Change apparatus and change system

Abstract

To provide a change system which can change a numerical aperture of a double-floor panel regardless of a specification of the double-floor panel.SOLUTION: The present invention is directed to a change apparatus 100 for changing a numerical aperture of an opening 601 through which air for use in cooling electronic equipment 901 flows and which functions as an aperture hole provided through a double-floor panel 600 provided in a server room 900 where the electronic equipment 901 is disposed. The change apparatus has a detecting unit 101 for detecting the numerical aperture, a change unit 102 for disposing a sheet 300 as film-shaped member for covering at least a part of the opening 601 based on the detected numerical aperture, and a main body part 105 having the detection unit 101 and the change unit 102 provided therein and moving on the double-floor panel 600 based on the detected numerical aperture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a modification device and a modification system. [Background technology]

[0002] In a server room (also called a computer room) where electronic devices such as information processing devices and communication devices are arranged, air conditioning equipment is provided to cool the electronic devices. For example, a method is known in which cold air used to cool the electronic devices is supplied via an underfloor in the server room.

[0003] Specifically, the server room has a double floor, the space above the floor is used as the space where electronic devices are placed, and the space below the floor is used as the space where cold air flows. The cold air is supplied from the air conditioning unit to the space below the floor. The cold air flows from the space below the floor to the space above the floor through an opening formed in the double floor.

[0004] As a method for maintaining an appropriate intake temperature for electronic devices in a server room, a method of changing the aperture ratio of a double floor panel is known. Double floor panels include double floor panels whose aperture ratio can be changed (for example, see Patent Document 1) and double floor panels whose aperture ratio cannot be changed.

[0005] A double floor panel that can change the opening ratio has a mechanism that can change the opening ratio. When changing the opening ratio using the mechanism that can change the opening ratio, a dedicated change operation device is required to operate the mechanism that can change the opening ratio.

[0006] When a double floor panel with an opening ratio that cannot be changed has already been installed in a server room, in order to change the opening ratio of the double floor panel, it was necessary to replace it with a double floor panel with a different opening ratio, or to replace the double floor panel with an opening ratio that cannot be changed with a double floor panel with an opening ratio that can be changed, and then to change the opening ratio of the double floor panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-80726 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] As mentioned above, replacing double floor panels that have already been installed in server rooms and whose aperture ratios cannot be changed requires a lot of manual labor, and there is also the problem of the cost of preparing replacement double floor panels.

[0009] In addition, when multiple double floor panels with adjustable aperture ratios are installed in a server room, it is necessary to prepare dedicated change operation devices for each mechanism that can change the aperture ratio of the double floor panels. Therefore, when double floor panels with adjustable aperture ratios are already installed in the server room, it is necessary to prepare dedicated change operation devices, which is costly.

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a change system that can change the opening ratio of a double floor panel regardless of the specifications of the double floor panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. The first aspect of the present invention is a change device which changes the opening ratio of a through hole provided in a double floor panel installed in a server room in which electronic devices are arranged, through which air flows to cool the electronic devices, and is characterized in that the change device is provided with a detection unit which detects the opening ratio, a change unit which places a sheet which is a membrane-like member that covers at least a portion of the opening based on the detected opening ratio, and a main body unit on which the detection unit and the change unit are arranged and which moves over the double floor panel based on the detected opening ratio.

[0012] According to the change device of the first aspect of the present invention, since a change unit and a main body unit are provided, the change unit can move to a predetermined opening of a double floor panel and change the opening ratio of the opening at the destination. Specifically, the change unit can reduce the opening ratio of the opening by covering at least a part of the opening with a sheet. For example, the change device of the present invention can reduce the opening ratio of a double floor panel that does not have a mechanism for changing the opening ratio of the opening. In addition, the opening ratio of the opening can be changed even for a double floor panel that has a mechanism for changing the opening ratio of the opening.

[0013] In the first aspect of the above invention, it is preferable that the modification section includes a roll section on which the sheet is wound, and a cutting section which cuts the sheet, which is pulled out from the roll section and placed in the opening, to a length that sets the opening ratio to a desired value.

[0014] In this way, by including the roll section and the cutting section in the changing section, the changing section can cover the opening with a sheet having a desired length. The sheet is wound around the roll section, and the sheet is pulled out from the roll section. The sheet pulled out to the length that gives the desired opening ratio is cut by the cutting section. The cut sheet is separated from the roll section and placed in the opening of the double floor panel.

[0015] In the first aspect of the above invention, it is preferable that the changing section further includes a removing section which removes the sheet placed at the opening based on the detected opening ratio. In this way, by including the removed portion in the modified portion, the modified portion can increase the aperture ratio of the opening.

[0016] A change system according to a second aspect of the above invention is a change system that changes the opening ratio of an opening, which is a through hole provided in a double floor panel installed in a server room in which electronic devices are arranged, and through which air used to cool the electronic devices flows, and includes a change device that changes the opening ratio and a control device that controls the change device, and the change device has a detection unit that detects the opening ratio, a change unit that places and removes a sheet which is a membrane-like member that covers at least a portion of the opening, and a main body unit on which the detection unit and the change unit are arranged and which moves on the double floor panel, and the control device has an acquisition unit that acquires temperature information output from a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the air flowing into the electronic device and the opening ratio information output from the detection unit, a calculation unit that calculates a changed opening ratio, which is the opening ratio at which the temperature of the air flowing into the electronic device is below a predetermined temperature based on the acquired temperature information and the opening ratio information, and a control unit that generates at least one of a movement signal that moves the main body unit and a change signal that causes the change unit to at least one of place and remove the sheet, based on the calculated changed opening ratio.

[0017] According to the change system of the second aspect of the present invention, the control device can change the aperture ratio of the opening in the double floor panel to a changed aperture ratio that is an aperture ratio at which the temperature of the air flowing into the electronic device is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. The acquired aperture ratio information may be the aperture ratio of one opening or may be the aperture ratio of multiple openings.

[0018] In a second aspect of the above invention, the acquisition unit further acquires power consumption, which is information about the energy consumed in an air conditioning device that supplies air used to cool the electronic device, and a judgment unit is further provided to judge whether a second power consumption value, which is the power consumption after performing at least one of placing and removing the sheet based on the changed opening ratio, is smaller than a first power consumption value, which is the power consumption before performing the placement and removal, and when the control unit judges that the value of the second power consumption is equal to or greater than the value of the first power consumption, it is preferable that the control unit generates a signal to remove the sheet by the change unit as the change signal.

[0019] In this way, when the second amount of power consumption, which is the amount of power consumption after placing a sheet on the opening and then removing it, is equal to or greater than the first amount of power consumption, which is the amount of power consumption after placing a sheet on the opening and then removing it, removing the sheet from the opening makes it less likely that the energy consumed in the air conditioning device will increase.

[0020] In a second aspect of the above invention, it is preferable that the acquisition unit further acquires power consumption, which is information on energy consumed in an air conditioning device that supplies air used to cool the electronic device, and the calculation unit determines the modified opening ratio by inputting the temperature information, the opening ratio information, and the power consumption into a trained learning model that has undergone machine learning to determine the opening ratio such that the temperature of the air flowing into the electronic device becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, and the second power consumption value, which is the power consumption value after at least one of placing and removing the sheet, is smaller than the first power consumption value, which is the power consumption value before the placement and removal of the sheet, based on the temperature information, the opening ratio information, and the power consumption. Effect of the Invention

[0021] In this way, the changed aperture ratio can be calculated using a trained learning model, making it easier to calculate the changed aperture ratio. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a change device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a server room according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for changing an aperture ratio by a change device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of a change device. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process for changing the aperture ratio. [Figure 6] 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating how a change device reduces the aperture ratio of an opening. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart illustrating how the change device increases the aperture ratio. [Figure 8] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the changing device removing a seat. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the changing device removing a seat. FIG. [Figure 10] 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams illustrating a change device discarding a sheet. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams illustrating a change device discarding a sheet. [Figure 12] 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams illustrating a change device discarding a sheet. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating a change device discarding a sheet. [Figure 14] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the changing device changes the roll unit. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the changing device changes the roll unit. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the changing device changes the roll unit. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the changing device changes the roll unit. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the changing device changes the roll unit. FIG. [Figure 19] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the changing device changes the roll unit. FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a server room according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control device. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for changing an aperture ratio by a change device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] [First embodiment] A change device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The change device 100 of this embodiment is a device that changes the opening ratio of a double floor panel 600 arranged in a server room 900.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, a server room 900 is provided with a plurality of racks 904, air conditioners 906, a collection point 909, and a role exchange point 910. Electronic devices 901 are arranged in the racks 904. The electronic devices 901 are used for information communication and the like. For example, the electronic devices 901 are used as various known servers such as a web server, an application server, a database server, a DNS server, and a proxy server. A computing unit (not shown) such as a CPU or a GPU is arranged in the electronic devices 901.

[0025] The front surface of the electronic device 901 is provided with a front opening (not shown) through which air flows in to cool the arithmetic unit. The rear surface of the electronic device 901 is provided with a rear opening (not shown) through which the air that has been sucked in is exhausted after cooling the arithmetic unit. Inside the electronic device 901, a cooling fan (not shown) is provided that sucks in air from the front opening and exhausts it from the rear opening.

[0026] A plurality of racks 904 are arranged adjacent to each other in a row to form a rack row 905. A plurality of rack rows 905 are arranged parallel to each other with a gap between them. A plurality of electronic devices 901 arranged in the rack row 905 are arranged with their front faces facing the same direction. The front side of the electronic devices 901 in the rack row 905 is referred to as the front side of the rack row 905. The rear side of the electronic devices 901 in the rack row 905 is referred to as the rear side of the rack row 905. The adjacent rack rows 905 are arranged so that their front faces face each other and their rear faces face each other. A cold aisle space 902 is formed on the front side of the rack row 905, and a hot aisle space 903 is formed on the rear side.

[0027] The air conditioner 906 is configured to take in air from the space above the floor, cool it, and supply the cooled air to the space under the floor. Specifically, the air conditioner 906 is configured to cool the air by circulating the refrigerant between the air and an outdoor unit (not shown) to exchange heat between the air and the refrigerant. The outdoor unit is configured so that the refrigerant that has absorbed heat from the air releases the heat to the outside air.

[0028] The air conditioner 906 is provided with a heat exchanger 908 that cools the drawn-in air by heat exchange, and an air conditioner fan 907 that draws in air from the space above the floor and sends it out to the space under the floor. The heat exchanger 908 and the air conditioner fan 907 have known configurations.

[0029] The double floor panel 600 has at least one opening 601, and divides the interior space of the server room 900 into an above-floor space and an under-floor space. A plurality of racks 904 and air conditioners 906 are arranged in the above-floor space. Communication lines and power lines connected to the electronic devices 901 are arranged in the under-floor space.

[0030] The opening 601 is a through hole formed in the double floor panel 600, and is a through hole that connects between the underfloor space and the above-floor space. The opening 601 is provided in the double floor panel 600 facing the cold aisle space 902. In this embodiment, an example in which the opening 601 is formed as a through hole having a rectangular shape will be described, but the opening 601 may be a through hole having another shape, such as a circular shape.

[0031] The collection point 909 is an area provided in the space above the floor of the server room 900, where sheets 300 placed in an opening 601 described below are collected. In this embodiment, the collection point 909 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open surface facing the floor surface of the server room 900. Note that the collection point 909 may be in any shape as long as it can collect the sheets 300 to be discarded. For example, it may be formed in a cylindrical shape with an open surface.

[0032] The roll exchange station 910 is an area provided in the space above the floor of the server room 900, and stores at least one or more roll units 102C on which the sheet 300 described below is previously wound. In this embodiment, the roll exchange station 910 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open surface facing the floor surface of the server room 900, and stores at least one or more roll units 102C on which the sheet 300 is previously wound inside the rectangular parallelepiped. The roll exchange station 910 may have any shape as long as it is capable of storing the roll units 102C. For example, it may be formed in a cylindrical shape with an open surface.

[0033] As described above, the change device 100 is a device that changes the opening ratio of the double floor panel 600, in other words, the opening area of ​​the opening 601. As shown in FIG. 1, the change device 100 includes a detection unit 101, a change unit 102, a power supply unit 103, a control unit 104, and a main body unit 105.

[0034] The detection unit 101 is disposed in the main body 105A of the main body, which will be described later, and has a configuration for detecting the aperture ratio of the aperture 601. In this embodiment, the detection unit 101 is disposed in the lower part of the main body 105A of the main body. The detection unit 101 has an optical element and an imaging element for capturing an image of the aperture 601. The detection unit 101 also has a calculation element for detecting the opening portion of the aperture 601 and calculating the aperture ratio based on image information of the aperture 601 output from the imaging element.

[0035] The position where the detection unit 101 is disposed may be any position other than the lower part of the main body 105A of the main body unit as long as the detection unit 101 can photograph the opening 601. A known method can be used to detect the opening part of the opening 601. A known calculation method can be used to calculate the opening ratio of the opening 601.

[0036] The modifying unit 102 includes a modifying unit main body 102A, a removing unit 102B, a rolling unit 102C, and a cutting unit 102D. The modifying unit 102 is disposed in the main body 105A, and has at least one of a configuration for increasing the opening ratio of the opening 601 and a configuration for decreasing the opening ratio. The modifying unit 102 of this embodiment has both a configuration for increasing the opening ratio of the opening 601 and a configuration for decreasing the opening ratio.

[0037] The changing part main body 102A is disposed in the main body 105A, and has a configuration for reducing the opening ratio of the opening 601. In this embodiment, the changing part main body 102A is disposed in the lower part of the main body 105A. The changing part main body 102A has a configuration for attaching a sheet 300, which will be described later, to at least a part of the opening 601. As a configuration for attaching the sheet 300, a known configuration such as a configuration for pressing the sheet 300 against the opening 601 can be used. The details of how the attaching part reduces the opening ratio of the opening 601 will be described later.

[0038] The position where the changeable portion main body 102A is arranged may be any position other than the lower part of the main body 105A as long as the changeable portion main body 102A can reduce the aperture ratio of the opening 601. In addition, a known method can be used to reduce the opening 601.

[0039] The removal unit 102B includes at least one or more needles 102F and a needle driving unit 102G. The removal unit 102B is disposed in the main body 105A of the main body unit, and has a configuration for removing the sheet 300 disposed in the opening 601.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 8, the needle 102F has a rod-like shape, one end of which is cone-shaped (hereinafter also referred to as the sharp end), and the other end of which is disposed in the needle driving unit 102G. The needle 102F has a configuration in which the sharp end is pierced into the sheet 300 disposed in the opening 601. How to prevent the needle 102F from getting caught. In this embodiment, the needle 102F is disposed in the lower part of the main body 105A of the main body, and the sharp end of the needle is disposed facing downward.

[0041] The position where needle 102F is arranged may be any position other than the lower part of main body 105A of main body part, as long as needle 102F can pierce sheet 300 arranged in opening 601. Also, a known method can be used as a method for piercing sheet 300 arranged in opening 601.

[0042] 8 and 9, needle driving unit 102G is disposed in main body 105A and has a configuration for moving needle 102F in a direction extending along needle 102F toward the sharp end side. A detailed description of how needle driving unit 102G moves needle 102F will be given later.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 15, the roll unit 102C is disposed in the main body 105A of the main body, and has a configuration for pulling out the sheet 300 wound in advance on the roll unit 102C to an arbitrary length. In this embodiment, the roll unit 102C has a core 102H having a cylindrical or columnar shape around which the sheet 300 is wound, a core driving unit 102I for rotating the core 102H, a roll exchange unit 102J for exchanging the roll unit 102C, a roll detection unit 102K for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet 300 wound on the core 102H, and a fixing unit 102L for fixing the core 102H. The details of the core driving unit 102I rotating the core 102H to pull out the sheet 300 will be described later. The details of the roll exchange unit 102J exchanging the roll unit 102C will be described later.

[0044] The position where the roll part 102C is arranged may be any position other than the lower part of the main body 105A of the main body part as long as the sheet 300 can be pulled out toward the opening 601. A known method can be used as a method for the roll part 102C to pull out the sheet 300. In this embodiment, an example where the core part 102H and the core driving part 102I are arranged at the lower part of the main body 105A of the main body part will be described.

[0045] The sheet 300 is a member formed of a flexible material in a film shape. The sheet 300 is also a member formed of a material that can be attached to and detached from the opening 601. In this embodiment, the sheet 300 is formed of a material that has magnetism that is attracted to the opening 601, for example, a material that includes a magnet. The sheet 300 may be formed of a material that can be attached to and detached from the opening 601 by utilizing an adhesive force, and may be a material that can be attached to and detached from the opening 601. For example, the sheet 300 may be an adhesive tape having an adhesive layer.

[0046] The cutting unit 102D is disposed in the main body 105A of the main body, and is disposed at a position through which the sheet 300 drawn from the roll 102C passes. The cutting unit 102D has a configuration for pressing a blade against the sheet 300, and is configured to cut the sheet 300 to an arbitrary length. Details of how the cutting unit 102D cuts the sheet 300 will be described later. In this embodiment, an example in which the cutting unit 102D is disposed at the bottom of the main body 105A of the main body will be described.

[0047] The power supply unit 103 is disposed in the main body 105A of the main body, and has a configuration for supplying power to the change device 100. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 103 has a rechargeable battery. Note that the power supply unit 103 may use a known method for supplying power to the change device 100. For example, the power supply unit 103 may have a power plug and a power wiring.

[0048] The control unit 104 is disposed in the main body 105A of the main body, and has a configuration for controlling at least one of the detection unit 101, the change unit 102, and the self-propelled unit 105B. In this embodiment, the control unit 104 has a configuration for controlling the detection unit 101, the change unit 102, and the self-propelled unit 105B. The control contents of the detection unit 101, the change unit 102, and the self-propelled unit 105B will be described later.

[0049] The main body 105 includes a main body 105A and a self-propelled unit 105B. The main body 105 has a configuration in which a detection unit 101, a change unit 102, a power supply unit 103, and a control unit 104 are arranged.

[0050] The main body 105A of the main body has a configuration in which the detection unit 101, the change unit 102, the power supply unit 103, and the control unit 104 are arranged. The main body 105A of the present embodiment has a base-like configuration in which the detection unit 101 and the change unit 102 are exposed on the bottom surface, and the power supply unit 103 and the control unit 104 are exposed and arranged on the top surface. The main body 105A of the main body may be a housing in which the detection unit 101, the change unit 102, the power supply unit 103, and the control unit 104 are arranged.

[0051] The self-propelled unit 105B is disposed in the main body 105A of the main body, and has a configuration for moving the main body 105. In this embodiment, the self-propelled unit 105B has four wheels and a drive unit for driving the wheels. The four wheels are disposed at the bottom of the main body 105A of the main body. The self-propelled unit 105B may have a known configuration used for movement other than the above-mentioned configuration for moving using wheels.

[0052] The communication unit 106 is disposed in the main body 103A of the main body, and has a configuration for communicating information with a remote communication unit 211 in the control device 204 described later in the second embodiment. The communicated information includes opening information output from the control unit 104, a movement signal output from a remote control unit 210 described later, and a change signal.

[0053] Next, the operation of the change device 100 having the above configuration will be described. First, the air conditioning of the server room 900 will be described, second, the operation of the change device 100 detecting the opening 601 of the double floor panel 600 will be described, third, the operation of the change device 100 changing the opening 601 of the double floor panel 600 will be described, and fourth, the operation of the roll exchange unit 102J exchanging the roll unit 102C will be described.

[0054] First, air conditioner 906 rotates air conditioner fan 907 to draw air from the space above the floor into air conditioner 906. The air is drawn in from an intake port in air conditioner 906 that opens toward the space above the floor. The drawn in air is air that has been exhausted from electronic device 901 housed in rack 904, and has a temperature that has increased by cooling electronic device 901.

[0055] The drawn air is cooled in the heat exchanger 908. Specifically, the temperature of the drawn air is reduced as heat is absorbed by the refrigerant circulating between the air and an outdoor unit (not shown). The refrigerant that absorbed the heat releases the heat to the outside air in the outdoor unit. The refrigerant that released the heat again absorbs heat from the drawn air in the heat exchanger 908.

[0056] The air cooled in the heat exchanger 908 is sent out to the underfloor space by an air conditioner fan 907. The air is sent out from an outlet formed on the bottom surface of the air conditioner 906 that opens toward the underfloor space.

[0057] The air sent into the underfloor space flows from the area on the air conditioner 906 side toward the area on the rack 904 side. The air that reaches the area on the rack 904 side flows out toward the space above the floor through the opening 601 in the double floor panel 600. Specifically, it flows out toward the cold aisle space 902 of the server room 900.

[0058] The air discharged into the cold aisle space 902 is drawn into the electronic device 901 housed in the rack 904. The air flows into the interior from an opening 601 formed on the surface of the electronic device 901 facing the cold aisle space 902. The air that flows into the interior exchanges heat with the electronic device 901. Specifically, the air that flows into the interior removes heat generated in the electronic device 901, causing the temperature to rise.

[0059] The air that has exchanged heat flows out from inside electronic device 901 to the outside. The air flows out from an opening formed on the surface of electronic device 901 opposite to cold aisle space 902. Specifically, the air flows out to hot aisle space 903. The air that has flowed out to hot aisle space 903 is sucked back into air conditioner 906.

[0060] Secondly, as shown in Fig. 3, the operation of the change device 100 to detect the opening ratio of the double floor panel 600 will be described. Specifically, the contents of the control by the control unit 104 will be described. First, when the power supply of the change device 100 is input, the control unit 104 performs a process to drive the self-propelled unit 105B (S1). In this case, when the power supply of the change device 100 is input, the control unit 104 outputs a movement signal. The change device 100 moves to the upper part of the double floor panel 600 based on the movement signal output from the control unit 104.

[0061] When the control of S1 is started, if the change device 100 is located above the double floor panel 600, the control unit 104 outputs a movement signal to pass the double floor panel 600 located at the top. When the double floor panels 600 are consecutively arranged on the floor surface of the server room 900 as shown in Fig. 4, the change device 100 moves to the ends of all the consecutive double floor panels 600, and then moves to the ends in the opposite direction and passes through. After passing the double floor panel 600 and the upper part of the consecutive double floor panels 600, the change device 100 moves to the upper part of another double floor panel 600 and the consecutive double floor panels 600.

[0062] When the control of S1 starts, if the change device 100 is not located above the double floor panel 600, the control unit 104 outputs a movement signal to move the change device 100 to the top of the double floor panel 600. The top of the double floor panel 600 to be moved may be the top of the double floor panel 600 closest to the change device 100, or may be the top of a predetermined double floor panel 600. After that, as described above, the control unit 104 outputs a movement signal to the change device 100 to pass the double floor panel 600 and the continuous double floor panel 600. Note that the description regarding the passage of the change device 100 is the same as above, so the description will be omitted.

[0063] The control unit 104 performs a process to cause the detection unit 101 to detect image information of the opening 601 (hereinafter, also referred to as opening information) while the change device 100 is moving or after the change device 100 has moved (S2). The detection unit 101 may detect the opening information when power is input. In this case, the control unit 104 outputs a detection signal when power is input to the change device 100.

[0064] The detection unit 101 detects the opening information based on the measurement signal input from the control unit 104. In the process of S1, when passing over the double floor panel 600 and the continuous double floor panels 600, the opening information of the double floor panel 600 is detected by photographing the openings 601 of all the double floor panels 600 that are passed. The opening information detected by the detection unit 101 is output to the control unit 104. Note that the content of the opening information output from the detection unit 101 to the control unit 104 uses a known technique. Based on the output opening information, the control unit 104 calculates the opening ratio of the opening 601 (S3). Note that a known method is used to calculate the opening ratio.

[0065] Thirdly, the operation of the change device 100 to change the opening ratio of the double floor panel 600 will be described. Specifically, the contents of the control by the control unit 104 will be described. Based on the opening ratio calculated in the processing of S3, the control unit 104 selects the double floor panel 600 whose opening ratio is to be changed (S4). The method of selecting the double floor panel 600 may be manual selection from the control device 204 described later in the second embodiment, or may be selection based on the learning unit 212 described in the second embodiment.

[0066] In the process of S4, the control unit 104 outputs a change signal to change the opening ratio of the selected double floor panel 600 to an arbitrary opening ratio to the change unit 102. Specifically, the control unit 104 outputs a change signal to decrease the opening ratio and a change signal to increase the opening ratio to the change unit 102. The cases of decreasing the opening ratio and increasing the opening ratio will be described respectively.

[0067] First, an example of decreasing the opening ratio will be described as shown in Fig. 5. In the process of S4, the control unit 104 outputs a movement signal to move the change device 100 to the top of the selected double floor panel 600 (S11). Based on the movement signal, the change device 100 moves to the top of the target double floor panel 600. Thereafter, the control unit 104 outputs a change signal to the change unit 102 to change the opening ratio of the target double floor panel 600.

[0068] 6, the core driving unit 102I in the changing unit 102 to which the change signal is output rotates the core portion 102H on the above-floor space side of the opening 601 of the double floor panel 600. The rotated core portion 102H pulls out the sheet 300 (S12).

[0069] The cutting unit 102D presses a blade against the pulled-out sheet 300, thereby cutting the pulled-out sheet 300 to an arbitrary length (S13). At that time, the cutting unit 102D cuts the sheet 300 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the sheet 300 is pulled out.

[0070] The cut sheet 300 is placed in the opening 601 by the changing portion main body 102A (S14). In other words, the opening ratio is reduced. The sheet 300 placed may cover the entire opening 601 or only a part of the opening 601.

[0071] Next, an example in which the opening ratio is increased will be described as shown in Fig. 7. The control unit 104 outputs a movement signal to move the change device 100 to the upper part of the double floor panel 600 whose opening ratio is to be changed (S21). Based on the movement signal, the change device 100 moves to the upper part of the target double floor panel 600. Thereafter, the control unit 104 outputs a change signal to the change unit 102 to change the opening ratio of the target double floor panel 600.

[0072] The removal unit 102B in the change unit 102 to which the change signal has been output removes the sheet 300 placed in the opening 601 (S22). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the needle unit 102F pierces a magnet into the sheet 300 based on the removal signal. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 9, the needle unit 102F and the sheet 300 pierced by the needle unit 102F are both raised, thereby removing the sheet 300 from the opening 601. In other words, the opening rate of the opening 601 increases.

[0073] Thereafter, the control unit 104 outputs a movement signal to move the change device 100 to the collection point 909 (S24). Based on the output movement signal, the change device 100 moves to the vicinity of the collection point 909. In the vicinity of the collection point 909, the control unit 104 outputs a discard signal, and based on the output discard signal, the change unit 102 discards the sheet 300 (S24).

[0074] Specifically, as shown in Figs. 10 to 13, the control unit 104 outputs a needle drive signal to the needle drive unit 102G to rotate the needle 102F by 90° in the crossing direction of the needle 102F. Based on the needle drive signal, the needle drive unit 102G rotates the needle 102F by 90° in the crossing direction of the needle 102F. Thereafter, the needle drive unit 102G moves the needle 102F and the sheet 300 in a direction along the floor of the server room 900 and toward the end of the needle 102F. Thereafter, the sheet 300 is removed from the needle 102F by moving only the moved needle 102F in a direction along the floor of the server room 900 and toward the main body unit 105, and falls into the collection point 909 by gravity. The fallen sheet 300 is discarded in the collection point 909.

[0075] Fourthly, as shown in Fig. 14, the operation of the roll exchanging unit 102J exchanging the roll unit 102C will be described. Specifically, the contents of the control by the control unit 104 will be described. First, the roll detection unit 102K detects the presence or absence of the sheet 300 wound in advance around the roll unit 102C (S31). Note that the method for the roll detection unit 102K to detect the presence or absence of the sheet 300 is a known method.

[0076] 16, when the roll detection unit 102K does not detect the sheet 300 in the core portion 102H (if NO), the roll detection unit 102K outputs a signal indicating that the sheet 300 is not detected to the control unit 104. When the sheet 300 is detected in the roll portion 102C (if YES), the process of S32 is repeated again.

[0077] In the process of S32, based on the output signal, the control unit 104 outputs a movement signal to the self-propelled unit 105B to drive the self-propelled unit 105B to above the roll exchange station 910 (S32). The change device 100 moves to the roll exchange station 910 based on the movement signal, as shown in FIG.

[0078] The control unit 104 outputs a replacement signal to replace the roll unit 102C to the roll replacing unit 102J (S33). The roll replacing unit 102J to which the replacement signal has been output detaches the roll unit 102C from the main body unit 105, as shown in Fig. 18. Note that a known method is used as a method for detaching the roll unit 102C.

[0079] 19, the roll exchange unit 102J can attach the roll unit 102C, around which the sheet 300 is wound in advance and stored in a roll exchange station 910, to the main body unit 105. Note that a known method is used to attach the roll unit 102C.

[0080] In this way, since the changing unit 102 and the main body unit 105 are provided, the changing unit 102 can move to the opening 601 of a specified double floor panel 600 and change the opening ratio of the opening 601 at the destination. Specifically, the changing unit 102 can reduce the opening ratio of the opening 601 by covering at least a part of the opening 601 with the sheet 300. For example, the changing device 100 of the present invention can reduce the opening ratio of a double floor panel 600 that does not have a mechanism for changing the opening ratio of the opening 601. In addition, the opening ratio of the opening 601 can be changed even for a double floor panel 600 that has a mechanism for changing the opening ratio of the opening 601.

[0081] Furthermore, since the changing section 102 includes the roll section 102C and the cutting section 102D, the changing section 102 can cover the opening 601 with the sheet 300 having a desired length. The sheet 300 is wound around the roll section 102C, and the sheet 300 is pulled out from the roll section 102C. The sheet 300 pulled out to the length that gives the desired opening ratio is cut by the cutting section 102D. The cut sheet 300 is separated from the roll section 102C and placed in the opening 601 of the raised floor panel 600.

[0082] Furthermore, by including removed portion 102E in modified portion 102, modified portion 102 can increase the aperture ratio of opening 601. Second Embodiment Next, a change system 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration of the change system 200 according to this embodiment includes a temperature sensor unit 202, a power consumption sensor unit 203, and a control device 204 in addition to the change device 100 similar to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, the temperature sensor unit 202, the power consumption sensor unit 203, and the control device 204 will be described.

[0083] Temperature sensor unit 202 is disposed in at least one or more front openings of electronic device 901, and has a configuration for measuring the temperature of air (hereinafter also referred to as temperature information) taken in by electronic device 901. In this embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned configuration, temperature sensor unit 202 has a configuration for communicating the temperature information to remote communication unit 211 in control device 204, which will be described later. Note that the communication method uses a known technology.

[0084] The power consumption sensor unit 203 is disposed between the power plug and the outlet of the air conditioner 906, and has a configuration for measuring the amount of power consumption of the air conditioner 906. In this embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the power consumption sensor unit 203 has a configuration for communicating the amount of power consumption to a remote communication unit 211 in the control device 204 described below. Note that the power consumption sensor unit 203 may be disposed in any part of the air conditioner 906, or may be disposed in a position other than the air conditioner 906, as long as it can measure the amount of power consumption of the air conditioner 906. A known technology is used as the communication method.

[0085] The power consumption includes the power consumption in the air conditioner 906 before the change device 100 changes the opening ratio (hereinafter also referred to as the first power consumption) and the power consumption in the air conditioner 906 after the change device 100 changes the opening ratio (hereinafter also referred to as the second power consumption).

[0086] The control device 204 is a device placed in a server room 900, as shown in FIG. 21, and the ROM etc. stores programs that cause the CPU, ROM, RAM, and input / output interface to work together to function as at least an acquisition unit 205, a memory unit 206, a calculation unit 207, a power amount determination unit 208, a temperature information determination unit 209, a remote control unit 210, a remote communication unit 211, and a learning unit 212.

[0087] The acquiring unit 205 has a configuration for acquiring at least one of the opening information, the temperature information, and the power consumption amount. In this embodiment, the acquiring unit 205 is connected to the remote communication unit 211, the temperature sensor unit 202, and the power consumption sensor unit 203 so as to be able to communicate information.

[0088] The storage unit 206 is an information recording medium and has a configuration for storing various information. The various information stored preferably includes opening information, temperature information, power consumption, information on the double floor panel 600 selected by the remote control unit 210 described later, a record of changes to the opening ratio described later, and a learning model described later. The storage unit 206 may be a flash memory such as an SD memory card, or may be a recording medium of another type.

[0089] The power amount determination unit 208 has a configuration for determining which of the first power consumption amount and the second power consumption amount is smaller. In this embodiment, the power amount determination unit 208 determines whether the second power consumption amount is smaller than the first power consumption amount, but the power amount determination unit 208 may determine whether the first power consumption amount is smaller than the second power consumption amount. The contents determined by the power amount determination unit 208 will be described later.

[0090] The temperature information determination unit 209 has a configuration for determining whether the temperature information acquired by the acquisition unit 205 is lower than a threshold temperature, which will be described later. The details of the determination made by the temperature information determination unit 209 will be described later.

[0091] The calculation unit 207 has a configuration for calculating a rate at which the aperture ratio of a predetermined aperture 601 is changed (hereinafter, also referred to as a changed aperture ratio). The calculation unit 207 can obtain the changed aperture ratio based on at least one of the aperture information, the temperature information, and the power consumption. In this embodiment, the calculation unit 207 obtains the changed aperture ratio by inputting the aperture information, the temperature information, and the power consumption amount into a learning model.

[0092] The learning model is a learning model that performs machine learning to estimate the changed aperture ratio when at least one of the information of the aperture information, the temperature information, and the power consumption amount is acquired. A known learning method can be used for the machine learning.

[0093] The remote control unit 210 has a configuration for outputting a movement signal for moving the change device 100 and a change signal for changing the opening ratio of the double floor panel 600. In this embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the remote control unit 210 has a configuration for selecting the double floor panel 600 whose change ratio is to be changed, and a configuration for setting a threshold value related to temperature information. The specific control contents of the remote control unit 210 will be described later.

[0094] The remote communication unit 211 has a configuration for communicating information with at least one of the communication unit 106, the temperature sensor unit 202, and the power consumption sensor unit 203 in the change device 100. In this embodiment, the remote communication unit 211 communicates information with the communication unit 106, the temperature sensor unit 202, and the power consumption sensor unit 203.

[0095] The learning unit 212 has a configuration for estimating the amount of power consumption. Specifically, based on the opening information, the temperature information, and the amount of power consumption, the learning unit 212 estimates the influence of the changed opening ratio for each opening 601 on the amount of power consumption. The learning unit 212 will be described in detail later.

[0096] Next, the operation of the control device 204 having the above configuration will be described. Note that a description of the same operations as those in the first embodiment will be omitted. In this embodiment, the change device 100 is basically controlled based on a signal output from the control unit 104, but when the remote control unit 210 is controlled, an example will be described in which the change device 100 is controlled based on a signal output from the remote control unit 210. In other words, the control by the remote control unit 210 takes precedence over the control by the control unit 104. Note that the change device 100 may be controlled based only on a signal output from the remote control unit 210, not based on a signal output from the control unit 104.

[0097] First, as shown in Fig. 22, when the control device 204 performs control, the acquisition unit 205 acquires temperature information (S41). Based on the acquired temperature information, the remote control unit 210 sets a threshold temperature for the temperature information (S42). In this embodiment, the threshold temperature is set to a temperature 3°C lower than the temperature information acquired in the process of S41.

[0098] After that, the acquisition unit 205 acquires the opening information detected in the process of S2 in Fig. 3 at any timing (S43). The acquired opening information may be opening information in at least one or more double floor panels 600.

[0099] The acquisition unit 205 acquires the temperature information and the first power consumption when acquiring the opening information in the process of S43. The timing of acquiring the temperature information and the first power consumption may be the same as the timing of acquiring the opening information, or may be different. The acquired opening information, temperature information, and first power consumption are stored in the storage unit 206.

[0100] Based on the stored opening information, temperature information, and the first power consumption amount, the remote control unit 210 selects at least one or more double floor panels 600 for which the opening ratio is to be changed (S44). Information on the selected double floor panel 600 is stored in the memory unit 206.

[0101] The remote control unit 210 outputs a movement signal to move the change device 100 to the top of the selected double floor panel 600 (S45). Based on the movement signal, the change device 100 moves to the top of the selected double floor panel 600.

[0102] Thereafter, the remote control unit 210 outputs a change signal for changing the opening ratio of the double floor panel 600 to the change device 100 (S46). Based on the output change signal, the change device 100 changes the opening ratio of the selected double floor panel 600.

[0103] In this embodiment, the remote control unit 210 controls the changing device 100 differently for the opening 601 whose aperture ratio has not been changed and the opening 601 whose aperture ratio has been changed. In other words, the aperture ratio is changed in stages. In this embodiment, an example in which the aperture ratio is controlled in at most two stages will be described.

[0104] First, a case of control for changing the aperture ratio of the opening 601 whose aperture ratio has not been changed will be described. In the case of control for changing the aperture ratio of the opening 601 whose aperture ratio has not been changed, the remote control unit 210 outputs a change signal so that the aperture ratio becomes 75%. Based on the output change signal, the change device 100 changes the aperture ratio of the opening 601 so that it becomes 75%. A record of the change in the aperture ratio is stored in the storage unit 206.

[0105] Next, a case of control for changing the aperture ratio of the opening 601 whose aperture ratio has been changed will be described. Specifically, the content of changing the aperture ratio of the opening 601 whose aperture ratio has been changed to 75% by the above-mentioned control will be described. The remote control unit 210 outputs a change signal to the change device 100 so as to change the aperture ratio from 75% to 50%. Based on the output change signal, the change device 100 changes the aperture ratio of the opening 601 from 75% to 50%. A record of the change in the aperture ratio is stored in the storage unit 206.

[0106] The aperture ratio may be changed to a ratio other than the above, may be changed in more than two stages, or may be changed in one stage. After the process of S46, the acquisition unit 205 acquires the temperature information and the second power consumption (S47). The temperature information determination unit 209 determines whether the acquired temperature information is lower than the threshold temperature (S48). If it is higher than the threshold temperature (NO), the opening ratio of the double floor panel 600 changed in the process of S45 is returned to the opening ratio before the change (S49). Then, the process returns to S44 and the same process is repeated.

[0107] If it is lower than the threshold temperature (if YES), the power amount determination unit 208 determines whether the acquired second power consumption is lower than the first power consumption (S50). If the second power consumption is not lower than the first power consumption (if NO), the opening ratio of the double floor panel 600 changed in the process of S45 is returned to the opening ratio before the change (S49). After that, the process returns to S44 and the same process is repeated.

[0108] In the process of S50, if the temperature information is lower than the reference temperature and the amount of power consumption is decreasing (YES), the process returns to the process of S44 and the same process is repeated. Next, we will explain the machine learning of the learning model.

[0109] In this embodiment, the description will be given by applying the present invention to an example in which machine learning of a learning model is performed in the learning unit 212 in the control device 204. Note that the machine learning of the learning model may be performed in an information processing device different from the control device 204. Furthermore, machine learning for one of the learning models may be performed in a different information processing device, and machine learning for the other model may be performed in the control device 204.

[0110] Furthermore, after control is performed by the learning unit 212, a learning model on which machine learning has been further performed may be stored in the storage unit 206. In this case, the previously stored learning model is replaced with the learning model on which machine learning has been further performed.

[0111] In the machine learning of the learning model, training data in which the opening information and the power consumption amount are linked to each other and training data in which the opening information and the power consumption amount are linked to each other are used. For example, information that the amount of power consumption is reduced when the opening ratio of the selected double floor panel 600 is reduced is linked to information that the amount of power consumption is increased when the opening ratio of the selected double floor panel 600 is increased is linked to information that the amount of power consumption is increased when the opening ratio of the selected double floor panel 600 is increased is linked to information that the amount of power consumption is reduced when the opening ratio of the selected double floor panel 600 is increased is linked to information that the amount of power consumption is increased ....

[0112] In addition, for the specific machine learning in the learning model, known supervised learning can be used, and the specific content of the calculation process in the supervised learning is not limited. In addition, for the teacher data of the learning model and the method of creating the teacher data of the learning model, known creation methods can be used, and the specific creation methods are not limited.

[0113] By doing this, the control device 204 can set the opening ratio of the opening 601 in the double floor panel 600 to a modified opening ratio, which is an opening ratio at which the temperature of the air flowing into the electronic device 901 is below a predetermined specified temperature.

[0114] Furthermore, when the second power consumption, which is the power consumption after placing sheet 300 on and removing sheet 300 from opening 601, is equal to or greater than the first power consumption, which is the power consumption after placing sheet 300 on and removing sheet 300 from opening 601, removing sheet 300 from opening 601 makes it difficult for the energy consumed in air conditioning device 906 to increase.

[0115] In addition, the changed aperture ratio can be calculated using a trained learning model, making it easier to calculate the changed aperture ratio. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be applied to an embodiment in which these embodiments are appropriately combined, and is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 100...change device, 100...control device, 101...detection unit, 102...change unit, 102A...change unit main body, 102B...removal unit, 102C...roll unit, 102D...cutting unit, 102E...removal unit, 102F...needle unit, 102G...needle drive unit, 102H...core unit, 102I...core drive unit, 102J...roll replacement unit, 102K...roll detection unit, 103...power supply unit, 103A...main body unit main body, 104...control unit, 105...main body unit, 105A...main body unit main body, 105B...self-propelled unit, 106...communication unit, 200...change system, 202...temperature sensor unit, 203... Power consumption sensor unit, 204...control device, 205...acquisition unit, 206...memory unit, 207...calculation unit, 208...power amount determination unit, 209...temperature information determination unit, 210...remote control unit, 211...remote communication unit, 212...learning unit, 300...sheet, 600...double floor panel, 601...opening, 900...server room, 901...electronic equipment, 902...cold aisle space, 903...hot aisle space, 904...rack, 905...row of racks, 906...air conditioner, 907...air conditioner fan, 908...heat exchange unit, 909...collection point, 910...role exchange point.

Claims

1. A through hole provided in a double floor panel installed in a server room in which electronic devices are arranged, A change device for changing an aperture ratio of an opening through which air used for cooling the electronic device flows, comprising: A detection unit for detecting the aperture ratio; a change unit that arranges a sheet that is a film-like member that covers at least a portion of the opening based on the detected opening ratio; a main body section in which the detection section and the change section are disposed and which moves on the double floor panel based on the detected opening ratio; A change device is provided.

2. The change unit includes: A roll portion around which the sheet is wound; a cutting unit that cuts the sheet, which is drawn from the roll unit and placed in the opening, into a length that sets the opening ratio to a desired value; 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. 3. The changing device according to claim 2, wherein the changing section further includes a removing section which removes the sheet placed at the opening based on the detected opening ratio.

4. A change system for changing an aperture ratio of an opening through which air flows for cooling the electronic equipment, the opening being provided in a double floor panel installed in a server room in which electronic equipment is arranged, the change system comprising: A change device for changing the aperture ratio; A control device that controls the change device is provided, The change device is A detection unit for detecting the aperture ratio; A modification unit that arranges and removes a sheet that is a film-like member that covers at least a portion of the opening; a main body portion in which the detection portion and the change portion are disposed and which moves on the double floor panel; The control device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires temperature information output from a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of air flowing into the electronic device and aperture ratio information output from the detection unit; a calculation unit that calculates a modified aperture ratio, which is the aperture ratio at which a temperature of air flowing into the electronic device becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, based on the acquired temperature information and the acquired aperture ratio information; a control unit that generates at least one of a movement signal for moving the main body unit and a change signal for causing the change unit to at least one of disposing and removing the sheet based on the obtained changed opening ratio; A modification system comprising:

5. The acquisition unit further acquires a power consumption amount, which is information on energy consumed in an air conditioner that supplies air used to cool the electronic device; a determination unit is further provided to determine whether a value of a second power consumption amount, which is the power consumption amount after performing at least one of the arrangement and removal of the sheet based on the changed aperture ratio, is smaller than a value of a first power consumption amount, which is the power consumption amount before performing the arrangement and removal of the sheet; The change system according to claim 4, characterized in that when the control unit determines that the second power consumption value is equal to or greater than the first power consumption value, the control unit generates a signal to remove the sheet by the change unit as the change signal.

6. The acquisition unit further acquires a power consumption amount, which is information on energy consumed in an air conditioner that supplies air used to cool the electronic device; The change system described in claim 4, characterized in that the calculation unit is able to determine the changed opening ratio by inputting the temperature information, the opening ratio information, and the power consumption into a trained learning model that has undergone machine learning to determine the opening ratio such that the temperature of the air flowing into the electronic device becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, and the second power consumption value, which is the power consumption value after at least one of placing and removing the sheet, is smaller than the first power consumption value, which is the power consumption value before the placement and removal of the sheet, based on the temperature information, the opening ratio information, and the power consumption.

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