U.S. patent application number 13/601063 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-07 for equipment control system, control device and control program.
This patent application is currently assigned to SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Atsushi OUCHI, Yoshio OZAWA. Invention is credited to Atsushi OUCHI, Yoshio OZAWA.
Application Number | 20130055742 13/601063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41012136 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130055742 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OUCHI; Atsushi ; et
al. |
March 7, 2013 |
Equipment Control System, Control Device and Control Program
Abstract
An equipment control system for equipment such as a
refrigeration device, its control device, and its control program
are provided in which defrosting operation start time can be
changed appropriately. The integrated controller controls a
defrosting operation to remove frost adhered to the equipment, in
which the defrosting operation is started at a fixed or varying
time interval. The integrated controller stores past data based on
required time for past defrosting operations for different
environmental conditions. The integrated controller includes an
environmental condition acquisition unit for obtaining
environmental conditions; a database control unit for obtaining
required time for a defrosting operation based on the past record
data corresponding to the present environmental conditions from the
stored past data; and a start time changing unit for changing start
time of the present-round defrosting operation based on the
obtained required time.
Inventors: |
OUCHI; Atsushi; (Osaka,
JP) ; OZAWA; Yoshio; (Osaka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OUCHI; Atsushi
OZAWA; Yoshio |
Osaka
Osaka |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
41012136 |
Appl. No.: |
13/601063 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12394837 |
Feb 27, 2009 |
8341970 |
|
|
13601063 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/155 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2700/14 20130101;
F25D 21/002 20130101; F25B 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/155 |
International
Class: |
F25D 21/06 20060101
F25D021/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 29, 2008 |
JP |
2008-051079 |
Claims
1. An equipment control system for a controlling a defrosting
operation comprising: a refrigeration device for cooling a space to
be cooled; a control device for controlling the defrosting
operation to remove frost adhered to the refrigeration device, the
defrosting operation being started at a fixed or varying time
interval; a past record data memory unit for storing past record
data based on required time for past defrosting operations for
different environmental conditions; an environmental condition
acquisition unit for obtaining present environmental conditions; a
required time prediction unit for estimating, at the time of or
before starting a present-round defrosting operation, required time
for a present-round defrosting operation based on the past record
data corresponding to the present environmental conditions from
among the past record data stored in the past record data memory
unit; and a start time changing unit for changing start time of the
present-round defrosting operation based on the estimated required
time obtained at the required time prediction unit from start time
that was scheduled based on the time interval, wherein the start
time changing unit changes the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation from the scheduled start time such that the
defrosting operation time period does not overlap with a
prohibition time period in which the defrosting operation is
prohibited, and wherein the prohibition time is set unrelated to an
operation cycle of the refrigeration device.
2. The equipment control of claim 1, wherein the start time
changing unit delays the start time of the present-round defrosting
operation from the scheduled start time when the estimated required
time obtained at the required time prediction unit falls below a
predetermined amount of time, and wherein the start time changing
unit advances the start time of the present-round defrosting
operation from the scheduled start time when the estimated required
time obtained at the required time prediction unit exceeds a
predetermined amount of time.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. The equipment control system of claim 1, wherein the
refrigeration device includes a first refrigeration device and a
second refrigeration device that is different from the first
refrigeration device, and wherein when the start time of the
present-round defrosting operation for the first refrigeration
device is changed, the start time changing unit sets the start time
of the present-round defrosting operation for the first
refrigeration device to be different from the start time of the
defrosting operation for the second refrigeration device.
7. The equipment control system of claim 1, further comprising a
notification unit for notifying to a user an effect that the start
time of the present-round defrosting operation was changed from the
scheduled start time or an effect that there is no change in the
start time.
8. A control device for controlling a defrosting operation to
remove frost adhered to a refrigeration device for cooling a space
to be cooled, the defrosting operation being started at a fixed or
varying time interval, comprising: a past record data memory unit
for storing past record data based on required time for past
defrosting operations for different environmental conditions; an
environmental condition acquisition unit for obtaining present
environmental conditions; a required time prediction unit for
estimating, at the time of or before starting a present-round
defrosting operation, required time for the present-round
defrosting operation based on the past record data corresponding to
the present environmental conditions from among the past record
data stored in the past record data memory unit; and a start time
changing unit for changing start time of the present-round
defrosting operation based on the estimated required time obtained
at the required time prediction unit from start time that was
scheduled based on the time interval, wherein the start time
changing unit changes the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation from the scheduled start time such that the
defrosting operation time period does not overlap with a
prohibition time period in which the defrosting operation is
prohibited, and wherein the prohibition time is set unrelated to an
operation cycle of the refrigeration device.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for
controlling a defrosting operation to remove frost adhered to a
refrigeration device for cooling a space to be cooled, the
defrosting operation being started at a fixed or varying time
interval, the computer-readable storage medium causing the computer
to execute procedures for: storing past record data based on
required time for past defrosting operations for different
environmental conditions; obtaining present environmental
conditions; estimating, at the time of or before starting a
present-round defrosting operation, required time for the
present-round defrosting operation based on the past record data
corresponding to the present environmental conditions from among
the past record data stored in the past record data memory unit;
and changing start time of the present-round defrosting operation
based on the estimated required time obtained at the required time
prediction unit from start time that was scheduled based on the
time interval, wherein the changing start time of the present-round
defrosting operation from the scheduled start time such that the
defrosting operation time period does not overlap with a
prohibition time period in which the defrosting operation is
prohibited, and wherein the prohibition time is set unrelated to an
operation cycle of the refrigeration device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority based on 35 USC 119 from
prior Japanese Patent Application No. P2008-051079 filed on Feb.
29, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to an equipment control system for
equipment such as a refrigeration device for cooling a space to be
cooled, a control device for controlling the refrigeration device,
and a control program used in the control device.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] A refrigeration device for cooling a space to be cooled such
as a showcase installed in a store, such as a supermarket or a
convenience store, has been widely used in the past. The space to
be cooled for example indicates an inside of the showcase for
displaying merchandises. At a cooling unit of such a cooling
device, moisture in the air adheres as frost, and therefore, a
defrosting operation is performed periodically in which the
temperature within the space to be cooled is raised and the frost
adhered to the refrigeration device is removed. Here, the frost
adhered to the refrigeration device indicates, for example, the
frost adhered to the cooling unit of the refrigeration device and
the frost adhered to the wall surface inside the showcase. By
periodically removing the frost adhered to the cooling device, a
good cooling performance of the refrigeration device can be
maintained.
[0006] It is common that the defrosting operation is performed from
its start until a predetermined termination condition is met. Here,
the termination condition is for example that the temperature
within the space to be cooled reached a given temperature.
Therefore, when the time required for the defrosting takes longer,
it is considered that a larger amount of frost is adhered to the
refrigeration device at the time of the defrosting.
[0007] In view of this, Japanese patent Laid-Open No. 5-272860
proposes a method to change start time of a present-round
defrosting operation from scheduled start time in accordance with
the time required for the last defrosting operation. In particular,
if the last defrosting operation took a long time, it is considered
that it has a tendency to have a large amount of adhered frost, and
the start time for the present-round defrosting operation is
advanced from the scheduled start time. Also, if the last
defrosting operation took a short time, it is considered that it
has a tendency to have a small amount of adhered frost, and the
start time for the present-round defrosting operations is
delayed.
[0008] However, the defrosting operation is started at certain
frequencies, such as in the four-hour or six-hour interval, and
therefore, there is an instance in which environmental conditions
such as the in-store temperature and the in-store humidity at the
time of the last defrosting operation may differ greatly from the
environmental conditions at the time of the present-round
defrosting operation. Here, the environmental conditions at the
time of the defrosting operation are the conditions that affect the
required time for the defrosting operation. For example, in a case
of the showcase, the amount of adhered frost varies in accordance
with the in-store temperature, the outdoor air temperature, the
in-store humidity, and so on.
[0009] Therefore, in the method of Japanese patent Laid-Open No.
5-272860 in which the start time for the present-round defrosting
operation is changed according to the time required for the last
defrosting operation, there was a problem that the tendency
prediction for the amount of adhered frost may not be accurate, and
the start time for the present-round defrosting operation may not
be appropriately changed from the scheduled start time when the
environmental conditions at the time of the last defrosting
operation differ greatly from the environmental conditions at the
time of the present-round defrosting operation.
[0010] Thus, the present invention was made to solve such a problem
and provides the equipment control system, the control device and
the control program that can change the start time of the
present-round defrosting operation appropriately even when
environmental conditions at the time of the last defrosting
operation differ greatly from the environmental conditions at the
time of the present-round defrosting operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention was made in consideration of the above and
includes the characteristics as described below.
[0012] One aspect of the invention is an equipment control system
(equipment control system 1) including a refrigeration device
(showcases 53, 54, 55, . . . ) for cooling a space to be cooled,
and a control device (integrated controller 10) for controlling a
defrosting operation to remove frost adhered to the refrigeration
device which is started at a fixed or varying time interval, in
which the equipment control system further includes a past record
data memory unit (database based on environmental conditions 13)
for storing past record data based on required time for past
defrosting operations for different environmental conditions; an
environmental condition acquisition unit (environmental condition
acquisition unit 141) for obtaining present environmental
conditions; a required time prediction unit (database control unit
142) for estimating, at the time of or before starting a
present-round defrosting operation, required time for a
present-round defrosting operation based on the past record data
corresponding to the present environmental conditions from among
the past record data stored in the past record data memory unit;
and a start time changing unit (start time changing unit 143) for
changing start time of the present-round defrosting operation based
on the estimated required time obtained at the required time
prediction unit from start time that was scheduled based on the
time interval. Here, the "defrosting operation" may include a
"recovery operation" as will be described below. Also, the
"environmental conditions" especially mean the information related
to the operating environment of the refrigeration device that
affects the amount of frost adhered to the refrigeration device.
The temperature and humidity fall under a category of such
environmental conditions.
[0013] According to such an equipment control system, the required
time for the present-round defrosting operation is estimated in
accordance with the required time for the past defrosting
operations corresponding to the present environmental conditions,
and the start time for the present-round defrosting operation is
changed from the scheduled start time based on the estimated
required time. Therefore, even when the environmental conditions at
the time of the last defrosting operation differ greatly from the
environmental conditions at the time of the present-round
defrosting operation, the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation can be changed appropriately.
[0014] In the above equipment control system, the start time
changing unit may delay the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation from the scheduled start time when the
estimated required time obtained at the required time prediction
unit falls below a predetermined amount of time.
[0015] According to such an equipment control system, when the
estimated required time falls below the predetermined amount of
time, the system considers that it has a tendency to have a small
amount of adhered frost and delays the start time of the
present-round defrosting operation from the scheduled start time.
Thus, the time interval for the defrosting operations can be
extended when it is considered that the amount of adhered frost is
small, thus reducing the cost associated with the defrosting
operation such as the electric power consumption.
[0016] In the above equipment control system, the start time
changing unit may advance the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation from the scheduled start time when the
estimated required time obtained at the required time prediction
unit exceeds a predetermined amount of time.
[0017] According to such an equipment control system, when the
estimated required time exceeds the predetermined amount of time,
the system considers that it has a tendency to have a large amount
of adhered frost, and advances the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation from the scheduled start time. Thus, the time
interval for the defrosting operations can be shortened when it is
considered that the amount of adhered frost is large, thus making
it possible to maintain a good cooling performance of the
refrigeration device.
[0018] In the above equipment control system, the start time
changing unit may change the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation from the scheduled start time such that the
defrosting operation time period does not overlap with a
prohibition time period in which the defrosting operation is
prohibited.
[0019] According to such an equipment control system, the start
time of the present-round defrosting operation can be changed from
the scheduled start time while avoiding the overlap of the
defrosting operation time period and the prohibition time
period.
[0020] In the above equipment control system, the start time
changing unit may delay the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation until after finish time of the prohibition
time period when the estimated required time obtained at the
required time prediction unit falls below a predetermined amount of
time and a temporal difference between the start time of the last
defrosting operation and the finish time of the prohibition time
period is below a certain value.
[0021] According to such an equipment control system, when the
estimated required time falls below the predetermined amount of
time, the system considers that it has a tendency to have a small
amount of adhered frost and delays the start time of the
present-round defrosting operation. This makes it possible to
extend the time interval for the defrosting operations when it is
considered that the amount of adhered frost is small, thus reducing
the cost associated with the defrosting operation such as the
electric power consumption.
[0022] In addition, when the temporal difference between the start
time of the last defrosting operation and the finish time of the
prohibition time period is below a certain value, in other words,
when it is determined that the cooling performance of the
refrigeration device is not impaired by delaying the start time of
the present-round defrosting operation until after the finish time
of the prohibition time period, the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation is delayed until after the finish time of the
prohibition time period. Therefore, it is possible to extend the
time interval of the defrosting operations as much as possible
while avoiding impairing the cooling performance of the
refrigeration device as well as avoiding the overlap of the
defrosting operation time period and the prohibition time
period.
[0023] In the above equipment control system, the start time
changing unit may delay the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation such that finish time of the present-round
defrosting operation comes before the start time of the prohibition
time period when the estimated required time obtained at the
required time prediction unit falls below a predetermined amount of
time and the temporal difference between the start time of the last
defrosting operation and the finish time of the prohibition time
period exceeds a certain value.
[0024] According to such an equipment control system, when the
temporal difference between the start time of the last defrosting
operation and the finish time of the prohibition time period
exceeds a certain value, in other words, when it is determined that
the cooling performance of the refrigeration device may be impaired
by delaying the start time of the present-round defrosting
operation until after the finish time of the prohibition time
period, the start time of the present-round defrosting operation is
delayed such that the finish time of the present-round defrosting
operation comes before the start time of the prohibition time
period. Therefore, it is possible to extend the time interval of
the defrosting operations as much as possible while avoiding
impairing the cooling performance of the refrigeration device as
well as avoiding the overlap of the defrosting operation time
period and the prohibition time period.
[0025] In the above equipment control system, the refrigeration
device may include a first refrigeration device (such as the
showcase 53) and a second refrigeration device (such as the
showcase 54) that is different from the first refrigeration device,
and in a case that the start time of the present-round defrosting
operation for the first refrigeration device is changed, the start
time changing unit may set the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation for the first refrigeration device to be
different from the start time of the defrosting operation for the
second refrigeration device.
[0026] According to such an equipment control system, the start
time of the defrosting operation can be staggered among a plurality
of the refrigeration devices by changing the start time of the
defrosting operation for the first refrigeration device in such a
way that the start time of the defrosting operation for the first
refrigeration device does not overlap with the start time of the
defrosting operation for the second refrigeration device, thus
temporally spreading the cost associated with the defrosting
operation such as the electric power consumption.
[0027] The above equipment control system may include a
notification unit (display unit 18) for notifying to a user an
effect that the start time of the present-round defrosting
operation was changed from the scheduled start time or an effect
that there is no change in the start time.
[0028] According to such an equipment control system, the user can
grasp that the start time of the present-round defrosting operation
was changed from the scheduled start time or that there is no
change in the start time.
[0029] Another aspect of the invention is a control device for
controlling a defrosting operation to remove frost adhered to a
refrigeration device for cooling a space to be cooled, the
defrosting operation being started at a fixed or varying time
interval, in which the control device further includes a past
record data memory unit for storing past record data based on
required time for past defrosting operations for different
environmental conditions; an environmental condition acquisition
unit for obtaining present environmental conditions; a required
time prediction unit for estimating, at the time of or before
starting a present-round defrosting operation, required time for
the present-round defrosting operation based on the past record
data corresponding to the present environmental conditions from
among the past record data stored in the past record data memory
unit; and a start time changing unit for changing start time of the
present-round defrosting operation based on the estimated required
time obtained at the required time prediction unit from start time
that was scheduled based on the time interval.
[0030] According to such a control device, similarly to the
equipment control system of the invention, even when the
environmental conditions at the time of the last defrosting
operation differ greatly from the environmental conditions at the
time of the present-round defrosting operation, the start time of
the present-round defrosting operation can be changed
appropriately.
[0031] Another aspect of the invention is a control program that
causes a computer that functions as a control device for
controlling a defrosting operation to remove frost adhered to a
refrigeration device for cooling a space to be cooled, the
defrosting operation being started at a fixed or varying time
interval, to execute a procedure to store past record data based on
required time for past defrosting operations for different
environmental conditions; a procedure to obtain present
environmental conditions; a procedure to estimate, at the time of
or before starting a present-round defrosting operation, required
time for the present-round defrosting operation based on the past
record data corresponding to the present environmental conditions
from among the past record data stored in the past record data
memory unit; and a procedure to change start time of the
present-round defrosting operation based on the estimated required
time obtained at the required time prediction unit from start time
that was scheduled based on the time interval.
[0032] According to such a control device, similarly to the
equipment control system of the invention, even when the
environmental conditions at the time of the last defrosting
operation differ greatly from the environmental conditions at the
time of the present-round defrosting operation, the start time of
the present-round defrosting operation can be changed
appropriately.
[0033] According to the characteristics of the invention, the
equipment control system, the control device, and the control
program are provided in which the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation can be changed appropriately even when the
environmental conditions at the time of the last defrosting
operation greatly differ from the environmental conditions at the
time of the present-round defrosting operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is an overall general configuration diagram of the
equipment control system according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a general configuration of the integrated
controller according to the embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a database configuration diagram of the operating
condition database according to the embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a database configuration diagram of the operation
schedule database according to the embodiment.
[0038] FIGS. 5A and 5B are database configuration diagrams of the
database based on the environmental conditions according to the
embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing each function
performed by the CPU according to the embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a view showing a configuration example of a
display screen of the display unit according to the embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the overall operations of the
integrated controller 10 according to the embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the details of the
determination processing of the defrosting start time change, that
is, step S5 of FIG. 8 according to the embodiment.
[0043] FIGS. 10A to 10D are conceptual views showing an example of
the determination processing of the defrosting start time change
according to the embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a change result display
operation according to the embodiment.
[0045] FIGS. 12A and 12B are views for explaining examples of an
application of the invention to an air conditioning system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0046] Next, embodiments of the invention will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings below. In particular, (1)
overall general configuration of the equipment control system, (2)
configuration of the integrated controller, (3) operations of the
integrated controller, (4) operations and effects, and (5) other
embodiments of the invention will be explained. The same or similar
reference numbers are assigned for the same or similar parts in the
drawings for the embodiments described below.
(1) OVERALL GENERAL CONFIGURATION OF THE EQUIPMENT CONTROL
SYSTEM
[0047] First, an overall general configuration of the equipment
control system according to the embodiment, in particular, (1.1)
general configuration of the equipment control system, (1.2)
configuration of the refrigerant circulation circuit, (1.3)
configuration of the showcase, and (1.4) general configuration of
each controller will be explained.
[0048] (1.1) General Configuration of the Equipment Control
System
[0049] FIG. 1 is an overall general configuration of an equipment
control system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the equipment control system
1 has an integrated controller 10 and has a configuration to
integrally control a number of showcases 53, 54, and 55, . . . that
refrigerate or freeze merchandises placed in a store S such as a
supermarket or a convenience store.
[0050] In the example of FIG. 1, the integrated controller 10
installed at a plurality of stores S and a remote monitoring server
102 for communicating via the Internet 101 are provided. The remote
monitoring server 102 obtains various data from the integrated
controller 10 as well as sends to and sets up various data in the
integrated controller 10.
[0051] (1.2) Configuration of the Refrigerant Circulation
Circuit
[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, a refrigerant circulation circuit having
a compressor 51, a condenser 52, showcases 53, 54, and 55, . . . ,
and refrigerant piping P is installed at the store S. Each of the
compressor 51, the condenser 52, and showcases 53, 54, and 55, . .
. is a constituent device that constitutes the refrigerant
circulation circuit, and is connected by the refrigerant piping
P.
[0053] The compressor 51 includes three compressors 51a to 51c
having respectively different compression abilities. The
refrigerant compressed by the compressor 51 is lead to the
condenser 52 via the refrigerant piping P. The condenser 52 has
fans 52a to 52c and condenses the refrigerant using the fans 52a to
52c. The refrigerant condensed by the condenser 52 is lead to the
showcases 53, 54, and 55 . . . and is expanded and evaporates thus
conducting the heat away from inside the showcases 53, 54, and 55,
. . . at the time of evaporation. The evaporated refrigerant again
is lead to the compressor 51 via the refrigerant piping P. By
circulating the refrigerant as such, the merchandises placed in the
showcases 53, 54, and 55, . . . are cooled.
[0054] (1.3) Configuration of the Showcase
[0055] The showcase 53 has an expansion valve 53a, a sensor 53b, an
evaporator 53c, and a heater 53d. The refrigerant expands at the
expansion valve 53a and evaporates at the evaporator 53c. The
expansion valve 53a also has a function to adjust the flow volume
of the refrigerant. The sensor 53b detects for example an inside
temperature of the showcase 53.
[0056] The evaporator 53c functions as a heat exchanger and the
moisture in the air adheres to the evaporator 53c as frost. When
the frost is adhered to the evaporator 53c, the heat exchange at
the evaporator 53c is disrupted and the cooling performance is
deteriorated. Therefore, a defrosting operation is necessary, which
is an operation mode to remove the frost by periodically raising
the inside temperature of the showcase using the heater 53d. In
this regard, the defrosting operation is not limited to the one
using the heater 53d, but a defrosting operation in which the
refrigerant flow is stopped by using the expansion valve 53a also
may be performed.
[0057] The defrosting operation is performed during the time from
its start until a predetermined termination condition is met. Such
a termination condition is a condition that makes it possible to
determine that the frost was removed, and for example, at least one
of the inside temperature of the showcase, the temperature of the
refrigerant, the inside humidity of the showcase, and the pressure
of the refrigerant may be used as criteria for the termination
condition. The time the defrosting operation is started will be
called arbitrarily "defrosting start time"; the time that the
defrosting operation ends will be called arbitrarily "defrosting
finish time"; and the required time for the defrosting operation
will be called arbitrarily "defrosting time" below.
[0058] Once the defrosting operation is performed, the inside
temperature of the showcase becomes elevated, and thus, a recovery
operation (pull-down operation) which is an operation mode to lower
the raised inside temperature of the showcase is performed. The
recovery operation is started to coincide with the termination of
the defrosting operation. The recovery operation is performed
during the time from its start until the inside temperature of the
showcase returns to a preset temperature.
[0059] At the recovery operation, the inside temperature of the
showcase is decreased rapidly, and therefore, the electric power
consumption during the recovery operation is larger compared with
the normal operation mode. Therefore, by reducing the number of
defrosting operations the number of recovery operations can be
reduced, which also reduces the electric power consumption. The
time the recovery operation is started will be called arbitrarily
"recovery start time"; the time that the recovery operation ends
will be called arbitrarily "recovery finish time"; and the required
time for the recovery operation will be called arbitrarily
"recovery time" below.
[0060] The showcases 54, and 55, are configured similarly to the
showcase 53. Here, multiple showcases 53 are provided and
constitute a defrosting group 1. The multiple showcases 53 that
constitute the defrosting group 1 simultaneously start the
defrosting operation. Also, multiple showcases 54 are provided and
constitute a defrosting group 2. The multiple showcases 54 that
constitute the defrosting group 2 simultaneously start the
defrosting operation. Multiple showcases 55 are provided and
constitute a defrosting group 3. The multiple showcases 55 that
constitute the defrosting group 3 simultaneously start the
defrosting operation.
[0061] During a certain time period, a fully refrigerated condition
at the showcases 53, 54, and 55 . . . may be required. For example,
during the time period in which an employee periodically checks the
temperature of the showcases 53, 54, and 55 . . . to fill out a
checklist, it is necessary that the showcases 53, 54, and 55 . . .
are fully refrigerated. Also during the time period in which
merchandises are restocked in the showcases 53, 54, and 55 . . . ,
it is necessary that the merchandises are fully refrigerated within
a short time right after the restocking. In other words, the
defrosting operation and the recovery operation are prohibited in
such a time period, and the time period in which the defrosting
operation and the recovery operation are prohibited will be called
a "prohibition time period" below.
[0062] (1.4) General Configuration of Each Controller
[0063] Various controllers are installed at the store S including
the integrated controller 10. In particular, at the store S, a
compressor controller 20 that controls the compressor 51, a
condenser controller 30 that controls the condenser 52, showcase
controllers 40a, 40D, and 40c . . . that control the showcases 53,
54, and 55, and the integrated controller 10 are installed. The
compressor controller 20, the condenser controller 30, the showcase
controllers 40a, 40b, and 40c . . . will be collectively called
"device controllers" arbitrarily.
[0064] The showcase controllers 40a, 40b, and 40c . . . control the
expansion valves 53a, 53b, and 53c . . . of the showcases 53, 54,
and 55 . . . based on the sensor values outputted by the sensors
53b, 54b, and 55b . . . such that the inside temperatures of the
showcases stay preset temperatures. Although it is common to
provide the showcase controllers 40a, 40b, and 40c . . . in
one-to-one correspondence with the showcases 53, 54, and 55 . . . ,
one showcase controller also may control multiple showcases
instead.
[0065] The integrated controller 10 carries out mutual
communication with the device controllers and systematically
manages the operation status of the constituent devices to
coordinate among the constituent devices. For example, the
integrated controller 10 also has a function to perform an energy
saving control in the entire store S. The integrated controller 10
may grasp the operation status of the showcases 53, 54, and 55 . .
. by communication with the showcase controllers 40a, 40b, and 40c
. . . . In addition, the integrated controller 10 may instruct the
showcase controllers 40a, 40b, and 40c . . . to start the
defrosting operation. In this embodiment, the integrated controller
10 constitutes a control device for controlling the defrosting
operation of the showcases 53, 54, and 55 . . . (refrigeration
devices).
[0066] An in-store temperature sensor 61, an in-store humidity
sensor 62, and an outside air temperature sensor 63 are connected
to the integrated controller 10. The in-store temperature sensor 61
detects the temperature within the store S and notifies the
detection result to the integrated controller 10. The in-store
humidity sensor 62 detects the humidity within the store S and
notifies the detection result to the integrated controller 10. The
outside air temperature sensor 63 detects the outside air
temperature and notifies the detection result to the integrated
controller 10. The temperature and humidity within the store S as
well as the temperature outside the store S affect the amount of
the adhered frost at the showcases 53, 54, and 55 . . . as well as
the defrosting time. For example, when the humidity within the
store S is higher, the amount of the adhered frost increases and
the defrosting time takes longer. Also, when the temperature within
the store S is higher, the defrosting time takes shorter.
(2) CONFIGURATION OF THE INTEGRATED CONTROLLER
[0067] Next, a configuration of the integrated controller 10, in
particular, (2.1) general configuration of the integrated
controller, (2.2) database configuration, (2.3) main component of
the integrated controller, and (2.4) example of screen display will
be explained.
[0068] (2.1) General Configuration of the Integrated Controller
[0069] FIG. 2 is a general configuration diagram of the integrated
controller 10. The components relevant to the invention primarily
will be explained below.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 2, the integrated controller 10 includes an
operating condition database 11, an operation schedule database 12,
a database based on environmental conditions 13, a CPU 14, a memory
15, an input unit 16, a timer 17, and a display unit 18.
[0071] The CPU 14 controls the entire integrated controller 10. The
memory 15 stores a control program executed by the CPU 14 as well
as various parameters. The input unit 16 is for example a keyboard
and a mouse, and receives entry operations from a user. The timer
17 has a timekeeping function. The display unit 18 is composed of a
display, and displays various information.
[0072] (2.2) Database Configuration
[0073] Next, a configuration of each database, in particular,
(2.2.1) configuration of the operating condition database, (2.2.2)
configuration of the operation schedule database, and (2.2.3)
configuration of the database based on environmental conditions
will be explained.
[0074] (2.2.1) Configuration of the Operating Condition
Database
[0075] FIG. 3 is a database configuration diagram of the operating
condition database 11. The operating condition database 11 is used
for preparation and updating of the database based on environmental
conditions 13.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 3, the operating condition database 11
stores periodically measured data of the operating conditions (such
as the operation mode, inside temperature of the showcase, and the
environmental conditions) for each showcase 53, 54, and 55 . . . .
Here, the operation mode includes three operations, that is, the
defrosting operation, the recovery operation, and the normal
operation. In this embodiment, for example data measured at the
one-minute interval is stored in the operating condition database
11.
[0077] In the example of FIG. 3, the inside temperature of each
showcase, the operation mode of each showcase, the outside air
temperature, the in-store temperature, and the in-store humidity
are stored in correspondence. For example, at 11:55, contents such
as that the inside temperature of the showcase 1 is 3.degree. C.;
the operation mode of the showcase 1 is the normal operation; the
inside temperature of the showcase 2 is -17.degree. C.; the
operation mode of the showcase 2 is the normal operation; the
outside air temperature is 22.degree. C.; the in-store temperature
is 21.degree. C., and the in-store humidity is 55% are stored.
[0078] (2.2.2) Operation Schedule Database Configuration
[0079] FIG. 4 is a database configuration diagram of the operation
schedule database 12. In the operation schedule database 12,
predetermined defrosting start time (scheduled start time) and a
prohibition time period are stored on a daily basis for each
defrosting group. In the initial state, the defrosting operation is
started at the defrosting start time (scheduled start time) stored
in the operation schedule database 12.
[0080] In the example of FIG. 4, for the defrosting group 1, the
defrosting start time is set 6 times per day starting midnight at
the four-hour interval, and the time periods from 10:00 to 11:00
and from 15:00 to 16:00 are set as the prohibition time periods.
For the defrosting group 2, the defrosting start time is set 5
times per day starting at 2:30 at the four or six-hour interval,
and the time periods from 10:00 to 11:00 and from 15:00 to 16:00
are set as the prohibition time periods. For the defrosting group
3, the defrosting start time is set 4 times per day starting at
1:00 at the six-hour interval, and the time periods from 10:00 to
11:00 and from 15:00 to 16:00 are set as the prohibition time
periods. As such, for each defrosting group, the defrosting start
time is set so that it does not overlap with that of other
defrosting groups.
[0081] (2.2.3) Configuration of Database Based on Environmental
Conditions
[0082] FIGS. 5A and 5B are database configuration diagrams of the
database based on environmental conditions 13. The database based
on environmental conditions 13 stores past record data based on the
past defrosting time and recovery time (such as average defrosting
time and average recovery time) for different environmental
conditions. In this embodiment, the database based on environmental
conditions 13 constitutes a past record data memory unit that
stores past record data based on the past defrosting time and
recovery time for different environmental conditions.
[0083] In the example of FIG. 5A, three environmental conditions,
that is, the in-store temperature, the outside air temperature, and
the time period are given. For the simplicity of explanation, the
in-store humidity as shown in FIG. 3 will not be used.
[0084] The in-store temperature and the outside air temperature are
at the 5.degree. C. interval and the time period is at the two-hour
interval. For each cube defined by the three of the in-store
temperature, the outside air temperature, and the time period,
actual measurement values of the past defrosting time and recovery
time are stored, and the average value of each of the stored actual
measurement values is stored.
[0085] FIG. 5B shows one example of the past record data stored in
a case in which the time period is from 0:00 to 2:00; the outside
air temperature is between 15.degree. C. and 20.degree. C., and the
in-store temperature is between 15.degree. C. and 20.degree. C. As
shown in FIG. 5B, the database based on environmental conditions 13
is configured such that it can store for example 10 past record
data for the environmental conditions of the outside air
temperature between 15.degree. C. and 20.degree. C. and the
in-store temperature between 15.degree. C. and 20.degree. C.
[0086] For example, in the first past record data, the defrosting
time is 15 minutes and the recovery time is 28 minutes. In the
second past record data, the defrosting time is 18 minutes and the
recovery time is 32 minutes. Based on these ten past record data,
the average defrosting time is computed as 16 minutes, while the
average recovery time is computed as 29 minutes. The database based
on environmental conditions 13 has a configuration such that it
deletes the oldest past record data when more than 10 past record
data are received for the cube. Also, it is not limited to the case
in which the average values are computed but other representative
values, such as a mode value or a median value also may be
computed.
[0087] (2.3) Main Component of the Integrated Controller
[0088] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing each function
carried out at the CPU 14. As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 14 includes
an environmental condition acquisition unit 141, a database control
unit 142, and a start time changing unit 143.
[0089] The environmental condition acquisition unit 141 obtains the
present environmental conditions. As the environmental conditions,
the above described in-store temperature, in-store humidity,
outside air temperature, and time period may be included. Here, the
in-store temperature is measured at the in-store temperature sensor
61. The in-store humidity is measured at the in-store humidity
sensor 62. The outside air temperature is measured at the outside
air temperature sensor 63. The time period is measured at the timer
17.
[0090] The database control unit 142 estimates at the time of or
before the start of the present-round defrosting operation required
time for the present-round defrosting operation based on the past
record data corresponding to the present environmental conditions
from among the past record data stored in the database based on
environmental conditions 13. Also, since the 10 past record data
are stored for each environmental condition as shown in FIG. 53,
the database control unit 142 computes an average value of the 10
past record data as the estimated required time. In this
embodiment, the database control unit 142 constitutes a required
time prediction unit for estimating the required time for the
present-round defrosting operation.
[0091] The start time changing unit 143 changes the start time of
the present-round defrosting operation based on the estimated
required time obtained at the database control unit 142 from the
defrosting start time according to a fixed or varying time interval
(such as the four-hour or six-hour interval). In other words, the
start time changing unit 143 changes the defrosting start time
stored in the operation schedule database 12 (scheduled start time)
based on the estimated required time obtained at the database
control unit 142.
[0092] (2.4) Example of Screen Display
[0093] FIG. 7 is a view showing a configuration example of a
display screen displayed at the display unit 18. In the example of
FIG. 7, for each of the three groups of defrosting groups 1 to 3,
the scheduled start time of the present-round defrosting is
displayed. For example, the scheduled start time of the
present-round defrosting for the defrosting group 1 is 16:00, while
the scheduled start time of the present-round defrosting for the
defrosting group 2 is 16:00 as a result of the change from 14:00,
and the scheduled start time of the present-round defrosting for
the defrosting group 3 is 18:00. In other words, it shows that the
scheduled start time of the present-round defrosting was not
changed for the defrosting groups 1 and 3. For the defrosting group
2, it is shown that the scheduled start time of the present-round
defrosting was changed.
[0094] A "turn back" button is provided for the defrosting group 2
for which the scheduled start time of the present-round defrosting
was changed so that the scheduled start time can be turned back to
the original scheduled start time (the defrosting start time stored
in the operation schedule database 12). The scheduled start time of
the present-round defrosting can be put back to the original time
(here, 14:00) by the user's pressing the button using the input
unit 16.
[0095] In addition, for each of the three groups of defrosting
groups 1 to 3, the scheduled start time of the present-round
defrosting is arbitrarily changeable by the user. In particular, a
button for changing the time is displayed and the scheduled start
time of the present-round defrosting can be changed by the user by
specifying the button using the input unit 16 and selecting the
time from a pull-down menu. The display unit also includes a screen
for notifying the contents of the change to the user (including the
case in which there was no change) as a confirmation screen after
the input by the user.
(3) OPERATIONS OF THE INTEGRATED CONTROLLER
[0096] Next, operations of the integrated controller 10, in
particular, (3.1) overall operations of the integrated controller,
(3.2) determination processing of the defrosting start time change,
(3.3) specific example of the defrosting start time change, and
(3.4) display operations of the change result will be
explained.
[0097] (3.1) Overall Operations of the Integrated Controller
[0098] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing overall operations of the
integrated controller 10. The processing flow as shown in FIG. 8 is
executed periodically such as once every minute.
[0099] At step S1, the environmental condition acquisition unit 141
and the database control unit 142 measure the operation conditions
of the showcases 53, 54, and 55 . . . such as the operation mode,
the inside temperature of the showcase, and the environmental
conditions, and store the measured contents in the operating
condition database 11. As a result of this, the operating condition
database 11 is updated.
[0100] At step S2, the database control unit 142 determines whether
or not it is shortly after the time period, which is one of the
environmental conditions, has switched. For example, when the time
period is divided into two-hour time segments, the clock time such
as 10:00 and 12:00 is the time "shortly after the time period has
switched". At such time, the process advances to step S3.
[0101] At step S3, the database control unit 142 computes the
defrosting time and the recovery time from the contents stored in
the operating condition database 11. The defrosting time can be
obtained by measuring the time in which the operation mode is in
the defrosting mode. The recovery time can be obtained by measuring
the time from the finish time of the defrosting operation until
when the inside temperature of the showcase becomes equal to a
preset temperature, or until when the temperature difference
between the inside temperature of the showcase and the preset
temperature becomes within a certain value.
[0102] The database control unit 142 sets the defrosting time and
recovery time obtained as such in a corresponding cell of the
database based on environmental conditions 13. The corresponding
cell is determined by a parameter such as the average temperature
within the present time period (2 hours). In addition, when a
substantial amount of data (such as 10) is set in the corresponding
cell, the database control unit 142 updates the database by
deleting the oldest data.
[0103] At step S4, the start time changing unit 143 determines
whether or not it is time to determine defrosting start time
change. This determination time for example is five minutes before
the defrosting start time. This is for determining the start time
change before the defrosting start time so as to prompt the user to
determine by displaying the change result of the defrosting start
time on the screen. However, in a configuration that the change
result of the defrosting start time is not displayed on the screen,
the defrosting start time change may be determined right before the
defrosting start time.
[0104] If it is time to determine the defrosting start time change,
the process advances to step S5. At step S5, the start time
changing unit 143 carries out the determination processing of the
defrosting start time change. This processing will be described in
detail below.
[0105] At step S6, the start time changing unit 143 determines
whether or not the changed defrosting start time for one defrosting
group overlaps with the defrosting start time for another
defrosting group. If the changed defrosting start time overlaps
with the defrosting start time of another defrosting group, a large
number of showcases will start their defrosting operations all at
once. This is not desirable because the electric power consumption
associated with the defrosting operation and the recovery operation
becomes concentrated in a short period of time.
[0106] Therefore, at step S7, when the changed defrosting start
time overlaps with the defrosting start time of another defrosting
group, the start time changing unit 143 cancels the changing
process. When the changing process is cancelled, the defrosting
start time returns to the scheduled start time.
[0107] (3.2) Determination Processing of the Defrosting Start Time
change
[0108] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the determination processing
of the defrosting start time change, that is, step S5 of FIG.
8.
[0109] At step S501, the environmental condition acquisition unit
141 obtains the present environmental conditions. The database
control unit 142 determines whether or not the past record data
that corresponds to the present environmental conditions (such as
the average defrosting time and the average recovery time) exist in
the database based on the environmental conditions 13. Here, the
past record data that corresponds to the present environmental
conditions is not limited to the past record data that coincides
(perfectly matches) with the present environmental conditions but
the past record data may be those having the difference with the
present environmental conditions of within a certain value. When
the past record data that corresponds with the present
environmental conditions exists in the database based on
environmental conditions 13, the process advances to step S502.
[0110] At step S502, the start time changing unit 143 determines
whether or not the average defrosting time in the past record data
corresponding to the present environmental conditions is below a
certain period of time (such as 15 minutes). This certain period of
time is an indicator for evaluating the amount of the adhered frost
in the showcase and it differs depending on the property of the
showcase. Therefore, it is necessary that the evaluation criteria
be estimated in advance such as by experiments and trial
operations. When the average defrosting time is below the certain
period of time, the process advances to step S503.
[0111] At step S503, the start time changing unit 143 obtains
finish time of the recovery operation in a case in which it is
presumed that the present-round defrosting start time is delayed by
one hour from the scheduled start time. In particular, the start
time changing unit 143 derives the finish time of the recovery
operation by adding the average defrosting time and the average
recovery time to the time delayed by 1 hour from the scheduled
start time. In this regard, safety margin (such as 3 minutes) may
be added on the assumption that the defrosting time is extended by
the 1-hour delay of the defrosting start time.
[0112] At step S504, the start time changing unit 143 determines
whether or not the finish time of the recovery operation derived at
step S503 spans into the prohibition time period. The prohibition
time period can be determined by referring to the operation
schedule database 12. If the finish time of the recovery operation
does not span into the prohibition time period, the process
advances to step S505. On the other hand, if the finish time of the
recovery operation spans into the prohibition time period, the
process advances to step S506.
[0113] At step S505, the start time changing unit 143 delays the
present-round defrosting start time by 1 hour.
[0114] At step S506, the start time changing unit 143 obtains the
last defrosting start time and the prohibition time period finish
time, and computes a temporal difference between the last
defrosting start time and the prohibition time period finish
time.
[0115] At step S507, the start time changing unit 143 determines
whether or not the temporal difference computed at step S506 is
within a certain value. Here, the certain value is based on the
time interval of the defrosting operation in the initial state
(such as at the four-hour or six-hour interval) for virtually
assuring prevention of the frost adherence as long as the
defrosting operation is performed within such a certain value. For
this certain value also, it is necessary that evaluation criteria
be estimated in advance such as by experiments and trial
operations. When the temporal difference computed at step S506 is
within the certain value, the process advances to step S508. On the
other hand, if the temporal difference computed at step S506
exceeds the certain value, then the process advances to step
S509.
[0116] At step S508, the start time changing unit 143 delays the
present-round defrosting operation start time until the prohibition
time period finish time. Alternatively, the present-round
defrosting operation start time can be made after the prohibition
time period finish time.
[0117] At step S509, the start time changing unit 143 delays the
present-round defrosting operation start time such that the finish
time of the recovery operation associated with the present-round
defrosting operation coincides with the prohibition time period
start time. Alternatively, the finish time of the recovery
operation may be set before the start time of the prohibition time
period.
[0118] (3.3) Specific Example of the Defrosting Start Time
Change
[0119] Next, by referring to the flowchart as shown in FIG. 9,
specific examples of the defrosting start time change will be
explained using FIGS. 10A to 10D. FIGS. 10A to 10D are conceptual
views showing specific examples of the defrosting start time
change.
[0120] FIG. 10A shows a state before the defrosting start time is
changed. It is assumed that the scheduled defrosting start time of
the present-round defrosting operation is 14:00; the average
defrosting time corresponding to the present environmental
conditions is 12 minutes; and the average recovery time
corresponding to the present environmental conditions is 25
minutes. Since the average defrosting time (12 minutes) is less
than the certain period of time (e.g. 15 minutes), the start time
changing unit 143 determines that the start time of the
present-round defrosting operation be delayed (step S502: YES).
Also, at FIG. 10A, the last defrosting is performed from 12:00 to
12:30, and the last recovery operation is performed from 12:30 to
13:10. The prohibition time period is set from 15:00 to 16:00.
[0121] FIG. 10B shows a state in a case in which it is assumed that
the defrosting start time of the present-round defrosting operation
is delayed by one hour. In this case, the finish time of the
recovery operation associated with the present-round defrosting
operation is 15:40 from 14:00 (the scheduled start time) 1 hour+12
minutes (the average defrosting time)+25 minutes (the average
recovery time)+3 minutes (safety margin) (step S503). In this case,
it is determined that the finish time of the recovery operation
(15:40) spans into the prohibition time period (15:00 to 16:00)
(step S504: YES).
[0122] Therefore, the start time changing unit 143 computes the
temporal difference between the last defrosting operation start
time and the prohibition time period finish time (16:00). In this
case, the temporal difference is computed as being 4 hours (step
S506).
[0123] FIG. 10C shows a state in a case in which it is assumed that
the certain value to be compared with the temporal difference at
step S506 is being 3 hours. In this case, it is determined that the
temporal difference (4 hours) exceeds the certain value (3 hours)
(step S507: NO). Therefore, the start time changing unit 143 delays
the start time of the present-round defrosting operation such that
the finish time of the recovery operation associated with the
present-round defrosting operation coincides with the start time of
the prohibition time period (15:00) (step S509). More specifically,
the present-round defrosting operation start time is made 14:20
from the prohibition time period start time (15:00)-3 minutes
(safety margin)-25 minutes (the average recovery time)-12 minutes
(the average defrosting time)=14:20.
[0124] FIG. 10D shows a state in a case in which it is assumed that
the certain value to be compared with the temporal difference at
step S506 is being 4 hours. In this case it is determined that the
temporal difference (4 hours) is within the certain value (4 hours)
(step S507: YES), and the start time changing unit 143 makes the
finish time of the prohibition time period (16:00) to be the start
time of the present-round defrosting operation (step S508).
[0125] (3.4) Displaying Operations of Change Results
[0126] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing display operations of the
change results.
[0127] At step S81, the display unit 18 displays the effect that
the present-round defrosting start time has been changed or has not
been changed. Such a display is carried out for example for each
defrosting group. When the effect of change is displayed, the
changed start time is displayed in addition to the original
scheduled start time.
[0128] At step S82, the start time changing unit 143 determines
whether or not there was an operation from the user at the input
unit 16 to turn back the defrosting operation start time to the
original scheduled start time. If there is an operation to turn
back the defrosting start time to the original scheduled start
time, the process advances to step S83. On the other hand, if there
is no operation to turn back the defrosting start time to the
original scheduled start time, the process advances to step
S84.
[0129] At step S83, the start time changing unit 143 turns back the
defrosting start time to the original scheduled start time.
[0130] At step S84, the start time changing unit 143 determines
whether or not there was an operation from the user at the input
unit 16 to change the defrosting operation start time. If there is
an operation to change the defrosting operation start time, the
process advances to step S85.
[0131] At step S85, the start time changing unit 143 changes the
defrosting operation start time to the start time specified by the
user according to the operation by the user at the input unit
16.
(4) OPERATIONS AND EFFECT
[0132] The integrated controller 10 according to the embodiment
estimates the present-round defrosting operation time in accordance
with the past defrosting operation time corresponding to the
present environmental conditions, and changes the present-round
defrosting start time from the original scheduled start time based
on the estimated present-round defrosting operation time.
Therefore, even when the environmental conditions at the time of
the last defrosting operation differ greatly from the environmental
conditions at the time of the present-round defrosting operation,
the present-round defrosting start time can be changed
appropriately.
[0133] The integrated controller 10 according to the embodiment
delays the present-round defrosting start time from the original
scheduled start time when the estimated required time falls below a
predetermined amount of time by regarding that it has a tendency to
have a small amount of the adhered frost. Therefore, the time
interval of the defrosting operations can be extended when it is
considered that the amount of the adhered frost is small, thus
decreasing the electric power consumption associated with the
defrosting operation and the recovery operation.
[0134] According to the integrated controller 10 of the embodiment,
the present-round defrosting operation start time can be changed
from the scheduled start time while avoiding the overlap of the
defrosting operation and the recovery operation with the
prohibition time period. In particular, the integrated controller
10 delays the present-round defrosting start time until after the
finish time of the prohibition time period when the temporal
difference between the last defrosting start time and the finish
time of the prohibition time period is below a certain value, that
is, in a case in which it can be determined that the cooling
performance of the showcases 53, 54, and 55 does not become
impaired by delaying the present-round defrosting start time until
after the finish time of the prohibition time period. Therefore,
the electric power consumption associated with the defrosting
operation and the recovery operation can be decreased by extending
the time interval of the defrosting operations as much as possible
while avoiding to impair the cooling performance of the showcases
53, 54, and 55 . . . and while avoiding that the defrosting
operation time overlaps with the prohibition time period.
[0135] Also, the integrated controller 10 delays the present-round
defrosting start time such that the present-round defrosting finish
time comes before the start time of the prohibition time period
when the temporal difference between the last defrosting start time
and the finish time of the prohibition time period exceeds the
certain value, that is, in a case in which it is determined that
there is a possibility that the cooling performance of the
showcases 53, 54, and 55 . . . may be impaired by delaying the
present-round defrosting start time until after the finish time of
the prohibition time period. Therefore, the electric power
consumption associated with the defrosting operation and the
recovery operation can be decreased by extending the time interval
of the defrosting operations as much as possible while avoiding to
impair the cooling performance of the showcases 53, 54, and 55 . .
. and while avoiding that the defrosting operation time overlaps
with the prohibition time period.
[0136] According to the integrated controller 10 of the embodiment,
the defrosting start time of the showcase 53 of the defrosting
group 1 is changed such that it does not overlap with the
defrosting start time of the showcase 54 of the defrosting group 2
and the defrosting start time of the showcase 55 of the defrosting
group 3. Therefore, the electric power consumption associated with
the defrosting operation can be temporally spread by staggering the
defrosting start time among the showcases (among the defrosting
groups).
[0137] In addition, the integrated controller 10 displays the
effect of whether the present-round defrosting start time was
changed or not from the original scheduled start time. Therefore,
the user can grasp whether the present-round defrosting start time
was changed or not from the original scheduled start time.
(5) OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0138] As described above, the present invention was described
using the embodiments. However, the descriptions and the drawings
that constitute a part of this disclosure should not be regarded as
being restrictive. From this disclosure, various alternative
embodiments, examples, and operative technologies become apparent
for one skilled in the art.
(5.1) Other Embodiments
[0139] In the above embodiment, the defrosting start time of the
defrosting group 1 was changed such that it does not overlap with
the defrosting start time of the defrosting group 2 and the
defrosting start time of the defrosting group 3.
[0140] However, not only avoiding the overlap of the start times,
the defrosting start time of the defrosting group 1 may be changed
such that the defrosting time of the defrosting group 1 does not
overlap with the defrosting time of the defrosting group 2 and the
defrosting time of the defrosting group 3. This enables assuring
further distribution of the electric power consumption associated
with the defrosting operation.
[0141] Such decentralization of the electric power consumption is
particularly effective in the demand contract method, which is one
of the contract methods for the electricity rate placed between an
owner of a store or a facility and an electric power company. In
the demand contract method, the integrated value of the electric
power consumption (which will be called "power consumption
integrated value" below) is computed for each predetermined term
(which will be called "demand term" below), and the contract rate
is set based on the maximum power consumption integrated value
among the power consumption integrated values for the demand terms
in the period of one year.
[0142] Therefore, for the owner of the store or the facility, it is
desired to keep the power consumption integrated value per demand
term low. Thus, by temporally decentralizing the electric power
consumption associated with the defrosting operation and the
recovery operation, the power consumption integrated value per
demand term can be kept low, and as such there is an advantage in
the demand contract method in decreasing the contract rate.
(5.2) Modified Example 2
[0143] In the above-described embodiment, when the estimated
required time falls below a predetermined amount of time, the
present-round defrosting start time was delayed from the original
scheduled start time by considering that it has a tendency to have
a small amount of the adhered frost. However, it is not limited to
the case in which the present-round defrosting start time is
delayed from the scheduled start time, but the present-round
defrosting start time may be advanced from the scheduled start
time.
[0144] In particular, the start time changing unit 143 advances the
present-round defrosting start time from the scheduled start time
when the estimated required time exceeds a predetermined amount of
time. This makes it possible to shorten the time interval of the
defrosting operation when it is considered that the amount of the
adhered frost is large, thus maintaining a good cooling performance
of the showcases 53, 54, and 55 . . . . In this embodiment also, a
person skilled in the art should be able to apply various
processing of the above-described embodiment easily.
(5.3) Modified Example 3
[0145] In the above-described embodiment, a system configuration to
refrigerate and freeze merchandises in the showcases placed such as
in a store was described. However, the invention also is applicable
to an air conditioning system for an indoor space such as a
store.
[0146] FIGS. 12A and 12B are views for explaining examples of an
application of the invention to the air conditioning system. In
FIGS. 12A and 125, each of a compressor 51, heat exchangers 80 and
90, and an expansion valve 95 is a constituent device that
constitutes the refrigerant circulation circuit and is connected by
refrigerant piping P. In the air conditioning system, at the time
of refrigerated air conditioning, the refrigerant is circulated as
shown in FIG. 12A. On the other hand, at the time of air heating,
the refrigerant path is switched and the refrigerant is circulated
as shown in FIG. 12B.
[0147] For example, at the time of the air heating operation as
shown in FIG. 12B, the heat exchanger 90 at the outdoor side
constitutes a cooling device for cooling the outside air (the space
to be cooled), thus requiring periodical defrosting operations.
Here, as described above, the environmental conditions at the time
of the defrosting operation affect the required time for the
defrosting operation. Therefore, similarly to the above-described
embodiment, for the defrosting operation of the heat exchanger 90
also, the present-round defrosting start time can be appropriately
changed by estimating the required time for the present-round
defrosting operation according to the required time for the past
defrosting operations corresponding to the present environmental
conditions, and changing the start time of the present-round
defrosting operation based on the estimated required time from the
scheduled start time.
(5.4) Modified Example 4
[0148] In the above-described embodiment, the environmental
condition acquisition unit 141, the database control unit 142, and
the start time changing unit 143 were provided at the integrated
controller 10. However, a system configuration also is possible in
which these functional blocks are scattered into individual device
controllers.
(5.5) Computer Program
[0149] It is possible to implement each processing explained in the
above-described embodiment as a computer program and to have it
executed by a computer as the integrated controller 10 or as a
device controller.
[0150] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or essential
characteristics thereof. The embodiments are therefore to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the
scope of the present invention being indicated by the appended
claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes
that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims
therefore are intended to be embraced therein.
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