Flavor generation device and control method for flavor generation device

Abstract

To provide a flavor generation device and a control method for the flavor generation device capable of responsively generating desired flavors without complicating the device configuration.SOLUTION: A flavor injection device 1 comprises: a plurality of flavor flow paths 21-24 through which multiple types of flavor materials flow, respectively; solenoid valves 71-74 as a plurality of opening / closing valves disposed respectively in the plurality of flavor flow paths 21-24; a two-fluid nozzle 60 as an injection section that injects the flavor materials supplied through the plurality of flavor flow paths 21-24 to the outside by a negative pressure generated by a compressed fluid; and a control device 80 which independently controls each of the plurality of solenoid valves 71-74, thereby injecting the multiple types of flavor materials from the two-fluid nozzle 60 at timing set for each of them and allowing the multiple types of flavor materials to coexist in the space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aroma generating device and a method for controlling the aroma generating device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for injecting or mixing fragrances into space are known. Patent Documents 1 to 3 describe techniques related to injection and mixing of this type of fragrance. Patent Document 1 relates to a fragrance injection device that sprays a fragrance with nitrogen gas instead of compressed air from a compressor. Patent Document 2 relates to a perfume blending method in which air is blown onto a plurality of fragrances stored in a plurality of elemental odor bottles, the plurality of fragrances are volatilized to generate a plurality of scents, and the plurality of generated scents are mixed at a specific mixing ratio. Patent Document 3 relates to an odor blending device that blends elemental odor gases to prepare an odor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the prior art, when mixing multiple types of fragrances to produce a desired scent, after the step of mixing the multiple types of fragrances by a blender, a compounding unit, etc., the mixed fragrance is injected outside. Therefore, in the device configuration, a space for mixing multiple types of fragrances is required. Also, since the step of mixing fragrances is necessary, there is room for improvement in terms of improving the generation speed of the desired scent. For example, when it is necessary to generate a smell according to content such as a video, it is necessary to generate different scents as needed according to the elapsed time of the content, and improving the speed of generating the scent is one of the problems that is desired to be solved.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a scent generation device and a control method for a scent generation device that can generate a desired scent without complicating the device configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a scent generation device including: a plurality of fragrance flow paths through which a plurality of types of fragrances respectively flow; a plurality of on-off valves disposed in each of the plurality of fragrance flow paths; an injection unit that injects the fragrance supplied through the plurality of fragrance flow paths to the outside by a negative pressure generated by a compressed fluid; and a control device that independently controls each of the plurality of on-off valves to inject the plurality of types of fragrances from the injection unit at set timings respectively and make the plurality of types of fragrances coexist in a space.

[0007] Also, one aspect of the present invention is a control method for the scent generation device including: a plurality of fragrance flow paths through which a plurality of types of fragrances respectively flow; a plurality of on-off valves disposed in each of the plurality of fragrance flow paths; and an injection unit that injects the fragrance supplied through the plurality of fragrance flow paths to the outside by a negative pressure generated by a compressed fluid, the method including independently controlling each of the plurality of on-off valves to inject the plurality of types of fragrances from the injection unit at set timings respectively and make the plurality of types of fragrances coexist in a space.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an aroma generating device and a control method for the aroma generating device that can generate a desired aroma responsively without complicating the device configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description after the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the fragrance injection device 1 of the first embodiment. The fragrance injection device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that can spray a plurality of types of fragrances so that a person can feel a desired fragrance K. That is, the fragrance injection device 1 is an “aroma generating device” that generates a desired fragrance K by spraying a plurality of fragrances.

[0012] The perfume injection device 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of perfume containers 11 to 14, a plurality of perfume channels 21 to 24, a channel assembly part 30, a cleaning container 40, a cleaning channel 41, a compressed fluid supply device 50, a compressed air channel 55, a two-fluid nozzle 60, a plurality of solenoid valves 71 to 76, and a control device 80. Hereinafter, each component of the perfume injection device 1 will be described.

[0013] The plurality of perfume containers 11 to 14 each contain different types of perfume. In this example, the perfume is a liquid. The perfume container 11 contains "Perfume 01", the perfume container 12 contains "Perfume 02", the perfume container 13 contains "Perfume 03", and the perfume container 14 contains "Perfume 04". Perfumes 01 to 04 are different types of perfumes respectively. Note that the number of the perfume containers 11 to 14 is not limited to four.

[0014] Also, in this embodiment, the plurality of perfume containers 11 to 14 are each connected to the respective ones of the perfume channels 21 to 24 via a connection part (not shown). The connection parts of the perfume containers 11 to 14 can detachably attach the lid 101. The perfume containers 11 to 14 are in a state where the lid 101 is attached while containing the perfume (perfumes 01 to 04) at the transportation stage before being set in the perfume injection device 1. The perfume containers 11 to 14 transported from the outside are set in the perfume injection device 1 after removing the lid 101. Thus, the connection part for attaching the lid 101 in the perfume containers 11 to 14 also functions as a connection part for connecting to the perfume injection device 1. Thereby, the discarded parts until the perfume is used up can be only the container and the lid. Note that the perfume containers 11 to 14 are not necessarily limited to the configuration having a connection part. The perfume containers 11 to 14 may be configured to be set in the perfume injection device 1 by another method.

[0015] The plurality of fragrance channels 21 to 24 are fluid transport pipes each having one end connected to the fragrance containers 11 to 14 and the other end convergently connected to the channel converging portion 30. In this example, the fragrance channel 21 connects the fragrance container 11 and the channel converging portion 30, the fragrance channel 22 connects the fragrance container 12 and the channel converging portion 30, the fragrance channel 23 connects the fragrance container 12 and the channel converging portion 30, and the fragrance channel 24 connects the fragrance container 14 and the channel converging portion 30. Note that the number of the fragrance channels 21 to 24 is not limited to four.

[0016] Note that the channel diameters of the fragrance channels 21 to 24 may be the same or may be different according to the types of fragrances. When the channel diameters are made different according to the types of fragrances, since the supply amount per unit time changes, it is preferable to perform supply control described later in consideration of the change amount.

[0017] The channel converging portion 30 is a common path where the fragrances supplied from the respective fragrance containers 11 to 14 via the fragrance channels 21 to 24 converge. The selection of the types of fragrances passing through the channel converging portion 30 from the respective fragrance containers 11 to 14 and the supply amounts of the fragrances are adjusted by the opening / closing control of the electromagnetic valves 71 to 74 described later.

[0018] The cleaning container 40 stores a cleaning liquid. The cleaning container 40 has a connection portion to which the lid 101 is detachably attached. The lid 101 is attached to the cleaning container 40 in a state where the cleaning liquid is stored at the transportation stage before being set in the fragrance ejecting device 1. When the lid 101 of the cleaning container 40 transported from the outside is removed, the cleaning container 40 is configured to be set in the fragrance ejecting device 1 as it is. Thus, the connection portion for attaching the lid 101 to the cleaning container 40 also functions as a connection portion for connecting to the fragrance ejecting device 1. Thereby, the disposable parts until the cleaning liquid is used up can be only the container and the lid. Note that the cleaning container 40 is not necessarily limited to a configuration having a connection portion. The cleaning container 40 may be configured to be set in the fragrance ejecting device 1 by another method.

[0019] The cleaning flow path 41 is a fluid transport pipe with one end connected to the cleaning container 40 and the other end connected to the flow path collecting portion 30. The cleaning liquid is supplied to the flow path collecting portion 30 through the cleaning flow path 41. The supply timing and supply amount of the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning container 40 are adjusted by the opening and closing control of the solenoid valve 75 described later.

[0020] The compressed fluid supply device 50 is a fluid supply portion that supplies compressed fluid for injecting the fragrance to the outside so as to realize the desired fragrance K to the two-fluid nozzle 60. The compressed fluid supply device 50 of the present embodiment includes a compressor 51, a regulator 52, and an air tank 53. The compressor 51 is a compressed air supply source that compresses air to generate compressed air (compressed fluid).

[0021] The regulator 52 is a pressure reducing valve that reduces the high-pressure compressed air generated by the compressor 51 to a predetermined value (pressure). The regulator 52 of the present embodiment is a filter regulator having a filter function of removing water and dust from the compressed air.

[0022] The air tank 53 is a pressure-resistant container that stores the compressed air supplied through the regulator 52. The air tank 53 levels the pulsation of the compressed air and prevents a pressure drop when a large amount of compressed air is consumed.

[0023] The compressed air flow path 55 is a fluid transport pipe with one end connected to the compressed fluid supply device 50 and the other end connected to the two-fluid nozzle 60. In this example, one end of the compressed air flow path 55 is connected to the air tank 53. Also, the supply timing and supply amount of the compressed air supplied from the compressed fluid supply device 50 are adjusted by the opening and closing control of the solenoid valve 75 described later.

[0024] The two-fluid nozzle 60 is an injection unit that discharges the fragrance that has passed through the flow path collecting unit 30 to the outside. In this example, the two-fluid nozzle 60 sprays a plurality of types of fragrances (liquids) supplied from the flow path collecting unit 30 at respective set timings to the outside by using the negative pressure generated by the compressed air supplied from the compressed fluid supply device 50. Although details will be described later, the fragrance that has passed through the flow path collecting unit 30 is supplied into the two-fluid nozzle 60 by the negative pressure generated by the injected compressed fluid and is sprayed as the fragrance K.

[0025] Also, the two-fluid nozzle 60 may have an angle changing function that can select an injection angle (range) depending on the object to which the fragrance K is sprayed. With the angle changing function, when the object to which the fragrance K is sprayed is a space, the injection angle is set so as to inject the fragrance K at a wide angle, and when the object to which the fragrance K is sprayed is an individual, the injection angle is set so as to inject the fragrance K at a narrow angle. The angle changing function may be realized, for example, by a mechanism that can switch and adjust the spray angle by rotating the nozzle part of the two-fluid nozzle 60, or may be realized by changing the injection angle by replacing the parts constituting the two-fluid nozzle 60 or the two-fluid nozzle 60 itself.

[0026] Next, a description will be given of the plurality of solenoid valves 71 to 76. The solenoid valve 71 is an on-off valve disposed in the fragrance flow path 21, the solenoid valve 72 is an on-off valve disposed in the fragrance flow path 22, the solenoid valve 73 is an on-off valve disposed in the fragrance flow path 23, and the solenoid valve 74 is an on-off valve disposed in the fragrance flow path 24. Each of the solenoid valves 71 to 74 controls the supply of the fragrances 01 to 04 sent to the flow path collecting unit 30 by opening and closing. The solenoid valve 75 is disposed in the cleaning flow path 41 and controls the supply of the cleaning liquid sent to the flow path collecting unit 30 by opening and closing. The solenoid valve 76 is disposed in the compressed air flow path 55 and controls the supply of the compressed air sent to the two-fluid nozzle 60 by opening and closing.

[0027] The plurality of solenoid valves 71 to 76 are all electrically connected to the control device 80 and execute an opening / closing operation based on a command signal from the control device 80. Note that it is not limited to those that execute an opening / closing operation based on an electrical command signal. That is, for example, it may be realized by an on-off valve that opens and closes based on a command using an arbitrary transmission method such as pressure. Note that although the opening and closing operations of the electromagnetic valves 71 to 76 are described as being controlled in two stages of fully open or fully closed, it is not limited to this.

[0028] With such a configuration, the fragrance is injected as follows. That is, the two-fluid nozzle 60 injects the compressed air supplied from the compressed fluid supply device 50 to the outside. Then, a negative pressure is generated on the side of the flow path collecting portion 30 of the two-fluid nozzle 60. As a result, the fragrance connected to the flow path collecting portion 30 through the valve in the open state among the electromagnetic valves 71 to 74 is sucked in the direction of the flow path collecting portion 30 by the negative pressure.

[0029] Note that the negative pressure applied to the fragrance in the flow path collecting portion 30 becomes smaller according to the number of fragrances to be supplied. That is, when the number of fragrances to be mixed increases, the negative pressure applied to each fragrance is dispersed. Therefore, the change in the negative pressure may be reflected in the supply amount of the compressed fluid. For example, when there are many types of target fragrances, the negative pressure applied to each fragrance in the flow path collecting portion 30 becomes smaller. Therefore, the control device 80 described later may control so that the supply amount of the compressed fluid increases. In this case, the fragrance injection device 1 is provided with a mechanism capable of adjusting the supply amount of the compressed fluid.

[0030] Next, the control device 80 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device included in the fragrance injection device shown in FIG. 1.

[0031] The control device 80 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, a bus 114, an input / output interface 115, an input unit 116, an output unit 117, a storage unit 118, a communication unit 119, and a drive 120.

[0032] The CPU 111 executes various processes according to the program recorded in the ROM 112 or the program loaded from the storage unit 118 to the RAM 113. In the RAM 113, data and the like necessary for the CPU 111 to execute various processes are also appropriately stored.

[0033] The CPU 111, ROM 112, and RAM 113 are interconnected via a bus 114. An input / output interface 115 is also connected to this bus 114. An input unit 116, an output unit 117, a storage unit 118, a communication unit 119, and a drive 120 are connected to the input / output interface 115.

[0034] The input unit 116 is composed of, for example, a keyboard or the like and inputs various information. The output unit 117 is composed of a display such as a liquid crystal display or a speaker or the like and outputs various information as images or sounds. The storage unit 118 is composed of a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like and stores various data. The communication unit 119 communicates with other devices (for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer not shown in the figure) via a network NW including the Internet.

[0035] A removable medium 121 made of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory or the like is appropriately mounted on the drive 120. The program read from the removable medium 121 by the drive 120 is installed in the storage unit 118 as necessary. Also, the removable medium 121 can store various data stored in the storage unit 118 in the same manner as the storage unit 118.

[0036] Through the cooperation of various hardware components constituting the fragrance injection device 1 of FIG. 1 including the control device 80 of FIG. 2 and software for controlling the electromagnetic valve, etc., the output process of the instruction signal for supply control to realize the generation of the fragrance K of FIG. 1 described above is executed. Specifically, for example, in the storage unit 118 of the control device 80, a control program for controlling a plurality of solenoid valves 71 to 76 to combine fragrances is stored, and supply control is executed based on the program.

[0037] In the supply control executed by the control device 80, the fragrance K sprayed to the outside from the two-fluid nozzle 60 is prepared by precisely controlling the mixing amount and timing of each fragrance by opening and closing the solenoid valves 71 to 76.

[0038] The control device 80 executes supply control of a plurality of types of fragrances so that the plurality of types of fragrances sprayed from the two-fluid nozzle 60 become a desired fragrance K.

[0039] The selection and supply timing of the desired fragrance K or fragrance to be set may be information input via an external computer (not shown), may be set in advance in the control device 80, or may be information input to the control device 80 via an input device (not shown).

[0040] FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing an example of the opening and closing timing of the solenoid valves 71 to 76. In the example of FIG. 3, the ratio of each fragrance for realizing the desired fragrance K is fragrance 01: fragrance 02: fragrance 03: fragrance 04 = 50: 1: 10: 20, and fragrance 01 is the first fragrance sprayed first. Also, assume that the minimum opening time for setting the solenoid valves 71 to 76 to the open state is set to 30 ms. The injection time is determined by the ratio of the fragrances. For example, when the mixing ratio is fragrance 01: fragrance 02 = 50: 1, the injection time of fragrance 01 is 1500 ms, and the injection time of fragrance 02 is 30 ms. Note that the minimum opening time is not limited to 30 ms.

[0041] When the supply control is started, the solenoid valve 76 for sending in compressed air is controlled to be fully open for 3 seconds. Next, the solenoid valve 71 corresponding to the fragrance 01 of the fragrance container 11, which is the first fragrance sprayed first, is first controlled to the open state, and the open state continues for the set time (1500 ms). Fragrance 01 is the second fragrance that is sprayed even while no other fragrances 02 to 04 are supplied.

[0042] After the solenoid valve 71 is opened, the solenoid valve 74 corresponding to the fragrance 04 in the fragrance container 14 is controlled to be opened, and the open state continues for 600 ms. Subsequently, the solenoid valve 73 corresponding to the fragrance 03 in the fragrance container 13 is controlled to be opened, and the open state continues for 300 ms. Next, the solenoid valve 72 corresponding to the fragrance 02 in the fragrance container 12 is controlled to be opened for 30 ms.

[0043] Since the solenoid valve 72 has a short open state time, it closes earlier than the solenoid valves 71, 72, and 74. After the solenoid valves 73 and 74 return to the closed state simultaneously, the solenoid valve 71 returns to the closed state.

[0044] In this way, in the present embodiment, while injecting the fragrance 01 which is the first fragrance injected first, the mixing time (mixing amount) and mixing timing of the plurality of fragrances 01 to 04 are precisely controlled so that a small amount of each of the fragrances 02 to 04 is added at an appropriate timing after the supply of the fragrance 01, thereby preparing the target fragrance K. The fragrances 02 to 04 are supplied as the second fragrance around the center of the supply time of the fragrance 01.

[0045] After a predetermined interval (400 ms) from when the solenoid valve 71 returns to the closed state, the solenoid valve 75 corresponding to the cleaning liquid in the cleaning container 40 is controlled to be opened for 600 ms. Before the cleaning liquid is introduced into the flow path collecting portion 30, the residual fragrance remaining in the flow path is reduced by air blowing, and after the solenoid valve 75 is opened, the cleaning liquid is sucked and sprayed to the outside. Through this series of processes, automatic cleaning is performed. At the same time as the timing when the solenoid valve 75 switches from the open state to the closed state, the solenoid valve 76 corresponding to the compressed air also switches from the open state to the closed state.

[0046] Note that in this example, the supply of the other fragrances 02 to 04 injected subsequently is performed within the set time of the fragrance 01 which is the first fragrance injected first, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, depending on the set fragrance, it may be configured to supply and inject the other fragrances 02 to 04 outside the set time.

[0047] Here, the "desired scent K" is not particularly limited. For example, it can be the scent of a predetermined object such as coffee, ramen, and flowers, the scent of a predetermined environment such as a grassland, or a combination thereof.

[0048] For example, the fragrance injection device 1 is provided with "fragrances 01 to 04 that are the sources of the scent" such as coffee, ramen, flowers, and grasslands in order to generate the desired scent K. Then, the control device 80 controls the injection amount and timing (such as the length of time and the time difference between fragrances) of each of the plurality of fragrances 01 to 04 that are the sources of the scent, thereby generating the scents of coffee, ramen, flowers, and grasslands as the desired scent K.

[0049] When the "fragrances 01 to 04 that are the sources of the scent" are provided in the fragrance injection device 1, substances that stimulate the olfactory nerves of humans are adopted as each of the fragrances 01 to 04. By controlling the injection timing of such "fragrances 01 to 04 that are the sources of the scent" to have a structure of about several tens of ms shown in FIG. 3, the olfactory nerves of humans are stimulated at an appropriate timing, and the desired scent K is reproduced. Furthermore, various desired scents K can be reproduced with the same combination of fragrances 01 to 04.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the fragrance injection device 1 can start or stop the injection of other fragrances 02 to 04 during the injection of fragrance 01. Thereby, the desired scent K can be generated and more preferably generated.

[0051] Note that the cleaning using the cleaning liquid in the cleaning container 40 described with reference to the example of FIG. 3 can be performed at an arbitrary timing by the desired scent K. That is, for example, the fragrance injection device 1 may perform cleaning in a flow of generating the scent of coffee as the desired scent K, performing cleaning, generating the scent of flowers as the desired scent K, and performing cleaning. Thereby, the fragrance injection device 1 can sequentially generate the desired scent K while preventing the mixing of the desired scent K.

[0052] For example, the fragrance injection device 1 may be provided with "fragrances 01 to 04 corresponding to a plurality of fragrances", such as coffee, ramen, flowers, and grasslands, in order to generate a desired fragrance K. Then, the control device 80 controls the injection amount and timing (length of time, time difference between fragrances, etc.) of each of the fragrances 01 to 04 to reproduce the fragrances of coffee, ramen, flowers, and grasslands as the desired fragrance K.

[0053] When "fragrances 01 to 04 corresponding to a plurality of fragrances" are provided in the fragrance injection device 1, for example, the fragrance of the grassland is adopted as fragrance 01, the fragrance of coffee is adopted as fragrance 02, and the fragrance of flowers is adopted as fragrance 03. By controlling the injection timing of such "fragrances 01 to 04 corresponding to each fragrance" as shown in FIG. 3, the desired fragrance K is reproduced. Furthermore, various desired fragrances K can be reproduced with the same combination of fragrances 01 to 04.

[0054] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the fragrance injection device 1 can start or stop the injection of the fragrance 02 of coffee or the fragrance 03 of flowers during the injection of the fragrance 01 of the grassland. Thereby, a desired fragrance K such as the smell of coffee or flowers wafting only for a moment in the grassland can be generated, and can be generated more preferably.

[0055] In the example of FIG. 3, during the continuous injection of the preceding fragrance 01, the injection of the fragrances 02 to 04 starts and ends, but it is not particularly limited thereto. That is, for example, after the injection of the fragrances 01 to 04 starts simultaneously, any fragrance may end the injection at any timing. Furthermore, control may be performed such that the injection of fragrance 01 starts, the injection of fragrance 02 starts during the continuous injection of fragrance 01, the injection of fragrance 01 ends, and the injection of fragrance 02 ends.

[0056] In this way, the fragrance injection device 1 can realize the above-described control with the above-described structure. Further, since it is possible to combine any plurality of fragrances and realize the above-described control for realizing the start and end timings of the injection of each of the plurality of fragrances, it is possible to generate a desired fragrance K and more preferably generate it.

[0057] As described above, the fragrance injection device 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of fragrance channels 21 to 24 through which a plurality of types of fragrances flow respectively, electromagnetic valves 71 to 74 as a plurality of on-off valves arranged in each of the plurality of fragrance channels 21 to 24, and a two-fluid nozzle 60 as an injection unit that injects the fragrance supplied through the plurality of fragrance channels 21 to 24 to the outside by the negative pressure generated by the compressed fluid, and a control device 80 that injects a plurality of types of fragrances from the two-fluid nozzle 60 at timings set for each of them by independently controlling each of the plurality of electromagnetic valves 71 to 74 to make the plurality of types of fragrances coexist in space.

[0058] Further, the control method of the fragrance injection device 1 in the present embodiment injects a plurality of types of fragrances from the two-fluid nozzle 60 at timings set for each of them by independently controlling each of the plurality of electromagnetic valves 71 to 74 to make the plurality of types of fragrances coexist in space.

[0059] With the above-described fragrance injection device 1 and the control method of the fragrance injection device 1, it is possible to make a person feel a fragrance in which the fragrances are mixed and harmonized in the air after injection with a simple configuration without securing a space for mixing the fragrances before injection. Further, when a plurality of types of fragrances are injected by one injection unit (two-fluid nozzle 60) as in the present embodiment, instantaneous and local mixing may occur before injection, but since there is no need to shift to the injection step after going through the mixing step as in the prior art, the time until the fragrance is injected can be shortened. Therefore, a desired fragrance can be generated at a desired timing with good responsiveness according to a command. Furthermore, since injection is performed using compressed fluid, the fragrance remaining after injection can be efficiently discharged to the outside.

[0060] In addition, in the present embodiment, a flow path collecting portion 30 to which a plurality of fragrance flow paths 21 to 24 are connected and a two-fluid nozzle 60 is connected is further provided.

[0061] As a result, it is not necessary to arrange the two-fluid nozzle 60 for each of the fragrance flow paths 21 to 24, and the number of two-fluid nozzles 60 can be suppressed to reduce costs. Furthermore, it is not necessary to design, manufacture, etc. a component corresponding to an (n + 1)-fluid nozzle, which combines n (n is an integer value of 2 or more) fragrances and compressed air or the like, and the cost can be reduced by using a general-purpose two-fluid nozzle 60. In addition, due to the presence of the flow path collecting portion 30, even when it is desired to increase the types of fragrances, it is only necessary to increase the number of ports (connection portions of the fragrance flow paths) of the flow path collecting portion 30. Therefore, the device configuration is not complicated, the change work is not complicated, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

[0062] In addition, in the present embodiment, the fragrance injection device 1 is connected to the flow path collecting portion 30 and further includes a cleaning flow path 41 through which a cleaning liquid flows. During cleaning, the cleaning liquid is sucked into the two-fluid nozzle 60 by a negative pressure generated by a compressed fluid and injected.

[0063] As a result, the fragrance remaining after injection can be reliably discharged. In addition, by continuing the supply of the compressed fluid even after the injection of the fragrance, most of the remaining fragrance is discharged, so the amount of the cleaning liquid required for reliable cleaning can be suppressed. In addition, since the flow path collecting portion 30 does not require a capacity for mixing as in the prior art, the amount of the cleaning liquid required for cleaning the flow path collecting portion 30 can also be reduced compared to the prior art.

[0064] In addition, the control device 80 of the present embodiment controls the electromagnetic valve 71 corresponding to the first fragrance injected first among a plurality of types of fragrances to be in an open state and continues the injection of the first fragrance to the outside for a set time, and controls the electromagnetic valves 72 to 74 corresponding to the second fragrance injected subsequently in combination with the first fragrance among the plurality of types of fragrances to be in an open state within the set time.

[0065] This enables independent control of the injection timing of each of a plurality of fragrances that are more suitable for realizing the desired fragrance K. That is, in order to realize the desired fragrance K, it may be preferable to control the timing of the start and end of injection of each fragrance. In such a case, in a conventional fragrance injection device that injects after mixing, it was not possible to independently control the injection timing of each of the plurality of fragrances. In other words, even if there is a time difference in the injection start and injection end timing of each fragrance of the desired fragrance K, by creating a time when only the first fragrance exists and a time when the first fragrance and the second fragrance coexist, the desired fragrance K can be made to be felt by a person, and the desired fragrance K can be reproduced both temporally and spatially. Thus, by injecting a plurality of types of fragrances with a time difference, the fragrance injection device 1 that does not require a mixing space before injection can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0066] Also, the control device 80 of the present embodiment controls such that the timing of switching the electromagnetic valve 71 corresponding to the fragrance combined with the first fragrance from the closed state to the open state is later than the timing of switching the electromagnetic valves 72 to 74 corresponding to the second fragrance from the closed state to the open state.

[0067] This avoids a situation where it becomes difficult to sense the other fragrances 02 to 04 near the stop of the supply of the fragrance 01 because the supply of the fragrance 01 (first fragrance) with a large mixing ratio that is continuously injected first and the other fragrances 02 to 04 (second fragrance) with a small mixing ratio do not start simultaneously, and a longer time for a person to feel the desired fragrance can be ensured. In other words, in a conventional fragrance injection device that injects after mixing, for the second fragrance with a small mixing ratio, it was necessary to increase the amount in order to mix with the first fragrance. However, in the fragrance injection device 1 of the present embodiment, the second fragrance can be injected at the required mixing ratio in the required time zone.

[0068] Next, the second and third embodiments including a compressed fluid supply device having a configuration different from that of the compressed fluid supply device 50 of the first embodiment will be described. It should be noted that the configuration other than the configuration of the compressed fluid supply device is the same as that of the above embodiment.

[0069] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the fragrance injection device 1a of the second embodiment. The compressed fluid supply device 50a shown in FIG. 4 is constituted by a compressor 51. In the second embodiment, the configurations of the regulator 52, the air tank 53, and the solenoid valve 76 are omitted from the first embodiment. Note that the compressor 51 is turned on and off by the control device 80. Also, different from the first embodiment, the solenoid valve 76 is not arranged in the compressed air flow path 55.

[0070] By adopting the configuration of the second embodiment, the device configuration can be miniaturized and the operating noise can be reduced compared with the first embodiment. Also, it becomes easy to drive the fragrance injection device 1a with a battery.

[0071] <Third Embodiment> FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the fragrance injection device 1b of the third embodiment. The compressed fluid supply device 50b shown in FIG. 5 is constituted by a CO2 cylinder 56 and a regulator 57. In the third embodiment, the compressed fluid supplied from the small-sized CO2 cylinder 56 is decompressed by the regulator 57 and then supplied to the two-fluid nozzle 60 through the compressed air flow path 55. The presence or absence of the supply of the compressed fluid is controlled by the solenoid valve 76 arranged in the compressed air flow path 55, similarly to the first embodiment. For example, when the size of the CO2 cylinder 56 is such that the CO2 weight is 74 grams, it is approximately 40 liters in normal temperature and atmosphere, and about 100 milliliters in the CO2 cylinder 56 because it liquefies. Thus, in the configuration of the second embodiment, the fragrance injection device 1a becomes small-sized.

[0072] By adopting the configuration of the third embodiment, the device configuration can be reduced in size and the operation can be reduced compared to the first embodiment. In addition, it becomes easy to drive the fragrance injection device 1b with a battery.

[0073] <Another example of the opening and closing timing of the solenoid valve> FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of the opening and closing timing of the solenoid valves 71 to 76, which is a different example from FIG. 3. The fragrances 01 to 04 are the sources of the fragrance, and the ratio of each fragrance for realizing the desired fragrance K is the ratio of fragrance 01: fragrance 02: fragrance 03: fragrance 04 = 4: 3: 6: 2. That is, for example, the desired fragrance K is not realized by the fragrances 01 to 04 smelling in a predetermined order, but by the fragrances 01 to 04 being mixed (perfumed) in the above ratio. The timing chart shown in FIG. 6 shows an example of the opening and closing timing of the solenoid valves 71 to 76 suitable for such a case.

[0074] Hereinafter, while paying attention to each of the time zones T1 to T5 shown in FIG. 6, the significance of each time zone will be described.

[0075] When the supply control is started, the solenoid valve 76 for sending in compressed air is controlled to be fully open for 5 seconds in the time zones T1 to T5.

[0076] The time zone T1 in the example shown in FIG. 6 is between 0 seconds (origin) and 1 second. In the time zone T1, the fragrance injection device 1 ejects only compressed air. Thereby, an airflow in which the fragrances 01 to 04 to be sprayed in the time zone T2 described later and the mixture (perfume) of the fragrances 01 to 04 can easily spread is created.

[0077] Next, the solenoid valve 71 corresponding to the fragrance 01 of the fragrance container 11, which is the first fragrance, is controlled to be in the open state, and the open state continues for the set time (1600 ms). In addition, the solenoid valve 72 corresponding to the fragrance 02 of the fragrance container 12, which is the second fragrance, is controlled to be in the open state, and the open state continues for the set time (30 ms), and then becomes the closed state. The open state is repeated 4 times every 400 ms. Also, the solenoid valve 73 corresponding to the fragrance 03 in the fragrance container 13, which is the third fragrance, is controlled to the open state, the open state continues for a set time (60 ms), and then it becomes the closed state. The open state is repeated 4 times every 400 ms. Also, the solenoid valve 74 corresponding to the fragrance 04 in the fragrance container 14, which is the fourth fragrance, is controlled to the open state, the open state continues for a set time (200 ms), and then it becomes the closed state. The open state is repeated 4 times every 400 ms.

[0078] The time zone T2 in the example shown in FIG. 6 is between time 1 s (second) and time 2.6 s (second). In the time zone T2, the fragrance injection device 1 adjusts the spraying timing of the fragrances 01 to 04 according to the contribution degree of the way of feeling the smell. That is, the spraying timing, that is, the solenoid valves 71 to 74 are controlled so that the fragrances 01 to 04 are mixed (perfumed) at a ratio of fragrance 01: fragrance 02: fragrance 03: fragrance 04 = 4: 3: 6: 2 as the ratio of each fragrance for realizing the desired scent K.

[0079] Note that as shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable to provide a time zone in which the solenoid valves corresponding to the fragrances 01 to 04 are simultaneously open. Thereby, the fragrances 01 to 04 are simultaneously sprayed and mixed (perfumed) more uniformly. In the example of FIG. 6, the solenoid valves are simultaneously open and the solenoid valves are closed at a timing according to the ratio, but it is not particularly limited thereto. That is, it is sufficient if the time zones when the solenoid valves are closed overlap. That is, for example, the solenoid valves may be controlled so that the centers of the open time zones are simultaneous, or the solenoid valves may be controlled so that the solenoid valves are closed.

[0080] Next, after all of the solenoid valves 71 to 74 are closed, only the solenoid valve 76 for sending in compressed air becomes the open state.

[0081] In the time period T3 of the example shown in FIG. 6, it is between time 2.6 s (seconds) and time 3 s (seconds). In the time period T3, the fragrance injection device 1 does not spray fragrances 01 to 04, but only ejects compressed air (blows air) to spray the remaining fragrances in the path (such as the flow path collecting portion 30) without leaving any remaining fragrances. As a result, each fragrance for realizing the desired scent K is sprayed without remaining in the path, so that each fragrance is mixed (perfumed) at the target ratio. In addition, the mixing (perfuming) is promoted by the air flow of the air blowing generated around the fragrance injection device 1 and is uniformly mixed (perfumed).

[0082] Next, after the solenoid valve 71 returns to the closed state, after a predetermined interval (400 ms), the solenoid valve 75 corresponding to the cleaning liquid in the cleaning container 40 is controlled to be in the open state for 600 ms. Thereby, the cleaning (cleaning) of the path (such as the flow path collecting portion 30) is automatically performed.

[0083] In the time period T4 of the example shown in FIG. 6, it is between time 3 s (seconds) and time 4 s (seconds). In the time period T4, the fragrance injection device 1 sprays the cleaning liquid, so that while cleaning (cleaning) the path (such as the flow path collecting portion 30), the mixing (perfuming) is promoted by the air flow generated around the fragrance injection device 1 and is uniformly mixed (perfumed).

[0084] That is, between about 1 s (seconds) and 3.5 s (seconds) of the above-mentioned time, fragrances 01 to 04, compressed air, and the cleaning liquid are sprayed from the fragrance injection device 1. Due to the air flow generated around the fragrance injection device 1 generated thereby, the fragrances 01 to 04 are sprayed into the air in a short time and then mixed (perfumed) in the air.

[0085] Next, after the solenoid valve 75 is closed, only the solenoid valve 76 for sending in compressed air is in the open state.

[0086] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the time period T5 is between time 4 s (seconds) and time 5 s (seconds). In the time period T5, the fragrance injection device 1 does not spray the fragrances 01 to 04 or the cleaning liquid, but only ejects compressed air (blows air) to spray the remaining cleaning liquid in the path (such as the flow path collecting portion 30) without leaving any. As a result, since the path (such as the flow path collecting portion 30) becomes empty, smooth mixing (perfuming) of the next fragrances 01 to 04 can be achieved smoothly.

[0087] As described above, each embodiment of the present invention has been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the electromagnetic valves 71 to 76 are on-off valves that perform full opening or full closing, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, an electromagnetic valve capable of adjusting the opening degree may be applied. By adjusting the opening degree, the supply amount of the fragrance can be controlled more precisely.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the fragrance is ejected to the outside by the negative pressure of the two-fluid nozzle 60, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, when using a high-viscosity fragrance that cannot be supplied by the negative pressure of the two-fluid nozzle 60, a spray gun method may be adopted in which a fragrance cartridge is arranged on the path of the two-fluid nozzle and the force of natural fall is utilized.

[0090] In addition to the configuration of the fragrance injection device 1 of the above embodiment, an air flow generation device for promoting the diffusion of the fragrance may be further provided. For example, the air flow generation device can be realized by arranging a mechanism (structure) for generating a cyclone flow inside or at the outlet of the two-fluid nozzle 60. Alternatively, an air flow generation device for diffusing the fragrance by an air flow may be arranged outside the two-fluid nozzle 60. Thereby, the sprayed fragrance can be diffused in the space at an early stage. In the case of a configuration in which perfuming is performed in the space while spraying as in the fragrance injection device 1 of the above embodiment, the presence of the air flow generation device is effective from the viewpoint of improving the stability of the fragrance tone.

[0091] <Others> Also, for example, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or by software. In other words, the above-described functional configurations are merely illustrative and not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient if a computer or a system is equipped with a function capable of executing the above-described series of processes as a whole, and the functional configuration used to realize this function is not particularly limited to the above examples.

[0092] When the series of processes are executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed in a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium. The computer may be a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Also, the computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs, for example, a general-purpose smartphone or personal computer in addition to a server. A recording medium containing such a program is not only constituted by a removable medium (not shown) distributed separately from the apparatus main body in order to provide the program to a user or the like, but also constituted by a recording medium or the like provided to a user or the like in a state pre-installed in the apparatus main body. Since the program can be distributed via a network, the recording medium may be mounted on or accessible to a computer connected to or connectable to the network.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0093] 1, 1a, 1b: Perfume ejection device 11 - 14 Perfume container 21 - 24 Perfume flow path 30 Flow path collecting section 41 Cleaning flow path 60 Two-fluid nozzle 71 - 74 Electromagnetic valve (on-off valve) 80 Control device

Claims

1. A plurality of fragrance channels through which a plurality of types of fragrances respectively flow, A plurality of on-off valves arranged in each of the plurality of fragrance channels, An injection unit that injects the fragrance supplied through the plurality of fragrance channels to the outside by a negative pressure generated by a compressed fluid, A control device that controls each of the plurality of on-off valves independently to inject the plurality of types of fragrances from the injection unit at set timings respectively, and coexist the plurality of types of fragrances in a space, A fragrance generating device comprising the above.

2. A flow path collecting unit to which the plurality of fragrance channels are connected and to which the injection unit is connected, The fragrance generating device according to claim 1, further comprising the above.

3. Further comprising a cleaning channel through which a cleaning liquid flows and which is connected to the flow path collecting unit, During cleaning, the cleaning liquid is sucked into and injected into the injection unit by a negative pressure generated by the compressed fluid, The fragrance generating device according to claim 2.

4. The control device: Among the plurality of types of fragrances, controls the on-off valve corresponding to the first fragrance to be in an open state and continues to inject the first fragrance to the outside for a set time, Among the plurality of types of fragrances, controls the on-off valve corresponding to the second fragrance combined with the first fragrance to be in an open state within the set time, The fragrance generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The control device: Controls such that the timing for switching the on-off valve corresponding to the second fragrance combined with the first fragrance from a closed state to an open state is later than the timing for switching the on-off valve corresponding to the first fragrance from a closed state to an open state, The fragrance generating device according to claim 4.

6. A control method for a fragrance generating device comprising a plurality of fragrance channels through which a plurality of types of fragrances respectively flow, A plurality of on-off valves arranged in each of the plurality of fragrance channels, An injection unit that injects the fragrance supplied through the plurality of fragrance channels to the outside by a negative pressure generated by a compressed fluid, The method comprising: independently controlling each of the plurality of on-off valves to inject the plurality of types of fragrances from the injection unit at set timings respectively, and coexist the plurality of types of fragrances in a space, The control method for the fragrance generating device. ​

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