Louver and building

Abstract

A louver (16) of the invention comprises a louver body (16a). The louver body (16a) includes a guide rail (20), a plurality of arms (22) provided on the guide rail (20), and a plurality of blades (23) provided at each of the arms (22). The arms (22) are rotatable relative to the guide rail (20). The blades (23) are rotatable relative to each arm (22).

Description

Louver and Building

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a louver and a building.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a louver including a horizontal frame and a plurality of blades connected to the horizontal frame. The opening degree of the louver is changed by rotating the blades.

[0003] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-119706

[0004] There is a need to increase the degree of freedom in the opening degree of the louver so that the opening degree of the louver can be finely adjusted.

[0005] (1) A louver according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a louver body having a guide rail, a plurality of arms provided on the guide rail, and a plurality of blade plates provided on each of the plurality of arms. The arm is rotatable with respect to the guide rail, and the blade plate is rotatable with respect to the arm.

[0006] According to this configuration, since each of the arm and the blade plate is rotatable, the degree of freedom in the opening degree of the louver is increased. (2) In the louver of (1) above, the arm is movable in a direction in which the guide rail extends with respect to the guide rail.

[0007] According to this configuration, the louver can be fully opened by gathering the plurality of arms toward the end of the guide rail. (3) In the louver of (1) or (2) above, a control unit for controlling the louver body is provided, and the control unit controls the louver body based on a command from an operation unit operated by a user.

[0008] According to this configuration, the user can adjust the opening degree of the louver by operating the operation unit. (4) In any one of the louvers of (1) to (3) above, a control unit for controlling the louver body is provided, and the control unit controls the louver body based on information on the environment in which the louver body is provided.

[0009] With this configuration, the degree of opening of the louvers can be adjusted according to information about the environment in which the louvers are installed. (5) A building that solves the above problem is equipped with one of the louvers described in (1) to (4) above.

[0010] With this configuration, the degree of freedom in the opening of the louvers is increased because each of the arms and slats is rotatable. (6) In the building described in (5) above, an atrium is provided connecting the lower floor to the upper floor, and the louvers are provided in the portion of the atrium located between the lower floor and the upper floor.

[0011] This configuration allows for adjustment of the amount of light entering the lower floor and control of line of sight between people on the lower and upper floors.

[0012] According to the louvers and buildings of this disclosure, the degree of freedom in the opening of the louvers is increased.

[0013] This is a cross-sectional view of the building. This is a cross-sectional view of the building along line 2-2 in Figure 1. This is a plan view showing the louvers. This is a perspective view showing the rack and pinion mechanism of the louvers. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the louver control system. This is a schematic diagram showing the first aspect of the louvers. This is a schematic diagram showing the second aspect of the louvers. This is a schematic diagram showing the third aspect of the louvers. This is a schematic diagram showing the fourth aspect of the louvers. This is a schematic diagram showing the fifth aspect of the louvers. This is a schematic diagram showing the sixth aspect of the louvers.

[0014] The louvers 16 and the building 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. <Building> As shown in Figure 1, the building 10 of this embodiment is a two-story house. The building 10 has a first floor 10a as the lower floor and a second floor 10b as the upper floor. In some countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, "first floor" and "second floor" in this specification may be read as "ground floor" and "first floor" respectively. The building 10 is provided with an atrium 10c that connects the first floor 10a to the second floor 10b.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the building 10 comprises a first wall 11, a second wall 12, and a third wall 13. The first wall 11 and the second wall 12 face each other. The third wall 13 connects the first wall 11 and the second wall 12.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first wall 11 is provided with a first window 11a. The first window 11a is located on the second floor 10b. The first window 11a faces the atrium 10c. Sunlight enters the first floor 10a from the first window 11a through the atrium 10c. The third wall 13 is provided with a second window 13a and a third window 13b. The second window 13a is located on the first floor 10a. The third window 13b is located on the second floor 10b.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the building 10 includes a partition 14 located between the first floor 10a and the second floor 10b. Although not shown, the partition 14 includes ceiling materials that constitute the ceiling of the first floor 10a, beams, and flooring materials that constitute the floor of the second floor 10b. A handrail 15 is provided on the upper surface of the partition 14.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the building 10 is equipped with louvers 16. In this embodiment, the louvers 16 are installed horizontally. The louvers 16 are installed in the portion of the atrium 10c located between the first floor 10a and the second floor 10b.

[0019] <Louver> Details of the louver 16 will be explained. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the louver 16 includes a louver body 16a. The louver body 16a has a guide rail 20, a plurality of blade units 21, and a plurality of carriers 26.

[0020] The guide rail 20 extends in the direction in which the first wall 11 and the second wall 12 face each other. The guide rail 20 includes a first guide rail 20a attached to the partition section 14 and a second guide rail 20b attached to the portion of the third wall 13 located between the second window 13a and the third window 13b.

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, the guide rail 20 has a first rail component 201, a second rail component 202, and a third rail component 203. The first rail component 201 extends vertically. The second rail component 202 extends horizontally from the upper end of the first rail component 201. The third rail component 203 extends horizontally from the lower end of the first rail component 201. A rack 20c is provided on the upper surface of the third rail component 203. The direction in which the rack 20c extends is the same as the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. Note that the rack 20c is not shown in figures other than Figure 4.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the vane unit 21 has two arms 22 and two vanes 23. One of the two arms 22 is designated as the first arm 22a and the other as the second arm 22b. One of the two vanes 23 is designated as the first vane 23a and the other as the second vane 23b. The vane 23 is located between the first arm 22a and the second arm 22b. The vane 23 extends horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends.

[0023] The vane 23 is connected to the arm 22 via the first rotation shaft 24. More specifically, the first end of the first vane 23a is connected to the first end of the first arm 22a via the first rotation shaft 24. The second end of the first vane 23a is connected to the first end of the second arm 22b via the first rotation shaft 24. The first end of the second vane 23b is connected to the second end of the first arm 22a via the first rotation shaft 24. The second end of the second vane 23b is connected to the second end of the second arm 22b via the first rotation shaft 24.

[0024] The first rotating shaft 24 is connected to the output shaft of the first motor 25. The first motor 25 is located inside the arm 22. When the first motor 25 rotates the first rotating shaft 24, the vane 23 rotates integrally with the first rotating shaft 24. Therefore, the vane 23 is rotatable around the first rotating shaft 24 relative to the arm 22. The rotation angle of the vane 23 relative to the arm 22 is the same for all vane 23. When the thickness direction of the vane 23 is perpendicular to the direction in which the arm 22 extends, the first vane 23a and the second vane 23b constitute one large vane 230 (see Figure 6).

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the blade unit 21 is connected to two guide rails 20 via two carriers 26. More specifically, the first arm 22a of the blade unit 21 is connected to the first guide rail 20a via a carrier 26. The second arm 22b of the blade unit 21 is connected to the second guide rail 20b via a carrier 26.

[0026] The carrier 26 includes a carrier case 27, a second motor 28, a second rotating shaft 29, and a clutch (not shown). Note that the carrier case 27 is not shown in all figures except Figure 3.

[0027] The carrier case 27 is positioned within the guide rail 20. The second motor 28 is housed in the carrier case 27. The first end of the second rotating shaft 29 is connected to the output shaft of the second motor 28. The second end of the second rotating shaft 29 is inserted into the central part of the arm 22.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the second rotating shaft 29 is inserted through the pinion 29a. The pinion 29a is engaged with the rack 20c. Note that the pinion 29a is not shown in figures other than Figure 4. The clutch is configured to switch between a first coupling state in which the second rotating shaft 29 and the pinion 29a are coupled, and a second coupling state in which the second rotating shaft 29 and the arm 22 are coupled.

[0029] In the first coupled state, when the second motor 28 rotates the second rotating shaft 29, the pinion 29a rotates integrally with the second rotating shaft 29, causing it to move linearly in the direction in which the rack 20c extends relative to the rack 20c. As a result, the carrier 26 moves in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. The carrier 26 is guided by the guide rail 20. The carrier 26 transports the blade unit 21 in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. Therefore, the arm 22 is movable relative to the guide rail 20 in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends.

[0030] In the second coupled state, when the second motor 28 rotates the second rotation shaft 29, the arm 22 rotates integrally with the second rotation shaft 29. Therefore, the arm 22 is rotatable around the second rotation shaft 29 relative to the guide rail 20. The rotation angle of the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20 is the same for all arms 22.

[0031] When moving the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20, the clutch is controlled so that the arm 22 does not rotate integrally with the second rotation axis 29, and the pinion 29a rotates integrally with the second rotation axis 29. This restricts the arm 22 from rotating relative to the guide rail 20 when moving the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20. When rotating the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20, the clutch is controlled so that the arm 22 rotates integrally with the second rotation axis 29, and the pinion 29a does not rotate integrally with the second rotation axis 29. This restricts the arm 22 from moving relative to the guide rail 20 when rotating the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the louver 16 is equipped with an operating unit 31. The operating unit 31 is operated by the user. The operating unit 31 may be, for example, a panel with switches or a touch panel. In this embodiment, the operating unit 31 is attached to the first wall 11 of the first floor 10a (see Figure 1).

[0033] The user can adjust the opening degree of the louvers 16 by operating the control unit 31. In this embodiment, the user can further switch between an automatic control mode in which the control unit 33 (described later) automatically sets the opening degree of the louvers 16, and a manual control mode in which the user manually sets the opening degree of the louvers 16, by operating the control unit 31.

[0034] The louver 16 is equipped with a brightness sensor 32. The brightness sensor 32 is configured to detect brightness. In this embodiment, the brightness sensor 32 is mounted on the surface of the second wall 12 facing the atrium 10c (see Figure 2). The brightness sensor 32 is located above the louver body 16a. The brightness sensor 32 detects the brightness of the atrium 10c.

[0035] The louver 16 includes a control unit 33. The control unit 33 includes a processor 33a and a storage unit 33b. The processor 33a is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The storage unit 33b includes RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage unit 33b stores program code or instructions configured to cause the processor 33a to execute processing. The storage unit 33b, i.e., the computer-readable medium, includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. The control unit 33 may be composed of hardware circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 33, which is a processing circuit, may include one or more processors that operate according to a computer program, one or more hardware circuits such as an ASIC or FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0036] The control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a. Specifically, the control unit 33 controls the rotation of the slats 23 relative to the arm 22 by controlling the first motor 25. The control unit 33 controls the rotation and movement of the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20 by controlling the second motor 28 and the clutch. Wiring (not shown) for supplying power to the first motor 25 and the second motor 28 is provided inside the louver body 16a.

[0037] In this embodiment, the control unit 33 is connected to the operation unit 31. The control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a based on commands from the operation unit 31. That is, the control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a so that the opening degree of the louver 16 is set by the user.

[0038] In this embodiment, the control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a based on information about the environment in which the louver body 16a is installed (hereinafter referred to as "environmental information"). In this embodiment, the control unit 33 is connected to the brightness sensor 32. The control unit 33 obtains the brightness of the atrium 10c from the brightness sensor 32. The brightness of the atrium 10c is environmental information. When the louver 16 is set to automatic control mode, the control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a based on the brightness of the atrium 10c. For example, if the brightness of the atrium 10c becomes brighter than a predetermined brightness, the control unit 33 lowers the opening degree of the louver 16.

[0039] [Operation of this embodiment] The operation of this embodiment will now be described. The louver 16 comprises a louver body 16a. The louver body 16a has a guide rail 20, a plurality of arms 22 provided on the guide rail 20, and a plurality of vanes 23 provided on each of the plurality of arms 22. The arms 22 are rotatable relative to the guide rail 20. The vanes 23 are rotatable relative to the arms 22.

[0040] Figure 6 shows the first aspect of the louver 16. In the first aspect, the direction in which the arm 22 extends is the same as the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. Therefore, the direction in which the arm 22 extends is the same as the horizontal direction. The thickness direction of the blade 23 is orthogonal to the direction in which the arm 22 extends. Therefore, the thickness direction of the blade 23 is the same as the vertical direction. The first blade 23a and the second blade 23b constitute the large blade 230. In the first aspect, a plurality of large blades 230 are arranged side by side in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. The louver 16 is in the fully closed state.

[0041] As described above, in the present embodiment, sunlight enters the first floor 10a from the first window 11a through the blow-through 10c. As shown by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 6, in the first aspect, since the sunlight from the first window 11a is blocked by the louver 16, the amount of light entering the first floor 10a is extremely small.

[0042] Figure 7 shows the second aspect of the louver 16. In the second aspect, the direction in which the arm 22 extends is the same as the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. Therefore, the direction in which the arm 22 extends is the same as the horizontal direction. The thickness direction of the blade 23 is the same as the direction in which the arm 22 extends. Therefore, the thickness direction of the blade 23 is the same as the horizontal direction. In the second aspect, a plurality of blades 23 are arranged at intervals in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends.

[0043] As shown by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 7, in the second aspect, the sunlight from the first window 11a enters the first floor 10a through the gaps between the adjacent blades 23 in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. Therefore, the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the second aspect is larger than the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the first aspect.

[0044] Figure 8 shows the third aspect of the louver 16. In the third aspect, the direction in which the arm 22 extends is the same as the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. Therefore, the direction in which the arm 22 extends is the same as the horizontal direction. The thickness direction of the blade 23 is inclined with respect to the direction in which the arm 22 extends. In the third aspect, a plurality of blades 23 are arranged at intervals in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends.

[0045] As shown by the dashed-dotted line in Fig. 8, in the third aspect, sunlight from the first window 11a enters the first floor 10a through the gaps between the louver blades 23 adjacent in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. In the present embodiment, since the incident direction of sunlight from the first window 11a to the first floor 10a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, the amount of incident light on the first floor 10a in the third aspect is larger than the amount of incident light on the first floor 10a in the second aspect.

[0046] Fig. 9 shows a fourth aspect of the louver 16. In the fourth aspect, the direction in which the arm 22 extends is orthogonal to the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. Therefore, the direction in which the arm 22 extends is the same as the vertical direction. The thickness direction of the louver blade 23 is orthogonal to the direction in which the arm 22 extends. Therefore, the thickness direction of the louver blade 23 is the same as the horizontal direction. The first louver blade 23a and the second louver blade 23b constitute a large louver blade 230. In the fourth aspect, a plurality of large louver blades 230 are arranged at intervals in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. The interval between the large louver blades 230 in the fourth aspect is larger than the interval between the louver blades 23 in the second and third aspects.

[0047] As shown by the dashed-dotted line in Fig. 9, in the fourth aspect, sunlight from the first window 11a enters the first floor 10a through the gaps between the large louver blades 230 adjacent in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. The amount of incident light on the first floor 10a in the fourth aspect is larger than the amount of incident light on the first floor 10a in the third aspect.

[0048] Fig. 10 shows a fifth aspect of the louver 16. In the fifth aspect, the direction in which the arm 22 extends is inclined with respect to the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. The thickness direction of the louver blade 23 is orthogonal to the direction in which the arm 22 extends. The first louver blade 23a and the second louver blade 23b constitute a large louver blade 230. In the fifth aspect, a plurality of large louver blades 230 are arranged at intervals in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends.

[0049] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 10, in the fifth embodiment, sunlight from the first window 11a enters the first floor 10a through the gaps between adjacent large slats 230 in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. In this embodiment, since the direction in which sunlight enters the first floor 10a from the first window 11a is inclined with respect to the vertical, the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the fifth embodiment is greater than the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the fourth embodiment.

[0050] Figure 11 shows a sixth embodiment of the louver 16. In the sixth embodiment, the direction in which the arm 22 extends is perpendicular to the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. Therefore, the direction in which the arm 22 extends is the same as the vertical direction. The thickness direction of the slat 23 is perpendicular to the direction in which the arm 22 extends. Therefore, the thickness direction of the slat 23 is the same as the horizontal direction. In the sixth embodiment, the first slat 23a and the second slat 23b constitute a large slat 230. Multiple large slats 230 are arranged in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends.

[0051] In this embodiment, the arm 22 is movable relative to the guide rail 20 in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. In the sixth embodiment, multiple arms 22 are gathered together at the end of the guide rail 20. The spacing of the large slats 230 in the sixth embodiment is smaller than the spacing of the slats 23 in the fourth embodiment. The louvers 16 are in the fully open position.

[0052] As shown by the dashed line in Figure 11, in the sixth embodiment, sunlight from the first window 11a enters the first floor 10a without being obstructed by the louvers 16. The amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the sixth embodiment is greater than the amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the fifth embodiment. The amount of light entering the first floor 10a in the sixth embodiment is the maximum.

[0053] Thus, the rotatability of both the arm 22 and the vane 23 increases the degree of freedom in the opening of the louver 16. Note that the configuration of the louver 16 is not limited to the first to sixth configurations described above. The inclination angle of the vane 23 relative to the arm 22 is not limited to the inclination angle of the third configuration and may be changed as appropriate. The inclination angle of the arm 22 relative to the guide rail 20 is not limited to the inclination angle of the fifth configuration and may be changed as appropriate.

[0054] [Effects of this embodiment] The effects of this embodiment will be described below. (1) The building 10 is equipped with a louver 16. The louver 16 has a louver body 16a. The louver body 16a has a guide rail 20, a plurality of arms 22 provided on the guide rail 20, and a plurality of vanes 23 provided on each of the plurality of arms 22. The arms 22 are rotatable relative to the guide rail 20. The vanes 23 are rotatable relative to the arms 22.

[0055] With this configuration, the degree of freedom of the opening of the louver 16 is increased because each of the arm 22 and the slat 23 is rotatable. (2) The arm 22 is movable relative to the guide rail 20 in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends.

[0056] With this configuration, the louvers 16 can be fully opened by bringing the multiple arms 22 together at the end of the guide rail 20. (3) The louvers 16 are equipped with a control unit 33 that controls the louver body 16a. The control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a based on commands from the operating unit 31 operated by the user.

[0057] With this configuration, the user can adjust the opening degree of the louvers 16 by operating the control unit 31. (4) The control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a based on the brightness of the atrium 10c, which is environmental information.

[0058] With this configuration, the degree of opening of the louvers 16 can be adjusted according to the brightness of the atrium 10c. (5) The building 10 is provided with an atrium 10c that connects the first floor 10a to the second floor 10b. The louvers 16 are provided in the part of the atrium 10c located between the first floor 10a and the second floor 10b.

[0059] This configuration allows for adjustment of the amount of light entering the first floor 10a and control of the line of sight between a person on the first floor 10a and a person on the second floor 10b. <Examples of Modifications> The above embodiment is an example of possible forms for the louvers 16 and the building 10, and is not intended to limit their form. The louvers 16 and the building 10 may take forms different from those exemplified in the above embodiment. Examples of such forms include those in which parts of the configuration of the embodiment are replaced, modified, or omitted, or those in which new configurations are added to the embodiment. Examples of modifications to the embodiment are shown below.

[0060] - The building 10 is not limited to a house. - The building 10 is not limited to a two-story building. The building 10 may be three stories or more. In this case, the atrium is not limited to the atrium 10c connecting the first floor 10a and the second floor 10b. The atrium only needs to be provided to connect the lower floor and the upper floor.

[0061] - The louvers 16 may be installed on a suspended ceiling. - The louvers 16 may be installed so as to be perpendicular to an opening such as a window. - The louvers 16 may be installed outdoors.

[0062] - In the blade unit 21, the number of blades 23 provided on the arm 22 is not limited to two. In the blade unit 21, the number of blades 23 provided on the arm 22 may be three or more.

[0063] - The arm 22 does not need to be movable relative to the guide rail 20 in the direction in which the guide rail 20 extends. Even in this case, at least the effect (1) of the above embodiment can be obtained. - In the above embodiment, the operating unit 31 was provided on the first floor 10a, but is not limited thereto. The operating unit 31 may be provided on the second floor 10b. The operating unit 31 may be provided on both the first floor 10a and the second floor 10b.

[0064] - In the above embodiment, the operating unit 31 was attached to the first wall 11, but is not limited thereto. The operating unit 31 may be attached to the second wall 12 or the third wall 13. - The operating unit 31 may be, for example, a remote control. The remote control is configured to communicate wirelessly with the control unit 33. The control unit 33 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the remote control. In this case, the user can adjust the opening degree of the louvers 16 from any location by operating the remote control.

[0065] For example, a communication terminal such as a smartphone or tablet may be used as the operation unit 31. The control unit 33 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the communication terminal. The wireless communication method is, for example, Wi-Fi. In this case, the user can adjust the opening degree of the louvers 16 from any location by operating, for example, an application installed on the communication terminal.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the brightness sensor 32 was attached to the second wall 12, but is not limited to this. The brightness sensor 32 may be attached, for example, to the third wall 13 or to the surface of the handrail 15 facing the atrium 10c.

[0067] - The control unit 33 may control the louver body 16a based solely on commands from the operation unit 31. In this case as well, at least the effect (1) of the above embodiment can be obtained. - The control unit 33 may control the louver body 16a based solely on environmental information. In this case as well, at least the effect (1) of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0068] - Environmental information is not limited to brightness. Environmental information may include, for example, temperature, volume, season, time, or weather. The louver 16 may be equipped with a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature. The temperature sensor is mounted, for example, on the surface of the second wall 12 facing the atrium 10c. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the atrium 10c. The control unit 33 is connected to the temperature sensor. The control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a based on the temperature of the atrium 10c. For example, if the temperature of the atrium 10c rises above a predetermined temperature, the control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a so that the amount of light entering the first floor 10a decreases. This prevents the temperature of the first floor 10a from rising in conjunction with the rise in the temperature of the atrium 10c.

[0069] In this modified example, the control unit 33 may estimate the temperature of the atrium 10c based on weather information of the residential area obtained from a server such as a home server. In this case, a temperature sensor is not required.

[0070] The louver 16 may be equipped with a volume sensor configured to detect volume. The volume sensor is installed, for example, on the first floor 10a or the second floor 10b. The volume sensor detects the volume on the first floor 10a or the second floor 10b. The control unit 33 is connected to the volume sensor. The control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a based on the volume on the first floor 10a or the second floor 10b. For example, if the volume on the first floor 10a or the second floor 10b exceeds a predetermined volume, the control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a to reduce the opening degree of the louver 16. This suppresses sound leakage from the first floor 10a to the second floor 10b, or from the second floor 10b to the first floor 10a.

[0071] The control unit 33 may control the louver body 16a based on the season. For example, in the summer, the control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a so that the amount of light entering the first floor 10a decreases compared to the winter. This can suppress the first floor 10a from becoming too hot in the summer.

[0072] The control unit 33 may control the louver body 16a based on time. For example, the control unit 33 may control the louver body 16a so that the amount of light entering the first floor 10a decreases or increases at a predetermined time. The predetermined time is set, for example, by the user via the operation unit 31.

[0073] The control unit 33 may control the louver body 16a based on a plurality of environmental information. For example, the control unit 33 controls the louver body 16a to reduce the amount of light entering the first floor 10a when it is summer, the weather is sunny, and it is morning.

[0074] <Note> This specification discloses the following technology: [Note 1] A louver comprising a louver body having a guide rail, a plurality of arms provided on the guide rail, and a plurality of vanes provided on each of the plurality of arms, wherein the arms are rotatable with respect to the guide rail, and the vanes are rotatable with respect to the arms.

[0075] [Note 2] In the louver described in Note 1, the arm is movable relative to the guide rail in the direction in which the guide rail extends.

[0076] [Note 3] The louver described in Note 1 is equipped with a control unit that controls the louver body, and the control unit controls the louver body based on commands from an operating unit operated by the user.

[0077] [Note 4] The louver described in Note 1 is provided with a control unit for controlling the louver body, and the control unit controls the louver body based on information about the environment in which the louver body is installed.

[0078] [Note 5] A building equipped with any one of the louvers described in Notes 1 to 4. [Note 6] In the building described in Note 5, an atrium is provided connecting the lower floor to the upper floor, and the louvers are provided in the portion of the atrium located between the lower floor and the upper floor.

[0079] 10...Building, 10a...1st floor as the lower floor, 10b...2nd floor as the upper floor, 10c...Open space, 16...Louver, 16a...Louver body, 20...Guide rail, 22...Arm, 23...Slat, 31...Operating unit, 33...Control unit.

Claims

1. A louver comprising a louver body having a guide rail, a plurality of arms provided on the guide rail, and a plurality of vanes provided on each of the plurality of arms, wherein the arms are rotatable relative to the guide rail, and the vanes are rotatable relative to the arms.

2. The louver according to claim 1, wherein the arm is movable relative to the guide rail in the direction in which the guide rail extends.

3. The louver according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a control unit for controlling the louver body, wherein the control unit controls the louver body based on commands from an operating unit operated by a user.

4. A louver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a control unit for controlling the louver body, wherein the control unit controls the louver body based on information about the environment in which the louver body is installed.

5. A building comprising the louvers described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The building according to claim 5, wherein an atrium is provided connecting the lower floor to the upper floor, and the louvers are provided in the portion of the atrium located between the lower floor and the upper floor.

Images