Negative pressure release device and door component

Abstract

To provide a negative pressure release device and other equipment that improve usability in opening / closing a door.SOLUTION: A negative pressure release device 50 is attached to one of a door 80 that separates two spaces and has an electric lock 42, the door 80 being switchable between locked or unlocked using the electric lock 42, and a sash 81 that forms a frame of the door 80, the negative pressure release device 50 including an acquisition unit 52 that acquires a signal indicating that the electric lock 42 has been switched between locked and unlocked, and a release mechanism 51 that connects the two spaces in response to the acquisition of the signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum relief device and a door component equipped with such a vacuum relief device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various technologies related to the opening and closing of doors have been proposed in the past. Patent Document 1 discloses a drive device for an electric sliding door. This drive device can automatically open and close the sliding door by driving a motor through operation of a portable operation switch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-242533 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a negative pressure release device and the like that improves usability in opening and closing doors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A negative pressure release device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a negative pressure release device attached to one of a door that separates two spaces and has an electric lock that can be switched between locked and unlocked by the electric lock, and a sash that forms the frame of the door, and is equipped with an acquisition unit that acquires a signal indicating that the electric lock has been switched between locked and unlocked, and a release machine that connects the two spaces in response to the acquisition of the signal.

[0006] A door component according to one aspect of the present invention includes the negative pressure release device described above and one of the door and the sash to which the negative pressure release device is attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] A negative pressure release device according to one aspect of the present invention can improve usability in opening and closing a door. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a door set according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the door set according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a release machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of a release machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a release machine according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0010] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0011] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of a door opening / closing control system according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the exterior of a door set according to the embodiment. As shown in the figure, the door set in this embodiment is a so-called single-wing swing door. The door set comprises a door 80 and a sash 81, with the sash 81 constituting the door frame of the door 80. A negative pressure release device is provided in the door 80 or the sash 81. In other words, the door set comprises door components of the door 80 having a negative pressure release device and door components of the sash 81, or door components of the sash 81 having a negative pressure release device and door components of the door 80. The negative pressure release device according to the present invention can be applied to any type of swing door, including double swing doors and parent-child doors, in addition to single swing doors. The door 80 is, for example, a front door installed in a building such as a house. In this example, the two spaces partitioned by the door 80 are an indoor space and an outdoor space, respectively. The building in which the door 80 is installed and the location where the door 80 is installed are not particularly limited.

[0012] In this type of swing door, the direction in which the door 80 opens and closes overlaps with the direction in which the two spaces separated by the door 80 are aligned across the door 80. This can cause the door 80 to suddenly close or open due to a pressure difference between the two spaces. For example, if air is actively exhausted from one of the two spaces separated by the door 80, a pressure difference occurs in which the one space is at a lower pressure than the other space. This makes the door 80 more likely to open or close in the direction from the other space to the first space. As a result, a user's fingers may be pinched by the door 80 closing suddenly, or the door 80 may hit the user's body when it opens suddenly. Alternatively, when the door 80 is easy to close, it may become difficult to open. In this case, if a user applies more force to open the door 80 because it is difficult to open, a small gap may form between the door 80 and the sash 81, causing the pressure difference to be suddenly released, causing the door 80 to open suddenly. As described above, in the conventional swing door, the pressure difference between the two spaces causes a situation in which the door 80 cannot be opened or closed freely, resulting in poor usability.

[0013] In view of this situation, the present invention provides a negative pressure release device or the like that improves usability when opening and closing the door 80 by releasing the pressure difference between the two spaces in advance when opening or closing the door 80 (or by making it less susceptible to the influence of the pressure difference).

[0014] 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a door set according to an embodiment. The door set is provided with a negative pressure release device 50 on either a door 80 or a sash 81 (individually, the door 80) that constitutes the door set. The negative pressure release device 50 includes a releaser 51 and an acquisition unit 52.

[0015] The release device 51 in this embodiment is a device that releases the pressure difference between two spaces by connecting the two spaces. Specifically, the release device 51 is provided at a portion where the main surface of the door 80 and the frame surface of the sash 81 face each other. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the release device 51 is provided on the outer periphery of the main surface of the door 80 when the main surface is viewed from above. As will be described in detail later, the release device 51 forms a gap between the door 80 and the sash 81 by pushing apart the gap between the main surface of the door 80 and the frame surface of the sash 81. This gap connects the two spaces, thereby releasing the pressure difference between the two spaces. Note that, in this specification, releasing the pressure difference means that the pressure difference becomes smaller before and after the release, and does not necessarily have to be reduced to zero. Therefore, the pressure difference between the two spaces is released even if the two spaces are only slightly connected to each other.

[0016] In addition to the negative pressure release device 50, the door set further includes a door handle unit 30 and an electric lock unit 40. The door handle unit 30 and the electric lock unit 40 are installed on the door 80. The door handle unit 30 is installed on one main surface (e.g., the indoor side) and the other main surface (e.g., the outdoor side) of the door 80. In other words, two door handle units 30 are installed on one door 80, but only one is shown in FIG. 2.

[0017] The door handle unit 30 includes a door handle 31 and an authentication unit 33.

[0018] The door handle 31 is the main body of the door handle and is a part that a user grasps to manually open or close the door 80. The door handle 31 is, for example, a long structure extending in the vertical direction. The door handle 31 is linked to a latch that catches on the sash 81 to prevent the door 80 from opening or closing. By operating the door handle 31, a user can switch between a state in which the latch is caught on the sash 81 and a state in which it is not caught. Therefore, in conjunction with the operation of the door handle 31, the latch can switch between a state in which the latch itself is not caught on the sash 81 and the door 80 can be opened or closed, and a state in which the latch itself is caught on the sash 81 and the door 80 cannot be opened or closed. Note that the latch need not be provided. In such a case, the door handle 31 simply functions as a grip for operating the door 80.

[0019] The authentication unit 33 reads authentication information from an authentication medium such as a card key or a mobile terminal, and outputs the read authentication information to the electric lock control unit 41. The authentication unit 33 is realized, for example, by a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication (specifically, radio wave communication or optical communication) to acquire the authentication information from the authentication medium. The authentication unit 33 may be a user interface that accepts authentication information (such as an unlock code in this case) from a numeric keypad or the like. The authentication unit 33 may also be a biometric sensor that reads the user's biometric authentication information from the user. Specifically, the biometric sensor is a fingerprint sensor or an iris sensor.

[0020] Next, a description will be given of the electric lock unit 40. The electric lock unit 40 includes an electric lock control unit 41, an electric lock 42, a detection unit 43, and a wireless communication unit 44.

[0021] The power lock control unit 41 determines whether the authentication information read by the authentication unit 33 is correct, and if it is determined to be correct, locks or unlocks the power lock 42 (door 80). In other words, the power lock control unit 41 switches the power lock 42 between locking and unlocking. When locking the power lock 42, the detection unit 43 must detect that the door 80 is closed, which is a requirement for locking. The power lock control unit 41 may also output a notification signal to the outside indicating the locking state (locked or unlocked) of the power lock 42 (door 80) and the open / closed state of the door 80.

[0022] The power lock control unit 41 is realized by a microcomputer including a processor and a memory. The functions of the power lock control unit 41 are realized, for example, by the processor executing a computer program stored in the memory.

[0023] Specifically, the electric lock 42 has a deadbolt, a motor, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the electric motor to the deadbolt. The motor is driven based on a drive signal output by the electric lock control unit 41, and the driving force of the motor is transmitted to the deadbolt via the transmission mechanism, causing the deadbolt to move to a locked or unlocked position.

[0024] The detection unit 43 is a sensor that forms part of the latch and detects whether the door 80 is closed (open). Specifically, the detection unit 43 is a sensor that detects whether the door 80 is closed based on the protrusion and retraction of the latch. When the detection unit 43 detects that the latch is in the retracted state, it outputs a separate signal indicating that the door handle 31 has been operated to the release mechanism 51. Note that the detection unit 43 may be a magnetic door sensor or a wireless communication door sensor provided separately from the latch. In this case, too, the detection of displacement in the sensor can be output to the acquisition unit 52 as a separate signal indicating that the door handle 31 has been operated. In other words, if the detection unit 43 forms part of the latch, the separate signal is output from the latch. If the detection unit 43 is provided separately from the latch, the separate signal is output from a component including the detection unit 43 other than the latch.

[0025] The wireless communication unit 44 receives remote control information from a remote controller (not shown). The wireless communication unit 44 is, for example, a communication circuit (communication module) that performs radio wave communication with the remote controller, but may also be a communication circuit (light-receiving module) that performs infrared communication with the remote controller. Note that in FIG. 1, the wireless communication unit 44 is illustrated as being included in the power lock control unit 41 (microcomputer). The wireless communication unit 44 may be included in the power lock control unit 41, or may be separate from the power lock control unit 41.

[0026] As shown in the figure, the negative pressure release device 50 includes a releaser 51 and an acquisition unit 52. The releaser 51 may be configured as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 below. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a releaser according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a releaser according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the releaser 51 includes a protrusion 61, an actuator 62, a drive control unit 63, a power supply unit 64, and a transmission mechanism 65. The protrusion 61 is a component that moves between a protruding position to form a gap between the door 80 and the sash 81 and a pre-protruding position to return the formed gap to its original position. When the negative pressure release device 50 is provided on the door 80, the protrusion presses against the opposing frame surface of the sash 81 when protruding. On the other hand, when the negative pressure release device 50 is provided on the sash 81, the protrusion presses against the opposing main surface of the door 80 when protruding. In either case, the protrusion 61 is pressed against the door 80 and the sash 81, increasing the distance between them and forming a gap therebetween.

[0027] For example, from the viewpoint of the function of increasing the distance between the door 80 and the sash 81, the protrusion 61 uses a soft protective material such as rubber or cloth for the portion that presses against the door 80 or the sash 81, and uses a relatively strong material such as metal for the other portions. Furthermore, the size of the gap between the door 80 and the sash 81 can be controlled depending on the protruding length of the protrusion 61. For example, the protrusion 61 protrudes an amount necessary to form a gap of approximately 0.5 to 1.5 cm between the door 80 and the sash 81. The protrusion 61 may also protrude an amount necessary to form a gap of approximately 10 to 15 cm between the door 80 and the sash 81. This allows the user to open the door 80, for example, by placing their toes through the gap formed between the door 80 and the sash 81 while releasing the pressure difference between the two spaces. In other words, the door 80 can be opened even in situations where the user cannot operate the door handle 31.

[0028] Here, the protrusion 61 may be provided anywhere except at the fixing point (door hinge) between the door 80 and the sash 81. The protrusion 61 is provided, for example, on the door edge side, which is the tip of the door 80 opposite the fixing point. This reduces the force required to form a gap between the door 80 and the sash 81, allowing the negative pressure release device 50 to be realized using inexpensive parts and making parts that are subject to load, such as the transmission mechanism 65, less likely to be damaged. Furthermore, if the protrusion 61 is provided on the top, it is less visible to the user, making it easier to achieve a door set that is aesthetically pleasing even with a relatively large negative pressure release device 50.

[0029] The actuator 62 is a component that generates a driving force for protruding the convex portion 61. In other words, the convex portion 61 protrudes due to the driving force obtained by the operation of the actuator 62. The actuator 62 is a component that converts electrical energy into physical displacement energy, such as a motor or a piezoelectric module.

[0030] The drive control unit 63 is a component that applies a voltage to the actuator 62, thereby causing the actuator 62 to generate a drive force. The drive control unit 63 applies a voltage to the actuator 62 in conjunction with, for example, a signal acquired by the acquisition unit 52 (and, if necessary, another signal output by the detection unit 43 and acquired by the acquisition unit 52). If the door 80 is provided with a latch, the door 80 needs to be opened or closed depending on whether or not the latch is caught on the sash.

[0031] Specifically, even if the power lock 42 receives a signal indicating that it has been switched from locked to unlocked, the door 80 is not opened or closed properly unless another signal indicating that the handle has received an operation to switch the door 80 to a state where it can be opened or closed is received from the detection unit 43. Similarly, even if the power lock 42 receives a signal indicating that the handle has received an operation to switch the door 80 to a state where it can be opened or closed, the door 80 is not opened or closed properly unless another signal indicating that the power lock 42 has been switched from locked to unlocked is received. When the door 80 is not opened or closed properly, the operation of the drive control unit 63 is prohibited to prevent communication between the two spaces. Conversely, when the power lock 42 receives a signal indicating that it has been switched from locked to unlocked and receives another signal from the detection unit 43 indicating that the handle has received an operation to switch the door 80 to a state where it can be opened or closed, the door 80 is opened or closed properly. When the door 80 is opened or closed properly, the operation of the drive control unit 63 is permitted to allow communication between the two spaces.

[0032] The power supply unit 64 functions as a power source for supplying a voltage to be applied from the drive control unit 63 to the actuator 62. The power supply unit 64 includes a power source such as a battery or a dry cell, and a power supply circuit that boosts, reduces, and smooths the power supply voltage. The power supply unit 64 may be provided in common to each component that uses power in the door 80, or may be provided independently for the release mechanism 51.

[0033] The transmission mechanism 65 is a component for transmitting driving force, which displaces the position of the convex portion 61 as indicated by the white arrow by converting the driving direction, torque, etc. of the driving force generated by the actuator 62. The transmission mechanism 65 according to the embodiment is configured, for example, by a pinion, a worm gear, a cam, etc. Furthermore, as in the release device 51a according to another example shown in FIG. 4, the transmission mechanism 65a may be configured by a pinion, a bevel gear, a ball screw, etc. The configuration of the transmission mechanism 65 is not limited to this example, and any existing mechanism for transmitting driving force can be used.

[0034] The acquisition unit 52 is a processing unit that acquires a signal indicating that the electric lock 42 has been switched between locked and unlocked from the electric lock control unit 41 (and another signal output by the detection unit 43 as necessary). When the acquisition unit 52 acquires each signal, it performs control so that the release mechanism 51 protrudes the protrusion 61.

[0035] For example, when the acquisition unit 52 acquires a signal indicating that the electric lock 42 has been switched from locked to unlocked from the electric lock control unit 41, the acquisition unit 52 transmits a control signal to the drive control unit 63 to cause the protrusion 61 to protrude. Then, when the drive control unit 63 receives this control signal, it applies a voltage to the actuator 62. That is, the drive control unit 63 applies a voltage to the actuator 62 in conjunction with the signal indicating that the electric lock 42 has been switched from locked to unlocked, causing the protrusion 61 to protrude. As a result, when the user unlocks the electric lock 42, the protrusion 61 protrudes, forming a gap between the door 80 and the sash 81 and releasing the pressure difference, so that the door 80 can be opened and closed with high usability when the user subsequently opens the door 80.

[0036] If the protrusion 61 remains protruding from the time the door 80 is opened until it is closed, a gap of at least the size is maintained between the door 80 and the sash 81, even if the door 80 is suddenly closed. This reduces the likelihood of an accident, such as a user getting their fingers caught. However, it is not essential to maintain the protrusion 61 in a protruding state from the time the door 80 is opened until it is closed. For example, the protrusion 61 may be displaced to its pre-protrusion position after a predetermined time has elapsed. A situation may arise in which a user unlocks the door 80 but does not actually open it. In such a case, if the protrusion 61 is left protruding, a gap may remain, allowing unnecessary air to pass through. Therefore, a predetermined time of several seconds, such as 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 to 5 seconds, or less than 10 seconds, may be set as a threshold value after the protrusion of the protrusion 61, and the protrusion 61 may be displaced to its pre-protrusion position after this time has elapsed.

[0037] Alternatively, a signal indicating a lock / unlock switch of the electric lock 42 may be used as a trigger for displacing the protrusion 61 to its pre-protrusion position. Specifically, when the acquisition unit 52 acquires a signal indicating that the electric lock 42 has been switched from unlocked to locked from the electric lock control unit 41, the acquisition unit 52 transmits a control signal to the drive control unit 63 for displacing the protrusion 61 to its pre-protrusion position. Then, when the drive control unit 63 receives this control signal, the drive control unit 63 applies a voltage to the actuator 62. That is, the drive control unit 63 applies a voltage to the actuator 62 in conjunction with the signal indicating that the electric lock 42 has been switched from unlocked to locked, thereby displacing the protrusion 61 to its pre-protrusion position. In this case, if the protrusion 61 remains protruded, the electric lock 42 may not be able to be locked. Therefore, when displacing the protrusion 61 to its pre-protrusion position, the drive signal output from the electric lock control unit 41 to the motor is delayed so that the protrusion 61 is first displaced to its pre-protrusion position and then the electric lock 42 is switched to locked. In this case, the signal that switches the electric lock 42 from unlocked to locked may be the signal that triggers the electric lock control unit 41 to output a drive signal to the motor, i.e., a signal related to the electric lock control unit 41 determining that the authentication information read by the authentication unit 33 is correct authentication information.

[0038] [Variations] A modified example of the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a release mechanism according to the modified example of the embodiment. In this example, the configuration of the release mechanism differs from that of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the negative pressure release device 50 according to this modified example has a door 80a instead of the door 80 and a release mechanism 51b instead of the release mechanism 51. Therefore, the description here will focus on the release mechanism 51b, and the description of the other components of the door set will be omitted by referring to the above-described embodiment. Note that in FIG. 5, for the above reasons, the illustration of components other than the door 80a, window 80b, and release mechanism 51b is omitted.

[0039] The release mechanism 51b is a device for opening and closing the window 80b provided in the door 80a. The window 80b can be opened to connect two spaces, and closed to block communication between the two spaces. Therefore, by simply opening and closing the window 80b with the release mechanism 51b, it is possible to connect the two spaces or block communication between the two spaces.

[0040] The window 80b is an example of a communication opening that connects two spaces, and in addition to the window 80b, an openable / closeable ventilation slit, an openable / closeable ventilation louver, or the like can also be used as the communication opening.

[0041] The release mechanism 51b is a device for switching between the open and closed states of the openable communication port, and includes an actuator, a drive control unit, a power supply unit, and a transmission mechanism. For example, in this example, the transmission mechanism may be configured so that the rotational drive force of the motor acting as the actuator is used to rotate the window 80b to open or close it.

[0042] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and the effects and the like that can be obtained from these inventions will be explained.

[0043] Invention 1 is a door 80 that separates two spaces and has an electric lock 42, which can be switched between locked and unlocked by the electric lock 42, and a negative pressure release device 50 that is attached to one of the sashes 81 that form the frame of the door 80, and is equipped with an acquisition unit 52 that acquires a signal indicating that the electric lock 42 has been switched between locked and unlocked, and a release machine 51 that connects the two spaces in response to the acquisition of the signal.

[0044] Such a negative pressure release device 50 can release the pressure difference between the two spaces by connecting the two spaces in conjunction with the switching of the electric lock 42 between locking and unlocking, a situation in which the user is likely to open or close the door 80. As a result, situations in which usability is poor due to the pressure difference when the door 80 is opened or closed are less likely to occur, and as a result, usability in opening and closing the door 80 can be improved.

[0045] Invention 2 is the negative pressure release device 50 of Invention 1, in which the release device 51 connects the two spaces when it receives a signal indicating that the electric lock 42 has been switched from locked to unlocked.

[0046] Such a negative pressure release device 50 can release the pressure difference between the two spaces by connecting the two spaces in conjunction with switching the electric lock 42 from locked to unlocked, a situation in which the user is likely to open or close the door 80.

[0047] Invention 3 is the negative pressure release device 50 of Invention 1 or 2, in which the release device 51 puts the two spaces into a non-communicating state when a predetermined time has elapsed after the two spaces have been connected.

[0048] Such a negative pressure release device 50 is less likely to leave two spaces connected, which has the advantage of making it easier to prevent unnecessary air from passing back and forth, such as the inflow of outside air containing allergens or harmful substances, or the outflow of air conditioned by an air conditioning unit.

[0049] Invention 4 is a negative pressure release device 50 of any one of Inventions 1 to 3, in which the release mechanism 51 has a convex portion 61, and the convex portion 61 protrudes from one of the door 80 and the sash 81 to which the negative pressure release device 50 is attached toward the other to form a gap, thereby connecting the two spaces.

[0050] Such a negative pressure release device 50 can form a gap between the door 80 and the sash 81 by expanding the distance between the door 80 and the sash 81 through the protrusion of the convex portion 61, thereby connecting the two spaces.

[0051] Invention 5 is the negative pressure release device 50 of Invention 4, in which the door 80 is attached to the sash 81 at a part of the outer periphery so as to be able to open and close, and the release device 51 is installed so that the convex portion 61 is located at another part of the outer periphery.

[0052] Such a negative pressure release device 50 has a protrusion 61 provided on the outer periphery of the door 80 or sash 81 in a portion that is not involved in the attachment of the door 80 to the sash 81, and the protrusion 61 can form a gap between the door 80 and the sash 81.

[0053] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the negative pressure release device 50 of the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the protrusion 61 protrudes due to the operation of the actuator 62, and the actuator 62 operates in conjunction with the acquisition of a signal.

[0054] Such a negative pressure release device 50 can form a gap between the door 80 and the sash 81 by causing the protrusion 61 to protrude using an actuator 62 that operates in conjunction with the acquisition of a signal.

[0055] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the negative pressure release device 50 of any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, wherein the release mechanism 51 maintains the protruding portion 61 in a protruding state from the time the door 80 is opened until it is closed.

[0056] Such a negative pressure release device 50 can maintain a gap between the door 80 and the sash 81 until the door 80 is closed, making it difficult for a part of the user's body, such as a finger, to become pinched between the door 80 and the sash 81.

[0057] Invention 8 is a negative pressure release device 50 of any one of Inventions 1 to 3, in which the release device 51 is an opening and closing device for a communication port provided in the door 80, and connects two spaces by switching the communication port from a closed state to an open state.

[0058] Such a negative pressure release device 50 can connect two spaces together by opening the communication port.

[0059] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the negative pressure release device 50 of the eighth aspect, wherein the communication port is a window 80b provided in the door 80a.

[0060] Such a negative pressure release device 50 can connect the two spaces by opening the window 80b.

[0061] Invention 10 is the negative pressure release device 50 of any one of Inventions 1 to 9, wherein the door 80 has a latch that switches the door 80 between an openable and an unopenable state in conjunction with a handle that is operated to manually open and close the door 80, and the acquisition unit 52 further acquires another signal from the latch indicating that the associated handle has operated the door 80, and the release machine 51 further communicates the two spaces in conjunction with the acquisition of the other signal.

[0062] Such a negative pressure release device 50 can be linked to another signal from the latch, and can release the pressure difference between the two spaces by further linking the two spaces to a situation where the linked handle (door handle 31) is operated by the door 80, which is a situation where the user is likely to open or close the door 80, thereby connecting the two spaces.

[0063] Invention 11 is the negative pressure release device 50 of Invention 10, in which the release device 51 prohibits communication between the two spaces when it is unable to obtain at least one of another signal from the latch indicating that the handle has received an operation to switch the latch to a state where the door 80 can be opened and closed, and a signal indicating that the electric lock 42 has been switched from locked to unlocked.

[0064] Such a negative pressure release device 50 can prohibit communication between the two spaces if it is unable to obtain at least one of the following signals from the latch: another signal indicating that the handle has received an operation to switch the door 80 to a state where it can be opened or closed; and a signal indicating that the electric lock 42 has been switched from locked to unlocked.

[0065] Invention 12 is the negative pressure release device 50 of Invention 10 or 11, in which the release device 51 allows communication between the two spaces when it receives both a signal from the latch indicating that the handle has received an operation to switch the latch to a state where the door 80 can be opened and closed, and a signal indicating that the electric lock 42 has been switched from locked to unlocked.

[0066] Such a negative pressure release device 50 can make the two spaces communicate with each other when it receives both a separate signal from the latch indicating that the handle has received an operation to switch the door 80 to a state where it can be opened and closed, and a signal indicating that the electric lock 42 has been switched from locked to unlocked.

[0067] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a door part including the negative pressure release device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects of the present invention, and one of a door and a sash to which the negative pressure release device is attached.

[0068] Such door components can realize a door set that exhibits the effects of the negative pressure release device 50 described above.

[0069] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0070] For example, in the above embodiment, the negative pressure release device is realized by multiple devices. When the negative pressure release device is realized by multiple devices, the components of the negative pressure release device may be distributed among the multiple devices in any manner. Alternatively, the negative pressure release device may be realized by a single device.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processing operations may be changed, or multiple processing operations may be performed in parallel.

[0072] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0073] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0074] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, etc. Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0075] For example, the present invention may be realized as a door opening / closing control method executed by a computer such as the door opening / closing control system according to the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the door opening / closing control method. The present invention may also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0076] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 30 Door handle unit 31 Door handle 33 Authentication Section 40 Electric Lock Unit 41 Electric lock control unit 42 Electric Lock 43 Detection unit 44 Radio Communication Department 50 Negative pressure release device 51, 51a, 51b release machine 52 Acquisition Department 61 Convex part 62 Actuator 63 Drive control unit 64 Power supply section 65, 65a Transmission mechanism 80, 80a Door 80b Window 81 Sash

Claims

1. A negative pressure release device attached to one of a door that partitions two spaces and has an electric lock that can be switched between locked and unlocked by the electric lock and a sash that constitutes the frame of the door, an acquisition unit that acquires a signal indicating that the electric lock has been switched between locked and unlocked; a release mechanism that communicates the two spaces in response to the acquisition of the signal; Negative pressure release device.

2. The release device communicates the two spaces when it receives the signal indicating that the electric lock has been switched from locked to unlocked. The vacuum release device of claim 1 .

3. The release device brings the two spaces into a non-communicating state when a predetermined time has elapsed since the two spaces were connected. The vacuum release device of claim 1 .

4. The release machine is having a convex portion, The convex portion projects from the one of the door and the sash to which the negative pressure release device is attached toward the other to form a gap, thereby communicating the two spaces. The negative pressure release device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The door is attached to the sash at a portion of its outer periphery so as to be openable and closable, The release device is installed so that the protrusion is located at another part of the outer periphery.

5. The vacuum release device according to claim 4.

6. The protrusion is protruded by the operation of an actuator, The actuator operates in conjunction with the acquisition of the signal.

5. The vacuum release device according to claim 4.

7. The release mechanism maintains the protrusion in a protruding state from the time the door is opened until the time the door is closed.

5. The vacuum release device according to claim 4.

8. The release mechanism is an opening and closing device for a communication port provided in the door, and switches the communication port from a closed state to an open state to communicate the two spaces. The negative pressure release device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The communication port is a window provided in the door.

9. The vacuum release device of claim 8.

10. The door has a latch that switches the door between an openable / closable state and an unopenable / closable state in conjunction with a handle that is operated to manually open and close the door, The acquisition unit further acquires another signal indicating that the handle interlocked with the latch has been operated on the door, The releaser communicates the two spaces in response to the acquisition of the other signal. The vacuum release device of claim 1 .

11. The release device prohibits communication between the two spaces when it fails to receive at least one of the other signal from the latch indicating that the handle has received an operation for switching the latch to a state in which the latch can open and close the door, and the signal indicating that the electric lock has been switched from locked to unlocked. The vacuum relief device of claim 10.

12. The release device allows communication between the two spaces when it receives both the other signal from the latch indicating that the handle has received an operation for switching the latch to a state in which the latch can open and close the door, and the signal indicating that the electric lock has been switched from locked to unlocked.

12. A vacuum release device according to claim 10 or 11.

13. The negative pressure release device according to claim 1; one of the door and the sash to which the negative pressure release device is attached. Door parts.

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