JP2644106B2 - Air conditioning control device and body temperature convergence device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air-conditioning control device for preparing a bedroom environment so that the user can go to bed smoothly and obtain good-quality sleep.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in a complicated society, psychological and mental stresses such as anxiety, dissatisfaction, anger, and irritability have increased, and these stresses have caused insomnia and the like. I have. As a method of eliminating such stress, promptly leading to a sleep state and sleeping deeply, sound stimulus or vibration stimulus is applied to the extent that the user feels comfortable, or if the user is comfortable with the temperature and humidity in the room or bed. It is known that adjusting to feel is effective. Based on such knowledge, a method of optimally adjusting the temperature and humidity of a room using an air conditioner has been conventionally considered as a sleep-inducing method for smooth sleep and ensuring good-quality sleep. By using the "good night timer", the room temperature adjustment by the air conditioner is changed in accordance with sleep (to a certain extent after going to bed).

As another sleep inducing device, a heat radiating plate made of a heat storage material or a cold storage material capable of emitting radiant heat is installed at a bedside of a sleeping person, and is placed near the head including the sleeping person's face. Devices for radiating hot or cold heat have been proposed.

By the way, since it is necessary to minimize metabolism during sleep, it is necessary to eliminate the temperature difference between body parts and to keep the heat transfer as small as possible. Before entering the bed, the peripheral parts such as the legs are generally low in temperature, and the head and trunk are in a high temperature state. And the temperature of the head,
It is desirable to use a control method in which cold parts are warmed up and hot parts are cooled down so that there is no temperature difference between body parts. No device has adopted a control method for creating a favorable air-conditioning state by changing a control pattern according to the above.

[0005]

As described above, the "good night timer" of the air conditioner simply raises the temperature to a certain degree after going to bed and then operates at a constant temperature state. Sleep period (st. 3 or st.
During 4) and REM sleep periods, premature awakening may occur due to the body being too cold or inappropriate temperature (too high or too low).

[0006] Further, a heat radiation plate composed of a heat storage material or a cold storage material capable of emitting radiant heat is installed on a bedside of a sleeping person, and sleep or sleep is radiated to the vicinity of the head including the sleeping person's face. In the guidance device, because the temperature is constant or gradually increases over the morning,
As in the case of the air conditioner described above, problems such as excessive cooling of the body during the deep sleep period and the REM sleep period and awakening during the sleep may occur.

In addition, in both cases, the temperature is controlled based on a predetermined time schedule irrespective of the temperature state of the sleeper's body when entering the bed (when the body is cold or not). Therefore, appropriate control is not always performed during sleep when the body temperature control function is reduced.

In addition, since the temperature of the human body (skin temperature) is not detected for each body part and is not controlled based on the temperature information, the distal extremities such as the legs are too cold or
Due to the heat caused by raising the set temperature in order to eliminate excessive cooling in the peripheral part, appropriate air conditioning control is not performed, and sleep speed, more specifically, reaches a deep sleep period There was a problem that the time required until this was very long.

Further, the time period during which the REM sleep period appears in each sleep cycle appears slightly later every day,
It is said that it has a cycle of about a week, but there is no one that takes into account the delay of its appearance time, and the sleep rhythm is captured in a cycle of 80 to 110 minutes and controlled by that time, There has been a problem that a deviation from an actual sleep state occurs as days pass.

[0010]

In the air conditioning control device according to the present invention SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problem, as shown in FIG. 1, peel as the sleep depth becomes deeper from wakefulness
At least the temperature of the part where the skin temperature rises and the part where the skin temperature falls
It is configured to detect the skin temperature of the human body, especially the temperature of the head and legs including the forehead, and to change the control pattern of the air conditioning according to the degree of temperature and the temperature difference between the detected two parts. I have. In other words, as shown in FIG. 2, a device that affects the temperature of each part of the human body is controlled in a direction to shorten the time required for the temperature of each part of the human body to converge to the body temperature (around 36 ° C.) in a deep sleep state. is there. Specifically, it is provided with control means for lowering the temperature of the head and increasing the temperature of the feet including the thighs. In the configuration of FIG. 3,
It is configured to be able to detect the state of the room temperature before entering the bed and to detect the state of the skin temperature of the human body at the time of entering the bed. Further, in the configuration of FIG. 6 or FIG. 9, the temperature rise pattern in the sleep mode can be appropriately changed depending on the skin temperature, and even after the temperature rise, the timer controls the temperature change in accordance with the rem / non-rem cycle of 80 to 110 minutes. It is configured to be able to do it automatically.
Further, in the configuration of FIG. 10, based on the detected forehead skin temperature,
The sleep rhythm is calculated and determined, the phase lag is also taken into account and estimated, and feedback is used to control air conditioning. In addition, the phase shift is eliminated in consideration of the phase delay due to the day of the rem rhythm.

[0011]

According to the present invention, according to the present invention, the control pattern of the air conditioning changes depending on the skin temperature detected mainly from the forehead and the leg, so that the temperature difference between the various parts of the body can be quickly reduced. And the progress to a deep sleep state is very smooth, and the required time is very short. Further, since the temperature state of the bedroom before entering the bed is detected, the temperature rise time in the sleep mode can be appropriately changed, and the effect of inducing sleep can be further enhanced without excessively cooling the human body. In addition, even during the night's sleep, the temperature is changed in accordance with the sleep rhythm, and in each cycle, the temperature gradually decreases during the light sleep period. The temperature is controlled so that the temperature rises shortly before the deep sleep period so as not to cause the overcooling phenomenon caused by the absence of the body. Further, in consideration of the phenomenon that the rem rhythm causes a slight phase delay every day, the cycle of the temperature change after the sleep mode is controlled so that the phase is slightly delayed every day.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a human body temperature sensor for detecting the skin temperature of the human body, and may be any means such as a thermistor, a thermocouple, or an infrared sensor, as long as it can detect the temperature, such as a head, a face, a leg, and a foot. It is attached to the skin surface of the part.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a skin temperature detection unit, and an output signal of the human body temperature sensor 1 is input to the skin temperature detection unit 2, where the temperature of the head and face and the temperature of the legs and feet are detected. Reference numeral 3 denotes a room temperature sensor, which includes a thermistor, a thermocouple, an infrared sensor, and the like, and is disposed at a position where room temperature can be detected. Reference numeral 4 denotes a room temperature detecting unit, and an output signal of the room temperature sensor 3 is input to the room temperature detecting unit 4, where the room temperature is detected. Reference numeral 5 denotes a determination unit. Output signals from the skin temperature detection unit 2 and the room temperature detection unit 4 are input to the determination unit 5, and a temperature control pattern is determined based on the signal information.

Here, the relationship between sleep depth and skin temperature in summer is as shown in FIG. First, when awake,
The temperature difference between the parts is large, in the range of about 33 to 37 ° C., the temperature of the trunk such as the foot (thigh) is the lowest,
The temperature of the trunk is high, and the temperature of the periphery such as the head and fingers is highest. However, as sleep deepens, the temperature difference between the sites decreases, and st. 1 or s
t. 2 In the light sleep period, the temperature of the legs rises to about 3 ° C
The width of the st. 3 or st. 4
In the deep sleep period, the convergence is within a very narrow range of about 35 to 36.5 ° C (about 35 to 37 ° C including the peripheral part). Therefore, the determination unit 5 makes a determination based on the input signal information obtained by measuring the temperature of each part of the human body, and outputs an operation mode signal to the output unit 6. First, if the leg / foot temperature is low and the head / face temperature is in the range from low to high,
The operation mode is the ascending mode. When the leg / foot temperature is high and the head / face temperature is in the range from medium temperature to high temperature, the operation mode is set to the decrease mode. Also, legs
If the foot temperature is appropriate and the head / face temperature is in the range from low to high, the operation mode is set to the maintenance mode.

The output unit 6 outputs an appropriate control mode signal to the air conditioner 7 in accordance with the judgment output from the judgment unit 5,
Control air conditioning. In other words, at bedtime, particularly when falling asleep, we focus on the head temperature and leg temperature including the forehead, and with a little emphasis on the leg temperature that is likely to be cooled, the leg temperature converges during the deep sleep period in FIG. When the temperature is lower than the temperature, the operation mode is slightly increased, and when the temperature of the leg and the forehead are both high, the temperature is slightly decreased. Control so that it becomes a maintenance pattern. The air conditioner 7 is a general air conditioner such as an air conditioner or a device that cools and heats the head by radiation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a memory 9 with a timer is connected to the room temperature detecting unit 4, and a change in the temperature of the bedroom one to two hours before a switch such as a sleep mode or a sleep timer is input, or a change to a steady temperature. Remember the time you spent. Further, a human body detection sensor 8 is added to the human body temperature sensor 1, and these output signals are input to the determination unit 5, and the sleeper stays in the bedroom, the state (height) of the human body skin temperature, The temperature rise pattern immediately after entering the sleep mode is determined based on the pattern of the temperature change in the bedroom.

FIG. 4 shows the change in the bedroom temperature 1-2 hours before entering the bed. As shown in FIG. 4, when the body temperature is not too low in the case where the room temperature is lowered from a high temperature to an appropriate temperature, the conventional sleeping mode shown in FIG. ) Works. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, when the room temperature has already reached a steady state at an appropriate temperature before a certain time before entering the bed, and when the skin temperature is low, the new sleeping mode shown in FIG. Control is performed so that the temperature rises in 20 to 30 minutes after entering the bed. Therefore, the timer 10 operates in response to the signal from the determination unit 5 so that the temperature rises at a time suitable for each case, and outputs a signal to the output unit 6.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of a main part of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, air conditioning is controlled in accordance with the sleep rhythm. There are two types of timers: a timer 11 for a sleep mode in which the temperature rises a little when falling asleep, and a timer 12 for a sleep rhythm.
After 1 is activated, the switch is switched to the timer 12 by the switch SW. The timer 12 is configured to measure a sleep rhythm at which sleep deepens, becomes shallow, and REM sleep appears in 80 to 110 minutes.

FIG. 7 shows the operation of this embodiment and will be described. After the sleep mode has been activated, the temperature mainly from the second cycle,
During the light sleep period, the temperature is controlled to decrease slightly, and the temperature is controlled to increase gradually from shortly before the transition to the deep sleep period to the end of the REM period, and this is repeated every cycle. Since the cycle of REM sleep and non-REM sleep is determined to be about 80 to 110 minutes, it is repeatedly controlled by the output signal of the timer 12.

Further, when REM sleep appears, as shown in FIG. 8, it is slightly delayed every day and has a rhythm of about half a month, so as shown in FIG. When a timer 13 for rem rhythm for causing a shift (delay) is provided, a phase difference between days is eliminated.

In order to further enhance the effect, as shown in FIG. 10, a sleep rhythm determining unit 14 for calculating and determining a sleep rhythm from the forehead temperature is provided.
The temperature control is performed by feeding back the determination signal from No. 4. The relationship between the forehead temperature and the sleep depth is as shown in FIG. 11, and the correlation is high, and the forehead temperature causes a phase shift (lag) of 10 to 20 minutes after the second cycle from the sleep rhythm.
The sleep rhythm can be estimated by correcting this phase.

[0021]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the air conditioning control apparatus is awake.
Skin temperature rises as sleep depth increases from the state
At least know the temperature of the part and the part that falls
Since the control mode of the air conditioner is changed according to the detection result of the detected human body skin surface temperature and room temperature,
There is an effect that control can be smoothly performed to induce a deep sleep state.

In the air-conditioning control device according to the second aspect, since the temperature state of the bedroom before entering the bed is detected and stored together with the time information, the temperature rise time in the sleep mode can be appropriately changed, and the human body is cooled too much. The sleep-inducing effect can be further enhanced without any delay.

In the air-conditioning control device according to the third or fourth aspect, since the temperature is changed in accordance with the sleep rhythm even during the night's sleep, there is an effect that good quality sleep can be provided.

In the air-conditioning control device according to the fifth aspect, the sleep rhythm determining unit for calculating and determining the sleep rhythm based on the signals from the forehead temperature sensor and the detecting unit is provided, so that the phase lag of the daily rem rhythm is detected. Thus, there is an effect that air conditioning control suitable for the sleep rhythm can be performed. Further, in the body temperature convergence device according to claim 6, the temperature of each part of the human body is shortened in the direction in which the temperature converges to the body temperature in a deep sleep state, that is, the temperature of the head is lowered, and the temperature of the foot including the thigh is reduced. Since the device that affects the temperature of each part of the human body is controlled in the direction of increasing the temperature, there is an effect that a deep sleep state can be promptly induced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between sleep depth and skin temperature.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a change in bedroom temperature before entering a bed.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a sleep mode according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of control adapted to a sleep rhythm.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a control operation corresponding to a delay in rem rhythm.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between forehead temperature and sleep depth.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Human Body Temperature Sensor 2 Skin Temperature Detector 3 Room Temperature Sensor 4 Room Temperature Detector 5 Judgment Unit 6 Output Unit 7 Air Conditioner 8 Human Body Detection Sensor 9 Memory with Timer 10 Timer 11 Sleeping Mode Timer 12 Sleep Rhythm Timer 13 Rem Rhythm Timer 14 Sleep rhythm judgment unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-1-291039 (JP, A) JP-A-2-302549 (JP, A) JP-A-3-225143 (JP, A) JP-A-4- 45342 (JP, A) JP-A-5-88758 (JP, A)

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] (1) As the sleep depth increases from the awake state,
The skin temperature where the skin temperature rises and where it falls
Multiple objects attached to the human skin surface so that they can be detected
Number of human body temperature sensors, a skin temperature detection unit that detects the skin temperature of each part of the human body based on the output of each human body temperature sensor, a room temperature sensor arranged so that it is almost the same as room temperature, and a room temperature sensor A room temperature detecting unit for detecting,
A determination unit that determines the control mode of the air conditioner according to each detection output of the skin temperature detection unit and the room temperature detection unit, and an output unit that outputs a control signal to the air conditioner based on the control mode determined by the determination unit. An air conditioning control device characterized by being constituted. 2. A human body examination which can detect the presence or absence of a human body in a room.
Output sensor, a switch operated when falling asleep, and the switch
Changes in the room temperature until the switch is
More memory with a timer that can store the time your body was
The determination unit includes an air conditioner after the switch is operated.
The switch controls the speed at which the control temperature of the
Time change of room temperature until the human body stays in the room
2. The air-conditioning control device according to claim 1, wherein the air-conditioning control device is variable based on the following . 3. A switch operated when falling asleep,
When the control temperature of the air conditioner has been
Tie for bedtime mode to gradually raise over time
After the temperature rise in sleep mode
Control temperature of the air conditioner as sleep becomes lighter
Additional sleep rhythm timer for slightly lowering
The determination unit determines that the air conditioner is operated after the switch is operated.
The air-conditioning control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control temperature is made variable based on the output of each timer . 4. A switch operated when falling asleep, and the switch
When the control temperature of the air conditioner has been
Tie for bedtime mode to gradually raise over time
After the temperature rise in sleep mode
Control temperature of the air conditioner as sleep becomes lighter
Sleep rhythm timer to lower slightly and periodic
The appearance of REM sleep becomes lighter at night
Slightly lower the control temperature of the air conditioner
A timer for rem rhythm to shift the timing
The air-conditioning control device according to claim 1 , further comprising, after the switch is operated, the determination unit changing a control temperature of the air-conditioning device based on an output of each timer. 5. The human body temperature sensor comprises at least
This includes a forehead temperature sensor that is attached to the forehead of the human body.
Sleep rhythm based on the forehead temperature detected by the sensor.
A sleep rhythm determination unit to determine the sleep rhythm
And a determination unit, wherein the switch is operated.
After that, adjust the control temperature of the air conditioner to the time when sleep becomes light.
2. The air conditioning control device according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioning control device is slightly lowered . 6. When the temperature of the foot including the thigh is low,
Control means for raising the temperature of the foot including the thigh so as to approach the body temperature in the deep sleep state, and when the temperature of the foot including the thigh and the temperature of the head are both high , the temperature in the deep sleep state And control means for lowering the temperature of each part of the human body so that the temperature of each part of the human body converges to the body temperature in a deep sleep state. Characteristic body temperature convergence device.