JP2014197250A - Computer room air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a computer room air conditioning system capable of improving cooling efficiency by suppressing the unnecessary leakage of air due to the distortion of a shield.SOLUTION: Distortion detection means 13 for detecting the distortion of shields 10 and 11 covering the upper part or side end part of a passage 4 is disposed. A control device 14 for controlling the blast volume of an air conditioning device 6 on the basis of the detection result of the distortion detection means 13 is disposed. When the distortion of the shields 10 and 11 is detected, the blast volume of the air conditioning device 6 is increased/decreased such that an air pressure in the passage 4 is adjusted.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air conditioning system for a computer room in which a plurality of storage racks for storing various devices such as electronic computers are arranged.

  In the computer room, devices such as electronic computers, information devices, and communication devices are housed in a plurality of housing racks and arranged in a highly integrated manner. And although the apparatus accommodated in each accommodation rack emits heat at the time of use, it is necessary to keep the operating temperature low in order to obtain the stable operation | movement of an apparatus.

For this reason, in a computer room in which a plurality of devices are installed in a storage rack, cooling air is blown out from a lower discharge passage such as a double floor to a passage on the front side of the storage rack.
The computer room air conditioning system adopted here is provided with an air supply surface for taking in cooling air on the front side of each accommodation rack that accommodates equipment, and heats the back side or the upper surface side of each accommodation rack. An exhaust surface for exhausting the hot air to the outside is provided. In the computer room, a plurality of storage racks are arranged so that the air supply surfaces face each other across the passage, and the cooling air blown out from the air conditioner passes through the passage between the racks from below the floor to each storage rack. Supplied. And the air (heated air) heated by cooling the equipment in each storage rack is returned again to the air inlet of the air conditioner.

  In this type of computer room air conditioning system, in order to efficiently cool the equipment in the storage rack without causing hot air to circulate to the air supply side, the space between the storage racks on both sides of the path is It is closed by an upper shield covering the upper part and an end shield covering the end of the passage. Moreover, in each accommodation rack, in order to cool the apparatus and to release the heated hot air to the outside, a heat radiating fan is installed on the back side or the top side (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3833515

In this type of computer room air conditioning system, in order to prevent the heat on the exhaust heat side from entering the cooling passage through the gaps between the parts, the cooling air supply capacity of the air conditioner is more than the exhaust capacity of the exhaust heat fan of the storage rack. Is also set high. For this reason, a pressure difference arises in the inner and outer surfaces of the shield that separates the passage.
Not only in the above case, if the pressure difference acting on the inner and outer surfaces of the shield increases and the state continues for a long time, the shield is distorted and the amount of air leakage from the terminal portion of the shield may increase. Concerned.

  Therefore, the present invention is intended to provide a computer room air conditioning system that can suppress unnecessary air leakage due to distortion of the shield and improve cooling efficiency.

The computer room air conditioning system according to the present invention includes a plurality of storage racks, each having a plurality of devices housed therein, each having a supply surface for taking in cooling air and an exhaust surface for exhausting heated hot air, and a plurality of rows A passage formed between the accommodation racks, an air conditioner that sucks in hot air and sends out cooling air, covers an upper portion and a side end of the passage, and distributes the cooling air and hot air A shielding body that separates the circulation section, a strain detection means that detects strain of the shielding body, and a control means that controls the air flow rate of the air conditioner based on the detection result of the strain detection means. It is characterized by.
As a result, when the pressure difference acting on the inner and outer surfaces of the shield increases and distortion occurs in the shield, the distortion is detected by the strain detection means, and the air volume of the air conditioner is controlled based on the detection result. The As a result, the internal pressure of the passage is adjusted so as to eliminate the distortion of the shield.

The strain detection means may be, for example, a strain gauge attached to the surface of the shield.
The strain detection means may detect strain of the shield based on a change in optical characteristics of the optical fiber attached to the shield.

Further, the strain detection means may photograph the surface of the shield with an imaging device, and detect the distortion of the shield based on the imaging result of the imaging device.
In this case, for example, a predetermined pattern is written on the surface of the shield, the pattern when the shield is not distorted is compared with the pattern photographed by the imaging device, and based on the degree of divergence between the two. Then, the distortion of the shield may be detected.
Further, a predetermined pattern is projected on the surface of the shield by a projection device, and the pattern when the shield is not distorted is compared with the imaging result of the pattern captured by the imaging device. You may make it detect the distortion of the said shielding body based on the deviation degree.

The strain detector is provided with a light emitter and a light receiver on both sides in a direction along the surface of the shield, and detects distortion of the shield depending on whether or not the light from the light emitter is properly received by the light receiver. You may do it.
Further, the strain detection means is provided with a mark display unit and an image pickup device for photographing the mark on both sides in a direction along the surface of the shield, and whether the mark is properly reflected in the photographing result of the image pickup device. The distortion of the shield may be detected depending on whether or not.
Further, the strain detecting means provides a distance measuring target on the surface of the shielding body, and a distance measuring device for detecting a distance to the distance measuring target at a fixed point other than the shielding body. The distance from the fixed point to the ranging target when there is no distance is compared with the distance from the fixed point to the ranging target measured by the distance measuring device, and based on the degree of deviation between the two, You may make it detect distortion.

  According to the present invention, when the strain generated in the shield is detected by the strain detection means, the air flow rate of the air conditioner is controlled based on the detection result, so the internal pressure in the passage is quickly adjusted. Thus, unnecessary air leakage due to distortion of the shield can be suppressed, and cooling efficiency can be improved.

It is a perspective view which shows the outline | summary of the computer room air conditioning system of embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the distortion | strain detection means of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the distortion | strain detection means of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical side view which shows the distortion | strain detection means of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the principle of the distortion | strain detection means of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical side view which shows the distortion | strain detection means of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical perspective view which shows the distortion | strain detection means of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical side view which shows the modification of the distortion | strain detection means of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical perspective view which shows the distortion | strain detection means of 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical perspective view which shows the distortion | strain detection means of 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical side view which shows the modification of the distortion | strain detection means of 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the distortion | strain detection means of 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is A arrow line view of FIG. 12 of 8th Embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a computer room air conditioning system 100 common to the embodiments. First, the configuration of the computer room air conditioning system 100 common to the embodiments will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a computer room air conditioning system 100 is used in a computer room 101 formed in, for example, a substantially box shape. The computer room 101 is surrounded by the floor 1, a wall and a ceiling (not shown). A double floor 2 is provided so as to be spaced upward from the floor 1, and a plurality of storage racks 3 are disposed on the double floor 2 so as to face each other, for example, in two rows. A passage 4 is disposed on the double floor 2 sandwiched between the two rows of storage racks 3. An internal space 5 is provided under the double floor 2, and the internal wiring 5 accommodates electrical wiring of each storage rack 3, electrical wiring of an air conditioner 6 described later, and the like.

A number of blowing holes 8 are formed on the passage 4 extending in the longitudinal direction of the double floor 2. The internal space 5 under the floor and the passage 4 communicate with each other through the plurality of blowing holes 8 so as to allow ventilation.
An air conditioner 6 is installed on the double floor 2 outside the passage 4. In the air conditioner 6, the hot air exhausted from the accommodation rack 3 is sucked from the suction port 6 a to be cooled, and the air (cooling air) cooled in the air conditioner 6 is sent from the bottom outlet 6 b to the interior space 5. To send.

  The cooling air supplied from the air conditioner 6 to the internal space 5 is supplied onto the passage 4 through the blowout hole 8. Each accommodation rack 3 is formed in a box shape and accommodates devices such as an electronic computer and a communication device. The housing 3a of each storage rack 3 is provided with an air supply surface 3b on the front surface side and an exhaust surface 3d on the upper surface side. An exhaust fan 3c is provided on the exhaust surface 3d. Each accommodation rack 3 is supplied with cooling air from the passage 4 side, and the equipment is cooled by the cooling air. The air that has cooled the device becomes hot air and is discharged from the exhaust fan 3c to the outside.

  In the computer room air conditioning system 100, the upper shield 10 is installed between the upper surfaces of the storage racks 3 arranged to face each other with the passage 4 interposed therebetween. In the case of this embodiment, the upper shield 10 is formed in a box shape without a bottom. The upper shield 10 separates the cooling air circulation part in the passage 4 from the hot air circulation part above the housing rack 3. A pair of end shields 11 that connect the side ends of the storage racks 3 on opposite sides of the passage 4 are attached to the ends on both sides in the extending direction of the passage 4. These end shields 11 separate the cooling air circulation part in the passage 4 from the circulation part of the thermal space outside the accommodation rack 3 at the end part. In this embodiment, the passage 4 is a closed space S on the double floor 2 surrounded by the receiving racks 3 on both sides, the upper shield 10 and the pair of end shields 11.

The upper shield 10 and the pair of end shields 11 surrounding the passage 4 are respectively provided with strain detection means 13 for detecting distortion of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11. The signal of each distortion | strain detection means 13 is connected to the control apparatus 14 (control means) which controls the ventilation volume of the air conditioning apparatus 6. FIG. When a detection signal is input from the strain detection means 13, the control device 14 increases or decreases the air flow rate of the air conditioner 6 based on the signal. Specifically, when the input signal from the strain detection means 13 is a signal that means that the upper shield 10 or the end shield 11 is bulging outward, the control device 14 When the air volume of the air conditioner 6 is reduced and the input signal from the strain detection means 13 is a signal that means that the upper shield 10 or the end shield 11 is indented and deformed inside. The control device 14 increases the air flow rate of the air conditioner 6.
In addition, control of the ventilation volume of the air conditioning apparatus 6 is not restricted to increase / decrease control of the rotation speed of the fan in the main-body part of the air conditioning apparatus 6, For example, increase / decrease the operating number of the air conditioning apparatus 6, or a floor surface You may make it increase / decrease the rotation speed of the blower fan of this blower outlet.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the strain detection means 13 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the strain detection means of the first embodiment.
In the strain detection means of the first embodiment, a strain gauge 15 is attached to an arbitrary location on the surface (front surface or back surface) of the upper shield 10 or the end shield 11 where distortion is likely to occur. The distortion of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11 is detected based on the change. Reference numeral 16 in FIG. 2 denotes a resistance detection circuit of the strain gauge 15.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the strain detection means 13 of the second embodiment.
In the strain detection means of the second embodiment, an optical fiber 17 is attached to the surface (front surface or back surface) of the upper shield 10 or the end shield 11, and the optical characteristics of the optical fiber 17 (interference and scattering of transmitted light). The distortion of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11 is detected based on the change of the attenuation. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 18 denotes a light emitting / receiving device connected to one end of the optical fiber 17, and reference numeral 19 denotes a terminator connected to the other end of the optical fiber 17. Reference numeral 20 denotes an optical characteristic change detection unit.

In the case of this embodiment, one optical fiber 17 is attached so as to straddle one end shield 11, the upper shield 10, and the other end shield 11. Three strains of the shield 10 and the other end shield 11 are detected using a single optical fiber 17. Specifically, pulse light is transmitted from the light emitting / receiving device 18 to one end of the optical fiber 17, and the return light scattered / reflected by the inner wall of the optical fiber 17 is received by the light emitting / receiving device 18. The The detection unit 20 detects a change over time in the level of the return light from the timing when the light emitting / receiving device 18 sends out the pulsed light, and detects a point that has caused a change in the level of the return light. For this reason, the detector 20 can detect that distortion has occurred in either the upper shield 10 or the end shield 11 when the light level is lowered, and the shield in which distortion has occurred. Can be specified.
In this embodiment, the detection accuracy is improved by taking a pre-length between the one end shield 11 and the upper shield 10 and between the upper shield 10 and the other end shield 11. Is planned.

4 and 5 are diagrams showing the strain detection means of the third embodiment.
The strain detection means of the third embodiment images the surfaces of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11 with the imaging device 21, and based on the imaging result of the imaging device 21, the upper shield 10 and the end shield. 11 distortion is detected. In the case of this embodiment, a predetermined pattern P such as a lattice, concentric circle, or straight line is printed on the surface of the upper shield 10 or the end shield 11 by printing or the like. The photographing result is compared with a reference pattern P when the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11 are not distorted.
Note that reference numeral 35 in FIG. 4 processes captured image information, and distortions of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11 based on a comparison between the imaging result of the pattern P by the imaging device 21 and the reference pattern P. It is a detection part which detects.
FIG. 5A shows a reference pattern P when there is no distortion, and FIG. 5B shows a photographed image P ′ of the pattern P when there is distortion.
In the case of this embodiment, the distortion of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11 is detected when, for example, the amount of deviation between the reference pattern P and the captured image P ′ is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount. As the reference pattern P, a photographed image by the imaging device 21 when there is no distortion can be used.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the strain detection means of the fourth embodiment.
In the strain detection means of the fourth embodiment, a pattern is not recorded in advance on the surface of the upper shield 10 or the end shield 11 by printing or the like, but the upper shield 10 or the end shield is projected by the projection device 22. A predetermined pattern that makes it easy to detect distortion is projected on the surface of the body 11, the projection surface is photographed by the imaging device 21, and the photographing result is compared with a reference pattern when there is no distortion. The presence or absence of distortion is determined. Also in this embodiment, for example, it is assumed that there is distortion when the deviation amount between the reference pattern P and the photographed image P ′ is a predetermined amount or more. As a pattern projected by the projection device 22, for example, a lattice pattern or a continuous pattern is desirable.

Note that in both cases of the third and fourth embodiments, convex distortion and concave distortion are obtained by photographing with the imaging device 21 from a position that is offset from the front-side linear pattern and the front position. In either case, it is possible to detect with high accuracy.
In any case of the third and fourth embodiments, an image of the pattern in the case where the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11 are distorted to the side bulging with respect to the passage 4, and the upper cloth shield 10. When the image of the pattern when the edge shield 11 is distorted to the side depressed with respect to the passage is registered, and the captured image approximates the registered pattern, the convex distortion or the concave distortion You may make it determine with there being.
Furthermore, the imaging device 21 does not necessarily have to be a dedicated device, and a security camera or the like can be used as long as it can capture the surface pattern of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11. It is.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the strain detection means of the fifth embodiment.
The strain detection means of the fifth embodiment is provided at the end portions on both sides in the direction along the surfaces of the upper shield body 10 and the end shield body 11 (for example, the upper surfaces of the accommodation racks 3 arranged to face each other). The laser emitter 23 and the laser receiver 24 were installed, respectively, and the light from the laser emitter 23 was shielded by the bent surfaces of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11 and could not be received by the laser receiver 24. Sometimes the detection signal is output as being distorted. In addition, 45 in FIG. 7 is a detection part which detects the presence or absence of light reception.
In addition, if the laser emitter 23 and the laser receiver 24 are installed on both the front side and the back side of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11, the convex shape of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11 is provided. Both strain and concave strain can be detected. Further, the installation positions of the laser emitter 23 and the laser receiver 24 are not limited to the accommodation rack 3, and may be installed on a wall or ceiling around the accommodation rack 3.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the fifth embodiment.
In this modification, the strain detection means is configured such that the laser emitter 23 and the laser receiver 24 are spaced apart so as to sandwich the upper surfaces of the plurality of upper shields 10 (or end shields 11). In the case of this modification, the distortion of the plurality of upper shields 10 (or end shields 11) can be detected by a pair of laser emitters 23 and laser receivers 24.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the strain detection means of the sixth embodiment.
In the strain detection means of the sixth embodiment, a laser emitter 23 and a laser receiver 24 are installed at both ends in the direction along the surfaces of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11, respectively, and the upper shield is provided. When a guide member 25 having a laser light passage window 25a is attached to the surface of the body 10 or the like to be detected, and the shield 10 (11) is not distorted, the light emitted from the laser emitter 23 is guided by the guide member 25. The light emitted from the laser emitter 23 is blocked by the edge of the guide member 25 when distortion occurs due to passing through the 25 passage windows 25a.
In the case of this embodiment, only a pair of laser emitters 23 and laser receivers 24 can detect both convex and concave deflections of the shield 10 (11).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the strain detection means of the seventh embodiment.
The strain detection means of the seventh embodiment includes a mark display unit 28 in which marks 27 such as straight lines are marked at both ends in the direction along the surfaces of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11, and a mark display. An image pickup device 29 for photographing the part 28 is installed, and the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11 are distorted when the mark 27 of the mark display unit 28 is not properly reflected in the photographing result of the image pickup device 29 Is output as a detection signal. Reference numeral 55 in FIG. 10 processes captured image information, and outputs a detection signal indicating that the upper shield 10 or the end shield 11 is distorted when the mark 27 is not present on the image. It is a detection unit.
In the case of this embodiment, if the mark display unit 28 and the imaging device 29 are installed on both the front and back sides of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11, the convex distortion and the concave shape of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11. Both distortions can be detected. The installation positions of the mark display unit 28 and the imaging device 29 are not limited to the accommodation rack 3, and may be installed on a wall or ceiling around the accommodation rack 3. The imaging device 29 is not necessarily a dedicated imaging device, and a security camera or the like can be used as long as the mark display unit 28 can be photographed.

  As in the modification shown in FIG. 11, the mark display unit 28 and the imaging device 29 may be installed apart from each other so as to sandwich the upper surfaces of the plurality of upper shields 10 (or the end shields 11). In the case of this modification, distortion of the plurality of upper shields 10 (or end shields 11) can be detected by a set of mark display unit 28 and imaging device 29.

12 and 13 are diagrams showing the strain detection means of the eighth embodiment.
The strain detection means of the eighth embodiment has a distance measurement target 30 attached to the surface of the upper shield 10 and the end shield 11 and a distance measurement target at a fixed point other than the shield to which the distance measurement target 30 is attached. A distance measuring device 31 for detecting a distance up to 30 is attached, and the distance to the distance measuring target 30 detected by the distance measuring device 31 is compared with a reference distance when there is no distortion to detect distortion. It is. For example, the distance measuring device 31 applies infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, or the like to the distance measuring target 30 and detects the distance to the distance measuring target 30 based on the return time from the distance measuring target 30.
In the case of the examples shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the distance measuring target 30 is attached to the central portion where the end shield 11 has a large amount of distortion, and the distance measuring device 31 includes a frame portion or the like that is unlikely to cause distortion of the upper shield 10. Is installed.
A detector 65 is connected to the distance measuring device 31. The detector 65 stores the distance from the fixed point to the distance measuring target 30 when the end shield 11 is not distorted, and the difference between the stored distance and the distance actually measured by the distance measuring device 31. When the difference exceeds the upper limit value of the allowable difference, a detection signal is output assuming that the end shield 11 has a convex or concave distortion.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various design change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Storage rack 3b ... Air supply surface 3d ... Exhaust surface 4 ... Passage 6 ... Air conditioning apparatus 10 ... Upper shielding body (shielding body)
11 ... End shield (shield)
13 ... distortion detection means 14 ... control device (control means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Strain gauge 17 ... Optical fiber 21 ... Imaging device 22 ... Projection device 23 ... Laser light emitter (light emitter)
24 ... Laser receiver (receiver)
27 ... Mark 28 ... Mark display section (display section)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 29 ... Imaging device 30 ... Ranging target 31 ... Distance measuring device 100 ... Computer room air conditioning system

Claims (9)

A plurality of storage racks that house a plurality of devices and have an air supply surface for taking in cooling air and an exhaust surface for exhausting hot hot air,
A passage formed between the storage racks arranged in a plurality of rows;
An air conditioner that draws in hot air and sends out cooling air;
A shield that covers an upper portion and a side end portion of the passage and separates a cooling air circulation portion and a hot air circulation portion;
Strain detecting means for detecting strain of the shield;
A computer room air-conditioning system, comprising: control means for controlling an air flow rate of the air conditioner based on a detection result of the strain detection means.   The computer room air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the strain detection means is a strain gauge attached to a surface of the shield.   2. The computer room air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the strain detecting means detects strain of the shield based on a change in optical characteristics of an optical fiber attached to the shield.   2. The computer room air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the distortion detection unit images the surface of the shield with an imaging device and detects distortion of the shield based on an imaging result of the imaging device. .   The strain detection means writes a predetermined pattern on the surface of the shield, compares the pattern when the shield is not distorted with the pattern photographed by the imaging device, and determines the degree of divergence between the patterns. 5. The computer room air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein the distortion of the shield is detected based on the computer system.   The strain detection means projects a predetermined pattern on the surface of the shield by a projection device, and compares the pattern when the shield is not distorted with the imaging result of the pattern captured by the imaging device. The computer room air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein the distortion of the shield is detected based on a degree of deviation between the two.   The strain detector is provided with a light emitter and a light receiver on both sides in a direction along the surface of the shield, and detects distortion of the shield depending on whether or not the light from the light emitter is properly received by the light receiver. The computer room air conditioning system according to claim 1.   The strain detection means is provided with a mark display unit and an image pickup device for photographing the mark on both sides in a direction along the surface of the shield, and whether or not the mark is properly reflected in the photographing result of the image pickup device. The computer room air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein distortion of the shield is detected.   The strain detecting means is provided with a distance measuring target on the surface of the shield, and a distance measuring device for detecting a distance to the distance measuring target at a fixed point other than the shield so that the shield is not distorted. Comparing the distance from the fixed point to the ranging target and the distance from the fixed point to the ranging target measured by the distance measuring device, and determining the distortion of the shield based on the degree of deviation between the two The computer room air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the computer room air conditioning system is detected.

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