Ion generator and method for suppressing drowsiness

Abstract

An ion generator releases air containing ions into a work space (S3) according to the state of a worker in the work space (S2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ion generation device and a drowsiness suppression method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various techniques for preventing drowsy driving have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a drowsiness warning device for preventing drowsy driving. The drowsiness warning device estimates the driver's wakefulness according to the time the driver's eyes are closed. Further, the drowsiness warning device determines whether the driver may be drowsy based on the state of the vehicle. The drowsiness warning device outputs an alarm according to the estimated wakefulness and the determination result of the vehicle state

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Not only in vehicle driving, but when performing simple or light work in factories, offices, etc., drowsiness is likely to be induced and work efficiency is likely to decrease. In the case of the drowsiness warning device described in Patent Document 1, even if the drowsiness of the worker temporarily decreases due to the output of the warning, as time passes, there is a high possibility that drowsiness will be induced again. Further, even if the drowsiness temporarily decreases, if the worker cannot actively engage in the work, the work efficiency will decrease.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of suppressing the drowsiness of a worker and improving work efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The ion generator according to the present invention releases ion-containing air into the workspace according to the state of the worker in the workspace.

[0007] Furthermore, the sleepiness suppression method according to the present invention uses the above-mentioned ion generator to suppress sleepiness in workers. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the ion generator and drowsiness suppression method of the present invention, it is possible to suppress drowsiness in workers and improve work efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an ion generator according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of ion emission control information. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ion generator. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an operation flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the ion generator in the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a graph showing the distribution of drowsiness levels obtained in the experiment. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A is a graph showing the evaluation results of positive emotions and driving responses for Group A and Group B obtained in the experiment. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B is a table showing the evaluation values ​​and ratios of positive emotions and driving responses for Group A and Group B obtained in the experiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be repeated in the description.

[0011] The ion generator in this embodiment is installed in a work space and discharges air containing ions into the work space according to the state of an operator working in the work space. Hereinafter, the configuration of the ion generator in this embodiment will be specifically described.

[0012] (Configuration) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an ion generator 1 in an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ion generator 1 includes an operation unit 11, a camera 12, a notification unit 13, a storage unit 14, a blower unit 15, an ion generation unit 16, a louver 17, a detection unit 18, and a control unit 19.

[0013] The operation unit 11 includes operation buttons such as a power button. The operation unit 11 outputs an operation signal indicating that an operation button has been operated to the control unit 19.

[0014] The camera 12 outputs imaging data obtained by imaging a subject to the control unit 19. Note that the camera 12 may be arranged so that at least the upper body including the operator's head is imaged. The camera 12 may be externally attached to the ion generator 1 or incorporated in the ion generator 1.

[0015] The notification unit 13 includes a speaker 13a and a display 13b. The speaker 13a outputs sound under the control of the control unit 19. The display 13b is provided, for example, at a position visible to the operator in the ion generator 1. The display 13b displays an image under the control of the control unit 19.

[0016] The storage unit 14 includes a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 14 stores ion emission control information used for ion generation processing, information to be notified from the notification unit 13, and the like.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of ion emission control information. As shown in FIG. 2, the ion emission control information associates a plurality of sleepiness levels with a plurality of ion emission levels. The sleepiness level is an index representing the degree of sleepiness of an operator. The ion emission level is an index representing the amount of ions emitted per unit time. In the present embodiment, the smaller the numerical value of the sleepiness level, the weaker the sleepiness, that is, the more awake the state is. Also, the smaller the numerical value of the ion emission level, the smaller the amount of ions emitted per unit time.

[0018] Returning to FIG. 1, the blower unit 15, the ion generation unit 16, and the louver 17 will be described using FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ion generator 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the ion generator 1 has a housing C and a duct D provided inside the housing C. The duct D connects between an opening D1 formed on the surface of the housing C on the negative X-axis side and an opening D2 formed on the surface of the housing C on the positive X-axis side. Hereinafter, the opening D1 side of the duct D may be described as the upstream side and the opening D2 side as the downstream side.

[0019] The blower unit 15 is disposed near the opening D1. The blower unit 15 includes a fan and a motor (both not shown). The blower unit 15 takes in outside air from the opening D1 of the ion generator 1 and generates an air flow by driving the motor to rotate the fan under the control of the control unit 19. The motor rotates at a rotational speed (RPM) corresponding to the ion emission level instructed from the control unit 19. The smaller the numerical value of the ion emission level, the smaller the rotational speed of the motor and the smaller the air flow rate. In the present embodiment, the rotational speed of the motor for the ion emission level "0" is 0 (RPM), and in this case, the driving of the motor is stopped.

[0020] The ion generating unit 16 is located downstream of the air blowing unit 15. The ion generating unit 16 generates ions i (positive and negative ions) by, for example, corona discharge. The generated ions i are released into the duct D. More specifically, the ion generating unit 16 includes a pair of discharge electrodes arranged at a certain distance apart and a voltage generating circuit (neither of which are shown in the figure). The discharge electrodes include, for example, a brush-shaped electrode made of multiple conductors bundled together. Under the control of the control unit 19, the voltage generating circuit applies a predetermined negative voltage to one discharge electrode and a predetermined positive voltage to the other discharge electrode. Negative ions are generated near the tip of the discharge electrode to which the predetermined negative voltage is applied, and positive ions are generated near the tip of the discharge electrode to which the predetermined positive voltage is applied. The larger the amount of air blown from the upstream side, the greater the amount of ions i (positive and negative ions) released to the outside of the duct D per unit time. Furthermore, the shape of the discharge electrode is not limited to a brush shape; it may also be needle-shaped, rod-shaped, planar, or other shapes.

[0021] In this embodiment, the positive ion is the hydrogen ion (H + ) is a cluster ion in which multiple water molecules are clustered around H + (H2O) m (where m is any integer greater than or equal to 0) is used to represent negative ions. - It is a cluster ion in which multiple water molecules are clustered around ) and O2 - (H2O) n This is represented as (where n is any integer greater than or equal to 0). When such positive and negative ions are released into the air, they surround airborne mold spores and viruses, and chemical reactions occur on their surfaces. In this process, hydroxyl radicals (·OH), which are active species, are generated, and mold spores and viruses are removed by the action of these hydroxyl radicals.

[0022] The louver 17 is located at the opening D2, that is, the outlet for the ion-containing airflow. In Figure 3, the worker (not shown) is positioned on the positive X-axis side of the ion generator 1, that is, in the direction from which the ion-containing airflow is blown out. The louver 17 has multiple vanes that can adjust the direction in which the airflow is blown out, i.e., the wind direction. The wind direction of the multiple vanes is controlled by the control unit 19.

[0023] Returning to Figure 1, the detection unit 18 includes, for example, a human presence sensor using infrared light. The detection unit 18 is provided, for example, on the surface of the housing C in the ion generator 1 shown in Figure 3, on the side of the opening D2. The detection unit 18 detects infrared light within a predetermined detection range to detect the position (direction) of the worker and outputs the detection result to the control unit 19.

[0024] The control unit 19 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory (ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)). The control unit 19 functions as an acquisition unit 191, an ion generation control unit 192, and an airflow direction switching unit 193 when the CPU executes a control program stored in the ROM.

[0025] The acquisition unit 191 sequentially acquires imaging data input from the camera 12, and based on the imaging data, identifies information indicating the degree of drowsiness of the worker as worker information indicating the worker's state at regular intervals.

[0026] One method for determining a worker's level of drowsiness is to use a pre-trained program that outputs one of the drowsiness levels (0-3) from the input face image data, using pre-prepared sample face image data for each level of drowsiness (Figure 2). The sample face image data may include face image data of workers and face image data of non-workers.

[0027] The learned program may be stored in the memory unit 14 of the ion generator 1, or it may be stored in an external device. For example, if the learned program is stored on an external server, the ion generator 1 is equipped with a communication interface for establishing a communication connection with the external server. The acquisition unit 191 transmits the acquired imaging data to the external server via the communication interface at regular intervals and obtains information indicating the degree of drowsiness from the external server.

[0028] The ion generation control unit 192 identifies the ion emission level corresponding to the drowsiness level identified by the acquisition unit 191 from the ion emission control information stored in the memory unit 14. The ion generation control unit 192 then generates ions from the ion generation unit 16 and controls the air blower unit 15 based on the identified ion emission level, controlling the amount of ions emitted per unit time to the outside from the duct P (Figure 3). In this embodiment, the ion generation control unit 192 controls the amount of ions emitted per unit time by adjusting the amount of air sent downstream from the air blower unit 15, i.e., the airflow rate. Specifically, the ion generation control unit 192 sends a signal to the motor in the air blower unit 15 instructing a predetermined rotation speed corresponding to each ion emission level. In other words, the larger the numerical value of the ion emission level, the greater the signal instructing the airflow rate is sent to the air blower unit 15, and the greater the airflow rate.

[0029] The airflow direction switching unit 193 changes the orientation of the louver 17's blades based on the detection result output from the detection unit 18. In other words, it changes the orientation of the louver 17's blades so that ion-containing air is blown out in the direction of the worker indicated by the detection result.

[0030] (operation) Next, the operation of the ion generator 1 will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the ion generator 1 in this embodiment. The operation of the ion generator 1 will be explained below with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0031] When the ion generator 1 is turned on via the control unit 11 (Step S1: Yes), the ion generator 1 determines the degree of ion emission and detects the direction in which the worker is located relative to the ion generator 1 (Step S2).

[0032] Specifically, the ion generator 1, in its acquisition unit 191, starts imaging with the camera 12, acquires imaging data from the camera 12, and stores it in memory. The acquisition unit 191 identifies the degree of drowsiness of the worker in the imaging data acquired from the camera 12 using a predetermined learned program. Then, the ion generation control unit 192 refers to the ion emission control information (Figure 2) stored in the memory unit 14 and identifies the ion emission level corresponding to the identified degree of drowsiness. In addition, the ion generator 1 detects the direction of the worker by detecting infrared rays within a predetermined detection range using the detection unit 18.

[0033] The ion generator 1 releases ion-containing air in the direction of the worker based on the identified ion emission level and the detected direction of the worker (step S3). Specifically, the ion generation control unit 192 generates ions in the ion generation unit 16. The ion generation control unit 192 also rotates the motor of the air blower unit 15 at a predetermined rotation speed corresponding to the ion emission level, generating airflow in the duct P. The airflow direction switching unit 193 changes the direction of the louvers 17 based on the detection result indicating the direction of the worker in the detection unit 18. As a result, the ion-containing air is blown out in the direction of the worker by the air blower unit 15.

[0034] The ion generator 1 continues the process in step S3 until a certain period of time has elapsed (step S4: No). Then, after a certain period of time has elapsed (step S4: Yes), the ion generator 1 repeats the processes in steps S2 to S4 until the power is turned off via the control unit 11 (step S5: No). In other words, until the power is turned off, the ion generator 1 determines the ion emission level according to the worker's level of drowsiness at regular intervals and releases ion-containing air at a rate of ions per unit time corresponding to the ion emission level.

[0035] When the ion generator 1 is turned off via the control unit 11 (step S5: Yes), it stops the operation of each part (step S6).

[0036] (Example of use of ion generator 1) The workspace in which the ion generator 1 is installed may be indoors or in a moving space such as a vehicle. The work may also be light work such as assembly line work or monitoring work in a factory, or driving a vehicle. For example, when the ion generator 1 is installed in a vehicle, it releases air containing ions to the driver (worker) at a rate corresponding to the driver's level of drowsiness. By releasing air containing ions, it is expected that drowsiness in the driver will be suppressed and the driver's driving ability will be improved.

[0037] The following describes experimental results that verified that the release of ion-containing air contributes to suppressing drowsiness.

[0038] (Experimental method) In the experiment, using an actual vehicle, it was investigated whether there was a difference in the degree of driver drowsiness when only air was emitted without generating ions (hereinafter referred to as "air only") and when air containing a predetermined amount of ions was emitted (hereinafter referred to as "with ions"). More specifically, brainwaves were measured during driving for both Group A, who drove with ions, and Group B, who drove with only air, and the degree of drowsiness was evaluated based on the measurement results. There were 13 subjects in each of Group A and Group B in this experiment, and both groups drove the same route. In addition, an ion generator that could switch between air only and with ions was used in the experiment. The ion generator was a small ion generator that could be placed, for example, in a cup holder installed in the vehicle. The small ion generator is powered by a battery built into the device, or by an external power source such as a portable battery or a cigarette lighter socket installed in the vehicle. To measure the degree of drowsiness, a sensory module logger (manufactured by Little Software Co., Ltd.) is used. Based on the output values ​​of an electroencephalograph (EEG) attached to the subject's head, the sensory module logger outputs a value indicating the degree of drowsiness.

[0039] Figure 5 is a graph showing the distribution of drowsiness levels for Group A and Group B obtained from the experiment. In Figure 5, a higher numerical value for drowsiness level indicates a higher level of drowsiness. As shown in Figure 5, Group A had a lower drowsiness level than Group B. Furthermore, a t-test was performed on Group A and Group B, and the p-value for drowsiness level was calculated to be 0.059. Therefore, Group A (driving with ions) showed a significantly greater tendency than Group B (driving with only airflow), suggesting that driver drowsiness is more easily suppressed by releasing air containing a predetermined amount of ions.

[0040] Furthermore, Figure 6A is a graph showing the evaluation results of positive emotions and driving responses for groups A and B obtained in the experiment, and Figure 6B is a table showing the evaluation values ​​and ratios of positive emotions and driving responses for groups A and B obtained in the experiment.

[0041] The evaluation values ​​for Group A and Group B in Figure 6B are the result of calculating evaluation values ​​for positive emotions and driving responses for each driver based on the frequency analysis of each driver's brainwaves during driving, and then calculating the average of the evaluation values ​​for positive emotions and driving responses for Group A and Group B, respectively.

[0042] The evaluation score representing positive emotions indicates how positive the driver's state of mind was in response to road conditions while driving (traffic jams, curves, cutting in, etc.), with a higher score indicating a more positive state. The evaluation score representing driving response indicates how quickly the driver was able to react to road conditions, with a higher score indicating a more rapid response.

[0043] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, Group A surpassed Group B in both positive emotion and driving response ratings. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6B, Group A's positive emotion rating was approximately 1.14 times higher than Group B's, and Group A's driving response rating was approximately 1.27 times higher than Group B's. The electroencephalogram (EEG) data obtained in the experiment is related to drowsiness and alertness. Therefore, it is considered that the drivers in Group A experienced improved positivity towards driving and enhanced driving responsiveness due to the release of ion-containing air.

[0044] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in each of the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. The drawings schematically show each component for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown may differ from the actual dimensions due to the convenience of drawing creation. Also, the speed, material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible without substantially departing from the configuration of the present invention.

[0045] (modified version) (1) In the ion generator 1, the method for adjusting the amount of ions released per unit time according to the degree of drowsiness is not limited to adjusting the airflow rate generated by the blower 15. For example, the ion generation control unit 192 may adjust the voltage level applied from the voltage circuit in the ion generator 16 to the discharge electrode, thereby changing the amount of ions released from the ion generator 16. Alternatively, the ion generation control unit 192 may intermittently generate a constant airflow from the blower 15 so that the amount of ions released per unit time corresponds to the degree of drowsiness. Alternatively, the amount of ions released per unit time from the ion generator 16 may be changed by changing the distance between the pair of discharge electrodes in the ion generator 16.

[0046] (2) The degree of drowsiness of a worker may be determined as follows: For example, the ion generator 1 may acquire a physical quantity that indicates a change in at least one of the following: changes in the worker's facial expression, the worker's movements, and the worker's biological information, and determine the degree of drowsiness based on the acquired physical quantity. Changes in the worker's facial expression may include, for example, the number of blinks or changes in the size of the pupils. Changes in the worker's movements may include changes in the position or angle of the worker's head, and changes in the position of the worker's hands, etc. In addition, the worker's biological state may include at least one of the following: the worker's brain waves, heart rate, and pulse rate, etc.

[0047] (3) Worker information does not have to be the degree of the worker's drowsiness. For example, in the case of packing work where goods are packed into boxes, the number of packing operations per unit time may be used as worker information. Also, for example, if the work is driving, the state of contact of the object that the worker touches for the work, such as whether or not the steering wheel is touched and the duration of contact, may be used as worker information. In short, worker information only needs to be a physical quantity that indicates at least one of the physical state of the worker when the worker is performing the work, and the state of the work the worker is performing. For example, if the work is driving, the ion generator 1 may release more ions per unit time when the driver (worker) has not been in contact with the steering wheel for a certain period of time or longer. In other words, the ion generator 1 may release more ions per unit time when the state of the worker's work does not meet the predetermined conditions.

[0048] (4) Operator information may be obtained from an external device located outside the ion generator 1. In this case, the ion generator 1 is equipped with a communication function for communicating with the external device by wire or wireless connection. The external device may be a server device connected to the Internet network. Also, if the ion generator 1 is mounted on a vehicle, the external device may be a computer device such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) installed in the vehicle.

[0049] (5) In the ion generator 1, when the worker's level of drowsiness decreases, or when the worker's state changes to one of alertness, such as when the worker grips the handle, the amount of ions released per unit time may be reduced, or the release of ions may be stopped.

[0050] (6) When the ion generator 1 changes the ion emission level in response to changes in the worker's level of drowsiness, the notification unit 13 may provide information indicating that the ion emission level has been changed. For example, if the worker's level of drowsiness increases and the ion emission level is increased, the changed ion emission level will be notified, allowing the worker to recognize their drowsy state. In addition, when the ion generator 1 changes the ion emission level, the notification unit 13 may provide information indicating the worker's state, such as the worker's level of drowsiness or activity level.

[0051] (7) The ion generator 1 may be incorporated into an air conditioner or air purifier installed in the workspace.

[0052] (8) The ion generator 1 released air containing positive and negative ions to the outside depending on the operator's condition, but it may also generate negative ions using a well-known method (corona discharge, Lenard effect, or photoelectric effect, etc.) and release air containing negative ions to the outside. [Industrial applicability]

[0053] This invention can be used in factories, offices, vehicles, and the like. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1. Ion Generator 12 cameras 13 Hochi Department 15. Air blower 16 Ion Generating Unit 17 Louvers 18 Detection unit 191 Acquisition Department 192 Ion generation post-generation part 193 Wind direction switching section

Claims

1. An ion generator that releases ion-containing air into a workspace according to the state of the worker in the workspace, The ion generating unit generates the aforementioned ions, The acquisition unit acquires worker information relating to at least one of the worker's drowsiness and the worker's work status, The system includes an ion generation control unit that controls the amount of ions released per unit time generated by the ion generation unit based on the operator information, The worker information includes the state of contact with objects that the worker touches in order to perform the work. The ion generation control unit is an ion generator that increases the amount of ions released per unit time when the contact state does not meet predetermined conditions.

2. An ion generator that releases ion-containing air into a workspace according to the state of the worker in the workspace, The ion generating unit generates the aforementioned ions, The acquisition unit acquires worker information relating to at least one of the worker's drowsiness and the worker's work status, Based on the operator information, an ion generation control unit controls the amount of ions released per unit time from the ion generation unit, The system includes a blower unit that generates an airflow to send the ions generated from the ion generating unit to the outside, A louver capable of changing the airflow direction of the air containing the aforementioned ions, A detection unit that detects the direction in which the worker is located relative to the device. A wind direction switching unit that changes the wind direction of the louvers based on the direction in which the worker is located as detected by the detection unit. An ion generator that also includes the following features.

3. The ion generating control unit controls the amount of ions released per unit time by controlling the airflow rate of the air blower when releasing the ions, as described in Claim 2.

4. An ion generator that releases ion-containing air into a workspace according to the state of the worker in the workspace, The ion generating unit generates the aforementioned ions, The acquisition unit acquires worker information relating to at least one of the worker's drowsiness and the worker's work status, Based on the operator information, an ion generation control unit controls the amount of ions released per unit time from the ion generation unit, Equipped with a news department, An ion generator in which the ion generation control unit causes the notification unit to notify the operator of the operator's status based on the operator information and information indicating the change in the amount of ions released per unit time when changing the amount of ions released per unit time.

5. A method for suppressing drowsiness in an operator, using an ion generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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