In 2008, we started a survey to reproduce the smell of burning during disasters. As we proceeded with the survey, we confirmed that a smell generating device that applies perfume technology, which has been commercialized mainly in Europe, has been commercialized. The smells that are reproduced are smells that people like, such as the pleasant smell of food and the smells that people like in the space. We expanded the survey area and conducted research on smell elements in Europe and North America. When we asked a company that mixes and generates smell elements if they could reproduce the smell of burning that occurs during disasters, we received a response that there is no need for smells that people do not like and feel negatively, so they have no track record of developing them and it is unknown whether they can be developed, so we gave up on commercialization for the time being. In 2018, the need to reproduce gas leaks will increase. Dangerous gases that are life-threatening are artificially added with smells, and combined with the fact that smell elements exist, we will develop a unit that reproduces the smell. Since the smell generating units that stimulate purchasing desire already used in commercial facilities are stationary and cannot be used, we decided to develop our own unit. The challenge with using it in VR is that it is important to have a deodorizing function that eliminates the odor after it has been generated. It is necessary to create a unit that can emit and eliminate odors.
Two proposals were raised for the development of the unit. It can be performed in a closed space (mask type) that limits the space in which the odor is reproduced, or it can be realized in an open space. Considering the use in training simulations and disaster experience, we aim to create a unit in an open space with an emphasis on immersion in a natural way. The odor source uses the volatilization effect of alcohol using the same principle as perfume. The odor source is mixed with alcohol, released into the space, and diffused into the atmosphere to generate the odor. One way to eliminate the odor is to release a deodorizing liquid into the same space and suppress the odor particles with a liquid that has a deodorizing effect. The other proposal is to release the odor source in as small an amount as possible that is detectable by humans. After release, the odor particles are dispersed into the atmosphere to disperse the particles and reduce the odor. We will develop a unit that can handle both proposals. First, a unit with three cylinders that trap the odor particles and a release valve that controls the release of the odor particles in the cylinders. The reproduction unit is small and lightweight, so it can be placed near the nose. To achieve light weight, the release valve is controlled by an air cylinder. This makes it possible to make the device small and lightweight, and it can be installed at the bottom of the VR goggles. It is possible to control the odor by generating the odor-causing components and storing them in three cylinders. It is also possible to actively eliminate the odor by filling one cylinder with an odor-eliminating component.