JP2010251613A - External light detection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suitably specify the factor of change of an external light detection result when such the change occurs, thereby achieving excellent external light detection. <P>SOLUTION: The window portion 14 of a building 10 is provided with a shutter device 19. The shutter case 24 of the shutter device 19 is provided with an external light detection device 31, which in turn is connected to a controller 32. The external light detection device 31 has an optical sensor, which in turn outputs a detection signal corresponding to illuminance of light to the controller 32. The controller 32 calculates an illuminance calculated value on the basis of the detection signal of the optical sensor, and also calculates actual illuminance of the external light on the basis of weather information etc. The controller 32 decides whether the illuminance calculated value is different from the actual illuminance, and specifies the factor of the difference on the basis of a state of relative change in illuminance calculated value from the actual illuminance when deciding that the illuminance calculated value is different from the actual illuminance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an external light detection system.

  In an external light detection system and a solar power generation system, there is a technique for removing an adhering substance from a light receiving surface irradiated with external light such as sunlight. For example, in Patent Document 1, in a solar power generation system, a solar cell is provided with a wiper and a cleaning liquid ejection device, and dust and other deposits are removed from the light receiving surface of the solar cell by the ejection of the cleaning liquid and the operation of the wiper. The configuration to be removed is described. In this configuration, the operations of the wiper and the cleaning liquid ejecting apparatus are performed at regular intervals. The same configuration can be applied to the external light detection system.

JP-A-11-54779

  However, in the configuration in which the deposit removal process is performed at regular time intervals, the deposit removal process is not performed until a predetermined timing, even though the deposit has adhered to the light receiving surface. On the other hand, the deposit removal process may be intermittently performed even though the deposit is not adhered to the light receiving surface. That is, the deposit removal process is performed regardless of whether or not the actual deposit removal is necessary, and as a result, an appropriate foreign matter removal process cannot be performed. In particular, in an external light detection system, there is a possibility that good external light detection cannot be performed unless appropriate foreign matter removal processing is performed.

  The main object of the present invention is to appropriately specify the factor when the external light detection result changes, and to realize good external light detection.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the first invention includes an external light detection unit that is provided outdoors and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the illuminance of external light, and the detection signal of the external light detection unit or the detection signal. A difference determination unit that determines whether or not the calculated calculated illuminance value is different from a reference value; and the difference determination unit determines that the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value is different from a reference value And a factor specifying means for specifying the difference factor based on a change mode of the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value.

  When the detection signal of the external light detection means or the illuminance calculation value calculated from the detection signal is different from the reference value, if the different factors (difference factors) are different, the respective detection signals corresponding to the different factors The change mode and the change mode of each illuminance calculation value are different from each other. Therefore, as in the first invention, it is preferable that the specifying process for specifying the difference factor is performed based on the detection signal or the change of the illuminance calculation value. In this case, it is possible to eliminate the factor by an effective method with respect to the content of the difference factor.

  In addition, as a case where the detection signal or illuminance calculated value is different from the reference value, in addition to the case where the detection signal or illuminance calculated value does not match the reference value, the difference between the detection signal or illuminance calculated value and the reference value And the like becomes larger than a predetermined value.

  As a result of the above, it is possible to appropriately identify the factor when the external light detection result changes, and thus to achieve good external light detection.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided means for acquiring actual illuminance information related to the illuminance of outside light outdoors, and means for setting the reference value based on the actual illuminance information, wherein the factor specifying means The difference factor is specified based on a change mode of the detection signal or the illuminance calculation value.

  According to the second invention, the difference factor is set based on the relative change mode of the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value with respect to the actual illuminance information. In this case, since the actual illuminance information reflects a change in the weather and the like, for example, a different factor can be identified distinctly from the change in the weather.

  In the third invention, a plurality of the external light detection means are provided apart from each other, and the factor specifying means does not match each determination result of the difference determination by the difference determination means for the plurality of external light detection means. In this case, the difference factor specifying process is executed, and if the determination results match, the difference factor specifying process is not executed.

  In the third invention, since a plurality of outside light detection means are provided, when each detection signal or each illuminance calculation value corresponding to the plurality of outside light detection means is coincident, each outside light detection means It is considered that illuminance detection is performed normally. On the other hand, if they do not match, it is considered that there is an external light detection unit in which an abnormality has occurred in illuminance detection, and the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value of the external light detection unit does not match the reference value. Therefore, it is preferable to execute the difference factor specifying process only when the results of the difference determination for the external light detection units do not match as in the present invention.

  In a fourth aspect of the invention, the factor specifying means is a difference period in which the detection signal or the illuminance calculation value is different from the reference value, or an increase / decrease in which the detection signal or the illuminance calculation value increases or decreases with respect to the reference value. When the occurrence frequency deviates from the permissible range related to the change mode of the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value, it is specified that the difference is that the adhering material adheres to the light receiving surface of the external light detection means.

  When an adhering material adheres to the light receiving surface of the external light detection unit, at least a part of the external light is blocked by the adhering material, so the detection signal and the calculated illuminance value may decrease or change irregularly. . Therefore, as in the case of the fourth invention, when the difference period or the increase / decrease generation rate with respect to the reference value for the detection signal or the illuminance calculation value is out of the allowable range, it is specified that the deposit is attached to the light receiving surface. It is preferable to do.

  In a fifth aspect, the factor specifying means determines the factor of difference when the difference period in which the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value is different from the reference value on the decrease side is shorter than the allowable period as the allowable range. Is identified as a temporary attachment of the deposit.

  When the adhering matter temporarily adheres to the light receiving surface of the external light detecting means, the external light is temporarily blocked by the adhering matter on the light receiving surface, and thus the calculated illuminance value becomes temporarily smaller than the reference value. Therefore, as in the fifth invention, when the difference period accompanying the decrease in the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value is shorter than the allowable period, it is preferable to specify that the deposit is temporarily attached to the light receiving surface.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, the factor specifying means determines the difference when the difference period in which the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value is different from the reference value on the decrease side is equal to or greater than the allowable period as the allowable range. The factor is specified as continuous deposition of the deposit.

  If an adhering object that is difficult to separate from the light receiving surface adheres to the light receiving surface of the external light detection means, the ambient light is continuously blocked by the adhering material on the light receiving surface, so the calculated illuminance value is continuously smaller than the reference value. It becomes. Therefore, as in the sixth aspect of the invention, it is preferable to specify that the adhering matter has continuously adhered to the light receiving surface when the difference period accompanying the decrease in the detection signal or the calculated illuminance is equal to or longer than the allowable period.

  In a seventh aspect of the invention, the factor specifying means determines the difference factor as rainwater when the increase / decrease occurrence frequency of the detection signal or the calculated illuminance is equal to or higher than an allowable frequency as the allowable range. To be specific.

  When rainwater adheres to the light receiving surface of the external light detection means as an adhering substance, the rainwater flows or shakes, so external light is irradiated irregularly on the light receiving surface. Therefore, it is preferable to specify that rainwater has adhered to the light receiving surface when the increase / decrease occurrence frequency is greater than or equal to the allowable frequency for the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value as in the seventh aspect of the invention.

  In an eighth aspect of the invention, the deposit removing means for removing the deposit attached to the light receiving surface of the external light detecting means and the factor specifying means specify that the deposit on the light receiving surface is the difference factor. And a removal control means for causing the deposit removing means to perform a removal operation when it is done.

  According to the eighth invention, when an adhering matter adheres to the light receiving surface of the external light detecting means, the adhering matter is removed from the light receiving surface by the adhering matter removing means. Therefore, if the attachment of the attached matter is a difference factor, the attached matter can be removed as a treatment for a change in the external light detection result.

  In a ninth aspect of the invention, the deposit removing means is a heating device that heats the light receiving surface, and the removal control means is configured such that the attachment of rainwater as the deposit on the light receiving surface by the factor specifying means is the difference. When the factor is identified as a factor, the heating device is caused to perform a heating operation.

  According to the ninth aspect, when rainwater adheres to the light receiving surface of the external light detecting means, when the light receiving surface is heated by the heating device, the rainwater evaporates from the light receiving surface and the difference factor is eliminated. . Therefore, if the difference factor is the attachment of rainwater, rainwater removal can be performed as a measure against a change in the external light detection result.

  In the tenth invention, the difference between the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value and the reference value is affirmed by the difference determination unit even when the notification unit performing the notification operation and the removal operation of the deposit removal unit are performed. And a notification control means for causing the notification device to perform a notification operation.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the deposit adheres to the light receiving surface of the external light detecting means, if the deposit is not removed even if the removal operation by the deposit removing means is performed, the notification device notifies that fact. The Thereby, it is possible to notify the user that the deposit cannot be removed by the removing operation by the deposit removing means.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the shutter apparatus periphery of the building in this embodiment. The figure which shows schematic structure of an external light detection apparatus. The time chart which shows the change of the illumination intensity calculation value Ea with progress of time. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of a light-receiving surface management process.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration around the shutter device 19 of the building 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a building 10 such as a house is provided with a living room 12 such as a living room as a space in the building. A window portion 14 as an opening is provided on the outer wall 13 that partitions the living room 12 and the outdoor space. A sash door 15 is provided in the window portion 14, and a shutter device 19 is provided on the outdoor side of the sash door 15.

  The shutter device 19 includes a shutter curtain 23 that moves up and down in the vertical direction, and a shutter case 24 that houses the shutter curtain 23 in a wound state. In the shutter curtain 23, a plurality of slats 25 are arranged one above the other, and the slats 25 are formed in an elongated shape from a synthetic resin material having a light shielding property, for example. Each slat 25 is configured to be opened and closed by rotating.

  In the present embodiment, as the shutter device 19, an electric shutter device is used that moves the shutter curtain 23 up and down and adjusts (opens and closes) the angle of the slats 25 using an electric motor or the like. Specifically, an angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the slat angle is provided in the shutter curtain 23. For example, the angle adjustment mechanism is driven by a slat drive unit 27 provided in the shutter case 24 so that the slat angle is adjusted. It has become. In this case, the angles of all the slats 25 are changed all at once. Further, the shutter case 24 is provided with an elevating drive unit 28 for elevating the shutter curtain 23.

  In the shutter device 19, a shutter control unit 29 is electrically connected to the slat drive unit 27 and the elevation drive unit 28, and the shutter control unit 29 outputs a command signal to control the operation of each drive unit 27, 28. I do.

  The shutter case 24 of the shutter device 19 is provided with an external light detection device 31 as external light detection means for detecting the illuminance of external light such as sunlight. The external light detection device 31 is attached to the surface of the shutter case 24 that faces obliquely upward, and the light receiving surface 31a (see FIG. 2) faces upward. The external light detection device 31 is electrically connected to the controller 32, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the illuminance of external light to the controller 32. The controller 32 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, various memories, and the like, and calculates an illuminance calculation value Ea corresponding to the detected illuminance based on the detection signal of the external light detection device 31. The controller 32 and the shutter device 19 are electrically connected, and the controller 32 outputs a signal including the calculated illuminance value Ea to the shutter control unit 29.

  The shutter control unit 29 performs opening / closing control of the slat 25 based on the calculated illuminance value Ea included in the signal. For example, a reference calculation value serving as a reference for opening and closing the slat 25 is set, and when the outdoors is bright such as morning or daytime, the slat drive unit 27 is driven to open the slat 25 by assuming that the illuminance calculation value Ea is larger than the reference calculation value. Let In this case, outside light is taken into the living room 12 through the shutter curtain 23, and the living room 12 is brightened by the outside light. Further, when the outdoors is dark, such as in the evening or at night, the slat 25 is closed assuming that the calculated illuminance value Ea is equal to or less than the reference calculated value. In this case, the line of sight from the outdoor side is blocked by the slats 25, and privacy protection in the living room 12 is achieved.

  Here, when the illuminance detection by the external light detection device 31 is not normally performed, the illuminance calculation value Ea calculated by the controller 32 is not a normal value, and as a result, the shutter control unit 29 calculates the illuminance calculation value Ea. The contents of the opening / closing control of the slat 25 performed based on the above will not be normal. For example, when leaves, bird excrement, rainwater, or the like adheres to the light receiving surface 31a of the external light detection device 31, the illuminance calculation value Ea is smaller than the actual illuminance that is the actual illuminance of external light, and the outdoors is bright. Nevertheless, the slats 25 are not opened, and external light is not taken into the living room 12.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the illuminance detection by the external light detection device 31 is normally performed, and when the illuminance detection is not normally performed, the factor is specified, and the factor Perform factor elimination processing according to the content. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a deposit is attached to the light receiving surface 31a of the external light detection device 31, and the type and status of the deposit are specified, and are matched to the type and status of the deposit. To remove deposits.

  First, the configuration of the external light detection device 31 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the external light detection device 31, (a) shows a plan view of the external light detection device 31 including an electrical configuration, and (b) shows the external light detection device 31. A cross-sectional view is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the external light detection device 31 includes an optical sensor 33 that detects the illuminance of light, and a sensor case 34 that houses the optical sensor 33. The sensor case 34 is a bottomed box whose one side surface is open, and a light receiving panel 35 having translucency such as glass is provided in the open part. The light receiving panel 35 forms one side surface of the sensor case 34, and the external light detection device 31 is installed in the shutter case 24 so that the light receiving panel 35 becomes the upper surface. In this case, the optical sensor 33 detects the illuminance of external light applied to the light receiving panel 35. Here, the light receiving surface 31 a of the external light detection device 31 is formed by the light receiving panel 35.

  In addition, the sensor case 34 is provided with a plurality of heating units 36 for heating the light receiving panel 35 as a deposit removing means. The heating unit 36 is configured to include, for example, a Peltier element, and is attached to the inner side surface of the sensor case 34 so as to be in contact with or close to the light receiving panel 35. In this case, each heating unit 36 is disposed outside the optical sensor 33, and external light that passes through the light receiving panel 35 and is irradiated on the optical sensor 33 is not easily blocked by the heating unit 36.

  On the upper surface of the sensor case 34, a wiper 41 is provided as an attached matter removing means for removing the attached matter attached to the light receiving surface 31a. The wiper 41 has a wiper arm 42 extending along the upper surface of the sensor case 34, and one end of the wiper arm 42 is pivotally supported on the sensor case 34 by a shaft portion 43. The sensor case 34 is provided with a wiper driving unit 44 having an electric motor or the like, and the wiper arm 42 is in contact with or close to the upper surface of the light receiving panel 35 as the wiper driving unit 44 is driven. To turn.

  Next, an electrical configuration related to the external light detection device 31 will be described.

  In the external light detection device 31, a controller 32 as a control unit is connected to the optical sensor 33, the heating unit 36, and the wiper driving unit 44. The controller 32 has a storage unit 52 and a communication unit 53. The communication unit 53 can be connected to the Internet or the like, and the controller 32 acquires weather information as actual illuminance information from the Internet or the like via the communication unit 53 and stores the weather information in the storage unit 52. . Further, the controller 32 calculates the actual illuminance of outside light based on the weather information and the like as the actual illuminance Eb based on the weather information and stores the actual illuminance Eb in the storage unit 52 as a reference value.

  The controller 32 creates a database based on the calculated illuminance value Ea, actual illuminance Eb, season, time, weather, sunrise time, sunset time, and the like, and stores the database in the storage unit 52 to calculate the calculated illuminance value Ea. In addition, the history management of the actual illuminance Eb is performed. Further, the controller 32 and the shutter control unit 29 are connected, and the shutter control unit 29 does not calculate the illuminance calculation value Ea, but outputs the illuminance calculation value Ea calculated by the controller 32 to the shutter control unit 29. It is good also as a structure.

  A notification device 55 is connected to the controller 32. The notification device 55 includes a speaker and a display monitor, and is installed in the living room 12, for example. The controller 32 controls the operation of the heating unit 36, the wiper driving unit 44, and the notification device 55 by outputting a command signal.

  Next, a case where an adhering matter adheres to the light receiving surface 31a of the external light detection device 31 will be described with reference to FIG. 3A and 3B are time charts showing changes in the calculated illuminance value Ea with time. FIG. 3A shows a case where no deposit is attached to the light receiving surface 31a, and FIG. 3B shows a deposit such as a leaf on the light receiving surface 31a. (C) is a case where deposits such as bird excrement are continuously adhered to the light receiving surface 31a, (d) is a case where deposits such as rainwater are adhered to the light receiving surface 31a. Changes in the illuminance calculated value Ea are shown.

  In FIG. 3A, it is assumed that no deposit is attached to the light receiving surface 31 a of the external light detection device 31, and the change modes of the illuminance calculated value Ea and the actual illuminance Eb are the same. Specifically, the calculated illuminance value Ea and the actual illuminance Eb are substantially constant values, and these values are substantially the same. Here, a determination upper limit value K1 and a determination lower limit value K2 are set based on the actual illuminance Eb as a criterion for determining whether or not the calculated illuminance Ea and the actual illuminance Eb are different. The determination upper limit K1 is larger than the actual illuminance Eb by a predetermined value, the determination lower limit K2 is smaller than the actual illuminance Eb by a predetermined value, and the illuminance calculated value Ea is larger than the determination upper limit K1 or the determination lower limit K2. When it becomes smaller, the illuminance calculated value Ea is different from the actual illuminance Eb.

  The determination upper limit K1 and the determination lower limit K2 are different from the actual illuminance Eb in consideration of the detection error of the external light detection device 31, but the determination upper limit K1 and the determination lower limit K2 are not set. Furthermore, the illuminance calculation value Ea may be different from the actual illuminance Eb so that the illuminance calculation value Ea and the actual illuminance Eb do not match.

  In addition, here, an example has been given in which the actual illuminance Eb does not change with the passage of time. The illuminance calculated value Ea also changes with the change. Even in this case, the determination upper limit K1 and the determination lower limit K2 are set based on the actual illuminance Eb each time.

  In FIGS. 3B to 3D, it is assumed that a deposit is attached to the light receiving surface 31 a and the calculated illuminance value Ea is smaller in the deposition period of the deposit than in the non-deposition period of the deposit. is doing. For example, in FIG. 3B, a flying object that is easily separated from the light receiving surface 31a is an adhering substance, and the illuminance calculation value Ea falls below the determination lower limit K2 as the flying object adheres to the light receiving surface 31a. The flying object is returned again between the determination upper limit value K1 and the determination lower limit value K2. In this case, a period in which the calculated illuminance value Ea is below the determination lower limit K2, that is, a different period in which the calculated illuminance value Ea and the actual illuminance Eb are different is shorter than the allowable period. The allowable period is set to 10 minutes, for example. In addition, as a flying object, the leaf of a tree | wood, a dust, etc. which block external light by adhering to the light-receiving surface 31a are mentioned.

  In FIG. 3C, a substance having a high adhesive force that is difficult to separate from the light receiving surface 31a is an adhering substance, and the illuminance calculation value Ea is set to a determination lower limit K2 as the substance having a high adhesive force adheres to the light receiving surface 31a. Even if the allowable period elapses, the value does not return to a value exceeding the determination lower limit K2. In this case, the difference period is longer than the allowable period. In addition, as a substance with high adhesive force, the paint which shields external light by adhering to the light-receiving surface 31a, excrement of birds, etc. are mentioned.

  In FIG. 3D, rainwater is adhering matter, and the calculated illuminance value Ea repeatedly increases and decreases without being stabilized as rainwater adheres to the light receiving surface 31a, and irregularly falls below or exceeds the determination lower limit value K2. is doing. In this case, the increase / decrease occurrence frequency at which the calculated illuminance value Ea increases or decreases relative to the actual illuminance Eb is equal to or higher than the allowable frequency. For example, the allowable frequency is set to a frequency indicating occurrence of increase / decrease 5 times per minute. The increase / decrease in the calculated illuminance value Ea occurs when raindrops attached to the light receiving surface 31a flow down or shake.

  Next, the light receiving surface management process performed by the controller 32 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the light receiving surface management process, and this process is executed at a predetermined cycle.

  In FIG. 4, in step S <b> 11, the detection signal of the optical sensor 33 is acquired, and weather information regarding solar radiation is acquired from the Internet or the like. In step S12, the illuminance calculated value Ea is calculated based on the detection signal of the optical sensor 33, and the actual illuminance Eb is calculated based on the weather information. In step S13, an allowable period for a difference period between the illuminance calculated value Ea and the actual illuminance Eb and an allowable frequency for the increase / decrease occurrence frequency of the illuminance calculated value Ea are set as an allowable range regarding the change mode of the illuminance calculated value Ea.

  In step S14, it is determined whether or not the calculated illuminance value Ea is different from the actual illuminance value Eb, that is, whether or not the calculated illuminance value Ea is between the determination upper limit value K1 and the determination lower limit value K2. If the calculated illuminance Ea is not different from the actual illuminance Eb, this processing is terminated as it is because the adhering material is not attached to the light receiving surface 31a of the external light detection device 31, and if they are different, Step S15. Proceed to In step S15, a change mode of the illuminance calculated value Ea is acquired based on the current data and past data stored in the storage unit 52.

  In step S16, it is determined whether the illuminance calculation value Ea is smaller than the determination lower limit value K2. When the illuminance calculation value Ea is smaller than the determination lower limit value K2, it is determined that the adhering material is attached to the light receiving surface 31a of the external light detection device 31, and the process proceeds to step S17, where the illuminance calculation value Ea is smaller than the determination lower limit value K2. A certain period is calculated as a different period. In step S18, it is determined whether or not the difference period is greater than or equal to the allowable period.

  If the difference period is equal to or longer than the allowable period, the difference period is out of the allowable range for the continuous time, and it is assumed that the deposit is continuously attached to the light receiving surface 31a of the external light detection device 31. Proceed to S19. In step S19, a wiper operation process is performed to remove deposits from the light receiving surface 31a. As a result, even if bird excrement or the like continuously adheres as an adhering substance as shown in FIG. 3C, the adhering substance is removed from the light receiving surface 31a, and the illuminance calculated value Ea is determined as the determination upper limit K1. And it is possible to return to the determination lower limit value K2. In the wiper operation process, the wiper 41 is operated for 1 minute, for example.

  On the other hand, when the calculated illuminance value Ea is not smaller than the determination lower limit K2 (when step S16 is NO), or when the difference period is shorter than the allowable period (when step S18 is NO), the difference period continues. Assuming that the time is within an allowable range, the process proceeds to step S20, and an increase / decrease occurrence frequency indicating that the calculated illuminance value Ea is in an unstable state is calculated. In step S21, it is determined whether the increase / decrease occurrence frequency of the illuminance calculation value Ea is equal to or higher than the allowable frequency. Here, it is determined whether or not the calculated illuminance value Ea has increased or decreased relative to the actual illuminance Eb, and whether or not the rate of increase or decrease is too high.

  If the increase / decrease occurrence frequency is equal to or higher than the allowable frequency, the increase / decrease occurrence frequency is out of the allowable range for the increase / decrease occurrence rate, and it is assumed that rainwater is attached to the light receiving surface 31a of the external light detection device 31 (step S22). Proceed to, and the light receiving surface is heated. By performing the light receiving surface heating process, even if rainwater adheres as an attachment as shown in FIG. 3D, the rainwater is removed by evaporation from the light receiving surface 31a, and the calculated illuminance Ea is changed to the actual illuminance Eb. On the other hand, it is possible to return to a state in which the relative increase or decrease is not caused. In the light receiving surface heating process, the heating unit 36 is operated, for example, for 1 minute.

  When the increase / decrease occurrence frequency is smaller than the allowable frequency (when the determination in step S21 is YES), the present process is terminated as it is because the adhering matter is not attached to the light receiving surface 31a. In this case, the calculated illuminance value Ea is larger than the determination upper limit value K1, and the cause thereof is the illuminance irradiated on the light receiving surface 31a of the external light detection device 31 by external light reflected on the window glass or the like. The increase may be considered.

  After executing the wiper operation process (the process of step S19) or the light receiving surface heating process (the process of step S22), the process proceeds to step S23, and it is determined whether or not the calculated illuminance value Ea and the actual illuminance Eb are different. Here, for example, the illuminance calculation value Ea is calculated based on the detection signal of the optical sensor 33 immediately after the wiper operation process or the light receiving surface heating process is performed, and the difference determination is performed using the illuminance calculation value Ea. If the calculated illuminance value Ea is not different from the actual illuminance value Eb, the calculated illuminance value Ea is returned between the determination upper limit value K1 and the determination lower limit value K2. Since it has not returned, it progresses to step S24.

  In step S24, abnormality determination processing is performed. In the abnormality determination process, the number of times the wiper operation process or the light receiving surface heating process is executed is counted, and it is determined whether or not each execution number has reached a predetermined number. If the number of executions is less than a predetermined number (for example, 10 times), the process is terminated as it is, and the wiper operation process or the light receiving surface heating process is performed again in the next process. On the other hand, if the number of executions reaches the predetermined number, the notification device 55 is notified to notify that the attached matter cannot be removed from the light receiving surface 31a even if the wiper operation process or the light receiving surface heating process is performed a predetermined number of times. A notification operation is performed.

  According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

  If the illuminance calculated value Ea is calculated based on the detection signal from the external light detection device 31 and the illuminance calculated value Ea and the actual illuminance Eb are different, a difference factor is specified based on the change mode of the illuminance calculated value Ea. Specifically, if the difference period is shorter than the allowable period in the change mode of the illuminance calculated value Ea, the difference factor can be specified as temporary attachment of leaves or the like to the light receiving surface 31a of the external light detection device 31, and the difference period is If it is longer than the allowable period, the difference factor can be specified as continuous adhesion of bird excrement or the like to the light receiving surface 31a. Further, if the increase / decrease occurrence frequency is equal to or greater than the allowable frequency in the illuminance calculated value Ea, the difference factor can be specified as rainwater adhering to the light receiving surface 31a.

  As a result, when the result of the external light detection by the external light detection device 31 is changed, the cause can be suitably specified, and thus good external light detection can be realized.

  Since the difference factor specifying process is performed based on the change mode of the illuminance calculated value Ea, for example, the difference factor is specified as compared with the case where it is performed based on one data at a predetermined timing of the illuminance calculated value Ea. Accuracy can be increased. Therefore, it becomes effective to select the deposit removal method according to the type and deposit status of the deposit that has caused the difference. For example, it is possible to avoid performing the light receiving surface heating process when the adhering matter is leaves of the leaves or birds.

  The actual illuminance Eb is calculated as the actual illuminance of external light, and when the actual illuminance Eb is different from the calculated illuminance Ea, the difference factor is specified. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the illuminance detection in the external light detection device 31, if the calculated illuminance value Ea is different from the actual illuminance Eb due to the abnormality, it is possible to identify the cause of the abnormality. Become.

  Since the actual illuminance Eb is calculated based on the actual illuminance information, if a difference factor is specified by the relative change mode of the calculated illuminance Ea with respect to the actual illuminance Eb, a change in weather is reflected in the specification. Will be. Therefore, it is possible to identify the different factors in distinction from changes in the weather.

  When the calculated illuminance Ea is different from the actual illuminance Eb, it is determined whether or not the difference period is equal to or longer than the allowable period. Can be identified. In this case, since it is determined whether or not the increase / decrease occurrence frequency is greater than or equal to the allowable frequency for the calculated illuminance value Ea, this can be specified when rainwater is specified on the light receiving surface 31a. By the way, if the allowable frequency is set corresponding to snow or ice in addition to water, it is possible to specify even when the deposit is snow or frost.

  Since the wiper operation process is performed when the deposit is attached to the light receiving surface 31a, the deposit can be removed from the light receiving surface 31a by the operation of the wiper 41. Moreover, since the heat processing which overheats the light-receiving surface 31a are performed, when a deposit | attachment is rainwater, the rainwater can be evaporated in the light-receiving surface 31a. Therefore, even if rainwater cannot be completely removed from the light receiving surface 31a in the wiper operation process, rainwater can be removed from the light receiving surface 31a by heating of the heating unit 36. Further, even when the deposit is snow or frost, the snow or frost can be removed by heating with the heating unit 36.

  If the illuminance calculation value Ea does not return between the determination upper limit value K1 and the determination lower limit value K2 even if the attached matter removal processing by the wiper 41 or the heating unit 36 is executed a plurality of times, the illuminance calculation value Ea and the actual illuminance Eb A notification process is performed assuming that the difference is not resolved. Therefore, for example, when a deposit that cannot be removed by the wiper operation process or the light receiving surface heating process is adhered to the light receiving surface 31a, the user can be informed. In addition, if the notification process is continuously performed even if the user manually removes the deposit, the user is suggested a factor other than the deposit.

  Since the opening / closing control of the slats 25 in the shutter device 19 is performed based on the detection signal of the external light detection device 31, it is caused by the abnormal detection of illuminance by properly detecting the abnormal detection of illuminance by the external light detection device 31. Thus, it can be avoided that the opening / closing control of the slat 25 is not normally performed.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiment, and may be implemented as follows, for example.

  (1) A plurality of external light detection devices 31 as external light detection means may be provided. For example, the external light detection devices 31 are arranged apart from each other, and the illuminance calculation values Ea are calculated by the external light detection devices 31 based on the detection signals. In this configuration, even if the calculated illuminance value Ea corresponding to one of the external light detection devices 31 is different from the actual illuminance Eb, the calculated illuminance values Ea corresponding to the external light detection devices 31 match. If so, the difference factor specifying process is not performed. On the other hand, if the calculated illuminance values Ea do not match, the difference factor specifying process is performed.

  Here, when a plurality of external light detection devices 31 are provided apart from each other, it is unlikely that the adhering material will simultaneously adhere to the light receiving surface 31a of the external light detection devices 31, and thus the respective illuminance calculation values Ea match. If not, it is considered that a deposit has adhered to the light receiving surface 31a of any of the external light detection devices 31. Therefore, it is preferable to perform the process for identifying the difference factor only when the calculated illuminance values Ea do not match, that is, when there is a high possibility that deposits are attached to the light receiving surface 31a.

  In addition, when the illuminance calculated value Ea and the actual illuminance Eb are different in any of the external light detection devices 31 and the calculated illuminance values Ea are the same, the cause is due to a change in weather or rainfall. it is conceivable that.

  (2) When the illuminance calculation value Ea and the actual illuminance Eb are different, the difference factor may be specified in the temperature environment of the external light detection device 31 as external light detection means. For example, if the calculated illuminance value Ea is different from the actual illuminance value Eb and the calculated illuminance value Ea continues to exceed the determination upper limit value K1, the difference factor is specified that the temperature of the optical sensor 33 is too high. The configuration. Here, it is assumed that the temperature characteristics of the optical sensor 33 in the external light detection device 31 are such that the detected illuminance becomes higher than the actual illuminance Eb as the temperature rises.

  In addition, when the temperature of the optical sensor 33 is specified as a difference factor, a configuration that eliminates the difference factor may be provided to the external light detection device 31. For example, a cooling device is provided in contact with or close to the optical sensor 33 in the external light detection device 31, and the optical sensor 33 is cooled by the cooling device. The cooling device includes, for example, a Peltier element. In this case, the difference between the illuminance calculated value Ea and the actual illuminance Eb can be eliminated by lowering the temperature of the optical sensor 33 by the cooling device.

  In addition, when the temperature adjustment of the optical sensor 33 is performed in order to eliminate the difference factor, it is preferable that a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the optical sensor 33 is provided. In this case, since the temperature of the optical sensor 33 is suitably maintained by adjusting the temperature of the optical sensor 33 according to the detection result of the temperature sensor, the illuminance calculated value Ea and the actual illuminance Eb are different from each other. Can be avoided.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the light receiving surface management process for the external light detection device 31 is performed using the illuminance calculated value Ea, but the light reception surface management process is performed using the detection signal of the external light detection device 31. Also good. For example, the light receiving surface management process is performed by using the voltage value of the detection signal output from the external light detection device 31 and comparing the voltage value with the voltage value corresponding to the actual illuminance Eb.

  (4) As a deposit removal means, in addition to or instead of the wiper 41 and the heating unit 36, a blower device or a water discharge device may be provided. If the blower is provided, the deposit can be blown off, and if the water discharge device is provided, the deposit can be washed away. In addition, when the deposits are washed away by the water discharge device, water may remain on the light receiving surface 31a of the external light detection device 31. Therefore, the deposit removal by the water discharge is performed at a time when illuminance detection is not required such as at night. It is preferable.

  (5) The detection signal of the external light detection device 31 may be used for opening / closing control of the shutter curtain 23 in the shutter device 19. In this case, it can be avoided that the opening / closing control of the shutter curtain 23 is not normally performed due to a decrease in accuracy of illuminance detection. Moreover, the detection signal of the external light detection device 31 may be used for power generation control of the solar power generation device.

  (6) The external light detection device 31 may not be provided in the shutter case 24 of the shutter device 19 as long as it is provided outdoors.

  31 ... External light detection device as external light detection means, 32 ... Difference determination means, factor identification means, removal control means, controller as heating control means and notification control means, 36 ... heating as heating device and deposit removal means , 41... Wiper as a deposit removing means, 55.

Claims (10)

Outside light detection means that is provided outdoors and outputs a detection signal according to the illuminance of outside light;
A difference determination means for determining whether a detection signal of the outside light detection means or an illuminance calculation value calculated from the detection signal is different from a reference value;
Factor determination that specifies a difference factor based on a change mode of the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value when the difference determination unit determines that the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value is different from a reference value And an external light detection system. Means for obtaining actual illuminance information regarding the illuminance of outside light outdoors;
Means for setting the reference value based on the actual illuminance information,
The external light detection system according to claim 1, wherein the factor specifying unit specifies the difference factor based on a change mode of the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value with respect to the reference value. A plurality of the outside light detection means are provided apart from each other,
The factor specifying unit executes the difference factor specifying process when the determination results of the difference determination by the difference determination unit for the plurality of external light detection units do not match, and when the determination results match, The external light detection system according to claim 1, wherein the different factor specifying process is not executed.   The factor specifying unit is configured to detect a difference period in which the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value is different from the reference value, or an increase / decrease occurrence frequency at which an increase / decrease in the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value with respect to the reference value occurs. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the signal or illuminance calculation value is out of an allowable range related to a change mode of the illuminance calculation value, the fact that the adhering material has adhered to the light receiving surface of the external light detection unit is specified as the difference factor. 4. The external light detection system according to any one of 3 above.   The factor specifying means determines that the difference factor is a temporary value of the deposit when a difference period in which the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value is different from the reference value on a decreasing side is shorter than an allowable period as the allowable range. The external light detection system according to claim 4, wherein the external light detection system is specified as a specific adhesion.   When the difference period in which the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value is different from the reference value on the decrease side is equal to or greater than the allowable period as the allowable range, the factor specifying unit determines the difference factor as the amount of the deposit. The external light detection system according to claim 4, wherein the external light detection system is specified as continuous adhesion.   The factor specifying means specifies the difference factor that the deposit is rainwater when the increase / decrease occurrence frequency is equal to or higher than an allowable frequency as the allowable range for the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value. The external light detection system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: An adhering matter removing means for removing adhering matter adhering to the light receiving surface of the external light detecting means;
And a removal control unit that causes the deposit removing unit to perform a removing operation when the factor identifying unit specifies that the deposit on the light receiving surface is the difference factor. The external light detection system according to any one of claims 4 to 7. The deposit removing means is a heating device for heating the light receiving surface,
The removal control unit causes the heating device to perform a heating operation when the factor specifying unit specifies that the rainwater as the deposit on the light receiving surface is the difference factor. The external light detection system according to claim 8. A notification device for performing a notification operation;
Even if the removal operation of the deposit removal means is performed, if the difference between the detection signal or the calculated illuminance value and the reference value is affirmed by the difference determination means, the notification device is caused to perform a notification operation. An external light detection system according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a notification control means.

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