Heatstroke risk determination device, heatstroke risk determination method, heatstroke risk determination program, air conditioning device, and heatstroke risk determination system

Abstract

The present invention provides a heatstroke risk determination device, a heatstroke risk determination method, a heatstroke risk determination program, a heatstroke risk determination system, an air conditioning device, and a heatstroke risk determination system that determine the risk of heatstroke based on heat acclimation. The heatstroke risk assessment device 20 includes an acquisition unit 30 that calculates a hot environment index value, which is an index for assessing a hot environment; a setting unit 40 that sets the judgment standard value high when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment standard value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization; and a assessment unit 50 that determines that there is a risk of heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment standard value.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heatstroke risk determination device, a heatstroke risk determination method, a heatstroke risk determination program, an air conditioning device, and a heatstroke risk determination system. [Background technology]

[0002] Heatstroke occurs when the body's thermoregulatory function becomes abnormal in a hot environment, causing heat to accumulate inside the body. To prevent the onset of heatstroke, a device is known that monitors a hot environment index value, which is an index used to determine the hot environment, and issues an alarm when the hot environment index value indicates a high risk of developing heatstroke.

[0003] The risk of developing heatstroke varies from person to person depending on the physical condition. Therefore, a device has been proposed that outputs a warning to prevent heatstroke by reflecting individual differences. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that outputs a warning that reflects individual differences in heat tolerance by comparing a heat environment index value (heat index) with a predetermined reference value to determine the warning level, and then determining the severity of the warning level based on predetermined settings for the subject's age group, attributes, and place of residence. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-041043 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The device in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration heat acclimatization, which is when the body becomes accustomed to heat and resistance to heat improves. Therefore, the device in Patent Document 1 may not be able to output an alarm according to the risk of developing heatstroke, which changes with heat acclimatization.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a heatstroke risk assessment device, a heatstroke risk assessment method, a heatstroke risk assessment program, an air conditioning device, and a heatstroke risk assessment system that assess the risk of heatstroke by reflecting heat acclimatization. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The heatstroke risk assessment device according to the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that calculates a hot environment index value, which is an index for assessing a hot environment; a setting unit that sets the judgment standard value high when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment standard value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization; and a determination unit that determines that there is a risk of heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment standard value.

[0008] The heatstroke risk assessment method disclosed herein includes an acquisition step of calculating a hot environment index value, which is an index for assessing a hot environment; a setting step of setting a high judgment standard value if the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment standard value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization; and a determination step of determining that there is a risk of heatstroke if the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment standard value set in the setting step.

[0009] The heatstroke risk assessment program of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute an acquisition step of calculating a hot environment index value, which is an index for assessing a hot environment; a setting step of setting a high judgment standard value if the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment standard value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization; and a determination step of determining that there is a risk of heatstroke if the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment standard value set in the setting step.

[0010] The air conditioning apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that calculates a hot environment index value, which is an index for determining a hot environment; a setting unit that sets a high judgment standard value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment standard value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization; a determination unit that determines that there is a risk of developing heat stroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment standard value; and a control unit that controls the air conditioning function based on the determination result of the determination unit.

[0011] The heatstroke risk assessment system of the present disclosure comprises a heatstroke risk assessment device having an acquisition unit that calculates a hot environment index value, which is an index for assessing a hot environment, a setting unit that sets the judgment standard value high when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment standard value continues for more than a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization, and a judgment unit that determines that there is a risk of heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment standard value, and an air conditioning apparatus having a control unit that controls the air conditioning function based on the judgment result of the judgment unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the heatstroke risk assessment device, heatstroke risk assessment method, heatstroke risk assessment program, air conditioning device, and heatstroke risk assessment system disclosed herein, the risk of heatstroke can be assessed by reflecting heat acclimatization. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a system block diagram showing a heatstroke development risk determination system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining heat acclimation. [Figure 3] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a heatstroke development risk determination device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing a method for determining a risk of developing heatstroke according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5]This is a diagram showing the relationship between the heat index and temperature for each region. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a system block diagram showing a heatstroke development risk determination system according to a second modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a system block diagram showing a heatstroke development risk determination system according to a third modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a system block diagram showing a heatstroke development risk determination system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a method for determining a risk of developing heatstroke according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a thermal image acquired by a heatstroke development risk determination device according to a first modification of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a system block diagram showing a heatstroke development risk determination system according to a first modification of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following describes an example of a heatstroke risk assessment device, a heatstroke risk assessment method, a heatstroke risk assessment program, an air conditioning device, and a heatstroke risk assessment system according to the present disclosure, with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0015] Embodiment 1 <Configuration of First Embodiment> First, a heatstroke development risk determination system 100 including a heatstroke development risk determination device 20 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a system block diagram of the heatstroke development risk determination system 100.

[0016] The heatstroke risk assessment system 100 assesses the risk of heatstroke that reflects heat acclimatization based on a hot environment index value, which is an index for assessing a hot environment, and outputs the assessment result. A hot environment is an environment in which there is a risk of heatstroke, and the hot environment index value is, in other words, an index for determining whether or not there is a risk of heatstroke in an environment.

[0017] 1, the heatstroke risk assessment system 100 includes an environmental sensor 10, a heatstroke risk assessment device 20, and an output device 70. The environmental sensor 10, the heatstroke risk assessment device 20, and the output device 70 are provided in an air conditioning device 80. The environmental sensor 10 and the heatstroke risk assessment device 20, and the heatstroke risk assessment device 20 and the output device 70 are connected via wires to enable mutual input and output.

[0018] The environmental sensor 10 is a sensor that senses the temperature and humidity environment of a determination target area, which is an area where a person to be determined exists. Here, the determination target area is the effective range of sensing by the environmental sensor 10. For example, if the environmental sensor 10 is installed indoors, the indoor space in which the environmental sensor 10 is installed is the determination target area, and if the environmental sensor 10 is installed outdoors, such as at a weather station, the determination target area is a range predetermined as the effective range of sensing. The environmental sensor 10 acquires environmental sensor values ​​of the determination target area that are necessary for the heatstroke development risk assessment device 20 to assess the risk of heatstroke development. In other words, the environmental sensor values ​​are values ​​acquired by the environmental sensor 10 to calculate a hot environment index value, such as the temperature and relative humidity of the determination target area.

[0019] The heatstroke risk assessment device 20 is composed of an acquisition unit 30, a setting unit 40, a determination unit 50, and a storage unit 60. The acquisition unit 30 includes an environmental sensor value acquisition unit 31 that acquires environmental sensor values ​​from the environmental sensor 10, and a hot environment index calculation unit 32 that calculates a hot environment index value from the environmental sensor value. The setting unit 40 sets a determination reference value used to determine the risk of heatstroke that reflects heat acclimation, based on the hot environment index value calculated by the acquisition unit 30. The determination unit 50 determines the risk of heatstroke based on the hot environment index value calculated by the acquisition unit 30 and the determination reference value set by the setting unit 40. The storage unit 60 stores a program 61 and a database 62 for implementing each function of the heatstroke risk assessment device 20.

[0020] The output device 70 is a device that performs output based on the determination result of the determination unit 50 of the heatstroke development risk determination device 20. The output device 70 is, for example, a display device that displays the determination result of the determination unit 50, or a control device that controls the air conditioning function of the air conditioning device based on the determination result of the determination unit 50.

[0021] In this way, the heatstroke risk assessment system 100 is configured to calculate a hot environment index value from the environmental sensor value acquired by the environmental sensor 10, assess the risk of heatstroke based on the calculated hot environment index value and a criterion value that reflects heat acclimatization, and output the assessment result. The environmental sensor value and calculation method used to calculate the hot environment index value differ depending on the hot environment index value. In the following, as an example of the heatstroke risk determination system 100, a case will be described in which the risk of heatstroke is determined based on a heat index (WBGT: Wet Bulb Globe Temperature), which is an example of a hot environment index value.

[0022] The heat index is an index used to determine the hot environment, taking into account temperature, humidity, and radiant heat, which have a large impact on the human body's heat balance. The heat index is used as a guideline for preventing heatstroke, and is expressed in degrees Celsius (°C). For example, in everyday life, the heat index is classified as "safe" below 21°C, "caution" between 21°C and 25°C, "alert" between 25°C and 28°C, "high alert" between 28°C and 31°C, and "danger" above 31°C.

[0023] The environmental sensor 10 is, for example, a temperature and humidity sensor that acquires the temperature and relative humidity. Specifically, the temperature and humidity sensor is installed in the indoor unit of the air conditioner 80. For example, the temperature and humidity sensor is a sensor installed in the air intake of the indoor unit to control the air conditioning function of the air conditioner 80 so that the indoor space reaches a set temperature. The temperature and humidity sensor acquires, as environmental sensor values, the temperature and relative humidity of the indoor space in which the indoor unit is installed, which is the area to be determined. The temperature and humidity sensor then outputs the acquired temperature and relative humidity to the heatstroke development risk determination device 20.

[0024] The heatstroke risk assessment device 20 calculates a heat index, which is an example of a hot environment index value, based on the temperature and relative humidity of the area to be assessed obtained from a temperature and humidity sensor, and assesses the risk of heatstroke based on the calculated heat index.

[0025] The environmental sensor value acquisition unit 31 periodically acquires the temperature and relative humidity of the indoor space where the indoor unit, which is the area to be determined, from the temperature and humidity sensor. The environmental sensor value acquisition unit 31 acquires the current temperature and relative humidity every hour, for example, and stores them in the database 62 of the storage unit 60 together with information on the acquisition date and time. The timing at which the environmental sensor value acquisition unit 31 acquires the temperature and relative humidity is not limited to every hour. The timing at which the environmental sensor value acquisition unit 31 acquires the temperature and relative humidity may be any timing at which changes in the environment of the determination target area can be detected. The timing at which the environmental sensor value acquisition unit 31 acquires the temperature and relative humidity may be changed depending on the season or the determination target area.

[0026] The hot environment index value calculation unit 32 calculates a heat index from the temperature and relative humidity acquired by the environmental sensor value acquisition unit 31. Specifically, the hot environment index value calculation unit 32 calculates a heat index based on the temperature and relative humidity acquired by the environmental sensor value acquisition unit 31 and a heat index simple estimation diagram pre-stored in the database 62 of the storage unit 60. Here, the heat index simple estimation diagram shows the relationship between the heat index, temperature, and relative humidity. The hot environment index value calculation unit 32 outputs the calculated heat index to the setting unit 40 and the determination unit 50.

[0027] The setting unit 40 sets the judgment reference value based on the calculated heat index in order to determine the risk of developing heat stroke while reflecting heat acclimation. Before explaining how to set the judgment reference value that reflects heat acclimation, we will first explain the judgment reference value.

[0028] The judgment reference value is a reference value of a hot environment index value that is predetermined to determine whether or not a hot environment exists. When making a judgment based on a heat index, which is an example of a hot environment index value, a threshold value of the heat index for determining whether or not a hot environment exists is set as the judgment reference value. The judgment reference value is predetermined for each area to be judged. The reason for setting the judgment reference value as a predetermined value for each area to be judged is to reflect regional differences in tolerance to heat.

[0029] Regional differences in heat tolerance are explained using Figure 2. Figure 2 shows the relationship between the maximum daily heat index value and the number of heatstroke patients in three regions with different climate zones. Figure 2(a) shows a subarctic region, Figure 2(b) shows a temperate region, and Figure 2(c) shows a subtropical region. In Figure 2, the heat index is shown by a solid line, and the number of heatstroke patients is shown by a dashed line. The heat index and number of heatstroke patients shown in Figure 2 are based on data published by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The temperate region shown in Figure 2(b) has a larger population than the subarctic region shown in Figure 2(a) and the subtropical region shown in Figure 2(c), and therefore has a higher number of heatstroke patients, but the number of heatstroke patients per 1,000 people in each region is similar.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the heat index value at which the number of heatstroke patients increases varies depending on the region's climate classification. In the subarctic region shown in Figure 2(a), the number of heatstroke patients increases when the heat index exceeds 21°C, and when the heat index reaches 27°C, the rate of heatstroke patients is similar to that of temperate and subtropical regions. This is because subarctic regions have a lower tolerance for heat than temperate and subtropical regions. Similarly, temperate regions have a lower tolerance for heat than subtropical regions.

[0031] For this reason, a judgment reference value is set in advance for each judgment target area. Specifically, a relatively low judgment reference value is set in advance for a judgment target area with low heat tolerance, and a relatively high judgment reference value is set in advance for a judgment target area with high heat tolerance. The judgment reference value is also set in advance based on the relationship between the past heat index and the number of heatstroke patients for each judgment target area. For example, the judgment reference value is set to 22°C for subarctic regions, 26°C for temperate regions, and 28°C for subtropical regions, as the heat index at which the number of heatstroke patients begins to increase, as shown in Figure 2. The determination reference values ​​determined for each determination target region are not limited to the above numerical values. The determination reference values ​​determined for each determination target region are stored in the database 62 of the storage unit 60.

[0032] Next, we will explain how the setting unit 40 sets the judgment reference value that reflects heat acclimation. The setting unit 40 sets a higher judgment reference value when the number of days on which the heat index acquired by the acquisition unit 30 is equal to or higher than the judgment reference value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimation. For example, the setting unit 40 sets the judgment reference value higher in increments of 1°C.

[0033] Here, we will explain heat acclimatization using Figure 2. As Figure 2 shows, the number of heatstroke patients tends to increase as the heat index increases. Looking at Figure 2(b), we can see that in the fifth week of June, the fourth week of July, and the second week of August, when the number of heatstroke patients increases, the heat index is around 30°C, but the number of heatstroke patients gradually decreases. This indicates that the human body becomes accustomed to the heat and its sweating function improves, making it possible to regulate body temperature even in hot environments. This process of the human body becoming accustomed to the heat and improving its tolerance to heat is called heat acclimatization.

[0034] Generally, it is said that it takes about 14 days for heat acclimatization to occur. If a hot environment continues for more than the number of days required for heat acclimatization, the human body becomes accustomed to the heat and its tolerance to heat improves, reducing the risk of developing heatstroke even in the same hot environment. Therefore, the setting unit 40 sets a high judgment reference value when the number of days on which the heat index is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value continues for more than 14 days, which is the number required for heat acclimatization. The setting unit 40 can set the judgment reference value to reflect heat acclimatization. The number of days required for heat acclimatization is not limited to 14 days, but should be set based on the relationship between the past heat index, the number of heatstroke patients, and the number of days. Furthermore, to reflect regional differences in heat tolerance, the number of days required for heat acclimatization may be set for each region to be assessed.

[0035] An upper limit may be set for the judgment reference value. As shown in Figures 2(b) and 2(c), when the temperature is 31°C or higher, which is considered "dangerous" in the guidelines for daily life using the heat index, the human body cannot cope with heat acclimatization alone, and heatstroke is likely to occur. For this reason, the setting unit 40 may be configured to set a higher judgment reference value when the number of days the heat index is equal to or higher than the judgment reference value continues for more than a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization and the judgment reference value is less than a predetermined upper limit. The upper limit is a value at which the risk of developing heatstroke is considered high even in a heat-acclimated state, such as 31°C. The setting unit 40 can set the judgment reference value to reflect an environment that is likely to cause heatstroke even in a heat-acclimated state. The upper limit is not limited to 31°C, but should be set based on the relationship between the past heat index and the number of heatstroke patients. Furthermore, to reflect regional differences in heat tolerance, the upper limit may be set for each region to be assessed.

[0036] The setting unit 40 also initializes the criterion value when the maximum daily heat index value is below the initialization reference value for a predetermined number of consecutive days. The initialization reference value is a heat index value that is considered to have a low risk of developing heatstroke, such as 21°C, which is considered "safe" in the guidelines for daily life using the heat index. The predetermined number of days is the number of days required for the body to return to its pre-heat acclimatization state, such as 30 days. By initializing the criterion value by the setting unit 40, when the body returns to its pre-heat acclimatization state, such as at the end of summer, the criterion value can be reset to its initial value before heat acclimatization was reflected, and the criterion value can be set to an appropriate value. In other words, the setting unit 40 can adjust the criterion value to an appropriate value before and after the period of heat acclimatization. The initialization reference value and the number of days are not limited to the above values, and are preferably set based on the relationship between the past heat index, the number of heatstroke patients, and the number of days. In addition, to reflect regional differences in heat tolerance, the initialization reference value and the number of days may be set for each region to be determined.

[0037] The determination unit 50 determines the risk of heatstroke based on the hot environment index value calculated by the acquisition unit 30 and the determination reference value set by the setting unit 40. Specifically, the determination unit 50 determines that there is a risk of heatstroke when the heat index calculated by the acquisition unit 30 is equal to or greater than the determination reference value set by the setting unit 40. That is, the determination unit 50 determines whether the determination target area is in a hot environment, that is, whether the subject of determination in the determination target area is at risk of heatstroke, based on the determination reference value that reflects heat acclimation. The determination unit 50 outputs the determination result to the output device 70.

[0038] The output device 70 is a device provided in the air conditioning apparatus 80 that outputs based on the determination result of the determination unit 50. As described above, the output device 70 is, for example, a display device that displays the determination result of the determination unit 50, or a control device that controls the air conditioning function of the air conditioning apparatus 80 based on the determination result of the determination unit 50.

[0039] When the output device 70 is a display device, the display device converts the determination result input from the determination unit 50 into text or an image and displays it on a screen provided in the indoor unit. The heatstroke risk determination system 100 equipped with a display device can notify the person to be determined who is in the indoor space where the indoor unit is installed, which is the determination target area, of the risk of developing heatstroke.

[0040] When the output device 70 is a control device, the control device controls the air conditioning function of the air conditioner 80 based on the determination result input from the determination unit 50. For example, when the determination unit 50 determines that there is a risk of heatstroke, the control device receives the determination result from the determination unit 50 and lowers the air conditioning temperature setting based on the determination result. The heatstroke risk determination system 100, which is equipped with a control device, can control the air conditioner 80 based on whether or not there is a risk of heatstroke, thereby reducing the risk of heatstroke.

[0041] The storage unit 60 stores a program 61 and a database 62. The heatstroke development risk determination device 20 reads out and executes the program 61 stored in the storage unit 60 to perform the process of determining the risk of heatstroke development.

[0042] Program 61 is a heatstroke risk assessment program that causes a computer to function as heatstroke risk assessment device 20 according to embodiment 1 and executes the heatstroke risk assessment method according to embodiment 1. In detail, program 61 causes the computer to execute an acquisition step of calculating a heat index, a setting step of setting a high value of the assessment reference value when the number of days on which the heat index is equal to or greater than the assessment reference value continues for a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization or longer, and a determination step of determining that there is a risk of heatstroke when the heat index is equal to or greater than the assessment reference value set in the setting step.

[0043] The database 62 stores information for calculating the heat index, information for determining the risk of developing heat stroke, and information for setting the reference value. In detail, the database 62 stores a simplified heat index estimation diagram, the reference value for each region to be determined, the number of days required for heat acclimatization, the upper limit of the reference value, the initialization reference value, and the number of days for which the initialization reference value continues to exist in order to initialize the reference value.

[0044] Next, the hardware configuration of the heatstroke development risk determination device 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the heatstroke development risk determination device 20.

[0045] 3, the heatstroke risk assessment device 20 is composed of a calculation device 1, a memory device 2, an auxiliary memory device 3, an input device 4, and an output device 5. The calculation device 1, the memory device 2, the auxiliary memory device 3, the input device 4, and the output device 5 are connected via a signal line 6.

[0046] The arithmetic device 1 is a device that realizes each function of the determination unit 50 shown in FIG. 1. The arithmetic device 1 reads out a necessary program 61 from the auxiliary storage device 3 and executes processing to realize each function of the determination unit 50 of the heatstroke development risk determination device 20. The arithmetic device 1 is, for example, a processor, and the processor is an IC (Integrated Circuit) that performs arithmetic processing. Specific examples of the processor are, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The arithmetic device 1 may also be a personal computer, a microcomputer board, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) board, or the like.

[0047] The storage device 2 is a main storage device of the heatstroke development risk determination device 20. The main storage device temporarily stores calculations of the processes performed by the arithmetic device 1. The storage device 2 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0048] The auxiliary storage device 3 is the storage unit 60 shown in Fig. 1 and is an auxiliary storage device of the heatstroke development risk assessment device 20. The auxiliary storage device 3 stores a program 61 required to realize each function of the assessment unit 50 of the heatstroke development risk assessment device 20, and a database 62 that stores information for executing a heatstroke development risk assessment and information used when performing processing for setting the assessment reference value. The auxiliary storage device 3 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0049] 1, and is an input interface of the heatstroke development risk determination device 20. The input device 4 inputs, to the calculation device 1, for example, a heat index of the determination target area acquired by a temperature and humidity sensor.

[0050] The output device 5 is an output interface of the heatstroke development risk determination device 20. The output device 5 outputs the determination result of the determination unit 50 to an output device 70 including a display device or a control unit, for example.

[0051] The signal line 6 is a transmission path for transmitting and receiving data between the components shown in FIG.

[0052] <Determination method according to the first embodiment> Next, the procedure of the heatstroke development risk determination method according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the heatstroke development risk determination method according to the first embodiment.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, first, the acquisition unit 30 calculates the heat index of the determination target area (step S11). In detail, the environmental sensor value acquisition unit 31 of the acquisition unit 30 acquires the temperature and relative humidity of the indoor space in which the indoor unit, which is the determination target area, is installed from the temperature and humidity sensor, and the hot environment index value calculation unit 32 of the acquisition unit 30 calculates the heat index of the indoor space in which the indoor unit is installed based on the indoor temperature and relative humidity acquired by the environmental sensor value acquisition unit 31 and the heat index simplified estimation diagram stored in the storage unit 60. Step S11 is processed at predetermined acquisition times when the heatstroke development risk assessment device 20 is operating. For example, in step S11, the acquisition unit 30 calculates the heat index of the determination target area every hour.

[0054] Next, the setting unit 40 determines whether the number of days on which the heat index calculated by the acquisition unit 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value continues for at least a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization (step S12). Here, the reference value is a value predetermined for each region to be determined. For example, the reference value is set to 22°C if the region to be determined is a subarctic region, 26°C if the region to be determined is a temperate region, and 28°C if the region to be determined is a subtropical region. The region to be determined may be identified when step S12 is performed. The region to be determined may be set by the person to be determined entering it into the heatstroke development risk determination device 20, or may be set using the air conditioning device 80, a temperature and humidity sensor, or GPS information installed in the heatstroke development risk determination device 20. The number of days required for heat acclimatization is, for example, 14 days.

[0055] If the number of days on which the heat index is equal to or greater than the reference value continues for at least the number of days required for heat acclimation (Yes in step S12), the setting unit 40 determines whether the reference value is less than a predetermined upper limit (step S13). Here, the upper limit is a value that is considered to pose a high risk of heat stroke even in a heat-acclimated state, such as 31°C. If the number of days on which the heat index is equal to or greater than the reference value continues for at least the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimation (Yes in step S12) and the reference value is less than the predetermined upper limit (step S13), the setting unit 40 increases the reference value (step S14). Specifically, the setting unit 40 increases the reference value by 1°C.

[0056] If the number of days on which the heat index is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value has not continued for the number of days required for heat acclimation (No in step S12), the setting unit 40 determines whether the number of days on which the heat index is less than the initialization reference value has continued for a predetermined number of days or more (step S15). Here, the initialization reference value is a heat index value that is considered to have a low risk of developing heatstroke, such as 21°C. The predetermined number of days is the number of days required for the body to return to its state before heat acclimation, such as 30 days. If the number of days on which the heat index is less than the initialization reference value has continued for the predetermined number of days or more (Yes in step S15), the setting unit 40 assumes that the body of the person to be determined in the determination target area has returned to its state before heat acclimation, and initializes the judgment reference value (step S16). If the number of days on which the heat index is less than the initialization reference value has not continued for the predetermined number of days or more (No in step S15), the setting unit 40 maintains the judgment reference value (step S17).

[0057] When the setting unit 40 has completed setting the judgment reference value, the judgment unit 50 judges whether or not the heat index is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value set by the setting unit 40 (step S18). If it is judged that the heat index is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value set by the setting unit 40 (Yes in step S18), the judgment unit 50 judges that there is a risk of developing heatstroke (step S19). If it is judged that the heat index is less than the judgment reference value set by the setting unit 40 (No in step S18), the judgment unit 50 judges that there is no risk of developing heatstroke (step S20).

[0058] The determination result of the risk of developing heatstroke determined by the determination unit 50 is output to the output device 70. For example, if the output device 70 is a display device provided in the air conditioning device 80, the determination result of the determination unit 50 is output to the display device, and the display device displays the determination result, thereby notifying the risk of developing heatstroke in the area to be determined. If the output device 70 is a control device provided in the air conditioning device 80 that controls the air conditioning function of the air conditioning device 80, the determination result of the determination unit 50 is output to the control device, and the control device controls the air conditioning function based on the determination result, thereby reducing the risk of developing heatstroke.

[0059] As described above, the heatstroke risk assessment method according to embodiment 1 includes an acquisition step (step S11) for calculating a heat index, a setting step (steps S12-S17) for setting a high value for the assessment standard value if the number of days on which the heat index is equal to or greater than a predetermined assessment standard value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization, and a assessment step (steps S18-S20) for determining that there is a risk of heatstroke if the heat index is equal to or greater than the assessment standard value. According to the method for determining the risk of developing heatstroke in embodiment 1, the determination criteria used to determine the risk of developing heatstroke can be set according to heat acclimatization, making it possible to determine the risk of developing heatstroke in a way that reflects heat acclimatization.

[0060] In the above, an example has been described in which a temperature and humidity sensor is provided as an example of the environmental sensor 10 that acquires environmental sensor values ​​of the target area necessary for the heatstroke risk assessment device 20 to assess the risk of heatstroke based on the heat index as a hot environment index value. However, this is not limited to this. The environmental sensor 10 may also be a heat index sensor that acquires a heat index. The heat index sensor measures the wet bulb temperature, black bulb temperature, and dry bulb temperature and calculates the heat index from the measured temperatures using a built-in microcomputer. When the environmental sensor 10 is provided with a heat index sensor, the acquisition unit 30 acquires the heat index from the heat index sensor, and the setting unit 40 and the determination unit 50 perform setting and determination based on the heat index acquired by the acquisition unit 30.

[0061] Here, a temperature and humidity sensor is cheaper than a heat index sensor. Therefore, when a temperature and humidity sensor is provided as the environmental sensor 10, the heatstroke risk assessment system can calculate the heat index more cheaply than when a heat index sensor is provided. Therefore, the heatstroke risk assessment system 100, which includes a temperature and humidity sensor as the environmental sensor 10, can assess the risk of heatstroke more cheaply than when a heat index sensor is provided.

[0062] <Effects of the First Embodiment> The functions and effects of the heatstroke development risk determination device 20, the heatstroke development risk determination method, the heatstroke development risk determination program 61, the air conditioning device 80, and the heatstroke development risk determination system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0063] The heatstroke risk assessment device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit 30 that calculates a hot environment index value, which is an index for assessing a hot environment, a setting unit 40 that sets a high value of the assessment standard value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value acquired by the acquisition unit 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined assessment standard value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization, and a assessment unit 50 that determines that there is a risk of heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the assessment standard value.

[0064] The heatstroke risk assessment method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step of calculating a hot environment index value, which is an index for assessing a hot environment; a setting step of setting a high judgment standard value if the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment standard value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization; and a determination step of determining that there is a risk of heatstroke if the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment standard value set in the setting step.

[0065] The heatstroke risk assessment program 61 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute an acquisition step of calculating a hot environment index value, which is an index for assessing a hot environment; a setting step of setting a high value of the assessment standard value if the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined assessment standard value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization; and a determination step of determining that there is a risk of heatstroke if the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the assessment standard value set in the setting step.

[0066] The air conditioning apparatus 80 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit 30 that calculates a hot environment index value, which is an index for determining a hot environment; a setting unit 40 that sets a high judgment standard value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment standard value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization; a determination unit 50 that determines that there is a risk of developing heat stroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment standard value; and a control unit that controls the air conditioning function based on the determination result of the determination unit 50.

[0067] A heatstroke risk assessment system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a heatstroke risk assessment device 20 including an acquisition unit 30 that calculates a hot environment index value, which is an index for assessing a hot environment, a setting unit 40 that sets the judgment reference value high when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment reference value continues for more than a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization, and a determination unit 50 that determines that there is a risk of heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value, and an air conditioning device 80 that includes a control unit that controls an air conditioning function based on the determination result of the determination unit 50. The determination unit 50 sets the judgment reference value high when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization.

[0068] According to the heatstroke risk determination device 20, the heatstroke risk determination method, the heatstroke risk determination program 61, the air conditioning apparatus 80, and the heatstroke risk determination system 100 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, if a hot environment in which a risk of heatstroke exists continues for the number of days required for heat acclimatization, the body of the person to be determined is considered to have acclimatized to the heat, and the determination criterion value used to determine the risk of heatstroke can be increased. That is, the determination criterion value used to determine the risk of heatstroke can be set according to the state of heat acclimatization. Therefore, according to the heatstroke risk determination device 20, the heatstroke risk determination program 61, the heatstroke risk determination method, the air conditioning apparatus 80, and the heatstroke risk determination system 100 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the risk of heatstroke is determined using a determination criterion value that reflects heat acclimatization, and therefore the risk of heatstroke can be determined in a manner that reflects heat acclimatization.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the air conditioning device 80 and heatstroke risk determination system 100 of embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the air conditioning device 80 can be controlled based on whether or not there is a risk of developing heatstroke, thereby reducing the risk of developing heatstroke.

[0070] The heatstroke risk determination device 20, heatstroke risk determination program, heatstroke risk determination method, air conditioning device 80, and heatstroke risk determination system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure determine the risk of heatstroke based on a predetermined reference value for each determination target area. By determining the risk of heatstroke based on a predetermined reference value for each determination target area, the risk of heatstroke can be determined with higher accuracy by reflecting regional differences in tolerance to heat.

[0071] The determination unit 50 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure sets a high determination reference value when the number of days on which the heat index is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization continues for at least the predetermined number of days, and the determination reference value is less than a predetermined upper limit. The determination unit 50 can set the determination reference value taking into account an environment in which heatstroke is likely to occur even in a heat-acclimated state. Therefore, the risk of heatstroke can be determined more accurately by using a determination reference value that more accurately reflects heat acclimatization.

[0072] Variation 1. A first modification of the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, an example of determining the risk of developing heatstroke based on a heat index has been described. In the first modification of the first embodiment, an example of determining the risk of developing heatstroke based on a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value for each determination target area from the temperature of the determination target area will be described.

[0073] In a first variation of the first embodiment, a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value for each target area from the temperature of the target area is used as a hot environment index value, which is an index for determining whether or not a hot environment exists that poses a risk of heatstroke. First, the hot environment index value will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the maximum daily heat index value and the maximum daily temperature value in three regions with different climate zones. FIG. 5(a) shows a subarctic region, FIG. 5(b) shows a temperate region, and FIG. 5(c) shows a subtropical region. In FIG. 5, the heat index is indicated by a solid line, and the temperature is indicated by a dashed line. The heat index shown in FIG. 5 is based on data published by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and the temperature shown in FIG. 5 is based on data published by the Japan Meteorological Agency of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

[0074] As shown in Figure 5, the maximum temperature values ​​fluctuate in the same way as the maximum heat index values. Furthermore, the maximum temperature values ​​tend to be higher than the maximum heat index values, and the difference between the maximum temperature values ​​and the maximum heat index values ​​varies depending on the climate zone. In the subarctic region shown in Figure 5(a), the maximum temperature values ​​are 2-3°C higher than the maximum heat index values. In the temperate region shown in Figure 5(b), the maximum temperature values ​​are 3-4°C higher than the maximum heat index values. In the subtropical region shown in Figure 5(c), the maximum temperature values ​​are 0-1°C higher than the maximum heat index values.

[0075] As described above, there is a correlation between the maximum daily temperature value and the maximum daily heat index value for each climate category. Therefore, a hot environment index value that replaces the heat index can be calculated based on the maximum daily temperature value and information about the climate category. Specifically, the hot environment index value can be calculated by subtracting a predetermined value for each target area from the temperature of the target area. Here, the predetermined value for each target area is the difference between the temperature of the target area and the heat index, and is determined, for example, based on previously acquired temperatures and heat indices.

[0076] Next, the configuration of a heatstroke development risk assessment system 100 according to a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0077] As described above, the heatstroke development risk determination system 100 according to the variation of the first embodiment differs from the heatstroke development risk determination system 100 according to the first embodiment in that the hot environment index value used to determine the risk of heatstroke is a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value for each determination target area from the air temperature of the determination target area. Specifically, the heatstroke development risk determination system 100 differs from the first embodiment in the environmental sensor 10 and the heatstroke development risk determination device 20.

[0078] The environmental sensor 10 according to the first modification of the first embodiment is a temperature sensor that acquires the air temperature of the determination target area. Specifically, the temperature sensor is installed in the indoor unit of the air conditioning device 80. The temperature sensor acquires the air temperature of the indoor space in which the indoor unit, which is the determination target area, is installed as the environmental sensor value, and outputs the acquired air temperature to the heatstroke development risk assessment device 20. Here, the temperature sensor is less expensive than a heat index sensor that can acquire the wet bulb temperature, black bulb temperature, and dry bulb temperature.

[0079] The heatstroke risk assessment device 20 according to the first modification of the first embodiment calculates a heat environment index value by subtracting a predetermined value for each assessment target area from the temperature of the assessment target area based on the temperature of the indoor space where the indoor unit is installed, from a temperature sensor, and assesses the risk of developing heatstroke based on the calculated heat environment index value. The configuration different from the first embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0080] First, the environmental sensor value acquisition unit 31 according to the first modification of the first embodiment periodically acquires the temperature of the indoor space in which the indoor unit is installed from the temperature sensor. Next, the hot environment index calculation unit 32 according to the first modification of the first embodiment calculates a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value for each determination target area from the temperature of the determination target area. Then, the determination unit 50 according to the first modification of the first embodiment determines the risk of developing heatstroke based on the value obtained by subtracting the predetermined value for each determination target area from the temperature of the determination target area. Here, the predetermined value for each determination target area is the difference between the temperature and the heat index for each determination target area, and is stored in the database 62 of the storage unit 60.

[0081] 4, the acquisition unit 30 executes an acquisition step of acquiring the temperature of the determination target area and calculating a hot environment index value by subtracting a predetermined value for each determination target area stored in the storage unit 60 from the acquired temperature of the determination target area. Furthermore, the determination unit 50 executes a setting step (corresponding to steps S12 to S17 in FIG. 4) of determining, as the hot environment index value, the value obtained by subtracting the predetermined value for each determination target area from the temperature of the determination target area, and setting a high value for the judgment reference value if the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value continues for more than the number of days required for heat acclimatization, and a determination step (corresponding to steps S18 to S20 in FIG. 4) of determining that there is a risk of developing heatstroke if the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value set in the setting step.

[0082] According to the heatstroke risk determination system 100 of the first modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a hot environment index value for determining whether or not a heatstroke risk exists can be calculated based on the air temperature of a determination target area acquired by a temperature sensor that is less expensive than a heat index sensor. Therefore, the heatstroke risk determination system 100 of the first modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure can determine the risk of heatstroke relatively inexpensively. In other words, the heatstroke risk determination system 100 of the first modification of the first embodiment of the present disclosure can determine the risk of heatstroke without using an expensive heat index sensor.

[0083] Variation 2. A second modification of the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, a heatstroke development risk determination system 100 was described in which a temperature and humidity sensor, a heatstroke development risk determination device 20, and an output device 70 were provided in an air conditioning apparatus 80. In a second modification of the first embodiment, a heatstroke development risk determination system 100a will be described in which an environmental sensor 10a and a heatstroke development risk determination device 20a are provided outside the air conditioning apparatus 80a, and an output device 70 is provided in the air conditioning apparatus 80a.

[0084] A heatstroke development risk determination system 100a related to an air conditioning apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows a system block diagram of the heatstroke development risk determination system 100a.

[0085] As shown in Figure 6, the heatstroke risk assessment system 100a is composed of an environmental sensor 10a and a heatstroke risk assessment device 20a provided outside an air conditioning device 80a, and the air conditioning device 80a equipped with an output device 70. The environmental sensor 10a, the heatstroke risk assessment device 20a, and the air conditioning device 80a are equipped with communication units (not shown). The environmental sensor 10a and the heatstroke risk assessment device 20a, and the heatstroke risk assessment device 20a and the air conditioning device 80a are connected via wireless communication to enable mutual input and output.

[0086] The environmental sensor 10a is installed in a location that the user desires to be the determination target area, and transmits the temperature and relative humidity in the determination target area where the environmental sensor 10a is installed to the heatstroke development risk determination device 20a. The environmental sensor 10a may be an IoT device capable of communicating with a communication terminal (not shown). When the temperature sensor 10c is an IoT device, the timing of acquiring the temperature and relative humidity in the target area where the temperature sensor 10c is installed may be controlled by a user's operation of the communication terminal.

[0087] The heatstroke risk determination device 20a is, for example, a cloud server, and calculates a heat index based on the temperature and relative humidity received from the environmental sensor 10a, and can determine the risk of heatstroke at the location where the environmental sensor 10a is installed. The determination result by the heatstroke risk determination device 20a is transmitted to the air conditioning device 80a and output to the output device 70 provided in the air conditioning device 80a.

[0088] The heatstroke development risk assessment system 100a according to the second modification of the first embodiment can assess the risk of heatstroke in a target area where the environmental sensor 10a is installed. If the environmental sensor 10a is an IoT device and the timing of acquiring the temperature and relative humidity can be controlled by a communication terminal, the assessment by the heatstroke development risk assessment device 20a can be started by starting sensing by the environmental sensor 10a from a remote location.

[0089] Variation 3. A third modification of the first embodiment will now be described. In the first embodiment, a heatstroke development risk determination system 100 has been described in which the environmental sensor 10, the heatstroke development risk determination device 20, and the output device 70 are provided in an air conditioning apparatus 80. In a third modification of the first embodiment, a heatstroke development risk determination system 100b will be described in which the environmental sensor 10 and the heatstroke development risk determination device 20 are provided in an air conditioning apparatus 80b, and the output device 70b is provided outside the air conditioning apparatus 80b.

[0090] A heatstroke development risk assessment system 100b according to a third modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows a system block diagram of the heatstroke development risk assessment system 100b.

[0091] 7, the heatstroke development risk assessment system 100b is composed of an environmental sensor 10 and a heatstroke development risk assessment device 20 provided in an air conditioning device 80b, and an output device 70b provided outside the air conditioning device 80b. The air conditioning device 80b and the output device 70b are equipped with communication units (not shown), and the air conditioning device 80b and the output device 70b are connected via wireless communication to enable mutual input and output.

[0092] The environmental sensor 10 and the heatstroke development risk determination device 20 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment. The output device 70b differs from the first embodiment in that it is provided outside the air conditioning device 80b. The output device 70b is, for example, a display terminal that displays the determination result of the determination unit 50 of the heatstroke development risk determination device 20, and displays the determination result of the determination unit 50 even in a location away from where the air conditioning device 80b is installed. For example, if the air conditioning device 80b with the built-in heatstroke development risk determination device 20 is installed in the house where the person to be determined resides and the family of the person to be determined carries the display terminal that is the output device 70b, information on the risk of heatstroke development in the determination target area where the person to be determined exists can be notified to the family of the person to be determined.

[0093] According to the heatstroke development risk assessment system 100b according to the third modification of the first embodiment, the assessment result of the heatstroke development risk by the heatstroke development risk assessment device 20 can be confirmed remotely.

[0094] In Modification 2 and Modification 3 of Embodiment 1, the case where the heatstroke development risk assessment device calculates a heat index and assesses the risk of heatstroke based on the temperature and relative humidity acquired by the environmental sensor 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The environmental sensor 10 provided in the heatstroke development risk assessment systems 100a and 100b in Modifications 2 and 3 of Embodiment 1 may be a heat index sensor or a temperature sensor, and the heat environment index value used by the heatstroke development risk assessment device to assess the risk of heatstroke may be a value obtained by subtracting a value predetermined for each assessment target area from the temperature of the assessment target area.

[0095] In embodiment 1, variant 1 of embodiment 1, variant 2, and variant 3, examples have been described in which any one of the environmental sensor 10, heatstroke risk assessment device 20, and output device 70 is built into the air conditioning device 80, but it is also possible that none of the environmental sensor 10, heatstroke risk assessment device 20, and output device 70 are built into the air conditioning device 80.

[0096] Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a heatstroke risk determination device 20 was described that determines that there is a risk of heatstroke when a hot environment index value, which determines whether or not there is a risk of heatstroke, is equal to or greater than a determination reference value. In the second embodiment of the present disclosure, a heatstroke risk determination device 220 will be described that determines that there is a risk of heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a determination reference value and the thermoregulation function of the person being determined to be abnormal. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment of the present disclosure are designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions of the same or corresponding parts are omitted. Hereinafter, a heatstroke development risk determination device 220 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a heatstroke development risk determination system 200 including the heatstroke development risk determination device 220, a heatstroke development risk determination method using the heatstroke development risk determination device 220, a heatstroke development risk determination program 261 that causes a computer to execute the heatstroke development risk determination method, and an air conditioning apparatus equipped with the heatstroke development risk determination device 220.

[0097] First, a heatstroke development risk determination system 200 including a heatstroke development risk determination device 220 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a system block diagram of the heatstroke development risk determination system 200.

[0098] The heatstroke risk assessment system 200 is a system that assesses the risk of heatstroke based on the hot environment index value as well as the thermoregulatory function index value, which is an index for assessing thermoregulatory function, and outputs the assessment results. Here, the thermoregulatory function is a function for maintaining body temperature within a certain range. In a hot environment, if an abnormality occurs in the thermoregulatory function, the risk of developing heatstroke increases. In addition to determining whether or not a hot environment exists, determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the thermoregulatory function makes it possible to more accurately determine the risk of developing heatstroke.

[0099] 8, the heatstroke development risk assessment system 200 includes an environmental sensor 10 and an output device 70 similar to those in the first embodiment, and a biosensor 90 and a heatstroke development risk assessment device 220 different from those in the first embodiment. The environmental sensor 10 and the heatstroke development risk assessment device 20, the biosensor 90 and the heatstroke development risk assessment device 220, and the heatstroke development risk assessment device 220 and the output device 70 are connected to each other so that input and output can be performed.

[0100] The biological sensor 90 is a sensor that senses biological information of the person to be determined. The biological sensor 90 acquires a biological sensor value required for the heatstroke development risk determination device 220 to determine the thermoregulation function of the person to be determined.

[0101] The heatstroke risk determination device 220 determines whether the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the determination reference value, and also determines whether there is an abnormality in the thermoregulation function of the person being determined based on the biological information acquired from the biological sensor 90. The heatstroke risk determination device 220 determines the risk of heatstroke based on the determination result of the environment of the determination area based on the hot environment index value and the determination result of the thermoregulation function of the person being determined.

[0102] The heatstroke risk assessment device 220 includes a setting unit 40 similar to that in the first embodiment, and an acquisition unit 230, a determination unit 250, and a storage unit 260 different from those in the first embodiment. The acquisition unit 230 includes an environmental sensor value acquisition unit 31 and a hot environment index calculation unit 32, as well as a biosensor value acquisition unit 231 that acquires biosensor values ​​from the biosensor 90 and a thermoregulation function index calculation unit 232 that calculates a thermoregulation function index from the biosensor values. The determination unit 250 determines the risk of heatstroke based on the hot environment index and the thermoregulation function index. Specifically, the determination unit 250 performs the same functions as in the first embodiment: determining the environment of the assessment target area based on the hot environment index and the thermoregulation function index; and determining the thermoregulation function of the assessment target person based on the hot environment index and the thermoregulation function index. The storage unit 260 stores a program 261 and a database 262 for implementing the functions of the heatstroke risk assessment device 220. In the following, an example of the heatstroke development risk assessment device 220 will be described, in which an abnormality in the thermoregulation function of a subject is assessed based on an autonomic nervous function index value, which is an example of a thermoregulation function index value.

[0103] The autonomic nervous system regulates functions essential for maintaining life, including the sweating function, and the autonomic nervous function index value is an index that indicates the activity state of the autonomic nervous system. By evaluating the autonomic nervous function index value of the person being assessed in an environment where body temperature should be lowered by sweating, i.e., a hot environment, the activity state of the sweating function of the person being assessed can be determined. If the activity state of the sweating function of the person being assessed is insufficient, it can be determined that the thermoregulation function of the person being assessed is abnormal. The heatstroke development risk assessment system 200 according to the second embodiment assesses the thermoregulation function of the person being assessed based on the hot environment index value and the autonomic nervous function index value, and reflects the assessment result of the thermoregulation function of the person being assessed in assessing the risk of developing heatstroke.

[0104] The biosensor 90 according to the second embodiment is a heartbeat sensor that acquires heartbeat information of the person to be determined. Specifically, the heartbeat sensor is a sensor that acquires heartbeat information contactlessly, for example, a sensor that uses millimeter waves. The heartbeat sensor is installed in the indoor unit of the air conditioning apparatus 80, and acquires, contactlessly, heartbeat information of the person to be determined who is present in the indoor space in which the indoor unit is installed, as a biosensor value. The heartbeat sensor outputs the acquired heartbeat information to the heatstroke onset risk assessment device 220.

[0105] The heatstroke development risk determination device 220 according to the second embodiment calculates an autonomic nervous function index value (LF / HF: Low Frequency / High Frequency), which is an example of an autonomic nervous function index, based on the heart rate information of the person to be determined acquired from a heart rate sensor, and determines the risk of developing heatstroke based on the calculated autonomic nervous function index value. The configuration different from the first embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0106] The biosensor value acquiring unit 231 according to the second embodiment periodically acquires the heartbeat information of the person to be determined from the heartbeat sensor. The biosensor value acquiring unit 231 according to the second embodiment acquires the current heartbeat information of the person to be determined, for example, every five minutes, and stores the information in the database 262 of the storage unit 260 together with information on the acquisition date and time. The timing at which the biosensor value acquiring unit 231 according to the second embodiment acquires heart rate information is not limited to every five minutes. The timing at which the biosensor value acquiring unit 231 according to the second embodiment acquires heart rate information may be any timing at which a change in the thermoregulation function of the person to be determined can be detected, and the acquisition timing may be increased in a hot environment. The timing at which the biosensor value acquiring unit 231 according to the second embodiment acquires heart rate information may also be changed depending on the season or the region to be determined.

[0107] The thermoregulation function index calculation unit 232 according to the second embodiment calculates an autonomic nervous function index as a thermoregulation function index from the heart rate information of the person to be determined acquired by the biosensor value acquisition unit 231 according to the second embodiment.

[0108] The determination unit 250 according to the second embodiment determines the risk of developing heatstroke based on the hot environment index value and the autonomic nervous function index value. Specifically, the determination unit 250 according to the second embodiment determines the environment of the determination target area based on the hot environment index value, and determines the thermoregulation function of the person to be determined based on the hot environment index value and the autonomic nervous function index value.

[0109] The determination of the environment of the area to be determined based on the hot environment index value by the determination unit 250 according to embodiment 2 is similar to the determination by the determination unit 50 according to embodiment 1. The determination of the thermoregulation function of the person to be determined based on the hot environment index value and the autonomic nervous function index value by the determination unit 250 according to embodiment 2 will now be described in detail.

[0110] Determination unit 250 according to the second embodiment first determines whether the autonomic nervous function index value acquired by acquisition unit 230 according to the second embodiment is within a predetermined normal range. Here, the predetermined normal range is the range of autonomic nervous function index values ​​when the autonomic nervous function is normal, and is generally between 0.8 and 2.0. The autonomic nervous function index value is considered to vary little depending on age and gender, and by determining whether the autonomic nervous function index value of the person to be determined is within the normal range, it is possible to determine whether the functions essential for sustaining life, including the sweating function, are normal.

[0111] The autonomic nervous function index value is affected by factors other than the sweating function. Therefore, the determination unit 250 according to the second embodiment determines that the sweating function of the subject is normal if the autonomic nervous function index value is within a normal range in an environment where the subject should sweat to lower their body temperature, i.e., a hot environment. If the sweating function of the subject is normal, the determination unit 250 according to the second embodiment determines whether the current autonomic nervous function index value is higher than the previously acquired autonomic nervous function index value to determine whether the subject is sweating. The autonomic nervous function index value increases when the subject sweats, but the autonomic nervous function index value can also increase due to factors other than sweating. Therefore, when the autonomic nervous function index value increases in a hot environment, the determination unit 250 according to the second embodiment determines that the subject is sweating normally and that the subject's thermoregulation function is normal. Conversely, when the autonomic nervous function index value does not increase in a hot environment, the determination unit 250 according to the second embodiment determines that the subject is not sweating and that the subject's thermoregulation function is abnormal. Here, when the autonomic nervous function index value is not increasing, it means that the autonomic nervous function index value is constant or has decreased.

[0112] As described above, when the judgment unit 250 according to the second embodiment judges that the area to be judged is a hot environment as a result of judging the environment of the area to be judged based on the hot environment index value, and the autonomic nervous function index value calculated by the acquisition unit 230 according to the second embodiment is within a predetermined normal range and the autonomic nervous function index value is not elevated, the judgment unit 250 judges that the thermoregulation function of the person to be judged is abnormal.

[0113] The storage unit 260 according to the second embodiment stores a program 261 and a database 262. The heatstroke development risk determination device 220 according to the second embodiment reads out and executes the program 261 stored in the storage unit 260 according to the second embodiment, thereby performing a process of determining the risk of heatstroke.

[0114] Program 261 according to the second embodiment is a heatstroke development risk assessment program for causing a computer to function as heatstroke development risk assessment device 220 according to the second embodiment and for executing a heatstroke development risk assessment method according to the second embodiment. In detail, program 261 according to the second embodiment causes the computer to execute an acquisition step of calculating a hot environment index value and an autonomic nervous function index value, a setting step of setting the judgment reference value to a high value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value continues for a predetermined number of days or more, and a determination step of determining that there is a risk of heatstroke development when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value set in the setting step and the thermoregulation function of the person to be assessed is determined to be abnormal based on the autonomic nervous function index value.

[0115] The database 262 according to the second embodiment stores information for determining the risk of developing heat stroke and information for setting the determination reference value. In particular, the database 262 stores values ​​of the normal range of the autonomic nerve function index value in addition to the information stored in the database 62 according to the first embodiment.

[0116] <Determination method according to the second embodiment> Next, the procedure of the heatstroke development risk determination method according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the heatstroke development risk determination method according to the second embodiment. Note that the heatstroke development risk determination method according to the second embodiment is similar to steps S11 to S17 of the heatstroke development risk determination method according to the first embodiment, and therefore Fig. 9 shows steps S14, S16, or steps S17 and after shown in Fig. 4.

[0117] As described above, in the heatstroke development risk assessment method according to Embodiment 2, similarly to the heatstroke development risk assessment method according to Embodiment 1, first, the acquisition unit 230 and the setting unit 40 acquire a hot environment index value and set a judgment reference value (steps S11 to S17). Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the acquisition unit 230 calculates the autonomic nervous function index value of the person to be assessed (step S21). In detail, the biosensor value acquisition unit 231 of the acquisition unit 230 acquires heart rate information of the person to be assessed from the heart rate sensor, and the thermoregulation function index calculation unit 232 of the acquisition unit 230 calculates the autonomic nervous function index of the person to be assessed based on the heart rate information of the person to be assessed acquired by the biosensor value acquisition unit 231. Step S21 is performed at predetermined acquisition times when the heatstroke development risk assessment device 220 is operating. For example, in step S21, the acquisition unit 230 calculates the autonomic nervous function index value of the person to be assessed every five minutes.

[0118] Next, similarly to step S18 of the heatstroke development risk determination method according to the first embodiment, the determination unit 250 determines whether or not the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the determination reference value set by the setting unit 40 (step S22).

[0119] If it is determined that the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value set by the setting unit 40 (Yes in step S22), the area to be determined is considered to be in a hot environment. If it is determined that the area to be determined is in a hot environment, the determination unit 250 determines whether the thermoregulatory function of the person to be determined is abnormal based on the autonomic nervous function index value of the person to be determined, and if the thermoregulatory function of the person to be determined is abnormal, determines that the person to be determined is at risk of developing heatstroke. Specifically, first, the determination unit 250 determines whether the autonomic nervous function index value is within a predetermined normal range in the hot environment (step S23). If the autonomic nervous function index value is within the predetermined normal range in the hot environment (Yes in step S23), the determination unit 250 determines that the sweating function of the person to be determined is normal. Next, in order to determine whether the person to be determined is sweating sufficiently, the determination unit 250 determines whether the autonomic nervous function index value is elevated in the hot environment (step S24). If it is determined that the autonomic nervous function index value is elevated in the hot environment (Yes in step S24), the determination unit 250 determines that the thermoregulatory function of the person being determined is normal and that the person being determined is not at risk of developing heatstroke (step S25).If it is determined that the autonomic nervous function index value is not elevated in the hot environment (No in step S24), the determination unit 250 determines that the thermoregulatory function of the person being determined is abnormal and that the person being determined is at risk of developing heatstroke (step S26).

[0120] If it is determined that the autonomic nervous function index value is outside the predetermined normal range in a hot environment (No in step S23), the judgment unit 250 determines that the sweating function of the person being judged is not normal and that the person being judged has already developed heatstroke (step S27).

[0121] If it is determined that the hot environment index value is not equal to or greater than the judgment reference value set by the setting unit 40 (No in step S22), the judgment target area is deemed not to be in a hot environment. If it is determined that the judgment target area is not in a hot environment, the judgment unit 250 determines whether the autonomic nervous function index value of the person being judged is within a predetermined normal range (step S28). If it is determined that the autonomic nervous function index value is within the predetermined normal range in an environmental condition that is not a hot environment (Yes in step S28), the judgment unit 250 determines that the functions essential for sustaining life, including the sweating function, of the person being judged are normal and that the person being judged is not at risk of developing heatstroke (step S29). If it is determined that the autonomic nervous function index value is outside the predetermined normal range in an environmental condition that is not a hot environment (No in step S28), the judgment unit 250 determines that the functions essential for sustaining life, including the sweating function of the person being judged are not normal and that the person being judged is not suffering from heatstroke but has an abnormal physical condition (step S30).

[0122] As described above, the heatstroke risk assessment method according to the second embodiment includes an acquisition step (step S11) for calculating a hot environment index value, a setting step (steps S12-S17) for setting a high judgment standard value if the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment standard value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization, and a judgment step (steps S22-S26) for determining that the thermoregulatory function of the person being assessed is abnormal and that there is a risk of developing heatstroke if the hot environment index value of the area being assessed is equal to or greater than the judgment standard value, and the autonomic nervous function index value of the person being assessed is within a predetermined normal range and has not increased. According to the heatstroke risk assessment method of embodiment 2, it is possible to determine whether the area to be assessed is in a hot environment, reflecting heat acclimation, as in embodiment 1. Furthermore, according to the heatstroke risk assessment method of embodiment 2, it is possible to assess the thermoregulation function of the person to be assessed and reflect this in assessing the risk of heatstroke. Therefore, according to the heatstroke risk assessment method of embodiment 2, it is possible to assess the risk of heatstroke with higher accuracy, reflecting the individual's condition, including heat acclimation.

[0123] Although the above describes an example in which a heartbeat sensor that acquires heartbeat information of the person to be determined and acquisition unit 230 that calculates an autonomic nervous function index value based on the heartbeat information acquired by the heartbeat sensor are provided, the heartbeat sensor and acquisition unit 230 are not limited to the above. The heartbeat sensor may be a sensor that calculates and outputs an autonomic nervous function index value based on the acquired heartbeat information, and acquisition unit 230 may acquire the autonomic nervous function index value from the heartbeat sensor.

[0124] Although the above describes an example in which a non-contact sensor using millimeter waves is used as the heart rate sensor, the present invention is not limited to this as long as it can acquire an autonomic nervous function index value or heart rate information for calculating the autonomic nervous function index value. For example, a camera that captures visible or near-infrared images may be used as the biosensor 90 to acquire heart rate information for calculating the autonomic nervous function index value. Known techniques are used to acquire heart rate information from visible or near-infrared images.

[0125] Furthermore, although an example in which the heart rate sensor is provided in the air conditioning device 80 has been described above, this is not limiting. The heart rate sensor may be provided outside the air conditioning device 80, and may exchange signals with the heatstroke development risk assessment device 220 via a communication unit (not shown). In this case, the heart rate sensor is not limited to a non-contact type, and may be a contact type sensor worn by the person to be assessed. It is preferable that the heart rate sensor be a non-contact type. A non-contact heart rate sensor allows for highly accurate assessment of the risk of heat stroke that reflects the individual's condition, including heat acclimation, without the person being assessed having to wear a heart rate sensor. Furthermore, a heart rate sensor that can acquire biometric information of multiple subjects in a non-contact manner, such as a camera that captures visible or near-infrared images, can be used to assess the risk of heat stroke for multiple subjects in the assessment area.

[0126] <Effects of the Second Embodiment> The functions and effects of the heatstroke development risk determination device 220, the heatstroke development risk determination method, the heatstroke development risk determination program 261, the air conditioning device 80, and the heatstroke development risk determination system 200 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0127] In addition to the components of the heatstroke risk assessment device 20 according to the first embodiment, the heatstroke risk assessment device 220 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure further includes an acquisition unit 230 that calculates a thermoregulatory function index, which is an index for assessing the thermoregulatory function of the person being assessed, and a determination unit 250 that further determines whether the thermoregulatory function of the person being assessed is abnormal based on the thermoregulatory function index and determines that there is a risk of heatstroke if the hot environment index is equal to or greater than the determination reference value and the thermoregulatory function of the person being assessed is abnormal. Here, the thermoregulatory function index includes an autonomic nervous function index. Furthermore, the determination unit 250 determines that the thermoregulatory function of the person being assessed is abnormal if the hot environment index is equal to or greater than the determination reference value, the autonomic nervous function index is within a predetermined normal range, and the autonomic nervous function index is not elevated.

[0128] According to the heatstroke development risk determination device 220, the heatstroke development risk determination method, the heatstroke development risk determination program 261, the air conditioning apparatus, and the heatstroke development risk determination system 200 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine the risk of heatstroke after determining the thermoregulation function of the person to be determined. Therefore, according to the heatstroke development risk determination device 220, the heatstroke development risk determination program 261, the heatstroke development risk determination method, the air conditioning apparatus, and the heatstroke development risk determination system 200 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine the risk of heatstroke with high accuracy, reflecting the condition of the individual.

[0129] Variation 1. A first modification of the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, an example has been described in which the thermoregulation function of a person to be determined is determined based on the autonomic nervous function index value of the person to be determined. In the first modification of the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the thermoregulation function of a person to be determined is determined based on the body surface temperature of the person to be determined and the surface temperature of the clothes worn by the person to be determined.

[0130] First, a heatstroke development risk determination system 200 according to a first modification of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0131] The first modification of the second embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the thermoregulatory function index values ​​used to determine the risk of developing heatstroke are the body surface temperature of the person being determined and the surface temperature of the clothes worn by the person being determined. Specifically, the heatstroke development risk determination system 200 according to the first modification of the second embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the biosensor 90 and the heatstroke development risk determination device 220.

[0132] The biosensor 90 according to the first modification of the second embodiment is a thermal image sensor that acquires temperature distribution information of a region to be determined. Specifically, the thermal image sensor acquires the temperature distribution information of the subject by non-contactly measuring the radiant heat distribution of the subject and a reference temperature, and converting the radiant heat distribution information into absolute temperature based on the reference temperature. The thermal image sensor is installed in the indoor unit of the air conditioning device 80, and acquires, non-contact, temperature distribution information of the indoor space in which the indoor unit is installed as a biosensor value. The thermal image sensor outputs the temperature distribution information of the indoor space in which the indoor unit is installed to the heatstroke development risk assessment device 220.

[0133] The heatstroke development risk determination device 220 according to the first modification of the second embodiment calculates the body surface temperature of the person to be determined and the surface temperature of the clothes worn by the person to be determined based on temperature distribution information of the indoor space where the indoor unit is installed from the thermal image sensor, and determines the risk of developing heatstroke based on the calculated body surface temperature and surface temperature of the clothes of the person to be determined. The configuration different from the second embodiment will be described in detail.

[0134] The biosensor value acquiring unit 231 according to the first modification of the second embodiment periodically acquires, from the thermal image sensor, temperature distribution information of the indoor space in which the indoor unit is installed. The biosensor value acquiring unit 231 according to the first modification of the second embodiment acquires temperature distribution information of the indoor space in which the current indoor unit is installed, for example, every five minutes, and stores this information together with information on the acquisition date and time in the database 262 of the storage unit 260 according to the first modification of the second embodiment. The timing at which the biosensor value acquiring unit 231 according to the first modification of the second embodiment acquires the temperature distribution information of the determination target area is not limited to five minutes. The timing at which the biosensor value acquiring unit 231 according to the first modification of the second embodiment acquires the temperature distribution information of the determination target area may be any timing at which a change in the thermoregulation function of the person to be determined can be detected, and the acquisition timing may be increased in a hot environment. Furthermore, the timing at which the biosensor value acquiring unit 231 according to the first modification of the second embodiment acquires the temperature distribution information of the determination target area may be changed depending on the season and the determination target area.

[0135] The thermoregulation function index value calculation unit 232 according to the first modification of the second embodiment calculates the body surface temperature of the person to be determined and the surface temperature of the clothing worn by the person to be determined based on the temperature distribution information of the determination target area acquired by the biosensor value acquisition unit 231 according to the first modification of the second embodiment.

[0136] Here, the method by which the thermoregulation function index calculation unit 232 calculates the surface temperature of the subject and the surface temperature of the clothing worn by the subject will be described. The thermoregulation function index calculation unit 232 detects the subject's area using known technology based on temperature distribution information for the area to be determined. For example, the thermoregulation function index calculation unit 232 detects the area encompassing the surface temperature range from 28°C to 38°C as the subject's area. Alternatively, when the ambient temperature is high, the thermoregulation function index calculation unit 232 may detect the subject's area using the person's shape or size. The thermoregulation function index calculation unit 232 then distinguishes the subject's area from the clothing area based on the surface temperature distribution of the subject's area and the predetermined reference temperature range for each area. The thermoregulation function index calculation unit 232 outputs the average or maximum surface temperatures in the distinguished subject's area and clothing area as the surface temperatures of the subject and clothing to the determination unit 250. The thermoregulatory function index calculation unit 232 may distinguish between the facial area and the skin area other than the face among the areas of the person to be determined, and output the facial surface temperature and the surface temperature other than the face to the determination unit 250. Furthermore, if the person to be determined is wearing glasses, a mask, hair, etc., and there is an area of ​​the person to be determined with an extremely low surface temperature, the thermoregulatory function index calculation unit 232 desirably excludes the temperature of that area from the value used to calculate the surface temperature of the person to be determined.

[0137] The determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines the risk of developing heatstroke based on the hot environment index value, the body surface temperature of the person to be determined, and the surface temperature of the clothing worn by the person to be determined. Specifically, the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines the environment of the area to be determined, similar to that of the second embodiment, and determines the thermoregulation function of the person to be determined, different from that of the second embodiment. The determination of the thermoregulation function of the person being determined based on the body surface temperature and the surface temperature of the clothing of the person being determined by the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the surface temperatures of the person being determined and the clothing and the state of the person being determined. Fig. 10(a) shows the surface temperature distribution when the person has a fever, Fig. 10(b) shows the surface temperature distribution when the person is sweating, Fig. 10(c) shows the surface temperature distribution when heat dissipation is sufficient, and Fig. 10(d) shows the surface temperature distribution when heat dissipation is difficult. In Fig. 10, f indicates the face area, c indicates the clothing area, and b indicates the skin area other than the face.

[0138] The determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment first determines whether the person being determined has a fever. When the person being determined has a fever, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the surface temperature of the person being determined, i.e., the surface temperature of the facial region f1 and the surface temperature of the skin region b1 other than the face, are relatively high. The determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines whether the person being determined has a fever by determining whether the body surface temperature of the person being determined is equal to or higher than a predetermined fever threshold, using the surface temperature of the person being determined, which is relatively high and is assumed to be high when the person being determined has a fever, as a fever threshold. Specifically, the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines whether the person being determined has a fever when the surface temperature of the person being determined is equal to or higher than the predetermined fever threshold, and determines whether the person being determined does not have a fever when the surface temperature of the person being determined is lower than the predetermined fever threshold.

[0139] It is desirable to use the body surface temperature of the face area f, which is less affected by the ambient temperature than other areas, as the body surface temperature of the person being assessed to determine whether it is above the fever threshold. Generally, when the axillary body temperature is 38°C or above, the maximum surface temperature of the face area f will be 36°C. Therefore, when the maximum surface temperature of the face area is used as the body surface temperature of the person being assessed, the fever threshold is set to 35°C. The fever threshold is not limited to 35°C, and may be determined based on past records of body surface temperatures in the face region of the person being determined. Furthermore, the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment only needs to be able to determine whether the person being determined has a fever, and may also determine whether the body surface temperatures in regions other than the face region are equal to or higher than the fever threshold. In this case, it is desirable to determine the fever threshold based on past records of body surface temperatures for each region of the person being determined.

[0140] When the surface temperature of the person to be determined is below the fever threshold and the person to be determined does not have a fever, the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines whether the person to be determined is sweating sufficiently in order to determine the thermoregulation function of the person to be determined. When the person to be determined is sweating sufficiently, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the surface temperature of the person to be determined, i.e., the surface temperature of the facial region f1 and the surface temperature of the skin region b1 other than the face, will be relatively low. This is because when the person to be determined is sweating sufficiently and is exposed to wind, the surface temperature drops due to the heat of vaporization of sweat. The determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines whether the person to be determined is sweating sufficiently by determining whether the body surface temperature of the person to be determined is equal to or higher than a predetermined sweat threshold, using the surface temperature of the person to be determined when the person to be determined is sweating sufficiently as the sweat threshold. Specifically, the judgment unit 250 according to the first variant of the second embodiment judges that the person being judged is not sweating enough when the surface temperature of the person being judged is equal to or higher than the sweating threshold, and judges that the person being judged is sweating sufficiently when the surface temperature of the person being judged is lower than the sweating threshold.

[0141] As the body surface temperature of the person to be determined to be above the sweating threshold, it is desirable to use the body surface temperature of the face area, which is less affected by the ambient air temperature than other areas. Generally, when the body surface of the face area is sufficiently wet with sweat or the like and is exposed to wind, the body surface temperature of the face area will be about 30°C. Therefore, when the surface temperature of the face area is used as the body surface temperature of the person to be determined, the sweating threshold is set to 30°C. The sweating threshold is not limited to 30°C, and may be determined based on past records of body surface temperatures in the face region of the person to be determined. Furthermore, the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment only needs to be able to determine whether the person to be determined is sweating and the body surface temperature has dropped, and may also determine whether the body surface temperatures in regions other than the face region are equal to or higher than the sweating threshold. In this case, it is desirable that the sweating threshold be determined based on past records of body surface temperatures for each region of the person to be determined.

[0142] Even when the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines that the sweating of the person to be determined is insufficient, heat dissipation may be sufficient depending on the state of the clothing worn by the person to be determined. For example, when the person to be determined is wearing breathable clothing, not only the heat of vaporization due to sweating but also heat conduction from the skin to the clothing is sufficient, resulting in sufficient heat dissipation. Here, heat dissipation refers to the thermoregulation function that operates when the body temperature rises, and refers to the dissipation of heat generated inside the body to the surrounding environment. When heat dissipation is sufficient, the thermoregulation function can be said to be normal. In other words, even when the person to be determined is determining that the sweating of the person to be determined is insufficient, if the person to be determined is wearing breathable clothing and there is sufficient heat conduction from the skin to the clothing, resulting in sufficient heat dissipation, the thermoregulation function can be said to be normal. Therefore, when the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines that the sweating of the subject is insufficient, the determination unit 250 determines whether heat conduction from the skin to the clothing is sufficient to determine the thermoregulation function of the subject. When heat conduction from the skin to the clothing of the subject is sufficient, the temperature difference between the surface temperature of the subject and the surface temperature of the clothing is relatively small, as shown in FIG. 10(c). Conversely, when heat conduction from the skin to the clothing of the subject is insufficient, i.e., when heat dissipation is hindered by the clothing, the surface temperature of the clothing is lower than the surface temperature of the subject, and the temperature difference between the surface temperature of the subject and the surface temperature of the clothing is relatively large, as shown in FIG. 10(d). The determination unit 250 determines whether heat conduction from the skin to the clothing is sufficient by determining whether the temperature difference between the body surface temperature of the subject and the surface temperature of the clothing is equal to or greater than a predetermined heat dissipation threshold, using the temperature difference between the surface temperature of the subject and the surface temperature of the clothing that is assumed when heat conduction from the skin to the clothing of the subject is insufficient as a heat dissipation threshold. Specifically, when the temperature difference between the surface temperature of the person to be determined and the surface temperature of the clothing is equal to or greater than the heat dissipation threshold, the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines that the heat conduction from the skin to the clothing of the person to be determined is insufficient and that the thermoregulation function of the sweating person is abnormal. Also, when the temperature difference between the surface temperature of the person to be determined and the surface temperature of the clothing is less than the heat dissipation threshold, the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines that the heat conduction from the skin to the clothing of the person to be determined is sufficient and that the heat dissipation of the sweating person is sufficient.

[0143] As described above, when the judgment unit 250 judges that the area to be judged is a hot environment as a result of judging the environment of the area to be judged based on the hot environment index value, and the body surface temperature of the person to be judged is equal to or higher than the sweating threshold but lower than the predetermined heat generation threshold, and the temperature difference between the body surface temperature and the surface temperature of the clothing is equal to or higher than the predetermined heat dissipation threshold, it judges that the thermoregulation function of the person to be judged is abnormal.

[0144] The storage unit 260 according to the first modification of the second embodiment stores a program 261 and a database 262 that are different from those of the second embodiment. The heatstroke development risk determination device 220 according to the first modification of the second embodiment reads out and executes the program 261 stored in the storage unit 260 according to the first modification of the second embodiment, thereby performing a process of determining the risk of heatstroke.

[0145] Program 261 according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2 is a heatstroke risk assessment program for causing a computer to function as heatstroke risk assessment device 220 according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2 and for executing a heatstroke risk assessment method according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2. In detail, program 261 causes the computer to execute an acquisition step of calculating a hot environment index value, a body surface temperature of the person to be assessed, and a surface temperature of clothing worn by the person to be assessed, a setting step of setting a high judgment reference value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value continues for a predetermined number of days or more, and a determination step of determining that there is a risk of heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value set in the setting step and the thermoregulation function of the person to be assessed is determined to be abnormal based on the body surface temperature of the person to be assessed and the surface temperature of the clothing worn by the person to be assessed.

[0146] The database 262 according to the first modification of the second embodiment stores information for determining the risk of developing heatstroke and information for setting the determination reference value. In detail, the database 262 according to the first modification of the second embodiment stores a heat generation threshold, a sweating threshold, and a heat dissipation threshold in addition to the information stored in the database 62 according to the first embodiment.

[0147] <Determination Method of Modification 1 of Second Embodiment> Next, the procedure of the heatstroke development risk determination method according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the heatstroke development risk determination method according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2. Note that the heatstroke development risk determination method according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2 is similar to steps S11 to S17 of the heatstroke development risk determination method according to Embodiment 1, and therefore Fig. 11 shows steps S14, S16, or steps S17 and after shown in Fig. 4.

[0148] As described above, in the heatstroke development risk assessment method according to the first modification of the second embodiment, similarly to the heatstroke development risk assessment method according to the first embodiment, the acquisition unit 230 and the setting unit 40 first acquire a hot environment index value and set a judgment reference value (steps S11 to S17). Next, as shown in FIG. 11 , the acquisition unit 230 according to the first modification of the second embodiment calculates the body surface temperature of the person to be assessed and the surface temperature of the clothing worn by the person to be assessed (step S31). Specifically, the biosensor value acquisition unit 231 acquires temperature distribution information of the assessment target area from the thermal image sensor, and the thermoregulation function index calculation unit 232 calculates the body surface temperature of the person to be assessed and the surface temperature of the clothing worn by the person to be assessed based on the temperature distribution information of the assessment target area acquired by the biosensor value acquisition unit 231. Step S31 is performed at predetermined acquisition times when the heatstroke development risk assessment device 220 is operating. For example, in step S31, the acquisition unit 230 calculates the body surface temperature of the person to be determined and the surface temperature of the clothes worn by the person to be determined every five minutes.

[0149] Next, similar to step S18 of the heatstroke risk assessment method according to embodiment 1, the assessment unit 250 according to variant 1 of embodiment 2 determines whether the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the assessment reference value set by the setting unit 40 (step S32).

[0150] If it is determined that the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value set by the setting unit 40 (Yes in step S32), the judgment target area is considered to be in a hot environment. If it is determined that the judgment target area is in a hot environment, the judgment unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines whether the thermoregulation function of the person to be judged is sufficient based on the body surface temperature of the person to be judged, and if the thermoregulation function of the person to be judged is abnormal, judges that the person to be judged is at risk of developing heatstroke. Specifically, first, the judgment unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines whether the body surface temperature of the person to be judged is equal to or greater than a predetermined fever threshold (step S33). If the surface temperature of the person to be judged is less than the predetermined fever threshold in a hot environment (No in step S33), the judgment unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment judges that the person to be judged does not have a fever. Next, the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines whether the surface temperature of the person to be determined is equal to or higher than a predetermined sweating threshold in order to determine whether the person to be determined is sweating sufficiently (step S34). If the surface temperature of the person to be determined is equal to or higher than the predetermined sweating threshold (Yes in step S34), the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines that the person to be determined is sweating insufficiently. Then, the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines whether the temperature difference between the surface temperature and the surface temperature of the clothing is equal to or higher than a predetermined heat dissipation threshold in order to determine whether the heat conduction from the skin to the clothing is sufficient (step S35). If the temperature difference between the surface temperature and the surface temperature of the clothing is equal to or higher than the predetermined heat dissipation threshold (Yes in step S35), the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines that the person to be determined is sweating insufficiently and that the heat conduction from the skin to the clothing is insufficient, i.e., heat dissipation is difficult, and therefore there is a risk of developing heatstroke (step S36).

[0151] If the body surface temperature of the person to be determined in a hot environment is equal to or higher than a predetermined fever threshold (Yes in step S33), the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines that the person to be determined has a fever and has already developed heatstroke (step S37). If the body surface temperature of the person to be determined in a hot environment is lower than a predetermined sweating threshold (No in step S34), the determination unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines that the person to be determined is sweating sufficiently, and therefore has sufficient heat dissipation, and is therefore not at risk of developing heatstroke (step S38). Furthermore, even if the body surface temperature of the person being evaluated in a hot environment is equal to or higher than a predetermined sweating threshold (Yes in step S34), if the temperature difference between the body surface temperature and the surface temperature of the clothing is less than a predetermined heat dissipation threshold (No in step S35), the judgment unit 250 according to variant 1 of embodiment 2 judges that although the person being evaluated is not sweating sufficiently, there is sufficient heat conduction from the skin to the clothing, i.e., there is sufficient heat dissipation, and therefore there is no risk of developing heat stroke (step S38).

[0152] If it is determined that the hot environment index value is not equal to or greater than the judgment reference value set by the setting unit 40 (No in step S32), the judgment target area is deemed not to be in a hot environment. If it is determined that the judgment target area is not in a hot environment, the judgment unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines whether the thermoregulation function of the person being judged is sufficient based on the body surface temperature of the person being judged (step S39). If the body surface temperature of the person being judged is equal to or greater than a predetermined fever threshold in an environmental condition that is not a hot environment (Yes in step S39), the judgment unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines that the person being judged is in a feverish state but not suffering from heatstroke (step S40). If the body surface temperature of the person being judged is less than the predetermined fever threshold in an environmental condition that is not a hot environment (No in step S39), the judgment unit 250 according to the first modification of the second embodiment determines that the person being judged is not at risk of developing heatstroke (step S41).

[0153] As described above, the heatstroke risk assessment method according to the first variant of the second embodiment includes an acquisition step (step S11) of calculating a hot environment index value, a setting step (steps S12-S17) of setting a high judgment standard value if the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment standard value continues for more than the predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization, an acquisition step (step S31) of calculating the body surface temperature of the person being assessed and the surface temperature of the clothing worn by the person being assessed, and a judgment step (steps S32-S36) of determining that the thermoregulation function of the person being assessed is abnormal and that there is a risk of developing heatstroke if the hot environment index value of the area being assessed is equal to or greater than the judgment standard value, the body surface temperature of the person being assessed is equal to or greater than a predetermined sweating threshold that is less than the heat generation threshold, and the temperature difference between the body surface temperature of the person being assessed and the surface temperature of the clothing is equal to or greater than a predetermined heat dissipation threshold. According to the heatstroke risk assessment method of Modification 1 of Embodiment 2, it is possible to determine whether the area to be assessed is in a hot environment, reflecting heat acclimation, as in Embodiment 1. Furthermore, according to the heatstroke risk assessment method of Modification 1 of Embodiment 2, it is possible to assess the thermoregulation function of the person to be assessed and reflect this in assessing the risk of heatstroke. Therefore, according to the heatstroke risk assessment method of Modification 1 of Embodiment 2, it is possible to assess the risk of heatstroke with higher accuracy, reflecting the individual's condition, including heat acclimation.

[0154] The above describes an example in which a thermal image sensor measures the radiant heat distribution and reference temperature of the target area and converts the radiant heat distribution information into absolute temperature based on the reference temperature to acquire temperature distribution information of the target area, and an acquisition unit 230 calculates the body surface temperature of the target person and the surface temperature of the clothing worn by the target person based on the temperature distribution information of the target area acquired by the thermal image sensor. However, the thermal image sensor and acquisition unit 230 are not limited to the above. The thermal image sensor may only measure the radiant heat distribution and reference temperature of the target person, or the acquisition unit 230 may calculate the temperature distribution information of the target area based on the radiant heat distribution and reference temperature of the target person acquired from the thermal image sensor, and calculate the body surface temperature and the surface temperature of the clothing worn by the target person based on the calculated temperature distribution information of the target area. Alternatively, the thermal image sensor may be a sensor that only measures the radiant heat distribution information of the target person, or the environmental sensor 10 may measure the reference temperature.

[0155] A thermal image sensor is a sensor that can acquire temperature distribution information, which is biometric information of a subject, without contact. A thermal image sensor that can acquire biometric information of a subject without contact can accurately determine the risk of heatstroke that reflects the subject's condition, including heat acclimation, without the subject having to wear a sensor. Furthermore, because a thermal image sensor can acquire biometric information of multiple subjects without contact, it can determine the risk of heatstroke for multiple subjects present in the target area.

[0156] <Operation and effect of Modification 1 of Embodiment 2> The functions and effects of the heatstroke development risk determination device 220, the heatstroke development risk determination method, the heatstroke development risk determination program 261, the air conditioning device 80, and the heatstroke development risk determination system 200 relating to variant example 1 of embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described.

[0157] A heatstroke risk assessment device 220 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure includes, in addition to the configuration of the heatstroke risk assessment device 20 according to the first embodiment, an acquisition unit 230 that further calculates a body surface temperature of the person being assessed and a surface temperature of the clothing worn by the person being assessed, and a determination unit 250 according to a first modification of the second embodiment that further determines an abnormality in the thermoregulation function of the person being assessed based on the body surface temperature of the person being assessed and the surface temperature of the clothing worn by the person being assessed acquired by the acquisition unit 230, and determines that there is a risk of heatstroke if the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined determination reference value and the thermoregulation function of the person being assessed is determined to be abnormal. In detail, the determination unit 250 determines that the thermoregulation function of the person being assessed is abnormal if the body surface temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined heat generation threshold but less than a sweating threshold and the temperature difference between the body surface temperature and the surface temperature of the clothing is equal to or greater than a predetermined heat dissipation threshold.

[0158] According to the heatstroke development risk determination device 220, the heatstroke development risk determination method, the heatstroke development risk determination program 261, the air conditioning apparatus 80, and the heatstroke development risk determination system 200, which relate to the first modification of the second embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine the risk of heatstroke after determining the thermoregulation function of the person to be determined. Therefore, according to the heatstroke development risk determination device 220, the heatstroke development risk determination method, the heatstroke development risk determination program 261, the air conditioning apparatus, and the heatstroke development risk determination system 200, which relate to the first modification of the second embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine the risk of heatstroke with high accuracy, which reflects the condition of the individual.

[0159] Although the second embodiment and the first modification of the second embodiment have described examples of determining the thermoregulation function of a person to be determined, the methods for determining the thermoregulation function of a person to be determined in the second embodiment and the first modification of the second embodiment may be implemented in combination. That is, the heatstroke risk assessment device may determine the thermoregulation function of a person to be determined based on the autonomic nervous function index value, body temperature, and surface temperature of the clothing of the person to be determined, and determine the risk of heatstroke based on the assessment result. By implementing the methods for determining the thermoregulation function of a person to be determined in the second embodiment and the first modification of the second embodiment in combination, the accuracy of determining the thermoregulation function of a person to be determined is improved, and the risk of heatstroke can be determined with higher accuracy.

[0160] Although the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. Furthermore, appropriate combinations, modifications, omissions, etc. of the embodiments are also included within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 100, 200 Heatstroke risk assessment system 10 Environmental Sensors 20, 220 Heatstroke risk assessment device 30, 230 Acquisition Department 31 Environmental sensor value acquisition unit 32 Heat environment index value calculation section 40 Setting section 50, 250 Judgment section 60, 260 storage section 61, 261 Program 62, 262 database 70 Output Device 80 Air conditioning equipment 90 Biometric Sensor 231 Biometric sensor value acquisition unit 232 Thermoregulatory function index value calculation unit

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that calculates a hot environment index value, which is an index for determining a hot environment, and is a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value for each determination target area from the temperature of the determination target area; a setting unit that sets the judgment reference value to a high value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment reference value continues for a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization or more; a determination unit that determines that there is a risk of heat stroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the determination reference value; A heatstroke risk assessment device comprising:

2. An acquisition unit that calculates a hot environment index value, which is an index for determining a hot environment; a setting unit that sets the judgment reference value to a high value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment reference value continues for a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization or more and the judgment reference value is less than a predetermined upper limit value; A heatstroke risk determination device comprising: a determination unit that determines that there is a risk of heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the determination reference value.

3. The judgment reference value is a value that is predetermined for each judgment target region. The heatstroke risk assessment device according to claim 1.

4. the setting unit sets the judgment reference value to a high value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the judgment reference value continues for a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization or longer and the judgment reference value is less than a predetermined upper limit value; The heatstroke risk assessment device according to claim 1.

5. The acquisition unit further calculates a thermoregulatory function index value, which is an index for determining the thermoregulatory function of the subject, The determination unit further determines whether the thermoregulatory function of the person to be determined is abnormal based on the thermoregulatory function index value calculated by the acquisition unit, and determines that there is a risk of developing heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the determination reference value and the thermoregulatory function of the person to be determined is abnormal. The heatstroke risk determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the thermoregulatory function index value includes an autonomic nervous function index value, The heatstroke risk assessment device of claim 5, wherein the assessment unit determines that the thermoregulatory function of the person being assessed is abnormal if the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the assessment reference value and the autonomic nervous function index value is not within a predetermined normal range.

7. An acquisition unit that calculates a hot environment index value that is an index for determining a hot environment; a setting unit that sets the judgment reference value to a high value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment reference value continues for a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization or more; a determination unit that determines that there is a risk of heat stroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the determination reference value, The acquisition unit further calculates a thermoregulatory function index value, which is an index for determining the thermoregulatory function of the subject, The determination unit further determines whether the thermoregulatory function of the person to be determined is abnormal based on the thermoregulatory function index value calculated by the acquisition unit, and determines that there is a risk of developing heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the determination reference value and the thermoregulatory function of the person to be determined is abnormal; the thermoregulatory function index value includes a body surface temperature and a surface temperature of clothing worn by the subject; the determination unit determines that the thermoregulation function of the subject is abnormal when the body surface temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined heat generation threshold, when the body surface temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined sweat threshold, and when a temperature difference between the body surface temperature and the surface temperature of the clothing is equal to or higher than a predetermined heat dissipation threshold; A heatstroke risk assessment device comprising:

8. an acquisition step of calculating a hot environment index value, which is an index for determining a hot environment and is a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value for each determination target area from the temperature of the determination target area; a setting step of setting the judgment reference value to a high value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment reference value continues for a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization or more; a determination step of determining that there is a risk of developing heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the determination reference value set in the setting step; A method for determining the risk of developing heatstroke, including:

9. On the computer, an acquisition step of calculating a hot environment index value, which is an index for determining a hot environment and is a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value for each determination target area from the temperature of the determination target area; a setting step of setting the judgment reference value to a high value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment reference value continues for a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization or more; a determination step of determining that there is a risk of developing heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the determination reference value; A heatstroke risk assessment program to help implement the following.

10. an acquisition unit that calculates a hot environment index value, which is an index for determining a hot environment, and is a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value for each determination target area from the temperature of the determination target area; a setting unit that sets the judgment reference value to a high value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment reference value continues for a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization or more; a determination unit that determines that there is a risk of heat stroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the determination reference value; a control unit that controls an air conditioning function based on the determination result of the determination unit; An air conditioning device comprising:

11. an acquisition unit that calculates a hot environment index value, which is an index for determining a hot environment, and is a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined value for each determination target area from the temperature of the determination target area; a setting unit that sets the judgment reference value to a high value when the number of days on which the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than a predetermined judgment reference value continues for a predetermined number of days required for heat acclimatization or more; a heatstroke risk assessment device including a assessment unit that assesses that there is a risk of heatstroke when the hot environment index value is equal to or greater than the assessment reference value; an air conditioning apparatus including a control unit that controls an air conditioning function based on the determination result of the determination unit; A heatstroke risk assessment system equipped with the following.

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