Charge removal device, charge removal method, and program

Abstract

To provide a charge removal device, a charge removal method, and a program that can appropriately prevent a user from becoming electrostatically charged.SOLUTION: A charge removal device according to the present disclosure includes an entrance blocking device that is placed in a passage connected to a target area and has a blocking bar that blocks a user from entering the target area and a support portion that allows the user to support the blocking bar so as to be moved, a spray device that is placed in the passage and emits a mist that represents water dispersed into fine particles, and a control device that causes the spray device to emit mist when it detects that the user has touched and moved the blocking bar.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charge removal device, a charge removal method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In areas where flammable and explosive substances are processed, such as chemical plants, static electricity discharge can cause problems, and it can be problematic if people entering the area are charged with static electricity.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a static electricity removal device that is characterized by the installation of an earth bar that can be rotated back and forth and is installed to block the entrance to a facility as a countermeasure against static electricity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-329782 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the static eliminator described in Patent Document 1, even if the static electricity is discharged before entering the facility, there is a risk that clothes may become charged when touching each other while moving around the facility during dry seasons such as winter, and preventing this charging has been an issue.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present disclosure aims to provide an electrostatic charge removal device, an electrostatic charge removal method, and a program that can appropriately suppress electrostatic charge buildup on a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the electrostatic removal device of the present disclosure comprises an entry blocking device that is placed in a passage connected to a target area and has a blocking bar that blocks a user's entry into the target area and a support part that allows the user to support the blocking bar so that it can move, a spray device that is placed in the passage and emits a mist that represents water dispersed into fine particles, and a control device that causes the spray device to emit the mist when it detects that a user has touched and moved the blocking bar.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the static charge removal method of the present disclosure is a static charge removal method using an entrance blocking device having a blocking bar that is placed in a passage connected to a target area and blocks a user's entry into the target area, and a support part that allows the user to support the blocking bar so that it can be moved, and a spray device that is placed in the passage and emits a mist that represents water dispersed into fine particles, and includes the steps of: starting the emission of the mist by the spray device when it is determined that a user has touched and moved the blocking bar; and stopping the emission of the mist by the spray device when the spray time has elapsed for a predetermined period of time.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the program of the present disclosure is a program that causes an electrostatic removal device to execute an electrostatic removal method, the electrostatic removal device having an entrance blocking device that is placed in a passage connected to a target area and has a blocking bar that blocks users from entering the target area and a support part that allows the user to movably support the blocking bar, and a spray device that is placed in the passage and emits a mist that represents water dispersed into fine particles, and causes a computer to execute the following steps: acquiring a rotation signal of the blocking bar; determining whether the blocking bar has rotated beyond a predetermined angle; starting the emission of the mist by the spray device when it is determined that the blocking bar has rotated beyond the predetermined angle; counting a spray time that indicates the time from when the spray device started to emit the mist; and stopping the emission of the mist by the spray device when the spray time has elapsed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electrostatic charge removal device, an electrostatic charge removal method, and a program that can appropriately suppress electrostatic charge on a user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plant having an electrostatic charge removing device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the charge removing device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between relative humidity and the amount of electrostatic charge. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the determination threshold storage unit of the control device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a timer set value storage unit of the control device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the charge removal method according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a charge removing device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a charge removing device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of the charge detection device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a charge detection device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the charge removing device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0013] (First embodiment) (plant) An example of a plant in which an electrostatic charge eliminator 1 according to the present disclosure is installed will be described using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a plant having an electrostatic charge eliminator according to the present disclosure. The plant 500 shown in FIG. 1 has a hazardous material area 510, ancillary equipment 520, and an operation room 530. Note that the plant 500 may have various other equipment and areas in addition to the hazardous material area 510, the ancillary equipment 520, and the operation room 530. Furthermore, the plant 500 may have multiple hazardous material areas 510.

[0014] Plant 500 is, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling plant using supercritical methanol. Plant 500 performs a process of recycling (regenerating) polyester raw materials by depolymerizing the polyester raw materials to form monomers and repolymerizing the monomers. Specifically, the polyester raw materials are flaked, the flaked polyester raw materials are dissolved in carboxylic acid-derived monomers to produce a polyester solution, foreign matter is removed from the polyester solution, the polyester solution from which the foreign matter has been removed is mixed with a reaction solvent to depolymerize, the depolymerized polyester monomers are purified to produce carboxylic acid-derived monomers and alcohol component monomers, the carboxylic acid-derived monomers are hydrolyzed to separate the reaction solvent, and the monomers produced by hydrolysis of the carboxylic acid-derived monomers are polymerized with the alcohol component monomers to regenerate the polyester raw materials.

[0015] In addition, the recycling process may omit the flaking step, or may involve only the process of recovering carboxylic acid-derived monomers, alcohol component monomers, and monomers produced by hydrolysis of the carboxylic acid-derived monomers, without carrying out the repolymerization process.

[0016] The plant 500 is not limited to a polyethylene terephthalate recycling plant using supercritical methanol, but may be a factory or production facility where flammable gases or vapors may accumulate. Flammable gases are gaseous, flammable substances at room temperature and pressure. Examples of flammable gases include acetylene, hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) made by liquefying propane or butane, and city gases such as methane. Flammable vapors are substances that are liquid or solid at room temperature and pressure but evaporate or sublimate into gas depending on the vapor pressure. Flammable vapors are, for example, vapors generated from substances with a flash point below 40°C or substances that are stored or handled at temperatures above their flash point.

[0017] Plant 500 may be, for example, a thermal power plant equipped with a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tank, or a petrochemical plant that distills flammable substances such as butadiene, a raw material for tires, cyclohexane, used in the production of nylon, and propylene, a raw material for fuel and polypropylene.

[0018] The hazardous area (target area) 510 is an area where flammable gases or vapors exist or may exist in quantities that require special precautions. In this embodiment, the hazardous area is an area where monomers formed by decomposing polyethylene terephthalate exist. In the hazardous area 510, the use of electronic devices and the like is restricted by the Fire Service Act, the Industrial Safety and Health Act, the High-Pressure Gas Safety Act, etc., in order to prevent ignition of flammable gases or vapors due to, for example, discharge (sparks).

[0019] The hazardous material area 510 in this embodiment is an area that is partitioned from the outside by a fence, wall, ceiling, etc., and measures such as isolation from the outside, ventilation, air circulation, and dust removal are taken to prevent explosions or fires caused by flammable gases or vapors. Entry and exit to the hazardous material area 510 is through an entrance / exit 512. An electrostatic charge removing device 1 is provided at the entrance / exit 512 of the hazardous material area 510. The hazardous material area 510 is also provided with various walls, fences, walls, etc. that restrict entry from any location other than the entrance / exit 512.

[0020] The auxiliary facility 520 is an area where devices, machinery, tools, various facilities, etc. used in the operation of the plant 500 are stored. Note that the auxiliary facility 520 is an area that does not require the same safety management as the hazardous material area 510.

[0021] The control room 530 is an area where workers stay to perform various operations for operating the plant 500. The control room 530 is equipped with, for example, a central control panel where workers monitor the operation of the plant 500, and the workers monitor and control the factory equipment and production equipment of the plant 500. Note that the control room 530 is not an area that requires safety management as the hazardous material area 510.

[0022] (Charge removal device) An electrostatic charge eliminator 1 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electrostatic charge eliminator according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The electrostatic charge eliminator 1 includes a control device 100, a spray device 200, and an entry blocking device 300. The electrostatic charge eliminator 1 is disposed in a passage 2. The passage 2 is a passage that connects to an entrance / exit 512 of a hazardous material area 510.

[0023] The control device 100 is a device that comprehensively controls the charge removal device 1. The control device 100 controls the operation of the spray device 200 in response to signals from the entry block device 300. The control device 100 is provided with devices such as an electronic board on which various semiconductors are mounted to realize control functions. The location of the control device 100 is not particularly limited, and it may be integrated with the spray device 200 or the entry block device 300 or may be separate. The configuration of the control device 100 will be described in detail later.

[0024] Spray device 200 is installed in passage 2 and emits an ultra-fine mist of water to users passing through passage 2. Spray device 200 includes tank 201 for storing water to be turned into mist, pump 202 for drawing water from tank 201, multiple nozzles 204 that serve as outlets for emitting the mist, and support 206 for supporting the nozzles. The device may emit an ultra-fine mist of water from the nozzles when the pump is activated.

[0025] Tank 201 stores water to be sprayed. Tank 201 may be installed outside passage 2 or buried underground. A water supply pipe of plant 500 is connected to tank 201, and water is supplied to tank 201. Pump 202 is disposed in a pipeline connecting tank 201 and nozzle 204, and supplies water from tank 201 to nozzle 204. Note that spray device 200 may be connected to a water supply pipe of plant 500 without including tank 201 and pump 202. In this case, spray device 200 includes a control valve for controlling the supply of water.

[0026] Nozzle 204 is disposed vertically above passage 2. Spraying device 200 has multiple nozzles 204 arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which passage 2 extends. Nozzle 204 is connected to tank 201 and sprays water supplied from tank 201 toward passage 2. The number of nozzles provided in spraying device 200 is not particularly limited. Support 206 has a support column extending vertically and a beam connected to the vertically upper side of the support column and crossing passage 2. Multiple nozzles 204 are fixed to the beam of support 206. Water flows inside support 206 and a pipe connecting tank 201 and nozzle 204 is inserted into support 206. Spraying device 200 discharges water in a mist form from nozzle 204 located vertically above passage 2 through which users pass at the entrance to the hazardous material area.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between relative humidity and the amount of static electricity. In Fig. 3, the horizontal axis represents relative humidity, and the vertical axis represents the amount of static electricity. As shown in Fig. 3, as the relative humidity increases, the amount of static electricity tends to decrease. Therefore, when the spray device 200 emits water mist, the dampness of the user's clothes, i.e., the relative humidity, increases, and the amount of static electricity on the user can be appropriately reduced.

[0028] The entrance block device 300 is a device that restricts users from entering the hazardous material area 510 through the passage 2. The entrance block device 300 is arranged in a position in the passage 2 that is farther from the hazardous material area 510 than the spray device 200. The entrance block device 300 has a support part 302 and a barrier bar 304. The support part 302 is arranged at an end of the passage 2. The barrier bar 304 is supported by the support part 302 in a movable state. The barrier bar 320 is arranged perpendicular to the walking direction of the passage 2, i.e., in the horizontal direction, extending from one end of the passage 2 to the other, intersecting the extension direction of the passage 2. The barrier bar 304 blocks the passage 2, thereby preventing users from entering.

[0029] In the entrance blocking device 300, a blocking bar 304 is placed at a position that blocks the passage 2, and is supported so that the end portion that is not supported by the support portion 302 moves vertically upward (in the direction of arrow 306 in FIG. 2) with the support portion 302 as a base point. The blocking bar 304 can be moved by operation by the user.

[0030] The entrance barrier device 300 detects the movement of the barrier bar 304 with a sensor or the like and sends the detection result to the control device 100. The entrance barrier device 300 is equipped with, for example, a rotary encoder for detecting the rotation angle, detects the rotation angle of the barrier bar 304 with the rotary encoder, and transmits the detection result to the control device 100 by an electrical signal or the like.

[0031] The barrier bar 304 is made of a conductive material. The barrier bar 304 may be made of metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, or copper. The barrier bar 304 is also grounded (short-circuited). When entering a hazardous material area, a user grasps and moves the barrier bar 304 before entering. Therefore, a user grasping the barrier bar 304 can safely discharge any static electricity that may have accumulated while holding the barrier bar 304 before entering.

[0032] (Control device) Next, the configuration of the control device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example configuration of the control device according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 4, the control device 100 according to the present disclosure includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, a control unit 130, a detection unit 140, an input unit 150, and a signal transmission unit 160.

[0033] The communication unit 110 is responsible for transmitting and receiving various information to and from external devices via wired or wireless connections. In the wired case, the communication unit 110 may be realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC) equipped with an interface such as a wired local area network (LAN) terminal or a universal serial bus (USB) terminal. In the wireless case, the communication unit 110 may be realized by a wireless LAN defined by IEEE802.11 or the like.

[0034] The storage unit 120 is a storage device that stores various types of information. The storage unit 120 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device may be realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or a flash memory. The auxiliary storage device may be realized by a hard disk, a solid state drive (SSD), an optical disk, or the like.

[0035] The storage unit 120 includes a determination threshold storage unit 121 and a timer setting value storage unit 122. An example of information stored in these components will be described below in order.

[0036] The judgment threshold storage unit 121 stores information related to the judgment threshold that serves as a criterion for determining the amount of charge of a user. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the judgment threshold storage unit of the control device according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 5, the judgment threshold storage unit 121 stores information related to the items "threshold ID" and "threshold."

[0037] The "threshold ID" is an identifier that identifies a judgment threshold that serves as a criterion for judging the amount of charge of a user, and is expressed by a character string, a number, or the like. The "threshold" is the value of the judgment threshold that serves as a criterion for judging the amount of charge of a user, and may be expressed by, for example, a specific numerical value. That is, FIG. 5 shows an example in which a threshold "TS#1" identified by a threshold ID "TSID#1" is stored. Note that the information stored in the judgment threshold storage unit 121 is not limited to information related to the items "threshold ID" and "threshold", and any other information related to a judgment threshold may be stored.

[0038] The timer setting value storage unit 122 stores information related to a timer setting value that determines the duration of mist spraying by the spray device 200. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the timer setting value storage unit of the control device according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the timer setting value storage unit 122 stores information related to the items "timer ID" and "timer setting value." The "timer ID" is an identifier that identifies the timer setting value and is represented by a character string, a number, or the like. The "timer setting value" is the setting value for the duration of mist spraying by the spray device 200 and may be set and stored as any desired time, such as 30 minutes or 1 hour. That is, FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which a timer setting value "TM#1" identified by a timer ID "TMID#1" is stored. Note that the information stored in the timer setting value storage unit 122 is not limited to the information related to the items "timer ID" and "timer setting value," and information related to any desired timer setting value may be stored.

[0039] Returning to Fig. 4, the control unit 130 will be described. The control unit 130 is a controller that executes various types of arithmetic processing and processing for implementing functions. The control unit 130 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like executing various programs stored in the storage unit 120 using RAM as a working area. The control unit 130 may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0040] The control unit 130 includes an acquisition unit 131, a determination unit 132, a start unit 133, and a stop unit 134 as functions realized by the execution of a program stored in the storage unit 120, a circuit configuration, etc. The control unit 130 may execute these processes using one CPU, or may include multiple CPUs that execute these processes in parallel.

[0041] The acquisition unit 131 acquires a rotation signal indicating the rotation angle of the barrier bar of the entrance barrier device 300. Specifically, the acquisition unit 131 acquires a rotation signal indicating the rotation angle of the barrier bar of the entrance barrier device 300 detected by the detection unit 140, which will be described later. Upon acquiring the rotation signal, the acquisition unit 131 passes it to the determination unit 132, which will be described later.

[0042] The determination unit 132 determines whether to start the spray device 200 emitting water mist based on the bar rotation signal from the entrance bar 300 or the amount of charge on the user. Specifically, the determination unit 132 may determine to start the spray device 200 emitting water mist when the rotation angle of the bar 320 exceeds a predetermined angle. Note that the predetermined angle may be an angle that can detect the entry of a user and may be set arbitrarily, for example, a value in the range of 45 degrees to 90 degrees. The determination unit 132 may also determine to start the spray device 200 emitting mist when the amount of charge on the user exceeds a predetermined threshold. These thresholds may be determined by reading values ​​stored in the determination threshold storage unit 121 described above.

[0043] The initiation unit 133 starts the emission of water mist by the spray device 200. Specifically, when the determination unit 132 determines that the emission of water mist by the spray device 200 should be started, the initiation unit 133 transmits a drive signal to the spray device 200 via the signal transmission unit 160, which will be described later, to start the emission of water mist.

[0044] The stop unit 134 stops the emission of water mist by the spray device 200 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the spray device 200 started to emit the water mist. Specifically, the stop unit 134 may start counting the elapsed spray time when the start unit 133 starts the emission of water mist by the spray device 200, and stop the emission of water mist by the spray device 200 when the spray time reaches the time set in the timer. The stop unit 134 transmits a stop signal to the spray device 200 via the signal transmission unit 160, which will be described later, to stop the emission of water mist.

[0045] The detection unit 140 detects that the barrier bar of the entrance barrier device 300 has moved from its fixed position. Specifically, the detection unit 140 detects that the barrier bar of the entrance barrier device 300 has been rotated by a user. The detection unit 140 may be realized by detecting the rotation angle of the barrier bar using a rotary encoder or the like that converts the mechanical displacement of the rotation of the barrier bar into an electrical signal.

[0046] The input unit 150 receives various types of operation information from the user. For example, the input unit 150 may receive various types of operation information from the user via a display surface such as a touch panel. Alternatively, the input unit 150 may receive various types of operation information from the user via various operation switches, dials, levers, handles, keyboards, joysticks, mice, etc.

[0047] The signal transmission unit 160 transmits a signal to start or stop the emission of water mist to the spray device 200. The signal transmission unit 160 may be realized by various types of electrical wiring, for example, a control signal cable formed by bundling multiple electric wires, each wire having a conductor such as copper covered with an insulator, and covering the bundled wires with an electrically insulating polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheath. In other words, the signal transmission unit 160 is connected to the spray device 200 by electrical wiring.

[0048] The static electricity removal device 1 described above can remove static electricity from users entering a hazardous material area before they enter, and at the same time, can prevent charging after they enter by appropriately moistening the clothes of the users with the spray device 200. Therefore, measures are taken to prevent users entering a hazardous material area from becoming charged with static electricity and later generating discharge, which can become an ignition source for flammable gases or vapors remaining in the plant, allowing the plant to be operated safely.

[0049] (How to remove static electricity) Next, a charge removal method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the charge removal method according to the present disclosure. Below, the charge removal method according to the present disclosure will be described along the flow shown in Fig. 7.

[0050] First, the static charge eliminator 1 acquires a rotation signal of the shielding bar (step S101). Next, the static charge eliminator 1 determines whether or not rotation of the shielding bar has been detected (step S102). Whether or not rotation of the shielding bar has been detected may be determined to be detected when the rotation angle of the shielding bar exceeds a predetermined threshold. If rotation of the shielding bar is detected in step S102 (step S102: Yes), the static charge eliminator 1 starts emitting mist by the sprayer 200 (step S103). Next, the static charge eliminator 1 counts the elapsed time from when the sprayer 200 started emitting mist (step S104). Next, the static charge eliminator 1 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the sprayer 200 started emitting mist (step S105). In step S105, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the spray device 200 started emitting mist (step S105: Yes), the static charge remover 1 stops the spray device 200 from emitting mist (step S106).

[0051] In step S102, if the rotation of the blocking bar is not detected (step S102: No), the charge remover 1 returns to step S101 and acquires the rotation signal of the blocking bar again.

[0052] Furthermore, in step S105, if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the spray device 200 started emitting mist (step S105: No), the static charge remover 1 returns to step S104 and counts the elapsed time again.

[0053] According to the electrostatic charge removal method of the present disclosure, the rotation of the blocking bar can be detected before the user enters the hazardous material area and an ultra-fine water mist can be emitted toward the user, thereby appropriately reducing the amount of electrostatic charge on the user. This allows the safe operation of a plant having a hazardous material area where flammable gases or vapors are present.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the entrance barrier device 300 has a structure in which the barrier bar 304 rotates vertically upward on the side opposite the support portion of the support portion 302, but is not limited to this. The entrance barrier device 300 may be configured so that the barrier bar 304 moves horizontally as long as the user touches it. The entrance barrier device 300 may also be configured so that the barrier bar 304 moves horizontally. Furthermore, the entrance barrier device 300 may be configured so that multiple barrier bars 304 are arranged at predetermined angular intervals on a support structure disposed on the support portion 302 and rotatable about a circular axis, and the barrier bar 304 blocking the passage 2 is rotated to rotate the support structure, and after the user passes through, the next barrier bar 304 blocks the passage 2. The entrance barrier device 300 is not limited to rotating the barrier bar 304, but may be configured so that the barrier bar 304 moves vertically in a parallel manner.

[0055] Second Embodiment Next, a static charge eliminator 1a according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the static charge eliminator according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. In the static charge eliminator 1a according to the present disclosure, two sprayers 200A and 200B are installed at an appropriate interval vertically above a road on which users pass. FIG. 8 shows that the sprayers 200A and 200B are installed at a predetermined interval L. Note that the predetermined interval L may be set arbitrarily. For example, the distance walked by a user from the time a water mist is sprayed on the user until the water mist dries may be measured, and the average value of the distances may be set as the predetermined interval L.

[0056] This allows the user's clothes to be replenished with moisture while moving after passing under the spray device 200 and receiving the water mist from the spray device 200, until the user's clothes dry. This makes it possible to appropriately prevent static electricity from building up due to the user's clothes rubbing against each other. This makes it possible to appropriately prevent discharges (sparks) caused by static electricity from igniting flammable gases or vapors. This makes it possible to safely operate a plant that has a hazardous material area where flammable gases or vapors exist.

[0057] (Third embodiment) Next, the configuration of a charge eliminator 1b according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a charge elimination system according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9, the charge eliminator 1b according to the present disclosure includes a control device 100, a spray device 200, an entrance blocking device 300, and charge detection devices 400A and 400B. The charge detection devices 400A and 400B are connected to the control device 100 via a network 401. The number of charge detection devices 400A and 400B is not particularly limited.

[0058] The control device 100, the spray device 200, and the entrance blocking device 300 are the same as those of the charge removing device 1 described above, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0059] The charge detection device 400 is a device that detects the amount of charge on a user. When the amount of charge on the user exceeds a predetermined threshold, the charge detection device 400 notifies the user that the amount of charge has exceeded the predetermined threshold. The charge detection device 400 will be described in detail later.

[0060] The network N connects the charge removing device 1 and the charge detecting device 400 in a wired or wireless manner so that they can communicate with each other. If the network N is wired, it may be realized by Ethernet (registered trademark) defined in IEEE802.3, a USB cable, or the like. If the network N is wireless, it may be realized by wireless LAN defined in IEEE802.11, Bluetooth (registered trademark), a beacon, NFC (Near Field Communication) (registered trademark), or the like.

[0061] (Charge detection device) An example of the structure of the charge detection device 400 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the charge detection device according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10, the charge detection device 400 may have the shape of a bracelet, in other words, a wristband. That is, a user wears the charge detection device 400 by wrapping it around their arm. The charge detection device 400 detects the amount of charge of the user, and when the amount of charge of the user exceeds a predetermined threshold, lights or blinks a lighting unit 450, which will be described later.

[0062] Next, the configuration of the charge detection device 400 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the charge detection device according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 11, the charge detection device 400 according to the present disclosure includes a communication unit 410, a storage unit 420, a control unit 430, a charge sensor unit 440, and a lighting unit 450. These components will be described in order below.

[0063] The communication unit 410 is responsible for transmitting and receiving various information to and from external devices via wired or wireless connections. In the wired case, it may be realized by a NIC equipped with an interface such as a wired LAN terminal. In the wireless case, it may be realized by a wireless LAN specified in IEEE802.11, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

[0064] The storage unit 420 is a storage device that stores various types of information. The storage unit 420 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device may be realized by a semiconductor memory element such as RAM, ROM, or flash memory. The auxiliary storage device may be realized by a hard disk, SSD, optical disk, or the like.

[0065] 12, the storage unit 420 includes a judgment threshold storage unit 421. The judgment threshold storage unit 421 stores information related to the threshold of the amount of charge of the user. The information items stored in the judgment threshold storage unit 421 are the same as the information items stored in the judgment threshold storage unit 121 described above, and therefore a description of the information items stored in the judgment threshold storage unit 421 will be omitted.

[0066] The control unit 430 is a controller that executes various types of arithmetic processing and processing that realizes functions. The control unit 430 is realized by a CPU, an MPU, or the like executing various programs stored in the storage unit 420 using RAM as a work area. The control unit 430 may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

[0067] 11, control unit 430 includes an acquisition unit 431, a determination unit 432, and a notification unit 433 as functions realized by the execution of a program stored in storage unit 420, a circuit configuration, and the like. Note that control unit 430 may execute these processes using one CPU, or may include multiple CPUs that execute these processes in parallel. These components will be described below in order.

[0068] The acquisition unit 431 acquires the amount of charge of the user wearing the charge detection device 400. Specifically, the acquisition unit 431 acquires the amount of charge of the user measured by the charge sensor unit 440, which will be described later. After acquiring the amount of charge of the user, the acquisition unit 431 transmits the acquired amount of charge to the determination unit 442, which will be described later.

[0069] The determination unit 442 determines whether the amount of charge of the user exceeds a predetermined threshold. Specifically, the determination unit 442 determines whether the amount of charge of the user exceeds the predetermined threshold based on the threshold stored in the determination threshold storage unit 421 described above. When the determination unit 442 determines that the amount of charge of the user exceeds the predetermined threshold, it transmits a signal indicating this to the notification unit 433.

[0070] The notification unit 433 notifies the user that the amount of charge on the user has exceeded a predetermined threshold. For example, the notification unit 433 notifies the static charge removing device 1 of a signal indicating that the amount of charge on the user has exceeded the predetermined threshold via the communication unit 410, for example, by radio waves defined in Bluetooth (registered trademark). The notification unit 433 may also notify the user that the amount of charge on the user has exceeded the predetermined threshold by notifying the lighting unit 450, which will be described later, of a signal indicating that the amount of charge on the user has exceeded the predetermined threshold, and by lighting the lighting unit 450.

[0071] The charge sensor unit 440 measures the amount of charge on the user. The charge sensor unit 440 may be, for example, a surface electrometer that measures the charge potential using the electrostatic induction phenomenon. The surface electrometer detects induced charges that occur when a detection electrode receives an electrostatic field from a charged object. When this electrostatic field is periodically changed by a vibrating electrode, the induced charge similarly changes periodically, causing a displacement current to flow from the detection electrode to the ground electrode. The surface electrometer converts this current into an AC voltage signal using a resistor and measures the charge potential of the charged object from this AC signal.

[0072] The lighting unit 450 lights up when the amount of charge of the user exceeds a predetermined threshold. That is, when a signal indicating that the amount of charge of the user exceeds a predetermined threshold is received from the notification unit 433, the lighting unit 450 turns on the light. Note that the lighting unit 450 is not limited to continuously lighting up, and may blink by repeatedly turning on and off at predetermined time intervals. The lighting unit 450 may be realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emmiting Diode).

[0073] (Regarding the treatment of static electricity removal equipment) Next, the processing of the charge removing device 1b according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the charge removing device of the third embodiment according to the present disclosure. The processing of the charge removing device 1b according to the present disclosure will be described along the flow shown in Fig. 12.

[0074] First, the charge detection device 400 detects the amount of charge on the user and determines whether the amount of charge on the user exceeds a predetermined threshold (step S201). If the amount of charge on the user exceeds the predetermined threshold in step S201, the charge detection device 400 notifies the user that the amount of charge on the user has exceeded the predetermined threshold (step S202). Next, the charge removal device 1 causes the spray device 200 to start emitting water mist (step S203).

[0075] This allows the amount of charge on the user to be detected, and when the amount of charge on the user exceeds a predetermined threshold, the spray device 200 can start emitting water mist, thereby appropriately removing the charge on the user. This makes it possible to appropriately prevent sparks caused by static electricity from igniting flammable gases or vapors. This allows for safe operation of plants that have hazardous material areas where flammable gases or vapors exist.

[0076] According to the charge detection device 400 described above, when a user enters a hazardous material area, it is possible to notify the charge eliminator 1 that the amount of charge on the user has exceeded a predetermined threshold. Based on this notification, the charge eliminator 1 can then cause the spray device 200 to start emitting mist, thereby properly removing the charge on the user. This makes it possible to provide a charge eliminator 1 that can properly remove the charge on the user.

[0077] (Composition and Effects) The electrostatic charge removal device 1 of the first embodiment is provided with an entrance blocking device 300 which is placed in a passage 2 connected to a target area and has a blocking bar 304 which blocks a user's entry into the target area and a support part 302 which allows the user to support the blocking bar 304 so that it can move; a spray device 200 which is placed in the passage 2 and emits a mist which represents water dispersed into fine particles; and a control device 100 which causes the spray device 200 to emit the mist when it detects that a user has come into contact with and moved the blocking bar 304.

[0078] According to this configuration, when it is detected that the blocking bar has been moved by the user, the spray device 200 can start emitting mist. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately suppress the user from becoming electrically charged when entering the hazardous material area. Therefore, it is possible to provide the electrostatic charge removal device 1 that can appropriately suppress the user from becoming electrically charged.

[0079] The charge removing device 1 according to the second embodiment is the charge removing device 1 according to the first embodiment, and the entrance cutoff device 300 has a cutoff bar 304 that rotates around a support portion 302 as a base point.

[0080] This configuration allows the user to easily move the blocking bar. Therefore, the device detects that the user has moved the blocking bar and starts emitting mist, thereby appropriately suppressing the user from becoming electrically charged when the user enters the hazardous material area. Therefore, it is possible to provide a static charge removal device 1 that can appropriately suppress the user from becoming electrically charged.

[0081] The charge removal device 1 of the third aspect is the charge removal device 1 of the first or second aspect, and the spray device 200 is equipped with a spray rod having multiple nozzles that emit mist, and the spray rods are arranged at predetermined intervals from each other.

[0082] With this configuration, after a user is exposed to mist once when entering a hazardous materials area, the user can be exposed to mist again before the moisture on their clothes dries. This prevents the moisture from drying out after the user enters the hazardous materials area, preventing static electricity from building up due to the clothes rubbing against each other. This makes it possible to provide a static eliminator 1 that can appropriately prevent users from becoming charged.

[0083] The charge removal device 1 of the fourth aspect is the charge removal device 1 of any one of the first to third aspects, and the control device 100 of the charge removal device 1 stops the mist from being emitted by the spray device 200 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the mist emission.

[0084] According to this configuration, when a predetermined time has passed since the start of mist emission by spray device 200, it is possible to stop the emission of mist by spray device 200. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the emission of mist, thereby reducing the frequency of refilling water for the mist. Therefore, it is possible to provide an electrostatic charge removal device 1 that can appropriately prevent the user from becoming electrostatically charged.

[0085] The charge removal device 1 of the fifth aspect is the charge removal device 1 of any one of the first to fourth aspects, and the control device 100 of the charge removal device 1 further includes an input unit 150 that accepts input of operation information from a user, and when the input unit 150 receives operation information from the user indicating that the spray device 200 should stop emitting mist, the control device 100 stops emitting mist from the spray device 200.

[0086] According to this configuration, when operation information indicating that mist emission by spray device 200 should be stopped is received from the user, mist emission by spray device 200 can be stopped. This allows the user to stop mist emission at their own discretion, improving user convenience. Therefore, it is possible to provide static charge removal device 1 that can appropriately prevent the user from becoming charged.

[0087] The charge removal device 1 of the sixth aspect is the charge removal device 1 of the first to fifth aspects, and includes a charge detection device 400 that detects the amount of charge on a user passing through the entrance blocking device 300, and the charge removal device 1 starts emitting mist by the spray device 200 when the charge detection device 400 detects that the amount of charge on the user exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0088] According to this configuration, when the charge detection device 400 detects that the amount of charge on the user exceeds a predetermined threshold, the spray device 200 can start emitting mist. Therefore, when the amount of charge on the user exceeds the predetermined threshold, the charge on the user can be appropriately removed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a charge removal device 1 that can appropriately prevent the user from becoming charged.

[0089] The static charge removal method according to the first aspect is a static charge removal method using a static charge removal device 1 having an entrance blocking device 300 that is placed in a passage 2 connected to a target area and has a blocking bar 304 that blocks a user's entry into the target area and a support part 302 that allows the user to move the blocking bar 304, and a spray device 200 that is placed in the passage 2 and emits a mist that represents water dispersed into fine particles, and includes the steps of: starting the emission of mist by the spray device 200 when it is determined that a user has touched and moved the blocking bar 304; and stopping the emission of mist by the spray device 200 when a predetermined spray time has elapsed.

[0090] According to this configuration, when it is determined that the blocking bar has rotated beyond a predetermined angle, the spray device 200 starts emitting mist, and when a predetermined time has passed since the spray device 200 started emitting mist, the spray device 200 stops emitting mist. This makes it possible to minimize the amount of mist emitted, thereby reducing the frequency of refilling water for the mist. Therefore, it is possible to provide an electrostatic charge removal device 1 that can appropriately prevent the user from becoming electrostatically charged.

[0091] The program according to the first aspect is a program for causing an electrostatic charge removal device 1 to execute an electrostatic charge removal method, the program comprising: an entrance blocking device 300, which is placed in a passage 2 connected to a target area and has a blocking bar 304 that blocks users from entering the target area and a support part 302 on which the user can movably support the blocking bar 304; and a spray device 200, which is placed in the passage 2 and emits a mist that represents water dispersed into fine particles. The program causes a computer to execute the following steps: acquiring a rotation signal of the blocking bar 304; determining whether the blocking bar 304 has rotated beyond a predetermined angle; starting the emission of mist by the spray device 200 when it is determined that the blocking bar 304 has rotated beyond the predetermined angle; counting a spray time that indicates the time from when the spray device 200 started emitting mist; and stopping the emission of mist by the spray device 200 when the spray time has elapsed.

[0092] According to this configuration, when it is determined that the blocking bar has rotated beyond a predetermined angle, the spray device 200 starts emitting mist, and when a predetermined time has passed since the spray device 200 started emitting mist, the spray device 200 stops emitting mist. This makes it possible to minimize the amount of mist emitted, thereby reducing the frequency of refilling water for the mist. Therefore, it is possible to provide an electrostatic charge removal device 1 that can appropriately prevent the user from becoming electrostatically charged.

[0093] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to the contents of these embodiments. Furthermore, the above-described components include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1. Static charge removal device 100 control device 110 Communications Department 120 Storage section 121 Judgment threshold memory unit 122 Timer setting value memory section 130 control section 131 Acquisition Department 132 Judgment section 133 Start part 134 Stop part 140 Detection unit 150 Input section 160 Signal transmission section 200 Spraying equipment 201 Tank 202 Pump 204 Nozzle 206 Support 300 Entry barrier 302 Support part 304 Barrier 400 Charge detection device 410 Communications Department 420 Storage section 421 Judgment threshold memory unit 430 Control Unit 431 Acquisition Department 432 Judgment section 433 Notification Department 440 Charge sensor part 450 lighting unit N Network

Claims

1. an entrance blocking device that is disposed in a passageway connected to a target area and includes a blocking bar that blocks a user from entering the target area, and a support portion that allows the user to movably support the blocking bar; a spray device disposed in the passageway and emitting a mist representing water dispersed into fine particles; and a control device that causes the spray device to release the mist when it detects that a user has touched and moved the blocking bar. Static charge removal device.

2. The entrance blocking device has a blocking rod that rotates around the support portion. The charge removing device according to claim 1 .

3. the spray device comprises a spray bar having a plurality of nozzles for emitting the mist; The spray rods are provided at a predetermined interval from each other, The charge removing device according to claim 1 .

4. The control device stops the emission of the mist by the spray device when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the emission of the mist. The charge removing device according to claim 1 .

5. the control device further includes an input unit that receives input of operation information from a user, When the input unit receives operation information from a user indicating that the mist emission by the spray device is to be stopped, the spray device stops emitting the mist. The charge removing device according to claim 4 .

6. and a charge detection device that detects the amount of charge on a user passing through the entrance blocking device, The charge removal device starts emitting mist from the spray device when the charge detection device detects that the amount of charge on the user exceeds a predetermined threshold. Static charge removal device.

7. A static charge removal method using a static charge removal device having an entrance blocking device that is placed in a passage connected to a target area and has a blocking bar that blocks a user from entering the target area and a support part that allows the user to movably support the blocking bar, and a spray device that is placed in the passage and emits a mist that represents water dispersed into fine particles, When it is determined that a user has touched and moved the blocking bar, starting to emit the mist by the spray device; and stopping the emission of the mist by the spray device when the spray time has elapsed a predetermined time. Static charge removal method.

8. A program for causing a static charge removal device to execute a static charge removal method, the program comprising: an entrance blocking device that is placed in a passage connected to a target area and has a blocking bar that blocks a user from entering the target area and a support part that allows the user to movably support the blocking bar; and a spray device that is placed in the passage and emits a mist that represents water dispersed into fine particles, acquiring a rotation signal of the blocking bar; determining whether the blocking bar has rotated beyond a predetermined angle; When it is determined that the blocking rod has rotated beyond a predetermined angle, starting the emission of the mist by the spray device; Counting a spray time indicating a time from when the spray device starts emitting the mist; and stopping the emission of the mist by the spray device when the spray time has elapsed a predetermined time. program.

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