Louver and building

Abstract

A louver (16) of the invention comprises a louver body (16a). The louver body (16a) includes a guide rail (20), a plurality of arms (22) provided on the guide rail (20), and a plurality of blades (23) provided at each of the arms (22). The arms (22) are rotatable relative to the guide rail (20). The blades (23) are rotatable relative to each arm (22).

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION: LOUVER AND BUILDING TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a louver and a building. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a louver that includes a horizontal frame and blades coupled to the horizontal frame. An opening degree of the louver changes as the blades rotate. CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: JPH01-119706U SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

[0004] In order to finely adjust the opening degree of the louver, it is desirable that the opening degree be adjusted with more freedom. Solution to Problem

[0005] (1) In one general aspect, a louver includes a louver body including a guide rail, arms arranged on the guide rail, and slats arranged on each of the arms. The arms are rotatable relative to the guide rail. The slats are rotatable relative to the arms.

[0006] In this structure, the arms and slats are rotatable. This allows the opening degree of the louver to be adjusted with more freedom. (2) In the louver according to (1), the arms are movable relative to the guide rail in a direction in which the guide rail extends.

[0007] This structure allows the louver to be in a fully open state by gathering the arms at the end of the guide rail. (3) The louver according to (1) or (2) further includes a controller configured to control the louver body. The controller is configured to control the louver body in accordance with an instruction from an operation unit operated by a user.

[0008] This structure allows the user to adjust the opening degree of the louver by operating the operation unit. (4) The louver according to any of (1) to (3) further includes a controller configured to control the louver body. The controller is configured to control the louver body based on information on an environment in which the louver body is arranged.

[0009] In this structure, the opening degree of the louver is adjusted based on information on the environment in which the louver body is arranged. (5) A building that solves the above-described problems includes the louver according to any one of (1) to (4).

[0010] In this structure, the arms and slats are rotatable. This allows the opening degree of the louver to be adjusted with more freedom. (6) The building according to (5) further includes an open ceiling extending from a lower floor to an upper floor. The louver is arranged at a location between the lower floor and the upper floor of the open ceiling.

[0011] This structure allows the amount of light entering the lower floor to be adjusted and also allows the line of sight between a person on the lower floor and a person on the upper floor to be controlled. Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0012] The louver and the building of the present disclosure allow the opening degree of the louver to be adjusted with more freedom. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] [Fig. 1] is a cross-sectional view of a building. [Fig. 2] is a cross-sectional view of the building taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1. [Fig. 3] is a plan view showing a louver. [Fig. 4] is a perspective view showing a rack-and-pinion function of the louver. [Fig. 5] is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control system of the louver. [Fig. 6] is a schematic diagram showing the louver in a first mode. [Fig. 7] is a schematic diagram showing the louver in a second mode. [Fig. 8] is a schematic diagram showing the louver in a third mode. [Fig. 9] is a schematic diagram showing the louver in a fourth mode. [Fig. 10] is a schematic diagram showing the louver in a fifth mode. [Fig. 11] is a schematic diagram showing the louver in a sixth mode. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A louver 16 and a building 10 of the present embodiment will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11. <Building> As shown in Fig. 1, the building 10 of the present embodiment is a two-story house. The building 10 includes a first floor 10a corresponding to a lower floor and a second floor 10b corresponding to an upper floor. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, “the first floor” as described in the specification will refer to “the ground floor,” and “the second floor” as described in the specification will refer to “the first floor.” The building 10 includes an open ceiling 1 Oc that extends from the first floor 1 Oa to the second floor 10b.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2, the building 10 includes a first wall 11, a second wall 12, and a third wall 13. The first wall 11 faces the second wall 12. The third wall 13 connects the first wall 11 and the second wall 12.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the first wall 11 includes a first window Ila. The first window Ila is located on the second floor 10b. The first window Ila faces the open ceiling 10c. Sunlight enters the first floor 10a from the first window Ila through the open ceiling 10c. The third wall 13 includes a second window 13a and a third window 13b. The second window 13a is located on the first floor 10a. The third window 13b is located on the second floor 10b.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, the building 10 includes a floor structure 14 located between the first floor 10a and the second floor 10b. Although not shown in the drawings, the floor structure 14 includes ceiling material that forms the ceiling of the first floor 10a, beams, and floor material that form the floor of the second floor 10b. An upper surface of the floor structure 14 includes a handrail 15.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the building 10 includes the louver 16. The louver 16 of the present embodiment is arranged in the horizontal direction. The louver 16 is arranged in a section of the open ceiling 10c between the first floor 10a and the second floor 10b.

[0019] <Louver> The louver 16 will now be described in detail. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the louver 16 includes a louver body 16a. The louver body 16a includes guide rails 20, blade units 21, and carriers 26.

[0020] The guide rails 20 extend in the direction in which the first wall 11 and the second wall 12 face each other. The guide rails 20 include a first guide rail 20a attached to the floor structure 14 and a second guide rail 20b attached to a section of the third wall 13 between the second window 13a and the third window 13b.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 4, each guide rail 20 includes a first rail element 201, a second rail element 202, and a third rail element 203. The first rail element 201 extends in the vertical direction. The second rail element 202 extends in the horizontal direction from the upper end of the first rail element 201. The third rail element 203 extends in the horizontal direction from the lower end of the first rail element 201. A rack 20c is arranged on an upper surface of the third rail element 203. The rack 20c and the guide rail 20 extend in the same direction. Drawings other than Fig. 4 do not show the rack 20c.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, each blade unit 21 includes two arms 22 and two slats 23. One of the two arms 22 is referred to as a first arm 22a, and the other one is referred to as a second arm 22b. One of the two slats 23 is referred to as a first slat 23a, and the other one is referred to as a second slat 23b. The slats 23 are located between the first arm 22a and the second arm 22b. The slats 23 extend horizontally in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend.

[0023] Each slat 23 is coupled to the arms 22 by first rotary shafts 24. Specifically, a first end portion of the first slat 23a is coupled to a first end portion of the first arm 22a by a first rotary shaft 24. A second end portion of the first slat 23a is coupled to the first end portion of the second arm 22b by a first rotary shaft 24. A first end portion of the second slat 23b is coupled to a second end portion of the first arm 22a by a first rotary shaft 24. A second end portion of the second slat 23 b is coupled to a second end portion of the second arm 22b by a first rotary shaft 24.

[0024] Each first rotary shaft 24 is coupled to an output shaft of a first motor 25. The first motor 25 is arranged inside the corresponding arm 22. When the first motor 25 rotates the first rotary shaft 24, the corresponding slat 23 rotates integrally with the first rotary shaft 24. Thus, the slat 23 is rotatable relative to the arm 22 about the first rotary shaft 24. The rotation angle of the slat 23 with respect to the arm 22 is the same for all slats 23. In a state in which the thickness direction of the slat 23 is orthogonal to the direction in which the arm 22 extends, the first slat 23a and the second slat 23b form a single large slat 230 (refer to Fig. 6)

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, each blade unit 21 is coupled to the two guide rails 20 by two carriers 26. Specifically, the first arm 22a of the blade unit 21 is coupled to the first guide rail 20a by a carrier 26. The second arm 22b of the blade unit 21 is coupled to the second guide rail 20b by a carrier 26.

[0026] Each carrier 26 includes a carrier case 27, a second motor 28, a second rotary shaft 29, and a clutch (not shown). Drawings other than Fig. 3 do not show the carrier case 27.

[0027] The carrier case 27 is arranged in the corresponding guide rail 20. The second motor 28 is accommodated in the carrier case 27. A first end portion of the second rotary shaft 29 is coupled to an output shaft of the second motor 28. A second end portion of the second rotary shaft 29 is inserted into the central portion of the arm 22.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 4, the second rotary shaft 29 extends through a pinion 29a. The pinion 29a is meshed with the rack 20c. Drawings other than Fig. 4 do not show the pinion 29a. The clutch is configured to switch between a first coupled state, in which the second rotary shaft 29 and the pinion 29a are coupled, and a second coupled state, in which the second rotary shaft 29 and the corresponding arm 22 are coupled.

[0029] In the first coupled state, when the second motor 28 rotates the second rotary shaft 29, the pinion 29a rotates integrally with the second rotary shaft 29 and moves linearly with respect to the rack 20c in the direction in which the rack 20c extends. This moves the carrier 26 in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend. The carrier 26 is guided by the corresponding guide rail 20. The carrier 26 transports the corresponding blade unit 21 in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. Accordingly, the arm 22 is movable relative to the guide rail 20 in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends.

[0030] In the second coupled state, when the second motor 28 rotates the second rotary shaft 29, the corresponding arm 22 rotates integrally with the second rotary shaft 29. Thus, the arm 22 is rotatable relative to the guide rail 20 about the second rotary shaft 29. The rotation angle of the arm 22 with respect to the guide rail 20 is the same for all arms 22.

[0031] When moving the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20, the clutch is controlled so that the arm 22 does not rotate integrally with the second rotary shaft 29, and so that the pinion 29a rotates integrally with the second rotary shaft 29. Therefore, when moving the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20, rotation of the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20 is restricted. When rotating the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20, the clutch is controlled so that the arm 22 rotates integrally with the second rotary shaft 29, and so that the pinion 29a does not rotate integrally with the second rotary shaft 29. Accordingly, when moving the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20, movement of the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20 is restricted.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 5, the louver 16 includes an operation unit 31. The operation unit 31 is operated by a user. The operation unit 31 may be, for example, a touch panel or a panel that includes a switch. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 31 is attached to the first wall 11 of the first floor 10a (refer to Fig. 1).

[0033] The user adjusts the opening degree of the louver 16 by operating the operation unit 31. In the present embodiment, the user operates the operation unit 31 to switch between an automatic control mode in which a controller 33, which will be described later, automatically sets the opening degree of the louver 16, and a manual control mode in which the user manually sets the opening degree of the louver 16.

[0034] The louver 16 includes a brightness sensor 32. The brightness sensor 32 is configured to detect brightness. The brightness sensor 32 of the present embodiment is attached to a surface facing the open ceiling 10c of the second wall 12 (refer to Fig. 2). The brightness sensor 32 is located above the louver body 16a. The brightness sensor 32 detects the brightness of the open ceiling 10c.

[0035] The louver 16 includes the controller 33. The controller 33 includes a processor 33a and a memory 33b. The processor 33a is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP). The memory 33b includes a random-access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM). The memory 33b stores program codes or commands configured to cause the processor 33a to execute processes. The memory 33b, which is a computer-readable medium, includes any type of media that is accessible by general-purpose computers or dedicated computers. The controller 33 may include a hardware circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The controller 33, which is processing circuitry, may include one or more processors that run according to a computer program, one or more hardware circuits (e.g., ASICs or FPGAs), or a combination thereof.

[0036] The controller 33 controls the louver body 16a. Specifically, the controller 33 controls the first motors 25 to control the rotation of the slats 23 relative to the arms 22. The controller 33 controls the second motors 28 and the clutches to control the rotation and the movement of the arms 22 relative to the guide rails 20. Wires (not shown) for supplying electric power to the first motor 25 and the second motor 28 are arranged inside the louver body 16a.

[0037] The controller 33 of the present embodiment is connected to the operation unit 31. The controller 33 controls the louver body 16a based on an instruction from the operation unit 31. That is, the controller 33 controls the louver body 16a to adjust the opening degree of the louver 16 in accordance with the opening degree set by the user.

[0038] The controller 33 of the present embodiment controls the louver body 16a based on information on the environment (hereinafter, environment information) in which the louver body 16a is arranged. In the present embodiment, the controller 33 is connected to the brightness sensor 32. The controller 33 obtains the brightness of the open ceiling 10c from the brightness sensor 32. The brightness of the open ceiling 10c is the environment information. When the louver 16 is set in the automatic control mode, the controller 33 controls the louver body 16a based on the brightness of the open ceiling 10c. For example, when the brightness of the open ceiling 10c becomes greater than a predetermined brightness, the controller 33 reduces the opening degree of the louver 16.

[0039] [Operation of the Present Embodiment] The operation of the present embodiment will now be described. The louver 16 includes the louver body 16a. The louver body 16a includes the guide rails 20, the arms 22 arranged on the guide rails 20, and the slats 23 arranged on each arm 22. Each arm 22 is rotatable relative to the guide rail 20. Each slat 23 is rotatable relative to the corresponding arm 22.

[0040] Fig. 6 shows the louver 16 in a first mode. In the first mode, the arms 22 and the guide rails 20 extend in the same direction. Thus, the arms 22 extend in the horizontal direction. The thickness direction of the slats 23 is orthogonal to the direction in which the arms 22 extend. Therefore, the thickness direction of the slats 23 corresponds to the vertical direction. Each first slat 23a and the corresponding second slat 23b form the large slat 230. In the first mode, the large slats 230 are arranged in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend. Accordingly, the louver 16 is in a fully closed state.

[0041] As described above, in the present embodiment, sunlight enters the first floor 10a from the first window Ila through the open ceiling 10c. As indicated by the single-dashed line in Fig. 6, in the first mode, the sunlight from the first window 1 la is blocked by the louver 16. Thus, the amount of light that enters the first floor 10a is extremely small.

[0042] Fig. 7 shows the louver 16 in a second mode. In the second mode, the arms 22 and the guide rails 20 extend in the same direction. Thus, the arms 22 extend in the horizontal direction. The thickness direction of the slats 23 is the same as the direction in which the arms 22 extend. Thus, the thickness direction of the slats 23 corresponds to the horizontal direction. In the second mode, the slats 23 are spaced apart from one another in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend.

[0043] As indicated by the single-dashed line in Fig. 7, in the second mode, the sunlight from the first window Ila enters the first floor 10a through the gaps between the slats 23 that are adjacent to one another in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend. Thus, the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the second mode is greater than the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the first mode.

[0044] Fig. 8 shows the louver 16 in a third mode. In the third mode, the arms 22 and the guide rails 20 extend in the same direction. Thus, the arms 22 extend in the horizontal direction. The thickness direction of the slats 23 is inclined with respect to the direction in which the arms 22 extend. In the third mode, the slats 23 are spaced apart from one another in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend.

[0045] As indicated by the single-dashed line in Fig. 8, in the third mode, the sunlight from the first window Ila enters the first floor 10a through the gaps between the slats 23 that are adjacent to one another in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the sunlight from the first window Ila enters the first floor 10a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Thus, the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the third mode is greater than the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the second mode.

[0046] Fig. 9 shows the louver 16 in a fourth mode. In the fourth mode, the direction in which the arms 22 extend is orthogonal to the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend. Thus, the direction in which the arms 22 extend is the same as the vertical direction. The thickness direction of the slats 23 is orthogonal to the direction in which the arms 22 extend. Thus, the thickness direction of the slats 23 corresponds to the horizontal direction. Each first slat 23a and the corresponding second slat 23b form the large slat 230. In the fourth mode, the large slats 230 are spaced apart from one another in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend. The gaps between the large slats 230 in the fourth mode are greater than the gaps between the slats 23 in the second mode and the third mode.

[0047] As indicated by the single-dashed line in Fig. 9, in the fourth mode, the sunlight from the first window 11 a enters the first floor 10a through the gaps between the large slats 230 that are adjacent to one another in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend. The amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the fourth mode is greater than the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the third mode.

[0048] Fig. 10 shows the louver 16 in a fifth mode. In the fifth mode, the direction in which the arms 22 extend is inclined with respect to the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend. The thickness direction of the slats 23 is orthogonal to the direction in which the arms 22 extend. Each first slat 23a and the corresponding second slat 23b form the large slat 230. In the fifth mode, the large slats 230 are spaced apart from one another in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend.

[0049] As indicated by the single-dashed line in Fig. 10, in the fifth mode, the sunlight from the first window Ila enters the first floor 10a through gaps between the large slats 230 that are adjacent to one another in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the sunlight from the first window 1 la enters the first floor 10a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Thus, the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the fifth mode is greater than the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the fourth mode.

[0050] Fig. 11 shows the louver 16 in a sixth mode. In the sixth mode, the direction in which the arms 22 extend is orthogonal to the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend. Thus, the arms 22 extend in the vertical direction. The thickness direction of the slats 23 is orthogonal to the direction in which the arms 22 extend. Thus, the thickness direction of the slats 23 corresponds to the horizontal direction. In the sixth mode, each first slat 23a and the corresponding second slat 23b form the large slat 230. The large slats 230 are arranged in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend.

[0051] The arms 22 of the present embodiment are movable relative to the guide rails 20 in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend. In the sixth mode, the arms 22 are gathered at an end of the guide rails 20. The intervals between the large slats 230 in the sixth mode are smaller than the intervals between the slats 23 in the fourth mode. Accordingly, the louver 16 is in a fully open state.

[0052] As indicated by the single-dashed line in Fig. 11, in the sixth mode, the sunlight from the first window Ila enters the first floor 10a without being blocked by the louver 16. The amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the sixth mode is greater than the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the fifth mode. The amount of light entering the first floor 10a is the greatest in the sixth mode.

[0053] As described above, the arms 22 and the slats 23 are rotatable. This allows the opening degree of the louver 16 to be adjusted with more freedom. The modes of the louver 16 are not limited to the first to sixth modes. The inclination angle of the slats 23 with respect to the arms 22 is not limited to the inclination angle of the third mode and may be changed. The inclination angle of the arms 22 with respect to the guide rails 20 is not limited to the inclination angle of the fifth mode and may be changed.

[0054] [Advantages of the Present Embodiment] The advantages of the present embodiment will now be described. (1) The building 10 includes the louver 16. The louver 16 includes the louver body 16a. The louver body 16a includes the guide rails 20, the arms 22 arranged on the guide rails 20, and the slats 23 arranged on each of the arms 22. The arms 22 are rotatable relative to the guide rails 20. The slats 23 are rotatable relative to the arms 22.

[0055] In this structure, the rotatable arms 22 and the slats 23 allow the opening degree of the louver 16 to be adjusted with more freedom. (2) The arms 22 are moveable relative to the guide rails 20 in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend.

[0056] This structure allows the louver 16 to be in a fully open state by gathering the arms 22 at the end of the guide rails 20. (3) The louver 16 includes the controller 33 that controls the louver body 16a. The controller 33 is configured to control the louver body 16a based on an instruction from the operation unit 31.

[0057] In this structure, the user operates the operation unit 31 to adjust the opening degree of the louver 16. (4) The controller 33 controls the louver body 16a based on the environment information on the opening ceiling 10c, which is the brightness of the open ceiling 10c.

[0058] In this structure, the opening degree of the louver 16 is adjusted based on the brightness of the opening ceiling 10c. (5) The building 10 includes the opening ceiling 10c, which extends from the first floor 10a to the second floor 10b. The louver 16 is arranged at a section of the open ceiling 10c between the first floor 10a and the second floor 10b.

[0059] This structure allows the amount of light entering the first floor 10a to be adjusted and also allows the line of sight between a person on the first floor 10a and a person on the second floor 10b to be controlled. <Modifications> The above-described embodiment exemplifies, without any intention to limit, an applicable form of the louver 16 and the building 10. The louver 16 and the building 10 may take forms different from that illustrated in the above-described embodiment. For example, some of the components of the embodiment may be replaced, changed, or omitted. Alternatively, another component may be added to the embodiment. Modifications of the embodiment will be described below.

[0060] -The building 10 is not limited to a house. -The building 10 is not limited to a two-story building. The building 10 may have three or more stories. In this case, the open ceiling is not limited to the open ceiling 10c that extends between the first floor 10a and the second floor 10b. The open ceiling only needs to extend between a lower floor and an upper floor.

[0061] -The louver 16 may be arranged in a suspended ceiling. -The louver 16 may extend in the vertical direction with respect to an opening such as a window. -The louver 16 may be arranged outdoors.

[0062] -In each blade unit 21, the number of slats 23 arranged in each arm 22 is not limited to two. In the blade unit 21, the number of the slats 23 arranged in each arm 22 may be three or more.

[0063] -The arms 22 do not need to be movable relative to the guide rails 20 in the direction in which the guide rails 20 extend. In this case, at least advantage (1) of the above embodiment is also obtained. -In the above embodiment, the operation unit 31 is arranged on the first floor 10a. However, this is not a limitation. The operation unit 31 may be arranged on the second floor 10b. The operation unit 31 may be arranged on both the first floor 10a and the second floor 10b.

[0064] -In the above embodiment, the operation unit 31 is attached to the first wall 11. However, this is not a limitation. The operation unit 31 may be attached to the second wall 12 or the third wall 13. -The operation unit 31, for example, may be a remote controller. The remote controller is configured to communicate wirelessly with the controller 33. The controller 33 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the remote controller. This allows the user to adjust the opening degree of the louver 16 from any location by operating the remote controller.

[0065] -A communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal may be used as the operation unit 31. The controller 33 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the communication terminal. The wireless communication protocol is, for example, Wi-Fi®. In this case, the user, for example, can adjust the opening degree of the louver 16 from any location by operating an application or the like installed in the communication terminal.

[0066] -In the above embodiment, the brightness sensor 32 is attached to the second wall 12. However, this is not a limitation. For example, the brightness sensor 32 may be attached 15 to a surface of the third wall 13 or a surface of the handrail 15 that faces the open ceiling 10c.

[0067] -The controller 33 may control the louver body 16a only in response to an instruction from the operating unit 31. In this case, at least advantage (1) of the above embodiment is also obtained. -The controller 33 may control the louver body 16a based on only the environment information. In this case, at least advantage (1) of the embodiment is also obtained.

[0068] -The environment information is not limited to the brightness. The environment information may be, for example, temperature, sound volume, season, time, or weather. The louver 16 may include a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature. The temperature sensor is, for example, attached to a surface of the second wall 12 facing the open ceiling 10c. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the open ceiling 10c. The controller 33 is connected to the temperature sensor. The controller 33 controls the louver body 16a based on the temperature of the open ceiling 10c. For example, the controller 33 controls the louver body 16a so that the amount of light entering the first floor 10a is reduced when the temperature of the open ceiling 10c becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature. Thus, an increase in the temperature of the first floor 10a is limited when the temperature of the open ceiling 10c increases.

[0069] In this modification, the controller 33 may, for example, estimate the temperature of the open ceiling 10c based on the weather information of the residence location acquired from a server such as a home server. In this case, the temperature sensor is not necessary.

[0070] The louver 16 may include a sound volume sensor configured to detect a sound volume. The sound volume sensor may be arranged in, for example, the first floor 10a or the second floor 10b. The sound volume sensor detects the sound volume of the first floor 10a or the second floor 10b. The controller 33 is connected to the sound volume sensor. The controller 33 controls the louver body 16a based on the sound volume of the first floor 10a or the second floor 10b. For example, the controller 33 controls the louver body 16a to reduce the opening degree of the louver 16 when the sound volume of the first floor 10a or the second floor 10b is greater than or equal to a predetermined sound volume. This restricts sound leakage from the first floor 10a to the second floor 1 Ob or from the second floor 1 Ob to the first floor 10a.

[0071] The controller 33 may control the louver body 16a based on the season. For example, the controller 33 controls the louver body 16a so that less light enters the first floor 10a in summer than in winter. This reduces situations in which the first floor 10a becomes hot in the summer.

[0072] The controller 33 may control the louver body 16a based on the time. For example, the controller 33 may control the louver body 16a so that the amount of light entering the first floor 10a decreases or increases at a predetermined time. The predetermined time, for example, is set by the user through the operation unit 31.

[0073] The controller 33 may control the louver body 16a based on different types of environment information. For example, if the season is summer, the weather is clear, and the time is in the morning, the controller 33 controls the louver body 16a so as to reduce the amount of light entering the first floor 10a.

[0074] <Clauses> This specification discloses the following techniques. [Clause 1] A louver including: a louver body including a guide rail; arms arranged on the guide rail; and slats arranged on each of the arms, in which the arms are rotatable relative to the guide rail, and the slats are rotatable relative to the arms.

[0075] [Clause 2] The louver according to clause 1, in which the arms are movable relative to the guide rail in a direction in which the guide rail extends.

[0076] [Clause 3] The louver according to clause 1 or 2, further including: a controller configured to control the louver body, in which the controller is configured to control the louver body in accordance with an instruction from an operation unit operated by a user.

[0077] [Clause 4] The louver according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, further including: a controller configured to control the louver body, in which the controller is configured to control the louver body based on information on an environment in which the louver body is arranged.

[0078] [Clause 5] A building including the louver according to any one of clauses 1 to 4. [Clause 6] The building according to clause 5, further including: an open ceiling extending from a lower floor to an upper floor, in which the louver is arranged at a location between the lower floor and the upper floor of the open ceiling. REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0079] 10... building; 10a... first floor as lower floor; 10b... second floor as upper floor; 10c... open ceiling; 16... louver; 16a... louver body; 20... guide rail; 22... arm; 23... slat; 31... operation unit; 33... controller.

Claims

1. A louver, comprising:a louver body includinga guide rail;arms arranged on the guide rail; andslats arranged on each of the arms, whereinthe arms are rotatable relative to the guide rail, and the slats are rotatable relative to the arms.

2. The louver according to claim 1, wherein the arms are movable relative to the guide rail in a direction in which the guide rail extends.

3. The louver according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:a controller configured to control the louver body,wherein the controller is configured to control the louver body in accordance with an instruction from an operation unit operated by a user.

4. The louver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:a controller configured to control the louver body, whereinthe controller is configured to control the louver body based on information on an environment in which the louver body is arranged.

5. A building comprising the louver according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The building according to claim 5, further comprising:an open ceiling extending from a lower floor to an upper floor, whereinthe louver is arranged at a location between the lower floor and the upper floor of the open ceiling.

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