectively referred to as the wall 6. As shown in FIG.

Also, the method of attaching the antenna 5 to the wall 6 of the trash can 2 is not limited to the method of inserting the antenna 5 into the guide hole 36 described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the antenna 5 may be attached to the wall 6 by fitting the antenna 5 into the groove 31 formed in the wall 6 (FIG. 8A shows the antenna 5 before being fitted into the groove 31). 8(b) shows the state in which the antenna 5 is fitted in the groove 31). By fitting the antenna 5 into the groove 31 in this manner, the antenna 5 can be prevented from being damaged, and the function of the antenna 5 can be maintained for a long period of time. Also, since the number of parts required for mounting the antenna 5 can be reduced, the cost required for mounting the antenna 5 can be reduced. When the antenna 5 is fitted into the groove 31 as described above, the antenna 5 and the module 4 are connected via a transmission cable, one end of which extends into the groove 31, for example.

Alternatively, the antenna 5 may be attached to the trash can 2 by sticking the antenna 5 to the inner surface or the outer surface of the wall 6 of the trash can 2 with an adhesive sheet 10 (FIG. 9). An example of sticking to the inner surface of the side wall 6B is shown). According to this mounting method, the degree of freedom in the placement of the antenna 5 is high, so that the radiation direction of radio waves can be reliably directed toward the device (base station 21) on the receiving side. Also, by using an adhesive sheet whose manufacturing cost is low, the cost required for attaching the antenna 5 can be reduced. When the antenna 5 is attached to the inner surface or the outer surface of the wall 6 with the adhesive sheet 10 as described above, the antenna 5 and the module 4 are connected via the transmission cable extending along the inner surface and/or the outer surface of the wall 6. Connected.

Also, the antenna that can be used in the device of the present invention is not limited to the grad loop antenna shown in the embodiment. For example, in the appliance of the present invention, the twin loop delta antenna 40 shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, an array antenna 42 composed of a plurality of antenna elements 41 may be provided on the wall 6 of the trash can 2. FIG. According to this array antenna 42, it is possible to increase the antenna efficiency and improve the gain. In order to radiate radio waves over a wide range, it is preferable to arrange antenna elements 41 on two orthogonal side walls 6B as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 11, the connection between the antenna elements 41 constituting the array antenna 42 is performed using a distributor and a transmission cable, and the connection between the array antenna 42 and the module 4 is performed using a transmission cable. will be

An antenna 51 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 may be used as an antenna with strong directivity and high gain. Antenna 51 has radiator 52 and reflector 53 . The radiator 52 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 6B, the reflector 53 is provided on the inner surface of the side wall 6B, and the radiator 52 and the reflector 53 face each other through the side wall 6B. If an antenna 51 is used, it is preferable that the circumference of the radiator 52 is equivalent to one wavelength of radio waves, and that the circumference of the reflector 53 is slightly longer than the circumference of the radiator 52 . Moreover, it is preferable to adjust the thickness of the side wall 6B so that the distance L2 (FIG. 13) between the radiator 52 and the reflector 53 is 0.1 to 0.25 wavelengths of radio waves. Further, contrary to the example of FIG. 12, the radiator 52 may be provided on the inner surface of the side wall 6B and the reflector 53 may be provided on the outer surface of the side wall 6B. In the example of FIG. 12, the connection between the radiator 52 and the module 4 (see FIG. 1) and the connection between the reflector 53 and the module 4 (see FIG. 1) are made using transmission cables. will be

Also, a dipole antenna 55 shown in FIG. 14 may be provided on the wall 6 of the trash can 2 . When the dipole antenna 55 is used, the length L3 of the antenna 55 is adjusted to 1/2 the wavelength of the radio wave so that the antenna 55 transmits the radio wave with the maximum intensity.

The above antennas 40, 42, 51, 55 (FIGS. 10-14) can also be attached to the trash can 2 in the same manner as the antenna 5 shown in FIG. , by attaching it to the wall 6 with an adhesive sheet, fitting it into a groove formed in the wall 6, or inserting it into a guide hole formed in the wall 6). For example, in the example of FIG. 12, the adhesive sheet 10 is used to attach the radiator 52 and the reflector 53 of the antenna 51 to the outer surface and the inner surface of the wall 6 . The radiator 52 and the reflector 53 may be fitted in grooves, or may be inserted into guide holes formed on the outer surface side or the inner surface side of the wall 6 .

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as a method of mounting the sensor 3 and the module 4 in a detachable manner, a method of fastening the case 8 to the side wall 6B with bolts and nuts was shown. 6B. For example, the sensor 3 and the module 4 may be detachably attached to the side wall 6B by means of a magic tape (registered trademark), a magnet, or the like. In the above embodiment, the sensor 3 and the module 4 are attached after the trash can 2 is manufactured. do not have. Nor does the present invention exclude mounting the sensor 3 or module 4 in a manner that makes removal of the sensor 3 or module 4 from the wall 6 impossible.

In the above embodiment, the trash can 2 (instrument main body) having four side walls 6B erected from the rectangular bottom wall 6A is shown, but the shape of the trash can 2 (instrument main body) is limited to that shown in the above embodiment. not. That is, the instrument body 2 (recycle bin) may have a circular, elliptical, or polygonal (triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, etc.) bottom wall and side walls extending from the outer periphery of the bottom wall. Furthermore, the device main body 2 (recycle bin) may be provided with a lid that closes the opening at the upper end of the side wall. Further, it is preferable to provide antennas 5, 40, 42, 51, 55 on two or more walls 6 extending in different directions in order to radiate radio waves over a wide range.

The device of the present invention may also be modified as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. A device 70 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 has a trash can 71 as a main body of the device. I have. The lid portion 73 has a top wall 74 forming its upper end and a peripheral wall 75 extending downward from the outer periphery of the top wall 74 . Antenna 5 is attached to peripheral wall 75 with adhesive sheet 10 . The sensor 3 and module 4 (see FIGS. 1 and 4) are housed in a case 8. As shown in FIG. The case 8 is provided with a suspension member 80, and the case 8 is suspended from the top wall 74 using the suspension member 80, so that the sensor 3 and the module 4 can be placed on the upper side of the inside of the trash can 71 (the lid portion). inside). The suspending member 80 includes a shaft portion 81 passed through the through hole of the top wall 74 and an enlarged diameter portion 82 provided at the tip of the shaft portion 81 . By being supported, the case 8 is suspended from the top wall 74 . According to the instrument 70, the antenna 5 can be lengthened by providing the antenna 5 on the peripheral wall 75 of the lid portion 73, so that the strength of the radio waves transmitted from the antenna can be increased. Further, the sensor 3, which is an ultrasonic sensor, can detect the accumulated amount of dust by locating the sensor 3 on the upper side inside the trash can 71 (inside the lid portion).

Also, in the above example, an example of using an ultrasonic sensor as a sensor for detecting the state of dust inside the tool body (trash can) was shown, but a weight sensor (not shown) is used instead of the ultrasonic sensor. may be In this case, a weight sensor is attached to the upper surface of the bottom wall 6A (see FIG. 1) of the trash can 2. As shown in FIG. Then, the weight of dust accumulated on the weight sensor is measured by the sensor 3, and a signal indicating the measurement result is output from the sensor 3. The module 4 includes a receiver for receiving a signal from the sensor 3, a determination unit for determining whether or not a certain amount of dust has accumulated in the trash can 2 based on the signal from the sensor 3, and a determination result of the determination unit. and an output unit for outputting information indicating the. Then, when the determination unit determines that a certain amount of dust has been accumulated, the output unit outputs information indicating that the certain amount of dust has been accumulated, so that the information is included from the antenna 5. A radio wave is transmitted. Then, the radio wave is received by the base station 21, and the information contained in the radio wave is received by the server 22, so that the garbage collector is notified that the garbage has been accumulated.

Also, an optical sensor may be used as a sensor for detecting the state of dust inside the tool body (recycle bin). The optical sensor has a light-emitting portion that emits light and a light-receiving portion that receives light, and these light-emitting portion and light-receiving portion are attached to the upper inner surface of the side wall 6B. When the light emitted from the light-emitting part is blocked by dust and is no longer received by the light-receiving part, the optical sensor outputs a signal indicating that the light-receiving part is not receiving light (hereinafter referred to as the non-light receiving signal). be done. The module 4 includes a receiver for receiving a signal from the optical sensor, a determination unit for determining whether or not a certain amount of dust has accumulated in the trash can based on the signal from the optical sensor, and a determination result of the determination unit. and an output unit for outputting information to be displayed. When the non-light-receiving signal is received by the receiving unit, the determining unit determines that a certain amount of dust has accumulated, so that the output unit outputs information indicating that the certain amount of dust has accumulated. Output. As a result, radio waves containing the information are transmitted from the antenna 5 . Even in the above manner, it is possible to notify the garbage collector that the garbage has been accumulated.

Moreover, in the above embodiment, an example of using the instrument of the present invention for garbage collection was shown, but the instrument of the present invention can also be applied for other purposes.

For example, the device of the present invention may also be used for storage of items. In this case, the instrument main body is a pallet on which articles are placed, and an antenna is provided on the wall of the pallet. A GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor and a module capable of outputting information based on the detection result of the GPS sensor are provided detachably or integrally with the pallet.

In the above modification, the GPS sensor identifies the current position of the pallet (instrument body), and the module outputs information indicating the current position of the pallet. Then, a radio wave indicating the information is transmitted by the antenna, and the radio wave is received by, for example, the user's terminal. As a result, the current position of the pallet is notified to the user, so that the user can grasp the storage location of the articles. Also, if the pallet is stolen, the user can locate the pallet.

According to the above variant, it is possible to lengthen the antenna by providing it on the wall of the pallet. Therefore, it is possible to cause the receiving side (user's terminal or the like) to receive the radio wave containing the information output by the module with high sensitivity. Therefore, the current position of the pallet can be reliably notified.

The device of the present invention can also be used for plant cultivation applications. In this case, the device main body is a plant cultivation container (flowerpot, planter, etc.), and the antenna 5 is provided on the wall of the plant cultivation container. A sensor for detecting the state of an object in the plant cultivating container (instrument main body) and a module capable of outputting information based on the detection result of the sensor are provided detachably or integrally with the plant cultivating container.

The sensor is, for example, a sensor capable of measuring the pH or moisture content of soil accommodated in a plant cultivation container (equipment body). In this case, a signal indicative of the measured pH or moisture content of the soil is output from the sensor to the module, and information indicative of the measured pH or moisture content of the soil is output by the module. Then, a radio wave indicating the information is transmitted by the antenna, so that the radio wave indicating the information is received by, for example, the user's terminal. As a result, the user is notified of the measured value of the pH or water content of the soil, so that the user can grasp the condition of the soil.

According to the above variant, it is possible to lengthen the antenna by providing it on the wall of the pallet. Therefore, it is possible to cause the receiving side (user's terminal or the like) to receive the radio wave containing the information output by the module with high sensitivity. Therefore, the current position of the pallet can be reliably notified.

The sensor used in the instrument of the present invention is not limited to the above ultrasonic sensor, weight sensor, GPS, or sensor capable of measuring the pH or water content of soil, and may vary depending on the application of the instrument of the present invention. sensor can be used. That is, in the above example, the sensors that detect the state inside the device body include an ultrasonic sensor/weight sensor that detects the state of trash in the trash can (device body), and the soil in the plant cultivation container (device body). In addition to these sensors, sensors that detect the temperature, humidity, and odor inside the instrument body are also used as sensors that detect the state inside the instrument body. can be

1,70 instruments,
2 equipment body (trash can),
3 sensors,
4 modules,
4a battery,
4b IC substrate,
5, 40, 42, 51, 55 antennas,
6 walls,
6A bottom wall,
6B sidewall,
8 cases,
9 fixing bracket,
10 adhesive sheet,
20 garbage collection system,
21 base station,
22 server,
31 grooves,
36 guide holes,
37 inlet,
37a opening,
38 placement unit,
41 antenna elements,
52 radiators,
53 reflectors,
71 trash cans,
72 containment,
73 lid,
74 top wall,
75 peripheral wall,
80 shaft,
80 suspension member,
81 shaft,
82 expanding part

Claims (11)

a trash can to which a module that outputs information is attached;
An antenna provided on the wall of the trash can ;
and a sensor capable of detecting the state of trash in the trash can ,
The module includes a determination unit that determines whether or not a certain amount of dust has accumulated in the trash can based on the signal from the sensor, and an output unit that outputs information based on the determination result of the determination unit. ,
By connecting the antenna to the module while the module is attached to the trash can , a radio wave including information output by the module can be transmitted by the antenna,
When the determining unit determines that a certain amount of dust has been accumulated, the output unit outputs information indicating that the certain amount of dust has been accumulated, and a radio wave containing the information is transmitted from the antenna. instrument to be sent . 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said antenna is attached to said wall by an adhesive sheet. 2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said antenna fits into a groove formed in said wall surface. 2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said antenna is inserted into a guide hole formed in said wall. 5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the antenna is a loop antenna. The antenna has a radiator and a reflector,
5. The appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein said radiator and said reflector face each other through a wall of said trash can . 5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the antenna is a dipole antenna. 5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the antenna is an array antenna in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged. 9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein antennas are provided along two or more of said walls extending in different directions. 10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein said module and said sensor are detachably attached to the wall of said trash can . 11. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the communication system of the antenna is LPWA.

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