Moving object

A moving object includes a box-shaped accommodation unit provided on an outer surface of an automobile body, and moves on a road surface. The accommodation unit detachably accommodates a detection device that detects suspended matters or radiation in the air nearby the automobile body.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a moving object including an accommodation unit which accommodates a detection device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, various forms of moving objects that move autonomously are proposed, and a variety of devices are mounted on a moving object according to the application purpose. In a case that a device is desired to be mounted in advance at an appropriate position in consideration for the operation, a unit that indicates the position at which the device is to be mounted may be provided (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-71437).

A load measuring device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-71437 includes a load sensor that detects a load based on deformation of a member to be loaded. Positioning guide projections that indicate the position of the load sensor to be mounted are provided on the member to be loaded. However, it is difficult to mount all desired members in a limited space by merely indicating the position of the load sensor with the positioning guide projections and accordingly space-saving is difficult to be realized. In addition, it is desirable for some devices to be accommodated in a container to avoid damage caused by coming into contact with an object.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is made to solve the above problem and it is desirable to provide a moving object accommodating a detection device that is easily detachably attached.

According to the disclosure, there is provided a moving object that moves on a road surface and includes a box-shaped accommodation unit which is provided on an outer surface of an automobile body. The accommodation unit detachably accommodates a detection device, which detects suspended matters or radiation in the air nearby the automobile body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a moving object according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1Ais a schematic side view of the moving object according to the embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG. 1Bis a schematic top view of the moving object illustrated inFIG. 1A.

A moving object1according to the embodiment of the disclosure is a four-wheeled vehicle that moves on a road surface100along a route set in advance. The moving object1goes straight toward the front (the right inFIG. 1A) in general, and a direction in which the moving object travels is changed as appropriate. Hereinafter, for the simplicity of description, the direction in which the moving object1travels will be referred to as a traveling direction S, a direction in which a front surface of an automobile body2faces will be simply referred to as a forward direction, and a direction in which a rear surface of the automobile body2faces (the left inFIG. 1A) will be simply referred to as the rear, in some cases.

The automobile body2includes wheels3, a front bumper4, a rear bumper5, an arm6, and a sensor case10(accommodation unit).

The wheels3are connected to a drive source, such as a motor, which is accommodated in the automobile body2, and the moving object1travels by driving the wheels3. A configuration in which four wheels3are included is adopted in the embodiment. Without being limited thereto, however, the number of wheels3may be changed, a belt may be used, or a configuration in which the moving object1moves and a traveling speed thereof can be regulated as appropriate may be adopted.

The front bumper4is mounted on a front surface of the automobile body2, and reduces damage to the automobile body2, which is caused by coming into contact with obstacles. The rear bumper5is mounted on the rear surface of the automobile body2, and has substantially the same function as that of the front bumper4.

One end of the arm6is mounted on a top surface of the automobile body2, and the other end is a long member including a monitoring device, such as a camera and a sensor. The arm6is configured so as to rotate about a portion on which the arm portion is mounted on the automobile body2, and the monitoring device provided on the other end can be moved in an up-and-down direction due to the rotation of the arm6.

The sensor case10is mounted on a side surface of the automobile body2, and the sensor case10of a box-shape detachably accommodates a detection device20. An outer surface on which the sensor case10is mounted is not limited to the side surface, and may be the front surface or the top surface of the automobile body2.

The sensor case10may be provided between the wheels3on a front side (front wheels) and the wheels3on a rear side (rear wheels). A tube11extends from the sensor case10toward the front surface of the automobile body2. The tube11is provided along the automobile body2and sends air taken in from a tip thereof to the detection device20. As illustrated inFIG. 1B, the width of the sensor case10protruding from the automobile body2in a width direction H orthogonal to the side surface on which the sensor case is mounted may be substantially the same as the widths of the wheels3. That is, the sensor case10can avoid being obstructed by obstacles since the sensor case10does not protrude more than the wheels3in the width direction H. Next, a specific structure of the sensor case10will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B.

FIG. 2Ais a front view of a sensor case according to a first embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG. 2Bis a perspective view of the sensor case illustrated inFIG. 2A.FIG. 2AandFIG. 2Billustrate the sensor case10in a state where a housing door17is removed (refer toFIG. 6which will be described later), for ease of viewing the drawings.

The sensor case10is a substantially rectangular container and a front surface of the sensor case may be an opening portion. The sensor case10is a quadrangle, of which two corners on one side are cut off, in front view. Specifically, when the sensor case10is mounted on the automobile body2, corners on a lower side (downward inFIG. 2A) may be cut off, slopes (front slope12cand rear slope12d) may be formed, and the wheels3may be provided at positions corresponding to the cut off corners. Accordingly, the sensor case10can be easily mounted even in a case where an interval between the wheels3is short. For the sake of description below, a direction along the front and rear of the automobile body2will be referred to as a horizontal direction A, a direction along the top and bottom of the automobile body2will be referred to as a vertical direction B, and a direction from the inside of the sensor case10to the outside through the opening portion will be referred to as a placement direction X.

A housing of the sensor case10is configured of a case side wall12and a case bottom plate13. A door mounting portion14for mounting the housing door17, and a first protruded portion12aand a second protruded portion12b, which protrude to an inner side of the sensor case10are provided on the case side wall12.

The first protruded portion12ais provided on a corner on a front lower side (lower right corner of the sensor case10inFIG. 2A) when mounted on the automobile body2, and the second protruded portion12bis provided on a corner on a rear lower side (lower left corner of the sensor case10inFIG. 2A) when mounted on the automobile body2. The first protruded portion12aand the second protruded portion12bare formed so as to be slightly shorter than the case side wall12in the placement direction X, and have heights of approximately 80 percent of the height of the case side wall12.

A wiring hole12f, through which a wiring member40(refer toFIG. 3which will be described later) passes, and a tube hole12e, through which the tube11passes, may be further provided in the case side wall12. A part of the case bottom plate13may be extended to an outer side of the case side wall12, and a screw hole for fixing to the automobile body2may be provided in the case bottom plate as appropriate. The door mounting portion14is formed so as to protrude toward the outer side from an end portion of the case side wall12in the horizontal direction A.

A detection accommodation region KR in which the detection device20is accommodated, a wiring accommodation region HR in which the wiring member40connected to the detection device20is accommodated, a plurality of detection ribs extended from the case bottom plate13in the placement direction X may be provided in the sensor case10. The detection ribs are respectively provided at positions facing outer edges of the detection accommodation region KR and the wiring accommodation region HR, and the detection ribs are provided at nine places in the embodiment. Next, first rib16ato ninth rib16j, which are the plurality of detection ribs, will be described in detail. As for the detection ribs, a surface orthogonal to the placement direction X will be referred to as a top surface and a surface parallel to the placement direction X will be referred to as a side surface.

The first rib16ais positioned at a corner where the first protruded portion12ais provided. One end thereof linked to the case side wall12extends in the horizontal direction A. The first rib bends in the vertical direction B halfway to the first protruded portion. The other end is linked to the first protruded portion12a. The first rib16ahas substantially the same height as that of the first protruded portion12a.

One end of the second rib16bis linked to the first protruded portion12a, and the other end thereof extends to an opposing side of the case side wall12in the vertical direction B (upward inFIG. 2A). A step is provided on a top surface of the second rib16bin the placement direction X, a portion linked to the first protruded portion12ahas substantially the same height as that of the first protruded portion12a, and a side on the other end thereof has a height approximately 30 percent of the height of the case side wall12.

In front view, the third rib16cis formed in a U-shape, is positioned substantially in the middle of the case bottom plate13, and has a height of approximately 30 percent of the height of the case side wall12. The third rib16cis disposed so as to have side surfaces opposing a part of the case side wall12(upper side of the sensor case10inFIG. 2A).

The fourth rib16dextends from a position opposing the second rib16bin the vertical direction B on the case side wall12and has a height of approximately 30 percent of the height of the case side wall12. The side surfaces of the third rib16cand a tip of the fourth rib16dare provided so as to be oppose each other with the wiring accommodation region HR being interposed therebetween.

The fifth rib16eextends from a position opposing the second protruded portion12bin the vertical direction B on the case side wall12, and has a height of approximately 30 percent of the height of the case side wall12.

One end of the sixth rib16fis linked to the first protruded portion12a, and the other end thereof extends to substantially the middle of the case bottom plate13in a direction oblique to the horizontal direction A in front view. A step is provided on a top surface of the sixth rib16fin the placement direction X, a portion linked to the first protruded portion12ahas a height of approximately 30 percent of the height of the case side wall12, a side on the other end is slightly larger taller.

One end of the seventh rib16gis linked to the second protruded portion12b, the other end thereof extends in the direction oblique to the horizontal direction A, and the seventh rib is linked to the case side wall12on a lower side when mounted on the automobile body2. The seventh rib16ghas a height of approximately 30 percent of the height of the case side wall12. The sixth rib16fand the seventh rib16gare provided such that side surfaces oppose each other in parallel with the wiring accommodation region HR being interposed.

The eighth rib16hextends from the second protruded portion12bin the vertical direction B, and has substantially the same height as that of the second protruded portion12b.

The ninth rib16jextends from the second protruded portion12bin the vertical direction B, a step is provided in the placement direction X, a portion thereof linked to the second protruded portion12bhas substantially the same height as that of the second protruded portion12b, and a tip thereof has a height of approximately 30 percent of the height of the case side wall12. The fifth rib16eand the ninth rib16jare provided at positions opposing each other in the vertical direction B.

As illustrated inFIG. 2A, although the detection accommodation region KR and the wiring accommodation region HR are provided at overlapping positions in front view, the positions of the detection accommodation region KR and the wiring accommodation region HR may be different from each other in the placement direction X. Specifically, the wiring accommodation region HR is provided on a side close to the case bottom plate13in the placement direction X, and the detection accommodation region KR is provided on a side separated away from the case bottom plate13. That is, the sensor case10has a structure in which the detection accommodation region KR is stacked on the wiring accommodation region HR with the case bottom plate13as the base in the placement direction X. Structures of the wiring accommodation region HR and detection accommodation region KR will be described in detail together with the wiring member40and the detection device20, which are illustrated inFIG. 3toFIG. 5.

FIG. 3is a front view illustrating the sensor case accommodating a wiring member.

FIG. 3illustrates a state where the sensor case10illustrated inFIG. 2Aaccommodates the wiring member40. The wiring accommodation region HR is a space enclosed with the case side wall12, the third rib16c, the fourth rib16d, the fifth rib16e, the sixth rib16f, the seventh rib16g, and the ninth rib16j(an example of a wiring restriction unit which will be described later). That is, the side surfaces of the detection ribs face outer edges of the wiring accommodation region HR.

The wiring member40is passed from the outside of the sensor case10to the inside of the sensor case through a hole, and a connection portion40afor connecting to the detection device20is provided on a tip of the wiring member. Although the wiring member40is, for example, a power cable or a LAN cable, the wiring member is not limited to wiring and may include a connector40bfor exchanging signals. The movement of the wiring member40is restricted by the wiring member being in contact with the side surfaces of the detection ribs as appropriate, and thereby the wiring member can be accommodated well. That is, the detection ribs may include the wiring restriction units that position the wiring member40in restriction directions (horizontal direction A and vertical direction B) orthogonal to the placement direction X. The wiring member40is illustrated short inFIG. 3for ease of viewing. Without being limited thereto, however, a long wiring member40may be accommodated so as to overlap itself.

As described above, the wiring member40has a long cable40cthat is connected to and is integrated with connector40b. A cable accommodation unit that accommodates the cable40cof the wiring member40and a connector accommodation unit that accommodates the connector40bof the wiring member40may be provided in the wiring accommodation region HR. End portions of the cable accommodation unit and the connector accommodation unit may be linked to each other, and the cable accommodation unit and the connector accommodation unit may extend along the case bottom plate13in directions different from each other. In the embodiment, a space interposed among the third rib16c, the fourth rib16d, and the fifth rib16ecorresponds to the cable accommodation unit, and a space interposed between the sixth rib16fand the seventh rib16gcorresponds to the connector accommodation unit. In this manner, by efficiently accommodating the long wiring member40with the wiring member being folded, the space-saving of the sensor case10can be achieved.

FIG. 4is a front view illustrating the sensor case accommodating the detection device and the wiring member, andFIG. 5is sectional view taken along arrow V-V ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 4illustrates a state where the detection device20is further accommodated in the sensor case10which accommodates the wiring member40illustrated inFIG. 3. The detection device20is an air sensor, and is a chemical sensor that detects suspended matters in the air which is taken in. Without being limited thereto, the detection device20may be a radioactivity sensor that detects radioactivity. The detection device20includes a display unit20athat displays detection results and setting, an operation unit20bfor a user to operate, and a nozzle20cconnected to the tube11. The detection device20is substantially rectangular, and has substantially the same shape as that of the detection accommodation region KR.

When placing the detection device20so as to be accommodated in the sensor case10, an adaptor (not illustrated) is mounted first on a tip of the tube11and then the adaptor is mounted on the nozzle20c. After then, the detection device20is accommodated in the sensor case.

As illustrated inFIG. 2A, the detection accommodation region KR is substantially rectangular and is positioned substantially in the middle of the sensor case10, in front view. A side surface of the first rib16afaces the detection accommodation region KR (lower right corner of the detection accommodation region KR inFIG. 2A) in the horizontal direction A. The step on the top surface of the second rib16bfaces the detection accommodation region KR. Specifically, in the second rib16b, a side surface of a second rib high portion16b1which has substantially the same height as that of the first protruded portion12afaces the detection accommodation region KR in the vertical direction B, and a top surface of a second rib low portion16b2formed so as to be shorter faces the detection accommodation region KR in the placement direction X. Top surfaces of the third rib16cto the sixth rib16fface the detection accommodation region KR in the placement direction X. A side surface of the eighth rib16hfaces the detection accommodation region KR (lower left corner of the detection accommodation region KR inFIG. 2A) in the vertical direction B. The step on a top surface of the ninth rib16jfaces the detection accommodation region KR, as in the second rib16b. That is, in the ninth rib16j, a higher portion faces the detection accommodation region KR in the vertical direction B, and a lower portion faces the detection accommodation region KR in the placement direction X.

A side of the detection accommodation region KR on an upper side (upper side of the detection accommodation region KR inFIG. 2A) faces the case side wall12when mounted on the automobile body2. That is, a part of the case side wall12may function as a detection rib. A projection may be provided on a portion of the case side wall12facing the detection accommodation region KR, thereby identifying a portion in contact with the detection device20.

The detection ribs may include back surface abutting units that position the detection device20in the placement direction X. Specifically, since the detection device20is placed on the second rib16b, the third rib16c, the fourth rib16d, the fifth rib16e, the sixth rib16f, and the ninth rib16j(one example of the back surface abutting unit) in the placement direction X, a space is provided below and the detection device is at a position of not overlapping the wiring member40. In this configuration, the detection device20and the wiring member40can be accommodated in the sensor case10by dividing the sensor case into two stages, the inside space can be used effectively, and space-saving can be achieved.

In addition, by the detection device20being in contact with the first rib16a, the second rib16b, the eighth rib16h, the ninth rib16j, and the case side wall12(one example of a detection restriction unit), shaking in the horizontal direction A and the vertical direction B is restricted.

In the configuration described above, a user who performs mounting work for the detection device20can clearly see an accommodation place of each member and can easily carry out mounting work. In addition, an effect of vibration, which is caused by the movement of the moving object1, on the detection device20can be reduced by providing an accommodation place for each member.

A protruded portion such as a clip provided on a back surface of the detection device20can be accommodated in an inner side of the third rib16c, and the detection accommodation region KR and the wiring accommodation region HR may be partitioned with detection ribs.

In addition, the disposition of the detection ribs is not limited to the above description, the disposition and the number of detection ribs may be changed according to the shapes of the detection accommodation region KR and the wiring accommodation region HR.

FIG. 6is a front view illustrating the sensor case where the housing door is closed.

FIG. 6illustrates a state where the housing door17is closed with respect toFIG. 5. In front view, the housing door17has a shape along the case side wall12, and a housing door connection portion17aextended from an end portion of the housing door is mounted on the door mounting portion14. The housing door17may have a structure in which the housing door is openable and closable with the housing door connection portion17aas a starting point. Therefore, by providing the housing door17, the mounted detection device20can be reliably accommodated in the sensor case10. The housing door17is fixed by a screw so as not to be opened after the detection device20is accommodated.

As illustrated inFIG. 1Adescribed above, the sensor case10may be mounted on the side surface different from a front surface of the moving object1. Therefore, when a user mounts the detection device20, the work is performed from a side different from the traveling direction S of the moving object1. Thus, a possibility that the detection device comes into contact with the front surface of the moving object in a case where the moving object1starts moving by mistake can be reduced.

FIG. 7is a front view of a sensor case according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. Configuration elements of which functions are practically equal to those of the configuration elements in the first embodiment will be assigned with the same reference signs and description thereof will be omitted.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in terms of the structure of the housing door17. Specifically, in the second embodiment, a door opening window17b, which is obtained by opening a portion at a position corresponding to a part of the detection device20, may be provided in the housing door17. Therefore, the detection device20can be checked even in a state where the housing door17is closed, by providing the door opening window17b. The door opening window17bis provided so as to expose the display unit20aand the operation unit20bin the embodiment. Without being limited thereto, however, a configuration in which any one of the display unit20aand the operation unit20bis exposed may be adopted.

FIG. 8is a front view of a sensor case according to a third embodiment of the disclosure. Configuration elements of which functions are practically equal to those of the configuration elements in the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be assigned with the same reference signs and description thereof will be omitted.

The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in terms of the structure of the housing door17. Specifically, an auxiliary door18corresponding to the door opening window17bis provided in the third embodiment. The auxiliary door18has a structure in which an auxiliary door connection portion18aextended from an end portion is mounted on the housing door17and the auxiliary door is openable and closable with the auxiliary door connection portion18aas a starting point. That is, the detection device20can be checked and accommodated together by providing the auxiliary door connection portion18a.

A case where there is one housing door17is described in the first embodiment to the third embodiment. Without being limited thereto, however, a structure in which the housing door17is a double door may be adopted. That is, a structure in which the housing door17illustrated inFIG. 7is overlaid with the housing door17illustrated inFIG. 6may be adopted.

In addition, the color of an exterior surface of the sensor case10may be substantially the same as the color of the wheels3. In the embodiment, the color of the exterior surface is black, which is the same as that of the wheels3. In particular, by the housing door17having substantially the same color as the color of the wheels3, unity can be created and the housing door can be made inconspicuous.

The embodiments disclosed herein are examples in all respects and do not serve as a basis for limited interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the disclosure is not interpreted only by means of the embodiments described above and is defined based on the scope of claims. In addition, the technical scope of the disclosure includes all changes made within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2016-193286 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Sep. 30, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.