Device

Abstract

To provide a device that gives notice of danger by ringing a notification sound according to each stage within a notification distance, when an object has approached the device over a fixed period of time.SOLUTION: An device 100 comprises a distance measurement part 10 for measuring a distance from an object M, a notification part 20 that emits a notification sound, and a control part for controlling the notification part to emit the notification sound when the distance is within a notification distance where the notification sound needs to be emitted. The control part variably controls the stand-by time for the notification part to issue the notification sound, according to each stage within the notification distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device, and more particularly to a device that variably controls a waiting time before emitting an alarm sound. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Devices such as heating appliances have been disclosed in the past.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a heating appliance that is equipped with a human body sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person and a distance sensor that measures the distance from the appliance body, and that variably controls the heat output or airflow volume continuously or in stages depending on the distance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-232987 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The heating appliance described in Patent Document 1 is also capable of sounding an alarm to warn users when they get too close to the appliance body. However, if the alarm sounds every time a user gets too close to the heating appliance, it can be annoying.

[0006] In view of the above problem, the present disclosure aims to provide a device that issues an alarm sound to warn of danger when the vehicle approaches for a certain period of time according to each stage within the warning distance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a device includes a distance measurement unit that measures the distance to an object, an alarm unit that emits an alarm sound, and a control unit that controls the alarm unit to emit the alarm sound when the distance is within an alarm distance at which the alarm sound needs to be emitted, and the control unit is characterized in that it variably controls the waiting time until the alarm unit emits the alarm sound according to each stage within the alarm distance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a device that issues an alarm sound to warn of danger when approaching for a certain period of time according to each stage within the warning distance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of an apparatus according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims, and not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure. The X axis is the front-to-rear direction of the device, the Y axis is the width direction of the device, and the Z axis is the height direction of the device.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a device 100 according to the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of a device according to the present disclosure. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, device 100 according to the present disclosure includes a distance measurement unit 10, an alarm unit 20, and a control unit 30. The control unit 30 is characterized in that it variably controls the waiting time until alarm unit 20 emits an alarm sound according to each stage within the alarm distance.

[0012] The device 100 according to the present disclosure is, for example, a heating device such as a ceramic heater, gas heater, or oil fan heater equipped with a heater 60, a fan 70, an air outlet 50, etc., as well as an air conditioner, a humidifier, an air conditioner, a blower such as an electric fan, an air purifier, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, etc. These devices require safety because they generate heat due to the load of the heater, motor, etc. In addition, the fan blades and the motor themselves are also dangerous objects and require safety.

[0013] Each component will be explained below.

[0014] The distance measurement unit 10 measures the distance to the object M. The distance measurement unit 10 is, for example, a distance sensor. The object M is, for example, an object, a person, an animal, etc. The distance measurement unit 10 is provided in the front direction of the front-rear direction X of the housing 1.

[0015] The notification unit 20 issues a notification sound such as a warning or a buzzer sound, etc. The notification unit 20 is, for example, a speaker.

[0016] The control unit 30 controls the alarm unit 20 to emit an alarm sound when the distance to the object M is within an alarm distance where an alarm sound needs to be emitted. The control unit 30 is, for example, a control device including a microcomputer.

[0017] Furthermore, the control unit 30 variably controls the waiting time until the notification unit 20 emits the notification sound in accordance with each stage within the notification distance. The control unit 30 is provided inside the housing 1.

[0018] The standby time is the time the device waits before emitting a warning sound, and varies depending on the level of the warning distance. The warning distance is the distance at which the device needs to emit a warning sound, and is within the range of distance at which an object or person approaches the device. Each level corresponds to the distance.

[0019] 2 is a top front view showing an example of the configuration of the device according to the present disclosure. Preferably, the control unit 30 variably controls the waiting time before emitting the alarm sound based on a first distance D1 that is close to the object M and a second distance D2 that is farther than the first distance D1. The control unit 30 then controls the waiting time to be shorter for the first distance D1 than for the second distance D2. In this way, the control unit 30 preferably variably controls the waiting time before the alarm unit 20 emits the alarm sound according to each stage within the alarm distance.

[0020] The control unit 30 variably controls the waiting time until an alarm sound is emitted based on a first distance D1 that is close to the object M and a second distance D2 that is farther than the first distance D1, and by controlling the waiting time to be shorter for the first distance D1 than for the second distance D2, an alarm sound is emitted immediately to quickly alert people to danger, and burns and injuries that may occur when a person brings their hands close to equipment such as the heating device described above can be avoided.

[0021] When the object M moves from the first distance D1 to the second distance D2 (or vice versa), the standby time is counted based on the distance after the movement. The standby time at the first distance D1 is, for example, at least 1 second but less than 3 seconds. The standby time at the second distance D2 is the time from the time it takes for a user to warm their hand by bringing it close to the object M to the time it takes for a user to suffer a low-temperature burn, for example, at least 3 seconds but less than 5 minutes, or at least 5 minutes but less than 1 hour.

[0022] In this case, it is preferable that the type and / or length of the alarm sound for the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 are different. For example, the type of alarm sound for the first distance D1 can be made to be a sound that is more alarming and / or longer than the type for the second distance D2. This can prevent burns or injuries that may occur when a person brings their hand close to a device such as the heating device described above, and prevent fires that may occur when an object gets close.

[0023] The volume of the notification sound at the first distance D1 and the volume of the notification sound at the second distance D2 may be different. For example, the volume of the notification sound at the first distance D1 may be larger than the volume of the notification sound at the second distance D2. By doing so, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained.

[0024] The first distance D1 is, for example, within a distance of a few centimeters, not less than 1 cm and not more than 10 cm, and the second distance D2 is, for example, within a distance of not less than 10 cm and not more than 1 m.

[0025] On the other hand, it is preferable not to issue a notification if the object M is out of the notification distance before the standby time has elapsed. For example, the object M is out of the notification distance when the object M is further away than the first distance D1 and the second distance D2. In this way, unnecessary notification sounds can be reduced, allowing for a more comfortable ride.

[0026] It is preferable that the control unit 30 reduces or stops the output of the device after the object enters the range of the first distance D1. This can further prevent possible burns or injuries. The output of the heater 60 or the fan 70 can be reduced to reduce or stop the output of the device.

[0027] It is preferable that the control unit 30 starts the output of the device during automatic operation of the device after the device enters the range of a third distance D3, which is farther than the second distance D2. In this way, it is possible to avoid the trouble of increasing the output of the device again.

[0028] The third distance D3 is, for example, 1 m or more. The waiting time at the third distance D3 is longer than 0 seconds and shorter than 0.25 seconds, or longer than 0.25 seconds.

[0029] The control unit 30 may stop the output of the device when the distance is greater than the second distance D2 or the third distance D3, or when a person cannot be detected. In this way, the cost of the device can be reduced.

[0030] The output is a heater, and the heater's set temperature also affects the control of the standby time. That is, when the heater's set temperature is high, the control unit 30 shortens the standby time. For example, when the heater strength is set to "strong," "medium," or "weak," the standby time is shortened by 2 seconds for "strong" and by 1 second for "medium."

[0031] The distance measurement unit 10 may be provided in the center of the front of the device. Alternatively, one distance measurement unit 10 may be provided in the center of the width direction Y of the device near the air outlet 50, or one may be provided in the center of the width direction Y of the device, one on the left side A, and one on the right side B. By providing multiple units in this way, the distance to the object M can be accurately determined, allowing for early notification of danger.

[0032] Furthermore, it is preferable to provide the distance measurement unit 10 at a low position in the height direction Z of the device, so that even short children can be notified of danger as soon as possible.

[0033] The device according to the present disclosure further includes a human presence sensor 40. The human presence sensor 40 distinguishes between the target object M and a person or an object. When the human presence sensor 40 distinguishes the target object M from a person, the control unit 30 preferably controls the standby time to be shorter. This makes it possible to particularly avoid burns or injuries that may occur when a person brings their hand close to a device such as the heating device described above.

[0034] Furthermore, by providing a human presence sensor 40, it is possible to distinguish between a person and an object, and if it is determined to be a person, the waiting time can be controlled to be short, and / or the alarm sound can be made to have a more warning feel, and / or the sound can be made longer and / or louder.

[0035] If the human presence sensor 40 detects a large number of events per time, for example, five or more events per 10 seconds, and determines that the user is rubbing their hands or turning their hands over to warm them, the time will not be counted as standby time. Note that an infrared human presence sensor detects the movement of heat and determines that a person is moving (i.e., a person is present). The human presence sensor will also react to small movements such as rubbing hands. The human presence sensor determines whether "a person is present" or "a small movement such as rubbing hands."

[0036] 1, the distance measurement unit 10 is preferably provided at one end of the device, measuring from one end on the left side A of the device to the other end on the right side B as shown by the arrow, and when an object M is detected at one end, the control unit 30 reduces or stops the output of the device at the other end. For example, when an object or person is detected on the left side A of the device, it is preferable to output airflow or the like only on the right side B of the device, and when an object or person is detected on the right side B of the device, it is preferable to output airflow or the like only on the left side A of the device.

[0037] This will further prevent burns and injuries that may occur if a person's hand gets too close, and fires that may occur if an object gets too close.

[0038] The display unit 80 can also display the above-mentioned features, such as whether the object M is within the alarm distance, the waiting time until the alarm unit 20 emits an alarm sound according to each stage within the alarm distance, the first distance D1 and the second distance D2, and if the object M goes outside the alarm distance before the waiting time has elapsed, reducing or stopping the output of the device after entering within the range of the first distance D1.

[0039] Furthermore, a cancel button may be provided on the display unit 80, and the alarm sound may not be muted unless the cancel button is pressed. In this way, even if the sound is ignored, it is possible to avoid burns or injuries that may occur if a person's hand gets close, or a fire that may occur if an object gets close.

[0040] As described above, the device 100 according to the present disclosure can emit an alarm sound to warn of danger when the object approaches for a certain period of time according to each stage within the warning distance.

[0041] Although each embodiment and each example of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel features and effects of the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] For example, a term described at least once in the specification or drawings together with a different term having a broader or similar meaning can be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. Furthermore, the configuration and operation of the device are not limited to those described in each embodiment and each example of the present disclosure, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 chassis 10 distance measurement unit, 20 Information Department, 30 control section, 40 Human presence sensors, 50 outlet, 60 heaters, 70 fans, 80 Display section, A (device) left side, B (device) right side, M object, D1 first distance, D2 second distance, D3 third distance, X (forward / backward direction of the device), Y (width direction of the device), Z (height direction of the device)

Claims

1. a distance measurement unit that measures the distance to an object; an alarm unit that emits an alarm sound; a control unit that controls the notification unit to emit the notification sound when the distance is within a notification distance at which the notification sound needs to be emitted, The control unit variably controls the waiting time until the alarm unit emits the alarm sound according to each stage within the alarm distance.

2. The device described in claim 1, characterized in that the control unit variably controls the waiting time until the alarm sound is emitted based on a first distance that is closer to the object and a second distance that is farther than the first distance, and controls the waiting time to be shorter for the first distance than for the second distance.

3. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device does not issue a notification if the object moves out of the notification distance before the waiting time has elapsed.

4. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the types and / or lengths of the notification sounds for the first distance and the second distance are different from each other.

5. The device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit reduces or stops the output of the device after the object enters within the range of the first distance.

6. The device described in any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the control unit starts output of the device during automatic operation of the device after the object enters within a range of a third distance that is farther than the second distance.

7. The device described in any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the control unit stops output of the device when a person is farther than the second distance or farther than the third distance, or when a person cannot be detected.

8. the output of the device is a heater; 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit shortens the standby time when the set temperature of the heater is high.

9. It also has a human presence sensor, The human presence sensor distinguishes between a person and an object, The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit controls the standby time to be shorter when the human sensor distinguishes the presence of a human.

10. the distance measurement unit is provided at an end of the device to measure from one end of the device to the other end; The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein when the object is detected at the one end, the control unit reduces or stops the output of the device at the other end.

11. 11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is a heating device.

Images