JP2019190765A - Environment control system and environment controller - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an environment control system and an environment controller, capable of providing a comfortable environment to a worker who arrives at a work space.SOLUTION: An environmental control system comprises: work environment adjusting means capable of adjusting a value of a work environment parameter including at least one parameter of a temperature, a humidity and a wind speed in a work space; recording means for recording pre-work information including at least one of first information on weather conditions exposed before a worker working in the work space arrives at the work space, and second information related to at least one of biological information, an amount of activity and a clothing state of the worker before the worker arrives at the work space; and control means capable of receiving the pre-work information before the worker arrives in the work space, and controlling operation of the work environment adjusting means. Before the worker arrives at the work space, the value of the work environment parameter is adjusted by the work environment adjusting means according to the pre-work information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an environment control system and an environment control apparatus.

  In recent years, an air conditioning system has been proposed in which, for example, human biological data such as heartbeat, pulse, blood flow, and body temperature is measured in real time, and air conditioning equipment is controlled according to the state. In particular, a technique for constructing an office environment according to a worker's physiological and psychological situation is known in order to efficiently perform work in an office or the like. Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for controlling air conditioning and lighting while measuring the work content and concentration of an operator.

JP, 2006-035365, A

  In the conventional technology, it is difficult to sufficiently enhance the comfort when the worker arrives at the work space.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an environment control system and an environment control apparatus capable of providing a comfortable environment for a worker who has arrived in a work space. With the goal.

An environment control system according to the present invention includes a work environment adjusting means capable of adjusting a value of a work environment parameter including at least one parameter of temperature, humidity, and wind speed in the work space, and an operator working in the work space. First information on weather conditions exposed before the worker arrives at the workspace, and second information on at least one of the worker's biometric information, activity level, and clothing before the worker arrives at the workspace Recording means for recording pre-work information including at least one of the above, and control means for receiving the pre-work information before the worker arrives at the work space and controlling the operation of the work environment adjusting means. The work environment parameter value is adjusted by the work environment adjusting means according to the pre-work information before the worker arrives at the work space.
Further, the environment control apparatus according to the present invention controls the operation of the work environment adjusting means capable of adjusting the value of the work environment parameter including at least one parameter of temperature, humidity, and wind speed in the work space. A first information on weather conditions exposed before the worker working in the work space arrives at the work space, and the biological information, activity amount of the worker before the worker arrives at the work space, And receiving means for receiving pre-work information including at least one of second information on at least one of the clothing states before the worker arrives at the work space, and than when the worker arrives at the work space And adjusting means for adjusting the value of the work environment parameter by the work environment adjusting means according to the pre-work information before.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide a comfortable environment with respect to the worker who arrived at the work space.

It is a figure which shows the environmental control system and environmental control apparatus by Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the environment control system according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the time-dependent change of the PMV value of the operator's foot when the inside of the work space is heated, the PMV value around the head, and the operator's desk and chair. It is a figure which shows the example of a time-dependent change of hand color temperature and ambient color temperature. It is a figure which shows the environmental control system and environmental control apparatus by Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the environment control system according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, common or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is simplified or omitted. The present disclosure may include all combinations of configurations that can be combined among the configurations described in the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an environment control system and an environment control apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the environment control system 1 of the present embodiment includes an operator measurement unit 2, an environment measurement unit 3, a determination unit 4, a control unit 5, an air conditioner 6, and a lighting system 7.

  In the following description, a space for an operator to work is referred to as a “work space”. The work space may be, for example, any one of a conference room space, a work room space, and an office space. The “work” may be a labor mainly using the brain or a labor mainly using the movement of the body. The work space may be a space where only one worker can work or a space where a plurality of workers can work. For convenience of explanation, a worker who is not working, for example, a worker who is commuting toward the work space is also referred to as a “worker”.

  In the following description, at least one parameter of temperature, humidity, and wind speed in the work space is referred to as a “work environment parameter”. The “temperature in the work space” may be at least one parameter of the air temperature in the work space, the sensible temperature in the work space, and the temperature of an object (for example, a chair or a desk) that touches the worker. For example, a thermal environment evaluation index PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) may be used as the parameter of the sensory temperature. The “wind speed in the work space” may be an average wind speed for one minute, for example.

  “Pre-work information” is the first information about the weather conditions exposed before the worker working in the work space arrives at the work space, and the biological information and activities of the worker before the worker arrives at the work space. The information includes at least one of the amount and the second information related to at least one of the clothing states. The worker measuring unit 2 corresponds to a recording unit that records pre-operation information. “Before the worker arrives at the work space” corresponds to, for example, when the worker moves on foot from the nearest station to the work space.

  The worker measuring unit 2 includes a measuring device that the worker carries or wears on the body. As a result, it is possible to accurately detect information regarding the moving worker or the surrounding situation. The worker measuring unit 2 in the present embodiment includes a temperature / humidity sensor 2a, a communication unit 2b, a time measuring unit 2c, a GPS receiving unit 2d, a heart rate meter 2e, a sphygmomanometer 2f, and a skin surface thermometer 2g. The temperature / humidity sensor 2a detects the outside air temperature and humidity around the worker. According to the temperature / humidity sensor 2a, it is possible to detect information related to the weather conditions to which the operator is exposed. The communication unit 2 b performs communication between the worker measurement unit 2 and the determination unit 4. The timekeeping unit 2c is a real time clock and outputs timekeeping information. The time information may include information on month, day, hour, minute, and second. The GPS receiver 2d detects the current position of the worker using GPS (Global Positioning System). The heart rate meter 2e detects the heart rate of the worker. The sphygmomanometer 2f detects the blood pressure of the worker. The skin surface thermometer 2g detects the surface temperature of the operator's skin.

  The worker measurement unit 2 includes, for example, a processing circuit including a processor and a memory. The operator measurement unit 2 stores information detected by the temperature / humidity sensor 2a, the GPS reception unit 2d, the heart rate meter 2e, the sphygmomanometer 2f, and the skin surface thermometer 2g together with time data measured by the time measurement unit 2c. To record.

  The worker may have the worker measurement unit 2 configured as a dedicated terminal. Or you may comprise the said smart phone so that the function of the worker measurement part 2 may be fulfill | performed by installing an application in a smart phone, for example.

  The worker measuring unit 2 can detect the movement speed of the worker using the GPS receiving unit 2d. Based on the movement speed of the worker, the worker measurement unit 2 can determine whether the worker is moving on foot or on a transportation means such as a railway or a car. The worker measurement unit 2 can record information on the weather conditions to which the worker is exposed by recording the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature / humidity sensor 2a when the worker is walking. it can. The worker measuring unit 2 determines whether or not the worker has arrived at the nearest station based on the position information detected by the GPS receiving unit 2d, and predicts the time when the worker arrives in the work space. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the worker measurement unit 2 can detect and record heart rate, blood pressure, and skin surface temperature as the biological information of the worker before the worker arrives in the work space. At least a part of the worker measurement unit 2 may have a form of a wearable sensor wound around a wrist or the like. The worker measuring unit 2 may detect and record other biological information such as a sweating state.

  The worker measurement unit 2 may detect and record the amount of activity of the worker. As the unit of the activity amount of the worker, for example, at least one of METs (Mets), EX (exercise) = METs (Mets) × time, number of steps, walking speed, calorie consumption, calorie consumption per hour is used. be able to. The worker measurement unit 2 is, for example, at least one of a method of processing a signal of an acceleration sensor (not shown) with a measurement algorithm, a method of estimating from a worker's biological information, and a method of estimating from a worker's walking speed. Can be used to calculate the amount of activity of the worker.

  The communication means 2b of the worker measurement unit 2 may receive weather information from an external server. For example, the weather information may include at least one of temperature, humidity, weather, and precipitation. The worker measurement unit 2 may record information on the weather conditions to which the worker is exposed based on the weather information. Based on the weather information, the worker measurement unit 2 may record information on whether the worker has been exposed to precipitation before arriving in the work space as pre-work information.

  The environment measuring unit 3 can measure values of work environment parameters. The environment measuring unit 3 includes a PMV meter 3a, an infrared sensor 3b, a camera 3c, a communication means 3d, and a temperature / humidity sensor 3e. The temperature / humidity sensor 3e detects the room temperature and humidity of the work space. The PMV meter 3a measures the comfort level. The PMV meter 3a calculates the value of the thermal environment evaluation index PMV. PMV is a value that combines the thermal load of the human body and the thermal sensation of human beings, and is also referred to as an average predicted thermal sensation report. PMV is calculated from room temperature, relative humidity, average radiation temperature, average wind speed, activity amount, and clothing amount.

  The infrared sensor 3b includes, for example, a plurality of thermopiles, and measures the surface temperature by infrared reflection. By rotating and scanning the infrared sensor 3b with an actuator, the surface temperature of the worker's skin existing in the work space and the surface temperature of an object such as the operator's desk, chair, floor, wall can be measured. it can.

  The camera 3c images a worker who exists in the work space. The environment control system 1 performs an image recognition process on an image captured by the camera 3c, thereby detecting the worker's behavior and inferring thermal sensation from the worker's behavior. For example, when an operator sits on a chair and scolds himself, it can be assumed that the worker feels hot. Further, when the worker rubs a part of the body with his hand, it can be assumed that the worker feels cold.

  The communication unit 3d transmits information detected by the PMV meter 3a, the infrared sensor 3b, the camera 3c, and the temperature / humidity sensor 3e to the determination unit 4 by wired communication or wireless communication.

  The air conditioner 6 can adjust the value of the work environment parameter. The air conditioner 6 performs air conditioning in the work space. The air conditioner 6 includes an indoor unit (not shown) installed on the ceiling or wall surface of a room forming a work space. This indoor unit includes a blowout port that blows out air and a louver that adjusts the airflow direction of the airflow blown out from the blowout port. Wind direction control can be performed by moving the direction of the louver in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The air conditioner 6 includes a blower 6a for blowing air into the work space, a ventilator 6b that can exchange air and outside air in the work space, and a fan control unit 6c that controls the amount of air blown into the work space. And a louver controller 6d for controlling the operation of the louver. The air conditioner 6 can perform at least one of a cooling operation, a heating operation, and a dehumidifying operation by circulating the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit by a compressor (not shown). The air conditioner 6 in the present embodiment corresponds to work environment adjusting means. The air conditioner 6 may be configured to be able to blow both heated and cooled air and unheated and cooled air into the work space at the same time. At least one of the blower 6a and the ventilation device 6b may blow air that has not been heated and cooled into the work space.

  As a modified example, the work environment adjusting means may be a humidifier that can humidify the work space, or a dehumidifier that can dehumidify the work space, instead of or in addition to the air conditioner 6 as described above. , At least one of an air purifying device for purifying air in the work space, a chair temperature adjusting device capable of cooling and heating the operator's chair, and a desk temperature adjusting device capable of cooling and heating the operator's desk. You may prepare.

  The illumination system 7 includes an illumination device that illuminates the work space. The illumination system 7 can adjust at least one of the color temperature of the illumination light and the illuminance in the work space. For example, the lighting system 7 is installed on the ceiling of a room forming a work space to illuminate the entire work space, and the lighting system 7 is installed on the ceiling of the room forming the work space to spot an operator's desk. And a lighting device of the type that illuminates automatically. The lighting system 7 may include a lighting device of a type installed on the desk of each worker. Hereinafter, at least one of the color temperature of the illumination light by the illumination system 7 and the illuminance in the work space may be referred to as an “illumination condition”.

  The determination unit 4 includes, for example, a processing circuit including a processor and a memory. The determination unit 4 estimates the worker's state based on the information provided from the worker measurement unit 2 and the operating conditions of the air conditioner 6 and the lighting system 7 based on the information provided from the environment measurement unit 3. To decide.

  The control unit 5 includes, for example, a processing circuit including a processor and a memory. The determination unit 4 and the control unit 5 can communicate with each other by wired communication or wireless communication. The control unit 5 is electrically connected to each of the air conditioner 6 and the illumination system 7. Based on the conditions determined by the determination unit 4, the control unit 5 controls the amount and direction of air blown from the air conditioner 6 to the work space, the temperature of the work space, and the lighting conditions by the lighting system 7.

The determination unit 4 can receive the pre-work information recorded by the worker measurement unit 2 before the worker arrives at the work space. About the communication method of the operator measurement part 2 and the determination part 4, you may be made as either of the following, for example.
A reading device that reads the pre-operation information recorded by the worker measurement unit 2 is provided at the entrance of a building having a work space or at the entrance of a site where the building exists. The worker causes the reader to read the pre-operation information when passing through the entrance. The reading device transmits pre-operation information to the determination unit 4.
The worker measuring unit 2 automatically transmits pre-work information to the determining unit 4 when the current position of the worker detected by the GPS receiving unit 2d approaches within a certain distance from the work space. This “certain distance” may be, for example, about 1 km or 500 m. Alternatively, the operator may perform an operation for transmitting the pre-work information to the determination unit 4 on the worker measurement unit 2 before the worker arrives at the work space. In these cases, when a smartphone is used as the worker measurement unit 2, the pre-operation information may be transmitted using the communication function of the smartphone.

  As described above, the determination unit 4 can receive the pre-work information before the worker arrives at the work space. Based on the conditions determined by the determination unit 4 according to the pre-work information, the control unit 5 sets the work environment parameters by the work environment adjustment means such as the air conditioner 6 before the worker arrives at the work space. Adjust the value. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 4 and the control unit 5 are “control means that can receive pre-work information before the worker arrives at the work space and controls the operation of the work environment adjustment means”. It corresponds. The determination unit 4 and the control unit 5 correspond to an environment control device. In the environmental control apparatus, the determination unit 4 corresponds to “a receiving unit that receives pre-work information before the worker arrives at the work space”, and the control unit 5 reads “the worker arrives at the work space. It corresponds to “control means for controlling the operation of the work environment adjusting means according to the pre-work information”.

  Whether the worker feels cold or hot before arriving at the work space can be determined using pre-work information. For example, when the outside air temperature or the skin surface temperature before reaching the work space is low, it is considered that the worker feels cold. Conversely, when the outside air temperature or the skin surface temperature before reaching the work space is high, it is considered that the worker feels hot. Also, the greater the amount of activity, the greater the heat production in the body, making it easier to feel the heat. For this reason, when the amount of activity before arriving at the work space is large, it is considered that the worker feels hot. In the environment control system 1 of the present embodiment, the value of the work environment parameter is adjusted by the work environment adjusting means according to the pre-work information before the worker arrives at the work space. For example, when the worker feels cold before arriving at the work space, the value of the work environment parameter is changed so that the sensible temperature in the work space increases. Thus, when the worker arrives at the work space, the worker feels warm and comfortable. Also, when the worker feels hot before arriving at the work space, the value of the work environment parameter is changed so that the sensible temperature in the work space is lowered. Thereby, when the worker arrives at the work space, the worker feels cool and becomes comfortable. In this way, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a comfortable work space environment to the worker who has arrived at the work space.

  The worker's labor efficiency varies depending on the worker's current physical condition, degree of sleepiness, degree of awakening, degree of fatigue, degree of relaxation, degree of stress, and the like. “Workability” corresponds to the ratio of the current efficiency of the worker individual to the highest efficiency of the worker individual. The high workability of the worker corresponds to the current efficiency of the worker being close to the highest efficiency of the worker. The low workability of the worker corresponds to the current efficiency of the worker being reduced compared to the highest efficiency of the worker. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the comfort of the worker who has arrived in the work space, and therefore it is expected that the workability of the worker is improved.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the environment control system 1 according to the first embodiment. Here, as a specific example, a case where an operator goes to work in winter will be described. In this specific example, it is assumed that the worker normally walks for 10 minutes from the nearest station of the work space to the building where the office is the work space.

  As step S1 in FIG. 2, the worker measuring unit 2 detects whether the worker has arrived at the nearest station by the GPS receiving unit 2d. When the worker arrives at the nearest station, the worker measurement unit 2 starts measurement using the temperature / humidity sensor 2a, the heart rate meter 2e, the sphygmomanometer 2f, and the skin surface thermometer 2g as step S2. . Subsequently, as step S3, the worker measurement unit 2 predicts the time when the worker arrives in the work space. The worker measurement unit 2 transmits information on the predicted arrival time to the determination unit 4. The determination unit 4 and the control unit 5 that have received the information on the predicted arrival time activate the air conditioner 6 and start the air conditioning operation of the work space as step S4. This air conditioning operation may be a heating operation or a cooling operation.

  For example, the worker measurement unit 2 records, as pre-work information, that the worker has walked for 10 minutes in a weather condition at an outside air temperature of 5 ° C. The worker measuring unit 2 determines whether or not the worker has passed the “point A” as step S5. The “point A” may be, for example, an entrance of a building where an office that is a work space is located, or a point that is a predetermined distance away from the building. When the worker passes “point A”, the worker measuring unit 2 transmits the pre-work information to the determining unit 4 as step S6. The worker measurement unit 2 may transmit pre-work information including information regarding whether the worker has been exposed to precipitation before arriving in the work space to the determination unit 4. In this specific example, it is assumed that light rain has occurred when an operator is walking from the nearest station, and that precipitation information is transmitted to the determination unit 4 as pre-work information.

  When receiving the pre-work information, the determination unit 4 determines whether or not the worker before arriving at the work space feels hot in step S7 as follows, for example. When the outside air temperature in the pre-work information is higher than the heat reference temperature, it may be determined that the worker feels hot. Since the sensible temperature becomes higher as the humidity is higher, when the humidity in the pre-operation information is higher than the reference value, it may be determined that the worker feels hot. When the amount of activity in the pre-work information is higher than the reference value, it may be determined that the worker feels hot.

  When it is determined in step S7 that the worker feels hot, in step S8, the determination unit 4 and the control unit 5 are configured such as the air conditioner 6 so that the sensible temperature in the work space decreases. The value of the work environment parameter is changed using the work environment adjustment means. In step S8, for example, the air conditioner 6 may be operated so that the air conditioning temperature by the air conditioner 6 is lower than the normal set temperature. According to the process of step S8, since the temperature felt when the worker who feels hot can arrive at the work space can be lowered, the comfort of the worker can be improved.

  When it is determined in step S7 that the worker does not feel hot, the determination unit 4 determines whether or not the worker before arriving in the work space feels cold as step S12, for example, as follows. Judgment. When the outside air temperature in the pre-work information is lower than the cold reference temperature, it may be determined that the worker feels cold. If it is raining, snowing, etc., the sensory temperature will be low, so if the worker is exposed to precipitation before arriving at the working space, it may be determined that the worker feels cold .

  In this specific example, it is recorded as pre-operation information that the worker has walked for 10 minutes in weather conditions of 5 ° C. outside air, so in step S12, the determination unit 4 determines that the worker is cold. Judge that you feel. When it is determined that the worker feels cold, in step S13, the determination unit 4 and the control unit 5 adjust the work environment of the air conditioner 6 or the like so that the temperature of the sensible temperature in the work space increases. The value of the work environment parameter is changed using the means. In step S13, for example, the air conditioner 6 may be operated so that the air conditioning temperature of the air conditioner 6 is higher than the normal set temperature. According to the process of step S13, since the temperature felt when the worker who feels cold reaches the work space can be increased, the comfort of the worker can be improved.

  In step S13, the following may be performed. The determination unit 4 may determine to increase the surface temperature of at least one of the operator's desk and chair. Based on the determination, the control unit 5 activates at least one of the air conditioner 6, the chair temperature adjustment device, and the desk temperature adjustment device so that the surface temperature of at least one of the operator's desk and chair increases. You may drive. In this case, the determination unit 4 and the control unit 5 determine whether the surface temperature of the desk or chair used by the operator is low, or the floor surface of the low surface temperature, based on the measurement result of the infrared sensor 3b. On the other hand, you may drive the air conditioning apparatus 6 so that those low-temperature locations may be heated by blowing warm air more. By doing as mentioned above, when the worker enters the room, the work can be started in a warmed state, and the body can be warmed.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the worker does not feel cold, the worker before arriving at the work space does not feel hot or cold. In this case, the determination unit 4 and the control unit 5 continue the operation of the air conditioner 6 without changing the air conditioning temperature by the air conditioner 6 from the normal set temperature as step S14. As a result, when a worker who does not feel hot or cold arrives at the work space, a work environment at a normal set temperature can be provided to the worker, so that the comfort of the worker can be improved.

  The process proceeds from step S8, step S13, or step S14 to step S9. In step S9, the determination unit 4 detects whether or not the worker has entered the work space based on information detected by at least one of the infrared sensor 3b and the camera 3c of the environment measurement unit 3. When it is detected that the worker has entered the work space, the determination unit 4 and the control unit 5 turn on the lighting device of the lighting system 7 as step S10. Subsequently, the PMV meter 3a starts measuring the worker's PMV. In the present embodiment, the processing from step S7 to step S14 corresponds to the “comfort mode” processing. This comfortable mode corresponds to an acclimatization mode that is an operation mode during which the worker accustoms to the work space after the worker arrives at the work space.

  The process proceeds from step S11 to step S15. In step S15, the determination unit 4 determines whether or not X minutes have elapsed since the worker arrived. “X minutes” is a value set as a time required for the worker who arrives at the work space to acclimatize to the work space, or a time for preparation for the work. “X minutes” may be, for example, a value within a range of 20 minutes to 30 minutes. If X minutes have not yet elapsed since the worker arrived, driving in the comfort mode is continued. If X minutes have elapsed since the arrival of the worker, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S <b> 16, the environment control system 1 starts the “centralized mode” process instead of the comfort mode process. This concentrated mode corresponds to a steady mode that is an operation mode in which the value of at least one work environment parameter is different from that of the comfort mode. The concentration mode is an operation mode for allowing an operator to work more concentratedly. The environment control system 1 according to the present embodiment automatically shifts from the comfort mode corresponding to the habituation mode to the concentrated mode corresponding to the steady mode. This is more advantageous in improving the workability of the worker.

  In the present embodiment, the concentrated mode process includes a process in step S16a for starting the air conditioning control for the concentrated mode and a process in step S16b for starting the illumination control for the concentrated mode.

  When the work space is heated in the concentration mode, the following may be performed. The determination unit 4 and the control unit 5 may operate the work environment adjusting means such as the air conditioner 6 so that the temperature of the head of the worker is lower than the temperature of the head of the worker. In the cold season when heating is used, the so-called head cold foot heat state is preferable for improving concentration, and thus, it is advantageous for improving the comfort and workability of the operator. In order to make the sensible temperature of the worker's head lower than the sensible temperature of the worker's feet, for example, the blower 6a or the ventilator 6b is blown to the extent that the operator's head is not uncomfortable. The PMV value around the operator's head may be controlled to be lower than the foot PMV value. Thereby, even if there is no difference in the temperature of the head and the feet, it is possible to make the temperature of the head to be lower than the temperature of the feet. Further, by controlling the air conditioner 6 so that the heated air is preferentially blown toward the operator's feet, the temperature of the workers' feet is higher than the temperature around the head. Also good.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of changes over time of the PMV value at the feet of the worker, the PMV value around the head, and the desk and chair of the worker when the work space is heated. In FIG. 3, the determination unit 4 receives the pre-work information at time T1, and the worker arrives at the work space at time T2. The period from time T2 to time T3 corresponds to the comfort mode, and the period after time T3 corresponds to the concentrated mode.

  The PMV meter 3a may acquire each parameter for calculating the PMV value as follows, for example. Values detected by the temperature / humidity sensor 3e can be used as the temperature and relative humidity in the work space. As the average radiation temperature in the working space, the value of the surface temperature detected by the infrared sensor 3b can be used. The average wind speed in the work space can be estimated based on the blowing state by the air conditioner 6. In this case, the average wind speed at the feet of the worker and the average wind speed around the head can be estimated individually. The worker's clothing amount can be estimated as either a short sleeve or a long sleeve depending on the season, temperature, humidity, and the like. Further, after the worker arrives at the work space, it may be estimated whether the sleeve is a short sleeve or a long sleeve based on the surface temperature distribution detected by the infrared sensor 3b. Alternatively, the amount of clothes may be detected by performing an image recognition process on the image of the worker photographed by the camera 3c. Since it is often determined in advance for each worker whether to work while sitting in a chair or standing, if a predetermined value corresponding to the worker's working posture is used as the amount of activity of the worker Good.

  From time T1 to time T2, the PMV value at the operator's foot and the PMV value around the head are equal. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the environment control system 1 sets the value of the work environment parameter so that the PMV value corresponding to the sensible temperature in the work space increases until time T2 when the worker arrives at the work space. Change.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the environment control system 1 sets the value of the work environment parameter so that the PMV value corresponding to the sensible temperature in the work space gradually decreases after the worker arrives at the work space at time T2. Change. In this way, when the value of the work environment parameter is changed so that the sensible temperature in the work space rises before the worker arrives in the work space, after the worker arrives in the work space, You may make it change the value of a work environment parameter so that the sensible temperature in a work space may fall gradually. As a result, the value of the work environment parameter can be returned to the normal set value as the worker becomes accustomed to the environment of the work space.

  When the inside of the work space is cooled, the environment control system 1 may change the value of the work environment parameter so that the sensible temperature in the work space decreases before the worker arrives at the work space. . In this case, the environment control system 1 may change the value of the work environment parameter so that the sensible temperature in the work space gradually increases after the worker arrives at the work space. As a result, the value of the work environment parameter can be returned to the normal set value as the worker becomes accustomed to the environment of the work space.

  When the work space is cooled in the concentration mode, the following may be performed. The determination unit 4 and the control unit 5 may operate the work environment adjusting means such as the air conditioner 6 so that the temperature at the operator's feet is lower than the temperature at the operator's head. In the hot season when air conditioning is used, it is preferable to keep the feet cool from the standpoint to increase concentration, so the above is advantageous in improving the comfort and workability of the operator. Become. In order to make the sensory temperature of the worker's feet lower than the sensory temperature of the worker's head, for example, the fan 6a or the ventilation device 6b blows air toward the worker's feet, The PMV value may be controlled to be lower than the PMV value around the head. Thereby, even if there is no difference in the air temperature between the head and the feet, the sensory temperature of the feet can be made lower than the sensory temperature of the head. Further, by controlling the air conditioner 6 so that the cooled air is preferentially blown toward the worker's feet, the temperature at the feet of the worker is lower than the temperature around the head. Also good.

  In the following description, the illuminance at the worker's hand in the work space is referred to as “hand illuminance”, and the illuminance around the worker in the work space is referred to as “ambient illuminance”. The illumination system 7 may be configured such that the value of the local illuminance and the value of the ambient illuminance can be adjusted separately. The illuminance on the operator's desk may be the hand illuminance.

  In the following description, the color temperature of the illumination light at hand of the worker in the work space is referred to as “hand color temperature”, and the color temperature of the illumination light around the worker in the work space is referred to as “ambient color temperature”. The illumination system 7 may be configured such that the local color temperature value and the ambient color temperature value can be adjusted separately. The color temperature of the illumination light that illuminates the operator's desk may be the local color temperature.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of changes in the local color temperature and the ambient color temperature over time. In FIG. 4, the worker arrives at the work space at time T2. The period from time T2 to time T3 corresponds to the comfort mode, and the period after time T3 corresponds to the concentrated mode.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the environment control system 1 controls the lighting system 7 so that the local color temperature and the ambient color temperature are both about 6200K at time T2 when the worker arrives at the work space. ing. Thus, by controlling the color temperature of the work space to daylight as a whole when the worker arrives, the worker feels refreshed and can easily switch heads.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the environment control system 1 illuminates so that the ambient color temperature is gradually decreased while the hand color temperature is maintained at about 6200 K as the operator becomes accustomed from time T2 to time T3. The system 7 is controlled. In the concentrated mode, day white light with a local color temperature of about 6200K and an ambient color temperature of about 5000K is obtained. As described above, in the concentrated mode, daylight is irradiated on the hand of the worker, and daylight white light is irradiated around the worker. This makes it easier for the operator to concentrate his / her consciousness on hand, which is advantageous for improving workability.

  In addition, the environment control system 1 controls the illumination system 7 so that the difference between the hand illuminance and the ambient illuminance is relatively small in the comfort mode. In this way, when the worker arrives, the entire work space is illuminated so that the difference in light and darkness in the work space becomes small, so that the worker feels refreshed and can easily switch heads.

  In the steady mode such as the concentrated mode, the hand color temperature is higher than the ambient color temperature, and the difference between the hand color temperature and the ambient color temperature is larger than the habituation mode such as the comfort mode. By controlling the illumination system 7, an effect similar to the effect described above can be obtained.

  Further, in the concentrated mode, the environment control system 1 dims the surroundings of the worker and controls the illumination system 7 so that the ambient illuminance is lower than the local illuminance. This makes it easier for the operator to concentrate his / her consciousness on hand, which is advantageous for improving workability.

  In the steady mode such as the concentrated mode, the illumination system 7 is such that the hand illuminance is higher than the ambient illuminance and that the difference between the hand illuminance and the ambient illuminance is greater than that in the habituation mode such as the comfort mode. By controlling the above, an effect similar to the effect described above can be obtained.

  The process proceeds from step S16 in FIG. 2 to step S17. In step S17, the environment control system 1 determines whether or not the worker's work has been completed. For example, it may be determined that the worker's work has been completed when the end time is reached, or the worker's work has been completed when a device such as a personal computer used by the worker is turned off. You may judge. When it is determined that the worker's work is finished, the environment control system 1 finishes the process of the flowchart of FIG.

  In the specific example described above, it is determined that the worker feels cold because the worker walks for 10 minutes in weather conditions of 5 ° C outside air and light rain. If it can be confirmed from the pre-working information that the worker arrived on the road today in 7 minutes on foot, the worker is walking faster than usual. It is assumed that it is not as cold as normal. In such a case, the environment control system 1 may keep the surface temperature of at least one of the operator's desk and chair lower than usual. In addition, the environment control system 1 may be configured such that when the weather information included in the pre-work information includes rain on the route traveled by the worker on foot and the sensible temperature is low, at least one of the worker's desk and chair. The surface temperature may be kept higher than usual. Thereby, the operator's comfort at the time of arrival can further be improved. As described above, in the environment control system 1, the temperature of at least one of the chair and the desk used by the worker is adjusted as the work environment parameter according to the pre-work information, thereby improving the comfort of the worker at the time of arrival. Above becomes more advantageous.

  The acclimatization time required for an operator who arrives at the work space to acclimatize to the work space is usually about 20 to 30 minutes, but there are also individual differences. In view of this point, the operator may be able to specify the value of “X minutes” in step S15 which is the duration of the habituation mode such as the comfort mode. Thereby, the control which further improves workability | operativity according to an individual difference of an operator is attained.

  The environment control system 1 adjusts the value of the work environment parameter in accordance with the pre-work information in the habituation mode such as the comfort mode, and the work environment parameter value without depending on the pre-work information in the steady mode such as the concentrated mode. The value may be adjusted. This is because, in the steady mode such as the concentrated mode, the worker is already accustomed to the environment of the work space, so that it is not necessary to perform control according to the pre-work information.

  In the case where the information on the outside air temperature exposed before the worker arrives at the work space is included in the pre-work information, and the work space is heated before the worker arrives at the work space, When the outside air temperature is lower than the first temperature, the environment control system 1 may change the value of the work environment parameter so that the sensible temperature in the work space increases. Thereby, the effect similar to the effect by the process of step S13 mentioned above is acquired. This “first temperature” may be, for example, a value within the range of 0 ° C. to 7 ° C.

  In the case where the information on the outside air temperature exposed before the worker arrives at the work space is included in the pre-work information, and the work space is cooled before the worker arrives at the work space, When the outside air temperature is higher than the second temperature, the environment control system 1 may change the value of the work environment parameter so that the sensible temperature in the work space decreases. Thereby, the effect similar to the effect by the process of step S8 mentioned above is acquired. This “second temperature” may be, for example, a value within the range of 25 ° C. to 32 ° C.

  In the case where the work environment adjusting means is operated under the first operating condition before the determination unit 4 receives the pre-operation information, the environment control system 1 does not change the first operating condition as it is after the worker arrives at the work space. A first process for continuing the operation of the work environment adjustment means, and a second process for operating the work environment adjustment means under a second operation condition in which the sensible temperature of the worker arriving at the work space is higher than the first operation condition; Depending on the pre-work information, any one of the third process of operating the work environment adjusting means under the third operating condition in which the sensible temperature of the worker arriving in the work space is lower than the first operating condition May be selected. Thereby, it becomes possible to improve the comfort of the worker after arriving in the work space more reliably. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the operation condition of the normal temperature setting of the air conditioner 6 before the determination unit 4 receives the pre-operation information corresponds to the first operation condition, and the operation in which the temperature setting is increased in step S13. The condition corresponds to the second operating condition, and the operating condition in which the temperature setting is lowered in step S8 corresponds to the third operating condition.

  The environment control system 1 may adjust at least one of the color temperature and the illuminance of the illumination light in the work space by the illumination system 7 according to the pre-work information. For example, when the worker feels cold, the comfort of the worker can be further improved by setting the color temperature to a warm color upon arrival.

  In the present embodiment, the first information regarding the weather conditions exposed before the worker working in the work space arrives at the work space, the biological information of the worker before the worker arrives at the work space, and the amount of activity , And the configuration in which the worker measurement unit 2 can record the pre-work information including both of the second information related to at least one of the clothing states. The pre-operation information including only one of the information and the second information may be recorded. Even in this case, an effect similar to the above effect can be obtained.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same or corresponding parts will be simplified or described. Omitted. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an environment control system and an environment control apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the environment control system 8 according to the second embodiment is different from the environment control system 1 according to the first embodiment in that an operator measurement unit 9 is provided instead of the worker measurement unit 2.

  The worker measuring unit 9 includes a measuring device installed in a place where the worker passes before reaching the work space, and corresponds to a recording unit that records pre-work information. According to the present embodiment, there is an advantage that the worker measurement unit 2 as in the first embodiment does not need to be carried or worn on the body.

  The place where the worker measurement unit 9 is installed is hereinafter referred to as “point B”. The point B may be, for example, any one of an entrance of a building such as an office building having a work space, an entrance of a site where the building exists, and an entrance of a floor having a work space. Further, the point B may be a place where an operator holds a security card, that is, a place where a security card reading device is provided in an entrance / exit management system. It is desirable that the point B is a position where the time required for walking from the point B to the work space is more than a certain amount. For example, the time required for walking from point B to the work space may be at least 30 seconds or 1 minute or more.

  The operator measurement unit 9 in the present embodiment includes an infrared sensor 9a, a communication unit 9b, a camera 9c, and a millimeter wave radar 9d. The worker measurement unit 9 may further include, for example, a processing circuit including a processor and a memory. The infrared sensor 9a detects the surface temperature of the worker. The operator can detect the surface temperature distribution of the operator by scanning the infrared sensor 9a with an actuator. The communication unit 9b performs communication between the determination unit 4 and the external device.

  The camera 9c photographs the worker. The worker measuring unit 9 can detect information related to the worker's clothing state by performing image recognition processing on an image photographed by the camera 9c. The information on the clothing state may include, for example, at least one of information on whether it is a short sleeve or a long sleeve, information on whether it is light or thick, and information on whether the clothing is wet. . If the clothes are wet, the worker may have been exposed to precipitation. Thus, the information on whether the clothes are wet corresponds to the information on the weather conditions that the worker was exposed to before reaching the workspace, and whether the worker was exposed to precipitation before reaching the workspace. It corresponds to the information about.

  The millimeter wave radar 9d corresponds to a biological information sensor that can detect the biological information of the worker without contact. For example, the millimeter wave radar 9d may detect at least one of the respiration rate, heart rate, and blood flow of the worker as biological information. Instead of the millimeter wave radar 9d, for example, a Doppler sensor using a radio wave such as a microwave may be used as the biological information sensor. The greater the amount of activity of the worker, the higher the respiration rate, heart rate, and blood flow. For this reason, at least one piece of information on the respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood flow corresponds to information on the amount of activity.

  The worker measuring unit 9, for example, based on the worker's surface temperature distribution obtained by the infrared sensor 9 a and the clothing state information obtained by the camera 9 c, the worker's skin surface temperature, Both the surface temperature of the clothes may be detected. The surface temperature of the worker's clothes is considered to be close to the outside air temperature. Therefore, the information on the surface temperature of the clothes of the worker corresponds to information on the weather conditions exposed before the worker arrives at the work space.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the environment control system 8 according to the second embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 6 is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 2 except that steps S1 to S4 are replaced by steps S18 to S20.

  It is assumed that the air conditioner 6 has already been operated at the start of the process of the flowchart of FIG. As step S <b> 18 of FIG. 6, the worker measurement unit 9 determines whether the worker has come to the B point. For example, even when the worker measuring unit 9 receives information from the reader that the reader of the room entry / exit management system has read the worker's security card, it is determined that the worker has come to point B. Good.

  When the worker comes to the point B, the worker measuring unit 9 detects and records pre-work information by using the infrared sensor 9a, the camera 9c, and the millimeter wave radar 9d as step S19. Subsequently, the worker measurement unit 9 transmits the pre-operation information to the determination unit 4 in step S20. The processes after step S7 after step S20 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The information on the skin surface temperature of the worker included in the pre-work information is considered to be related to the warming condition of the worker's body. From this viewpoint, the determination unit 4 may determine whether the worker feels cold or hot based on the information on the skin surface temperature.

  The determination unit 4 may determine whether the worker feels cold based on information about whether the worker's clothes are wet. The determination unit 4 determines whether the worker feels cold or hot based on information on the amount of activity of the worker detected by a biological information sensor such as the millimeter wave radar 9d. Also good.

  For example, a sweat sensor is mounted on an article such as an employee ID card possessed by the worker, and the worker measurement unit 9 receives information on the sweat state of the worker detected by the sweat sensor at the point B. Information may be transmitted from the operator measurement unit 9 to the determination unit 4 as pre-operation information. In this case, the determination unit 4 may determine whether the worker feels cold or hot based on the sweating state information.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Environment control system, 2 Worker measuring part, 2a Temperature / humidity sensor, 2b Communication means, 2c Time measuring part, 2d Receiving part, 2e Heart rate meter, 2f Sphygmomanometer, 2g Skin surface thermometer, 3 Environment measuring part, 3a PMV Meter, 3b infrared sensor, 3c camera, 3d communication means, 3e temperature / humidity sensor, 4 determination unit, 5 control unit, 6 air conditioner, 6a blower, 6b ventilator, 6c fan control unit, 6d louver control unit, 7 illumination System, 8 environmental control system, 9 worker measurement unit, 9a infrared sensor, 9b communication means, 9c camera, 9d millimeter wave radar

Claims (19)

A work environment adjusting means capable of adjusting a value of a work environment parameter including at least one parameter of temperature, humidity, and wind speed in the work space;
First information regarding weather conditions exposed before the worker who works in the work space arrives at the work space, biological information of the worker before the worker arrives at the work space, activity amount, And recording means for recording pre-operation information including at least one of second information related to at least one of the clothing states;
Control means for controlling the operation of the work environment adjusting means, capable of receiving the pre-work information before the worker arrives in the work space,
An environment control system that adjusts the value of the work environment parameter by the work environment adjustment means according to the pre-work information before the worker arrives at the work space. The pre-work information includes information related to an outside air temperature exposed before the worker arrives at the work space,
When the inside of the work space is heated before the worker arrives at the work space, when the outside air temperature is lower than the first temperature, the sensible temperature in the work space is increased. The environment control system according to claim 1, wherein a value of the work environment parameter is changed. The pre-work information includes information related to an outside air temperature exposed before the worker arrives at the work space,
When the inside of the work space is cooled before the worker arrives at the work space, when the outside air temperature is higher than the second temperature, the sensible temperature in the work space is lowered. The environment control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a value of the work environment parameter is changed. The pre-operation information includes information on the activity amount,
The value of the work environment parameter is changed according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the activity amount is higher than a reference value, the value of the work environment parameter is changed so that a temperature sensed in the work space is lowered. Environmental control system. The pre-work information includes information regarding whether the worker was exposed to precipitation before arriving at the work space;
The value of the work environment parameter is changed so that the temperature of the sensible temperature in the work space rises when the worker is exposed to precipitation before reaching the work space. The environmental control system according to any one of the above. In the case where the work environment adjusting means is operated under the first operating condition before the control means receives the pre-operation information,
A first process for continuing the operation of the work environment adjusting means under the first operation condition after the worker has arrived in the work space;
A second process of operating the working environment adjusting means under a second operating condition in which the temperature experienced by the worker arriving at the working space is higher than the first operating condition;
Before the work, any one of a third process of operating the work environment adjusting means under a third operation condition in which the sensible temperature of the worker arriving in the work space is lower than the first operation condition The environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is selected according to information.   The environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the recording unit includes a measuring device that the operator carries or wears on the body.   The environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the recording unit includes a measuring device installed at a place where the worker passes before reaching the work space. Illuminating means capable of controlling at least one of color temperature and illuminance of illumination light in the work space,
The environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the color temperature and the illuminance is adjusted according to the pre-operation information.   The environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a temperature of at least one of a chair and a desk used by the worker is adjusted as the work environment parameter according to the pre-work information.   When the value of the work environment parameter is changed so that the temperature of the sensible temperature rises before the worker arrives in the work space, the worker has arrived in the work space. The environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a value of the work environment parameter is changed so that a sensed temperature in the work space is lowered.   When the value of the work environment parameter is changed so that the temperature of the sensible temperature in the work space is lowered before the worker arrives in the work space, the worker has arrived in the work space. The environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a value of the work environment parameter is changed so that a sensed temperature in the work space is increased. A habituation mode that is an operation mode during which the worker accustoms to the work space after the worker arrives at the work space;
The habituation mode has a steady mode that is an operation mode in which the value of the work environment parameter is different,
The environment control system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which automatically shifts from the habituation mode to the steady mode. In the habituation mode, the value of the work environment parameter is adjusted according to the pre-work information,
The environment control system according to claim 13, wherein in the steady mode, the value of the work environment parameter is adjusted regardless of the pre-work information. Illumination means capable of controlling hand illuminance that is the illuminance at hand of the worker in the work space and ambient illuminance that is the illuminance around the worker in the work space;
The environment control system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, in the steady mode, the hand illuminance is higher than the ambient illuminance, and a difference between the hand illuminance and the ambient illuminance is larger than the habituation mode. . Illumination means capable of controlling a local color temperature which is a color temperature of illumination light at hand of the worker in the work space and an ambient color temperature which is a color temperature of illumination light around the worker in the work space With
16. The device according to claim 13, wherein, in the steady mode, the hand color temperature is higher than the ambient color temperature, and a difference between the hand color temperature and the ambient color temperature is larger than the acclimatization mode. The environmental control system according to claim 1.   When the inside of the working space is heated, the working environment adjusting means is operated so that the temperature of the head of the worker is lower than the temperature of the foot of the worker in the steady mode. The environment control system according to any one of claims 13 to 16.   When the inside of the work space is cooled, the working environment adjusting means is operated so that the temperature sensed by the operator's feet is lower than the temperature sensed by the operator's head in the steady mode. The environment control system according to any one of claims 13 to 17. An environment control device for controlling the operation of a work environment adjusting means capable of adjusting a value of a work environment parameter including at least one parameter of temperature, humidity, and wind speed in a work space,
First information regarding weather conditions exposed before the worker who works in the work space arrives at the work space, biological information of the worker before the worker arrives at the work space, activity amount, And receiving means for receiving pre-work information including at least one of second information on at least one of the clothing states before the worker arrives at the work space;
An environment control device comprising: control means for controlling operation of the work environment adjusting means according to the pre-work information before the worker arrives at the work space.

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