JP4736904B2 - Voice notification device for motor application equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a voice notification device for notifying a user by voice synthesis sound of operation guidance, filter replacement timing guidance, etc. in household electric appliances applying electric motors such as dehumidifiers, humidifiers, air purifiers, etc. It is related.

  Conventionally, lamp displays and onomatopoeia (such as beeping) have been used as methods for notifying users of the state of equipment in household electrical equipment, but in recent years, with the development of semiconductor technology, characters on liquid crystal display elements have been used. A method of transmitting more detailed information to the user with a display or a voice synthesized sound as shown in Patent Document 1 has begun to be adopted.

  This method of notifying the user with the synthesized voice has a variety of information and details, but has a drawback that information cannot be transmitted unless the user can hear it clearly.

  In particular, devices such as humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and air purifiers that use electric motors (hereinafter referred to as motors) make it difficult to hear voice notification sounds due to motor noise or wind noise from fans driven by motors. Yes.

  Therefore, a method as shown in Patent Document 2 has been proposed as a method for making it easy to hear the voice notification sound.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-228561 provides a sensor for detecting noise and performs voice notification at a volume larger than the noise value detected by the sensor.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-35717 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-189597

  However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a drawback that it is difficult to recognize speech when there is noise exceeding the upper limit of the sound volume generated by the speech synthesizer of the device. Further, if the sound volume value of the device is set large so that the noise value does not exceed the upper limit value of the sound volume, there is a problem that the device itself may become a noise source.

  An object of this invention is to provide the audio alert apparatus which solved the above fault and subject.

For the sound reporting device of the present invention to achieve the above object, a control device connected to the operation switch, the electric motor applications device and a sound generating means and a motor controlled by the control device, and the control device the Speed control means for connecting between the motors and suppressing the speed of the motor is provided, and the control device controls the voice generation means to suppress the speed of the motor during a period of generating sound. A voice notification device in an electric motor application device, wherein the control device is provided with a clock function, and the period of generating voice is set to a higher ratio of the total speed in the midnight time zone than in other time zones, and the motor speed is set. It is characterized by suppressing.

As a result, it is possible to make it easier to hear the sound generated when the operation switch is operated, and the function of the device is not suppressed more than necessary, particularly in a time zone where noise is low.

In order to achieve the above object, the voice notification device of the present invention includes a control device connected to a sensor that detects the occurrence of an event such as an abnormality of the device, a voice generation means controlled by the control device, and a motor. in motor applications apparatus including the control unit and connected between said motor comprises suppressing speed suppressing means the speed of the motor, wherein the control device detects the occurrence of an event such as the sensor of apparatus abnormality the in a period for generating the sound by controlling the speech generation means, an audio informing device in an electric motor application devices, characterized in that to suppress the speed of the motor, the control device has a clock function, to generate a sound The period is characterized in that the speed of the motor is suppressed by setting the ratio to the full speed higher in the midnight time zone than in other time zones .

As a result, it is possible to make it easier to hear the sound generated when an event occurs, and the function of the device is not suppressed more than necessary, particularly in a time zone with low noise.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the audio alert apparatus in the electric motor application apparatus which can transmit notification content clearly to a user can be provided, without using the audio | voice generation means of a large volume value for an apparatus.

External view of dehumidifier to which the present invention is applied The figure which shows the structure of embodiment of this invention Diagram showing data stored in the control device Flow chart for explaining the operation Flow chart for explaining the operation Flow chart for explaining the operation

The invention of claim 1, wherein the present invention includes a control device connected to the operation switch, the electric motor applications device and a sound generating means and a motor controlled by the control device, connected between the said control device motor and, with suppressing speed suppressing means the speed of the motor, said controller, in a period for generating the sound by controlling the voice generator, an electric motor application equipment, characterized by suppressing the speed of the motor The control device is provided with a clock function, and the period during which the sound is generated is set to be higher in the ratio of the total speed in the midnight time zone than in other time zones, thereby suppressing the motor speed. Features.

As a result, it is possible to make it easier to hear the sound generated when the operation switch is operated, and the function of the device is not suppressed more than necessary, particularly in a time zone where noise is low.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor-applied device comprising a control device connected to a sensor for detecting the occurrence of an event such as an abnormality of the device, a sound generating means controlled by the control device, and a motor. the control unit and connected between said motor comprises suppressing speed suppressing means the speed of the motor, the control device wherein the sensor controls the sound generating means detects the occurrence of an event such as abnormalities of the equipment The voice notification device in the motor-applied device is characterized by suppressing the speed of the motor during a period of generating voice , wherein the control device has a clock function, and the period of generating voice is in the midnight time zone It is characterized in that the speed of the motor is suppressed by setting the ratio to the total speed higher than in other time zones.

As a result, it is possible to make it easier to hear the sound generated when an event occurs, and the function of the device is not suppressed more than necessary, particularly in a time zone with low noise.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an external view of a dehumidifying device to which the present invention is applied.

  As an example of an electric motor application device, a dehumidifier 1 is equipped with a water storage tank 2 and has an intake port 3 and an outlet 4. In addition, an operation display unit 5 such as an operation switch and an operation lamp, a speaker 6 for generating sound, and an infrared human sensor 7 are provided.

  Inside the dehumidifier 1 is a motor 19, a fan driven by the motor 19, a moisture absorbent that adsorbs moisture in the air, and a regenerative heater for heating and regenerating the moisture absorbent to release moisture from the moisture absorbent. And a condenser for condensing moisture released from the hygroscopic material, an air filter, and the like (none of which is not shown).

  By driving the motor 19, indoor humid air is taken from the air inlet 3, moisture in the air is adsorbed by the hygroscopic material, and the dehumidified air is discharged from the outlet 4 to dehumidify the room. In the operation display unit 5, the user performs start / stop of driving, switching between strong and weak driving, setting of timer driving, and the like, and lamp display related thereto.

  The notification by voice in the portion related to the user's operation is used for setting or confirming the timer, for example, so that the usability is remarkably improved.

  It is also effective for informing the amount of water stored in the water storage tank, prompting the air filter to be cleaned, and informing the failure location in the event of a failure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention.

The control device 11 includes an operation switch 12 having a plurality of buttons such as a start switch and a stop switch, a water tank sensor 13 for detecting that the amount of water stored in the water tank 2 has increased, and the human sensor 7 described in FIG. A volume setting switch 14 is connected as an input.

  Further, as an output of the control device 11, a sound generating means 16 to which a display device 15 such as an operation lamp and a clock and the speaker 6 described in FIG. 1 are added, a speed control means 17 and a speed suppression means 18 are connected. The speed control means 17 and the speed suppression means 18 are each connected to a motor 19.

  Here, the voice generating means 16 is, for example, a semiconductor IC (integrated circuit) that stores a plurality of voice synthesized sounds, and in the inside thereof, amplifies the voice synthesized sounds instructed by the control device 11 to an amplification degree instructed. The circuit is also stored.

  Further, for example, a pulse width modulation (PWM) type variable voltage DC power source is used for the speed control means 17 and the speed suppression means 18 for controlling the rotation speed of the motor 19.

  Although not shown, the control device 11 includes a microcomputer, a calendar IC, a battery that backs up the calendar IC in the event of a power failure, and electronic components such as a silane transistor for an input / output interface.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing data stored in the ROM in the microcomputer of the control device 11.

  FIG. 3A shows data indicating the relationship between the volume setting level (volume level) of the volume setting switch 14 and the motor speed (speed coefficient). FIG. 3B shows data indicating the relationship between the voice message type stored in the voice generation means 16 and the motor speed.

  Hereinafter, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

  4 to 5 are flowcharts for explaining the operation.

  First, FIG. 4 will be described.

  This figure is a flowchart about the operation | movement in connection with operation of the operation switch 12 of FIG.

  In S (step) 1, the user operates the operation switch 12 to select an operation menu. This operation many will be described as “strong” in this case by selecting the strength as described above.

  Here, it is assumed that the motor speeds at “strong”, “medium”, and “weak” are set at 1.0, 0.9, and 0.8 times the full speed, respectively.

  In S <b> 2, the control device 11 reads the setting of the volume setting switch 14. Here, it is assumed that the sound volume level 3 in FIG. Next, when the start switch is pressed in S3, the controller 11 instructs the speed control means 17 in S4 to drive the motor 19 at a predetermined speed (full speed).

  Next, when the user operates the operation switch 12 to change the setting to “weak” in S5, the control device 11 first releases the speed control means 17 in S6, and instead instructs the speed control means 18 to instruct the motor. 19 speed is suppressed.

  At this time, the control device 11 collates the internal calendar and sets the motor speed to 0.6 times the full speed in the normal time zone as shown in FIG. 6 o'clock), the speed is reduced to 0.7 times the full speed.

  Next, in S7, the control device 11 waits for a predetermined time (for example, 1 to 2 seconds) by an internal timer in S7, and instructs the voice generation means 16 to give a voice message of “volume level 3” from the speaker 6 (for example, “ "We switched to weak").

  When this voice message ends, the control device 11 returns the speed of the motor 19 to the original "weak" driving speed (for example, 0.8 times the full speed) in S9.

  Note that the predetermined time waiting in S7 corresponds to a time delay in which the speed of the motor is suppressed. Also, the voice message in S8 can be transmitted to the user by generating a message such as “Current humidity is 60%” if a humidity sensor is connected to the control device 11.

  In S6, the motor suppression level in the midnight time zone is smaller (low) than the normal time zone (other than midnight) because the ambient noise is small and the voice message is easy to hear in the midnight time zone.

  Next, FIG. 5 will be described.

  This figure is a flowchart about the operation | movement in connection with the water storage tank sensor 13 of FIG.

  Since S11 to S14 are the same as S1 to S4 in FIG.

  In S15, when the water storage tank sensor 13 detects that the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 2 has increased, the control device 11 decreases the motor speed in S16 and at the same time prohibits operation of the operation switch 12 from being accepted.

  In S17, a predetermined time is waited, and in S18, for example, a voice notification such as “Please drain the tank water” is performed.

  Next, in S19, the motor speed is returned again to the original speed, and the prohibition of accepting the operation of the operation switch 12 is released.

  Here, the degree of reduction of the motor speed in S16 is different from the case of FIG. 4 and will be described.

  That is, in S16, the control device 11 determines the speed of the motor 19 with reference to the data shown in FIG. 3B stored therein. For example, if the volume level is 3 in the description of FIG. 3A and the normal time zone, the motor speed is 0.6 times the full speed (0.7 in the late night zone). When it is related to the operation of the sensor, the coefficient of 0.6 × 0.8 = 0.48 is calculated by adding the speed coefficient of 0.8 in FIG. 3 (b), thereby instructing the motor speed. The vehicle is operated at a speed reduced to 0.48 times the full speed (0.7 × 0.8 = 0.56 in the case of midnight). For this reason, the noise level of the motor 19 becomes lower and the voice message can be more easily heard.

  Thus, it becomes possible to transmit an urgent message to the user more reliably by changing the speed of the motor 19 to be suppressed in response to the message type instructed to the voice generating means 16 by the control device 11.

  Further, by prohibiting the reception of the operation of the operation switch 12 during the period of S16 to S19, it is possible to prevent the notification sound from becoming difficult to hear due to a change in the speed of the motor during the sound notification.

  Finally, FIG. 6 will be described.

  This figure is a flowchart of the operation related to the human sensor 7 of FIG.

  Since S21 to S25 will be described as the same case (when the water tank sensor 13 performs a detection operation) corresponding to S11 to S15 of FIG. 5 described above, description of this part will be omitted.

  When the water storage tank sensor 13 detects that the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 2 has increased in S25, the control device 11 checks whether the human sensor 7 detects a person in S26.

  If there is no person, the operation is continued without doing anything, but if a person is detected, the motor speed is reduced in S27, and a predetermined time is waited in S28. Perform a series of operations similar to those described with reference to FIG. 5 to return the motor speed to the original speed again in S30.

  Therefore, a voice message is not generated when there is no person, but the fact that the amount of water stored in the water storage tank 2 has increased is stored in the control device 11, and when the person approaches the dehumidifier, the “tank of the tank” is stored. Since the voice message “Please drain the water” is generated, the message can be reliably transmitted to the user.

  The above-described operations described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 are performed in the form of a microcomputer program in which ROM, RAM, counter, and the like work together in the microcomputer of the control device 11 described above.

  In the configuration of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the motor 19 is controlled by the speed control means 17 and the speed suppression means 18, but the speed control means 17 may also serve as the speed suppression means 18, and the speed control In a device that does not require the means 17, only the speed suppressing means 18 may be configured.

  The voice notification device in the electric motor application device of the present invention can clearly transmit the notification contents to the user without using a high sound volume sound generation means in the device. It can also be applied to other electrical equipment.

1 Dehumidifier (motor application equipment)
6 Speaker 7 Human sensor 11 Control device 12 Operation switch 13 Water storage tank sensor 14 Volume setting switch 16 Sound generation means 17 Speed control means 18 Speed suppression means 19 Motor

Claims (2)

Speed control for controlling the motor speed by connecting between the control device and the motor in a motor-applied device including a control device to which an operation switch is connected, sound generation means controlled by the control device, and a motor Means for controlling the sound generation means to suppress the speed of the motor during a period in which sound is generated, wherein the control device is a sound notification device for an electric motor application device, Is a voice notification device in an electric motor application device that suppresses the speed of the motor by setting a higher ratio to the full speed in the midnight time zone than in other time zones during a midnight time zone . In a motor-applied device comprising a control device connected to a sensor for detecting the occurrence of an event such as a device abnormality, and sound generation means and a motor controlled by the control device, a connection is made between the control device and the motor. The control device includes speed suppression means for suppressing the speed of the motor, and the control device detects the occurrence of an event such as an abnormality of the device and controls the sound generation means to generate sound. A voice notification device in a motor-applied device characterized by suppressing speed , wherein the control device has a clock function, and a period for generating voice is higher in the midnight time zone than the other time zones in proportion to the total speed. A voice notification device in an electric motor application device that is set high and suppresses the motor speed .

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