Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
AROMA SUPPLY APPAE~ATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIOM
The present invention relates to aroma supply
apparatuses for supplying adequate aroma to various spaces
such as internal spaces within a building, internal spaces
within a vessel or ship, an automo-t~ve vehicle and an
aircraft, and so on, within an adequate period of time and at
an optimum concentration and, more particularly, to an aroma
supply apparatus for supplying aroma to a space wi-thin which
mankind is active, to create comfortable environment.
In recent years, concern or interest with respect
to aroma increases as means for improving living environment.
No~ only a masking is applied to a bad smell or an offens~ve
odor such as cigarette and so on by an indoor aromatic or the
like, but also consideration has been made to superior
advantages in which aroma exerts a human being
physiologically or psychologically.
Conventionally, the physiological or psychological
effects of aroma exerted upon a human being have bean known
empirically as "aromaterapy" or the lika. In recent years,
however, it has been pxoved from researches and so on on the
companion negative variation tCNV) of the brain waves of a
human ~eingr and the like that a cert~in aroma has arousing
and sedation effects and physiological activity with respect
to the human being. Further, i~ aroma such as lemon or the
like is mixed with conditioned air within a council room or a
keypuncher room, and is supplied, ~t has also been confirmed
empirically that there are effects in an improvement in
efficiency of the conference, a reduction in punch mistakes
of a keypuncher; and so on.
In the manner described above, there are aromas
having effects of activating a mind to activate arousing or a
cure for drowslness and circulatory functionsr like lemon
aroma, e~fects of sPdating a mind to dissolve stress,
uneasiness, melancholy and so on like lavander aroma, effects
of an increase in appetite, relaxation and so on like
- .
- ' .- ~ ~
.
rosemary aroma, effec-ts of sterilizing bacteria injurious to
a human body and a virus -to recover health physically like
phittonchid. It has been considered that it is useful in an
improvement in the living environment to effectively utilize
the effects which the aroma has.
By the way, there are many cases where the aromatic
is generally liquid. Aroma of the aromatic is usually
composed of aromatic components which reach a few kinds or
types -to few hundred kinds or types. The aromatic components
differ from each other in volatili~y. For this reason, when
the aromatics including various aromatic components are
naturally vaporized, aromatic components easy to be
volatilized are first vaporized. Thus, it is dificult to
generate aroma that is the ob~ect, and the components and
compositions of the generated aroma change with the passage
of time so that the quality of smsll or odor i5 altered.
In view of the above, in recent years, various
aroma supply apparatuses have been developed in which liquid
aroma is mistecl and mixed with air thereby being vaporized.
As one of such aroma supply apparatuses, for instance, as
shown in Fig. 12 of the attached drawings, an aroma supply
apparatus has been known in which ultrasonic waves are
utilized to mist the liquid aroma.
The ultrasonie aroma supply apparatus comprlses an
air pump 1, an aromatie vaporization chamber 2 arranged
downstream of the air pump l, an aromatic supply unit 3 for
supplying li~uid aromatic ~o the aromatic vaporizatio~
chamber 2, an ultrasonic radiator 4 arranged within the
aromatic vaporiza~ion chambar 2, and an ultrasonic oscillator
5 connected to the ultrasonie radiator 4. The air pump 1,
the aromatic supply unit 3 and the ultrasonie oscillator 5
are controlled by a programmable controller 6.
The aromatic supply unit 3 lneludes an aromatic
storage tank 7 for storing therein a li~uid aromatic, a
micro-liquid-delivery pump 8 for supplying the liquld
aromatic within the aromatic storage tank 7 to the aromatic
vaporizing chamber 2, and an aromatlc in~ection nozzle 9 for
in~ecting the liquid aromatic supplied from the micro-liquid~
: . . , . ~ - .,.
delivery pump 8, a~ainst an ultrasonic oscillation surface of
the ultrason~c radiator 4.
In the conventional aroma supply apparatus
constructed as above, however, in control of a generation
quantity of aroma, both a supply quantity of the liquid
aromatic injected through the aromatic in;ection nozzle 9 and
an in-tensity of the ultrasonic waves oscillated at the
ultrasonic radiator 4 must be controlled. Thus, the
following problems arise. That is, since lt is d1fficult to
control the supply ~antity of the liquid aromatic and the
intensity of the ultrasonic waves in a wall balanced manner,
it is difficult to generate a predetermined quantity of aroma
and, at thls time, it is difficult to vaporize the liquid
aromatic without waste.
Further, the following problem further arises.
That is, in the above aroma supply apparatus, since the
generation ~uantity of aroma is controlled by a program which
is based on information given beforehand, it is difficult to
quantitatively control strictly -the aroma quantity generated.
Furthermore, in recent years, an aroma supply
apparatus has also been developed in which the aromatic is
for~ibly vaporized whereby a ratio among the various aromatic
components contained in the generated aroma i5 always
maintained at a constant value, and the aroma is mixed with
conditioned air to supply the mixture to a room thereby being
di~tributed evenly or uniformly within the entire room.
As RhOWn in Fig. 13 of the attached drawings, the
above-described aroma supply apparatus is arranged such that
the aromatic is supplied to an air conditioning duct 12
connected to an air conditioner ll whereby aroma of the
aromatic is supplied to a room together with the conditioned
air. The aroma supply apparatus comprises an aromatic
reservoir 13, an aromatic supply pump 14, an air supply
blower 15, an aromatic vaporization chamber 16 and an
impactor 16a.
Connected to the aromatic vaporization chamber 16
are an aromatic supply tube 17 through which the aromatic
within the aromatic reservoir 13 is supplied to the aromatic
: . . . .
,
vaporization chamber 16, an air supply tube 18 through which
air is supplied from the air supply blower 15, and an air-
conditloning-duc-t connecting tube 19 connected to tha air
conditioning duct 12 to supply the vaporized aromatic
thereto. The aromatic supply tube 17 is provided therein
with the aromatic supply pump 14 and a flow-rate regulator
valve 20. The air supply tube 18 is provided therein with
the air supply blower 15 and a flow-rate regulator valve 21.
Further, the aromatic supply pump 14, the flow-rate re~ulator
valve 20, the air supply blower 15 and the flow-rate
regulator valve 21 arA all connected to a controller 22. By
this controller 22, operation and suspension of the aromatic
supply pump 14 and the aromatic supply blower 15 are
controlled. Opening degrees of the respective flow-rate
regulator valves 20 and 21 are controlled thereby ad~usting
the supply quantlty of the aromatic to the air conditioning
duct 12. In this connection, the aromatic supply pump 14,
the flow-rate regulator valve 20, the air supply blower 15
and the flow-rate regulator valve 21 may be operated in
interlocking relation to the air conditioner 11.
The aromatic vaporlzation chamber 16 is provided
therein with a mechanism for misting the aromatic to forcibly
vaporize the same. As the misting mechanism, there is a
spraying mechanism utilizing a spray Iprincipal, or an
ultrasonic mechanism in which ultrasomic waves are utilized
to mist the aromatic.
By the way, when the aroma is suppliad to the room
from supply openings of the air conditioning, the aroma is
diluted and diffused to spread out in the room. Accordingly,
a concentration C of the aroma at a location spaced away from
the supply openings by a distance x and at a time t is
expressed by the following complicated eguation:
C = f(Tr~ Ts, V, Cs, x, t, C~
The above equation is expressed, in addition to ~ and t, by a
room temperature Tr~ temperature Ts and an air volume Y of
air supplied, a concentration C~ of the aroma supplied, and
,
Accordingly, in order to ad~ust th~ concentration
of the aroma within the room that is the subject, it has been
considered to necessitate that the function f is obtained to
know the condition of the aroma within the entire room.
Since, however, it is extremely difficult to obtain the
function f, in substitution therefor, it is considered
effective that at least one sensor is arranged within the
room, and the condition of the aroma within the entire room
is approximately obtained on the basis of information from
the sensor.
However, the above aroma supply apparatus has its
ob~ect to evenly or uni*ormly add the aroma to a slngle or a
plurality of spaces that are the subJect. Accordingly, there
is such a problem that a concentration difference of the
aroma cannot intentionally bs created for the individual
spaces, or for a plurality of regions within a single space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
. _
It is therefore an ob~ect of the invention to
provide an aroma supply apparatus capable of vaporizing all a
liquid aromatic without waste, and capable of quantitatively
controlling a generation quantity of the aroma strictly.
It is another obJect of ~he, invention to provide an
aroma supply apparatus capable of intentionally creatlng a
concentration difference of an aroma for individual spaces or
for regions within a single space.
According to the invention, there is provided an
aroma supply apparatus comprising~
at least one aroma supply unit ~ncluding a aromatic
reservoir having accumulated thereln a liquid aromatic,
aromatic supply means for supplying the liquid aromatic
within the aromatic reservoir to a location ad~acent an end
of the aromatic reservoir, an ultrasonic radiator arranged
ad~acent the location for misting the liquid aromatia, and an
ultrasonic oscillator connected to the ultrasonic radiator;
control means connected to the ultrasonic
oscillator for controlling an intensity of ultrasonic waves
oscillated by the ultrasonic radiator; and
air supply means for supplyin~ air toward the
location and the ultrasonic radiator,
wherein the liquid aromatic supplied by the
aromatic supply means is misted and mixed with the air
supplied by the air supply means so as to be vaporized, and
the vaporized liquid aromatic is supplied to a predetermined
space toge-ther with the air.
What the "aroma" is in this specification is not
only aroma which is superior and which improves feeling, but
also aromas due respectively to various aromatics which act
physiologically and psychologically to exhibit various
effects such as fatigue recovery, sedation of a mind and
activation of a mind, or includes aromatic substances or tha
like having sterilization action, physiological ac-~ve action
and so on like phittonchid which is diffused by plants.
With the arrangement of the invention, the liquid
aromatic within the aromatic reservoir is supplied by the
aromatic supply means, and the liquid aromatlc supplied by
the aromatic supply means is quickly misted by the ultrasonic
waves oscillated by the ultrasonic radiator. The mist is
mixed with the air supplied by the ai.r supply means and is
quickly vaporized. Accordingly, only maintainin~ of the
intensity of the ultrasonic waves osc:Lllated by the
ultrasonic radiator to a constant value enablas a genaration
quantity of aroma to be maintained at a constant value.
Furthar, in the aroma supply apparatus, an ~utflow guantity
of the liquid aromatic discharged by the aromatic supply
means varies or changes in accordance with the in-tensity of
the ultrasonic waves. Thus, the intensity of the ultrasonlc
waves is controlled by the control means, whereby the
generation quantity of aroma can accura-tely be controlled,
and the supplied liquid aromatic can all be vaporized without
waste.
Preferably, the aromatic supply means comprises a
bundle of capillary tubes which has its lower end immersed in
the li~uid aromatic within the aromatic reservoir. Thé
ultrasonic radiator is arranyed ad~acent an upper end of the
118~
bundle of capillary tubes. Aroma detectlng means is arranged
ad~acen-t -the ul-trasonic radiator for detecting aroma of the
vaporized liquid aromatic. The control means connected to
the ultrasonic oscillator is connected to the aroma detec-ting
means.
With the above arrangement of the invention, the
aroma detecting means is arranged ad;acent the ultrasonic
radiator connected to the ultrasonic oscillator, and the
control means connected to the ultrasonic oscillator is
connected to the aroma detecting means. Thus, it is posslble
to control the lntenslty of the ultrasonic waves generated by
the ultrasonic radia-tor and an ultrasonic oscillation time on
the basis of information from the aroma detecting means.
Accordingly, a quantity of aroma generated can quantitatively
be controlled strictly on the basis of the actually generated
quan-tity of aroma.
Preferably, the aroma supply apparatus is for use
with an air conditloner having a plurality of supply openings
through which conditioned air is discharged to ones of a
plurality of spaces and a plurality of rsgions within a
single space. A plurality of aroma supply units are arranged
respectively at the supply openings. The control means
includes at least one aroma controller for individually
controlling generation ~uantities of aroma respectively from
the aroma supply units.
With the above arrangement of the inventlon, the
aroma supply apparatus comprises the aroma supply units
arranged rPspectively at the supply openings through which
the aonditioned air is discharged to the spaces or the
regions within the single space, and the at least one aroma
generating controller for indi~idually controlling the aroma
generatlon quantities from the respective aroma supply units. ,
Accordingly, it is possible to change or alter the aroma
generating quantities generated respectively at the aroma
supply units. Thus, it is possible to intentionally areate a
concentration difference of aroma within the individual
spaces or within the regions in the single spaceO
` ' .
E3RIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWIN~S
Fig. l is a schematic view showing a basic or
fundamental arrangemPnt of an aroma supply apparatus
according to a first embodiment of -the invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic constitutional view showing
an aroma supply apparatus according to a second embodiment of
the invention;
Fig. 3 is a ~ragmentary constitutional view showing
an impactor which may be used in the aroma supply apparatus
illustrated in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a schematic constitutional view showing
an aroma supply apparatus according to a third embodim~nt of
the invention;
Fig. 5 is a schematic constitutional view showing
an aroma supply apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of
the invention;
Fig. 6 is a graphical representation of a supply
pattexn of the aroma;
Fig. 7 is a schematic constitutional view showing
an aroma supply apparatus according t:o a fifth embodiment of
the inventlon;
Fig. 8 is a schematic const;itutional view showing
an aroma generating controller o~ the aroma supply apparatus
illustrated in Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a schematic const:itutional view showing
one of a plurality of aroma supply units illustrated in Figs.
7 and 8;
Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the aroma supply unit
illustrated in Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vlew showing an example o
a mounting condition of the aroma supply unit illustrated in
Flgs. 8 through 10,
Fig. 12 is a schematlc constitutional view showing
the conventional aroma supply apparatus; and
Fig. 13 is a schematic constitutional view showing
another conventional aroma supply apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Referri~g to Fig. 1, there is shown an aroma supply
apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.
Basically or fundamentally, the aroma supply appara-tus
comprises at least one aroma supply unit which includes an
aromatic reservoir 110 for storing therein a liquid aromatic.
A bundle of capillary tubes 111 is insertzd in the aromatic
reservoir 110 from the above, and has a lower end which is
immersed in the liquid aromatic within the aromatic reservoir
110. An ultrasonic radiator 112 is arranged ad~acent an
upper end of the bundle of capillary tubes 111. An
ultrasonic oscillator 113 is connected to the ultrasonic
radlator 112. A controller 114 is connected to the
ultrasonic oscillator 113. An air pump or blower 115 serving
as air supply means is provided for supplying air toward the
upper end of the bundle of capillary tubes 111 and the
ultrasonic radiator 112. An aroma detector or sensor 116 ls
arranged ad~acent the ultrasonic radiator 112. The
controller 114 is connected to the aroma sensor 116. The
bundle of capillary tubes 111 has its upper end which is
inclined obliguely, and the ultrasonic radiator 112 has its
ultrasonic oscillating ~ace which i8 arranged in faalng and
parallel relation to the inclined upper surface of the bundle
of capillary tubes 111.
In connectlon with the above, if it is desired that
the kinds or types of the aroma generated by the above aroma
supply apparatus are altered, the aromatic reservoir 110, the
bundle of capillary tubes 111 and the ultrasonic radiator 11
are replaced together by other ones. In this manner, not
only the l~guid aromatic, but also appliances to which the
liquid aromatic adheres, are all replaced together by other
ones. Thus, replacement can be made without contamination of
hands. Further, it is possible -to prevent a lingering scent,
mudd~ness of aroma, and so on.
Fig. 2 shows an aroma supply apparatus according to
a sacond embodiment of the invention.
The aroma supply apparatus comprises its basic
constitutional elements which arQ the same as those of the
aroma supply apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1. Thus,
,
~3~
components and par-ts like or similar to those illustrated in
Fig . 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the
description of such like or similar components and parts will
be simplified.
An aromatic vaporizat`ion chamber 117 is connected
to the air pump 115 which sPrves as air supply means. The
upper end of the bundle of capillary tubes 111 inserted into
the aromatic reservoir 110, the ultrasonic radiator 112 and
-the aroma sensor 116 are arranged within the aromatlc
vaporization chamber 117. An aroma supply tube 118 ls
connected to the aromatic vaporization chamber 117, and is
connected to an air conditioning duct 119.
The ultrasonic osclllator 113 and the air pump 115
are connected to the ultrasonic oscillator 112. The
controller 114 is connected to the ultrasonic oscillator 113
and the air pump 115 and is connected to the aroma sensor
116. On the basis of information from the aroma sensor 116,
the controller 114 controls an intensity of the ultrasonic
waves oscillated by the ultrasonic radiator 112 and an air
quantity suppl:Led from the air pump 115, thereby controlling
a generation quantity of aroma within the aromatic
vaporization chamber 117.
In connection with the above, the air supplied to
the aromatic vaporization chamber 117 rom the air pump 115
has a pressure which is required for feeding the air having
added thereto the aroma to the air conditioning duct 119,
compensating for a pressure within the air conditioning duct
ll9 and a pressure loss within the aroma supply tube 118 to
the air conditioning duct 119.
Further, in the aroma supply apparatus constructed
as above, the liguid aromatic misted within the aromatlc
vaporization chamber 117 can vaporized substantially
completely. ~s shown in Fig. 3, however, an impactor 120 of
striking-plate typ4 is arranged downstream o the aromatic
vaporization chamber 117 as occasion demands, whereby, ln the
case where a small quantity of mist remains not to be
volatilized, the mist can completely be removad. The
impactor 120 is arranged as follows. That is, the aromatic
supplled together with the air under such a condition as to
be vaporized within the aromatic vaporizat~on chamber 117 is
blown out through a nozzle 121, and the aromatic and tha air
are struck or collide against a closed end faoe 122 of the
supply tube 118, whereby the mist not to be vaporizad falls
down. Only the a~omatic completely vaporized and the air
flow into at least one inflow bor~ 123 which is formed at a
lateral side of the supply tube 118, which is slightly above
the closed end face 122. ~hus, the aromatic and the air are
supplied to the aroma supply tube 118. The mist not to be
volatilized falling down within the impactor 120 is returned
to the aromatic reser~oir 110 through a return pipe 124
together with the aromatic which remains not to be vaporized
within the aromatic vaporization chamber 117.
Fig. 4 shows an aroma supply apparatus according to
a third embodiment of the invention. In Flg. 4, components
and parts like or similar to those illustrated in Fig~ 2 are
designated by the same reference numerals, and the
description of such like or similar components and par-ts will
ba simplified.
The aroma supply apparatus according to the third
embodiment is arranged such that the upper end of the bundle
of capillary tubes 111, the ultrasonis~ radiator 112 and the
aroma sensor 116 are arranged within lthe air conditioning
duct 119, whereby air flow or current within the air
oonditioning duct 119 is utilized witl-out the use of the air
pump, blower or the like serving as a:Lr supply means.
In the aroma supply apparatus, the air flow or
current within the air conditioning duct 119 is gulded to the
ultrasonic radiator 112 and the upper end of the bundle of
caplllary tubes 111 by an air guide plate unit 125. By the
air current, the liquid aromatic misted by the ultrasonic
waves is vaporized to generate aroma. In this case, a
generation quantity of aroma is controlled by the controller
114. However, the controller 114 merely controls the
intensity of the ultrasonic waves oscillated by the
ultrasonic radiator 112, on the basis of the information from
the aroma detactor or sansor 116, to control the generation
quanti-ty of aroma.
In connection with the above, in the aroma supply
apparatus, the aroma supply unit formed by the upper end of
the bundle o capillary tubes 111 and the ultrasonic radlator
112 is arranged at the intermediate section of the air
conditioning duct 119. As the case may be, however, a
plurality of aroma supply units are arranged respectively at
supply openings of each room to which the air conditioning
duct 119 is connected, whereby the supply guantities of aroma
from the respective supply openings can individually be
controlled.
Fig. 5 shows an aroma supply apparatus according to
a fourth embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 5, components
and parts like or similar to those illustrated in Fig. 2 are
designated by the same reference numerals, and the
description of such like or similar components and parts is
simplified.
The aroma supply apparatus according to the fourth
embodiment comprises the controller 114, the ultrasonic
oscillator 113 and the aromatic reservolr 110 which are
arranged a~ the central section, as w811 as the bundle of
capillary tubes 111 which is inserted into the aromatic
reservoir 110. Further, an air filter 127 is mounted to an
air intake port 126 which i8 arranged below a front panel
provided at the right-hand side in Fig. 5. The blower 115
serving as air supply means is arran~ed ad~acent the air
filter 127. An air gulde tube 128 is connected to the blower
115 so as to surround the controller 114, the ultrasonic
oscillator 113 and the aromatic storage tank 110. The upper
end of the bundle of capillary tubes 111, the ultrasonic
radiator 112 and the aroma sensor 116 are arranged above the
aromati~ reservoir 110 which is arranged at the downstream
side of the air guide tube 128. An aroma discharge port 129
is formed above the front panel.
In the aroma supply apparatus, the blower 115 is
operated to introduce the outdoor air through the air intake
port 126. The outdoor air is passed through the air filter
127 to remove dust or the like. ~he alr is introduced into
12
the air guide tube 128. The liquid aromatic misted by the
ultrasonic radiator 112 is vaporized within an aromatic
vaporization section 130 which is arranged on the downstream
side of the air guide pipe 1~8. The vaporized aromatic is
discharged together with the air into a room throuyh the
discharge port 129. Thus, the generated aroma is directly
supplied to the room not through the air conditioning duct
and the like. When $t is desired to control the generation
quantity of aroma, the controller 114 controls the intensity
of the ultrasonlc waves osclllated by the ultrasonlc radiator
112 on the basis of the information from the aroma sensor
116.
In connection with the above, in the various
embodiments described above, the case has been described
where only a single kind of aroma is supplied. However, two
or more kinds of aromas may be supplied. In that case, a
plurality of aromas are beforehand selected for respective
time zones and in agreement therewith. Further, the
concentration of the aromas and the continuous or
intermittent operational schedule are set within and stored
by the controller 114. Thus, the aromas in agreement wi-th
the respective time zones are supplied, and the concentration
of the aromas supplied is ad~usted to an adequate value.
For instance, in the case where the type of the
aroma A is lemon aroma, the type of the aroma B i~ rosemary
aroma and the type of the aroma C is lavender aroma, these
aromas are supplied to the room whereby different effects as
indicated by the below table 1 are produced with respect to a
people within the room.
TABLE 1
___.____________________________________________________
TYPE OF AROMA EFFECT
________________________________________________________
A LEMON AROMA CURE FOR DROWSINESS, LIGHT
STIMU1US, REFRESHMENT
________________________________________________________
B ROSEMARY AROMA RELAXATION
C LAVENDER AROMA STRESS DISSOLUTION,
UNEASINESS DISSOLUTION, ANTI-
MELANCHOLY
_________________________________________________________
When the aromas A, B and C are supplied to a room
or the like~ as shown, for example, in Fig. Ç, aroma~ are
supplied on the basis of such a pattern that the aromas
generated change at predetermined time intervals, and
inten.cities of the respective aromas change to give
fluctuation.
When the aromas are generated on the basis of the
specific generating pattern, the generating pattern is
beforehand programmed wi~hin the controller 114, and a
plurality of, three in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5,
the aroma supply units are controlled by the controller 114.
Each of th2 aroma supply units comprises the aromatic
resarvoir 110, the bundle o$ caplllary tubes 111, tha
ultrasonic radiator 112 and the like. Thus, the aroma supply
units are switched at tha predeterminsd time intervals to
alter the types of the aromas and to fluctuate the
intensities of the respective aromas. When the types of the
aromas supplied in thls manner change at several times per a
day, it is possibla to supply the arolmas whlch are suitable
for the respective time zones. Furth,er, since the
intensities of the aromas generated are fluctuated, it is
possible to accent the living rhythm of a day. Moreover, it
is possible to effectively utilize the superior advantages
which the aromas have. Thuq, it is ~ossible to form
environment whlch exerts superior e~fects physically and
mantally.
Refarring next to Fig. 7, there is shown an aroma
supply apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the
invention. Aroma iR to ba supplied to a room 225. A
plurality of supply openings 240 are arranged respectively at
a plurality of positions within the room 225, which are
different fro~ each otherO A plurality of aroma supply units
14
223 are arranged respectively at the supply openings 240. An
aroma generating controller 241 indlvidually controls
generating quantities of aroma at the respective aroma supply
units 223. The aroma generating controller 241 is ~rranged
at an accommodating section 242 whlch is located at a lower
portion of the room 225 adJacent a window thereof.
The supply openings 240 are co~nected to an air
conditioning duot 230 which is moun-ted to the ceiling of the
room 225. The air conditioning duct 230 is connected to an
air conditioner 222 which is arranged within a machine house
(not shown) or the like. The aroma generating controller 241
is connected to the body of the air conditioner 222 and takes
out an operational signal from the body of the air
conditioner 222 as control information to the aroma supply
units 223. Alternatively, the aroma generating controller
241 is connected to an air-conditioning controller unit (not
shown) o$ the air conditioner 222 and takes out a control
signal from the air-conditioning controller unit as control
information to the aroma supply units 223.
A plurality of sensors 226 are mounted respectively
on a wall 243 of the room 225 and a desk 244 on the floor of
the room 225. Information detected by the sensors 226 is
transmitted -to the aroma generating controller 241. On the
basis of the informa-tion, the aroma generating controller 241
computes generation quantities o~ aroma from the respective
aroma supply units 223. An aroma sensor for detecting an
aroma concentration per se is most ade~uats for each of the
sensors 226. However, the aroma moves together with the
conditioned air, and the diffusion condltlon is a function of
temperature. ~ccordingly, a temperature sensor may be
substituted for each of the sensors 226. In this case, it iq
desirable that, since haat sources such as illumination
instruments, office-automation instruments, people and sc on
exist within the room 225 so that tha approximate accuracy ~s
reduced due to the heat sources, two kinds or types of
se~sors are used together to raise the accuracy. It is
desirable tQ lncrease the number of sensors to further rais~
the accuracy. Moreover, the aroma condition in the room 225
to which -the aroma is to be supplied always varies or
changes. Accordingly, it is extremely effective means that,
in order to accurately know the changing condition, change or
variation is given to the temperature and the concentration
of aroma of the conditioned air supplied to the room 225, and
a difference in pattern is utilized between generating
sources, that is, the air conditioner 222 for the conditioned
air and the aroma supply units 223 for the aroma, and the
information from the sensors 226 which are arranged within
the room 225.
In connection with the above, when the aroma is
supplied to the room 225 in the manner described above, smell
or odor tends to be felt if humidity of the room 225 is
raised. Further, i~ temperature is raised, an unpleasant or
disagreeable feeling is ~iven to people, depending upon the
kinds or types of aromas. In view of this, when the aroms
supply apparatus is used, it is desirable that a plurality of
humidity detecting sensors are arranged, in addition to a
plurality of temperature detecting semsors, respectively at
requisite locations within the room 225 to which the aroma is
to be supplied. The temperature and ~humidity within the room
225 are detected by these sensors, whereby an adequate aroma
is selected which is in agreement witlh the temperature and
humidity. The adequate aroma is so controlled as to be
supplied at an adequate concentration.
Moreover, in addition to the above temperature
detecting sensors and the humidity detectiny sensors, the
room 225 to which the aroma is to be supplied may be provided
with sensors for detecting an air current, radiation heat,
the number of persons, the activity state of the persons and
so on. In this case, the synthetic or composite state o the
room 225 can ~e grasped by these sensors, and the generation
quantities of aromas from the respective aroma supply unlts
223 can be controlled on the basis o~ the synthetic state.
In the aroma supply apparatus constructed as above,
if the distance between the sensors 226 and the aroma
generating controller 241 is short, the sensors 226 and the
aroma generating contro71er 241 may directly be connected to
16
each other. If the sensors 225 and the aroma generating
controller 241 are spaced away from each other, however,
direct connection between the sensors 226 and the aroma
generating controller 241 lengthens the lead lines through
which first-hand information is transmitted from the sensors
226. This is not preferable because a reduction in an S/N
ratio is caused. In this case, it is desirable that the
detecting signals from the reæpestive sensors 226 are so
processed as to be converted respectively to control signals
and, subsequently, the control signals are sent to the aroma
generating controller 241, thereby solving the problems such
as reduction in the S/N ratio. In that case, a plurality of
signal converters for converting and processing the detecting
signals from the respective sensors 226 are incorporated
respectively in the sensors 226. The signal conYerters and
~he aroma generating controller 241 are directly connected to
each other through a digital or analogue communication
circult. Alternatively, a transmitter for converting the
control signals respectively to transmission signals to send
the same and a receiver for convertlng the transmission
signals respectively to the control signals are required to
he provided between th& signal converter and the aroma
generating controller 241. In this connection, the
communication circuit due to wires may be used, or the
communication circuit due to radio may be used.
Specifically, as the wire communication circuit, there are a
voltage signal line, a novolt signal line, a telephone
circuit, a television circuit, a computer circuit, a branch
digital ~ircuit and a personal digital circuit. In addition
thsreto, it is possible also to cause a signal in the FM
system to flow to an electric power source line. Further, as
the radio communication circuit, there are various systems
such as an FM systam, an AM system and so on.
Fig. 8 shows an example of the aroma yenerating
~ontroller in the aroma supply apparatus illustrated in Fig.
7.
As shown ~n Flg. 8, the aroma generating controller
241 comprises a system logic 250 for setting once duration or
an ON time through which the aroma :Ls continuously generated
by each of the supply units 223, and a interval -time and for
storing -therein the duration and the interval time, thereby
controlling the aroma supply units 223 in accordance with the
setting. A remote-control transmit~er 25~ sends a control
signal from the system logic 250 to the aroma supply units
223 by radio. A ~eekly timer 252 determines an operational
time of each of the aroma supply units 223 at an interval of
each of days of the week. The aroma generatin~ controller
241 further comprises a control source of electric power 253
and an ultrasonic power source system 254. An antenna 256 is
connected to the remote-control transmitter 251. Moreover,
as shown in Fig. 7, the aroma generating controller 241 is
connec-tad to a body of the air conditioner 222 or to an air-
conditioning control uni~ by an input signal line 257 and an
output signal line 258. Thè input signal line 257 transmits
the operational signal or the control signal from the air
conditioner 2~2 or -the air-conditioning control unit to the
aroma generatin~ controller 241. The output signal line 258
transmits the control signal from the aroma generating
controller 241 to -the air conditioner 222 or the air-
conditioning control unit to control a supply quantity of the
conditioned air.
In connection wlth the above, the aroma generating
controller 241 calculates or computes the generation
quantities of aroma to be generated by the individual aroma
supply units 223, on the basis o the slgnals and so on sent
by the sensors 226. A control signal on the basis of the
computing results may be sent to the aroma supply units 223
through the remote-control transmit-ter 251 and the antenna
256.
Moreover, in the aroma 9upply apparatus provided
with the aroma generating controller 241, ths control signal
from the system logic 250 is sent to the aroma supply units
223 through the remote-control transmitter 251 and the
antenna 256 by radio. However, the transmission of *he
control signal from the sys-tem logic 250 should not be
limited to the radio, but wir~ng for the signal may be
18
~r~
provided such that the control slgnal from the system logic
250 is sent through the wire. Further, as shown in Fig. 8, a
wire control system output 255 provided at an ultrasonic
power source sys~em 254 of the aroma generating controller
241 may be connected to the aroma supply units 223 through a
power ~ource line, so that the control signal is taken to and
flows through the electric powe~ source line by an FM system.
Furthermore, in ths aroma ~upply apparatus, as
shown in Fig. 7, the arran~ement may be such that an air-
conditioning detecting sensor 261 is arranged within the air-
conditioning duct 230, and the operational state or condltion
of the air conditioner 222 is grasped to the aroma generating
controller 241 by the air-condi~ioning detecting sensor 261.
In this case, the input signal line 257 may be dispensed with
which connects the system logiG 250 of the aroma generating
controller 241 to the air conditioner 222 or the air-
conditioning control unit.
Figs. 9 and 10 show an example of each of the aroma
supply units 223 in the aroma supply apparatus.
As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, each of the aroma
supply unit~ 223 compriseQ an aromatic bottle 213 having
stored therein a li~uid aromatic~ An aromatic supply element
214 is provided at an upper portion of the aromatic bottle
213 for supplying the liguid aromatic within the aromatio
bottle 213 to an ultrasonic oscillating ~ace of the aromatic
supply element 214. An ultrasonic radiator 215 is arranged
ad~acant the aromatic supply element 214. An ultrason~c
oscillator 216 is connected to the ultrasonic radiator 215.
A control receiver 217 and an electric power source 218 are
connected to tha ultrasonlc oscillator 216. The electric
power source 218 comprises three SUM-1 dry cells. The aroma
supply element 214 and the ultrasonic radiator 215 vaporize
the aromatic so that aroma is generated. As shown ln Fig.
11, an aroma discharge section 219 for discharging the aroma
is arranged in facing relation to the air-conditioning duct
230. An antenna 220 is connected to the control receiver
217, and rereives the control signal from the aroma
generating controller 241 through radio.
19
In connection with the above, the inven-tion
utilizes the aroma supply uni-ts 223 which utilize the energy
of the ultrasonic waves as described above to finely mist the
liquid aromatic thereby vaporizing the same. However, the
invention may utilize (1) an aroma generating element which
vaporizes the liquid aromatic on the principle of a spray
blower, (2) an aroma generating element in which the aromatic
is impregnated in a porous mater~al such as ceramics, polym~r
beads and so on~ the porous ~aterial is filled in a container
and, under this condition, a surface of the porous material,
which is in contact with an air current, is changed or
varied, (3) the liquid aromatic lmpregnated in the porous
material is heated and vaporized by a low-temperature hea~ing
element such as a semiconductor heater or the like, and so
on.
Mor~over, in connection with the above, in the
fifth smbodimen~, as shown in Flg. 7, the plurality of aroma
supply units 223 are arranged respectively at the plurality
of supply openings 240 arranged at the ceiling or the like of
the room 225 to which the aroma is to be supplied, and the
plurality of aroma supply units 223 are controlled ~y the
single aroma generating controller 241. However, the
arrangement of the invention may be sluch that a plurality of
aroma gsnerating controllers 241 are incorporated
respectlvely in the individu~l aroma supply units 223.
Further, the arrangement may be such that the plurali-ty of
aroma supply units 223 are incorporated in the system
ceiling, or are incorporated in a space below the floor.
In the above fifth embodiment, sinca the
conditioned air from the air conditioner 222 arranged within
the machine house or the lik~ is supplied from the supply
openings 240 of the room 225 through the air-condition~ng
duct 230, the aroma supply units 223 are provided.
respectively at the supply openings 240. However, in the
case where the air conditioning system of the room 225 to
which the aroma is to be supplied is an individual air
conditioning system such as a fan-coil unit or the like, the
aroma supply units 223 should be arranged respectively at
supply openings thereof.
Furthermore, in the fif-th embodiment, the body of
the aroma generating controller 241 may be arranged on the
outside of the room 225, and only the antenna 256 connected
to the remote-control transmitter 251 of the aroma generating
controller 241 may be arranged within the room 225. Further,
also in the case where the aroma generating controllar 241 is
connected to the aroma supply unlts 223 through wires, it i5
natural that the aroma generating controller 241 may be
arranged on the outside of the room 225.
Moreover, in the embodiment, the concentratlon
difference is created among a plurality of regions in the
single room 225 which are different from each other. In this
invention, however, the concentration difference may be
created among the respective aromas withln a plurality of
raspective rooms.
