DIGITAL SMART REAL SHOWCASE WARNING SYSTEM, METHOD, AND PROGRAM

A digital smart real showcase warning system (100) comprises a showcase (110), a freezing machine (20), a showcase control unit (18), and a portable device (70), wherein a control unit (81) of the showcase control unit (18) inputs a temperature of the showcase (110) over time, and determines that a freezing function for the showcase (110) is failing based on the inputted temperature, the control unit (81) calculates an expected date and time of an increase to a warning temperature (an increase in temperature of a product in the showcase (110) to a predetermined temperature so high as to be unsuitable for refrigerating and freezing), and the control unit (81) causes a notifying means (87) to warning-display the expected date and time and to transmit warning information to the portable device (70), whereby the occurrence of a product loss can be prevented.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a digital smart real showcase warning system, method, and program capable of preventing occurrence of a product loss due to a failure, a gas leakage, and frosting, etc., of a showcase, a refrigerator-freezer, and freezing mechanical equipment, etc.

BACKGROUND ART

In a store such as a supermarket or convenience store, showcases to display drinks and foods, etc., while refrigerating or freezing them are used. A freezing and refrigerating showcase to be installed in a store such as a supermarket is equipped with a freezing device, which blows cold air into the chamber of the showcase displaying products from an air outlet to cool the inside of the chamber to a predetermined temperature, and sucks the blown cold air from an air inlet and cools and discharges it again as cold air into the chamber.

A cooling temperature inside the chamber differs depending on the kind of product stored in the chamber, and an in-chamber temperature is set for each showcase. This setting of a target temperature inside the chamber is performed by a freezing and refrigerating showcase controller installed for each showcase.

Once a target temperature is set, an in-chamber temperature is detected, and a solenoid valve of the freezing device is controlled to open or close for a temperature control so that the in-chamber temperature becomes close to the target temperature.

PTL 1 describes a failure determination system comprising an in-chamber temperature sensor that inputs a temperature inside the chamber of a showcase over time, a failure determination unit that determines the showcase to be failing based on the inputted temperature, and a display unit that notifies warning information when the failure determination unit determines a failure (Paragraphs 0023 to 0051 and FIG. 1 to FIG. 6).

PTL 2 describes a cooling/freezing device comprising a cooling tank that stores a cooling fluid and cools and freezes a to-be-cooled object by immersing the to-be-cooled object in the cooling fluid, and a temperature detector that detects a temperature of the cooling fluid in the cooling tank, and configured, in order to prevent the temperature of the cooling fluid from rising to a warning temperature or higher due to a failure, etc., and causing quality deterioration of the to-be-cooled object, so that a temperature to of the cooling fluid is detected in each predetermined detection period by the temperature detector, a predicted time T required until the cooling fluid reaches a warning temperature tA from a detection time is calculated, and when a deviation tA-tn between the warning temperature tA and the detected temperature to reaches a predetermined temperature or less due to a failure, etc., the predicted time T is displayed on a warning predicted time display unit (Paragraphs 0001 to 0012, FIG. 1, and FIG. 2).

PTL 3 describes a failure cause estimating device for a case cooling system that does not perform failure determination during a defrosting operation (Paragraph 0055).

PTL 4 describes a refrigerator that does not perform failure determination during a defrosting operation (Paragraph 0042).

PTL 5 describes a delivery apparatus management system comprising a temperature sensor to detect an in-chamber temperature inside a cold storage, a temperature history storing unit in which an in-chamber temperature detected by the temperature sensor is sequentially stored as in-chamber temperature history information, and a failure/component replacement predicting unit that activates a notifying buzzer/notifying lamp when an in-chamber temperature curve being in-chamber temperature history information of the cold storage stored in the temperature history storing unit deviates by a certain level from an initial value (Paragraphs 0050, 0053, and 0063, FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG. 16).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

  • [PTL 1] JP H11-337242 A
  • [PTL 2] JP H06-137747 A
  • [PTL 3] JP 2001-91125 A
  • [PTL 4] JP 2015-48998 A
  • [PTL 5] JP 2004-251508 A

Non Patent Literature

  • [NPL 1] “Project values in a series,” [online], Microsoft, [retrieved on Aug. 13, 2017], Internet <URL:https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Project-values-in-a-series-1bfe3ea3-c779-4552-9e6d-e0280c681a2a?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US>

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, with such conventional showcases, because there is only a function to notify occurrence of a failure, when the refrigerating and freezing function of the showcase fails, the response may not be in time. For example, notification, etc., is performed after the failure occurs, so that even if a repair worker quickly responds to repair the showcase, the repair cannot be performed in time, and the product is often disposed of under the present circumstances. Even if a warning predicted time described in PTL 2 is displayed, to significantly measure a temperature change amount across a detection period, a minimum of the detection period must be secured, and for example, when the detection period is set to 30 minutes, in this period, the displayed predicted time does not change, so that it includes a display error of up to 30 minutes as time proceeds.

An object of the present invention is to provide a digital smart real showcase warning system, method, and program capable of preventing occurrence of a product loss in a showcase or the like.

Solution to Problem

A digital smart real showcase warning system according to the present invention comprises a temperature inputting means that inputs a temperature inside the chamber of a showcase, a refrigerator, or a freezer (hereinafter, referred to as a “showcase or the like”) over time, a failure determining means that determines the showcase or the like to be failing based on the temperature inputted, a calculating means that calculates an expected date and time of an increase in temperature of a product in chamber of the showcase or the like to a warning temperature being a predetermined temperature so high as to be unsuitable for refrigerating or freezing when the failure determining means determines a failure, and a notifying means that notifies warning information including the expected date and time calculated by the calculating means.

With this configuration, before an increase to a warning temperature, an expected date and time of the increase to the warning temperature can be displayed for warning. A related person can make a proper response according to the degree of urgency, so that occurrence of a product loss is prevented.

The digital smart real showcase warning system according to the present invention comprises an outdoor air temperature inputting means that inputs outdoor air temperature information, an outdoor air temperature predicting means that predicts a future predicted outdoor air temperature from outdoor air temperature information inputted by the outdoor air temperature inputting means, and a control means that controls a showcase temperature based on the predicted outdoor air temperature predicted by the outdoor air temperature predicting means.

With this configuration, the showcase is controlled not by following an outdoor air temperature but based on an outdoor air temperature predicted in advance, so that the showcase is quickly and properly controlled, and accordingly, the showcase can be controlled with minimum necessary energy.

When the temperature deviates from a normal temperature change pattern, the failure determining means determines that the showcase or the like is failing, which enables performing a more accurate failure determination by observing the temperature change pattern.

In addition, when an increase in the temperature is a change in temperature caused by defrosting in the showcase or the like, the failure determining means does not determine the temperature increase as a failure, which enables excluding a defrosting period from failure determination conditions, and accordingly, a more accurate warning display is realized.

In addition, the digital smart real showcase warning system comprises a storing means that stores calendar information in which changes in the temperature are accumulated, and the failure determining means determines a failure when a difference between the calendar information read out from the storing means and the temperature is greater than a predetermined value, which enables using a variable value of past temperature records as a threshold for failure determination and preventing erroneous warning, when the temperature tends to slightly increase as in a time period involving an increase in the number of customers, by the threshold for failure determination also becoming higher, and accordingly, an accurate failure determination is realized.

The notifying means can quickly notify a related person at a remote site of the degree of urgency by transmitting the warning information to a terminal device that a person who maintains the showcase or the like can keep with him/her.

In addition, the digital smart real showcase warning system comprises a storing means that stores past outdoor air temperatures, and by predicting a predicted outdoor air temperature based on data stored in the storing means, the outdoor air temperature predicting means can predict the future from a current outdoor air temperature by referring to how the temperature changed with respect to a current time in the past by using past data.

The control means can perform a fine energy-saving control according to a deviation of the showcase temperature from a target temperature by controlling operation of the showcase according to a temperature-dependent control coefficient being a control coefficient according to the deviation.

By predicting a predicted outdoor air temperature for a time, corresponding to a length of a refrigerant pipe connecting the showcase and a freezing machine, ahead, the outdoor air temperature predicting means can control the showcase based on the predicted outdoor air temperature for the time, corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe, ahead (future), so that the showcase is quickly and properly controlled, and accordingly, the showcase can be controlled with minimum necessary energy.

In addition, the digital smart real showcase warning system comprises an indoor temperature inputting means that inputs indoor temperature information, an indoor humidity inputting means that inputs indoor humidity information, and an indoor enthalpy predicting means that predicts a predicted indoor enthalpy being a future total wet air heating value of indoor air from an indoor temperature inputted from the indoor temperature inputting means and an indoor humidity inputted from the indoor humidity inputting means, and by controlling a showcase temperature based on an indoor enthalpy predicted by the indoor enthalpy predicting means, the control means predicts an indoor enthalpy and controls the showcase based on the predicted outdoor air temperature and indoor enthalpy, so that by reflecting an estimation result of a predicted heat load in showcase control, a highly effective showcase energy-saving control is realized.

By controlling the showcase based on, as the predicted outdoor air temperature, a predicted bias outdoor air temperature obtained by adding a bias temperature for correcting a high temperature around the condenser to the predicted air outdoor temperature, the control means can perform a more proper showcase control also in consideration of a high outdoor air temperature around the condenser by using, as the predicted outdoor air temperature, a predicted bias outdoor air temperature around the condenser higher in temperature than an outdoor air temperature.

A digital smart real showcase warning method according to the present invention comprises a temperature inputting step of inputting a temperature inside the chamber of a showcase or the like over time, a failure determining step of determining that the showcase or the like is failing based on the temperature inputted, a calculating step of calculating an expected date and time of an increase in temperature of a product in chamber of the showcase or the like to a warning temperature being a predetermined temperature so high as to be unsuitable for refrigerating or freezing when the failure determining step determines a failure, and a notifying step of notifying warning information including the expected date and time calculated by the calculating step.

Further, the present invention provides a program to make a computer function as a digital smart real showcase warning system comprising a temperature inputting means that inputs a temperature inside the chamber of a showcase or the like over time, a failure determining means that determines the showcase or the like to be failing based on the temperature inputted, a calculating means that calculates an expected date and time of an increase in temperature of a product in chamber of the showcase or the like to a warning temperature being a predetermined temperature so high as to be unsuitable for refrigerating or freezing when the failure determining means determines a failure, and a notifying means that notifies warning information including the expected date and time calculated by the calculating means.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, when a showcase or the like fails and the in-chamber temperature abnormally rises, by warning-displaying an expected date and time of an increase in in-chamber temperature to a warning temperature, the degree of the failure is displayed for warning in an easy-to-understand manner, and a proper response according to the degree of urgency can be made, so that a product loss can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital smart real showcase warning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control device of the digital smart real showcase warning system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a showcase of the digital smart real showcase warning system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing digital smart real showcase warning processing of the digital smart real showcase warning system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an energy-saving control operation of the digital smart real showcase warning system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

 DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment to carryout the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital smart real showcase warning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is an example of application to an air conditioning warning system, and an air conditioning control is not essential for the present invention.

[Overall Configuration]

As shown in FIG. 1, a digital smart real showcase warning system 100 comprises an outdoor air temperature input unit 11 (outdoor air temperature inputting means), an outdoor air temperature table 12 (storing means), an outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 (outdoor air temperature predicting means), an indoor temperature input unit 14, an indoor humidity input unit 15, an indoor enthalpy table 16 (storing means), an indoor enthalpy predicting unit 17 (enthalpy predicting means), a showcase control unit 18 (control means), and an air conditioning control unit 19 (control means).

An outdoor thermometer 20, an indoor thermometer 30, an indoor hygrometer 40, a showcase 50, and an air conditioner 60 are described for illustration of the digital smart real showcase warning system 100.

The indoor thermometer 30 is a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of indoor air. The indoor hygrometer 40 is a humidity sensor to detect a humidity of indoor air.

<Outdoor Air Temperature Predicting Unit 13>

The outdoor air temperature input unit 11 inputs a current outdoor air temperature from the outdoor thermometer 20.

The outdoor air temperature table 12 stores past outdoor air temperatures for prediction of an outdoor air temperature.

Here, the “outdoor air temperature” in this description means an air temperature of the outside of a building, and is equal to an air temperature that a meteorological agency issues in principle, however, it is assumed to fluctuate or vary locally.

The outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 predicts an outdoor air temperature and passes the predicted air temperature to the showcase control unit 18 and the air conditioning control unit 19.

For the outdoor air temperature prediction, there are methods; a <<past data-using prediction method>> in which an outdoor air temperature is predicted by using past data, and an <<external data-using prediction method>> the future is predicted from an outdoor air temperature by using data of an external agency.

<<Past Data-Using Prediction Method>>

The outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 predicts how the temperature will change (whether the temperature will increase or decrease, and the degree of the increase or decrease) in the future (for example, in how many minutes). In the outdoor air temperature table 12, outdoor air temperature data at, for example, half-hour intervals over the past one year for checking temperature changes to find how the temperature changed with respect to a current time in the past is stored. Based on past data read out from the outdoor air temperature table 12, the outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 predicts the future from a current outdoor air temperature by referring to how the temperature changed with respect to a current time in the past. This is specifically described below.

The outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 stores outdoor air temperatures at, for example, half-hour intervals in the past one year in the outdoor air temperature table 12 in advance, and predicts an outdoor air temperature by reading out the stored outdoor air temperature as an outdoor air temperature predicted value.

Generally, in a case where air temperatures in each time period are just tallied up and used, variations among days and times are large, and when obtaining a future predicted value from meteorological data with the large variations, accuracy becomes insufficient. Therefore, instead of using record values of air temperatures in each time period as they are, the outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 predicts an outdoor air temperature by the following methods (1) to (4) and stores the predicted outdoor air temperature in the outdoor air temperature table 12.

(1) Air temperature record values (for example, at intervals of 30 minutes) in a target region are acquired. (2) Meteorological data of the target region is acquired. (3) A reference curve showing a temperature change in each time period (for example, a curve showing changes from a minimum temperature to a maximum temperature, for each region) is created. Specifically, for each region, outdoor air temperatures in respective time periods from 0:00 to 24:00 on each day in a year and temperature changes in each of the time periods are stored as reference curves. Even though the outdoor air temperature on a target day differs year by year, by statistically accumulating the outdoor air temperatures as past data, a temperature change in each time period on the target day can be represented by a reference curve showing a temperature change in a target time period. In the outdoor air temperature table 12, air temperature record values and reference curves in a target region are stored (accumulated).

(4) From an acquired outdoor air temperature and temperature change in each time period on the target day represented by the reference curve, an outdoor air temperature predicted value in each time period is calculated. That is, the acquired outdoor air temperature is predicted to change with a temperature change gradient shown by the reference curve in a next time period (for example, in one hour; except for after 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, etc., which are calculated by linear interpolation). For example, it is assumed that an outdoor air temperature table 12 as shown in Table 1 described later has been obtained. A change amount between the outdoor air temperature of “31.0° C.” at 10 a.m. and the outdoor air temperature of “31.5° C.” at 11 a.m. in Table 1 (in detail, a gradient of a temperature change shown by the reference curve) is assumed to be substantially constant in each time period on each day in each season, and to obtain a value for, for example, one hour later, a value obtained by adding this temperature change amount of “0.5” to an acquired outdoor air temperature is regarded as a predicted value one hour ahead. For 15 minutes later, a value obtained by adding “0.5/4” is regarded as a predicted value 15 minutes ahead.

The outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 predicts a future (for, for example, one hour ahead) outdoor air temperature by using a current outdoor air temperature and the past data (here, past record values and the reference curve in each time period) stored in the outdoor air temperature table 12. In the case described above, to obtain an outdoor air temperature after 30 minutes, by adding (subtracting) ½ of a temperature change shown by the reference curve to (from) the current outdoor air temperature, an outdoor air temperature predicted value after 30 minutes is obtained. When obtaining a value after 15 minutes or after 2 hours or more, an outdoor air temperature predicted value can be obtained by the same method.

In this way, the outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 creates a reference curve representing changes in air temperature per a day based on past air temperature record values, and predicts an air temperature based on the reference curve. The outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 does not regard an average value or a median value of past air temperature record values as a current air temperature, but predicts an air temperature according to a tendency of a change in air temperature per a day based on the change in temperature stored in the outdoor air temperature table 12, so that prediction accuracy can be improved.

<<External Data-Using Prediction Method>>

As described in the <<past data-using prediction method>> described above, the use of past data for prediction is a mere example, and the method is not limited to this. For example, the outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 can also adopt the following <<external data-using prediction method>>.

The outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 predicts an outdoor air temperature by using, for example, a temperature forecast for a target day issued by a meteorological agency. The outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 predicts a future outdoor air temperature by referring to a change in the temperature forecast (temporal differentiation, that is, a tendency of a temperature change) issued by a meteorological agency, with respect to a current outdoor air temperature. For example, the outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 can receive data (meteorological data) including forecasted values issued by a meteorological agency or a meteorological company by accessing a computer of a meteorological agency or a meteorological company.

<Indoor Enthalpy Predicting Unit 17>

The indoor enthalpy table 16 stores past indoor enthalpies for prediction of an indoor enthalpy (refer to Table 1).

The indoor enthalpy predicting unit 17 predicts an indoor enthalpy by referring to the indoor enthalpy table 16. Specifically, the indoor enthalpy predicting unit 17 predicts an enthalpy (referred to as a specific enthalpy as well) being a total wet air heating value of indoor air based on an inputted indoor air temperature and humidity and a table value in the indoor enthalpy table 16. An enthalpy in the present embodiment represents an enthalpy that 1 kg of a substance (air) has, and a unit for the enthalpy is (kJ/kg D.A.).

<Showcase Control Unit 18>

The showcase control unit 18 controls a temperature to freeze or refrigerate a showpiece in a showcase. Specifically, it is desirable to perform an energy-saving control of, for example, a freezing machine or a refrigerating machine, etc. For example, a control rate is calculated and programmed in advance based on average salesroom temperatures and specific enthalpy values (total air heating value) in each month, by opening hours and non-opening hours, and by daytime and nighttime, etc., and a freezing or refrigerating operation is controlled for energy saving by an amount corresponding to the control rate.

In addition, the showcase control unit 18 predicts a future predicted outdoor air temperature for a time, corresponding to a length of the refrigerant pipe 130 (refer to FIG. 2), ahead, from inputted outdoor air temperature information, and controls the temperature of the showcase 50 based on the predicted outdoor air temperature (described in detail below).

<Air Conditioning Control Unit 19>

According to the present embodiment, an operation rate of the showcase control unit 18 (hereinafter, this operation rate is referred to as a “showcase operation rate”) that controls a temperature to freeze or refrigerate a showpiece in the showcase is detected, and when the showcase operation rate exceeds a predetermined value, by suppressing or stopping the energy-saving control of the air conditioner 60, a temperature in a salesroom in which the showcase is installed is lowered and the showcase operation rate is lowered to the predetermined value or less, whereby storewide energy saving is realized. A case where the temperature in the salesroom increases to an unintended temperature is assumed to be, for example, a case where the system does not measure a humidity in the salesroom and cannot detect that the specific enthalpy value (total air heating value) is high, and therefore, an overload of the showcase control cannot be detected only from a temperature, or a case where the air-conditioning control cannot catch up with a sudden increase in the number of customers.

The air conditioning control unit 19 calculates a control rate for an energy-saving control of the air conditioner 60, and performs the energy-saving control of the air conditioner 60 according to the calculated control rate without excess and deficiency. In the control, the air conditioner 60 may be stopped (turned off) in a predetermined pattern, or may be inverter-controlled.

The outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13, the indoor enthalpy predicting unit 17, the showcase control unit 18, and the air conditioning control unit 19 described above are constructed by an arithmetic control unit such as a personal computer. The arithmetic control unit consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, controls the entire system, and is made to function as a digital smart real showcase warning system by executing an air conditioning energy-saving control program.

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

[Configuration of Showcase Control Unit]

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the showcase control unit 18 of the digital smart real showcase warning system 100.

The showcase control unit 18 is installed, for example, for each showcase 110, and performs a control for cooling to a target temperature suitable for products displayed on store shelves. The showcase control unit 18 may collectively control a plurality of showcases 110.

As shown in FIG. 2, the showcase control unit 18 comprises a control unit 81 (failure determining means, calculating means), a storing unit 82 (storing means), an input unit 83, a display unit 84, a communication unit 85, an interface (I/F) unit 86, and a notifying means 87 such as a lamp or buzzer connected via the I/F unit 86. Into the I/F unit 86, temperature information from a temperature sensor 131 (described later) that detects a temperature of the showcase 10 is inputted. A control signal to control a compressor 121 is outputted through the I/F unit 86.

The control unit 81 consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, controls the entire showcase 110, and reads out a control program, etc., stored in advance in the storing unit 82, and makes the CPU function as a digital smart real showcase warning system by executing a digital smart real showcase warning program.

The control unit 81 detects a temperature of the showcase 50 and performs a temperature control by controlling opening or closing of a solenoid valve 113 of a freezing machine 120 so that the detected temperature becomes close to a target temperature.

The control unit 81 inputs a temperature of the showcase 50 over time, and determines that a freezing function for the showcase 50 is failing based on the inputted temperature.

When the temperature of the showcase 50 deviates from a normal temperature change pattern, the control unit 81 determines that the freezing function for the showcase 50 is failing. When a temperature increase of the showcase 59 is a temperature change caused by defrosting of the showcase 50, etc., the control unit 81 does not determine this as a failure.

The control unit 81 calculates an expected date and time of an increase to a warning temperature (an increase in temperature of a product in the showcase 50 to a predetermined temperature so high as to be unsuitable for refrigerating or freezing).

The control unit 81 determines a failure when a difference between calendar information (information in which changes in temperature of the showcase 50 are accumulated) read out from the storing unit 82 and a temperature of the showcase 50 is greater than a predetermined value. For example, the showcase temperature is compared with calendar information having an experimentally and relatively high correlation, such as a temperature at the same time on the same day in the same month of last year, or a temperature at the same time on the same day of last month, etc.

The control unit 81 performs warning display (displays the expected date and time) by the notifying means 87. The control unit 41 transmits the warning information to a portable device (terminal device) 70 through the communication unit 85.

The storing unit 82 stores, in addition to the control program described above, for example, parameters, etc., to be used by the control unit 81 to give warning, in advance. In addition, the storing unit 82 stores calendar information in which changes in temperature of the inside of the showcase 50 are accumulated. For example, temperatures on each day and month in each year, temperatures on each date in each month, daily temperatures for each week, hourly temperatures for each day are accumulated. Additionally, the storing unit 82 stores information on control of the showcase 50, information on temperatures of store shelves transmitted from the temperature sensor 131, and identification information of the portable device 70.

The input unit 83 is an operation unit to input a set temperature, etc., of the showcase 50, and is, for example, a touch panel or a plurality of keys and buttons, etc. The input unit 83 accepts an input operation to instruct, for example, a set temperature and an operation mode, etc., of the showcase 50.

The display unit 84 displays a current state and a setting state, etc., of the digital smart real showcase warning system 100.

The communication unit 85 transmits and receives data to and from the portable device 70 through a base station.

The interface (I/F) unit 86 coordinates levels and forms of signals to be inputted into and outputted from the showcase control unit 18.

The notifying means 87 notifies warning information of the showcase 50 by warning using light emission by a light emitting element (LED lamp, etc.) or sound/voice. The notifying means 87 notifies warning information including the calculated expected date and time. The display of the notifying means 87 may be a display by the display unit 84.

In the present embodiment, a temperature sensor 131 is installed at an air outlet 111, and a sensor temperature detected by this temperature sensor 131 is regarded as a temperature of the showcase 50. The attaching location of the temperature sensor 131 and the number of attached temperature sensors 131 are not limited to this example. By installing temperature sensors 131 at various points (for example, on the respective store shelves) inside the showcase 50 and directly detecting temperatures inside the showcase 50 by these temperature sensors 131, a more accurate control is realized.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a showcase of the digital smart real showcase warning system 100. The present embodiment is an example of application to a warning system of a refrigerating and freezing showcase installed in a store.

As shown in FIG. 3, the digital smart real showcase warning system. 100 comprises a showcase 50, a freezing machine 120, a refrigerant pipe 130, and a showcase control unit 18. The showcase control unit 18 controls the entire digital smart real showcase warning system 100, and controls the freezing machine 120, etc., for the showcase 50. The installation location of the showcase control unit 18 is not limited to this example. For example, the showcase control unit 18 may be installed in a machine room 110b at a bottom portion of a showcase main body 50a, or may be installed on a back surface of the showcase main body 50a, or at a location away from the showcase main body 50a.

[Showcase and Freezing Machine]

The showcase 50 is installed in a store such as a supermarket or convenience store, and displays products to be cooled, such as drinks and foods, etc.

The showcase 50 comprises a showcase main body 50a having a product storing space, and an air outlet 111 to blow out cold air downward is formed at an upper portion of the showcase main body 50a, and an air inlet 112 to suction cold air that has descended along an air curtain is formed at a lower portion. At the bottom portion of the showcase main body 50a, as the machine room 110b, a solenoid valve 113 provided in the refrigerant pipe 130, an expansion valve 114 that changes a high-pressure liquid refrigerant into a low-pressure liquid, and a fan motor 115 that circulates the cold air are provided. The showcase 50 comprises, at the back surface side of the showcase main body 50a, a cooler (evaporator) 116 that evaporates the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been changed into a low-pressure liquid by the expansion valve 114 while drawing heat from the low-pressure liquid refrigerant.

The showcase 50 comprises, in the product storing space of the showcase main body 50a, shelf plates 117 and a bottom plate 118 being store shelves, and an air curtain 119 covering the product storing space.

The inside of the showcase 50 is cooled to a temperature suitable for products to be displayed on the shelf plates 117 and the bottom plate 118 (hereinafter, referred to as store shelves).

At the air outlet 111, a temperature sensor 131 that detects a temperature of the store shelves of the showcase 50 (hereinafter, referred to as a temperature of the showcase 50) is provided. The air outlet 111 is a place where a temperature closer to a temperature set as a target is detected, and a sensor temperature detected by the temperature sensor 131 is regarded as a temperature of the showcase 50. An installation location of the temperature sensor 131 and the number of attached temperature sensors 131 are not limited to this example.

The freezing machine 120 is connected to the showcase main body 50a via the refrigerant pipe 130. The freezing machine 120 comprises a compressor 121, a condenser 122, and a condenser cooling fan 123. The compressor 121 compresses a gaseous body at a low pressure returned from the refrigerant pipe 130 into a high-temperature high-pressure (for example, 70° C. to 80° C.) gaseous body. By increasing the pressure of the refrigerant, the compressor 121 enables the refrigerant to be easily changed into a liquid by the condenser 122, and creates a refrigerant flow. The condenser 122 changes the refrigerant into a high pressure liquid refrigerant (for example, 30° C. to 40° C.) by drawing heat from the high-temperature high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The condenser cooling fan 123 cools the condenser 122 by blowing outdoor air to the condenser 122.

The freezing machine 120 can cool a plurality of showcases 50 by connecting the refrigerant pipe 130 to the plurality of showcases 50.

The digital smart real showcase warning system 100 composes a freezing cycle enabling refrigerating or freezing by circularly connecting the compressor 121, the solenoid valve 113, the expansion valve 114, the cooler 116, and the condenser 122. As the compressor 121, for example, a rotary type, scroll type, or reciprocating type compressor can be used.

Hereinafter, operation of the digital smart real showcase warning system 100 configured as described above is described.

[Showcase Warning Control Operation]

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing digital smart real showcase warning processing of the digital smart real showcase warning system 100. This flow is carried out by executing a digital smart real showcase warning program by the control unit 81 (refer to FIG. 2) of the showcase control unit 18 of the digital smart real showcase warning system 100.

First, in Step S1, the showcase control unit 18 takes in a temperature of the showcase 50 detected by the temperature sensor 131 (refer to FIG. 3).

In Steps S2 to S6, a control to maintain the temperature of the showcase 50 at a temperature in a certain range (a target temperature between a lower limit temperature and an upper limit temperature) suitable for preservation of fresh fish and dressed meat is performed.

In Step S2, the control unit 81 opens the solenoid valve 113 of the freezing machine 120 (refer to FIG. 3). Cold air is blown into the showcase 50 to refrigerate products (here, fresh fish and dressed meat).

In Step S3, whether or not the detected current temperature of the showcase 50 is lower than the lower limit temperature is determined. While the temperature of the showcase 50 is higher than the lower limit temperature (Step S3: No), the process returns to the above-described Step S3. The compressor 121 operates and continuously supplies cold air into the showcase 50.

When the showcase temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature (Step S3: Yes), the solenoid valve 113 of the freezing machine 120 is closed in Step S4.

In Step S5, whether or not the current temperature of the showcase 50 is higher than the upper limit temperature is determined. While the current temperature of the showcase 50 is lower than the upper limit temperature (Step S5: No), the process returns to Step S5 described above.

When the current temperature of the showcase 50 is higher than the upper limit temperature (Step S5: Yes), in Step S6, the control unit 81 opens the solenoid valve 113 of the freezing machine 120. The processing in and after Step S7 is the present showcase warning processing. When the showcase 50 is not failing, the following Steps S8 to S10 are skipped, and by returning to the above-described Step S3 again, the freezing operation is continued. Accordingly, the temperature inside the showcase 50 is controlled within a certain range suitable for preservation of fresh fish and dressed meat.

Here, the cooling temperature inside the showcase 50 differs depending on the kind of stored product, and is set for each showcase 50. A target temperature inside the showcase 50 is set by the input unit 83. The control unit 81 performs a target temperature control to maintain the cooling temperature inside the showcase 50 at a temperature between the lower limit temperature and the upper limit temperature. As the set target temperature becomes lower, a heat radiation amount increases and an actual temperature of the showcase 50 becomes slightly higher than a calculated displayed temperature. Therefore, the target temperature is set in consideration of the relationship between the target temperature and the heat radiation amount.

In Step S7, the control unit 81 determines whether or not the temperature of the showcase 50 has deviated from a normal temperature change pattern. When the temperature of the showcase 50 does not deviate from the normal temperature change pattern (Step S7: No), the process returns to the above-described step S3, and when the temperature deviates from the normal temperature change pattern (Step S7: Yes), the process advances to Step S8.

The case where the temperature of the showcase 50 deviates from the normal temperature change pattern is a case where the freezing function of the freezing machine 120 is failing. When the freezing function of the freezing machine 120 fails, the temperature of the showcase 50 deviates from the normal temperature change pattern, and the temperature of the showcase 50 increases. The above-described freezing function failure includes a failure of the compressor 121, a refrigerant leakage from the refrigerant pipe 30, a failure of the fan motor 15, and a failure of the condenser cooling fan 23.

That is, an abnormal temperature increase of the showcase 50 is a temperature increase of the showcase 50 that occurs although the solenoid valve 113 of the freezing machine 120 is opened (Step S6). A temperature increase of the showcase 50 in spite of an open state of the solenoid valve 13 of the freezing machine 120 can be determined as a failure of the freezing function of the freezing machine 120. In other words, the “normal temperature change pattern” of the temperature of the showcase 50 is a pattern in which the temperature changes from increasing to decreasing when the solenoid valve 113 of the freezing machine 120 changes from a closed state to an open state during a temperature increase of the showcase 50. The control unit 81 determines a failure of the freezing function of the freezing machine 120 by comparing the normal temperature change pattern and an actual temperature change pattern. For example, the control unit 81 determines a failure when a difference between calendar information read out from the storing unit 82 (information in which temperature changes of the showcase 50 are accumulated) and the temperature of the showcase 50 is greater than a predetermined value.

The normal temperature change pattern also includes a temperature change pattern during a defrosting operation. For the showcase 50, a defrosting operation by which the showcase is temporarily increased in temperature at regular intervals for defrosting is performed in some cases. A temperature increase during the defrosting operation is excluded from warning display. When a temperature increase of the showcase 110 is a temperature change for defrosting of the showcase 50, etc., the control unit 81 does not determine this as a failure

In Step S8, the control unit 81 calculates an expected date and time of an increase to a warning temperature. Here, the warning temperature is a predetermined temperature of a product in the showcase 50 so high as to be unsuitable for refrigerating and freezing. For example, fresh fish and dressed meat are preserved at a set temperature of 0° C., however, from the viewpoint of product composition, at a time other than a defrosting time, if the temperature increases to be higher than 4° C. over a long period of time, the quality deteriorates. Therefore, a warning temperature for fresh fish and dressed meat is 5° C. The expected date and time of an increase to the warning temperature is calculated by using, for example, a linear prediction method. The “Project values in a series” described in NPL 1 can also be used.

In Step S9, the control unit 81 notifies warning information by the notifying means 87. The notifying means 87 notifies the warning temperature of the showcase 50 as warning information by using light emission from a light emitting element (LED lamp, etc.) or sound or voice from a speaker.

The warning information includes display of the expected date and time of the increase to the warning temperature and voice announcing the expected date and time. By displaying the expected date and time of the increase to the warning temperature, the degree of urgency can be transmitted in an easy-to-understand manner. Accordingly, an increase to the warning temperature can be displayed for warning before the temperature increase to the warning temperature. In a defrosting period, the warning display can be turned off. Depending on the degree of urgency, warning information may be highlighted (highlighted in boldface, enlarged, or flashed with a shorter time to the expected date and time).

In Step S10, the control unit 81 notifies the portable device 70 of the warning temperature, and ends the processing of this flow. Before the increase to the warning temperature, by notifying the portable device 70 of a related person of the expected date and time of the increase to the warning temperature by e-mail, the related person can be informed of the degree of urgency of product deterioration to be caused by the temperature increase, and the related person can make a proper response according to the expected date and time. In addition, the related person can know a failure of the freezing equipment, etc.

In the normal temperature change pattern determination (failure determination) in the above-described Step S7, the control unit 81 may read out calendar information in which changes in temperature inside the showcase 50 are accumulated from the storing unit 82 and determine a temperature change pattern based on the read-out calendar information. By using calendar information being past accumulated information, a more accurate failure determination is realized.

Application Example 1

The freezing machine 120 shown in FIG. 3 cools, for example, a plurality of showcases 50. However, the freezing function of the freezing machine 120 may fail. Failures of the freezing function of the freezing machine 120 include the following (1) to (4). Failures are (1) a failure of a main body of the freezing machine 120, (2) a refrigerant gas leakage from the refrigerant pipe 30, etc., (3) a failure of the showcase main body 10a (for example, a cold air leakage caused by breakage of the main body), and (4) a cooling failure due to frosting of the showcase 50. When the above-described failure of the freezing function occurs, the temperature of the showcase 50 increases. In the present embodiment, the control unit 81 of the showcase control unit 18 (refer to FIG. 2) determines that the freezing function of the freezing machine 120 is failing based on temperatures of the showcase 50 inputted over time.

The showcase 50 refrigerates and freezes products by setting a set temperature for each kind of product to maintain freshness of the products. If the above-described failure of the freezing function occurs, due to a temperature increase of the showcase 50, an accident in which a set temperature for the products is exceeded and the products deteriorate and are disposed of may occur. Conventionally, concerning a temperature increase of the showcase 50, when a set warning temperature was reached and a predetermined time elapsed, warning was transmitted to a security company and a related person in charge, and the security company or a repair worker quickly responds to carry out a repair. However, in the current state, a response such as a repair cannot be performed in time, so that the products are disposed of in many cases.

A specific form of temperature change and notification is described by using a case of fresh fish and dressed meat case (showcase 50) by way of example.

A case set temperature of the fresh fish and dressed meat case (showcase 50) is 0° C. As described above, from the viewpoint of product composition, if the temperature increases to be higher than 4° C. over a long period of time other than a defrosting time, fresh fish and dressed meat deteriorate in quality. Therefore, for example, a first-stage caution-required temperature is set to 3° C., a second-stage caution-required temperature is set to 4° C., and a warning temperature is set to 5° C.

A case set temperature of the fresh fish and dressed meat case is 0° C., and

(1) when the case temperature reaches 3° C., it is detected that the first-stage caution-required temperature has been reached,

(2) A date and time: 12:00 on March 13 when the temperature increased to the first-stage caution-required temperature of 3° C. is detected,

(3) a subsequent increase in the case temperature to the second-stage caution-required temperature of 4° C. at 20:00 on March 16 is detected,

(4) a time that elapsed from the first-stage caution-required temperature until the second-stage caution-required temperature is 3 days, 8 hours, and 0 minutes (80 hours),

(5) a temperature increase coefficient is 1° C./80 hours=0.0125° C./hour, and

(6) an expected date and time of an increase to the warning temperature of 5° C.=second-stage caution-required temperature date and time: 20:00 on March 16+(warning temperature of 5° C.-second-stage caution-required temperature of 4° C.)/0.0125=20:00 on March 16+3 days, 8 hours, and 0 minutes=4:00 on March 20.

In this way, the control unit 81 of the showcase control unit 18 calculates the expected date and time of the increase to the warning temperature. In the present embodiment, an expected date and time is calculated and predicted based on dates and times of two-stage caution-required temperatures including the first-stage caution-required temperature and the second-stage caution-required temperature, however, it may be predicted based on dates and times of three- or more-stage caution-required temperatures.

As described above, according to a requirement in terms of product composition, fresh fish and dressed meat deteriorate in quality when the temperature increases to be higher than the set temperature of 4° C. at a time other than a defrosting time. Therefore, it is important to more quickly transmit information to a related person. For example, in the conventional case where warning is notified to a related person, etc., after the warning temperature is reached, even when the related person quickly responds to an on-the-scene store, product loss occurs because it is not in time.

In the digital smart real showcase warning system 100, the control unit 81 of the showcase control unit 18 calculates an expected date and time of an increase to the warning temperature (an increase in temperature of a product in the showcase 50 to a predetermined temperature so high as to be unsuitable for refrigerating or freezing). The control unit 81 causes the notifying means 87 to warning-display the expected date and time and transmit the warning information to the portable device 70.

Because notification was conventionally made after the warning temperature was reached, even when a repair worker quickly responded to the scene, a repair or the like was not in time and the products were often disposed of cases under the present circumstances.

According to the present embodiment, by displaying an expected date and time of an increase to the warning temperature, the degree of urgency can be transmitted in an easy-to-understand manner. That is, before the increase to the warning temperature, a time left before an expected date and time of an increase to the warning temperature can be displayed for warning. By grasping this warning display (expected date and time), a related person can make a proper response according to the degree of urgency. For example, as in the application example described above, when a time left before the increase to the warning temperature is short, a quick response according to the expected date and time can be made. On the other hand, when a time left before an expected date and time of an increase to the warning temperature is comparatively long, the degree of urgency is low, so that a comparatively slow response according to the degree of urgency can be made. Generally, an urgent response requires a higher cost, and in this respect, the cost can be reduced.

In any case, instead of detecting an increase to the warning temperature and then displaying this, an increase to the warning temperature is displayed for warning before the increase to the warning temperature, so that a product loss due to disposal of the products can be reduced. This effect is high particularly when the products are ice cream, frozen food, fresh fish, and raw meat, etc.

Before an increase to the warning temperature, by notifying the portable device 70 of a related person related to maintenance, etc., of the showcase of an expected date and time of the increase to the warning temperature by e-mail, the related person at a remote site can be quickly informed of the degree of urgency, and the related person can make a proper response according to the expected date and time.

In the present embodiment, deviation of the temperature of the showcase 50 from the normal temperature change pattern is determined only by temperature measurement, so that the control device or control method of the present embodiment can be applied to a new device different from the existing temperature control devices. That is, the control device or control method of the present embodiment can be applied to a device that is attached to a ready-made showcase. In this case, the control device or control method may be applied by providing a program.

Comparison Between Present Embodiment and Patent Literatures

(1) Comparison Between Present Embodiment and PTL 2

PTL 2 describes a cooling/freezing device comprising a cooling tank that stores a cooling fluid and cools/freezes a to-be-cooled object by immersing the to-be-cooled object in the cooling fluid, and a temperature detector that detects a temperature of the cooling fluid in the cooling tank, and configured so that, in order to prevent the temperature of the cooling fluid from increasing to a warning temperature or higher due to a failure, etc., and causing quality deterioration of the to-be-cooled object, so that the temperature tn of the cooling fluid is detected in predetermined detection periods by the temperature detector, a predicted time T needed until the cooling fluid reaches the warning temperature tA from a detection time is calculated, and when a deviation tA-tn between the warning temperature tA and the detected temperature tn reaches a predetermined temperature or lower due to a failure, etc., the predicted time T is displayed on a warning predicted time display unit (Paragraphs 0001 to 0012, FIG. 1, and FIG. 2).

However, to significantly measure a temperature change amount across the detection period AT in PTL 2, a minimum of the detection period AT must be secured. When this detection period AT is set to, for example, 30 minutes, during this period, the displayed predicted time does not change, so that the predicted time includes a display error of up to 30 minutes as time proceeds. If the predicted time includes a display error of up to 30 minutes, not only the reliability of displayed information degrades, but also a response may not be in time.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a failure determination is made based on the temperature of the showcase 50, and an “expected date and time” of an increase to the warning temperature is notified after the failure determination, so that the above-described display error is not included at all in principle.

(2) Comparison Between Present Embodiment and PTL 5

PTL 5 describes a delivery apparatus management system comprising a temperature sensor to detect a temperature inside a cold storage, a temperature history storing unit in which an in-chamber temperature detected by the temperature sensor is sequentially stored as in-chamber temperature history information, and a failure/component replacement predicting unit that activates a notifying buzzer/notifying lamp when an in-chamber temperature curve being in-chamber temperature history information of the cold storage stored in the temperature history storing unit deviates by a certain level from an initial value (Paragraphs 0050, 0053, and 0063, FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG. 16). This “initial value” is considered to be a predetermined fixed value set initially, and a threshold for failure determination is a predetermined fixed value.

In Paragraphs 0050 and 0053 of PTL 5, the “temperature history storing unit 15b” is described, and in-chamber temperature history information to be stored in this unit means an in-chamber temperature curve to be analyzed, and is to be compared with an “initial value” (Paragraphs 0053 and 0063), and this initial value is considered to be the predetermined fixed value described above.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the control unit 81 determines a failure when a difference between calendar information read out from the storing unit 82 (information in which temperature changes of the showcase 50 are accumulated) and a temperature of the showcase 50 is greater than a predetermined value. That is, a failure is determined by comparing a current temperature with a past temperature record value, and a variable value of past records is used as a threshold for failure determination. Therefore, when the temperature tends to slightly increase as in a time period with an increase in the number of customers, the threshold of the failure determination also rises, so that erroneous warning can be prevented, and accurate failure determination is realized.

[Energy-Saving Control Operation Based on Outdoor Air Temperature Prediction]

Next, an energy-saving control operation of the digital smart real showcase warning system 100 is described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an energy-saving control operation of the digital smart real showcase warning system 100.

First, in Step S11, the outdoor air temperature input unit 11 inputs outdoor air temperature information from the outdoor thermometer 20 installed outdoors.

In Step S12, the outdoor air temperature input unit 11 stores the outdoor air temperature information in the outdoor air temperature table 12.

In Step S13, the outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 predicts a future outdoor air temperature from a current outdoor air temperature and past outdoor air temperature changes, and passes the predicted outdoor air temperature to the showcase control unit 18 and the air conditioning control unit 19.

When adopting the above-described <<past data-using prediction method>>, the outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 stores, for example, outdoor air temperatures over the past one year in the outdoor air temperature table 12 in advance, and predicts an outdoor air temperature by reading out the stored outdoor air temperature as an outdoor air temperature predicted value. The prediction is performed with respect to the current outdoor air temperature. The outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 predicts how the temperature will change (increase or decrease, and the degree of the increase or decrease) in the future (in how many minutes) on the basis of the current outdoor air temperature. The outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 may predict an outdoor air temperature by using the above-described <<external data-using prediction method>>.

In Step S14, the indoor temperature input unit 14 (refer to FIG. 1) inputs indoor temperature information from a measured value of the indoor thermometer 30.

In Step S15, the indoor humidity input unit 15 (refer to FIG. 1) inputs indoor humidity information from a measured value of the indoor hygrometer 40.

In Step S16, the indoor enthalpy predicting unit 17 calculates an enthalpy (a total wet air heating value of indoor air) from the inputted indoor temperature and indoor humidity, and stores the calculated enthalpy in the indoor enthalpy table 16.

In Step S17, the indoor enthalpy predicting unit 17 predicts a future indoor enthalpy from a current indoor enthalpy and past indoor enthalpy changes stored in the indoor enthalpy table 16.

In Step S18, the showcase control unit 18 controls the showcase 50 based on the predicted outdoor air temperature and the predicted indoor enthalpy. The showcase control unit 18 controls the showcase 50 based on the predicted outdoor air temperature and the predicted indoor enthalpy that are future predicted values, so that a quick and proper showcase control is realized. In the present embodiment, the showcase control unit 18 uses not only the predicted outdoor air temperature but also the prediction control according to a length of the refrigerant pipe 130 in combination, so that a quicker and more proper showcase control is realized.

In Step S18, the air conditioning control unit 19 controls the air conditioner 60 based on the predicted outdoor air temperature and the predicted indoor enthalpy, and ends the processing of this flow. The air conditioning control unit 19 controls the air conditioner 60 based on the predicted outdoor air temperature and the predicted indoor enthalpy that are future predicted values, so that a quick and proper air conditioning control is realized.

In this way, the digital smart real showcase warning system 100 predicts an indoor enthalpy as well as an outdoor air temperature, and controls the showcase 50 based on the predicted outdoor air temperature and indoor enthalpy.

In the present embodiment, the showcase 50 is controlled based on an outdoor air temperature not by following an outdoor air temperature but based on an outdoor air temperature predicted in advance, so that the showcase 50 is quickly and properly controlled, and accordingly, the showcase 50 can be controlled with minimum necessary energy.

Further, an indoor enthalpy is predicted as well as an outdoor air temperature, and the showcase 50 is controlled based on the predicted outdoor air temperature and indoor enthalpy, so that by reflecting an estimation result of a predicted heat load in showcase control, a highly effective energy-saving control is realized.

TABLE 1 Outdoor air Outdoor air temperature Enthalpy Operation Control Control Time temperature +bias coefficient Enthalpy coefficient coefficient coefficient minute  1:00 25.1 28.1 0.78 57.6 1.04 0.51 0.29 9  2:00 24.8 27.8 0.78 57.6 1.04 0.51 0.30 9  3:00 24.6 27.6 0.77 56.7 1.02 0.50 0.30 9  4:00 24.6 27.6 0.77 57.1 1.03 0.50 0.30 9  5:00 24.2 27.2 0.76 56.6 1.02 0.49 0.31 9  6:00 24.9 27.9 0.78 56.5 1.02 0.50 0.30 9  7:00 27.0 30.0 0.84 56.2 1.01 0.54 0.28 8  8:00 28.1 31.1 0.88 55.8 1.01 0.56 0.27 8 22:00 27.0 30.0 0.84 46.5 0.84 0.45 0.33 10 23:00 26.9 29.9 0.84 48.5 0.88 0.46 0.32 10 24:00 26.6 29.6 0.83 55.7 1.01 0.53 0.28 9 Avr. 25.8 28.8 0.81 55.0 0.99 0.50 0.30 9  9:00 29.4 32.4 0.92 59.8 1.08 0.63 0.22 7 10:00 31.0 34.0 0.97 59.5 1.07 0.66 0.21 6 11:00 31.5 34.5 0.98 57.4 1.04 0.64 0.21 6 12:00 32.9 35.9 1.03 56.8 1.02 0.66 0.20 6 13:00 33.5 36.5 1.05 54.8 0.99 0.65 0.21 6 14:00 33.9 36.9 1.06 50.9 0.92 0.61 0.23 7 15:00 32.9 35.9 1.03 50.1 0.90 0.59 0.25 7 16:00 33.2 36.2 1.04 50.9 0.92 0.60 0.24 7 17:00 32.3 35.3 1.01 47.0 0.85 0.54 0.28 8 18:00 30.4 33.4 0.95 48.2 0.87 0.52 0.29 9 19:00 29.2 32.2 0.91 46.4 0.84 0.48 0.31 9 20:00 28.1 31.1 0.88 45.6 0.82 0.46 0.33 10 21:00 27.4 30.4 0.86 43.3 0.78 0.42 0.35 10 Avr. 31.2 34.2 0.98 51.6 0.93 0.57 0.26 8 Ag. Av 28.5 31.5 0.89 53.3 0.96 0.54 0.28 8 Avr.: Average Ag. Av.: Aggregate average

Application Example 2

Next, an application example of an energy-saving control operation based on outdoor air temperature prediction is described.

Table 1 shows an example of outdoor air temperatures, enthalpies, each coefficient, and control minutes to be stored in the outdoor air temperature table 12 and the indoor enthalpy table 16 (storing means). Table 1 stores hourly outdoor temperatures (° C.), +biases (° C.), outdoor air temperature coefficients, enthalpies (kJ/kg D.A.), enthalpy coefficients, operation coefficients, control coefficients, and control minutes. For example, the coefficients are according to the hourly outdoor air temperatures and indoor air wet heating value enthalpies (kJ/kG D.A.).

Table 1 is referred to at the time of prediction by the outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 and the indoor enthalpy predicting unit 17.

As the outdoor air temperature (° C.) in Table 1, in the present embodiment, a predicted outdoor air temperature is used (hereinafter, as an outdoor air temperature, a predicted outdoor air temperature is used).

The +bias (° C.) in Table 1 is outdoor air temperature+condenser bias temperature (for example, in Table 1, 3.0). This +bias is a bias when considering that a temperature around the condenser is high.

The outdoor air temperature coefficient in Table 1 is outdoor air temperature/reference outdoor air temperature (for example, in Table 1, 32.0).

The enthalpy (kJ/kg D.A.) in Table 1 is calculated from an indoor temperature and an indoor humidity (refer to Step S16 in FIG. 5).

The enthalpy coefficient in Table 1 is enthalpy/reference enthalpy (for example, in Table 1, 55.42).

The operation coefficient in Table 1 is outdoor air temperature coefficient x enthalpy coefficient x reference operation coefficient (for example, in Table 1, 0.63).

The control coefficient in Table 1 is (1−operation coefficient)×safety factor (for example, in Table 1, 0.60).

The control minutes in Table 1 is control coefficient x reference control minute (for example, in Table 1, 30). The control minute is a numeral representing, by setting 30 minutes as a unit time, for how many minutes the operation of the freezing machine 120 is to be stopped, that is, the solenoid valve 113 is closed, in the unit time. For example, “9” means that operation is stopped for 9 minutes within 30 minutes for energy saving. During closing of the store, energy is greatly saved, and during opening of the store, small energy is saved.

The air conditioning control unit 19 shown in FIG. 1 performs an energy-saving control of the air conditioner 60 by an amount (control minute) corresponding to a control rate. For example, when the control rate is 0.40, operation of the air conditioner 60 is stopped by 40% in a predetermined pattern, or the air conditioner 60 is inverter-controlled with electric power as much as 60% of a rated power usage.

In this way, in the present embodiment, after the energy-saving control of the air conditioner 60 in a salesroom in which the showcase 50 is installed, the air conditioner 60 is further controlled so as to prevent excessive operation of the showcase control, and accordingly, a freezing or refrigerating burden on the showcase 50 is reduced, and this eventually greatly contributes to overall energy-saving of the store including the showcase 50.

[Showcase Control Operation of Showcase Control Unit 18]

<<Basic Control>>

The showcase control unit 18 is installed for, for example, each showcase 50, and performs a control for cooling to a target temperature suitable for products displayed on store shelves. The showcase control unit 18 may collectively control a plurality of showcases 50.

The showcase control unit 18 consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and the CPU is made to function as a digital smart real showcase warning system by executing a showcase control program.

By detecting a temperature of the showcase 50 and controlling opening and closing of the solenoid valve 113 of the freezing machine 120 so that the detected temperature becomes close to a target temperature, the showcase control unit 18 performs a control to maintain the temperature of the showcase 50 at a temperature within a certain range (a target temperature between a lower limit temperature and an upper limit temperature) suitable for preservation of products (for example, frozen food). A cooling temperature inside the showcase 50 differs depending on the kind of stored product, and is set for each showcase 50. For example, the cooling temperature is set to 7° C. for fruits and vegetables, 5° C. for daily foods (generic term of foods that need to be refrigerated and have short expiration date), 0° C. for fresh fish and dressed meat, −18° C. for frozen food, and −26° C. for ice cream.

Further, the showcase control unit 18 controls the operation of the showcase 50 by a temperature-dependent control coefficient being a control coefficient corresponding to deviation of the temperature of the showcase 50 from the target temperature. Specifically, for example, when products are fruits and vegetables, the target temperature is set to 7° C., a permissible temperature range is ±4° C., and the control coefficient is 0.35, by defining a deviating temperature coefficient as (showcase temperature (° C.)−target temperature (7° C.))/permissible temperature range (4° C.), the showcase 50 is controlled for energy saving by temperature-dependent control coefficient=control coefficient (0.35)−(control coefficient (0.35)×deviating temperature coefficient). For example, when the temperature of the showcase 50 is 3° C., the deviating temperature coefficient is −1=(3−7)/4, and the temperature-dependent control coefficient is 0.70=0.35+(0.35×1),

when the temperature of the showcase 50 is 4° C., the deviating temperature coefficient is −0.75=(4−7)/4, and the temperature-dependent control coefficient is 0.61=0.35+(0.35×0.75),

when the temperature of the showcase 50 is 5° C., the deviating temperature coefficient is −0.5=(5−7)/4, and the temperature-dependent control coefficient is 0.53=0.35+(0.35×0.5),

when the temperature of the showcase 50 is 6° C., the deviating temperature coefficient is −0.25=(6−7)/4, and the temperature-dependent control coefficient is 0.44=0.35+(0.35×0.25),

when the temperature of the showcase 50 is 7° C., the deviating temperature coefficient is 0=(7−7)/4, and the temperature-dependent control coefficient is 0.35=0.35−(0.35×0),

when the temperature of the showcase 50 is 8° C., the deviating temperature coefficient is 0.25=(8−7)/4, and the temperature-dependent control coefficient is 0.26=0.35−(0.35×0.25),

when the temperature of the showcase 50 is 9° C., the deviating temperature coefficient is 0.5=(9−7)/4, and the temperature-dependent control coefficient is 0.18=0.35−(0.35×0.5),

when the temperature of the showcase 50 is 10° C., the deviating temperature coefficient is 0.75=(10−7)/4, and the temperature-dependent control coefficient is 0.09=0.35−(0.35×0.75), and

when the temperature of the showcase 50 is 11° C., the deviating temperature coefficient is 1=(11−7)/4, and the temperature-dependent control coefficient is 0=0.35−(0.35×1).

In addition to the above-described basic control, the control unit 81 of the showcase control unit 18 may perform a control to calculate an expected date and time of an increase to the warning temperature and notify the expected date and time.

<<Prediction Control According to Length of Refrigerant Pipe 130>>

Next, a prediction control operation according to a length of the refrigerant pipe 130 is described.

The showcase control unit 18 controls the showcase 50 based on a predicted outdoor air temperature for a time, corresponding to a length of the refrigerant pipe 130, ahead (future). Specifically, the control is as follows.

The refrigerant pipe 130 shown in FIG. 2, connecting the showcase 50 and the condenser 122, has a length of several to several tens of meters. Therefore, a control result by the showcase control unit 18 is not immediately reflected in the showcase 50, and a delay from a predicted outdoor air temperature, corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe 30, occurs. Here, the length of the refrigerant pipe 130 is already known for each showcase 50.

The showcase control unit 18 performs a prediction control to eliminate the delay from the predicted outdoor air temperature, corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe 130. Specifically, the showcase control unit 18 controls the showcase 50 based on a predicted outdoor air temperature for a time, corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe 130, ahead (future). That is, the showcase control unit 18 determines prediction time intervals (how many minutes later the prediction is for). As a result, the control timing differs depending on the length of the refrigerant pipe 130.

Here, there is also a case where a plurality of showcases 50 are controlled by one condenser 122. In this case, the showcase control unit 18 controls the showcase 50 based on a predicted outdoor air temperature for a time, corresponding to an average length of the refrigerant pipes 130 for the plurality of showcases 50, ahead.

<<Bias Outdoor Air Temperature Control by Adding Prediction Bias Outdoor Air Temperature to Predicted Outdoor Air Temperature>>

The showcase control unit 18 performs a bias outdoor air temperature control by adding a prediction bias outdoor air temperature to a predicted outdoor air temperature. A temperature around the compressor 121 shown in FIG. 2 is high, and is normally higher than an outdoor air temperature that a meteorological agency issued. The showcase control unit 18 controls the showcase 50 around the compressor 121 based on a predicted outdoor air temperature obtained by adding a prediction bias outdoor air temperature to a predicted outdoor air temperature.

In this way, the showcase control unit 18 predicts an outdoor air temperature for a time (for example, 5 minutes or 3 minutes, etc.), corresponding to a length of the refrigerant pipe 130, ahead (future), adds a prediction bias temperature to the predicted outdoor air temperature, and stops the operation of the freezing machine 120 for a control minute (units: minutes) corresponding to the predicted outdoor air temperature to which the prediction bias temperature is added. The showcase control unit 18 repeats temperature addition and operation stoppage of the freezing machine 120 according to the “prediction control according to length of refrigerant pipe 130” and the “bias outdoor air temperature control.”

In addition to the prediction control according to the length of the refrigerant pipe and bias outdoor air temperature control described above, the control unit 81 of the showcase control unit 18 may use a control to calculate an expected date and time of an increase to the warning temperature and notify the expected date and time.

As described above, the digital smart real showcase warning system. 100 comprises the outdoor air temperature table 12 that stores past outdoor air temperatures for prediction of an outdoor air temperature, the outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 that predicts a future predicted outdoor air temperature from inputted outdoor air temperature information based on the outdoor air temperature table 12, and the showcase control unit 18 that controls the showcase temperature based on the predicted outdoor air temperature.

In a conventional example, an outdoor air temperature was detected and fed-back, so that a follow-up control was performed, and a quick and proper control could not be performed. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the showcase is controlled not by following an outdoor air temperature but based on an outdoor air temperature predicted in advance, so that the showcase is quickly and properly controlled, and accordingly, the showcase can be controlled with necessary minimum energy.

In addition, the showcase control unit 18 predicts a predicted outdoor air temperature for a time, corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe 130, ahead, from inputted outdoor air temperature information, and controls the temperature of the showcase 50 based on the predicted outdoor air temperature.

Accordingly, the showcase can be controlled based on a predicted outdoor air temperature for a time, corresponding to the length of the refrigerant pipe, ahead (future), so that the showcase is quickly and properly controlled, and accordingly, the showcase can be controlled with necessary minimum energy.

In addition, the digital smart real showcase warning system 100 comprises the indoor enthalpy predicting unit 17 that calculates an enthalpy being a total wet air heating value of indoor air based on inputted temperature and humidity of indoor air, and predicts a future indoor enthalpy based on the calculated indoor air enthalpy and past indoor enthalpies stored in the indoor enthalpy table 16, and the showcase control unit 18 that controls the showcase temperature based on the predicted indoor enthalpy.

Accordingly, an indoor enthalpy is predicted, and based on the predicted outdoor air temperature and indoor enthalpy, the showcase is controlled, so that by reflecting an estimation result of a predicted heat load in showcase control, a highly effective energy-saving control is realized.

For this indoor enthalpy prediction, a predicted outdoor air temperature may be considered. An indoor temperature is influenced by an outdoor air temperature through a building. That is, as the outdoor air temperature changes, after the elapse of a predetermined time, the indoor temperature changes under the influence of the outdoor air temperature change. Therefore, by adding a predicted outdoor air temperature as a factor for prediction of an indoor enthalpy, a more accurate prediction is realized.

The description given above is the illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this, but includes other modifications and application examples without departing from the spirit of the present invention described in the claims.

In the present embodiment, both of the outdoor air temperature prediction by the outdoor air temperature predicting unit 13 and the showcase control based on a predicted outdoor air temperature according to a length of the refrigerant pipe 130 by the showcase control unit 18 are used, however, either one may be used. Likewise, the bias outdoor air temperature control by the showcase control unit 18 may also be used alone, or may be combined with both or either one of the above-described outdoor air temperature prediction and showcase control.

The above-described embodiment examples describe the present invention in detail in an understandable way, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to one comprising all configurations described above. Part of a configuration of an embodiment example can be replaced by a configuration of another embodiment example, and to a configuration of an embodiment example, a configuration of another embodiment example can be added. Part of a configuration of each embodiment example can be subjected to addition of other configurations, deletion, and replacement.

The present embodiment is an example of application to an air conditioning warning system, and an air conditioning control is not essential for the present invention. In the present embodiment, for convenience of description, the respective control means, that is, the air conditioning control unit 19 (control means) and the showcase control unit 18 (control means) are described separately, however, the controls may be performed by one control unit. Likewise, each table may be stored in any medium as a storing unit.

The showcase may be a case having a freezer-refrigerator function. The showcase includes a refrigerator and a freezer. That is, the showcase is used for convenience of description, and may be a storage for frozen and refrigerated products that do not necessarily have to be shown to people, and also with this, the same effect can be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, the names specified as a digital smart real showcase warning system and a digital smart real showcase warning method are used, however, these are used for convenience of description, and the name of the system may be a showcase control device, and the name of the method may be a showcase control and management method, etc.

The present digital smart real showcase control processing described above is also realized by a program for functioning this main digital smart real showcase control processing. This program is stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium in which this program is recorded may be a ROM itself of this digital smart real showcase warning system, or a CD-ROM or the like that can be read by being inserted in a program reading device such as a CD-ROM drive provided as an external storage device.

The storage medium may be a magnetic tape, a cassette tape, a flexible disk, a hard disk, and an MO/MD/DVD, etc., or a semiconductor memory.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The digital smart real showcase warning system, method, and program according to the present invention bring about great usage effects by being applied to showcases, etc., in a supermarket and a convenience store, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

  • 11 Outdoor air temperature input unit (outdoor air temperature inputting means)
  • 12 Outdoor air temperature table (storing means)
  • 13 Outdoor air temperature predicting unit (outdoor air temperature predicting means)
  • 14 Indoor temperature input unit (indoor temperature inputting means)
  • 15 Indoor humidity input unit (indoor humidity inputting means)
  • 16 Indoor enthalpy table (storing means)
  • 17 Indoor enthalpy predicting unit (indoor enthalpy predicting means)
  • 18 Showcase control unit (control means)
  • 19 Air conditioning control unit (control means)
  • 20 Outdoor thermometer
  • 30 Indoor thermometer
  • 40 Indoor hygrometer
  • 50 Showcase
  • 50a Showcase main body
  • 60 Air conditioner
  • 70 Portable device (terminal device)
  • 80 Control device
  • 81 Control unit (temperature inputting means, failure determining means, calculating means)
  • 82 Storing unit (storing means)
  • 83 Input unit
  • 84 Display unit
  • 85 Communication unit
  • 86 Interface (I/F) unit (temperature inputting means)
  • 87 Notifying means
  • 100 Digital smart real showcase warning system
  • 110b Machine room
  • 111 Air outlet
  • 112 Air inlet
  • 113 Solenoid valve
  • 114 Expansion valve
  • 115 Fan motor
  • 116 Cooler
  • 117 Shelf plate (store shelf)
  • 118 Bottom plate (store shelf)
  • 120 Freezing machine
  • 121 Compressor
  • 122 Condenser
  • 123 Condenser cooling fan
  • 130 Refrigerant pipe
  • 131 Temperature sensor

Claims

1. A digital smart real showcase warning system comprising:

a temperature inputting means configured to input a temperature inside the chamber of a showcase, a refrigerator, or a freezer (hereinafter, referred to as a “showcase or the like”) over time;
a storing means configure to store calendar information n which changes in the temperature are accumulated;
a failure determining means configured to determine the showcase or the like to be failing when a difference between the calendar information read out from the storing means and the temperature is greater than a predetermined value;
a calculating means that calculates an expected date and time of an increase in temperature of a product in chamber of the showcase or the like to a warning temperature being a predetermined temperature so high as to be unsuitable for refrigerating or freezing when the failure determining means determines a failure; and
a notifying means that notifies warning information including the expected date and time calculated by the calculating means.

2. The digital smart real showcase warning system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an outdoor air temperature inputting means that inputs outdoor air temperature information;
an outdoor air temperature predicting means that predicts a future predicted outdoor air temperature from outdoor air temperature information inputted by the outdoor air temperature inputting means; and
a control means that controls a showcase temperature based on the predicted outdoor air temperature predicted by the outdoor air temperature predicting means.

3. The digital smart real showcase warning system according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature deviates from a normal temperature change pattern, the failure determining means determines that the showcase or the like is failing.

4. The digital smart real showcase warning system according to claim 1, wherein when an increase in the temperature is a change in temperature caused by defrosting in the showcase or the like, the failure determining means does not determine the temperature increase as a failure.

5. (canceled)

6. The digital smart real showcase warning system according to claim 1, wherein the notifying means transmits the warning information to a terminal device that a person who maintains the showcase or the like can keep with him/her.

7. A digital smart real showcase warning method comprising:

a temperature inputting step of inputting a temperature inside the chamber of a showcase or the like over time;
a storing step of storing calendar information in which changes in the temperature are accumulated;
a failure determining step of determining that the showcase or the like is failing when a difference between the calendar information ready out by the storing step and the temperature is greater than a predetermined value;
a calculating step of calculating an expected date and time of an increase in temperature of a product in chamber of the showcase or the like to a warning temperature being a predetermined temperature so high as to be unsuitable for refrigerating or freezing when the failure determining step determines a failure; and
a notifying step of notifying warning information including the expected date and time calculated by the calculating step.

8. (canceled)

9. A tangible non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a program executable by a digital smart real showcase warning system, the digital smart real showcase warning system upon execution of the program is configured to perform the digital smart real showcase warning method of claim 7.

Patent History
Publication number: 20200018537
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 15, 2017
Publication Date: Jan 16, 2020
Inventor: Kazuo Miwa (Tokyo)
Application Number: 16/471,321
Classifications
International Classification: F25D 11/02 (20060101); F25D 17/06 (20060101); F25D 11/00 (20060101); F25B 47/02 (20060101); F25B 39/04 (20060101);