JP2005042986A - Estimating device of preset inner temperature of showcase, preset inner temperature estimating program, and preset inner temperature estimating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an estimating device 40 of a preset inner temperature of a showcase, a preset inner temperature estimating program 41 and a preset inner temperature estimating method which enables monitoring of operation state of a showcase 10 utilizing inner temperature information, preset inner temperature information and the like even when it is quite difficult to establish communication connection of the showcase 10 and its monitoring device, and the inner temperature information and preset inner temperature information cannot be acquired directly from the showcase 10. <P>SOLUTION: The estimating device 40 of a present inner temperature of a showcase estimates a preset inner temperature of the showcase 10, and comprises inner temperature information acquiring means 12, 15, 43 and estimating means 41, 45. The inner temperature information acquiring means 12, 15, 43 acquire inner temperature information of the showcase 10. The estimating means 41, 45 estimate the preset inner temperature utilizing the inner temperature information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is useful when, for example, it is extremely difficult to establish a communication connection between a showcase and a monitoring device for commercial reasons and the like, and the internal set temperature information cannot be obtained directly from the showcase. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a showcase internal set temperature estimation device, an internal set temperature estimation program, and an internal set temperature estimation method that can estimate the internal set temperature.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for monitoring the operation state of a showcase using the internal temperature information and the internal set temperature information is well known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-61814 (Section 3-6, FIGS. 1 and 3)

  However, at this time, if such a showcase monitoring method is to be introduced in a store, the existing showcase must be discarded and a new showcase system compatible with such a monitoring method must be purchased. Seems to be the case. Because, at present, stores often have various manufacturers and showcases of various ages, and there are cases in which it is quite difficult to establish communication connections between these showcases and monitoring devices. This is because it is assumed that it is the majority. Generally, when establishing a communication connection between devices, it is necessary to select a communication line and an appropriate communication protocol suitable for those devices, but in reality the standard of the communication line and its connection port, communication protocol, etc. The reason for the inference is that there are not a few original manufacturers for commercial reasons, and even if the manufacturers are the same, the standards are often different for different ages.

  Even if the problem of the present invention is that it is extremely difficult to establish a communication connection between a showcase and its monitoring device, etc., and it is not possible to directly acquire internal temperature information, internal set temperature information, etc. from the showcase, Provided is a showcase chamber set temperature estimation device, a chamber set temperature estimation program, and a chamber set temperature estimation method that enable monitoring of the showcase operating state using the chamber temperature information and the chamber set temperature information. There is.

The showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 1 is a showcase internal set temperature estimation device for estimating the showcase internal set temperature, wherein the internal temperature information acquisition means and the estimation means are provided. Prepare. The inside temperature information acquisition means acquires the inside temperature information of the showcase. The estimating means estimates the internal set temperature using the internal temperature information.
Here, the internal temperature information acquisition means acquires the internal temperature information of the showcase. And the estimation means estimates the set temperature in the store using the temperature information in the store. For this reason, even if it is extremely difficult to establish a communication connection between a showcase and its monitoring device, etc., even if it is not possible to directly obtain the chamber temperature information or the chamber set temperature information from the showcase, the chamber temperature It is possible to monitor the operating state of the showcase using the information and the set temperature information in the cabinet.

  The showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 2 is the showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 1, further comprising defrost execution time information acquisition means. The defrost execution time acquisition means acquires information on the execution time of defrost performed in the showcase. Further, the estimation means estimates the internal set temperature by using the internal temperature information and the defrost execution time information.

  Here, the defrost execution time information acquisition means acquires information on the execution time of the defrost performed in the showcase. Then, the estimation means estimates the internal set temperature by using the internal temperature information and the defrost execution time information. For this reason, even when the defrost operation is performed in the showcase, the internal set temperature can be estimated by excluding the internal temperature of the portion corresponding to the defrost execution time. Therefore, it is possible to estimate an appropriate internal set temperature.

  The showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 3 is the showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 1 or 2, and further includes a determination unit. The determining means determines whether or not the operation state of the showcase is normal based on a predetermined condition. The estimation means estimates the internal set temperature when the determination means determines that the operating state is normal.

  When the showcase is operating normally, the internal temperature may be considered to be substantially equal to the internal set temperature. On the other hand, if the showcase is not operating normally and its internal temperature is approximately equal to the internal set temperature, this will interfere with the monitoring of the showcase's operating state. However, here, the determination unit determines whether or not the operation state of the showcase is normal based on a predetermined condition. Then, the estimation means estimates the internal set temperature when the determination means determines that the operating state is normal. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of hindering the operation state monitoring of the showcase.

The showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 4 is the showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined condition is internal temperature information or internal temperature information. The representative value is within a threshold value for a predetermined period. Here, the “representative value of the internal temperature” is a maximum value, a moving average value, or the like.
Here, it can be easily determined whether or not the operation state of the showcase is normal.

The showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 5 is the showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined condition is internal temperature information or internal temperature information. It is a gradient with respect to the time of the representative value.
The temperature inside the showcase is usually kept constant. However, when a frost layer is formed on a part of the refrigeration apparatus that cools the interior of the showcase and reaches a certain thickness, the cooling capacity of the refrigeration apparatus decreases. That is, the internal temperature starts to gradually increase. If the temperature in the showcase cabinet in such an operating state is set to the set temperature in the cabinet, this will interfere with the monitoring of the showcase operating status. However, such a phenomenon can be grasped here. That is, it can be determined that the operation state of the showcase is not normal when a certain gradient is seen in the time transition of the internal temperature. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of hindering the operation state monitoring of the showcase.

The showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 6 is the showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 3, further comprising receiving means. The receiving means receives the start / stop signal of the refrigerator in the showcase. The predetermined condition is the frequency of the start / stop signal per unit time.
Even when it is extremely difficult to establish a communication connection between the showcase and the monitoring device, the start / stop signal of the refrigerator in the showcase may be obtained relatively easily. Usually, the temperature inside the showcase is kept constant by the continuous start and stop of the refrigerator. That is, here, it is possible to determine whether or not the operation state of the showcase is normal in consideration of the degree of start / stop of the refrigerator. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of hindering the operation state monitoring of the showcase.

The showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 7 is the showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the predetermined condition is the operation of the showcase It fluctuates according to the environment. The “operating environment” referred to here is an outdoor temperature, an indoor temperature, or the like.
Here, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the determination as to whether or not the operation state of the showcase is normal.

The showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 8 is the showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and is provided far from the showcase.
Here, the service temperature estimation service in the showcase can be performed extensively.
The showcase internal set temperature estimation program according to claim 9 is a showcase internal set temperature estimation program for estimating the showcase internal set temperature, wherein the internal temperature information acquisition step and the estimation step are performed. Prepare. In the internal temperature information acquisition step, internal temperature information of the showcase is acquired. In the estimation step, the in-compartment temperature information is used to estimate the in-compartment set temperature.

  Here, when this internal set temperature estimation program is executed, the internal temperature information of the showcase is acquired in the internal temperature information acquisition step. Then, in the estimation step, the in-compartment temperature information is used to estimate the in-compartment set temperature. For this reason, even if it is extremely difficult to establish a communication connection between a showcase and its monitoring device, etc., even if it is not possible to directly obtain the chamber temperature information or the chamber set temperature information from the showcase, the chamber temperature It is possible to monitor the operating state of the showcase using the information and the set temperature information in the cabinet.

  The showcase internal set temperature estimation method according to claim 10 is a showcase internal set temperature estimation method for estimating the showcase internal set temperature, wherein the internal temperature information acquisition step and the estimation step are performed. Prepare. In the internal temperature information acquisition step, internal temperature information of the showcase is acquired. In the estimation step, the in-compartment temperature information is used to estimate the in-compartment set temperature.

  Here, when this internal set temperature estimation method is performed, the internal temperature information of the showcase is acquired in the internal temperature information acquisition step. Then, in the estimation step, the in-compartment temperature information is used to estimate the in-compartment set temperature. For this reason, even if it is extremely difficult to establish a communication connection between a showcase and its monitoring device, etc., even if it is not possible to directly obtain the chamber temperature information or the chamber set temperature information from the showcase, the chamber temperature It is possible to monitor the operating state of the showcase using the information and the set temperature information in the cabinet.

In the showcase chamber set temperature estimation device according to claim 1, it is extremely difficult to establish a communication connection between the showcase and its monitoring device, and the showcase temperature information, the set temperature information, etc. are stored in the showcase. Even if it cannot be obtained directly from the display, it is possible to monitor the operating state of the showcase using the internal temperature information and the internal set temperature information.
In the showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 2, even if the defrost operation is performed in the showcase, the internal set temperature is excluded by excluding the internal temperature of the portion corresponding to the defrost execution time. Can be estimated. Therefore, it is possible to estimate an appropriate internal set temperature.

In the showcase in-chamber set temperature estimating apparatus according to claim 3, the determining means determines whether or not the operation state of the showcase is normal based on a predetermined condition. Then, the estimation means estimates the internal set temperature when the determination means determines that the operating state is normal. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of hindering the operation state monitoring of the showcase.
In the showcase internal set temperature estimation apparatus according to claim 4, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the operation state of the showcase is normal.

In the showcase internal set temperature estimation apparatus according to claim 5, when a certain gradient is seen in the time transition of the internal temperature, it can be determined that the operation state of the showcase is not normal. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of hindering the operation state monitoring of the showcase.
In the showcase in-chamber set temperature estimating apparatus according to claim 6, it is possible to determine whether or not the operation state of the showcase is normal in consideration of the degree of start / stop of the refrigerator. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of hindering the operation state monitoring of the showcase.

In the showcase internal set temperature estimation device according to claim 7, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the determination as to whether or not the operation state of the showcase is normal.
In the showcase in-chamber set temperature estimation device according to claim 8, the showcase in-box set temperature estimation service can be widely performed.
When the program for estimating the set temperature in the showcase according to claim 9 is executed, it is extremely difficult to establish a communication connection between the showcase and its monitoring device, etc., and the temperature information in the store, the set temperature information in the store, etc. Even if it is not possible to directly acquire from the showcase, it is possible to monitor the operation state of the showcase using the internal temperature information and the internal set temperature information.

  When the method for estimating the set temperature in the showcase according to claim 10 is implemented, it is extremely difficult to establish a communication connection between the showcase and its monitoring device, etc., and the temperature information in the store, the set temperature information in the store, etc. Even if it is not possible to directly acquire from the showcase, it is possible to monitor the operation state of the showcase using the internal temperature information and the internal set temperature information.

<System configuration of showcase monitoring system>
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the showcase monitoring system 100. The showcase monitoring system 100 includes a temperature sensor 12, a contact sensor 22, an interface 15 (hereinafter abbreviated as I / F), a modem 30, and a monitoring computer 40. The temperature sensor 12 is attached to the inside of the showcase 10. The contact sensor 22 is attached to the contact of the defrost control device 20. The I / F 15 and the modem 30 are arranged in the stores 61 and 63. On the other hand, the monitoring computer 40 is disposed in the monitoring center 70. The monitoring center 70 is provided far from the stores 61 and 63.

<Monitoring and connection targets of the showcase monitoring system>
(1) Showcase 10
The showcase 10 is a monitoring target of the showcase monitoring system 100. A defrost heater 21 is provided in the vicinity of the heat exchanger (not shown) of the showcase 10, and the defrost operation is performed by the defrost control device 20. Further, as described above, the temperature sensor 12 is attached to the inside of the showcase 10.

(2) Defrost control device 20
The defrost control device 20 has a built-in timer, and is designed so that the contact point of the defrost heater 21 is turned ON during the set time of the timer. As described above, the contact sensor 22 is attached to the contact of the defrost control device 20.
<System Components of Showcase Monitoring System 100>
(1) Temperature sensor 12
The temperature sensor 12 is attached to the interior of the showcase 10 and generates an electrical signal based on the temperature in the interior.

(2) Contact sensor 22
The contact sensor 22 is attached to the contact of the defrost control device 20 and generates an electrical signal based on ON / OFF information of the defrost heater 21.
(3) I / F15
The I / F 15 converts electrical signals transmitted from the temperature sensor 12 and the contact sensor 22 into an information format that can be read by the monitoring computer 40. Further, the I / F 15 adds its own ID information, acquisition time information, and the like to the measurement value information and ON / OFF information.

(4) Modem 30
The modem 30 transmits the information group (measurement value information, ON / OFF information, I / F ID information, acquisition time information, etc.) transmitted from the I / F 15 to the monitoring computer 40 via the public telephone line 50. .
(5) Monitoring computer 40
The monitoring computer 40 includes a modem 43, a CPU 45 and a hard disk 47. The modem 43 receives a group of information transmitted from the modem 30 provided in the stores 61 and 63. The hard disk 47 holds a monitoring program 41 and a database 48. In the monitoring program 41, when information groups are received, an instruction to store them in the database 48 according to a predetermined rule, an instruction to estimate the set temperature in the showcase 10 and the estimated set temperature in the showcase A command for confirming whether the operation state of the case 10 is normal is described. The CPU 45 executes instructions described in the monitoring program 41.

<Connection form of showcase monitoring system 100>
The temperature sensor 12 and the contact sensor 22 are connected to the I / F 15. The I / F 15 is connected to the modem 30. The modem 30 is connected to a modem 43 built in the monitoring computer 40 via a public telephone line 50.
<Flow to estimate the set temperature in the chamber>
In FIG. 2, the flowchart showing the flow until estimation of the set temperature in a store | warehouse | chamber is shown.

  In FIG. 2, in step S <b> 11, the CPU 45 removes the internal temperature data corresponding to the time when the ON information of the defrost heater 21 is acquired from the total internal temperature data for a predetermined period accumulated in the database 48 according to the monitoring program 41. In step S <b> 12, the CPU 45 calculates the moving average At of the internal temperature data remaining in step S <b> 11 according to the monitoring program 41. In step S <b> 13, the CPU 45 calculates the gradient ΔT of the moving average At for a predetermined period according to the monitoring program 41. In step S <b> 14, the CPU 45 confirms whether ΔT is smaller than the threshold value ΔTs according to the monitoring program 41. As a result of the confirmation in step S14, if ΔT is smaller than the threshold value ΔTs, the process proceeds to step S15. If ΔT is greater than or equal to the threshold value ΔTs as a result of the confirmation in step S14, the process returns to step S11. In step S15, the CPU 45 confirms whether the moving average At is constant for a predetermined period according to the monitoring program 41. As a result of the confirmation in step S15, if the moving average At is constant for a predetermined period, the process proceeds to step S16. As a result of the confirmation in step S15, if the moving average At is not constant for a predetermined period, the process returns to step S11. In step S <b> 16, the CPU 45 sets At to the internal set temperature according to the monitoring program 41.

<Monitoring of the showcase 10 by the showcase monitoring system 100>
In the showcase monitoring system 100, the operating state of the showcase 10 is monitored based on the interior set temperature estimated above. For example, if the internal temperature of the showcase 10 remains higher than the internal set temperature + 10 ° C. for a predetermined time, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the showcase 10 and a service engineer is invited to go to the site. Do that.

<Characteristics of the showcase monitoring system 100>
(1)
In the showcase monitoring system 100, the internal temperature of the showcase 10 is measured by the temperature sensor 12. Then, the CPU 45 estimates the internal set temperature from the internal temperature according to the monitoring program 41. For this reason, even if it is extremely difficult to establish a communication connection between the showcase 10 and the monitoring device and the internal temperature and the internal set temperature cannot be directly acquired from the showcase 10, It is possible to make it possible to monitor the operation state of the showcase 10 using the internal set temperature or the like.

(2)
In the showcase monitoring system 100, the contact sensor 22 detects an ON / OFF signal of the defrost heater 21. Further, the acquisition time is added to the ON / OFF information converted in the I / F 15. Then, the CPU 45 determines the set internal temperature of the showcase 10 using the internal temperature data and the acquisition time in accordance with the monitoring program 41. For this reason, even when the defrost operation is performed in the showcase 10, the internal set temperature can be estimated by excluding the internal temperature data of the portion corresponding to the defrost execution time. Therefore, it is possible to estimate an appropriate internal set temperature.

(3)
When the showcase 10 is operating normally, the internal temperature may be considered to be substantially equal to the internal set temperature. On the other hand, if the showcase is not operating normally and its internal temperature is approximately equal to the internal set temperature, this will interfere with the monitoring of the showcase's operating state. However, in the present showcase monitoring system 100, the CPU 45 determines whether or not the operating state of the showcase 10 is normal according to the monitoring program 41, and when it is determined that the operating state is normal, the internal set temperature To decide. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of hindering the operation state monitoring of the showcase 10.

(4)
In the showcase monitoring system 100, it is confirmed whether the internal temperature data for a predetermined period is constant for a predetermined period. For this reason, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the operation state of the showcase 10 is normal.
(5)
The interior temperature of the showcase 10 is normally kept constant. However, when a frost layer is formed on a part of the refrigeration apparatus (for example, a heat exchanger) that cools the interior of the showcase 10 and reaches a certain thickness, the cooling capacity of the refrigeration apparatus decreases. That is, the internal temperature starts to gradually increase. If the internal temperature of the showcase 10 in such an operation state is set to the internal set temperature, the operation state monitoring of the showcase 10 will be hindered. However, the showcase monitoring system 100 determines that the operating state of the showcase 10 is not normal when the temperature gradient ΔT of the moving average At is greater than or equal to the threshold value ΔTs. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of hindering the monitoring of the operating state of the showcase 10.

(6)
In the showcase monitoring system 100, a monitoring computer 40 is provided far away from the showcase 10. For this reason, the internal set temperature estimation service of the showcase 10 can be performed extensively.
<Modification>
(1)
In the showcase monitoring system 100 according to the previous embodiment, the monitoring computer 40 is arranged in the monitoring center 70 in the remote place of the stores 61 and 63, but the monitoring computer 40 is arranged in each store 61 and 63. Also good. In this way, local monitoring of the showcase 10 can be realized. In this case, the I / F 15 can be directly connected to the monitoring computer 40.

(2)
In the showcase monitoring system 100 according to the previous embodiment, it is determined whether or not the operation state of the showcase 10 is normal in step S14 and step S15. If it can be acquired relatively easily, in addition to this, during any process from step S13 to step S16, a normality determination process using the number of ON / OFF times of the refrigerator per unit time is performed. You may go.

(3)
In the showcase monitoring system 100 according to the previous embodiment, it is determined in step S14 and step S15 whether or not the operating state of the showcase 10 is normal. In addition, from step S13 to step S16. During any of these processes, a normality determination process using the number of rises and falls of the internal temperature per unit time may be performed.

(4)
In the showcase monitoring system 100 according to the previous embodiment, whether or not the operating state of the showcase 10 is normal is determined based on the threshold value ΔTs in step S14. This threshold value ΔTs is the environment of the stores 61 and 63. It may be made to fluctuate according to. In this way, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining whether or not the operating state of the showcase 10 is normal.

  By using the showcase internal set temperature estimation device, the internal set temperature estimation program, and the internal set temperature estimation method according to the present invention, establishment of a communication connection between the showcase and the monitoring device for commercial reasons. Even if it is extremely difficult to obtain the temperature inside the cabinet or the set temperature in the cabinet directly from the showcase, it is possible to monitor the showcase using the cabinet temperature or the preset temperature inside the cabinet. it can.

1 is a block diagram showing a showcase monitoring system 100. FIG. The flowchart showing the flow of estimation of set temperature in a store | warehouse | chamber.

Explanation of symbols

10 Showcase 12 Temperature sensor 15 Interface (I / F)
20 Defrost Controller 21 Defrost Heater 22 Contact Sensor 30, 43 Modem 40 Monitoring Computer 41 Monitoring Program 45 CPU
47 hard disk 48 database 50 public telephone line 61,63 store 70 monitoring center 100 showcase monitoring system

Claims (10)

A showcase internal temperature setting apparatus (40) for estimating an internal set temperature of a showcase (10),
Chamber temperature information acquisition means (12, 15, 43) for acquiring the chamber temperature information of the showcase (10);
Estimating means (41, 45) for estimating the set temperature in the store using the store temperature information;
A showcase chamber set temperature estimating device (40) comprising: Further comprising defrost execution time information acquisition means (15, 22, 43) for acquiring information on the execution time of defrost performed in the showcase (10),
The estimation means (41, 45) estimates the internal set temperature using the internal temperature information and the defrost execution time information.
The showcase internal set temperature estimation device (40) according to claim 1. A determination means (41, 45) for determining whether or not the operation state of the showcase (10) is normal based on a predetermined condition;
The estimation means (41, 45) estimates the internal set temperature when the determination means (41, 45) determines that the operating state is normal.
The showcase internal set temperature estimation device (40) according to claim 1 or 2. The predetermined condition is whether or not a representative value of the internal temperature information or the internal temperature information is within a predetermined period threshold.
The showcase internal set temperature estimation device (40) according to claim 3. The predetermined condition is a gradient with respect to time of the representative value of the internal temperature information or the internal temperature information,
The showcase internal set temperature estimation device (40) according to claim 3. Further comprising receiving means for receiving a start / stop signal of the refrigerator of the showcase (10),
The predetermined condition is the frequency of the start / stop signal per unit time.
The showcase internal set temperature estimation device (40) according to claim 3. The predetermined condition varies according to the operating environment of the showcase (10).
The showcase internal set temperature estimation device (40) according to any one of claims 3 to 6. Provided far from the showcase (10),
The showcase internal set temperature estimation device (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A showcase internal temperature setting program (41) for estimating the internal temperature setting of the showcase (10),
An internal temperature information acquisition step of acquiring internal temperature information of the showcase (10);
An estimation step for estimating the internal set temperature using the internal temperature information;
A showcase chamber set temperature estimation program (41). A method for estimating a set temperature in a showcase to estimate a set temperature in a showcase (10),
An internal temperature information acquisition step of acquiring internal temperature information of the showcase (10);
An estimation step for estimating the internal set temperature using the internal temperature information;
A method for estimating a set temperature in a showcase, comprising:

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