U.S. patent application number 13/978694 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-07 for air conditioning system and initiation control method of the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Tatsuya Ishikawa, Kunihide Wada. Invention is credited to Tatsuya Ishikawa, Kunihide Wada.
Application Number | 20130291576 13/978694 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46580486 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130291576 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wada; Kunihide ; et
al. |
November 7, 2013 |
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND INITIATION CONTROL METHOD OF THE
SAME
Abstract
An air conditioning system includes a plurality of air
conditioners to which electric power, temperature detection sensors
for respectively detecting interior temperatures in air
conditioning regions corresponding to the air conditioners, a
temperature storage section for storing control temperatures of the
plurality of air conditioners and the detected interior
temperatures, a power restoration detection section for detecting
that power supply is restored after power interruption, and an
initiation timing setting section for, in a case where power
restoration is detected, comparing the stored control temperatures
with interior temperatures detected after power restoration or
before power interruption and stored in the temperature storage
section, and setting initiation timings of the air conditioners
such that the air conditioner corresponding to the air conditioning
region having a larger air conditioning load based on a difference
between the temperatures is initiated earlier.
Inventors: |
Wada; Kunihide; (Sakai-shi,
JP) ; Ishikawa; Tatsuya; (Sakai-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wada; Kunihide
Ishikawa; Tatsuya |
Sakai-shi
Sakai-shi |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Osaka-shi, Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
46580486 |
Appl. No.: |
13/978694 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 6, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2011/078120 |
371 Date: |
July 8, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/129 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 29/00 20130101;
F24F 11/32 20180101; G05D 23/1934 20130101; H05K 7/20836
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/129 |
International
Class: |
F25D 29/00 20060101
F25D029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 25, 2011 |
JP |
2011-012848 |
Claims
1. An air conditioning system comprising a plurality of air
conditioners to which electric power is supplied from the same
power supply, the air conditioning system comprising: temperature
detection sensors for respectively detecting interior temperatures
in air conditioning regions corresponding to the air conditioners;
a temperature storage section for storing control temperatures of
the plurality of air conditioners and the interior temperatures
detected by the temperature detection sensors; a power restoration
detection section for detecting that power supply is restored after
power interruption; and an initiation timing setting section for,
in a case where the power restoration is detected by the power
restoration detection section, comparing the control temperatures
stored in the temperature storage section respectively for the
plurality of air conditioners with the interior temperatures
detected after the power restoration or before the power
interruption by the temperature detection sensors and stored in the
temperature storage section, and setting initiation timings of the
air conditioners in such a manner that the air conditioner
corresponding to the air conditioning region having a larger air
conditioning load based on a difference between the temperatures is
initiated earlier.
2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the
temperature detection sensor is integrated with the air
conditioner.
3. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the
temperature detection sensor is provided in the air conditioning
region corresponding to the air conditioner as a separate body from
the air conditioner.
4. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the
temperature storage section, the power restoration detection
section, and the initiation timing setting section are provided in
each of the plurality of air conditioners.
5. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, further
comprising: a central control device having the temperature storage
section, the power restoration detection section, and the
initiation timing setting section, wherein the central control
device and the air conditioners are connected so as to communicate
with each other.
6. An initiation control method of an air conditioning system
comprising a plurality of air conditioners to which electric power
is supplied from the same power supply, wherein in a case where
power supply is restored after power interruption, control
temperatures of the air conditioners are compared with interior
temperatures after the power restoration or before the power
interruption in air conditioning regions corresponding to the air
conditioners, and the air conditioner corresponding to the air
conditioning region having a larger air conditioning load based on
a difference between the temperatures is initiated earlier.
7. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the
temperature storage section, the power restoration detection
section, and the initiation timing setting section are provided in
each of the plurality of air conditioners.
8. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein the
temperature storage section, the power restoration detection
section, and the initiation timing setting section are provided in
each of the plurality of air conditioners.
9. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, further
comprising: a central control device having the temperature storage
section, the power restoration detection section, and the
initiation timing setting section, wherein the central control
device and the air conditioners are connected so as to communicate
with each other.
10. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, further
comprising: a central control device having the temperature storage
section, the power restoration detection section, and the
initiation timing setting section, wherein the central control
device and the air conditioners are connected so as to communicate
with each other.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system
and an initiation control method of the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In a data center where a large number of computer devices
such as a server computer are housed, air conditioning devices are
fully equipped for preventing a room temperature increase due to
heat generation from the computer devices. For example, a plurality
of racks for installing the computer devices is provided in line in
an interior of the data center, and a plurality of air conditioners
is separately installed in accordance with arrangement of the
racks, a flow of heat, and the like.
[0003] In a case where power interruption is generated in such a
data center, operations of the computer devices would be maintained
by an uninterruptible power supply system or an in-house power
generator. However, since power supply is normally interrupted
regarding the air conditioners, a temperature in the interior is
radically increased. Therefore, after restoration from the power
interruption, the air conditioners are automatically restarted, so
that the interior is quickly cooled down.
[0004] However, when the plurality of air conditioners is restarted
at the same time, a peak current is radically elevated. Thus, there
is a disadvantage that a load is concentrated on power supply
devices. Therefore, conventionally, an initiation order of the
plurality of air conditioners is preliminarily set, and when the
power supply is restored after the power interruption, the
plurality of air conditioners is initiated one by one in the above
order.
[0005] It should be noted that Patent Literature 1 described below
discloses a technique, although which is different from initiation
control at the time of power restoration, for differentiating
initiation start times of a plurality of air conditioners in a
cooling and heating system including the plurality of air
conditioners.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 2994940
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0007] The computer devices are not always evenly arranged in the
plurality of racks provided in line in the data center. However,
there is sometimes a case where the computer devices are arranged
concentratedly on a particular rack. In this case, a temperature
increase is remarkable in a particular region in the interior where
the computer devices are concentrated, so that unevenness is
generated in a temperature distribution in the interior. Therefore,
when the air conditioners are initiated in the preliminarily set
order upon the power restoration after the power interruption,
there is sometimes a case where the particular region where the
temperature increase is remarkable cannot be promptly and
efficiently cooled down.
[0008] The present invention is achieved in consideration with the
above situation, and an object thereof is to provide an air
conditioning system capable of efficiently performing room
temperature control when power supply is restored after power
interruption, and an initiation control method of the same.
Solution to Problem
[0009] An air conditioning system according to a first aspect of
the present invention is [0010] an air conditioning system
including a plurality of air conditioners to which electric power
is supplied from the same power supply, the air conditioning system
including [0011] temperature detection sensors for respectively
detecting interior temperatures in air conditioning regions
corresponding to the air conditioners, [0012] a temperature storage
section for storing control temperatures of the plurality of air
conditioners and the interior temperatures detected by the
temperature detection sensors, [0013] a power restoration detection
section for detecting that power supply is restored after power
interruption, and [0014] an initiation timing setting section for,
in a case where the power restoration is detected by the power
restoration detection section, comparing the control temperatures
stored in the temperature storage section respectively for the
plurality of air conditioners with the interior temperatures
detected after the power restoration or before the power
interruption by the temperature detection sensors and stored in the
temperature storage section, and setting initiation timings of the
air conditioners in such a manner that the air conditioner
corresponding to the air conditioning region having a larger air
conditioning load based on a difference between the temperatures is
initiated earlier.
[0015] According to the air conditioning system of the present
invention, in a case where the power supply is restored after the
power interruption, the air conditioner corresponding to the air
conditioning region having a larger air conditioning load based on
the difference between the control temperature and the interior
temperature can be promptly initiated. Thus, temperature control of
the air conditioning region can be efficiently performed.
[0016] It should be noted that the air conditioners of the present
invention are formed so that one air conditioner includes one or a
plurality of compressors forming one or a plurality of refrigerant
circuits. For example, in a case where a plurality of indoor units
is operated by a common compressor, the plurality of indoor units
forms one air conditioner.
[0017] The temperature detection sensor may be integrated with the
air conditioner.
[0018] In this case, the temperature detection sensor preliminarily
provided in the air conditioner can be utilized for setting the
initiation timing of the air conditioner after the power
restoration.
[0019] The temperature detection sensor may be provided in the air
conditioning region corresponding to the air conditioner as a
separate body from the air conditioner.
[0020] In this case, the temperature detection sensor can be
provided corresponding to a place where a temperature change is
remarkable such as a peripheral part of a heating element installed
in an interior. Thus, the initiation order can be more efficiently
set.
[0021] The power restoration detection section, the temperature
storage section, and the initiation timing setting section are
provided in each of the plurality of air conditioners.
[0022] With the above configuration, each of the air conditioners
can independently and properly set the initiation timing.
Therefore, there is no need for providing a device for performing
adjustment between the initiation timings of the air conditioners,
so that the air conditioning system can be inexpensively and simply
formed.
[0023] The air conditioning system may further include a central
control device having the power restoration detection section, the
temperature storage section, and the initiation timing setting
section. The central control device and the air conditioners may be
connected so as to communicate with each other.
[0024] With such a configuration, for example, control that the
central control device adjusts and sets the initiation timings of
the air conditioners so that the initiation timings are not
overlapped can be realized.
[0025] An initiation control method of an air conditioning system
according to a second aspect of the present invention is [0026] an
initiation control method of an air conditioning system including a
plurality of air conditioners to which electric power is supplied
from the same power supply, wherein [0027] in a case where power
supply is restored after power interruption, control temperatures
of the air conditioners are compared with interior temperatures
after the power restoration or before the power interruption in air
conditioning regions corresponding to the air conditioners, and the
air conditioner corresponding to the air conditioning region having
a larger air conditioning load based on a difference between the
temperatures is initiated earlier.
[0028] With such a configuration, when the power supply is restored
after the power interruption, the air conditioner corresponding to
the air conditioning region having a larger difference between the
control temperature and the interior temperature can be promptly
initiated. Thus, temperature control of the air conditioning region
can be efficiently performed.
Advantageous Effect of Invention
[0029] According to the present invention, efficient room
temperature control can be executed when the power supply is
restored after the power interruption.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an
air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air
conditioner.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
control device.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a table used for setting a delay time.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a table for illustrating setting of initiation
timings of a plurality of air conditioners.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air
conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a
central control device.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air
conditioning system according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings.
[0039] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an
air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the
present invention. An air conditioning system 10 includes a
plurality of air conditioners 12 installed in one room 11. This
room 11 is, for example, a data center where a large number of
computer devices such as a server computer and a network device are
installed, and in an interior thereof, a plurality of racks 13 for
installing the computer devices is provided in line. The plurality
of air conditioners 12 is separately arranged in the room 11 so as
to efficiently suppress a temperature increase in the interior due
to heat generation of the computer devices installed in the racks
13. Electric power is supplied to the plurality of air conditioners
12 from a common commercial power supply 14.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of the air
conditioner. The air conditioner 12 includes a heat pump type
refrigerant circuit 16. The refrigerant circuit 16 includes a
compressor 17 for compressing a refrigerant and generating a
high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, an outdoor heat
exchanger 18 serving as a condenser at the time of a cooling
operation, an electromagnetic expansion valve (expansion means) 19
for reducing pressure of the refrigerant, an indoor heat exchanger
20 serving as an evaporator at the time of the cooling operation,
and a refrigerant pipe 21 successively connecting these elements.
Fans 22a, 22b are respectively provided in the outdoor heat
exchanger 18 and the indoor heat exchanger 20 so as to face the
outdoor heat exchanger 18 and the indoor heat exchanger 20.
[0041] A four way switching valve (switch means) 24 is provided in
the refrigerant pipe 21. By switching the four way switching valve
24, a flow of the refrigerant is reversed, and the refrigerant
discharged from the compressor 17 is switched and supplied to the
outdoor heat exchanger 18 or the indoor heat exchanger 20, so that
an operation is switched between the cooling operation and a
heating operation.
[0042] In other words, at the time of the cooling operation, by
switching the four way switching valve 24 as shown by solid lines,
the refrigerant flows in the direction shown by solid arrows, the
refrigerant discharged from the compressor 17 is supplied to the
outdoor heat exchanger 18, and the refrigerant passing through the
expansion valve 19 is supplied to the indoor heat exchanger 20.
Thereby, the outdoor heat exchanger 18 serves as the condenser so
as to condense and liquefy a high-temperature and high-pressure gas
refrigerant, and the indoor heat exchanger 20 serves as the
evaporator so as to evaporate and gasify a low-temperature and
low-pressure liquid refrigerant. Further, by feeding air cooled
down by heat exchange with the indoor heat exchanger 20 to the
interior of the room 11, the cooling operation is performed.
[0043] At the time of the heating operation, by switching the four
way switching valve 24 as shown by dotted lines, the flow of the
refrigerant is reversed, and by making the refrigerant flow in the
direction shown by dotted arrows, the indoor heat exchanger 20
serves as the condenser and the outdoor heat exchanger 18 serves as
the evaporator. Then by feeding air heated by heat exchange with
the indoor heat exchanger 20 to the interior of the room 11, the
heating operation is performed. It should be noted that in a case
where only the cooling operation or the heating operation is
performed by the air conditioner 12, the four way switching valve
24 can be omitted, so that the flow of the refrigerant can be fixed
in one direction.
[0044] Operations of the expansion valve 19, the four way switching
valve 24, the compressor 17, and the fans 22a, 22b are controlled
by a control device 27 (refer to FIGS. 1 and 3) in accordance with
turning ON/OFF of an operation switch and outputs of a temperature
sensor or the like. The control device 27 has a microcomputer
including a CPU and memories such as a RAM and a ROM, and the CPU
executes programs stored in the memories so as to realize various
functions.
[0045] Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 12 includes
a temperature detection sensor 29 for detecting a temperature in
the interior, and detection information of the temperature
detection sensor 29 is inputted to the control device 27.
Accordingly, the control device 27 controls the entire air
conditioner 12 based on various input information and the like
including the detection information of the temperature detection
sensor 29.
[0046] The control device 27 of the present embodiment has a
function of, when power supply is restored (power restoration)
after supply of the electric power to the air conditioner 12 is
blocked due to generation of power interruption, by automatically
initiating (restarting) the air conditioner 12, returning to an
operation state before the power interruption, so as to suppress
the temperature increase of the room 11. Hereinafter, this function
will be described in detail.
[0047] Upon the power restoration after the power interruption,
when the plurality of air conditioners 12 is initiated at the same
time, a peak current is increased, and a load is concentrated on
power supply devices. Thus, there is a fear that a breaker is
activated. Therefore, the control device 27 of the present
embodiment has a function of properly setting an initiation timing
of the relevant air conditioner 12 so that the initiation timing is
not overlapped with initiation timings of other air conditioners 12
(initiation timing setting function).
[0048] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
control device. The control device 27 includes an air conditioning
temperature setting section 32, a temperature storage section 33, a
power restoration detection section 34, and an initiation timing
setting section 35 in order to realize the initiation timing
setting function. The air conditioning temperature setting section
32 has a function of setting a target temperature (control
temperature) of the room 11 via an operation unit (remote
controller) which is not shown in the figure (function of receiving
and storing settings in the temperature storage section 33). The
temperature storage section 33 has a function of storing the
control temperature set in the air conditioning temperature setting
section 32 and the temperature detected by the temperature
detection sensor 29.
[0049] The power restoration detection section 34 has a function of
detecting that the power supply is restored after the power
interruption. Specifically, the power restoration detection section
34 determines, when the air conditioner 12 is stopped, whether or
not the stoppage is caused due to the power interruption. In a case
where the power restoration detection section 34 determines that
the stoppage is caused due to the power interruption, power supply
activated after that is determined as power restoration after the
power interruption. For example, the power restoration detection
section 34 always monitors whether or not the compressor 17 of the
air conditioner 12 is activated and in a case where the compressor
17 is activated, stores the state (compressor ON) in the memory.
When the power supply is activated after the air conditioner 12 is
stopped, the power restoration detection section 34 reads out the
state of the compressor 17 stored in the memory. In a case where
the state is the compressor ON state, the power restoration
detection section can determine that the air conditioner 12 is
abnormally stopped due to the power interruption and the power
supply is activated by the power restoration after that.
[0050] The initiation timing setting section 35 sets the initiation
timing of the air conditioner 12 in a case where the power
restoration after the power interruption is detected by the power
restoration detection section 34. Specifically, the initiation
timing setting section 35 has a temperature comparison section 35A
and a delay time calculation section 35B. The temperature
comparison section 35A compares the control temperature stored in
the temperature storage section 33 with an interior temperature
detected by the temperature detection sensor 29 after the power
restoration and stored in the temperature storage section 33, and
determines a temperature difference between both the temperatures.
The more the temperature difference increases, the larger an air
conditioning load becomes, so that prompt initiation of the air
conditioner 12 is required. It should be noted that the
"temperature difference increase" indicates that the interior
temperature positively increases with respect to the control
temperature at the time of the cooling operation, and the interior
temperature negatively increases with respect to the control
temperature at the time of the heating operation.
[0051] The delay time calculation section 35B determines a delay
time after the power restoration until an operation of the air
conditioner 12 is initiated (compressor 17 is initiated) based on
the temperature difference between the control temperature and the
interior temperature. For example, a table used for setting the
delay time as shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the memory of the
control device 27. In this table, a temperature difference .DELTA.t
between the control temperature and the interior temperature and
the delay time are stored in correspondence with each other. In the
example of FIG. 4, in a case where the temperature difference
.DELTA.t between the control temperature and the interior
temperature is more than 2.0.degree. C., the delay time is 0
seconds, and in a case where the temperature difference .DELTA.t is
not more than 2.0.degree. C. but more than 1.6.degree. C., the
delay time is 1 second. Then, every time the temperature difference
.DELTA.t decreases by 0.4.degree. C., the delay time increases by 1
second.
[0052] Therefore, the larger the temperature difference .DELTA.t
between the control temperature and the interior temperature is
(the larger the air conditioning load is), the more the delay time
is shortened, so that the air conditioner 12 is more promptly
initiated. Thus, prompt room temperature control can be performed
in the region where air conditioning is more required in the
interior of the room 11.
[0053] The control device 27 of each of the air conditioners 12
independently executes initiation timing setting after the power
restoration. Thus, there is no need for a device for performing
adjustment and management between the air conditioners 12 for the
initiation timing setting, so that the air conditioning system 10
can be inexpensively and simply formed.
[0054] FIG. 5 shows an example that the initiation order of the
plurality of air conditioners 12 is determined by using the table
shown in FIG. 4. Regarding four air conditioners 12 No.1 to No.4,
interior temperatures t2 at the time of the cooling operation were
detected and the initiation order was determined based on
temperature differences .DELTA.t between the interior temperatures
and control temperatures t.sub.1. The control temperatures ti of
the air conditioners 12 No.1 to No.4 are the same 27.0.degree. C.
The interior temperatures t2 after the power restoration are
27.2.degree. C., 27.9.degree. C., 28.5.degree. C., and 27.5.degree.
C., respectively. The temperature differences .DELTA.t between the
interior temperatures and the control temperatures t.sub.1 are
0.2.degree. C., 0.9.degree. C., 1.5.degree. C., and 0.5.degree. C.
Referring to the table of FIG. 4, delay times are respectively
determined, and the initiation order of the plurality of air
conditioners 12 is set according to this delay times.
[0055] It should be noted that the table shown in FIG. 4 is only an
example, and a numerical range of the temperature difference
.DELTA.t and the delay time can be appropriately set in accordance
with a use environment of the air conditioners 12 or the like. For
example, with FIG. 4, in a case where there is the plurality of air
conditioners 12 whose temperature difference .DELTA.t is more than
2.degree. C., these air conditioners are initiated at the same
time. However, in order not to cause such a situation, the entire
setting range of the temperature difference .DELTA.t can be
extended more or the temperatures in the entire setting range can
be set to be more finely divided. For example, the entire setting
range of the temperature difference .DELTA.t from 0.degree. C. to
2.degree. C. can be extended as a range from 0.degree. C. to
10.degree. C., or the temperatures in the entire setting range
divided by 0.4.degree. C. can be more finely divided by 0.2.degree.
C. The delay time can be determined by an arithmetic expression in
which the temperature difference .DELTA.t serves as a coefficient
without using the table as in FIG. 4.
Second Embodiment
[0056] FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air
conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0057] An air conditioning system 10 of the present embodiment
includes a central control device 36, and the central control
device 36 is connected to control devices 27 of air conditioners 12
so as to communicate with the control devices. Further, the
initiation timing setting function described in the first
embodiment is provided in the central control device 36.
[0058] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration
of the central control device 36. The central control device 36
includes a temperature storage section 33, a power restoration
detection section 34, and an initiation timing setting section 35
as well as the control device 27 of the first embodiment, and the
functions of these sections are substantially the same as the first
embodiment. An air conditioning temperature setting section 32
(refer to FIG. 3) described in the first embodiment is also
provided in the present embodiment as a function of the control
device 27 of the air conditioner 12. However, the air conditioning
temperature setting section 32 may be provided as a function of the
central control device 36.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, the central control device 36 is
connected to an uninterruptible power supply system or an in-house
power generator, so that the supply of the electric power is not
interrupted even upon the power interruption.
[0060] Control temperatures set in the air conditioning temperature
setting sections 32 of the air conditioners 12 are inputted and
stored into the temperature storage section 33 via a communication
section 37. Further, the interior temperatures detected by the
temperature detection sensors 29 of the air conditioners 12 are
also inputted and stored via the communication section 37.
[0061] In the initiation timing setting section 35, a difference
between the control temperature and the interior temperature is
determined in a temperature comparison section 35A, and a delay
time is determined based on the temperature difference in a delay
time calculation section 35B.
[0062] Although the present embodiment has substantially the same
operation and effect as the first embodiment described above, the
initiation timings of the air conditioners 12 are concentratedly
managed in the central control device 36. Thus, for example, in a
case where the initiation timings are overlapped between the
plurality of air conditioners 12 as a result of determination of
the delay times, adjustment for differentiating the initiation
timings from each other (for example, further delaying one of the
initiation timings by +0.5 seconds or the like) can be performed.
Therefore, the central control device 36 may include an adjustment
section 35C (refer to FIG. 7) for performing adjustment so as to
differentiate the overlapped initiation timings from each other.
Thereby, an increase in the peak current can be reliably
suppressed, so that a burden applied to the power supply devices
can be more reduced.
Third Embodiment
[0063] FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air
conditioning system according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0064] In an air conditioning system 10 of the present embodiment,
temperature detection sensors 29 used for the initiation timing
setting are provided not in the air conditioners 12 but in an
interior of a room 11, for example, at positions closer to racks 13
or the like. The plurality of temperature detection sensors 29 is
respectively provided in regions which are influenced by air
conditioning by the air conditioners 12, that is, in ranges of air
conditioning regions corresponding to the air conditioners 12. Each
of the temperature detection sensors 29 is connected to a control
device 27 of the air conditioner 12 via a communication cable (not
shown), and a detected interior temperature is inputted and stored
into the control device 27.
[0065] In the present embodiment, the temperature detection sensor
29 is installed in a place closer to a computer device serving as a
heating element, the place where a temperature change is
remarkable. Thus, a temperature distribution in the interior
(temperature variation) is precisely obtained, so that the
initiation timing can be efficiently set.
[0066] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, a central
control device 36 may also be provided as in the second embodiment,
and the initiation timing of the air conditioner 12 may be set by
the central control device 36.
[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above
embodiments but can be appropriately changed within the scope of
the invention described in the claims.
[0068] For example, the interior temperature compared with the
control temperature by the temperature comparison section 35A of
the initiation timing setting section 35 is the interior
temperature when the power supply is restored in the above
embodiments. However, the interior temperature can be an interior
temperature immediately before the power interruption. The fact
that a difference between the interior temperature immediately
before the power interruption and the control temperature is large
indicates that the relevant air conditioner 12 had been operated
with a high ability until immediately before the power
interruption. Thus, it can be said that an air conditioning load of
the air conditioning region corresponding to the air conditioner 12
was high. Therefore, for such an air conditioning region, by
promptly initiating the air conditioner 12 after the power
restoration, the air conditioning ability can be promptly
enhanced.
[0069] Although a case where the air conditioning system is
installed in the data center is described in the above embodiments,
the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the
plurality of air conditioners is not necessarily installed in one
room but may be separately installed in a plurality of rooms.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0070] 10: AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
[0071] 12: AIR CONDITIONER
[0072] 14: COMMERCIAL POWER SUPPLY
[0073] 27: CONTROL DEVICE
[0074] 29: TEMPERATURE DETECTION SENSOR
[0075] 32: AIR CONDITIONING TEMPERATURE SETTING UNIT
[0076] 33: TEMPERATURE STORAGE UNIT
[0077] 34: POWER RESTORATION DETECTION UNIT
[0078] 35: INITIATION TIMING SETTING UNIT
[0079] 36: CENTRAL CONTROL DEVICE
* * * * *