WO2018116520A1

WO2018116520A1 - Digital smart real showcase warning system, method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2018116520A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/029354
Authority: WO
Inventors: 和夫三輪
Original assignee: 株式会社テクノミライ
Priority date: 2016-12-21
Filing date: 2017-08-15
Publication date: 2018-06-28
Also published as: JP6344785B1; CN110088544A; JPWO2018116520A1; US20200018537A1

Abstract

A digital smart real showcase warning system (100) is provided with a showcase (110), a refrigerator (20), a showcase control unit (18), and a portable device (70). The temperature of the showcase (110) is input over time into a control unit (81) in the showcase control unit (18), it is determined on the basis of the input temperatures that the refrigeration function to the showcase (110) is failing, the control unit (81) calculates an expected date and time at which the temperature will rise to a warning temperature (a predetermined temperature that is unsuitably high for refrigeration/freezing of products within the showcase (110)), the control unit (81) uses a notification means (87) to display a warning regarding the expected date and time, and product loss can be prevented by transmitting the warning information to the portable device (70).

Description

Digital smart real showcase alarm system, method and program

The present invention relates to a digital smart real showcase alarm system, method, and program capable of preventing the occurrence of product loss due to failure of a showcase, a refrigeration freezer, a refrigeration machine facility, etc., gas leakage and frosting.

In stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, showcases are used to display beverages and foods while refrigerated or frozen. Refrigerated showcases installed in stores such as supermarkets are equipped with a refrigeration system, and cool air is blown out from the outlet into the showcase storage where products are displayed to cool the interior to a predetermined temperature. The air is sucked from the mouth, cooled again, and discharged as cold air into the cabinet.
The cooling temperature in the cabinet varies depending on the type of goods stored, and the chamber temperature is set for each showcase. The setting of the target temperature in the cabinet is performed by a freezer / refrigerated showcase controller installed for each showcase.
If the target temperature is set, the internal temperature is detected, and the solenoid valve of the refrigeration apparatus is controlled to open and close so that the internal temperature approaches the target temperature.

In Patent Document 1, an in-house temperature sensor that inputs the temperature in the showcase storage over time, a failure determination unit that determines that the showcase is in failure based on the input temperature, There is described a failure determination system including a display unit for notifying that a warning alert is issued when the failure determination unit determines that it is obvious (paragraphs 0023 to 0051, FIGS. 1 to 6).

Patent Document 2 includes a cooling tank that contains a cooling liquid and immerses an object to be cooled in the cooling liquid for cooling and freezing, and a temperature detector that detects the temperature of the cooling liquid in the cooling tank. In order to prevent the coolant temperature from rising above the alarm temperature due to a failure or the like and degrading the quality of the object to be cooled, the temperature detector detects the coolant temperature tn at every predetermined detection cycle. The estimated time T required for the coolant to reach the alarm temperature tA from the time is calculated, and if the deviation tA-tn between the alarm temperature tA and the detected temperature tn falls below a predetermined temperature due to a failure or the like, the prediction time T is The cooling / refrigeration apparatus displayed in the predicted time display section is described (paragraphs 0001 to 0012, FIGS. 1 and 2).

Patent Document 3 describes a failure cause estimation device for a case cooling system in which failure determination is not performed during defrosting operation (paragraph 0055).

Patent Document 4 describes a refrigerator in which failure determination is not performed during a defrosting operation (paragraph 0042).

Patent Document 5 discloses a temperature sensor that detects the temperature in the cold storage compartment, a temperature history storage unit that sequentially stores the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor as internal temperature history information, and the temperature history. Failure / part replacement prediction unit that activates an alarm buzzer / notification lamp when the internal temperature curve, which is the internal temperature history clear report of the cold storage stored in the storage unit, deviates from the initial value by a certain level (Paragraph 0050, paragraph 0053, paragraph 0063, FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 16).

JP 11-337242 A JP-A-6-137747 JP 2001-91125 A JP 2015-48998 JP 2004-251508 A

However, in such a conventional showcase, when the refrigeration function of the showcase fails, it is only a function of notifying that a failure has occurred. For example, since it is a notification after failure, etc., even if a repair company rushes, repairs etc. are not in time, and in many cases, merchandise is often disposed of. Moreover, even if the alarm prediction time described in Patent Document 2 is displayed, in order to significantly measure the temperature change amount over the detection period, a minimum detection period must be ensured, for example, 30 minutes. Then, during that time, the displayed prediction time does not change, and the display error includes a maximum of 30 minutes as time passes.

An object of the present invention is to provide a digital smart real showcase alarm system, method and program capable of preventing the occurrence of product loss such as showcases.

The digital smart real showcase alarm system according to the present invention is inputted with temperature input means for inputting the temperature inside the showcase, refrigerator or freezer (hereinafter referred to as “showcase etc.”) over time. Based on the temperature, a failure determination unit that determines that the showcase or the like has failed, and a product in the warehouse such as the showcase is refrigerated or frozen when the failure determination unit determines that the failure has occurred. A calculation unit that calculates an expected date and time to rise to an alarm temperature that is a predetermined temperature that is unsuitably high, and a notification unit that notifies alarm information including the estimated date and time calculated by the calculation unit. .

According to this configuration, it is possible to display an alarm indicating the expected date and time when the temperature rises to the alarm temperature before the alarm temperature is raised. Stakeholders can take appropriate measures according to the degree of urgency, and prevent product loss.

The digital smart real showcase alarm system according to the present invention includes an outside air temperature input means for inputting outside air temperature information, and an outside air temperature prediction for predicting a predicted future outside air temperature from the outside air temperature information inputted by the outside air temperature input means. And control means for controlling the temperature of the showcase based on the predicted outside air temperature predicted by the outside air temperature predicting means.

According to this configuration, the showcase is controlled on the basis of the outside air temperature that is preempted rather than following the outside air temperature, so that the showcase can be quickly and appropriately controlled to display the showcase with the minimum necessary energy. Can be controlled.

When the temperature deviates from a normal temperature change pattern, the failure determination means can determine the failure more accurately by determining the showcase or the like as a failure and viewing the temperature change pattern.

Further, the failure determination means excludes the defrosting period from the determination condition at the time of failure by not determining that the temperature rise is a failure when the temperature of the defrosting such as the showcase is changed. An alarm can be displayed.

In addition, a storage unit that stores calendar information in which the temperature change is accumulated is provided, and the failure determination unit determines that a failure occurs when a difference between the calendar information read from the storage unit and the temperature is greater than a predetermined value. As a result, if the temperature tends to rise slightly, such as during a time period when the number of visitors increases, with the threshold value for failure determination as the fluctuation value of the past temperature record, the threshold for failure determination will also increase. An error alarm can be prevented and accurate failure determination can be performed.

The notification means can promptly notify the person concerned in a remote place of the urgency level by transmitting the alarm information to a terminal device that can be held by a person who maintains the showcase or the like.

In addition, a storage unit that stores past outside air temperature is provided, and the outside temperature prediction unit predicts a predicted outside temperature based on data stored in the storage unit, thereby using the past data. The future can be predicted from the current outside air temperature with reference to how the temperature changes with respect to the current time.

In addition, the control means controls the operation of the showcase with a temperature-dependent control coefficient that is a control coefficient corresponding to the displacement of the showcase temperature from the target temperature, so that fine energy-saving control according to the displacement is performed. Can do.

Further, the outside air temperature predicting means predicts the predicted outside air temperature in the future only for the time corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe connecting the showcase and the refrigerator, thereby leading the time corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe. The showcase can be controlled based on the predicted (future) outside air temperature, and the showcase can be quickly and appropriately controlled to control the showcase with a minimum amount of energy.

Also, room temperature input means for inputting room temperature information, room humidity input means for inputting room humidity information, room temperature input from the room temperature input means, and room humidity input from the room humidity input means The indoor enthalpy predicting means for predicting the predicted indoor enthalpy which is the total heat quantity of the humid air of the future indoor air, and the control means determines the temperature of the showcase based on the indoor enthalpy predicted by the indoor enthalpy predicting means. By controlling, the indoor enthalpy is predicted and the showcase is controlled based on the predicted outside air temperature and indoor enthalpy, so the estimated thermal load estimation result is reflected in the showcase control. High showcase energy-saving control can be realized.

Further, the control means controls the showcase based on a predicted bias outside air temperature obtained by adding a bias temperature for correcting a high temperature around the condenser to the predicted outside air temperature as the predicted outside air temperature. By using the predicted bias outside air temperature around the condenser that is higher than the outside air temperature as the outside air temperature, more appropriate showcase control can be performed in consideration of the high temperature outside air around the condenser.

The digital smart real showcase alarm method according to the present invention includes a temperature input step of inputting a temperature in a storehouse such as a showcase over time, and the showcase or the like fails based on the input temperature. When the failure determination step and the failure determination step determine that there is a failure, the product in the warehouse such as the showcase rises to an alarm temperature that is a predetermined temperature that is high enough to be unsuitable for refrigeration or freezing. A calculation step for calculating an expected date and time, and a notification step for notifying alarm information including the estimated date and time calculated by the calculation step are provided.

According to the present invention, the computer determines whether the showcase or the like is out of order based on the temperature input means for inputting the temperature in the storage of the showcase or the like over time and the input temperature. When the failure determination means and the failure determination means determine that there is a failure, the expected date and time when the product in the warehouse such as the showcase rises to an alarm temperature that is a high predetermined temperature that is not suitable for refrigeration or freezing is calculated. A program for causing a digital smart real showcase alarm system to function as a digital smart real showcase alarm system including a calculation unit and a notification unit that notifies alarm information including the expected date and time calculated by the calculation unit.

According to the present invention, when a showcase or the like breaks down and the internal temperature rises abnormally, an alarm is displayed to indicate the degree of failure in an easy-to-understand manner by displaying the expected date and time when the internal temperature rises to the alarm temperature. In addition, since it is possible to take appropriate measures according to the degree of urgency, product loss can be prevented.

1 is a configuration diagram of a digital smart real showcase alarm system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control apparatus of the digital smart real showcase alarm system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the showcase of the digital smart real showcase alarm system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the digital smart real showcase alarm process of the digital smart real showcase alarm system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the energy-saving control operation | movement of the digital smart real showcase alarm system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital smart real showcase alarm system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an example applied to an air conditioning alarm system, and air conditioning control is not essential to the present invention.
[overall structure]
As shown in FIG. 1, a digital smart real showcase alarm system 100 includes an outside air temperature input unit 11 (outside air temperature input unit), an outside air temperature table 12 (storage unit), and an outside air temperature prediction unit 13 (outside air temperature prediction unit). , Indoor temperature input unit 14, indoor humidity input unit 15, indoor enthalpy table 16 (storage means), indoor enthalpy prediction unit 17 (enthalpy prediction unit), showcase control unit 18 (control unit), and air conditioning control unit 19 (control) Means).
An outside air thermometer 20, an indoor thermometer 30, an indoor hygrometer 40, a showcase 50, and an air conditioner 60 are described to illustrate the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100.
The indoor thermometer 30 is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of indoor air. The indoor hygrometer 40 is a humidity sensor that detects the humidity of room air.

<Outside air temperature prediction unit 13>
The outside air temperature input unit 11 inputs the current outside air temperature from the outside air thermometer 20.
The outside air temperature table 12 stores past outside air temperatures for prediction of outside air temperatures.
Here, “outside temperature” as used in this specification is the temperature outside the building, which is basically equal to the temperature announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency, but it is assumed that there will be local fluctuations or variations. .
The outside air temperature prediction unit 13 predicts the outside air temperature and passes the predicted outside air temperature to the showcase control unit 18 and the air conditioning control unit 19.
Outside air temperature prediction includes a past data use prediction method that uses past data to predict the outside air temperature, and an external data use prediction method that uses the data of an external engine to predict the future from the outside air temperature. .

<< Past data usage forecast method >>
The outside air temperature prediction unit 13 predicts how the temperature will change in the future (for example, how many minutes later) (whether it rises or falls). The outside air temperature table 12 stores the outside air temperature data for every 30 minutes in the past, for example, one year to see how the temperature has changed with respect to the past current time. The outside air temperature prediction unit 13 predicts the future from the current outside air temperature based on past data read from the outside air temperature table 12 with reference to how the temperature has changed with respect to the past current time. To do. The details will be described below.

For example, the outside air temperature prediction unit 13 stores the outside air temperature every 30 minutes in the past year in the outside air temperature table 12, and reads the stored outside air temperature as the outside air temperature predicted value to predict the outside air temperature.
In general, if the temperature for each time zone is simply aggregated and used, fluctuations for each date and time are large, and accuracy is insufficient when a future predicted value is obtained from weather data having a large fluctuation amount. Therefore, instead of using the actual temperature value for each time zone as it is, the outside air temperature prediction unit 13 predicts the outside air temperature by, for example, the following methods (1) to (4) and stores it in the outside air temperature table 12. .

(1) Acquire the actual temperature value (for example, 30 minutes) in the area.
(2) Acquire weather data in the relevant area.
(3) A reference curve representing a change in temperature for each time zone (for example, a curve representing a change from the lowest temperature to the highest temperature for each region) is created. Specifically, for each region, the outside air temperature for each time zone from 0 o'clock to 24 o'clock on each day of the year and the temperature change for each time zone are stored as a reference curve. Even if the outdoor temperature of the day differs from year to year, the temperature change for each time zone on that day can be obtained by statistically accumulating it as past data. It can be represented by a curve. The outside air temperature table 12 stores (accumulates) the actual temperature value and the reference curve in the corresponding area.

(4) The predicted value of the outside air temperature for each time zone is calculated from the acquired outside air temperature and the temperature change for each time zone on the corresponding day shown in the reference curve. That is, the acquired outside air temperature is predicted to change at the slope of the temperature change indicated by the reference curve in the next time zone (for example, 1 hour, but 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, etc. are calculated by linear interpolation). For example, it is assumed that an outside air temperature table 12 as shown in Table 1 below is obtained. Changes in the outside air temperature “31.0 ° C.” at time 10:00 and the outside air temperature “31.5 ° C.” at time 11:00 in Table 1 (specifically, the slope of the temperature change indicated by the reference curve (curve)) Is assumed to be substantially constant for each time zone of each season, for example, after one hour, this temperature change “0.5” is added to the acquired outside temperature, and one hour ahead The predicted value of. If it is 15 minutes ahead, “0.5 / 4” is added to obtain the predicted value 15 minutes ahead.

The outside air temperature prediction unit 13 uses the current outside air temperature and past data stored in the outside air temperature table 12 (here, past actual values and reference curves for each time zone) (for example, one hour later). ) Predict the outside air temperature. Further, in the above case, the outside air temperature after 30 minutes is obtained by adding (subtracting) 1/2 of the temperature change indicated by the reference curve to the current outside air temperature, thereby obtaining the predicted value of the outside air temperature after 30 minutes. Can be sought. The predicted value of the outside air temperature can be obtained by the same method even after 15 minutes or for two hours or more.

As described above, the outside air temperature prediction unit 13 creates a reference curve representing a change in the temperature of the day based on the past actual temperature values, and predicts the temperature based on the reference curve. The outside air temperature prediction unit 13 does not use the average value or median value of the past actual values of the air temperature as the current air temperature, but based on the change in the temperature stored in the outside air temperature table 12, Since the temperature corresponding to the tendency of change is predicted, the prediction accuracy can be improved.

<External data usage prediction method>
As described in the above “Past data use prediction method”, the use of past data for prediction is an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the outside air temperature prediction unit 13 can adopt the following << external data use prediction method >>.
The outside air temperature prediction unit 13 predicts the outside air temperature using, for example, a temperature forecast for the date announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The outside air temperature prediction unit 13 predicts a future outside air temperature with respect to the current outside air temperature with reference to a change in the temperature forecast announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency (time differentiation, that is, a tendency of temperature change). For example, the outside air temperature prediction unit 13 can receive data (meteorological data) including a forecast value announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency or Meteorological Company by accessing a computer of the Meteorological Agency or Meteorological Company.

<Indoor enthalpy prediction unit 17>
The indoor enthalpy table 16 stores past indoor enthalpies for predicting indoor enthalpy (see Table 1).
The indoor enthalpy prediction unit 17 refers to the indoor enthalpy table 16 and predicts indoor enthalpy. Specifically, the indoor enthalpy prediction unit 17 is based on the input temperature and humidity of the indoor air and the table value of the indoor enthalpy table 16, and is the enthalpy (also referred to as specific enthalpy) that is the total amount of humid air in the indoor air. Predict. The enthalpy in this embodiment indicates the enthalpy of 1 kg of substance (air), and the unit of enthalpy is (kJ / kgD.A.).

<Showcase control unit 18>
The showcase control unit 18 controls the temperature at which the display items in the showcase are frozen or refrigerated. Specifically, it is a refrigerator or a refrigerator, for example, and it is desirable to perform energy saving control. For example, the control rate is calculated in advance and programmed based on the average sales floor temperature and specific enthalpy value (total heat of air) such as every month, business hours and non-business hours or day and night. Energy-saving control of the operation of refrigeration or refrigeration is performed for the control rate.

Further, the showcase control unit 18 predicts a future predicted outside air temperature for a time corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe 130 (see FIG. 2) from the input outside air temperature information, and the showcase is based on the predicted outside air temperature. The temperature of 50 is controlled (detailed later).

<Air conditioning control unit 19>
In this embodiment, the operating rate of the showcase control unit 18 that controls the temperature at which the display items in the showcase are frozen or refrigerated (hereinafter, this operating rate is referred to as “showcase operating rate”) is detected. When the case operating rate exceeds a predetermined value, the energy saving control of the air conditioner 60 is suppressed or stopped, the temperature of the sales floor where the showcase is installed is lowered, and the showcase operating rate is lowered to a predetermined value or less. It realizes energy saving as a whole. Note that the case where the sales floor rises to an unintended temperature is, for example, a system that cannot detect that the specific enthalpy value (total heat of air) is high without measuring the humidity of the sales floor. It is assumed that the control cannot be detected as being overloaded, or that the air conditioning control cannot follow the sudden increase in visitors.

The air conditioning control unit 19 calculates a control rate for energy-saving control of the air conditioner 60, and performs energy-saving control of the air conditioner 60 without excess or deficiency by the control rate. The control may be one that stops (turns off) the air conditioner 60 in a predetermined pattern, or one that performs inverter control.

The outside air temperature prediction unit 13, the indoor enthalpy prediction unit 17, the showcase control unit 18, and the air conditioning control unit 19 are configured by an arithmetic control unit such as a personal computer. The arithmetic control unit is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and controls the entire apparatus and executes an air conditioning energy saving control program to function as a digital smart real showcase alarm system.

The outdoor temperature table 12 and the indoor enthalpy table 16 are stored in a storage unit (storage means) such as a nonvolatile memory or an external storage device.

[Showcase controller configuration]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the showcase control unit 18 of the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100.
The showcase control unit 18 is installed for each showcase 110, for example, and performs control of cooling to a target temperature according to the products displayed on the display shelf. Note that the showcase control unit 18 may control the plurality of showcases 110 in an integrated manner.
As shown in FIG. 2, the showcase control unit 18 includes a control unit 81 (failure determination unit, calculation unit), a storage unit 82 (storage unit), an input unit 83, a display unit 84, and a communication unit 85. , An interface (I / F) unit 86, and a notification unit 87 such as a lamp / buzzer connected via the I / F unit 86. Temperature information from a temperature sensor 131 (described later) for detecting the temperature of the showcase 10 is input to the I / F unit 86. A control signal for controlling the compressor (compressor) 121 is output via the I / F unit 86.

The control unit 81 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, controls the entire showcase 110, reads out a control program stored in the storage unit 82 in advance, and executes a digital smart real showcase alarm program. Function as a digital smart real showcase alarm system.
The controller 81 detects the temperature of the showcase 50 and controls the temperature by controlling opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 113 of the refrigerator 120 so that the detected temperature approaches the target temperature.

The controller 81 inputs the temperature of the showcase 50 over time, and determines that the refrigeration function for the showcase 50 is broken based on the input temperature.
When the temperature of the showcase 50 deviates from the normal temperature change pattern, the control unit 81 determines that the refrigeration function for the showcase 50 is out of order. Moreover, the control part 81 does not determine with a failure, when the temperature rise of the showcase 50 is a change in the defrosting temperature of the showcase 50 or the like.
The control unit 81 calculates the expected date and time when the temperature rises to an alarm temperature (a predetermined temperature that is so high that the product in the showcase 50 is not suitable for refrigeration / freezing).
The control unit 81 determines that a failure has occurred when the difference between the calendar information read from the storage unit 82 (information in which changes in the temperature of the showcase 50 are accumulated) and the temperature of the showcase 50 is greater than a predetermined value. For example, it is compared with calendar information having a relatively high correlation in experience, such as the temperature at the same time on the same day of the same month last year or the temperature at the same time on the same day of the previous month.
The control unit 81 causes the notification means 87 to display an alarm (display the expected date and time). In addition, the control unit 41 transmits alarm information to the portable device 70 (terminal device) through the communication unit 85.

The storage unit 82 stores in advance, for example, parameters used for the control unit 81 to give an alarm in addition to the control program. The storage unit 82 stores calendar information in which temperature changes in the showcase 50 are accumulated. For example, the temperature is accumulated every month, every day, every day of the week, and every hour of every day. Further, the storage unit 82 stores information related to the control of the showcase 50, information on the temperature of the display shelf transmitted from the temperature sensor 131, and identification information of the portable device 70.

The input unit 83 is an operation unit for inputting the set temperature of the showcase 50, and is, for example, a touch panel, a plurality of keys, buttons, or the like. The input unit 83 receives an input operation for instructing a set temperature, an operation mode, or the like of the showcase 50, for example.
The display unit 84 displays the current status and setting status of the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100.

The communication unit 85 transmits / receives data to / from the mobile device 70 via the base station.
The interface (I / F) unit 86 adjusts the level and method of signals input to and output from the showcase control unit 18.
The notification means 87 notifies the alarm information of the showcase 50 by light emission by a light emitting element (LED lamp or the like), a sound / voice alarm. The notification means 87 notifies alarm information including the calculated expected date and time. Note that the display of the notification unit 87 may be a display by the display unit 84.

In this embodiment, a temperature sensor 131 is installed at the air outlet 111, and the sensor temperature detected by the temperature sensor 131 is used as the temperature of the showcase 50. In addition, the attachment location and the number of attachments of the temperature sensor 131 are not limited to this example. Further, if the temperature sensors 131 are installed at various locations in the showcase 50 (for example, for each display shelf) and the temperature in the showcase 50 is directly detected by these temperature sensors 131, more accurate control can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a showcase of the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100. This embodiment is an example applied to an alarm system for a refrigerated showcase installed in a store.
As shown in FIG. 3, the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100 includes a showcase 50, a refrigerator 120, a refrigerant pipe 130, and a showcase control unit 18. The showcase control unit 18 controls the entire digital smart real showcase alarm system 100 and controls the refrigerator 120 and the like of the showcase 50. The installation location of the showcase control unit 18 is not limited to this example. For example, the showcase control unit 18 may be installed in the machine room 110b at the bottom of the showcase body 50a, or may be installed on the back surface of the showcase body 50a or at a location separated from the showcase body 50a.

[Showcase and refrigerator]
The showcase 50 is installed in a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store, and displays products to be cooled, such as beverages and foods.
The showcase 50 is provided with a showcase body 50a having a product storage space. A blowout port 111 for blowing cool air downward is formed in the upper part of the showcase body 50a, and the cold air descending along the air curtain is formed in the lower part. A suction port 112 for sucking in is formed. At the bottom of the showcase body 50a, as a machine room 110b, an electromagnetic valve 113 provided in the refrigerant pipe 130, an expansion valve 114 for changing the high-pressure liquid refrigerant into a low-pressure liquid, and a fan motor 115 for circulating cold air are provided. . A cooler (evaporator) 116 is provided on the back side of the showcase body 50a to evaporate the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that has become a low-pressure liquid by the expansion valve 114 while removing heat.
The product storage space of the showcase body 50a includes a shelf plate 117 that is a display shelf, a bottom plate 118, and an air curtain 119 that covers the product storage space.
The inside of the showcase 50 is cooled to a temperature according to the products displayed on the shelf plate 117 and the bottom plate 118 (hereinafter referred to as a display shelf).

The air outlet 111 is provided with a temperature sensor 131 for detecting the temperature of the display shelf of the showcase 50 (hereinafter referred to as the temperature of the showcase 50). The air outlet 111 is a place where a temperature close to the temperature set as a target is detected, and the sensor temperature detected by the temperature sensor 131 is set as the temperature of the showcase 50. In addition, the attachment location and the number of attachments of the temperature sensor 131 are not limited to this example.

The refrigerator 120 is connected to the showcase body 50a via the refrigerant pipe 130. The refrigerator 120 includes a compressor 121, a condenser 122, and a condenser cooling fan 123. The compressor 121 compresses the low-pressure gas returned from the refrigerant pipe 130 into a high-temperature and high-pressure (for example, 70 ° C. to 80 ° C.) gas. The compressor 121 increases the pressure of the refrigerant so that the refrigerant can be easily changed into a liquid state by the condenser 122 and also creates a flow of the refrigerant. The condenser 122 takes the heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant and turns it into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant (for example, 30 ° C. to 40 ° C.). The condenser cooling fan 123 blows outside air to the condenser 122 to cool the condenser 122.
The refrigerator 120 can cool the plurality of showcases 50 by connecting the refrigerant pipes 130 to the plurality of showcases 50.

The digital smart real showcase alarm system 100 constitutes a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor 121, an electromagnetic valve 113, an expansion valve 114, a cooler 116, and a condenser 122 are connected in a ring shape and can be chilled or frozen. For example, a rotary, scroll, or reciprocating compressor can be used as the compressor 121.

Hereinafter, the operation of the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100 configured as described above will be described.
[Showcase alarm control operation]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the digital smart real showcase alarm processing of the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100. This flow is performed when the control unit 81 (see FIG. 2) of the showcase control unit 18 of the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100 executes the digital smart real showcase alarm program.
First, in step S1, the showcase control unit 18 takes in the temperature of the showcase 50 detected by the temperature sensor 131 (see FIG. 3).
In steps S2 to S6, control is performed to maintain the temperature of the showcase 50 within a certain range suitable for preservation of fresh fish and meat (target temperature between the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature).

In step S2, the control unit 81 opens the electromagnetic valve 113 of the refrigerator 120 (see FIG. 3). Cold air is blown into the showcase 50, and the goods (here, fresh fish and meat) are refrigerated.
It is determined whether or not the current temperature of the showcase 50 detected in step S3 is lower than the lower limit temperature. While the temperature of the showcase 50 is higher than the lower limit temperature (step S3: No), the process returns to step S3. The compressor 121 operates to continue supplying cool air into the showcase 50.
When the temperature of the showcase 50 is lower than the lower limit temperature (step S3: Yes8), the electromagnetic valve 113 of the refrigerator 120 is closed in step S4.
In step S5, it is determined whether the current temperature of the showcase 50 is higher than the upper limit temperature. While the current temperature of the showcase 50 is lower than the upper limit temperature (step S5: No), the process returns to step S5.

If the current temperature of the showcase 50 is higher than the upper limit temperature (step S5: Yes), the control unit 81 opens the electromagnetic valve 113 of the refrigerator 120 in step S6. Step S7 and subsequent steps are the showcase warning process. If the showcase 50 has not failed, the following steps S8 to S10 are skipped, and the refrigeration operation is continued by returning to step S3 again. Thereby, the temperature in the showcase 50 is controlled within a certain range suitable for preservation of fresh fish and meat.

Here, the cooling temperature in the showcase 50 varies depending on the type of goods stored, and the temperature is set for each showcase 50. The target temperature in the showcase 50 is set by the input unit 83. The controller 81 performs target temperature control for keeping the cooling temperature in the showcase 50 at a temperature between the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature. Note that, as the set target temperature decreases, the amount of heat release increases and the actual temperature of the showcase 50 becomes higher than the calculated display temperature. For this reason, the target temperature is set in consideration of the relationship between the target temperature and the heat radiation amount.

In step S7, the control unit 81 determines whether or not the temperature of the showcase 50 deviates from a normal temperature change pattern. When the temperature of the showcase 50 is not deviated from the normal temperature change pattern (step S7: No), the process returns to the above step S3, and when deviated from the normal temperature change pattern (step S7: Yes), the process proceeds to step S8. move on.

When the temperature of the showcase 50 deviates from the normal temperature change pattern, the refrigeration function of the refrigerator 120 is broken. When the refrigeration function of the refrigerator 120 fails, the temperature of the showcase 50 deviates from the normal temperature change pattern, and the temperature of the showcase 50 rises. Examples of the refrigeration function failure include failure of the compressor 121, refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant piping 30, and failure of the fan motor 15 and the condenser cooling fan 23.

That is, the abnormal rise in the temperature of the showcase 50 is that the temperature of the showcase 50 rises even though the electromagnetic valve 113 of the refrigerator 120 is opened (step S6). Even if the electromagnetic valve 113 of the refrigerator 120 is open, it can be determined that the temperature of the showcase 50 rises because the refrigeration function of the refrigerator 120 is out of order. In other words, the “normal temperature change pattern” of the temperature of the showcase 50 means that the temperature rises when the solenoid valve 113 of the refrigerator 120 changes from closed to open while the temperature of the showcase 50 is rising. That is, the pattern changes from falling to falling. The control unit 81 compares the normal temperature change pattern with the actual temperature change pattern, and determines the failure of the refrigeration function of the refrigerator 120. For example, the control unit 81 determines that a failure has occurred when the difference between the calendar information read from the storage unit 82 (information storing accumulated temperature changes of the showcase 50) and the temperature of the showcase 50 is greater than a predetermined value.

The normal temperature change pattern includes the temperature change pattern during the defrosting operation. The showcase 50 may perform a defrosting operation in which the temperature temporarily rises at regular intervals for defrosting. Temperature rise during defrosting operation is excluded from the warning display. The control unit 81 does not determine that a failure has occurred when the temperature rise of the showcase 110 is a change in defrosting temperature of the showcase 50 or the like.

In step S8, the control unit 81 calculates the expected date and time when the alarm temperature rises. Here, the alarm temperature is a predetermined temperature that is so high that the product in the showcase 50 is not suitable for refrigeration and freezing. For example, fresh fish and meat are stored at a set temperature of 0 ° C., but from the viewpoint of product components, the quality deteriorates if the temperature rises for a longer time than 4 ° C. at a time other than defrosting. For this reason, the alarm temperature of fresh fish and meat is 5 ° C. For example, a linear prediction method is used to calculate the expected date and time when the alarm temperature rises. Further, “predict continuous data” described in Non-Patent Document 1 can be used.

In step S 9, the control unit 81 notifies the alarm information by the notification unit 87. The informing means 87 informs the alarm temperature of the showcase 50 as alarm information by light emission by a light emitting element (LED lamp or the like), sound by a speaker or voice.
The alarm information includes a display of the expected date and time when the temperature rises to the alarm temperature and a sound of the expected date and time. By displaying the expected date and time when the alarm temperature rises, the degree of urgency is easily communicated. Thereby, it is possible to display an alarm indicating that the temperature rises to the alarm temperature before the temperature rises to the alarm temperature. Also, the alarm display can be turned off during the defrost period. Depending on the degree of urgency, the alarm information may be highlighted (as the expected date and time are closer, bold characters, enlarged characters, blinking display, etc.).

In step S10, the control unit 81 notifies the portable device 70 of the alarm temperature and ends the process of this flow. Before the temperature rises to the alarm temperature, the expected date and time when the temperature rises to the alarm temperature can be notified by email to the portable device 70 of the person concerned. Appropriate measures can be taken according to the situation. In addition, it is possible to know a failure of the refrigerator equipment.

In the normal temperature change pattern determination (failure determination) in step S7, the control unit 81 reads the calendar information in which the temperature change in the showcase 50 is accumulated from the storage unit 82, and based on the read calendar information. The temperature change pattern may be determined. By using calendar information that is past accumulated information, failure determination can be performed with higher accuracy.

[Application Example 1]
The refrigerator 120 shown in FIG. 3 cools a plurality of showcases 50, for example. However, the refrigeration function of the refrigerator 120 may break down. The failure of the refrigeration function of the refrigerator 120 is as follows (1) to (4). (1) Failure of the main body of the refrigerator 120, (2) Leakage of refrigerant gas from the refrigerant pipe 30 or the like, (3) Failure of the showcase main body 10a (for example, cold air leakage due to breakage of the main body), (4) Frosting of the showcase 50 There is uncooled by. When the malfunction of the refrigeration function occurs, the temperature of the showcase 50 increases. In the present embodiment, the control unit 81 of the showcase control unit 18 (see FIG. 2) determines that the refrigeration function of the refrigerator 120 has failed based on the temperature of the showcase 50 input over time. ing.

The showcase 50 is refrigerated and frozen by setting a set temperature for each product type in order to maintain the freshness of the product. If the refrigeration function fails, the temperature of the showcase 50 may increase, resulting in an accident in which the product is past the set temperature and the product is disposed of as a waste product. Conventionally, as for the temperature rise of the showcase 50, when the set alarm temperature is reached and a predetermined time has elapsed, an alarm is communicated to the security company and the person in charge, and the security company or repair company hastened the repair. It was. However, the current situation is that products such as repairs are not in time, and products are often discarded.

A specific temperature change and notification mode will be described using a case of a fresh fish / meat case (showcase 50) as an example.
The case setting temperature of the fresh fish / meat case (showcase 50) is 0 ° C. As described above, the quality of fresh fish and meat deteriorates if the temperature rises over 4 hours at a time other than defrosting from the viewpoint of product components. For this reason, for example, the first stage caution temperature: 3 ° C., the second stage caution temperature: 4 ° C., and the alarm temperature: 5 ° C. are set.

Case setting temperature is fresh fish and meat case: 0 ℃,
(1) When the case temperature reaches 3 ° C, it is detected that it is the first stage caution temperature,
(2) Date and time when the first stage caution temperature rose to 3 ° C: Detected 12:00 on March 13th,
(3) After that, it was detected that the case temperature rose to the second stage caution temperature of 4 ° C at 20:00 on March 16,
(4) The time elapsed from the first stage caution temperature to the second stage caution temperature is 3 days 8 hours 0 minutes (80 hours),
(5) The temperature rise coefficient is 1 ° C./80 hours = 0.0125 ° C./hour,
(6) Expected date and time when alarm temperature will rise to 5 ° C = 2nd stage caution temperature date and time: 20:00 on 3rd 16th + (alarm temperature 5 ° C-2nd stage caution temperature 4 ° C) /0.0125 = March It is 20 o'clock on the 16th + 8 hours and 0 minutes on the 3rd = 4: 0 on March 20th.

Thus, the control unit 81 of the showcase control unit 18 calculates the expected date and time when the alarm temperature rises. In this embodiment, the expected date / time is calculated / predicted based on the date / time at the two stages of the caution temperature, ie, the first stage caution temperature and the second stage caution temperature. May be predicted.

As mentioned above, the quality of fresh fish and meat deteriorates if the temperature rises above the set temperature of 4 ° C at times other than defrosting due to demands on the product components. For this reason, it is important to send it to the parties concerned earlier. For example, when a warning is notified to a related person after reaching a conventional warning temperature, even if the related person rushes to a local store, the product is lost in time.

In the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100, the control unit 81 of the showcase control unit 18 is expected to rise to an alarm temperature (a predetermined temperature that is high enough that the product in the showcase 50 is not suitable for refrigeration / freezing). Is calculated. The control unit 81 causes the notifying unit 87 to display an alarm for the expected date and time, and transmits the alarm information to the portable device 70.

Conventionally, since the notification is made after the alarm temperature is reached, even if the repair company rushes, the repair is not in time, and the product is often disposed of in the current situation.
According to the present embodiment, the urgency level is easily communicated by displaying the expected date and time when the alarm temperature rises. That is, before the temperature rises to the alarm temperature, it is possible to display an alarm indicating how much time is left until the alarm temperature is reached. A person concerned can take an appropriate response in accordance with the degree of urgency by grasping the warning display (expected date display). For example, when the expected date and time when the temperature rises to the alarm temperature is short as in the above application example, it is possible to take a quick response according to the expected date and time. On the other hand, when the expected date and time when the alarm temperature rises is relatively long, the degree of urgency is low, so a relatively slow response can be taken. In general, the cost of emergency response is higher, so the cost can be reduced in this respect as well.

In any case, instead of detecting and displaying that the temperature has risen to the alarm temperature, an alarm is displayed to indicate that the temperature has risen before the temperature rises to the alarm temperature, thereby reducing product loss due to product disposal. be able to. This is particularly effective when the product is ice cream, frozen food, raw fish or raw meat.
In addition, before the temperature rises to the alarm temperature, notification of the expected date and time when the alarm temperature rises to the portable device 70 of the concerned person such as the maintenance of the showcase by e-mail, so that the urgency level can be quickly given to the person in the remote place. The person concerned can take an appropriate response according to the expected date and time.

Further, in this embodiment, since it is determined only by temperature measurement that the temperature of the showcase 50 deviates from the normal temperature change pattern, the present embodiment is used as a new device different from the existing temperature control device. The control device or control method can be applied. That is, the control device or the control method of the present embodiment can be applied to a device attached to a ready-made showcase. In this case, a mode of providing a program may be used.

[Contrast between this embodiment and patent document]
The digital smart real showcase alarm system 100 has the following technical features with respect to patent documents.
(1) Comparison between the present embodiment and Patent Document 2 Patent Document 2 describes a cooling tank that contains a cooling liquid and that cools and freezes the object to be cooled by immersing an object to be cooled in the cooling liquid. A temperature detector that detects the temperature of the coolant, and in order to prevent the coolant temperature from rising above the alarm temperature due to a failure or the like and degrading the quality of the object to be cooled, the temperature detector The temperature tn is detected every predetermined detection cycle, the predicted time T required for the coolant to reach the alarm temperature tA from the detection time is calculated, and the deviation tA−tn between the alarm temperature tA and the detection temperature tn due to a failure or the like Describes a cooling / refrigeration apparatus that displays the predicted time T on the warning predicted time display section when the temperature falls below a predetermined temperature (paragraphs 0001 to 0012, FIGS. 1 and 2).

However, in order to significantly measure the amount of temperature change over the detection period ΔT of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to ensure a minimum detection period ΔT. If this detection cycle ΔT is, for example, 30 minutes, the displayed prediction time does not change during that period, and a display error of 30 minutes at the maximum is included as time passes. If there is a display error of 30 minutes at the maximum, not only the reliability of the display information is lowered, but the response may not be in time.
On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the failure is determined based on the temperature of the showcase 50, and the “expected date” that rises to the alarm temperature after the failure is determined is notified.

(2) Comparison between this embodiment and Patent Document 5 In Patent Document 5, a temperature sensor that detects a temperature in a cold storage box and a temperature inside the box that is detected by the temperature sensor are used as the temperature history information in the box. Notification is made when the temperature history storage unit that is sequentially stored and the internal temperature curve that is a report of the internal temperature history of the cold storage stored in the temperature history storage unit are separated from the initial value by a certain level. A delivery system management system including a failure / part replacement prediction unit for operating a buzzer / notification lamp is described (paragraph 0050, paragraph 0053, paragraph 0063, FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 16). This “initial value” is considered to be a predetermined fixed value that is initially set, and the threshold value for failure determination is a predetermined fixed value.
In paragraphs 0050 and 0053 of Patent Document 5, “temperature history storage unit 15b” is described. The internal temperature history information stored here means an internal temperature curve to be analyzed. The comparison target is “initial value” (paragraphs 0053 and 0063), and this “initial value” is considered to be the predetermined fixed value.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the control unit 81 has a difference between the calendar information read from the storage unit 82 (information in which the change in the temperature of the showcase 50 is accumulated) and the temperature of the showcase 50 is larger than a predetermined value. It is determined that a failure occurs. That is, failure determination is made by comparing the current temperature with the past actual temperature value, and the failure determination threshold value is a past actual fluctuation value. Therefore, when the temperature tends to rise slightly, such as during a time when the number of visitors increases, the threshold value for failure determination also increases, an error alarm can be prevented, and accurate failure determination becomes possible.

[Energy-saving control operation based on outside air temperature prediction]
Next, the energy saving control operation of the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the energy saving control operation of the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100.
First, in step S11, the outside temperature input unit 11 inputs outside temperature information from the outside temperature thermometer 20 installed outdoors.
In step S 12, the outside temperature input unit 11 stores outside temperature information in the outside temperature table 12.
In step S 13, the outside air temperature prediction unit 13 predicts a future outside air temperature from changes in the current outside air temperature and the past outside air temperature, and passes the predicted outside air temperature to the showcase control unit 18 and the air conditioning control unit 19.
When the above-described << past data use prediction method >> is employed, the outside air temperature prediction unit 13 stores, for example, the outside air temperature for the past year in the outside air temperature table 12, and reads the stored outside air temperature as the outside air temperature predicted value. To predict the outside air temperature. The prediction is made for the current outside temperature. The outside air temperature predicting unit 13 predicts how the temperature will change in the future (after how many minutes) based on the current outside air temperature (whether it rises or falls). Note that the outside air temperature prediction unit 13 may predict the outside air temperature using the above-described << external data use prediction method >>.

In step S 14, the room temperature input unit 14 (see FIG. 1) inputs room temperature information from the measurement value of the room thermometer 30.
In step S15, the indoor humidity input unit 15 (see FIG. 1) inputs the indoor humidity information from the measurement value of the indoor hygrometer 40.
In step S 16, the indoor enthalpy prediction unit 17 calculates enthalpy (total amount of humid air of indoor air) from the input indoor temperature and indoor humidity, and stores it in the indoor enthalpy table 16.

In step S17, the indoor enthalpy prediction unit 17 predicts the future indoor enthalpy from the current indoor enthalpy and the change in the past indoor enthalpy stored in the indoor enthalpy table 16.

In step S18, the showcase control unit 18 controls the showcase 50 based on the predicted outside air temperature and the predicted indoor enthalpy. Since the showcase control unit 18 controls the showcase 50 based on the predicted outside air temperature and the predicted indoor enthalpy that are predicted values in the future, quick and appropriate showcase control can be performed. In the present embodiment, the showcase control unit 18 uses the predicted outside air temperature as well as the predicted control for the length of the refrigerant pipe 130, so that the showcase control can be performed more quickly and appropriately. Can be realized.

In step S18, the air conditioning control unit 19 controls the air conditioner 60 based on the predicted outside air temperature and the predicted indoor enthalpy and ends the processing of this flow. Since the air conditioning control unit 19 controls the air conditioner 60 based on the predicted outside air temperature and the predicted indoor enthalpy that are predicted values in the future, it is possible to perform quick and appropriate air conditioning control.

As described above, the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100 predicts the indoor enthalpy together with the outside air temperature, and controls the showcase 50 based on the predicted outside air temperature and the indoor enthalpy.

In the present embodiment, the showcase 50 is controlled based on the pre-opened outside air temperature rather than following the outside air temperature. Therefore, the showcase 50 is controlled promptly and appropriately so that the showcase 50 can be displayed with the minimum necessary energy. The case 50 can be controlled.
Furthermore, the indoor enthalpy is predicted together with the outside air temperature, and the showcase 50 is controlled based on the predicted outside air temperature and the indoor enthalpy, so that the estimated thermal load estimation result is reflected in the showcase control. High-efficiency energy-saving control can be realized.

[Application Example 2]
Next, an application example of the energy saving control operation based on the outside air temperature prediction will be described.
Table 1 is a table showing an example of the outside air temperature, the enthalpy, each coefficient, and the control amount stored in the outside air temperature table 12 and the indoor enthalpy table 16 (storage means). Table 1 stores outdoor air temperature (° C), + bias (° C), outdoor air temperature coefficient, enthalpy coefficient (kJ / kgD.A.), Enthalpy coefficient, operating coefficient, control coefficient, and control minutes (minutes) by time. To do. For example, it is each coefficient by the outside air temperature according to time and indoor air wet heat quantity enthalpy kJ / kgD.A.
Table 1 is referred to in the prediction by the outside air temperature prediction unit 13 and the indoor enthalpy prediction unit 17.
As the outside air temperature (° C.) in Table 1, the predicted outside temperature is used in the present embodiment (hereinafter, the predicted outside temperature is used for the outside temperature).
The + bias (° C.) in Table 1 is the outside air temperature + condenser bias temperature (for example, 3.0 in Table 1). This + bias is a bias when considering the high temperature around the condenser.
The outside air temperature coefficient in Table 1 is outside air temperature / reference outside air temperature (for example, 32.0 in Table 1).
The enthalpy (kJ / kgD.A.) In Table 1 is calculated from the room temperature and room humidity (see step S16 in FIG. 5).
The enthalpy coefficient in Table 1 is enthalpy / reference enthalpy (eg, 55.42 in Table 1).

The operating coefficient in Table 1 is the outside air temperature coefficient × enthalpy coefficient × reference operating coefficient (for example, 0.63 in Table 1).
The control coefficient in Table 1 is (1−operation coefficient) × safety coefficient (for example, 0.60 in Table 1).
The control amount (minute) in Table 1 is control coefficient × reference control amount (for example, 30 in Table 1). This control amount is a number indicating whether the operation of the refrigerator 120 is stopped, that is, the electromagnetic valve 113 is closed for how many minutes in the unit of 30 minutes. For example, “9” means to save energy by stopping operation for 9 minutes within 30 minutes. Save energy during closing and save energy during opening.

The air-conditioning control unit 19 shown in FIG. 1 performs energy-saving control of the air conditioner 60 by the control rate (control amount). For example, if the control rate is 0.40, the air conditioner 60 is stopped by 40% in a predetermined pattern, or the air conditioner 60 is inverter-controlled with 60% of the rated power consumption.

As described above, the present embodiment performs energy saving control on the air conditioner 60 in the sales floor where the showcase 50 is installed, and further controls the air conditioner 60 so that the showcase control is not over-operated. The burden of freezing or refrigeration of the case 50 is reduced, and in the end, it greatly contributes to the overall energy saving of the store including the showcase 50.

[Showcase Control Operation of Showcase Control Unit 18]
<Basic control>
The showcase control unit 18 is installed for each showcase 50, for example, and performs control of cooling to a target temperature according to the products displayed on the display shelf. Note that the showcase control unit 18 may control the plurality of showcases 50 in an integrated manner.
The showcase control unit 18 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and executes a showcase control program to function as a digital smart real showcase alarm system.
The showcase control unit 18 detects the temperature of the showcase 50 and controls the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 113 of the refrigerator 120 so that the detected temperature approaches the target temperature, thereby changing the temperature of the showcase 50 to a product (for example, freezing Control is performed to maintain the temperature within a certain range (target temperature between the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature) suitable for storage of food. Note that the cooling temperature in the showcase 50 varies depending on the type of goods stored, and the temperature is set for each showcase 50. For example, 7 ° C for fruits and vegetables, 5 ° C for daily products (a general term for foods that require refrigeration and a short shelf life), 0 ° C for fresh fish or meat, -18 ° C for frozen foods, ice For cream, it is -26 ° C.

Further, the showcase control unit 18 controls the operation of the showcase 50 by a temperature-dependent control coefficient that is a control coefficient corresponding to the displacement of the temperature of the showcase 50 from the target temperature. Specifically, for example, when the product is fruit and vegetables, the target temperature is 7 ° C., the allowable temperature range is ± 4 ° C., and the control coefficient is 0.35, the displacement temperature coefficient is expressed as (showcase temperature (° C.) − Target temperature (7 )) / Allowable temperature range (4 ° C.), energy-saving control of the showcase 50 is performed by temperature dependent control coefficient = control coefficient (0.35) − (control coefficient (0.35) × displacement temperature coefficient). For example,
If the temperature of the showcase 50 is 3 ° C., the displacement temperature coefficient is −1 = (3-7) / 4, the temperature dependent control coefficient is 0.70 = 0.35 + (0.35 × 1),
If the temperature of the showcase 50 is 4 ° C., the displacement temperature coefficient is −0.75 = (4-7) / 4, and the temperature dependent control coefficient is 0.61 = 0.35 + (0.35 × 0.75). ,
If the temperature of the showcase 50 is 5 ° C., the displacement temperature coefficient is −0.5 = (5-7) / 4, and the temperature dependent control coefficient is 0.53 = 0.35 + (0.35 × 0.5). ,
If the temperature of the showcase 50 is 6 ° C., the displacement temperature coefficient is −0.25 = (6−7) / 4, and the temperature dependent control coefficient is 0.44 = 0.35 + (0.35 × 0.25). ,
If the temperature of the showcase 50 is 7 ° C., the displacement temperature coefficient is 0 = (7−7) / 4, the temperature dependent control coefficient is 0.35 = 0.35− (0.35 × 0),
If the temperature of the showcase 50 is 8 ° C., the displacement temperature coefficient is 0.25 = (8−7) / 4, and the temperature dependent control coefficient is 0.26 = 0.35− (0.35 × 0.25). ,
If the temperature of the showcase 50 is 9 ° C., the displacement temperature coefficient is 0.5 = (9−7) / 4, and the temperature dependent control coefficient is 0.18 = 0.35− (0.35 × 0.5). ,
If the temperature of the showcase 50 is 10 ° C., the displacement temperature coefficient is 0.75 = (10−7) / 4, and the temperature dependent control coefficient is 0.09 = 0.35− (0.35 × 0.75). ,
If the temperature of the showcase 50 is 11 ° C., the displacement temperature coefficient is 1 = (11−7) / 4, and the temperature dependent control coefficient is 0 = 0.35− (0.35 × 1).
It becomes.

In addition to the above basic control, the control unit 81 of the showcase control unit 18 may calculate the expected date and time when the temperature rises to the alarm temperature, and use the control for notifying the expected date and time.

<< Predictive control for the length of the refrigerant pipe 130 >>
Next, the predictive control operation for the length of the refrigerant pipe 130 will be described.
The showcase control unit 18 controls the showcase 50 based on a predicted (outside) predicted outside air temperature for a time corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe 130. Specifically, it is as follows.
The refrigerant pipe 130 connecting the showcase 50 and the condenser 122 shown in FIG. 2 ranges from several meters to several tens of meters. For this reason, the control result by the showcase control unit 18 does not reach the showcase 50 immediately, and a deviation from the predicted outside air temperature corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe 30 occurs. Here, the length of the refrigerant pipe 130 is known for each showcase 50.

The showcase control unit 18 performs predictive control that eliminates a delay from the predicted outside air temperature corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe 130. Specifically, the showcase control unit 18 controls the showcase 50 based on the predicted (outside) predicted outside air temperature for a time corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe 130. That is, the showcase control unit 18 determines a prediction time interval (how many minutes are predicted). As a result, the control timing varies depending on the length of the refrigerant pipe 130.
Here, a plurality of showcases 50 may be controlled by one condenser 122. In this case, the showcase control unit 18 controls the showcase 50 based on the predicted outside air temperature for the time corresponding to the length of the average refrigerant pipe 130 of the plurality of showcases 50.

《Bias outside temperature control to add the predicted bias outside temperature to the predicted outside temperature》
The showcase control unit 18 executes bias outside air temperature control for adding the predicted bias outside air temperature to the predicted outside air temperature. The periphery of the compressor 121 shown in FIG. 2 is hot and is usually higher than the outside air temperature as announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The showcase control unit 18 controls the showcase 50 around the compressor 121 based on the predicted outside air temperature obtained by adding the predicted bias outside air temperature to the predicted outside air temperature.

In this way, the showcase control unit 18 predicts the outside air temperature ahead (future) for a time (for example, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, etc.) according to the length of the refrigerant pipe 130, and predicts the predicted outside air temperature. The operation of the refrigerator 120 is stopped by a control amount (unit: minute) corresponding to the predicted outside air temperature to which the predicted bias temperature is added. The showcase control unit 18 repeats “predictive control for the length of the refrigerant pipe 130”, temperature addition by “bias outside air temperature control”, and operation stop of the refrigerator 120.

In addition to the refrigerant pipe length prediction control and the bias outside air temperature control, the control unit 81 of the showcase control unit 18 calculates the expected date and time to rise to the alarm temperature and uses the control for notifying the expected date and time. May be.

As described above, the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100 includes the outside air temperature table 12 for storing the past outside air temperature for the prediction of the outside air temperature, and the outside air temperature table 12 from the inputted outside air temperature information. In addition, an outside air temperature prediction unit 13 that predicts a predicted future outside air temperature, and a showcase control unit 18 that controls the temperature of the showcase based on the predicted outside air temperature.

In the conventional example, since the outside air temperature is detected and fed back, the follow-up control is performed, and quick and appropriate control cannot be performed. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the showcase is controlled based on the outside air temperature that is preempted rather than following the outside air temperature, so that the showcase is controlled promptly and appropriately to minimize the necessary amount. The showcase can be controlled by energy.

In addition, the showcase control unit 18 predicts a future predicted outside air temperature for a time corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe 130 from the input outside air temperature information, and controls the temperature of the showcase 50 based on the predicted outside air temperature. To do.

As a result, the showcase can be controlled based on the predicted (future) outside air temperature ahead by the time corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe. The showcase can be controlled with limited energy.

In addition, the digital smart real showcase alarm system 100 calculates the enthalpy that is the total amount of humid air of the indoor air based on the input temperature and humidity of the indoor air, and calculates the enthalpy and indoor enthalpy of the calculated indoor air. An indoor enthalpy prediction unit 17 that predicts a future indoor enthalpy based on the past indoor enthalpy stored in the table 16, and a showcase control unit 18 that controls the temperature of the showcase based on the predicted indoor enthalpy. Prepare.

As a result, the indoor enthalpy is predicted and the showcase is controlled based on the predicted outside air temperature and the indoor enthalpy. Therefore, by reflecting the predicted thermal load estimation result in the showcase control, a highly effective energy saving Control can be realized.

The predicted outside air temperature may be taken into account for the prediction of the indoor enthalpy. The room temperature is affected by the outside air temperature through the building. That is, when the outside air temperature changes, the indoor temperature changes under the influence of the change in the outside air temperature after a lapse of a predetermined time. Therefore, the prediction can be made more accurately by adding the predicted outside air temperature to the factor that predicts the indoor enthalpy.

The above description is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this, and other modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention described in the claims. Modification examples and application examples are included.

In this embodiment, both the outside temperature prediction by the outside temperature prediction unit 13 and the showcase control based on the predicted outside temperature according to the length of the refrigerant pipe 130 by the showcase control unit 18 are used. Either of them may be used. Similarly, bias outside air temperature control by the showcase control unit 18 may be used alone or in combination with both or one of the above.

Further, the above-described exemplary embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Further, a part of the configuration of an embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of an embodiment. . Further, it is possible to add, delete, and replace other configurations for a part of the configuration of each exemplary embodiment.

This embodiment is an example applied to an air conditioning alarm system, and air conditioning control is not essential to the present invention. Further, in the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, each control means, that is, the air conditioning control unit 19 (control means) and the showcase control unit 18 (control means) have been described separately, but this is executed by one control unit. Things may be used. Similarly, each table may be stored in any medium as a storage unit.

Also, the showcase may be a case having a refrigerator-freezer function. The showcase also includes a refrigerator and a freezer. In other words, the showcase is for convenience of explanation, and may be a storage warehouse for frozen and refrigerated goods that does not necessarily show the product to a person, and the same effect can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the names of the digital smart real showcase alarm system and the digital smart real showcase alarm method are used. However, this is for convenience of explanation, and the name of the apparatus is a showcase control apparatus and method. May be a showcase control management method or the like.

The digital smart real showcase control process described above can also be realized by a program for causing the digital smart real showcase control process to function. This program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium on which this program is recorded may be the ROM itself of this digital smart real showcase alarm system, or a program reading device such as a CD-ROM drive is provided as an external storage device, and the program is recorded there. It may be a CD ROM that can be read by inserting a medium.

Further, the recording medium may be a magnetic tape, a cassette tape, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an MO / MD / DVD, or a semiconductor memory.

The digital smart real showcase alarm system, method and program according to the present invention have a great effect when applied to a showcase in a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store.

11 Outside temperature input section (outside temperature input means)
12 Outside air temperature table (storage means)
13 Outside temperature prediction unit (outside temperature prediction means)
14 Indoor temperature input section (Indoor temperature input means)
15 Indoor humidity input section (indoor humidity input means)
16 Indoor enthalpy table (memory means)
17 Indoor enthalpy prediction unit (indoor enthalpy prediction means)
18 Showcase control unit (control means)
19 Air-conditioning control unit (control means)
20 Outdoor temperature meter 30 Indoor thermometer 40 Indoor hygrometer 50 Showcase 50a Showcase body 60 Air conditioner 70 Portable device (terminal device)
80 control device 81 control unit (temperature input means, failure determination means, calculation means)
82 storage unit (storage means)
83 Input unit 84 Display unit 85 Communication unit 86 Interface (I / F) unit (temperature input means)
87 Notification means 100 Digital smart real showcase alarm system 110b Machine room 111 Air outlet 112 Air inlet 113 Solenoid valve 114 Expansion valve 115 Fan motor 116 Cooler 117 Shelf (display shelf)
118 Bottom plate (display shelf)
120 Refrigerator 121 Compressor 122 Condenser 123 Condenser Cooling Fan 130 Refrigerant Piping 131 Temperature Sensor

Claims

A temperature input means for inputting the temperature in the storage of the showcase, refrigerator or freezer (hereinafter referred to as “showcase etc.”) over time;
Failure determination means for determining that the showcase or the like is broken based on the input temperature;
When the failure determination means determines that there is a failure, calculation means for calculating the expected date and time when the product in the store such as the showcase rises to an alarm temperature that is a predetermined temperature that is high enough not to be refrigerated or frozen;
A digital smart real showcase alarm system comprising: alarm means for notifying alarm information including the expected date and time calculated by the calculator.
Furthermore, outside temperature input means for inputting outside temperature information,
An outside air temperature predicting means for predicting a future predicted outside air temperature from outside air temperature information input by the outside air temperature input means;
2. The digital smart real showcase alarm system according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the temperature of the showcase based on the predicted outside air temperature predicted by the outside air temperature predicting means.
2. The digital smart real showcase alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the failure determination means determines that the showcase or the like is a failure when the temperature deviates from a normal temperature change pattern.
2. The digital smart real showcase alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the failure determination means does not determine that the temperature rise is a failure when the temperature rise is a defrosting temperature change of the showcase or the like.
Comprising storage means for storing calendar information accumulating the temperature change;
2. The digital smart real showcase alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the failure determination unit determines that a failure occurs when a difference between the calendar information read from the storage unit and the temperature is larger than a predetermined value. .
2. The digital smart real showcase alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the notification means transmits the alarm information to a terminal device that can be held by a person who maintains the showcase or the like.
A temperature input step for inputting the temperature in the cabinet such as a showcase over time;
A failure determination step of determining that the showcase or the like is failed based on the input temperature;
When the failure determination step determines that there is a failure, a calculation step for calculating an expected date and time when the product in the store such as the showcase rises to an alarm temperature that is a predetermined temperature that is high enough not to be refrigerated or frozen, and
A digital smart real showcase alarm method comprising: a notification step of notifying alarm information including the expected date and time calculated by the calculation step.
Computer
Temperature input means for inputting the temperature in the storage of a showcase or the like over time, failure determination means for determining that the showcase or the like has failed based on the input temperature, and the failure determination means If the product is determined to be malfunctioning, the computing means computes the expected date and time when the product in the store such as the showcase rises to an alarm temperature that is a predetermined temperature that is high enough not to be refrigerated or frozen, and the computing means computes The program for functioning as a digital smart real showcase alarm system provided with the alerting | reporting means which alert | reports the alarm information containing the said estimated date.