SNOW SUBDIVISION DEVICE AND SNOWFALL DEVICE

Abstract

A snow subdivision device includes: a receiving member having a receiving surface that receives snow collectively dropping from a snow growth mechanism; and a transmission portion that changes a posture of the receiving member so as to change an inclination of the receiving surface by receiving an external force. The receiving member drops snow on the receiving surface part by part while temporally shifting the dropping by changing the inclination of the receiving surface, so that the snow falls to a subject area. In the receiving member, the receiving surface can be alternately inclined in both directions so that the snow on the receiving surface drops from both sides of the receiving surface.

Claims

1. A snow subdivision device for causing snow to dispersively fall, the snow collectively dropping from a snow growth mechanism, the snow subdivision device comprising: a receiving member having a receiving surface configured to receive the snow collectively dropping from the snow growth mechanism; and a transmitter configured to change a posture of the receiving member so that an inclination of the receiving surface changes or the receiving surface moves by receiving an external force, wherein the receiving member is configured to drop the snow on the receiving surface part by part while temporally shifting the dropping by changing the inclination of the receiving surface or moving the receiving surface, so that the snow is caused to fall to a subject area.

2. The snow subdivision device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving surface of the receiving member is capable of being alternately inclined in both directions, or is capable of being alternately moved in both directions, so that the snow on the receiving surface drops from both sides of the receiving surface.

3. The snow subdivision device according to claim 2, further comprising a rotation shaft that rotatably supports the receiving member, wherein the receiving surface of the receiving member is capable of being alternately inclined in both the directions around the rotation shaft, or is capable of being alternately moved in both the directions around the rotation shaft.

4. The snow subdivision device according to claim 3, wherein the rotation shaft supports the receiving member above a gravity center position of the receiving member.

5. The snow subdivision device according to claim 2, wherein the transmitter is configured to incline or move the receiving surface in one direction of the both direction, and the receiving member is configured so that movement of the receiving surface is reversed when transmission from the transmitter is released.

6. The snow subdivision device according to claim 1, further comprising a rotation shaft that rotatably supports the receiving member, wherein the transmitter is configured to rotate the receiving member around the rotation shaft so that the inclination of the receiving surface changes or the receiving surface moves.

7. The snow subdivision device according to claim 6, wherein the rotation shaft supports the receiving member above a gravity center position of the receiving member.

8. The snow subdivision device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a rod-shaped member fixed to the receiving member.

9. A snowfall device comprising: a snow growth mechanism configured to grow snow; and the snow subdivision device according to claim 1.

10. The snowfall device according to claim 9, wherein the snow growth mechanism includes: a container having a space for growing snow and provided with an opening through which the grown snow is dropped; and a pushing-outer configured to move, toward the opening, the snow grown inside the space and temporarily stored in a bottom portion of the container, and the receiving member is located below the opening so as to receive the snow moved to the opening by the pushing-outer and dropped through the opening of the container.

11. The snowfall device according to claim 10, wherein the pushing-outer includes a scraping member for scraping the snow stored in the bottom portion, and a driver for driving the scraping member, and the transmitter is configured to receive a force by the scraping member as the external force to incline the receiving surface of the receiving member or move the receiving surface.

12. The snowfall device according to claim 9, wherein the snow growth mechanism includes: a container having a space for growing snow and provided with an opening through which the grown snow is dropped; a scraping member for scraping the snow inside the container; and a driver for driving the scraping member, and the transmitter is configured to receive a force by the scraping member as the external force to incline the receiving surface of the receiving member or move the receiving surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing a snow subdivision device according to a first embodiment;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a receiving member provided in the snow subdivision device;

[0009] FIG. 3A is a view showing a modification of the receiving member;

[0010] FIG. 3B is a view showing a modification of the receiving member;

[0011] FIG. 4A is a view showing a state in which the receiving member is in a basic posture;

[0012] FIG. 4B is a view showing a state in which the receiving member is in a snow dropping posture;

[0013] FIG. 4C is a view showing a state in which the receiving member is in a snow dropping posture in an opposite direction;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a view showing a modification of the receiving member;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a view showing a configuration of a snowfall device according to a second embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the snowfall device is located above a target area; and

[0017] FIG. 8 is a view showing a configuration of a conventional snowfall device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a snow subdivision device 10 according to the present embodiment is disposed below a snow growth mechanism 12 to be used. The snow subdivision device 10 is used to receive snow S collectively dropping from the snow growth mechanism 12 and cause the received snow to fall part by part to a subject area SA while temporally shifting the dropping.

[0020] The snow subdivision device 10 includes a receiving member 16 disposed below the opening 14 provided in the snow growth mechanism 12, and a transmission portion 18 for changing a posture of the receiving member 16.

[0021] The receiving member 16 is a block-shaped (solid) member having a receiving surface 16a that receives the snow S dropping from an opening 14 of the snow growth mechanism 12. If the opening 14 has an elongated shape in one direction, the receiving surface 16a preferably also has an elongated shape in the same direction. However, the shape of the receiving surface 16a is not limited to a shape elongated in one direction as long as the snow S dropping from the opening 14 can be temporarily placed.

[0022] The receiving surface 16a is configured by an upper surface of the receiving member 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the receiving surface 16a is a flat surface, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, the receiving surface 16a may be curved so as to bulge outward, or may be curved so as to be recessed inward. The receiving member 16 is configured to be rotatable as described later. Therefore, how much the receiving surface 16a should be curved or should be flat may be appropriately set according to a rotation range. In addition, the receiving surface 16a may have a configuration in which a flat surface and a curved surface are combined.

[0023] The receiving member 16 has a pair of first side surfaces 16b configuring end surfaces of the receiving member 16 in a longitudinal direction (a first direction), and a pair of second side surfaces 16c configuring end surfaces of the receiving member 16 in a width direction (a second direction orthogonal to the first direction).

[0024] The receiving member 16 is rotatably supported around an axis by a rotation shaft 20. The rotation shaft 20 is fixed to the pair of first side surfaces 16b so as to extend in the first direction. Therefore, the receiving member 16 is rotatable around an axis extending in the first direction. The rotation shaft 20 is rotatably supported by, for example, a support member (not shown) fixed to a bottom plate 26 (described later) of the snow growth mechanism 12. Note that the support member may be supported not by the bottom plate 26 but by a part of a container 32 (see, for example, FIG. 6) having the bottom plate 26. Further, the rotation shaft 20 may be fixed to only one of the pair of first side surfaces 16b instead of being fixed to the pair of first side surfaces 16b.

[0025] The rotation shaft 20 supports the receiving member 16 above a gravity center position G of the receiving member 16. That is, when the receiving member 16 is not subjected to an external force, the receiving member 16 is stabilized in a posture (a basic posture) in which the gravity center position G is at a lowest position with respect to the rotation shaft 20. On the other hand, as will be described later, when the transmission portion 18 receives an external force so that the posture of the receiving member 16 changes, the gravity center position G of the receiving member 16 moves from the lowest position to an upper position, so that the receiving member 16 tries to return to the basic posture. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for returning the receiving member 16 to the basic posture after the application of the external force to the transmission portion 18 is released.

[0026] When receiving the force, the transmission portion 18 transmits the force to the receiving member 16 so as to generate a moment around the rotation shaft 20 in the receiving member 16. A member configuring the transmission portion 18 is, for example, a rod-shaped member fixed to one of the first side surfaces 16b of the receiving member 16. The transmission portion 18 is fixed to the receiving member 16 in a posture extending in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the rotation shaft 20 at a position shifted from the rotation shaft 20. Therefore, when the transmission portion 18 receives the external force, the transmission portion 18 generates a moment in the receiving member 16. The transmission portion 18 extends outward (upward in FIG. 1) from the first side surface 16b beyond the receiving surface 16a.

[0027] Note that FIG. 2 shows an example in which the transmission portion 18 is configured by a member provided on the one of the first side surfaces 16b, but the transmission portion 18 may be provided on each of the pair of first side surfaces 16b.

[0028] For example, the transmission portion 18 is configured to get inclined by receiving a force from a scraping member 24 provided in the snow growth mechanism 12.

[0029] The snow growth mechanism 12 is, for example, a mechanism configured to generate snow S to be fallen in the subject area SA, and includes a bottom plate 26 that temporarily accumulates (or places) the generated snow S. The bottom plate 26 is provided with an opening 14 for dropping the snow S on the bottom plate 26, and the scraping member 24 is provided to push the snow S on the bottom plate 26 toward the opening 14. That is, the scraping member 24 is configured to move on the bottom plate 26 in a horizontal direction toward the opening 14 by a driving portion (not shown).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4A, the transmission portion 18 is disposed at a height position where a lower end of the scraping member 24 can collide with an upper end of the transmission portion 18. Note that the receiving member 16 has the basic posture shown in FIG. 4A unless receiving an external force, and when in this basic posture, the lower end of the scraping member 24 may collide with the upper end of the transmission portion 18. The basic posture is a posture in which the receiving surface 16a is horizontal when the receiving surface 16a is a flat surface, and is a posture in which both ends in a width direction (second direction) of the flat surface are at a same height position when the receiving surface 16a is a curved surface.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4B, the scraping member 24 can push the upper end of the transmission portion 18 so as to change the posture of the transmission portion 18. At this time, as the receiving member 16 rotates around the rotation shaft 20, an inclination of the receiving surface 16a changes (a snow dropping posture). In other words, the transmission portion 18 is configured to change the posture of the receiving member 16 by receiving an external force. As a result, even when the snow S is collectively placed on the receiving surface 16a, the snow S on the receiving surface 16a drops dispersively. In this snow dropping posture, the snow S on the receiving surface 16a drops from an end portion on one side (a left side in FIG. 4B) of the receiving surface 16a in the width direction (the second direction) as the receiving surface 16a is inclined. As a result, a snowfall state is created in the subject area SA. At this time, all the snow S on the receiving surface 16a may drop, but a part of the snow S may drop from the receiving surface 16a, and the remaining snow S may remain on the receiving surface 16a.

[0032] Moreover, the receiving member 16 is rotatable around the rotation shaft 20 located above the gravity center position G of the receiving member 16. Therefore, when the scraping member 24 passes through the upper end of the transmission portion 18, the movement of the receiving member 16 is reversed in an attempt to return from the snow dropping posture to the basic posture. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4C, the receiving member 16 exceeds the basic posture by inertia, and changes the posture until the receiving surface 16a is inclined in an opposite direction (a snow dropping posture in an opposite direction). As a result, the snow S on the receiving surface 16a drops from an end portion on another side (a right side in FIG. 4C) of the receiving surface 16a in the width direction (the second direction). That is, in the receiving member 16, the snow on the receiving surface 16a drops in the direction (the left direction in FIG. 4B) in which the transmission portion 18 receives the external force and in the opposite direction (both the sides of the receiving surface 16a).

[0033] Therefore, when the receiving surface 16a is inclined to the one side (the state of FIG. 4B), at least a part of the snow S remaining on the receiving surface 16a drops from the receiving surface 16a in the snow dropping posture in the opposite direction. In addition, even in the snow dropping posture in the opposite direction, since the snow S drops dispersively, the snowfall state continues in the subject area SA. Moreover, following the state of FIG. 4B, the snow S drops in a scattered manner even in the state of FIG. 4C, so that snowfall in a form close to nature is reproduced. Note that the receiving member 16 may continue to swing between the snow dropping posture (FIG. 4B) and the snow dropping posture in the opposite direction (FIG. 4C) in a state where the receiving member 16 does not receive an external force after the scraping member 24 passes. In this case, the snowfall state in which the snow S drops from the receiving surface 16a may be continued.

[0034] The transmission portion 18 is located on a downstream side (a left side in FIG. 4A) with respect to the gravity center position G of the receiving member 16 in a moving direction of the scraping member 24. In addition, an edge portion 14a of the opening 14 on an upstream side (the right side in FIG. 4A) in the moving direction of the scraping member 24 is located on the upstream side in the moving direction of the scraping member 24 with respect to the gravity center position G of the receiving member 16. As a result, when the snow S is pushed out by the scraping member 24 and drops from the opening 14 to the receiving surface 16a, the transmission portion 18 can be brought into a state of not yet being pushed by the scraping member 24. Therefore, in a state where the receiving member 16 is in the basic posture, the receiving surface 16a can receive gathered snow from the snow growth mechanism 12.

[0035] That is, if the transmission portion 18 has already been pushed by the scraping member 24 when the snow S falls from the opening 14, the receiving surface 16a is also inclined accordingly. In this case, when the gathered snow S drops from the opening 14, there is a possibility that the snow S falling from the receiving surface 16a is not sufficiently dispersed. That is, there is a possibility that snow dropping from the opening 14 directly drops to the subject area SA along the inclined receiving surface 16a. Therefore, when the transmission portion 18 is configured to be moved by the scraping member 24, a positional relationship between the transmission portion 18 and the edge portion 14a of the opening 14 is preferably set as described above. Note that when the transmission portion 18 is not configured to be moved by the scraping member 24 or when the transmission portion 18 is not configured in a rod shape, it is not necessary to set the above-described positional relationship.

[0036] The transmission portion 18 is disposed so as to cause the posture change of the receiving member 16 by receiving the force (the external force) from the scraping member 24, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the transmission portion 18 may be disposed such that the upper end of the transmission portion 18 is pushed in the direction around the rotation shaft 20 by receiving an external force from a member other than the scraping member 24. The other member in this case may be a member disposed so as to periodically push the upper end of the transmission portion 18 in a lateral direction. For example, the other member may be configured by a rod-shaped member extending in the horizontal direction, and may be configured to rotate around a vertical axis by a motor (not shown) around one end portion of the other member. In this case, the other member pushes the upper end of the transmission portion 18 by another end portion, then makes one round, and pushes the upper end of the transmission portion 18 again. Therefore, the upper end of the transmission portion 18 can be pushed every predetermined time. The motor at this time may be a motor provided in the snow growth mechanism 12, or may be a motor provided separately from the snow growth mechanism 12. In addition, the motor may be a motor included in the snow subdivision device 10 or a motor provided outside the snow subdivision device 10.

[0037] As described above, in the snow subdivision device 10 of the present embodiment, the receiving surface 16a can take the basic posture and the snow dropping posture below the snow growth mechanism 12 and above the subject area SA. Therefore, in the snow subdivision device 10, even if the snow S collectively drops from the snow growth mechanism 12, the snow S is temporarily received on the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16, so that it is possible to prevent the snow S that has collectively dropped from directly dropping to the subject area SA. Moreover, the receiving member 16 drops the snow S on the receiving surface 16a part by part while temporally shifting the dropping by changing the inclination of the receiving surface 16a. For this reason, since it is possible to cause the snow S on the receiving surface 16a to fall in the subject area SA while dropping the snow S part by part, it is possible to prevent the snow from falling in a way different from a way of snowfall in nature, and it is possible to reproduce snowfall in a form close to nature.

[0038] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the receiving member 16 is configured to be capable of alternately inclining the receiving surface 16a in both the directions so that the snow S on the receiving surface 16a drops from both the sides of the receiving surface 16a. Therefore, since it is possible to drop the snow S from both the sides of the receiving surface 16a and cause the snow S to fall in the subject area SA, the snowfall range can be expanded.

[0039] Moreover, the receiving member 16 is configured such that the movement of the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16 is reversed when the transmission from the transmission portion 18 is released. Therefore, even in the configuration in which the transmission portion 18 inclines the receiving surface 16a in one direction, the receiving surface 16a can be alternately inclined in both the directions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the configuration for dropping the snow S from both the sides of the receiving surface 16a from being complicated.

[0040] In addition, in the present embodiment, the inclination of the receiving surface 16a changes as the receiving member 16 rotates around the rotation shaft 20. Therefore, with the simple configuration in which the receiving member 16 is rotated around the rotation shaft 20, the snow S on the receiving surface 16a can be dropped part by part while temporally shifting the dropping.

[0041] In addition, the rotation shaft 20 supports the receiving member 16 above the gravity center position G of the receiving member 16. Therefore, when the receiving member 16 rotates around the rotation shaft 20 so that the inclination of the receiving surface 16a is changed by the transmission portion 18, the gravity center position G of the receiving member 16 with respect to a support position by the rotation shaft 20 relatively rises. Therefore, the receiving member 16 tries to return to the original posture by its own weight so that the gravity center position G returns to the original position. Therefore, since a mechanism for returning the receiving member 16 to the original posture is unnecessary, it is possible to prevent the device configuration from becoming complicated.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the receiving member 16 is configured to alternately rotate in both the directions with respect to the basic posture, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, the receiving member 16 may be configured to change the posture between the basic posture and the inclined posture in which the snow S on the receiving surface 16a is dropped while being inclined in one direction with respect to the basic posture. In this case, the receiving member 16 returns to the basic posture without taking a posture inclined to an opposite side of the inclined posture. In order to realize such a configuration, a configuration in which the transmission portion 18 is driven by a motor (not shown) so as to swing within such a range can be adopted.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the receiving member 16 is configured to change its posture so as to change the inclination of the receiving surface 16a. Alternatively, the receiving member 16 may be configured to move the receiving surface 16a without changing the inclination of the receiving surface 16a. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the receiving surface 16a may be configured in an arc shape centered on the rotation shaft 20. In this case, even when the receiving member 16 rotates around the rotation shaft 20, the inclination of the receiving surface 16a does not change. However, when the scraping member 24 pushes the upper end of the transmission portion 18, the receiving surface 16a moves in a circumferential direction by the receiving member 16 rotating around the rotation shaft 20, so that the snow S placed on the receiving member 16 can be dropped. That is, since a portion 16a1 located at an upper end of the receiving surface 16a moves in the circumferential direction along with the rotation of the receiving member 16, the snow S placed on the portion 16a1 and a vicinity thereof can be dropped in a scattered manner. At this time, even when the receiving member 16 is rotating, a gap width between the receiving surface 16a and the edge portion 14a of the opening 14 of the bottom plate 26 does not change. Also in this case, the receiving surface 16a takes a basic posture in which the portion 16a1 located at the upper end is located at an uppermost position and a snow dropping posture in which the portion 16a1 is located lower than in the basic posture.

[0044] In this case, the receiving member 16 may be configured such that the receiving member 16 is rotated by the external force (the force from the scraping member 24) received by the transmission portion 18 or may be configured such that the receiving member 16 is rotated around the rotation shaft 20 by a motor (not shown). In the case where the receiving member 16 is configured to be rotated by the motor, the gear mechanism (not shown) or the like disposed between the motor and the rotation shaft 20 functions as a transmission portion that changes the posture of the receiving member 16 by receiving the external force from the motor.

[0045] The receiving member 16 may be configured to alternately rotate in both the directions to drop the snow from both the sides from the receiving surface 16a, but alternatively, may be configured to rotate in one direction to drop the snow from the receiving surface 16a, and rotate in the opposite direction to return to the basic posture. In this case, the snow drops only from the one side in the width direction of the receiving surface 16a. Note that in the case where the receiving member 16 is alternately rotated in both the directions to drop the snow from both the sides, the snow S alternately drops from both the sides of the receiving member 16, so that the snowfall range can be expanded.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 20 is located above the gravity center position G of the receiving member 16, so that the receiving member 16 naturally returns to the basic posture after rotating to the snow dropping posture. However, the configuration in which the receiving member 16 returns from the snow dropping posture to the basic posture is not limited thereto. For example, the receiving member 16 may be configured to return from the snow dropping posture to the basic posture by a spring (not shown). In this case, the positional relationship between the position of the rotation shaft 20 and the gravity center position G of the receiving member 16 is arbitrary.

[0047] In the case where the receiving member 16 is not configured to naturally return to the basic posture after rotating to the snow dropping posture (for example, in the case where the receiving member is configured to return to the basic posture by the spring), the receiving member may not be configured by a block-shaped member. For example, the receiving member 16 may be configured by a plate-like member. When the receiving member 16 is formed of the plate-shaped member, one surface of the plate-shaped member serves as the receiving surface 16a. In this case, the receiving member 16 may be rotatably supported by the rotation shaft 20 connected to an end surface or a lower surface.

Second Embodiment

[0048] A snow subdivision device 10 is combined with a snow growth mechanism 12 shown in FIG. 6 to configure a snowfall device 30 according to a second embodiment. The snowfall device 30 is a device for forming a snowfall environment in a subject area SA (see FIG. 7) such as a test chamber. Note that here, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0049] The snow growth mechanism 12 includes a container 32 having an internal space IS, a collection portion 34 disposed inside the internal space IS, a motor 36 that drives the collection portion 34, and a scraping member 24 attached to the collection portion 34. A snow making duct 38 is connected to the container 32.

[0050] The snow making duct 38 is connected to a cooling device 40 through an introduction path 39 as schematically shown in FIG. 7. The cooling device 40 is configured to cool air below a freezing point, and the low temperature air cooled below the freezing point is introduced into the snow making duct 38 through the introduction path 39. The introduction path 39 is provided with a nozzle 41 for atomizing and injecting water, and the atomized water is also introduced into the snow making duct 38 in addition to the low temperature air. Inside the snow making duct 38, the atomized water freezes to obtain fine snow.

[0051] The fine snow obtained in the snow making duct 38 is introduced into the internal space IS of the container 32 together with the low temperature air. The container 32 is formed in a hollow shape by a top plate 32a to which the snow making duct 38 is connected, a bottom plate 26 disposed below the top plate 32a, and an outer peripheral plate 32b connecting an outer periphery of the top plate 32a and an outer periphery of the bottom plate 26 to each other.

[0052] A return path 42 is connected to the top plate 32a, and the low temperature air inside the internal space IS is returned to the cooling device 40 through the return path 42. That is, the introduction path 39 and the return path 42 form a circulation flow path for circulating the low temperature air between the cooling device 40 and the internal space IS. The return path 42 is provided with a blower 43 for circulating low temperature air.

[0053] The internal space IS of the container 32 is provided with the collection portion 34 for collecting the fine snow introduced into the internal space IS. The collection portion 34 has a plurality of collection members 34a rotatable around a driving shaft 36a inside the internal space IS, and the plurality of collection members 34a are driven to collect the fine snow. Specifically, the collection portion 34 has a plurality of frames 34b radially provided on the driving shaft 36a provided to be rotated around the driving shaft 36a by the motor 36, and the plurality of collection members 34a supported in a loosened state by the frames 34b. The frames 34b each includes a pair of upper and lower frame members 34c extending in a radial direction from axially spaced portions of the driving shaft 36a, and upper and lower ends of the collection members 34a are attached to these frame members 34c.

[0054] The collection members 34a are each configured by, for example, a mesh-like member, and collect the fine snow drifting in the internal space IS by moving around the driving shaft 36a of the motor 36. When the collection members 34a move in the internal space IS while collecting the fine snow, the fine snow is bonded on the collection members 34a and grows into snow.

[0055] On the container 32 or inside the container 32, a dropout means 44 for swinging the collection members 34a to drop out the snow S adhering to the collection members 34a. The snow S that has dropped out from the collection members 34a by the action of the dropout means 44 accumulates on the bottom plate 26.

[0056] Note that the dropout means 44 may have a nozzle 44a that blows compressed air to the collection members 34a circulating around the driving shaft 36a, and may be configured to swing the collection members 34a by the compressed air. In addition, the dropout means 44 may be configured by an impact portion that applies an impact to the frames 34b to swing the collection members 34a.

[0057] The lower frame members 34c are provided with the scraping members 24 for scraping the snow S accumulated on a bottom portion (the bottom plate 26) of the container 32. The scraping member 24 is disposed such that a lower end portion thereof is in contact with the bottom portion (the bottom plate 26) of the container 32, and moves around the driving shaft 36a while sliding on the bottom portion (the bottom plate 26) of the container 32 when the driving shaft 36a rotates around the axis. That is, the scraping member 24 moves inside the internal space IS by the motor 36 that drives the collection portion 34. Note that a lower end portion of the scraping member 24 does not need to be in contact with the bottom plate 26, and may be disposed with a slight gap from the bottom plate 26.

[0058] The frames 34b are provided with upper-side scraping-off members 45 for scraping off the snow S adhering to the top plate 32a and outer peripheral-side scraping-off members 46 for scraping off the snow S adhering to the outer peripheral plate 32b. Note that the upper-side scraping-off member 45 can be omitted. Note that the outer peripheral-side scraping-off member 46 can also be omitted.

[0059] The bottom plate 26 is provided with openings 14 for dropping the snow S. That is, the snow S accumulated on the bottom plate 26 moves on the bottom plate 26 by the scraping members 24 and is dropped to a lower side of the container 32 through the openings 14. That is, the scraping members 24 and the driving portion (the motor 36) that drives the scraping members 24 configure a pushing-out portion 47 that moves the snow S temporarily stored in the bottom portion (the bottom plate 26) of the container 32 toward the openings 14. Note that the pushing-out portion 47 is not limited to the configuration including the scraping members 24 that move along the bottom portion (the bottom plate 26) of the container 32. For example, the pushing-out portion 47 may be configured to include a vibrator that vibrates the container 32. By the container 32 vibrating, the snow stored in the bottom portion (the bottom plate 26) of the container 32 can be moved toward the openings 14

[0060] The openings 14 may each have, for example, a shape elongated in the radial direction of the driving shaft 36a. Note that although FIG. 6 shows the configuration in which the plurality of openings 14 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and only one opening 14 may be formed.

[0061] The snow subdivision device 10 is disposed below the opening 14. In the present embodiment, since the plurality of openings 14 are provided, the snow subdivision device 10 is provided in each of the openings 14. The snow subdivision devices 10 are disposed in an upper portion of the subject area SA or above the subject area SA in which the snow is caused to fall. The subject area SA may be, for example, a test chamber (or a snow environment chamber) for performing a test of forming a snow environment and exposing a specimen to the snow environment.

[0062] In the snowfall device 30 according to the present embodiment, each of the snow subdivision devices 10 drops the snow S part by part while temporally shifting the dropping, the snow S dropping from the snow growth mechanism 12. Therefore, even if the snow S collectively drops from the snow growth mechanism 12, it is possible to prevent the snow from falling in a way different from a way of snowfall in nature.

[0063] In addition, the snow S temporarily stored on the bottom plate 26 of the container 32 moves toward the openings 14 by the pushing-out portion 47 and drops through the openings 14. The snow S falls part by part while temporally shifting the dropping by the receiving member 16 of the snow subdivision device 10. Therefore, even when the gathered snow S drops from the opening 14 by the pushing-out portion 47, the snow S can be dropped part by part while temporally shifting the dropping by the snow subdivision device 10.

[0064] In addition, in the present embodiment, the transmission portion 18 is configured to incline the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16 by receiving the force of the scraping member 24. That is, the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16 is inclined via the transmission portion 18 using the force of the scraping member 24 driven to drop the snow S from the inside of the container 32. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide another drive source to incline the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16, it is possible to prevent the device configuration from being complicated.

[0065] Note that in the present embodiment, the receiving surface 16a of the receiving member 16 is inclined using the force of the scraping member 24. That is, the pushing-out portion 47 has the scraping member 24 and the motor 36. However, the pushing-out portion 47 is not limited to this configuration. For example, a rod-shaped member may be provided on the driving shaft 36a of the motor 36, and this member may press the upper end of the transmission portion 18 by driving the motor 36.

[0066] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the collection portion 34 is configured to circle around the driving shaft 36a, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the collection portion 34 may reciprocate inside the container 32. In this case, the transmission portion 18 can be configured to be inclined in both the directions with the reciprocating movement of the collection portion 34, so that the configuration in which the receiving member 16 naturally returns to the basic posture may not be adopted.

[0067] Although descriptions of other configurations, operations, and effects are omitted, the description of the first embodiment can be applied to the second embodiment.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0068] It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications, improvements, and the like can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0069] Here, the embodiments will be outlined.

[0070] (1) The snow subdivision device according to the embodiment is a snow subdivision device for causing snow to dispersively fall, the snow collectively dropping from a snow growth mechanism, the snow subdivision device including: a receiving member having a receiving surface configured to receive the snow collectively dropping from the snow growth mechanism; and a transmission portion configured to change a posture of the receiving member so that an inclination of the receiving surface changes or the receiving surface moves by receiving an external force, wherein the receiving member is configured to drop the snow on the receiving surface part by part while temporally shifting the dropping by changing the inclination of the receiving surface or moving the receiving surface, so that the snow is caused to fall to a subject area.

[0071] In the snow subdivision device, even if the snow collectively drops from the snow growth mechanism, the receiving surface of the receiving member temporarily receives the snow. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the snow that has collectively dropped from directly dropping to the subject area. Moreover, the receiving member drops the snow on the receiving surface part by part while temporally shifting the dropping by changing the inclination of the receiving surface or moving the receiving surface due to the action of the transmission portion. Therefore, since it is possible to cause the snow to fall to the subject area while dropping the snow part by part from the receiving surface, it is possible to prevent the snow from falling in the way different from the way of snowfall in nature, and it is possible to reproduce snowfall in a form close to nature.

[0072] (2) The receiving surface of the receiving member may be capable of being alternately inclined in both directions, or may be capable of being alternately moved in both the directions so that the snow on the receiving surface drops from both sides of the receiving surface.

[0073] In this aspect, since it is possible to cause the snow to fall to the subject area by dropping the snow from both the sides of the receiving surface, the snowfall range can be expanded.

[0074] (3) The snow subdivision device may further include a rotation shaft that rotatably supports the receiving member. In this case, the receiving surface of the receiving member may be capable of being alternately inclined around the rotation shaft in both the directions, or may be capable of being alternately moved in both the directions around the rotation shaft.

[0075] In this aspect, the receiving member rotates in both the directions around the rotation shaft, so that the receiving surface is alternately inclined in both the directions or is alternately moved in both the directions. Thus, the snow can drop from both the sides of the receiving surface.

[0076] (4) The rotation shaft may support the receiving member above a gravity center position of the receiving member. In this aspect, due to the action of the transmission portion, the receiving member rotates around the shaft so that the inclination of the receiving surface changes, or the receiving member rotates around the shaft so that the receiving surface moves. As a result, the gravity center position of the receiving member with respect to a support position by the rotation shaft is relatively raised. Therefore, the receiving member tries to return to the original posture by its own weight so that the gravity center position G returns to the original position. Therefore, since a mechanism for returning the receiving member to the original posture is unnecessary, it is possible to prevent the device configuration from being complicated.

[0077] (5) The transmission portion may be configured to incline or move the receiving surface in one direction. In this case, the receiving member may be configured such that movement of the receiving surface is reversed when transmission from the transmission portion is released.

[0078] In this aspect, even in the configuration in which the transmission portion inclines the receiving surface of the receiving member in only one direction, the receiving surface can be alternately inclined in both the directions. Or, even in the configuration in which the transmission portion moves the receiving surface in only one direction, the receiving surface can be alternately moved in both the directions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the configuration for dropping the snow from both the sides of the receiving surface from being complicated.

[0079] (6) The snow subdivision device may further include a rotation shaft that rotatably supports the receiving member, and in this case, the transmission portion may be configured to rotate the receiving member around the rotation shaft so that the inclination of the receiving surface changes or the receiving surface moves.

[0080] In this aspect, when the receiving member rotates around the rotation shaft, the inclination of the receiving surface changes or the receiving surface moves. Therefore, with the simple configuration in which the receiving member is rotated around the rotation shaft, the snow on the receiving surface can be dropped part by part while temporally shifting the dropping.

[0081] (7) The rotation shaft may support the receiving member above a gravity center position of the receiving member. In this aspect, by the transmission portion, the receiving member rotates around the shaft so that the inclination of the receiving surface changes, or the receiving member rotates around the shaft so that the receiving surface moves. As a result, the gravity center position of the receiving member with respect to the support position by the rotation shaft is relatively raised. Therefore, the receiving member tries to return to the original posture by its own weight so that the gravity center position returns to the original position. Therefore, since a mechanism for returning the receiving member to the original posture is unnecessary, it is possible to prevent the device configuration from being complicated.

[0082] (8) The transmission portion may include a rod-shaped member fixed to the receiving member.

[0083] (9) The snowfall device according to the embodiment includes: a snow growth mechanism configured to grow snow; and the snow subdivision device.

[0084] In the snowfall device, since the snow dropping from the snow growth mechanism is dropped part by part while temporally shifting the dropping by the snow subdivision device, even if the snow collectively drops from the snow growth mechanism, it is possible to prevent the snow from falling in the way different from the way of snowfall in nature.

[0085] (10) The snow growth mechanism may include: a container having a space for growing snow and provided with an opening through which the grown snow is dropped; and a pushing-out portion configured to move, toward the opening, the snow grown inside the space and temporarily stored in a bottom portion of the container. In this case, the receiving member may be located below the opening so as to receive the snow moved to the opening by the pushing-out portion and dropped through the opening of the container.

[0086] In this aspect, when the pushing-out portion moves the snow temporarily stored in the container toward the opening, the snow drops through the opening. At this time, the snow drops part by part from the receiving surface while temporally shifting the dropping by the receiving member of the snow subdivision device. Therefore, even when the gathered snow drops from the opening by the pushing-out portion, the snow can be dropped part by part while temporally shifting the dropping by the snow subdivision device.

[0087] (11) The pushing-out portion may include a scraping member for scraping snow stored in the bottom portion, and a driving portion for driving the scraping member. In this case, the transmission portion may be configured to receive a force by the scraping member as the external force to incline the receiving surface of the receiving member or move the receiving surface.

[0088] In this aspect, the force of the scraping member driven to drop the snow from an inside of the container can be used to incline or move the receiving surface of the receiving member via the transmission portion. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide another drive source to incline or move the receiving surface of the receiving member, it is possible to prevent the device configuration from being complicated.

[0089] (12) The snow growth mechanism may include: a container having a space for growing snow and provided with an opening through which the grown snow is dropped; a scraping member for scraping the snow inside the container; and a driving portion for driving the scraping member. In this case, the transmission portion may be configured to receive a force by the scraping member as the external force to incline the receiving surface of the receiving member or move the receiving surface.

[0090] In this aspect, the snow inside the container is scraped by the scraping member and drops through the opening of the container. At this time, the snow drops part by part from the receiving surface while temporally shifting the dropping by the receiving member of the snow subdivision device. That is, the transmission portion of the snow subdivision device can be moved by the scraping member driven to scrape the snow inside the container.

[0091] As described above, it possible to reproduce snowfall in a subject area in a form close to nature even when gathered snow drops.

[0092] This application is based on Japanese Patent application No. 2024-51054 filed in Japan Patent Office on Mar. 27, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.