Blind control system

Abstract

To provide a blind control system capable of achieving harmony between suppression of energy consumption and indoor comfort.SOLUTION: A blind control system includes: a glass window partitioning the indoors and outdoors; a blind installed on the indoor side of the glass window; a drive part for changing the opening / closing state of the blind; a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature on the indoor side of the glass window; one or more environment sensors for monitoring the environment inside the glass window; and a control part for updating a plurality of types of flags showing the environment inside the glass window based on the output of the temperature sensor and the environment sensor, and for controlling the opening / closing state of the blind by actuating the drive part according to the weighting of the flags and a combination state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blind control system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a control system for controlling the open / closed state of blinds installed on glass windows of a building. The glass window admits (or releases) not only light but also heat. The control system adjusts the influence on the indoor temperature and the like by controlling the open / closed state of the blinds. This adjustment has conventionally been performed for the purpose of suppressing energy consumption, that is, for energy-saving purposes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Generally, when the blinds are opened, the indoor temperature tends to fluctuate, and the energy consumption required for temperature control increases. For this reason, according to the conventional control system, the blinds are often controlled to close with priority given to energy saving. For this reason, effects such as the openness by the glass window are difficult to obtain, and the comfort in the room may not be prioritized.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the control system as described above, consideration for indoor comfort, which has often been postponed from the viewpoint of energy saving, is required.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a blind control system capable of achieving harmony between suppression of energy consumption and indoor comfort.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems and achieve the object, a blind control system according to the present invention includes a glass window that separates the inside and the outside, a blind installed on the indoor side of the glass window, a drive unit that changes the open / closed state of the blind, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature on the indoor side of the glass window, one or more environmental sensors that monitor the environment inside the glass window, a control unit that updates a plurality of types of flags indicating the environment inside the glass window based on the outputs of the temperature sensor and the environmental sensors, and operates the drive unit according to the weighting and combination state of the flags to control the open / closed state of the blind.

[0008] In addition, another blind control system according to the present invention further includes, in the above-described invention, an image sensor that images a predetermined range including the inside of the glass window as one of the environmental sensors, and when it is determined based on the output of the image sensor that there is a glare source, the control unit operates the drive unit to increase the degree of light shielding by the blind until the determination is no longer made.

[0009] In addition, another blind control system according to the present invention further includes, in the above-described invention, an operator that acquires a request to change the open / closed state of the blind, and when the operator receives an operation, the control unit operates the drive unit according to the change request indicated by the operation.

[0010] In addition, another blind control system according to the present invention further includes, in the above-described invention, a float glass that faces the inner surface of the glass window with a gap therebetween, and the blind is installed in the gap.

[0011] In addition, another blind control system according to the present invention further includes, in the above-described invention, an exhaust fan that exhausts the air between the glass window and the float glass, and the temperature sensor measures the temperature of the exhaust by the exhaust fan.

[0012] Also, in another blind control system according to the present invention, in the above-described invention, the control unit is characterized in that it determines whether the power consumption for canceling heat exchange through the glass window is large based on the outputs of the temperature sensor and the environment sensor.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the blind control system of the present invention, it is possible to achieve a balance between suppressing energy consumption and maintaining indoor comfort, and thereby, it is possible to consider the indoor comfort that has often been postponed from the perspective of energy conservation, improving the satisfaction of the workers. For example, while the conventional system often sets the degree to which the blind covers the window surface to be high, according to the system of the present invention, the frequency of operation can be increased while suppressing the degree to which the blind covers the window surface.

[0014] Also, according to another blind control system of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to perform the minimum shading that can cope with the glare source.

[0015] Also, according to another blind control system of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to reflect human intention in the control of the blind.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the blind control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a blind control system 100. The blind control system 100 includes an outer glass 11, a float glass 12, an air cavity 13, a blind 15, an exhaust fan 21, a temperature sensor 22, an air volume sensor 23, an image sensor 31, a temperature sensor 32, a solar radiation sensor 33, a switch 34, a control device 51, and the like.

[0019] Here, the image sensor 31, the temperature sensor 32, and the solar radiation sensor 33 are examples of one or more environmental sensors that monitor the environment inside the glass window.

[0020] The outer glass 11, the float glass 12, the air cavity 13, the blind 15, and the exhaust fan 21 constitute a so-called air flow window.

[0021] The outer glass 11 is an example of a glass window (hereinafter simply referred to as a window) that constitutes a part of the outer wall of a building and separates the inside and outside of the building, and is, for example, a double-layer glass. The float glass 12 is a plate-shaped glass that forms an air cavity 13 between itself and the outer glass 11, and faces the inner surface of the outer glass 11 with a gap therebetween. The air cavity 13 is a gap between the outer glass 11 and the float glass 12, and is a space that holds an air layer at a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the outer glass 11.

[0022] The blind 15 is installed in the air cavity 13 and changes the daylighting property from the window to the interior (adjusts the light-shielding state) by adjusting the angle of the slats and raising and lowering them. The change in the angle and vertical position of the slats of the blind 15 (change in the opening / closing state) is performed by a drive unit 159 including a motor or the like. The drive unit 159 operates under the control of the control device 51. The control device 51 changes the angle and vertical position of the slats of the blind 15 by controlling the operation of the drive unit 159. Thereby, the light-shielding state by the blind 15 is adjusted.

[0023] The exhaust fan 21 is a fan provided at the upper part of the air cavity 13, sucks in the air in the air cavity 13, and discharges it to the outside. Along with the intake and exhaust by the exhaust fan 21, the indoor air is sucked into the air cavity 13 from the lower end of the float glass 12.

[0024] The temperature sensor 22 is a sensor for measuring temperature, is provided near the exhaust fan 21, and outputs a signal corresponding to the temperature of the air discharged from the air cavity 13 (exhaust temperature).

[0025] The air volume sensor 23 is a sensor for measuring air volume and outputs a signal corresponding to the air volume of the exhaust fan 21.

[0026] The image sensor 31 captures an image mainly near the window in the room and outputs image data. The image indicated by the image data may be a still image or a moving image (video).

[0027] The temperature sensor 32 is a sensor for measuring temperature, is provided in the room, and outputs a signal corresponding to the room temperature.

[0028] The solar sensor 33 is a sensor provided outdoors that outputs a signal according to the brightness. The information output by the solar sensor 33 is used for determining whether the weather is sunny or otherwise (e.g., cloudy or rainy), and for determining whether the outdoor light is dazzling. It is desirable that the solar sensor 33 be sun-tracking. In implementation, the solar sensor 33 is realized by, for example, an illuminance sensor, a solar radiation sensor, or an image sensor (camera).

[0029] The switch 34 captures the operator's intention indication and outputs a signal according to the operator's operation to the control device 51. The switch 34 may be, for example, a physical device (such as a push button) installed indoors, or may be an operator included in a GUI (Graphical User Interface) provided by application software operating on the control device 51. The above signal is, for example, a signal for switching the ON / OFF of a closing request flag (see FIG. 2 described later).

[0030] The control device 51 is an example of a control unit that controls the opening and closing state of the blind 15 by operating the drive unit 159 according to the outputs of the temperature sensors 22 and 32. The control device 51 is, for example, an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer).

[0031] The control device 51 estimates whether the solar radiation load is large or small from the temperature of the air layer in the air cavity 13 based on the output of the temperature sensor 22, and controls the operation of the exhaust fan 21 according to this estimate. Further, the control device 51 estimates the air volume of the exhaust fan 21 based on the output of the air volume sensor 23, and feeds back this estimate to the control of the exhaust fan 21. Furthermore, the control device 51 performs various processes and judgments based on the outputs of the various sensors 22, 31 to 33 and the output of the switch 34, and controls the opening and closing of the blind 15 and the air volume of the exhaust fan 21.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the flags handled by the control device 51 and the operation modes of the blind 15.

[0033] The control device 51 handles various flags such as a daytime flag, a weather flag, a solar azimuth flag, a clear flag, a heat discomfort flag, a glare flag, a heat load flag, a presence flag, and a closing request flag. Here, the clear flag, the heat discomfort flag, the glare flag, and the heat load flag are examples of a plurality of types of flags indicating the environment inside the glass window.

[0034] Based on the date and time information, the control device 51 makes judgments such as whether it is daytime or not, and whether there is sunlight shining into the window. The daytime flag is a flag indicating whether it is currently daytime or nighttime. When it is determined that the current date and time is after sunrise and before sunset, the control device 51 switches the daytime flag to ON, and otherwise switches it to OFF. The solar azimuth flag is a flag indicating the presence or absence of sunlight shining through the window. The control device 51 switches the solar azimuth flag to ON if the sun is currently located in the direction where light is incident on the window, and otherwise switches it to OFF.

[0035] The weather flag is a flag indicating whether the weather is clear or otherwise (cloudy or rainy). The control device 51 receives the provision of various information (such as weather forecasts) by using various services connected via a network such as the Internet. If the weather forecast indicates cloudiness or rain, the control device 51 switches the weather flag to OFF, and otherwise switches it to ON.

[0036] The clear flag is a flag indicating whether the current actual weather is clear or otherwise. The control device 51 infers the outdoor weather conditions based on the output of the solar radiation sensor 33. More specifically, the control device 51 calculates the illuminance from the output of the solar radiation sensor 33, and if the illuminance exceeds the threshold value, infers that it is clear and switches the clear flag to ON, and otherwise switches it to OFF. Note that the control device 51 may update the clear flag based on the output of the image sensor 31.

[0037] The heat discomfort flag is a flag indicating the presence or absence of discomfort due to heat from solar radiation. Based on the outputs of the image sensor 31 and the temperature sensor 22, the control device 51 makes a combined determination. If it determines that there is uncomfortable heat (heat) due to solar radiation from the window, it switches the heat discomfort flag to ON; otherwise, it switches it to OFF.

[0038] The glare flag is a flag indicating the presence or absence of glare. Based on the output of the image sensor 31, if the control device 51 determines that direct sunlight or reflected light is shining through the window and causing glare, it switches the glare flag to ON; otherwise, it switches it to OFF.

[0039] The heat load flag is a flag indicating the magnitude of the heat load. Based on the outputs of the temperature sensors 22 and 32 and the air volume sensor 23, if the control device 51 determines that the heat load is large, it switches the heat load flag to ON; otherwise, it switches it to OFF. For example, when the difference between the temperature indicated by the output of the temperature sensor 32 and the temperature indicated by the output of the temperature sensor 22 is equal to or greater than the threshold value even though it is determined from the output of the air volume sensor 23 that the exhaust fan 21 is operating properly, it is determined that the heat load is large, that is, the power consumption of the air conditioner for offsetting the heat or cold air from the window (heat exchange between the inside and outside of the room through the window surface) is large.

[0040] The presence flag is a flag indicating the presence or absence of an operator in the room. Based on the output of the image sensor 31, if the control device 51 determines that there is an operator in the room, it switches the presence flag to ON; otherwise, it switches it to OFF.

[0041] The closing request flag is a flag indicating the presence or absence of a closing request for the blind 15 by the operator. Based on the output of the switch 34, if the control device 51 determines that there is a closing request by the operator, it switches the closing request flag to ON; otherwise, it switches it to OFF.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the states of the blind 15, where (a) shows the retracted state, (b) shows the horizontal state, (c) shows the protection angle, (d) shows the overlapping angle, (e) shows the semi-open state, and (f) shows the fully closed state. Note that the degree of light shielding (extent) increases in the order of the retracted state, the horizontal state, the protection angle, the overlapping angle, the semi-open state, and the fully closed state. That is, the latter has a higher degree of light shielding (is more significantly light-shielded).

[0043] The retracted state is a state in which all the slats 151 provided in the blind 15 are gathered at the upper part of the blind 15. The horizontal state is a state in which all the slats 151 provided in the blind 15 are horizontal. The protection angle is the angle β (°) formed by the slats 151 being horizontal in a state where the upper and lower slats 151 are arranged without gaps when viewed from the incident direction of sunlight. The overlapping angle is an angle that is larger than the angle β by a predetermined angle βp (°), and at this time, the slats 151 are in a state of slightly overlapping when viewed from the incident direction of sunlight. The fully closed state is a state in which the angle formed by the slats 151 and the horizontal is maximized, and the angle α (°) formed by the slats 151 being horizontal at this time is, for example, 72°. The value of this angle α is an example and varies depending on the structure and shape of the blind 15, etc. The semi-open state is between the fully closed state and the overlapping angle.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control device 51. After the control device 51 updates the flags in steps S11 to S19 based on the determination in steps S1 to S9, for example, the control device 51 makes a determination on the state of the blind 15 in step S10.

[0045] First, when it is determined based on the current date and time that it is daytime (Yes in step S1), the control device 51 switches the daytime flag to ON (step S11). Subsequently, when the weather forecast is cloudy or rainy (Yes in step S2), the control device 51 switches the weather flag to OFF (step S12).

[0046] Next, when the control device 51 determines that the sun is located in front of the window surface based on the current date and time (Yes in step S3), it switches the solar azimuth flag to ON (step S13). Subsequently, when the control device 51 determines that the illuminance exceeds the threshold value based on the output of the solar radiation sensor 33 (Yes in step S4), it switches the sunny flag to ON (step S14).

[0047] Next, when the control device 51 determines that the heat due to solar radiation is uncomfortable based on the output of the image sensor 31 (Yes in step S5), it switches the warm discomfort flag to ON (step S15). Subsequently, when the control device 51 determines that there is a glare source based on the output of the image sensor 31 (Yes in step S6), it switches the glare flag to ON (step S16).

[0048] Next, when the control device 51 determines that the heat load is large based on the outputs of the temperature sensors 22 and 32 and the air volume sensor 23 (Yes in step S7), it switches the heat load flag to ON (step S17).

[0049] Next, when the control device 51 determines that there is a person in the target area based on the output of the image sensor 31 (Yes in step S9), it switches the presence flag to ON (step S18). Subsequently, when the control device 51 determines that there is a desire to close by the operator based on the output of the switch 34 (Yes in step S9), it switches the closing desire flag to ON (step S19).

[0050] Then, the control device 51 makes a determination to decide the state of the blind 15 (step S10). Note that the control device 51 operates the drive unit 159 according to the determination in step S10.

[0051] The control device 51 determines the combined state of various flags, controls the operation of the drive unit 159 based on the determination, and controls the opening and closing state of the blind 15. The control of the opening and closing state of the blind 15 (opening and closing control) adjusts the light-shielding state by the blind 15 and is implemented by changing the angle and vertical position of the slats 151.

[0052] Returning to FIG. 2, the operation mode of the blind 15 will be described. In FIG. 2, the flags with higher priorities are shown further to the right. That is, the flags are weighted. If all the flags are OFF, the control device 51 fully opens the blind 15 (in the wound-up state), and adjusts the degree to which the blind 15 covers the window surface according to the weights and combined states of the ON flags.

[0053] For example, when the day flag, weather flag, solar azimuth flag, sunny flag, and presence flag are ON, and the thermal discomfort flag, glare flag, heat load flag, and closing request flag are OFF, the blind 15 is set to the protection angle due to the presence of solar incidence. In this case, the state of the blind 15 before the change is irrelevant.

[0054] Also, at night when there is no sunlight incidence, if the thermal discomfort flag is ON, the state of the blind 15 is changed to raise the angle of the slats 151 by one step to suppress the heat exchange between the inside and outside of the room through the window surface. Similarly, at night when the heat load flag is ON, the state of the blind 15 is changed to raise the angle of the slats 151 by one step.

[0055] Also, as shown within the outer frame F, when the glare flag is ON, the state of the blind 15 is changed to increase the degree of light shielding by the blind 15 by one step. If the glare flag does not turn OFF after one change, the change to increase the degree of light shielding by the blind 15 by one step is repeated until it turns OFF. As a result, the angle of the slats 151 gradually increases. That is, for example, if the blind 15 was in the wound-up state when the glare flag turned ON, it is first changed to the horizontal state, and if the glare flag does not turn OFF, it is then changed to the protection angle. This change is performed immediately with the update of the glare flag.

[0056] Note that when the glare source disappears, control may be performed to return (lower) the light shielding level increased with the glare flag ON. This control does not need to be performed immediately with the update of the glare flag and can be at any timing.

[0057] According to the blind control system 100 described above, it is possible to achieve a balance between suppressing energy consumption and maintaining indoor comfort. As a result, it is possible to consider the indoor comfort that has often been postponed from the perspective of energy conservation, thereby improving the satisfaction of the workers.

[0058] Generally, when the blind 15 is open, the indoor temperature tends to fluctuate, and the energy consumption required for temperature control increases. Therefore, in conventional control systems, energy conservation is often prioritized and the blind is often controlled to close. In contrast, in the blind control system 100 of the present embodiment, other viewpoints in addition to energy conservation are also incorporated into the determination of the opening and closing control of the blind 15, taking into account the indoor comfort. As a result, the frequency of operation with the blind 15 covering the window surface less than before increases, making it easier to obtain effects such as the openness through the glass window (such as obtaining a sense of openness from a good view), and thus improving the indoor comfort.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the case where the float glass 12 faces the inner side of the outer glass 11 and the air cavity 13 exists is described as an example. However, in practice, it is not limited to this. For example, when the float glass 12 and the air cavity 13 do not exist, a temperature sensor 22 is installed at a position for measuring the temperature near the outer glass 11, and a temperature sensor 32 is installed at the center of the room. Then, from the difference in the values output by both (temperature sensors 22 and 32), the temperature difference between the center of the room and the vicinity of the glass window is obtained. By doing so, it is possible to determine whether the power consumption for canceling the heat exchange through the outer glass 11 is large and estimate the air conditioning load.

[0060] (Modification example) Next, a modification example of the above embodiment will be described. In the description of this modification example, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in the above embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted, and mainly the parts different from the above embodiment will be described.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the interior state according to this modification example. The interior is divided into three areas, area A, B, and C. There are workers P and Q in area A, worker R in area B, and no worker in area C. The control device 51 determines the presence or absence of workers based on the outputs of the image sensors 311, 312, and 313, and updates the occupancy flags associated with each area.

[0062] In the interior, areas A and C face the window surface, but area B does not face the window surface. Area A is separated from the outer glass 11 by the blind 152. Area C is separated from the outer glass 11 by the blinds 152 and 153.

[0063] In such a case, in area C, even if sunlight is incident from the window surface, there are no workers who are harmed by heat discomfort or glare. Therefore, the control device 51 of this modification example performs the same blind 15 control as in the above-described embodiment for area A, while controlling the degree to which the blind 15 of area C covers the window surface to be low, making it easier for workers P, Q, and R to obtain a view from the window. Therefore, according to this modification example, it is possible to easily obtain effects such as openness (obtaining a sense of openness from a good view).

Industrial Applicability

[0064] The blind control system according to the present invention is useful for achieving a balance between suppressing energy consumption and improving indoor comfort, and is particularly suitable for considering indoor comfort, which has often been postponed from the perspective of energy conservation.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0065] 100... Blind control system, 11... Outer glass, 12... Float glass, 13... Air cavity, 15, 152, 153... Blinds, 151... Slats, 159... Driving unit, 21... Exhaust fan, 22... Temperature sensor, 23... Air volume sensor, 31,311… Image sensor (an example of an environmental sensor), 32… Temperature sensor (an example of an environmental sensor), 33… Solar radiation sensor (an example of an environmental sensor), 34… Switch, 51… Control device.

Claims

1. A glass window that separates the inside and the outside, a blind installed on the indoor side of the glass window, a drive unit that changes the open / closed state of the blind, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature on the indoor side of the glass window, one or more environmental sensors that monitor the environment inside the glass window, a control unit that updates a plurality of types of flags indicating the environment inside the glass window based on the outputs of the temperature sensor and the environmental sensors, and operates the drive unit according to the weighted and combined state of the flags to control the open / closed state of the blind, A blind control system comprising the above.

2. Further comprising an image sensor that images a predetermined range including the inside of the glass window as one of the environmental sensors, When it is determined based on the output of the image sensor that there is a glare source, the control unit operates the drive unit to increase the degree of light shielding by the blind until the determination is no longer made The blind control system according to Claim 1.

3. Further comprising an operator that acquires a request to change the open / closed state of the blind, When the operator receives an operation, the control unit operates the drive unit according to the change request indicated by the operation The blind control system according to Claim 1.

4. Further comprising a float glass facing the inner surface of the glass window with a gap therebetween, The blind is installed in the gap The blind control system according to Claim 1.

5. Further comprising an exhaust fan that exhausts the air between the glass window and the float glass, The temperature sensor measures the temperature of the exhaust by the exhaust fan The blind control system according to Claim 4.

6. The control unit determines whether the power consumption for offsetting the heat exchange through the glass window is large based on the outputs of the temperature sensor and the environmental sensors The blind control system according to Claim 1.

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