JPH0738994U - Sundial - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Realize a sundial that can be timed by directly grasping the trajectory of the sun. [Structure] A hollow main body 12 having a hollow inside is provided with a notch opening 24 for guiding sunlight into the main body 12, and a semi-transparent time display unit 36, and is provided inside the main body 12. The convex lens 26 for condensing the sunlight guided from the notch opening 24 on the back surface 36a of the time display unit 36 is arranged, and the time display unit 36 is also provided.
In addition, a time scale line 40 that displays the current time based on the positional relationship with the sun image 42 that appears on the surface 36b of the time display unit 36, and a plurality of sun trajectory lines 38 that represent the travel trajectory of the sun for each season. The sundial described 10.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a sundial, and more particularly to a new and useful sundial designed so that the current time can be recognized by observing the trajectory of the sun.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 As is well known, the conventional sundial recognizes the current time by measuring the shade that appears on the clock face when sunlight hits an opaque projection rod.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, this conventional sundial is for reading the shadow of the projection stick to recognize the time, and cannot express the brilliance, shape, light color, etc. of the sun. Therefore, even though it is a timekeeping method that uses the operation of the sun, it is not directly linked to the image of the "sun," which not only lacks interest, but also has the educational effect of learning how the sun operates. It was impossible.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the conventional sundial, and an object of the invention is to provide a sundial capable of timing by directly grasping the traveling locus of the sun. is there.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above object, a sundial according to the present invention comprises a body part having a hollow interior, a sunlight introducing part for guiding sunlight into the body part, and a semi-transparent time display part. In addition, a sunlight projecting member for projecting the sunlight guided from the sunlight introducing section onto the back surface of the time display section is disposed inside the main body section, and the time display section displays the time. A time scale that displays the current time is described based on the positional relationship with the sun image that appears on the surface of the display. Note that the above-mentioned "semi-translucency" does not mean that the light transmittance is exactly 50%, but it has such a transparency that the sun image appears on the surface of the time display. It means that. Therefore, a reasonable range of light transmittance in the time display part is allowed.

As the above-mentioned sunlight projection member, for example, a lens that focuses sunlight on the back surface of the time display unit is applicable. It is desirable that, in addition to the time scale, a plurality of sun locus lines that represent the operating track of the sun for each season are displayed on the time display section.

[0007]

[Action]

 In the sundial according to the present invention, the current time is based on the positional relationship of the sunlight itself guided from the sunlight introducing section into the main body section and projected on the back surface of the time display section through the sunlight projection member. Can be grasped.

[0008]

【Example】

 The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a sundial 10 according to the present invention as viewed from below. The sundial 10 includes a hollow, substantially spherical body 12 and a ring 14 that supports the body 12. The main body 12 imitates a celestial sphere, and a bowl-shaped hemispherical member made of glass, heat-resistant synthetic resin, or the like is fitted from above and below to realize a spherical shape. The ring 14 is hung from a fulcrum 17 at a high place such as a ceiling or a cart rail by three suspension cords 16, and the lower hemisphere portion 20 of the main body 12 is inserted and mounted on the opening edge 18 of the ring 14 from above. The ring 14 and the main body 12 are engaged by being placed.

As shown in FIG. 2, which is a side view of the sundial 10, a cutout opening 24 is formed in the upper hemisphere portion 22 of the main body portion 12 as a solar light introducing portion. Further, near the inner center of the main body 12, a converging convex lens 26 as a sunlight projection member is arranged. As shown in FIG. 3, which is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, a first shaft 28 is connected to one end of the convex lens 26, and the tip of the first shaft 28 is at the upper hemisphere of the main body 12. It is penetrated through 22 and led out to the outside, and is rotatably fixed by a stopper 30. The second shaft 32 is also connected to the other end of the convex lens 26, and the front end of the second shaft 32 penetrates the lower hemisphere 20 of the main body 12 and is led to the outside. It is rotatably fixed by a stopper 30. Therefore, when the knob 34 connected to the tip of the first shaft 28 is rotated left and right, the convex lens 26 also rotates in the same direction in response to this.

A time display section 36 is provided in the lower hemisphere section 20. The time display unit 36 is semi-translucent by means such as applying a predetermined coating material. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the time display section 36 is engraved with seven sun trajectory lines 38 corresponding to the seasonal operation of the sun. In other words, the top line 38a corresponds to the sun's daytime trajectories on the winter solstice (December 22), and the bottom line 38g corresponds to the sun's trajectories on the summer solstice (June 21). The line 38d (fourth from the top) corresponds to the trajectory of the sun in the spring equinox (March 20th) and autumn equinox (September 23rd). Furthermore, the second line 38b from the top is the track of the sun in the cold (January 20th) and light snow (November 22nd), and the third line 38c is the rainwater (February 19th) and frost (October). On the sun's trail on 23rd, the fifth line 38e is on the sun's trail on rain (April 20) and heat (August 23), and the sixth line 38f is Koman (May 21) And the trajectory of the sun in the extreme heat (July 23).

Further, in the time display unit 36, a plurality of time scale lines 40 indicating the current time corresponding to the position of the sun are engraved so as to intersect each sun locus line 38. The time scale line 40f (that is, the time scale line 40f located on the line connecting the tip of the first shaft 28 and the tip of the second shaft 32) arranged substantially in the center of the time scale line 40 is It indicates noon, and on the left side of this, a time scale line 40e indicating 1 pm, a time scale line 40d indicating 2:00 pm, a time scale line 40c indicating 3:00 pm, and 4:00 pm are displayed. The time scale line 40b shown and the time scale line 40a indicating 5 pm are lined up, and the time scale line 40 g indicating 11:00 am, the time scale line 40 h indicating 10 am, and 9:00 am are shown toward the right side. There are a time scale line 40i, a time scale line 40j indicating 8:00 am, and a time scale line 40k indicating 7:00 am. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the time scale line indicating 6:00 pm is actually on the left side of the time scale line 40a, and the time indicating 6:00 am on the right side of the time scale line 40k. Scale lines are engraved. A number of the time indicated by the time scale line may be written near the upper end or the lower end of each time scale line 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the cutout opening 24 of the main body 12 is directed to the south side, sunlight enters the convex lens 26 through the cutout opening 24 and is condensed by the convex lens 26. To reach the back surface 36a of the time display unit 36. Since the time display unit 36 is not completely transparent and is semi-translucent as described above, the light reaching the back surface 36a of the time display unit (collected sunlight) is not reflected by the sun here. The statue of. This sun image can also be observed from the surface 36b side of the time display unit 36, and the present time can be recognized by illuminating the position of this sun image on the time scale line 40 of the time display unit 36. Incidentally, in FIG. 4, the sun image 42 is located at the intersection of the fourth sun locus line 38d from the top and the time scale line 40f at noon, so it can be read that it is now noon in the spring or autumn equinox. .

How to engrave the sun locus line 38 and the time scale line 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section passing through the center point O of the main body portion 12 imitating a celestial sphere, and a straight line (vertical line α) connecting the zenith Z and the nadir Z ′ of the main body portion 12, and the north point N and A straight line (horizontal line β) connecting the south points S intersects at a right angle at the center point O. The circle M passing through the zenith Z, the nadir Z ′, the north point N and the south point S corresponds to the meridian line of the heavens and overlaps the time scale line 40f indicating noon of the time display section 36. It is a thing.

Under such a setting, the point corresponding to the seasonal south-south middle altitude observed at the latitude of Akashi City (latitude 34.7 degrees north) is set on the meridian M between the zenith Z and the south point S. Mark. That is, when ∠SOZ is set to 90 degrees, point A (∠SOA = 78.2 degrees) corresponding to the summer solstice, point B (∠SOB = 74.8 degrees) corresponding to Koman and high heat, grain rain and Point C corresponding to hot weather (∠SOC = 66.2 degrees), point D corresponding to spring and autumn equinoxes (∠SO D = 54.7 degrees), point E corresponding to rainwater and frost (∠SOE = 43.3 degrees). Degree), a point F (∠SOF = 34.6 degrees) corresponding to the cold and heavy snow, and a point G (∠SOG = 31.3 degrees) corresponding to the winter solstice are respectively described on the meridian M.

Next, a straight line γ passing through the center point O and having an inclination of 34.7 degrees with respect to the horizon β (angle corresponding to the latitude of Akashi city) is drawn, and the two points where the straight line γ intersects with the meridian M Mark points X and Y, respectively. Finally, consider a circle obtained by rotating the points A, B, C, D, E, F, and G around this straight line γ as an axis, and draw lines corresponding to these circles on the surface of the main body portion 12. , The sun trajectory line 38 appears. A point that divides the circumference of each circle into 24 equal parts based on the point (noon) at which the above-mentioned circles intersect with the meridian line M (time scale line 40f) on the lower hemisphere part 20 side of the main body part 12. Is indicated on the circumference of the circle, and the points indicating the same time are connected between the circles, so that each time scale line 40 appears. However, this is an idea that the sun locus line 38 and the time scale line 40 are described on the entire circumference assuming that the main body 12 is a perfect sphere. It suffices to describe the sun locus line 38 and the time scale line 40 only in part 20.

The convex lens 26 is also arranged at an angle (34.7 degrees) corresponding to the latitude of Akashi City, and therefore the straight line γ is directly as “first shaft 28-convex lens 26”. -Indicating the inclination of the second shaft 32 ". At this time, needless to say, the center of the convex lens 26 should be located at the center point O. Further, the above point X corresponds to the contact point between the first shaft 28 and the upper hemisphere portion 22 of the main body portion 12, and the above point Y corresponds to the contact point between the second shaft 32 and the lower hemisphere portion 20, respectively. .

The sundial 10 is used as follows. First, the sundial 10 is hung at a sunny place such as a window facing south, the notch opening 24 of the main body 12 is directed toward the sun, and the sun image 42 is displayed on the time display 36 for the time being. Next, check the accurate current time based on the time signal from TV, radio, telephone, etc., and make sure that the sun image 42 comes to the correct time scale line 40 position on the sun track line 38 that matches the season. The positional relationship between the body 12 and the ring 14 (that is, the azimuth and elevation of the body 12) is finely adjusted. At that time, the knob 34 attached to the tip of the first shaft 28 is appropriately turned to the left and right to adjust the direction of the convex lens 26 so that the sun image 42 can be clearly seen. After that, as the time passes, the sun image 42 naturally moves on the sun locus line 38 at a constant speed in the direction opposite to the actual traveling direction of the sun. You can know the current time by reading 40. It should be noted that it is desirable to rotate the knob 34 from time to time according to the movement of the sun so that the lens surface of the convex lens 26 faces the sun.

The sundial according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the number of sun locus lines 38 and time scale lines 40 engraved on the time display unit 36 may be increased or decreased as necessary. In addition, in the present embodiment, the configuration of the sun locus line 38 of the time display unit 36 and the inclination angle of the convex lens 26 are determined with reference to Akashi City. It goes without saying that the decision may be made based on data such as altitude. Further, as a concrete description method of the sun locus line 38 and the time scale line 40, in addition to the above method of directly describing on the main body portion 12, these lines are preliminarily printed on a transparent or semitransparent sticker and this It may be configured to be attached to the front surface or the back surface of the main body 12.

In addition to the colorless and transparent convex lens 26, a transparent one with a color (red, yellow, blue, orange, etc.) may be used to make the sun beautiful and improve its design effect. There is no particular limitation on the size, material, focal length, refractive index, etc. of the lens. For example, if a lens with a shape close to a sphere is used, it is not necessary to adjust the lens orientation according to the movement of the sun. Alternatively, instead of using the convex lens 26, although not shown, a member having a pinhole formed in a black-colored substrate or a prism may be used as the sunlight projection member. Furthermore, a material in which thin wires such as nylon thread and piano wire are crossed in a cross shape is placed in the center of the main body 12 instead of the lens, and the shadow of the intersection is read on the time display 36. Good.

As a method of supporting the body portion 12, instead of using the ring 14, a suitable supporting member such as a bracket or a tripod can be used. The shape of the main body 12 is not limited to the one based on a sphere, but may be another shape. Further, if semitransparent glass such as frosted glass or opalescent glass is used as the material of the main body portion 12 from the beginning, it is not necessary to particularly perform the semitransparent treatment on the time display portion 36. On the other hand, if the main body 12 is made of a highly transparent glass material, semi-transparent processing for the time display unit 36 is inevitable in order to reliably display the sun image, but the sunlight is not transmitted to the main body 12. A part of the main body 12 can be directly used as the sunlight introducing part without forming the notch opening 24 for guiding the inside. Furthermore, if the main body is made of plastic, it is necessary to spray a clear lacquer at least in advance on the surface of the time display, so that the ink will be used when drawing the sun locus line and time scale line with various inks. The coloring power of the can be increased and peeling off due to contact and friction can be effectively prevented.

[0021]

[Effect of device]

 In the sundial according to the present invention, based on the positional relationship of the sunlight itself, which is guided from the sunlight introduction section into the main body section and projected on the back surface of the time display section through the sunlight projection member, You can know the time. Therefore, it is not only a mere timekeeping means, it is highly valuable as an ornament that expresses the state of solar operation as it is, and is also useful as an educational tool for observing the state of solar operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a sundial according to the present invention as viewed from below.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the sundial.

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a time display unit.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section passing through the center point of the main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Sundial 12 Main body 24 Notch opening (sunlight introduction part) 26 Convex lens (sunlight projection member) 36 Time display part 38 Sun locus line 40 Time scale line 42 Sun image

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A main body part having a hollow inside is provided with a sunlight introducing part for guiding sunlight into the main part and a semi-transparent time display part, and the inside of the main part is provided with A sunlight projection member for projecting the sunlight guided from the sunlight introducing section onto the back surface of the time display section is arranged, and the position of the sun image appearing on the surface of the time display section on the time display section. A sundial characterized by having a time scale for displaying the current time based on a relationship. 2. The sundial according to claim 1, wherein the sunlight projection member is a lens that focuses sunlight on the back surface of the time display unit. 3. The sundial according to claim 1, wherein the time display section includes a plurality of sun locus lines that represent the traveling loci of the sun for each season.