Blower

Abstract

To provide a technique of obtaining positive comfort by controlling a wind speed.SOLUTION: A control part 20 controls a blow part 30 so that a time change of a wind speed of an air flow in a wind receiving expected position which should receive the air flow sent from the blow part 30 becomes a periodic wave pattern. One cycle of the periodic wave pattern includes a wind speed increase section and a wind speed decrease section. A wind speed change per unit time in a wind speed increase section is 0.04 m / s2 or more and 0.06 m / s2 or less. A wind speed change per unit time in a wind speed decrease section is -0.03 m / s2 or more and -0.02 m / s2 or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air blowing technology, and more particularly to an air blowing device that blows air to a target space. [Background technology]

[0002] A blower blows out an air current. One of the air current waveforms that makes people feel cooler and less hot is a sawtooth waveform. A sawtooth waveform is a waveform in which the wind speed increases rapidly and decreases gradually. Patent Document 1 exemplifies a sawtooth waveform in which the wind speed increases in a short time and decreases over 1 to 20 minutes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-160092 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a subject is feeling hot and the wind speed increases, the subject experiences a clear sense of comfort (coolness) that is associated with eliminating the uncomfortable feeling of being hot. This clearly perceptible comfort is called positive comfort. It is known that positive comfort (coolness) is experienced when wind speed increases, and discomfort (heat) is felt when wind speed decreases. However, even when wind speed increases, positive comfort may not be experienced, so how to increase wind speed is important in order to achieve positive comfort. Furthermore, as the time for which wind speed decreases becomes longer, the subject feels less hot, but as the frequency of wind speed increases decreases, the frequency with which positive comfort is experienced decreases.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology for actively obtaining comfort by controlling wind speed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, an air blower according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an air blower that blows air into a target space and a control unit that controls the operation of the air blower. The control unit controls the air blower so that the time change in the wind speed of the airflow at an assumed receiving position that is to receive the airflow from the air blower becomes a periodic waveform, and one cycle of the periodic waveform includes a wind speed increase portion and a wind speed decrease portion. The wind speed change per unit time in the wind speed increase portion is 0.04 m / s 2 More than 0.06m / s 2 The wind speed change per unit time during the wind speed decrease is -0.03 m / s 2 Over -0.02m / s 2 The following is the result.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, positive comfort can be obtained by controlling the wind speed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams showing the configuration of the blower. [Figure 2] 2(a)-(d) are diagrams showing periodic waveforms of the time change in wind speed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a periodic waveform of the change in wind speed over time in the blower of FIGS. 1(a)-(b). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the subjective evaluation when the wind speed increases. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the subjective evaluation when the wind speed is decreasing. [Figure 6] 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams showing periodic waveforms of the time change in wind speed in a blower according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Before describing specific embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the embodiments will be provided. This embodiment relates to a blower such as an electric fan or a circulator. The blower blows out air while varying the wind speed. Here, the time change in the wind speed of the airflow blown out from the blower is controlled so as to provide positive comfort at a position receiving the airflow.

[0011] The examples described below each illustrate a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps (processes), and step order shown in the following examples are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following examples, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present disclosure are described as optional components. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0012] 1(a)-(b) show the configuration of the air blower 100. FIG. 1(a) shows the external appearance of the air blower 100. As described above, the air blower 100 is, for example, a fan or a circulator. The air blower 100 includes a base 10, a switch 12, legs 14, an air blowing unit 30, and a cover 40. The air blowing unit 30 includes a motor 32 and blades 34.

[0013] The base 10 is a base that supports the fan device 100 from below. The base 10 is provided with a switch 12. The switch 12 accepts user operations for the fan device 100. For example, the switch 12 accepts an operation to turn the fan device 100 on or off. Pillar-shaped legs 14 extend upward from the base 10. A motor 32 is disposed at the upper end of the leg 14, and blades 34 are connected to the motor 32. The motor 32 is, for example, a direct current (DC) motor, and the blades 34 are, for example, a propeller fan. When the motor 32 operates, the blades 34 rotate, and airflow is sent to the target space. The motor 32 and the blades 34 are covered with a cover 40.

[0014] FIG. 1(b) shows the configuration of the blower device 100. The blower device 100 includes a switch 12, a control unit 20, a memory unit 22, and a blower unit 30. As described above, the switch 12 accepts user operation. The switch 12 includes a weak operation ON switch, a strong operation ON switch, a variable wind speed operation (for hot weather) ON switch, and an OFF switch. The weak operation ON switch is a switch for executing the weak operation, and the strong operation ON switch is a switch for executing the strong operation. The weak operation is an operation in which the blower unit 30 blows air at a first wind speed, and the strong operation is an operation in which the blower unit 30 blows air at a second wind speed. Here, the second wind speed is greater than the first wind speed. The OFF switch is a switch for stopping the operation of the blower unit 30. The variable wind speed operation ON switch is a switch for executing the variable wind speed operation. The variable wind speed operation is an operation in which the blower unit 30 blows air at a wind speed that varies like a sawtooth waveform. The switch 12 outputs the content of the received operation to the control unit 20.

[0015] The control unit 20 and the memory unit 22 are built into the base 10 or the leg 14 shown in FIG. 1( a). The control unit 20 is, for example, a microcomputer. The control unit 20 receives operation instructions from the switch 12. The control unit 20 is also connected to the motor 32 and controls the operation of the motor 32 according to the received operation instructions. When the operation instructions indicate low wind speed, the control unit 20 rotates the motor 32 at a rotation speed that achieves a first wind speed. When the operation instructions indicate high wind speed, the control unit 20 rotates the motor 32 at a rotation speed that achieves a second wind speed. Since the rotation speed of the motor 32 varies depending on the value of the voltage applied to the motor 32, the control unit 20 changes the value of the voltage applied to the motor 32 between low wind speed and high wind speed. When the operation instructions indicate variable wind speed operation, the control unit 20 rotates the motor 32 at a rotation speed that achieves a wind speed that varies over time with a sawtooth waveform. This is equivalent to applying a voltage value that varies over time with a sawtooth waveform to the motor 32. Such a sawtooth waveform is stored in advance in the storage unit 22.

[0016] Here, wind speed refers to the wind speed at assumed wind-receiving position 2 where user 1 is assumed to be located, as shown in FIG. 1(a). For example, if user 1 is sitting 1 to 3 m forward of blades 34, assumed wind-receiving position 2 is a position 2 m forward of blades 34, at a height of 0.6 m from the floor. Assume wind-receiving position 2 can also be said to be a position that should receive the airflow sent from blower unit 30. In other words, in the case of variable wind speed operation, controller 20 controls blower unit 30 so that the time change in the wind speed of the airflow at assumed wind-receiving position 2 forms a periodic waveform.

[0017] The variable wind speed operation in this embodiment will be described in detail below. It has been known for some time that people find fluctuating airflow relatively more comfortable than non-fluctuating airflow. Focusing on the difference in thermal sensation depending on whether or not there is fluctuating airflow, we investigated the change in thermal sensation when exposed to fluctuating airflow. We found that people feel the coolest sensation when the wind speed starts to increase and the hottest sensation when the wind speed starts to decrease. We also found that the cooler and hotter sensations are felt the more abruptly the change occurs. Because thermoregulation using peripheral blood flow delays environmental changes by several seconds, it is thought that when people are exposed to fluctuating airflow, the time gap between these sensations makes them more susceptible to feeling cool and hot.

[0018] Figures 2(a)-(d) show periodic waveforms of time-varying wind speed. Figure 2(a) shows airflow fluctuations with a periodic fluctuation waveform (hereinafter referred to as a "sine-like waveform") in which the peaks of a sine-wave waveform are elongated. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the voltage applied to the motor 32. Figure 2(b) shows the change in wind speed when the rotation speed of the blades 34 is changed by repeatedly changing the voltage like the sine-like waveform of Figure 2(a), and the subjective evaluation of user 1 who experienced the airflow. When exposed to airflow fluctuations with a sine-like waveform, a thermal sensation of "cool" was felt when the wind speed increased, and a thermal sensation of "hot" was felt when the wind speed decreased.

[0019] FIG. 2(c) shows airflow fluctuations with a periodic fluctuating waveform (hereinafter referred to as a "sawtooth waveform") in which the increase in wind speed is rapid and the decrease in wind speed is gradual. FIG. 2(d) shows the change in wind speed when the rotation speed of the blades 34 is changed by repeatedly changing the voltage like the sawtooth waveform of FIG. 2(c), and the subjective evaluation of user 1 who experienced the airflow. When exposed to airflow fluctuations with a sawtooth waveform, a "cool" thermal sensation was felt when the wind speed increased, and a "neutral" thermal sensation was felt when the wind speed decreased. This is because the sawtooth waveform airflow fluctuations have a more gradual decrease in wind speed than airflow fluctuations with a sinusoidal waveform, and therefore, users did not feel hot. In other words, by making the increase in wind speed rapid and the decrease in wind speed gradual, it is possible to create a fluctuating airflow that makes users feel cool and not hot.

[0020] To sum up, in order to make air current fluctuations that make people feel cooler and less hot, it is appropriate to use the speed of the change in the wind speed of the air current as an index. The speed of the change in the wind speed of the air current refers to the change in the wind speed of the air current over time, particularly the change in wind speed per unit of time. In the following, the amount of change during the wind speed change is divided by the time of change to create an index that represents the change in wind speed per unit of time. In the following, this index is defined as the wind acceleration (hereinafter referred to as "wind speed acceleration"). For example, if the wind speed increases by 0.5 m / s from the minimum to the maximum over 5 seconds, the wind speed acceleration is 0.1 m / s. 2 It is shown as follows.

[0021] Figure 3 shows a periodic waveform of the time change in wind speed in blower 100. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents wind speed. In particular, Figure 3 shows a close-up of one cycle of wind speed measurement results at assumed wind-receiving position 2 when blowing air with a sawtooth waveform. Point P1 indicates the point where the wind speed starts to increase, point P2 indicates the point where the wind speed increase ends, point P3 indicates the point where the wind speed starts to decrease, and point P4 indicates the point where the wind speed decrease ends.

[0022] Point P1 to point P4 constitutes one cycle 50, point P1 to point P2 constitutes a wind speed increasing portion 52, point P2 to point P3 constitutes a wind speed maintaining portion 54, and point P3 to point P4 constitutes a wind speed decreasing portion 56. Therefore, one cycle 50 of the periodic waveform includes wind speed increasing portion 52, wind speed maintaining portion 54 following wind speed increasing portion 52, and wind speed decreasing portion 56 following wind speed maintaining portion 54.

[0023] The wind speed rises between point P1 and point P2. This period is about 8 seconds, and the amount of change in wind speed rise is about 0.47 m / s. Therefore, the wind speed acceleration is the amount of change in wind speed rise divided by time, which is about 0.059 m / s. 2 The wind speed decrease occurs from point P3 to point P4, and the time between these two points is approximately 19 seconds, with the amount of change in wind speed increase being approximately -0.37 m / s. Therefore, the wind speed acceleration is the value obtained by dividing the amount of change in wind speed increase by time, which is approximately -0.019 m / s. 2 This becomes:

[0024] First, we will explain the wind speed acceleration when the wind speed increases. Figure 4 shows the subjective evaluation when the wind speed increases. This figure shows the relationship between the wind speed acceleration when the wind speed increases and the thermal sensation when experiencing multiple fluctuating air currents. The horizontal axis shows nine cases, and the vertical axis shows the wind speed acceleration when the wind speed increases. The wind speed acceleration was approximately 0.02 m / s 2 ~0.06m / s 2 The thermal sensation was "cool" in all cases. As the subjects were exposed to airflow in an environment above 30°C, the cool sensation was felt regardless of the wind speed acceleration.

[0025] In Figure 4, the comfort level obtained varies for each case. The sawtooth waveform, which was rated as providing the highest comfort level, had a wind speed acceleration of 0.041 m / s 2 More than 0.059m / s 2 Therefore, the control unit 20 determines that the wind speed acceleration during the wind speed increase, that is, the wind speed change per unit time in the wind speed increase portion 52, is 0.04 m / s 2 More than 0.06m / s 2The output of the motor 32 is controlled as follows: By setting it in this way, it is possible to provide a comfortable feeling of coolness when the wind speed increases.

[0026] Wind acceleration is approximately 0.04 m / s 2 If it is smaller than this, the change in wind speed will be slower, so you may not feel cool enough. 2 If it is larger, the change in wind speed will be sudden, which may cause an uncomfortable feeling of airflow.

[0027] Here, if the wind speed decreases portion 56 immediately follows the end of the wind speed increase portion 52, some users 1 may feel a sense of rushing. For this reason, a wind speed maintenance portion 54 may be provided between the wind speed increase portion 52 and the wind speed decrease portion 56, functioning as a period of time to provide a lingering impression after the wind speed increase. If the wind speed maintenance portion 54 is long, it will feel drawn out, so the duration of the wind speed maintenance portion 54 is set to be greater than 0 seconds and equal to or less than 10 seconds.

[0028] Next, we will explain the wind speed acceleration when the wind speed is decreasing. Figure 5 shows the subjective evaluation when the wind speed is decreasing. This shows the relationship between the wind speed acceleration and the thermal sensation when experiencing multiple fluctuating air currents. Figure 5 is shown in the same way as Figure 4. From these results, it can be seen that the wind speed acceleration is approximately -0.03 m / s 2 It can be said that people feel hot in the following cases. Here, the greater the wind speed acceleration, that is, the more gradual the change when the wind speed drops, the less hot they feel, but this does not necessarily mean that the greater the wind speed acceleration, the better. This is because the longer the wind speed drops, the later the timing of the next wind speed increase, which can result in a feeling of dragging. Therefore, when determining the conditions for not feeling hot and not feeling dragged based on actual bodily sensations as wind speed acceleration when the wind speed drops, the results were -0.03 m / s 2 Over -0.02m / s 2 Therefore, the control unit 20 determines that the wind speed acceleration when the wind speed is decreasing, that is, the wind speed change per unit time in the wind speed decreasing portion 56, is −0.03 m / s 2 Over -0.02m / s 2The output of the motor 32 is controlled as follows: By setting it in this way, it is possible to avoid both heat and a dull feeling when the wind speed drops.

[0029] (Variation) The periodic waveform described above includes one combination of a wind speed increase portion 52 and a wind speed decrease portion 56 (hereinafter referred to as a "peak") within one cycle 50. Here, a peak refers to the period from the start of one wind speed increase portion 52 to the end of one wind speed decrease portion 56 immediately following it. The periodic waveform described above is a waveform in which a single peak is repeated multiple times. However, the actual measured wind speed is not the same for each cycle but varies slightly. This is because the airflow blown by the motor 32 and the blades 34 contains many turbulent components, resulting in random movement of tiny vortices, which causes unintended, relatively small wind speed fluctuations. However, these wind speed fluctuations differ from the relatively large wind speed fluctuations that occur when the output is changed, and to the human sense, they are closer to a sense of turbulence than a sense of fluctuation. Therefore, relatively large wind speed fluctuations that can be perceived as a sense of fluctuation occur with changes in output. The modified example relates to a periodic waveform that reduces the artificial impression of a sense of fluctuation caused by the repetition of a single peak.

[0030] 6(a)-(b) show periodic waveforms of the time change in wind speed in the blower 100. FIG. 6(a) shows a periodic waveform in a situation where multiple cycles 50 are repeated. Each cycle 50 includes a first peak 60 and a second peak 62. The number of peaks included in each cycle 50 is not limited to two.

[0031] 6(b) is an enlarged view of one cycle 50 in FIG. 6(a). In one cycle 50, a first peak 60 and a second peak 62 are arranged in order. In the first peak 60, a first wind speed increase portion 72, a first wind speed maintenance portion 74, and a first wind speed decrease portion 76 are arranged in order, and in the second peak 62, a second wind speed increase portion 82, a second wind speed maintenance portion 84, and a second wind speed decrease portion 86 are arranged in order. Here, the first wind speed increase portion 72 and the second wind speed increase portion 82 correspond to the wind speed increase portion 52, the first wind speed maintenance portion 74 and the second wind speed maintenance portion 84 correspond to the wind speed maintenance portion 54, and the first wind speed decrease portion 76 and the second wind speed decrease portion 86 correspond to the wind speed decrease portion 56. Therefore, the time change in wind speed in the first wind speed increase portion 72, the first wind speed decrease portion 76, the second wind speed increase portion 82, and the second wind speed decrease portion 86 is set as described above. Meanwhile, the height of the first peak 60 is different from the height of the second peak 62. This corresponds to a difference in the increase width of the wind speed in the first wind speed increase portion 72 (hereinafter referred to as the "first wind speed increase width 78") and the increase width of the wind speed in the second wind speed increase portion 82 (hereinafter referred to as the "second wind speed increase width 88"). By varying the first wind speed increase width 78 and the second wind speed increase width 88, the artificial impression of fluctuation is reduced.

[0032] The subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the device, system, or method of the present disclosure. The computer includes, as its main hardware component, a processor that operates according to the program. The processor may be of any type, as long as it can realize the functions by executing the program. The processor may be composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integration (LSI). The electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium, such as a computer-readable ROM, optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the change in wind speed per unit time in the wind speed increasing portion 52 is 0.04 m / s 2 More than 0.06m / s 2 The wind speed change per unit time in the wind speed decreasing portion 56 is -0.03 m / s 2 Over -0.02m / s 2 Since the wind speed is less than 0.04 m / s, it is possible to reliably obtain positive comfort (coolness) when the wind speed increases. Also, the change in wind speed per unit time in the wind speed increasing portion 52 is 0.04 m / s 2 More than 0.06m / s 2 The wind speed change per unit time in the wind speed decreasing portion 56 is -0.03 m / s 2 Over -0.02m / s 2 Since the wind speed is less than 0.04 m / s, it is possible to avoid discomfort (heat) when the wind speed decreases, and also to avoid a feeling of sluggishness. 2 More than 0.06m / s 2 The wind speed change per unit time in the wind speed decreasing portion 56 is -0.03 m / s 2Over -0.02m / s 2 Therefore, positive comfort can be obtained by controlling the wind speed.

[0034] Furthermore, since the duration of the airflow speed maintenance portion 54 is greater than 0 seconds and less than or equal to 10 seconds, the impression of hustle and bustle can be reduced. Furthermore, since the first airflow speed increase width 78 and the second airflow speed increase width 88 are different, the impression of artificiality from the sawtooth waveform airflow can be reduced. Furthermore, since the first airflow speed increase width 78 and the second airflow speed increase width 88 are different, a feeling of coolness can be imparted, heat and a feeling of sluggishness can be avoided, and a natural airflow waveform can be achieved.

[0035] An outline of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. (Item 1) a blower (30) that sends an airflow to a target space; a control unit (20) for controlling the operation of the blower unit (30), the control unit (20) controls the blower (30) so that the time change in the wind speed of the airflow becomes a periodic waveform at an assumed wind receiving position (2) that is to receive the airflow sent from the blower (30); One cycle of the periodic waveform includes a wind speed increase portion and a wind speed decrease portion, The change in wind speed per unit time during the wind speed increase is 0.04 m / s 2 More than 0.06m / s 2 is as follows: The change in wind speed per unit time during the wind speed decrease is -0.03 m / s 2 Over -0.02m / s 2 The following is a blower device (100).

[0036] (Item 2) One period of the periodic waveform is the wind speed increasing portion, a wind speed maintaining portion following the wind speed increasing portion, and the wind speed decreasing portion following the wind speed maintaining portion, The duration of the wind speed maintenance portion is greater than 0 seconds and less than or equal to 10 seconds. The blower (100) according to claim 1.

[0037] (Item 3) The wind speed increasing portion is defined as a first wind speed increasing portion, and the wind speed decreasing portion is defined as a first wind speed decreasing portion, One cycle of the periodic waveform further includes a second wind speed increasing portion and a second wind speed decreasing portion, In one cycle of the periodic waveform, the first wind speed increasing portion, the first wind speed decreasing portion, the second wind speed increasing portion, and the second wind speed decreasing portion are arranged in order, The wind speed increase width of the first wind speed increase portion is different from the wind speed increase width of the second wind speed increase portion. The blower (100) according to claim 1.

[0038] The present disclosure has been described above based on examples. These examples are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 User, 2 Expected wind receiving position, 10 Base, 12 Switch, 14 Leg, 20 Control unit, 22 Memory unit, 30 Blower unit, 32 Motor, 34 Blade, 40 Cover, 50 1 cycle, 52 Wind speed increase portion, 54 Wind speed maintenance portion, 56 Wind speed decrease portion, 60 First peak, 62 Second peak, 72 First wind speed increase portion, 74 First wind speed maintenance portion, 76 First wind speed decrease portion, 78 First wind speed increase range, 82 Second wind speed increase portion, 84 Second wind speed maintenance portion, 86 Second wind speed decrease portion, 88 Second wind speed increase range, 100 Blower device.

Claims

1. a blower that sends airflow to the target space; a control unit that controls the operation of the blower unit, the control unit controls the blower unit so that a time change in the wind speed of the airflow becomes a periodic waveform at an assumed wind receiving position that is to receive the airflow sent from the blower unit; One cycle of the periodic waveform includes a wind speed increase portion and a wind speed decrease portion, The change in wind speed per unit time in the wind speed increasing portion is 0.04 m / s ２ More than 0.06 m / s ２ is as follows: The change in wind speed per unit time during the wind speed decrease is -0.03 m / s ２ or greater than -0.02 m / s ２ The following is a blower device.

2. One period of the periodic waveform is the wind speed increasing portion, a wind speed maintaining portion following the wind speed increasing portion, and the wind speed decreasing portion following the wind speed maintaining portion, The duration of the wind speed maintenance portion is greater than 0 seconds and less than or equal to 10 seconds. The blower device according to claim 1 .

3. The wind speed increasing portion is defined as a first wind speed increasing portion, and the wind speed decreasing portion is defined as a first wind speed decreasing portion, One cycle of the periodic waveform further includes a second wind speed increasing portion and a second wind speed decreasing portion, In one cycle of the periodic waveform, the first wind speed increasing portion, the first wind speed decreasing portion, the second wind speed increasing portion, and the second wind speed decreasing portion are arranged in order, a wind speed increase width of the first wind speed increase portion and a wind speed increase width of the second wind speed increase portion are different from each other; The blower device according to claim 1 .

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