Design support system, design support method, and program

Abstract

To provide a design support system, a design support method, and a program, capable of optimizing and facilitating design of a piping system that uses a siphon phenomenon.SOLUTION: A design support system 1 comprises an arithmetic circuit 25 connected to a display device 22a and an input device 21. The arithmetic circuit 25 displays an input screen for inputting input information D1 used to identify a required flow rate of a piping system by the display device 22a, accepts input of the input information D1 by the input device 21, and presents, by the display device 22a, output information D2 that includes a design condition of the piping system and an index of availability of a siphon phenomenon under the design condition for the required flow rate, based on the input information D1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a design support system, a design support method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a rainwater drainage structure that utilizes the siphon principle. Patent Document 1 discloses that in the rainwater drainage structure that has a drain outlet provided in a water pool that collects rainwater and a drain pipe for discharging the rainwater from the drain outlet and that drains the rainwater by the siphon principle, the height of the water pool is higher than the total head of water generated by the reverse gradient including the water seal trap of the drain pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-139659 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is preferable that the drainage capacity of the piping system be set within an appropriate range according to the size of the building in which the piping system is installed, the surrounding environment of the building, etc. In general, the larger the building, the greater the drainage capacity required. Also, if the planned construction site of the building is an area with relatively high rainfall, a greater drainage capacity is required.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses several methods for calculating the flow rate of wastewater. However, calculation of the flow rate of wastewater requires specialized knowledge, and it is often difficult for a user without specialized knowledge to calculate the flow rate of wastewater.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a design support system, a design support method, and a program that enable optimization and simplification of the design of a piping system that utilizes the siphon phenomenon. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A design support system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an arithmetic circuit connected to a display device and an input device, and the arithmetic circuit displays, via the display device, an input screen for inputting input information used to identify the required flow rate of the piping system, accepts the input of the input information via the input device, and displays, via the display device, an output screen presenting output information including design conditions for the piping system and an indicator of the availability of siphonage under the design conditions for the required flow rate, based on the input information.

[0008] A design support method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is executed by an arithmetic circuit connected to a display device and an input device, in which the display device displays an input screen for inputting input information used to identify the required flow rate of the piping system, the input device accepts the input of the input information, and the display device displays an output screen that presents output information including design conditions of the piping system and an indicator of the availability of siphonage at the design conditions for the required flow rate, based on the input information.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a calculation circuit to execute the above-described design support method. Effect of the Invention

[0010] Aspects of the present disclosure allow for optimization and ease of design of piping systems that utilize siphoning effects. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a design support system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information terminal of the design support system according to the embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a processing device of a design support system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] Schematic diagram of the building [Diagram 5] Schematic diagram of the first piping type of the piping system [Figure 6] Schematic diagram of the second piping type of the piping system [Figure 7] Illustration of the calculation model for the first piping type of the piping system [Figure 8] A graph showing the relationship between height and flow rate in a piping system [Figure 9] Illustration of the calculation model for the second piping type of the piping system [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an input screen displayed in the design support system according to the embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of an output screen displayed in the design support system according to an embodiment; [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of an output screen displayed in the design support system according to an embodiment; [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of an output screen displayed in the design support system according to an embodiment; [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of an output screen displayed in the design support system according to an embodiment; [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of an output screen displayed in the design support system according to an embodiment; [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of an output screen displayed in the design support system according to an embodiment; [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system of the first modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system of the second modified example; [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system of the third modified example. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system of the fourth modified example. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system of the fifth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] [1. Embodiment] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the inventor(s) provide the attached drawings and the following explanation so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] Unless otherwise specified, the positional relationships such as up, down, left, and right are based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings. Each figure described in the following embodiments is a schematic diagram, and the ratio of the size and thickness of each component in each figure does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio. Furthermore, the dimensional ratio of each element is not limited to the ratio shown in the drawings.

[0014] In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish between multiple components, prefixes such as "first" and "second" are added to the names of the components. However, when the components can be distinguished from one another by the symbols added to them, the prefixes such as "first" and "second" may be omitted in consideration of readability of the text.

[0015] In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish between multiple components, suffixes such as "-1" and "-2" are added to the symbols of the components. However, when it is not necessary to distinguish between multiple components, the suffixes "-1" and "-2" may be omitted in consideration of readability of the text.

[0016] [1.1 Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a design support system 1 according to an embodiment. The design support system 1 can be used to support the design of a piping system. The piping system is designed to drain water by utilizing the siphon effect. The piping system is, for example, a rain gutter system. The rain gutter system is used to drain rainwater from a building to a manhole on the ground. The building is, for example, a non-residential facility such as a store, an office, a factory, a building, a school, a welfare facility, or a hospital, and a residential facility such as a detached house, an apartment building, or each dwelling unit of a detached house or an apartment building. The non-residential facility also includes a theater, a movie theater, a public hall, an amusement park, a complex, a department store, a hotel, an inn, a kindergarten, a library, a museum, an art museum, an underground shopping mall, a station, an airport, and the like.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the design support system 1 includes information terminals 2-1, 2-2, . . . , 2-n (hereinafter collectively referred to as 2) and a processing device 3.

[0018] The information terminal 2 can be communicatively connected to the processing device 3 via a communication network 4. The communication network 4 may include the Internet. The communication network 4 may be configured not only of a network conforming to a single communication protocol, but also of a plurality of networks conforming to different communication protocols. The communication protocol may be selected from various well-known wired and wireless communication standards. An example of a wired communication standard may be a standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark). An example of a wireless communication standard may be a standard such as IEEE802.11, 4G, or 5G. The communication network 4 may include data communication devices such as a repeater hub, a switching hub, a bridge, a gateway, and a router.

[0019] In the design support system 1, the information terminal 2 is used to input input information D1. The input information D1 input to the information terminal 2 is transmitted to the processing device 3 via a communication network 4. The processing device 3 generates output information D2 using the input information D1. The output information D2 generated by the processing device 3 is transmitted via the communication network 4 to the information terminal 2 (information terminal 2-1 in FIG. 1) that is the sender of the input information D1. The information terminal 2 presents the output information D2.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the information terminal 2. The information terminal 2 is used for inputting input information D1 and presenting output information D2. As shown in Fig. 1, the information terminals 2-1, 2-2, ..., 2-n are operated by users 5-1, 5-2, ..., 5-n (hereinafter collectively referred to as 5). The users 5 are, for example, contractors of piping systems.

[0021] The information terminal 2 includes an input device 21, an output device 22, a communication device 23, a storage device 24, and an arithmetic circuit 25. The information terminal 2 can be realized, for example, by a personal computer (desktop computer, laptop computer, etc.), a mobile terminal (smartphone, tablet terminal, etc.), etc.

[0022] The input device 21 includes one or more human-machine interfaces for inputting information. Examples of the human-machine interface include input interfaces such as a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, trackball, etc.), a touch pad, and a position input device of a touch panel display. In this embodiment, the one or more human-machine interfaces of the input device 21 include a position input device 21a of a touch panel display. The one or more human-machine interfaces of the input device 21 may be built into the information terminal 2 or may be externally attached. In other words, the input device 21 may include a human-machine interface of the information terminal 2 itself and a human-machine interface connected to the information terminal 2.

[0023] The output device 22 includes one or more human-machine interfaces for outputting information. Examples of the human-machine interface include output interfaces such as a display, a speaker, and a display device such as a touch panel display. In this embodiment, the one or more human-machine interfaces of the output device 22 include a display device 22a such as a touch panel display. The one or more human-machine interfaces of the output device 22 may be built into the information terminal 2 or may be externally attached. In other words, the output device 22 may include a human-machine interface of the information terminal 2 itself and a human-machine interface connected to the information terminal 2.

[0024] The communication device 23 is used for communication with the processing device 3 through the communication network 4. The communication device 23 has one or more communication interfaces. The communication device 23 is connectable to the communication network 4 and has a function of communicating through the communication network 4. The communication device 23 complies with a predetermined communication protocol. The predetermined communication protocol may be selected from various well-known wired and wireless communication standards.

[0025] The storage device 24 is used to store information used by the information terminal 2 and information generated by the information terminal 2. The storage device 24 includes one or more storages (non-transitory storage media). The storage may be, for example, any of a hard disk drive, an optical drive, and a solid-state drive (SSD). The storage may be any of an internal type, an external type, and a NAS (network-attached storage) type.

[0026] The information stored in the storage device 24 includes a web browser WB1, input information D1, and output information D2. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the storage device 24 stores the web browser WB1, input information D1, and output information D2. The web browser WB1, input information D1, and output information D2 do not need to be stored in the storage device 24 at all times, but only need to be stored in the storage device 24 when needed by the arithmetic circuit 25. The web browser WB1 may be a conventionally known web browser, such as Safari (trademark or registered trademark), Microsoft Edge (trademark or registered trademark), or Google Chrome (trademark or registered trademark).

[0027] The arithmetic circuit 25 is connected to the input device 21, the output device 22, and the communication device 23, and can access the storage device 24. The arithmetic circuit 25 can be realized, for example, by a computer system. The computer system includes one or more processors (microprocessors) and one or more memories. The one or more processors execute programs (stored in one or more memories or the storage device 24) to realize various functions of the information terminal 2. The programs may be pre-recorded in the storage device 24, or may be provided via a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card.

[0028] 3 is a block diagram of the processing device 3. The processing device 3 is used to generate output information D2 based on input information D1. The processing device 3 may be managed by a provider of piping system design support services, etc.

[0029] The processing device 3 includes an input device 31, an output device 32, a communication device 33, a storage device 34, and an arithmetic circuit 35. The processing device 3 can be realized by, for example, one or more servers or the like.

[0030] The input device 31 comprises one or more human-machine interfaces for inputting information. The output device 32 comprises one or more human-machine interfaces for outputting information.

[0031] The communication device 33 is used for communication with the information terminal 2 through the communication network 4. The communication device 33 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication device 33 has the same functions as the communication device 23.

[0032] The storage device 34 is used to store information used by the processing device 3 and information generated by the processing device 3. The storage device 34 includes one or more storages (non-transitory storage media).

[0033] The arithmetic circuit 35 is connected to the input device 31, the output device 32, and the communication device 33, and can access the storage device 34. The arithmetic circuit 35 can be realized by, for example, a computer system. One or more processors execute programs (stored in one or more memories or the storage device 34) to realize various functions of the processing device 3. The programs may be pre-recorded in the storage device 34, or may be provided via a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card.

[0034] The information stored in the storage device 34 includes an arithmetic program P, input information D1, and output information D2. Fig. 3 shows a state in which the storage device 34 stores the arithmetic program P, input information D1, and output information D2. The arithmetic program P, input information D1, and output information D2 do not need to be stored in the storage device 34 at all times, and only need to be stored in the storage device 34 when they are needed by the arithmetic circuit 35.

[0035] The computation program P defines a process for generating output information D2 using input information D1.

[0036] The input information D1 is used to determine the flow requirement of the piping system. The flow requirement of the piping system is the flow rate that the piping system is required to achieve. The flow requirement may be the maximum flow rate of storm water from the building into the piping system.

[0037] The required flow rate is calculated from the roof area and the rainfall intensity. The roof area here is the area of ​​the part or the whole of the roof where the piping system receives rainwater. The roof area is not the area of ​​the roof itself, but the area when the roof is projected onto a horizontal plane (roof projection area). Rainfall intensity is the amount of rainfall per unit time. The required flow rate is Q R [l / s], roof area is S [m 2 ], and the rainfall intensity is R [m / s], Q R Q R =S × R.

[0038] The roof area can be determined from the structure of the building. There are various types of roofs, such as gable roof, hip roof, gambrel roof, single-pitch roof, square roof, semi-gable roof, sloping roof, ridge roof, sawtooth roof, butterfly roof, etc. Based on the type of roof, the roof area corresponding to the piping system can be determined from the dimensions of the building.

[0039] 4 is a schematic diagram of a building 200. The building 200 has a roof 210. The roof 210 is a gable roof. The roof 210 has a ridge 211, a first eaves edge 212-1 and a second eaves edge 212-2. In the roof 210, the portion between the ridge 211 and the first eaves edge 212-1 is a first roof portion 213-1, and the portion between the ridge 211 and the second eaves edge 212-2 is a second roof portion 213-2.

[0040] Consider the piping system placed at the first eaves edge 212-1. The piping system placed at the first eaves edge 212-1 receives rainwater from the first roof section 213-1. The roof area corresponding to the piping system placed at the first eaves edge 212-1 is the roof area of ​​the first roof section 213-1. The roof area of ​​the first roof section 213-1 is calculated by the length L1 [m] of the first eaves edge 212-1 and the distance L2 [m] between the ridge 211 and the first eaves edge 212-1 in the horizontal plane. The roof area of ​​the first roof section 213-1 is defined as S [m 2 ], then S can be expressed as S = L1 × L2.

[0041] The rainfall intensity can be identified from the location of the building. For example, the rainfall intensity of the region to which the location of the building belongs can be obtained from regional rainfall intensity information including the rainfall intensities of two or more regions. The two or more regions are not particularly limited, and may be prefectures, cities, towns, villages, and wards of prefectures in Japan. The rainfall intensity may be determined based on data provided by, for example, the country, local governments, or companies. As an example, the rainfall intensity can be obtained from rainfall intensity data provided by each prefecture, a prefecture-specific rainfall intensity formula provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, and the like.

[0042] In this embodiment, the input information D1 is further used to specify the height of the piping system. The height of the piping system is the height at which the siphoning effect is effective, which means the height at which the piping is not divided, there is no part completely open to the outside air, and the siphoning effect is maintained. The height of the piping system is expressed as the distance between the upstream opening point and the downstream opening point of the piping system in the vertical direction. The upstream opening point of the piping system is a part that is open to the outside air pressure on the upstream side of the piping system. The downstream opening point of the piping system is a part that is open to the outside air pressure on the downstream side of the piping system. There is no part that is completely open to the outside air between the upstream opening point and the downstream opening point of the piping system. In other words, the downstream opening point is a point that is open to the atmospheric pressure and where the siphoning effect stops. Therefore, it can be said that the upstream opening point and the downstream opening point are the upstream end and the downstream end of the range at which the siphoning effect is maintained in the piping system.

[0043] The height of the piping system will now be further explained.

[0044] There are various piping styles for piping systems. The piping style specifies the shape of the flow path of the piping system. For example, the shape of the flow path may be a straight shape, a bent shape, a branched shape, etc. The piping style does not necessarily include the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path, the length of the flow path, etc. The piping style may correspond to a classification of the piping system. In this embodiment, a first piping style and a second piping style are used as the piping styles. The first piping style is a piping style for a gutter system in which the central axis of the rainwater outlet from the building and the central axis of the downspout coincide with each other. The second piping style is a piping style for a gutter system in which the central axis of the rainwater outlet from the building and the central axis of the downspout do not coincide with each other.

[0045] 5 is a schematic diagram of a gutter system 100A corresponding to the first piping type. The gutter system 100A receives rainwater from the roof 210 of the building 200A and drains it into a manhole 310 on the ground 300. The rainwater collected in the manhole 310 flows from the manhole 310 through a buried pipe 320 and out into a storm water pipe.

[0046] The gutter system 100A includes an eaves gutter 120, a downspout 130, and a drain 140.

[0047] The eaves gutter 120 receives rainwater from the roof 210 of the building 200A. The eaves gutter 120 is installed under the roof 210 of the building 200A. The eaves gutter 120 is in the shape of a long bucket. The eaves gutter 120 has a bottom wall 120a. The bottom wall 120a has a drop opening 120b.

[0048] The drain 140 is disposed at the outlet 120b of the eaves gutter 120. The drain 140 reduces the generation of vortexes and air entrainment at the outlet 120b. The drain 140 may contribute to the generation of siphoning. The drain 140 may have a known configuration.

[0049] The downspout 130 is installed to drain rainwater from the drop outlet 120b. The downspout 130 is fixed to the wall surface 220 of the building 200 by supporting brackets 131a, 131b, and 131c. The downspout 130 forms a flow path for vertically draining rainwater from the drop outlet 120b. In the rain gutter system 100A, the downspout 130 is not connected to a branch pipe or the like from an eaves gutter other than the eaves gutter 120. In other words, the downspout 130 is configured so that rainwater from a drop outlet other than the drop outlet 120b does not flow into the downspout 130.

[0050] The downspout 130 has an upstream end 130a and a downstream end 130b. The upstream end 130a is the end (upper end in FIG. 5) that is connected to the drop outlet 120b in the downspout 130. The downspout 130 is directly connected to the drop outlet 120b. In other words, rainwater falls vertically from the drop outlet 120b into the downspout 130 and flows into the manhole 310. The downstream end 130b is the end (lower end in FIG. 5) that is inserted into the manhole 310 in the downspout 130. A drain pipe cover 132 is arranged to prevent rainwater from flowing into the manhole 310 through a gap between the downspout 130 and the manhole 310.

[0051] In the gutter system 100A, the downspout 130 is directly connected to the outlet 120b, and the central axis of the outlet 120b for rainwater from the building 200A coincides with the central axis of the downspout 130. In the first piping type, the shape of the flow path of the piping system is linear. The first piping type is commonly called a straight pipe type.

[0052] 6 is a schematic diagram of a gutter system 100B corresponding to the second piping type of the piping system. The gutter system 100B receives rainwater from the roof 210 of the building 200B and drains it into a manhole 310 on the ground 300. The rainwater collected in the manhole 310 flows from the manhole 310 through a buried pipe 320 and into a storm sewer pipe.

[0053] Building 200B has longer eaves than building 200A. In building 200B, if downspout 130 were directly connected to drop outlet 120b, the distance between downspout 130 and wall surface 220 of building 200B would be too large, and the construction standard for downspout 130 would not be met. Gutter system 100B has a structure suitable for buildings with long eaves.

[0054] The gutter system 100B includes an eaves gutter 120, a downspout 130, a drain 140, a nominal gutter 150, a first elbow 161, a second elbow 162, and a connecting pipe 170.

[0055] The eaves gutter 120, the downspout 130, and the drain 140 of the gutter system 100B are similar to the eaves gutter 120, the downspout 130, and the drain 140 of the gutter system 100A.

[0056] In the gutter system 100B, unlike the gutter system 100A, the downspout 130 is not directly connected to the drop outlet 120b. The downspout 130 is connected to the drop outlet 120b via the nominal gutter 150, the first elbow 161, the second elbow 162, and the connecting pipe 170.

[0057] The downspout 150 is located between the downspout 120b for rainwater from the building 200B and the downspout 130. A first elbow 161 connects the upstream end 150a of the downspout 150 to the downspout 120b. A second elbow 162 connects the downstream end 150b of the downspout 150 to the upstream end 130a of the downspout 130. A connecting pipe 170 connects between the downspout 120b and the first elbow 161.

[0058] In the gutter system 100B, the downspout 130 is connected to the drop outlet 120b via the lead pipe 150, and the central axis of the drop outlet 120b for rainwater from the building 200A does not coincide with the central axis of the downspout 130. In the second piping type, the shape of the flow path of the piping system is not linear but is bent, particularly crank-shaped or S-shaped. The second piping type is also commonly called the elbow type.

[0059] In the gutter systems 100A and 100B, the upstream opening point is the lower end of the drain 140, and the downstream opening point is the opening of the downstream end 130b of the downspout 130. In the gutter systems 100A and 100B, the height of the piping system is h [m]. h is the vertical distance between the lower end of the drain 140 and the opening of the downstream end 130b of the downspout 130. The upstream opening point may be the upper end or lower end of the drop opening 120b, not the lower end of the drain 140. In general, the height h of the piping system is determined solely by the length of the downspout 130, and the change in h depending on whether the upper end opening point is the drain 140 or the drop opening 120b is considered to be negligibly small compared to the length of the downspout 130. In the gutter system 100A, if the building 200A has eaves and the downpipe 130 is once opened to atmospheric pressure at the eaves, the downstream opening point is not the opening at the downstream end 130b of the downpipe 130, but the part of the downpipe 130 that is open to atmospheric pressure at the eaves. In other words, the vertical length from the bottom end of the drain 140 to the part of the downpipe 130 that is open to atmospheric pressure at the eaves is the height at which the siphon effect is effective, that is, the height of the piping system.

[0060] The height of the above-mentioned piping system is determined based on the structure of the building.

[0061] 4 again, consider the piping system arranged at the first eaves edge 212-1. The height h of the piping system arranged at the first eaves edge 212-1 is substantially equal to the height H [m] from the ground to the first eaves edge 212-1 in the building 200, so the height H from the ground to the first eaves edge 212-1 can be treated as the height h of the piping system arranged at the first eaves edge 212-1.

[0062] The input information D1 may further include search conditions for the piping system. The search conditions for the piping system are information for narrowing down the design conditions for the piping system. Although details will be described later, the design conditions for the piping system include the pipe diameter of the downpipe of the piping system and the number of downpipes to be installed. Since the user needs to design the piping system under various constraints, it is convenient to limit at least one of the pipe diameter of the downpipe or the number of downpipes to be installed to a range desired by the user. Therefore, the search conditions may include information specifying the range of the pipe diameter of the downpipe of the piping system and information specifying the range of the number of downpipes to be installed. The information specifying the range of the pipe diameter of the downpipe may be a numerical value or a numerical value range that the pipe diameter should satisfy, or may be the type of pipe material used for the downpipe. The information specifying the range of the number of downpipes to be installed may be a numerical value or a numerical value range that the number of downpipes to be installed should satisfy. Furthermore, the search conditions may include information specifying the piping type of the piping system. The information specifying the piping type of the piping system may be information specifying whether the piping system is a first piping type or a second piping type.

[0063] In this embodiment, the input information D1 is a required flow rate Q R The input information D1 further includes a roof area S and a rainfall intensity R for specifying the height h of the piping system. The input information D1 further includes a height h of the piping system itself for specifying the height h of the piping system. The input information D1 further includes a search condition for narrowing down the design conditions of the piping system.

[0064] The output information D2 includes the design conditions of the piping system and an indicator of the availability of siphoning under the design conditions for the required flow rate.

[0065] The design conditions include the pipe diameter of the downpipes of the piping system and the number of downpipes to be installed.

[0066] The pipe diameter of a piping system corresponds to the inner diameter of the flow path of the piping system. Conventionally, pipe materials of different sizes have been provided as pipe materials that can be used to construct a piping system. The size of the pipe material can be expressed by the nominal diameter. The nominal diameter may be, for example, the nominal diameter in the standard for rigid polyvinyl chloride pipes (general) of JIS K 6741 "rigid polyvinyl chloride pipes."

[0067] Table 1 shows an example of the nominal diameter of VP rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe in the standard for rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe (general) of JIS K 6741 "Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe". In Table 1, the units of the outer diameter (standard dimension), thickness (minimum dimension) and approximate inner diameter are mm.

[0068] [Table 1]

[0069] Table 2 shows an example of the nominal diameter of VU rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe in the standard for rigid polyvinyl chloride pipes (general) of JIS K 6741 "Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Pipes". In Table 2, the units of the outer diameter (standard dimension), thickness (minimum dimension) and approximate inner diameter are mm.

[0070] [Table 2]

[0071] The number of installations is the number of downpipes used in the piping system. The more number of installations, the greater the flow rate that the piping system can handle. The number of installations is set based on the number of downpipes that meet the required flow rate (required number). The required number is the number of downpipes that meet the required flow rate. The required number is calculated from the required flow rate and the drainage capacity of the downpipes when using the siphon effect.

[0072] The drainage capacity of a downspout when the siphon effect is used does not refer to the drainage capacity of a downspout during normal drainage, but to the drainage capacity of a downspout when the siphon effect occurs and is maintained in the piping system. The drainage capacity of a downspout when the siphon effect is used is affected by the siphon effect. In the following, simply for the sake of clarity, unless otherwise specified, "drainage capacity" refers to the drainage capacity when the siphon effect is used.

[0073] The drainage capacity of a downspout is expressed by the flow rate at the downstream opening point of a piping system when there is one downspout. In designing a piping system, a guaranteed flow rate is often used based on the actual value of the flow rate. Therefore, in this embodiment, the drainage capacity of a downspout includes a guaranteed flow rate at the downstream opening point of the piping system.

[0074] Next, a method for determining the drainage capacity of a downpipe will be described.

[0075] Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a calculation model of the first piping type of the piping system of Fig. 5. In the calculation model of the first piping type, the flow path between the upstream opening point 111 and the downstream opening point 112 is defined by a downpipe 130. Here, the potential energy at the upstream opening point 111 is H1, the pressure is P1, and the kinetic energy is V1. The potential energy at the downstream opening point 112 is H2, the pressure is P2, and the kinetic energy is V2. The sum of pressure losses due to the piping members of the piping system is ΣD. The total pipeline pressure loss of the piping system is D. P In this case, the following equation (1) holds true according to Bernoulli's theorem.

[0076]

number

[0077] The difference between potential energy H1 at the upstream opening point 111 and potential energy H2 at the downstream opening point 112 is determined by the difference in height between the upstream opening point 111 and the downstream opening point 112. If the units of H1 and H2 are m, then H1-H2=h.

[0078] The pressure P1 at the upstream opening point 111 and the pressure P2 at the downstream opening point 112 are both zero.

[0079] Since the flow velocity at the upstream opening point 111 is 0, the difference between the kinetic energy V1 at the upstream opening point 111 and the kinetic energy V2 at the downstream opening point 112 is determined by the flow velocity at the downstream opening point 112. If the flow velocity at the downstream opening point 112 is V0 and the unit of V2 is m, then V2=V0 2 / (2g) [m], where g is the acceleration due to gravity.

[0080] In the first piping type, ΣD can be expressed as ΣD=Da+Dc. Da is the pressure loss (inlet pressure loss) at the upstream opening point 111. Dc is the sum of other small pressure losses that occur in the piping system. For example, Dc includes pressure losses that occur due to steps at joints between pipes in the piping system.

[0081] If the flow velocity is V and the unit of ΣD is m, then ΣD=Σd V 2 / g=(da+dc)·V 2 / g. da and dc can be determined in advance based on an evaluation of the rain gutter system 100A through experiments, etc.

[0082] Pipe pressure loss D P Let d be the pipe diameter of the piping system (i.e., the pipe diameter of the downspout), λ be the pipe friction coefficient, L be the length of the piping system, and V be the flow velocity. P If the unit of is m, D P is given by the following equation (2).

[0083]

number

[0084] Normally, the inner wall of a piping system is smooth, so the pipe friction factor λ can be calculated using an equation that depends on the Reynolds number. For example, when the Reynolds number Re is less than 2320, the Hagen-Poiseuille law allows the use of λ = 64 / Re. When the Reynolds number Re is 3×10 3 ~1×10 5 In this case, according to the Blasius equation, λ=0.3164×Re -1 / 4 can be used. If the Reynolds number Re is 1×10 5 ~3×10 6 In this case, according to the Nikladze formula, λ = 0.0032 + 0.221 × Re -0.237 In the following, a case where the Nikladze formula is used will be described. Note that the pipe friction coefficient λ is not limited to these, and may be determined using a predetermined chart or the like.

[0085] If the flow velocity at the downstream opening point 112 is V0, the flow velocity V0 can be expressed by the following equation (3).

[0086]

number

[0087] In the above formula (3), f(Σd,L,d) is the friction loss coefficient of the squared flow velocity term, and can be a function of Σd,L,d. f(L,d) is the friction loss coefficient of the 1.763 power of the flow velocity term, and can be a function of L,d.

[0088] Σd is a coefficient corresponding to the sum of pressure losses due to the piping components of the piping system. In the first piping type, Σd=da+dc. As described above, da and dc can be determined in advance based on an experimental evaluation of the gutter system 100A. Therefore, Σd can be specified based on the piping type. In the first piping type, L=h.

[0089] From the above equation (3), the flow velocity V0 can be calculated by specifying the pipe diameter d and the height h of the piping system.

[0090] The guaranteed value of the flow rate at the downstream opening point 112 is set based on the actual value of the flow rate at the downstream opening point 112. The actual value of the flow rate at the downstream opening point 112 is determined from the theoretical value of the flow rate at the downstream opening point 112 obtained using the flow rate V0 calculated from the above formula (3).

[0091] The theoretical value of the flow rate at the downstream open point 112 is Q T Let us assume that. Q T is expressed by the following equation (4).

[0092]

number

[0093] The actual value of the flow rate at the downstream open point 112 is Q A Then, Q A Q A = a × Q T The actual value is used in comparison with the theoretical value, and it means that it is closer to the true value than the theoretical value. a is the theoretical value of the flow rate Q T The actual value of the flow rate Q A a is the theoretical value Q of the flow rate at the downstream open point 112. T and the actual flow rate at the downstream opening point 112 of the gutter system 100A, which is determined by experiment. This makes it possible to present not only a theoretical value, but also a flow rate based on a theoretical value and an actual measurement. A is based on actual measurements and is therefore suitable for setting a guaranteed value for a piping system, which is a flow rate at which the piping system can be used safely.

[0094] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the height of the piping system and the flow rate. The graph in FIG. 8 corresponds to the first piping type, the piping system of VP75. F11 is the theoretical value Q T The theoretical value Q at any height h is shown in the approximate curve. T The ratio of the measured value to the theoretical value Q at h=3 is used as a. TF12 can be calculated by multiplying the equation showing the approximate curve of F11 by a. In FIG. 8, it can be seen that F12 matches well with the measured value. Therefore, even for the configuration of a piping system in which the flow rate has not been evaluated by experiments or tests, the theoretical value Q T By using this, it is possible to obtain the flow rate based on the actual measurement. This allows the theoretical value Q of the flow rate at the downstream open point 112, which is determined by the pipe diameter d of the downpipe and the height h of the piping system. T From the above, the actual value Q of the flow rate at the downstream open point 112 A can be found with high accuracy.

[0095] The guaranteed flow rate at the downstream open point 112 is Q G Then, Q G Q G =b×Q A b is the actual value of the flow rate Q A Guaranteed value Q for G is the ratio. b is the so-called safety factor in the design of the piping system. b may be appropriately determined in consideration of various factors such as the amount of air mixed in the piping system, the height of the piping system, the piping type, the margin of the guaranteed value of the flow rate, and errors in the piping system (for example, shape errors of piping components, assembly errors, etc.). As an example, b may be set in the range of 0.7 to 0.9.

[0096] Therefore, the guaranteed flow rate Q at the downstream opening point 112, which indicates the drainage capacity of the downpipe, is calculated using the pipe diameter d of the downpipe and the height h of the piping system. G can be sought.

[0097] Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a calculation model of the second piping type of the piping system in Fig. 6. In the calculation model of the second piping type, a flow path between an upstream opening point 111 and a downstream opening point 112 is defined by a downpipe 130, a nominal downpipe 150, a first elbow 161, a second elbow 162, and a connecting pipe 170.

[0098] The above formula (1) also holds true in the calculation model for the second piping type.

[0099] In the second piping type, ΣD can be expressed as ΣD=Da+Db1+Db2+Dc, where Db1 is the pressure loss in the vicinity of the first elbow 161. Db2 is the pressure loss in the vicinity of the second elbow 162.

[0100] In the second piping type, ΣD=Σd·V 2 / g=(da+db1+db2+dc)·V 2 / g. da, db1, db2, and dc can be determined in advance, for example, through experimental evaluation of the gutter system 100B. Σd can be specified based on the piping type as Σd=da+db1+db2+dc.

[0101] Therefore, in the second piping type as well, the flow velocity V0 can be expressed by the above formula (3).

[0102] Σd is a value determined by the second piping type. In the second piping type, Σd=da+db1+db2+dc. As described above, da, db1, db2, and dc can be determined in advance from an experimental evaluation of the gutter system 100B. Therefore, Σd can be specified based on the piping type. In the second piping type, L=h+l. l is the length of the flow path defined by the nominal gutter 150, the first elbow 161, and the second elbow 162. When the first elbow 161 and the second elbow 162 are 90° elbows, l is expressed as the distance between the upstream opening point 111 and the downstream opening point 112 of the piping system in the horizontal direction. l may be determined in advance, for example, taking into consideration the implementation constraints, average configuration, and the like of the gutter system 100B of the second piping type.

[0103] In the second piping type, the flow velocity V0 can also be calculated from the above formula (3) by specifying the pipe diameter d and the height h of the piping system.

[0104] In the second piping type, a and b can be specified in advance by experimental evaluation of the gutter system 100B. Therefore, if V0 is obtained, Q T , Q A , and QG can be sought.

[0105] Therefore, in the second piping type, the guaranteed value Q of the flow rate at the downstream opening point 112, which indicates the drainage capacity of the downpipe, is calculated using the pipe diameter d of the downpipe and the height h of the piping system. G can be sought.

[0106] As described above, the drainage capacity of the downpipe when utilizing the siphon phenomenon is determined based on the height of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downpipe. In this embodiment, the drainage capacity of the downpipe is determined based on the theoretical value Q T , the actual value Q A , or guaranteed value Q G The drainage capacity of a downspout may be affected by the piping type of the piping system. For example, the drainage capacity of a downspout may vary depending on whether the piping system is the first piping type or the second piping type. If the piping type is specified in the search conditions, the drainage capacity corresponding to the specified piping type is used. If the piping type is not specified in the search conditions, the drainage capacity is used separately for the first piping type and the second piping type.

[0107] In this embodiment, the drainage capacity of the downspout is expressed as a flow rate. Therefore, the required number is given by rounding up the value obtained by dividing the required flow rate by the drainage capacity (flow rate). In this embodiment, the drainage capacity of the downspout is expressed as the theoretical value Q of the flow rate of the downspout. T , the actual value Q A , or guaranteed value Q G In calculating the required number, the guaranteed value Q G It is preferable to use:

[0108] In this way, the pipe diameter and the number of pipes to be installed can be determined from the required flow rate, and the design conditions can be determined.

[0109] The index is determined based on the water-filling rate of the downspout. In this embodiment, the index is the water-filling rate of the downspout itself.

[0110] The full water rate is the percentage of the downspout that is filled with water (the percentage of water excluding air in the downspout). The current flow rate of the downspout is Q a [l / s], the flow rate when there is no air in the downpipe is Q b [l / s], and the full water rate is Fr[%], Fr=Q a / Q b It is expressed as ×100.

[0111] Q b is determined based on the drainage capacity of the downpipe. In this embodiment, the drainage capacity of the downpipe is determined based on the theoretical value Q T , the actual value Q A , or guaranteed value Q G Includes: Q b is the theoretical value Q T , the actual value Q A , or guaranteed value Q G where the guaranteed value Q G Since includes a margin, taking into account accuracy, the theoretical value Q T Or the actual value Q A It is preferable to use

[0112] Current flow rate of the downspout Q a The estimated flow rate of the downspout is used as the flow rate. The estimated flow rate of the downspout is calculated by dividing the required flow rate by the number of downspouts installed. The estimated flow rate of the downspout is the flow rate estimated for the downspout of the piping system relative to the required flow rate.

[0113] The output information D2 may include a plurality of design conditions and a plurality of indexes corresponding to each of the plurality of design conditions. Here, the plurality of design conditions may be set so that at least one of the pipe diameter and the number of installations is different. For example, the plurality of design conditions may be set so that the number of installations is the same for three types of pipe diameters, VP75, VP100, and VP125. For example, the plurality of design conditions may be set so that the number of installations is different for one type of pipe diameter, VP75. For example, the plurality of design conditions may be set so that there are a plurality of installation numbers for each of three types of pipe diameters, VP75, VP100, and VP125. The plurality of design conditions may be determined based on the search conditions included in the input information D1. For example, when the pipe diameter is set to VP75 and VP100 and the number of installations is set to 1 to 5 in the search conditions, the plurality of design conditions may be set based on a combination of the two types of pipe diameters, VP75 and VP100, and the number of installations, 1 to 5. When the pipe diameter is not specified in the search conditions, a predetermined pipe diameter or all selectable pipe diameters may be used. When the installation number is not specified in the search conditions, the required number may be used as the installation number, or a value in a range including the required number may be used as the installation number.

[0114] The output information D2 further includes relationship information indicating the relationship between the pipe diameter at each of the multiple heights and the drainage capacity when the siphon effect is utilized. The multiple heights include the height of the piping system specified in the input information D1. For example, the multiple heights may be selected from a certain range centered on the height of the piping system specified in the input information D1. The multiple heights are not particularly limited and may be set based on the expected height of the building. As described above, the flow velocity V0 can be obtained by specifying the pipe diameter d and the height h of the piping system from the above formula (3). Once V0 is obtained, Q T , Q A , and Q G Therefore, by fixing the pipe diameter d of the downspout and varying the height h of the piping system, the relationship between the pipe diameter and the drainage capacity at each of a plurality of heights, including the height of the piping system, can be obtained.

[0115] [1.2 Operation] As described above, the design support system 1 presents design conditions for a piping system based on the required flow rate of the piping system, and an index of the availability of the siphon phenomenon under the design conditions for the required flow rate. Next, the operation of the design support system 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 16.

[0116] Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an input screen displayed in the design support system 1. An input screen G1 shown in Fig. 10 is used for inputting input information D1.

[0117] In the design support system 1, the information terminal 2 accepts input of input information D1 from the user 5. More specifically, the information terminal 2 displays an input screen G1 for inputting the input information D1 on the display device 22a in response to the user 5 operating the position input device 21a of the input device 21 of the information terminal 2. In this embodiment, the input screen G1 is displayed using a web browser WB1.

[0118] The input screen G1 includes a first region R11, a second region R12, a third region R13, a fourth region R14, a fifth region R15, a sixth region R16, and a button B1.

[0119] The first region R11 to the sixth region R16 are regions for inputting the input information D1.

[0120] The first area R11 and the second area R12 are areas for inputting information for identifying the required flow rate.

[0121] The first area R11 is an area for inputting the roof area. The first area R11 is an area for inputting any numerical value regarding the roof area. The first area R11 includes an explanation area T11 and a value display area F11. The explanation area T11 displays a character string for prompting input of the roof area. The explanation area T11 in FIG. 10 displays the character string "Roof Area". The value display area F11 accepts input of a numerical value to be used as the roof area and displays the input numerical value. In this embodiment, the roof area is a continuous variable. However, in reality, there are limitations on the numerical interval and the numerical range.

[0122] The second area R12 is an area for inputting rainfall intensity. The second area R12 is an area for inputting any numerical value related to rainfall intensity. The second area R12 includes an explanation area T12 and a value display area F12. The explanation area T12 displays a character string for prompting input of rainfall intensity. The explanation area T12 in FIG. 10 displays the character string "Rainfall Intensity". The value display area F12 accepts input of a numerical value to be used as rainfall intensity, and displays the input numerical value. In this embodiment, rainfall intensity is a continuous variable. However, in reality, there are limitations on the numerical interval and the numerical range.

[0123] The third area R13 is an area for inputting the height of the piping system. In this embodiment, the third area R13 is an area for inputting any numerical value regarding the height of the piping system. The third area R13 includes an explanation area T13 and a value display area F13. The explanation area T13 displays a character string for prompting input of the height of the piping system. The explanation area T13 in FIG. 10 displays the character string "Height of the piping system". The value display area F13 accepts input of a numerical value to be used as the height of the system and displays the input numerical value. In this embodiment, the height of the piping system is a continuous variable. However, in reality, there are limitations on the numerical interval and the numerical range.

[0124] The fourth area R14 to the sixth area R16 are areas for inputting search conditions for the piping system.

[0125] The fourth area R14 is an area for specifying the pipe diameter of the downpipe of the piping system. In this embodiment, the fourth area R14 allows the selection of whether or not to specify the pipe diameter, and the selection of the range of the pipe diameter when the pipe diameter is specified. The fourth area R14 includes explanation areas T141, T142, and T143, selection buttons RB141 and RB142, and a button B14. The explanation area T141 displays a character string for prompting the user to specify the pipe diameter. The explanation area T141 in FIG. 10 displays the character string "Pipe diameter". The selection buttons RB141 and RB142 are radio buttons of which only one can be selected. The selection button RB141 corresponds to not specifying the pipe diameter, and the selection button RB142 corresponds to specifying the pipe diameter. The explanation area T142 displays a character string indicating that the selection button RB141 corresponds to not specifying the pipe diameter. The explanation area T142 in FIG. 10 displays the character string "No designation". Explanation region T143 displays a character string indicating that selection button RB142 corresponds to specifying a pipe diameter. Explanation region T143 in FIG. 10 displays the character string "Specified." Button B14 is a button for selecting the pipe diameter to be specified. When button B14 is selected, a list of pipe diameters that can be specified is displayed. The list of pipe diameters includes, for example, four types of pipe diameters, "VU75," "VP75," "VP100," and "VP125," and allows the selection of the pipe diameter to be specified from the four types of pipe diameters.

[0126] The fifth region R15 is a region for specifying the number of downpipes to be installed in the piping system. In this embodiment, the fifth region R15 allows the selection of whether to specify the number of installations and the selection of the range of the number of installations when the number of installations is specified. The fifth region R15 includes explanation regions T151, T152, and T153, selection buttons RB151 and RB152, and value display regions F151 and F152. The explanation region T151 displays a character string for prompting the user to specify the number of installations. The explanation region T151 in FIG. 10 displays a character string "Number of downpipes". The selection buttons RB151 and RB152 are radio buttons of which only one can be selected. The selection button RB151 corresponds to not specifying the number of installations, and the selection button RB152 corresponds to specifying the number of installations. The explanation region T152 displays a character string indicating that the selection button RB151 corresponds to not specifying the number of installations. The explanation region T152 in FIG. 10 displays a character string "No specification". The explanation area T153 displays a character string indicating that the selection button RB152 corresponds to designating the first piping type. The explanation area T153 in FIG. 10 displays the character string "Designated". The value display area F151 accepts input of a numerical value to be used as the lower limit of the designated installation number, and displays the input numerical value. The value display area F152 accepts input of a numerical value to be used as the upper limit of the designated installation number, and displays the input numerical value. When the upper limit and lower limit of the installation number are the same value, or when only one of the upper limit and lower limit of the installation number is input, the input value may be adopted as the installation number. In this embodiment, the installation number is an integer of 1 or more.

[0127] The sixth region R16 is an area for designating the piping type of the piping system. In this embodiment, the sixth region R16 is an area for selecting whether or not to designate a piping type, and for selecting one from a plurality of different piping types when designating a piping type. The sixth region R16 includes explanation regions T161, T162, T163, and T164, and selection buttons RB161, RB162, and RB163. The explanation region T161 displays a character string for prompting the user to designate a piping type. The explanation region T161 in FIG. 10 displays a character string "System Type". The selection buttons RB161, RB162, and RB163 are radio buttons of which only one can be selected. The selection button RB161 corresponds to not designating a piping type, the selection button RB162 corresponds to designating a first piping type, and the selection button RB163 corresponds to designating a second piping type. The explanation region T162 displays a character string indicating that the selection button RB161 corresponds to not designating a piping type. Explanation region T162 of FIG. 10 displays the character string "No designation." Explanation region T163 displays the character string indicating that selection button RB162 corresponds to designating the first piping style. Explanation region T162 of FIG. 10 displays the character string "Straight pipe type." Explanation region T164 of FIG. 10 displays the character string indicating that selection button RB163 corresponds to designating the second piping style. Explanation region T164 of FIG. 10 displays the character string "Elbow swing type."

[0128] Button B1 is a button for starting calculation of design conditions and indexes. Button B1 includes the character string "Calculate." Button B1 may be operable when the roof area, rainfall intensity, and piping system height have all been input. Note that input of search conditions (downspout pipe diameter, number of downspouts installed, and piping type) is optional, so button B1 may be operable even if search conditions have not been input.

[0129] When button B1 is operated on input screen G1, information terminal 2 transmits input information D1, including the roof area input in first area R11, the rainfall intensity input in second area R12, and the height of the piping system input in third area R13, to processing device 3 via communication network 4. Processing device 3 executes calculation of design conditions and indexes based on input information D1. As a result, processing device 3 generates output information D2 including design conditions and indexes. Processing device 3 transmits output information D2 to information terminal 2 via communication network 4.

[0130] 11 to 13 are explanatory diagrams of a first example of an output screen displayed by the design support system 1. In the first example, VP75 and VP100 are specified as pipe diameters, and the number of installations and the piping type are not specified.

[0131] The output screen G21 shown in Fig. 11 is used for outputting the output information D2. The output screen G2 includes an explanation area T2 for presenting the design conditions and indicators included in the output information D2. The explanation area T2 displays the design conditions and indicators in a table format. The explanation area T2 shows the drainage capacity, number of installations, expected flow rate, and full water rate for the straight pipe type (first piping type) and elbow type (second piping type) for each of the two pipe diameters, VP75 and VP100.

[0132] The output screen G22 shown in Fig. 12 is used for outputting the relationship information. In Fig. 12, the relationship information is represented by a graph. More specifically, the relationship information shown in Fig. 12 is a graph with the height h of the piping system on the horizontal axis and the drainage capacity of the downspout on the vertical axis. The relationship information shown in Fig. 12 shows the change in drainage capacity with respect to the height h of the piping system for a straight pipe type (first piping type) and an elbow type (second piping type) for each of two pipe diameters, VP75 and VP100. The drainage capacity is represented by a guaranteed value Q G is used.

[0133] An output screen G23 shown in Fig. 13 is used to output relationship information, similar to the output screen G22 in Fig. 12. The relationship information was shown in a graph in Fig. 12, but is shown in a table in Fig. 13. More specifically, the relationship information in Fig. 13 is a table showing the drainage capacity of the downspout for each height h of the piping system. The relationship information in Fig. 13 shows the change in drainage capacity with respect to the height h of the piping system for a straight pipe type (first piping type) and an elbow type (second piping type) for each of three pipe diameters, VP75, VP100, and VP125. The drainage capacity is represented by a guaranteed value Q G In FIG. 13, "N / A" means that the possibility of the siphon phenomenon occurring is low and the device cannot be used.

[0134] 14 to 16 are explanatory diagrams of a second example of an output screen displayed by the design support system 1. In the second example, VP75 and VP100 are specified as the pipe diameters, the number of installations is not specified, but the first piping type is specified as the piping type.

[0135] 14 includes an explanation area T2A for presenting the design conditions and indicators included in the output information D2. The explanation area T2A displays the design conditions and indicators in a table format. The explanation area T2A shows the drainage capacity, number of installations, expected flow rate, and full water rate for the straight pipe type (first piping type) for each of the two pipe diameters, VP75 and VP100.

[0136] The output screen G22A shown in Fig. 15 is used for outputting the related information. In Fig. 15, the related information is expressed as a graph similar to that in Fig. 12. The related information shown in Fig. 15 shows the change in drainage capacity with respect to the height h of the piping system in a straight pipe type (first piping type) for each of two types of pipe diameters, VP75 and VP100. The drainage capacity is expressed as a guaranteed value Q G is used.

[0137] An output screen G23A shown in Fig. 16 is used to output related information, similar to the output screen G22A in Fig. 15. The related information was shown in a graph in Fig. 15, but is shown in a table in Fig. 16. The related information in Fig. 16 shows the change in drainage capacity with respect to the height h of the piping system for a straight pipe type (first piping type) for each of three pipe diameters, VP75, VP100, and VP125. The drainage capacity is expressed as a guaranteed value Q G In FIG. 16, "N / A" means that the possibility of the siphon phenomenon occurring is low and the device cannot be used in practice, similar to FIG.

[0138] In this way, the design support system 1 uses input information D1 used to specify the required flow rate of the piping system to present output information D2 including the design conditions of the piping system and an index of the availability of the siphon phenomenon under the design conditions for the required flow rate, as shown in Figs. 11 and 14. The input information D1 used to specify the required flow rate may be, for example, the roof area and rainfall intensity, which can be input without specialized knowledge for calculating the flow rate of drainage. Then, the output information D2 makes it possible to confirm the design conditions of the piping system and an index of the availability of the siphon phenomenon under the design conditions for the required flow rate. Therefore, by using the design support system 1, it becomes possible to design a piping system that satisfies the required flow rate.

[0139] In particular, the inventors have focused on the fact that the height of the piping system (effective siphon height) affects not only whether the siphon phenomenon occurs but also the drainage capacity of the downspout. Conventionally, in piping systems such as rainwater drainage systems that utilize the siphon effect, the drainage capacity of the downspout was the drainage capacity at the "minimum guaranteed height for the occurrence of the siphon phenomenon", so regardless of the height of the piping system, the piping system had to be designed with the same drainage capacity, and only proposals that could lead to customer disadvantages such as the number of downspouts being more than the number actually required or the pipe diameter of the downspout being larger than the actually required relationship could be made. In addition, when proposing a downspout with a pipe diameter larger than the actually required pipe diameter in an attempt to ensure drainage capacity, there is a risk that the full water rate in the downspout will be low and the siphon phenomenon will not be able to be used, but such risks have not been presented.

[0140] However, as described above, by using the design support system 1, it is possible to confirm the design conditions of the piping system and an index of the possibility of utilizing the siphon phenomenon under the design conditions for the required flow rate. Therefore, it becomes possible to optimize the design conditions of the piping system that utilizes the siphon phenomenon (particularly the pipe diameter and number of downpipes), and it becomes possible to present an optimal piping system that is more efficient than before and has less waste for the customer.

[0141] The design support system 1 presents relationship information as shown in Figures 12, 13, 15, and 16. Such relationship information makes it easier for the user 5 to determine how to change the design conditions of the piping system (particularly the pipe diameter and number of downpipes). This makes it even easier to optimize the design of a piping system that utilizes the siphon phenomenon.

[0142] [1.3 Effects, etc.] The design support system 1 described above includes a calculation circuit 25 connected to the display device 22a and the input device 21. The calculation circuit 25 calculates the required flow rate Q of the piping system by the display device 22a. RThe input device 21 receives the input of the input information D1, and the display device 22a displays the required flow rate Q of the piping system based on the input information D1. R and an indicator of the availability of the siphon phenomenon under the design conditions. This configuration makes it possible to optimize and facilitate the design of a piping system that utilizes the siphon phenomenon.

[0143] In the design support system 1, the design conditions include the pipe diameter of the downpipes of the piping system and the number of downpipes to be installed. This configuration makes it possible to further facilitate the design of the piping system.

[0144] In the design support system 1, the index is determined based on the full water rate of the downspout. This configuration makes it easy to understand whether the siphon effect can be utilized in the piping system.

[0145] In the design support system 1, the full water rate is determined based on the drainage capacity of the downpipe when the siphon effect is utilized and the estimated flow rate of the downpipe. This configuration can improve the accuracy of the evaluation of the possibility of utilizing the siphon effect.

[0146] In the design support system 1, the estimated flow rate is calculated by dividing the required flow rate by the number of installations. This configuration can improve the accuracy of the availability of the siphon effect.

[0147] In the design support system 1, the number of installations is set based on the number of downpipes required to satisfy the required flow rate, and the required number is calculated from the required flow rate and the drainage capacity. This configuration makes it possible to further simplify the design of the piping system.

[0148] In the design support system 1, the drainage capacity is determined based on the height of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downpipe. This configuration can improve the accuracy of the drainage capacity.

[0149] In the design support system 1, the output information D2 includes relationship information indicating the relationship between the pipe diameter and the drainage capacity at each of a plurality of heights including the height of the piping system. This configuration further facilitates optimization of the design of a piping system that utilizes the siphon effect.

[0150] In the design support system 1, the output information includes a plurality of design conditions that differ from each other in at least one of the pipe diameter and the number of installations, and a plurality of indexes that respectively correspond to the plurality of design conditions. This configuration makes it easy to compare the plurality of design conditions.

[0151] The design support system 1 described above can be said to execute the following method (design support method). The design support method is executed by the arithmetic circuit 25 connected to the display device 22a and the input device 21, and the required flow rate Q of the piping system is displayed by the display device 22a. R The input device 21 receives the input of the input information D1, and the display device 22a displays the required flow rate Q of the piping system based on the input information D1. R and an indicator of the availability of the siphon phenomenon under the design conditions. This configuration makes it possible to optimize and facilitate the design of a piping system that utilizes the siphon phenomenon.

[0152] The design support system 1 is realized by utilizing an arithmetic circuit 25. In other words, the design support method executed by the design support system 1 can be realized by the arithmetic circuit 25 executing a program. This program is a computer program for causing the arithmetic circuit 25 to execute the design support method. This configuration makes it possible to optimize and facilitate the design of a piping system that utilizes the siphon phenomenon.

[0153] [2. Modifications] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. The above-mentioned embodiments can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Below, modified examples of the above-mentioned embodiments are listed. The modified examples described below can be applied in appropriate combination.

[0154] [2.1 Variation 1] The configuration of the design support system according to the first modified example is similar to that of the design support system 1 of the above embodiment, and therefore the drawings and reference numerals of the design support system 1 of the above embodiment will be used as necessary.

[0155] 17 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system 1 of the modified example 1. The output screen G21B shown in FIG 17 shows an explanation region T41 that can be adopted in place of the explanation region T2 of FIG.

[0156] The explanation area T41 displays the design conditions and indices in a table format. The explanation area T41 shows the drainage capacity, number of installations, expected flow rate, and indices for the straight pipe type (first piping type) for each of the four pipe diameters: VP75, VU75, VP100, and VP125.

[0157] In the explanation region T41, the indicator includes an indication of whether siphoning is available in the piping system. The indication of whether siphoning is available in the piping system indicates whether siphoning is available in the piping system by a message, an image, or the like. Whether siphoning is available is determined by comparing the full water rate with a threshold. More specifically, the calculation circuit 35 determines that siphoning is available in the piping system when the full water rate is equal to or greater than a first threshold and equal to or less than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold. The calculation circuit 35 determines that siphoning is not available in the piping system when the full water rate is less than the first threshold or exceeds the second threshold. For example, but not limited to, the first threshold is 50% and the second threshold is 100%.

[0158] For the VP75 diameter standpipe, the fullness is 111%. For the VP75 diameter standpipe, it is determined that siphoning is not available in the piping system. The "Siphoning Availability" column for VP75 displays the message "Not Available" along with image T41a, which visually indicates a fullness greater than 100%. This message and image T41a are an indication that siphoning is not available in the piping system.

[0159] For the VU75 diameter standpipe, the fullness is 103%. For the VU75 diameter standpipe, it is determined that siphoning is not available in the piping system. The "Siphoning Availability" column for VU75 displays the message "Not Available" along with image T41a, which visually indicates a fullness greater than 100%.

[0160] For a standpipe with a pipe diameter of VP100, the fullness rate is 80%. For a standpipe with a pipe diameter of VP100, it is determined that siphoning is not available in the piping system. In the "Siphoning Availability" column corresponding to VP100, image T41b is displayed, which visually indicates a fullness rate of 80%, along with the message "Available." This message and image T41a are an indication that siphoning is available in the piping system.

[0161] For a standpipe with a pipe diameter of VP125, the fullness is 40%. For a standpipe with a pipe diameter of VP125, it is determined that siphoning is not available in the piping system. The "Siphoning Availability" column for VP125 displays the message "Not Available" along with image T41c, which visually indicates a fullness of 40%. This message and image T41c are an indication that siphoning is not available in the piping system.

[0162] In the first modification, the indicator shows an indication (message and images T41a, T41b, T41c) of whether or not the siphoning effect is available in the piping system. This configuration can clearly show the availability of the siphoning effect.

[0163] In the first modification, when the water-fill rate is equal to or greater than a first threshold and equal to or less than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold, it is determined that the siphoning effect is available in the piping system. This configuration makes it possible to clearly indicate the availability of the siphoning effect.

[0164] [2.2 Variation 2] The configuration of the design support system according to the modified example 2 is similar to that of the design support system 1 of the above embodiment, and therefore the drawings and reference numerals of the design support system 1 of the above embodiment will be used as necessary.

[0165] In the output screen G23 of FIG. 13 and the output screen G23A of FIG. 16 described in relation to the above embodiment, the drainage capacity of the downspout is expressed as a flow rate. However, the drainage capacity of the downspout may be expressed in a manner other than a flow rate. Here, the flow rate of the downspout is expressed as q [l / s], the corresponding roof area is expressed as s [m 2 ] and the corresponding rainfall intensity is r [m / s], then q can be expressed as q = s × r. The corresponding roof area s means the roof area that can be handled by one downspout for a given rainfall intensity. In other words, the corresponding roof area s is the maximum roof area that can be handled by one downspout for a given rainfall intensity when there are no restrictions on eaves gutters. The corresponding rainfall intensity r means the rainfall intensity that can be handled by one downspout for a given roof area. In other words, the corresponding rainfall intensity r is the maximum rainfall intensity that can be handled by one downspout for a given roof area when there are no restrictions on eaves gutters.

[0166] The flow rate of the downspout, q, is the above Q T , Q A , and Q GTherefore, if the corresponding rainfall intensity r is fixed, the corresponding roof area s can be calculated from the downspout flow rate q. Any value can be used for the corresponding rainfall intensity r. If the input information D1 includes the rainfall intensity R, the rainfall intensity R can be used as the value of the corresponding rainfall intensity r.

[0167] Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system of the modified example 2. The output screen G23C shown in Fig. 18 is used for outputting relationship information. The relationship information in Fig. 18 is a table showing the drainage capacity of the downspout for each height h of the piping system. The relationship information in Fig. 18 shows the change in drainage capacity with respect to the height h of the piping system for a straight pipe type (first piping style) and an elbow type (second piping style) for a pipe diameter of VP75. The drainage capacity is expressed as the roof area per downspout.

[0168] In this way, the drainage capacity of a downspout may be expressed as the roof area per downspout. The roof area per downspout can be said to be the roof area per drain outlet.

[0169] On the other hand, if the corresponding roof area s is fixed, the corresponding rainfall intensity r can be calculated from the downspout flow rate q.

[0170] Thus, the drainage capacity of a downspout may be represented by at least one of the flow rate, the corresponding roof area, or the corresponding rainfall intensity.

[0171] [2.3 Variation 3] The configuration of the design support system according to the modified example 3 is similar to that of the design support system 1 of the above embodiment, and therefore the drawings and reference numerals of the design support system 1 of the above embodiment will be used as necessary.

[0172] In the output screen G23 of FIG. 13 and the output screen G23A of FIG. 16 described in relation to the above embodiment, the drainage capacity of the downspout is represented for each height of the piping system, but may be represented for each section of the piping system with different heights. The sections of the piping system with different heights may have a certain width. For example, the section of the height of the piping system is not particularly limited, but may be a section with a width of 3 m, such as a section of 3 m or more and less than 6 m, a section of 6 m or more and less than 9 m, a section of 9 m or more and less than 12 m, or a section of 12 m or more and less than 15 m. The drainage capacity of each section may be a representative value of the drainage capacity in each section. The representative value may be a statistical value such as a minimum value, a maximum value, a median value, a mean value, or the like. From the viewpoint of guaranteeing the drainage capacity, the drainage capacity of each section may be a minimum value of the drainage capacity in each section.

[0173] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system of the third modified example. The output screen G23D shown in FIG. 19 is used for outputting related information. The related information in FIG. 19 is a graph showing the drainage capacity of a downspout for each section of the height of a piping system. The related information in FIG. 19 shows the drainage capacity for each section of the height of a piping system for a straight pipe type (first piping type) for a pipe diameter of VP75. In FIG. 19, the drainage capacity is expressed as a flow rate (for example, a guaranteed value Q G )

[0174] In the third modification, the drainage capacity of the downspout is expressed for each section of the piping system that is at a different height. This makes it easier to grasp the drainage capacity of the downspout from the height of the piping system.

[0175] [2.4 Variation 4] The configuration of the design support system according to the fourth modified example is similar to that of the design support system 1 of the above embodiment, and therefore the drawings and reference numerals of the design support system 1 of the above embodiment will be used as necessary.

[0176] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system of the modified example 4. The output screen G23E shown in FIG. 20 is used for outputting the related information. The related information in FIG. 20 is a table showing the drainage capacity of the downpipe in a first range where the height of the piping system is less than a threshold value and the drainage capacity of the downpipe in a second range where the height of the piping system is equal to or greater than the threshold value. The threshold value is not particularly limited, but is 10 m. The drainage capacity of the downpipe in the first range may be a representative value of the drainage capacity in the first range. The drainage capacity of the downpipe in the second range may be a representative value of the drainage capacity in the second range. Here, the representative value may be a statistical value such as a minimum value, a maximum value, a median value, a middle value, or an average value. From the viewpoint of guaranteeing the drainage capacity, the drainage capacity of the first range or the second range may be a minimum value of the drainage capacity in the first range or the second range.

[0177] The relationship information in FIG. 20 shows the drainage capacity for the first and second ranges for the straight pipe type (first piping type) and elbow type (second piping type) for each of the three pipe diameters, VP75, VP100, and VP125. In FIG. 20, the drainage capacity is expressed as the flow rate (e.g., the guaranteed value Q G )

[0178] In the fourth modification, the drainage capacity of the downpipe is expressed as the drainage capacity of the downpipe in a first range where the height of the piping system is less than a threshold value, and the drainage capacity of the downpipe in a second range where the height of the piping system is equal to or greater than the threshold value. This makes it easier to grasp the drainage capacity of the downpipe from the height of the piping system.

[0179] [2.5 Variation 5] The configuration of the design support system according to the fifth modified example is similar to that of the design support system 1 of the above embodiment, and therefore the drawings and reference numerals of the design support system 1 of the above embodiment will be used as necessary.

[0180] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an output screen displayed in the design support system of the fifth modified example. The output screen G23F shown in FIG. 21 is used for outputting related information. The related information in FIG. 21 is a table showing the change in the drainage capacity of the downspout for each height range of the piping system with respect to the corresponding rainfall intensity. As described above, the flow rate q of the downspout is expressed as q=s×r. The flow rate q of the downspout is calculated by the above-mentioned Q T , Q A , and Q G Therefore, once the flow rate q is determined, the change in the corresponding roof area s with respect to the change in the corresponding rainfall intensity r can be calculated. The relationship information in FIG. 21 shows the change in the corresponding roof area s with respect to the corresponding rainfall intensity r for the first and second ranges of the height of the piping system in a straight pipe type (first piping type) for a pipe diameter of VP75. In FIG. 20, the unit of the corresponding roof area s is [m 2 ], and the corresponding rainfall intensity r is in [mm / h].

[0181] In the fifth modification, the drainage capacity of the downpipe is expressed as the corresponding roof area for each corresponding rainfall intensity. This makes it easy to calculate the pipe diameter and number of downpipes required based on the roof area of ​​the building.

[0182] [2.6 Variation 6] In the sixth modification, the input information D1 does not need to directly include the roof area S, the rainfall intensity R, and the height h of the piping system, and may include information indirectly including the roof area S, the rainfall intensity R, and the height h of the piping system. The information indirectly including the roof area S, the rainfall intensity R, and the height h of the piping system refers to information that is not the roof area S, the rainfall intensity R, and the height h of the piping system itself, but can identify these. For example, the input information D1 may include building information regarding the building in which the piping system is installed. The building information may include structural information regarding the structure of the building and location information regarding the location of the building. The structural information may include, for example, an architectural drawing of the building. From the architectural drawing, at least the roof area of ​​the roof of the building where rainwater flows into the piping system and the height of the piping system can be identified. The location information may include, for example, the location of the building. From the location of the building, the location of the building can be identified, which makes it possible to identify the rainfall intensity.

[0183] The calculation circuit 35 specifies the roof area S based on the structural information, and specifies the rainfall intensity R based on the location information. The calculation circuit 35 calculates the required flow rate Q from the roof area S specified by the structural information and the rainfall intensity R specified by the location information. R The calculation circuit 35 determines the height h of the piping system based on the structural information. From such input information D1, the calculation circuit 35 calculates the required flow rate Q R , and the height h of the piping system can be calculated.

[0184] In the sixth modification, the input information D1 includes structural information regarding the structure of the building in which the piping system is installed. The height of the piping system is specified by the structural information. This configuration automatically determines the height of the piping system from the structural information, and therefore, the user can easily input the height of the piping system.

[0185] In the sixth modification, the input information D1 includes structural information on the structure of the building in which the piping system is installed and location information on the location of the building. The required flow rate is calculated from the roof area specified by the structural information and the rainfall intensity specified by the location information. This configuration automatically calculates the required flow rate from the structural information and location information, making it easier for the user to input the required flow rate.

[0186] [2.7 Other Modifications] In one modified example, the piping type is not limited to the above-mentioned first and second piping types. Although the first and second piping types are relatively typical piping types in gutter systems, it goes without saying that various other piping types are used in gutter systems. Examples of piping types include a type in which a branch pipe joins a main pipe, and a type in which multiple branch pipes are joined together.

[0187] In one variant, the input information D1 may include information on a piping type and one or more piping members used in the piping type. The piping members may be selected from among piping members that cause pressure loss. Examples of the piping members include joints such as elbows, increasers, sockets, and tees.

[0188] For example, in the second piping type, as described above, ΣD can be expressed as ΣD=Da+Db1+Db2+Dc. Db1 is the pressure loss in the vicinity of the first elbow 161. Db2 is the pressure loss in the vicinity of the second elbow 162. Various well-known elbows can be used as the first elbow 161 and the second elbow 162. For example, in JIS K 6739 "Rigid polyvinyl chloride pipe joints for drainage", there are 90° elbows, 90° large bend elbows, 45° elbows, etc. Depending on what kind of elbows are used for the first elbow 161 and the second elbow 162, the pressure loss in the vicinity of the first elbow 161 and the second elbow 162 can change. Therefore, the information on one or more piping members used in the piping type may include information on the type of the first elbow 161 and the second elbow 162. This is expected to improve the accuracy of the calculation of the drainage capacity.

[0189] In one modified example, the input information D1 does not need to include the height h of the piping system. In this case, the height of the piping system for determining the design conditions of the piping system may be determined in advance.

[0190] In one modified example, the search conditions do not need to include all of the pipe diameter of the downpipe, the number of downpipes installed, and the piping type, and may include at least one of them. Also, the input information D1 does not necessarily need to include the search conditions.

[0191] In one variant, the pipe diameter of the downspout may be a discrete variable indicating the pipe diameter, rather than the type of piping used for the downspout. The approximate inner diameter values ​​listed in Tables 1 and 2 may be used as the discrete variables indicating the pipe diameter. For example, the second information may be selectable from 83 mm corresponding to VU75, 77 mm corresponding to VP75, 100 mm corresponding to VP100, and 125 mm corresponding to VP125. The pipe diameter of the downspout may be a continuous variable indicating the pipe diameter. This allows for a high degree of freedom in the design of the piping system.

[0192] In one variation, the input screen and the output screen may be one screen rather than separate screens.

[0193] In one variation, the relevant information may be displayed on the same screen as the indicator of the availability of siphoning at the design conditions of the piping system and the design conditions for the required flow rate, or may be displayed on a separate screen. Also, the output information D2 does not necessarily need to include the relevant information.

[0194] In one variant, the button B1 is not essential. The design support system 1 may automatically generate the output information D2 when the input of the input information D1 is completed.

[0195] In one modified example, the design support system 1 may be realized by a single computer system. For example, the design support system 1 may be realized by an information terminal 2. In this case, the arithmetic circuit 25 of the information terminal 2 also functions as the arithmetic circuit 35 of the processing device 3. In other words, the arithmetic circuit 25 of the information terminal 2 generates output information D2 based on input information D1.

[0196] In one modified example, the design support system 1 may be realized by a computer system such as a plurality of servers. It is not essential that a plurality of functions (components) in the design support system 1 are integrated in one housing, and the components of the design support system 1 may be distributed across a plurality of housings. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the design support system 1, for example, some of the functions of the arithmetic circuits 25 and 35, may be realized by the cloud (cloud computing) or the like.

[0197] The design support system described above can also be used for piping systems other than rain gutter systems. Examples of piping systems include piping systems for water supply or sewerage, and piping systems for transporting a target fluid within a facility such as a factory. In other words, the fluid transported by the piping system is not limited to rainwater.

[0198] [3. Aspects] As is apparent from the above embodiment and modifications, the present disclosure includes the following aspects.

[0199] [Aspect 1] A calculation circuit connected to the display device and the input device, The arithmetic circuit includes: displaying an input screen for inputting input information used to identify a required flow rate of the piping system by the display device; Accepting input of the input information by the input device; displaying, by the display device, an output screen presenting output information including design conditions of the piping system and an index of the availability of the siphon phenomenon under the design conditions for the required flow rate, based on the input information; Design support system.

[0200] [Aspect 2] The design conditions are: A pipe diameter of a downpipe of the piping system; The number of downspouts installed; and Including, 1 is a design support system according to embodiment 1.

[0201] [Aspect 3] The index is determined based on the water-filled rate of the downspout. The design support system of aspect 2.

[0202] [Aspect 4] The indicator includes an indication of whether siphoning is available in the piping system. The design support system of aspect 3.

[0203] [Aspect 5] If the water-fill ratio is equal to or greater than a first threshold and equal to or less than a second threshold greater than the first threshold, it is determined that siphoning is available in the piping system. The design support system of embodiment 4.

[0204] [Aspect 6] The full water rate is determined based on the drainage capacity of the downpipe when utilizing the siphon phenomenon and the estimated flow rate of the downpipe. The design support system according to any one of aspects 3 to 5.

[0205] [Aspect 7] The estimated flow rate is calculated by dividing the required flow rate by the number of units to be installed. 7. A design support system according to embodiment 6.

[0206] [Aspect 8] The number of installations is set based on the required number of downpipes that meet the required flow rate, The required number is calculated from the required flow rate and the drainage capacity. 8. The design support system of embodiment 7.

[0207] [Aspect 9] The drainage capacity is determined based on the height of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout. A design support system according to any one of aspects 6 to 8.

[0208] [Aspect 10] The input information includes structural information regarding a structure of a building in which the piping system is to be installed; The height of the piping system is specified in the structural information. 10. A design support system according to embodiment 9.

[0209] [Aspect 11] The output information includes relationship information indicating a relationship between the pipe diameter and the drainage capacity at each of a plurality of heights including the height of the piping system. The design support system of aspect 9 or 10.

[0210] [Aspect 12] The output information includes a plurality of design conditions having different pipe diameters and a plurality of the indexes corresponding to the plurality of design conditions, The design support system according to any one of aspects 2 to 11.

[0211] [Aspect 13] the input information includes structural information relating to a structure of a building in which the piping system is installed and location information relating to a location of the building; The required flow rate is calculated from the roof area specified in the structural information and the rainfall intensity specified in the location information. The design support system according to any one of aspects 1 to 12.

[0212] [Aspect 14] a computing circuit coupled to the display device and the input device; displaying an input screen for inputting input information used to identify a required flow rate of the piping system by the display device; Accepting input of the input information by the input device; displaying, by the display device, an output screen presenting output information including design conditions of the piping system and an index of the availability of the siphon phenomenon under the design conditions for the required flow rate, based on the input information; Design support method.

[0213] [Aspect 15] In order to cause the arithmetic circuit to execute the design support method of aspect 14, program.

[0214] The aspects 2 to 13 are optional and not essential. The aspects 2 to 13 can be appropriately combined with the aspect 14. [Industrial Applicability]

[0215] The present disclosure is applicable to a design support system, a design support method, and a program (computer program). Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to a design support system, a design support method, and a program for designing a piping system that utilizes the siphon phenomenon. [Explanation of symbols]

[0216] 1 Design support system 21 Input Devices 22a Display device 25 Arithmetic circuit

Claims

1. A calculation circuit connected to the display device and the input device, The arithmetic circuit includes: displaying an input screen for inputting input information used to identify a required flow rate of the piping system by the display device; Accepting input of the input information by the input device; displaying, by the display device, an output screen presenting output information including design conditions of the piping system and an index of the availability of the siphon phenomenon under the design conditions for the required flow rate, based on the input information; Design support system.

2. The design conditions are: A pipe diameter of a downpipe of the piping system; The number of downspouts installed; and Including, The design support system of claim 1.

3. The index is determined based on the water-filled rate of the downspout. The design support system according to claim 2.

4. the indicator includes an indication of whether siphoning is available in the piping system; The design support system according to claim 3.

5. If the water-fill ratio is equal to or greater than a first threshold and equal to or less than a second threshold greater than the first threshold, it is determined that siphoning is available in the piping system. The design support system according to claim 4.

6. The full water rate is determined based on the drainage capacity of the downpipe when utilizing the siphon phenomenon and the estimated flow rate of the downpipe. The design support system according to claim 3.

7. The estimated flow rate is calculated by dividing the required flow rate by the number of units to be installed. The design support system according to claim 6.

8. The number of installations is set based on the required number of downpipes that meet the required flow rate, The required number is calculated from the required flow rate and the drainage capacity. The design support system according to claim 7.

9. The drainage capacity is determined based on the height of the piping system and the pipe diameter of the downspout. The design support system according to claim 6.

10. The input information includes structural information regarding a structure of a building in which the piping system is to be installed; The height of the piping system is specified in the structural information. The design support system according to claim 9.

11. The output information includes relationship information indicating a relationship between the pipe diameter and the drainage capacity at each of a plurality of heights including the height of the piping system. The design support system according to claim 9.

12. The output information includes a plurality of design conditions in which at least one of the pipe diameter and the number of installations is different from each other, and a plurality of the indexes corresponding to the plurality of design conditions, The design support system according to claim 2.

13. the input information includes structural information relating to a structure of a building in which the piping system is installed and location information relating to a location of the building; The required flow rate is calculated from the roof area specified in the structural information and the rainfall intensity specified in the location information. The design support system of claim 1.

14. a computing circuit coupled to the display device and the input device; displaying an input screen for inputting input information used to identify a required flow rate of the piping system by the display device; Accepting input of the input information by the input device; displaying, by the display device, an output screen presenting output information including design conditions of the piping system and an index of the availability of the siphon phenomenon under the design conditions for the required flow rate, based on the input information; Design support method.

15. A method for causing the arithmetic circuit to execute the design support method according to claim 14, program.

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