BLOWING AMOUNT ADJUSTMENT DEVICE AND BLOWING SYSTEM

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a blowing amount adjustment device and a blowing system.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Document 1 discloses a blowing device including a plurality of propeller fans. This blowing device receives, in real time, wind speed data transmitted from a sensor unit placed outdoors at a distant place via a communication line, and controls the plurality of propeller fans based on the received wind speed data. Thus, natural wind at the distant place is reproduced by wind blown from the blowing device.

CITATION LIST

Patent Document

• • Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-143631

SUMMARY

A first aspect is directed to a blowing amount adjustment device configured to adjust a blowing amount of a fan that reproduces wind at a distant place in a target space. The blowing amount adjustment device includes a control unit that outputs a control value for the fan. The control unit acquires wind data acquired at the distant place, and outputs the control value that differs from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a blowing system of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a blowing device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a main body of the blowing device and a virtual plane.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing graphs for describing wind speed of the air blown from a blower fan.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating an example of wind speed data received by a receiver.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating the wind speed of the blower fan when a first operating mode is executed.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the wind speed of the blower fan when a second operating mode is executed.

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the wind speed of the blower fan when a third operating mode is executed.

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating the wind speed of the blower fan when a fourth operating mode is executed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operating mode determination processing.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing operations in the first operating mode and the fourth operating mode.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing operations in the second operating mode and the third operating mode.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing graphs for describing problems of the second operating mode and the third operating mode.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a switching operation in a first automatic operating mode.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a switching operation in a second automatic operating mode.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a blowing device of a second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a graph showing a relationship between a received wind speed value and a sound volume.

FIG. 18 is a graph showing a relationship between a received wind speed value and a sound volume according to a first variation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a graph showing a relationship between a received wind speed value and a sound volume according to a second variation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a blowing system of a third embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the third embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 11.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the third embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 12.

FIG. 23 is a table showing wind speed values and coefficients corresponding to the wind speed values in a second variation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 20.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the fourth embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 11.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the fourth embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 12.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a fifth embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 20.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of a sixth embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 20.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of the sixth embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 11.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of the sixth embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and various changes can be made within the scope without departing from the technical concept of the present disclosure. Since each of the drawings is intended to illustrate the present disclosure conceptually, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary for the sake of ease of understanding.

First Embodiment

A blowing system (1) of a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15.

(1) Blowing System

The blowing system (1) is a system for reproducing, in a target space (S), a natural wind at a distant place. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the blowing system (1) includes a single blowing device (10) and a single sensor unit (50). The blowing device (10) and the sensor unit (50) are placed at locations far from each other.

The blowing device (10) is placed in an indoor space (target space (S)) such as an office or an event space in a building. The blowing device (10) blows out, into the target space (S), air resembling the natural wind at the distant place. The details of the blowing device (10) will be described later.

The sensor unit (50) is placed outdoors at the distant place. The sensor unit (50) includes a sensor (51) and a transmitter (52).

The sensor unit (50) includes a single wind speed sensor as the sensor (51). The wind speed sensor measures the speed of wind (natural wind) blowing in the outdoor natural environment where the sensor unit (50) is placed. The sensor unit (50) may include, as the sensor (51), another sensor in addition to the wind speed sensor. For example, the sensor (51) may include a temperature sensor that measures an outdoor temperature at the place where the sensor unit (50) is placed.

The transmitter (52) is communicably connected to the blowing device (10) via a communication line (45) such as the Internet. The transmitter (52) transmits data (hereinafter referred to as wind data) on wind at the distant place, which includes a value detected by the sensor (51), to the blowing device (10) via the communication line (45) at predetermined time intervals. The wind data includes, for example, data such as time-series wind speed data, an average wind speed in a predetermined period, a wind speed fluctuation pattern in a predetermined period, and an average temperature in a predetermined period.

In the sensor unit (50) of the present embodiment, the wind speed sensor measures the wind speed every five seconds. When having acquired six wind speed values, the sensor unit (50) transmits the acquired six wind speed values (wind speed data during a 30-second period) as one set of time-series wind speed data (hereinafter referred to as wind speed data) from the transmitter (52) to the blowing device (10). The transmitter (52) transmits the average wind speed value of the one set of wind speed data together with the one set of wind speed data. That is, according to the present embodiment, the wind speed data and the average wind speed value are collectively transmitted as the wind data from the sensor unit (50) to the blowing device (10) every 30 seconds.

The number of wind speed values in one set is merely an example. Moreover, the wind data transmitted from the sensor unit (50) does not have to be data during a 30-second period as long as it is data related to winds in a period of several tens of seconds.

(2) Blowing Device

The blowing device (10) is a device that reproduces, in the target space (S), the wind at the distant place where the sensor unit (50) is placed. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the blowing device (10) includes: a main body (15) including blower fans (30); a receiver (17); a storage (18); a control unit (40); and an input (19). The blowing device (10) of the present embodiment can execute a plurality of operating modes.

(2-1) Main Body

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the main body (15) is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a relatively short depth in a front-rear direction. The width in a right-left direction and the height in an upper-lower direction of the main body (15) are each about 1.6 m. The terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and “rear” used in the description of the main body (15) refer to directions indicated in FIG. 3 (directions when the main body (15) is viewed from the front).

The main body (15) includes 16 blower fans (30). Each blower fan (30) sends air into the target space (S). The blower fan (30) corresponds to a fan (30) of the present disclosure. In the main body (15), the 16 blower fans (30) are arranged in a matrix of four in the right-left direction and four in the upper-lower direction.

Each blower fan (30) is an axial flow blower including an impeller (31) and a shroud (32). The impeller (31) is a so-called propeller fan. In each blower fan (30), the shroud (32) is disposed so as to surround the impeller (31). Each blower fan (30) is provided with a fan motor (not illustrated) that drives the impeller (31). The impeller (31) is attached to an output shaft of a fan motor.

In the main body (15), the 16 blower fans (30) face the front surface of the main body (15). The front surface of the main body (15) forms a blow-out region (16) from which air blown from each blower fan (30) is blown. In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the blow-out region (16) is a square flat surface with a width in the right-left direction of 1.6 m and a height in the upper-lower direction of 1.6 m.

(2-2) Receiver

The receiver (17) is communicably connected to the transmitter (52) of the sensor unit (50) via the communication line (45). The receiver (17) receives the wind data transmitted from the transmitter (52) in real time.

The receiver (17) receives the wind data in a first predetermined period in the past. The first predetermined period of the present embodiment is 30 seconds. The receiver (17) receives the wind data (one set of wind speed data and the average wind speed value) in a 30-second period immediately before data reception. The receiver (17) may receive the wind data detected by the sensor (51) a bit earlier, instead of the wind data detected immediately before the data reception.

(2-3) Storage

The storage (18) stores the wind data received by the receiver (17). The storage (18) includes at least one of a hard disk drive (HDD), a random access memory (RAM), or a solid state drive (SSD).

(2-4) Control Unit

The control unit (40) includes a microcomputer and a memory device. The memory device stores software for operating the microcomputer.

The control unit (40) has, as functional elements, an operating mode determiner (41), a data processor (42), a fan controller (43), and a switcher (44). In other words, the control unit (40) functions as the operating mode determiner (41), the data processor (42), the fan controller (43), and the switcher (44) by executing programs stored in the memory device. The program stored in the control unit (40) causes the control unit (40) as a computer to execute at least the processing for operating the blower fans (30) of the blowing device (10) based on first processing data described later.

(2-4-1) Operating Mode Determiner

The operating mode determiner (41) chooses one operating mode to be executed from among the plurality of operating modes in accordance with input from a user who operates the blowing device (10).

The plurality of operating modes of the present embodiment includes a first operating mode, a second operating mode, a third operating mode, a fourth operating mode, a first automatic operating mode, and a second automatic operating mode. The details of each operating mode and the operating mode determination processing performed by the operating mode determiner (41) will be described later.

(2-4-2) Data Processor

The data processor (42) processes the wind speed data (hereinafter referred to as original data) included in the wind data received by the receiver (17), thereby generating the first processing data. The first processing data is used in the first operating mode. The data processor (42) generates the first processing data as needed when the receiver (17) receives the wind data during the execution of the first operating mode.

The first processing data of the present embodiment is the processed original data, adjusted so that the average wind speed value of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches an average wind speed value freely set by the user. The average wind speed in the present embodiment is an average wind speed in a 30-second period (first predetermined period).

Specifically, the first processing data is generated by multiplying each wind speed value of the original data by the same predetermined coefficient α. The predetermined coefficient α is calculated by dividing the average wind speed value freely set by the user by the average wind speed value received by the receiver (17). As a result, the average wind speed in one set of original data is converted into the average wind speed desired by the user.

The data processor (42) processes the original data to generate second processing data. The second processing data is used in the fourth operating mode. The data processor (42) generates the second processing data as needed when the receiver (17) receives the wind data during execution of the fourth operating mode.

The second processing data is the processed original data, adjusted so that the average wind speed value of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches an average wind speed value freely set by the user.

Specifically, according to the present embodiment, the second processing data is generated by multiplying each wind speed value of the original data by the same predetermined coefficient β. The predetermined coefficient β is calculated by dividing the average wind speed value freely set by the user by the average wind speed value received by the receiver (17). As a result, the average wind speed in one set of original data is converted into the average wind speed desired by the user.

(2-4-3) Fan Controller

The fan controller (43) controls the blower fans (30). Specifically, the fan controller (43) is configured to control, based on the wind speed data, the rotational speed (the number of rotations per unit time) of the impeller (31) of each blower fan (30) provided in the main body (15).

The fan controller (43) uses different wind speed data when controlling the blower fan (30), depending on the operating mode to be executed. Specifically, the first processing data is used in the first operating mode. In the second operating mode and the third operating mode, the original data (hereinafter, referred to as unprocessed data) is used as the wind speed data. The second processing data is used in the fourth operating mode.

Here, the blower fan (30) has an upper limit value of the number of rotations (maximum number of rotations) per unit time due to a mechanical limitation. The wind speed of the air blown from each blower fan (30) when the blower fan (30) operates at the maximum number of rotations is the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30).

For example, in a case in which the blower fan (30) is operated using the unprocessed data, the fan controller (43) operates the blower fan (30) at the maximum number of rotations in a range of the unprocessed data in which the number of rotations of the blower fan (30) exceeds the upper limit value, as illustrated in FIG. 4(A). Thus, in the range of the unprocessed data in which the number of rotations of the blower fan (30) exceeds the upper limit value, the blower fan (30) blows constant strong wind.

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the user can set the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) freely. In this case, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 4(B), the fan controller (43) operates the blower fan (30) so that in the range of the unprocessed data in which the wind speed exceeds the upper limit freely set by the user, the wind blown from the blower fan (30) matches the upper limit of the wind speed set by the user. Thus, in the range of the unprocessed data in which the wind speed of the blower fan (30) exceeds the upper limit, the blower fan (30) blows constant relatively strong wind. The upper limit of the wind speed freely set by the user is lower than the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30).

(2-4-4) Switcher

The switcher (44) automatically switches the operating mode when a predetermined condition is satisfied during execution of the first automatic operating mode or the second automatic operating mode. The switcher (44) determines whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied. In this way, the switcher (44) switches the operating mode automatically. The switching operation performed by the switcher (44) will be described later.

(2-5) Input

The input (19) is used by the user to input the average wind speed and the upper limit of the wind speed of air blown from the blower fan (30) and ON or OFF of the automatic switching. The input (19) is used by the user to input directly the operating mode to be executed by the control unit (40).

A specific wind speed value may be input, or a value other than the specific wind speed value may be input, as the average wind speed or the upper limit of the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30). When the value other than the specific wind speed value is input, the degree of the wind speed (for example, three stages of “strong,” “medium,” and “weak”) may be selected for the upper limit of the wind speed or the average wind speed. In this case, the average wind speed value and the upper limit of the wind speed value are set in advance at each degree of wind speed.

When inputting the operating mode to the input (19), the user manually selects a single operating mode for execution from the plurality of operating modes. In this case, when the operating mode is selected by the user, the operating mode currently being executed ends, and the operating mode selected by the user is executed. The blowing device (10) having the input (19) as described above allows the user to select the operating mode for execution freely.

The input (19) is configured, for example, as an operation button provided for the main body (15), an operation button of a remote controller provided for the blowing device (10), an operation button shown on a display of a communication terminal (e.g., smartphone, tablet, personal computer, or the like) communicable with the blowing device (10).

(3) Operation of Blowing Device

In the main body (15) of the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the impellers (31) of the blower fans (30) rotate at the same rotational speed. Thus, the 16 blower fans (30) arranged in a matrix in the main body (15) blow air at substantially the same wind speed. The air blown out by the 16 blower fans (30) is blown forward from the blow-out region (16), which is the front surface of the main body (15).

The air blown from each blower fan (30) and having passed through the blow-out region (16) spreads into each other, and their wind speeds are averaged. As a result, the wind speed is substantially uniform across the entire virtual plane (V) illustrated in FIG. 3. Here, the virtual plane (V) is a rectangular virtual plane indicated by points A, B, C, and D in FIG. 3. The virtual plane (V) is a rectangular virtual plane facing the blow-out region (16). The virtual plane (V) is a vertical plane parallel to the blow-out region (16). The long side of the virtual plane (V) is along the upper-lower direction. The short side of the virtual plane (V) is along the right-left direction.

(4) Operation

(4-1) Overview of Each Operating Mode

The first operating mode, the second operating mode, the third operating mode, the fourth operating mode, the first automatic operating mode, and the second automatic operating mode will be described.

(4-1-1) First Operating Mode

In the first operating mode, the blower fan (30) is controlled based on the first processing data. In the first operating mode of the present embodiment, the blower fan (30) is controlled based on the first processing data that is processed such that the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches the average wind speed freely set by the user. In the first operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is not set by the user.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the original data. For example, if the first operating mode is executed when as illustrated in FIG. 6 the average wind speed freely set by the user is lower than the average wind speed of the original data of FIG. 5, the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is lower as a whole compared to when the original data itself is reproduced. On the other hand, fluctuations of the air blown from the blower fan (30) are the same as those of the wind of the original data. Here, the fluctuations refer to a variable ratio of the wind speed. When v_t is the current wind speed (m/s) and v_t-1 is the wind speed (m/s) one second earlier, the variable ratio is expressed by v_t/v_t-1.

Accordingly, the first operating mode enables reproduction of the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place, while weakening the strength of the air blown from the blower fan (30) as a whole. Thus, for example, even when a strong wind or a gusty wind is detected at the distant place, the blowing device (10) does not reproduce the very strong wind, and therefore, the comfort of the person who receives the wind from the blowing device (10) is not impaired.

If the first operating mode is executed when the average wind speed value freely set by the user is higher than the average wind speed value of the original data of FIG. 5, the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is higher as a whole compared to when the original data itself is reproduced. Thus, for example, when a gentle wind close to windless conditions is detected at the distant place, a wind of certain strength is blown from the blowing device (10).

As described above, it is possible to reduce the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) when the wind at the distant place is strong and increase the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) when the wind at the distant place is weak, in accordance with the average wind speed freely set by the user.

Thus, in the first operating mode, the air at the strength adjusted to the person's preference in the target space (S) is blown from the blowing device (10), making it possible to reproduce the wind at the distant place without impairing the comfort. Further, since the user can set the average wind speed freely, the strength of the wind received by the user can be changed according to a user's conditions. Thus, winds at optimum strength can be reproduced according to the user's use conditions.

(4-1-2) Second Operating Mode

In the second operating mode, the blower fan (30) is controlled based on the unprocessed data that is the original data itself. In the second operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is not set by the user.

Since the blower fan (30) is controlled based on the unprocessed data in the second operating mode, the strength and fluctuations of the wind at the distant place are reproduced as they are, in the target space (S), as illustrated in FIG. 7.

(4-1-3) Third Operating Mode

In the third operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is freely set by the user, and the blower fan (30) is controlled based on the unprocessed data that is the original data itself.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the third operating mode, the strength and fluctuations of the wind at the distant place are reproduced as they are, in the target space (S), in a range of the unprocessed data in which the wind speed is equal to or lower than the upper limit set by the user. On the other hand, the blower fan (30) blows the air at the upper limit of the wind speed set by the user in a range of the unprocessed data in which the wind speed exceeds the upper limit set by the user. Thus, a strong wind exceeding the upper limit of the wind speed set by the user is not reproduced, making the person in the target space (S) feel less uncomfortable. As a result, the wind at the distant place can be reproduced without impairing the comfort.

(4-1-4) Fourth Operating Mode

In the fourth operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is freely set by the user, and the blower fan (30) is controlled based on the second processing data. In the fourth operating mode of the present embodiment, the blower fan (30) is controlled based on the second processing data that is processed such that the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches the average wind speed freely set by the user.

FIG. 9 illustrates the wind speed of the blower fan (30) in the fourth operating mode if the average wind speed freely set by the user is lower than the average wind speed value of the original data illustrated in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 9, in a range of the second processing data in which the wind speed is equal to or lower than the upper limit set by the user, the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is lower as a whole compared to when the original data itself is reproduced. On the other hand, the fluctuations of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is the same as those of the original data. In a range of the second processing data in which the wind speed exceeds the upper limit set by the user, the blower fan (30) blows the air at the upper limit of the wind speed set by the user.

Accordingly, the fourth operating mode does not reproduce the strong wind exceeding the upper limit of the wind speed set by the user but enables reproduction of the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place, while weakening the strength of the air blown from the blower fan (30) as a whole. Thus, for example, when a strong wind or a gusty wind is detected at the distant place, the very strong wind is not blown from the blowing device (10).

If the fourth operating mode is executed when the average wind speed value freely set by the user is higher than the average wind speed value of the original data of FIG. 5, the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is higher as a whole compared to when the original data itself is reproduced. Thus, for example, even when a gentle wind close to windless conditions is detected at the distant place, a wind of certain strength is blown from the blowing device (10).

As described above, it is possible to reduce the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) when the wind at the distant place is strong and increase the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) when the wind at the distant place is weak, in accordance with the average wind speed set by the user.

Thus, in the fourth operating mode, the air at the strength adjusted to the person's preference in the target space (S) is blown from the blowing device (10). In addition, the upper limit of the wind speed of the air blown from the blowing device (10) is limited. As a result, the wind at the distant place can be reproduced without impairing the comfort.

(4-1-5) First Automatic Operating Mode and Second Automatic Operating Mode

In the first automatic operating mode, the first operating mode and the second operating mode described above are automatically switched when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the second automatic operating mode, the third operating mode and the fourth operating mode described above are automatically switched when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

(4-2) Operating Mode Determination Processing

Next, the operating mode determination processing will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The operating mode determiner (41) of the control unit (40) performs the determination processing to choose one operating mode to be executed from among the plurality of operating modes. When the blowing device (10) starts operating, the user inputs a predetermined item to the input (19). The operating mode determiner (41) chooses the operating mode to be executed in accordance with the user's input.

Specifically, when the user starts an input to the input (19), the control unit (40) performs the operation of Step ST11. In Step ST11, the control unit (40) determines whether or not the upper limit of the wind speed has been input to the input (19). If it is determined that the upper limit of the wind speed has not been input to the input (19) (NO in Step ST11), the control unit (40) performs Step ST12. If it is determined that the upper limit of the wind speed has been input to the input (19) (YES in Step ST11), the control unit (40) stores the input upper limit of the wind speed in the storage (18), and Step ST13 is executed.

In Step ST12, the control unit (40) determines whether or not the average wind speed has been input to the input (19). If it is determined that the average wind speed has not been input to the input (19) (NO in Step ST12), the control unit (40) chooses the second operating mode as the operating mode to be executed.

If it is determined that the average wind speed has been input to the input (19) (YES in Step ST12), the control unit (40) stores the input average wind speed in the storage (18), and Step ST14 is executed. In Step ST14, it is determined whether ON or OFF of the automatic switching has been input to the input (19).

If it is determined that OFF of the automatic switching has been input to the input (19) (NO in Step ST14), the control unit (40) chooses the first operating mode as the operating mode to be executed. If it is determined that ON of the automatic switching has been input to the input (19) (YES in Step ST14), the control unit (40) chooses the first automatic operating mode as the operating mode to be executed.

In Step ST13, the control unit (40) determines whether or not the average wind speed has been input to the input (19). If it is determined that the average wind speed has not been input to the input (19) (NO in Step ST13), the control unit (40) chooses the third operating mode as the operating mode to be executed.

If it is determined that the average wind speed has been input to the input (19) (YES in Step ST13), the control unit (40) stores the input average wind speed in the storage (18), and Step ST15 is executed. In Step ST15, it is determined whether ON or OFF of the automatic switching has been input to the input (19).

If it is determined that OFF of the automatic switching has been input to the input (19) (NO in Step ST15), the control unit (40) chooses the fourth operating mode as the operating mode to be executed. If it is determined that ON of the automatic switching has been input to the input (19) (YES in Step ST15), the control unit (40) chooses the second automatic operating mode as the operating mode to be executed.

(4-3) Operations in First to Fourth Operating Modes

Next, operations in the first to fourth operating modes will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15.

(4-3-1) First Operating Mode and Fourth Operating Mode

In the first operating mode and the fourth operating mode, the control unit (40) performs the same operation and processing. In the following description, the first operating mode will be described as an example.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, if the first operating mode is chosen as the operating mode to be executed in the operating mode determination processing, the control unit (40) executes Step ST21. In Step ST21, the wind data received by the receiver (17) is stored in the storage (18).

In Step ST22, the control unit (40) generates the first processing data based on the wind speed data included in the wind data stored in Step ST21. The wind speed data is therefore generated which is processed such that the average wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches the average wind speed freely set by the user.

In Step ST23, the control unit (40) controls the blower fan (30) based on the first processing data generated in Step ST22. The wind at the distant place is therefore reproduced, adjusted to the average wind speed freely set by the user. It is thus possible to reproduce the wind at the distant place without impairing the comfort of the person in the target space (S). In the first operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30). Thus, in the first operating mode, the air at the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30) is blown from the blower fan (30) in the range of the first processing data in which the wind speed exceeds the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30).

When Step ST23 ends, the control unit (40) stops the first operating mode. The control unit (40) may execute Step ST21 again after Step ST23 ends. In this case, the control unit (40) continues the execution of the operation in the first operating mode until the input (19) receives an instruction to stop the operation of the blowing device (10) or change to another operating mode.

In Step ST22 of the first operating mode, the first processing data is generated as described above, while in Step ST22 of the fourth operating mode, the second processing data is generated. In this case, the wind speed data is generated which is processed such that the average wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches the average wind speed freely set by the user.

In Step ST23 of the first operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30), whereas in Step ST23 of the fourth operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the upper limit of the wind speed freely set by the user. Thus, in the fourth operating mode, the air at the set upper limit of the wind speed is blown from the blower fan (30) in the range of the second processing data in which the wind speed exceeds the set upper limit.

(4-3-2) Second Operating Mode and Third Operating Mode

In the second operating mode and the third operating mode, the control unit (40) performs the same operation and processing. In the following description, the second operating mode will be described as an example.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, if the second operating mode is chosen as the operating mode to be executed in the operating mode determination processing, the control unit (40) executes Step ST31. In Step ST31, the wind data received by the receiver (17) is stored in the storage (18).

In Step ST32, the control unit (40) controls the blower fan (30) based on the unprocessed data, which is the wind speed data included in the wind data stored in Step ST31. Thus, the wind at the distant place is reproduced as it is, in the target space (S). In the second operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30). Thus, in the range of the unprocessed data in which the wind speed exceeds the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30), the air at the maximum wind speed is blown from the blower fan (30) in the second operating mode.

When Step ST32 ends, the control unit (40) stops the second operating mode. The control unit (40) may execute Step ST31 again after Step ST32 ends. In this case, the control unit (40) continues the execution of the operation in the second operating mode until the input (19) receives an instruction to stop the operation of the blowing device (10) or change to another operating mode.

As described above, in Step ST32 of the second operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30), whereas in Step ST32 of the third operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the upper limit of the wind speed freely set by the user. Thus, in the third operating mode, the air at the upper limit of the wind speed is blown from the blower fan (30) in the range of the unprocessed data in which the wind speed exceeds the set upper limit.

(4-4) Switching Operation in First Automatic Operating Mode and Second Automatic Operating Mode

(4-4-1) Problems of Second Operating Mode and Third Operating Mode

If the receiver (17) receives wind speed data indicating both a very large wind speed value, such as one exceeding the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30), and a long-lasting state of the large wind speed value, as illustrated in FIG. 13(A), the blower fan (30), in the second operating mode, blows constant air at the maximum wind speed without fluctuations, in the range of the unprocessed data in which the wind speed exceeds the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30), as illustrated in FIG. 13(B).

In the third operating mode, as well, if the wind speed data such as one shown in FIG. 13(A) is received, the blower fan (30) blows constant air at the upper limit of the wind speed freely set by the user, without fluctuations, in the range of the unprocessed data in which the wind speed exceeds the upper limit freely set by the user, as illustrated in FIG. 13(C).

(4-4-2) Switching Operation in First Automatic Operating Mode

In order to solve the above problem of the second operating mode, the first automatic operating mode is executed, thereby making it possible to blow air with fluctuations continuously from the blower fan (30). In the first automatic operating mode, the first operating mode and the second operating mode described above are automatically switched when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The switching operation in the first automatic operating mode will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the blowing device (10) operates in the second operating mode of the first automatic operating mode.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, in the first automatic operating mode, the control unit (40) executes Step ST42 during execution of the second operating mode (Step ST41). In Step ST42, it is determined whether or not a first condition is satisfied. The first condition is that the state in which the wind speed value of the wind speed data received by the receiver (17) exceeds the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30) continues for a predetermined time or longer.

If it is determined that the first condition is not satisfied (NO in Step ST42), the control unit (40) executes Step ST41. If it is determined that the first condition is satisfied (YES in Step ST42), the control unit (40) executes Step ST43. In Step ST43, the control unit (40) executes the first operating mode.

As described above, if the first condition is satisfied, the operation of the blowing device (10) is automatically switched from the second operating mode to the first operating mode. Thus, if original data such as one shown in FIG. 13(A) is received, the range in which the wind speed exceeds the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30) can be reduced as illustrated in FIG. 13(D), and therefore, the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place can be reproduced continuously.

The control unit (40) executes Step ST44 during execution of the first operating mode (Step ST43). In Step ST44, it is determined whether or not a second condition is satisfied. The second condition is that the state in which the wind speed value of the wind speed data received by the receiver (17) exceeds the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30) continues for less than the predetermined time.

If it is determined that the second condition is not satisfied (NO in Step ST44), the control unit (40) executes Step ST43. If it is determined that the second condition is satisfied (YES in Step ST44), the control unit (40) ends the first automatic operating mode and then executes Step ST41 again.

As described above, if the second condition is satisfied, the operation of the blowing device (10) is automatically switched from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, because if the second condition is satisfied, the above problem does not occur even in the execution of the second operating mode. Accordingly, it is possible to reproduce the wind at the distant place as precisely as possible, and even if the wind at the distant place cannot be reproduced as it is, fluctuations of the wind at the distant place can be reproduced continuously.

In the first automatic operating mode as well, the control unit (40) continues the execution of the operation in the first automatic operating mode until the input (19) receives an instruction to stop the operation of the blowing device (10) or change to another operating mode.

(4-4-3) Switching Operation in Second Automatic Operating Mode

In order to solve the above problem of the third operating mode, the second automatic operating mode is executed, thereby making it possible to blow air with fluctuations continuously from the blower fan (30). In the second automatic operating mode, the third operating mode and the fourth operating mode described above are automatically switched when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The switching operation in the second automatic operating mode will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the blowing device (10) operates in the third operating mode of the second automatic operating mode.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, in the second automatic operating mode, the control unit (40) executes Step ST52 during execution of the third operating mode (Step ST51). In Step ST52, it is determined whether or not a third condition is satisfied. The third condition is that the state in which the wind speed value of the wind speed data received by the receiver (17) exceeds the upper limit of the wind speed set by a user continues for a predetermined time or longer.

If it is determined that the third condition is not satisfied (NO in Step ST52), the control unit (40) executes Step ST51. If it is determined that the third condition is satisfied (YES in Step ST52), the control unit (40) executes Step ST53. In Step ST53, the control unit (40) executes the fourth operating mode.

As described above, if the third condition is satisfied, the operation of the blowing device (10) is automatically switched from the third operating mode to the fourth operating mode. Thus, if original data such as one shown in FIG. 13(A) is received, the range in which the wind speed exceeds the upper limit of the wind speed freely set by the user can be reduced as illustrated in FIG. 13(E), and therefore, the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place can be reproduced continuously.

The control unit (40) executes Step ST54 during execution of the fourth operating mode (Step ST53). In Step ST54, it is determined whether or not a fourth condition is satisfied. The fourth condition is that the state in which the wind speed value of the wind speed data received by the receiver (17) exceeds the upper limit of the wind speed set by the user continues for less than the predetermined time.

If it is determined that the fourth condition is not satisfied (NO in Step ST54), the control unit (40) executes Step ST53. If it is determined that the fourth condition is satisfied (YES in Step ST54), the control unit (40) ends the second automatic operating mode and then executes Step ST51 again.

As described above, if the fourth condition is satisfied, the operation of the blowing device (10) is automatically switched from the fourth operating mode to the third operating mode, because if the fourth condition is satisfied, the above problem does not occur even in the execution of the third operating mode. Accordingly, it is possible to reproduce the wind at the distant place as precisely as possible, and even if the wind at the distant place cannot be reproduced as it is, fluctuations of the wind at the distant place can be reproduced continuously.

In the second automatic operating mode as well, the control unit (40) continues the execution of the operation in the second automatic operating mode until the input (19) receives an instruction to stop the operation of the blowing device (10) or change to another operating mode.

(5) Features

(5-1)

The blowing device (10) of the present embodiment includes the receiver (17) that receives the wind data related to a wind at a distant place via the communication line (45), the fan (30) that blows air into the target space (S), and the control unit (40) that controls the blower fan (30). The control unit (40) causes the blower fan (30) to operate in the first operating mode, based on the first processing data obtained by processing the wind data received by the receiver (17).

In the first operating mode of the present embodiment, the fan (30) is operated using the first processing data obtained by processing the wind data received by the receiver (17); therefore, conditioned air is blown from the blower fan (30). This makes it possible to reproduce a wind in natural environment without impairing the comfort of a person in the target space (S).

(5-2)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the first processing data is the processed wind data, adjusted so that the average wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches the average wind speed freely set by the user.

This makes it possible, in the first operating mode, to reproduce in the target space (S) a wind with the strength freely set by the user and the same fluctuations as those at the distant place.

(5-3)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the first processing data is generated by multiplying the time-series data on the wind speed values by the predetermined coefficient. This makes it possible to reproduce the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place while adjusting the strength of the air blown from the blower fan (30).

(5-4)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the receiver (17) receives the wind data in the first predetermined period. The average wind speed used in generating the first processing data is the average of the wind speeds in the first predetermined period.

(5-5)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the control unit (40) executes one operating mode from among a plurality of operating modes. The plurality of operating modes includes the second operating mode in which the blower fan (30) is operated using the wind data itself, as received by the receiver (17).

Thus, the control unit (40) executing the second operating mode enables reproduction of the wind at the distant place as it is, in the target space (S). This configuration makes it possible for a person in the target space (S) to feel the wind at the distant place as is, under circumstances without the need to adjust the air blown from the blowing device (10).

(5-6)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the plurality of operating modes includes the first automatic operating mode in which the operating mode is automatically switched between the first operating mode and the second operating mode. Thus, the control unit (40) executing the first automatic operating mode enables automatic switching between the first operating mode and the second operating mode.

(5-7)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, in the first automatic operating mode, the operating mode is switched to the first operating mode, if during execution of the second operating mode, the state in which the received wind speed value exceeds the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30) continues for a predetermined time or longer, and is switched to the second operating mode, if during execution of the first operating mode, the state in which the received wind speed value exceeds the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30) continues for less than the predetermined time.

If during execution of the second operating mode, the state in which the received wind speed value exceeds the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30) continues for a certain period of time, the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) becomes constant, and fluctuations of the wind at the distant place are not reproduced. In such a case, according to the present embodiment, the operating mode is switched to the first operating mode, so that the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place can be reproduced in the target space (S).

On the other hand, if during execution of the first operating mode, the state in which the received wind speed value exceeds the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30) continues for less than the predetermined time, the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place can be reproduced to some extent even if the operating mode is switched to the second operating mode. Thus, in this case, the operating mode is switched to the second operating mode.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control unit (40) executes the first automatic operating mode, thereby making it possible to reproduce the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place continuously.

(5-8)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the plurality of operating modes includes the third operating mode in which the blower fan (30) is operated using the wind data as it is and in which the upper limit of the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is freely set by the user.

Some people dislike a strong wind blowing toward them from the fan (30) when they are in the target space (S). According to the present embodiment, the upper limit of the wind speed of the air blown from the fan (30) is freely set in the third operating mode. It is thus possible to reproduce the wind in the natural environment without impairing comfort, even for a person who dislikes strong wind.

(5-9)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the plurality of operating modes further includes the fourth operating mode in which the blower fan (30) is operated using the second processing data obtained by processing the wind data and in which the upper limit of the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is freely set by the user.

According to the present embodiment, the upper limit of the wind speed of the air blown from the fan (30) is freely set in the fourth operating mode. It is therefore less likely to impair the comfort, even for a person in the target space (S) who dislikes strong wind. In addition, since the fan (30) is operated using the second processing data in the fourth operating mode, conditioned air is blown from the blower fan (30). As a result, it is possible to reproduce a wind in natural environment without impairing the comfort of a person in the target space (S).

(5-10)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the second processing data is the processed wind data, adjusted so that the average wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches the average wind speed value freely set by the user. This makes it possible, in the fourth operating mode, to reproduce in the target space (S) a wind with the strength freely set by the user and the same fluctuations as those at the distant place.

(5-11)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the second processing data is generated by multiplying the time-series data on the wind speed values by the predetermined coefficient. This makes it possible to reproduce the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place while adjusting the strength of the air blown from the blower fan (30).

(5-12)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the receiver (17) receives the wind data in the first predetermined period. The average wind speed used in generating the second processing data is the average of the wind speeds in the first predetermined period.

(5-13)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the plurality of operating modes includes the second automatic operating mode in which the operating mode is automatically switched between the third operating mode and the fourth operating mode. Thus, the control unit (40) executing the second automatic operating mode enables automatic switching between the third operating mode and the fourth operating mode.

(5-14)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, in the second automatic operating mode, the operating mode is switched to the fourth operating mode, if during execution of the third operating mode, the state in which the received wind speed value exceeds the freely set upper limit of the wind speed continues for a predetermined time or longer, and is switched to the third operating mode, if during execution of the fourth operating mode, the state in which the received wind speed value exceeds the freely set upper limit of the wind speed continues for less than the predetermined time.

If during execution of the third operating mode, the state in which the received wind speed value exceeds the freely set upper limit of the wind speed continues for a certain period of time, the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) becomes constant, and fluctuations of the wind at the distant place are not reproduced. In such a case, according to the present embodiment, the operating mode is switched to the fourth operating mode, so that the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place can be reproduced in the target space (S).

On the other hand, if during execution of the fourth operating mode, the state in which the received wind speed value exceeds the freely set upper limit of the wind speed continues for less than the predetermined time, the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place can be reproduced to some extent even if the operating mode is switched to the third operating mode. Thus, in this case, the operating mode is switched to the third operating mode.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control unit (40) executes the second automatic operating mode, thereby making it possible to reproduce the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place continuously.

(5-15)

The blowing device (10) of the present embodiment further includes the input (19) for manually selecting one operating mode to be executed from among the plurality of operating modes. Accordingly, the user can select the operating mode for execution freely.

(5-16)

In the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the receiver (17) receives the wind data in the first predetermined period. The control unit (40) controls the blower fan (30) based on the wind data in the first predetermined period.

(5-17)

The blowing system (1) of the present embodiment includes the blowing device (10) and the sensor unit (50) placed at a distant place. The sensor unit (50) has the sensor (51) that detects the wind data, and the transmitter (52) that transmits the wind data detected by the sensor (51). This makes it possible to provide the blowing system (1) capable of reproducing the wind in the natural environment without impairing the comfort of the person in the target space (S).

(5-18)

The program of the present embodiment causes the computer to execute processing that controls the fan (30) of the blowing device (10) to reproduce the wind at the distant place in the target space (S). The program of the present embodiment causes the computer to execute processing for performing the first operating mode, in which the blower fan (30) is operated based on the first processing data obtained by processing the wind data related to the wind at the distant place and received by the receiver (17). This makes it possible to provide the program capable of reproducing the wind in the natural environment without impairing the comfort of the person in the target space (S).

(6) Variations

(6-1) First Variation

In the blowing device (10) of the above embodiment, an upper limit value set in advance at the time of manufacturing, instead of the upper limit value in the specifications of the blower fan (30), may be used as the upper limit value of the number of rotations of the blower fan (30) per unit time. The upper limit value of the number of rotations set in advance at the time of manufacturing is less than the upper limit value of the number of rotations in the specifications.

In this case, the fan controller (43) of the control unit (40) operates the blower fan (30) at the preset upper limit value of the number of rotations, in the range of the first processing data in which the number of rotations of the blower fan (30) exceeds the preset upper limit value during execution of the first operating mode. The fan controller (43) operates the blower fan (30) at the preset upper limit value of the number of rotations, in the range of the unprocessed data in which the number of rotations of the blower fan (30) exceeds the preset upper limit value during execution of the second operating mode.

In this case, the first condition for the control unit (40) to perform the first automatic operating mode is that the state in which the wind speed value of the wind speed data received by the receiver (17) exceeds the preset upper limit value of the number of rotations of the blower fan (30) continues for a predetermined time or longer. The second condition is that the state in which the wind speed value of the wind speed data received by the receiver (17) exceeds the preset upper limit value of the number of rotations of the blower fan (30) continues for less than a predetermined time.

Since the upper limit value of the number of rotations of the blower fan (30) is set in advance as described above, a very strong wind at the distant place is not reproduced. This makes it possible to reproduce a wind in natural environment without impairing the comfort of a person in the target space (S).

(6-2) Second Variation

In the blowing device (10) of the above embodiment, the control unit (40) may perform only the first operating mode. Further, in the blowing device (10) of the above embodiment, the plurality of operating modes may include only the first operating mode and the second operating mode, may include only the first to third operating modes, may include only the first operating mode and the third operating mode, or may include only the first operating mode, the third operating mode, and the fourth operating mode.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment will be described. A blowing device (10) of the present embodiment is the blowing device (10) of the first embodiment to which a sound generator (20) is added. Here, differences of the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment from that of the first embodiment will be described.

(1) Sound Generator

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment further includes the sound generator (20). The sound generator (20) is, for example, a speaker. The sound generator (20) generates sound resembling natural environment. The sound resembling the natural environment is, for example, the sound of blowing wind, the sound of swaying plants, the sound of falling withered leaves, the sound of a stream, a song of a small bird, or the like. The sound generated by the sound generator (20) of the present embodiment includes the sound of blowing wind.

(2) Control Unit

The control unit (40) adjusts the volume of the sound from the sound generator (20). According to the present embodiment, the control unit (40) changes the volume of the sound of blowing wind based on the wind speed data included in the wind data received by the receiver (17).

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a relationship between the received wind speed value on the horizontal axis and the sound volume on the vertical axis. As illustrated in FIG. 17, in the present embodiment, the control unit (40) increases the volume of the sound of blowing wind as the wind speed value of the received wind speed data increases. The control unit (40) decreases the volume of the sound of blowing wind as the wind speed value of the received wind speed data decreases.

(3) Features

(3-1)

The blowing device (10) of the present embodiment includes the sound generator (20) that generates the sound resembling the natural environment. Those in the target space (S) can feel as if they are in nature (a natural feel).

(3-2)

The sound resembling the natural environment, which is emitted from the sound generator (20) of the present embodiment, includes the sound of blowing wind. The control unit (40) changes the volume of the sound of blowing wind based on the data on the wind. Accordingly, the strength of the wind at the distant place can be perceived through the sense of hearing in the reproduced wind.

(4) Variations

(4-1) First Variation

In the above embodiment, if the wind speed value of the wind speed data received by the receiver (17) exceeds the upper limit value of the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) in the operating mode currently running, the control unit (40) may change the volume of the sound of blowing wind in accordance with a difference between the received wind speed value and the upper limit value of the wind speed in the operating mode currently running.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, if the wind speed value exceeding the upper limit of the wind speed in the operating mode currently running is received, the volume of the sound of blowing wind emitted from the sound generator (20) increases as the difference between the received wind speed value and the upper limit of the wind speed increases. The upper limit of the wind speed is the upper limit value of the number of rotations of the blower fan (30) in the first operating mode and the second operating mode, and is the upper limit of the wind speed value freely set by the user in the third operating mode and the fourth operating mode.

If the received wind speed value exceeds the upper limit value of the wind speed in the operating mode currently running, the air blown from the blower fan (30) is kept being blown at the upper limit of the wind speed without changes in the wind speed; therefore, fluctuations of the wind at the distant place are not reproduced. On the other hand, in the present variation, the volume of the sound of blowing wind is changed in accordance with the difference between the received wind speed value and the upper limit value of the wind speed in the operating mode currently running; therefore, the strength of the wind at the distant place can be perceived through the sense of hearing.

In the present variation, if a wind speed value equal to or below the upper limit of the wind speed value in the operating mode currently running is received, the sound of blowing wind may be emitted at a constant volume or the sound volume may be changed.

(4-2) Second Variation

In the above embodiment, the control unit (40) may change the percentages of the volume of wind sound and the volume of natural sound, based on the wind speed data included in the wind data. In this case, the sound resembling the natural environment, which is emitted from the sound generator (20), includes wind sound generated by wind and natural sound different in type from the wind sound. The sound generated by the wind is, for example, the sound of blowing wind, the sound of swaying plants, the sound of falling withered leaves, or the like. The natural sound different in type from the wind sound is, for example, the sound of a stream, a song of a small bird, or the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, for example, the control unit (40) changes the sound volume such that the volume of the wind sound increases and the volume of the natural sound decreases as the received wind speed value increases. The control unit (40) changes the sound volume such that the volume of the wind sound decreases and the volume of the natural sound increases as the received wind speed value decreases.

Since the control unit (40) changes the percentages of the volume of the wind sound and the volume of the natural sound as described above, the volume of the wind sound with respect to the volume of the natural sound changes in accordance with the strength of the wind at the distant place. Accordingly, the strength of the wind at the distant place can be perceived through the sense of hearing.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment will be described. A blowing system (1) of the present embodiment is the blowing system (1) of the first embodiment with a modified configuration of the blowing device (10). Here, differences of the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment from the blowing system (1) of the first embodiment will be described.

(1) Blowing System

As illustrated in FIG. 20, the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment includes a blowing amount adjustment device (A). The blowing amount adjustment device (A) is a device that outputs a control value for the fan (30) to control the volume of air blown from the fan (30). The fan (30) reproduces the wind at the distant place in the target space (S). The blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the present embodiment is provided in the blowing device (10). In other words, the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the present embodiment forms part of the blowing device (10). The blowing amount adjustment device (A) includes a control unit (C) that outputs the control value for the blower fan (30).

(2) Sensor Unit

The sensor unit (50) includes the sensor (51), a sensor-side communicator (52), a sensor-side storage (53), and a sensor-side control unit (54). The sensor (51) is similar to that of the first embodiment.

The sensor-side communicator (52) is communicably connected to the blowing device (10) via a communication line (45) such as the Internet. The sensor-side communicator (52) has the function of the transmitter (52) of the first embodiment and the function of a receiver that receives a signal transmitted from the blowing device (10).

The sensor-side storage (53) stores the value detected by the sensor (51). The sensor-side storage (53) has a configuration similar to that of the storage (18) of the first embodiment. The sensor-side control unit (54) has a configuration similar to that of the control unit (40) of the first embodiment.

(3) Blowing Device

The blowing device (10) includes: the main body (15) including the blower fan (30); a blowing-side communicator (17); a blowing-side storage (18), a blowing-side control unit (40), and the input (19). In the present embodiment, the blower fan (30), the main body (15), and the input (19) are similar to those of the first embodiment.

The blowing-side communicator (17) is communicably connected to the sensor unit (50) via the communication line (45) such as the Internet. The blowing-side communicator (17) has the function of the receiver (17) of the first embodiment and the function of a transmitter that transmits a signal from the blowing device (10) to the sensor unit (50).

The blowing-side storage (18) stores the wind data received by the blowing-side communicator (17). The blowing-side storage (18) is the same as the storage (18) of the first embodiment. The blowing-side control unit (40) has a configuration similar to that of the control unit (40) of the first embodiment.

The blowing-side control unit (40) has, as functional elements, an acquirer (c1) and an output determiner (c2), instead of the data processor (42) of the first embodiment. The blowing-side control unit (40) functions as the operating mode determiner (41), the acquirer (c1), the output determiner (c2), the fan controller (43), and the switcher (44) by executing programs stored in the memory device.

The blowing-side control unit (40) of the present embodiment corresponds to the control unit (C) of the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the present disclosure. The control unit (C) of the blowing amount adjustment device (A) has the function of acquiring the wind data and the function of outputting the control value for the fan (30), which differs from a control value corresponding to the acquired wind data. The “control value corresponding to the acquired wind data” refers to a control value for the blower fan (30) that reproduces the wind indicated by the acquired wind speed data as it is.

The acquirer (c1) of the blowing-side control unit (40) corresponds to the function of acquiring the wind data by the control unit (C) of the blowing amount adjustment device (A). The acquirer (c1) acquires the wind data acquired at the distant place. In the present embodiment, the acquirer (c1) acquires the wind data stored in the blowing-side storage (18).

The output determiner (c2) of the blowing-side control unit (40) corresponds to the function of outputting the control value for the blower fan (30), which differs from the control value corresponding to the wind data acquired by the control unit (C) of the blowing amount adjustment device (A). The output determiner (c2) of the present embodiment has a data processor (c3) and a control value determiner (c4).

The data processor (c3) processes the wind data to generate processing data. The control value determiner (c4) determines the control value to be output for the blower fan (30), based on the processing data generated by the data processor (c3), and outputs the determined control value. For example, a current value for controlling the blower fan (30) is output as the control value output from the control value determiner (c4).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the control value determiner (c4) determines the control value to be output for the blower fan (30), based on the processing data obtained by processing the wind data; therefore, the control value for the blower fan (30) which differs from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data is output from the output determiner (c2).

The data processor (c3) of the present embodiment is the same as the data processor (42) of the first embodiment. Thus, the same first processing data and second processing data as those of the first embodiment are generated in the data processor (c3) of the present embodiment.

The first processing data and the second processing data is the processed data, adjusted so that the average wind speed value of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches an average wind speed value freely set by the user, therefore exhibiting the same increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed as the original data. In summary, the first processing data and the second processing data are data in which the wind strength is modified from the original data, but the increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed is maintained. The control value determiner (c4) determines the control value to be output, based on the first processing data or the second processing data; therefore, the control value exhibiting the same increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed as the original data is output from the output determiner (c2).

The programs stored in the blowing-side control unit (C) cause the blowing-side control unit (C) as a computer to execute at least processing of acquiring the wind data acquired at the distant place and processing of outputting the control value different from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data. The fan controller (43) controls the blower fan (30) based on the control value output from the output determiner (c2).

(4) Operation

(4-1) Overview of Each Operating Mode

Similarly to the first embodiment, in the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment, the first operating mode, the second operating mode, the third operating mode, the fourth operating mode, the first automatic operating mode, and the second automatic operating mode are executed. The details of each operating mode are similar to those of the first embodiment.

(4-2) Operating Mode Determination Processing

The operating mode determination processing of the present embodiment is the same as explained in item (4-2) of the first embodiment, except that the control unit (C) is read as the blowing-side control unit (40) and the storage (18) is read as the blowing-side storage (18).

(4-3) Operations in First to Fourth Operating Modes

The operations in the first to fourth operating modes in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22.

(4-3-1) First Operating Mode and Fourth Operating Mode

In the first operating mode and the fourth operating mode, the blowing-side control unit (40) performs the same operation and processing. In the following description, the first operating mode will be described as an example.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, if the first operating mode is chosen as the operating mode to be executed in the operating mode determination processing, the blowing-side control unit (40) executes Step ST321. In Step ST321, the wind data received by the blowing-side communicator (17) is stored in the blowing-side storage (18).

Subsequently, the blowing-side control unit (40) executes Step ST322. In Step ST322, the blowing-side control unit (40) acquires the wind speed data included in the wind data stored in Step ST321 from the blowing-side storage (18).

Subsequently, the blowing-side control unit (40) executes Step ST323. In Step ST323, the blowing-side control unit (40) generates the first processing data based on the acquired wind speed data.

Subsequently, the blowing-side control unit (40) executes Step ST324. In Step ST324, the blowing-side control unit (40) determines a control value for the blower fan (30). Specifically, the blowing-side control unit (40) determines a control value to be output, based on the first processing data. The control value for the blower fan (30) corresponding to the first processing data is determined and output.

Subsequently, the blowing-side control unit (40) executes Step ST325. In Step ST325, the blowing-side control unit (40) controls the blower fan (30) based on the control value that is output. The wind at the distant place is therefore reproduced, adjusted to the average wind speed freely set by the user. It is thus possible to reproduce the wind at the distant place without impairing the comfort of the person in the target space (S).

When Step ST325 ends, the blowing-side control unit (40) stops the first operating mode. The blowing-side control unit (40) may execute Step ST321 again after Step ST325 ends.

In this case, the blowing-side control unit (40) continues the execution of the operation in the first operating mode until the input (19) receives an instruction to stop the operation of the blowing device (10) or change to another operating mode.

In Step ST323 of the first operating mode, the first processing data is generated as described above, while in Step ST323 of the fourth operating mode, the second processing data is generated.

In Step ST325 of the first operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30), whereas in Step ST325 of the fourth operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the upper limit of the wind speed freely set by the user.

(4-3-2) Second Operating Mode and Third Operating Mode

In the second operating mode and the third operating mode, the blowing-side control unit (40) performs the same operation and processing. In the following description, the second operating mode will be described as an example. As illustrated in FIG. 22, Step ST323 is not executed in the second operating mode, unlike the first operating mode.

Specifically, Steps ST331 to ST334 of the second operating mode are similar to Steps ST321, ST322, ST324, and ST325 of the first operating mode, respectively. In Step ST333 of the second operating mode, the blowing-side control unit (40) determines the control value to be output, based on the unprocessed data which is the acquired wind speed data itself. The control value for the blower fan (30) corresponding to the unprocessed data is determined and output. As a result, in the second operating mode, the wind at the distant place is reproduced as it is, in the target space (S).

In Step ST334 of the second operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30), whereas in Step ST334 of the third operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the upper limit of the wind speed freely set by the user. Thus, in the third operating mode, the air at the upper limit of the wind speed is blown from the blower fan (30) in the range of the unprocessed data in which the wind speed exceeds the set upper limit.

(4-4) Switching Operation in First Automatic Operating Mode and Second Automatic Operating Mode

The switching operation in the first automatic operating mode and the second automatic operating mode in the present embodiment is the same as explained in item (4-4) of the first embodiment, except that the control unit (C) is read as the blowing-side control unit (40) and the receiver (17) is read as the blowing-side communicator (17).

In the first automatic operating mode, the blowing-side control unit (40) determines whether or not a first condition is satisfied. If the result is that the first condition is satisfied, the second operating mode is switched to the first operating mode. Here, the first condition is that the state in which the wind speed value of the wind speed data received by the blowing-side communicator (17) exceeds the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30) continues for a predetermined time or longer. That is, according to the present embodiment, if the first condition is satisfied, the blowing-side control unit (40) determines the control value to be output, based on the first processing data, and outputs the control value in order to execute the first operating mode. In other words, if the first condition is satisfied, the blowing-side control unit (40) outputs the control value for the blower fan (30), which differs from the control value corresponding to the wind data acquired by the acquirer (c1).

In the second automatic operating mode, the blowing-side control unit (40) determines whether or not a third condition is satisfied. If the result is that the third condition is satisfied, the third operating mode is switched to the fourth operating mode. Here, the third condition is that the state in which the wind speed value of the wind speed data received by the blowing-side communicator (17) exceeds the upper limit of the wind speed set by a user continues for a predetermined time or longer. That is, according to the present embodiment, if the third condition is satisfied, the blowing-side control unit (40) determines the control value to be output, based on the second processing data, and outputs the control value in order to execute the fourth operating mode. In other words, if the third condition is satisfied, the blowing-side control unit (40) outputs the control value for the blower fan (30), which differs from the control value corresponding to the wind data acquired by the acquirer (c1).

In the present embodiment, the blowing-side control unit (40) executes the processing of determining whether the first to fourth conditions are satisfied, but the sensor-side control unit (54) may perform the processing. In this case, information on the result of the determination processing performed by the sensor-side control unit (54) is transmitted to the blowing device (10).

(5) Features

(5-1)

The blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the present embodiment includes the control unit (C) that outputs the control value for the blower fan (30). The control unit (C) acquires wind data acquired at the distant place, and outputs the control value that differs from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data.

In the present embodiment, the control unit (C) outputs the control value for the blower fan (30), which differs from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data. Accordingly, wind adjusted from the wind of the distant place is blown out from the blower fan (30). As a result, it is possible to reproduce a wind in natural environment without impairing the comfort of a person in the target space (S).

(5-2)

The control unit (C) of the present embodiment generates the processing data by processing the wind data, and determines the control value to be output, based on the processing data. In the present embodiment, the control unit (C) generates the processing data by processing the wind data, and determines the control value to be output, based on the processing data. Thus, the blower fan (30) can blow wind adjusted from the wind of the distant place.

(5-3)

The control unit (C) of the present embodiment outputs the control value exhibiting the same increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed as the wind data. In the present embodiment, the control value output from the control unit (C) exhibits the same increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed as the wind data. Thus, wind with the same fluctuations as that of the distant place can be reproduced in the target space (S).

(5-4)

The control unit (C) of the present embodiment outputs a control value that makes the average wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) match the average wind speed freely set by the user. In the present embodiment, the control value output from the control unit (C) is a control value that makes the average wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) match the average wind speed freely set by the user. Accordingly, a wind with the strength freely set by the user and the same fluctuations as those at the distant place is reproduced in the target space (S).

(5-5)

The control unit (C) of the present embodiment outputs the control value that differs from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data if the state in which the wind speed value of the wind data exceeds the upper limit value of the number of rotations of the blower fan (30) continues for the predetermined time or longer.

If the state in which the wind speed value of the acquired wind data exceeds the upper limit value of the number of rotations of the blower fan (30) continues for a certain period of time, the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) becomes constant at the upper limit value of the number of rotations of the fan (30), and fluctuations of the wind at the distant place are not reproduced. In such a state, according to the present embodiment, the control value that differs from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data is output, thereby making it possible to reproduce the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place in the target space (S).

(5-6)

The control unit (C) of the present embodiment outputs the control value that differs from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data if the state in which the wind speed value of the wind data exceeds the upper limit of the wind speed freely set in advance by the user continues for the predetermined time or longer.

If the state in which the wind speed value of the acquired wind data exceeds the upper limit of the wind speed freely set in advance by the user continues for a certain period of time, the wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) becomes constant at the set upper limit of the wind speed, and fluctuations of the wind at the distant place are not reproduced. In such a state, according to the present embodiment, the control value that differs from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data is output, thereby making it possible to reproduce the fluctuations of the wind at the distant place in the target space (S).

(5-7)

The blowing system (1) of the present embodiment includes a blowing amount adjustment device (A). This makes it possible to provide the blowing system capable of reproducing the wind in the natural environment without impairing the comfort of the person in the target space (S).

(6) Variations

The above embodiment may be modified as the following variations. In the following description, the differences from the embodiment will be described in principle.

(6-1) First Variation

In the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the above embodiment, the data processor (c3) may generate the processing data by multiplying the original data, which is based on the wind data, by a predetermined value. Specifically, in the present variation, the first processing data and the second processing data are generated by multiplying each wind speed value of the original data by the same predetermined coefficient.

The coefficient used to multiply the original data is set to less than 1 when it is necessary to reproduce wind weaker than that of the original data; the coefficient used to multiply the original data is set to greater than 1 when it is necessary to reproduce wind stronger than that of the original data.

Since the first processing data and the second processing data are generated by multiplying each wind speed value of the original data by the predetermined coefficient, the first processing data and the second processing data exhibits the same increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed as the original data. In summary, the first processing data and the second processing data are data in which the wind strength is modified from the original data, but the increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed is maintained. The control value determiner (c4) determines the control value to be output, based on the first processing data or the second processing data; therefore, the control value exhibiting the same increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed as the original data is output from the output determiner (c2).

In the present variation, the data processor (c3) of the control unit (C) adjusts the control value for the blower fan (30) by multiplying the original data by the predetermined value; therefore, the strength of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is adjusted. Thus, in the target space (S), wind is reproduced with a modified strength from the wind of the distant place, while maintaining the same fluctuations as those of the distant place. The predetermined coefficient here includes coefficients other than the coefficients that convert the wind speed to the user's preferred average wind speed, unlike in above the embodiment.

(6-2) Second Variation

In the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the above embodiment, the data processor (c3) may generate the processing data by multiplying the original data, which is based on the wind data, by a predetermined value corresponding to the wind speed value. Specifically, in the present variation, the first processing data and the second processing data are generated by multiplying each wind speed value of the original data by a predetermined coefficient shown in a table of FIG. 23. The table showing the predetermined coefficients is stored in advance in the blowing-side storage (18).

The table illustrated in FIG. 23 is a table showing wind speed values and coefficients corresponding to the wind speed values. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, when the wind speed value is A, the processing data is generated by multiplying the wind speed value by 0.7; when the wind speed value is B, the processing data is generated by multiplying the wind speed value by 1.0; and when the wind speed value is C, the processing data is generated by multiplying the wind speed value by 1.15. The wind speed values A, B, and C in this table are specific numerical values. The wind speed value A is the greatest. The wind speed value B is smaller than the wind speed value A. The wind speed value C is smaller than the wind speed value B (A>B>C). In other words, in this table, the higher the wind speed, the smaller the corresponding coefficient.

A range of values may be shown as the wind speed values A to C in this table. For example, in this table, the corresponding coefficient may be 0.7 when the wind speed value x of the original data is a1 or more and a2 or less (a1≤x≤a2). The table for use to generate the first processing data and the table for use to generate the second processing data may be identical or different.

Since the first processing data and the second processing data are generated by multiplying each wind speed value of the original data by the predetermined coefficient, the first processing data and the second processing data exhibits the same increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed as the original data. In summary, the first processing data and the second processing data are data in which the wind strength is modified from the original data, but the increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed is maintained. The control value determiner (c4) determines the control value to be output, based on the first processing data or the second processing data; therefore, the control value exhibiting the same increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed as the original data is output from the output determiner (c2).

In the present variation as well, the data processor (c3) of the control unit (C) adjusts the control value for the blower fan (30) by multiplying the original data by the predetermined value; therefore, the strength of the air blown from the blower fan (30) is adjusted. Thus, in the target space (S), wind is reproduced with a modified strength from the wind of the distant place, while maintaining the same fluctuations as those of the distant place.

(6-3) Third Variation

In the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the above embodiment, the data processor (c3) may generate the processing data by performing a computation on the original data, which is based on the wind data, using a predetermined function. Specifically, in the present variation, the processing data is generated based on a predetermined function f(x). A value x to be input here is the wind speed value of the original data. The predetermined function f(x) is stored in advance in the blowing-side storage (18). The function for use to generate the first processing data and the function for use to generate the second processing data may be identical or different.

The predetermined function f(x) is used to calculate a value that maintains the increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed of the original data. Thus, in the present variation as well, the first processing data and the second processing data exhibits the same increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed as the original data. In summary, the first processing data and the second processing data are data in which the wind strength is modified from the original data, but the increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed is maintained. The control value determiner (c4) determines the control value to be output, based on the first processing data or the second processing data; therefore, the control value exhibiting the same increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed as the original data is output from the output determiner (c2).

In the present variation, the control unit (C) performs a computation on the data, which is based on the wind data, by using the predetermined function. Since the control value for the blower fan (30) is adjusted in this manner, the strength of the wind blown from the blower fan (30) is adjusted and wind is reproduced in the target space (S) with a modified strength from the wind of the distant place, while maintaining the same fluctuations as those of the distant place.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment will be described below. The blowing system (1) of the present embodiment differs from the blowing system (1) of the third embodiment in that the blowing amount adjustment device (A) is provided not in the blowing device (10) but in the sensor unit (50). Here, differences of the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment from the blowing system (1) of the third embodiment will be described.

(1) Blowing System

As illustrated in FIG. 24, the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment includes the blowing amount adjustment device (A) in the sensor unit (50). In other words, the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the present embodiment forms part of the sensor unit (50).

The sensor-side control unit (54) of the sensor unit (50) has, as functional elements, the acquirer (c1) and the output determiner (c2). In other words, the sensor-side control unit (54) functions as the acquirer (c1) and the output determiner (c2) by executing programs stored in the memory device.

The sensor-side control unit (54) of the present embodiment corresponds to the control unit (C) of the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the present disclosure. The acquirer (c1) and output determiner (c2) of the sensor-side control unit (54) are the same as those of the third embodiment.

The blowing-side control unit (40) of the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment is the same as the blowing-side control unit (40) of the third embodiment without the acquirer (c1) and the output determiner (c2).

(2) Operation

In the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment, a plurality of operating modes similar to those of the third embodiment is executed. The details of each operating mode are the same as those of the first embodiment. The “operating mode determination processing” and the “switching operation in the first automatic operating mode and the second automatic operating mode” in the present embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment.

(2-1) Operations in First Operating Mode and Fourth Operating Mode

Next, the operation in the first operating mode of the present embodiment will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 25, the first operating mode of the present embodiment additionally includes communication processing between the blowing device (10) and the sensor unit (50) as compared to the first operating mode of the third embodiment.

Specifically, if the first operating mode is chosen as the operating mode to be executed in the operating mode determination processing, the blowing-side control unit (40) executes Step ST421. In Step ST421, the blowing-side communicator (17) transmits a signal to the sensor unit (50) to request a control value required in the first operating mode.

Subsequently, when the sensor-side communicator (52) receives the signal transmitted in Step ST421, the sensor-side control unit (54) executes Step ST422. In Step ST422, the same processing as that in Step ST322 of the third embodiment is executed.

Subsequently, the sensor-side control unit (54) executes Step ST423 and Step ST424. In Steps ST423 and ST424, the same processing as in Steps ST323 and ST324 of the third embodiment is executed.

Subsequently, the sensor-side control unit (54) executes Step ST425. In Step ST425, the sensor-side communicator (52) transmits the control value output from the sensor-side control unit (54) to the blowing device (10).

Subsequently, the blowing-side control unit (40) executes Step ST426. In Step ST426, the same processing as that in Step ST325 of the third embodiment is executed. The wind at the distant place is therefore reproduced, adjusted to the average wind speed freely set by the user. It is thus possible to reproduce the wind at the distant place without impairing the comfort of the person in the target space (S).

When Step ST426 ends, the blowing-side control unit (40) stops the first operating mode. The blowing-side control unit (40) may execute Step ST421 again after Step ST426 ends. In this case, the blowing-side control unit (40) continues the execution of the operation in the first operating mode until the input (19) receives an instruction to stop the operation of the blowing device (10) or change to another operating mode.

In the fourth operating mode of the present embodiment, the sensor-side control unit (54) and the blowing-side control unit (40) perform the same operation and processing as those in the first operating mode. In the fourth operating mode, the second processing data is generated in Step ST423.

(2-2) Operations in Second Operating Mode and Third Operating Mode

Next, the operation in the second operating mode of the present embodiment will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 26, Step ST423 is not executed in the second operating mode, unlike the first operating mode.

Specifically, Steps ST431 to ST435 in the second operating mode are similar to Steps ST421, ST422, and ST424 to ST426 in the first operating mode, respectively. In Step ST433 in the second operating mode, the blowing-side control unit (40) determines a control value to be output based on the acquired unprocessed data. The control value for the blower fan (30) corresponding to the unprocessed data is determined and output. As a result, in the second operating mode, the wind at the distant place is reproduced, adjusted to the average wind speed freely set by the user. It is thus possible to reproduce the wind at the distant place without impairing the comfort of the person in the target space (S).

In the third operating mode of the present embodiment, the sensor-side control unit (54) and the blowing-side control unit (40) perform the same operation and processing as those in the second operating mode.

(3) Features

The present embodiment has similar features to those of the third embodiment. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the control unit (C) of the blowing amount adjustment device (A) outputs the control value for the blower fan (30), which differs from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data; therefore, wind adjusted from the wind at the distant place is blown from the blower fan (30). As a result, it is possible to reproduce a wind in natural environment without impairing the comfort of a person in the target space (S).

(4) Variations

The first to third variations of the third embodiment can be applied to the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the above embodiment. As a result, features and effects similar to those of the first to third variations of the third embodiment can be obtained in the above embodiment as well.

Fifth Embodiment

A fifth embodiment will be described below. The blowing system (1) of the present embodiment differs from the blowing system (1) of the third embodiment in that the blowing amount adjustment device (A) is provided not in the blowing device (10) but in a server device (60). Here, differences of the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment from the blowing system (1) of the third embodiment will be described.

(1) Blowing System

As illustrated in FIG. 27, the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment includes a single blowing device (10), a single sensor unit (50), and a single server device (60). The blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the present embodiment is provided in the server device (60). In other words, the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the present embodiment forms part of the server device (60).

(2) Server Device

The server device (60) has a server-side communicator (61), a server-side storage (62), and a server-side control unit (63).

The server-side communicator (61) is communicably connected to the sensor unit (50) and the blowing device (10) via the communication line (45) such as the Internet. The server-side communicator (61) has the function of a transmitter that transmits a signal and the function of a receiver that receives a signal.

The server-side storage (62) stores the value detected by the sensor (51), which is transmitted from the sensor unit (50). The server-side storage (62) has a configuration similar to that of the storage (18) of the first embodiment. The server-side control unit (63) has a configuration similar to that of the control unit (40) of the first embodiment. The server-side control unit (63) has, as functional elements, the acquirer (c1) and the output determiner (c2). In other words, the server-side control unit (63) functions as the acquirer (c1) and the output determiner (c2) by executing programs stored in the memory device.

The server-side control unit (63) of the present embodiment corresponds to the control unit (C) of the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the present disclosure. The acquirer (c1) and output determiner (c2) of the server-side control unit (63) are the same as those of the third embodiment.

The blowing device (10) of the present embodiment is the same as the blowing device (10) of the fourth embodiment. The sensor unit (50) of the present embodiment is the same as the sensor unit (50) of the third embodiment.

(2) Operation

In the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment, a plurality of operating modes similar to those of the third embodiment is executed. The details of each operating mode are the same as those of the first embodiment. The “operating mode determination processing” and the “switching operation in the first automatic operating mode and the second automatic operating mode” in the present embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment.

The operations in the first operating mode and the fourth operating mode in the present embodiment are the same as explained in item (2-1) of the fourth embodiment, except that the sensor unit (50) is read as the server device (60); the sensor-side communicator (52) is read as the server-side communicator (61); the sensor-side control unit (54) is read as the server-side control unit (63); and the sensor-side storage (53) is read as the server-side storage (62). In addition, the operations in the second operating mode and the third operating mode in the present embodiment are the same as explained in item (2-2) of the fourth embodiment, except that the same replacement as made in the description of the first operating mode and the fourth operating mode is made.

(3) Features

The present embodiment has similar features to those of the third embodiment. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the control unit (C) of the blowing amount adjustment device (A) outputs the control value for the blower fan (30), which differs from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data; therefore, wind adjusted from the wind at the distant place is blown from the blower fan (30). As a result, it is possible to reproduce a wind in natural environment without impairing the comfort of a person in the target space (S).

(4) Variations

The first to third variations of the third embodiment can be applied to the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the above embodiment. As a result, features and effects similar to those of the first to third variations of the third embodiment can be obtained in the above embodiment as well.

Sixth Embodiment

A sixth embodiment will be described below. A blowing system (1) of the present embodiment is the blowing system (1) of the third embodiment with a modified configuration of the blowing-side control unit (40). Here, differences of the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment from the blowing system (1) of the third embodiment will be described.

(1) Blowing Device

As illustrated in FIG. 28, in the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, the blowing-side control unit (40) includes the output determiner (c2) as a functional element, and the output determiner (c2) includes a control value determiner (c4) and a corrector (c5).

The control value determiner (c4) determines a control value for the blower fan (30) corresponding to the wind data. The control value determiner (c4) of the present embodiment determines a control value corresponding to the original data. The “control value corresponding to the original data” refers to a control value for the blower fan (30) that reproduces the wind indicated by the acquired wind speed data as it is.

The corrector (c5) corrects the control value determined by the control value determiner (c4). In addition, the corrector (c5) chooses the corrected control value as the control value to be output, and outputs the control value.

According to the present embodiment, the corrector (c5) corrects the control value for the blower fan (30) as described above; therefore, the control value for the blower fan (30), which differs from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data, is output from the output determiner (c2). In other words, the output determiner (c2) of the present embodiment outputs the control value for the blower fan (30), which differs from the control value corresponding to the acquired wind data, by changing the control value for the blower fan (30) without processing of the acquired wind data.

The corrector (c5) corrects the control value so that the average wind speed value of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches the average wind speed value freely set by the user. Specifically, in the present embodiment, correction data is generated by multiplying data of the control value determined by the control value determiner (c4) by a predetermined coefficient. The data of the control value determined by the control value determiner (c4) is data based on the wind data. The corrector (c5) generates first correction data used in the first operating mode and second correction data used in the fourth operating mode.

The first correction data and the second correction data are data corrected such that the average wind speed value of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches the average wind speed value freely set by the user, therefore exhibiting the same increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed as the original data. In summary, the first correction data and the second correction data are data in which the wind strength is modified from the original data, but the increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed is maintained. The corrector (c5) outputs the first correction data or the second correction data chosen as the control value to be output; therefore, the control value exhibiting the same increasing and decreasing tendency in wind speed as the original data is output from the output determiner (c2).

(4) Operation

In the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment, a plurality of operating modes similar to those of the third embodiment is executed. The details of each operating mode are the same as those of the first embodiment. The “operating mode determination processing” and the “switching operation in the first automatic operating mode and the second automatic operating mode” in the present embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment.

(4-1) Operations in First Operating Mode and Fourth Operating Mode

Next, the operation in the first operating mode of the present embodiment will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 29, the first operating mode of the present embodiment differs from the first operating mode of the third embodiment in the output determining processing.

Specifically, if the first operating mode is chosen as the operating mode to be executed in the operating mode determination processing, the blowing-side control unit (40) executes Step ST621 and Step ST622. In Steps ST621 and ST622, the same processing as in Steps ST321 and ST322 of the third embodiment is executed.

Subsequently, the blowing-side control unit (40) executes Step ST623. In Step ST623, the blowing-side control unit (40) determines a control value for the blower fan (30) in accordance with the original data.

Subsequently, the blowing-side control unit (40) executes Step ST624. In Step ST624, the blowing-side control unit (40) corrects the control value determined by the control value determiner (c4) and generates a first correction data. Then, the blowing-side control unit (40) outputs the first correction data chosen as the control value to be output. Specifically, in Step ST624, the first correction data is generated by multiplying the data of the control value determined in Step ST623 by a predetermined coefficient γ. The predetermined coefficient γ is a coefficient which converts the data of the control value that is determined in Step ST623 such that the average wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches the average wind speed freely set by the user.

Subsequently, the blowing-side control unit (40) executes Step ST625. In Step ST625, the same processing as that in Step ST325 of the third embodiment is executed. The wind at the distant place is therefore reproduced, adjusted to the average wind speed freely set by the user. It is thus possible to reproduce the wind at the distant place without impairing the comfort of the person in the target space (S). In the first operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30). Thus, in the first operating mode, the air at the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30) is blown from the blower fan (30) in the range of the first correction data in which the wind speed exceeds the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30).

In the fourth operating mode of the present embodiment, the blowing-side control unit (40) performs the same operation and processing as those in the first operating mode. In Step ST624 of the first operating mode, the first correction data is generated as described above, while in Step ST624 of the fourth operating mode, the second correction data is generated. Specifically, in Step ST624 of the fourth operating mode, the second correction data is generated by multiplying the data of the control value determined in Step ST623 by a predetermined coefficient δ. The predetermined coefficient δ is a coefficient which converts the data of the control value that is determined in Step ST623 such that the average wind speed of the air blown from the blower fan (30) matches the average wind speed freely set by the user.

In Step ST625 of the first operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30), whereas in Step ST625 of the fourth operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the upper limit of the wind speed freely set by the user. Thus, in the fourth operating mode, the air at the set upper limit of the wind speed is blown from the blower fan (30) in the range of the second correction data in which the wind speed exceeds the set upper limit.

(4-2) Operations in Second Operating Mode and Third Operating Mode

Next, the operation in the second operating mode of the present embodiment will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 30, Step ST624 is not executed in the second operating mode, unlike the first operating mode.

Specifically, Steps ST631 to ST634 in the second operating mode are similar to Steps ST621 to ST623, and ST625 in the first operating mode, respectively. In Step ST633 in the second operating mode, the blowing-side control unit (40) determines a control value for the blower fan (30) in accordance with the original data. Specifically, the blowing-side control unit (40) determines the control value to be output, based on the unprocessed data which is the acquired wind speed data itself. The control value for the blower fan (30) corresponding to the unprocessed data is determined and output. As a result, in the second operating mode, the wind at the distant place is reproduced as it is, in the target space (S).

In the third operating mode of the present embodiment, the blowing-side control unit (40) performs the same operation and processing as those in the second operating mode. In Step ST634 of the second operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the maximum wind speed of the blower fan (30), whereas in Step ST634 of the third operating mode, the upper limit of the wind speed of the blower fan (30) is the upper limit of the wind speed freely set by the user. Thus, in the third operating mode, the air at the upper limit of the wind speed is blown from the blower fan (30) in the range of the unprocessed data in which the wind speed exceeds the set upper limit.

(5) Features

In the present embodiment, the control unit (C) of the blowing amount adjustment device (A) determines the control value corresponding to the wind data, corrects the determined control value, and determines the corrected value as the control value to be output. Thus, the blower fan (30) can blow wind adjusted from the wind of the distant place.

(6) Variations

The blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the above embodiment may be provided in the sensor unit (50) or the server device (60) as in the fourth and fifth embodiments. The variations of the third to fifth embodiments can be applied to the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the above embodiment. As a result, features and effects similar to those of the third to fifth embodiments and their variations can be obtained in the above embodiment as well.

Seventh Embodiment

A seventh embodiment will be described below. A blowing system (1) of the present embodiment is the blowing system (1) of the third embodiment in which a determiner is added to the blowing-side control unit (40). Here, differences of the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment from the blowing system (1) of the third embodiment will be described.

(1) Blowing Device

In the blowing control unit (C) of the blowing device (10) of the present embodiment, a determiner as a functional element is added to the blowing-side control unit (40) of the third embodiment. The determiner determines whether or not a fifth condition is satisfied. The fifth condition is that the state in which the wind speed value (original data) of the wind data is equal to or below a predetermined reference value continues for a predetermined time or longer. The predetermined reference value here is a very small wind speed value. If the fifth condition is satisfied, the distant place is considered being in a state of very weak, gentle wind or windless conditions.

In the present embodiment, the determiner determines whether the state in which the average wind speed value in one set of wind data received from the sensor unit (50) is equal to or below the predetermined reference value continues for the predetermined time or longer. The determiner may determine whether the state in which the maximum value of the wind speed value in one set of wind data is equal to or below the predetermined reference value continues for the predetermined time or longer. In other words, in the present embodiment, the determiner makes determination based on one set of wind data transmitted from the sensor unit (50).

In the present embodiment, if the fifth condition is satisfied, the data processor (c3) of the output determiner (c2) processes the original data to generate third processing data. The third processing data is data obtained by amplifying the wind speed value of the original data which is data based on the wind data. The data processor (c3) generates the third processing data by multiplying the original data by a predetermined coefficient set in advance. The data processor (c3) may generate the third processing data by adding a predetermined value set in advance to the original data.

In the present embodiment, the determination processing by the determiner is executed during execution of any of the plurality of operating modes. Thus, if the fifth condition is satisfied, in any of the operating modes, the third processing data is generated in the data processor (c3), and the blower fan (30) is controlled based on the third processing data.

(2) Features

In the present embodiment, the control unit (C) of the blowing amount adjustment device (A) amplifies the data based on the wind data if the state in which the wind speed value of the wind data is equal to or below the predetermined reference value continues for the predetermined time or longer. If the wind speed value of the wind data acquired by the control unit (C) is equal to or below the predetermined reference value, a very light wind is blowing at the distant place. If such a light wind continues for a certain period of time, the wind blown from the blower fan (30) is weak and not perceivable by the person in the target space (S). In such a state, according to the present embodiment, the control unit (C) amplifies the original data so that the person in the target space (S) can receive the wind reproducing the distant place continuously.

(3) Variations

The above embodiment may be modified as the following variations. In the following description, the differences from the embodiment will be described in principle.

(3-1) First Variation

In the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the above embodiment, the control unit (C) may determine the control value to be output, based on alternative data if the state in which the wind speed value of the wind data is equal to or below a predetermined reference value continues for the predetermined time or longer.

Specifically, the blowing-side storage (18) stores alternative data related to wind in advance. In the present variation, the blowing-side storage (18) corresponds to a storage of the present disclosure. The alternative data differs from the wind data received in real time from the sensor unit (50). The alternative data may be wind data received from the sensor unit (50) in the past and stored in the blowing-side storage (18), or may be wind data stored in the blowing-side storage (18) at the time of manufacturing of the blowing device (10).

If the determiner determines that the fifth condition is satisfied, the control value determiner (c4) of the blowing-side control unit (40) determines the control value to be output for the blower fan (30), based on the alternative data. In this case, the output determiner (c2) outputs the control value that differs from the control value corresponding to the wind data acquired by the acquirer (c1).

In the present embodiment, the control unit (C) determines the control value to be output, based on alternative data if the state in which the wind speed value of the wind data is equal to or below a predetermined reference value continues for the predetermined time or longer. Thus, if the distant place is in a state of gentle wind or windless conditions, the control value to be output is determined based on the alternative data so that the person in the target space (S) can receive the wind reproducing the distant place continuously.

(3-2) Second Variation

The blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the above embodiment may be provided in the sensor unit (50) or the server device (60) as in the fourth and fifth embodiments. The variations of the third to fifth embodiments can be applied to the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the above embodiment. As a result, features and effects similar to those of the third to fifth embodiments and their variations can be obtained in the above embodiment as well.

In the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the embodiment above, the output determiner (c2) as in the sixth embodiment may be the control value determiner (c4) and the corrector (c5). In this case, features and effects similar to those of the sixth embodiment and its variations can be obtained in the above embodiment as well.

(3-3) Third Variation

In the above embodiment, the blowing-side control unit (40) has the determiner, and the blowing-side control unit (40) executes the processing of determining whether the fifth condition is satisfied. However, the determiner may be provided in the sensor-side control unit (54) or the server-side control unit (63).

Eighth Embodiment

An eighth embodiment will be described below. A blowing system (1) of the present embodiment is the blowing system (1) of the third embodiment in which a sound generator (20) is added. Here, differences of the blowing system (1) of the present embodiment from the blowing system (1) of the third embodiment will be described.

(1) Sound Generator

The blowing device (10) of the present embodiment includes the sound generator (20). The sound generator (20) of the present embodiment is the same as the sound generator (20) of the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the blowing-side control unit (40) outputs a signal for generating sound resembling natural environment, in accordance with the original data which is based on the wind data. Specifically, the blowing-side control unit (40) adjusts the volume of the sound (e.g., the sound of blowing wind) generated by the sound generator (20) based on the original data. Specifically, similarly to the second embodiment, the blowing-side control unit (40) changes the sound volume as shown in FIG. 17.

In the present embodiment, the control unit (C) outputs the signal for generating the sound resembling the natural environment in accordance with the data based on the wind data; therefore, the sound resembling the natural environment is emitted from a device that generates the sound.

(2) Variations

The variations of the second embodiment may be applied to the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the above embodiment. As a result, features and effects similar to those of the variations of the second embodiment can be obtained in the above embodiment as well.

The fourth to seventh embodiments and their variations may be applied to the blowing amount adjustment device (A) of the above embodiment. As a result, features and effects similar to those of the fourth to seventh embodiments and their variations can be obtained in the above embodiment as well.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The above embodiments and the variations thereof may be configured as follows.

According to the blowing device (10) of each of the above embodiments and its variations may be provided in an air conditioner. In this case, the air conditioner includes the blowing device (10) and a heat exchanger that causes supply air sucked into the blowing device (10) to exchange heat with a heat medium to adjust the temperature of the supply air. The air conditioner blows out the supply air whose temperature is adjusted when passing through the heat exchanger, through the blowing device (10).

According to the blowing device (10) of each of the above embodiments and its variations, a so-called ion wind device may be provided in the main body (15). The ion wind device is configured to generate plasma by electric discharge and use the plasma to cause wind.

According to the blowing system (1) of each of the above embodiments and its variations, the storage (18) may be provided at a location other than the blowing device (10). For example, the storage (18) may be provided in a server device connected to the communication line (45).

While the embodiments and variations thereof have been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. The elements according to embodiment, the variations thereof, and the other embodiments may be combined and replaced with each other.

The expressions such as “first,” “second,” “third,” . . . , described above are used to distinguish the terms to which these expressions are given, and do not limit the number and order of the terms.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the present disclosure is useful for the blowing amount adjustment device and the blowing system.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

• • 1 Blowing System
  • 18 Storage (Blowing-Side Storage)
  • 30 Blower Fan (Fan)
  • A Blowing Amount Adjustment Device
  • C Control Unit
  • S Target Space