JP2010230210A - Air-conditioning system and air-conditioning method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently carry out the air-conditioning of an air-conditioning object room while optimally controlling a plurality of air conditioners. <P>SOLUTION: The number of operated air conditioners is varied according to a change of a necessary air-conditioning amount in a server room. In this case, when increasing the number of operated air conditioners out of stopped air conditioners, an air conditioner with the most shortest cumulative working time is added and started. Meanwhile, when reducing the number of operated air conditioners out of the stopped air conditioners, an air conditioner with the longest cumulative working time is stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air-conditioning system and an air-conditioning control method for supplying conditioned air to an air-conditioning target room in which an air supply part is formed on one of a floor surface and a ceiling surface, and a return air part is formed on the other.

  As a conventional air conditioning system of this type, for example, an air conditioning system is known in which waste heat of an equipment storage rack installed in an air conditioning target room is processed by air conditioning air blown from a floor opening of the air conditioning target room. In an air-conditioning target room in which many racks are arranged, a plurality of air conditioners for supplying conditioned air to the floor opening through the underfloor chamber are often provided. In some cases, a fan for forcibly sending conditioned air from the underfloor chamber to the floor opening may be provided.

JP 2008-185271 A

  The amount of heat load in the air-conditioning target room varies depending on the number of information processing devices installed in the indoor rack group and the operating status of the information processing devices. For this reason, in order to efficiently air-condition the air-conditioning target room, it is necessary to control a plurality of air conditioners according to fluctuations in the heat load.

  However, if a plurality of air conditioners are appropriately operated in accordance with fluctuations in the amount of heat load in the room, variations occur in the cumulative operation period of each air conditioner. As a result, when there is an air conditioner in which the operation load is excessively increased compared to other cases, there is a possibility that inconveniences such as shortening the lifetime unnecessarily occur.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of the actual situation, and an object of the present invention is to enable efficient air conditioning of an air-conditioning target room while optimally controlling a plurality of air conditioners.

  An air conditioning system according to a first aspect of the present invention is an air conditioning system for supplying conditioned air to an air conditioned room in which an air supply portion is formed on one of a floor surface and a ceiling surface, and a return air portion is formed on the other. A plurality of air conditioners for supplying conditioned air to the supply section and taking in return air from the return section, a plurality of racks for storing information processing equipment, and the information processing equipment A current sensor for detecting the supplied current, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air conditioning target room, and the required air conditioning for the air conditioning target room based on the detected values of the temperature sensor and the current sensor An air conditioning amount calculating means for calculating the amount, an air conditioner operating number calculating means for calculating the number of operating air conditioners necessary for supplying the required air conditioning amount calculated by the air conditioning amount calculating means, and each of the plurality of air conditioners Cumulative operating period is leveled So that the, and a air conditioner control means for controlling each of the starting and stopping of the plurality of air conditioners based on air conditioner number of operative calculated by the air-conditioner operation speed calculating means.

  According to the first aspect, the number of operating air conditioners changes according to the change in the air conditioning state in the air conditioning target room, and the cumulative operating period of each of the plurality of air conditioners is leveled.

  According to a preferred second aspect, in the air conditioning target room, a plurality of sets of rack groups each including a plurality of racks are installed in two rows so that the front surfaces face each other, and the air conditioning system includes two rows. A plurality of air supply units provided on the floor surface of the first space sandwiched between the front surfaces of the rack group, and the conditioned air blown out from the air conditioner toward the under-floor space of the air-conditioned room In order to supply air to a plurality of air supply units, a plurality of air supply devices provided for each of the first spaces with respect to an underfloor space of the air-conditioning target room, and the rack units provided in each of the rack groups A first space air-conditioning amount calculating means for calculating a necessary air-conditioning amount to be supplied from the plurality of air supply units for each of the first spaces based on detection values of the temperature sensor and the current sensor; For supply of necessary air conditioning amount calculated by air conditioning amount calculation means Based on the supply air device operation number calculation means for calculating the required supply air device operation number for each first space, and the supply air device operation number calculated by the supply air device operation number calculation unit, Air supply device control means for controlling the start and stop of each of the air devices for each of the first spaces is further provided.

  According to the second aspect, the required air conditioning amount is calculated for each first space, and activation and stop of the air supply device are controlled for each first space.

  According to this invention, the number of air conditioner operations required for supplying the required air conditioning amount to the air conditioning target room is calculated, and the cumulative operation period of each of the plurality of air conditioners is calculated to be leveled. Starting and stopping of each of the plurality of air conditioners are controlled based on the number of air conditioner operations. For this reason, it becomes possible to efficiently air-condition the air-conditioning target room while operating a plurality of air conditioners in the air-conditioning target room evenly.

It is a perspective view of the server room 100 which employ | adopted the air conditioning system. It is the cross-sectional top view seen from the II line arrow direction of FIG. It is the cross-sectional top view seen from the II-II line arrow direction of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the arrangement | positioning state of a rack group. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a rack 6. It is a figure for demonstrating the check blade part 50 attached to the hot aisle opening 19. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the attachment structure of the booster fan 9 provided corresponding to the air supply part 7. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an air conditioning system. It is a figure for demonstrating the attachment position of the temperature sensor 17, and the detected value of the temperature sensor 17 and the current sensor 18 which are input into the control apparatus 30. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure of the operation number control of the booster fan 9 and the air conditioner 4. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an air-conditioner selection process. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the control example regarding the operation number control of the air conditioner 4. FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a server room 100 employing an air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view seen from the direction of arrows I-I in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view seen from the direction of arrows II-II in FIG.

  The server room 100 has an indoor space formed between the free access floor 1 and the ceiling. Each of the floor and ceiling of the server room 100 has a double structure. Under the free access floor 1, an underfloor air supply chamber 3 for supplying conditioned air from the floor is formed. On the other hand, a plurality of return air ducts 11 for returning waste heat air and header ducts 12 communicating with the respective return air ducts 11 are arranged in the ceiling space 2 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). .

  An exhaust fan 16 for exhausting room air is attached to the wall surface of the server room 100. In the air conditioner area 70 of the server room 100, a plurality of air conditioners 4 and an external air conditioner 15 for humidification control are installed. In the air conditioner area 70, in order to provide redundancy, a number of air conditioners 4 having a sufficient margin with respect to the heat load of the server room 100 are installed.

  In the present embodiment, all the air conditioners 4 installed in the server room 100 have the same air conditioning capability including the temperature of the cool air blown from the blowout port and the amount of blown air.

  One end of an air conditioner duct 25 is attached to each air conditioner 4 at the air inlet of the air conditioner 4. The other end of the air conditioner duct 25 is a place where the return air duct 11 and the header duct 12 communicate with each other, and communicates with both the return air duct 11 and the header duct 12. Each return air duct 11 is provided with a return air motor damper 13 for opening and closing the return air duct 11. Each air conditioner duct 25 is provided with an air conditioner motor damper 14 for opening and closing the air conditioner duct 25. FIG. 1 shows an example in which three air conditioner ducts 25 and three air conditioners are arranged for four return air ducts 11.

  The air conditioner ducts 25 may be provided corresponding to the respective return air ducts 11, or the total number of the return air ducts 11 may be provided in correspondence with the total number of the air conditioner ducts 25. Further, by providing the air conditioner duct 25 only at an intermediate position between the adjacent return air ducts 11, the number of the return air ducts 11 and the number of the air conditioner ducts 25 may be in a ratio of 2: 1. .

  On the free access floor 1, a plurality of rack groups each including a plurality of racks 6 are installed in two rows so that the front surfaces thereof face each other.

  A total of four rows of rack groups are installed on the free access floor 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the left side of the drawing is an expansion space. The rack 6 stores information processing devices such as servers and routers. Each rack row is provided with a current sensor 18 (see FIG. 8) for calculating the power consumption of the stored information processing device.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the rack groups in each row are arranged at a predetermined interval so that a pair of rack groups whose fronts face each other are positioned between two adjacent return air ducts 11. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the first space 10 sandwiched between a pair of rack groups facing each other and the second space 20 sandwiched between each pair of adjacent rack groups alternate. Is formed. Hereinafter, the first space 10 is referred to as a cold aisle 10, and the second space 20 is referred to as a hot aisle 20.

  A first passage portion is constituted by the floor surface of the cold aisle 10, and a second passage portion is constituted by the floor surface of the hot aisle 20. It should be noted that at least one of the cold aisle 10 and the hot aisle 20 may be configured such that more rack groups can be installed in the server room 100 with a rack interval that does not allow people to pass.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of air supply portions 7 are provided on the floor surface of the cold aisle 10 at predetermined intervals along the center of the first passage portion. Each of the plurality of air supply units 7 communicates with the underfloor air supply chamber 3. The underfloor air supply chamber 3 is provided with a plurality of booster fans (pressurized cool air blowing fans) 9 for forcibly sending conditioned air to the air supply units 7. In the present embodiment, all booster fans 9 provided in the underfloor air supply chamber 3 have the same blowing capacity.

  In FIG. 3, one booster fan 9 is provided corresponding to one air supply unit 7, but two or more booster fans 9 may be provided for each air supply unit 7. Good. Alternatively, instead of providing the booster fan 9 for each air supply unit 7, one booster fan 9 may be provided at a position corresponding to the middle of the adjacent air supply units 7. Further, the air supply unit 7 may be provided in two rows instead of being provided in one row with respect to the first passage portion.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a shielding top plate 21 for shielding the upper side of the cold aisle 10 is passed to the upper position of a set of racks facing each other with the cold aisle 10 therebetween. Further, shielding doors 22 for shielding both ends of the cold aisle 10 are attached to both ends of the cold aisle 10, that is, both ends of the first passage portion so as to be openable and closable. In FIG. 4, the illustration of the shielding door 22 on the other end side of the cold aisle 10 is omitted.

  In this way, the server room 100 is partitioned into the cold aisle 10 that is the intake side of the rack group and the hot aisle 20 that is the exhaust (waste heat) side of the rack group, and the cold aisle 10 has a sealed structure. It has become. As a result, in the cold aisle 10, the conditioned air flowing in from the air supply unit 7 is efficiently supplied to both rack groups sandwiching the cold aisle 10.

  As indicated by the letter “T” in FIG. 2, temperature sensors 17 are attached to each rack row at predetermined intervals. As shown in FIG. 3, the temperature sensors 17 are attached to a plurality of locations with different attachment heights on the back side of the rack 6, that is, on the hot aisle 20 side. The wiring extending from each temperature sensor 17 is routed to the control panel separately provided in the nearby machine room via the underfloor air supply chamber 3, and is connected to the control device 30 (see FIG. 8) mounted in the control panel. It is connected.

  In addition, although the example which attaches the temperature sensor 17 to every two racks 6 is shown in FIG. 2, it is not limited to this space | interval. For example, you may attach the temperature sensor 17 for every predetermined distance. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 17 may be attached to each rack 6. 3 shows an example in which three positions are attached to the upper, middle, and lower positions of the rack 6, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the temperature sensor 17 may be attached to only one place (for example, the middle position), or the temperature sensor 17 may be attached to each of four or more points having different attachment heights.

  Further, the temperature sensor 17 may be attached to the cold aisle 10 side, that is, the front side of the rack 6, or may be attached to the inside of the rack 6. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 17 may be attached to the return air portion 8 instead of being attached to the rack 6. However, if the temperature sensor 17 is attached to the cold aisle 10 side, there is a possibility that the temperature change of the air-conditioned space cannot be accurately detected only by contacting the air-conditioned air having a constant temperature blown from the floor. Further, when the temperature sensor 17 is attached to the inside of the rack 6, only the detection result of the specific rack 6 can be obtained. Therefore, there is a possibility that the temperature change in the air-conditioned space cannot be detected accurately. Therefore, it is desirable to provide the temperature sensor 17 on the hot aisle 20 side of the rack 6.

  A plurality of hot aisle openings 19 communicating with the underfloor air supply chamber 3 are provided on the floor surface of the hot aisle 20 at predetermined intervals. The conditioned air of the underfloor air supply chamber 3 flows into the floor from the hot aisle opening 19. On the other hand, the ceiling portion of the hot aisle 20 is provided with a plurality of return air portions (waste heat return air openings) 8 at predetermined intervals for taking in exhaust gas and sending it into the return air duct 11.

  In addition, the return space 8 corresponding to the return air duct 11 at the right end is also provided in advance in the expansion space of FIG. The expansion space is further provided with an air supply unit 7, a hot aisle opening 19, and a booster fan 9 in advance. However, at least one of the air supply unit 7, the hot aisle opening 19, and the booster fan 9 corresponding to the expansion space may be provided at the time of construction to add a rack group.

  As shown in FIG. 2, conditioned air is blown out from the air outlet 41 of the air conditioner 4. The air outlet 41 is provided with an air supply temperature sensor 24 (see FIG. 8) for detecting the air supply temperature.

  The conditioned air blown from the air outlet 41 of the air conditioner 4 to the underfloor air supply chamber 3 flows into the floor from the air supply unit 7 or the hot aisle opening 19. The total amount of conditioned air flowing into the floor varies depending on the number of operating air conditioners 4 and booster fans 9. The amount of air-conditioned air flowing into the floor varies depending on the position of the booster fan 9 that is operating. That is, the cold aisle 10 in which the booster fan 9 is operating has a larger amount of conditioned air flowing into it than the hot aisle 20. Further, among the plurality of cold aisles 10, the amount of conditioned air flowing into the cold aisle 10 increases as the number of booster fans 9 provided on the floor surface increases.

  The conditioned air that has flowed into each cold aisle 10 is taken in through the front surfaces of the racks 6 of both rack groups sandwiching the cold aisle 10 to cool the information processing equipment placed inside the rack 6. The hot aisle 20 is discharged from the upper surface and the rear surface. The hot air discharged to the hot aisle 20 rises and is guided to the return air duct 11 from the return air portion 8 formed in the ceiling portion. The hot air guided to the return air duct 11 is guided to the suction port of the air conditioner 4 through the header duct 12 and the air conditioner duct 25. A return air temperature sensor 23 (see FIG. 8) for detecting the return air temperature is provided at the suction port of each air conditioner 4.

  In FIG. 1, for example, the return air motor damper 13 is closed only for the leftmost return air duct 11 located in the expansion space. Further, the air conditioner motor damper 14 is closed only for the second air conditioner duct 25 from the left, and the operation (operation) is stopped (standby state) only for the air conditioner 4 corresponding thereto.

  In this case, the hot air in the server room 100 is collected by the right three return air ducts 11 out of the four return air ducts 11. The collected hot air is collected by the header duct 12 at the left end air conditioner duct. 25 and the right end and the air conditioner duct 25 adjacent thereto, and are taken into the air conditioners 4 corresponding to the respective air conditioner ducts 25.

  For example, when a rack group is added to the expansion space shown in FIG. 1, hot air from the added rack group is collected by the return air duct 11 by opening the return motor damper 13 of the left return air duct 11. Is possible. In this case, according to the increasing heat load, the leftmost air conditioner duct 25 is opened, and the air conditioner 4 in the standby state (stopped state) corresponding to this is operated, so that the rack group can be expanded. Yes.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the rack 6. 5A is a plan view of the top plate 62 of the rack 6 as viewed from above, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the rack 6, and FIG. 5C is a front view of the rack 6. It is.

  A plurality of shelves for mounting information processing devices 68 are provided inside the rack 6, a communication cable connected to each information processing device 68, and a temperature sensor 17 attached to the rack 6 (see FIG. 2). ) And the like is formed in the cable intake opening 65 for guiding the sensor cable to the underfloor air supply chamber 3.

  The top plate 62 of the rack 6 is formed with a top plate hot air outlet 69 for exhausting hot air in the rack 6 from above. The top plate hot air outlet 69 is provided with a wire mesh or a louver so that foreign matter does not fall into the rack. In addition, the front door 61 and the rear plate 63 of the rack 6 have a louver-like structure in which a plurality of narrow louver blades (blade-like plates) 64 are attached at a constant interval and a constant angle in the horizontal direction. ing.

  The louver blade 64 on the front door 61 side is inclined upward from the outside to the inside of the rack in order to efficiently take in the cold air that blows up from the floor surface. The cooling air is blown up. On the other hand, the louver blade 64 on the back plate 63 side is inclined upward from the inside of the rack to the outside in order to efficiently discharge the hot air inside the rack. It has a structure in which hot air rises.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the louver blade 64 is formed with a number of punching openings in a lattice shape so that the inside of the rack 6 can be visually recognized through the punching openings. For this reason, the indicator lamp of the information processing device 68 housed in the rack 6 can be easily confirmed from the outside of the rack. The size of the punching opening is a small size that does not allow a rod-shaped foreign object such as a ballpoint pen to enter from the outside of the rack. The louver blade 64 may have a curved surface.

  Air-conditioned air in the underfloor air supply chamber 3 is supplied from the air supply unit 7 located on the front surface of the rack 6. A movable underfloor louver 59 is provided below the air supply unit 7 to guide the conditioned air supplied from the air supply unit 7 to the front sides of both racks 6 installed on the left and right sides of the passage unit. (See FIG. 7). The conditioned air guided to the front door 61 is rectified by the louver blade 64 and smoothly attracted to the information processing device 68 mounted on the rack inner shelf. The hot air after the information processing device 68 is cooled inside the rack 6 is rectified by the louver blade 64 provided on the back plate 63 and exhausted from the back of the rack 6. Alternatively, the air is discharged from a top plate hot air outlet 69 formed in the top plate 62 of the rack 6.

  The conditioned air supplied from the air supply unit 7 located in front of the rack 6 is smoothly rectified by the louver blade 64 at the front door 61 portion of the rack 6 and smoothly attracted to the information processing device 68 mounted on the rack inner shelf. Is done. The hot air after the information processing device 68 is cooled inside the rack 6 is rectified by the louver blade 64 provided on the back plate 63 and exhausted from the back of the rack 6. Alternatively, the air is discharged from a top plate hot air outlet 69 formed in the top plate 62 of the rack 6.

  Since the hot aisle opening 19 is provided in the free access floor 1 corresponding to the back side of the rack 6, the hot air discharged from the back and top of the rack 6 by the conditioned air flowing from the hot aisle opening 19 It is quickly collected by the return air unit 8 (see FIG. 3) provided above it.

  As described above, the cool air is easily attracted into the rack 6 and the hot air is easily discharged from the rack 6, so that efficient cooling can be performed.

  FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the check blade portion 50 attached to the hot aisle opening 19. In particular, FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the hot aisle opening 19 to which the check blade portion 50 is attached, FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the check blade portion 50, and FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a check blade 5 provided in the check blade portion 50. FIG. FIG. 6D is a view showing a modified example of the check blade.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the check blade 5 includes a blade 53 whose one end is bent upward, a counterweight 52 provided at the other end of the blade 53, and the blade 53 and the counterweight 52 by a predetermined angle. It comprises a shaft 51 that is pivotally supported in a counterclockwise direction toward the drawing.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, a plurality of feather-shaped check blades 5 are attached to the upper portion of the check blade portion 50 in one direction. As shown in FIG. 6A, the check blade portion 50 is attached to the hot aisle opening 19 below the grating 54.

  When the hot aisle opening 19 receives wind pressure from the underfloor air supply chamber 3, the blade 53 rotates counterclockwise by a predetermined angle against the load of the counterweight 52, and the cooling air from the underfloor air supply chamber 3 flows. It flows into the floor through the hot aisle opening 19. On the other hand, when the hot aisle opening 19 receives wind pressure from above the floor, the blade 53 rotates by a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction and stops in the horizontal direction, thereby closing the hot aisle opening 19.

  As a result, normally, the conditioned air can flow into the hot aisle 20 through the hot aisle opening 19, while the check blade 5 acts as a check valve when the wind pressure relationship between the floor and the floor is reversed. It is possible to prevent occurrence of a short circuit in which hot air on the floor flows backward to the underfloor air supply chamber 3 through the hot aisle opening 19.

  The check blade 55 shown in FIG. 6 (D) has a function equivalent to that of the counterweight 52 shown in FIG. 6 (C) by a portion formed in a spiral shape with one end of a single blade member as a shaft insertion shaft. Is given. Compared with the check blade 5 shown in FIG. 6C, the check blade 55 has improved processability during manufacture. By replacing the check blade 55 with the check blade 5 and attaching it to the check blade portion 50, it functions as a check valve in the same manner as the check blade 5.

  Instead of providing the check blade part 50 for the hot aisle opening 19, a shutter part that can be opened and closed controlled by the control device 30 may be provided. In this case, a wind pressure sensor may be provided in the shutter unit and the sensor value may be input to the control device 30, and the control device 30 may detect a change in the wind pressure and control the opening and closing of the shutter unit.

  FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the mounting structure of the booster fan 9 provided corresponding to the air supply unit 7. In particular, FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the air supply unit 7 as seen from the direction of the arrows of the line II in FIG. FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the booster fan 9 attached to the connection chamber 57 via the fan duct 55.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, a movable underfloor louver portion 59 is attached below the grating 54 attached to the air supply portion 7. The movable under floor louver section 59 is provided with a number of louvers for rectifying conditioned air supplied from under the floor. The inclination angle of the louver provided in the movable underfloor louver portion 59 is configured to be adjustable by manual operation. A check blade portion 50 shown in FIG. 6 is attached below the movable underfloor louver portion 59. For example, when the booster fan 9 corresponding to the air supply unit 7 is not operating, there is a possibility that a short circuit in which hot air on the floor flows back to the underfloor air supply chamber 3 through the air supply unit 7 may occur. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the occurrence of a short circuit is prevented by providing the check blade portion 50 below the movable under floor louver portion 59.

  A connection chamber 57 having an upper opening is connected to the lower portion of the check blade portion 50. One end of a fan duct 55 is connected to an opening provided on one side surface of the connection chamber 57. The fan duct 55 is a duct for allowing the air blown from the booster fan 9 to flow into the connection chamber 57. The other end of the fan duct 55 is connected to an opening provided on one side surface of the casing of the booster fan 9. The casing of the booster fan 9 is suspended from the free access floor 1 by a suspension material 56.

  The conditioned air supplied to the underfloor air supply chamber 3 is sucked from the suction port 58 of the booster fan 9 by a blower mechanism provided inside the casing of the booster fan 9. The conditioned air sucked by the suction port 58 flows into the connection chamber 57 via the fan duct 55. The conditioned air that has flowed into the connection chamber 57 rises by pushing up the blade 53 portion of the check blade 55 provided in the check blade portion 50 and is rectified by the movable underfloor louver portion 59. As shown in FIG. 7 (B), the louvers are provided with inclined angles in opposite directions on the left and right with the vicinity of the center of the movable underfloor louver portion 59 as a boundary. Accordingly, the conditioned air guided to the movable underfloor louver portion 59 is distributed to the front surfaces of both racks 6 installed on the left and right sides of the passage portion located in the cold aisle 10.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the air conditioning system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the control device 30 controls the start and stop of each air conditioner 4 for each air conditioner 4. In addition, the corresponding air conditioner motor damper 14 is controlled to be opened and closed by the control device 30 in conjunction with the start and stop of each air conditioner 4. Further, the control device 30 controls the start and stop of each booster fan 9 for each booster fan 9. The control device 30 is mounted on, for example, a control panel separately provided in the nearby machine room. However, instead of this, the control device 30 may be configured by a monitoring device installed on another floor in the building. Alternatively, the control device 30 may be mounted in the rack 6. Moreover, you may comprise the control apparatus 30 with the controller mounted accompanying either of the some air conditioner 4. FIG. In any case, the control device 30 includes a microcomputer that executes certain processing based on the stored program.

  The control device 30 is wired and connected to each air conditioner 4 and each air conditioner motor damper 14 installed in the server room 100. The control device 30 is wired to each booster fan 9 provided in the underfloor air supply chamber 3, each current sensor 18 and each temperature sensor 17 attached to each rack row. Further, the control device 30 is connected to the return air temperature sensor 23 and the supply air temperature sensor 24 attached to the air conditioner 4 by wiring. In FIG. 8, one return air temperature sensor 23 and one supply air temperature sensor 24 are shown, but in reality, the number of the return air temperature sensors 23 and the supply air temperature sensors 23 correspond to the number of air conditioners 4. The air temperature sensor 24 and the control device 30 are connected by wiring. These connecting wires are routed, for example, in the underfloor air supply chamber 3.

  The control device 30 includes a control unit 31 and a data input unit 32. The control unit 31 includes an air conditioner control unit 33 that controls the air conditioner 4 and the air conditioner motor damper 14, and a booster fan control unit 34 that controls the booster fan 9. The data input unit 32 includes a current data input unit 35 that inputs detection values of the current sensor 18, and a temperature data input unit 36 that inputs detection values of the temperature sensor 17, the return air temperature sensor 23, and the supply air temperature sensor 24. including.

  The booster fan control unit 34 makes the front faces face each other based on the detection value of the current sensor 18 input to the current data input unit 35 and the detection value of the temperature sensor 17 input to the temperature data input unit 36. The required air conditioning amount is calculated for each of the two rows of rack groups 60 and 60 (which constitute the cold aisle 10). Subsequently, the booster fan control unit 34 calculates the number of booster fans to be activated for each cold aisle 10 based on the calculated required air conditioning amount.

  The booster fan control unit 34 operates the booster fan 9 for each cold aisle 10 according to the calculation result. As a result, in the cold aisle 10 that does not satisfy the required air conditioning amount, the required number of booster fans 9 to satisfy the required air conditioning amount starts to be newly operated. On the contrary, in the cold aisle 10 in which an excessive air conditioning amount exceeding a predetermined threshold with respect to the required air conditioning amount is supplied, the number of booster fans 9 necessary to satisfy the required air conditioning amount and the booster currently operating The driving of the booster fans 9 corresponding to the difference from the number of fans 9 stops.

  The air conditioner control unit 33 calculates the required air conditioning amount of the entire server room 100 and controls the operation or stop of the plurality of air conditioners 4 based on the calculation result. For example, the following two methods are conceivable as a method for calculating the required air conditioning amount of the entire server room 100.

  In the first method, the total required air conditioning amount calculated for each cold aisle 10 by the booster fan control unit 34 is obtained, and a value obtained by adding a predetermined compensation value to the obtained value is used as the necessary air conditioning amount for the entire server room 100. It is a technique. The compensation value is added in consideration of a loss due to consumption of conditioned air supplied from the underfloor air supply chamber 3 other than the air supply unit 7 corresponding to the booster fan 9 (for example, the hot aisle opening 19). It is necessary to do.

  The second method uses the detection values of the return air temperature sensor 23 and the supply air temperature sensor 24 attached to each air conditioner 4 to determine the heat load amount in the server room 100, and based on the calculated heat load amount. This is a method for calculating the required air conditioning amount of the entire server room 100. In this case, the return air temperature sensor 23 and the supply air temperature sensor 24 constitute a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air-conditioning target room.

  In addition, when employ | adopting the 2nd method, the sum total of the required air-conditioning amount calculated by the booster fan control part 34 for every cold aisle 10 is calculated | required, and whether the required air-conditioning amount calculated by the 2nd method is larger than the sum total. It is desirable to add control that the air conditioner control unit 33 determines. If the amount of air conditioning supplied from the air conditioner 4 to the underfloor air supply chamber 3 is less than the total required air conditioning amount for each cold aisle 10, the hot air on the floor will not be collected in the return air duct, This is because a short circuit that flows backward to the underfloor air supply chamber 3 through the gap portion occurs. When such a short circuit occurs, the cold aisle 10 is not supplied with the cooling air at the expected temperature, and the cooling efficiency decreases.

  In the present embodiment, a check valve (chuck blade 5) is provided in the hot aisle opening 19 in order to prevent the occurrence of a short circuit through the hot aisle opening 19.

  The air conditioner control unit 33 calculates the required air conditioning amount of the entire server room 100 by the first, second, or other method, and then calculates the calculated required air conditioning amount and the air conditioning amount supplied by the currently operating air conditioner 4. Compare Then, when the supplied air conditioning amount is less than the required air conditioning amount, the number of air conditioners 4 satisfying the necessary air conditioning amount is newly operated. Conversely, when an excessive air conditioning amount that exceeds a predetermined threshold with respect to the required air conditioning amount is supplied, the operation of the number of air conditioners 4 that makes the difference between the supplied air conditioning amount and the necessary air conditioning amount equal to or less than the threshold value is stopped. The air conditioner control unit 33 controls opening / closing of the air conditioner motor damper 14 corresponding to the target air conditioner 4 when the air conditioner 4 is operated or stopped.

  When the air conditioner 4 is newly operated or stopped, the air conditioner control unit 33 selects the air conditioner 4 to be operated or stopped so that the accumulated operation time of each air conditioner 4 is leveled. As a result, the air conditioning load to each air conditioner 4 can be dispersed. The details of control for leveling the accumulated operation time will be described later.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the attachment position of the temperature sensor 17 and the detection values of the temperature sensor 17 and the current sensor 18 that are input to the control device 30. In particular, FIG. 9 (A) is a diagram showing the mounting position of the temperature sensor 17 with respect to a group of racks made up of 12 racks 6. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing six rack rows (1L, 1R, 2L, 2R, 3L, 3R) that form three cold aisles 10. FIG. 9C is a conceptual diagram of a detection value table for the control device 30 to store the detection values of the temperature sensor 17 and the current sensor 18 for each rack row.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, in a rack row formed by arranging 12 racks, a temperature sensor 17 is provided for each of the upper, middle, and lower stages of the rack 6 at predetermined intervals (for example, 3 meters). Attached. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the control device 30 sets each temperature sensor 17 to [TH1, TM1, TL1], [TH2, TM2, TL2], [TH3, TM3, TL3] [TH4, TM4. TL4] is identified for each rack group in each row. In addition, as already demonstrated, the attachment location of the temperature sensor 17 is the back side (hot aisle side) of the rack 6. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the control device 30 makes a pair of rack groups forming the call aisle 10 a pair, and sets the rack groups in each column to [1L, 1R], [2L, 2R], [ 3L, 3R]. In FIG. 9B, illustration of the air supply unit 7 and the hot aisle opening 19 formed on the free access floor 1 is omitted.

  For example, every time a predetermined detection value storage condition (e.g., elapse of a predetermined time) is satisfied, the control device 30 is attached to the plurality of temperature sensors 17 attached to the rack group of each row and the rack group. The detected value data is input from the current sensor 18 (see FIG. 8). The control device 30 stores the input data in the detection value table. The detection value table is configured in a memory provided in the control device 30. As shown in FIG. 9C, the detection value table has a plurality of areas for storing the detection values of the temperature sensor and the current sensor for each rack row.

  The control device 30 calculates the current air conditioning status in the server room 100 using the data stored in the detection value table, and changes the number of operating air conditioners 4 and booster fans 9 as necessary.

  In FIG. 9, the case where the number of racks per row is 12 and the rack row is 6 has been described as an example, but the air conditioning system according to the present embodiment is limited to such a case. Is not to be done. That is, the number of racks per row and the number of rack rows can be changed as needed, and the air conditioning system according to the present embodiment can be applied to either case.

  FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are flowcharts for explaining the procedure for controlling the number of operating booster fans 9 and air conditioners 4. The control device 30 executes processing according to the following processing procedure. First, temperature data is input from each temperature sensor 17, each return air temperature sensor 23, and each supply air temperature sensor 24 (S1). Next, current data is input from each current sensor 18 (S2). The control device 30 stores the input data of each temperature sensor 17 and each current sensor 18 in the detection value table shown in FIG. 9C in the memory. Further, the control device 30 stores input data of each return air temperature sensor 23 and each supply air temperature sensor 24 for each air conditioner 4.

  Next, whether or not there is an abnormal value exceeding a predetermined abnormality determination value in input data from each temperature sensor 17, each return air temperature sensor 23, each supply air temperature sensor 24, and each current sensor 18. Determination is made (S3). If it is determined that an abnormal value exists, an alarm signal for each sensor is output from the control device 30 (S4). Based on this alarm signal, the alarm lamp of the control device 30 is turned on. Alternatively, an alarm sound is generated from the control device 30. Alternatively, the alarm signal is output to another monitoring device or the like that is wired or wirelessly connected to the control device 30.

  Next, based on the input temperature data from each temperature sensor 17, a standard temperature is calculated for each of the two rows of rack groups constituting the cold aisle 10 (S5). The standard temperature is calculated by weighting the detection value of each temperature sensor 17 and obtaining the average of the weighted data. Note that the magnitude of the weight corresponding to each temperature sensor 17 can be arbitrarily set by the administrator for each temperature sensor 17 in the control device 30 in consideration of the magnitude of the thermal load by the information processing device installed. . Next, based on the input current data, the necessary heat amount for processing is calculated for each of the two rows of rack groups constituting the cold aisle 10 (S6).

  Next, based on the calculated standard temperature, heat amount required for processing, and space size (air volume) of the cold aisle 10, the required air conditioning amount is calculated for each of the two rows of rack groups constituting the cold aisle 10 (S7). .

  Next, the required number of booster fans is calculated for each cold aisle 10 based on the blowing capacity per booster fan 9 and the required air conditioning amount calculated in S7 (S8). In addition, the control apparatus 30 has memorize | stored beforehand in the memory with which the ventilation capability per 1 booster fan is provided.

  Next, the total value of the required air volume calculated for each cold aisle 10 is calculated as the required total air volume QBF of the booster fan 9 (S9). Next, the required total air volume QAHU of the air conditioner 4 is calculated (S10). In this process, in order to prevent the occurrence of a short circuit in which hot air on the floor flows into the underfloor air supply chamber 3, a value larger than the required total air volume QBF of the booster fan 9 is calculated as the required total air volume QAHU of the air conditioner 4. Is done. For example, a value obtained by adding a predetermined surplus value to the QBF calculated in S9 is calculated as QAHU.

  Next, based on the calculated QAHU and the air conditioning air volume per air conditioner 4 (air conditioner single air volume) qAHU, the number of air conditioners necessary for supplying the required air conditioning amount is calculated (S11). At this time, the control device 30 obtains “Tra−Tsa”, which is a difference between the input detection value of the return air temperature sensor 23 and the detection value of the supply air temperature sensor 24, for each air conditioner 4. An average value is calculated, and based on the average value and the reference value, it is confirmed whether the air conditioner 4 is newly activated or the air conditioner 4 in operation is in a stopped state. The reference value is stored in the control device 30 in advance. For example, when the average value is larger than the reference value beyond a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the air conditioner 4 needs to be newly activated. Conversely, when the average value is smaller than the reference value and the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the air conditioner 4 needs to be stopped.

  Next, an air conditioner selection process is executed (S12). In addition, the control apparatus 30 has memorize | stored in advance in the memory with which the air conditioning air volume qAHU per unit of the air conditioner 4 and the temperature of the conditioned air which blows off from the blower outlet 41 are provided.

  The air conditioner selection process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the current number of operating air conditioners is less than the required number of air conditioners calculated in S11 (S21). If the current number of operating air conditioners is less than the required number of air conditioners calculated in S11, the air conditioners 4 that have been stopped are preferentially selected from the ones with the shortest accumulated operating time as the activation targets. (S22). For example, when it is necessary to start two air conditioners 4 newly, the shortest cumulative operating time among the currently stopped air conditioners 4 and the next shortest operating time Selected as an activation target.

  The accumulated operation time of the air conditioner 4 is stored in the memory of the control device 30 for each air conditioner 4. The control device 30 updates the corresponding accumulated operation time as needed for the air conditioner 4 in operation. When the operation of the air conditioner 4 is stopped, the counting of the accumulated operation time of the corresponding air conditioner 4 is stopped. The cumulative operation time stored by the control device 30 is, for example, a cumulative time based on when the air conditioner 4 is newly installed in the server room 100.

  However, regarding the cumulative operation time of the air conditioner 4 that has undergone maintenance or the like, the control device 30 may be configured so that the data of the cumulative operation time can be reset at that stage. Alternatively, by performing a predetermined reset operation on the control device 30, the accumulated operating time data may be reset for the air conditioner 4 desired by the operator. Moreover, you may make it the control apparatus 30 autonomously reset the data of the accumulated operation time of all the air conditioners 4 whenever a predetermined period passes. The predetermined period may be arbitrarily set such as one day, one month, or one year. That is, the cumulative operation time in the present embodiment is not limited to the time measured with reference to the time when the air conditioner 4 is newly installed in the server room 100.

  If it is determined NO in S21, it is determined whether the current number of operating air conditioners 4 exceeds the required number of air conditioners calculated in S11 (S23). If the current number of operating air conditioners 4 exceeds the required number of air conditioners calculated in S10, priority is given to the air conditioners 4 that are in operation from the longest accumulated operating time. Is selected (S24). For example, when it is necessary to stop two air conditioners 4 newly, the longest cumulative operating time among the currently operating air conditioners 4 and the next longest operating time Selected as a stop target.

  If NO is determined in S23, that is, if the current number of operating air conditioners 4 is equal to the required number of air conditioners calculated in S11, the air conditioner 4 in operation is set in advance. It is determined whether there is an air conditioner 4 that has been operating beyond the continuous operation time. For example, when the required air conditioning amount for the server room 100 does not change over a long period of time, the air conditioner 4 to be operated / stopped is not replaced only by the processing of S21 to S24. In such a case, there is a possibility that the accumulated operating time of each air conditioner 4 is biased. Therefore, in S25, even in such a case, the air conditioner 4 continuously operating for a predetermined time is detected in order to prevent the accumulated operation time of each air conditioner 4 from being biased.

  If YES is determined in S25, the corresponding air conditioner 4 is selected as a stop target (S26). Instead of this, priority is selected from the air conditioners 4 that are stopped among the ones with the shortest accumulated operation time as the activation targets (S27).

  After S22, S24, or S27, the air conditioner selection process ends. In addition, when it is clear that the necessary number of air conditioners fluctuates frequently, the processing of S25 to S27 may be omitted.

  Returning to FIG. 10, after the air conditioner 4 to be started or stopped is selected in S12, processing for starting or stopping the selected air conditioner is executed (S13). As a result, a start signal is output to the air conditioner 4 to be started, and a signal for opening the duct is output to the air conditioner motor damper 14 for the air conditioner 4. Further, an operation stop signal is output to the air conditioner 4 to be stopped, and a signal for closing the duct is output to the air conditioner motor damper 14 for the air conditioner 4.

  Next, the booster fan 9 is controlled for each cold aisle 10 based on the required number of booster fans calculated in S8 (S14). For example, when the required number of booster fans for a certain cold aisle 10 is six and the current number of booster fans operating is five, a start signal is output to one of the stopped booster fans 9. Further, when the required number of booster fans for a certain cold aisle 10 is three and the current number of booster fans operating is five, stop signals are output to two of the booster fans 9 in operation.

  The booster fan to be stopped or started may be selected by the same control procedure as the air conditioner selection process shown in FIG. 11 so that the cumulative operation time of the booster fan in the cold aisle 10 is leveled. . Alternatively, the number of booster fans to be operated and the booster fan to be operated corresponding to the number may be determined in advance. For example, a booster fan that is driven preferentially from a booster fan provided on the side close to one end of the first passage portion constituting the cold aisle 10 and increases toward the other end of the first passage portion as the required number of drives increases. It is conceivable to drive the fans sequentially.

  10 and 11 may be executed each time a predetermined time is measured while the control device 30 performs data measurement at any time, for example. Alternatively, the control device 30 may be executed based on determining that detection value data exceeding a predetermined reference value is input from any one of the temperature sensor 17, the current sensor 18, and the return air temperature sensor 23. .

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining a control example related to the control of the number of operating air conditioners 4. Here, three air conditioners 4 of A, B, and C are installed in the server room, and as shown in the “Required capacity” column, the required capacity for the air conditioners over time, that is, the required number of operating units Change to less than 1 (t0), 1 or more (t1), 2 or more (t2), then 1 or more (t3), less than 1 (t4), and required capacity When the number is less than one, only the air conditioner A is in operation.

  Further, when the required capacity for the air conditioner is less than one (t0), as shown in the column of “cumulative operation time”, the air conditioner A has the smallest cumulative operation time, and then the air conditioner B There are few air conditioners C, and there are many.

  From time t0 to t1, only the air conditioner A with the shortest accumulated operation time operates. As a result, the difference between the accumulated operation time of the air conditioner A and the accumulated operation time of the air conditioners B and C is reduced. Eventually, when the required capacity increases from less than one to one or more at time t1, among the stopped air conditioners B and C, the air conditioner B with a short cumulative operating time is started. As a result, the accumulated operation time of the air conditioner B is accumulated in the same manner as the air conditioner A.

  In addition, since the accumulated operation time of the air conditioner C that is stopped is not accumulated, the difference between the accumulated operation time of the air conditioners A and B and the accumulated operation time of the air conditioner C is reduced with the passage of time. Eventually, when the required capacity rises to two or more at time t2, the only air conditioner C that is stopped is started. As a result, the accumulated operating hours of the air conditioners A, B, and C are accumulated.

  Next, when the required capacity drops to one or more at time t3, among the air conditioners A, B, and C in operation, the air conditioner C with the longest accumulated operation time stops. On the other hand, the air conditioners A and B operate after that. For this reason, the difference between the cumulative operating time of the air conditioners A and B and the total operating time of the air conditioner C is reduced.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, as the control of the air conditioners by the control device 30 proceeds, the accumulated operating hours of the air conditioners A to C are leveled. As a result, the server room 100 can be efficiently air-conditioned while operating the plurality of air conditioners 4 in the server room 100 evenly. Accordingly, for example, there is no air conditioner 4 in which the operation load is excessively increased compared to the other, and it is possible to prevent the life of each air conditioner 4 from being shortened more than necessary.

  Further, since the cumulative operation time of each air conditioner 4 is leveled, it is not necessary to change the consumable parts replacement work timing for each air conditioner 4, and as a result, the burden of maintenance work on the air conditioner 4 can be reduced. .

Next, modifications and feature points of the embodiment described above are listed below.
(1) In the present embodiment, each return air duct 11 is not directly communicated with the air conditioner duct 25 but is communicated with all the air conditioner ducts 25 via the header duct 12. Configuration is adopted.

  If each return air duct 11 and the air conditioner duct 25 are directly connected without using the header duct 12, the return air duct 11 corresponding to the operating air conditioner 4 has an action of sucking hot air. Although it works, the return air duct 11 corresponding to the air conditioner 4 that is not operating does not act to suck in hot air. As a result, there is a difference in cooling capacity between the lower area of the return air duct 11 corresponding to the operating air conditioner 4 and the lower area of the return air duct 11 corresponding to the not operating air conditioner 4. .

  On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, each of the return air ducts 11 is communicated with all the air conditioner ducts 25 via the header ducts 12, so that any one of the plurality of air conditioners 4 can be used. Even if the engine is stopped or operated, intake force is applied to all the return air ducts 11 through the header duct 12. As a result, the hot air in the lower area of each return air duct 11 can be collected as evenly as possible regardless of which position of the air conditioner 4 is operating or stopped.

  For this reason, according to the present embodiment, when the number of air conditioners 4 to be operated is changed in accordance with a change in the required air conditioning amount of the server room 100, each return is made regardless of which air conditioner 4 is to be stopped or started. There is an effect that the hot air recovery capability in the area below the air duct 11 is not affected as much as possible.

  Therefore, even when the air conditioner 4 to be stopped or started is selected so that the accumulated operation time of each air conditioner 4 is leveled, the selection is performed by the hot air in the lower area of each return air duct 11. There is also an effect that the collection capacity is not affected as much as possible.

  Therefore, even if a plurality of air conditioners 4 having different air conditioning capabilities are installed in the server room 100, the hot air recovery capability in the area below each return air duct 11 is not affected as much as possible. That is, in the present embodiment, the plurality of air conditioners 4 installed in the server room 100 have been described as having the same air conditioning capability, but a plurality of air conditioners 4 having different air conditioning capabilities may be employed. In this case, when changing the number of operating air conditioners 4 according to changes in the required air conditioning amount of the server room 100, the total operating time of the air conditioners 4 is leveled while taking into account the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioners 4. As described above, the air conditioner 4 to be started or stopped is selected.

  (2) In the present embodiment, a plurality of return air portions are provided at the ceiling position of the second space where the back surfaces of two adjacent rack groups face each other, and the plurality of return air portions of the second space are provided. A return air duct communicating with each of the second spaces is provided for each of the second spaces, a main duct communicating with each return air duct provided for each of the second spaces is provided, and an air conditioner duct communicating with the air conditioner from the main duct is air-conditioned. The air conditioning control method provided for each machine is adopted.

  (3) In this embodiment, when the number of operating air conditioners 4 is changed in accordance with a change in the required air conditioning amount of the server room 100 after adopting the header duct 12, the cumulative operating time of each air conditioner 4 Therefore, the air conditioner 4 to be stopped or started is selected so as to be leveled. However, the air conditioner duct 25 may be provided corresponding to each return air duct 11 without adopting the header duct 12. Then, the air conditioner 4 to be stopped or started may be selected so that the accumulated operation time of each air conditioner 4 is leveled.

  (4) As shown in FIG. 1, the header duct 12 may be provided only on the side where the air conditioner 4 is installed, or it may be provided in parallel on the opposite side (on the paper surface, back side). It is good also as a structure by which the some return air duct 11 is arrange | positioned so that it may span over the two header ducts 12 which run to.

  (5) In the present embodiment, the return air duct 11 is provided for the ceiling space 2. However, the ceiling chamber 2 is provided with the ceiling space 2 itself as a circulation path for waste heat air without providing the return air duct 11. A method may be adopted. In this case, an opening is provided in the wall forming the ceiling space 2, and one end of the damper to which the return air motor damper 13 is attached is connected to the opening, and the other end is connected to the header duct 12. Thereby, the waste heat air collected in the return air section 8 is guided from the ceiling space 2 to the header duct 12 via the opening. Waste heat air guided to the header duct 12 is taken into the air conditioner 4 via the air conditioner duct 25.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which conditioned air blows up from under the floor of the server room 100 and hot air is collected on the ceiling has been described as an example. However, instead of this, a configuration in which conditioned air is blown out from the ceiling of the server room 100 and hot air is collected on the floor may be adopted. In this case, the inclination direction of the louver blade 64 provided in the rack 6 is inverted upside down.

  (7) As another method for leveling the cumulative operation time of the air conditioner 4, there is the following method.

    (A) Regardless of whether or not the current operating number matches the required operating number, the air conditioner 4 to be operated is switched in a predetermined order every time a predetermined time elapses. Even when the number of operating units needs to be changed, the air conditioner 4 to be started or stopped is selected in a predetermined priority order. When such a method is adopted, the control device 30 does not need to store the accumulated operation time.

    (B) Regardless of whether or not the current operating number matches the required operating number, the continuous operation time is counted for each of the operating air conditioners 4, and the air conditioner 4 whose continuous operation time has reached a certain time is determined. Stop and reset the data of the continuous operation time. Then, the stopped air conditioner 4 is operated, and the continuous operation time measurement for the air conditioner 4 is newly started. When it is necessary to change the number of operating units, the air conditioner 4 to be started or stopped is selected in a predetermined priority order. When such a method is adopted, the control device 30 stores not the cumulative operation time but the continuous operation time.

  (8) Instead of selecting the air conditioner 4 to be activated or stopped so that the accumulated operation time of each air conditioner 4 is leveled, the ratio of the accumulated operation time of each air conditioner 4 becomes a predetermined ratio. As described above, the air conditioner 4 to be started or stopped may be selected. For example, for the air conditioners A, B, and C, when it is desired to set the ratio of the cumulative operation time to 1: 2: 3, the ratio is stored in the control device 30 in advance as a ratio set value. Then, every time it is necessary to change the number of operating units, the ratio of the cumulative operating time of the air conditioners A, B, and C until then is calculated, and the calculated result and the ratio set value are compared, and the air conditioning to be operated or stopped. The control device 30 may select the machine. Thereby, for example, the high-performance air conditioner 4 having a high energy saving effect can be preferentially driven over the other air conditioners 4.

  (9) In the above embodiment, the number of booster fans 9 and the number of air conditioners 4 that are operated is controlled according to changes in the required air conditioning amount. However, the air volume may be controlled in addition to the start or stop control. For example, it is conceivable to control the air volume of the booster fan 9 and the air conditioner 4 in a plurality of stages such as weak, medium, and strong according to changes in the required air conditioning amount.

  (10) In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the control of the number of operating booster fans 9 and the control of the number of operating air conditioners 4 are performed by the common control device 30. However, each control may be executed by a different control device.

  (11) A booster fan for sending conditioned air from the hot aisle opening 19 onto the floor may be provided separately from the booster fan 9.

  (12) An airflow direction adjusting mechanism such as a louver blade may be provided for the air supply unit 7 and / or the hot aisle opening 19 so that the conditioned air is directed toward the rack 6.

  (13) The air conditioner 4 may be a cold water system or a packaged air conditioner system. In this embodiment, an example of a rack (storage case) is shown in which a plurality of shelves are formed. However, any rack can be used as long as it can store information processing equipment. Is also applicable. For example, the rack may have a shape in which at least one of the front surface or the back surface is open and surrounds only the left and right side surfaces, the bottom surface, and the top surface. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a power supply unit that receives power supply from the power supply panel of the server room 100 is provided for each rack row, and power is distributed to each rack 6 from there. A power supply unit may be provided separately. When a power supply unit is provided for each rack 6, a current sensor 18 may be provided for each rack 6.

  (14) After obtaining “Tra−Tsa”, which is the difference between the detected value of the return air temperature sensor 23 and the detected value of the supply air temperature sensor 24, for each air conditioner 4, the average value was calculated and calculated. The required number of air conditioners may be obtained in consideration of the average value and the reference value. In this case, for example, the control device 30 stores in advance data indicating the relationship between the average value of “Tra−Tsa” and the number of necessary air conditioners.

  (15) The control device 30 may control the temperature of the conditioned air blown from each air conditioner 4. For example, when controlling the number of air conditioners, the control device 30 sets each air conditioner based on “Tra−Tsa” that is the difference between the detection value of the return air temperature sensor 23 and the detection value of the supply air temperature sensor 24. 4 air conditioning temperature is controlled. As a result, the server room 100 can be controlled to the target temperature even more quickly.

  (16) The return air temperature sensor 23 and the supply air temperature sensor 24 are attached to each air conditioner 4, but may be attached to only one of the air conditioners 4. The air conditioner 4 may be provided in a separate room in contact with the server room 100, and the air conditioner duct 25 and the air conditioned air blowing duct on the server room 100 side may be connected to the suction port and the blowing port of the air conditioner 4.

  (17) Instead of the check blades shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the following check blades may be employed. That is, by adopting a thin metal plate as the blade member, and forming one end of the blade member in a spiral shape as in FIG. 6D, the other end of the blade member is It is configured to move up and down by elastic force applied to the shaft portion. The check blade configured in this manner is attached to the check blade portion 50 so that the blade portions of the check blades overlap each other, thereby functioning as a check valve in the same manner as the check blade 5.

  (18) By providing the movable underfloor louver portion 59 between the grating 54 and the check blade portion 50 shown in FIG. 6 (A), the conditioned air flowing into the hot aisle opening 19 from under the floor is also introduced. The direction may be rectified.

  (19) The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  1 Free Access Floor, 2 Ceiling Space, 3 Underfloor Air Supply Chamber, 4 Air Conditioner, 5,55 Check Blade, 6 Racks, 7 Air Supply Unit, 8 Return Air Unit, 9 Booster Fan, 10 Cold Aisle (First Space ), 11 Return air duct, 12 Header duct, 13 Return air motor damper, 14 Air conditioner motor damper, 15 Air conditioner, 16 Exhaust fan, 17 Temperature sensor, 18 Current sensor, 19 Hot aisle opening, 20 Hot aisle (second Space), 21 shielding top plate, 22 shielding door, 23 return air temperature sensor, 24 air supply temperature sensor, 25 air conditioner duct, 30 control device, 31 control unit, 32 data input unit, 33 air conditioner control unit, 34 booster Fan control unit, 35 Current data input unit, 36 Temperature data input unit, 41 Air outlet, 50 Check blade unit, 1 Shaft, 52 Counterweight, 53 Blade, 54 Grating, 55 Fan Duct, 56 Hanging Material, 57 Connection Chamber, 58 Suction Port, 59 Movable Underfloor Louver, 60 Rack Group, 61 Front Door, 62 Top Plate, 63 Back plate, 64 louver blades, 65 cable opening, 68 information processing equipment, 69 top plate hot air outlet, 70 air conditioner area, 100 server room.

Claims (11)

An air conditioning system for supplying conditioned air to an air conditioned room in which an air supply portion is formed on one of a floor surface and a ceiling surface and a return air portion is formed on the other,
A plurality of air conditioners for supplying conditioned air to the air supply unit and taking in return air from the return air unit;
A plurality of racks for accommodating information processing devices;
A current sensor for detecting a current supplied to the information processing device;
A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air-conditioned room;
An air conditioning amount calculating means for calculating a necessary air conditioning amount for the air conditioning target room based on detection values of the temperature sensor and the current sensor;
An air conditioner operation number calculating means for calculating an air conditioner operation number necessary for supplying the necessary air conditioning amount calculated by the air conditioning amount calculating means;
Control the start and stop of each of the plurality of air conditioners based on the number of air conditioner operations calculated by the air conditioner operation number calculation means so that the cumulative operation period of each of the plurality of air conditioners is leveled An air conditioning system comprising an air conditioner control means. In the air-conditioning target room, a plurality of rack groups each including a plurality of racks are installed in two rows so that the front surfaces face each other.
The air conditioning system
A plurality of air supply units provided on the floor surface of the first space sandwiched between the front surfaces of the two rows of rack groups;
In order to forcibly supply the conditioned air blown from the air conditioner toward the under-floor space of the air-conditioned room to the plurality of air supply units, A plurality of air supply devices provided for each space;
A first space for calculating a necessary air conditioning amount to be supplied from the plurality of air supply units for each of the first spaces based on detection values of the temperature sensor and the current sensor provided in each of the rack groups. Air conditioning amount calculating means;
An air supply device operation number calculating unit that calculates the number of air supply device operations necessary for supplying the required air conditioning amount calculated by the first space air conditioning amount for each first space;
Air supply device control means for controlling the start and stop of each of the plurality of air supply devices according to the first space based on the air supply device operation number calculated by the air supply device operation number calculation means; The air conditioning system according to claim 1 provided.   The air conditioning amount calculating means calculates a required air conditioning amount for the air conditioning target room by calculating a sum of the required air conditioning amounts for each first space calculated by the first space air conditioning amount calculating means. The air conditioning system according to claim 2. A storage means for storing the cumulative operating period of the air conditioner for each air conditioner;
The air conditioner control means preferentially activates an air conditioner with the shortest total operating time when the number of air conditioner operations is insufficient, and preferentially stops an air conditioner with the longest total operating time when the number of air conditioner operations is excessive The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A plurality of return air portions are provided at the ceiling position of the second space sandwiched between the back surfaces of the adjacent two rows of rack groups,
The air conditioning system
A return air duct provided for each of the second spaces and communicating with the plurality of return air portions;
A header duct communicating with each return air duct provided for each of the second spaces;
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising an air conditioner duct that is provided for each of the air conditioners and communicates with both the header duct and the air conditioner. An opening communicating with the underfloor space is formed in the second space sandwiched between the back surfaces of the two adjacent rack groups.
The opening is provided with a check valve for preventing the air discharged from the plurality of air supply units to the rack group and then discharged to the second space from flowing backward from the floor to the floor. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 2 to 5. A shield passed between upper surfaces of rack groups on both sides sandwiching the first space;
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a shielding door that can be freely opened and closed at an end of a rack group on both sides sandwiching the first space.   The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a rectifying unit for rectifying conditioned air is formed on a front surface and a back surface of the rack. A return air duct opening and closing section provided separately for the return air duct to open and close the return air duct;
The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising an air conditioner duct opening / closing section provided for each of the air conditioner ducts for opening and closing the air conditioner duct. An air supply part is formed on one of the floor surface and the ceiling surface, and a return air part is formed on the other. A plurality of air supply air is supplied to the air supply part and intake air is taken in from the return air part. An air-conditioning control method for supplying air-conditioned air to an air-conditioning target room in which an air-conditioner is installed,
Based on the current sensor for detecting the current supplied to the information processing device accommodated in the rack and the detection value of the temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air-conditioning target room, the necessity for the air-conditioning target room Calculate the air conditioning amount,
Calculate the number of air conditioner operations required to supply the calculated required air conditioning amount,
An air conditioning control method for controlling starting and stopping of each of the plurality of air conditioners based on the calculated number of operating air conditioners so that a cumulative operation period of each of the plurality of air conditioners is leveled. In the air-conditioning target room, a plurality of rack groups each including a plurality of racks are installed in two rows so that the front surfaces face each other.
A plurality of air supply units are provided on the floor surface of the first space sandwiched between the front surfaces of the two rows of rack groups,
In order to forcibly supply the conditioned air blown from the air conditioner toward the under-floor space of the air-conditioned room to the plurality of air supply units, A plurality of air supply devices are provided for each space,
Based on the detection values of the temperature sensor and the current sensor provided in each of the rack groups, the required air conditioning amount to be supplied from the plurality of supply units is calculated for each first space,
Calculate the number of air supply equipment operations necessary for supplying the calculated required air conditioning amount for each first space,
The air conditioning control method according to claim 10, wherein activation and stop of each of the plurality of air supply devices are controlled for each of the first spaces based on the calculated operation number of the air supply devices.

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