JPH10113588A - Artificial rainfall device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To freely adjust and maintain the amount of rainfall at a constant level by changing hydrostatic pressure and easily reproduce a state similar to natural rainfall. SOLUTION: A water tank 3 is installed on a pedestal 2. In addition, a water level adjusting tube 4 is fitted, in a freely rotating manner, on one of the lateral faces of the water tank 3, so that the water level in the water tank 3 is adjusted in accordance with a rainfall. Further, numerous small holes 6 and projecting strips which divide these small holes 6 and function as reinforcing walls are provided at the bottom of the water tank 3. Besides, a net 5 is arranged below the water tank 3. Water droplets falling from the small holes 6 of the water tank 3 hit the net 5 to be scattered after being broken into particles and these particles drop as rain 11 onto a walkway rain sound generating board 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an artificial rainfall device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When artificially reproducing natural rainfall, water is normally pressurized and discharged from a nozzle or the like to spray water.

[0003]

However, the rainfall method using such a nozzle has a problem that it is difficult to make rainfall uniformly occur in a certain area. That is, since the rainfall area per nozzle is circular,
A plurality of nozzles is required to uniformly rain over a large area. In that case, since a part of the rainfall area by each nozzle overlaps with each other, the rainfall in that part is larger than the rainfall in the part that does not overlap,
Rainfall per unit time is different. Therefore, in order to solve such inconvenience, it is conceivable to further increase the number of nozzles and make an overlapping region as the entire rainfall region per nozzle, but in that case, changing the rainfall amount changes the rainfall region. Therefore, many problems are expected, such as the inability to freely adjust the rainfall, difficulty in determining the optimal position of the nozzle, the need for a large pump, the increase in the number of pipes, and the cumbersome pipe work.

In the case of a nozzle, there is another problem that it is difficult to artificially reproduce natural rainfall. In other words, to reproduce rainfall conditions such as light rain or heavy rain,
It is necessary to change the size of water droplets and the amount of rainfall per unit time by changing the water supply pressure (pressure) to the nozzle. For example,
To reproduce a very small amount of rainfall such as light rain, it is necessary to increase the pressure to make fine water droplets, but increasing the pressure increases the number of water droplets ejected from the nozzle per unit time, It will not be possible to reproduce rain conditions such as light rain. On the other hand, when reproducing rainfall conditions such as heavy rain, it is necessary to reduce the pressure to make large water droplets, but when the pressure is reduced, the number of water droplets ejected from the nozzle per unit time decreases, Cannot reproduce rainfall conditions such as heavy rain. Therefore, it is conceivable to replace the nozzles with nozzles having different numbers of nozzle holes and different hole diameters depending on the amount of rainfall. However, in that case, the types of nozzles increase, and maintenance and replacement work are cumbersome and impractical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to freely adjust or keep the rainfall constant by fluctuation of hydrostatic pressure, and An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial rainfall device that can easily reproduce a situation similar to rainfall.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an artificial rainfall apparatus according to the present invention comprises a water tank which has a number of small holes in a bottom plate and is installed on a base, and a lower part of one side of the water tank. A water level adjusting pipe having one end rotatably connected to communicate with the inside of the water tank, and a net disposed at a predetermined distance below the water tank. Further, the present invention is characterized in that a protrusion is provided on the lower surface of the bottom plate of the water tank to partition small holes and function as a reinforcing wall.

In the present invention, the water tank stores water supplied by a water supply pipe. Water in the water tank falls on the net as water droplets from small holes formed in the bottom plate of the water tank. When it hits the net, it breaks into smaller water droplets and scatters and falls, forming artificial rain. The water level control pipe keeps the water level in the water tank constant by overflowing the water in the water tank. When the water level control pipe is vertical, the water level can be maximized, and when it is horizontal, the minimum water level can be obtained. When the water level changes, the hydrostatic pressure in the water tank also changes, so the size and interval of water drops falling from the small holes and the amount of drop (number) per unit time change. As the length increases, the amount of fall per unit time decreases. On the other hand, when the water level is high, the water droplets become small but the interval becomes short, so that the amount of drop per unit time increases. Therefore, the amount of rainfall per unit time can be adjusted, and natural rainfall can be artificially reproduced. The ridges reinforce the water tank and prevent water drops falling from the small holes from moving along the lower surface of the bottom plate of the water tank and uniting with water drops from adjacent small holes.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. First, the principle of the artificial rainfall device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a principle view of the present apparatus, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are a bottom view and a side view of a water tank. In these figures, the artificial rainfall apparatus 1 includes a water tank 3 installed on a gantry 2, a water level adjusting pipe 4 having one end rotatably connected to a lower part of one side of the water tank 2 and communicating with the inside of the water tank 3, A net 5 is provided below the water tank 3 at a predetermined distance. Aquarium 3
A large number of small holes 6 are regularly formed in the bottom plate at regular intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions, and these small holes 6 function as a grid-like partition and a reinforcing wall protruding from the lower surface side of the bottom plate. Partitioned by ridges 7. The ridges 7 reinforce the water tank 3 and prevent the water droplets 10 falling from the small holes 6 from moving along the lower surface of the bottom plate of the water tank 3 and being combined with the water drops falling from the adjacent small holes 6. belongs to.

A water level scale plate 8 for displaying the water level in the water tank 3 and an angle of the water level control pipe 4 are displayed on one of the four side faces of the water tank 3 on which the water level control pipe 4 is mounted. A degree scale plate 9 is attached. Water level control pipe 4
Is composed of elbows whose openings at both ends differ by 90 °, and makes the water in the water tank 3 overflow to keep the water level H in the water tank 3 constant. The water level H is maximized when the water level adjusting pipe 4 is rotated to be substantially vertical, and becomes minimum when it is horizontal or lower. When the water level H changes, the hydrostatic pressure in the water tank 3 naturally changes with the water depth, so that the size, interval, and amount of water drops 10 falling from the small holes 6 per unit time can be changed. That is, when the water level H is lowered, the water drop 10 becomes large because the hydrostatic pressure becomes low, but the interval between the drops becomes long. Therefore, the amount of fall per unit time is reduced. On the other hand, when the water level H is increased, the hydrostatic pressure is also increased.
0 becomes smaller, and the interval between drops becomes shorter. Therefore, the amount of fall per unit time increases.

The net 5 is used to finely crush the water droplets 10 that have fallen from the small holes 6 of the water tank 3 to form smaller water droplets 11 to scatter and fall, and to artificially reproduce natural rainfall. And plays an important role together with the water level adjusting pipe 4. Such a net 5 can be inexpensively obtained by using an insect net made of a synthetic resin or the like generally used for flowerpots, plantains and the like. Water drops 11 transmitted through the stitches of the net 5
Will fall on the ground as artificial rain. On the ground surface directly below the net 5, a step board and rain sound generating board 12 is laid. As the step board and rain sound generating plate 12, any wooden, metal, tile or the like may be used as long as it emits a rain sound and reproduces the rebound of rainwater.

In such an artificial rainfall apparatus 1, in order to artificially generate rainfall, water 14 is supplied by a water supply pipe 13.
Is supplied into the water tank 3 and the angle θ of the water level adjusting pipe 4 is set according to the amount of rainfall per unit time to obtain a required water level H. The angle θ is obtained by testing the relationship between the amount of water falling from the water tank 3 and the water level H in advance, and displaying an angle corresponding to the height of the water level control pipe 4 for securing a required water level on the minute scale plate 9. By setting, it can be easily set. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the water amount and the water level.

As described above, when the water level H changes, the hydrostatic pressure in the water tank 3 also changes with the water depth, so that the size of the water drops 10 falling from the small holes 6, the intervals between the drops, and the amount of the drops per unit time change. To reproduce a rainfall state such as light rain, the water level H is lowered to increase the size of the water droplets 10 and the falling interval of the water droplets 10 is increased to reduce the amount of the water droplets falling per unit time. Conversely, when reproducing a rainfall state such as heavy rain, the water level H is raised to make the water droplets 10 smaller, and the falling interval of the water droplets 10 is shortened to increase the amount of water falling per unit time.

The water droplets 10 that have fallen from the small holes 6 are
In this case, the water droplets 11 are finely crushed and scattered to form smaller water droplets 11. In this case, the larger the water droplet 10 is, the larger the area hitting the net 5 is, so that it is crushed and scattered more finely, and becomes a small water droplet 11 to pass through the stitches of the net 5 to become artificial rain and become a step board and a rain sound generating plate 12 falls. Therefore, it is possible to realize a rainfall state in which the amount of rainfall per unit time is small. On the other hand, the small water droplets 10 scatter and fall as large water droplets 11 without being crushed finely because the area hitting the net 5 is small. Therefore, it is possible to realize a rainfall state in which the amount of rainfall per unit time is large. Further, when walking on the step board and rain sound generating plate 12, it is possible to directly experience artificial rainfall, the rebound of the rainwater and the rain sound.

Next, an embodiment of the artificial rainfall apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a front view of the same device, FIG. 5 is a plan view with an upper cover removed,
6 is a side view, FIG. 7 is a plan view of a water tank, FIG. 8 is a view showing connection of adjacent water tanks, and FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) are main part plan views of a net and an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA. It is. In the figure,
The same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
In these figures, the base 2 on which the water tank 3 is installed is formed by combining a large number of pipes 21 vertically and horizontally and diagonally to form a long arch in the front-rear direction, so that the total length is 15,000 m.
m, height is 4650mm, maximum width is about 4000mm,
The installation height of the water tank 3 is about 3100 mm, the installation height of the net 5 is about 2500 mm, and the upper surface is covered with an opaque or translucent synthetic resin sheet 22. The space below the net 5 inside the gantry 2 forms a rainfall area S. The rain area S is divided into first, second, and third rain areas S 1, S 2, and 3 equally divided in the longitudinal direction of the gantry 2.
A water tank 3 is provided for each of the areas S1, S2, S3. The reason why the rainfall area S is divided into three in this way is to simultaneously realize rainfall states in which the amount of rainfall per unit time is different, and to be able to directly experience the difference. For example, in the first rain area S1, the rainfall per unit time is 10 mm / h, and the second rain area S2
Is set at 30 mm / h and in the third rainfall area S3 is set at 50 mm / h.

The first, second, and third rain areas S1, S2,
In this embodiment, a total of 15 water tanks 3 are arranged in the width direction of the gantry 2 and 5 in the front-rear direction, and a total of 15 water tanks 3 are installed on the gantry 2 corresponding to S3. Are shown respectively. However, only 12 water tanks 3 are shown in FIG. These water tanks 3 are supplied with water by a water supply pipe 13 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the water tanks 3 arranged in the width direction of the gantry 2 are connected in series by hoses 24, Of the spill pipe 2 through the connecting pipe 26
5 respectively. The hose 24 and the connection pipe 26 are respectively connected to the water tank 3 near the lower side of the water tank 3.
It is connected to the. An L-shaped water level adjusting pipe 4 is rotatably attached to the end of each spill pipe 25 opposite to the water tank 3 side,
The water overflowing from the water level control pipe 4 is drained by the drain gutter 2
7 to drain the water.

The amount of water supplied to the water tank 3 is adjusted by a flow control valve (not shown) so as to minimize the amount of water overflowing from the water level control pipe 4. This is to save water consumption. A large number of small holes 6 are regularly formed in the bottom plate of each water tank 3, and these small holes 6 are separated by a grid-like ridge 7 projecting from the lower surface of the bottom plate. The size of one water tank 3 is 385 mm (width) x 57
It is about 5 mm (length) x 220 mm (height). The small hole 6 has, for example, a hole diameter of about 0.2 to
About 24 pieces are formed at intervals of about mm. Ridge 7 is 3
They are formed in a grid at intervals of about 0 mm. In the present embodiment, the first, second, and third rainfall areas S
Although an example in which 15 water tanks 3 are arranged side by side for each of S1, S2 and S3 is shown, the invention is not limited to this, and one large water tank 3 may be installed for each area.

The amount of precipitation is adjusted not only by finely adjusting the height of the water level adjusting pipe 4 but also by increasing or decreasing the number of small holes 6 according to the following equation. Desired rainfall: Current rainfall = Corrected number of holes: Current number of holes Corrected number of holes = (Determined rainfall x Current rainfall) / Current rainfall If the number of holes 6 is to be increased or decreased, close the holes with putty or the like. When,
It can be performed more accurately and quickly.

The net 5 is made of an insect net or a wire net made of synthetic resin or metal used for horticulture. FIG. 9 shows an example using an insect net made of synthetic resin. In the case of this insect repellent net, the size of the hole 30 is about 2 mm square, the front side forms an uneven surface as shown in FIG. 3B, and the back side forms a flat surface. When such an insect repelling net is used, it is disposed on the gantry 2 with the flat back side facing up. In the net 5 made of such insect repellent net, the water drop 10 dropped from the water tank 3 is broken into small pieces when it hits the upper surface of the net 5, and passes through the hole 30 to be artificial rain, and becomes a step board and a rain sound generating board. 12 falls. The reason why the surface side of the net 5 having the uneven surface is turned downward is that the water droplets 11 attached to the net 5 are collected on the tops of the respective convex portions 31 by surface tension and fall by their own weight when they reach a certain size. It is.

The amount of rainfall per hour can be determined by the following equation by measuring the amount of water supply and the amount of surplus water discharged from the spill pipe 25 with a flow meter. Rainfall = (water supply-surplus water) / rainfall area When measuring rainfall, it is easier to store rainfall in a rain gauge or a vertical container for a certain period of time, measure the water depth, and convert it per hour. Can be checked accurately.

In such an artificial rainfall apparatus, it is only necessary to supply water 14 to the water tank 3 by the water supply pipe 13, so that only the power for water supply is required, the structure is simple, and the driving operation is simple. And maintenance is easy. Also,
By changing the water level in the water tank 3 by the water level adjusting pipe 4, the size of the water drop 10 is changed, and the water drop 10 is finely crushed by the net 5 so as to be scattered. It is possible to artificially reproduce the state of heavy rain from light rain closer to the natural rainfall state. That is, when the state of light rain is reproduced, the water level may be reduced to increase the size of the water droplets 10 and the falling interval of the water droplets 10 may be increased to reduce the amount of falling per unit time. In this case, since the large water droplet 10 has a large contact area with the net 5, it is finely crushed, and a small rainfall state with a small amount of rainfall can be reproduced. On the other hand, when reproducing the state of heavy rain, the water level may be increased to make the water droplets 10 smaller, and the falling interval of the water droplets 10 may be shortened to increase the amount of water falling per unit time. In this case, since the small water droplet 10 has a small contact area with the net 5, it is not crushed finely, and some of the water droplets fall directly, so that it is possible to reproduce a rainfall state with a large amount of rainfall.

The first, second, and third rain areas S1,
If the amount of rainfall per hour is changed for each of S2 and S3, the intensity of rainfall in each area can be directly sensed and compared. In this case, when the water level adjusting pipe 4 is rotated to raise and lower the water level in the water tank 3, the amount of precipitation can be changed with time. Also, if the step board and rain sound generating plate 12 is installed, the strength of the bounce of rainwater can be sensed as in the case of the actual rainfall, and the difference in the strength of the rain sound can be heard directly by the ear.
Furthermore, when lighting, ventilation, sound, video, and the like are used together, it can be used as a photographing device for a rainfall scene. In addition, it can be used as an experimental device for schools and the like, as a science teaching material (erosion, water permeability, scouring), or as a vegetation gardening facility. In addition, it can be used as any water supply, water sprinkling, and washing facility from a slow speed to a high speed (applicable not only to water but also to a liquid with low viscosity).

[0022]

As described above, the artificial rainfall device according to the present invention has a water tank installed on a gantry having a plurality of small holes in a bottom plate, and one end rotatably provided at a lower part of one side of the water tank. Since the water level control pipe is connected to communicate with the inside of the water tank and the net is disposed below the water tank at a predetermined distance from the water tank, a situation similar to natural rainfall can be reproduced. Further, since a water tank and a net are provided, and the water level in the water tank is simply changed by the water level adjusting pipe according to the amount of rainfall, the structure is simple, and the operation and maintenance are easy. Further, according to the present invention, since the small hole is provided on the lower surface of the bottom plate of the water tank and the ridge functions as a reinforcing wall, the water tank can be reinforced and the coalescence of water drops falling from the small hole can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of an artificial rainfall device according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a bottom view and a side view of a water tank.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between a water amount and a water level.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an embodiment of the artificial rainfall device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view with an upper cover removed.

FIG. 6 is a side view.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a water tank.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a connection between adjacent water tanks.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are a plan view of a main part of the net and an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Artificial rainfall apparatus, 2 ... Stand, 3 ... Water tank, 4 ... Water level control pipe, 5 ... Net, 6 ... Small hole, 7 ... Ridge, 10, 11 ... Water drop, 12 ... Walking board and rain sound generating board, 13 ... water pipe, 14 ...
water.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A water tank having a plurality of small holes in a bottom plate and installed on a pedestal, a water level adjusting pipe having one end rotatably connected to a lower part of one side of the water tank and communicating with the inside of the water tank; An artificial rainfall device, comprising: a net disposed at a predetermined distance below the lower surface. 2. The artificial rainfall device according to claim 1, wherein
An artificial rainfall device comprising a ridge that partitions a small hole and functions as a reinforcing wall on a lower surface of a bottom plate of a water tank.