CONTROL DEVICE FOR AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Abstract

A control device for air-conditioning equipment includes: an acquirer that acquires information relevant to occurrence of condensation on a surface of a door of a showcase having a storage in which a product stored therein is refrigerated, the storage having an opening that is opened and closed with the door; and a controller that causes an adjuster that adjusts a direction of cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment to direct the cool air to the showcase, upon determining that a possibility that condensation occurs on the surface of the door has increased, based on the information acquired by the acquirer.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a control device for air-conditioning equipment and an air conditioning system.

2. Description of the Related Art

With respect to a refrigeration or freezing showcase, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-13304 (hereinafter referred to as “Patent Document 1”) discloses a showcase door body having a dew-prevention heater provided on a surface of a transparent glass plate to thereby make it possible to prevent occurrence of condensation on the surface of the transparent glass plate.

However, in the technology in Patent Document 1, heat of the dew-prevention heater increases refrigeration load on the showcase.

SUMMARY

One non-limiting and exemplary embodiment provides a control device for air-conditioning equipment and an air conditioning system which can reduce the possibility that condensation occurs on a door of a showcase, while reducing refrigeration load on the showcase, compared with the related art.

In one general aspect, the techniques disclosed here feature A control device for air-conditioning equipment includes: an acquirer that acquires information relevant to occurrence of condensation on a surface of a door of a showcase having a storage in which a product stored therein is refrigerated, the storage having an opening that is opened and closed with the door; and a controller that causes an adjuster that adjusts a direction of cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment to direct the cool air to the showcase, upon determining that a possibility that condensation occurs on the surface of the door has increased, based on the information acquired by the acquirer.

Use of the control device for the air-conditioning equipment or the air conditioning system according to one aspect of the present disclosure makes it possible to reduce the possibility that condensation occurs on a door of a showcase, while reducing refrigeration load on the showcase, compared with the related art.

It should be noted that general or specific embodiments may be implemented as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, a computer-readable storage medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any selective combination thereof.

Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the specification and drawings. The benefits and/or advantages may be individually obtained by the various embodiments and features of the specification and drawings, which need not all be provided in order to obtain one or more of such benefits and/or advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating an installation example of air-conditioning equipment in an air conditioning system according to an embodiment and a showcase;

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating one installation example of individual constituent elements in the air conditioning system according to the embodiment and the showcase;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the configuration of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one example of the operation of a control device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 has schematic views for describing a case in which the air-conditioning equipment according to the embodiment performs normal control; and

FIG. 6 has schematic views for describing a case in which the air-conditioning equipment according to the embodiment performs blowing direction control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(Findings Underlying the Present Disclosure)

The present inventor has found the following problem with the showcase door body described in the section “Description of the Related Art”.

In the showcase door body disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the dew-prevention heater heats the transparent glass plate to thereby prevent occurrence of condensation, the dew-prevention heater acts as a load on the refrigeration operation of the showcase. Consequently, there is a problem in that the energy consumed by the showcase increases.

Thus, the showcase door body disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot effectively suppress occurrence of condensation on the door of the showcase.

Accordingly, a control device for air-conditioning equipment according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an acquirer that acquires information relevant to occurrence of condensation on a surface of a door of a showcase having a storage in which a product stored therein is refrigerated, the storage having an opening that is opened and closed with the door; and a controller that causes an adjuster that adjusts a direction of cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment to direct the cool air to the showcase, upon determining that a possibility that condensation occurs on the surface of the door has increased, based on the information acquired by the acquirer.

Thus, it is possible to effectively reduce the absolute humidity of air in the vicinity of the showcase, thus reducing the possibility that condensation occurs on the surface of the door of the showcase. Also, since the above-described control device eliminates the need for providing the dew-prevention heater of the related art or reduces the amount of heat produced by the dew-prevention heater for suppressing condensation, it is possible to reduce the possibility that condensation occurs on the surface of the door of the showcase, while reducing refrigeration load on the showcase compared with the related art.

The information relevant to occurrence of condensation on the surface of the door of the showcase can also be said to be, for example, information indicating the possibility that condensation occurs on the surface of the door of the showcase.

Upon causing the adjuster to direct the cool air to the showcase, the controller may increase a cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment.

According to this technique, cool air output with the increased cooling output can be blown to the vicinity of the showcase, thus making it possible to effectively reduce the absolute humidity of air in the vicinity of the door of the showcase. Hence, it is possible to effectively suppress occurrence of condensation on the surface of the door of the showcase.

The controller may increase a cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment, as the condensation occurrence possibility indicated by the information acquired by the acquirer increases.

According to this technique, as the possibility that occurrence of condensation gets higher, air with a lower absolute humidity can be blown to the vicinity of the showcase. Thus, it is possible to effectively reduce the absolute humidity of air in the vicinity of the door of the showcase. Hence, it is possible to effectively suppress occurrence of condensation on the surface of the door of the showcase.

The controller may reduce a temperature of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment, as the condensation occurrence possibility indicated by the information acquired by the acquirer increases.

According to this technique, as the possibility that occurrence of condensation gets higher, air with a lower absolute humidity can be blown to the vicinity of the showcase. Thus, it is possible to effectively reduce the absolute humidity of air in the vicinity of the door of the showcase. Hence, it is possible to effectively suppress occurrence of condensation on the surface of the door of the showcase.

The controller may increase a volume of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment, as the condensation occurrence possibility indicated by the information acquired by the acquirer increases.

According to this technique, as the condensation occurrence possibility gets higher, a larger amount of air with a lower absolute humidity can be blown to the vicinity of the showcase. Thus, it is possible to effectively reduce the absolute humidity of air in the vicinity of the door of the showcase. Hence, it is possible to effectively suppress occurrence of condensation on the surface of the door of the showcase.

Upon determining that a possibility that condensation occurs on the surface of the door of the showcase has decreased, based on the information acquired by the acquirer, the controller may deactivate the control for causing the adjuster to direct the cool air to the showcase.

Thus, it is possible to suppress occurrence of condensation on the surface of the door of the showcase, the occurrence being facilitated by an excessive decrease in the surface temperature of the door of the showcase.

The information may indicate a relative humidity of air outside the door of the showcase.

The information may indicate a temperature difference between a surface temperature of the door of the showcase and a temperature of air outside the door of the showcase.

It should be noted that general or specific embodiments may be implemented as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, a storage medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or any selective combination thereof.

A control device for air-conditioning equipment and an air conditioning system according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiment described below represents a specific example in the present embodiment. Numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, the arrangement positions and connections of constituent elements, steps, the order of steps, and so on described in the embodiment below are examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Of the constituent elements in the embodiment described below, the constituent elements not set forth in the independent claims that represent the broadest concept will be described as optional constituent elements.

Embodiment

[1. Configuration]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating an installation example of air-conditioning equipment in an air conditioning system according to an embodiment and a showcase. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating one installation example of individual constituent elements in the air conditioning system according to the embodiment and the showcase. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the configuration of the air conditioning system according to the embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a showcase 100, a condensation detector 110, a control device 200, and air-conditioning equipment 300. For example, an air conditioning system 1 includes the control device 200 and the air-conditioning equipment 300 of these constituent elements.

The air conditioning system 1 is a system for suppressing occurrence of condensation on surfaces of doors 102 of the showcase 100 provided in selling space in a store. The store is, for example, a convenience store, a supermarket, or the like. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the showcase 100, the condensation detector 110, and the air-conditioning equipment 300 are provided in the selling space. Although, in FIG. 2, the control device 200 is provided in the selling space, it does not necessarily have to be provided in the selling space.

The showcase 100 has a storage 101 in which products are stored and the doors 102 with which openings provided in the storage 101 are opened and closed. Space in the storage 101 in the showcase 100 is refrigerated, so that the products stored in the storage 101 are refrigerated. The storage 101 has, for example, an internal space with a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and has therein shelf boards arranged at a plurality of stages.

Each door 102 is made of, for example, a rectangular transparent plate and has one side that extends vertically and that is rotatably supported. For example, the transparent plate is made of material, such as glass or acryl.

Each door 102 may have a portion that is rotatably supported, a portion to which a handle is attached, a portion to which an attachment (e.g., a magnet or a latch) is attached, and so on, and another member may or may not be attached to a portion other than the specific portions. The door 102 has a structure in which no opaque member is disposed throughout the four sides of the transparent plate, thus can provide a configuration that does not obstruct human view even at an end portion of the door 102 as much as possible, and can improve the visibility of products arranged in the showcase.

Although each door 102 has been described above as being a hinged door that is rotatably supported, each door 102 may be a sliding door in which two opposing sides thereof slide to open/close the opening of the storage 101 or may be a folding door in which a center portion thereof folds to open/close the opening of the storage 101. The door 102 may also be a front plate provided on a front plane of a drawer.

The showcase 100 is, for example, a refrigeration showcase or a freezing showcase.

The condensation detector 110 detects an indicator regarding condensation on the surfaces of the doors 102. The condensation detector 110 transmits information indicating the detected indicator to the control device 200 as information relevant to the occurrence of the condensation on the surfaces of the doors 102. The condensation detector 110 is provided on, for example, an external surface of the doors 102. The condensation detector 110 includes a humidity sensor for detecting a relative humidity of the atmosphere (i.e., air outside the doors 102) where it is provided. The condensation detector 110 does not necessarily have to be provided on the external surface of the doors 102, as long as the condensation detector 110 is provided at a position where it can detect a relative humidity in space in the vicinity of the showcase 100. For example, the condensation detector 110 may be provided on a wall of the selling space in the vicinity of the showcase 100.

The control device 200 is a device for controlling the operation of the air-conditioning equipment 300 and includes an acquirer 210 and a controller 220.

The acquirer 210 acquires information (hereinafter referred to as “condensation information”) relevant to occurrence of condensation on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100. Specifically, the acquirer 210 acquires, from the condensation detector 110 as the condensation information, information (hereinafter referred to as “humidity information”) indicating the relative humidity detected by the condensation detector 110. The acquirer 210 is implemented by, for example, a communication interface that supports an output format of the humidity sensor, a processor for executing a program, and a memory in which the program is stored. The acquirer 210 is not limited to the above-described configuration and may be implemented by the communication interface and a dedicated circuit.

Upon determining that the possibility that occurrence of condensation on the surfaces of the doors 102 has increased, based on the condensation information acquired by the acquirer 210, the controller 220 starts blowing direction control for causing an adjuster 310, included in the air-conditioning equipment 300 to adjust the direction of cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300, to direct the cool air to the showcase 100. Specifically, when a relative humidity Hsc indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquirer 210 exceeds a first threshold Hth, the controller 220 determines that the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 has increased. For example, by outputting a control signal to the air-conditioning equipment 300, the controller 220 causes the air-conditioning equipment 300 to perform the blowing direction control. That is, when the value of the condensation information exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller 220 causes the air-conditioning equipment 300 to perform the blowing direction control. In other words, when the value of the information indicating the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller 220 causes the air-conditioning equipment 300 to perform the blowing direction control.

Upon causing the adjuster 310, which adjusts the direction of cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300, to perform the blowing direction control for directing the cool air to the showcase 100, the controller 220 may perform output-increase control for increasing a cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment 300. By outputting a control signal to the air-conditioning equipment 300, the controller 220 causes the air-conditioning equipment 300 to perform the output-increase control. The controller 220 may increase the cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment 300, as the condensation occurrence possibility indicated by the condensation information acquired by the acquirer 210 increases. Specifically, the controller 220 increases the cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment 300, as the relative humidity indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquirer 210 increases. That is, the controller 220 may increase the cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment 300, as the value of the condensation information increases. In other words, the controller 220 may increase the cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment 300, as the value of the information indicating the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 increases.

The controller 220 may also reduce the temperature of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300, as the condensation occurrence possibility indicated by the condensation information acquired by the acquirer 210 increases. For example, the controller 220 may reduce the temperature of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300, as the relative humidity indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquirer 210 increases. That is, by reducing the temperature of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300, the controller 220 increases the cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment 300.

The controller 220 may also increase the volume of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300, as the condensation occurrence possibility indicated by the condensation information acquired by the acquirer 210 increases. For example, the controller 220 increases the volume of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300, as the relative humidity indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquirer 210 increases. That is, by increasing the volume of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300, the controller 220 increases the cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment 300.

Also, upon determining that the possibility that condensation occurs on the doors 102 of the showcase 100 has decreased, based on the condensation information acquired by the acquirer 210, the controller 220 may deactivate the control for causing the adjuster 310 to direct the cool air to the showcase 100. Specifically, upon determining that the relative humidity Hsc indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquirer 210 is smaller than or equal to the first threshold Hth, the controller 220 deactivates the control for causing the adjuster 310 to direct the cool air to the showcase 100. That is, when the value of the condensation information is smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the controller 220 may deactivate the blowing direction control of the air-conditioning equipment 300. In other words, when the value of the information indicating the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 is smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the controller 220 may deactivate the blowing direction control of the air-conditioning equipment 300. In this case, when the controller 220 is also performing control for increasing the cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment 300, the controller 220 deactivates the control for causing the adjuster 310 to direct the cool air to the showcase 100 and also deactivates the control for increasing the cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment 300.

The controller 220 is implemented by, for example, a communication interface for transmitting a control signal to the air-conditioning equipment 300, a processor for executing a program, and a memory in which the program is stored. The controller 220 is not limited to the above-described configuration and may be implemented by the communication interface and a dedicated circuit.

The air-conditioning equipment 300 includes the adjuster 310 and a controller 320. The air-conditioning equipment 300 includes a ceiling embedded-type indoor unit, which is installed in, for example, a ceiling of the selling space. An outdoor unit corresponding to the indoor unit is not illustrated. The indoor unit of the air-conditioning equipment 300 is not limited to the ceiling embedded-type and may be a ceiling-suspended type, a wall-mounted type, or a floor-standing type. The air-conditioning equipment 300 is air-conditioning equipment that can perform at least cooling operation, may be cooling-only equipment, or may be cooling/heating equipment that performs cooling operation or heating operation through selective switching.

The adjuster 310 is provided for an air outlet of the indoor unit of the air-conditioning equipment 300 to adjust the flow direction of air blown out from the air outlet. The adjuster 310 is realized by, for example, a rotatable plate-shaped flap. The flap may have a structure in which it rotates about a rotation axis extending horizontally or may have a structure in which it rotates about a rotation axis extending vertically. The adjuster 310 in the present embodiment will be described as being realized by a flap that rotates about a rotation axis 311 extending horizontally, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The controller 320 receives a control signal output from the control device 200 and controls the operation of the adjuster 310 in accordance with the received control signal. Also, in accordance with a control signal output from the control device 200, the controller 320 may control the cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment 300, may control the temperature of cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300, or may control the volume of cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300. The controller 320 is implemented by, for example, a communication interface for receiving a control signal from the control device 200, a processor for executing a program, and a memory in which the program is stored. The controller 320 is not limited to the above-described configuration and may be implemented by the communication interface and a dedicated circuit.

[2. Operation]

Next, a description will be given of the operation of the control device 200 in the air conditioning system 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one example of the operation of the control device.

First, the acquirer 210 in the control device 200 acquires, from the condensation detector 110, humidity information indicating the relative humidity Hsc in the vicinity of the showcase 100 which is detected by the condensation detector 110 (S101).

Next, the controller 220 in the control device 200 determines whether or not the relative humidity Hsc indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquirer 210 exceeds the first threshold Hth (S102).

Upon determining that the relative humidity Hsc exceeds the first threshold Hth (Yes in S102), the controller 220 starts blowing direction control for causing the adjuster 310, included in the air-conditioning equipment 300, to direct the cool air to the showcase 100 (S103). Specifically, the controller 220 outputs, to the air-conditioning equipment 300, a control signal for causing the air-conditioning equipment 300 to perform the blowing direction control. At this point in time, upon starting the blowing direction control, the controller 220 may start output-increase control.

Now, the blowing direction control will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 has schematic views for describing a case in which the air-conditioning equipment according to the embodiment performs normal control. FIG. 6 has schematic views for describing a case in which the air-conditioning equipment according to the embodiment performs the blowing direction control. More specifically, FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are schematic views when the relationship between the showcase 100 and the air-conditioning equipment 300 is viewed horizontally, and FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are enlarged views illustrating the vicinity of an air outlet of 301 of the air-conditioning equipment 300 illustrated in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b).

During the normal control of the air-conditioning equipment 300, the adjuster 310 is adjusted to an angle in a first angular range, as illustrated in FIG. 5(a). The first angular range is, for example, an angular range of 10° to 80°, where the horizontal direction corresponds to 0°, and the vertical direction corresponds to 90°. Specifically, in the normal control during cooling operation of the air-conditioning equipment 300, the controller 320 controls the angle of the adjuster 310 so that cool air is blown out along a ceiling 400, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The controller 320 performs control so that, for example, the adjuster 310 is directed to the upper limit angle of the first angular range. The upper limit angle is an angle that is the closest to the horizontal direction in the first angular range, and is, for example, 10°. During the normal control, the controller 320 may perform control that is not limited to the above-described control and may perform control for directing the adjuster 310 to any angle in the first angular range. That is, the controller 320 may perform control for swinging the adjuster 310 throughout the entire first angular range or may perform control for fixing the adjuster 310 to a predetermined angle (e.g., any angle pre-set by a user) in the first angular range.

Upon start of the blowing direction control during the cooling operation, the air-conditioning equipment 300 controls the angle of the adjuster 310 in a second angular range, which is smaller than the first angular range, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The second angular range is an angular range in which the adjuster 310 is directed to a side surface (in the present embodiment, the doors 102) of the showcase 100 and is an angular range from an angle at which the adjuster 310 is directed to upper ends of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 to an angle at which the adjuster 310 is directed to lower ends of the doors 102. In the present embodiment, the second angular range is, for example, an angular range of 25° to 65°. The second angular range may be any angular range in which the adjuster 310 is directed to the doors 102 of the showcase 100. For example, the second angular range may be set to an angular range fixed to 40° to 50° or the like or may be set to an appropriate angular range according to the positional relationship between the showcase 100 and the air-conditioning equipment 300. The second angular range may also be set to, for example, one fixed angle, such as 40°, 45°, or 50°.

Upon start of the blowing direction control of the air-conditioning equipment 300, the angle of the adjuster 310 is controlled in the second angular range, as described above, and thus, cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300 can be blown to the doors 102 of the showcase 100.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the acquirer 210 re-acquires, from the condensation detector 110, the humidity information indicated by the relative humidity Hsc in the vicinity of the showcase 100 which is detected by the condensation detector 110 (S104).

The controller 220 determines whether or not the relative humidity Hsc indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquirer 210 is smaller than or equal to the first threshold Hth (S105).

Upon determining that the relative humidity Hsc indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquirer 210 is smaller than or equal to the first threshold Hth (Yes in S105), the controller 220 deactivates the blowing direction control and switches the operation to the normal control (S106). More specifically, the controller 220 outputs, to the air-conditioning equipment 300, a control signal for causing the air-conditioning equipment 300 to stop the blowing direction control and to switch the operation to the normal control. At this point in time, when the air-conditioning equipment 300 is also performing the output-increase control, the controller 220 may deactivate the output-increase control.

Upon determining that the relative humidity Hsc indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquirer 210 exceeds the first threshold Hth (No in S105), the controller 220 performs the process in step S104 again.

If the controller 220 determines that the relative humidity Hsc is smaller than or equal to the first threshold Hth (No in S102), or if the controller 220 deactivates the blowing direction control (S106), the process returns to the process in step S101.

The processes in steps S104 to S106 do not necessarily have to be performed.

[3. Advantages, Etc.]

Upon determining that the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 has increased, the control device 200 according to the present embodiment controls the adjuster 310 to cause it to direct cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300 to the doors 102 of the showcase 100. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively reduce the absolute humidity of air in the vicinity of the doors 102 of the showcase 100, thus reducing the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102. In addition, since the control device 200 eliminates the need for providing the dew-prevention heater of the related art or reduces the amount of heat produced by the dew-prevention heater for suppressing condensation, it is possible to reduce the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100, while reducing refrigeration load on the showcase 100 compared with the related art.

The controller 220 in the control device 200 according to the present embodiment causes the adjuster 310, which adjusts the direction of cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300, to direct the cool air to the showcase 100 and also causes the cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment 300 to increase. That is, since the cool air output with the increased cooling output can be blown to the vicinity of the doors 102 of the showcase 100, it is possible to effectively reduce the absolute humidity of air in the vicinity of the doors 102 of the showcase 100. Hence, it is possible to effectively suppress occurrence of condensation on the surfaces of the doors 102.

Also, the controller 220 in the control device 200 according to the present embodiment increases the cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment 300, as the condensation occurrence possibility indicated by the condensation information acquired by the acquirer 210 increases. That is, as the condensation occurrence possibility gets higher, air with a lower absolute humidity can be blown to the vicinity of the doors 102 of the showcase 100. Thus, it is possible to effectively reduce the absolute humidity of air in the vicinity of the doors 102 of the showcase 100. Hence, it is possible to effectively suppress occurrence of condensation on the surfaces of the doors 102.

The controller 220 in the control device 200 according to the present embodiment reduces the temperature of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300, as the condensation occurrence possibility indicated by the condensation information acquired by the acquirer 210 increases. That is, as the condensation occurrence possibility gets higher, air with a lower absolute humidity can be blown to the vicinity of the doors 102 of the showcase 100. Thus, it is possible to effectively reduce the absolute humidity of air in the vicinity of the doors 102 of the showcase 100. Hence, it is possible to effectively suppress occurrence of condensation on the surfaces of the doors 102.

Also, the controller 220 in the control device 200 according to the present embodiment increases the volume of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300, as the condensation occurrence possibility indicated by the condensation information acquired by the acquirer 210 increases. That is, as the condensation occurrence possibility gets higher, a larger amount of air with a lower absolute humidity can be blown to the vicinity of the doors 102 of the showcase 100. Thus, it is possible to effectively reduce the absolute humidity of air in the vicinity of the doors 102 of the showcase 100. Hence, it is possible to effectively suppress occurrence of condensation on the surfaces of the doors 102.

Also, upon determining the possibility that condensation occurs on the doors 102 of the showcase 100 has decreased, based on the condensation information acquired by the acquirer 210 in the control device 200 according to the present embodiment, the controller 220 deactivates the control for causing the adjuster 310 to direct the cool air to the showcase 100. Thus, it is possible to suppress occurrence of condensation on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100, the occurrence being facilitated by an excessive decrease in the surface temperature of the doors 102.

[4. Modifications]

[4-1. First Modification]

Although, in the above-described embodiment, the controller 220 determines whether or not to deactivate the blowing direction control by determining whether or not the relative humidity Hsc indicated by the humidity information acquired by the acquirer 210 is smaller than or equal to the first threshold Hth, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the controller 220 may use a surface temperature of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 to determine whether or not to deactivate the blowing direction control.

In this case, the condensation detector 110 further includes a temperature sensor that detects a temperature on an external surface of the doors 102. When a humidity sensor is provided for the surfaces of the doors 102, it can also detect a temperature on the external surface of the doors 102, and thus a humidity sensor may be used without using the temperature sensor to detect the temperature.

The acquirer 210 in the control device 200 acquires information (hereinafter referred to as “temperature information”) indicating a temperature on the external surface of the doors 102, the temperature being detected by the condensation detector 110, from the condensation detector 110 as the condensation information.

Upon determining that the surface temperature of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 decreases to a temperature that is lower than or equal to a second threshold, based on the temperature information acquired by the acquirer 210, the controller 220 deactivates the blowing direction control for causing the adjuster 310 to direct the cool air to the showcase 100.

The second threshold may have a fixed value or may be set to a temperature that is lower than the surface temperature of the doors 102 before the blowing direction control by a predetermined temperature (e.g., 3° C.).

The second threshold may also be set according to a dew-point temperature of air in the vicinity of the showcase 100, the dew-point temperature being determined using the relative humidity detected by the humidity sensor and the temperature of air in the vicinity of the showcase 100. For example, the second threshold may be set to a temperature that is a higher than the dew-point temperature by a predetermined temperature (e.g., 3° C.).

This makes it possible to suppress occurrence of condensation on the surfaces of the doors 102, the occurrence being facilitated by directing cold air to the showcase 100 to thereby excessively reduce the surface temperature of the doors 102.

[4-2. Second Modification]

Although, in the above-described embodiment, the controller 220 deactivates the blowing direction control upon determining that the possibility that condensation occurs on the doors 102 of the showcase 100 has decreased based on the condensation information acquired by the acquirer 210, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the controller 220 may perform control for reducing the cooling output, instead of deactivating the blowing direction control. That is, the controller 220 may increase the temperature of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment 300 or may reduce the volume of the cool air blown out from the air-conditioning equipment 300.

[4-3. Third Modification]

Although, in the above-described embodiment, the controller 220 determines whether or not the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 is high in accordance with the relative humidity of air in the vicinity of the showcase 100, the present disclosure is not limited to the determination using the relative humidity as the condensation information.

For example, when an air curtain using cool air is generated in the opening of the showcase 100, the controller 220 may use a relative humidity in an air inlet for the air curtain to determine whether or not the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 is high. In this case, the condensation detector 110 is implemented by a humidity sensor provided for the air inlet for the air curtain.

For example, by using a temperature difference between a temperature in internal space of the showcase 100 and a temperature in outer space of the showcase 100 as the condensation information, the controller 220 may determine whether or not the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 is high.

In this case, the condensation detector 110 is implemented by a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the internal space of the showcase 100 and a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the outer space of the showcase 100. Since the temperature in the outer space of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 (i.e., the temperature in the selling space) is highly correlated with an outdoor air temperature, the temperature in the outer space of the doors 102 may be detected through acquisition of information indicating the outdoor air temperature from external equipment (such as a server).

Also, for example, the controller 220 may determine whether or not the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 is high, by using a detection result of a condensation sensor without using the relative humidity and the temperature difference as the condensation information. That is, when a detection level of the condensation sensor exceeds a predetermined level, the controller 220 determines whether or not the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 is high. In this case, the condensation detector 110 is implemented by a condensation sensor.

For example, by using the outdoor air temperature as the condensation information, the controller 220 may determine whether or not the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 is high. That is, when the outdoor air temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the controller 220 determines whether or not the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 is high. In this case, the condensation detector 110 is implemented by a temperature sensor provided outdoor or a communication apparatus that obtains information indicating the outdoor air temperature from external equipment (a server).

Also, for example, by using a relative humidity of outdoor air as the condensation information, the controller 220 may determine whether or not the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 is high. That is, when the humidity of outdoor air exceeds a predetermined humidity, the controller 220 determines whether or not the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 is high. In this case, the condensation detector 110 is implemented by a humidity sensor provided outdoor or a communication apparatus that obtains information indicating a relative humidity of outdoor air from external equipment (a server).

Also, for example, by using the number of times a door of the store is opened/closed per unit time as the condensation information, the controller 220 may determine whether or not the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 is high. That is, when the number of times the door of the store is opened/closed per unit time exceeds a predetermined number, the controller 220 determines that the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 is high. In this case, the condensation detector 110 is implemented by a counter for counting the opening/closing of the door of the store.

[4-4. Fourth Modification]

In the embodiment and first to third modifications described above, the controller 220 may determine whether or not the possibility that condensation occurs on the surfaces of the doors 102 of the showcase 100 is high, by using an average of values that the condensation detector 110 detects in a predetermined continuous period of time.

Although the control device 200 for the air-conditioning equipment 300 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment. Modes obtained by applying various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art to the embodiment or modes constructed by combining the constituent elements in different embodiments may also be encompassed by the scope of one or more aspects of the present disclosure, as long as such modes do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is useful for, for example, a control device for air-conditioning equipment that can reduce the possibility that condensation occurs on a door of a showcase while reducing a refrigeration effect of the showcase, compared with the related art.

Claims

1. A control device for air-conditioning equipment, the control device comprising:

an acquirer that acquires information relevant to occurrence of condensation on a surface of a door of a showcase having a storage in which a product stored therein is refrigerated, the storage having an opening that is opened and closed with the door; and

a controller that causes an adjuster that adjusts a direction of cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment to direct the cool air to the showcase, upon determining that a possibility that condensation occurs on the surface of the door has increased, based on the information acquired by the acquirer.

2. The control device according to claim 1,

wherein, upon causing the adjuster to direct the cool air to the showcase, the controller increases a cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment.

3. The control device according to claim 2,

wherein the controller increases a cooling output of the air-conditioning equipment, as the condensation occurrence possibility indicated by the information acquired by the acquirer increases.

4. The control device according to claim 3,

wherein the controller reduces a temperature of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment, as the condensation occurrence possibility indicated by the information acquired by the acquirer increases.

5. The control device according to claim 3,

wherein the controller increases a volume of the cool air output from the air-conditioning equipment, as the condensation occurrence possibility indicated by the information acquired by the acquirer increases.

6. The control device according to claim 1,

wherein, upon determining that a possibility that condensation occurs on the surface of the door of the showcase has decreased, based on the information acquired by the acquirer, the controller deactivates the control for causing the adjuster to direct the cool air to the showcase.

7. The control device according to claim 1,

wherein the information indicates a relative humidity of air outside the door of the showcase.

8. The control device according to claim 1,

wherein the information indicates a temperature difference between a surface temperature of the door of the showcase and a temperature of air outside the door of the showcase.

9. An air conditioning system comprising:

air-conditioning equipment; and

the control device according to claim 1.