JP2007106337A - Nap preventing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a nap preventing device for providing a wind having a high awakening effect. <P>SOLUTION: When an On-trigger signal is emitted from an operation part 14 or a sleepiness sensing part 15, an intermittent pulse producing part 11 generates pulses A with its cyclic period consisting of the On-period lasting for Ti(i) (=10-40 sec) and the Off-period following immediately thereafter and lasting for T2(i) (=T1(i)/2-20 sec) and pulses C repeating On and Off during the On-period for a short duration T3(i) (≤1.5 sec). During the On-period, a heating/cooling part 6 performs a cooling motion, and a blowing part 4 repeats blowing and stopping in short intervals based on the pulses C and gives an intermittent wind to around the neck of a seated person from a blowout hole 8. During the Off-period, the heating/cooling part 6 and the blowing part 4 are stopped in operating. The T1, T2, T3 of the pulses A and C are set at random and giving an intermitted wind is repeated, and thereby the degree of awakening can be heightened with a stimulus change amount having a large short period, sufficient adaptational recovery time, and at-random duration. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dozing prevention device.

Conventionally, an apparatus for preventing a human from falling into a dozing state has been proposed. In particular, as a device for trying to prevent a drowsy driving by intermittently applying cold air to the driver's face and neck (hereinafter referred to as “presenting”), the time interval in intermittent presentation is almost equal to the number of wheel rotations. The cool air blowing time is increased in proportion to the elapsed time of the doze prevention control (for example, see Patent Document 1), and the blowing interval, that is, the blowing stop time is decreased in inverse proportion to the elapsed time. There is something to do (for example, see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Publication No.57-30683 JP-A-6-8746

  In the former prior art, the wind during the presentation period is presented in a constant state (same level of continuous wind), so there is little change in stimulation during the presentation period, and tactile adaptation, that is, habituation to the skin sensation occurs and the contact state As a result, the perception of being in a room is likely to be lowered, so that a sufficient awakening effect cannot be obtained. In addition, since the presentation-pause time is constant, the time until the next wind comes out and the situation when the wind comes out can be easily predicted. The effect is not obtained.

  In the latter prior art, when the elapsed time of control becomes longer, the presentation time becomes longer stepwise and the pause time becomes shorter stepwise. Therefore, after a long period of time, winds with long presentation times are presented one after another before sufficient recovery of tactile adaptation is obtained. That is, the intermittent presentation with substantially no pause time is continuously performed, and the habituation by the monotonous repetitive stimulation of the wind occurs, so that a sufficient awakening sustaining effect cannot be obtained.

  Therefore, it is not possible to obtain a sufficient awakening effect when the duration of control is long, that is, when the driving time lasts long and the sleepiness becomes maximum. Further, since the wind is presented in a constant state during each presentation period, the stimulus change during the presentation is scarce and tactile adaptation is likely to occur, so that a sufficient arousal effect cannot be obtained.

  An object of this invention is to perform the presentation of the wind with a high arousal effect in view of the said point.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention is configured to blow wind from the air outlet (8) by the air blowing unit (4) driven during the on-presentation period in the intermittent presentation signal. The first feature is that the air blowing in the on state and the stop in the off state are repeated a plurality of times in a time (T3 (i)) shorter than the duration time (T1 (i)) of the period.

  Thus, by repeatedly repeating the generation of wind and the stop of blowing in a shorter time (T3 (i)) than the air outlet (8), and applying this intermittent wind to human skin, Short period rhythm perception can be given to enhance the arousal effect.

  In this short time (T3 (i)), the ON duration and the OFF duration can each be 1.5 seconds or less. At this time, the on-presentation period can be a long period of about 10 seconds to 1 minute, more preferably about 10 seconds to 40 seconds, and a short period of on during the on-presentation period uses a maximum value of 1.5 seconds. 10 / (1.5 × 2) ≈3 times or more.

  Furthermore, from the end point of the on-presentation period in which intermittent wind is generated, an off period, which is a blow-off period of time (T2 (i)) that is half or more of the duration (T1 (i)) of the on-presentation period, has elapsed. If the intermittent presentation signal is set so as to start the on-presentation period in which the next intermittent wind occurs later, the off-period is relatively long and the wind adaptation in the on-presentation period presented before that Can be reliably recovered, and the awakening effect by intermittent wind in the next on-presentation period can be enhanced.

  In the present invention, the air blower (4) driven during the on-presentation period in the intermittent presentation signal blows wind from the outlet (8). The second feature is that the next on-presentation period is started after the off period, which is the blowing stop period of time (T2 (i)) that is half or more of the duration (T1 (i)), has elapsed.

  In this way, wind is generated from the air outlet during the on-presentation period, and air blowing is stopped during the off period, and the awakening effect is given to the person by applying the wind that is repeatedly generated and stopped to the human skin. Can do. In particular, by setting the duration (T2 (i)) of the off period in which the blowing is stopped to a relatively long time that is half or more of the duration (T1 (i)) of the on-presentation period presented before that Thus, it is possible to reliably recover the adaptation to the wind in the on-presentation period and enhance the awakening effect by the wind in the next on-presentation period.

  The duration (T1 (i)) of the on-presentation period can be set as a value between the on-lower limit value and the on-upper limit value. By setting this ON lower limit value to 10 seconds, that is, by setting the duration (T1 (i)) of the ON presentation period to 10 seconds or more, it is possible to make the ON presentation period adapted to the arousal characteristics that are difficult to adapt to humans. , Can enhance the arousal effect. Furthermore, by setting the ON upper limit value to 40 seconds, that is, by setting the duration of the ON presentation period (T1 (i)) to 40 seconds or less, the ON presentation period can be adapted to the arousal sensation that is difficult to adapt to humans. Can increase the awakening effect.

  Further, when a plurality of on-presentation periods are set, the duration of each on-presentation period (T1 (i)) is set at random, so that the air blowing state is not constant, and wind presentation, particularly prediction of the end time of air blowing Difficulty can be increased, thereby increasing the arousal effect.

  Further, the duration (T2 (i)) of the off period can be set as a value between the off lower limit value and the off upper limit value. If this off lower limit value is set so as to be more than half the duration (T1 (i)) of the immediately preceding on-presentation period, the on-presentation period presented before that with a relatively long off period It is possible to surely recover the adaptation to the wind and to enhance the awakening effect due to the intermittent wind in the next on-presentation period.

  On the other hand, when the off upper limit value is set to 20 seconds, that is, the duration (T2 (i)) of the off period is set to 20 seconds or less, the wakefulness characteristics that are difficult to adapt to human beings, that is, in this case, no stimulus It is possible to set the off period adapted to the perceptual characteristics that do not adapt to the wakefulness, and to enhance the awakening effect due to the start of the next on-presentation period after the end of the off period.

  Furthermore, when a plurality of off periods are set, by setting the duration (T2 (i)) of each off period at random, the air blowing stop state is not constant, and it is difficult to predict the presentation of wind, particularly the air blowing start time. Sexuality can be enhanced, and thereby the arousal effect can be enhanced.

  In addition, an outlet (8) is provided in the upper end part of a seat back part (2) of a chair, or a headrest part (3), and arrange | positions so that a wind may be directed toward the head of the seated person seated on a chair. Can do. In this case, if the wind from the air outlet (8) hits the skin of the head of the occupant, in particular, from the lower ear to the neck, the awakening effect can be further improved.

  Further, a heating / cooling unit (6) for heating or cooling the air is provided in the duct (5, 7) between the air blowing unit (4) and the air outlet (8), and the air is blown using this cooling function. If the wind from the section (4) is cooled and blown out from the air outlet (8), cold air can be applied to the head of the seated person and the awakening effect can be enhanced.

  In addition, when a plurality of on-presentation periods are set, if the position of the air outlet (8) is changed for each on-presentation period, it becomes difficult to adapt by changing the position where the wind hits, and the awakening effect Can be increased. Furthermore, if the position of the air outlet is set at random for each on-presentation period, the awakening effect can be further enhanced due to the difficulty in predicting the position of the air outlet.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each means described in a claim and this column shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the first embodiment. The dozing prevention device of the first embodiment is arranged in a seat portion of a vehicle and prevents a passenger, particularly a driver, from falling asleep. A blower unit 4 is disposed below the seat cushion unit 1, and a heating / cooling unit 6 is disposed on the seat back unit 2.

  The blower unit 4 sucks ambient air from the lower part of the seat cushion unit 1 and blows it to the duct 5 side. The blower unit 4 is controlled by a control signal from a case forming an air passage and a wind speed control unit 12 of the control device 10 described later. And a blower fan (not shown) driven by the drive motor.

  Specifically, the drive motor of this embodiment is a known DC motor, and the rotational speed is controlled by changing the blower voltage output as a control signal by the wind speed control unit 12. The blower fan is a centrifugal blower fan, and air is blown in the direction of arrow A.

  The air blowing unit 4 and the heating / cooling unit 6 are connected by a duct 5. The heating / cooling unit 6 includes a known Peltier module. In the present embodiment, the air passing through the heating / cooling unit 6 is cooled using the cooling function of the Peltier module. At this time, the exhaust heat generated by the Peltier module is released from the exhaust heat duct (not shown) of the heating / cooling unit 6 to the back side of the seat back unit 2.

  In addition, you may provide the ventilation part 4 in the seat back part 2. FIG. In this case, the ventilation part 4 and the heating / cooling part 6 can be accommodated in one case.

  One end of the duct 7 is connected to the blowing side of the heating / cooling unit 6, and is branched into two from this, passing through the upper end of the seat back unit 2, and the other end is the left and right ends of the headrest 3. It arrange | positions so that it may open as a pair of blower outlet 8 provided in. In addition, even if the blower outlet 8 is provided in the headrest 3, you may make it fix-arrange with the fixing tool (not shown) at the upper end part of the seat back part 2 separately from the headrest 3. FIG.

  The blowing direction (arrow B) of each blower outlet 8 is directed so that blown air hits the right or left ear or neck of the driver as a seated person seated on the seat. As a result, the cooling air cooled by the heating / cooling unit 6 is blown out from the air outlet 8, and this cooling air is applied to the underarm of the seated person sitting on the seat or the skin of the neck muscle, thereby causing awakening effect to the seated person. I am doing so.

  Next, the electric control unit of the first embodiment will be described. The control device 10 which is an electric control unit is composed of three microcomputers composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like that constitute an intermittent pulse generation unit 11, a wind speed control unit 12 and a temperature control unit 13, respectively, and peripheral circuits thereof. Is. Note that the entire control device 10 may be configured by one hardware circuit.

  The intermittent pulse generator 11 generates three rectangular wave pulses A, B, and C shown in FIG.

  The pulse A corresponds to the intermittent presentation signal, and the duration T1 (i) of the on-presentation period set as a random value with respect to the number of occurrences i so as to satisfy the conditions 1 and 2 expressed by the following equation: And a rectangular pulse waveform based on the duration T2 (i) of the off period.

  That is, for each occurrence number i, an arbitrary random numerical value within the range indicated by condition 1 is selected as T1 (i). Further, for T2 (i), an arbitrary random numerical value within the range indicated by condition 2 is selected based on T1 (i) determined for each occurrence.

Condition 1: ON lower limit = 10 sec ≦ T1 (i) ≦ ON upper limit = 40 sec
Condition 2: OFF lower limit = T1 (i) / 2 ≦ T2 (i) ≦ OFF upper limit = 20 sec
The significance of these ON lower limit value, ON upper limit value, OFF lower limit value, and OFF upper limit value will be described later.

  The pulse B rises in synchronization with the rise of the pulse A, and is turned on and off at a short cycle time T3 (i) set as a random value with respect to the number of occurrences i so as to satisfy the condition 3 of the following equation: It is a rectangular pulse waveform that repeats. That is, for T3 (i), an arbitrary random numerical value within the range indicated by condition 3 is selected for each occurrence number i. Note that Tnin is the shortest intermittent time that the blower unit 4 can realize.

Condition 3: Tmin ≦ T3 (i) ≦ 1.5 sec
The pulse C is a signal obtained by correcting the pulse A, which is an intermittent presentation signal, with a short-period pulse B, that is, a rectangular pulse waveform determined by a logical product operation of the pulse A and the pulse B. Therefore, the pulse C is an intermittent presentation signal that repeatedly turns on and off in a short cycle of the pulse B during the on-presentation period of the pulse A (duration T1 (i), i = 1, 2,...). It corresponds to.

  In response to the pulse C from the intermittent pulse generation unit 11, the wind speed control unit 12 sends a blower to the blower unit 4 when the pulse C is on (duration T3 (i): Tmin ≦ T3 (i) ≦ 1.5 sec). A voltage is applied to rotate the drive motor, and when the pulse C is off, the blower voltage is set to 0 and the drive motor is stopped. The blower voltage at this time is set to a voltage necessary for starting up (starting up) the drive motor to a steady speed in a short time (several hundred msec).

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the blower unit 4 repeatedly turns on (blowing) and off (stops) at a short time interval T3 (i) during the on-presentation period of the relatively long duration T1 (i). Then, the air blowing is stopped in the off period of the subsequent duration T2 (i), and then the short period (time interval T3 (i + 1)) for the duration T1 (i + 1) in the next on-presentation period. Repeat on and off.

  In response to the pulse A from the intermittent pulse generation unit 11, the temperature control unit 13 performs the heating / cooling unit 6 during the ON presentation period (duration T1 (i): 10 sec ≦ T1 (i) ≦ 40 sec). The Peltier module of the heating / cooling unit 6 is cooled by applying a predetermined amount of power to the pulse A, and during the off period (duration T2 (i): T1 (i) / 2 ≦ T2 (i) ≦ 20 sec) Then, power supply to the Peltier module is stopped.

  Here, a specific numerical range regarding the pulse width of the pulses A to C will be described. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the results of experiments conducted by the present inventors. The experimental condition is that the subject feels “wakes up” to “sleepy” when the intermittent wind at the intermittent presentation interval Δ set as a constant value within a range of 1 to 60 sec is presented to the subject's neck position. It is the result of expressing the arousal feeling of “it seems to be” by numerical values (3 to −3), respectively.

  In addition, the test subject is nine persons, FIG. 3 represents the average value of the arousal feeling in the period (Ton = Δ = Toff) where the wind of the intermittent wind is hit, and FIG. The average value of the arousal feeling during a certain period (Toff = Δ = Ton) is shown.

  In FIG. 3, a region P1 is a region in which perception as a dynamic rhythm (hereinafter referred to as rhythm perception) occurs due to intermittent wind in the vicinity of a short time interval (Ton = 1 sec), and the awakening effect due to this is relatively large. The region P2 in FIG. 3 is a region in which the awakening effect is relatively large due to perception as a static environmental change in the intermittent wind presentation period Ton in the range of 10 to 40 sec.

  That is, in this region P2, it is considered that the arousal feeling is enhanced by the wind being presented for a relatively long time. However, if the wind presentation period Ton becomes too long, the arousal level tends to decrease. This is considered to be an effect of adaptation.

  On the other hand, in the experimental results regarding the pause period in FIG. 4, when the pause period Toff of the intermittent wind in the region P3 is 40 sec or more, the feeling of becoming sleepy becomes large. If the pause period is too long, Indicates that you are likely to become sleepy.

  FIG. 5 is a known result of adaptation and recovery time when a vibrating contact stimulus is applied to a human finger by a contactor. In FIG. 5, the threshold value on the vertical axis represents the minimum vibration amplitude that can be felt by changing the amplitude of the vibration stimulus to the skin surface that has been adjusted by applying a stimulus having a predetermined intensity while varying the presentation time. Yes. Further, the matching amount indicates the vibration amplitude adjusted to the vibration sense similar to the threshold value on the finger on the opposite side to the finger to be experimented with the threshold value.

  For example, in FIG. 5, when adaptation is performed by stimulus presentation of 600 seconds as indicated by P4, it takes 300 seconds, which is half of the presentation time, until the threshold and the matching amount return to 2 decibels in the state before the stimulus presentation. It is shown. This tendency is the same in any stimulus presentation time.

  That is, it can be seen that the tactile sensation adapts to the vibration stimulus and that the time required for recovery is approximately half of the presentation time in any vibration stimulus presentation time (10 to 1500 sec).

  From these results, using the rhythm perception characteristic in the region P1 in FIG. 3, the wind presentation is repeated on and off at short intervals T3 (i) of 1.5 sec or less, thereby providing a steady wind presentation. The arousal level can be increased more than the case. Note that the lower limit value Tmin of the time interval T3 (i) in the rhythm perception is the shortest intermittent time that the blower unit 4 can realize, and the blower generated by the wind speed control unit 12 is smaller as the drive motor of the blower unit 4 is smaller. The larger the voltage, the shorter, and in this embodiment, it is set as a value of 100 msec to several 100 msec.

  In the present embodiment, the duration T1 (i) of the ON presentation period of the pulse A is set to 10 seconds for the ON lower limit value and 40 seconds for the ON upper limit value based on the region P2 in FIG. Thus, by setting the on-presentation period to a relatively long duration, the arousal level can be increased by presenting the wind during the on-presentation period. It should be noted that the intermittent presentation of the pulse C using the dynamic rhythm perception is perceived as a substantially static environmental change during the on-presentation period of the pulse A, so that the duration T1 (i) The awakening effect can be further enhanced by the on / off (intermittent) presentation of wind for a short time T3 (i) during the on-presentation period.

  On the other hand, with regard to the pause time of the wind presentation, by adapting the result of FIG. 5 to provide at least half the duration of the off-presentation period immediately before the off-period, the adaptation due to the previous wind stimulus is restored. Furthermore, from the knowledge about the region P3 in FIG. 4, it is possible to avoid the feeling of becoming sleepy by limiting the pause time to within 20 seconds.

  Therefore, as shown in the above-mentioned condition 3, the duration T2 (i) of the off period is set to the duration T1 (i) / 2 of the immediately preceding on-presentation period as the off lower limit value, and 20 sec is set as the off upper limit value. By setting the value within the range, adaptation can be reliably recovered in the off period, and the arousal level can be increased with respect to the presentation of the wind in the next on presentation period (T1 (i + 1)).

  Returning to the description of the electric control unit, the control unit 10 is connected to the operation unit 14 and the drowsiness detection unit 15 as generating an on-trigger signal for starting the control processing in the intermittent pulse generation unit 11. Yes. The operation unit 14 includes, for example, a switch (not shown) provided in the steering unit of the vehicle, and the driver starts the control of the intermittent pulse generation unit 11 by turning on or off the switch. An on-trigger signal for causing the control or an off-trigger signal for stopping the control is generated and output to the intermittent pulse generation unit 11.

  The drowsiness detection unit 15 detects the drowsiness of the driver based on the driver's heart rate, and is known, for example, from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-350773. Specifically, the heart rate of the driver is measured by an electrode installed on the steering wheel, and further, the heart rate is analyzed by a computing unit included in the drowsiness detection unit 15 to obtain a peak frequency at the time of awakening in advance. Based on the intensity of the spectrum signal belonging to the wakefulness level index band and the sleepiness level index band set based on this, it is possible to detect whether or not the wakefulness is lowered (or drowsiness).

  The drowsiness detection unit 15 outputs an on-trigger signal to the intermittent pulse generation unit 11 when this drowsiness detection state is detected, that is, drowsiness is detected. The signal is output to the intermittent pulse generator 11.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. The flowchart of FIG. 6 shows a processing procedure of each unit when the microcomputers of the intermittent pulse generation unit 11, the wind speed control unit 12, and the temperature control unit 13 operate in cooperation. Each microcomputer starts to operate when the power is turned on.

  In step S100, the process waits until an on trigger signal is output from at least one of the operation unit 14 and the drowsiness detection unit 15. When the on-trigger signal is output, an initialization process (i = 1) is performed for the number of operations i in step S110, and in the next step S120, the intermittent pulse generation unit 11 performs a pulse based on conditions 1 to 3. A to C are generated only for one cycle (duration time T1 (i = 1) + T2 (i = 1)), and this is held in the buffer of the intermittent pulse generation unit 11.

  The duration T1 (i) of the on-presentation period is set as an arbitrary random value within a range that satisfies the condition 1, and the duration T2 (i) of the subsequent off period is a condition 2 in accordance with the T1 (i). It is set as an arbitrary random value in a range satisfying the above. Furthermore, the short period duration T3 (i) is set as an arbitrary random value in a range satisfying the condition 3 in accordance with the preset shortest intermittent time Tmin.

  These random values can be calculated by a well-known random number calculation method. In short, it is only necessary that the sequentially generated pulse waveforms have difficulty in predicting or unexpected.

  Next, in step S <b> 130, the intermittent pulse generation unit 11 outputs the pulse C for one cycle stored in the buffer to the wind speed control unit 12 and outputs the pulse A for one cycle to the temperature control unit 13. By the processing of S130, the pulses A to C for one cycle held in the buffer of the intermittent pulse generation unit 11 are deleted, while the pulses C for one cycle are stored in the buffer of the wind speed control unit 12, A pulse A for one cycle is held in the buffer of the temperature controller 13.

  In step S140, the air blowing unit 4 is intermittently controlled according to the pulse C for one cycle held by the wind speed control unit 12, and heated according to the pulse A for one cycle held by the temperature control unit 13. The cooling unit 6 is controlled.

  Specifically, the wind speed control unit 12 outputs a predetermined blower voltage to the blower unit 4 when the pulse C is on, and sets the blower voltage = 0 when the pulse C is off. Thereby, the blowing fan of the blowing unit 4 is repeatedly blown and stopped in a short time T3 (i) only during the on-presentation period T1 (i).

  On the other hand, the temperature control unit 13 cools the Peltier module during the on-presentation period of the pulse A, so that the cooled wind is intermittently transmitted from the air outlet 8 at short time intervals. ) To wake up the occupant.

  When the control of the blowing unit 4 and the heating / cooling unit 6 in the on-presentation period in S140 starts, the intermittent pulse generation unit 11 in parallel in Step S150, the pulse A to one cycle of the next (i = i + 1). C is generated and stored in the buffer emptied in S130 of the intermittent pulse generator 11.

  At this time, each of the durations T1 (i + 1), T2 (i + 1), and T3 (i + 1) is set as a random value that satisfies the conditions 1 to 3, as in the process in S120.

  In step S160, the process returns to step S140 until one period of time (T1 (i) + T2 (i)) elapses. That is, the process of S140 is performed until the time (T1 (i) + T2 (i)) for one cycle elapses.

  When the control for one cycle is completed in S140, the pulse C and the pulse A for one cycle are discarded from the buffer of the wind speed control unit 12 and the buffer of the temperature control unit 13, respectively. Then, after i is incremented in the next step S170, if no off-trigger signal is output from the operation unit 14 or the drowsiness detection unit 15 in step S180, the process returns to step S130, and processing in the next cycle (i + 1) is performed.

  Specifically, in S130, among the pulses A to C of the next period (i = i + 1) generated in the previous S150 and held in the buffer of the intermittent pulse generation unit 11, the pulse C is changed to the wind speed control unit. 12 and output the pulse A to the temperature control unit 13. After that, in S140, the air blower 4 and the heating / cooling unit 6 are controlled based on the pulses C and A in the cycle (i = i + 1), and in parallel in S150, the pulses A to in the next cycle (i = i + 2). C is generated and held. This process is repeated between S13 and S180.

  If an off trigger signal is output in step S180, the process returns to the start. As a result, this control routine starts when the on trigger signal is output (S100), stops when the off trigger signal is output (S180), and waits until the next on trigger signal is output. Will do.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, by repeating the blowing (on) and the blowing stop (off) in the on-presentation period (continuation time T1 (i)) at a time T3 (i) shorter than that, It is possible to increase the arousal level by giving the seated person a rhythm perception with a large amount of time change of the stimulus.

  In addition, since the duration T1 (i) of the on-presentation period, which is a period of presenting the wind, is set to a value in the range of 10 sec to 40 sec, the awakening is performed by presenting a static environment change, that is, a wind that is difficult to adapt. The degree can be increased.

  Furthermore, since the duration T2 (i) of the off period in which no wind is presented is set to a value of 20 sec or less, the next on-presentation period can be started before becoming sleepy, and the arousal level can be increased.

  Moreover, since the OFF lower limit value of the duration T2 (i) of the off period is set to half the duration T1 (i) of the on presentation period immediately before the off period, a certain on presentation period (duration T1 (i) ), Even if the wind is adapted to the wind, it can be surely recovered in the next off period (duration T2 (i)), so that the wind is presented in the next on presentation period (duration T1 (i + 1)). In contrast, the arousal level can be increased.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the shape of the air outlet 8. That is, in 1st Embodiment, the blower outlet 8 is formed only as an opening part provided in the front-end | tip of the duct 7, and the wind blown from the blower outlet 8 is based on the on-off action | operation of the ventilation part 4 based on the pulse C. It occurred as an intermittent wind. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the pair of left and right air outlets 8 is different from that of the first embodiment in that the mechanism for generating intermittent air by opening and closing the air passages at the air outlets 8 and the blowout holes for blowing out the air are provided. And a mechanism for changing the position of. Hereinafter, a different configuration from the first embodiment will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the air outlet 8 portion of the second embodiment.

  The structure of the ventilation path from the ventilation part 4 to the duct 5, the heating-cooling part 6, and the duct 7 is the same as 1st Embodiment. The air outlet 8 of the second embodiment is provided at the downstream end of the duct 7, and includes a pressure buffer tank 17, a stepping motor 19, an outer cylinder 20, a rotating plate 22, an air outlet cylinder 23, and four outlet holes 24 a to 24 a. 24d and the like.

  The atmospheric pressure buffering tank 17 includes a space having a predetermined capacity provided at the downstream end of the duct 7, and an opening 18 is formed on a surface perpendicular to the communication surface with the duct 7. An outer cylinder portion 20 is fixedly provided on the wall surface of the atmospheric pressure buffering tank 17 so as to cover the opening portion 18, and the outer cylinder portion 20 forms a ventilation path from the opening portion 18.

  In the outer cylinder part 20, a stepping motor 19 is fixedly arranged on the outer cylinder part 20 at a central position of the opening 18 by a fixing member (not shown). At this time, the air discharged from the opening 18 flows through the outer periphery of the stepping motor 19 to the downstream side of the outer cylinder 20.

  The rotation shaft 19 a of the stepping motor 19 is disposed so as to coincide with the axis of the outer cylinder portion 20. A rotary plate 21 perpendicular to the axial direction is provided on the rotary shaft 19a. The rotary plate 21 is provided with one circular vent hole 22 at a predetermined radial position. Therefore, as the stepping motor 19 rotates forward and backward based on the command value, the position of the vent hole 22 moves in the forward and reverse rotational direction.

  An outlet cylinder 23 is provided on the downstream side of the rotating plate 21 in the outer cylinder part 20 so as to be closely fitted to the inner wall of the outer cylinder part 20. The outlet cylinder 23 is provided with four ejection holes 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d for ventilation.

  FIG. 9A is a plan view of the air outlet cylinder 23 viewed from the outlet side of the ejection holes 24a to 24d. FIG. 9B is a view of the rotating plate 21 viewed from the outlet side during air blowing, and FIG. It is the figure which looked at the rotating plate 21 from the exit side at the time of a stop.

  These ejection holes 24 a to 24 d are formed as cylindrical holes penetrating in the axial direction of the outer cylinder portion 20 in the outlet cylinder 23. Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, these ejection holes 24 a to 24 d are provided 90 degrees apart from each other on the same circumference as the radial position on the rotating plate 21 of the vent hole 22. The diameter of each of the ejection holes 24 a to 24 d is set to be equal to the diameter of the vent hole 22 of the rotating plate 21 and to be less than 45 degrees in the central angle in the blowout cylinder 23.

  Next, the electric control part of 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. Also in 2nd Embodiment, the control apparatus 10 which is an electric control part consists of CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. which each comprise the intermittent pulse production | generation part 11, the wind speed control part 12, the temperature control part 13, and the blower outlet control part 16. It consists of four microcomputers and their peripheral circuits. Note that the entire control device 10 may be configured by one hardware circuit.

  The intermittent pulse generator 11 generates the pulse A, the pulse B, and the pulse C shown in FIG. 2 as in the first embodiment. Since these are generated based on the same generation conditions 1 to 3 as in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the intermittent pulse generation unit 11 randomly generates the ejection hole position signal in synchronization with the ON of the pulse A. Specifically, one of the angles (for example, −90 degrees, 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees) representing the positions of the ejection holes 24a to 24d is randomly selected at the rise of each on-presentation period of the pulse A. A signal representing this is selected as the ejection hole position signal. This is performed every time the on-presentation period starts.

  In response to the pulse A from the intermittent pulse generation unit 11, the wind speed control unit 12 sends a blower to the blower unit 4 during the ON presentation period (duration time T1 (i): 10 sec ≦ T1 (i) ≦ 40 sec). The drive motor is rotated by applying voltage, and the drive motor is stopped by setting the blower voltage to 0 during the period when the pulse A is off (duration T2 (i): T1 (i) / 2 ≦ T2 (i) ≦ 20 sec) Let

  In response to the pulse A from the intermittent pulse generation unit 11, the temperature control unit 13 performs the heating / cooling unit 6 during the ON presentation period (duration T1 (i): 10 sec ≦ T1 (i) ≦ 40 sec). The Peltier module of the heating / cooling unit 6 is cooled by applying a predetermined amount of power to the pulse A, and during the off period (duration T2 (i): T1 (i) / 2 ≦ T2 (i) ≦ 20 sec) Then, power supply to the Peltier module is stopped.

  Therefore, the air passing through the Peltier module is cooled in the heating / cooling unit 6 while the air blowing is performed in the blowing unit 4.

  The air outlet control unit 16 outputs a command value to the stepping motor 19 in accordance with the pulse C from the intermittent pulse generation unit 11 and the ejection hole position signal. Specifically, when the pulse C rises from off to on, the stepping motor 19 is rotated to the positions of the ejection holes 24a to 24d specified by the ejection hole position signal, and when the pulse C falls from on to off. Then, it is rotated from the ejection hole position to the -45 degree rotation position that is the retracted position.

  The air outlet control unit 16 repeats this in synchronism with each on-off and on-off rising for every short time (T3 (i)) during the on-presentation period, whereby the rotating plate rotated by the stepping motor 19 When the pulse C is turned on, the position of the vent hole 22 coincides with, for example, the ejection hole 24a as shown in FIG. 9B, and when the pulse C is turned off, as shown in FIG. The position rotates to a position of −45 degrees (an intermediate position between the ejection holes 24a and 24b).

  If the position of the vent hole 22 coincides with any of the ejection holes 24a to 24d, cold air is blown out from the coincident ejection holes toward the seated person. Further, when the vent hole 22 rotates and moves to a position of −45 degrees, the rotating plate 21 closes all the ejection holes of the outlet cylinder 23 and stops the blowing of air to the seated person.

  Note that the stepping motor 19, the rotating plate 21 provided with the vent hole 22, the outlet cylinder 23 provided with the outlet holes 24 a to 24 d, and the outlet controller 16 covered with the outer cylinder portion 20 of the outlet 8 are changed to the outlet. Corresponds to means.

  The intermittent pulse generation unit 11 is connected to an operation unit 14 that generates an on trigger signal and an off trigger signal and a drowsiness detection unit 15. In addition, since these are the same as that of 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. The flowchart of FIG. 10 is similar to that of the first embodiment. When the microcomputers of the intermittent pulse generation unit 11, the wind speed control unit 12, the temperature control unit 13, and the outlet control unit 16 operate in cooperation, The processing procedure is shown. Each microcomputer starts to operate when the power is turned on. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the step which performs the process similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Steps S100 to S120 are the same as in the first embodiment. In the next step S132, the intermittent pulse generation unit 11 outputs the pulse A for one period (duration T1 (i) + T2 (i)) stored in the buffer to the wind speed control unit 12 and the temperature control unit 13.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the intermittent pulse generation unit 11 randomly selects one of the four ejection holes 24a to 24d in response to the rising of the on-presentation period of the pulse A, thereby ejecting hole position. A signal is generated, and this ejection hole position signal and a pulse C for one cycle are output to the outlet control unit 16.

  By the process of S132, the pulses A to C for one cycle held in the buffer of the intermittent pulse generation unit 11 are deleted, while each buffer of the wind speed control unit 12 and the temperature control unit 13 stores one cycle. The pulse A is held, and the pulse C for one cycle and the ejection hole position signal are held in the buffer of the outlet control unit 16.

  In step S142, the blower unit 4 is controlled according to the pulse A for one cycle held by the wind speed control unit 12, and at the same time, heating and cooling are performed according to the pulse A for one cycle held by the temperature control unit 13. The unit 6 is controlled.

  Specifically, during the ON presentation period of pulse A (duration time T1 (i)), the air blowing unit 4 continues to blow air, and the Peltier module of the heating and cooling unit 6 performs the cooling operation. Cold air is sent into the atmospheric pressure buffering tank 17 provided at.

  In the next step S144, the position of the rotating plate 21 is controlled based on the pulse C and the ejection hole position signal for one period stored in the outlet control unit 16. Specifically, when the pulse C rises, the stepping motor 19 is rotated to the position specified by the ejection hole position signal (any one of −90 degrees, 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees), and the pulse C falls. Occasionally, the rotation from the designated position to the retracted position of −45 degrees is repeated every time the pulse C is turned on and off for a short time (T3 (i)).

  In other words, the repetition of this on / off is continued for the on-presentation period (duration T1 (i)) in one cycle, whereby a shorter time T3 (i) than one of the designated ejection holes 24a to 24d. ) Cold air is repeatedly blown out, and this cold air is intermittently presented to the head (under the ears or neck) of the occupant to urge the occupant to wake up.

  In addition, based on the determination in step S160, when the control for one cycle is completed in S142 and S144, one cycle for which the buffers of the wind speed control unit 12, the temperature control unit 13, and the outlet control unit 16 are held. Pulse A, pulse C and the nozzle hole position signal are deleted.

  When the control of the blowing unit 4, the heating / cooling unit 6 and the outlet control unit 16 in the on-presentation period in S142 and S144 starts, the intermittent pulse generation unit 11 in step S150 is executed in parallel as in the first embodiment. Next, pulses A to C for the next (i = i + 1) one cycle are generated and held in the buffer emptied in S132 of the intermittent pulse generation unit 11. The durations T1 (i + 1), T2 (i + 1), and T3 (i + 1) of the pulses A to C are also set as random values that satisfy the conditions 1 to 3 as in the first embodiment.

  In addition, since the process in step S160, S170, S180 is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As described above, the second embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the position of the blow hole is randomly changed for each on-presentation period, so that the position of the seat that hits the wind can be changed to make it difficult to adapt to the presentation of the wind. It is possible to make it difficult to predict which part of the seat the wind will hit. Thereby, the awakening level of the seated person can be increased.

(Other embodiments)
In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which the on-on presentation period is repeatedly provided until the off-trigger signal is output from the operation unit 14 or the drowsiness detection unit 15 in step S180 has been described. For each output (S100), only one on-presentation period may be generated, and the operation may be terminated when the control in the one on-presentation period is completed. That is, when one on-presentation period ends and the seat occupant determines that the degree of wakefulness is to be further increased, the control is started again by operating the switch of the operation unit 14. It is effective and effective.

  In each of the above embodiments, a pair of air outlets 8 is provided at both the left and right ends of the headrest 3 and the air blown from these is generated in the same manner. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, only one outlet 8 may be provided. Alternatively, when a pair is provided, different winds may be generated on the left and right. For example, on / off in the pulse C may be reversed on the left and right, and the wind may be stopped from the right air outlet 8 when the air is blown from the left air outlet 8.

  Further, the air outlet 8 may be provided on the ceiling of the passenger compartment or the center pillar, and intermittent air (cold air) may be blown out from these air outlets to the driver's head. In this case, the air conditioning unit of the front air conditioner can be used as the blower.

  Moreover, although each said embodiment showed the example applied to the driver | operator's dozing prevention apparatus seated on the seat of a vehicle, it is not restricted to these vehicles. For example, for a worker or student who is sitting on a chair in the room or standing and doing work or learning, etc., a chair where these actors are sitting or a desk near the actor, It is possible to prevent the sleepiness of these actors by providing the air outlet of the above embodiment in a structure such as a pillar.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows each waveform of pulse A, B, and C, and generation conditions. It is a figure which shows the experimental result of the relationship between an intermittent presentation space | interval and the perception at the time of presentation. It is a figure which shows the experimental result of the relationship between an intermittent presentation space | interval and the perception at the time of a stop. It is a figure which shows the well-known experimental result regarding the adaptation time with respect to a vibration contact stimulus, and a recovery time. It is a figure which shows the whole process sequence of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the blower outlet of 2nd Embodiment. (A) is a plan view of the air outlet cylinder as viewed from the outlet side of the ejection hole, (b) is a plan view of the rotating plate during air blowing as seen from the same direction, and (c) is a rotation when air blowing is stopped as seen from the same direction. It is a top view of a board. It is a figure which shows the whole process sequence of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

4 ... Air blowing part, 5, 7 ... Duct, 6 ... Heating / cooling part (Peltier module), 8 ... Air outlet,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Control apparatus, 11 ... Intermittent pulse production | generation part, 12 ... Wind speed control part, 13 ... Temperature control part,
14 ... operation part (operation switch), 15 ... drowsiness detection part.

Claims (14)

An air outlet (8) for blowing wind toward the human body;
A blower unit (4) for generating wind blown from the outlet;
An intermittent pulse generating means (11) that generates an intermittent presentation signal that is turned on in an on-presentation period and turned off at the end of the on-presentation period;
A wind speed control unit (12) that drives the blower unit in the on state and stops driving the blower unit in the off state in response to the intermittent presentation signal;
The intermittent pulse generating means repeats the ON presentation period of the intermittent presentation signal ON and OFF a plurality of times in a time (T3 (i)) shorter than the duration (T1 (i)) of the ON presentation period. The dozing prevention apparatus, wherein the intermittent presentation signal is corrected. The doze prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the maximum value of each on time and off time (T3 (i)) of the short time is set as 1.5 seconds. The intermittent pulse generation means performs the next on-presentation period after the end of the on-presentation period and after the off period of a time (T2 (i)) that is half or more of the duration (T1 (i)) of the on-presentation period has elapsed. The dozing prevention apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermittent presentation signal is generated so as to start a sleep. The dozing time according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the duration (T1 (i)) of the on-presentation period is set as a value in a range between an on lower limit value and an on upper limit value. Prevention device. The dozing prevention apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ON lower limit value is 10 seconds. The dozing prevention apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the ON upper limit value is 40 seconds. The doze according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein when a plurality of the on-presentation periods are set, each duration (T1 (i)) of the on-presentation period is set at random. Prevention device. When the next on-presentation period is set to start after the off-period continues from the end of the on-presentation period, the duration of the off period (T2 (i)) is set to an off lower limit value and an off upper limit value. The dozing prevention apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the snoozing prevention apparatus is set as a value within the range. The doze prevention device according to claim 8, wherein the OFF lower limit value is set as a half value of a duration of an ON presentation period immediately before the OFF period. The doze prevention device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the off-limit value is 20 seconds. The dozing prevention apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein when a plurality of the off periods are set, each duration of the off period is set at random. The air blowing part is provided in the seat cushion part (1) or the seat back part (2) of the chair,
The air outlet (8) is formed at the tip of the duct (5, 7) through which the air from the air blowing part (4) passes, and is provided at the seat back part or the headrest part (3) of the chair. The wind blown out from the outlet (8) is directed to the lower part of the ear or the neck of the seat. The dozing prevention apparatus as described in any one of thru | or 11. A heating / cooling unit (6) that operates to heat or cool air is provided in the duct (5, 7), and the heating / cooling unit (6) operates during the on-presentation period and the off period. The dozing prevention device according to claim 12, wherein the device is controlled to stop operation. A blower outlet changing means (16, 19, 21, 23) for changing the position of the blower outlet;
The intermittent pulse generation means generates the intermittent presentation signal to include a plurality of the on-presentation periods,
The doze prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the air outlet changing means changes the air blowing direction from the air outlet in each on-presentation period in the intermittent presentation signal.

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