Shielding system

Abstract

We provide a light-blocking system that allows people to live comfortably. [Solution] The shielding system comprises a shielding device and a sensor unit. The sensor unit includes a motion sensor that detects the position of a person within the detection range, an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance within the detection range, a solar radiation sensor that detects the amount of sunlight within the detection range, and a camera that captures images within the detection range. When the sensor unit detects that a person has been staying in a sunny area for a certain period of time, it drives the shielding device so that the person is positioned in a shaded area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a shielding system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a shielding system that automatically adjusts the amount of solar radiation incident into a room through a window of a building. In Patent Document 1, an illuminance sensor is disposed at a specific location in a room, and a light shielding screen is automatically lifted and lowered based on the measurement value of the illuminance sensor so that the room reaches a predetermined light amount and illuminance. By automatically lifting and lowering the light shielding screen based on the measurement value of the illuminance sensor, the indoor illuminance can be appropriately maintained, and a good indoor environment can be maintained.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the illuminance sensor is disposed at a specific location in a room. Although the illuminance at the specific location where the illuminance sensor is disposed can be appropriately maintained, the illuminance at the location where a person actually is not necessarily maintained appropriately. According to the technology of Patent Document 1, the light shielding screen may stop even at a location where a person feels sunlight is glaring. The present specification aims to provide a light shielding system that allows people to spend time comfortably.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] The technology disclosed herein relates to a shading system. The shading system for shading sunlight comprises a shading device and a sensor unit, the sensor unit having a motion sensor for detecting the location of a person within a detection range, an illuminance sensor for detecting the illuminance within the detection range, a solar radiation sensor for detecting the amount of sunlight within the detection range, and a camera for capturing images within the detection range, and the sensor unit may drive the shading device so that the person is located in a shaded area when it detects that the person has been staying in a sunlit area for a certain period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] An embodiment of the shielding system is shown. [Figure 2] A diagram illustrating the operation of the shielding system in this embodiment is shown. [Figure 3] A diagram illustrating the features of the shielding system of the embodiment is shown. [Figure 4] A diagram illustrating a specific example of a shielding system is shown. [Figure 5] A schematic block diagram of the shielding system according to the embodiment is shown. [Figure 6] A diagram illustrating a modified version of the sensor unit is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] (Configuration of shielding system 10) As shown in Figure 1, the shielding system 10 is a light-blocking screen installed above the window 20. The window 20 is a glass window fixed to the wall of the building. The window 20 may be a glass window that cannot be opened or closed, or a glass window that can be opened or closed.

[0008] The shielding system 10 comprises a main body 8, a screen 4, a motor 6, and a sensor unit 2. The main body 8 is fixed to the building wall above the window 20. The screen 4 is a retractable roll screen. The screen 4 can be raised and lowered and stored inside the main body 8. The screen 4 has the effect of shielding sunlight. When the screen 4 covers the window 20, sunlight entering the room is blocked.

[0009] The motor 6 is fixed to the main body 8. The motor 6 is connected to the screen 4 and can raise and lower the screen 4. When the motor 6 raises the screen 4, the amount of sunlight entering the room increases. When the motor 6 lowers the screen 4, the amount of sunlight entering the room decreases. The main body 8, screen 4, and motor 6 together constitute an example of a shading device.

[0010] Sensor unit 2 is provided on the surface of the main body 8. The shielding system 10 includes two sensor units 2a and sensor unit 2b. In the width direction of the window 20, sensor unit 2a is provided at the left end of the main body 8. In the width direction of the window 20, sensor unit 2b is provided at the right end of the main body 8. In the following description, items common to sensor unit 2a and sensor unit 2b will simply be referred to as sensor unit 2.

[0011] Sensor unit 2a and sensor unit 2b both include a motion sensor, an illuminance sensor, a solar radiation sensor, and a camera. The motion sensor detects the location of a person within its detection range. The illuminance sensor detects the illuminance within its detection range. The solar radiation sensor detects the amount of sunlight within its detection range. The camera can capture images within its detection range. Sensor unit 2 can distinguish the indoor space into areas exposed to sunlight and areas in the shade where sunlight does not reach. Sensor unit 2 can identify the location of a person in the room using the motion sensor and camera. Sensor unit 2 also includes a control unit that drives the motor 6.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, the sensor unit 2 drives the motor 6 to raise and lower the screen 4. When the screen 4 is lowered, the window 20 is covered by the screen 4, and the amount of sunlight entering the room decreases. The sensor unit 2 can stop driving the motor 6 when the screen 4 covers a portion of the window 20, if necessary. For example, the sensor unit 2 stops driving the motor 6 when the area where a person is standing is in the shade.

[0013] As shown in Figure 3, by providing sensor units 2a and 2b at both ends of the main body 8, a wide area of ​​the room 30 can be detected. The shielding system 10 can distinguish the wide area of ​​the room 30 into areas with sunlight and areas in shade. The shielding system 10 can also identify the location of people within the wide area of ​​the room 30. By providing sensor units 2a and 2b at both ends of the main body 8, a wide area of ​​the room 30 can be detected even with a large (i.e., wide) window 20.

[0014] In a modified example, the shielding system 10 may have one sensor unit 2, or it may have three or more sensor units. If the shielding system 10 has one sensor unit 2, the sensor unit 2 may be located in the center of the main body 8 in the left-right direction, on the left end, or on the right end. The number of sensor units 2 and their placement can be arbitrarily selected according to the size of the room 30, the size of the window 20, etc.

[0015] In another modified example, if the shielding system 10 has two or more sensor units 2, each sensor unit 2 does not have to be equipped with all of the motion sensors, illuminance sensors, sun radiation sensors, and cameras. For example, sensor unit 2 may be equipped with only two: a camera and a motion sensor. Sensor unit 2 may be equipped with only two: a camera and an illuminance sensor. Sensor unit 2 may be equipped with only two: a camera and a sun radiation sensor. Sensor unit 2 may be equipped with only three: a camera, a motion sensor, and an illuminance sensor. Sensor unit 2 may be equipped with only three: a camera, a motion sensor, and a sun radiation sensor. Sensor unit 2 may be equipped with only three: a camera, an illuminance sensor, and a sun radiation sensor.

[0016] (Operation of shielding system 10) As shown in Figure 4, the shielding system 10 automatically lowers the screen 4 when the sensor unit 2 detects that a person 40 has been in the same place for a certain period of time. (a) shows the screen 4 housed in the main unit 8. Sunlight enters through the window 20, creating a sunlit area 32 and a shaded area 34 in the room 30. The sensor unit 2 distinguishes between the sunlit area 32 and the shaded area 34 and detects whether the person 40 is in the sunlit area 32 or the shaded area 34. In (a), the person 40 is in the sunlit area 32, and a shadow 42 of the person is cast in the sunlit area 32.

[0017] As shown in (b), when the sensor unit 2 detects that a person 40 has been in the same place in the sunlit area 32 for a certain period of time, it drives the motor 6 to lower the screen 4. When the screen 4 is lowered, the window 20 is covered by the screen 4, the area of ​​the sunlit area 32 is reduced and the area of ​​the shaded area 34 is increased. The sensor unit 2 continues to distinguish between the area of ​​the sunlit area 32 and the area of ​​the shaded area 34 even while the screen 4 is lowering. When the person 40 enters the shaded area 34 and the person's shadow 42 disappears, the sensor unit 2 stops driving the motor 6. By having the person 40 enter the shaded area 34, sunlight does not hit the person 40, preventing the person 40 from feeling glare. The sensor unit 2 may stop driving the motor 6 when the whole body of the person 40 is in the shaded area 34, or it may stop driving the motor 6 when a part of the person 40 (for example, the head) is in the shaded area 34. The sensor unit 2 may lower the screen 4 according to any posture the person 40 is in, such as standing, sitting, or lying down, so that a part of the person 40 is within the range of the shaded area 34.

[0018] When the sensor unit 2 detects that a person 40 moves in the room 30 and stays at the moved position for a certain period of time, it drives the motor 6 to raise and lower the screen 4 so that the person 40 enters the shaded area 34. The shielding system 10 can prevent sunlight from hitting the person 40 even when the person 40 moves in the room 30, and prevent the person 40 from feeling glare. When the sensor unit 2 detects that no person 40 is present in the room 30, it drives the motor 6 to retract the screen 4 into the main body unit 8.

[0019] As a modified example, the shielding system 10 may lower the screen 4 and maintain the screen 4 in a state of covering the entire window 20 when no person 40 is present in the room 30. In this modified example, when the sensor unit 2 detects that a person 40 enters the room 30 and stays at the same position for a certain period of time, the screen 4 is automatically raised. Also in this modified example, the sensor unit 2 distinguishes between the range of the sunlight area 32 and the range of the shaded area 34 while the screen 4 is being raised, and performs adjustment so that the person 40 enters the shaded area 34.

[0020] (Effect) In the shielding system 10, the sensor unit 2 detects the range of the sunlight area 32 and the range of the shaded area 34 in the room 30, and automatically raises and lowers the screen 4 so that sunlight does not hit the person 40. No matter where in the room 30 the person 40 stays, the person 40 does not feel glare from sunlight and can spend time comfortably in the room 30.

[0021] In the shielding system 10, the main body unit 8, the screen 4, the motor 6 and the sensor unit 2 are integrated. The sensor unit 2 is also provided with a control unit that drives the motor 6. There is no need to install a new sensor or the like in the room 30, and connection between the screen 4 and the motor 6, wiring between the motor 6 and the sensor unit 2, and the like are unnecessary. The shielding system 10 can be retrofitted to a building having the window 20.

[0022] (Other Functions of Shielding System 10) As shown in Figure 5, the shielding system 10 can automatically drive the motor 6 to raise and lower the screen 4, or it can manually drive the motor 6 using an external communication device 50 to raise and lower the screen 4. Switching between the automatic mode, in which the motor 6 is driven automatically, and the manual mode, in which the motor 6 is driven manually, can be done using the communication device 50. Examples of communication devices 50 include remote controls, smartphones, and home devices. As another function of the shielding system 10, it can also drive other devices such as opening and closing the windows 52, turning the interior lights 54 on and off, and adjusting the light intensity, using the communication device 50 and the sensor unit 2.

[0023] The shielding system 10 has a normal mode, a human shadow detection mode, an illuminance mode, a sunlight mode, an indoor temperature mode, an indoor / outdoor temperature mode, and a direct sunlight mode for people. Switching between each mode can be done using the communication device 50. The normal mode distinguishes between the sunlit area 32 and the shaded area 34, and automatically raises and lowers the screen 4 so that the person 40 is in the shaded area 34. In the human shadow detection mode, illuminance mode, sunlight mode, indoor temperature mode, indoor / outdoor temperature mode, and direct sunlight mode for people, the person 40 selects the respective mode, and the screen 4 is automatically raised and lowered according to the program for each mode.

[0024] The human figure detection mode is mainly used during the summer. When the human figure detection mode is selected, the sensor unit 2 detects the presence of a human figure 42 within the sunlit area 32 and lowers the screen 4 so that the location of the human figure 42 is in the shaded area 34 (see also Figure 4). This prevents sunlight from hitting the person 40, thereby reducing the heat.

[0025] The illuminance mode is used when it is desired to maintain a certain level of brightness in the room 30. When the illuminance mode is selected, the sensor unit 2 detects the illuminance at any location in the room 30 and raises or lowers the screen 4 so that the illuminance at the desired location reaches the set level. An example of such a location is where a person 40 is located.

[0026] The sunlight mode is used when you want to bring sunlight into the room 30. When sunlight mode is selected, the sensor unit 2 detects whether any location in the room 30 is a sunlit area 32 or a shaded area 34, and raises or lowers the screen 4 so that the desired location becomes a sunlit area 32. An example of any desired location is the location where a person 40 is standing.

[0027] The indoor temperature mode is used when you want to regulate the temperature of the room 30 using sunlight. When indoor temperature mode is selected, the sensor unit 2 measures the temperature of the sunlit area 32 and the shaded area 34, and raises or lowers the screen 4 so that both temperatures approach the set temperature. For example, if the temperature of the room 30 is higher than the set temperature, the screen 4 is lowered to widen the area of ​​the shaded area 34, and if the temperature of the room 30 is lower than the set temperature, the screen 4 is raised to widen the area of ​​the sunlit area 32.

[0028] As a variation of the indoor temperature mode, the sensor unit 2 may raise or lower the screen 4 based on the temperature difference between the sunlit area 32 and the shaded area 34. For example, if the temperature difference between the sunlit area 32 and the shaded area 34 is large, the sensor unit 2 may control the raising and lowering distance of the screen 4 to be small. If the temperature difference between the sunlit area 32 and the shaded area 34 is small, the sensor unit 2 may control the raising and lowering distance of the screen 4 to be large.

[0029] The indoor / outdoor temperature mode is used to adjust the temperature of the indoor 30 based on the indoor and outdoor temperatures. For example, in the summer when the outdoor temperature is higher than the indoor temperature, the sensor unit 2 minimizes the amount of sunlight entering the indoor 30 and raises or lowers the screen 4 to maintain the indoor temperature at the set temperature. In the winter when the outdoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature, the sensor unit 2 actively allows sunlight to enter the indoor 30 and raises or lowers the screen 4 to maintain the indoor temperature at the set temperature.

[0030] The direct sunlight mode for people is used when raising or lowering the screen 4 based on the body temperature of person 40. In direct sunlight mode for people, the sensor unit 2 measures the body temperature (surface temperature) of person 40 when it detects that sunlight is directly hitting person 40. When the sensor unit 2 detects that person 40's body temperature exceeds the upper limit setting, it lowers the screen 4 to suppress direct sunlight hitting person 40. When the sensor unit 2 detects that person 40's body temperature is below the lower limit setting, it raises the screen 4 to increase the amount of sunlight entering the room 30. The upper and lower limit settings may be pre-set in the shielding system 10, or person 40 may input arbitrary settings to the shielding system 10.

[0031] The shielding system 10 has a gesture detection function. The gesture detection function can be turned on or off. When the gesture detection function is turned on, the sensor unit 2 raises or lowers the screen 4 when it detects that a person 40 has performed a specific action. When the gesture detection function is on, the sensor unit 2 prioritizes the gesture detection function over the various modes described above. The specific action performed by person 40 is stored in the control unit within the sensor unit 2. The specific action can be arbitrarily set and changed by person 40.

[0032] The shading system 10 has a reflected light correction function. The reflected light correction function can be turned on or off. When the reflected light correction function is turned on, the sensor unit 2 detects not only direct sunlight but also reflected and scattered sunlight from the room 30. When the reflected light correction function is on, the sensor unit 2 also determines that areas exposed to reflected and scattered sunlight are part of the sunlight area 32 and raises or lowers the screen 4 accordingly.

[0033] (Modified example of sensor unit 2) Sensor unit 2 comprises two sensor units 2a and 2b. Both sensor units 2a and 2b are equipped with three types of sensors (human presence sensor, illuminance sensor, and solar radiation sensor) and a camera. As shown in Figure 6, the functions installed in sensor unit 2a and the functions installed in sensor unit 2b can be changed.

[0034] Figure 6 shows combination patterns 1 to 18 of the first and second sensors. Sensor unit 2a can use either the first or second sensor from each pattern. Sensor unit 2b can use the other of the first or second sensor from each pattern. In Figure 6, patterns with a camera are marked with "○" and patterns without a camera are marked with "×". The sensor unit 2 described above corresponds to pattern 1.

[0035] Patterns 2 through 6 use the same first sensor as Pattern 1, but the second sensor is different. Patterns 2 and 3 have a different number of sensors mounted on the second sensor compared to Pattern 1. Patterns 2 and 3 can reduce the price of the sensor unit 2 compared to Pattern 1 by reducing the number of sensors mounted on the second sensor. In Patterns 2 and 3, any sensor can be selected from three types of sensors (motion sensor, illuminance sensor, and solar radiation sensor).

[0036] Patterns 4 through 6 each have the same number of sensors mounted on the second sensor as patterns 1 through 3. Patterns 4 through 6 do not have a camera mounted on the second sensor. By not mounting a camera on the second sensor, patterns 4 through 6 can each have a lower price for the sensor unit 2 than patterns 1 through 3.

[0037] Patterns 7 to 12 have two sensors mounted on the first sensor, which is fewer than the number of sensors mounted on patterns 1 to 6. In patterns 7 to 12, the presence or absence of a camera on the second sensor and the number of sensors mounted on it are the same as in patterns 1 to 6. In patterns 7 to 12, the sensors are arranged so that a human presence sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a solar radiation sensor are mounted on at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor. Patterns 7 to 12 can realize an inexpensive sensor unit 2 by reducing the number of sensors mounted on the first sensor.

[0038] Patterns 13 to 16 have one sensor mounted on the first sensor, and the number of sensors mounted is even fewer than in patterns 7 to 12. The presence or absence of a camera on the second sensor and the number of sensors mounted in patterns 13 and 14 are the same as in patterns 1 and 2, respectively. The presence or absence of a camera on the second sensor and the number of sensors mounted in patterns 15 and 16 are the same as in patterns 4 and 5, respectively. In patterns 13 to 16 as well, each sensor is arranged so that a human presence sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a solar radiation sensor are mounted on at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor. Patterns 13 to 16 can also realize an inexpensive sensor unit 2 by reducing the number of sensors mounted on the first sensor.

[0039] Pattern 17 has only a camera mounted on the first sensor, and a camera, motion sensor, illuminance sensor, and solar radiation sensor mounted on the second sensor. The presence or absence of a camera on the second sensor in Pattern 17 and the number of sensors mounted are the same as in Pattern 1. Pattern 18 also has only a camera mounted on the first sensor, and a motion sensor, illuminance sensor, and solar radiation sensor mounted on the second sensor. The presence or absence of a camera on the second sensor in Pattern 18 and the number of sensors mounted are the same as in Pattern 4. Pattern 18 satisfies the minimum required number of cameras, motion sensors, illuminance sensors, and solar radiation sensors in both the first and second sensors, and can realize the most inexpensive sensor unit 2.

[0040] In all of patterns 1 to 18, at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor is equipped with a camera, a motion sensor, an illuminance sensor, and a solar radiation sensor. Regardless of which of patterns 1 to 18 the sensor unit 2 used in the shading system 10 is, the sensor unit 2 can drive the motor 6 and raise and lower the screen 4. The choice of which of patterns 1 to 18 to use as the sensor unit 2 can be appropriately selected depending on the size of the room 30, the area where the shading system 10 will be installed, the budget, etc.

[0041] The features described herein are listed below.

[0042] In a first aspect of the technology disclosed herein, a shading system for blocking sunlight comprises a shading device and a sensor unit, the sensor unit having a motion sensor for detecting the location of a person within a detection range, an illuminance sensor for detecting the illuminance within the detection range, a solar radiation sensor for detecting the amount of sunlight within the detection range, and a camera for capturing images within the detection range, and the sensor unit may drive the shading device so that the person is located in a shaded area when it detects that the person has been staying in a sunlit area for a certain period of time.

[0043] In a second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the sensor unit may be switchable between an automatic mode in which the shielding device is driven automatically and a manual mode in which the shielding device is driven by an external communication device.

[0044] In a third embodiment, in the second embodiment described above, the sensor unit may drive the shielding device based on the movements of the person captured by the camera.

[0045] In a fourth embodiment, in the first embodiment described above, the sensor unit may also drive devices other than the shielding device.

[0046] In the fifth embodiment, in any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the shielding device may include a screen that shields the sunlight entering the room through the window of the building.

[0047] In the sixth embodiment, in the fifth embodiment, the sensor portion may be provided at both ends of the shielding device in the width direction of the window.

[0048] The specific examples of the technology disclosed herein have been described in detail above. These are merely illustrative examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0049] (1) In the above embodiment, a shielding system 10 that shields sunlight incident on the room 30 using a screen 4 has been described. The shielding system disclosed herein can also be applied to the operation of shielding devices such as blinds and electrochromic glass.

[0050] (2) The shading systems disclosed herein can also be applied to devices that block sunlight outdoors. For example, the shading systems disclosed herein can be applied to the operation of outdoor shading devices such as awnings and shutters.

[0051] (3) In addition to the motion sensor, illuminance sensor, and solar radiation sensor, the sensor unit 2 may also have at least one of a position sensor and a clock function. The position sensor may detect the latitude and longitude of the location where the shading system 10 is installed. If the sensor unit 2 is equipped with a position sensor, the sensor unit 2 can grasp weather information of the location where the shading system 10 is installed. If the sensor unit 2 is equipped with a clock function, the sensor unit 2 can grasp season and time information. By having at least one of a position sensor and a clock function, the sensor unit 2 can take into account weather, season, time information, etc., and operate the shading device with greater accuracy.

[0052] (4) In the above embodiment, a shading system 10 that can be switched between automatic mode and manual mode has been described. The shading system 10 does not have to have a manual mode. Even without a manual mode, the screen 4 can be raised and lowered automatically to maintain a comfortable indoor environment 30.

[0053] (5) In the above embodiment, a shielding system 10 having a gesture detection function has been described. The gesture detection function may be omitted. The gesture detection function may be an optional function depending on the product grade of the shielding system 10. The human shadow detection mode, illuminance mode, sunlight mode, indoor temperature mode, indoor / outdoor temperature mode and direct sunlight mode for people may also be omitted and may be optional functions depending on the product grade.

[0054] The technical elements described in at least one of this specification and the drawings exhibit technical utility individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technologies illustrated in at least one of this specification and the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives itself constitutes technical utility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 2: Sensor unit, 2a: Sensor unit, 2b: Sensor unit, 4: Screen, 8: Main unit, 10: Shielding system, 20: Window, 30: Interior, 32: Sunlit area, 34: Shaded area, 40: Person, 42: Human silhouette, 50: Communication equipment, 52: Open / close window, 54: Interior light

Claims

1. A shielding system that blocks sunlight, It is equipped with a shielding device and a sensor unit. The aforementioned sensor unit is A motion sensor that detects the location of a person within its detection range, An illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance within the aforementioned detection range, A solar radiation sensor that detects the amount of sunlight within the detection range, It includes a camera that captures images within the detection range, The shielding system includes a sensor unit that detects when a person has been staying in a sunny area for a certain period of time, and drives the shielding device to position the person in a shaded area.

2. The shielding system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is switchable between an automatic mode in which the shielding device is driven automatically and a manual mode in which the shielding device is driven by an external communication device.

3. The shielding system according to claim 2, wherein the sensor unit drives the shielding device based on the movements of the person captured by the camera.

4. The shielding system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit also drives devices other than the shielding device.

5. The shielding system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shielding device comprises a screen that shields the sunlight that enters the room through a window of the building.

6. The shielding system according to claim 5, wherein the sensor portion is provided at both ends of the shielding device in the width direction of the window.

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