Design support method and design support device

Abstract

This invention provides a design support method and design support device for implementing odor control measures that take into account odors generated within a building. [Solution] The control unit 21 of the design device 20 designs odor control equipment for the building space. The control unit 21 obtains a relationship between substance concentration and odor evaluation value by sensory testing of odor substances present in the building space, and obtains the substance concentration distribution of odor substances in the building space where the odor source is located. The control unit 21 calculates the odor evaluation value distribution using the relationship and designs the odor control equipment for the building space using the odor evaluation value distribution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a design support method and a design support device for assisting in the design of odor countermeasures in a building space.

Background Art

[0002] In order to evaluate odors, a sensory test using human olfaction has been conducted. Such a test method is defined by, for example, the Ministry of the Environment. In addition, techniques for obtaining an odor index without relying on a sensory test have also been studied (for example, Patent Document 1). In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of odor sensors with different response characteristics are used to acquire a plurality of detection outputs for a sample gas. The odor separation processing unit determines, based on the detection output, to which category of a plurality of predetermined odors the odor of the sample gas belongs. When calculating the odor index from the detection output, the same regression line is used for each category of odor. Then, the odor index calculation unit calculates the odor index by using a regression coefficient determined in advance for each category of odor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a building, a building equipment plan including odor countermeasures is carried out in consideration of odors. However, since odor substances are diverse, it is difficult to take general countermeasures in a space where odor sources exist.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The design support method that solves the above problem assists in the design of odor control equipment in building spaces. A relationship formula between substance concentration and odor evaluation value is obtained through sensory testing of odor substances present in the building space, the substance concentration distribution of the odor substances in the building space where the odor source is located is obtained, the odor evaluation value distribution is calculated using the relationship formula, and the odor control equipment for the building space is designed using the odor evaluation value distribution. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] This disclosure can support the design of odor control measures for architectural spaces. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram of the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram of the hardware configuration of the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram of the chamber device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the odor substance concentration of cuminaldehyde and the odor index in the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram of the processing procedure for the design support process of the embodiment. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram of the diffusion of odor substances in a room according to the embodiment, where (a) is a three-dimensional model of the room, (b) is an explanatory diagram of the distribution of odor substance concentrations, and (c) is an explanatory diagram of the distribution of odor index. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram of the fluid simulation of the embodiment, where (a) is a three-dimensional model of the chamber device, (b) is a computational grid inside the chamber device, and (c) is an explanatory diagram of the airflow calculation results. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the distribution of odorous substances within the chamber device used in the embodiment, where (a) is an illustration of the odorous substance concentration distribution and (b) is an illustration of the odor index distribution. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the time dependence of odor substance concentration in the chamber device of the embodiment. [Figure 10]This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the time dependence of the odor index inside the chamber device of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes one embodiment of a design support method and design support device for taking measures against odor sources in the interior (architectural space) of a building, using Figures 1 to 10. As shown in Figure 1, this embodiment uses a user device 10 and a design device 20 connected via a network.

[0009] (Example hardware configuration) Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device H10, which functions as a user device 10, a design device 20, etc.

[0010] The information processing device H10 includes a communication device H11, an input device H12, a display device H13, a storage device H14, and a processor H15. Note that this hardware configuration is an example, and other hardware may be included.

[0011] Communication device H11 is an interface that performs data transmission and reception by establishing a communication path with other devices. Examples include network interfaces and wireless interfaces.

[0012] The input device H12 is a device that receives input from users, etc. (for example, a mouse or keyboard). The display device H13 is a display or touch panel that displays various information.

[0013] The storage device H14 is a memory unit that stores data and various programs for executing various functions of the user device 10 and the design device 20. Examples of storage devices H14 include ROM, RAM, and hard disks.

[0014] By using the programs and data stored in the storage device H14, the processor H15 controls each process in the user device 10 and the design device 20. Examples of the processor H15 include, for example, a CPU, an MPU, etc. This processor H15 executes various processes corresponding to various processes by expanding a program stored in a ROM or the like into a RAM.

[0015] The processor H15 is not limited to performing software processing for all processes it executes. For example, the processor H15 may include a dedicated hardware circuit (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit: ASIC) that performs hardware processing for at least a part of the processes it executes. That is, the processor H15 can be configured as follows.

[0016] (1) One or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software) (2) One or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least a part of various processes, or (3) A combination thereof, including circuitry The processor includes a CPU and memories such as a RAM and a ROM. This memory stores program codes or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, that is, the computer-readable medium, includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0017] (System Configuration) Next, each function of the design system will be described using FIG. 1. The user device 10 is a computer terminal used by a user who performs odor countermeasures in the designed building.

[0018] The design device 20 is a computer system that supports the design of odor countermeasures. The design device 20 includes a control unit 21 and an odor information storage unit 22. The control unit 21 performs the processes described later (including the management stage, odor information acquisition stage, fluid calculation stage, etc.). By executing programs for each of these processes, the control unit 21 functions as the management unit 211, odor information acquisition unit 212, fluid calculation unit 213, etc.

[0019] The control unit 211 acquires various information from the user device 10. Furthermore, this control unit 211 controls the odor information acquisition unit 212 and the fluid calculation unit 213. The odor information acquisition unit 212 executes a process to acquire the odor index (odor evaluation value) calculated by the sensory test. This odor index is obtained by multiplying the value obtained by the common logarithm of the dilution ratio (odor concentration) when odorous air is diluted with odorless air until a person can no longer perceive the odor, by "10". The fluid calculation unit 213 performs a process to calculate the odor distribution within the building.

[0020] Odor information storage unit 22 stores odor management information about odor substances. Odor management information is recorded when the material characteristics of an odor substance are acquired. The odor management information includes the name of the odor substance and information about its material characteristics.

[0021] The name of an odor substance is an identifier used to identify that odor substance. Material property information is information that describes the characteristics of odor substances. This includes odor index calculation information and boundary conditions. Odor index calculation information is a relational formula that shows the relationship between the odor substance concentration and the odor index, which is a numerical representation of the intensity of the odor using human olfaction. Boundary conditions include the diffusion coefficient and deposition / adsorption rate. Here, the diffusion coefficient is a coefficient that represents the rate at which odor substances diffuse through the air. The deposition / adsorption rate is the proportion of odor substances that are deposited or adsorbed on walls, etc.

[0022] (Sensory evaluation of odor) Next, I will explain the sensory evaluation of odors (chamber test). As shown in Figure 3, a chamber 30 is used as a test container for the odor sensory test. Inside this chamber 30, there is a heating device 31, a stirring fan 32, an air intake port 33, and an exhaust port 34.

[0023] The heating device 31 is a device that raises or maintains the temperature of the odor source sample 40 (source of odorous substances) to a constant temperature. By heating the odorous substances using the heating device 31, the concentration of odorous substances released from the odor source sample 40 is adjusted.

[0024] The stirring fan 32 is a device that stirs the air inside the chamber 30. The air intake 33 introduces odorless air into the chamber 30 at a predetermined rate. The odor concentration is adjusted by sequentially diluting the odor according to the amount of odorless air introduced into the air intake 33 (air exchange rate per unit time).

[0025] The exhaust port 34 discharges air containing odor substances from the chamber 30. Then, in a sensory test using human olfaction, the odor index is calculated by sequentially smelling diluted odors. Furthermore, the odor substance concentration is measured in the air containing odor substances discharged from the exhaust port 34. For this concentration measurement, for example, a gas chromatography test can be used. This allows for the calculation of a relationship between the odor substance concentration and the odor index.

[0026] Figure 4 shows the measured values ​​(marked with circles) of odor index and substance concentration obtained from a sensory evaluation of cumin aldehyde (an odorous substance) contained in foods and seasonings containing spices. The solid line is an approximation curve of the measured values. The approximation curve is expressed by the following approximation formula (model) [Equation 1].

[0027] [Mathematics 1] [Odor Index] = 9.1621·ln[Substance Concentration] + 6.657 The coefficient of determination for this approximation formula was "0.8259". Therefore, it indicates that this model has relatively high explanatory power.

[0028] (Design support processing) Next, using Figure 5, we will explain the design support process for implementing odor control measures in indoor spaces. First, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs spatial information acquisition processing (step S11). Specifically, the management unit 211 of the control unit 21 acquires a 3D model of the building's interior from the user device 10. This 3D model includes information about air conditioning equipment, which is provided separately from odor control measures. This air conditioning equipment information generates the airflow inside the room. Here, we assume a room 400 composed of a three-dimensional model, as shown in Figure 6(a). The room 400 is equipped with an air conditioning system 401 with set ventilation rates and other parameters.

[0029] Next, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs the odor substance acquisition process (step S12). Specifically, the management unit 211 of the control unit 21 acquires information about odor sources present in the room from the user device 10 in a 3D model of the room. This odor source information includes information about the odor substances of the odor sources, supply rate, location, etc. Here, as shown in Figure 6(a), six odor sources 405 are placed at desired locations within the room 400.

[0030] Next, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs a determination process to determine whether or not there is information on odor substances (step S13). Specifically, the management unit 211 of the control unit 21 checks whether or not odor management information for odor substances of the odor source 405 is recorded in the odor information storage unit 22.

[0031] If odor management information for the odor substance of the odor source is not registered in the odor information storage unit 22, and it is determined that there is no odor information (if "NO" is found in step S13), the control unit 21 of the design device 20 executes the instruction process for a chamber test (step S14). Specifically, the management unit 211 of the control unit 21 instructs the user device 10 to perform a chamber test. This chamber test calculates the odor index conversion formula (odor index calculation information) from the odor substance concentration to the odor index for this odor substance. The management unit 211 then records the odor index calculation information obtained from the user device 10 in the odor information storage unit 22.

[0032] Next, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs a test verification process (step S15). Specifically, the fluid calculation unit 213 of the control unit 21 simulates the concentration distribution of odor substances according to the airflow in the chamber 30.

[0033] Here, as shown in Figure 7(a), the fluid calculation unit 213 acquires a three-dimensional model 500 that simulates the chamber 30. In this three-dimensional model 500, the continuity equation representing the conservation of mass in the airflow within the chamber 30, the Navier-Stokes equation representing the conservation of momentum, and the diffusion equation representing the change in the concentration of the substance are simultaneously solved. In this case, the number of ventilations per unit time and the rotation amount of the three-dimensional model 501 of the stirring fan 32 are taken into consideration.

[0034] Next, as shown in Figure 7(b), the fluid calculation unit 213 divides the three-dimensional space within the chamber 30 into a calculation grid 510. In this case, it is preferable to make the calculation grid 510 finer in the vicinity of boundary regions such as odor sources and walls.

[0035] Next, as fluid calculation (numerical calculation) methods for solving the fundamental equations, the finite difference method, the finite volume method, the finite element method, etc., can be used. Then, as shown in Figure 7(c), the fluid calculation unit 213 uses the calculation grid in the chamber 30 to calculate the airflow distribution 520 consisting of wind speed and wind direction of the moving air using a fluid calculation method.

[0036] Next, boundary conditions are set at the boundaries of the computational domain. For example, the release rate, deposition / adsorption rate, etc., of odor substances released from the odor source sample 40 are set. Then, a fluid simulation model is generated that incorporates a diffusion model of a substance, which calculates the amount of diffusion of a substance from the concentration gradient and diffusion coefficient of the substance, based on Fick's law.

[0037] As shown in Figure 8(a), the odor substance concentration distribution 540 is calculated by performing fluid dynamics calculations. As shown in Figure 8(b), the odor index distribution 550 (odor evaluation value distribution) is calculated using the odor index conversion formula from the concentration of odor substances to the odor index.

[0038] Graph 560, shown in Figure 9, illustrates the time dependence of the odor substance concentration discharged from chamber 30. This odor substance concentration is calculated by performing a fluid dynamics simulation of the odor substance. In this case, the fluid dynamics simulation is performed for cumin aldehyde as the odor substance.

[0039] Next, Graph 570 shown in Figure 10 represents the time dependence of the odor index discharged from Chamber 30. This odor substance concentration is also calculated by performing fluid dynamics calculations for the odor substances. Here, the experimental values ​​are for 0.5 ventilations per unit time (△), 1 ventilation (□), and 2 ventilations (〇), while the solid line represents the calculated value. The control unit 211 then records the boundary conditions used in the simulation in the odor information storage unit 22.

[0040] If it is determined that there is information about odor substances (if the answer is "YES" in step S13), the control unit 21 of the design device 20 executes the process of generating a fluid calculation model for the space (step S16). Specifically, the fluid calculation unit 213 of the control unit 21 generates a fluid calculation model for the room using boundary conditions.

[0041] Next, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs fluid calculation processing (step S17). Specifically, the fluid calculation unit 213 of the control unit 21 performs fluid calculations (simulations) about the diffusion of odor substances in the room using the generated fluid calculation model. This calculates the substance concentration distribution of odor substances in the room.

[0042] Here, as shown in Figure 6(b), the concentration distribution 410 of odor substances is calculated in the room 400. Next, as shown in Figure 6(c), the odor index distribution 420 is calculated from the concentration distribution 410 using the odor index conversion formula.

[0043] Next, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs a determination process to determine whether odor countermeasures are necessary (step S18). Specifically, the management unit 211 of the control unit 21 compares the odor index distribution calculated in the fluid calculation process (step S17) with a reference value. It then determines whether there is a region in the odor index distribution where the odor index is greater than or equal to the reference value.

[0044] If the odor index is found to be above a certain threshold in an area, and it is determined that odor control measures are necessary (if the answer is "YES" in step S18), the control unit 21 of the design device 20 executes odor control processing (step S19). Specifically, the management unit 211 of the control unit 21 outputs suggestions for odor control measures to bring this area below the threshold. For example, it outputs suggestions to the user device 10 such as increasing the ventilation rate or arranging fans to promote the diffusion of odor-causing substances. The management unit 211 then obtains a 3D model of the room with the odor control measures set up in the user device 10.

[0045] In this case, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 re-executes the fluid calculation process (step S17). If it is determined that odor control measures are unnecessary (if the answer is "NO" in step S18), the control unit 21 of the design device 20 executes the specification determination process (step S20). Specifically, the management unit 211 of the control unit 21 outputs distribution information of the odor index in the room where odor control measures have been implemented to the user device 10.

[0046] (Operation of this embodiment) Since odor index calculation information is used, the distribution of odors perceived by people is calculated from the substance concentration distribution calculated by fluid dynamics for odor substances diffused within the building space.

[0047] (Effects of this embodiment) (1) In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs spatial information acquisition processing (step S11). This makes it possible to understand the building space in which odor diffusion is simulated.

[0048] (2) In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs an odor substance acquisition process (step S12). This makes it possible to identify odor substances that diffuse into the building space.

[0049] (3) In this embodiment, if it is determined that there is no information on odor substances (if the result is "NO" in step S13), the control unit 21 of the design device 20 executes the instruction process for a chamber test (step S14). This makes it possible to obtain information on odor substances that may diffuse within the detection space. Then, by conducting a chamber experiment that can simulate a building space, the concentration of odor substances and the odor index obtained from a sensory test can be obtained.

[0050] (4) In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs a test verification process (step S15). This allows information regarding odor substances to be confirmed by reproducing the chamber test using fluid calculations.

[0051] (5) In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs the process of generating a fluid calculation model in space (step S16). This makes it possible to obtain a fluid calculation model to be used in the simulation.

[0052] (6) In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs fluid calculation processing (step S17). This makes it possible to obtain the substance concentration of odor substances and the distribution of the odor index within the building space.

[0053] (7) In this embodiment, if it is determined that odor control measures are necessary (if the answer is "YES" in step S18), the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs odor control processing (step S19). This makes it possible to support the design of measures to suppress odors in the building space.

[0054] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically. In the above embodiment, an odor index is used as the evaluation value for odor, but the system is not limited to this. An evaluation value using a 6-level odor intensity scale or the like may also be used.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 executes the instruction process for a chamber test (step S14). The method is not limited to a chamber test, as long as it is possible to obtain the odor information necessary for the simulation.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs odor substance acquisition processing (step S12). This odor source information includes information on the odor substance, concentration, and location of the odor source. Here, the odor substance, concentration, and location may be identified based on the layout of the room. Specifically, the management unit 211 acquires a three-dimensional BIM model generated by BIM (Building Information Modeling) for the building space and predicts the source of the odor according to the attributes of the element models placed in the building space. For example, in the attributes of the element models, the dining area and the number of people eating according to the area are identified. The management unit 211 then identifies the types of dishes that may be eaten, etc., regarding the odor substances generated from this meal. In this case, the management unit 211 may acquire this from the user device 10, or it may have strongly odorous substances stored in advance. Then, in the fluid calculation processing (step S17), the airflow conditions according to the operating status of the air conditioning system during the dining time are used.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs fluid calculation processing (step S17). Here, the odor index distribution is calculated from the odor substance concentration distribution, but the odor index distribution may also be obtained directly by incorporating the odor index conversion formula into the diffusion equation.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs odor control processing (step S19). For example, it outputs a suggestion for the placement of fans. The odor control measures are not limited to this. It may also suggest the installation of deodorizers or air purifiers. In this case, fluid calculations are performed using the adsorption amount according to the size of the deodorizer and the cleaning efficiency according to the performance of the air purifier.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs a determination process to determine whether odor countermeasures are necessary (step S18). In this case, the odor index distribution is compared with a reference value. Here, the odor index at a location where a person not involved with the odor is located may be compared with the reference value. For example, the management unit 211 predicts the location of a person who is not eating or drinking in the BIM model and compares the odor index at this location with the reference value.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the control unit 21 of the design device 20 performs spatial information acquisition processing (step S11). Here, information about the interior of a building is acquired. The spatial information is not limited to interiors. It can be any building space where odor sources and people are present.

[0061] Next, the technical concepts that can be understood from the above embodiments and alternative examples are described below. (a) The design support method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensory test is performed in a chamber, thereby verifying the relationship between the substance concentration and the odor evaluation value using fluid calculations that simulate the diffusion of the odor substance.

[0062] (b) The design support method according to claim 1, characterized in that the location of the source is identified using attribute information of the BIM model of the building space. (c) The design support method according to claim 1, characterized in that the location of a person is identified using attribute information of the BIM model of the building space, and the odor control equipment for the building space is designed using the odor evaluation value of the location. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 10...User device, 20...Design device, 21...Control unit, 211...Management unit, 212...Odor information acquisition unit, 213...Fluid calculation unit, 22...Odor information storage unit, 30...Chamber, 31...Heating device, 32...Agitation fan, 33...Air intake port, 34...Exhaust port.

Claims

1. A design support method for assisting in the design of odor control equipment in architectural spaces, Through sensory testing of odorous substances present in the aforementioned building space, a relationship between substance concentration and odor evaluation value was obtained. The substance concentration distribution of the odorous substance in the building space where the odorous substance source is located is obtained, and the odor evaluation value distribution is calculated using the relational formula. A design support method characterized by designing odor control equipment for the building space using the odor evaluation value distribution.

2. The design support method according to claim 1, characterized in that the substance concentration distribution is determined by fluid dynamics calculation of the building space.

3. The design support method according to claim 1, characterized in that the substance concentration distribution is determined by predicting the location where the odor substance will be handled.

4. The design support method according to claim 1, characterized in that the design of the odor control equipment is carried out by predicting the arrangement of people in the aforementioned building space.

5. A design support device equipped with a control unit that assists in the design of odor control equipment in a building space, The control unit, Through sensory testing of odorous substances present in the aforementioned building space, a relationship between substance concentration and odor evaluation value was obtained. The substance concentration distribution of the odorous substance in the building space where the odorous substance source is located is obtained, and the odor evaluation value distribution is calculated using the relational formula. A design support device characterized by designing odor control equipment for the building space using the odor evaluation value distribution.

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